Requesting a detailed invoice | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: At a service desk, a guest asks staff for a detailed invoice that separates room, breakfast, and laundry services for work records..

EN → ZH / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Requesting a detailed invoice to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

我可以要一张详细发票,而不是普通收据吗?

Wǒ kěyǐ yào yì zhāng xiángxì fāpiào, ér bú shì pǔtōng shōujù ma? Could I have a detailed invoice instead of a simple receipt?
B

我可以准备一张。需要把每项服务分开列出来吗?

Wǒ kěyǐ zhǔnbèi yì zhāng. Xūyào bǎ měi xiàng fúwù fēnkāi liè chūlái ma? I can prepare one. Should I list each service separately?
A

这是工作记录要用的,所以每项服务都要写清楚。

Zhè shì gōngzuò jìlù yào yòng de, suǒyǐ měi xiàng fúwù dōu yào xiě qīngchu. It is for work records, so each service needs to be clear.
B

我可以把房费、早餐费和洗衣服务费分别列在不同的行上。

Wǒ kěyǐ bǎ fángfèi, zǎocānfèi hé xǐyī fúwùfèi fēnbié liè zài bùtóng de háng shàng. I can list the room, breakfast, and laundry on separate lines.
A

请把洗衣服务费和房费分开列。

Qǐng bǎ xǐyī fúwùfèi hé fángfèi fēnkāi liè. Please keep the laundry service separate from the room charge.
B

我会在您等待时准备好这个版本。

Wǒ huì zài nín děngdài shí zhǔnbèi hǎo zhège bǎnběn. I will prepare that version while you wait.
A

这样我的办公室处理起来会更方便。

Zhèyàng wǒ de bàngōngshì chǔlǐ qǐlái huì gèng fāngbiàn. That will make it easier for my office to process.
B

我还会在顶部加上一段简短说明。

Wǒ hái huì zài dǐngbù jiā shàng yí duàn jiǎnduǎn shuōmíng. I will add a short description at the top as well.
A

这样我提交文件时,应该能避免别人提出疑问。

Zhèyàng wǒ tíjiāo wénjiàn shí, yīnggāi néng bìmiǎn biérén tíchū yíwèn. That should prevent questions when I submit the document.
B

我打印之前,请您检查一下细节。

Wǒ dǎyìn zhīqián, qǐng nín jiǎnchá yíxià xìjié. Please check the details before I print it.

