shuōfú: 说服 - To Persuade, Convince

Keywords: shuofu, shuōfú, 说服, how to say persuade in Chinese, convince in Mandarin, Chinese word for persuade, persuade vs advise in Chinese, 说服 vs 劝, HSK 4 vocabulary, Chinese verbs

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.

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.

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.

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.

说服 (shuōfú) is a common, neutral verb used in a wide range of formal and informal situations.

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.

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.