Checking the right line | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use Checking the right line to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

请问，这是正确的队伍吗？

qǐngwèn, zhè shì zhèngquè de duìwu ma? Excuse me, is this the right line?

这条队是去咨询台的。

zhè tiáo duì shì qù zīxúntái de. This queue is for the information desk.

我需要续办我的会员卡。

wǒ xūyào xùbàn wǒ de huìyuánkǎ. I need to renew my membership card.

那你应该去蓝色标志旁边排队。

nà nǐ yīnggāi qù lánsè biāozhì pángbiān páiduì. Then you should join the line by the blue sign.

我差点在错误的地方排队了。

wǒ chàdiǎn zài cuòwù de dìfang páiduì le. I almost waited in the wrong place.

两条队伍离得很近，所以很容易弄错。

liǎng tiáo duìwu lí de hěn jìn, suǒyǐ hěn róngyì nòngcuò. It is confusing because both lines are close.

我会在更多人到之前换过去。

wǒ huì zài gèng duō rén dào zhīqián huàn guòqù. I'll move before more people arrive.

现在那条队伍短一些了。

xiànzài nà tiáo duìwu duǎn yìxiē le. That line is shorter now.

Word by Word

请问 “请问” is a polite way to get someone’s attention and ask a question, as in “请问，这是正确的队伍吗？”. “请” adds politeness, while “问” means to ask; together they form a polite opening. Use “请问” before a question when speaking to a stranger or service worker.

这 “这” means “this” and points to the line being discussed in “这是正确的队伍吗？”. It comes before the noun or noun phrase it identifies. Use “这” to refer to something nearby or currently being indicated.

是 “是” identifies something as something else in “这是正确的队伍吗？”, asking whether this line is the correct one. It connects the subject “这” with the description “正确的队伍”. Use “是” in identification patterns such as “A 是 B”.

正确 “正确” means “correct” or “right” in “正确的队伍”. It describes the line that leads to the service the speaker needs. Use “正确的” before a noun when identifying the right option.

的 In “正确的队伍”, “的” links the description “正确” to the noun “队伍”. The description comes before “的”, and the noun follows it. Use “的” in a pattern such as adjective or description + “的” + noun.

队伍 “队伍” means the line or queue in “正确的队伍”. Here it refers to the group of people waiting for a service, rather than a particular person. Use “队伍” when talking about a queue as a group.

吗 “吗” turns “这是正确的队伍” into the yes-or-no question “这是正确的队伍吗？”. It appears at the end of the question. Use “吗” after a statement when asking whether it is true.

条 “条” is the measure word used for a line in “这条队”. It comes between the demonstrative “这” and the noun “队”. Use “这条” or “那条” when referring to a particular line or queue.

队 “队” means a line or queue in “这条队”. With the measure word “条”, it identifies the particular queue being discussed. Use “队” in a short expression for a queue, especially with a measure word such as “条”.

去 In “这条队是去咨询台的”, “去” indicates going toward the information desk, so it shows the line’s destination or purpose. It appears before the destination “咨询台”. Use “去” before a place when expressing going there.

咨询台 “咨询台” means the information desk in “去咨询台”. It is the service point that this queue leads to. Use “咨询台” when asking for information or identifying an information service counter.

我 “我” means “I” or “me” and is the person who needs to renew the card in “我需要续办我的会员卡”. It appears before the verb-like phrase “需要续办”. Use “我” as the subject when talking about your own needs or actions.

需要 “需要” means “need” in “我需要续办我的会员卡”. It introduces the action or thing that is necessary for the speaker. Use “需要” before a noun or action, such as “需要” + an object or action.

续办 “续办” means to renew or continue an application or service in “续办我的会员卡”. The action is specifically connected with continuing the membership card service. Use “续办” before the service or document being renewed.

会员卡 “会员卡” means membership card in “我的会员卡”. It is the card that the speaker needs to renew. Use “会员卡” when referring to a card that shows membership in an organization or service.

那 “那” means “then” or “in that case” in “那你应该去蓝色标志旁边排队”. It connects the information about the needed service with the advice that follows. Use “那” at the beginning of a response when drawing a conclusion from what someone has just said.

你 “你” means “you” and refers to the person receiving the advice in “你应该去蓝色标志旁边排队”. It appears before “应该” and the recommended action. Use “你” when directly addressing one person.

应该 “应该” means “should” in “你应该去蓝色标志旁边排队”. It introduces advice about the appropriate action. Use “应该” before a verb phrase when recommending what someone ought to do.

蓝色 “蓝色” means “blue” in “蓝色标志”. It identifies the sign by its color. Use a color such as “蓝色” before a noun when specifying which object you mean.

标志 “标志” means a sign or marker in “蓝色标志”. It is the visible marker used to locate the correct line. Use “标志” when referring to a sign that identifies a place, direction, or service.

旁边 “旁边” means “beside” or “next to” in “蓝色标志旁边”. It identifies the location next to the blue sign. Use a noun followed by “旁边” to describe the area beside that noun.

排队 “排队” means to line up or queue in “去蓝色标志旁边排队”. It describes joining a line of people waiting for a service. Use “排队” after a place or direction when saying where someone should queue.

差点 “差点” means “almost” in “我差点在错误的地方排队了”. It shows that the speaker came very close to doing something, but the mistake did not actually occur. Use “差点” before the action that nearly happened.

