别提了
don’t ask! (before telling how badly something went)
Structure
（…怎么样？） 别提了 ， 糟糕的经过
What it means
Don’t ask!: an answer, not a refusal. The speaker sighs, then tells you all about how badly it went.
How it is built
(…怎么样？) 别提了，+ what went wrong: “驾照考过了吗？”“唉，别提了，又没过。” (“Did you pass your driving test?” “Ugh, don’t ask. Failed again.”)
When to use it
Informal, often with 唉 or 嗨. To a superior, say 不太顺利 instead.
Watch out
Keep it apart from 别提（有）多…了, “you can’t imagine how …” (他别提多高兴了), and from plain 别提这件事了, “don’t bring that up”.
Examples
“周末爬山玩得怎么样？”“别提了，刚到山脚就下起了大雨。”
“How was the hike at the weekend?” “Don’t ask. It started pouring the moment we got to the foot of the mountain.”
“驾照考过了吗？”“唉，别提了，又没过。”
“Did you pass your driving test?” “Ugh, don’t ask. Failed again.”
Learn this in Lesson 217 · HSK 9+: 台词里的中国 (Lines from the screen)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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