Responding to a Coffee Spill on a Laptop | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: In daily life, two adults respond to coffee spilled on a laptop by turning it off, checking backups, and seeking repair advice..

EN → ZH / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Responding to a Coffee Spill on a Laptop to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

我把咖啡洒在笔记本电脑旁边了，还有一些液体流到了键盘下面。

Wǒ bǎ kāfēi sǎ zài bǐjìběn diànnǎo pángbiān le, hái yǒu yìxiē yètǐ liú dào le jiànpán xiàmiàn. I spilled coffee near my laptop, and some liquid went under the keyboard.
B

马上拔掉笔记本电脑的电源，如果它还在运行，就把它关掉。

Mǎshàng bádiào bǐjìběn diànnǎo de diànyuán, rúguǒ tā hái zài yùnxíng, jiù bǎ tā guāndiào. Unplug it immediately and turn it off if it is still running.
A

我应该试着用吹风机把笔记本电脑吹干吗？

Wǒ yīnggāi shìzhe yòng chuīfēngjī bǎ bǐjìběn diànnǎo chuīgān ma? Should I try to dry it with a hair dryer?
B

高温可能造成更多损坏。让技术人员检查一下吧。

Gāowēn kěnéng zàochéng gèng duō sǔnhuài. Ràng jìshù rényuán jiǎnchá yíxià ba. Heat can cause more damage. Let a technician check it.
A

我很担心，因为我的项目文件都在这台笔记本电脑里。

Wǒ hěn dānxīn, yīnwèi wǒ de xiàngmù wénjiàn dōu zài zhè tái bǐjìběn diànnǎo lǐ. I am worried because my project files are on it.
B

在你再次碰这台笔记本电脑之前，先用另一台设备检查你的云端备份。

Zài nǐ zài cì pèng zhè tái bǐjìběn diànnǎo zhīqián, xiān yòng lìng yì tái shèbèi jiǎnchá nǐ de yúnduān bèifèn. Check your cloud backup from another device before you touch the laptop again.
A

大部分文件已经同步了。

Dà bùfen wénjiàn yǐjīng tóngbù le. Most of the files were already synced.
B

让笔记本电脑保持关机，不要太快尝试启动它。

Ràng bǐjìběn diànnǎo bǎochí guānjī, bù yào tài kuài chángshì qǐdòng tā. Keep the laptop off, and do not try to start it too soon.
A

我会把它送去给技术人员，并询问下一步该怎么做。

Wǒ huì bǎ tā sòng qù gěi jìshù rényuán, bìng xúnwèn xià yí bù gāi zěnme zuò. I will take it to a technician and ask about the next step.
B

技术人员可以检查它，而不会让损坏变得更严重。

Jìshù rényuán kěyǐ jiǎnchá tā, ér bú huì ràng sǔnhuài biàn de gèng yánzhòng. A technician can check it without making the damage worse.

