Surabaya travel vocabulary in English and Chinese: 100 useful words with English pronunciation, simplified Chinese, Hanyu Pinyin, meanings and example sentences.
Let’s make travelling together feel a little easier! A friendly greeting, a clear meeting plan and a simple request can help a family or group enjoy the day. This Surabaya guide builds the language of companions, belongings and everyday cooperation, then takes you into the city’s education, sports and history museums. There is plenty to discover together.
中文:一起旅行,也可以轻松又开心!友好的问候、清楚的集合安排和简单的请求,都能帮助家庭或同行者享受一天。本指南以泗水为背景,学习介绍同伴、整理物品和日常协作的英语,再带你了解教育、体育和历史博物馆。
How to use this Surabaya vocabulary guide
The English place name is approximately soo-ruh-BY-uh; the Chinese name is 泗水 (Sì shuǐ). English respelling is approximate, with stressed syllables in capitals. Hanyu Pinyin reads the Chinese translation. Each definition matches the particular sense used in its example.
中文:英语近似读音用大写表示重读,汉语拼音对应中文译词。每条定义解释例句所用的具体含义。中文T恤衫中的T保留字母形式。
Introduce your group: begin with words 1–20 and 61–70. Practise a greeting and one sentence about a companion.
Prepare and coordinate: use words 21–60. Describe an item, make a polite request and agree where to meet.
Learn during a visit: use words 71–100 with the city notes. Ask a question, check its answer and describe how the visit felt.
Choose your reading route
The 100 words · History and visiting notes · Six bilingual conversations · Meaning distinctions · The Fencing Method · Writing model · Practice · Continue with eduKate · Questions · Sources · Next city guides
Top 100 vocabulary for visiting and touring Surabaya
Choose ten words for the next conversation you want to have. Say the example aloud and change the person, item or place. Native English speakers learning Chinese can try the Chinese translation first, then check the Pinyin. The examples are fictional learning scenes; they do not establish a venue’s facilities, dress rules or suitability for a particular visitor.
中文:先选十个适合下一段交流的词,朗读例句,再替换人物、物品或地点。英语母语读者学习中文时,可以先尝试译词,再核对拼音。例句是虚构学习情境,不能用来确认某场馆的设施、着装要求或是否适合某位游客。
1–10: Family and Age Groups · 11–20: Companions and People You Meet · 21–30: Everyday Clothing and Outdoor Items · 31–40: Clothing and Personal Belongings · 41–50: Handling Your Belongings · 51–60: Coordinating a Group · 61–70: Greetings and Polite Expressions · 71–80: Learning and Checking Information · 81–90: Body Words for Everyday Descriptions · 91–100: Readiness, Comfort and Feelings
Words 1–10: Family and Age Groups
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | family FAM-uh-lee | 家庭 jiā tíng | A group of people connected by kinship or close family relationships. Our family chose two places to visit in Surabaya. |
| 2 | parent PAIR-unt | 家长 jiā zhǎng | A mother, father or person acting in a parental role. Each parent checked the child's belongings before leaving. |
| 3 | child CHYLD | 儿童 ér tóng | A young person who is not yet an adult. Does this activity suit a child of this age? |
| 4 | baby BAY-bee | 婴儿 yīng ér | A very young child. We planned a quiet break for the baby. |
| 5 | toddler TOD-luh | 学步幼儿 xué bù yòu ér | A young child at the stage of learning to walk or recently having learned. Our toddler needs time to rest between visits. |
| 6 | teenager TEE-nay-juh | 青少年 qīng shào nián | A person aged thirteen to nineteen. The teenager in our group enjoyed reading the museum labels. |
| 7 | sibling SIB-ling | 兄弟姐妹 xiōng dì jiě mèi | A brother or sister. I asked my sibling to check the meeting details with me. |
| 8 | cousin KUZ-un | 堂兄弟姐妹;表兄弟姐妹 táng xiōng dì jiě mèi; biǎo xiōng dì jiě mèi | A child of one's aunt or uncle, in this first-cousin sense. My cousin helped us choose a museum to explore. |
