About This Lesson
Use Staying motivated while learning guitar to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我喜欢学习吉他，但我在练习节奏时会感到沮丧。
Wǒ xǐhuān xuéxí jítā, dàn wǒ zài liànxí jiézòu shí huì gǎndào jǔsàng. I enjoy learning guitar, but I get frustrated with rhythm practice.
B
这很正常。刚开始时，你的节奏感通常会慢慢提高。
Zhè hěn zhèngcháng. Gāng kāishǐ shí, nǐ de jiézòugǎn tōngcháng huì mànmàn tígāo. That is normal. Your sense of rhythm often improves slowly at first.
A
我会练习歌曲，但我会跳过练习，因为我觉得它们很无聊。
Wǒ huì liànxí gēqǔ, dàn wǒ huì tiàoguò liànxí, yīnwèi wǒ juéde tāmen hěn wúliáo. I practice songs, but I skip exercises because they feel boring.
B
简短的练习安排可以平衡乐趣和进步。
Jiǎnduǎn de liànxí ānpái kěyǐ pínghéng lèqù hé jìnbù. A short practice routine can balance fun and progress.
A
也许在弹歌曲前做一个简短的节奏练习会有帮助。
Yěxǔ zài tán gēqǔ qián zuò yí ge jiǎnduǎn de jiézòu liànxí huì yǒu bāngzhù. Maybe a short rhythm exercise before playing songs would help.
B
录下自己的演奏也能帮助你注意到自己的进步。
Lùxià zìjǐ de yǎnzòu yě néng bāngzhù nǐ zhùyì dào zìjǐ de jìnbù. Recording yourself can also help you notice improvement.
A
我需要更有耐心，而不是期待很快看到结果。
Wǒ xūyào gèng yǒu nàixīn, ér bú shì qīdài hěn kuài kàndào jiéguǒ. I need to be more patient instead of expecting quick results.
B
经常看到一点点进步，才能让动力保持稳定。
Jīngcháng kàndào yìdiǎndiǎn jìnbù, cái néng ràng dònglì bǎochí wěndìng. Seeing small progress regularly is what keeps motivation steady.
A
选一首简单的歌，专注于节拍，听起来更容易做到。
Xuǎn yì shǒu jiǎndān de gē, zhuānzhù yú jiépāi, tīng qǐlái gèng róngyì zuòdào. Choosing one simple song and focusing on timing sounds more manageable.
B
明确的目标会让练习不再那么没有方向。
Míngquè de mùbiāo huì ràng liànxí bú zài nàme méiyǒu fāngxiàng. Clear goals make practice feel less random.Word by Word
我
我 means “I” here and marks the speaker as the person who likes, practices, and needs to be more patient. It commonly comes before the action or feeling being described, as in 我喜欢 and 我需要. Use it when talking about your own experience or plans.
喜欢
喜欢 means “like” or “enjoy” here, describing a positive feeling toward learning guitar. In 我喜欢学习吉他, it comes before the activity that is enjoyed. Use it to talk about activities, objects, or people you enjoy.
学习
学习 means “learning” here and follows 喜欢 to name the activity the speaker enjoys. The pattern 喜欢 + activity expresses liking an activity. Use it when discussing studying a subject or acquiring a skill.
吉他
吉他 means “guitar,” the instrument being learned in 我喜欢学习吉他. It follows 学习 as the skill or subject of learning. Use it when talking about learning, playing, or practicing the guitar.
但
但 means “but” here and introduces the speaker’s difficulty after the positive statement about enjoying guitar. It connects two contrasting parts, as in 我喜欢学习吉他，但我在练习节奏时会感到沮丧. Use it to contrast two facts or feelings.
在
在 marks the activity during which the feeling occurs in 我在练习节奏时会感到沮丧. Here it introduces the activity or situation connected with the feeling. Use it before a place or an activity to show where or when something happens.
练习
练习 means “practice” in 练习节奏 and refers to working on rhythm. It can name the activity and is followed here by what is being practiced. Use it with a skill, subject, or activity that someone is practicing.
节奏
节奏 means “rhythm” here, the musical element being practiced. In 练习节奏, it follows 练习 as the focus of the practice. Use it when discussing the rhythm of music or another organized activity.
时
时 means “when” or “during” here and completes 在练习节奏时, meaning “while practicing rhythm.” It follows the activity that gives the time or situation for the main action. Use it after an activity or event to describe when something happens.
会
会 indicates that the speaker tends to or may feel something in 我在练习节奏时会感到沮丧. Here it describes a likely reaction in that situation rather than a deliberate plan. Use it before a verb to describe a tendency or expected result.
感到
感到 means “feel” here and introduces the emotional state 沮丧. In 会感到沮丧, it connects the situation with the feeling that results. Use it before an emotion or condition when describing how someone feels.
