Finding a Quiet Study Seat | Learn Chinese in English

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Use Finding a Quiet Study Seat to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

这张桌子有人用吗？

zhè zhāng zhuōzi yǒu rén yòng ma? Is this table free?

这里没人坐。

zhèlǐ méi rén zuò. No one is sitting here.

我需要一个安静的地方坐。

wǒ xūyào yí ge ānjìng de dìfang zuò. I need a quiet place to sit.

这张桌子离门很远。

zhè zhāng zhuōzi lí mén hěn yuǎn. This table is away from the door.

那这里是学习的好地方。

nà zhèlǐ shì xuéxí de hǎo dìfang. Then this is a good place to study.

学习时请小声说话。

xuéxí shí qǐng xiǎoshēng shuōhuà. Please keep your voice low while you study.

好的，我会小声说话。

hǎo de, wǒ huì xiǎoshēng shuōhuà. Sure, I'll keep my voice down.

这样能帮助其他人学习。

zhèyàng néng bāngzhù qítā rén xuéxí. That helps other people study.

Word by Word

这 “这” points to the table being discussed or seen here, meaning “this.” In “这张桌子,” it comes before the noun it identifies. Use it when referring to a nearby person or thing, such as when choosing a table in a library.

张 “张” is the measure word used for the table in “这张桌子.” It comes between a number or demonstrative and the noun. Use “张” when counting or identifying flat items such as tables; a new example is “一张桌子.”

桌子 “桌子” means “table” in “这张桌子.” It is the item whose availability is being asked about and whose location is described. Use it when asking for or describing a table in a library, classroom, or other room.

有人 “有人” means “someone” or “someone is using it” in the question “这张桌子有人用吗？” Here it asks whether any person is using the table. Use “有人” before an action to ask or state that someone is doing something.

用 “用” means “use” in “有人用吗？” The table is the thing being used, so the object is understood from the context. Use “用” before the thing being used when the object needs to be stated; a new example is “用电脑.”

吗 “吗” turns “这张桌子有人用” into a yes-or-no question. It is placed at the end of the question. Use it when asking whether a statement is true, such as when checking if a seat or table is available.

这里 “这里” means “here” and identifies the current place in “这里没人坐.” It refers to the spot where the speakers are standing or looking. Use it when pointing out the place around you, especially when discussing a seat or location.

没人 “没人” means “no one” in “这里没人坐.” It is the person-related subject of “坐,” so the sentence says that nobody is sitting here. Use “没人” before an action to say that no person is doing it.

坐 “坐” means “sit” in “没人坐.” In this dialogue, it explains that nobody is occupying the place by sitting there. Use it for the action of sitting; a new example is “坐在椅子上.”

我 “我” means “I” or “me” and is the speaker in “我需要一个安静的地方坐.” It appears as the subject of the speaker’s statement. Use it when describing your own needs or actions, as in “我需要……”.

需要 “需要” means “need” in “我需要一个安静的地方坐.” It is followed by the thing that is needed, here “一个安静的地方.” Use the pattern “需要 + thing” when asking for or stating a need, such as finding a place to sit.

个 “个” is the general measure word in “一个安静的地方.” It comes after “一” and before the noun phrase. Use “一个 + noun” when referring to one place or one other general item.

安静 “安静” means “quiet” in “一个安静的地方.” It describes the kind of place the speaker wants. Use the pattern “安静的 + noun” when describing a quiet place or other quiet thing.

的 In “安静的地方,” “的” links the description “安静” to the noun “地方.” It shows that the place is being described as quiet. Use the pattern “description + 的 + noun” to identify something by a quality.

地方 “地方” means “place” in “一个安静的地方坐” and “学习的好地方.” It refers to a location suitable for sitting or studying. Use it in the pattern “一个……的地方” when looking for a place with a particular quality or purpose.

离 “离” expresses the distance between the table and the door in “这张桌子离门很远.” The place being located comes before “离,” and the reference point comes after it. Use the pattern “A离B……” when describing how far one place or thing is from another.

