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How to Say ‘But could the monthly salary be a bit higher?’ in Traditional Chinese

不過月薪可以再高一點嗎？

bù guò yuè xīn kě yǐ zài gāo yī diǎn ma

[búguò yuèxīn kuh yee dzeye gāo yìdiǎn ma]

🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Asking whether the pay could be "a bit higher" is a soft, acceptable way to negotiate in Taiwan. Naming a demand bluntly can come across as pushy.

Phrase Breakdown

不過月薪

bù guò yuè xīn

but the monthly salary

不過 (búguò) means 'however / but'. 不 changes to a rising tone before the falling tone of 過.

Example

不過月薪不高。

But the monthly salary isn't high.

Words in this phrase

不過

bù guò

[búguò]

but; however

Softer word for 'but', used to add a contrast.

Example

很好吃，不過有點貴。

It's tasty, but a bit pricey.

月薪

yuè xīn

[yuèxīn]

monthly salary

Pay received each month.

Example

新工作的月薪比較好。

The new job's monthly salary is better.

可以再高一點嗎？

kě yǐ zài gāo yī diǎn ma

could it be a bit higher?

可以 (kěyǐ) means 'can / may'. Two third tones in a row make 可 rise: kéyǐ. End lightly with 嗎.

Example

聲音可以再高一點嗎？

Could the volume be a bit higher?

Words in this phrase

可以

kě yǐ

[kuh yee]

can; may; okay

Indicates that something is possible or acceptable.

Example

晚上見面也可以。

Meeting in the evening is also okay.

再

zài

[dzeye]

again; further

Indicates doing something one more time or continuing further.

Example

我們可以再多聊一點。

We can talk a little more.

高

gāo

[gāo]

high

Refers to an elevated or superior level.

Example

他的功夫已達劍法的最高境界。

His skills have reached the highest level of swordsmanship.

一點

yī diǎn

[yìdiǎn]

a little; a bit

Indicates a small amount; after 差 it expresses 'almost' or 'nearly'.

Example

我們只差一點就贏了。

We were just a little short of winning.

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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