Borrowing a suitcase and agreeing on care | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: Before a trip, one adult borrows a suitcase and agrees how to protect it, document its condition, and return it clean..

EN → ZH / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Borrowing a suitcase and agreeing on care to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

我下周旅行时可以借用你的中号行李箱吗？

wǒ xià zhōu lǚxíng shí kěyǐ jièyòng nǐ de zhōnghào xínglǐxiāng ma Could I borrow your medium suitcase for my trip next week?
B

可以，但要小心把手，因为它有点容易坏。

kěyǐ, dàn yào xiǎoxīn bǎshǒu, yīnwèi tā yǒudiǎn róngyì huài You can, but be careful with the handle because it's a little fragile.
A

我会记住这一点，避免把它装得太满。

wǒ huì jìzhù zhè yì diǎn, bìmiǎn bǎ tā zhuāng de tài mǎn I'll keep that in mind and avoid overpacking it.
B

它的侧面还有一道划痕。

tā de cèmiàn hái yǒu yí dào huáhén It also has a scratch on the side.
A

你希望我在使用它之前先拍张照片吗？

nǐ xīwàng wǒ zài shǐyòng tā zhīqián xiān pāi zhāng zhàopiàn ma Would you like me to take a photo before I use it?
B

拍张照片能让我们都清楚它现在的状况。

pāi zhāng zhàopiàn néng ràng wǒmen dōu qīngchu tā xiànzài de zhuàngkuàng A photo would make the condition clear for both of us.
A

我回来后的第二天会把它还给你。

wǒ huílái hòu de dì èr tiān huì bǎ tā huán gěi nǐ I'll return it the day after I get back.
B

请在把它拿进屋之前把轮子擦干净。

qǐng zài bǎ tā ná jìn wū zhīqián bǎ lúnzi cā gānjìng Please wipe the wheels before bringing it inside.
A

我会在外面擦好轮子，再把它带回来。

wǒ huì zài wàimiàn cā hǎo lúnzi, zài bǎ tā dài huílái I'll do that outside before I bring it back.
B

如果旅行中把手给你带来麻烦，请告诉我。

rúguǒ lǚxíng zhōng bǎshǒu gěi nǐ dài lái máfan, qǐng gàosu wǒ Let me know if the handle gives you trouble during the trip.

