Handling noise from a neighbor calmly | Learn Chinese in English

Sentence explanations

1. 隔壁的音乐最近几个晚上都让我睡不着。

   The music next door has kept me up several nights lately.

   隔壁的

   next door’s

   音乐

   music

   最近

   lately

   几个

   several

   晚上

   nights

   都

   all; every one

   让我

   make me

   睡不着

   be unable to sleep

   More detail

   隔壁的 places the following noun next to or associated with “next door”: 隔壁 means the adjacent place or neighbor, and 的 links it attributively to 音乐. The phrase therefore identifies the music as the music from next door. This is a reusable pattern: [place/person] 的 + noun. 音乐 means music. It is a noun and does not change form for number. For example, 我喜欢音乐。 means “I like music.” 最近 means lately or recently. It sets the time period for what follows; here, the relevant period is the recent one, not a specific named date. For example, 我最近很忙。 means “I have been very busy lately.” 几个 expresses an unspecified small number, commonly translated as “several” or “a few.” 几 asks about or indicates a relatively small number, while 个 is the classifier used here before 晚上. The phrase does not specify an exact count. Compare 一个晚上 “one night” and 几个晚上 “several nights.” 晚上 means evening or night. In 几个晚上, it refers to several night-time periods. Together, 最近几个晚上 means “over several nights lately.” 都 means “all” in this context. Its scope is the several recent nights: the described effect occurred on each of those nights. The pattern 几 + classifier + noun + 都 + predicate can mean that every member of the mentioned small group has the same result. 让我 is the causative pattern 让 + object, literally “cause/let me.” 让 means “make, cause, or let” depending on context, and 我 is the object affected by that causation; 我 is the first-person singular pronoun “me.” The following verb phrase states what happened to me. For example, 这首歌让我开心。 means “This song makes me happy.” 睡不着 means “be unable to fall asleep” or “be unable to sleep.” It uses 睡 “sleep” with the negative result form 不着: the intended result, becoming asleep, is not achieved. This is different from simply saying 不睡, “not sleep,” which states nonperformance rather than inability to fall asleep. For example, 我太兴奋，睡不着。 means “I am too excited to fall asleep.” As a whole, 隔壁的音乐 identifies the music from next door, 最近几个晚上 places the events over several recent nights, and 都让我睡不着 says that on each of those nights the music caused me to be unable to sleep. The complete meaning is: “The music next door has kept me up several nights lately.”

2. 那我们应该在事情变成更大的冲突之前和他们谈谈。

   Then we should talk to them before it becomes a bigger conflict.

