About This Lesson
Use Borrowing and caring for a non-stick pan to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我可以借你的不粘锅做点东西吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ jiè nǐ de bù zhān guō zuò diǎn dōngxi ma? Can I borrow your non-stick pan for something I am cooking?
B
可以，但请不要用金属厨具碰它。
Kěyǐ, dàn qǐng bú yào yòng jīn shǔ chú jù pèng tā. You can, but please do not use metal utensils on it.
A
我会用木勺，这样就不会刮伤锅面。
Wǒ huì yòng mù sháo, zhèyàng jiù bú huì guā shāng guō miàn. I will use a wooden spoon so I do not scratch the surface.
B
也请保持中火，因为大火可能会损坏涂层。
Yě qǐng bǎo chí zhōng huǒ, yīnwèi dà huǒ kěnéng huì sǔn huài tú céng. Keep the heat at medium too, because high heat can damage the coating.
A
我宁愿现在问清楚，也不想猜错把它弄坏。
Wǒ nìngyuàn xiànzài wèn qīngchu, yě bù xiǎng cāi cuò bǎ tā nòng huài. I would rather ask now than guess and ruin it.
B
这样很好。如果小心使用，它应该能用得更久。
Zhèyàng hěn hǎo. Rúguǒ xiǎoxīn shǐyòng, tā yīnggāi néng yòng de gèng jiǔ. That helps. It should last longer if it is handled carefully.
A
我应该手洗，而不是把它放进洗碗机吗？
Wǒ yīnggāi shǒu xǐ, ér bú shì bǎ tā fàng jìn xǐ wǎn jī ma? Should I wash it by hand instead of putting it in the dishwasher?
B
请用手轻轻洗干净，然后擦干再拿回来。
Qǐng yòng shǒu qīngqīng xǐ gānjìng, ránhòu cā gān zài ná huí lái. Wash it gently by hand and dry it before you bring it back.
A
我做完饭后会把它洗干净再还回来。
Wǒ zuò wán fàn hòu huì bǎ tā xǐ gānjìng zài huán huí lái. I will return it clean after I finish cooking.
B
告诉我这道菜做得怎么样。
Gàosu wǒ zhè dào cài zuò de zěnmeyàng. Let me know how the dish turns out.Word by Word
我
In 我可以借你的不粘锅做点东西吗？, 我 means “I” and refers to the person asking to borrow the pan. It is used as the subject before the action or ability being discussed. Use 我 before a verb when talking about your own action or plan.
可以
In 我可以借你的不粘锅做点东西吗？, 可以 asks whether the speaker may borrow the pan. Here it expresses permission in a question, not just physical ability. A common pattern is 可以+verb, as in 可以借 or 可以用.
借
In 我可以借你的不粘锅做点东西吗？, 借 means to borrow something for temporary use. The person who borrows comes before 借, and the borrowed object follows it. Use 借+someone’s+object when asking to borrow another person’s item.
你
In 你的不粘锅, 你 refers to the person who owns or is responsible for the pan. With 的, it identifies whose item it is. Use 你 when addressing one person directly.
的
In 你的不粘锅, 的 links 你 with 不粘锅 and shows that the pan belongs to or is associated with that person. The pattern is person or owner+的+item. It commonly appears before a noun to identify whose item is meant.
不粘锅
In 你的不粘锅, 不粘锅 means the non-stick pan being borrowed. It names the specific cooking item in this conversation. Use it after a possessive phrase or other modifier when identifying a pan.
做
In 做点东西, 做 means to make or cook something. The surrounding context is cooking, so it describes preparing food with the pan. A common reuse pattern is 做+food or 做饭.
点
In 做点东西, 点 means “some” or “a little,” making the amount unspecified and limited. It appears before 东西 to refer to some thing or things to make. Use verb+点+object when referring to a small or unspecified amount.
东西
In 做点东西, 东西 means “thing” or “something.” Here it refers generally to what the speaker plans to make, without naming the dish. It can follow 点 in the reusable pattern 做点东西.
吗
In 我可以借你的不粘锅做点东西吗？, 吗 turns the statement into a yes-or-no question. It comes at the end of the sentence. Use it after a complete question statement when asking for confirmation or permission.
