Learn Real Chinese: “看情况” Doesn’t Mean “I’ll Let You Know”！
When Chinese people say:
Kàn qíng kuàng
看情况
It depends
The real meaning is: Probably not, but I don’t want to say no.
Let’s learn from real conversations.
Zhōu liù yī qǐ qù pá shān?
周六一起去爬山？
Want to go hiking on Saturday?
Kàn qíng kuàng ba.
看情况吧。
It depends.
Don’t say：
Nà nǐ dà gài jǐ diǎn néng lái?
那你大概几点能来？
About what time can you come?
You should say：
Hǎo de, nǐ què dìng le gào su wǒ ba.
好的，你确定了告诉我吧。
Sure, let me know when you decide.
Learn Real Chinese: “有时间再说” Doesn’t Mean “Let’s Plan” ！
When Chinese people say:
Yǒu shí jiān zài shuō
有时间再说
Let’s talk when we have time
The real meaning is: Probably no, don’t wait for me.
Let’s learn from real conversations.
Xià cì yī qǐ hē kā fēi?
下次一起喝咖啡？
Let’s grab coffee sometime?
Yǒu shí jiān zài shuō ba.
有时间再说吧。
Let’s talk when we have time.
Don’t say：
Nà xià zhōu sān nǐ yǒu kòng ma?
那下周三你有空吗？
Are you free next Wednesday?
You should say：
Hǎo a, nǐ máng wán le zhǎo wǒ
好啊，你忙完了找我
Sure, find me when you’re free
Learn Real Chinese: “还行吧” Doesn’t Mean Good ！
When Chinese people say:
Hái xíng ba
还行吧
Not bad
The real meaning is: It’s just okay, not great.
Let’s learn from real conversations.
Zhè jiā cāntīng zěnme yàng
这家餐厅怎么样
How’s this restaurant
Hái xíng ba
还行吧
Not bad
Don’t say：
Yào bù míngtiān zài lái?
要不明天再来？
Should we come again tomorrow?
You should say：
Nà wǒmen xià cì huàn yī jiā shì shì?
那我们下次换一家试试？
Let’s try another place next time?
Learn Real Chinese: “有空一起吃饭” Isn’t an Invitation!
When Chinese people say:
Yǒu kōng yīqǐ chīfàn.
有空一起吃饭。
Let’s eat sometime.
The real meaning is: It’s just a polite goodbye.
Let’s learn from real conversations.
Yǒu kōng yīqǐ chīfàn.
有空一起吃饭。
Let’s eat sometime.
Don’t say：
Hǎo a, míngtiān ba？
好啊，明天吧？
Sure, tomorrow？
You should say：
Hǎo ya, xiàcì zài yuē！
好呀，下次再约！
Sure, next time！
Learn Real Chinese: “改天吧” Doesn’t Mean Yes 😅
When Chinese people say:
Gǎi tiān ba
改天吧
Maybe another day
The real meaning is a polite refusal, not a real plan.
Let’s learn from real conversations.
Zhōu mò yǒu kòng ma? Yī qǐ chī fàn?
周末有空吗？一起吃饭?
Free this weekend? Let’s grab a meal?
Gǎi tiān ba
改天吧
Maybe another day
Don’t say：
Nà nǐ zhōu jǐ yǒu kòng?
那你周几有空？
What day are you free then?
You should say:
Hǎo de, yǒu kōng zài yuē.
好的，有空再约。
Sure, maybe next time.
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