   那

   then; so

   我们应该

   we should

   事情

   matter; situation

   变成

   become; turn into

   更大的

   bigger

   冲突

   conflict

   在 … 之前

   before …

   他们

   them

   谈谈

   have a talk

   More detail

   那 means “then” or “so” here, linking this proposal to what was just mentioned. In Chinese it can also be a demonstrative meaning “that,” but the fixed translation supports the connective reading in this sentence. 我们应该 combines 我们 (“we”) with 应该 (“should; ought to”). 应该 expresses an appropriate or advisable action. Chinese does not change this form for the subject’s person or number. For example, 我们应该现在走。 means “We should leave now.” The following action is supplied by 和他们谈谈, rather than being part of this quoted construction. 事情 is a noun meaning “matter,” “situation,” or “thing that is happening.” Here it refers generally to the situation becoming a conflict; the sentence does not specify a more particular matter. Chinese nouns do not normally change form for singular or plural in this use. 变成 means “become” or “turn into.” 变 means “change,” while 成 indicates the resulting state, so 变成 + noun is a useful pattern for saying that something becomes a particular kind of thing. Example: 水变成了冰。 means “The water turned into ice.” The 了 in that example is not present in the fixed sentence; the fixed sentence places the event inside the time clause introduced by 在……之前. 更大的 means “bigger” or “larger.” The adjective is 大 (“big; large”), and 更 marks a comparison: 大 → 更大 (“bigger”). The 的 connects this descriptive phrase to the noun 冲突; it is not an inflection on 大, and 大 does not change for gender or number. Example: 这是一个更大的问题。 means “This is a bigger problem.” 冲突 is a noun meaning “conflict.” In this sentence it is the result or type of situation that the matter may become. It can be used in combinations such as 避免冲突 (“avoid conflict”), but the fixed sentence uses it after 更大的 as the noun being described. 在……之前 is a time pattern meaning “before …”. In the fixed sentence, 在 appears before the clause 事情变成更大的冲突, and 之前 appears after that clause. Together they make the complete time expression: 在事情变成更大的冲突之前 (“before the situation becomes a bigger conflict”). The clause inside it describes a possible change, not an assertion that the change has already happened. 他们 is the third-person plural pronoun meaning “they” or “them.” Its role here is the object of 和, so the intended meaning is “with them.” Chinese 他们 marks a plural human referent but does not mark gender in speech; the fixed translation identifies the referent only as “them.” 谈谈 is a reduplicated form of the verb 谈, “to talk” or “to discuss.” Verb reduplication commonly presents an action as brief, light, or casual: 谈谈 can be understood as “have a talk” or “talk a bit.” It is not a plural form. Example: 我们谈谈这个问题。 means “Let’s talk about this issue.” Taken together, 那我们应该 gives “Then we should,” 和他们谈谈 gives “talk to them,” and 在事情变成更大的冲突之前 gives “before it becomes a bigger conflict.” The complete meaning is: “Then we should talk to them before it becomes a bigger conflict.” The sentence proposes talking at an earlier stage, with 应该 presenting that action as advisable.

3. 我不想让人觉得我反应过度，因为他们可能没有意识到声音很大。

   I do not want to sound dramatic, because they may not realize it is loud.

   我不想

   I do not want to

   让人觉得

   make people feel or think

   反应过度

   overreact

   因为

   because

   他们

   they

   可能

   may; might

   没有意识到

   not realize

   声音

   sound

   很大

   be loud

   More detail

   我不想 means “I do not want.” 想 is the base verb “to want” or “to think,” and 不想 + verb phrase expresses not wanting to do something. Here 我 is the subject, and 不 negates 想; it does not mean that the speaker is unable to do something. Example: 我不想迟到。 — “I do not want to be late.” 让人觉得 uses 让 + person + verb phrase: “cause someone to feel or think.” 人 is a general person/people expression, so this construction does not specify exactly who the people are. 觉得 means “feel” or “think” about an impression or judgment. Example: 这句话让人觉得奇怪。 — “This sentence makes people feel that something is strange.” 反应过度 is the verb phrase “to overreact.” 反应 means “react,” while 过度 means “excessively.” Together, they describe a reaction judged to be stronger than the situation warrants. In this sentence, it is the impression the speaker does not want other people to form about the speaker. Example: 我不想反应过度。 — “I do not want to overreact.” 因为 introduces the reason for the preceding statement: “because.” It is commonly followed by a clause, as in 因为下雨了 — “because it rained.” Here the clause after 因为 explains why the speaker does not want to be perceived as overreacting. 他们 means “they” or “them.” 他 refers to a person in the third person, and 他们 adds 们 to mark a plural group. The translation and the surrounding context support a group being addressed or discussed here. This pronoun does not itself identify the group’s members. 可能 is a modal meaning “may” or “might.” It comes before the verb phrase whose possibility is being expressed: 他们可能没有意识到 — “they may not realize.” Example: 他可能不知道。 — “He may not know.” 没有意识到 means “did not realize” or, in this context with 可能, “may not realize.” 意识到 is the verb “realize/become aware of,” and 没有 negates that occurrence or state. The 到 is part of this verb, not a separate word meaning “to.” Example: 她没有意识到问题。 — “She did not realize the problem.” 声音 means “sound” or “noise.” It is a noun and serves as the subject of the following description. Example: 声音来自外面。 — “The sound comes from outside.” 很大 describes the sound as loud. 大 normally means “big,” but with 声音, it means that the sound has high volume. 很 appears before an adjective in a simple descriptive predicate; here it helps form the natural statement that the sound is loud and need not imply an especially extreme degree. Example: 外面的声音很大。 — “The sound outside is loud.” The sentence first states 我不想, then uses 让人觉得 to express “make people think,” with 我反应过度 as the judgment: “I do not want people to think I am overreacting.” 因为 introduces the reason. 他们可能没有意识到 says that the group may not realize something, and 声音很大 identifies that fact: “because they may not realize that the sound is loud.”

