Waiting in the Right Line | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use Waiting in the Right Line to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

这是我要排的队吗？

Zhè shì wǒ yào pái de duì ma? Is this the right line?

这队是去前台的。

Zhè duì shì qù qiántái de. It goes to the front desk.

前台就在前面吗？

Qiántái jiù zài qiánmiàn ma? Is the front desk up ahead?

我们从这里就能看到。

Wǒmen cóng zhèlǐ jiù néng kàn dào. We can see it from here.

我应该站在你后面吗？

Wǒ yīnggāi zhàn zài nǐ hòumiàn ma? Should I stand behind you?

站近一点，这里没有多少空间。

Zhàn jìn yìdiǎn, zhèlǐ méiyǒu duōshao kōngjiān. Stay close; there isn't much space.

队伍移动得很慢。

Duìwu yídòng de hěn màn. The line is moving slowly.

我们可以再等一会儿。

Wǒmen kěyǐ zài děng yíhuìr. We can wait a little longer.

Word by Word

这 “这” means “this” and points to the line being discussed in “这是我要排的队吗？”. It commonly comes before a noun, as in “这队”, when identifying something nearby. Use it when asking or confirming which nearby thing is relevant.

是 “是” means “is” and identifies “这” as the queue the speaker intends to join in “这是我要排的队吗？”. It is used to connect a subject with what it is or refers to. Use “是” when confirming an identity or description.

我 “我” means “I” or “me” and identifies the speaker in “我要排的队”. It comes before the action or intention being described. Use it when talking about your own action, need, or choice.

要 “要” in “我要排的队” shows that the speaker intends or needs to join this queue. It comes before “排” to describe the action associated with the queue. A common reuse pattern is “要 + verb” when expressing an intended or needed action; here it helps specify which queue the speaker means.

排 “排” means “to line up” or “to join a line” in “我要排的队”. Here it describes the speaker’s action in relation to the queue. Use it when saying which line you intend to join, especially while checking where to wait.

的 “的” links the description “我要排” to the noun “队” in “我要排的队”, meaning “the queue that I intend to join”. The reusable pattern is “description + 的 + noun”. Use it when identifying a noun by describing it with an action or situation.

队 “队” means “line” or “queue” in “我要排的队” and “这队”. It names the group of people waiting for service. Use it when referring to a particular queue in a public place or service area.

吗 “吗” is a question particle at the end of “这是我要排的队吗？”. It turns the statement into a yes-or-no question without changing the word order before it. Use it when checking whether an assumption is correct.

去 “去” means “to go to” in “这队是去前台的”, indicating the destination served by the queue. It is followed here by “前台”, the destination. The reusable pattern is “去 + destination”, useful when asking or explaining where something leads.

前台 “前台” means “front desk” or “reception desk” in “去前台” and “前台就在前面”. It refers to the service point the queue leads to. Use it when asking about or giving directions to a reception or service counter.

就 “就” in “前台就在前面吗？” emphasizes that the front desk is directly or simply ahead. It appears before the location phrase “在前面”. The pattern “就 + 在 + location” is useful when confirming that something is right at a stated place.

在 “在” marks a location in “前台就在前面” and “站在你后面”. It connects a person or thing with where it is or where someone stands. Use “在” before a place or position when describing location.

前面 “前面” means “ahead” or “in front” in “前台就在前面”. It locates the front desk in the direction in front of the speakers. Use it after a location marker such as “在” when giving or checking a direction.

我们 “我们” means “we” or “us” and includes the speaker and the other person in “我们从这里就能看到” and “我们可以再等一会儿”. It functions as the subject of the shared actions. Use it when proposing or describing something that both people will do.

从 “从” means “from” and marks the starting point in “从这里”. It shows where the viewing position begins. The reusable pattern is “从 + place + verb”, useful when describing an action performed from a particular location.

这里 “这里” means “here” and refers to the speakers’ current place in “从这里”. It identifies the place from which they can see the front desk. Use it when pointing to the place where you are standing or staying.

能 “能” means “can” or “be able to” in “就能看到”, showing that the front desk is visible from the current position. It comes before the action “看到”. The reusable pattern is “能 + verb”, useful when talking about whether an action is possible.

看到 “看到” means “to see” or “to spot” in “我们从这里就能看到”. It describes successfully seeing the front desk from where the speakers are standing. A common pattern is “能看到 + object”; use it when checking whether something is visible.

