About This Lesson
Use Calm Communication About Shared Kitchen Cleaning to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
晚饭后，共用厨房又被弄得很乱。
Wǎnfàn hòu, gòngyòng chúfáng yòu bèi nòng de hěn luàn. The shared kitchen was left messy again after dinner.
B
我们应该提一下这件事，但不要责怪某一个人。
Wǒmen yīnggāi tí yíxià zhè jiàn shì, dàn bú yào zéguài mǒu yí ge rén. We should bring it up without blaming one person.
A
也许提醒大家各自的清洁责任会有帮助。
Yěxǔ tíxǐng dàjiā gèzì de qīngjié zérèn huì yǒu bāngzhù. Maybe a reminder about cleaning responsibilities would help.
B
提到餐具、台面和垃圾，把内容说具体一些。
Tí dào cānjù, táimiàn hé lājī, bǎ nèiróng shuō jùtǐ yìxiē. Make it specific by mentioning dishes, counters, and trash.
A
我们应该先贴一份时间表，还是先在群聊里谈谈？
Wǒmen yīnggāi xiān tiē yí fèn shíjiānbiǎo, háishi xiān zài qúnliáo lǐ tán tan? Should we post a schedule or talk in the group chat first?
B
先发一条平静的消息，这样不会让人觉得有攻击性。
Xiān fā yì tiáo píngjìng de xiāoxi, zhèyàng bú huì ràng rén juéde yǒu gōngjīxìng. Start with a calm message so it does not feel aggressive.
A
这条消息可以请大家尊重共享空间。
Zhè tiáo xiāoxi kěyǐ qǐng dàjiā zūnzhòng gòngxiǎng kōngjiān. The message can ask everyone to respect the shared space.
B
用平静的措辞，避免使用“总是”和“从不”这样的词。
Yòng píngjìng de cuòcí, bìmiǎn shǐyòng zǒngshì hé cóng bù zhèyàng de cí. Use calm wording and avoid words like always and never.
A
这样能避免消息听起来像是在攻击别人。
Zhèyàng néng bìmiǎn xiāoxi tīng qǐlái xiàng shì zài gōngjī biérén. That keeps the message from sounding like an attack.
B
厨房规则明确，而且语气保持尊重时，效果会更好。
Chúfáng guīzé míngquè, érqiě yǔqì bǎochí zūnzhòng shí, xiàoguǒ huì gèng hǎo. Clear kitchen rules work better when the tone stays respectful.Word by Word
晚饭
晚饭 means dinner here, in the time expression 晚饭后. A common reuse pattern is a time expression followed by 后 to say when something happens.
后
后 means after here and follows 晚饭 to mark the time after dinner. It commonly follows a time, event, or activity to indicate what happens afterward.
共用
共用 means shared or jointly used here and describes the kitchen used by multiple people. It commonly comes before a place or resource, as in 共用厨房.
厨房
厨房 means kitchen here, the shared place being discussed. It can be used after a modifier such as 共用 to identify a particular kind of kitchen.
又
又 means again here and shows that the kitchen became messy another time. It commonly appears before the verb or result being repeated.
被
被 marks the passive construction in 被弄得很乱, showing that the kitchen was affected by someone making it messy. A common pattern is 被 followed by an action and its result.
弄
弄 means make or get something into a state here, as in making the kitchen messy. It commonly combines with an object and a result complement to describe what condition the object ends up in.
得
得 links 弄 with the result 很乱 in 被弄得很乱. This marker commonly introduces a complement that describes the result or degree of an action.
很
很 adds degree to 乱 here, making the description 很乱. It commonly comes before an adjective or state description.
乱
乱 means messy or disorderly here and describes the condition of the kitchen. It can be used after 很 to describe how disorganized something is.
我们
我们 means we or us here and refers to the people sharing responsibility for addressing the problem. It commonly appears before the action or suggestion that the group should carry out.
应该
应该 means should here and introduces the recommended action 提一下这件事. It commonly comes before a verb phrase when giving advice or expressing an obligation.
提
提 means bring up or raise here, referring to mentioning the kitchen problem. In 提一下这件事, it takes the matter as its object and is softened by 一下.
一下
一下 makes 提一下这件事 sound brief or less forceful rather than presenting a heavy confrontation. It commonly follows an action verb when the speaker wants to soften or limit the action.
这
这 means this here and points to the specific matter being discussed. It comes before 件事 to form the phrase 这件事.
件
件 is the measure word used in 这件事 for a matter or event. It commonly appears between a demonstrative or number and 事.
事
事 means matter or thing here, referring to the problem that should be brought up. In 这件事, it identifies the specific issue already under discussion.
但
但 means but here and contrasts bringing up the matter with blaming one person. It commonly connects an initial proposal with a limitation or opposing point.
不要
不要 means do not or should not here and advises against blaming someone. It commonly comes directly before the action that should be avoided.
责怪
责怪 means blame here and describes assigning fault to one person. It commonly takes a person as its object, as in 责怪某一个人.
