Saving Leftovers for Tomorrow | Learn Chinese in English

Sentence explanations

1. 晚餐剩下了很多菜。

   There are a lot of leftovers from dinner.

   晚餐

   dinner

   剩下

   be left over

   很多

   a lot of; many

   菜

   food; dishes

   More detail

   晚餐 means “dinner.” It can be used as a time or meal noun, as in 晚餐后 (“after dinner”). Here it identifies the meal connected with the remaining food. 剩下 means “remain” or “be left over.” The form is built from 剩 (“be left”) and 下, which here contributes the result of something remaining; learn 剩下 as a reusable verb meaning “remain/be left over.” Example: 还剩下两块蛋糕。 — “Two pieces of cake are still left.” The 了 after 剩下 presents the remaining situation as an established result or a change of situation. It does not by itself mean that the event must be in the past. In this sentence, it helps present the leftovers as now existing after the meal. 很多 means “a lot of” or “many.” It comes before the noun it quantifies. Chinese nouns generally do not take a plural ending here, so 很多菜 expresses a large amount or number through the quantity word rather than by changing 菜. 菜 can mean “food,” “a dish,” or “dishes,” depending on context. In this sentence, the fixed translation supports the meaning “food/dishes left over from dinner,” not a specific count of individual dishes. In 很多菜, it is the noun quantified by 很多. Together, 晚餐 identifies the meal, 剩下了 says that something remained as a result, and 很多菜 identifies a large amount of food or dishes. The whole utterance means: “There are a lot of leftovers from dinner.” The following sentence refers to these leftovers with 它们 (“them”), consistent with the food or dishes described here.

2. 我们把它们放进一个干净的盒子里吧。

   Let's put them in a clean container.

   我们

   we; us

   把

   marks the object being acted on

   它们

   them

   放进

   put into

   一个

   one; a/an

   干净

   clean

   盒子

   box

   里

   inside

   吧

   let’s; a soft suggestion

   More detail

   我们 means “we/us” here: it is the subject of the suggestion. In Chinese, 我们 does not itself specify whether the listener is included, but with final 吧 this sentence is naturally understood as “let’s…”. 把 introduces the object that the speaker proposes to handle. The useful pattern is 把 + object + verb + result/place, which foregrounds the object and describes what happens to it. Here, 把 is followed by 它们, not by the destination. 它们 means “them” here, referring to the leftovers identified by the surrounding context. 它们 is the plural form used for non-human referents; the form itself does not identify the specific items beyond the supported context. Compare 它 “it” with 它们 “they/them” for non-human referents. 放进 means “put into”. 放 is the base verb “put/place”, and 进 adds the direction inward. A reusable pattern is 放进 + container/place, as in 把书放进包里 — “Put the book into the bag.” 一个 combines 一 “one” with the measure word 个. In this sentence it explicitly presents one unspecified container, which is naturally translated as “a container”. 个 is a general measure word used with many nouns. 干净 means “clean”. It describes the following noun 盒子. In this sentence, the adjective appears directly before the noun: 干净盒子 within the larger phrase 一个干净的盒子 is not the observed wording, because the fixed sentence actually says 一个干净的盒子? Wait, the target text is 一个干净的盒子里 and therefore does contain 的 between 干净 and 盒子; the observed phrase is 干净的盒子, meaning “clean box”. 盒子 means “box”. 盒 is the core noun, and 子 is part of this commonly used noun form, so 盒子 should be learned as the word for “box” here. The phrase 盒子里 then specifies the inside of the box. 里 means “inside/in” and locates something within a container. After a noun, the pattern noun + 里 means “inside the noun”, as in 包里 — “inside the bag”. 吧 is a sentence-final particle that makes the proposal softer and signals an invitation or suggestion. With the subject 我们, ……吧 commonly gives a “let’s…” meaning rather than a bare command. Together, 我们把它们放进一个干净的盒子里吧 follows the pattern 我们 + 把 + object + directional verb + destination + 吧: “Let’s put them into a clean box.” The fixed translation uses “container” for 盒子, but the observed Chinese noun specifically means “box.”

