About This Lesson
Use Making a private call during a break to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我需要在休息时间打一个私人电话。
wǒ xūyào zài xiūxi shíjiān dǎ yí ge sīrén diànhuà I need to make a private call during the break.
B
如果话题比较敏感，就去安静的走廊。
rúguǒ huàtí bǐjiào mǐngǎn, jiù qù ānjìng de zǒuláng Use the quiet hallway if the topic is sensitive.
A
我不想打扰还在工作的人。
wǒ bù xiǎng dǎrǎo hái zài gōngzuò de rén I don't want to interrupt people who are still working.
B
会议很快就要重新开始了，所以可以的话尽量简短一些。
huìyì hěn kuài jiù yào chóngxīn kāishǐ le, suǒyǐ kěyǐ de huà jǐnliàng jiǎnduǎn yìxiē The meeting restarts soon, so keep it brief if you can.
A
如果我没能准时回来，你能帮我记下我错过的内容吗？
rúguǒ wǒ méi néng zhǔnshí huílái, nǐ néng bāng wǒ jìxià wǒ cuòguò de nèiróng ma If I'm not back exactly on time, could you keep track of anything I miss?
B
我可以，不过如果电话打得更久，请给我发消息。
wǒ kěyǐ, búguò rúguǒ diànhuà dǎ de gèng jiǔ, qǐng gěi wǒ fā xiāoxi I can do that, but message me if the call takes longer.
A
我会的。下一个议程开始前我应该能回来。
wǒ huì de. xià yí ge yìchéng kāishǐ qián wǒ yīnggāi néng huílái I will. I should be back before the next agenda item.
B
休息后的第一部分只是一个简短的更新。
xiūxi hòu de dì yī bùfen zhǐ shì yí ge jiǎnduǎn de gēngxīn The first part after the break is just a quick update.
A
这样就好办了。我现在出去一下。
zhèyàng jiù hǎobàn le. wǒ xiànzài chūqù yíxià That helps. I'll step outside now.
B
你可以花足够的时间，不过要留意时钟。
nǐ kěyǐ huā zúgòu de shíjiān, búguò yào liúyì shízhōng Take the time you need, but keep an eye on the clock.Word by Word
我
“我” refers to the speaker as “I” or “me” in the dialogue. It appears as the subject in “我需要” and “我不想”, and as the object in “帮我”. A reusable pattern is 我 + action or state when talking about yourself.
需要
“需要” means “need” in “我需要在休息时间打一个私人电话”. It introduces something necessary, followed here by the action “在休息时间打一个私人电话”. A reusable pattern is 需要 + an object or action.
在
“在” sets the time or place for an action; in “在休息时间” it means “during the break”. Here it comes before a time expression rather than naming a location. A reusable pattern is 在 + time + action.
休息
“休息” means “rest” or “break” in the compound “休息时间”. It identifies the period when people are not working or meeting. A reusable pattern is 休息 + 时间 for “break time” or “rest time”.
时间
“时间” means “time” in “休息时间”, referring to the time period of the break. It follows “休息” to form a time expression. A reusable pattern is a modifier + 时间, such as “休息时间” in the dialogue.
打
“打” means “make” a phone call in “打一个私人电话”. This phone-call meaning comes from its use with “电话” as the object. A new example is 打一个电话, meaning “make a phone call”.
一个
“一个” marks one instance of the noun in “一个私人电话”, so it means “a” or “one” here. “一” gives the number and “个” is the classifier used in this noun phrase. A reusable pattern is 一个 + noun.
私人
“私人” means “private” or “personal” in “一个私人电话”. It describes the phone call as being for personal matters rather than the shared work situation. A reusable pattern is 私人 + noun, as in “私人电话”.
电话
“电话” refers to a phone call in “一个私人电话”. In this dialogue it is the object of “打”, forming the expression for making a call. A reusable pattern is 打 + a phone-call object.
如果
“如果” introduces a condition in “如果话题比较敏感”. It means “if” and presents the situation that leads to the advice in the rest of the sentence. A reusable pattern is 如果 + condition, followed by the result or advice.
话题
“话题” means “topic” in “如果话题比较敏感”. It identifies what the private call is about. A reusable pattern is 话题 + adjective, as in “话题比较敏感”.
