需要留言吗？
xūyào liúyán ma?
Would you like to leave a message · trad. 需要留言嗎？
需要留言吗？ (xūyào liúyán ma) is a polite question asking if someone wishes to leave a message, typically when the person they are trying to reach is unavailable. It's commonly heard in phone calls or customer service.
What does 需要留言吗？ (xūyào liúyán ma?) mean?
需要留言吗？ (xūyào liúyán ma?) means “would you like to leave a message” in English. Word for word, it breaks down as “need leave message?”
When to use it
Neutral and polite. This phrase is standard in professional and customer service contexts, such as when answering a phone. For a slightly more formal tone, one might use 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ) if the context implies it, though 需要留言吗? is already quite polite.
How to pronounce it
Sounds like “shwee-YOW lee-OH-yen mah.” The “ma” is a neutral tone question particle.
Other ways to say it
- 请留言qǐng liúyánplease leave a message
- 您要留言吗？nín yào liúyán ma?would you like to leave a message? (polite)
- 可以留言吗？kěyǐ liúyán ma?can I leave a message? (from caller's side)
Examples
他现在不在，需要留言吗？
tā xiànzài búzài, xūyào liúyán ma?
He's not here right now, would you like to leave a message?
如果您想留言，请在听到“嘀”声后开始。
rúguǒ nín xiǎng liúyán, qǐng zài tīngdào “dī” shēng hòu kāishǐ.
If you wish to leave a message, please start after the beep.
我需要留言给我的同事。
wǒ xūyào liúyán gěi wǒ de tóngshì.
I need to leave a message for my colleague.
Pro tip: The term 留言 (liúyán) is versatile; it can refer to leaving a message for someone, a voicemail, or even comments on a website or social media post.
Related phrases
请稍等，我帮您转接 · One moment, i'll transfer you他现在不在 · He's not in right now我晚点再打 · I'll call back later
Want to speak Chinese for real?
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →
Start a free lesson with a native teacher →