3. 我可以明天午餐时加热它们吗？

   Can I reheat them for lunch tomorrow?

   我可以

   I can; may I

   明天

   tomorrow

   午餐

   lunch

   时

   during; at the time of

   加热

   heat up; reheat

   它们

   them

   吗

   yes/no question marker

   More detail

   我可以 means “I can” or, in a question, “may I?” Here 我 is “I,” and 可以 expresses permission or possibility. Chinese verbs do not change for person or number, so 可以 remains the same with other subjects. A reusable pattern is subject + 可以 + verb: 我可以进去吗？ means “May I go in?” 明天 means “tomorrow.” It is a time word. In 明天午餐时, it places the activity at a time tomorrow. 午餐 means “lunch.” Here it names the meal or occasion when the action will happen. 时 marks the time when an action takes place. After a time expression, time + 时 can mean “during” or “at the time of”: 晚餐时 means “during dinner.” Thus 午餐时 means “at lunch” or “during lunch.” 加热 means “to heat up.” In this utterance, the fixed translation gives the context-specific meaning “reheat.” The form can be used for heating an object or food; the surrounding words do not by themselves establish a particular kind of object. Example: 请加热汤。 means “Please heat up the soup.” 它们 means “them.” 它 is a third-person pronoun used for nonhuman referents, and 们 marks a plural group, so 它们 refers to multiple nonhuman things. Here it is the object of 加热 and refers to the items previously mentioned in the supplied context. 吗 is placed at the end of a statement to turn it into a yes/no question. It does not itself mean “can” or “may”; that permission or possibility comes from 可以. The reusable pattern 可以 + verb + 吗？ asks whether an action is permitted or possible. Together, 我可以 + 明天午餐时 + 加热 + 它们 + 吗？ gives “Can I reheat them for lunch tomorrow?” The speaker asks whether they may perform the reheating action at tomorrow’s lunch.

4. 可以，只要我们把它们放在冰箱里保存到明天。

   You can if we keep them in the fridge until then.

   可以

   can

   只要

   as long as

   我们

   we

   它们

   them

   放在

   put ... in/on

   冰箱

   fridge

   保存

   keep; store

   到明天

   until tomorrow

   More detail

   可以 here expresses permission or acceptance: “can/may,” rather than specifically physical ability. A reusable pattern is 可以 + verb phrase for “may/can do ...”. Here the permitted situation is limited by the condition introduced next. 只要 introduces the condition “as long as.” The reusable pattern 只要 A，就 B means “as long as A, B”; 就 may be omitted when the result is clear from context. 我们 means “we” and is the subject of the keeping action. 我们 is the plural form corresponding to 我; Chinese pronouns do not change for grammatical gender or subject case. 它们 means “them” here. It is the plural third-person pronoun normally used for nonhuman referents, and the preceding question plus the fixed translation identify the referent as the items being reheated. Its singular counterpart is 它. 放在 means “put/place ... in/on” when followed by a location. 放 is the base verb “put/place,” and 在 introduces the location complement. Example: 把书放在桌上。 — “Put the book on the table.” 冰箱 is the noun “fridge/refrigerator.” In 冰箱里, 里 adds the meaning “inside,” so the location is inside the fridge. 保存 means “keep/store” here: the items remain stored rather than being used immediately. It is a verb and does not change form for person or number. Example: 请把食物保存好。 — “Please store the food properly.” 到明天 marks the endpoint of the keeping period: “until tomorrow.” 到 can introduce a time endpoint, and 明天 means “tomorrow.” The fixed translation uses “until then” because the earlier question has already established tomorrow as the relevant time. Together, 把它们放在冰箱里保存到明天 uses the pattern 把 + object + verb phrase: 把 places the object before the action, and the phrase means “keep them in the fridge until tomorrow.” With the opening 可以 and the condition marker 只要, the whole utterance means: “You can if we keep them in the fridge until then.” 我们 is the subject of the keeping action, while 它们 is its object.

5. 我应该在盒子上贴一个标签吗？

   Should I put a label on the container?

