About This Lesson
Use Buying Bread and Finding Orange Juice to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我们应该买多少片面包？
wǒmen yīnggāi mǎi duōshao piàn miànbāo? How many slices of bread should we buy?
B
一共四片。
yígòng sì piàn. Four slices in total.
B
我两片，你两片。
wǒ liǎng piàn, nǐ liǎng piàn. Two for me and two for you.
A
那应该够了。我们还需要橙汁。
nà yīnggāi gòu le. wǒmen hái xūyào chéngzhī. That should be enough. We still need orange juice.
B
你能找到橙汁吗？
nǐ néng zhǎodào chéngzhī ma? Can you find the orange juice?
A
还没有。我们看看下一层货架。
hái méiyǒu. wǒmen kànkan xià yì céng huòjià. Not yet. Let's check the next shelf.
B
我们问问这里的工作人员吧。
wǒmen wènwen zhèlǐ de gōngzuò rényuán ba. Let's ask someone who works here.Word by Word
我们
“我们” means “we” or “us” in “我们应该买多少片面包？”, referring to the speaker and the other person together. It commonly comes before the verb in a sentence such as “我们买面包”. Use it when making a shared plan or decision with someone.
应该
“应该” means “should” in “我们应该买多少片面包？”, expressing what is advisable or expected. It commonly comes before a verb, as in “应该买”. Use it when discussing the right action or a reasonable plan.
买
“买” means “buy” in “我们应该买多少片面包？”. It is used directly before the thing being bought, such as “买面包”. Use it when shopping or talking about purchasing something.
多少
“多少” asks “how many” in “多少片面包”, asking for the quantity of bread slices. It comes before the quantity expression or classifier phrase. Use it when the exact amount is unknown, such as when deciding how much to buy.
片
“片” is the counter used for slices in “多少片面包” and “四片”. It comes after a number or quantity word and before or with the item being counted. Use it for flat pieces such as slices of bread.
面包
“面包” means “bread” in “多少片面包”. In “片面包”, it names the food being counted by “片”. Use it when buying, eating, or discussing bread.
一共
“一共” means “in total” in “一共四片”, giving the combined amount. It commonly comes before the total number, as in “一共四片”. Use it when reporting the complete quantity of something.
我
“我” means “I” or “me” in “我两片”, identifying the speaker as the person receiving two slices. It can come before a quantity or another part of the sentence. Use it when stating your own share or choice.
你
“你” means “you” in “你两片”, identifying the person receiving two slices. It commonly comes before information about the other person’s share or action. Use it when addressing one person directly.
那
“那” means “then” or “that” in “那应该够了”, referring back to the amount just discussed. Here it introduces the conclusion that the amount should be enough. Use it when drawing a conclusion from what was just said.
够
“够” means “be enough” in “应该够了”, describing the amount as sufficient. It can be followed by “了” when the situation is now considered sufficient. Use it when checking whether an amount meets a need.
了
In “那应该够了”, “了” marks the situation as settled or changed: the discussed amount is now considered enough. It follows “够” here and completes this current assessment. Use it when stating that a situation has reached a new state.
还
“还” means “still” in “我们还需要橙汁”, showing that orange juice remains necessary after the bread has been considered. It commonly comes before the verb, as in “还需要”. Use it when something remains to be done, obtained, or considered.
需要
“需要” means “need” in “我们还需要橙汁”. It comes before the thing that is needed, such as “需要橙汁”. Use it when stating that an item or action is necessary.
橙汁
“橙汁” means “orange juice” in “我们还需要橙汁” and “找到橙汁”. It is the item that is still needed and the item someone is trying to find. Use it when shopping for or asking about orange juice.
能
“能” means “can” or “be able to” in “你能找到橙汁吗？”, asking whether the person is able to find the orange juice. It commonly comes before a verb, as in “能找到”. Use it when asking about someone’s ability or possibility of doing something.
找到
“找到” means “find” in “你能找到橙汁吗？”, focusing on successfully locating the orange juice. It comes after “能” here and before the object “橙汁”. Use it when asking whether someone can locate a particular thing.
吗
“吗” marks “你能找到橙汁吗？” as a yes-or-no question. It is placed at the end of this question after the complete statement. Use it when asking whether a statement is true or an action is possible.
没有
In “还没有”, “没有” helps give the reply “not yet” to the question about finding the orange juice. Together with “还”, it says that the expected result has not happened at this point. Use it in a short reply when something has not happened yet.
看看
“看看” means “take a look” or “check” in “我们看看下一层货架”, suggesting a brief look at the next shelf level. The repeated form presents the action as a light, short activity. Use it when suggesting that someone inspect or look at something.
下一层
“下一层” means “the next level” in “下一层货架”, identifying the shelf level to check next. It comes before “货架” to describe which shelf is meant. Use it when directing someone to the next level or section of a stacked display.
货架
“货架” means “shelf” or “display rack” in “下一层货架”. It is the place where the speakers will look for the orange juice. Use it when talking about shelves or racks in a shop.
问问
“问问” means “ask” or “make an inquiry” in “我们问问这里的工作人员吧”. The repeated form makes the suggestion sound light and conversational. Use it when suggesting that someone ask a person for information.
这里
“这里” means “here” in “这里的工作人员”, referring to the shop or place where the speakers are. It comes before “的” to describe the staff connected with this place. Use it to identify something or someone located at the current place.
的
In “这里的工作人员”, “的” links “这里” with “工作人员”, meaning the staff who are here or work here. It connects a description or location with the noun that follows. Use it in a pattern like “地点的 + person or thing” when identifying something associated with a place.
工作人员
“工作人员” means “staff member” or “worker” in “这里的工作人员”. It is the person the speakers plan to ask for help in the shop. Use it when referring generally to someone working at a place.
吧
“吧” softens “我们问问这里的工作人员吧” into a suggestion: “Let’s ask a staff member here.” It appears at the end of the sentence and makes the proposal less forceful. Use it when suggesting an action to another person.
Grammar Points
动词重叠：看看 / 问问
看看下一层货架。
kànkan xià yì céng huòjià.Have a look at the next shelf.
Repeating a monosyllabic verb makes the action sound brief, casual, or like a suggestion.
还没有 + 动词
我还没有找到橙汁。
wǒ hái méiyǒu zhǎodào chéngzhī.I have not found the orange juice yet.
还没有 means an action has not happened yet and comes before the verb.
Chinese Vocabulary
多少
det
duōshao
how many; how much
够
adj
gòu
to be enough
还
adv
hái
still; yet
买
verb
mǎi
to buy
面包
noun
miànbāo
bread
那
det
nà
that
你
pron
nǐ
you
片
noun
piàn
slice; piece
四
num
sì
four
我
pron
wǒ
I; me
我们
pron
wǒmen
we; us
一共
adv
yígòng
in total; altogether
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
how many; how much
Show Answer
多少bread
Show Answer
面包we; us
Show Answer
我们in total; altogether