Word by Word

我 “我” refers to the speaker as “I” or “me” in the dialogue. It commonly comes before the action, as in “我把咖啡洒在笔记本电脑旁边了”, and is used when describing your own situation or action.
把 “把” marks “咖啡” as the object directly affected by the action “洒”. The pattern “把 + object + verb” is useful when focusing on what happens to a specific thing, such as “把它关掉” in this dialogue.
咖啡 “咖啡” means coffee, the liquid that was spilled in the dialogue. It can be used before action phrases such as “把咖啡洒在……”, when describing a coffee-related accident.
洒 “洒” describes spilling or scattering liquid, here in “把咖啡洒在笔记本电脑旁边了”. Use it with a liquid as the object when explaining that liquid accidentally spreads onto or near something.
在 In “洒在笔记本电脑旁边了”, “在” introduces the place where the coffee ended up. It commonly links an action with a location, such as “在桌子上” for “on the table” in a new example.
笔记本电脑 “笔记本电脑” means laptop, the device involved in the accident. It can be used as the object of actions such as “关掉” or as the thing kept “关机” in this dialogue.
旁边 “旁边” means beside or next to, and “笔记本电脑旁边” identifies the area beside the laptop. It is useful after a noun when specifying a nearby location, such as “门旁边” in a new example.
了 In “洒在笔记本电脑旁边了”, “了” presents the spilling as a completed event or a newly relevant situation. It can appear at the end of a sentence when reporting that something has happened.
还 “还” means still here: “它还在运行” asks whether the laptop is still operating. It commonly appears before the action or state that continues, such as “还在下雨” in a new example.
有 “有” introduces the existence of “一些液体” in “还有一些液体”. It is used before a noun when saying that something exists or is present, including “有问题” in a new example.
一些 “一些” means some or an unspecified amount, referring here to some liquid. It comes before a noun, as in “一些液体”, when the exact amount is not given.
液体 “液体” means liquid, referring to the coffee that flowed under the keyboard. It can be used with verbs such as “流到” when describing liquid moving into a place.
流 “流” describes liquid flowing, here in “液体流到了键盘下面”. It commonly takes a destination with “到”, showing where the liquid moves.
到 In “流到了键盘下面”, “到” marks the destination reached by the flowing liquid. The pattern “流到 + place” is useful for describing liquid moving to a location.
键盘 “键盘” means keyboard, the part under which some liquid flowed. It can be followed by a location word such as “下面” to identify a specific part or area.
下面 “下面” means under or below, identifying the area beneath the keyboard in “键盘下面”. It commonly follows a noun to specify a lower position, such as “桌子下面” in a new example.
马上 “马上” means immediately and makes the instruction “马上拔掉笔记本电脑的电源” urgent. It is useful before an action when something should happen without delay.
拔 “拔” means pull out, and in “拔掉笔记本电脑的电源” it describes unplugging the laptop’s power. It commonly combines with “掉” when the action removes something from its connection.
掉 In “拔掉笔记本电脑的电源”, “掉” shows that the power connection is removed. It follows an action such as “拔” when emphasizing that something has been pulled away or disconnected.
的 In “笔记本电脑的电源”, “的” links “笔记本电脑” to “电源” and shows the power supply associated with the laptop. The pattern “A 的 B” is used for a relationship between two nouns.
电源 “电源” means the power supply or power connection of the laptop in “拔掉笔记本电脑的电源”. It is used with actions such as “拔掉” when telling someone to disconnect power.
如果 “如果” introduces the condition “它还在运行” in “如果它还在运行，就把它关掉”. The pattern “如果 + condition，就 + action” gives advice for what to do in a particular situation.
它 “它” refers to the laptop in “如果它还在运行”. It is used when referring back to a non-human thing already understood from the conversation.
运行 “运行” means operate or be running, describing the laptop’s current state in “它还在运行”. It is useful with devices or systems when checking whether they are operating.
就 In “如果它还在运行，就把它关掉”, “就” introduces the action that follows from the condition. It commonly follows an “如果” clause to mean “then” or “in that case”.
关 “关” means turn off in “把它关掉”, referring to stopping the laptop. It can be used with a device as the object when giving an instruction to switch it off.
应该 “应该” asks or indicates what is advisable in “我应该试着用吹风机把笔记本电脑吹干吗”. It commonly comes before an action when asking whether that action is the right thing to do.
试 “试” means try in “试着用吹风机把笔记本电脑吹干”. It introduces an action that someone is considering attempting, and here it is followed by “着” and the action being attempted.
着 In “试着用吹风机把笔记本电脑吹干”, “着” connects “试” with the action being attempted and gives the expression the meaning “try to”. The pattern “试着 + action” is useful when suggesting or considering an attempt.
用 “用” means use or with, showing that the hair dryer is the tool in “用吹风机”. It commonly comes before an instrument or method used to carry out an action.
