Definition
奔命 is a colloquial separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to be in a desperate hurry' or 'to rush about'. It can be split: the verb 奔 takes aspect markers, measure words, or duration, while the object 命 stays at the end — for example, 奔了一天的命 ('rushed about for a whole day'). You cannot put an object after 奔命; instead, use a prepositional phrase like 为了工作奔命.
v.o.
to be in a desperate hurryto rush about
Examples
- 奔命。Tā měitiān wèile gōngzuò bēn mìng.He rushes about for work every day.
- ，。Tā bēn le yì tiān de mìng, lèi huài le.He rushed about for a whole day and was exhausted.
- 奔命，。Bié zhème bēn mìng, zhùyì xiūxi.Don't rush about so desperately; take care to rest.
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