Choosing the Highest-Impact Task | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use Choosing the Highest-Impact Task to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

我有四项任务，而且它们都很重要。

wǒ yǒu sì xiàng rènwù, érqiě tāmen dōu hěn zhòngyào. I have four tasks, and they all feel important.

确定顺序之前，要把紧急程度和影响分开考虑。

quèdìng shùnxù zhīqián, yào bǎ jǐnjí chéngdù hé yǐngxiǎng fēnkāi kǎolǜ. Separate urgency from impact before you choose the order.

这封邮件很紧急，但报告会影响明天的客户会议。

zhè fēng yóujiàn hěn jǐnjí, dàn bàogào huì yǐngxiǎng míngtiān de kèhù huìyì. The email is urgent, but the report affects tomorrow's client meeting.

报告的影响更大，尤其是在其他人要依靠它的情况下。

bàogào de yǐngxiǎng gèng dà, yóuqí shì zài qítā rén yào yīkào tā de qíngkuàng xià. The report has higher impact, especially if others depend on it.

设计评审也会耽误另一位队友的工作。

shèjì píngshěn yě huì dānwu lìng yí wèi duìyǒu de gōngzuò. The design review also blocks another teammate.

那就先处理阻碍你队友工作的评审，只要它能很快完成。

nà jiù xiān chǔlǐ zǔ'ài nǐ duìyǒu gōngzuò de píngshěn, zhǐyào tā néng hěn kuài wánchéng. Then handle the review that is blocking your teammate first if it will be quick.

之后，我就可以专心处理报告，不打扰任何人。

zhīhòu, wǒ jiù kěyǐ zhuānxīn chǔlǐ bàogào, bú dǎrǎo rènhé rén. After that, I can focus on the report without interrupting anyone.

任务之间的依赖关系可能会改变哪项任务应该先做。

rènwù zhījiān de yīlài guānxì kěnéng huì gǎibiàn nǎ xiàng rènwù yīnggāi xiān zuò. Dependencies can change which task should come first.

那封紧急邮件可以等报告初稿完成后再处理。

nà fēng jǐnjí yóujiàn kěyǐ děng bàogào chūgǎo wánchéng hòu zài chǔlǐ. The urgent email can wait until after the report draft.

确定优先顺序要看后果，而不只是压力。

quèdìng yōuxiān shùnxù yào kàn hòuguǒ, ér bù zhǐ shì yālì. Prioritizing is about consequences, not just pressure.

Word by Word

我 “我” refers to the speaker, meaning “I” in “我有四项任务”. It is used before the verb to state what the speaker has; a reusable pattern is “我 + verb” when describing your own action or situation.

有 “有” means “have” here: the speaker has four tasks. It commonly comes before the thing possessed, as in “我有 + quantity + noun”, and is useful when describing what you have or what exists.

项 “项” is the measure word used for tasks in “四项任务”. Use a number or quantity before “项”, followed by the task or item being counted.

任务 “任务” means “task” in this work-planning dialogue. It can be used for a piece of work that needs to be completed, as in “处理任务” when talking about handling a task.

而且 “而且” adds another piece of information: all the tasks feel important in addition to there being four of them. A common pattern is “A，而且B” when B adds emphasis or further information.

它们 “它们” refers to the four tasks and means “they” for things. It appears as the subject before “都很重要”; use it to refer back to multiple non-human things.

都 “都” means “all” and shows that the statement applies to every task in “它们都很重要”. It normally comes before the predicate after the subject.

很 “很” modifies “重要” in “很重要”, making the description sound natural and meaning “very” or “quite”. It commonly appears before an adjective used as the predicate.

重要 “重要” means “important” in “它们都很重要”. It describes the value or significance of a person, thing, or task and can follow “很” for a natural description.

确定 “确定” means “determine” in “确定顺序”, referring to deciding the order of the tasks. It can be followed directly by the thing or decision being determined, such as “确定顺序”.

