Mandarin Chinese: Polite Excuses to End a Conversation or Leave a Gathering
Learn to politely excuse yourself in Mandarin Chinese with phrases like 'I have an early meeting tomorrow.' This beginner lesson teaches reasons and polite forms to end conversations gracefully.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In Mandarin Chinese, ending a conversation or leaving a gathering politely often involves giving a reason. Unlike simply saying goodbye, polite excuses show respect for the other person's time. This lesson teaches you common phrases to excuse yourself, such as mentioning an early meeting, feeling tired, or having other commitments. You'll learn the vocabulary and sentence patterns to do this naturally and appropriately in Chinese culture.
By the end, you can…
- politely excuse myself from a conversation or gathering in Mandarin Chinese.
- give a simple reason for leaving, such as having an early meeting or feeling tired.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
不好意思，我得走了。
Sorry, I have to go.
bù hǎo yì si, wǒ děi zǒu le.
A general polite excuse to leave. '不好意思' softens the statement, and '得' indicates necessity.
我明天早上有个会。
I have a meeting tomorrow morning.
wǒ míng tiān zǎo shang yǒu ge huì.
Use this to give a specific reason. '个' is a measure word for 'meeting'.
我得早点回家。
I need to go home early.
wǒ děi zǎo diǎn huí jiā.
A polite excuse when you want to leave early. '早点' means 'a bit early'.
我有点累，想先走了。
I'm a bit tired, I want to leave first.
wǒ yǒu diǎn lèi, xiǎng xiān zǒu le.
Use when you're tired. '有点' means 'a little', and '先走' means 'leave first'.
下次再聊，好吗？
Let's chat again next time, okay?
xià cì zài liáo, hǎo ma?
A polite way to end a conversation while suggesting future contact. '再' means 'again'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To make a polite excuse, you can use the pattern: [Reason] + 所以 + [Excuse]. For example, '我明天早上有个会，所以得早点睡。' (I have a meeting tomorrow morning, so I need to go to bed early.) Another pattern is '我得 + [Verb] + 了' to indicate a necessary action, like '我得走了' (I have to go). Adding '不好意思' at the beginning makes it more polite. You can also use '因为...所以...' (because...so...) to give a reason: '因为明天要早起，所以得走了。' (Because I need to get up early tomorrow, I have to go.)
When to use it
Use these excuses when you need to leave a social gathering, end a phone call, or exit a conversation politely. In Chinese culture, it's common to give a reason to show that you're not leaving because of the other person. For example, if you're at a dinner party and need to leave, you might say, '不好意思，我明天有个早会，得先走了。' (Sorry, I have an early meeting tomorrow, I have to leave first.) If you're on the phone, you can say, '我有点事，下次再聊。' (I have something to do, let's chat next time.) It's also polite to thank the host before leaving: '谢谢你的招待，我得走了。' (Thank you for your hospitality, I have to go.)
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
不好意思，我得走了。
Sorry, I have to go.bù hǎo yì si, wǒ děi zǒu le.为什么这么早？
Why so early?wèi shén me zhè me zǎo?我明天早上有个会，得早点睡。
I have a meeting tomorrow morning, I need to go to bed early.wǒ míng tiān zǎo shang yǒu ge huì, děi zǎo diǎn shuì.好的，下次再聊。
Okay, let's chat again next time.hǎo de, xià cì zài liáo.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese culture, giving a reason when leaving is a sign of respect and helps maintain harmony. It's common to apologize slightly and thank the host. Avoid leaving without explanation, as it may seem rude. Also, direct refusals like '我不想聊了' (I don't want to chat anymore) are considered too blunt; always soften with '不好意思' or a reason.
One thing to watch for
Saying '我要走了' without a polite reason, which can sound abrupt.
Try this instead: Add a polite excuse and soften with '不好意思'. For example, '不好意思，我得走了，明天有个早会。' (Sorry, I have to go, I have an early meeting tomorrow.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely say 'I have an early meeting tomorrow' in Chinese?
Show a sample answer
我明天早上有个会。
This directly translates the reason. You can also say '我明天有个早会' (wǒ míng tiān yǒu ge zǎo huì), which is equally correct.
2What phrase can you use to end a conversation and suggest talking later?
Show a sample answer
下次再聊。
This means 'Let's chat again next time.' It's a polite way to end a conversation. You can also add '好吗？' to make it a question: '下次再聊，好吗？'
3If you're tired and want to leave, what could you say?
Show a sample answer
我有点累，想先走了。
This means 'I'm a bit tired, I want to leave first.' It gives a reason and is polite. Alternatively, you could say '我累了，得走了。' (I'm tired, I have to go.)
Always soften your exit with '不好意思' and give a simple reason like '我明天有个早会' to leave politely in Chinese.
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