How to Say ‘The meter says fifty-eight yuan.’ in Simplified Chinese
表上是五十八块啊。
biǎo shàng shì wǔ shí bā kuài a
[biǎo shahng shir wǔshíbā kwye ah]
💬 Usage Tip: The 啊 at the end softens the sentence into a gentle "…you know?" rather than a flat accusation. It works for any polite pushback: 我付了啊 "but I paid".
Phrase Breakdown
表上是
biǎo shàng shì
on the meter it's
表 (biǎo) here means the taxi meter. 上 (shang) means 'on'. 是 (shì) means 'is'.
表上是三十块。
The meter says thirty 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 (wǔshíbā) is 58. 啊 (a) at the end adds mild surprise or emphasis.
这件衣服五十八块啊。
This piece of clothing is 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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