How to Say ‘Saying "no" directly is a little impolite.’ in Traditional Chinese
直接說「不要」，有點不禮貌。
zhí jiē shuō bú yào yǒu diǎn bù lǐ mào
[jr-jyeh shwaw boo yow yoe dyen boo lǐmào]
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Locals soften a refusal with something like 可能沒辦法 "probably can't" or 不太方便 "not very convenient". These are understood clearly without sounding harsh.
Phrase Breakdown
直接說「不要」，
zhí jiē shuō bú yào
Saying 'no' directly
This action is the subject of the sentence. Pause briefly at the comma.
直接說「不要」，他會不高興。
If you say 'no' directly, he'll be unhappy.
Words in this phrase
直接
zhí jiē
[jr-jyeh]
directly; straightforwardly
Used when saying or doing something plainly without going around the point.
如果你不想繞路，可以直接說。
If you don't want to take a detour, you can say so directly.
說
shuō
[shwaw]
to say; to speak
Used when you want to say something directly. In flirting, it helps introduce a compliment naturally.
我想說，你的外套很好看。
I want to say, your jacket looks great.
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.
有點不禮貌。
yǒu diǎn bù lǐ mào
is a bit impolite.
有點 softens the criticism. 不 stays fourth tone (bù) before the third-tone 禮.
他說話有點不禮貌。
The way he talks is a bit impolite.
Words in this phrase
有點
yǒu diǎn
[yoe dyen]
a little; somewhat
Used to soften a negative feeling or description, like "a little" or "somewhat." Very common in polite complaints.
我有點擔心這次的車資算錯了。
I'm a little worried that this fare was calculated incorrectly.
不
bù
[boo]
not
Used to negate what comes after it.
我不是要找麻煩。
I'm not trying to cause trouble.
禮貌
lǐ mào
[lǐmào]
polite; manners
Courtesy or good manners in behavior and speech.
他說話很有禮貌。
He speaks very politely.
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