目标、计划和建议
Chapter Overview and Learning Objectives
This chapter continues Unit IV by moving from reporting news to talking about the future. You will learn how to state plans with 打算 and 计划, give advice with 应该 and 最好, and talk about future likelihood using 会 — a system you have already been consolidating since earlier chapters. You will also practice softening suggestions so that advice sounds like a recommendation rather than a command, using 吧, 你觉得...怎么样, and 要不要...还是... The chapter task asks you to describe a personal goal, explain your plan for it, and give and receive advice with a partner.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- State personal plans and intentions using 打算 and 计划.
- Give advice and recommendations using 应该 and 最好.
- Talk about future likelihood using 会, and recognize 可能 in context.
- Soften suggestions and requests using 吧, 你觉得...怎么样, and 要不要...还是...
- Write a short paragraph describing a goal, a plan, and a piece of advice related to it.
Communication Scenario
A friend has asked what you are hoping to accomplish this year and what your plan looks like. You will listen to a short conversation about someone's goals, read a short message about a friend's plans, discuss your own goals and plans with a partner while giving each other advice, and write a paragraph describing a goal, your plan, and one piece of advice you have received or would give.
- You will listen to a short conversation about someone's goals and plans.
- You will read a short message describing a friend's plan and the advice a friend gave them.
- You will tell a partner about one of your own goals, your plan, and ask for their advice.
- You will write a short paragraph combining a goal, a plan, and a piece of advice.
Core Vocabulary
| 汉字 | Pinyin | Part/Function | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 目标 | mùbiāo | noun | goal | 我今年有一个新目标。 |
| 计划 | jìhuà | noun/verb | plan; to plan | 我的计划是每天学习一个小时中文。 |
| 打算 | dǎsuàn | verb | to plan to; to intend to | 我打算明年去中国。 |
| 建议 | jiànyì | noun/verb | suggestion; to suggest | 你有什么建议吗？ |
| 最好 | zuìhǎo | adverb | had better; it would be best to | 你最好每天练习说中文。 |
| 希望 | xīwàng | verb/noun | to hope; hope | 我希望明年能找到一个好工作。 |
| 决定 | juédìng | verb/noun | to decide; decision | 她决定下个月开始运动。 |
| 坚持 | jiānchí | verb | to stick with; to persist | 这个计划不容易，但是我要坚持。 |
| 进步 | jìnbù | noun/verb | progress; to improve | 我的中文最近进步了很多。 |
| 机会 | jīhuì | noun | opportunity | 这是一个很好的机会。 |
| 选择 | xuǎnzé | noun/verb | choice; to choose | 你有两个选择。 |
| 可能 | kěnéng | adverb (receptive) | possibly; maybe | 明年我可能会去台湾。 |
All entries above are productive for this chapter except 可能, which is receptive at this level: you should be able to understand it in context, but 会 remains your primary productive tool for talking about future likelihood. Time expressions, travel vocabulary, and study/work vocabulary from earlier chapters should be recycled freely in speaking and writing tasks.
Pronunciation Focus: 不 Sandhi in Advice and Plans
Giving advice and describing plans often involves negation with 不, and this chapter continues developing control of 不 sandhi in connected speech. Remember that 不 changes to second tone before a fourth-tone syllable, but keeps its normal fourth tone before first, second, and third tones.
| Word | Pinyin | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 不建议 | bù jiànyì | bù stays fourth tone before the second-tone syllable jiàn... note the tone of 议 (fourth tone) does not affect 不, since sandhi depends on the syllable immediately following 不 |
| 不要坚持 | bú yào jiānchí | bù becomes second tone before the fourth-tone yào |
| 不太好 | bú tài hǎo | bù becomes second tone before the fourth-tone tài |
Practice this chapter's advice sentences aloud in pairs, listening for whether the syllable right after 不 is fourth tone. If it is, shift 不 to a rising second tone; otherwise, keep it as a falling fourth tone.
Grammar and Sentence Patterns
1. Stating Plans: 打算 and 计划
打算 and 计划 both describe plans, but they behave slightly differently. 打算 functions as a verb directly followed by another verb phrase. 计划 can function the same way, or as a noun meaning "plan."
| Pattern | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 打算 + verb phrase | state an intention | 我打算明年学开车。 |
| 计划 + verb phrase | state a plan, slightly more formal | 我们计划下个月去旅行。 |
| 我的计划是... | introduce a plan as a noun | 我的计划是每天练习说中文。 |
打算 and 计划 both build on the intention system you already use with 要 and 想. Use 打算 for everyday spoken plans and 计划 when the plan is more organized or when you want to name it as a noun.
2. Giving Advice: 应该 and 最好
You have already consolidated 应该 (should) as a modal verb. This chapter adds 最好, which softens advice into a strong recommendation rather than an obligation.
