跟小猫一起学常用基础句式

Learn Basic Chinese Sentence Patterns with Cats

Lesson Overview

Explore Istanbul with Yuli and meet its cats. Learn to describe where they are, count them, and talk about their postures and actions through slow, natural Chinese supported by real scenes.

Everyday Chinese · Slow & Natural

What You’ll Learn

  • Say where a cat is with 在 and location words.
  • Introduce cats and other things in a scene with 有.
  • Describe postures, movement and simple wishes.
LISTEN

Listening Mission

While watching, try to notice:

  1. 小猫在哪些地方?请找出三个不同的地方。 / Where are the cats? Find three different places.

Choose the playback speed, transcript display settings, and number of listens that suit your needs. Try listening for the overall meaning first. Then use the vocabulary and sentence sections to study useful everyday Chinese in more detail.

1

Watch & Follow

Watch the video with the interactive transcript.

Current sentence
Coming next
Playback speed
Transcript display
2

Sentence-by-Sentence Study

Replay each sentence and explore it word by word.

92 lines · Open Sentence Study
#1 · 00:02 - 00:03
大家好。
Dàjiā hǎo.
Hello, everyone.
Sentence breakdown
大家(everyone) 好(hello).
#2 · 00:04 - 00:07
最近我去了土耳其的伊斯坦布尔。
Zuìjìn wǒ qù le Tǔ’ěrqí de Yīsītǎnbù’ěr.
I recently went to Istanbul, Türkiye.
Sentence breakdown
最近(recently) 我(I) 去了(went to) 土耳其(Türkiye) 的(linking particle) 伊斯坦布尔(Istanbul).
#3 · 00:09 - 00:10
那里有很多小猫。
Nàlǐ yǒu hěn duō xiǎomāo.
There are lots of cats there.
Sentence breakdown
那里(there) 有(there are) 很多(lots of) 小猫(cats).
#4 · 00:12 - 00:15
我们和小猫一起学中文吧。
Wǒmen hé xiǎomāo yìqǐ xué Zhōngwén ba.
Let’s learn Chinese with the cats.
Pattern note: 和…一起… = do something together with someone. The English translation expresses the whole pattern; it does not match each Chinese word separately.
Sentence breakdown
我们(we) 和小猫(with the cats) 一起(together) 学中文(learn Chinese) 吧(suggestion particle).
#5 · 00:19 - 00:21
海边有很多人。
Hǎibiān yǒu hěn duō rén.
There are lots of people by the sea.
Pattern note: 地点 + 有 + 人/东西 = there is / are someone or something in a place.
Sentence breakdown
海边(by the sea) 有(there are) 很多人(lots of people).
#6 · 00:22 - 00:25
看,这是一只黑色的猫。
Kàn, zhè shì yì zhī hēisè de māo.
Look, this is a black cat.
Sentence breakdown
看(look) 这(this) 是(is) 一只(one) 黑色的(black) 猫(cat).
#7 · 00:29 - 00:32
这是一只灰色的猫。
Zhè shì yì zhī huīsè de māo.
This is a gray cat.
Sentence breakdown
这(this) 是(is) 一只(one) 灰色的(gray) 猫(cat).
#8 · 00:32 - 00:33
它在路边走。
Tā zài lùbiān zǒu.
It’s walking along the side of the street.
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 在路边(along the side of the street) 走(walk).
#9 · 00:37 - 00:39
商店门口也有猫。
Shāngdiàn ménkǒu yě yǒu māo.
There are cats outside the shop too.
Sentence breakdown
商店门口(outside the shop) 也(also) 有(there are) 猫(cats).
#10 · 00:42 - 00:43
这是商店。
Zhè shì shāngdiàn.
This is a shop.
Sentence breakdown
这(this) 是(is) 商店(shop).
#11 · 00:44 - 00:46
它们在商店门口。
Tāmen zài shāngdiàn ménkǒu.
They’re outside the shop.
Sentence breakdown
它们(they) 在(are at) 商店门口(the shop entrance).
#12 · 00:48 - 00:50
一只,两只。
Yì zhī, liǎng zhī.
One, two.
Sentence breakdown
一只(one cat) 两只(two cats).
#13 · 00:50 - 00:52
这里有两只猫。
Zhèlǐ yǒu liǎng zhī māo.
There are two cats here.
Pattern note: 地点 + 有 + 人/东西 = there is / are someone or something in a place.
Sentence breakdown
这里(here) 有(there are) 两只猫(two cats).
#14 · 00:53 - 00:55
它们都在睡觉。
Tāmen dōu zài shuìjiào.
They’re all sleeping.
Pattern note: 都 = all; it includes every member of the group.
Pattern note: 在 + action: the action is happening now.
Sentence breakdown
