Simplified Chinese - Lesson 45 of 156: Simple Explanations

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

这就是为什么___。

Zhè jiù shì wèishénme ___.

That's why ___ .

Meaning: That's why ___.

When to use: Use to connect a previously given reason to the resulting action or conclusion. In speech you can also use 所以___ for a shorter link.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 所以 before giving the reason instead of after; remember '这就是为什么' points back to the reason you just mentioned.

我把车钥匙丢了，这就是为什么我没法开车。

Wǒ bǎ chē yàoshi diū le, zhè jiù shì wèishénme wǒ méi fǎ kāichē.

I lost my keys — that's why I couldn't drive.

网络很慢，这就是为什么会议被推迟。

Wǎngluò hěn màn, zhè jiù shì wèishénme huìyì bèi tuīchí.

The internet was slow — that's why the meeting was delayed.

问题是___

Wèntí shì ___.

The problem is that ___ .

Meaning: The problem is that ___.

When to use: Use to point out the main difficulty or obstacle when discussing a situation.

问题是我们没有足够的预算。

Wèntí shì wǒmen méiyǒu zúgòu de yùsuàn.

The problem is that we don't have enough budget.

问题是供应商迟到了，所以材料不齐。

Wèntí shì gōngyìngshāng chídào le, suǒyǐ cáiliào bù qí.

The problem is that suppliers were late, so materials aren't ready.

这和___有点像。

Zhè hé ___ yǒudiǎn xiàng.

It's similar to ___ .

Meaning: It's similar to ___.

When to use: Use to compare an unfamiliar thing with something your listener already knows to make it easier to understand.

这和上次的活动有点像，但这次人更多。

Zhè hé shàng cì de huódòng yǒudiǎn xiàng, dàn zhè cì rén gèng duō.

It's a bit like the last event, but this time there are more people.

这个系统这和旧系统有点像，但操作更简单。

Zhège xìtǒng zhè hé jiù xìtǒng yǒudiǎn xiàng, dàn cāozuò gèng jiǎndān.

This system is similar to the old one, but it's easier to use.

区别是___

Qūbié shì ___.

The difference is ___ .

Meaning: The difference is ___.

When to use: Use to simply state how two things are not the same. In casual speech you can also say 不同的地方是___.

这两个方案的区别是时间和成本。

Zhè liǎng gè fāng'àn de qūbié shì shíjiān hé chéngběn.

The difference between the two plans is time and cost.

区别是第一个更灵活，第二个更稳定。

Qūbié shì dì yī gè gèng línghuó, dì èr gè gèng wěndìng.

The difference is the first is more flexible, the second more stable.

有两个原因：___和___。

Yǒu liǎng ge yuányīn: ___ hé ___.

There are two reasons: ___ and ___ .

Meaning: There are two reasons: ___ and ___.

When to use: Use to list two clear reasons or causes in a compact way.

Tip: Learners sometimes forget to use '和' between the two items; include it: ___ 和 ___.

有两个原因：技术问题和人手不足。

Yǒu liǎng gè yuányīn: jìshù wèntí hé rénshǒu bùzú.

There are two reasons: technical problems and lack of staff.

我们迟到的有两个原因：天气和交通堵塞。

Wǒmen chídào de yǒu liǎng gè yuányīn: tiānqì hé jiāotōng dǔsè.

There are two reasons we were late: the weather and traffic jams.

换句话说，___。

Huàn jù huà shuō, ___.

To put it another way, ___.

Meaning: To put it another way, ___.

When to use: Use when you want to restate an idea using different words to make it clearer.

换句话说，我们要把重点放在用户体验上。

Huàn jù huà shuō, wǒmen yào bǎ zhòngdiǎn fàng zài yònghù tǐyàn shàng.

To put it another way, we should focus on user experience.

换句话说，就是先做小范围测试。

Huàn jù huà shuō, jiù shì xiān zuò xiǎo fànwéi cèshì.

In other words, start with a small-scale test.

