Talking about future plans is an essential skill in any language. Whether you’re making weekend plans with friends, discussing career aspirations, or simply talking about what you’ll do after dinner, being able to articulate your future intentions is crucial. In Chinese, discussing future plans involves understanding some unique grammatical structures, vocabulary, and cultural nuances. This article aims to guide English speakers through the intricacies of talking about future plans in Chinese, providing practical examples and tips along the way.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the specifics, it’s essential to grasp some fundamental concepts. Unlike English, Chinese does not have a tense system. Instead, Chinese relies on context and specific words or phrases to indicate time. This means you won’t find direct equivalents for “will” or “going to” in Chinese. Instead, you’ll use time phrases and context clues to convey future actions.
Time Words and Phrases
One of the simplest ways to talk about the future in Chinese is by using time words and phrases. Here are some common ones:
– **明天 (míngtiān)**: tomorrow
– **下周 (xià zhōu)**: next week
– **下个月 (xià gè yuè)**: next month
– **明年 (míngnián)**: next year
– **以后 (yǐhòu)**: later/in the future
For example:
– 我**明天**去北京。(Wǒ míngtiān qù Běijīng.) – I will go to Beijing **tomorrow**.
Using “要 (yào)” and “会 (huì)”
Two important verbs often used to express future intentions are **要 (yào)** and **会 (huì)**.
– **要 (yào)** indicates a strong intention or plan to do something. It is similar to “going to” in English.
– **会 (huì)** implies a future possibility or something that will happen naturally. It is akin to “will” in English.
Examples:
– 我**要**去上班。(Wǒ yào qù shàngbān.) – I am **going to** work.
– 明天会下雨。(Míngtiān huì xiàyǔ.) – It **will** rain tomorrow.
Sentence Structures
Using “要 (yào)”
When using **要 (yào)** to express future plans, the structure is straightforward: Subject + **要** + Verb + Object.
Examples:
– 他**要**去中国。(Tā yào qù Zhōngguó.) – He **is going to** China.
– 我们**要**买新车。(Wǒmen yào mǎi xīn chē.) – We **are going to** buy a new car.
Using “会 (huì)”
The structure for **会 (huì)** is similar: Subject + **会** + Verb + Object.
Examples:
– 他**会**来。(Tā huì lái.) – He **will** come.
– 我**会**学习中文。(Wǒ huì xuéxí Zhōngwén.) – I **will** study Chinese.
Combining Time Words with “要 (yào)” and “会 (huì)”
Combining time words with **要 (yào)** or **会 (huì)** provides a clearer context for your future plans.
Examples:
– 我**明年要**去中国。(Wǒ míngnián yào qù Zhōngguó.) – I **am going to** China **next year**.
– 他**明天会**来。(Tā míngtiān huì lái.) – He **will** come **tomorrow**.
Expressing Future Plans with “打算 (dǎsuàn)”
Another useful verb for talking about future plans is **打算 (dǎsuàn)**, which means “to plan” or “to intend”. This verb can be used to express more detailed and considered plans.
Structure
The sentence structure for **打算 (dǎsuàn)** is: Subject + **打算** + Verb + Object.
Examples:
– 我**打算**去旅游。(Wǒ dǎsuàn qù lǚyóu.) – I **plan to** travel.
– 他们**打算**买房子。(Tāmen dǎsuàn mǎi fángzi.) – They **plan to** buy a house.
Combining “打算 (dǎsuàn)” with Time Words
As with **要 (yào)** and **会 (huì)**, you can combine **打算 (dǎsuàn)** with time words for greater clarity.
Examples:
– 我**下个月打算**去日本。(Wǒ xià gè yuè dǎsuàn qù Rìběn.) – I **plan to** go to Japan **next month**.
– 她**明天打算**见朋友。(Tā míngtiān dǎsuàn jiàn péngyǒu.) – She **plans to** meet her friend **tomorrow**.
Using “准备 (zhǔnbèi)” to Indicate Preparation
The verb **准备 (zhǔnbèi)** means “to prepare” or “to get ready”. It can also be used to indicate future plans, especially when discussing something you are getting ready to do.
Structure
The structure for **准备 (zhǔnbèi)** is: Subject + **准备** + Verb + Object.
Examples:
– 我**准备**出门。(Wǒ zhǔnbèi chūmén.) – I **am preparing to** go out.
– 他们**准备**搬家。(Tāmen zhǔnbèi bānjiā.) – They **are preparing to** move house.
Combining “准备 (zhǔnbèi)” with Time Words
As with other verbs, you can combine **准备 (zhǔnbèi)** with time words for more detailed future plans.
