Politely explaining an overdue book | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use Politely explaining an overdue book to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

我刚刚发现这本书逾期了。

Wǒ gānggāng fāxiàn zhè běn shū yúqī le. I just realized this book is overdue.

今天把它还回去，然后请服务台查看续借记录。

Jīntiān bǎ tā huán huíqù, ránhòu qǐng fúwùtái chákàn xùjiè jìlù. Return it today, then ask the desk to review the renewal history.

我以为我已经在网上续借了，但我的账户一直没有更新。

Wǒ yǐwéi wǒ yǐjīng zài wǎngshàng xùjiè le, dàn wǒ de zhànghù yìzhí méiyǒu gēngxīn. I thought I renewed it online, but my account never updated.

如果系统没有记录下来，工作人员也许可以调整你的账户。

Rúguǒ xìtǒng méiyǒu jìlù xiàlái, gōngzuò rényuán yěxǔ kěyǐ tiáozhěng nǐ de zhànghù. If the system failed to record it, the staff may be able to adjust your account.

我不想争论。

Wǒ bù xiǎng zhēnglùn. I do not want to argue.

但我想说明事情的经过。

Dàn wǒ xiǎng shuōmíng shìqing de jīngguò. But I would like to explain what happened.

带上任何能证明你尝试续借的截图或电子邮件。

Dài shàng rènhé néng zhèngmíng nǐ chángshì xùjiè de jiétú huò diànzǐ yóujiàn. Bring any screenshot or email that shows you tried to renew it.

我只有提醒邮件，没有确认邮件。

Wǒ zhǐyǒu tíxǐng yóujiàn, méiyǒu quèrèn yóujiàn. I only have the reminder email, not a confirmation.

那就清楚地说明这一点。

Nà jiù qīngchu de shuōmíng zhè yì diǎn. Then explain that clearly.

问问下次怎样避免同样的问题。

Wènwen xiàcì zěnyàng bìmiǎn tóngyàng de wèntí. Ask how to avoid the same problem next time.

即使我的账户仍然显示这本书逾期了，我也想了解续借流程。

Jíshǐ wǒ de zhànghù réngrán xiǎnshì zhè běn shū yúqī le, wǒ yě xiǎng liǎojiě xùjiè liúchéng. Even if my account still shows the book as overdue, I want to understand the renewal process.

这样做能让谈话集中在解决问题上。

Zhèyàng zuò néng ràng tánhuà jízhōng zài jiějué wèntí shàng. That approach keeps the conversation focused on solving the problem.

Word by Word

我 “我” refers to the speaker, meaning “I” or “me,” in phrases such as “我刚刚发现” and “我的账户”. It is used before a verb or before 的 plus a noun, as in 我 + 想 and 我 + 的 + 账户.

刚刚 “刚刚” means “just now” in “我刚刚发现这本书逾期了”, showing that the realization happened very recently. It commonly appears before the verb describing the recent action or event.

发现 “发现” means to realize or discover something, as in “发现这本书逾期了”. It takes the thing or fact discovered after it, and is useful when reporting new information noticed by the speaker.

这 “这” means “this” and identifies the book as the one being referred to in “这本书”. It appears before a classifier and noun, following the pattern 这 + classifier + noun.

本 “本” is the classifier used with books in “这本书”. It is placed between the demonstrative “这” and the noun “书”, giving the pattern 这本 + book.

书 “书” means “book” in “这本书逾期了”. In this lesson it is the object being returned and renewed, and it can be used after a classifier such as 本.

逾期 “逾期” means overdue in “这本书逾期了”, referring to a book whose permitted borrowing period has passed. It can describe an item or account status, as in the dialogue’s “显示这本书逾期了”.

了 In “这本书逾期了”, “了” presents the book as having entered the overdue state. It follows the relevant statement and highlights the change or newly recognized status here.

今天 “今天” means “today” in “今天把它还回去”, specifying when the return should happen. It commonly appears before the action it sets in time, as in 今天 + 把 + object + verb.

把 In “把它还回去”, “把” places the known object before the action and emphasizes what will happen to it. The full construction is 把 + object + action/result, with “它” as the object and “还回去” as the action.

