About This Lesson
Use Checking an Apartment Before a Long Trip to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
我们要离开好几天，所以再仔细检查一遍公寓吧。
wǒmen yào líkāi hǎo jǐ tiān, suǒyǐ zài zǐxì jiǎnchá yí biàn gōngyù ba. We'll be away for several days, so let's double-check the apartment.
B
我已经拔掉了小家电的插头，也关了炉子。
wǒ yǐjīng bádiào le xiǎo jiādiàn de chātóu, yě guān le lúzi. I unplugged the small appliances and turned off the stove.
A
阳台门和卧室窗户都锁好了吗？
yángtái mén hé wòshì chuānghu dōu suǒ hǎo le ma? Are the balcony door and bedroom windows secure?
B
阳台门已经锁好了，我现在去检查卧室的窗户。
yángtái mén yǐjīng suǒ hǎo le, wǒ xiànzài qù jiǎnchá wòshì de chuānghu. The balcony door is locked, and I will check the bedroom windows now.
A
我们不在的时候，要不要把恒温器调低？
wǒmen bú zài de shíhou, yào bu yào bǎ héngwēnqì tiáo dī? Should we lower the thermostat while we are gone?
B
调低一点，但别调得太低，免得公寓变得太冷。
tiáo dī yìdiǎn, dàn bié tiáo de tài dī, miǎnde gōngyù biàn de tài lěng. Set it lower, but not so low that the apartment gets too cold.
A
我还请邻居帮忙收取包裹。
wǒ hái qǐng línjū bāngmáng shōuqǔ bāoguǒ. I also asked our neighbor to collect any packages.
B
这样我们不在的时候，公寓看起来就像有人住。
zhèyàng wǒmen bú zài de shíhou, gōngyù kàn qǐlái jiù xiàng yǒurén zhù. That helps the place look occupied while we are away.
A
现在我离开时放心多了。
xiànzài wǒ líkāi shí fàngxīn duō le. Now I feel more relaxed about leaving.
B
这份检查清单花了一点时间，但很值得。
zhè fèn jiǎnchá qīngdān huā le yìdiǎn shíjiān, dàn hěn zhíde. This checklist took a little time, but it was worth it.Word by Word
我们
“我们” means “we” or “us,” referring here to the two people preparing to leave the apartment. It is used as the subject in “我们要离开好几天”; a common reuse pattern is “我们 + verb” when talking about an action shared by the speaker and others.
要
In “我们要离开好几天,” “要” indicates that the departure is planned or expected to happen. It comes before the verb phrase “离开好几天”; a common reuse pattern is “要 + verb” for an intended or upcoming action.
离开
“离开” means to leave a place, here the apartment. In “我们要离开好几天,” it is followed by a duration; a common reuse pattern is “离开 + place” when saying where someone is leaving.
好几
“好几” means several or quite a few in “好几天,” so the absence will last more than just a small number of days. “好” adds the sense of a fairly large amount, while “几” introduces an approximate number; “好几” commonly comes before a measure word such as “天.”
天
“天” means day in “好几天,” the length of time the speakers will be away. It follows the approximate quantity “好几”; a common reuse pattern is “几天” or “三天” for a number of days.
所以
“所以” means so or therefore and introduces the consequence of being away for several days. In “我们要离开好几天，所以再仔细检查一遍公寓吧,” it links the reason to the suggestion; a common pattern is “因为……所以……” for reason and result.
再
“再” means again or one more time in “再仔细检查一遍,” showing that the apartment should receive an additional careful check. It comes before the action; a common reuse pattern is “再 + verb” when repeating an action.
仔细
“仔细” means carefully or with close attention in “仔细检查一遍.” It describes how the checking should be done and comes before “检查”; a common reuse pattern is “仔细 + verb” for an action requiring attention.
检查
“检查” means to check or inspect, here the apartment before the trip. In “检查一遍公寓,” the object “公寓” follows the action and “一遍” shows one complete pass; a common reuse pattern is “检查 + object.”
遍
“遍” counts one complete pass through an action, so “检查一遍” means to check the apartment once from beginning to end. It follows the verb and the number “一”; a common reuse pattern is “读一遍” or another verb plus “一遍” for one complete run-through.
公寓
“公寓” means apartment, the place the speakers are checking before leaving. In “检查一遍公寓,” it is the object of “检查”; a common reuse pattern is “住在公寓里” for living in an apartment.
吧
“吧” makes “再仔细检查一遍公寓吧” a suggestion rather than a forceful command. It appears at the end of the sentence; a common use is to place “吧” after a proposed action when inviting agreement.