4. 先告诉他们墙很薄，而且你需要早点睡觉。

   Start by saying the walls are thin and you need to sleep early.

   先

   first; to start

   告诉

   tell

   他们

   them

   墙

   wall; walls

   很薄

   very thin

   而且

   and also

   你需要

   you need to

   早点

   early; earlier

   睡觉

   sleep

   More detail

   先 places the action at the beginning of a sequence: “first” or “to start.” It is a time-order adverb and normally comes before the verb or verb phrase. Example: 先吃饭。 — “Eat first.” 告诉 means “to tell” or “to inform.” A useful pattern is 告诉 + person + information: 告诉我答案。 — “Tell me the answer.” The person receiving the information comes directly after 告诉 here. 他们 is the third-person plural pronoun “they/them.” Its form does not show whether the group is masculine, feminine, or mixed; the sentence identifies the group only as the people being told. In this utterance, it is the recipient of 告诉. 墙 means “wall.” Chinese nouns generally do not change form for singular versus plural, so 墙 can refer to one wall or more than one when context determines the number. The fixed translation selects the plural reading “walls.” 很薄 says that something is thin. 薄 is the adjective “thin,” and 很 is a degree adverb, literally “very,” used naturally before a predicate adjective. 厚 is the contrasting adjective “thick.” Example: 这堵墙很薄。 — “This wall is very thin.” 而且 connects an additional point, meaning “and also” or “moreover.” It links the statement about the walls with the following statement about the addressee’s need, so the second point is presented as an added one rather than as a replacement. 你需要 means “you need to.” 你 is the second-person pronoun “you,” and 需要 is the verb “need.” 需要 + verb phrase expresses that someone needs to carry out an action: 你需要休息。 — “You need to rest.” Chinese does not mark this verb for present tense by changing its form. 早点 means “earlier” or “early.” It presents the sleeping time as earlier than a relevant expected or usual time; 早 is the basic adjective/adverb “early,” while 早点 is the commonly used form for “earlier.” Example: 我们明天早点出发。 — “We should leave earlier tomorrow.” 睡觉 means “to sleep” or “to go to bed.” It is the verb phrase that follows 需要, giving the action that is needed. Example: 孩子已经睡觉了。 — “The child has already gone to sleep.” The sentence itself does not add a tense ending to 睡觉; time is understood from the surrounding wording. Together, 先告诉他们 means “first tell them,” and 墙很薄 gives the information to be told: “the walls are thin.” 而且 adds a second point, 你需要早点睡觉: “you need to sleep earlier.” Thus the whole utterance means, “Start by saying the walls are thin and you need to sleep early.”

5. 我们要不要提一下大楼关于安静时段的规定？

   Should we mention the building rules about quiet hours?

   我们要不要

   should we…?

