说服

shuōfú: 说服 - To Persuade, Convince

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 说服 (shuōfú), which means “to persuade” or “to convince.” This guide breaks down how to use shuōfú effectively in conversations, from business negotiations to daily life. Discover its cultural nuances, see practical example sentences, and understand the critical difference between persuading (说服) and advising (劝) to avoid common mistakes and make your Mandarin sound more natural.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): shuōfú
  • Part of Speech: Verb
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: To persuade or convince someone to accept a point of view or to do something through reasoning and argument.
  • In a Nutshell: 说服 (shuōfú) is an action-oriented word. It's the process of using words, logic, and evidence to make someone agree with you. Think of it as “speaking” (说) until the other person “accepts” or “submits” (服) to your viewpoint. It implies a goal of successfully changing someone's mind, not just giving them advice.

Character Breakdown

  • 说 (shuō): This character means “to speak,” “to say,” or “to talk.” The radical on the left, 言 (yán), is the pictograph for speech, representing a mouth with a tongue sticking out. It's the foundation of any verbal communication.
  • 服 (fú): This character has several meanings, including “to submit,” “to obey,” “to accept,” or “clothes.” In this context, the key meaning is “to accept” or “to be convinced.” It carries the idea of yielding to a better argument or a superior point.
  • When combined, 说服 (shuōfú) literally means “to speak someone into submission/acceptance.” It vividly captures the idea of using language as a tool to win someone over to your side, achieving a successful outcome where they are convinced.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Western, particularly American culture, “persuasion” can sometimes conjure images of aggressive debate, a “hard sell,” or winning an argument at all costs. While 说服 (shuōfú) is about changing minds, the cultural approach is often more subtle.
  • The ideal form of 说服 in a Chinese context is often tied to the concept of 和谐 (héxié) - harmony. The goal is not just to prove you are right, but to bring the other person to a shared understanding without making them “lose face” (miànzi). A successful persuasion is one where the other party feels they have willingly arrived at the correct conclusion, rather than being beaten into submission.
  • Therefore, 说服 often involves laying out 道理 (dàolǐ) - reason/logic and facts in a calm, patient manner. It's about building consensus. This contrasts with a more confrontational debating style. Successfully persuading someone demonstrates intelligence and social skill, showing you can achieve your goals while maintaining a good relationship.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 说服 (shuōfú) is a common, neutral verb used in a wide range of formal and informal situations.
  • In Business and Professional Settings: It's constantly used in negotiations, sales pitches, and internal meetings. You might try to 说服 a client to accept a proposal, or 说服 your boss to approve a budget increase.
    • e.g., 我们需要用数据来说服投资者。 (Wǒmen xūyào yòng shùjù lái shuōfú tóuzīzhě.) - We need to use data to persuade the investors.
  • In Daily Life: The term is just as common among family and friends. You might 说服 a friend to see a movie with you, 说服 your parents to let you travel, or try to 说服 your spouse on which apartment to rent.
    • e.g., 我终于说服我妈让我养猫了。 (Wǒ zhōngyú shuōfú le wǒ mā ràng wǒ yǎng māo le.) - I finally convinced my mom to let me get a cat.
  • Connotation: The term itself is neutral. Its connotation depends entirely on the context. Persuading someone to do something good is positive; persuading them to do something bad is negative.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我花了好长时间才说服他。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ huā le hǎo cháng shíjiān cái shuōfú tā.
    • English: I spent a very long time finally persuading him.
    • Analysis: This sentence highlights the effort involved in persuading someone. The word `才 (cái)` emphasizes that the success only came after a long duration.
  • Example 2:
    • 他的理由很有说服力，我被他说服了。
    • Pinyin: Tā de lǐyóu hěn yǒu shuōfúlì, wǒ bèi tā shuōfú le.
    • English: His reasoning was very persuasive, and I was convinced by him.
    • Analysis: This shows both the related noun 说服力 (shuōfúlì), meaning “persuasiveness,” and the passive structure `被 (bèi)`, which is common with 说服.
  • Example 3:
    • 你觉得这个计划能说服老板吗？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde zhège jìhuà néng shuōfú lǎobǎn ma?
    • English: Do you think this plan can convince the boss?
