Meal prep for a busy week | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use Meal prep for a busy week to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

下周看起来会很忙，所以提前准备一些饭菜会有帮助。

Xià zhōu kàn qǐlái huì hěn máng, suǒyǐ tíqián zhǔnbèi yìxiē fàncài huì yǒu bāngzhù. Next week looks busy, so preparing some meals in advance would help.

提前准备饭菜会有帮助，但要避免每天吃同样的东西。

Tíqián zhǔnbèi fàncài huì yǒu bāngzhù, dàn yào bìmiǎn měitiān chī tóngyàng de dōngxi. Meal prep will help, but avoid eating the same thing every day.

我想做一大锅蔬菜咖喱。

Wǒ xiǎng zuò yí dà guō shūcài gālí. I was thinking of making a big batch of vegetable curry.

如果你把它分成合适的份量并安全地储存起来，这样就可以。

Rúguǒ nǐ bǎ tā fēn chéng héshì de fènliàng bìng ānquán de chǔcún qǐlái, zhèyàng jiù kěyǐ. That works if you portion it properly and store it safely.

我应该把一部分冷冻起来，把剩下的放在冰箱里吗？

Wǒ yīnggāi bǎ yí bùfen lěngdòng qǐlái, bǎ shèngxià de fàng zài bīngxiāng lǐ ma? Should I freeze some and keep the rest in the fridge?

冷冻几份吧。

Lěngdòng jǐ fèn ba. Freeze a few portions.

给每个容器贴上标签，这样就容易选择了。

Gěi měi ge róngqì tiē shàng biāoqiān, zhèyàng jiù róngyì xuǎnzé le. Label each container so it is easy to choose.

我午餐还需要营养均衡的食物，不能只有米饭。

Wǒ wǔcān hái xūyào yíngyǎng jūnhéng de shíwù, bùnéng zhǐ yǒu mǐfàn. I also need something balanced for lunch, not just rice.

根据你想吃什么，加入鸡蛋、豆子或鸡肉。

Gēnjù nǐ xiǎng chī shénme, jiārù jīdàn, dòuzi huò jīròu. Add eggs, beans, or chicken, depending on what you feel like eating.

如果剩菜吃起来觉得无聊，我可以换一种配菜。

Rúguǒ shèngcài chī qǐlái juéde wúliáo, wǒ kěyǐ huàn yì zhǒng pèicài. If the leftovers feel boring, I can change the side dish.

小小的改变能让提前准备的饭菜更好吃。

Xiǎoxiǎo de gǎibiàn néng ràng tíqián zhǔnbèi de fàncài gèng hǎochī. Small changes make prepared meals more enjoyable.

Word by Word

下周 “下周” means next week, the week after the current one. It is used as a time expression, commonly before a statement about plans or expected events.

看 In “看起来”, “看” contributes the idea of looking or appearing. Together with “起来”, it describes how something seems rather than someone literally looking at it. This pattern commonly introduces an impression about a person, thing, or situation.

起来 In “看起来”, “起来” helps form the expression meaning seem or appear. It turns the result of looking into an overall impression. This expression is used when describing how something appears to the speaker.

会 In “会很忙”, “会” shows an expected or likely future situation. It places “很忙” in the coming time mentioned by “下周”. It commonly comes before a verb or description of an anticipated situation.

很 “很” strengthens the description “忙”, giving the meaning very busy. It is placed before a describing word. This is a common way to express a degree of a condition or quality.

忙 “忙” describes having a lot to do or little free time; here it describes the coming week. It appears after “很” in “很忙”. It can commonly describe a person, day, week, or period.

所以 “所以” introduces the consequence of the situation just mentioned: the week will be busy, so preparing food early would help. It commonly follows a reason and introduces its result.

提前 “提前” means doing something earlier than the relevant time, in advance. Here it describes preparing meals before the busy week begins. It commonly comes before an action that is completed early.

准备 “准备” means prepare; here it refers to preparing meals. In “提前准备一些饭菜”, it is the action carried out before the needed time. It commonly comes before the thing being prepared.

一些 “一些” means some or an unspecified amount of something. Here it comes before “饭菜” to refer to some meals without giving an exact quantity. It commonly precedes a plural or uncounted noun.

饭菜 “饭菜” refers here to prepared meals or cooked dishes. It is the food being prepared in advance. It commonly refers to food intended for eating as a meal.

有 In “会有帮助”, “有” combines with “帮助” to say that the preparation will be helpful. It presents help as something available or present in the situation. The expression “有帮助” commonly describes an action, idea, or condition that helps.