顺序 “顺序” means “order” or “sequence” in the advice about choosing which task comes first. It is used for an arrangement of actions or items, as in “确定顺序”.

之前 “之前” means “before” and places one action earlier than another in “确定顺序之前”. A useful pattern is “event + 之前” for something that happens before an event.

要 “要” expresses what someone needs to do or should do in “要把紧急程度和影响分开考虑”. It commonly comes before a verb when giving advice or stating a required action.

把 “把” marks “紧急程度和影响” as the object being deliberately handled in “把紧急程度和影响分开考虑”. The pattern “把 + object + verb” is useful when emphasizing what is done to a specific object.

紧急 “紧急” means “urgent” in “紧急程度”, describing how urgently something needs attention. It can directly modify a noun, as in “紧急邮件” in this lesson.

程度 “程度” means “degree” or “level” in “紧急程度”, the level of urgency. It combines with a describing word to express how strong or high a quality is.

和 “和” connects the two things being compared: “紧急程度和影响”. It is used to join nouns or noun phrases in a list or comparison.

影响 In “紧急程度和影响”, “影响” means “impact”. The same form is used as a verb in “报告会影响明天的客户会议”, where it means that the report will affect the meeting.

分开 “分开” means “separate” in “分开考虑”: urgency and impact should be considered separately. A reusable pattern is “把A和B分开 + verb” when treating two factors independently.

考虑 “考虑” means “consider” in “分开考虑”, referring to thinking about urgency and impact when setting priorities. It can be followed by the factor or issue being considered.

这 “这” means “this” in “这封邮件”, referring to the particular email under discussion. It commonly comes before a measure word and noun: “这 + classifier + noun”.

封 “封” is the measure word for the email in “这封邮件”. It is placed between a demonstrative or number and “邮件” when counting or identifying an email.

邮件 “邮件” means “email” in “这封邮件”. It can be used after a measure word such as “封” and can be described by words such as “紧急”.

但 “但” means “but” and introduces a contrast between the urgent email and the report’s effect on tomorrow’s meeting. It commonly links two contrasting statements.

报告 “报告” means “report” in the dialogue. It is the subject of “会影响” and later the object of “专心处理”, so it can be discussed both as an influential document and as work to complete.

会 “会” indicates an expected or likely effect in “报告会影响明天的客户会议”. It commonly appears before a verb when describing a future or possible action or result.

明天 “明天” means “tomorrow” in “明天的客户会议”. It comes before “的” to specify which client meeting is meant, and it can mark a future time.

的 “的” links “明天” with “客户会议” in “明天的客户会议”, showing that the first phrase describes the second. It is commonly placed between an attributive phrase and the noun it describes.

客户 “客户” means “client” in “客户会议”. It modifies “会议” to identify a meeting connected with a client.

会议 “会议” means “meeting”, specifically the client meeting affected by the report. It can follow a describing word such as “客户” or a time phrase such as “明天的”.

更 “更” marks a comparison in “更大”, meaning that the report’s impact is greater. It normally comes before the adjective being compared, as in “更 + adjective”.

大 “大” means “great” or “large” in “影响更大”, referring to the size or importance of the impact rather than physical size. With “更”, it expresses a greater degree: “更大”.

尤其 “尤其” means “especially” and highlights the condition involving other people depending on the report. It is useful for drawing attention to one particularly important case.

是 “是” in “尤其是在其他人要依靠它的情况下” helps emphasize the specific circumstance being singled out. A reusable pattern is “尤其是 + noun or phrase” when highlighting one case.

在 “在” introduces the circumstance in “在其他人要依靠它的情况下”. It can be used before a place, time, or situation to show where or under what conditions something happens.

其他 “其他” means “other” in “其他人”, referring to people besides the speaker and the immediate person being discussed. It comes before the noun it describes.

人 “人” means “person” or “people” in “其他人”. Combined with “其他”, it refers to other people who may rely on the report.

