Arguments
Halfway through a video call with a friend, you realise your answers have changed nothing about what they say next. Another friend is also on the call, listening as the same explanation starts again. This is different from someone taking a long turn: you have spoken, but your words have not entered the exchange. Adding a more detailed answer only gives the monologue another pause to absorb. Naming the kind of conversation you are having can help you decide whether to listen for a while or leave the discussion there.
Pick one and make it yours
2 comebacks to explore.
Open “Chinese original” for the Chinese text and pinyin, or “Why it works” for the meaning and wordplay.
I won’t interrupt. I wouldn’t want you to think I’m actually listening.
When someone is talking at you rather than with you.
我不打断你，我怕你以为我在认真听。
The reason given for staying silent is the insult. Politeness becomes evidence of disinterest, which is harder to answer than an open interruption.
Original source unverified; not attributed to a historical author.
Go on. I’m listening, but I may not respond.
When someone needs to talk and you do not want to engage.
你继续说，我听着，但我不一定回应。
Listening and responding are separated in advance. It sets expectations honestly, which stops later silence from being read as agreement.
Original source unverified; not attributed to a historical author.
Intensity depends on tone, context and who’s listening.
Avoid this if a poor connection may explain the missed responses; confirm that everyone heard you before questioning their attention.
Do not offer to listen if you have no time left; the line may be taken as permission to continue.
Both of these look like the obvious move. Both hand the conversation back to the other person.
“Let me explain it one more time, in detail.”
More detail assumes a misunderstanding that may not exist. It lengthens your contribution without establishing that the other person will respond to it.
“Clearly you only care about yourself.”
A claim about their motives invites personal denial. You lose the simpler, observable point that your last answer was not addressed.
Check whether your answers are entering the conversation before investing more time in explaining the same thing differently.
Same problem, different room
Create a turn for someone else without asking the room to pass judgement on the person speaking.
Distinguish a request for help from a need to vent, then decide how much listening you can offer.
Close the topic without rejecting the person, and leave the next subject open to someone else.
Huiback