但
In 可以，但请不要用金属厨具碰它。, 但 means “but” and introduces a condition or limitation after granting permission. It connects the permission with the request that follows. Use 但 before information that qualifies what was just said.
请
In 请不要用金属厨具碰它。, 请 makes the following instruction polite. It appears before the request or command. Use 请+verb when giving a courteous request.
不要
In 请不要用金属厨具碰它。, 不要 means “do not” and makes the following action a negative request. Together with 请, 请不要 gives a polite warning or instruction. Use 不要+verb when telling someone not to do something.
用
In 不要用金属厨具碰它。, 用 means “use,” introducing the utensil used for the action. The object 金属厨具 follows 用. A common pattern is 用+tool+verb, as in 用木勺.
金属
In 金属厨具, 金属 means “metal” and describes what the kitchen utensils are made of. It comes before 厨具 as a modifier. Use material+noun to identify an object by its material.
厨具
In 金属厨具, 厨具 means kitchen utensils or cooking tools. It is the object of 用 and the thing that should not touch the pan. Use it when referring generally to tools used for cooking.
碰
In 碰它, 碰 means “touch” or “come into contact with.” It describes metal utensils making contact with the pan. Use 碰+object when warning that something should not touch an item.
它
In 碰它, 它 refers back to the non-stick pan. It is used as the object of 碰, so the listener knows what must not be touched. Use 它 to refer to a nonhuman item already mentioned.
会
In 我会用木勺, 会 indicates what the speaker will do. It presents using a wooden spoon as the speaker’s future intention or plan. Use 会+verb when stating a planned or expected action.
木勺
In 我会用木勺, 木勺 means “wooden spoon,” the tool the speaker plans to use. 木 describes the material and 勺 names the spoon-like utensil. It follows 用 as the tool being used.
这样
In 这样就不会刮伤锅面, 这样 refers to the method just mentioned, namely using a wooden spoon. It links that method to the result that follows. A common pattern is 这样+就+result.
就
In 这样就不会刮伤锅面, 就 connects the stated method with its expected result. Here it gives the sense that using a wooden spoon will consequently prevent scratching. It commonly appears before the result in a 这样就... pattern.
不会
In 这样就不会刮伤锅面, 不会 means that the scratching will not happen. It is formed from 不 and 会 and refers here to the expected result of using the wooden spoon. Use 不会+verb when saying an action or event will not occur.
刮伤
In 不会刮伤锅面, 刮伤 means to scratch and damage a surface. The object being scratched is 锅面. Use 刮伤+surface or object when describing damage caused by scraping or contact.
锅面
In 刮伤锅面, 锅面 means the surface of the pan. It is the object affected by 刮伤. Use it when referring specifically to the inside or surface area of a pan.
也
In 也请保持中火, 也 means “also” or “too.” It adds keeping the heat at medium to the earlier care instructions. Put 也 before the verb or phrase being added.
保持
In 保持中火, 保持 means to keep something at a particular level or condition. The condition being maintained is 中火. A common pattern is 保持+state or level.
中火
In 保持中火, 中火 means medium heat. It names the heat level that should be maintained while cooking. Use it after 保持 when giving a cooking instruction about heat.
因为
In 因为大火可能会损坏涂层, 因为 introduces the reason for the instruction to keep the heat at medium. The reason is that high heat may damage the coating. Use 因为 before a reason or cause.
大火
In 大火可能会损坏涂层, 大火 means high heat. It describes the heat level that may damage the pan’s coating. Use it as the subject of a warning about cooking heat.
可能
In 大火可能会损坏涂层, 可能 means “may” or “possibly,” showing that the damage is a possible result rather than a certainty. It comes before the action that may happen. Use 可能+verb to express possibility.
损坏
In 损坏涂层, 损坏 means to damage something. The object being damaged is the coating. Use 损坏+object when describing harm to an item or its part.
涂层
In 损坏涂层, 涂层 means the coating on the pan. It is the object affected by high heat. Use it when discussing a protective or covering layer on an object.
宁愿
In 我宁愿现在问清楚, 宁愿 signals a preference for one action, here asking clearly now. The speaker chooses asking over guessing and damaging the pan. It commonly appears before the preferred action in a comparison of choices.
现在
In 宁愿现在问清楚, 现在 means “now,” referring to the present moment of the conversation. It places the asking before the speaker starts cooking. Use it before a verb when specifying that an action happens at the current time.
