It literally means \u201cgood\u201d. However, in this case, it is not used as an adjective. Rather, it is a word used to accept an offer or agree to something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although you can directly use the word \u201c\u597d\u201d to say \u201cOK\u201d, you can also add on several types of modal particles for different situations:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \u597d\u7684<\/strong> (h\u01ceo de): more commonly used in formal situations where \u7684 emphasizes affirmation.
e.g. when talking to your superiors or elders, or being respectful towards someone. <\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n- \u597d\u554a<\/strong> (h\u01ceo a): used in casual conversations.
e.g. when talking to your friends. \u554a is often used to soften your tone and make you sound nicer.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nExample Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: \u8bf7\u51fa\u793a\u60a8\u7684\u62a4\u7167\u3002(q\u01d0ng ch\u016b sh\u00ec n\u01d0n de h\u00f9 zh\u00e0o) Please show your passport. <\/em>
A: \u597d\u7684<\/strong>\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\nQ: \u4eca\u665a\u6211\u5e26\u4f60\u53bb\u6545\u5bab\u770b\u770b\u5427\uff01(j\u012bn w\u01cen w\u01d2 d\u00e0i n\u01d0 q\u00f9 g\u00f9 g\u014dng k\u00e0n k\u00e0n ba) I\u2019ll bring you to the Forbidden City tonight!<\/em>
A: \u597d\u554a<\/strong>\uff01
<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. \u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong> (k\u011b y\u01d0)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It means \u201ccan\u201d. It is used to express that you are allowed to or capable of doing something.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Similarly, you can also say \u201c\u53ef\u4ee5\u554a<\/strong>\u201d to sound friendlier. However, \u201c\u53ef\u4ee5\u7684<\/strong>\u201d is less used because \u201c\u53ef\u4ee5\u201c is already formal enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: \u660e\u5929\u65e9\u4e0a\u8bf7\u628a\u62a5\u544a\u4ea4\u7ed9\u6211\u3002(m\u00edng ti\u0101n z\u01ceo sh\u00e0ng q\u01d0ng b\u01ce b\u00e0o g\u00e0o ji\u0101o g\u011bi w\u01d2) Please hand in the report to me tomorrow morning.<\/em>
A: \u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong>\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\nQ: \u4f60\u6709\u94c5\u7b14\u5417\uff1f \u501f\u6211\u7528\u7528\u3002(n\u01d0 y\u01d2u qi\u0101n b\u01d0 ma? ji\u00e8 w\u01d2 y\u00f2ng y\u00f2ng) Do you have a pencil? Lend me one.<\/em>
A: \u53ef\u4ee5\u554a<\/strong>\uff01<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
3. \u884c<\/strong> (x\u00edng)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It is similar to \u201c\u53ef\u4ee5\u201d, and it also means \u201ccan\u201d. This phrase is mostly used casually, as it carries a \u201cyup, that\u2019ll work for me\u201d type of feeling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, to soften your tone, you can add \u201c\u554a\u201d at the end. However, most people do not say \u201c\u884c\u7684\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: \u5f85\u4f1a\u513f\u5728\u8fd9\u91cc\u89c1\u9762\uff1f(d\u0101i hu\u00ec \u00e9r z\u00e0i zh\u00e8 l\u01d0 ji\u00e0n mi\u00e0n) We\u2019ll meet here later?<\/em>
A: \u884c\uff01\/ \u884c\u554a\uff01<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. \u6ca1\u95ee\u9898<\/strong> (m\u00e9i w\u00e8n t\u00ed) <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What if you want to say \u201cOK, no problem\u201d? Here\u2019s how to say it. It means \u201cno problem\u201d. You can use it as a standalone phrase, or add it behind \u597d\/\u53ef\u4ee5\/\u884c to stress that you are absolutely OK with something! For instance: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: \u5f85\u4f1a\u513f\u5728\u8fd9\u91cc\u89c1\u9762\uff1f
A: \u6ca1\u95ee\u9898<\/strong>\uff01<\/p>\n\n\n\nQ: \u660e\u5929\u65e9\u4e0a\u8bf7\u628a\u62a5\u544a\u4ea4\u7ed9\u6211\u3002
A: \u597d\u7684\uff0c\u6ca1\u95ee\u9898<\/strong>\uff01<\/p>\n\n\n\nMore Ways to Say OK in Chinese<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In fact, the English word \u201cOK\u201d is so frequently used by native Chinese speakers nowadays that you can totally mix it up with \u597d\/\u53ef\u4ee5\/\u884c\/\u6ca1\u95ee\u9898, and they will still understand you perfectly. It also sounds more natural and friendly! For example:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: \u5f85\u4f1a\u513f\u5728\u8fd9\u91cc\u89c1\u9762\uff1f
A: OK\uff0c\u597d\u554a \/ OK\uff0c\u6ca1\u95ee\u9898\uff01<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nSo, all you have to do is to remember these few words and you\u2019re good to go! However, if you are interested in learning more, here are some similar phrases that dive deeper into native Chinese that you can pick up as well: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n- \u80fd<\/strong> (n\u00e9ng): it means \u201ccan\u201d, which is a synonym of \u53ef\u4ee5, but it is harder to pronounce and not as frequently used. If you hear this word in a yes\/no question, e.g. \u80fd\u4e0d\u80fd\/\u80fd\u5417, you can answer with \u80fd\/\u4e0d\u80fd.<\/li>
- \u597d\u8bf4<\/strong> (h\u01ceo shu\u014d): \u597d means \u201cgood\u201d, and \u8bf4 means \u201cto persuade\u201d. Put it together and it means \u201csay no more, I\u2019m totally OK with this\u201d. You can repeat it to emphasize your willingness.<\/li>
