About This Lesson
Use Using shared gym equipment politely to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
现在有人在用这台跑步机吗？
Xiànzài yǒu rén zài yòng zhè tái pǎobùjī ma? Is anyone using this treadmill now?
B
看起来没人用，但要注意时间。
Kàn qǐlái méi rén yòng, dàn yào zhùyì shíjiān. It looks free, but keep an eye on the time.
A
如果有人在等，我可以用多久？
Rúguǒ yǒu rén zài děng, wǒ kěyǐ yòng duō jiǔ? How long should I use it if others are waiting?
B
健身房忙的时候，把时间限制在大约十分钟。
Jiànshēnfáng máng de shíhou, bǎ shíjiān xiànzhì zài dàyuē shí fēnzhōng. Limit your time to around ten minutes when the gym is busy.
A
用完后我应该把它擦干净吗？
Yòng wán hòu wǒ yīnggāi bǎ tā cā gānjìng ma? Should I wipe it down after I finish?
B
用架子上的喷雾和纸巾。
Yòng jiàzi shàng de pēnwù hé zhǐjīn. Use the spray and a paper towel from the rack.
A
我离开前会把它擦干净。
Wǒ líkāi qián huì bǎ tā cā gānjìng. I'll clean it before I leave.
B
这样器材就能让下一个人直接使用。
Zhèyàng qìcái jiù néng ràng xià yí ge rén zhíjiē shǐyòng. That keeps the equipment ready for the next person.Word by Word
现在
“现在” means now or at the present time in “现在有人在用这台跑步机吗？”. It is commonly placed before the subject or action to ask about what is happening now, such as when checking whether equipment is currently in use.
有人
“有人” means someone or some people in “现在有人在用这台跑步机吗？”. It introduces the possibility that a person exists in the situation and commonly comes before an action, as in “有人在用”. Use it when checking whether anyone is doing something.
在
“在” marks the action as in progress in “有人在用”. It comes before the action word to show what is happening at that moment, which is useful when describing current activity.
用
“用” means to use or operate something; here it refers to using the treadmill in “在用这台跑步机”. A common reusable pattern is “用” followed by the thing being used. Use it when talking about operating shared equipment.
这
“这” means this and identifies the treadmill as the one near or relevant to the speaker in “这台跑步机”. It commonly comes before a classifier and noun in “这 + 台 + 跑步机”. Use it when pointing out a specific nearby item.
台
“台” is the classifier used here for the machine in “这台跑步机”. It is placed between “这” and “跑步机” to count or identify one machine. Use it when referring to a particular piece of machinery.
跑步机
“跑步机” means treadmill in “这台跑步机”. In this dialogue, it is the shared gym machine that someone may be using. It commonly follows a classifier such as “台” when identifying one treadmill.
吗
“吗” is placed at the end of “现在有人在用这台跑步机吗？” to make it a yes-or-no question. It is useful when politely checking a fact, such as whether shared equipment is occupied.
看起来
“看起来” means seems or looks in “看起来没人用”. The whole expression describes an impression rather than a confirmed fact: “看” relates to looking, while “起来” contributes to the appearance that becomes evident. A reusable pattern is “看起来” followed by a description or situation.
没人
“没人” means nobody or no one in “看起来没人用”. It says that no person appears to be using the treadmill in this situation. A common pattern is “没人” followed by an action when checking whether anyone is doing something.
但
“但” means but and contrasts the apparent availability in “看起来没人用” with the reminder that follows. It commonly introduces a contrasting clause, as when giving a caution after an initial observation.
要
“要” means should or need to in “但要注意时间”. Here it introduces advice or a requirement to pay attention to the time. A common reusable pattern is “要” followed by an action when giving practical instructions.
注意
“注意” means pay attention to or be mindful of in “注意时间”. It is followed here by the thing requiring attention, “时间”. Use this pattern when reminding someone to monitor something during an activity.
时间
“时间” means time in “注意时间”. In this dialogue, it refers to monitoring how long the treadmill is used. It commonly follows “注意” when giving a reminder about duration or timing.