问
In 现在问清楚, 问 means to ask or inquire. Here the speaker asks for the correct care instructions. Use 问+person or 问+information when requesting information.
清楚
In 问清楚, 清楚 means clearly or fully understood, so 问清楚 means to ask until the matter is clear. It describes the result or completeness of the asking. Use verb+清楚 when the action leads to clear understanding or information.
不想
In 也不想猜错把它弄坏, 不想 means “do not want to.” It expresses the speaker’s unwillingness to guess incorrectly and damage the pan. Use 不想+verb when describing an action you do not want to take.
猜
In 猜错, 猜 means to guess when the answer or correct action is not known. Here it describes guessing how to care for the pan. Use 猜 when choosing an answer or action without enough certainty.
错
In 猜错, 错 shows that the guess is incorrect. It follows 猜 to describe an incorrect result of guessing. Use it after an action when the result of that action is wrong.
把
In 把它弄坏, 把 places the pan before the action and its result, highlighting what will be affected. The pattern is 把+object+verb+result, so 把它弄坏 focuses on the pan becoming damaged. Use 把 when the object undergoes a clear change or result.
弄
In 弄坏, 弄 means to cause something to become affected or damaged. Together with 坏, it describes causing the pan to become damaged. Use 弄+result word when an action causes an object to reach a particular condition.
坏
In 弄坏, 坏 means damaged or broken, describing the resulting condition of the pan. It completes the result expression after 弄. Use it after a verb when describing something becoming damaged or unusable.
很好
In 这样很好, 很好 means “very good” and evaluates the speaker’s careful attitude positively. It refers to asking for instructions instead of guessing. Use 很好 after a subject or situation when giving a positive evaluation.
如果
In 如果小心使用, 如果 introduces the condition that the pan is used carefully. The expected result appears in the following clause. Use 如果+condition when saying what happens under a particular condition.
小心
In 小心使用, 小心 means carefully and describes how the pan should be used. It comes before 使用 to modify the action. Use 小心+verb when telling someone to perform an action with care.
使用
In 小心使用, 使用 means to use, referring here to using the pan carefully. It is followed by the object when the object is stated. A common pattern is 使用+object.
应该
In 它应该能用得更久, 应该 means “should” and expresses an expected result based on careful handling. Here the expectation is that the pan will last longer. Use 应该+verb when making a reasonable expectation or recommendation.
能
In 应该能用得更久, 能 means “can” or “be able to,” referring to the pan’s ability to remain usable for a longer time. It appears before 用得更久. Use 能+verb when describing ability or a possible outcome.
得
In 用得更久, 得 links 用 with the duration complement 更久. It shows how long the pan can continue to be used. Use verb+得+complement when describing the degree, manner, or result of an action.
更久
In 用得更久, 更久 means “for longer,” comparing the expected duration with a shorter duration. It completes the expression after 得. Use 得+duration when describing how long an action or condition continues.
手洗
In 我应该手洗, 手洗 means to wash by hand rather than using a machine. It is the cleaning method being considered for the pan. Use 手洗+object when stating that an item should be washed manually.
而
In 而不是把它放进洗碗机, 而 helps contrast the preferred method with the alternative that follows. Together with 不是, it introduces what should not be chosen. Use 而不是 before an alternative in a contrast.
不是
In 而不是把它放进洗碗机, 不是 marks the alternative as the one that is not being chosen. The full contrast is 手洗，而不是把它放进洗碗机. Use 而不是+action or option when saying “rather than...”.
放
In 把它放进洗碗机, 放 means to put the pan somewhere. The destination is specified by 进洗碗机. Use 放+object+place when describing putting an item in a location.
进
In 放进洗碗机, 进 shows movement into the dishwasher after 放. It completes the direction of the putting action. Use verb+进+place when an object moves into a location.
洗碗机
In 放进洗碗机, 洗碗机 means dishwasher. It is the destination the speaker is considering using for the pan. Use it after 放进 when naming the machine an item is put into.
手
In 用手轻轻洗干净, 手 means “hand” and identifies the method of washing. It appears in the phrase 用手, meaning by hand. Use 用手+verb when saying that an action is done manually.
轻轻
In 轻轻洗干净, 轻轻 means gently or lightly and describes the manner of washing. It comes before 洗 to soften the action and show care. Use 轻轻+verb when an action should be done gently.
