About This Lesson
Use Responding politely to noise in a quiet library area to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我们后面的人正在安静区聊天。
Wǒmen hòumiàn de rén zhèngzài ānjìng qū liáotiān. The people behind us are talking in the silent area.
B
这会让人分心，但我们可以礼貌地处理。
Zhè huì ràng rén fēnxīn, dàn wǒmen kěyǐ lǐmào de chǔlǐ. It's distracting, but we can handle it politely.
A
我应该和他们说，还是去问图书管理员？
Wǒ yīnggāi hé tāmen shuō, háishì qù wèn túshū guǎnlǐyuán? Should I speak to them or ask the librarian?
B
先轻声提醒一下，除非你觉得不舒服。
Xiān qīngshēng tíxǐng yíxià, chúfēi nǐ juéde bù shūfu. Try a quiet reminder first, unless that feels uncomfortable.
A
我可以请他们到外面去聊天。
Wǒ kěyǐ qǐng tāmen dào wàimiàn qù liáotiān. I could ask them to take the conversation outside.
B
这样说得清楚，也不会显得无礼。
Zhèyàng shuō de qīngchu, yě bú huì xiǎnde wúlǐ. That keeps it clear without sounding rude.
A
如果他们继续聊天，我们可以请图书管理员来处理。
Rúguǒ tāmen jìxù liáotiān, wǒmen kěyǐ qǐng túshū guǎnlǐyuán lái chǔlǐ. If they keep talking, we can ask the librarian to step in.
B
这样就不会把事情闹大。
Zhèyàng jiù bú huì bǎ shìqing nào dà. That way, it doesn't turn into a scene.
A
我宁愿这样做，也不想大声抱怨。
Wǒ nìngyuàn zhèyàng zuò, yě bù xiǎng dàshēng bàoyuàn. I'd rather do that than complain loudly.
B
我们轻声问一下，然后继续学习吧。
Wǒmen qīngshēng wèn yíxià, ránhòu jìxù xuéxí ba. Let's ask quietly, then get back to studying.Word by Word
我们
“我们” means “we” or “us” and refers to the speaker and another person together in “我们后面的人”. It commonly appears before a verb, as in “我们可以礼貌地处理”. You can use it when speaking for yourself and the people accompanying you.
后面
“后面” means “behind” or “in back of”; here it locates the people behind the speakers in “我们后面的人”. It commonly appears before 的 and a noun to describe location, as in “后面的人”. Use it when identifying something or someone positioned behind you.
的
In “我们后面的人”, “的” links the modifying location phrase “我们后面” to “人”, meaning “the people behind us”. This pattern places the description before 的 and the described noun after it. Use it to form noun phrases such as “门口的人” for “the person at the door” in a new example.
人
“人” means “person” or “people”; in “我们后面的人” it refers to the people behind the speakers. It follows a modifying phrase in this noun expression. Use it when referring to people generally or to a particular group identified by context.
正在
“正在” shows that an action is in progress at the relevant time, as in “正在安静区聊天”. It is placed before the action verb or verb phrase. Use it when describing something happening right now or during the situation being discussed.
安静
“安静” means “quiet”; in “安静区” it describes an area where quiet is expected. Before a noun, it can modify the place or thing that follows. Use it when describing a quiet room, area, or environment.
区
“区” means “area” or “zone”; in “安静区” it identifies a designated quiet area. It commonly follows a word describing the area, forming a place name or description. Use it for a defined section of a building or public place.
聊天
“聊天” means “to chat” or “talk casually”; in “正在安静区聊天” it describes what the people behind the speakers are doing. It commonly follows a subject and can be used after 正在 to describe an ongoing conversation. Use it for informal conversation with friends, classmates, or other people.
这
“这” means “this”; in “这会让人分心” it points to the noise or situation just mentioned. It commonly appears before a noun or verb phrase to refer to something close in the conversation. Use it when referring to a specific current situation.
