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How to Say ‘Driver, this road doesn't seem right, does it?’ in Simplified Chinese

师傅，这条路好像不对吧？

shī fù zhè tiáo lù hǎo xiàng bù duì ba

[shir-foo juh tyow loo how-shyang boo dway ba]

🇨🇳 In China: 师傅 "master" is the standard respectful way to address a taxi driver. Combining it with 好像 and 吧 lets you question the route without accusing the driver of cheating.

Phrase Breakdown

师傅，

shī fù

Driver,

师傅 (shīfu) is the polite way to address a taxi driver. Pause briefly after it.

Example

师傅，请停一下。

Driver, please stop for a moment.

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.

Example

师傅，这个路线对吗？

Driver, is this route correct?

这条路

zhè tiáo lù

this road

条 (tiáo) is the measure word for roads. Say it as one unit: zhè tiáo lù.

Example

这条路堵车。

This road is jammed.

Words in this phrase

这

zhè

[juh]

this

A demonstrative meaning “this,” used to point to something near the speaker.

Example

这个活动来了很多公司代表。

Many company representatives came to this event.

条

tiáo

[tyow]

classifier for long narrow things

Measure word used for roads, rivers, fish, and other long narrow objects.

Example

这条路今天特别慢。

This road is especially slow today.

路

lù

[loo]

road; route

Refers to a road, street, or route taken during travel.

Example

这条路是不是更远？

Is this route farther?

好像不对吧？

hǎo xiàng bù duì ba

doesn't seem right, does it?

好像 (hǎoxiàng) softens the statement. 不对吧 (bú duì ba) means 'not right, is it?'.

Example

时间好像不对吧？

The time doesn't seem right, does it?

Words in this phrase

好像

hǎo xiàng

[how-shyang]

it seems; it looks like

Used when something appears to be true, but you are not completely certain.

Example

计价器好像有点问题。

The meter seems to have a bit of a problem.

不

bù

[boo]

not

不 is the basic negative word meaning 'not' or 'no.'

Example

我不是故意的。

I didn't do it on purpose.

对

duì

[dway]

correct; right

Used to say something is correct or to check if information is right.

Example

星期六晚上七点，对吗？

Saturday at 7 p.m., right?

吧

[ba]

particle for seeking confirmation

Added at the end of a question to express a guess or ask for agreement.

Example

你是老师吧？

You're a teacher, right?

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