你应该多运动。
你最好多运动。
You should exercise more. / You'd better exercise more (a stronger, more personal recommendation).
| Pattern | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 应该 + verb phrase | general advice or obligation | 你应该早点儿睡觉。 |
| 最好 + verb phrase | strong personal recommendation | 你最好先跟老师聊聊。 |
| 不应该 / 最好不要 + verb phrase | negative advice | 你最好不要一个人决定。 |
3. Future Likelihood with 会
会 remains your primary tool for talking about what is likely to happen. This chapter recycles and expands 会 into longer discourse about goals and plans.
如果你坚持练习，你的中文一定会进步。
If you keep practicing, your Chinese will definitely improve.
可能 (possibly) is receptive at this level: you may see or hear it in readings and dialogues, such as "明年我可能会去台湾", but 会 alone remains your productive tool for stating future likelihood.
4. Softening Suggestions: 吧, 你觉得...怎么样, and 要不要...还是...
A suggestion phrased as a flat statement can sound like a command. Mandarin speakers commonly soften suggestions using a sentence-final 吧, a question inviting the other person's opinion, or a choice question.
| Pattern | Use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| verb phrase + 吧 | soft suggestion | 我们先做一个小计划吧。 |
| 你觉得...怎么样？ | invite an opinion before advising | 你觉得这个计划怎么样？ |
| 要不要...还是...？ | offer a choice rather than a single directive | 你要不要先跟朋友聊聊，还是自己决定？ |
要不要...还是... builds on the choice-question pattern with 还是 that you have been developing since earlier chapters. Using a choice question to give advice keeps the tone respectful of the other person's own decision.
Model Dialogue: 我今年的目标
Context: two friends, informal register, talking over coffee about the year ahead.
小林：你今年有什么目标吗？
小陈：有。我打算把中文说得更好，我的计划是每天练习说半个小时。
小林：这个计划不错。你最好也多听中文新闻，这样进步会更快。
小陈：好建议。你觉得我应该先跟中文老师聊聊，还是自己先开始？
小林：我觉得你最好先跟老师聊聊，问问她有什么建议。
小陈：好，那我们先做一个小计划吧。如果我坚持练习，我相信我的中文一定会进步。
Xiao Lin: Do you have any goals this year? Xiao Chen: Yes. I'm planning to speak Chinese better — my plan is to practice speaking for half an hour every day. Xiao Lin: That's a good plan. You'd better also listen to Chinese news more, that way your progress will be faster. Xiao Chen: Good suggestion. Do you think I should talk to my Chinese teacher first, or start on my own first? Xiao Lin: I think you'd better talk to your teacher first and ask what advice she has. Xiao Chen: Okay, let's make a small plan first, then. If I stick with practicing, I believe my Chinese will definitely improve.
Guided Practice
A. Choose 打算 or 计划 to complete each sentence.
- 我______明年去中国旅行。
- 我们的______是先学习一年中文，再去中国。
- 她______下个月开始运动。
B. Rewrite each sentence as advice using 应该 or 最好.
- 你每天练习说中文。（应该）
- 你先跟老师聊聊。（最好）
- 你不要一个人决定。（最好不要）
C. Soften each direct statement using 吧 or 你觉得...怎么样？
- 我们先做一个计划。
- 你应该多听中文新闻。
Listening Practice
Listening script for independent use. Read aloud slowly, then at a natural pace, or have a fluent speaker record it.
对话 — Short conversation:
小王：我今年的目标是找到一个新工作，可是我还没有计划。
小李：你最好先想想你希望做什么工作，然后再决定怎么开始。
小王：好建议。你觉得我应该先跟朋友聊聊，还是先自己上网找找？
小李：我觉得你可以两个都做。如果你坚持找机会，我相信你一定会找到一个好工作。
小王：谢谢你，那我们先做一个小计划吧。
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 小王今年的目标是什么？ | ______ |
| 小李给了小王什么建议？ | ______ |
| 小李觉得小王最后会怎么样？ | ______ |
Speaking Practice
交际任务 — Communicative task: 我的目标和计划
With a partner, tell each other about a personal goal (learning, work, health, or similar). Use at least one plan expression (打算 or 计划), one piece of advice (应该 or 最好), one future-likelihood sentence with 会, and one softened suggestion (吧, 你觉得...怎么样, or 要不要...还是...). Give your partner at least one piece of advice about their goal.
独立练习 — Solo alternative
Record yourself describing one of your own goals for one minute, following the same requirements, then add one piece of advice you would give a friend with a similar goal.
Reading Practice
Read the short message, then answer the questions.
我今年的目标是学会做饭。我打算每个星期学做一个新菜，我的计划是先从简单的菜开始。我朋友建议我先跟她一起做，她说这样比较容易学。她还说我最好写下每次做菜的问题，这样下次可以进步得更快。
虽然这个目标不容易，但是我决定要坚持。如果我每个星期都练习，我相信我的做饭技术一定会进步。你觉得我的计划怎么样？你有没有什么建议？
- 这个人今年的目标是什么？
- 朋友给了什么建议？
- 这个人相信坚持练习会有什么结果？
Writing Workshop
Write a short paragraph (six to nine sentences) describing a personal goal, your plan for it, and a piece of advice.
