Clarifying Repair Responsibility | Learn Chinese in English

Chinese lesson set in a contemporary Shanghai everyday setting: In a housing office discussion, a tenant asks whether a gradually loosened fixture is routine maintenance and how to document the repair request..

EN → ZH / Level: B2

About This Lesson

Use Clarifying Repair Responsibility to practice Chinese conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

A

我不确定这次维修是否由我负责。

wǒ bú quèdìng zhè cì wéixiū shìfǒu yóu wǒ fùzé. I am unsure whether this repair is my responsibility.
B

这要看损坏是否是正常使用造成的。

zhè yào kàn sǔnhuài shìfǒu shì zhèngcháng shǐyòng zàochéng de. It depends on whether the damage came from normal use.
A

这个固定装置是在没有受到异常外力的情况下逐渐松动的。

zhè ge gùdìng zhuāngzhì shì zài méiyǒu shòudào yìcháng wàilì de qíngkuàng xià zhújiàn sōngdòng de. The fixture loosened gradually, without any unusual force.
B

那么，这可能属于日常维护的范围。

nà me, zhè kěnéng shǔyú rìcháng wéihù de fànwéi. Then it may fall under routine maintenance.
A

我希望能把评估结果记录下来。

wǒ xīwàng néng bǎ pínggū jiéguǒ jìlù xiàlái. I would prefer the assessment to be documented.
B

这很合理，因为责任应该根据造成问题的原因来确定。

zhè hěn hélǐ, yīnwèi zérèn yīnggāi gēnjù zàochéng wèntí de yuányīn lái quèdìng. That makes sense, since responsibility should be based on the cause.
A

我可以在提交维修申请时附上照片。

wǒ kěyǐ zài tíjiāo wéixiū shēnqǐng shí fùshàng zhàopiàn. I can send photos with the maintenance request.
B

请把照片附上，并描述这个问题是如何逐渐出现的。

qǐng bǎ zhàopiàn fùshàng, bìng miáoshù zhè ge wèntí shì rúhé zhújiàn chūxiàn de. Please attach them and describe how the problem developed.

