你没事吧？
nǐ méi shì ba?
In Mandarin, "are you okay?" is expressed as 你没事吧？ (nǐ méi shì ba?)
The phrase 你没事吧？ is specifically used when you see someone trip, fall or experience a sudden mishap to check if they are physically hurt.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "You have no matter/thing, right?"
Which one should you use?
While 你没事吧？ is used after a sudden accident or shock to check for injury, 你还好吗？ is more general and asks about someone's ongoing state of well-being or emotional state.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 吧 at the end of the sentence turns the statement into a question that seeks confirmation of a perceived situation.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ méi shì ba?
When do people say it?
A common response to this question when you are indeed unhurt is 没事 (méi shì).
Did you know?
- Using the alternative phrase 你还好吗？ (nǐ hái hǎo ma?) to check on a physical stumble might accidentally make you sound like you are diagnosing a deep psychological crisis.
- The phrase 没事 (méi shì) is commonly used as a casual way to say 'it is nothing' or 'don't worry about it' when someone apologizes to you.
- The word for 'thing' or 'matter' in this phrase, 事 (shì), can also mean 'business' or 'accident', implying that being 'okay' means you are currently free from any troublesome affairs.
Examples in context
- 你没事吧？Nǐ méishì ba?Are you okay?
- 刚才撞到了，你没事吧？Gāngcái zhuàng dào le, nǐ méishì ba?You just bumped into something, are you okay?
- 看你脸色不好，你没事吧？Kàn nǐ liǎnsè bù hǎo, nǐ méishì ba?You look pale, are you okay?
Example conversation
Wei sees Xiaowen trip on the sidewalk.
- 浩然 Haoran哎呀！你没事吧？Āiyā! Nǐ méishì ba?Oh no! Are you okay?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我没事，谢谢你。Wǒ méishì, xièxiè nǐ.I'm okay, thank you.
- 浩然 Haoran没受伤吧？Méi shòushāng ba?You aren't hurt, are you?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen没有，只是腿有点疼。Méiyǒu, zhǐshì tuǐ yǒudiǎn téng.No, just my leg hurts a little.
