Checking notes and writing a deadline update | Learn Chinese in English

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Use Checking notes and writing a deadline update to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

截止时间快到了吗？

jiézhǐ shíjiān kuài dào le ma? Is the deadline coming up soon?

截止时间就要到了。

jiézhǐ shíjiān jiù yào dào le. The deadline is close.

所以我们先从主要部分开始吧。

suǒyǐ wǒmen xiān cóng zhǔyào bùfen kāishǐ ba. So let's start with the main part.

你现在想做那部分吗？

nǐ xiànzài xiǎng zuò nà bùfen ma? Do you want to take that on now?

你检查文件的时候，我可以开始。

nǐ jiǎnchá wénjiàn de shíhou, wǒ kěyǐ kāishǐ. I can start while you check the file.

我应该先看什么？

wǒ yīnggāi xiān kàn shénme? What should I look for first?

确保笔记和要求一致。

quèbǎo bǐjì hé yāoqiú yízhì. Make sure the notes match the request.

然后我会写一份简短的进度说明。

ránhòu wǒ huì xiě yí fèn jiǎnduǎn de jìdù shuōmíng. Then I'll write a short update.

准备好后，我们就可以把它分享出去。

zhǔnbèi hǎo hòu, wǒmen jiù kěyǐ bǎ tā fēnxiǎng chūqù. When it's ready, we can share it.

Word by Word

截止时间 “截止时间” means the deadline, the time by which something should be finished. In “截止时间快到了吗？”, it is the thing that is nearly arriving. A useful pattern is “截止时间是……” when stating a deadline.

快 “快” means soon or nearly in “截止时间快到了吗？”. It shows that the time has not arrived yet but is close. It commonly appears before a verb, as in “快到了” for something that is nearly here.

到 “到” means arrive or be reached in “截止时间快到了吗？”. With a time such as “截止时间”, it describes the deadline arriving. A reusable pattern is “时间到了” for saying that the time has arrived.

了 “了” in “快到了吗？” presents the deadline as reaching a new state of being here or due. Together with “快到”, it helps describe an imminent change rather than a completed past event. The same ending can be used in “下班了” when the workday has reached its end.

吗 “吗” turns “截止时间快到了” into a yes-or-no question. It appears at the end of the question “截止时间快到了吗？”. This is a common pattern for asking whether a statement is true.

就 “就” in “截止时间就要到了” emphasizes that the deadline will arrive very soon. It works with “要到” to make the approaching time feel immediate. A common pattern is “就要……了” for something that is about to happen.

要 “要” in “截止时间就要到了” means be about to, showing that the deadline is close to arriving. The form “就要到了” describes an approaching event, not a general obligation. It can be reused in “电影就要开始了” as a new example for something about to begin.

所以 “所以” means so or therefore in “所以我们先从主要部分开始吧。”. It introduces the action that follows from the deadline being close. A useful pattern is “因为……，所以……” when giving a reason and result.

我们 “我们” means we or us and refers to the speakers together in “所以我们先从主要部分开始吧。”. It is the subject of the suggested action “开始”. It can be used before a verb in patterns such as “我们一起……” for a shared activity.

先 “先” means first or before other steps in “我们先从主要部分开始吧。”. It sets the order of the work: starting with one part before doing the rest. A reusable pattern is “先……，然后……” for two ordered actions.

从 “从” means from and marks the starting point in “从主要部分开始”. It identifies the part where the action begins. A common pattern is “从……开始”, meaning start from or with something.

主要 “主要” means main or most important in “主要部分”. It describes which part should be handled first. It commonly comes before a noun, as in “主要问题” in a new example.

部分 “部分” means part or section in “主要部分”. It refers to one section of the larger task. A useful pattern is “一部分” when referring to one part of something.

开始 “开始” means start or begin in “从主要部分开始吧。”. Here it describes beginning the work with the main part. It can be reused in “开始工作” for starting work.

吧 “吧” makes “我们先从主要部分开始” a suggestion rather than a firm command. At the end of “开始吧”, it invites the other person to agree to the proposed action. It is commonly used after a suggested verb phrase.

你 “你” means you and refers to the other speaker in “你现在想做那部分吗？”. It is the person being asked about taking on the task. It commonly appears before the verb in a question.

现在 “现在” means now in “你现在想做那部分吗？”. It asks whether the person wants to do that part at the present time. It can be placed before the verb in patterns such as “现在开始”.

想 “想” means want to in “你现在想做那部分吗？”. It expresses the other speaker’s desire or intention to do the task. A useful pattern is “想 + verb”, such as “想开始” in a new example.

做 “做” means do in “做那部分”. It refers to carrying out that part of the work. It commonly comes before the object of the action, as in “做作业” in a new example.

那 “那” means that in “那部分”. It points to the part already mentioned as the main part. It commonly appears before a noun, as in “那件事” in a new example.

检查 “检查” means check or inspect in “检查文件”. It describes carefully reviewing the file. A reusable pattern is “检查 + object”, such as “检查内容” in a new example.

文件 “文件” means file or document in “检查文件”. It is the object that the speaker will check. It can be used after “打开” or “检查”, as in “打开文件” in a new example.

的 “的” links “文件” to “时候” in “你检查文件的时候”, making the phrase mean when you check the file. It connects the preceding action or situation with the time expression that follows. A common pattern is “动词 + 的时候” for when an action happens.

