Finding the Correct Platform After a Change | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: At a train station, two adults respond to a platform change and keep their tickets ready before boarding..

EN → ZH / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Finding the Correct Platform After a Change to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

你刚才听到广播了吗？

Nǐ gāngcái tīngdào guǎngbō le ma? Did you hear the announcement just now?
B

这趟火车要从另一个站台出发。

Zhè tàng huǒchē yào cóng lìng yí ge zhàntái chūfā. The train is leaving from a different platform.
A

显示屏上说我们应该改去另一个站台。

Xiǎnshìpíng shàng shuō wǒmen yīnggāi gǎi qù lìng yí ge zhàntái. The board says we should use the other platform instead.
B

那我们现在应该跟着指示牌走。

Nà wǒmen xiànzài yīnggāi gēnzhe zhǐshìpái zǒu. Then we should follow the signs now.
A

我们有足够的时间到那里吗？

Wǒmen yǒu zúgòu de shíjiān dào nàli ma? Do we have enough time to get there?
B

如果现在走，就来得及。

Rúguǒ xiànzài zǒu, jiù láidejí. We do if we leave now.
A

我会把车票准备好。

Wǒ huì bǎ chēpiào zhǔnbèi hǎo. I'll keep my ticket ready.
B

把票放在手边，工作人员可能会在我们上车前检查车票。

Bǎ piào fàng zài shǒubiān, gōngzuòrényuán kěnéng huì zài wǒmen shàngchē qián jiǎnchá chēpiào. Keep it handy; staff may check it before we board.

