Simplified Chinese - Simple Explanations

Lesson 44 of 156

Two colleagues explaining a project in Simplified Chinese with speech bubbles showing phrases like 因为…所以….

Goal: Clear, short ways to explain reasons, purposes and how things work

Free Simplified Chinese lessons with guided practice, audio, and speaking support.

Welcome back — nice to see you at lesson 44! This lesson is short, practical, and focused: you’ll hear common little frames people use to explain things simply. Have fun repeating them aloud.

Level B1: In this lesson you’ll practice short explanation frames like 因为…所以…, 如果…就…, and phrases to check or simplify your point (我的意思是…, 这样说清楚吗？). These are CEFR-aligned quick tools for clarifying and summarizing in everyday conversation and meetings.

After this lesson you'll be able to:

  • Use basic cause-result sentences (因为…，所以…).
  • Clarify or restate points with 我的意思是… and 简单说，….
  • Give simple purposes and conditions (我们这样做是为了…, 如果…，就…).
  • Check understanding with 这样说清楚吗？ and summarize with 重点是….
  • Practice saying each phrase out loud (speaking repetition).
A meeting room scene in mainland China where a speaker uses short explanation frames such as 主要是想….

Ready? Let's go!

When you tap play on phrases, we track your progress through this lesson.

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

因为___，所以___。

Yīnwèi ___, suǒyǐ ___.

Because of ___, ___.

Meaning: Because of ___, ___.

When to use: Use this to give a reason and then the result. Very common in Mainland Mandarin when you need a short cause → effect sentence.

Tip: Avoid saying “原因是因为…”，that’s redundant; prefer 因为…，所以… or 原因是…。

因为下雨，所以我们改天去。

Yīnwèi xiàyǔ, suǒyǐ wǒmen gǎitiān qù.

Because it rained, we’ll go another day.
因为预算不够，所以先省一点。

Yīnwèi yùsuàn bùgòu, suǒyǐ xiān shěng yìdiǎn.

Because the budget isn’t enough, we’ll save a bit first.

我的意思是___。

Wǒ de yìsi shì ___.

What I mean is ___.

Meaning: What I mean is ___.

When to use: Use this to restate or clarify what you just said in simpler words. Good in meetings or casual talk when someone looks confused.

我的意思是我们应该先试一遍。

Wǒ de yìsi shì wǒmen yīnggāi xiān shì yí biàn.

What I mean is we should try it once first.
我的意思是你不用担心太多。

Wǒ de yìsi shì nǐ búyòng dānxīn tài duō.

What I mean is you don't need to worry too much.

简单说，___。

Jiǎndān shuō, ___.

In simple words, ___.

Meaning: In simple words, ___.

When to use: Say this when you want to restate something more simply or give a quick summary.

简单说，问题在于沟通。

Jiǎndān shuō, wèntí zàiyú gōutōng.

Simply put, the problem is communication.
简单说，我们要节省时间。

Jiǎndān shuō, wǒmen yào jiéshěng shíjiān.

In simple terms, we need to save time.

主要是想___。

Zhǔyào shì xiǎng ___.

The idea is to ___.

Meaning: The idea is to ___.

When to use: Use this to explain the basic point or intention behind a suggestion or action.

主要是想确认人数。

Zhǔyào shì xiǎng quèrèn rénshù.

The idea is to confirm the headcount.
主要是想提醒你带文件。

Zhǔyào shì xiǎng tíxǐng nǐ dài wénjiàn.

The main idea is to remind you to bring the documents.

我们这样做是为了___。

Wǒmen zhèyàng zuò shì wèile ___.

We do this to ___.

Meaning: We do this to ___.

When to use: Use this to explain the purpose of an action or policy in a simple way.

我们这样做是为了节省成本。

Wǒmen zhèyàng zuò shì wèile jiéshěng chéngběn.

We do this to save costs.
我们这样做是为了让流程更简单。

Wǒmen zhèyàng zuò shì wèile ràng liúchéng gèng jiǎndān.

We do this to make the process simpler.

如果___，就___。

Rúguǒ ___, jiù ___.

If ___, then ___.

Meaning: If ___, then ___.

When to use: Use this common conditional form to explain what will happen if a condition is met.

Tip: Be careful with the order: 如果…，就… is the normal pattern; swapping parts can sound odd.

如果明天下雨，就取消野餐。

Rúguǒ míngtiān xiàyǔ, jiù qǔxiāo yěcān.

If it rains tomorrow, we’ll cancel the picnic.
如果你有时间，就帮我看看这个文件。

Rúguǒ nǐ yǒu shíjiān, jiù bāng wǒ kànkàn zhège wénjiàn.

If you have time, then help me check this document.

没听起来那么难。

Méi tīng qǐlái nàme nán.

It's not as difficult as it sounds.

Meaning: It's not as difficult as it sounds.

When to use: Say this to reassure someone about a task or process that seems complex at first.

这个程序其实没听起来那么难。

Zhège chéngxù qíshí méi tīng qǐlái nàme nán.

This procedure isn’t as hard as it sounds.
别担心，安装没听起来那么难。

Bié dānxīn, ānzhuāng méi tīng qǐlái nàme nán.

Don’t worry, the installation isn’t as hard as it sounds.

基本上，___。

Jīběn shàng, ___.

Basically, ___.

Meaning: Basically, ___.

When to use: Use this to give a short summary of a situation or to simplify the main idea.

基本上，我们只需要三个步骤。

Jīběn shàng, wǒmen zhǐ xūyào sān gè bùzhòu.

Basically, we only need three steps.
基本上，客户只要填这个表格。

Jīběn shàng, kèhù zhǐ yào tián zhège biǎogé.

Basically, the customer just needs to fill this form.

这样说清楚吗

Zhèyàng shuō qīngchu ma?

Does that make sense?

Meaning: Does that make sense?

When to use: Use this polite question to check whether your short explanation landed clearly.

我们要晚上六点出发，这样说清楚吗？

Wǒmen yào wǎnshàng liù diǎn chūfā, zhèyàng shuō qīngchu ma?

We’ll leave at 6 pm, does that make sense?
我把计划分成三部分，这样说清楚吗？

Wǒ bǎ jìhuà fēnchéng sān bùfèn, zhèyàng shuō qīngchu ma?

I divided the plan into three parts; does that make sense?

重点是___

Zhòngdiǎn shì ___.

The main point is ___ .

Meaning: The main point is ___.

When to use: Use this to state or emphasize the single most important aspect of an explanation.

重点是按时完成任务。

Zhòngdiǎn shì ànshí wánchéng rènwù.

The main point is to finish the tasks on time.
重点是客户满意度。

Zhòngdiǎn shì kèhù mǎnyìdù.

The main point is customer satisfaction.

它是这样运作的：___。

Tā shì zhèyàng yùnzuò de: ___.

It works like this: ___ .

Meaning: It works like this: ___.

When to use: Say this when you want to explain how a system, machine, or process operates — often followed by steps.

它是这样运作的：先登记，然后审核。

Tā shì zhèyàng yùnzuò de: xiān dēngjì, ránhòu shěnhé.

It works like this: first register, then review.
这个系统是这样运作的：数据自动同步。

Zhège xìtǒng shì zhèyàng yùnzuò de: shùjù zìdòng tóngbù.

This system works like this: data syncs automatically.

这是用来___的一种方法。

Zhè shì yòng lái ___ de yì zhǒng fāngfǎ.

It's a way to ___ .

Meaning: It's a way to ___.

When to use: Use this to explain simply what something is used for or what it helps you do.

这是用来节省时间的一种方法。

Zhè shì yòng lái jiéshěng shíjiān de yì zhǒng fāngfǎ.

This is a way to save time.
这是用来收集意见的一种方法。

Zhè shì yòng lái shōují yìjiàn de yì zhǒng fāngfǎ.

This is a way to collect feedback.

原因是___

Yuányīn shì ___.

The reason is that ___ .

