Preparing a short presentation | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: In a classroom, two adults plan a short presentation about study habits with an outline, transitions, and rehearsal notes..

EN → ZH / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Preparing a short presentation to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

我下周必须做一个简短的演讲。

wǒ xià zhōu bìxū zuò yí ge jiǎnduǎn de yǎnjiǎng I have to give a short presentation next week.
B

先写一个清晰的提纲，再写完整的句子。

xiān xiě yí ge qīngxī de tígāng, zài xiě wánzhěng de jùzi Start with a clear outline before writing full sentences.
A

我的主题是我怎样改变了自己的学习习惯。

wǒ de zhǔtí shì wǒ zěnyàng gǎibiàn le zìjǐ de xuéxí xíguàn My topic is how I changed my study habits.
B

这个主题很容易让人产生共鸣，所以想想听众会学到什么。

zhè ge zhǔtí hěn róngyì ràng rén chǎnshēng gòngmíng, suǒyǐ xiǎng xiǎng tīngzhòng huì xué dào shénme That is relatable, so think about what the audience will learn.
A

我想解释问题、改变和结果。

wǒ xiǎng jiěshì wèntí, gǎibiàn hé jiéguǒ I want to explain the problem, the change, and the result.
B

这个结构不错。在这些部分之间加上简单的过渡语。

zhè ge jiégòu bú cuò. zài zhèxiē bùfen zhījiān jiā shàng jiǎndān de guòdùyǔ That structure works. Add simple transitions between those parts.
A

我应该把整个演讲都背下来吗？

wǒ yīnggāi bǎ zhěng ge yǎnjiǎng dōu bèi xiàlái ma Should I memorize the whole presentation?
B

用笔记排练，这样你的表达会更自然。

yòng bǐjì páiliàn, zhèyàng nǐ de biǎodá huì gèng zìrán Rehearse with notes so you sound more natural.
A

我会练习两次，并录下自己的声音。

wǒ huì liànxí liǎng cì, bìng lù xià zìjǐ de shēngyīn I will practice twice and record myself.
B

这会帮助你更好地掌握时间，也让你的表达听起来更自信。

zhè huì bāngzhù nǐ gèng hǎo de zhǎngwò shíjiān, yě ràng nǐ de biǎodá tīng qǐlái gèng zìxìn That will help you improve your timing and sound more confident.