帮助 In “有帮助”, “帮助” means help or usefulness. It describes the benefit that advance preparation can provide. It commonly appears with “有” when saying that something is helpful.

但 “但” means but and introduces a limitation or contrasting suggestion. Here it contrasts the benefit of meal preparation with the advice not to eat the same thing every day. It commonly connects two statements with opposing or qualifying ideas.

要 In “要避免”, “要” gives the advice or instruction that the listener should avoid something. It comes before the action “避免”. It commonly introduces something that is required, expected, or advised.

避免 “避免” means avoid and introduces something the speaker advises not doing. Here it refers to not eating the same food every day. It commonly comes before an action or situation that should not happen.

每天 “每天” means every day and describes a repeated daily time period. Here it modifies the action of eating the same thing. It commonly comes before the verb describing the daily activity.

吃 “吃” means eat. Here it describes eating food each day. It commonly comes before the food or thing being eaten.

同样 “同样” means the same or identical in this context. In “同样的东西”, it describes food that does not change from day to day. It commonly appears before “的” and the noun it modifies.

的 In “同样的东西”, “的” links the description “同样” to the noun “东西”. It shows that “同样” modifies the following noun. This is a common way to place a description before a noun.

东西 “东西” means thing, and here it refers generally to the food being eaten. The exact item is not specified. It commonly refers to an object or, in a food context, something to eat.

我 “我” means I or me and identifies the speaker. Here it is the subject of the speaker’s plan and needs. It commonly appears before the action or description concerning the speaker.

想 In “想做”, “想” expresses wanting or intending to do something. Here it introduces the speaker’s plan to make curry. It commonly comes before another action.

做 “做” means make or prepare. Here it refers to making a large pot of vegetable curry. It commonly comes before the food or object being made.

一 In “一大锅”, “一” marks one quantity. Together with “大锅”, it describes one large potful of curry. It commonly comes before a quantity expression for a single item or amount.

大 In “一大锅”, “大” describes the pot or amount as large. It helps show that the speaker plans to make a substantial quantity. It commonly comes before a noun describing size or amount.

锅 In “一大锅”, “锅” refers to a pot or a potful of food. Here it describes the amount of vegetable curry being made. It commonly appears after a number and size description when talking about food cooked in a pot.

蔬菜 “蔬菜” means vegetables. In “蔬菜咖喱”, it identifies the curry as vegetable curry. It commonly comes before a food noun to specify its main ingredient or type.

咖喱 “咖喱” means curry, the prepared dish being made. Here it follows “蔬菜” to form the food description “蔬菜咖喱”. It commonly combines with an ingredient or style description.

如果 “如果” introduces a condition: if the food is divided into suitable portions and stored safely, the plan works. It commonly comes at the beginning of a conditional clause.

你 “你” means you and refers to the person preparing and storing the food. Here it is the subject of the conditional actions. It commonly appears before the action directed to the listener.

把 In “把它分成”, “把” places the object before an action that changes or handles it. Here it introduces “它”, the food being divided. This construction commonly focuses on what happens to a specific object.

它 “它” means it and refers here to the vegetable curry mentioned previously. It is the object handled in “把它分成”. It commonly refers back to a non-human thing already understood from the context.

分成 “分成” means divide into or separate into. Here it describes dividing the curry into suitable portions. It commonly comes before the number, type, or resulting groups into which something is divided.

合适 “合适” means suitable or appropriate. Here it describes portions that are the right size for storing and eating. It commonly comes before a noun to show that something fits the purpose.

份量 “份量” means portion size or amount. Here it refers to the amount of food in each prepared portion. It commonly describes how much food is included in one serving.

并 “并” connects the actions of dividing the food and storing it safely. It presents the two actions as part of the same instruction. It commonly links coordinated actions in a more formal or concise style.

安全 In “安全地储存”, “安全” means safely and describes the manner of storing the food. It is followed by “地” before the verb. It commonly describes whether an action is carried out without danger.

地 In “安全地储存”, “地” links the description “安全” to the following action. It shows that the food is stored in a safe manner. It commonly follows a description placed before a verb.

储存 “储存” means store or keep for later use. Here it refers to putting the portions away safely. It commonly comes after a manner description and before the place or storage method.

这样 “这样” means this way or in this manner and refers to the preceding actions of portioning and storing the food. It connects those actions with the result that follows. It commonly points back to a method just described.

就 In “这样就可以”, “就” introduces the result of following the stated method. It gives the sense that under those conditions, the plan works. It commonly appears after a condition or method and before its consequence.

可以 In “这样就可以”, “可以” means that the method is acceptable or workable. It is not mainly describing physical ability here. It commonly evaluates whether an action or arrangement is okay.