Word by Word

“我” means “I” or “me” here, as in “我可以要一张详细发票吗?” and “我会在您等待时准备好”。It commonly comes before the action or description that concerns the speaker, for example “我可以” when asking for permission or stating ability.
可以 “可以” expresses permission or ability in “我可以要一张详细发票” and “我可以准备一张”。Use “我可以” before an action when asking whether you may do something or offering that you are able to do it.
“要” means “want” or “request” in “我可以要一张详细发票吗?”。A useful pattern is “要” followed by the requested object, such as “要一张详细发票” in a service situation.
“张” is the classifier used for the flat document in “一张详细发票”。It is placed between the number or determiner and the document name, as in “一张” plus the document.
详细 “详细” means “detailed” in “详细发票”, describing an invoice that gives the needed information clearly. It can be placed before a document or description when more complete information is required.
发票 “发票” means “invoice” in “一张详细发票”。It is the document requested from the service desk for work records, and it can follow a classifier such as “一张”.
“而” links the requested item with the contrasting item in “而不是普通收据”, meaning “rather than” in this context. The reusable pattern is “A,而不是B” when choosing A instead of B.
“不” provides negation in “不是普通收据”, meaning that the document is not a simple receipt. It appears directly before “是” in this expression, forming “不是”.
“是” identifies or equates something in “不是普通收据”; with “不”, the expression says it is not a simple receipt. A common pattern is a subject followed by “是” and the thing or category being identified.
普通 “普通” means “ordinary” or “simple” in “普通收据”, distinguishing that receipt from the requested detailed invoice. It comes before the noun it describes, as in “普通收据”.
收据 “收据” means “receipt” in “普通收据”。It names the simpler document that the speaker does not want instead of the detailed invoice.
“吗” turns “我可以要一张详细发票” into a yes-or-no question in “我可以要一张详细发票吗?”。Place “吗” at the end when asking politely whether something is possible or permitted.
准备 “准备” means “prepare” in “我可以准备一张” and “我会在您等待时准备好这个版本”。It is used before the item being prepared, such as a document, and can be followed by “好” when the preparation is completed.
需要 “需要” asks whether something is necessary in “需要把每项服务分开列出来吗?”。A useful pattern is “需要” followed by an action, here “需要把……列出来”.
“把” marks “每项服务” as the object that will be handled in “把每项服务分开列出来”。The reusable pattern is “把 + object + action”, used when focusing on what will be arranged, changed, or handled.
“每” means “each” in “每项服务”, referring to the services one by one. It comes before a classifier and noun, as in “每项”.
“项” is the classifier for the individual services in “每项服务”。It is placed after “每” and before the service noun to mark each separate item.
服务 “服务” means “service” in “每项服务” and “洗衣服务费”。It refers to the separate hotel services that are listed on the invoice.
分开 “分开” means “separately” or “apart” in “把每项服务分开列出来”。It describes arranging the services so that they are not combined, and it can come before the action that carries this out.
“列” means “list” or “write in a list” in “列出来” and “分别列在不同的行上”。It is used with the information being entered, such as each service or the room, breakfast, and laundry charges.
出来 In “列出来”, “出来” contributes the result of getting the items listed out or made visible. The complete action is “列出来”, so use it together with “列” when emphasizing the resulting list.
“这” means “this” in “这是工作记录要用的”, referring to the document or version being discussed. It can point to a specific item that is present or understood in the situation.
工作 “工作” means “work” in “工作记录”, describing records connected with the speaker’s job. It comes before “记录” to specify what kind of records they are.
记录 “记录” means “records” in “工作记录”。Here it refers to the information kept for work purposes, which is why the invoice needs to show each service clearly.
“用” means “use” in “工作记录要用的”, indicating that the document is intended for use in work records. It commonly appears before the purpose or object of use, and here it is part of the description before “的”.
In “工作记录要用的”, “的” closes a description meaning “the one used for work records”. It connects the preceding purpose description with the understood document being discussed.
所以 “所以” means “so” or “therefore” in “所以每项服务都要写清楚”。It introduces the consequence of the preceding reason, and the pattern “reason,所以 result” is useful for explaining a requirement.
“都” means “all” in “每项服务都要写清楚”, showing that the requirement applies to every service. It is placed before the action or description that applies to all the items.
“写” means “write” in “写清楚”, referring to entering the information clearly on the invoice. It can be followed by “清楚” when the result should be clear or understandable.
清楚 “清楚” means “clear” in “每项服务都要写清楚”, describing the required result of writing the information. The pattern “写清楚” is useful when asking someone to record details so that they can be understood.
房费 “房费” means “room charge” in “房费、早餐费和洗衣服务费”。It names one of the separate charges that should appear on its own line in the invoice.
早餐费 “早餐费” means “breakfast charge” in “房费、早餐费和洗衣服务费”。It is one of the individual service charges listed separately for work records.
“和” means “and” in “房费、早餐费和洗衣服务费”, joining the listed charges. It is used before the final item in this series.
洗衣服务费 “洗衣服务费” means “laundry service charge” in “房费、早餐费和洗衣服务费”。It is a specific charge that the speaker asks to keep separate from the room charge.
分别 “分别” means “separately” in “分别列在不同的行上”。It shows that the room, breakfast, and laundry charges each receive their own placement rather than being combined.
“在” marks the location in “在不同的行上”, meaning on different lines. It commonly comes before a place or position where an action or item is located.
