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How to Say ‘Can I go with you at noon?’ in Simplified Chinese

中午我能跟你一起去吗？

zhōng wǔ wǒ néng gēn nǐ yì qǐ qù ma

[zhōngwǔ waw nung gēn nee ee-chee qù ma]

💬 Usage Tip: Add 吗 to the end of any statement to make it a yes/no question. The word order stays exactly the same.

🇨🇳 In China: Asking to tag along for lunch is a warm, welcome move for a new colleague in China. Eating together is how people bond at work, and someone eating alone on day one might be seen as a bit lonely.

Phrase Breakdown

中午

zhōng wǔ

[zhōngwǔ]

noon; midday

The middle of the day, around 11 to 1 o'clock.

Example

我们中午吃饭。

We eat at noon.

我能跟你

wǒ néng gēn nǐ

can I, with you

能 (néng) means 'can' or 'be able to'. 跟你 means 'with you'.

Example

我能跟你聊聊吗？

Can I chat with you?

Words in this phrase

我

wǒ

[waw]

I; me

The first-person pronoun, used to refer to yourself.

Example

我也想了解这个公司的文化。

I also want to understand this company’s culture.

能

néng

[nung]

can; be able to

Expresses ability or possibility to do something.

Example

能帮到你，我也很开心。

If I can help you, I’m also very happy.

跟

gēn

[gēn]

to; with

Marks the person you talk to or do something with.

Example

我跟同事开会。

I have a meeting with my colleagues.

你

nǐ

[nee]

you

The informal or neutral word for “you,” suitable for peers or casual conversation.

Example

如果对方和你年纪差不多，可以说“认识你”。

If the other person is about your age, you can say “nice to meet you” with 你.

一起去吗？

yì qǐ qù ma

go together?

吗 (ma) turns the sentence into a yes/no question. Say it in a light, neutral tone.

Example

你想一起去吗？

Do you want to go together?

Words in this phrase

一起

yì qǐ

[ee-chee]

together

Used to say that people do something jointly or at the same time.

Example

希望以后能一起参加项目。

I hope we can work on a project together in the future.

去

qù

[qù]

to go

Move toward a place.

Example

我去医院。

I'm going to the hospital.

吗

[ma]

question particle

A sentence-final particle used to turn a statement into a yes-no question.

Example

你是第一次来吗？这里的“吗”表示提问。

Is this your first time here? Here, 吗 marks a question.

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