About This Lesson
Use Writing a clear message about a leaking tap to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
浴室的水龙头又漏水了，尽管我昨天把它拧紧了。
Yùshì de shuǐlóngtóu yòu lòushuǐ le, jǐnguǎn wǒ zuótiān bǎ tā nǐngjǐn le. The bathroom tap is leaking again, even after I tightened it yesterday.
B
既然问题总是出现，我们最好联系房东。
Jìrán wèntí zǒngshì chūxiàn, wǒmen zuìhǎo liánxì fángdōng. Since it keeps happening, we should probably contact the landlord.
A
我可以发一张照片，并说明临时修理没有用。
Wǒ kěyǐ fā yì zhāng zhàopiàn, bìng shuōmíng línshí xiūlǐ méiyǒu yòng. I can send a photo and explain that a temporary repair did not work.
B
提一下水一直在白白流掉，台面也越来越湿。
Tí yíxià shuǐ yìzhí zài báibái liúdiào, táimiàn yě yuèláiyuè shī. Mention that water is being wasted and the counter is getting wet.
A
我们是不是应该说，这个问题不是我们自己造成的？
Wǒmen shì bú shì yīnggāi shuō, zhège wèntí bú shì wǒmen zìjǐ zàochéng de? Should we say that we did not cause the problem ourselves?
B
清楚地写上这一点，但语气要保持平静。
Qīngchu de xiě shàng zhè yì diǎn, dàn yǔqì yào bǎochí píngjìng. Include that clearly, but keep the tone calm.
A
留言应该礼貌但具体，这样就不会产生误解。
Liúyán yīnggāi lǐmào dàn jùtǐ, zhèyàng jiù bú huì chǎnshēng wùjiě. The message should be polite but specific, so there is no confusion.
B
问问水管工什么时候可以来，因为工作日的早上对我们来说不方便。
Wènwen shuǐguǎngōng shénme shíhou kěyǐ lái, yīnwèi gōngzuòrì de zǎoshang duì wǒmen lái shuō bù fāngbiàn. Ask when a plumber could visit, because weekday mornings are difficult for us.
A
我们可以建议一个灵活的时间段，那时会有人在家。
Wǒmen kěyǐ jiànyì yí ge línghuó de shíjiānduàn, nà shí huì yǒu rén zài jiā. We can suggest a flexible time window when someone can be home.
B
这样房东安排维修应该会更容易。
Zhèyàng fángdōng ānpái wéixiū yīnggāi huì gèng róngyì. That should make it easier for the landlord to arrange the repair.Word by Word
浴室
「浴室」 means bathroom, the place where the leaking tap is located in the dialogue. It commonly comes before 「的」 to specify the location of an object, as in 「浴室的水龙头」. Use it when describing a bathroom to a landlord, repair worker, or visitor.
的
In 「浴室的水龙头」, 「的」 links 「浴室」 with 「水龙头」 and shows that the tap is associated with the bathroom. It is commonly used in the pattern of a place or person followed by 「的」 and then a noun. This helps identify which object you mean in a message or conversation.
水龙头
「水龙头」 means tap or faucet, the fixture that is leaking in the dialogue. It is the object of the location phrase 「浴室的水龙头」. Use it when reporting a water problem to a landlord or plumber.
又
「又」 means again here, showing that the tap has started leaking another time. It appears before the action in 「又漏水了」. Use it when the same problem or event happens again and needs to be reported.
漏水
「漏水」 means leak water or be leaking, describing the tap's problem in the dialogue. In 「水龙头又漏水了」, it directly follows the subject to state what is happening. Use it to report leaking from a tap, pipe, or other water fixture.
了
At the end of 「又漏水了」, 「了」 shows that the situation is now the case or has changed into this state. It helps present the leaking as a current problem, not just a general possibility. Use this ending when informing someone that a new situation has arisen.
尽管
「尽管」 means although or even though, introducing the fact that the speaker tightened the tap but it still leaks. It connects the contrasting information in 「尽管我昨天把它拧紧了」 with the main problem. Use it when one fact does not prevent the result that follows.
我
「我」 means I or me and identifies the speaker who tightened the tap yesterday. In 「我昨天把它拧紧了」, it comes before the time and action information. Use it when explaining what you personally did about a problem.
