dǎrǎo yīxià: 打扰一下 - Excuse Me, to Bother for a Moment

• Keywords: darao yixia, dǎrǎo yīxià, 打扰一下, excuse me in Chinese, how to say excuse me in Chinese, interrupting politely in Chinese, getting someone's attention in Chinese, bother for a moment, sorry to bother you, polite Chinese phrases
• Summary: “Dǎrǎo yīxià” (打扰一下) is one of the most essential polite phrases in Mandarin Chinese. Translating to “bother for a moment” or “excuse me for a second,” it's the standard way to politely interrupt someone, get a stranger's attention, or preface a request. Understanding how and when to use “dǎrǎo yīxià” is key to navigating everyday social situations in China with courtesy and respect.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dǎrǎo yīxià
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase / Interjection
• HSK Level: HSK 4 (for the verb 打扰)
• Concise Definition: A polite phrase used to preface an interruption, meaning “Excuse me for a moment” or “Sorry to bother you.”
• In a Nutshell: Think of “dǎrǎo yīxià” as a social buffer. It's a verbal knock-on-the-door before you ask for someone's time or attention. By saying this, you are explicitly acknowledging that you are about to cause a small imposition. This show of consideration is highly valued and makes your subsequent question or request feel much more polite and less abrupt.

• 打 (dǎ): While its base meaning is “to hit” or “to strike,” in many words it acts as a functional verb meaning “to engage in” an action. Think of it like “to make” or “to do” in phrases like “打电话 (dǎ diànhuà)” - to make a phone call.
• 扰 (rǎo): This character means “to disturb,” “to trouble,” or “to annoy.”
• 一 (yī): The number “one.”
• 下 (xià): Literally “down,” but when placed after a verb, it functions as a measure word for actions, indicating a brief or casual attempt. It softens the verb, making it sound like “for a little bit” or “for a moment.”

When combined, 打扰 (dǎrǎo) means “to disturb.” Adding 一下 (yīxià) is the key to its politeness. It transforms the blunt “to disturb” into the much softer “to disturb for just a little bit,” which is why it's the perfect phrase for a polite interruption.

• In Chinese culture, maintaining social harmony and showing respect (礼貌, lǐmào) are paramount. Directly interrupting someone or demanding their attention without a polite preamble can be seen as rude and inconsiderate. “Dǎrǎo yīxià” is the primary tool for avoiding this social faux pas.
• Comparison to “Excuse Me”: While “Excuse me” in English is a direct equivalent, “dǎrǎo yīxià” carries a slightly heavier connotation of apology for the imposition. It's closer in spirit to the English phrase, “So sorry to bother you, but…” The key difference is that “dǎrǎo yīxià” is used far more frequently and in much more casual situations where an English speaker might simply say “Excuse me.” It reflects a cultural tendency to be more explicitly deferential when taking up another person's time.
• This phrase embodies the cultural value of being considerate and not causing trouble or inconvenience (麻烦, máfan) for others. By starting with “dǎrǎo yīxià,” you immediately signal that you are aware you are interrupting, which is a sign of good manners and social awareness.

• Getting a Stranger's Attention: This is the most common use. Before asking for directions, the time, or help taking a photo, you start with “dǎrǎo yīxià.”
• In Service Situations: To politely call over a waiter (服务员, fúwùyuán) or get the attention of a shop assistant.
• In the Office or School: When you need to knock on a professor's or manager's door, or when you approach a colleague who is busy working.
• On the Phone or Messaging: It's a very common way to begin an unexpected phone call or a chat message when you have a question or request.
• Formality: “Dǎrǎo yīxià” is a wonderfully versatile phrase that is polite and safe to use in almost any context, from formal to informal. While you might not use it with your closest friends, it's never considered overly formal or strange.

