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Expressing "how about" with 要不 ("yao4bu4")

要不 yàobù

Conjunction
HSK 3

Structure

Reason / Situation ，要不 + Suggestion 要不 + Suggestion ，Reason / Situation

Translations

  • otherwise
  • either
  • or
  • how about

Definition

"要不"用于提出建议或询问意见，相当于“怎么样”或“不如”，表示一种选择或提议。

"要不" is used to make suggestions or ask for opinions, equivalent to "how about" or "why not", indicating a choice or proposal.

Usage

通常用于口语，放在句首或句中，后面接动词短语或小句。可以单独使用，也可以与“吧”等搭配。

Usually used in spoken language, placed at the beginning or middle of a sentence, followed by a verb phrase or clause. It can be used alone or with particles like "吧".

Examples

  • 1 要不我们去看电影吧？ (How about we go watch a movie?)
  • 2 要不你试试这个？ (How about you try this?)
  • 3 要不明天再聊？ (How about we talk again tomorrow?)
  • 4 要不咱们走路去？ (How about we walk there?)
  • 5 要不先吃饭再说？ (How about we eat first and then talk?)

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