Definition
找麻烦 is a separable verb-object phrase (离合词) that can mean either 'to look for trouble' (bringing difficulty on oneself) or 'to cause someone trouble / to pick on someone'. The object can be inserted between 找 and 麻烦 — e.g., 找他的麻烦 ('pick on him'). It's colloquial and carries a slightly negative tone.
v.o.
to look for trouble (for oneself)to cause trouble for someoneto pick on someone
Examples
- 找麻烦，。Tā zǒng xǐhuan zìjǐ zhǎo má fan, méi rén lǐ tā.He always likes to look for trouble for himself; no one pays him any attention.
- ，。Nǐ bié zhǎo wǒ máfan, wǒ kě méi rě nǐ.Don't pick on me; I didn't provoke you.
- ，找麻烦。Zhè jiàn shì yǐjīng chǔlǐ hǎo le, bié zài zhǎo má fan le.This matter has been handled; don't cause any more trouble.
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