Word by Word

你 “你” refers to the person being addressed: “you.” Here it is the listener who may have heard the announcement. It is used as the subject before the action in “你刚才听到广播了吗？”, for example when asking one person about an action.
刚才 “刚才” means “just now” and places the hearing event shortly before the conversation. It modifies the event in “你刚才听到广播了吗？”. Use it when asking about something that happened a short time ago.
听 “听” supplies the listening or hearing action in “听到”; here it is part of asking whether someone heard the announcement. The following “到” adds the result of successfully hearing it, so “听” alone does not express the whole meaning of “听到”. Use it before a sound or message when describing listening.
到 In “听到”, “到” indicates that the hearing reached a result: the announcement was actually heard. It contributes the result meaning rather than meaning “reach” by itself in this sentence. This result element can follow an action when the sentence focuses on whether the action succeeded.
广播 “广播” means the announcement or broadcast heard at the station. It is the object of “听到” in “你刚才听到广播了吗？”. Use it for a broadcast message or announcement, especially one delivered through a public system.
了 The sentence-final “了” frames the hearing as an event being asked about in “你刚才听到广播了吗？”. Together with “吗”, it asks whether that event occurred. It is useful when asking about a completed event in the immediate context.
吗 “吗” turns “你刚才听到广播了” into a yes-or-no question. It appears at the end of “你刚才听到广播了吗？”. Use it at the end of a statement when asking for a simple confirmation.
这 “这” means “this” and identifies the train being discussed in “这趟火车”. It points to the particular train relevant to the speakers. It commonly comes before a classifier and noun when identifying a nearby or current item.
趟 “趟” is the classifier used for a trip or journey in “这趟火车”. It presents the train as a particular service or journey, rather than simply naming a vehicle. Use it with a train or other trip when referring to one specific journey.
火车 “火车” means “train” in “这趟火车要从另一个站台出发”. It is the vehicle that will depart from the other platform. Use it as the noun when talking about train travel or a train service.
要 “要” indicates that the train is going to depart in “这趟火车要从另一个站台出发”. It places the departure as an expected or imminent event. It commonly appears before an action or event that is about to happen.
从 “从” marks the starting point of the departure in “从另一个站台出发”: the train departs from another platform. It comes before the place from which an action begins. Use it when identifying an origin or starting location.
另一个 “另一个” means “another one” or “a different one” in “另一个站台”. “另” contributes the idea of being different or additional, while “一个” identifies one item. Use the whole expression before a noun when switching to a different item of the same general type.
站台 “站台” means “platform” at the train station. In “另一个站台”, it is the place from which the train will depart. Use it when identifying the boarding or departure platform for a train.
出发 “出发” means “depart” or “set off” in “从另一个站台出发”. It describes the train beginning its journey from that platform. Use it after a starting place when describing where a person, vehicle, or journey sets off.
显示屏 “显示屏” means “display screen” in “显示屏上说我们应该改去另一个站台”. It is the station screen that gives the updated platform information. Use it for a screen that shows information, notices, or instructions.
上 “上” means “on” in “显示屏上”, locating the information on the display screen. It follows the place or surface that contains the information. Use it to identify where written or displayed information appears.
说 “说” means “say” or “state” in “显示屏上说我们应该改去另一个站台”. Here the screen is treated as stating the platform instruction. It introduces the information that follows and can be used for spoken or written statements.
我们 “我们” means “we” or “us” and refers to both speakers in “我们应该改去另一个站台”. It is also the subject in “我们现在应该跟着指示牌走” and “我们上车前”. Use it when the speaker includes themself and at least one other person.
应该 “应该” means “should” in “我们应该改去另一个站台” and “我们现在应该跟着指示牌走”. It presents the recommended action after the platform change. Use it before an action when giving advice or describing what is appropriate to do.
改 “改” means “change” or “switch” in “改去另一个站台”. It shows that the speakers should switch their destination from the original platform to another one. Use it before a new action or destination when a plan needs to be changed.
去 “去” means “go” in “改去另一个站台”. It supplies the movement toward the other platform, while “改” indicates that this is a change of plan. Use it before a destination when describing going somewhere.
那 “那” means “then” in “那我们现在应该跟着指示牌走”. It connects the new response to the platform information just given. Use it at the beginning of a response when drawing a practical conclusion from what was just said.
现在 “现在” means “now” and sets the timing of the action in “我们现在应该跟着指示牌走”. It emphasizes that the speakers should follow the signs immediately. Use it to specify that an action is happening at the current time.
跟 “跟” supplies the idea of following in “跟着指示牌走”. Here the speakers follow the direction signs as they walk. The following “着” helps present this as an ongoing action, so “跟” alone does not express the whole phrase. Use it with something being followed when describing movement or guidance.
着 In “跟着指示牌走”, “着” presents the following relationship as continuing while the speakers walk. It attaches to “跟” in this expression rather than naming the signs or the walking action itself. This use is helpful when one action or state continues during another action.
指示牌 “指示牌” means “sign” or “direction sign” in “跟着指示牌走”. It is the visible guidance the speakers use to find the correct platform. Use it for a sign that gives directions or instructions.
