Asking for Clearer Feedback | Learn Chinese in English

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Dialogue

反馈说这份提案应该更有说服力，但我觉得这说得很模糊。

fǎn kuì shuō zhè fèn tí àn yīng gāi gèng yǒu shuō fú lì, dàn wǒ jué de zhè shuō de hěn mó hu. The feedback says the proposal should be stronger, but that feels vague.

问问哪个部分需要修改，是证据、语气还是结构。

wèn wen nǎ ge bù fen xū yào xiū gǎi, shì zhèng jù, yǔ qì hái shì jié gòu. Ask which part needs revision: the evidence, tone, or structure.

我觉得开头可能没有把问题解释得足够清楚。

wǒ jué de kāi tóu kě néng méi yǒu bǎ wèn tí jiě shì de zú gòu qīng chu. I think the introduction may not explain the problem clearly enough.

那就请他们具体举例说明希望你改什么。

nà jiù qǐng tā men jù tǐ jǔ lì shuō míng xī wàng nǐ gǎi shén me. Then ask for a specific example of what they want changed.

那样说会不会听起来像是在为自己辩解？

nà yàng shuō huì bú huì tīng qǐ lái xiàng shì zài wèi zì jǐ biàn jiě? Would that sound defensive?

不会，只要你说你想符合他们的期望。

bú huì, zhǐ yào nǐ shuō nǐ xiǎng fú hé tā men de qī wàng. Not if you say you want to match their expectations.

我可以问问他们是想要更多数据，还是更自信的语气。

wǒ kě yǐ wèn wen tā men shì xiǎng yào gèng duō shù jù, hái shì gèng zì xìn de yǔ qì. I can ask whether they want more data or a more confident tone.

这样就给了他们两个明确的方向来选择。

zhè yàng jiù gěi le tā men liǎng ge míng què de fāng xiàng lái xuǎn zé. That gives them two clear directions to choose from.

我知道方向后，就能很快修改。

wǒ zhī dào fāng xiàng hòu, jiù néng hěn kuài xiū gǎi. Once I know the direction, I can revise it quickly.

明确的指导可以避免不必要的重写。

míng què de zhǐ dǎo kě yǐ bì miǎn bú bì yào de chóng xiě. Clear guidance can save unnecessary rewriting.

Word by Word

反馈 “反馈” means feedback here: comments about the proposal. It is commonly used for comments or responses on work, such as feedback on a draft or presentation.

说 “说” reports what the feedback communicates: the feedback says the proposal should improve. A reusable pattern is someone or something + 说 + a statement, useful when reporting information.

这 In “这份提案”, “这” points to the specific proposal being discussed; in “这说得很模糊”, it refers to the statement just mentioned. It commonly appears before a noun or refers back to a previous situation.

份 “份” is the measure word used in “这份提案” for this document or proposal. Use it between 这 and a document-type noun when identifying one such item.

提案 “提案” means proposal, the document the colleagues are revising. It can be used for a formal proposal that is discussed, evaluated, or modified at work.

应该 “应该” says that the proposal is expected to be more persuasive or ought to improve. It commonly comes before the action or quality that is considered necessary or appropriate.

更 “更” makes “有说服力” stronger, meaning more persuasive than before or than the current level. It commonly appears before an adjective or quality expression when indicating an increased degree.

有 In “有说服力”, “有” contributes the idea of possessing a quality: the proposal has persuasive force. A useful pattern is 有 + a quality or characteristic, especially when describing what something has.

说服力 “说服力” means persuasiveness in this dialogue, the ability of the proposal to convince people. It is commonly used after 有 when evaluating an argument, explanation, or proposal.

但 “但” introduces a contrast between what the feedback says and the speaker’s feeling that it is vague. Use it to connect an opposing or limiting statement to the previous one.

我 “我” refers to the speaker expressing a personal judgment about the feedback. It commonly comes before a verb or opinion expression when saying what the speaker thinks or can do.

觉得 “觉得” means think or feel here, introducing the speaker’s assessment that the wording is vague. It commonly comes before a clause describing a personal impression or opinion.

得 In “说得很模糊”, “得” links the verb “说” to a description of how the speaking comes across. A reusable pattern is verb + 得 + description, useful for describing the manner or result of an action.

很 “很” marks a high degree in “很模糊”, making the description quite vague. It commonly appears before an adjective when describing the degree of a quality.

模糊 “模糊” means vague or unclear here, describing feedback that does not identify what should change. It is useful for describing unclear instructions, explanations, or wording.

问问 “问问” means ask about something in a light, conversational way. The repeated form makes the suggestion sound less forceful, and it commonly takes the person or information being asked about.

哪个 “哪个” asks which one among possible choices, here asking which section needs revision. It commonly comes before a noun, as in 哪个部分, when selecting one item from several.

部分 “部分” means part or section of the proposal. It is useful when discussing one area of a larger document, task, or system that needs attention.

