Welcome to the guide on how to say “review” in Chinese! Whether you’re looking to write a review, discuss a product or service, or simply expand your Mandarin vocabulary, this guide will equip you with the necessary knowledge. We’ll cover both formal and informal ways of expressing “review” and provide some helpful tips and examples along the way.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Review”
When it comes to a formal context, such as professional settings or academic discussions, you can use specific Mandarin words to convey the meaning of “review.” Here are some formal terms you can utilize:
- 审查 (shěn chá) – This term emphasizes a detailed and careful examination, suitable when referring to a formal review process or analysis.
- 评审 (píng shěn) – This word implies a critical evaluation or assessment, often used in a professional or official capacity.
- 评论 (píng lùn) – This term combines the notions of “comment” and “review,” commonly employed when discussing evaluations or appraisals of various subjects.
- 回顾 (huí gù) – While it literally translates to “look back” or “retrospect,” it is widely used in formal contexts to express the notion of reviewing something in great detail, such as a presentation, project, or event.
Informal Ways to Say “Review”
If you find yourself in a more casual or informal context, using the aforementioned formal terms might sound too rigid. Instead, you can opt for more relaxed phrases to express “review.” Here are some commonly used informal expressions:
- 评论 (píng lùn) – This term, which we mentioned earlier in the formal section, can also be used in a casual context, making it a versatile option suitable for both formal and informal situations.
- 点评 (diǎn píng) – This phrase implies a brief or concise review, often found in online reviews, social media comments, or quick personal assessments.
- 评价 (píng jià) – This word broadly encompasses the concept of “evaluation” and can be used in various casual contexts to express your judgment or opinion.
- 鉴定 (jiàn dìng) – While usually translated as “appraisal” or “evaluation,” it can also carry the meaning of “review” in certain informal contexts.
Regional Variations
Chinese is a rich language with regional variations. Generally, the formal and informal terms mentioned above are widely understood throughout China. However, some regional variations may exist. Here are a few examples:
In Taiwan, people may use the term 評論 (píng lùn) as a more general way to express “review” in both formal and informal contexts.
Tips and Examples
Now that we’ve covered both formal and informal ways to say “review” in Chinese, here are some tips and examples to help you understand how to use these expressions effectively:
Tips:
- Always consider the context in which you want to use the word “review” to determine which term is most appropriate.
- Pay attention to whether the situation requires a formal or informal approach.
- Remember that fluency in a language involves using the appropriate vocabulary for the given context.
Formal Examples:
1. The board conducted a thorough review of the financial statements.
董事会对财务报表进行了详尽的审查。(Dǒng shì huì duì cái wù bào biǎo jìn xíng le xiáng jǐn de shěn chá.)
2. The committee is responsible for the review of research proposals.
委员会负责评审研究提案。(Wěi yuán huì fù zé píng shěn yán jiū tí àn.)
Informal Examples:
1. I read a movie review online and decided to watch the film.
我在网上看了一篇电影评论，于是决定去看这部电影。(Wǒ zài wǎng shàng kàn le yī piān diàn yǐng píng lùn, yú shì jué dìng qù kàn zhè bù diàn yǐng.)
2. Can you give me a quick review of the new restaurant downtown?
你能简单给我点评一下市区新开的那家餐厅吗？(Nǐ néng jiǎn dān gěi wǒ diǎn píng yī xià shì qū xīn kāi de nà jiā cān tīng ma?)
Remember, the key to becoming proficient in Mandarin lies in practice and building vocabulary. Now that you have a better understanding of how to say “review” in Chinese formally and informally, you’ll be able to confidently express your thoughts and opinions in a variety of contexts. Good luck!
