We all have certain talents, and are either very good or not so good at them. Or maybe we can have a skill we can pass on or teach to others. Find out how to discuss some of your abilities with friends or colleagues.
In this Podcast, you will learn:
(1) To talk about playing a sport with some colleagues
(2) How to offer to teach someone else a sport
In the office, two people are chatting about playing badminton at the weekend:
A: 小王，你这周六有空么？Xiǎo wáng, nǐ zhè zhōu liù yǒu kòng me?
Wang: Do you have time this Saturday?
B: 有空呀！怎么了？Yǒu kòng ya! Zěnmeliǎo?
Yes, why?
A: 我约了几个同事周六一起打羽毛球。你也一起来吧！你会打么？Wǒ yuēle jǐ gè tóngshì zhōu liù yīqǐ dǎ yǔmáoqiú. Nǐ yě yī qǐlái ba! Nǐ huì dǎ me?
I asked a few colleagues to play badminton on that day. You should join us. Can you play?
B: 我会。但是…我打得不好。Wǒ huì. Dànshì…wǒ dǎ dé bù hǎo.
I can, but… I am not really good at it.
A: 嗨呀，没关系！我羽毛球打得好啊，我可以教你啊！Hāi ya, méiguānxì! Wǒ yǔmáoqiú dǎ dé hǎo a, wǒ kěyǐ jiào nǐ a!
Aiya, it’s okay. I can play quite well, so I can teach you.
B: 真的？那太好了。Zhēn de? Nà tài hǎole.
Really? That’s great!
Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:
小王： Wang can mean Mr Wang or Miss Wang and refers to young people whose last name is Wang.
周六：Saturday
有空：available
怎么了：What is happening?
In the conversation, it implies: why do you ask?
约了：have appointment with somebody
Eg.
我约了我朋友：I have an appointment with my friend
我约了几个同事：I have appointment with some colleagues
一起：together
打羽毛球：play badminton
也：too , as well
一起来：come together
你会打吗：can you play?
我会：I can
但是：but
我打得不好：I cannot play very well
我可以教你：I can teach you
真的：really?
那太好了：That’s great!
Cultural note: Badminton is one of the most popular sports in China. It’s also a popular team-building event in many companies. Besides badminton, table tennis is also popular amongst different ages in the country.