不同 “不同” means “different” in “不同的行”, distinguishing one invoice line from another. It comes before “的” and the noun it describes.
“行” means “line” or “row” in “不同的行上”, referring to separate lines on the invoice. It is used with “在” and “上” to describe where each charge is placed.
“上” means “on” in “行上”, completing the location phrase “在不同的行上”。It follows the place or surface and indicates that the charges appear on those lines.
“请” politely introduces a request in “请把洗衣服务费和房费分开列” and “请您检查一下细节”。It is placed before the requested action when speaking to service staff or another person politely.
“会” indicates a future action or intention in “我会在您等待时准备好这个版本”。It commonly comes before the verb to say what the speaker will do.
“您” is the polite form of “you” in “您等待时” and “请您检查一下细节”。Use it when addressing a customer or another person respectfully in a service interaction.
等待 “等待” means “wait” in “您等待时”, referring to the time while the guest is waiting. It can be followed by “时” to form a time expression meaning “while you wait”.
“时” means “when” or “while” in “您等待时”。The pattern “action + 时” gives the time during which another action takes place, as in preparing the document while the guest waits.
In “准备好”, “好” indicates that the preparation has reached a ready or completed state. Use it after an action such as “准备” when the result should be ready for use.
“个” is the general classifier in “这个版本”, referring to one particular version. It appears between “这” and “版本” in this phrase.
版本 “版本” means “version” in “这个版本”, referring to the revised form of the invoice being prepared. It can follow a demonstrative and the classifier “个”.
这样 “这样” means “this way” in “这样我的办公室处理起来会更方便” and “这样我提交文件时……”。It refers to the arrangement just described and introduces its practical result.
办公室 “办公室” means “office” in “我的办公室”, referring to the speaker’s workplace as the place that will process the document. It can follow “我的” to show whose office it is.
处理 “处理” means “process” or “handle” in “我的办公室处理起来会更方便”。Here it refers to the office reviewing or dealing with the invoice for work records.
起来 In “处理起来”, “起来” helps describe how the action of processing is experienced or carried out. The complete pattern “处理起来会更方便” means that processing will be more convenient.
“更” means “more” in “会更方便”, comparing the proposed invoice format with a less convenient format. It comes before the adjective whose degree is increased.
方便 “方便” means “convenient” or “easy” in “处理起来会更方便”。It describes the practical effect of separating the charges and can follow “更” when the arrangement makes an action easier.
“还” means “also” or “additionally” in “我还会在顶部加上一段简短说明”。It adds another action to the actions already promised, and it usually comes before the verb.
顶部 “顶部” means “top” in “在顶部”, identifying the upper part of the document. It follows “在” when stating where the description will be added.
加上 “加上” means “add” or “include” in “在顶部加上一段简短说明”。It is used before the item being added, here “一段简短说明”.
“段” is the classifier for the passage or section in “一段简短说明”。It comes between the number or classifier phrase and the noun describing the written content.
简短 “简短” means “short” or “brief” in “简短说明”, describing the description that will be added at the top. It comes before the noun it modifies.
说明 “说明” means “description” or “explanation” in “一段简短说明”。Here it refers to a short explanatory section added to make the document’s purpose clearer.
应该 “应该” means “should” in “应该能避免别人提出疑问”, expressing an expected result rather than an absolute guarantee. It comes before the ability or result being expected.
“能” means “can” or “be able to” in “能避免别人提出疑问”, describing the document’s expected ability to prevent questions. A useful pattern is “能” followed by the action or result that is possible.
避免 “避免” means “avoid” or “prevent” in “避免别人提出疑问”。It is followed by the unwanted event being prevented, here “别人提出疑问”.
别人 “别人” means “other people” in “别人提出疑问”, referring to people who may review the submitted document. It comes before the action those people might take.
提出 “提出” means “raise” or “put forward” in “提出疑问”, describing the act of bringing a question up for discussion. It comes before the noun “疑问” in this expression.
疑问 “疑问” means “question” or “doubt” in “提出疑问”。Here it refers to questions that may arise when the document is submitted, which the added explanation should help prevent.
打印 “打印” means “print” in “我打印之前”, referring to producing a paper or printed copy of the document. It can be followed by “之前” to state that something happens before printing.
之前 “之前” means “before” in “我打印之前”, placing the checking action before printing. The pattern “action + 之前” is used to describe what happens beforehand.
检查 “检查” means “check” or “inspect” in “请您检查一下细节”。It is used before the thing being checked, here “细节”, when asking someone to verify a document.
一下 “一下” makes “检查一下” sound like a brief or light request to check the details. It follows the verb in this expression and softens the practical service request.
细节 “细节” means “details” in “请您检查一下细节”, referring to the specific information on the invoice. It is the object of “检查” when asking the guest to verify the document.

Grammar Points

而不是 + 名词短语

准备详细发票,而不是普通收据。

Zhǔnbèi xiángxì fāpiào, ér bú shì pǔtōng shōujù.

Prepare a detailed invoice instead of a simple receipt.

而不是用于对比两个选择,表示“不是前者,而选择后者”。

Chinese Vocabulary

而不是 conj
ér bú shì instead of
发票 noun
fāpiào invoice
分开 adv
fēnkāi separately; apart
服务 noun
fúwù service
工作记录 phrase
gōngzuò jìlù work records
verb
liè list
每项 det
měi xiàng each item
普通 adj
pǔtōng simple; ordinary
清楚 adj
qīngchu clear
收据 noun
shōujù receipt
详细 adj
xiángxì detailed
准备 verb
zhǔnbèi prepare

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

work records

Show Answer工作记录

detailed

Show Answer详细

service

Show Answer服务

receipt

Show Answer收据