About This Lesson
Use Describing a Possible Heating Problem to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.
Dialogue
A
暖气会启动，但房间始终不够暖和。
nuǎnqì huì qǐdòng, dàn fángjiān shǐzhōng bú gòu nuǎnhuo. The heating switches on, but the room never becomes comfortable.
B
恒温器可能正常工作，但暖气片的阀门仍然卡住了。
héngwēnqì kěnéng zhèngcháng gōngzuò, dàn nuǎnqìpiàn de fámén réngrán kǎzhù le. The thermostat may be working, while the radiator valve remains stuck.
A
我也想过这一点，因为靠近墙的管道摸起来是温的。
wǒ yě xiǎngguo zhè yì diǎn, yīnwèi kàojìn qiáng de guǎndào mō qǐlái shì wēn de. I wondered about that, because the pipe feels warm near the wall.
B
那么问题可能出在循环上，而不是电力上。
nàme wèntí kěnéng chū zài xúnhuán shàng, ér bú shì diànlì shàng. Then the problem is probably circulation rather than power.
A
技术人员能不能不进入每个房间就检查一下？
jìshù rényuán néng bu néng bú jìnrù měi ge fángjiān jiù jiǎnchá yíxià? Could a technician check it without entering every room?
B
技术人员可能需要进入各个房间，比较整套公寓里的温度。
jìshù rényuán kěnéng xūyào jìnrù gè ge fángjiān, bǐjiào zhěngtào gōngyù lǐ de wēndù. They may need access to compare temperatures across the apartment.
A
如果他们提前合理地通知我，我可以安排。
rúguǒ tāmen tíqián hélǐ de tōngzhī wǒ, wǒ kěyǐ ānpái. I can arrange that if they give reasonable notice.
B
我们应该先要求一个明确的时间段，再确认安排。
wǒmen yīnggāi xiān yāoqiú yí ge míngquè de shíjiānduàn, zài quèrèn ānpái. We should request a clear time window before we confirm.Word by Word
暖气
In 暖气会启动, 暖气 means the heating system that provides heat in the home. It commonly appears as the subject of a verb describing whether the heating starts, runs, or fails. A tenant can use it when reporting a problem with home heating.
会
Here, 会 in 暖气会启动 expresses an expected or regular possibility: the heating does start up. It comes before the action or state that is expected. Use it when describing what a system or person can normally be expected to do.
启动
启动 means start up in 暖气会启动, referring to the heating beginning to operate. It commonly follows the name of a machine or system. Use it when reporting whether equipment has begun running.
但
但 introduces the problem that contrasts with the heating starting in 暖气会启动，但房间始终不够暖和. It links two statements with an opposing result. Use it to acknowledge one fact before stating an unexpected or different fact.
房间
房间 means room in 房间始终不够暖和. It is the space whose temperature remains uncomfortable. It commonly appears before a description of its condition or temperature.
始终
始终 means throughout the situation or consistently, so 房间始终不够暖和 says that the room never becomes warm enough. It comes before the description that remains true. Use it when a condition continues without changing.
不够
不够 means not sufficiently in 房间始终不够暖和: the room is warm to some degree, but not enough. It comes before the quality or result that fails to reach the needed level. Use it to describe an insufficient degree of warmth, time, or another quality.
暖和
暖和 means warm and comfortable in temperature in 房间始终不够暖和. With 不够, it describes the level of warmth the room fails to reach. Use it when talking about whether a place feels warm enough.
恒温器
恒温器 means thermostat in 恒温器可能正常工作. It identifies the device that controls or monitors the heating temperature. It commonly appears as the subject of a statement about whether the device is working.
可能
可能 expresses possibility in 恒温器可能正常工作: the speaker considers proper operation possible but is not certain. It comes before the verb or description being considered. Use it when diagnosing a problem without making a definite claim.
正常
正常 means normally or properly in 恒温器可能正常工作. It describes the expected condition of the thermostat's operation. It commonly comes before a verb to describe whether equipment is functioning as expected.