应该 “应该” means “should” in “我应该站在你后面吗？”. It asks whether standing behind the other person is the appropriate action. The reusable pattern is “应该 + verb”, useful when asking for guidance about what to do.

站 “站” means “to stand” in “站在你后面” and “站近一点”. In the dialogue, it describes taking a position in the queue or standing closer. Use it with a location phrase when saying where someone should stand.

你 “你” means “you” and identifies the other person in “站在你后面”. It provides the person used as the reference point for the speaker’s position. Use it when directing a question or description to the person you are speaking with.

后面 “后面” means “behind” in “站在你后面”. It describes the position at the back of the other person. The pattern “站在 + person + 后面” is useful when explaining where someone should stand in a line.

近 “近” means “close” in “站近一点”, describing the requested distance between the people in the line. It is used with “一点” to ask for a small adjustment in closeness. Use it when asking someone to remain near you or move closer in a crowded place.

一点 “一点” means “a little” in “站近一点”. Together, “近一点” asks someone to stand slightly closer rather than making a large movement. Use it after a description or action when requesting a small degree of change.

没有 “没有” means “there is not” or “does not have” in “这里没有多少空间”. It states that the current place lacks much space. The reusable pattern is “place + 没有 + noun”, useful when explaining that something is unavailable or absent.

多少 “多少” means “much” in the negative expression “没有多少空间”, meaning that there is not much space. Here it describes a limited amount rather than asking a question. Use “没有多少 + noun” when saying that only a small amount is available.

空间 “空间” means “space” or “room” in “没有多少空间”. It refers to the physical room available around the people waiting. Use it when explaining that people need to stay close because there is little room.

队伍 “队伍” means “line” or “queue” in “队伍移动得很慢”. It is the group of people waiting and is the subject of the movement being described. Use “队伍” as the subject when reporting how a queue is progressing.

移动 “移动” means “to move” in “队伍移动得很慢”. It describes the queue advancing toward the front desk. Use it after a subject such as “队伍” when reporting movement or progress.

得 “得” marks the description of how an action happens in “移动得很慢”. It connects “移动” with the description “很慢”. The reusable pattern is “verb + 得 + description”, useful for describing the manner or degree of an action.

很 “很” means “very” or “quite” in “很慢”, strengthening the description of the queue’s slow movement. It comes before the describing word “慢”. Use the pattern “很 + description” when emphasizing a quality or condition.

慢 “慢” means “slow” in “队伍移动得很慢”. It describes the low speed at which the queue is advancing. Use it with “移动得” when reporting that a line or other movement is progressing slowly.

可以 “可以” means “can” or “may” in “我们可以再等一会儿”. It presents waiting longer as an available or acceptable option. The reusable pattern is “可以 + verb”, useful when suggesting or allowing an action.

再 “再” in “再等一会儿” means “further” or “for an additional period”, showing that the waiting continues from now. It comes before “等” to extend the action. Use “再 + verb” when proposing that an action continue or happen additionally.

等 “等” means “to wait” in “再等一会儿”. It describes remaining in place until the queue moves or service becomes available. The reusable pattern is “等 + duration”, useful when saying how long someone will wait.

一会儿 “一会儿” means “for a little while” in “再等一会儿”. It gives a short, nonspecific duration for the continued waiting. Use it after “等” when suggesting a brief delay.

Grammar Points

从 + 地点 + 动词

我们从这里就看到前台。

Wǒmen cóng zhèlǐ jiù kàn dào qiántái.

We can already see the front desk from here.

“从 + 地点”放在动词前，表示动作的起点或观察位置。

没有 + 多少 + 名词

后面没有多少空间。

Hòumiàn méiyǒu duōshao kōngjiān.

There isn't much space behind.

“没有”可放在数量短语前，表示某处没有或不具备多少东西。

Chinese Vocabulary

从 prep

cóng from

队 noun

duì line; queue

就 adv

jiù just; right away; then

看到 verb

kàn dào to see

排 verb

pái to line up; to queue

前面 noun

qiánmiàn ahead; in front

前台 noun

qiántái front desk; reception desk

是 verb

shì to be

我 pron

wǒ I; me

我们 pron

wǒmen we; us

这 pron

zhè this

这里 pron

zhèlǐ here

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

ahead; in front

Show Answer

前面

front desk; reception desk

Show Answer

前台

we; us

Show Answer

我们

here

Show Answer

这里