Using a Shared Laundry Room Fairly | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: In a shared laundry room, two adults discuss waiting for a machine, moving abandoned laundry fairly, and tracking cycle times..

EN → ZH / Level: B1

About This Lesson

Use Using a Shared Laundry Room Fairly to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

所有洗衣机又都有人用了。

suǒyǒu xǐyījī yòu dōu yǒurén yòng le All the washing machines are full again.
B

看看时间表，确认下一筒衣物什么时候洗完。

kànkan shíjiānbiǎo, quèrèn xià yì tǒng yīwù shénme shíhou xǐwán Check the schedule and see when the next load finishes.
A

有一台应该很快就洗好了，但启动它的那个人不在附近。

yǒu yì tái yīnggāi hěn kuài jiù xǐhǎo le, dàn qǐdòng tā de nà ge rén bú zài fùjìn One should be done soon, but the person who started it isn't around.
B

先等那个人几分钟，再移动那个人的衣物。

xiān děng nà ge rén jǐ fēnzhōng, zài yídòng nà ge rén de yīwù Give them a few minutes before moving their laundry.
A

等多久后我再移动它才算公平？

děng duōjiǔ hòu wǒ zài yídòng tā cái suàn gōngpíng How long is fair before I move it?
B

如果还有其他人在等，短暂地多等一会儿就够了。

rúguǒ hái yǒu qítā rén zài děng, duǎnzàn de duō děng yíhuìr jiù gòu le A short grace period is enough if other people are waiting.
A

我会设个提醒，这样我的衣物一洗完我就回来。

wǒ huì shè ge tíxǐng, zhèyàng wǒ de yīwù yì xǐwán wǒ jiù huílái I'll set a reminder so I come back as soon as my load is done.
B

这样也更容易对其他人提出同样的要求。

zhèyàng yě gèng róngyì duì qítā rén tíchū tóngyàng de yāoqiú That makes it easier to ask the same of everyone else.
A

如果我也把自己的衣物留在那里，就不能抱怨别人把衣物丢在那里。

rúguǒ wǒ yě bǎ zìjǐ de yīwù liú zài nàlǐ, jiù bùnéng bàoyuàn biérén bǎ yīwù diū zài nàlǐ I can't complain about abandoned laundry if I leave mine there too.
B

大家留意洗衣周期，共用洗衣房的使用就会更顺利。

dàjiā liúyì xǐyī zhōuqī, gòngyòng xǐyīfáng de shǐyòng jiù huì gèng shùnlì Shared laundry goes more smoothly when people watch the cycle times.