比较
“比较” means “relatively” or “rather” in “话题比较敏感”. It presents “敏感” as a degree or assessment rather than an absolute description. A reusable pattern is 比较 + adjective.
敏感
“敏感” means “sensitive” in “话题比较敏感”. It describes the topic as one that may require privacy or care. A reusable pattern is a noun such as “话题” + 敏感.
就
“就” marks the consequence of the condition in “如果话题比较敏感，就去安静的走廊”. It has the sense of “then” or “in that case” here. A reusable pattern is 如果 + condition，就 + advice or result.
去
“去” means “go” in the advice “就去安静的走廊”. It introduces movement toward the suggested place. A reusable pattern is 去 + place.
安静
“安静” means “quiet” in “安静的走廊”. It describes the hallway as a place with little noise or interruption. A reusable pattern is 安静的 + noun.
的
“的” links the description “安静” to the noun “走廊” in “安静的走廊”. It shows that “安静” describes the hallway. A reusable pattern is adjective + 的 + noun.
走廊
“走廊” means “hallway” in “安静的走廊”. It is the place the speaker is advised to go if the topic is sensitive. A reusable pattern is 去 + place, such as 去走廊 in a new example.
不
“不” makes “想” negative in “我不想打扰还在工作的人”. It means “not” and expresses that the speaker does not want to do the following action. A reusable pattern is 不 + action or attitude verb.
想
“想” means “want to” in “我不想打扰还在工作的人”. It expresses the speaker’s intention or desire, with “打扰” naming the action they do not want to take. A reusable pattern is 想 + action.
打扰
“打扰” means “disturb” or “interrupt” in “打扰还在工作的人”. Its object is the people whose work should not be interrupted. A reusable pattern is 打扰 + person or activity.
还
“还” means “still” in “还在工作”. It shows that the people continue to be working at that time. A reusable pattern is 还在 + action or state.
工作
“工作” means “work” in “还在工作的人”. With “在”, it describes an ongoing activity, and with “的人” it identifies the people doing it. A reusable pattern is 在工作 for “be working”.
人
“人” means “person” or “people” in “工作的人”. The phrase identifies the people who are still working. A reusable pattern is an action or description + 的人 for “the person or people who...”.
会议
“会议” means “meeting” in “会议很快就要重新开始了”. It names the work meeting that will resume soon. A reusable pattern is 会议 + action or state.
很快
“很快” means “soon” in “会议很快就要重新开始了”. It places the meeting’s restart in the near future. A reusable pattern is 很快 + upcoming event or action.
要
“要” in “很快就要重新开始了” shows that the meeting is about to restart. It expresses an imminent event in this context, rather than a general need. A reusable pattern is 要 + action for something about to happen.
重新
“重新” means “again” or “anew” in “重新开始”. It shows that the meeting will start again after the break. A reusable pattern is 重新 + action.
开始
“开始” means “begin” or “start” in “重新开始”. Here it refers to the meeting starting again. A reusable pattern is an event or activity + 开始, or 开始 + action.
了
The sentence-final “了” in “会议很快就要重新开始了” marks a changed or newly relevant situation: the meeting is now about to restart. It helps present the restart as imminent in the current context. A reusable pattern is a statement + 了 when the situation has changed or become relevant.
所以
“所以” introduces the consequence in “所以可以的话尽量简短一些”. It means “so” or “therefore”, connecting the meeting’s imminent restart with the request to keep the call brief. A reusable pattern is reason or situation，所以 + result or advice.
可以
“可以” means “can” or “be possible” in “可以的话”. It contributes the idea “if possible” to the conditional expression. A reusable pattern is 可以 + action for saying that an action is possible or permitted.
的话
“的话” means “if” or “in the case that” in “可以的话”. Here “的” and “话” work together as a conditional expression, so “可以的话” means “if possible”; neither component alone carries the whole conditional meaning. A reusable pattern is condition + 的话, such as 如果有时间的话 in a new example.
尽量
“尽量” means “as much as possible” in “尽量简短一些”. It asks the listener to make a reasonable effort toward the following description. A reusable pattern is 尽量 + action or adjective.