   我

   I; me

   应该

   should; ought to

   在

   in; at; on

   盒子

   box; container

   上

   on; atop

   贴

   stick; attach

   一个

   one; a/an

   标签

   label

   吗

   yes-no question marker

   More detail

   我 means “I” here and identifies the speaker as the person considering the action. Chinese 我 does not mark gender and can refer to one speaker or, in some contexts, a group speaking collectively. Example: 我是学生。 — “I am a student.” 应该 means “should” or “ought to,” expressing advice, expectation, or what is considered appropriate. The reusable pattern 应该 + verb presents an action as advisable or expected; it does not say that the action has already happened. Example: 你应该休息。 — “You should rest.” 在 introduces a place or position. Here it introduces 在盒子上, the location phrase associated with the attaching action. Example: 我在家。 — “I am at home.” 盒子 means “box”; in the fixed translation, that object is rendered as “container.” 盒子 is a noun, and 盒 is also used as the noun “box”; 子 is part of the ordinary form 盒子. Example: 盒子在桌子上。 — “The box is on the table.” 上 means “on” or “on top of” here. Used after a noun, it specifies a position or surface relation, as in 桌子上 — “on the table.” Thus 在盒子上 means “on the box/container”: 在 introduces the location and 上 specifies the surface relation. 贴 is the verb “to stick” or “to attach.” Here it describes attaching the label to the container. Its form does not change for the speaker or for singular versus plural subjects in Mandarin. Example: 请贴在这里。 — “Please stick it here.” 一个 is the pattern 一 + 个, meaning “one” or, in this context, “a/an.” 个 is a general measure word used with 一 before 标签. Example: 我买了一个苹果。 — “I bought an apple.” 标签 means “label” or “tag.” It is the object of 贴, the thing to be attached. Example: 这个标签很清楚。 — “This label is clear.” 吗 is a sentence-final marker that turns the clause into a yes-no question. It is what makes the utterance ask for confirmation; it does not itself mean “should,” which comes from 应该. Together, 我应该 states that the speaker is considering whether they ought to act; 在盒子上 specifies the container’s surface; and 贴一个标签 gives the action and its object. The final 吗 turns the complete clause into a question. The whole utterance means: “Should I put a label on the container?” The surrounding context supports labeling it so its contents can be identified later.

6. 这样，明天我们就知道里面是什么了。

   That way, tomorrow we will know what is inside.

   这样

   that way; like this

   明天

   tomorrow

   我们

   we; us

   知道

   know; find out

   里面

   inside

   是什么

   what it is

   了

   sentence-final change-of-state marker

   More detail

   这样 means “this way” or “like this.” Here it refers to the proposed way of handling the situation, so the fixed translation naturally has “that way.” A reusable pattern is 这样 + clause: “in this way, …” 明天 means “tomorrow,” the time expression placed near the beginning of the sentence. Mandarin time expressions commonly come before the subject or verb: 明天我去。 — “I’m going tomorrow.” 我们 is the first-person plural pronoun “we/us.” Mandarin does not grammatically mark an inclusive-versus-exclusive distinction in this form, so the exact membership of “we” comes from context rather than from the word itself. 知道 means “know” or “be aware of.” Its base form is also 知道; Mandarin does not change this verb for person or number. In this sentence, the knowledge is presented as a future result: “we will know,” rather than as knowledge already held. For example, 我知道答案。 means “I know the answer.” 里面 means “inside” or “the inside.” It identifies the interior location relevant to the sentence. A useful contrast is 外面, “outside”: 猫在里面。 — “The cat is inside.” This example introduces a new referent and is not a claim about the supplied conversation. 是什么 asks “what it is” in this structure. 什么 is the question word “what,” and 是 links the unknown thing with its identification. In 里面是什么？, the meaning is “What is inside?” The question-word expression remains in its position inside the clause rather than moving to the front, a common Mandarin pattern. In the fixed sentence, this clause is embedded under 知道, so it means “know what is inside,” not a direct question addressed to the listener. 了 at the end presents a new or resulting situation. Here it helps frame the future point at which the relevant knowledge will have been reached; it does not by itself mean simple past tense. Mandarin often uses context, time expressions, and aspect or sentence-final particles together rather than a single verb ending to express such temporal meaning. Together, 这样 sets up the method or consequence: “that way.” 明天 gives the time, and 我们 gives the experiencer. 就—the short word between 我们 and 知道, although it is not a separate selected phrase—connects the condition or arrangement with its expected result, roughly “then” or “will be able to … at that point.” 知道 takes the embedded clause 里面是什么, “what is inside.” The final 了 marks the resulting change into the state of knowing. Thus the whole utterance means: “That way, tomorrow we will know what is inside.”