它们(they) 都(all) 在睡觉(are sleeping).
#15 · 00:59 - 01:01
商店外面有一只猫。
Shāngdiàn wàimian yǒu yì zhī māo.
There’s a cat outside the shop.
Pattern note: 地点 + 有 + 人/东西 = there is / are someone or something in a place.
Sentence breakdown
商店外面(outside the shop) 有(there is) 一只猫(a cat).
#16 · 01:02 - 01:05
商店里面也有猫。
Shāngdiàn lǐmian yě yǒu māo.
There are cats inside the shop too.
Sentence breakdown
商店里面(inside the shop) 也(also) 有(there are) 猫(cats).
#17 · 01:06 - 01:09
啊,商店里面有两只猫。
A, shāngdiàn lǐmian yǒu liǎng zhī māo.
Oh, there are two cats inside the shop.
Sentence breakdown
啊(oh) 商店里面(inside the shop) 有(there are) 两只猫(two cats).
#18 · 01:12 - 01:14
这里一共有三只猫。
Zhèlǐ yígòng yǒu sān zhī māo.
There are three cats here altogether.
Pattern note: 一共 + number = a total of / altogether.
Sentence breakdown
这里(here) 一共(altogether) 有(there are) 三只猫(three cats).
#19 · 01:18 - 01:21
猫在台阶上。
Māo zài táijiē shang.
The cat is on the step.
Pattern note: 在…上 = on…
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(is on) 台阶上(the step).
#20 · 01:24 - 01:27
猫在窗户外面。
Māo zài chuānghu wàimian.
The cat is outside the window.
Pattern note: 在…外面 = outside…
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(is) 窗户外面(outside the window).
#21 · 01:31 - 01:33
猫在窗台上。
Māo zài chuāngtái shang.
The cat is on the windowsill.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(is on) 窗台上(the windowsill).
#22 · 01:34 - 01:37
它从右边走到左边。
Tā cóng yòubian zǒu dào zuǒbian.
It walks from the right to the left.
Pattern note: 从…到… = from…to…; put the movement verb before 到.
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 从右边(from the right) 走(walk) 到左边(to the left).
#23 · 01:41 - 01:44
这只猫趴在窗户外面。
Zhè zhī māo pā zài chuānghu wàimian.
This cat is lying on its belly outside the window.
Pattern note: 坐/躺/趴 + 在 + place describes posture and location together.
Sentence breakdown
这只猫(this cat) 趴(lie on its belly) 在(is at) 窗户外面(outside the window).
#24 · 01:50 - 01:53
小猫坐在箱子上面。
Xiǎomāo zuò zài xiāngzi shàngmian.
The cat is sitting on top of the box.
Pattern note: 坐/躺/趴 + 在 + place describes posture and location together.
Sentence breakdown
小猫(the cat) 坐(sit) 在(on) 箱子上面(the top of the box).
#25 · 01:54 - 01:55
你好,小猫。
Nǐ hǎo, xiǎomāo.
Hello, kitty.
Sentence breakdown
你好(hello) 小猫(kitty).
#26 · 01:59 - 02:00
猫在哪儿呢?
Māo zài nǎr ne?
Where’s the cat?
Pattern note: 在哪儿(呢)? = Where is / are…? 呢 makes the question conversational and has no separate word here in English.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(be located) 哪儿(where) 呢(question particle).
#27 · 02:01 - 02:02
猫在沙发上。
Māo zài shāfā shang.
The cat is on the armchair.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(is on) 沙发上(the armchair).
#28 · 02:04 - 02:06
猫躺在沙发上。
Māo tǎng zài shāfā shang.
The cat is lying on the armchair.
Pattern note: 坐/躺/趴 + 在 + place describes posture and location together.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 躺(lie) 在(on) 沙发上(the armchair).
#29 · 02:09 - 02:12
猫在椅子上睡觉。
Māo zài yǐzi shang shuìjiào.
The cat is sleeping on the chair.
Pattern note: 在 + place + action tells us where an action happens. This 在 introduces a place; it is not the ongoing-action marker.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在椅子上(on the chair) 睡觉(sleep).
#30 · 02:13 - 02:16
猫坐在桌子上。
Māo zuò zài zhuōzi shang.
The cat is sitting on the table.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 坐(sit) 在(on) 桌子上(the table).
#31 · 02:20 - 02:23
商店门口有桌子和椅子。
Shāngdiàn ménkǒu yǒu zhuōzi hé yǐzi.
There are tables and chairs outside the shop.
Sentence breakdown
商店门口(outside the shop) 有(there are) 桌子(tables) 和(and) 椅子(chairs).
