How to Say Excuse Me in Mandarin

In Mandarin Chinese, the phrase “excuse me” is a crucial expression to know if you want to navigate through social situations politely. Whether it’s getting someone’s attention, apologizing, or seeking permission, mastering this phrase will undoubtedly come in handy during your interactions with Mandarin speakers. In this article, we will discuss various ways to say “excuse me” in Mandarin, along with some frequently asked questions about this essential phrase.

1. 请问 (qǐng wèn) – The Most Common Way to Say Excuse Me
The phrase “请问” literally translates to “please ask” and is the most common way to say “excuse me” in Mandarin. It is used when you want to ask a question or seek assistance politely. For example, if you need directions, you can say “请问，去图书馆怎么走?” (qǐng wèn, qù tú shū guǎn zěn me zǒu?) which means “Excuse me, how do I get to the library?”

2. 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) – Apologizing or Seeking Forgiveness
If you accidentally bump into someone or need to apologize for any inconvenience caused, the phrase “不好意思” will be your go-to expression. It translates to “I’m sorry” or “excuse me” in contexts where an apology is required. For instance, if you accidentally step on someone’s foot, you can say “不好意思，对不起” (bù hǎo yì si, duì bù qǐ), meaning “Excuse me, I’m sorry.”

3. 请稍等 (qǐng shāo děng) – Requesting Someone to Wait
When you need someone to wait for a moment, use the phrase “请稍等.” It translates to “please wait” and is commonly employed when you want to get someone’s attention or need a moment to attend to something. For instance, if you are on the phone and need to finish your conversation before assisting someone, you can say “请稍等一下” (qǐng shāo děng yī xià), meaning “Excuse me, please wait a moment.”

4. 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – General Apology
Similar to “不好意思,” “对不起” is another phrase used to apologize or seek forgiveness. It translates to “I’m sorry” and is commonly used in various situations where an apology is appropriate. For instance, if you accidentally spill someone’s drink, you can say “对不起，我弄洒了你的饮料” (duì bù qǐ, wǒ nòng sǎ le nǐ de yǐn liào), meaning “Excuse me, I spilled your drink.”

FAQs:

Q1: Are there any other ways to say “excuse me” in Mandarin?
A1: Yes, apart from the phrases mentioned above, you can also use “打扰一下” (dǎ rǎo yī xià), which means “disturb a bit.” It is commonly used when you want to politely interrupt someone or get their attention.

Q2: When should I use “请问” instead of “对不起” to say “excuse me”?
A2: “请问” is used when you need to ask a question or seek assistance, whereas “对不起” is used when you need to apologize or seek forgiveness. Use “请问” when you want to get someone’s attention without causing offense, and “对不起” when you have made a mistake or caused inconvenience.

Q3: Is it necessary to use honorifics when saying “excuse me” in Mandarin?
A3: While it is not compulsory, using honorifics such as “请” (qǐng) before “问” (wèn) can enhance politeness and show respect. However, in informal situations, you can omit the honorifics and simply say “问一下” (wèn yī xià), which means “ask a bit.”

Q4: Can I use these phrases in written Mandarin as well?
A4: Yes, these phrases can be used both in spoken and written Mandarin. However, keep in mind that in formal writing, it is advisable to use more formal expressions such as “敬请” (jìng qǐng) instead of “请问” to convey a higher level of politeness.