Word by Word

所有 所有 means “all” in 所有洗衣机, referring to the complete set of washing machines. It is placed before the noun it describes, as in 所有房间. Here it helps report that no machine is excluded from the situation.
洗衣机 洗衣机 means “washing machine,” the machines being discussed in the laundry room. It is a compound naming a machine used for washing clothes. You can reuse it with a number or classifier, as in 一台洗衣机.
又 又 means “again” in 又都有人用了, showing that the same situation has happened another time. It commonly appears before the verb or verb phrase it modifies, as in 又来了. Here it signals repeated lack of available machines.
都 都 means “all” collectively in 所有洗衣机又都有人用了. It is used after the subject phrase and before the verb phrase, as in 他们都到了. Here it emphasizes that every machine in the set is occupied.
有人 有人 means “someone” or “there are people” in 有人用了, indicating that a person has used or is occupying each machine. 有人 commonly introduces the existence or presence of a person, as in 有人等你. Here it combines with 用了 to describe the machines as already being in use.
用 用 means “use” in 有人用了, describing someone using the washing machines. It normally takes an object, such as 用洗衣机 or 用这个方法. Here it is followed by 了 because the situation of use has come about.
了 了 in 有人用了 marks a newly established situation: someone has used the machines, so they are now occupied. It follows the verb in this dialogue and presents the change as relevant now. A reusable pattern is verb plus 了 when reporting an action or state that has occurred.
看看 看看 means “take a look” or “check” in 看看时间表. The repeated form makes the request sound like a brief check rather than an elaborate inspection. It can be used before an object, as in 看看菜单, when asking someone to look at something.
时间表 时间表 means “schedule” in 看看时间表, the timetable showing when laundry cycles finish. It is a noun that can follow 看看 or 查看. You can reuse it for a timetable of trains, classes, or other scheduled events.
确认 确认 means “confirm” in 确认下一筒衣物什么时候洗完, asking someone to establish the finishing time with certainty. It can be followed by information to be confirmed, as in 确认时间. Here it introduces the question 下一筒衣物什么时候洗完.
下一 下一 means “next” in 下一筒衣物, identifying the load that comes after the current one in the sequence. It is placed before the classifier and noun, as in 下一个问题. Here it does not stand alone; it helps specify the next load of laundry.
筒 筒 is the classifier for a load of laundry in 下一筒衣物. It counts the laundry contained in one machine or one load, rather than counting individual clothes. A reusable pattern is 一筒衣物 or 下一筒衣物.
衣物 衣物 means “clothing” or “laundry” in 下一筒衣物. It refers to the clothes being washed, not to the machine itself. It can be used after words such as 洗 or 收拾 when discussing clothing as a group.
什么时候 什么时候 means “when” in 确认下一筒衣物什么时候洗完, asking for the time at which the load will finish washing. It appears before the verb or event being questioned, as in 你什么时候回来. Here it asks about the completion of the laundry cycle.
洗完 洗完 means “finish washing” or “be washed completely” in 什么时候洗完. 洗 describes washing and 完 shows that the washing reaches completion. You can reuse this verb-complement pattern with an object, as in 洗完衣服.
有 有 means “there is” in 有一台, introducing the existence of one machine with the relevant status. It is followed here by a number and classifier, as in 有两个人. This pattern is useful when pointing out that something or someone exists in a place or situation.
台 台 is the classifier for a machine in 有一台. It is used with equipment such as washing machines, computers, or televisions. The reusable pattern is number plus 台 plus machine noun, as in 一台洗衣机.
应该 应该 means “should” or “is expected to” in 应该很快就洗好了, expressing an expectation about the machine’s completion. It usually comes before the verb or description it applies to, as in 应该到了. Here the expectation is based on the cycle being nearly finished.
很快 很快 means “soon” in 很快就洗好了, indicating that the washing will finish after only a short time. It can describe something happening soon or happening quickly, depending on context. Here it works with 就 to emphasize the expected near completion.
就 就 in 很快就洗好了 means “then” or “right away,” linking the short waiting time to the expected result. It commonly appears before the verb or result that follows a condition or time phrase, as in 到家就打电话. Here it makes the expected completion feel immediate.
洗好 洗好 means “finish washing” or “be washed and ready” in 很快就洗好了. 洗 gives the washing action and 好 shows that the result is satisfactory or complete. You can reuse the pattern verb plus 好 when an action produces a ready state, as in 准备好.
