About This Lesson
Use Washing Machine Troubleshooting to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
洗衣机在洗涤程序进行到一半时停了。
xǐyījī zài xǐdí chéngxù jìnxíng dào yíbàn shí tíng le. The washing machine stopped halfway through the cycle.
B
屏幕上有警告吗？
píngmù shàng yǒu jǐnggào ma. Is there a warning on the screen?
A
上面说过滤器可能堵塞了。
shàngmiàn shuō guòlǜqì kěnéng dǔsè le. It says the filter may be blocked.
B
在随便按按钮之前，先查查说明书。
zài suíbiàn àn ànniǔ zhīqián, xiān chácha shuōmíngshū. Check the manual before trying random buttons.
A
说明书说我应该小心地清洁过滤器。
shuōmíngshū shuō wǒ yīnggāi xiǎoxīn de qīngjié guòlǜqì. The manual says I should clean the filter carefully.
B
然后在触碰任何东西之前，先拔掉洗衣机的插头。
ránhòu zài chùpèng rènhé dōngxi zhīqián, xiān bádiào xǐyījī de chātóu. Then unplug the machine before you touch anything.
A
之后，我应该重新启动洗涤程序吗？
zhīhòu, wǒ yīnggāi chóngxīn qǐdòng xǐdí chéngxù ma. After that, should I restart the cycle?
B
重新启动一次，但如果警告再次出现，就联系维修部门。
chóngxīn qǐdòng yí cì, dàn rúguǒ jǐnggào zàicì chūxiàn, jiù liánxì wéixiū bùmén. Restart it once, but contact maintenance if the warning returns.
A
我会先按照安全步骤操作。
wǒ huì xiān ànzhào ānquán bùzhòu cāozuò. I will follow the safe steps first.
B
简单的故障排查很有用，但不要冒险损坏洗衣机。
jiǎndān de gùzhàng páichá hěn yǒuyòng, dàn bú yào màoxiǎn sǔnhuài xǐyījī. Simple troubleshooting is useful, but do not risk damaging the machine.Word by Word
洗衣机
“洗衣机” means washing machine, the appliance being discussed in this dialogue. It is used as the subject in “洗衣机在洗涤程序进行到一半时停了” and as the object of “拔掉洗衣机的插头”; use it when identifying this appliance in a household problem.
在
In “在洗涤程序进行到一半时”, “在” introduces the time or situation in which the stopping happened. A useful pattern is “在……时” for describing an action or event during a particular time or situation.
洗涤程序
“洗涤程序” means the washing program or cycle that the machine is running. In “洗涤程序进行到一半”, it is the process that has reached halfway; use it when referring to a machine’s selected washing cycle.
进行
“进行” means be in progress or proceed in “洗涤程序进行到一半”. Here it describes the washing program as moving forward through its stages, and it is useful with an activity or process that is underway.
到
In “进行到一半”, “到” marks the point reached by the process: the program has reached halfway. A reusable pattern is “进行到+point” when describing how far an activity has progressed.
一半
“一半” means halfway or one half in “进行到一半”. It identifies the point at which the washing program stopped; use it to describe something reaching the middle of a process.
时
In “一半时”, “时” marks the time when the stopping occurred. The pattern “……时” is useful for saying that one event happens while or when another situation holds.
停
“停” means stop in “停了”, describing the washing machine ceasing to run. It is used here for a machine or process, and can be reused when reporting that an ongoing activity has stopped.
了
In “停了”, “了” shows that the stopping has occurred and presents it as a completed change in the situation. This form is useful when reporting a newly completed event or a resulting state.
屏幕
“屏幕” means screen, specifically the machine’s display in “屏幕上有警告吗？”. It is useful when asking about information shown on a device display.
上
In “屏幕上”, “上” indicates the location on the screen where the warning appears. The pattern “place+上” can identify something shown or located on a surface or display.
有
In “屏幕上有警告吗？”, “有” asks whether a warning exists or is present on the screen. The pattern “place+有+thing” is useful for asking whether something is present in a particular place.
警告
“警告” means warning in “屏幕上有警告吗？” and “警告再次出现”. It refers to the machine’s warning message, so use it when discussing an alert that appears on a device.
吗
“吗” turns “屏幕上有警告” into a yes-no question. It is useful at the end of a statement when asking the other person to confirm whether it is true.
上面
In “上面说过滤器可能堵塞了”, “上面” means on it, referring to the information shown on the screen. It is useful when referring back to something written or displayed on an object.
