Adjusting a Shared Spreadsheet for Clarity | Learn Chinese in English

Sentence explanations

1. 你的屏幕看得见，不过电子表格里的文字看起来有点小。

   Your screen is visible, but the spreadsheet text looks rather small.

   你的

   your

   屏幕

   screen

   看得见

   be visible

   不过

   but; however

   电子表格

   spreadsheet

   里

   in; inside

   文字

   text; writing

   看起来

   look; appear

   有点

   rather; a little

   小

   small

   More detail

   你的 means “your” here: 你 is “you,” and 的 links the possessor to the following noun. The same pattern is reusable with other nouns, for example 我的手机 means “my phone.” 屏幕 means “screen.” It is a noun for a display surface, as in 手机屏幕 (“phone screen”). 看得见 means “can be seen” or “be visible” here. The pattern 看得见 expresses that something is visible, while 看不见 expresses that it cannot be seen. For example, 我看得见字。 means “I can see the characters.” In this sentence, the visible item is the screen, not the person doing the seeing. 不过 introduces a contrast and means “but” or “however.” It connects the statement about the screen with the different observation about the text. It can also begin a contrasting sentence, as in 不过，我有时间。 (“However, I have time.”) 电子表格 means “spreadsheet.” 电子 means “electronic,” and 表格 means “table or form,” but 电子表格 is best learned as the established noun “spreadsheet.” 里 means “in” or “inside” and marks an interior location. 电子表格里的文字 therefore means “the text in the spreadsheet”: 里的 links the location to the noun that follows. For example, 盒子里的书 means “the book in the box.” 文字 means “text” or “written characters.” It refers to writing as content, rather than to the physical display itself. For example, 屏幕上的文字 means “the text on the screen.” 看起来 means “look” or “appear” when describing how something seems. The pattern 看起来 + adjective describes an appearance or impression, as in 这件衣服看起来很新。 (“These clothes look new.”) Here, 看起来 describes the apparent size of the text; it does not mean that the text is literally performing an act of looking. 有点 means “a little” or “rather” before a description, often indicating a noticeable but limited degree. For example, 今天有点冷。 means “It is a little cold today.” It modifies the following description, 小, rather than the noun 文字 itself. 小 means “small.” In this sentence it describes the apparent size of the text. Its basic comparison pattern is 小 (“small”), 更小 (“smaller”), and 最小 (“smallest”), although the sentence itself makes no comparison with another size. Together, 电子表格里的文字 identifies “the text in the spreadsheet,” and 看起来有点小 says that this text appears somewhat small. The full contrast is: 你的屏幕看得见，不过电子表格里的文字看起来有点小。 — “Your screen is visible, but the spreadsheet text looks rather small.”

2. 不过，我可以把画面放大。

   I can zoom in, though.

   不过

   though; however

   我

   I

   可以

   can; be able to

   画面

   image; view

   放大

   zoom in; enlarge

   More detail

   不过 comes first and sets a contrast with the preceding situation: “however” or “though.” Here it introduces a possible helpful action despite the text being small. At the end of a sentence, 不过 can also mean “though,” but its position here is sentence-initial. 我 means “I” and is the speaker. It is a first-person singular pronoun; it does not change form for grammatical gender or case. Example: 我是学生。 — “I am a student.” 可以 expresses that the speaker is able or permitted to do something. In this sentence it combines with the following action, rather than asserting that the action has already happened. A useful pattern is 可以 + verb, as in 你可以坐这里。 — “You can sit here.” 画面 refers here to the visible image or display area. 画 can relate to a picture or image, while 画面 commonly refers to what is shown on a screen or in a visual scene. Example: 画面很清楚。 — “The image is very clear.” 放大 means “enlarge” or “zoom in.” It is a verb formed from 放 “put/place” and 大 “big,” but as 放大 it functions as one lexical verb meaning to make a visual item larger. The opposite operation is commonly 缩小, “zoom out” or “shrink.” Example: 请把地图放大。 — “Please zoom in on the map.” The sequence 把画面放大 uses the 把 construction: 把 + object + verb. It presents 画面 as the object acted on and 放大 as the action that changes its displayed size. The sentence therefore means that the speaker can make the visual display larger, not merely that the display is already large. Putting the parts together, 不过 marks the contrast, 我可以 says that the speaker has the ability or option, and 把画面放大 specifies the action and its object: “I can zoom in, though.”

