About This Lesson
Use Making a Short Phone Call Before a Meeting to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我需要打一个简短的电话。
Wǒ xūyào dǎ yí ge jiǎnduǎn de diànhuà. I need to make a short phone call.
B
如果你需要一点隐私，可以去走廊。
Rúguǒ nǐ xūyào yìdiǎn yǐnsī, kěyǐ qù zǒuláng. You can use the hallway if you need privacy.
A
我不想打扰大家。
Wǒ bù xiǎng dǎrǎo dàjiā. I don't want to disturb everyone.
B
现在那边应该很安静。
Xiànzài nàbiān yīnggāi hěn ānjìng. It should be quiet out there right now.
A
会议开始前我会回来。
Huìyì kāishǐ qián wǒ huì huílái. I'll return before the meeting starts.
B
没问题。我们还有足够的时间。
Méi wèntí. Wǒmen hái yǒu zúgòu de shíjiān. That works. We still have enough time.
A
我打电话的时候，请帮我留着座位。
Wǒ dǎ diànhuà de shíhou, qǐng bāng wǒ liúzhe zuòwèi. Please save my seat while I call.
B
我会把你的笔记留在这里。
Wǒ huì bǎ nǐ de bǐjì liú zài zhèlǐ. I'll keep your notes here.Word by Word
我
In this dialogue, “我” means “I” or “me,” referring to the speaker who needs to make a call and will return. It commonly appears before the action or state being described, as in “我需要” and “我会回来.”
需要
“需要” means “need” here: the speaker needs to make a short phone call. It commonly comes before the needed action or thing, as in “需要打一个简短的电话.” You can use it when stating a necessary action or item.
打
In “打一个简短的电话,” “打” means to make or place a phone call. Its meaning here comes from the expression “打电话,” where “打” combines with “电话.” Use “打电话” when saying that someone is calling by phone.
个
“个” is the general measure word in “一个简短的电话.” It appears after “一” and before the noun being counted, making “一个电话” mean one phone call. Use “个” with many ordinary people, objects, or events when a more specific measure word is not needed.
简短
“简短” means “short” or “brief” in “简短的电话,” describing the call as brief in duration. The form “简短的” comes before “电话” to describe it. You can use it before “的” when describing something as brief.
的
In “简短的电话,” “的” links the description “简短” to the noun “电话.” The structure “描述 + 的 + 名词” identifies the noun with that description. It is useful when placing a descriptive phrase before a noun.
电话
“电话” refers to a phone call in “打一个简短的电话.” With “打,” the expression “打电话” means to make a call. Use it in this expression when talking about calling someone by phone.
如果
“如果” introduces a condition in “如果你需要一点隐私,” meaning “if.” It places the condition before the result or suggestion that follows, here “可以去走廊.” Use “如果” when offering an action that depends on a situation.
你
“你” means “you,” referring to the person who may need privacy and go to the hallway. It appears as the subject in “你需要.” Use it when addressing one person directly.
点
In “一点隐私,” “点” means “a little” or “a bit,” expressing a small amount of privacy. The pattern “一点 + noun” is used for a small amount of something, especially an abstract thing such as “隐私.” Use it when asking for or describing a small amount.
隐私
“隐私” means “privacy” here, referring to the need to make the call away from everyone else. It appears after “一点” in “一点隐私,” meaning a little privacy. Use it when discussing personal space or information that should not be shared publicly.
可以
“可以” means “can” or “may” in “可以去走廊,” giving the other person permission or suggesting that going to the hallway is an available option. It commonly comes before an action, such as “可以去.” Use it when allowing or suggesting an action.
去
“去” means “go” in “去走廊,” describing movement to the hallway. It comes before the destination “走廊.” Use “去 + place” when saying where someone can go.
走廊
“走廊” means “hallway,” the place where the speaker can make the private call. It is the destination after “去” in “去走廊.” Use it when referring to an indoor passage between rooms.
不
“不” negates the desire expressed by “想” in “不想打扰大家,” giving the meaning “do not want to.” It comes directly before “想” in this dialogue. Use “不想 + action” to say that you do not want to do something.
想
“想” means “want to” in “不想打扰大家.” Together with “不,” it expresses that the speaker does not want to disturb everyone. It commonly comes before the action the person wants or does not want to perform.
打扰
“打扰” means “disturb” in “打扰大家,” referring to interrupting or bothering the people present. It comes before the affected group “大家.” Use “打扰 + person or group” when saying that someone may disturb others.
大家
“大家” means “everyone” or “all the people in the group” in “打扰大家.” It is the group that might be disturbed by the phone call. Use it when referring collectively to the people present or involved.
现在
“现在” means “now” in “现在那边应该很安静,” locating the situation at the present time. It commonly appears at the beginning of a sentence before the place or state being described. Use it when emphasizing what is true at this moment.
那边
“那边” means “over there,” referring to the hallway away from the current conversation. In “现在那边应该很安静,” it identifies the place whose condition is being predicted. Use it to point to a location at some distance from the speaker.
应该
“应该” means “should” or “probably” in “应该很安静,” expressing an expectation rather than a confirmed fact. It comes before the state “很安静.” Use it when making a reasonable prediction about a situation.
很
“很” adds degree to “安静” in “很安静,” meaning “very” or “quite” quiet. It commonly comes before a describing word to express its degree. Here it helps describe the hallway’s quiet state.
