Staying Safe in Poor Air Quality | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: On a day with poor air quality, two adults discuss replacing an outdoor run with indoor exercise and taking precautions outside..

EN → ZH / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Staying Safe in Poor Air Quality to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

今天空气感觉很沉闷，空气质量可能很差。

jīntiān kōngqì gǎnjué hěn chénmèn, kōngqì zhìliàng kěnéng hěn chà. The air feels heavy today, and air quality may be poor.
B

那做户外运动可能不是个好主意。

nà zuò hùwài yùndòng kěnéng bú shì ge hǎo zhǔyi. Outdoor exercise might not be a good idea, then.
A

我本来打算去公园跑步。

wǒ běnlái dǎsuàn qù gōngyuán pǎobù. I was planning to run in the park.
B

如果污染让你感到不舒服，就改做室内运动吧。

rúguǒ wūrǎn ràng nǐ gǎndào bù shūfu, jiù gǎi zuò shìnèi yùndòng ba. If pollution bothers you, choose an indoor workout instead.
A

我可以去健身房，虽然那里没有公园那么放松。

wǒ kěyǐ qù jiànshēnfáng, suīrán nàlǐ méiyǒu gōngyuán nàme fàngsōng. I could use the gym, although it feels less relaxing than the park.
B

在室内锻炼比吸入质量差的空气更健康。

zài shìnèi duànliàn bǐ xīrù zhìliàng chà de kōngqì gèng jiànkāng. Training indoors is healthier than breathing poor air.
A

如果我需要出门走路，应该戴口罩吗？

rúguǒ wǒ xūyào chūmén zǒulù, yīnggāi dài kǒuzhào ma. Should I wear a mask if I need to walk outside?
B

戴口罩会有帮助，而且当地的健康建议可能会提醒你采取额外的防护措施。

dài kǒuzhào huì yǒu bāngzhù, érqiě dāngdì de jiànkāng jiànyì kěnéng huì tíxǐng nǐ cǎiqǔ éwài de fánghù cuòshī. A mask can help, and local health advice may suggest extra precautions.
A

等空气质量改善后再跑步似乎更安全。

děng kōngqì zhìliàng gǎishàn hòu zài pǎobù sìhū gèng ānquán. Postponing the run until the air improves seems safer.
B

这样可以避免运动变成另一个健康问题。

zhèyàng kěyǐ bìmiǎn yùndòng biànchéng lìng yí ge jiànkāng wèntí. That keeps exercise from turning into another health problem.

