"Come On!" in Chinese: A Quick Guide to Getting It Right!
Ever tried to translate a simple English phrase into Chinese, only to realise there are five different ways to say it? Welcome to the wonderful world of nuance!
Today's "One Chinese Phrase A Day" isn't just one phrase at all. It's the ultimate guide to nailing "Come on!" – a seemingly simple expression with a surprisingly rich range of meanings.
In English, "Come on!" covers everything from cheering on your favorite team to expressing total disbelief. In Chinese, we've got a phrase for each vibe:
加油！ (jiāyóu!)
This is your go-to for encouragement and cheering. Think "Go, go, go!" or "You got this!" if your friend's running a marathon or even just tackling a tough work project.
快点！ (kuài diǎn!)
Need someone to hurry up? This is your polite (or not-so-polite, depending on tone!) way of saying "Come on, speed it up!"
得了吧！ (dé le ba!)
This one’s for when you're skeptical or annoyed. Heard a wild story that just can't be true? "Oh, come on, really?!"
算了吧！ (suàn le ba!)
Ready to give up or let it go? This is your resigned "Come on, forget about it" or "Let's just drop it."
拜托！ (bàituō!)
When you're feeling exasperated or pleading, this is your best bet. Imagine a dramatic "Come on, for goodness sake!"
One Phrase, Five Feelings: "Come On!"
Here's your quick guide to nailing the right expression:
Cheer them on? Use 加油！ (jiāyóu!)
Urge them to hurry? Say 快点！ (kuài diǎn!)
Express disbelief? Go with 得了吧！ (dé le ba!)
Ready to drop it? It's 算了吧！ (suàn le ba!)
Feeling exasperated? Try 拜托！ (bàituō!)
So next time you want to say "Come on!" in Chinese, pause and pick the perfect phrase. It'll make all the difference!
What's a common English phrase you've found surprisingly complex to translate? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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