abandoning a request
62.4
我没有时间。
我沒有時間。
Wǒ méi yǒu shíjiān.
I don’t have time.
对不起，我(那天)有事。
對不起，我(那天)有事。
Duìbuqǐ, wǒ (nà tiān) yǒu shì.
Sorry, I have something to do (that day).
To indicate that your explanation is genuine, and that you really do not have the knowledge,
ability, time, or connections required to comply with a request, add 真的 zhēnde to your
refusal.
我真的不会。
我真的不會。
Wǒ zhēnde bù huì.
I really can’t do it.
我真的不懂。
Wǒ zhēnde bù dǒng.
I really don’t understand.
You can soften a refusal with an apology by saying:
不好意思。
Bù hǎo yìsi.
I’m embarrassed about this.
or
对不起。
對不起。
Duìbuqǐ.
Excuse me.
不好意思 bùhǎoyìsi indicates the speaker’s discomfort at not being able to comply with
a request.
62.4 Abandoning a request
To abandon a request and indicate that you will not ask anymore, say:
算了(吧)。 不要紧。 没关系。
不要緊。 沒關係。
Suànle (ba). Bù yàojǐn. Méi guānxi.
Forget it. It is not important. It is not important.
