Correct Answer: B
In our daily lives, we all get tied down with work, errands, and other responsibilities that leave little time to simply take a break and relax. So, what’s the right way to express “busy” in Chinese? Actually, in the Chinese language, “忙(máng)” and “繁忙(fánmáng)” both mean “busy,” though there are some subtle differences between them.
“忙(máng)” means “to be fully engaged or occupied.” It is a word that is used to describe people.
Examples
Wǒ bàba shì lǎoshī, tā hěn máng.
我 爸爸 是 老师，他 很 忙。
My dad is a teacher. He is very busy.
Amy: Nǐ jīntiān máng ma?
Amy：你 今天 忙 吗？
Amy: Are you busy today?
Tom：Bù máng. Wǒ jīntiān bú shàngbān.
Tom：不 忙。 我 今天 不 上班。
Tom：No, I don’t go to work today.
Sometimes, “忙(mánɡ)” can imply that you are “busy doing something” and it can be used as a verb.
Example
Háojiǔ bújiàn. Nǐ zài mánɡ shénme?
好久 不见。 你 在 忙 什么？
Long time no see. What have you been busy with?
The difference between “忙(mánɡ)” and “繁忙(fánmánɡ)” is that, although “繁忙(fánmánɡ)” also means “busy,” it cannot be used to describe a person. Instead, we use it to describe things like “工作(ɡōnɡzuò) work,” “学业(xuéyè) study,” “交通 (jiāotōng) traffic,” etc.
Examples
Yīnwèi wǎnɡluò fánmánɡ, wǒ xiànzài bùnénɡ fā yóujiàn.
因为 网络 繁忙， 我 现在 不能 发 邮件。
I cannot send the email because the network is busy.
Qiūtiān shì yígè fánmáng de jìjié.
秋天 是 一个 繁忙 的 季节。
Autumn is a busy season.
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