About This Lesson
Use Fixing a Stuck Print Job in the Library to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我的文件卡在打印机队列里了，什么都没有打印出来。
Wǒ de wénjiàn kǎ zài dǎyìnjī duìliè lǐ le, shénme dōu méiyǒu dǎyìn chūlái. My document is stuck in the printer queue, and nothing is coming out.
B
我们先看看屏幕，再重新发送打印任务吧。
Wǒmen xiān kànkan píngmù, zài chóngxīn fāsòng dǎyìn rènwu ba. Let's check the screen before sending the job again.
A
我选择了双面打印，但显示屏上显示了错误信息。
Wǒ xuǎnzé le shuāngmiàn dǎyìn, dàn xiǎnshìpíng shàng xiǎnshì le cuòwù xìnxī. I chose double-sided printing, but the display shows an error.
B
可能卡纸了，所以现在先别碰控制面板。
Kěnéng kǎ zhǐ le, suǒyǐ xiànzài xiān bié pèng kòngzhì miànbǎn. There may be a paper jam, so leave the controls alone for now.
A
我不想重新发送，这样会在队列里再增加一个任务。
Wǒ bù xiǎng chóngxīn fāsòng, zhèyàng huì zài duìliè lǐ zài zēngjiā yí ge rènwu. I do not want to resend it and add another job to the queue.
B
我可以在你再试之前取消失败的任务。
Wǒ kěyǐ zài nǐ zài shì zhīqián qǔxiāo shībài de rènwu. I can cancel the failed job before you try again.
A
在我再发送其他内容之前，你能检查一下打印机吗？
Zài wǒ zài fāsòng qítā nèiróng zhīqián, nǐ néng jiǎnchá yíxià dǎyìnjī ma? Could you check the printer before I send anything else?
B
我来看看，但请不要自己打开机器。
Wǒ lái kànkan, dàn qǐng bú yào zìjǐ dǎkāi jīqì. I'll take a look, but please do not open the machine yourself.
A
你检查的时候，我会在这里等着。
Nǐ jiǎnchá de shíhou, wǒ huì zài zhèlǐ děngzhe. I'll wait here while you check it.
B
这样我们就能解决这个问题，也不会增加更多打印任务。
Zhèyàng wǒmen jiù néng jiějué zhège wèntí, yě bú huì zēngjiā gèng duō dǎyìn rènwu. That will help us clear the problem without adding more print jobs.Word by Word
我
In this dialogue, 我 means “I” or “me,” referring to the patron speaking. It appears before a verb, as in 我选择了 and 我不想重新发送. Use 我 when stating your own action, feeling, or need.
的
In 我的文件, 的 links 我 to 文件 and shows that the document belongs to or is associated with the speaker. The pattern is person + 的 + noun. Use it for simple possession or association, such as 我的书 in a new example.
文件
文件 means “document” or “file”; here it is the item stuck in the printer queue. It commonly appears before or after actions such as 发送文件 or 打印文件 in new examples. Use it when discussing a digital or printed document.
卡
In 卡在打印机队列里了, 卡 means that the document is stuck and cannot move forward. The reusable pattern is 卡在 + place or system. Use it when a file, vehicle, or object cannot proceed.
在
In 卡在打印机队列里了, 在 introduces the place or system where the document is stuck. The pattern is 在 + location, as in 在图书馆 in a new example. Here it connects 卡 with 打印机队列.
打印机
打印机 means “printer,” the machine being used and checked in this dialogue. It commonly follows actions such as 检查 or 打开, as in 检查打印机. Use it when talking about printing equipment.
队列
队列 means “queue”; here it is the printer’s waiting list for jobs. It appears in 打印机队列 and later in 队列里. Use it for items or tasks waiting to be processed in order.
里
In 打印机队列里, 里 means “inside” or “in,” locating the document within the queue. The pattern is place + 里, as in 房间里 in a new example. It emphasizes being within a bounded place or system.
了
The 了 in 卡在打印机队列里了 marks the resulting state that the document is now stuck there. It follows the statement of the changed situation rather than naming a separate action. Use this pattern when describing a new or currently relevant state.
