Chinese for English speakers Office · Lesson 4
Asking for permission
Chinese permission with 可以 — 可不可以早一点回家? (Can I go home a little earlier?) — using 可不可以 verb-not-verb.
Conversation
-
Bob
杨总，可不可以早一点回家？
Yáng zǒng, kěbù kě yǐ zǎo yì diǎn húi jiā?
Mr. Yang, can I go back home a little earlier?
Tip: 早 <zǎo> = early
-
Bob
明天早上我还得出差。
míng tiān zǎo shang wǒ hái déi chū chái.
I have a business trip tomorrow morning.
Tip: 明天 <míngtān> = tomorrow 出差 <chūchái> = to have a business trip
-
Muri
应该没问题。
yīng gāi méi wèn tí.
It shouldn't be a problem.
Tip: 应该<yīnggāi> = should, must, very likely
-
Muri
不过还得问问我们同事。
bú guò hái déi wèn wen wǒ men tóng shì.
But I still have to check with our colleagues.
Tip: 问<wèn> = to ask 同事 <tóngshì> = coworker, colleague NOTE: verbs can be repeated twice meaning that action is happening quickly. 问问<wènwen> = quickly ask, 看看 <kànkan> = to have a quick look around