⏭️🗣️❓➡️🧑

How to Say ‘Next time, could you let me know first?’ in Traditional Chinese

那下次可以先跟我說一聲嗎？

nà xià cì kě yǐ xiān gēn wǒ shuō yī shēng ma

[nà xià tsuh kuh-yee shyen gen wo shwaw ee shēng ma]

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Asking for a heads-up next time, rather than demanding a refund, is how many locals close a route dispute while keeping things friendly.

Phrase Breakdown

那下次

nà xià cì

then next time

那 means 'then' or 'in that case', and 下次 means 'next time'.

Example

那下次見。

Then see you next time.

Words in this phrase

那

nà

[nà]

then

Used to indicate sequence or conclusion.

Example

那，我們就按這條路走吧。

Then, let's take this route.

下

xià

[xià]

Referring to the instance immediately following this one.

Example

下次見！

See you next time!

次

cì

[tsuh]

time; occurrence

A measure word for the number of times something happens.

Example

你是第一次來嗎？

Is this your first time here?

可以先跟我

kě yǐ xiān gēn wǒ

could you first (tell) me

This is a polite request starting with 可以. Keep it smooth and connected.

Example

可以先跟我說嗎？

Could you tell me first?

Words in this phrase

可以

kě yǐ

[kuh-yee]

can; may

Used to express ability, permission, or that something is possible.

Example

你如果想加這位主管的聯絡方式，現在可以先自我介紹。

If you want to add this manager's contact information, you can introduce yourself first now.

先

xiān

[shyen]

first; in advance

Indicates doing something first, before another action. Useful in planning or polite requests.

Example

我先訂位，晚一點再確認人數。

I'll make the reservation first, then confirm the number of people later.

跟

gēn

[gen]

with; to

A preposition meaning 'with' someone or 'to' someone in conversation.

Example

你可以跟招募人員聊聊。

You can chat with the recruiter.

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.

說一聲嗎？

shuō yī shēng ma

let (me) know?

Ends the polite request. 嗎 turns it into a yes/no question.

Example

到了說一聲嗎？

Could you let me know when you arrive?

Words in this phrase

說

shuō

[shwaw]

to say; to speak

Used when you want to say something directly. In flirting, it helps introduce a compliment naturally.

Example

我想說，你的外套很好看。

I want to say, your jacket looks great.

一

yī

[ee]

one; a

A number word that helps form the phrase for category.

Example

你想找哪一類工作？

What kind of job do you want to look for?

聲

shēng

[shēng]

sound; (measure word for utterances)

Used in 說一聲 meaning 'give a quick word'

Example

到家跟我說一聲。

Let me know when you get home.

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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