HSK 4Lesson 49
Companies run on rules. A new foreign colleague hands in papers for her work visa, Li Wen cannot lower the price for a client, the team plans who speaks first at a meeting, and afterwards Li Wen reports to the manager.
You will learn to do things by the rules at work: hand things in on time and in order, say what a rule or view is about, act in a particular role, say who does what, and report that something went smoothly.
Part 1 · 10 new words
Contains 4 words
according to
according to
on time
order; sequence
Contains 3 words
about; regarding
as; in the role of
Contains 3 words
by means of; to pass
the other side
Part 2 · 8 phrases
对于我来说，中文的字最难写。
For me, Chinese characters are the hardest to write.
作为班长，他每天最早到教室。
As class monitor, he is the first one in the classroom every day.
我按你说的做了，可是电脑还是打不开。
I did what you said, but the computer still won't turn on.
按照地图走，十分钟就到了。
Follow the map and you'll be there in ten minutes.
晚上的饭由我来做，你们休息吧。
I'll cook dinner tonight—you all rest.
通过朋友，我找到了这份工作。
I found this job through a friend.
Part 3 · 4 conversations
A new foreign colleague has just joined the company and asks a staff member in the office how to hand in the papers for her work visa.
新同事New colleague
您好，我是新来的，想问一下工作签证的材料怎么交。
Hello, I've just started here. I'd like to ask how to hand in the papers for my work visa.
工作人员Staff member
这张表上写着要交的材料。请按照表上的顺序放好，护照放在最前面。
This form lists the documents you need to hand in. Please put them in the order on the form, with your passport first.
Part 4 · 3 points
介词：引出对象 对于
Put 对于duìyú + the matter at the start of the sentence, then say what you think, decide or require about it.
Name the matter first
对于duìyú + matter, then the opinion, rule or plan about it.
by (the person who does it)
smooth; without problems
When you're on the phone, let the other person finish first.
祝你一路顺利！
Have a smooth trip!
新同事New colleague
照片也要吗？
Do you need photos too?
工作人员Staff member
要，两张。按规定，所有材料都要在这个星期五以前交。
Yes, two. By the rules, all the documents must be handed in before this Friday.
新同事New colleague
如果我没按时交，会怎么样？
What happens if I don't hand them in on time?
工作人员Staff member
那就得等下个月再申请，你可能还要先回国一趟。
Then you'd have to wait and apply next month, and you might even have to go back to your country first.
新同事New colleague
那我明天就把材料送过来。
Then I'll bring the papers in tomorrow.
A client keeps asking for a lower price, and Liu Ming asks Li Wen, who is in charge of the deal, what to do.
刘明Liu Ming
对方今天又打电话来了，他们还是觉得我们的价格太高。
The other side called again today. They still think our price is too high.
李文Li Wen
对于价格，公司有规定，最多只能便宜十块钱。
On price, the company has rules: the most we can take off is ten yuan.
刘明Liu Ming
可是对方说，别的公司比我们便宜。
But they say other companies are cheaper than us.
李文Li Wen
作为负责人，我得按公司的规定办事，不能随便答应。
As the person in charge, I have to follow company rules. I can't just say yes.
刘明Liu Ming
那怎么办？这家公司对我们很重要。
So what do we do? This company is a very important client for us.
李文Li Wen
价格不能再低，可是我们可以免费帮他们送货。你把这个想法告诉对方，看他们怎么说。
The price can't go any lower, but we can deliver the goods for them free. Tell them this idea and see what they say.
The client has agreed to meet, and Wang Yixue asks Li Wen how tomorrow's meeting will be run.
王一雪Wang Yixue
明天跟对方见面，谁先介绍？
At tomorrow's meeting with the other side, who speaks first?
李文Li Wen
按照习惯，先由我介绍公司的情况，然后由刘明介绍价格和送货的事。
As usual, I'll introduce the company first, and then Liu Ming will present the price and the delivery.
王一雪Wang Yixue
那我负责什么？
So what am I in charge of?
李文Li Wen
你负责记下对方提出的问题。对于他们的问题，我们回来以后再一起讨论。
You're in charge of writing down the questions they raise. We'll discuss their questions together when we get back.
王一雪Wang Yixue
好。座位也要按顺序安排吗？
OK. Do the seats need to be arranged in order too?
李文Li Wen
要。对方的经理坐中间，我坐他对面，其他人按顺序坐在两边。
Yes. Their manager sits in the middle, I sit opposite him, and everyone else sits on either side in order.
王一雪Wang Yixue
明白了，我今天下午就把座位安排好。
Got it. I'll arrange the seats this afternoon.
After the meeting, Li Wen reports to the manager.
经理Manager
今天跟对方见面，顺利吗？
Did today's meeting with the other side go smoothly?
李文Li Wen
很顺利。对方同意了我们的价格，下个星期就开始送货。
Very smoothly. They accepted our price, and we start delivering next week.
经理Manager
他们不是觉得价格太高吗？
Didn't they think the price was too high?
李文Li Wen
是，可是通过这次见面，他们更了解我们了。免费送货也帮了大忙。
Yes, but through this meeting they got to know us better. The free delivery helped a lot too.
经理Manager
太好了！这件事就由你继续负责吧。
Excellent! You carry on being in charge of this, then.
In sentences
A rule about it
对于上课用手机，学校有严格的规定。
The school has strict rules about using phones in class.
The matter comes first, then the rule.
Asking an opinion
对于这件事，你有什么看法？
What's your view on this matter?
对于duìyú + matter, then a question about it.
After the subject
我对于这个计划没有意见。
I have no objection to this plan.
The phrase can also follow the subject.
A：对于周末的计划，你有什么想法？ B：我想去爬山，对于时间，你们定吧。
A: What are your thoughts on the weekend plan? B: I'd like to go hiking; as for the time, you decide.