- \u6211\u6765<\/strong> (w\u01d2 l\u00e1i): \u6211 means \u201cI\u201d, \u6765 means \u201ccome\u201d. However, you cannot take this phrase too literally and think that it means \u201cI come\u201d. This phrase actually means \u201ccome on, let me do it\u201d. Similarly, you can say it twice to show that you really want to do it.<\/li>
- \u4ea4\u7ed9\u6211\u5427<\/strong> (ji\u0101o g\u011bi w\u01d2 ba): It literally means \u201cgive (this) to me\u201d. You can use it to express reassurance, like \u201cdon\u2019t worry, leave it to me\u201d. This is a very warm and nice phrase.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
When Should You Respond with “OK”?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Besides, you should also know when to respond with \u201cOK\u201d. The go-to way to identify yes\/no questions in Chinese is to see if \u201c\u597d\u201d, \u201c\u53ef\u4ee5\u201c or \u201c\u884c\u201d pops up in the questions. Yes\/no questions usually come in these structures: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Question + \u597d\/\u53ef\u4ee5\/\u884c + \u5417 (ma)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u5417 is a modal particle used at the end of questions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: \u5f85\u4f1a\u513f\u5728\u8fd9\u91cc\u89c1\u9762\u884c\u5417<\/strong>\uff1f
A: \u884c\uff01\/ \u4e0d\u884c\u3002Sure! \/ Nope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Question + \u597d\u4e0d\u597d (h\u01ceo b\u00f9 h\u01ceo) \/ \u884c\u4e0d\u884c (x\u00edng b\u00f9 x\u00edng)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This is more commonly used when pleading for something or asking for affirmation. As for \u53ef\u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5 [k\u011b b\u00f9 k\u011b y\u01d0], it can be used in the same way, just pop it in the beginning of the question instead of the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: \u4eca\u665a\u6211\u5e26\u4f60\u53bb\u6545\u5bab\u770b\u770b\u597d\u4e0d\u597d<\/strong>\uff1f
A\uff1a\u597d\u554a\uff01\/ \u4e0d\u597d\u3002Ok! \/ Not OK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3. \u53ef\u4ee5 + question + \u5417 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It usually means \u201cCan you do something for me?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: \u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong>\u5e2e\u6211\u62ff\u7740\u5417<\/strong>\uff1f(k\u011b y\u01d0 b\u0101ng w\u01d2 n\u00e1 zhe ma) \/ \u53ef\u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong>\u5e2e\u6211\u62ff\u7740\uff1f(k\u011b b\u00f9 k\u011b y\u01d0 b\u0101ng w\u01d2 n\u00e1 zhe) Could you help me take this?<\/em>
A: \u53ef\u4ee5\u554a\u3002\/ \u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5\u3002Alright. \/ No. <\/p>\n\n\n\n4. Subject + \u53ef\u4ee5 + question + \u5417 <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It means \u201cCan I\/you\/he\/she\/we\/they do something?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To sound more polite, you need to add a \u201c\u8bf7\u201d (q\u01d0ng) or \u201c\u8bf7\u95ee\u201d (q\u01d0ng w\u00e8n) in front of the question, which means \u201cplease\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Q: \u8bf7\u95ee\u4f60\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong>\u501f\u6211\u94c5\u7b14\u5417<\/strong>\uff1f(q\u01d0ng w\u00e8n n\u01d0 k\u011b y\u01d0 ji\u00e8 w\u01d2 qi\u0101n b\u01d0 ma) Could you please lend me a pencil?<\/em>
A: \u53ef\u4ee5\u3002\/ \u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5\u3002<\/p>\n\n\n\nQ: \u8bf7\u95ee\u6211\u53ef\u4ee5<\/strong>\u5148\u56de\u5bb6\u5417<\/strong>\uff1f(q\u01d0ng w\u00e8n w\u01d2 k\u011b y\u01d0 xi\u0101n hu\u00ed ji\u0101 ma) Can I please go back home first?<\/em>
A\uff1a\u53ef\u4ee5\u3002\/ \u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5\u3002Sure \/ No, you can’t.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
How to Say “Not OK”?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So, you\u2019ve learned how to say \u201cOK\u201d in 3 different ways. \u201cBut how do I say \u2018not OK\u2019?\u201d, you may ask. It\u2019s simple, just add a \u201c\u4e0d<\/strong>\u201d [b\u00f9] in front of it, like \u4e0d\u597d, \u4e0d\u53ef\u4ee5, \u4e0d\u884c. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
I hope this article shares useful and simple ways to enhance your Chinese language. If you want to learn more, subscribe to Maayot for more interesting bite-sized Chinese stories!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can also read the following articles to discover further:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \u597d\u8bf4<\/strong> (h\u01ceo shu\u014d): \u597d means \u201cgood\u201d, and \u8bf4 means \u201cto persuade\u201d. Put it together and it means \u201csay no more, I\u2019m totally OK with this\u201d. You can repeat it to emphasize your willingness.<\/li>
- \u80fd<\/strong> (n\u00e9ng): it means \u201ccan\u201d, which is a synonym of \u53ef\u4ee5, but it is harder to pronounce and not as frequently used. If you hear this word in a yes\/no question, e.g. \u80fd\u4e0d\u80fd\/\u80fd\u5417, you can answer with \u80fd\/\u4e0d\u80fd.<\/li>
- \u597d\u554a<\/strong> (h\u01ceo a): used in casual conversations.