Definition
自找麻烦 is a verb-object fixed phrase meaning 'to ask for trouble' or 'to bring trouble upon oneself'. It can be split like a separable verb, allowing elements such as 了, 什么, or 了一堆 to be inserted between 自找 and 麻烦 to indicate completion, degree, or modification (e.g., 自找了一堆麻烦 'brought a whole heap of trouble on oneself'). The literal meaning ('to look for trouble oneself') is transparent and closely matches the figurative usage.
v.o.
to ask for troubleto bring trouble upon oneself
Examples
- ，自找麻烦。Nǐ zuì hǎo bié guǎn nà jiàn shì, fǒuzé nǐ huì zì zhǎo má fan de.You'd better not get involved in that matter, or you'll be asking for trouble.
- ，自找麻烦？Tā míng zhīdao zhèyàng zuò bú duì hái yào qù zuò, zhè bú shì zì zhǎo má fan ma?He knew it was wrong but still did it — isn't that asking for trouble?
- 。Tā zhèyàng zuò shì zì zhǎo le yì duī má fan.He brought a heap of trouble on himself by doing that.
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