jièguò: 借过 - Excuse Me (to pass through)

• Keywords: jièguò, 借过, how to say excuse me in Chinese, getting past someone in Chinese, Chinese for passing through a crowd, borrow pass Chinese, let me pass in Mandarin, navigating crowds in China, 不好意思, 让一下.
• Summary: Learn how to say “Excuse me” in Chinese when you need to pass through a crowd with the essential term 借过 (jièguò). This page breaks down its literal meaning of “borrow a pass,” explains the cultural context of navigating busy public spaces in China, and provides practical examples to help you move through subways, markets, and crowded streets with confidence and politeness.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jièguò
• Part of Speech: Verb phrase, Interjection
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A polite request for people to make way so you can pass; “Excuse me,” “Coming through.”
• In a Nutshell: 借过 (jièguò) is the go-to phrase for physically navigating a crowded space. It literally translates to “borrow a pass,” which perfectly captures the idea of temporarily needing the space someone is occupying to get by. It's a functional, polite, and direct request, not an apology for your presence.

• 借 (jiè): To borrow; to lend. Think of it as asking for a temporary loan. In this context, you're “borrowing” a bit of space for a moment.
• 过 (guò): To pass; to cross; to go over. This character signifies the action of movement from one side to another.
• The characters combine to form a vivid and logical concept: “I need to borrow a moment of your space in order to pass.” This is much more descriptive than the English “excuse me” and highlights the practical nature of the request.

In the often densely populated urban centers of China, navigating public space is a daily skill. The term 借过 (jièguò) is a reflection of a pragmatic and communal approach to this reality. Unlike the Western concept of a large “personal bubble,” physical space is more fluid and shared. Using 借过 is not an apology (like “I'm so sorry to bother you”) but a simple, direct, and universally understood signal that you need to move through. It acknowledges the other person's right to be there but asserts your need for passage. The key cultural comparison is with the versatile English phrase “Excuse me.” In English, “Excuse me” can be used to get attention, to apologize for a small bump, or to ask to pass. In Mandarin, these are distinct situations:

• To get attention: 你好 (nǐ hǎo) or 请问 (qǐngwèn).
• To apologize for a small bump: 不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi).
• To ask to pass: 借过 (jièguò).

Using 借过 correctly shows an understanding of this social nuance. It's efficient, respectful, and perfectly suited for the rhythm of life in a busy Chinese city.

借过 is used in any situation where your path is physically blocked by people. It is almost always said as you are already beginning to move, signaling your intent.

• On Public Transportation: This is the most common scenario. When you need to get off a packed bus or subway car, you'll say “借过” or “借过一下” to the people between you and the door.
• In Crowded Markets and Streets: When weaving through a busy market aisle or a crowded pedestrian street, a simple “借过” lets people ahead of you know you're trying to get by.
• In Aisles and Hallways: In a movie theater, supermarket, or office hallway, if someone is blocking the way, you can use 借过 to politely ask them to move.

The tone is typically neutral and polite. For added politeness, especially if you feel you are causing a larger inconvenience, you can preface it with 不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi). For example: “不好意思，借过一下。” (Bù hǎo yìsi, jièguò yīxià.)