对于对方提出的价格，李文说公司有规定，不能再低。
On the price the other side put forward, Li Wen said the company has rules and it can't go lower.
对于duìyú + noun phrase introduces the matter that an opinion, rule or decision is about: 对于价格，公司有规定duìyú jiàgé, gōngsī yǒu guīdìng, on price, the company has rules. The 对于duìyú phrase usually opens the sentence, before the subject, and is often followed by a comma; it can also come right after the subject. It sounds a little more formal than 对duì, so it suits work talk and meetings. Wherever 对于duìyú is possible, 对duì is also possible, but not the other way round: for how someone treats a person, only 对duì works, as in 他对我很客气tā duì wǒ hěn kèqi, never 他对于我很客气tā duìyú wǒ hěn kèqi. Common mistake: ✗ 他对于我很客气tā duìyú wǒ hěn kèqi is wrong; with a person you treat well, say ✓ 他对我很客气tā duì wǒ hěn kèqi.
介词：引出凭借、依据 作为 / 按 / 按照
按àn or 按照ànzhào + rule or order names what an action follows; 作为zuòwéi + role says in what capacity someone acts.
Follow a rule or order
按照ànzhào or 按àn + rule or order, then the action.
In 请按照表上的顺序放好qǐng ànzhào biǎo shang de shùnxù fànghǎo, the form sets the order.
Speak in your role
作为zuòwéi + role, then what the person in that role does.
In 作为负责人，我得按公司的规定办事zuòwéi fùzérén, wǒ děi àn gōngsī de guīdìng bànshì, 我wǒ is the person in charge.
In sentences
By the rules
按规定，所有材料都要在这个星期五以前交。
By the rules, all the documents must be handed in before this Friday.
按àn + rule.
By a plan
我们按照原来的计划，八点出发。
We'll stick to the original plan and leave at eight.
按照ànzhào + plan + verb.
By someone's words
你按老师说的做，一定没问题。
Do as the teacher says and you'll be fine.
按àn can take a phrase with 的de: what someone said.
In a role
作为留学生，我很想多了解中国人的生活。
As an international student, I really want to learn more about how Chinese people live.
作为zuòwéi + role; the subject 我wǒ is the student.
A：这个药怎么吃？ B：请按医生说的吃，一天三次。
按àn and 按照ànzhào + a rule, plan, habit or order mean according to, and come before the verb: 按规定àn guīdìng, by the rules; 请按照表上的顺序放好qǐng ànzhào biǎo shang de shùnxù fànghǎo, please put them in the order on the form. They mean the same, but 按照ànzhào is a little more formal and needs two or more syllables after it, while 按àn can also take one syllable, as in 按时ànshí. 作为zuòwéi + role says in what capacity someone acts; the main clause then says what that person must or may do: 作为负责人，我得按公司的规定办事zuòwéi fùzérén, wǒ děi àn gōngsī de guīdìng bànshì. The person with that role should be the subject of the main clause. Compare: 作为老师，她每次都按时上课zuòwéi lǎoshī, tā měi cì dōu ànshí shàngkè works because the teacher is the subject;
介词 由
由yóu + person + verb names who is responsible for doing a task, as when work is divided: 由我介绍yóu wǒ jièshào, I'll do the introduction.
Who is in charge
Put the task first, then 由yóu + person + job verb.
Use 由yóu, not 被bèi, when you give someone a job.
Dividing the work
List who does each part with 先由……，然后由…… (xiān yóu……, ránhòu yóu……).
先xiān and 然后ránhòu come before 由yóu.
In sentences
Giving a job
这件事就由你继续负责吧。
You carry on being in charge of this, then.
The task comes first as the topic.
Dividing the work
晚会的时间由学校决定，节目由学生自己安排。
The school decides when the party is, and the students arrange the program themselves.
Two tasks, two people: each 由yóu names who is responsible.
A plan
送货的事由我们负责。
We'll take care of the delivery.
由yóu + 我们wǒmen + 负责fùzé.
Arranging
座位由王一雪安排。
Wang Yixue will arrange the seats.
The verb can stand alone after 由yóu.
A：今天谁做饭？ B：今天由我来，明天由你。
A: Who is cooking today? B: Me today, you tomorrow.
由yóu introduces the person or group who carries out a task. The verb after it is usually a job verb such as 负责fùzé, 介绍jièshào, 安排ānpái or 决定juédìng, and the task itself often comes first as the topic: 这件事就由你继续负责吧zhè jiàn shì jiù yóu nǐ jìxù fùzé ba, you carry on being in charge of this. When jobs are listed in order, 先由……，然后由…… (xiān yóu……, ránhòu yóu……) says who does what: 先由我介绍公司的情况，然后由刘明介绍价格xiān yóu wǒ jièshào gōngsī de qíngkuàng, ránhòu yóu Liú Míng jièshào jiàgé. Adverbs such as 先xiān, 就jiù and 都dōu go before 由yóu. Do not confuse it with the passive
A: How do I take this medicine? B: Please take it as the doctor says, three times a day.
作为负责人，李文得按公司的规定办事。
As the person in charge, Li Wen has to act by the company's rules.
要，两张。按规定，所有材料都要在这个星期五以前交。
Yes, two. By the rules, all the documents must be handed in before this Friday.
Why it matters · 按规定àn guīdìng opens the rule.
对方的材料由李文负责看，价格的事由经理决定。
Li Wen is in charge of reading the other side's documents, and the manager decides the price.
太好了！这件事就由你继续负责吧。
Excellent! You carry on being in charge of this, then.
Why it matters · The manager gives Li Wen the job with 由你yóu nǐ + 负责fùzé.
