Verifying an Unexpected Maintenance Visitor | Learn Chinese in English

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Use Verifying an Unexpected Maintenance Visitor to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

刚才有人敲门，说是来检查通风系统的。

gāngcái yǒu rén qiāo mén, shuō shì lái jiǎnchá tōngfēng xìtǒng de Someone knocked earlier and said they were here to inspect the ventilation.

维修人员上门通常会通过大楼系统提前通知。

wéixiū rényuán shàngmén tōngcháng huì tōngguò dàlóu xìtǒng tíqián tōngzhī Maintenance visits are usually announced through the building system.

这让我提高了警惕，所以我没有让他们进来。

zhè ràng wǒ tígāo le jǐngtì, suǒyǐ wǒ méiyǒu ràng tāmen jìnlái That made me cautious, so I did not let them in.

你这样处理是对的。应该先核实那个人是否有权进入。

nǐ zhèyàng chǔlǐ shì duì de. yīnggāi xiān héshí nàge rén shìfǒu yǒu quán jìnrù That was the right call. Their authorization to enter should be verified first.

你能查一下是否确实安排了检查吗？

nǐ néng chá yíxià shìfǒu quèshí ānpái le jiǎnchá ma Could you check whether an inspection is actually scheduled?

我会查一下记录，然后通过门户给你发消息。

wǒ huì chá yíxià jìlù, ránhòu tōngguò ménhù gěi nǐ fā xiāoxi I will check the records and send you a message through the portal.

我还是想在有人回来之前先知道情况。

wǒ háishì xiǎng zài yǒu rén huílái zhīqián xiān zhīdào qíngkuàng I would rather know before anyone comes back.

在确认之前，除非你本来就在等那个人，否则不要让任何人进来。

zài quèrèn zhīqián, chúfēi nǐ běnlái jiù zài děng nàge rén, fǒuzé bú yào ràng rènhé rén jìnlái Until it is confirmed, do not let anyone in unless you were expecting them.

Word by Word

刚才 “刚才” means earlier or just now, referring to a short time before the speaker talks. It commonly appears before the action being described, as in “刚才有人敲门”. Use it when reporting something that happened moments ago.

有人 “有人” means someone or there is a person, without identifying who the person is. In “刚才有人敲门”, it introduces the person who knocked. Use it to report that an unspecified person did something.

敲门 “敲门” means to knock on a door. Here it describes the action that happened before the speaker spoke. Use it with a door as the object, as in “有人敲门”.

说 “说” means say or tell and introduces what the visitor said. In “说是来检查通风系统的”, it connects the visitor’s statement with its content. Use it before reported information or speech.

是 In “说是来检查通风系统的”, “是” presents the description the visitor gave about why they came. It is part of the reported statement rather than a separate identification of a person. Use “说是……” to report what someone claims or says.

来 In “来检查通风系统”, “来” indicates that coming has the purpose of carrying out the following action. The action after it is “检查通风系统”. Use “来” before an action to express a purpose of coming.

检查 “检查” means inspect or check carefully. In this dialogue, the ventilation system is the thing to be inspected. Use it with an object such as “检查通风系统” when verifying a condition or arrangement.

通风系统 “通风系统” means ventilation system, the building equipment mentioned as the object of the inspection. It follows “检查” in “检查通风系统”. Use it when discussing building ventilation equipment.

的 The final “的” in “说是来检查通风系统的” closes the description of the visitor’s stated purpose. Here it does not show possession. This pattern can be used when explaining or emphasizing what an earlier action was for.

维修人员 “维修人员” means maintenance personnel, the people who come to perform building repairs or checks. In the dialogue, they are the people whose visits should normally be announced. Use it for staff responsible for maintenance work.

上门 “上门” means come to someone’s home or premises to provide a service. “维修人员上门” describes maintenance staff visiting the resident’s home. Use it for service personnel who come to the customer rather than being visited elsewhere.

通常 “通常” means usually and describes what normally happens. Here it modifies “会通过大楼系统提前通知”. Use it before a regular action or expected procedure.

会 In “通常会通过大楼系统提前通知”, “会” indicates the usual expected behavior of maintenance visits. Together with “通常”, it describes a normal procedure rather than a single confirmed future event. Use “通常会……” for something that generally happens.

通过 “通过” means through or via and identifies the channel used for an action. Here the notification is sent through “大楼系统”. Use “通过” before a system, platform, or other means.

大楼 “大楼” means building. In “大楼系统”, it identifies the building to which the system belongs. Use it when referring to a large residential or office building.

系统 “系统” means system, here the building’s communication system. It is combined with “大楼” in “大楼系统”. Use it for an organized technical or administrative system.

提前 “提前” means in advance, before the relevant event happens. In “提前通知”, the notice is sent before the maintenance visit. Use it before an action to show that it happens earlier than expected or required.

通知 “通知” means notify or announce information to someone. Here the building system notifies residents about maintenance visits. Use it with the person or group receiving the information, or with the information being announced.

