Negotiating Lease Renewal Terms | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: In a housing office discussion, a tenant asks which lease renewal terms may be negotiable for a longer and more stable commitment..

EN → ZH / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Negotiating Lease Renewal Terms to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

我收到了续租通知,想谈谈相关条款。

wǒ shōu dào le xù zū tōng zhī, xiǎng tán tan xiāng guān tiáo kuǎn. I received the renewal notice and would like to discuss terms.
B

我们可以一起看看续租内容,看看哪些地方有调整的空间。

wǒ men kě yǐ yì qǐ kàn kan xù zū nèi róng, kàn kan nǎ xiē dì fang yǒu tiáo zhěng de kōng jiān. We can look at the renewal together and see where there is room to adjust.
A

我一直是个可靠的租客,也很用心地维护这套公寓。

wǒ yì zhí shì ge kě kào de zū kè, yě hěn yòng xīn de wéi hù zhè tào gōng yù. I have been a reliable tenant and maintain the apartment carefully.
B

这让我在和业主谈之前掌握了有用的背景信息。

zhè ràng wǒ zài hé yè zhǔ tán zhī qián zhǎng wò le yǒu yòng de bèi jǐng xìn xī. That gives me helpful context before I speak with the owner.
A

我希望能签一份期限更长、条款更稳定的租约。

wǒ xī wàng néng qiān yí fèn qī xiàn gèng cháng, tiáo kuǎn gèng wěn dìng de zū yuē. I am hoping for a longer lease with more stable terms.
B

如果您能承诺签更长期的租约,我可以询问能否安排更可预期的条款。

rú guǒ nín néng chéng nuò qiān gèng cháng qī de zū yuē, wǒ kě yǐ xún wèn néng fǒu ān pái gèng kě yù qī de tiáo kuǎn. If you can commit to a longer lease, I can ask about more predictable terms.
A

您能说明一下哪些条款确实可以协商吗?

nín néng shuō míng yí xià nǎ xiē tiáo kuǎn què shí kě yǐ xié shāng ma? Could you outline which terms are actually negotiable?
B

总体政策是固定的,但续租条件可能有一定的灵活性。

zǒng tǐ zhèng cè shì gù dìng de, dàn xù zū tiáo jiàn kě néng yǒu yí dìng de líng huó xìng. The general policy is fixed, but the renewal conditions may have some flexibility.

