About This Lesson
Use A polite message about neighborhood noise to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
邻居昨晚很吵。
Línjū zuówǎn hěn chǎo. The neighbor was quite noisy last night.
B
我们想睡觉的时候，我听到了很大的音乐声。
Wǒmen xiǎng shuìjiào de shíhou, wǒ tīngdào le hěn dà de yīnyuèshēng. I heard loud music while we were trying to sleep.
A
我们要不要留一张礼貌的便条？
Wǒmen yào bu yào liú yì zhāng lǐmào de biàntiáo? Should we leave a polite message?
B
我们应该写得友好一点，不要带着怒气。
Wǒmen yīnggāi xiě de yǒuhǎo yìdiǎn, bú yào dàizhe nùqì. We should make it friendly, not angry.
A
我会说噪音让我们没法睡觉。
Wǒ huì shuō zàoyīn ràng wǒmen méi fǎ shuìjiào. I'll say the noise kept us from sleeping.
B
加上我们知道晚上有时会很忙。
Jiāshàng wǒmen zhīdào wǎnshang yǒushí huì hěn máng. Add that we know evenings can get busy.
A
这样留言听起来会更温和、更清楚。
Zhèyàng liúyán tīngqǐlái huì gèng wēnhé, gèng qīngchu. That keeps the message softer and clearer.
B
我们晚一点可以把它放在他们家门口附近。
Wǒmen wǎn yìdiǎn kěyǐ bǎ tā fàng zài tāmen jiā ménkǒu fùjìn. We can put it near their door later.Word by Word
邻居
“邻居” means the neighbor in “邻居昨晚很吵”。It refers to a person who lives nearby. Use it when talking about someone living next door or in the same area, for example when discussing a neighbor’s noise.
昨晚
“昨晚” means last night in “邻居昨晚很吵”。It places the noisy event in the previous night. Use it before or after the subject when describing something that happened last night.
很
In “邻居昨晚很吵”, “很” strengthens the description “吵” to mean quite or very noisy. It appears before the describing word. Use it to describe the degree of a quality in everyday statements.
吵
“吵” means noisy in “邻居昨晚很吵”。Here it describes the neighbor’s noise as disturbing. Use it for a place, person, or sound that makes too much noise.
我们
“我们” means we or us in “我们想睡觉的时候”。It refers to the speaker and at least one other person. Use it before an action to say what the group does or experiences.
想
In “我们想睡觉的时候”, “想” means want to or intend to, with “睡觉” as the following action. Together, the phrase describes the time when the speakers wanted or were trying to sleep. Use “想” before an action when expressing a wish or intention.
睡觉
“睡觉” means sleep in “我们想睡觉的时候” and “没法睡觉”。It names the activity that the speakers wanted to do but could not do. Use it after words such as “想” or “没法” when talking about sleeping.
的
In the time expression “我们想睡觉的时候”, “的” helps connect the preceding situation “我们想睡觉” with “时候”。It is part of the expression meaning when the speakers wanted to sleep, rather than carrying that whole time meaning by itself. Use this structure to place a situation before “时候”.
时候
“时候” means time or when in “我们想睡觉的时候”。It turns the preceding situation into a time reference. Use it after a situation when saying when something happens.
我
“我” means I or me in “我听到了很大的音乐声”。It identifies the person who heard the music. Use it before an action when speaking about yourself.
听到
“听到” means hear or come to hear in “我听到了很大的音乐声”。It describes receiving a sound through hearing. Use it before the sound or thing that was heard.
了
In “我听到了很大的音乐声”, “了” marks the hearing as a completed event in this account. It follows “听到” here. Use it when reporting that an action or event has occurred.
大
In “很大的音乐声”, “大” describes the music sound as loud rather than physically large. It comes before “音乐声” to describe the sound. Use it with a sound when its volume is the important point.
音乐声
“音乐声” means the sound of music in “我听到了很大的音乐声”。It refers to music as something heard, not simply to music as an activity or type. Use it after a describing word when talking about the volume or quality of music sounds.
