We all make decisions every day; in fact, more like every few seconds or minutes. Some are minor and may be about what to eat; some are major and may affect our income or livelihood. In the latter case it’s best to talk them through with someone close to us. Learn how to discuss such topics with others in Mandarin Chinese…
In this Podcast, you will learn:
(i) How to discuss a difficult decision you wish to make
(ii) To talk with others about what you’d like to do
Dialogue:
A husband and wife are talking at home:（在家吃饭）
(zài jiā chī fàn)
(having dinner at home)
A:老公，我，我想辞职。
Lǎo gōng, wǒ, wǒ xiǎng cí zhí.
Hubby, I want to quit work.
B:怎么了，工作不顺心？
Zěn me le, gōng zuò bù shùn xīn?
How come? Are you not happy at work?
A:不是。我觉得女儿还小，我想多花些时间陪她。我考虑了很久，但这是个很大的决定，我得和你商量。
Bù shì. Wǒ jué de nǚ ér hái xiǎo, wǒ xiǎng duō huā xiē shí jiān péi tā. Wǒ kǎo lǜ le hěn jiǔ, dàn zhè shì gè hěn dà de jué dìng, wǒ děi hé nǐ shāng liàng.
No, it’s that I think our daughter is still too young. I want to spend more time with her. I have been thinking about this for a long time, but this is a very big decision. I need to discuss it with you.
B:嗯……你说的对，我支持你的决定。
En, nǐ shuō de duì, wǒ zhī chí nǐ de jué dìng.
You are right, I support your decision.
Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:
辞职：quit a job
顺心：everything goes well as you wish
不顺心：indicates not happy
女儿：daughter
还小：literally means ‘still too small’; in this context it indicates ‘age’
时间：time
花：has lots of meanings; in this phrase it means ‘spend’
多：more
陪：company
得：need to
考虑：consider/think it over
决定：decision/decide
商量：discuss/talk it over
支持：support
Cultural/Grammar note:
When you need to discuss something with someone, you can use the following sentences:
有件事情我想和你商量。
Yǒu jiàn shì qíng wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ shāng liàng.
I want to discuss something with you.
有件事情我考虑了很久。
Yǒu jiàn shì qíng wǒ kǎo lǜ le hěn jiǔ.
I have been thinking about something for a long time.
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