Ch 31 · Lesson 19Mandarin · Chapter 31 · Lesson 19 · Phrase session
Saying no politely
Turning down an invitation or an offer without giving offence.
Why these go together
A flat (bù) sounds blunt in Mandarin. People soften a refusal with an apology, a reason or a promise of next time, and (xiàcì zài shuō ba), let us talk about it next time, often simply means no.
。
Let us leave it for another time.
Literally: next time talk again
。
You are too kind.
。
I will think it over carefully.
,。
Thank you, I have already had plenty.
,。
No need, thank you.
,。
I am so sorry, I have something on tomorrow.
Matching
0/6Match each phrase to what it means.
Fill in the blank
0/6Put the missing word back.
再说吧。 (Let us leave it for another time.)
___ zài shuō ba 。
你太了。 (You are too kind.)
nǐ tài ___ liǎo 。
我会好好的。 (I will think it over carefully.)
wǒ huì hǎo hǎo ___ de 。
谢谢,我吃了很多了。 (Thank you, I have already had plenty.)
xiè xie , wǒ ___ chī le hěn duō le 。
了,谢谢。 (No need, thank you.)
___ liǎo , xiè xie 。
真不好意思,我明天。 (I am so sorry, I have something on tomorrow.)
zhēn bù hǎo yì si , wǒ míng tiān ___。
Lesson 19 of 27 in this chapter