选择新的方向
Choosing a New Direction
StartLooking Beyond Pay
Chen An and He Tian discuss what to look for in a possible new job.
10 new words
提títo mention; to bring up
你上次提到想换工作，现在还在考虑吗？
You mentioned wanting to change jobs last time. Are you still considering it?
以为yǐwéito think (often mistakenly)
我以前以为工资高就够了，现在发现一份工作还得让我学到东西。
I used to think a high salary was enough, but now I see that a job also needs to let me learn something.
份fènpart, portion
我以前以为工资高就够了，现在发现一份工作还得让我学到东西。
I used to think a high salary was enough, but now I see that a job also needs to let me learn something.
完全wánquáncompletely
赚zhuànto earn
调查diàocháto investigate; survey
你调查过那家公司吗？
Have you looked into that company?
原来yuánláioriginal; formerly
调查过了，原来他们计划明年开新部门，我可以提前参加培训。
I have. It turns out they plan to open a new department next year, and I can join the training early.
计划jìhuàplan; to plan
调查过了，原来他们计划明年开新部门，我可以提前参加培训。
I have. It turns out they plan to open a new department next year, and I can join the training early.
提前tíqiánto do in advance
调查过了，原来他们计划明年开新部门，我可以提前参加培训。
I have. It turns out they plan to open a new department next year, and I can join the training early.
保证bǎozhèngto guarantee
我会的，也会保证把现在的工作交接好。
I will, and I will make sure to hand over my current work properly.
Listen to the conversation
陈安
你上次提到想换工作，现在还在考虑吗？
Nǐ shàng cì tídào xiǎng huàn gōngzuò, xiànzài hái zài kǎolǜ ma?
You mentioned wanting to change jobs last time. Are you still considering it?
何天
是。我以前以为工资高就够了，现在发现一份工作还得让我学到东西。
Shì. Wǒ yǐqián yǐwéi gōngzī gāo jiù gòu le, xiànzài fāxiàn yī fèn gōngzuò hái děi ràng wǒ xué dào dōngxi.
Yes. I used to think a high salary was enough, but now I see that a job also needs to let me learn something.
陈安
你调查过那家公司吗？听说他们的项目很有意思。
Nǐ diàochá guo nà jiā gōngsī ma? Tīngshuō tāmen de xiàngmù hěn yǒuyìsi.
Have you looked into that company? I hear its projects are interesting.
何天
调查过了，原来他们计划明年开新部门，我可以提前参加培训。
Diàochá guo le, yuánlái tāmen jìhuà míngnián kāi xīn bùmén, wǒ kěyǐ tíqián cānjiā péixùn.
I have. It turns out they plan to open a new department next year, and I can join the training early.
陈安
那不错。不过别急着答应，先问清楚收入和发展机会。
Nà búcuò. Búguò bié jí zhe dāying, xiān wèn qīngchu shōurù hé fāzhǎn jīhuì.
That sounds good. But do not agree too quickly; first ask clearly about income and opportunities to develop.
何天
我会的，也会保证把现在的工作交接好。
Wǒ huì de, yě huì bǎozhèng bǎ xiànzài de gōngzuò jiāojiē hǎo.
I will, and I will make sure to hand over my current work properly.
Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.
Grammar
我以前以为工资高就够了，现在发现一份工作还得让我学到东西。I used to think a high salary was enough, but now I see that a job also needs to let me learn something.
Subject +以为+ Clause
以为 · “yǐwéi”. Used to express what the speaker thought was true, but often implies that the fact is different.
我以为新工作比以前的好，没想到还没有以前好呢。
Wǒ yǐwéi xīn gōngzuò bǐ yǐqián de hǎo, méi xiǎngdào hái méiyǒu yǐqián hǎo ne.
I thought the new job would be better than the previous one, but I didn't expect it to be not as good.
Which word means “to think (often mistakenly)”?
Ready for the Visit
Su Le checks that Chen An is prepared for a visit to a prospective employer.
2 new words
提醒tíxǐngto remind
我提醒你，最好提前十分钟到。
Let me remind you: it is best to arrive ten minutes early.
乱luànmessy, chaotic
查好了，我还把要问的问题写下来，到了那里就不会慌乱。
Yes. I also wrote down the questions I want to ask so that I will not feel flustered when I get there.
Listen to the conversation
苏乐
听说你明天要去那家公司谈谈，路线查好了吗？
Tīngshuō nǐ míngtiān yào qù nà jiā gōngsī tántan, lùxiàn chá hǎo le ma?
