New here? This is lesson 59 of a free 240-lesson Traditional Chinese course.
Running into the same person in Traditional Chinese
Maya has heard Zhi-Ming’s name around the coworking space, but they have not met face to face. Today he stops by her desk with a quick request about her design work.
Learn to welcome someone you have heard of, ask about their projects, and check whether things are going smoothly.
You will also practise ending a conversation kindly when the other person needs to work.
By the end of this lesson
Welcome a coworker you have heard of, ask about their projects, and end the visit without keeping them from work.
- 一直聽到你的名字，終於見到本人了I keep hearing your name, and finally I meet you.
- 你現在手上有什麼案子？What projects do you have on now?
- 還順利嗎？Is it going all right?
- 我就不耽誤你工作了I won't keep you from your work.
- 如果有打擾到你，請跟我說If I'm disturbing you, tell me.
- 改天一起吃午餐Let's have lunch some day.
Scene — a visit to Maya’s desk
Maya is working at her desk in the coworking space when Yi-Jun notices Zhi-Ming approaching.
Maya knows his name from conversations at work, but this is their first meeting in person.
Zhi-Ming has a small request about her design. He plans to keep the visit short so they can both get back to work.
Learn — a brief work conversation
These six lines take you from a first face-to-face meeting to a friendly goodbye. Listen for the questions about current work and how it is going.
The last three lines help you respect someone’s time without sounding abrupt.
一直聽到你的名字，終於見到本人了
I keep hearing your name, and finally I meet you.
When to use it: Say this when you meet someone in person after hearing about them from others.
The final particle marks finally meeting the person as something that has now happened.
你現在手上有什麼案子？
What projects do you have on now?
When to use it: Ask a coworker what projects they are currently working on.
The question word stays where the answer about projects would go.
還順利嗎？
Is it going all right?
When to use it: Ask this after someone mentions work already underway.
The question particle turns this brief check-in into a yes-or-no question.
我就不耽誤你工作了
I won't keep you from your work.
When to use it: Say this when you are ready to leave someone to their work.
The final particle signals that you are wrapping up the conversation now.
如果有打擾到你，請跟我說
If I'm disturbing you, tell me.
When to use it: Say this when you want a busy coworker to feel comfortable speaking up.
The first part gives a condition; the second asks the person to tell you.
改天一起吃午餐
Let's have lunch some day.
When to use it: Suggest a future lunch without asking the person to stop working now.
Story — Zhi-Ming stops by
Listen as Zhi-Ming stops at Maya’s desk for the first time. He says what he needs in two short lines, and their conversation turns to the projects each of them has underway.
Notice how they make room for another conversation later.
Yi-Jun今天蠻忙的，對吧？Pretty busy today, right?
Maya對啊。Yeah.- Yi-Jun欸，志明來了。Hey, Zhi-Ming is here.
Zhi-Ming我想看看你的設計。I'd like to look at your design.- Maya一直聽到你的名字，終於見到本人了。很高興認識你。I've heard your name so often. It's nice to finally meet you.
- Zhi-Ming下午給我就好。This afternoon is fine.
- Zhi-Ming你現在手上有什麼案子？What projects do you have on now?
- Maya我在做網站設計。I'm working on a website design.
- Zhi-Ming還順利嗎？Is it going all right?
- Maya還順利，謝謝。It's going all right, thanks.
- Zhi-Ming如果有打擾到你，請跟我說。If I'm disturbing you, please tell me.
- Maya好，沒關係。Okay, it's no trouble.
- Zhi-Ming我就不耽誤你工作了。I won't keep you from your work.
- Maya改天一起吃午餐。Let's have lunch some day.
Practice — keep the conversation moving
Try these short exercises as if a coworker had stopped beside your desk. Choose words that fit the exact message, then say each completed line aloud.
Pay special attention to whether you are asking about work or making plans for another day.
0 of 8 done
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
一直聽到你的名字，終於見到本人了
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
What projects do you have on now?
你現在手上有什麼____？
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Build the line
Build the line
I won't keep you from your work.
Tap the words in order.
Swap the word
Swap the word
Tell a busy coworker to speak up if your visit is disturbing them.
如果有打擾到你，請跟我____
What do you say?
What do you say?
Your coworker must get back to work, but you would like to share a meal another day.
What do you say?
What do you say?
You have just met the coworker you had heard about. Add a simple, friendly introduction.
True or false?
True or false?
This line fits the moment you are in.
Say it — your turn at the desk
Play Maya as Zhi-Ming stops by your desk. Greet him, ask a little about his work, and leave room for both of you to get back to your tasks.
Listen to his answers before you speak. Finish by suggesting a relaxed lunch on another day.
- Zhi-Ming arrives at Maya's desk.
- Zhi-Ming你好，我是志明。Hello, I'm Zhi-Ming.
- Maya (you)Say you have heard his name often and are glad to finally meet in person.
Say you have heard his name often and are glad to finally meet in person.
一直聽到你的名字，終於見到本人了
I keep hearing your name, and finally I meet you.
0 of 5 said
Recap — what you can say now
| Traditional Chinese | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| 一直聽到你的名字，終於見到本人了 | I keep hearing your name, and finally I meet you. | |
| 你現在手上有什麼案子？ | What projects do you have on now? | |
| 還順利嗎？ | Is it going all right? | |
| 我就不耽誤你工作了 | I won't keep you from your work. | |
| 如果有打擾到你，請跟我說 | If I'm disturbing you, tell me. | |
| 改天一起吃午餐 | Let's have lunch some day. |
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
Save these workplace lines in Yak Cards for your next quick conversation.
Review the questions and the polite closing lines before your next workday.
Open Yak Cards