Learn Chinese L25: Sorry. I'm late.

The people are just about to blow out the candles at Lei Mei's birthday party when there is a knock on the door.

Dialogue One

duì　bù　qǐ　wǒ　 lái　wǎn　le
对　 不　起，我　 来　 晚　 了。
Sorry. I'm late.
wā　wǒ　 yǐ　wéi　nǐ　bú　huì　lái　le
哇！ 我　 以　为　 你　不　 会　来　了！
Oh, I thought you wouldn't come.
wǒ　xiǎng　gěi　nǐ　 yí　 gè　jīng　 xǐ
我　　想　　给　你　一　个　 惊　 喜。
I want to give you a surprise.
zì　 xíng　 chē　wǒ　tài　xǐ　huan　le
自　 行　　车！ 我　 太　喜　 欢　 了！
A bicycle! Thank you!
Dialogue Two
duì　bù　qǐ　duì　bù　qǐ　wǒ　bú　shì　gù　 yì　de
对　 不　起，对　 不　起，我　 不　是　 故　意　的。
Sorry, I didn't do that on purpose.
méi　guān　 xi
没　　关　　系。
No worries.
kuài　cā　ca　ba
快　　擦　擦　吧！
Clear it quickly!
hǎo　 de　 xiè　xie
好　　的， 谢　 谢。
OK. Thanks.
Explanation of difficult points


1. 以为
"以为" (yǐ wéi) means "to be under the impression that...". For example: "我以为是他呢，没想到是你。" (wǒ yǐ wéi shì tā ne méi xiǎng dào shì nǐ) which means "I thought it was him, I didn't realise it was you."

2. 惊喜
"惊喜" (jīng xǐ) always describes a good surprise.

3. 擦擦
"擦擦" (cā ca) is an example of the habit of duplicating verbs to denote short duration or casualness. It has the same effect as saying "擦一下" (cā yí xià), as covered in Lesson 16; another way to say it is "擦一擦" (cā yi cā). The second character in a duplicating verb is always pronounced with a lighter tone.