沮丧
沮丧 means “frustrated” or “discouraged” here, describing the speaker’s feeling during rhythm practice. It follows 感到 as the feeling being experienced. Use it when progress or a task makes someone feel discouraged.
这
这 means “this” here and refers to the situation just described. In 这很正常, it is the subject being evaluated as normal. Use it to point to a nearby thing, situation, or idea.
很
很 adds degree to 正常 in 这很正常, making the description sound natural as “quite normal” or simply “normal.” It comes before the describing word. Use it before an adjective when describing the degree or quality of something.
正常
正常 means “normal” here and reassures the listener that the difficulty is expected. It follows 很 in 这很正常 to describe the situation. Use it when saying that a condition or reaction is ordinary or expected.
刚
刚 contributes the meaning “just” or “only just” in 刚开始时, referring to the early stage of learning. It modifies 开始 and helps identify the beginning period. Use it when referring to something that has just happened or a stage that has only recently begun.
开始
开始 means “begin” or “start” here as part of 刚开始时, meaning “when just starting.” It identifies the beginning of the learning period. Use it with an activity or period to describe its start.
你
你 means “you” here and identifies the listener whose sense of rhythm is improving. In 你的节奏感, it comes before 的 to mark possession. Use it when addressing one person directly.
的
的 links 你 with 节奏感 in 你的节奏感, showing that the sense of rhythm belongs to or is associated with you. It follows the possessor and comes before the noun. Use it to connect a person or thing with something related to them.
节奏感
节奏感 means “sense of rhythm” here, the musical ability that improves slowly. It is a combined expression naming an ability related to rhythm, not just the rhythm itself. Use it when discussing someone’s ability to recognize or maintain rhythm.
通常
通常 means “usually” here and presents slow improvement as a common pattern. It comes before 慢慢提高 to modify the whole improvement process. Use it when describing what generally happens.
慢慢
慢慢 means “slowly” or “gradually” here and describes the pace of improvement. In 慢慢提高, it comes before the change being described. Use it when progress happens little by little rather than all at once.
提高
提高 means “improve” here, referring to the sense of rhythm becoming better. It follows 节奏感 as the ability that improves. Use it with an ability, level, quality, or result that can become higher or better.
歌曲
歌曲 means “song” here and names the songs that the speaker practices. In 练习歌曲, it follows 练习 as the object of practice. Use it when referring to a song as a complete musical work.
跳过
跳过 means “skip” here and describes leaving exercises out of the practice. It comes before 练习 as the thing being skipped. Use it when deliberately leaving out a step, task, or item.
因为
因为 means “because” here and introduces the reason the exercises are skipped. It connects 跳过练习 with the reason that follows. Use it before a cause or explanation.
觉得
觉得 means “feel” or “think” here and introduces the speaker’s judgment that the exercises are boring. In 我觉得它们很无聊, it comes before the opinion or feeling. Use it to express a personal view or impression.
它们
它们 means “they” or “them” for things here and refers to the exercises. In 我觉得它们很无聊, it is the thing being judged as boring. Use it when referring back to multiple objects or things.
无聊
无聊 means “boring” here and describes how the exercises feel to the speaker. It follows 很 in 它们很无聊. Use it to describe an activity or situation that does not hold someone’s interest.
简短
简短 means “short” or “brief” here and describes the practice routine. It comes before 练习安排 as a description of its length. Use it for something limited in length or duration.
安排
安排 means “arrangement” or “schedule” here and refers to the planned practice routine. In 简短的练习安排, it names the organized plan for practicing. Use it when discussing how an activity is organized or scheduled.
可以
可以 means “can” or “be able to” here and says that a short routine is capable of balancing fun and progress. It comes before 平衡 to express possibility or ability. Use it before an action that is possible or permitted.
平衡
平衡 means “balance” here, describing the act of keeping fun and progress in a suitable relationship. It comes before 乐趣和进步 as the two things being balanced. Use it when managing two needs, qualities, or priorities together.
乐趣
乐趣 means “fun” or “enjoyment” here and is one side of the balance in 乐趣和进步. It is linked with 进步 by 和. Use it when referring to the enjoyment someone gets from an activity.
和
和 means “and” here and joins 乐趣 with 进步 as the two things the routine should balance. It connects nouns or noun phrases. Use it to list or combine two related items.
进步
进步 means “progress” here and refers to improvement from practicing. It is paired with 乐趣 in 乐趣和进步. Use it when talking about improvement in a skill, activity, or situation.
也许
也许 means “maybe” or “perhaps” here and presents a possible solution without stating it as certain. It comes before the suggested activity in 也许在弹歌曲前做一个简短的节奏练习会有帮助. Use it when making a tentative suggestion.
弹
弹 means “play” here, specifically playing a string instrument, in 弹歌曲. It comes before 歌曲 to describe playing songs on the guitar. Use it when talking about playing a string instrument or its music.