依靠 “依靠” means “rely on” in “其他人要依靠它”, where other people need the report as support. A common pattern is “A依靠B”, with the person or group before the verb and the support after it.

它 “它” means “it” and refers back to the report in “依靠它”. It is used as the object after “依靠” when the thing being relied on has already been mentioned.

情况 “情况” means “situation” or “circumstances” in “在其他人要依靠它的情况下”. It is used after a description to refer to the circumstances under which something applies.

下 “下” in “情况下” means “under” or “in the situation of”. The reusable expression “在……情况下” introduces the circumstances in which an action or judgment applies.

设计 “设计” means “design” in “设计评审”. It describes the subject of the review, forming a compound that refers to a review of a design.

评审 “评审” means “review” or “evaluation” in “设计评审”. In the dialogue it is a work item that can block a teammate and can be handled first.

也 “也” means “also” and adds the design review to the report as another task with an effect on others. It normally appears before the verb or predicate it applies to.

耽误 “耽误” means “delay” or “hold up” in “耽误另一位队友的工作”. It describes causing someone’s work to be delayed and can be followed by the person’s work or another activity.

另一 “另一” means “another” in “另一位队友”, identifying one teammate different from the person already being addressed. It comes before a measure word and the noun.

位 “位” is a respectful measure word for people in “另一位队友”. It is placed after a number or word such as “另一” and before the person’s noun.

队友 “队友” means “teammate” in “另一位队友”. It refers to a person working on the same team and can be preceded by a measure word such as “位”.

工作 “工作” means “work” in “队友的工作”. Here it refers to the teammate’s work being delayed; it can be modified by a person with “的”.

那 “那” in “那就先处理” refers back to the situation just described and leads to the conclusion “then”. It can point to a previous fact or proposal before a resulting action.

就 “就” in “那就先处理” marks the action that follows from the preceding situation, meaning “then”. The pattern “那就 + verb” is useful when accepting a conclusion or making a decision.

先 “先” means “first” in “先处理”, showing that the review should be handled before the other tasks. It commonly comes before the action that should happen earlier.

处理 “处理” means “handle” or “deal with” in “先处理” and refers to completing work on the review. It can be followed by a task, document, or issue being dealt with.

阻碍 “阻碍” means “block” or “obstruct” in “阻碍你队友工作的评审”. The review is described as preventing or holding up the teammate’s work; a common pattern is “A阻碍B”.

你 “你” means “you” in “你队友”, identifying the teammate connected with the person being addressed. In this phrase it directly describes the teammate without needing “的”.

只要 “只要” introduces a sufficient condition in “只要它能很快完成”, meaning “as long as it can be completed quickly”. In this expression, “只” limits the condition and “要” presents it as the requirement; a common pattern is “只要A，就B”.

能 “能” means “can” or “be able to” in “它能很快完成”, referring to whether the review can realistically be completed quickly. It commonly comes before a verb to express ability or feasibility.

快 “快” means “quick” in “很快完成”, describing the speed of completion. It can appear after “很” and before the verb it modifies.

完成 “完成” means “complete” or “finish” in “它能很快完成”. It refers to bringing the review to an end and can follow a modal word such as “能”.

之后 “之后” means “after that” and marks the next stage after handling the review. It is useful for sequencing actions, as in “之后，我可以……”.

可以 “可以” means “can” or “be able to” in “我就可以专心处理报告”, expressing that the speaker will then be in a position to focus on the report. It commonly comes before the action that becomes possible.

专心 “专心” means “concentrate” or “focus” in “专心处理报告”. It commonly comes before the activity receiving one’s full attention, such as “专心 + verb”.

不 “不” negates the verb “打扰” in “不打扰任何人”, meaning not to disturb anyone. It normally comes directly before the verb being negated.

打扰 “打扰” means “disturb” or “interrupt” in “打扰任何人”. It can be followed by the person who might be disturbed, as in “打扰 + person”.