| 9 | aunt ANT | 姑妈;姨妈等 gū mā; yí mā děng | A parent's sister or the wife of a parent's sibling. My aunt wanted to learn about the city's education history. |
| 10 | uncle UNG-kul | 叔叔;伯伯;舅舅等 shū shu; bó bo; jiù jiu děng | A parent's brother or the husband of a parent's sibling. My uncle wrote down the address before our visit. |
Words 11–20: Companions and People You Meet
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | friend FREND | 朋友 péng you | A person one knows and likes, with a relationship of friendship. I invited a friend to join our city outing. |
| 12 | partner PART-nuh | 伙伴 huǒ bàn | Someone with whom one shares an activity, in this example. My travel partner checked the map while I read the notice. |
| 13 | couple KUP-ul | 一对伴侣 yī duì bàn lǚ | Two people in a romantic relationship, in this sense. The couple in our group preferred a relaxed morning. |
| 14 | companion kum-PAN-yun | 同行者 tóng xíng zhě | A person accompanying another person. My companion waited while I asked a question. |
| 15 | host HOHST | 东道主 dōng dào zhǔ | A person who receives or entertains guests. We thanked our host for suggesting a place to visit. |
| 16 | visitor VIZ-it-uh | 访客 fǎng kè | A person who goes to a place or person for a visit. Could a visitor ask questions after the introduction? |
| 17 | tourist TOOR-ist | 游客 yóu kè | A person travelling to or visiting a place for pleasure. As a tourist, I wanted to understand the history behind the monument. |
| 18 | resident REZ-ih-dunt | 居民 jū mín | A person who lives in a particular place. A resident helped us pronounce the street name. |
| 19 | guide GYD | 导游 dǎo yóu | A person who leads or explains a visit, in this example. We asked the guide to explain one display in simpler English. |
| 20 | translator trans-LAY-tuh | 译者 yì zhě | A person who translates written text from one language into another, in this sense. A translator could help us compare the written descriptions. |
Words 21–30: Everyday Clothing and Outdoor Items
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | shirt SHURT | 衬衫 chèn shān | An upper-body garment, typically with a collar and buttons. I chose a comfortable shirt for our museum visit. |
| 22 | T-shirt TEE-shurt | T恤衫 T xù shān | A casual upper-body garment, usually with short sleeves and no collar. I put a spare T-shirt in my bag. |
| 23 | shorts SHORTS | 短裤 duǎn kù | Trousers with legs ending above or near the knees. Are shorts suitable under this venue's dress rules? |
| 24 | jeans JEENZ | 牛仔裤 niú zǎi kù | Trousers made from denim. My jeans took longer to dry than my light shirt. |
| 25 | socks SOKS | 袜子 wà zi | Garments covering the feet and usually part of the lower legs. I brought an extra pair of socks for the journey. |
| 26 | shoes SHOOZ | 鞋子 xié zi | Outer coverings for the feet. These shoes are comfortable enough for our walk. |
| 27 | sandals SAN-dulz | 凉鞋 liáng xié | Open footwear held to the foot by straps or similar parts. Are sandals permitted for this activity? |
| 28 | trainers TRAY-nuhz | 运动鞋 yùn dòng xié | Shoes designed for sport or casual wear, in British English. I wore trainers that I had already used for walking. |
| 29 | sunglasses SUN-glas-iz | 太阳镜 tài yáng jìng | Glasses with tinted lenses worn to reduce bright light. I kept my sunglasses in their case indoors. |
| 30 | umbrella um-BREL-uh | 雨伞 yǔ sǎn | A folding canopy used for protection from rain or sun. Where may I put my wet umbrella? |
Words 31–40: Clothing and Personal Belongings
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | raincoat RAYN-koht | 雨衣 yǔ yī | An outer garment intended to protect the wearer from rain. I folded the raincoat after it had dried. |
| 32 | jacket JAK-it | 夹克 jiá kè | A short outer garment covering the upper body. Could you hold my jacket while I open the bag? |