如果
“如果” means if and introduces the condition “如果有人在等”. It is used when asking what is appropriate under a particular circumstance, here when other people are waiting. A reusable pattern is “如果” followed by a condition and then a question, suggestion, or result.
我
“我” means I or me and refers to the speaker in “我可以用多久？”. It appears before the question about the speaker’s permitted use time. Use it before an action or modal word when talking about your own action.
可以
“可以” means can or may in “我可以用多久？”. Here it asks how long the speaker is allowed or permitted to use the treadmill, rather than simply asking about physical ability. A common pattern is “可以” followed by an action when asking about permission or possibility.
多久
“多久” means how long and asks about the duration of use in “我可以用多久？”. It follows the action “用” to ask for the length of time. Use “verb + 多久” when asking how long an activity may continue.
等
“等” means wait in “如果有人在等”. It describes the action of other people who are waiting for the treadmill. It can be used after “在” to describe an action in progress when explaining why a limit may be needed.
健身房
“健身房” means gym in “健身房忙的时候”. It identifies the place whose level of activity affects the time limit. Use it as a place noun when discussing conditions or rules in a gym.
忙
“忙” means busy in “健身房忙的时候”. Here it describes the gym as busy or crowded enough that other people may be waiting. A common pattern is a place or person followed by “忙” to describe its current activity level.
的
In “忙的时候”, “的” links the description “忙” with the time word “时候”. The whole phrase means “when it is busy”, while “时候” supplies the time meaning. A reusable pattern is “description + 的 + 时候” for referring to a time under a condition.
时候
“时候” means time or when in “忙的时候”. Together with “忙的”, it identifies the time when the gym is busy. A common reusable pattern is “verb or description + 的时候” to say when something happens.
把
“把” marks “时间” as the object being acted on in “把时间限制在大约十分钟”. It places the object before the action and highlights the result applied to it. A reusable pattern is “把 + object + verb + complement”, especially when setting or changing an object’s state or limit.
限制
“限制” means limit or restrict in “把时间限制在大约十分钟”. It describes setting the permitted time within the stated amount. A useful pattern is “限制 + object” when setting a boundary for time or another resource.
大约
“大约” means about or approximately in “大约十分钟”. It shows that the ten-minute amount is an estimate rather than an exact figure. It commonly comes before a number and its measure word when giving an approximate quantity.
分钟
“分钟” means minute in “十分钟”. It is the time measure used to state how long the treadmill use should last. It commonly follows a number when expressing a duration.
用完
“用完” means finish using something in “用完后”. The whole expression describes completing the use: “用” identifies using the equipment, and “完” marks that the action is finished. A reusable pattern is “object + 用完 + 后” for an action that happens after use is completed.
后
“后” means after in “用完后”. It marks the action that follows finishing the use of the treadmill. A common pattern is an action followed by “后” to say what happens afterward.
应该
“应该” means should in “我应该把它擦干净吗？”. It asks what action is appropriate or expected after using the equipment. A common pattern is “subject + 应该 + action” when asking for or giving advice about proper behavior.
它
“它” means it and refers back to the treadmill or equipment in “把它擦干净”. It is the object that will be wiped clean. It commonly appears after “把” when the object has already been identified from the context.
擦干净
“擦干净” means wipe something clean in “把它擦干净”. The whole expression describes wiping until the item is clean: “擦” means wipe, and “干净” describes the clean result. A reusable pattern is “把 + object + 擦干净” when cleaning a surface or item.
架子
“架子” means rack or shelf in “架子上的喷雾和纸巾”. Here it is the rack where the cleaning supplies are placed. It can be followed by a location word such as “上” when identifying things kept on it.
上
“上” means on or on top of in “架子上的喷雾和纸巾”. It connects the rack with the supplies located on it. A common pattern is “place + 上 + noun” when specifying where an item is.
喷雾
“喷雾” means spray in “使用喷雾和纸巾”. Here it refers to the cleaning spray used for the treadmill. It is used as an object after “使用” when naming a cleaning supply.
和
“和” means and and joins “喷雾” with “纸巾” in “喷雾和纸巾”. It connects two supplies that are used together. A common pattern is “noun + 和 + noun” when listing two related items.