Word by Word

我 “我” refers to the speaker, the person who is unsure and can send the photos. It is used before the verb or adjective phrase, as in “我不确定” and “我可以”.
不 “不” makes “确定” negative, so “不确定” means not to be sure. It commonly comes directly before the word or phrase being negated, as in “不确定这次维修”.
确定 In “我不确定”, “确定” means to be sure about something. It is useful when expressing uncertainty about a decision, fact, or responsibility, followed here by “这次维修是否由我负责”.
这次 “这次” identifies this particular instance, here the repair being discussed. It can be placed before an event or activity, as in “这次维修”.
维修 “维修” refers to repair or maintenance work in “这次维修” and “维修申请”. It is useful in practical discussions about fixing equipment, fixtures, or property.
是否 “是否” introduces a yes-or-no question embedded in the sentence: whether the repair is the speaker’s responsibility. It commonly comes before the statement being considered, as in “是否由我负责”.
由 In “是否由我负责”, “由” marks who is to handle or take responsibility for something. It is placed before the responsible person or party, followed here by “我负责”.
负责 “负责” means to be responsible for handling something, here the repair. It commonly follows the person or organization responsible, as in “由我负责”.
这 In “这要看”, “这” refers to the matter under discussion, namely who is responsible for the repair. It can introduce or point back to a current situation.
要 Together with “看” in “这要看”, “要” helps express that the answer depends on a condition. This pattern is useful when the result cannot be decided until another factor is considered.
看 Together with “要” in “这要看”, “看” means depend on rather than simply look at. The condition follows it here: “要看损坏是否是正常使用造成的”.
损坏 “损坏” refers to the damage being evaluated. It is the subject of the question about whether normal use caused it, and it can commonly be discussed together with its cause.
是 In “损坏是否是正常使用造成的”, “是” links the damage to the proposed cause, normal use. Here it forms part of a question about how the damage was caused.
正常 “正常” describes use that is ordinary or expected rather than unusual. In “正常使用”, it modifies “使用” and helps identify the possible cause of the damage.
使用 “使用” means use or usage in “正常使用”. It commonly combines with an object or a modifier describing the manner of use, as in “正常使用”.
造成 “造成” means cause or result in, linking “正常使用” with “损坏” in the sentence. It is useful for describing what produced a problem or result.
的 At the end of “正常使用造成的”, “的” completes the descriptive phrase identifying the cause of the damage. This exact phrase describes damage caused by normal use.
这个 “这个” points to this particular item, here the fixture being discussed. It is placed before the noun “固定装置” to identify the specific object.
固定装置 “固定装置” refers to the fixture or fastening device that gradually became loose. It is a specific object noun and can be used when describing a device that holds or secures something.
在 In “在没有受到异常外力的情况下”, “在” introduces the circumstances under which the fixture loosened. It commonly appears before a condition or situation followed by “情况下”.
没有 “没有” indicates that something was absent or did not occur. In “没有受到异常外力”, it says that the fixture was not subjected to unusual external force.
受到 “受到” means receive or be subjected to something, here external force. It is followed by what is received or experienced, as in “受到异常外力”.
异常 “异常” means unusual or abnormal and describes the force in “异常外力”. It is useful when distinguishing an unexpected condition from ordinary circumstances.
外力 “外力” means an external force acting on the fixture. In this dialogue, “异常外力” identifies a possible cause that was absent.
情况 In “没有受到异常外力的情况下”, “情况” refers to the circumstances or condition being described. It is part of the reusable phrase “在……的情况下”, meaning under the circumstances that ….
下 In “的情况下”, “下” means under or in the circumstances of the condition just described. The full phrase “在没有受到异常外力的情况下” introduces the circumstances of the loosening.
逐渐 “逐渐” means gradually, showing that the fixture became loose little by little rather than suddenly. It commonly appears before the action or change it describes, as in “逐渐松动”.
松动 “松动” means become loose or loosen, referring here to the fixture’s gradual change. It is useful for describing a fastening, fitting, or connection that no longer stays tight.
那么 “那么” means then or in that case and introduces a conclusion based on the previous information. Here it connects the absence of unusual force with the possibility of routine maintenance.
可能 “可能” expresses possibility: the repair may fall under routine maintenance. It commonly comes before the possible result, as in “可能属于日常维护的范围”.
属于 “属于” means fall under or be classified as a particular category. Here it places the repair within “日常维护的范围”, and it can be followed by the relevant category.
日常 “日常” means routine or daily and describes ordinary maintenance in “日常维护”. It commonly comes before an activity that is performed as part of regular practice.
维护 “维护” refers to maintenance work in “日常维护”. It is useful when discussing regular work that keeps property or equipment in working condition.
范围 “范围” means scope or range, here the scope covered by routine maintenance. The pattern “属于……的范围” is useful for saying that something falls within a category or responsibility.
希望 “希望” expresses the speaker’s wish or preference in “我希望能把评估结果记录下来”. It can be followed by “能” and the action the speaker wants to happen.
能 In “希望能把评估结果记录下来”, “能” indicates that the requested action can be carried out. After “希望”, it introduces the desired possibility or ability.
把 “把” places the object being handled before the action, as in “把评估结果记录下来”. It is useful when the sentence focuses on what will be recorded, attached, or otherwise dealt with.
评估 “评估” refers to the assessment of the repair and its responsibility. In “评估结果”, it functions as the description of the result being recorded.
结果 “结果” means result or outcome, here the result of the assessment. It follows the activity being assessed in “评估结果” and can be the object of an action such as “记录”.
记录 “记录” means record or document, here the assessment result. With “把”, the exact pattern “把评估结果记录下来” focuses on making that result part of a lasting record.
下来 In “记录下来”, “下来” shows that the result is written down and retained for later reference. It follows the action and completes the idea of recording something.
很 “很” strengthens “合理” in “很合理”, meaning quite or very reasonable. It is placed before the describing word and helps express the speaker’s positive evaluation.
合理 “合理” means reasonable, so “很合理” says that the other person’s request makes sense. It is useful when agreeing that an explanation, request, or decision is justified.
因为 “因为” introduces the reason for the preceding statement. Here it begins the explanation that responsibility should be determined according to the cause of the problem.
责任 “责任” means responsibility, here responsibility for the repair. It can be discussed with the person responsible, as in “由我负责”, or with the basis for assigning it.
应该 “应该” expresses what should be the proper basis or procedure. In this sentence, responsibility “应该根据造成问题的原因来确定”.
根据 “根据” means according to or based on and introduces the basis for a decision. Here the basis is “造成问题的原因”, followed by “来确定”.
问题 “问题” refers to the repair issue being discussed. In “造成问题的原因”, it identifies the problem whose cause is used to determine responsibility.
原因 “原因” means cause or reason, here the cause that produced the problem. The phrase “造成问题的原因” is useful for identifying what led to an issue.
来 In “根据造成问题的原因来确定”, “来” links the stated basis to the action taken from it: determining responsibility. This pattern is useful for saying that one uses a basis or method to carry out an action.
可以 “可以” means can or be able to and introduces the speaker’s possible action of sending photos. It commonly comes before the action, as in “可以在提交维修申请时附上照片”.
提交 “提交” means submit, here submitting a maintenance request. It is used for formally sending a request, form, or other material to an office or responsible party.
申请 “申请” refers to the request or application being submitted, here a maintenance request. It follows “维修” in “维修申请” to identify the purpose of the request.
时 In “提交维修申请时”, “时” means when or at the time of. It follows the action or situation that provides the timing for another action, here attaching the photos.
附上 “附上” means attach or include with a submission, here attaching photos to the maintenance request. It is useful for messages, forms, and requests that include supporting material.
照片 “照片” means photos or photographs, here the evidence sent with the maintenance request. It follows “附上” as the material being attached.
请 “请” makes the following instruction polite: “请把照片附上”. It is commonly placed before a requested action when speaking to an office, colleague, or service provider.
并 “并” links another action to the preceding instruction, meaning and also. Here it connects attaching the photos with describing how the problem developed.
描述 “描述” means describe, here describe the way the problem developed. It is useful when asking someone to provide a clear account of an event or condition.
如何 “如何” means how and introduces the manner or process being described. In “描述如何出现的”, it asks for an account of how the problem came about.
出现 “出现” means appear or come about, referring here to how the problem developed over time. It commonly follows “如何” when describing how an issue first emerged.

