quán héng lì bì: 权衡利弊 - To Weigh the Pros and Cons

• Keywords: quanheng libi, 权衡利弊, weigh the pros and cons in Chinese, how to say pros and cons in Chinese, Chinese idiom for decision making, evaluating options Chinese, li bi, advantages and disadvantages, Chinese chengyu.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese idiom 权衡利弊 (quán héng lì bì), a formal and respected term for “to weigh the pros and cons.” This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, cultural significance in Chinese decision-making, and practical use in business, personal life, and formal discussions. Discover how to use this powerful phrase to show careful and balanced judgment when evaluating options and making important choices in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): quán héng lì bì
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase (Idiomatic Chengyu)
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To weigh the pros and cons; to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of a matter.
• In a Nutshell: 权衡利弊 (quán héng lì bì) is a formal four-character idiom that describes the deliberate and rational process of analyzing all sides of a situation before making a significant decision. It implies careful thought, seriousness, and a desire to make a balanced, well-informed choice. It’s not used for trivial matters, but for situations with meaningful consequences.

• 权 (quán): In this context, this character means “to weigh.” It originates from the concept of a steelyard weight. It can also mean “power” or “authority.”
• 衡 (héng): This character means “to balance” or refers to the beam of a scale or steelyard.
• 利 (lì): This means “benefit,” “advantage,” or “profit.”
• 弊 (bì): This means “disadvantage,” “harm,” or “drawback.”

The first two characters, 权衡 (quán héng), form a verb meaning “to weigh and balance.” The last two characters, 利弊 (lì bì), form a noun meaning “pros and cons” or “advantages and disadvantages.” Combined, 权衡利弊 (quán héng lì bì) literally and logically means “to weigh and balance the benefits and drawbacks.”

权衡利弊 (quán héng lì bì) is more than just a functional phrase; it reflects a deep-seated cultural value of prudence and deliberation. In Chinese culture, making rash, impulsive decisions is often viewed as a sign of immaturity or foolishness. The ability to calmly 权衡利弊 is considered a mark of wisdom and responsibility. This concept is closely related to the Confucian ideal of the “superior man” (君子, jūnzǐ), who acts with foresight and careful consideration. Compared to the common English phrase “to weigh the pros and cons,” 权衡利弊 (quán héng lì bì) carries significantly more formal weight. While an American might “weigh the pros and cons” of which restaurant to go to, using 权衡利弊 for such a trivial choice would sound overly dramatic in Chinese. The Chinese term is reserved for life-altering decisions (marriage, career change, major investment) or matters of serious consequence (company strategy, public policy). This emphasis on careful evaluation often stems from a more collective mindset. The “pros and cons” being weighed might not just be for the individual, but for their family, their company, or their community. The goal is often to find a harmonious, stable outcome that minimizes negative repercussions for the group, rather than simply maximizing individual gain.

This idiom is prevalent in formal and serious contexts. It signals that a decision is not being taken lightly.

• Business and Professional Settings: It is frequently used in meetings, reports, and presentations when discussing strategy, investment, or new projects. A manager might ask their team to 权衡利弊 before launching a new product.
• Major Life Decisions: Individuals use this term when discussing significant personal choices like choosing a university, buying a home, moving to a new city, or even deciding whether to undergo a medical procedure.
• Formal Writing and Media: You will often see 权衡利弊 in news articles, academic papers, and official government documents when analyzing policies or social issues.
• Connotation and Formality: The term is neutral to positive, as it implies a rational and responsible approach. It is strictly formal and should be avoided in casual, everyday conversation about minor choices.

