may I ask; excuse me
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
may I ask; excuse me; polite formula used to introduce a question
honorificPlaced at the beginning of a sentence to politely ask for information. Essential polite expression in Chinese etiquette.
Qǐng请
wèn问
zhè这
gè个
zì字
zěn怎
me么
dú读
？
May I ask how to read this character?
Qǐng请
wèn问
，
qù去
huǒ火
chē车
zhàn站
zěn怎
me么
zǒu走
？
Excuse me, how do I get to the train station?
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Qǐng请
wèn问
nín您
guì贵
xìng姓
？
May I ask what your honorable surname is?
Qǐng请
wèn问
xiàn现
zài在
jǐ几
diǎn点
le了
？
Excuse me, what time is it now?