Preparing for Heavy Rain | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: Before going out in heavy rain, two adults discuss waterproof shoes, keeping a laptop dry, and leaving extra time for travel..

EN → ZH / Level: A2

About This Lesson

Use Preparing for Heavy Rain to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

天气预报说很快会下大雨。

tiānqì yùbào shuō hěn kuài huì xià dàyǔ The forecast says heavy rain will start soon.
B

那你今天穿防水鞋吧。

nà nǐ jīntiān chuān fángshuǐ xié ba Then wear waterproof shoes today.
A

车站附近总是有水洼。

chēzhàn fùjìn zǒngshì yǒu shuǐwā There are always puddles near the station.
B

你可能还需要多留一点时间，应对可能的耽误。

nǐ kěnéng hái xūyào duō liú yìdiǎn shíjiān, yìngduì kěnéng de dānwu You may also need extra time for delays.
A

我应该把笔记本电脑放进防水套里吗？

wǒ yīnggāi bǎ bǐjìběn diànnǎo fàngjìn fángshuǐ tào lǐ ma Should I put my laptop in a waterproof sleeve?
B

把它放在包里，这样它就不会被淋湿。

bǎ tā fàng zài bāo lǐ, zhèyàng tā jiù bú huì bèi línshī Keep it inside your bag where it stays dry.
A

那我应该比平时早点出门。

nà wǒ yīnggāi bǐ píngshí zǎodiǎn chūmén Then I should leave earlier than usual.
B

这样路上应该会轻松一点。

zhèyàng lùshang yīnggāi huì qīngsōng yìdiǎn That should make the trip less stressful.

