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CHINESE PINYIN LANGUAGE
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iKnow
CHINESEWORDS + PHRASES + CONVERSATIONS
Beginner Level Chinese Program
Transcript
2 3
Welcome to Living Language iKnow Chinese. This audio fl ash card program lets you see and hear all of the essential words, phrases, and conversations that you need to get by in Mandarin Chinese. Just listen to the native speakers of Mandarin Chinese and repeat in the pauses.
Before we look at any Chinese words, let’s fi rst learn a little about Chinese pronunciation.
Each word in Chinese is pronounced with one of four tones. They’re written here over the vowel a, which is pronounced similarly to the vowel in John. Imagine saying the name John in the following contexts:
Tone Example Description
First tone ā High.Sing “John.”
Second tone á From middle to high, as in asking a question.“John? Is that you?”
Third tone ă From middle to low, and then to high, as if stretching out a question.“Jo- o- o- hn, what do you think?”
Fourth tone à From high to low, as if answering a question.“Who’s there?” “John.”
There is also a neutral tone, which has no mark: a. As the name implies, it is pronounced neutrally, without any emphasis or tone.
If there are two third tones in a row (Nĭ hăo ma?), the fi rst third tone is pronounced in the second tone, even though it is still written in the third tone.
The Chinese words, phrases, and conversations in iKnow Chinese are written in pīnyīn, the standard romanization alphabet for Mandarin Chinese used in mainland China. Pīnyīn was designed for people who do not read Chinese characters to read Chinese sounds. Here is a pronunciation guide to some pīnyīn letters, and combinations of letters, that sound diff erent than those in English:
Action Phrases: Watch Out!
Kuài diăn lái!Come quickly!
Bú yòng găn./Bié jíjímángmáng.Don’t rush.
Kuài yìdiăn er!/Kuài yìxiē!Hurry up! (lit., More fast!)
Pīnyīn Pronunciation Examplesz ds in yards zuŏ (left)
c ts in its cóng (from)
zh dg in judge zhú (bamboo)
j dy in and yet jiŭ (nine)
q ty in won’t you qián (money)
x sh in shoe xièxie (thank you)
i ee in see bĭ (pen)
i (after z, c, s, zh, ch, sh, r)
r in thunder sĭ (to die)
ou oa in float yŏu (to have)
ui weigh shuĭ (water)
ü(when ü combines with j, q, x, and y, the two dots above the letter can be omitted)
like ee in see, but with lips rounded into a pout (German hübsch, French tu)
qù (to go), nü (female)
er are ĕrduo (ear)
As a helpful introduction to the Chinese writing system, all of the words, phrases, and sentences below are also written in Chinese characters.
Okay, ready to get started?
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Wŏ măshàng lái!I’m coming right away!
Wŏ xiànzài jiù lái.I’m coming right now.
Wŏ lái le!I’m coming!
Wŏ zài găn shíjiān.I’m in a hurry. (lit., I am rushing time.)
Wŏ bù găn shíjiān.I’m not in a hurry.
Măshàng.Immediately./Right away.
hòuláilater
Zánmen zŏu ba!Let’s go!
xiànzàinow, right now
Dĕng yíhuì er!One moment!/Just a minute! (lit., Wait a moment!)
Kuài diăn er!Quickly!
Màn diăn er.Slower.
bù jiŭsoon
tūránsuddenly
hĕn kuàivery soon
Xiăoxīn!Watch out! (lit., Be careful!)
And, Or, But
Jiāmíng hé Jiāqiáng shì xiōngdì.Jiaming and Jiaqiang are brothers.
mŭqīn hé nü ’érmother and daughter
wŭ kuài huòzhĕ liù kuàifive or six dollars
Wŏ gēn wŏ(de) dìdi huòzhĕ mèimei qù.I’m going with my younger brother or with my younger sister.
Nĭ qù háishì tā qù?You go or he/she goes? (informal)
Wŭ diăn háishì qī diăn?Five o’clock or seven o’clock?
Nán háishì nü ?Male or female?
Wŏ xiăng qù, kĕshì wŏ bù zhīdào shénme shíhou.I want to go, but I don’t know when.
Wŏ xiăng qù, kĕshì wŏ bù néng qù.I want to go, but I can’t go.
Wŏ qù kĕshì tā bú qù.I’m going but he/she isn’t going.
Around Town
fēijīairplane
fēijīchăngairport
gōngyù dàlóuapartment building
miànbāodiànbakery
yínhángbank
shūdiànbookstore
dàlóu/dàshàbuilding
gōngchēbus
ròudiànbutcher shop
kāfēidiàncafé, coff ee shop
chēcar
jiàotángchurch
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shìzhèngfŭ/shìzhèng dàlóucity hall, municipal building
chéng(shì)city, urban
fúzhuāngdiànclothing store
băihuò shāngdiàndepartment store
yàofángdrugstore, pharmacy
diànzĭ qìjiàn shāngdiànelectronics store
yuănfar
shízì lùkŏuintersection
lùdēngzhù/dēnggănlamppost
túshūguănlibrary
shìchăngmarket
shìzhăngmayor
qīngzhēnsìmosque
jìnnear
gōngyuánpark
cānguăn/fànguănrestaurant
nóngcūn/xiāngxiàrural
xiédiànshoe store
rénxíngdàosidewalk
chéngzhèn yóulănsightseeing around town
shāngdiànstore
jiēstreet
lùdēngstreetlight
jiāoqū/shìjiāosuburban
dìtiĕsubway, metro
chāojí shìchăngsupermarket
chūzūchētaxi
miàoyŭ/sìyuàntemple
măito buy
qù măi dōngxito go shopping
chéngzhèntown
jiāotōngtraffi c
huŏchētrain
huŏchēzhàntrain station
cūnzhuāngvillage
Asking Directions
Qĭngwèn . . . zài nă er?May I ask, where is . . . ?
. . . zŏuGo . . . /Walk . . .
Yì zhí wăng qián zŏu.Go straight ahead.
Wăng nèibiān zŏu.Go that way.
Wăng huí qù.Go back.
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Zhuăn . . .Turn . . .
Wăng yòu zhuăn.Turn right.
Wăng zuŏ zhuăn.Turn left.
Zhuăn wān.Turn around.
zŏu dào tóuat the end of the street
dào jiējiăoon the corner
Dì yī ge lùkŏu xiàng zuŏ zhuăn.Take the fi rst left.
Dì èr ge lùkŏu xiàng yòu zhuăn.Take the second right.
Lí de jìn ma?Is it near?
Lí de yuăn ma?Is it far?
zài . . . pángbiannext to . . .
jiāotōngdēngtraff ic light
(mă)lùroad, street
shízì lùkŏuintersection
gōngyuán(public) park
gōnggòng qìchēzhàn(public) bus stop
dìtiĕzhànsubway station
lü guănhotel
Asking Questions
(zài) năli/(zài) nă er (used in northern China)where
Chūkŏu zài nă er?Where is the exit?
shénmewhat
Nĭde diànyóu dìzhĭ shì shénme?What is your email address? (informal)
sheíwho
Tā shì sheí?Who is that? (lit., He/She is who?)
shénme shíhouwhen
Fēijī shénme shíhou dĭdá?When does the plane arrive?
zĕn(me)yànghow
Zĕn(me)yàng dă diànhuà gĕi Mĕiguó?How do I call the U.S.?
duōshăohow much, how many
Zhè shì duōshăo qián?How much (money) does this cost?
At Home
gōngyùapartment
zài jiā lĭat home
yùshì/wèishēngjiānbathroom
wòfáng/wòshìbedroom
dà/xiăobig/small
dìtăncarpet
guāngdiéjīCD player
tiānhuābănceiling
yĭzichair
bìchú/yīguìcloset
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chuāngliáncurtain
fàntīngdining room
méndoor
dvd jīDVD player
dìbănfloor
méntīnghall
fángzihouse
chúfángkitchen
dēnglamp
kètīngliving room
xīn/jiùnew/old
huà/túhuàpainting/picture
sùjiāo/sùjiāo zuò deplastic/made from plastic
fángjiānroom
jiàzishelf
shāfā/chángshāfāsofa/couch
yīnxiăngsound system
lóutīstairs
zhuōzitable
diànshìtelevision
qiángwall
chuānghuwindow
mùtóu/mùzhìdewood/wooden
At School
yìshùart
zài xuéxiàoat school
shēngwùxuébiology
huàxuéchemistry
jiàoshìclassroom
kèchéngcourse
xuéwèidegree
kùnnan/róngyìdiff icult/easy
bìyè zhèngshū/wénpíngdiploma
kăoshìexam
jíbiégrade
tĭyùguăngym
lìshĭhistory
yŭyánlanguage
wénxuéliterature
shùxuémath
yīnyuèmusic
bĭjìbĕnnotebook
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jiàoshòuprofessor
xiăoxiū/kèjiān xiūxírecess
chéngjīdānreport card
xuéxiàoschool
xuéshengstudent
xuékēsubject
lăoshī/jiàoshīteacher
cèyàntest
jiàokēshūtextbook
kăoshì bùjígéto fail
xuéto learn
kăoshì jígéto pass
xuéxíto study
dàxuéuniversity
At the Airport
(zài) năli/(zài) nă er (used in northern China)where
Qĭngwèn năli shì hăiguān?May I ask, where is customs?
Qĭngwèn hùzhào guănlĭchù zài nă er?May I ask, where is passport control?
Nĭ yŏu shénme dōngxi yào shēnbào?Do you have anything to declare? (informal)
Wŏ méiyŏu shénme dōngxi yào shēnbào.I don’t have anything to declare.
Wŏ yŏu xiē dōngxi yào shēnbào.I have something to declare.
Qĭngwèn chū xíngli de dìfang zài nă er?May I ask, where is the baggage claim area?
Qĭngwèn guójì chūrùjìng zài nă er?May I ask, where are the international departures?
Qĭngwèn dàodádiăn zài nă er?May I ask, where are the arrivals?
Qĭngwèn yī sān èr dēngjīkŏu zài nă er?May I ask, where is gate 132 (lit., one- three- two)?
Qĭngwèn xúnwènchù zài nă er?May I ask, where is information?
Wŏ xĭhuan . . .I like . . .
Wŏ xĭhuan kào chuāngkŏu de zuòwèi.I like the window seat.
Wŏ xĭhuan kào zŏudào de zuòwèi.I like the aisle seat.
Zhè shì nĭde dēngjīzhèng.Here is your boarding pass. (informal)
Lü tú yúkuài!Have a good trip!
At the Hotel
Wŏ yào dēngjì zhùsù.I’d like to check in.
Wŏ yào yí ge fángjiān.I’d like a room.
Yí ge rén.For one person.
Liăng ge rén.For two people.
Wŏ yĭjīng dìng le fángjiān.I have a reservation.
Nĭ dăsuàn zhù jĭtiān?For how many nights? (informal)
Yì tiān.For one night.
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Liăng tiān.For two nights.
Yí ge xīngqī. (Yí ge lĭbài.)For one week.
Zhè shì nĭde yàoshi.Here is your key. (informal)
Zhè shì nĭde yàoshikă.Here is your key card. (informal)
Nĭ hái yŏu bié de fángjian ma?Do you have another room? (informal)
Shìfŏu dài sīrén xĭzaojiān?With a private bathroom?
Dài shùjù jiēkŏu ma?With a connection to the internet?
Qĭngwèn yŏu ānjìng yìdiăn er de fángjiān ma?May I ask, is there a quieter room?
Qĭngwèn yŏu dà yìdiăn er de fángjiān ma?May I ask, is there a larger room?
Zhè er yŏu jiànshēnfáng ma?Is there an exercise room?
Zhè er yŏu yóuyŏngchí ma?Is there a pool?
Qĭngwèn huìyìshì zài nă er?May I ask, where is the conference room?
Qĭngwèn chuánzhēnjī zài nă er?May I ask, where is the fax machine?
Qĭngwèn ménfáng guănlĭbù zài nă er?May I ask, where is the concierge?
Wŏ yào tuì fáng jié zhàng.I’d like to check out.
At the Restaurant
Nĕi yì jiā cānguăn bĭjiào hăo?Where is there a good restaurant?
Liăng wèi.A table for two.
Xīyān háishì bù xīyān?Smoking or non- smoking? (lit., To smoke or not to smoke?)
Qĭng gĕi wŏ càidān.The menu, please./Please bring me the menu.
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yí fèn jiŭshŭi dānzi.The wine list, please./Please bring me the wine list.
xiăochīappetizer
zhŭcàimain course
tiándiăndessert
Wŏ xiăng yào diăn er hē de.I would like something to drink.
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì bēi shŭi.A glass of water, please./Please bring me a glass of water.
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì bēi chá.A cup of tea, please./Please bring me a cup of tea.
kāfēi jiā niúnăicoff ee with milk
píjiŭbeer
Zhèlĭ yŏu shénmeyàng de shūcài?Do you have vegetarian dishes (here)?/Are there vegetarian dishes (here)?
Cèsŭo zài nă er?Where is the restroom/bathroom?
Jiù zhèyàng.That’s all.
Qĭng jiézhàng.The check, please.
Zhè lĭmiàn bāokuò xiăofèi ma?Is the tip included?
zăocānbreakfast
wŭcānlunch
wăncāndinner
Màn màn chī!Enjoy the meal!
Zhù nĭ jiànkāng!To your health!/Wishing you (good) health! (informal)
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Hĕn hăochī!It’s delicious!
pánziplate
chāzifork
dāoknife
tiáogēngspoon
kuàizichopsticks
cānjīnnapkin
yì bēione/a cup, one/a glass
yì píng jiŭone/a bottle of wine
bīngkuài erice cube(s)
yánsalt
hújiāopepper (condiment)
tángsugar
tāngsoup
sèlāsalad
miànbāobread
huángyóubutter
miàntiáonoodles
mĭfànrice
rŭlàocheese
shūcàivegetables
jī(ròu)chicken
zhūròupork
niúròubeef
Wŏde niúpái yào shēng yìdiăn er.I like my steak rare.
Wŏde niúpái yào zhōngshú.I like my steak medium.
Wŏde niúpái yào shú yìdiăn er.I like my steak well- done.
guŏzhījuice
xiàn er bĭngpie
bīngqílínice cream
Qĭng zài lái yí ge.Another, please.
Qĭng zài jiā yíxiē.(Some) more, please.
Qĭng bă . . . gĕi wŏ.Please pass me the . . .
làspicy
tiánsweet
suānsour
At the Train Station
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng chēpiào.I would like a ticket, please./Please give me a ticket. (train or bus only)
Dào Shànghăi.To Shanghai.
dānchéng chēpiàoone- way ticket (train or bus only)
láihuí chēpiàoround- trip ticket (train or bus only)
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Tóudĕngcāng háishì èrdĕngcāng?First class or second class?
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng shíjiānbiăo.May I have a schedule?/Please give me a schedule.
Zài nĕi ge zhàntái?Which platform?
Huŏchē jĭdiăn kāi chē?When/At what time does the train leave?
Huŏchē jĭdiăn dĭdá?When/At what time does the train arrive?
Gāi cì lièchē ànshí dĭdá ma?Is the train on time?
Gāi cì lièchē yŏu cānchē ma?Is there a dining car?
Gāi cì lièchē yŏu wòpù ma?Is there a sleeping car?
Basic Expressions
Xièxie nĭ. (Xièxie nín.)Thank you. (informal/formal)
Fēicháng gănxiè.Thank you very much.
Búyòng kèqì.You’re welcome.
Qĭng.Please.
Shì.Yes.
Búshì.No.
Duìbuqĭ.Excuse me./Pardon me./Sorry.
Hĕn bàoqiàn.I’m sorry. (lit., Very regretful.)
Wŏ tīng bù dŏng.I don’t understand.
Wŏ bú huì jiăng Zhōngwén.I don’t speak Chinese. (lit., I don’t know how to speak Chinese.)
Nĭ huì shuō Yīngyŭ ma?Do you (know how to) speak English? (informal)
Wŏde Zhōngwén jiăng de bù hăo.I don’t speak Chinese very well.
Qĭng nĭ shuō màn yìdiăn er.Please speak more slowly. (informal)
Qĭng nĭ zài shuō yí biàn.Please repeat (that)./Please say (that) one more time. (informal)
Clothing
yóuyŏngyībathing suit, swimsuit
yóuyŏngkùbathing trunks, swimming trunks
yāodàibelt
zhàoshānblouse
shŏuzhuóbracelet
yīfuclothes, clothing
wàitàocoat
dēngxīnróngcorduroy
miánbùcotton fabric
líanyīqúndress
ĕrhuánearring(s)
yănjìngeyeglasses
lĭfúformal dress
shŏutàoglove(s)
màozihat
duăn shàngyī/jiākèjacket
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niúzăikùjeans
huābiānlace
pígéleather
xiàngliànnecklace
nílóngnylon
shuìyīpajamas
kùzipants
jièzhĭ/zhĭhuánring
wéijīnscarf
chènshānshirt
xiézishoe(s)
sīsilk
hào/chĭmăsize
qúnziskirt
qiúxié/jiāodĭbùxiésneakers, tennis shoes
wàzisock(s)
tàozhuāngsuit
tàiyáng yănjìngsunglasses
chuānto wear, to put on
T- xùshān (tìxùshān)T- shirt
nèikùunderpants
hànshānundershirt
shŏubiăowatch
Computers and the Internet
fùjiànattachment
bókè/bùluógé/wăngshàngrìzhìblog (web log)
diànlăncable
guāngpánCD- ROM
wéidú guāngdiéjīCD- ROM drive
liáotiānshìchat room
diànnăocomputer
diànnăo jí hùliánwăngcomputers and the internet
wénjiàndocument, file
shùmă yònghù xìanlùDSL
diànyóuemail
dăng’ànfile
jíshí xùnxīinstant message
hùliánwănginternet
jiànpánkeyboard
jìyìtĭ/cúnchŭqìmemory
tiáozhìjiĕtiáoqìmodem
yíngguāngpíng/píngmùmonitor, screen
huáshŭ/shŭbiāomouse
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dăyìnjīprinter
fùshàng wénjiànto attach a document/file
guānbì wénjiànto close a document/file
shānchúto delete
zhuănjìto forward
dăkāi wénjiànto open a document/file
huífùto reply
cúnchŭ dăng’ànto save a file
fā wénjiànto send a document/file
fā diànyóuto send an email
wăngyèwebpage
wăngzhànwebsite
Countries and Nationalities
FēizhōuAfrica
MĕiguóAmerica, the United States
MĕiguórénAmerican
YăzhōuAsia
ÀozhōurénAustralian
BĕijīngrénBeijinger (from Beijing)
JiānádàCanada
GuăngdōngrénCantonese
ZhōngguóChina
ZhōngguórénChinese
YīngguóEngland, Britain
YīngguórénEnglish, British
ŌuzhōuEurope
FăguóFrance
FăguórénFrench
DéguórénGerman
DéguóGermany
XiānggăngrénHongkongese (from Hong Kong)
YìdàlìrénItalian
YìdàlìItaly
RìbĕnJapan
RìbĕnrénJapanese
HánguóKorea
NánjīngrénNanjingese (from Nanjing)
ÉguóRussia
ShànghăirénShanghaiese (from Shanghai)
Nán MĕizhōuSouth America
XībānyáSpain
24 25
XībānyárénSpanish
YuènánVietnam
Nă guó rén?What nationality? (lit., Which country person?)