Word by Word

我 我 means I or me in 我下周必须做一个简短的演讲, referring to the speaker. It is commonly placed before the verb to show who performs the action. Use 我 + verb when talking about your own action or plan.
下周 下周 means next week in 我下周必须做一个简短的演讲. It is a time expression placed before the main action. Use 下周 + verb to describe something planned or expected for next week.
必须 必须 means must or have to in 我下周必须做一个简短的演讲, showing that the presentation is required. It usually comes before the verb it applies to. Use 必须 + verb when an action is necessary.
做 做 means do or give in 做一个简短的演讲; here it describes carrying out a presentation. The object 一个简短的演讲 follows 做. Use 做 + activity or task when describing performing it.
一个 一个 means a or one in 一个简短的演讲, introducing one presentation. 一 is the number and 个 is the classifier used with this noun. Use 一个 + noun when referring to one item or one example.
简短 简短 means short or brief in 简短的演讲, describing the presentation as not long. It comes before 的演讲 to form a description of the noun. Use 简短的 + noun for something brief.
的 的 links the description 简短 to the noun 演讲 in 简短的演讲. It shows that the words before it describe the noun that follows. Use descriptive word + 的 + noun when the description is expressed this way.
演讲 演讲 means presentation or speech in 做一个简短的演讲 and 整个演讲. Here it refers to the planned spoken presentation. It can follow 做 or be modified by words such as 简短的 or 整个.
先 先 means first in 先写一个清晰的提纲, telling the listener which action should happen before the next one. It appears before the first action in a sequence. Use 先 + verb, 再 + verb to describe two ordered steps.
写 写 means write in 先写一个清晰的提纲. The object 一个清晰的提纲 follows the verb. Use 写 + text, note, or outline when describing what someone writes.
清晰 清晰 means clear in 清晰的提纲, describing an outline whose organization or meaning is easy to understand. It comes before 的提纲. Use 清晰的 + noun for something presented in a clear form.
提纲 提纲 means outline in 写一个清晰的提纲. It refers to the organized plan written before the full sentences. Use 写提纲 or 一个提纲 when discussing the plan for a presentation or text.
再 再 means then or afterward in 再写完整的句子, marking the second step after writing the outline. It commonly follows a first step introduced by 先. Use 先做A，再做B for two ordered actions.
完整 完整 means complete or full in 完整的句子, describing sentences that are fully written rather than only outline points. It comes before 的句子. Use 完整的 + noun when emphasizing that nothing essential is left out.
句子 句子 means sentence in 写完整的句子. It is the written material to be produced after the outline. Use 写 + 句子 when talking about writing sentences.
主题 主题 means topic or theme in 我的主题是我怎样改变了自己的学习习惯. It identifies what the presentation is about. Use 主题是 + content to introduce the subject of a talk or piece of writing.
是 是 links 我的主题 to the content that follows in 我的主题是我怎样改变了自己的学习习惯. It identifies or defines the topic. Use noun + 是 + description or content when stating what something is about.
怎样 怎样 means how in 我怎样改变了自己的学习习惯, asking about the way the change happened. It comes before the verb phrase it questions. Use 怎样 + verb when asking or describing how an action is carried out.
改变 改变 means change in 我怎样改变了自己的学习习惯. It describes making the study habits different. Here it is followed by 了 because the change is presented as completed; use 改变 + object when describing what is changed.
了 了 in 改变了自己的学习习惯 shows that the change is viewed as completed in this account. It follows the action phrase 改变. Use verb + 了 when presenting an action or change as having occurred.
自己 自己 means oneself or one’s own in 自己的学习习惯, referring back to the speaker. With 的, it identifies the study habits belonging to that person. Use 自己的 + noun when emphasizing that something belongs to or concerns oneself.
学习 学习 means study or learning in 学习习惯, identifying the type of habits being discussed. Here it modifies 习惯 as part of a noun phrase rather than describing a separate action. Use 学习 + noun for something related to studying or learning.
习惯 习惯 means habit in 改变了自己的学习习惯. It refers to repeated ways of studying that the speaker changed. Use 改变 + 习惯 when describing a change in established behavior.
这个 这个 means this in 这个主题, pointing to the topic just mentioned. It comes directly before the noun it identifies. Use 这个 + noun when referring to one specific thing already known in the conversation.
很 很 adds a high degree in 很容易让人产生共鸣, making the topic especially likely to create a feeling of connection. It appears before the adjective phrase 容易. Use 很 + adjective when describing a strong degree of a quality.
容易 容易 means easy or likely to in 很容易让人产生共鸣; here the topic is likely to make people feel connected with it. The pattern 容易 + verb phrase describes something that tends to lead to an action or result. Use 容易 + verb when describing what is easy or likely to happen.
让 让 means make or cause in 让人产生共鸣, showing that the topic causes people to feel a connection. It is followed by the affected person and the resulting action or feeling. Use 让 + person + verb phrase to describe causing someone to do or feel something.
人 人 means people in 让人产生共鸣, referring generally to people who hear or consider the topic. It functions as the person affected by 让. Use 让人 + verb phrase when describing a general effect on people.
