How to Say ‘Could you play some music when the cake comes out?’ in Simplified Chinese
上蛋糕的时候能不能放点音乐？
shàng dàn gāo de shí hòu néng bù néng fàng diǎn yīn yuè
[shàng dàngāo de shíhou néng bu néng fàng diǎn yīnyuè]
💬 Usage Tip: 能不能 "can or can't" turns a statement into a polite yes/no question without needing 吗. Swap in: 能不能便宜点？ "could it be a bit cheaper?"
Phrase Breakdown
上蛋糕的时候
shàng dàn gāo de shí hòu
when the cake is served
shàng dàngāo de shíhou: a time phrase placed at the start of the sentence.
上蛋糕的时候叫我。
Call me when the cake is served.
Words in this phrase
上
shàng
[shàng]
to serve (food)
To bring a dish to the table.
服务员，可以上菜了。
Waiter, you can serve the food now.
蛋糕
dàn gāo
[dàngāo]
cake
A sweet baked dessert.
我们一起切蛋糕吧。
Let's cut the cake together.
的
de
[de]
of
Expressing the relationship between items.
这是我的书。
This is my book.
时候
shí hòu
[shíhou]
time; moment (when)
Used after a phrase to mean 'when ...'.
吃饭的时候别看手机。
Don't look at your phone while eating.
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?
放点音乐？
fàng diǎn yīn yuè
play some music?
fàng diǎn yīnyuè: 点 softens the request, so it means 'a little music'.
可以放点音乐吗？
Can we play some music?
Words in this phrase
放
fàng
[fàng]
to play (music)
To put on music or a recording.
放一首歌吧。
Play a song.
点
diǎn
[diǎn]
a little; some
Short for 一点, meaning a small amount.
再吃点吧。
Eat a little more.
音乐
yīn yuè
[yīnyuè]
music
Noun for music of any kind.
我喜欢听音乐。
I like listening to music.
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