About This Lesson
Use Fixing a ride-share pickup mix-up to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我的网约车司机找不到上车点。
wǒ de wǎngyuēchē sījī zhǎo bú dào shàngchē diǎn. My ride-share driver can't find the pickup point.
B
看看你的定位标记是不是在车站的同一侧。
kànkan nǐ de dìngwèi biāojì shì bú shì zài chēzhàn de tóng yí cè. Check whether your location pin is on the same side of the station.
A
定位显示的是后门，但我在正门。
dìngwèi xiǎnshì de shì hòumén, dàn wǒ zài zhèngmén. The pin shows the back entrance, but I'm at the main entrance.
B
在行程被取消前，现在就给司机发消息。
zài xíngchéng bèi qǔxiāo qián, xiànzài jiù gěi sījī fā xiāoxi. Message the driver now before the ride gets cancelled.
A
我会说我就在出租车候车处旁边。
wǒ huì shuō wǒ jiù zài chūzūchē hòuchēchù pángbiān. I'll say I'm beside the taxi stand.
B
也告诉司机你夹克的颜色，这样司机就能找到你。
yě gàosu sījī nǐ jiákè de yánsè, zhèyàng sījī jiù néng zhǎodào nǐ. Mention your jacket color too, so the driver can spot you.
A
如果车在找到我之前开走了，我该怎么办？
rúguǒ chē zài zhǎodào wǒ zhīqián kāizǒu le, wǒ gāi zěnme bàn? What should I do if the car leaves before finding me?
B
用应用说明这个误会，然后再叫一辆车。
yòng yìngyòng shuōmíng zhège wùhuì, ránhòu zài jiào yì liàng chē. Use the app to explain the mix-up and request another ride.
A
司机回复了，说他很快会掉头。
sījī huífù le, shuō tā hěn kuài huì diàotóu. The driver replied and will turn around soon.
B
待在出租车候车处附近，直到车到。
dāi zài chūzūchē hòuchēchù fùjìn, zhídào chē dào. Stay near the taxi stand until the car arrives.Word by Word
我
“我” refers to the speaker, who is describing their own location and actions. It is used as the subject in “我的网约车司机” and “我会说”. A reusable pattern is 我 + action when talking about yourself.
的
In “我的网约车司机”, “的” links “我” to the driver and shows that the driver is connected to the speaker. It appears between the possessor and the person or thing described. Use the pattern possessor + 的 + noun to express this relationship.
网约车
“网约车” means a ride-share car in this travel situation. It describes the kind of driver in “我的网约车司机”. It is useful when identifying a booked car service or ride-share vehicle.
司机
“司机” means the driver who is operating or coming with the car. Here it refers to the ride-share driver who cannot find the pickup point and receives a message. It can be used before or after information about the driver, as in “网约车司机”.
找不到
“找不到” means cannot find or is unable to locate something; here the driver cannot locate the pickup point. The form combines 找 with 不到 to show that the intended finding has not been achieved. Use it before the thing that cannot be found, as in “找不到上车点”.
上车点
“上车点” means the place where a passenger gets into the vehicle. In “找不到上车点”, it identifies the specific pickup location the driver is trying to locate. It is useful when arranging or correcting a vehicle pickup place.
你
“你” refers to the person being spoken to; in “你的定位标记”, it also means your. It identifies the listener as the owner or user of the location pin. Use it as the subject or possessor when speaking directly to one person.
看看
“看看” means take a look or check something briefly. The repeated form makes the instruction in “看看你的定位标记” sound like a request to inspect the pin. It is useful for asking someone to look at information or a visible object.
定位
“定位” refers to the location shown by a device or app. In “你的定位标记”, it helps identify the location information represented by the pin. It is useful when discussing a map position or a location sent through an app.
标记
“标记” means a marker or pin that indicates a place. Here “定位标记” is the map marker showing where the app places the user. It can be reused for a visible sign or marker that identifies a location or item.
是不是
“是不是” asks whether something is the case or not: “是” presents the positive possibility and “不是” the negative one. In “是不是在车站的同一侧”, it checks the location of the pin. Use it to ask for confirmation about a situation, location, or description.
在
“在” shows where a person or thing is located. In “在车站的同一侧” and “我在正门”, it connects the subject with its place. A common reuse pattern is 在 + place when stating a location.
车站
“车站” means station, the place used as the reference point for the two entrances and sides. In “车站的同一侧”, it specifies which station the location is related to. It is useful when describing a meeting point around a transport station.
同一
“同一” means the same one or the same, as in “同一侧”. It shows that the location pin and the speaker are on one matching side of the station. It can be reused before a noun when emphasizing that two locations or things match.
侧
“侧” means side, here one side of the station. In “车站的同一侧”, it identifies the area on which the pin may be located. It is useful for distinguishing one side of a building, road, or station from another.
显示
“显示” means show or display information. In “定位显示的是后门”, it describes what the location pin indicates. It can be reused before the information, place, or result that a screen or device shows.
