Simplified Chinese - Agreement & Disagreement

Lesson 31 of 156

Two people in conversation with speech bubbles showing Simplified Chinese disagreement phrases; warm café scene for Agreement & Disagreement lesson.

Goal: Soft ways to agree, disagree, and keep the conversation friendly

Free Simplified Chinese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome back — ready to practice agreeing and disagreeing politely? This short lesson gives you handy phrases to say when you partly agree, aren't sure, or need to disagree politely. Have fun and repeat aloud!

Level A2: In this lesson you'll learn useful phrases for agreeing, partly agreeing, and disagreeing in everyday conversations. We'll focus on short ready-to-use frames like “也许吧，但___。” and “我理解，但___。” so you can respond politely and naturally. This CEFR-aligned practice helps you sound calm and clear when you don't fully agree.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Recognize and produce polite disagreement and partial agreement phrases in spoken Chinese.
  • Use frames (e.g. 也许吧，但___。 / 我理解，但___。) to soften disagreement.
  • Practice listening and repeating these phrases in short conversations — Level A2.
Close-up of a friendly discussion at a table with Simplified Chinese phrases floating nearby; shows polite disagreement expressions.

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

也许吧，但___。

Yěxǔ ba, dàn ___.

Maybe, but ___.

Meaning: Maybe, but ___.

When to use: Use this to show partial agreement at the start, then give your different idea. The word “吧” softens the tone.

Tip: 不要把“吧”去掉会让语气更直接；初学者常忘记加后半句来说明不同点。

也许吧，但我们应该再想想细节。

Yěxǔ ba, dàn wǒmen yīnggāi zài xiǎng xiǎng xìjié.

Maybe, but we should think about the details more.
也许吧，但价格太高了。

Yěxǔ ba, dàn jiàgé tài gāo le.

Maybe, but the price is too high.

这个我不太确定。

Zhège wǒ bú tài quèdìng.

I'm not sure about that.

Meaning: I'm not sure about that.

When to use: Say this to politely show doubt or that you need more information before agreeing.

这个我不太确定，我们可以查一下数据吗？

Zhège wǒ bú tài quèdìng, wǒmen kěyǐ chá yīxià shùjù ma?

I'm not too sure about that — can we check the data?
他明天会来？这个我不太确定。

Tā míngtiān huì lái? Zhège wǒ bú tài quèdìng.

Will he come tomorrow? I'm not sure about that.

我的看法不太一样。

Wǒ de kànfǎ bú tài yíyàng.

I see it differently.

Meaning: I see it differently.

When to use: Use this to politely state your opinion is different without sounding confrontational.

关于这个计划，我的看法不太一样。

Guānyú zhège jìhuà, wǒ de kànfǎ bú tài yíyàng.

About this plan, I see it differently.
你的理由很好，但我的看法不太一样。

Nǐ de lǐyóu hěn hǎo, dàn wǒ de kànfǎ bú tài yíyàng.

Your reasons are good, but I see it differently.

我同意一部分

Wǒ tóngyì yí bùfen.

I partly agree.

Meaning: I partly agree.

When to use: Say this when you agree with some points but not all. It's short and conversational.

我同意一部分，但还有几点要讨论。

Wǒ tóngyì yí bùfen, dàn hái yǒu jǐ diǎn yào tǎolùn.

I partly agree, but there are a few points to discuss.
关于时间安排，我同意一部分。

Guānyú shíjiān ānpái, wǒ tóngyì yí bùfen.

I partly agree about the schedule.

___这一点我同意，但___。

___ zhè yì diǎn wǒ tóngyì, dàn ___.

I agree about ___, but ___ .

Meaning: I agree about ___, but ___.

When to use: Use this to accept a specific point while adding conditions, limits, or a different viewpoint.

Tip: 有的学生把这个结构说成完整句但忘了明确指出“这一点”是什么；先说清楚同意的那一部分。

天气很好这一点我同意，但今天很冷，还是带外套。

Tiānqì hěn hǎo zhè yì diǎn wǒ tóngyì, dàn jīntiān hěn lěng, háishì dài wàitào.

