treat as outsider; stand on ceremony
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesadjective
to treat someone as an outsider; to stand on ceremony
Used to describe behavior that is overly polite or formal, suggesting distance between people who should be close. Often used in negative constructions like '不要见外' (don't stand on ceremony).
Nǐ你
duì对
wǒ我
zhè这
yàng样
kè客
qi气
，
dào倒
yǒu有
diǎn点
jiàn见
wài外
le了
。
You're being so polite to me that it feels like you're treating me as a stranger.
Qǐng请
suí随
biàn便
xiē些
，
bù不
yào要
jiàn见
wài外
。
Please make yourself at home; don't stand on ceremony.
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Dōu都
shì是
zì自
jǐ己
rén人
，
qiān千
wàn万
bié别
jiàn见
wài外
。
We're all family here, so please don't be formal with us.