“Please” in Chinese – qiānwàn

Grammar Point:
The Chinese word 千萬万 qiānwàn is an idiomatic expression that is often used to convey a sense of urgency, or strong advice. It can be translated in different ways depending on the context, but it generally carries the idea of “please” in English.

Structure

Qiānwàn + Neg + V

When someone uses 千萬万 qiānwàn in a negative sentence, it’s often a strong command not to do something, and it can be translated as “please don’t.”

千萬qiānwàn別bié讓ràng我wǒ太太tàitai知道zhīdào千万qiānwàn别bié让ràng我wǒ妻子qīzi知道zhīdào
Please don’t let my wife find out.

你nǐ千萬qiānwàn不要búyào一個人yígerén煩惱fánnǎo， 我們wǒmen都dōu在zài這zhè你nǐ千万qiānwàn不要búyào一个人yígerén烦恼fánnǎo， 我们wǒmen都dōu在zài这儿zhèr
Please don’t worry alone; we are all here.

你nǐ千萬qiānwàn不bù可以kěyǐ再zài加班jiābān了le， 請qǐng好好hǎohāo休息xiūxí你nǐ千万qiānwàn不bù可以kěyǐ再zài加班jiābān了le， 请qǐng好好hǎohāo休息xiūxi
Please avoid working overtime again and make sure to rest well.

你nǐ千萬qiānwàn別bié吃chī我wǒ妹妹mèimei做zuò的de菜cài， 會huì死sǐ人rén你nǐ千万qiānwàn别bié吃chī我wǒ妹妹mèimei做zuò的de菜cài， 会huì死sǐ人rén
Please don’t eat the food my sister cooked; it could kill you.

你nǐ千萬qiānwàn別bié跟gēn他tā買mǎi， 他tā賣mài的de都dōu是shì有yǒu問題wèntí的de東西dōngxī你nǐ千万qiānwàn别bié跟gēn他tā买mǎi， 他tā卖mài的de都dōu是shì有yǒu问题wèntí的de东西dōngxi
Please don’t buy from him; he sells problematic items.

千萬qiānwàn不要búyào忘記wàngjì明天míngtiān的de派對pàiduì要yào準時zhǔnshí千万qiānwàn不要búyào忘记wàngjì明天míngtiān的de派对pàiduì要yào准时zhǔnshí
Please don’t forget to be on time for the party tomorrow.

Qiānwàn + 要 + V

When someone uses 千萬万 qiānwàn in a positive sentence, it’s often a warning or reminder, and it can also be translated as “please.”

你nǐ千萬qiānwàn要yào記得jìdé把bǎ錢qián交jiāo給gěi他tā你nǐ千万qiānwàn要yào记得jìdé把bǎ钱qián交jiāo给gěi他tā
Please remember to give the money to him.

你nǐ一個人yígerén旅遊lǚyóu，，千萬qiānwàn要yào小心xiǎoxīn你nǐ一个人yígerén旅游lǚyóu，，千万qiānwàn要yào小心xiǎoxīn
When traveling alone, please be cautious.

千萬qiānwàn要yào按時ànshí吃chī藥yào， 不然bùrán你的nǐde病bìng不會búhuì好hǎo千万qiānwàn要yào按时ànshí吃chī药yào， 不然bùrán你的nǐde病bìng不会búhuì好hǎo
Please make sure to take your medication on time, or your illness won’t improve.

下車xiàchē時shí千萬qiānwàn要yào注意zhùyì後方hòufāng來lái車chē下车xiàchē时shí千万qiānwàn要yào注意zhùyì后方hòufāng来lái车chē
When getting off the vehicle, please be careful of the cars coming from behind.

你nǐ在zài台灣Táiwān爬山páshān千萬qiānwàn要yào小心xiǎoxīn虎頭蜂hǔtóufēng你nǐ在zài台湾Táiwān爬山páshān千万qiānwàn要yào小心xiǎoxīn虎头蜂hǔtóufēng
When hiking in Taiwan, please be very cautious of wasps.

FYI
Taiwan is home to several species of wasps, including the infamous and potentially dangerous Asian giant hornet, also known as Vespa mandarinia. In Taiwan, they are commonly referred to as 虎頭头蜂 hǔtóufēng, which means “tiger head bee” due to their distinctive orange-yellow head. Asian giant hornets are known to be particularly aggressive during late summer and early autumn. Their nests are typically found in the ground, tree hollows, or man-made structures. However, these hornets primarily feed on other insects and are generally not interested in humans unless they feel threatened or provoked. It is extremely rare for them to actively seek out hikers or intentionally kill them.

Practice

TouchHover over the space to see the answers.

✔️ Before the exam, please make sure to review thoroughly.

考試kǎoshì前qián千萬qiānwàn要yào好好hǎohāo複習fùxí考试kǎoshì前qián千万qiānwàn要yào好好hǎohāo复习fùxí

✔️ Please don’t tell him about this matter.

你nǐ千萬qiānwàn別bié跟gēn他tā說shuō這zhè件jiàn事shì你nǐ千万qiānwàn别bié跟gēn他tā说shuō这zhè件jiàn事shì

✔️ When an earthquake occurs, please stay calm.

地震dìzhèn來lái時shí千萬qiānwàn要yào冷靜lěngjìng地震dìzhèn来lái时shí千万qiānwàn要yào冷静lěngjìng