Mini-Test Answer: In vain

Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)

The right answer to this test is B.

Translation:

Gānggāng diànnǎo sǐjī le, wǒ de gōngzuò quán dōu bái gàn le.
刚刚电脑死机了，我的工作全都白干了。

My computer crashed just now. All my work was in vain.

Analysis:

A. White is “白色 (báisè)” in Chinese.
B. In vain is “白费 (báifèi)” in Chinese.
C. Black is “黑色 (hēisè)” in Chinese.

We know “白 (bái)” is the color white. However, in Chinese people usually use “白 (bái)” or “白白 (báibái)” to mean “in vain/for nothing.” For examples:

Tā bái (bái) děngle yì tiān.
他白（白）等了一天。

He waited all day in vain.

Bù néng ràng tā bái chī bái hē.
不能让他白吃白喝。

Don’t let him be a freeloader.