How to Say ‘I'd like to talk with you about the salary.’ in Traditional Chinese
我想跟您談一下薪水的事。
wǒ xiǎng gēn nín tán yī xià xīn shuǐ de shì
[wo shyang gen nín tán ee-shyah xīnshuǐ duh shì]
🇹🇼 In Taiwan: Saying "the salary matter" instead of stating a number right away is the usual indirect opening in Taiwan. It lets the boss prepare before the actual request comes.
Phrase Breakdown
我想跟您
wǒ xiǎng gēn nín
I'd like to, with you
我想 (wǒ xiǎng) means 'I'd like to'. With two third tones, 我 rises: wó xiǎng. 跟您 means 'with you'.
我想跟您學中文。
I'd like to learn Chinese from you.
Words in this phrase
我
wǒ
[wo]
I; me
The first-person pronoun used to talk about yourself.
我想多了解你們公司的制度，所以先自我介紹。
I want to learn more about your company’s system, so I’ll introduce myself first.
想
xiǎng
[shyang]
want to; would like to
Used to express desire or intention to do something.
我想多認識一些產業的人。
I want to get to know more people in the industry.
跟
gēn
[gen]
with; to
A preposition meaning 'with' someone or 'to' someone in conversation.
你可以跟招募人員聊聊。
You can chat with the recruiter.
您
nín
[nín]
you (polite)
Respectful form of 'you', used with customers or elders.
您要幾點來？
What time will you come?
談一下
tán yī xià
have a talk
談 (tán) means 'to discuss', and 一下 (yíxià) softens the request.
可以談一下嗎？
Can we talk for a moment?
Words in this phrase
談
tán
[tán]
to talk; to discuss
A verb for having a conversation about a topic.
我們談談這個計畫。
Let's talk about this plan.
一下
yī xià
[ee-shyah]
a bit; briefly
一下 softens an action and often means 'for a moment' or 'a little bit.'
我想跟你確認一下時間。
I want to confirm the time with you briefly.
薪水的事。
xīn shuǐ de shì
about the salary
薪水 (xīnshuǐ) means 'salary', and 的事 means 'the matter of'. Keep 的 light and quick.
我想問薪水的事。
I'd like to ask about the salary.
Words in this phrase
薪水
xīn shuǐ
[xīnshuǐ]
salary; wages
Money paid regularly for work.
他的薪水很高。
His salary is high.
的
de
[duh]
's; of
A common grammar particle showing possession or linking description to a noun.
今天的活動很有收穫，這個「的」把時間和活動連起來。
Today’s event was very rewarding; this “de” connects the time and the event.
事
shì
[shì]
matter; thing; business
A matter, affair, or reason someone wants something.
我有一件事想問你。
I have something I want to ask you.
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