Word by Word

今天 “今天” means today and places the situation in the current day. It commonly comes before the main description, as in “今天空气感觉很沉闷”. Use it when discussing something happening on the present day.
空气 “空气” means air, the substance being described as heavy and possibly poor in quality here. It forms the subject of “空气感觉很沉闷” and appears in “空气质量”. Use it when discussing breathing conditions or the atmosphere outside.
感觉 “感觉” means feel or seem in “今天空气感觉很沉闷”. It introduces how something is perceived rather than stating a measured fact directly. Use it before a description when reporting an impression.
很 “很” adds a high or noticeable degree to the description in “很沉闷”. It is placed before the adjective that describes the air. Use it before a description when saying that something feels quite or very so.
沉闷 “沉闷” describes the air as stuffy, oppressive, or unpleasantly heavy in “空气感觉很沉闷”. It is used after “很” to describe the perceived condition of the air. Use it when an atmosphere feels closed, heavy, or difficult to enjoy.
质量 “质量” means quality in “空气质量可能很差”. Here it identifies the aspect of the air being evaluated. Use it after a noun when discussing the quality of a thing or service.
可能 “可能” means may or possibly in “空气质量可能很差”. It expresses an uncertain assessment rather than a definite statement. Use it before a description or action when the result is possible but not certain.
差 “差” means poor or bad in “空气质量可能很差”. It evaluates the quality of the air, not a person’s character. Use it after a noun such as quality when giving a negative evaluation.
那 “那” means then or in that case in “那做户外运动可能不是个好主意”. It connects the previous information about poor air with the following conclusion. Use it when responding to new information with a consequence or recommendation.
做 “做” means do or take part in the activity in “做户外运动”. It is followed by the activity being performed. Use it before an activity when describing participation in that activity.
户外 “户外” means outdoor or outside in “户外运动”. It specifies that the exercise takes place outdoors. Use it before an activity when distinguishing outdoor activity from indoor activity.
运动 “运动” means exercise in “做户外运动”. It is the activity being considered and later contrasted with indoor exercise. Use it when discussing physical exercise generally.
不是 “不是” negates the evaluation in “不是个好主意”, meaning that something is not a good idea. It comes before the noun phrase being judged. Use it to reject or question an option or description.
个 “个” is the general measure word in “不是个好主意”, placed before “好主意”. It helps present the idea as one particular idea in an everyday expression. Use it before many ordinary countable noun phrases.
好 “好” means good in “好主意”. It describes the quality of the idea being evaluated. Use it before a noun when approving of the thing that noun refers to.
主意 “主意” means idea or plan in “好主意”. In this dialogue, the phrase is an evaluation of outdoor exercise as an option. Use it when discussing a proposed idea or course of action.
我 “我” means I or me and identifies the speaker in “我本来打算去公园跑步”. It appears before the speaker’s plan and later before a possible action. Use it as the subject when talking about your own actions or thoughts.
本来 “本来” means originally or initially in “我本来打算去公园跑步”. It marks an earlier intention that is now being reconsidered because of the air quality. Use it when explaining what you had planned before circumstances changed.
打算 “打算” means plan or intend in “本来打算去公园跑步”. It introduces the action that was intended. Use it before an action when stating a plan.
去 “去” means go in “去公园跑步”. It comes before the destination and the activity. Use it when describing movement toward a place for a particular purpose.
公园 “公园” means park and is the destination in “去公园跑步”. It identifies the outdoor place where the speaker had planned to run. Use it when naming a public green or recreational space.
跑步 “跑步” means run or go running in “去公园跑步”. It names the planned exercise after the destination. Use it when talking about running as an activity.
如果 “如果” means if and introduces the condition in “如果污染让你感到不舒服”. The advice that follows depends on this condition. Use it to present a possible situation before its result or recommendation.
污染 “污染” means pollution in “如果污染让你感到不舒服”. It is the cause that may produce discomfort. Use it when discussing harmful substances or conditions affecting air or the environment.
让 “让” means make or cause in “让你感到不舒服”. It links a cause with the person who experiences its effect. Use it in the pattern where one thing causes someone to feel or do something.
你 “你” means you and identifies the person affected in “让你感到不舒服”. It is placed after the cause-and-effect verb “让”. Use it when addressing the person who experiences the feeling or result.
感到 “感到” means feel in “感到不舒服”. It introduces the person’s physical or emotional experience. Use it before a feeling or condition when describing how someone feels.
不舒服 “不舒服” means uncomfortable or unwell in “感到不舒服”. It describes the negative feeling caused by the pollution. Use it when reporting physical discomfort or an unpleasant condition.
就 “就” marks the result or recommended response in “如果污染让你感到不舒服，就改做室内运动吧”. It links the condition to the action that should follow. Use it after a condition when introducing its direct result or advice.
改 “改” means change or switch in “改做室内运动吧”. It tells the listener to replace the original activity with a different one. Use it before an alternative action when changing a plan.
室内 “室内” means indoors or indoor in “室内运动”. It specifies that the exercise takes place inside. Use it before an activity or place-related noun when contrasting it with outdoor activity.
吧 “吧” softens the suggestion in “改做室内运动吧”. It makes the advice sound less forceful and more like a proposal. Use it at the end of a suggestion when inviting agreement.
可以 “可以” means can or may in “我可以去健身房”. It presents going to the gym as an available option. Use it before an action when discussing a possible or permitted choice.
健身房 “健身房” means gym and is the destination in “去健身房”. It names the indoor place the speaker could use for exercise. Use it when referring to a facility for physical training.
虽然 “虽然” means although in “虽然那里没有公园那么放松”. It introduces a drawback that does not cancel the option mentioned in the main clause. Use it when acknowledging a contrast or limitation.
那里 “那里” means there and refers here to the gym in “那里没有公园那么放松”. It avoids repeating the name of the place. Use it when pointing back to a location already understood from the conversation.
没有 “没有” means not reach or not be at the same level in “没有公园那么放松”. Here it is part of a comparison, not a statement about possession. Use it when saying that one place or thing is less described by a quality than another.