但 但 means “but” in 但启动它的那个人不在附近, introducing information that contrasts with the expected completed wash. It connects two clauses, as in 我想去，但没有时间. Here it shifts from the machine’s expected status to the person’s absence.
启动 启动 means “start” or “activate” in 启动它的那个人, describing the person who started the machine. It normally takes an object such as a machine or program, as in 启动电脑. Here it appears before 的 and identifies which person is being discussed.
它 它 means “it” in 启动它, referring to the washing machine. It is used as the object of 启动, so the machine is the thing being started. You can reuse 它 when the non-human object is already clear from the conversation.
的 的 connects 启动它 with 那个人 in 启动它的那个人, making the first part describe the person. The whole phrase means “the person who started it.” A reusable pattern is verb phrase plus 的 plus noun, as in 我认识的老师.
那 那 means “that” in 那个人, pointing to a particular person already identified by the surrounding context. It appears before the classifier and noun, as in 那台机器. Here it helps single out the person associated with the machine.
个 个 is the general classifier in 那个人. It is placed between 那 and 人 to form the phrase “that person.” It is also commonly used with many people or objects when a more specific classifier is not needed.
人 人 means “person” in 那个人 and refers to the person who started the machine. It follows the classifier 个 in this phrase. You can reuse it in expressions such as 一个人 or 其他人.
不 不 means “not” in 不在附近, negating the person’s current presence nearby. It comes before 在 and the location phrase. A reusable pattern is 不在加 place, meaning that someone is not at a particular location.
在 在 in 不在附近 describes being located at or near a place. Here it is negated by 不 and followed by 附近. You can reuse 在 with a location, as in 在家 or 在办公室.
附近 附近 means “nearby” in 不在附近, referring to the area around the laundry machines. It can function as a location after 在, as in 在附近. Here it explains that the person who started the machine cannot be found close by.
先 先 means “first” or “for now” in 先等那个人几分钟, telling the listener to wait before taking the next action. It commonly appears before the first action in a sequence, as in 先吃饭再走. Here it makes waiting the immediate priority.
等 等 means “wait” in 等那个人几分钟, with 那个人 as the person being waited for. It can be followed by a person, time period, or event, as in 等十分钟. Here it describes waiting before moving the laundry.
几 几 means “a few” in 几分钟, indicating a small, unspecified number of minutes. It comes before the measure word 分钟. The same pattern is useful with other countable periods or objects, such as 几天 or 几个人.
分钟 分钟 means “minute” in 几分钟, measuring the short waiting period. It follows the quantity word 几 in this phrase. You can reuse it with numbers or time questions, as in 五分钟 or 多长时间.
再 再 means “then” or “afterward” in 再移动那个人的衣物, placing the moving action after the waiting action. It commonly marks a later action in a sequence, as in 先看说明再开始. Here it shows that the laundry should not be moved immediately.
移动 移动 means “move” in 移动那个人的衣物, referring to changing the laundry’s location. It takes the laundry as its object here. You can reuse it for physically moving an object, as in 移动桌子.
多久 多久 means “how long” in 等多久后, asking about the length of the waiting period. It commonly follows a verb such as 等 or 需要, as in 你要等多久. Here it asks when moving the laundry would become acceptable.
后 后 means “after” in 等多久后, marking the point after the stated amount of time has passed. It follows a time expression, as in 三天后. Here it links the waiting period to the later action of moving the laundry.
我 我 means “I” or “me” in 我再移动它, referring to the speaker as the person who may move the laundry. It is the subject of the later action. It can be used before a verb, as in 我等你.
才 才 means “only then” or “not until” in 才算公平, showing that fairness is reached only after the relevant waiting time. It often emphasizes a required condition or delay before a result is accepted, as in 这样才可以. Here it makes the timing of moving the laundry the condition for fairness.
算 算 means “count as” or “be considered” in 算公平, asking whether the action qualifies as fair. It is followed by the description used for the judgment. A reusable pattern is 算 plus an evaluation, as in 算成功.
公平 公平 means “fair” in 才算公平, describing a treatment that respects the people waiting for the machine. It can be used after 算 or as a direct evaluation, as in 这样不公平. Here it evaluates the timing of moving someone else’s laundry.
