Module 12 of 12 · 儿科中文 Pediatrics
艰难对话 Worried Parents and Hard Conversations
Learn the Mandarin for the hardest talks: serious news step by step, fear, anger and guilt, honest uncertainty, safety concerns without blame, and when to bring in an interpreter.
By the end of this module you can…
- Give serious news in six steps, with a warning shot and a pause.
- Respond to fear, anger, guilt and disbelief, not just to the question.
- Say honestly what you don’t know yet, and when you will.
- Explain a hospital stay, and bring in an interpreter when it matters.
- Raise a child-safety concern calmly, and connect the family to support.
Key vocabulary
Eighteen words from this module. Tap the speaker to hear each one.
In the hospital
- 病床bìng chuángHospital bed
- 病房bìng fángHospital room, ward
- 打点滴dǎ diǎn dīTo have an IV drip
- 监护仪jiān hù yíBedside monitor
- 胰岛素yí dǎo sùInsulin
- 血糖仪xuè táng yíBlood glucose meter
- 翻译fān yìInterpreter
- 治疗方案zhì liáo fāng ànTreatment plan
- 复诊fù zhěnFollow-up visit
Feelings and support
- 担心dān xīnWorried
- 生气shēng qìAngry
- 难过nán guòSad, upset
- 纸巾zhǐ jīnTissues
- 安慰ān wèiTo comfort
- 谈话室tán huà shìFamily meeting room
- 家属jiā shǔFamily members (of a patient)
- 社工shè gōngSocial worker
- 家长互助小组jiā zhǎng hù zhù xiǎo zǔParent support group
Ten core phrases
The lines from this module’s take-home phrase sheet. In the course you can print them on one page for your pocket.
- 我们去谈话室坐下来说，好吗？Wǒ men qù tán huà shì zuò xià lai shuō, hǎo ma?Let’s sit down in the family room to talk.
- 您现在对孩子的情况了解多少？Nín xiàn zài duì hái zi de qíng kuàng liǎo jiě duō shao?What do you understand so far?
- 我有一个不太好的消息要告诉您。Wǒ yǒu yí ge bú tài hǎo de xiāo xi yào gào su nín.I have some difficult news to share.
- 我知道这很难接受。您慢慢来。Wǒ zhī dao zhè hěn nán jiē shòu. Nín màn màn lái.I know this is hard. Take your time.
- 我看得出来，您很担心。Wǒ kàn de chū lai, nín hěn dān xīn.I can see that you’re worried.
- 这个病不是您做错了什么造成的。Zhè ge bìng bú shì nín zuò cuò le shén me zào chéng de.This illness wasn’t caused by anything you did.
- 现在还不能确定，结果一出来，我马上告诉您。Xiàn zài hái bù néng què dìng, jié guǒ yì chū lái, wǒ mǎ shàng gào su nín.We can’t be sure yet; I’ll tell you as soon as I know.
- 我听得出来，您很生气。对不起，让您久等了。Wǒ tīng de chū lai, nín hěn shēng qì. Duì bu qǐ, ràng nín jiǔ děng le.I can hear you’re angry. I’m sorry for the wait.
- 医院有社工，保险、交通、请假这些问题，可以帮您想办法。Yī yuàn yǒu shè gōng, bǎo xiǎn, jiāo tōng, qǐng jià zhè xiē wèn tí, kě yǐ bāng nín xiǎng bàn fǎ.A social worker can help with insurance, transportation and time off.
- 接下来我们一步一步来，有问题随时找我。Jiē xià lai wǒ men yí bù yí bù lái, yǒu wèn tí suí shí zhǎo wǒ.One step at a time. Find me any time.
What’s in Module 12
- Part 1 · Warm-UpWarm-Up: Bad News
- Part 2 · The Words for Hard DaysReading the PinyinSaying 住院 vs. Charting 入院Vocabulary · Flash CardsSix Steps for Serious News
- Part 3 · Giving Serious NewsThe Serious News ScriptThe Warning Shot and the PauseKey PatternsRespond to the FeelingWhen We Don’t Know YetWhen a Parent Is Angry
- Part 4 · In the Hospital and BeyondExplaining a Hospital StayYour Mandarin, or an Interpreter?When You Must Make a Report
- Part 5 · Concerns & ReviewWhat Parents SaySupport for the Whole FamilyPutting It Together
- Part 6 · Role-PlayRound 1 · Guided ConversationRound 2 · Controlled PracticeRounds 3, 4 & 5 · Independent
- Part 7 · Knowledge CheckModule 12 Knowledge Check
- Part 8 · Wrap-UpModule 12 HomeworkTake-Home Phrase SheetModule 12 Wrap-Up · 下次见
Practice it properly
The full module adds dialogues, role-plays, pronunciation drills and a Knowledge Check. Pass the check to earn a certificate of completion you can add to LinkedIn.