它 “它” means “it” and refers here to the book in “把它还回去”. It is used as the object after 把, so the reusable pattern is 把它 + action.

还 In “还回去”, “还” means to return a borrowed item, specifically returning the book to the library. It is used with the object in “把它还回去”, and can be reused in a borrowing or library context.

回去 In “还回去”, “回去” adds the idea of going or being returned back to the relevant place. Together, “还回去” means return the borrowed book, and it follows the object in the 把 construction.

然后 “然后” means “then” and orders the second action after the return in “然后请服务台查看续借记录”. It commonly links two actions in sequence: first one action, 然后 + the next action.

请 “请” politely asks someone to do something in “请服务台查看续借记录”. It can be followed by the person or service being asked and then the requested action.

服务台 “服务台” means “service desk” in “请服务台查看续借记录”, referring to the library desk that can handle the request. It can follow 请 when addressing or requesting help from that desk.

查看 “查看” means to check or review information, as in “查看续借记录”. It is followed by the information being examined, here 续借记录.

续借 “续借” means renew a loan, specifically extending the borrowing period in this library context. It can be followed by the item or record involved, as in “续借记录” and “尝试续借”. In a library conversation, it is useful for describing a renewal request or action.

记录 “记录” means the record or history in “续借记录”, referring to information kept about the renewal. As a noun here, it follows the modifying activity 续借 and can be reviewed with 查看.

以为 “以为” means to think or suppose something is true, as in “我以为我已经在网上续借了”. Here the belief is later shown to be uncertain by “但”, so the pattern 我以为……但…… is useful for correcting an assumption.

已经 “已经” presents the renewal as already completed in “我已经在网上续借了”. It appears before the action or verb phrase and is useful when stating that something was believed to have happened before the current situation.

在 In “在网上续借”, “在” helps mark the setting or channel where the action takes place. Together with “网上”, “在网上” means online, and it comes before the action 续借.

网上 “网上” means online or on the internet in “在网上续借了”. It commonly follows 在 and comes before the action or service used online.

但 “但” means “but” and contrasts the belief that the renewal was completed with the fact that the account never updated in “我以为……但……”. It introduces information that does not match the preceding expectation.

的 In “我的账户”, “的” links “我” to “账户” to express the account belonging to or associated with the speaker. The reusable pattern is pronoun + 的 + noun, as in 我的账户.

账户 “账户” means account in “我的账户一直没有更新”. Here it is the account whose displayed information did not change, and it can be used as the subject of an account-related action or status.

一直 “一直” means continuously or all along in “一直没有更新”, emphasizing that the lack of updating continued throughout the relevant period. It commonly appears before the verb or negative verb phrase describing the continuing situation.

没有 In “一直没有更新”, “没有” says that the updating did not occur. It appears before the verb 更新 and is useful for describing an action or change that has not happened.

更新 “更新” means update or become updated in “我的账户一直没有更新”. It can describe an account or record changing to show new information, as in 账户 + 更新.

如果 “如果” introduces the condition “如果系统没有记录下来”, meaning “if the system did not record it”. It commonly appears at the beginning of a condition before the possible result or response.

系统 “系统” means system in “如果系统没有记录下来”. Here it refers to the online or account system responsible for recording the renewal, and it can be the subject of a technical action such as 记录.

下来 In “记录下来”, “下来” shows that the information is recorded and retained as a result. The whole expression means to record something so it remains in the record, and the pattern is verb + 下来 when emphasizing a retained result.

工作人员 “工作人员” means staff member or staff in “工作人员也许可以调整你的账户”. It refers to the people who may handle the account problem, and it can be followed by a modal expression and an action.

也许 “也许” means “perhaps” and makes the possibility in “也许可以调整” uncertain rather than definite. The pattern 也许 + 可以 + verb is useful when offering a possible solution without promising it.

可以 In “可以调整你的账户”, “可以” means can or may be able to, describing a possible ability or permitted action. It comes before the action 调整 and is qualified here by 也许.

调整 “调整” means adjust or make a change to something, as in “调整你的账户”. It is followed by the thing being changed, so 调整 + account or record is a useful pattern in service-related conversations.