什么
In 什么都没有打印出来, 什么 means “anything” within a negative expression, not a request for specific information. The pattern 什么都没有 + verb means that nothing did the action. Use it when saying that no item or result appeared.
都
In 什么都没有打印出来, 都 works with 什么 and the negative 没有 to mean “nothing” or “not anything.” The pattern 什么都没有 + verb is useful for reporting that no result occurred. Use it when the negative statement covers every possible item.
没有
In 什么都没有打印出来, 没有 says that the printing result did not occur or was not present. With 都, it forms the meaning “nothing has printed out.” Use 没有 before an action or result when reporting that it did not happen.
打印
In 打印出来, 打印 means “print,” referring to producing the document on paper. It commonly takes an object, as in 打印文件 in a new example. Here it combines with 出来 to show the printed result coming out.
出来
In 打印出来, 出来 shows that the printed result comes out from the printer. Together with 打印, it describes the output appearing, not simply the action of printing. Use a verb + 出来 pattern when a result emerges or becomes visible.
我们
我们 means “we” or “us,” referring here to the patron and staff member working together. It appears before actions such as 我们先看看 and 我们就能解决. Use it when including yourself and one or more other people.
先
In 我们先看看屏幕, 先 means “first,” showing that checking the screen comes before sending the job again. The pattern is 先 + action, followed by a later action. Use it to set the first step in a sequence.
看看
看看 means “take a look” or “check” in a light, brief way. In 我们先看看屏幕, it takes 屏幕 as its object. Use it when suggesting a quick inspection of something.
屏幕
屏幕 means “screen,” specifically the screen that staff want to inspect before resending the job. It commonly follows verbs such as 看 or 检查. Use it for a computer, printer, or other device screen.
再
In 再重新发送打印任务, 再 places the next action after the screen check and gives the sense of sending the job again afterward. The pattern is 先 + action, 再 + action. Use it to connect a later step in a sequence.
重新
重新 means “again” or “anew”; here it says the print job would be sent again from the beginning. It appears before the verb 发送 in 重新发送. Use 重新 + verb when repeating an action in a fresh attempt.
发送
发送 means “send”; here it refers to sending a print job to the printer. It commonly takes an object such as 打印任务 or 文件. Use it when transmitting a file, message, or task.
任务
任务 means “task” or “job”; here it is a print job in the queue. It appears in 打印任务 and 失败的任务. Use it for an assigned piece of work or a process waiting to be completed.
吧
The 吧 in 我们先看看屏幕，再重新发送打印任务吧 softens the statement into a suggestion. It comes at the end of a proposed action. Use it when inviting agreement about what to do.
选择
选择 means “choose” or “select”; here it describes selecting a printing option. It takes 双面打印 as the selected option in 我选择了双面打印. Use it before the option or item that someone chooses.
双面
双面 means “double-sided”; here it describes printing on both sides of the paper. It forms the expression 双面打印, where it modifies 打印. Use it before a noun or action when both sides are involved.
但
但 means “but” and introduces a result that contrasts with the previous statement. In 我选择了双面打印，但显示屏上显示了错误信息, the error contrasts with the chosen option. Use it to join two contrasting clauses.
显示屏
显示屏 means “display screen,” the screen showing the error information. It appears as the location subject in 显示屏上显示了错误信息. Use it when referring to a device’s information display.
上
In 显示屏上显示了错误信息, 上 means “on,” locating the error information on the display screen. The pattern is place + 上 + displayed content or action. Use it for information appearing on a surface or screen.
显示
In 显示屏上显示了错误信息, the first 显示屏 names the display, while the second 显示 means “show” or “display.” Here it says that the screen shows an error message. Use 显示 before the information or result that appears.
错误
错误 means “error” or “incorrect”; here it modifies 信息 in 错误信息, meaning an error message. It commonly appears before a noun to identify a problem or incorrect result. Use it when describing an error shown by a device or found in work.
信息
信息 means “information” or “message”; here it is the error information shown on the display. It appears in the compound 错误信息. Use it for information received, displayed, or communicated.
可能
可能 means “may” or “possibly,” showing that the speaker is making a cautious guess about the printer. In 可能卡纸了, it comes before the possible situation. Use 可能 + action or state when the cause is not certain.
