‘Think about it’ may have deeper meanings than just the literal meaning, such as politely declining, needing time to evaluate, or needing more information.
1. Literal vs Cultural Interpretation
- Surface Meaning：To deliberate and evaluate before making a decision
- Cultural Nuance：A typical Chinese euphemism with multiple implications:
- Polite Rejection：Used when direct refusal would be impolite
- Stalling Tactic：Buying time to secure better negotiation terms
- Incomplete Information：Needs more data or internal discussion
- Open Possibility：Maintaining cooperation potential while observing
2. Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Business Negotiation
A: “What do you think of our quotation?”
B: “We need to think about this price.”
Real Meaning：Current offer exceeds expectations but direct rejection is avoided
Scenario 2: Cooperation Proposal
A: “We hope your company can become our exclusive agent.”
B: “We will seriously consider this proposal.”
Real Meaning：Interested but needs feasibility assessment
Scenario 3: Requirement Discussion
A: “Can we add a confidentiality clause to the contract?”
B: “We need to consider the clause’s compliance.”
Real Meaning：Concerns exist but cautious response is preferred
3. Foreigner’s Response Strategies
- Observe Body Language：Smiling and nodding often indicate goodwill
- Probe for Details：”What information do you need to make a decision?”
- Set Timeframe：”Shall we follow up next week?”
- Be Patient：Allow sufficient decision-making space
4. Cross-Cultural Comparison
| Chinese Phrase | English Equivalent | Cultural Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 考虑考虑 | Let me think about it | Chinese emphasizes indirectness |
| 我们需要研究一下 | We need to do research | English focuses on factual basis |
| 暂时没有计划 | Not currently planned | English directly states possibility |