这样说吧...
Put it this way...
Wörtlich: This way say (particle)...
Use it to transition from a messy explanation to a clear, punchy summary or honest opinion.
In 15 Sekunden
- A conversational bridge to simplify or clarify your point.
- Softens direct opinions or potentially harsh truths.
- Best used at the start of a summary or analogy.
Bedeutung
This is a conversational bridge used to simplify a complex idea or deliver a tough truth more gently. It is exactly like saying 'Let me put it this way' or 'Look at it like this' in English.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6Explaining a bad date to a friend
这样说吧，我们以后还是当朋友比较好。
Put it this way, it's better if we just stay friends.
Describing a difficult boss in a professional setting
这样说吧，他是一个对细节要求非常高的人。
Let's put it this way, he is someone with very high standards for detail.
Explaining why a spicy dish is too much
这样说吧，吃完这口我觉得我需要喝一桶水。
Put it this way, after this bite I feel like I need to drink a bucket of water.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Chinese social dynamics, being too blunt can be seen as aggressive. This phrase acts as a 'social lubricant,' allowing for honesty without the sharp edges. It is particularly common in Beijing and northern China, where people love using 'filler' phrases to pace their storytelling.
The 'Pause' Power
Use a slight 1-second pause after saying `这样说吧`. It builds anticipation and makes your following point sound more authoritative.
Don't leave them hanging
If you use this phrase, you MUST follow up with a clear conclusion. Using it and then rambling further defeats the purpose!
In 15 Sekunden
- A conversational bridge to simplify or clarify your point.
- Softens direct opinions or potentially harsh truths.
- Best used at the start of a summary or analogy.
What It Means
Think of 这样说吧 as your verbal 'reset' button. It pauses a conversation that might be getting too complicated. It signals that you are about to offer a clearer perspective. You are essentially telling your listener: 'Forget the details for a second, here is the core of it.' It is a friendly way to steer the ship back to shore when you are lost at sea in a discussion.
How To Use It
Place it right at the beginning of your sentence. It acts as a buffer. You can use it to introduce a metaphor or a blunt summary. For example, if a friend asks if a movie is good, and you hated it, start with 这样说吧. It prepares them for the honest opinion coming next. It is often followed by a comparison or a very direct statement. It makes you sound like a confident, clear communicator.
When To Use It
Use it when you need to explain something tricky. It is perfect at a restaurant when describing a weird dish. Use it in a meeting to summarize a long project plan. It works great when texting a friend to explain why you are late. It is a lifesaver when you are trying to be diplomatic. It softens the blow of a 'no' or a critique. It makes you sound like a wise mentor or a helpful peer.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it in extremely formal written reports. It is a spoken expression, not a legal term. Do not use it if the answer is a simple 'yes' or 'no'. If your boss asks if the report is done, don't say 这样说吧—just say yes! Overusing it can make you sound a bit indecisive or overly dramatic. Don't use it if you are actually lost for words. It promises a clear explanation, so make sure you have one ready!
Cultural Background
Chinese culture often values 'indirectness' to save face. 这样说吧 is a modern tool for this. It allows the speaker to pivot away from a potentially awkward direct answer. It creates a 'third space' where you can explain things through analogy. It has become very popular in business settings. It shows you are trying to be helpful rather than just being difficult. It reflects the pragmatic nature of modern Chinese social interaction.
Common Variations
可以这样说(You could say it like this)这么说吧(Let's say it this way - very common and slightly faster)换句话说(In other words - more formal)简单来说(To put it simply)
Each of these has a slightly different flavor. 这么说吧 is the closest sibling to our phrase. Use it when you want to sound even more casual and 'local'.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is highly versatile and sits comfortably in the 'neutral' register. It is safe for almost any spoken situation, from a first date to a business negotiation.
The 'Pause' Power
Use a slight 1-second pause after saying `这样说吧`. It builds anticipation and makes your following point sound more authoritative.
Don't leave them hanging
If you use this phrase, you MUST follow up with a clear conclusion. Using it and then rambling further defeats the purpose!
The 'Face' Saver
In China, if someone starts a sentence with this when you ask for a favor, prepare yourself—a polite 'no' is likely coming!
Beispiele
6这样说吧，我们以后还是当朋友比较好。
Put it this way, it's better if we just stay friends.
Used here to deliver a rejection gently.
这样说吧，他是一个对细节要求非常高的人。
Let's put it this way, he is someone with very high standards for detail.
A diplomatic way to say the boss is a micromanager.
这样说吧，吃完这口我觉得我需要喝一桶水。
Put it this way, after this bite I feel like I need to drink a bucket of water.
Uses humor and exaggeration to make a point.
这样说吧，我看完了还是不知道主角是谁。
Put it this way, I finished it and still don't know who the main character was.
Short and punchy for digital communication.
这样说吧，这次考试确实很难，不只是你的问题。
Put it this way, this exam was truly hard; it wasn't just you.
Provides emotional support by offering perspective.
这样说吧，工资不错，但加班太多了。
Put it this way, the salary is good, but there's too much overtime.
Balancing pros and cons clearly.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the best phrase to start a summary of a bad experience.
___，那家餐厅的服务真的很一般。
You are introducing a summary/opinion, so 'Put it this way' fits perfectly.
Complete the sentence to explain a complex situation simply.
___，如果你现在不去，就没机会了。
This phrase sets up the 'bottom line' of the situation.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Spectrum of 'Put it this way'
Used with close friends or family.
这么说吧...
Safe for colleagues and acquaintances.
这样说吧...
Used in speeches or writing.
换言之...
Common Scenarios for 这样说吧
Giving a Review
It's like eating cardboard.
Soft Rejection
I'm busy for the next decade.
Simplifying Tech
It's just a fancy calculator.
Work Feedback
We need a new plan.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenNot exactly. While similar, 这样说吧 is more about simplifying or offering a 'bottom line,' whereas 换句话说 (In other words) is a more direct translation of that English phrase.
Yes, it is neutral and polite. It shows you are trying to be clear and concise, which most bosses appreciate.
They are interchangeable. 这么说吧 is slightly more common in fast, casual speech, especially in Northern China.
It can be. It's best used when it is your turn to speak or when someone asks for your opinion. Don't use it to cut someone off mid-sentence.
Often, people will slightly tilt their head or use a small hand gesture (like opening their palm) to signal they are offering a new perspective.
It's better for spoken Chinese. In a formal email, use 简而言之 (In short) or 总的来说 (Generally speaking) instead.
Absolutely! It's a great 'filler' phrase that makes you sound much more fluent and natural than you might actually be.
No, it can introduce good news too! For example: 这样说吧，你中奖了！ (Put it this way, you won the prize!)
It should be a light, neutral tone. Don't stress it; let it fall off naturally at the end of the phrase.
It sounds incomplete. The 吧 adds a sense of 'suggestion' or 'let's,' making it sound much more natural and less like a command.
Verwandte Redewendungen
这么说吧
Let's put it this way (more casual)
简单来说
To put it simply
总而言之
In short / To sum up
换句话说
In other words
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