Meaning
Today's Sentences
- Would you please be quiet?
- Would you please close the door?
- Would you please grab my car keys?
- Would you please turn down the volume?
- Would you please hold my place in line?
- Writer's Note
01
Would you please be quiet?
Situation 1
Would you please be quiet?
Excuse me?
I’ve been sitting in this coffee shop listening to you talk on the phone for the past 20 minutes.
I had no idea I was that loud.
I apologize.
很抱歉。
Situation 2
Would you please be quiet?
Why?
This is a restricted noise area.
We’re trying to protect the concentration of those using the library.
我们正在努力保护使用图书馆人员的注意力。
I’ll keep my voice down.
02
Would you please close the door?
Situation 1
Get some sleep.
Good night.
晚安。
Would you please close the door?
Sure thing.
Thanks, good night.
Situation 2
Professor, I need to talk about something with you.
Come in.
Would you please close the door?
请关上门好吗？
Sure.
I would like to appeal my grade with you.
我想和您申请成绩复议。
Do you have the necessary forms for the appeal?
03
Would you please grab my car keys?
Situation 1
I’m leaving for work now.
Ok.
See you at dinner.
晚餐见。
Oh no, would you please grab my car keys?
Here, you left them on the dresser.
Situation 2
Would you please grab my car keys?
Sure.
Where are they?
他们在哪里？
They should be on the island in the kitchen.
Found them!
04
Would you please turn down the volume?
Situation 1
Would you please turn down the volume?
I’m sorry.
Was the music too loud?
音乐是不是太吵了？
Yes, I have to get up early tomorrow.
I apologize.
We’re having a party here but I’ll keep the music to a minimum.
我们在这里举办派对，但我会把音乐声音调到最低。
Situation 2
Would you please turn down the volume?
Is the TV bothering you?
I’m trying to study for my exam.
Sorry about that.
I’ll turn it down.
我会把声音调小。
05
Would you please hold my place in line?
Situation 1
Excuse me, would you please hold my place in line?
Unfortunately, no I can’t.
Why not?
Well, it wouldn’t be fair to the others waiting in line.
Situation 2
I’m sorry to ask but would you please hold my place in line?
Sure.
Will you be long?
您会花很长时间吗？
No, not at all.
I just need to take my daughter to the restroom.
我只是需要带我女儿去洗手间。
Don’t worry.
I’ll keep your place.
我会为你留个位置。
Writer's Note
Kind of vs. Sort of
"Sort of" and "kind of" are nearly always interchangeable.
You use "kind of/sort of" when you want to say that something or someone can be roughly described in a particular way.
Since we’ve covered "kind of" above, here are some "sort of" examples.
Q. Are you feeling better?
A. Sort of.
A. 有点儿。
Q. We’ve got some new types that have come in. How about these ones?
A. That’s the sort of tent I was looking for.
A. 这就是我在找的那种帐篷。
Q. What do you do when you’re at home?
A. I enjoy listening to music, drawing, that sort of thing.
A. 我喜欢听音乐、画画，诸如此类的事情。
Q. Is something wrong with the car?
A. Tire problems, squeaking brakes, these sorts of things.
A. 轮胎问题、刹车异响，这些类型的事情。
