How to Say ‘Sorry, the meter says 285.’ in Traditional Chinese
不好意思，跳表是兩百八十五耶。
bù hǎo yì sī tiào biǎo shì liǎng bǎi bā shí wǔ yé
[boo how-ee-suh tiàobiǎo shir liǎngbǎi bāshíwǔ yeh]
💬 Usage Tip: The 耶 (ye) at the end gently points out something surprising, like "you know" or "actually". It makes a correction sound puzzled rather than accusing.
Phrase Breakdown
不好意思，
bù hǎo yì sī
Excuse me / sorry,
This is a polite way to start a question or a complaint. Say it as bù hǎoyìsi.
不好意思，請問廁所在哪裡？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Words in this phrase
不好意思
bù hǎo yì sī
[boo how-ee-suh]
excuse me; sorry
A polite opening when speaking to a stranger.
不好意思打擾了，但你的穿搭很好看。
Sorry to bother you, but your outfit looks great.
跳表是
tiào biǎo shì
the meter shows
跳表 (tiàobiǎo) is the taxi meter reading. 是 means 'is'.
跳表是多少？
What does the meter say?
Words in this phrase
跳表
tiào biǎo
[tiàobiǎo]
meter reading (taxi fare)
The fare shown on a taxi meter; also the meter ticking up.
計程車跳表很快。
The taxi meter runs fast.
是
shì
[shir]
is; are
The verb 'to be,' often used in explanations or clarifications.
喔，所以是這樣啊。
Oh, so that's how it is.
兩百八十五耶。
liǎng bǎi bā shí wǔ yé
285, though.
兩百八十五 is 285. 耶 (ye) at the end shows mild surprise or disagreement.
這個很貴耶。
This is really expensive, though.
Words in this phrase
兩百八十五
liǎng bǎi bā shí wǔ
[liǎngbǎi bāshíwǔ]
two hundred eighty-five
The number 285.
車資是兩百八十五元。
The fare is 285 dollars.
耶
yé
[yeh]
eh; wow; really
A sentence-ending particle that adds surprise, admiration, or a playful tone.
你今天特地請我喝一杯耶。
You specially offered to buy me a drink today, wow.
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