洗
In 洗干净, 洗 means to wash. Here the action is washing the pan until it is clean. Use 洗+object or 洗+result complement when describing cleaning something.
干净
In 洗干净, 干净 means clean and describes the result of washing. It follows 洗 to show that the washing should make the pan clean. Use verb+干净 when an action results in a clean condition.
然后
In 然后擦干, 然后 means “then” or “afterward” and introduces the next step after washing. It orders the actions in the care instructions. Use 然后 before the action that follows an earlier step.
擦
In 擦干, 擦 means to wipe. Here the pan is wiped as part of drying it after washing. Use 擦+object or 擦+result word when describing wiping something.
干
In 擦干, 干 means dry and describes the result of wiping. Together, 擦干 means to wipe something dry. Use verb+干 when an action makes an item dry.
再
In 擦干再拿回来, 再 means “then” and indicates that bringing the pan back happens after drying it. It places the second action after the first. Use action 1+再+action 2 for an ordered sequence.
拿
In 拿回来, 拿 means to take or bring an item. Here it describes bringing the pan back to the shared kitchen or owner. Use 拿+direction word when describing moving an item somewhere.
回来
In 拿回来, 回来 means back here or back to the relevant place. It completes 拿 by showing that the pan is brought back after use. Use verb+回来 when an item or person returns toward the current place or speaker.
完
In 做完饭, 完 marks the completion of 做饭. It shows that the cooking is finished before the pan is returned. Use verb+完 when an action has been completed.
饭
In 做完饭, 饭 refers to the meal or cooked food being prepared. It is the object of 做 and gives the expression the meaning “finish cooking.” Use 做饭 when talking generally about preparing a meal.
后
In 做完饭后, 后 means “after” and places the return of the pan after the cooking is finished. It follows the completed action 做完饭. Use completed action+后 before describing what happens afterward.
还
In 还回来, 还 means to return or give something back. Here the speaker promises to return the borrowed pan. Use 还+object when giving an item back, and 还回来 emphasizes returning it here.
告诉
In 告诉我这道菜做得怎么样, 告诉 means to tell or let someone know. The person receiving the information is 我, followed by the information being requested. A common pattern is 告诉+person+information.
这
In 这道菜, 这 means “this” and points to the particular dish being discussed. It appears before the measure word 道 and noun 菜. Use 这+measure word+noun to identify a nearby or already relevant item.
道
In 这道菜, 道 is the measure word used for a dish of food. It comes between 这 and 菜. Use number or demonstrative+道+菜 when referring to a particular prepared dish.
菜
In 这道菜, 菜 means dish or food. It refers to the food the speaker has prepared in the pan. Use it after 道 when naming a particular dish.
怎么样
In 告诉我这道菜做得怎么样, 怎么样 asks how the dish turned out or what it is like. Within 怎么样, 怎么 contributes the question “how,” while 样 contributes the idea of a kind or way; together they form the question expression. Use subject+怎么样 when asking for an evaluation or result.
Grammar Points
宁愿……而不是……
我宁愿问清楚，而不是猜错。
Wǒ nìngyuàn wèn qīngchu, ér bú shì cāi cuò.I would rather ask and clarify than guess incorrectly.
宁愿 introduces the preferred choice; 而不是 introduces the alternative being rejected.
动词 + 得怎么样
这道菜做得怎么样？
Zhè dào cài zuò de zěnmeyàng?How did this dish turn out?
得怎么样 asks about the quality or result of an action, placed after the verb.
Chinese Vocabulary
保持
verb
bǎo chí
keep; maintain
不粘锅
noun
bù zhān guō
non-stick pan
厨具
noun
chú jù
kitchen utensils
大火
noun
dà huǒ
high heat
刮伤
verb
guā shāng
scratch
锅面
noun
guō miàn
surface of the pan
借
verb
jiè
borrow
金属
adj
jīn shǔ
metal
木勺
noun
mù sháo
wooden spoon
碰
verb
pèng
touch
损坏
verb
sǔn huài
damage
中火
noun
zhōng huǒ
medium heat
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
wooden spoon
Show Answer
木勺scratch
Show Answer
刮伤non-stick pan
Show Answer
不粘锅kitchen utensils