In this workshop you will practice polite Chinese ways to ask for a favor and to borrow something, then respond when someone asks you. You will hear short, realistic exchanges and take the role of each speaker. The goal is to speak clearly, keep the order of a request and its reply, and choose responses that actually match what was asked.
Opening a Favor Request
A favor request usually starts by checking whether the other person is available to help. The line «能帮我个忙吗？» means “Could you do me a favor?” and works as a general opener before you explain the details. If you want to be more specific from the start, «可以帮我一下吗？» means “Can you help me for a moment?” and signals that you need a short amount of help. When you already know the person’s name, you can address them first, as in «小明，能帮我个忙吗？», which means “Xiaoming, could you do me a favor?” Notice that the request comes first; the other person has not agreed yet. Keep your tone light and let the other person answer before you add more information.
Asking to Borrow and Responding
After the opener, you can state exactly what you need. The line «能借我笔记吗？» means “Can I borrow your notes?” and «我想借你的笔记，可以吗？» means “I’d like to borrow your notes, is that okay?” Both are polite ways to ask for the same thing, but «我想借你的笔记，可以吗？» adds a clear check for permission. A natural reply to a favor request is «当然，什么事？», which means “Of course, what is it?” This accepts the request and asks for details. When the request is specifically about notes, a helpful reply is «没问题，给你。», which means “No problem, here you go.” In «能借我笔记吗？我昨天没来上课。», the speaker says “Can I borrow your notes? I missed class yesterday.” The second sentence gives a reason, so the listener understands why the notes are needed. Keep the order: request first, then reply, then any follow-up.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
能帮我个忙吗？
Could you do me a favor?
Néng bāng wǒ gè máng ma?
能借我笔记吗？
Can I borrow your notes?
Néng jiè wǒ bǐjì ma?
可以帮我一下吗？
Can you help me for a moment?
Kěyǐ bāng wǒ yīxià ma?
我想借你的笔记，可以吗？
I'd like to borrow your notes, is that okay?
Wǒ xiǎng jiè nǐ de bǐjì, kěyǐ ma?
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
小明，能帮我个忙吗？
Xiaoming, could you do me a favor?当然，什么事？
Of course, what is it?能借我笔记吗？我昨天没来上课。
Can I borrow your notes? I missed class yesterday.没问题，给你。
No problem, here you go.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Favor Exchange
You will play both roles in a short exchange. First read Speaker A’s line, then read Speaker B’s reply. Use the recording references to check your wording after you speak.
Your task: Read «小明，能帮我个忙吗？» as Speaker A. Then read «当然，什么事？» as Speaker B. After that, read «能借我笔记吗？我昨天没来上课。» as Speaker A and «没问题，给你。» as Speaker B. Say each line aloud once, then repeat the whole exchange without looking at the text.
Choose the Matching Reply
You will hear or read a request and choose the reply that fits it. The correct reply must match the request’s purpose, not just sound polite.
Your task: Request: «能帮我个忙吗？». Which reply fits? A: «当然，什么事？». B: «没问题，给你。». Choose A or B, then say the correct reply aloud. Next, Request: «能借我笔记吗？我昨天没来上课。». Which reply fits? A: «当然，什么事？». B: «没问题，给你。». Choose A or B, then say the correct reply aloud.
Recall the Exchange with Correct Roles
You will rebuild a short exchange from memory. One person asks for a favor and then asks to borrow notes; the other person responds. Keep the roles clear and the order correct.
Your task: With a partner, take the role of the person asking. Say the opener «小明，能帮我个忙吗？», wait for your partner’s reply «当然，什么事？», then say the borrowing request «能借我笔记吗？我昨天没来上课。». Your partner should reply with «没问题，给你。». After one round, swap roles: your partner asks with «小明，能帮我个忙吗？» and «能借我笔记吗？我昨天没来上课。», and you reply with «当然，什么事？» and «没问题，给你。».
Common questions
Can I use «能帮我个忙吗？» and «能借我笔记吗？» together in one conversation?
Yes. «能帮我个忙吗？» means “Could you do me a favor?” and works as a general opener. «能借我笔记吗？» means “Can I borrow your notes?” and gives the specific request. A natural order is to say «能帮我个忙吗？», wait for a reply such as «当然，什么事？», and then say «能借我笔记吗？» or «能借我笔记吗？我昨天没来上课。».
What is the difference between «能借我笔记吗？» and «我想借你的笔记，可以吗？»?
Both ask to borrow notes. «能借我笔记吗？» means “Can I borrow your notes?” and «我想借你的笔记，可以吗？» means “I’d like to borrow your notes, is that okay?” The second one adds a clear permission check, so it can sound a little more careful or polite.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: ask for favorChecked September 2026
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