工作
工作 means work or operate in 恒温器可能正常工作, referring to the thermostat functioning. With equipment as the subject, it commonly describes operational status rather than employment. Use it when checking whether a device is functioning.
暖气片
暖气片 means radiator in 暖气片的阀门 remains part of the radiator system. Here it identifies the radiator whose valve may be stuck. Use it when discussing a room-heating unit or its components.
的
的 connects 暖气片 to 阀门 in 暖气片的阀门, showing that the valve belongs to or is a component of the radiator. The reusable pattern is noun + 的 + noun for an attribute or relationship. Use it to identify a part, owner, or other connection between two nouns.
阀门
阀门 means valve in 暖气片的阀门仍然卡住了. It is the component suspected of preventing proper circulation. It commonly appears with the equipment it belongs to and with verbs describing its condition.
仍然
仍然 means still in 暖气片的阀门仍然卡住了, showing that the stuck condition continues. It comes before the continuing state or action. Use it when a problem or situation has not changed as expected.
卡住
卡住 means be stuck in 暖气片的阀门仍然卡住了. It describes the valve as unable to move or operate normally. It can be used for a mechanism or object that cannot move as it should.
了
The 了 in 暖气片的阀门仍然卡住了 presents the valve as being in a stuck state now, with a completed change or resulting state. It follows the description of the condition here. Use it when reporting that an action has happened or that a new state now exists.
我
我 means I or me in 我也想过这一点. It identifies the speaker as the person who had considered the possibility. It commonly comes before the verb when the speaker states what they thought, noticed, or did.
也
也 means also in 我也想过这一点, adding that the speaker had the same thought as the other person. It usually comes before the verb or description being added. Use it to show that another person or situation shares the same action or feature.
想
想 means think about or consider in 我也想过这一点. Together with 过, it describes having considered this possibility before. It commonly precedes an idea, point, or matter being considered.
过
过 in 我也想过这一点 indicates that the speaker has had the experience of considering this point before. It follows the verb 想 and refers to a past experience rather than simply marking a current thought. Use this form when reporting something that has been considered or experienced previously.
这
这 means this in 这 一点, pointing to the specific matter just discussed. It appears before the noun phrase it identifies. Use it when referring to a nearby idea, object, or situation.
一点
一点 means this point in 我也想过这一点; here it refers to a particular matter, not a small amount. In this expression, 这 identifies the point being discussed. Use it to refer back to one specific aspect of a conversation.
因为
因为 introduces the reason in 因为靠近墙的管道摸起来是温的. It connects the explanation about the pipe with the speaker's earlier thought. Use it before a reason for an observation, conclusion, or action.
靠近
靠近 means be near or close to in 靠近墙的管道. It places the pipe near the wall and modifies the following noun phrase. Use it to describe the location of a person or object relative to another place or object.
墙
墙 means wall in 靠近墙的管道. It is the reference point for the pipe's location. It commonly follows a location expression such as 靠近 when describing where something is.
管道
管道 means pipe or piping in 管道摸起来是温的. It identifies the part of the heating system whose surface feels warm. Use it when discussing pipes that carry water or another substance through a building.
摸
摸 means touch or feel by touching in 管道摸起来是温的. It describes using physical contact to judge the pipe's temperature. Use it when reporting what an object feels like when touched.
起来
起来 in 管道摸起来是温的 completes 摸起来 to mean feel when touched. It turns the touching action into an assessment of how the object seems. Use the pattern verb + 起来 when describing how something feels or appears.
是
是 links the pipe with the description 温 in 管道摸起来是温的. Here it states the result of the tactile assessment. It commonly connects a subject with an identifying noun or descriptive expression.
温
温 means warm or lukewarm in 管道摸起来是温的. It describes the temperature felt on the pipe, without saying that it is fully hot. Use it when giving a direct temperature description.
那么
那么 means then or in that case in 那么问题可能出在循环上. It marks a conclusion drawn from the preceding observation. Use it when moving from evidence to a likely explanation or next point.
问题
问题 means problem in 问题可能出在循环上. It identifies the heating fault being diagnosed. It commonly appears as the subject of a sentence explaining where a fault lies or what should be done about it.