前
前 means “before” here and completes 弹歌曲前, meaning “before playing songs.” It follows the activity that serves as the reference point in time. Use it after an action or event to mark what happens before it.
做
做 means “do” or “carry out” here and describes carrying out a rhythm exercise. In 做一个简短的节奏练习, it comes before the activity being performed. Use it with a task, exercise, or activity that someone carries out.
一
一 means “one” here and indicates one rhythm exercise. It comes before 个, the measure word, in 一个简短的节奏练习. Use it to specify one item or one unit.
个
个 is the general measure word used in 一个简短的节奏练习. It follows 一 and comes before the description and noun. Use it to count many ordinary objects or activities when no more specific measure word is needed.
有
有 means “have” or “there is” here as part of 有帮助, meaning that something is helpful. It appears in the expression describing a useful effect. Use it before a noun to express possession or existence, and in fixed expressions such as 有帮助.
帮助
帮助 means “help” or “be helpful” here in 会有帮助, describing the benefit of doing a rhythm exercise. It follows 有 in the expression 有帮助. Use it when referring to assistance or to something that helps an action or goal.
录下
录下 means “record” here, with the idea of capturing the performance for later use or review. In 录下自己的演奏, it comes before the performance being recorded. Use it when recording audio, video, or another event for later reference.
自己
自己 means “oneself” or “yourself” here and refers back to the person doing the recording. In 录下自己的演奏, it identifies whose performance is recorded. Use it when the person involved is also the person referred to.
演奏
演奏 means “musical performance” or “playing” here and names the guitar performance that is recorded. It follows 自己的 in 录下自己的演奏. Use it when talking about performing or playing music, especially an instrument.
也
也 means “also” here and adds recording to the previously mentioned helpful practice ideas. It comes before 能 to add another possible benefit. Use it to connect an additional action, fact, or result.
能
能 means “can” or “be able to” here and indicates that recording has the ability to help the learner notice improvement. It comes before 帮助你注意到自己的进步. Use it to describe ability or a possible effect.
注意
注意 means “notice” here and describes paying attention to or recognizing one’s improvement. In 注意到自己的进步, it is followed by 到 to mark the result noticed. Use it when directing attention to something or becoming aware of it.
到
到 contributes a result meaning in 注意到自己的进步: the learner notices and recognizes the progress. It follows 注意 and comes before the thing that becomes noticed. Use it after certain action verbs to show reaching or perceiving a result.
需要
需要 means “need” here and expresses the speaker’s requirement to become more patient. It comes before 更有耐心 as the thing that is needed. Use it before an action, quality, or object that is necessary.
更
更 means “more” here and shows that the speaker needs an increased degree of patience. It comes before 有耐心 in 更有耐心. Use it before a quality when comparing with the current level or calling for an increase.
耐心
耐心 means “patience” here and is part of 更有耐心, meaning to be more patient. It names the quality the speaker wants to develop. Use it when discussing the ability to continue calmly without expecting immediate results.
而
而 connects the desired approach with the alternative in 而不是期待很快看到结果. Here it introduces a contrast between being more patient and expecting quick results. Use it to link contrasting ideas, especially before 不是.
不是
不是 means “not be” here and marks the option that should be rejected in 而不是期待很快看到结果. It follows 而 and introduces the alternative to being more patient. Use 而不是 to say that one choice or approach is preferred instead of another.
期待
期待 means “expect” here and describes looking for quick results. In 期待很快看到结果, it comes before the result being expected. Use it when describing an anticipated outcome or something looked forward to.
快
快 means “fast” or “quick” here and modifies 看到结果 to describe the expected speed of seeing results. It appears in 很快看到结果. Use it before an action or change when emphasizing that it happens quickly.
看到
看到 means “see” or “notice” here and refers to recognizing the results of practice. It follows 很快 and comes before 结果 as what is seen. Use it when an action leads to seeing or noticing something.
结果
结果 means “result” here and refers to the outcome the speaker should not expect immediately. It follows 看到 in 看到结果. Use it when discussing the outcome of an action, process, or effort.
经常
经常 means “often” or “regularly” here and describes how frequently small progress is noticed. It comes before 看到一点点进步. Use it when describing something that happens repeatedly or at regular intervals.
一点点
一点点 means “a little bit” here and describes the small amount of progress being seen. It comes before 进步 in 看到一点点进步. Use it when emphasizing that the amount is small but real.
才
才 means “only then” here and emphasizes that regularly seeing small progress is what allows motivation to remain steady. It appears before 让动力保持稳定 in the pattern 经常看到一点点进步，才能让动力保持稳定. Use it to mark a necessary condition or a result that comes only after something happens.
让
让 means “make” or “allow” here and shows that seeing progress causes motivation to stay steady. In 让动力保持稳定, it comes before the person or thing affected and the resulting state. Use it to describe causing or allowing a change.