Word by Word

天气 “天气” means weather here and appears in “天气预报”, meaning a weather forecast. It is commonly used before words about conditions, such as in “天气预报”. You would use it when discussing outdoor conditions with someone.
预报 “预报” means a forecast, and in “天气预报” it refers to information predicting the weather. It commonly follows the topic being forecast, as in “天气预报”. You would use it when reporting or checking expected weather conditions.
说 “说” means say or report in “天气预报说很快会下大雨”. Here it introduces the information given by the forecast. A reusable pattern is a subject followed by “说” and then the reported statement, especially when passing on information.
很快 “很快” means soon in “很快会下大雨”. It places the expected rain close to the present time. You would use it when an event is expected to happen shortly.
会 “会” indicates that something is expected or likely to happen, as in “会下大雨” and “应该会轻松一点”. It commonly comes before the expected action or result. You would use it when talking about a future event or a likely outcome.
下 “下” means fall when it is used for rain in “下大雨”. It describes rain coming down from the sky rather than a person putting something down. A common weather pattern is “下” followed by a type or amount of rain.
大 In “大雨”, “大” shows that the rain is heavy or strong. It contributes this intensity meaning to the weather expression. You would use it in this kind of expression when warning someone about heavy rain.
雨 “雨” means rain and is the weather phenomenon in “下大雨”. With “下”, it describes rain falling. You would use it when naming rain or discussing rainy conditions.
那 “那” means then or in that case in “那你今天穿防水鞋吧”. It connects the forecast with the advice that follows. You would use it at the start of a response when making a conclusion or suggestion based on what was just said.
你 “你” means you and directly addresses the other speaker in “那你今天穿防水鞋吧”. It identifies the person who should take the suggested action. You would use it when speaking to one person.
今天 “今天” means today in “你今天穿防水鞋吧”. It specifies that the advice applies to the current day. It commonly appears before the action or activity it dates, such as “今天穿”.
穿 “穿” means wear in “穿防水鞋”. It is used for putting on or wearing clothing and footwear. A common pattern is “穿” followed by the item being worn, especially when giving practical advice.
防水 “防水” means waterproof in “防水鞋” and “防水套”. It describes an item designed to keep water out. You would use it before an object when explaining that the object protects against rain or water.
鞋 “鞋” means shoes in “防水鞋”. It names the footwear being recommended for rainy conditions. You would use it when talking about footwear, often with a describing word before it.
吧 “吧” softens “那你今天穿防水鞋吧” into a suggestion. It makes the advice sound less forceful than a plain command. You would use it when proposing an action in a friendly, practical way.
车站 “车站” means station in “车站附近”. It identifies the place near which the puddles are found. You would use it when referring to a station as a location or meeting point.
附近 “附近” means nearby or the vicinity in “车站附近”. It follows the place name and refers to the area around it. A common pattern is a place followed by “附近”, such as “车站附近”.
总是 “总是” means always in “总是有水洼”. It shows that puddles regularly appear near the station. You would use it before a recurring situation or action when describing something that happens again and again.
有 “有” means there is or there are in “车站附近总是有水洼”. Here it introduces something found in a particular place. A reusable pattern is a location followed by “有” and the thing located there.
水洼 “水洼” means puddle in “总是有水洼”. It refers to small areas of collected water on the ground after rain. You would use it when warning someone about wet ground or places to step carefully.
可能 “可能” means may or possible in “你可能还需要” and “可能的耽误”. It marks uncertainty about needing extra time and about possible delays. You would use it when discussing an outcome or problem that might happen but is not certain.
还 “还” means also or in addition in “可能还需要多留一点时间”. It adds another precaution to the advice about rainy travel. A common pattern is “还” before the additional action or need.
需要 “需要” means need in “你可能还需要多留一点时间”. It says that extra time may be necessary. It commonly comes before the thing or action that is needed, such as “需要” followed by time.
多 “多” means extra or more in “多留一点时间”. It shows that the speaker should allow an additional amount of time. It can appear before an action to indicate doing that action to an extra degree or amount.
留 “留” means leave or set aside in “留一点时间”. Here it means allowing time for a possible delay rather than using all available time. A useful pattern is “留” followed by an amount of time for a purpose.
一点 “一点” means a little in “多留一点时间” and “轻松一点”. It can describe a small amount of time or a small degree of change. You would use it when asking for or describing a limited additional amount or degree.
时间 “时间” means time in “多留一点时间”. It is the amount that should be set aside for possible delays. It commonly follows an amount expression such as “一点时间”.
应对 “应对” means deal with or cope with in “应对可能的耽误”. It names the purpose of leaving extra time: handling a possible delay. You would use it before a problem, change, or difficult situation that needs a response.
的 In “可能的耽误”, “的” links the description “可能” to the noun “耽误”. The phrase therefore refers to delays that may occur. A common pattern is a describing word followed by “的” and the noun it describes.
耽误 “耽误” refers to a delay or disruption in “可能的耽误”. Here it is the possible travel problem that the extra time is meant to cover. You would use it when a journey or plan may take longer because progress is interrupted.
