Tulee Posted March 8, 2012 at 01:14 AM Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 01:14 AM Hi guys, I have noticed this phrase used a lot, and the dictionary definition "that much" does not really seem to cut it. 你至于吗？ Any ideas? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semantic nuance Posted March 8, 2012 at 01:51 AM Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 01:51 AM Better if you can tell us the context it's used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siledouyaoai Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:09 AM Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 02:09 AM It's generally used in response to someone who is being melodramatic or over the top, going beyond what is reasonable. So you can say: 你至于这样吗？Do you really have to be like this? or 不至于吧! Come on! No way! Context is important. 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creamyhorror Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:03 AM Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:03 AM Hmm, never seen/heard this expression before (although we mostly get Taiwanese shows here). Is this informal or formal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yialanliu Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:40 AM Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:40 AM Informal, typically only used while speaking. Also used very frequently with moans and groans and other ways of emphasis haha (kind of like girly OMG at times) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semantic nuance Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:48 AM Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 06:48 AM never seen/heard this expression before (although we mostly get Taiwanese shows here) I have never heard of that expression as OP posted. So, I guess it's not from Taiwanese shows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted March 8, 2012 at 10:02 AM Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 10:02 AM Think of it as a very concise way of saying 'does the current situation really justify what you have just said and / or done' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
歐博思 Posted March 8, 2012 at 11:25 AM Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 11:25 AM http://zhan.renren.com/shibasui?gid=3602888498000681178&from=PubNewFeed&ref=hotnewsfeed&sfet=3731&fin=3&ff_id= just search the page for "为了看个彩虹您至于么。。。" They say a picture is worth a thousand words.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creamyhorror Posted March 8, 2012 at 11:36 AM Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 at 11:36 AM Yeah, I get that it basically means 非要(这么做), but I find the grammar of 你至于吗 weird (where's the object?). I'll keep it in mind for when I visit China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinewind Posted March 19, 2012 at 09:16 AM Report Share Posted March 19, 2012 at 09:16 AM 你至于吗? Do you really have to? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dannie Posted March 25, 2012 at 09:14 AM Report Share Posted March 25, 2012 at 09:14 AM Bear in mins that this is a phrase commonly used by the Chinese in China. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wesley Zhu Posted April 9, 2012 at 06:29 PM Report Share Posted April 9, 2012 at 06:29 PM Hi, I am a native speaker from southern China and I think 你至于吗？is originally from northern China, but now commonly used in daily conversation. If used independently, it can be translated as Seriously? Really? You kidding? -昨天我订了春节回家的飞机票。I booked the flight ticket home for Spring Festival yesterday. -现在才10月份，你至于吗？Seriously? It's only October now. The translation "Do you really have to?" is more literal. But it's ok. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordsuso Posted April 4, 2024 at 07:50 AM Report Share Posted April 4, 2024 at 07:50 AM On 4/9/2012 at 8:29 PM, Wesley Zhu said: originally from northern China This expression is constantly used in a 2010 Beijing-based show I'm currently watching (岁月), to the point I just imagined it was the name of one of the characters haha. It is often used without a subject, simply 至于 + an exclamation particle. Glad I found this post! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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