About This Lesson
Use Preparing for a Stormy Commute to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
暴风雨可能会在我通勤途中来袭。
Bàofēngyǔ kěnéng huì zài wǒ tōngqín túzhōng láixí. A storm may hit during my commute.
B
如果你必须出门，就早点出发，并灵活调整路线。
Rúguǒ nǐ bìxū chūmén, jiù zǎodiǎn chūfā, bìng línghuó tiáozhěng lùxiàn. If you have to travel, leave earlier and keep your route flexible.
A
我需要去办公室。
Wǒ xūyào qù bàngōngshì. I need to go to the office.
A
但我可以在暴风雨变强之前回来。
Dàn wǒ kěyǐ zài bàofēngyǔ biàn qiáng zhīqián huílái. But I can come back before it gets stronger.
B
穿防水鞋，并避开那些通常会被淹的街道。
Chuān fángshuǐ xié, bìng bíkāi nàxiē tōngcháng huì bèi yān de jiēdào. Wear waterproof shoes and avoid any streets that usually flood.
A
车站附近的地下通道在大雨中经常被淹。
Chēzhàn fùjìn de dìxià tōngdào zài dàyǔ zhōng jīngcháng bèi yān. The underpass near the station often floods in heavy rain.
B
改走主干道吧，即使这样会多花一点时间。
Gǎi zǒu zhǔgàndào ba, jíshǐ zhèyàng huì duō huā yìdiǎn shíjiān. Take the main road instead, even if it adds a little time.
A
防水保护套能帮助保护我的笔记本电脑吗？
Fángshuǐ bǎohùtào néng bāngzhù bǎohù wǒ de bǐjìběn diànnǎo ma? Would a waterproof sleeve help protect my laptop?
B
用一个吧，因为耽搁很让人烦，但设备损坏更糟。
Yòng yí ge ba, yīnwèi dān ge hěn ràng rén fán, dàn shèbèi sǔnhuài gèng zāo. Use one, because delays are frustrating, but damaged equipment is worse.
A
出发前，我会确保手机电量充满。
Chūfā qián, wǒ huì quèbǎo shǒujī diànliàng chōngmǎn. Before I leave, I will make sure my phone battery is full.
B
这样，如果路线改变，你就可以查看最新消息。
Zhèyàng, rúguǒ lùxiàn gǎibiàn, nǐ jiù kěyǐ chákàn zuìxīn xiāoxi. Then you can check updates if the route changes.Word by Word
暴风雨
“暴风雨” means a storm in this dialogue. It is the weather event that may arrive during the speaker’s commute. It commonly appears as the subject of weather warnings, as in “暴风雨可能会在我通勤途中来袭”.
可能
“可能” shows that the storm’s arrival is possible, not certain. Here it comes before “会” in “暴风雨可能会在我通勤途中来袭”, combining possibility with an expected future event. Use it when giving a cautious prediction or warning.
会
“会” indicates that the event may occur in the future in “暴风雨可能会在我通勤途中来袭”. With “可能”, it helps express a possible future occurrence. It commonly comes before the action or event being predicted.
在
“在” places the event within a time or location, here in “在我通勤途中”. It introduces the period during which the storm may arrive. A common reuse point is placing “在” before a time or place phrase.
我
“我” refers to the speaker and means “I” or “my” in “我通勤途中”. Before the noun phrase “通勤途中”, it identifies whose commute is meant. Use it when referring to yourself or something connected with you.
通勤
“通勤” refers to commuting between home and work or another regular destination. In “我通勤途中”, it identifies the journey during which the storm may arrive. It is useful when discussing regular travel to or from work.
途中
“途中” means on the way or during a journey in “我通勤途中”. Together with “在”, it marks the period while the commute is in progress. A common pattern is using it after a journey or activity to describe what happens along the way.
来袭
“来袭” means to strike or arrive forcefully, and here describes the storm arriving. The exact expression is “暴风雨可能会在我通勤途中来袭”. It is useful for describing a storm or other threatening event that approaches suddenly or with force.
如果
“如果” introduces a condition meaning “if” in “如果你必须出门”. The advice that follows applies only when that condition is true. It commonly begins a conditional clause followed by “就”, as in “如果你必须出门，就早点出发”.
你
“你” refers to the person being addressed in “如果你必须出门”. It is the subject of the conditional advice. Use it when speaking directly to one listener.
