How to Say ‘Sir, the meter says fifty-eight yuan.’ in Simplified Chinese
师傅,表上是五十八块啊。
shī fù biǎo shàng shì wǔ shí bā kuài a
[shir-foo biǎo shahng shir wǔshíbā kwye ah]
🇨🇳 In China: Pointing to the meter is the standard, face-saving way to dispute a fare. You're citing a neutral number rather than calling the driver dishonest.
Phrase Breakdown
师傅,
shī fù
Driver / Master,
师傅 (shīfu) is a polite way to address taxi drivers and skilled workers. Pause briefly after it.
师傅,去火车站。
Driver, to the train station, please.
Words in this phrase
师傅
shī fù
[shir-foo]
driver; sir; master
A polite way to address a taxi driver, repair worker, or other skilled worker in China.
师傅，这个路线对吗？
Driver, is this route correct?
表上是
biǎo shàng shì
on the meter it's
表 (biǎo) means the taxi meter here. 表上是 means 'the meter shows'.
表上是二十块。
The meter says twenty yuan.
Words in this phrase
表
biǎo
[biǎo]
meter
The taxi meter showing the fare.
表上显示多少钱?
How much does the meter show?
上
shàng
[shahng]
on; upon
Combined with 路 to form 路上, meaning 'on the way.'
去餐厅的时候路上慢点。
Take it slow on the way when going to the restaurant.
是
shì
[shir]
to be; is; are
A linking verb meaning 'to be.' It connects a subject with identity or description.
她是医生。
She is a doctor.
五十八块啊。
wǔ shí bā kuài a
fifty-eight yuan!
五十八块 (wǔshíbā kuài) means 58 yuan. 啊 (a) shows mild surprise.
才五十八块啊。
It's only fifty-eight yuan!
Words in this phrase
五十八
wǔ shí bā
[wǔshíbā]
fifty-eight
The number 58.
一共五十八块。
Fifty-eight kuai in total.
块
kuài
[kwye]
kuai; yuan (informal money unit)
A common spoken measure word for money in Chinese, especially in everyday situations like taxi fares.
这次车费差五块。
This time the taxi fare is short by five kuai.
啊
a
[ah]
ah; particle for tone or emotion
Adds a natural spoken tone of surprise in a question.
真的啊？我太意外了。
Really? I’m so surprised.
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