Word by Word

“我” refers to the speaker as “I” or “me” in “我收到了续租通知”. It commonly appears before the verb or action being described, and you use it when talking about yourself.
收到 “收到” means “receive” in “我收到了续租通知”, referring to getting the renewal notice. It is commonly followed by the thing received, such as “续租通知”, and is useful when confirming that a message, document, or item has arrived.
In “我收到了续租通知”, “了” shows that the receiving event has taken place. It follows the action “收到” here, and you use this form when reporting a completed event.
续租 “续租” means renewing a lease or continuing to rent, as in “续租通知” and “续租内容”. It is used with housing or lease-related objects, and is useful when discussing what happens after the current rental period.
通知 “通知” means a notice or notification in “续租通知”. It follows the topic “续租” to identify the kind of notice, and you use it when referring to formal information sent to someone.
“想” expresses wanting or would like to in “想谈谈相关条款”. It comes before the intended action, and you use it to state a wish or intention in a relatively direct but conversational way.
谈谈 “谈谈” means to discuss or talk over something briefly in “想谈谈相关条款”. It is followed by the topic “相关条款”, and you use it when opening a discussion in a light, conversational way.
相关 “相关” means related or relevant in “相关条款”, referring to the terms connected with the renewal discussion. It comes before the noun it describes, and you use it to narrow the topic to information connected with the matter at hand.
条款 “条款” refers to terms or clauses in an agreement, here in “相关条款” and “哪些条款”. It can be followed by descriptions that identify which terms are meant, and you use it when discussing the specific provisions of a lease or contract.
我们 “我们” means “we” or “us” in “我们可以一起看看续租内容”. It refers to the people included in the shared action, and you use it before an action when proposing or describing something done together.
可以 “可以” expresses ability or permission in “我们可以一起看看续租内容”. It comes before the action, and you use it to say that an action is possible or allowed.
一起 “一起” means together in “一起看看续租内容”. It comes before the shared action “看看”, and you use it when two or more people perform an action jointly.
看看 “看看” means take a look at or examine something briefly in “一起看看续租内容”. It is followed by the object “续租内容”, and you use it for a short, practical examination rather than an extended analysis.
内容 “内容” means the content or substance of something, here the substance of “续租内容”. It can follow a topic to identify what is included in it, and you use it when referring to what a notice, document, or agreement contains.
哪些 “哪些” means which ones in “哪些地方有调整的空间” and “哪些条款”. It appears before the noun or category being selected, and you use it when asking or identifying multiple possible items from a group.
地方 “地方” literally means places, but in “哪些地方有调整的空间” it refers to points or parts of the renewal terms. It can follow “哪些” to identify areas within a matter, and you use it when discussing which parts can be changed.
“有” means there is or there are in “有调整的空间”, introducing the possibility of room for adjustment. It is followed by the thing that exists, and you use this pattern to say that a possibility, resource, or feature is present.
调整 “调整” refers to an adjustment or change in “有调整的空间”. It is linked to “空间” to describe what kind of room exists, and you use it when discussing changes to terms, plans, or arrangements.
In “调整的空间”, “的” links “调整” to the noun “空间”, showing what the space is for. This modifier-before-noun pattern is useful when describing a particular kind of space or possibility.
空间 “空间” means room or scope in “有调整的空间”, meaning room to make changes. It commonly follows the kind of action or change involved, and you use it when discussing how much flexibility an arrangement allows.
一直 “一直” means all along or consistently in “我一直是个可靠的租客”. It places the description across an ongoing period, and you use it when emphasizing that a situation or quality has continued.
“是” links the subject with its description in “我一直是个可靠的租客”. It appears before the noun phrase describing the speaker, and you use it to identify or characterize someone or something.
“个” is the general measure word in “是个可靠的租客”, introducing one tenant described by “可靠”. It is used inside a noun phrase before the description and noun, and you use it when referring to an individual person in a general way.
可靠 “可靠” means reliable in “可靠的租客”, describing a tenant whom others can depend on. It comes before “租客” with “的”, and you use it when evaluating someone’s dependability in an arrangement.
租客 “租客” means tenant in “可靠的租客”. It follows the description “可靠的” to identify the person being evaluated, and you use it when referring to someone renting a home or property.
“也” means also in “也很用心地维护这套公寓”, adding another fact about the speaker. It comes before the additional description or action, and you use it to connect a second point with the first.
“很” strengthens the description in “很用心地维护这套公寓”, indicating that the maintenance is done with considerable care. It commonly comes before a descriptive word, and you use it to add emphasis to an evaluation.
用心 “用心” means with care or dedication in “用心地维护这套公寓”. It describes the attitude behind the action, and you use it when emphasizing careful, conscientious effort.
In “用心地维护这套公寓”, “地” connects the manner “用心” to the action “维护”. It marks how the action is carried out, and you use this pattern when a description modifies a following verb.
维护 “维护” means maintain or take care of in “维护这套公寓”. It is followed by the property being cared for, and you use it when describing ongoing care that keeps something in good condition.
“这” means this in “这套公寓”, pointing to the particular apartment under discussion. It comes before the measure word and noun, and you use it to identify something nearby or already clear from context.
“套” is the measure word for an apartment or housing unit in “这套公寓”. It appears between “这” and “公寓”, and you use it when counting or identifying a complete housing unit.
公寓 “公寓” means apartment in “这套公寓”. It follows the demonstrative and measure word, and you use it when referring to the rented housing unit.
In “这让我在和业主谈之前掌握了有用的背景信息”, “让” means cause or enable someone to do or have something. It is followed by the person affected and then the result, and you use it to describe what one situation brings about for another person.
In “在和业主谈之前”, “在” introduces the time frame before another action. It works with “之前” around the action “和业主谈”, and you use this pattern to place an event in relation to a time or action.
“和” means with in “和业主谈之前”, linking the speaker’s discussion to the owner. It appears before the other participant, and you use it to identify who someone talks or acts with.
业主 “业主” means property owner in “和业主谈”. It identifies the person the speaker will discuss the lease with, and you use it in housing contexts for the owner of the property.
