About This Lesson
Use Choosing the Right Bag to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我应该选哪个包？
Wǒ yīnggāi xuǎn nǎ ge bāo? Which bag should I choose?
B
这个很轻。
Zhè ge hěn qīng. This one is light.
A
另一个包看起来更结实。
Lìng yí ge bāo kàn qǐlái gèng jiēshi. The other bag looks stronger.
B
它还有两个口袋。
Tā hái yǒu liǎng ge kǒudài. It also has two pockets.
A
我需要一个上班用的包。
Wǒ xūyào yí ge shàngbān yòng de bāo. I need a bag for work.
B
那结实的那个更合适。
Nà jiēshi de nà ge gèng héshì. Then the stronger one makes sense.
A
我可以把工作文件放进口袋里。
Wǒ kěyǐ bǎ gōngzuò wénjiàn fàng jìn kǒudài lǐ. I can put my papers in the pockets.
B
那个应该很适合你。
Nà ge yīnggāi hěn shìhé nǐ. That should work well for you.Word by Word
我
In 我, the speaker refers to themself as I or me, as in 我应该 and 我需要. It commonly comes before the verb in patterns such as 我需要... . Use it when talking about your own action, choice, or need.
应该
In 我应该选哪个包, 应该 means should and introduces the action the speaker is considering. It comes before the verb in the pattern subject + 应该 + verb. Use it when asking or discussing what would be the right action.
选
In 选, the speaker means choose a bag from the available options. It is used after 应该 in 我应该选哪个包. Use 选 when making a choice between objects or possibilities.
哪个
In 哪个包, 哪个 asks which one when the speaker is choosing between known bags. It comes before the noun in the pattern 哪个 + noun. Use it when asking someone to identify one option from several.
包
In 包, the word means bag, the item being compared and chosen in the dialogue. It can follow a choice word as in 哪个包. Use it when talking about a bag as an object or container.
这个
In 这个很轻, 这个 means this one and refers to the bag being indicated or considered nearby. It can stand before a description, as in 这个 + adjective. Use it to identify the option that is close or currently being discussed.
很
In 这个很轻, 很 helps form the natural description that the bag is light. It comes before the adjective in the pattern subject + 很 + adjective. Use it when describing an object with an adjective.
轻
In 这个很轻, 轻 describes the bag as light in weight. It follows 很 in the dialogue’s adjective description. Use it when comparing the weight of bags or other physical objects.
另一个
In 另一个包, 另一个 means the other one and identifies the second bag rather than the one already mentioned. It comes before the noun in 另一个包. Use it when distinguishing one option from another.
看起来
In 看起来更结实, 看起来 means looks or seems, describing an impression about the bag. 看 contributes the idea of looking, while 起来 makes the phrase express how something appears; together they form 看起来. Use the pattern subject + 看起来 + adjective when judging something from its appearance.
更
In 看起来更结实, 更 means more and marks a comparison with the other bag. It comes before the adjective in the pattern 更 + adjective. Use it when saying that one option has a quality to a greater degree than another.
结实
In 更结实, 结实 describes the other bag as strong or sturdy. With 更, it says that this bag appears sturdier than the first one. Use it when choosing an object that needs to withstand use.
它
In 它还有两个口袋, 它 means it and refers to the bag already being discussed. It commonly comes before the verb in a pattern such as 它还有... . Use it when talking about an object without repeating the noun.
还有
In 它还有两个口袋, 还有 means also has or additionally has, adding another feature of the bag. It follows the subject and introduces the additional thing in 它还有 + item. Use it when mentioning another property or item that something possesses.
口袋
In 两个口袋, 口袋 means pocket, referring to the bag’s storage compartments. It follows the number phrase 两个 in the dialogue. Use it when describing where small items or papers can be stored.
需要
In 我需要一个上班用的包, 需要 means need and states the speaker’s practical requirement. It comes before the needed object in the pattern subject + 需要 + object. Use it when explaining what item is required for a purpose.
