overly polite; standoffish; treating as outsider
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadjective
overly polite to the point of seeming distant; treating someone as an outsider
informalUsed to describe behavior that is excessively formal or courteous, creating a sense of distance rather than warmth. Often used in negative constructions (别外道，不用外道). Implies a lack of closeness or familiarity.
Zán咱
men们
zhè这
me么
hǎo好
de的
guān关
xi系
，
nǐ你
hái还
zhè这
me么
kè客
qi气
，
jiù就
tài太
wài外
dao道
le了
。
We're so close, so if you're still being this polite, it's really treating me like an outsider.
Nǐ你
bù不
yòng用
wài外
dao道
，
suí随
biàn便
zuò坐
。
Don't stand on ceremony, sit wherever you like.
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Nǐ你
zài再
qiān谦
ràng让
，
jiù就
xiǎn显
de得
wài外
dao道
le了
。
If you keep being so modest, it will seem overly formal and distant.
Gēn跟
zì自
jǐ己
rén人
bù不
yòng用
zhè这
me么
wài外
dao道
。
You don't need to be so standoffish with family/close ones.