Career Magazine

170: How to Negotiate in Mandarin Chinese

By Learnmandarinnow

Negotiating or bargaining is an intrinsic part of life in China—and in many other places for that matter. You may talk about prices in the market or shops—or even when it comes to your monthly salary! Are you confident enough to negotiate with someone or at least know some of the ways to make a good case for, let’s say, a salary increase?

In this Podcast, you will learn:

(i) How to negotiate terms and conditions for a new or existing job

(ii) To talk about your expectations on salary levels

Dialogue:

At a meeting, two parties are negotiating:

(在会议室)

(zài huì yì shì)

(in the meeting room)

A:王立,关于薪金待遇等情况,你考虑了么?有什么想法?

Wáng Lì, guān yú xīn jīn dài yù děng qíng kuàng, nǐ kǎo lǜ le me? Yǒu shén me xiǎng fǎ?

Wang Li, in terms of salary and others, did you consider it? What do you think about it?

B:我觉都各方面很好,唯独薪水比我预想的低一些,不知您是否同意给我再提高20%?

Wǒ jué de gè fāng miàn hěn hǎo, wéi dú xīn shuǐ bǐ wǒ yù xiǎng de dī yī xiē, bù zhī nín shì fǒu tóng yì gěi wǒ zài tí gāo bǎi fēn zhī èr shí?

I think all aspects sound good. Except the salary is lower than I expected. Not sure whether you can agree to an increase of 20% for me?

A:嗯,我觉得你的提议合理,但我还要再开会确定一下。

En, wǒ jué de nǐ de tí yì hé lǐ, dàn wǒ hái yào zài kāi huì què dìng yī xià.

I think that your proposal sounds reasonable. But I still need to call a meeting to decide.

B:好的,高经理,那我等您回复。非常感谢您给我这次机会!

Hǎo de, Gāo jīng lǐ, nà wǒ děng nín huí fù. Fēi cháng gǎn xiè nín gěi wǒ zhè cì jī huì!

No problem, manager Gao. I will wait for your reply then. I really appreciate this opportunity you have offered me.

Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:

关于……等情况:in terms of

等:etc.

薪金待遇:salary

考虑:consider

想法:idea/opinion

各方面:in all aspects

唯独:except

预想:expected

不知:a formal form of ‘不知道’

是否:a formal form of ‘是不是’

提高:increase

提议:proposal/suggestion

合理:reasonable/fair

开会:call a meeting

回复:reply

机会:opportunity

Mandarin Chinese learning resources we recommend:

round-italki-logo-3d-01
Using Italki, a unique system of learning Mandarin Chinese where you interact with real teachers, is widely recognised as an effective way to learn a new language! You’ll make more progress and learn how native Chinese speakers really speak. Plus, Italki is more affordable than offline tutors, offline schools and software, and is convenient to use at your own pace and place!

Keats Chinese School
Keats Chinese School, which was founded in 2004, is one of the top Mandarin Chinese language schools in China, offering both one-on-one immersion Mandarin courses and small group Chinese classes. Located in Kunming, Keats develops personalised exercises and materials for students to meet their learning goals and requirements and can arrange a student visa for its 16 week course.


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