About This Lesson
Use Renewing a Library Book When Online Access Fails to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我试着在网上续借这本书，但我的账户打不开。
Wǒ shìzhe zài wǎngshàng xùjiè zhè běn shū, dàn wǒ de zhànghù dǎbùkāi. I tried to renew my book online, but my account wouldn't load.
B
在到期日之前给图书馆打电话。
Zài dàoqīrì zhīqián gěi túshūguǎn dǎ diànhuà. Call the library before the due date passes.
A
我很担心，因为这本书今天到期。
Wǒ hěn dānxīn, yīnwèi zhè běn shū jīntiān dào qī. I'm worried because the book is due today.
B
如果他们能看出是登录出了问题，他们可能会延长借期。
Rúguǒ tāmen néng kànchū shì dēnglù chūle wèntí, tāmen kěnéng huì yáncháng jièqī. They may extend it if they can see there was a login problem.
A
如果有人预约了这本书怎么办？
Rúguǒ yǒu rén yùyuē le zhè běn shū zěnmebàn? What if someone has reserved it?
B
那你可能就不能续借了，即使打电话也不行。
Nà nǐ kěnéng jiù bù néng xùjiè le, jíshǐ dǎ diànhuà yě bù xíng. Then they probably won't be able to renew it, even by phone.
A
在以为自己可以继续借之前，我会先问问有没有预约。
Zài yǐwéi zìjǐ kěyǐ jìxù jiè zhīqián, wǒ huì xiān wènwen yǒu méiyǒu yùyuē. I'll ask about holds before I assume I can keep it.
B
如果有人预约了，就今天还回去，以后再借。
Rúguǒ yǒu rén yùyuē le, jiù jīntiān huán huíqù, yǐhòu zài jiè. If there is a hold, return it today and borrow it again later.
A
我到那里后也会重置密码。
Wǒ dào nàlǐ hòu yě huì chóngzhì mìmǎ. I'll reset my password while I'm there too.
B
这样下次续借时应该就不会那么紧张了。
Zhèyàng xià cì xùjiè shí yīnggāi jiù bú huì nàme jǐnzhāng le. That should make the next renewal less stressful.Word by Word
我
我 means “I” or “me,” referring to the speaker in 我试着在网上续借这本书. It is used as the subject or object when talking about your own actions, plans, or experiences. You would use it when explaining your situation to another person.
试着
试着 means “try to” and introduces the action the speaker attempted in 我试着在网上续借这本书. It commonly comes before an action that someone is attempting. You would use it when describing an effort whose result is not yet certain.
在
在 marks the setting for the action in 在网上续借这本书, meaning that the renewal was done online. It commonly appears before a place, medium, or setting connected with an action. You would use it to say where or in what setting an activity takes place.
网上
网上 means “online” in 在网上续借这本书. It identifies the internet as the place or medium for the renewal. You would use it when describing an activity carried out through an online service.
续借
续借 means “renew a loan,” specifically continuing to borrow the book in 在网上续借这本书. It is used with an item that is already on loan, such as a library book. You would use it when asking or planning to keep a borrowed item longer.
这
这 means “this” and points to the particular book in 这本书. It comes before the classifier and noun to identify something specific. You would use it when referring to an item that is close in the conversation or situation.
本
本 is the classifier used for books in 这本书. It appears between 这 and 书 to form the expression “this book.” You would use it when counting or identifying books.
书
书 means “book” in 这本书. Here it refers to the library item that the speaker wants to renew. You would use it when discussing reading, borrowing, returning, or renewing a book.
但
但 means “but” and introduces the problem that contrasts with the attempted renewal in 但我的账户打不开. It connects the first situation with an unexpected difficulty. You would use it to contrast an action or expectation with what actually happened.
的
的 marks possession in 我的账户, showing that the account belongs to the speaker. It is placed between the possessor and the noun. You would use it to form a possessive noun phrase.
账户
账户 means “account,” referring here to the speaker’s online library account in 我的账户打不开. It is used for an account that provides access to a service or system. You would use it when discussing access, settings, or problems with an online account.
