About This Lesson
Use Checking Dietary Needs Before Cooking to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
做晚饭前，我应该确认每个人的饮食限制。
zuò wǎnfàn qián, wǒ yīnggāi quèrèn měi ge rén de yǐnshí xiànzhì. Before I cook dinner, I should check everyone's dietary restrictions.
B
确认一下是值得的，因为一位客人不吃乳制品，另一位不吃猪肉。
quèrèn yíxià shì zhíde, yīnwèi yí wèi kèrén bù chī rǔzhìpǐn, lìng yí wèi bù chī zhūròu. It is worth checking, because one guest avoids dairy and another does not eat pork.
A
我本来打算做奶油意面，所以需要找一种替代品。
wǒ běnlái dǎsuàn zuò nǎiyóu yìmiàn, suǒyǐ xūyào zhǎo yì zhǒng tìdàipǐn. I was planning to make creamy pasta, so I need a substitute.
B
你可以用橄榄油和蔬菜代替以牛奶为基础的酱汁。
nǐ kěyǐ yòng gǎnlǎnyóu hé shūcài dàitì yǐ niúnǎi wéi jīchǔ de jiàngzhī. You could use olive oil and vegetables instead of a milk-based sauce.
A
这样对客人来说还是一顿像样的饭吗？
zhèyàng duì kèrén láishuō háishi yí dùn xiàngyàng de fàn ma? Would that still feel like a proper meal for guests?
B
是的，尤其是如果你再加上蘑菇和一份清爽的沙拉。
shìde, yóuqí shì rúguǒ nǐ zài jiāshàng mógu hé yí fèn qīngshuǎng de shālā. It would, especially if you add mushrooms and a bright salad.
A
我会发一条简短的消息，问问他们还有没有其他偏好。
wǒ huì fā yì tiáo jiǎnduǎn de xiāoxi, wènwen tāmen hái yǒu méiyǒu qítā piānhào. I will send a quick message asking about any other preferences.
B
问题要简单一些，不然别人可能会觉得自己在添麻烦。
wèntí yào jiǎndān yìxiē, bùrán biérén kěnéng huì juéde zìjǐ zài tiān máfan. Keep the question simple, or people may feel they are causing trouble.
A
消息里只要说我想做适合每个人的食物就可以了。
xiāoxi lǐ zhǐyào shuō wǒ xiǎng zuò shìhé měi ge rén de shíwù jiù kěyǐ le. The message can simply say I want to make something suitable for everyone.
B
这样听起来很体贴，也给了他们清楚回答的机会。
zhèyàng tīng qǐlái hěn tǐtiē, yě gěi le tāmen qīngchu huídá de jīhuì. That sounds considerate and gives them a chance to answer clearly.Word by Word
做
In “做晚饭前”, 做 means to cook or make the dinner being discussed. It appears before the food or meal being prepared, as in “做奶油意面”. You can use it when describing preparing a meal for other people.
晚饭
“晚饭” means dinner, the evening meal in this dialogue. It follows 做 in “做晚饭”, forming a common meal-preparation expression. Use it when talking about planning or preparing an evening meal.
前
In “做晚饭前”, 前 means before that action. Placed after an action or time expression, it marks what happens earlier, as in “做晚饭前”. Use it to state that something should happen before cooking or another activity.
我
“我” refers to the speaker, I or me, who is planning and preparing the meal. It comes before actions such as “我应该确认” and “我会发”. Use it when stating your own plan, responsibility, or action.
应该
In “我应该确认”, 应该 shows that the speaker considers checking the guests’ needs the right or advisable action. It comes before the action that should be done. Use it when giving yourself or someone else practical advice.
确认
“确认” means to check or confirm the guests’ dietary restrictions. In “确认每个人的饮食限制”, it takes the information being checked as its object. Use it when making sure that important details are correct before acting.
每个人
“每个人” means everyone or each person included in the group of guests. It appears before 的 in “每个人的饮食限制” to identify whose restrictions are meant. Use it when a condition applies separately to all people in a group.
的
In “每个人的饮食限制”, 的 links the person being described with the thing connected to that person: everyone’s dietary restrictions. The pattern “X的Y” commonly shows possession or a relationship between X and Y. Here it keeps the focus on the restrictions belonging to each person.
饮食
“饮食” refers to food and eating habits in “饮食限制”. It specifies that the restrictions concern what someone eats or can consume. Use it when discussing a person’s food-related needs or choices.
限制
“限制” means restrictions or limits, here the foods that guests cannot or choose not to eat. It follows 饮食 in “饮食限制” to specify the type of restriction. Use it when checking requirements that affect what can be prepared.
一下
In “确认一下”, 一下 makes the checking sound brief and light rather than like a major investigation. It commonly follows an action verb when someone wants to do that action briefly or politely. Use it for a small, practical check such as confirming a detail.
是
In “是值得的”, 是 connects the situation with the judgment that it is worthwhile. It also appears in “尤其是”, where it helps introduce the part being emphasized. In this dialogue, “是” supports identification or emphasis rather than naming an action.
值得
“值得” means worth doing, so “确认一下是值得的” says that checking is worthwhile. It is followed by an action in “值得的” that is understood from the earlier checking. Use it when recommending an action because its benefit justifies the effort.
因为
“因为” introduces the reason for the statement that checking is worthwhile. The reason follows in “因为一位客人不吃乳制品”. Use it to connect a conclusion or recommendation with its cause.
一位
“一位” means one person, using a polite way to count a person. In “一位客人”, it introduces one of the guests. Use it before a person described respectfully, especially in a polite explanation.
客人
“客人” means guest, referring here to someone invited to dinner. It follows “一位” in “一位客人”. Use it when discussing the needs, choices, or experience of someone visiting your home.
不
In “不吃乳制品” and “不吃猪肉”, 不 negates the following action 吃. It comes directly before the verb to say that a person does not eat the named food. Use it to state a food restriction or refusal.
吃
“吃” means eat, and in this dialogue it describes what a guest does or does not eat. It is followed by the food in “吃乳制品” and “吃猪肉”. Use it when talking about eating a specific food or following a dietary rule.
乳制品
“乳制品” means dairy products, the group of foods avoided by one guest. It follows 不吃 in “不吃乳制品”. Use it when specifying that someone avoids foods made from milk.
另一位
“另一位” means another person, with the same polite person-counting sense as 一位. In “另一位不吃猪肉”, it introduces a different guest from the one just mentioned. Use it to distinguish one person from another within the same group.
猪肉
“猪肉” means pork, the food that another guest does not eat. It follows 吃 in “不吃猪肉”. Use it when identifying pork as an ingredient or as part of someone’s dietary restriction.
本来
In “我本来打算做奶油意面”, 本来 shows the original plan before the dietary restriction changed the situation. It commonly appears before a planned action that may need to be reconsidered. Use it when explaining what you had initially intended to do.
打算
“打算” means plan or intend, as in “打算做奶油意面”. It is followed by the action that was planned. Use it when describing an intention or preparation that has not necessarily happened yet.
奶油
“奶油” means cream in the food expression “奶油意面”. It describes the type of pasta being planned. Use it when identifying a creamy ingredient or a dish made with cream.
意面
“意面” means pasta, specifically the dish the speaker originally planned to prepare. It follows 奶油 in “奶油意面”. Use it when talking about preparing or choosing pasta for a meal.
所以
“所以” means so or therefore and introduces the result of the dietary problem: “所以需要找一种替代品”. Use it to connect a reason or situation with the action that follows as its consequence.
需要
“需要” means need, showing that a substitute is required because the original plan is unsuitable for one guest. It comes before the needed action or thing in “需要找一种替代品”. Use it when a situation makes an action or resource necessary.
找
In “需要找一种替代品”, 找 means to find or look for something needed. It is followed by the object being sought. Use it when searching for a replacement, item, or solution.
一种
“一种” means one kind or one type of something. In “一种替代品”, it identifies a particular type of substitute rather than a single named object. Use it when referring to one kind of food, method, or solution.
替代品
“替代品” means a substitute or replacement for something else. Here it is the replacement needed for the original creamy ingredient or sauce. Use it when an original choice cannot be used and another option must take its place.
你
“你” refers to the person being advised, the cook. It comes before actions such as “你可以用橄榄油和蔬菜”. Use it when addressing one person directly about a possible action.
可以
In “你可以用橄榄油和蔬菜”, 可以 presents an option or says that the listener may use those ingredients. It comes before the proposed action. Use it when offering a possible method or giving permission.
用
“用” means use, introducing the ingredients used in the alternative meal. In “用橄榄油和蔬菜代替以牛奶为基础的酱汁”, it comes before the materials and the thing they replace. Use it to describe what tool, ingredient, or method is used for an action.
