💎 Chinese Politeness Expressions - 不好意思, 劳驾, 打扰一下 (bù hǎo yì si, láo jià, dǎ rǎo yí xià) - Essential Courtesy Phrases
Master fundamental Chinese politeness expressions for daily interactions. Learn essential courtesy phrases that show respect and consideration in social situations.
Chinese lesson from Saturday, July 26, 2025
🎯 Essential Chinese Politeness & Courtesy
Learn the most important politeness expressions in Chinese: 不好意思 (apologies), 劳驾 (polite requests), and 打扰一下 (excuse me). These phrases are essential for respectful communication in Chinese-speaking environments and create positive social interactions.
Perfect for beginners and essential concepts
📚 Key Phrase: 打扰一下，请问厕所在哪里？ (dǎ rǎo yí xià, qǐng wèn cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?)
Grammar Focus
1. 打扰一下 (dǎ rǎo yí xià) - "Excuse me" (for interrupting)
打扰一下 + [Question or Request]
dǎ rǎo yí xià + [Question or Request]
Used when interrupting someone or getting attention
dǎ rǎo yí xià + [Question or Request]
Used when interrupting someone or getting attention
• 打扰一下，请问厕所在哪里？ = Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
• 打扰一下，你是老师吗？ = Excuse me, are you a teacher?
• Most common way to politely interrupt or get someone's attention
• 打扰一下，你是老师吗？ = Excuse me, are you a teacher?
• Most common way to politely interrupt or get someone's attention
打扰一下，请问厕所在哪里？
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
2. 不好意思 (bù hǎo yì si) - "Sorry/Excuse me" (for inconvenience)
不好意思 + [Explanation or Request]
bù hǎo yì si + [Explanation or Request]
Used for apologies, expressing embarrassment, or asking for small favors
bù hǎo yì si + [Explanation or Request]
Used for apologies, expressing embarrassment, or asking for small favors
• 不好意思，我来晚了 = Sorry, I'm late
• 不好意思，我没带钱 = Sorry, I didn't bring money
• Shows personal responsibility and consideration for others
• 不好意思，我没带钱 = Sorry, I didn't bring money
• Shows personal responsibility and consideration for others
3. 劳驾 (láo jià) - "Excuse me" (formal requests)
劳驾 + [Polite Request]
láo jià + [Polite Request]
More formal way to ask for help or make requests
láo jià + [Polite Request]
More formal way to ask for help or make requests
• 劳驾，请放在门口 = Excuse me, please put it at the door
• 劳驾，能帮我一下吗？ = Excuse me, could you help me?
• Shows higher level of respect and formality
• 劳驾，能帮我一下吗？ = Excuse me, could you help me?
• Shows higher level of respect and formality
劳驾，能帮我一下吗？
Excuse me, could you help me for a moment?
4. 让一让 (ràng yí ràng) - "Make way/Move aside"
让一让
ràng yí ràng
Polite way to ask people to move aside
ràng yí ràng
Polite way to ask people to move aside
• Used in crowded places like buses, elevators, or busy streets
• More direct than other politeness expressions but still respectful
• Reduplication (让一让) makes it softer than just 让 (ràng)
• More direct than other politeness expressions but still respectful
• Reduplication (让一让) makes it softer than just 让 (ràng)
5. 请 (qǐng) + Verb - Polite Request Pattern
[Politeness phrase] + 请 + [Verb]
[Politeness phrase] + qǐng + [Verb]
请 (qǐng) = please, adds extra politeness to requests
[Politeness phrase] + qǐng + [Verb]
请 (qǐng) = please, adds extra politeness to requests
• 劳驾，请放在门口 = Excuse me, please put it at the door
• 劳驾，请开一下门 = Excuse me, please open the door
• 请 makes any request more polite and respectful
• 劳驾，请开一下门 = Excuse me, please open the door
• 请 makes any request more polite and respectful
打扰一下，请问厕所在哪里？
dǎ rǎo yí xià, qǐng wèn cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
Disculpe, ¿dónde está el baño?
词汇 Vocabulary Practice
Practice writing the phrases from today's Chinese lesson!
打扰一下，请问厕所在哪里？
dǎ rǎo yí xià, qǐng wèn cè suǒ zài nǎ lǐ?
English:
Excuse me, where is the bathroom?
Español:
Disculpe, ¿dónde está el baño?
不好意思，我让你伤心了
bù hǎo yì si, wǒ ràng nǐ shāng xīn le
English:
I'm sorry, I made you sad
Español:
Lo siento, te hice sentir triste
让一让
ràng yí ràng
English:
Make way / Excuse me
Español:
Hazte a un lado / Permiso
劳驾，请放在门口
láo jià, qǐng fàng zài mén kǒu
English:
Excuse me, please put it at the door
Español:
Disculpe, por favor déjelo en la puerta
不好意思，我来晚了
bù hǎo yì si, wǒ lái wǎn le
English:
Sorry, I'm late
Español:
Perdón, llegué tarde
打扰一下，你是老师吗？
dǎ rǎo yí xià, nǐ shì lǎo shī ma?
English:
Excuse me, are you a teacher?
Español:
Disculpe, ¿es usted profesor?
劳驾，能帮我一下吗？
láo jià, néng bāng wǒ yí xià ma?
English:
Excuse me, could you help me for a moment?
Español:
Disculpe, ¿podría ayudarme un momento?
