If you don't mind me asking
Neutral Polite
What it really means
A softener placed before a personal question, such as about age, money, jobs or relationships. It signals "I know this might be private". You can politely refuse to answer and no one should be offended.
Chinese explanation
放在私人问题（年龄、收入、工作、感情等）前的缓冲语，表示"我知道这可能涉及隐私"。你可以礼貌地拒绝回答，对方不会也不该生气。
Example conversation
A: If you don't mind me asking, how much is your rent?
B: I'd rather not say, if that's okay — London prices are painful!
A：如果你不介意我问的话，你的房租是多少？
B：不介意的话我就不说啦——伦敦房价太扎心了！
All Politeness Decoder
Reviewed by the UK Decoded editorial team
· Last checked 24 July 2026 · Report a mistake