简短
“简短” means “brief” or “concise” in “简短一些”. It describes the requested length of the call or its contents. A reusable pattern is keep something 简短, with the thing being understood from context.
一些
“一些” softens “简短” in “简短一些”, meaning “a little” or “somewhat” briefer. It asks for a moderate adjustment rather than an absolute instruction. A reusable pattern is adjective + 一些 when requesting a slight degree of change.
没
“没” negates successful ability or occurrence in “没能准时回来”. Together with “能”, it means that the speaker did not manage to return on time. A reusable pattern is 没 + verb or modal expression for something that did not happen or was not achieved.
能
“能” means “be able to” in “没能准时回来”. It expresses the ability or possibility of returning on time, which is negated by “没”. A reusable pattern is 能 + action.
准时
“准时” means “on time” in “准时回来”. It describes returning at the expected time. A reusable pattern is 准时 + action, such as 准时到达 in a new example.
回来
“回来” means “come back” or “return” in “准时回来”. It describes movement back to the place where the conversation or meeting is taking place. A reusable pattern is 回来 + time expression, such as 准时回来.
你
“你” refers to the listener as “you” in “你能帮我记下...吗”. It is the subject of the request. A reusable pattern is 你 + 能 or another action expression when asking what the listener can do.
帮
“帮” means “help” in “帮我记下我错过的内容”. It introduces an action done for another person, with “我” as the person helped. A reusable pattern is 帮 + person + action.
记下
“记下” means “write down” or “keep a record of” in “记下我错过的内容”. It presents the information as something to retain for later. A reusable pattern is 记下 + information or details.
错过
“错过” means “miss” in “我错过的内容”. It refers to content the speaker was not present for or did not catch. A reusable pattern is 错过 + event, opportunity, or content.
内容
“内容” means “content” in “我错过的内容”. It refers to the information from the meeting that the speaker might miss. A reusable pattern is a description + 的内容 for content connected with that description.
吗
“吗” marks the sentence “你能帮我记下我错过的内容吗” as a yes-no question. It turns the request into a question seeking agreement or ability. A reusable pattern is a statement or request + 吗.
不过
“不过” means “but” or “however” in “我可以，不过如果电话打得更久...”. It introduces a condition or limitation after agreeing to help. A reusable pattern is 不过 + contrasting point or request.
得
The “得” in “电话打得更久” links the action “打” with a description of its duration. It introduces how long the phone call continues in this expression. A reusable pattern is verb + 得 + description of degree or result.
更
“更” means “more” or “even more” in “打得更久”. It marks a greater degree of duration for the call. A reusable pattern is 更 + adjective or description.
久
“久” means “long” in duration in “打得更久”. It describes the phone call as lasting for a longer time. A reusable pattern is verb + 得 + 久 when describing how long an action lasts.
请
“请” makes the request polite in “请给我发消息”. It means “please” and comes before the requested action. A reusable pattern is 请 + action.
给
“给” introduces the recipient in “给我发消息”. It shows that the message should be sent to “我”. A reusable pattern is 给 + person + action.
发
“发” means “send” in “发消息”. It describes sending something to another person, with “消息” as the object here. A reusable pattern is 发 + message or other sent item.
消息
“消息” means “message” in “给我发消息”. It is the thing the listener should send if the call takes longer. A reusable pattern is 发消息 for sending a message.
会
“会” in “我会的” confirms that the speaker will carry out the previously mentioned action. It expresses an intended or expected future action, with “的” completing the short reply. A reusable pattern is 我会 + action when promising to do something.
下
“下” contributes the meaning “next” in “下一个议程”. Together with “一个”, it identifies the following agenda item. A reusable pattern is 下一个 + noun for the next item of a sequence.
议程
“议程” refers to the agenda or scheduled item in “下一个议程开始前”. It identifies the next part of the meeting that the speaker expects to return before. A reusable pattern is 下一个议程 for the next agenda item in a meeting.
前
“前” means “before” in “下一个议程开始前”. It follows the event phrase “下一个议程开始” and places the return earlier than that event. A reusable pattern is event phrase + 前 for “before the event”.
应该
“应该” expresses an expectation in “我应该能回来”. It means “should” here, suggesting that returning before the next agenda item is expected rather than guaranteed. A reusable pattern is 应该 + 能 or action when stating an expectation.
