When you want to express the general action of fixing various items, the most straightforward phrase to use is 修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxi). The word 修理 (xiūlǐ) is a versatile verb meaning 'to repair' or 'to mend,' and 东西 (dōngxi) is a common, all-encompassing noun that literally means 'east and west' but is used to refer to 'things' or 'stuff' in general.
This phrase is incredibly practical because it can apply to almost anything that needs mending, from a broken chair to a malfunctioning appliance. While there are more specific verbs for fixing particular items (e.g., 修车 xiū chē for fixing a car), 修理东西 serves as a reliable, general-purpose expression for repairs of all kinds. It's a great phrase to have in your vocabulary for everyday situations.
§ Understanding 修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxi)
The Chinese phrase "修理东西" (xiūlǐ dōngxi) directly translates to "fix things." It's a very practical and common phrase you'll use often. Let's break down its parts:
- 修理 (xiūlǐ): This is the verb "to repair," "to mend," or "to fix."
- 东西 (dōngxi): This means "thing" or "things." It's a general term for objects.
Together, they form a clear and straightforward expression for repairing objects.
§ When to use 修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxi)
You use "修理东西" when you want to talk about fixing any kind of object, from a broken chair to a malfunctioning computer. It's a general term, so it applies to a wide range of situations.
- DEFINITION
- to fix things
我的电脑坏了，我需要修理东西。
My computer is broken, I need to fix things. (Hint: I need to fix something)
他很擅长修理东西。
He is very good at fixing things. (Hint: He is very good at repairing objects)
§ Similar words and when to use them
You might encounter other words related to fixing in Chinese. Here’s how "修理东西" stands out:
- 修 (xiū): This is the single character for "to repair" or "to fix." You can often use it on its own, especially when the context is clear. For example, "修电脑" (xiū diànnǎo) means "to fix a computer."
- 修理 (xiūlǐ): This is a more formal and complete verb for "to repair." You can use it with specific objects, like "修理汽车" (xiūlǐ qìchē - to repair a car).
- 维修 (wéixiū): This often implies maintenance and repair, especially for machinery or complex systems. For example, "维修设备" (wéixiū shèbèi - to maintain and repair equipment). It has a slightly more technical feel than "修理."
- 修补 (xiūbǔ): This word specifically refers to mending or patching, often for clothes, shoes, or small holes. For example, "修补衣服" (xiūbǔ yīfu - to mend clothes).
So, when should you use "修理东西"?
If you know exactly what you're fixing, you can use "修理" followed by the object. If you're talking broadly about your ability or need to fix various items, "修理东西" is your best bet.
我不太会修理东西，但我可以修电脑。
I'm not very good at fixing things, but I can fix computers. (Hint: I'm not good at general repairs)
Here, "修理东西" covers the general skill, while "修电脑" is specific.
How Formal Is It?
"我们需要找人来维修这些设备，它们已经损坏了。"
"我需要花点时间修理我的自行车，它链条掉了。"
"你能不能帮我把这个弄好？它好像坏了。"
"小熊的腿断了，妈妈帮它修一修。"
"别担心，这点小问题我很快就能搞定。"
Pronunciation Guide
- Incorrect tone on 修 (xiū) or 理 (lǐ)
- Mispronouncing 东 (dōng) as 'dong' instead of 'doh-ng'
Examples by Level
我喜欢修理东西。
I like to fix things.
他会修理东西吗？
Can he fix things?
我的手机坏了，你能修理东西吗？
My phone is broken, can you fix things?
修理东西需要工具。
Fixing things needs tools.
她正在修理东西。
She is fixing things.
修理东西很有趣。
Fixing things is very interesting.
爸爸喜欢在周末修理东西。
Dad likes to fix things on weekends.
我不知道怎么修理东西。
I don't know how to fix things.
我需要修理我的自行车。
I need to fix my bicycle.
他很擅长修理东西。
He is good at fixing things.
你能帮我修理这个坏了的椅子吗？
Can you help me fix this broken chair?
修理东西需要耐心和技巧。
Fixing things requires patience and skill.
我们应该试着修理旧的东西，而不是总是买新的。
We should try to fix old things instead of always buying new ones.
修理东西可以节省很多钱。
Fixing things can save a lot of money.
我正在学习如何修理一些简单的家用电器。
I am learning how to fix some simple home appliances.
修理东西是很有趣的一件事。
Fixing things is a very interesting activity.
我需要修理我的自行车，因为它发出奇怪的声音。
I need to fix my bicycle because it's making strange noises.
The structure '需要... 因为...' (need... because...) is common for explaining the reason for an action.
他很擅长修理东西，无论是电器还是家具。
He is good at fixing things, whether it's appliances or furniture.
'擅长' (shàncháng) means 'to be good at something'. '无论是... 还是...' (wúlùn shì... háishì...) means 'whether... or...'.
这个旧钟坏了，你能帮我修理东西吗？
This old clock is broken, can you help me fix it?
'坏了' (huàile) indicates something is broken or not working.