   提一下

   mention briefly

   大楼

   building

   关于

   about; regarding

   安静时段

   quiet hours

   规定

   rules; regulations

   More detail

   我们要不要 is a reusable A-not-A question pattern: 要不要 + verb asks whether the speaker and the listener should do something. Here 我们 means “we,” and 要不要 gives the suggestion “should we…?” rather than asserting that the action will happen. Chinese 我们 does not grammatically mark gender, and its inclusive or exclusive scope comes from context; here the translation supports including the listener. 提一下 means “mention briefly.” The verb is 提, “to mention” or “to bring up”; 一下 is a short-duration or softening element after a verb. It presents the mention as brief and makes the suggestion less blunt. The verb can also be used without 一下: 提这个问题 means “mention this issue.” 大楼 is the noun “building.” 楼 can refer to a building or a building structure, while 大楼 specifically presents it as a large building. In this sentence, it identifies which rules are being discussed. 关于 introduces the topic or subject of something: 关于 + topic means “about/regarding + topic.” Here it introduces 安静时段, so the rules concern quiet hours. A useful pattern is 关于安全的规定, “regulations about safety.” 安静时段 is a noun phrase meaning “quiet hours” or “quiet periods.” 安静 means “quiet,” and 时段 means a time period; together they name a designated period when quiet is expected. This phrase is not a verb or a command in the sentence; it is the topic of the rules. 规定 is the noun “rule” or “regulation.” It can also function as a verb meaning “to stipulate,” but its position here, after the modifying phrase 关于安静时段的, makes it a noun. In the pattern 关于 X 的规定, the whole phrase means “rules/regulations about X.” Putting the parts together: 我们要不要 asks whether we should act, 提一下 supplies the proposed action, and 大楼关于安静时段的规定 is what would be mentioned. The complete meaning is: “Should we briefly mention the building rules about quiet hours?”

6. 只有在他们拒绝配合时才提。刚开始的时候，友善地提醒一下更合适。

   Only if they refuse to cooperate. A friendly reminder is more reasonable at first.

   只有在 … 时才

   only when … then …

   他们

   they

   拒绝

   refuse

   配合

   cooperate

   提

   mention; bring up

   刚开始的时候

   at the beginning

   友善地

   in a friendly way

   提醒

   remind

   一下

   briefly; just a little

   更合适

   more suitable

   More detail

   只有在 … 时才 forms a condition-and-only-then pattern. It sets a necessary condition: the action in the main clause should happen only when the condition inside 在…时 is true. Here, 只有在他们拒绝配合时才提 means that mentioning the matter is reserved for the case in which they refuse to cooperate. The two pieces are separated because the condition is placed between them. 他们 is the third-person plural pronoun “they.” It identifies the people referred to by the fixed translation, but the supplied sentence does not specify their identities. Chinese pronouns do not mark gender here. 拒绝 means “refuse” or “decline.” It is a verb that can be followed by an action or proposal being refused. In this sentence, it is followed by 配合, so the meaning is “refuse to cooperate,” not simply “say no” without an indicated object. 配合 means “cooperate” or “cooperate with what is required.” As a verb, it often describes acting in coordination with another person, request, or arrangement. 拒绝配合 is therefore a reusable verb-plus-verb combination: “refuse to cooperate.” 提 is the one-character verb “mention” or “bring up.” In this sentence, its object is understood from the previous question about the building’s quiet-hours rules; it is not necessary to repeat that object. Example: 我们明天再提这个问题。 — “We’ll bring up this issue again tomorrow.” 刚开始的时候 is a time expression meaning “at the beginning” or “at first.” 刚开始 means “just begin/start,” and 的时候 turns the time point or period into “when/at the time that.” The phrase introduces the initial stage, contrasting with the later condition described in the first sentence. 友善地 means “in a friendly way.” The suffix-like element 地 marks 友善 as an adverbial description of how the following action is carried out. It modifies 提醒, so the reminder is delivered in a friendly manner. 提醒 is the verb “remind” or “give a reminder.” It can refer to helping someone remember something or calling attention to something they should notice or do. Example: 请提醒我带钥匙。 — “Please remind me to bring the keys.” 一下 after a verb presents the action as brief, light, or limited in scope. In 提醒一下, it softens and makes the proposed reminder sound like a small intervention; it does not assert a numerical amount. Example: 你先看一下。 — “Take a quick look first.” 更合适 means “more suitable” or “more appropriate.” 合适 is the adjective meaning “suitable”; 更 marks a higher degree in a comparison. The comparison is made between a friendly reminder at the beginning and the stronger step of bringing the matter up only if cooperation is refused. 更 modifies 合适, not the noun 提醒. Example: 这个时间更合适。 — “This time is more suitable.” Taken together, 刚开始的时候，友善地提醒一下更合适 says that, at the beginning, giving a friendly reminder is the more suitable approach. The first sentence adds the condition 只有在他们拒绝配合时才提: only if they refuse to cooperate should the matter be brought up. The complete utterance therefore contrasts an initial friendly reminder with mentioning the matter later under that specific condition.

