Coordinating dinner timing while hosting | Learn Chinese in English

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Use Coordinating dinner timing while hosting to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

客人可能会在主菜还在烹饪时到达。

kèrén kěnéng huì zài zhǔcài hái zài pēngrèn shí dàodá The guests may arrive while the main course is still cooking.

那就先上一道简单的开胃菜，让大家先安顿下来。

nà jiù xiān shàng yí dào jiǎndān de kāiwèicài, ràng dàjiā xiān āndùn xiàlái Then serve a simple starter so people can settle in.

我可以在他们到达前准备好沙拉和面包。

wǒ kěyǐ zài tāmen dàodá qián zhǔnbèi hǎo shālā hé miànbāo I can have salad and bread ready before they get here.

这样可以给主菜多一点时间，又不会让人觉得晚餐推迟了。

zhèyàng kěyǐ gěi zhǔcài duō yìdiǎn shíjiān, yòu bú huì ràng rén juéde wǎncān tuīchí le That gives the main course a little extra time without making dinner seem delayed.

大家都到了以后，我再做蔬菜吗？

dàjiā dōu dào le yǐhòu, wǒ zài zuò shūcài ma Should I cook the vegetables once everyone has arrived?

蔬菜刚做好的时候味道更好，所以等到快要上菜时再做。

shūcài gāng zuò hǎo de shíhou wèidào gèng hǎo, suǒyǐ děng dào kuàiyào shàngcài shí zài zuò They taste better freshly cooked, so wait until you are close to serving.

招待客人让人觉得有压力，因为安排好所有时间比做饭更难。

zhāodài kèrén ràng rén juéde yǒu yālì, yīnwèi ānpái hǎo suǒyǒu shíjiān bǐ zuòfàn gèng nán Hosting feels stressful because timing everything is harder than cooking.

做一个简单的上菜计划：先上饮料，再上开胃菜，最后上主菜。

zuò yí ge jiǎndān de shàngcài jìhuà: xiān shàng yǐnliào, zài shàng kāiwèicài, zuìhòu shàng zhǔcài Make a simple serving plan: drinks, starter, then the main course.

我可以把那张清单放在炉子旁边。

wǒ kěyǐ bǎ nà zhāng qīngdān fàng zài lúzi pángbiān I can keep that checklist near the stove.

客人到达时，它应该能帮助你保持专注。

kèrén dàodá shí, tā yīnggāi néng bāngzhù nǐ bǎochí zhuānzhù It should help you stay focused while people arrive.

Word by Word

客人 “客人” means the guest or guests arriving in this dinner context. It is used as the subject in “客人可能会在主菜还在烹饪时到达”. Use it when referring to people invited to your home or event.

可能 “可能” means possibly here and shows that the guests’ arrival is uncertain. In “客人可能会在主菜还在烹饪时到达”, it combines with “会” to describe an anticipated possibility. Use it before a verb or event when you are not certain it will happen.

会 “会” in “客人可能会在主菜还在烹饪时到达” helps express that an event may occur. With “可能”, it supports a prediction rather than a definite statement. Use it before a verb when discussing an expected or possible event.

在 “在” introduces the time or situation during which the arrival happens in “在主菜还在烹饪时”. Here it means during or while. Use it before a place or time expression to show where or when something happens.

主菜 “主菜” means the main course of the meal. It is the food that is still cooking in “主菜还在烹饪时”. Use it when distinguishing the main dish from drinks, starters, or other parts of a meal.

还 “还” means still in “主菜还在烹饪时”, showing that the cooking is continuing at that time. It appears before the continuing activity “在烹饪”. Use it to describe an action or state that has not finished yet.

烹饪 “烹饪” refers to cooking in the expression “主菜还在烹饪时”. The form describes the ongoing preparation of the main course. Use it for the general activity of preparing food, especially in a meal-planning context.

时 “时” marks the time when the event in “在主菜还在烹饪时” takes place. Together with the preceding clause, it means while the main course is still cooking. Use it at the end of a time clause to connect that situation to another event.

到达 “到达” means arrive or reach a destination in “客人可能会在主菜还在烹饪时到达”. It describes the guests reaching the home or meeting place. Use it after a subject when stating that someone reaches a place.

那 “那” means then or in that case in “那就先上一道简单的开胃菜”. It refers back to the possibility just mentioned and introduces a response. Use it to connect a situation with a suggested action.

