是的长官
shì de zhǎngguān
The English phrase 'yes, sir' is translated into Mandarin as 是的长官 (shì de zhǎngguān).
This phrase is used as a formal way to say yes when responding to a superior officer in the military.
How do you pronounce it?
shì de zhǎngguān
Did you know?
- In Mandarin, there is no single word for 'yes'. The word 是 specifically means 'to be' or 'correct', which is why the response depends entirely on the question asked.
- The term 长官 (zhǎngguān) actually carries a historical weight that evokes the era of the Qing Dynasty and early 20th-century bureaucracy, making it sound more like a term from a period drama than a modern barracks.
- If you were to use 长官 (zhǎngguān) in a casual social setting to show respect to a stranger, it would likely be met with confusion or seen as an attempt at roleplay, as it is strictly professional.
Examples in context
- 明白，是的长官。míng bái, shì de zhǎng guān.Understood, yes, sir.
Example conversation
A soldier reporting to his superior officer at a military base.
- 伟 Wei准备好出发了吗？Zhǔnbèi hǎo chūfā le ma?Are you ready to depart?
- 欣怡 Xinyi是的长官，一切准备就绪。Shì de chángguān, yīqiè zhǔnbèi jiùxù.Yes, sir, everything is ready.
- 伟 Wei很好，立刻带队出发。Hěn hǎo, lìkè dài duì chūfā.Very good, lead the team out immediately.
- 欣怡 Xinyi是的长官！Shì de chángguān!Yes, sir!