7. 也许我们可以建议他们在晚上晚些时候戴耳机，尤其是第二天我们要上班的时候。

   Maybe we can suggest that they use headphones later in the evening when we have work the next day.

   也许

   maybe

   我们可以

   we can

   建议

   suggest

   他们

   them

   晚上

   evening

   晚些时候

   later

   戴

   wear; use

   耳机

   headphones

   尤其是

   especially

   第二天

   the next day

   上班

   go to work

   的时候

   when

   More detail

   也许 expresses uncertainty: “maybe” or “perhaps.” It normally comes before the clause it modifies. Example: 也许他今天不来。— “Maybe he is not coming today.” 我们可以 combines 我们 “we” with 可以 “can; be able to / be permitted to.” Here 可以 presents the suggestion as a possible action, not as a certainty. 可以 can also express permission in another context, so the surrounding verb determines the intended reading. Example: 我们可以现在开始。— “We can start now.” 建议 means “to suggest” or “to recommend.” Its base form is the same as the observed form because Chinese verbs do not change form for person or tense here. A useful pattern is 建议 + person + action, as in 建议他们早点走。— “Suggest that they leave earlier.” In this sentence, 建议他们在晚上晚些时候戴耳机 means suggesting an action for them. 他们 is a third-person plural human pronoun, meaning “them” here. In writing, 们 marks the plural, while the spoken pronunciation does not distinguish the written forms 他, 她, and 它 by gender or category. The fixed translation identifies this group as the people being addressed by the suggestion; the pronoun itself does not specify their gender. 晚上 means “evening” or “at night,” depending on context. It is a time expression and is introduced here by 在, giving the time setting 在晚上 (“in the evening”). Example: 我们晚上见。— “We’ll meet in the evening.” 晚些时候 means “later” or “at a later time.” 晚 means “late,” and 些 softens the comparison to “somewhat”; together with 时候 (“time”), the phrase identifies a later time rather than simply repeating “evening.” In this sentence, it narrows 晚上 to a later part of the evening. Example: 请晚些时候再打电话。— “Please call again later.” 戴 means “to wear” or “to put on” an item worn on the body. With headphones, Chinese commonly uses 戴耳机, literally “wear headphones,” for using or putting on headphones. This is a verb, and its form does not change here for person or tense. Example: 他戴着帽子。— “He is wearing a hat.” 耳机 means “headphones” or “earphones,” depending on the device intended. It is the noun receiving the action of 戴; 戴耳机 is the reusable combination “wear/use headphones.” 尤其是 means “especially” and highlights the condition that follows. It adds emphasis to 第二天我们要上班的时候; it does not itself introduce a new participant or time. Example: 我喜欢水果，尤其是苹果。— “I like fruit, especially apples.” 第二天 means “the next day” in this utterance. 第 marks an ordinal, and 二 means “two,” so the expression identifies day two in a sequence or, as here, the day after the relevant evening. Example: 第二天我们再讨论。— “We’ll discuss it again the next day.” 上班 means “go to work” or “be at work,” depending on the construction. It is a verb phrase formed from 上 and 班, but it should be learned as the established expression 上班, not as a general rule that 上 always means “go to.” Here 要上班 says that we are due to work or will have to go to work the next day. Example: 我明天要上班。— “I have to go to work tomorrow.” 时候 means “time” or “the time when.” In ……的时候, the clause before it identifies the time at which something occurs. Here 第二天我们要上班的时候 means “when we have work the next day” or “when we are due to go to work the next day.” 要 is not included as a separate phrase entry, but in this context it marks the expected or scheduled need to work. Putting the parts together: 也许 makes the proposal tentative; 我们可以建议 gives the proposal as something we can suggest; 他们在晚上晚些时候戴耳机 specifies the action and its later-evening timing; and 尤其是第二天我们要上班的时候 emphasizes the situation in which we have work the next day. The whole utterance means: “Maybe we can suggest that they use headphones later in the evening when we have work the next day.”