你 “你” means “you” in “你的账户”. Together with 的, it identifies the account associated with the person being addressed, following the pattern 你的 + noun.

不 “不” negates the desire in “不想争论”, meaning the speaker does not want to argue. It is placed before 想, forming 不想 + verb to express an unwanted action.

想 “想” expresses a want or intention in “不想争论” and “我想说明事情的经过”. It commonly comes before a verb, with 不想 + verb expressing reluctance and 想 + verb expressing the speaker’s intention.

争论 “争论” means argue or debate, and in “我不想争论” it refers to engaging in an argument about the overdue book. It can follow 不想 when someone wants to state that they are seeking an explanation rather than a dispute.

说明 “说明” means explain or clarify in “说明事情的经过” and “解释这一点” is not the dialogue form; here the exact form is 说明. It takes the matter or point being clarified after it, as in 说明 + 事情的经过 or 说明 + 这一点.

事情 “事情” means the matter or situation in “事情的经过”. It is followed by 的 and 经过 to refer to the course of the matter, a useful pattern when explaining what happened.

经过 “经过” means the course or sequence of events in “事情的经过”. Together, “事情的经过” refers to how the matter unfolded, and this expression can be used when giving a factual explanation.

带 In “带上任何截图或电子邮件”, “带” means bring or carry something with you. It takes the evidence as its object and combines with 上 to form the complete action 带上.

上 In “带上”, “上” contributes the idea of taking something along with oneself. The whole expression means bring it along, so it should be understood together with 带 rather than as a separate action here.

任何 “任何” means “any” in “任何截图或电子邮件”, allowing any screenshot or email that meets the stated purpose. It appears before the noun it describes, following the pattern 任何 + noun.

能 In “能证明你尝试续借的截图或电子邮件”, “能” means can or be able to and describes what the evidence is capable of showing. It comes before the verb 证明 inside the phrase that identifies the relevant screenshot or email.

证明 “证明” means prove or show in “能证明你尝试续借”. Here the screenshot or email serves as evidence that the renewal was attempted, and the pattern 证明 + fact or action is useful when presenting evidence.

尝试 “尝试” means try or attempt in “尝试续借”, describing an effort to renew the book. It can be followed directly by the action attempted, as in 尝试 + 续借.

截图 “截图” means screenshot in “截图或电子邮件”. It refers to a captured image that may show the attempted renewal, and it is used here as one possible type of evidence.

或 “或” means “or” and presents alternatives in “截图或电子邮件”. It links two possible kinds of evidence, following the pattern noun + 或 + noun.

电子邮件 “电子邮件” means email in “截图或电子邮件”. It is one type of evidence the speaker may bring, and it can be followed by a description of its purpose or content.

只有 “只有” means “only have” in “我只有提醒邮件”, limiting what evidence the speaker possesses. It commonly introduces the available item before a contrasting statement such as “没有确认邮件”.

提醒 “提醒” means reminder in “提醒邮件”, identifying the email as a message that reminds the recipient about something. Here it modifies 邮件, forming the noun phrase 提醒邮件.

邮件 “邮件” means mail or email message in “提醒邮件”和“确认邮件”. It is the main noun in both phrases, while the preceding word specifies the type of message.

确认 “确认” means confirmation in “确认邮件”, referring to a message that confirms the renewal. Here it modifies 邮件, contrasting with the reminder message the speaker does have.

那 “那” means “then” or “in that case” in “那就清楚地说明这一点”. It responds to the preceding information and introduces the recommended next action.

就 In “那就清楚地说明这一点”, “就” marks the consequence or action that follows from the situation just described. Together, 那就 forms the useful pattern “in that case, then …”.

清楚 “清楚” means clearly in “清楚地说明这一点”, describing how the point should be explained. With 地, it modifies the following verb 说明 and gives the pattern 清楚地 + action.

地 In “清楚地说明”, “地” links the descriptive word 清楚 to the action 说明, making it describe the manner of explaining. The structure is adjective or description + 地 + verb.

