How to Say ‘Could I trouble you’ in Simplified Chinese
能不能麻烦您
néng bù néng má fán nín
[néng bu néng máfan neen]
💬 Usage Tip: Asking with "can or can't", 能不能, is a common Chinese way of making a request, and it sounds softer than a plain demand. Note that 不 is read with a light, neutral tone here: (néng bu néng).
Phrase Breakdown
能不能
néng bù néng
[néng bu néng]
can or cannot; could you
Used to ask politely whether something is possible.
你能不能等我一下？
Could you wait for me a moment?
麻烦您
má fán nín
trouble you
A polite way to ask someone a favor. Say it máfan nín.
麻烦您开一下门。
Could you please open the door?
Words in this phrase
麻烦
má fán
[máfan]
to trouble; to bother
Polite verb used when asking someone a favor.
麻烦你帮我拿一下。
Could I trouble you to hold this?
您
nín
[neen]
you (polite)
A respectful form of “you,” used when speaking politely to someone, such as a recruiter or company representative.
很高兴认识您，希望向您多学习。
It’s a pleasure to meet you; I hope to learn more from you.
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