尽量 (as much as possible)

• Pinyin: jǐnliàng
• Formation: (Subj.) + 尽量 + Verb / Adj.
• Hanzi breakdown: 尽 = simplified from 盡, meaning to exhaust or reach the limit; 量 = 日 (sun) + 一 + 里 (mile), meaning measure or capacity

Meaning

Used before a verb or adjective to express making one's best effort within given constraints, meaning 'as much as possible' or 'try one's best to.' It implies that there are limitations but the speaker encourages maximizing effort within those limits.

The adverb 尽量 conveys a sense of doing something to the fullest extent possible while acknowledging practical constraints. Unlike 一定 which demands absolute compliance, 尽量 allows room for falling short. It is commonly used in requests, advice, and instructions, making it softer and more polite than direct commands. The word collocates naturally with verbs like 避免, 减少, 控制, 保持, and is often paired with comparative adverbs like 多, 少, 早, and 快 to specify direction. In formal contexts, 尽可能 is a close synonym with a slightly more literary feel. Note that 尽量 modifies the entire verb phrase, not just the verb, so it must precede the complete predicate.

Examples

1. 请大家尽量在下周五之前提交报告。 Please try your best to submit the report before next Friday.
2. 开会时尽量关闭手机，以免打扰别人。 Try to turn off your phone during meetings to avoid disturbing others.
3. 为了保护眼睛，晚上尽量少看电子屏幕。 To protect your eyes, try to look at screens less in the evening.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday, workplace

Tone: advisory

Do Say

• 出差期间尽量控制开支，不要超出预算。
• 如果有不同意见，尽量当面沟通，不要背后议论。
• 你尽量早点到机场，安检有时候排队很长。

Don't Say

• 你尽量了完成任务。(尽量 is an adverb that directly modifies the verb — it cannot take 了 between itself and the verb) → 你尽量完成任务。
• 尽量他来参加会议。(尽量 must follow the subject, not precede it — place the subject before 尽量) → 他尽量来参加会议。

Origin & History

The character 尽 means 'to exhaust' or 'to the utmost,' and 量 means 'capacity' or 'measure.' Together, 尽量 literally means 'to the fullest extent of one's capacity,' conveying best effort within practical limitations.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal