Chinese word

劳驾

Pronunciation

Pinyinláo jià

Meaning

  • interjectionexcuse me

Example

劳驾，请问洗手间在哪里？láo jià qǐng wèn xí shǒu jiān zài ná lǐ

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

Illustration for 劳驾 (excuse me)

More examples

劳驾，能借我你的笔吗？láo jià néng jiè wǒ nǐ de bǐ ma

Excuse me, may I borrow your pen?

Core concept

A respectful pause before asking someone for attention or a small favor.

Common phrases

  • 劳驾，借过一下láo jià jiè guò yí xià

    excuse me, let me pass

  • 劳驾，打扰一下láo jià dá rǎo yí xià

    excuse me, sorry to bother you

  • 劳驾，请问láo jià qǐng wèn

    excuse me, may I ask

Similar words

请问qǐng wèn: A polite preface used to show that a question is about to follow.
打扰一下dá rǎo yí xià: A polite phrase for interrupting someone briefly to seek attention or help.
不好意思bù hǎo yì si: A phrase showing mild apology or reluctance when addressing someone.

Definition in Chinese

用于请求别人帮助或引起别人注意的礼貌用语，表示对对方造成微小麻烦时的客气说法，常用于向陌生人或服务人员提出问题或请求。yòng yú qǐng qiú bié rén bāng zhù huò yín qǐ bié rén zhù yì de lǐ mào yòng yǔ biǎo shì duì duì fāng zào chéng wēi xiǎo má fán shí de kè qì shuō fǎ cháng yòng yú xiàng mò shēng rén huò fú wù rén yuán tí chū wèn tí huò qǐng qiú

Word origin

劳 (láo, "to trouble") + 驾 (jià, "carriage") refers modestly to troubling another person's journey, which develops into a courteous request formula.

Usage tips

  • The expression is useful before a question as well as before a request, so it covers more situations than an attention-getter used only to interrupt someone.

Other meanings

  • pleaseinterjection

Word lists with this word