fail to recognize someone (humble)
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadjective
failing to recognize someone; poor memory for faces (humble, polite formula)
humbleUsed as a humble apology when one fails to recognize someone or cannot remember if they have met before. Typically used in formal or polite social interactions.
Shù恕
wǒ我
yǎn眼
zhuō拙
，
nín您
guì贵
xìng姓
？
I have a poor memory for faces; may I ask your honorable surname?
Bào抱
qiàn歉
，
yǎn眼
zhuō拙
le了
，
méi没
rèn认
chū出
shì是
nín您
。
Sorry, I failed to recognize you.
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Shù恕
wǒ我
yǎn眼
zhuō拙
，
wǒ我
men们
zhī之
qián前
jiàn见
guo过
ma吗
？
Forgive me, I don't recall; have we met before?
Zhēn真
shì是
yǎn眼
zhuō拙
，
yī一
shí时
méi没
xiǎng想
qǐ起
lái来
。
How blind of me, I couldn't recall for a moment.