产生 产生 means produce or give rise to in 产生共鸣. Together, 产生共鸣 means to create a feeling of resonance or connection, while 产生 contributes the idea of bringing that result about. Use 产生 + result or feeling when describing something that gives rise to an outcome.
共鸣 共鸣 means resonance or a feeling of connection in 产生共鸣. Here it describes the audience recognizing something in the topic and relating to it. Use 产生共鸣 when a topic, idea, or experience connects with people.
所以 所以 means so or therefore in 这个主题很容易让人产生共鸣，所以想想听众会学到什么. It introduces advice that follows from the previous reason. Use a reason, 所以, and then a result or recommendation.
想想 想想 means think about or consider in 想想听众会学到什么, giving a short conversational suggestion. The repeated form of 想 makes the prompt sound brief and approachable. Use 想想 + topic or question when asking someone to consider something.
听众 听众 means audience in 听众会学到什么. It refers to the people listening to the presentation. Use 听众 + verb phrase when describing what an audience does, hears, or learns.
会 会 means will or is likely to in 听众会学到什么, referring to what the audience is expected to learn. It comes before the verb phrase 学到什么. Use 会 + verb when describing a future or expected action or result.
学到 学到 means learn or gain through learning in 听众会学到什么. The 到 shows the result of obtaining knowledge, and 什么 asks what that knowledge will be. Use 学到 + content when describing what someone learns.
什么 什么 means what in 听众会学到什么, asking for the content the audience will learn. It appears in the object position after 学到. Use verb + 什么 when asking what the action is directed toward.
想 想 means want to in 我想解释问题、改变和结果, expressing the speaker’s intention. It is followed by the action 解释. Use 想 + verb when stating what you want to do.
解释 解释 means explain in 我想解释问题、改变和结果. It describes making the problem, change, and result understandable to the audience. Use 解释 + topic or content when saying what will be explained.
问题 问题 means problem or issue in 解释问题、改变和结果. It is the first topic the speaker plans to explain. Use 解释 + 问题 when presenting the issue that needs to be made clear.
和 和 means and in 问题、改变和结果, linking the listed topics. It joins the final item to the preceding items in this enumeration. Use A、B 和 C to list several related things.
结果 结果 means result in 解释问题、改变和结果. It refers to what happened after the change. Use 解释 + 结果 when describing the outcome of a process or experience.
结构 结构 means structure in 这个结构不错, referring to the organization of the presentation into problem, change, and result. It is evaluated by 不错. Use 结构 + adjective or evaluation when discussing how a talk or text is organized.
不错 不错 literally means not bad, but in 这个结构不错 it gives a positive evaluation: the structure works well. It follows the thing being evaluated. Use noun + 不错 to say that something is good or satisfactory.
在 在 introduces the relation in 在这些部分之间, locating the transitions between the presentation sections. Here it works together with 之间 rather than marking a simple physical place. Use 在 + location or relationship phrase to show where something belongs or happens.
这些 这些 means these in 这些部分, pointing to the parts already described. It comes before the noun 部分. Use 这些 + noun when referring to several specific things in the current context.
部分 部分 means part or section in 这些部分之间. It refers to the separate sections of the presentation. Use 部分 + 之间 when describing the relationship among sections.
之间 之间 means between or among in 在这些部分之间, describing the space or relationship separating the presentation sections. It completes the location phrase introduced by 在. Use A 和 B 之间 or several things + 之间 to describe a relationship between or among items.
加上 加上 means add in 加上简单的过渡语, telling the learner to put transition phrases into the presentation. The object 简单的过渡语 follows it. Use 加上 + object when adding something to an existing plan, text, or structure.
简单 简单 means simple in 简单的过渡语, describing transitions that are not complicated. It comes before 的过渡语. Use 简单的 + noun when recommending an uncomplicated option.
过渡语 过渡语 means transition phrase in 加上简单的过渡语. It refers to language that connects one presentation section to the next. Use 加上 + 过渡语 when adding linking expressions to a talk or text.
应该 应该 means should or ought to in 我应该把整个演讲都背下来吗？, asking for advice about what is appropriate. It comes before the action phrase 把整个演讲都背下来. Use 应该 + verb when asking or stating what someone ought to do.
把 把 marks 整个演讲 as the object directly affected by the action in 把整个演讲都背下来. It places the object before the verb phrase so the result of the action is emphasized. Use 把 + object + verb phrase when describing what is done to a specific object.
整个 整个 means whole or entire in 整个演讲, referring to the presentation as one complete unit. It comes before the noun it modifies. Use 整个 + noun when emphasizing all of something.
都 都 means all or entirely in 把整个演讲都背下来, reinforcing that every part of the presentation is included. It appears after the object phrase and before the verb phrase. Use 都 when emphasizing that all relevant items or parts are included.
背下来 背下来 means memorize completely in 把整个演讲都背下来. 背 describes memorizing by recitation, while 下来 adds the sense that the memorization is successfully completed. Use 把 + text or speech + 背下来 when saying that an entire text should be memorized.
