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: In Taiwan this double apology is the standard polite way to open a message or call to a landlord before raising a problem. Starting with a complaint straight away would come across as abrupt.
Phrase Breakdown
不好意思，
bù hǎo yì sī
excuse me / sorry
A polite phrase used to get someone's attention or to apologize lightly.
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 (dǎrǎo) means 'to disturb'. 一下 (yíxià) softens it to 'just for a moment'.
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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