最简单的解释是___。

Zuì jiǎndān de jiěshì shì ___.

The easiest way to explain it is ___.

Meaning: The easiest way to explain it is ___.

When to use: Use when you want to give a simple, clear explanation — especially helpful for complex topics.

最简单的解释是我们需要更多数据来决定。

Zuì jiǎndān de jiěshì shì wǒmen xūyào gèng duō shùjù lái juédìng.

The simplest explanation is that we need more data to decide.

最简单的解释是客户想要更高的质量。

Zuì jiǎndān de jiěshì shì kèhù xiǎng yào gèng gāo de zhìliàng.

The easiest explanation is that the client wants higher quality.

这意味着___。

Zhè yìwèizhe ___.

This means that ___.

Meaning: This means that ___.

When to use: Use to explain the implication, effect, or result of something. In speech you can also say '这就是说，___'.

项目被推迟了，这意味着我们要改变时间表。

Xiàngmù bèi tuīchí le, zhè yìwèizhe wǒmen yào gǎibiàn shíjiānbiǎo.

The project was postponed; this means we must change the schedule.

预算被削减了，这意味着我们要减少开支。

Yùsuàn bèi xuējiǎn le, zhè yìwèizhe wǒmen yào jiǎnshǎo kāizhī.

The budget was cut, which means we need to reduce expenses.

在这种情况下，___。

Zài zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng xià, ___.

In this case, ___.

Meaning: In this case, ___.

When to use: Use to limit your explanation to the present situation or particular conditions.

在这种情况下，我们应该先暂停项目。

Zài zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng xià, wǒmen yīnggāi xiān zàntíng xiàngmù.

In this case, we should pause the project first.

在这种情况下，早点沟通会更好。

Zài zhè zhǒng qíngkuàng xià, zǎodiǎn gōutōng huì gèng hǎo.

In this case, earlier communication would be better.

简单说，___。

Jiǎndān shuō, ___.

The short answer is ___.

Meaning: The short answer is ___.

When to use: Use to give a brief direct answer first, and then continue with more detail if needed.

简单说，我们还没准备好。

Jiǎndān shuō, wǒmen hái méi zhǔnbèi hǎo.

The short answer is we aren't ready yet.

简单说，你可以先试用再决定。

Jiǎndān shuō, nǐ kěyǐ xiān shìyòng zài juédìng.

Short answer: you can try it first and then decide.

基本规则是___。

Jīběn guīzé shì ___.

The basic rule is ___.

Meaning: The basic rule is ___.

When to use: Use to introduce a simple general rule or guideline that applies broadly.

基本规则是先保存草稿，然后再发布。

Jīběn guīzé shì xiān bǎocún cǎogǎo, ránhòu zài fābù.

The basic rule is to save a draft first, then publish.

基本规则是尊重他人的时间。

Jīběn guīzé shì zūnzhòng tārén de shíjiān.

The basic rule is to respect other people's time.

简单版就是___。

Jiǎndān bǎn jiù shì ___.

The simple version is ___ .

Meaning: The simple version is ___.

When to use: A casual way to give a short summary before a longer explanation. Slightly more colloquial than '简单来说，___'.

简单版就是先做测试，再推广。

Jiǎndān bǎn jiù shì xiān zuò cèshì, zài tuīguǎng.

The simple version is: test first, then roll out.

简单版就是你不需要全部功能就能开始。

Jiǎndān bǎn jiù shì nǐ bù xūyào quánbù gōngnéng jiù néng kāishǐ.

The simple version is you can start without all the features.

Simplified Chinese - Simple Explanations

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase means 'The problem is that ...'?

Which phrase would you use to restate something in another way?

You want to say 'It's similar to last year.' Which chunk fits?

Which phrase starts a short list of exactly two reasons?

We were late mainly because of the weather and traffic — that's why we couldn't start on time.

Comparing the two schedules — the difference is the last time there was more buffer time.

The manager asked about the consequences of delaying. I said: This means we need two more weeks.

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice