Checking an email before sending | Learn Chinese in English

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Use Checking an email before sending to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

我发送这封邮件前，你能帮我检查一下语气吗？

Wǒ fā sòng zhè fēng yóu jiàn qián, nǐ néng bāng wǒ jiǎn chá yí xià yǔ qì ma? Could you check the tone of this email before I send it?

邮件很专业，但开头的语气有点冲。

Yóu jiàn hěn zhuān yè, dàn kāi tóu de yǔ qì yǒu diǎn chòng. It is professional, but the opening feels a little sharp.

我想提醒他们这项请求，但不想让人觉得我没有耐心。

Wǒ xiǎng tí xǐng tā men zhè xiàng qǐng qiú, dàn bù xiǎng ràng rén jué de wǒ méi yǒu nài xīn. I want to remind them about the request without sounding impatient.

试试用更柔和的开头，说明你是在跟进这件事。

Shì shi yòng gèng róu hé de kāi tóu, shuō míng nǐ shì zài gēn jìn zhè jiàn shì. Try a softer opening that says you are following up.

这样听起来好多了。我的请求够清楚吗？

Zhè yàng tīng qǐ lái hǎo duō le. Wǒ de qǐng qiú gòu qīng chu ma? That sounds better. Is my request clear enough?

在同一段里说明下一步。

Zài tóng yí duàn lǐ shuō míng xià yí bù. Explain the next step in the same paragraph.

我还在邮件结尾附近补充了一些背景信息。

Wǒ hái zài yóu jiàn jié wěi fù jìn bǔ chōng le yì xiē bèi jǐng xìn xī. I also added extra context near the end.

这些背景信息很有帮助。发送前检查一下收件人名单。

Zhè xiē bèi jǐng xìn xī hěn yǒu bāng zhù. Fā sòng qián jiǎn chá yí xià shōu jiàn rén míng dān. The context is helpful. Check the recipient list before you send it.

这个很容易被忽略。我不小心把不该收邮件的人也加进去了。

Zhè ge hěn róng yì bèi hū lüè. Wǒ bù xiǎo xīn bǎ bù gāi shōu yóu jiàn de rén yě jiā jìn qù le. That was easy to miss. The wrong person was included by mistake.

把那个人从名单里删掉。

Bǎ nà ge rén cóng míng dān lǐ shān diào. Remove that person from the list.

这样邮件就可以发送了。

Zhè yàng yóu jiàn jiù kě yǐ fā sòng le. Then the email is ready to send.

Word by Word

我 “我” refers to the speaker in the first person, meaning “I” or “me.” It is used as the subject in “我发送这封邮件前” and “我想提醒他们”; use it when referring to yourself in an action or statement.

发送 “发送” means to send, here referring to sending the email in “发送这封邮件.” It commonly comes before the thing being sent, such as an email, and is useful when discussing sending a message.

这 “这” means “this” and points to the specific email in “这封邮件.” It comes before the classifier and noun when identifying a nearby or currently discussed thing.

封 “封” is the classifier used in “这封邮件” for an email. It appears between “这” and “邮件,” so use it when counting or identifying this type of written message.

邮件 “邮件” means email, as in “这封邮件” and “邮件结尾附近.” It can refer to the message being reviewed or to its parts, and is useful when discussing professional email content.

前 “前” means “before” in “我发送这封邮件前” and “发送前.” It follows an action or event to place another action earlier in time, such as checking something before sending it.

你 “你” refers to the other person as “you” in “你能帮我检查一下语气吗？” and “说明你是在跟进这件事.” Use it when directly addressing one person about an action or situation.

能 “能” means “can” or “be able to” in “你能帮我检查一下语气吗？” It comes before the action someone may be able to do and is useful when asking about someone’s ability to help.

帮 “帮” means “help” in “帮我检查一下语气,” where the person helps the speaker perform an action. It commonly comes before the person receiving help and the action being helped with.

检查 “检查” means to check or inspect, here checking the email’s tone in “检查一下语气” and the recipient list in “检查一下收件人名单.” Use it before the thing that needs to be reviewed.

一下 “一下” follows “检查” in “检查一下” and makes the request sound lighter or less forceful. It is useful after an action when asking someone to do it briefly or in a softened way.

语气 “语气” means tone, specifically the tone of the email in “检查一下语气” and “开头的语气.” Use it when discussing how spoken or written words sound to other people.

吗 “吗” is the question particle at the end of “你能帮我检查一下语气吗？” It turns the statement into a yes-or-no question and is used at the end of a direct question.

很 “很” is a degree word meaning “very” in “邮件很专业.” It comes before the adjective “专业” to describe the email’s degree of professionalism.

专业 “专业” means professional in “邮件很专业.” It describes the quality or tone of the email and can be used after “很” when giving an evaluation.

但 “但” means “but” and introduces the contrasting point in “但开头的语气有点冲.” It connects a positive statement with a limitation or different observation.

开头 “开头” means the opening or beginning, here referring to the start of the email in “开头的语气.” It can identify the first part of a message or other organized content.

