Please, thanks & sorry

How to say Excuse me in Chinese

不好意思

bù hǎoyìsi

Literally: not · good · feeling

“Excuse me” splits into a few situations in Chinese. To flag someone down or apologize for a small imposition, 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) is the everyday choice.

Other ways to say it

  • 请问

    qǐngwèn

    excuse me, may I ask

    For politely opening a question — “excuse me, where is…?” Literally “may I ask.”

  • 劳驾

    láojià

    excuse me (favor)

    Northern and polite, for asking a small favor or room to pass.

  • 借过一下

    jièguò yíxià

    let me through

    For squeezing past on a bus or through a crowd — “coming through.”

In a sentence

不好意思,请问洗手间在哪里?

Bù hǎoyìsi, qǐngwèn xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

How do you say "Excuse me" in Chinese?

To say “excuse me” in Chinese, say 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) to get someone’s attention, 请问 (qǐngwèn) to ask a question, or 借过 (jièguò) to get past in a crowd.

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