How do you say 'lead somebody on' in Chinese?

[anonymoose]

Is there a way to say 'lead somebody on' (in a relationship)?

[studentyoung]

Is there a way to say 'lead somebody on' (in a relationship)?

I don’t know. But there is a song called “Lead Me On”, and it is called “引诱我 / 诱惑我” in Chinese.

Thanks!

[againstwind]

Could you give an example by indicating 'in a relationship'?

I have just learned that 'lead sb. on' with the meaning of 'to keep in a state of expectation or hope' or 'persuade sb to believe or do sth by making false promises or claims'. So the corresponding Chineses expression are 怂恿, 劝诱, 误导 or just 引导/诱导(非善意的).

e.g.

他一直在怂恿我去买那辆车，但我还是很犹豫。

现在我才明白，当初她劝诱/诱导我跟她结婚是有特殊目的的。

[flameproof]

Is there a way to say 'lead somebody on' (in a relationship)?

You mean "lead" or "laid"?

For the 2nd one there are a few 100 different ways to express it.

[HashiriKata]

You mean "lead" or "laid"?

For the 2nd one there are a few 100 different ways to express it

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think there is such an expression as "laid someone on".

"To lead someone on" (in a relationship) is to behave as if you're interested in that person, although you are not. The intention is to mislead that person and get him/her even more interested in you. The world is cruel, isn't it?

[studentyoung]

"To lead someone on" (in a relationship) is to behave as if you're interested in that person, although you are not. The intention is to mislead that person and get him/her even more interested in you. The world is cruel, isn't it?

Hmm~ ~. It sounds like 美人计 or 美男计, doesn’t it?

Thanks!

[anonymoose]

Thanks for the responses so far. I'm still not sure we have found an accurate translation, however.

I have just learned that 'lead sb. on' with the meaning of 'to keep in a state of expectation or hope' or 'persuade sb to believe or do sth by making false promises or claims'. So the corresponding Chineses expression are 怂恿, 劝诱, 误导 or just 引导/诱导(非善意的).

e.g.

他一直在怂恿我去买那辆车，但我还是很犹豫。

现在我才明白，当初她劝诱/诱导我跟她结婚是有特殊目的的。

againstwind, your explanations of the meaning in English seem to be correct, but I don't think your chinese translations correspond exactly. Your Chinese translations seem to mean "to egg someone on" or "to incite (somebody to do something)", but that is not the same as "to lead someone on".

In English, we don't usually add anything further, like "to lead somebody on to buy a car" or "to lead somebody on to marry" as in your examples.

Usually "to lead somebody on" has a specific meaning relating to relationships. I think HashiriKata's definition is more or less accurate:

"To lead someone on" (in a relationship) is to behave as if you're interested in that person, although you are not. The intention is to mislead that person and get him/her even more interested in you.

So, are there any ways to express this in Chinese?

[studentyoung]

Hmm~ ~. It sounds like 美人计 or 美男计, doesn’t it?

Wrong, completely!

"To lead someone on" (in a relationship) is to behave as if you're interested in that person, although you are not. The intention is to mislead that person and get him/her even more interested in you.

We don’t have such a phrase to express such an idea, however we say, “A只想跟B玩玩，不是真心的” in our daily life.

Thanks!

[HashiriKata]

Wrong, completely!

No, you're nearly there!

If anyone's interested, here are 2 examples of the use of "lead on" in English:

She led him on for five months while she was going out with another guy.

Sheila seemed to be leading them both on.

For what it's worth, please note that the expression is used probably exclusively with ladies as the leaders.

[skylee]

For what it's worth, please note that the expression is used probably exclusively with ladies as the leaders.

Probably. This discussion reminds me of Maxine Nightingale's song.

[HashiriKata]

This discussion reminds me of Maxine Nightingale's song.

Thanks for the nice song, skylee!

(I now understand that to be led on is not necessarily a bad thing! )

[againstwind]

She led him on for five months while she was going out with another guy.

Sheila seemed to be leading them both on.

So there are probably no corresponding Chinese phrases or words to translate 'lead on (in relationship)'. Maybe only free translation is available, like '那女人一直在玩弄你们俩的感情' or like studentyoung's 'A只想跟B玩玩，不是真心的'

BTW, I couldn't open skylee's link. Blocked again?

[HashiriKata]

BTW, I couldn't open skylee's link. Blocked again?

The site is in Chinese, so I thought it was from within China. Is it not? Anyway, here's the lyrics, if it's better than nothing:

EDIT: Try this link first for the song:

http://www.mgmp3.net/wmamusic/4/1807/40998.htm

LEAD ME ON

I have often heard you say

You love me as a friend

But I love you more than anyone

You know I can't pretend no longer

I would give you anything

I'd throw my world away

But you don't wanna hear that anymore

And you wanna hear me say

Come on and lead me on

Come on and tease me all night long

Lovin' you I know it's right

I'll always need you

I'll never leave you

Come on and lead me on

Tease me all night long

I'd rather be a fool with a broken heart

Than someone who never had a part of you

You know I told you from the start

Exactly how I feel

Time goes on, seems nothing's changed

I'm in love for real

We have never played the games

That real lovers do

So maybe we are better off

Baby, I'd still like this from you

Come on and lead me on

Come on and tease me all night long

Lovin' you I know it's right

I'll always need you, I'll never leave you

Come on and lead me on

Tease me all night long

I'd rather be a fool with a broken heart

Than someone who never had a part of you

Come on and lead me on

(Come on and lead me)

Come on and tease me all night long

(Tease me all night long)

I'd rather be a fool with a broken heart

Than someone who never had a part of you

Come on and lead me on

(Come on and lead me)

Tease me all night long

(Tease me all night long)

Lovin' you I know it's right

I'll always need you, I'll never leave you

Come on and lead me on

Tease me all night long

[anonymoose]

For what it's worth, please note that the expression is used probably exclusively with ladies as the leaders.

I'm not sure if HashiriKata was serious or joking when he wrote this, but for the benefit of English learners, this phrase can be applied equally with men as the "lead-on'ers" as ladies, and if you ask my opinion, the "lead-on'er" is more likely to be a man.

[djwebb2004]

挑逗 is not exactly what you are looking for, but is useful all the same, meaning "tease, tantalize"