3. 这样可能会让几列移出可视范围。

   It may push a few columns out of view.

   这样

   this way; like this

   可能会

   may; might

   让

   make; cause

   几列

   a few columns

   移出

   move out of

   可视范围

   visible range

   More detail

   这样 means “this way” or “like this.” In this sentence it points to the way of displaying the material under discussion, without independently naming a specific object. A reusable pattern is 这样 + clause: “In this way, …” 可能会 expresses a possible future or resulting situation: “may” or “might.” 可能 marks possibility, while 会 presents the anticipated result; together they make the statement cautious rather than certain. For example, 这样可能会有问题。 means “This might cause problems.” 让 is a causative verb meaning “make” or “cause” someone or something to undergo a result. The pattern 让 + object + verb/result is reusable. Here, it introduces the columns as the things that end up moving out of view; it does not mean “allow” in this sentence. Example: 这会让文字变大。 — “This will make the text larger.” 几列 means “a few columns.” 几 indicates a small, unspecified number, and 列 is the measure word used for columns. The phrase does not identify exactly how many columns. In another context, 几列数据 means “a few columns of data.” 移出 means “move out of” or “move outside.” 移 is the verb “move,” and 出 indicates movement from an interior area to the outside. The directional pattern 移出 + place/range is reusable: 把图标移出窗口。 — “Move the icon out of the window.” 可视范围 means “visible range” or “area currently in view.” 可视 describes what can be seen, and 范围 means “range” or “scope.” Together, the phrase names the viewing boundary, not the columns themselves. For example, 按钮在可视范围内。 means “The button is within the visible range.” Putting the parts together, 这样 identifies the relevant way of displaying the material, 可能会 marks the result as possible, and 让几列移出可视范围 says that it can cause a few columns to move outside the area currently visible. The complete meaning is: “This way may push a few columns out of view.”

4. 只要关键数据保持可见，这样就可以。

   That works as long as the key figures stay visible.

   只要

   as long as

   关键数据

   key figures

   保持

   stay; remain

   可见

   visible

   这样就可以

   that works

   More detail

   只要 introduces a sufficient condition: “as long as…” or “provided that…”. It says that the condition that follows is enough for the result; it does not by itself assert a numeric quantity. A reusable pattern is 只要 A，就 B. Example: 只要你愿意，就可以参加。 — “As long as you are willing, you can participate.” 关键数据 means “the key figures/data” here. 关键 means “key” or “crucial”; it identifies the information as especially important. 数据 means “data” and can refer to numerical figures in a work or display context. Together, this noun phrase is the subject of the condition. 保持 means “to remain” or “to keep something in a state.” Here it is followed by 可见, so the key data remain in the state of being visible. A useful pattern is 保持 + adjective/state, as in 保持安静 — “remain quiet.” 可见 means “visible” or “able to be seen.” It describes the state that must continue. In this sentence, it is not the data that actively performs an action; the meaning is that the data continue to be visible. 这样就可以 means “that works” or “then that is okay” in this context. 这样 refers to the way or arrangement under discussion, without requiring a more specific referent here. 就 marks the result that follows once the condition is met, and 可以 expresses that the arrangement is acceptable or workable here. The phrase is a useful way to state that a proposed setup meets the requirement. Combining the parts, 只要关键数据保持可见 gives the condition “as long as the key figures stay visible.” 这样就可以 gives the result “that works.” The complete utterance therefore means: “That works as long as the key figures stay visible.”

