Setting sustainable boundaries at work | Learn Chinese in English

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Use Setting sustainable boundaries at work to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

我一直很有成效，但这样的节奏正变得难以持续。

Wǒ yìzhí hěn yǒu chéngxiào, dàn zhèyàng de jiézòu zhèng biàn de nányǐ chíxù. I have been productive, but the pace is becoming unsustainable.

我很感谢你在工作表现下降之前提出这个问题。

Wǒ hěn gǎnxiè nǐ zài gōngzuò biǎoxiàn xiàjiàng zhīqián tíchū zhège wèntí. I appreciate you raising it before performance drops.

只要减少优先事项，我就能继续交付工作成果。

Zhǐyào jiǎnshǎo yōuxiān shìxiàng, wǒ jiù néng jìxù jiāofù gōngzuò chéngguǒ. I can continue delivering, provided priorities are reduced.

我们需要区分紧急工作和主要为了提高可见度而做的工作。

Wǒmen xūyào qūfēn jǐnjí gōngzuò hé zhǔyào wèile tígāo kějiàndù ér zuò de gōngzuò. We need to distinguish urgent work from work done mainly for visibility.

有些受关注的任务会消耗精力，却不会改变结果。

Yǒuxiē shòu guānzhù de rènwu huì xiāohào jīnglì, què bú huì gǎibiàn jiéguǒ. Some visible tasks consume energy without changing results.

那我们就应该有意识地削减这些任务，或者把它们委派出去。

Nà wǒmen jiù yīnggāi yǒu yìshí de xuējiǎn zhèxiē rènwu, huòzhě bǎ tāmen wěipài chūqù. Then we should cut or delegate them deliberately.

如果有更明确的收工节点，对我也会有帮助。

Rúguǒ yǒu gèng míngquè de shōugōng jiédiǎn, duì wǒ yě huì yǒu bāngzhù. I would also benefit from clearer stopping points.

我可以为每项正在进行的任务定义完成标准。

Wǒ kěyǐ wèi měi xiàng zhèngzài jìnxíng de rènwu dìngyì wánchéng biāozhǔn. I can define completion criteria for each active task.

Word by Word

我 “我” means “I” or “me” and refers to the speaker in “我一直很有成效”. It commonly comes before the predicate when stating your own experience, condition, or view.

一直 “一直” means continuously or all along in “我一直很有成效”. It is placed before the predicate to describe a state or action continuing over a period of time.

很 “很” adds a high degree in “很有成效”, meaning quite or very effective. It commonly comes before an adjective-like description when expressing its degree.

有 “有” in “有成效” means to have or show a certain quality, so the phrase describes work as producing effective results. It can be followed by an abstract noun to describe what a situation or action has.

成效 “成效” means effectiveness or results in “有成效”. Use it when evaluating whether work, a plan, or an action produces useful results.

但 “但” means “but” and introduces a contrast between “我一直很有成效” and the pace becoming difficult to sustain. It commonly connects two clauses when the second one limits or changes the first point.

这样 “这样” means “this kind of” or “like this” and refers to the pace just described in “这样的节奏”. It is commonly placed before “的” and a noun when pointing to a previously mentioned manner or condition.

的 “的” links the description “这样” to the noun “节奏” in “这样的节奏”. It commonly follows a modifying word or phrase and comes before the noun being described.

节奏 “节奏” means pace or rhythm; here it refers to the pace at which work is being done. Use it when discussing how quickly or steadily an activity proceeds.

正 “正” means currently or in the process of in “正变得难以持续”. It comes before a verb phrase to show that a change is happening now.

变得 “变得” means become or grow into in “变得难以持续”. It is followed by a description of the new state and is useful when describing a change in condition.

难以 “难以” means difficult to in “难以持续”, describing something that is hard to maintain. It commonly comes before a verb to say that an action or result is not easy to achieve.

持续 “持续” means continue or be sustained in “难以持续”. Use it when talking about a state, pace, or activity continuing over time.

感谢 “感谢” means thank or appreciate in “感谢你在工作表现下降之前提出这个问题”. A common pattern is “感谢” followed by the person and the action or reason being appreciated; use it to acknowledge someone's helpful action.

你 “你” means “you” and refers to the person being addressed in “感谢你”. It commonly comes before the action or situation connected with what the speaker is thanking that person for.

在 “在” introduces the time situation in “在工作表现下降之前”, rather than a physical location. The pattern “在” + event + “之前” is used to say that something happens before an event.

工作 “工作” means work and modifies “表现” in “工作表现”, referring to performance at work. It commonly comes before another noun to specify a professional or work-related context.

表现 “表现” means performance in “工作表现”, referring to how well someone or something is performing. Use it when discussing the quality or results of work or behavior.

下降 “下降” means decline or drop in “工作表现下降”. It follows the thing that becomes lower and is used for a decrease in performance, level, or result.

之前 “之前” means before and completes the time phrase “工作表现下降之前”. It follows an event or time expression to set the earlier point in a sequence.