需要 “需要” means need or require here, identifying the part that requires revision. It commonly comes before a verb or noun describing what is needed.

修改 “修改” means revise or edit the proposal or one of its sections. It is commonly used for changing written work, documents, plans, or wording.

是 In “是证据、语气还是结构”, “是” identifies the possible options being considered. A reusable pattern is 是A还是B, used to ask which of two or more alternatives applies.

证据 “证据” means evidence, one possible area for revision in the proposal. It commonly refers to information or material used to support a claim or argument.

语气 “语气” means tone, especially the manner or attitude conveyed by wording. It is useful when discussing how a message sounds rather than only what it says.

还是 “还是” joins alternatives in the question “是证据、语气还是结构”. In this use, it asks the listener to choose between listed possibilities.

结构 “结构” means structure, the organization of the proposal. It commonly refers to how the parts of a document, explanation, or argument are arranged.

开头 “开头” means the beginning or introduction of the proposal. It is useful when identifying the first part of a speech, text, document, or process.

可能 “可能” expresses possibility: the introduction may not explain the problem clearly enough. It commonly comes before a verb or description when the speaker is making a tentative assessment.

没有 “没有” indicates that the introduction does not reach the required level of clarity in “没有把问题解释得足够清楚”. It commonly negates an action or indicates that something has not been achieved.

把 “把” places “问题” before the action that affects it in “把问题解释得足够清楚”. A reusable pattern is 把 + object + verb + result or description, used when focusing on what happens to the object.

问题 “问题” means problem or issue, specifically the problem that the introduction should explain. It commonly appears with verbs such as explaining, solving, or discussing.

解释 “解释” means explain, here describing what the introduction should do with the problem. It commonly takes the thing being explained as its object.

足够 “足够” means sufficiently or enough in “足够清楚”, setting the required degree of clarity. It commonly comes before a quality description when judging whether a level is sufficient.

清楚 “清楚” means clear in the description of how well the problem is explained. It can be used after 得 to describe how an action is carried out or how clear its result is.

那 “那” means then in “那就请他们…”, referring to the conclusion drawn from the previous comment. It commonly introduces a suggested next action based on what was just said.

就 “就” marks the consequence or next step in “那就请他们…”. It commonly follows a condition or preceding situation to show what should happen next.

请 “请” makes the suggestion “请他们具体举例说明” an invitation or request for them to do something. It commonly comes before the person being asked and the requested action.

他们 “他们” refers to the people who gave the feedback. It commonly appears before a verb when identifying who should explain, change, or decide something.

具体 “具体” asks for details rather than a general comment, so the feedback should give a specific example. It commonly modifies an action such as explaining, describing, or giving an example.

举例 “举例” means give an example, here asking the feedback providers to illustrate what should be changed. It is useful when a general instruction needs to be made more understandable through an example.

说明 “说明” means explain or clarify, and in “举例说明” it describes explaining by giving an example. It commonly follows an example or supporting information to state what that information shows.

希望 “希望” means want or hope here, introducing what the other people want the speaker to change. It commonly comes before a person or group’s desired action or result.

你 “你” refers to the person who is revising the proposal. It commonly comes before the action another person wants or expects that person to take.

改 “改” means change or revise, referring to the part of the proposal they want changed. It is a concise conversational verb for modifying written work or other content.

什么 “什么” asks what they want changed in “希望你改什么”. It appears inside the question to identify the specific object or content of the requested revision.

那样 “那样” means that way, referring to the proposed way of asking for clearer feedback. It commonly refers to a manner of speaking or acting that has just been described.

会 “会” expresses a possible result in “会不会听起来”, asking whether the suggested wording might sound defensive. It commonly appears in questions about what impression or result an action may produce.

不 “不” negates “会” in the question “会不会”, creating a yes-or-no question about whether something will happen. It commonly comes before the verb or possibility being negated.

听 In “听起来”, “听” contributes the idea of being perceived by hearing, here meaning how the wording sounds to someone. It commonly appears with 起来 when asking about the impression an expression gives.

起来 In “听起来”, “起来” marks the resulting impression produced by the wording. The pattern 听起来 + description is useful when describing how something sounds to a listener.

像 “像” means seem like in “像是在为自己辩解”, describing the possible impression that the speaker is defending themselves. It commonly introduces the activity or quality something appears to resemble.

在 In “在为自己辩解”, “在” marks being engaged in the activity of defending oneself. It commonly appears before an action when describing an activity in progress or an apparent activity.

为 In “为自己辩解”, “为” indicates the person on whose behalf the defense is made: oneself. It commonly appears before a person or group in expressions about acting or speaking for that person.

自己 “自己” means oneself and refers back to the person speaking in “为自己辩解”. It is useful when the subject and the person affected by an action are the same.

