China Phrasebook

China
PHRASEBOOK & DICTIONARY
PDF ebook
Edition 2nd Edition
Release Date Sep 2015
Pages 384
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MANDARIN • CANTONESE • CHAOZHOU • DONGBEI HUA • HAKKA

HUNANESE • SHANGHAINESE • SICHUANESE • XI’AN
YUNNAN HUA • ZHUANG • MONGOLIAN • TIBETAN • UIGHUR
China
PHRASEBOOK & DICTIONARY
Acknowledgments
Editors Francesca Coles, Laura Crawford, Branislava Vladisavljevic,
Tracy Whitmey
Production Support Chris Love
Cartographer Wayne Murphy
Illustrations Yukiyoshi Kamimura
Cover Researcher Naomi Parker
Thanks
James Hardy, Angela Tinson
Published by Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

ABN 36 005 607 983
2nd Edition – September 2015
ISBN 978 1 74321 434 3
Text © Lonely Planet 2015
Cover Image
Yunnan, China/Katie Garrod, AWL
Printed in Singapore 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Contact lonelyplanet.com/contact
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
except brief extracts for the purpose of review, without the written permission of the publisher.
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Although the authors and Lonely Planet try to make the information as accurate as possible, we accept no
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acknowledgments
This book was based on existing editions of Lonely Planet’s Cantonese, Mandarin and
Tibetan phrasebooks and developed with the help of the following people:
• PAEN Language Services for the Dongbei Hua, Hakka, Sichuanese, Uighur,
Xi’an and Yunnan Hua chapters
• David Holm for the Hunanese, Zhuang & Chaozhou chapters
• Lance Eccles for the Shanghainese chapter
• Emyr RE Pugh for the Mongolian chapter
• Tughluk Abdurazak for the Uighur chapter
Thanks also to Will Gourlay for the language introductions for Dongbei Hua, Hakka,
Hunanese, Shanghainese, Sichuanese, Uighur, Xi’an and Yunnan Hua; Jodie Martire
for the Culture chapter; and Dora Chai and Shahara Ahmed for additional language
expertise.
ac
ackno
knowle
wledg
dgme
ments
nts
3
contents
Man Can Cha Don Hak Hun Sha Sic Xi’a Yun Zhu Mon Tib Uig
tones
10 36 62 86 110 134 158 182 206 230 254 – – –
alphabet
– – – – – – – – – – – 278 310 336
introduction
11 37 63 87 111 135 159 183 207 231 255 279 311 337
pronunciation
12 38 64 88 112 136 160 184 208 232 256 280 312 338
language difficulties
13 39 65 89 113 137 161 185 209 233 257 281 313 339
time & dates
14 40 66 90 114 138 161 186 201 234 258 282 314 340
border crossing
15 40 – – – – – – – – – – – –
tickets & luggage
15 41 – – – – – – – – – – – –
transport
16 42 67 91 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 283 315 342
directions
18 43 67 91 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 283 315 342
accommodation
19 44 68 92 116 140 164 188 212 236 260 285 317 343
banking & communications
C ON TEN TS
20 45 69 93 117 141 165 189 213 237 261 286 318 344
sightseeing
21 47 70 94 117 142 166 190 214 238 262 286 319 344
shopping
22 48 70 95 118 142 166 190 215 239 262 288 320 345
4
Man Can Cha Don Hak Hun Sha Sic Xi’a Yun Zhu Mon Tib Uig
meeting people
– – 71 96 119 143 167 191 215 240 263 289 321 346
photography
24 50 – – – – – – – – – – – –
making conversation
24 50 72 96 120 144 168 192 216 241 264 290 322 347
feelings & opinions
– – 75 99 123 147 171 194 219 243 267 294 325 350
farewells
– – 75 100 123 147 171 195 219 244 268 295 326 351
eating out
26 52 76 101 124 148 172 196 220 245 268 296 327 352
special diets & allergies
27 54 79 104 127 151 175 199 223 248 272 300 329 355
emergencies
28 54 80 104 128 152 175 200 224 248 272 303 329 356
health
29 55 80 104 128 152 175 200 224 248 272 303 329 356
dictionary
31 57 81 105 129 153 177 201 225 249 273 305 331 357
culture section 361

history timeline 362
C ON TEN TS
food 366
festivals 370
index 374
5



 

  
 


 
  






 





 
 
   

L ANG UAGE MAP
    
 
  

 
 

  

 

  
6

 








L ANG UAGE MAP









 7
china – at a glance
China is home to a mind-boggling 1.3 billion people, who live in such contrasting
mountains and forests of the southwest, and the rolling steppes of Inner Mongolia.
So it’s little wonder that China is also home to a cacophony of languages – more than
200, and counting – and to countless dialects and subdialects.
China’s languages are traditionally classified into seven main groups: Gan, spoken
-
larly in the south and southeast; Mandarin, spoken in the north, central and west-
ern provinces, but with speakers right across the country; Min, which has speakers
-
guage family and each one has numerous regional dialects. More than two-thirds
of Chinese speakers, for example, speak various dialects of Mandarin. The linguistic
Sinitic languages of China’s ethnic minorities, including Mongolian and Uighur.

In the early 1900s Chinese authorities sought to reinforce national unity with the
-
dating its use in education and for official purposes. This is now the official national
language of China, as well as one of the official languages of the UN.
did you know?

•T
C H IN A – AT A GL AN C E
continues to grow. However, a mere 3000 or so are all you need to read a local
newspaper or to make it past senior high school in China.
•
recent decades, 30 are native to China. Linguists agree that there are many
more yet to be formally documented. Meanwhile, Unesco has listed more than
100 Chinese languages and dialects as in danger of becoming extinct; some of
• In the lead-up to the 2008 Olympics, officials established a committee
attempts to translate Chinese into English. The committee had replaced more
translations. Authorities could only do so much, though, and you can still find
fine examples of Chinglish in private businesses throughout the city.
8
Mandarin
TONES 10
ABOUT MANDARIN 11
PRONUNCIATION 12
LANGUAGE DIFFICULTIES 13
TIME & DATES 14
BORDER CROSSING 15
TICKETS & LUGGAGE 15
TRANSPORT 16
DIRECTIONS 18
ACCOMMODATION 19
BANKING & COMMUNICATIONS 20
SIGHTSEEING 21
SHOPPING 22
PHOTOGRAPHY 24
MAKING CONVERSATION 24
EATING OUT 26
SPECIAL DIETS & ALLERGIES 27
EMERGENCIES 28
HEALTH 29
ENGLISH–MANDARIN DICTIONARY 31
tones
Mandarin is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering of pitch on
certain syllables). Mandarin is commonly described as having four tones, as well as a fifth
one, the neutral tone. Apart from the unmarked neutral tone, Pinyin (the official system
of writing Chinese using the Roman alphabet) uses symbols above the vowels to indicate
each tone, as shown in the table below for the vowel ‘a’. Bear in mind that the tones are
relative to the natural vocal range of the speaker, eg the high tone is pronounced at the
top of one’s vocal range. Note also that some tones slide up or down in pitch.
high high rising low falling- high falling

tone tone rising tone tone
á à
The tonal quality plays a crucial role in distinguishing the meaning of words in Man-
darin. For instance, the table below shows how the same combination of sounds, ma,
can have five different meanings depending on the tone.
Tone Example Meaning

– t on es
1st – high mother
2nd – high rising má hemp
3rd – low falling-rising horse
4th – high falling mà scold
neutral ma question marker
10
MANDARIN
about Mandarin
It may surprise you to learn that the term ‘Mandarin’ is not really the name of a
language. It actually refers to the largest of the various Chinese dialect groups,
all members of the Sino-Tibetan language family. The language of this chapter is
dialect. Whatever you choose to call it, Mandarin ( ) has been

a powerful force for linguistic and political unity in a country with countless dialects.
It’s the main language used in official contexts and, aside from its use in mainland
China, Mandarin has official status in Taiwan (where it’s called ) and Singapore
(where it’s known as ). The total number of its speakers worldwide is over
800 million, making Mandarin the most widely spoken ‘language’ in the world.
However, there are two versions of the written language. Simplified Chinese is used
in mainland China and has been adopted by Singapore, Malaysia and other Southeast
Asian countries. Traditional Chinese is used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. In this
chapter, we’ve used simplified Chinese characters, along with Pinyin (the official sys-
tem of writing Chinese using the Roman alphabet) in the pronunciation guides.
mandarin


ab o ut – MAN DARIN
 



  
 
 

 



  

  


 

 
  
 
 

 
 


   




 
   
   

 
11
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants
Pinyin English sound Pinyin English sound
a (an/ang) father (fun, sung) b bed
ai aisle c hats
ao now ch cheat
e (en/eng) her (broken, Deng) d dog
ei pay f fat
i (in/ing) peel (pin, ping) g go
i (after c/s/z) girl h hat
i (after ch/sh/zh/r) like the ‘r’ in Grrr! joke
ia yard k kit
ian yen l lot
iang young m man
iao yowl n not
ie yes ng ring
iong Jung p pet
iu yolk q cheat
o (ong) more (Jung) r red
– p r on uncia tio n
ou low s sun
u (un) tool (tune) sh shot
ua wah! t top
uai why w win
uan won x shot
went y yes
uang swung z sounds
ue you wet zh gem
ui way
uo war
In this chapter, the Pinyin is given in
ü (and u or un after ‘new’ pronounced blue after each phrase.
with rounded lips
For pronunciation of tones, see p10.
12
essentials
Yes./No. Shì./Bùshì.
Please … Q ng …
Hello./Goodbye.
Thank you. X .
Excuse me. (to get past)
Sorry. Duìbùq .
Do you speak English?
Do you understand?
lang uage dif f icult ie s – MAN DARI N

I (don’t) understand.
Could you
please …?
repeat that
speak more
slowly
numbers
0 20
1 30
2 / 40
3 50
4 sì 60
5 70
6 liù 80
7 90
8 100
9 1000
10 1,000,000
13
time & dates
What time is it?
It’s (10) o’clock.
Quarter past (10).
Half past (10).
Quarter to (11). (literally: Forty-five minutes past (10).)
At what time (does it start)?
(It starts) At 10.
It’s (18 October).

– t ime & da te s
yesterday
today
tomorrow
Monday
Tuesday èr
Wednesday
Thursday sì
Friday
Saturday liù
Sunday
14
border crossing
I’m …
in transit
on business
on holiday
I’m here for …
(three) days
(three) months
(three) weeks
I’m staying at (the Pujiang Hotel).
I have nothing to declare.
b o rd er c ro ss ing – MAN DARIN

I have something to declare.
That’s (not) mine.
tickets & luggage

Where do I buy a ticket?
Do I need to book?
A … ticket
to (Dàlián). (Dàlián) de … piào.
one-way
return
15
I’d like to … my ticket.
cancel tuì
change
confirm quèdìng
I’d like a (non)smoking seat.
Is there a toilet/air-conditioning?
How long does the trip take?
Is it a direct route?
My luggage
has been … bèi … le.
damaged
lost
stolen
– t ran sp or t
transport
Where does flight (BJ8) arrive/depart?
Is this the … Zhège …
boat chuán
bus
plane
train
16
When’s the …
(bus)?
first
last
next
How long will it be delayed?
That’s my seat.
I’d like a taxi …
to depart
at (9am)
now xiànzài
How much is it to (the Great Wall)?
Please put the meter on. tr ansp o r t – MAN DARI N

Please take me to (this address).
Please stop/wait here.
I’d like to hire a self-drive car.
I’d like to hire a car with a driver.
How much is it per day/week?
17
directions
Where’s a/the …?
bank
place to change Huàn wàibì
foreign money de dìfang
post office
Can you show me where it is on the map?
What’s the address?

How far is it?
How do I get there?
Turn left/right.
It’s straight ahead.
It’s … Zài …
behind …
in front of … … de qiánmian
near …
on the corner
opposite … … de duìmiàn
there nàli
– d irec tio ns
signs
Entry/Exit
Police Station
yù shì Bathroom
Male/Female
No Smoking
No Spitting
18
accommodation
Where’s a guest house/hotel?
Can you recommend somewhere cheap/good?
I’d like to book a room.
I have a reservation.
Do you have
a … room?
double (suite) tào
single
twin
How much is it per night/person?
ac c om mo d atio n – MAN DARIN

For (three) nights.
What time is checkout?
Could I have my key, please?
Can I get an extra (blanket)?
The (air conditioning) doesn’t work.
Do you have
a/an …?
elevator
safe
19
Could I have
my …, please?
deposit
passport hùzhào
valuables

Where’s a/an …?
ATM
public phone
I’d like to …
change a travellers
– b an kin g & co m munic at io ns
cheque
change money huànqián
withdraw money
What’s the …?
charge for that
exchange rate
Where’s the local internet cafe?
How much is it per hour?
I’d like to …
get internet access
use a printer/scanner
I’d like a …
mobile/cell phone
SIM card
20
What are the rates?
What’s your phone number?
The number is …
I want to …
buy a phonecard
call collect
de diànhuà
call (Singapore)
I want to buy a/an …

envelope
stamp
I want to send a fax.
I want to send a parcel.
Please send it by airmail/surface mail to (Australia).
sigh tse eing – MA NDARI N

sightseeing
What time does it open/close?
What’s the admission charge?
Is there a discount for students/children?
I’d like a …
catalogue
guide
(local) map
21
I’d like to see …
What’s that?
Can I take a photo?
When’s the next tour?
shì
How long is the tour?
Is (the) … included?
accommodation zhùsù
admission
food
transport
sightseeing
Army of Terracotta
Warriors
Forbidden City
Great Wall
Guìlín
Píngyáo (ancient walled city)
West Lake
– s ho pp ing
shopping
Where’s a …?
camera shop Zhàoxiàng diàn
market
souvenir shop
I’d like to buy …
Can I look at it?
22
Can I have it sent overseas?
Can I have my (camera) repaired here?
It’s faulty.
How much is it?
Please write down the price.
That’s too expensive.

Tàiguì le.
I’ll give you (five kuai).
There’s a mistake in the bill.
sho p p ing – MAN DARIN

Do you accept …?
credit cards
debit cards
travellers
cheques
I’d like …, please.
a bag
a receipt
a refund tuì qián
my change
less
enough
more
23
photography
Can you burn a CD from my memory card?
Can you develop this film?
I need a memory card for this camera.
I want to buy a film for this camera.
When will it be ready?
making conversation
Hello. (general)
– p ho to gr ap hy
Goodbye.
Good night.
Mr
Mrs
Ms/Miss
How are you? (general)
Fine.
And you?
What’s your name?
My name is …
I’m pleased to meet you. Xìnghuì.
24
This is my …
brother
daughter
father
friend
husband zhàngfu
mother
partner (intimate) duìxiàng
sister
son
wife tàitai
m ak ing co nver sat ion – MANDAR IN

Here’s my (address).
What’s your (email)?
Where are you from?
I’m from …
Australia
Canada
England
New Zealand án
the USA
What’s your
occupation?
I’m a/an …
businessperson
office worker
tradesperson
25
Do you like …?
I (don’t) like …
art yìshù
films
music
reading
sport
eating out
Can you
recommend a …?
bar
dish pán
restaurant
I’d like a/the …
bill
drink list
local speciality
menu
(non)smoking
table
table for (five)
– e at ing ou t
I’ll have that. Lái y ge ba.

breakfast
lunch
dinner
drink (alcoholic)
drink (nonalcoholic)
(cup of) coffee …
(cup of) tea …
with (milk)
without (sugar)
26
(orange) juice
soft drink
I’ll have boiled/still mineral water.
What are you drinking?
I’ll buy you one.
What would you like to drink?
a … of beer
glass
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – MANDARI N

large bottle
small bottle
a shot of (whisky)
a bottle/glass
of … wine
red hóng
white bái

