Making a Plan After Being Locked Out | Learn Chinese in English

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Use Making a Plan After Being Locked Out to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

我被锁在门外了，备用钥匙还在公寓里面。

Wǒ bèi suǒ zài ménwài le, bèiyòng yàoshi hái zài gōngyù lǐmiàn. I am locked out, and my spare key is inside the apartment.

先联系房东。

Xiān liánxì fángdōng. Try the landlord first.

如果很快得不到帮助，就给锁匠打电话。

Rúguǒ hěn kuài dédào bāngzhù, jiù gěi suǒjiàng dǎ diànhuà. Then call a locksmith if you cannot get help soon.

我留了消息，但房东还没有回复。

Wǒ liú le xiāoxi, dàn fángdōng hái méiyǒu huífù. I left a message, but the landlord has not replied yet.

除非你必须马上进去，否则再等一会儿。

Chúfēi nǐ bìxū mǎshàng jìnqù, fǒuzé zài děng yíhuìr. Wait a little longer unless you need to get in right away.

如果有人来帮忙，我可能需要证明我住在这里。

Rúguǒ yǒurén lái bāngmáng, wǒ kěnéng xūyào zhèngmíng wǒ zhù zài zhèlǐ. I may need to prove I live here if someone comes to help.

准备好你的身份证件，在温暖的地方等着。

Zhǔnbèi hǎo nǐ de shēnfèn zhèngjiàn, zài wēnnuǎn de dìfang děngzhe. Keep your identification ready and wait in a warm place.

除非有必要，我不想给锁匠打电话。

Chúfēi yǒu bìyào, wǒ bù xiǎng gěi suǒjiàng dǎ diànhuà. I do not want to call a locksmith unless it is necessary.

如果房东还是不回复，就给锁匠打电话说明情况。

Rúguǒ fángdōng háishi bù huífù, jiù gěi suǒjiàng dǎ diànhuà shuōmíng qíngkuàng. If the landlord still does not reply, call one and explain the situation.

我可以坐在大厅里，让手机保持开机。

Wǒ kěyǐ zuò zài dàtīng lǐ, ràng shǒujī bǎochí kāijī. I can sit in the lobby and keep my phone on.

你可以在那里取暖，再给房东一点时间。

Nǐ kěyǐ zài nàlǐ qǔnuǎn, zài gěi fángdōng yìdiǎn shíjiān. You can stay warm there while you give the landlord a little more time.

Word by Word

我 “我” refers to the speaker, who is the person locked outside and later reports the problem. It commonly comes before the action or state being described, as in “我被锁在门外了” and “我留了消息”. Use it when telling someone what you are doing or what has happened to you.

被 “被” shows that the subject is affected by the action in “我被锁在门外了”. It introduces the action that caused the speaker’s unwanted situation. Use “被” when reporting that something happened to someone.

锁 In “被锁在门外了”, “锁” refers to being locked out by the lock. Here it appears after “被” and before the location “门外”. Use it in a situation where someone cannot enter because a door is locked.

在 “在” connects the locked-out state with the location “门外”, and it also appears in “在公寓里面”. It indicates where a person or thing is located. A common pattern is “在” plus a place.

门外 “门外” means outside the door, the place where the speaker is standing in “我被锁在门外了”. It follows the location marker “在”. Use it when telling someone that you are waiting or stuck outside a door.

了 The final “了” in “我被锁在门外了” signals that the situation has changed and is now the speaker’s current problem. It presents the new state rather than simply naming a location. Use it when announcing a newly changed situation.

备用 “备用” means kept as a spare or backup, modifying “钥匙” in “备用钥匙”. It identifies the key as an extra one reserved for use when needed. A common pattern is “备用” plus the item kept in reserve.

钥匙 “钥匙” means key and is the item described as “备用钥匙”. It is the object that could have allowed the speaker to enter the apartment. Use it when discussing access to a door, room, or apartment.