打不开
打不开 means that something cannot be opened or will not load, as in 我的账户打不开. The form combines the action of opening with an unsuccessful result. You would use it when a page, account, or other digital item fails to open.
到期日
到期日 means “due date,” the date by which the book should be returned in 在到期日之前给图书馆打电话. It names the deadline connected with the loan. You would use it when checking or discussing a return deadline.
之前
之前 means “before” in 在到期日之前给图书馆打电话. It places the phone call earlier than the due date. You would use it after a time or event to set a prior deadline or point in time.
给
给 marks the recipient of the phone call in 给图书馆打电话, meaning that the call is made to the library. It commonly comes before the person or organization receiving an action. You would use it when identifying whom to contact.
图书馆
图书馆 means “library,” the institution that manages the loan in 给图书馆打电话. It is the organization the speaker should contact about the renewal. You would use it when discussing borrowing services, returns, or library staff.
打电话
打电话 means “make a phone call” in 给图书馆打电话. In this expression, 打 contributes the action of making or placing the call, while 电话 means “phone call”; together they form the complete expression. You would use it when contacting the library or another person by phone.
很
很 strengthens the following feeling in 我很担心, meaning “very” or “quite worried.” It commonly appears before a word describing a degree or state. You would use it to express a noticeable level of a feeling or condition.
担心
担心 means “be worried” in 我很担心, referring to concern about the book being due. It describes an uneasy feeling about a possible problem or result. You would use it when explaining concern to a friend, staff member, or other listener.
因为
因为 means “because” and introduces the reason for the worry in 因为这本书今天到期. It connects a result or feeling with its cause. You would use it when explaining why something happened or why you feel a certain way.
今天
今天 means “today” in 这本书今天到期. It identifies the current day as the time of the due event. You would use it when stating that an action, deadline, or event is happening on the current day.
到期
到期 means “be due” in 这本书今天到期, referring to the end of the permitted loan period. It is used when a deadline or validity period has reached its end. You would use it when discussing loans, payments, documents, or other deadlines.
如果
如果 means “if” and introduces a possible condition in 如果他们能看出是登录出了问题. It frames what may happen under that condition. You would use it when discussing a possible situation and its result.
他们
他们 means “they” or “them,” referring here to the library staff in 如果他们能看出是登录出了问题. It is used for the people who may evaluate the login problem and extend the loan. You would use it when referring to a group already understood from the situation.
能
能 means “can” or “be able to” in 他们能看出是登录出了问题. It expresses the ability to recognize the cause from the available information. You would use it before an action when discussing whether someone is able to perform it.
看出
看出 means “recognize or see from evidence,” as in 看出是登录出了问题. Here it means identifying that the login problem was the reason for the failed access. You would use it when a person reaches a conclusion from what they observe.
是
是 identifies what the problem was in 是登录出了问题. It links the situation being recognized with its explanation. You would use it when identifying a person, thing, or cause.
登录
登录 means “log in” or “login,” referring to access to the account in 登录出了问题. Here it identifies the account-access process that failed. You would use it when discussing entering an online account or system.
出
出 contributes the idea of a problem occurring in 登录出了问题. The complete expression 登录出了问题 means that a login problem occurred; 出 alone does not carry the whole meaning of that expression. You would use it in similar problem expressions when something goes wrong or emerges.
了
了 marks the changed or completed situation in 登录出了问题, showing that the problem has occurred. Together with 出, it presents the login problem as an event that happened. You would use it when reporting a new situation or a completed change.
问题
问题 means “problem” in 登录出了问题, referring to the difficulty with logging in. It names the difficulty that explains why the account could not load. You would use it when describing an obstacle or issue that needs attention.
可能
可能 means “possibly” or “may” in 他们可能会延长借期. It shows that the extension is a possible outcome rather than a certainty. You would use it when giving a cautious prediction about what may happen.
会
会 helps express a possible future result in 他们可能会延长借期. Together with 可能, it presents extending the loan as something that may happen. You would use it before an action when discussing an expected or possible outcome.
