Grammar Point:
The term 尽量 jǐnliàng in Chinese serves as an adverb and is used to convey the idea of “as much as possible” or “to the greatest extent.” It is often used in various contexts to indicate a strong effort to maximize or optimize something.
Structure
In China, you might come across the word “尽量” being pronounced in two ways, “jǐnliàng” and “jìnliàng.” While “jǐnliàng” is technically the correct pronunciation for its adverbial use, “jìnliàng” is generally reserved for its verb form. Interestingly, many educated native speakers in China tend to use “jìnliàng” when they pronounce “尽量” as an adverb. In Taiwan, on the other hand, the common practice is to simply say “jìnliàng.”
jǐnliàng + V
你儘量吃,別客氣你尽量吃,别客气
Eat as much as you can, don’t be shy.
儘量控制好預算,才不會有問題尽量控制好预算,才不会有问题
Try to control your budget as much as possible to avoid any issues.
大家儘量說說自己的看法大家尽量说说自己的看法
Everyone, please try to share your own opinions.
我儘量寫,但我不保證我寫得完我尽量写,但我不保证我写得完
I’ll try my best to write, but I can’t guarantee I’ll finish.
這張卡你拿去儘量刷,沒上限这张卡你拿去尽量刷,没上限
Feel free to use this card as much as you want; there’s no limit.
他儘量不讓自己個人的感覺來影響公司的決定他尽量不让自己个人的感觉来影响公司的决定
He does his best not to let his personal feelings influence the company’s decisions.
人生苦短,你應該儘量享受當下人生苦短,你应该尽量享受当下
Life is short; you should try to enjoy the moment as much as possible.
FYI
人生苦短 rénshēng kǔduǎn is a Chinese idiom that translates to “life is short and bitter” in English. When people use this phrase, it usually implies that life is indeed short, and it encourages us to make the most of it and add some sweetness to the mix. It’s like saying, “Life is short, so let’s make it sweet!”
Practice
TouchHover over the space to see the answers.
✔️ It’s best to avoid traveling to China during the Chinese New Year period because restaurants and shops are closed.
儘量避免在過年期間來中國旅遊,因為餐廳、商店都關門尽量避免在过年期间来中国旅游,因为餐厅、商店都关门
✔️ We should try to minimize our expenses as much as possible.
我們應該儘量減少花費我们应该尽量减少花费
✔️ Even though Dad is very busy, he always tries to find time to have a meal with us.
爸爸雖然很忙,但是他總是儘量找出時間陪我們吃飯爸爸虽然很忙,但是他总是尽量找出时间陪我们吃饭