dǎrǎo: 打扰 - To Disturb, To Bother, To Interrupt

• Keywords: 打扰, darao, dǎrǎo, what does darao mean, how to use darao, Chinese for “excuse me”, Chinese for “bother”, Chinese for “disturb”, polite Chinese, interrupt in Chinese, Chinese social etiquette.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 打扰 (dǎrǎo), which means “to disturb” or “to bother.” This page will teach you why dǎrǎo is more than a simple translation; it's a key to understanding Chinese politeness and social harmony. You'll discover how to use it to politely get someone's attention, apologize for an interruption, and navigate social situations with cultural fluency, avoiding common beginner mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dǎrǎo
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To disturb, bother, or interrupt a person or their activity.
• In a Nutshell: 打扰 (dǎrǎo) is the social lubricant you use before imposing on someone's time or space. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of saying, “Excuse me for bothering you, but…” It's a way of acknowledging the interruption and showing respect for the other person's state, whether they are working, resting, or concentrating. Using it demonstrates consideration and social awareness.

• 打 (dǎ): The base meaning is “to hit” or “to strike.” It's one of the most common characters in Chinese and is often used as a prefix to indicate performing an action, like “to play” ball (打球), “to make” a phone call (打电话), or in this case, “to initiate” a disturbance.
• 扰 (rǎo): This character means “to disturb,” “to trouble,” or “to agitate.” It carries the core meaning of the word.

The two characters combine to mean “to perform the action of disturbing.” 打 (dǎ) gives the word its active, verbal quality, while 扰 (rǎo) provides the specific meaning of the action.

In Chinese culture, great value is placed on social harmony and avoiding causing trouble or inconvenience (麻烦, máfan) for others. An interruption, no matter how small, is seen as a potential disruption of this harmony. Therefore, verbally acknowledging the disruption with 打扰 (dǎrǎo) is a crucial sign of respect and good manners. Contrast this with a more direct culture, like in the United States, where walking into an office with an open door and saying, “Hey, got a minute?” is often perfectly acceptable. In China, the default is to assume the person is busy and to preface any interaction with a polite buffer like 打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yíxià). This isn't about being timid; it's about being socially intelligent and considerate. It signals that you value the other person's time and are not taking their attention for granted. This small act reinforces positive social bonds and shows you understand the importance of not imposing.

打扰 (dǎrǎo) is a versatile word used in many daily situations.

• As a Polite Opener: This is its most common function. Use 打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yíxià), which means “Excuse me for a moment,” before asking a question or making a request.
  • Approaching a stranger for directions: “打扰一下，请问…” (Dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn…)
  • Entering a colleague's office: “打扰了，你有空吗？” (Dǎrǎo le, nǐ yǒu kòng ma?)
• As an Apology: Used to apologize after you realize you have interrupted someone.
  • After your phone rings in a quiet library: “不好意思，打扰大家了。” (Bù hǎoyìsi, dǎrǎo dàjiā le.) - “Sorry for disturbing everyone.”
• On Signs and Formal Notices: The phrase 请勿打扰 (Qǐng wù dǎrǎo) means “Please Do Not Disturb.” You will see this everywhere, especially on hotel room doors.
• As a Direct Complaint: While often used politely, it can also be used in a negative or complaining tone to mean someone is actively bothering you.
  • To a noisy neighbor: “你这样会打扰到别人休息！” (Nǐ zhèyàng huì dǎrǎo dào biérén xiūxi!) - “You're disturbing others' rest by doing this!”

