Sometimes you need to speak during a meeting or conversation, but you do not want to seem rude. This workshop gives you short, polite Mandarin phrases to interrupt, add information, and then hand the conversation back. You will hear each phrase, learn what it means, and practice both roles in a short exchange. The focus is on speaking clearly and politely, not on perfect grammar.
Polite ways to interrupt
Often start with a short apology to show respect. «不好意思，打断一下。» means 'Sorry to cut in for a moment.' Use it quickly, then say your point. If you have extra information, not a correction, use «我可以补充一下吗？» which means 'Can I add something?' It asks permission, so it sounds softer. For a very short interruption, try «对不起，插一句。» meaning 'Sorry, let me put in one sentence.' When the matter is truly urgent, such as safety or a deadline, you can say «这件事很重要，我必须现在说。» meaning 'This matter is important; I must say it now.' Each phrase is short, so you can say it calmly and then continue.
A short meeting exchange
In this scene, two people are talking about a plan. Speaker A says «我们今天讨论一下下周的计划。» meaning 'Today let's discuss next week's plan.' Speaker B interrupts politely: «不好意思，打断一下，客户刚刚改了时间。» meaning 'Sorry to cut in, the client just changed the time.' Speaker A accepts the interruption: «没关系，谢谢你告诉我。那我可以补充一下吗？» meaning 'That's all right, thank you for telling me. Then may I add something?' Speaker B finishes and hands back the turn: «可以。我说完了，你继续。» meaning 'Yes. I'm done; please continue.' Notice how B interrupts, gives the urgent news, and then returns the conversation to A.
Speaking tips
Say the polite opener first, then your point. Keep your voice calm and not too loud. Use a short pause after the opener so the other person can react. If the other person says «没关系» (that's all right) or «可以» (yes), you can continue. After you finish, you can say «我说完了，你继续。» to give the turn back. Practice each phrase slowly, then a little faster. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic check, so use the answer keys to check yourself.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
不好意思，打断一下。
Sorry to cut in for a moment.
bù hǎoyìsi, dǎduàn yíxià
我可以补充一下吗？
Can I add something?
wǒ kěyǐ bǔchōng yíxià ma
对不起，插一句。
Sorry, let me put in one sentence.
duìbuqǐ, chā yí jù
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
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
我们今天讨论一下下周的计划。
Today let's discuss next week's plan.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.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?可以。我说完了，你继续。
Yes. I'm done; please continue.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided interruption exchange
You are in a meeting. Speaker A has just said «我们今天讨论一下下周的计划。» You need to interrupt politely because the client changed the time. Use the phrase «不好意思，打断一下» and then say the client changed the time.
Your task: Say your interruption out loud: first «不好意思，打断一下», then add that the client just changed the time. After that, Speaker A says «没关系，谢谢你告诉我。那我可以补充一下吗？» You reply with «可以。我说完了，你继续。»
Choose the right reply
Speaker B has just said «不好意思，打断一下，客户刚刚改了时间。» You are Speaker A. You want to accept the interruption and then ask to add something.
Your task: Which reply fits? Option 1: «没关系，谢谢你告诉我。那我可以补充一下吗？» Option 2: «这件事很重要，我必须现在说。» Say your chosen reply out loud.
Recall and role switch
You will recall the full exchange from memory. First, play Speaker A: «我们今天讨论一下下周的计划。» Then play Speaker B: interrupt politely, give the client time change, and later hand back the turn.
Your task: Without looking at the phrases, say Speaker B's first line: «不好意思，打断一下，客户刚刚改了时间。» Then say Speaker B's closing line: «可以。我说完了，你继续。» After that, switch to Speaker A and say: «没关系，谢谢你告诉我。那我可以补充一下吗？»
Common questions
When should I use «不好意思，打断一下» versus «对不起，插一句»?
«不好意思，打断一下» is a standard polite opener for an urgent interruption. «对不起，插一句» is shorter and slightly more casual, meaning 'Sorry, let me put in one sentence.' Use the first in most formal or neutral situations, and the second when time is tight and you only need a very short point.
What if the other person does not accept my interruption?
If the other person does not pause, you can wait for a short break and then say «不好意思，打断一下» again. If the matter is truly urgent, you can say «这件事很重要，我必须现在说。» meaning 'This matter is important; I must say it now.' Keep your tone calm and respectful.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: interrupt politelyChecked September 2026
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