qǐng
pinyin, polite
In pinyin, please is qǐng. In Chinese characters it is 请 (qǐng). It is also called qǐng wèn.
Meaning: polite request (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Mandarin | Note |
|---|---|
| qǐng | pinyin, polite |
| qǐng wèn | pinyin, asking a question |
Qǐng goes at the start of a request, as in qǐng zuò ("please sit"). Qǐng wèn is used to ask a question politely, similar to "excuse me, may I ask".
Which one should you use?
Mandarin has no word that is added at the end like English "please". The polite word comes first.
How do you pronounce it?
Qǐng has the third tone, which dips and then rises. The q is like a soft "ch".
Did you know?
- The word qǐng also means "to invite", which is why it is used when offering someone a seat or a drink.
Examples in context
- Qǐng wèn, xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ?Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Example conversation
Chen greets his guest Lin at the door of his home.
- ChenQǐng jìn.Please come in.
- LinXièxie.Thank you.
- ChenQǐng zuò.Please sit.