如果 如果 means “if” in 如果还有其他人在等, introducing the condition under which the grace period is considered enough. It commonly begins a conditional clause, often followed by a result clause, as in 如果下雨，就不去. Here the condition is that other people are waiting.
还 还 means “still” in 还有其他人在等, indicating that other people continue to be present and waiting. It appears before 有 in this phrase. A reusable pattern is 还在 plus a verb or location when a situation continues.
其他 其他 means “other” in 其他人, referring to people besides the person currently being discussed. It comes before the noun it modifies, as in 其他问题. Here it identifies additional people waiting for a machine.
短暂 短暂 means “short” or “brief” in 短暂地多等一会儿, describing the limited length of the extra wait. It modifies the waiting action through 地. You can reuse it with periods or experiences that do not last long, such as 短暂的休息.
地 地 in 短暂地多等一会儿 turns 短暂 into a manner description for the following action. It shows that the waiting is done briefly. A reusable pattern is adjective plus 地 plus verb when describing how an action is carried out.
多 多 means “more” in 多等一会儿, asking someone to wait an additional amount of time. It comes before the verb 等 and combines with 一会儿 to express a little extra waiting. A reusable pattern is 多加一点 or 多看一会儿 when requesting an additional amount.
一会儿 一会儿 means “a little while” in 多等一会儿, referring to a short, unspecified period. In this expression, 一 contributes the sense of one small amount and 会儿 refers to a short span of time; together they form the time expression 一会儿. It can follow a verb, as in 等一会儿, when asking someone to wait briefly.
够 够 means “be enough” in 就够了, saying that the short additional wait meets the requirement. It commonly follows the amount or action that is sufficient, as in 这些就够了. Here it evaluates the grace period as sufficient for the people waiting.
会 会 means “will” in 我会设个提醒, presenting setting a reminder as the speaker’s planned action. It comes before the verb it applies to, as in 会回来. Here it refers to a future intention connected with managing the laundry cycle.
设 设 means “set” in 设个提醒, referring to creating or arranging a reminder. It takes 提醒 as its object and is followed by the classifier 个 in this dialogue. You can reuse it with alarms or reminders, as in 设闹钟.
提醒 提醒 means “reminder” in 设个提醒, something arranged to prompt the speaker to return. It can also describe the act of reminding someone, but here it is the object being set. A reusable pattern is 设提醒 or 提醒某人 when discussing prompts and reminders.
这样 这样 means “this way” in 这样我就回来, referring to the plan of setting a reminder. It introduces the result made possible by the preceding action. You can reuse 这样 plus a clause to explain how a method leads to an outcome.
一 一 in 一洗完我就回来 is the first part of the 一……就…… pattern, meaning “as soon as” when paired with 就. It introduces the event that must finish first: the laundry being washed. The reusable pattern is 一 plus event plus 就 plus result, as in 一到家就休息.
回来 回来 means “come back” in 我就回来, describing movement back to the laundry room or relevant place. 来 shows movement toward the speaker’s reference point, while 回 indicates returning. It can follow a time or condition phrase, as in 下班后回来.
也 也 means “also” in 这样也更容易, adding this result to the fairness principle being discussed. It usually appears before the verb or adjective phrase it applies to, as in 我也知道. Here it says that setting a reminder also makes the later request easier.
更 更 means “more” or “even more” in 更容易, marking a comparison with the situation without the reminder. It comes before the adjective 容易. A reusable pattern is 更 plus an adjective, as in 更方便.
容易 容易 means “easy” in 更容易对其他人提出同样的要求, describing how simple it becomes to make the same request. It can be followed by 对 plus a person and an action, as in 容易理解. Here it evaluates the practical effect of following the same rule oneself.
对 对 means “to” or “toward” in 对其他人提出同样的要求, identifying the people who receive the request. It commonly appears before a person or group with verbs of communication or attitude, as in 对大家说明. Here it introduces 其他人 as the target of the request.
提出 提出 means “put forward” or “make” in 提出同样的要求, describing the act of making a request explicit. It commonly takes 要求, 建议, or 问题 as its object. Here it is used with 对 plus the people being addressed.
同样 同样 means “the same” in 同样的要求, showing that the request made to others matches the speaker’s own expected behavior. It appears before 的 and the noun it describes. You can reuse it to compare actions or standards, as in 做同样的事.