必须
“必须” expresses necessity in “你必须出门”, meaning that going out is required. It comes before the action “出门”. Use “必须” before an action when emphasizing that there is no practical choice.
出门
“出门” means to go out or leave home in “如果你必须出门”. It is the action required in the condition. It is useful when discussing whether someone needs to leave their home or current indoor place.
就
“就” marks the result or advice that follows the condition in “如果你必须出门，就早点出发”. It links the “if” clause with the recommended action. A common pattern is “如果……，就……”, with the result or response after “就”.
早点
“早点” means earlier than the usual or planned time in “早点出发”. It tells the listener to leave earlier because of the storm. It commonly appears before an action, especially when giving travel advice.
出发
“出发” means to set off or begin a journey in “早点出发”. It describes leaving for the trip rather than merely being away from home. Use it when talking about the moment a journey starts.
并
“并” connects an additional coordinated action in “并灵活调整路线”. After advising an earlier departure, it adds another piece of advice. It is useful for linking two related actions in a single instruction.
灵活
“灵活” means flexible or adaptable in “灵活调整路线”. It describes changing the route according to the situation rather than following one fixed route. It is useful when advising someone to adapt plans as conditions change.
调整
“调整” means to adjust or modify in “调整路线”. The object being changed is “路线”, so the advice is to alter the travel route when necessary. It commonly appears before the plan, setting, or route that needs adjustment.
路线
“路线” means route or path in “灵活调整路线”. It is the travel plan that may need to be changed because of the weather. It can be used as the object of an action such as adjusting or changing.
需要
“需要” means need in “我需要去办公室”. It expresses that going to the office is necessary for the speaker. It commonly comes before an action or destination phrase.
去
“去” means to go to a destination in “去办公室”. It is followed here by the destination “办公室”. Use it before a place when describing movement away from the current location toward that place.
办公室
“办公室” means office and is the destination in “我需要去办公室”. It follows “去” to show where the speaker needs to go. It is useful when discussing work locations or office-related travel.
但
“但” introduces a contrast in “但我可以在暴风雨变强之前回来”. Although the speaker needs to go to the office, they can still return before conditions worsen. It commonly begins a contrasting sentence or clause.
可以
“可以” indicates that the speaker is able or permitted to do something in “我可以在暴风雨变强之前回来”. Here it describes the possibility of returning before the storm becomes stronger. It commonly comes before an action.
变
“变” means to become or change state in “暴风雨变强”. It links the storm with the new state “强”. Use it before a word describing the condition that something changes into.
强
“强” means strong in “暴风雨变强”. With “变”, it describes the storm becoming stronger. It is useful for describing the intensity of weather or another force.
之前
“之前” means before and marks the time boundary in “暴风雨变强之前”. The return happens before the storm becomes stronger. It commonly follows an event or clause to form a time expression.
回来
“回来” means to come back or return in “我可以在暴风雨变强之前回来”. It describes returning to the relevant starting point or current place. It is useful when someone leaves and later returns.
穿
“穿” means to wear or put on clothing or footwear in “穿防水鞋”. Its object here is “防水鞋”. It commonly comes before clothing or shoes when giving advice about what to wear.
防水
“防水” means waterproof in “防水鞋” and “防水保护套”. It describes an item designed to resist water. It commonly comes before the noun for the item being described.
鞋
“鞋” means shoes and is the object of “穿” in “穿防水鞋”. The dialogue recommends footwear suitable for wet conditions. It is useful when discussing what someone wears on their feet.
避开
“避开” means avoid or stay away from in “避开那些通常会被淹的街道”. Its object is the group of streets that may flood. It is useful when giving directions away from a danger, obstacle, or unwanted place.
那些
“那些” means those and points to the streets described in “那些通常会被淹的街道”. It identifies specific items that are being singled out from other streets. It commonly comes before a noun phrase when pointing to things farther away or already identifiable.
通常
“通常” means usually and describes a repeated pattern in “通常会被淹”. It says that the streets flood regularly under the relevant conditions, not only once. It commonly appears before the action or condition that happens repeatedly.
被
“被” marks that the streets receive the action in “被淹”. The streets are affected by flooding rather than actively flooding something else. It commonly appears before the verb describing what happens to the affected subject.
淹
“淹” describes being flooded or submerged in “通常会被淹”. With “被”, it shows that the streets are affected by floodwater. It is useful for describing places that become covered by water.
的
“的” links the description “通常会被淹” to the noun “街道” in “通常会被淹的街道”. It helps turn the preceding description into information identifying which streets are meant. This is a common way to place a description before a noun.
