A: I have a vague recollection that I lent you some money. Is that right?
Wǒ yǐnyuē jìdé hǎoxiàng jièguò qián gěi nǐ. Yǒu zhè huí shì ma?
我隐约记得好像借过钱给你.有这回事吗？
B: Yes, you did. I will return the money tomorrow.
Shì de, wǒ míngtiān hái nǐ.
是的,我明天还你.
A: No rush. I was just asking.
Bù zháo jí, wǒ jiùshì wèn yīxià.
不着急,我就是问一下.
A perhaps more Machiavellian approach would be to ask after their well-being.
A: The other day you said you were kind of hard up. Is everything OK now? Do you need some more loans?
Nèitiān nǐ shuō shǒutóu yǒudiǎn er jǐn. Xiànzài zěnme yàngle? Xū bù xūyào zài jiè nǐ diǎn er qián?
那天你说手头有点儿紧.现在怎么样了？需不需要再借你点儿钱?
B: The problem is solved, all thanks to your help. I will return the money soon.
Wèntí yǐjīng jiějuéle, duōkuī nǐ bāngmáng. Wǒ huì jǐnkuài hái qián.
问题已经解决了,多亏你帮忙.我会尽快还钱.
This is a very risky strategy, however, because they may actually need to borrow more and you've just painted yourself into a corner. So feel free to make up your own excuse.
A: I am sorry to ask, but there's an emergency. Can you give me that money I lent you last time?
Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ yǒu jǐnjí qíngkuàng. Nǐ néng bǎ shàng cì de qián hái gěi wǒ ma?
不好意思,我有紧急情况.你能把上次的钱还给我吗？
Whether you're the lender or borrower, it's always good to pay your debts on time. Remember: 好借好还,再借不难 (Hǎo jiè hào huán, zài jiè bù nán. Return what you borrow on time, you'll be welcome to borrow next time).
"Can You Share Some Change?" is a story from our issue, "Fantasy". To read the entire issue, become a subscriber and receive the full magazine. Alternatively, you can purchase the digital version from the iTunes Store
Article by Sun Jiahui