动力
动力 means “motivation” or “drive” here and is the inner force that supports continued practice. It follows 让 as the thing whose state is affected. Use it when discussing what drives someone to continue an activity.
保持
保持 means “keep” or “maintain” here and describes continuing to have steady motivation. It comes before 稳定 as the state being maintained. Use it with a condition, quality, or state that should continue.
稳定
稳定 means “steady” or “stable” here and describes motivation that remains consistent. It follows 保持 in 保持稳定. Use it when a condition or level does not change greatly.
选
选 means “choose” or “select” here and describes deciding on one simple song for focused practice. It comes before 一首简单的歌 as the chosen item. Use it when selecting one option from several possibilities.
首
首 is the measure word used for songs in 一首简单的歌. It follows 一 and comes before the description and noun. Use it when counting songs or other pieces of music.
简单
简单 means “simple” or “easy” here and describes the song selected for manageable practice. It comes before 歌 in 一首简单的歌. Use it for something that is not complicated or is relatively easy to do.
歌
歌 means “song” here and is the song chosen for practice. It follows 简单 in 一首简单的歌. Use it as a common word for a song in everyday conversation.
专注
专注 means “focus” or “concentrate” here and describes directing attention to timing. In 专注于节拍, it is followed by 于 and the focus of attention. Use it when describing sustained attention to a task or subject.
于
于 links 专注 with 节拍 in 专注于节拍, showing what the attention is directed toward. It follows 专注 and introduces its focus. This pattern is used to express being focused on a particular subject or task.
节拍
节拍 means “beat” or “timing” here and is the musical feature that receives focused attention. It follows 于 in 专注于节拍. Use it when discussing the regular beats or timing of music.
听起来
听起来 means “sound” or “seem” here and introduces an impression that the plan is more manageable. It comes before 更容易做到 as the impression being formed. Use it when judging something from how it appears or sounds.
容易
容易 means “easy” here and describes the selected approach as manageable. It follows 更 in 更容易做到, indicating an increased degree of ease. Use it before an action or result that is easy to achieve.
做到
做到 means “manage to do” or “accomplish” here and refers to successfully carrying out the plan. In 更容易做到, it follows 容易 as the action that becomes easier. Use it when emphasizing successful completion of a task or goal.
明确
明确 means “clear” or “definite” here and describes goals that give practice a clear direction. It comes before 目标 in 明确的目标. Use it to describe something stated or understood without uncertainty.
目标
目标 means “goal” or “target” here and refers to the specific aims that make practice feel less random. It follows 明确的 in 明确的目标. Use it when discussing an outcome or objective someone is working toward.
不
不 means “not” here and negates the description of practice as random in 不再那么没有方向. It comes before 再 to form the meaning “no longer” in this context. Use it before a verb or describing word to make a present or future statement negative.
再
再 contributes the meaning “any longer” in 不再那么没有方向, showing that practice will no longer lack direction to the same degree. It follows 不 in this negative pattern. Use 不再 when saying that a situation does not continue.
那么
那么 means “so” or “to that extent” here and modifies 没有方向, reducing the degree of the lack of direction. In 不再那么没有方向, it helps compare the new practice with the previous state. Use it before a description when talking about degree.
没有
没有 means “not have” or “lack” here and describes practice as lacking direction. It comes before 方向 in 没有方向. Use it to express absence or lack of something.
方向
方向 means “direction” here and refers to the sense of purpose or clear path in practice. In 没有方向, it is the thing that practice lacks. Use it when discussing a physical direction or the direction and purpose of an activity.
Grammar Points
刚开始时，……
刚开始时，节奏很简单。
Gāng kāishǐ shí, jiézòu hěn jiǎndān.At first, the rhythm is simple.
刚开始时 usually comes at the beginning of a sentence and means “at first” or “when just starting.”
专注于 + 名词
专注于节拍。
Zhuānzhù yú jiépāi.Focus on the beat.
专注于 means “to focus on”; 于 links the verb to what receives the focus.
Chinese Vocabulary
刚开始时
phrase
gāng kāishǐ shí
at first; when just starting
吉他
noun
jítā
guitar
节奏
noun
jiézòu
rhythm
节奏感
noun
jiézòugǎn
sense of rhythm
沮丧
adj
jǔsàng
frustrated; dejected
练习
verb
liànxí
to practice; practice
慢慢
adv
mànmàn
slowly; gradually
提高
verb
tígāo
to improve; to raise
通常
adv
tōngcháng
usually; often
喜欢
verb
xǐhuān
to like; to enjoy
学习
verb
xuéxí
to learn; to study
正常
adj
zhèngcháng
normal
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
at first; when just starting
Show Answer
刚开始时to like; to enjoy
Show Answer
喜欢rhythm
Show Answer
节奏usually; often