提出 “提出” means raise or bring up in “提出这个问题”. It commonly takes an issue, suggestion, or question as its object and is useful when introducing something for discussion.

这个 “这个” means “this particular” and identifies the issue in “这个问题”. It comes before a noun when referring to something specific in the current discussion.

问题 “问题” means issue or problem in “提出这个问题”. Use it for a concern or matter that needs to be discussed or addressed.

只要 “只要” means “as long as” and introduces the condition in “只要减少优先事项”. It is used when the condition that follows is presented as sufficient for the result that comes next.

减少 “减少” means reduce or decrease in “减少优先事项”. It commonly takes an amount, workload, or set of items as its object when proposing a lower level.

优先 “优先” contributes the idea of priority in “优先事项”, referring to items treated as priorities. Here it is part of a compound before “事项”, rather than the main action of the sentence.

事项 “事项” means matter or item in “优先事项”, referring to an item being handled or prioritized. Use it for defined matters in work planning or organization.

就 “就” marks the resulting condition in “只要减少优先事项，我就能继续交付工作成果”. It commonly appears in the result clause of a “只要……就……” conditional pattern.

能 “能” means can or be able to in “我就能继续交付工作成果”. It expresses the speaker's ability under the stated condition and comes before the action that is possible.

继续 “继续” means continue in “继续交付工作成果”. It commonly comes before a verb to say that an action already underway will be maintained.

交付 “交付” means deliver in “交付工作成果”, referring to handing over or producing work results. Use it in professional contexts involving expected outputs or completed work.

成果 “成果” means results or achievements in “工作成果”. It refers to the outcome produced by work and can be used when discussing what work has delivered.

我们 “我们” means “we” or “us” and is the subject of “我们需要区分”. It is used when presenting a shared task, decision, or responsibility involving the speaker and others.

需要 “需要” means need in “我们需要区分紧急工作和工作 done mainly for visibility”. It expresses necessity and commonly comes before the action that needs to be taken.

区分 “区分” means distinguish or differentiate in “区分紧急工作和工作 done mainly for visibility”. A common pattern is “区分” followed by two categories joined by “和”; use it when sorting things into separate types.

紧急 “紧急” means urgent in “紧急工作”, identifying work that requires prompt attention. It commonly comes before a noun to describe its time pressure or immediate importance.

和 “和” means “and” in “紧急工作和……工作”, joining the two categories being distinguished. It commonly links parallel nouns or noun phrases.

主要 “主要” means mainly or primarily in “主要为了提高可见度而做的工作”. It indicates the main purpose or reason and comes before the purpose phrase it qualifies.

为了 “为了” means for the purpose of or in order to in “为了提高可见度而做的工作”. It introduces the intended purpose of an action and is commonly followed by a desired result or goal.

提高 “提高” means raise or improve in “提高可见度”. It takes the quality or level being increased as its object and is useful when describing an improvement goal.

可见度 “可见度” means visibility in “提高可见度”, referring to how noticeable work is. Use it when discussing whether work is seen or recognized by others.

而 “而” links the purpose phrase to the action in “为了提高可见度而做的工作”. In this expression it connects what the work is done for with the action of doing it, and it is useful in formal purpose constructions.

做 “做” means do or carry out in “而做的工作”. It describes carrying out the work connected with the purpose phrase and commonly combines with “工作” in work-related expressions.

有些 “有些” means some or certain in “有些受关注的任务”. It introduces only part of a group, making clear that the statement does not necessarily apply to every task.

受 “受” in “受关注” means receive or be subject to, showing that the tasks receive attention. It commonly comes before the response or influence that affects the subject.

关注 “关注” means attention or notice in “受关注”. It is commonly used after “受” to describe something that is being watched, noticed, or given consideration.

任务 “任务” means task in “有些受关注的任务”. It refers to a defined piece of work and is useful when discussing individual work responsibilities.

会 “会” means will or be likely to in “任务会消耗精力”. It comes before a verb to predict a possible or typical consequence.

消耗 “消耗” means consume or use up in “消耗精力”. It commonly takes a resource such as energy as its object and is useful when describing the cost of an activity.

精力 “精力” means energy, especially the energy available for mental or physical effort, in “消耗精力”. Use it when discussing capacity, fatigue, or the effort required by work.

却 “却” means yet or however and contrasts “消耗精力” with “不改变结果”. It is useful when an action has an unexpected or opposite result from what might be expected.

不 “不” means not and negates “改变” in “不会改变结果”. It comes before a verb or description to say that the action or state does not occur.

改变 “改变” means change or alter in “改变结果”. It takes “结果” as its object and is useful when evaluating whether an action affects an outcome.

结果 “结果” means result or outcome in “改变结果”. It refers to what an action or process produces and is useful when judging the effect of work.

那 “那” means then or in that case in “那我们就应该……”. It refers back to the preceding information and introduces a conclusion or response based on it.