写作任务 — Writing task: Type your paragraph with Pinyin input. Your paragraph must include:
- One goal stated clearly, using 目标.
- At least one plan expression (打算 or 计划).
- At least one piece of advice (应该 or 最好), given by you or by someone else.
- One future-likelihood sentence using 会.
- At least one softened suggestion or question (吧, 你觉得...怎么样, or 要不要...还是...).
修改清单 — Editing checklist:
- The goal and plan are clearly distinguished from each other.
- Advice uses 应该 or 最好 correctly, not a flat command.
- 会 is used to express future likelihood; 可能 is only used if you are ready to treat it receptively.
- At least one sentence softens a suggestion rather than stating it as an order.
- Chinese punctuation (，。？！) is used correctly throughout.
- No new grammar beyond this chapter and prior consolidated systems is required to complete the task.
Culture and Communication
Among many Mandarin speakers, direct advice softened with 你觉得...怎么样 or a choice question such as 要不要...还是... is often preferred over a flat command, especially between friends or colleagues of similar status. This habit respects the other person's ability to make their own decision while still offering a clear recommendation. The strength of 应该 versus 最好 can also shift depending on the closeness of the relationship and the seriousness of the topic; among close friends, 最好 often feels more natural and personal than 应该, which can sound slightly more like an obligation.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing 打算 and 计划 as nouns only: 打算 functions only as a verb before another verb phrase; 计划 can be a verb or a noun, but 打算 cannot stand alone as "my plan is..."
- Treating 最好 as identical to 应该: 最好 is a strong personal recommendation, while 应该 carries more of a sense of obligation; they are not always interchangeable.
- Overusing 可能 productively: 可能 is receptive at this level; use 会 to state future likelihood in your own speaking and writing.
- Skipping softening language entirely: a string of 应该 statements with no 吧, 你觉得...怎么样, or choice question can sound like a list of commands rather than advice between equals.
- Incorrect 不 sandhi: remember to shift 不 to second tone before a fourth-tone syllable, as in 不要 and 不太好.
Chapter Summary
This chapter introduced plan expressions with 打算 and 计划, advice with 应该 and 最好, expanded future-likelihood use of 会 (with receptive recognition of 可能), and softened suggestions using 吧, 你觉得...怎么样, and 要不要...还是... You listened to and read short conversations and messages about goals and advice, discussed your own goals with a partner, and wrote a paragraph combining a goal, a plan, and a piece of advice.
Chapter Review
部分 A — 听力和阅读 (Listening and Reading)
1. I can follow a short conversation about goals and identify the plan and the advice given.
2. I can read a short message about a friend's goal and identify the plan, the advice, and the expected outcome.
部分 B — 口语 (Speaking)
1. I can describe a personal goal and plan, give a piece of advice, and soften a suggestion appropriately.
部分 C — 写作 (Writing)
1. I can write a short paragraph combining a goal, a plan, a piece of advice, and a future-likelihood statement.
Recognition Check
Say each of the following aloud: 我打算学开车, 你最好先跟老师聊聊, 你觉得这个计划怎么样, 我相信一定会进步. If any of these feel uncertain, review this chapter before continuing to Chapter 19.
Practical Performance Task
Chapter 18 Performance Task
目标、计划和建议 — Goals, Plans, and Advice
Complete the following four connected tasks in one sitting to demonstrate integrated control of this chapter's systems.
- Listen to the conversation and complete the listening comprehension table above.
- Read the message and answer the comprehension questions.
- Speak with a partner (or record independently) about a personal goal, plan, and piece of advice.
- Write your goal-and-plan paragraph, following the Writing Workshop steps and editing checklist.
Answer Key
Guided Practice
A. 1. 打算 2. 计划 3. 打算 (计划 also acceptable)
B. 1. 你应该每天练习说中文。 2. 你最好先跟老师聊聊。 3. 你最好不要一个人决定。
C. Model answers: 1. 我们先做一个计划吧。 2. 你觉得多听中文新闻怎么样？ Other accurate, appropriately softened answers are acceptable.
Listening Practice
- Xiao Wang's goal this year is to find a new job.
- Xiao Li suggested first thinking about what kind of work he hopes to do, then deciding how to start; also suggested asking friends and searching online.
- Xiao Li believes that if Xiao Wang keeps looking for opportunities, he will definitely find a good job.
Reading Practice
- The goal is to learn to cook.
- The friend suggested cooking together and writing down problems from each attempt.
- The person believes their cooking skills will definitely improve if they practice every week.
Chapter Review
This checklist is for learner self-reflection; there is no single fixed answer. If any item feels uncertain, review the relevant section before proceeding.
Looking Ahead
现在你会做什么 — What you can do now
You can describe a personal goal and plan, give and receive advice using 应该 and 最好, talk about future likelihood with 会, and soften suggestions so that they invite the other person's opinion rather than sounding like a command.