是
In “定位显示的是后门”, “是” identifies the thing displayed as the back entrance. It connects the displayed information with “后门” in this statement. A reusable pattern is 是 + noun when identifying what something is.
后门
“后门” means the back entrance or rear door of the station. It is the entrance shown by the pin, unlike the entrance where the speaker is waiting. It is useful when giving a precise entrance for a building or station.
但
“但” means but and introduces a contrast. In “定位显示的是后门，但我在正门”, it contrasts the pin’s indicated entrance with the speaker’s actual entrance. Use it to connect two statements that do not match.
正门
“正门” means the main or front entrance. In “我在正门”, it tells the driver exactly where the speaker is waiting. It is useful for distinguishing the main entrance from another entrance such as “后门”.
行程
“行程” means the booked ride or trip in this app-based transport situation. In “行程被取消”, it refers to the current ride that might be cancelled. It can be used when discussing the status or progress of a planned trip.
被
In “行程被取消”, “被” presents the ride as receiving the action of cancellation. It places the affected thing before the action that happens to it. Use 被 + action when describing something that is acted on.
取消
“取消” means cancel; here it is the cancellation of the booked ride. In “行程被取消”, the ride is the thing affected by this action. It is useful for rides, appointments, orders, or plans that are called off.
前
In “被取消前”, “前” means before the cancellation happens. It marks the earlier time at which the speaker should message the driver. It can follow an action or event to express the time before it.
现在
“现在” means now, the current moment. In “现在就给司机发消息”, it makes the timing of the message immediate. It is useful when directing someone to do something at the present time.
就
In “现在就给司机发消息”, “就” adds urgency and means right away in this context. Together with “现在”, it stresses that the message should not be delayed. A reusable pattern is time expression + 就 + action for an immediate action.
给
In “给司机发消息”, “给” marks the recipient of the message. It connects the action of sending with “司机”, the person who should receive it. Use 给 + person + action when directing something toward a recipient.
发
“发” means send in “发消息”. The object being sent is “消息”, and the recipient is introduced by “给”. It is useful for sending a message or other communication to someone.
消息
“消息” means a message or piece of information. In “给司机发消息”, it is the communication sent to the driver to correct the pickup location. It can be used after 发 when talking about sending a message.
会
In “我会说”, “会” indicates that the speaker plans or intends to say something. It places the action after the current moment in the conversation. Use the pattern subject + 会 + verb when describing a planned future action.
说
“说” means say or state something aloud or in a message. In “我会说我就在出租车候车处旁边”, it introduces the information the speaker plans to give. It can be followed by the content of what someone says.
出租车
“出租车” means taxi. Here it identifies the kind of waiting area in “出租车候车处”. It is useful when distinguishing taxis from a ride-share car or another type of vehicle.
候车处
“候车处” means a place or area where people wait for vehicles. In “出租车候车处”, it is specifically the taxi waiting area. It is useful when giving a meeting or waiting location near transport services.
旁边
“旁边” means beside or next to. In “出租车候车处旁边”, it places the speaker immediately next to the taxi waiting area. A common reuse pattern is place + 旁边 when specifying a nearby position.
也
“也” means also or too. In “也告诉司机”, it adds the jacket color as another piece of information to give the driver. It is useful before an additional action or detail.
告诉
“告诉” means tell someone information. In “告诉司机你夹克的颜色”, it introduces the person receiving the information and then the detail being given. Use 告诉 + person + information when telling someone something.
夹克
“夹克” means jacket. In “你夹克的颜色”, it identifies the clothing whose color will help the driver recognize the speaker. It is useful when describing what someone is wearing.
颜色
“颜色” means color. In “你夹克的颜色”, it specifies the visual detail the driver can use to identify the speaker. It can follow a clothing or object noun when describing its color.
这样
“这样” means this way or so, referring to the preceding action of giving the jacket color. In “这样司机就能找到你”, it introduces the expected result. It is useful for connecting a method with its consequence.
能
In “能找到你”, “能” means can or be able to. It expresses the driver’s ability to locate the speaker once the identifying information is provided. Use 能 + verb when describing ability or a possible successful action.
找到
“找到” means find successfully or locate. In “能找到你”, it describes the driver locating the speaker. The form combines 找 with 到 to show reaching the result of finding; it can be followed by the person or thing found.
如果
“如果” means if and introduces a possible situation. In “如果车在找到我之前开走了”, it sets up the condition that the car leaves before locating the speaker. Use 如果 before a condition when asking or explaining what happens in that case.
车
“车” means car or vehicle. Here it refers to the ride-share vehicle that may leave or arrive. It is the subject in “车开走了” and “车到”.
之前
In “找到我之前”, “之前” means before the event of finding the speaker. It places the car’s departure earlier than that event. It can follow an action or event to mark the time prior to it.