应该 “应该” means should and introduces a question about the appropriate action. Here the speaker asks whether some food should be frozen. It commonly comes before the action being considered or recommended.

一部分 “一部分” means one part or a portion of the whole. Here it refers to some of the prepared food, contrasted with “剩下的”. It commonly identifies part of an already understood amount.

冷冻 “冷冻” means freeze or keep frozen. Here it describes putting some portions into frozen storage. It commonly comes before the food or portions that are to be frozen.

剩下 In “剩下的”, “剩下” identifies what remains after part has been separated. Here it refers to the food not placed in the freezer. It commonly appears before “的” when the remaining item is understood from context.

放 “放” means put or place. Here it describes placing the remaining food in the refrigerator. It commonly comes before a location introduced by “在”.

在 In “放在冰箱里”, “在” introduces the location where the food is placed. It connects the action of putting something with its destination. It commonly appears before a place expression.

冰箱 “冰箱” means refrigerator. Here it is the place where the remaining food should be kept. It commonly appears with a location word such as “里” when specifying inside the appliance.

里 In “冰箱里”, “里” means inside and specifies the interior of the refrigerator. Together with “在”, it completes the location expression. It commonly follows a place noun when referring to its inside.

吗 “吗” is placed at the end of the sentence to turn it into a yes-no question. Here the speaker asks whether the proposed storage plan is appropriate. It commonly follows a complete question without changing the word order.

几 In “几份”, “几” means a few or an unspecified small number. Here the exact number of portions is not given. It commonly comes before a classifier when asking about or referring to a small number.

份 “份” is the classifier used here for portions or servings of food. In “几份”, it counts separate prepared servings. It commonly follows a number or quantity word when counting portions.

吧 “吧” makes “冷冻几份吧” a suggestion rather than a forceful command. It softens the advice and invites agreement. It commonly appears at the end of a proposed action.

给 In “给每个容器贴上标签”, “给” marks the container as the target of the labeling action. It does not mean simply hand something to someone here. It commonly introduces the person or object that receives an action or result.

每个 “每个” means each or every one. Here it applies the labeling action separately to all the containers. It commonly comes before a countable noun.

容器 “容器” means container. Here it refers to the containers holding the prepared food. It commonly identifies an object used to hold or store something.

贴 “贴” means stick or attach something to a surface. Here it describes attaching a label to each container. It commonly comes before the item being attached and may be followed by “上” to show attachment.

上 In “贴上”, “上” indicates the result of attaching something onto a surface. It shows that the labels are put onto the containers. It commonly follows an action of attaching, placing, or putting something onto something else.

标签 “标签” means label. Here it is the item attached to each container so the food can be identified and chosen easily. It commonly refers to information or a marker attached to an object.

容易 “容易” means easy. In “容易选择”, it describes choosing as requiring little difficulty. It commonly comes before the action that is easy to carry out.

选择 “选择” means choose or select. Here it refers to choosing a food container. It commonly follows a description such as “容易” when explaining how difficult an action is.

了 At the end of “这样就容易选择了”, “了” marks a resulting or changed situation. The labels make choosing easy now. It commonly appears at the end when a situation has become different or a result has been reached.

午餐 “午餐” means lunch. Here it identifies the meal for which the speaker wants balanced food. It commonly appears with verbs describing what someone needs, prepares, or eats at midday.

还 In “还需要”, “还” adds another need to the earlier discussion. It means also or in addition here, not still. It commonly appears before the verb or description being added.

需要 “需要” means need. Here it introduces the food required for a balanced lunch. It commonly comes before the thing that is needed.

营养 In “营养均衡”, “营养” refers to nutrition. It identifies the aspect that should be balanced in the food. It commonly combines with descriptions of the quality or balance of nutrition.

均衡 “均衡” means balanced or well distributed. In “营养均衡的食物”, it describes food whose nutrition is balanced. It commonly appears before “的” when describing a noun.

食物 “食物” means food. Here it is the thing needed for lunch and described as nutritionally balanced. It commonly refers generally to something intended to be eaten.

不能 In “不能只有米饭”, “不能” says that having only rice is not acceptable or should not be the case. It expresses a restriction on the meal. It commonly comes before the action or situation that is ruled out.

只有 “只有” means only and limits the meal to the item that follows. Here it introduces “米饭” as the sole food, which the speaker says should not happen. It commonly highlights that no other item is included.

米饭 “米饭” means cooked rice. Here it is the food that should not be the only part of lunch. It commonly refers specifically to prepared rice served as food.