一点 In the exact phrase “这一点”, “一点” refers to a point or detail, while “这” makes it “this point”. The whole phrase is the object of 说明, so the reusable pattern is 说明 + 这一点.

问问 “问问” means ask or inquire in a light, conversational form in “问问下次怎样避免同样的问题”. It is followed by the question or information being requested, as in 问问 + 怎样…….

下次 “下次” means “next time” in “下次怎样避免同样的问题”. It sets the future occasion being discussed and appears before the question about what action to take.

怎样 “怎样” means “how” in “怎样避免同样的问题”, asking about the method for avoiding the problem. It comes before the verb phrase that describes the desired method.

避免 “避免” means avoid in “避免同样的问题”. It is followed by the unwanted situation or thing, so the pattern 避免 + problem is useful when discussing prevention.

同样 “同样” means “the same” in “同样的问题”, referring back to the overdue-renewal problem already discussed. It appears before the noun it identifies, forming 同样的问题.

问题 “问题” means problem in “同样的问题”. Here it refers to the failed or unrecorded renewal situation, and it can follow 同样 to identify a repeated problem.

即使 “即使” introduces a condition that does not change the main intention in “即使我的账户仍然显示这本书逾期了”. It commonly works with 也 in the main clause, as in 即使……也…….

仍然 “仍然” means “still” in “仍然显示这本书逾期了”, showing that the account continues to display the overdue status. It commonly comes before the verb describing the continuing situation.

显示 “显示” means show or display in “我的账户仍然显示这本书逾期了”. The account is the subject and the displayed status follows the verb, making 显示 + information a useful pattern.

也 In “我也想了解续借流程”, “也” means “also” and, with 即使 in the earlier clause, helps express that the speaker’s intention remains true even under that condition. It appears before the verb phrase it adds emphasis to.

了解 “了解” means understand or learn about in “了解续借流程”. It is followed by the subject or topic the speaker wants information about, here the renewal process.

流程 “流程” means process in “续借流程”, referring to the sequence of steps for renewing a loan. It follows 续借 to form a specific process term and can be the object of 了解.

这样 “这样” means “this way” or “like this” in “这样做能让谈话集中在解决问题上”. It refers to the approach just described, and it commonly appears before 做 when pointing to a proposed action.

做 In “这样做”, “做” means take or carry out the approach indicated by 这样. The phrase refers to explaining the situation and asking about prevention, and it can serve as the subject of a result such as 能让…….

让 “让” means let or make in “让谈话集中在解决问题上”, expressing that one action causes the conversation to become focused. The pattern is 让 + person or thing + verb or state.

谈话 “谈话” means conversation in “让谈话集中在解决问题上”. It is the thing whose focus is being directed, and it follows 让 as the affected subject.

集中 “集中” means focus or concentrate in “谈话集中在解决问题上”. The pattern 集中在 + topic identifies what the conversation is focused on.

解决 “解决” means solve or resolve in “解决问题”. It is followed by the problem being handled, and in this dialogue it describes keeping the conversation directed toward finding a solution.

Grammar Points

把 + object + verb

把截图带上。

Bǎ jiétú dài shàng.

Bring the screenshot along.

把 places the object before the verb to emphasize what is being handled or affected.

即使……，仍然……

即使逾期，仍然解决问题。

Jíshǐ yúqī, réngrán jiějué wèntí.

Even if it is overdue, still solve the problem.

即使 introduces a condition, while 仍然 shows that the result does not change.

Chinese Vocabulary

查看 verb

chákàn to check; to review

发现 verb

fāxiàn to realize; to discover

服务台 noun

fúwùtái service desk; help desk

刚刚 adv

gānggāng just; a moment ago

还回去 verb

huán huíqù to return something

记录 noun

jìlù record; history

续借 verb

xùjiè to renew a loan

一直 adv

yìzhí continuously; all along

已经 adv

yǐjīng already

以为 verb

yǐwéi to think; to assume

逾期 adj

yúqī overdue

账户 noun

zhànghù account

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

to realize; to discover

Show Answer

发现

service desk; help desk

Show Answer

服务台

overdue

Show Answer

逾期

to return something

Show Answer

还回去