后
“后” means “after” in “休息后的第一部分”. It follows “休息” to identify the time after the break. A reusable pattern is event or time + 后 for “after...”.
第一
“第一” means “first” in “第一部分”. It identifies the initial section after the break. A reusable pattern is 第一 + classifier or noun for the first item in a sequence.
部分
“部分” means “part” or “section” in “第一部分”. It refers to one section of the meeting after the break. A reusable pattern is 第一部分 for the first section of an activity or event.
只是
“只是” means “just” or “merely” in “只是一个简短的更新”. It limits the description of the first section, presenting it as only a brief update. A reusable pattern is 只是 + noun or description when narrowing what something is.
更新
“更新” means “update” in “一个简短的更新”. It refers to new information shared about the work or meeting. A reusable pattern is 一个 + adjective + 更新, as in “一个简短的更新”.
这样
“这样” means “this way” or “like this” in “这样就好办了”. It refers to the arrangement just described and evaluates it as making the situation easier. A reusable pattern is 这样 + result or evaluation.
好办
“好办” means “easy to handle” in “这样就好办了”. It describes the situation as manageable because only a brief update may be missed. A reusable pattern is something + 好办 when saying that it is easy to arrange or deal with.
现在
“现在” means “now” in “我现在出去一下”. It places the action at the current moment. A reusable pattern is 现在 + action.
出去
“出去” means “go outside” or “go out” in “我现在出去一下”. It describes movement from the current indoor place to outside. A reusable pattern is 出去 + duration or purpose when briefly leaving a place.
一下
“一下” makes “出去一下” sound brief or limited, meaning “go out for a moment”. In this expression, “一” and “下” work together to soften or limit the action; the whole meaning does not come from either component alone. A new example is 看一下, meaning “take a quick look”.
花
“花” means “spend” in “花足够的时间”. Its object is time, so it describes using time for an activity. A reusable pattern is 花 + amount of time + action.
足够
“足够” means “enough” or “sufficient” in “足够的时间”. It describes the amount of time as meeting the need for the call. A reusable pattern is 足够的 + noun, such as “足够的时间”.
留意
“留意” means “pay attention to” or “keep an eye on” in “留意时钟”. It asks the listener to monitor something carefully. A reusable pattern is 留意 + object.
时钟
“时钟” means “clock” in “留意时钟”. It is the object being watched so that the speaker does not lose track of time. A reusable pattern is 留意 + 时钟 when reminding someone to watch the time.
Grammar Points
尽量 + 动词
我会尽量准时出去。
wǒ huì jǐnliàng zhǔnshí chūqùI will try to go out on time.
尽量放在动词前，表示“as much as possible”或“try one's best to”。
重新开始
会议需要重新开始。
huìyì xūyào chóngxīn kāishǐThe meeting needs to start again.
重新开始是固定动词短语，表示某个活动或动作再次开始。
Chinese Vocabulary
安静
adj
ānjìng
quiet
如果话题比较敏感,就去安静的走廊。
打扰
verb
dǎrǎo
interrupt; disturb
我不想打扰还在工作的人。
电话
noun
diànhuà
phone call; telephone
我需要在休息时间打一个私人电话。
话题
noun
huàtí
topic
如果话题比较敏感,就去安静的走廊。
会议
noun
huìyì
meeting
会议很快就要重新开始了。
尽量
adv
jǐnliàng
as much as possible; try one's best to
可以的话尽量简短一些。
敏感
adj
mǐngǎn
sensitive
如果话题比较敏感,就去安静的走廊。
私人
adj
sīrén
private; personal
我需要在休息时间打一个私人电话。
休息时间
noun
xiūxi shíjiān
break time
我需要在休息时间打一个私人电话。
需要
verb
xūyào
need
我需要在休息时间打一个私人电话。
重新开始
verb
chóngxīn kāishǐ
restart; start again
会议很快就要重新开始了。
走廊
noun
zǒuláng
hallway; corridor
如果话题比较敏感,就去安静的走廊。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
break time
Show Answer
休息时间restart; start again
Show Answer
重新开始phone call; telephone
Show Answer
电话sensitive