How to Say ‘Getting complimented out of nowhere is a little embarrassing.’ in Traditional Chinese
突然被稱讚有點不好意思耶。
tū rán bèi chēng zàn yǒu diǎn bù hǎo yì sī yé
[túrán bèi chēngzàn yoe-dyen boo how ee suh ye]
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Brushing off a compliment with mild embarrassment is the normal, modest response in Taiwan, and it isn't a rejection. The ending 耶 (ye) makes it sound warm and playful.
Phrase Breakdown
突然被稱讚
tū rán bèi chēng zàn
suddenly being complimented
This is the situation or cause. 被 makes the phrase passive.
他突然被稱讚，臉都紅了。
He was suddenly praised and his face turned red.
Words in this phrase
突然
tū rán
[túrán]
suddenly
Happening unexpectedly, without warning.
他突然笑了。
He suddenly laughed.
被
bèi
[bèi]
by
Indicates the agent performing an action in passive sentences.
圖書被圖書館借走了。
The books have been borrowed by the library.
稱讚
chēng zàn
[chēngzàn]
to praise; to compliment
To say something nice about someone or something.
老師稱讚他很認真。
The teacher praised him for being hardworking.
有點不好意思耶。
yǒu diǎn bù hǎo yì sī yé
(I'm) a bit embarrassed
有點 means 'a little'. 不好意思 here means 'embarrassed', and 耶 is a casual Taiwanese sentence-final particle.
這樣有點不好意思耶。
This is a bit embarrassing.
Words in this phrase
有點
yǒu diǎn
[yoe-dyen]
a little; somewhat
Used before adjectives or states to mean 'a bit' or 'somewhat,' often with a mild negative tone such as tired, busy, or expensive.
這幾天我有點忙，晚一點再回你。
I'm a bit busy these days; I'll reply to you later.
不好意思
bù hǎo yì sī
[boo how ee suh]
excuse me; embarrassed; sorry
A very common Taiwanese phrase used to say 'excuse me', 'sorry', or 'I feel embarrassed/trouble you'. Softer than 對不起 in many daily situations.
不好意思，請問捷運站在哪裡？
Excuse me, may I ask where the MRT station is?
耶
yé
[ye]
(sentence particle expressing feeling)
A casual Taiwanese particle adding emphasis or a light, cute tone.
這個好好吃耶！
This is so tasty!
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