LEARN + CHINESE / 250 of 300 HSK 7–9
Half Bright, Half Dim; Take It or Leave It例 · 这家咖啡馆的灯光半明半暗
The meeting room is dim, a teammate is fed up with being asked to help, and there’s little time left to finish the plan. These compact phrases help you describe mixed qualities, wave off an unwanted choice, and make a small amount of time count. The middle expression can sound sharp, so pay attention to the relationship between the speakers.
这家咖啡馆的灯光半明半暗，坐久了也不觉得刺眼。
zhè jiā kāfēiguǎn de dēngguāng bàn míng bàn àn, zuò jiǔ le yě bù juéde cìyǎn.
The café lighting is half bright and half dim; even after sitting awhile, it doesn’t hurt your eyes.
这事你爱管不管，我已经把情况告诉你了。
zhè shì nǐ ài guǎn bù guǎn, wǒ yǐjīng bǎ qíngkuàng gàosu nǐ le.
You can get involved or not as you like; I’ve already told you what’s going on.
会议只剩一点儿时间，咱们先把最重要的问题谈完。
huìyì zhǐ shèng yìdiǎnr shíjiān, zánmen xiān bǎ zuì zhòngyào de wèntí tán wán.
There’s only a little time left in the meeting, so let’s finish discussing the most important issue first.
Hint · 힌트
半明半暗 pairs opposite qualities; 爱管不管 repeats the same verb with 爱…不… to signal indifference; 一点儿时间 uses a number and measure word with an abstract noun. 爱A不A can sound dismissive, so avoid it when you want to sound polite.
Vocabulary
| Chinese | English |
|---|---|
bàn míng bàn àn | half bright, half dim |
kāfēiguǎn | café |
dēngguāng | lighting |
zuò jiǔ | to sit for a long time |
cìyǎn | dazzling; harsh on the eyes |
ài guǎn bù guǎn | do as you like; I don’t care |
qíngkuàng | situation |
gàosu | to tell |
yǐjīng | already |
yìdiǎnr | a little |
shíjiān | time |
huìyì | meeting |
zhǐ shèng | to have only ... left |
xiān | first |
zhòngyào | important |
wèntí | question; issue |
tán wán | to finish discussing |
bànxìnbànyí | half believing, half doubtful |
bànshēngbùshú | half cooked; not well acquainted |
ài qù bú qù | go or don’t, as you like |
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