5. 那样的话，我会先放差异部分。

   In that case, I'll put the variance section first.

   那样的话

   in that case

   我会

   I will / I’ll

   先

   first

   放

   put

   差异

   difference; variance

   部分

   part; section

   More detail

   那样的话 means “in that case.” 那样 refers to a previously established situation or manner, while 的话 turns the phrase into a condition: “if that is so” or “in that case.” Example: 那样的话，我们明天再讨论。 — “In that case, we’ll discuss it tomorrow.” 我会 means “I will” or “I’ll” here. 我 is the first-person pronoun “I”; it does not change for number or gender. 会 commonly marks a future expectation, plan, or likely result. In this sentence, it presents the speaker’s intended action. Example: 我会先看数据。 — “I’ll look at the data first.” 先 is an adverb meaning “first” or “before doing something else.” It comes before the action it modifies. Example: 先听，再回答。 — “Listen first, then answer.” 放 is the verb “to put” or “to place.” Its form does not change for person or time; surrounding words such as 我会 provide the relevant information. Here it means placing the section in a chosen order or position. Example: 请把文件放在桌上。 — “Please put the file on the table.” 差异 is a noun meaning “difference” or “variance,” especially a difference between items, figures, or results. Example: 两种方案有差异。 — “The two plans have differences.” 部分 is a noun meaning “part” or “section.” In 差异部分, it follows 差异 and forms a compact noun phrase meaning “the variance section” or “the part concerning differences.” Example: 这一部分很重要。 — “This section is important.” Together, 那样的话 sets the condition, 我会 states the speaker’s intended future action, and 先 places that action before another implied action. 放差异部分 means “put the variance section,” with 先 specifying that it will be placed first. The whole utterance therefore means: “In that case, I’ll put the variance section first.”

6. 这些数据支持这个观点，但解释需要更多背景信息。

   The figures support the point, but the explanation needs more context.

   这些

   these

   数据

   data; figures

   支持

   support

   这个

   this

   观点

   point; viewpoint

   但

   but

   解释

   explanation

   需要

   need

   更多

   more; additional

   背景信息

   background information; context

   More detail

   这些 means “these” and points to a set of things. In Chinese, 这 indicates proximity and 些 indicates an unspecified plural or group-like amount; together, 这些 commonly comes before a noun: 这些问题 means “these questions.” Example: 这些文件很重要。— “These documents are important.” The source does not identify exactly which items the speaker is pointing to. 数据 means “data” or, in this context, “figures.” It is a noun and can refer to information treated as a set; the demonstrative phrase 这些数据 makes the reference to that set explicit. Example: 数据显示趋势。— “The data show a trend.” 支持 is the verb “to support.” It can describe evidence giving a claim or conclusion backing, as it does here. A reusable pattern is A 支持 B, “A supports B.” Example: 证据支持这个结论。— “The evidence supports this conclusion.” 这个 means “this” before a noun. Here, 个 is the classifier in the demonstrative pattern 这 + 个, and this form contrasts with 这些: 这个观点 refers to one identified viewpoint or point, while 这些数据 refers to a group of data. The classifier does not by itself assert a numerical count in the English sense. Example: 这个问题很重要。— “This question is important.” 观点 means “viewpoint” or “point” as an expressed idea. It is a noun, and 这个观点 means “this point” in the supplied translation. Example: 我同意这个观点。— “I agree with this viewpoint.” 但 is a conjunction meaning “but.” It places the second clause in contrast with the first: 这些数据支持这个观点，但…… The comma marks the boundary in writing, but the contrast comes from 但 itself. Example: 这个方案简单，但有效。— “This plan is simple but effective.” 解释 means “explanation” here. It is a noun referring to an account or clarification. The same form can also be used as a verb meaning “to explain,” but its role in this sentence is nominal because it is the thing that needs more background information. Example: 这个解释很清楚。— “This explanation is clear.” 需要 means “to need” or “to require.” It is the main verb of the second clause, with 解释 as its subject and 更多背景信息 as what is needed. A useful pattern is A 需要 B, “A needs B.” Example: 这项工作需要时间。— “This work needs time.” 更多 means “more” or “additional.” It modifies the following noun phrase, 更多背景信息, and indicates a greater or additional amount than is currently available or assumed. It is not the same as 很多, which means “a lot of” without the same explicit comparison or addition. Example: 我们需要更多证据。— “We need more evidence.” 背景信息 is the noun phrase “background information” or “context.” 背景 means “background,” and 信息 means “information,” but the supplied phrase functions as one natural noun phrase. Example: 请提供一些背景信息。— “Please provide some background information.” Together, 这些数据支持这个观点 means “these figures support this point.” The conjunction 但 then contrasts that support with the second clause: 解释需要更多背景信息, “the explanation needs more context.” Thus the whole utterance says: “The figures support the point, but the explanation needs more context.”