8. 那会是一个实际的折中办法，也不会直接指责他们。

   That would be a practical compromise, and it does not accuse them directly.

   那会是

   that would be

   实际的

   practical

   折中办法

   compromise

   也不会

   also would not

   直接

   directly

   指责

   accuse

   他们

   them

   More detail

   那会是 means “that would be.” Here 那 is a demonstrative referring to the proposed course of action in the surrounding discussion; it is not necessarily a noun by itself. 会 expresses a projected or hypothetical result, and 是 means “be.” A reusable pattern is 这会是…… / 那会是……, meaning “this/that would be …”. Example: 这会是一个好办法。 — “This would be a good method.” 实际的 describes the following noun as practical or realistic. 实际 is the adjective-like word carrying this meaning, and 的 links it to the noun phrase that follows. This is different from 直接, which describes how an action is carried out. Example: 我们需要一个实际的计划。 — “We need a practical plan.” 折中办法 is a compound noun meaning “a compromise solution.” 折中 contributes the idea of finding a middle position between alternatives, while 办法 means a method or way of dealing with something. A useful pattern is 一个……的办法, “a … way/method.” Example: 这是一个折中的办法。 — “This is a compromise solution.” 也不会 means “also would not” in this sentence. 也 adds this consequence to the preceding one, while 不会 combines 会 with negation 不; here it presents a negative hypothetical result, not a simple statement about habitual behavior. Example: 这样做也不会解决问题。 — “Doing this would not solve the problem either.” 直接 means “directly.” It modifies the following action and contrasts with acting indirectly or through an intermediate step. Example: 请直接告诉我。 — “Please tell me directly.” 指责 means “to accuse” or “to blame.” It is a verb here, and the object comes after it. It is stronger than merely pointing out a problem because it assigns fault. Example: 不要指责别人。 — “Do not blame other people.” 他们 is the third-person plural pronoun “them” in this object position. In the supplied context, it refers to the people being discussed and addressed indirectly; the form itself marks plural third person, but it does not encode their gender. Example: 我们可以帮助他们。 — “We can help them.” Together, 那会是一个实际的折中办法 says that the proposed action would be a practical compromise solution. 也不会直接指责他们 adds that it would also avoid directly accusing or blaming them. Thus the whole utterance means: “That would be a practical compromise, and it would not accuse them directly.”

9. 我可以选一个平静的时机，在今晚和他们谈谈。

   I can choose a calm moment this evening to talk to them.

   我可以

   I can

   选

   choose

   平静的

   calm

   时机

   moment; timing

   今晚

   this evening

   和他们

   with them

   谈谈

   talk

   More detail

   我可以 combines 我 “I” with 可以 “can; be able to.” 可以 expresses the speaker’s ability or possibility here; it does not by itself say that the action will definitely happen. A reusable pattern is subject + 可以 + verb, as in 我可以帮忙。—“I can help.” 选 is the verb “to choose” in its base form. It is followed here by the thing being chosen. 选择 is a closely related, somewhat more formal verb with the same core meaning: 选择一个办法。—“choose a method.” The phrase 一个平静的时机 means “a calm moment.” In 平静的, 平静 is a descriptive word meaning “calm” or “peaceful,” and 的 connects it to the noun 时机. The indefinite phrase 一个 presents one possible moment; it does not by itself assert a counted quantity in the English sense. The reusable pattern is adjective + 的 + noun, as in 平静的环境。—“a calm environment.” 时机 means a suitable moment or timing for an action, rather than merely a point on the clock. It is useful when the appropriateness of the moment matters. 时间 is the broader word for “time,” while 时机 focuses more on opportunity or timing. 今晚 means “this evening” or “tonight.” It is a time expression and does not change form for number or gender. In the sentence, 在今晚 places the conversation within that evening. A common reusable time pattern is 今晚 + verb, as in 今晚见。—“See you tonight.” 和他们 means “with them.” 和 introduces the people accompanying or involved in the action, and 他们 is the plural human pronoun “they/them” here. The translation identifies the participants as “them,” but it does not specify who they are. A reusable pattern is 和 + person/group + verb, as in 和朋友吃饭。—“eat with friends.” 谈谈 is based on the verb 谈 “to talk” and uses verb reduplication. 谈谈 presents the action as a brief, limited, or approachable instance of talking; it is not a literal claim that the action happens twice. The base verb can also appear without reduplication: 我们谈。—“We talk.” Together, 我可以选一个平静的时机 means “I can choose a calm moment.” The time phrase 在今晚 places the action in this evening, and 和他们谈谈 means “talk to them,” with 和 marking the people involved in the conversation. The complete meaning is: “I can choose a calm moment this evening to talk to them.”