“谈” means talk or discuss in “和业主谈之前”. It can be followed by the person involved through “和”, and you use it when referring to a conversation about a matter such as lease terms.
之前 “之前” means before in “和业主谈之前”, placing the gaining of information before the discussion with the owner. It follows the action that serves as the reference point, and you use it to order events in time.
掌握 “掌握” means gain or have a firm grasp of in “掌握了有用的背景信息”. It is followed by the information understood or obtained, and you use it when someone has useful knowledge available for a later discussion or decision.
有用 “有用” means useful in “有用的背景信息”, describing information that helps with the upcoming discussion. It comes before “背景信息” with “的”, and you use it to evaluate information by its practical value.
背景 “背景” means background in “背景信息”, referring to contextual information about the tenant or situation. It combines with “信息” to identify the kind of information, and you use it when giving context before discussing a matter.
信息 “信息” means information in “有用的背景信息”. It follows the description “有用的背景” to identify what has been learned, and you use it for facts or context relevant to a discussion.
希望 “希望” expresses hope or a wish in “我希望能签一份期限更长、条款更稳定的租约”. It introduces the desired outcome, and you use it when stating what you would like to happen.
“能” means can or be able to in “希望能签一份租约”. It comes before the desired action “签”, and you use it to express the possibility or ability to carry out that action.
“签” means sign in “签一份期限更长、条款更稳定的租约”. It is followed by the document being signed, and you use it when referring to signing a lease, contract, or other document.
“一” means one or a in “一份租约”, identifying one lease. It comes before the measure word “份”, and you use this structure when referring to a single document or contract.
“份” is the measure word for a document or contract in “一份租约”. It comes after “一” and before “租约”, and you use it when counting formal documents or agreements.
期限 “期限” means the term or duration in “期限更长”, referring to how long the lease lasts. It is followed by “更长” to compare the duration, and you use it when discussing the length of a contract or rental period.
“更” means more or even more in “期限更长” and “条款更稳定”, marking a comparison with a greater degree. It comes before the description being compared, and you use it to express a stronger or increased quality.
“长” means long in “期限更长”, describing a longer duration. It follows “更” in this comparison, and you use it for the length of a period such as a lease term.
稳定 “稳定” means stable in “条款更稳定”, describing terms that would be more consistent or secure. It follows “更” to express a comparison, and you use it when evaluating how steady an arrangement is.
租约 “租约” means lease in “一份期限更长、条款更稳定的租约”. It is the document being signed and described by its duration and terms, and you use it when referring to the agreement governing a rental.
如果 “如果” introduces a condition in “如果您能承诺签更长期的租约”. It begins the condition before the result “我可以询问”, and you use it when saying that one outcome depends on another situation.
“您” means “you” in a polite form in “如果您能承诺”. It refers respectfully to the person being addressed, and you use it in formal or courteous conversations such as a housing-office discussion.
承诺 “承诺” means commit or promise in “承诺签更长期的租约”. It is followed by the action being committed to, and you use it when someone gives a clear commitment about a future agreement or action.
长期 “长期” means long-term in “更长期的租约”, describing a lease intended to last for a longer period. It comes before “租约” with “的”, and you use it when referring to an arrangement extending over a substantial period.
询问 “询问” means ask about or inquire in “我可以询问能否安排更可预期的条款”. It introduces the information being requested, and you use it when seeking an answer in a formal or professional conversation.
能否 “能否” means whether it is possible in “询问能否安排更可预期的条款”. It introduces an embedded possibility question after “询问”, and you use it when asking formally whether an arrangement can be made.
安排 “安排” means arrange or set up in “安排更可预期的条款”. It is followed by the terms or result to be arranged, and you use it when discussing how an agreement or practical solution can be put in place.
可预期 “可预期” means predictable or foreseeable in “更可预期的条款”. It describes terms whose future effects or conditions can be anticipated, and you use it when asking for greater predictability in an agreement.
说明 “说明” means explain or outline in “说明一下哪些条款确实可以协商”. It introduces the information the speaker wants clarified, and you use it when asking someone to set out a matter clearly.
一下 In “说明一下”, “一下” makes the request sound brief or lighter, rather than changing the topic of the explanation. The components “一” and “下” work together in this short-action expression, and you use it to soften a request for someone to explain something.
确实 “确实” means actually or indeed in “确实可以协商”, emphasizing that the terms really are negotiable. It comes before the statement being confirmed, and you use it when distinguishing an established fact from a mere possibility or assumption.
协商 “协商” means negotiate or discuss mutually in “条款确实可以协商”. It is used for a matter that the parties may discuss together, and you use it in formal situations where people work toward agreed terms.
“吗” marks the sentence “您能说明一下哪些条款确实可以协商吗?” as a yes-no question. It comes at the end of the question, and you use it when asking whether the preceding statement or request is true or possible.
总体 “总体” means overall or general in “总体政策”, referring to the policy viewed as a whole. It comes before “政策” to set the broad scope, and you use it when contrasting general rules with specific details.
政策 “政策” means policy in “总体政策”. It is the general rule being described as fixed, and you use it when referring to an official framework or rule governing decisions.
固定 “固定” means fixed in “总体政策是固定的”, indicating that the general policy does not change within this discussion. It follows “是” as the description of the policy, and you use it when stating that a rule or arrangement is set.
“但” means but in “但续租条件可能有一定的灵活性”. It introduces a contrast with the fixed general policy, and you use it to connect a limitation with a different possibility.
条件 “条件” means conditions in “续租条件”. It identifies the specific requirements or terms connected with renewal, and you use it when discussing what must apply for an agreement or arrangement.
可能 “可能” means may or possibly in “可能有一定的灵活性”. It expresses uncertainty about whether flexibility exists, and you use it before a possible situation or result.
一定 “一定” means a certain amount or degree in “一定的灵活性”. It indicates that the flexibility is present to some extent without specifying exactly how much, and you use it before a noun phrase to describe an unspecified but real degree.
灵活性 “灵活性” means flexibility in “有一定的灵活性”, referring to the possibility of adjusting renewal conditions. It follows “一定的” to express a degree of flexibility, and you use it when discussing how much an arrangement can accommodate changes.