出在
出在 in 问题可能出在循环上 means that the problem lies in or is caused by circulation. In this construction, 出 identifies the source or point where the problem emerges, while 在 marks the area involved; together they form the complete expression 出在. Use it to identify the part or aspect responsible for a problem.
循环
循环 means circulation in 问题可能出在循环上. It refers to the movement of heat through the heating system rather than to its electrical power. Use it when discussing whether a system's flow or circulation is working properly.
上
上 in 问题可能出在循环上 marks 循环 as the area or aspect in which the problem lies. It completes the expression 出在循环上. Use it after a topic when locating a fault or issue within that area.
而
而 links the suspected cause with the alternative in 循环上，而不是电力上, creating a contrast between the two. It commonly appears before the second, contrasting description. Use it when distinguishing one explanation or condition from another.
不是
不是 means is not in 循环上，而不是电力上, rejecting electrical power as the likely source of the problem. It introduces the alternative that does not apply. Use it to exclude one explanation after presenting another.
电力
电力 means electrical power in 而不是电力上. It identifies electricity as the alternative cause being ruled out. Use it when discussing the power supply or electrical aspect of equipment.
技术人员
技术人员 means technician or technical worker in 技术人员能不能不进入每个房间就检查一下. It identifies the person who may inspect the heating system. It commonly appears as the subject of a request or question about technical work.
能不能
能不能 asks whether something is possible in 技术人员能不能不进入每个房间就检查一下. The repeated 能 frames a yes-or-no possibility question, with 不 between the two occurrences. Use it before a verb when asking whether someone can perform an action.
不
The 不 in 能不能不进入每个房间就检查一下 negates 进入, giving the condition of not entering every room. It comes directly before the action it negates. Use it to state that an action does not happen or is not required in a condition.
进入
进入 means enter in 不进入每个房间. It describes the technician going into the rooms. It commonly takes a place or space as its object.
每个
每个 means every or each in 每个房间. It distributes the statement over all individual rooms. It comes before a singular counted noun when referring to each member of a group.
就
就 in 不进入每个房间就检查一下 connects the stated condition with the action of checking, expressing that the technician could check without first entering every room. It follows the condition and comes before the resulting action. Use it in a condition-and-result sequence when one action is presented as sufficient for the next.
检查
检查 means check or inspect in 检查一下. It describes examining the heating system to identify the problem. It commonly takes an object or is followed by 一下 when making a brief, softened request.
一下
一下 in 检查一下 presents the checking as a brief action and softens the request. In this construction, 一 and 下 work together as the fixed expression 一下 rather than naming separate objects. Use it after an action verb when asking someone to do something briefly or in a less forceful way.
他们
他们 means they or them in 他们可能需要进入各个房间. It refers to the technicians already under discussion. It commonly comes before the verb when the people being discussed are the subject of the sentence.
需要
需要 means need or require in 他们可能需要进入各个房间. It says that entering the rooms may be necessary for the inspection. It commonly comes before the action or thing that is needed.
各个
各个 means each individual or the various individual ones in 各个房间. It emphasizes the rooms one by one as part of the inspection. It comes before a plural group noun when considering its members individually.
比较
比较 means compare in 比较整套公寓里的温度. It describes examining temperatures against one another across the apartment. It commonly comes before the things or measurements being compared.
整套
整套 means the whole set or entire unit in 整套公寓. Here it emphasizes the apartment as one complete residence rather than one room. It comes before a noun referring to a complete set, unit, or collection.
公寓
公寓 means apartment in 整套公寓里的温度. It identifies the home whose rooms and temperatures are being considered. It commonly follows a quantity expression such as 整套 and can be followed by 里 to mark its interior.
里
里 means inside or in in 整套公寓里的温度. It places the temperatures inside the entire apartment. It commonly follows a place noun and comes before the noun describing what is located there.
温度
温度 means temperature in 比较整套公寓里的温度. It is the measurement the technicians need to compare across the rooms. Use it when discussing how warm or cold a place or object is.
