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SPEAKING IN CONTEXT

Ask a colleague for help in Chinese: scope and timing

A clear request for help names the task, limits its scope and checks whether the timing works. Asking a colleague to look at one paragraph is different from asking them to finish the whole report. Confirm what they agree to do before assuming the work is covered.

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Read the dialogue by role

  1. Colleague A

    你方便帮我看看这段说明吗？我主要想确认原因有没有写清楚。

  2. Colleague B

    可以，不过我现在要开会，下午三点以后可以。

  3. Colleague A

    没问题。我把这一段发给你，三点半再来问，可以吗？

  4. Colleague B

    可以。

Ask for one useful action

帮我看看这段说明 gives a manageable scope. 我主要想确认原因有没有写清楚 tells the colleague what to focus on. A request like 帮我处理一下 without an object or purpose may leave both people with different expectations.

Treat timing as part of the agreement

The colleague accepts the task but is unavailable now. 下午三点以后 is a time boundary; 三点半 is a proposed follow-up within it. The final 可以 accepts that proposal, rather than promising an immediate review.

If the report is needed before three, explain the conflict and ask about another arrangement. Do not silently keep your old deadline and blame the colleague for missing a time they never accepted.

Use a spoken role-play and a short recap

This lesson uses a written role-play. Read each role aloud yourself or with a partner; there is no attached recording or automatic pronunciation score. After the last turn, summarize the scope, focus and accepted time in one sentence.

Swap a phrase and change one condition

Change one condition at a time and keep the remaining facts consistent. These alternatives are not synonyms.

  • 看看这段说明 → 核对这张表格
  • 原因有没有写清楚 → 数字有没有填错
  • 三点半再来问 → 四点半再来确认

Common pitfalls: wording, context and information

帮我处理一下。

A response for this context

你方便帮我核对这张表里的数字吗？

The first omits the object and scope. The second tells the colleague what to check.

三点以后有空。——那现在帮我看完。

A response for this context

三点以后有空。——那我三点半再来问，可以吗？

Acceptance of a task does not cancel the stated availability. Propose a compatible time and ask.

Answer first, then check the reasoning

1. What exactly has the colleague been asked to check?

Answer and explanation

One explanatory paragraph, mainly whether its reason is clear. The request does not assign the entire report or ask for new research.

2. Why is “check it right now” an inaccurate recap?

Answer and explanation

The colleague has a meeting now and offers availability after three. Agreement to the task does not erase the stated timing condition.

3. Did the first “可以” already agree to a three-thirty follow-up?

Answer and explanation

No. Three-thirty is proposed in the next turn and accepted by the final 可以. Follow the order of proposals and acceptance.

Answer three prompts in your own words

Speak first, then draft if helpful. Drafts stay on this page, are not uploaded and are not automatically graded. The references are possible answers, not the only answers.

1. Ask a colleague to check only the numbers in a table. They are free after four. Propose a four-thirty follow-up and confirm that you are not asking them to rewrite the text.

Reference and self-check

你方便帮我核对表格里的数字吗？不用重写文字。——我四点以后有空。——好的，那我四点半再来确认，可以吗？——可以。

State the table, numbers only, no rewriting and the agreed four-thirty time. Preserve the other person’s opportunity to accept or suggest another time.

2. Your colleague is free after three, but you need feedback before two. Explain the conflict and ask whether another arrangement is possible.

Reference and self-check

我两点前就需要反馈，可能等不到三点。我们能商量一下其他安排吗？

State your deadline without treating an unaccepted time as a promise.

3. Your colleague agreed to check only the dates in one paragraph tomorrow morning. Summarize the scope and timing.

Reference and self-check

那就请你明天上午帮我核对这一段里的日期，其他内容不用修改，谢谢。

Keep one paragraph, dates only and tomorrow morning. Do not expand the task to the whole report.

Continue with this scenario

Open personalized speaking practice

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Take the practice with you

Print for personal study or classroom practice, keeping the source credit. Reference expressions are not the only possible answers. These are not official exam papers or an AI accuracy benchmark.

  • Listening evidence lab (PDF) 中文 / English

    Three original HSK 4–6 study clips, nine questions, transcripts and explained alternatives. Bilingual PDF; audio links need internet.