How to Say ‘Sorry to bother you.’ in Traditional Chinese
不好意思，打擾一下。
bù hǎo yì sī dǎ rǎo yī xià
[bù hǎoyìsi dǎrǎo ee-shyah]
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: This is the standard polite way to approach a boss's desk in Taiwan. Leading with 不好意思 before any request is expected and sounds considerate, not overly apologetic.
Phrase Breakdown
不好意思，
bù hǎo yì sī
excuse me / sorry
This is a very common polite opener in Taiwan. Say it as bù hǎo yì si, with 思 light.
不好意思，我遲到了。
Sorry, I'm late.
Words in this phrase
不好意思
bù hǎo yì sī
[bù hǎoyìsi]
excuse me; sorry
A light apology or polite way to get attention; very common in Taiwan.
不好意思，廁所在哪裡？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
打擾一下。
dǎ rǎo yī xià
sorry to bother you for a moment
打擾 means 'to disturb' and 一下 means 'briefly.' 打 changes to a rising tone before 擾. 一 rises here because 下 is fourth tone.
打擾一下，請問廁所在哪裡？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Words in this phrase
打擾
dǎ rǎo
[dǎrǎo]
to disturb; to bother
Used politely when interrupting someone.
不好意思，打擾你了。
Sorry to bother you.
一下
yī xià
[ee-shyah]
a bit; briefly
一下 softens an action and often means 'for a moment' or 'a little bit.'
我想跟你確認一下時間。
I want to confirm the time with you briefly.
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