Do you have …
food?
halal
kosher yóutài
vegetarian
Could you prepare a meal without …?
27
I’m allergic to …
dairy produce
eggs
meat
nuts
seafood
emergencies
Help! Jiùmìng!
Stop! Zhànzhù!
Go away!
Thief!
Fire!
Watch out!
Call a doctor!
– e m erge ncie s
Call an ambulance!
Could you please help?
Can I use your phone?
I’m lost.
Where are the toilets?
28
Where’s the police station?
I want to contact my embassy/consulate.
I’ve been …
assaulted
raped
robbed
I’ve lost my …
My … was/were
stolen.
bags
credit card
money qián
passport hùzhào
travellers cheques
health
Where’s the
nearest …?
dentist
he alth – MAN DARI N
doctor
hospital
pharmacist yàofáng
I need a doctor (who speaks English).
Could I see a female doctor?
I’ve run out of my medication.
29
It hurts here.
I have (a) …
asthma
constipation biànmì
diarrhoea
fever
heart condition
nausea
antibiotics
anti- kàngyányào
inflammatories
aspirin
bees
codeine
– h ea lth
30
english–mandarin dictionary
n a adv v sg pl inf
pol
A boy
brakes
breakfast
accident shìgù
accommodation
adaptor
zhùsù
broken
bus (city)
bus (intercity)
A
address n business n
after buy v
air-conditioned
airplane
airport
alcohol
C
all camera
allergic cancel
ambulance car
and hé cash n
ankle cash (a cheque) v
antibiotics cell phone
arm centre
ATM change (money) v
cheap
B check (bill) n
check-in (desk)
chest (body)
baby n child
back (body) cigarette
backpack city
bad clean a
bag
closed
baggage claim cold a
e nglish–m and arin
bank (money) collect call

bar
bathroom yù shì come
battery computer
beautiful
condom
bed contact lenses
beer cook v
before
cost (price) n
behind credit card
bicycle n currency exchange
big
customs (immigration)
bill (restaurant etc) n
blanket
blood group
boat D
book (make a booking) v dangerous
bottle date (day) n
31
day
delay
dentist
G
depart (leave) gift
diaper girl
dinner glass (drinking)
direct glasses (spectacles)
dirty go
disabled good
discount guide (person)
E doctor
double bed
double room H
drink (alcoholic) n
half
drink (nonalcoholic) n
hand
drive v
driving licence happy
drug (illicit) have
he
head
E heart
heavy
ear help
east here
eat high
economy class
highway
electricity
hike v
elevator
email n holiday
embassy homosexual
emergency hospital
English hot
evening hotel
exit n hungry (to be)
expensive guì husband
eye(s)
F I
I
far
fast
father
DIC TION ARY
ill
important
injury
insurance
internet
n interpreter
food n
foot
free (no charge)
friend
J
fruit jewellery
full job
32
night
K no
nonsmoking
key north
kilogram nose
kitchen now
knife number
L O
laundry (place)
lawyer
left (direction)
old
one-way (ticket)
open a
K
leg outside
lesbian
less
letter (mail)
light
P
like adv passport
lock n pay v fù
lock v pharmacy
long a phone card
lost (one’s way) photo
love v police
luggage postcard
lunch price
M Q
mail n quiet
man
map
market
R
matches (for lighting) rain n
meat razor
medicine (medication) receipt
message refund n
e nglish–m and arin
milk registered (mail)

minute rent
mobile phone repair
money reservation (booking)
month restaurant
morning (after breakfast) return (come back)
morning (before lunch) return (ticket)
mother right (direction)
motorcycle road
mouth room
N S
name n safe
near sanitary napkin
new seat (hard; on train)
newspaper seat (place)
33
seat (soft; on train) tonight
send toothbrush
sex toothpaste
shampoo
share tour
she
sheet (bed) towel
shirt train
shoes translate
shop n travel agency
T short (height)
short (length)
shower yùshì
travellers cheque(s)
trousers
twin room
single room
skin
skirt U
sleep underwear
slowly urgent
small
soap
some
soon
V
vacant
south vegetable
souvenir shop vegetarian
stamp visa
stand-by ticket
station
stomach
stop (bus, tram) n
W
walk
stop v wallet
street wash
student watch n
sun water
sunblock we
swim weekend
west
T wheelchair
when
tampon where
teeth who
telephone n why
wife
DIC TION ARY
temperature (weather)
that (one) with
they without
thirsty (to be) woman
this (one)
throat
ticket Y
time yes shì
tired yesterday
tissues you sg inf
toilet you sg pol
tomorrow you pl
34
Cantonese
TONES 36
ABOUT CANTONESE 37
PRONUNCIATION 38
TIME & DATES 40
BORDER CROSSING 40
TICKETS & LUGGAGE 41
TRANSPORT 42
DIRECTIONS 43
ACCOMMODATION 44
SIGHTSEEING 47
SHOPPING 48
PHOTOGRAPHY 49
EATING OUT 52
EMERGENCIES 54
HEALTH 55
ENGLISH–CANTONESE DICTIONARY 57
tones
Cantonese is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering of
pitch on certain syllables). Tones in Cantonese fall on vowels and on n. The same
combination of sounds pronounced with different tones can have a very different
meaning, eg gwat means ‘dig up’ and gwàt means ‘bones’.
Cantonese has between six and 10 tones, depending on which definition you
use. In our pronunciation guide they’ve been simplified to five tones, indicated with
accents or underscores on the symbol letters (as shown in the tables below for the
vowel ‘a’), in addition to a sixth, level tone. Higher tones involve tightening the vocal
cords to get a higher sounding pitch, while lower tones are made by relaxing the
vocal cords to get a lower pitch. Bear in mind that the tones are relative to the natural
vocal range of the speaker, eg the high tone is pronounced at the top of one’s vocal
range. Note also that some tones slide up or down in pitch.
high high level low low low

rising falling rising
à á a à á a
– t on es
Symbol Tone Example
à high tái
á high rising nàu
a level gawk
à low falling yàn
á low rising páy
a low man
36
CANTONESE
about Cantonese
Cantonese is the official language of Hong Kong and Macau, and in mainland China it’s the
-
loquially known as gwáwng·dùng·wáa
formal name is yue yu (Yue language). Cantonese has over 70 million speakers, as
by emigrant communities worldwide. For over 50 years, official Chinese policy has encour-
aged the use of Mandarin as the national language of China. However, Cantonese speakers
have persisted in using their native language, a key part of their pride and cultural identity.
Today’s Cantonese can trace its history back over 2000 years to the Qin Dynasty (221–206
developed from the same tongue, but Cantonese has preserved certain intricate elements
-
veloped to show Cantonese sounds in Roman script. In this chapter, we’ve used a slightly
simplified version of the widely accepted Yale system.
cantonese
  

ab o ut – CAN TON E SE
  

 


  
  
37
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants
Symbol English sound Symbol English sound
a run b bed
aa father ch cheat
aai aisle (long) d dog
aau now (long) f fat
ai aisle (short) g go
au now (short) h hat
aw law j joke
ay say k kit
e bet l lot
eu nurse m man
eui eu followed by i n not
i pronounced with
ew ng ring
rounded lips
i see p pet
iu youth s sun
o note t top
oy toy w win
u put y yes
ui with
In this chapter, the Cantonese pronunciation is given in turquoise after each phrase.
The sound ng (found in English at the end or in the middle of words, eg ‘ringing’) can
appear at the start of words in Cantonese or as a word on its own. Note that words
ending with the sounds p, t and k must be clipped, eg in English the p sound is much
shorter in ‘tip’ than in ‘pit’. For pronunciation of tones, see p36.
dàw·je
38
essentials
Yes./No. hai/ g·hai
Please … g·gòy …
Hello./Goodbye. hàa·ló/joy·gin
Thank you (very much). ( dàw·je (láy)
You’re welcome. g·sái haak·hay
Excuse me. (to get past) g·gòy je·je
Sorry. deui· g·jew
láy sìk· g·sìk gáwng
yìng·mán aa
lang uage dif f icult ie s – C ANT ONE S E

Do you understand?
láy mìng· g·mìng aa
( ) ngáw ( g) mìng·baak
Could you please …? ng·gòy láy …
repeat that joy gáwng yàt chi
speak more slowly gáwng maan dì
numbers
0 lìng 20 yi·sap
1 yàt 30 sàam·sap
2 yi 40 say·sap
3 sàam 50 g·sap
4 say 60 luk·sap
5 g 70 chàt·sap
6 luk 80 baat·sap
7 chàt 90 gáu·sap
8 baat 100 yàt·baak
9 gáu 1000 yàt·chìn
10 sap 1,000,000 yàt·baak·maan
39
time & dates
What time is it? yi·gàa gáy·dím·jùng
It’s (10) o’clock. ( ) (sap)·dím·jùng
Quarter past (10). ( ) (sap)·dím sàam
Half past (10). ( ) (sap)·dím bun
Quarter to (11). ( ) (sap)·dím gáu
(literally: Forty-five
minutes past (10).)
At what time? gáy·sì hòy·chí
At … ye·máan …
It’s (18 October). ( ) (sap·yewt sap·baat) ho
yesterday kàm·yat
today gàm·yat
tomorrow tìng·yat
Monday sìng·kày·yàt
Tuesday sìng·kày·yi
Wednesday sìng·kày·sàam
Thursday sìng·kày·say
Friday sìng·kày· g
Saturday sìng·kày·luk
Sunday sìng·kày·yat
– t ime & da te s
border crossing
I’m … ngáw hai …
in transit gaw·gíng
on business chèut·chàai lái ge
on holiday lái do·gaa ge
I’m here for … ngáw yiu jew …
(two) days ( ) (yi) yat
(four) weeks ( ) (say) gaw sìng·kày
(three) months ( ) (sàam) gaw yewt
40
( ngáw yiu heui (sàm·jan)
I’m staying at (the China Hotel).
( ngáw jew (jùng·gawk daai jáu·dim)
I have nothing to declare.
ngáw mó yé bo
I have something to declare.
ngáw yáu yé bo
That’s (not) mine.
( ) ( g) hai ngáw ge
tickets & luggage

Where do I buy a ticket?
heui bìn·do máai fày
Do I need to book?
tic ke ts & lugg age – C AN TON ES E

sái· g·sái deng·fày sìn a
A … ticket to yàt jèung heui
(Panyu). ( ) (pùn·yèw) ge … fày
one-way dàan·chìng
return sèung·chìng
I’d like to … my g·gòy ngáw séung
ticket, please. … fày
cancel teui
change góy
confirm kawk·ding jèung
I’d like a smoking/nonsmoking seat.
yáu·mó kàp·yìn/bàt·kàp·yìn wái
Is there a toilet/air conditioning?
yáu·mó chi·sáw/hùng·tìu aa
How long does the trip take?
gáy·dàw gaw jùng·tàu do
Is it a direct route?
hai· g·hai jik·daat ge
41
My luggage has ngáw ge
been … hàng·láy …
damaged laan·jáw
lost g·gin·jáw
stolen báy·yàn tàu·jáw
transport
Where does flight (12) arrive/depart?
( ) (sap·yi) ho fày·gày hái bìn·do
háy·fày/gawng·lawk
Is this the … to lày bàan … hai· g·hai
( ) heui (gwáwng·jàu) gaa
boat sèwn
bus bàa·sí
plane fày·gày
train fáw·chè
When’s the … ( ) … (bàa·sí) gáy
(bus)? dím hòy
first tàu·bàan
last máy·bàan
next haa·yàt·bàan
How long will it be delayed?
– t ran sp or t
tèui·chì gáy·loy
Please tell me when we get to ( ).
( ) do (gwáwng·jàu) ge si·hau
g·gòy giu sèng ngáw
That’s my seat.
lày·gaw hai ngáw gaw wái
I’d like a taxi at (9am).
( ) ngáw séung (gáu dím·jùng)
cháw dìk·sí
I’d like a taxi now.
ngáw séung cháw dìk·sí yì·gàa
42
How much is it to …?
heui … gáy·dàw chín
Please put the meter on.
g·gòy dáa mài·biù
Please take me to (this address).
g·gòy daai ngáw heui
( (lày gaw day·jí)
Please stop/wait here.
g·gòy hái lày·do tìng/dáng
I’d like to hire a 4WD/car (with a driver).
ngáw séung jò gaa
( ) fàw·wiù·jàai·fù/chè (yáu sì·gày)
How much for … hire? jò … gáy·dàw chín
daily yàt yat
weekly yàt gaw lái·baai
directions
d ire ct ions – C AN TON ES E
Where’s a/the …? … hái·bìn·do
bank ngàn·hàwng
foreign wun ngoy·bai
exchange office ge day·fàwng
post office yàu·gúk
Can you show me (on the map)?
( ) láy háw· g·háw·yí (hái day·to do)
jí báy ngáw tái ngáw hái bìn·do
What’s the address? day·jí hai

How far is it? yáu gáy yéwn
How do I get there? dím·yéung heui
Turn left/right. heung jáw/yau jewn
43
It’s … hái …
behind … … ge hau·min
in front of … … ge chìn·min
near … … fu·gan
on the corner sap·ji·lo·háu
opposite … … ge deui·min
straight ahead chìn·min
there gáw·do
signs
yap·háu/chèut·háu Entry/Exit
yáu fáwng Vacancy
mó fáwng No Vacancy
paai·chèut·sáw Police Station
chi·sáw Bathroom
laam Male
léui Female
accommodation
– a cc o mm o dat ion
bìn·do yáu bàn·gún/jáu·dim

Can you lá í
recommend tèui·jin gaw … ge
somewhere …? day·fàwng jew a
cheap peng
good hó
I’d like to book a room, please.
ngáw séung deng fàwng
ngáw yew·deng jáw
Do you have yáu·mó … fáwng
a … room?
double sèung·yàn
single dàan·yàn
twin sèung·yàn
44
How much is it yàt … gáy·dàw chín
per …?
night máan
person gaw yàn
For (three) nights.
( ) jew (sàam) yat
háw· g·háw·yí
báy tiù mùn sì ngáw
b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – CA NTON E S E

ngáw háw· g·háw·yí láw
( ) dàw jèung (jìn) aa
The (air-conditioning) doesn’t work.
( ) (hùng·tiu) waai·jáw
Do you have an elevator/a safe?
yáu mó din·tài/gàap·maan
gáy dím·jùng teui·fáwng
Could I have my …, g·gòy ngáw lày
please? láw …
deposit ngaat·gàm
passport wu·jiu
valuables gwai·jung mat·bán

Where’s a/an …? … hái bìn·do
ATM ji·dung tài·fún·gày
public phone gùng·jung din·wáa
I’d like to … ngáw yiu …
change a wun léui·hàng
travellers cheque jì·piu
change money wun chín
withdraw money láw yin·gàm
45
What’s the …? … hai gáy·dàw
charge for that sáu·juk·fai
exchange rate deui·wun·léut
Where’s the nearest public phone?
lày·do fu·gan yáu·mó
gùng·jung din·wáa aa
fu·gan yáu·mó máwng·bàa
muí gaw jùng gáy·dàw chín
I’d like to … ngáw séung …
get internet access séung·máwng
use a printer/scanner dáa·yan/so·miù
I’d like a … ngáw séung máai gaw …

mobile/cell chèut·jò sáu·gày
phone for hire
SIM card for láy·day máwng·làwk
your network yung ge sím·kàat
What are the rates?

din·wáa·fai dím gai
láy ge din·wáa ho·máa
hai gáy·dàw ho
The number is …
ho·máa hai …
I want to … ngáw séung …
buy a phonecard máai jèung din·wáa·kàat
call collect dáa deui·fàwng
fu·fún ge din·wáa
call (Singapore) dáa din·wáa heui
( ) (sàn·gaa·bàw)
46
I want to send a … ngáw séung …
fax faat chèwn·jàn
parcel gay bàau·gwáw
I want to buy a/an … ngáw séung máai …
envelope gaw seun·fùng
stamp jèung yàu·piu
Please send it by airmail to (Australia).
g·gòy gay hàwng·hùng
( heui (ngo·daai·lay·a)
sightseeing
gáy dím hòy/gwàan·mùn
yap·chèung·gewn gáy·dàw chín
Is there a discount for children/students?
yáu·mó siú·tùng/hawk·sàang ji·kau aa
sigh tse eing – C AN TON ES E

I’d like a … ngáw séung máai …
catalogue muk·luk
guide jí·làam
(local) map ( ) (bún·day) day·tò
ngáw séung tái háa …
What’s that?
gáw dì hai màt·yé
Can I take a photo?
ngáw háw· g·háw·yí yíng
ge séung aa
haa·gaw léui·yàu·tèwn hai gáy·sì
lày tèwn yiu gáy chèung sì·gaan
47
Is (the) … included? bàau· g·bàau … aa
accommodation jew·sùk
admission piu·gaa
food yúm·sik
transport gàau·tùng
sightseeing
garden fàa·yéwn
Great Wall chèung·sìng
palace gùng·din
ruins ai·hèu
square (town) gwáwng·chèung
temple (shrine) miú
shopping
Where’s a …? … hái·bìn·do
camera shop séung·gày·pó
market gàai·sí
souvenir shop gay·lim·bán·dim
Where can I buy locally produced goods/souvenirs?
bìn·do háw·yí máai·dó bún·day
jai·bán/gáy·lim·bán
What’s this made from?
hai màt·yé jo gaa
– s ho pp ing

ngáw séung máai …
Can I look at it?
ngáw háw· g·háw·yí tái haa
Can I have it sent abroad?
háw· g·háw·yí gay chèut gawk·ngoy aa
Can I have my (camera) repaired here?
láy háw· g·háw·yí sàu·hó
( ) ngáw gaw (séung·gày) aa
It’s faulty.
waai·jáw
48
How much is it?
gáy·dàw chín
Can you write down the price?
g·gòy sé dài gaw gaa·chìn
taai gwai laa
I’ll give you (five RMB).
( ) báy ( g baak màn yàn·màn·bai) láy
jeung·dàan chaw jáw
Do you accept …? láy·day sàu· g·sàu
… aa
credit cards seun·yung·kàat
debit cards tài·fún·kàat
travellers cheques léui·hàng jì·piu
I’d like …, please. g·gòy ngáw yiu …
a bag gaw dóy
a receipt jèung dàan
a refund teui·chín
p ho to gra ph y – C AN TON ES E
my change jáau·chín
less/enough/more siú/gau/dàw
photography
Can you …? háw· g·háw·yí … aa
develop chùng·saai lày
this film tung fày·lám
transfer photos bàwng ngáw
from my jèung séung·gày
camera to CD dì séung
jewn lawk sì·dì
49
Do you have … láy yáu·mó ngàam
for this camera? làybo séung·gày ge …
batteries din·chi
memory cards chéw·chèwn·kàat
I need film for this camera.
ngáw séung máai lày gaa
séung·gày ge
When will it be ready?
gáy·si lày láw
making conversation
In Cantonese, titles are attached to the end of the surname.
Hello. hàa·ló
Goodbye. joy·gin
Good night. máan·ngàwn
– p ho to gr ap hy
Mr/Sir ·sìn·sàang
Ms ·siú·jé
Mrs ·taai·táai
Madam ·léui·si
How are you?
láy gáy hó à maa
Fine. And you?
gáy hó láy lè
What’s your name?
láy giu màt·yé méng aa
My name is …
ngáw giu …
I’m pleased to meet you.
hang·wui
50
This is my … lày gaw hai ngáw
ge …
brother (older) gàw·gàw
brother (younger) sai·ló
daughter léui
father baa·bàa
friend pàng·yáu
husband ló·gùng
mother màa·màa
partner (intimate) pún
sister (older) gàa·jè
sister (younger) mui·muí
son jái
wife ló·pò
m ak ing co nver sat ion – C AN TON ES E