说
In “上面说过滤器可能堵塞了”, “说” means say or state: the displayed message states that the filter may be blocked. It is useful with a written or displayed message as the subject.
过滤器
“过滤器” means filter, the machine part mentioned in “过滤器可能堵塞了” and “清洁过滤器”. Use it when identifying the part that may be blocked and needs cleaning.
可能
“可能” expresses uncertainty in “过滤器可能堵塞了”: the filter may be blocked, but this is not presented as certain. It is useful before a description of a possible condition or event.
堵塞
“堵塞” means be blocked or clogged in “过滤器可能堵塞了”. It describes the filter’s possible condition, and it is useful for reporting that a passage or filter is obstructed.
随便
In “随便按按钮”, “随便” means randomly or without careful selection. It warns against pressing buttons casually, and the pattern “随便+action” can describe doing something without first choosing or checking carefully.
按
“按” means press in “按按钮”. It describes the action applied to the button, and it is useful with a button or control as its object.
按钮
“按钮” means button in “随便按按钮”. It is the control that someone might press on the machine, so use it when referring to a physical or on-screen button.
之前
In “之前”, “之前” means before, introducing the time before trying random buttons. The pattern “action+之前” is useful for saying that one action should happen before another.
先
“先” means first in “先查查说明书”, marking the action that should happen before the other suggested action. It is useful for ordering steps in instructions.
查查
“查查” means take a quick look at or check in “先查查说明书”. The repeated form presents the checking as a brief, practical action; “查查+object” is useful when suggesting a quick check.
说明书
“说明书” means instruction manual or booklet in “查查说明书” and “说明书说”. It is the source of the safe operating instructions, so use it when referring to documentation for a device.
我
“我” means I or me, referring to the speaker in “我应该小心地清洁过滤器” and “我会先按照安全步骤操作”. It identifies the person who is expected or planning to carry out the action.
应该
“应该” means should in “我应该小心地清洁过滤器”. It expresses the action the speaker understands to be appropriate according to the manual, and it is useful before an action that is recommended or expected.
小心
In “小心地清洁过滤器”, “小心” means carefully or with caution. It describes the manner of cleaning, and it is useful before an action when careful handling matters.
地
In “小心地清洁”, “地” connects “小心” to the action “清洁” and marks it as describing how the action is performed. The pattern “description+地+action” is useful for expressing the manner of an action.
清洁
“清洁” means clean in “清洁过滤器”. It describes the maintenance action to perform on the filter, and it is useful with an object that needs to be made clean.
然后
“然后” means then in “然后在触碰任何东西之前”. It signals the next step after the earlier instruction, and it is useful for organizing a sequence of actions.
触碰
“触碰” means touch in “触碰任何东西”. It refers to physically touching something, and it is useful when giving a safety instruction about handling an object.
任何
In “任何东西”, “任何” means any or whatever, covering every possible thing within the instruction. The pattern “任何+thing” is useful when an instruction applies without selecting a particular object.
东西
“东西” means thing in “触碰任何东西”. Together with “任何”, it refers to any object that someone might touch; use it for a general physical object when no specific item is named.
拔
In “拔掉洗衣机的插头”, “拔” means pull out. It supplies the pulling action in the instruction to unplug the machine, and it is useful with something that is inserted and needs to be removed.
掉
In “拔掉”, “掉” indicates that the object is removed as a result of the action. Together with “拔”, it forms the meaning “pull out” or “unplug”; this result pattern is useful when an action causes something to come off or away.
的
In “洗衣机的插头”, “的” links the machine to its plug and marks the relationship between them. The pattern “A的B” is useful for expressing that B is associated with or belongs to A.
插头
“插头” means plug in “拔掉洗衣机的插头”. It is the part that must be pulled out before touching anything, so use it when referring to an electrical plug.
之后
“之后” means after that in “之后，我应该重新启动洗涤程序吗？”. It refers to the time following the previous safety step, and it is useful for introducing what should happen next.
重新
“重新” means again or anew in “重新启动洗涤程序”. It indicates that the washing program should be started again after it stopped, and it is useful before an action that is repeated from the beginning.
启动
“启动” means start or activate in “重新启动洗涤程序”. It describes starting the washing program again, and it is useful with a machine, program, or process that needs to be activated.
一次
“一次” means once or one time in “重新启动一次”. It limits the suggested restart to one occurrence, and it is useful after an action to specify how many times it should be done.
但
“但” means but in “但如果警告再次出现”. It introduces a condition that limits or contrasts with the earlier restart instruction, and it is useful for connecting an instruction with an exception or different next step.