| 33 | cardigan KAR-dih-gun | 开襟针织衫 kāi jīn zhēn zhī shān | A knitted garment that opens at the front. I brought a cardigan in case I felt cold indoors. |
| 34 | jumper JUM-puh | 套头毛衣 tào tóu máo yī | A knitted upper-body garment pulled over the head, in British English. Do you have a light jumper for the journey? |
| 35 | belt BELT | 腰带 yāo dài | A band worn around the waist, in this clothing sense. Could you help me find the belt I left in the room? |
| 36 | hat HAT | 帽子 mào zi | A covering worn on the head. I took off my hat where the venue requested it. |
| 37 | cap KAP | 鸭舌帽 yā shé mào | A soft head covering with a projecting peak, in this example. I put my cap in the bag before entering. |
| 38 | swimsuit SWIM-soot | 泳衣 yǒng yī | Clothing designed for swimming. I kept my swimsuit with the things for a separate swimming activity. |
| 39 | comb KOHM | 梳子 shū zi | A toothed tool used to arrange or untangle hair. Did I put the comb in my bag? |
| 40 | tissue TISH-oo | 纸巾 zhǐ jīn | A piece of soft paper used for wiping, in this example. Could you pass me a tissue, please? |
Words 41–50: Handling Your Belongings
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | tie TY | 系好 jì hǎo | To fasten something using a knot, in this example. Let's stop somewhere suitable so you can tie your shoelaces. |
| 42 | unpack un-PAK | 打开行李取出物品 dǎ kāi xíng li qǔ chū wù pǐn | To take belongings out of luggage or packaging. We will unpack after arriving at our accommodation. |
| 43 | carry KAR-ee | 携带 xié dài | To support and move something from one place to another. Could you carry this small bag for a moment? |
| 44 | hold HOHLD | 拿着 ná zhe | To keep something in one's hand or arms, in this example. Please hold the map while I check the address. |
| 45 | bring BRING | 带来 dài lái | To take something or someone towards the speaker or a stated destination. Please bring your notebook to the meeting point. |
| 46 | take TAYK | 带走 dài zǒu | To carry something away or to another place, in this example. Remember to take your belongings with you when we leave. |
| 47 | put PUUT | 放 fàng | To place something in a particular position. Please put the sunglasses in their case. |
| 48 | open OH-pun | 打开 dǎ kāi | To move or remove a closure so that something can be accessed. Could you open the bag and find the raincoat? |
| 49 | close KLOHZ | 关上 guān shàng | To shut something, in this verb sense. Please close the suitcase before moving it. |
| 50 | fold FOHLD | 折叠 zhé dié | To bend something over itself into a smaller or layered form. Could you fold the map along its existing lines? |
Words 51–60: Coordinating a Group
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51 | wait WAYT | 等待 děng dài | To stay until something happens or someone arrives. Let's wait here until the rest of the group arrives. |
| 52 | meet MEET | 会合 huì hé | To come together at an agreed place or time, in this example. Where shall we meet after the exhibition? |
| 53 | join JOYN | 加入 jiā rù | To become part of a group or activity. May my friend join this visit? |
| 54 | help HELP | 帮助 bāng zhù | To give assistance. Could you help me read this instruction? |
| 55 | need NEED | 需要 xū yào | To require something. We need a short break before the next stop. |
| 56 | want WONT | 想要 xiǎng yào | To desire something. Do you want to read this display together? |
| 57 | remember rih-MEM-buh | 记得 jì de | To keep or bring information to mind. Please remember where we agreed to meet. |
| 58 | forget fuh-GET | 忘记 wàng jì | To fail to remember something. I sometimes forget a street name, so I write it down. |
| 59 | find FYND | 找到 zhǎo dào | To locate something or someone. Could you help us find the correct entrance? |
| 60 | lose LOOZ | 遗失 yí shī | To become unable to locate or retain something, in this example. I keep my ticket in one pocket so I do not lose it. |