Days and Months
xīngqī yī (lĭbài yī)Monday
xīngqī èr (lĭbài èr)Tuesday
xīngqī sān (lĭbài sān)Wednesday
xīngqī sì (lĭbài sì)Thursday
xīngqī wŭ (lĭbài wŭ)Friday
xīngqī liù (lĭbài liù)Saturday
xīngqī tiān (lĭbài tiān)Sunday
yī yuèJanuary
èr yuèFebruary
sān yuèMarch
sì yuèApril
wŭ yuèMay
liù yuèJune
qī yuèJuly
bā yuèAugust
jiŭ yuèSeptember
shí yuèOctober
shí yī yuèNovember
shí èr yuèDecember
zhè ge xīngqī yī (zhè ge lĭbài yī)this Monday
shàng ge xīngqī (shàng ge lĭbài)last week
xià ge yuènext month
sān yuè èrshí hàoon march 20
Jīntiān shì jĭ hào?What is the date today?
Jīntiān shì sì yuè èrshí wŭ hào.Today is April 25.
Describing Things
dà/xiăobig/small
hăo/huàigood/bad
mĕilì/chŏubeautiful/ugly
rè/lĕnghot/cold
gāo/ăitall/short
pàng/shòufat/thin
jiù/xīnold/new
lăo/niánqīngold/young
gāoxìng/bēiāihappy/sad
kuài/mànfast/slow
jìn/yuănnear/far
hóngsèred
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lánsèblue
huángsèyellow
lüsègreen
chénghuángsèorange
zĭsèpurple
hēisèblack
báisèwhite
zōngsèbrown
Nà tài hăo le!That’s great!
Nà tài zāogāo le!That’s terrible!
Hăo.Okay./Fine./Good.
Wŏ bù zhīdào.I don’t know.
Zhè shì hĕn zhòngyào de!It’s very important! (lit., This is very important!)
Xiăoxīn!Be careful!
Zhù nĭ wán er de kāixīn!Have fun! (informal)
Zhù nĭ hăoyùn!Good luck! (informal)
Entertainment
mĕishùguănart museum, gallery
yuèduìband
shūbook
măxìcircus
jùlèbùclub
xĭjùcomedy
yīnyuèhuìconcert
wŭhuìdance party
jìlùpiāndocumentary
xìjùdrama
yúlèentertainment
lìng rén xīngfènexciting
yŏuqù/hăowánfunny
huàlánggallery
yŏu yìsiinteresting
zázhìmagazine
diànyĭngyuànmovie theater, cinema
diànyĭngmovie, film
bówùguănmuseum
gējùopera
huàpainting
shèjiāo jùhuìparty
fànguăn/fàndiànrestaurant
kĕpàscary
diāokè/diāosùsculpture
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gēqŭsong
qīngtán jiémù/făngtán jiémùtalk show
diànshì jiémùtelevision program
xīnwénthe news
jùyuàntheater
piàoticket
mènto be bored, boring
zhuăntáito change channels
xuăntáito choose channels
tiàowŭto dance
qù wŭhuìto go to a party
qù kàn diànyĭngto go to the movies
bàn wŭhuìto have a party
wán de gāoxìngto have fun
tīng yīnyuèto listen to music
kàn shūto read a book
kàn zázhìto read a magazine
kàn diànyĭngto see a movie
kàn xìjùto see a play
kàn diànshìto watch television
Exclamations: What a Surprise!
Hăo!Good!
Duō(me) zāogāo!How awful!/How horrible!
Duō(me) mĕilì!How beautiful!
Duō mĕi!How beautiful!/How pretty!/How nice!
Duō(me) xìngyùn!How lucky!/What luck!
Duō hăo!/Duō bàng!How nice!
Duō piàoliang!How pretty!
Duō bèn!How stupid!/What stupidity!
Duō(me) búxìng!How unfortunate!/What a misfortune!
Hĕn kĕxī.It’s a pity. (lit., Very pity.)
Xiūxiăng!No way! (lit., Don’t think about it!)
Duō fán!What a drag!
Duō(me) kĕxī!What a pity!
Duō(me) yìxiăng bú dào!What a surprise!
Duō(me) zŏuyùn!What amazing luck!
Fèihuà!What nonsense! (lit., Nonsense!)
Family and Relationships
gūmŭaunt (father’s [elder] sister)
gūmāaunt (father’s [married] sister)
gūguaunt (father’s [younger] sister)
bómŭaunt (father’s elder brother’s wife)
shĕnshenaunt (father’s younger brother’s wife)
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yímŭaunt (mother’s [elder] sister)
yímāaunt (mother’s [married] sister)
āyíaunt (mother’s [younger] sister)
jiùmŭ/jiùmāaunt (mother’s brother’s wife)
yīng’érbaby
nánpéngyouboyfriend
tángjiĕcousin (father’s brother’s daughter who is older than you)
tángmèicousin (father’s brother’s daughter who is younger than you)
tángxiōngcousin (father’s brother’s son who is older than you)
tángdìcousin (father’s brother’s son who is younger than you)
biăojiĕcousin (father’s sister or mother’s sibling’s daughter who is older than you)
biăomèicousin (father’s sister or mother’s sibling’s daughter who is younger than you)
biăodìcousin (father’s sister or mother’s sibling’s son who is younger than you)
biăogēcousin (father’s sister or mother’s sibling’s son who is older than you)
nü ’ĕrdaughter
gēgeelder brother
jiĕjieelder sister
jiātíng jí guānxìfamily and relationships
bàbafather
gōnggongfather- in- law (husband’s father)
yuèfù/yuèzhàngfather- in- law (wife’s father)
wèihūnfūfiancé
wèihūnqīfiancée
péngyoufriend
nü péngyougirlfriend
yéyegrandfather (father’s father)
wàigōnggrandfather (mother’s father)
năinaigrandmother (father’s mother)
wàipógrandmother (mother’s mother)
xiānsheng/zhàngfuhusband
māmamother
pópomother- in- law (husband’s mother)
yuèmŭmother- in- law (wife’s mother)
qīnqirelative
érzison
jìnüstepdaughter
jìfùstepfather
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jìmŭstepmother
jìzĭstepson
gēn . . . líhūnto divorce (someone)
bàn líhūnto get a divorce
jìchéngto inherit
rènshito know (a person)
àito love
qŭto marry (a man to marry a woman)
jiàto marry (a woman to marry a man)
gēn . . . jiéhūnto marry (to get married to . . . )
jiànto meet
bófùuncle (father’s elder brother)
gūfùuncle (father’s sister’s husband)
shūshuuncle (father’s younger brother)
jiùfù/jiùjiùuncle (mother’s brother)
yífùuncle (mother’s sister’s husband)
tàitai/qīziwife
dìdiyounger brother
mèimeiyounger sister
First, Second, Third, Etc.
dì yīfirst
dì èrsecond
dì sānthird
dì sìfourth
dì wŭfifth
dì liùsixth
dì qīseventh
dì bāeighth
dì jiŭninth
dì shítenth
Food
píngguŏapple
xiāngjiāobanana
niúròubeef
píjiŭbeer
miànbāobread
zăocānbreakfast
húluóbocarrot
năilào/rŭlàocheese
jī(ròu)chicken (meat)
làjiāochili pepper
kāfēicoff ee
huángguācucumber
34 35
wăncāndinner
yĭnliàodrink
dànegg
yúfish
shíwùfood
shuĭguŏfruit
pútáograpes
fēngmìhoney
rè/lĕnghot/cold
guŏzhījuice
shēngcài/wōjùlettuce
lóngxiālobster
wŭcānlunch
ròumeat
niúnăimilk
júziorange
lípear
hújiāopepper (condiment)
zhūròupork
fànrice (cooked), meal
yánsalt
xiāshrimp
qìshuĭsoft drink, soda
tángsugar
tián/suānsweet/sour
chátea
fānqiétomato
càivegetable
shuĭwater
jiŭwine, alcohol
Getting Around
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng shìqū dìtú.A map of the city, please./Please give me a map of the city.
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng dìtiĕ xiànlùtú.A subway map, please./Please give me a subway map.
Zhè liàng gōnggòng qìchē dào Nánjing Lù qù ma?Does this (public) bus go to Nanjing Road?
Chēfèi yào duōshăo qián?How much is the fare?
Qĭngwèn zài nă er kĕyĭ zhăodào chūzūchē?May I ask, where are the taxis? (lit., May I ask, where can I find the taxis?)
Qĭngwèn gōnggòng qìchēzhàn zài nă er?May I ask, where is the (public) bus stop?
Qĭngwèn năli shì chūkŏu?May I ask, where is the exit?
Qĭngwèn dìtiĕzhàn zài nă er?May I ask, where is the subway station?
Qĭng nĭ tíng zài zhè er.Please stop here. (informal)
36 37
Qĭng nĭ bă wŏ sòng dào zhè ge dìdiăn.Please take me to this address. (informal)
Getting Help
Nĭ néng bāngbāngmáng ma?Can you help me? (informal)
Jiù mìng!Help!
Wŏ zhăo bú dào wŏde háizi le.I don’t know where my child is.
Wŏ zhăo bú dào wŏde zhàngfu le.I don’t know where my husband is.
Wŏ zhăo bú dào wŏde tàitai le.I don’t know where my wife is.
Wŏ gănjué ĕxin.I feel nauseous.
Wŏ xūyào qù kàn yīshēng.I need (to go see) a doctor.
Wŏ duì pánníxilín guòmĭn.I’m allergic to penicillin.
Wŏde tóu yūn.I’m dizzy.
Wŏ shòu shāng le.I’m hurt.
Wŏ mílù le.I’m lost.
Wŏ bèi rén qiăng le.I’ve been robbed.
Wŏde xíngli diūle.I’ve lost my luggage.
Wŏde hùzhào diūle.I’ve lost my passport.
Wŏde qiánbāo diūle.I’ve lost my wallet.
Wŏ găn bú shàng wŏde huŏchē le.I’ve missed my train.
Wŏde (shŏu)bì tòng.My arm hurts.
Wŏde tóu tòng.My head hurts.
Wŏde jiăo tòng.My leg hurts.
