Requesting Privacy at a Clinic Reception | Learn Chinese in English

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Use Requesting Privacy at a Clinic Reception to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

我不太愿意在前台讨论敏感的细节。

wǒ bú tài yuàn yì zài qián tái tǎo lùn mǐn gǎn de xì jié. I am not comfortable discussing sensitive details at the reception desk.

涉及个人隐私的内容，我们可以到私密区域再谈。

shè jí gè rén yǐn sī de nèi róng, wǒ men kě yǐ dào sī mì qū yù zài tán. We can move to a private area for anything personal.

那会有帮助，因为候诊室离这里很近。

nà huì yǒu bāng zhù, yīn wèi hòu zhěn shì lí zhè lǐ hěn jìn. That would help, because the waiting room is very close.

您的隐私很重要，那些细节不应该在公共场合讨论。

nín de yǐn sī hěn zhòng yào, nà xiē xì jié bù yīng gāi zài gōng gòng chǎng hé tǎo lùn. Your privacy matters, and those details should not be discussed in public.

我可以把大部分背景信息写在表格上吗？

wǒ kě yǐ bǎ dà bù fèn bèi jǐng xìn xī xiě zài biǎo gé shàng ma? Could I put most of the background on the written forms instead?

可以，不过临床医生可能还是会私下问您一些问题。

kě yǐ, bú guò lín chuáng yī shēng kě néng hái shì huì sī xià wèn nín yì xiē wèn tí. You can, although the clinician may still ask questions in private.

那样会让这次谈话对我来说容易得多。

nà yàng huì ràng zhè cì tán huà duì wǒ lái shuō róng yì de duō. That would make the conversation much easier for me.

在叫到您之前，我会记下您的偏好。

zài jiào dào nín zhī qián, wǒ huì jì xià nín de piān hào. I will note your preference before you are called.

Word by Word

我 “我” identifies the speaker as the person who is not willing to discuss the details. It is used before the predicate in “我不太愿意”, and a person can use it when stating a preference or concern.

不 “不” negates “愿意” in “不太愿意”, showing that the speaker is not willing to do something. It commonly comes before a verb or adjective when expressing a negative statement, such as a polite refusal in this situation.

太 In “不太愿意”, “太” means very or particularly, so the phrase expresses that the speaker is not very willing rather than simply giving a bare refusal. “不太” is a useful way to soften a negative evaluation or preference.

愿意 “愿意” means to be willing to, and in “我不太愿意” it describes the speaker’s reluctance to discuss sensitive details. It commonly comes before the action that someone is willing or unwilling to perform, and is useful when expressing consent or preference.

在 “在” places the action at a location in “在前台讨论”, meaning discussing something at the reception desk. The pattern “在 + place + action” is useful when specifying where an activity happens.

前台 “前台” means the reception desk or reception area, and “在前台” identifies where the discussion would take place. This word is useful when speaking with staff at a clinic or another service location.

讨论 “讨论” means discuss, and in “讨论敏感的细节” it is the action the speaker is reluctant to perform at the reception desk. It commonly comes before the topic being discussed and is useful for conversations about information or issues.

敏感 “敏感” describes the details as sensitive in “敏感的细节”. The pattern “敏感的 + noun” is useful when identifying information that should be handled carefully, especially in a private conversation.

的 Here “的” links “敏感” to “细节”, making “敏感的细节” mean sensitive details. A description commonly comes before “的” and the noun it modifies, as in this phrase.

细节 “细节” means details, and it is the object of “讨论” in “讨论敏感的细节”. It is useful when referring to specific pieces of information rather than a general topic, including in a request for privacy.

涉及 “涉及” means involve or concern in “涉及个人隐私的内容”. It introduces the matter connected with the content, and the pattern “涉及 + topic + 的 + noun” is useful when describing what information relates to.

个人 “个人” means personal or individual in “个人隐私”, specifying that the privacy belongs to an individual. It commonly comes before a noun to identify something as personal, especially when discussing sensitive information.

隐私 “隐私” means privacy, and “个人隐私” refers to private information about an individual. It is useful when asking for private handling of information or explaining why a public discussion is inappropriate.

内容 “内容” means content or information in “涉及个人隐私的内容”, referring to material that concerns personal privacy. The pattern “...的内容” is useful for identifying the content associated with a topic or situation.

我们 “我们” identifies the receptionist and the visitor together as the people who can move to another area in “我们可以”. It is used as the subject before an action and is useful when proposing a shared arrangement.

可以 “可以” expresses ability or permission in “我们可以到私密区域再谈” and in the reply “可以”. It commonly comes before an action and is useful for offering, accepting, or allowing a practical option.

到 “到” indicates movement to a destination in “到私密区域再谈”. It commonly comes before a place and can be followed by the action that will happen after reaching that place.

私密 “私密” describes the area as private or confidential in “私密区域”. The pattern “私密 + noun” is useful when identifying a place or arrangement intended to protect personal information.

