What are some ways that I can be self-deprecating about my Chinese speaking ability?

Question

I live in an area where there are many Chinese so I get plenty of opportunity to use my language skills including shopping, eating at restaurants and meeting new people.

The Chinese people I meet are always complimentary about my language skill although I think it is quite average.

What are some different ways I can express to people that I feel my skill level is not very good?

@NS.X. Self-deprecating when someone compliments you on something is a proper Chinese way to show politeness. — Nihil, Oct 04 '12 at 02:30

杨以轩 · Answer 1 · 2012-10-05T02:13:46.260

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You can try the following sentences which demonstrate humility:

不好意思，我的中文水平尚浅，有待跟您多多学习。
Sorry, my Chinese language skill is still shallow, there is still a lot to learn from you.
我的中文只不过马马虎虎而已，请您多多包涵。
My Chinese is just so-so only, please bear with me.
我的中文说得不好，请别见怪。
I am not good at speaking Mandarin, hope you don't mind.

If someone is praising your language ability, you can express in the following manners immediately after the compliments:

哪里，哪里... (Nah, you think too highly of me...)
您过奖了。 (You flatter me.)

edited Oct 05 '12 at 02:13

answered Oct 04 '12 at 02:59

杨以轩

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I noticed a small error, 包含 should be 包涵. 包含 is actually "include, contain". – Mike Manilone Oct 04 '12 at 04:26
These seem rather formal to me. – Stumpy Joe Pete Oct 04 '12 at 04:40
@MikeManilone, I have made the change. Thanks for pointing it out :) – 杨以轩 Oct 04 '12 at 04:53
+1 for the last ones. – Stumpy Joe Pete Oct 04 '12 at 07:48
What does 'where got' mean? Never heard of it. Edit: Upon further research, looks like it is Singaporean slang. I'd avoid using it here as it's not understood by anyone outside that area. (I assume you live in Singapore). – deutschZuid Oct 04 '12 at 21:03
@JamesJiao, I try to follow the Chinese meaning as close as possible. Thanks for pointing out the mistake, hope it's better now :p – 杨以轩 Oct 05 '12 at 02:21
@JamesJiao You're right that "Where got" is weird, but I'd like to point out that 哪里 is quite normal. – Stumpy Joe Pete Oct 05 '12 at 17:37
@StumpyJoePete Yes. I was only inquiring about the English. Had no problem with the Chinese ;). – deutschZuid Oct 05 '12 at 20:52

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 04 '12 at 04:41

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Short and sweet:

没有，没有。 No, no, [it's not so good].

江南 style:

我[中文]还讲得一般般。 I still don't speak that great.

answered Oct 04 '12 at 04:41

Stumpy Joe Pete

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score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Oct 06 '12 at 03:42

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I suggest you say

其实还好啦 (qi shi hai hao la) - It's actually just ok!

It's very casual and easy going. I don't suggest you say something too formal, too humble or too complicated :)

answered Oct 06 '12 at 03:42

AGamePlayer

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score 1 · Answer 4 · answered Oct 07 '12 at 03:47

I had an early-intermediate textbook where the character who was learning responded, "还差得远呢".

Be careful that you don't make your self-deprecation too impressive or advanced (at least relative to your actual level), that could send a mixed signal!

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Oct 04 '12 at 02:31

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You could try as a response: 谢谢可是我仅知道很少汉语 Xièxiè kěshì wǒ jǐn zhīdào hěn shǎo hànyǔ

I always forget which to put at the end but it is something I have use well still learning

But if you answer James question he will probably give you something much better :P

answered Oct 04 '12 at 02:31

Scott

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It's ok, but sounds very awkward to my ears. – deutschZuid Oct 04 '12 at 21:05

What are some ways that I can be self-deprecating about my Chinese speaking ability?

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