About This Lesson
Use Choosing a Simple Activity to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我们该做什么活动？
wǒmen gāi zuò shénme huódòng? What activity should we do?
B
我们可以去外面走走。
wǒmen kěyǐ qù wàimiàn zǒuzou. We could walk outside.
A
外面可能会很冷。
wàimiàn kěnéng huì hěn lěng. It may be cold out there.
B
那我们可以在里面看书。
nà wǒmen kěyǐ zài lǐmiàn kànshū. Then we can read inside.
A
今天看书好像更好。
jīntiān kànshū hǎoxiàng gèng hǎo. Reading sounds better today.
B
我们选一个安静的房间吧。
wǒmen xuǎn yí ge ānjìng de fángjiān ba. Let's choose a quiet room.
A
我会带上我的书。
wǒ huì dài shàng wǒde shū. I'll bring my book.
B
我会给我们找个位置。
wǒ huì gěi wǒmen zhǎo ge wèizhi. I'll find a spot for us.Word by Word
我们
“我们” means “we” or “us” here and refers to the two people choosing an activity. It is used before the verb in patterns such as “我们该做什么” and “我们可以去外面走走”. You can use it when speaking about an action shared by yourself and another person.
该
“该” expresses “should” in the question “我们该做什么活动？”, asking what activity the two people ought to do. It comes before the verb in “我们该做什么”. Use it when asking or discussing the appropriate next action.
做
“做” means “do” in “做什么活动”, referring to carrying out an activity. It is followed by the object “什么活动” in this dialogue. A reusable pattern is “做 + activity or task”. Use it when asking what someone will do.
什么
“什么” asks “what” in “做什么活动？”, identifying which activity is meant. It appears before “活动” in the noun phrase “什么活动”. Use it when the object or choice is not known.
活动
“活动” means “activity” in “什么活动”, the thing the speakers are deciding to do. It is used as a noun after “什么” and after the verb “做”. Use it to talk about an organized or planned thing to do.
可以
“可以” means “can” or “may” in “我们可以去外面走走”, presenting walking outside as an available option. It comes before the action “去外面走走”. Use “可以 + verb” to suggest or state that an action is possible.
去
“去” means “go” in “去外面走走”, showing movement toward the outside. It comes before the place “外面” and the activity “走走”. Use “去 + place” when describing going somewhere.
外面
“外面” means “outside” and is the destination in “去外面走走”. It can also introduce the setting in “外面可能会很冷”. Use it as a place word when talking about being or going outdoors.
走走
“走走” means “take a walk” or “walk around” in “去外面走走”. The repeated form presents walking as a brief or casual activity. Use it after a place in a pattern such as “去 + place + 走走” when suggesting a walk.
可能
“可能” means “possibly” in “外面可能会很冷”, expressing uncertainty about the weather. It appears before “会” and the description “很冷”. Use “可能 + clause” when making a prediction that is not certain.
会
“会” indicates that something is expected or likely to happen in “外面可能会很冷”. Together with “可能”, it contributes to the uncertain prediction that it may be cold outside. Use it before a verb or description when referring to an expected future condition.
很
“很” appears before “冷” in “很冷” and makes the description “very cold”. It commonly comes before an adjective in a descriptive phrase. Use “很 + adjective” to describe a strong degree of a quality.
冷
“冷” means “cold” in “外面可能会很冷”, describing the temperature outside. It follows “会很” in this prediction. Use it to describe cold weather or a cold environment.
那
“那” means “then” or “in that case” in “那我们可以在里面看书”, responding to the concern that it may be cold outside. It introduces the alternative that follows. Use it at the start of a reply when drawing a conclusion from what was just said.
在
“在” marks the location of the action in “在里面看书”, meaning that the reading takes place inside. It comes before the place “里面”. Use the pattern “在 + place + verb” to say where an action happens.
里面
“里面” means “inside” in “在里面看书”, the place where the speakers will read. It follows “在” and comes before the verb “看”. Use it as a location word when contrasting an interior place with the outside.
看
“看” means “read” in “看书”, describing the activity of reading a book. Its meaning here comes from its combination with the object “书”. Use “看 + book or written material” when talking about reading.
