Sharing gym equipment politely | Learn Chinese in English

About This Lesson

Use Sharing gym equipment politely to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

有人已经用了跑步机很长时间了。

Yǒu rén yǐjīng yòng le pǎobùjī hěn cháng shíjiān le. Someone has been using the treadmill for a long time.

标牌上写着，别人等着的时候，大家应该轮流使用。

Biāopái shàng xiězhe, biérén děngzhe de shíhou, dàjiā yīnggāi lúnliú shǐyòng. The sign says people should share it when others are waiting.

我应该问问对方吗，还是那样会显得没礼貌？

Wǒ yīnggāi wènwen duìfāng ma, háishì nàyàng huì xiǎnde méi lǐmào? Should I ask them, or would that seem rude?

礼貌地问一下，说你正在等着轮到你。

Lǐmào de wèn yíxià, shuō nǐ zhèngzài děngzhe lún dào nǐ. Ask politely and say you're waiting for a turn.

我可以说：“不好意思，请问您快用完跑步机了吗？”

Wǒ kěyǐ shuō: "Bù hǎoyìsi, qǐngwèn nín kuài yòngwán pǎobùjī le ma?" I can say, "Excuse me, are you almost finished with the treadmill?"

这样说得很清楚，也不会给对方太大压力。

Zhèyàng shuō de hěn qīngchu, yě bú huì gěi duìfāng tài dà yālì. That sounds clear without putting too much pressure on them.

如果对方还需要一点时间，我可以等一会儿，也可以用另一台器械。

Rúguǒ duìfāng hái xūyào yìdiǎn shíjiān, wǒ kěyǐ děng yíhuìr, yě kěyǐ yòng lìng yì tái qìxiè. If they need more time, I can wait or use another machine.

这样既能让大家共享器械，也不会引起争吵。

Zhèyàng jì néng ràng dàjiā gòngxiǎng qìxiè, yě bú huì yǐnqǐ zhēngchǎo. That keeps the equipment shared without starting an argument.

Word by Word

有人 “有人” means “someone” in “有人已经用了跑步机很长时间了”, referring to an unspecified person. Use it when the person’s identity is not important or not known.

已经 “已经” means “already” in “已经用了跑步机”, showing that the use has begun before the current point. It commonly comes before the verb phrase whose earlier occurrence is being highlighted.

用 “用” means “use”; in “用了跑步机”, it describes using the treadmill. It comes before the object being used, with “跑步机” as the object here.

了 The form “了” appears twice in “有人已经用了跑步机很长时间了”. After “用”, it presents the use as an achieved action, while the final “了” presents the situation as true up to now.

跑步机 “跑步机” means “treadmill”, the piece of gym equipment being used. It can follow a verb such as “用” or “用完” when talking about using or finishing with the treadmill.

很 “很” marks a high degree in “很长时间”, making the duration “a very long time”. It commonly comes before a describing word, as it does before “长” here.

长 “长” means “long” in “很长时间”, describing the duration of the treadmill use. Together with “时间”, it describes how extended something is.

时间 “时间” means “time” in “很长时间”, the period during which the treadmill has been used. It follows a duration description such as “很长” here.

标牌 “标牌” means “sign” in “标牌上写着”, referring to the posted notice in the gym. It can be followed by a location expression to identify where written information appears.

上 “上” means “on” in “标牌上”, locating the written information on the sign. This use places information or an event on a surface or location.

写 “写” means “write” in “标牌上写着”, where it refers to information being displayed in writing. The phrase “标牌上写着” introduces what a sign says.

着 “着” in “写着” presents the writing as a continuing state: the information remains displayed on the sign. It follows “写” here and focuses on the current written condition.

别人 “别人” means “other people” in “别人等着的时候”, referring to people other than the person currently using the treadmill. It is useful when contrasting one person with the surrounding people.

等 “等” means “wait” in “别人等着”, describing what the other people are doing. With “着” here, it describes waiting as an ongoing situation.

的 The “的” in “别人等着的时候” links the situation of other people waiting to “时候”. The whole phrase means “when other people are waiting”; “的” helps form that time expression.

时候 “时候” means “time” or “when” in “别人等着的时候”. It follows the situation being used to specify when something happens.

