Word
请 带 有效证件。qǐng dài yǒuxiàozhèngjiàn.
Meaning
Please bring valid identification.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Breakdown of qǐng dài yǒuxiàozhèngjiàn.
请qǐng
to ask (politely)
带dài
to bring
有效证件yǒuxiàozhèngjiàn
valid identification
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Questions & Answers about qǐng dài yǒuxiàozhèngjiàn.
Why does the sentence start with 请? Does it just mean please?
In this sentence, 请 works like please and makes the instruction polite.
So 请带有效证件 is a polite way to tell someone to bring valid identification.
A useful thing to know is that 请 has more than one use in Chinese:
- 请 + verb = please do ...
- 请 + person + verb/object = invite / request someone to ...
- 请问 = a polite way to begin a question, like excuse me or may I ask
Here, it is the first use: 请 + 带 = please bring.
Why is there no subject? Who is supposed to bring the ID?
Chinese often leaves out the subject when it is obvious from context.
In signs, notices, instructions, and announcements, the subject is often understood as you. So this sentence does not need 你.
- 请带有效证件。 = Please bring valid ID.
- Full version: 请你带有效证件。
The version without 你 sounds more natural on a sign or in a formal notice.
What exactly does 带 mean here?