What does 慢走 mean?

[ankong]

I would like to know the meaning of 慢走, does it mean 'walk slowly'?

I heard it in sentence '你慢走' when I went out from the shop or restaurant.

But I don't think it means 'you walk slowly'.

Anyone who knows the meaning please tell me. Thank you!

[Adam]

I think in those situations, its the same as saying "take care"

[xiaoxiajenny]

walk home safety

[MarkKang]

It does literally mean "walk slowly", but Adam is correct above about the practical meaning.

This phrase is very common, and you can use it anytime anyone leaves your company, and has to go/return somewhere.

[cat_star]

yes, "慢走" is very common and useful sentence in Beijing, you d'better say "您慢走" than "你慢走". If you talk with a native Beijinger,you can find lots of "您" in his words.

"您"sounds having good manner than "你", we usually address eldership and some important person "您" to express honor.

[gato]

But I don't think it means 'you walk slowly'.

Anyone who knows the meaning please tell me. Thank you!

You might trip over something if you walk too fast, so people say "walk slowly" when saying goodbye. It's a little like when people say "don't work too hard" in English. It's not really meant literally.

[cat_star]

u d'better say "您慢走" than "你慢走" when u want to say bye to an elder

[Zypherray]

And also what comes into my mind is the situation when you visit your friend's house,and when ready to leave,he may use the phrase "ni man zou" as a polite and local way of saying "see you later" or "drive safe"......a very useful expression to replace goodbye.

[jobm]

Can you use this phrase to someone you are close with? 

[Publius]

1 hour ago, jobm said:

Can you use this phrase to someone you are close with?

It does sound cold and distant, even rude, if used on a close relative/family member/girlfriend/boyfriend. 路上小心 would be more appropriate.

[jobm]

Thanks, @Publius  

[lips]

It can also mean the opposite, i.e. 别走.

[harley]

就是再见的意思，敬语

[Lu]

Hi @harley, thanks, it's always nice to have the opinion of a native speaker. But please post in English, many people here don't speak Chinese well.

[DavyJonesLocker]

as you mentioned,  you hear it every time you leave the restaurant by the staff to mean "take care"

 

@jobm   People often say 慢走吧 to me after I have been out for dinner with them and am about to head home  

 

I don't hear the 您 or 你 so much as I expect though, 

 

 

[somethingfunny]

Saying 慢走 is the same as 再见 is like saying "goodbye" is the same as "have a nice day".  They're both used under the same circumstances, to express a similar sentiment or level of respect, but they're not the same meaning.

[889]

Am I the only one who thinks 您 almost always sounds forced in everyday speech, respectful but unfriendly in a way because it's not the form used among friends. I always feel awkward when someone addresses me that way.

 

In some languages and cultures, there's a common way of saying, "We're friends now, so let's address each other informally," or in other words, "Please, just call me Al." Think tutoyer in French.

 

But offhand, I can't think of any common Chinese way to suggest moving from 您 to 你. Is there one?

[somethingfunny]

I wouldn't bother.  They'll use whichever one they feel is appropriate.  您 is generally used in circumstances where two people don't know each other (and probably never will).

 

If they're still using 您 and you think they shouldn't, then you might want to consider that they're taking the piss.

[Lu]

19 minutes ago, 889 said:

But offhand, I can't think of any common Chinese way to suggest moving from 您 to 你. Is there one?

I've never encountered one. Only 'Oh don't call me 老師 it makes me feel old/weird!' (when addressing authors or other non-teacher-老師 who don't wish to be addressed as such.)

[889]

It's 师傅 from complete strangers that gets me.