门 “门” means “door” in “离门很远.” It is the reference point used to describe the table’s distance. Use it when explaining where a table, seat, or other object is located in relation to a door.

很 “很” strengthens the description “远” in “离门很远,” meaning “quite” or “very” in this context. It comes before the word describing the distance. Use it before a descriptive word when you want to make the description stronger.

远 “远” means “far” in “这张桌子离门很远.” It describes the distance from the table to the door. Use it after “离 + reference point” to say that one place or thing is far away.

那 “那” means “then” or “in that case” at the beginning of “那这里是学习的好地方.” It connects the new conclusion to the information that the table is far from the door. Use it to introduce a conclusion based on what someone has just said.

是 “是” links the place with the judgment in “这里是学习的好地方,” meaning that this place is a good place for studying. It connects what is being identified with the information about it. Use it in a pattern such as “A是B” when identifying or describing something.

学习 “学习” means “study” in “学习的好地方,” “学习时,” and “帮助其他人学习.” It names the activity that the place is suitable for and that the library users are doing. Use it when talking about studying, including in the patterns “学习时” and “学习的地方.”

好 “好” means “good” in “学习的好地方,” describing the place as suitable for studying. It comes before the noun “地方” in this expression. Use “好 + noun” when evaluating something positively, such as a good place to study.

时 “时” means “when” or “during” in “学习时,” so the request applies during the time of studying. It follows the activity that sets the time. Use the pattern “activity + 时” to say when something happens.

请 “请” means “please” in “请小声说话.” It makes the following action a polite request. Use “请 + action” when asking someone politely to do something, especially when giving a quiet reminder in a public place.

小声 “小声” means “in a low voice” or “quietly” in “小声说话.” It describes how the speaking should be done. Use it before “说话” when asking someone to keep their voice low.

说话 “说话” means “speak” or “talk” in “请小声说话” and “我会小声说话.” With “小声,” it means speaking quietly. Use it when talking about speaking, including when asking someone to change the volume of their voice.

好的 “好的” means “sure” or “okay” as the reply to the request. In this expression, “好” supplies the acceptance, and “的” forms the complete response “好的.” Use “好的” when agreeing to an instruction or request, as in this library conversation.

会 “会” indicates that the speaker will carry out the action in “我会小声说话.” It comes before the verb phrase “小声说话.” Use the pattern “会 + action” when saying what someone will do.

这样 “这样” means “this way” or “in this manner” in “这样能帮助其他人学习.” It refers to the way of speaking quietly described in the previous line. Use it to point to an action or method and then explain its result or effect.

能 “能” means “can” in “这样能帮助其他人学习.” It indicates that speaking quietly has the ability or effect to help others study. Use the pattern “能 + action” when describing what an action can do.

帮助 “帮助” means “help” in “帮助其他人学习.” It is followed by the people receiving help and the activity they can do. Use the pattern “帮助 + person + action” when explaining how one action benefits someone else.

其他 “其他” means “other” in “其他人.” It distinguishes the people being helped from the speaker or the person already being addressed. Use “其他 + noun” when referring to additional people or things in the same situation.

人 “人” means “person” or “people” in “其他人.” Together, “其他人” means “other people” in the library. Use it after a describing word such as “其他” when referring to people as a group or as individuals.

Grammar Points

请 + 动词短语

请小声说话

qǐng xiǎoshēng shuōhuà

Please speak quietly.

请放在动词短语前，用来礼貌地提出请求。

没人 + 动词

没人坐

méi rén zuò

No one is sitting.

没人表示“no one”，放在动词前，说明没有人做某事。

Chinese Vocabulary

安静 adj

ānjìng quiet

地方 noun

dìfang place

好 adj

hǎo good

离 prep

lí be away from

没人 pron

méi rén no one

门 noun

mén door

那 adv

nà then

需要 verb

xūyào need

有人用 phrase

yǒu rén yòng be in use

这里 adv

zhèlǐ here

桌子 noun

zhuōzi table

坐 verb

zuò sit

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

table

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桌子

here

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这里

place

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地方

no one

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没人