HSK 4 • Lesson 13有话好商量
HSK 4 • 提高篇Lesson 13 / 24

有话好商量

Yǒu huà hǎo shāngliang
Everything is Negotiable
Pattern 1

有话好商量 (Yǒu huà hǎo shāngliang)

A common colloquial phrase used during disputes or conflicts to appease anger and urge calm, encouraging both parties to negotiate a peaceful resolution.

Examples
A: 你撞坏了我的自行车，你得赔我！ B: 您别生气，咱们有话好商量。
A: Nǐ zhuànghuài le wǒ de zìxíngchē, nǐ děi péi wǒ! B: Nín bié shēngqì, zánmen yǒu huà hǎo shāngliang.
A: You crashed into my bike and damaged it; you must compensate me! B: Please don't be angry, sir; we can talk this through calmly.
大家都是老邻居，别发这么大的火，有话好商量嘛。
Dàjiā dōu shì lǎo línjū, bié fā zhème dà de huǒ, yǒu huà hǎo shāngliang ma.
We've all been neighbors for years; there's no need to lose your temper like this—we can talk things through amicably.
这件事责任在我，您先消消气，咱们有话好商量，我一定照价赔偿。
Zhè jiàn shì zérèn zài wǒ, nín xiān xiāoxiao qì, zánmen yǒu huà hǎo shāngliang, wǒ yídìng zhàojià péicháng.
The fault lies entirely with me in this matter. Please calm down; we can talk it over reasonably and I will definitely compensate you in full.
Pattern 2

一时…… (Yìshí...)

Indicates a short timeframe, temporarily, or being unable to do something for the moment; predominantly used in negative statements or questions ('for the moment / on the spur of the moment / off the top of one's head').

Examples
他昨天突然问我这个问题，我一时不知道怎么回答他。
Tā zuótiān tūrán wèn wǒ zhè ge wèntí, wǒ yìshí bù zhīdào zěnme huídá tā.
He asked me this question so suddenly yesterday that for the moment I didn't know how to answer him.
实在对不起，我一时想不起来把那份重要文件放在哪儿了。
Shízài duìbuqǐ, wǒ yìshí xiǎng bu qǐlai bǎ nà fèn zhòngyào wénjiàn fàng zài nǎr le.
I'm terribly sorry; for the life of me, I can't recall off the top of my head where I put that important document.
我们一时找不到别的合适住处，能否请您宽限我们几天？
Wǒmen yìshí zhǎobudào bié de héshì zhùchù, néngfǒu qǐng nín kuānxiàn wǒmen jǐ tiān?
We can't find another suitable place to stay for the moment; could you possibly extend our stay by a few days?
Pattern 3

再说…… (Zàishuō...)

Used in spoken Chinese to introduce an additional, supporting reason or supplementary circumstance on top of what has already been said ('besides / furthermore / what's more').

Examples
A: 你为什么不和我们一起去青岛呢？ B: 我哪有时间啊？再说，我也不会游泳，去海边有什么意思？
A: Nǐ wèishénme bù hé wǒmen yìqǐ qù Qīngdǎo ne? B: Wǒ nǎ yǒu shíjiān a? Zàishuō, wǒ yě bú huì yóuyǒng, qù hǎibiān yǒu shénme yìsi?
A: Why aren't you coming to Qingdao with us? B: How could I have any time? Besides, I don't know how to swim, so what's the fun of going to the beach?
我现在不想那么早结婚，再说我们俩手头也没攒够买房的钱啊！
Wǒ xiànzài bù xiǎng nàme zǎo jiéhūn, zàishuō wǒmen liǎ shǒutóu yě méi zǎngòu mǎi fáng de qián a!
I don't want to get married so early right now; furthermore, neither of us has saved enough money to buy an apartment!
我们也不想给您添麻烦，再说，我们就多住一两个星期，房租加倍给您。
Wǒmen yě bù xiǎng gěi nín tiān máfan, zàishuō, wǒmen jiù duō zhù yì-liǎng ge xīngqī, fángzū jiābèi gěi nín.
We certainly don't want to cause you trouble; besides, we're only staying for one or two extra weeks and will double the rent for those days.
Pattern 4

两头为难 (Liǎngtóu wéinán)

Describes being caught in the middle between two opposing parties, demands, or duties, making it awkward and difficult to satisfy both sides without offending someone.