我 “我” means I or me in “我应该把笔记本电脑放进防水套里吗？” and “我应该比平时早点出门”. It identifies the speaker as the person considering or taking the action. You would use it when talking about your own actions, needs, or decisions.
应该 “应该” means should in “我应该把笔记本电脑放进防水套里吗？” and “我应该比平时早点出门”. It expresses a sensible action or recommendation in this situation. It commonly comes before the action that is considered advisable.
把 “把” marks the laptop as the object being handled in “把笔记本电脑放进防水套里”. It places the object before the action and its result or destination. A reusable pattern is “把” plus an object plus an action such as “放进” plus a place.
笔记本 In “笔记本电脑”, “笔记本” contributes the meaning of a notebook-style or portable computer. Together with “电脑”, the exact phrase means laptop. You would use it as part of this compound when referring to a laptop.
电脑 “电脑” means computer in “笔记本电脑”. Together with “笔记本”, it specifies a laptop rather than a general computer. You would use it when referring to computer equipment, including when describing where to put it.
放 “放” means put or place in “放进防水套里” and “放在包里”. It describes moving or keeping the laptop in a particular place. A common pattern is an object followed by “放” and a location expression.
进 “进” shows movement into a place in “放进防水套里”. It indicates that the laptop goes inside the sleeve. A reusable pattern is a placement verb followed by “进” and the container or destination.
套 “套” means sleeve or cover in “防水套”. It names the covering used to protect the laptop from water. You would use it when referring to a cover or sleeve that something is put inside.
里 “里” means inside or in, as in “防水套里” and “包里”. It follows a container or place name to identify its interior. A common pattern is a noun followed by “里” when describing where something is located.
吗 “吗” marks “我应该把笔记本电脑放进防水套里吗？” as a yes-or-no question. It turns the statement into a request for advice or confirmation. You would use it at the end of a direct question of this type.
它 “它” means it and refers back to the laptop in “把它放在包里”. It lets the speaker refer to the already mentioned non-person object without repeating its name. You would use it when the object is clear from the previous context.
在 “在” marks the location in “放在包里”. It shows where the laptop should be kept. A common pattern is an object followed by “在” and a place expression.
包 “包” means bag in “包里”. It names the container where the laptop should stay dry. You would use it when talking about carrying or storing an object in a bag.
这样 “这样” means this way or so in “这样它就不会被淋湿”. It links the suggested action with the result expected from doing it. You would use it when explaining how one action produces a particular outcome.
就 “就” marks the consequence in “这样它就不会被淋湿”. It presents the result as following from keeping the laptop in the bag. A common pattern is an action or condition followed by “就” and its consequence.
不 “不” provides negation in “不会被淋湿”. It makes the expected result negative: the laptop will not be drenched. You would use it before the relevant action or expected result when saying that something does not happen.
被 “被” marks the laptop as the thing affected in “被淋湿”. It introduces the passive description of the laptop being made wet by rain. You would use it when focusing on what receives an action or effect.
淋 In “被淋湿”, “淋” contributes the idea of being drenched by rain. Together with “湿”, it describes rain making the laptop wet. You would use it in a weather situation when an object or person is exposed to falling rain.
湿 “湿” means wet in “被淋湿”. It describes the resulting condition caused by rain. You would use it when talking about something becoming wet, especially after contact with water.
比 “比” means than or compared with in “比平时早点出门”. It introduces the standard used for comparison, namely the usual time. A reusable comparison pattern is one thing or time followed by “比” and the comparison standard.
平时 “平时” means usually or at ordinary times in “比平时早点出门”. It provides the normal departure time as the comparison point. You would use it when comparing today’s action with someone’s usual routine.
早点 “早点” means a little earlier in “比平时早点出门”. It shows that the departure should be earlier than normal by a small amount. A common pattern is “早点” followed by an action, such as leaving or arriving.
出门 “出门” means go out or leave home in “早点出门”. It describes beginning the trip by going outside. You would use it when discussing the time someone leaves home or another starting place.
路上 “路上” means on the way or during the journey in “这样路上应该会轻松一点”. It refers to the travel period after leaving. You would use it when describing what happens while someone is traveling from one place to another.
轻松 “轻松” means relaxed or less stressful in “路上应该会轻松一点”. It describes the expected easier feeling of the trip after allowing extra time. A useful pattern is an adjective followed by “一点” to express a small degree of change.

Grammar Points

可能 + 动词

可能下大雨。

kěnéng xià dàyǔ

It may rain heavily.

可能 comes before the verb to express possibility, unlike English, where “may” comes before the base verb.

总是 + 动词短语

总是早点出门。

zǒngshì zǎodiǎn chūmén

Always leave home earlier.

总是 is placed before the verb phrase to mean “always.”

Chinese Vocabulary

车站 noun
chēzhàn station
穿 verb
chuān to wear
防水 adj
fángshuǐ waterproof
附近 noun
fùjìn nearby; vicinity
很快 adv
hěn kuài soon
可能 adv
kěnéng may; possibly
水洼 noun
shuǐwā puddle
天气预报 noun
tiānqì yùbào forecast
下大雨 phrase
xià dàyǔ rain heavily
鞋 noun
xié shoes
需要 verb
xūyào to need
总是 adv
zǒngshì always

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

forecast

Show Answer天气预报

always

Show Answer总是

rain heavily

Show Answer下大雨

puddle

Show Answer水洼