延长
延长 means “extend,” referring to making the loan period longer in 延长借期. It is used here with 借期 as the thing being extended. You would use it when discussing adding time to a loan, deadline, or period.
借期
借期 means “loan period,” the time during which the book may be kept in 延长借期. It identifies the period that the library may extend. You would use it when discussing how long a borrowed item may remain with the borrower.
有人
有人 means “someone” or “there is someone,” introducing an unspecified person in 有人预约了这本书. Here it indicates that another person has placed a hold on the book. You would use it when the person is present or relevant but not identified.
预约
预约 means “reserve” or “place a hold,” as in 有人预约了这本书. It refers to another library user requesting the book. You would use it when discussing a reservation that may affect whether the current borrower can renew the item.
怎么办
怎么办 means “what should be done?” or “what happens then?” in 如果有人预约了这本书怎么办. 怎么 asks about how, and 办 contributes the idea of handling or dealing with the situation; together they ask for a solution. You would use it when an unexpected condition creates a practical problem.
那
那 means “then” or “in that case” in 那你可能就不能续借了. It responds to the possible hold and introduces its consequence. You would use it when drawing a conclusion from something just mentioned.
你
你 means “you,” referring to the borrower in 那你可能就不能续借了. It addresses the person whose renewal is being discussed. You would use it when speaking directly to one listener.
就
就 marks the resulting consequence in 那你可能就不能续借了. It links the condition or situation with what follows, making the result sound direct or accordingly connected. You would use it before the consequence of a stated condition.
不能
不能 means “cannot” or “be unable to” in 不能续借, saying that the borrower will not be able to renew the book. It commonly comes before the action that is impossible or not allowed. You would use it when explaining that a plan cannot be carried out.
即使
即使 means “even if” or “even though” in 即使打电话也不行. It introduces a method that still does not change the result. You would use it in the pattern 即使...也... when emphasizing that a condition or attempt has no effect on the outcome.
也
也 means “even” in 即使打电话也不行, reinforcing that the result remains the same despite making a phone call. It works with 即使 to complete the contrastive condition pattern. You would use it when saying that an outcome still applies under an additional condition.
不行
不行 means “will not work,” “is not possible,” or “is not allowed” in 打电话也不行. Here it says that calling by phone will not solve the renewal problem. You would use it after a proposed method when that method cannot be accepted or succeed.
以为
以为 means “assume” or “think,” with the suggestion that the assumption may be wrong in 以为自己可以继续借. It introduces the speaker’s belief about being able to keep borrowing the book. You would use it when describing an expectation that should be checked rather than accepted as certain.
自己
自己 means “oneself” or “one’s own self” in 自己可以继续借. It refers back to the person making the assumption, emphasizing that person’s own ability or permission. You would use it when the subject and the person affected are the same.
可以
可以 means “can” or “be permitted to” in 可以继续借, referring to permission or possibility to keep borrowing the book. It commonly comes before an action that is allowed or feasible. You would use it when asking or stating whether an action is possible or permitted.
继续
继续 means “continue” in 继续借, referring to keeping the borrowing arrangement going. It commonly comes before an action or state that has already begun. You would use it when an activity is intended to carry on rather than stop.
借
借 means “borrow” in 继续借 and 再借, referring to taking the book from the library for another period. In this dialogue, the speaker is the person receiving the book from the library. You would use it when discussing borrowing an item again or continuing to borrow it.
先
先 means “first” or “beforehand” in 先问问有没有预约. It places the inquiry before the speaker assumes the book can be kept. You would use it to arrange actions in order, especially when one check should happen before a decision.
问问
问问 means “ask” or “check by asking” in 问问有没有预约. It presents the speaker’s plan to make an inquiry about whether a hold exists. You would use it when checking information with library staff or another relevant person.
有
有 means “there is” or “exists” in 有没有预约, asking whether a reservation exists. It is used before the thing whose presence is being checked. You would use it when asking about the existence or availability of something.
