quànshuō: 劝说 - to persuade, to advise, to convince

• Keywords: quanshuo, 劝说, persuade in Chinese, convince in Chinese, advise in Chinese, Chinese word for persuade, how to say persuade, quànshuō meaning, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the Chinese word 劝说 (quànshuō), which means “to persuade” or “to convince.” This term goes beyond a simple logical argument; it implies a process of earnest advising and reasoning, often done out of care or for the other person's benefit. This guide covers its cultural context, practical usage in daily life, and how it differs from similar words like `说服 (shuōfú)`, making it an essential term for anyone wanting to understand Chinese communication styles.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): quànshuō
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To persuade, convince, or advise someone, typically through earnest reasoning and talk.
• In a Nutshell: 劝说 (quànshuō) is the act of trying to change someone's mind or behavior through talking. It's not about winning a debate, but about guiding someone towards what you believe is a better path. Think of a good friend trying to convince you to quit a bad habit, or a parent advising their child on a major life decision. The word carries a feeling of care, patience, and good intention. It focuses on the process of talking and advising.

• 劝 (quàn): This character means “to advise,” “to urge,” or “to encourage.” It's composed of 又 (yòu - again) on the left and 力 (lì - strength/effort) on the right. You can imagine it as applying effort again and again to urge someone to do the right thing.
• 说 (shuō): This is a very common character meaning “to speak,” “to say,” or “to talk.” The radical on the left, 言 (yán), means “speech.”
• Together: 劝 (to advise) + 说 (to speak) literally means “to advise by speaking.” This combination perfectly captures the essence of persuading someone through a heartfelt and reasoned conversation.

In Chinese culture, maintaining social harmony (和谐 - héxié) and considering the collective good are often prioritized. 劝说 (quànshuō) is a key tool for achieving this. It's a method of resolving disagreements or guiding behavior without causing direct confrontation or making someone lose face (面子 - miànzi). Compared to the Western concept of “persuasion,” which can often be a direct, logic-heavy, and even adversarial process (like a formal debate), `劝说` is typically softer and more relationship-based. The persuader often leverages their relationship (parent-child, teacher-student, close friends) and appeals to shared values or long-term well-being. It's less about proving you are right and more about showing you care. For example, a Chinese parent might 劝说 their child to choose a stable career not just by listing logical pros and cons, but by emphasizing family duty, future security, and the parents' peace of mind. The act of `劝说` itself is a demonstration of care and responsibility within the relationship.

劝说 (quànshuō) is a common verb used in a wide range of situations, from personal family matters to more formal settings.

• Connotation: It is almost always neutral or positive, as it implies the persuader has good intentions. The only time it might feel negative is from the perspective of the person being persuaded, who might feel pressured or nagged.
• Formality: It's a standard term that can be used in both spoken, everyday Chinese and more formal, written contexts.
• Common Situations:
  • Family and Friends: A wife might `劝说` her husband to drink less alcohol. Friends might `劝说` each other to study harder or to get over a breakup.
  • Workplace: A manager might `劝说` a valuable employee not to resign. Colleagues might `劝说` a team member to adopt a new workflow.
  • Mediation: Trying to `劝说` two people who are arguing to calm down and reconcile. This is a specific form called 劝架 (quànjià).

