Difficult Conversations with Parents

Advanced phrases for raising concerns, asking for changes and resolving misunderstandings with parents respectfully.

Useful phrases

Could we have a quick chat?: kud wee hav uh kwik chat; spanish: ¿Podemos hablar un momento?; tagalog: Puwede ba tayong mag-usap sandali?; hindi: क्या हम थोड़ी देर बात कर सकते हैं?; arabic: هل يمكننا التحدث قليلًا؟; french: Pourrions-nous discuter un instant ?; Could we have a quick chat when you have a minute?; to start a serious conversation
I just wanted to let you know...: eye just WON-tid tuh let yoo noh; spanish: Solo quería hacerte saber...; tagalog: Gusto ko lang ipaalam sa iyo...; hindi: बस आपको बताना था कि...; arabic: أردت فقط أن أخبرك...; french: Je voulais juste vous informer...; I just wanted to let you know that she bumped her head today.; to share news gently
I've noticed that...: eyev NOH-tist that; spanish: He notado que...; tagalog: Napansin ko na...; hindi: मैंने देखा है कि...; arabic: لاحظت أن...; french: J'ai remarqué que...; I've noticed that he's been very tired after school this week.; to raise a concern, based on facts
I'm a bit concerned about...: eym uh bit kun-SERND uh-BOUT; spanish: Me preocupa un poco...; tagalog: Medyo nag-aalala ako tungkol sa...; hindi: मुझे ... के बारे में थोड़ी चिंता है...; arabic: أشعر ببعض القلق بشأن...; french: Je suis un peu préoccupé(e) par...; I'm a bit concerned about how much she's eating.; to show you're worried, politely
I see what you mean, but...: eye see wot yoo meen but; spanish: Entiendo lo que quieres decir, pero...; tagalog: Naiintindihan ko ang ibig mong sabihin, pero...; hindi: मैं आपकी बात समझता/समझती हूँ, लेकिन...; arabic: أفهم ما تعنيه، لكن...; french: Je comprends ce que vous voulez dire, mais...; I see what you mean, but I think she needs a nap after lunch.; to disagree politely
Would it be possible to...?: wud it bee POS-uh-bul tuh; spanish: ¿Sería posible...?; tagalog: Posible po ba na...?; hindi: क्या यह संभव होगा कि...?; arabic: هل سيكون من الممكن أن...؟; french: Serait-il possible de... ?; Would it be possible to finish at 5 on Friday?; to ask for something bigger
I'm not comfortable with...: eym not KUMF-tuh-bul with; spanish: No me siento cómodo/a con...; tagalog: Hindi ako komportable sa...; hindi: मैं ... के साथ सहज नहीं हूँ।; arabic: لست مرتاحًا/مرتاحةً لـ...; french: Je ne suis pas à l'aise avec...; I'm not comfortable with him going on the trampoline alone.; to say no to something that feels wrong
I think there's been a misunderstanding.: eye think thairz bin uh mis-un-der-STAN-ding; spanish: Creo que ha habido un malentendido.; tagalog: Sa tingin ko, nagkaroon ng hindi pagkakaunawaan.; hindi: मुझे लगता है कि कोई गलतफ़हमी हुई है।; arabic: أعتقد أن هناك سوء فهم.; french: Je pense qu'il y a eu un malentendu.; I think there's been a misunderstanding about my hours.; when someone has the wrong idea
How would you like me to handle...?: how wud yoo like mee tuh HAN-dul; spanish: ¿Cómo le gustaría que manejara...?; tagalog: Paano po ninyo gustong asikasuhin ko ang...?; hindi: आप चाहेंगे कि मैं ... को कैसे संभालूँ?; arabic: كيف تودّ أن أتعامل مع...؟; french: Comment souhaitez-vous que je gère... ?; How would you like me to handle it when he refuses to eat?; to agree on an approach
Thanks for listening.: thanks fer LIS-uh-ning; spanish: Gracias por escucharme.; tagalog: Salamat sa pakikinig.; hindi: मेरी बात सुनने के लिए धन्यवाद।; arabic: شكرًا لاستماعك.; french: Merci de m'avoir écouté(e).; Thanks for listening. I'm glad we talked about it.; to end the conversation positively