• Example 1:
  • 打扰一下，请问去地铁站怎么走？
  • Pinyin: Dǎrǎo yīxià, qǐngwèn qù dìtiě zhàn zěnme zǒu?
  • English: Excuse me, may I ask how to get to the subway station?
  • Analysis: The classic use case. You're stopping a stranger on the street for directions. Starting with “dǎrǎo yīxià” is essential for politeness.
• Example 2:
  • 打扰一下，服务员，可以买单吗？
  • Pinyin: Dǎrǎo yīxià, fúwùyuán, kěyǐ mǎidān ma?
  • English: Excuse me, waiter, can we have the bill?
  • Analysis: A polite way to get a waiter's attention in a busy restaurant without shouting.
• Example 3:
  • （敲门）王经理，打扰一下，您现在有空吗？
  • Pinyin: (Qiāo mén) Wáng jīnglǐ, dǎrǎo yīxià, nín xiànzài yǒukòng ma?
  • English: (Knocking on the door) Manager Wang, excuse me for a moment, are you free right now?
  • Analysis: Used in a professional context to show respect when interrupting a superior. Note the use of the formal “you” (您, nín).
• Example 4:
  • 同学，打扰一下，你能把那本书递给我吗？
  • Pinyin: Tóngxué, dǎrǎo yīxià, nǐ néng bǎ nà běn shū dì gěi wǒ ma?
  • English: Classmate, excuse me, could you pass me that book?
  • Analysis: Demonstrates its use in a casual but still polite peer-to-peer interaction.
• Example 5:
  • 喂？李老师吗？不好意思，这么晚打扰一下。
  • Pinyin: Wèi? Lǐ lǎoshī ma? Bùhǎoyìsi, zhème wǎn dǎrǎo yīxià.
  • English: Hello? Is this Teacher Li? I'm sorry to bother you so late.
  • Analysis: Common at the beginning of a phone call, especially one made at an inconvenient time. It's often paired with “不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi)”.
• Example 6:
  • 打扰一下，这个座位有人吗？
  • Pinyin: Dǎrǎo yīxià, zhège zuòwèi yǒurén ma?
  • English: Excuse me, is this seat taken?
  • Analysis: A simple, polite question used on public transport or in a library.
• Example 7:
  • 不好意思，打扰一下，我没听清楚，你能再说一遍吗？
  • Pinyin: Bùhǎoyìsi, dǎrǎo yīxià, wǒ méi tīng qīngchǔ, nǐ néng zài shuō yībiàn ma?
  • English: I'm sorry, excuse me for interrupting, I didn't hear clearly, could you say that again?
  • Analysis: Used to politely interrupt someone while they are speaking, perhaps in a classroom or meeting.
• Example 8:
  • （微信消息）张姐，打扰一下，想问一下关于明天会议的资料。
  • Pinyin: (Wēixìn xiāoxī) Zhāng jiě, dǎrǎo yīxià, xiǎng wèn yīxià guānyú míngtiān huìyì de zīliào.
  • English: (WeChat Message) Sister Zhang, sorry to bother you, I wanted to ask about the materials for tomorrow's meeting.
  • Analysis: Shows how the phrase is used to start a conversation in text-based communication when making a request.
• Example 9:
  • 今天的会议就到这里，打扰大家了。
  • Pinyin: Jīntiān de huìyì jiù dào zhèlǐ, dǎrǎo dàjiā le.
  • English: That's all for today's meeting. Sorry for taking up everyone's time (lit: for disturbing everyone).
  • Analysis: This variation, “打扰了 (dǎrǎo le)”, is often used at the *end* of an event or interaction as a polite way to say “thank you for your time” and “sorry for the imposition.”
• Example 10:
  • 如果我正在工作，请不要打扰我。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ wǒ zhèngzài gōngzuò, qǐng bùyào dǎrǎo wǒ.
  • English: If I'm working, please don't disturb me.
  • Analysis: This example shows the base verb “打扰 (dǎrǎo)” used in a direct command, without the softening “一下 (yīxià)”. It's a straightforward instruction.

• “Excuse Me” vs. “Sorry”: A common mistake for learners is confusing the different types of “excuse me.”
  • To interrupt/get attention: Use 打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yīxià) or 不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi).
  • To apologize for bumping into someone: Use 不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi) or 对不起 (duìbùqǐ). You would not use “dǎrǎo yīxià” in this situation. It's specifically for *initiating* an interruption, not apologizing for a physical mistake.
• Forgetting to Use It: Simply walking up to a stranger and starting with “请问 (qǐngwèn)…” (May I ask…) is grammatically correct, but it can feel abrupt to a native speaker. Adding “打扰一下” before “请问” is the standard, polite formula and should not be skipped.
• Using it at the End: “Dǎrǎo yīxià” is a preface; it comes at the beginning. If you want to say “Sorry for the bother” at the end of an interaction, the correct phrase is 打扰了 (dǎrǎo le).

• 不好意思 (bùhǎoyìsi): A highly versatile phrase for “excuse me,” “pardon me,” or to express mild embarrassment. It can often be used interchangeably with “dǎrǎo yīxià” or even together (e.g., “不好意思，打扰一下…”).
• 请问 (qǐngwèn): “May I please ask…” This is the phrase that almost always follows “dǎrǎo yīxià” when you're about to ask a question.
• 麻烦你 (máfan nǐ): “To trouble you.” Very similar to “dǎrǎo yīxià,” but more commonly used when you're about to ask someone to physically do something for you.
• 劳驾 (láojià): A slightly more formal or old-fashioned way of saying “excuse me,” common in northern China. It literally means “trouble your chariot/presence.”
• 对不起 (duìbùqǐ): The standard word for “I'm sorry.” It implies a higher degree of fault and is used for more significant mistakes than a simple interruption.
• 打扰了 (dǎrǎo le): “Sorry for the disturbance.” The past-tense version, often used at the end of a conversation or meeting to thank people for their time and apologize for the interruption that has just occurred.
• 一下 (yīxià): A crucial grammatical particle that softens a verb, indicating the action is brief or casual. It can be attached to many other verbs, like 看一下 (kàn yīxià - take a quick look) or 等一下 (děng yīxià - wait a moment).