lày·gaw hai ngáw
( ge (day·jí)
( ) láy ge (din·jí yàu·sèung) lè
Where are you from?
láy hai bìn·do yàn
I’m from … ngáw hai hái …
lài ge
Australia ngò·daai·lay·aa
Canada gàa·làa·daai
England yìng·gawk
New Zealand sàn·sài·làan
the USA máy·gawk
What’s your láy jo bìn hàwng gaa
occupation?
I’m a/an … ngáw hai …
businessperson sàang·yi·yàn
baak·líng
tradesperson gay·gùng
51
Do you like …? láy jùng· g·jùng·yi
… aa
I (don’t) like … ( ) ngáw ( g·)jùng·yi …
art ngai·seut
films tái·hay
music tèng yàm·ngawk
reading tái·sèw
sport tái·yuk
I’d like to learn some of your local dialects.
ngáw séung hawk dì láy·day
ge bún·day wáa
Would you like me to teach you some English?
láy séung· g·séung ngáw gaau
láy hawk dì yìng·mán
Is this a local or national custom?
lày·dì hai· g·hai bún·day
ge waak·jé hai chèwn·gwawk
ge fùng·juk
eating out
Can you yáu màt hó …
– e at ing ou t
recommend a …? gaai·xiu
bar jáu·bàa
dish díp
restaurant chàa·làu
I’d like a/the…, g·gòy ngáw yiu …
please.
bill màai·dàan
drink list jáu·liú·dàan
menu choy·dàan
(non)smoking ( ) (bàt)·kàp·yìn
table ge tóy
table for (five) ( ) ( g wái) ge tóy
52
I’d like … ngáw séung sik …
a local day·fàwng
speciality fùng·may choy
that dish gáw gaw choy
breakfast jó·chàan
lunch g·chàan
dinner máan·faan
drinks yám·liu
(cup of) coffee … ( ) (yàt buì) gaa·fè …
(cup of) tea … ( ) (yàt buì) chàa …
with (milk) ( ) gàa (ngàu·láai)
without (sugar) ( ) g gàa (tàwng)
orange juice cháang·jàp
soft drink hay·séui
… water …·séui
boiled gún
cold dung·gún
sparkling mineral kawng·chèwn·hay
still mineral kawng·chèwn
e ating o ut – C ANTO NE S E
I’ll buy you a drink.
yám màt·yé ngáw chéng
What would you like?
láy séung yám màt·yé
a … of beer yàt … bè·jáu
glass buì
small bottle sai jèun
large bottle jèun
a shot of (whisky) ( ) yàt buì (wài·si·gáy)
a bottle/glass yàt jèun/buì …
of … wine pò·tò·jáu
red hung
white baak
53
Do you have yáu·mó … sik·bán
… food?
halal chìng·jàn
kosher yàu·tàai
vegetarian jàai
Could you prepare háw· g·háw·yí jéw may
a meal without …? sung g lawk … gaa
I’m allergic to … ngáw deui …
dairy produce láai·jai·bán
eggs gài·dáan
meat yuk
nuts gwáw·yàn
seafood hóy·sìn
– s pe c ial die ts & a llergie s
emergencies
Help! gau·meng
Stop! káy hái·do
Go away! jáu·hòy
Thief! yáu cháat aa
Fire! fó·jùk aa
Watch out! siú·sàm
Call …! ! faai·dì giu …
a doctor yì·sàng
an ambulance gau·sèung·chè
54
the police gíng·chaat
g·gòy bàwng bàwng màwng
g·gòy je gaw din·wáa yung háa
I’m lost.
ngáw dawng·sàk·lo
chi·sáw hái bìn·do
gíng·chaat·gúk hái·bìn·do
I want to contact my embassy.
ngáw yiu lèwn·hai ngáw ge
daai·si·gún
I’ve been … yáu·yàn … ngáw
assaulted dáa
raped kèung·gàan
robbed dáa·gip
I’ve lost my … ngáw … g·gin·jáw
My … was/were ngáw … báy·yàn
stolen. tàu·jáw he alth – C AN TON ES E
bags dì hang·láy
credit card jèung seun·yung·kàat
money dì chín
passport gaw wu·jiu
travellers cheques dì léui·hang jì·piu
health
Where’s the jeui kán ge … hái
nearest …? bìn·do
dentist ngàa·yì
doctor yì·sàng
55
hospital yì·yéwn
pharmacist yeuk·fàwng
I need a doctor (who speaks English).
( ngáw yiu tái (sìk gáwng
) yìng·mán ge) yì·sàng
Could I see a female doctor?
jèui·hó tái gaw léui yì·sàng
I’ve run out of my medication.
ngáw dì yeuk yung yèwn laa
It hurts here.
lày·do tung
I have (a) … ngáw yáu …
asthma hàau·chéwn
constipation bin·bay
diarrhoea tó·ngàw
fever faat·siù
heart condition sàm·jawng·beng
nausea jawk·ngáu
I’m allergic to … ngáw deui …
gaw·mán
antibiotics kawng·kún·so
anti-inflammatories siù·yìm yeuk
aspirin àa·sì·pàt·làm
bees mat·fùng
codeine háw·doy·yàn
– h ea lth
56
english–cantonese dictionary
In this dictionary, words are marked as n (noun), a (adjective), v (verb), sg (singular) and pl (plural) where necessary.
A bottle jèun
boy
brakes
làam·jái
bik·lìk
accident
accommodation
adaptor
yi·ngoy
jew·sùk
jéwn·wun chaap·tàu
breakfast
broken
jó·chàan
waai·jáw A
bus (intercity) chèung·tò hay·chè
address day·jí bus (local) gùng·gung hay·chè
after yí·hau business sàang·yi
air-conditioned yáu láang·hay ge
buy màai
airplane fày·gày
airport fày·gày·chèung
alcohol
all
jáu·jìng
sáw·yáu·ge
C
camera séung·gày
allergic gaw·mán
cancel chéui·siù
ambulance gau·sèung·chè
car chè
and tùng·mài
cash n yin·gàm
ankle geui·jàang
cash (a cheque) v deui·yin
antibiotics kawng·kún·so
cell phone sáu·gày
arm sáu·bay
change (money) v wun chín
ATM ji·dung tài·fún·gày
cheap pèng
check (bill) dàan
B check-in (desk)
chest (body) hùng
( )dàng·gay·(tóy)
baby bì·bì·jái child sai·lo·jái

back (body) bui·jek cigarette hèung·yìn
backpack bui·làwng city sìng·sí
bad waai clean a gàwn·jeng
bag bàau closed gwàan·mùn
baggage claim cold a dung
e nglish–c ant one se
hàng·láy ying·líng·chew collect call deui·fàwng fu·fún

bank n ngàn·hàwng come lài
bar jáu·bàa computer din·ló
bathroom chi·sáw condom bay·yan·to
battery din·chì contact lens yán·yìng ngáan·géng
beautiful máy·lai cook v jéw·faan
bed chàwng cost (price) n gaa·chìn
beer bè·jáu credit card seun·yung·kàat
before yí·chìn currency exchange ngoy·bai deui·wun
behind hau·min customs (immigration) hóy·gwàan
bicycle dàan·chè
big daai
bill (restaurant etc) dàan D
blanket jìn dangerous ngài·hím
blood group hewt·yìng date (calendar) n yat·kày
boat sèwn day yat·táu
book v deng delay n tuì·chì
57
dentist ngàa·fò glass (drinking) buì
depart lày·hoy glasses (spectacles) ngáan·géng
diaper liu·pín go heui
dinner máan·faan good hó
direct jik·jip guide (person) n do·yàu
dirty wù·jò
disabled sèung·chàan
discount
doctor
jit·kau
yì·sàng
H
double bed sèung·yàn·chàwng half bun
hand n sáu
E double room
drink n
drive v
yám·liu
hòy·chè
sèung·yàn·fáwng
happy
have yáu
faai·lawk
driving licence gaa·sái jàp·jiu he kéui

drug(s) duk·bán head tàu
heart sàm·jawng
E heavy chúng
help n bàwng·jaw
ear yí·jái here lày·do
east dùng·fàwng high gò
eat sik highway gò·chùk gùng·lo
economy class gìng·jai·chàwng hike yéwn·jùk
electricity din holiday(s) gaa·kày
elevator din·tài homosexual tung·sing·léwn
email n din·jí yàu·gín hospital yì·yéwn
embassy daai·si·gún hot yit
emergency gán·gàp yi·ngoy hotel jáu·dim
English yìng·man hungry ngaw
evening ye·máan husband ló·gùng
exit n chèut·háu
expensive gwai
eye ngáan·jìng I
F I
ill
ngáw
yáu·beng
sàn·fán·jing
far yéwn
fast a faai important jung·yiu
father baa·bàa injury séung
fày·lám insurance bó·hím
sáu·jí internet wu·lèwn·máwng
gau·sèung yung·bán interpreter fàan·yik
tàu·dáng·chàwng
J
DIC TION ARY
n yéw
food sik·mat
foot geui jewellery sáu·sìk
free (no charge) a mín·fai job gùng·jawk
friend pàng·yáu
fruit séui·gwáw
full mún K
G key
kilogram
sáw·si
gùng·gàn
gift lái·mat kitchen chèw·fáwng
girl léui·jái knife dò
58
L O
laundry (place) sái·yì·dim old ló
lawyer leut·sì one-way (ticket) ( ) dàan·chìng (fày)
left (direction) jáw·bìn open a hòy·fawng
leg téui outside ngoy·min
lesbian n léui tung·sing·léwn
less siú
letter (mail) seun
light n gwàwng
P
like v
lock n sáw
tung … yàt·yeung passport
pay v
wu·jiu
báy·chín L
long chèung pharmacy yeuk·fàwng
lost (one’s way) dawng·sàt·lo phonecard din·wáa·kàat
love v ngoy photo séung
luggage hàng·láy gíng·chaat
lunch g·chàan postcard mìng·seun·pín
yàu·gúk
pregnant wàai·yan
M price gaa·chìn
mail n seun
man (male person)
map day·tò
làam·yán
Q
market gàai·sí/ sí·chèung HK/China quiet ngàwn·jing
matches (for lighting) fó·chàai
meat yuk
medicine (medication)
message háu·seun
yì·yeuk R
milk ngàu·láai rain n lawk·yéw
minute fàn·jùng razor tai·dò
mobile phone sáu·gày receipt sàu·geui
money chín refund n teui·chín
month yewt (by) registered mail gwaa·ho
morning jiù·jó rent v jò
mother màa·màa repair v sàu·láy
e nglish–c ant one se
motorcycle din·dàan·chè reservation (booking) yew·deng
mouth háu restaurant jáu·làu
return (come back) v fàan·lày
return (ticket) ( ) sèung·chìng (fày)
N right (direction)
road lo
yau·bìn
name méng room fáwng
near kán
new sàn
newspaper
night
bo·jí
ye·maan
S
no g·dàk safe a ngàwn·chèwn
noisy cho sanitary napkin wai·sàng·gàn
nonsmoking bàt·kàp·yìn seat (hard; on train) ngaang·jaw
north bàk·bin seat (place) jawk·wái
nose bay seat (soft; on train) yéwn·jaw
now yì·gàa send gay
number ho·máa sex sing
59
shampoo n sái·tàu·séui din·túng
share v gùng·yung tour n léui·yáu·tèwn
she kéui léui·hàng·sé
sheet (bed) chàwng·dàan towel mò·gàn
shirt sèut·sàam train n fó·chè
shoe(s) hàai translate fàan·yik
shop n dim travel agency léui·hàng·sé
short (height) ngái travellers cheque léui·hàng jì·piu
shower chùng·lèung·fáwng trousers fu
single room dàan·yàn·fáwng twin room sèung·yàn·fáwng
T skin
skirt kùn
sleep v
pày·fù
fan·gaau U
slowly maan·máan
small sai underwear dái·sàam·fu
soap fày·jo urgent gán·yiu
some yàt·dì
soon faai
south làam
souvenir shop gay·lim·bán·dim
V
vacant yáu hùng·kewt
stamp n yàu·piu vegetable n sàw·choy
stand-by ticket yewt·tòy·piu vegetarian a sik·jàai ge
station chè·jaam visa chìm·jing
stomach tó
stop (bus, tram etc) ting
stop (cease)
street gàai
ting·jí
W
student hawk·sàang walk v hàang·lo
sun taai·yèung wallet gaw ngàn·bàau
sunblock fàwng·saai·yàu wash sái
swim v yàu·séui watch n sáu·biù
water séui
we ngáw·day
T weekend
west sài
jàu·mut
tampon min·sàk wheelchair lèun·yí
teeth ngàa·chí when gáy·sì
telephone n din·wáa where bìn·do
temperature (weather) wàn·do who bin·gaw
that (one) gáw·gaw why dím·gáai
they kéui·day wife ló·pò
thirsty (to be) géng·hawt window chèung
DIC TION ARY
this (one) lày·gaw with tùng·màai

throat hàu·lùng without jì·ngoy
ticket piu woman léui·yán
time n sì·gaan write sé
tired gui
tissues jí·gàn
today
toilet
gàm·yat
chi·sáw
Y
tomorrow tìng·yat yes hai
tonight gàm·máan yesterday kàm·yat
toothbrush ngàa·cháat you sg láy
toothpaste ngàa·gò you pl láy·day
60
Chaozhou
TONES 62
ABOUT CHAOZHOU 63
PRONUNCIATION 64
TIME & DATES 66
TRANSPORT & DIRECTIONS 67
ACCOMMODATION 68
SIGHTSEEING 70
SHOPPING 70
MEETING PEOPLE 71
FEELINGS & OPINIONS 75
FAREWELLS 75
EATING OUT 76
EMERGENCIES & HEALTH 80
ENGLISH–CHAOZHOU DICTIONARY 81
tones
Chaozhou is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering of
pitch on certain syllables). Tones in Chaozhou fall on vowels, on n and on m when
it appears as a word on its own. The same combination of sounds pronounced with
different tones can have a very different meaning.
Chaozhou has eight tones. In our pronunciation guide they’ve been simplified to
seven tones, indicated with accents or underscores on the letters, as shown in the
table below for the vowel ‘a’. Note that we haven’t indicated the tone on m when it
appears as a word on its own – in all these instances it carries a low falling tone.
Higher tones involve tightening the vocal cords to get a higher sounding pitch,
while lower tones are made by relaxing the vocal cords to get a lower pitch. Bear
in mind that the tones are relative to the natural vocal range of the speaker, eg high
tones are pronounced at the top of one’s vocal range. Note also that some tones slide
up or down in pitch.
high high high mid
â á à
– t on es
62
CHAOZHOU
about Chaozhou
Chaozhou (tio tsiu ue ) is a southern dialect of Chinese and is also known
-
bodia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines. The total number of speakers within
of speakers internationally. Linguistically, the dialect is closely related to those of
revive it. In recent decades the language has been enriched by new vocabulary re-
flecting scientific and technical advances. Chaozhou dialect varies from place to place
but local varieties are mutually intelligible. The dialect on which this chapter is based
chaozhou
ab o ut – CHAOZHO U
 
63
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants
a father b bed
e bet g good
as the ‘oo’ in ‘soon’ with
ew h hat
the lips spread widely
bit (in syllables ending in tickle; like English g but
k
-k, -m, -ng, -p); unvoiced
i
machine (in syllables
ending in a vowel) k’ kit
o ought l lot
u rule m man
n not
ring (both at the start
ng
In this chapter, the Chaozhou pronuncia- and at the end of words)
tion is given in green after each phrase. nipple; like English b but
p
unvoiced
In Chaozhou vowels can appear in
combinations of two (diphthongs) or p’ pet
three (triphthongs). All vowels in
combinations are always pronounced – glottal stop (the sound
q
they are simply pronounced in series. heard between ‘uh-oh’)
s sun
nasalised (pronounced with air escaping little; like English d but
t
through the nose). In our pronuncia- unvoiced
tion guides the nasalised vowels are t’ top
indicated with ng after the vowel.
ts cats
like ts, but with a strong
ts’
puff of air following
z zero
64
essentials
Yes. sí
No. m sí
Please …
Hello. lêw chô
Goodbye.
Thank you. tsoi sia léw
Excuse me. (to get past) tuî m tsú
Excuse me. (asking for ts’iáng mung
directions/assistance)
Sorry. tuî m tsú
lang uage dif f icult ie s – C HAOZH OU