要不要
“要不要” asks whether to do something, meaning should we in “我们要不要留一张礼貌的便条？”。It repeats “要” around “不”: the first “要” raises the possibility, “不” introduces the negative choice, and the second “要” completes the choice. Use it before an action when politely asking whether a group should do it.
留
In “留一张礼貌的便条”, “留” means leave or place a note for someone to find. Its object here is “一张礼貌的便条”。Use it with a note or message when the recipient is not being spoken to directly.
张
“张” is the measure word used in “一张礼貌的便条”。It counts a flat item such as a note or sheet. Use it between a number and a note or similar flat piece of paper.
礼貌
“礼貌” means polite or courteous in “一张礼貌的便条”。It describes the tone intended for the note. Use it when describing behavior, words, or a message that shows consideration for another person.
便条
“便条” means a note in “一张礼貌的便条”。It refers to a short written message left for someone. Use it for a brief message placed where another person can find it.
应该
“应该” means should or ought to in “我们应该写得友好一点”。It presents writing the message in a friendly way as the recommended action. Use it before an action when giving advice or stating what is appropriate.
写
“写” means write in “我们应该写得友好一点”。Here it refers to composing the note’s wording. Use it before “得” when describing how the writing is done.
得
In “写得友好一点”, “得” follows “写” and introduces a description of the way the writing comes across. It connects the action of writing with “友好一点”, rather than meaning an independent word here. Use the pattern verb + “得” + description when describing how an action is performed.
友好
“友好” means friendly in “写得友好一点”。It describes the tone the note should have. Use it when discussing a message or interaction intended to be warm and non-hostile.
一点
In “写得友好一点”, “一点” means a little or somewhat and softens the requested degree of friendliness. It follows “友好” to make the suggestion less absolute. Use it after a description when asking for a small change in degree.
不要
“不要” means do not or should not in “不要带着怒气”。It tells the speakers to avoid having anger in the message. Use it before an action or state when advising someone not to do or maintain something.
带
In “带着怒气”, “带” means carry or have something with one’s words or manner. Here the message should not carry anger. Use it with an emotion or quality when that quality is present in the way someone speaks or acts.
着
In “带着怒气”, “着” marks the continuing state of having or carrying anger while communicating. It follows “带” and keeps that state connected to the manner of the message. Use this form when a state continues during an action.
怒气
“怒气” means anger in “不要带着怒气”。It refers to the angry feeling that the speakers want to keep out of the note. Use it when describing anger expressed through someone’s words or manner.
会
In “我会说噪音让我们没法睡觉”, “会” means will and signals a planned statement. It comes before “说” to describe what the speaker intends to say. Use it before an action when saying what someone will do.
说
“说” means say in “我会说噪音让我们没法睡觉”。It introduces the information the speaker plans to include in the note. Use it before the words or message that someone will say.
噪音
“噪音” means noise in “噪音让我们没法睡觉”。It identifies the unwanted sound as the cause of the sleeping problem. Use it when referring to disturbing or unpleasant sound.
让
In “噪音让我们没法睡觉”, “让” introduces the result caused by the noise: the speakers cannot sleep. It links the cause “噪音” with the affected people and their situation. Use it before a person or group followed by the result they experience.
没法
“没法” means be unable to or have no way to in “没法睡觉”。It shows that sleeping was not possible because of the noise. Use it before an action when explaining that the action cannot be done.
加上
“加上” means add or include in “加上我们知道晚上有时会很忙”。It tells the speaker to include an additional point in the message. Use it before information that should be added to something already being written or said.
知道
“知道” means know in “我们知道晚上有时会很忙”。It introduces the speakers’ awareness of the following situation. Use it before information that someone knows.
晚上
“晚上” means evening or nighttime in “晚上有时会很忙”。It identifies the part of the day when people may be busy. Use it before an action or description to say that it happens in the evening or at night.
有时
“有时” means sometimes in “晚上有时会很忙”。It shows that being busy happens on some evenings, not every evening. Use it before an action or description that occurs occasionally.
忙
“忙” means busy in “晚上有时会很忙”。It describes evenings as having many things happening or needing attention. Use it after “很” or “会” when describing a person or time as busy.
