Mini-Test Answer: to keep others guessing

Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)

The right answer for this Online Mandarin test is B.

Translation:
                    Gàosu nǐ ge hǎo xiāoxi, nǐ xiān cāicai ba.
           Mary: 告诉   你 个 好   消息，你 先    猜猜   吧。

I have good news! Can you guess what it is?

                     Bié màiguānzi le, gǎnjǐn shuō ba.
Wang Hong: 别   卖关子     了，赶紧     说    吧。

Don’t keep me guessing. Tell me, please.

                     Wǒ shēngzhí le, hāhā.
Mary: 我   升职      了，哈哈。

I got a promotion! Haha!

The phrase “卖关子 (màiguānzi),” which is often used in spoken Mandarin, means “to keep others guessing.” This phrase can be used in both positive and negative sentences.

Usage in a positive sentence:

Example:

Tā yòu zài màiguānzi le.
他 又   在     卖关子   了。

He is keeping us guessing again.

For usage in a negative sentence, we can add “别 (bié)” or “不要 (búyào),” which both mean “don’t,” before “卖关子 (màiguānzi) to keep others guessing.”

For example:

Bié màiguānzi le, gàosu wǒ nǐ dāyìng tā de qiúhūn le ma?
别    卖关子    了，告诉   我 你 答应   他 的 求婚   了 吗？

Please don’t keep me guessing; tell me whether you agree to marry him?

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