白 + 动词
in vain, for nothing; also: for free
Structure
白 动词 （了／一趟）
What it means
'In vain, for nothing': the effort was wasted. With verbs of giving and getting it means 'for free'.
How it is built
白 + verb (+ 了 / 一趟): 我白跑了一趟 (I made the trip for nothing); 白送给你 (yours for free).
When to use it
Mostly spoken. Wasted: 白跑一趟, 白等, 白说, 白干. Free: 白送, 白给, 白拿; 白吃白喝 criticises freeloading. 白白 is stronger (白白浪费). Formal writing: 免费 for 'free', 白白 or 徒劳 for 'in vain'.
Watch out
白 goes straight before the verb, never after it: ✗跑白了一趟。 ✓白跑了一趟。
Examples
分好的垃圾要是又被混在一起拉走，大家不就白分了吗？
If the sorted rubbish is mixed together again and carted off, won’t all our sorting have been for nothing?
快递柜里根本没有我的包裹，我白跑了一趟。
My parcel wasn’t even in the locker; I made the trip for nothing.
这张旧桌子你要的话，白送给你。
If you want this old table, you can have it for free.
Learn this in Lesson 12 · HSK 5: 小区生活与垃圾分类 (Life in the compound, and sorting the rubbish)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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