橄榄油
“橄榄油” means olive oil, one of the ingredients proposed for the alternative meal. It follows 用 in “用橄榄油和蔬菜”. Use it when naming olive oil as an ingredient or cooking material.
和
“和” means and, joining 橄榄油 with 蔬菜 in the proposed alternative. It connects items of the same role in a list. Use it to combine two or more ingredients, people, or actions.
蔬菜
“蔬菜” means vegetables, the second ingredient group proposed for the meal. It is joined to 橄榄油 by 和. Use it when discussing vegetables as ingredients or as part of a meal.
代替
“代替” means replace or substitute for. In “用橄榄油和蔬菜代替以牛奶为基础的酱汁”, the ingredients take the place of the milk-based sauce. Use it when one option is used instead of another.
以
In “以牛奶为基础的酱汁”, 以 helps express what the sauce is based on or made around. It works together with 为 in the pattern “以牛奶为基础的”. Use this construction when identifying the basis of a product, plan, or mixture.
牛奶
“牛奶” means milk, which is the basis named for the sauce in “以牛奶为基础的酱汁”. It appears inside a description of the sauce. Use it when identifying milk as an ingredient or base.
为
In “以牛奶为基础的”, 为 completes the expression that presents milk as the basis of the sauce. The meaning comes from the whole construction “以牛奶为基础的”, not from 为 alone. Use it within this kind of basis-description when explaining what something is built around.
基础
“基础” means basis or foundation in “以牛奶为基础的酱汁”. It identifies milk as the main base of the sauce. Use it when describing the underlying ingredient or foundation of something.
酱汁
“酱汁” means sauce, specifically the milk-based sauce being replaced. It is described by “以牛奶为基础的”. Use it when discussing the sauce that accompanies or forms part of a dish.
这样
“这样” means this way or like this, referring to the proposed use of olive oil and vegetables instead of the milk-based sauce. It points back to the method just discussed. Use it when evaluating a plan or result that has already been described.
对
In “对客人来说”, 对 marks the people whose viewpoint or experience is being considered. It works with 来说 to frame the perspective of the guests. Use this expression when asking how something is viewed or experienced by a particular person or group.
来说
In “对客人来说”, 来说 means as far as the guests are concerned or from the guests’ point of view. Together with 对, it introduces the viewpoint used to judge the meal. Use it when evaluating something from someone’s perspective.
还是
In “还是一顿像样的饭吗”, 还是 means still, asking whether the meal retains the expected quality despite the change. It appears before the description being questioned. Use it when checking whether something remains true after a change.
一顿
“一顿” counts one meal or eating occasion. In “一顿像样的饭”, it introduces the single dinner being evaluated. Use it when talking about the quality, timing, or experience of one meal.
像样
“像样” means proper or decent enough to meet expectations. In “一顿像样的饭”, it describes the meal as satisfying and presentable for guests. Use it when judging whether something is acceptable in quality or appearance.
饭
In “一顿像样的饭”, 饭 means a meal or food being served, not just the act of eating. It follows the description 像样的. Use it when referring to a prepared meal in a general way.
吗
“吗” marks the sentence “这样对客人来说还是一顿像样的饭吗” as a yes-or-no question. It is placed at the end of the sentence. Use it when asking for a direct confirmation or denial.
尤其是
Together, “尤其是” means especially and highlights the condition that follows: adding mushrooms and a bright salad. 尤其 adds emphasis, while 是 helps introduce the highlighted part in “尤其是如果你再加上”. Use the whole expression when one detail deserves special emphasis within a larger situation.
如果
“如果” means if and introduces a condition in “如果你再加上蘑菇和一份清爽的沙拉”. The result is that the meal would still feel proper. Use it before a possible condition when explaining what would happen under that condition.
再
In “再加上蘑菇”, 再 means additionally or also, adding another element to the meal. It comes before the added action. Use it when suggesting one more step or ingredient on top of what has already been proposed.
加上
“加上” means add, here adding mushrooms and salad to the meal. It is followed by the ingredients being included. Use it when improving or completing a dish, plan, or list by adding another element.
蘑菇
“蘑菇” means mushrooms, one of the additions suggested for the meal. It follows 加上 in “加上蘑菇”. Use it when naming mushrooms as an ingredient or side component.
一份
“一份” means one serving or portion. In “一份清爽的沙拉”, it counts the salad being prepared for the guests. Use it when referring to one portion of a dish or one serving of food.
