About This Lesson
Use Handling noise from a neighbor calmly to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
隔壁的音乐最近几个晚上都让我睡不着。
gé bì de yīn yuè zuì jìn jǐ gè wǎn shang dōu ràng wǒ shuì bù zháo。 The music next door has kept me up several nights lately.
B
那我们应该在事情变成更大的冲突之前和他们谈谈。
nà wǒ men yīng gāi zài shì qing biàn chéng gèng dà de chōng tū zhī qián hé tā men tán tan。 Then we should talk to them before it becomes a bigger conflict.
A
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。
wǒ bù xiǎng ràng rén jué de wǒ fǎn yìng guò dù,yīn wèi tā men kě néng méi yǒu yì shí dào shēng yīn hěn dà。 I do not want to sound dramatic, because they may not realize it is loud.
B
先告诉他们墙很薄，而且你需要早点睡觉。
xiān gào su tā men qiáng hěn báo,ér qiě nǐ xū yào zǎo diǎn shuì jiào。 Start by saying the walls are thin and you need to sleep early.
A
我们要不要提一下大楼关于安静时段的规定？
wǒ men yào bú yào tí yí xià dà lóu guān yú ān jìng shí duàn de guī dìng? Should we mention the building rules about quiet hours?
B
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。
zhǐ yǒu zài tā men jù jué pèi hé shí cái tí。gāng kāi shǐ de shí hou,yǒu shàn de tí xǐng yí xià gèng hé shì。 Only if they refuse to cooperate. A friendly reminder is more reasonable at first.
A
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。
yě xǔ wǒ men kě yǐ jiàn yì tā men zài wǎn shang wǎn xiē shí hou dài ěr jī,yóu qí shì dì èr tiān wǒ men yào shàng bān de shí hou。 Maybe we can suggest that they use headphones later in the evening when we have work the next day.
B
那会是一个实际的折中办法，也不会直接指责他们。
nà huì shì yí gè shí jì de zhé zhōng bàn fǎ,yě bú huì zhí jiē zhǐ zé tā men。 That would be a practical compromise, and it does not accuse them directly.
A
我可以选一个平静的时机，在今晚和他们谈谈。
wǒ kě yǐ xuǎn yí gè píng jìng de shí jī,zài jīn wǎn hé tā men tán tan。 I can choose a calm moment this evening to talk to them.
B
选择平静的时机通常能避免小问题变成针对个人的问题。
xuǎn zé píng jìng de shí jī tōng cháng néng bì miǎn xiǎo wèn tí biàn chéng zhēn duì gè rén de wèn tí。 Calm timing usually prevents a small problem from becoming personal.Word by Word
隔壁
In “隔壁的音乐”, “隔壁” means next door or the neighboring apartment. It commonly comes before 的 and a noun to identify something from next door, as in “隔壁的音乐”.
的
In “隔壁的音乐”, “的” links the modifier “隔壁” to the noun “音乐”, giving the meaning “the music next door”. The reusable pattern is modifier + 的 + noun.
音乐
In “隔壁的音乐”, “音乐” means music, specifically the music causing the noise problem. It can be used as the subject or object of a sentence about listening to, playing, or hearing music.
最近
In “最近几个晚上”, “最近” means recently or lately, referring to the near past. It commonly comes before a time expression such as “最近几个晚上” to describe a recent period.
个
In “几个晚上”, “个” is the general classifier used between “几” and “晚上”. This pattern counts several units of a time expression without using a more specific classifier.
晚上
In “最近几个晚上”, “晚上” means evening or night. It can follow a number or classifier to describe nights, as in “几个晚上”.
都
In “几个晚上都让我睡不着”, “都” shows that the result applied on all of the mentioned nights. It commonly follows a plural or quantity expression and comes before the verb or result.
让
In “都让我睡不着”, “让” means make or cause, showing that the music causes the speaker to be unable to sleep. The useful pattern is “让” + person + result or state, as in “让我睡不着”.
我
In “让我睡不着”, “我” means me and is the person affected by the music. It follows “让” as the person who experiences the result, so “让 + 我 + result” means make me experience that result.
睡不着
In “让我睡不着”, “睡不着” means being unable to fall asleep or remain asleep. It combines “睡” for sleep, “不” for not, and “着” for attaining the sleeping state; use the whole form for this sleep difficulty.
那
At the beginning of “那我们应该……”, “那” means then or in that case, connecting the previous problem to a proposed response. It is useful before a suggestion or conclusion that follows from what was just said.
我们
In “那我们应该……”, “我们” means we or us, referring here to the speaker and the listener together. It commonly appears as the subject before a suggestion or planned action.