昨天
「昨天」 means yesterday and places the tightening action in the previous day. It appears before the action phrase in 「我昨天把它拧紧了」. Use it when giving a recent time reference to a landlord, repair worker, or other listener.
把
In 「把它拧紧」, 「把」 marks 「它」 as the object being acted on before the action 「拧紧」. This construction presents what was done to a specific object and normally includes a resulting action or state. Use it when explaining how you handled a particular item, especially in a repair situation.
它
「它」 means it and refers here to the tap mentioned earlier. In 「把它拧紧」, it is the object placed before the action. Use it to refer back to a non-person object that is already clear from the conversation.
拧紧
「拧紧」 means tighten by twisting, describing what the speaker did to the tap. In 「把它拧紧」, it follows the object and states the intended result of the action. Use it for tightening a tap, screw, lid, or another object that is turned.
既然
「既然」 means since or given that, introducing an accepted fact as the reason for the suggestion to contact the landlord. In 「既然问题总是出现」, it frames the recurring problem as the basis for what follows. Use it when the reason is already evident or accepted by the listener.
问题
「问题」 means problem or issue, referring here to the recurring leak. It is the subject of 「问题总是出现」. Use it when naming a fault or situation that needs attention, especially in a clear message to a responsible person.
总是
「总是」 means always or continually, showing that the problem keeps recurring. It appears before 「出现」 in 「问题总是出现」. Use it to describe a repeated situation when explaining why a temporary solution is not enough.
出现
「出现」 means appear or occur, and here it describes the problem recurring. In 「问题总是出现」, it follows the subject and combines with 「总是」 to show repeated occurrence. Use it when a problem, symptom, or issue keeps coming back.
我们
「我们」 means we or us and refers to the two adults discussing the message. In 「我们最好联系房东」, it is the subject of the recommendation. Use it when speaking for yourself and another person who share the same situation or decision.
最好
「最好」 means had better or preferably, giving the practical recommendation to contact the landlord. In 「我们最好联系房东」, it comes before the proposed action. Use it when suggesting the most sensible next step without giving a forceful command.
联系
「联系」 means contact, and here it describes getting in touch with the landlord. It takes 「房东」 as its object in 「联系房东」. Use it when recommending communication with a person, company, or service about a problem.
房东
「房东」 means landlord, the person responsible for receiving the repair request. It is the object of 「联系」 and later the person who arranges the repair. Use it when discussing a rental property, maintenance request, or communication about the home.
可以
「可以」 means can or be able to, showing that the speaker is able or permitted to send a photo and explain the problem. It comes before the actions in 「可以发一张照片」. Use it when offering an action or stating that an action is possible.
发
「发」 means send in 「发一张照片」. Its object is the photo, so the phrase describes sending visual evidence of the leak. Use it with a photo, message, or other item when offering to send something to a landlord or service provider.
一
In 「一张照片」, 「一」 means one and gives the quantity of 「照片」. It works with a classifier before a counted noun. Use this structure when referring to a single photo or another single item.
张
「张」 is the classifier used for the flat item 「照片」 in 「一张照片」. It appears between the number and the noun. Use it when counting photos, sheets, tickets, or other flat items.
照片
「照片」 means photo, and here it is the evidence the speaker can send about the leak. It is counted in 「一张照片」. Use it when offering visual information in a message to a landlord, repair worker, or other recipient.
并
「并」 means and and connects the two actions in 「发一张照片，并说明」. It shows that the speaker will send a photo and also explain the situation. Use it to link related actions in a clear written message.
说明
「说明」 means explain or state, and here it introduces the information that the temporary repair was ineffective. It follows 「并」 in 「并说明临时修理没有用」. Use it when giving a clear explanation of a problem, reason, or result.
临时
「临时」 means temporary, describing a repair intended only as a short-term measure. It modifies 「修理」 in 「临时修理」. Use it when distinguishing a quick short-term solution from a lasting repair.
修理
「修理」 means repair, and in 「临时修理」 it names the short-term work that was attempted. It combines with 「没有用」 to state that the attempt did not solve the problem. Use it when discussing work done to fix a faulty object.
没有
In 「没有用」, 「没有」 means did not or was not effective, showing that the temporary repair produced no useful result. It comes before 「用」 to negate the effectiveness of that repair. Use it when stating that an attempted solution did not work.