Qĭng jiào jiùhùchē.Please call an ambulance.
Jĭngchá!Police!
Getting to Know Someone
Nĭ shì cóng shénme dìfang lái de?Where are you from? (lit., You come from what place?) (informal)
Wŏ shì cóng Bĕijīng lái de.I’m from Beijing.
Wŏ shì cóng Niŭ Yuē lái de.I’m from New York.
Tā shì cóng shénme dìfang lái de?Where is he/she from? (lit., He/She comes from what place?)
Tā shì cóng Guăngzhōu lái de.He/She is from Guangzhou.
Nĭ zài nălĭ chūshēng?Where were you born? (informal)
Wŏ yĕ zài Mĕiguó chūshēng.I was also born in the U.S. (like you).
Wŏ xiànzài zhù zài Tiānjīn.I’m now living in Tianjin.
Nĭ duō dà?/Nĭ jĭ suì?How old are you? (informal)
Wŏ èrshí sì suì.I’m 24 years old.
Dào jiŭ yuè wŏ èrshí sì suì.I’ll be 24 years old in September.
Wŏ zài yī jiŭ liù liù nián bā yuè shí jiŭ hào chūshēng.I was born August 19, 1966.
Nĭ shénme shíhou shēngrì?When is your birthday? (informal)
Wŏ yī yuè èrshí sān hào shēngrì.My birthday is on January 23.
Tā duō dà?How old is he/she?
Tā sānshí suì.He/She is 30 years old.
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Nĭ yŏu jĭ ge xiōngdì?How many brothers do you have? (informal)
Wŏ yŏu yí ge gēge hé yí ge dìdi.I have one older brother and one younger brother.
Gēge èrshí èr suì.The older brother is 22 years old.
Tā zài dàxué dúshū.He studies at the university.
Dìdi shí qī suì.The younger brother is 17 years old.
Tā zài gāozhōng niàn gāosān.He’s in his last year of high school. (lit., He is studying grade three in high school.)
Nĭ yŏu duōshăo ge jiĕmèi?How many sisters do you have? (informal)
Wŏ yŏu yí ge mèimei.I have one younger sister.
Tā jiŭ suì.She’s nine years old.
Going Out
Nĭ néng gàosu wŏ nĕi ge kāfēiguăn hăo ma?Can you recommend a café/coff ee shop? (informal)
Nĭ néng gàosu wŏ nĕi ge cānguăn hăo ma?Can you recommend a restaurant? (informal)
Fùjìn yŏu hăo de jiŭbā ma?Is there a good bar nearby?
Fùjìn yŏu diànyĭngyuàn ma?Is there a movie theater nearby?
Fùjìn yŏu bówùguăn ma?Is there a museum nearby?
Năli shì lüyóu de jĭngdiăn?Where are the tourist attractions?
Năli wŏ néng qù tiàowŭ?Where can I go to dance?
Năli kĕyĭ liànxí păobù?Where can I go to jog?
Năli kĕyĭ qí zìxíngchē?Where can I go to ride a bike?
Năli kĕyĭ yóuyŏng?Where can I go to swim?
Good or Bad?
hăogood, well, fine, okay, all right
hĕn hăovery good, very well, good
Tài bàng le.It’s wonderful./It’s excellent.
Fēicháng de hăo.It’s excellent./It’s admirable.
Wánmĕi.It’s perfect.
Búcuò.It’s not bad./It’s pretty good. (lit., Not incorrect.)
Hăo bù hăo?Is it all right?/Is it okay? (lit., Good not good?)
Shífēn hăo!Perfect!/Very good!/Very well!
Tā hĕn piàoliang.She’s (very) pretty.
Tā hĕn mĕi.She’s (very) beautiful/pretty.
Tā hĕn yŏu mèilì.He/She is (very) charming. (lit., He/She has a lot of charisma.)
Tā shì yí ge hăo rén!He’s a good guy!/She’s a good person!
Bù hăo.It’s not good./It’s no good./It’s bad.
Búshì tài hăo.It’s not very good.
Nà ge bù hăo.That’s no good./That’s not good.
Zhèyàng bú duì.It’s not right./This isn’t right./This is wrong. (lit., It’s not correct in this way.)
Zhèyàng bù hăo.That’s bad. (lit., It’s bad in this way.)
Tā hĕn huài.He/She is very bad.
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Zhèyàng hĕn bù hăo.That’s very bad./That’s really bad. (lit., It’s very bad in this way.)
Zhè ge tài huài.That’s too bad.
Tā zhēn de hĕn huài.He/She is really very bad.
Hĕn bèn!It’s very silly!/It’s very stupid!
Wŏ bù guăn.I don’t care for it.
Zhè ge wú jiàzhí.It’s worthless. (lit., This is worthless.)
Háo wú jiàzhí.It’s worthless./It’s not good for anything. (lit., Without worth.)
I Am Feeling . . .
Wŏ yŏu diăn è le.I’m hungry.
Wŏ hĕn lèi.I’m (very) tired.
Wŏ zuì pà (dăzhēn).I’m most afraid of (getting a shot).
Bù hăoyìsi.I’m sorry. (lit., I feel embarrassed [for doing that].)
Wŏ hĕn hăo.I’m (very) well./I’m fine.
Wŏ yŏudiăn er bù shūfu.I don’t feel very well.
Nĭ juéde lĕng huòzhĕ rè ma?Do you feel cold or hot?
Wŏ tóu tòng.I have a headache.
Nĭ shuō de duì.You’re right.
I Speak, You Speak, etc.
wŏ shuōI speak
nĭ shuōyou speak (informal)
tā shuōhe/she/it speaks
nín shuōyou speak (formal)
wŏmen shuōwe speak
nĭmen shuōyou speak (plural)
tāmen shuōthey (male/female/it) speak
Wŏ shuō Zhōngwén.I speak Chinese.
John shuō Yīngwén.John speaks English.
Wŏ hé Elena shuō Zhōngwén.Elena and I speak Chinese. (lit., I and Elena speak Chinese.)
In the Bathroom
bēngdàibandage
yùshì/wèishēngjiānbathroom
yùgāng/yùpénbathtub
gŭlóngshuĭcologne
chúchòujìdeodorant
zài yùshì lĭin the bathroom
yàoguìmedicine cabinet
jìngzimirror
xiāngshuĭperfume
fĕnpowder
tìdāorazor
xĭfàjīngshampoo
guāhúgāoshaving cream
42 43
línyùshower
xĭliănpénsink (wash basin)
féizàosoap
guā húzito shave
xĭzăoto take a shower/bath
cèsuŏ/wèishēngjiāntoilet
wèishēngzhĭtoilet paper
máojīntowel
In the Kitchen
piăobáijìbleach
jiăobànjī/zhàzhījīblender, juicer
píngbottle
wănbowl
xiāng/hébox
sàozhoubroom
guàn(tóu)/jīnshŭguàncan
zhĭbănxiāngcarton
kuàizichopsticks
gānjìng/zāngclean/dirty
kāfēijīcoff eemaker
guìtáicounter
bēi/bēizicup
chúguìcupboard
xĭwănjīdishwasher
qīngjiéjìdishwashing detergent
chōutìdrawer
hōnggānjīdryer
chāzifork
bōlibēi/bēiziglass
zài chúfáng lĭin the kitchen
yùndŏuiron
yùndŏu bănironing board
dāoknife
xĭyīfĕn/xĭyījīnglaundry detergent
wēibōlúmicrowave
kăolú/kăoxiāngoven
pánziplate
bīngxiāngrefrigerator
xĭcáo(kitchen) sink
tāngchí/sháozispoon
huŏlústove
cháhú/húteapot
44 45
zhŭ/shāoto cook (lit., to burn)
xĭ pánzito do the dishes (lit., to wash dishes)
xĭ yīfuto do the laundry (lit., to wash clothing)
xĭyījīwashing machine
In the Office
yuēhuìappointment
shūjiàbookshelf
lăobănboss
măimài/shāngyèbusiness
mángbusy
tóngshìcolleague
gōngsīcompany
diànnăo/diànzĭ jìsuànjīcomputer
xiĕzìtái/bàngōng zhuōdesk
wénjiàndocument, file
gùyuánemployee
gōngchăngfactory
chuánzhēnjīfax machine
dăng’ànfile
dăng’àn guìfiling cabinet
zài bàngōngshì lĭin the off ice
gōngzuòjob
huìyìmeeting
huìyìshìmeeting room
bàngōngshì/bàngōnglóuoff ice/off ice building
xīnjīn/xīnshuĭsalary
gōngzuò rényuánstaff
diànhuàtelephone
zhuànto earn
shàngbānto go to work
In, To, From
Wŏ qù guò Bĕijīng.I’ve been to Beijing. (lit., I have gone [to] Beijing before.)
Wŏ xiànzài qù Bĕijīng.I’m going to Beijing now./I’m leaving for Beijing now.
Wŏ cóng Nánjīng lái.I come from Nanjing.
Wŏ shì cóng Nánjīng lái de.I’m from Nanjing.
Wŏ xiànzài qù Xī’ān.I’m going to Xian now./I’m leaving for Xian now.
Wŏ xiĕ le xìn gĕi tā.I wrote a letter to him/her.
Wŏ zài túshūguăn (lĭ).I’m in(side) the library.
Cóng Nánjīng qù Shànghăi yào yí ge zhōngtóu.Going from Nanjing to Shanghai takes one hour.
Tā xiànzài wăng Shànghăi qù.He/She is going toward Shanghai now.
Wŏ zuì yuăn dào le Lánzhōu.I got as far as Lanzhou. (lit., The furthest I arrived was Lanzhou.)
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Isn’t It?
Duì ma?Is it? (lit., Right?)
Duì bú duì?Isn’t it? (lit., Right not right?)
Zhōngwén hĕn róngyì, duì bú duì?Chinese is very easy, isn’t it?
Zhè er de rén dōu hĕn hăo, duì bú duì?The people here are very nice, aren’t they?