#32 · 02:24 - 02:26
猫在椅子下面。
Māo zài yǐzi xiàmian.
The cat is under the chair.
Pattern note: 在…下面 = under…
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(is under) 椅子下面(the chair).
#33 · 02:30 - 02:31
看,车上也有猫。
Kàn, chē shang yě yǒu māo.
Look, there are cats on the cars too.
Sentence breakdown
看(look) 车上(on the cars) 也(also) 有(there are) 猫(cats).
#34 · 02:38 - 02:40
猫在车顶上。
Māo zài chēdǐng shang.
The cat is on the car roof.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(is on) 车顶上(the car roof).
#35 · 02:43 - 02:47
这只小猫从右边跳到左边。
Zhè zhī xiǎomāo cóng yòubian tiào dào zuǒbian.
This cat jumps from the right to the left.
Pattern note: 从…到… = from…to…; put the movement verb before 到.
Sentence breakdown
这只小猫(this cat) 从右边(from the right) 跳(jump) 到左边(to the left).
#36 · 02:50 - 02:52
有多少只猫呢?
Yǒu duōshao zhī māo ne?
How many cats are there?
Pattern note: 有几/多少…? = How many…are there?
Sentence breakdown
有(there are) 多少只猫(how many cats) 呢(question particle).
#37 · 02:53 - 02:56
车顶一共有四只猫。
Chēdǐng yígòng yǒu sì zhī māo.
There are four cats on the car roofs altogether.
Pattern note: 一共 + number = a total of / altogether.
Sentence breakdown
车顶(the car roofs) 一共(altogether) 有(there are) 四只猫(four cats).
#38 · 02:58 - 03:00
路边有一辆摩托车。
Lùbiān yǒu yí liàng mótuōchē.
There’s a motorcycle by the side of the street.
Sentence breakdown
路边(by the side of the street) 有(there is) 一辆摩托车(a motorcycle).
#39 · 03:04 - 03:06
猫趴在摩托车上。
Māo pā zài mótuōchē shang.
The cat is lying on its belly on the motorcycle.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 趴(lie on its belly) 在(on) 摩托车上(the motorcycle).
#40 · 03:09 - 03:10
猫在哪儿呢?
Māo zài nǎr ne?
Where’s the cat?
Pattern note: 在哪儿(呢)? = Where is / are…? 呢 makes the question conversational and has no separate word here in English.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(be located) 哪儿(where) 呢(question particle).
#41 · 03:11 - 03:12
猫在车下面。
Māo zài chē xiàmian.
The cat is under the car.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(is under) 车下面(the car).
#42 · 03:13 - 03:16
车下面有两只猫。
Chē xiàmian yǒu liǎng zhī māo.
There are two cats under the car.
Sentence breakdown
车下面(under the car) 有(there are) 两只猫(two cats).
#43 · 03:17 - 03:19
它们在吃东西。
Tāmen zài chī dōngxi.
They’re eating.
Pattern note: 在 + action: the action is happening now.
Sentence breakdown
它们(they) 在吃东西(are eating).
#44 · 03:21 - 03:24
这里有两只橘猫。
Zhèlǐ yǒu liǎng zhī júmāo.
There are two orange cats here.
Sentence breakdown
这里(here) 有(there are) 两只橘猫(two orange cats).
#45 · 03:25 - 03:28
它们坐在ATM前面。
Tāmen zuò zài ATM qiánmian.
They’re sitting in front of an ATM.
Sentence breakdown
它们(they) 坐(sit) 在(in front of) ATM前面(an ATM).
#46 · 03:30 - 03:33
左边的猫躺在地上了。
Zuǒbian de māo tǎng zài dìshang le.
The cat on the left is now lying on the ground.
Sentence breakdown
左边的猫(the cat on the left) 躺(lie down) 在地上(on the ground) 了(change-of-state particle).
#47 · 03:36 - 03:38
这是一个花园。
Zhè shì yí ge huāyuán.
This is a garden.
Sentence breakdown
这(this) 是(is) 一个花园(a garden).
#48 · 03:38 - 03:40
花园里有很多树。
Huāyuán lǐ yǒu hěn duō shù.
There are lots of trees in the garden.
Sentence breakdown
花园里(in the garden) 有(there are) 很多树(lots of trees).
#49 · 03:41 - 03:43
猫在树旁边。
Māo zài shù pángbiān.
The cat is beside the tree.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(is beside) 树旁边(the tree).
#50 · 03:44 - 03:47
猫在草地上。
Māo zài cǎodì shang.
The cat is on the grass.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在(is on) 草地上(the grass).
#51 · 03:51 - 03:53
草地上有两只猫。
Cǎodì shang yǒu liǎng zhī māo.
There are two cats on the grass.