清爽
“清爽” describes the salad as fresh and light in taste or overall feel. It appears before 沙拉 in “一份清爽的沙拉”. Use it when describing food that feels light and refreshing rather than heavy.
沙拉
“沙拉” means salad, the fresh side dish suggested for the dinner. It follows the description 清爽 in “清爽的沙拉”. Use it when naming a salad as part of a meal.
会
In “我会发一条简短的消息”, 会 indicates the speaker’s planned future action: sending a message. It comes before the action verb. Use it when stating what you will do or what may happen.
发
“发” means send in “发一条简短的消息”. It is followed by the message being sent. Use it when describing sending a message or other communication.
一条
“一条” counts one message in “一条简短的消息”. It introduces a single written communication. Use it when referring to one message in this expression.
简短
“简短” means brief or concise, describing the message in “一条简短的消息”. It indicates that the communication should not be long. Use it when asking for or describing a short message, explanation, or question.
消息
“消息” means message, the communication the speaker plans to send. It follows 简短 in “一条简短的消息”. Use it when discussing written information sent to other people.
问问
In “问问他们”, 问问 means ask them briefly or casually about their preferences. The repeated form makes the action sound light and non-demanding in this context. Use it when making a small, friendly inquiry.
他们
“他们” means they or them, referring to the guests who may have other preferences. It follows 问问 in “问问他们”. Use it when addressing or referring to a group of people already understood from the context.
还有
In “还有没有其他偏好”, 还有 asks whether there are any additional preferences beyond those already mentioned. It combines with 没有 to form the question about whether something else exists. Use it when checking for further needs, choices, or items.
没有
In “还有没有其他偏好”, 没有 completes the yes-or-no question about whether the guests have any other preferences. Here it does not simply state absence; it helps ask whether something exists. Use it with 还有 when checking for anything additional.
其他
“其他” means other or additional, referring to preferences apart from the dietary restrictions already discussed. It comes before 偏好 in “其他偏好”. Use it when asking about further items in addition to known ones.
偏好
“偏好” means preference, here a guest’s preferred foods or choices beyond the restrictions already mentioned. It follows 其他 in “其他偏好”. Use it when asking what someone likes or would prefer.
问题
“问题” means question, referring to the question sent to the guests. It is the subject of the advice “问题要简单一些”. Use it when discussing how a question should be phrased or presented.
要
In “问题要简单一些”, 要 means should or needs to be, expressing advice about the question. It comes before the description 简单. Use it when stating a practical requirement or recommendation.
简单
“简单” means simple, describing the suggested question in “问题要简单一些”. It indicates that the question should be easy and uncomplicated for the recipients. Use it when recommending a straightforward way to ask for information.
一些
In “简单一些”, 一些 softens the description to mean a little simpler or somewhat simple. It follows the adjective being adjusted. Use it when making a moderate change to the degree of a quality.
不然
“不然” means otherwise and introduces the possible negative result of making the question too complicated. It connects “问题要简单一些” with “别人可能会觉得自己在添麻烦”. Use it when warning what may happen if the preceding advice is not followed.
别人
“别人” means other people, referring here to the guests receiving the question. It is the subject of “可能会觉得”. Use it when speaking generally about people other than the speaker or listener.
可能
“可能” means may or possibly, showing that the guests’ reaction is not certain. It appears before 会觉得 in “可能会觉得”. Use it when describing a possible result or reaction without presenting it as definite.
觉得
In “觉得自己在添麻烦”, 觉得 means feel or think, describing how the guests might interpret the request. It is followed by the person’s thought or feeling. Use it when reporting someone’s impression, opinion, or emotional response.
自己
“自己” means themselves and refers back to the people who are being asked. In “觉得自己在添麻烦”, it shows that they may think their own request is causing trouble. Use it when the person experiencing the feeling is also the person being discussed.
在
In “自己在添麻烦”, 在 shows that the action is viewed as being in progress. It comes before 添麻烦. Use it when describing an ongoing action or situation someone may feel they are involved in.
添
In the expression “添麻烦”, 添 contributes the idea of adding or causing trouble for someone. The full meaning comes from the expression together, not from 添 alone. Use it when describing an action that creates an extra burden for another person.
麻烦
“麻烦” means trouble or inconvenience in “添麻烦”. Together, 添麻烦 means to cause or add trouble. Use it when discussing whether a request or action may inconvenience someone.
