You might come across 儘量尽量 being pronounced two ways — “jǐnliàng” and “jìnliàng” — depending on who’s speaking and where.
1 Structure
jǐnliàng + V
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 儘量尽量 as an adverb. In Taiwan, on the other hand, the common practice is to simply say “jìnliàng.”
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 · Chinese Idiom
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!”
2 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01It’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
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02We 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
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03Even 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
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04Try to arrive on time as much as possible; don’t make everyone wait too long.
你儘量準時到，不要讓大家等太久你尽量准时到，不要让大家等太久
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05The doctor said I should try to eat as little sweets as possible.
醫生說我應該儘量少吃甜食医生说我应该尽量少吃甜食
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06I will try to reply to your message before tonight.
我會儘量在今天晚上前回覆你的訊息我会尽量在今天晚上前回复你的讯息
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07During the interview, try to stay confident as much as possible.
面試的時候，儘量保持自信面试的时候，尽量保持自信
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08He tries to avoid talking to that colleague as much as possible.
他儘量避免和那個同事說話他尽量避免和那个同事说话
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09When moving, try to sort and pack things as much as possible.
搬家的時候，儘量把東西分類打包搬家的时候，尽量把东西分类打包
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10We should try to reduce food waste as much as possible.
我們應該儘量減少浪費食物我们应该尽量减少浪费食物
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