embarrass by excessive kindness
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to cause someone to feel unable to bear excessive respect or kindness; to make one feel unworthy of such generous treatment
dialectUsed in dialectal Chinese (often northern dialects), typically in humble responses to excessive praise, gifts, or acts of kindness. The speaker implies that the other person's generosity is so great it would metaphorically 'shorten one's lifespan' to accept it. Often used in the pattern '折我的寿了' or similar constructions.
Nín您
zhème这
kuā么
jiǎng夸
wǒ奖
zhēn我
,
shi真
zhé是
wǒ折
de我
shòu的
le寿
了
。
You're praising me so much, I really don't deserve it.
Lǎo老
xiān先
sheng生
qīn亲
zì自
lái来
kàn看
wàng望
,
zhé折
shà煞
wǒ我
le了
。
The old gentleman came to visit personally; I'm overwhelmed by such kindness.
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Zhème这
hǎo么
de好
jiǔ的
wǒ酒
kě我
bù可
gǎn不
hē敢
zhé喝
,
shòu折
a寿
啊
!
I wouldn't dare drink such fine liquor; it's too generous for me!