Ch 31 · Lesson 19

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

0/6

Match each phrase to what it means.

Fill in the blank

0/6

Put the missing word back.

  1. 再说吧。 (Let us leave it for another time.)

    ___ zài shuō ba 。

  2. 你太了。 (You are too kind.)

    nǐ tài ___ liǎo 。

  3. 我会好好的。 (I will think it over carefully.)

    wǒ huì hǎo hǎo ___ de 。

  4. 谢谢,我吃了很多了。 (Thank you, I have already had plenty.)

    xiè xie , wǒ ___ chī le hěn duō le 。

  5. 了,谢谢。 (No need, thank you.)

    ___ liǎo , xiè xie 。

  6. 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

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