那么 “那么” sets the comparison level in “没有公园那么放松”, meaning as relaxed as the park. It shows the degree used for comparing the gym with the park. Use it in comparisons of degree.
放松 “放松” means relaxed or relaxing in “那么放松”. It describes the quality of the park as a place where the speaker can feel at ease. Use it when describing a calm physical or emotional state.
在 “在” marks the location in “在室内锻炼”. It places the exercise indoors before naming the activity. Use it before a place or setting when stating where an action happens.
锻炼 “锻炼” means exercise or train in “在室内锻炼”. It names the physical activity carried out indoors. Use it when talking about regular physical training or exercise.
比 “比” introduces the item used for comparison in “比吸入质量差的空气更健康”. It contrasts indoor training with breathing poor-quality air. Use it to compare two things by a quality.
吸入 “吸入” means breathe in or inhale in “吸入质量差的空气”. It describes air entering the body and takes the air phrase as its object. Use it when discussing inhaling air, smoke, or another substance.
的 “的” links the description “质量差” to the noun “空气” in “质量差的空气”. It turns the preceding description into information about the air. Use it to connect a description with the noun it modifies.
更 “更” means more or even more in “更健康”. It marks the higher degree produced by the comparison with poor air. Use it before a describing word when saying that one option has more of that quality.
健康 “健康” means healthy or health-related in “更健康”. With “更”, it describes indoor training as healthier than breathing poor air. Use it when discussing physical well-being or a beneficial condition.
需要 “需要” means need in “需要出门走路”. It introduces the action that may be necessary. Use it before an action when explaining that someone must or needs to do something.
出门 “出门” means go outside or leave home in “出门走路”. It describes leaving the home or indoor setting before walking. Use it when talking about going out from one’s home or building.
走路 “走路” means walk in “出门走路”. It names the activity that requires going outside. Use it when describing walking as transportation or exercise.
应该 “应该” means should or ought to in “应该戴口罩吗”. It asks whether wearing a mask is the appropriate action. Use it before an action when asking for or giving advice.
戴 “戴” means wear or put on in “戴口罩”. It is used for putting a mask onto the face or wearing it. Use it before the name of an item worn on the body.
口罩 “口罩” means mask and is the object of “戴” in “戴口罩”. It is the protective item being considered for outdoor walking. Use it when discussing a mask worn over the nose and mouth.
吗 “吗” is the question particle at the end of “应该戴口罩吗”. It turns the statement into a yes-or-no question. Use it at the end when asking whether something is the case or advisable.
会 “会” expresses an expected possibility or effect in “会有帮助”. Here it presents the mask as something that may be helpful. Use it before an action or result when describing what is likely to happen.
有 “有” contributes the idea of having or providing something in “有帮助”. Together with “帮助”, it says that the mask offers a benefit. Use it before a noun when stating that something has or provides a quality or benefit.
帮助 “帮助” means help or benefit in “有帮助”. It describes the positive effect a mask may provide. Use it when evaluating whether an action or object is useful.
而且 “而且” means and moreover in “而且当地的健康建议可能会提醒你采取额外的防护措施”. It adds another related point after the statement that a mask can help. Use it to connect two supporting or cumulative ideas.
当地 “当地” means local in “当地的健康建议”. It identifies advice belonging to the area where the speaker is located. Use it before a noun when referring to something from the local community or region.
建议 “建议” means advice or recommendation in “当地的健康建议”. It identifies guidance about how to respond to the poor air. Use it when referring to guidance offered by a person or authority.
提醒 “提醒” means remind or alert in “提醒你采取额外的防护措施”. It directs the listener’s attention to an action that should be considered. Use it before a person and an action when telling someone not to overlook something important.
采取 “采取” means take or adopt in “采取额外的防护措施”. It introduces the deliberate use of protective steps. Use it before a measure or action when recommending that someone put it into practice.
额外 “额外” means extra or additional in “额外的防护措施”. It shows that these precautions are added beyond ordinary behavior. Use it before a noun when referring to something more than what is normally included.
防护 “防护” indicates protection in “防护措施”. It specifies that the measures are intended to protect people from harm. Use it before a noun related to protective action or equipment.
措施 “措施” means measure or precaution in “防护措施”. It refers to a concrete step taken to reduce risk. Use it when discussing practical actions for handling a problem or danger.
等 “等” means wait until in “等空气质量改善后再跑步”. It delays the later action until the stated condition is met. Use it before a condition when telling someone to wait for that condition before acting.
改善 “改善” means improve in “空气质量改善后”. It describes the air quality becoming better before running resumes. Use it when talking about a condition changing in a positive direction.
后 “后” means after in “改善后”. It places the following action after the improvement has happened. Use it after an action or condition to mark the time that follows it.
再 “再” means then or again in “再跑步”. Here it indicates that running will happen later, after the air improves. Use it before a later action when one step must come first.
似乎 “似乎” means seem or appear in “似乎更安全”. It presents the conclusion as an impression rather than absolute certainty. Use it before an evaluation when making a cautious judgment.
安全 “安全” means safe in “更安全”. With “更”, it describes the postponed run as safer than running in the current conditions. Use it when discussing freedom from danger or reduced risk.
这样 “这样” means this way or by doing this in “这样可以避免运动变成另一个健康问题”. It refers back to postponing the run until the air improves. Use it when explaining the result of the action just mentioned.
避免 “避免” means avoid in “避免运动变成另一个健康问题”. It introduces an unwanted result that the recommended action prevents. Use it before an action or outcome when explaining what should be prevented.
变成 “变成” means turn into or become in “运动变成另一个健康问题”. It describes one thing changing into another kind of situation. Use it when explaining a change from one state or identity to another.
另一个 “另一个” means another in “另一个健康问题”. It identifies one more problem, distinct from the original air-quality concern. Use it before a singular noun when referring to an additional separate item.
问题 “问题” means problem in “健康问题”. It names the harmful result that exercise could become under poor conditions. Use it when discussing a difficulty, concern, or issue that needs attention.