我
“我” means I or me, referring to the speaker who has already unplugged the appliances. In “我已经拔掉了小家电的插头,” it is the subject; a common reuse pattern is “我 + verb” when describing the speaker’s action.
已经
“已经” means already and shows that the action in “我已经拔掉了小家电的插头” has been completed by the time of speaking. It comes before the verb phrase; a common reuse pattern is “已经 + verb” when reporting something done.
拔
“拔” means to pull out, here pulling a plug out of a socket. In “拔掉了小家电的插头,” it is followed by “掉,” which shows the plug has been removed; a common reuse pattern is “拔 + object” for pulling something out.
掉
In “拔掉了小家电的插头,” “掉” shows that the pulling action resulted in the plug coming away or being removed. It follows “拔” as part of the complete expression “拔掉”; a common reuse pattern is “verb + 掉” when an action removes or gets rid of something.
了
The “了” in “拔掉了小家电的插头” marks the completed action of removing the plug. It comes after the verb-and-complement expression “拔掉”; a common reuse pattern is to place “了” after a completed action.
小家电
“小家电” means small household appliances, such as the smaller electrical devices in the apartment. In “小家电的插头,” it describes which plugs are being discussed; a common reuse pattern is “小家电 + 的 + object” for something belonging to or associated with small appliances.
的
In “小家电的插头,” “的” links “小家电” to “插头,” showing that the plugs belong to or are associated with the appliances. It comes between the describing noun phrase and the described noun; a common reuse pattern is “A 的 B” for “B of A” or “A’s B.”
插头
“插头” means plug, specifically the plug from the small appliances that was removed. In “拔掉了小家电的插头,” it is the object being pulled out; a common reuse pattern is “插头 + 插座” when discussing a plug and socket.
也
“也” means also and adds that turning off the stove was another completed action. In “也关了炉子,” it comes before the verb; a common reuse pattern is “也 + verb” when adding a similar action or fact.
关
“关” means to turn off here, referring to the stove in “关了炉子.” It can also describe closing something, but this dialogue uses it for stopping the stove; a common reuse pattern is “关 + appliance” when turning an appliance off.
炉子
“炉子” means stove, the appliance that was turned off before leaving. In “关了炉子,” it follows the verb “关” as its object; a common reuse pattern is “开炉子” or “关炉子” when operating a stove.
阳台
“阳台” means balcony and identifies the location of the door in “阳台门.” It comes before “门” to form a location-based noun phrase; a common reuse pattern is “阳台上” for something on the balcony.
门
“门” means door, here the door leading to the balcony. In “阳台门,” it follows “阳台” to specify which door; a common reuse pattern is “关门” or “锁门” for closing or locking a door.
和
“和” means and and joins “阳台门” with “卧室窗户” as the two things being checked. It appears between the two noun phrases; a common reuse pattern is “A 和 B” when listing two related people or things.
卧室
“卧室” means bedroom and identifies the location of the windows in “卧室窗户.” It comes before “窗户” to specify which windows; a common reuse pattern is “卧室里” for something in the bedroom.
窗户
“窗户” means window, here the bedroom windows that need checking. In “检查卧室的窗户,” it is the object of “检查”; a common reuse pattern is “打开窗户” or “关窗户” when operating a window.
都
“都” means both or all and shows that the balcony door and bedroom windows are included together in the question. In “阳台门和卧室窗户都锁好了吗,” it comes before the verb phrase; a common reuse pattern is “A 和 B 都……” when the statement applies to both.
锁
“锁” means to lock, referring to securing the door and windows. In “都锁好了吗,” it is followed by “好” to show that they have been locked properly; a common reuse pattern is “锁 + object” when securing something with a lock.
好
In “锁好了吗,” “好” shows that the locking action has been completed properly or securely. It follows “锁” as part of the result expression “锁好”; a common reuse pattern is “verb + 好” when an action is finished in the desired condition.
吗
“吗” turns “阳台门和卧室窗户都锁好了吗” into a yes-or-no question. It is placed at the end of the sentence; a common reuse pattern is to add “吗” after a statement when asking whether it is true.
现在
“现在” means now and places the checking action at the present moment. In “我现在去检查卧室的窗户,” it comes before “去检查”; a common reuse pattern is “现在 + verb” when saying what is happening now.
去
In “我现在去检查卧室的窗户,” “去” means to go and introduces the action the speaker is about to carry out. It comes before “检查”; a common reuse pattern is “去 + verb” when going somewhere to perform an action.