I heard you are going to talk with that company tomorrow. Have you checked the route?
陈安
查好了，我还把要问的问题写下来，到了那里就不会慌乱。
Chá hǎo le, wǒ hái bǎ yào wèn de wèntí xiě xialai, dào le nàli jiù bù huì huāngluàn.
Yes. I also wrote down the questions I want to ask so that I will not feel flustered when I get there.
苏乐
我提醒你，最好提前十分钟到。见面前再看一遍自己的计划。
Wǒ tíxǐng nǐ, zuìhǎo tíqián shí fēnzhōng dào. Jiànmiàn qián zài kàn yī biàn zìjǐ de jìhuà.
Let me remind you: it is best to arrive ten minutes early. Read through your plan once more before the meeting.
陈安
好，我会按计划出发，也会带上调查的笔记。
Hǎo, wǒ huì àn jìhuà chūfā, yě huì dài shàng diàochá de bǐjì.
All right. I will leave according to the plan and take my research notes with me.
苏乐
原来你准备得这么细，我还以为你只是去看看。
Yuánlái nǐ zhǔnbèi de zhème xì, wǒ hái yǐwéi nǐ zhǐ shì qù kànkan.
So you prepared in such detail. I thought you were only going to have a look.
陈安
机会不常有，先做好准备，心里才踏实。
Jīhuì bù cháng yǒu, xiān zuò hǎo zhǔnbèi, xīnli cái tāshi.
Opportunities do not come often. I will feel more at ease if I prepare first.
Grammar
原来你准备得这么细，我还以为你只是去看看。So you prepared in such detail. I thought you were only going to have a look.
原来+ Statement
原来 · “yuánlái”. Usage A (Adj): Original, unaltered. Usage B (Adv): Indicates discovery of a formerly unknown situation.
按原来的计划应该是两周，但是我们可以提前完成。
Àn yuánlái de jìhuà yīnggāi shì liǎng zhōu, dànshì wǒmen kěyǐ tíqián wánchéng.
According to the original plan, it should be two weeks, but we can finish ahead of schedule.
Fill the gap我____你，最好提前十分钟到。Let me remind you: it is best to arrive ten minutes early.
Learning the Trade
Manager Jiang helps Chen An think through early career choices.
6 new words
生意shēngyibusiness, trade
你想先做小生意，还是进大公司先学习？
Would you rather start a small business first, or join a large company and learn first?
谈tánto talk, to discuss
我想先在团队里工作，学着怎样跟客户谈，也了解整个流程。
I want to work in a team first, learn how to talk with clients, and understand the whole process.
并bìngactually, definitely
积累jīlěito accumulate
经验jīngyànexperience
我担心自己经验不够，做错了会影响别人。
I worry that I do not have enough experience and that a mistake could affect others.
一切yíqièall, every
每个选择都有难处，不过一切都可以慢慢学。
Every choice has its difficulties, but everything can be learned gradually.
Listen to the conversation
江经理
你想先做小生意，还是进大公司先学习？
Nǐ xiǎng xiān zuò xiǎo shēngyi, háishi jìn dà gōngsī xiān xuéxí?
Would you rather start a small business first, or join a large company and learn first?
陈安
我想先在团队里工作，学着怎样跟客户谈，也了解整个流程。
Wǒ xiǎng xiān zài tuánduì lǐ gōngzuò, xué zhe zěnyàng gēn kèhù tán, yě liǎojiě zhěng ge liúchéng.
I want to work in a team first, learn how to talk with clients, and understand the whole process.
江经理
这个想法很实际。做生意不只要会说，也要会听。
Zhè ge xiǎngfa hěn shíjì. Zuò shēngyi bù zhǐ yào huì shuō, yě yào huì tīng.
That is practical. Running a business requires listening as well as speaking.
陈安
我担心自己经验不够，做错了会影响别人。
Wǒ dānxīn zìjǐ jīngyàn bù gòu, zuò cuò le huì yǐngxiǎng biérén.
I worry that I do not have enough experience and that a mistake could affect others.
江经理
每个选择都有难处，不过一切都可以慢慢学。
Měi ge xuǎnzé dōu yǒu nánchù, búguò yíqiè dōu kěyǐ mànmàn xué.
Every choice has its difficulties, but everything can be learned gradually.