7. 我会在上面贴一个清楚的标签。

   I'll put a clear label on it.

   我会

   I will

   在上面

   on it

   贴

   put; stick

   清楚

   clear

   标签

   label

   More detail

   我会 combines 我 (“I”) with the modal 会. Here 会 expresses the speaker’s future intention, so the chunk means “I will.” 会 can also mean “know how to” in other contexts; the following planned action gives it the future reading here. For example, 我会回来。 means “I will come back.” 在上面 gives the location of the action. 在 introduces a place, and 上面 means “the upper surface/above”; with the fixed translation, it is understood as “on it.” This is a reusable location pattern: 在 + place. For example, 书在桌面上。 means “The book is on the tabletop.” 贴 is the verb “to stick, paste, or put up,” used for attaching something to a surface. Its form does not change for person or time; 会 supplies the future meaning in this sentence. For example, 请贴在这里。 means “Please stick it here.” 清楚 is the adjective “clear,” here describing a label that can be read or understood clearly. In 清楚的标签, 的 links the description to the noun: descriptive word + 的 + noun. For example, 清楚的说明 means “clear instructions.” 标签 is the noun “label” or “tag.” The sentence uses 一个标签, where 个 is a common classifier and 一个 presents one label as an item to be placed; it is not by itself a claim that the label is being counted in contrast with other labels. Putting the parts together, 我会 marks the speaker’s planned future action, 在上面 identifies where it will happen, and 贴一个清楚的标签 means “put/stick a clear label.” The complete utterance therefore means: “I’ll put a clear label on it.”

8. 这样吃午餐时会更方便。

   That will make lunch easier.

   这样

   this way; like this

   吃

   eat

   午餐

   lunch

   时

   when; during the time

   会

   will; is likely to

   更方便

   more convenient; easier

   More detail

   这样 means “in this way” or “like this.” Here it points to the manner already established by the surrounding context, rather than naming that manner itself. The reusable pattern is 这样 + verb: 这样做 means “do it this way.” Example: 这样写更清楚。 — “Writing it this way is clearer.” 吃 is the verb “eat.” Its form does not change for person or time in this sentence; words such as 会 and the time context help express the situation. Example: 我喜欢吃水果。 — “I like eating fruit.” 午餐 is the noun “lunch.” It can be used directly after 吃 to form 吃午餐, “eat lunch.” Example: 我们十二点吃午餐。 — “We eat lunch at twelve.” 时 marks the time during which the preceding action or situation occurs. In 吃午餐时, it makes the preceding verb phrase mean “when eating lunch” or “during lunch.” The reusable pattern is verb phrase + 时; for example, 工作时不要听音乐。 — “Do not listen to music while working.” 会 expresses a predicted or expected result here, matching “will” in the fixed translation. It appears before the predicate: 会 + verb/adjective phrase. Example: 这样做会更快。 — “Doing it this way will be faster.” In this sentence, 会 is not the verb “meet.” 更方便 says that something is “more convenient” or “easier.” 更 is the comparison marker, and it modifies 方便, whose basic meaning is “convenient” or “easy to use/do”; the adjective itself is not the comparative form. The pattern is 更 + adjective, often with the comparison standard understood from context. Example: 坐地铁更方便。 — “Taking the subway is more convenient.” Together, 这样吃午餐时 means “when eating lunch this way,” 会 marks the expected result, and 更方便 means “be more convenient/easier.” The complete utterance therefore means, “That will make lunch easier.”