Lessons 1, 5, 10: Speaking frankly, deciding later, and needing vs. not needing

How to open with frankness, how to put something off until later (possibly a polite refusal), and how to say you need or don't need something.

Hanyu textbook · Hanyu 5 · Lesson 1 · Hanyu 5 · Lesson 5 · Hanyu 5 · Lesson 10

这件事以后再说吧。

Zhè jiàn shì yǐhòu zàishuō ba.

Let's talk about this later.

Explanation

说实话 is used to lead into what follows, stating your real thoughts and feelings; you can also say 说心里话 or 说真的.

再说 means that you will think about it or deal with it later, when there is time, the conditions, or the opportunity. Sometimes it is used to politely turn down someone's request. The textbook also notes: the phrase Beijingers say most is “回头再说”; you can also say 以后再说 or 改天再说.

用得着 means need, be of use; its negative is 用不着, meaning not need, not have use for.

Structure

1
说实话，điều nghĩ thật
States your real thoughts and feelings; you can also say 说心里话 or 说真的.
- 说实话，今天老师讲的我有的地方没听懂。
  Shuō shíhuà, jīntiān lǎoshī jiǎng de wǒ yǒu de dìfang méi tīngdǒng.
  To be honest, there are parts of what the teacher explained today that I didn't understand.
- 说实话，我也是第一次来这个地方。
  Shuō shíhuà, wǒ yě shì dì yī cì lái zhège dìfang.
  To be honest, this is my first time at this place too.
- 说实话，我一点儿也不想去。
  Shuō shíhuà, wǒ yìdiǎnr yě bù xiǎng qù.
  To be honest, I don't want to go at all.
- 说实话，对于将来要做什么，我还没想好。
  Shuō shíhuà, duìyú jiānglái yào zuò shénme, wǒ hái méi xiǎnghǎo.
  To be honest, I still haven't thought it through about what to do in the future.
2
……，以后 / 回头再说(吧)
Wait until there is time, conditions, or an opportunity before dealing with it; sometimes a polite refusal.
- 其实，北京人最爱说的一句话是“回头再说”。
  Qíshí, Běijīngrén zuì ài shuō de yí jù huà shì “huítóu zàishuō”.
  Actually, the phrase Beijingers like to say most is “let's talk about it later.”
- 这件事以后再说吧。
  Zhè jiàn shì yǐhòu zàishuō ba.
  Let's talk about this later.
- 我今天没有带钱，以后再说吧。
  Wǒ jīntiān méiyǒu dài qián, yǐhòu zàishuō ba.
  I didn't bring any money today; let's settle it later.
- 明天我还有别的事，以后有空儿再说吧。
  Míngtiān wǒ hái yǒu bié de shì, yǐhòu yǒu kòngr zàishuō ba.
  I have other things to do tomorrow; let's talk about it when I'm free.
- 我现在要去上课，我们以后再说吧。
  Wǒ xiànzài yào qù shàngkè, wǒmen yǐhòu zàishuō ba.
  I have to go to class now; let's talk about it later.
3
用得着 / 用不着
Need, be of use / not need, have no use for.
- 他平淡地说：“这些书都是你用得着的，至于钱，以后再说吧。”
  Tā píngdàn de shuō: “Zhèxiē shū dōu shì nǐ yòng de zháo de, zhìyú qián, yǐhòu zàishuō ba.”
  He said calmly: “These books are all things you'll need; as for the money, we'll settle that later.”
- 这台电脑我已经用不着了，如果你用得着的话就送给你吧。
  Zhè tái diànnǎo wǒ yǐjīng yòng bu zháo le, rúguǒ nǐ yòng de zháo de huà jiù sòng gěi nǐ ba.
  I no longer need this computer; if you need it, I'll give it to you.
- 家里太乱了，用不着的东西就卖了吧。
  Jiāli tài luàn le, yòng bu zháo de dōngxi jiù mài le ba.
  The house is too messy; sell the things you don't use.
- 有什么意见你就好好说，用不着生这么大气。
  Yǒu shénme yìjiàn nǐ jiù hǎohāo shuō, yòng bu zháo shēng zhème dà qì.
  If you have any opinions, just say so nicely; there's no need to get so angry.

Usage notes

再说 is sometimes a polite way to turn down a request: 以后有空儿再说吧 does not mean it will be done right away.

Practice

24 questions in 3 sets. One at a time, checked instantly, with explanations.

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