Grammar Points

虽然……，但是……

虽然空气质量不好，但是改做室内锻炼。

suīrán kōngqì zhìliàng bú hǎo, dànshì gǎi zuò shìnèi duànliàn.

Although the air quality is poor, switch to exercising indoors.

“虽然”引出让步情况，通常与“但是”搭配，表示“although..., but...”。

本来打算……，改做……

本来打算跑步，改做室内锻炼。

běnlái dǎsuàn pǎobù, gǎi zuò shìnèi duànliàn.

Originally planned to run, but switched to exercising indoors.

“本来打算”表示原来的计划；“改做”表示改变计划去做另一件事。

Chinese Vocabulary

本来 adv
běnlái originally; at first
不舒服 adj
bù shūfu uncomfortable; feel unwell
沉闷 adj
chénmèn stuffy; heavy
打算 verb
dǎsuàn plan; intend
改做 verb
gǎi zuò switch to doing; do instead
好主意 phrase
hǎo zhǔyi good idea
户外 adj
hùwài outdoor; outdoors
可能 adv
kěnéng may; might; possibly
空气质量 noun
kōngqì zhìliàng air quality
跑步 verb
pǎobù run; running
室内 adj
shìnèi indoor; indoors
污染 noun
wūrǎn pollution

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

air quality

Show Answer空气质量

pollution

Show Answer污染

switch to doing; do instead

Show Answer改做

run; running

Show Answer跑步