根据 “根据” means according to or depending on. In the dialogue, it introduces the preference that determines which additional food should be added. It commonly comes before the information or condition used to make a choice.

什么 In “想吃什么”, “什么” means what and asks about the food someone wants to eat. It appears inside the clause introduced by “根据”. It commonly follows an action when asking which thing is involved.

加入 “加入” means add or put into something that already exists. Here it refers to adding eggs, beans, or chicken to the meal. It commonly comes before the ingredient or item being added.

鸡蛋 “鸡蛋” means egg. Here it is one possible addition to make lunch more balanced. It commonly appears in lists of ingredients or foods.

豆子 “豆子” means beans. Here it is another possible food to add to lunch. It commonly refers to beans as a food ingredient or serving.

或 “或” means or and presents alternatives in the list of foods. Here the speaker can add eggs, beans, or chicken depending on preference. It commonly connects two or more possible choices.

鸡肉 “鸡肉” means chicken meat. Here it is one of the possible foods to add to lunch. It commonly appears in lists of ingredients or meal choices.

剩菜 “剩菜” means leftover dishes or leftover food from an earlier meal. Here it refers to prepared food eaten again later. It commonly describes food that remains after a previous meal.

觉得 In “觉得无聊”, “觉得” expresses the speaker’s personal feeling or assessment. Here it introduces the judgment that the leftovers feel boring to eat. It commonly comes before an adjective or description of someone’s impression.

无聊 “无聊” means boring or uninteresting. Here it describes the experience of eating the same leftovers repeatedly. It commonly describes something that does not hold a person’s interest.

换 “换” means change or switch from one option to another. Here it describes replacing the side dish while keeping the prepared meal. It commonly comes before the new item or option.

一种 In “一种配菜”, “一种” means one kind or one type. Here it indicates changing to a different type of side dish. It commonly comes before a noun when identifying one type among several possibilities.

配菜 “配菜” means side dish, food served alongside the main part of a meal. Here it is the part that can be changed to make leftovers less boring. It commonly refers to a complementary dish in a meal.

小小 “小小” presents the changes as small or minor. The repeated form gives emphasis to their limited size rather than describing a large transformation. It commonly describes a modest change, amount, or detail.

改变 “改变” means change. Here it refers to small adjustments to prepared meals, such as changing the side dish. It commonly describes making something different from its previous state.

能 In “能让”, “能” expresses the possibility that small changes can produce the stated result. It says that the changes are capable of making prepared meals more enjoyable. It commonly comes before the action or result that is possible.

让 In “让提前准备的饭菜更好吃”, “让” introduces the result caused by the small changes: the prepared meals become tastier. It has a causative function here. It commonly comes before the person or thing affected and the resulting description.

更 “更” means more and marks an increase in the quality described by “好吃”. Here the meals become more enjoyable than before. It commonly comes directly before a describing word in a comparison or change.

好吃 “好吃” means tasty or good to eat. Here it describes the prepared meals as becoming more enjoyable after small changes. It commonly describes food and can follow “更” when expressing improved taste.

Grammar Points

根据 + 名词

根据份量分成几份。

Gēnjù fènliàng fēn chéng jǐ fèn.

Divide it into portions according to the serving size.

根据放在名词前，表示“according to”或“depending on”。

看起来 + 形容词

饭菜看起来更好吃。

Fàncài kàn qǐlái gèng hǎochī.

The food looks tastier.

看起来后面可以接形容词，表示“looks/seems + adjective”。

Chinese Vocabulary

避免 verb

bìmiǎn to avoid

避免每天吃同样的东西

储存 verb

chǔcún to store

安全地储存起来

饭菜 noun

fàncài meals; food

准备一些饭菜

分成 verb

fēn chéng to divide into

把它分成合适的份量

份量 noun

fènliàng portion; serving size

合适的份量

看起来 verb

kàn qǐlái to look; seem

下周看起来会很忙

冷冻 verb

lěngdòng to freeze

把一部分冷冻起来

剩下的 pron

shèngxià de the rest; what remains

把剩下的放在冰箱里

蔬菜咖喱 noun

shūcài gālí vegetable curry

一大锅蔬菜咖喱

提前准备 phrase

tíqián zhǔnbèi prepare in advance

提前准备一些饭菜

同样的东西 phrase

tóngyàng de dōngxi the same thing

每天吃同样的东西

一大锅 phrase

yí dà guō a large potful

做一大锅蔬菜咖喱

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

the same thing

Show Answer

同样的东西

prepare in advance

Show Answer

提前准备

vegetable curry

Show Answer

蔬菜咖喱

to freeze

Show Answer

冷冻