这 “这” means this or that and refers back to the situation just described. In “这让我提高了警惕”, it refers to the building’s usual notification procedure or the lack of one. Use it to point to a preceding fact or situation.

让 In “这让我提高了警惕”, “让” means cause or make someone do or experience something. The situation causes the speaker to become more alert. Use “让” before a person followed by the result or action caused.

我 “我” means I or me and identifies the speaker as the person affected by the situation. In “让我提高了警惕”, it is the person whose alertness increased. Use it when referring to yourself as the subject or object.

提高 “提高” means raise or increase. In “提高了警惕”, it means increase one’s level of vigilance. Use it before something that can become higher, such as “提高警惕”.

了 In “提高了警惕”, “了” marks the completed change described by the phrase. It shows that the speaker became more vigilant as a result of the situation. Use it after an action or change when presenting it as completed.

警惕 “警惕” means vigilance or caution toward a possible risk. In “提高了警惕”, it is the state that the speaker increased. Use it in situations involving suspicious people, safety, or possible danger.

所以 “所以” means so or therefore and introduces the result of the preceding reason. Here the speaker did not let the visitors in because they became cautious. Use “所以” to connect a reason with its consequence.

没有 In “没有让他们进来”, “没有” means did not and negates the action of allowing them to enter. It reports that the action did not happen. Use it before a verb when saying that an action did not occur.

他们 “他们” means they or them and refers here to the people who knocked on the door. It is the object after “让” in “没有让他们进来”. Use it when referring to those people as a group.

进来 “进来” means come in or enter toward the speaker’s or relevant interior space. In “让他们进来”, it describes entering the home. Use it after “让” when allowing someone to come inside.

你 “你” means you and addresses the person who did not allow the visitor inside. In “你这样处理是对的”, it identifies that person as the one whose handling is being evaluated. Use it when speaking directly to one person.

这样 “这样” means this way or like this and refers to the specific way the person handled the visitor. In “你这样处理”, it modifies “处理”. Use it to refer to an action or method just demonstrated or described.

处理 “处理” means handle or deal with a matter. Here it refers to the way the resident responded to the unexpected visitor. Use it with a situation, request, or problem that needs to be managed.

对 In “是对的”, “对” means right or correct and evaluates the handling as appropriate. It is followed by “的” in this expression. Use “是对的” to say that an action or decision was correct.

应该 “应该” means should or ought to and gives advice about the proper next action. Here it introduces “先核实”. Use it before an action when recommending what needs to be done.

先 “先” means first or beforehand and places one action before another. In “先核实”, verification must happen before allowing entry. Use it before the action that should happen first.

核实 “核实” means verify by checking whether information is true or valid. Here the resident’s authorization to enter must be verified first. Use it with information, identity, authorization, or another fact that needs confirmation.

那 “那” means that and points to the particular person being discussed. In “那个人”, it identifies the unexpected visitor rather than a person generally. Use it before a noun when referring to a specific person or thing already known from the context.

个 “个” is a general measure word used in “那个人”. It connects “那” with “人” to refer to one particular person. Use “个” with many ordinary people and objects when no more specific measure word is needed.

人 “人” means person or people. In “那个人”, it identifies the visitor whose authority to enter is being checked. Use it after a measure word such as “个” when referring to a person.

是否 “是否” means whether and introduces a question about two possible states. In “是否有权进入”, the question is whether the person is authorized to enter. Use it before a verb phrase in formal or neutral indirect questions.

有权 “有权” means be authorized or have the right to do something. In “有权进入”, it describes whether the person is permitted to enter. Use it before an action to discuss authorization, as in “有权进入”.

进入 “进入” means enter and focuses on moving into a place. Here it is the action that the visitor may or may not be authorized to perform. Use it with a place or area when discussing entry.

能 “能” means can or be able to and introduces a polite request about whether the addressee can check something. In “你能查一下……吗？”, it asks for the person’s ability or willingness to do the check. Use “能……吗？” to make a request.

查 “查” means check or look up information. Here it refers to checking whether an inspection is scheduled. Use it with records, schedules, information, or another source that can be checked.

一下 “一下” softens the request in “查一下”, making it sound brief and polite rather than demanding. The “一” and “下” together form this request-softening expression; they do not mean that the speaker literally wants one downward action. Use it after a verb in a short, polite request.

确实 “确实” means indeed, really, or actually and emphasizes that the fact should be verified as genuine. In “确实安排了检查”, it asks whether the inspection was in fact scheduled. Use it when confirming the truth of information.

安排 “安排” means arrange or schedule. In “安排了检查”, it refers to putting an inspection into the building’s planned schedule. Use it with an event, visit, appointment, or task that has been organized.

吗 “吗” is a question particle placed at the end of “你能查一下是否确实安排了检查吗？”. It turns the preceding statement into a yes-or-no question. Use it at the end of a neutral question.

