How to Say ‘Sorry, Manager Wang isn't in right now.’ in Simplified Chinese
不好意思，王经理现在不在。
bù hǎo yì sī wáng jīng lǐ xiàn zài bù zài
[bù hǎoyìsi wáng jeeng-lee xiànzài bù zài]
🇨🇳 In China: People are addressed by surname plus job title, as in 王经理, rather than by first name. This is standard and polite in Chinese business calls.
Phrase Breakdown
不好意思，
bù hǎo yì sī
Sorry,
不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) is a polite 'sorry' or 'excuse me'. 思 is said lightly.
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.
王经理
wáng jīng lǐ
Manager Wang
In Chinese, the surname comes before the title: 王 (Wáng) + 经理 (jīnglǐ, manager).
王经理，您好。
Hello, Manager Wang.
Words in this phrase
王
wáng
[wáng]
Wang (surname)
A very common Chinese family name; literally means 'king'.
王老师很好。
Teacher Wang is very nice.
经理
jīng lǐ
[jeeng-lee]
manager
A person in charge of a team, department, or business area.
你可以先和经理交换名片。
You can first exchange business cards with the manager.
现在不在。
xiàn zài bù zài
isn't here right now.
不 becomes bú before the fourth tone 在.
她现在不在。
She isn't here right now.
Words in this phrase
现在
xiàn zài
[xiànzài]
now; currently
Refers to the present moment.
现在可以点菜吗？
Can we order now?
不
bù
[bù]
not
Used to form the negative of verbs.
他不想参与。
He does not want to participate.
在
zài
[zài]
to be present; to be in
Verb meaning someone is present or available at a place.
他今天不在办公室。
He is not in the office today.
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