About This Lesson
Use Reducing Unnecessary Video Meetings to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我想尽可能减少不必要的视频会议。
Wǒ xiǎng jǐn kě néng jiǎn shǎo bù bì yào de shì pín huì yì. I want to reduce unnecessary video meetings where possible.
B
我明白，不过有些讨论可以从看到大家的反应中受益。
Wǒ míng bai, bù guò yǒu xiē tǎo lùn kě yǐ cóng kàn dào dà jiā de fǎn yìng zhōng shòu yì. I understand, though some discussions benefit from visible reactions.
A
复杂的决定值得通过实时讨论来处理，但更新信息通常不需要这样做。
Fù zá de jué dìng zhí de tōng guò shí shí tǎo lùn lái chǔ lǐ, dàn gēng xīn xìn xī tōng cháng bù xū yào zhè yàng zuò. Complex decisions deserve live discussion, but updates often do not.
B
那我们应该把决策会议和信息分享会议分开。
Nà wǒ men yīng gāi bǎ jué cè huì yì hé xìn xī fēn xiǎng huì yì fēn kāi. Then we should separate decision meetings from information sharing.
A
书面更新能让大家有更多时间认真思考后再回应。
Shū miàn gēng xīn néng ràng dà jiā yǒu gèng duō shí jiān rèn zhēn sī kǎo hòu zài huí yìng. Written updates would let people respond more thoughtfully.
B
它们还会留下记录，以后可能会很有用。
Tā men hái huì liú xià jì lù, yǐ hòu kě néng huì hěn yǒu yòng. They also create records, which is useful later.
A
我们能不能先在一次定期会议中试用这种方法？
Wǒ men néng bu néng xiān zài yī cì dìng qī huì yì zhōng shì yòng zhè zhǒng fāng fǎ? Could we pilot that approach with a recurring meeting?
B
我们可以测试一下，再比较最终结果的质量。
Wǒ men kě yǐ cè shì yī xià, zài bǐ jiào zuì zhōng jié guǒ de zhì liàng. We can test it and compare the quality of outcomes.Word by Word
我
我 means “I” or “me” here and identifies the speaker as the person who wants to reduce the meetings. It commonly appears before the action or feeling being expressed. Use it when stating your own view, intention, or experience.
想
想 means “want to” in 我想尽可能减少不必要的视频会议. It comes before the action the speaker intends to take. Use 想 before an action when expressing a personal intention or desire.
尽可能
尽可能 means “as much as possible” in 尽可能减少不必要的视频会议. 尽 and 可能 combine to express the greatest feasible degree, so it modifies the following action rather than naming a separate object. Use it before an action when setting the strongest practical limit.
减少
减少 means “reduce” in 减少不必要的视频会议. The thing being reduced follows it here. Use it before a number, amount, frequency, or type of thing when saying that you want less of it.
不
不 makes 必要 negative in 不必要, giving the meaning “not necessary.” It appears directly before the word or expression it negates. Use it to reject or deny a present description or action.
必要
必要 means “necessary” in 不必要的视频会议. Together with 不, it describes meetings that are not needed. It commonly appears before 的 and a noun when describing whether something is required.
的
的 links the description 不必要 to the noun 视频会议 in 不必要的视频会议. The words before 的 describe the noun that follows it. Use this pattern when placing a description before a person, thing, or idea.
视频
视频 means “video” in 视频会议 and identifies the meeting as video-based. It comes before 会议 to specify the type of meeting. Use it before another noun when describing video-related content or activity.
会议
会议 means “meeting” in 视频会议 and 视频会议 is the kind of meeting being discussed. It names the organized discussion that the speakers want to reduce. Use it after a word describing the meeting’s topic, format, or purpose.
明白
明白 means “understand” in 我明白. It shows that the speaker understands the other person’s point. Use it as a response when acknowledging an explanation, request, or position.
不过
不过 introduces a qualification or contrast in 不过有些讨论可以从看到大家的反应中受益. It accepts or acknowledges the previous point before presenting a limitation or different consideration. Use it when moving from agreement to a contrasting point.