Do you speak (English)? ( )
Do you understand? lêw òi ts’eng ts’ô bòi
I (don’t) understand. ( ) uâ (m) me
I (don’t) speak ( ) uâ (bòi) tâng tio tsiu ue
Chaozhou.
Could you please …?
repeat that tsâi tâng ke kuê
speak more slowly tâng mang ti
numbers
0 20
1 30
2 40
3 sang 50
4 60
5 70 ts’e
6 80
7 ts’eq 90
8 poiq 100 tsek peq
9 kâu 1000 tsek ts’aing
10 1,000,000 tsek peq buang
65
time & dates
What time is it? hèng tsái kúi tiâm
It’s (10) o’clock. ( ) (tsap) tiâm
Quarter past (10). ( ) (tsap) tiâm tsap ngòung hung
Half past (10). ( ) (tsa
Quarter to (11). ( ) (tsap) tiâm sî tsap
(literally: Forty-five ngòung hung
minutes past (10).)
( ) ti tiang si (k’ai sî)
(It starts) At 10.
( ) tsap tiâm (k’ai sî)
( ) (tsap gueq tsap poiq ho)
yesterday
today
now
tonight
tomorrow
sunrise uq
morning (after breakfast)
morning (before lunch) tsìong ngôung
– t ime & da te s
afternoon
sunset
spring ts’ung ting
summer he ting
autumn ts’iu ting
winter tang ting
Monday ts’eng k’i ek
Tuesday ts’eng k’i zí
Wednesday ts’eng k’i sang
Thursday ts’eng k’i
Friday ts’eng k’i
Saturday ts’eng k’i
Sunday ts’eng k’i
66
January ek gue
February zí gue
March sang gue
April e
May e
June e
July ts’eq gue
August poiq gue
September e
October e
November tsap ek gue
December tsap zí gue
transport & directions
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – C HAOZHOU

Is this the … to tsí tsia
( )
boat
bus kong kang k’î ts’ia
train hué ts’ia
Where’s a/the …? i
bank ngeng hang
place to change ua ai ti hng
foreign money
post office i
Is this the road to (Haibin Park)?
tsí tiau lou sì m sì k’êw
( ) (ha
lau lêw kai uá tò ti ue
i kai u
What’s the address? ti
How far is it?
How do I get there? tsô ni
Turn left/right. hiâng tsô/íu
It’s straight ahead. a
Can I get there on foot? kiang lo
67
It’s …
behind … a
in front of … ai tsaing meng
near … ai hû kéng
on the corner tsuáng uang ka
opposite … ai tuî meng
there
accommodation
Where’s a guest house?
ti kô ù piang kuâng
Where’s a hotel?
ti
Can you recommend somewhere cheap?
a ai p’ing
kai li
Can you recommend somewhere good?
a ai hô
kai li
I’d like to stay at a locally run hotel.
ek kaing púng ti
k’ui kai lí kuâng
uâ âing tiang pang kaing
uá ú éw tiang
Do you have a … room? o
double (suite)
single
twin
oq tso
I’d like to stay for (three) nights.
( )
68
ang kaing ka
( ) ao (mo t’âng)
( ) ung to
Could I have my …,
please? uá ka
deposit âng kim
b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – CHAOZH OU

passport

Where’s a/an …? i kô
ATM tse
public phone kong e e
o
I’d like to …
get internet access tsìo máng
use a printer eng hoq êng ki
use a scanner sâu miau ki
lêw ka e ho bê sì zioq tsoi
The number is …
e ho
69
sightseeing
I’d like to see some local sights.
ai tsek seng
kéng tiâm
What’s that?
e
Can I take a photo?
e
I’d like to go somewhere off the beaten track.
ang kai iu k’eq tsío
ai ti
kia oq zioq tsoi si kang
sights
Haimen Lotus Blossom Hill ai hue hong
Lin Baixin International lim peq heng ko
Convention Centre i tong sim
Seaview Promenade kuang hâi ts’ia
– s ightse e ing
Shàntóu University suang t’a

Temple of Matsu
tong sêng tou kiáng ts’ng
shopping
Where’s a …? i
camera shop
market
souvenir shop
70
Where can I buy locally produced goods?
Where can I buy locally produced souvenirs?

tò ti
a ai
Can I look at it?

e
How much is it?
zioq tso

ts’ia ok lai
( ) k’eq lew (ngòu ka
m ee ting p eo p le – C HAOZH OU
Do you accept credit cards?
nêng ù siu sêng êng k’â bò
tiô tuang ù ts’u
less tsiô
enough ngam ngam
more tsoi
bigger tsoi
smaller
meeting people
Hello. lêw hô
Goodbye.
Goodbye. (to person
leaving)
71
Mr seng seng
Mrs
Ms/Miss siáu tsê
How are you? lêw tsuê kéng tsai seng
Fine. And you? hô hô, lêw ne
What’s your name?
My name is …
This is my … tsî kai/ui sì uá ka inf/pol
brother hiang tí
child nou kiâng
daughter tsáu kiâng
father pèq ts’eng
friend p’eng îu
husband inf/pol
mother
partner (intimate) tuî siáng
sister (older/younger) tsé/mue
son kiâ
wife inf/pol
– m ak ing c o nve rs atio n
making conversation
Do you live here? o
Where are you going? lêw âing k’êw ti
Do you like it here?
I love it here.
Have you eaten? tsiak pung bue
Are you here on holiday? lêw sì m sì la
I’m here … uâ la
for a holiday
on business ts’uq ts’e
to study liu
How long are you here for?
lêw âing la
I’m here for (four) weeks.
( ) a
72
Can I take a photo (of you)?
( ) a
Do you speak (Chaozhou)?
( ) lêw òi tâng (tio tsiu ue) bòi
What language do you speak at home?
lêw tò lái tâng meq ue
What do you call this in (Chaozhou)?
( ) io tsiu ue)
tsô ni
What’s this called?
I’d like to learn some (Chaozhou).

( ) uâ siòng âing oq kuí kû (tio tsiu ue)
lêw âing uá kâ léw kuí kû
m ak ing co nver sat ion – C HAOZH OU

Is this a local custom?
i hng ka
local talk
Great! (food/things)
Hey! uê
It’s OK.
Just a minute. tâng tsek e
Maybe.
No problem. bo sew
No way! mô
Sure, whatever. hô hô hô
That’s enough!
Just joking.
73
Where are you from? lêw ti
I’m from …
Australia
Canada kia ná tái
England eng koq
New Zealand
the USA múi koq
What’s your ai
occupation? kang tsaq kai
I’m a/an …
businessperson
office worker paing kong sek na
tradesperson kang tsiáng
How old …? oq tso
are you lêw
is your daughter lêw kai tsáu kiâng sì
is your son lêw kai kiâng sì
I’m … years old.

He/She is … years old.
Too old! k’aq láu
I’m younger than I look. uâ t’ôing k’í la
Are you married? lêw kaq hung bue
Do you have a family? lêw ts’eng ke bue
I live with someone. uâ ù ka
I’m …
married
single tuang seng
Do you like …?
I (don’t) like … ( )
art go
film
music
reading
sport
74
feelings & opinions
I’m …
I’m not …
Are you …?
cold
hot
hungry tôu k’ûng
thirsty
tired
I feel …
I don’t feel …
Do you feel …?
happy
sad
worried kéng tsiang
fee lings & o p inio ns – C HAOZH OU

What do you think of it? iong
awful (quality) âu sî
awful (taste)
beautiful ngiá sî
boring bo
great hui siong hô
interesting
OK
strange
farewells
Tomorrow I’m leaving.
If you come to (Scotland), you can stay with me.

( ) ù ki hué la
tioq lai ts’ue uá
Keep in touch!
po t’i lia
75
It’s been great meeting you.
zeng seq léw uâ hui si
( ) ai (ti tsî)
( ) lêw ka
well-wishing
Bon voyage! tsek lou p’eng ang
Congratulations! kiong hî kiong hî
Good luck! ung
Happy birthday!
Happy New Year!
eating out
Where would you oq k’êw ti
go for (a) …?
banquet paing toq
celebration kéw kiang k’êng tsôk hué
cheap meal iq
kiáng kai
local specialities ti
yum cha
– e at ing ou t
Can you recommend ai

a …? e
bar tsíu pa
cafe kia hui kuâng
dish (food item)
noodle house mi
restaurant pu
snack shop siáu tsia
(wonton) stall ( ) (hu
street vendor
teahouse
76
I’d like a/the …
table for (five) ( ) tse
ka
bill
drink list tsíu tsuí tuang
local speciality ti hng teq se
menu tsâi tuang
(non)smoking table ( ) (bo) tsiak hung ka
Are you still serving food?
e
What would you recommend?
What do you normally eat for breakfast?

tsaq ts’ang tsek puang tsia
What’s in that dish?
tsí ka eng meq kai lia ai
What’s that called?
I’ll have that.

ek kai
I’d like it with …
e ating o ut – C HAOZH OU
I’d like it without …
chilli lak tsio
garlic
MSG bi tseng
nuts
oil
one slice
a piece tsek hung
a sandwich tsek kai sang bung ti
that one hêw tsek kai
two
This dish is … tsí ka
(too) spicy ( ) (k’aq) hiam
superb
77
uâ hoq hí huang tsí ka
That was delicious!
I’m full.
tsia
breakfast tsaq ts’ang

lunch ung
dinner múng pung
drink (alcoholic) tsîu
drink (nonalcoholic) ím liau
… water
boiled kûng
cold gang kúng
sparkling mineral k’uâng tsuang k’î
still mineral k’uâng tsuang
(cup of) coffee … ( ) (tse
(cup of) tea … ( ) (tse
with (milk) ( ) kia (gu ní)
– e at ing ou t
without (sugar) ( )
black tea a
chrysanthemum tea
green tea le
jasmine tea
oolong tea ou le
fresh drinking yoghurt sng ní
(orange) juice ( ) (ts’eng) tsap
lychee juice ap
soft drink k’î tsûi
sour plum drink sng bue tng
78
What are you drinking? âing tsia
I’ll pay. uâ ts’iáng k’eq
What would you like? ai ím
liau lêw âing tsia
Cheers! kang pue
I’m feeling drunk.
a … of beer tse i tsîu
glass pue
large bottle tua tsung
small bottle sòi tsung
a shot of (whisky) ( ) tsek pue (ui sèw kí)
a bottle/glass tsek p’eng/tsek pue
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – C HAOZH OU

of … wine u to tsîu
red
white
street eats
Chaozhou steamed dumplings tio tsiu húng kuê
corn on the cob
dumpling (boiled) kiâu
dumpling (fried) tsiang kiâu
dumpling (steamed) pau
oyster omelette o luaq
radish cake ts’âi t’au ko
sticky rice in bamboo leaves
wonton soup hung t’ung

Do you have vegetarian food?
ù bo
ek kai mâi
a
79
dairy produce nî tsî p’êng
eggs
meat
nuts
seafood hái ts’ing
emergencies & health

Help! kîu miang
Go away! lêw tsáu k’ui
Fire! tio a
– e m erge ncie s & he alt h
Watch out! siáu sim

Where’s the li tsío tsuê kéng ka
nearest …? tò ti
dentist ge ui
doctor ui seng
hospital ui ngi
pharmacist i

a e eng e
I’m lost.
uâ m pak lou
ts’eq sô tò ti
p’âi ts’uq sô tò ti
80
english–chaozhou dictionary
In this dictionary, words are marked as n (noun), a (adjective), v (verb), sg (singular), pl (plural), inf (informal) and
pol (polite) where necessary.
A brakes (car)
breakfast tsaq ts’ang
broken (out of order) seq tiau
accident (mishap)
accommodation
adaptor
îng gua
tsù suaq
bus
business
buy v pôi
kong kang k’î ts’ia
seng lî A
address n ti tsî
after
air conditioning
airplane pue ki C
airport camera tsîo sîong ki
alcohol tsiú cancel
all ts’uang póu car k’î ts’ia
allergy kuê miâng cash n huang
ambulance kîu hù ts’ia cash (a cheque) v
and kaq tsiang … huang heng kim
ankle cell phone ts’íu ki
antibiotics centre n tong sim
arm ts’íu kôu cheap p’ing
ATM tse check (bill) tiông tuang
check-in n
B chest (body)
children
cigarette
heng
nou kiâng
hung
baby city siang ts’í
back (of body) ka tsiaq clean a kang tséng
backpack puê pau closed kueng
bad (behaviour) cold a
bag pau collect call
baggage heng lî e
bank ngeng hang
e nglish–c haoz ho u
come
bar tsíu pa computer
bathroom ek sek/e condom pi
battery contact lenses ak
beautiful múi lí/ngiâ pol/inf cook v lî lo
bed meng ts’ng cost n kê keq
beer pi tsîu credit card sêng êng k’â
before currency exchange ang
behind customs (immigration)
bicycle k’a taq ts’ia
big
bill
blanket
tiông tuang
D
blood group dangerous nguing hiâm
boat date (time) ho
book (make a reservation) v tiang day
bottle tsung delay v tam gou
boy ta pou kiâng dentist ge ui
81
depart li k’ui glass (drinking) po li pue
diaper zi glasses ma
dinner múng pung go
direct a tek tsiq good hô
dirty guide n
disabled ts’a
discount v
doctor
double bed
ui seng
sang nang ts’ng
H
half n
double room sang na
hand ts’îu
E drink n
drive v
driving licence
ím liau
k’ui ts’ia
happy
he i
head n
drug (illicit) tak p’êng
heart sim
heavy
E help
here
pang tsó
ear híng high pol/inf

east tang highway kau soq gong lou
eat hike v ok
economy class keng tsî ts’ng holiday
electricity homosexual ta
elevator hospital ui ing
email i hot (food) sio
embassy hot (weather)
emergency kéng kip ts’e hotel
English (language) (be) hungry tôu k’ûng
evening mé husband
exit n ts’uq k’âu
expensive
eye I
I uâ
F ill seng peng
seng hu
far important
fast mê injury (harm) siong hai
father pèq ts’eng injury (wound) siong k’âu
ka kng insurance pó hiâm
síu tsâing internet
kip kîu siong interpreter
t’au téng ts’ng
DIC TION ARY
n
food
foot k’a
tsia J
free (of charge) jewellery tsu pô
friend p’eng îu job kang tsaq
fruit tsuí kuê
full muâng
K
G key
kilogram kong keng
gift kitchen to
girl tsew nio kiâng knife to
82
L O
laundry (place) sói i pang old (people)
lawyer luk sew old (things) ku
left (direction) tsô one-way ticket tuang t’ia
leg (body) k’a open a k’ui
lesbian a outside gua
less tsiô
letter (mail)
light n teng P
like v
lock n
hí huang
passport
pay v
L
long tng
pharmacy io
lost
phonecard e k’â
love v
photo siô p’iâng
luggage heng lî
police kèng ts’ak
lunch tong ngóu pung
postcard me
i
M pregnant
price n
huai uéng
mail n i
man na pol/inf
map
market
ti
ts’i
Q
matches quiet a tséng
meat
medicine
message
milk gu ní
R
minute hung tseng rain n hóu
mobile phone ts’íu ki razor t’î ts’iu to
money receipt n
month refund n
morning registered (mail) kuâ ho
mother bó ts’eng rent v tsou
motorcycle mo toq ts’ia repair v siu lî
mouth reserve v èr tiang
e nglish–c haoz ho u
restaurant pu
N return (give back)

return (go back)
return ticket lai hue
name
right (direction) íu
near kéng road lou
neck n room n pang kaing
new seng
newspaper pô tsuâ
night
no (not this)
me hng
m sí S
noisy safe a
nonsmoking bo eng k’u sanitary napkin gue
north paq seat n tsò ui
nose p’ing send
now he sex (intercourse) sêng kau
number (room/telephone) ho bê sex (gender)
83
shampoo sói huaq tseng tour n lî i
share (a dorm) ha
she i iu k’eq sêng sêng tong sim
sheet (bed) ts’ng tuang towel tua ek keng
shirt soq sang train n hué ts’ia
shoes translate
shop n travel agency lí kia
short tô travellers cheque lí i
shower n sói trousers
single room tuang na twin-bed room
T skin n
skirt n
sleep v
slow
íng
mang U
small underwear
soap urgent kéng kip
some tsek seng
soon tsek e
south
souvenir
V
stamp i vacancy
stand-by ticket ha vegetable n
station (train) vegetarian a tsiak tse
stomach ui visa
stop v
stop (bus) n
street
student
koi
hak seng
W
sun walk v
sunscreen huang sâi sng wallet tsi to
swim v i wash (something) sôi
watch n ts’íu pio
T water n
we
weekend
tsuî
nâng
tampon gueq keng mi sak
telephone n e west sai
temperature (weather) k’î ung wheelchair lung îng
that héw kai when kai si hau
they i nang where tò ti
(be) thirsty who ti
this tsí kai why ui sìm moq
throat wife pol/inf
DIC TION ARY
ticket window t’eng

time si kang with kaq
tired without
tissues po woman pol/inf
today write siâ
toilet ts’eq sô
tomorrow
tonight
tooth ge k’î
Y
toothbrush ge sueq yes
toothpaste ge ko yesterday
you lêw/nêng sg/pl
84
Dongbei Hua
TONES 86
ABOUT DONGBEI HUA 87
PRONUNCIATION 88
TIME & DATES 90
ACCOMMODATION 92
SIGHTSEEING 94
SHOPPING 95
MEETING PEOPLE 96
FAREWELLS 100
EATING OUT 100
ENGLISH–DONGBEI HUA DICTIONARY 105
tones
Dongbei Hua is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering
of pitch on certain syllables). In this chapter Dongbei Hua is represented with four
tones, as well as a fifth one, the neutral tone. Apart from the unmarked neutral tone,
we have used symbols above the vowels to indicate each tone, as shown in the table
below for the vowel ‘a’. Bear in mind that the tones are relative to the natural vocal
range of the speaker, eg the high tone is pronounced at the top of one’s vocal range.
Note also that some tones slide up or down in pitch.

á à
– t on es
86
DONGBEI HUA
about Dongbei Hua
encounter speakers of Dongbei Hua ( ), the northeastern

dialect of Mandarin. It’s spoken by around 100 million people and is very similar to
-
veloped with the arrival of Han immigrants from the southern provinces who came
to this corner abutting Russia and Korea in the early years of the 20th century. The
In the bustling industrial cities of the northeast, Dongbei Hua also has city-specific
-
-
ognisable to Mandarin speakers for its distinctive accent and its lively and informal
dongbei hua
ab o ut – DON GBE I H UA






87
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants

a father b bed
ai aisle ch cheat
air hair d dog
ao Mao f fun
ay pay g go
e bet h hat
ee see jump
er her without the ‘r’ k kid
similar to new,
ew pronounced with l lot
rounded lips
i hit m man
ir girl with strong ‘r’ n not
o low ng ring
oo tool p pet
or more r run
u cut s sun
sh shot
In this chapter, the Dongbei Hua t top
pronunciation is given in green after ts cats
each phrase.
w win
For pronunciation of tones, see p86. y yes
z lads
dot, and should be pronounced run
together.
For example:
88
essentials
Yes. shìr
No.
Please …
Hello.
Goodbye. bái bái
Thank you.
Excuse me. (asking for
directions or assistance)
Sorry.
lang uage dif f icult ie s – DON GBE I H UA

Do you understand?
I understand.
I don’t understand.
I (don’t) speak Dongbei Hua.
Could you ch
please …?
repeat that
speak more slowly
89
numbers
0 líng 20
1 30
2 40 sìr shír
3 50
4 sìr 60 lyò shír
5 70
6 lyò 80
7 90
8 100
9 1000
10 shír 1,000,000
time & dates

What time is it?
Quarter past (10).
Half past (10).
Quarter to (11).
minutes past (10).)
– t ime & da te s
(It starts) At 10.
this …
morning
(after breakfast)
morning
(before lunch)
afternoon
sunrise
sunset rìr lwòr
90
yesterday
today
now
tonight
tomorrow
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – DO NG BE I HUA

Friday
Saturday
Sunday
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Is this the … to
boat tswún
bus
train
91
bank yín húng
place to change
foreign money
post office
Is this the road to (Jílín)?
Is it walking distance?

How far is it?
How do I get there?
Turn left/right.
It’s …
behind …
in front of …
near …
on the corner
opposite …
there
accommodation
Where’s a hotel?
92
Do you have a
… room?
double (suite)
single
twin
b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – DON GBE I H UA

How much is it per night?
How much is it per person?
please?
deposit
passport

Where’s a/an …?
ATM
public phone
93
I’d like to …
get internet access
use a printer
use a scanner
The number is …
sightseeing
What’s that?
Can I take a photo?

– s ightse e ing
sightseeing
Dàlián
Mòhé in
Palace
Sun Island Park in
94
shopping
Where’s a …?
camera shop
market
souvenir shop
supermarket

Can I look at it?
How much is it?
sho p p ing – D ONG BE I HUA

less
enough gò ler
more
bigger
smaller
95
meeting people
Hello.
Good morning.
Good evening.
Goodbye.
Good night.
Mr
Mrs
Ms/Miss
How are you?
Fine. And you?
What’s your name?
My name is …
I’m pleased to
meet you.
This is my …
brother
child hái zir
daughter
– m e et in g pe o ple
father
friend
husband
mother
partner (intimate)
sister
son ér zir
wife
making conversation
Do you live here?
Where are you going?
I love it here.
96
Have you eaten?
Are you here on holidays?
I’m here …
for a holiday
on business
to study léw shwáir
m ak ing co nver sat ion – DON GB EI H UA

Do you speak (Dongbei Hua)?
What do you call this in (Dongbei Hua)?
I’d like to learn some (Dongbei Hua).
97
local talk
Great!
Hey!
It’s OK.
Just a minute.
Just joking.
Maybe.
No problem.
No way!
Sure, whatever. síng, síng, síng
That’s enough! gò ler, gò ler
Where are you from?

I’m from …
Australia
Canada
England
New Zealand
the USA
What’s your occupation?
I’m a/an …
businessperson
office worker
tradesperson
How old …?
are you
is your daughter
is your son
Too old!
I’m younger than I look.
Are you married?
98
I live with someone.
I’m …
married
single
Do you like …?
art
film
music
reading
sport yòon dòong
feelings & opinions
fee lings & o p inio ns – DON GBE I H UA

I’m (not) …
Are you …?
cold
hot
hungry
thirsty
tired
I (don’t) feel …
Do you feel …?
happy
sad
worried
What do you think of it?
It’s …
awful
beautiful
boring
great
interesting
OK hái síng
strange
99
farewells
If you come to (Scotland) you can stay with me.
Keep in touch!
báo chír lyén see
well-wishing
Bon voyage!
Congratulations!
Good luck!
Happy birthday!
Happy New Year!
– f a re wells
eating out
Where would you
go for (a) …?
banquet
celebration
cheap meal
local specialities
yum cha
100
Can you recommend
a …?
bar
cafe
dish pán zir
noodle house
restaurant
snack shop
(wonton) stall
street vendor
teahouse
I’d like (a/the) …
table for (five)
bill
drink list
local speciality
menu
(non)smoking table
e ating o ut – DON GBE I H UA

What do you normally eat for (breakfast)?

I’ll have that.
chilli
garlic
MSG
nuts
oil
101
one slice
a piece
a sandwich
that one
two
This dish is …
(too) spicy
superb
I love the local cuisine.
That was delicious!

I’m full.
breakfast
lunch
dinner
drink (alcoholic)
… water
boiled
cold lyúng
still mineral
(cup of) coffee …
– e at ing ou t
(cup of) tea …

with (milk)
without (sugar)
black tea
chrysanthemum tea
green tea
jasmine tea
oolong tea
fresh drinking yoghurt
(orange) juice
soft drink
sour plum drink
102
a … of beer
glass
large bottle
small bottle
a shot of (whisky)
a bottle/glass
of … wine
red
white bái
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – DON GB EI H UA

Cheers!
street eats
cold clear bean-flour noodles
corn on the cob
dumpling (fried)
dumpling (steamed)
pork pie (small)
steamed bread stuffed with meat
sticky rice in bamboo leaves zòong zir


nérng bòo nérng zwòr yée
103
dairy produce
eggs
meat rò
nuts
seafood

Help!
Go away!
Fire!
Watch out!

yòong yòong ma
I’m lost.
Where’s the
nearest …?
dentist
doctor
hospital
pharmacist
104
english–dongbei hua dictionary
n a v sg pl inf
pol
A bottle
boy
breakfast
accident (mishap)
accommodation
yèe wài
shìr gòo
zòo sòo
broken (out of order)
bus A
adaptor
address n
sìr pày chèe
business
buy v A
after …
air conditioning
airplane
C
airport camera
alcohol cancel
all car
allergy cash n
ambulance cell phone
and hér centre n
change (money) v
ankle
cheap
antibiotics
check (bill) n
arm
check-in n
ATM
chest (body)
children
B cigarette
city
baby clean a
back (of body) closed
cold a
backpack
e nglish–d o ngb ei hua
bad hwài der collect call
bag
baggage come
bank computer
bar condom
bathroom yèw sìr contact lenses
battery cook v
beautiful cost n
bed credit card
beer currency exchange
before …
behind … customs (immigration)
bicycle
big
bill
dà der
D
blanket dangerous
blood group date (time)
boat day
book (make a reservation) v delay v
105
dentist glass (drinking)
depart glasses
diaper go chèw
dinner good
dirty guide n
disabled
discount v
doctor
double bed
dài foo H
half n
double room hand
E drink n
drive v
drivers licence
happy
he
head n
drug (illicit)
heart
heavy
E help
here
ear high
east highway
eat hike v
economy class holiday
electricity homosexual
email hospital
embassy hot yàir hoo
emergency
hotel
English (language)
(be) hungry
evening
exit n husband
expensive gwày
eye I
I
F ill
far important
fast kwài der injury (harm)
father injury (wound)
insurance
internet
interpreter
n yéw
J
DIC TION ARY
food
foot
free (of charge) jewellery
friend job
fruit
full
K
G key
kilogram
yào sìr
gift kitchen
girl knife
106
L now
number shòo
laundry (place)
lawyer
left (direction)
O
leg (body) old (people)
lesbian old (things)
less one-way ticket
letter (mail) open a
light n outside
like v
lock n P L
long
lost passport hòo zhào
love v ài pay v
luggage pharmacy
lunch phonecard
photo
police
M postcard
mail n pregnant
man price n
map
market
matches
meat rò
Q
quiet a
medicine yào
message
milk
minute
R
mobile phone rain n
money razor
month receipt n e nglish–d o ngb ei hua
morning refund n
mother registered (mail)
motorcycle rent v
mouth repair v
reserve v
restaurant
return (go back)
name return ticket
near right (direction) yò
neck n road
new room n
newspaper
night
no (not at all) S
no (not this) safe a
noisy sanitary napkin
nonsmoking seat n zwòr wày
north send
nose sex (intercourse) zwòr ài
107
sex (gender) toothpaste
shampoo
share (a dorm) tour n
she
sheet (bed) towel
shirt train n
shoes translate
short travellers cheque
shower n trousers kòo zir
T single room
skin n
twin-bed room
skirt n
sleep v
slow
U
underwear
small urgent
soap
some
soon
south
V
vacancy
souvenir vegetable n
stamp yó pyào vegetarian n
stand-by ticket visa
station (train)
stomach wày
stop v
stop (bus) n
W
walk v
street
wallet
student
wash (something)
sun
watch n
sunscreen
water n
swim v
we
weekend
T west
wheelchair
tampon when
telephone n where
temperature (weather) who
that why
they wife
(be) thirsty window
DIC TION ARY
this zày ger with dài

throat without
ticket woman
time write
tired
tissues
today Y
toilet yes shìr
tomorrow yesterday
tonight you sg inf
tooth you sg pol
toothbrush you pl
108
Hakka
TONES 110
ABOUT HAKKA 111
PRONUNCIATION 112
TIME & DATES 114
ACCOMMODATION 116
SIGHTSEEING 117
SHOPPING 118
MEETING PEOPLE 119
FAREWELLS 123
EATING OUT 124
ENGLISH–HAKKA DICTIONARY 129
tones
Hakka is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering of pitch
on certain syllables). In this chapter Hakka is represented with four tones, as well as
a fifth one, the neutral tone. Apart from the unmarked neutral tone, we have used
symbols above the vowels to indicate each tone, as shown in the table below for the
vowel ‘a’. Bear in mind that the tones are relative to the natural vocal range of the
speaker, eg the high tone is pronounced at the top of one’s vocal range. Note also
that some tones slide up or down in pitch.

á à
– t on es
110
HAKKA
about Hakka
There are 34 million speakers of Hakka ( ) spread across southern
China, with populations also in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. Originally
moved south, encountering Cantonese speakers. Their language has proved resolute,
remaining similar to the languages of the Tang and Song dynasties of the 10th century.
However, spoken in scattered regions and across difficult terrain, Hakka is believed to
have absorbed elements of other languages, including the non-Sinitic She language,
evolving into an estimated 30 dialects across south and southeast China and Taiwan.
chapter). It’s a Sino-Tibetan language but isn’t mutually intelligible with Mandarin or
Cantonese. Enterprising, adventurous and occasionally revolutionary, Hakka speakers,
such as the late Deng Xiaoping, have played an important role in broader Chinese and
Southeast Asian history, rising to become military, business and political leaders.
hakka
ab o ut – HAK KA

 

111
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants

a father b bed
ai aisle ch cheat
air lair d dog
ao Mao f fun
ay say g go
e bet h hot
ee see jump
i hit k kit
o go l lot
oo tool m man
or more n not
oy toy ng ring
u cut p pet
r run
In this chapter, the Hakka
pronunciation is given in purple s sun

after each phrase.
sh shot
In Hakka, the sound ng (found in English t top
at the end or in the middle of words,
eg ‘ringing’) can appear at the start of ts cats
words, or represent an entire word. w win
y yes
z lads
Some syllables are separated by a
dot, and should be pronounced run
together.
112
essentials
Yes./No. hè/ng hè
Please …
Hello. ngée hao
Goodbye.
Thank you.
Sorry.
Do you understand?
lang uage dif f icult ie s – HAK KA

I (don’t) speak Hakka.
repeat that
speak more slowly
numbers
0 20
1 30
2 40
3 50
4 sèe 60
5 ng 70
6 80
7 90
8 100
9 1000
10 1,000,000
113
time & dates
What time is it?
Quarter past (10).
Half past (10).
Quarter to (11).
minutes past (10).)
(It starts) At 10.
yesterday
today
now
tonight
tomorrow
this …
morning
(after breakfast)
morning
(before lunch)
afternoon
– t ime & da te s
sunrise
sunset
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
114
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Is this the … to
(Méixiàn)?
boat
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – HAKK A

bus
train
bank
place to change
foreign money
post office
Is this the road to (Méixiàn)?
hè ng
How far is it?
How do I get there?
Turn left/right.
115
It’s …
behind …
in front of …
near …
on the corner
opposite …
there
accommodation

Where’s a hotel?
Do you have a … room?

double (suite)
single
twin
116
please?
deposit
passport

b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – HAK KA

Where’s a/an …?
ATM
public phone
I’d like to …
get internet access
The number is …
sightseeing

What’s that? kái hè má kè
Can I take a photo?
117
sightseeing
Hua Cheng
Ling-Guang Temple
Mei Zhou
Thousand-Buddha Pagoda
Wu Hua ng fá
Zi Jin
shopping
Where’s a …?
camera shop
market
souvenir shop
supermarket
– s ho pp ing

Can I look at it?
How much is it?
118
less
enough
more
bigger
smaller
meeting people
Hello.
Good morning.
Good afternoon.
m ee ting p eo p le – HAKK A
Good evening.
Goodbye.
Good night.
Mr
Mrs
Ms/Miss
How are you?
Fine. And you?
What’s your name?
My name is …
119
This is my …
brother
child
daughter
father yá é
friend
husband
mother
partner (intimate)
sister
son
wife
making conversation
Do you live here?

I love it here.
Have you eaten?
Are you here on holiday?
I’m here …
for a holiday
on business
to study
120
local talk
Great!
Hey!
It’s OK.
Just a minute.
Just joking.
Maybe.
No problem. máo sèe
No way!
Sure, whatever.
That’s enough!
Do you speak (Hakka)?
What do you call this in (Hakka)?
m ak ing co nver sat ion – HAKK A

I’d like to learn some (Hakka).
Where are you from?

