Renegotiating a Deadline with Clear Priorities | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use Renegotiating a Deadline with Clear Priorities to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

截止日期是明天，但项目范围今天早上扩大了。

jiézhǐ rìqī shì míngtiān, dàn xiàngmù fànwéi jīntiān zǎoshang kuòdà le. The deadline is tomorrow, but the project scope expanded this morning.

客户首先需要哪一部分？

kèhù shǒuxiān xūyào nǎ yí bùfen? Which part does the client need first?

他们首先需要总结，但详细图表可以晚一点。

tāmen shǒuxiān xūyào zǒngjié, dàn xiángxì túbiǎo kěyǐ wǎn yìdiǎn. They need the summary first, but the detailed charts can wait.

那就为优先级较低的部分申请短期延期。

nà jiù wèi yōuxiānjí jiào dī de bùfen shēnqǐng duǎnqī yánqī. Then ask for a short extension on the lower-priority sections.

我不想让这听起来像是我没有管理好时间。

wǒ bùxiǎng ràng zhè tīng qǐlái xiàng shì wǒ méiyǒu guǎnlǐ hǎo shíjiān. I don't want it to sound like I failed to manage my time.

把重点放在质量和你收到的新信息上。

bǎ zhòngdiǎn fàng zài zhìliàng hé nǐ shōudào de xīn xīnxī shàng. Frame it around quality and the new information you received.

我可以说我明天交总结，第二天交图表。

wǒ kěyǐ shuō wǒ míngtiān jiāo zǒngjié, dì èr tiān jiāo túbiǎo. I can say I'll deliver the summary tomorrow and the charts the following day.

这样他们就能看到一个现实的时间安排，也能做出明确选择。

zhèyàng tāmen jiù néng kàndào yí gè xiànshí de shíjiān ānpái, yě néng zuòchū míngquè xuǎnzé. That gives them a realistic timeline and a clear choice.

我会尽快发消息，这样他们有时间回复。

wǒ huì jǐnkuài fā xiāoxi, zhèyàng tāmen yǒu shíjiān huífù. I'll send the message soon so they have time to respond.

这样，明天之前日程的变化就会很清楚。

zhèyàng, míngtiān zhīqián rìchéng de biànhuà jiù huì hěn qīngchu. That way, the schedule change is clear before tomorrow.

Word by Word

截止日期 “截止日期” means the deadline, the date by which something is due. “截止” gives the stopping point and “日期” identifies it as a date. Use it when discussing when work must be completed.

是 “是” links the deadline with the time “明天”, meaning the deadline is tomorrow. It is commonly used to identify or equate one thing with another. Use it in direct statements about dates, people, or things.

明天 “明天” means tomorrow, the day after today. Here it identifies when the deadline is. Use it when arranging work or discussing a future plan.

但 “但” means but and introduces a contrast between the deadline and the expanded project scope. It commonly connects two statements with opposing or unexpected information. Use it when correcting or balancing what was just said.

项目 “项目” means project in “项目范围”. It identifies the work project whose scope has changed. Use it before a noun when discussing a particular project and one of its aspects.

范围 “范围” means scope or range; here it is the extent of the project. In “项目范围”, it specifies what the project includes. Use it when discussing the limits or coverage of work.

今天 “今天” means today and places the change on the current day. Here it appears before “早上” in “今天早上”. Use it with a time-of-day expression when specifying when something happened today.

早上 “早上” means morning in “今天早上”. Together, “今天早上” identifies the morning of today. Use it when giving a precise time within a day.

扩大 “扩大” means become larger or expand; here the project scope became larger. It describes an increase in the extent of something, as in “项目范围扩大了”. Use it to describe a scope or area growing.

了 “了” in “扩大了” signals that the situation has changed: the scope is now larger. It is placed after the verb in this dialogue. Use it when describing a newly changed situation.

客户 “客户” means client, the person or organization needing part of the project first. Here it is the subject of “需要”. Use it in workplace communication about a client’s needs or requests.