I agree that the weather is nice, but it's cold today — better bring a jacket.
你说节省开支这一点我同意，但也要保证质量。

Nǐ shuō jiéshěng kāizhī zhè yì diǎn wǒ tóngyì, dàn yě yào bǎozhèng zhìliàng.

I agree about saving costs, but we must also ensure quality.

听起来有道理

Tīng qǐlái yǒu dàolǐ.

That sounds right.

Meaning: That sounds right.

When to use: Use this to accept someone's point as reasonable; it's friendly and conversational.

你的解释听起来有道理，我们可以试试你的建议。

Nǐ de jiěshì tīng qǐlái yǒu dàolǐ, wǒmen kěyǐ shìshì nǐ de jiànyì.

Your explanation sounds reasonable; we can try your suggestion.
听起来有道理，不过我想再确认时间。

Tīng qǐlái yǒu dàolǐ, bùguò wǒ xiǎng zài quèrèn shíjiān.

That sounds right, but I want to confirm the time.

也对，也不对

Yě duì, yě bú duì.

Yes and no.

Meaning: Yes and no.

When to use: Say this when you agree with part of a statement and disagree with another part — it's short and natural.

这个建议也对，也不对，要看情况。

Zhège jiànyì yě duì, yě bú duì, yào kàn qíngkuàng.

This suggestion is both right and not right — it depends.
他说的也对，也不对，我们得再讨论。

Tā shuō de yě duì, yě bú duì, wǒmen děi zài tǎolùn.

What he said is partly right and partly not; we need more discussion.

不好意思，我不同意。

Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ bù tóngyì.

I have to disagree.

Meaning: I have to disagree.

When to use: Use this polite phrase to directly disagree while softening the tone with 不好意思.

不好意思，我不同意，你的计划有风险。

Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ bù tóngyì, nǐ de jìhuà yǒu fēngxiǎn.

Sorry, I disagree — your plan has risks.
不好意思，我不同意这个观点。

Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ bù tóngyì zhège guāndiǎn.

Sorry, I disagree with this point of view.

恐怕我不同意

Kǒngpà wǒ bù tóngyì.

I'm afraid I disagree.

Meaning: I'm afraid I disagree.

When to use: Use this slightly more formal, polite way to disagree when you want to be extra careful with tone.

恐怕我不同意，这样做可能会出问题。

Kǒngpà wǒ bù tóngyì, zhèyàng zuò kěnéng huì chū wèntí.

I'm afraid I disagree; doing it this way could cause problems.
考虑到预算，恐怕我不同意这个提议。

Kǎolǜ dào yùsuàn, kǒngpà wǒ bù tóngyì zhège tíyì.

Considering the budget, I'm afraid I disagree with this proposal.

这不一定对

Zhè bù yídìng duì.

That's not always true.

Meaning: That's not always true.

When to use: Use this gentle phrase to say a claim isn't completely correct — it keeps the tone calm.

这不一定对，情况因人而异。

Zhè bù yídìng duì, qíngkuàng yīn rén ér yì.

That's not necessarily true — it depends on the person.
你说的这点这不一定对，我们需要更多证据。

Nǐ shuō de zhè diǎn zhè bù yídìng duì, wǒmen xūyào gèng duō zhèngjù.

That point may not always be true; we need more evidence.

我有不同看法

Wǒ yǒu bùtóng kànfǎ.

I have a different opinion.

Meaning: I have a different opinion.

When to use: Use this when you want to state clearly that your view differs; polite but direct.

我有不同看法，我们可以轮流说明理由吗？

Wǒ yǒu bùtóng kànfǎ, wǒmen kěyǐ lúnlí shuōmíng lǐyóu ma?

I have a different opinion — can we each explain our reasons in turn?
关于产品设计，我有不同看法。

Guānyú chǎnpǐn shèjì, wǒ yǒu bùtóng kànfǎ.

Regarding product design, I have a different opinion.