如果
如果 introduces the condition in 如果他们提前合理地通知我. It means that the arrangement is possible only under the stated notice condition. Use it at the beginning of a conditional clause before the result or response.
提前
提前 means in advance in 他们提前合理地通知我. It says that the notice must come before the visit or arrangement. It commonly appears before a verb describing an action done earlier than the relevant event.
合理
合理 means reasonable in 合理地通知我. It describes the notice as giving an acceptable amount or kind of advance information. Here it modifies 通知 through 地, so the notification is carried out reasonably.
地
地 in 合理地通知我 links the description 合理 to the action 通知 and makes it describe how the notification is given. It appears between a descriptive word and the verb it modifies. Use it when an adjective or description functions adverbially before an action.
通知
通知 means notify or give notice in 提前合理地通知我. It describes informing the speaker before the technicians arrive or enter. It commonly takes the person receiving the notice as its object.
可以
可以 means can or be able to in 我可以安排, expressing that the speaker is able and willing to make the arrangement. It comes before the action that the speaker can perform. Use it when granting or describing practical possibility.
安排
安排 means arrange in 我可以安排, referring here to arranging access for the technicians. The object is understood from the surrounding discussion. Use it when organizing a visit, appointment, or other planned activity.
我们
我们 means we or us in 我们应该先要求一个明确的时间段. It includes the people jointly handling the technician's appointment. It commonly appears before a verb when the speakers present a shared plan or recommendation.
应该
应该 means should or ought to in 我们应该先要求一个明确的时间段. It presents the following action as the sensible or appropriate next step. Use it to give a recommendation or state an expected responsibility.
先
先 means first in 先要求一个明确的时间段，再确认安排. It places the request for a time window before confirmation. Use it in the pattern 先...再... to describe two actions in sequence.
要求
要求 means request or require in 要求一个明确的时间段. It describes asking the other party to provide a definite time window. It commonly comes before the thing or condition being requested.
一个
一个 means a or one in 要求一个明确的时间段. It introduces one time window as the requested item. It follows the verb and comes before the noun phrase being counted or specified.
明确
明确 means clear or definite in 一个明确的时间段. It says that the time window should be specific enough to know when access will occur. It comes before the noun it describes.
时间段
时间段 means a time period or time window in 一个明确的时间段. It refers to the agreed period during which the technicians can visit. Use it when arranging availability rather than naming only one exact moment.
再
再 means then or afterward in 再确认安排. It places confirmation after the request for a clear time window. Together with 先, it marks the second step in the sequence.
确认
确认 means confirm in 再确认安排. It describes formally agreeing that the arrangement is settled after the time window is clear. It commonly comes before the plan, appointment, or other matter being confirmed.
Grammar Points
而不是 + 动词/短语
检查暖气片，而不是检查电力。
jiǎnchá nuǎnqìpiàn, ér bú shì jiǎnchá diànlì.Check the radiators rather than the electrical power.
而不是 connects two alternatives and means “rather than” or “instead of.”
提前 + 动词
请提前通知技术人员。
tíqián tōngzhī jìshù rényuán.Please notify the technician in advance.
提前 comes before the verb to show that an action happens before the expected time.
Chinese Vocabulary
不够暖和
phrase
bú gòu nuǎnhuo
not warm enough
阀门
noun
fámén
valve
管道
noun
guǎndào
pipe
恒温器
noun
héngwēnqì
thermostat
卡住
verb
kǎzhù
to be stuck
靠近
prep
kàojìn
near; close to
摸起来
phrase
mō qǐlái
to feel to the touch
暖气
noun
nuǎnqì
heating
暖气片
noun
nuǎnqìpiàn
radiator
启动
verb
qǐdòng
to start up; to switch on
始终
adv
shǐzhōng
always; throughout
正常工作
phrase
zhèngcháng gōngzuò
to work normally
Quiz
Spelling
Tap the letters to spell the word.
to work normally
Show Answer
正常工作not warm enough
Show Answer
不够暖和to be stuck
Show Answer
卡住to feel to the touch