In a formal Chinese meeting, jumping in without warning can feel abrupt. This workshop gives you three polite ways to ask for the floor, a way to clarify a specific point, and a full recorded exchange you can practise both roles with. You will listen, choose the right reply, and then recall the lines from memory. All native examples come from the recordings, so you can replay them as often as you like.
Asking for the floor politely
The safest opener is a soft apology plus a request. «不好意思，我可以补充一下吗？» means 'Excuse me, may I add something?' The first part softens the interruption, and the second part asks permission to add a brief point. A more formal option is «请允许我插一句。», which means 'Please allow me to interject a word.' This sounds slightly ceremonial, so it suits a senior colleague, a client, or a chair who expects formal language. A third choice is «我能不能在这里加一点？», meaning 'Could I add a point here?' The repeated verb form makes it sound tentative and respectful. All three work best when the other person has paused or finished a sentence.
Clarifying a specific point
Sometimes you are not just adding; you want to correct or explain one detail. «关于这一点，我想说明一下。» means 'Regarding this point, I would like to clarify something.' It names the topic first, then states your intention, so the listener knows exactly what you are about to address. Use it when the current topic is clear and you want to link your comment to it before you speak. After you finish, it is polite to hand the floor back, for example by saying you have finished and inviting the other person to continue, as in the recorded exchange.
A full recorded exchange
In the dialogue, speaker A opens with «关于这个方案，我们先看预算部分。», which means 'Regarding this plan, let us first look at the budget section.' Speaker B then interrupts politely with «不好意思，我可以补充一下吗？», the same line as the first recording. Speaker A gives permission with «当然，请说。», meaning 'Of course, please go ahead.' Speaker B thanks A, clarifies the budget point, and returns the floor with «谢谢。关于预算，我想说明一下：去年的数据可能不同。我说完了，您继续。», which ends with 'I have finished, please continue.' Notice the order: ask, wait for permission, speak briefly, then hand back. You can play both roles with the audio, but there is no automatic assessment, so check yourself against the notes.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
不好意思，我可以补充一下吗？
Excuse me, may I add something?
bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ kěyǐ bǔchōng yīxià ma?
请允许我插一句。
Please allow me to interject a word.
qǐng yǔnxǔ wǒ chā yī jù.
我能不能在这里加一点？
Could I add a point here?
wǒ néng bu néng zài zhèlǐ jiā yī diǎn?
关于这一点，我想说明一下。
Regarding this point, I would like to clarify something.
guānyú zhè yī diǎn, wǒ xiǎng shuōmíng yīxià.
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
关于这个方案，我们先看预算部分。
Regarding this plan, let us first look at the budget section.不好意思，我可以补充一下吗？
Excuse me, may I add something?当然，请说。
Of course, please go ahead.谢谢。关于预算，我想说明一下：去年的数据可能不同。我说完了，您继续。
Thank you. Regarding the budget, I would like to clarify: last year's data may be different. I have finished, please continue.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: ask and give permission
You are in a meeting. The chair has just said «关于这个方案，我们先看预算部分。». You want to add a short point. Play the role of speaker B.
Your task: Say the line from «不好意思，我可以补充一下吗？» out loud. Then imagine the chair replies with «当然，请说。». After that, say the first sentence of «谢谢。关于预算，我想说明一下：去年的数据可能不同。我说完了，您继续。» to thank the chair and begin your point.
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
You hear a colleague say «不好意思，我可以补充一下吗？» during a discussion. You are the chair and need to respond. Two possible replies are in your notes: «当然，请说。» and a silent nod.
Your task: Decide which recorded reply fits a formal meeting: «当然，请说。» or a silent nod. Say the recorded reply aloud. Then explain in English why the silent nod is less clear for a beginner listener.
Recall with correct roles
Cover your notes. You will hear the full exchange from the recordings. Your job is to remember who says what.
Your task: After listening, say which speaker asks for permission and which speaker grants it. Then reproduce the four lines in order: «关于这个方案，我们先看预算部分。», «不好意思，我可以补充一下吗？», «当然，请说。», and «谢谢。关于预算，我想说明一下：去年的数据可能不同。我说完了，您继续。». Say them aloud with the correct role for each line.
Common questions
Which phrase should I use first in a formal meeting?
Start with «不好意思，我可以补充一下吗？» if you want a safe, common opener. It means 'Excuse me, may I add something?' If the setting is very formal, «请允许我插一句。» is a good alternative. Both ask permission before you speak, which keeps the exchange polite.
What should I say after I finish my point?
Hand the floor back. In the recorded exchange, speaker B ends with the closing part of «谢谢。关于预算，我想说明一下：去年的数据可能不同。我说完了，您继续。», which says 'I have finished, please continue.' This shows respect for the chair and keeps the meeting moving.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: interrupting politely in meetingsChecked September 2026
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