    • Analysis: A common question form, asking about the potential for success. `能 (néng)` indicates possibility or ability.
  • Example 4:
    • 别想说服我，我不会改变主意的。
    • Pinyin: Bié xiǎng shuōfú wǒ, wǒ bù huì gǎibiàn zhǔyì de.
    • English: Don't even think about persuading me; I won't change my mind.
    • Analysis: This is a strong, direct refusal, showing the negative usage in a confrontational context.
  • Example 5:
    • 律师试图说服陪审团相信他的当事人是无辜的。
    • Pinyin: Lǜshī shìtú shuōfú péishěntuán xiāngxìn tā de dāngshìrén shì wúgū de.
    • English: The lawyer attempted to persuade the jury that his client was innocent.
    • Analysis: A formal example from a legal context. `试图 (shìtú)` means “to attempt,” indicating the action without guaranteeing the result.
  • Example 6:
    • 无论我们怎么说，都说服不了他。
    • Pinyin: Wúlùn wǒmen zěnme shuō, dōu shuōfú bù liǎo tā.
    • English: No matter what we said, we couldn't convince him.
    • Analysis: This introduces the potential complement `不了 (bù liǎo)`, which means “cannot” or “unable to.” It emphasizes the impossibility of achieving the persuasion.
  • Example 7:
    • 她很有技巧，总是能说服别人同意她的看法。
    • Pinyin: Tā hěn yǒu jìqiǎo, zǒngshì néng shuōfú biérén tóngyì tā de kànfǎ.
    • English: She is very skillful and can always persuade others to agree with her viewpoint.
    • Analysis: This example frames the ability to 说服 as a positive skill.
  • Example 8:
    • 我是被他的真诚说服的，而不是他的逻辑。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ shì bèi tā de zhēnchéng shuōfú de, ér bùshì tā de luójí.
    • English: I was persuaded by his sincerity, not his logic.
    • Analysis: This shows that persuasion isn't always about cold, hard facts. Emotion and character can also be tools of 说服.
  • Example 9:
    • 想要说服一群固执的人是非常困难的。
    • Pinyin: Xiǎngyào shuōfú yī qún gùzhí de rén shì fēicháng kùnnán de.
    • English: It is extremely difficult to persuade a group of stubborn people.
    • Analysis: Using 说服 as part of the subject of a sentence (“To persuade… is difficult”).
  • Example 10:
    • 销售员用了很多方法来说服顾客购买产品。
    • Pinyin: Xiāoshòu yuán yòng le hěn duō fāngfǎ lái shuōfú gùkè gòumǎi chǎnpǐn.
    • English: The salesperson used many methods to persuade the customer to buy the product.
    • Analysis: A classic example from a sales context, showing the goal-oriented nature of the verb.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `说服 (shuōfú)` vs. `劝 (quàn)` - The Biggest Pitfall
    • This is the most common point of confusion for learners.
    • 说服 (shuōfú) focuses on the result of changing someone's mind through reason. It means to *successfully* convince someone.
    • 劝 (quàn) focuses on the action of advising, urging, or recommending. It doesn't imply success. You can `劝` someone all day without ever being able to `说服` them.
    • Rule of Thumb: Use 劝 (quàn) when you are giving someone advice for their own good (e.g., quit smoking, study harder, rest more). Use 说服 (shuōfú) when you are trying to win them over to your point of view or get them to agree to a plan.
  • Incorrect Usage Example:
    • 医生 说服 我要多喝水。 (Yīshēng shuōfú wǒ yào duō hē shuǐ.)
    • Why it's wrong: A doctor gives advice; they aren't typically trying to win an argument with you about drinking water. The focus is on the recommendation.
    • Correct Usage: 医生 劝 我要多喝水。 (Yīshēng quàn wǒ yào duō hē shuǐ.) - The doctor advised me to drink more water.
  • Correct Usage Showing the Difference:
    • 我劝了他半天，他还是不听，我最后用科学数据才说服了他戒烟。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ quàn le tā bàntiān, tā háishì bù tīng, wǒ zuìhòu yòng kēxué shùjù cái shuōfú le tā jièyān.
    • English: I advised him for a long time, but he still wouldn't listen. In the end, I used scientific data to finally persuade him to quit smoking.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 劝 (quàn) - To advise or urge. Focuses on the act of trying, not the result. The most important term to distinguish from 说服.
  • 说服力 (shuōfú lì) - Persuasiveness; convincing power. An attribute of an argument or a person.
  • 道理 (dàolǐ) - Reason; logic; the principle or justification used to 说服 someone.
  • 服气 (fúqì) - To be convinced; to accept another's superiority. Often used in the negative (`不服气` - bù fúqì) to mean “unconvinced” or “not ready to concede.”
  • 辩论 (biànlùn) - To debate; to argue. A formal activity where the goal of each side is to 说服 the audience or judges.
  • 说客 (shuōkè) - A persuader; a lobbyist. A person whose job it is to 说服 others, often in a political or business context.
  • 服从 (fúcóng) - To obey; to submit. Much stronger than the “服” in 说服. This implies yielding to authority, not necessarily to logic or reason.
  • 谈判 (tánpàn) - To negotiate. A process where parties often try to 说服 each other to reach an agreement.