Sentence breakdown
草地上(on the grass) 有(there are) 两只猫(two cats).
#52 · 03:54 - 03:57
前面这只猫走到树下。
Qiánmian zhè zhī māo zǒu dào shù xià.
The cat in front walks to a spot under the tree.
Pattern note: V + 到 + place: movement reaches a destination.
Sentence breakdown
前面这只猫(the cat in front) 走到(walk over to) 树下(under the tree).
#53 · 03:57 - 03:59
它在看什么呢?
Tā zài kàn shénme ne?
What’s it looking at?
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 在看(be looking at) 什么(what) 呢(question particle).
#54 · 04:02 - 04:05
啊,树上有一只小鸟。
A, shù shang yǒu yì zhī xiǎoniǎo.
Oh, there’s a little bird in the tree.
Sentence breakdown
啊(oh) 树上(in the tree) 有(there is) 一只小鸟(a little bird).
#55 · 04:11 - 04:13
后面的猫也来了。
Hòumian de māo yě lái le.
The cat at the back has come over too.
Sentence breakdown
后面的猫(the cat at the back) 也(also) 来了(has come over).
#56 · 04:14 - 04:16
它也想抓小鸟吗?
Tā yě xiǎng zhuā xiǎoniǎo ma?
Does it want to catch the little bird too?
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 也(also) 想(want to) 抓(catch) 小鸟(the little bird) 吗(question particle).
#57 · 04:23 - 04:25
啊,小鸟飞走了。
A, xiǎoniǎo fēizǒu le.
Oh, the little bird has flown away.
Pattern note: 走 = away in 飞走; 了 marks the change: the bird has flown away.
Sentence breakdown
啊(oh) 小鸟(the little bird) 飞走了(has flown away).
#58 · 04:30 - 04:32
地上有几只猫?
Dìshang yǒu jǐ zhī māo?
How many cats are there on the ground?
Pattern note: 有几/多少…? = How many…are there?
Sentence breakdown
地上(on the ground) 有(there are) 几只猫(how many cats).
#59 · 04:33 - 04:36
一只,两只,三只。
Yì zhī, liǎng zhī, sān zhī.
One, two, three.
Sentence breakdown
一只(one cat) 两只(two cats) 三只(three cats).
#60 · 04:36 - 04:38
地上有三只猫。
Dìshang yǒu sān zhī māo.
There are three cats on the ground.
Sentence breakdown
地上(on the ground) 有(there are) 三只猫(three cats).
#61 · 04:39 - 04:42
车站里也有猫。
Chēzhàn lǐ yě yǒu māo.
There are cats in the station too.
Sentence breakdown
车站里(in the station) 也(also) 有(there are) 猫(cats).
#62 · 04:43 - 04:45
猫在闸机上睡觉。
Māo zài zhájī shang shuìjiào.
The cat is sleeping on the ticket gate.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在闸机上(on the ticket gate) 睡觉(sleep).
#63 · 04:49 - 04:51
站台上也有猫。
Zhàntái shang yě yǒu māo.
There are cats on the platform too.
Sentence breakdown
站台上(on the platform) 也(also) 有(there are) 猫(cats).
#64 · 04:52 - 04:55
地铁车厢里也有猫。
Dìtiě chēxiāng lǐ yě yǒu māo.
There are cats inside the metro carriage too.
Sentence breakdown
地铁车厢里(inside the metro carriage) 也(also) 有(there are) 猫(cats).
#65 · 04:56 - 04:57
下雨了。
Xià yǔ le.
It’s raining.
Sentence breakdown
下雨(rain) 了(change-of-state particle).
#66 · 04:57 - 05:00
商场门口有一只黑猫。
Shāngchǎng ménkǒu yǒu yì zhī hēimāo.
There’s a black cat outside the shopping mall.
Sentence breakdown
商场门口(outside the shopping mall) 有(there is) 一只黑猫(a black cat).
#67 · 05:02 - 05:04
商场里有一只猫。
Shāngchǎng lǐ yǒu yì zhī māo.
There’s a cat inside the shopping mall.
Sentence breakdown
商场里(inside the shopping mall) 有(there is) 一只猫(a cat).
#68 · 05:05 - 05:06
你好,小猫。
Nǐ hǎo, xiǎomāo.
Hello, kitty.
Sentence breakdown
你好(hello) 小猫(kitty).
#69 · 05:08 - 05:09
猫在看我。
Māo zài kàn wǒ.
The cat is looking at me.
Pattern note: 在 + action: the action is happening now.
Sentence breakdown
猫(the cat) 在看(is looking at) 我(me).
#70 · 05:12 - 05:13
它过来了。
Tā guòlái le.
It’s come over.
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 过来了(has come over).
#71 · 05:15 - 05:17
我觉得它很喜欢我。
Wǒ juéde tā hěn xǐhuan wǒ.
I think it really likes me.
Sentence breakdown
我觉得(I think) 它(it) 很(really) 喜欢(like) 我(me).
#72 · 05:20 - 05:22
小猫坐下了。
Xiǎomāo zuòxià le.
The cat has sat down.
