1.2 Vocab – Chat between Melissa and Jaden

1.2.1 – Vocabulary Study Sheet Chat between Melissa and Jaden Vocab

Unit1.2 Chat between Melissa and Jaden

1. 在 (zài) – to be (at/in); at, in, on

• Meaning: Indicates location or existence. It can also function as the verb “to be (located at)” or “to be doing something.”
• When to use:
  • Use 在 to describe where someone or something is located.
  • Use 在 + verb to indicate an ongoing action (similar to “-ing” in English).
• Examples:
  • 我在学校。(Wǒ zài xuéxiào.) → I am at school.
  • 他在看书。(Tā zài kàn shū.) → He is reading a book.

2. 吗 (ma) – question particle

• Meaning: Turns a statement into a yes/no question.
• When to use:
  • Use 吗 at the end of a statement to turn it into a question.
• Examples:
  • 你是学生吗？(Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?) → Are you a student?
  • 他喜欢音乐吗？(Tā xǐhuān yīnyuè ma?) → Does he like music?

3. 哪儿 (nǎr) – where

• Meaning: Asks for a location.
• When to use:
  • Use 哪儿 in questions to ask “where” something or someone is.
• Examples:
  • 你在哪儿？(Nǐ zài nǎr?) → Where are you?
  • 学校在哪儿？(Xuéxiào zài nǎr?) → Where is the school?

4. 呢 (ne) – question particle for context

• Meaning: Used to ask about the current state or context, often in follow-up questions.
• When to use:
  • Use 呢 after a noun or pronoun to ask about someone or something already mentioned.
• Examples:
  • 我是学生，你呢？(Wǒ shì xuéshēng, nǐ ne?) → I am a student, and you?
  • 我的书在这里，你的呢？(Wǒ de shū zài zhèlǐ, nǐ de ne?) → My book is here; where’s yours?

5. 只 (zhǐ) – only

• Meaning: Indicates “only” or “just.”
• When to use:
  • Use 只 before a verb or noun to emphasize limitation.
• Examples:
  • 我只有一块钱。(Wǒ zhǐ yǒu yí kuài qián.) → I only have one yuan.
  • 他只会说汉语。(Tā zhǐ huì shuō Hànyǔ.) → He can only speak Chinese.

6. 会 (huì) – can; will

• Meaning: Indicates ability (can) or future actions (will).
• When to use:
  • Use 会 to talk about skills someone has learned or future actions.
• Examples:
  • 我会说英语。(Wǒ huì shuō Yīngyǔ.) → I can speak English.
  • 明天我会来。(Míngtiān wǒ huì lái.) → I will come tomorrow.

7. 都 (dōu) – all; both

• Meaning: Indicates “all” or “both” in a sentence.
• When to use:
  • Use 都 before a verb to emphasize that something applies to everyone/everything mentioned.
• Examples:
  • 我们都是学生。(Wǒmen dōu shì xuéshēng.) → We are all students.
  • 他们都喜欢打篮球。(Tāmen dōu xǐhuān dǎ lánqiú.) → They all like playing basketball.

8. 跟 (gēn) – with; to follow

• Meaning: Used to indicate “with” someone or to follow someone.
• When to use:
  • Use 跟 to connect two people (like “with”).
  • Use it in phrases where “following” is implied.
• Examples:
  • 我跟你一起去。(Wǒ gēn nǐ yìqǐ qù.) → I will go with you.
  • 他跟老师学中文。(Tā gēn lǎoshī xué Zhōngwén.) → He studies Chinese with the teacher.

Quick Summary Table:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Choose the correct word from the list: 在, 吗, 哪儿, 呢, 只, 会, 都, 跟.

1. 你喜欢喝茶___？ (Nǐ xǐhuān hē chá ___?)
2. 他___学中文， 也___会说英文。 (Tā ___ xué Zhōngwén, yě ___ huì shuō Yīngwén.)
3. 我的书___桌子上。 (Wǒ de shū ___ zhuōzi shàng.)
4. 你的朋友___？ (Nǐ de péngyǒu ___?)
5. 我___有一只猫。 (Wǒ ___ yǒu yī zhī māo.)
6. 我___你去看电影，好吗？ (Wǒ ___ nǐ qù kàn diànyǐng, hǎo ma?)
7. 他们___喜欢打篮球。 (Tāmen ___ xǐhuān dǎ lánqiú.)
8. 学校___？ (Xuéxiào ___?)

