About This Lesson
Use Deciding What to Do Next to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我们现在该做什么？
Wǒmen xiànzài gāi zuò shénme? What should we do now?
B
我们先从短清单开始吧。
Wǒmen xiān cóng duǎn qīngdān kāishǐ ba. Let's start with the short list.
A
我们要不要先完成清单，再查看文件？
Wǒmen yào bu yào xiān wánchéng qīngdān, zài chákàn wénjiàn? Should we finish it before reviewing the file?
B
如果我们分开做，就能很快完成。
Rúguǒ wǒmen fēnkāi zuò, jiù néng hěn kuài wánchéng. We can get through it quickly if we split the work.
A
那我来做第一部分。
Nà wǒ lái zuò dì yī bùfen. Then I'll take the first part.
B
剩下的我来做。
Shèngxià de wǒ lái zuò. I'll handle the rest.
A
之后，我们可以检查不清楚的地方。
Zhīhòu, wǒmen kěyǐ jiǎnchá bù qīngchu de dìfang. After that, we can review anything unclear.
B
清单完成后，我会打开文件。
Qīngdān wánchéng hòu, wǒ huì dǎkāi wénjiàn. I'll open the file when the list is done.Word by Word
我们
“我们” means “we” or “us”; here it refers to the speaker and the other person together. It commonly appears as the subject of a shared action, such as “我们现在该做什么？”. Use it when proposing or discussing something that you and another person will do together.
现在
“现在” means “now” and places the action at the present time. In “我们现在该做什么？”, it asks about the next action at this moment. Use it when deciding what to do at the current time.
该
“该” means “should” or “be supposed to” here, asking what action is appropriate next. In “我们现在该做什么？”, it shows that the speakers need to decide their next task. Use it before an action when asking what is appropriate or expected.
做
“做” means “do” or “carry out”; in “做什么” it asks what action or task to carry out. It is commonly used before a task or activity. Use it when asking or saying what someone will do.
什么
“什么” means “what” and asks for an unspecified thing or action. In “做什么”, it asks which action the speakers should take. Use it in questions when the thing or action is not yet identified.
先
“先” means “first” or “before another action”; here it marks the short list as the first task. In “我们先从短清单开始吧”, it sets the order of the work. Use it when one action should happen before the next one.
从
“从” means “from” and identifies the starting point in “从短清单开始”. It is placed before the thing that an action starts from. Use it when describing where or with what an activity begins.
短
“短” means “short” and describes the list in “短清单”. It distinguishes this list by its limited length. Use it before a noun when describing something as short.
清单
“清单” means “list” or “checklist”; here it is the short set of work items the speakers will handle first. It commonly refers to items to complete, check, or review. Use it when organizing tasks or information into a list.
开始
“开始” means “start” or “begin”; here the speakers begin with the short list. In “从短清单开始”, it identifies the first point of the activity. Use it when introducing the beginning of a task or process.
吧
“吧” softens a suggestion; in “我们先从短清单开始吧”, it makes the proposal sound collaborative rather than forceful. It is often placed at the end of a suggestion. Use it when inviting someone to agree to a proposed action.
要不要
“要不要” asks whether to do something, here whether to finish the list before reviewing the file. The first “要” presents the action as an option, “不” introduces the negative alternative, and the final “要” repeats the same option to form the choice. Use this pattern when asking someone to choose whether an action should happen.
完成
“完成” means “finish” or “complete”; here it refers to completing the list before looking at the file. It is used with a task or other item that can reach completion. Use it when saying that work has been fully done.
再
“再” means “then” or “afterward” and places “查看文件” after finishing the list. In “完成清单，再查看文件”, it shows the order of the two actions. Use it before a later action when one action should happen first.
查看
“查看” means “check” or “look over”; here the speakers will look over the file. It commonly takes the document, file, or information being examined as its object. Use it when reviewing something carefully enough to inspect it.
文件
“文件” means “file” or “document”; here it is the item to review and later open. It is used for a work-related digital or written document. Use it when referring to a file that someone needs to inspect or access.
如果
“如果” means “if” and introduces the condition “we split the work” in “如果我们分开做”. It presents a possible condition before the result. Use it at the beginning of a conditional statement about what will happen under certain circumstances.
分开
“分开” means “separately” or “divide up”; in “分开做”, the speakers handle the work separately. It is used here with “做” to describe dividing responsibility for a task. Use it when people or parts of a task are handled apart from one another.
就
“就” marks the result that follows the condition: if the work is divided, they can finish quickly. In “如果我们分开做，就能很快完成”, it connects the condition with its consequence. Use it after a condition when introducing the resulting action or outcome.
能
“能” means “can” or “be able to”; here it expresses the possibility of completing the work quickly. It comes before the action phrase “很快完成”. Use it before an action when talking about ability or whether something is possible.