Pattern note: 下 = down in 坐下; 了 marks the change: the cat has sat down.
Sentence breakdown
小猫(the cat) 坐下了(has sat down).
#73 · 05:22 - 05:24
我和小猫说再见。
Wǒ hé xiǎomāo shuō zàijiàn.
I say goodbye to the cat.
Sentence breakdown
我(I) 和小猫(to the cat) 说再见(say goodbye).
#74 · 05:26 - 05:29
我们在餐厅门口吃饭。
Wǒmen zài cāntīng ménkǒu chīfàn.
We’re eating outside the restaurant.
Pattern note: 在 + place + action tells us where an action happens. This 在 introduces a place; it is not the ongoing-action marker.
Sentence breakdown
我们(we) 在餐厅门口(outside the restaurant) 吃饭(eat).
#75 · 05:30 - 05:32
小猫过来了。
Xiǎomāo guòlái le.
The cat has come over.
Sentence breakdown
小猫(the cat) 过来了(has come over).
#76 · 05:34 - 05:36
这是一只长毛猫。
Zhè shì yì zhī chángmáomāo.
This is a long-haired cat.
Sentence breakdown
这(this) 是(is) 一只长毛猫(a long-haired cat).
#77 · 05:37 - 05:39
它的毛很长。
Tā de máo hěn cháng.
Its fur is very long.
Sentence breakdown
它的(its) 毛(fur) 很(very) 长(long).
#78 · 05:41 - 05:41
它很漂亮。
Tā hěn piàoliang.
It’s very beautiful.
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 很(very) 漂亮(beautiful).
#79 · 05:45 - 05:48
我觉得它想吃东西。
Wǒ juéde tā xiǎng chī dōngxi.
I think it wants something to eat.
Sentence breakdown
我觉得(I think) 它(it) 想(want to) 吃东西(eat something).
#80 · 05:51 - 05:52
我摸摸它。
Wǒ mōmo tā.
I pet it a little.
Pattern note: Repeat a verb (VV / V一V) to suggest a brief or gentle action; English may not use a separate word for this.
Sentence breakdown
我(I) 摸摸(give a little pet) 它(it).
#81 · 06:05 - 06:06
它跳上来了。
Tā tiào shànglái le.
It’s jumped up.
Pattern note: 上来 = up toward the speaker; 了 marks the change: the cat has jumped up.
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 跳(jump) 上来了(has come up).
#82 · 06:09 - 06:11
它在看我的早餐。
Tā zài kàn wǒ de zǎocān.
It’s looking at my breakfast.
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 在看(is looking at) 我的(my) 早餐(breakfast).
#83 · 06:17 - 06:19
它说它也想吃。
Tā shuō tā yě xiǎng chī.
It says it wants to eat too.
Sentence breakdown
它说(it says) 它(it) 也(also) 想吃(wants to eat).
#84 · 06:23 - 06:25
我给它一片香肠。
Wǒ gěi tā yí piàn xiāngcháng.
I give it a slice of sausage.
Pattern note: 给 + someone + something = give someone something.
Sentence breakdown
我(I) 给(give) 它(it) 一片香肠(a slice of sausage).
#85 · 06:28 - 06:32
它闻了一下,但是它不想吃。
Tā wén le yíxià, dànshì tā bù xiǎng chī.
It sniffed it briefly, but it didn’t want to eat it.
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 闻了一下(sniffed it briefly) 但是(but) 它(it) 不想吃(did not want to eat).
#86 · 06:37 - 06:38
它走了。
Tā zǒu le.
It’s walked away.
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 走了(has walked away).
#87 · 06:44 - 06:47
我老公说它想我们摸摸它。
Wǒ lǎogōng shuō tā xiǎng wǒmen mōmo tā.
My husband says it wants us to pet it.
Pattern note: Repeat a verb (VV / V一V) to suggest a brief or gentle action; English may not use a separate word for this.
Sentence breakdown
我老公(my husband) 说(says) 它(it) 想(wants) 我们(us) 摸摸它(to pet it).
#88 · 06:58 - 07:00
它现在很高兴。
Tā xiànzài hěn gāoxìng.
It’s very happy now.
Sentence breakdown
它(it) 现在(now) 很(very) 高兴(happy).
#89 · 07:06 - 07:08
伊斯坦布尔有很多猫。
Yīsītǎnbù’ěr yǒu hěn duō māo.
There are lots of cats in Istanbul.
Sentence breakdown
伊斯坦布尔(Istanbul) 有(there are) 很多猫(lots of cats).
#90 · 07:10 - 07:12
你喜欢猫吗?
Nǐ xǐhuan māo ma?
Do you like cats?
Sentence breakdown
你(you) 喜欢(like) 猫(cats) 吗(question particle).
#91 · 07:15 - 07:17
伊斯坦布尔,再见!
Yīsītǎnbù’ěr, zàijiàn!
Goodbye, Istanbul!
Sentence breakdown
伊斯坦布尔(Istanbul) 再见(goodbye).
#92 · 07:20 - 07:21
小猫,再见!
Xiǎomāo, zàijiàn!
Goodbye, cats!
Sentence breakdown
小猫(cats) 再见(goodbye).
3

