How to Say ‘Really sorry to trouble you’ in Simplified Chinese
真是麻烦你了
zhēn shì má fán nǐ le
[jen-shih mah-fahn nee luh]
💬 Usage Tip: [麻烦你了] is a very common pattern for [sorry to trouble you / thanks for the trouble], and [真是] adds extra warmth: [真是麻烦你了]. You can reuse the core pattern with other words too, like [辛苦你了] (thanks for your hard work).
🇨🇳 In China: This is polite and a bit warm or deferential, good when a driver has made an extra effort for you. It can smooth over a small disagreement without sounding formal or stiff.
Phrase Breakdown
真是
zhēn shì
[jen-shih]
really; truly
Adds emphasis to a polite apology or expression of appreciation.
真是麻烦你了，还特意绕了一下。
I’ve really troubled you; you even made a special detour.
麻烦
má fán
[mah-fahn]
to trouble; to bother; troublesome
Often used politely to say sorry for bothering someone or asking for extra help.
不好意思，麻烦您开到前面那个门。
Sorry to bother you, please drive to that gate ahead.
你了
nǐ le
you; (softening particle)
In this sentence, it completes the expression of apology or thanks toward the listener.
谢谢你了。
Thanks to you.
Words in this phrase
你
nǐ
[nee]
you
Refers to the person being addressed. In polite contexts, speakers often say 您 instead.
今天真是麻烦你了。
I really troubled you today.
了
le
[luh]
sentence particle indicating completion or softening tone
Here it helps make the phrase sound natural and polite.
改到这儿下车就行了。
It’s fine to get off here instead.
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