某
某 means a certain or some here and avoids identifying a particular person by name. It commonly comes before a measure word and noun, as in 某一个人.
个
个 is the general measure word in 某一个人. It commonly appears between a number or determiner and a person or other countable noun.
人
人 means person here and identifies the possible individual who should not be blamed. In 某一个人, it follows the determiner and measure word.
也许
也许 means perhaps or maybe here and presents the reminder as a possible helpful idea rather than a firm claim. It commonly appears at the beginning of a suggestion or sentence.
提醒
提醒 means remind here and refers to giving everyone a reminder about their cleaning responsibilities. It commonly takes the person being reminded and the information being remembered in the same sentence.
大家
大家 means everyone here and refers to all the people sharing the kitchen. It is the group receiving the reminder in 提醒大家.
各自
各自 means each person's or respective here and separates the responsibilities belonging to the different people. It commonly comes before a noun to show that the noun applies separately to each person.
的
的 links 各自 with 清洁责任, marking the preceding words as a description of the responsibilities. It commonly connects a modifier with the noun it describes.
清洁
清洁 means cleaning here and describes the type of responsibilities being discussed. In 清洁责任, it comes before 责任 to specify what the responsibilities concern.
责任
责任 means responsibility here, specifically the duties related to cleaning. It commonly follows a modifier that identifies what kind of responsibility is meant.
会
会 means will here and presents being helpful as the likely result of the reminder. It commonly comes before a verb or result to describe a future or expected outcome.
有
有 contributes the idea of having or providing help in 有帮助, which means be helpful in this sentence. The pattern 有帮助 is used to say that an action or idea helps.
帮助
帮助 means help here, and 有帮助 describes the reminder as useful. It commonly appears after 有 when evaluating whether something is helpful.
提到
提到 means mention here and refers to naming dishes, counters, and trash so the message becomes specific. It commonly takes the topic or items being mentioned as its object.
餐具
餐具 means dishes or tableware here, one of the kitchen-cleaning items to mention. It is used as an item in the list 提到餐具、台面和垃圾.
台面
台面 means countertop or surface here, referring to a kitchen surface that needs attention. It appears as one item in the list of specific cleaning topics.
和
和 means and here and joins 台面 with 垃圾 in the list of cleaning topics. It commonly connects nouns or noun phrases.
垃圾
垃圾 means trash or garbage here, another specific item related to kitchen cleaning. It follows 和 as the final item in the list.
把
把 marks 内容 as the object being acted on in 把内容说具体一些. A common pattern is 把 + object + verb + result or description, focusing on what happens to the object.
内容
内容 means content here, referring to what the planned message says. In 把内容说具体一些, it is the object whose wording should become more specific.
说
说 means say or put into words here, as in expressing the content more specifically. It commonly combines with an object and a description of how the information is expressed.
具体
具体 means specific or concrete here and describes the desired level of detail in the message. It appears after 说 to show that the content should be expressed specifically.
一些
一些 means somewhat or a little here and softens 具体一些, meaning make the content a little more specific. It commonly follows an adjective to indicate a moderate increase in that quality.
先
先 means first here and marks the action that should happen before the alternative action. It commonly appears before a verb when arranging actions in order.
贴
贴 means post or put up here and refers to putting up a schedule for the shared kitchen. It commonly takes a notice, schedule, or other item being displayed as its object.
份
份 is the measure word for the schedule in 一份时间表. It commonly appears between a number or determiner and a document or organized written item.
时间表
时间表 means schedule here, the document that could organize the cleaning duties. It can follow a measure word such as 份 when referring to one schedule.
还是
还是 means or here in the alternative question about posting a schedule or talking in the group chat first. It commonly links two alternatives in a question.
在
在 marks the location in 在群聊里, meaning in the group chat. It commonly appears before a place or communication setting.
群聊
群聊 means group chat here, the place where the residents could discuss the issue. It commonly follows 在 when describing where an online conversation takes place.
里
里 means inside or in here and completes the location phrase 在群聊里. It commonly follows a place noun to mark being within that setting.
谈谈
谈谈 means talk or discuss briefly here and presents a calm discussion in the group chat. The repeated form makes the action sound lighter or less formal, and it commonly follows a place phrase such as 在群聊里.
发
发 means send or post here and refers to sending a message to the group. It commonly takes a message or other communication as its object.
条
条 is the measure word for the message in 一条平静的消息. It commonly appears between a number or determiner and a message or other item treated as a single entry.
平静
平静 means calm or peaceful here and describes the tone of the message. It comes before 消息 to specify the kind of message being sent.
消息
消息 means message here, the communication that should be sent to the group. It can be modified by 平静 and counted with 条.
这样
这样 means in this way or so here and refers to starting with a calm message. It commonly introduces the expected consequence of the way an action is done.
不会
不会 means will not here and predicts that the chosen approach will not cause an aggressive impression. It commonly comes before a verb or causative phrase to describe an expected negative result.