7. 我会说明每项预测背后的假设。

   I'll mention the assumptions behind each projection.

   我会

   I will

   说明

   mention

   每项

   each item

   预测

   projection

   背后

   behind

   假设

   assumption

   More detail

   我会 combines 我, “I,” with 会, which here expresses a future plan or expectation: “I will.” 会 is a modal placed before the main verb, not an inflection on 说明. Compare 我会说明 (“I will explain”) with 我不会说明 (“I will not explain”). The form 我 identifies the speaker; 会 does not itself specify how soon the action will happen. 说明 means “to explain” or “to state/clarify.” In this sentence it is the action the speaker plans to perform. The same form can function as a verb before an object, as in 说明原因 (“explain the reason”), and as a noun in other contexts, but it is a verb here because it follows 会 and introduces what the speaker will do. Example: 请说明理由。—“Please explain the reason.” 每项 means “each item” in the relevant set. 每 expresses “each/every,” while 项 is a measure word used for items such as projects, entries, or matters. Together they identify the items one by one; the phrase does not by itself state how many items there are. Example: 每项任务都很重要。—“Each task is important.” 预测 means “prediction” or “projection” here. It is a noun referring to each projection, because 每项 modifies it and 背后的假设 is linked to it. As a useful contrast, 预测 can also be used as a verb: 专家预测结果。—“The experts predict the result.” The noun and verb uses have the same written form, so the surrounding structure helps identify the use. 背后 literally refers to a position behind something and commonly expresses what lies behind it, such as a reason, motive, or assumption. In 预测背后的假设, it links the assumptions to the projections as their underlying assumptions. This is a location-based expression used abstractly; it does not mean that the assumptions are physically behind the projections. Example: 这个决定背后的原因很复杂。—“The reasons behind this decision are complex.” 假设 means “assumption” here: an idea taken as a basis for a prediction. It can also be a verb meaning “to assume” in other structures, but here it is a noun because it is the object of 背后的. Example: 这个模型依赖几个假设。—“This model relies on several assumptions.” Putting the parts together, 我会说明 expresses the speaker’s future plan to explain or state something. 每项预测 identifies each projection in turn, and 背后的假设 specifies the assumptions underlying it. The complete meaning is: “I’ll mention/explain the assumptions behind each projection.”

8. 这样可以帮助那些错过之前讨论的听众。

   That will help listeners who missed the earlier discussion.