用
In 「没有用」, 「用」 means work or be effective rather than physically use something. Together with 「没有」, it says that the temporary repair had no effect. Use this expression when reporting that a method or solution failed.
提
「提」 means mention or bring up in 「提一下」. Here it introduces the fact that water is being wasted and the counter is getting wet. Use it when asking someone to include a point in a conversation, note, or message.
一下
In 「提一下」, 「一下」 makes the request sound brief or lightly phrased: mention it briefly. It follows the action 「提」 rather than naming a separate object. Use it when asking someone to bring up one point without making the request sound heavy.
水
「水」 means water, referring to the water leaking from the tap. In 「水一直在白白流掉」, it is the subject of the ongoing loss. Use it when describing water use, waste, leaks, or other household problems.
一直
「一直」 means continuously or all along, showing that the water keeps flowing. It appears before 「在白白流掉」 in the dialogue. Use it when an action or condition continues without stopping during the relevant period.
在
In 「一直在白白流掉」, 「在」 marks the action as ongoing. It appears before the action phrase and combines with 「一直」 to emphasize continuous flow. Use it when describing something happening at the time being discussed.
白白
「白白」 means wastefully or for nothing here, showing that the flowing water is being lost without benefit. In 「白白流掉」, it describes the unwanted nature of the loss. Use it when something is spent, lost, or used without a useful result.
流掉
「流掉」 means flow away, emphasizing that the water leaves and is lost. In 「水一直在白白流掉」, it describes the result of the ongoing leak. Use it when liquid flows away from where it should remain.
台面
「台面」 means countertop or counter surface, which is getting wet from the leak. It is the subject of 「台面也越来越湿」. Use it when describing the surface around a sink, tap, or work area.
也
「也」 means also or too, adding the wet counter as another consequence of the leak. In 「台面也越来越湿」, it links this result with the water being wasted. Use it when adding another person, object, or consequence to information already mentioned.
越来越
「越来越」 means increasingly or more and more in 「越来越湿」. The first and final 「越」 mark a rising degree, while 「来」 connects the change as it develops. Use this whole construction before an adjective when a condition gradually becomes stronger.
湿
「湿」 means wet, describing the changing condition of the counter. In 「台面也越来越湿」, it follows 「越来越」 to show that the counter is becoming wetter. Use it when reporting moisture on a surface, object, or area.
是不是
「是不是」 asks whether something is so, here asking whether the residents should say they did not cause the problem. In 「我们是不是应该说」, the first 「是」 introduces the proposition, 「不」 negates it, and the second 「是」 returns to the question form. Use this construction when checking a suggestion or asking for agreement.
应该
「应该」 means should or ought to, expressing the proposed action in 「应该说」. It follows 「我们是不是」 and comes before the action being considered. Use it when discussing what is appropriate or advisable in a situation.
说
「说」 means say, and here it introduces the information that the residents did not cause the problem. It follows 「应该」 in 「应该说」. Use it when deciding what information to include in a spoken or written message.
这
In 「这个问题」, 「这」 means this and points to the specific problem under discussion. It comes before the classifier 「个」. Use it when referring to a nearby or already identified issue.
个
In 「这个问题」, 「个」 is the general classifier between 「这」 and 「问题」. It helps form the noun phrase referring to this particular problem. Use it with 「这」 or a number when identifying or counting a general item.
不
In 「不是我们自己造成的」, 「不」 negates the linking element 「是」. It is part of the phrase that says the residents were not the cause of the problem. Use it to form a negative statement about an identity, responsibility, or classification.
是
In 「不是我们自己造成的」, 「是」 is the linking element that is negated by 「不」. The whole phrase states that the problem was not caused by the residents themselves. Use it with 「不」 when rejecting an identification or attribution.
自己
「自己」 means oneself or ourselves, emphasizing that the residents did not cause the problem on their own. In 「我们自己造成的」, it reinforces who is being discussed as the possible cause. Use it when stressing a person's or group's own responsibility or action.
造成
「造成」 means cause or bring about, and here it describes causing the problem. In 「我们自己造成的」, it identifies the residents as the possible source of the problem, which the sentence denies. Use it when explaining what produced a problem or result.
清楚
In 「清楚地写上」, 「清楚」 means clearly and describes how the point should be written. It comes before 「地」 and the action 「写上」. Use it when asking for information to be expressed in an understandable way.