I’m from …
Australia
Canada
England
New Zealand
the USA
121
I’m a/an …
businessperson
office worker
tradesperson
How old …?
are you ngée
is your daughter
is your son
Are you married?
Do you have a family
of your own?
I’m …
married
– fe elin gs & o pin ions
single
Do you like …?
art
film
music
reading
sport
feelings & opinions

I’m (not) …
Are you …?
cold
hot ngè
hungry
thirsty
tired
122
Do you feel …?
happy
sad
worried
It’s …
awful
beautiful
boring
great
interesting
OK
strange
farewells

f arewe lls – HAK KA
Keep in touch!
well-wishing
Bon voyage!
Congratulations!
Good luck!
Happy birthday!
Happy New Year!
123
eating out
Where would you go
for (a) …?
banquet
celebration
cheap meal
local specialities
yum cha
Can you recommend
a …?
bar
cafe
dish
noodle house
restaurant
snack shop
(wonton) stall
street vendor
teahouse
table for (five)
bill
drink list
– e at ing ou t
local speciality
menu
(non)smoking table
gé
124
I’ll have that.

chilli
garlic
MSG
nuts
oil yó
one slice
a piece
that one
two
This dish is …
(too) spicy
superb
e ating o ut – HAK KA
That was delicious!
I’m full.
breakfast
lunch
dinner
drink (alcoholic)
125
… water
boiled
cold
sparkling mineral
still mineral
(cup of) coffee …
(cup of) tea …
with (milk)
without (sugar)
black tea hwóon tsá
chrysanthemum tea
green tea
jasmine tea
lychee juice
(orange) juice
soft drink
sour plum drink
a … of beer
glass
large bottle
small bottle sèe pyén
a shot of (whisky)
– e at ing ou t
a bottle/glass of
… wine
red fóon
white
Cheers!
126
street eats
bun (steamed)
corn on the cob
dumpling (boiled)
flat bread with sesame seeds
pork pie
wonton soup
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – HAKK A

dairy produce
eggs
meat
nuts
seafood

Help!
Go away!
Fire!
127
Watch out!
I’m lost.
Where’s the
nearest …?
dentist
doctor
hospital
pharmacist
128
english–hakka dictionary
n a v sg pl inf
pol
A bottle
boy
brakes (car)
accident (mishap)
accommodation
yèe òy
breakfast
broken (out of order) A
bus
adaptor
business
address n
buy v
after
air conditioning
airplane
airport
C
alcohol camera
all cancel
allergy car
ambulance cash n
and hó cash (a cheque) v
ankle cell phone
antibiotics centre n
arm change (money) v
ATM cheap
check (bill)
B check-in n
chest (body)
children
baby
back (of body) cigarette
backpack city
bad clean a
bag closed
baggage cold a
bank collect call
bar
come
e nglish–ha kk a
bathroom
battery computer
beautiful condom
bed contact lenses
beer cook v
before cost n
behind credit card
bicycle currency exchange
big customs (immigration)
bill
blanket
blood group D
boat dangerous
book (make a reservation) v date (time)
129
day
delay v
dentist
G
gift
depart girl
diaper glass (drinking)
dinner glasses
direct a go hèe
dirty good
disabled guide n
discount v
E doctor
double bed
H
double room half n
drink n hand
drive v happy
driving licence he
drug (illicit) head n
heart
heavy
E help
here
ear high
east highway
eat hike v
elevator hospital
email hot
embassy hotel
emergency (be) hungry
English (language) husband
evening
exit n
expensive
I
eye I
ill
F important
injury (harm)
far injury (wound)
fast insurance
father
DIC TION ARY
internet
interpreter
J
n jewellery
food job
foot
free (of charge)
friend
K
fruit key
full kilogram
130
kitchen nose
knife now
number
L O
laundry (place)
lawyer old (people)
left (direction) old (things)
leg (body) one-way ticket
lesbian open a
less
letter (mail)
outside
L
light n
like v P
lock n passport
long pay v
lost pharmacy
love v òy phonecard
luggage photo
lunch police
postcard
M pregnant
mail n price n
man
map
market
matches
Q
meat quiet a
medicine
message
milk R
minute rain n
mobile phone razor
money receipt n
month refund n
morning registered (mail)
mother rent v
motorcycle repair v
mouth reserve v
e nglish–ha kk a
restaurant
return (go back)
name return ticket
near right (direction)
neck n road
new room n
newspaper
night
no (not at all) S
no (not this) safe a
nonsmoking seat n
north send
131
sex (intercourse) toothbrush
shampoo
she
sheet (bed) towel
shirt train n
shoes translate
T shower n
single room
trousers
twin-bed room
skin n
skirt n
sleep v U
slow underwear
small sèe urgent
soap
some
soon V
south vacancy
stamp vegetarian a
station (train)
stomach
stop v
W
stop (bus) n walk v
street wallet
student wash (something)
sun watch n
sunscreen water n
swim v we
weekend
T west
wheelchair
when
tampon where
telephone n who
temperature (weather) why
that wife
they window
DIC TION ARY
(be) thirsty with

this without
throat woman
ticket write
time
tired
tissues
today
Y
toilet yes hè
tomorrow yesterday
tonight you sg inf/pol
tooth you pl
132
Hunanese
TONES 134
ABOUT HUNANESE 135
PRONUNCIATION 136
TIME & DATES 138
ACCOMMODATION 140
SIGHTSEEING 142
SHOPPING 142
MEETING PEOPLE 143
FAREWELLS 147
EATING OUT 148
ENGLISH–HUNANESE DICTIONARY 153
tones
Hunanese is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering of
pitch on certain syllables). Tones in Hunanese fall on vowels and on z. The same
combination of sounds pronounced with different tones can have a very different
meaning.
Hunanese has six tones, including a neutral tone. In our pronunciation guide the
six tones are indicated with accents or underscores on the letters, as shown in the
table below for the vowel ‘a’. Syllables with neutral tone are unmarked, and are usu-
ally pronounced in the middle of your natural pitch range.
while lower tones are made by relaxing the vocal cords to get a lower pitch. Bear in
mind that the tones are relative to the natural vocal range of the speaker, eg high tones
are pronounced towards the top of one’s vocal range. Note also that some tones slide
up or down in pitch.
rising high mid low

rising rising
á à
– t on es
134
HUNANESE
about Hunanese
A Sino-Tibetan language, also known as Xiang, Hunanese ( a ) is
spoken by around 35 million people in central and southwestern Húnán and parts
Hmong – and their language has been influenced by these linguistic neighbours,
and by Mandarin in particular. Hunanese is usually classified into two varieties: Old
Xiang, which has absorbed fewer elements of Mandarin; and New Xiang, which is
intelligible to speakers of the Southwestern Mandarin dialect. There are also local
variations of these dialects. Hunanese speakers are noted for their skill as craftspeo-
has a well-developed television and entertainment industry (the Chinese version of

Pop Idol was filmed here). Try using a few of the phrases that follow and you’ll be in
perhaps the most well-known Hunanese speaker.
hunanese

ab o ut – HU NAN E S E
 

135
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants
nipple; like English b but
a father b
unvoiced
aw loud ch cheat
little; like English d but
e bet d
unvoiced
as the ‘oo’ in ‘soon’ with
eu f fat
tickle; like English g but
i machine g
unvoiced
o vote h hat
u rule joke
uh but k kit
uhw uh followed by u l lot
y i with the lips rounded m man
n not
In this chapter, the Hunanese pronun-

ciation is given in pink after each phrase. ring (both at the start
ng
and at the end of words)
In Hunanese, vowels can appear in p pet
combinations of two (diphthongs).
The vowels in combinations are always s sun
pronounced – they are simply
sh shut
pronounced in series.
t top
Some vowels in Hunanese are nasalised
(pronounced with air escaping through like tz, but with a strong
ts
the nose). In our pronunciation guides puff of breath following
the nasalised vowels are indicated with tz as in ‘it’s’
ng after the vowel.
y yes
For pronunciation of tones, see p134. w win
z zero
136
essentials
Yes./No. sz/bú sz
Please … chìn …
Hello. lì hàw
Goodbye.
Thank you.
directions or assistance)
Sorry. (general apology)
Do you speak (English)?
lang uage dif f icult ie s – HU N ANE S E

I (don’t) speak Hunanese.
fa
Do you understand? lì dùhn bú la
I (don’t) understand. ngò (bú) dùhn
Could you please …? liá lì …
repeat that
speak more slowly gàng man dièng
numbers
0 20 eu
1 30
2 eu 40
3 san 50
4 60
5 ù 70
6 lúhw 80
7 90
8 bá 100
9 1000
10 1,000,000 an
137
time & dates
What time is it? sieng tza a
It’s (10) o’clock. a
Quarter past (10).
Half past (10).
Quarter to (11). z
(literally: Forty-five ù fuhn
minutes past (10).)
uhw (kai sz)
(It starts) At 10.

aw)
now sieng tzai
today
tonight an
yesterday
tomorrow
afternoon sia ù
morning (after breakfast) tzàw san
morning (before lunch) san ù
– t ime & da te s
sunrise
sunset
spring chyn tieng
summer sia tieng
autumn chiuhw tieng
winter duhn tieng
Monday
Tuesday shin chi eu
Wednesday shin chi san
Thursday
Friday shin chi ù
Saturday shin chi lúhw
Sunday shin chi tieng
138
January
February e
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December e
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – H UN AN E SE

Is this the …
(tzan sa) ba
boat eng
bus
train hò tseu
Where’s a/the …? … tzai là li
bank
place to change tiàw wa i fang
foreign money
post office
Is this the road to (the Yuèlù Academy)?
z
di lúhw ba
liá lì bang ngò tsàw ha ta tzai
uhw sang di wei tz hàw ba
Can I get there on foot?
139
What’s the address? di tz sz mò tz la
How far is it? hàw yèng lie
How do I get there?
Turn left/right. wáng tzò/iuhw gwài
It’s straight ahead. a
It’s … tzai …
behind … … di huhw tuhw
in front of …
near … … bàng bieng
on the corner gwài wan di di fang
opposite …
there
accommodation
là li iùhw bin gòng a
Where’s a hotel?

di y bú
di y bú
y dang di
ngò siàng di
in da
double (suite)
single
twin
140
How much is it … ?
per night
per person
y (san) tieng
b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – HU NAN E S E

please? ngò di …
deposit
passport

Where’s a/an …? … tzai là li
ATM
public phone guhn i a
Where’s the local báng bieng iùhw uàng ba bú
internet cafe?
I’d like to … ngò siàng …
get internet access sang uàng
use a printer
use a scanner
141
a haw mà sz hàw do la
The number is …
haw mà sz …
sightseeing
What’s that? z mò tz la
Can I take a photo?
o a tz
u
uai di di
u
sightseeing
Nányuè
Yuèlù Academy
– s ightse e ing
Yuèlù Mountain
Yuèyáng Temple
shopping
Where’s a …? … tzai là li
camera shop
market
souvenir shop
supermarket z
142
Can I look at it? a tz ba
What’s this made from? z
How much is it?
That’s too expensive. a
a

kò ì i in kà ba
an sang iùhw tièng ue
less sào
enough
more do
bigger da
m ee ting p eo p le – H UN AN ES E
smaller
meeting people
Hello. lì hàw
Good morning.
Good afternoon. shia ù hàw
Good evening. uàn sang hàw
Goodbye. tza
Good night. uàn an
Mr shieng suhn
Mrs
Ms/Miss ei tz
143
How are you? lì hàw ba
Fine. And you?
What’s your name? za
My name is …
I’m pleased to ei
meet you.
This is my …
brother (older) go go
brother (younger)
child
daughter mei tz
father
friend
husband làw guhn
mother
partner (intimate) m
f
son tzài
sister (older)
sister (younger)
wife
making conversation
Do you live here? y
I love it here.
Have you eaten? chiá fan da maw
Are you here on holiday? lì sz
I’m here …
for a holiday
on business
to study
a
144
y
Do you speak (Hunanese dialect)?
a) ba
aa
What do you call this in (Hunanese dialect)?
i a)
I’d like to learn some (Hunanese).
m ak ing co nver sat ion – H UN AN ES E

a)

z di fang hun súhw ba
local talk
Great!
It’s OK.
Just a minute. dùhn ha tz
Just joking. ngò sz
Maybe.
No problem. maw sz
No way!
Sure, whatever. kò ì
That’s enough! a
145
Where are you from? lì sz
I’m from …
Australia
Canada
England
New Zealand
the USA
I’m a/an … ngò sz …
businessperson
office worker
tradesperson ang
How old … ? a
are you lì
is your daughter lì mei tz
is your son lì tzài

Too old! a
Are you married? a maw
Do you have a family? a ba
I live with someone. ngò iùhw bong da
I’m ... ngò …
single dan suhn
married
Do you like …? lì shì hong … ba
I (don’t) like … ngò (bú) shì hong …
art
film
music
reading
sport
146
feelings & opinions
I’m (not) … ngò (bú) …
Are you … ? lì … ba?
cold lùhn
hot
hungry ngo
thirsty kùhw gan
tired liá
Do you feel …?
happy
sad
worried
What do you think of it? an
fee lings & o p inio ns – HU NAN E S E

It’s … ta …
awful
beautiful ang di
boring
great
interesting hàw iùhw uei di
OK
strange
farewells
uhw da
Keep in touch!
Here’s my (address). z ngò di (di dz)
What’s your (email)? z mò tz
147
well-wishing
Bon voyage! u
Congratulations! guhn shì, guhn shì
Good luck! tzúhw lì hàw yn
Happy birthday!
Happy New Year!
eating out
Where would you go
for (a) …?
banquet ba
celebration ei
cheap meal
local specialities di fang siàw chiá
yum cha
Can you recommend
a …?
bar
cafe ka fei ú
noodle house mieng gòng
dish
– e at ing ou t
restaurant
(wonton) stall
street vendor luhw bieng tan
teahouse
table for (five)
bill
drink list
local speciality di
menu
(non)smoking table
148

(tzàw fa
z

lá go han mò tz lo
I’ll have that.

chilli
garlic da
MSG e ating o ut – HU N ANE S E
nuts
oil
one slice
a piece
a sandwich
that one
two
This dish is …
(too) spicy
superb
That was delicious!
I’m full. chiá bàw da
149
breakfast tzàw fan
lunch tzuhn fan
dinner ia fan
drink (alcoholic)
drink (nonalcoholic) ìn liaw
… water … shyèi
boiled kai
cold lùhn kai
sparkling mineral
still mineral
(cup of) coffee …
(cup of) tea …
with (milk)
without (sugar)
fresh drinking yoghurt song lài
lychee juice
orange juice
soft drink
sour plum drink
black tea
chrysanthemum tea
green tea
jasmine tea
– e at ing ou t
oolong tea
Cheers!
gan bei
ngò iùhw dièng tzèi da
150
a … of beer
glass bei
large bottle da
small bottle
a shot of (whisky)
a bottle/glass
of … wine
red
white
street eats
dumpling (boiled)
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – H UN AN ES E

dumpling (fried)
dumpling (steamed) bau tz
pork pie (large) zúhw bìn
pork pie (small)
stinky bean curd uhw fu
wonton soup

151
dairy produce
eggs an
meat zúhw
nuts
seafood hài shieng

Help! in a
Go away! tzùhw kai
Fire! chì hò da
Watch out! shiàw shin

lì kò ì bang ha ngò ba
ngò kò ì i ha a ba
I’m lost.
uhw da
ai là li a
ai là li
Where’s the
nearest …? tzai là li
dentist
doctor i suhn
hospital
pharmacist
152
english–hunanese dictionary
n a v sg pl inf
pol
A boy
brakes (car)
breakfast
sá tseu
tzàw fan
accident (mishap) broken (out of order) fai gà da
jiaw tuhn sz bus
accommodation
address n
after
di tz
tz huhw
business
buy v mài A
air conditioning
airplane
airport
fei ji C
camera
alcohol jiùhw cancel
all sò iùhw di car
allergy gò mìn cash n shieng jin
ambulance cell phone sùhw ji
and centre n tsuhn shin
ankle guài change (money) n
antibiotics cheap
arm sùhw gàn tz check (bill)
ATM check-in n
chest (body) shin kùhw
B children
cigarette shiang ieng
baby city
back (of body) clean a gan jin
backpack bei baw closed
bad fai cold a
bag baw collect call
baggage
e nglish–hun ane se
bank come ai
bar ba computer
bathroom condom
battery contact lenses
beautiful cook v
bed cost n
beer credit card in kà
before currency exchange
behind tz huhw customs (immigration) hài guan
bicycle dan tseu
big dai
bill D
blanket tàw tz dangerous
blood group date (time)
boat day tieng
book (make a reservation) v in delay v
bottle dentist
153
depart glass (drinking) bei tz
diaper a glasses
dinner ia fan go
direct a good hàw
dirty guide n
disabled
discount v
doctor
double bed
i suhn
dà tzéu
H
half n
double room hand sùhw
E drink n
drive v
driving licence
aw
kai tseu
happy
he ta
head n
drug (illicit)
heart shin
E heavy tzuhn
help
here
ear
east duhn high gaw
eat highway uhw
economy class hike v u
electricity holiday
elevator homosexual
email eng hospital
embassy dai sz gòng hot yé
emergency hotel
English (language) (be) hungry ng
evening uàn san husband
exit n
expensive
eye ngàn jin I
I ngò
F ill suhn bin
far important
fast injury (harm)
father injury (wound) sang kùhw
insurance
sùhw tz
internet in téu uàng
interpreter fan í
n
DIC TION ARY
food
foot jió
J
free (of charge) jewellery jy bàu
friend job guhn tzó
fruit
full bàw
K
G key
kilogram
ió sz
guhn jin
gift kitchen
girl mei tz knife daw tz
154
L O
laundry (place) old (people)
lawyer old (things) jiuhw
left (direction) tzò one-way ticket
leg (body) open a kai di
lesbian outside wai mieng
less sàw
letter (mail)
light n guang P
like v
lock n sò
passport
pay v
L
long pharmacy
lost séu gà da phonecard a kà
love v photo
luggage police jìn tsá
lunch tzuhn fan postcard
M pregnant
price n
mail n shin
man
map
market
Q
quiet a ngan jin
matches
meat
medicine ió
message
R
milk rain n
minute fuhn tzuhn razor
mobile phone sùhw ji receipt n
money refund n
month yé registered (mail) aw
morning tzàw san rent v
mother repair v
motorcycle mó tó tseu reserve v in
restaurant fan gòng
e nglish–hun ane se
mouth
return (give back)
N return (go back)

return ticket
right (direction) iuhw
name z
near jin road iuhw
neck n jìn guhn room n
new shin
newspaper
night wàn san
S
no (not at all) safe a ngan jyeng
noisy tsàw sz da sanitary napkin
nonsmoking seat n tz uei
north béu send
nose sex (intercourse)
now shieng tzai sex (gender)
number z shampoo shì fá jin
155
share (a dorm) fuhn shiàng tour n
she ta
sheet (bed) towel
shirt ti shyé san train n hò tseu
shoes translate fan í
short dòng travellers cheque
shower n trousers kù tz
single room twin-bed room
skin n
T skirt n
sleep v
slow man
U
undershirt
small underpants
soap urgent jìn jí
some í shie
soon mà san
south
souvenir
V
stamp vacancy
stand-by ticket tza vegetable n
station (train) hò tseu tzan vegetarian a
stomach visa
stop v
stop (bus) n
street gai W
student shió suhn walk v bu
sun wallet
sunscreen wash (something) shì
swim v watch n
water n
T we
weekend
ngò muhn
tzuhw mó
tampon west shi
telephone n a wheelchair
temperature (weather) when
that where tza
they ta muhn who
(be) thirsty kò gan why
this wife
throat window
ticket with
DIC TION ARY
time without maw déu

tired woman
tissues write
today jin tieng
toilet
tomorrow
tséu sò
Y
tonight jin tieng wàn san yes sz
tooth yesterday
toothbrush you sg inf
toothpaste you sg pol
you pl
156
Shanghainese
TONES 158
ABOUT SHANGHAINESE 159
PRONUNCIATION 160
TIME & DATES 161
ACCOMMODATION 164
SIGHTSEEING 166
SHOPPING 166
MEETING PEOPLE 167
FAREWELLS 171
EATING OUT 172
ENGLISH–SHANGHAINESE DICTIONARY 177
tones
Shanghainese is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering
of pitch on certain syllables). Tones in Shanghainese fall on vowels and on z and n. In
this chapter Shanghainese is represented with four tones, as well as a fifth one, the
neutral tone. Apart from the unmarked neutral tone, we have used symbols above
the vowels to indicate each tone, as shown in the table below for the vowel ‘a’. Bear
in mind that the tones are relative to the natural vocal range of the speaker, eg the
high tone is pronounced at the top of one’s vocal range. Note also that some tones
slide up or down in pitch.

