但是今天不是应该要庆祝一下吗
“But shouldn't we celebrate today?”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
“We'll have plenty of chances to eat together. No need to rush today.”
但是 今天 不是应该 要 庆祝一下 吗
“But shouldn't we celebrate today?”
万里长征第一步
“This is just the first step.”
“Don't brush me off—today is a milestone and I really want to spend it with you.”
In Chinese culture, marking even small milestones with a shared meal is a primary way to build deeper personal or professional bonds; postponing the meal takes away the symbolic momentum of the occasion.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
shouldn't it be that... / aren't we supposed to...
Used in rhetorical questions (usually ending with 'ma') to gently remind someone of an expected social norm or obligation.
to celebrate a little
Adding 'yixia' after the verb makes the suggestion sound casual, low-pressure, and easy to agree to.
Paired with 'bushi' (isn't it) to form a rhetorical question that seeks agreement and nudges the listener to reconsider.