纸巾
“纸巾” means paper towel in this cleaning context, in “喷雾和纸巾”. It names the paper product used together with the spray to clean the equipment. It commonly appears as an object after an action such as “使用”.
离开
“离开” means leave or depart in “我离开前”. It refers to leaving the gym in the speaker’s statement. In “离开前”, it forms a reusable expression meaning before leaving.
前
“前” means before in “离开前”. It marks the action of cleaning as occurring before leaving. A common pattern is “action + 前” for something that happens before another action.
会
“会” means will or be going to in “我离开前会把它擦干净”. It indicates the speaker’s intended future action of cleaning the equipment. A common pattern is “subject + 会 + action” when stating a future plan or expected action.
这样
“这样” means this way or in this manner in “这样器材就能让下一个人直接使用”. It refers to the cleaning action just described and introduces its benefit. A reusable pattern is “这样 + result” when explaining what follows from an action.
器材
“器材” means equipment in “这样器材就能让下一个人直接使用”. Here it refers to the gym equipment, including the treadmill being discussed. It is used as the subject of the result that follows the cleaning.
就
“就” means then or thereby in “这样器材就能让下一个人直接使用”. It marks the result that follows from cleaning the equipment. In the pattern “这样……就……”, it helps connect an action or condition with its consequence.
能
“能” means can or be able to in “就能让下一个人直接使用”. It expresses the resulting possibility that the equipment can be made available for the next person. A common pattern is “能” followed by an action or another verb phrase.
让
“让” means let, allow, or cause someone to be able to do something in “让下一个人直接使用”. It introduces the person who benefits from the equipment being ready and the action that person can take. A common pattern is “让 + person + action”.
下一个
“下一个” means next in “下一个人”. It identifies the person who will use the equipment after the current user. It commonly comes before a noun to identify the next item or person in a sequence.
人
“人” means person in “下一个人”. Together, “下一个人” means the next person or next user in this shared-gym situation. It is used after the descriptive phrase “下一个” to identify who comes next.
直接
“直接” means directly or immediately in “直接使用”. It shows that the next person can use the equipment without needing another cleaning step. A common pattern is “直接” placed before an action to describe doing it straight away.
使用
“使用” means use in “让下一个人直接使用”. The equipment being used is understood from the context of the dialogue. A common reusable pattern is “使用 + equipment or object” when describing using a particular item.
Grammar Points
如果……，……
如果有人用跑步机，注意。
Rúguǒ yǒu rén yòng pǎobùjī, zhùyì.If someone uses the treadmill, pay attention.
如果 introduces a condition. Chinese can state the condition first, followed by the resulting instruction or situation.
用完后 + 动作
用完后，擦干净。
Yòng wán hòu, cā gānjìng.After using it, wipe it clean.
用完后 means “after finishing using it” and places the earlier action before the next instruction.
Chinese Vocabulary
大约
adv
dàyuē
about; approximately
健身房忙的时候,把时间限制在大约十分钟。
等
verb
děng
to wait
如果有人在等,我可以用多久?
多久
phrase
duō jiǔ
how long
如果有人在等,我可以用多久?
看起来
verb
kàn qǐlái
to look; it seems
看起来没人用,但要注意时间。
没人
pron
méi rén
no one; nobody
看起来没人用,但要注意时间。
跑步机
noun
pǎobùjī
treadmill
现在有人在用这台跑步机吗?
如果
conj
rúguǒ
if
如果有人在等,我可以用多久?
现在
adv
xiànzài
now
现在有人在用这台跑步机吗?
限制
verb
xiànzhì
to limit
健身房忙的时候,把时间限制在大约十分钟。
用
verb
yòng
to use
现在有人在用这台跑步机吗?
有人
pron
yǒu rén
someone; anyone
现在有人在用这台跑步机吗?
注意
verb
zhùyì
to pay attention to; to watch
看起来没人用,但要注意时间。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to limit
Show Answer
限制about; approximately
Show Answer
大约to pay attention to; to watch
Show Answer
注意how long