Leading a Meeting in Mandarin: Set the Agenda and Manage Turns
Learn intermediate Mandarin phrases to open a meeting, set the agenda, assign turns, and keep discussion on track as the leader.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Leading a meeting in Mandarin is not the same as participating in one. As the chair, you decide when to start, what gets discussed first, who speaks next, and when to move on. This lesson gives you practical intermediate-level language for that role. You will learn how to open a meeting, present agenda items, hand the floor to a colleague, and politely redirect someone who goes off topic. The focus is on leadership moves, not on expressing opinions. By the end, you should be able to run a short meeting in Chinese with clear structure and appropriate politeness.
By the end, you can…
- open a meeting and introduce the agenda in Mandarin.
- assign speaking turns and move the discussion to the next item.
- politely interrupt or redirect a speaker who goes off topic.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我们现在开始吧。
Let's start now.
Wǒmen xiànzài kāishǐ ba.
A simple, friendly way to open a meeting. Use it when everyone is present and you are ready to begin.
今天的议程有三项。
Today's agenda has three items.
Jīntiān de yìchéng yǒu sān xiàng.
Announce the number of agenda items so participants know the scope. 议程 means agenda; 项 is the measure word for agenda items.
我们先讨论第一项。
Let's discuss the first item first.
Wǒmen xiān tǎolùn dì yī xiàng.
Use 先 to signal the first item. This phrase sets a clear order and prevents people from jumping ahead.
这件事请小王先说一下。
Please let Xiao Wang speak on this first.
Zhè jiàn shì qǐng Xiǎo Wáng xiān shuō yīxià.
A direct but polite way to assign the first turn. Replace 小王 with the appropriate name or title.
这个问题我们稍后再谈。
Let's talk about this question later.
Zhège wèntí wǒmen shāohòu zài tán.
Use this to park an off-topic point without dismissing it. 稍后 means later; 再谈 means talk again.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To lead a meeting, use the pattern 我们先……，然后……，最后…… (We first..., then..., finally...). For example: 我们先讨论预算，然后讨论时间表，最后决定负责人。 (We first discuss the budget, then the schedule, and finally decide the person in charge.) This pattern makes the agenda order explicit. You can also use 第一项、第二项、第三项 to number items. When assigning turns, use 请 + person + 先说 (please let [person] speak first). For example: 请小李先说。 (Please let Xiao Li speak first.) To move on, say 我们进入下一项。 (Let's move to the next item.) These phrases keep you in control without sounding harsh.
When to use it
Use the opening phrases at the very start, after everyone has arrived. Use 我们先讨论第一项 when you want to focus attention. Use 请……先说 when you want a specific person to begin, especially if they are responsible for that item. Use 这个问题我们稍后再谈 when someone raises a point that is not on the agenda. This is softer than saying 不要说了 (stop talking). It acknowledges the point and defers it. If someone interrupts, you can say 请等一下，我们先听完小张的发言。 (Please wait a moment, let's first finish listening to Xiao Zhang's remarks.) This maintains order while respecting the speaker.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
大家早，我们现在开始吧。今天的议程有三项：第一项是预算，第二项是时间表，第三项是负责人。
Good morning everyone, let's start now. Today's agenda has three items: first is the budget, second is the schedule, third is the person in charge.Dàjiā zǎo, wǒmen xiànzài kāishǐ ba. Jīntiān de yìchéng yǒu sān xiàng: dì yī xiàng shì yùsuàn, dì èr xiàng shì shíjiānbiǎo, dì sān xiàng shì fùzérén.好的。关于预算，我觉得我们应该先看上个季度的数据。
Okay. Regarding the budget, I think we should first look at last quarter's data.Hǎo de. Guānyú yùsuàn, wǒ juéde wǒmen yīnggāi xiān kàn shàng ge jìdù de shùjù.好，这件事请小李先说一下。小李，请你先介绍预算草案。
Good, please let Xiao Li speak on this first. Xiao Li, please introduce the draft budget first.Hǎo, zhè jiàn shì qǐng Xiǎo Lǐ xiān shuō yīxià. Xiǎo Lǐ, qǐng nǐ xiān jièshào yùsuàn cǎo'àn.没问题。不过，我想提一下，上个月的支出有点高。
No problem. However, I want to mention that last month's expenses were a bit high.Méi wèntí. Bùguò, wǒ xiǎng tí yīxià, shàng ge yuè de zhīchū yǒudiǎn gāo.A little context goes a long way
In many mainland Chinese workplaces, meetings often follow a clear hierarchy. As the chair, you are expected to guide the flow, but you should still show respect to senior colleagues. Using 请 (please) and 一下 (a softener) makes requests sound polite rather than commanding. Directly saying 你错了 (you are wrong) is usually avoided; instead, say 我理解你的意思，不过我们回到主题。 (I understand your point, but let's return to the topic.) This maintains harmony while keeping the meeting on track.
One thing to watch for
Using 我们开始吧 (Let's start) as a command to subordinates without any polite framing, or saying 你说 (You speak) to assign a turn.
Try this instead: Soften directives with 请 and 一下. Instead of 你说, say 请你先说一下。 (Please speak first.) Instead of a bare 开始, say 我们现在开始吧。 (Let's start now.) This keeps your leadership role clear but respectful.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you open a meeting and announce that there are two agenda items?
Show a sample answer
我们现在开始吧。今天的议程有两项。
This uses the opening phrase and states the number of items. You could also say 我们今天有两个议题。 (We have two topics today.) Both are acceptable.
2A colleague starts talking about a topic not on the agenda. What can you say to defer it politely?
Show a sample answer
这个问题我们稍后再谈。
This defers the topic without rejecting it. Another option is 我们先把这个问题放一放。 (Let's put this question aside for now.) Both are polite.
3You want Xiao Zhang to speak first on the current item. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
这件事请小张先说。
This assigns the turn clearly. You could also say 请小张先发言。 (Please let Xiao Zhang speak first.) 发言 is slightly more formal.
As the meeting leader, use 我们先…… to set order, 请……先说 to assign turns, and 这个问题我们稍后再谈 to park off-topic points. Keep your tone polite with 请 and 一下.
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