Lesson 13 · Ordering Food and Inquiring After Class

点餐与课后询问

Ordering Food and Inquiring After Class

3 dialogues20 new words

Start

Bookstore Inquiry

After class, Lin and Bo are looking at books in the campus bookstore.

5 new words

可以kěyǐcan; may

博，我可以问你一个问题吗？

Bo, may I ask you a question?

问题wèntíquestion; problem

博，我可以问你一个问题吗？

Bo, may I ask you a question?

卖màisell

我想买这本书，你知道卖多少钱吗？

I want to buy this book — do you know how much it sells for?

打电话dǎ diànhuàmake a phone call; call

一下yíxià(used after a verb indicating an act or an attempt) one time; once

我也不知道，你问一下吧。

I don't know either — go and ask.

Listen to the conversation

Lin

博，我可以问你一个问题吗？

bó wǒ kěyǐ wèn nǐ yí gè wèntí ma

Bo, may I ask you a question?

可以，你说。

kěyǐ nǐ shuō

Sure, go ahead.

Lin

我想买这本书，你知道卖多少钱吗？

wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhè běn shū nǐ zhīdào mài duōshao qián ma

I want to buy this book — do you know how much it sells for?

我也不知道，你问一下吧。

wǒ yě bù zhīdào nǐ wèn yíxià ba

I don't know either — go and ask.

Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.

Grammar

博，我可以问你一个问题吗？Bo, may I ask you a question?

Subject +可以+ Verb

Modal Verb '可以'. The modal verb '可以' (kěyǐ) is placed before a verb to indicate possibility, acquired capability, or to seek and grant permission. It is a vital tool for polite yet authoritative social navigation, allowing speakers to negotiate access and confirm feasibility in various interpersonal and professional contexts.

我可以坐吗？

Wǒ kěyǐ zuò ma?

May I sit?

我也不知道，你问一下吧。I don't know either — go and ask.

Verb +一下

'Verb + 一下' Structure. The 'Verb + 一下' (yíxià) structure indicates that an action is performed as a brief attempt or a quick, informal act. It softens the tone of a request and implies a short duration, making it an essential pedagogical tool for natural and polite conversational Mandarin.

我看一下。

Wǒ kàn yíxià.

Let me have a look.

Which word means “can”?

Ordering Breakfast

In the morning, Lin and Bo arrive at the breakfast area and sit down.

13 new words

再zàionce more; again

再给那位女士一杯茶，她是我的老师。

And a cup of tea for that lady too — she's my teacher.

服务员fúwùyuánattendant; waiter; waitress

服务员，请给我们一个面包和两个鸡蛋。

Waiter, a piece of bread and two eggs for us, please.

女士nǚshìlady; madam

再给那位女士一杯茶，她是我的老师。

And a cup of tea for that lady too — she's my teacher.

请qǐngplease

博，请坐。

Bo, have a seat.

坐zuòsit

博，请坐。

Bo, have a seat.

给gěigive

服务员，请给我们一个面包和两个鸡蛋。

Waiter, a piece of bread and two eggs for us, please.

杯bēicup; glass

再给那位女士一杯茶，她是我的老师。

And a cup of tea for that lady too — she's my teacher.

要yàodemand; ask for

你要吃早饭吗？

Do you want breakfast?

早饭zǎofànbreakfast

你要吃早饭吗？

Do you want breakfast?

这个zhègethis

要，我要这个面包和一个鸡蛋。

Yes — I'd like this bread and an egg.

面包miànbāobread

要，我要这个面包和一个鸡蛋。

Yes — I'd like this bread and an egg.

鸡蛋jīdàn(hen's) egg

要，我要这个面包和一个鸡蛋。

Yes — I'd like this bread and an egg.

茶chátea

再给那位女士一杯茶，她是我的老师。

And a cup of tea for that lady too — she's my teacher.

Listen to the conversation

Lin

博，请坐。你要吃早饭吗？

bó qǐng zuò nǐ yào chī zǎofàn ma

Bo, have a seat. Do you want breakfast?

要，我要这个面包和一个鸡蛋。

yào wǒ yào zhège miànbāo hé yí gè jīdàn

Yes — I'd like this bread and an egg.

Lin

服务员，请给我们一个面包和两个鸡蛋。

fúwùyuán qǐng gěi wǒmen yí gè miànbāo hé liǎng gè jīdàn

Waiter, a piece of bread and two eggs for us, please.

再给那位女士一杯茶，她是我的老师。

zài gěi nà wèi nǚshì yì bēi chá tā shì wǒ de lǎoshī

And a cup of tea for that lady too — she's my teacher.

Fill the gap要，我要这个____和一个鸡蛋。Yes — I'd like this bread and an egg.

Ordering Tea

At the teahouse, Lin and Bo want to invite a gentleman to join them for tea.

2 new words

先生xiānshenggentleman; sir

博，给张先生打个电话，请他来喝茶吧。

Bo, give Mr. Zhang a call and invite him for tea.

一半yíbànone half; half

好，那我们一人一半吧。

Okay, then let's have half each.

Listen to the conversation

Lin

博，给张先生打个电话，请他来喝茶吧。

bó gěi zhāngxiānshēng dǎ gè diànhuà qǐng tā lái hē chá ba

Bo, give Mr. Zhang a call and invite him for tea.

好，我现在给他打电话。

hǎo wǒ xiànzài gěi tā dǎ diànhuà

Okay, I'll call him now.

Lin

服务员，请先给我们两杯茶。

fúwùyuán qǐng xiān gěi wǒmen liǎng bēi chá

Waiter, two cups of tea for us first, please.

张先生说他一会儿来。

zhāngxiānshēng shuō tā yíhuìer lái

Mr. Zhang says he'll come in a little while.

Lin

张先生还没来，我们先吃点东西吧。我买的面包很大。

zhāngxiānshēng hái méi lái wǒmen xiān chī diǎn dōngxi ba wǒ mǎi de miànbāo hěn dà

Mr. Zhang isn't here yet — let's eat something first. The bread I bought is big.

好，那我们一人一半吧。

hǎo nà wǒmen yì rén yíbàn ba

Okay, then let's have half each.

Grammar

Subject + Verb + Indirect Object + Direct Object

Double-Object Sentences · “1”. Double-object sentences feature verbs like '给' (to give) or '送' (to send) that take two objects: an indirect object (the recipient) and a direct object (the item). This structure is critical for describing transactions and interpersonal exchanges with authoritative structural precision.

请给我一杯茶。

Qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi chá.

Please give me a cup of tea.

Which word means “one half”?

Write the new characters

0 of 12 written

可 from 可以 · can; may

Trace the strokes in order

Practice

8 questions · about 4 minutes

Pick the meaningListenFill the gapMatchWord order

Finish

Finish the practice to complete this lesson.

Ordering Food and Inquiring After Class

1Bookstore Inquiry

5 new wordsTest yourselfFlashcards

Grammar

2Ordering Breakfast

13 new wordsTest yourselfFlashcards

3Ordering Tea

2 new wordsTest yourselfFlashcards

Grammar

Write the new characters

Practice

Finish

Bookstore Inquiry

5 new words

Ordering Breakfast

13 new words

Ordering Tea

2 new words