很
“很” adds degree to “快” in “很快”, making the completion happen very or quite quickly. It is placed before the word whose degree it increases. Use it when expressing a high degree of a quality or manner.
快
“快” means “fast” or “quickly”; in “很快完成”, it describes the speed of finishing the work. It is used here to show how quickly the action happens. Use it when describing the speed of an action or process.
那
“那” means “then” or “in that case”; here it introduces the next decision after agreeing to divide the work. In “那我来做第一部分”, it connects the situation with the speaker’s proposed responsibility. Use it when moving from a decision or condition to a consequence or next action.
我
“我” means “I” or “me”; here it identifies the speaker as the person who will take the first part. It commonly appears as the subject of an action or responsibility. Use it when referring to yourself in a statement about what you will do.
来
“来” means “come” in some contexts, but in “我来做第一部分” it marks the speaker as taking responsibility for the action. Together with “我” and “做”, it presents an offer or assignment of the task. Use it when volunteering to carry out an action.
部分
“部分” means “part” or “portion”; here it refers to one division of the work, specifically “第一部分”. It is commonly used when a larger task or object is divided into sections. Use it when identifying one section of shared work or content.
剩下
“剩下” means “remain” or “be left”; in “剩下的”, it refers to the work that has not been taken by the other speaker. It identifies what is still left after part of the work has been assigned. Use it when referring to the remainder of a task, group, or amount.
的
In “剩下的”, “的” lets “剩下” describe the thing being referred to, giving the meaning “the remaining part” or “what remains”. It is useful when a descriptive phrase identifies a person or thing without repeating the noun. Use it after a description when referring to the item that has that description.
之后
“之后” means “after that” or “afterward”; here it refers to the time after the work has been divided and handled. It sets the time for the later review. Use it as a time expression before an action that follows an earlier event.
可以
“可以” means “can” or “may”; here it presents reviewing unclear points as an available next action. It comes before “检查” to show that the speakers are able or permitted to do it. Use it when offering or describing an available action.
检查
“检查” means “check” or “inspect”; here the speakers will check the points that are unclear. It commonly takes the thing being examined as its object. Use it when reviewing something to find or clarify problems.
不
“不” means “not”; in “不清楚”, it negates “清楚” and makes the meaning “unclear”. It is placed directly before the word or expression it negates. Use it to deny a present quality or state.
清楚
“清楚” means “clear” or “understandable”; in “不清楚的地方”, it describes points that are unclear. It can describe information, meaning, or a situation that someone understands. Use it when saying whether something is clear or understandable.
地方
“地方” literally means “place”, but in “不清楚的地方” it means a point or part that is unclear. This expression refers to aspects of the work or file that need checking, not necessarily a physical location. Use it when identifying a particular point or part of something.
后
“后” means “after” or “later”; in “完成后”, it sets the time after the list is finished. It follows the event that must happen first. Use it after an action or event when describing what happens afterward.
会
“会” means “will” or “be going to”; here it indicates the speaker’s future action of opening the file. It comes before “打开” and places that action after the list is done. Use it before an action that someone expects or plans to do.
打开
“打开” means “open”; here it refers to opening the file after the list is completed. It commonly takes a file, document, or other item that can be accessed as its object. Use it when beginning to access or make something available for viewing.
Grammar Points
要不要 + 动词？
要不要现在做？
Yào bu yào xiànzài zuò?Do you want to do it now?
“要不要”把肯定和否定放在一起，用来询问“要不要做某事”。
动词 + 后
完成后，再查看文件。
Wánchéng hòu, zài chákàn wénjiàn.After finishing, check the file.
“动词+后”表示完成一个动作以后再做另一件事；“再”表示随后进行。
Chinese Vocabulary
查看
verb
chákàn
check; review; view
我们要不要先完成清单,再查看文件?
从
prep
cóng
from
我们先从短清单开始吧。
短清单
noun
duǎn qīngdān
short list
我们先从短清单开始吧。
开始
verb
kāishǐ
start; begin
我们先从短清单开始吧。
完成
verb
wánchéng
finish; complete
我们要不要先完成清单,再查看文件?
文件
noun
wénjiàn
file; document
清单完成后,我会打开文件。
我们
pron
wǒmen
we; us
我们现在该做什么?
先
adv
xiān
first; beforehand
我们先从短清单开始吧。
现在
adv
xiànzài
now
我们现在该做什么?
要不要
phrase
yào bu yào
whether to; should or not
我们要不要先完成清单,再查看文件?
再
adv
zài
then; afterward
我们要不要先完成清单,再查看文件?
做
verb
zuò
do; make
那我来做第一部分。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
short list
Show Answer
短清单check; review; view
Show Answer
查看we; us
Show Answer
我们now