Words 61–70: Greetings and Polite Expressions
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | hello heh-LOH | 你好 nǐ hǎo | A greeting used when meeting someone or beginning a conversation. Hello! Could we ask you about the museum? |
| 62 | goodbye guud-BY | 再见 zài jiàn | A farewell used when parting. Goodbye, and thank you for explaining the display. |
| 63 | please PLEEZ | 请 qǐng | A word used to make a request polite. Please tell us where to wait. |
| 64 | sorry SOR-ee | 对不起 duì bu qǐ | An expression of apology, in this example. Sorry, I did not mean to block the doorway. |
| 65 | welcome WEL-kum | 欢迎 huān yíng | A greeting expressing pleasure at someone's arrival, in this use. Welcome to our group; we are glad you could join us. |
| 66 | pardon PAR-dun | 请再说一遍 qǐng zài shuō yī biàn | An expression asking someone politely to repeat what was said, in this use. Pardon? Could you say the meeting time again? |
| 67 | thank you THANK yoo | 谢谢 xiè xie | An expression of gratitude. Thank you for helping our family read the map. |
| 68 | excuse me ik-SKYOOZ mee | 劳驾 láo jià | A polite expression used to attract someone's attention, in this example. Excuse me, is this the queue for entry? |
| 69 | good morning guud MOR-ning | 早上好 zǎo shàng hǎo | A greeting used during the morning. Good morning! We have come for our booked visit. |
| 70 | good evening guud EEV-ning | 晚上好 wǎn shàng hǎo | A greeting used during the evening. Good evening! Could you help us confirm tomorrow's plans? |
Words 71–80: Learning and Checking Information
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | understand un-duh-STAND | 理解 lǐ jiě | To grasp the meaning of something. I understand the first part, but could you explain the last sentence? |
| 72 | know NOH | 知道 zhī dào | To have information or awareness. Do you know where our guide is waiting? |
| 73 | learn LURN | 学习 xué xí | To gain knowledge or a skill. We hope to learn something about Surabaya's history. |
| 74 | read REED | 阅读 yuè dú | To understand or say written words, in this present-tense form. Let's read the short description before moving on. |
| 75 | write RYT | 写 xiě | To form words or other marks representing language. Could you write the place name for us? |
| 76 | speak SPEEK | 说话 shuō huà | To communicate using spoken language. Could you speak a little more slowly? |
| 77 | say SAY | 说 shuō | To express particular words aloud. Could you say that name once more? |
| 78 | tell TEL | 告诉 gào su | To communicate information to someone. Please tell my companion where we should meet. |
| 79 | show SHOH | 指给看 zhǐ gěi kàn | To let someone see something or point it out, in this example. Could you show us the meeting point on the map? |
| 80 | check CHEK | 核对 hé duì | To examine something to confirm its correctness or condition. Let's check the booking name before we join the queue. |
Words 81–90: Body Words for Everyday Descriptions
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | head HED | 头 tóu | The body part containing the brain, eyes, ears, nose and mouth. I wore a hat to cover my head during the outdoor walk. |
| 82 | face FAYS | 脸 liǎn | The front of the head, including the eyes, nose and mouth. I used a clean tissue to wipe my face. |
| 83 | eye EYE | 眼睛 yǎn jing | An organ used for seeing. The portrait's left eye is partly hidden by shadow. |
| 84 | ear EER | 耳朵 ěr duo | An organ used for hearing, including its visible outer part. The portrait shows one ear clearly. |
| 85 | nose NOHZ | 鼻子 bí zi | The part of the face used for smelling and breathing. I sketched the nose shown in the portrait. |
| 86 | mouth MOWTH | 嘴 zuǐ | The opening in the face used for speaking and eating. The child's mouth opened in surprise at the large model. |
| 87 | hand HAND | 手 shǒu | The body part at the end of the arm, used for holding things. May I hold your hand while we cross together? |
| 88 | finger FING-guh | 手指 shǒu zhǐ | One of the digits of the hand. I pointed to the street name with my finger. |
| 89 | knee NEE | 膝盖 xī gài | The joint between the upper and lower parts of the leg. The sketch shows the figure bending one knee. |
| 90 | foot FUUT | 脚 jiǎo | The body part at the lower end of the leg, used for standing and walking. I shifted my weight from one foot to the other while waiting. |
Words 91–100: Readiness, Comfort and Feelings
| No. | English · pronunciation | 中文 · 拼音 | Meaning · useful example sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | ready RED-ee | 准备好的 zhǔn bèi hǎo de | Prepared for an action or event. Is everyone ready to leave for the museum? |
| 92 | careful KAIR-ful | 小心的 xiǎo xīn de | Paying attention to avoid mistakes or harm. Be careful with the folded map so it does not tear. |
| 93 | comfortable KUMF-tuh-bul | 舒适的 shū shì de | Feeling physically at ease, in this example. Are you comfortable in these shoes? |
| 94 | tired TY-uhd | 疲倦的 pí juàn de | Feeling a need for rest after activity or effort. We felt tired and chose a shorter afternoon outing. |
| 95 | sleepy SLEE-pee | 困的 kùn de | Feeling ready or inclined to sleep. The baby was sleepy, so we planned a quiet break. |
| 96 | awake uh-WAYK | 醒着的 xǐng zhe de | Not sleeping. Our toddler was still awake when we returned to the room. |
| 97 | happy HAP-ee | 高兴的 gāo xìng de | Feeling pleasure or contentment. I was happy that everyone had enjoyed a different part of the visit. |
| 98 | worried WUR-eed | 担心的 dān xīn de | Feeling concern about a possible problem. I felt worried about being late, so I checked the time. |
| 99 | excited ik-SY-tid | 兴奋的 xīng fèn de | Feeling eager anticipation or enthusiasm. The children were excited to begin their museum activity. |
| 100 | calm KAHM | 平静的 píng jìng de | Free from strong agitation, in this emotional sense. A calm conversation helped us agree on the next stop. |
Surabaya history and important visiting notes
Explore education through a former school building
Museum Pendidikan Surabaya occupies a former Taman Siswa school building on Jalan Genteng Kali. The city museum service dates its inauguration to 25 November 2019. Its education collections offer a lovely starting point for a shared question: how did learning change across periods? A parent, child or companion can choose one object or description and explain what it helped them understand. Read the Education Museum’s history and visitor information.
中文:泗水教育博物馆设于Jalan Genteng Kali的一座原Taman Siswa学校建筑内,市博物馆服务网站记载其于2019年11月25日举行落成典礼。参观时,可以一起思考不同时期的学习方式如何变化,再选一个物件或说明,讲述自己的收获。
Keep the battle date and monument date distinct
Tugu Pahlawan commemorates the Battle of Surabaya of 10 November 1945. The city’s heritage record dates the monument’s inauguration to 10 November 1952. Those are different events. When writing about the visit, say whether you mean the battle being remembered or the later act of commemoration. Give the subject the respectful attention it deserves. Read the city’s heritage record for Tugu Pahlawan.
中文:英雄纪念碑纪念1945年11月10日的泗水战役。市文化遗产资料记载,纪念碑于1952年11月10日举行落成典礼。写作时,应区分被纪念的战役与后来修建的纪念设施,并尊重这段历史。
Use the museum to ask a thoughtful history question
Museum Sepuluh Nopember presents material connected with the 1945 battle. The heritage record dates the underground museum’s inauguration to 19 February 2000. The battle, monument and museum therefore have separate dates. With younger companions, choose an appropriate part of the account and allow time for questions; a history visit need not become a race through every display. Explore the museum’s official collection catalogue; check the museum’s inauguration date.
中文:十一月十日博物馆展示与1945年战役有关的资料,文化遗产记录指出地下博物馆于2000年2月19日举行落成典礼。因此,战役、纪念碑和博物馆各有不同日期。带年幼同伴参观时,可选择适合的内容,并留出提问时间。
Choose a city-history or sports-history extension
Museum Surabaya in the Siola building provides another city-history route. For a different shared interest, Museum Olahraga focuses on sports history and material associated with Surabaya’s sporting figures; its official ticket page dates its inauguration to 8 May 2021. Ask your companions which subject interests them before choosing the next visit. Explore Museum Surabaya; read the Sports Museum’s introduction.
中文:Siola建筑内的泗水博物馆提供另一条城市历史学习路线。若同伴喜欢体育,也可了解体育博物馆:其主题涉及体育历史和泗水体育人物的相关实物,官方票务页面记载其于2021年5月8日举行落成典礼。选下一站前,先问问大家的兴趣。
Read Kota Lama as a place of several communities
A city government report dated 16 January 2024 describes Kota Lama heritage areas through European, Chinese, Arab and Malay zones. It identifies Jembatan Merah and nearby historic streets within its discussion of visits. Use this as historical context for an outing, then check today’s route and any organised tour separately. A friendly question to a guide can help you connect a place with the communities that shaped it. Read the city’s Kota Lama heritage report.
中文:2024年1月16日的市政府报道把老城区的文化遗产区域分为欧洲、华人、阿拉伯和马来区域,并提及红桥及附近历史街道。可把这篇报道作为了解背景的资料,再单独核实今天的路线或导览安排。向导游提出一个友好的问题,有助于把地点与塑造它的社群联系起来。
Plan breaks around the venue’s actual rules
Before leaving, check the chosen venue’s current arrangements and agree on a meeting point. The Education Museum’s official ticket page asks visitors to follow staff instructions and prohibits eating and drinking at the attraction. Plan your meal or drink break around those rules. If a companion needs a particular facility, ask the venue about it before relying on it. Check the Education Museum’s visitor conditions.
中文:出发前,应核对所选场馆的当前安排,并约定集合地点。教育博物馆的官方票务页面要求游客遵守工作人员指示,并禁止在该景点饮食。安排用餐和饮水休息时,应考虑这些规则;需要特定设施时,先向场馆确认。
Six English–Chinese travel conversations
These fictional exchanges are speaking practice. They do not record actual staff promises or confirm a service, facility or visitor arrangement.
Introducing a group
Visitor: Hello! I am here with my family. Where should we wait? / Staff: Please show me your booking details so I can check.
中文:游客:你好!我和家人一起来的。我们应在哪里等候?/工作人员:请出示预约详情,我来核对。
Checking what to bring
Traveller: Please bring your notebook and umbrella to the meeting point. / Companion: Certainly. Could you help me find my cap?
中文:旅客:请把笔记本和雨伞带到集合地点。/同伴:好。可以帮我找一下鸭舌帽吗?
Asking for a clearer explanation
Visitor: Pardon? Could you speak a little more slowly? / Guide: Of course. Which part would you like me to explain again?
中文:游客:请再说一遍,可以说慢一点吗?/导游:当然。您希望我再解释哪一部分?
Agreeing on a break
Traveller: Are you tired, or do you want to see one more display? / Companion: I would like a short break first.
中文:旅客:你累了吗,还是想再看一个展品?/同伴:我想先休息一会儿。
Checking a meeting point
Visitor: Could you show us where to meet after the visit? / Helper: Let us check the place name on your plan.
中文:游客:可以指给我们看参观后在哪里会合吗?/协助者:我们核对一下您计划中的地名。
Ending a visit warmly
Visitor: Thank you. We learned something new today. / Guide: I am glad you enjoyed asking questions. Goodbye!
中文:游客:谢谢!我们今天学到了新知识。/导游:很高兴你们喜欢提问。再见!
Meaning differences worth noticing
English and Chinese family names
English aunt and uncle cover several relationships that Chinese names distinguish, including the parent’s side of the family, age order and marriage. The table gives familiar examples followed by 等, meaning “and others”. Choose the Chinese kinship word that fits the actual person. Teenager specifically means ages thirteen to nineteen; 青少年 is a broader Chinese category.
