New here? This is lesson 45 of a free 240-lesson Simplified Chinese course.
The keys from Mr. Wang in Simplified Chinese
Mr. Wang meets you at the doorway of your new apartment on Banyan Lane. He has the keys, but he is already looking at his ringing phone.
Learn how to take a key, ask about the door and utilities, and thank him before he answers the call. He is brief, so these short questions will help you get what you need.
By the end of this lesson
Receive a key, ask how the door and utilities work, and thank your landlord.
- 这是你的钥匙These are your keys.
- 我拿一把I'll take one.
- 门怎么开？How does the door open?
- 王先生，谢谢你Mr. Wang, thank you.
- 水电怎么用？How do the water and power work?
- 有问题再打给我Call me if there's a problem.
Scene — at the apartment doorway
Mr. Wang is waiting in the doorway of Maya's apartment above the scooter shop on Banyan Lane. He holds out the keys as his phone begins to ring.
Maya needs to find out how to open the door and use the utilities before he takes the call.
Learn — keys and quick questions
Listen to six lines from a quick key handover. Mr. Wang gives the keys and tells you what to do if something goes wrong.
Say each line aloud before moving on.
这是你的钥匙
These are your keys.
When to use it: Say this when handing someone their keys.
Say it: The second syllable of the word for key is light and neutral.
我拿一把
I'll take one.
When to use it: Say this when taking one key from those offered.
Learn this way of asking for one key as one piece.
Say it: The word for one takes a falling tone before the dipping tone.
门怎么开？
How does the door open?
When to use it: Ask this when you need help opening a door.
王先生，谢谢你
Mr. Wang, thank you.
When to use it: Thank Mr. Wang directly after he helps you.
水电怎么用？
How do the water and power work?
When to use it: Ask this when moving in and checking the utilities.
有问题再打给我
Call me if there's a problem.
When to use it: Tell someone to call you if a problem comes up.
Story — a brief handover
Listen to Maya meet Mr. Wang at her apartment door. He hands over the keys and answers her questions briefly.
His phone is ringing, but Maya has time to ask what she needs.
Maya您好。Hello.
Mr. Wang这是你的钥匙。These are your keys.- Maya我拿一把。I'll take one.
- Maya请问，门怎么开？May I ask, how does the door open?
- Mr. Wang门往右转就开了。Turn it to the right and the door opens.
- Maya水电怎么用？How do the water and power work?
- Mr. Wang水电都可以用，有问题再打给我。The water and power both work; call me if there's a problem.
- Maya王先生，谢谢你。Mr. Wang, thank you.
- Mr. Wang answers his ringing phone.
Practice — ask the landlord
Choose and put together the lines you need at the doorway. Pay attention to whether you are asking a question, taking a key, or thanking Mr. Wang.
Check each answer, then try the line aloud.
0 of 9 done
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
这是你的钥匙
Build the line
Build the line
I'll take one.
Tap the words in order.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
How does the door open?
门怎么____？
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Swap the word
Swap the word
You are moving in and want to ask how to use the water and power.
水电怎么____？
What do you say?
What do you say?
Mr. Wang is about to answer a call. Choose his instruction about what to do if a problem comes up.
Match the pairs
Simplified Chinese
这是你的钥匙Drop the English here我拿一把Drop the English here门怎么开？Drop the English here水电怎么用？Drop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
You meet your landlord for the first time. Choose a polite hello.
What do you say?
What do you say?
Before asking Mr. Wang about the door, say, 'May I ask?'
Say it — your turn at the door
Play Maya at the apartment doorway. Mr. Wang is handing you the keys, and his phone is ringing.
Take one key, ask your two questions, and thank him. Listen to his replies before you speak again.
- Mr. Wang这是你的钥匙。These are your keys.
- Maya (you)Say you'll take one key.
Say you'll take one key.
我拿一把
I'll take one.
0 of 4 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Simplified Chinese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 这是你的钥匙 | These are your keys. | |
| 我拿一把 | I'll take one. | |
| 门怎么开？ | How does the door open? | |
| 王先生，谢谢你 | Mr. Wang, thank you. | |
| 水电怎么用？ | How do the water and power work? | |
| 有问题再打给我 | Call me if there's a problem. |
Save your progress — it’s free
Keep your place in the course and see which lines you’ve learned.
Want the next lesson in your inbox?
Get the next lesson by email, one a day.
Join the newsletterDaily lesson emails are coming soon. Newsletter subscribers get them first.
Keep practicing with Yak Cards
Keep these doorway questions handy in Yak Cards.
Review them before your next conversation about the apartment.
Open Yak Cards