How to Say ‘Sorry, it's five people now.’ in Simplified Chinese
不好意思，现在是五个人。
bù hǎo yì sī xiàn zài shì wǔ gè rén
[bù hǎoyìsi shyen dzeye shir wǔ guh ren]
🇨🇳 In China: 不好意思 is a light, everyday "sorry" for small inconveniences like changing a booking. Using the heavier 对不起 here would sound overly apologetic.
Phrase Breakdown
不好意思，
bù hǎo yì sī
sorry / excuse me,
A polite way to apologize or get attention. 思 is often light (yìsi).
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.
现在是五个人。
xiàn zài shì wǔ gè rén
now it's five people.
Gives the new number of people. Pause briefly after 现在是 if you need a breath.
现在是五个人，可以吗？
It's five people now, is that OK?
Words in this phrase
现在
xiàn zài
[shyen dzeye]
now; at present
现在 means now or at the present time.
现在可以订位吗？
Can I make a reservation now?
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.
五
wǔ
[wǔ]
five
The numeral 5.
她的香水是香奈儿五号。
Her perfume is Chanel No. 5.
个
gè
[guh]
general measure word
A very common measure word used with many nouns, including people in simple counting.
一个大人和一个孩子。
One adult and one child.
人
rén
[ren]
person; people
A human being; it can also mean people in general.
这里的人都对职业发展很有兴趣。
The people here are all very interested in career development.
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