Examples:
– 我**明天准备**考试。(Wǒ míngtiān zhǔnbèi kǎoshì.) – I **am preparing to** take an exam **tomorrow**.
– 她**下周准备**旅游。(Tā xià zhōu zhǔnbèi lǚyóu.) – She **is preparing to** travel **next week**.
Using “打算 (dǎsuàn)” vs. “准备 (zhǔnbèi)”
While both **打算 (dǎsuàn)** and **准备 (zhǔnbèi)** can be used to talk about future plans, they have subtle differences:
– **打算 (dǎsuàn)** is used to indicate a plan or intention.
– **准备 (zhǔnbèi)** emphasizes the preparation aspect of the plan.
Examples:
– 我**打算**学习中文。(Wǒ dǎsuàn xuéxí Zhōngwén.) – I **plan to** study Chinese.
– 我**准备**学习中文。(Wǒ zhǔnbèi xuéxí Zhōngwén.) – I **am preparing to** study Chinese.
Expressing Future Plans in Formal Contexts
In formal contexts, such as business meetings or official documents, different language might be used to discuss future plans. Here are a few formal expressions:
Using “将 (jiāng)”
The word **将 (jiāng)** is often used in formal contexts to indicate future actions. It is similar to “will” in English but is more formal.
Examples:
– 我们**将**在下周开会。(Wǒmen jiāng zài xià zhōu kāihuì.) – We **will** hold a meeting **next week**.
– 公司**将**推出新产品。(Gōngsī jiāng tuīchū xīn chǎnpǐn.) – The company **will** launch a new product.
Using “计划 (jìhuà)”
The noun **计划 (jìhuà)** means “plan” and can be used in formal contexts to discuss future plans.
Examples:
– 我们有一个新的**计划**。(Wǒmen yǒu yī gè xīn de jìhuà.) – We have a new **plan**.
– 公司的**计划**是扩展市场。(Gōngsī de jìhuà shì kuòzhǎn shìchǎng.) – The company’s **plan** is to expand the market.
Cultural Considerations
Understanding cultural nuances is crucial when discussing future plans in Chinese. Here are a few tips:
Be Indirect
In Chinese culture, people often avoid making definitive statements about the future, especially in social contexts. Instead of saying “I will” (我会), you might hear “I plan to” (我打算) or “I want to” (我想).
Example:
– 我**打算**去旅游。(Wǒ dǎsuàn qù lǚyóu.) – I **plan to** travel.
– 我**想**去旅游。(Wǒ xiǎng qù lǚyóu.) – I **want to** travel.
Use Modesty
When discussing future achievements or successes, it’s common to be modest and avoid boasting. Instead of saying “I will succeed” (我会成功), you might say “I hope to succeed” (我希望成功).
Example:
– 我**希望**成功。(Wǒ xīwàng chénggōng.) – I **hope to** succeed.
Consider Hierarchies
In formal or professional settings, always be mindful of hierarchies. Use polite language and consider adding honorifics when discussing future plans with superiors.
Example:
– 我**计划**明年完成这个项目。(Wǒ jìhuà míngnián wánchéng zhège xiàngmù.) – I **plan** to complete this project **next year**.
Practical Exercises
To help solidify your understanding, here are a few practical exercises:
Exercise 1: Translate the Following Sentences
1. I will go to the gym tomorrow.
2. She plans to study abroad next year.
3. We are preparing to launch a new product next month.
4. They will hold a meeting next week.
5. I hope to travel to China in the future.
Exercise 2: Create Your Own Sentences
Use **要 (yào)**, **会 (huì)**, **打算 (dǎsuàn)**, and **准备 (zhǔnbèi)** to create sentences about your future plans.
Examples:
– I am going to visit my family next week.
– He plans to learn Chinese.
– We are preparing to move house.
Exercise 3: Role Play
Pair up with a friend or language partner and role-play a conversation where you discuss your future plans. Try to incorporate different verbs and time words.
Example Dialogue:
– A: 你**明天要**做什么？ (Nǐ míngtiān yào zuò shénme?) – What **are you going to** do **tomorrow**?
– B: 我**打算**去看电影。(Wǒ dǎsuàn qù kàn diànyǐng.) – I **plan to** go to the movies.
Conclusion
Talking about future plans in Chinese may seem challenging at first, but with practice, you’ll find it becomes more intuitive. By understanding and using key verbs like **要 (yào)**, **会 (huì)**, **打算 (dǎsuàn)**, and **准备 (zhǔnbèi)**, and by incorporating time words and cultural nuances, you can effectively communicate your future intentions.
Remember to practice regularly and immerse yourself in real-life conversations whenever possible. This will not only improve your language skills but also give you a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. Happy learning!