10. 选择平静的时机通常能避免小问题变成针对个人的问题。

    Calm timing usually prevents a small problem from becoming personal.

    选择

    choose

    平静的

    calm

    时机

    timing; moment

    通常

    usually

    能

    can; be able to

    避免

    avoid

    小

    small; minor

    问题

    problem

    变成

    become; turn into

    针对个人的

    personal

    More detail

    选择 is the verb “choose” here. Its base form is already the ordinary verb form; Chinese verbs do not change for person or number. Example: 选择合适的时间。 — “Choose a suitable time.” 平静的 describes the noun that follows it. 平静 means calm or peaceful, and 的 links that description to a noun: 平静的时机 means “a calm moment.” This is not an inflection on 时机; 平静 remains unchanged. Example: 平静的环境更适合谈话。 — “A calm environment is more suitable for conversation.” 时机 means a suitable moment or timing, especially a moment chosen because its circumstances are appropriate. It is more specific than 时间, which simply means time. In the preceding sentence, the same word appears in 一个平静的时机, meaning “a calm moment.” 通常 is a sentence adverb meaning “usually” or “generally.” It presents the statement as a normal tendency, not an absolute rule. It commonly comes before the verb phrase, as it does here: 通常能避免. 能 is a modal verb before another verb. Here it expresses that choosing such a moment can or is able to produce the result; it does not by itself assert that the result always happens. Example: 这样能减少误会。 — “This can reduce misunderstandings.” 避免 means “avoid” or “prevent.” It is followed here by the result or situation to be avoided: 避免小问题变成…… — “prevent a small problem from becoming …” Example: 提前说明能避免误解。 — “Explaining in advance can prevent misunderstandings.” 小 means “small” and modifies 问题 in 小问题, “a small problem” or “a minor problem.” Chinese adjectives do not change form for singular or plural nouns, so 小 stays the same in other noun phrases as well. Here it describes the problem’s size or seriousness, not a person’s physical size. 问题 means “problem” in 小问题. It can also mean “question” in other contexts, but the fixed translation identifies the intended sense here as “problem.” Example: 这个问题不严重。 — “This problem is not serious.” 变成 means “become” or “turn into.” The pattern A变成B says that A changes into B. Here 小问题 is the thing undergoing the change, and the following phrase identifies what it could become. Example: 小误会变成大冲突。 — “A small misunderstanding becomes a major conflict.” 针对个人的 literally describes something directed at an individual. In this sentence it modifies the following 问题, giving 针对个人的问题, “a personal problem” in the sense of a problem aimed at a person rather than a general issue. 针对 means “target” or “be directed at,” 个人 means “individual,” and 的 turns the preceding description into a modifier. It does not necessarily mean “private.” The sentence begins with 选择平静的时机: choosing a calm moment. 通常 adds the usual tendency, and 能避免 says that this choice can prevent a result. The result is expressed as 小问题变成针对个人的问题: a small problem becoming an issue directed at an individual. Together, the utterance means that choosing a calm moment usually prevents a small problem from becoming personal.