任何 “任何” means “any” in the negative phrase “不打扰任何人”. It comes before a noun and, with negation, refers to no person at all.

之间 “之间” means “between” or “among” in “任务之间”, referring to relationships connecting the tasks to one another. A common pattern is “A之间” when discussing links or differences among members of a group.

依赖 “依赖” means “dependence” in “任务之间的依赖关系”. Here it is part of a noun phrase describing how one task may rely on another.

关系 “关系” means “relationship” or “connection” in “依赖关系”. Together with “依赖”, it describes the connection created when tasks depend on one another.

可能 “可能” means “may” or “possibly” in “可能会改变”, showing that dependencies can change the order but that the change is not certain. It commonly comes before “会” or a verb to express possibility.

改变 “改变” means “change” in “改变哪项任务应该先做”. It refers to making the appropriate task order different and can be followed by the thing or decision that changes.

哪 “哪” means “which” in “哪项任务”, asking the listener to identify one task from several. It comes before a measure word and noun when selecting among options.

应该 “应该” means “should” in “哪项任务应该先做”, expressing the appropriate order of action. It commonly comes before the verb that should be performed.

做 “做” means “do” in “任务应该先做”, referring to carrying out the task. It is useful when the exact activity is understood from the context and can be combined with order words such as “先”.

等 “等” means “wait” in “邮件可以等报告初稿完成后再处理”, showing that the email should be left for a later time. It can be followed by an event and “后” to specify what must happen first.

初稿 “初稿” means “first draft” in “报告初稿”. It refers to the initial version of the report and can be used as the event or milestone after which another action happens.

后 “后” means “after” in “完成后”, placing the next action after completion. A common pattern is “verb + 后”, as in “完成后再处理”.

再 “再” means “then” or “afterward” in “再处理”, showing that the email will be handled later, after the report draft is complete. It commonly marks a later action after a stated condition or sequence.

优先 “优先” means “priority” in “优先顺序”, describing an order based on what should be handled earlier. It can come before a noun to specify that the order reflects priority.

看 “看” means “consider” in “要看后果”, not simply looking with the eyes. It expresses judging a decision by a factor, using the pattern “看 + factor”.

后果 “后果” means “consequences” in “看后果”, referring to the results that may follow from choosing an order. It is the factor used to judge priority in this sentence.

而 “而” introduces a contrast in “而不只是压力”, shifting attention from pressure alone to a broader basis for prioritizing. It is useful when connecting two contrasting ways of viewing something.

只是 “只是” means “merely” or “just” in “不只是压力”, limiting pressure as the only consideration. A common pattern is “不只是 + noun or phrase” when saying that something is not the sole factor.

压力 “压力” means “pressure” in “不只是压力”. It refers to the feeling or urgency that pushes someone to act, but the dialogue says it should not be the only basis for prioritizing.

Grammar Points

尤其 + 形容词

客户会议尤其重要。

kèhù huìyì yóuqí zhòngyào.

The client meeting is especially important.

尤其 usually comes before the adjective or verb phrase it emphasizes, rather than at the end.

Chinese Vocabulary

报告 noun

bàogào report

分开考虑 phrase

fēnkāi kǎolǜ consider separately

紧急 adj

jǐnjí urgent

紧急程度 noun

jǐnjí chéngdù urgency

客户会议 noun

kèhù huìyì client meeting

确定顺序 phrase

quèdìng shùnxù determine the order

任务 noun

rènwù task

依靠 verb

yīkào depend on; rely on

影响 noun

yǐngxiǎng impact; influence

尤其 adv

yóuqí especially

邮件 noun

yóujiàn email

重要 adj

zhòngyào important

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

urgency

Show Answer

紧急程度

determine the order

Show Answer

确定顺序

consider separately

Show Answer

分开考虑

client meeting

Show Answer

客户会议