地
In 「清楚地写上」, 「地」 links the manner word 「清楚」 to the action 「写上」, making the meaning clearly write or include. It is used after a word describing how an action is done. Use this pattern when describing the manner of an action in a message or instruction.
写上
「写上」 means write in or include in writing, and here it refers to putting the point into the message. In 「写上这一点」, it takes the point as its object. Use it when asking someone to include a specific piece of information in a note, form, or message.
一点
In 「这一点」, 「一点」 refers to a point or particular detail, namely the information that the residents did not cause the problem. It is combined with 「这」 to identify that detail. Use it when referring to one specific point that should be mentioned or clarified.
但
「但」 means but and contrasts writing the point clearly with keeping the tone calm. It introduces the second instruction in 「但语气要保持平静」. Use it when adding a limitation or balancing requirement to an earlier suggestion.
语气
「语气」 means tone, referring here to the tone of the written message. It is the object whose state should be maintained in 「语气要保持平静」. Use it when discussing whether communication sounds calm, polite, firm, or angry.
要
In 「语气要保持平静」, 「要」 means should or needs to, expressing the requirement that the tone remain calm. It comes before the action phrase 「保持平静」. Use it when giving a clear instruction about what must be done.
保持
「保持」 means keep or maintain, and here it describes keeping the tone in a calm state. It takes 「平静」 as the state to be maintained in 「保持平静」. Use it when asking someone to preserve a condition, quality, or manner.
平静
「平静」 means calm, describing the desired tone of the message. In 「保持平静」, it is the state that should be maintained. Use it when communicating about a problem while avoiding an angry or emotional tone.
留言
「留言」 means a message or a note left for someone, referring to the communication to the landlord. In the dialogue, it should be polite and specific. Use it when leaving information for a person who may read or hear it later.
礼貌
「礼貌」 means polite or politeness, describing the desired quality of the message. In 「留言应该礼貌但具体」, it is contrasted with being specific, so the message should be courteous while still clear. Use it when discussing respectful communication with a landlord or service provider.
具体
「具体」 means specific or concrete, describing a message that gives clear details rather than vague information. It appears with 「礼貌」 in 「礼貌但具体」. Use it when asking someone to include exact problems, times, or arrangements.
这样
「这样」 means in this way or so, referring to the proposed combination of a polite and specific message. In 「这样就不会产生误解」, it introduces the expected consequence. Use it to connect a method or action with its result.
就
In 「这样就不会产生误解」, 「就」 means then or consequently, linking the suggested way of writing with the result. It helps show that avoiding confusion follows from the clear message. Use it in a pattern where one condition or action leads to a consequence.
会
In 「不会产生误解」, 「会」 expresses a possible or expected result, which is negated by 「不」. The phrase says that misunderstanding will not arise from the clear message. Use it when discussing what is likely to happen under a particular condition.
产生
「产生」 means produce or cause, and in 「产生误解」 it describes misunderstanding coming about. It takes 「误解」 as its object. Use it when explaining that an action, situation, or unclear message may create a result or problem.
误解
「误解」 means misunderstanding, the confusion that the clear message is intended to prevent. It is the object of 「产生」 in 「产生误解」. Use it when information may be understood in the wrong way.
问问
「问问」 means ask or inquire, with the repeated form giving the request a light, conversational feel. In 「问问水管工什么时候可以来」, it asks for the plumber's possible visiting time. Use it when making a friendly request for information.
水管工
「水管工」 means plumber, the worker who may visit to repair the leaking tap. It is the person being asked about in 「问问水管工」. Use it when discussing professional help for pipes, taps, or other water-related repairs.
什么时候
「什么时候」 means when or at what time in 「什么时候可以来」. The first part 「什么」 asks what, and 「时候」 means time; together they ask for the relevant time. Use it when asking when a person can visit, call, or do something.
来
「来」 means come, describing the plumber coming to the home in 「水管工什么时候可以来」. It follows the question about time and identifies the expected visit. Use it when someone travels toward the speaker's location or an agreed place.
因为
「因为」 means because and introduces the reason that weekday mornings are inconvenient. In 「因为工作日的早上对我们来说不方便」, it connects the scheduling constraint with the request. Use it when giving a reason for a preference, limitation, or decision.
工作日
「工作日」 means weekday or working day, referring to the days when weekday mornings are difficult for the residents. It modifies 「早上」 in 「工作日的早上」. Use it when discussing availability in relation to the regular working week.