走 “走” means “walk” or, in this station context, “go” in “跟着指示牌走”. It describes moving toward the platform while following the signs. Use it after a direction or route when telling someone to walk or go.
有 “有” expresses having or having available in “有足够的时间”. Here it asks whether enough time is available to get to the other platform. It commonly comes before an amount or resource that someone has available.
足够 “足够” means “enough” or “sufficient” in “足够的时间”. It describes the amount of time as sufficient for reaching the platform. Use it before a resource or amount when judging whether it meets a need.
的 “的” links the modifier “足够” to the noun “时间” in “足够的时间”. It makes clear that “enough” describes the time. Use it between a descriptive phrase and the noun it modifies.
时间 “时间” means “time” in “我们有足够的时间到那里吗？”. It is the resource the speakers need in order to reach the platform. Use it when discussing whether an action can be completed within an available period.
那里 “那里” means “there” and refers to the other platform in “到那里”. It is the destination the speakers need to reach. Use it after a movement expression when the destination is understood from the context.
如果 “如果” means “if” and introduces the condition “如果现在走”. It makes the available time depend on leaving now. Use it at the beginning of a condition when describing what happens under a particular circumstance.
就 “就” marks the result of the condition in “如果现在走，就来得及”. It connects leaving now with being in time. In a conditional statement, it introduces what follows when the stated condition is met.
来得及 “来得及” means “have enough time” or “be in time” in “如果现在走，就来得及”. The whole expression means that the required action can still be completed before it is too late; it is not a literal instruction to come. The components “来”, “得”, and “及” work together in this fixed expression. Use it when deciding whether there is still enough time to do something.
我 “我” means “I” or “me” and is the speaker in “我会把车票准备好”. It identifies the person who will prepare the ticket. Use it as the subject when referring to yourself.
会 In “我会把车票准备好”, “会” means “will” and marks the speaker’s intended or expected action. In “工作人员可能会在我们上车前检查车票”, it combines with “可能” to express a possible future action. It commonly appears before the action that is expected or possible.
把 “把” marks “车票” as the object that the speaker will handle in “把车票准备好”. The sentence focuses on making that ticket ready as the result of the action. Use it before a handled object when describing what will happen to that object.
车票 “车票” means “train ticket” in “把车票准备好”. It is the ticket the speaker will make ready before boarding. Use it when referring specifically to a ticket for train travel.
准备 “准备” supplies the action of preparing the ticket in “准备好”. It describes getting the ticket ready for the later check. The following “好” adds the completed ready result, so “准备” alone does not express that final state. Use it when arranging something before an upcoming action.
好 In “准备好”, “好” marks the result that the ticket is ready or properly prepared. It completes the meaning of the preparation rather than simply meaning “good” here. This result use can follow an action when the focus is on reaching a ready state.
票 “票” means “ticket” in “把票放在手边”. Here it refers back to the train ticket that should be kept nearby. Use it when the type of ticket is already clear from the situation.
放 “放” means “put” or “place” in “放在手边”. It describes placing the ticket in a location where it can be reached easily. Use it before a location when telling someone where to place an object.
在 “在” marks the location in “放在手边”. It links the placing action to the place where the ticket should remain. Use it after a placement verb and before the location of the object.
手边 “手边” means “within reach” or “close at hand” in “放在手边”. It tells the listener to keep the ticket nearby so it can be shown quickly. Use it when an object should remain close and readily accessible.
工作人员 “工作人员” means “staff member” or “staff” in “工作人员可能会在我们上车前检查车票”. It refers to the people working at the station who may inspect the ticket. Use it for staff responsible for a service or workplace task.
可能 “可能” means “possibly” or “may” in “工作人员可能会在我们上车前检查车票”. It shows that the ticket check is possible but not certain. Use it before an action when describing an uncertain possibility.
上车 “上车” means “board a vehicle” or “get on the train” in “我们上车前”. It names the boarding event that the ticket check happens before. Use it when describing entering or boarding a vehicle.
前 “前” means “before” in “上车前”. It places the ticket check earlier than the boarding event. Use it after an action or event to express that something happens before it.
检查 “检查” means “check” or “inspect” in “检查车票”. Here the staff may examine the ticket before the speakers board. Use it when a person verifies an object, document, or piece of information.

Grammar Points

如果……，那……

如果现在跟着指示牌走，那来得及上车。

Rúguǒ xiànzài gēnzhe zhǐshìpái zǒu, nà láidejí shàngchē.

If we follow the signs now, then we have enough time to board.

Use 如果 for the condition and 那 for the result: “if…, then…”. The condition comes first.

来得及 + 动词

现在跟着指示牌走，来得及上车。

Xiànzài gēnzhe zhǐshìpái zǒu, láidejí shàngchē.

If we follow the signs now, there is still enough time to board.

来得及 is followed by an action and means there is enough time to complete it.

Chinese Vocabulary

出发 verb
chūfā to leave; to depart
刚才 adv
gāngcái just now
跟着 prep
gēnzhe to follow
广播 noun
guǎngbō announcement
火车 noun
huǒchē train
另一个 det
lìng yí ge another; a different one
那 conj
nà then; in that case
听到 verb
tīngdào to hear
显示屏 noun
xiǎnshìpíng display screen; information board
现在 adv
xiànzài now
站台 noun
zhàntái platform
指示牌 noun
zhǐshìpái sign; signboard

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

display screen; information board

Show Answer显示屏

sign; signboard

Show Answer指示牌

to follow

Show Answer跟着

now

Show Answer现在