Simplified Chinese - Basic Problem Statements

我的___受伤了。

Wǒ de ___ shòushāng le.

I hurt my ___.

Meaning: I hurt my ___.

When to use: Use this to tell someone a part of your body is injured. You can say the body part in the blank: 我的脚受伤了 (Wǒ de jiǎo shòushāng le).

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 我受伤了 without specifying the part — add the body part (我的腿、我的手) for clarity.

___坏了

___ huài le.

The ___ is broken.

Meaning: The ___ is broken.

When to use: Use this for machines, devices, or objects that stopped working: 手机坏了 (Shǒujī huài le).

我忘了___

Wǒ wàng le ___.

I forgot ___.

Meaning: I forgot ___.

When to use: Use this to say you forgot something like keys, a ticket, or a name: 我忘了带钥匙 (Wǒ wàng le dài yàoshi).

Tip: Don’t confuse 我忘了 and 我忘记了 — both are correct, but 我忘了 is more common in casual speech.

我错过了___。

Wǒ cuòguò le ___.

I missed ___.

Meaning: I missed ___.

When to use: Use this for missing transport or events: 我错过了飞机 (Wǒ cuòguò le fēijī) or 我错过了会议 (Wǒ cuòguò le huìyì).

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 我没赶上… (I didn't catch…) instead — both are fine; 我错过了 focuses on 'missed'.

我迟到了

Wǒ chídào le.

I'm late.

Meaning: I'm late.

When to use: Use 我迟到了 to tell someone you arrived after the scheduled time.

我付不了钱

Wǒ fù bù liǎo qián.

I can't pay.

Meaning: I can't pay.

When to use: Use this when you cannot pay right now — maybe no cash or payment failed: 我付不了钱。

太___了

Tài ___ le.

It's too ___.

Meaning: It's too ___.

When to use: Use 太___了 to explain a problem caused by a condition, e.g. 太贵了 (Tài guì le) or 太远了 (Tài yuǎn le).

Tip: Don't forget 了 when reporting a completed feeling or result: 太贵了 (complete judgment) is more natural than just 太贵.