吹风机 “吹风机” means hair dryer, the device considered for drying the laptop. It can follow “用” when naming the tool used for an action.
吹 “吹” means blow, and in “把笔记本电脑吹干” it describes directing air at the laptop. It combines with “干” here to express making something dry by blowing.
干 In “把笔记本电脑吹干”, “干” means dry and describes the intended result for the laptop. The pattern “把 + object + verb + 干” focuses on making the object dry.
吗 “吗” turns “我应该试着用吹风机把笔记本电脑吹干” into a yes-or-no question. It is placed at the end of a question when asking whether the proposed action is appropriate.
高温 “高温” means high heat or high temperature, identified as a possible source of further damage. It can be used as the subject of a warning, as in “高温可能造成更多损坏”.
可能 “可能” means may or possibly in “高温可能造成更多损坏”. It comes before an action or result when the speaker presents that result as possible rather than certain.
造成 “造成” means cause or result in, linking “高温” with “更多损坏”. It is useful in the pattern “cause + 造成 + result” when describing an undesirable effect.
更多 “更多” means more, indicating additional damage in “更多损坏”. It comes before a noun when comparing the amount with damage that already exists.
损坏 “损坏” means damage in this dialogue, especially damage to the laptop. It can be used after “造成” to describe harm that an action or condition causes.
让 “让” means let or have someone do something in “让技术人员检查一下吧”. It introduces the person who will carry out the following action, here “技术人员检查一下”.
技术人员 “技术人员” means technician, the person asked to inspect the laptop. It can be the subject of “检查” or the recipient after “送去给” in this dialogue.
检查 “检查” means check or inspect, referring to examining the damaged laptop. It can take an object, as in “检查它”, or appear after “让” when asking a technician to do it.
一下 “检查一下” means check briefly or give it a check, and “一下” softens the request rather than adding a literal separate action. In this expression, “一” and “下” work together as “一下”; the pattern “动词 + 一下” is commonly used for a light or polite request.
吧 “吧” softens “让技术人员检查一下吧” and presents it as a suggestion. It is useful at the end of advice when the speaker wants to sound less forceful.
很 “很” adds a high degree to “担心” in “我很担心”, meaning the speaker is very worried. It commonly comes before an adjective or feeling expression to describe its degree.
担心 “担心” means worry or be concerned, describing the speaker’s feeling about the project files. It commonly takes a reason introduced by “因为”, as in “我很担心，因为……”.
因为 “因为” introduces the reason for the worry: “我的项目文件都在这台笔记本电脑里”. It is used before a reason that explains a statement or feeling.
项目 “项目” means project, referring to the work connected with the files. It comes before “文件” in “项目文件” to specify what kind of files they are.
文件 “文件” means file, referring to the speaker’s project files. It can follow a noun such as “项目” to form a specific noun phrase like “项目文件”.
都 “都” means all here, showing that the project files are all in the laptop in “项目文件都在这台笔记本电脑里”. It commonly follows the group being described and comes before the predicate.
这 “这” means this and points to the particular laptop in “这台笔记本电脑”. It commonly comes before a classifier and noun to identify something near or already under discussion.
台 “台” is the classifier used here for the laptop in “这台笔记本电脑”. The pattern “这台 + machine” identifies one particular machine.
里 In “这台笔记本电脑里”, “里” means inside or in, locating the files within the laptop. It commonly follows a noun when describing an interior location.
你 “你” refers to the person receiving the instruction in “在你再次碰这台笔记本电脑之前”. It is used for “you” when addressing another participant directly.
再次 “再次” means again in “再次碰这台笔记本电脑”, referring to touching the laptop another time. It commonly comes before the action that is repeated.
碰 “碰” means touch, and “碰这台笔记本电脑” refers to touching the laptop again. It takes the thing touched directly as its object and is useful when giving a warning about physical contact.
之前 “之前” means before and places the checking action earlier than touching the laptop in “在你再次碰这台笔记本电脑之前”. The pattern “在 + event + 之前” is used to say what should happen before an event.
先 “先” means first, telling the listener to check the backup before touching the laptop. It commonly comes before the first action in a sequence, such as “先检查，再开始” in a new example.
另一 “另一” means another, distinguishing “另一台设备” from the damaged laptop. It comes before a classifier and noun when referring to a different item of the same general type.
设备 “设备” means device, here referring to the other device used to check the cloud backup. It can follow “另一台” to identify an alternative piece of equipment.
云端 “云端” refers to online cloud storage in “云端备份”. It comes before “备份” to specify that the backup is stored online rather than only on the laptop.
备份 “备份” means backup, referring to the saved copy checked from another device. It can follow “云端” in “云端备份” and can be checked when the original device may be unsafe to use.