没有
没有 contributes the negative side of the existence question in 有没有预约, asking whether there is no reservation. Together with 有, it forms a question about whether a hold exists or not. You would use it when checking whether something is present or available.
还回去
还回去 means “return it,” referring to taking the book back to the library in 还回去. 还 contributes returning, while 回去 shows movement back toward the library or its place. You would use it when telling someone to return a borrowed item.
以后
以后 means “later” or “afterward” in 以后再借. It places the next borrowing at a later time than the return. You would use it when referring to an action that will happen after the current situation.
再
再 means “again” or “then later” in 再借, referring to borrowing the book another time after returning it. It commonly marks a repeated action that will happen later. You would use it when planning to repeat an activity after an intervening event.
到
到 means “arrive at” or “get to” in 到那里后. It introduces arrival at the place where the speaker will reset the password. You would use it when describing reaching a location before doing something else.
那里
那里 means “there,” referring to the library or the place under discussion in 到那里后. It points to a location already understood from the conversation. You would use it when referring to a specific place without naming it again.
后
后 means “after” in 到那里后, placing the password reset after arriving there. It follows the event that must happen first. You would use it to connect one action with a later action.
重置
重置 means “reset,” referring to changing the password back to a usable or newly selected state in 重置密码. It is used here with 密码 as the thing being reset. You would use it when fixing or renewing access credentials.
密码
密码 means “password” in 重置密码. It identifies the credential the speaker plans to change after reaching the library. You would use it when discussing account access, security, or login problems.
这样
这样 means “this way” or “in this manner” in 这样下次续借时应该就不会那么紧张了. It refers to the preceding plan of resetting the password and introduces its expected benefit. You would use it to connect an action with the result it is expected to produce.
下次
下次 means “next time” in 下次续借时, referring to the next renewal occasion. It places the expected improvement in a future instance of the same activity. You would use it when talking about a future repeat of an event.
时
时 means “when” or “at the time of” in 下次续借时. It frames the renewal as the time during which the expected feeling will occur. You would use it after an event or activity to introduce what happens at that time.
应该
应该 means “should” or “is expected to” in 应该就不会那么紧张了. Here it expresses a reasonable expectation that the next renewal will be less stressful, not a strict instruction. You would use it when making a cautious prediction or stating what is expected.
不会
不会 means “will not” or “will no longer” in 不会那么紧张了. It presents the expected future absence of the same level of stress. You would use it before a state or action when predicting that it will not occur.
那么
那么 means “that much” or “so” in 不会那么紧张, referring to the degree of stress. It modifies the extent of the feeling rather than introducing a new condition. You would use it before a descriptive state when talking about its degree.
紧张
紧张 means “stressed” or “nervous” in 不会那么紧张了, describing the speaker’s emotional state about renewing the book. It refers to worry or pressure in the situation, not to physical tightness. You would use it when describing nervousness about a task, problem, or uncertain result.
Grammar Points
有没有 + 名词
有没有预约？
Yǒu méiyǒu yùyuē?Is there a reservation?
Use 有没有 to ask whether something exists or is available.
出了问题，怎么办？
出了问题，怎么办？
Chūle wèntí, zěnmebàn?Something has gone wrong. What should I do?
怎么办 is a fixed expression asking what action to take in a problem situation.
Chinese Vocabulary
出了问题
phrase
chūle wèntí
has a problem; went wrong
打不开
verb
dǎbùkāi
cannot open; will not load
打电话
phrase
dǎ diànhuà
make a phone call; call
担心
verb
dānxīn
worry; be worried
到期日
noun
dàoqīrì
due date
登录
verb
dēnglù
log in; login
网上
adv
wǎngshàng
online
续借
verb
xùjiè
renew a loan
延长借期
phrase
yáncháng jièqī
extend the loan period
预约
verb
yùyuē
reserve; reservation
怎么办
phrase
zěnmebàn
what should one do
账户
noun
zhànghù
account
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
extend the loan period
Show Answer
延长借期has a problem; went wrong
Show Answer
出了问题due date
Show Answer
到期日renew a loan