卡纸
卡纸 means “paper jam,” the possible printer problem in this dialogue. In 可能卡纸了, it identifies the suspected cause of the error. Use it when paper is stuck inside a printer or similar machine.
所以
所以 means “so” or “therefore,” introducing the consequence of the possible paper jam. In 所以现在先别碰控制面板, it explains why the controls should not be touched. Use it to connect a reason with the resulting advice or action.
现在
现在 means “now,” referring to the current moment while the printer is being checked. It appears before 先别碰控制面板 to limit the instruction to the present situation. Use it when giving an immediate instruction or describing the current time.
别
In 别碰控制面板, 别 means “do not” and gives a direct negative instruction. The pattern is 别 + verb. Use it for a spoken warning or instruction not to do something.
碰
碰 means “touch”; here it refers to touching or operating the control panel. It appears after 别 in the warning 别碰控制面板. Use it when telling someone not to handle a device or object.
控制面板
控制面板 means “control panel,” the part of the machine that should not be touched while staff assess the problem. It follows 碰 in 别碰控制面板. Use it for the panel used to operate or adjust a machine.
不
In 我不想重新发送, 不 makes 想 negative and means that the speaker does not want to resend the job. The pattern is 不 + verb or mental-state word. Use it to express a present or general negation.
想
In 我不想重新发送, 想 means “want” or “would like,” describing the speaker’s preference about resending. It is followed by the action 重新发送. Use 想 + verb to state what someone wants to do.
这样
In 这样会在队列里再增加一个任务, 这样 means “this way” or “by doing so,” referring to resending the job. It introduces the consequence of the action just mentioned. Use it to point back to a way of acting and explain its result.
会
In 这样会在队列里再增加一个任务, 会 indicates that the action will or is likely to produce this result. It comes before 增加. Use 会 + verb to describe a predicted consequence.
增加
增加 means “add” or “increase”; here it describes putting another task into the queue. It appears in 增加一个任务, with 个任务 as what is added. Use it when the amount or number of something becomes greater.
个
In 一个任务, 个 is the general measure word used between 一 and 任务. The pattern is number + 个 + noun. Use 个 with many ordinary countable people or things when no more specific measure word is required.
可以
In 我可以在你再试之前取消失败的任务, 可以 means “can” or “be able to,” showing that the staff member is able to cancel the job. It comes before the action 取消. Use 可以 + verb to describe ability or permission when the context supports it.
你
你 means “you,” referring to the patron being addressed by the staff member. It appears before actions such as 你再试 and 你检查. Use it when speaking directly to one person.
试
In 你再试之前, 试 means “try,” referring to the patron making another attempt. It follows 再 in the phrase 再试. Use 试 + action or object when describing an attempt to do something.
之前
In 在你再试之前, 之前 means “before” and introduces the action that must happen first. The pattern is 在 + event + 之前, followed by the main action. Use it to set a deadline or order between two actions.
取消
取消 means “cancel”; here it refers to removing the failed print job before another attempt. It takes 失败的任务 as its object. Use it for canceling a task, booking, order, or other planned process.
失败
In 失败的任务, 失败 identifies the task as failed. It comes before 任务 to describe the task’s status in this dialogue. Use it before a noun when referring to an unsuccessful process or attempt.
其他
In 其他内容, 其他 means “other” or “anything else,” referring to content in addition to what has already been sent. It comes before 内容. Use it before a noun when distinguishing additional items from the ones already mentioned.
内容
内容 means “content”; here it refers to anything else the patron might send to the printer. It appears in 其他内容. Use it for the material inside a document, message, file, or other item.
能
In 你能检查一下打印机吗, 能 means “can” or “be able to” and forms a polite request about the staff member’s ability to check the printer. It comes before 检查. Use 能 + verb in questions about whether someone can perform an action.
检查
检查 means “check” or “inspect”; here it refers to examining the printer safely. It appears in 检查一下打印机 and 你检查的时候. Use it before the item or machine being inspected.