Word by Word

我 “我” means “I” or “me”; here it is the person who wants to borrow the suitcase. It commonly comes before the verb, as in “我下周旅行时”. Use it when talking about your own action or plan.
下周 “下周” means “next week” and gives the time of the trip. It commonly appears before the activity, as in “下周旅行”. Use it when arranging or describing something in the following week.
旅行 “旅行” means “travel” or “take a trip”; here it describes the speaker’s trip next week. It can follow a time expression, as in “下周旅行”. Use it when discussing going away or traveling.
时 In “旅行时”, “时” means “when” or “during” the activity. The pattern is activity + “时”, as in “使用时” for “when using”. Use it to identify the time when an action happens.
可以 “可以” means “can” or “may”; here it asks for permission to borrow the suitcase. It commonly comes before a verb, as in “可以借用”. Use it when requesting or granting permission.
借用 “借用” means “borrow and use temporarily”; here the speaker wants to use someone else’s suitcase for a trip. It commonly takes the object after it, as in “借用你的中号行李箱”. Use it when borrowing an item for temporary use.
你 “你” means “you”; here it identifies the person who owns the suitcase. In “你的中号行李箱”, it comes before “的” to form “your suitcase”. Use it when addressing one person directly.
的 In “你的中号行李箱”, “的” links “你” to the following noun and shows that the suitcase belongs to you. The pattern is person + “的” + noun. Use it to mark possession or another attributive relationship.
中号 “中号” means “medium-sized”; here it describes the size of the suitcase. It comes directly before the noun in “中号行李箱”. Use it before an object when specifying a medium size.
行李箱 “行李箱” means “suitcase”; here it is the item being borrowed. It can follow a size description, as in “中号行李箱”. Use it when referring to a suitcase used for carrying belongings while traveling.
吗 “吗” is a question particle that turns the statement into a yes-or-no question in “可以借用你的中号行李箱吗？”. It is placed at the end of the sentence. Use it when asking whether something is possible or permitted.
但 “但” means “but” and introduces a condition or warning that contrasts with the permission just given. It commonly connects two parts of a sentence, as in “可以，但要小心”. Use it when adding an exception, limitation, or contrasting point.
要 In “要小心”, “要” means “need to” or “should”, giving advice about how to handle the suitcase. It comes before the action or quality being required, as in “要小心”. Use it when stating a necessary action or caution.
小心 “小心” means “be careful”; here it is a warning to handle the suitcase carefully. It commonly follows “要”, as in “要小心把手”. Use it when warning someone about possible damage or danger.
把手 “把手” means “handle”; here it refers to the suitcase handle that may be fragile. It can follow “小心” in “小心把手”, identifying what needs careful handling. Use it when referring to the part used to hold or move an object.
因为 “因为” means “because” and introduces the reason for being careful. Here it begins the explanation “因为它有点容易坏”. It commonly comes before the reason for a request, warning, or conclusion.
它 “它” means “it”; here it refers to the suitcase or its handle in the explanation of the warning. It commonly comes before a description, as in “它有点容易坏”. Use it when referring to an object already known from the conversation.
有点 “有点” means “a little” or “somewhat”; here it softens the statement that the handle is likely to become damaged. It combines “有”, which contributes the idea of having a degree, with “点”, which contributes a small amount. The common pattern is “有点” + adjective, as in “有点容易坏”, when describing a slight degree.
容易 “容易” means “easy to” or “likely to”; here it says that the handle is likely to become damaged. It commonly comes before a verb or result, as in “容易坏”. Use it when describing something that can happen readily or with little difficulty.
坏 In “容易坏”, “坏” means “become damaged” or “break”. It follows “容易” to describe the possible result for the handle. Use it when talking about an object becoming unusable or damaged.
会 In “我会记住”, “会” means “will” and presents the speaker’s intention or expected future action. It comes before the verb, as in “会记住”. Use it when promising or predicting what someone will do.
记住 “记住” means “remember” or “keep in mind”; here the speaker promises to remember the warning about the handle. It commonly follows “会”, as in “我会记住”. Use it when acknowledging information that should guide a later action.
这 In “这一点”, “这” means “this” and points to the warning that was just mentioned. It comes before the noun phrase “一点”. Use it to refer to something specific and close in the conversation.
一点 In “这一点”, “一点” means “this point” or “this aspect”, referring to the warning about the suitcase. Here it is part of the expression “这一点”, rather than a quantity of an object. Use “这一点” when referring back to one particular piece of information.
避免 “避免” means “avoid”; here the speaker will avoid packing the suitcase too full. It commonly takes an action or situation after it, as in “避免把它装得太满”. Use it when deliberately preventing an unwanted result.