陈安
那我先认真做事，等准备好了再试新的方向。
Nà wǒ xiān rènzhēn zuòshì, děng zhǔnbèi hǎo le zài shì xīn de fāngxiàng.
Then I will work carefully first and try a new direction when I am ready.
Which word means “actually, definitely”?
A Good Beginning
A reflection on steady progress during the first weeks of a new job.
7 new words
按照ànzhàoaccording to
新工作刚开始时，按照公司安排，按时把小任务做好，比急着证明自己更重要。
At the beginning of a new job, doing small tasks well and on time according to the company’s arrangements matters more than proving yourself in a hurry.
成功chénggōngsuccessful
一个项目顺利结束，不一定马上代表成功；从同事的建议和客户的消息里学到东西，也是一种进步。
A project ending smoothly does not necessarily mean instant success; learning from colleagues’ advice and customers’ news is progress too.
顺利shùnlìsmooth
一个项目顺利结束，不一定马上代表成功；从同事的建议和客户的消息里学到东西，也是一种进步。
A project ending smoothly does not necessarily mean instant success; learning from colleagues’ advice and customers’ news is progress too.
感谢gǎnxièto thank
得到帮助以后，认真感谢别人。
Thank people sincerely after receiving help.
消息xiāoxinews
一个项目顺利结束，不一定马上代表成功；从同事的建议和客户的消息里学到东西，也是一种进步。
A project ending smoothly does not necessarily mean instant success; learning from colleagues’ advice and customers’ news is progress too.
按时ànshíon time
新工作刚开始时，按照公司安排，按时把小任务做好，比急着证明自己更重要。
At the beginning of a new job, doing small tasks well and on time according to the company’s arrangements matters more than proving yourself in a hurry.
奖金jiǎngjīnbonus
等真正承担更大的责任时，奖金和机会自然会慢慢出现。
Bonuses and opportunities will gradually appear when you truly take on greater responsibility.
Listen to the text
新工作刚开始时，按照公司安排，按时把小任务做好，比急着证明自己更重要。一个项目顺利结束，不一定马上代表成功；从同事的建议和客户的消息里学到东西，也是一种进步。得到帮助以后，认真感谢别人。等真正承担更大的责任时，奖金和机会自然会慢慢出现。
Xīn gōngzuò gāng kāishǐ shí, ànzhào gōngsī ānpái, ànshí bǎ xiǎo rènwu zuò hǎo, bǐ jí zhe zhèngmíng zìjǐ gèng zhòngyào. Yī ge xiàngmù shùnlì jiéshù, bù yídìng mǎshàng dàibiǎo chénggōng; cóng tóngshì de jiànyì hé kèhù de xiāoxi lǐ xué dào dōngxi, yě shì yī zhǒng jìnbù. Dédào bāngzhù yǐhòu, rènzhēn gǎnxiè biérén. Děng zhēnzhèng chéngdān gèng dà de zérèn shí, jiǎngjīn hé jīhuì zìrán huì mànmàn chūxiàn.
At the beginning of a new job, doing small tasks well and on time according to the company’s arrangements matters more than proving yourself in a hurry. A project ending smoothly does not necessarily mean instant success; learning from colleagues’ advice and customers’ news is progress too. Thank people sincerely after receiving help. Bonuses and opportunities will gradually appear when you truly take on greater responsibility.
Grammar
新工作刚开始时，按照公司安排，按时把小任务做好，比急着证明自己更重要。At the beginning of a new job, doing small tasks well and on time according to the company’s arrangements matters more than proving yourself in a hurry.
按照+ Noun
按照 · “ànzhào”. Preposition meaning 'according to'.
我们今年的工作都已经按照计划完成了。
Wǒmen jīnnián de gōngzuò dōu yǐjīng ànzhào jìhuà wánchéng le.
Our work this year has all been completed according to plan.
Fill the gap一个项目____结束，不一定马上代表成功；从同事的建议和客户的消息里学到东西，也是一种进步。A project ending smoothly does not necessarily mean instant success; learning from colleagues’ advice and customers’ news is progress too.
Culture
Better to Teach Fishing than to Give Fish
The Chinese saying '授人以鱼不如授人以渔' (Shòu rén yǐ yú bùrú shòu rén yǐ yú) means that giving someone a fish feeds them for a day, but teaching them how to fish feeds them for a lifetime. It emphasizes that teaching methods and skills is more important than giving direct material help, encouraging self-sufficiency.