如果
“如果” means if in “如果警告再次出现”. It introduces the condition under which the next action should happen, and the pattern “如果……就……” is useful for giving conditional instructions.
再次
“再次” means again or once more in “警告再次出现”. It shows that the warning appears another time after the restart, and it is useful before an action or event that happens again.
出现
“出现” means appear or occur in “警告再次出现”. It describes the warning becoming visible again, and it is useful for reporting that a message, problem, or event has appeared.
就
In “如果警告再次出现，就联系维修部门”, “就” marks the action that follows when the stated condition is met. It is useful in the pattern “如果……就……” to connect a condition with its consequence.
联系
“联系” means contact in “联系维修部门”. It describes getting in touch with the maintenance department, and it is useful with a person, team, or department as the object.
维修部门
“维修部门” means maintenance department in “联系维修部门”. It identifies the team to contact if the warning returns, so use it when referring to the service group responsible for repairs.
会
In “我会先按照安全步骤操作”, “会” indicates the speaker’s planned or expected action: I will follow the safe steps first. It is useful before an action when stating what someone intends or expects to do.
按照
“按照” means according to or following in “按照安全步骤操作”. It shows that the operation should follow the specified steps, and it is useful before a rule, plan, method, or set of instructions.
安全
“安全” means safe or safety-related in “安全步骤”. It describes the steps as intended to avoid harm or damage, and it is useful before a noun connected with safe handling or operation.
步骤
“步骤” means step in “安全步骤”. It refers to an ordered part of the procedure, and it is useful when describing the individual actions in a method or set of instructions.
操作
“操作” means operate or handle in “按照安全步骤操作”. It describes carrying out the machine-related procedure, and it is useful after “按照” when someone follows instructions for using or handling equipment.
简单
“简单” means simple in “简单的故障排查”. It describes troubleshooting that does not require a complicated procedure, and it is useful before a noun to characterize its level or complexity.
故障排查
“故障排查” means troubleshooting in “简单的故障排查”. It refers to checking a problem to identify or address its cause, and it is useful when discussing basic steps for dealing with a machine fault.
很
“很” adds the meaning very or quite in “很有用”, strengthening the description of the troubleshooting as useful. It is useful before a descriptive expression when giving a degree or evaluation.
有用
“有用” means useful in “故障排查很有用”. It evaluates basic troubleshooting as helpful for the problem, and it is useful for saying that an action, method, or piece of information provides practical help.
不
In “不要冒险损坏洗衣机”, “不” contributes negation to the prohibition. Here it works with “要” as “不要”, so the complete expression tells someone not to take the risky action; use “不” carefully as part of this negative instruction.
要
In “不要冒险损坏洗衣机”, “要” combines with “不” to form the prohibition “不要”, meaning do not. The reusable pattern “不要+action” is useful for telling someone not to carry out an action.
冒险
“冒险” means take a risk in “不要冒险损坏洗衣机”. It warns against accepting unnecessary danger while troubleshooting, and it is useful before an action that could have a harmful result.
损坏
“损坏” means damage in “冒险损坏洗衣机”. It describes the possible harmful result to the washing machine, and it is useful after an action or risk expression when referring to causing damage to an object.
Grammar Points
按照 + 名词
按照说明书的步骤进行故障排查。
ànzhào shuōmíngshū de bùzhòu jìnxíng gùzhàng páichá.Troubleshoot according to the steps in the manual.
按照表示“according to”或“follow”，后面接名词，说明依据或遵循的内容。
形容词 + 地 + 动词
小心地拔掉插头。
xiǎoxīn de bádiào chātóu.Carefully unplug the plug.
形容词加“地”可以修饰动词，说明动作进行的方式；小心地表示“carefully”。
Chinese Vocabulary
按钮
noun
ànniǔ
button
堵塞
verb
dǔsè
be blocked
过滤器
noun
guòlǜqì
filter
警告
noun
jǐnggào
warning
屏幕
noun
píngmù
screen
清洁
verb
qīngjié
clean
说明书
noun
shuōmíngshū
manual
随便
adv
suíbiàn
randomly; casually
洗涤程序
noun
xǐdí chéngxù
wash cycle
洗衣机
noun
xǐyījī
washing machine
小心地
adv
xiǎoxīn de
carefully
一半
num
yíbàn
halfway
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
wash cycle
Show Answer
洗涤程序button
Show Answer
按钮randomly; casually
Show Answer
随便washing machine