要求 要求 means “request” or “requirement” in 提出同样的要求, referring to the standard that others should also follow. It can be the object of 提出, as here, or describe a demand placed on someone. The reusable pattern 提出要求 means to make a request or requirement.
把 把 in 把自己的衣物留在那里 places 自己的衣物 before the verb phrase and highlights what happens to it. The pattern is 把 plus object plus verb phrase, as in 把书放在桌上. Here it emphasizes leaving the speaker’s own laundry there.
自己 自己 means “oneself” or “one’s own” in 自己的衣物, referring back to the speaker. With 的, it identifies the clothes belonging to the speaker. It can be used before 的 to mark possession, as in 自己的东西.
留 留 means “leave” or “keep” in 留在那里, describing leaving the laundry in that place instead of taking it away. It is followed by the location 那里 in this dialogue. A reusable pattern is 留在 plus a place, as in 留在家里.
那里 那里 means “there” in 留在那里, pointing to the location where the laundry is left. It follows 在 and functions as the place of the action. You can reuse it when the location is already understood, as in 放在那里.
能 能 means “can” or “be able to” in 不能抱怨, indicating that the speaker is not in a position to complain consistently. It comes before the verb it modifies. A reusable pattern is 不能 plus an action when an ability or acceptable basis is absent.
抱怨 抱怨 means “complain” in 不能抱怨别人把衣物丢在那里, referring to expressing dissatisfaction about other people’s behavior. It can be followed by the person or situation being complained about, as in 抱怨工作太多. Here the complaint concerns abandoned laundry.
别人 别人 means “other people” in 抱怨别人把衣物丢在那里, referring to people other than the speaker. It functions as the person whose action is being discussed. You can reuse it before a verb, as in 别人怎么看.
丢 丢 means “leave behind” or “abandon” in 丢在那里, presenting the laundry as left in place without being collected. It is followed by the location 那里 in this dialogue. Here it describes the behavior being criticized, not necessarily throwing the clothes away.
大家 大家 means “everyone” or “everybody” in 大家留意洗衣周期, addressing all users of the shared laundry room as a group. It commonly appears as the subject before a shared action, as in 大家一起看. Here it broadens the responsibility beyond the two speakers.
留意 留意 means “pay attention to” or “keep track of” in 留意洗衣周期, asking people to notice the progress of the washing cycle. It is followed by the thing receiving attention, as in 留意时间. Here it supports timely collection of laundry.
洗衣 洗衣 means “laundry” or “doing laundry” in 洗衣周期 and 洗衣房. Here it specifies that the cycle and room are related to washing clothes. It combines with a following noun to form terms such as 洗衣机 and 洗衣房.
周期 周期 means “cycle” in 洗衣周期, referring to the repeated time span from starting a wash to its completion. It follows 洗衣 to specify the type of cycle. You can reuse it for any recurring process whose duration or stages are being tracked.
共用 共用 means “share” or “use jointly” in 共用洗衣房, describing a facility used by multiple people. It appears before the place being shared. A reusable pattern is 共用加 a resource, such as 共用空间.
洗衣房 洗衣房 means “laundry room” in 共用洗衣房, the shared place containing the washing machines. It is a compound naming a room for doing laundry. You can use it after 在 or 去, as in 在洗衣房.
使用 使用 means “use” or “usage” in 洗衣房的使用, referring to how the shared laundry room is used. With 的, it forms a noun phrase about the use of the room. It can also be used as a verb before an object, as in 使用机器.
顺利 顺利 means “smoothly” in 使用就会更顺利, describing the shared laundry process as proceeding without unnecessary problems. It follows 更 to show an improved result. You can reuse it for an activity or process, as in 工作顺利进行.

Grammar Points

同样的 + 名词

同样的要求

tóngyàng de yāoqiú

the same request

的 links a description to a noun, like “same” modifying “request”.

动词 + 完

洗完

xǐwán

finish washing

完 after a verb shows that the action has been completed.

Chinese Vocabulary

短暂 adj
duǎnzàn short or brief
多等一会儿 phrase
duō děng yíhuìr to wait a little longer
附近 adv
fùjìn nearby
公平 adj
gōngpíng fair
启动 verb
qǐdòng to start or turn on
确认 verb
quèrèn to confirm
时间表 noun
shíjiānbiǎo schedule
洗完 verb
xǐwán to finish washing
洗衣机 noun
xǐyījī washing machine
下一筒衣物 noun
xià yí tǒng yīwù the next load of laundry
衣物 noun
yīwù clothing or laundry
移动 verb
yídòng to move

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

the next load of laundry

Show Answer下一筒衣物

to wait a little longer

Show Answer多等一会儿

to move

Show Answer移动

schedule

Show Answer时间表