首先 “首先” means first or firstly and shows the highest priority in “首先需要”. It is placed before the action or need being prioritized. Use it when organizing steps or deciding what should happen first.

需要 “需要” means need; here the client needs a particular part of the work. The needed item follows it, as in “需要哪一部分”. Use it before a thing or action that is required.

哪 “哪” asks which one in “哪一部分”. It selects one option from possible parts rather than asking for a general description. Use it before the noun or noun phrase being chosen.

一 “一” in “哪一部分” is part of the expression asking which particular part. Together with “哪”, it forms the determiner “哪一” before “部分”. Use it there when identifying one item from a group.

部分 “部分” means part or section, and here it is the item the client needs. It appears in the question “哪一部分” and is also understood as a project section. Use it when dividing a larger piece of work into sections.

他们 “他们” means they or them and refers to the people already under discussion. Here it refers to the client or clients who need the work and may respond. Use it as a pronoun when referring back to those people.

总结 “总结” means summary, the first deliverable mentioned in the dialogue. It is the object of “需要” and later of “交”. Use it when referring to a concise presentation of the main points in work communication.

详细 “详细” means detailed and describes the charts in “详细图表”. It indicates that the charts contain a high level of detail. Use it before a noun when specifying that something is detailed.

图表 “图表” means charts or graphs, the lower-priority material that can be delivered later. It is the object of “交” in the proposed timeline. Use it for visual data presented in a report or project.

可以 “可以” means can or may; here it says that the charts can wait until later. It appears before the verb or action being described. Use it when an action is possible or acceptable.

晚 “晚” means later in “晚一点”, referring to delivery at a later time. It contrasts with the summary being needed first. Use it when saying that something can happen later than another thing.

一点 “一点” means a little or slightly and softens the amount of delay in “晚一点”. Together, “晚一点” means a little later. Use it after an adjective or time description when expressing a small degree.

那 “那” means then or in that case and refers to the priority information just given. At the start of “那就”, it introduces the suggested next action. Use it when responding to a situation or conclusion.

就 “就” in “那就” marks the consequence or action that follows from the preceding information. Together, “那就” means then, in that case. Use it to introduce a practical response or decision.

为 “为” means for in “为优先级较低的部分申请短期延期”. It marks the sections that the request concerns. Use it before the person, group, or matter that a request or action is for.

优先级 “优先级” means priority, the level that determines what should be handled first. Here it is used to identify the sections that are less urgent. Use it when comparing the importance or order of tasks.

较低 “较低” means relatively lower and describes the priority of the sections. It appears before “的” in “优先级较低的部分”. Use it when identifying something as lower in degree or level than another item.

的 “的” links the description “优先级较低” to the noun “部分”. It shows that the preceding words modify the sections. Use it after a descriptive phrase and before the noun it describes.

申请 “申请” means request or apply for; here it describes requesting an extension. Its object is “短期延期”. Use it before the thing being formally requested.

短期 “短期” means short-term and describes the length of the extension. It appears before “延期” to specify that the delay is limited in duration. Use it before a noun when describing a short period.

延期 “延期” means an extension or delay, here an extension of the deadline for lower-priority sections. It is the object of “申请”. Use it when asking for work, a deadline, or an event to be moved later.

我 “我” means I or me and refers to the speaker. It is the subject in “我不想” and “我可以”. Use it before a verb when talking about your own intention or action.

不 “不” means not or do not and negates “想” in “不想”. It is placed before the verb or expression being negated. Use it to say that you do not want or do not intend to do something.

想 “想” means want here, as in “我不想让这听起来像是…”. It expresses the speaker’s desired impression. Use it before an action or clause that describes what you want.

让 “让” means make or let; here it introduces the effect the speaker does not want “这” to have. The pattern places the affected object after “让”, followed by its description or action. Use it when describing causing or allowing a result.

这 “这” means this or it and refers to the matter being discussed, such as the proposed request or message. Here it is the object whose sound or impression is being considered. Use it to refer to something present in the conversation.

