How to Say ‘A lot of the time, it means "no."’ in Traditional Chinese
很多時候，意思是「不要」。
hěn duō shí hòu yì sī shì bú yào
[huhn-dwaw shíhòu ee-suh shr boo yow]
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Polite stalling phrases like 再看看 or 我考慮一下 "I'll think about it" often mean no in Taiwan. People avoid a flat refusal to save face on both sides.
Phrase Breakdown
很多時候，
hěn duō shí hòu
Many times / Often,
很多 means 'many' and 時候 means 'times'. The 候 is said lightly. This phrase sets up the general statement that follows.
很多時候，我在家吃飯。
Often, I eat at home.
Words in this phrase
很多
hěn duō
[huhn-dwaw]
a lot; much; many
Indicates a large amount or big degree.
他這一年改變很多。
He has changed a lot this year.
時候
shí hòu
[shíhòu]
time; moment
A point or period in time.
我們什麼時候出發？
When do we set off?
意思是「不要」。
yì sī shì bú yào
it means 'no'.
意思是 means 'the meaning is'. Remember that 不要 is pronounced bú yào.
「不用了」的意思是「不要」。
'No need' means 'no'.
Words in this phrase
意思
yì sī
[ee-suh]
meaning; idea; intention
The point or message someone is trying to express.
我知道你的意思。
I know what you mean.
是
shì
[shr]
to be; is
Connects the subject with what is being said about it.
這不是你的錯。
This isn't your fault.
不要
bú yào
[boo yow]
do not want
A direct way to refuse or say you do not want something.
這個我不要，謝謝。
I don’t want this one, thank you.
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