就 “就” in “那就先上一道简单的开胃菜” marks the action that follows from the situation. Together with “那”, it has the sense of then or in that case. Use “那就” when accepting a condition and moving directly to a decision or plan.

先 “先” means first in “先上一道简单的开胃菜”. It places serving the starter before the later parts of the meal. Use it before a verb to show the first step in an ordered sequence.

上 “上” means serve or put food on the table in “先上一道简单的开胃菜”. It takes the dish being served as its object. Use it when talking about serving food or drinks during a meal.

一道 “一道” means one dish or one serving in “一道简单的开胃菜”. “道” is the classifier used here for a dish or course, and “一” indicates one. Use it before the name of a dish when counting courses.

简单 “简单” means simple in “一道简单的开胃菜”. It describes the starter as uncomplicated rather than elaborate. Use it before a noun with “的” when describing the nature of an item.

的 “的” links the modifier “简单” to the noun in “简单的开胃菜”. It shows that “简单” describes the starter. Use it after an adjective or descriptive phrase before the noun it modifies.

开胃菜 “开胃菜” means a starter or appetizer in “一道简单的开胃菜”. It is the dish served before the main course so people can settle in. Use it when referring to the first course of a meal.

让 “让” introduces the people affected by the suggested action in “让大家先安顿下来”. Here it means let or make, linking “大家” with the result “安顿下来”. Use it before a person or group followed by the action or result you want them to experience.

大家 “大家” means everyone or everybody in “让大家先安顿下来”. It refers to all the guests as a group. Use it when addressing or describing a group of people collectively.

安顿 “安顿” means settle or get settled in “让大家先安顿下来”. It describes becoming comfortable and organized after arriving. Use it with people who are arriving at a home or place and need time to settle.

下来 “下来” completes the expression “安顿下来” and indicates reaching a settled state. It contributes the idea that people become settled rather than merely beginning the action. Use it after an activity when the result is a stable or settled condition.

我 “我” means I or me and is the subject in “我可以在他们到达前准备好沙拉和面包”. It identifies the speaker as the person able to prepare the food. Use it before an action when talking about yourself.

可以 “可以” means can or be able to in “我可以在他们到达前准备好沙拉和面包”. It presents the preparation as something the speaker is able or willing to do. Use it before a verb to describe permission or practical ability when that meaning is clear from context.

他们 “他们” means they or them in “在他们到达前”. It refers to the guests mentioned earlier. Use it before a verb when referring to a group of people already understood from the conversation.

前 “前” means before in “在他们到达前”. It places the preparation earlier than the guests’ arrival. Use it after an event or verb phrase to express that something happens before it.

准备 “准备” means prepare in “准备好沙拉和面包”. It describes getting the food ready in advance. Use it before the item being prepared, often with “好” when emphasizing the completed ready state.

好 “好” after “准备” in “准备好沙拉和面包” shows that the preparation reaches a ready or satisfactory result. It is part of the expression for having the food ready. Use it after an action when that action has been completed with the intended result.

沙拉 “沙拉” means salad in “准备好沙拉和面包”. It is one of the foods prepared before the guests arrive. Use it as a food noun when discussing what to prepare or serve.

和 “和” connects the two food items in “沙拉和面包”. Here it means and. Use it between nouns or noun phrases when listing items together.

面包 “面包” means bread in “准备好沙拉和面包”. It is the second food item prepared before the guests arrive. Use it as a food noun when discussing meal ingredients or items to serve.

这样 “这样” means this way or so in “这样可以给主菜多一点时间”. It refers to the plan just described and explains its result. Use it to introduce the consequence or benefit of an action or arrangement.

给 “给” means give or provide for in “给主菜多一点时间”. It shows that the arrangement provides extra time for the main course. Use it before the person or thing receiving time, help, or another benefit.

多 “多” means more or extra in “多一点时间”. It indicates an amount greater than the original amount. Use it before a quantity expression when describing an increase.

一点 “一点” means a little in “多一点时间”. It limits the extra amount to a small quantity. Use it after “多” to describe a small increase in something measurable or uncountable.

时间 “时间” means time in “给主菜多一点时间”. It is the extra period allowed for the main course to finish cooking. Use it after an amount expression when talking about available or needed time.

又 “又” in “又不会让人觉得晚餐推迟了” adds a second result alongside the extra cooking time. Here it has the sense of also, as in an arrangement that both helps the main course and avoids a negative impression. Use it to connect another matching result when the sentence structure supports that relationship.

不 “不” makes the result negative in “不会让人觉得晚餐推迟了”. It says that people will not have the impression that dinner is delayed. Use it before a verb or other predicate to negate a present or future situation.

人 “人” means people or a person in “让人觉得晚餐推迟了”. It refers generally to anyone observing the timing, not to one named individual. Use it in expressions where an action causes people to have an impression or feeling.

觉得 “觉得” means feel or think in “让人觉得晚餐推迟了”. It describes the impression people may form about the dinner timing. Use it before an opinion, feeling, or judgment.

晚餐 “晚餐” means dinner in “晚餐推迟了”. It refers to the evening meal as an event. Use it when discussing the meal itself, including its preparation, timing, or serving.

推迟 “推迟” means delay or postpone in “让人觉得晚餐推迟了”. It describes dinner as happening later than expected. Use it before an event when saying that the event has been moved to a later time.

了 “了” in “晚餐推迟了” presents the delay as a completed change or resulting state. It helps show that dinner is now regarded as delayed, within the impression described by “觉得”. Use it after a predicate when emphasizing a change or a newly established situation.

都 “都” means all in “大家都到了以后”. It applies the arrival to everyone in the group. Use it before the verb when saying that every member of a group has done something.

到 “到” in “大家都到了以后” means arrive or reach the place. With “了”, it shows that everyone has arrived before the next action. Use it after a subject when describing reaching a destination.

以后 “以后” means after or afterwards in “大家都到了以后”. It places cooking the vegetables after everyone’s arrival. Use it after an event or clause to introduce what happens later.

再 “再” means then or later in “我再做蔬菜吗”. It shows that cooking the vegetables would happen after the arrival condition. Use it before a later action when describing the next step in a sequence.

做 “做” means make or cook in “再做蔬菜吗”. Here it refers to preparing the vegetables as food. Use it before a food item when describing cooking or making it.

蔬菜 “蔬菜” means vegetables in “做蔬菜吗”. They are the food that may be cooked after everyone arrives. Use it as a food noun when discussing preparation or serving.

吗 “吗” marks the sentence “大家都到了以后，我再做蔬菜吗” as a yes-or-no question. It turns the proposed plan into a request for confirmation. Use it at the end of a statement when asking whether the situation or action is correct.

刚 “刚” means just or only recently in “刚做好的时候”. It points to the time immediately after the vegetables have been cooked. Use it before an action or result to refer to something that happened very recently.

时候 “时候” means time or when in “刚做好的时候”. Together with the preceding phrase, it identifies the time when the vegetables have just been prepared. Use it after a clause or description when referring to a particular time or situation.

味道 “味道” means taste or flavor in “味道更好”. It describes how the vegetables taste when freshly cooked. Use it when evaluating the flavor or taste of food.

更 “更” means more or even more in “味道更好”. It compares the taste of freshly cooked vegetables with their taste at another time. Use it before an adjective when indicating a higher degree.

所以 “所以” means so or therefore in “所以等到快要上菜时再做”. It introduces the recommendation that follows from the better taste of freshly cooked vegetables. Use it to connect a reason with its result or conclusion.

等 “等” means wait in “等到快要上菜时再做”. It tells the listener to delay cooking until the serving time is near. Use it before “到” and a time clause when waiting for a condition or moment.

快要 “快要” means be about to in “快要上菜时”. It shows that serving is approaching but has not happened yet. Use it before an action to describe something expected very soon.

上菜 “上菜” means serve the dishes in “快要上菜时”. It refers to the moment when the food is brought to the table. Use it when discussing the timing or act of serving a meal.

招待 “招待” means host or entertain in “招待客人”. It describes receiving and taking care of guests. Use it with people such as guests when talking about hosting them at home or at an event.

有 “有” means have or experience in “有压力”. Here it introduces the pressure associated with hosting. Use it before a noun when describing possession or an experienced condition.

压力 “压力” means pressure or stress in “招待客人让人觉得有压力”. It describes the difficult feeling caused by managing the dinner. Use it after “有” to say that someone has or feels pressure.

因为 “因为” means because in “因为安排好所有时间比做饭更难”. It introduces the reason hosting feels stressful. Use it before a reason that explains a statement or situation.

安排 “安排” means arrange or organize in “安排好所有时间”. It refers to organizing the timing of all parts of the meal. Use it before the people, tasks, or timing that you are organizing, and combine it with “好” when emphasizing a satisfactory arrangement.

所有 “所有” means all or every in “所有时间”. It covers the complete set of timing decisions involved in the dinner. Use it before a noun when referring to the whole group or range of something.

比 “比” means than or compared with in “安排好所有时间比做饭更难”. It introduces the activity used for comparison. Use it between two activities or qualities when comparing their difficulty or degree.

做饭 “做饭” means cook or prepare a meal in “比做饭更难”. It is the activity used as the comparison point for organizing the timing. Use it when referring generally to preparing a meal rather than to one specific dish.

难 “难” means difficult or hard in “安排好所有时间比做饭更难”. It describes organizing the timing as having greater difficulty than cooking. Use it after a subject or comparison to evaluate how difficult something is.

一个 “一个” means one or a in “一个简单的上菜计划”. It introduces one serving plan. Use it before a noun when counting or presenting a single item.

计划 “计划” means plan in “一个简单的上菜计划”. It refers to the ordered arrangement for drinks, the starter, and the main course. Use it when discussing an intended sequence of actions.

饮料 “饮料” means drinks or beverages in the serving plan “饮料、开胃菜，然后上主菜”. It is the first item in the proposed serving order. Use it when referring collectively to beverages served during a meal.

最后 “最后” means finally or last in “最后上主菜”. It places the main course at the end of the listed serving order. Use it before an action or item when marking the final step.

把 “把” marks the checklist as the object being deliberately placed in “把那张清单放在炉子旁边”. It brings the object before the verb and is followed by the placement result. Use it when emphasizing what happens to a specific object.

张 “张” is the classifier for the flat object in “那张清单”. It counts the checklist as a sheet or flat item. Use it before a noun for a flat object such as a sheet, list, or similar item.

清单 “清单” means checklist in “那张清单”. It refers to the written list of serving steps. Use it when talking about a list used to remember tasks or items.

放 “放” means put or place in “放在炉子旁边”. It describes placing the checklist in a particular location. Use it before a location phrase when saying where an object is placed.

炉子 “炉子” means stove in “炉子旁边”. It is the reference point for where the checklist is kept. Use it as a household or cooking-area noun when describing kitchen locations.

旁边 “旁边” means beside or next to in “炉子旁边”. It identifies the location immediately beside the stove. Use it after a noun to express that something is next to that reference point.

它 “它” means it in “它应该能帮助你保持专注”. It refers back to the checklist. Use it as a pronoun for a thing already mentioned.

应该 “应该” means should or ought to in “它应该能帮助你保持专注”. It expresses an expected helpful effect rather than a guaranteed result. Use it before a verb when describing an expectation or reasonable outcome.

能 “能” means can or be able to in “帮助你保持专注”. In the full sentence, “应该能” means should be able to help. Use it before a verb when referring to ability or whether an action is possible.

帮助 “帮助” means help in “帮助你保持专注”. It introduces the person receiving help and the result that the help supports. Use it before a person or group followed by the action or state they are helped to achieve.

你 “你” means you in “帮助你保持专注”. It refers to the person managing the dinner and using the checklist. Use it when addressing or referring to one listener.

保持 “保持” means keep or maintain in “保持专注”. It describes continuing in a focused state while guests arrive. Use it before a quality or state that someone wants to continue.

专注 “专注” means focused or concentrated in “保持专注”. It describes paying attention to the dinner tasks instead of becoming distracted. Use it after “保持” to describe maintaining concentration on an activity.

Grammar Points

A比B+形容词

安排晚餐比招待客人难。

ānpái wǎncān bǐ zhāodài kèrén nán

Arranging dinner is more difficult than hosting guests.

“比”用于比较两个对象，形容词放在比较对象后面，表示A比B更具某种特征。

让+人+动词短语

让大家安顿下来。

ràng dàjiā āndùn xiàlái

Let everyone settle in.

“让”后面先接人，再接动作，表示让某人做某事或使某人处于某种状态。

Chinese Vocabulary

大家 pron

dàjiā everyone

到达 verb

dàodá arrive

还 adv

hái still

简单 adj

jiǎndān simple

开胃菜 noun

kāiwèicài starter; appetizer

可能 adv

kěnéng possibly; may

客人 noun

kèrén guest

烹饪 verb

pēngrèn cook; cooking

让 verb

ràng let; make

上 verb

shàng serve

先 adv

xiān first

主菜 noun

zhǔcài main course

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

possibly; may

Show Answer

可能

simple

Show Answer

简单

arrive

Show Answer

到达

main course

Show Answer

主菜