我理解，但___。

Wǒ lǐjiě, dàn ___.

I understand, but ___ .

Meaning: I understand, but ___.

When to use: Start by showing you understand the other person, then add your contrasting point. This keeps disagreement friendly.

Tip: 有时学生只说“我理解”就停了；记得补上“但……”来完整表达不同意见。

我理解，但我们应该考虑用户反馈。

Wǒ lǐjiě, dàn wǒmen yīnggāi kǎolǜ yònghù fǎnkuì.

I understand, but we should consider user feedback.
我理解，但时间太紧张了，可能不行。

Wǒ lǐjiě, dàn shíjiān tài jǐnzhāng le, kěnéng bù xíng.

I understand, but the schedule is too tight; it may not work.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David decide whether to change the meeting time.

Anna and David chatting at a coffee shop, using disagreement phrases in Simplified Chinese; natural body language and smiles.

Do Anna and David fully agree about changing the meeting time?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

这个我不太确定，大家都有不同的时间。

Zhège wǒ bú tài quèdìng, dàjiā dōu yǒu bùtóng de shíjiān.

I'm not sure about that — everyone has different times available.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

我同意一部分，下午对一些人方便。

Wǒ tóngyì yí bùfen, xiàwǔ duì yìxiē rén fāngbiàn.

I partly agree; afternoon is convenient for some people.

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

也许吧，但我们得确认关键成员能否参加。

Yěxǔ ba, dàn wǒmen děi quèrèn guānjiàn chéngyuán néng fǒu cānjiā.

Maybe, but we must confirm whether key members can attend.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

我理解，但他们可能有别的安排。

Wǒ lǐjiě, dàn tāmen kěnéng yǒu bié de ānpái.

I understand, but they might have other arrangements.

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

听起来有道理，我们再问问大家吧。

Tīng qǐlái yǒu dàolǐ, wǒmen zài wèn wèn dàjiā ba.

That sounds reasonable — let's ask everyone.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

也对，也不对，得看谁最重要。

Yě duì, yě bú duì, děi kàn shéi zuì zhòngyào.

Yes and no — it depends who is most important.

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which phrase means 'I see it differently'?

Which phrase politely softens a disagreement with 'I'm afraid...'?

Which phrase starts by showing understanding and then adds a contrasting point?

Which short phrase expresses mixed agreement and disagreement?

I agree about this point, but we don't have enough data.

你说的市场分析___，但我们没有足够的数据。

The boss says we should work overtime; I'm afraid I disagree — I have plans on the weekend.

老板说要加班，___，我周末有安排。

Your plan sounds good, I understand, but the budget is exceeded.

你说的方案听起来很好，___，预算超了。

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

也许吧，但___。

Yěxǔ ba, dàn ___.

Maybe, but ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

这个我不太确定。

Zhège wǒ bú tài quèdìng.

I'm not sure about that.

Say this phrase out loud:

我的看法不太一样。

Wǒ de kànfǎ bú tài yíyàng.

I see it differently.

Say this phrase out loud:

我同意一部分

Wǒ tóngyì yí bùfen.

I partly agree.

Say this phrase out loud:

___这一点我同意，但___。

___ zhè yì diǎn wǒ tóngyì, dàn ___.

I agree about ___, but ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

听起来有道理

Tīng qǐlái yǒu dàolǐ.

That sounds right.

Say this phrase out loud:

也对，也不对

Yě duì, yě bú duì.

Yes and no.

Say this phrase out loud:

不好意思，我不同意。

Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ bù tóngyì.

I have to disagree.

Say this phrase out loud:

恐怕我不同意

Kǒngpà wǒ bù tóngyì.

I'm afraid I disagree.

Say this phrase out loud:

这不一定对

Zhè bù yídìng duì.

That's not always true.

Say this phrase out loud:

我有不同看法

Wǒ yǒu bùtóng kànfǎ.

I have a different opinion.

Say this phrase out loud:

我理解，但___。

Wǒ lǐjiě, dàn ___.

I understand, but ___.