Chinese Conversation · Level 65
90 words
Chinese word
哪里哪里
Pronunciation
Pinyinnǎ lǐ nǎ lǐ
Meaning
- interjectionnot at all
Example
你太夸张了，我就说：哪里哪里。nǐ tài kuā zhāng le wǒ jiù shuō ná lǐ ná lǐ
You're exaggerating, so I said, "Not at all."
More examples
老师赞扬我的进步，我连忙说：哪里哪里。lǎo shī zàn yáng wǒ de jìn bù wǒ lián máng shuō ná lǐ ná lǐ
The teacher praised my progress, so I quickly said, "Not at all."
Core concept
A courteous step backward from a compliment, making the praise sound too generous.
Common phrases
哪里哪里，您太客气了ná lǐ ná lǐ nín tài kè qì le
Not at all, you're too kind
Similar words
哪里ná lǐ: A brief spoken reply that lightly denies a compliment.
太客气了tài kè qì le: A modest reply to praise or extra politeness, saying that the other person is too courteous.
过奖了guò jiǎng le: A brief reply that modestly says the praise goes beyond what is deserved.
不敢当bù gǎn dāng: A reserved, somewhat formal reply to praise that says such praise is not deserved.
Definition in Chinese
作为对赞美或恭维的客套回应的感叹词，常见于口头交流，意为谦虚地否认或推辞他人夸奖。zuò wéi duì zàn měi huò gōng wéi de kè tào huí yìng de gǎn tàn cí cháng jiàn yú kǒu tóu jiāo liú yì wèi qiān xū dì fǒu rèn huò tuī cí tā rén kuā jiǎng
Word origin
哪里 (nǎlǐ, "where") originally asks about a place, but repeating it creates a set spoken reply that modestly brushes aside praise.
Usage tips
- In conversation, it usually stands alone as a quick reply to praise, while a brief follow-up can make the modest response sound warmer and more natural.