区域 “区域” means area, and in “私密区域” it is the destination for the private discussion. It is useful when referring to a defined part of a building or space, such as an area set aside for confidential matters.

再 In “到私密区域再谈”, “再” means then or afterward: the discussion will happen after moving to the private area. The pattern “...再 + action” is useful for showing that one action is completed before another begins.

谈 “谈” means talk or discuss, and in “再谈” it refers to continuing the conversation in the private area. It is useful when deciding where or when a conversation about a matter should take place.

那 “那” refers to the proposed move to a private area in “那会有帮助”. It points back to an option or situation already mentioned and is useful when evaluating that option.

会 In “那会有帮助”, “会” presents the expected result that the proposed arrangement would be helpful. It commonly comes before an action, state, or result when discussing what is expected to happen.

有 “有” appears in the expression “有帮助”, indicating that the proposed arrangement would provide help. The full meaning comes from “有帮助”; more generally, “有” can express having or the existence of something.

帮助 “帮助” means help in “那会有帮助”, describing the benefit of moving the conversation to a private area. It is useful for saying that an action or arrangement supports someone, including when discussing practical accommodations.

因为 “因为” introduces the reason in “因为候诊室离这里很近”. It commonly comes before a clause explaining why the speaker has a concern or makes a request.

候诊室 “候诊室” means waiting room, and it is the place whose proximity makes the reception desk unsuitable for discussing sensitive details. It is useful in clinic conversations about where people are waiting or who might overhear a discussion.

离 “离” expresses the distance between two places in “候诊室离这里很近”. The pattern “A 离 B + distance description” is useful for saying how near or far one location is from another.

这里 “这里” means here and identifies the current location in “离这里很近”. It is useful when describing distance from the place where the speakers are currently standing or sitting.

很 “很” indicates the degree in “很近”, making the waiting room quite close to the current location. It commonly comes before an adjective when describing a degree or state.

近 “近” means close or near in “候诊室离这里很近”. The pattern “A 离 B 很近” is useful when explaining that two places are close enough for a conversation to be overheard.

您 “您” is the respectful form of you, used for the adult being addressed by the clinic staff in “您的隐私” and “问您”. It can appear before or after a verb or noun phrase when speaking politely to a patient or client.

重要 “重要” means important in “您的隐私很重要”, emphasizing that the person’s privacy deserves attention. The pattern “X 很重要” is useful when explaining the value or priority of something.

那些 “那些” means those and points to the details mentioned earlier in “那些细节”. It commonly comes before a noun when referring to specific items already identified in the conversation.

应该 “应该” expresses what should or ought to happen in “不应该在公共场合讨论”. Together with “不”, it says that discussing those details publicly is inappropriate. It is useful for giving advice or stating an expected standard of conduct.

公共场合 “公共场合” means a public setting, and “在公共场合讨论” identifies the kind of place where the details should not be discussed. The pattern “在公共场合 + action” is useful when talking about behavior in places where other people may be present.

把 “把” marks “大部分背景信息” as the object being handled in “把大部分背景信息写在表格上”. The pattern “把 + object + action + place or result” is useful when focusing on what is done with a specific object.

大部分 “大部分” means most or the majority in “大部分背景信息”, indicating that only most, rather than all, of the information will be written on the forms. It commonly comes before a noun when specifying a large portion of something.

背景 “背景” means background in “背景信息”, referring to background information provided for the clinician. It commonly combines with “信息” when describing information that gives context about a person or situation.

信息 “信息” means information, and in “大部分背景信息” it is the material the speaker proposes to write on the form. It is useful with actions such as writing, recording, or providing information.

写 “写” means write, and in “把大部分背景信息写在表格上” it describes putting the information into written form. The pattern “把 + object + 写在 + place” is useful when specifying where information is written.

表格 “表格” means form in “表格上”, referring to the written clinic forms. It is useful when providing information in designated fields rather than saying everything aloud.

上 “上” marks the location or surface in “表格上”, meaning on the form. The pattern “noun + 上” is useful for identifying where something is written, placed, or located.

吗 “吗” is placed at the end of “我可以把大部分背景信息写在表格上吗？” to turn the statement into a yes-or-no question. It is useful when asking whether a proposed action is permitted or possible.

不过 “不过” introduces a qualification in “可以，不过临床医生可能还是会私下问您一些问题”. It acknowledges the proposed option and then adds an important limitation, which is useful when giving a balanced response.

临床医生 “临床医生” means clinician, and it is the person who may still ask questions privately in “临床医生可能还是会...”. It is useful when distinguishing the medical professional from the reception staff in a clinic conversation.

可能 “可能” expresses possibility in “可能还是会私下问您一些问题”. It commonly comes before the action that may happen and is useful when describing an uncertain future action without presenting it as definite.

