该你了
gāi nǐ le
The English phrase "your turn" can be translated into Chinese as 该你了 (gāi nǐ le).
This phrase is used to tell someone that it is now their time to perform an action or take a move. Another common way to express this concept is by using the verb 轮到 (lún dào), which means "to come to one's turn".
Which one should you use?
While 该你了 is a standard way to say "your turn", you can also use 轮到你了, which utilizes the verb 轮 (lún), meaning "to rotate" or "to take turns". The latter literally translates to "it has fallen to you".
How do you pronounce it?
gāi nǐ le
Did you know?
- While 轮到 suggests a fair rotation, using 该你了 in a sarcastic tone can imply that someone is finally facing the consequences of their actions, similar to saying 'your time has come'.
- The word 轮 (lún) in 轮到你了 originally refers to a wheel. This reflects the Chinese conceptualization of taking turns as a circular rotation rather than a linear queue.
- The particle 了 (le) at the end of 该你了 does not indicate a past tense, but rather a 'change of state', signaling the exact moment the turn shifts from one person to another.
Examples in context
- 现在该你了。It's now your turn.This sentence shows how to use 该你了 to indicate it is someone's turn now.Tatoeba #822719 by ednorog, translation #435280 by CK
- 该你了，请开始吧。Gāi nǐ le, qǐng kāishǐ ba.It's your turn, please begin.
- 轮到我了，接下来该你了。Lúndào wǒ le, jiēxiàlái gāi nǐ le.It's my turn, now it's your turn.
Example conversation
Two friends are playing a board game at home.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我走完了，该你了。Wǒ zǒu wán le, gāi nǐ le.I've finished my move, it's your turn.
- 雨婷 Yuting好，让我看看。Hǎo, ràng wǒ kànkan.Okay, let me see.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你该走了。Yǔtíng, nǐ gāi zǒu le.Yuting, it's your turn to move.
- 雨婷 Yuting知道了，志强。Zhīdào le, Zhìqiáng.I know, Zhiqiang.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
