Chinese phrases
How to say are you OK in Chinese
Are you OK in Chinese is 你没事吧 (nǐ méi shì ba), right after a fall, a bump or bad news. To ask how someone is holding up through a hard time, say 你还好吗 (nǐ hái hǎo ma).
你没事吧
are you OK?
The 吧 at the end shows that you expect a yes: 你没事吧? means “You’re OK, aren’t you?” With 吗, the question is open.
Ways to say are you OK
你没事吧
Everydayare you OK?
Right after something happens: a fall, a bump on the head, a near miss with a scooter.
没事吧
With friendsyou OK?
Shorter and quicker. You call it out to someone who just tripped.
你还好吗
Everydayare you doing OK?
Gentler, for something that lasts: a friend who looks tired, or who had a hard week.
你还好吧
Everydayyou’re doing OK, right?
You hope for a yes but leave room for a no: after a breakup, a lost job, an illness in the family.
要不要紧
Everydayis it serious?
About an injury or an illness. 严重吗 asks the same thing.
没受伤吧
Everydayyou’re not hurt?
After an accident: a fall from a bike, a bump in traffic.
How to answer
没事
I’m fine
The usual answer, even with a small cut.
我没事
I’m fine
A little firmer, to stop people from worrying.
还好
I’m OK
Honest: not great, but fine.
有点疼
it hurts a bit
When you are hurt.
不太好
not so good
When you are not OK and want to talk.
Common mistakes
Asking 你好吗
你好吗 is a greeting for someone you haven’t seen in a while. After a fall it sounds strange. Ask 你没事吧?
Answering with 是
Chinese has no all-purpose “yes.” Answer with the words of the question: 没事 or 我没事. 是 or 对 sounds like “that’s correct.”
A fall on the stairs
哎呀！
Qiqi: Whoa!
你没事吧？
Leon: Are you OK?
没事，就是脚有点疼。
Qiqi: I’m fine, my foot just hurts a bit.
要不要紧？我扶你坐下。
Leon: Is it bad? Let me help you sit down.
不要紧，休息一下就好了。
Qiqi: It’s nothing. A short rest and I’ll be fine.
