Free Chinese lessons 7: how to say “Excuse me” in Chinese

We all know that “Excuse me” is the most frequently used phrase in our life. Saying “Excuse me” shows your courtesy, respect and helps you to get the help. Especially when you’re traveling or working in China. So how to say “Excuse me” in Chinese in a proper way. This free Chinese lesson covers 6 ways to say “Excuse me” in Chinese.

1. 不好意思 [bú hǎo yì sī]

“不好意思” is the most used common and formal form of “excuse me” in Chinese., which used as a polite way of starting to say something, interrupt someone, to get someone’s attention, etc.

e.g. Excuse me, may I say something? ( used as a polite way of starting to say something )

不好意思, 我可以说说吗？(bù hǎo yì sī , wǒ kě yǐ shuō shuō ma )

e.g. Excuse me, could you turn down the volume? ( used as a polite way of trying to get someone’s attention )

不好意思, 音量可以调小点吗？(bù hǎo yì sī , yīn liàng kě yǐ tiáo xiǎo diǎn ma)

e.g. Excuse me, where is the bathroom? ( used as a polite way of trying to ask someone’s help )

不好意思请问卫生间在哪？(bù hǎo yì sī qǐng wèn wèi shēng jiān zài nǎ)

e.g. Excuse me, I didn’t catch you, would you please say again? ( used as a polite way of asking someone to repeat something )

不好意思, 我没听清楚，你能再说一遍吗？(bù hǎo yì sī, wǒ méi tīng qīng chǔ, nǐ néng zài shuō yī biàn ma )

e.g. Excuse me, I don’t agree with you on that ( used as a polite way of don’t agree with someone or something)

不好意思, 我不认可你这个观点。(bù hǎo yì sī, wǒ bú rèn kě nǐ zhè gè guān diǎn)

2. 打扰一下 [dǎ rǎo yī xià]

In most cases. The usage of “打扰一下” and “不好意思” are totally the same. However, if you want to ask someone to repeat something or disagree with someone, you can’t use “打扰一下”, you should use “不好意思”, like the examples shown above. Just keep that in mind.

e.g. Excuse me, where is the bathroom?

打扰一下,请问卫生间在哪？(dǎ rǎo yī xià qǐng wèn wèi shēng jiān zài nǎ)

3. 借过一下 [jiè guò yī xià]

If someone is getting in your way, you need to ask them to let you get pass through. You can use “借过一下”. And only in this case, you can, and recommend use this sentence.

e.g. Excuse me, I’m in a hurry to catch a plane

借过一下，我急着去搭飞机(jiè guò yī xià ，wǒ jí zhe qù dā fēi jī)

e.g. Excuse me, I’m coming through.

借过一下(jiè guò yī xià )

5. 失陪一下 [shī péi yī xià]

e.g. Excuse me, I’m gonna go to the bathroom. ( Apologize when you have done something slightly embarrassing or impolite)

失陪一下,我去下卫生间( shī péi yī xià ,wǒ qù yī xià wèi shēng jiān )

e.g. Excuse me, I need to pick up the phone. ( Apologize when you have done something slightly embarrassing or impolite)

失陪一下,我接个电话( shī péi yī xià ,wǒ jiē gè diàn huà)

4. 劳驾 [láo jià]

e.g. Excuse me, I can’t get by

劳驾，请让开点路(láo jià ，qǐng ràng kāi diǎn lù)

6. 对不起 [duì bú qǐ]

e.g. You should say “excuse me” when you step on somebody’s foot (used to say “sorry”)

如果踩了别人的脚, 你应该说”对不起”( rú guǒ cǎi le bié rén de jiǎo ，nǐ yīng gāi shuō “duì bú qǐ ”

The orders of way to say “Excuse me” indicating the importance. So no matter how difficult it is, you need to learn at least the first three. As these phrases are used widely and makes you speaking Chinese like a native. If you’re first time visit my website, please check my other free Chinese lessons.

If you have any questions, please comment below. Thank you!