会
In “这会让人分心”, “会” indicates that the situation can or is likely to produce the stated result. It appears before the verb phrase “让人分心”. Use it when explaining a likely effect or consequence of a situation.
让
“让” means “make” or “cause” in “让人分心”, where the noise causes people to become distracted. It commonly follows a subject and comes before the person or thing affected, followed by the result. Use the pattern “让 + person + action or state” for a caused effect.
分心
“分心” means “become distracted”; in “让人分心” it is the result caused by the noise. It appears after 让人 to describe what happens to people’s attention. Use it when noise or another interruption makes it difficult to focus.
但
“但” means “but” and introduces the contrasting idea in “但我们可以礼貌地处理”. It commonly connects a problem with a different response or conclusion. Use it to acknowledge one point before presenting a contrast.
可以
“可以” means “can” or “be able to”; in “我们可以礼貌地处理” it presents a possible or acceptable way to deal with the problem. It is placed before the action verb. Use it when offering an option or saying that an action is possible.
礼貌
“礼貌” means “polite”; in “礼貌地处理” it describes handling the situation in a polite manner. With 地, it modifies the following verb “处理”. Use it when describing a respectful way to speak or act toward other people.
地
In “礼貌地处理”, “地” links the manner word “礼貌” to the verb “处理”, so the action is done politely. The pattern is a manner description followed by 地 and an action. Use it after an adjective or manner phrase when explaining how an action is performed.
处理
“处理” means “handle” or “deal with”; in “礼貌地处理” it refers to dealing with the noise problem. It commonly follows an adverb describing how the matter is handled. Use it for responding to a problem, request, or situation.
我
“我” means “I” or “me”; in “我应该和他们说” it refers to the person asking what action to take. It commonly appears before the verb or modal expression. Use it when describing your own action, opinion, or responsibility.
应该
“应该” means “should” or “ought to”; in “我应该和他们说” it asks which action would be appropriate. It appears after the subject and before the proposed action. Use it when asking for or giving advice about what is proper to do.
和
In “和他们说”, “和” means “with” and introduces the people being spoken to. It commonly appears between the subject or verb and the person involved in the interaction. Use it when describing speaking or doing something together with another person.
他们
“他们” means “they” or “them”; in “和他们说” it refers to the people who are talking nearby. It commonly follows 和 when identifying the people addressed. Use it to refer to a group of people already known from the context.
说
“说” means “speak” or “say”; in “和他们说” it means speaking to the nearby people about the noise. It commonly follows 和 plus the person being addressed. Use it when initiating a verbal conversation or expressing something to someone.
还是
“还是” means “or” in the alternative question “和他们说，还是去问图书管理员”. It connects two possible actions in a question. Use it when asking someone to choose between alternatives.
去
In “去问图书管理员”, “去” means “go and” and presents asking the librarian as the next action. It comes before the action verb “问”. Use it when describing going somewhere in order to do something.
问
“问” means “ask” or “inquire”; in “去问图书管理员” it means asking the librarian for help with the noise. It commonly comes before the person being asked. Use it when requesting information, advice, or assistance.
图书管理员
“图书管理员” means “librarian”; in “问图书管理员” and “请图书管理员来处理” it identifies the library staff member who can help. It can follow 问 to show whom you ask or 请 to show whom you request to act. Use it when referring to the staff member responsible for a library.
先
“先” means “first”; in “先轻声提醒一下” it places a quiet reminder before any later action. It commonly appears before the first action in a sequence. Use it when recommending an initial step.
轻声
“轻声” means “quietly” or “in a soft voice”; in “轻声提醒一下” it describes the gentle volume of the reminder. It commonly comes before a speaking verb such as 提醒. Use it when speaking in a library or another place where loud speech is inappropriate.
提醒
“提醒” means “remind” or “give a reminder”; in “轻声提醒一下” it means politely drawing the people’s attention to the quiet-area rule. It commonly takes a person as its object or is followed by the information being brought to someone’s attention. Use it when helping someone remember a rule or needed action.