还 “还” means still in “备用钥匙还在公寓里面”, showing that the key remains inside. It comes before the location or state that continues. Use it to report that something has not moved or changed yet.

公寓 “公寓” means apartment in “公寓里面”. It identifies the home where the spare key is located. It can be followed by a location word such as “里面” to specify the apartment’s interior.

里面 “里面” means inside and specifies the location of the key in “公寓里面”. It follows the place noun “公寓”. Use a noun plus “里面” when you need to say that something is inside that place.

先 “先” means first in the plan “先联系房东”, telling the listener which action should happen before another option. It comes before the action being prioritized. Use “先” when arranging steps in a plan.

联系 “联系” means contact in “联系房东”. It describes reaching the landlord for help. A common pattern is “联系” plus a person, organization, or service.

房东 “房东” means landlord, the person the speakers plan to contact first and wait for a reply from. It appears after “联系” and as the recipient in “给房东一点时间”. Use it when discussing the owner or manager of a rented home.

如果 “如果” means if and introduces a condition in “如果很快得不到帮助” and “如果有人来帮忙”. The result or planned action follows the condition. Use “如果” when making a plan that depends on what happens.

很快 “很快” means soon or quickly in “很快得不到帮助”, setting a short time frame for receiving help. It appears before the phrase describing whether help is obtained. Use it to describe something expected to happen in a short time.

得不到 “得不到” means cannot obtain or receive, as in “得不到帮助”. It describes failure to receive the help that is needed. A common pattern is “得不到” plus the thing or support someone is trying to receive.

帮助 “帮助” means help and is the thing that may not be received in “得不到帮助”. It follows “得不到” to identify the needed support. Use it when asking for or discussing assistance.

就 “就” means then or in that case in “如果很快得不到帮助，就给锁匠打电话”. It introduces the action that follows if the condition is true. A useful pattern is “如果” plus a condition, “就” plus the resulting action.

给 “给” marks the person receiving an action or benefit, as in “给锁匠打电话” and “给房东一点时间”. It comes before the recipient. Use “给” plus a person when saying whom you call, give something to, or allow time for.

锁匠 “锁匠” means locksmith, the service provider the speakers may call if the landlord does not help. It appears after “给” in “给锁匠打电话”. Use it when arranging professional help with a lock.

打电话 “打电话” means make a phone call. In this expression, “打” contributes the action of making the call, while “电话” refers to the telephone call; together they form the expression “打电话”. A common pattern is “给” plus a person plus “打电话”, as in “给锁匠打电话”.

留 “留” means leave in “留了消息”, referring to leaving a message for someone who is unavailable. It is used with the thing left behind, here “消息”. Use the pattern “留” plus “消息” when contacting someone without speaking to them directly.

消息 “消息” means message, the information the speaker left for the landlord in “留了消息”. It follows “留” to name what was left. Use it when referring to a message sent or left for another person.

但 “但” means but and contrasts “我留了消息” with “房东还没有回复”. It introduces information that does not match the expected result. Use “但” to connect an action or fact with a contrasting outcome.

没有 “没有” means has not or did not have in “还没有回复”, showing that no reply has arrived so far. It appears before the action “回复”. Use “没有” before an action or event that has not occurred.

回复 “回复” means reply, and in “房东还没有回复” it refers to the landlord responding to the message. It follows “没有” to describe the absent response. Use it when discussing a response to a message or request.

除非 “除非” means unless and introduces an exception in “除非你必须马上进去” and “除非有必要”. The main advice applies except when the stated condition is true. Use “除非” before an exception that changes the plan.

你 “你” refers to the person being advised in “你必须马上进去” and “你可以坐在大厅里”. It identifies the listener as the subject of the advice or possibility. Use it before an action or state when speaking directly to someone.

必须 “必须” means must or have to in “你必须马上进去”, expressing a requirement caused by urgency. It comes before the action that is required. Use “必须” plus an action when something cannot reasonably be postponed.

马上 “马上” means right away in “马上进去”, emphasizing that entering cannot wait. It comes before the action “进去”. Use it before an action that needs to happen immediately.

进去 “进去” means go inside, describing movement into the apartment or building in “必须马上进去”. It follows the necessity phrase “必须马上”. Use it when someone moves from outside into an interior space.

否则 “否则” means otherwise and introduces the consequence in “否则再等一会儿”. Here it connects the exception with the instruction to continue waiting. Use “否则” before the alternative result when a condition is not met.

再 “再” means an additional amount of time or continuation in “再等一会儿”. It tells the listener to wait longer than the time already spent waiting. Use “再” before an action when asking someone to do it additionally or later.

等 “等” means wait in “再等一会儿”. It is followed by “一会儿” to specify the duration of the wait. Use it when asking someone to remain until another person or event arrives.

一会儿 “一会儿” means a little while and gives the short duration in “等一会儿”. It follows “等” to say how long the person should wait. Use it when requesting a brief amount of time.

可能 “可能” means may or might in “我可能需要证明我住在这里”, expressing a possible requirement rather than a certainty. It comes before the action or need being considered. Use it when discussing something that may happen or may be needed.

需要 “需要” means need in “可能需要证明”, identifying proof of residence as a possible requirement. It is followed by the action or item needed. Use “需要” plus an action or thing when explaining what is required.

证明 “证明” means prove in “证明我住在这里”, referring to showing that the speaker lives at the apartment. It is followed by the statement being established, “我住在这里”. Use it when verification is required.

住 “住” means live or reside in “我住在这里”. It describes the speaker’s residence and follows “我”. A common pattern is “住在” plus a place when stating where someone lives.

这里 “这里” means here and identifies the place where the speaker lives in “我住在这里”. It follows “住在” as the location. Use it when referring to the place understood from the current situation.

有人 “有人” means someone or there is someone in “如果有人来帮忙”. It introduces an unspecified person who may arrive to help. Use “有人” before an action when the person’s identity is not important or not known.

来 “来” means come in “有人来帮忙”, describing movement toward the situation or speaker. It is followed by the purpose “帮忙”. Use “来” plus an action to say that someone comes in order to do something.

帮忙 “帮忙” means help or lend a hand in “有人来帮忙”. It explains the purpose of the person’s coming. Use it when asking someone to assist with a practical problem.

准备 “准备” means prepare in the instruction “准备好你的身份证件”. It introduces the item that should be made ready. Use “准备” plus an item when getting something ready for a later need.

好 “好” in “准备好” marks that the preparation is complete and the identification is ready. It turns the preparation into a ready state rather than simply naming the action. A useful pattern is a verb plus “好” to show that the task has been completed successfully.

的 “的” links “你” to “身份证件” in “你的身份证件”, showing that the identification belongs to or is associated with the listener. It appears between the describing word and the noun. Use “的” to form a possessive phrase such as “你的” plus an item.

身份证件 “身份证件” means identification document or identification, the item the listener should have ready. It is the object of “准备好” in “准备好你的身份证件”. Use it when someone may need to verify their identity.

温暖 “温暖” means warm in “温暖的地方”, describing a place that protects the person from the cold. It appears before “的地方”. Use “温暖的” plus a place or thing when describing a comfortable warm location or object.

地方 “地方” means place in “温暖的地方”. It is modified by “温暖的” to identify a suitable location for waiting. Use an adjective plus “的地方” when choosing or describing a place.

着 “着” in “等着” presents waiting as an ongoing state or continuing action. It follows “等” and makes the instruction focus on remaining in that state. Use a verb plus “着” when emphasizing that a state or action continues.

不 “不” means not in “不想给锁匠打电话”, negating the speaker’s desire to make the call. It comes immediately before “想”. Use “不” before a verb or desire when saying that someone does not do or want something.

想 “想” means want to in “不想给锁匠打电话”. It expresses the speaker’s preference about making the call. Use “想” plus an action to state what someone wants to do.