Exercise 2: Match the Sentences

Match the Chinese sentences with their English translations.

Exercise 3: Translate into Chinese

Translate the following sentences into Chinese. Use 在, 吗, 哪儿, 呢, 只, 会, 都, 跟 correctly.

1. Where is my phone?
2. Are you a student?
3. I can speak Chinese.
4. My friends are all at home.
5. She is with her mom.
6. He only eats fruit.
7. Where is your teacher?
8. I am going to the park with you.

Exercise 4: Sentence Building

Use the given words to create sentences:

1. 在 (zài) → (Example: I am at home.)
2. 吗 (ma) → (Example: Is he a teacher?)
3. 哪儿 (nǎr) → (Example: Where is my book?)
4. 呢 (ne) → (Example: What about you?)
5. 只 (zhǐ) → (Example: I only drink tea.)
6. 会 (huì) → (Example: I can swim.)
7. 都 (dōu) → (Example: We all like apples.)
8. 跟 (gēn) → (Example: I study Chinese with you.)

Exercise 5: Dialogue Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct words: 在, 吗, 哪儿, 呢, 只, 会, 都, 跟.

Person A: 你___说中文吗？
Person B: 我___会一点儿。你___老师吗？
Person A: 我不是老师，我___学生。你的朋友___？
Person B: 他___学校。我们___学中文，一起努力！

Exercise 6：Conversation Practice

A: 你好！你叫什么名字？
B: 我叫李明。你___？

A: 我叫王芳。你是学生___？
B: 是的，我是学生。你呢？

A: 我也是学生。你___哪儿上学？
B: 我在北京大学。你呢？

A: 我在上海大学。你学什么？
B: 我学中文，你___？

A: 我学英文。你会说英文___？
B: 我只会说一点儿英文，但是我想学好！

A: 太好了！我们可以___老师一起练习。
B: 好啊！我们都努力学习(nǔ lì xué xí– to study hard.!)

Answers

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. 吗
2. 在, 会
3. 在
4. 呢
5. 只
6. 跟
7. 都
8. 哪儿

Exercise 2: Match the Sentences

1 → C
2 → A
3 → F
4 → B
5 → E
6 → D

Exercise 3: Translate into Chinese

1. 我的手机在哪儿？ (Wǒ de shǒujī zài nǎr?)
2. 你是学生吗？ (Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?)
3. 我会说中文。 (Wǒ huì shuō Zhōngwén.)
4. 我的朋友都在家。 (Wǒ de péngyǒu dōu zài jiā.)
5. 她跟她的妈妈在一起。 (Tā gēn tā de māma zài yìqǐ.)
6. 他只吃水果。 (Tā zhǐ chī shuǐguǒ.)
7. 你的老师在哪儿？ (Nǐ de lǎoshī zài nǎr?)
8. 我跟你去公园。 (Wǒ gēn nǐ qù gōngyuán.)

Exercise 5: Dialogue Practice

1. 会
2. 只
3. 吗
4. 呢
5. 在
6. 都

Exercise 6: Conversation Practice

A: 你好！你叫什么名字？
B: 我叫李明。你呢？
A: 我叫王芳。你是学生吗？
B: 是的，我是学生。你呢？
A: 我也是学生。你在哪儿上学？
B: 我在北京大学。你呢？
A: 我在上海大学。你学什么？
B: 我学中文，你呢？
A: 我学英文。你会说英文吗？
B: 我只会说一点儿英文，但是我想学好！
A: 太好了！我们可以请老师一起练习。
B: 好啊！我们都努力学习 (nǔ lì xué xí– to study hard.!)

