How to Say ‘Sorry to bother you.’ in Simplified Chinese
不好意思，打扰一下。
bù hǎo yì sī dǎ rǎo yī xià
[bù hǎoyìsi dah raow ee-shyah]
🇨🇳 In China: This is the normal polite way to approach a stranger at a bar. It sounds courteous without being stiff, and it signals that you know you're interrupting.
Phrase Breakdown
不好意思，
bù hǎo yì sī
excuse me / sorry
A polite opener for getting a stranger's attention. 不 changes to second tone here: bù hǎo yì si.
不好意思，我来晚了。
Sorry, I'm late.
Words in this phrase
不好意思
bù hǎo yì sī
[bù hǎoyìsi]
sorry; excuse me
Polite expression of mild apology or embarrassment.
不好意思，我来晚了。
Sorry, I'm late.
打扰一下。
dǎ rǎo yī xià
sorry to bother you for a moment
打扰 means 'to disturb'. 一下 softens the request. 一 is said in second tone: dǎ rǎo yí xià.
打扰一下，请问洗手间在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Words in this phrase
打扰
dǎ rǎo
[dah raow]
to disturb; excuse me
Used when politely interrupting someone or getting attention.
打扰一下，请问洗手间在哪儿？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
一下
yī xià
[ee-shyah]
a bit; for a moment
Softens a request and makes it sound more polite or casual.
请您留一下姓名和人数。
Please leave your name and number of people.
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