有些
有些 means “some” in 有些讨论 and refers to an unspecified part of the discussions, not all of them. It comes before the noun it limits. Use it when identifying an incomplete or non-specific group.
讨论
讨论 means “discussion” in 有些讨论 and refers to discussions about which visible reactions may help. It can be placed before another noun when naming a type of discussion or meeting. Use it in a work conversation when talking about exchanging views on an issue.
可以
可以 means “can” or “may” in 可以从看到大家的反应中受益. It presents the benefit as possible rather than guaranteed. Use 可以 before an action or result when describing possibility, permission, or suitability.
从
从 marks the source or basis of the benefit in 从看到大家的反应中受益. Here it is part of 从……中受益, meaning to benefit from something. Use it before the source or basis when explaining where an effect comes from.
看到
看到 means “see” or “observe” in 看到大家的反应. It describes gaining visual awareness of the reactions, and 大家的反应 follows as what is seen. Use it before the person or thing that someone sees.
大家
大家 means “everyone” or “all the people involved” in 大家的反应. It refers to the participants whose reactions can be observed. Use it before a noun for something belonging to or associated with the group, or before an action carried out by the group.
反应
反应 means “reaction” in 大家的反应 and refers to how the participants respond visibly. It is modified by 大家的 to identify whose reaction it is. Use it when discussing a person’s or group’s response to an event, idea, or question.
中
中 marks the context or situation within which the benefit occurs in 从看到大家的反应中受益. Together with 从, it completes the pattern 从……中受益. Use it after an activity, process, or situation when describing something that happens within it.
受益
受益 means “benefit” in 可以从看到大家的反应中受益. The source of the benefit is introduced by 从……中. Use it when explaining that a person, group, or activity gains an advantage from something.
复杂
复杂 means “complex” in 复杂的决定 and describes decisions that involve more than a simple issue. It appears before 的 to modify 决定. Use it before a noun when the thing has many connected parts or requires careful consideration.
决定
决定 means “decision” in 复杂的决定. It names the choices that the speakers believe deserve live discussion. It commonly follows a description such as 复杂的 and can refer to an important choice in a work setting.
值得
值得 means “be worth” or “deserve” in 值得通过实时讨论来处理. It says that the following way of handling the matter is worthwhile. Use 值得 before an action or approach when recommending it as worthwhile.
通过
通过 means “through” or “by means of” in 通过实时讨论来处理. It introduces the method used to handle the decisions. Use it before a method, process, or channel when explaining how something is done.
实时
实时 means “real-time” or “live” in 实时讨论. It describes discussion that takes place while participants interact rather than through a delayed written update. Use it before an activity or process when emphasizing immediate participation.
来
来 links the method 实时讨论 to the purpose or result 处理 in 通过实时讨论来处理. In this structure, it helps express handling something by using the stated method. Use it in the pattern 通过……来…… when connecting a means with an action.
处理
处理 means “handle” or “deal with” in 来处理 and refers to managing the complex decisions. The matter being handled is understood from the earlier phrase. Use it before a problem, request, task, or decision when describing how it will be dealt with.
但
但 means “but” and contrasts the value of live discussion for complex decisions with the different treatment of updates. It connects two opposing or limited points. Use it to introduce a contrast within the same statement.
更新
更新 contributes the meaning “updated” in 更新信息, referring to information that reports what has changed. It comes before 信息 to specify the type of information. Use it before 信息 or another noun when identifying new information about an ongoing situation.
信息
信息 means “information” in 更新信息 and names the content being shared or updated. It is modified by 更新 in this dialogue. Use it when referring to facts, details, or reports communicated to other people.
通常
通常 means “usually” in 更新信息通常不需要这样做. It describes what generally happens rather than an exception. Use it before the predicate when describing a usual frequency or tendency.
需要
需要 means “need” or “require” in 通常不需要这样做. With 不, the dialogue says that updates generally do not require this action. Use 需要 before an action or thing that is required.
这样
这样 means “in this way” or “like this” in 这样做. It refers back to handling updates through live discussion instead of naming that method again. Use it before 做 or another action when referring to a previously described way of acting.