不好意思，我没带钱
bù hǎo yì si, wǒ méi dài qián
English:
Sorry, I didn't bring money
Español:
Perdón, no traje dinero
劳驾，我要下车
láo jià, wǒ yào xià chē
English:
Excuse me, I'm getting off the bus
Español:
Disculpe, voy a bajar del autobús
打扰一下，你的书掉了
dǎ rǎo yí xià, nǐ de shū diào le
English:
Excuse me, you dropped your book
Español:
Disculpa, se te cayó el libro
不好意思，我要过去一下
bù hǎo yì si, wǒ yào guò qù yí xià
English:
Sorry, I need to pass through
Español:
Perdón, necesito pasar
劳驾，请开一下门
láo jià, qǐng kāi yí xià mén
English:
Excuse me, please open the door for a moment
Español:
Disculpe, por favor abra la puerta un momento
文化 Cultural Insights
💎 Chinese politeness expressions are fundamental to successful social interaction and reflect deep cultural values about harmony, respect, and consideration for others. The three main expressions - 打扰一下 (interrupting politely), 不好意思 (personal apology), and 劳驾 (formal request) - each serve specific social functions. 打扰一下 shows awareness that you're interrupting someone and demonstrates respect for their time and attention. 不好意思 expresses personal responsibility and emotional consideration, showing you care about how your actions affect others. 劳驾 demonstrates the highest level of respect, acknowledging that you're asking someone to make an effort on your behalf. These expressions, combined with 让一让 for crowded situations, are essential tools for maintaining face, avoiding conflict, and building positive relationships in Chinese society. The use of 一下 (for a moment) softens requests and makes them seem less burdensome, reflecting the Chinese cultural preference for indirect communication and consideration for others' feelings.
🎯 Advanced Chinese Politeness & Social Navigation
Master the sophisticated use of Chinese politeness expressions in complex social situations. Practice combining courtesy phrases with specific requests, understanding cultural context, and adapting your politeness level to different social relationships and environments.
For students ready to dive deeper
📖 Reading Practice
📖 礼貌用语练习 - Politeness Expression Practice
打扰一下，请问厕所在哪里？
不好意思，我让你伤心了。
让一让，谢谢您！
劳驾，请放在门口。
不好意思，我来晚了，对不起！
打扰一下，你是老师吗？我想请教您。
劳驾，能帮我一下吗？这个太重了。
不好意思，我没带钱，能付支付宝吗？
📝 Vocabulary from this reading:
厕所
cè suǒ
Bathroom, toilet
伤心
shāng xīn
Sad, heartbroken
门口
mén kǒu
Doorway, entrance
老师
lǎo shī
Teacher
帮忙
bāng máng
To help, assistance
下车
xià chē
Get off (vehicle)
过去
guò qù
Pass through, go over
开门
kāi mén
Open the door
📚 Additional Learning Content
💎 Cultural Context: Chinese Politeness & Social Harmony
Chinese politeness expressions reflect deep cultural values about social harmony, respect for others, and maintaining face. Understanding these expressions is essential for building positive relationships and navigating Chinese social environments successfully.
Social Hierarchy & Politeness Levels
Choosing the Right Level of Politeness
Different expressions show different levels of formality and respect
Face-Saving & Social Harmony
These expressions help maintain everyone's dignity
Different expressions show different levels of formality and respect
• 劳驾 = Most formal, used with service people, elders, or authority figures
• 打扰一下 = Standard politeness, used with strangers or acquaintances
• 不好意思 = Personal apology, used when you feel you've caused trouble
• 让一让 = Direct but polite, used in crowded public situations
Face-Saving & Social Harmony
These expressions help maintain everyone's dignity
• Using politeness expressions shows you understand social rules
• Helps avoid conflict and maintains positive relationships
• Shows consideration for others' time, space, and feelings
Public Behavior & Politeness Culture
Daily Life Applications
These expressions are essential for daily interactions in Chinese-speaking areas
Regional Variations
Usage may vary slightly between different Chinese-speaking regions
These expressions are essential for daily interactions in Chinese-speaking areas
• Public transportation: 劳驾，我要下车 (getting off bus/subway)
• Shopping: 打扰一下，请问... (asking for help in stores)
• Restaurants: 不好意思，我要过去一下 (passing between tables)
• Elevators/crowds: 让一让 (asking people to move)
Regional Variations
Usage may vary slightly between different Chinese-speaking regions
• Mainland China: All expressions commonly used
• Taiwan: May use additional politeness markers
• Overseas Chinese communities: Often maintain traditional usage patterns
作业 Homework & Practice
📝 Homework for next class:
1. 🎭 Politeness Practice: Use all three main expressions (打扰一下, 不好意思, 劳驾) in real situations and note the responses
2. 🚌 Public Transportation: Practice 劳驾，我要下车 and observe how others use politeness expressions on buses/subways
3. 🛍️ Shopping Scenarios: Use 打扰一下，请问... to ask questions in stores and practice polite interactions
4. 💬 Apology Practice: Use 不好意思 in appropriate situations and learn to recognize when others expect apologies
5. 🚶♂️ Crowd Navigation: Practice 让一让 in crowded places and observe body language and responses
6. 🎯 Situational Adaptation: Choose the appropriate politeness level based on the person you're speaking to (service worker, elderly person, peer, authority figure)
💡 Cultural Challenge: Pay attention to how different age groups and social levels use these expressions - this will help you understand Chinese social hierarchy and appropriate communication styles!
Practice Checklist:
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