打扰一下
dǎrǎo yíxià
Excuse me (interrupting) · trad. 打擾一下
打扰一下 (Dǎrǎo yíxià) is a polite phrase used to get someone's attention before interrupting them, literally meaning “let me disturb you for a moment.” It's perfect for when someone appears busy and you need to speak with them.
What does 打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yíxià) mean?
打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yíxià) means “excuse me (interrupting)” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “disturb a moment.”
When to use it
Polite and appropriate for most situations when you need to interrupt someone. For a more general “excuse me” when passing by or bumping into someone, use 不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi). When asking for directions, 请问 (qǐngwèn) is also common.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “DAH-raow ee-SHYAH.” The first two syllables are both third tones, so the first one shifts up to a rising tone in natural speech.
Other ways to say it
- 不好意思bù hǎo yìsiexcuse me (general / sorry)
- 请问qǐngwènexcuse me, may I ask
- 劳驾láojiàexcuse me (for a small favor)
Examples
打扰一下，请问现在几点了？
dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?
Excuse me, what time is it now?
不好意思，打扰一下，您有空吗？
bù hǎo yìsi, dǎrǎo yíxià, nín yǒu kòng ma?
Sorry to bother you, are you free?
我不想打扰你工作，但有急事。
wǒ bù xiǎng dǎrǎo nǐ gōngzuò, dàn yǒu jíshì.
I don't want to disturb your work, but it's urgent.
Pro tip: The “一下” (yíxià) softens the request, making “disturb” sound less intrusive and more polite, implying “just for a moment.”
Related phrases
没事儿 · It's nothing or i'm fine麻烦你了 · Sorry to trouble you让一下 · Excuse me (passing through)
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