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How to Say ‘This jacket was actually my mom's when she was young.’ in Simplified Chinese

这件外套其实是我妈年轻时候穿的。

zhè jiàn wài tào qí shí shì wǒ mā nián qīng shí hòu chuān de

[juh jiàn wàitào qíshí shir waw mah niánqīng shíhou chuān de]

Phrase Breakdown

这件外套

zhè jiàn wài tào

this jacket

This is the topic of the sentence. 件 is the measure word for clothing.

Example

这件外套很暖和。

This jacket is very warm.

Words in this phrase

这

zhè

[juh]

this

A demonstrative meaning “this,” used to point to something near the speaker.

Example

这个活动来了很多公司代表。

Many company representatives came to this event.

件

jiàn

[jiàn]

measure word for clothing

Measure word used for shirts, jackets, and other upper-body clothes, as well as matters.

Example

我想买一件外套。

I want to buy a jacket.

外套

wài tào

[wàitào]

coat; jacket

An outer garment worn over other clothes.

Example

天冷了，穿上外套吧。

It's cold, put on a coat.

其实是我妈

qí shí shì wǒ mā

actually is my mom's

其实 means 'actually' and introduces a surprising fact.

Example

其实是我妈做的饭。

Actually, my mom cooked the meal.

Words in this phrase

其实

qí shí

[qíshí]

actually; in fact

Introduces the real situation, often unexpected.

Example

他其实很害羞。

He's actually very shy.

是

shì

[shir]

to be

The verb “to be,” used to identify or describe a situation.

Example

你是第一次来，所以我给你介绍一下。

Since it’s your first time here, I’ll introduce things to you.

我

wǒ

[waw]

I; me

The first-person pronoun, used to refer to yourself.

Example

我也想了解这个公司的文化。

I also want to understand this company’s culture.

妈

mā

[mah]

mom; mother

妈 is the common and warm way to say 'mom.'

Example

妈，我给您带了水果。

Mom, I brought you some fruit.

年轻时候穿的。

nián qīng shí hòu chuān de

worn when she was young

This uses the 是…的 pattern to describe when the jacket was worn.

Example

这双鞋是她年轻时候穿的。

She wore these shoes when she was young.

Words in this phrase

年轻

nián qīng

[niánqīng]

young

Describes people or organizations that are young or new.

Example

他的老板很年轻。

His boss is very young.

时候

shí hòu

[shíhou]

when

At what time or during what time an event occurs.

Example

吃饭的时候我们聊聊。

Let's talk when we eat.

穿

chuān

[chuān]

wear

To have clothing on the body.

Example

她穿了一件漂亮的裙子。

She is wearing a beautiful dress.

的

[de]

nominalizing particle

Ends a 是…的 phrase, meaning 'the one that…'.

Example

这本书是我买的。

This book is one I bought.

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