开走
“开走” means drive away, with the vehicle leaving its current place. In “车开走了”, it describes the car leaving before the driver finds the speaker. It is useful with a vehicle as the subject when emphasizing movement away.
了
In “开走了”, “了” presents the driving-away event as completed or the situation as having changed. It shows that the car has now left. It is useful after an action when reporting a completed event or a new state.
该
In “我该怎么办”, “该” means should or be supposed to in the sense of asking for the appropriate next action. It frames the speaker’s question about how to handle the problem. Use 该 + action when asking what action is appropriate.
怎么办
“怎么办” asks what to do or how to handle a situation: “怎么” asks how, and “办” contributes the idea of dealing with it. In “我该怎么办”, it asks for the right response if the car leaves. It is useful when requesting advice about a problem.
用
“用” means use, and in “用应用” it identifies the tool used to explain the problem. It is followed by the means or tool of the action. A reusable pattern is 用 + tool + action.
应用
“应用” means an app or application. In “用应用说明这个误会”, it is the app used to communicate with the service. It is useful when referring to a digital application used for a task.
说明
“说明” means explain or clarify. In “说明这个误会”, it refers to explaining the pickup mix-up to the service or driver. It can be followed by the issue, situation, or reason that needs clarification.
这
“这” means this and points to the specific mix-up being discussed. In “这个误会”, it comes before the measure word and noun. Use 这 + measure word + noun to identify something nearby or currently under discussion.
个
In “这个误会”, “个” is the general measure word placed between “这” and “误会”. It helps identify the misunderstanding as one particular item or situation. It is commonly used in the pattern 这 + 个 + noun.
误会
“误会” means misunderstanding or mix-up. Here it refers to the confusion between the pin’s entrance and the speaker’s actual entrance. It is useful when explaining that information or intentions were understood incorrectly.
然后
“然后” means then or afterward and marks the next step in a sequence. In “然后再叫一辆车”, it connects explaining the mix-up with requesting another ride. Use it to organize two actions in time order.
再
In “再叫一辆车”, “再” means another or then again, referring to requesting an additional ride after the mix-up. It shows that this action follows the earlier explanation. Use 再 + action when adding a later or additional action.
叫
In “叫一辆车”, “叫” means call or order a vehicle. It refers to requesting another ride through the app. It is useful before a vehicle expression when arranging for that vehicle to come.
辆
“辆” is the measure word used with vehicles. In “一辆车”, it counts one car. Use it between a number or determiner and a vehicle noun.
回复
“回复” means reply or respond. In “司机回复了”, it reports that the driver has sent a response to the earlier communication. It is useful when reporting a response to a message or request.
他
“他” means he or him and refers here to the driver. In “说他很快会掉头”, it identifies the driver as the person who will turn around. Use it as the subject of an action when referring to a male person already understood from the context.
很快
“很快” means soon or quickly. In “很快会掉头”, it indicates that the driver’s turn-around will happen soon. It is useful before an action when describing a short time until it happens or a quick action.
掉头
“掉头” means turn around, here describing the driver changing direction to return. In “会掉头”, it is the planned action of the vehicle or driver after replying. It is useful when a vehicle needs to reverse its direction and go back.
待
“待” means stay or remain in a place. In “待在出租车候车处附近”, it instructs the speaker to remain near the taxi waiting area. A reusable pattern is 待在 + place.
附近
“附近” means nearby or in the vicinity of a place. In “出租车候车处附近”, it identifies the area around the taxi waiting area rather than the exact point. It is useful after a place name when giving a general nearby location.
直到
“直到” means until and marks the endpoint of the waiting period. In “直到车到”, it says to stay there up to the car’s arrival. Use 直到 + event to state when an action or situation ends.
到
In “车到”, “到” means arrive, so the phrase refers to the car reaching the meeting point. It is the event that ends the instruction to stay nearby. It can be used after a vehicle or person when referring to arrival.
Grammar Points
找不到 + 名词
我找不到上车点。
wǒ zhǎo bú dào shàngchē diǎn.I can’t find the pickup point.
找不到 uses 到 as a result complement to show that an attempt to find something was unsuccessful.
一 + 量词 + 名词
叫一辆车。
jiào yì liàng chē.Request one car.
辆 is the measure word used for vehicles; Chinese places it between the number and the noun.
Chinese Vocabulary
车站
noun
chēzhàn
station
定位标记
noun
dìngwèi biāojì
location pin
后门
noun
hòumén
back entrance
看看
verb
kànkan
check; take a look
取消
verb
qǔxiāo
cancel
上车点
noun
shàngchē diǎn
pickup point
司机
noun
sījī
driver
同一侧
phrase
tóng yí cè
the same side
网约车
noun
wǎngyuēchē
ride-share car or service
行程
noun
xíngchéng
ride; trip
找不到
verb
zhǎo bú dào
cannot find
正门
noun
zhèngmén
main entrance
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
location pin
Show Answer
定位标记ride; trip
Show Answer
行程cancel
Show Answer
取消back entrance