á à
– t on es
158
SHANGHAINESE
about Shanghainese
) is evolving as the city attracts immigrants and entrepreneurs, opportunists

and global citizens. The most important dialect of Wu Chinese, Shanghainese has around
the city itself, the dialect might appear brash and uppity: it’s not mutually intelligible
with other Wu dialects nor is it with Standard Mandarin. Nonetheless, those who come
that Shanghainese is effectively experiencing a generation gap of its own as it moves
with government campaigns to encourage the use of Mandarin only, some fear for the
future of the dialect. But, while Shanghainese is rarely heard in schools or in the media,
shanghainese
ab o ut – SHAN GHAIN ES E
159
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants
a father b bed
aw saw ch cheat
ay say d dog
ee see ds lads
mother (without
er f fun
the ‘r’)
ew few g go
i bit (very short) h hot
o mock (very short) j jump
as the ‘e’ in ‘send’,
oe k kid
with rounded lips
oo took l lot
uh uh-huh m man
ung rung n not
purr (strongly
urr ng ring
pronounced ‘rr’)
p pet
r run
In this chapter, the Shanghainese s sun
pronunciation is given in red after each sh shot
phrase.
t top
In Shanghainese, some consonants and
ts cats
consonant combinations (dz, ng, m, sz
and z) can appear at the start of words, or v very
represent an entire word.
w win
z zero
zh pleasure
160
essentials
Yes./No.
Please … ching …
Hello. nóong haw
Goodbye.
Thank you.
direction/assistance)
Sorry.
lang uage dif f icult ie s – S HAN GHAIN E SE

Do you understand?
I (don’t) speak Shanghainese.

repeat that
speak more slowly
time & dates

What time is it?
Quarter past (10).
Half past (10).
Quarter to (11).
minutes past (10).)
161
numbers
0 líng 20 nyáy suh
1 30
2 40
3 sày 50
4 sz 60
5 70
6 ló 80
7 90
8 100
9 jer 1000
10 1,000,000
(It starts) At 10.
yesterday
today
now
tonight
– t ime & da te s
tomorrow
sunrise
sunset
this …
afternoon
morning
(after breakfast)
morning
(before lunch)
spring
summer
autumn cher tee
winter
162
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
January
February
March
April
May
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – S HANG HAI N ES E

June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Is this the … to
boat zóe
bus
train
bank
place to change
foreign money
post office
Is this the road to (the Bund)?
163
How far is it?
How do I get there?
Turn left/right.
It’s … luh …
behind …
in front of …
near …
on the corner
opposite …
there
accommodation

Where’s a hotel?
How much per night?
How much per person?
Do you have a
… room?
double
single
twin
164
b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – SHAN GHAIN ES E

please?
deposit
passport

Where’s a/an …?
ATM
public phone
I’d like to … ngóo shung …

get internet access
use a printer dung ying
use a scanner
The number is …
165
sightseeing

ngóo shung koe …
What’s that?
Can I take a photo?
shopping
Where’s a …?
camera shop
– s ightse e ing
market
souvenir shop
supermarket
sightseeing
The Bund
Chóngmíng Island
Huangpu River
Nánj ng Road
Oriental Pearl Tower
166
I’d like to buy … ngóo shung má …
Can I look at it?
How much is it? jee dée
That’s too expensive. tuh jew luh
m ee ting p eo p le – S HAN G HAIN E S E

less saw
enough
more dòo
bigger ngay
smaller
meeting people
Hello. nóong haw
Good morning.
Good evening.
Goodbye.
Good night.
167
Mr
Mrs
Ms/Miss
How are you? noong haw
Fine. And you?
What’s your name?
My name is …
This is my …
brother (older)
brother (younger)
child
daughter
father yá
friend
husband
mother
partner (intimate)
sister (older)
sister (younger)
son
wife
making conversation
Do you live here?
I love it here.
Have you eaten?
Are you here on
holidays?
I’m here …
for a holiday
on business tsuh tsà
to study
168
Do you speak (Shanghainese)?
What do you call this in (Shanghainese)?
m ak ing co nver sat ion – S HAN GHAIN E S E

nerng gung
I’d like to learn some (Shanghainese).
local talk
Great! dsay
Hey! ày
It’s OK.
Just a minute.
Just joking.
Maybe.
No problem. m muh z tee
No way!
Sure, whatever. haw, haw, haw
That’s enough!
169
Where are you from?
I’m from … ngóo zoong … láy
Australia
Canada
England
New Zealand
the USA
I’m a/an … ngóo dsoo …
businessperson
office worker
tradesperson
How old …?
are you (to child) nóong
is your daughter
is your son
How old are you? (to adult)
I’m … years old. ngóo … soe

He/She is … years old. yée … soe
Too old!
Are you married?
I’m … ngóo …
married
single
Do you have a family? nóong zérng gà luh va
Do you like …?
art
film
music
reading koe sz
sport
170
feelings & opinions
I’m (not) …
Are you …? nóong … va
cold
hot nyí
hungry ngóo
thirsty gòe
tired chuh lí
Do you feel …?
happy
sad v
fee lings & o p inio ns – SHAN GHAIN ES E

worried jí
It’s …
awful
beautiful
boring
great law líng
interesting
OK
strange
farewells
Keep in touch!
171
well-wishing
Bon voyage!
Congratulations!
Good luck!
Happy birthday!
Happy New Year!
eating out
Where would you go
for (a) …? duh chee
banquet
celebration
cheap meal
local specialities
yum cha
Can you recommend
a …? … ù va
bar
cafe
dish bérng
noodle house
restaurant
snack shop
– e at ing ou t
(wonton) stall
street vendor
teahouse
I’d like (a/the) … ngóo yaw …
table for (five)
bill
drink list jer sz day
local speciality
menu
(non)smoking
table
172

What’s that called? ày uh jaw sa
I’ll have that. này yi dsuh

chilli
garlic
MSG
nuts
e ating o ut – S HAN GHAIN ES E

oil yér
one slice
a piece
a sandwich
that one ày mee dsuh
two
This dish is …
(too) spicy
superb law haw
That was delicious!
I’m full.
breakfast
lunch
dinner
drink (alcoholic) jer
173
… water … sz
boiled
cold
mineral kwung zhoe
(cup of) coffee …
(cup of) tea …
with (milk)
without (sugar)
black tea
chrysanthemum tea
green tea
jasmine tea
oolong tea
(orange) juice
lychee juice
soft drink
sour plum drink
Cheers!
– e at ing ou t
a … of beer
glass
large bottle
small bottle
a shot of (whisky)
a bottle/glass of
… wine
red hóong
white
174
street eats
corn on the cob
dumpling (boiled)
dumpling (fried)
dumpling (steamed)
egg and spring onion pancake
pork pie (large)
wonton soup
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – S HAN GHAIN E S E

I’m allergic to … ngóo day … goo míng

dairy produce
eggs
meat nyó
nuts
seafood

Help! jer míng
Go away!
Fire!
Watch out!
175
I’m lost.
Where’s the
nearest …?
dentist
doctor
hospital
pharmacist
176
english–shanghainese dictionary
n a v sg pl
A bottle
boy
brakes (car)
accident (mishap)
accommodation
breakfast
bus
adaptor business
address n buy v
after
air conditioning
airplane
airport
C
camera
alcohol cancel
all car
allergy cash n
ambulance cash (a cheque) v
and
ankle cell phone
ATM cheap
check (bill)
B check-in n
chest (body)
children
baby
cigarette
back (of body)
backpack city e nglish–sh angha ines e
bad clean a
bag closed
baggage cold a
bank collect call
bar
bathroom come
computer
battery
condom
beautiful
contact lenses
bed
cook v
beer
cost n
before
credit card
behind
currency exchange
bicycle
customs (immigration)
big
bill
blanket
blood group D
boat dangerous
177
day
delay v
dentist
G
gift
depart girl
dinner glasses
direct a go
dirty good
disabled guide n
discount v
E doctor
double bed H
double room half n
drink n hand
drive v happy
driving licence he
heart
E heavy
help
here
ear high
east highway
eat hike v
elevator hospital
email hot
embassy hotel
evening
exit n
expensive
I
eye I
ill
F important
injury (harm)
far injury (wound)
fast insurance
father internet
DIC TION ARY
interpreter
J
n jewellery
food job
foot
free (of charge)
friend K
fruit key
full kilogram
178
kitchen north
knife nose
now
L number
laundry (place)
lawyer O
left (direction) old (people)
leg (body) old (things)
lesbian one-way ticket
less
letter (mail)
light n
open a
outside L
like v
lock n
long
P
passport
lost pay v
love v pharmacy
luggage phonecard
lunch photo
police
M postcard
mail n pregnant
man price n
map
market
matches
meat
Q
medicine quiet a
message
milk
minute
R
rain n
mobile phone
money razor e nglish–sh angha ines e
month receipt n
morning refund n
mother registered (mail)
motorcycle rent v
mouth repair v
reserve v
N restaurant
return (give back)
name return (go back)
near return ticket
neck n right (direction)
new road
newspaper room n
night
no (none)
no (not this) S
noisy safe a
nonsmoking sanitary napkin
seat n
179
send toothbrush
sex (intercourse) toothpaste
sex (gender)
shampoo tour n
share (a dorm)
she towel
sheet (bed) train n
shirt translate
shoes travel agency
shop n travellers cheque
T short
shower n
single room
trousers
twin-bed room
skin n
skirt n U
sleep v underwear
slow urgent
small
soap
some
soon
V
vacancy
south vegetable n
souvenir vegetarian a
stamp visa
stand-by ticket
station (train)
stomach
stop v
W
walk v
stop (bus) n
wallet
street
wash (something)
student
watch n
sun
water n
sunscreen
we
swim v
weekend
T west
wheelchair
when
tampon
telephone n where
that why
they wife
window
DIC TION ARY
(be) thirsty
this with
throat without
ticket woman
time write
tired
tissues
today
Y
toilet yes
tomorrow yesterday
tonight you sg
tooth you pl
180
Sichuanese
TONES 182
ABOUT SICHUANESE 183
PRONUNCIATION 184
TIME & DATES 186
ACCOMMODATION 188
SIGHTSEEING 190
SHOPPING 190
MEETING PEOPLE 191
FAREWELLS 195
EATING OUT 196
ENGLISH–SICHUANESE DICTIONARY 201
tones
Sichuanese is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering of
pitch on certain syllables). In this chapter Sichuanese is represented with four tones,
as well as a fifth one, the neutral tone. Apart from the unmarked neutral tone, we
have used symbols above the vowels to indicate each tone, as shown in the table

á à
– t on es
182
SICHUANESE
about Sichuanese
It’s classified as a southwestern dialect of Mandarin, but if it were viewed as a language
in its own right Sichuanese ( ), with 120 million speakers, would
95% Han Chinese – with a small Tibetan minority, who also speak Sichuanese – and
their dialect is regarded as one of the most uniform in China. The Sichuanese dialect is
and if you wander across to Chóngqìng you’ll hear the same dialect spoken. There are
some variations – locals say, for example, that the Chóngqìng accent is different to
Sichuanese speakers, as the grammar and vocabulary are very similar. It’s through its
pronunciation that Sichuanese marks out its own linguistic territory. Perhaps it’s the
creates the nasal twang and clipped vowels that make Sichuanese distinctive.
sichuanese
  
ab o ut – SI CH UAN E S E


 
  
 


 




  
   
183
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants

a father b bed
ai aisle ch cheat
air lair d dog
ao Mao f fun
au haul g go
ay pay h hot
e bet j jump
ee see k kit
er her l lot
new, with
ew m man
rounded lips
i hit n not
o home ng ring
oo tool p pet
u good r run
In this chapter, the Sichuanese pronun- s sun
ciation is given in orange after each sh shot
phrase.
t top
Note that ‘r’ is always pronounced ts cats
wherever it appears, including after a
vowel (like in American English). w win
y yes
Some syllables are separated by a dot,
and should be pronounced closely z lads
together.
For example: zh pleasure
184
essentials
Yes./No. sèe/bóo sèe
Please …
Hello. lèe hào
Goodbye.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
I (don’t) speak Sichuanese.
lang uage dif f icult ie s – S IC HUANE S E

Do you understand?
I understand.

repeat that
speak more slowly
numbers
0 lín 20 ér sée
1 ée 30
2 40 sèe sée
3 50 wòo sée
4 60 lyó sée
5 wòo 70 ch sée
6 80
7 chi 90 jyò sée
8 100
9 jyò 1000
10 sée 1,000,000
185
time & dates
What time is it?
Quarter past (10).
Half past (10).
Quarter to (11).
minutes past (10).)
At what time
(does it start)?
(It starts) At 10.
yesterday
today
now
tonight
tomorrow
this …
morning zào sàng
(after breakfast)
morning (before lunch)
afternoon
– t ime & da te s
sunrise
sunset rée làu
spring
summer
autumn
winter
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
186
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – S IC H UAN E SE

Is this the …
boat
bus
train
bank
place to change
foreign money
post office yó jéw
Is this the road to (Tianfu Plaza)?
187
How far is it? yéw hào ywèn
How do I get there?
Turn left/right.
It’s …
behind …
in front of …
near …
on the corner
opposite …
there
accommodation
Where’s a hotel?

Do you have a
… room?
double
single
twin
188
b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – SI C HUAN E S E

Could I have my … ,
please?
deposit
passport

Where’s a/an …?
ATM
public phone
I’d like to …
get internet access sàng wàng
use a printer dà yìn
use a scanner
The number is …
189
sightseeing
dèe dé jìn dyèn


What’s that? là sèe sà zèe ó
Can I take a photo?
sightseeing
Du Fu’s Cottage
– s ightse e ing
shopping
Where’s a …?
camera shop
market
souvenir shop
supermarket
Where can I buy locally produced goods?
dèe dé tòo tsàn

190
Can I look at it?
How much is it?
less sào
enough
more
bigger
smaller shyào
m ee ting p eo p le – S IC H UAN ES E
meeting people
Hello. lèe hào
Good morning. zào sàng hào
Good afternoon.
Good evening.
Goodbye. zài jyèn
Good night.
Mr
Mrs
Ms/Miss shyào jyàir
How are you?
Fine. And you?
What’s your name?
My name is …
191
This is my …
brother
child
daughter léwr
father lào hèr
friend póng yò
husband
mother
partner (intimate)
sister
son
wife
making conversation
Do you live here?
I love it here.
Have you eaten?
I’m here …
for a holiday
on business
to study
Do you speak (Sichuanese)?
192
local talk
Great!
Hey!
It’s OK.
Just a minute.
Just joking. tsè bà zèe
Maybe.
No problem.
No way!
Sure, whatever. kàu yèe kàu yèe kàu yèe
That’s enough! gò làu gò làu
What do you call this in (Sichuanese)?
m ak ing co nver sat ion – S IC H UAN ES E

I’d like to learn some (Sichuanese).
)
Where are you from?

