Simplified Chinese - Lesson 140 of 156: Polite interruptions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

请问一下

Qǐngwèn yíxià.

May I ask something?

Meaning: May I ask something?

When to use: Use this at the start of a question with a stranger, staff member, or when you need information politely.

Tip: Don't drop 请问 into every sentence; use it to politely start questions, not as filler.

请问一下，车站怎么走？

Qǐngwèn yíxià, chēzhàn zěnme zǒu?

May I ask, how do I get to the station?

请问一下，这个多少钱？

Qǐngwèn yíxià, zhège duōshǎo qián?

May I ask, how much is this?

打扰一下

Dǎrǎo yíxià.

Excuse me for interrupting.

Meaning: Excuse me for interrupting.

When to use: Say this when you need to pass through a crowd, get someone's attention, or briefly interrupt.

Tip: Don’t use 打扰一下 for long conversations — it signals a small, brief interruption.

打扰一下，我能过去吗？

Dǎrǎo yíxià, wǒ néng guòqù ma?

Excuse me, can I get past?

打扰一下，请问现在几点？

Dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn xiànzài jǐ diǎn?

Excuse me, may I ask what time it is?

先忙吧

Xiān máng ba.

Go ahead and do what you need to do.

Meaning: Go ahead and do what you need to do.

When to use: Tell someone they can continue with their task; you don’t need immediate attention.

你先忙吧，有空再说。

Nǐ xiān máng ba, yǒu kòng zài shuō.

You go ahead and be busy; we'll talk when you're free.

对不起麻烦你了，你先忙吧。

Duìbuqǐ máfan nǐ le, nǐ xiān máng ba.

Sorry to trouble you — go ahead and take care of it first.

慢慢来

Mànman lái.

Take your time.

Meaning: Take your time.

When to use: Use this to reassure someone who seems rushed or learning something new; it’s friendly and calm.

别着急，慢慢来，我可以等。

Bié zhāojí, mànman lái, wǒ kěyǐ děng.

Don't worry, take your time, I can wait.

刚开始学，不要急，慢慢来。

Gāng kāishǐ xué, bùyào jí, mànman lái.

You just started learning; don't rush, take your time.

不着急

Bù zháojí.

There’s no rush.

Meaning: There’s no rush.

When to use: Say this when someone is hurrying you or in a slow line — it reassures them you can wait.

不用急，不着急，我们还有时间。

Bùyòng jí, bù zháojí, wǒmen hái yǒu shíjiān.

No need to hurry, there's no rush; we still have time.

如果你需要帮忙，告诉我，但现在不着急。

Rúguǒ nǐ xūyào bāngmáng, gàosù wǒ, dàn xiànzài bù zháojí.

If you need help, tell me — but there's no rush right now.

Simplified Chinese - Polite interruptions

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase means 'May I ask something?'

You want to tell your friend 'Go ahead and take care of it; I can wait.' Which phrase fits best?

Which phrase would you say to reassure someone: 'Take your time'?

You're trying to get past someone in a crowd. Which phrase do you say?

In a crowd you'd say 打扰一下, meaning 'Excuse me, can I get by?'

You would say 不着急 to tell your friend 'There's no rush; we can wait.'

先忙吧 tells the person to continue with their tasks: 'Go ahead and do your work first.'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice