款待客人与聚会
Hosting Guests and Dining Together
StartOrdering Cuisine and Inviting Friends
Lin, Bo, and Teacher Mei discuss regional culinary differences at a restaurant and plan a weekend home visit.
8 new words
请客qǐngkèstand treat; treat someone
今天我请客，大家想吃南方菜还是北方菜？
Today I'm treating! Would everyone like to eat southern food or northern food?
南方nánfāngsouth
今天我请客，大家想吃南方菜还是北方菜？
Today I'm treating! Would everyone like to eat southern food or northern food?
北方běifāngnorth
今天我请客，大家想吃南方菜还是北方菜？
Today I'm treating! Would everyone like to eat southern food or northern food?
做法zuòfǎway of doing or making a thing
我想吃南方菜，听说南方菜和北方菜的做法有很多不同。
I'd like southern food. I hear the cooking methods for southern food and northern food have many differences.
不同bùtóngdifferent
我想吃南方菜，听说南方菜和北方菜的做法有很多不同。
I'd like southern food. I hear the cooking methods for southern food and northern food have many differences.
加jiāadd
如果吃南方菜的话，菜可能少一点儿，我们就多加两个菜。
If we eat southern food, the portions may be a little small, so let's add two more dishes.
的话dehuàused at the end of a conditional clause
如果吃南方菜的话，菜可能少一点儿，我们就多加两个菜。
If we eat southern food, the portions may be a little small, so let's add two more dishes.
做客zuòkèbe a guest
如果大家喜欢吃的话，周末欢迎去我家做客。
If everyone likes this food, you are welcome to visit my home this weekend.
Listen to the conversation
Lin
今天我请客，大家想吃南方菜还是北方菜？
jīntiān wǒ qǐngkè dàjiā xiǎng chī nánfāng cài háishi běifāng cài
Today I'm treating! Would everyone like to eat southern food or northern food?
Bo
我想吃南方菜，听说南方菜和北方菜的做法有很多不同。
wǒ xiǎng chī nánfāng cài tīngshuō nánfāng cài hé běifāng cài de zuòfǎ yǒu hěn duō bùtóng
I'd like southern food. I hear the cooking methods for southern food and northern food have many differences.
Mei
如果吃南方菜的话，菜可能少一点儿，我们就多加两个菜。
rúguǒ chī nánfāng cài dehuà cài kěnéng shǎo yìdiǎnr wǒmen jiù duō jiā liǎng gè cài
If we eat southern food, the portions may be a little small, so let's add two more dishes.
Lin
梅老师，您觉得南方菜和北方菜有什么不同？
méi lǎoshī nín juéde nánfāng cài hé běifāng cài yǒu shénme bùtóng
Teacher Mei, what differences do you think there are between southern and northern food?
Mei
南方的菜比较甜，北方的菜不甜，做法确实不同。
nánfāng de cài bǐjiào tián běifāng de cài bù tián zuòfǎ quèshí bùtóng
Southern dishes are relatively sweet, while northern dishes are not sweet; the cooking methods are indeed different.
Bo
那我们今天吃南方菜的话，就点这些吧。
nà wǒmen jīntiān chī nánfāng cài dehuà jiù diǎn zhèxiē ba
Then if we eat southern food today, let me order these dishes.
Lin
好！如果大家喜欢吃的话，周末欢迎去我家做客。
hǎo rúguǒ dàjiā xǐhuan chī dehuà zhōumò huānyíng qù wǒ jiā zuòkè
Great! If everyone likes this food, you are welcome to visit my home this weekend.
Bo
太好了！能去你家做客，我们很高兴。
tài hǎo le néng qù nǐ jiā zuòkè wǒmen hěn gāoxìng
Wonderful! We will be very happy to visit your home.
Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.
Grammar
如果吃南方菜的话，菜可能少一点儿，我们就多加两个菜。If we eat southern food, the portions may be a little small, so let's add two more dishes.
Situation +的话, + Result
Hypothetical Complex Sentence '...的话，就...'. The hypothetical complex sentence '...的话，就...' is a staple of colloquial Mandarin used to present a conditional premise and its resulting outcome. '的话' marks the 'if' condition, while '就' introduces the 'then' consequence, providing a vital structure for planning, negotiation, and articulating potential scenarios.
你们有时间的话，就来我家做客。
Nǐmen yǒu shíjiān dehuà, jiù lái wǒ jiā zuòkè.
If you have time, come over to my place as guests.
Which word means “different”?
Preparing for Guests at Home
Lin and Bo arrange drinks and fruit in the living room while getting ready to welcome their new neighbors.
6 new words
邻居línjūneighbor
是你的新邻居吗？
Is it your new neighbor?
放心fàngxīnfeel at ease; set one's mind at rest
我把杯子放在桌子上，酒放在旁边了，你放心吧。
I put the cups on the table and the wine next to them, don't worry.
酒jiǔalcoholic drink; wine
你把酒和杯子放在哪里了？
Where did you put the wine and cups?
放fàngput; place
我把茶放在桌子上吧。
I'll put the tea on the table.
客人kèrénguest
博，一会儿有客人要来我家做客。
Bo, guests are coming to visit my home in a little while.
盘子pánziplate
太好了，你也把这个水果盘子放在桌子上吧。
Great, please put this fruit plate on the table as well.
Listen to the conversation
Lin
博，一会儿有客人要来我家做客。
bó yíhuìr yǒu kèrén yào lái wǒ jiā zuòkè
Bo, guests are coming to visit my home in a little while.
Bo
是你的新邻居吗？我把茶放在桌子上吧。
shì nǐ de xīn línjū ma wǒ bǎ chá fàng zài zhuōzi shang ba
Is it your new neighbor? I'll put the tea on the table.
Lin
对，是新邻居。你把酒和杯子放在哪里了？
duì shì xīn línjū nǐ bǎ jiǔ hé bēizi fàng zài nǎlǐ le
Yes, it's the new neighbor. Where did you put the wine and cups?
Bo
我把杯子放在桌子上，酒放在旁边了，你放心吧。
wǒ bǎ bēizi fàng zài zhuōzi shang jiǔ fàng zài pángbiān le nǐ fàngxīn ba
I put the cups on the table and the wine next to them, don't worry.
Lin
太好了，你也把这个水果盘子放在桌子上吧。
tài hǎo le nǐ yě bǎ zhège shuǐguǒ pánzi fàng zài zhuōzi shang ba
Great, please put this fruit plate on the table as well.
Bo
好的，我都放好了，客人什么时候到？
hǎo de wǒ dōu fàng hǎo le kèrén shénme shíhou dào
Okay, I've set everything out. When will the guests arrive?
Lin
他们五分钟后就到，东西都准备好了，就等他们来了。
tāmen wǔ fēnzhōng hòu jiù dào dōngxi dōu zhǔnbèi hǎo le jiù děng tāmen lái le
They will arrive in five minutes. Everything is prepared, so now we are just waiting for them.
Grammar
我把茶放在桌子上吧。I'll put the tea on the table.
Subject +把+ Object + Verb + Complement of Direction/State
'把' Sentence · “4”. This application of the '把' sentence utilizes direction or state complements after the verb to indicate that an action causes a specific change in position or state. It is a sophisticated grammatical tool for describing precise physical movements and the resulting conditions of objects in various environments.
你把声音开得太大了。
Nǐ bǎ shēngyīn kāi de tài dà le.
You've turned the volume up too high.
Fill the gap我把杯子放在桌子上，酒放在旁边了，你____吧。I put the cups on the table and the wine next to them, don't worry.
A Birthday Celebration Gathering
Lin and Bo host a birthday gathering, welcoming Teacher Mei and receiving a thoughtful gift.
5 new words
晚会wǎnhuìevening party; gala
梅老师，欢迎您来我们的生日晚会！
Teacher Mei, welcome to our birthday party!
礼物lǐwùgift; present
这是给你们的礼物，是一位有名的画家画的画。
This is a gift for you all—a painting by a famous painter.
画家huàjiāpainter
这是给你们的礼物，是一位有名的画家画的画。
This is a gift for you all—a painting by a famous painter.
一边yìbiānat the same time; simultaneously
大家请坐，我们可以一边吃水果，一边聊天儿。
聊天儿liáotiānrchat
大家请坐，我们可以一边吃水果，一边聊天儿。
Listen to the conversation
Lin
梅老师，欢迎您来我们的生日晚会！
méi lǎoshī huānyíng nín lái wǒmen de shēngrì wǎnhuì
Teacher Mei, welcome to our birthday party!
Mei
谢谢！这是给你们的礼物，是一位有名的画家画的画。
xièxie zhè shì gěi nǐmen de lǐwù shì yí wèi yǒumíng de huàjiā huà de huà
Thank you! This is a gift for you all—a painting by a famous painter.
Bo
太好了！大家请坐，我们可以一边吃水果，一边聊天儿。
tài hǎo le dàjiā qǐng zuò wǒmen kěyǐ yìbiān chī shuǐguǒ yìbiān liáotiānr
Wonderful! Everyone please sit down. We can chat while eating fruit.
Lin
博，你再往盘子里加点儿水果吧，大家多喝点热茶。
bó nǐ zài wǎng pánzi lǐ jiā diǎn ér shuǐguǒ ba dàjiā duō hē diǎn rè chá
Bo, add a bit more fruit to the plate, and everyone drink some hot tea.
Mei
今天的晚会特别好，大家在一起聊天儿很开心。
jīntiān de wǎnhuì tèbié hǎo dàjiā zài yìqǐ liáotiānr hěn kāixīn
Today's party is especially lovely. Chatting together makes everyone very happy.
Bo
收到您的礼物，又能和您一起过生日，我们很高兴！
shōudào nín de lǐwù yòu néng hé nín yìqǐ guo shēngrì wǒmen hěn gāoxìng
Receiving your gift and celebrating this birthday with you makes us so happy!
Grammar
大家请坐，我们可以一边吃水果，一边聊天儿。
一边+ Action A,一边+ Action B
Coordinate Complex Sentence '一边...，一边...'. The coordinate complex sentence '一边...，一边...' indicates that two distinct actions are taking place simultaneously. It can be shortened to '边...边...' for brevity. This structure is essential for describing multitasking, social interactions, and background activities that occur alongside primary tasks in Mandarin.
咱们一边吃蛋糕，一边聊天儿吧。
Zánmen yìbiān chī dàngāo, yìbiān liáotiānr ba.
Let's eat cake while chatting.
Which word means “at the same time”?
Reflections on Neighborly Friendship
A personal reflection on local neighbors and social interaction.
Listen to the text
上个月，新邻居请我和梅老师去他们家做客。他们从南方来，可是也喜欢北方的做法。客人到了以后，他们先把酒和水果放在盘子里，再请我们坐下。我们一边吃，一边聊天儿，发现大家的生活很不同，也很有意思。他们说明天有时间的话，就来我家参加小博的晚会。我已经把礼物放在桌子上，放心等他们来。
Shànggèyuè, xīn línjū qǐng wǒ hé Méi lǎoshī qù tāmen jiā zuòkè. Tāmen cóng nánfāng lái, kěshì yě xǐhuan běifāng de zuòfǎ. Kèrén dào le yǐhòu, tāmen xiān bǎjiǔ hé shuǐguǒ fàngzài pánzi lǐ, zài qǐng wǒmen zuòxià. Wǒmen yìbiān chī, yìbiān liáotiānr, fāxiàn dàjiā de shēnghuó hěn bùtóng, yě hěn yǒu yìsi. Tāmen shuō míngtiān yǒu shíjiān dehuà, jiù lái wǒjiā cānjiā Xiǎo Bó de wǎnhuì. Wǒ yǐjīng bǎ lǐwù fàngzài zhuōzi shàng, fàngxīn děng tāmen lái.
Last month, our new neighbours invited Teacher Mei and me to visit their home. They came from the south but also like northern ways of cooking. After the guests arrived, they first put wine and fruit on plates, then asked us to sit down. We ate and chatted at the same time, and found that everyone's life was different and interesting. They said that if they had time tomorrow, they would come to my home for Xiao Bo's evening party. I have already put the gifts on the table and am waiting for them without worry.
Write the new characters
0 of 6 written
南 from 南方 · south
Practice
8 questions · about 4 minutes
Pick the meaningListenFill the gapMatchWord order
Finish
Finish the practice to complete this lesson.