不
“不” means not in “我们不在的时候,” describing the period when the speakers are absent. It comes before “在” to form the negative expression “不在”; a common reuse pattern is “不 + verb” for a general or future negative.
在
In “我们不在的时候,” “在” means to be present or to be there, so the phrase refers to the time when the speakers are away. It follows “不” in the negative expression “不在”; a common reuse pattern is “在 + place” for being at a place.
时候
“时候” means time or when in “我们不在的时候,” referring to the period of the speakers’ absence. The phrase “……的时候” follows a situation and sets the time for another action; a common reuse pattern is “做某事的时候” for “when doing something.”
把
“把” marks “恒温器” as the object that will be directly adjusted in “把恒温器调低.” It places the object before the verb and its result; a common reuse pattern is “把 + object + verb + result” when emphasizing what is changed.
恒温器
“恒温器” means thermostat, the device whose setting is being lowered before the speakers leave. In “把恒温器调低,” it is the object marked by “把”; a common reuse pattern is “调恒温器” when adjusting a thermostat.
调
“调” means to adjust or set, here changing the thermostat setting. In “调低” and “调低一点,” it is followed by the level being set; a common reuse pattern is “调 + setting” for adjusting a device or control.
低
“低” means low and describes the lower thermostat setting in “调低.” It follows “调” to show the direction or result of the adjustment; a common reuse pattern is “调高” or “调低” when changing a setting upward or downward.
点
In “调低一点,” “点” means a little or a bit and limits the amount of the adjustment. It follows the adjective or result phrase “调低”; a common reuse pattern is “一点” after a description when asking for or indicating a small degree.
但
“但” means but and introduces the limit on how far the thermostat should be lowered. In “但别调得太低,” it contrasts the suggestion to lower it with the warning not to lower it excessively; a common reuse pattern is “A，但B” when adding a restriction or contrast.
别
“别” means do not or don’t and gives a negative instruction in “别调得太低.” It comes before the action; a common reuse pattern is “别 + verb” when telling someone not to do something.
得
In “调得太低,” “得” links the verb “调” to the degree phrase “太低,” explaining how far the adjustment is made. It follows the verb and introduces its result or degree; a common reuse pattern is “verb + 得 + description” for describing the degree of an action.
太
“太” means too or overly in “太低,” showing that a thermostat setting below the acceptable level would make the apartment too cold. It comes before the describing word “低”; a common reuse pattern is “太 + adjective” for an excessive degree.
免得
“免得” means so as to avoid or lest, introducing the unwanted result that the apartment becomes too cold. In “免得公寓变得太冷,” it comes before the result clause; a common reuse pattern is “……，免得……” when taking an action to prevent an undesirable outcome.
变
“变” means become or change, here describing the apartment becoming cold in “公寓变得太冷.” It is followed by “得太冷,” which gives the resulting degree; a common reuse pattern is “变得 + description” for a change of state.
冷
“冷” means cold and describes the apartment’s possible temperature in “变得太冷.” It follows “太” to mean excessively cold; a common reuse pattern is “天气很冷” for describing cold weather.
还
“还” means also or additionally in “我还请邻居帮忙收取包裹,” adding another preparation to the earlier actions. It comes before “请”; a common reuse pattern is “还 + verb” when adding one more action or fact.
请
“请” means to ask or request someone to do something in “请邻居帮忙收取包裹.” It is followed by the person asked and the requested action; a common reuse pattern is “请 + person + verb” for asking someone to carry out an action.
邻居
“邻居” means neighbor, the person asked to collect the packages. In “请邻居帮忙收取包裹,” it is the person receiving the request; a common reuse pattern is “邻居 + verb” when describing what a neighbor does.
帮忙
“帮忙” means to help, here asking the neighbor to help by collecting packages. In “帮忙收取包裹,” it comes before the specific action; a common reuse pattern is “帮忙 + verb” when requesting help with a particular task.
收取
“收取” means to collect or receive, here taking in packages delivered while the speakers are away. In “收取包裹,” the object follows directly; a common reuse pattern is “收取 + item” for receiving or collecting an item.
包裹
“包裹” means package or parcel, the deliveries the neighbor will collect. In “收取包裹,” it is the object of “收取”; a common reuse pattern is “收到包裹” when saying that a package has been received.
这样
“这样” means this way or like this and refers to having the neighbor collect the packages. In “这样我们不在的时候，公寓看起来就像有人住,” it introduces the resulting arrangement; a common reuse pattern is “这样 + result” when explaining what happens because something is done in this way.
看起来
“看起来” means look or seem in “公寓看起来就像有人住,” describing the impression the apartment gives. “看” contributes the idea of looking, and “起来” forms the appearance-based expression; a common reuse pattern is “看起来 + description” when describing how something appears.
