About This Lesson
Use Finding the Back of the Line to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
这队的队尾在哪里？
Zhè duì de duìwěi zài nǎlǐ? Where is the end of this line?
B
队尾在门那边。
Duìwěi zài mén nàbiān. The end is over by the door.
A
我应该在那里等吗？
Wǒ yīnggāi zài nàlǐ děng ma? Should I wait there?
B
请站在最后一个人后面。
Qǐng zhàn zài zuìhòu yí ge rén hòumiàn. Stand behind the last person.
A
我没看见那个标志。
Wǒ méi kànjiàn nàge biāozhì. I missed the sign.
B
标志贴在门旁边。
Biāozhì tiē zài mén pángbiān. It is posted next to the door.
A
我去队尾。
Wǒ qù duìwěi. I will head to the back.
B
大家都从那里加入队伍。
Dàjiā dōu cóng nàlǐ jiārù duìwǔ. That is where people are joining.Word by Word
这
“这” means “this” in “这队的队尾”, pointing to the line being discussed. It comes before the noun it identifies, as in “这队”. A new example is “这扇门” for “this door”.
队
“队” means the line or queue in “这队的队尾”. Together with “队尾”, it identifies the queue whose back someone is looking for. A reliable pattern is “排队” for “line up” or “wait in line”.
的
“的” links “这队” with “队尾” in “这队的队尾”, showing that the back belongs to or is associated with this line. A reusable pattern is “A的B”, meaning “B of A” or “A’s B”.
队尾
“队尾” means the back or end of the line in “这队的队尾在哪里？”. It is the place where a person joins the queue from behind. A new example is “我在队尾” for “I am at the back of the line”.
在
“在” shows location in “队尾在门那边” and “贴在门旁边”. It connects the person or thing being located with a place. A reusable pattern is “X在Y”, meaning “X is at or in Y”.
哪里
“哪里” asks where something is in “这队的队尾在哪里？”. It appears in the location question pattern “……在哪里？”. A new example is “洗手间在哪里？” for “Where is the restroom?”.
门
“门” means “door” in “门那边” and “门旁边”. It is used as a place reference for locating the end of the line or the sign. A reusable pattern is “门旁边”, meaning “next to the door”.
那边
“那边” means “over there” or “that side” in “门那边”. It points to a place away from the speaker, here the area by the door. It commonly follows a place noun, as in “门那边”.
我
“我” means “I” or “me” in “我应该在那里等吗？” and “我去队尾”. It identifies the speaker as the person asking or taking action. A new example is “我是新来的” for “I am new here”.
应该
“应该” means “should” in “我应该在那里等吗？”, asking whether waiting there is the appropriate action. It comes before the action word or phrase it describes. A reusable pattern is “我应该……吗？”, asking what the speaker should do.
那里
“那里” means “there” in “我应该在那里等吗？”. It refers to the place previously identified, near the end of the line. It can be used before an action, as in “在那里等” for “wait there”.
等
“等” means “wait” in “我应该在那里等吗？”. Here it describes waiting at the indicated place in the line. A reusable pattern is “在某地等”, meaning “wait at a certain place”.
吗
“吗” turns “我应该在那里等” into the yes-or-no question “我应该在那里等吗？”. It is placed at the end of the question. A new example is “你在这里等吗？” for “Are you waiting here?”.
请
“请” makes “请站在最后一个人后面” a polite request to stand behind the last person. It comes before the requested action. A reusable pattern is “请 + action”, such as “请坐” for “please sit”.
站
“站” means “stand” in “请站在最后一个人后面”. With “在” and a place phrase, it tells someone where to stand. A reusable pattern is “站在 + place”, meaning “stand at or in a place”.
最后
“最后” means “last” in “最后一个人”, identifying the person at the end of the line. It comes before the person it describes. A new example is “最后一页” for “the last page”.
一个
“一个” contributes “one” or “a” in “最后一个人”. Together with “最后” and “人”, “最后一个人” identifies one person as the last person in line. A reusable pattern is “一个 + noun”, such as “一个人” for “one person” or “a person”.
人
“人” means “person” in “最后一个人”. Here it refers to the person at the back of the line. A reusable pattern is “一个人”, meaning “one person” or “a person”.
后面
“后面” means “behind” or “at the back” in “最后一个人后面”. It identifies the position behind the last person, where the speaker should stand. A reusable pattern is “X后面”, meaning “behind X” or “at the back of X”.
没
“没” means “not” or “did not” in “我没看见那个标志”. It comes before “看见” to say that the speaker did not see the sign. A reliable pattern is “没 + action”, as in “没找到” for “did not find”.
看见
“看见” means “see” or “notice” in “我没看见那个标志”. The object being seen follows it, here “那个标志”. A reusable pattern is “看见 + object”, meaning “see or notice an object”.
那个
“那个” means “that” in “那个标志”, pointing to a specific sign. It comes before the noun it identifies. A new example is “那个门” for “that door”.
标志
“标志” means “sign” in “我没看见那个标志” and “标志贴在门旁边”. Here it is the sign posted next to the door that the speaker missed. A reusable pattern is “看见标志”, meaning “see a sign”.
贴
“贴” describes the sign as posted or stuck in “标志贴在门旁边”. The full expression “贴在门旁边” says that the sign is posted next to the door. A reusable pattern is “X贴在Y”, describing something posted or stuck at a place.
旁边
“旁边” means “beside” or “next to” in “门旁边”. It identifies the place immediately beside the door where the sign is posted. A reusable pattern is “X旁边”, meaning “next to X”.
去
“去” means “go” or “head to” in “我去队尾”. It describes the speaker moving to the back of the line. A reusable pattern is “去 + destination”, such as “去门旁边” for “go to the area next to the door”.
大家
“大家” means “everyone” in “大家都从那里加入队伍”. It refers to all the people joining the line from that place. A reusable pattern is “大家都 + action”, meaning “everyone does something”.
都
“都” means “all” in “大家都从那里加入队伍”. It shows that the action applies to everyone mentioned by “大家”. It usually comes after the subject and before the action, as in “他们都等在那里”.
从
“从” means “from” in “从那里加入队伍”. It marks the place from which people join the line. A reusable pattern is “从 + place + action”, such as “从门口进去” for “enter from the doorway”.
加入
“加入” means “join” in “加入队伍”. Here it describes people entering the line as participants. A reusable pattern is “加入 + group or queue”, such as “加入队伍” for “join the line”.
队伍
“队伍” means the line or queue in “加入队伍”. It is the group of people that others are joining from the back. A new example is “队伍很长” for “The line is long”.
Grammar Points
在哪里？
门在哪里？
Mén zài nǎlǐ?Where is the door?
“在哪里”放在句末询问地点，相当于英语的“where”。
请 + 动词
请加入队伍。
Qǐng jiārù duìwǔ.Please join the line.
“请”放在动词前，用来礼貌地提出请求。
Chinese Vocabulary
标志
noun
biāozhì
sign
等
verb
děng
wait
队尾
noun
duìwěi
end of the line
后面
noun
hòumiàn
behind
看见
verb
kànjiàn
see
门
noun
mén
door
那边
adv
nàbiān
over there
请
verb
qǐng
please
贴
verb
tiē
post; stick
在哪里
phrase
zài nǎlǐ
where
站
verb
zhàn
stand
最后一个人
phrase
zuìhòu yí ge rén
the last person
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
the last person
Show Answer
最后一个人where
Show Answer
在哪里over there
Show Answer
那边see