修理东西需要耐心和一些基本的工具。
Fixing things requires patience and some basic tools.
'需要' (xūyào) means 'to need' or 'to require'. '一些' (yīxiē) means 'some'.
我正在尝试修理我的旧收音机，但它似乎很难修好。
I'm trying to fix my old radio, but it seems difficult to repair.
'正在' (zhèngzài) indicates an action in progress. '似乎' (sìhū) means 'it seems'.
如果你不知道怎么修理东西，最好请专业人士来做。
If you don't know how to fix things, it's best to ask a professional to do it.
'如果... 最好...' (rúguǒ... zuìhǎo...) means 'if... it's best to...'.
修理东西不仅能省钱，还能让你学到新技能。
Fixing things not only saves money but also allows you to learn new skills.
'不仅... 还能...' (bùjǐn... háinéng...) means 'not only... but also...'.
我喜欢自己动手修理东西，这让我很有成就感。
I like to fix things myself; it gives me a sense of accomplishment.
'自己动手' (zìjǐ dòngshǒu) means 'to do it oneself'. '有成就感' (yǒu chéngjiùgǎn) means 'to have a sense of accomplishment'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
你能帮我修理东西吗？
Can you help me fix things?
我需要修理我的车。
I need to fix my car.
他很擅长修理东西。
He's good at fixing things.
我的手机坏了，需要修理。
My phone is broken and needs to be fixed.
修理东西要花多少钱？
How much does it cost to fix things?
这个东西可以修理吗？
Can this thing be fixed?
我在学习如何修理东西。
I am learning how to fix things.
修理东西很麻烦。
Fixing things is troublesome.
我喜欢自己修理东西。
I like to fix things myself.
找人修理东西。
Find someone to fix things.
Tips
Basic Meaning
修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxi) literally means to repair things. 修理 means to repair or fix, and 东西 (dōngxi) means thing(s).
Versatile Verb
修理 is a very common verb. You can use it for almost anything that needs fixing, from a broken phone to a leaking faucet.
Common Objects
When using '修理东西', common things you might be fixing include: 修理车 (xiūlǐ chē - to fix a car), 修理电脑 (xiūlǐ diànnǎo - to fix a computer), or 修理房子 (xiūlǐ fángzi - to fix a house).
Asking for Help
If something is broken, you can ask for help by saying: 你能帮我修理这个东西吗？(Nǐ néng bāng wǒ xiūlǐ zhège dōngxi ma? - Can you help me fix this thing?)
Past Tense
To say something was fixed, add 了 (le) after the verb: 我修理好了电脑 (Wǒ xiūlǐ hǎo le diànnǎo - I fixed the computer). 好 (hǎo) here implies a successful completion.
Future Tense
To express future action, simply add time words: 我明天会修理这个 (Wǒ míngtiān huì xiūlǐ zhège - I will fix this tomorrow).
Professional Fixer
A person who fixes things professionally can be called 修理工 (xiūlǐgōng - a repairman or technician).
Don't Overthink '东西'
While 东西 can mean 'east and west', in this context it means 'things' or 'stuff'. It's a very common and general term.
More Specific Verbs
For very specific repairs, other verbs might be used, but 修理 is your go-to for general fixing. For example, for sewing, you might use 缝 (fèng).
Practice with Objects
Think about things around you that might need fixing. Practice saying: 我需要修理我的... (Wǒ xūyào xiūlǐ wǒ de... - I need to fix my...). For example, 我需要修理我的自行车 (Wǒ xūyào xiūlǐ wǒ de zìxíngchē - I need to fix my bicycle).
Test Yourself 30 questions
我喜欢___。(Wǒ xǐhuān ___.)
The sentence means 'I like to fix things.' '修理东西' (xiūlǐ dōngxi) means 'to fix things'.
他会___。(Tā huì ___.)
The sentence means 'He can fix things.' '修理东西' (xiūlǐ dōngxi) means 'to fix things'.
我不能___。(Wǒ bù néng ___.)
The sentence means 'I cannot fix things.' '修理东西' (xiūlǐ dōngxi) means 'to fix things'.
她想___。(Tā xiǎng ___.)
The sentence means 'She wants to fix things.' '修理东西' (xiūlǐ dōngxi) means 'to fix things'.
你喜欢___吗？(Nǐ xǐhuān ___ ma?)
The sentence means 'Do you like to fix things?' '修理东西' (xiūlǐ dōngxi) means 'to fix things'.
我们可以___。(Wǒmen kěyǐ ___.)
The sentence means 'We can fix things.' '修理东西' (xiūlǐ dōngxi) means 'to fix things'.
我的自行车坏了，你能帮我___吗？
Context indicates something is broken, so 'to fix things' is the correct action.
他很擅长___，家里有什么坏了都找他。
The sentence states 'something is broken at home, everyone looks for him', meaning he is good at fixing things.
这台电视机需要___，不然不能看。
If the TV isn't working, it needs to be fixed.