就
“就” marks the consequence in “我们不在的时候，公寓看起来就像有人住,” meaning that under this arrangement the apartment will then appear occupied. It commonly links a condition or situation to its result; a common pattern is “……就……” for “if/when……then……” relationships.
像
“像” means to be like or seem like, comparing the apartment’s appearance with a place where someone lives. In “像有人住,” it is followed by the comparison or impression; a common reuse pattern is “像 + noun or clause” when making a comparison.
有
In “像有人住,” “有” introduces the existence of someone, giving the impression that a person is living there. It comes before “人” in the existence phrase “有人”; a common reuse pattern is “有 + person or thing” when saying that someone or something is present.
人
“人” means person or people in “有人住,” referring to someone who appears to live in the apartment. It follows “有” to form an existence phrase and comes before “住”; a common reuse pattern is “有人 + verb” when saying that someone performs an action.
住
“住” means to live or stay, here describing someone living in the apartment. In “有人住,” it follows the existence phrase “有人”; a common reuse pattern is “住在 + place” when specifying where someone lives or stays.
时
In “我离开时放心多了,” “时” means when or at the time of and places the feeling in the period of leaving. It follows “离开” to form a time phrase; a common reuse pattern is “verb + 时” for “when doing or after doing something.”
放心
“放心” means to feel reassured or at ease, here describing the speaker’s greater confidence about leaving the apartment. In “我离开时放心多了,” it describes the speaker’s feeling; a common reuse pattern is “对……放心” when feeling reassured about someone or something.
多
In “放心多了,” “多” means more or to a greater degree, showing that the speaker feels considerably more reassured now. It follows the feeling word and comes before “了”; a common reuse pattern is “adjective or feeling + 多了” for a noticeable increase in degree.
这
“这” means this and points to the particular checklist being discussed. In “这份检查清单,” it comes before the measure phrase; a common reuse pattern is “这 + measure word + noun” when identifying a specific item.
份
“份” is the measure word used here for the checklist as a document or organized item. In “这份检查清单,” it comes between “这” and “检查清单”; a common reuse pattern is “一份 + document or list” for one document or copy.
清单
“清单” means checklist or list, here the list used to review the apartment before departure. In “这份检查清单,” it is the noun measured by “份”; a common reuse pattern is “检查清单” for a list of things to verify.
花
“花” means to spend, here referring to spending time on the checklist in “花了一点时间.” It is followed by the amount and the thing spent; a common reuse pattern is “花 + amount + 时间” for saying how much time an activity takes.
时间
“时间” means time, the resource spent on completing the checklist. In “花了一点时间,” it follows the quantity “一点”; a common reuse pattern is “花时间 + verb” or “花……时间” when describing time spent on an activity.
很
“很” intensifies “值得” in “但很值得,” meaning that the checklist was quite or very worthwhile. It comes before the descriptive expression; a common reuse pattern is “很 + adjective” when giving a strong but ordinary description.
值得
“值得” means to be worth it, here saying that the time spent on the checklist was worthwhile. In “但很值得,” it evaluates the earlier effort; a common reuse pattern is “值得 + verb” when saying that an action is worth doing.
Grammar Points
再 + 动词 + 一遍
再仔细检查一遍。
zài zǐxì jiǎnchá yí biàn.Double-check carefully once more.
再表示动作重复；一遍是动量词，表示把整个动作完整做一次。
免得 + 分句
离开好几天，锁好窗户，免得邻居担心。
líkāi hǎo jǐ tiān, suǒ hǎo chuānghu, miǎnde línjū dānxīn.After leaving for several days, lock the window securely so the neighbor does not worry.
免得引出需要避免的结果，意思是“以免”或“为了不让……发生”。
Chinese Vocabulary
拔掉
verb
bádiào
to unplug; to pull out
插头
noun
chātóu
plug
窗户
noun
chuānghu
window
公寓
noun
gōngyù
apartment
好几天
phrase
hǎo jǐ tiān
several days
离开
verb
líkāi
to leave
炉子
noun
lúzi
stove
锁好
verb
suǒ hǎo
to lock securely
卧室
noun
wòshì
bedroom
小家电
noun
xiǎo jiādiàn
small appliances
阳台
noun
yángtái
balcony
再仔细检查一遍
phrase
zài zǐxì jiǎnchá yí biàn
to double-check carefully
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to double-check carefully
Show Answer
再仔细检查一遍small appliances
Show Answer
小家电window
Show Answer
窗户to leave