一下
In “提醒一下”, “一下” makes the action sound brief and less forceful, rather than describing a precise amount. It commonly follows an action verb in a polite request or suggestion. Use it to soften a short action such as asking, checking, or reminding.
除非
“除非” means “unless” and introduces the exception in “除非你觉得不舒服”. It commonly comes before the condition that would change the suggested action. Use it when stating that something applies except under a particular condition.
你
“你” means “you”; in “你觉得不舒服” it refers to the person who might feel uncomfortable speaking to the others. It appears before the verb phrase describing that person’s feeling. Use it when addressing one person directly.
觉得
“觉得” means “feel” or “think”; in “你觉得不舒服” it means feeling uncomfortable about the suggested action. It commonly comes before an adjective or description of a personal impression. Use it when expressing your own feeling or judgment about a situation.
不舒服
“不舒服” means “uncomfortable”; in “觉得不舒服” it describes the feeling that might make a person avoid speaking directly. It commonly follows 觉得 to express how someone feels. Use it for physical discomfort or an uncomfortable social feeling when the context makes that clear.
请
In “请他们到外面去聊天” and “请图书管理员来处理”, “请” means to ask or request someone to do something, with a polite tone. It comes before the person requested and the action they are asked to take. Use it when making a courteous request rather than giving a direct command.
到
In “到外面去聊天”, “到” marks the destination “外面”, meaning “to” or “to reach” that place. It commonly appears before a destination in a movement expression. Use it when telling someone where an action or movement should take place.
外面
“外面” means “outside”; in “到外面去聊天” it is the place where the conversation should continue. It commonly follows 到 to mark a destination. Use it when directing an activity away from an indoor or restricted area.
这样
“这样” means “this way” or “like this”; in “这样说得清楚” it refers to the suggested way of asking the people to continue outside. It commonly points back to an action or method already mentioned. Use it when explaining the result or advantage of a proposed way of doing something.
得
In “说得清楚”, “得” links the verb “说” to the result or manner complement “清楚”, showing how clearly the speaking is done. The pattern is verb + 得 + description. Use it to describe the degree or result of an action, such as whether something is said clearly.
清楚
In “说得清楚”, “清楚” means “clearly” and describes the result or manner of speaking. It follows 得 after the verb “说”. Use it when explaining that information is understandable or expressed clearly.
也
“也” means “also” or “as well”; in “也不会显得无礼” it adds a second positive result alongside speaking clearly. It commonly appears before the verb or negative expression it applies to. Use it to connect another matching result or point.
不
In “不会显得无礼”, “不” marks the negative meaning, saying that something will not appear rude. It comes before the verb or modal expression being negated. Use it to say that an action, state, or expected result does not occur.
显得
“显得” means “seem” or “appear”; in “不会显得无礼” it describes how the request may be perceived by others. It commonly comes before an adjective describing the resulting impression. Use it when talking about the way a person or action appears.
无礼
“无礼” means “rude” or “impolite”; in “显得无礼” it describes an impression the polite request is intended to avoid. It follows 显得 to describe how the action might appear. Use it when evaluating whether behavior lacks courtesy.
如果
“如果” means “if” and introduces the condition in “如果他们继续聊天”. It commonly begins a conditional clause, followed by the result clause with 就 in this dialogue. Use it when discussing what action should follow a possible situation.
继续
“继续” means “continue”; in “继续聊天” it means carrying on with the talking instead of stopping. It commonly comes before the action that continues. Use it when an activity remains in progress after a point where it might have stopped.
来
In “请图书管理员来处理”, “来” means “come and” and presents the librarian coming to deal with the situation. It comes before the action verb “处理”. Use it when someone moves toward the relevant place or group in order to perform an action.
就
In “如果他们继续聊天，我们就可以请图书管理员来处理”, “就” introduces the consequence that follows the condition. It commonly appears in the result clause after 如果 introduces the condition. Use it to connect an if-condition with the action or result that follows.