Examples
我已经答应了新租客，你这样拖延不是让我两头为难吗？
Wǒ yǐjīng dāying le xīn zūkè, nǐ zhèyàng tuōyán bú shì ràng wǒ liǎngtóu wéinán ma?
I've already promised the new tenants; isn't your delaying putting me in an awkward spot between two fires?
母亲和妻子意见不合，夹在中间的他整天两头为难。
Mǔqīn hé qīzi yìjiàn bù hé, jiā zài zhōngjiān de tā zhěngtiān liǎngtóu wéinán.
With his mother and wife disagreeing, being caught in the middle made him feel completely awkward and conflicted all day long.
领导交代了死任务，下属又抱怨工作量过重，主管感到两头为难。
Lǐngdǎo jiāodài le sǐ rènwù, xiàshǔ yòu bàoyuàn gōngzuòliàng guò zhòng, zhǔguǎn gǎndào liǎngtóu wéinán.
With upper management setting strict quotas and subordinates complaining of excessive workload, the manager found himself uncomfortably caught in the middle.
Pattern 5

拿……没办法 (Ná... méi bànfǎ)

Colloquial idiom meaning 'at a loss with / can do nothing about someone', indicating being unable to persuade, discipline, or manage someone, often tinged with helplessness or concession.

Examples
真拿你们没办法。这样吧，你们多住一天要加倍付一天房租。
Zhēn ná nǐmen méi bànfǎ. Zhèyàng ba, nǐmen duō zhù yì tiān yào jiābèi fù yì tiān fángzū.
I really don't know what to do with you folks! Fine, let's do this: for every extra day you stay, you must pay double rent.
这个孩子特别调皮任性，老师和家长都拿他没办法。
Zhè ge háizi tèbié tiáopí rènxìng, lǎoshī hé jiāzhǎng dōu ná tā méi bànfǎ.
This kid is exceptionally mischievous and willful; neither teachers nor parents can do anything with him.
A: 我真的不想去参加聚会，你别劝我了好不好？ B: 不去就不去吧，真拿你没办法。
A: Wǒ zhēn de bù xiǎng qù cānjiā jùhuì, nǐ bié quàn wǒ le hǎobuhǎo? B: Bú qù jiù bú qù ba, zhēn ná nǐ méi bànfǎ.
A: I genuinely don't want to attend the party; please stop trying to convince me, okay? B: Fine, don't go then—there's just no winning with you.
Pattern 6

拜…… (Bàidú / Bàifǎng / Bàijiàn - Honorific Verbs)

Used as an honorific prefix before certain verbs to show deep respect and humility toward the recipient (e.g., '拜读' to read someone's esteemed writings, '拜访/拜见' to pay a respectful visit).

Examples
我拜读过您的大作《唐代文学史》，深受启发。
Wǒ bàidú guo nín de dàzuò 'Tángdài Wénxuéshǐ', shēn shòu qǐfā.
I have respectfully read your masterpiece 'History of Tang Dynasty Literature' and was deeply inspired.
我早就听说过王教授的大名，一直希望能有机会当面拜访您。
Wǒ zǎo jiù tīngshuō guo Wáng jiàoshòu de dàmíng, yìzhí xīwàng yǒu jīhuì dāngmiàn bàifǎng nín.
I have long heard of Professor Wang's great reputation and have always hoped for an opportunity to visit you in person.
后天正好是中秋佳节，学生特来给恩师拜节问好。
Hòutiān zhènghǎo shì Zhōngqiū jiājié, xuésheng tè lái gěi ēnshī bài jié wènhǎo.
The day after tomorrow happens to be the Mid-Autumn Festival; I have come specifically to pay my festive respects to my mentor.
Pattern 7

冒昧…… (Màomèi...)

A polite phrase meaning 'to make bold / venture / take the liberty', used when worrying that one's words or requests might seem abrupt or presumptuous toward elders, strangers, or authorities.

Examples
我们才见过一两次面就提出这样的请求，不知是否太冒昧了？
Wǒmen cái jiànguo yí-liǎng cì miàn jiù tíchū zhèyàng de qǐngqiú, bù zhī shìfǒu tài màomèi le?
Having met only once or twice, I wonder if it is too presumptuous of me to make such a request?
我有几个学术问题想当面向您请教，所以冒昧地给您打电话。
Wǒ yǒu jǐ ge xuéshù wèntí xiǎng dāngmiàn xiàng nín qǐngjiào, suǒyǐ màomèi de gěi nín dǎ diànhuà.
I have several academic questions I'd like to ask you in person, so I have taken the liberty of calling you.
王总，能冒昧地请教一下贵公司今年进军海外市场的核心战略吗？
Wáng zǒng, néng màomèi de qǐngjiào yíxià guì gōngsī jīnnián jìnjūn hǎiwài shìchǎng de héxīn zhànlüè ma?
President Wang, may I make bold to ask about your company's core strategy for entering overseas markets this year?