随便你
suíbiàn nǐ
The English phrase "up to you" can be translated into Chinese as 随便你 (suíbiàn nǐ).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they can make the decision or choose what to do. 随便你 can carry a dismissive or annoyed tone, similar to saying "whatever" in English when you are frustrated.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 随便你 literally means "whatever/as one pleases you".
Which one should you use?
随你的便 (suí nǐ de biàn) is a slightly more emphatic and often more blunt way to say "do whatever you want" compared to 随便你.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use 由你来决定 to mean "It is up to you to decide" or 请你自己决定吧 to mean "Please decide for yourself." In informal settings, 你决定 means "You decide," 你说了算 means "You have the final say," and 随你便 means "As you wish."
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual speech, the '便' (biàn) can be dropped to form '随你' (suí nǐ).
How do you pronounce it?
suíbiàn nǐ
What mistakes should you avoid?
Use '听你的' (tīng nǐ de) instead of '随便你' if you want to sound cooperative and polite rather than indifferent.
Did you know?
- The word 随便 is so common in modern China that it is used to describe a relaxed style of dress or a casual attitude toward rules.
- If you use 随便你 to a superior or an elder, it can be perceived as a direct challenge to their authority or an act of extreme rudeness.
- The character 便 in 随便 can also mean 'convenience' or 'easy', relating to the idea of doing something without restriction.
Examples in context
- 我们应该去散步还是看电影？你说了算。Should we go for a walk or watch a movie? It's up to you.
- 吃什么都随便你。Chī shénme dōu suíbiàn nǐ.Whatever you want to eat is up to you.
- 去哪儿玩都随便你。Qù nǎ'er wán dōu suíbiàn nǐ.Where we go to have fun is up to you.
- 看电影还是看比赛，随便你。Kàn diànyǐng háishì kàn bǐsài, suíbiàn nǐ.Whether we watch a movie or a game, it's up to you.
Example conversation
A couple is deciding what to do on a weekend afternoon.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我们下午去逛街还是去图书馆？Wǒmen xiàwǔ qù guàngjiē háishì qù túshūguǎn?Should we go shopping or to the library this afternoon?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我都行，随便你。Wǒ dōu xíng, suíbiàn nǐ.I'm fine with either, it's up to you.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们去逛街吧。Nà wǒmen qù guàngjiē ba.Then let's go shopping.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好啊，听你的。Hǎo a, tīng nǐ de.Okay, I'll follow your lead.
