In this workshop you will practice a short rental conversation about a deposit. You will ask how much the deposit is, ask whether it can be refunded, and understand the answer about when it is returned. Each native line is given with its English meaning before you use it, so you can focus on speaking and listening rather than guessing.
Asking the deposit amount
Start with the key question about the amount. «押金是多少？» means "How much is the deposit?" A fuller version is «押金多少钱？», which means "How much money is the deposit?" Both ask for the same information, so choose the one you can say comfortably. In a rental scene, the customer asks this before agreeing to anything. Say the line slowly first, then at a natural speed. Keep the question tone clear at the end so the other person knows you are asking, not stating.
Asking about refunds
After the amount, ask about refunds. «押金可以退吗？» means "Can the deposit be refunded?" If you also want the timing, «押金什么时候退？» means "When will the deposit be refunded?" These are separate questions: one asks whether a refund is possible, the other asks when it happens. Practice them one after the other so you can use either one when needed. Do not add details that are not in the line; keep the question short and clear.
Understanding the answer
Now listen to a full exchange. The customer says «你好，我想租这个房子。押金是多少？», which means "Hello, I want to rent this apartment. How much is the deposit?" The other person answers with «押金是一个月的房租。», meaning "The deposit is one month's rent." The customer then asks «押金可以退吗？退押金的条件是什么？», meaning "Can the deposit be refunded? What are the conditions for refunding the deposit?" The answer is «可以退。如果房子没有损坏，搬走的时候退给你。», meaning "It can be refunded. If there is no damage to the apartment, it will be refunded to you when you move out." Notice that the answer gives both a yes and a condition, so listen for both parts.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
押金是多少？
How much is the deposit?
yā jīn shì duō shao?
押金多少钱？
How much money is the deposit?
yā jīn duō shao qián?
押金可以退吗？
Can the deposit be refunded?
yā jīn kě yǐ tuì ma?
押金什么时候退？
When will the deposit be refunded?
yā jīn shén me shí hou tuì?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
你好，我想租这个房子。押金是多少？
Hello, I want to rent this apartment. How much is the deposit?押金是一个月的房租。
The deposit is one month's rent.押金可以退吗？退押金的条件是什么？
Can the deposit be refunded? What are the conditions for refunding the deposit?可以退。如果房子没有损坏，搬走的时候退给你。
It can be refunded. If there is no damage to the apartment, it will be refunded to you when you move out.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided deposit question exchange
You are the customer in a rental office. The staff member is ready to answer your questions about the deposit.
Your task: Read your first question aloud: «押金是多少？». Then read your second question aloud: «押金可以退吗？». After each question, pause and let the recorded answer play if you have audio. If you are practicing alone, say the questions twice: once slowly and once at a natural speed.
Choose the right reply
You hear a customer ask about the deposit. You need to choose the reply that matches the question.
Your task: The customer asks «押金多少钱？». Which reply fits: «押金是一个月的房租。» or «可以退。如果房子没有损坏，搬走的时候退给你。»? Say your choice aloud, then say the full reply line. Next, the customer asks «押金什么时候退？». Which reply fits: «押金是一个月的房租。» or «可以退。如果房子没有损坏，搬走的时候退给你。»? Say your choice aloud, then say the full reply line.
Recall the exchange with roles
You will now recall the full exchange. One learner can play the customer and another can play the staff member, or you can play both roles with the recordings.
Your task: Customer: say «你好，我想租这个房子。押金是多少？». Staff: say «押金是一个月的房租。». Customer: say «押金可以退吗？退押金的条件是什么？». Staff: say «可以退。如果房子没有损坏，搬走的时候退给你。». Then swap roles and say the same four lines in the same order. Do not change the order of the lines.
Common questions
Do I need to understand every word in the recorded lines?
No. Focus first on the overall meaning given in English, then practice saying the line. As you repeat, you will notice more of the sounds and rhythm. Use the English meaning as your guide, not as a word-by-word translation.
Can I practice alone without a partner?
Yes. You can play both roles by reading each line aloud and pausing between them. If you have the recordings, play the native line after your own attempt and compare your timing and tone. There is no automatic assessment, so use the success criteria to check yourself.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask about depositChecked September 2026
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Take today's Chinese into a conversation with a Yapr AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr