Explaining Damage to a Borrowed Bag | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: After borrowing a bag, one adult explains zipper damage and discusses repair or replacement with the owner..

EN → ZH / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Explaining Damage to a Borrowed Bag to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

我需要告诉你一件关于我借的包的事。

wǒ xūyào gàosu nǐ yí jiàn guānyú wǒ jiè de bāo de shì I need to tell you something about the bag I borrowed.
B

你旅行的时候它出什么问题了吗？

nǐ lǚxíng de shíhou tā chū shénme wèntí le ma Did something happen to it during your trip?
A

拉链卡住了，而且有一部分松开了。

lāliàn kǎzhù le, érqiě yǒu yí bùfen sōngkāi le The zipper got stuck, and part of it came loose.
B

拉链之前就坏了吗？

lāliàn zhīqián jiù huài le ma Was the zipper already damaged?
B

还是你用的时候它才坏的？

háishì nǐ yòng de shíhou tā cái huài de Or did it break while you were using it?
A

之前看起来没问题，所以我想承担责任。

zhīqián kànqǐlái méi wèntí, suǒyǐ wǒ xiǎng chéngdān zérèn It seemed fine before, so I want to take responsibility.
B

谢谢你诚实地告诉我。它可能还可以修好。

xièxie nǐ chéngshí de gàosu wǒ. tā kěnéng hái kěyǐ xiūhǎo I appreciate your honesty. It may still be repairable.
A

如果需要，我可以安排维修，或者换一个包。

rúguǒ xūyào, wǒ kěyǐ ānpái wéixiū, huòzhě huàn yí ge bāo I can arrange the repair or replace the bag if needed.
B

我们先把它拿到修理店，再做决定吧。

wǒmen xiān bǎ tā ná dào xiūlǐdiàn, zài zuò juédìng ba Let's take it to a repair shop before deciding.
A

对不起，事情发生后我没有马上告诉你。

duìbuqǐ, shìqing fāshēng hòu wǒ méiyǒu mǎshàng gàosu nǐ I'm sorry I didn't tell you as soon as it happened.
B

你现在提起这件事已经很有帮助了。我们看看他们怎么说。

nǐ xiànzài tíqǐ zhè jiàn shì yǐjīng hěn yǒu bāngzhù le. wǒmen kànkan tāmen zěnme shuō You brought it up now, and that helps. We'll see what they say.

Word by Word

我 我 means “I” or “me”; here it refers to the speaker who borrowed the bag and wants to explain what happened. It is used as the subject in 我需要告诉你 and is useful when stating your own actions, needs, or intentions.
需要 需要 means “need” in 我需要告诉你, expressing that the speaker feels it is necessary to tell the other person something. It is followed here by the action 告诉你. You can reuse the pattern 我需要 + action when explaining what you must do.
告诉 告诉 means “tell” in 告诉你一件关于我借的包的事, meaning to give information to the other person. The person receiving the information follows it directly as in 告诉你. This form is useful when reporting information, news, or a problem.
你 你 means “you” or “you as the person addressed”; here it refers to the owner of the borrowed bag. In 告诉你, it marks the person receiving the explanation, and in 对不起 it is understood as the person being addressed. Use it when speaking directly to one person.
一 一 means “one” in 一件, specifying a single matter that the speaker needs to discuss. It appears immediately before the measure word 件. The combination 一件 is useful when introducing one matter or thing.
件 件 is the measure word used for a matter or issue in 一件关于我借的包的事. Together with 一, it presents the topic as one specific matter. This measure word is useful with matters or things being discussed.
关于 关于 means “about” or “concerning” in 关于我借的包的事, introducing the subject of the matter. It is followed by the topic 我借的包. Use 关于 + topic when saying what information or discussion concerns.
借 借 means “borrow” in 我借的包, identifying the bag as one the speaker borrowed. The form 我借的包 places this action before 的 to describe the bag. This pattern is useful for identifying an object by what someone borrowed.
的 的 links 我借 to 包 in 我借的包, showing that the phrase before it describes or identifies the bag. It also links 关于我借的包 to 事 in 关于我借的包的事. This form is useful for building descriptions before a noun.
包 包 means “bag” in 我借的包 and refers to the item that was borrowed and later damaged. It is the noun described by 我借的. The dialogue also uses it as the object in 换一个包 when discussing replacement.
事 事 means “matter” or “thing” in 一件关于我借的包的事, referring to the issue the speaker wants to discuss. It completes the phrase about one specific matter. This form is useful when introducing something that needs to be explained or discussed.
旅行 旅行 means “trip” or “travel” in 你旅行的时候, referring to the other person’s trip during which the problem may have occurred. It is followed by 时候 to form a time expression. The phrase 你旅行的时候 identifies the period when something happened.
时候 时候 means “time” or “when” in 你旅行的时候, marking the time during the other person’s trip. It follows the activity 旅行 to create a time clause. This pattern is useful for saying when an event takes place.
它 它 means “it” and refers here to the bag in 它出什么问题了吗 and 它才坏的. It lets the speakers continue discussing the bag without repeating 包. Use it for the non-human item already being discussed.
出 出 means “develop” or “have” in 出什么问题, describing a problem arising with the bag. The useful expression here is 出什么问题了吗, asking what problem occurred. It is used with 问题 in this dialogue rather than carrying the whole meaning alone.
什么 什么 means “what” in 出什么问题了吗, asking the specific nature of the problem. It appears before 问题 in the question. This form is useful when asking what issue or thing is involved.
问题 问题 means “problem” or “issue” in 出什么问题了吗, referring to the damage or malfunction of the bag. In the phrase 出什么问题, it is the problem that has arisen. The same topic is described as 没问题 when the bag seemed fine.
了 了 marks the problem as an event or change relevant in 出什么问题了吗. Here it appears with 吗, which turns the sentence into a yes-no question. This form helps present the problem as having arisen or become noticeable.
吗 吗 is the yes-no question particle at the end of 出什么问题了吗. It asks whether something happened to the bag, while the words before it identify the possible problem. Use it at the end of a question expecting a yes-or-no response.
拉链 拉链 means “zipper” in 拉链卡住了 and 拉链之前就坏了吗, identifying the part of the bag that may be damaged. It is the subject of both the malfunction and the question about earlier damage. Use it when discussing the zipper of a bag or similar item.
卡住 卡住 means “get stuck” or “become stuck” in 拉链卡住了, describing the zipper’s stopped movement. The following 了 presents this as the problem that occurred. This form is useful for an object that cannot move normally because it is stuck.
而且 而且 means “and” or “moreover” in 而且有一部分松开了, adding a second problem after the stuck zipper. It connects the loose part with the first problem. Use it to add another related fact or condition.
有 有 means “there is” or “there are” in 有一部分松开了, introducing the part of the zipper that came loose. It is followed by the noun phrase 一部分. This pattern is useful for pointing out that a particular part or problem exists.
部分 部分 means “part” or “portion” in 有一部分松开了, referring to only one section of the zipper. It is specified by 一 and functions as the thing that became loose. Use it when describing one section of a larger object.
松开 松开 means “come loose” in 有一部分松开了, describing the zipper section no longer staying tight or attached. The 了 in the dialogue presents this loosening as something that happened. This form is useful for describing a fastening or part becoming loose.
之前 之前 means “before” or “previously” in 拉链之前就坏了吗, referring to a time before the speaker used the bag. It places the possible damage earlier than the relevant use. The pattern 之前就... is useful when asking whether a condition already existed.
就 就 means “already” in 之前就坏了吗, emphasizing that the zipper may have been broken before the speaker used it. It occurs after the time phrase 之前 and before 坏. This form is useful when highlighting that something was true at an earlier point.
坏 坏 means “be broken” or “be damaged” in 之前就坏了吗 and 它才坏的. It describes the zipper’s damaged condition rather than the act of damaging it. Use it after the item being discussed when checking or stating that it is no longer working properly.
还是 还是 means “or” in 还是你用的时候它才坏的, introducing the alternative explanation that the zipper broke during the other person’s use. It follows the first possibility in the preceding question. This form is useful for offering another choice or explanation in a question.
用 用 means “use” in 你用的时候, referring to the other person using the bag. Together with 时候, it forms the time expression “when you were using it.” Use it to describe an action involving an object.
才 才 means “only then” or “not until” in 你用的时候它才坏的, emphasizing that the zipper broke only during the other person’s use. It follows the time expression 你用的时候. This form is useful when locating an event at a later or specific point.
看起来 看起来 means “seem” or “look as if” in 看起来没问题, describing an impression based on how the bag appeared. 看 contributes the idea of looking, while 起来 contributes the resulting impression; together they form the exact construction 看起来. It is useful before a description when judging something from its appearance.
没 没 means “not” or “without” in 看起来没问题, saying that the bag seemed to have no problem. It negates the condition expressed by 问题 in this phrase. The dialogue also uses 没有 to say that an action did not happen.
所以 所以 means “so” or “therefore” in 所以我想承担责任, connecting the earlier observation that the bag seemed fine with the speaker’s decision to accept responsibility. It introduces the result or conclusion. Use it to link a reason or situation to what follows.
想 想 means “want” or “intend to” in 我想承担责任, expressing the speaker’s intention to take responsibility. It is followed by the action phrase 承担责任. This pattern is useful when stating what you intend or are willing to do.
承担 承担 means “take responsibility for” in 承担责任, describing the speaker’s willingness to accept responsibility for the damage. It is followed by the object 责任. Use 承担 + responsibility-related noun when accepting an obligation or consequence.
责任 责任 means “responsibility” in 承担责任, naming the obligation the speaker is willing to accept. It follows 承担 as the thing being taken on. This form is useful when discussing responsibility for a problem or result.
谢谢 谢谢 means “thank you” in 谢谢你诚实地告诉我, expressing appreciation for the other person’s honesty. It is followed by the person being thanked, 你. Use it when acknowledging help, information, or considerate behavior.
诚实 诚实 means “honest” or “honesty” in 诚实地告诉我, describing the manner of telling the information. With 地, it means the speaker told the truth honestly. This form is useful when describing truthful or sincere communication.
地 地 is the adverbial particle in 诚实地告诉我, linking 诚实 to the action 告诉. It shows how the telling was done: honestly. This pattern is useful for turning a descriptive word into a modifier of an action.
可能 可能 means “may” or “possibly” in 可能还可以修好, showing that repair is possible but not certain. It comes before the possibility expressed by 还可以修好. Use it when giving a cautious possibility rather than a definite result.
还 还 means “still” in 还可以修好, suggesting that the bag remains capable of being repaired despite the damage. It appears before 可以修好. This form is useful when a possibility or condition continues after a problem.
可以 可以 means “can” or “be possible” in 还可以修好, saying that the bag may be capable of being fixed. It is followed by the result expression 修好. This pattern is useful for discussing whether an action is possible.
修好 修好 means “repair successfully” or “fix” in 还可以修好, focusing on the result of making the bag work properly again. The word combines repair with the successful result of being fixed. It is useful after 可以 when discussing whether an item can be restored.
如果 如果 means “if” in 如果需要, introducing the condition under which the speaker will arrange repair or replacement. The condition comes before the proposed action. Use 如果 + condition when offering an action that depends on a situation.
安排 安排 means “arrange” in 安排维修, meaning to organize or take care of the repair. It is followed by the action 维修. This form is useful when offering to organize a service or practical step.
维修 维修 means “repair” or “maintenance” in 安排维修, naming the repair service the speaker can arrange. It functions as the action after 安排. Use it when discussing repair of an item or equipment.
或者 或者 means “or” in 或者换一个包, introducing replacement as the alternative to arranging repair. It connects two possible actions. Use it to present another option in a statement.
换 换 means “replace” or “change” in 换一个包, meaning to provide or use a different bag instead of the damaged one. It is followed by the object 一个包. This form is useful when discussing replacement of an item.
个 个 is the general measure word in 一个包, placing a quantity before the noun 包. Here it presents one replacement bag. It is useful when counting or identifying a single item with the general measure word.
我们 我们 means “we” or “us” in 我们先把它拿到修理店, referring to the two people acting together. It is the subject of the suggestion to take the bag to a repair shop. Use it when proposing a shared action.
先 先 means “first” in 我们先把它拿到修理店, setting the repair-shop visit before the later decision. It appears before the action to be done first. This form is useful for ordering steps in a plan.
把 把 is the object-marking particle in 把它拿到修理店, placing the bag before the action that will be done to or with it. The exact pattern 把它拿到修理店 highlights taking it to the repair shop. Use 把 + object + action when focusing on what happens to a specific object.
拿到 拿到 means “take or bring to” in 把它拿到修理店, describing moving the bag to the repair shop. 到 indicates reaching that destination. This form is useful when taking an item to a place for a service or purpose.
修理 修理 means “repair” or “fix” in 修理店, identifying the shop as a place where things are repaired. It comes before 店 to describe the shop’s function. Use 修理店 when referring to a repair shop.
店 店 means “shop” or “store” in 修理店, referring to the place where the bag will be examined or repaired. It follows 修理 to form the exact place expression. This form is useful for naming a store or service location.
再 再 means “then” or “after that” in 再做决定, placing the decision after the repair shop has assessed the bag. It contrasts with 先 in the same plan. This form is useful for describing a later step in an ordered sequence.
做 做 means “do” or “make” in 做决定, forming the action of making a decision. It is followed by the noun 决定. This pattern is useful when describing the act of deciding after considering information.
决定 决定 means “decision” in 做决定, naming the choice the speakers will make after visiting the repair shop. It follows 做 as the thing being made. This expression is useful when postponing a choice until more information is available.
吧 吧 softens the suggestion in 我们先把它拿到修理店，再做决定吧. It makes the proposal sound collaborative rather than forceful. Use it at the end of a suggestion for a shared action.
对不起 对不起 is the fixed expression “I’m sorry” in 对不起，事情发生后我没有马上告诉你. 对 begins the apology toward the person addressed, while 不起 completes the fixed apologetic expression; together they express regret. Use it when apologizing for an action or omission.
事情 事情 means “matter” or “event” in 事情发生后, referring to the damage incident that took place. It is the event whose timing is being described. Use it when referring to a particular matter or situation.
发生 发生 means “happen” or “occur” in 事情发生后, describing the event taking place. It is followed by 后 to mark what happened afterward. This form is useful for describing an incident or change that occurs.
后 后 means “after” in 事情发生后, placing the speaker’s failure to tell the owner after the incident. It follows the event phrase 事情发生. This pattern is useful for expressing what happens after an event.
没有 没有 means “did not” in 没有马上告诉你, stating that the speaker did not tell the other person immediately. It negates the action 告诉你 in this context. Use it before an action when saying that the action did not happen.
马上 马上 means “immediately” or “at once” in 没有马上告诉你, describing the quick timing that did not occur. It comes before 告诉你 to modify when the telling should have happened. Use it when emphasizing immediate action.
现在 现在 means “now” in 你现在提起这件事, referring to the current moment when the speaker brings up the issue. It appears before the action 提起. Use it to locate an action at the present time.
提起 提起 means “bring up” or “mention” in 提起这件事, meaning to start talking about the matter. It takes 这件事 as the topic being mentioned. This form is useful when introducing a topic that had not been discussed.
这 这 means “this” in 这件事, pointing to the specific matter of the damaged bag. It comes before the measure word 件 and noun 事. Use it to identify a matter that is current or already understood.
已经 已经 means “already” in 已经很有帮助了, emphasizing that the act of bringing up the issue has produced help by now. It appears before the description 很有帮助. This form is useful when highlighting that a situation or result has been reached.
很 很 means “very” or “quite” in 很有帮助, strengthening the description of how helpful the action has been. It comes before 有帮助. Use it to add degree to a description.
帮助 帮助 means “help” or “assistance” in 很有帮助, saying that mentioning the matter is helpful to the other person. It appears in the expression 很有帮助. This form is useful when evaluating an action or piece of information as useful.
看看 看看 means “take a look” or “see” in 我们看看他们怎么说, suggesting that the speakers wait to see what the repair shop staff say. The repeated 看 makes the suggestion lighter and more conversational. It is useful when proposing a brief look, check, or wait-and-see step.
他们 他们 means “they” or “them” in 他们怎么说, referring to the people at the repair shop. It is the subject of what the speakers expect to hear. Use it when referring to a group of people already identified in the conversation.
怎么 怎么 means “how” or “in what way” in 他们怎么说, asking what the repair-shop staff will say or what their response will be. It comes before 说 to form the embedded question. This pattern is useful when waiting to learn someone’s response.
说 说 means “say” or “speak” in 他们怎么说, referring to the repair-shop staff giving their assessment. It follows 怎么 in the expression asking what they will say. Use it when reporting or anticipating someone’s spoken response.

Grammar Points

关于 + 名词

关于旅行的问题

guānyú lǚxíng de wèntí

the problem about the trip

关于放在名词前，表示“about”或“concerning”，用来引出谈论的主题。

动词 + 好（结果补语）

修好

xiūhǎo

fix successfully; repair completely

好表示动作完成并达到预期结果；修好不仅是“repair”，还强调已经修复。

Chinese Vocabulary

部分 noun
bùfen part; portion
告诉 verb
gàosu tell
关于 prep
guānyú about; concerning
坏 adj
huài be broken; break
借 verb
jiè borrow
卡住 verb
kǎzhù get stuck
拉链 noun
lāliàn zipper
旅行 noun
lǚxíng travel; trip
松开 verb
sōngkāi come loose; loosen
问题 noun
wèntí problem; issue
需要 verb
xūyào need
之前 adv
zhīqián before; previously

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

zipper

Show Answer拉链

part; portion

Show Answer部分

come loose; loosen

Show Answer松开

tell

Show Answer告诉