Translate: 借你这儿躲一下不至于吧

[sparrow]

From the sitcom 爱情公寓 S01E01.

 

Tried Google Translate, MDBG, and nciku (didn't load).

 

My best guess, loosely translated, is: "I wasn't imposing on you by hiding here, was I?"

 

Specifically, what does 不至于 mean?

[skylee]

Consider "I was just hiding in your space for a little while.  It is not as bad as that (what the look on his face implies), right?"

 

Using punctuation will help.

[Allen Zhang]

I think 不至于means no need so stingy and make a fuss.

[sparrow]

@Skylee: Agreed. I wish subtitles included punctuation. Your explanation makes sense.

 

@Allen Zhang: Thanks, that clears it up!

 

 

[imron]

I wish subtitles included punctuation.

If you look at the subtitles, you'll notice there is actually a gap between the two parts, like so: 借你这儿躲一下      不至于吧, which is indicative that these are two separate sentences.

[sparrow]

Ah, right. Thank you.

[jdfang]

不至于makes no sense in the sentence and difficult to understand.

 

You may say say: 借你这儿躲一下，不至于很麻烦吧／May I hide here for a while if it is not troublesome to you.

[imron]

It makes perfect sense if you actually watch the episode, and is not the meaning you mentioned.

[sparrow]

@jdfang:

 

“You may say say: 借你这儿躲一下，不至于很麻烦吧／May I hide here for a while if it is not troublesome to you.”

 

The issue with your interpretation is that when she says 借你这儿躲一下，不至于吧 , she had hid already and wasn't hiding any longer. But the general sentiment makes sense.

[jdfang]

@sparrow

 

不至于吧 usually uses for expression or questioning like 不太...／不过于... /不会吧

For example:

A：中国的房价已经高于美国。B:不止于吧。

 

it shows B disagree and surprise

 

In this sentences, if you want to express sorry for hiding, it must follow some meaningful words. Otherwise its strange and has no meaning in Chinese language. 

 

For Example:

请帮我改下航班，不至于很麻烦吧？

 

 

Another example:

这个事情对你不至于很难吧？

 

Answer can be: 不至于 or 至于， 至于here express strong opposition and  a little bit rude.   But 不至于 is very polite.

[skylee]

jdfang, you might wish to take a look at the video mentioned at #1.  If you can't access youtube, you could see episode 1 of season 1 via this link - http://v.baidu.com/tv_intro/?page=1&id=10438

[jdfang]

I just try to explain the meaning of 不至于 itself.

 

It may fit perfect in certain context, but it make no sense in 借你这儿躲一下, 不至于吧.

[sparrow]

@jdfang

Thank you very much. I will write some notes based on your explanation as I do not know much about the phrase 不至于.

 

However, I would be very interested if you could check out the video provided by skylee. Here's a more direct link via 百度. Go to time 00:03:30. I would be very interested in your opinion because the actress indeed says: 姐你这儿躲一下，不至于吧。

 

@skylee

Thanks for the video link! :-)

[michaelS]

In Episode 3 of the same show， when 一菲 and 曾小贤 think that 子乔 is being cheated on:

 

胡一菲： 看他魂不守舍的样子表面上还要装做若无其事，这是精神分裂的前兆啊！

曾小贤： 就这两句话不至于吧

The meaning of 不至于 is something like "I wouldn't go as far as that", right?

[skylee]

It means - (He has just sung a few words.) It can't be as bad as that (schizophrenia)

[tooironic]

See the Wiktionary entry for reference.