Nĭ méiyŏu bĭ, duì ma?You don’t have a pencil/pen, do you? (informal)
Nĭ zhīdào zhè ge dìfang, duì bú duì?You know this place, don’t you? (informal)
Nĭ rènshi Wáng xiānsheng, duì bú duì?You know Mr. Wang, don’t you? (informal)
Nĭ yŏu tiáogēng hé cānjīn, duì bú duì?You have a spoon and a napkin, don’t you? (informal)
Nĭ zài zhè er búshì tài jiŭ, duì ma?You haven’t been here very long, have you? (informal)
Nĭ huì lái de, duì ma?You’ll come, won’t you? (informal)
Hĕn lĕng, duì bú duì?It’s very cold, isn’t it?
Tài hăo le! Duì bú duì?It’s great! Don’t you think? (lit., Too good! Right not right?)
Tài kĕ’ài le! Duì bú duì?How cute! Don’t you think? (lit., Too cute! Right not right?)
Kĕyĭ, duì bú duì?It’s all right, isn’t it?
Making Friends
Nĭ hăo! Nĭ jiào shénme míngzi?Hello! What’s your name? (informal)
Wŏ kĕyĭ zuò zài zhèlĭ ma?May I sit here?
Nĭ zhù zài nă er?Where do you live? (informal)
Wŏ zhù zài Bĕijīng.I live in Beijing.
Zhè shì wŏde péngyou.This is my friend.
Zhè shì wŏde nánpéngyou.This is my boyfriend.
Zhè shì wŏde nüpéngyou.This is my girlfriend.
Zhè shì wŏde tàitai.This is my wife.
Zhè shì wŏde zhàngfu.This is my husband.
Nĭde guójiā hĕn mĕi.Your country is very beautiful. (informal)
Nĭ qù guò Mĕiguó ma?Have you been to the U.S.? (informal)
Wŏ hĕn xĭhuan chī zhèlĭ de dōngxi.I like the food here very much.
Wŏ shì shāngwù făngwèn.I’m on a business trip.
Wŏmén quánjiārén yìqĭ lüyóu.I’m traveling with my family.
Wŏmén shì yóukè.We are tourists.
Nĭ xĭhuan kàn diànyĭng ma?Do you like to go to the movies? (informal)
Nĭ xĭhuan tiàowŭ ma?Do you like to dance? (informal)
Wŏmén zŏu ba!Let’s go!
Wŏ néng jiàn jiàn nĭde péngyou ma?Can I meet your friend? (informal)
Nĭde diànhuà hàomă shì duōshăo?What is your telephone number? (informal)
Qĭng dào wŏ zhèlĭ lái kàn kan!Please visit me (here)!
Wŏ zhēn shì tài gāoxìng le.I really had a wonderful time. (lit., I really was too happy.)
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Measure Words
yì bĕn shūone/a book [one/a + bound text measure word + book]
yì bă yŭsănone/an umbrella [one/an + measure word for handheld things/chairs + umbrella]
yì bă yĭzione/a chair [one/a + measure word for handheld things/chairs + chair]
yì zhī jīone/a chicken [one/a + measure word for birds/certain animals + chicken]
yì zhī māoone/a cat [one/a + measure word for birds/certain animals + cat]
yì zhī bēione/a cup, one/a glass [one/a + measure word for certain containers + cup/glass]
yì zhī wănone/a bowl [one/a + measure word for certain containers + bowl]
yì tái diànnăoone/a computer [one/a + machinery measure word + computer]
yí ge rénone/a person [one/a + general measure word + person]
yì zhāng zhĭone/a piece of paper [one/a + measure word for fl at surfaces + paper]
yì zhāng zhàopiànone/a photo [one/a + measure word for fl at surfaces + photo]
yì zhāng chuángone/a bed [one/a + measure word for fl at surfaces + bed]
yì zhī bĭone/a pen [one/a + measure word for something long and thin /stick- like + pen]
yì tiáo lùone/a road [one/a + measure word for something long/thin/narrow + road]
yì bēi shuĭone/a cup of water, one/a glass of water
yí dài píngguŏone/a bag of apples
yì xiāng lājīone/a box of garbage
yì shuāng xiézi/yí duì xiézione/a pair of shoes
yì shuāng yănjing/yí duì yănjingone/a pair of eyes
yì dá jīdànone/a dozen eggs
Money
qiánmoney
RénmínbìRenminbi (currency of China)
yínhángbank
Qĭngwèn yínháng zài nă er?May I ask, where is the bank?
Wŏ xiăng huàn diăn er qián.I’d like to change some money.
Duìhuànl shì duōshăo?What is the exchange rate? (lit., How much is the exchange rate?)
Wŏ xĭhuan yào xiăo diăn er de piàozī.I’d like that in small bills.
Duìhuànfèi shì duōshăo?How much is the commission?
More or Less
gèng mànslower (lit., even more slow)
gèng nánmore diff icult (lit., even more diff icult)
gèng róngyìeasier (lit., even more easy)
gèng yuănfarther (lit., even more far)
gèng jìnnearer (lit., even more near)
bĭ zhè ge gèng . . .(more) . . . than this
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chāoguò yì niánmore than a year (lit., exceed one year)
méiyŏu zhème mànless slow (lit., not so slow)
méiyŏu zhème nánless diff icult (lit., not so diff icult)
méiyŏu zhème róngyìless easy (lit., not so easy)
méiyŏu zhème yuănless far, not so far
méiyŏu zhème jìnless near, not so near
bĭ zhè ge shăoless than this
bú gòu yì niánless than a year (lit., not enough for a year)
My, Your, His/Her, Etc.
wŏde péngyoumy friend
nĭde péngyouyour friend (informal)
tāde péngyouhis/her/its friend
wŏmende péngyouour friend (exclusive)
zánmende péngyouour friend (inclusive)
nĭmende péngyouyour friend (plural)
tāmende péngyoutheir (male/female/it) friend
Zhè shì wŏde.This is mine.
Zhè xiē shì wŏde.These are mine.
Zhè shì nĭde.This is yours. (informal)
Zhè xiē shì nĭde.These are yours. (informal)
Zhè shì tāde.This is his/hers.
Zhè xiē shì tāde.These are his/hers.
Zhè shì wŏmende.This is ours.
Zhè xiē shì wŏmende.These are ours.
Zhè shì nĭmende.This is yours. (plural)
Zhè xiē shì nĭmende.These are yours. (plural)
Zhè shì tāmende.This is theirs (male/female/it).
Zhè xiē shì tāmende.These are theirs (male/female/it).
Myself
Nĭ bié guài zìjĭ.Don’t blame yourself. (informal)
Tā zìjĭ qù kàn diànyĭng.He/She goes to watch a movie by himself/herself.
Wŏ zìjĭ lái.Let me do it by myself. (lit., I self come.)
Nĭ zìjĭ cái zhīdào.Only you yourself know it. (informal)
Tā juéde tā zìjĭ zuì piàoliang.She thinks she herself is the prettiest.
Wŏmen zài jìngzilĭ kànjiàn zìjĭ.We see ourselves in the mirror. (lit., We in the mirror see selves.)
Nĭ duì zìjĭ yào yŏu xìnxīn.You must have confidence in yourself. (lit., You toward self must have confidence.) (informal)
Nĭ zìjĭ xĭ.You wash (it) yourself. (lit., You self wash.) (informal)
Nature
hăitānbeach
shāmòdesert
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tiándìfield, farm land
huāflower
sēnlínforest
shānqiūhill
húlake
lùdìland
yuèliàngmoon
shānmountain
dàzìránnature
hăiyángocean
zhíwùplant
chítángpond
hériver
yánshírock
shāsand
hăisea
tiānsky
xīngstar
tàiyángsun
shùtree
shuĭwater
Negatives: No, Not, Nothing, Never, Etc.
Tā cóngwèi lái guò.He/She has never come.
Tā bú zài zhè er.He/She is not here.
Tā cóng bù lái.He/She never comes.
Tā shuō bù.He/She says no.
Tā shuō shì.He/She says yes.
Wŏ cái bú zàihu ne.I don’t care at all./It doesn’t make the slightest diff erence to me.
Wŏ bú zàihu.I don’t care./It makes no diff erence to me.
Wŏ méiyŏu qián.I don’t have money.
Wŏ shénme yĕ bù zhīdào.I don’t know anything.
Wŏ bù zhīdào shì zĕnmeyàng huòzhĕ shì shénme shíhou.I don’t know how or when.
Wŏ bù zhīdào shì nă er.I don’t know where.
Wŏ kàn bú jiàn.I don’t see./I can’t see.
Wŏ shénme yĕ bú yào./Wŏ bú yào shénme dōngxi.I don’t want anything.
Wŏ méiyŏu shíjiān.I have no time.
Wŏ méiyŏu shénme shì zuò.I have nothing to do.
Wŏ méiyŏu shénme hăo shuō.I have nothing to say.
Wŏ cóng bú qù.I never go.
Wŏ cóng bú jiàn tā.I never see him/her.
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Wŏ shénme yĕ méi(yŏu) kànjiàn./Wŏ méi kànjiàn shénme.I see nothing./I don’t see anything.
Wŏ xiăng shì ba.I think so.
Wŏ yŏngyuăn yĕ bú huì qù.I’ll never go. (lit., I forever will not go.)
Wŏ yŏngyuăn yĕ bú huì shuō.I’ll never say it.
Wŏ bú qù.I’m not going.
Wŏ yĭqián cónglái méiyŏu jiàn guò tā./Wŏ cóng wèi jiàn guò tā.I’ve never seen him/her before.
Búyàojĭn.It doesn’t matter./It’s not important.
Gòu le.It’s enough.
Shì zhè er le.It’s here.
Búshì hĕnduō.It’s not a lot/much.
Búcuò.It’s not bad.
Bú gòu.It’s not enough.
Bù hăo.It’s not good.
Búshì nàyàng.It’s not that.
