Confirming Delay Information and Where to Wait | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: During a travel delay, two travelers discuss an unclear announcement and decide where to wait for updated boarding information..

EN → ZH / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Confirming Delay Information and Where to Wait to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

广播说有延误，但没有说明原因。

Guǎngbō shuō yǒu yánwù, dàn méiyǒu shuōmíng yuányīn. The announcement says there is a delay, but it does not say why.
B

我想他们正在检查火车，然后才让乘客上车。

Wǒ xiǎng tāmen zhèngzài jiǎnchá huǒchē, ránhòu cái ràng chéngkè shàngchē. I think they are checking the train before letting people board.
A

我们应该待在这里，还是去找另一个站台？

Wǒmen yīnggāi dāi zài zhèlǐ, háishì qù zhǎo lìng yí ge zhàntái? Should we stay here, or should we look for another platform?
B

我们现在先待在附近。如果情况有变化，工作人员会告诉我们该去哪里。

Wǒmen xiànzài xiān dāi zài fùjìn. Rúguǒ qíngkuàng yǒu biànhuà, gōngzuò rényuán huì gàosu wǒmen gāi qù nǎlǐ. Stay close for now. If it changes, staff will say where to go.
A

我带着行李，所以不想一直到处走。

Wǒ dàizhe xíngli, suǒyǐ bù xiǎng yìzhí dàochù zǒu. I have luggage, so I do not want to keep moving around.
B

如果我们需要换站台，我会问他们能不能帮忙。

Rúguǒ wǒmen xūyào huàn zhàntái, wǒ huì wèn tāmen néng bu néng bāngmáng. I will ask whether they can help if we need to switch platforms.
A

如果临时才通知变更，那会很有帮助。

Rúguǒ línshí cái tōngzhī biàngēng, nà huì hěn yǒu bāngzhù. That would help if the change comes at the last minute.
B

他们更新电子屏后，我们就可以不用猜测，直接行动了。

Tāmen gēngxīn diànzǐpíng hòu, wǒmen jiù kěyǐ bú yòng cāicè, zhíjiē xíngdòng le. Once they update the board, we can move without guessing.

