我刚才看表呢
“I was looking at your watch just now.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
不是 你别生气
“Please don't be mad.”
我刚才看表呢
“I was looking at your watch just now.”
“How long will it take to finish this bottle?”
“I am not bored or rushing you; I am just tracking your medicine.”
Checking the time in front of someone can be read as impatience or neglect; Chinese speakers often swiftly explain the context to prevent hurt feelings.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
to check the time / to look at one's watch
A frequent conversational chunk used literally or when explaining signs of impatience.
just now I / a moment ago I
Essential phrase used to justify recent actions or explain misunderstandings.
Softens the explanation while highlighting the ongoing nature of the action to clear a misunderstanding.