Meaning: The reason is that ___.

When to use: Use this to state the reason directly and succinctly; it's often clearer than saying 原因是因为….

Tip: Avoid saying 原因是因为… — that repeats the idea. Use 原因是… or 因为…，所以… instead.

原因是预算减少了。

Yuányīn shì yùsuàn jiǎnshǎo le.

The reason is the budget was reduced.
原因是天气太热，大家不想出去。

Yuányīn shì tiānqì tài rè, dàjiā bù xiǎng chūqù.

The reason is it’s too hot, so people don’t want to go out.

2. Conversational Listening Practice

Hear phrases in a real mini-conversation.

Anna and David organize a presentation

Anna and David talking at a desk using simple explanation phrases like 我的意思是… and 这样说清楚吗？

What are Anna and David explaining?

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

因为客户有空，所以我们把会议提前了。

Yīnwèi kèhù yǒu kòng, suǒyǐ wǒmen bǎ huìyì tíqián le.

Because the client is free, we moved the meeting earlier.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

我的意思是把材料再准备好一点。

Wǒ de yìsi shì bǎ cáiliào zài zhǔnbèi hǎo yìdiǎn.

What I mean is prepare the materials a bit more.

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

简单说，我们要把PPT做得更清楚。

Jiǎndān shuō, wǒmen yào bǎ PPT zuò de gèng qīngchu.

Simply put, we need to make the PPT clearer.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

如果需要帮忙，我就来修改。

Rúguǒ xūyào bāngmáng, wǒ jiù lái xiūgǎi.

If you need help, I'll edit it.

Portrait of Anna in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

Anna

没听起来那么难，你可以先试一遍。

Méi tīng qǐlái nàme nán, nǐ kěyǐ xiān shì yí biàn.

It’s not as hard as it sounds; you can try once first.

Portrait of David in a Simplified Chinese lesson dialogue

David

这样说清楚吗

Zhèyàng shuō qīngchu ma?

Does that make sense?

3. Guided Practice

Quizzes and matching to lock in meaning.

Which sentence shows a cause and result?

Which phrase asks 'Does that make sense?'

Which choice is a short summary meaning 'Basically, ___.'?

Which sentence shows a condition (if...then)?

The engineer says 'It works like this: first start the sensor, then read the data.'

工程师演示后说：'___先启动传感器，然后读取数据。'

I answered: 'What I mean is I just want to write each step clearly.'

同事说：'你好像担心流程太复杂。' 我回答：'___我只是想把每一步都写清楚。'

I divided the plan into three parts: preparation, execution, feedback — does that make sense?

我把计划分成三部分：准备、执行、反馈，___

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice

Say phrases yourself (mic/recording).

Recording stays on your device only. Check speech uses your browser's speech tools when available.

Say this phrase out loud:

因为___，所以___。

Yīnwèi ___, suǒyǐ ___.

Because of ___, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

我的意思是___。

Wǒ de yìsi shì ___.

What I mean is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

简单说，___。

Jiǎndān shuō, ___.

In simple words, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

主要是想___。

Zhǔyào shì xiǎng ___.

The idea is to ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

我们这样做是为了___。

Wǒmen zhèyàng zuò shì wèile ___.

We do this to ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

如果___，就___。

Rúguǒ ___, jiù ___.

If ___, then ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

没听起来那么难。

Méi tīng qǐlái nàme nán.

It's not as difficult as it sounds.

Say this phrase out loud:

基本上，___。

Jīběn shàng, ___.

Basically, ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

这样说清楚吗

Zhèyàng shuō qīngchu ma?

Does that make sense?

Say this phrase out loud:

重点是___

Zhòngdiǎn shì ___.

The main point is ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

它是这样运作的：___。

Tā shì zhèyàng yùnzuò de: ___.

It works like this: ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

这是用来___的一种方法。

Zhè shì yòng lái ___ de yì zhǒng fāngfǎ.

It's a way to ___.

Say this phrase out loud:

原因是___

Yuányīn shì ___.

The reason is that ___.