🤔 Stop Saying 我想! How to Express Your Opinion Like A Native Mandarin Speaker.
大家好,
If you want to speak better Mandarin and sound more like native speakers, it’s important to use the same phrases that native speakers use all the time.
When it comes to speaking, a common sticking point is not knowing what to say.
When we analyze this, it often hel
ps to know how to start expressing our thoughts first. Even if it’s as simple as agreeing or disagreeing with a point.
Today we’ll explore some key phrases and sentence starters to express opinions like a native speaker.
Let’s dive in.
BTW If you want personalized help, I’m helping a couple of students this week with expressing your thoughts and getting conversational quick with personalized feedback. Message me if you’re interested.
I think…
我想 (Wǒ xiǎng) - "I think" or "I suppose."
Example: 我想这个计划可能会有一些问题。(Wǒ xiǎng zhège jìhuà kěnéng huì yǒu yīxiē wèntí.) - "I think this plan might have some issues."
This is the most common phrase we are taught as Chinese learners to express “I think”. It certainly works but there are many other options as well.
This phrase can be used to express a tentative opinion or suggestion. It's often used when the speaker is not entirely sure but wants to offer their perspective. It can also simply mean "I want" or "I would like" depending on the context.
我认为... (Wǒ rènwéi...) - "I think..."
Example: 我认为这个决定是正确的。(Wǒ rènwéi zhège juédìng shì zhèngquè de.) - "I think this decision is correct."
This expression is straightforward and neutral. It is commonly used in formal and informal situations to state an opinion without adding any emotional emphasis. It's a balanced way of expressing one's viewpoint.
我觉得... (Wǒ juédé...) - "I feel/think..."
Example: 我觉得这个电影很有意思。(Wǒ juédé zhège diànyǐng hěn yǒuyìsi.) - "I think this movie is very interesting."
Similar to "我认为," this phrase is very commonly used to express opinions in a casual or informal setting. However, "我觉得" tends to convey a slightly more personal and subjective perspective, as it directly translates to "I feel/think.”
我感觉... (Wǒ gǎnjué...) - "I feel..."
This expression is similar to "我觉得," but it places slightly more emphasis on the speaker's emotional or intuitive response. It's commonly used in casual conversations to convey a sense of personal feeling or intuition.
Example: 我感觉这个决定不太明智。(Wǒ gǎnjué zhège juédìng bù tài míngzhì.) - "I feel this decision is not very wise."
我相信... (Wǒ xiāngxìn...) - "I believe..."
Example: 我相信他会成功。(Wǒ xiāngxìn tā huì chénggōng.) - "I believe he will succeed."
This phrase is used to express strong conviction or belief in something. It implies a deeper level of trust or faith in the statement being made. It's often used to express opinions on matters of faith, trust, or confidence.
In my opinion…
对我来说... (Duì wǒ lái shuō...) - "For me..."
Example: 对我来说,学习是一种享受。(Duì wǒ lái shuō, xuéxí shì yī zhǒng xiǎngshòu.) - "For me, learning is a pleasure."
This phrase translates to "For me" or "As far as I'm concerned." It's used to introduce a statement or opinion that is based on the speaker's personal experience or perspective.
对我而言 (Duì wǒ ér yán) - "As for me" or "In my opinion."
Example: 对我而言,这是一个重要的问题。(Duì wǒ ér yán, zhè shì yīgè zhòngyào de wèntí.) - "As for me, this is an important issue."
Very similar to 對我來說. This phrase introduces the speaker's perspective or viewpoint, emphasizing its personal nature.
在我看来 (Zài wǒ kàn lái) - "From my perspective" or "In my view."
Example: 在我看来,这个计划是行不通的。(Zài wǒ kàn lái, zhège jìhuà shì xíng bù tōng de.) - "From my perspective, this plan won't work."
Similar to "对我而言," this phrase emphasizes the speaker's viewpoint or opinion.
在我的角度来看 (Zài wǒ de jiǎodù lái kàn) - "From my perspective" or "In my point of view."
Example: 在我的角度来看,这个问题有很多解决方法。(Zài wǒ de jiǎodù lái kàn, zhège wèntí yǒu hěnduō jiějué fāngfǎ.) - "From my perspective, there are many solutions to this problem."
This phrase emphasizes the speaker's viewpoint or perspective, similar to "在我看来."
以我的个人经验来看 (Yǐ wǒ de gèrén jīngyàn lái kàn) - "Based on my personal experience."
Example: 以我的个人经验来看,这种方法是有效的。(Yǐ wǒ de gèrén jīngyàn lái kàn, zhè zhǒng fāngfǎ shì yǒuxiào de.) - "Based on my personal experience, this method is effective."
This phrase is used to introduce an opinion or judgment that is informed by the speaker's own personal experiences.
据我所知 (Jù wǒ suǒ zhī) - "As far as I know" or "To the best of my knowledge."
Example: 据我所知,他们已经开始准备了。(Jù wǒ suǒ zhī, tāmen yǐjīng kāishǐ zhǔnbèi le.) - "As far as I know, they have already started preparing."
This phrase is used to qualify the speaker's statement by indicating that it is based on their understanding or information.
依我看... (Yī wǒ kàn...) - "In my opinion..."
Example: 依我看,这样做是有道理的。(Yī wǒ kàn, zhèyàng zuò shì yǒu dàolǐ de.) - "In my opinion, this approach makes sense."
This expression translates to "In my view" or "From my perspective." It's a slightly more formal way of offering an opinion and is often used in written or spoken discourse to introduce one's viewpoint in a respectful manner.
I agree…
我同意 (Wǒ tóngyì) - "I agree."
Example: 我同意你的观点。(Wǒ tóngyì nǐ de guāndiǎn.) - "I agree with your point of view."
This phrase is used to express alignment with someone else's opinion or viewpoint. It's a straightforward way of indicating consensus or approval. It can also be used to express agreement with a statement or decision.
我認同 (Wǒ rèntóng) - "I agree" or "I identify with."
Example: 我認同這個觀點。(Wǒ rèntóng zhège guāndiǎn.) - "I agree with this viewpoint."
This is very similar to 我同意 to express agreement or alignment with someone else's opinion or viewpoint. It suggests not only agreement but also a sense of shared understanding or empathy.
To be honest…
说实话, 老实说, 坦白说 (Shuō shíhuà, lǎoshí shuō, tǎnbái shuō) - "To be honest" or "Frankly speaking." These phrases are used to preface a statement to indicate sincerity or candor.
Example: 老实说,我不太赞成这个决定。(Lǎoshí shuō, wǒ bù tài zànchéng zhège juédìng.) - "To be honest, I don't really agree with this decision."
I guess…
我猜 (Wǒ cāi) - "I guess" or "I suppose"
Example: 我猜他今天可能会迟到。(Wǒ cāi tā jīntiān kěnéng huì chídào.) - "I guess he might be late today."
It's often used when the speaker is making an assumption or offering a speculative opinion based on limited information or intuition.
This phrase is commonly used in casual conversations or when the speaker is uncertain about something and is expressing their best guess. It's not as assertive as some other expressions for expressing opinions, as it acknowledges a degree of uncertainty or speculation.
我估计 (Wǒ gūjì) - "I estimate" or "I reckon."
Example: 我估计明天会下雨。(Wǒ gūjì míngtiān huì xià yǔ.) - "I reckon it will rain tomorrow."
This phrase is used to express an estimation or prediction based on the speaker's judgment or assessment.
看起来 (Kàn qǐlái) - "it seems" or "it looks like"
Example: 这个计划看起来很有希望。(Zhège jìhuà kàn qǐlái hěn yǒu xīwàng.) - "This plan looks very promising."
This is a very commonly used phrase to express an observation or impression based on what one sees or perceives.
This phrase is often used to offer an opinion based on visual cues or outward appearances. It's a more subjective way of expressing an opinion, as it relies on the speaker's perception or interpretation of a situation.
Putting Into Practice
If you want to sound like native speakers, the easiest way is to copy how they speak. List to them in conversations, podcasts, videos, interviews, etc. I love observing how native speakers speak, the words, they use, how they formulate their sentences and then stealing from them.
This applies whether it’s learning how to say “I think” or other ways to express your opinion. This is the foundation of the Copy Paste System that helps you overcome your speaking fears and get conversational fast.
If you want personalized help, this week I’m helping a couple of students with expressing your thoughts and getting conversational quick with personalized feedback. Message me if you’re interested.
循序渐进,
Danyo
PS Here are some other ways I can help you level up your Chinese:
Copy Paste Speaking Course: The self-directed system I used to learn to get conversational, improve my listening and pronunciation and speak Chinese like native speakers
Language Learner OS: This is a digital system to help organize your language studies, track vocabulary, build connections, stay productive, and learn faster!
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