in vain; for free
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesadverb
in vain; to no avail; fruitlessly
Used to express that effort, time, or resources were expended without achieving the desired result. Often conveys a sense of regret or frustration.
Wǒ我
men们
bái白
bái白
děng等
le了
tā他
sān三
gè个
xiǎo小
shí时
，
tā他
gēn根
běn本
méi没
lái来
。
We waited for him for three hours in vain; he never came.
Zhè这
gè个
jì计
huà划
shī失
bài败
le了
，
suǒ所
yǒu有
de的
xīn心
xuè血
dōu都
bái白
bái白
fù付
chū出
le了
。
The plan failed; all the hard work was wasted.
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Zhè这
me么
hǎo好
de的
jī机
huì会
bèi被
nǐ你
bái白
bái白
cuò错
guò过
le了
，
zhēn真
kě可
xī惜
！
What a pity that you let such a good opportunity slip away for nothing.
adverb
for free; gratis; without compensation
Used when something is given, obtained, or taken without payment or reciprocation. Often implies an expectation of fairness or that the giver is being overly generous.
Wǒ我
men们
bù不
néng能
bái白
bái白
ná拿
bié别
rén人
de的
dōng东
xi西
。
We cannot take other people's things for free.
Zhè这
jiā家
diàn店
zhōu周
nián年
qìng庆
，
yǒu有
xiē些
xiǎo小
lǐ礼
pǐn品
kě可
yǐ以
bái白
bái白
lǐng领
qǔ取
。
For this store's anniversary celebration, you can get some small gifts for free.
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Tā他
bāng帮
le了
wǒ我
zhè这
me么
dà大
de的
máng忙
，
wǒ我
zǒng总
bù不
néng能
ràng让
tā他
bái白
bái白
xīn辛
kǔ苦
ba吧
。
He helped me so much; I can't just let him work for nothing.