做
做 means “do” in 这样做 and refers to carrying out the method just mentioned. The word 这样 specifies what kind of action is being done. Use 这样做 when referring back to an action or procedure already under discussion.
那
那 means “then” or “in that case” in 那我们应该把决策会议和信息分享会议分开. It shows that the next proposal follows logically from the previous point. Use it at the beginning of a response when drawing a conclusion or suggesting the next step.
我们
我们 means “we” or “us” in 我们应该把决策会议和信息分享会议分开. It includes the speakers as the people who should take the proposed action. Use it before an action when making a joint suggestion or decision.
应该
应该 means “should” in 我们应该把决策会议和信息分享会议分开. It presents the separation as a recommended course of action. Use it before an action when giving advice or proposing what is appropriate.
把
把 marks the object that will be acted on in 把决策会议和信息分享会议分开. The two meeting types come after 把, and the resulting action 分开 comes later. Use it when foregrounding a specific object and describing what will be done to it.
决策
决策 means “decision-making” in 决策会议 and identifies meetings concerned with making decisions. It comes before 会议 to specify the meeting’s purpose. Use it before a noun when describing an activity or process related to decisions.
和
和 means “and” in 决策会议和信息分享会议. It joins the two types of meetings that should be separated. Use it between parallel people, things, or activities that are being listed together.
分享
分享 means “sharing” in 信息分享会议 and identifies meetings focused on sharing information. It appears before 会议 to describe the meeting’s purpose. Use it with information, ideas, or resources when describing something communicated to others.
分开
分开 means “separate” in 把决策会议和信息分享会议分开. It describes the intended result of treating the two meeting types separately. Use it in the pattern 把A和B分开 when distinguishing two objects, groups, or activities.
书面
书面 means “written” or “in writing” in 书面更新. It describes updates delivered through written material rather than a live meeting. Use it before a noun when identifying something as written or documented.
能
能 means “can” or “be able to” in 书面更新能让大家有更多时间认真思考后再回应. It presents the ability or resulting possibility that written updates give people. Use 能 before an action or another verb expressing what someone is able to do.
让
让 means “let” or “allow” in 能让大家有更多时间认真思考后再回应. It introduces the people affected and the result they can achieve. Use 让 followed by a person or group and then the action or result they are enabled to have.
更多
更多 means “more” in 更多时间 and says that people receive an increased amount of time. It comes before 时间 to specify what is increased. Use 更多 before a noun when comparing an amount with what was available before.
时间
时间 means “time” in 更多时间 and refers to the time available for careful consideration before responding. It is modified by 更多 here. Use it when discussing how long someone has for an action or decision.
认真
认真 means “seriously” or “carefully” in 认真思考. It describes the careful manner of thinking rather than naming a separate action. Use it before an action when emphasizing focused or responsible effort.
思考
思考 means “think” or “consider” in 认真思考后再回应. It describes considering the information before giving a response. Use it before 后 when one action must happen before the next action.
后
后 means “after” in 思考后再回应. It places the response after the period of thinking. Use the pattern action + 后 + next action to show the order of two actions.
再
再 means “then” or “before carrying out the next action” in 思考后再回应. It emphasizes that the response comes only after thinking. Use it before the later action when showing a sequence of steps.
回应
回应 means “respond” or “give a response” in 再回应. It names the action that follows careful consideration. Use it when replying to information, a question, suggestion, or request.
它们
它们 means “they” or “them” for things in 它们还会留下记录. It refers back to the written updates rather than to people. Use it as a pronoun for multiple non-human things when they are already clear from the context.
还
还 means “also” or “in addition” in 它们还会留下记录. It adds another benefit of written updates to the benefit already mentioned. Use it before the additional action or result being introduced.
会
会 means “will” or “be likely to” in 还会留下记录. It presents leaving records as a likely result of using written updates. Use 会 before an action when describing a future or expected consequence.
留下
留下 means “leave behind” or “create” in 留下记录. It describes producing a record that remains available after the exchange. Use it before a record, trace, or other result that remains after an action.
记录
记录 means “record” in 留下记录 and refers to the written evidence created by the updates. It is the object of 留下. Use it when discussing information preserved for later reference.
