Mandarin for Mediators: Saying 'Let's Hear Both Sides' as a Neutral Third Party
Learn Mandarin phrases to help others in conflict by staying neutral and inviting both sides to speak. Intermediate level, with pinyin and tone marks.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
When you are not a party to a conflict but want to help, your role is different from resolving your own dispute. In Mandarin, effective third-party mediation relies on phrases that signal neutrality, invite each side to speak, and avoid taking sides. This lesson teaches you how to say 'Let's hear both sides' and related expressions to facilitate dialogue. You will learn to use phrases like 我们听听双方的说法 (wǒmen tīng ting shuāngfāng de shuōfa) and 请双方都说说 (qǐng shuāngfāng dōu shuō shuo) to create a balanced space. We will focus on neutral language that does not assign blame, and on polite forms that respect face. By the end, you will be able to step into a disagreement between others and guide them toward mutual understanding without becoming part of the conflict yourself.
By the end, you can…
- invite both sides of a conflict to share their perspectives using neutral Mandarin phrases.
- use phrases that signal my role as an impartial third party.
- ask clarifying questions that do not favor either side.
- summarize each side's position fairly in Mandarin.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我们听听双方的说法。
Let's hear both sides' accounts.
Wǒmen tīng ting shuāngfāng de shuōfa.
Use this to open a mediation session. 双方 (shuāngfāng) means 'both sides', and 说法 (shuōfa) means 'account' or 'version'. It is neutral and inclusive.
请双方都说说自己的看法。
Please both sides share your views.
Qǐng shuāngfāng dōu shuō shuo zìjǐ de kànfǎ.
A polite request that gives equal speaking opportunity. 都 (dōu) emphasizes 'both', and 看法 (kànfǎ) means 'viewpoint'.
我不是来评判谁对谁错的。
I am not here to judge who is right or wrong.
Wǒ bú shì lái píngpàn shéi duì shéi cuò de.
State your neutrality explicitly. 评判 (píngpàn) means 'to judge', and 谁对谁错 (shéi duì shéi cuò) is 'who is right and who is wrong'.
我们先听一方，再听另一方。
Let's listen to one side first, then the other.
Wǒmen xiān tīng yì fāng, zài tīng lìng yì fāng.
This sets a fair order. 先...再... (xiān...zài...) means 'first...then...'. It prevents one side from dominating.
你能理解对方的感受吗？
Can you understand the other side's feelings?
Nǐ néng lǐjiě duìfāng de gǎnshòu ma?
Encourages empathy without blaming. 对方 (duìfāng) means 'the other party', and 感受 (gǎnshòu) means 'feelings'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A key pattern for neutral mediation is 我们听听... (wǒmen tīng ting...) meaning 'Let's listen to...'. You can complete it with 双方的说法 (shuāngfāng de shuōfa, both sides' accounts), 各自的理由 (gèzì de lǐyóu, each one's reasons), or 不同的意见 (bùtóng de yìjiàn, different opinions). For example: 我们听听双方的理由。 (Wǒmen tīng ting shuāngfāng de lǐyóu.) Another useful structure is 请...说说... (qǐng...shuō shuo...), as in 请双方都说说自己的立场。 (Qǐng shuāngfāng dōu shuō shuo zìjǐ de lìchǎng.) This pattern is polite and gives equal weight to both sides. Avoid phrases like 你错了 (nǐ cuò le, you are wrong) which break neutrality.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are a third party—such as a friend, colleague, or manager—trying to help two people communicate. They are appropriate in informal and semi-formal settings, like family disputes or workplace disagreements. For instance, if two colleagues argue over a project, you might say: 我们先冷静一下，然后听听双方的说法。 (Wǒmen xiān lěngjìng yíxià, ránhòu tīng ting shuāngfāng de shuōfa.) In more formal mediation, you can use 请双方陈述各自的观点。 (Qǐng shuāngfāng chénshù gèzì de guāndiǎn.) Avoid these phrases if you are personally involved; then you need different language to resolve your own conflict. Also, do not use them if the conflict is dangerous or requires professional intervention.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
我听说你们俩最近有点矛盾，要不要坐下来聊聊？
I heard you two have had some conflict recently. Would you like to sit down and talk?Wǒ tīngshuō nǐmen liǎ zuìjìn yǒudiǎn máodùn, yào bu yào zuò xiàlái liáoliao?好啊，但我们一谈就吵。你能帮我们吗？
Sure, but every time we talk we argue. Can you help us?Hǎo a, dàn wǒmen yì tán jiù chǎo. Nǐ néng bāng wǒmen ma?我不是来评判谁对谁错的。我们听听双方的说法，好吗？
I am not here to judge who is right or wrong. Let's hear both sides' accounts, okay?Wǒ bú shì lái píngpàn shéi duì shéi cuò de. Wǒmen tīng ting shuāngfāng de shuōfa, hǎo ma?好的，那我先说吧。
Okay, then I'll speak first.Hǎo de, nà wǒ xiān shuō ba.A little context goes a long way
In Mandarin-speaking contexts, maintaining harmony and giving face are important. When mediating, avoid direct accusations and use indirect language. For example, instead of saying 你错了 (nǐ cuò le), say 可能还有另一种看法 (kěnéng hái yǒu lìng yì zhǒng kànfǎ, there might be another view). Also, address each person by name or title to show respect. In more formal settings, use 双方 (shuāngfāng) to refer to the parties. Be aware that in some contexts, especially with elders, you may need to use more deferential language, such as 请您说说 (qǐng nín shuō shuo) instead of 请你说说 (qǐng nǐ shuō shuo).
One thing to watch for
Using 你们俩 (nǐmen liǎ) to address both parties together when you should address them separately to maintain neutrality.
Try this instead: When inviting each side to speak, address them individually or use 双方 (shuāngfāng). For example, say 请甲方先说 (Qǐng jiǎfāng xiān shuō, Let Party A speak first) and then 请乙方说说 (Qǐng yǐfāng shuō shuo, Now Party B, please share). This avoids the impression that you are grouping them as adversaries.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'Let's hear both sides' in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
我们听听双方的说法。 (Wǒmen tīng ting shuāngfāng de shuōfa.)
This phrase directly means 'Let's hear both sides' accounts.' It is neutral and inclusive. Alternatively, 我们听听双方的意见。 (Wǒmen tīng ting shuāngfāng de yìjiàn.) is also correct.
2What phrase can you use to state that you are not judging who is right or wrong?
Show a sample answer
我不是来评判谁对谁错的。 (Wǒ bú shì lái píngpàn shéi duì shéi cuò de.)
This explicitly states your neutral role. You could also say 我不偏袒任何一方。 (Wǒ bù piāntǎn rènhé yì fāng.) meaning 'I don't favor either side.'
3How do you politely ask both sides to share their views?
Show a sample answer
请双方都说说自己的看法。 (Qǐng shuāngfāng dōu shuō shuo zìjǐ de kànfǎ.)
This uses 请 (qǐng) for politeness and 都 (dōu) to include both. Another option: 请双方各自谈谈想法。 (Qǐng shuāngfāng gèzì tán tan xiǎngfǎ.)
As a neutral third party, use phrases like 我们听听双方的说法 and 我不是来评判谁对谁错的 to invite both sides to speak without taking sides. Always maintain a balanced and respectful tone.
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Chinese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr