自寻烦恼

自尋煩惱
zìxún-fánnǎo
idiom #26,778

Meanings

  1. 1 to bring trouble on oneself
  2. 2 to look for trouble
  3. 3 to create unnecessary worry for oneself

Examples

HSK 5
Tā zǒngshì dānxīn yìxiē bù kěnéng fāshēng de shì, jiǎnzhí shì zìxún-fánnǎo.
He always worries about things that can't possibly happen - he's really just creating unnecessary trouble for himself.
HSK 7-9
Nǐ bù qù xiǎng nà jiàn shì jiù hǎo le, hébì zìxún-fánnǎo?
Just don't think about that matter - why bring trouble on yourself?

Tips

usage
Often used to gently chide someone for overthinking or worrying needlessly. Similar in spirit to the English expression 'borrowing trouble'.

Stroke Order

自 zì
寻 xún
烦 fán
恼 nǎo