应该 “应该” means should or ought to in “应该有意识地削减这些任务”. It expresses a recommendation and comes before the action being proposed.

意识 “意识” contributes the idea of conscious intention in “有意识地削减”. Here it is part of the expression “有意识地”, used when emphasizing that an action is deliberate rather than accidental.

地 “地” is the adverb-forming particle in “有意识地削减”. It follows the phrase describing the manner and connects that manner to the verb that follows.

削减 “削减” means cut or reduce in “削减这些任务”. It takes the tasks being reduced as its object and is useful when deliberately lowering workload or scope.

这些 “这些” means “these” and refers back to the tasks just discussed in “这些任务”. It comes before a noun when pointing to specific items already identified in the conversation.

或者 “或者” means or and presents an alternative in “削减这些任务，或者把它们委派出去”. It commonly links two possible actions or choices.

把 “把” marks the object in “把它们委派出去”, placing the identified tasks before the action that will affect them. It is used when focusing on what is handled and what happens to it.

它们 “它们” means “them” and refers to the tasks in “把它们委派出去”. It is used for multiple non-human things and appears here as the object after “把”.

委派 “委派” means delegate or assign in “委派出去”. It refers to giving responsibility for a task to another person or group and is useful in work-allocation discussions.

出去 “出去” contributes the idea of moving outward or away in “委派出去”. Here the movement is figurative: the tasks are sent away from the speaker's own workload, so the word follows the action as a directional complement.

如果 “如果” means “if” and introduces the hypothetical condition in “如果有更明确的收工节点”. It is used before a possible situation when discussing its consequence or benefit.

更 “更” means more or even more in “更明确”, comparing the desired clarity with the current level. It commonly comes before an adjective to express a higher degree.

明确 “明确” means clear or explicit in “更明确的收工节点”. It describes a stopping point that is easy to identify and is useful for rules, boundaries, or requirements.

收工 “收工” means finish work or stop working in “收工节点”. It is used when referring to the point at which a work session or workday ends.

节点 “节点” means point or milestone in “收工节点”. It refers to a defined point in a process or schedule and can be used to identify when to stop or review progress.

对 “对” means “for” or “toward” in “对我也会有帮助”, marking the person affected by the benefit. A common pattern is “对” + person + “有帮助” when saying that something helps someone.

也 “也” means also or too in “也会有帮助”. It adds this benefit to another point already under discussion and commonly appears before the verb or predicate.

帮助 “帮助” means help or benefit in “对我也会有帮助”. In the pattern “对……有帮助”, it describes something as beneficial to a person or purpose.

可以 “可以” means can or be able to in “我可以为每项正在进行的任务定义完成标准”. It expresses the speaker's ability or willingness to carry out the following action.

为 “为” means for in “为每项正在进行的任务定义完成标准”, marking the task that the criteria are being defined for. A common pattern is “为” + target + action.

每 “每” means each or every in “每项正在进行的任务”. It presents the tasks individually and is normally followed by a classifier and noun.

项 “项” is a classifier for defined items such as tasks in “每项正在进行的任务”. It is placed between “每” and the noun to refer to each item separately.

正在 “正在” means currently or in the process of in “正在进行的任务”. It comes before a verb to show that the action is ongoing at the relevant time.

进行 “进行” means carry out or be underway in “正在进行的任务”. With “正在”, it describes work that is currently being carried out.

定义 “定义” means define in “定义完成标准”. It takes the criteria being established as its object and is useful when setting what a term, condition, or completion point means.

完成 “完成” contributes the meaning of completion in “完成标准”. Here it modifies “标准” to identify the criteria for deciding whether something has been finished.

标准 “标准” means standard or criterion in “完成标准”. It refers to the basis used to judge whether a task is complete and is useful when setting clear expectations for work.

Grammar Points

有意识地 + 动词

有意识地改变工作节奏

yǒu yìshí de gǎibiàn gōngzuò jiézòu

deliberately change the work pace

Chinese adverbs such as 有意识地 usually come before the verb they modify.

正在进行的 + 名词

正在进行的工作

zhèngzài jìnxíng de gōngzuò

work in progress

正在进行的 uses 的 to turn an ongoing action into a modifier before a noun.

Chinese Vocabulary

感谢 verb

gǎnxiè to appreciate; to thank

工作表现 noun

gōngzuò biǎoxiàn work performance

继续 verb

jìxù to continue

减少 verb

jiǎnshǎo to reduce

节奏 noun

jiézòu pace; rhythm

难以持续 phrase

nányǐ chíxù difficult to sustain

提出 verb

tíchū to raise; to bring up

问题 noun

wèntí issue; problem

下降 verb

xiàjiàng to decline; to drop

优先事项 noun

yōuxiān shìxiàng priority; priority item

有成效 adj

yǒu chéngxiào productive; effective

只要 conj

zhǐyào provided that; as long as

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

difficult to sustain

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难以持续

work performance

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工作表现

priority; priority item

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优先事项

to appreciate; to thank

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感谢