应该
In “我们应该……”, “应该” expresses that the speakers ought to take the suggested action. The reusable pattern is subject + “应该” + action, as in the plan to talk to the neighbors.
在
In “在事情变成更大的冲突之前”, “在” introduces the time frame before an event happens. The useful pattern is “在” + event + “之前”, meaning before that event.
事情
In “事情变成更大的冲突”, “事情” means the matter or situation being discussed. It is used as the subject of a change, with “变成” describing what the situation could become.
变成
In “事情变成更大的冲突”, “变成” means become or turn into, showing a change from the current situation to a conflict. It commonly takes the new state after it, as in “变成 + noun phrase”.
更
In “更大的冲突” and “更合适”, “更” marks a higher degree, meaning bigger or more suitable. It is placed before the adjective or adjective phrase whose degree is being increased.
大
In “更大的冲突”, “大” means big or serious, describing the possible conflict. In “声音很大”, the same form describes sound as loud, so its meaning depends on the noun it describes.
冲突
In “更大的冲突”, “冲突” means conflict or confrontation. It can follow a describing phrase such as “更大的” to identify the kind or seriousness of a conflict.
之前
In “事情变成更大的冲突之前”, “之前” means before and places one event earlier than another. It commonly follows an event or time expression to form a before-clause.
和
In “和他们谈谈”, “和” means with and introduces the people the speaker plans to talk to. The reusable pattern is “和” + person + verb, as in talking with the neighbors.
他们
In “和他们谈谈”, “他们” means them and refers to the neighbors. It follows “和” to identify the people involved in the conversation.
谈谈
In “和他们谈谈”, “谈谈” means have a brief or light talk, fitting the plan to approach the neighbors calmly. The repeated form makes the action sound limited and less forceful; “和 + person + 谈谈” is a useful pattern.
不
In “不想让人觉得”, “不” negates the following verb, giving the meaning do not want. It commonly comes directly before a verb, as in “不想” and “不会” elsewhere in the dialogue.
想
In “不想让人觉得”, “想” means want or wish, and the speaker does not want to create a certain impression. The useful pattern is “不想” + action or result, here followed by “让人觉得”.
人
In “让人觉得”, “人” means people or a person in general rather than one named individual. It is the person who might form the impression, following the pattern “让人觉得” + evaluation.
觉得
In “让人觉得我反应过度”, “觉得” means feel or think, introducing the impression someone may have. It commonly takes a clause after it, here “我反应过度”.
反应
In “反应过度”, “反应” means react or reaction, referring to how someone responds to the noise. Together with “过度”, it describes an excessive reaction; the form can be used before a degree description.
过度
In “反应过度”, “过度” means excessively or too much and describes the reaction as beyond what is appropriate. It commonly follows an action or response to show that it has gone too far.
因为
In “因为他们可能没有意识到声音很大”, “因为” introduces the reason for the speaker’s concern. It commonly comes before a reason clause that explains the preceding statement.
可能
In “他们可能没有意识到”, “可能” means may or possibly, showing that the speaker is not certain about the neighbors’ awareness. It commonly comes before the verb or clause describing the possible situation.
没有
In “没有意识到”, “没有” shows that the neighbors have not become aware of the sound level. It commonly comes before an action or experience that has not occurred.
意识到
In “没有意识到声音很大”, “意识到” means realize or become aware of a fact. It can be followed by the fact someone does or does not recognize, here “声音很大”.
声音
In “声音很大”, “声音” means sound, with the context focusing on its volume. It commonly appears as the subject before a degree expression such as “很大”.
很
In “声音很大”, “很” is a degree word placed before the adjective “大”, making the description sound natural and meaning quite or very loud here. The reusable pattern is noun + “很” + adjective.
先
In “先告诉他们”, “先” means first and marks the first step in the planned conversation. It commonly comes before an action when actions are arranged in sequence.
告诉
In “告诉他们墙很薄”, “告诉” means tell and introduces information given to someone. The useful pattern is “告诉” + person + information or clause.
墙
In “墙很薄”, “墙” means wall, referring to the walls between the apartments. It functions as the subject of the description and is followed by “很薄”.
薄
In “墙很薄”, “薄” means thin and describes the walls as allowing sound to pass easily. It commonly follows “很” when describing the degree of a physical quality.
而且
In “墙很薄，而且你需要早点睡觉”, “而且” adds another supporting point, meaning and also or moreover. It commonly links two related facts in the pattern A，而且B.
你
In “你需要早点睡觉”, “你” means you and is the person who needs to sleep early. It appears as the subject before the need or action being described.
需要
In “你需要早点睡觉”, “需要” means need and introduces the necessary action. The useful pattern is “需要” + action, here “早点睡觉”.