大家 “大家” means “everyone” in “大家应该轮流使用”, referring to all the people sharing the equipment. It is used when addressing or describing a group as a whole.

应该 “应该” means “should” in “大家应该轮流使用”, expressing advice or an expected action. It can come before an action phrase that someone is advised or expected to do.

轮流 “轮流” means “take turns” in “轮流使用”, showing that people use the equipment one after another rather than at the same time. It commonly comes before the shared action.

使用 “使用” means “use” in “轮流使用”, referring to operating or making use of the equipment. It follows “轮流” here to describe taking turns using something.

我 “我” means “I” or “me” in “我应该问问对方吗”, referring to the speaker. It appears before the action the speaker is considering.

问问 “问问” means “ask briefly” or “ask a little” in “我应该问问对方吗”. The repeated form presents the action as limited and light, which suits a polite inquiry.

对方 “对方” means “the other person” in “问问对方”, identifying the person being addressed or asked. It is useful when referring to the other side of an interaction without naming that person.

吗 “吗” marks a yes-or-no question at the end of “我应该问问对方吗”. It turns the preceding statement into a request for confirmation or an answer.

还是 “还是” means “or” in “还是那样会显得没礼貌”, introducing the alternative possibility after the first question. It is useful for presenting two possible choices or outcomes.

那样 “那样” means “that way” in “那样会显得没礼貌”, referring back to the proposed way of asking. It lets the speaker evaluate an action or manner already mentioned.

会 “会” in “会显得没礼貌” expresses a possible result: the action might seem rude. The same form also appears in “不会引起争吵”, where “不” negates that possible result.

显得 “显得” means “seem” or “appear” in “显得没礼貌”, describing the impression an action gives. It is followed here by the quality being attributed to the action.

没 “没” in “没礼貌” means “not having” politeness, so the phrase describes something as rude. It appears directly before “礼貌” in this description.

礼貌 “礼貌” refers to politeness in “没礼貌” and “礼貌地问一下”. In the first phrase it describes a lack of politeness, while in the second it describes the manner of asking.

地 “地” in “礼貌地问一下” links “礼貌” to the action “问”, making the manner of asking explicit. It commonly follows a describing word before the action it modifies.

问 “问” means “ask” in “礼貌地问一下”. It names the brief question or request being made to another person.

一下 “一下” in “问一下” presents the action as brief or light. After a verb, it can make a request sound less imposing, which fits this polite situation.

说 “说” means “say” in “说你正在等着轮到你”, introducing the words the speaker should use. It can be followed by the content that someone is asked to say.

你 “你” means “you” in “你正在等着轮到你”, referring to the person whose turn is being discussed. It appears before the action or situation connected with that person.

正在 “正在” shows that an action is in progress in “正在等着”. It comes before the action phrase when the speaker focuses on what is happening at that moment.

轮到 “轮到” means that it is someone’s turn in “轮到你”. The person whose turn it is follows this expression, as “你” does here.

可以 “可以” means “can” or “may” in “我可以说”, showing that the speaker is able or permitted to use the suggested words. It commonly comes before the action that is possible.

不好意思 “不好意思” is a polite expression meaning “excuse me” or “sorry” in “不好意思，请问您快用完跑步机了吗？”. Within the expression, “不” contributes “not”, “好” contributes “good”, and “意思” contributes a sense of feeling or intention; together they form the polite attention-getter rather than a literal word-by-word message.

请问 “请问” is a polite way to introduce a question in “请问您快用完跑步机了吗？”. “请” contributes the polite request element and “问” contributes asking; together they politely get the other person’s attention before the question.

您 “您” means “you” in “请问您快用完跑步机了吗？”, addressing the other person respectfully. It is used here in a direct, polite question to the person using the treadmill.

快 “快” means “almost” or “soon” in “快用完跑步机了吗？”, asking whether the person is nearly finished. It comes before the action phrase whose completion is approaching.

用完 “用完” means “finish using” in “用完跑步机”, with “完” showing completion of the use. It is followed here by the equipment that the person is finishing with.

这样 “这样” means “this way” in “这样说得很清楚”, referring to the wording or manner just suggested. It is useful when evaluating the result of a particular way of doing or saying something.

得 The “得” in “说得很清楚” links the action “说” with the description “很清楚”. It introduces a complement describing how clearly the speaking is done.

