How to Say ‘Just a small token’ in Traditional Chinese
只是簡單的心意
zhǐ shì jiǎn dān de xīn yì
[jir-shir jyen-dan duh sheen-yee]
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: [只是簡單的心意] is a modest, polite thing to say when handing over a gift. It downplays the item itself and highlights sincerity, which lands well with Taiwanese family etiquette.
Phrase Breakdown
只是
zhǐ shì
[jir-shir]
only; just
Used to be humble about what you are offering.
這只是簡單的表示。
This is just a simple expression of feeling.
簡單的
jiǎn dān de
simple
Describes something as plain or not elaborate.
這是簡單的方法。
This is a simple method.
Words in this phrase
簡單
jiǎn dān
[jyen-dan]
simple
Shows modesty when describing your gift or gesture.
我帶了簡單的水果。
I brought some simple fruit.
的
de
[duh]
-de; descriptive particle
Connects an adjective or phrase to the noun that follows.
這是特別準備的禮物。
This is a specially prepared gift.
心意
xīn yì
[sheen-yee]
kind thought; token of sincerity
A polite way to refer to your heartfelt intention behind a gift.
這只是簡單的心意，請別見外。
This is only a simple token of my sincerity; please don’t be formal.
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