For example:
老師: 你多大了?
學生: 回先生的話, 學生今年八歲。
Or 學生: 回老師的話, 學生今年八歲。
It sounds very polite to me but I do not hear it often, even in the Chinese culture, where teachers are generally respected.
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8Are you watching historical drama recently?– AgritMar 9, 2020 at 7:10
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3 Answers
starting a reply with 回 is too subservient in modern Chinese conversation.
You only hear people use "回 + title" in period drama nowadays
In olden times, people would use "回 + title" to reply to authority
e.g. 回皇上, 回大人
They didn't even normally talk like that to their father or teacher (they are in higher status and position, but they are also close to you, therefore, no need for subservient phrase like that)
回先生的話, 學生今年八歲 imply the student himself acknowledges he is not allowed to speak in front of the authority (in this case, the teacher) unless spoken to or with permission to speak. It is not the society generally think in modern time.
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Yes, there is a difference between "politeness" and "feudal subservience", the latter only seen or heard in royal courts, even today in some "modern" monarchies. But no matter how modern or "westernized" are in today's Chinese societies, whether in mainland China or elsewhere, you never ever hear Chinese children call their parents by their, the parent's, personal name. It is the height of filial impiety or at least rudeness. In a Chinese extended family, every rung and every member of each rung and cross rungs, on the father and mother side, have very specific formal forms of address. Mar 9, 2020 at 3:17
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the only modern thing I can genuinely think of seeing this frequently to a teacher is 武俠 novels, which is exactly as you said, a very rigorous fuedal teacher student "family structure"-- way more strict than modern day. A student really wouldn't speak unless spoken to , especially if they are the lowest level student. Just adding as a reference for your good answer.– zagrychaFeb 11 at 3:48
At least this kind of phrases not usually happened in Taiwan. I feel that it is redundant, strange and not natural. I think 我今年八歲 is ok to reply.
Putting 回 in front of answering phrases may be outdated in most part of Chinese conversation nowadays. I believe that even seniors will find it strange when answered in this way.
It is only mainly heard in TV drama nowadays. Usually when it's the servant replying to the King or Queen after given permission to speak.
