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How to Say ‘Didn't you say you could get a bit closer?’ in Traditional Chinese

剛剛不是說可以靠近一點嗎？

gāng gāng bù shì shuō kě yǐ kào jìn yī diǎn ma

[gānggāng boo shir shwaw kuh-yee kaow jeen ee-dyen ma]

💬 Usage Tip: 不是…嗎 wraps a statement to mean "didn't you…?" and shows mild surprise or reproach: 你不是說好嗎 "didn't you say okay?".

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: This reminds the driver of an earlier promise. It's fairly pointed, so expect them to explain why they can't.

Phrase Breakdown

剛剛不是說

gāng gāng bù shì shuō

didn't you just say

剛剛 (gānggāng) means 'just now.' 不是說…嗎 forms a rhetorical question, like 'didn't you say…?' 不 becomes bú before 是.

Example

你剛剛不是說要走了？

Didn't you just say you were leaving?

Words in this phrase

剛剛

gāng gāng

[gānggāng]

just now

A moment ago.

Example

他剛剛走了。

He just left.

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.

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.

可以靠近一點嗎？

kě yǐ kào jìn yī diǎn ma

(that you) could get a bit closer?

This completes the rhetorical question. 嗎 at the end is light, with a slight rise.

Example

車子可以靠近一點嗎？

Can the car get a bit closer?

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.

靠近

kào jìn

[kaow jeen]

close to; near

靠近 means to be near or close to something in location.

Example

可以幫我們安排靠近門口的位子嗎？

Could you arrange a seat near the entrance for us?

一點

yī diǎn

[ee-dyen]

a little; a bit

Makes the gift sound modest. This is a polite way to present something in Mandarin.

Example

我只帶了一點小禮物，請您收下。

I only brought a small gift; please accept it.

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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