# 伤脑筋 (shāng nǎojīn): to be a real headache | HSK 7-9 Vocabulary | HSKReady

Canonical: https://hskready.app/en/vocabulary/hsk-7-9/shangnaojin-8914
Language: en
Content ID: hsk-7-9-8914
HSK levels: 7-9
Updated: 2026-10-23T04:53:10.629Z
Scope: approved public sample; full vocabulary, question bank and mock exams remain in the app.

Learn 伤脑筋 (shāng nǎojīn), HSK 7-9: to be a real headache; to find sth a real headache. Hear standard pronunciation and read a Chinese example with its English meaning.

# 伤脑筋

[Audio](https://mvuhmsljbsfgkpkmibuz.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/item-assets/vocab/hsk-7-9-8914/word.mp3)

shāng nǎojīn

to be a real headache; to find sth a real headache

HSK 7-9

## Pronunciation

shāng nǎojīn

[Audio](https://mvuhmsljbsfgkpkmibuz.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/item-assets/vocab/hsk-7-9-8914/word.mp3)

## Example sentence

这道数学题真伤脑筋，我想了很久还是做不出来。

zhè dào shùxué tí zhēn shāng nǎojīn, wǒ xiǎng le hěn jiǔ háishi zuò bu chūlái.

This math problem is a real headache; I've thought about it for a long time but still can't solve it.

[Audio](https://mvuhmsljbsfgkpkmibuz.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/item-assets/vocab/hsk-7-9-8914/ex-0.mp3)

### Read and choose an answer

One fixed sample

[Explore a sample](https://hskready.app/en/learn/question-types/r11-passage-choice)

## Related vocabulary

[**胸有成竹**xiōngyǒuchéngzhúto have a well-thought-out plan in mind; confident of success](https://hskready.app/en/vocabulary/hsk-7-9/xiongyouchengzhu-10010)[**汹涌**xiōngyǒngto surge up violently (of water); turbulent; raging](https://hskready.app/en/vocabulary/hsk-7-9/xiongyong-10009)[**胸怀**xiōnghuáibosom; broad-mindedness; to cherish (ambition, etc.)](https://hskready.app/en/vocabulary/hsk-7-9/xionghuai-10005)[Vocabulary HSK 7-9](https://hskready.app/en/vocabulary/hsk-7-9)

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