Unit 1.2.2 Chat between Mei and Diego

过 (guò) – to have done (something before); to pass

• Meaning: Used to indicate past experience or that something has happened before.
• When to use:
  • Use 过 after a verb to show that someone has experienced something.
  • It can also mean “to pass” (e.g., time, a place).
• Usage:
  • Subject + Verb + 过 + Object
  • Verb + 过 → Indicates past experience.
• Examples:
  • 我去过中国。(Wǒ qù guò Zhōngguó.) → I have been to China.
  • 你吃过北京烤鸭吗？(Nǐ chī guò Běijīng kǎoyā ma?) → Have you eaten Peking duck before?
  • 时间已经过了。(Shíjiān yǐjīng guò le.) → Time has passed.

2. 什么 (shénme) – what

• Meaning: Used to ask what or refer to something unknown or unspecified.
• When to use:
  • Use 什么 in questions to ask “what.”
  • It can also appear in statements to mean “something” or “anything.”
• Usage:
  • Subject + Verb + 什么 + Object? → Question format.
  • Used as part of a statement.
• Examples:
  • 你喜欢吃什么？(Nǐ xǐhuān chī shénme?) → What do you like to eat?
  • 这是什么？(Zhè shì shénme?) → What is this?
  • 他没说什么。(Tā méi shuō shénme.) → He didn’t say anything.

3. 哪 (nǎ) – which

• Meaning: Used to ask “which” or “where.” It can also act as a question word.
• When to use:
  • Use 哪 with a measure word (like 个) to ask “which one.”
  • Use 哪 + Place to ask “where.”
• Usage:
  • 哪 + Measure Word + Noun? → “Which (one)?”
  • Subject + 在 + 哪 + Place? → “Where?”
• Examples:
  • 你喜欢哪个？(Nǐ xǐhuān nǎ ge?) → Which one do you like?
  • 你从哪儿来？(Nǐ cóng nǎr lái?) → Where are you from?
  • 这本书是哪个老师的？(Zhè běn shū shì nǎ ge lǎoshī de?) → Which teacher’s book is this?

4. 可是 (kěshì) – but; however

• Meaning: Used to express contrast or “but” in a sentence.
• When to use:
  • Use 可是 to connect two clauses where the second part contrasts with the first.
  • Similar to 但是 (dànshì), but often used for emphasis in spoken Chinese.
• Usage:
  • Clause 1, 可是 + Clause 2 → Shows contrast.
• Examples:
  • 我想去旅游，可是没有时间。(Wǒ xiǎng qù lǚyóu, kěshì méiyǒu shíjiān.) → I want to travel, but I don’t have time.
  • 他很聪明，可是不努力。(Tā hěn cōngmíng, kěshì bù nǔlì.) → He is smart, but he doesn’t work hard.
  • 这个菜很好吃，可是太贵了。(Zhè ge cài hěn hǎochī, kěshì tài guì le.) → This dish is delicious, but it’s too expensive.

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Quick Summary Table

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct words: 过, 什么, 哪, 可是.

1. 你喜欢吃___菜？ (Nǐ xǐhuān chī ___ cài?) → Which cuisine do you like?
2. 我去___北京，非常漂亮！ (Wǒ qù ___ Běijīng, fēicháng piàoliang!) → I have been to Beijing; it’s very beautiful!
3. 这个电影很好看，___我没时间去看。 (Zhè ge diànyǐng hěn hǎokàn, ___ wǒ méi shíjiān qù kàn.) → This movie is great, but I don’t have time to watch it.
4. 你想喝___？ (Nǐ xiǎng hē ___?) → What do you want to drink?
5. 他很聪明，___不喜欢学习。 (Tā hěn cōngmíng, ___ bù xǐhuān xuéxí.) → He is very smart, but he doesn’t like studying.
6. 你去___儿旅游了？ (Nǐ qù ___r lǚyóu le?) → Where did you travel to?
7. 你吃___火锅吗？ (Nǐ chī ___ huǒguō ma?) → Have you eaten hotpot before?

