请
please; to invite
HSK 1
Lesson 13 · 请给我一杯茶
What you'll learn
Make polite requests, ask permission with `可以`, and use `verb + 一下` for a short or softened action.
1
Listen and Read
Two classmates order tea, look at a book, find a seat, and make a phone call at a study table.
小林
你好，请给我一杯茶。
Hello, could I have a cup of tea, please?
小方
好的。
Sure.
小林
我可以看一下这本书吗？
May I take a quick look at this book?
小方
可以。
Yes, you may.
小林
我可以坐这里吗？
May I sit here?
小方
可以，请坐。
Yes, please sit.
小林
我可以打电话问一下吗？
May I call and ask quickly?
小方
可以。
Yes, you may.
2
Core Words
First read the key words in polite requests smoothly.
给
to give; for
茶
tea
一杯
one cup
3
Pattern: `给 + 人 + 东西`
After `给`, say the person first and then the thing.
给 + 人 + 东西
In Chinese, `给` can take two objects: first who receives it, then what is given. When ordering something, add `请` to sound more polite.
请给我一杯茶。
Could I have a cup of tea, please?
我给老师一本书。
I give the teacher a book.
我给妈妈一个苹果。
I give Mom an apple.
4
Quick Practice
Choose the natural sentence with `给`.
Which sentence means `Could I have a cup of tea, please?`
Choose the option with the most natural word order.
5
Core Words
Use `可以` to make permission questions clearer.
可以
can; may
再
again; one more time
打电话
to make a phone call
一下
once; briefly
坐
to sit
6
Pattern: `可以 + 动词 + 吗？`
`可以` goes before the verb and is often used to ask permission.
可以 + 动词 + 吗？
To ask whether you may do something, say `我可以...吗？`. You can answer simply with `可以` or `不可以`.
我可以坐这里吗？
May I sit here?
你可以打电话问一下。
You can call and ask quickly.
我可以再喝一杯茶吗？
May I have one more cup of tea?
7
Pattern: `动词 + 一下`
Make the action sound shorter or lighter.
动词 + 一下
`一下` goes after the verb. It means the action is short or just a quick try. In requests, it also softens the tone.
我看一下。
Let me take a quick look.
请问一下。
May I ask briefly?
休息一下。
Rest for a bit.
打电话问一下。
Call and ask quickly.
8
Quick Practice
Practice the word order with `可以`.
Which sentence means `May I take a quick look?`
Choose the most natural option.
9
Quick Practice
Choose the correct position of `一下`.
Which sentence means `Let me take a quick look`?
Choose the option with `一下` in the correct position.
10
Learning Note
Put requests, permission, and short actions into two realistic question-answer groups.
Repeat first, then replace `茶` with `水`, and replace `坐这里` with `打电话` to say it yourself.
请给我一杯茶。我可以看一下这本书吗？
Could I have a cup of tea, please? May I take a quick look at this book?
我可以坐这里吗？可以，请坐。
May I sit here? Yes, please sit.