Word by Word

广播 广播 means the station announcement or broadcast in 广播说有延误. Here it is the source of the travel information. A common reuse pattern is 广播 + a reporting verb + the information being announced.
说 说 means says or states in 广播说有延误. It introduces the content of what the announcement communicates. A common pattern is subject + 说 + a statement.
有 有 means there is in 有延误, establishing that a delay exists. Here it presents the delay as the situation being announced. A common pattern is 有 + a thing or situation to say that it exists or occurs.
延误 延误 means a delay in 有延误. Here it refers to the travel service not proceeding on time. It is useful when describing a disruption to a journey or schedule.
但 但 means but and connects the delay information with the missing explanation in 但没有说明原因. It introduces a contrast between two parts of the announcement. A common pattern is one clause + 但 + a contrasting clause.
没有 没有 means did not or has not in 没有说明原因. With the following action, it says that explaining the reason did not happen. A common reuse pattern is 没有 + verb to say that an action did not occur.
说明 说明 means explain or state clearly in 没有说明原因. The announcement does not state the reason for the delay. A common pattern is 说明 + information, such as a reason or other detail that needs to be made clear.
原因 原因 means the reason or cause in 说明原因. Here it is the reason behind the delay. It commonly appears as the information that someone explains or asks about.
我 我 means I or me and is the speaker in 我想他们正在检查火车. Here it marks the person giving an opinion. It commonly appears before the action or thought of the speaker.
想 想 means think in 我想他们正在检查火车. Here it introduces the speaker’s belief about what is happening, not a desire. A common pattern is 我想 + a clause expressing an opinion.
他们 他们 means they or them in 我想他们正在检查火车. Here it refers to the people carrying out the train check. It commonly appears before the action performed by a group.
正在 正在 means currently doing in 正在检查火车. It shows that the checking is in progress at the time of speaking. A common pattern is 正在 + verb for an action happening now.
检查 检查 means check or inspect in 检查火车. Here the train is being examined before passengers are allowed to board. A common reuse pattern is 检查 + the item or place being inspected.
火车 火车 means train in 检查火车. It is the vehicle being checked before boarding. In a travel situation, it can be the object of an action such as checking.
然后 然后 means then or afterward in 然后才让乘客上车. It places the following action after the train check. A common use is to connect two actions in their time sequence.
才 才 means only then or not until then in 然后才让乘客上车. It shows that passengers will be allowed to board only after the earlier step. A common pattern is a prior condition or action + 才 + the resulting action.
让 让 means let or allow in 让乘客上车. Here it describes giving passengers permission to board. A common pattern is 让 + person + action.
乘客 乘客 means passengers in 让乘客上车. They are the people being allowed to board. This word is used for people traveling in a vehicle or using transport services.
上车 上车 means board or get onto the vehicle in 让乘客上车. Here it describes passengers entering the train. A common pattern is 让 + person + 上车 when someone permits passengers to board.
我们 我们 means we or us in 我们应该待在这里. It includes the speaker and the companion in the decision. It commonly appears before the action or choice shared by the group.
应该 应该 means should in 我们应该待在这里. Here it asks what would be the appropriate action during the delay. A common pattern is 应该 + verb when giving or asking for advice.
待 待 means stay or remain in 待在这里 and 待在附近. Here it recommends remaining in the current area instead of moving around. A common pattern is 待在 + a place.
在 在 marks the location in 待在这里. It links the staying action with the place where it happens. A common pattern is 在 + place, including after 待 to describe where someone remains.
这里 这里 means here in 待在这里. It refers to the place where the speakers are currently waiting. It commonly follows 在 when identifying a current location.
还是 还是 means or in the alternative question 我们应该待在这里，还是去找另一个站台？. It separates the two choices being considered. A common question pattern is option A 还是 option B.
去 去 means go in 去找另一个站台. It indicates movement toward another place in order to search for a platform. A common pattern is 去 + a destination or action.
找 找 means look for in 找另一个站台. Here it describes searching for a different platform. A common pattern is 找 + the person, object, or place being sought.
另一个 另一个 means another or a different one in 另一个站台. It identifies a platform different from the one currently being considered. It commonly comes before the noun it modifies.
站台 站台 means platform in 另一个站台. Here it refers to a train platform at the station. It is the place the travelers might search for or move to.
现在 现在 means now in 我们现在先待在附近. It anchors the recommendation to the current moment. It commonly appears before the action that should happen at this time.
先 先 means first or for now in 现在先待在附近. Here it presents staying nearby as the initial step before any later change. A common pattern is 先 + verb for the action to do first.
附近 附近 means nearby or the nearby area in 待在附近. Here it means remaining close to the current location. It commonly follows a location marker or a verb such as 待在.
如果 如果 means if and opens the condition in 如果情况有变化. It introduces a possible change that affects what the staff will say. A common pattern is 如果 + condition, followed by the result.
情况 情况 means the situation or circumstances in 情况有变化. Here it refers to the travel situation during the delay. It commonly appears as the subject of a statement about what changes or develops.
变化 变化 means a change in 情况有变化. Here it describes a change in the current travel situation. A common pattern is 有变化 when saying that circumstances have changed.
工作人员 工作人员 means staff or staff members in 工作人员会告诉我们该去哪里. Here it refers to the people responsible for giving travelers updated directions. It is useful in station or service situations when referring to staff collectively.
会 会 means will in 工作人员会告诉我们该去哪里. Here it expresses the expected action of the staff if the situation changes. A common pattern is subject + 会 + action for an expected or future action.
告诉 告诉 means tell in 告诉我们该去哪里. Here the staff will tell the travelers which place they should go to. A common pattern is 告诉 + person + information or direction.