中文:Aunt和uncle涵盖多种亲属关系,中文常按父系母系、长幼和婚姻关系区分。表中列出常见称谓,并用“等”提示还有其他对应词。实际交流时,应选择正确称谓。Teenager特指十三至十九岁,中文“青少年”的范围较宽。
A guide, a translator and an interpreter
The guide in row 19 leads or explains a visit. Row 20 teaches translator in the written-text sense. A person translating speech is commonly called an interpreter. Someone may perform more than one role, but the words describe different jobs.
中文:第19词guide指带领或讲解参观的人,第20词translator在本表指处理书面文字的译者。口头翻译通常称为interpreter。一个人可能兼任多种角色,但这些词描述不同工作。
British clothing words
Trainers are commonly called sneakers in American English. A British jumper is commonly called a sweater in American English; American jumper can refer to a different garment. Shorts, jeans and socks take plural forms in these clothing examples. “A pair of shorts” names one garment.
中文:英式英语trainers通常对应美式英语sneakers。英式jumper通常对应美式sweater,而美式jumper可能指另一种服装。本表shorts、jeans和socks采用复数形式;a pair of shorts可指一条短裤。
Bring and take
Bring usually presents movement towards the speaker, listener or a destination treated as the arrival point. Take often presents movement away or towards another place. “Bring your notebook to our meeting” and “take your belongings when you leave” show that change of viewpoint.
中文:Bring通常从说话者、听者或约定到达地点的角度表达“带来”;take常表达带离或带往另一处。比较“把笔记本带到我们的集合处”和“离开时带走物品”,就能看出视角变化。
Read and close: grammar changes the sound
Row 74 teaches present-tense read, pronounced REED. Past-tense read is pronounced RED. Row 49 teaches the verb close, pronounced KLOHZ. The adjective close, meaning nearby, ends with an s sound. The spelling alone does not tell you the grammar or pronunciation.
中文:第74词read教的是现在时读音;过去时拼写相同,读音却不同。第49词close是动词“关上”,末尾为z音;表示“近的”的形容词close末尾为s音。应结合语法与情境判断读音。
Tired, sleepy and ready
Tired means needing rest after effort; sleepy means feeling inclined to sleep. You can be tired without being sleepy. Ready means prepared for an action, not simply awake. Ask your companions what they need rather than deciding from one adjective alone.
中文:Tired表示疲倦,sleepy表示困、想睡觉。一个人可以累但不困。Ready表示已经准备好做某件事,不只是醒着。应询问同伴的实际需要。
Build a clear sentence with eduKate’s Fencing Method
Start with one clear action. Add the people, place and purpose in stages, keeping the sentence easy to understand. Explore eduKate’s Fencing Method for vocabulary.
中文:先写一个清楚的动作,再逐步加入人物、地点和目的,让句子始终容易理解。
Stage 1: We checked the plan.
中文:我们核对了计划。
Stage 2: Our family checked the plan before leaving.
中文:出发前,我们一家核对了计划。
Stage 3: Our family checked the plan before leaving and agreed where to meet after the museum visit.
中文:出发前,我们一家核对了计划,并约好参观博物馆后在哪里会合。
Stage 4: Our family checked the plan before leaving, agreed where to meet after the museum visit and brought our notebooks so that everyone could record one thing they learned.
中文:出发前,我们一家核对了计划,约好参观博物馆后在哪里会合,并带上笔记本,让每个人都能记录一项学习收获。
Try a four-stage sentence about helping a companion or asking a guide a question. Keep the details that help the reader understand the action.
A short Surabaya writing model
Fictional learning model: this passage demonstrates language choices. It is not a report of an actual journey.
Before our Surabaya outing, our family checked the plan and agreed where to meet. I brought a notebook, while my companion carried the umbrella. At the Education Museum, we read about learning across different periods and chose one detail to discuss together. Later, the history of Tugu Pahlawan helped us distinguish the battle of 1945 from the monument inaugurated in 1952. When I did not understand part of an explanation, I asked the guide to speak more slowly. One companion felt tired, so we adjusted our afternoon. We returned with different favourite moments and a shared memory of helping one another enjoy the visit.
