📚⏰😅

How to Say ‘I have class soon, though.’ in Traditional Chinese

我等一下要上課耶。

wǒ děng yí xià yào shàng kè yé

[wo děngyíxià yào shàngkè ye]

💬 Usage Tip: 耶 at the end adds a soft "you know" feel, which cushions a refusal or surprise. It's very typical of Taiwan speech.

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Giving a reason like this is a polite way to decline the timing without rejecting the person. It often leaves the door open for a counter-offer.

Phrase Breakdown

我等一下

wǒ děng yí xià

I, in a little while

等一下 (děng yíxià) means 'later' or 'in a moment'. 我 sounds rising (wó) before the third-tone 等.

Example

我等一下打給你。

I'll call you in a bit.

Words in this phrase

我

wǒ

[wo]

I; me

The first-person pronoun used to talk about yourself.

Example

我想多了解你們公司的制度，所以先自我介紹。

I want to learn more about your company’s system, so I’ll introduce myself first.

等一下

děng yí xià

[děngyíxià]

in a little while; later

Refers to a short time from now.

Example

我等一下打給你。

I'll call you in a bit.

要上課耶。

yào shàng kè yé

have class (unfortunately)

要 (yào) means 'have to / will', and 上課 (shàngkè) means 'attend class'. 耶 (ye) is a common Taiwanese particle that softens the statement, often to politely decline.

Example

明天要上課耶。

I have class tomorrow, though.

Words in this phrase

要

yào

[yào]

need to; have to

Expresses necessity, asking whether something is required.

Example

要排隊嗎？

Do we need to line up?

上課

shàng kè

[shàngkè]

to go to class

To attend a class or have a lesson.

Example

我們八點上課。

We start class at eight.

耶

yé

[ye]

sentence-final particle (soft emphasis)

Casual Taiwanese particle that softens or adds mild emphasis.

Example

這個好好吃耶！

This is so tasty!

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