Vocabulary & Expressions

Learn key vocabulary from this lesson and use it in common collocations.

门口
ménkǒu
entrance; doorway
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
商店门口
shāngdiàn ménkǒu
outside the shop entrance
餐厅门口
cāntīng ménkǒu
outside the restaurant entrance
EXAMPLE
商店门口也有猫。
Shāngdiàn ménkǒu yě yǒu māo.
There are cats outside the shop too.
窗台
chuāngtái
windowsill
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
窗台上
chuāngtái shàng
on the windowsill
坐在窗台上
zuò zài chuāngtái shàng
sit on the windowsill
EXAMPLE
猫在窗台上。
Māo zài chuāngtái shang.
The cat is on the windowsill.
趴
pā
lie on one’s belly
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
趴在地上
pā zài dìshang
lie on the ground on one’s belly
趴在窗台上
pā zài chuāngtái shàng
lie on the windowsill on one’s belly
EXAMPLE
这只猫趴在窗户外面。
Zhè zhī māo pā zài chuānghu wàimian.
This cat is lying on its belly outside the window.
躺
tǎng
lie down; recline
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
躺在沙发上
tǎng zài shāfā shàng
lie on the sofa
躺在地上
tǎng zài dìshang
lie on the ground
EXAMPLE
猫躺在沙发上。
Māo tǎng zài shāfā shang.
The cat is lying on the armchair.
摩托车
mótuōchē
motorcycle
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
一辆摩托车
yí liàng mótuōchē
one motorcycle
摩托车上
mótuōchē shàng
on the motorcycle
EXAMPLE
路边有一辆摩托车。
Lùbiān yǒu yí liàng mótuōchē.
There’s a motorcycle by the side of the street.
草地
cǎodì
grass; lawn
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
草地上
cǎodì shàng
on the grass
坐在草地上
zuò zài cǎodì shàng
sit on the grass
EXAMPLE
猫在草地上。
Māo zài cǎodì shang.
The cat is on the grass.
长毛猫
chángmáomāo
long-haired cat
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
一只长毛猫
yì zhī chángmáomāo
one long-haired cat
漂亮的长毛猫
piàoliang de chángmáomāo
a beautiful long-haired cat
EXAMPLE
这是一只长毛猫。
Zhè shì yì zhī chángmáomāo.
This is a long-haired cat.
摸
mō
stroke; touch
COMMON COLLOCATIONS
摸摸小猫
mōmo xiǎomāo
stroke the cat a little
摸摸它
mōmo tā
stroke it a little
EXAMPLE
我摸摸它。
Wǒ mōmo tā.
I pet it a little.

