How to Say ‘Sorry to bother you.’ in Simplified Chinese
不好意思，打扰一下。
bù hǎo yì sī dǎ rǎo yī xià
[bù hǎoyìsi dǎrǎo ee-shyah]
🇨🇳 In China: This is the standard polite way to stop a stranger in China. Starting with it makes an approach feel courteous rather than abrupt.
Phrase Breakdown
不好意思，
bù hǎo yì sī
excuse me / sorry
A polite opener to get someone's attention or apologize lightly. Pronounced bù hǎo yìsi; the 'si' is light and unstressed.
不好意思，我来晚了。
Sorry, I'm late.
Words in this phrase
不好意思
bù hǎo yì sī
[bù hǎoyìsi]
sorry; excuse me
Polite expression of mild apology or embarrassment.
不好意思，我来晚了。
Sorry, I'm late.
打扰一下。
dǎ rǎo yī xià
may I bother you for a moment
打扰 means 'to disturb'. 一下 softens it to 'for a moment'. Here 一 is said yí before the fourth tone of 下.
打扰一下，请问洗手间在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Words in this phrase
打扰
dǎ rǎo
[dǎrǎo]
to disturb; to bother
Verb meaning to interrupt or take up someone's time.
他在工作，别打扰他。
He's working, don't bother him.
一下
yī xià
[ee-shyah]
a little; briefly
Softens the tone, making a request sound lighter and more polite.
方便让我了解一下贵公司的文化吗？
Would it be convenient to let me learn a little about your company culture?
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