我把玩具弄坏了，妈妈让我学会自己___。
If a toy is broken, you need to fix it.
如果你不会___，可以找专业的师傅。
If you don't know how to fix things, you should find a professional.
爸爸周末喜欢在车库里___。
Garages are often used for fixing things like cars or other items.
Choose the best translation for 'to fix things' in the following sentence: '我的自行车坏了，我需要修理东西。'
修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxī) directly translates to 'to fix things'.
Which of these situations most likely involves '修理东西'?
修理东西 refers to the act of repairing or mending items. A plumber fixing a leaky faucet is a direct example of this.
If your phone screen is cracked, what would you most likely do?
A cracked phone screen needs to be repaired, which is exactly what '修理东西' means.
修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxī) can be used to describe repairing a broken chair.
修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxī) is a general term for repairing or mending any kind of item, including furniture like a broken chair.
You would use 修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxī) to talk about cooking a meal.
修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxī) means 'to fix things'. Cooking a meal is a different action and would use verbs like 做饭 (zuò fàn) or 煮饭 (zhǔ fàn).
If a car breaks down, a mechanic would be asked to 修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxī).
A broken-down car needs repair, and '修理东西' is the appropriate phrase for a mechanic's work.
他不仅擅长制作精巧的手工艺品，而且还能___各种复杂的机器。
根据上下文，他擅长制作手工艺品，也能处理复杂的机器，暗示他有能力修好它们。
由于预算紧张，我们不得不自己动手___办公室里损坏的家具。
预算紧张意味着需要节约开支，自己动手修理是经济的选择。
虽然她对电子产品一窍不通，但总能在关键时刻找到专业人士来___。
对电子产品不了解，但能找到专业人士，说明是为了解决产品故障，即修理。
这位老工匠以其精湛的技艺闻名，无论多老旧的物件，他都能妙手回春，___。
“妙手回春”和“老旧的物件”暗示是将损坏的东西修好。
为了节省开支，许多家庭开始学习一些基本的技能，比如如何___家中的小电器。
学习基本技能以节省开支，通常指解决小电器故障，即修理。
在荒无人烟的沙漠中，一旦车辆出现故障，他们只能依靠有限的工具___。
在没有外界帮助的情况下，车辆故障只能自己动手修复。
她不仅精通理论知识，更以其高超的实践能力，屡次在复杂机械故障面前展现出“修理东西”的非凡才华。这句话中的“修理东西”最能体现以下哪种含义？
这句话着重于主人公在面对复杂机械故障时展现出的高超实践能力，因此“修理东西”在这里强调的是其解决实际问题的技巧和动手能力。
面对日益老化的基础设施，城市管理部门亟需制定长远的“修理东西”计划，以确保市民生活的正常运转。这里的“修理东西”更侧重于哪一方面？
上下文提到“日益老化的基础设施”和“确保市民生活的正常运转”，因此“修理东西”在这里特指对城市基础设施进行维护、修复和升级。
在瞬息万变的商业环境中，企业家不仅要有创新精神，更要具备“修理东西”的智慧，能够及时调整战略，应对挑战。这里的“修理东西”喻指什么？
在商业环境中，面对挑战并调整战略，更像是一种比喻性的“修理”，指的是灵活调整经营策略，弥补不足，而非字面意义上的修理物品。
“修理东西”这个词语在某些语境下可以引申为修复人际关系中的矛盾或解决组织内部的问题。
是的，汉语中，“修理”一词除了字面意义的修缮物品外，也常被引申为修复非物质的“东西”，例如修复关系、解决问题等，体现了其灵活的运用。
如果一个人说他“擅长修理东西”，那么他一定是指他非常擅长修理电子产品。
不完全正确。“擅长修理东西”表示一个人有能力修好各种物品，不限于电子产品，也可以是家具、机械或其他家用物品等。其范围是广义的。
在口语中，当一个物品损坏时，我们常常会直接说“这个东西坏了，需要修理一下”，而不是“这个东西坏了，需要修理东西”。
是的，口语中，当损坏的具体物品明确时，我们通常会直接指明该物品，例如“修理一下我的手机”，而非重复使用“修理东西”，因为“东西”在这里显得多余。
/ 30 correct
Perfect score!
Basic Meaning
修理东西 (xiūlǐ dōngxi) literally means to repair things. 修理 means to repair or fix, and 东西 (dōngxi) means thing(s).
Versatile Verb
修理 is a very common verb. You can use it for almost anything that needs fixing, from a broken phone to a leaking faucet.
Common Objects
When using '修理东西', common things you might be fixing include: 修理车 (xiūlǐ chē - to fix a car), 修理电脑 (xiūlǐ diànnǎo - to fix a computer), or 修理房子 (xiūlǐ fángzi - to fix a house).
Asking for Help
If something is broken, you can ask for help by saying: 你能帮我修理这个东西吗？(Nǐ néng bāng wǒ xiūlǐ zhège dōngxi ma? - Can you help me fix this thing?)
