Learning how to politely ask someone to stop doing something is an essential skill in any language. In this guide, we’ll explore various ways to express the phrase “stop it, please” in Chinese, both formally and informally. Whether you’re seeking to communicate with Mandarin or Cantonese speakers, we have you covered. So, let’s jump right in!
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Formal Ways to Say “Stop it, Please” in Chinese:
Formal expressions are generally used in professional or formal settings, such as when addressing a teacher, a colleague, or someone older. Below are some examples of how you can say “stop it, please” formally in Chinese, each followed by its corresponding pronunciation:
1. 请停止 (Qǐng tíngzhǐ)
This straightforward phrase is simple and effective. It directly translates to “please stop.” Remember to use the ¡¥q¡¦ sound for “qing” (as in ¡¥cheese¡¦) and pronounce the “i” in ¡¥qi¡¦ similar to the “ee” in “see.”
Example: 请停止聊天。(Qǐng tíngzhǐ liáotiān.) – Please stop chatting.
2. 请不要再这样做 (Qǐng bùyào zài zhèyàng zuò)
This phrase translates to “please don’t do it again like this.” The pronunciation of “bu” in ¡¥buyao¡¦ rhymes with “goo” and “zhèyàng” sounds like “jeh-yang.”
Example: 请不要再这样做你的工作。(Qǐng bùyào zài zhèyàng zuò nǐ de gōngzuò.) – Please don’t do your work like this again.
3. 请放手 (Qǐng fàngshǒu)
Using the phrase “please let go” can convey the meaning of asking someone to stop their actions. Pronounce “fang” like “fahng” and “shou” like “show.”
Example: 请放手，我可以自己做。(Qǐng fàngshǒu, wǒ kěyǐ zìjǐ zuò.) – Please let go, I can do it myself.
Informal Ways to Say “Stop it, Please” in Chinese:
Informal expressions are used with friends, family members, or in casual conversations. They possess a friendly tone and should be used with caution when addressing strangers or those in higher positions. Here are some informal yet polite ways to say “stop it, please” in Chinese:
1. 别这样 (Bié zhèyàng)
Short and simple, this phrase means “don’t be like this.” Pronounce “bié” as “bee-eh” and “zhèyàng” as “jeh-yang.”
Example: 别这样开玩笑。(Bié zhèyàng kāiwánxiào.) – Please stop joking like this.
2. 拜托你停一下 (Bàituō nǐ tíng yíxià)
This phrase translates to “please, could you stop for a moment.” Pronounce “baituo” as “bye-twuh,” “ni” as “knee,” and “ting” as “ting.”
Example: 拜托你停一下音乐。(Bàituō nǐ tíng yíxià yīnyuè.) – Could you please stop the music for a moment?
3. 就不要了 (Jiù bùyào le)
By using this phrase, you are directly saying “just don’t want it.” Pronounce “jiu” like “gee-oh” and “buyao” as “boo-yao.”
Example: 这里有足够的食物了，就不要了。(Zhèlǐ yǒu zúgòu de shíwù le, jiù bùyào le.) – There is enough food here, just don’t want it.
Regional Variations:
Chinese is a language with regional differences. While Mandarin is the official language, Cantonese is widely spoken in southern China and Hong Kong. Here are regional variations of how to say “stop it, please” in both Mandarin and Cantonese:
Mandarin (Northern China)
- 请停一下 (Qǐng tíng yīxià) – Please stop for a moment.
- 别再这么做啦 (Bié zài zhème zuò la) – Stop doing it like this.
Cantonese (Southern China, Hong Kong)
- 请停一停 (Ching ting yat ting) – Please pause for a moment.
- 停下啦 (Ting haa laa) – Stop it already.
Note that while Mandarin is widely understood across China, using regional variations like Cantonese might be more appropriate in the corresponding regions to ensure better communication.
Remember, when using any of these phrases, tone and context matter. It’s always essential to be respectful and considerate when expressing your request, regardless of the language you’re using. Practicing these phrases and incorporating them in relevant contexts will help you communicate effectively in Chinese.
