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How to Say ‘But isn't that a detour?’ in Traditional Chinese

可是這樣不是繞遠路嗎？

kě shì zhè yàng bù shì rào yuǎn lù ma

[kěshì zhe yang boo shir rào yuǎnlù ma]

💬 Usage Tip: 不是…嗎？ turns a statement into "isn't it…?", which signals you suspect it's true. Try 這樣不是比較貴嗎？ "isn't that more expensive?"

Phrase Breakdown

可是這樣

kě shì zhè yàng

but this way

可是 means 'but', and 這樣 means 'like this'. 可 becomes a rising tone before the third-tone 是 in fast speech.

Example

可是這樣比較慢。

But this way is slower.

Words in this phrase

可是

kě shì

[kěshì]

but; however

Introduces a contrast

Example

我想去，可是沒時間。

I want to go, but I have no time.

這樣

zhè yàng

[zhe yang]

like this; this way

Describes the manner of doing or saying something, meaning 'like this' or 'in this way.'

Example

在酒吧裡，聽你這樣說，我忍不住想多看你一眼。

At the bar, hearing you say that, I can't help but take another look at you.

不是繞遠路嗎？

bù shì rào yuǎn lù ma

isn't it taking a detour?

繞遠路 means 'take the long way around'. 不是…嗎 makes a rhetorical question.

Example

我們繞遠路了。

We took the long way.

Words in this phrase

不

bù

[boo]

not

Negates the phrase and helps build the teasing idea of 'probably not the first time.'

Example

你這套話術，不是第一次用了吧？

This line of yours isn't the first time you've used it, right?

是

shì

[shir]

to be; is; are

The basic verb 'to be' used in identification or judgment.

Example

這不是客套話，我是真的這樣想。

This isn’t just politeness; I really think that way.

繞

rào

[rào]

to detour; to go around

To take a roundabout path

Example

前面施工，要繞過去。

There's construction ahead; we have to go around.

遠路

yuǎn lù

[yuǎnlù]

long way; roundabout route

A longer path than necessary

Example

司機不要走遠路。

Driver, please don't take the long way.

嗎

[ma]

question particle

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

Example

你喜歡這個活動嗎？

Do you like this event?

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