Definition
帮倒忙 is a common verb phrase meaning 'to be more of a hindrance than a help' — you try to assist someone but make the situation worse. It often splits as a separable verb: you can put a measure word or time expression between 帮 and 倒忙, like 帮了一个倒忙 ('did a backfiring favor'). Use it when someone's well-intentioned help actually makes things harder.
v.p.
to be more hindrance than help (well-intentioned help that backfires)
Examples
- 帮倒忙，。Nǐ kě bié lái bāng dào máng le, wǒ yí gè rén jiù xíng.Don't come and be a hindrance — I can manage on my own.
- ，。Tā běnlái xiǎng bāngmáng, jiéguǒ què bāng le yí gè dào máng.He originally wanted to help, but ended up doing more harm than good.
- ，帮倒忙。Bāngmáng zhī qián xiān wènwen duìfāng xūyào shénme, miǎnde bāng dào máng.Before you help, first ask what the other person needs, so you don't end up being a hindrance.
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