安静
“安静” means “quiet” in “很安静,” describing the expected condition of the hallway. It follows “很” to show the degree of quietness. Use it to describe a place or situation with little noise or interruption.
会议
“会议” means “meeting” in “会议开始前,” referring to the meeting that will take place soon. It appears before “开始” to identify what is starting. Use it when talking about an organized meeting.
开始
“开始” means “start” or “begin” in “会议开始前,” referring to the start of the meeting. It is followed by “前” to form the time expression “before the meeting starts.” Use it to describe when an activity begins.
前
“前” means “before” in “会议开始前,” placing the phone call and return before the meeting’s start. It follows the event or time phrase it relates to. Use “event + 前” to say that something happens before an event.
会
“会” indicates a future action in “我会回来,” meaning the speaker will return. It comes before the action “回来.” Use it when stating that someone is expected or intends to do something later.
回来
“回来” means “come back” or “return” in “我会回来,” describing a return to the current place or group. It follows “会” to form the future statement. Use it when someone leaves and then returns.
没
In “没问题,” “没” contributes the negative meaning “no” or “not have,” making the expression a reassurance that there is no problem. The whole expression “没问题” means “no problem” or “that works.” Use it in this expression when accepting a suggestion or reassuring someone.
问题
“问题” means “problem” in “没问题.” Together, “没问题” reassures the other person that the plan is acceptable. Use it in this expression when saying that something is fine or causes no difficulty.
还
“还” means “still” in “我们还有足够的时间,” showing that enough time remains. It comes before “有” in this sentence. Use it when something continues to exist or remain at the relevant time.
有
“有” means “have” or “there is” in “还有足够的时间,” stating that enough time remains available. Together with “还,” it means that there is still time. Use it before the thing or amount that is available.
足够
“足够” means “enough” or “sufficient” in “足够的时间,” describing the amount of time available. It comes before “的时间” to identify the time as sufficient. Use it before “的” and a noun when describing an adequate amount.
时间
“时间” means “time” in “还有足够的时间,” referring to the time remaining before the meeting. It is described by “足够的” in this phrase. Use it when discussing available time or how long something takes.
时候
In “我打电话的时候,” “时候” means “when” or “the time that,” introducing the time during which the call takes place. The whole phrase “我打电话的时候” means “while I call.” Use “action + 的时候” to refer to the time when an action is happening.
请
“请” introduces a polite request in “请帮我留着座位,” meaning “please.” It comes before the requested help. Use it at the beginning of a request to make the request polite.
帮
“帮” means “help” in “帮我留着座位,” where the other person is asked to save the speaker’s seat. It commonly follows a person and comes before the action they should help with, as in “帮我 + action.” Use this pattern when asking someone to do something for you.
留
In “留着座位,” “留” means “keep” or “save,” asking the other person to keep the seat available. It is followed by “着” to describe the continuing saved state. Use “留着 + object” when asking someone to keep something available.
着
In “留着座位,” “着” indicates that the state of keeping the seat saved continues. It follows “留” and helps express that the seat should remain available while the speaker is away. Use it after an action when the resulting state is meant to continue.
座位
“座位” means “seat” in “留着座位,” referring to the place reserved for the speaker. It is the object being kept available. Use it when talking about a seat in a meeting room or another place where people sit.
把
“把” marks “你的笔记” as the object that will be dealt with in “把你的笔记留在这里.” The whole construction means “I will keep your notes here,” with attention on where the notes are placed or kept. Use “把 + object + action” when describing what is done to a specific object.
笔记
“笔记” means “notes” in “你的笔记,” referring to the speaker’s written meeting notes. In “把你的笔记留在这里,” it is the object that will remain here. Use it when referring to written notes made for remembering or studying.
在
“在” marks the location in “留在这里,” meaning “at” or “in” the place specified. It connects the action of keeping the notes with the location “这里.” Use “在 + place” when stating where something is or remains.
这里
“这里” means “here,” referring to the current place where the notes will remain. It follows “在” in “在这里.” Use it when pointing to the place where the speaker and listener are currently located.
Grammar Points
如果……，……
如果需要打电话，走廊那边安静。
Rúguǒ xūyào dǎ diànhuà, zǒuláng nàbiān ānjìng.If you need to make a phone call, the hallway over there is quiet.
如果 introduces a condition; the second clause states what applies in that situation.
动词 + 着
请留着座位。
Qǐng liúzhe zuòwèi.Please keep the seat.
着 after a verb shows that an action or state continues.
Chinese Vocabulary
安静
adj
ānjìng
quiet
现在那边应该很安静。
打电话
phrase
dǎ diànhuà
make a phone call
我需要打一个简短的电话。
打扰
verb
dǎrǎo
disturb
我不想打扰大家。
大家
pron
dàjiā
everyone
我不想打扰大家。
电话
noun
diànhuà
phone call; telephone
我需要打一个简短的电话。
简短
adj
jiǎnduǎn
short; brief
我需要打一个简短的电话。
那边
adv
nàbiān
over there
现在那边应该很安静。
如果
conj
rúguǒ
if
如果你需要一点隐私,可以去走廊。
现在
adv
xiànzài
now; right now
现在那边应该很安静。
需要
verb
xūyào
need
我需要打一个简短的电话。
隐私
noun
yǐnsī
privacy
如果你需要一点隐私,可以去走廊。
走廊
noun
zǒuláng
hallway
如果你需要一点隐私,可以去走廊。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
make a phone call
Show Answer
打电话need
Show Answer
需要over there
Show Answer
那边now; right now