Regardless of culture, managing an irate partner can be difficult. On the other hand, cultural barriers can make it more difficult to communicate with an upset Chinese girlfriend. It might be challenging for people unfamiliar with Chinese culture to understand what is being said when emotions are expressed in China, sometimes more indirectly. This article serves as a guide for individuals facing these situations.
Table of Contents
ToggleStep 1: Listen to her
Pay her close attention and pay heed to what she has to say. Wait till she’s through before trying to excuse yourself or interrupting her.
- 慢慢说,我会听。(Màn màn shuō, wǒ huì tīng.) – Take your time, I’ll listen.
- 别着急,我会耐心听完的。(Bié zhāojí, wǒ huì nàixīn tīng wán de.) – Don’t worry; I will patiently listen to everything you say.
- 不要担心,我会听进去的。(Búyào dānxīn, wǒ huì tīng jìnqù de.) – Please don’t worry, I will listen carefully.
Step 2: Apologies
If you have offended her, sincerely apologize and express your understanding of her situation.
- 对不起。(Duìbuqǐ.) – I’m sorry.
- 我不应该这样做。(Wǒ bù yīnggāi zhèyàng zuò.) – I shouldn’t have done that.
- 请原谅我。(Qǐng yuánliàng wǒ.) – Please forgive me.
- 我做错了。(Wǒ zuò cuò le.) – I made a mistake.
- 实在是我的错。(Shízài shì wǒ de cuò.) – It’s truly my fault.
- 这都是我的错。(Zhè dōu shì wǒ de cuò.) – It’s all my fault.
Step 3: Show empathy
Put yourself in her position and try to comprehend why she is furious. Demonstrate your concern for her feelings and want to make things right.
- 我理解你的感受。(Wǒ lǐjiě nǐ de gǎnshòu.) – I understand how you feel.
- 我能够感受到你的痛苦。(Wǒ nénggòu gǎnshòu dào nǐ de tòngkǔ.) – I can feel your pain.
- 你的感受我非常理解。(Nǐ de gǎnshòu wǒ fēicháng lǐjiě.) – I completely understand your feelings.
- 我很了解你的心情。(Wǒ hěn liǎojiě nǐ de xīnqíng.) – I understand your emotions well.
- 我能够感同身受。(Wǒ nénggòu gǎn tóng shēn shòu.) – I can put myself in your shoes.
- 我很能体会你的感受。(Wǒ hěn néng tǐ huì nǐ de gǎnshòu.) – I can truly understand your feelings.
Step 4: Offer a solution
Provide a solution if you can do something to improve things. Find out what you can do to put things right by asking her.
- 我会和你一起想办法解决问题。(Wǒ huì hé nǐ yīqǐ xiǎng bànfǎ jiějué wèntí.) – I will work with you to find a solution.
- 我觉得我们可以这样处理。(Wǒ juédé wǒmen kěyǐ zhèyàng chǔlǐ.) – I think we can handle it this way.
- 我们可以试试这个方法。(Wǒmen kěyǐ shì shì zhège fāngfǎ.) – We can try this method.
- 我建议我们这样做。(Wǒ jiànyì wǒmen zhèyàng zuò.) – I suggest we do it this way.
Step 5: Give her space
Sometimes all she requires is some breathing room. Give her the space to breathe and some time to collect herself.
- 我会给你足够的时间。(Wǒ huì gěi nǐ zúgòu de shíjiān.) – I will give you enough time.
- 如果你需要私人空间,我会尊重你的。(Rúguǒ nǐ xūyào sīrén kōngjiān, wǒ huì zūnzhòng nǐ de.) – If you need personal space, I will respect that.
- 我不会强迫你。(Wǒ bú huì qiǎngpò nǐ.) – I won’t force you.
- 如果你想一个人呆着,我不会介意。(Rúguǒ nǐ xiǎng yīgè rén dāizhe, wǒ bú huì jièyì.) – If you want to be alone, I don’t mind.
- 我知道有时候人们需要自己的时间。(Wǒ zhīdào yǒu shíhòu rénmen xūyào zìjǐ de shíjiān.) – I know sometimes people need their own time.
- 如果你有需要,我会在这里等你。(Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu xūyào, wǒ huì zài zhèlǐ děng nǐ.) – If you need it, I will wait for you here.
Step 6: Be patient
Keep in mind that resolving disputes requires time. Be patient and cooperate in devising a solution that benefits both of you.
- 慢慢来,不要急。(Màn man lái, búyào jí.) – Take it slowly, don’t be in a hurry.
- 我们需要一步一步来。(Wǒmen xūyào yī bù yī bù lái.) – We need to take it step by step.
- 我们需要一些耐心和信心。(Wǒmen xūyào yīxiē nàixīn hé xìnxīn.) – We need some patience and confidence.
- 慢慢来,不要着急。(Màn man lái, búyào zháojí.) – Take it slowly, don’t rush.
- 我会耐心地等待。(Wǒ huì nàixīn de děngdài.) – I will wait patiently.
- 没关系,我们可以慢慢来。(Méi guānxi, wǒmen kěyǐ màn man lái.) – It’s okay, we can take it slowly.
- 没关系,我可以等。(Méi guānxi, wǒ kěyǐ děng.) – It’s okay, I can wait.
Step 7: Expressing your love
In Chinese culture, showing love is often done via actions and gestures rather than spoken communication. Here are some typical Chinese proverbs for expressing love, though.
- 我爱你。(Wǒ ài nǐ.) – I love you.
- 你对我很重要。(Nǐ duì wǒ hěn zhòngyào.) – You are important to me.
- 你让我感到幸福。(Nǐ ràng wǒ gǎndào xìngfú.) – You make me feel happy.
- 我想和你在一起。(Wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ zài yīqǐ.) – I want to be with you.
- 我会一直陪伴你。(Wǒ huì yīzhí péibàn nǐ.) – I will always be with you.
- 我感谢有你。(Wǒ gǎnxiè yǒu nǐ.) – I am grateful for you.
- 你让我的生活更加美好。(Nǐ ràng wǒ de shēnghuó gèngjiā měihǎo.) – You make my life better.
- 我会永远爱你。(Wǒ huì yǒngyuǎn ài nǐ.) – I will love you forever.
- 你是我的唯一。(Nǐ shì wǒ de wéiyī.) – You are my only one.
- 我想和你共度一生。(Wǒ xiǎng hé nǐ gòng dù yīshēng.) – I want to spend my life with you.
Remember that it takes time and work from both partners to manage anger in a relationship. Be understanding, patient, and helpful as you collaborate to come up with ideas that benefit both of you.
Learn more about our SUMMER CAMP!
Get to know holidays in China in 2023.
Get free Chinese learning resources.
Read about the Spring Festival Celebration on NRK’s