English–Chinese

“if i may ask” in Chinese

Chinese

Pronunciation

Pinyinmào mèi

Example

冒昧问一下，你今天有空吗？mào mèi wèn yí xià nǐ jīn tiān yǒu kòng ma

If I may ask, are you free today?

Illustration for 冒昧 (if i may ask)

How to say “if i may ask” in Chinese

“If i may ask” in Chinese is 冒昧 (mào mèi).

A brief warning that a question may cross a social boundary, paired with a request for tolerance.

Full entry for 冒昧: usage tips, similar words and word origin

Example sentences with 冒昧

冒昧地提出一个建议，我们能先讨论预算吗？mào mèi dì tí chū yí gè jiàn yì wǒ men néng xiān tǎo lùn yù suàn ma

If I may offer one suggestion, can we discuss the budget first?

Tips for using 冒昧

  • The word helps mark respectful distance in formal or semi-formal conversation, while ordinary exchanges with close friends usually need a lighter opening.

“if i may ask” in other languages