Definition
借光 (jiè guāng) is a polite fixed expression used to ask for a favor, to excuse yourself when passing through a crowd, or to request someone's help. It literally means 'borrow light,' harking back to an old story. In modern Chinese it functions like 'excuse me' or 'may I trouble you' — less formal than 劳驾 but still courteous. You can also insert 个 between the syllables (借个光) for a slightly more casual tone.
f.e.
excuse meto ask a favor (polite expression)
Examples
- 借光,?jiè guāng, qǐng wèn túshūguǎn zěnme zǒu?Excuse me, could you tell me how to get to the library?
- ,。Jiè gè guāng, ràng wǒ guòqù yíxià.Make way, please — let me pass.
- 借光,?Wǒ xiǎng gēn nín jiè guāng yíxià, néng bāng wǒ kànkan zhè fèn wénjiàn ma?I'd like to ask a favor — could you take a look at this document for me?
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