里
In “消息里”, 里 means in or inside the message, referring to the content written there. It follows 消息 to locate the wording within the message. Use it when pointing to information contained in a message or text.
只要
In “只要说我想做适合每个人的食物就可以了”, 只要 means as long as or it is enough just to. It introduces the simple condition that makes the message acceptable. Use it with 就 when one condition is sufficient for a result.
说
In “只要说我想做适合每个人的食物”, 说 means say, referring to the wording the message should contain. It follows 只要 and introduces the proposed statement. Use it when specifying what someone should say in a message or conversation.
想
In “我想做适合每个人的食物”, 想 means want to or intend to. It comes before 做 to express the speaker’s intention to prepare food. Use it when stating what you want or plan to do.
适合
“适合” means be suitable for, as in “适合每个人的食物”. It is followed by the people for whom the food should be suitable. Use it when checking whether a choice fits someone’s needs or situation.
食物
“食物” means food, the thing the speaker wants to make in “做适合每个人的食物”. It follows the description 适合每个人的. Use it when referring generally to food rather than naming a particular dish.
就
In “只要说……就可以了”, 就 completes the condition-and-result pattern and introduces the sufficient result: saying that one sentence is enough. It works with 只要 rather than carrying the whole meaning alone. Use this pattern when a simple action is sufficient to achieve an acceptable result.
了
In “就可以了”, 了 marks that the proposed wording is now considered sufficient or acceptable. It closes the statement after 可以. Use it in this expression when saying that something is enough as it stands.
听起来
“听起来” means sound or seem, describing the impression created by the proposed message. In “这样听起来很体贴”, it is followed by the quality being judged. Use it when giving an impression of words, plans, or ideas.
很
In “很体贴”, 很 adds degree to the positive description of the message and makes the adjective phrase flow naturally. It appears before 体贴. Use it when describing something as noticeably or very considerate in tone.
体贴
“体贴” means considerate, describing the message as attentive to the guests’ feelings. It follows 很 in “很体贴”. Use it when praising someone for taking another person’s needs or comfort into account.
也
“也” means also and adds a second benefit after the message being considerate: it gives the guests a chance to answer clearly. It appears before the added statement. Use it when connecting another fact or advantage to one already mentioned.
给
In “给了他们清楚回答的机会”, 给 means give and introduces the people who receive the opportunity. The recipient comes after 给, followed by what is given. Use it when describing providing someone with an opportunity, item, or benefit.
清楚
In “清楚回答”, 清楚 means clearly, describing the way the guests can answer. It comes before 回答 to show that the response should be understandable and unambiguous. Use it when discussing clear communication or an answer that leaves little doubt.
回答
“回答” means answer, referring to the guests’ response to the message. In “清楚回答”, it is the action that can be performed clearly. Use it when talking about responding to a question or request for information.
机会
“机会” means chance or opportunity. In “给了他们清楚回答的机会”, it is what the message gives the guests: an opportunity to respond clearly. Use it when describing an opening for someone to act or communicate.
Grammar Points
本来 + 打算 + 动词短语
我本来打算做晚饭。
wǒ běnlái dǎsuàn zuò wǎnfàn.I originally planned to cook dinner.
“本来”表示原来的计划或情况，常和“打算”一起说明后来可能发生了变化。
不然 + 结果
请确认客人的饮食限制，不然会添麻烦。
qǐng quèrèn kèrén de yǐnshí xiànzhì, bùrán huì tiān máfan.Please confirm the guests’ dietary restrictions, otherwise it will cause trouble.
“不然”连接条件和可能的负面结果，意思是“otherwise”或“or else”。
Chinese Vocabulary
本来
adv
běnlái
originally; at first
打算
verb
dǎsuàn
plan; intend
橄榄油
noun
gǎnlǎnyóu
olive oil
客人
noun
kèrén
guest
奶油意面
noun
nǎiyóu yìmiàn
creamy pasta
确认
verb
quèrèn
check; confirm
乳制品
noun
rǔzhìpǐn
dairy products
替代品
noun
tìdàipǐn
substitute
饮食限制
noun
yǐnshí xiànzhì
dietary restrictions
值得
adj
zhíde
be worth it
猪肉
noun
zhūròu
pork
做晚饭
phrase
zuò wǎnfàn
cook dinner
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
dietary restrictions
Show Answer
饮食限制creamy pasta
Show Answer
奶油意面guest
Show Answer
客人olive oil