把
In “把事情闹大”, “把” places the specific object “事情” before the action and its result. The pattern is 把 + object + verb or result expression. Use it when focusing on what happens to a known object as a result of an action.
事情
“事情” means “matter” or “situation”; in “把事情闹大” it refers to the noise problem as an issue that could become more serious. It follows 把 as the object affected by the result. Use it for an event, problem, or matter being discussed.
闹大
“闹大” means “make a big fuss” or cause a situation to become serious; in “把事情闹大” it describes escalating the library problem. It follows the object 事情 in the 把 construction. Use it when an issue becomes more public, dramatic, or difficult than necessary.
宁愿
“宁愿” means “would rather”; in “我宁愿这样做” it expresses the speaker’s preferred action. It commonly introduces one choice before a comparison with another choice using 比 or rather than language. Use it when choosing a less unpleasant or more suitable option.
做
“做” means “do”; in “这样做” it refers back to the previously suggested way of handling the noise. It commonly follows 这样 when pointing to an action already described. Use it when referring to carrying out a method or plan.
想
In “也不想大声抱怨”, “想” means “want to” and expresses that the speaker does not want to complain loudly. It comes before the action verb 抱怨 and is negated by 不. Use it to express a desire or intention to do something.
大声
“大声” means “loudly” or “in a loud voice”; in “大声抱怨” it describes the volume of the complaining. It commonly comes before the action verb it modifies. Use it when describing speech or another sound made at a high volume.
抱怨
“抱怨” means “complain”; in “大声抱怨” it refers to expressing dissatisfaction about the noise in a loud way. It commonly follows a manner expression such as 大声. Use it when voicing dissatisfaction about a problem or situation.
然后
“然后” means “then” or “afterward”; in “然后继续学习” it puts studying after the quiet request. It commonly connects two actions in their time order. Use it when explaining what should happen after an earlier action.
学习
“学习” means “study” or “learn”; in “继续学习” it refers to returning to the activity the speakers were doing in the library. It commonly follows 继续 to show that the activity resumes. Use it for studying a subject or learning in a class or self-study setting.
吧
In “我们轻声问一下，然后继续学习吧”, “吧” softens the suggestion and makes it sound like a proposal to act together. It commonly appears at the end of a suggestion or invitation. Use it when proposing a shared action in a gentle, non-forceful way.
Grammar Points
形容词 + 地 + 动词
图书管理员礼貌地提醒。
Túshū guǎnlǐyuán lǐmào de tíxǐng.The librarian politely gives a reminder.
“地”把形容词变成修饰动作的副词，如“礼貌地提醒”。
宁愿 + 动词
宁愿轻声聊天。
Nìngyuàn qīngshēng liáotiān.Would rather chat quietly.
“宁愿”放在动词前，表示选择或偏好；后面通常接另一种选择。
Chinese Vocabulary
安静区
noun
ānjìng qū
silent area; quiet area
在安静区聊天
不舒服
adj
bù shūfu
uncomfortable
觉得不舒服
除非
conj
chúfēi
unless
除非你觉得不舒服
处理
verb
chǔlǐ
to handle; to deal with
礼貌地处理
后面
adv
hòumiàn
behind; at the back
我们后面的人
礼貌地
adv
lǐmào de
politely
礼貌地处理
聊天
verb
liáotiān
to chat; to talk
正在安静区聊天
轻声
adv
qīngshēng
in a quiet voice; softly
先轻声提醒一下
请
verb
qǐng
to ask; to request
我可以请他们到外面去聊天
让人分心
phrase
ràng rén fēnxīn
to distract people
这会让人分心
提醒
verb
tíxǐng
to remind; to give a reminder
轻声提醒一下
图书管理员
noun
túshū guǎnlǐyuán
librarian
问图书管理员
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to distract people
Show Answer
让人分心librarian
Show Answer
图书管理员to handle; to deal with
Show Answer
处理uncomfortable