Exercise 2: Sentence Creation

Create sentences using the following words:

1. 过 (guò) – Example: 我去过上海。 (Wǒ qù guò Shànghǎi.) → I have been to Shanghai.
2. 什么 (shénme) – Example: 你要买什么？ (Nǐ yào mǎi shénme?) → What do you want to buy?
3. 哪 (nǎ) – Example: 你喜欢哪个老师？ (Nǐ xǐhuān nǎ ge lǎoshī?) → Which teacher do you like?
4. 可是 (kěshì) – Example: 我很想出去，可是下雨了。 (Wǒ hěn xiǎng chūqù, kěshì xiàyǔ le.) → I want to go out, but it’s raining.

Exercise 3: Translate into Chinese

Translate the following sentences into Chinese using 过, 什么, 哪, 可是.

1. I have eaten Chinese hotpot before.
2. What do you want to do today?
3. Which book is yours?
4. He is very tired, but he still has to work.
5. Where have you been before?

Exercise 4: Match the Sentences

Match the Chinese sentences with their English translations.

Exercise 5: Conversation Practice. Fill in the Blanks using 过, 什么, 哪, 可是. One word can be used multiple times.

A: 你去___国家旅行？ (Nǐ qù ___ guójiā lǚxíng?)

B: 我去___日本，风景很美。 (Wǒ qù ___ Rìběn, fēngjǐng hěn měi.)

A: 哇！我还没去___地方。日本有什么好玩的？ (Wā! Wǒ hái méi qù ___ dìfāng. Rìběn yǒu shénme hǎo wán de?)

B: 日本有很多美食，特别是寿司！你吃___寿司吗？ (Rìběn yǒu hěn duō měishí, tèbié shì shòusī! Nǐ chī ___ shòusī ma?)

A: 吃过，我很喜欢！___我最近太忙了，没有时间去旅行。 (Chī guò, wǒ hěn xǐhuān! ___ wǒ zuìjìn tài máng le, méiyǒu shíjiān qù lǚxíng.)

B: 是啊，我也很忙，___还是要休息一下！ (Shì a, wǒ yě hěn máng, ___ háishì yào xiūxi yíxià!)

Answers

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. 哪
2. 过
3. 可是
4. 什么
5. 可是
6. 哪
7. 过

Exercise 2: Sentence Creation

(Answers will vary. Here are examples):

1. 我看过那个电影。 (Wǒ kàn guò nà ge diànyǐng.) → I have watched that movie.
2. 你要吃什么？ (Nǐ yào chī shénme?) → What do you want to eat?
3. 你最喜欢哪个颜色？ (Nǐ zuì xǐhuān nǎ ge yánsè?) → Which color do you like the most?
4. 我很饿，可是没有东西吃。 (Wǒ hěn è, kěshì méiyǒu dōngxi chī.) → I’m hungry, but there’s nothing to eat.

Exercise 3: Translate into Chinese

1. 我吃过中国火锅。 (Wǒ chī guò Zhōngguó huǒguō.)
2. 你今天想做什么？ (Nǐ jīntiān xiǎng zuò shénme?)
3. 哪本书是你的？ (Nǎ běn shū shì nǐ de?)
4. 他很累，可是还要工作。 (Tā hěn lèi, kěshì hái yào gōngzuò.)
5. 你去过哪儿？ (Nǐ qù guò nǎr?)

Exercise 4: Match the Sentences

1 → B
2 → A
3 → D
4 → C
5 → E

Exercise 5: Correct Answers

1. 哪 → 你去哪个国家旅行？ (Nǐ qù nǎ ge guójiā lǚxíng?) → Which country did you travel to?
2. 过 → 我去过日本，风景很美。 (Wǒ qù guò Rìběn, fēngjǐng hěn měi.) → I have been to Japan; the scenery is beautiful.
3. 什么 → 我还没去什么地方。 (Wǒ hái méi qù shénme dìfāng.) → I haven’t been to any places.
4. 过 → 你吃过寿司吗？ (Nǐ chī guò shòusī ma?) → Have you eaten sushi before?
5. 可是 → 可是我最近太忙了。 (Kěshì wǒ zuìjìn tài máng le.) → But I have been too busy lately.
6. 可是 → 可是还是要休息一下！ (Kěshì háishì yào xiūxi yíxià!) → But we still need to take a break!