Month: June 2026

Learn Chinese Grammar: Organizing Actions with 先…等…再…

HSK 3 / TOCFL Band A1

Adjusting Action Order: 先 ＋ V，等 ＋ Condition，再 ＋ V

Grammar Analysis:
現在可能不是最佳時機。你可以先做另一件事情。等條件改變或適合的時間到了，再進行原本的計畫。
Xiànzài kěnéng bú shì zuìjiā shíjī. Nǐ kěyǐ xiān zuò lìng yí jiàn shìqíng. Děng tiáojiàn gǎibiàn huò shìhé de shíjiān dào le, zài jìnxíng yuánběn de jìhuà.
The timing might not be ideal right now. You can do another action first. Wait for better conditions. Do the action you originally planned later.
這個句型常用來表示以下情況：
Zhège jùxíng cháng yòng lái biǎoshì yǐxià qíngkuàng:
This pattern is commonly used for the following situations:
  • 先做別的事情打發時間
    Xiān zuò bié de shìqíng dǎfā shíjiān.
    Pass the time with another activity first.
  • 先完成較簡單的事情
    Xiān wánchéng jiào jiǎndān de shìqíng.
    Finish simpler tasks first.
  • 等人到了再開始
    Děng rén dào le zài kāishǐ.
    Wait for someone to arrive before starting.
  • 等天氣變好再出門
    Děng tiānqì biàn hǎo zài chūmén.
    Wait for better weather before going out.
  • 等人變少再去排隊
    Děng rén biàn shǎo zài qù páiduì.
    Wait for fewer people before lining up.
這是一種非常自然的中文時間順序表達方式。
Zhè shì yì zhǒng fēicháng zìrán de zhōngwén shíjiān shùnxù biǎodá fāngshì.
It is a very natural way to express sequence in Mandarin.

Examples

Seeing a restaurant
Friend這間餐廳好多人排隊，感覺很好吃！
Péngyǒu: Zhè jiān cāntīng hǎoduō rén páiduì, gǎnjué hěn hǎochī!
Friend: This restaurant has a long line. It must be delicious.
You人好多...可能要等很久。我們先去逛街，等晚一點人少的時候，再來吃好嗎？
Nǐ: Rén hǎoduō... kěnéng yào děng hěn jiǔ. Wǒmen xiān qù guàngjiē, děng wǎn yìdiǎn rén shǎo de shíhòu, zài lái chī hǎo ma?
You: There are many people. We might wait a long time. Let's go shopping first. We can eat later when there are fewer people.
At home
Son媽媽，你上次說要帶我去公園玩，今天可以去嗎？
Érzi: Māma, nǐ shàngcì shuō yào dài wǒ qù gōngyuán wán, jīntiān kěyǐ qù ma?
Son: Mom, you said last time you would take me to the park. Can we go today?
Mom可以啊！現在好熱。我們先吃水果，等下午不熱了，再去公園玩好嗎？
Māma: Kěyǐ a! Xiànzài hǎo rè. Wǒmen xiān chī shuǐguǒ, děng xiàwǔ bú rè le, zài qù gōngyuán wán hǎo ma?
Mom: Sure. It is very hot now. Let's eat some fruit first. We can go to the park this afternoon when it is cooler.
At home
Daughter媽媽，我好餓，我們什麼時候吃晚餐？
Nǚ'ér: Māma, wǒ hǎo è, wǒmen shénme shíhòu chī wǎncān?
Daughter: Mom, I am very hungry. When are we having dinner?
Mom爸爸說今天晚上會早一點回來。你要不要先吃水果？等爸爸回來了，我們再一起吃晚飯好嗎？
Māma: Bàba shuō jīntiān wǎnshàng huì zǎo yìdiǎn huílái. Nǐ yào bú yào xiān chī shuǐguǒ? Děng bàba huílái le, wǒmen zài yìqǐ chī wǎnfàn hǎo ma?
Mom: Dad said he will come home early tonight. Do you want to eat some fruit first? Let's have dinner together after Dad gets back.

Exercises

At the store
A這支手機很漂亮，我想買。
A: Zhè zhī shǒujī hěn piàoliang, wǒ xiǎng mǎi.
A: This phone is beautiful. I want to buy it.
B這支手機太貴了。我們 ，等 ，再 好嗎？
B: Zhè zhī shǒujī tài guì le. Wǒmen [xiān duō kàn jǐ jiā], děng [cún gòu qián le], zài [mǎi] hǎo ma?
B: This phone is too expensive. Let's look at a few more stores first. Wait until we save enough money. We can buy it later.
At the park
A爸爸，我們現在去踢足球好嗎？
A: Bàba, wǒmen xiànzài qù tī zúqiú hǎo ma?
A: Dad, can we go play football now?
B現在外面人很多。我們 ，等 ，再出去玩。
B: Xiànzài wàimiàn rén hěnduō. Wǒmen [xiān zài jiā kàn diànshì], děng [rén shǎo yìdiǎn], zài chūqù wán.
B: There are many people outside now. Let's watch TV at home first. Wait until there are fewer people. We will go out to play later.
At a friend's house
A我們現在去喝咖啡好嗎？我知道有一家很有名的咖啡廳。
A: Wǒmen xiànzài qù hē kāfēi hǎo ma? Wǒ zhīdào yǒu yì jiān hěn yǒumíng de kāfēitīng.
A: Shall we go drink coffee now? I know a famous coffee shop.
B現在是下午茶時間，那裡一定沒位子。我們 ，等 ，再 。
B: Xiànzài shì xiàwǔchá shíjiān, nàlǐ yídìng méi wèizi. Wǒmen [xiān qù fùjìn guàngguang], děng [wǎncān shíjiān], zài [qù hē kāfēi].
B: It is afternoon tea time now. There will be no seats. Let's walk around nearby first. Wait until dinner time. We will drink coffee later.

How to Use 等…再… to Express Conditions and Timing

HSK 3 / TOCFL Band A1

Setting Conditions: 等 (děng) ＋ Condition ＋ 再 (zài) ＋ V

Grammar Analysis:
在別人有要求或期望的時候，你希望某件事先達成，再做別人期待的事。
Zài biérén yǒu yāoqiú huò qīwàng de shíhòu, nǐ xīwàng mǒu jiàn shì xiān dáchéng, zài zuò biérén qīdài de shì.
When someone expects something, you want a specific condition to be met before taking the expected action.
當某個條件還沒發生時，請暫時停止下一個動作。等條件達成後再行動。這個時候可以使用「等……再……」。
Dāng mǒu gè tiáojiàn hái méi fāshēng shí, qǐng zànshí tíngzhǐ xià yí gè dòngzuò. Děng tiáojiàn dáchéng hòu zài xíngdòng. Zhège shíhòu kěyǐ shǐyòng "děng... zài...".
Use 「等...再...」 to wait for a condition. Take the next action after the condition happens.
這個句型常用來表示以下情況：
Zhège jùxíng cháng yòng lái biǎoshì yǐxià qíngkuàng:
This pattern expresses the following situations:
  • 等人到了再開始
    Děng rén dào le zài kāishǐ.
    Wait until someone arrives, then start.
  • 等工作做完再休息
    Děng gōngzuò zuò wán zài xiūxí.
    Finish work first, then rest.
  • 等天氣變好再出門
    Děng tiānqì biàn hǎo zài chūmén.
    Wait for better weather, then go out.
  • 等車來了再上車
    Děng chē lái le zài shàng chē.
    Wait for the bus, then get on.
這是日常生活中非常常見的時間順序表達方式。
Zhè shì rìcháng shēnghuó zhōng fēicháng chángjiàn de shíjiān shùnxù biǎodá fāngshì.
It is a very common way to express sequence and conditions in everyday Mandarin.