把 In “把它装得太满”, “把” marks “它” as the object being deliberately handled before the verb. The reusable pattern is “把” + object + verb + result or degree complement, as in “把它装得太满”. Use it when describing what is done to a specific object.
装 In “把它装得太满”, “装” means “pack” the suitcase or put things into it. It is followed by “得太满” to describe the resulting degree. Use it with an object when explaining how something is packed or filled.
得 In “装得太满”, “得” links the verb “装” to the following degree description. The pattern is verb + “得” + description, as in “装得太满”. Use it when explaining how strongly or to what degree an action is carried out.
太 In “太满”, “太” means “too” or “overly” and shows that the suitcase is filled beyond the suitable degree. It commonly comes before an adjective, as in “太满”. Use it when describing an excessive degree.
满 In “装得太满”, “满” means “full”; together with “太”, it means packed more fully than is appropriate. It can follow “得” to describe the result of an action. Use it when describing the amount of space that has been filled.
侧面 “侧面” means “side”; here it identifies the side surface of the suitcase. It commonly appears in the location phrase “在侧面” or before a description of something found there. Use it when locating a mark or feature on the side of an object.
还 In “还有一道划痕”, “还” means “also” or “in addition”; it adds the scratch to the previously mentioned details about the suitcase. It commonly comes before the verb or description being added. Use it when mentioning another item or condition.
有 In “还有一道划痕”, “有” means “has” or “there is”, introducing a scratch located on the suitcase’s side. It commonly comes before the thing that exists or is present. Use it to state that an object has a feature or that something is present.
一道 “一道” is the measure phrase used here for the line-like mark in “一道划痕”. “一” indicates one, while “道” contributes the measure for a line or mark. Use it before a scratch or another line-shaped mark when describing one such mark.
划痕 “划痕” means “scratch”; here it is the mark already present on the side of the suitcase. It appears as the noun after “一道” in “一道划痕”. Use it when reporting a visible scraped or scratched mark.
希望 In “你希望我在使用它之前先拍张照片吗？”, “希望” means “would like” or “hope”, asking what the other person wants the speaker to do. It commonly follows a person and takes another action after it, as in “希望我拍照片”. Use it when asking about someone’s desired action or expressing a wish.
在 In “在使用它之前”, “在” introduces the time period before using the suitcase. The pattern is “在” + action + “之前”, as in “在使用它之前”. Use it to place an action in a particular time frame.
使用 “使用” means “use”; here it refers to using the suitcase. It appears in the time phrase “在使用它之前”, meaning before using it. Use it when referring to the practical use of an object.
之前 “之前” means “before”; here it places taking the photo before using the suitcase. It commonly follows an action or event, as in “使用它之前”. Use it to set a deadline or earlier time in relation to another action.
先 “先” means “first” or “beforehand”; here it shows that taking the photo should happen before using the suitcase. It commonly comes before the first action in a sequence, as in “先拍张照片”. Use it when ordering two or more actions.
拍 In “拍张照片”, “拍” means “take” a photo. It comes before the measure phrase and noun in “拍张照片”. Use it when describing the action of taking a photograph.
张 “张” is the measure word used for the photo in “一张照片” or “拍张照片”. It is used with flat items such as a photograph. Use it between a number or quantity expression and “照片” when counting photos.
照片 “照片” means “photo”; here it is the record of the suitcase’s condition before use. It follows “拍” in “拍张照片”. Use it when discussing a photograph or taking a visual record.
能 In “一张照片能让我们都清楚”, “能” means “can” or “be able to”, expressing that a photo can produce a useful result. It commonly comes before a verb, as in “能让”. Use it when describing possibility or capability.
让 In “让我们都清楚”, “让” means “make” or “enable” and introduces the people who become clear about the condition. The pattern is “让” + person + result or action, as in “让我们都清楚”. Use it when one thing causes or enables someone to do or understand something.
我们 “我们” means “we” or “us”; here it refers to both people who are agreeing about the suitcase’s condition. It follows “让” in “让我们都清楚”. Use it when including yourself and at least one other person.
都 In “我们都清楚”, “都” means “both” because it applies to the two people represented by “我们”. It commonly comes before the verb or description shared by the group. Use it when every person in the mentioned group has the same situation or result.
清楚 In “让我们都清楚”, “清楚” means “clear” or “clearly understand”; here both people will know the suitcase’s condition. It commonly follows “让” and can describe a person’s understanding or the clarity of information. Use it when information or a situation is understood without uncertainty.
现在 “现在” means “now” or “currently”; here it specifies the suitcase’s condition at the present time. It appears in “现在的状况”, before the noun it describes. Use it when distinguishing the current state from a later state.