听起来 “听起来” means sound or seem from hearing in “让这听起来像是…”. “听” contributes hearing, while “起来” presents the impression that arises from hearing it. Use it when commenting on how words or a message come across.

像是 “像是” means seem like or sound as if, introducing the impression that something has a particular character. In this dialogue, “像” contributes similarity and “是” identifies the impression as being that way. Use it before the description of what something seems like.

没有 “没有” means did not or did not have here, negating successful time management in “没有管理好时间”. It appears before the verb phrase being denied. Use it when saying that an action or situation did not occur or was not achieved.

管理 “管理” means manage, and here it refers to managing time. Its object is “时间”, as in “管理时间”. Use it when talking about organizing or controlling work, resources, or time.

好 “好” after “管理” means well or successfully in “管理好时间”. It shows that the management should reach a satisfactory result. Use it after an action to describe completing it properly.

时间 “时间” means time and is the thing being managed in “管理好时间”. In this dialogue, poor time management is the impression the speaker wants to avoid. Use it when discussing how much time is available or how it is organized.

把 “把” marks “重点” as the object being handled in “把重点放在…上”. It places the object before the action that changes or directs it. Use this structure when explaining what is being deliberately handled or focused on.

重点 “重点” means focus or key point, and here it is what should be placed on quality and new information. It is the object after “把”. Use it when directing attention to the most important aspect of a discussion.

放 “放” means put or place; in “把重点放在…上”, it means direct the focus toward something. The object is “重点”, and the target follows “在”. Use it in this construction when saying where attention should be placed.

在 “在” means at, on, or in; here it introduces what the focus is placed on in “放在质量和…上”. It works with “上” to mark the target of the focus. Use it after “放” when identifying the place or matter receiving something.

质量 “质量” means quality, one of the two matters that should frame the request. It follows “放在” and is connected to the new information by “和”. Use it in workplace discussions about the standard of work.

和 “和” means and and connects “质量” with “你收到的新信息”. It joins the two reasons for framing the request. Use it between two nouns or noun phrases that belong together.

你 “你” means you and refers to the person who received the information. It appears before “收到” in the modifier “你收到的”. Use it when addressing or referring to the other person directly.

收到 “收到” means receive or have received; here it describes information that came to the listener. In “你收到的新信息”, it modifies “信息”. Use it when talking about receiving a message, document, or other information.

新 “新” means new and describes the information in “新信息”. It indicates that the information was newly received or is new to the situation. Use it before a noun when emphasizing that it is new.

信息 “信息” means information and is the thing received and used to explain the expanded scope. It appears in “你收到的新信息”. Use it for facts or details communicated in a work situation.

上 “上” in “放在…上” completes the expression for placing the focus on a particular matter. Here it marks quality and new information as the targets of the focus. Use it with “在” in this construction when directing attention toward something.

说 “说” means say and introduces the content of what the speaker can communicate. It follows “可以” in “我可以说…”. Use it before a clause that states what someone says or plans to say.

交 “交” means deliver or submit, and here it describes delivering the summary and charts. It takes the work item as its object, as in “交总结”. Use it when handing in work or submitting a deliverable.

第二天 “第二天” means the following day in this timeline. “第” marks sequence, “二” means two, and “天” means day; together here they refer to the day after tomorrow in the delivery plan. Use it when referring back to the next day after an already mentioned day.

这样 “这样” means this way or like this and refers to the proposed split delivery plan. It introduces the result that the client can see a realistic timeline and choice. Use it when explaining the result of a method or arrangement.

能 “能” means can or be able to; here it describes the clients’ ability to see the timeline and choice. It appears before “看到”. Use it before a verb when describing ability or a possible result.

看到 “看到” means see or be able to see, here referring to understanding the proposed timeline and choice. Its object is the information that follows in the sentence. Use it before something that becomes visible or clear to someone.

一个 “一个” means a or one and introduces the single arrangement being presented. It comes before “现实的时间安排”. Use it before a singular item when presenting one example, option, or thing.

现实 “现实” means realistic or practical in “现实的时间安排”. It describes a schedule that matches what can actually be delivered. Use it before “的” and a noun when describing a practical plan.