用 用 means use or with in 用笔记排练, showing that notes are the means used during rehearsal. The tool or material 笔记 follows 用, before the action 排练. Use 用 + tool or material + verb when describing what someone uses to perform an action.
笔记 笔记 means notes in 用笔记排练. It refers to the written prompts used while rehearsing the presentation. Use 用笔记 + verb when describing an action carried out with notes.
排练 排练 means rehearse in 用笔记排练, referring to practicing the presentation before giving it. It is used here as the action after 用笔记. Use 排练 when practicing a speech, presentation, or performance.
这样 这样 means this way or so in 这样你的表达会更自然, linking the recommended method with its expected result. It introduces the consequence of rehearsing with notes. Use 这样 + result clause when explaining what will happen if something is done in a certain way.
你 你 means you in 这样你的表达会更自然, referring to the person receiving the advice. It comes before the noun phrase 你的表达. Use 你 + verb or 你的 + noun when addressing one person.
表达 表达 means expression or delivery in 你的表达会更自然, referring to the way the speaker communicates during the presentation. Here it is a noun modified by 你的. Use 你的表达 when discussing how someone communicates an idea.
更 更 means more or even more in 更自然 and 更自信, comparing the expected result with the current state. It comes before the adjective it modifies. Use 更 + adjective when describing an increased degree of a quality.
自然 自然 means natural in 表达会更自然, describing delivery that sounds less forced or memorized. It follows 更 to express a higher degree. Use 更自然 when saying that speech or behavior will sound or feel more natural.
练习 练习 means practice in 我会练习两次, describing the speaker’s planned practice sessions. The number of repetitions 两次 follows the verb. Use 练习 + number of times when stating how often an activity will be practiced.
并 并 means and or as well as in 并录下自己的声音, adding a second action to the practice plan. It connects 录下 with the preceding action under the same subject. Use 并 + verb when linking two related actions.
录下 录下 means record in 录下自己的声音, describing making a recording of the speaker’s own voice. The object 自己的声音 follows the verb. Use 录下 + object when recording a voice, sound, or other material for later listening.
声音 声音 means voice or sound in 录下自己的声音. Here it refers specifically to the speaker’s voice being recorded. Use 录下 + 声音 when making a recording to review how something sounds.
这 这 means this in 这会帮助你, referring to the practice and recording just mentioned. It functions as the subject of the following result. Use 这 + 会 + verb when saying that a preceding action or situation will have an effect.
帮助 帮助 means help in 这会帮助你更好地掌握时间. It introduces the benefit that the practice will provide to the listener. Use 帮助 + person + verb phrase when saying that something helps someone do something.
好 好 contributes the meaning well or effectively in 更好地掌握时间. Together with 更 and 地, 更好地 means more effectively or better. Use 更好地 + verb when describing an improved way of carrying out an action.
地 地 connects 更好 to the verb 掌握 in 更好地掌握时间, turning the preceding description into an adverbial phrase. It shows how the action is carried out. Use descriptive phrase + 地 + verb when modifying the manner of an action.
掌握 掌握 means manage or keep control of in 掌握时间, referring to staying within the planned timing of the presentation. The object 时间 follows it. Use 掌握 + time, knowledge, or another area that someone needs to control or understand.
时间 时间 means time in 掌握时间, and in this presentation context it refers to managing the available speaking time. It is the object of 掌握. Use 掌握时间 when discussing keeping an activity within its planned duration.
也 也 means also or too in 也让你的表达听起来更自信, adding a second benefit to the one introduced before it. It comes before the additional verb phrase. Use 也 + verb phrase when adding another result or action.
听起来 听起来 means sound or seem from the way something is heard in 听起来更自信. 听 means hear or listen, while 起来 adds the appearance or impression that results from hearing it; together they describe how something sounds, not literal upward movement. Use 听起来 + adjective to describe the impression created by someone’s voice or expression.
自信 自信 means confident in 听起来更自信, describing the impression that the speaker’s delivery gives. With 更, it means more confident, and it follows 听起来 to describe how the expression sounds. Use 听起来更自信 when saying that someone’s speech gives a stronger impression of confidence.

Grammar Points

动词 + 下来

背下来

bèi xiàlái

memorize it

“下来”放在动词后表示动作完成并记住或保存下来，如“背下来”。

动词 + 数量词

练习两次

liànxí liǎng cì

practice twice

表示动作发生的次数时，数量词通常放在动词后面，如“练习两次”。

Chinese Vocabulary

产生共鸣 phrase
chǎnshēng gòngmíng to resonate; to feel relatable
改变 verb
gǎibiàn to change
简短 adj
jiǎnduǎn short; brief
句子 noun
jùzi sentence
清晰 adj
qīngxī clear
提纲 noun
tígāng outline
听众 noun
tīngzhòng audience
完整 adj
wánzhěng complete; full
学到 verb
xué dào to learn; to find out
学习习惯 phrase
xuéxí xíguàn study habits
演讲 noun
yǎnjiǎng presentation; speech
主题 noun
zhǔtí topic; theme

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

study habits

Show Answer学习习惯

to resonate; to feel relatable

Show Answer产生共鸣

to change

Show Answer改变

outline

Show Answer提纲