要不 你们 再去别的县问问
“Why don't you go ask the other counties?”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
“Before that, I really can't remember.”
要不 你们 再去别的县问问
“Why don't you go ask the other counties?”
“We asked. They said pretty much the same thing.”
“I honestly cannot help you any further, so please move on and ask somewhere else.”
When Chinese speakers cannot help a stranger, they rarely give an abrupt 'I don't know'; instead, they softly suggest an alternative path to save face for both parties.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
how about / alternatively
A conversational softener used to propose tentative suggestions or gentle exits from a conversation.
go ask around somewhere else
A polite formula used to redirect inquiries when one cannot provide an answer.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“You guys know the county better. Just hang in there.”
“How about we take a detour back?”
“Why don't you ask him what he thinks?”
“Why don't you sleep on it?”
“Why don't you take the city inspectors to handle it?”
“Why don't you go ask her?”