早点
In “早点睡觉”, “早点” means earlier or a little early, modifying the time of sleeping. It commonly comes before an action to suggest doing that action earlier than usual.
睡觉
In “早点睡觉”, “睡觉” means sleep or go to bed, naming the action that should happen earlier. It describes the intended action, while “睡不着” describes being unable to sleep.
要不要
In “要不要提一下”, “要不要” asks whether to do something or whether something should be done. It is formed from “要” + “不” + “要” and works as the whole pattern “要不要” + action.
提
In “提一下”, “提” means mention or bring up, referring to mentioning the building rules. It commonly takes the topic being mentioned and can be softened by “一下”.
一下
In “提一下”, “一下” makes the action sound brief or less forceful rather than demanding a long discussion. It is a fixed lightening pattern made from “一” and “下”, commonly placed after a verb.
大楼
In “大楼关于安静时段的规定”, “大楼” means building, specifically the residential building where the speakers live. It can be followed by “关于” to identify rules concerning that building.
关于
In “关于安静时段的规定”, “关于” means about or concerning and introduces the topic of the rules. The useful pattern is “关于” + topic + “的” + noun.
安静
In “安静时段”, “安静” means quiet and describes the period when noise should be limited. It commonly comes before a noun to describe a quiet condition or setting.
时段
In “安静时段”, “时段” means a time period or set of hours. It is useful for describing a defined part of the day, especially in rules or schedules.
规定
In “大楼关于安静时段的规定”, “规定” means rule or regulation. It is the main noun after the topic description and refers to the building’s official expectations.
只有
In “只有在他们拒绝配合时才提”, “只有” means only and limits when the action should happen. It works with “才” in the pattern “只有……才……”, meaning only if or only when.
拒绝
In “拒绝配合”, “拒绝” means refuse and shows that someone declines to take part in the requested action. It commonly comes before the action or cooperation being refused.
配合
In “拒绝配合”, “配合” means cooperate or go along with a request. It is used here for the neighbors’ willingness to cooperate with the speakers’ request about the music.
时
In “拒绝配合时”, “时” means when or at the time that, introducing the condition under which the action is considered. It commonly follows a verb phrase in the pattern verb phrase + “时”.
才
In “才提”, “才” means only then or not until, showing that mentioning the rules should happen only after refusal to cooperate. Together with “只有”, it completes the conditional pattern “只有……才……”.
刚
In “刚开始的时候”, “刚” points to the initial stage, giving the meaning at the very beginning or at first. It helps frame the early part of the conversation before stronger steps are considered.
开始
In “刚开始的时候”, “开始” means begin or start and identifies the beginning stage of the process. It is followed by “的时候” to form a time expression.
时候
In “刚开始的时候”, “时候” means time or when and turns the preceding situation into a time phrase. The useful pattern is action or situation + “的时候”.
友善
In “友善地提醒一下”, “友善” means friendly or kind and describes the manner of the reminder. With “地”, it modifies the action “提醒” to show that it is done in a friendly way.
地
In “友善地提醒一下”, “地” marks “友善” as the manner in which the action is performed. The useful pattern is adjective or manner word + “地” + verb.
提醒
In “友善地提醒一下”, “提醒” means remind or give a reminder. Here it describes a gentle way to bring the noise issue to the neighbors’ attention.
合适
In “更合适”, “合适” means suitable or appropriate, describing the friendly reminder as the better first approach. It commonly follows “更” when comparing the suitability of possible actions.
也许
In “也许我们可以建议”, “也许” means maybe or perhaps and makes the proposal less definite. It commonly comes at the beginning of a suggestion or possible plan.
可以
In “我们可以建议”, “可以” means can or may, presenting the suggestion as a possible action. It commonly comes before a verb to describe an available option.
建议
In “建议他们在晚上晚些时候戴耳机”, “建议” means suggest and introduces a proposed action for the neighbors. It can be followed by the person concerned and the action being recommended.
晚
In “晚上晚些时候”, “晚” means late and helps express a later point in the evening. The exact phrase “晚些时候” is a useful way to refer to a later time without specifying it precisely.
些
In “晚些时候”, “些” contributes the meaning some or a little, making the later time approximate rather than exact. Together, “晚些时候” means later on or at a somewhat later time.
戴
In “戴耳机”, “戴” means put on or wear, used here for headphones. It commonly comes before an item worn on the body, as in “戴” + “耳机”.
耳机
In “戴耳机”, “耳机” means headphones or earphones. It is the object of “戴”, identifying what the neighbors could use to reduce the music heard by others.
尤其
In “尤其是第二天我们要上班的时候”, “尤其” means especially and highlights one particularly important situation. It commonly appears in the pattern “尤其是” + emphasized situation or clause.
