让开
ràng kāi
The English phrase 'get out of the way' is translated into Chinese as 让开 (ràng kāi).
让开 is used to tell someone to move so they are no longer blocking a path. It can also be used figuratively to tell someone to stop interfering in a matter.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 让 (ràng), meaning 'to yield' or 'to let' and 开 (kāi), meaning 'to open'.
Which one should you use?
While 让开 is a direct command, you can use other variations depending on your intent. 让一下 is an informal way to say 'move aside', whereas 让开一下 is an informal and more forceful way to ask someone to move. For a polite request, use 请让一下.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
让开 is a direct and blunt command, often used when someone is annoyed or in a hurry. If you wish to be polite and ask someone to excuse you or move a little, use 请让一下.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 让开 is used as a complete command and does not require an object to be grammatically correct.
How do you pronounce it?
ràng kāi
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the character 让 (ràng) is a cornerstone of social virtue, representing the concept of yielding to others to preserve harmony. Using it as a blunt command like 让开 (ràng kāi) is culturally ironic because it turns a word for 'virtuous concession' into a tool for aggression.
- The concept of 'yielding' found in the word 让 (ràng) extends beyond physical movement to political and social negotiations. It is the same root used in the word 让步 (ràng bù), which means to make a concession or compromise in a formal argument.
- In crowded cities like Beijing or Shanghai, it is common to physically nudge others with elbows or shoulders while saying 让一下.
Examples in context
- 如果你不介意的话，能不能请让一下？If you don't mind, could you please make way?
- 请让开一下，我有点赶时间。Please move aside, I'm a bit pressed for time.
- 嗨，让一下，谢谢！Hi, please move aside, thank you!
- 让开一下，我真的很急。Move aside, I'm really in a hurry.
- 快让开！Kuài ràngkāi!Get out of the way, quickly!
- 请让开一下。Qǐng ràngkāi yīxià.Please move out of the way for a moment.
Example conversation
Two people are walking through a crowded hallway.
- 浩然 Haoran雨婷，快让开，后面有人走不过来。Yǔtíng, kuài ràng kāi, hòumiàn yǒu rén zǒu bù guòlái.Yuting, get out of the way, people behind can't get through.
- 雨婷 Yuting噢，对不起，我没注意到。Ō, duìbùqǐ, wǒ méi zhùyì dào.Oh, sorry, I didn't notice.
- 浩然 Haoran没关系，你往这边靠一下。Méiguānxì, nǐ wǎng zhèbiān kào yīxià.It's okay, just lean this way.
- 雨婷 Yuting好的，浩然。Hǎo de, Hàorán.Okay, Haoran.
