Use the examples with their context and limits. Recall a sentence before reading the model. Original teaching additions accompany examples adapted from Chinese Grammar Wiki (AllSet Learning, CC BY-NC-SA); see the course reference provenance.
Address someone and make a request
Use a suitable title and ask permission politely.
Build the meaning
A surname normally comes before a role title: 王老师, Teacher Wang. Use a title suited to the person and situation.
可以……吗？ asks permission; 请 introduces a polite request. 别…… gives a negative instruction.
Useful words in context
- 老师 lǎoshī — teacher. 王老师。
- 可以 kěyǐ — may / can with permission. 我可以进来吗？
- 进来 jìnlái — come in. 请进来。
- 别 bié — do not, instruction. 别说话。
- 晚 wǎn — late. 我来晚了。
Read for meaning
林安来晚了。她说：“王老师，对不起。我可以进来吗？”王老师说：“可以，请进来。别说话。”
Lin An arrives late. She apologises to Teacher Wang and asks to come in. The teacher permits her and asks her not to talk.
Listen to a different passage
Ask a partner to read this with the script closed. Use the online practice for browser playback.
李老师，我可以坐这里吗？
Teacher Li, may I sit here?
Speak and write
Address Teacher Li, ask to come in, and respond when permission is given.
Write a polite request to sit here, using a surname and title.
One speaking model: A: 李老师，我可以进来吗？ B: 可以，请进来。 A: 谢谢。
One writing model: 王老师，我可以坐这里吗？
- Put the surname before 老师.
- Use 可以 and 吗.
- State the action requested.
Check the distinction: Do not translate English first-name classroom address automatically into every Chinese setting. Use the person’s preferred form of address.