Flirting

1. 儂老漂亮

   non6 lau6 phiau5 lian6

   You are very beautiful

   Usage

   Compliments someone on their looks

   Grammar Note

   老 means "very". 漂亮 is "beautiful".

2. 儂個電話號碼撥我好伐？

   non6 geq8 di6 gho6 ghau6 mo6 peq7 ngu6 hau5 va6

   Can you give me your phone number?

   Usage

   Asks for someone's contact number

   Grammar Note

   Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 撥 (peq7) is "give"; 電話號碼 is a Mandarin-origin word read with Shanghainese readings.

3. 儂是本地人還是來旅遊個？

   non6 zy6 pen5 di6 gnin6 we6 zy6 le6 liu6 yeu6 geq8

   Are you a local or a tourist?

   Usage

   An icebreaker asking about someone's background

   Grammar Note

   Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 本地人 is a Shanghainese word. 是…還是… means "A or B?".

4. 阿拉一道去吃杯酒好伐？

   aq7 laq8 iq7 dau6 chi5 chiq7 pe1 cieu5 hau5 va6

   Would you like to go for a drink together?

   Usage

   Invites someone out for a drink

   Grammar Note

   Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 吃酒 means "drink alcohol".

5. 儂笑起來老好看

   non6 shiau5 chi5 le6 lau6 hau5 khoe5

   You look great when you smile

   Usage

   Compliments someone's smile

   Grammar Note

   Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 好看 "good to look at" is a Shanghainese word.

6. 阿拉再見面好伐？

   aq7 laq8 tse1 ci5 mi6 hau5 va6

   Can I see you again?

   Usage

   Expresses a wish to meet again

   Grammar Note

   Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 見面 "to meet" is a Shanghainese word.

7. 今朝夜裏向有空伐？

   cin1 tsau1 ya6 li6 shian5 yeu6 khon1 va6

   Are you doing anything tonight?

   Usage

   Checks whether someone is free before inviting them

   Grammar Note

   今朝 is "today" and 夜裏向 is "at night"; 有空 means "to be free".

8. 我老歡喜儂

   ngu6 lau6 huoe1 shi5 non6

   I really like you

   Usage

   Confesses romantic feelings

   Grammar Note

   歡喜 is the word for "like"; Mandarin 喜歡 is not used.

9. 儂是我看見過個最好看個人

   non6 zy6 ngu6 khoe5 ci5 ku5 geq8 tsoe5 hau5 khoe5 geq8 gnin6

   You are the most beautiful person I have ever seen

   Usage

   A strong compliment

   Grammar Note

   Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 過 marks past experience.

10. 對勿起，我有男朋友勒

    te5 veq8 chi5 ngu6 yeu6 noe6 ban6 yeu6 leq8

    Sorry, I already have a boyfriend

    Usage

    A polite way to turn down advances

    Grammar Note

    Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 男朋友 is a Shanghainese word. Final 勒 marks a change of state.

11. 對勿起，我有女朋友勒

    te5 veq8 chi5 ngu6 yeu6 gniu6 ban6 yeu6 leq8

    Sorry, I already have a girlfriend

    Usage

    A polite way to turn down advances

    Grammar Note

    Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 女朋友 is a Shanghainese word. Final 勒 marks a change of state.

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