在 In “在错误的地方排队”, “在” marks the place where the action would happen. The location “错误的地方” comes after “在” and before “排队”. Use “在” before a place when saying where someone is or does something.

错误 “错误” means “wrong” or “incorrect” in “错误的地方”. It describes the place as the unsuitable one for the speaker’s purpose. Use “错误的” before a noun when identifying the wrong option or location.

地方 “地方” means “place” in “错误的地方”. It refers generally to the location where the speaker almost joined the queue. Use “地方” after a description when referring to a particular kind of place.

了 At the end of “我差点在错误的地方排队了”, “了” presents the situation as reaching a completed or changed point. Here it helps frame the action as something that almost happened. Use sentence-final “了” when presenting a completed action or a changed situation.

两 “两” means “two” in “两条队伍”. It directly counts the two queues being compared. Use “两” before a measure word, such as “两条” for two lines.

离 In “两条队伍离得很近”, “离” indicates the distance between the two lines. It is used to say that the lines are close to each other. Use “A 离 B” to describe the distance of one place or thing from another.

得 In “离得很近”, “得” links “离” with the degree phrase “很近”, showing how close the two lines are. It is part of the pattern verb or action + “得” + degree or result. Use “得” when adding information about the degree or result of an action.

很 “很” means “very” or marks a degree in “离得很近”. It strengthens the description of how close the two lines are. Use “很” before an adjective when describing a degree.

近 “近” means “near” or “close” in “离得很近”. It describes the short distance between the two queues. Use “近” after a distance expression to say that places or things are close.

所以 “所以” means “so” or “therefore” in “所以很容易弄错”. It introduces the result of the two lines being close. Use “所以” before the consequence that follows a reason.

容易 “容易” means “easy” or “likely to happen” in “很容易弄错”. Here it says that confusing the lines is likely because they are close. Use “容易” before a verb to describe an action that is easy or likely to occur.

弄错 “弄错” means to get something wrong or mistake one thing for another in “很容易弄错”. Here it refers to confusing the two nearby queues. Use “弄错” when someone identifies, chooses, or understands something incorrectly.

会 “会” indicates a future action in “我会在更多人到之前换过去”. It shows the speaker’s intention or expected action. Use “会” before a verb when saying what someone will do.

更多 “更多” means “more” in “更多人”. It indicates a larger number of people than at the current point. Use “更多” before a noun when referring to an increased amount or number.

人 “人” means “person” or “people” in “更多人”. It is the noun being modified by “更多”. Use “人” after a number or quantity expression when referring to people.

到 In “更多人到之前”, “到” means arrive or reach the place where the people are expected. It describes the event that should happen before the speaker moves. Use “到” with a person or subject to express arrival.

之前 “之前” means “before” in “更多人到之前”. It places the speaker’s move earlier than the arrival of more people. Use a clause or time expression before “之前” to say what happens before it.

换 In “换过去”, “换” means to move or change to another line or place. It describes the speaker changing from the current queue to the correct one. Use “换” when changing from one place, choice, or situation to another.

过去 In “换过去”, “过去” indicates movement over to that other side or place. Together with “换”, it specifies that the speaker will move to the other line. Use “过去” after a movement verb when directing movement toward a place away from the speaker.

现在 “现在” means “now” in “现在那条队伍短一些了”. It sets the time for the current comparison of the queues. Use “现在” to describe what is true at the present time.

短 “短” means “short” in “那条队伍短一些了”. Here it describes the length of the queue. Use “短” after a noun when comparing or describing the length of a line or object.

一些 “一些” means “a little” or “somewhat” in “短一些了”. It softens the comparison and means that the line is somewhat shorter. Use “一些” after an adjective when making a small degree comparison.

Grammar Points

差点 + 动词

差点弄错

chàdiǎn nòngcuò

almost made a mistake

差点放在动词前，表示某件事几乎发生，但最后没有发生。

形容词 + 一些

短一些

duǎn yìxiē

a little shorter

一些放在形容词后，表示程度稍微增加或减少，常用于比较。

Chinese Vocabulary

标志 noun

biāozhì sign; symbol

那你应该去蓝色标志旁边排队。

差点 adv

chàdiǎn almost

我差点在错误的地方排队了。

队伍 noun

duìwu line; queue

请问,这是正确的队伍吗?

会员卡 noun

huìyuánkǎ membership card

我需要续办我的会员卡。

蓝色 adj

lánsè blue

那你应该去蓝色标志旁边排队。

排队 verb

páiduì to queue; to line up

那你应该去蓝色标志旁边排队。

旁边 noun

pángbiān beside; next to

那你应该去蓝色标志旁边排队。

请问 phrase

qǐngwèn excuse me; may I ask

请问,这是正确的队伍吗?

需要 verb

xūyào to need

我需要续办我的会员卡。

续办 verb

xùbàn to renew

我需要续办我的会员卡。

正确 adj

zhèngquè correct; right

请问,这是正确的队伍吗?

咨询台 noun

zīxúntái information desk

这条队是去咨询台的。

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

almost

Show Answer

差点

to queue; to line up

Show Answer

排队

correct; right

Show Answer

正确

excuse me; may I ask

Show Answer

请问