Examples

Waiting for the bus
Friend我們要不要先出去外面？
Péngyǒu: Wǒmen yào bú yào xiān chūqù wàimiàn?
Friend: Shall we go outside first?
You外面太冷了，等車來了，我們再出去吧！
Nǐ: Wàimiàn tài lěng le, děng chē lái le, wǒmen zài chūqù ba!
You: It is too cold outside. Let's go out after the bus arrives.
Shopping at a department store
Assistant您要這個嗎？
Fúwùyuán: Nín yào zhège ma?
Assistant: Would you like this one?
Me等我先生來了，我們討論一下，再跟你說，謝謝！
Wǒ: Děng wǒ xiānshēng lái le, wǒmen tǎolùn yíxià, zài gēn nǐ shuō, xièxie!
Me: I will wait for my husband. We will discuss it. I will let you know later. Thank you.
Doing homework at home
Son爸爸！這個數學我不會，你可以教我嗎？
Érzi: Bàba! Zhège shùxué wǒ búhuì, nǐ kěyǐ jiāo wǒ ma?
Son: Dad! I do not know how to do this math. Can you teach me?
Dad我現在有點忙，等爸爸忙完了，再教你，好嗎？
Bàba: Wǒ xiànzài yǒudiǎn máng, děng bàba máng wán le, zài jiāo nǐ, hǎo ma?
Dad: I am a bit busy right now. I will teach you after I finish.

Exercises

In the living room
A媽媽，我現在想吃冰淇淋！
A: Māma, wǒ xiànzài xiǎng chī bīngqílín!
A: Mom, I want to eat ice cream now.
B你還沒吃午飯， ，再 。
B: Nǐ hái méi chī wǔfàn, [děng chī wán wǔfàn], zài [chī bīngqílín].
B: You have not eaten lunch. Wait until you finish lunch. You can eat ice cream later.
In the classroom
A老師，這題數學怎麼做？你可以教我嗎？
A: Lǎoshī, zhè tí shùxué zěnme zuò? Nǐ kěyǐ jiāo wǒ ma?
A: Teacher, how do I solve this math problem? Can you teach me?
B ，我再 ，好嗎？
B: [Děng wǒ xiàkè], wǒ zài [jiāo nǐ], hǎo ma?
B: Wait until my class is over. I will teach you later.
At the cinema
A電影快要開始了，我們進去吧！
A: Diànyǐng kuàiyào kāishǐ le, wǒmen jìnqù ba!
A: The movie is about to start. Let's go inside.
B大衛還沒來， ，我們再 。
B: Dàwèi hái méi lái, [děng Dàwèi dào le], wǒmen zài [yìqǐ jìnqù].
B: David has not arrived. Let's wait until David arrives. We will go in together later.

Chinese Grammar : How to Delay Actions Using “Reason + zài”

HSK 3 / TOCFL Band A1

Delaying an Action: 原因 ＋ ...再 (Reason + ... zài)

Grammar Analysis:
因為某個原因，延後應該要做的事情到一個期待的時間點。
Yīnwèi mǒu gè yuányīn, yánhòu yīnggāi yào zuò de shìqíng dào yí gè qīdài de shíjiān diǎn.
Delaying something that should be done until an expected time point for a specific reason.

Examples

10:30 PM
A下個月的旅行你都安排好了嗎？我們要去哪些地方呀？
A: Xià gè yuè de lǚxíng nǐ dōu ānpái hǎo le ma? Wǒmen yào qù nǎxiē dìfāng ya?
A: Have you arranged everything for next month's trip? Where are we going?
B安排好了。時間有點晚了，明天再跟你說好嗎？
B: Ānpái hǎo le. Shíjiān yǒudiǎn wǎn le, míngtiān zài gēn nǐ shuō hǎo ma?
B: It is arranged. It is getting late. I will tell you tomorrow.
At the closed restaurant
A太可惜了！餐廳今天沒開......
A: Tài kěxī le! Cāntīng jīntiān méi kāi...
A: What a pity. The restaurant is closed today.
B附近好像有一間也不錯的餐廳，我們下次再來這間吧！
B: Fùjìn hǎoxiàng yǒu yì jiān yě búcuò de cāntīng, wǒmen xià cì zài lái zhè jiān ba!
B: There is another good restaurant nearby. Let's come back to this one next time.
In the office
Colleague你可以給我昨天說的那份文件嗎？
Tóngshì: Nǐ kěyǐ gěi wǒ zuótiān shuō de nà fèn wénjiàn ma?
Colleague: Can you give me that document we talked about yesterday?
Me那份文件我還有一頁還沒做完，等一下做完再給你好嗎？
Wǒ: Nà fèn wénjiàn wǒ hái yǒu yí yè hái méi zuò wán, děng yíxià zuò wán zài gěi nǐ hǎo ma?
Me: I have one page left to finish. I will give it to you later after I finish.

Exercises

At the restaurant
A這間餐廳的菜看起來很好吃，我們要點菜了嗎？
A: Zhè jiān cāntīng de cài kàn qǐlái hěn hǎochī, wǒmen yào diǎncài le ma?
A: The food here looks delicious. Shall we order now?
B我的朋友還沒來，等他到了 ，好嗎？
B: Wǒ de péngyǒu háiméilái, děng tā dào le [wǒmen zài diǎncài], hǎo ma?
B: My friend has not arrived. Let's wait until he arrives. We will order later.
In the office
A王經理，這份報告現在可以給您嗎？
A: Wáng jīnglǐ, zhè fèn bàogào xiànzài kěyǐ gěi nín ma?
A: Manager Wang, can I give you this report now?
B我現在要開會， ，好嗎？
B: Wǒ xiànzài yào kāihuì, [děng kāi wán huì zài kàn], hǎo ma?
B: I have a meeting now. I will look at it after the meeting.

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為確保教學品質及行政作業流程，本課程不接受臨時插課或當日預約。所有課程均須依規定程序提前完成預約。

2. 智慧財產權與錄影規範：
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Whitney Mandarin Studio
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Estas clases se imparten con cita previa. Para mantener la calidad de la enseñanza y respetar el tiempo de ambas partes, se deben cumplir las siguientes normas:

1. Retrasos y Ausencias del Estudiante:
  • Margen de espera: Existe un margen de cortesía de 20 minutos para conectarse. El Estudiante puede acceder dentro de los primeros 20 minutos desde la hora programada de inicio, pero la clase finalizará a la hora prevista originalmente y no se prolongará.
  • Consideración de ausencia: Si el Estudiante no se conecta transcurridos 20 minutos del inicio, se considerará una ausencia injustificada. Se entenderá que el compromiso de enseñanza para esa sesión se ha cumplido; el estudio no ofrecerá clases de recuperación ni reembolsará el importe.
  • No compensación por retraso: Si el Estudiante llega tarde (dentro de los 20 minutos), el profesor impartirá la clase hasta la hora de finalización programada. El tiempo perdido se considerará renunciado voluntariamente, sin derecho a prolongación, recuperación o reembolso proporcional.
2. Retrasos del Profesor y Medidas Compensatorias:
  • Si el profesor no se conecta transcurridos 10 minutos desde el inicio programado, se considerará un retraso en la prestación del servicio.
  • Ante esta situación, el estudio ofrecerá una oportunidad de recuperación, permitiendo al Estudiante elegir un nuevo horario para garantizar su derecho a la formación.

3. Normas de Cancelación y Recuperación de Clases

1. Cancelación Estándar (24 horas antes):

Si el Estudiante desea modificar el horario o cancelar la clase, deberá notificar al estudio al menos 24 horas antes del inicio programado. Quienes cumplan con este plazo conservarán el derecho a la sesión y podrán reprogramarla.

2. Cancelación de Última Hora o Sin Aviso (menos de 24 horas):

Si no se notifica dentro del plazo mencionado o se cancela con menos de 24 horas de antelación, dado que el tiempo del profesor ha sido reservado y no puede reasignarse, la clase se considerará oficialmente impartida. El Estudiante no podrá solicitar su recuperación, aplazamiento ni reembolso.

4. Restricciones de Reserva y Propiedad Intelectual

1. No se Aceptan Reservas de Última Hora:

Para garantizar la calidad educativa y el buen funcionamiento administrativo, no se aceptan incorporaciones de última hora ni reservas para el mismo día. Todas las clases deben reservarse con antelación siguiendo el procedimiento establecido.

2. Propiedad Intelectual y Normativa sobre Grabaciones:
  • El contenido de estas clases es un "diseño personalizado" adaptado a las necesidades del Estudiante. Los derechos de propiedad intelectual del material, apuntes y proceso de enseñanza pertenecen al estudio o al profesor.
  • No se proporcionarán grabaciones de las clases.
  • De acuerdo con las leyes vigentes, queda estrictamente prohibido que el Estudiante realice grabaciones de audio, vídeo, capturas de pantalla o reproducciones de la clase sin el consentimiento por escrito del estudio. Asimismo, no se permite distribuir ni transmitir el contenido a terceros.
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