记录 “记录” means records or recorded information. In “查一下记录”, it is the source that the building staff will check for the inspection details. Use it for stored written or digital information about past or planned events.

然后 “然后” means then or afterward and introduces the action that follows the previous action. Here the speaker will check the records and then send a message. Use it to connect actions in sequence.

门户 “门户” means portal, referring here to the building’s online communication platform. In “通过门户给你发消息”, it is the channel used to send the message. Use it when referring to an online access or service portal.

给 In “给你发消息”, “给” marks the recipient of the message. The message is sent to “你”. Use “给” before a person when saying that something is given or sent to that person.

发 “发” means send in “发消息”. It describes transmitting a message to another person. Use it with communication items such as “消息” when sending them through a platform or other channel.

消息 “消息” means message or piece of information. In “给你发消息”, it is the information the speaker promises to send. Use it for a message sent through a portal or another communication channel.

还是 In “我还是想在有人回来之前先知道情况”, “还是” expresses the speaker’s preference or continuing wish to know in advance. It does not present alternatives here. Use “还是想……” when stating a preference or wish that remains important.

想 “想” means want or would like and introduces the speaker’s desired outcome. Here the speaker wants to know the situation before the visitor returns. Use it before an action or state that you wish to have.

在 In “在有人回来之前”, “在” introduces the time situation in which the following event is considered. The desired knowledge should come before that event. Use “在……之前” to set a time boundary.

回来 “回来” means come back, returning to the relevant place. Here it refers to the unexpected person coming back to the home. Use it for a return toward the speaker or a place treated as the reference point.

之前 “之前” means before and places one event earlier than another. In “有人回来之前”, the speaker wants to know the situation before anyone returns. Use it after a time or event phrase to express “before” that event.

知道 “知道” means know or be aware of information. Here the speaker wants to know the situation before the visitor returns. Use it with information or a fact that someone becomes aware of.

情况 “情况” means situation or circumstances. In “知道情况”, it refers to the relevant facts about whether the inspection and visitor are genuine. Use it when referring generally to the facts of an unfolding matter.

确认 “确认” means confirm or establish that something is certain. In “在确认之前”, it refers to the point before the visitor or inspection has been confirmed. Use it when checking and establishing the truth of information.

除非 “除非” means unless and introduces the one exception to the instruction. Here the exception is “你本来就在等那个人”. Use “除非……” before the condition that makes the main instruction not apply.

本来 In “本来就在等那个人”, “本来” means that the waiting was already part of the original expectation or situation. It distinguishes an expected visitor from an unexpected one. Use it when referring to what was originally expected or already the case.

就 In “本来就在等那个人”, “就” emphasizes that the waiting was already in progress or already true in that situation. It works together with “本来” to mark the expected condition. Use it to emphasize that a situation already holds under the stated circumstances.

等 “等” means wait. In “等那个人”, it describes waiting for the particular person to arrive. Use it before the person or thing being awaited.

否则 “否则” means otherwise and introduces the consequence or instruction when the exception does not apply. Here it connects not expecting the visitor with the instruction not to let anyone in. Use it to state what applies if the preceding condition is not met.

不要 “不要” means do not and gives a direct negative instruction. In “不要让任何人进来”, it tells the resident not to allow anyone to enter until the situation is confirmed. Use it before a verb to prohibit an action.

任何人 “任何人” means anyone or any person and refers broadly to every possible person in the instruction. In “不要让任何人进来”, it leaves no person included unless the stated exception applies. Use it when a condition or prohibition concerns any person without specifying who.

Grammar Points

除非……否则……

除非确实有权进入，否则不让维修人员进来。

chúfēi quèshí yǒu quán jìnrù, fǒuzé bù ràng wéixiū rényuán jìnlái

Unless they are indeed authorized to enter, do not let the maintenance personnel come in.

This paired structure means “unless…otherwise…” and states a condition followed by its consequence.

让 + 人 + 进来

让维修人员进来。

ràng wéixiū rényuán jìnlái

Let the maintenance personnel come in.

让 introduces the person who is allowed or caused to perform the following action.

Chinese Vocabulary

刚才 adv

gāngcái just now; earlier

检查 verb

jiǎnchá to inspect; inspection

敲门 verb

qiāo mén to knock on the door

让 verb

ràng to let; to allow

上门 verb

shàngmén to visit someone’s home; to come to the door

提高警惕 phrase

tígāo jǐngtì to become more vigilant; to raise one’s guard

提前 adv

tíqián in advance; beforehand

通常 adv

tōngcháng usually

通风系统 noun

tōngfēng xìtǒng ventilation system

通知 verb

tōngzhī to notify; notification

维修人员 noun

wéixiū rényuán maintenance personnel

有人 pron

yǒu rén someone; there is someone

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

ventilation system

Show Answer

通风系统

maintenance personnel

Show Answer

维修人员

to become more vigilant; to raise one’s guard

Show Answer

提高警惕

just now; earlier

Show Answer

刚才