45 Sentences with Chinese Characteristics (2)

Intermediate Level

9. 别送了。 Bié sòng le.

Literally: "Don't see me out."
Function: Very polite. The guest says this to the host when the guest feels it's not necessary for the host to see them out.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "You don't need to see me out." or "No need to walk me out."

10. 我敬你一杯。Wǒ jìng nǐ yìbēi.

Literally: This phrase is difficult to translate literally. 敬 jìnɡ here symbolises respect given to the second party.
Function: Said when you wish to raise your drink to someone, to drink with them or propose a toast.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "I drink to you" or "Cheers".

11. 我会考虑一下的。wǒ huì kǎolǜ yíxià de.

Literally: "I will consider [it]".
Function:  Used to let someone know that you'll
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "I'll think about it".

12.你去忙你的吧。 Nǐ qù máng nǐ  de ba.

Literally: "You go do what you're busy with".
Function: Used to let someone know that they can continue doing what they are doing, while you go and do something else.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Please carry on with what you're doing."

13. 我不是说你。 Wǒ búshì shuō nǐ.

Literally: "I'm not criticising you."
Function: Use to preface something critical you're about to say and urge the other person not to be offende by it.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "I'm not criticising you." or "I'm not having a go at you."(Aussie English) or "No offense."

14. 至于吗？ Zhìyú ma？

Literally: Difficult to translate literally; 至于 zhìyú is a verb used to indicate that something has reached a certain level, while 吗 ma creates a quesion structure.
Function: Used to express doubt what someone says. You may reply as 至于 zhìyú or 不至于 bù zhìyú.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Is that really the case?" or "Has it come to that?" (Depending on situation)

15. 你吓死我了。 Nǐ xià sǐ wǒ le.

Literally: "You scared me to death."
Function: Used to express one's fear or concern about someone.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "You scared the crap outta me" or "You freaked me out" or "You made me concerned" depending on situation.

16. 随你了。Suí nǐ le.
Literally: "I'll follow you."
Function: Used to express that, when it comes to making a particular decision, you don't really mind either way.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Up to you" or "I'm easy." "What ever/ I don't care" depending on the situation.

17. 来来来... 坐坐坐... 吃吃吃.... Láiláilái... Zuòzuòzuò... Chīchīchī...

Literally: "Come come come... Sit sit sit... eat eat eat..."
Function: These three different phrases are used in different situations, though they may be said after one another. They are normally used when greeting a guest and you wish to show them your hospitality -- to come in and / or take a seat and / or eat.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Make yourself at home... Please, take a seat... Tuck in."

18. [某人]不在状态。[Somebody] bú zài zhuàngtài.

Literally: "Somebody is not in [a normal] state."
Function: Used to explain that someone -- perhaps a friend or a family member -- is not feeling very well.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Somebody is not him/himself."

19. 我失陪了。 Wǒ shīpéi le.

Literally: "I lose [your] company."
Function: Used to politely let someone know that you are leaving.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "I''m sorry but I must take my leave" (very formal) or "Sorry but I have to run" (informal).

20. 请教一下。 Qǐngjiào yíxià.

Literally: "Please instruct (me)."
Function: Used to let someone know that you welcome comments and criticism, particularly about a projiect you have been working on, your performance, etc.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "I'd love to hear some feedback from you.", "I look forword to hearing your advice.",'"Feel free to leave some comments." etc.

21. 你辛苦了。 Nǐ xīnkǔ le.

Literally: "You've tasted bitterness/ hardship".
Function: Used to express gratitude for the help someone has given you.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "You've worked so hard." is acceptable, but probably sounds a little strange. In this situation an English speaker would probably just say, "Thank you so much, I really appreciate it."

22. [某人]吃了很多苦。 [Somebody] chī le hěn duō kǔ.

Literally: "Somebody has eaten a lot of bitness (hardship)."
Function: Used to state that someone has gone through many hardships.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: “Somebody's been through a lot.” or "Somebody has gone through a rough time."

23. 我听你的。 Wǒ tīng nǐ de.
Literally: "I'll listen to you."
Function: Used to express that you'll listen and follow what someone does, usually for our own good.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "You're the boss."

24. [学到的东西]都还给老师了。 [Something] dōu huán gěi lǎoshī le.

Literally: "Something has all been given back to the teacher."
Function: Used to indicate that everything that you've learnt has been forgotten.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: As far as I know, no real equivalent. "I've forgotten it all" would suffer as a reference translation. A native English speaker may say something like, "My French / mathematics / etc is a bit rusty" though this is not as strong as the original Chinese sentence.

25. A生了B的气。 A shēng le B de qì.

Literally: "A generated anger because of B."
Function: Used to express that you have made somebody angry. Notable because this structure in Mandarin is unusual and a little confusing for Chinese learners.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "A is angry at B." or "A is pissed off with B." or "B made A angry."