安排 “安排” means arrangement or schedule; here it is the planned timing for delivering the summary and charts. It is modified by “现实的”. Use it when discussing how work or events are organized over time.

也 “也” means also or too and adds the clear choice to the realistic timeline. It appears before the second result “做出选择”. Use it to connect another related fact or result.

做出 “做出” means make or come to, and in “做出明确选择” it means make a clear choice. It combines with “选择” to describe reaching a decision. Use it before a choice or decision that someone makes.

明确 “明确” means clear or definite and describes the choice in “明确选择”. It indicates that the available decision is clearly defined. Use it before a noun when describing something definite or unambiguous.

选择 “选择” means choice here, the decision available to the client. It is the object of “做出”. Use it when referring to an option or decision that someone can make.

会 “会” means will here and signals the speaker’s planned future action in “我会尽快发消息”. It appears before the verb “发”. Use it before a verb when stating what someone plans or expects to do.

尽快 “尽快” means as soon as possible and modifies “发消息”. It shows that the speaker intends to send the message without unnecessary delay. Use it before an action when emphasizing urgency without giving an exact time.

发 “发” means send in “发消息”. Its object is the message being sent. Use it before “消息” or another item when describing sending it to someone.

消息 “消息” means message and is the object of “发”. Here it is the communication that will explain the proposed schedule. Use it for a message sent to a colleague, client, or other person.

有 “有” means have; in “有时间回复”, it means that the clients have time available to reply. It is followed by “时间”, the thing available. Use it before a noun when describing possession or availability.

回复 “回复” means reply or respond, and here it is the action the clients need time to take. It follows “有时间”. Use it when referring to answering a message or request.

之前 “之前” means before and places the schedule change earlier than tomorrow. In “明天之前”, it follows the time point that marks the deadline. Use it after a time expression when setting a before-time limit.

日程 “日程” means schedule and identifies the planned timing of work. In “日程的变化”, it is the thing that has changed. Use it when discussing an organized timetable of activities.

变化 “变化” means change, and here it is the change to the schedule. It follows “日程的”, which identifies what has changed. Use it when describing a difference from the previous plan.

很 “很” marks degree before “清楚” in “很清楚”. Here it strengthens the description that the schedule change is clear. Use it before a descriptive word when expressing a degree.

清楚 “清楚” means clear and describes how understandable the schedule change is. Here it appears after “很” in “很清楚”. Use it when information, instructions, or a situation can be understood without confusion.

Grammar Points

尽快 + 动词

请尽快回复客户。

qǐng jǐnkuài huífù kèhù.

Please reply to the client as soon as possible.

尽快 is an adverb placed before the verb to show that an action should happen without delay.

听起来 + 形容词

这个时间安排听起来很现实。

zhè ge shíjiān ānpái tīng qǐlái hěn xiànshí.

This timeline sounds realistic.

听起来 means “sounds” and is followed by an adjective describing an impression.

Chinese Vocabulary

短期延期 noun

duǎnqī yánqī short extension

为优先级较低的部分申请短期延期

截止日期 noun

jiézhǐ rìqī deadline

截止日期是明天

客户 noun

kèhù client

客户首先需要哪一部分

扩大 verb

kuòdà to expand

项目范围今天早上扩大了

申请 verb

shēnqǐng to request; to apply for

为优先级较低的部分申请短期延期

首先 adv

shǒuxiān first; initially

客户首先需要哪一部分

图表 noun

túbiǎo charts

详细图表可以晚一点

晚一点 phrase

wǎn yìdiǎn a little later

详细图表可以晚一点

详细 adj

xiángxì detailed

详细图表可以晚一点

项目范围 noun

xiàngmù fànwéi project scope

项目范围今天早上扩大了

优先级 noun

yōuxiānjí priority level

优先级较低的部分

总结 noun

zǒngjié summary

他们首先需要总结

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

project scope

Show Answer

项目范围

deadline

Show Answer

截止日期

short extension

Show Answer

短期延期

priority level

Show Answer

优先级