• Example 1:
  • 打扰一下，请问地铁站在哪里？
  • Pinyin: Dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn dìtiězhàn zài nǎlǐ?
  • English: Excuse me for bothering you, could you tell me where the subway station is?
  • Analysis: This is the most classic and essential use of the term. 打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yíxià) is the standard polite formula for getting a stranger's attention.
• Example 2:
  • 不好意思，这么晚了还来打扰你。
  • Pinyin: Bù hǎoyìsi, zhème wǎn le hái lái dǎrǎo nǐ.
  • English: I'm sorry to bother you this late.
  • Analysis: Here, 打扰 is used as an apology, acknowledging the inconvenience of the late hour. This is very common when making phone calls in the evening.
• Example 3:
  • 酒店房间门口挂着“请勿打扰”的牌子。
  • Pinyin: Jiǔdiàn fángjiān ménkǒu guàzhe “qǐng wù dǎrǎo” de páizi.
  • English: The hotel room door has a “Please Do Not Disturb” sign hanging on it.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the formal, set-phrase usage of the term. 请勿 (qǐng wù) is a formal way of saying “please do not.”
• Example 4:
  • 孩子们在外面玩，希望没有打扰到您工作。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen zài wàimiàn wán, xīwàng méiyǒu dǎrǎo dào nín gōngzuò.
  • English: The children are playing outside, I hope they haven't disturbed your work.
  • Analysis: This is a considerate and preemptive apology. The speaker is showing awareness that their children's noise might be a bother. Note the polite 您 (nín) for “you.”
• Example 5:
  • 他在专心看书，我们最好不要去打扰他。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài zhuānxīn kànshū, wǒmen zuìhǎo bùyào qù dǎrǎo tā.
  • English: He's concentrating on his book, we'd better not go and disturb him.
  • Analysis: Here, 打扰 is used to describe the action of disturbing someone, used in a suggestion to avoid doing so.
• Example 6:
  • 我刚才在开会，没接到你的电话，不好意思，没打扰你吧？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gāngcái zài kāihuì, méi jiēdào nǐ de diànhuà, bù hǎoyìsi, méi dǎrǎo nǐ ba?
  • English: I was in a meeting just now and missed your call. Sorry, I hope my calling back isn't disturbing you?
  • Analysis: A common phrase when returning a call. It politely checks if the present moment is convenient for the other person.
• Example 7:
  • 谢谢你的帮助！今天真是打扰你了。
  • Pinyin: Xièxiè nǐ de bāngzhù! Jīntiān zhēnshi dǎrǎo nǐ le.
  • English: Thank you for your help! I really bothered you today.
  • Analysis: In this context, saying “I bothered you” is a polite way of amplifying your gratitude. You are acknowledging the effort and imposition you caused, thus making your “thank you” more sincere.
• Example 8:
  • 你一直说话会打扰我学习的。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yìzhí shuōhuà huì dǎrǎo wǒ xuéxí de.
  • English: Your constant talking will disturb my studies.
  • Analysis: This is an example of a direct, slightly complaining usage. The tone is not aggressive but clearly states a negative consequence.
• Example 9:
  • 老板，打扰了。这份文件需要您签个字。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn, dǎrǎo le. Zhè fèn wénjiàn xūyào nín qiān ge zì.
  • English: Excuse me for disturbing you, boss. This document needs your signature.
  • Analysis: A standard, respectful way to interrupt a superior in a business setting. 打扰了 (dǎrǎo le) is a common variation of 打扰一下.
• Example 10:
  • 如果你觉得音乐声太大打扰到你了，请一定告诉我。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ juéde yīnyuè shēng tài dà dǎrǎo dào nǐ le, qǐng yídìng gàosù wǒ.
  • English: If you feel the music is too loud and it's bothering you, please be sure to let me know.
  • Analysis: This proactive and considerate sentence shows concern for another person's comfort. It invites them to speak up if they feel disturbed.

• False Friend: “Excuse me”
  • A major mistake for beginners is to think 打扰 can be used for all situations where “excuse me” is used in English. This is incorrect.
  • To pass someone in a crowd: Use 借过 (jièguò) or 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi). Do NOT use 打扰.
  • To apologize for a small mistake (like bumping into someone): Use 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) or 对不起 (duìbuqǐ). Do NOT use 打扰.
  • 打扰 is specifically for interrupting someone's time, concentration, or peace. It's about a temporal or mental imposition, not a physical one.
• Incorrect Structure
  • Do not use 打扰 as if it means “to go somewhere.”
  • Incorrect: 我要打扰问一个问题。 (Wǒ yào dǎrǎo wèn yí ge wèntí.)
  • Correct: 打扰一下，我要问一个问题。 (Dǎrǎo yíxià, wǒ yào wèn yí ge wèntí.)
  • The interruption (打扰一下) is a separate introductory action before you state your main purpose.

• 麻烦 (máfan) - Troublesome; to trouble someone. 打扰 is the act of interrupting; 麻烦 is the inconvenience you cause. They are often used together, e.g., “不好意思，打扰了，又要麻烦你了” (Sorry to disturb you, I have to trouble you again).
• 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) - A mild “sorry,” “excuse me,” or “to feel embarrassed.” It's the perfect companion phrase for 打扰: “不好意思，打扰一下…”
• 请问 (qǐngwèn) - “May I please ask…” This is the phrase that very often follows 打扰一下 when you need information.
• 借过 (jièguò) - “Excuse me (let me pass).” The correct term for physically needing to get by someone. Completely different from 打扰.
• 干扰 (gānrǎo) - To interfere with, to disrupt. This is a more formal and often technical term. While 打扰 is for social interruptions, 干扰 is used for things like signal interference (信号干扰), emotional interference, or disrupting a plan.
• 抱歉 (bàoqiàn) - To be sorry, to regret. A more formal and serious apology than 不好意思. You might use it if your disturbance was significant.
• 勿 (wù) - A formal/literary character for “do not.” You will almost exclusively see it in written commands like 请勿打扰 (Please do not disturb).