我该怎么办？
wǒ gāi zěnme bàn?
The English phrase "what should I do?" is translated into Chinese as 我该怎么办？ (wǒ gāi zěnme bàn?)
This phrase is a question used to ask for advice or instructions on how to handle a difficult situation.
Which one should you use?
While 我该怎么办？ asks for advice on a situation, 我该做什么？ (wǒ gāi zuò shénme?) is more literally 'What should I do?' in the sense of asking for a specific task or assignment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 办 (bàn) is the core verb meaning 'to handle' or 'to deal with', and is used here to complete the question 'how to do'.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ gāi zěnme bàn?
Did you know?
- If you are feeling overwhelmed by a problem, you might say 急死了 (jí sǐ le), which literally means 'worried to death'. It is often used as an emotional exclamation alongside 我该怎么办？
- The character 办 (bàn) is a simplified version of 辦. While it now means 'to handle', its original meaning related to 'managing a household' or 'organizing affairs'.
- When asking for advice in a very casual way among friends, you might swap 'what should I do' for 'what's the move', using the slangy term 怎么搞 (zěnme gǎo).
Examples in context
- 我迷路了，你觉得我应该怎么办？I'm lost, what do you think I should do?
- 我有两个工作机会，一个在上海，另一个在北京。你认为我应该怎么办？I have two job opportunities, one in Shanghai and the other in Beijing. What do you think I should do?
- 我该怎么办？Wǒ gāi zěnme bàn?What should I do?
- 如果丢了钱包，我该怎么办？Rúguǒ diūle qiánbāo, wǒ gāi zěnme bàn?What should I do if I lose my wallet?
Example conversation
Zhiqiang is worried about a mistake at work and asks Zihan for help.
- 志强 Zhiqiang梓涵，我刚才做错了一件事，我该怎么办？Zǐhán, wǒ gāngcái zuò cuò le yī jiàn shì, wǒ gāi zěnme bàn?Zihan, I just made a mistake, what should I do?
- 梓涵 Zihan别担心，你先告诉老板实情。Bié dānxīn, nǐ xiān gàosù lǎobǎn shíqíng.Don't worry, tell the boss the truth first.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那样会不会让他很生气？Nàyàng huì bù huì ràng tā hěn shēngqì?Won't that make him very angry?
- 梓涵 Zihan诚实才是最好的办法。Chéngshí cái shì zuì hǎo de bànfǎ.Honesty is the best way.
