After You (您先) - HSK 3 Chinese Graded Reader

In Chinese, you don’t say “after you.” Instead, you say “您先” (nín xiān), which is a polite expression used to invite someone to go ahead or do something first. The literal translation is “you first”. This phrase is a common courtesy in Mandarin and is a part of daily interactions, reflecting the culture’s emphasis on respect and politeness. The dialogue provided below utilizes vocabulary from the HSK 3 level, making it accessible for intermediate Chinese learners. Integrating “您先” into your everyday conversations is a great way to practice and enhance your Chinese proficiency.

李明: 早上好，王老师！我们一起去喝咖啡吗？ {Play}

王老师: 好的，李明。今天天气不错，喝咖啡很好。 {Play}

李明 (到了咖啡店门口): 您先，请。 {Play}

王老师: 谢谢你，李明。这个咖啡店新吗？ {Play}

李明: 是的，上个星期开的。今天你想喝什么？ {Play}

王老师: 我想喝热茶。热茶对健康好。 {Play}

李明: 我也想喝热茶。我们可以坐外面吗？ {Play}

王老师: 好的，外面很舒服。我们坐那边吧。 {Play}

李明: 那边有很多树，很漂亮。 {Play}

王老师: 是的，我喜欢这里的环境。我们经常来这里吧。 {Play}

李明: 早上好，王老师！我们一起去喝咖啡吗？ {Play}

Lǐ Míng: Zǎoshang hǎo, Wáng lǎoshī! Wǒmen yīqǐ qù hē kāfēi ma?

Li Ming: Good morning, Teacher Wang! Shall we go for coffee together?

王老师: 好的，李明。今天天气不错，喝咖啡很好。 {Play}

Wáng Lǎoshī: Hǎo de, Lǐ Míng. Jīntiān tiānqì bùcuò, hē kāfēi hěn hǎo.

Teacher Wang: Okay, Li Ming. The weather is nice today; it’s good to have coffee.

李明 (到了咖啡店门口): 您先，请。 {Play}

Lǐ Míng (dào le kāfēidiàn ménkǒu): Nín xiān, qǐng.

Li Ming (at the coffee shop entrance): After you, please.

王老师: 谢谢你，李明。这个咖啡店新吗？ {Play}

Wáng Lǎoshī: Xièxiè nǐ, Lǐ Míng. Zhège kāfēidiàn xīn ma?

Teacher Wang: Thank you, Li Ming. Is this coffee shop new?

李明: 是的，上个星期开的。今天你想喝什么？ {Play}

Lǐ Míng: Shì de, shàng gè xīngqī kāi de. Jīntiān nǐ xiǎng hē shénme?

Li Ming: Yes, it opened last week. What would you like to drink today?

王老师: 我想喝热茶。热茶对健康好。 {Play}

Wáng Lǎoshī: Wǒ xiǎng hē rè chá. Rè chá duì jiànkāng hǎo.

Teacher Wang: I’d like to drink hot tea. Hot tea is good for health.

李明: 我也想喝热茶。我们可以坐外面吗？ {Play}

Lǐ Míng: Wǒ yě xiǎng hē rè chá. Wǒmen kěyǐ zuò wàimiàn ma?

Li Ming: I would also like to drink hot tea. Can we sit outside?

王老师: 好的，外面很舒服。我们坐那边吧。 {Play}

Wáng Lǎoshī: Hǎo de, wàimiàn hěn shūfú. Wǒmen zuò nàbiān ba.

Teacher Wang: Okay, it’s very comfortable outside. Let’s sit over there.

李明: 那边有很多树，很漂亮。 {Play}

Lǐ Míng: Nàbiān yǒu hěn duō shù, hěn piàoliang.

Li Ming: There are many trees over there, very beautiful.

王老师: 是的，我喜欢这里的环境。我们经常来这里吧。 {Play}

Wáng Lǎoshī: Shì de, wǒ xǐhuān zhèlǐ de huánjìng. Wǒmen jīngcháng lái zhèlǐ ba.

Teacher Wang: Yes, I like the environment here. Let’s come here often.