辩解 “辩解” means defend oneself or offer a justification, which is the impression the speaker wants to avoid. It is useful when someone responds to criticism by explaining or defending their own actions.

只要 “只要” introduces the condition in “只要你说…”, meaning that the result is acceptable as long as the condition is met. It commonly comes before a condition followed by its result.

想 “想” means want to here, expressing the speaker’s intention to meet the other people’s expectations. It commonly comes before a verb describing the desired action or result.

符合 “符合” means match or conform to, describing the proposal or revision meeting their expectations. It commonly takes a standard, requirement, or expectation as its object.

的 In “他们的期望”, “的” links “他们” to “期望” and marks whose expectations they are. It commonly follows a person or group before the noun associated with them.

期望 “期望” means expectations here, the standard the revised proposal should meet. It commonly refers to what people hope or expect a result, document, or person to achieve.

可以 “可以” means can or be able to in “我可以问问”, presenting the question as an available action. It commonly comes before a verb when giving permission or stating that an action is possible.

想要 “想要” means want, identifying what the feedback providers may want from the proposal. It commonly comes before a noun or noun phrase describing the desired thing.

更多 “更多” means more, indicating an amount of data greater than the current amount. It commonly comes before a noun when requesting or comparing an increased quantity.

数据 “数据” means data, one possible direction for improving the proposal. It commonly refers to information or figures used to support analysis or an argument.

自信 In “更自信的语气”, “自信” means confident and describes the tone the proposal may need. It commonly modifies a person’s manner, voice, tone, or presentation.

这样 “这样” means this way, referring to offering two clear alternatives. It commonly points to a method or arrangement that has just been suggested or demonstrated.

给 “给” means give or provide in “给了他们两个明确的方向”, describing the options provided to them. It commonly appears before the recipient and the thing being given.

了 In “给了他们”, “了” marks the completed giving of the two directions and the resulting situation. It commonly follows a verb when an action is viewed as completed or a situation has changed.

个 “个” is the general measure word used in “两个明确的方向”. It commonly appears after a number and before a countable noun when no more specific measure word is needed.

明确 “明确” means clear or definite, describing directions that make the available choices understandable. It commonly modifies instructions, goals, answers, or directions.

方向 “方向” means direction here, referring to the route the revision should take. It is useful for discussing a chosen approach or focus in work and decision-making.

来 In “来选择”, “来” introduces the purpose of the two directions: they are provided for choosing from. It commonly follows an arrangement or opportunity and precedes the action it enables.

选择 “选择” means choose, describing the act of selecting between the two directions. It commonly follows an object or alternatives that are available to choose from.

知道 “知道” means know here, referring to knowing which revision direction is required. It commonly takes information or a clause as what is known.

后 In “知道方向后”, “后” means after and places the following result after knowing the direction. It commonly follows a verb or event to form a time expression before the main clause.

能 “能” means can or be able to, expressing the ability to revise quickly once the direction is known. It commonly comes before the action that becomes possible.

快 In “很快修改”, “快” contributes the idea of speed, meaning the revision can be done quickly. It commonly appears with 很 before an action description when indicating how quickly something happens.

指导 “指导” means guidance, referring to clear instructions about how the proposal should be revised. It commonly describes help or direction given by a colleague, reviewer, or supervisor.

避免 “避免” means avoid, stating that clear guidance can prevent unnecessary rewriting. It commonly comes before the unwanted action or result that someone wants not to happen.

不必要 “不必要” means unnecessary, describing rewriting that would not be needed if the guidance were clear. It commonly comes before a noun or action to identify something that should not be required.

重写 “重写” means rewrite, referring to writing the proposal or its content again. It is useful for documents or passages that must be substantially written again rather than only lightly edited.

Grammar Points

听起来 + 形容词

这个提案听起来更有说服力。

zhè ge tí àn tīng qǐ lái gèng yǒu shuō fú lì.

This proposal sounds more persuasive.

听起来后面接形容词，用来描述听到的印象或感觉。

更 + 形容词

修改后的开头更具体。

xiū gǎi hòu de kāi tóu gèng jù tǐ.

The revised introduction is more specific.

更放在形容词前，表示比较或程度增加，相当于 “more”。

Chinese Vocabulary

部分 noun

bù fen part; section

反馈 noun

fǎn kuì feedback

更有说服力 phrase

gèng yǒu shuō fú lì more persuasive

结构 noun

jié gòu structure

解释 verb

jiě shì to explain

开头 noun

kāi tóu introduction; beginning

模糊 adj

mó hu vague; unclear

提案 noun

tí àn proposal

修改 verb

xiū gǎi to revise; to modify

语气 noun

yǔ qì tone

证据 noun

zhèng jù evidence

足够 adv

zú gòu enough; sufficiently

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

more persuasive

Show Answer

更有说服力

introduction; beginning

Show Answer

开头

evidence

Show Answer

证据

tone

Show Answer

语气