Grammar Points

形容词 + 的 + 名词

可靠的租客维护公寓。

kě kào de zū kè wéi hù gōng yù.

A reliable tenant maintains the apartment.

“的” connects an adjective to the noun it describes, as in “可靠的租客”。

形容词 + 地 + 动词

租客用心地维护公寓。

zū kè yòng xīn de wéi hù gōng yù.

The tenant carefully maintains the apartment.

“地” turns an adjective into an adverbial phrase describing how an action is performed.

Chinese Vocabulary

背景信息 noun
bèi jǐng xìn xī background information; context

掌握了有用的背景信息。

调整 verb
tiáo zhěng adjust; adjustment

哪些地方有调整的空间。

公寓 noun
gōng yù apartment

维护这套公寓。

可靠的 adj
kě kào de reliable

我一直是个可靠的租客。

空间 noun
kōng jiān room; scope

哪些地方有调整的空间。

期限 noun
qī xiàn term; duration

期限更长、条款更稳定的租约。

通知 noun
tōng zhī notice; notification

我收到了续租通知。

维护 verb
wéi hù maintain; take care of

也很用心地维护这套公寓。

相关条款 phrase
xiāng guān tiáo kuǎn relevant terms

想谈谈相关条款。

续租 noun
xù zū lease renewal

我收到了续租通知。

用心地 adv
yòng xīn de carefully; attentively

也很用心地维护这套公寓。

租客 noun
zū kè tenant

我一直是个可靠的租客。

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

relevant terms

Show Answer相关条款

background information; context

Show Answer背景信息

term; duration

Show Answer期限

tenant

Show Answer租客