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How to Say ‘I don't speak it very well’ in Simplified Chinese

说得不太好

shuō dé bù tài hǎo

[shuō duh bù tài hǎo]

💬 Usage Tip: 得 (de) links an action to how well it's done: verb + 得 + description. Example: 说得很好 "speaks very well".

Phrase Breakdown

说

shuō

[shuō]

to speak; to say

A basic verb for talking or saying something; used alone it invites someone to go ahead and speak.

Example

请你慢一点说。

Please speak a bit more slowly.

得

dé

[duh]

structural particle used after a verb

Used after a verb to introduce the result or degree, as in 'chat in a certain way.'

Example

我们聊得很开心,以后可以再见。

We chatted very happily and can meet again later.

不

bù

[bù]

not

Used to form the negative of verbs.

Example

他不想参与。

He does not want to participate.

太

tài

[tài]

very; quite

After 不, it softens the negative: 'not very'.

Example

我不太喜欢甜的。

I don't really like sweet things.

好

hǎo

[hǎo]

good

Something positive or satisfactory.

Example

今天的天气很好。

Today's weather is good.

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