状况 “状况” means “condition” or “state”; here it refers to the suitcase’s condition before it is used. It follows “现在的” in “现在的状况”. Use it when discussing the state of an object or situation.
回来 In “我回来后的第二天”, “回来” means “come back” or “return” to the relevant place. It is followed by “后” to establish the time of returning the suitcase. Use it when someone returns to the place or side of reference.
后 In “回来后”, “后” means “after” and places the next event after returning. The pattern is action or event + “后”, as in “回来后的第二天”. Use it to describe when something happens after another action.
第二天 “第二天” means “the second day”; in “回来后的第二天”, it means the day after returning. It commonly follows a time reference such as “回来后”. Use it when specifying the next day in relation to an event.
给 In “给你带来麻烦”, “给” means “to” or “for” and identifies the person affected by what the handle causes. The pattern is “给” + person + “带来” + result, as in “给你带来麻烦”. Use it when an action or situation brings something to someone.
请 “请” means “please” and makes the request in “请把轮子擦干净” polite. It commonly comes at the beginning of a request. Use it when asking someone to perform an action courteously.
拿 In “把它拿进屋”, “拿” means “take” or “carry” the suitcase. It is followed by “进屋” to show movement into the house or room. Use it when carrying an object somewhere.
进 In “拿进屋”, “进” means “into” and acts as the directional part of the movement toward the house or room. The pattern is verb + “进” + destination, as in “拿进屋”. Use it when an object or person moves inside a place.
屋 In “进屋”, “屋” means “house” or “room” and is the destination of the movement. It follows “进” in the expression “进屋”. Use it when referring to the inside of a home or room as a destination.
轮子 “轮子” means “wheels”; here it refers to the suitcase wheels that should be wiped before bringing it indoors. It can follow “擦” in “擦轮子” or “擦干净”. Use it when referring to wheels on luggage or another object.
擦 In “擦干净”, “擦” means “wipe”; here the wheels should be wiped to remove dirt. It commonly combines with a result description such as “干净”. Use it when cleaning a surface with a cloth or similar action.
干净 In “擦干净”, “干净” means “clean” and describes the result required from wiping the wheels. The pattern is verb + “干净”, as in “擦干净”. Use it when saying that an action should leave something clean.
外面 “外面” means “outside”; here the speaker will wipe the wheels outdoors before bringing the suitcase back. It commonly follows “在”, as in “在外面”. Use it to identify a location outside a building or enclosed area.
好 In “擦好轮子”, “好” means that the wiping has been completed satisfactorily. It follows the verb “擦” and shows that the task is done, not simply that something is good. Use it after an action when emphasizing its completed or properly finished result.
再 In “再把它带回来”, “再” means “then” or “after that” and places bringing the suitcase back after wiping it outside. It commonly introduces the later action in a sequence, as in “先……再……”. Use it when describing what happens next.
带 In “带回来”, “带” means “bring” or “carry” the suitcase toward the relevant place. It combines with “回来” to show carrying it back. Use it when moving an object with you toward the point of reference.
如果 “如果” means “if” and introduces the condition that the handle causes trouble during the trip. It commonly begins a conditional clause, as in “如果……，请告诉我”. Use it when explaining what should happen under a possible condition.
中 In “旅行中”, “中” means “during” the trip. The pattern is event + “中”, as in “使用中” for “during use”. Use it to describe something happening while an activity or period is in progress.
带来 In “给你带来麻烦”, “带来” means “bring” or “cause” something for someone; here the handle may cause trouble for the traveler. It commonly appears in “给” + person + “带来” + result. Use it when an event or object produces an effect or problem for someone.
麻烦 “麻烦” means “trouble” or “a problem”; here it refers to difficulty caused by the handle during the trip. It follows “带来” in “给你带来麻烦”. Use it when reporting an inconvenience or asking someone to tell you about a problem.
告诉 “告诉” means “tell” or “let someone know”; here the listener is asked to inform the owner if the handle causes trouble. It commonly takes the person after it, as in “告诉我”. Use it when passing information to another person.

Grammar Points

动词 + 得 + 形容词

行李箱装得太满。

xínglǐxiāng zhuāng de tài mǎn

The suitcase is packed too full.

得连接动作和结果或程度，太满说明装行李的程度。

动词 + 方向补语“回来”

带回来

dài huílái

to bring back

回来表示动作朝说话人所在的地方返回，常放在动词后面。

Chinese Vocabulary

把手 noun
bǎshǒu handle
避免 verb
bìmiǎn to avoid
侧面 noun
cèmiàn side
记住 verb
jìzhù to remember; to keep in mind
借用 verb
jièyòng to borrow; to use temporarily
旅行 verb
lǚxíng to travel; trip
容易坏 phrase
róngyì huài easy to break
下周 adv
xià zhōu next week
小心 verb
xiǎoxīn to be careful
行李箱 noun
xínglǐxiāng suitcase
中号 adj
zhōnghào medium-sized
装得太满 phrase
zhuāng de tài mǎn to pack too full

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to pack too full

Show Answer装得太满

to be careful

Show Answer小心

suitcase

Show Answer行李箱

side

Show Answer侧面