这样
“这样” means this way or like this in “这样留言听起来会更温和、更清楚”。It refers to the suggested way of wording the message. Use it to point back to a method or arrangement that has just been discussed.
留言
In “这样留言听起来会更温和、更清楚”, “留言” refers to leaving a message or the message being left. Here it is the written communication for the neighbor. Use it when referring to a message left for someone who is not being addressed directly.
听起来
“听起来” means sound or seem in “这样留言听起来会更温和、更清楚”。“听” contributes the idea of hearing, while “起来” forms the impression that something gives when heard; together they describe how the message comes across. Use it before a description when evaluating how words, a voice, or a message seems.
更
“更” means more or even more in “更温和、更清楚”。It compares the suggested message with its earlier version and indicates an increased degree. Use it before a describing word when saying that something has a quality to a greater extent.
温和
“温和” means gentle or mild in “留言听起来会更温和”。It describes a message that does not sound harsh or aggressive. Use it when discussing a calm tone in communication.
清楚
“清楚” means clear in “留言听起来会更清楚”。It describes wording that is easy to understand. Use it when evaluating whether a message or explanation communicates its meaning clearly.
晚
In “晚一点”, “晚” means later rather than simply late. “一点” makes the delay small, so the phrase means a little later. Use it before “一点” when arranging to do something after the present time.
可以
In “我们晚一点可以把它放在他们家门口附近”, “可以” means can or be able to and presents the action as possible. It comes before the action phrase “把它放在他们家门口附近”。Use it before an action when saying that the action is possible or available.
把
In “把它放在他们家门口附近”, “把” marks “它” as the object being handled before the action “放”。It highlights what will be placed and then gives its location. A reusable pattern is “把” + object + “放在” + place.
它
“它” means it in “把它放在他们家门口附近”。It refers to the note or message already being discussed. Use it as the object when referring back to a thing without repeating its name.
放
“放” means put or place in “把它放在他们家门口附近”。It describes moving the note to a location. Use it with an object and a place when saying where something is put.
在
In “放在他们家门口附近”, “在” introduces the place where the note will be put. It connects “放” with the location that follows. Use it before a place when describing where something is located or placed.
他们
“他们” means they or them, and in “他们家门口” it means their as in their home entrance. It comes before “家门口” to identify whose entrance is meant. Use it before a noun when referring to something belonging to them.
家门口
“家门口” means the entrance or doorway of a home in “他们家门口附近”。It identifies the area outside their home where the note may be placed. Use it as a location after “在” or together with “附近” when describing a place near a home’s entrance.
附近
“附近” means nearby or in the vicinity in “他们家门口附近”。It indicates an area close to the doorway rather than one exact point. Use it after a place name to say that something is near that place.
Grammar Points
没法 + 动词
没法睡觉。
méi fǎ shuìjiào.Unable to sleep.
没法 comes before a verb to show that someone cannot do something.
听起来 + 形容词
音乐声听起来温和。
yīnyuèshēng tīngqǐlái wēnhé.The music sounds gentle.
听起来 is followed by an adjective to describe how something sounds.
Chinese Vocabulary
便条
noun
biàntiáo
note
我们要不要留一张礼貌的便条?
吵
adj
chǎo
noisy
邻居昨晚很吵。
礼貌
adj
lǐmào
polite
一张礼貌的便条
邻居
noun
línjū
neighbor
邻居昨晚很吵。
留
verb
liú
to leave
我们要不要留一张礼貌的便条?
怒气
noun
nùqì
anger
不要带着怒气。
时候
noun
shíhou
when; time
我们想睡觉的时候。
睡觉
verb
shuìjiào
to sleep
我们想睡觉的时候。
听到
verb
tīngdào
to hear
我听到了很大的音乐声。
音乐声
noun
yīnyuèshēng
sound of music
我听到了很大的音乐声。
友好
adj
yǒuhǎo
friendly
我们应该写得友好一点。
昨晚
adv
zuówǎn
last night
邻居昨晚很吵。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
neighbor
Show Answer
邻居to hear
Show Answer
听到to sleep
Show Answer
睡觉when; time