What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 别跟我说话 is composed of 别 (don't), 跟 (with), 我 (me) and 说话 (to speak/talk).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of politeness can be adjusted by choosing different forms. You can make the command much more polite and formal by using 请 (please) and 不要 (do not) instead of 别 (don't), as in 请不要跟我说话. For formal situations, 请停止与我交谈 translates to "Please cease conversing with me". In informal settings, you might use 别再和我讲话了 or 别再跟我说了 to say "Stop talking to me". Among close friends, you might use the informal 闭嘴, which literally means "Shut up" and can be used in a playful or teasing mood.
How does it change in a sentence?
To emphasize that a person should stop an action that is currently ongoing, you can add the particle 了 to the end of the phrase, as in 别跟我说话了.
Did you know?
- In many Chinese social contexts, the most effective way to say 'stop talking to me' is actually through silence and a change in physical orientation, rather than using any of these verbal phrases.
- While 'shut up' is often 闭嘴 (close mouth), using the phrase 闭嘴 in a professional setting is considered extremely aggressive and can cause a permanent loss of face for both parties.
- The formal version 请停止与我交谈 sounds so much like a legal notice or a scripted line from a movie that using it in a real argument might make the other person think you are joking.
Examples in context
- 你现在别跟我说话。Nǐ xiànzài bié gēn wǒ shuōhuà.Don't talk to me right now.
- 我生气了，别跟我说话。Wǒ shēngqì le, bié gēn wǒ shuōhuà.I'm angry, stop talking to me.
- 别跟我说话，我想静静。Bié gēn wǒ shuōhuà, wǒ xiǎng jìngjìng.Stop talking to me, I want some peace.
Example conversation
Zhiqiang and Xiaowen are having an argument in the living room.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你为什么不听我的建议？Nǐ wèishéme bù tīng wǒ de jiànyì?Why didn't you listen to my advice?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我现在不想讨论这件事。Wǒ xiànzài bù xiǎng tǎolùn zhè jiàn shì.I don't want to discuss this right now.
- 志强 Zhiqiang但我认为我们必须解决它。Dàn wǒ rènwéi wǒmen bìxū jiějué tā.But I think we must resolve it.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen够了，别跟我说话！Gòule, bié gēn wǒ shuōhuà!Enough, stop talking to me!