清楚 “清楚” means “clear” in “说得很清楚”, describing the message as easy to understand. It follows “得” here to describe the result or quality of speaking.

也 “也” means “also” or “and” in “也不会给对方太大压力”. It adds a second result to the first result, showing that the wording is clear as well as gentle.

不 “不” marks negation in “不会给对方太大压力” and “不会引起争吵”. It comes before “会” here to deny or avoid a possible result; it is also part of the fixed expression “不好意思”.

给 “给” means “give” or “put on someone” in “给对方太大压力”, describing pressure being placed on the other person. It comes before the person affected by the pressure.

太 “太” means “too” or “overly” in “太大压力”, showing that the amount is greater than is appropriate. It comes before “大” to intensify the description.

大 “大” means “great” or “large” in “太大压力”, describing the amount of pressure. Together with “太”, it means that the pressure would be excessive.

压力 “压力” means “pressure” in “给对方太大压力”, referring to the social pressure placed on the person using the treadmill. It follows the amount description “太大” here.

如果 “如果” means “if” in “如果对方还需要一点时间”, introducing a possible condition. It comes before the situation that determines what happens next.

还 “还” means “still” in “还需要一点时间”, showing that the other person continues to need some additional time. It appears before the verb phrase describing that continuing need.

需要 “需要” means “need” in “还需要一点时间”, describing the amount of time the other person requires. It is followed by the thing needed, “一点时间”.

一点 “一点” means “a little” in “一点时间”, indicating a small amount of time. It comes before “时间” to describe how much time is needed.

一会儿 “一会儿” means “a while” in “等一会儿”, referring to a short period of waiting. It can follow an action such as waiting to specify its duration.

另 “另” means “another” in “另一台器械”, introducing an option different from the treadmill already being used. It comes before the quantity phrase that identifies the alternative item.

一 “一” means “one” or “a” in “另一台器械”, identifying one alternative machine. Here it occurs between “另” and the measure word “台”.

台 “台” is the measure word used for machines in “另一台器械”. It appears between the number or quantity expression and the machine being counted.

器械 “器械” means “equipment” or “apparatus” in “另一台器械”, referring to another piece of gym equipment. It follows the quantity phrase “另一台”.

既 “既” introduces the first of two linked results in “既能让大家共享器械，也不会引起争吵”. It is paired with “也” to present both benefits together.

能 “能” means “can” in “既能让大家共享器械”, showing that the approach is capable of producing the stated result. It comes before the action or result it enables.

让 “让” means “let” or “make possible” in “让大家共享器械”, showing that the approach allows everyone to share the equipment. The people affected, “大家”, follow it before the resulting action.

共享 “共享” means “share” in “共享器械”, referring to people using the equipment cooperatively. It comes before the shared object “器械” here.

引起 “引起” means “cause” or “lead to” in “不会引起争吵”, describing an event producing a result. It is followed by the result, “争吵”, in this sentence.

争吵 “争吵” means “argument” or “quarrel” in “不会引起争吵”, referring to the conflict that the polite approach avoids. It follows “引起” as the possible result being discussed.

Grammar Points

已经……了

有人已经用完跑步机了。

Yǒu rén yǐjīng yòngwán pǎobùjī le.

Someone has already finished using the treadmill.

“已经”表示动作已发生，句末常用“了”表示状态变化或事情完成。

轮到 + 人 + 动词 + 了

轮到你使用跑步机了。

Lún dào nǐ shǐyòng pǎobùjī le.

It is your turn to use the treadmill.

“轮到”后面接轮到的人和动作，表示按顺序该某人做某事了。

Chinese Vocabulary

标牌 noun

biāopái sign

对方 pron

duìfāng the other person; the other party

很长时间 phrase

hěn cháng shíjiān a long time

礼貌地 adv

lǐmào de politely

轮流 adv

lúnliú take turns; in turns

没礼貌 adj

méi lǐmào rude; impolite

跑步机 noun

pǎobùjī treadmill

使用 verb

shǐyòng to use

问问 verb

wènwen ask; ask a question

显得 verb

xiǎnde to seem; to appear

已经 adv

yǐjīng already

有人 pron

yǒu rén someone; somebody

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

a long time

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很长时间

the other person; the other party

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对方

already

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已经

sign

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标牌