该 该 means should or be supposed to in 该去哪里. It marks the appropriate action or destination within the direction being given. A common pattern is 该 + verb when identifying what is appropriate to do.
哪里 哪里 means where in 去哪里. Here it asks about the destination the travelers should go to. It commonly follows 去 when asking where someone should or will go.
带着 带着 means have or carry with one in 带着行李. It describes the speaker continuing to have the luggage with them while moving. A common pattern is 带着 + the item being carried or kept with someone.
行李 行李 means luggage in 带着行李. Here it is the baggage the speaker has with them. In a travel situation, it commonly follows 带着 when describing what someone is carrying.
所以 所以 means so or therefore in 所以不想一直到处走. It connects having luggage with the speaker’s resulting preference not to keep moving. A common pattern is a reason, 所以 + result.
不想 不想 means do not want to in 不想一直到处走. Here the speaker expresses a wish to avoid continuous movement. A common pattern is 不想 + verb phrase to state what someone does not want to do.
一直 一直 means continuously or all the time in 一直走. Here it emphasizes that the movement would continue rather than happen just once. A common pattern is 一直 + verb phrase for an ongoing or repeated action.
到处 到处 means around or in many places in 到处走. Here it describes moving from place to place around the station. A common pattern is 到处 + movement or activity verb.
走 走 means walk or move in 到处走. Here it refers to moving around the station, not simply leaving the journey. It commonly follows 到处 when describing movement from place to place.
需要 需要 means need in 需要换站台. Here it introduces the possibility that changing platforms will be necessary. A common pattern is 需要 + an action or thing that is necessary.
换 换 means switch or change in 换站台. Here it means move from the current platform to another one. A common reuse pattern is 换 + the place or item being changed.
问 问 means ask in 我会问他们能不能帮忙. Here the speaker plans to ask the staff for information about assistance. A common pattern is 问 + person + question or requested information.
能不能 能不能 asks whether someone can or is able to do something in 能不能帮忙. The first 能 presents ability or possibility, 不 negates it, and the final 能 repeats it to form an affirmative-negative question. A common pattern is 能不能 + verb, here asking whether the staff can help.
帮忙 帮忙 means help or provide assistance in 能不能帮忙. Here it refers to assistance if the travelers need to switch platforms. A common pattern is 能不能 + 帮忙 when asking whether someone can assist.
临时 临时 means at the last minute in 临时才通知变更. Here it describes a change being announced with little notice. It is useful when explaining that information or a decision arrives shortly before it is needed.
通知 通知 means notify or inform in 通知变更. Here it describes communicating the platform or travel change to people. A common pattern is 通知 + the person or information being communicated.
变更 变更 means a change or alteration in 通知变更. Here it refers to a change in the travel arrangement. It commonly appears as the information that is notified or announced.
那 那 means then or that in 那会很有帮助. Here it points back to the proposed assistance and introduces its result. It can refer to a situation just mentioned before describing what follows from it.
很 很 adds a high degree in 很有帮助. Here it strengthens the statement that the assistance would be helpful. A common pattern is 很 + a descriptive phrase.
帮助 帮助 means help or helpfulness in 很有帮助. In this expression, it describes the proposed assistance as useful to the travelers. A common pattern is 有帮助 to say that something is helpful.
更新 更新 means update in 更新电子屏. Here it means bring the display board up to date with the latest information. A common pattern is 更新 + information, a display, or another source of current details.
电子屏 电子屏 means electronic display board in 更新电子屏. Here it is the board whose information the travelers are waiting to see. In a station setting, it refers to a screen displaying travel information.
后 后 means after in 更新电子屏后. It marks the time after the electronic display board has been updated. A common pattern is an action or time phrase + 后 + the main action.
就 就 means then or at that point in 他们更新电子屏后，我们就可以不用猜测. It links the board update to the next possibility for the travelers. A common pattern is a time or condition phrase + 就 + result.
可以 可以 means can or be able to in 我们就可以不用猜测. Here it says that the travelers will then be in a position to act without guessing. A common pattern is 可以 + verb phrase.
不用 不用 means do not need to or without needing to in 不用猜测. Here the updated information removes the need for guessing. A common pattern is 不用 + verb to say that an action is unnecessary.
猜测 猜测 means guess or speculate in 不用猜测. Here it refers to trying to infer the travel information without confirmation. It commonly follows 不用 when saying that speculation is no longer necessary.
直接 直接 means directly in 直接行动. Here it indicates acting immediately on the updated information instead of making an uncertain inference first. A common pattern is 直接 + verb.
行动 行动 means take action or act in 直接行动. Here it means proceed once the display provides clear information. It is useful when describing a practical response to confirmed information.
了 了 at the end of 直接行动了 marks a changed situation or completed transition. Here it shows that after the board is updated, the travelers can move into action without guessing. A common use is at the end of a sentence to signal that the situation has now changed.

Grammar Points

让 + 人 + 动词

广播让乘客上车。

Guǎngbō ràng chéngkè shàngchē.

The announcement lets the passengers board.

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

一直 + 动词

乘客一直待在站台附近。

Chéngkè yìzhí dāi zài zhàntái fùjìn.

The passengers stay near the platform continuously.

一直 comes before a verb to show that an action or state continues without stopping.

Chinese Vocabulary

乘客 noun
chéngkè passenger
待在 verb
dāi zài stay in; remain at
附近 adv
fùjìn nearby; vicinity
广播 noun
guǎngbō announcement; broadcast
检查 verb
jiǎnchá check; inspect
然后 adv
ránhòu then; afterward
让 verb
ràng let; allow
上车 verb
shàngchē board; get on the train
说明 verb
shuōmíng explain; state
延误 noun
yánwù delay
原因 noun
yuányīn reason; cause
站台 noun
zhàntái platform

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

delay

Show Answer延误

reason; cause

Show Answer原因

stay in; remain at

Show Answer待在

passenger

Show Answer乘客