LEARN + CHINESE / 257 of 300 HSK 7–9
I Don’t Know What to Say 不知...好
You’re not sure whether to apologize or explain what happened. “I don’t know what to say,” you tell your friend. 不知……好 captures that stuck feeling. In the same conversation, you can define a word with 所谓……就是…… or downplay something with 无非……而已.
我该先道歉还是解释？真不知说什么好。
wǒ gāi xiān dàoqiàn háishi jiěshì? zhēn bùzhī shuō shénme hǎo.
Should I apologize first or explain? I really don’t know what to say.
所谓成熟，就是能对自己的选择负责。
suǒwèi chéngshú, jiù shì néng duì zìjǐ de xuǎnzé fùzé.
Being mature means taking responsibility for your own choices.
这次聚会无非是想让大家见个面而已。
zhè cì jùhuì wúfēi shì xiǎng ràng dàjiā jiàn ge miàn éryǐ.
This get-together is simply a chance for everyone to see one another, nothing more.
他只不过晚了十分钟，没必要这么生气。
tā zhǐbúguò wǎn le shí fēnzhōng, méi bìyào zhème shēngqì.
He’s only ten minutes late; there’s no need to get so angry.
Hint · 힌트
不知……好 presents a choice or uncertainty the speaker can’t resolve. 所谓……就是…… gives a plain definition. 无非……而已 and 只不过…… downplay something as no more than what follows.
Vocabulary
| Chinese | English |
|---|---|
dàoqiàn | to apologize |
háishi | or (in a question) |
jiěshì | to explain |
bùzhī shuō shénme hǎo | not know what to say |
suǒwèi | so-called; what is meant by |
chéngshú | mature |
xuǎnzé | choice; to choose |
fùzé | to take responsibility |
jùhuì | get-together |
wúfēi | nothing more than; simply |
jiànmiàn | to meet; see one another |
éryǐ | that’s all; nothing more |
zhǐbúguò | only; merely |
wǎn | late |
shí fēnzhōng | ten minutes |
méi bìyào | no need to |
shēngqì | to be angry |
wúfēi shì | is nothing more than |
dàjiā | everyone |
zhè cì | this time |
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