的 “的” links “开头” to “语气” in “开头的语气,” showing that the tone belongs to or is associated with the opening. It is useful between a describing phrase and the noun it modifies.

有点 “有点” means “a little” or “somewhat” in “有点冲.” It softens the degree of the criticism and comes before the quality being described.

冲 “冲” describes the tone as sharp or harsh in “开头的语气有点冲.” In this dialogue it evaluates how the opening may affect the reader, so it is useful when discussing an overly strong tone.

想 “想” means “want to” in “我想提醒他们.” It comes before the intended action and is useful for stating what the speaker wants to do.

提醒 “提醒” means to remind, as in “提醒他们这项请求.” It is used before the person being reminded and the matter they should remember, especially when bringing a pending request back to someone’s attention.

他们 “他们” means “them” in “提醒他们这项请求.” It identifies the people who should be reminded and appears as the recipient of that action.

项 “项” is the classifier in “这项请求” for a particular item or request. It comes between “这” and “请求” when identifying one request as a specific matter.

请求 “请求” means request in “这项请求.” It refers to the matter the writer wants to remind other people about and can be used as the object of “提醒.”

不 “不” negates the following expression in “不想让人觉得” and “不该收邮件.” Here it expresses what the speaker does not want and what the person should not do; use it before the action or judgment being negated.

让 “让” means “make” or “let” in “不想让人觉得我没有耐心.” It introduces the person whose impression is affected and the resulting feeling or judgment.

人 “人” means a person or people in “让人觉得我没有耐心” and “不该收邮件的人.” In the first expression it refers generally to people forming an impression; in the second it identifies a person who should not receive the email.

觉得 “觉得” means to feel or think in “让人觉得我没有耐心.” It describes the impression someone may form and is useful after a person or group when expressing that person’s judgment or feeling.

没有 “没有” means “not have” in “没有耐心,” expressing a lack of patience. It comes before the thing that is lacking and is useful for describing the absence of a quality or possession.

耐心 “耐心” means patience in “没有耐心.” It is the quality the speaker does not want the email to suggest they lack, and it can be discussed as something a person has or does not have.

试试 “试试” means “try” in “试试用更柔和的开头.” It presents a light suggestion to test a possible solution and is useful when advising someone to try an action or approach.

用 “用” means “use” in “用更柔和的开头.” It introduces the wording or method chosen for an action, so it is useful when recommending what someone should use.

更 “更” means “more” in “更柔和的开头,” comparing this opening with the earlier one. It comes before the quality being increased and is useful when suggesting a greater degree of a characteristic.

柔和 “柔和” means soft or gentle in “更柔和的开头.” It describes an opening whose tone is less sharp, making it useful when adjusting the tone of a professional message.

说明 “说明” means to explain or indicate in “说明你是在跟进这件事” and “说明下一步.” It introduces information that should be made clear, such as the purpose of the message or the next action.

是 “是” helps frame the description in “你是在跟进这件事,” identifying what the person is doing. It can link a person with a following description when clarifying someone’s role or action.

在 “在” marks the ongoing action in “你是在跟进这件事.” It appears before the action and is useful when describing what someone is currently doing.

跟进 “跟进” means to follow up on a matter in “跟进这件事.” It commonly comes before the matter being followed up and is useful for continued communication about an earlier request or issue.

件 “件” is the classifier in “这件事” for a matter or event. It comes between “这” and “事” when identifying one particular matter.

事 “事” means matter or thing in “这件事.” Here it refers to the matter being followed up, and it can be used after a classifier to identify a specific issue or event.

这样 “这样” means “this way” or “like this” in “这样听起来好多了” and “这样邮件就可以发送了.” It refers back to the revised wording or completed change and is useful when evaluating or drawing a consequence from the current state.

听起来 “听起来” means “sound” or “seem when heard” in “这样听起来好多了.” It introduces an evaluation based on how something sounds and is useful when commenting on wording, tone, or speech.

好多 “好多” contributes the meaning “much better” in the exact expression “好多了.” It describes a clear improvement in how the revised opening sounds and is useful when giving a positive comparison.

了 “了” marks a changed or newly established state in “好多了” and “可以发送了.” Here it shows that the result is now better or that the email has now become ready to send.

够 “够” means “enough” in “够清楚吗？” It comes before the quality being judged and is useful when asking whether something meets the needed level.

清楚 “清楚” means clear in “我的请求够清楚吗？” It describes whether the request is easy to understand and can follow “够” when evaluating sufficient clarity.

同一 “同一” means “the same” in “同一段.” It identifies the paragraph as the one paragraph already being discussed and comes before the noun it specifies.

段 “段” refers to a paragraph in “同一段.” It identifies the section where the next step should be explained and is useful when discussing the organization of written text.

里 “里” means “in” or “inside” in “同一段里.” It follows the location “同一段” to show where the explanation should be placed.

下一步 “下一步” means “the next step” in “说明下一步.” It refers to the action that should follow and is useful when explaining what someone should do next in a process.

还 “还” means “also” in “我还在邮件结尾附近补充了一些背景信息.” It adds another action to what the speaker has already mentioned and is useful when introducing an additional point.