一下
In 检查一下打印机, 一下 makes the request sound brief or less forceful: “check the printer for a moment.” It commonly follows a verb such as 检查. Use verb + 一下 when asking for a short or light action.
吗
The 吗 in 你能检查一下打印机吗 turns the sentence into a yes-no question. It comes at the end of the question. Use it after a statement when asking whether it is true or possible.
来
In 我来看看, 来 means that the speaker will take the action of checking, rather than literally moving toward the listener. It is followed by 看看. Use 我来 + verb when volunteering to handle an action.
请
请 means “please”; in 请不要自己打开机器, it makes the negative instruction more polite. It comes before 不要 and the requested action. Use 请 + instruction when making a polite request.
不要
In 请不要自己打开机器, 不要 means “do not” and tells the listener not to open the machine. The pattern is 不要 + verb. Use it for a clear negative request or instruction.
自己
In 不要自己打开机器, 自己 means “yourself,” emphasizing that the listener should not perform the action alone. It appears before 打开. Use it to highlight who personally carries out an action.
打开
打开 means “open”; here it refers to opening the machine, which the patron is asked not to do. It takes 机器 as its object. Use it for opening a door, container, device, or other closed thing.
机器
机器 means “machine”; here it refers to the printer as a device that should be opened only by staff. It follows 打开 in 打开机器. Use it for a mechanical or electronic device.
时候
In 你检查的时候, 时候 means “the time when” and introduces the period during which the checking happens. The pattern is clause + 的时候, as in 我学习的时候 in a new example. Use it to describe what happens while an activity is taking place.
这里
这里 means “here,” referring to the place where the patron will remain. It appears in 我会在这里等着. Use it to identify the speaker’s current or indicated location.
等
In 我会在这里等着, 等 means “wait,” describing the patron’s action while the staff member checks the printer. It can follow a location phrase such as 在这里. Use it when staying until a person, event, or result is ready.
着
The 着 in 等着 marks the waiting as an ongoing state. In 我会在这里等着, it shows that the patron will remain waiting while the check happens. Use verb + 着 when emphasizing a continuing condition or action.
就
In 这样我们就能解决这个问题, 就 links the stated way of handling the printer with the resulting ability to solve the problem. It gives the sense “then” or “thereby” in this context. Use it in a pattern such as 这样就能 + verb to describe an achieved result.
解决
解决 means “solve” or “resolve”; here it refers to dealing with the printing problem. It takes 这个问题 as its object in 解决这个问题. Use it when bringing a problem or difficulty to a solution.
这
In 这个问题, 这 means “this,” pointing to the specific printing problem under discussion. It comes before 个问题. Use 这 + measure word + noun to identify a nearby or already mentioned item.
问题
问题 means “problem”; here it refers to the stuck printing situation. It appears in 解决这个问题. Use it for a difficulty that needs attention or a question that needs an answer.
也
In 也不会增加更多打印任务, 也 means “also” or “as well,” adding a second result that will not happen. It comes before 不会增加. Use it to add another parallel fact or consequence.
更多
更多 means “more” or “additional,” referring to print jobs beyond the one already in the queue. It appears before 打印任务 in 更多打印任务. Use it before a noun when indicating an increased amount or number.
Grammar Points
重新 + 动词
重新发送
chóngxīn fāsòngsend again
重新放在动词前，表示再次做某事或重新开始。
动词 + 出来
打印出来
dǎyìn chūláiprint out
出来放在动词后，表示动作的结果显现或完成。
Chinese Vocabulary
打印出来
phrase
dǎyìn chūlái
print out
打印机
noun
dǎyìnjī
printer
打印任务
noun
dǎyìn rènwu
print job
队列
noun
duìliè
queue
发送
verb
fāsòng
send
卡在
verb
kǎ zài
be stuck in
屏幕
noun
píngmù
screen
双面打印
phrase
shuāngmiàn dǎyìn
double-sided printing
文件
noun
wénjiàn
document
显示屏
noun
xiǎnshìpíng
display
选择
verb
xuǎnzé
choose; select
重新
adv
chóngxīn
again; anew
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
print job
Show Answer
打印任务print out
Show Answer
打印出来double-sided printing
Show Answer
双面打印choose; select