劳驾

勞駕

láojià

interjection #6,118

Meanings

HSK 1

劳驾，帮我拿一下。

Láojià, bāng wǒ ná yīxià.

Excuse me, could you hold this for me?

HSK 2

劳驾，请问地铁站怎么走？

Láojià, qǐngwèn dìtiězhàn zěnme zǒu?

Excuse me, how do I get to the subway station?

usage

劳驾 is a polite way to get someone's attention or ask a small favor. It's slightly more formal than 不好意思 and has a traditional, courteous feel.

memory

劳 (labor) + 驾 (drive/your carriage) - 'troubling your carriage,' a humble way to say 'excuse me.'

劳 láo

驾 jià