以后
以后 means “later” or “in the future” in 以后可能会很有用. It places the usefulness at a later time. Use it as a time expression when discussing what will happen after the present situation.
可能
可能 means “may” or “possibly” in 可能会很有用. It shows that the later usefulness is possible, not certain. Use it before an action or description when expressing a possibility.
很
很 means “very” in 很有用 and strengthens the description of the records’ usefulness. It comes before 有用. Use it before a descriptive word when expressing a high degree.
有用
有用 means “useful” in 很有用 and describes the future value of the records. It functions as the description of what the records may be later. Use it when something helps with a later task, decision, or reference.
能不能
能不能 asks “can we?” or “is it possible to?” in 能不能先在一次定期会议中试用这种方法. 能 means “can,” and the repeated 能 with 不 between them forms a yes-or-no question about possibility. Use 能不能 before an action when making a practical request or proposal.
先
先 means “first” in 先在一次定期会议中试用这种方法. It places the pilot before later evaluation or wider use. Use it before the first action when proposing a sequence of steps.
次
次 is the measure word for an occurrence in 一次定期会议. The word 一 before it indicates one instance of the meeting. Use 次 after a number when counting how many times an event occurs.
定期
定期 means “recurring” or “regular” in 定期会议. It describes a meeting that takes place as part of a repeated schedule. Use it before a noun when identifying an activity that happens at regular intervals.
试用
试用 means “try out” or “pilot” in 试用这种方法. It proposes using the approach on a limited basis to see how it works. Use it before a method, product, or approach being evaluated in practice.
这种
这种 means “this kind of” in 这种方法 and points back to the approach just discussed. It comes before 方法 to identify a particular type of method. Use it before a noun when referring to a type that is clear from the context.
方法
方法 means “method” or “approach” in 这种方法. It names the proposed way of replacing some video meetings with written updates. Use it when discussing a way to accomplish a task or handle a situation.
测试
测试 means “test” in 测试一下 and refers to checking how well the approach works. The approach is the thing being tested. Use it before the object or method whose performance is being evaluated.
一下
一下 in 测试一下 makes the testing sound brief, limited, or light. 一 and 下 combine in this exact expression to mark a short try rather than a long testing process. Use it after an action when making that action sound less forceful or more limited.
比较
比较 means “compare” in 比较最终结果的质量. It describes examining the quality of the outcomes against one another. Use it before the things or qualities being compared.
最终
最终 means “final” or “ultimate” in 最终结果. It identifies the result reached after the testing and comparison are complete. Use it before a noun when referring to the last or settled result of a process.
结果
结果 means “result” or “outcome” in 最终结果. It refers to what comes from testing the approach. Use it when evaluating what an action, experiment, or decision produces.
质量
质量 means “quality” in 最终结果的质量. It identifies the standard being compared, namely how good the outcomes are. Use it after 的 when describing the quality of a particular result or object.
Grammar Points
尽可能 + 动词
尽可能减少不必要的视频会议。
Jǐn kě néng jiǎn shǎo bù bì yào de shì pín huì yì.Reduce unnecessary video meetings as much as possible.
“尽可能” is an adverb placed before the verb to express doing something to the greatest possible extent.
值得 + 动词
方法值得试用。
Fāng fǎ zhí de shì yòng.The method is worth trying out.
“值得” is followed directly by a verb to say that an action is worthwhile.
Chinese Vocabulary
不必要
adj
bù bì yào
unnecessary
不过
conj
bù guò
however; though
复杂
adj
fù zá
complex
减少
verb
jiǎn shǎo
to reduce
尽可能
adv
jǐn kě néng
as much as possible
决定
noun
jué dìng
decision
明白
verb
míng bai
to understand
实时
adj
shí shí
live; real-time
视频会议
noun
shì pín huì yì
video meeting
受益
verb
shòu yì
to benefit
讨论
noun
tǎo lùn
discussion
值得
verb
zhí de
to be worth; to deserve
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
video meeting
Show Answer
视频会议as much as possible
Show Answer
尽可能to reduce
Show Answer
减少decision