让
让 means make or cause here, connecting the message with the feeling it creates in people. A common pattern is 让 + person + 觉得 to say that something makes someone feel or think something.
觉得
觉得 means feel or think here, describing how people may perceive the message. In 让人觉得, it follows the person affected and introduces that person's impression.
攻击性
攻击性 means an aggressive or offensive quality here, describing how the message might be perceived. It commonly appears after 有 when saying that something has an aggressive quality.
可以
可以 means can or be suitable to here and presents the message as able to ask everyone for respectful behavior. It commonly comes before the action that is possible or acceptable.
请
请 means ask politely here and introduces the respectful request 请大家尊重共享空间. It commonly comes before the person being asked and the requested action.
尊重
尊重 means respect here and describes the behavior requested toward the shared space. It commonly takes a person, place, or principle as its object.
共享
共享 means shared or jointly used here and describes the space used by everyone. It comes before 空间 to specify that the space belongs to or is used jointly by the group.
空间
空间 means space here, specifically the shared area that everyone should respect. It follows 共享 in the phrase 共享空间.
用
用 means use here and introduces the wording used to write the message. It commonly comes before the tool, material, or manner used for an action, as in 用平静的措辞.
措辞
措辞 means wording here and refers to the words chosen for the message. It commonly follows 用 when describing the wording used to communicate something.
避免
避免 means avoid here and advises leaving out words that could make the message sound accusatory. It commonly takes an action or thing to be avoided as its object.
使用
使用 means use here and refers to using particular words in the message. It takes 总是 and 从不 as the words being avoided.
总是
总是 means always here and is presented as an absolute word that may make the message sound blaming. It commonly comes before the action or state that is said to happen every time.
从不
从不 means never here and is presented as another absolute word to avoid in the message. It commonly comes before the action or state that is said not to happen at any time.
词
词 means word here and refers to expressions such as 总是 and 从不. It commonly follows a modifier when identifying a particular type or group of words.
能
能 means can or be able to here and presents the calm wording as capable of preventing an aggressive impression. It commonly comes before the action or result that can occur.
听起来
听起来 means sound or seem from hearing here and describes how the message is perceived when people read or hear it. It commonly combines with 像 to form 听起来像, meaning sound like something.
像
像 means be like or seem like here and links the perceived sound of the message to an attack. It commonly follows 听起来 when comparing an impression with another kind of thing.
攻击
攻击 means attack here and describes the message being perceived as attacking someone. In 像是在攻击别人, it follows 在 to describe an action that the message seems to represent.
别人
别人 means other people here and refers to the people who might feel attacked by the message. It is the object of 攻击 in 攻击别人.
规则
规则 means rules here and refers to the agreed expectations for using and cleaning the kitchen. It can be modified by 明确 to describe rules that are clearly stated.
明确
明确 means clear or explicit here and describes kitchen rules that are easy to understand. It commonly comes before a noun such as 规则 to specify that the rules are clearly defined.
而且
而且 means and moreover here and adds the respectful tone as a second helpful condition. It commonly connects two related descriptions or benefits.
语气
语气 means tone here and refers to the manner in which the message sounds. It commonly appears with words describing whether communication is respectful, calm, or aggressive.
保持
保持 means maintain or keep here and describes the tone remaining respectful. It commonly takes a quality or state as its complement, as in 保持尊重.
时
时 means when here and marks the condition 保持尊重时, when the tone stays respectful. It commonly follows a clause to set the time or condition for the main result.
效果
效果 means effect or result here and refers to how well the kitchen rules work. It commonly appears with 好 or 更好 to evaluate the result of an approach.
更
更 means more or even more here and increases the comparison in 更好. It commonly comes before an adjective when comparing results or qualities.
好
好 means good or better here, with 更好 meaning work better. It commonly follows 更 when describing an improved result or quality.
Grammar Points
听起来 + 形容词
听起来很平静。
Tīng qǐlái hěn píngjìng.It sounds calm.
“听起来”后面可接形容词，描述听到的内容给人的感觉。
总是/从不 + 动词
总是保持平静。
Zǒngshì bǎochí píngjìng.Always stay calm.
频率副词通常放在动词前，表示经常或从来不做某事。
Chinese Vocabulary
餐具
noun
cānjù
dishes; tableware
共用厨房
noun
gòngyòng chúfáng
shared kitchen
很乱
adj
hěn luàn
messy
具体
adj
jùtǐ
specific
垃圾
noun
lājī
trash; garbage
清洁责任
noun
qīngjié zérèn
cleaning responsibilities
时间表
noun
shíjiānbiǎo
schedule
台面
noun
táimiàn
counter; countertop
提醒
noun
tíxǐng
reminder; remind
提一下这件事
phrase
tí yíxià zhè jiàn shì
bring this matter up
晚饭后
phrase
wǎnfàn hòu
after dinner
责怪
verb
zéguài
blame
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
shared kitchen
Show Answer
共用厨房cleaning responsibilities
Show Answer
清洁责任bring this matter up
Show Answer
提一下这件事counter; countertop