Búshì hĕn zhòngyào.It’s not very important.
Méi shénme.It’s nothing.
Méiyŏu rén lái le.No one is coming (here)./Nobody comes (here).
Shénme rén yĕ bù lái le.No one is coming.
Bù, xiānsheng.No, sir.
Méiyŏu nàme kuài.Not so fast.
Búshì jīngcháng.Not so often.
Shénme yĕ méiyŏu.Nothing. (lit., Not anything.)
Méiyŏu fāshēng shénme shì.Nothing happened.
Shì, xiānsheng.Yes, sir.
Neither . . . Nor
yĕ bù/yĕ méiyŏuneither, nor
jì bù . . . yĕ bùneither . . . nor
Gāng gāng hăo.Just so./Just right. (lit., Neither more nor less.)
Zhè ge hé nà ge dōu búshì.Neither the one nor the other./Neither this one nor that one over there.
Bú tài duō yĕ bú tài shăo.Neither too much nor too little.
Bú tài hăo yĕ bú tài huài.It’s so- so./It’s not too good and not too bad.
Wŏ bù néng qù yĕ bù xiăng qù.I can’t go and I don’t want to.
Wŏ shíjiān hé qián dōu méiyŏu.I have neither the time nor the money.
Kàn hé xiĕ tā dōu bùxíng.He/She can neither read nor write.
Numbers
língzero (0)
yī1
èr2 (used in counting)
liăng2 (used with nouns)
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sān3
sì4
wŭ5
liù6
qī7
bā8
jiŭ9
shí10
shí yī11
shí èr12
shí sān13
shí sì14
shí wŭ15
shí liù16
shí qī17
shí bā18
shí jiŭ19
èrshí20
èrshí yī21
èrshí èr22
èrshí sān23
èrshí sì24
èrshí wŭ25
èrshí liù26
èrshí qī27
èrshí bā28
èrshí jiŭ29
sānshí30
sìshí40
wŭshí50
liùshí60
qīshí70
bāshí80
jiŭshí90
yìbăi100
yìbăi líng yī101
yìbăi líng èr102
yìbăi líng sān103
liăngbăi (èrbăi)200
sānbăi300
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sìbăi400
wŭbăi500
yìqiān1,000 (one thousand)
yìbăiwàn1,000,000 (one million)
On the Job
yănyuánactor, actress
jiànzhùshīarchitect
yìshùjiāartist
yínhángjiābanker
shāngrén/shíyèjiābusiness person
mùjiàngcarpenter
jiànzhù gōngrénconstruction worker
yáyīdentist
yīshēngdoctor
diàngōngelectrician
gōngchéngshīengineer
nóngmínfarmer
quánzhífull- time
gōngzuòjob
jìzhĕjournalist
lüshīlawyer
yīnyuèjiāmusician
bànzhípart- time
guănzigōngplumber
gōng’ān/jĭngchápolice off icer
jiàoshòuprofessor
tuìxiūretired
tūixiāoyuán/shòuhuòyuánsalesperson
mìshū/zhùlĭsecretary/assistant
wĕndìng de gōngzuòsteady job
shŭqīgōngsummer job
chūzūchē sījītaxi driver
jiàoshī/lăoshīteacher
shīyè/dàiyèunemployed
shòuyīveterinarian
zuòjiāwriter
On the Phone
Zhè er yŏu diànhuà ma?Is there a telephone here?
Wŏ kĕyĭ zài nă er dă diànhuà?Where can I make a phone call?
Diànhuà zài nă er?Where is the telephone?
Diànhuàjiān zài nă er?Where is the phone booth?
Wŏ kĕbùkĕyĭ yòng nĭ de diànhuà?May I use your phone? (informal)
Dāngrán kĕyĭ! Yòng ba!Of course, go ahead! (lit., Of course you can! Use it!)
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Búyào wàngjì bă nĭde yídòng diànhuà fàng zài dàizi lĭ.Don’t forget to pack your cell phone in your bag. (informal)
Wŏ bù zhīdào kĕbùkĕyĭ zài wŏ qù de guójiā lĭ shĭyòng.I don’t know if it will work in all the countries I’m going to visit.
Hĕnduō (diànhuà) gōngsī zài qítā guójiā yĕ tígòng fúwù.Many (phone) companies also provide service in other countries.
Wŏ yào bō chángtú diànhuà.I need to call long distance.
Dă diànhuà qù Shànghăi yào duōshăo qián?How much is a phone call to Shanghai?
Wŏ yào bō èr èr bā qī wŭ bā èr.I want 228–7582.
Búyào guàxiàng.Hold on a minute. (lit., Don’t hang up.)
Diànhuà zhànxiàn.The line is busy.
Nĭ gĕi wŏ de hàomă shì búduì de.You gave me the wrong number. (informal)
Méiyŏu rén jiē.There is no answer.
Huáng xiānsheng zài ma?May I speak to Mr. Huang? (lit., Is Mr. Huang there?)
Wŏ jiùshì.Speaking. (lit., I am.)
Zhè shì Chén Dànián.This is Danian Chen speaking.
Shì Huáng xiānsheng ma?Is this Mr. Huang?
Shì.Yes./Speaking.
Nă er zhăo?Who is this?
People
rénpeople, person, man
nánrénman
nü rénwoman
dàren/chéngrénadult
xiăohái’er/xiăopéngyouchild
nánhái’er/nánhái(zi)boy
nü hái’er/nü hái(zi)girl
qīngshàoniánteenager
gāo/ăitall/short
lăo/niánqīngold/young
pàng/shòufat/thin
yŏushàn/bùyŏushànfriendly/unfriendly
kuàilè/shāngxīnhappy/sad
mĕilì/yīngjùn/nánkànbeautiful/handsome/ugly
yŏubìng/jiànkāngsick/healthy
qiáng/ruòstrong/weak
yŏumíngfamous
cōngmíngintelligent
yŏu cáinéngtalented
Saying Hello
Nĭ hăo!Hello!/Good day! (informal)
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Zăo’ān!Good morning!
Wănshang hăo!Good evening!
Nĭ hăo ma?How are you? (informal)
Hăo, xièxie.Fine, thanks.
Wŏ hĕn hăo, xièxie.I’m very well, thanks.
Hái kĕyĭ.So- so.
Qĭngwèn nĭ jiào shénme míngzi?May I ask, what’s your name? (informal)
Wŏ jiào Wáng Míng.My name is Ming Wang.
Wŏ jiào Zhāng Lán.My name is Lan Zhang.
Wŏ hĕn gāoxìng rènshi nĭ.It’s nice to meet you. (informal)
Zàijiàn.Good- bye.
Dāi huì er jiàn.See you later.
Zài huì.See you soon./Adieu.
Wăn’ān.Good night.
Seasons and Cardinal Directions
chūntiānspring
xiàtiānsummer
qiūtiānautumn
dōngtiānwinter
dōngeast
nánsouth
xīwest
bĕinorth
Shopping
Zhè shì duōshăo qián?How much does this cost? (lit., This is how much?)
Qĭng nĭ bă jiàgé xiĕ xiàlái.Please write down the price. (informal)
Wŏ yào măi . . .I’d like to buy . . .
Hĕn guì!It’s very expensive!
Nĭ yŏu piányi yìdiăn er de ma?Do you have something (a little) cheaper? (informal)
Wŏ chuān (dà/zhōng/xiăo) mă.My size is (large/medium/small). (lit., I wear large/medium/small size.)
Wŏ yào zhè ge.I’ll take it. (lit., I want this.)
Shāngdiàn jĭdiăn kāi mén?At what time does the store open?
Shāngdiàn jĭdiăn guān mén?At what time does the store close?
Nĭ xĭhuan shénme?What would you like? (lit., You like what?) (informal)
Nĭ xūyào bāngmáng ma?Can I help you? (informal)
Wŏ xiăng yào zhè ge.I would like this.
Wŏ xiăng yào diànchí.I would like batteries.
Wŏ xiăng yào yì juăn jiāojuăn.I would like a roll of film.
Wŏ xiăng yào yì zhāng shìqū dìtú.I would like a map of the city.
Gĕi nĭ zhè ge.Here it is. (lit., Give you this.) (informal)
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Jiù zhè xiē le ma?Is that all?
Wŏ xiăng fù xiànjīn.I’d like to pay with cash.
Wŏ xiăng yòng xìnyòngkă fù.I’d like to pay by credit card.
Wŏ kĕyĭ zài wăngshàng dìng ma?Can I order this online?
băihuò gōngsīdepartment store
nü zhuāngwomen’s clothes
chènyi, qúnzi, líanyīqúnblouse, skirt, dress
nánzhuāngmen’s clothes
kùzi, chènshān, lĭngdàipants, shirt, tie
xié(zi) hé wàzishoes and socks
niúzăikùjeans
shūdiànbookstore
bĭngdiànbakery
chāojí shìchăngsupermarket
ròudiànbutcher shop
shìchăngmarket
Some, Any, A Few
Nĭ yŏu qián ma?Do you have (any) money? (informal)
Wŏ yŏu yìxiē.I have some.
Wŏ yìdiăn er yĕ méiyŏu.I don’t have any. (lit., I don’t even have a little bit.)
Tā yŏu qián ma?Does he/she have (any) money?
Tā yìdiăn er yĕ méiyŏu.He/She doesn’t have any. (lit., He/She doesn’t even have a little bit.)
Nĭ hái yŏu qián ma?Do you have (any) money left? (informal)
Nĭ yŏu duōshăo bĕn shū?How many books do you have? (informal)
Nĭ yào yìxiē shuĭguŏ ma?Do you want some fruit? (informal)
Gĕi wŏ jĭ ge.Give me a few.
Gĕi wŏ yìxiē.Give me some.
Gĕi tā yìxiē.Give him/her some.
wŏ(de) yìxiē péngyousome of my friends
Speaking Chinese
Nĭ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?Do you (know how to) speak Chinese? (informal)
Huì shuō yìdiăn er.(I) can speak a little.
