How to Say ‘Didn't I tell you not to spend money?’ in Simplified Chinese
不是说了别破费嘛。
bù shì shuō le bié pò fèi ma
[bù shir shwaw luh byeh pòfèi ma]
💬 Usage Tip: 不是…嘛 wraps a sentence as "didn't I say...?", a gentle reproach. The 嘛 at the end adds a tone of "obviously".
Phrase Breakdown
不是说了
bù shì shuō le
didn't I say
A rhetorical way to remind someone of something already said. 不 (bù) changes to bú before the 4th-tone 是 (shì).
不是说了早点回来吗？
Didn't I say to come back early?
Words in this phrase
不
bù
[bù]
not
Used to form the negative of verbs.
他不想参与。
He does not want to participate.
是
shì
[shir]
to be
The verb “to be,” used to identify or describe a situation.
你是第一次来，所以我给你介绍一下。
Since it’s your first time here, I’ll introduce things to you.
说
shuō
[shwaw]
to speak; to say
A common verb for speaking or saying something.
请你说中文。
Please speak Chinese.
了
le
[luh]
completed action marker
Shows that an action has happened or a new situation has occurred.
我想了很久，还是决定联系你。
I thought about it for a long time and still decided to contact you.
别破费嘛。
bié pò fèi ma
don't spend money
别 (bié) means 'don't'. 破费 (pòfèi) means 'to spend money on gifts'. 嘛 (ma) adds a gentle 'you know' tone.
来就来，别破费嘛。
Just come, don't spend money on gifts.
Words in this phrase
别
bié
[byeh]
don't; do not
Used to tell someone not to do something in a direct but common way.
别担心，你一定能找到机会。
Don't worry, you will definitely find an opportunity.
破费
pò fèi
[pòfèi]
to spend money (on someone)
Polite word for going to expense, often said when receiving gifts.
让你破费了。
You shouldn't have spent so much.
嘛
ma
[ma]
particle (obviousness, playful)
Ending particle showing something is evident, teasing tone.
你很会说话嘛。
You sure know how to talk.
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