   这样

   that way; in this way

   可以

   can; be able to

   帮助

   help

   那些

   those

   错过

   miss

   之前

   earlier; before

   讨论

   discussion

   听众

   listeners

   More detail

   这样 means “that way” or “in this way.” Here it points to the method or action understood from the surrounding context, and the fixed translation presents its result as “That.” It is a demonstrative manner expression, not a noun naming the method itself. 可以 is a modal meaning “can” or “be able to.” Chinese modal verbs do not inflect for tense or subject agreement. In this sentence, 可以 combines with the following verb 帮助 to express that the method is capable of helping; the English translation naturally renders this as “will help.” Pattern: subject + 可以 + verb. Example: 这样可以解决问题。— “This way can solve the problem.” 帮助 means “to help.” It can function as a verb before the person or group helped: 帮助 + object. Example: 这本书帮助学生理解语法。— “This book helps students understand grammar.” 那些 means “those.” It is a demonstrative determiner placed before a noun, and here it identifies a plural group. The form itself does not identify which group without the surrounding description; the following modifier specifies the listeners meant here. 错过 means “to miss” an event, opportunity, or other thing that one did not attend, catch, or experience. It is the verb in the modifier 错过之前讨论的, describing the listeners. Example: 他错过了会议。— “He missed the meeting.” 之前 means “earlier” or “before.” Here it modifies 讨论 and places that discussion earlier than the relevant present point. Example: 之前的决定仍然有效。— “The earlier decision is still valid.” 讨论 means “discussion” here, functioning as a noun after 之前. The same form can also be a verb meaning “to discuss”; its role in this sentence is identified by its position in the noun phrase 之前讨论 and by the fixed meaning “the earlier discussion.” Example: 我们明天讨论这个问题。— “We will discuss this issue tomorrow.” 听众 means “listeners” or “audience members.” It is the noun modified by 那些 and by the relative modifier 错过之前讨论的. Example: 听众提出了几个问题。— “The listeners asked several questions.” The structure is 这样 + 可以 + 帮助 + 那些 + 错过之前讨论的 + 听众. 这样 supplies the method being referred to; 可以 marks its capability; 帮助 takes the group as its object. Inside that group, 错过之前讨论的 means “who missed the earlier discussion”: 的 closes the modifier before the noun it describes, 听众. Together, the sentence means “That will help listeners who missed the earlier discussion.”

9. 在预测数据前加一段简短说明应该就够了。

   A short note before the projections should cover it.

   在预测数据前

   before the projected data

   加

   add; put in

   一段

   a passage; a section

   简短

   short; brief

   说明

   note; explanation

   应该

   should; ought to

   就够了

   is enough; suffices

   More detail

   在预测数据前 means “before the projected data.” 在 X 前 is a reusable pattern for placing something before X; 前 marks the earlier position. Here 预测数据 refers to the projections/data in the fixed translation. Example: 在会议前准备材料。 — “Prepare the materials before the meeting.” 加 is the verb “to add” or “to put in.” In this sentence it takes 一段简短说明 as what should be inserted. Example: 请加一行解释。 — “Please add one line of explanation.” 一段 treats a stretch of written or spoken material as one passage or section. 段 is the classifier used here; it is not the number one by itself. The combination 一段说明 means “a passage/note of explanation.” Example: 文章中有一段介绍。 — “There is an introductory passage in the article.” 简短 describes the note as brief. It is a descriptive adjective and can directly modify the noun in 简短说明. Example: 写一封简短的信。 — “Write a short letter.” 说明 is the noun “note” or “explanation” here: information added to clarify the material. As a verb in other contexts, 说明 can mean “to explain” or “to indicate,” but in this sentence it is the thing being added. Example: 说明很清楚。 — “The explanation is very clear.” 应该 expresses what is expected or advisable: “should.” In 应该就够了, it presents the proposed addition as likely to be sufficient, rather than asserting absolute certainty. The common pattern 应该 + verb gives advice or an expectation, as in 应该可以。 — “It should be possible.” 就够了 means “is enough” or “will suffice.” 够 means “be enough,” while 就 links the stated amount or action to the sufficiency result, giving the sense “that alone is enough.” Example: 这些信息就够了。 — “This information is enough.” Together, 在预测数据前 sets the position, 加一段简短说明 says to add a brief explanatory note there, and 应该就够了 says that this should suffice. The whole utterance means: “A short note before the projections should cover it.”