结尾 “结尾” means the end in “邮件结尾附近.” It identifies the final part of the email and is useful when locating information near the end of written content.

附近 “附近” means “near” in “邮件结尾附近.” It places the added information close to the end of the email and is useful after a location when describing a nearby area.

补充 “补充” means to add or supplement in “补充了一些背景信息.” It describes adding information to existing content and is useful before the material being added.

一些 “一些” means “some” in “一些背景信息.” It indicates an unspecified amount of information and comes before the noun phrase it limits.

背景 “背景” means background or context in “背景信息.” It refers to information that helps explain the situation surrounding the request and is useful before “信息” when describing contextual details.

信息 “信息” means information in “背景信息.” Here it is the context added near the end of the email and can be used for details that help someone understand a matter.

这些 “这些” means “these” in “这些背景信息.” It points to the background information that was just mentioned and comes before the noun phrase being identified.

有 “有” means “be of use” in “有帮助,” expressing that the context is helpful. In this use it combines with “帮助” to evaluate the usefulness of something and is useful when saying that something provides value.

帮助 “帮助” means help or usefulness in “这些背景信息很有帮助.” It describes the background information as useful and can follow “有” when evaluating whether something helps.

收件人 “收件人” means recipient, specifically a person who receives an email in “收件人名单.” It is useful when checking who is included in an email’s recipient list.

名单 “名单” means list in “收件人名单” and “从名单里删掉.” It refers to the organized list of recipients and can follow a noun to specify what kind of list it is.

这个 “这个” means “this” or “this thing” in “这个很容易被忽略.” It refers to the recipient-list issue just identified and is useful when pointing to a specific matter under discussion.

容易 “容易” means easy or likely to be in “容易被忽略.” Here it describes something as liable to be overlooked, and it comes before the passive action that may happen to it.

被 “被” marks the passive construction in “被忽略,” showing that the thing is affected by the action rather than performing it. It is useful before the verb when explaining that something gets overlooked or otherwise affected.

忽略 “忽略” means overlook or ignore in “容易被忽略.” The recipient-list issue may be missed during checking, and this verb is useful for describing something that is not noticed or considered.

小心 “小心” contributes the idea of care in “不小心把不该收邮件的人也加进去了.” With “不,” the expression means that the person added the wrong recipient by mistake; use this combination when describing an accidental action.

把 “把” marks the object affected by the action in “把不该收邮件的人也加进去了.” It places the affected person before the action and is useful when the sentence focuses on what was added, removed, or otherwise changed.

该 “该” means “should” or “be supposed to” in “不该收邮件的人.” With “不,” it identifies a person who should not receive the email and is useful before an action when stating what is or is not appropriate.

收 “收” means receive in “收邮件.” It describes receiving the email and is useful before the thing received, here “邮件.”

也 “也” means “also” in “也加进去了,” showing that the wrong person was included as well. It is useful when adding one more person or action to something already mentioned.

加 “加” means add or include in “加进去了.” It describes putting the wrong person into the recipient list and is useful before the thing being added.

进去 “进去” contributes the meaning “into” or “in” in “加进去,” showing that the person was added into the list. It follows the action to indicate movement or inclusion into a place or group.

那个 “那个” means “that” in “把那个人” and points to the specific person who was mistakenly included. It comes before “人” when referring to a person already identified in the context.

从 “从” means “from” in “从名单里删掉.” It introduces the list as the place or group from which the person should be removed.

删 “删” means delete or remove in “删掉.” It describes taking the person off the recipient list and is useful before the item being removed.

掉 “掉” indicates removal in “删掉,” completing the meaning of deleting or taking something away. It follows the action to show that the item is removed from its previous place or list.

就 “就” means “then” or “consequently” in “这样邮件就可以发送了.” It links the completed correction with the result that the email is now ready to send.

可以 “可以” means “can” or “be ready to” in “可以发送了.” Here it says that the email is now in a state where it can be sent, and it is useful before an action that is now possible or appropriate.

Grammar Points

不小心 + 动词

不小心删掉收件人名单。

Bù xiǎo xīn shān diào shōu jiàn rén míng dān.

Accidentally delete the recipient list.

不小心放在动词前，表示动作是意外发生的。

名词 + 形容词作谓语

邮件开头专业，语气柔和。

Yóu jiàn kāi tóu zhuān yè, yǔ qì róu hé.

The email opening is professional, and the tone is gentle.

中文形容词可以直接作谓语，描述主语的性质或状态。

Chinese Vocabulary

冲 adj

chòng sharp; harsh in tone

发送 verb

fā sòng to send

跟进 verb

gēn jìn to follow up

检查 verb

jiǎn chá to check

开头 noun

kāi tóu opening; beginning

耐心 noun

nài xīn patience

请求 noun

qǐng qiú request

柔和 adj

róu hé soft; gentle

提醒 verb

tí xǐng to remind

邮件 noun

yóu jiàn email

语气 noun

yǔ qì tone

专业 adj

zhuān yè professional

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

opening; beginning

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开头

to check

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检查

to send

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发送

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邮件