中文:泗水出游前,我们一家核对了计划,并约好集合地点。我带了笔记本,同行者拿着雨伞。在教育博物馆,我们阅读不同时期的学习历史,再选一个细节一起讨论。后来,英雄纪念碑的历史帮助我们区分1945年的战役与1952年落成的纪念碑。有一段讲解我没听懂,便请导游说慢一点。一位同伴觉得累了,我们因此调整下午的安排。回程时,每个人都有不同的最爱片段,也共同记住了互相帮助、愉快参观的一天。
Your turn: speak, write and compare
Write a 100–150-word group outing using eight headwords. Include a companion, a polite request, a change of plan and one sourced Surabaya history detail. Translate it into Chinese, checking kinship terms, dates and the direction of bring or take. For speaking practice, exchange roles: one person asks a question, and the other checks that the request is clear.
中文:用八个词写一段100至150词的结伴出游场景,加入一位同伴、一个礼貌请求、一次计划调整和一条有来源的泗水历史细节。翻译成中文后,核对亲属称谓、日期,以及bring或take所表达的方向。口语练习时轮流提问与核对请求。
A lovely final check is simple: does your paragraph show who was there, what you asked and what you learned? Clear everyday words can tell a very good story.
Continue learning through the eduKate ecosystem
Use eduKate’s vocabulary resources to expand your choices and the Fencing Method to organise them into clear sentences. A family request can become dialogue practice; an education-museum observation can become a composition paragraph about how people learn.
中文:通过eduKate词汇资源扩展表达,再用Fencing Method组织清楚的句子。家庭旅行中的请求可变成对话练习,教育博物馆的观察也可发展成探讨学习方式的写作段落。
Families exploring learning routes can continue through eduKatePunggol, eduKateSengkang, Bukit Timah Tutor and eduKateOrchard. Check the current course information for the learning context that fits your family.
For a language extension, explore eduKate’s regional vocabulary and World Englishes guide. Trainers and jumper give you an everyday starting point for noticing regional English. For a writing extension, try How English Works: The Caption and describe one observed detail from a family photograph.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a guide to Indonesian or Javanese?
It teaches English with simplified Chinese and Hanyu Pinyin support. Local museum and place names are retained in the city notes.
Can native English speakers use it to practise Chinese?
Yes. Try the Chinese word or request, then compare it with the English sense. Kinship terms need particular care because the two languages divide relationships differently.
Does every museum offer activities for every age?
Check the actual venue and activity. The vocabulary list teaches how to ask; it does not guarantee suitability or a particular facility.
Can a translator also interpret speech?
A person may offer both services. The table teaches translator in the written-text sense so learners can distinguish that task from spoken interpreting.
Why do the history notes include three different dates?
1945 identifies the battle, 1952 the monument’s inauguration and 2000 the underground museum’s inauguration. A careful history sentence says which event it means.
How should I begin learning the 100 words?
Choose ten for a real task: introducing companions, managing belongings or asking a question. Use them in a short exchange before adding more.
Sources and visitor planning
Historical and destination notes use the primary sources below. Vocabulary definitions and fictional learning scenes are editorial teaching material. Use current venue information for visitor rules, access, availability and ticket arrangements.
Musea Surabaya: Education Museum history
Official city ticket portal: Education Museum visitor conditions
City heritage record: Tugu Pahlawan and its museum
Official museum catalogue: Museum Sepuluh Nopember
Official city ticket portal: Museum Surabaya in Siola
Official city ticket portal: Sports Museum
Surabaya City Government: Kota Lama heritage report, 16 January 2024
Continue your South East Asia vocabulary journey
For airport and hotel tasks, continue with Jakarta’s vocabulary guide. For describing buildings, materials and impressions, try Ipoh’s vocabulary guide. Each city lesson adds a different set of headwords to your travel English.
