可否请大长公主 和我家祖母说个情
“Grand Princess, could you talk to my grandma on my behalf?”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
“There's a lantern fair tonight for the Autumn Festival. I really want to go.”
可否 请大长 公主 和 我家 祖母 说个情
“Grand Princess, could you talk to my grandma on my behalf?”
那有什么难的 我立刻就派人告知你的祖母去
“No problem. I'll send someone to inform your grandma right away.”
“My grandmother won't allow me to go unless someone of your prestige speaks up for me.”
Young ladies in historical China were bound by strict filial rules, and only the intervention of higher-ranking royalty could politely override an elder matriarch's restrictions.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
could you please; would it be possible
A highly formal and deferential opening for polite requests in written or high-register Chinese.
plead for someone; put in a good word
Commonly used when asking someone with greater clout to mediate or soften rules on one's behalf.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“Grand Princess. This is too valuable, I can't accept it.”
“to reveal my feelings to you here.”
“The Grand Princess? What's she doing here?”
“Grand Princess is feeling much better. I've come on her behalf to express our gratitude.”
“Well said, Your Highness. What plan do you have in mind?”
“What is your true intent?”