A dialogue between two friends planning to meet, using availability questions, confirmations, and changing times naturally.
LEVEL/WORDCOUNT: HSK2 / ~500 words
约时间对话
你：什么时候有空？ 我：三点有空。 那：我们在餐厅见，好吗？ 我：好。 你：等一下，我想晚一点，四点可以吗？ 我：马上可以，四点见。 你：在哪里见？ 我：在餐厅。 你：好，四点见！ 我：好，别迟到！
Making an Appointment Dialogue
You: When are you free?
I: I am free at 3:00.
You: Let’s meet at the restaurant, okay?
I: Okay.
You: Wait a moment, I want a later time, is 4:00 okay?
I: Sure, right away. See you at 4:00.
You: Where shall we meet?
I: At the restaurant.
You: Okay, see you at 4:00!
I: Okay, don’t be late!
Audio help
How to Use the Audio
The audio is designed to help you improve your Chinese listening skills and pronunciation. You can use it in two ways:
- Before reading the text: Listen first to practice understanding spoken Chinese. Focus on pronunciation, rhythm, and listening comprehension.
- After reading the text: Listen again to compare your own pronunciation with the native speaker. Improve fluency and speaking skills.
Vocabulary
| Hanzi | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 什么时候 | Shénme shíhòu | When |
| 有空 | Yǒu kòng | Be free |
| 三点 | Sān diǎn | 3:00 |
| 四点 | Sì diǎn | 4:00 |
| 餐厅 | Cāntīng | Restaurant |
| 见 | Jiàn | Meet |
| 等一下 | Děng yīxià | Wait a moment |
| 马上 | Mǎshàng | Right away |
| 好 | Hǎo | Okay |
| 迟到 | Chídào | Be late |
Grammar
- Ask availability: 什么时候有空？
- Confirm time: 三点有空 / 四点可以。
- Use “wait a moment / right away”: 等一下 / 马上.
- Location confirmation: 在餐厅见.
- Negation for punctuality: 别迟到!
Idiomatic Expressions
| Mandarin | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 一言为定 | Yī yán wéi dìng | It’s settled |
| 迟到不好 | Chídào bù hǎo | Being late is bad |
| 说到做到 | Shuō dào zuò dào | Do as one says |
| 按时而来 | Àn shí ér lái | Arrive on time |
| 分秒必争 | Fēn miǎo bì zhēng | Every second counts |
Cultural Insights
- In China, making precise plans with exact times is common among friends.
- Using polite expressions like 等一下 and 马上 shows respect and consideration.
- Meeting at a common place such as a restaurant is typical for casual social appointments.
- Reminders not to be late reflect the cultural value of punctuality.
10 Questions
- 有空是什么意思？ 💡
- 他们最初计划几点见面？ 💡
- 他们同意在哪里见面？ 💡
- 哪句话意思是“wait a moment”？ 💡
- 哪句话意思是“right away”？ 💡
- 后来选定的新见面时间是什么？ 💡
- 最后他们给了什么提醒？ 💡 别迟到
- 他们如何确认见面地点？ 💡
- 哪句话表示同意？ 💡
- 用哪些词来更改时间？ 💡
Multiple Choice
| 1. 什么时候有空？ 💡 a) What time is it? b) When are you free? c) Where are you? | 2. 等一下 💡 a) Wait a moment b) Right away c) Be late |
| 3. 马上 💡 a) Wait a moment b) Right away c) Good | 4. 见 💡 a) Meet b) Eat c) Leave |
| 5. 餐厅 💡 a) Restaurant b) Home c) School | 6. 别迟到 💡 a) Be late b) Don’t be late c) Arrive early |
True or False
- 他们最初计划三点见面。 💡 True
- 会议在家里。 💡 False
- 他们把时间改到四点。 💡 True
- “马上”意思是等一下。 💡 False
- 他们互相提醒不要迟到。 💡 True
- 他们同意在餐厅见面。 💡 True
Retell the Story
用你自己的话写这个故事。
Try to include asking about availability, confirming a time, changing the meeting time, and the reminder not to be late.
