🚫📏

How to Say ‘Then don't set it too rigidly.’ in Simplified Chinese

那就别定太死。

nà jiù bié dìng tài sǐ

[nà jyoh bié dìng tie sǐ]

💬 Usage Tip: 死 (sǐ) literally means "dead", but after an action it means "fixed" or "rigid": 定死 "set in stone". 那就 at the start means "in that case, then".

Phrase Breakdown

那就

nà jiù

then; in that case

那 (nà, then) + 就 (jiù, just). Both are fourth tones, said quickly together.

Example

那就这样吧。

Then let's leave it like that.

Words in this phrase

那

nà

[nà]

then

Used to indicate a logical or temporal continuity from a previous statement or event.

Example

那我们该怎么办？

Then what should we do?

就

jiù

[jyoh]

then; just

就 makes the invitation sound like the obvious next move.

Example

那就先陪我喝一杯，别光嘴上厉害。

Then have a drink with me first—don’t just be impressive with your words.

别定太死。

bié dìng tài sǐ

don't set it too rigidly

别 (bié, don't) + 定 (dìng, set) + 太死 (tài sǐ, too rigid). Here 死 means fixed or inflexible.

Example

时间别定太死。

Don't make the time too fixed.

Words in this phrase

别定

bié dìng

[bié dìng]

don't set

别 (don't) + 定 (set, fix).

Example

别定太高的目标。

Don't set too high a goal.

太

tài

[tie]

too; overly

Used to indicate degree, often in patterns like 'not too...' or 'too much.'

Example

现在不太堵。

It's not too congested right now.

死

sǐ

[sǐ]

rigid; inflexible

Fixed with no room for change.

Example

规定不要太死。

Rules shouldn't be too rigid.

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