More Than a Salary
A reflection on choosing work that develops both skill and responsibility.
6 new words
工资gōngzīsalary
选择工作时，很多人只问工资够不够高、能赚多少钱，却忘了自己能用什么方法解决问题。
方法fāngfǎmethod
选择工作时，很多人只问工资够不够高、能赚多少钱，却忘了自己能用什么方法解决问题。
知识zhīshiknowledge
知识不只是书上的内容，经验也同样重要；在工作中，并不只是用知识解决问题，还要学会与人合作。
不得不bùdébùhave to, have no choice but to
有些岗位不得不面对压力，甚至需要在晚上处理紧急情况；如果愿意承担责任，就能慢慢积累解决问题的本领，把困难变成成长的机会。
甚至shènzhìeven, so far as to
有些岗位不得不面对压力，甚至需要在晚上处理紧急情况；如果愿意承担责任，就能慢慢积累解决问题的本领，把困难变成成长的机会。
责任zérènresponsibility
有些岗位不得不面对压力，甚至需要在晚上处理紧急情况；如果愿意承担责任，就能慢慢积累解决问题的本领，把困难变成成长的机会。
Listen to the text
选择工作时，很多人只问工资够不够高、能赚多少钱，却忘了自己能用什么方法解决问题。高工资完全不等于满意的生活。知识不只是书上的内容，经验也同样重要；在工作中，并不只是用知识解决问题，还要学会与人合作。有些岗位不得不面对压力，甚至需要在晚上处理紧急情况；如果愿意承担责任，就能慢慢积累解决问题的本领，把困难变成成长的机会。
Xuǎnzé gōngzuò shí, hěn duō rén zhǐ wèn gōngzī gòu bu gòu gāo, néng zhuàn duōshao qián, què wàng le zìjǐ néng yòng shénme fāngfǎ jiějué wèntí. Gāo gōngzī wánquán bù děngyú mǎnyì de shēnghuó. Zhīshi bù zhǐ shì shū shàng de nèiróng, jīngyàn yě tóngyàng zhòngyào; zài gōngzuò zhōng, bìng bù zhǐ shì yòng zhīshi jiějué wèntí, hái yào xuéhuì yǔ rén hézuò. Yǒuxiē gǎngwèi bùdébù miànduì yālì, shènzhì xūyào zài wǎnshang chǔlǐ jǐnjí qíngkuàng; rúguǒ yuànyì chéngdān zérèn, jiù néng mànmàn jīlěi jiějué wèntí de běnlǐng, bǎ kùnnan biàn chéng chéngzhǎng de jīhuì.
When choosing work, many people ask only whether the salary is high enough and how much money they can earn, and forget to consider what methods they can use to solve problems. A high salary does not completely equal a satisfying life. Knowledge is not only what is in books; experience matters too. At work, solving problems is not just about using knowledge; you also need to learn to cooperate with people. Some positions have to face pressure and may even require handling urgent situations at night. If you are willing to take responsibility, you can gradually build the ability to solve problems and turn difficulties into opportunities to grow.
Grammar
知识不只是书上的内容，经验也同样重要；在工作中，并不只是用知识解决问题，还要学会与人合作。
并+不/没+ Verb
并 · “bìng”. Used before a negative word (不/没) to reinforce the negation/tone.
我本来以为做生意很简单，后来才发现其实并不容易。
Wǒ běnlái yǐwéi zuò shēngyi hěn jiǎndān, hòulái cái fāxiàn qíshí bìng bù róngyì.
I originally thought doing business was simple, but later discovered it's actually not easy.
有些岗位不得不面对压力，甚至需要在晚上处理紧急情况；如果愿意承担责任，就能慢慢积累解决问题的本领，把困难变成成长的机会。
A +甚至+ B
甚至 · “shènzhì”. Adverb emphasizing a prominent or extreme example ('even').
很多时候，我们不得不去做一些自己不愿意做甚至是非常不喜欢的工作。
Hěn duō shíhou, wǒmen bùdébù qù zuò yìxiē zìjǐ bú yuànyì zuò shènzhì shì fēicháng bù xǐhuan de gōngzuò.
Often, we have to do work we are unwilling or even strictly dislike doing.
Which word means “knowledge”?
Write the new characters
0 of 26 written
份 fèn · part, portion
Practice
8 questions · about 4 minutes
Pick the meaningListenFill the gapMatchWord order
Finish
Finish the practice to complete this lesson.