街道
“街道” means streets and is the place to avoid in “避开那些通常会被淹的街道”. It is also the thing described as being flooded. It is useful when discussing routes, roads, and urban travel.
车站
“车站” means station in “车站附近”. It identifies the landmark used to locate the underpass. It commonly appears before “附近” when describing something near a station.
附近
“附近” means nearby or the vicinity in “车站附近的地下通道”. It describes the location of the underpass relative to the station. A common pattern is placing a place name before “附近” to mean near that place.
地下通道
“地下通道” means underpass and is the subject of “地下通道在大雨中经常被淹”. The dialogue identifies it as a risky part of the route during heavy rain. It is useful when discussing routes that pass below a road or railway.
大雨
“大雨” means heavy rain in “大雨中”. It describes the weather condition during which the underpass often floods. It is useful when explaining difficult travel conditions caused by intense rain.
中
“中” means in or during in “大雨中”. It places the flooding within the period of heavy rain. It commonly follows a weather or situation noun to describe what happens during it.
经常
“经常” means often in “经常被淹”. It shows that the underpass floods repeatedly during heavy rain. It commonly appears before the action or condition that happens frequently.
改
“改” means to change or switch in “改走主干道”. It tells the listener to switch from the risky route to another one. It commonly appears before a new route or method that replaces the original choice.
走
“走” means to go by or take a route in “走主干道”. Here it describes using the main road for the journey. It commonly comes before a road or route when giving travel directions.
主干道
“主干道” means main road in “改走主干道”. It is the alternative route recommended instead of the flooded underpass. It is useful when distinguishing a major road from a smaller or riskier route.
吧
“吧” softens the suggestion in “改走主干道吧”. It makes the instruction sound like practical advice rather than a forceful command. It commonly appears at the end of a suggestion.
即使
“即使” introduces a concession meaning “even if” in “即使这样会多花一点时间”. The recommendation remains valid despite the extra travel time. It commonly introduces a condition that does not change the main advice.
这样
“这样” refers to taking the main road as just suggested in “即使这样会多花一点时间”. It means doing it this way or following this choice. It is useful for referring back to an action or method already mentioned.
多
“多” means more or extra in “多花一点时间”. It shows that the alternative route requires additional time. It commonly comes before an amount or an action involving an extra quantity.
花
“花” means to spend or take, especially when used with time in “花一点时间”. In “多花一点时间”, it describes the time required for the route. It commonly appears before “时间” when discussing how long an action takes.
一点
“一点” means a little in “一点时间”. It limits the extra amount of time to a small quantity. It commonly comes before a noun that can be measured in a small amount.
时间
“时间” means time and is the object of “花” in “多花一点时间”. The sentence says that the safer route will require a little extra time. It is useful when discussing duration or time spent on an action.
保护套
“保护套” means a protective sleeve or cover in “防水保护套”. It is the item suggested for protecting the laptop from water. It commonly follows the type of protection or object it is designed for.
能
“能” asks whether something can perform an action in “能帮助保护我的笔记本电脑”. The question is whether the sleeve is capable of helping protect the laptop. It commonly comes before the action whose possibility or ability is being asked about.
帮助
“帮助” means help in “帮助保护我的笔记本电脑”. It introduces the protective action that the sleeve may assist with. It commonly comes before another action to express helping with that action.
保护
“保护” means protect in “保护我的笔记本电脑”. It describes the purpose of the waterproof sleeve. It commonly comes before the person, object, or equipment being kept safe.
笔记本电脑
“笔记本电脑” means laptop and is the object of “保护” in “保护我的笔记本电脑”. It identifies the work equipment that needs protection from rain. It is useful when discussing portable computers.
吗
“吗” is placed at the end of “防水保护套能帮助保护我的笔记本电脑吗？” to form a yes-or-no question. It signals that the speaker is asking for confirmation. It commonly appears at the end of a question formed from a statement.
用
“用” means use in “用一个吧”. It gives advice to use the protective sleeve that was just discussed. It commonly comes before the object or item being used.
一个
“一个” means one or one such item in “用一个吧”. Here it refers back to one waterproof sleeve, so the item does not need to be repeated. It is useful when choosing one item from a known group.
因为
“因为” introduces the reason in “因为耽搁很让人烦”. The speaker explains why using the sleeve is worthwhile. It commonly begins a reason clause that supports a recommendation or statement.
