怎么办？
zěnme bàn?
What should we do · trad. 怎麼辦？
怎么办？ (Zěnme bàn) is the go-to phrase when trouble strikes, expressing "What should we do?" or "What to do?" It's often used when facing a problem or a difficult situation, conveying a mix of question and a sigh of concern.
What does 怎么办？ (zěnme bàn?) mean?
怎么办？ (zěnme bàn?) means “what should we do” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “how to do?”
When to use it
Neutral and common. It can be used in almost any situation, from minor inconveniences to serious dilemmas. When asking for advice, you might add 我 (wǒ, "I") or 我们 (wǒmen, "we") for clarity, like 我该怎么办？ (Wǒ gāi zěnme bàn?, "What should I do?").
How to pronounce it
Sounds like "DZUN-muh BAN." The first syllable has a rising tone, and the second has a falling tone. The middle syllable is light.
Other ways to say it
- 我该怎么办？wǒ gāi zěnme bàn?What should I do? (more specific)
- 怎么解决？zěnme jiějué?How to solve it?
- 有什么办法？yǒu shénme bànfǎ?Is there any way? / What methods are there?
Examples
我的手机丢了，怎么办？
wǒ de shǒujī diū le, zěnme bàn?
My phone is lost, what should I do?
下雨了，我们没带伞，怎么办？
xiàyǔ le, wǒmen méi dài sǎn, zěnme bàn?
It's raining, we didn't bring an umbrella, what should we do?
别担心，我们总会找到办法的。
bié dānxīn, wǒmen zǒng huì zhǎodào bànfǎ de.
Don't worry, we'll always find a way.
Pro tip: 怎么办？ can be a genuine question seeking solutions or a rhetorical expression of worry and helplessness. The context and tone will tell you which it is.
Related phrases
谁？ · Who怎么了？ · What's wrong你在干什么？ · What are you doing
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