give extra for free; be in vain; waste effort
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to give extra for free; to throw in as a bonus
neutralCommonly used in a commercial or service context, implying generosity or a promotional gesture.
Lǎo老
bǎn板
，
zhè这
cài菜
xián咸
le了
，
nín您
děi得
bái白
ráo饶
wǒ我
yī一
wǎn碗
gāo高
tāng汤
。
Boss, this dish is too salty, you should give me an extra bowl of broth for free.
Mǎi买
èr二
jīn斤
píng苹
guǒ果
，
tā他
bái白
ráo饶
le了
wǒ我
yī一
gè个
dà大
de的
。
When I bought two jin of apples, he threw in a big one for free.
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Zhè这
cì次
wéi维
xiū修
miǎn免
fèi费
，
líng零
jiàn件
yě也
bái白
ráo饶
gěi给
nǐ你
le了
。
This repair is free, and I'll give you the part for free too.
verb
to be in vain; to waste effort; to have been for nothing
dialectOften used in dialect (especially Northern Mandarin) to express frustration over wasted time or effort.
Jǐ几
tiān天
de的
xīn辛
kǔ苦
quán全
suàn算
bái白
ráo饶
，
děi得
dǎ打
tóu头
chóng重
lái来
。
All the hard work of the past few days was for nothing; we have to start over from the beginning.
Gēn跟
tā他
jiǎng讲
dào道
lǐ理
yě也
shì是
bái白
ráo饶
，
tā他
gēn根
běn本
bù不
tīng听
。
It's a waste of effort to reason with him; he simply doesn't listen.
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Zhè这
qián钱
huā花
de得
bái白
ráo饶
，
dōng东
xī西
yī一
diǎn点
yòng用
dōu都
méi没
yǒu有
。
That money was wasted; the thing is completely useless.