Career Magazine

165: How to Talk About Dilemmas in Mandarin Chinese

By Learnmandarinnow

Sometimes a dilemma will crop up and you are not quite sure of the right thing to do. If I do this, what will happen? If I do that, what are the consequences? Talking with friends about such dilemmas can, hopefully, help you reach the right decision and move forward in a positive way!

In this Podcast, you will learn:

(i) To discuss a dilemma which is causing you some uncertainty

(ii) How to talk through the options to solve such a dilemma with a friend

Dialogue:

Two friends are trying to solve a dilemma one of them has:

(在咖啡厅)

(zài kā fēi tīng)

(in the café)

A:小丽,你知道么,我昨天收到了我前男友的结婚请柬!我都不知道该怎么办了。真不明白他寄给我是什么意思!

Xiǎo Lì, nǐ zhī dà me, wǒ zuó tiān shōu dào le wǒ qián nán yǒu de jié hūn qǐng jiǎn! Wǒ dōu bù zhī dào gāi zěn me bàn le. Zhēn bù míng bái tā jì gěi wǒ shì shén me yì si!

Xiao Li, do you know, yesterday I received my ex-boyfriend’s wedding invitation. I don’t know what to do. I have no idea why he sent it to me. What does it mean?

B:也许他就是真诚的邀请你参加吧。

Yě xǔ tā jiù shì zhēn chéng de yāo qǐng nǐ qù cān jiā ba.

Maybe he just wants to sincerely invite you to attend.

A:那你说我该不该去?

Nà nǐ shuō wǒ gāi bù gāi qù?

What do you say then? Should I go or not?

B:你要是真心祝福他们,就去啊。再说,人家都邀请了,干嘛不去啊!

Nǐ yào shì zhēn xīn zhù fú tā men, jiù qù a. zài shuō, rén jiā dōu yāo qǐng le, gàn má bù qù a!

If you genuinely give them blessing, you should go. Besides, he already invited you, so why not?

Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:

你知道么:do you know

前男友:ex-boyfriend

前:previous/former

结婚请柬:wedding invitation

真不明白:I have no idea

寄给我:sent to me

什么意思:what does it mean?

也许:maybe/perhaps

真诚:sincerely/genuinely

邀请:invite

参加:participate

该不该:should I do or not

真心:sincerely/genuinely

祝福:wish/bless

再说:besides

人家:refer to other people or other person

干嘛不:why not

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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