还是 In “可能还是会私下问您一些问题”, “还是” means still or nonetheless, showing that the clinician may ask private questions even if most background information is written down. It is useful when an action remains possible despite a previous arrangement.

私下 “私下” means privately in “私下问您一些问题”, specifying that the questions may be asked away from a public setting. It commonly comes before an action and is useful when discussing confidential communication.

问 “问” means ask, and in “问您一些问题” it describes the clinician asking the patient some questions. The pattern “问 + person + question” is useful when identifying who is asked and what is asked.

一些 “一些” means some or a few in “一些问题”, giving a non-specific amount of questions. It commonly comes before a plural or collective noun when the exact number is not important.

问题 “问题” means questions in “问您一些问题”; here it refers to things the clinician asks, not problems. The pattern “问一些问题” is useful in interviews, consultations, and other information-gathering conversations.

那样 “那样” means that way or like that in “那样会让这次谈话...”, referring to the arrangement just described. It is useful for describing the effect of carrying out an earlier-mentioned action or arrangement.

让 “让” introduces the result caused by the arrangement in “让这次谈话对我来说容易得多”. Here the construction says that the arrangement makes the conversation easier for the speaker. The pattern “让 + person or thing + result or description” is useful for describing a caused outcome.

这次 “这次” means this time or this particular instance in “这次谈话”. It identifies the specific conversation currently being arranged and is useful when distinguishing it from other conversations.

谈话 “谈话” means conversation or talk, and in “这次谈话” it is the conversation that would become easier. It is useful when referring to a particular exchange, especially one involving a sensitive topic.

对 In “对我来说”, “对” helps introduce the person whose perspective is being described. The complete pattern “对 + person + 来说” is useful when explaining how something feels or appears from someone’s point of view.

来说 “来说” completes the perspective expression “对我来说”, meaning as far as I am concerned or for me. It is normally used with “对 + person” and is useful when stating a personal evaluation.

容易 “容易” means easy in “对我来说容易得多”, describing the conversation as easier for the speaker. It commonly follows a perspective phrase such as “对我来说” when giving a personal assessment.

得 “得” connects “容易” with the degree complement “多” in “容易得多”. This construction shows how much greater the degree is, and the pattern “adjective + 得 + degree complement” is useful for describing an intensified result.

多 In “容易得多”, “多” intensifies the adjective and means considerably or much, so the conversation would be much easier. The pattern “adjective + 得多” is useful when comparing a new situation with an earlier one.

叫到 “叫到” means call someone when their turn is reached, and in “叫到您之前” it refers to the clinic calling the person. It is useful in waiting-room situations when staff call a patient or client to proceed.

之前 “之前” means before and follows “叫到您” in “叫到您之前”. The pattern “event + 之前” is useful for locating one action earlier than another.

记下 “记下” means note down or record, and in “记下您的偏好” it describes recording the person’s preference for later use. It commonly takes the information being recorded as its object and is useful when staff document a request.

偏好 “偏好” means preference, and “您的偏好” refers to the person’s preferred way of handling the conversation. The pattern “记下 + preference or information” is useful when recording how someone would like a service to be provided.

Grammar Points

大部分 + 名词

大部分背景信息

dà bù fèn bèi jǐng xìn xī

most of the background information

大部分放在名词前，表示整体中的多数，后面直接接名词。

形容词 + 得多

容易得多

róng yì de duō

much easier

得多放在形容词后，加强比较，表示程度明显更高。

Chinese Vocabulary

不太愿意 phrase

bú tài yuàn yì not very willing; not comfortable

我不太愿意在前台讨论敏感的细节。

大部分 det

dà bù fèn most; the majority

我可以把大部分背景信息写在表格上吗?

个人隐私 phrase

gè rén yǐn sī personal privacy

涉及个人隐私的内容,我们可以到私密区域再谈。

公共场合 phrase

gōng gòng chǎng hé in public; public setting

您的隐私很重要,那些细节不应该在公共场合讨论。

候诊室 noun

hòu zhěn shì waiting room

那会有帮助,因为候诊室离这里很近。

离这里很近 phrase

lí zhè lǐ hěn jìn to be very close to here

那会有帮助,因为候诊室离这里很近。

敏感 adj

mǐn gǎn sensitive

我不太愿意在前台讨论敏感的细节。

前台 noun

qián tái reception desk; front desk

我不太愿意在前台讨论敏感的细节。

私密区域 noun

sī mì qū yù private area

涉及个人隐私的内容,我们可以到私密区域再谈。

讨论 verb

tǎo lùn to discuss

我不太愿意在前台讨论敏感的细节。

细节 noun

xì jié detail

我不太愿意在前台讨论敏感的细节。

隐私 noun

yǐn sī privacy

您的隐私很重要,那些细节不应该在公共场合讨论。

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

personal privacy

Show Answer

个人隐私

private area

Show Answer

私密区域

to be very close to here

Show Answer

离这里很近

not very willing; not comfortable

Show Answer

不太愿意