时候 “时候” means time or when in “你检查文件的时候”. Together with the preceding phrase, it marks the time during which the speaker can start. A reusable pattern is “……的时候” for describing what happens while or when something occurs.

我 “我” means I or me and refers to the speaker in “我可以开始”. It is the person who can start while the other person checks the file. It commonly appears before the verb or modal expression.

可以 “可以” means can or be able to in “我可以开始”. It says that the speaker is able or permitted to start. A useful pattern is “可以 + verb”, such as “可以分享” in a new example.

应该 “应该” means should in “我应该先看什么？”. It asks which action is the appropriate first one. It commonly comes before a verb in advice-seeking questions such as “我应该先做什么？” in a new example.

看 “看” means look at or check in “我应该先看什么？”. Here it refers to reviewing something in the file, not simply looking in a general direction. A common pattern is “看 + object”, such as “看笔记” in a new example.

什么 “什么” means what in “我应该先看什么？”. It asks which thing should be checked first and appears after the verb “看”. A useful question pattern is “看什么？” for asking what to look at.

确保 “确保” means make sure or ensure in “确保笔记和要求一致。”. It introduces the result that should be checked or guaranteed. A reusable pattern is “确保 + clause”, such as “确保文件准备好” in a new example.

笔记 “笔记” means notes in “笔记和要求一致”. It refers to the written notes being compared with the request. It can be used as the subject of “检查” or “整理”, as in “整理笔记” in a new example.

和 “和” connects “笔记” and “要求” in “笔记和要求一致”. Here it means and, linking the two things being compared. A common pattern is “A 和 B”, meaning A and B.

要求 “要求” means request or requirement in “笔记和要求一致”. It refers to what the notes need to match. It can be used after “符合” or before “一致”, as in “符合要求” in a new example.

一致 “一致” means match or be consistent in “笔记和要求一致”. It describes the notes and the request as agreeing with each other. A useful pattern is “A 和 B 一致” for saying that two things match.

然后 “然后” means then in “然后我会写一份简短的进度说明。”. It marks the next step after checking the file. A common pattern is “先……，然后……” for describing an ordered process.

会 “会” in “我会写一份简短的进度说明” indicates that the speaker will write it as the next planned action. It appears before the verb “写”. A useful pattern is “会 + verb” for describing a future action.

写 “写” means write in “写一份简短的进度说明”. It describes producing the written update. It commonly comes before the thing being written, as in “写报告” in a new example.

份 “份” is the classifier used for the written item in “一份简短的进度说明”. It counts a document or similar written item. A common pattern is “一份 + document”, such as “一份报告” in a new example.

简短 “简短” means short or brief in “简短的进度说明”. It describes the update as limited in length. It commonly appears before “的” and a noun, as in “简短的介绍” in a new example.

进度 “进度” means progress in “进度说明”. It identifies the subject of the written explanation: how the work is progressing. It can be used in patterns such as “工作进度” in a new example.

说明 “说明” means an explanation or written update in “进度说明”. Here it is the document that reports the progress. It can follow a topic to name an explanation about it, as in “情况说明” in a new example.

准备 “准备” in “准备好后” refers to becoming prepared or ready. It describes the update reaching a usable state before it is shared. A common pattern is “准备好” for being ready for the next action.

好 “好” in “准备好后” marks the result of being ready after preparation. Together, “准备好” means be ready or have something prepared. It can be followed by “后” to describe what happens after readiness is reached.

后 “后” means after in “准备好后”. It places the sharing action after the update is ready. A useful pattern is “verb + 后”, such as “检查后” in a new example.

把 “把” introduces “它” as the object being handled in “把它分享出去”. It highlights what will be acted on and places that object before the verb phrase. A common pattern is “把 + object + verb”, when describing what happens to a specific object.

它 “它” means it and refers to the update mentioned in “一份简短的进度说明”. In “把它分享出去”, it is the specific object that will be shared. It commonly appears after “把” when a known thing is being handled.

分享 “分享” means share in “把它分享出去”. It describes making the prepared update available to other people. A reusable pattern is “分享 + object”, such as “分享文件” in a new example.

出去 “出去” in “分享出去” adds the idea of sending or making the update go outward to others. It completes the direction of the sharing action rather than naming a separate object. A common pattern is “verb + 出去” when something is sent or moved outward.

Grammar Points

就要……了

截止时间就要到了。

jiézhǐ shíjiān jiù yào dào le.

The deadline is about to arrive.

Use 就要……了 to say that something will happen very soon or is just about to happen.

先……，然后……

先检查文件，然后写进度说明。

xiān jiǎnchá wénjiàn, ránhòu xiě jìdù shuōmíng.

First check the file, then write the progress update.

先 introduces the first action, and 然后 introduces the action that follows.

Chinese Vocabulary

部分 noun

bùfen part; section

到了 verb

dào le arrive; be reached

检查 verb

jiǎnchá check; inspect

截止时间 noun

jiézhǐ shíjiān deadline

就要到了 phrase

jiù yào dào le be about to arrive; be coming up soon

开始 verb

kāishǐ start; begin

快 adv

kuài soon; almost

所以 conj

suǒyǐ so; therefore

文件 noun

wénjiàn file; document

先 adv

xiān first; before anything else

现在 adv

xiànzài now

主要 adj

zhǔyào main; primary

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

deadline

Show Answer

截止时间

be about to arrive; be coming up soon

Show Answer

就要到了

check; inspect

Show Answer

检查

start; begin

Show Answer

开始