Yìdiăndiăn er.Very little.
Bú tài hăo.Not very well.
Wŏ huì shuō Zhōngwén.I (know how to) speak Chinese.
Wŏ shuō de bù hăo.I speak it poorly.
Wŏ shuō de bú tài hăo.I don’t speak it very well. (lit., I speak not too well.)
Wŏ zhĭ huì shuō jĭ gè dāncí.I only know (how to speak) a few words.
Wŏ huì shuō yìxiē Zhōngwén dāncí.I can say some words in Chinese.
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Nĭ(de) péngyou huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?Does your friend (know how to) speak Chinese? (informal)
Wŏ(de) péngyou bú huì shuō Zhōngwén.My friend doesn’t (know how to) speak Chinese.
Nĭ dŏng Zhōngwén ma?Do you understand Chinese? (informal)
Wŏ dŏng Zhōngwén.I understand Chinese.
Wŏ dŏng, kĕshì wŏ bú huì shuō.I understand it, but I don’t (know how to) speak it.
Wŏ huì kàn, kĕshì wŏ bú huì shuō.I can read it, but I don’t (know how to) speak it.
Wŏ bù dŏng Zhōngwén.I don’t understand Chinese.
Wŏ bú tài dŏng Zhōngwén.I don’t understand Chinese very well.
Wŏ fāyīn fā de bú tài hăo.I don’t pronounce it very well.
Wŏ yào duō liànxí.I need to practice more.
Nĭ tīng de dŏng ma?Do you understand (me)? (informal)
Wŏ tīng de dŏng.I understand (you).
Wŏ tīng de bú tài dŏng.I don’t understand (you) very well.
Nĭ shuō shénme?/Nĭ jiăng shénme?What did you say? (informal)
Nĭ shuō de tài kuài.You speak too fast./You’re speaking too fast. (informal)
Bú yào shuō zhème kuài.Don’t speak so fast.
Shuō màn yìdiăn er.Speak more slowly.
Qĭng shuō zài màn yìdiăn er.Please speak a little more slowly.
Qĭng zài shuō yí biàn./Qĭng zài shuō yí cì.Please repeat (that). (Please say that one more time.)
Nĭ xiànzài míngbai le ma?Do you understand (me) now? (informal)
O, wŏ míngbai le.Oh, now I understand.
Zhè ge shì shénme yìsi?What does this mean?
“Thanks” Zhōngwén zĕnme shuō?How do you say “thanks” in Chinese?
Zhè ge zì zĕnme xiĕ?How do you write this word?
Qĭng nĭ xiĕ gĕi wŏ.Please write it down for me. (informal)
Sports and Recreation
Mĕishì zúqiúAmerican football
qiúball
bàngqiúbaseball
lánqiúbasketball
kăcards
guànjūnchampion
jiàoliàncoach
yóuxìgame
qūgùnqiúhockey
yùndòngyuánplayer
zhuàngqiú/táiqiúpool, billiards
zúqiúsoccer (football)
yùndòng jí yúlèsports and recreation
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yùndòngchăngstadium
duì/qiúduì/yùndòng duìteam
wăngqiútennis
dăchéng píngjúto draw/tie (lit., the match was drawn/tied)
yĕyíng/lùyíngto go camping
yuănzúto go hiking
shūto lose
wán yóuxìto play a game
zuò yùndòngto play a sport, to exercise
yíngto win
Staying in Touch
diànhuàtelephone
Wŏ bìxū dă ge diànhuà.I have to make a phone call.
Zhèlĭ yŏu gōngyòng diànhuà ma?Is there a public phone here?
Wŏ kĕyĭ yòng nĭde shŏujī ma?May I use your cell phone? (informal)
Qĭngwèn hàomă shì duōshăo?What number, please? (lit., May I ask, how much is the number?)
Zhànxiàn.The line is busy.
chuánzhēnfax
Wŏ xūyào fā ge chuánzhēn.I need to send a fax.
Yŏu gĕi wŏde chuánzhēn ma?Is there a fax for me?
diànyóuemail
Diànnăo zài nă er?Where is the computer?
Wŏ xūyào jì fēng diànyóu.I need to send an email.
Wŏ kĕyĭ shàngwăng ma?Can I get on the internet?
Nĭ yŏu wăngyè ma?Do you have a webpage? (informal)
Qĭngwèn yóujú zài nă er?May I ask, where is the post off ice?
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yìxiē yóupiào.I’d like some stamps, please./Please give me some stamps.
Jì yì fēng xìn.For (mailing) a letter.
Jì míngxìnpiàn.For (mailing) a postcard.
Yóufèi shì duōshăo?How much is the postage?
Jì dào Mĕiguó.To the United States.
hángkōngair mail
èrshí sì xiăoshí kuàijiànovernight delivery (lit., 24-hour express delivery)
Telling Time
Xiànzài jĭdiăn le?What time is it (now)?
zhōngwŭnoon
wŭyèmidnight
Xiànzài shì yī diăn.It’s 1:00 (now).
Xiànzài shì liăng diăn.It’s 2:00 (now).
Xiànzài shì sān diăn bàn.It’s 3:30 (now).
Xiànzài shì sì diăn.It’s 4:00 (now).
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Xiànzài shì wŭ diăn sìshí wŭ (fēn).It’s 5:45 (now).
Xiànzài shì qī diăn líng sān (fēn).It’s 7:03 (now).
Diànyĭng jiŭ diăn bàn kāishĭ.The movie starts at 9:30.
Huŏchē shí yī diăn shí qī fēn chūfā.The train leaves at 11:17.
zăoshangmorning
xiàwŭafternoon
wănshangevening, night
jīntiāntoday
míngtiāntomorrow
zuótiānyesterday
xiànzàinow
yí huì erlater, a while
măshàngimmediately, right away
The Human Body
huáiankle
shŏubìarm
xuè/xiĕblood
gŭtoubone
năobrain
xiōngbùbreast
liănjiácheek
xiōngkŏuchest
xiàbachin
ĕrduoear
zhŏuelbow
yăngjingeye
méimaoeyebrow
jiémáoeyelashes
liănface
shŏuzhĭfinger
jiăofoot
étóuforehead
tóufahair
shŏuhand
tóuhead
xīnheart
xīgàiknee
tuĭleg
fèilungs
zuĭ/kŏumouth
jīròumuscle
bózineck
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bízinose
jiānbăngshoulders
pífūskin
wèi/fùstomach/abdomen
jiàntendon
réntĭthe human body
jiăozhĭtoe
shétoutongue
yáchĭtooth
shŏuwàn (er)wrist
This and That
Gĕi wŏ zhè ge.Give me this one.
Gĕi wŏ zhè xiē.Give me these.
Gĕi wŏ nà ge.Give me that one.
Gĕi wŏ nà xiē.Give me those.
Gĕi wŏ nàbiān nà ge.Give me that one over there.
Gĕi wŏ nàbiān nà xiē.Give me those over there.
zhè ge nánhái’erthis boy
zhè wèi nü shìthis lady
nà wèi nü shìthat lady
zhè bĕn shūthis book
nàbiān nà wèi xiānshengthat gentleman over there
nàbiān nà xiē línjūthose neighbors over there
Time Expressions: Ago, Now, Once, Etc.
Duōjiŭ yĭqián?How long ago?
gāngcáia moment ago
hĕn jiŭ yĭqiána long time ago
xiànzàinow
mùqiánthis very moment, for the time being
zài zhè ge shíhouat this moment
zài rènhé shíhouat any moment
guò yízhènziin a short time
guò yīhuì erin a little while
bùshífrom time to time
Duōshăo cì?How many times?
yí cìonce, one time
mĕi cìeach time
liăng cìtwice, two times
bùchángvery seldom, not often
jīngchángvery often
yŏushísometimes, now and then, from time to time
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ŏu’ĕronce in a while
qīngzăo/yídàzăoearly in the morning
zài wănshangin the evening
dìèrtiān/yìrìon the following day
cóng jīntiān kāishĭ liăng ge xīngqī yĭhòutwo weeks from today
cóng jīntiān kāishĭ yí ge xīngqī yĭhòua week from today
cóng míngtiān kāishĭ yí ge xīngqī yĭhòua week from tomorrow
guò yí ge xīngqīin a week
xià (yí) ge xīngqī sānnext Wednesday
shàng (yí) ge xīngqī yīlast Monday
zhè ge yuè wŭ hàothe fifth of this month
shàng (yí) ge yuè wŭ hàothe fifth of last month
sān yuè chūat the beginning of March
yuèdĭat the end of the month
niánchūin the early part of the year
niándĭtoward the end of the year
Fāshēng zài bānián qián.It happened eight years ago.
Time Expressions: Morning, Noon, Night
jīntiān zăoshangthis morning
zuótiān zăoshangyesterday morning
míngtiān zăoshangtomorrow morning
jīntiān zhōngwŭtoday noon
zuótiān zhōngwŭyesterday noon
míngtiān zhōngwŭtomorrow noon
jīntiān wănshangthis evening, tonight
zuótiān wănshangyesterday evening, last night
míngtiān wănshangtomorrow evening/night
Time Expressions: Week, Month, Year
zhè ge xīngqīthis week
shàng (yí) ge xīngqīlast week
xià (yí) ge xīngqīnext week
guò liăng ge xīngqīin two weeks
liăng ge xīngqī yĭqiántwo weeks ago
zhè ge yuèthis month
shàng (yí) ge yuèlast month
xià (yí) ge yuènext month
guò liăng ge yuèin two months
liăng ge yuè yĭqiántwo months ago
qián ge yuèthe month before last
jīnniánthis year
qùniánlast year
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míngnián/xiàyī’niánnext year
guò liăngniánin two years
liăngnián qiántwo years ago
To Be or Not to Be
wŏ shìI am
nĭ shìyou are (informal)
tā shìhe/she/it is
wŏmen shìwe are
nĭmen shìyou are (plural)
tāmen shìthey (male/female/it) are
wŏ búshìI am not
nĭ búshìyou are not (informal)
tā búshìhe/she/it is not
wŏmen búshìwe are not
nĭmen búshìyou are not (plural)
tāmen búshìthey (male/female/it) are not
Tā shì yīshēng.He/She is a doctor.