耽搁
“耽搁” means a delay or hold-up in “耽搁很让人烦”. It refers to lost time during the journey. It is useful when discussing travel or plans being held up.
很
“很” adds a high degree to “烦” in “很让人烦”. It strengthens the description of how frustrating delays are. It commonly appears before an adjective or adjective-like description.
让
“让” means make or cause in “让人烦”. It shows that delays cause people to feel annoyed. It commonly comes before the person affected and the resulting feeling or condition.
人
“人” means people or a person in “让人烦”. It identifies the people who experience the frustration caused by delays. It commonly follows “让” when describing an effect on people generally.
烦
“烦” means annoying or frustrating in “耽搁很让人烦”. It describes the feeling that delays cause people to have. It is useful when commenting on an inconvenient situation.
设备
“设备” means equipment in “设备损坏更糟”. It refers to the laptop or other work equipment being protected. It is useful when discussing work tools or technical equipment.
损坏
“损坏” refers to damage or a damaged condition in “设备损坏”. It describes what may happen to the equipment if it is not protected. It commonly appears with the affected object, such as equipment.
更
“更” means more or even more in “更糟”. It compares equipment damage with the frustration of a delay and marks it as the worse outcome. It commonly comes before the word expressing the stronger comparison.
糟
“糟” means bad or worse in “设备损坏更糟”. With “更”, it evaluates equipment damage as a worse result. It is useful when comparing two undesirable situations.
前
“前” means before in “出发前”. It marks the time before setting off. It commonly follows an action or event to form a time phrase.
确保
“确保” means make sure or ensure in “确保手机电量充满”. The speaker intends to check that the phone battery reaches the needed state before leaving. It commonly comes before a fact or condition that someone wants to guarantee.
手机
“手机” means phone or mobile phone in “手机电量”. It identifies the device whose battery level is being checked. It commonly forms compounds with words describing phone functions or parts.
电量
“电量” means battery level or amount of charge in “手机电量充满”. It describes how much charge the phone has. It is useful when checking whether an electronic device has enough power.
充满
“充满” means full or fully charged in “电量充满”. It describes the desired final state of the phone’s battery level. It is useful when saying that a container or capacity has been filled completely.
改变
“改变” means change in “如果路线改变”. It describes the route becoming different from the current plan. It commonly follows the thing that changes, such as “路线” here.
查看
“查看” means check or view in “查看最新消息”. It describes looking at updates for useful information. It commonly comes before information, messages, or a status that someone wants to inspect.
最新
“最新” means latest or most recent in “最新消息”. It specifies that the messages should contain the newest available information. It commonly comes before the noun being described as current.
消息
“消息” means news, messages, or updates in “查看最新消息”. It refers to information the traveler can check if the route changes. It commonly follows words such as “最新” when referring to current updates.
Grammar Points
即使……也……
即使大雨来袭，也要早点出发。
Jíshǐ dàyǔ láixí, yě yào zǎodiǎn chūfā.Even if heavy rain strikes, we should set off earlier.
“即使”引出假设条件，“也”表示即使条件成立，后面的结果仍然不变。
Chinese Vocabulary
办公室
noun
bàngōngshì
office
我需要去办公室。
暴风雨
noun
bàofēngyǔ
storm
暴风雨可能会在我通勤途中来袭。
变强
verb
biànqiáng
to become stronger
但我可以在暴风雨变强之前回来。
出发
verb
chūfā
to set off; to depart
如果你必须出门,就早点出发,并灵活调整路线。
出门
verb
chūmén
to go out; to leave home
如果你必须出门,就早点出发,并灵活调整路线。
调整
verb
tiáozhěng
to adjust
如果你必须出门,就早点出发,并灵活调整路线。
来袭
verb
láixí
to strike; to hit
暴风雨可能会在我通勤途中来袭。
灵活
adj
línghuó
flexible; flexibly
如果你必须出门,就早点出发,并灵活调整路线。
路线
noun
lùxiàn
route
如果你必须出门,就早点出发,并灵活调整路线。
通勤
verb
tōngqín
commute
暴风雨可能会在我通勤途中来袭。
途中
noun
túzhōng
on the way; during a journey
暴风雨可能会在我通勤途中来袭。
早点
adv
zǎodiǎn
earlier
如果你必须出门,就早点出发,并灵活调整路线。
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to strike; to hit
Show Answer
来袭to become stronger
Show Answer
变强to go out; to leave home
Show Answer
出门commute