早上
「早上」 means morning, specifically the morning period mentioned as inconvenient. In 「工作日的早上」, it is linked to weekdays by 「的」. Use it when specifying a time of day for visits, calls, or appointments.
对
In 「对我们来说」, 「对」 marks the people whose perspective is being considered. Together with 「来说」, it frames the statement as being about what is convenient for the residents. Use this construction when describing how a situation affects a person or group.
来说
In 「对我们来说」, 「来说」 means as far as we are concerned or from our perspective. 「来」 frames the viewpoint and 「说」 presents it as a way of considering the situation; the whole construction identifies whose perspective matters. Use it when explaining whether something is convenient, difficult, important, or suitable for someone.
方便
「方便」 means convenient, and in 「对我们来说不方便」 it says weekday mornings do not suit the residents' availability. It commonly appears after a person or group marked by 「对」 and 「来说」. Use it when explaining that a time, place, or arrangement does or does not work for someone.
建议
「建议」 means suggest or recommendation, and here it describes proposing a suitable time window. It takes 「一个灵活的时间段」 as the suggested item. Use it when offering a practical option for an appointment or arrangement.
灵活
「灵活」 means flexible, describing a time window that can accommodate the plumber and the residents. It modifies 「时间段」 in 「一个灵活的时间段」. Use it when an arrangement can adjust to different available times.
时间段
「时间段」 means time period or time window, referring to the period when someone can be at home. It is the object of 「建议」 in 「建议一个灵活的时间段」. Use it when arranging a visit, appointment, delivery, or call across a span of time.
那时
「那时」 means at that time, referring back to the suggested time window. In 「那时会有人在家」, it identifies when someone will be home. Use it to refer to a previously mentioned point or period in time.
有人
「有人」 means someone or there is someone, and here it says that someone will be at home during the suggested window. In 「会有人在家」, it introduces an unspecified person who can receive the plumber. Use it when the person's identity is not important but their presence is.
家
In 「在家」, 「家」 means home and identifies the place where someone will be present. It follows the location marker 「在」. Use it when discussing whether someone is at home to receive a visitor or handle a repair.
安排
「安排」 means arrange or schedule, and here it describes the landlord organizing the repair visit. It takes 「维修」 as its object in 「安排维修」. Use it when coordinating a service, appointment, visit, or other planned activity.
维修
「维修」 means repair or maintenance, referring to the work needed for the leaking tap. In 「安排维修」, it is the work that the landlord will arrange. Use it when discussing professional repair of equipment, fixtures, or property.
更
「更」 means more or even more, increasing the degree of ease in 「更容易」. It compares arranging the repair after a suitable time window has been suggested with arranging it without that information. Use it before an adjective when describing a higher degree of a quality.
容易
In 「更容易」, 「容易」 means easy, with 「更」 making it easier. The phrase describes how the suggested time window helps the landlord arrange the repair. Use it when explaining that a clear option or useful information makes an action less difficult.
Grammar Points
尽管……，但是……
尽管水龙头漏水，但是我保持平静。
Jǐnguǎn shuǐlóngtóu lòushuǐ, dànshì wǒ bǎochí píngjìng.Although the tap is leaking, I remain calm.
“尽管”引出让步条件，后面常用“但是”引出与预期相反的结果。
既然……，就……
既然问题越来越严重，就联系房东。
Jìrán wèntí yuèláiyuè yánzhòng, jiù liánxì fángdōng.Since the problem is becoming more serious, contact the landlord.
“既然”表示已知事实或理由，“就”引出根据该理由采取的结果或行动。
Chinese Vocabulary
房东
noun
fángdōng
landlord
既然
conj
jìrán
since; given that
尽管
conj
jǐnguǎn
although; even though
联系
verb
liánxì
to contact
临时
adj
línshí
temporary
漏水
verb
lòushuǐ
to leak; leaking water
拧紧
verb
nǐngjǐn
to tighten
水龙头
noun
shuǐlóngtóu
tap; faucet
说明
verb
shuōmíng
to explain; to state
问题
noun
wèntí
problem; issue
浴室
noun
yùshì
bathroom
照片
noun
zhàopiàn
photo; photograph
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to tighten
Show Answer
拧紧landlord
Show Answer
房东to contact
Show Answer
联系although; even though