只说自己已有心上人
“She said she already had a sweetheart”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
可这遥娘不愿啊
“But Yaoniang didn't want to.”
只说 自己 已有心上人
“She said she already had a sweetheart”
“and would marry him soon.”
Direct spoken expression in this communicative setting.
Invoking a pre-existing beloved or commitment is the most unassailable and courteous way in traditional Chinese society to reject unwanted romantic advances without directly insulting the suitor.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
only said; merely stated
Used to summarize the singular reason or excuse provided by an absent third party.
sweetheart; the one one loves
A poetic yet widespread term for one's true romantic interest or beloved partner.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“Do you have a crush on someone?”
“But I already have someone I like in my heart.”
“Since you have somebody in your mind,”