大部分 “大部分” means most or the majority, referring to most of the files in “大部分文件”. It comes before a noun when describing a larger part of a group without saying all of it.
已经 “已经” means already in “已经同步了”, showing that the synchronization happened before the current statement. It commonly comes before the verb or result being reported.
同步 “同步” means sync or be synchronized, describing the files’ saved state in “大部分文件已经同步了”. It is useful with files or data when saying that they have been matched with or saved to another location.
保持 “保持” means keep or maintain in “保持关机”, instructing that the laptop should remain powered off. It commonly comes before a state that should continue, as in “保持安静” in a new example.
关机 “关机” means be powered off or shut down, and “保持关机” means keep the laptop off. It is used with a device when referring to its powered-off state.
不 In “不要太快尝试启动它”, “不” contributes to the negative instruction not to do the action. It commonly appears with “要” as “不要” before an action that the listener is told not to perform.
要 In “不要太快尝试启动它”, “要” is part of the expression “不要” meaning do not, rather than expressing a desire. “不要 + action” is a common way to give a negative instruction.
太 “太” means too or excessively in “太快”, warning that the laptop should not be started too soon. It commonly comes before a quality or speed word when the degree is more than appropriate.
快 “快” means fast or quickly, and in “太快” describes starting the laptop sooner than is advisable. It can follow “太” to express that an action happens excessively quickly.
尝试 “尝试” means try or attempt in “尝试启动它”. It commonly comes before another action to describe making an attempt to do that action.
启动 “启动” means start or boot up, referring to turning the laptop on again in “启动它”. It is used with devices or systems when beginning their operation.
会 In “不会让损坏变得更严重”, “会” presents the possible result that will not occur: the damage will not become worse. It commonly comes before an action or result when discussing what may happen.
送 “送” means take or send something to another person or place, here in “送去给技术人员”. It commonly takes the item being delivered and can be followed by a destination or recipient.
去 In “送去给技术人员”, “去” marks movement away to the technician as the destination of the laptop. It follows “送” to show that the item is taken there.
给 “给” introduces the recipient in “送去给技术人员”, meaning the laptop is taken to the technician. It commonly comes before the person who receives or handles something.
并 “并” links “送去给技术人员” with “询问下一步该怎么做”, showing that the speaker will do both actions. It is useful for joining two related actions in a more formal or organized statement.
询问 “询问” means ask about or inquire, referring to asking the technician about the next step. It commonly comes before the subject or information being requested, such as “询问下一步” here.
下一步 “下一步” means the next step, referring to what should be done after taking the laptop to the technician. It can be used with “询问” when asking how to proceed in a problem.
该 In “下一步该怎么做”, “该” means should or be supposed to, asking what action is appropriate next. It commonly appears before “怎么做” when asking how a situation ought to be handled.
怎么 “怎么” means how or in what way in “该怎么做”. It introduces a question about the method or action to take.
做 “做” means do in “该怎么做”, completing the question about how to proceed. The pattern “怎么做” is used when asking what action or method is appropriate.
可以 “可以” means can or be able to in “技术人员可以检查它”. It introduces an action that the technician is capable of carrying out, followed here by the object “它”.
而 In “而不会让损坏变得更严重”, “而” links the checking action with the accompanying result that the damage will not worsen. It is useful for connecting an action with a simultaneous or contrasting outcome.
变得 “变得” means become or grow to be, describing a change in the damage in “变得更严重”. It commonly comes before a quality that describes the new state.
更 “更” means more or even more in “更严重”, indicating an increase in seriousness compared with the existing damage. It comes before the quality being increased.
严重 “严重” means serious or severe, describing the extent of the damage in “变得更严重”. It can follow “更” when warning that a problem may become more severe.

Grammar Points

马上 + 动词

马上关掉设备。

Mǎshàng guāndiào shèbèi.

Turn off the device immediately.

马上放在动词前，表示动作会立刻发生；中文通常不需要英语中的助动词。

变得 + 更 + 形容词

损坏变得更严重。

Sǔnhuài biàn de gèng yánzhòng.

The damage becomes more serious.

变得连接变化结果；更放在形容词前，表示程度增加。

Chinese Vocabulary

拔掉 verb
bádiào unplug
笔记本电脑 noun
bǐjìběn diànnǎo laptop
吹风机 noun
chuīfēngjī hair dryer
吹干 verb
chuīgān dry by blowing
电源 noun
diànyuán power supply
关掉 verb
guāndiào turn off
键盘 noun
jiànpán keyboard
马上 adv
mǎshàng immediately
洒 verb
sǎ spill
试着 verb
shìzhe try to
液体 noun
yètǐ liquid
运行 verb
yùnxíng run; operate

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

laptop

Show Answer笔记本电脑

unplug

Show Answer拔掉

hair dryer

Show Answer吹风机

immediately

Show Answer马上