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.
Find details in a short notice
Distinguish people, quantities, places, and times in short messages.
Build the meaning
Read or listen first for the type of information: who, how many, where, or when. Familiar words alone do not guarantee the right detail.
桌子上有两个杯子 locates two cups on a table. 上 follows the place noun; 有 introduces what exists there.
Useful words in context
- 桌子 zhuōzi — table. 桌子上有书。
- 上 shàng — on / above. 桌子上。
- 杯子 bēizi — cup. 两个杯子。
- 书 shū — book. 三本书。
- 本 běn — measure word for books. 两本书。
Read for meaning
桌子上有两个杯子和三本书。林安的书在学校。王力下午三点去学校。
There are two cups and three books on the table. Lin An’s book is at school. Wang Li goes to school at three in the afternoon.
Listen to a different passage
Ask a partner to read this with the script closed. Use the online practice for browser playback.
桌子上有三个杯子，没有书。
There are three cups on the table and no books.
Speak and write
Describe a fictional table with two cups and one book. Ask a partner how many cups they heard.
Write a new table description with different quantities. Ask one detail question about it.
One speaking model: A: 桌子上有两个杯子和一本书。 B: 几个杯子？ A: 两个。
One writing model: 桌子上有三个杯子和两本书。几个杯子？
- State the place.
- Use 个 with cups and 本 with books.
- Ask a quantity question.
Check the distinction: If you read the transcript before answering, record that as supported reading, not unseen listening.