Tā shì Zhōngguórén.He/She is Chinese.
Tā hĕn niánqīng.He/She is (very) young.
Tā hĕn cōngmíng.He/She is (very) intelligent.
Shì wŏ.It’s me.
Nĭ shì cóng năli lái de?Where are you from?/Where do you come from? (informal)
Wŏ shì cóng Zhōngguó lái de.I’m from China./I come from China.
Zhè shì mùtóu zuò de ma?Is this made of wood?
Zhè shì shéi de?Whose is this?
Zhè shì tāde.This is his/hers.
Xiànzài shì yī diăn.It’s 1:00. (lit., Now is one o’clock.)
Zhè shì bìxū de.It’s necessary. (lit., This is necessary.)
Tā zài nàbian.He/She is over there.
Tā zài Shànghăi.He/She is in Shanghai.
Shū zài năli?Where is the book?
Zài zhuōzi shàng.On the table.
Wŏ hĕn lèi.I am (very) tired.
Wŏ zhŭnbèi hăo le.I am ready.
Kāfēi lĕng le.The coff ee is cold. (lit., The coff ee has become cold.)
Zhè ge hĕn míngxiăn.It is very clear./It is very obvious.
Chuānghu dăkāi le.The window is open.
Chuānghu guān le.The window is shut.
To Have and Have Not
wŏ yŏuI have
nĭ yŏuyou have (informal)
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tā yŏuhe/she/it has
wŏmen yŏuwe have
nĭmen yŏuyou have (plural)
tāmen yŏuthey (male/female/it) have
wŏ méiyŏuI don’t have
nĭ méiyŏuyou don’t have (informal)
tā méiyŏuhe/she/it doesn’t have
wŏmen méiyŏuwe don’t have
nĭmen méiyŏuyou don’t have (plural)
tāmen méiyŏuthey (male/female/it) don’t have
Wŏ yŏu shíjiān.I have time.
Wŏ shénme shíjiān yĕ méiyŏu.I don’t have any time.
Tā shénme qián yĕ méiyŏu.He/She doesn’t have any money.
To Like
Wŏ xĭhuan . . .I like . . .
Wŏ xĭhuan tā.I like him/her/it.
Wŏ hĕn xĭhuan tā./Wŏ fēicháng xĭhuan tā.I like him/her/it very much.
Wŏ xĭhuan zhè ge.I like this.
Wŏ shífēn xĭhuan tāmen.I like them (male/female/it) a lot.
Nĭ xĭhuan ma?Do you like it? (informal)
Nĭ xĭhuan shuĭguŏ ma? Wŏ xĭhuan.Do you (informal) like fruit? I like (fruit).
Nĭmen xĭhuan qiăokèlì ma?Do you (plural) like chocolate?
Travel and Tourism
xiăocèzibrochure
zhàoxiàngjīcamera
Nĭ kĕyĭ bāng wŏmen pāizhào ma?Can you take our picture? (lit., Can you help to take our picture?)
lü xíngtuánguided tour
lü guănhotel
xìnxī zhōngxīninformation center
dìtúmap
jìniànbēimonument
hùzhàopassport
jiēdàitáireception desk
yùdìngreservation
bànlĭ dēngjì shŏuxùto check in
fùzhàng hòu líkāi lü guănto check out
qù guānguāngto go sightseeing
qù pāizhàoto take a picture
lü yóuchē/guānguāng bāshìtour bus
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guānguāngkètourist
lü yóu jí lü yóuyètravel and tourism
qīngnián lü guănyouth hostel
Weather
yúncloud
dùdegree
wùfog
jùfēnghurricane
Duōyún.It’s cloudy.
Xiàbáo.It’s hailing.
Xiàyŭ.It’s raining.
Xiàxuĕ.It’s snowing.
Qíngtiān.It’s sunny.
Hĕn mĕilì.It’s very beautiful.
Hĕn lĕng.It’s very cold.
Hĕn rè.It’s very hot.
Yŏu fēng.It’s windy.
shăndiànlightning
yŭrain
yānwùsmog
xuĕsnow
fēngbàostorm
tàiyángsun
wēndùtemperature
léithunder
yŭsănumbrella
tiānqìweather
fēngwind
Dialogue 1 (Shopping)
Xiăojie, nĭmen xiăng kànkan shénme dōngxi?Ladies, what would you (plural) like to see?
Wŏmen guàngguang.We’re just browsing.
Míngfēn, nĭ kàn, nà jiàn chènshān hăo kàn ma?Mingfen, look. Do you think that shirt is pretty?
Búcuò.Not bad.
Duìbuqĭ, nèi jiàn chènshān duōshăo qián?Excuse me, how much is that shirt?
Sìshí jiŭ kuài bā máo sì fēn qián.49 kuai, eight mao, and four fen. [1 yuan/kuai = 10 mao/jiao = 100 fen]
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Nĭ zhè er de chènshān tài guì le!Your (informal) shirts are too expensive!
Zhè jiàn piányi, zhĭ yào èrshí kuài wŭ máo.This one is cheaper, only 20 kuai and five mao.
Míngfēn, nĭ xĭhuan zhè jiàn ma?Mingfen, do you (informal) like this one?
Zhè jiàn tài xiăo le, wŏ bù xĭhuan.This one is too small; I don’t like it.
Wŏmen kànkan lĭngdài ba.Let’s look at ties.
Zhè tiáo búcuò.This tie isn’t bad.
Qĭngwèn, zhè tiáo lĭngdài zĕnme mài?May I ask, how much does this (tie) cost?
Qī kuài bā máo wŭ yì tiáo.(Ties are) seven kuai, eight mao five each.
Wŏmen xiăng măi sì tiáo.We want to buy four (ties).
Néng bù néng piányi yìdĭan er?Could you charge us a little less? (lit., Could they be a little cheaper?)
Duìbuqĭ, wŏmen zhè er bù jiăngjià.Sorry, we don’t bargain here.
Míngfēn, wŏ bù xiăng măi le.Mingfen, I don’t want to buy anything anymore.
Wŏmen zŏu ba.Let’s go.
Dialogue 2 (At the Restaurant)
Xiānsheng, zhè shì wŏmende càidān.Gentlemen, this is our menu.
Nĭmen xiăng diăn shénme?What would you (plural) like to order?
Wŏ bú tài shúxi càimíng.I’m not familiar with the dishes.
Lĭ, nĭ bāng wŏ jiào ba.Li, why don’t you (informal) order?
Hăo. Wŏmen lái yí ge Bĕijīng kăoyā.Okay. Let’s have (a) Beijing duck.
Shí, nĭ chī bù chī là de?Shi, do you (informal) eat spicy food or not?
Tián de, suān de, là de, wŏ dōu chī.Sweet, sour, spicy; I eat all (of those).
Wŏ jiùshì bù chī kŭ de.I just don’t eat anything bitter.
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Hăo. Wŏmen yào yí ge Gōngbăo jīdīng . . .Okay. We’ll have (a) Gongbao chicken . . .
. . . yí ge hóngshāo dòufu, zài chăo yì pán qīngcài. . . . (a) tofu with brown sauce, (and) stir- fried vegetables.
Liăng wèi xiānsheng yào mĭfàn háishì yào jiăozi?Would you two gentlemen like steamed rice or dumplings?
Lái yìdiăn mĭfàn ba.Let’s get some steamed rice.
Nĭmen hē shénme yĭnliào?What would you (plural) like to drink?
Shí, nĭ xiăng hē píjiŭ háishì guŏzhī?Shi, do you (informal) want to drink beer or juice?
Wŏmen lái liăng píng Qīngdăo píjiŭ, zĕnmeyàng?We’ll get two bottles of Qingdao beer, how about that?
Dialogue 3 (At the Bank)
Nĭ hăo, wŏ xiăng huàn rénmínbì.Hello (informal), I would like to exchange (for) Renminbi.
Nĭ yŏu xiànjīn háishì lü xíng zhīpiào?Do you (informal) have cash or traveler’s checks?
Lü xíng zhīpiào.Traveler’s checks.
Hăo. Nĭ xiān tián zhè zhāng duìhuàndān . . .Okay. You (informal) need to fill out this exchange form . . .
. . . ránhòu gĕi wŏ kàn nĭde hùzhào. . . . and then show me your (informal) passport.
Qĭngwèn, jīntiān mĕijīn hé rénmínbì de duìhuànl shì duōshăo?May I ask, what is the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Renminbi today?
Yī bĭ bā.One to eight.
Nĭ dăsuàn huàn duōshăo?How much do you (informal) want to exchange?
Qībăi kuài mĕijīn.700 U.S. dollars.
Qián zài zhè er.Here you go. (lit., Here is the money.)
Hăo. Yígòng shì wŭqiān liùbăi kuài.Okay. That comes to 5,600 kuai in total.
Qĭng gĕi wŏ bā zhāng yìbăi kuài, qíyú shì shí yuàn de, hăo ma?Please give me eight 100-kuai bills and the rest in ten- kuai bills, okay?
Méi wènti.No problem.
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Qĭng nĭ diănyìdiăn.Please count them. (informal)
Méi cuò.It’s all here. (lit., No mistake.)
Xièxie nĭ.Thank you. (informal)
Bú kèqi.You’re welcome.
That brings us to the end of Living Language iKnow Chinese. If you master just the words and phrases you’ve heard in this program, you’ll be able to get by in Mandarin Chinese. Of course, you may decide that you’d like to learn more. If that’s the case, Living Language also off ers great complete courses in a variety of languages. For more information on Living Language programs, go to www.livinglanguage.com.
Copyright © 2008 Living Language, a Random House Company
ISBN 978–1-4000–0952–7
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