是
In “尤其是第二天我们要上班的时候”, “是” completes the emphasis pattern “尤其是”, introducing the specific situation being highlighted. Here it does not function as a simple standalone translation of is.
天
In “第二天”, “天” means day and forms a time expression with the preceding number. “第二天” refers to the next day in relation to the current situation.
上班
In “第二天我们要上班”, “上班” means go to work or be at work. It is used after “要” to describe the work obligation expected on the next day.
会
In “那会是一个实际的折中办法”, “会” means would or would be, presenting the result as a likely evaluation of the suggested plan. It commonly introduces an expected or conditional result.
实际
In “实际的折中办法”, “实际” means practical, describing a solution that can realistically be used. It commonly comes before “的” and a noun, as in “实际的折中办法”.
折中
In “实际的折中办法”, “折中” means compromise, referring to an arrangement that balances both sides’ needs. It combines with “办法” to describe a compromise solution.
办法
In “实际的折中办法”, “办法” means way, method, or solution. It is the main noun in the phrase and identifies the practical action plan being proposed.
也
In “也不会直接指责他们”, “也” means also or either, adding another result of the proposed compromise. It commonly comes before the verb or modal phrase that expresses the additional point.
直接
In “直接指责他们”, “直接” means directly and describes the manner of accusing the neighbors. It commonly comes before a verb to explain how the action is carried out.
指责
In “直接指责他们”, “指责” means accuse or criticize, with the neighbors as the people being blamed. It commonly comes before the person who is being accused or criticized.
选
In “选一个平静的时机”, “选” means choose or select and introduces the timing the speaker wants to use. It commonly comes before a classifier and the selected object, as in “选一个……时机”.
平静
In “一个平静的时机”, “平静” means calm or peaceful and describes the desired moment for the conversation. It commonly comes before “的” and a noun when describing a quality of that noun.
时机
In “一个平静的时机”, “时机” means timing or a suitable moment for an action. It is useful when the success of an action depends on choosing the right time.
今晚
In “今晚和他们谈谈”, “今晚” means this evening or tonight. It is a time expression placed before the planned action, specifying when the conversation will happen.
选择
In “选择平静的时机”, “选择” means choose or choosing, and the whole phrase describes selecting a calm moment. It commonly takes the thing selected directly after it, here “平静的时机”.
通常
In “通常能避免”, “通常” means usually and describes what generally happens. It commonly appears before the modal or verb phrase that states the usual result.
能
In “通常能避免”, “能” means can or be able to, expressing the potential ability of calm timing to prevent the problem. It commonly comes before the action that can be achieved.
避免
In “避免小问题变成针对个人的问题”, “避免” means avoid or prevent and introduces an unwanted result that should not happen. The useful pattern is “避免” + event or outcome, here preventing a small problem from becoming personal.
小
In “小问题”, “小” means small or minor and describes the seriousness of the problem. It commonly comes directly before a noun to limit or characterize its size or importance.
问题
In “小问题”, “问题” means problem or issue, referring here to the original noise concern. It can be modified by an adjective such as “小” and can later change into a more personal issue.
针对
In “针对个人的问题”, “针对” means directed at or targeting. It shows what the issue has become focused on, with “个人” identifying the target.
个人
In “针对个人的问题”, “个人” means individual or personal and describes an issue directed at a person rather than only at the original situation. It commonly comes before “的” and a noun, as in “个人的问题”.
Grammar Points
V + 不着
最近睡不着。
zuì jìn shuì bù zháo。Recently, I can’t fall asleep.
不着 after a verb expresses that an intended result cannot be achieved; 睡不着 means “cannot fall asleep.”
V + 一下
提一下。
tí yí xià。Mention it briefly.
一下 softens a short action or makes the request sound less direct and more casual.
Chinese Vocabulary
安静时段
noun
ān jìng shí duàn
quiet hours
冲突
noun
chōng tū
conflict
大楼
noun
dà lóu
building
反应过度
verb
fǎn yìng guò dù
overreact
隔壁
noun
gé bì
next door; neighboring
墙很薄
phrase
qiáng hěn báo
the walls are thin
声音很大
phrase
shēng yīn hěn dà
the sound is very loud
睡不着
verb
shuì bù zháo
cannot fall asleep
提一下
verb
tí yí xià
mention briefly
意识到
verb
yì shí dào
realize; become aware of
早点睡觉
phrase
zǎo diǎn shuì jiào
go to bed early
最近
adv
zuì jìn
recently; lately
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
go to bed early
Show Answer
早点睡觉overreact
Show Answer
反应过度the sound is very loud
Show Answer
声音很大quiet hours