How to Interrupt Politely in Mandarin Chinese: 不好意思，打断一下 and 我可以补充一下吗
Learn elementary Mandarin phrases to interrupt politely when you must speak right away: 不好意思，打断一下 and 我可以补充一下吗, with pinyin, tone-marked pronunciation, a short dialogue and common mistakes.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
Sometimes you must speak immediately: a safety problem, a missed detail, or a fact the group needs before deciding. Mandarin has clear, polite ways to interrupt without sounding rude. The two most useful patterns are 不好意思，打断一下 (bù hǎoyìsi, dǎduàn yíxià), literally 'sorry, interrupt a bit', and 我可以补充一下吗 (wǒ kěyǐ bǔchōng yíxià ma), 'may I add something?' Both are short, so you can start them quickly. This lesson teaches when to use each, how to soften your voice, and how to return the turn to the other speaker. It focuses only on urgent interruptions, not on changing the topic.
By the end, you can…
- interrupt politely in Mandarin when I need to speak immediately.
- use 不好意思，打断一下 and 我可以补充一下吗 appropriately.
- return the conversation to the other speaker after my urgent point.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
不好意思，打断一下。
Sorry to cut in for a moment.
bù hǎoyìsi, dǎduàn yíxià
The standard polite opener for an urgent interruption. Say it quickly, then state your point. Use with coworkers, teachers, or strangers.
我可以补充一下吗？
Can I add something?
wǒ kěyǐ bǔchōng yíxià ma
Use when you have extra information, not a correction. It asks permission, so it is softer than simply starting to speak.
对不起，插一句。
Sorry, let me put in one sentence.
duìbuqǐ, chā yí jù
Very short and slightly more casual. 插一句 means 'insert one sentence'. Good in meetings when time is tight.
这件事很重要，我必须现在说。
This matter is important; I must say it now.
zhè jiàn shì hěn zhòngyào, wǒ bìxū xiànzài shuō
Use only for genuinely urgent matters, such as safety or a deadline. It explains why you cannot wait.
我说完了，你继续。
I'm done; please continue.
wǒ shuō wán le, nǐ jìxù
Say this after your point to hand the turn back. It shows you respect the other speaker's turn.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A polite interruption often has three parts: an apology, a short request, and your point. Start with 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) or 对不起 (duìbuqǐ). Then add 打断一下 (dǎduàn yíxià) or 插一句 (chā yí jù). After that, state your urgent information. For example: 不好意思，打断一下，会议室在三楼。 (Bù hǎoyìsi, dǎduàn yíxià, huìyìshì zài sān lóu.) 'Sorry to cut in, the meeting room is on the third floor.' If you only want to add information, use 我可以补充一下吗？ (Wǒ kěyǐ bǔchōng yíxià ma?) Then wait for a nod or 可以 (kěyǐ).
When to use it
Use 不好意思，打断一下 when you must speak before the other person finishes, for example a safety warning: 不好意思，打断一下，前面很危险。 (Bù hǎoyìsi, dǎduàn yíxià, qiánmiàn hěn wēixiǎn.) 'Sorry to cut in, it is dangerous ahead.' Use 我可以补充一下吗？ when the other person has finished a main point and you have a useful detail. Do not use these phrases just to change the topic; that is a different move. If the matter can wait, wait. If it cannot, interrupt briefly, give your point, then say 我说完了，你继续。 (Wǒ shuō wán le, nǐ jìxù.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
我们今天讨论一下下周的计划。
Today let's discuss next week's plan.wǒmen jīntiān tǎolùn yíxià xià zhōu de jìhuà不好意思，打断一下，客户刚刚改了时间。
Sorry to cut in, the client just changed the time.bù hǎoyìsi, dǎduàn yíxià, kèhù gānggāng gǎi le shíjiān没关系，谢谢你告诉我。那我可以补充一下吗？
That's all right, thank you for telling me. Then may I add something?méi guānxi, xièxie nǐ gàosù wǒ. nà wǒ kěyǐ bǔchōng yíxià ma可以。我说完了，你继续。
Yes. I'm done; please continue.kěyǐ. wǒ shuō wán le, nǐ jìxùA little context goes a long way
In many Mandarin-speaking workplaces and classrooms, a short apology plus a clear reason makes an interruption acceptable. 不好意思 is softer than 对不起 in everyday polite interruptions; 对不起 can sound more serious. Directly saying 你错了 (nǐ cuò le) 'you are wrong' while someone is speaking usually feels confrontational. Instead, wait for a pause or use 我可以补充一下吗？ Titles and seniority matter in some settings, so with a boss or teacher, keep the interruption very short and explain the urgency.
One thing to watch for
Starting with 你错了 (nǐ cuò le) 'you are wrong' or simply talking over the other person.
Try this instead: Use a polite opener first, then give your point: 不好意思，打断一下，这个数字好像是三，不是四。 (Bù hǎoyìsi, dǎduàn yíxià, zhège shùzì hǎoxiàng shì sān, bú shì sì.) 'Sorry to cut in, this number seems to be three, not four.' This softens the correction and keeps the conversation cooperative.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You need to warn a coworker about a safety problem right now. Which phrase do you start with?
Show a sample answer
不好意思，打断一下。
This is the standard polite urgent opener. 对不起，插一句 is also acceptable in a more casual setting, but 不好意思，打断一下 fits most workplaces.
2The other person has finished a main point and you have extra information. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
我可以补充一下吗？
This asks permission to add information. 我可以补充一句吗？ is a valid variant with nearly the same meaning.
3After you finish your urgent point, how do you return the turn?
Show a sample answer
我说完了，你继续。
This politely hands the conversation back. 你继续说吧 is also fine, but 我说完了，你继续 is short and clear.
For urgent interruptions in Mandarin, apologize briefly, ask or signal that you must speak, give your point, then return the turn with 我说完了，你继续。
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