LEARN + CHINESE / 155 of 300 HSK 4
Don’t Let a Good Chance Go to Waste 不...白不...
Your friend has a coupon that expires tonight. “Use it if you have it,” you say. Chinese has a few casual frames for making use of an opportunity, accepting a small amount at a time, or telling someone there’s nothing to worry about.
这张优惠券今天就过期，不用白不用，咱们去买点儿水果吧。
zhè zhāng yōuhuìquàn jīntiān jiù guòqī, búyòng bái búyòng, zánmen qù mǎi diǎnr shuǐguǒ ba.
This coupon expires today, so we might as well use it and buy some fruit.
能省一点是一点，我们坐地铁去吧。
néng shěng yìdiǎn shì yìdiǎn, wǒmen zuò dìtiě qù ba.
Every little bit we can save helps; let’s take the subway.
没什么好担心的，医生说休息两天就会好。
méi shénme hǎo dānxīn de, yīshēng shuō xiūxi liǎng tiān jiù huì hǎo.
There’s nothing to worry about; the doctor said two days of rest should do it.
能看一眼是一眼，展览明天就结束了。
néng kàn yì yǎn shì yì yǎn, zhǎnlǎn míngtiān jiù jiéshù le.
Let’s take a look while we can; the exhibition ends tomorrow.
Hint · 힌트
不X白不X means “if you don’t X, the chance goes to waste.” V一V是一V has a more resigned “take what you can get” feeling. 没什么好X的 tells someone there’s no reason to X.
Vocabulary
| Chinese | English |
|---|---|
bù | not; no |
bái | in vain; for nothing |
búyòng bái búyòng | might as well use it |
méi shénme hǎo……de | there’s nothing to… |
néng shěng yìdiǎn shì yìdiǎn | every little bit saved helps |
yōuhuìquàn | coupon; voucher |
jīntiān | today |
guòqī | to expire |
mǎi | to buy |
shuǐguǒ | fruit |
yìdiǎn | a little |
zuò | to take (transport); sit |
dìtiě | subway |
yīshēng | doctor |
xiūxi | to rest |
tiān | day |
kàn yì yǎn | to take a look |
zhǎnlǎn | exhibition |
míngtiān | tomorrow |
jiéshù | to end; finish |
YOUR PROGRESS
Finished this lesson?
Save your place in this course.