• Example 1:
  • 借过，谢谢！
  • Pinyin: Jièguò, xièxie!
  • English: Excuse me, thanks!
  • Analysis: The simplest and most common usage. Said while moving through a small crowd. Adding “谢谢” (xièxie) makes it more polite.
• Example 2:
  • 不好意思，借过一下，我要下车。
  • Pinyin: Bù hǎo yìsi, jièguò yīxià, wǒ yào xià chē.
  • English: Excuse me, let me pass for a moment, I need to get off.
  • Analysis: A classic example for use on a crowded bus or subway. “不好意思” softens the request, and “一下 (yīxià)” makes it sound more casual and brief.
• Example 3:
  • 师傅，麻烦借过，我拿一下后面的东西。
  • Pinyin: Shīfù, máfan jièguò, wǒ ná yīxià hòumiàn de dōngxi.
  • English: Sir, could I trouble you to let me pass, I need to grab that thing behind you.
  • Analysis: A very polite and specific request, often used in a store or workplace. “师傅 (shīfù)” is a polite term for a skilled worker or any man you want to show respect to.
• Example 4:
  • 借过，借过！车要开了！
  • Pinyin: Jièguò, jièguò! Chē yào kāi le!
  • English: Coming through, coming through! The train is about to leave!
  • Analysis: Here, repeating 借过 adds a sense of urgency. It's not rude, just direct and necessary for the situation.
• Example 5:
  • 两位，能借过吗？我的座位在里面。
  • Pinyin: Liǎng wèi, néng jièguò ma? Wǒ de zuòwèi zài lǐmiàn.
  • English: Excuse me (to two people), could I get by? My seat is on the inside.
  • Analysis: Used in a theater or on a train when you need to get to your seat. Phrasing it as a question with “能…吗 (néng…ma)” makes it very polite.
• Example 6:
  • 孩子们，在走廊里别挡着路，让叔叔借过。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen, zài zǒuláng lǐ bié dǎngzhe lù, ràng shūshu jièguò.
  • English: Kids, don't block the hallway, let the “uncle” (me) pass.
  • Analysis: An adult speaking to children. “叔叔 (shūshu)” is a common way for an adult male to refer to himself when talking to children.
• Example 7:
  • 对不起，我们挡住你了。你借过吧。
  • Pinyin: Duìbùqǐ, wǒmen dǎngzhù nǐ le. Nǐ jièguò ba.
  • English: Sorry, we were blocking you. Please, go ahead and pass.
  • Analysis: This shows the perspective of the person being asked to move. They recognize they are in the way and invite the other person to pass.
• Example 8:
  • 小心，后面有热汤！借过一下！
  • Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn, hòumiàn yǒu rè tāng! Jièguò yīxià!
  • English: Careful, hot soup behind you! Let me pass!
  • Analysis: Used by a waiter in a busy restaurant. The context makes the request urgent and necessary for safety.
• Example 9:
  • 不好意思，借过，这个是我掉的。
  • Pinyin: Bù hǎo yìsi, jièguò, zhège shì wǒ diào de.
  • English: Excuse me, let me by, that's the thing I dropped.
  • Analysis: A specific situation where you need to pass someone to retrieve something.
• Example 10:
  • 大家都堵在门口，谁也出不去啊！前面的朋友借过一下！
  • Pinyin: Dàjiā dōu dǔ zài ménkǒu, shéi yě chūbùqù a! Qiánmiàn de péngyǒu jièguò yīxià!
  • English: Everyone's stuck at the door, nobody can get out! Friends in the front, please let us pass!
  • Analysis: Used when addressing a whole group of people blocking an exit. “前面的朋友” is a polite and general way to address strangers in front of you.

• Mistake 1: Using 借过 to get a waiter's attention.
  • A common error for English speakers is to say 借过 to a waiter to get the check. This is incorrect. 借过 is ONLY for physical passage.
  • Correct: To get attention, say 服务员 (fúwùyuán), meaning “waiter/staff,” or raise your hand and say 你好 (nǐ hǎo).
• Mistake 2: Using 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) to pass.
  • 对不起 is a formal apology for a mistake (e.g., you spilled coffee on someone). Using it just to pass by is overly dramatic and may cause confusion, making people think you did something wrong.
  • Correct: Use 借过 or 不好意思，借过.
• Nuance: 借过 (jièguò) vs. 让一下 (ràng yīxià)
  • 借过 is a polite request. It means “borrow a pass.”
  • 让一下 (ràng yīxià) means “make way for a moment.” It's more of a direct command. While very common and not necessarily rude (especially among friends or in very crowded, informal situations), 借过 is generally a safer and more polite choice for a learner.

• 不好意思 (bù hǎo yìsi) - A versatile phrase for “excuse me,” “pardon me,” or “sorry for the minor inconvenience.” It's often used with 借过 to be more polite, but lacks the specific meaning of physical passage.
• 让一下 (ràng yīxià) - A more direct and informal way to say “Let me pass.” It literally means “yield a bit.”
• 麻烦你 (máfan nǐ) - “Could I trouble you…” A very polite way to preface any request, including asking someone to move. For example, “麻烦你让一下” (Máfan nǐ ràng yīxià).
• 请问 (qǐngwèn) - “Excuse me, may I ask…?” This is strictly for getting someone's attention to ask a question.
• 打扰一下 (dǎrǎo yīxià) - “Sorry to interrupt/bother you.” Used when you need to interrupt someone who is busy or in a conversation.
• 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) - “I'm sorry.” A formal apology for a fault or mistake. Not used for minor social interactions like passing someone.