必要 “必要” means necessary in “除非有必要”. It identifies the condition under which calling the locksmith would be justified. Use it in “有必要” when deciding whether an action is needed.

还是 “还是” means still in “房东还是不回复”, showing that the landlord continues not to reply. It introduces a situation that remains unchanged. Use it before a continuing state when checking or reporting that nothing has changed.

说明 “说明” means explain or state in “打电话说明情况”. It describes the action of giving the locksmith information about the problem. Use “说明” plus a topic or situation when clarifying what happened.

情况 “情况” means situation in “说明情况”, referring to the locked-out problem and the steps already taken. It is the topic being explained. Use “说明情况” when giving someone the relevant facts about a problem.

可以 “可以” means can or be able to in “我可以坐在大厅里” and “你可以在那里取暖”. It presents an available or acceptable option. Use “可以” plus an action when offering or describing something someone is able to do.

坐 “坐” means sit in “坐在大厅里”. It describes how the speaker can wait while remaining in the building. A common pattern is “坐在” plus a place.

大厅 “大厅” means lobby, the place where the speaker can sit while waiting. It appears in “坐在大厅里”. Use it when referring to the main shared entrance or waiting area of a building.

里 “里” means inside or in and marks the location in “大厅里”. It follows the place noun “大厅”. Use a place noun plus “里” to say that someone or something is inside it.

让 “让” means let or make in “让手机保持开机”, causing the phone to remain in the stated condition. It is followed by the object “手机” and the state “保持开机”. A useful pattern is “让” plus an object plus an action or state.

手机 “手机” means mobile phone, the object that should remain on in “让手机保持开机”. It is the device that can receive the landlord’s call or message. Use it when discussing mobile communication.

保持 “保持” means keep or maintain in “保持开机”. It tells the listener to preserve the phone’s current power state. Use “保持” plus a state when asking something to remain that way.

开机 “开机” means turned on or powered on in “保持开机”. It names the state the phone should maintain so it can remain available. Use it after “保持” when instructing someone to leave a device powered on.

那里 “那里” means there and refers back to the lobby in “在那里取暖”. It identifies a place already known from the conversation. Use it when directing someone to remain or do something at a previously mentioned location.

取暖 “取暖” means keep warm in “在那里取暖”. It describes the purpose of staying in the lobby while waiting. Use it when someone chooses a warm place to protect themselves from the cold.

一点 “一点” means a little or a small amount in “给房东一点时间”. It limits the amount of time being given to the landlord. A common pattern is “一点” plus a noun when requesting or allowing a small amount.

时间 “时间” means time in “给房东一点时间”, referring to the additional period allowed for the landlord to reply. It follows “一点” to express a small amount of time. Use “给” plus a person plus “一点时间” when allowing someone a little longer to act.

Grammar Points

除非……，否则……

除非房东马上回复，否则联系锁匠。

Chúfēi fángdōng mǎshàng huífù, fǒuzé liánxì suǒjiàng.

Unless the landlord replies right away, contact a locksmith.

This pattern means “unless… otherwise…” and links a condition with the resulting action.

还是 + 动词

我还是需要证明住在这里。

Wǒ háishi xūyào zhèngmíng zhù zài zhèlǐ.

I still need to prove that I live here.

还是 before a verb expresses that something remains true despite the situation.

Chinese Vocabulary

备用钥匙 noun

bèiyòng yàoshi spare key

被锁在门外 phrase

bèi suǒ zài ménwài be locked out

除非 conj

chúfēi unless

得到帮助 phrase

dédào bāngzhù get help

房东 noun

fángdōng landlord

公寓 noun

gōngyù apartment

回复 verb

huífù reply

联系 verb

liánxì contact

留消息 phrase

liú xiāoxi leave a message

马上 adv

mǎshàng right away; immediately

锁匠 noun

suǒjiàng locksmith

先 adv

xiān first; before anything else

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

spare key

Show Answer

备用钥匙

get help

Show Answer

得到帮助

be locked out

Show Answer

被锁在门外

Show Answer