Grammar Point:
The Chinese character 敢 gǎn is primarily used as a verb and means “to dare” or “to have the courage to.” It is often used in sentences to express someone’s willingness or courage to do something.
Structure
S + 敢 gǎn + V
弟弟不敢吃辣弟弟不敢吃辣
My younger brother is afraid of eating spicy food.
你敢用手抓蛇嗎?你敢用手抓蛇吗?
Do you dare to catch a snake with your hands?
我現在不敢再學另一個語言,我怕會搞混我现在不敢再学另一个语言,我怕会搞混
I’m afraid to start learning another language now because I’m worried I’ll get confused.
你敢不敢玩高空彈跳?你敢不敢玩蹦极?
Do you dare to try bungee jumping?
你怎麼敢這樣跟我說話你怎么敢这样跟我说话
How dare you speak to me like this?
我現在敢在國外開車了我现在敢在国外开车了
I’m now confident in driving abroad.
S + 竟敢 jìnggǎn + V
The Chinese word 竟敢 jìnggǎn is used when you’re surprised or shocked by someone’s daring or unexpected actions. It’s a way of expressing amazement or disbelief at their bravery or boldness.
你竟敢偷看我的手機!你竟敢偷看我的手机!
How dare you peek at my phone!
你竟敢把我們全部的錢都拿去賭博!你竟敢把我们全部的钱都拿去赌博!
How dare you gamble away all of our money!
你竟敢背著我在外面養小三你竟敢背着我在外面养小三
How dare you have an affair behind my back!
你竟敢跟我這樣說話你竟敢跟我这样说话
How dare you speak to me like this?
(Yes, it’s another way to express 怎么敢 zěnme gǎn)
Modern Usage
你敢 nǐgǎn!
The phrase 你敢 nǐgǎn is an informal and emphatic way of saying “Don’t you dare!” in Mandarin Chinese. It is often used to challenge or provoke someone, suggesting that they should take action or do something bold if they have the courage. It’s possible to be a threat but also commonly used in playful or confrontational situations among friends or in casual conversations.
A:哇!你做菜這麼難吃,我一定要去警告你男朋友哇!你做菜这么难吃,我一定要去警告你男朋友
Wow! Your cooking is so bad; I must warn your boyfriend.
B:你敢!你敢!
Don’t you dare!
A:親愛的,你做的咖喱飯好苦好酸,我可不可以倒掉?亲爱的,你做的咖喱饭好苦好酸,我可不可以倒掉?
Honey, your curry rice is so bitter and sour, can I pour it out?
B:你敢!你敢!
Don’t you dare!
我敢說/我敢说 wǒgǎnshuō!
The Chinese phrase 我敢說 wǒ gǎn shuō means “I dare say” or “I dare to say.” It’s used when you want to express your confidence or certainty in a statement you’re about to make. It’s similar to saying, “I’m confident in saying that” or “I’m sure that.”
我敢說台灣的治安絕對算前三名我敢说台湾的治安绝对算前三名
I dare say that Taiwan’s public safety is definitely among the top three.
我敢說你跟我學中文一定比你自己學快多了我敢说你跟我学中文一定比你自己学快多了
I dare say that you’ll learn Chinese much faster with me than on your own.
我敢說我們家的咖啡是這一區最好的我敢说我们家的咖啡是这一区最好的
I dare say that our coffee is the best in this area.
你敢說這樣做一定會成功嗎?你敢说这样做一定会成功吗?
Do you dare to say that doing it this way will definitely succeed?
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️ Would you dare to tell the truth?
你敢不敢說實話?你敢不敢说实话?
✔️ How could you dare to live abroad all by yourself?
你怎麼敢一個人到國外生活你怎么敢一个人到国外生活
✔️ I really dare not watch horror movies.
我真的不敢看恐怖片我真的不敢看恐怖片