New here? This is lesson 186 of a free 240-lesson Traditional Chinese course.
Small steps in Traditional Chinese
A week later at Banyan Breakfast, Maya unfolds last week's napkin. The small boxes are ticked, and Zhi-Ming wants a real update on the project.
Learn how to say you have made progress, name the hardest part, set small goals, and ask how someone will get there.
You will also hear that it may take a while, and that the way forward is step by step. A-Li's soy milk is still waiting, as usual.
By the end of this lesson
Report progress, name what is hard, set a small next goal, and say you will go step by step.
- 我在這方面有進展了I've made progress on this.
- 最難的部分是___The hardest part is ___.
- 我先設定一些小目標I'll set a few small goals first.
- 可能要花一點時間It may take a while.
- 你打算怎麼達成？How do you plan to do it?
- 一步一步來Step by step.
Scene — a ticked napkin
Morning at Banyan Breakfast. Maya sits with Zhi-Ming and a napkin from last week, now covered in ticks.
Auntie Lin watches from the counter, and A-Li occupies two stools at the back.
The talk is about work progress, not a mystery. Zhi-Ming wants the next small goal in plain words. A-Li's soy milk stays unfinished beside him.
Learn — progress and small goals
Six lines for reporting progress at work or in class. Listen, then say each one out loud.
Notice 了 on the progress line, and how the hardest-part line leaves a blank for you to fill.
我在這方面有進展了
I've made progress on this.
When to use it: Say this when a task has moved forward.
了 here marks a change, not something you have done before with 過.
最難的部分是___
The hardest part is ___.
When to use it: Use this to name the hardest piece of a job.
最 picks the top of a comparison; fill the blank with that thing.
我先設定一些小目標
I'll set a few small goals first.
When to use it: Use this when you will start with a few small goals.
先 means this step comes before the others.
可能要花一點時間
It may take a while.
When to use it: Use this when a task will not be quick.
花 here means spend time, not money or flowers.
Say it: 一 is fourth tone before a third tone.
你打算怎麼達成？
How do you plan to do it?
When to use it: Ask this when you want someone's plan for reaching a goal.
怎麼 stays in place; do not move it to the front of the question.
一步一步來
Step by step.
When to use it: Say this when a long task should move one small step at a time.
The repeat of 一 and 步 is the whole pattern; keep both pairs.
Say it: 一 is second tone before a fourth tone.
Story — the same napkin, ticked
Listen to Maya update Zhi-Ming at Banyan Breakfast. Last week's napkin is back, and the small goals are ticked.
A-Li is at the back table. His drink is still not finished.
- A week later, Maya unfolds the same napkin. Several small boxes are ticked.
Auntie Lin這張餐巾還留著啊？You're still holding on to that napkin?
Maya對啊，小目標都打勾了。Yeah, the small goals are all ticked.
Zhi-Ming目前進度是八成。We're about eighty percent done.- Maya我在這方面有進展了。I've made progress on this.
- Maya我越來越進步了。I'm getting better and better.
- Zhi-Ming你打算怎麼達成？How do you plan to do it?
- Maya我先設定一些小目標。I'll set a few small goals first.
- Zhi-Ming最難的部分是什麼？What's the hardest part?
- Maya最難的部分是時間。The hardest part is time.
- Maya可能要花一點時間。It may take a while.
- Zhi-Ming慢慢來，不用急。Take your time, no rush.
- Maya一步一步來。Step by step.
A-Li豆漿還沒喝完。The soy milk still isn't finished.- Auntie Lin你們慢慢聊。You two take your time chatting.
Practice — report your progress
Work through short exercises on progress, hard parts, and small goals. Pick the line that fits each moment.
After you answer, read why the other choices fail, then say the right line again.
0 of 10 done
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
我在這方面有進展了
What do you say?
What do you say?
Zhi-Ming asks what is still slowing the project. Name the hardest part.
Build the line
Build the line
I'll set a few small goals first.
Tap the words in order.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
It may take a while.
可能要花一點____
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Swap the word
Swap the word
You tell Zhi-Ming you will take the work one small step at a time.
一步一步____
Pick the reply
A-Li says:
Pick the reply
我好慢喔。
I'm so slow.
And you reply with:
Match the pairs
Traditional Chinese
我在這方面有進展了Drop the English here我先設定一些小目標Drop the English here可能要花一點時間Drop the English here一步一步來Drop the English hereEnglish
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
目前進度是八成
What do you say?
What do you say?
Zhi-Ming says your Chinese in meetings is clearer. Tell him you are getting better and better.
Say it — your update
You play Maya and report your progress. Listen to each cue, then say the line out loud.
Tap the microphone to speak. You can replay Zhi-Ming's line before your turn.
- A week later, Maya unfolds the napkin for Zhi-Ming.
- Maya (you)Tell him you have made progress on this.
Tell him you have made progress on this.
我在這方面有進展了
I've made progress on this.
0 of 5 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Traditional Chinese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 我在這方面有進展了 | I've made progress on this. | |
| 最難的部分是___ | The hardest part is ___. | |
| 我先設定一些小目標 | I'll set a few small goals first. | |
| 可能要花一點時間 | It may take a while. | |
| 你打算怎麼達成？ | How do you plan to do it? | |
| 一步一步來 | Step by step. |
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Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Today's progress lines are in Yak Cards with more phrases for small goals at work.
Review a few cards each day so the next small step comes easily.
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