一个
In 一个上班用的包, 一个 introduces one bag as the needed item. It comes before the noun phrase in the pattern 一个 + noun. Use it when referring to one item of this kind.
上班
In 上班用的包, 上班 relates to going to work or being at work and identifies the purpose of the bag. It appears in the modifier 上班用的 before 包. Use the pattern 上班用的 + noun for something intended for work.
用
In 上班用的包, 用 indicates use or purpose: this is a bag for use when going to work. It forms the purpose expression 上班用的包 with 上班 and 的. Use the pattern [purpose]用的 + noun when describing what an item is intended for.
的
In 上班用的包, 的 links the preceding modifier 上班用的 to the noun 包. It shows that the earlier words describe the bag. Use the pattern modifier + 的 + noun to identify an item by its purpose or description.
那
In 那结实的那个更合适, 那 means then and introduces the conclusion drawn from the bag’s strength and purpose. It can begin a response in the pattern 那 + statement. Use it when moving from information or reasoning to a decision.
更合适
In 那结实的那个更合适, 更合适 means more suitable for the work purpose under discussion. It evaluates the stronger bag against the other choice. Use it when recommending one option because it fits a need better.
可以
In 我可以把工作文件放进口袋里, 可以 means can and expresses that the speaker is able to put the documents inside. It comes before the action in the pattern subject + 可以 + verb phrase. Use it when stating that an action is possible or manageable.
把
In 把工作文件放进口袋里, 把 marks 工作文件 as the object being acted on before the action and destination are given. The dialogue uses the pattern 把 + object + 放进 + place + 里. Use it when focusing on what is moved, placed, or otherwise handled.
工作
In 工作文件, 工作 specifies that the 文件 are related to work. It comes before 文件 to form the noun phrase 工作文件. Use it before an object noun when identifying something connected with work.
文件
In 工作文件, 文件 means documents or files, the papers that can be placed in the pockets. It is the object after 把 in 把工作文件放进口袋里. Use it when talking about documents that are stored, carried, or handled.
放进
In 放进口袋里, 放进 means put into and describes moving the documents inside the pockets. It is used in the pattern 把 + object + 放进 + container + 里. Use it when placing something inside a container or space.
里
In 口袋里, 里 means in or inside and marks the interior of the pockets as the destination. It follows the place word in 口袋里. Use it after a container or location when specifying that something is inside it.
那个
In 那个应该很适合你, 那个 means that one and refers to the selected bag. It stands before the description 很适合你 in this sentence. Use it to point back to a particular option that has already been identified.
适合
In 适合你, 适合 means suit or be suitable for, stating that the bag fits the other person’s needs. It is followed by the person in the pattern 适合 + person. Use it when recommending something for a particular person or purpose.
你
In 适合你, 你 means you and identifies the person for whom the bag is suitable. It follows 适合 in the dialogue. Use it when addressing the other person or describing something intended for them.
Grammar Points
看起来 + 形容词
这个包看起来更结实。
Zhè ge bāo kàn qǐlái gèng jiēshi.This bag looks sturdier.
看起来 means “looks/seems” and is followed by an adjective describing how something appears.
更 + 形容词
这个包看起来更结实。
Zhè ge bāo kàn qǐlái gèng jiēshi.This bag looks sturdier.
更 comes before an adjective to show a higher degree or comparison: “more” or “-er.”
Chinese Vocabulary
包
noun
bāo
bag
更结实
adj
gèng jiēshi
stronger
还有
verb
hái yǒu
also have
看起来
verb
kàn qǐlái
look; seem
口袋
noun
kǒudài
pocket
两个
num
liǎng ge
two
另一个
pron
lìng yí ge
the other one
哪个
pron
nǎ ge
which one
轻
adj
qīng
light
需要
verb
xūyào
need
选
verb
xuǎn
choose
这个
pron
zhè ge
this one
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
the other one
Show Answer
另一个stronger
Show Answer
更结实this one
Show Answer
这个also have