书
“书” means “book” in “看书”, where it is the thing being read. It follows “看” as the object of the activity. Use it with “看” to talk about reading a book.
今天
“今天” means “today” in “今天看书好像更好”, setting the time for the speaker’s opinion. It appears before the activity and the rest of the sentence. Use “今天 + clause” to say what is true or preferred today.
好像
“好像” means “seems” or “appears to” in “看书好像更好”, making the speaker’s judgment less direct. It comes before the description “更好”. Use “好像 + description or clause” when something appears to be a certain way.
更
“更” means “more” or “even more” in “更好”, indicating that reading seems better than the other activity in the conversation. It comes before “好”. Use “更 + adjective” when comparing degrees of a quality.
好
“好” means “good” and, with “更”, forms “更好”, meaning “better” in “今天看书好像更好”. It follows “更” in this comparison. Use it to evaluate an activity, option, or situation positively.
选
“选” means “choose” in “选一个安静的房间”, referring to selecting a room. It comes before the chosen noun phrase “一个安静的房间”. Use the pattern “选 + option” when making a choice.
个
“个” is the general measure word in “一个安静的房间”, placed between “一” and the noun phrase. It helps count or identify one room in this sentence. Use “一 + 个 + noun” for many ordinary countable nouns when no more specific measure word is needed.
安静
“安静” means “quiet” in “安静的房间”, describing the room the speakers want to select. It comes before “的” and the noun “房间”. Use the pattern “description + 的 + noun” to describe a place or thing.
房间
“房间” means “room” in “一个安静的房间”, the place the speakers decide to choose for reading. It is the noun at the end of the descriptive phrase. Use it when referring to an indoor room or space.
吧
“吧” marks the suggestion in “我们选一个安静的房间吧”, making the proposal open for agreement. It appears at the end of the sentence. Use it after a proposed action when inviting another person to agree or join.
我
“我” means “I” or “me” and is the subject in “我会带上我的书” and “我会给我们找个位置”. It comes before the action and “会”. Use it at the start of a sentence when describing your own action.
带
“带” means “bring” or “take” in “带上我的书”, referring to bringing the book along to the room. It is followed by “上” and the object “我的书”. Use “带 + object” when saying that you bring or take something with you.
上
“上” contributes the meaning of taking something along in “带上我的书”. Together, “带上” means to bring or take the object with you. Use “带上 + object” when emphasizing that something should accompany you.
的
“的” links the possessor “我” to the noun in “我的书”, meaning “my book”. It appears between the possessor and the possessed thing. Use “person + 的 + noun” to express possession.
给
“给” means “for” or “to” in “给我们找个位置”, marking the people who will benefit from the action. It comes before “我们” and the verb phrase “找个位置”. Use “给 + person + verb” when doing something for someone.
找
“找” means “find” in “找个位置”, referring to locating a suitable spot. It is followed by the object “个位置”. Use “找 + object” when saying that you are looking for or finding a person, thing, or place.
位置
“位置” means “spot” or “place” in “给我们找个位置”, referring to a place for the two people to sit or read. It is the object of “找”. Use it when talking about an available or suitable place.
Grammar Points
好像 + 形容词
里面好像更安静。
lǐmiàn hǎoxiàng gèng ānjìng.It seems quieter inside.
好像 comes before an adjective to express an appearance or impression: “seem to be…”
更 + 形容词
里面更安静。
lǐmiàn gèng ānjìng.Inside is quieter.
更 comes before an adjective to mean “more” or “even more,” forming a comparison.
Chinese Vocabulary
活动
noun
huódòng
activity
今天
noun
jīntiān
today
看书
verb
kànshū
to read; to read a book
可能
adv
kěnéng
possibly; may
冷
adj
lěng
cold
里面
noun
lǐmiàn
inside
去
verb
qù
to go
什么
pron
shénme
what
外面
noun
wàimiàn
outside
我们
pron
wǒmen
we; us
走走
verb
zǒuzou
to take a walk
做
verb
zuò
to do
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
we; us
Show Answer
我们to take a walk
Show Answer
走走what
Show Answer
什么possibly; may