Chinese word

冒昧

Pronunciation

Pinyinmào mèi

Meaning

  • adverbif I may ask

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)

More examples

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?

Core concept

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

Common phrases

  • 冒昧地问mào mèi dì wèn

    if I may ask

  • 冒昧地提出mào mèi dì tí chū

    if I may make a suggestion

  • 冒昧打扰您mào mèi dá rǎo nín

    if I may trouble you

Similar words

不好意思bù hǎo yì si: Gently introduces a request or question with mild embarrassment or hesitation.

Definition in Chinese

多用于正式或半正式场合，尤其在初次接触或向长辈请教时，用以预先表示自己可能失礼并请求谅解。duō yòng yú zhèng shì huò bàn zhèng shì chǎng hé yóu qí zài chū cì jiē chù huò xiàng zhǎng bèi qǐng jiào shí yòng yǐ yù xiān biǎo shì zì jǐ kě néng shī lǐ bìng qǐng qiú liàng jiě

Word origin

冒 (mào, "rashly to undertake") + 昧 (mèi, "uninformed") describes rash action carried out without proper awareness, leading to the modern sense of politely admitting possible presumption.

Usage tips

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

Other meanings

  • presumptuouslyadverb
  • presumptuousadjective

Opposites

  • 恭敬地gōng jìng dìrespectfullyadverb
  • 礼貌地lǐ mào dìpolitelyadverb

Related words

  • 冒昧地mào mèi dìpresumptuouslyadverb

Word lists with this word