• Example 1:
  • 妈妈花了很多时间劝说我出国留学。
  • Pinyin: Māmā huāle hěnduō shíjiān quànshuō wǒ chūguó liúxué.
  • English: My mom spent a lot of time persuading me to study abroad.
  • Analysis: This is a classic example of parental guidance. The phrase “花了很长时间” (spent a lot of time) emphasizes the patient process involved in `劝说`.
• Example 2:
  • 医生劝说病人要戒烟。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng quànshuō bìngrén yào jièyān.
  • English: The doctor advised the patient to quit smoking.
  • Analysis: Here, `劝说` is used for professional advice given for the person's own good. It's stronger and more earnest than a simple `建议` (suggestion).
• Example 3:
  • 在朋友的再三劝说下，他终于同意了。
  • Pinyin: Zài péngyǒu de zàisān quànshuō xià, tā zhōngyú tóngyì le.
  • English: Under his friend's repeated persuasion, he finally agreed.
  • Analysis: “再三” (zàisān) means “repeatedly” or “again and again,” which highlights the persistent nature of a successful `劝说`. This sentence shows the result of the persuasion.
• Example 4:
  • 我试图劝说他，但他太固执了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ shìtú quànshuō tā, dàn tā tài gùzhí le.
  • English: I tried to persuade him, but he is too stubborn.
  • Analysis: This example shows that the act of `劝说` doesn't guarantee success. The focus is on the attempt.
• Example 5:
  • 你不用劝说我了，我已经决定了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ búyòng quànshuō wǒ le, wǒ yǐjīng juédìng le.
  • English: You don't need to persuade me anymore, I've already decided.
  • Analysis: This is a common way to reject someone's attempt to `劝说`, showing a firm stance.
• Example 6:
  • 老板劝说小王留下来继续工作。
  • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn quànshuō xiǎo Wáng liú xiàlái jìxù gōngzuò.
  • English: The boss persuaded Xiao Wang to stay and continue working.
  • Analysis: A good example of `劝说` in a professional context, often used when trying to retain an employee.
• Example 7:
  • 他劝说那两个正在吵架的人冷静下来。
  • Pinyin: Tā quànshuō nà liǎng gè zhèngzài chǎojià de rén lěngjìng xiàlái.
  • English: He persuaded the two people who were arguing to calm down.
  • Analysis: This shows `劝说` used in mediation to de-escalate a conflict.
• Example 8:
  • 我们怎么劝说都没用，他还是要去冒险。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zěnme quànshuō dōu méi yòng, tā háishì yào qù màoxiǎn.
  • English: No matter how we tried to persuade him, it was no use; he still wanted to go on the adventure.
  • Analysis: The pattern “怎么…都没用” (zěnme…dōu méi yòng) is a powerful way to express the failure of an action, in this case, `劝说`.
• Example 9:
  • 我很难劝说父母接受我的男朋友。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn nán quànshuō fùmǔ jiēshòu wǒ de nánpéngyǒu.
  • English: It's very difficult for me to persuade my parents to accept my boyfriend.
  • Analysis: This reflects a common cultural scenario where `劝说` is necessary to bridge a generational or values gap within a family.
• Example 10:
  • 他的任务是劝说对方公司与我们合作。
  • Pinyin: Tā de rènwù shì quànshuō duìfāng gōngsī yǔ wǒmen hézuò.
  • English: His task is to persuade the other company to cooperate with us.
  • Analysis: A more formal, business-oriented use of `劝说`, where it means to convince a potential partner through discussion and reasoning.

• `劝说 (quànshuō)` vs. `说服 (shuōfú)`: The Most Common Point of Confusion
  • 劝说 (quànshuō) focuses on the process of advising and talking. It highlights the *effort* and *good intention* of the speaker. You can `劝说` someone for hours and still fail.
  • 说服 (shuōfú) focuses on the result of a successful persuasion. It means you have effectively convinced someone, and they have changed their mind. It often implies a victory of logic or argument.
  • Key Sentence: 我劝说了他很久，但最终还是没能说服他。(Wǒ quànshuōle tā hěnjiǔ, dàn zuìzhōng háishì méi néng shuōfú tā.) → “I tried to persuade him for a long time, but in the end, I couldn't convince him.” This single sentence perfectly illustrates the difference.
• False Friend: “Persuade”
  • While “persuade” is the best translation, remember that the English word can be used for selfish or manipulative reasons (“He persuaded her to give him her money”). 劝说 almost never carries this negative, manipulative connotation. It strongly implies the persuasion is meant to be helpful. For manipulative persuasion, a word like `哄骗 (hǒngpiàn)` (to coax and deceive) would be more appropriate.
• Incorrect Usage:
  • Don't use `劝说` for simple, low-stakes requests.
  • Incorrect: ~~我劝说他把盐递给我。~~ (Wǒ quànshuō tā bǎ yán dì gěi wǒ.)
  • Correct: 我让他把盐递给我。(Wǒ ràng tā bǎ yán dì gěi wǒ.) - I had him pass me the salt.
  • `劝说` is reserved for trying to change someone's opinion, decision, or significant course of action, not for simple commands or requests.

• `说服 (shuōfú)` - To convince (antonym in process vs. result). Focuses on the successful outcome of persuasion.
• `劝告 (quàngào)` - To advise; advice. More formal and closer to the act of “giving advice” than the entire process of `劝说`.
• `建议 (jiànyì)` - To suggest; a suggestion. Milder and more neutral than `劝说`. It's like offering an option rather than trying to change a mind.
• `忠告 (zhōnggào)` - Sincere advice, admonition. A very formal and serious piece of advice given out of loyalty or deep concern.
• `劝架 (quànjià)` - To mediate a fight. A specific use of `劝` (to urge) + `架` (fight), meaning “to urge [people to stop] fighting.”
• `游说 (yóushuì)` - To lobby. The formal term for persuading politicians or organizations, often used in a political or large-scale business context.
• `苦口婆心 (kǔ kǒu pó xīn)` - An idiom literally meaning “bitter mouth, grandmother's heart.” It vividly describes the act of `劝说` in an earnest, patient, and persistent way, even if it sounds like nagging.