• Example 1:
  • 在做出任何重大决定之前，我们都必须仔细权衡利弊。
  • Pinyin: Zài zuòchū rènhé zhòngdà juédìng zhīqián, wǒmen dōu bìxū zǐxì quán héng lì bì.
  • English: Before making any major decisions, we must all carefully weigh the pros and cons.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the formal and serious nature of the idiom. The use of 必须 (bìxū), “must,” emphasizes the necessity of this careful consideration.
• Example 2:
  • 公司正在权衡利弊，考虑是否要进入海外市场。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī zhèngzài quán héng lì bì, kǎolǜ shìfǒu yào jìnrù hǎiwài shìchǎng.
  • English: The company is currently weighing the pros and cons of whether to enter the overseas market.
  • Analysis: A classic business context. This phrase is perfect for describing strategic decision-making.
• Example 3:
  • 关于这项新政策，社会各界都在权衡利弊。
  • Pinyin: Guānyú zhè xiàng xīn zhèngcè, shèhuì gèjiè dōuzài quán héng lì bì.
  • English: Regarding this new policy, all sectors of society are weighing its advantages and disadvantages.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's use in a broader, societal context, often seen in news reports.
• Example 4:
  • 他花了很多时间权衡利弊，最后决定出国留学。
  • Pinyin: Tā huāle hěn duō shíjiān quán héng lì bì, zuìhòu juédìng chūguó liúxué.
  • English: He spent a lot of time weighing the pros and cons and finally decided to study abroad.
  • Analysis: This illustrates a personal but significant life decision. The outcome of the process is stated with 最后决定 (zuìhòu juédìng).
• Example 5:
  • 医生建议我权衡利弊后再决定是否接受手术。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng jiànyì wǒ quán héng lì bì hòu zài juédìng shìfǒu jiēshòu shǒushù.
  • English: The doctor advised me to weigh the pros and cons before deciding whether to have the surgery.
  • Analysis: A serious health-related decision where the stakes are high, making this idiom very appropriate.
• Example 6:
  • 购买房产是一项重大投资，你需要权衡利弊。
  • Pinyin: Gòumǎi fángchǎn shì yī xiàng zhòngdà tóuzī, nǐ xūyào quán héng lì bì.
  • English: Buying a property is a major investment; you need to weigh the pros and cons.
  • Analysis: Here, it's used as direct advice, linked to a 重大投资 (zhòngdà tóuzī), or “major investment.”
• Example 7:
  • 经过一番权衡利弊，他放弃了那个高薪但压力很大的工作。
  • Pinyin: Jīngguò yī fān quán héng lì bì, tā fàngqìle nàge gāoxīn dàn yālì hěn dà de gōngzuò.
  • English: After a round of weighing the pros and cons, he gave up that high-paying but high-pressure job.
  • Analysis: 经过一番 (jīngguò yī fān) means “after a period of/a round of,” a common structure used with this idiom to describe a completed process of consideration.
• Example 8:
  • 任何技术都有其两面性，我们必须客观地权衡利弊。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé jìshù dōu yǒu qí liǎngmiànxìng, wǒmen bìxū kèguān de quán héng lì bì.
  • English: Every technology has its two sides; we must objectively weigh the pros and cons.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses 客观地 (kèguān de), “objectively,” to emphasize the rational, unbiased nature of the evaluation process.
• Example 9:
  • 在选择合作伙伴时，权衡利弊是至关重要的一步。
  • Pinyin: Zài xuǎnzé hézuò huǒbàn shí, quán héng lì bì shì zhìguān zhòngyào de yībù.
  • English: When choosing a business partner, weighing the pros and cons is a crucial step.
  • Analysis: This example frames 权衡利弊 as a noun phrase (“the act of weighing pros and cons”) and highlights its importance with 至关重要 (zhìguān zhòngyào), “crucial.”
• Example 10:
  • 我建议你和家人好好权衡利弊，不要草率做决定。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jiànyì nǐ hé jiārén hǎohǎo quán héng lì bì, bùyào cǎoshuài zuò juédìng.
  • English: I suggest you and your family thoroughly weigh the pros and cons and don't make a rash decision.
  • Analysis: This contrasts the careful action of 权衡利弊 with its opposite: 草率做决定 (cǎoshuài zuò juédìng), “to make a rash/hasty decision.”

• Mistake 1: Using it for trivial matters. This is the most common error for learners. The formality and weight of the idiom make it sound absurd in casual contexts.
  • Incorrect: 我们权衡利弊一下，晚饭是吃米饭还是面条？(Wǒmen quán héng lì bì yīxià, wǎnfàn shì chī mǐfàn háishì miàntiáo?)
  • Why it's wrong: This is like using “Let's conduct a thorough cost-benefit analysis” to decide between rice and noodles. It's far too dramatic.
  • Correct: 我们考虑一下，晚饭是吃米饭还是面条？ (Wǒmen kǎolǜ yīxià…) - “Let's consider…”
• Mistake 2: Confusing it with personal preference. 权衡利弊 is about an objective or rational evaluation of advantages and disadvantages, not simply what you like or dislike.
  • Incorrect: 我权衡利弊了一下，还是觉得红色比蓝色好看。(Wǒ quán héng lì bì yīxià, háishì juéde hóngsè bǐ lánsè hǎokàn.)
  • Why it's wrong: Liking a color is a subjective preference, not a matter of pros and cons.
  • Correct: 我觉得红色比蓝色好看。(Wǒ juéde…) - “I think/feel…”

• 考虑 (kǎolǜ) - “To consider.” A much more common and general-purpose verb that can be used in both formal and informal situations. It's the safe choice if you're unsure.
• 三思而后行 (sānsī ér hòu xíng) - “Think three times before you act.” Another Chengyu that emphasizes caution. It focuses on the importance of deliberation itself, while 权衡利弊 specifies the *method* of deliberation (weighing pros and cons).
• 利弊 (lì bì) - “Pros and cons; advantages and disadvantages.” This is the noun component of the main term. You can say “这件事的利弊很明显” (The pros and cons of this matter are very obvious).
• 得失 (déshī) - “Gains and losses.” Similar to 利弊, but often with a stronger sense of what is personally gained versus what is sacrificed or lost.
• 优缺点 (yōuquēdiǎn) - “Strengths and weaknesses; merits and demerits.” Often used to analyze products, plans, or a person's character.
• 抉择 (juézé) - (v./n.) “To make a difficult choice; a choice.” This term emphasizes the final act of choosing, often after a period of 权衡利弊.
• 取舍 (qǔshě) - (v./n.) “To choose between options (implying one is kept and one is discarded); a trade-off.” This highlights the act of selection and the inherent sacrifice in any decision.