Vocabulary Practice

Choose the correct vocabulary item to complete each sentence. Use the collocations above as a guide.

摩托车趴摸窗台长毛猫躺门口草地
商店也有猫。
猫在上。
这只猫在窗户外面。
猫在沙发上。
路边有一辆。
猫在上。
这是一只。
我摸它。
4

Sentence Practice

Study useful structures from this lesson and make your own sentences.

地点 + 有 + 名词

dìdiǎn + yǒu + míngcí
There is / are … in a place.
Grammar & Usage

Introduce what exists somewhere: place + 有 + a noun or quantity phrase. Compare 海边有猫 with 猫在海边: the first introduces a cat; the second tells us where a known cat is.

From the lesson

这里有两只猫。

Zhèlǐ yǒu liǎng zhī māo.
There are two cats here.
Make Your Own Sentence

Say this in Chinese using the pattern above: “There is a cat at the entrance.”

主语 + 在 + 地点

zhǔyǔ + zài + dìdiǎn
Someone or something is in a place.
Grammar & Usage

Use 在 to say where someone or something is. Put the location after 在. Add 上、下面、旁边 when needed; do not add 是 before 在.

From the lesson

猫在台阶上。

Māo zài táijiē shang.
The cat is on the step.
Make Your Own Sentence

Say this in Chinese using the pattern above: “My phone is on the table.”

姿态动词 + 在 + 地点

zītài dòngcí + zài + dìdiǎn
Sit or lie somewhere.
Grammar & Usage

Use 坐、躺 or 趴 before 在 + place to describe posture and location together. 趴 means lying on the belly; 躺 describes a reclining or lying posture.

From the lesson

猫躺在沙发上。

Māo tǎng zài shāfā shang.
The cat is lying on the armchair.
Make Your Own Sentence

Say this in Chinese using the pattern above: “I am sitting on a chair.”

从 + 起点 + V + 到 + 终点

cóng + qǐdiǎn + V + dào + zhōngdiǎn
Move from one place to another.
Grammar & Usage

从 introduces the starting point. Put the movement verb before 到, followed by the destination: 从右边走到左边.

From the lesson

它从右边走到左边。

Tā cóng yòubian zǒu dào zuǒbian.
It walks from the right to the left.
Make Your Own Sentence

Say this in Chinese using the pattern above: “I walk from the entrance to beside the car.”

想 + V

xiǎng + V
Want to do something.
Grammar & Usage

Put 想 before a verb to express a wish or intention. Use 不想 + verb to say you do not want to do something. In the video, 想 describes the narrator’s interpretation of what a cat wants.

From the lesson

它也想抓小鸟吗?

Tā yě xiǎng zhuā xiǎoniǎo ma?
Does it want to catch the little bird too?
Make Your Own Sentence

Say this in Chinese using the pattern above: “I want to play with the cat.”

5

Your Turn

Use the new expressions in your own words.

请选择视频里的一只猫,用三到五句话介绍它。可以说它是什么颜色、在哪儿、在做什么,以及你喜不喜欢它。
Choose a cat from the video and describe it in three to five sentences. You can talk about its color, where it is, what it is doing, and whether you like it.
Expression frames
  • 这是一只……的猫。
  • 它在……。
  • 它很……。
  • 我喜欢……。