When “I'll Do My Best” Isn't a Promise
In Chinese business communication, 「我尽量」 signals willingness, not necessarily commitment. Understanding the difference helps avoid misunderstandings.
2 min read
More Than “I'll Do My Best”
In Chinese, 「我尽量」(wǒ jǐnliàng) is often translated as “I'll do my best.”
But in a business context, this translation may not tell the whole story.
Understanding the Context
Imagine you're discussing a project deadline:
You: 你星期五可以完成吗？(Nǐ xīngqīwǔ kěyǐ wánchéng ma?)
Can you finish this by Friday?
Colleague: 我尽量。(Wǒ jǐnliàng.)
I'll do my best.
In this context, 「我尽量」 can carry a sense of reservation. The speaker may be willing to accommodate your request while signalling that the outcome is uncertain.
This is not necessarily a refusal, nor does it mean the speaker is unwilling to cooperate.
Willingness vs. Commitment
The key distinction is between willingness and commitment.
In business communication, especially when discussing deadlines, deliverables or project responsibilities, willingness to make an effort should not automatically be treated as a confirmed commitment.
How to Respond
If you hear 「我尽量」 in response to an important deadline, consider asking:
“So, is Friday a confirmed deadline?”
“If Friday isn't possible, what's a realistic timeline?”
These questions help clarify expectations without assuming a commitment has been made.
The Takeaway
In business communication, understanding what someone is willing to do is not the same as knowing what they can commit to.