Grammar Points

逐渐 + 动词/形容词

固定装置逐渐松动。

gùdìng zhuāngzhì zhújiàn sōngdòng.

The fixture gradually becomes loose.

逐渐是副词，放在动词或形容词前，表示变化慢慢发生。

根据 + 名词

根据评估结果提交维修申请。

gēnjù pínggū jiéguǒ tíjiāo wéixiū shēnqǐng.

Submit a maintenance request based on the assessment result.

根据是介词，放在名词前，表示动作的依据或标准。

Chinese Vocabulary

不确定 adj
bú quèdìng be unsure; be uncertain
负责 verb
fùzé be responsible for
固定装置 noun
gùdìng zhuāngzhì fixture; fastening device
日常维护 noun
rìcháng wéihù routine maintenance
属于 verb
shǔyú belong to; fall under
松动 verb
sōngdòng loosen; become loose
损坏 noun
sǔnhuài damage
维修 noun
wéixiū repair; maintenance
要看 phrase
yào kàn depend on; it depends on
异常外力 noun
yìcháng wàilì unusual force
正常使用 phrase
zhèngcháng shǐyòng normal use
逐渐 adv
zhújiàn gradually

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

unusual force

Show Answer异常外力

normal use

Show Answer正常使用

fixture; fastening device

Show Answer固定装置

routine maintenance

Show Answer日常维护