I’m from …
Australia
Canada
England
New Zealand
the USA
I’m a/an …
businessperson
office worker bày lìn
tradesperson
193
How old …?
are you lèe
is your daughter lèe dé lèwr
is your son
Too old!
Are you married?
I live with someone. wàu yò lào pó lyào
Do you have a family?
I’m …
married
single
Do you like …?
art
film
music
– fe elin g & o pinio ns
reading
sport
feelings & opinions

I’m (not) …
Are you …?
cold lèn
hot rè
hungry àu
thirsty
tired
194
Do you feel …?
happy
sad
worried
It’s …
awful
beautiful
boring
great
interesting
OK
strange
farewells
f arewe lls – SI C HUAN E S E

Keep in touch!
well-wishing
Bon voyage!
Congratulations!
Good luck! zòo lèe hào yòon
Happy birthday!
Happy New Year!
195
eating out
Where would you go
for (a) …?
banquet bàn sée
celebration
cheap meal
dyén dé
local specialities
yum cha
Can you recommend
a …?
bar
cafe
dish
noodle house
restaurant
snack shop
(wonton) stall
street vendor
teahouse
table for (five)
bill
– e at ing ou t
drink list
local speciality
menu
(non)smoking table
196
I’ll have that.
chilli
garlic dà swèn
MSG
nuts
oil yó
I’d like … , please.

one slice ée kwài
a piece ée fèn
a sandwich
that one là ée gàu
two
e ating o ut – S IC HUANE S E
This dish is …
(too) spicy (tài) là
superb
That was delicious!
I’m full. chi bào ló
breakfast
lunch
dinner
drink (alcoholic) jyò
… water
boiled
cold
sparkling mineral
still mineral
197
(cup of) coffee …
(cup of) tea …
with (milk)
without (sugar)
black tea hóng chà
chrysanthemum tea
green tea
jasmine tea
oolong tea
(orange) juice
lychee juice
soft drink chee swày
sour plum drink

– e at ing ou t
Cheers!
a … of beer
glass
large bottle
small bottle shyào pín
198
a shot of (whisky)
a bottle/glass of
… wine
red hóng
white
street eats
braised Dongpo pork hock
with brown sauce
corn on the cob
dumpling (boiled)
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – S IC H UAN ES E

pork lungs in chilli sauce
pork pie (small)
tofu with minced meat in a
spicy sauce
twice-cooked pork
wonton soup


len bu len zu gau bóo fang
I’m allergic to … wàu dyè

dairy produce lài zèe pìn
eggs
meat
nuts
seafood
199
Help!
Go away!
Fire! chee hàu lò
Watch out!
Where’s the
nearest …?
dentist
doctor
hospital
pharmacist yào dyèn

I’m lost.
200
english–sichuanese dictionary
n a v sg pl inf
pol
A bottle
boy
brakes (car)
accident (mishap) breakfast
accommodation
adaptor
address n
bus
business A
buy v
after
air conditioning
airplane
airport
C
alcohol jyò camera
all cancel
allergy car
ambulance cash n
and cash (a cheque) v
ankle cell phone
ATM cheap
check (bill)
B check-in n
chest (body)
children
baby
cigarette
back (of body)
city
backpack
clean a
bad
e nglish–sic huan ese
closed
bag
cold (weather) a
baggage
bank collect call
bar
bathroom come
computer
battery
condom
beautiful
bed contact lenses
cook v
beer
before cost n
behind credit card
bicycle currency exchange
big customs (immigration)
bill
blanket
blood group D
boat dangerous
201
day
delay v
dentist
G
gift
depart girl
dinner glasses
direct a go
dirty good
disabled guide n
discount v
E doctor
double bed H
double room half n
drink n hand
drive v happy
driving licence he
heart
E heavy
help
here
ear high
east highway
eat hike v
elevator hospital
email hot
embassy hotel
evening
exit n
expensive I
eye I
F ill
important
injury (harm)
far injury (wound)
fast insurance
father
DIC TION ARY
internet
interpreter
J
n jewellery
food job
foot
free (of charge)
friend K
fruit key
full kilogram
202
kitchen nose
knife now
number
L O
laundry (place)
lawyer old (people)
lesbian open a
less
letter (mail)
outside
L
light n
like v
lock n
P
passport
long pay v
lost (items) pharmacy
love v phonecard
luggage photo
lunch police
M postcard
pregnant
mail n price n
man
map
market
matches
Q
quiet a
meat
medicine
message
milk
R
minute rain n
mobile phone razor
money receipt n
month refund n
e nglish–sic huan ese
morning registered (mail)
mother rent v
motorcycle repair v
mouth kò reserve v
restaurant
return (go back)
name return ticket
near right (direction)
neck n road
new room n
newspaper
night
no (not at all)
S
no (wrong) safe a
nonsmoking seat n
north send
203
shampoo
she
sheet (bed) towel
shirt train n
shoes translate
T shower n
single room
skin n
trousers
twin-bed room
skirt n
sleep v
U
slow underwear
small urgent
soap
some
soon
V
south vacancy
stamp vegetarian a
station (train)
stomach
stop v
W
walk v
stop (bus) n wallet
street wash (something) v
student watch n
sun water n
sunscreen we
swim v weekend
west
T wheelchair
when
tampon where
telephone n who
temperature (weather) why
that wife
they window
(be) thirsty
DIC TION ARY
with
this without
throat woman
ticket write
time
tired
tissues Y
today yes (right)
toilet yesterday
tomorrow you sg inf
tonight you sg pol
tooth you pl
204
Xi’an
TONES 206
ABOUT XI’AN 207
PRONUNCIATION 208
TIME & DATES 210
ACCOMMODATION 212
SIGHTSEEING 214
SHOPPING 215
MEETING PEOPLE 215
FAREWELLS 219
EATING OUT 220
ENGLISH–XI’AN DICTIONARY 225
tones
Xi’an is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering of pitch on
certain syllables). In this chapter Xi’an is represented with four tones, as well as a fifth
one, the neutral tone. Apart from the unmarked neutral tone, we have used symbols
above the vowels to indicate each tone, as shown in the table below for the vowel
‘a’. Bear in mind that the tones are relative to the natural vocal range of the speaker,
eg the high tone is pronounced at the top of one’s vocal range. Note also that some
tones slide up or down in pitch.

á à
– t on es
206
XI’AN
invented Chinese characters. During the Zhou dynasty (1100–221 BC) the city’s dia-
lect, a form of Old Chinese noted for its melodiousness and singsong intonation, was
promoted as the standard language across the realm. During the same era, the stony-
remained a bastion of the Mandarin language. These days, Xi’an dialect (

-
ken across the central plains and the reaches of the Yellow River. It doesn’t share its
ancient predecessor’s reputation for melodiousness, but is characterised by its clever
use of adjectives related to body parts and the 12 animals of the zodiac.
xi’an


 
ab o ut – XI’AN
 


 
 
 
   
  
207
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants

a father b bed
ai aisle ch cheat
ao Mao d dog
ay say f fun
e bet g go
ee see h hat
er her j jump
new with rounded
ew k kid
lips
ewe ew followed by e l lot
i hit m man
o cold n not
oo tool ng ring
or more p pet
dn
tio
u cut r run
g hea
s sun
p r on uncia
In this chapter, the Xi’an pronunciation is sh shot

given in brown after each phrase.
t top
RE GION –– runnin
The nasal sound ng (found in English at

the end or in the middle of words, eg ts cats
‘ringing’), can represent an entire word w win
in Xi’an.
y yes
z lads
and should be pronounced closely
together.
dyen·er
208
essentials
Yes./No.
Please … chìng …
Hello. nì hào
Goodbye.
Thank you.
Sorry.
I (don’t) speak Xi’an.
lang uage dif f icult ie s – XI’AN

Do you understand? nì míng bay boo
I (don’t) understand. ng (boo) míng bay
Could you please …? chìng nì …
repeat that
speak more slowly
numbers
0 líng 20
1 yee 30 sun shí
2 40
3 sun 50 wòo shí
4 60 lyo shí
5 wòo 70 chee shí
6 lyo 80 ba shí
7 chee 90 jyò shí
8 ba 100 yée bay
9 jyò 1000 yée chyen
10 shí 1,000,000
209
time & dates
What time is it?
Quarter past (10).
Half past (10).
Quarter to (11).
minutes past (10).)
At what time
(does it start)?
(It starts) At 10.
yesterday zó tyen
today jin tyen
now
tonight
tomorrow míng tyen
– t ime & da te s
this … jày ger …

morning zào shung
(after breakfast)
morning
(before lunch)
afternoon
sunrise rí choo
sunset rí lwor
spring choon tyen
summer
autumn
winter dòong tyen
210
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
January yee ywe
February
March sun ywe
April
May wòo ywe
June lyo ywe
July chee ywe
August ba ywe
September jyò ywe
October shí ywe
November shí yee ywe
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – XI ’AN

December

Is this the …
boat shwún
bus cher
train hwòr cher
bank yín húng
place to change
foreign money
post office yó jóo
Is this the road to (the Bell Tower)?
211

How far is it?
How do I get there? zà zò
Turn left/right.
It’s …
behind …
in front of … … chyén byen
near …
on the corner gwài jewe
opposite …
there wóo da
accommodation
Where’s a hotel?
212
Do you have a … room? yò mer yò … jyen
double (suite)
single dun rérn
twin shwung rérn
mày tyen dwor chyen
mày rérn dwor chyen

nérng gày bà fúng jyen yewe si boo
ng nérng dwor ná ee tyáo
boo
b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – XI’AN

(kòng tyáo) yò wérn tée
please? ng dee …
deposit ya jin
passport

Where’s a/an …?
ATM
public phone
I’d like to …
get internet access
use a printer
use a scanner sào myáo
213
The number is …
sightseeing
What’s that?
Can I take a photo?

ng nérng pay boo
– s ightse e ing
sightseeing
Army of Terracotta Warriors
Big Goose Pagoda
Famen Temple
Hukou Waterfall
Qian Tomb chyén líng
Tang Paradise Theme Park
214
shopping
Where’s a …?
camera shop
market
souvenir shop

Can I look at it?
How much is it? dwor chyén

gày nì (woo kwài) chyen
less shào
enough
more dwor
bigger
sho p p ing – X I’AN
smaller
meeting people
Hello. nì hào
Good morning. zào shung hào
Good afternoon.
Good evening.
Goodbye.
Good night.
215
Mr shyen serng
Mrs
Ms/Miss shyao jye
How are you?
Fine. And you?
What’s your name?
My name is …
This is my …
brother shyoong dee
child
daughter
father
friend pérng yo
husband
mother má
partner (intimate)
sister
son ér zi
wife shee fer
making conversation
Do you live here?
I love it here.
Have you eaten? chee lye mer
Are you here on holiday?
I’m here … ng lái jer·er …
for a holiday
on business chóo tsai
to study lyó shéwe
216
Do you speak (Xi’an)?
What do you call this in (Xi’an)?
za shwor
I’d like to learn some (Xi’an).
m ak ing co nver sat ion – XI’ AN

local talk
Great!
Hey!
It’s OK. hái shíng
Just a minute.
Just joking.
Maybe.
No problem.
No way!
Sure, whatever. nérng chérng
That’s enough!
217
Where are you from? nì tsóong á da lai
I’m from … ng tsóng … lai
Australia
Canada
England yìng gway
New Zealand shin shee lún
the USA mày gway
I’m a/an …
businessperson
office worker báy lìng
tradesperson gong jyung
How old …?
are you nì
is your daughter
is your son

Too old!
I’m younger than I look. ng hái sway
Are you married? nì jyé hoon lye mer
Do you have a family? nì chérng jya lye mer
I’m … ng …
married jyé hoon lye
single dún shern
Do you like …?
art
film
music tíng ger
reading
sport
218
feelings & opinions
I’m (not) … ng (boo) …
Are you …? nì … boo
cold
hot rer
hungry ng
thirsty ker
tired
Do you feel …?
happy
sad
worried jao jée
It’s … tà …
awful
beautiful
fee lings & o p inio ns – XI’AN

boring
great
interesting
OK hái shíng
strange
farewells
Keep in touch!
219
well-wishing
Bon voyage!
Congratulations!
Good luck!
Happy birthday!
Happy New Year!
eating out
Where would you go
for (a) …?
banquet
celebration
cheap meal
local specialities
yum cha
Can you recommend
a …? … boo
bar jyò ba
cafe ká fáy woo
dish pún·er
noodle house
restaurant
snack shop
– e at ing ou t
(wonton) stall (hóon toon) tun·er

street vendor
teahouse
table for (five) yée jung (wòo ger
rérn dee) jwor zi
bill
drink list jyò shwày dun
local speciality
menu
(non)smoking (boo) shée yun dee
table jwor zi
220
hái yíng ye boo
I’ll have that.

lái yee ger

chilli là zi
garlic
MSG
nuts gwòr rér
oil yó
e ating o ut – XI’AN
I’d like …, please. chìng gày ng …

one slice
a piece
a sandwich
that one wày ge
two
This dish is …
(too) spicy
superb
That was delicious!
I’m full.
221
breakfast
lunch
dinner
drink (alcoholic) jyò
… water … fày
boiled
cold
sparkling mineral
still mineral
(cup of) coffee … (yée bay) ká fay …
(cup of) tea … (yée bay) tsá …
with (milk)
without (sugar) bóo jya (túng)
black tea hóng tsá
chrysanthemum tea jéw hwa tsá
green tea lew tsá
jasmine tea hwa tsá
oolong tea woo lúng tsá
(orange) juice (chérng) ji
lychee juice
soft drink
sour plum drink
– e at ing ou t

ng chìng kay
Cheers!
gun
222
a … of beer yee … pée jyò
glass bay
large bottle
small bottle shyào píng
a shot of (whisky)
a bottle/glass
of … wine … póo tao jyò
red hóng
white báy
street eats
deep-fried persimmon pastry
dumpling stuffed
with hot gravy
chée sun gwor kway
rice and jujube cake
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – XI’ AN

roasted mutton cubes on spit
Shaanxi sandwich
shredded pancake with beef
steamed cold noodles lyúng pée

dairy produce
eggs
meat
nuts gwòr rérn·er
seafood hài shyen
223
Help!
Go away! zò kai
Fire! chwór hwòr lye
Watch out! tsáo shin
Where’s the
nearest …?
dentist yá yee
doctor
hospital
pharmacist
ha boo
I’m lost.
224
english–xi’an dictionary
In this dictionary, words are marked as n (noun), a (adjective), v (verb), sg (singular), pl (plural), inf (informal) and
pol (polite) where necessary.
A
accident (mishap)
boy
brakes (car)
breakfast
sá cher
accommodation
bus cher A
adaptor business
address n buy v mài
after
air conditioning
airplane fáy jee
kòng tyáo
C
camera
airport
cancel
alcohol jyò
car
all swòr yò dee cash n
allergy cash (a cheque) v
ambulance cell phone shò jee
and hér centre n
ankle hwái change (money) v líng chyén
antibiotics cheap pyén yee dee
arm check (bill)
ATM check-in n
chest (body)
B
baby
children
cigarette
ér tóng
city
back (of body)
clean a
backpack
closed
bad
cold a
bag bao
collect call
baggage shíng lee
bank yín húng
come lái
bar jyò ba
computer
bathroom zao tung condom
battery contact lenses
e nglish–x i’an
beautiful cook v
bed chwúng cost n
beer pée jyò credit card
before currency exchange
behind
bicycle customs (immigration)
big
bill
blanket
blood group
D
dangerous
boat shwún date (time) er zi
book (make a reservation) v day tyen
bottle píng delay v yún tsí
225
dentist glass (drinking)
depart chóo fa glasses
diaper go
dinner good hào dee
direct a guide n dào yó
dirty zung dee
disabled
discount v
doctor
dà jér H
half n
double bed hand shò
E double room
drink n
drive v kái cher
happy
he tà
head n tó
driving licence
drug (illicit) heart shing
heavy
E
ear
help
here
high
jí da
east dong highway

eat chi hike v
economy class holiday jyà chee
elevator hospital
email hot
embassy hotel
evening
exit n
expensive
eye I
I ng
F
far
ill
important
fast injury (harm)
insurance
internet
interpreter
DIC TION ARY
n yéw
food
foot jewe
J
jewellery shò shi
free (of charge) job
friend pérng yo
fruit shway gwòr
full
K
G
gift
key
kilogram
kitchen chóo fúng
girl knife shyào dao
226
L
laundry (place)
O
old (people) lào
lawyer old (things)
left (direction) zwòr one-way ticket
leg (body) twày open a
lesbian outside
less shào
letter (mail)
light n gwung P
like v
lock n
long
swòr
chúng dee
passport
pay v L
pharmacy
lost (items) yée shi dee phonecard
love v photo
luggage police
lunch postcard
yó jóo
M
mail n
pregnant
price n
man nún rérn
map
market
Q
quiet a
matches hwòr tsái
meat
medicine yewe
message R
rain n
milk nyó nài
minute razor
mobile phone shò jee receipt n
money chyén refund n
month yewe registered (mail)
morning zào shung rent v chóo zoo
mother ma repair v
motorcycle mwór twór cher reserve v
mouth kò restaurant
return (give back) hwún
N
name míng zi
return (go back)
return ticket
right (direction)
hwáy lai
road
e nglish–x i’an
near
neck n bór zi room n fúng jyen
new
newspaper
night
no (not at all)
S
safe a
no (not this) sanitary napkin
noisy seat n
nonsmoking send
north bay sex (intercourse)
nose bée zi sex (gender)
now shampoo
number share (a dorm)
227
she tà
sheet (bed) chwúng dun tour n
shirt tsern sun
shoes hái towel máo jin
shop n train n hwòr cher
short translate
shower n travel agency
single room travellers cheque
skin n pée foo trousers
twin-bed room
skirt n chóon zi
T sleep v
slow U
T small
soap underwear
urgent
some
soon
south nún
souvenir
V
stamp vacancy
stand-by ticket vegetable n
station (train) vegetarian a
stomach visa
stop v
stop (bus) n
street jye W
student shéwe serng walk v
sun wallet chyén bao
sunscreen wash (something)
swim v yó yòng watch n
water n fày
we ng mern
T weekend
west shee
jó mor
tampon wheelchair
telephone n when …
temperature (weather) where
that wày ger who sáy
they ta mern why
(be) thirsty wife lào pwor
this jày ger window
throat hó long with hér
DIC TION ARY
ticket without
time sí jyen woman
tired write
tissues
today
toilet Y
tomorrow míng tyen yes
tonight yesterday zó tyen
tooth nyá you sg inf
toothbrush nyá shwa you sg pol ní
toothpaste you pl ni mern
228
Yunnan Hua
TONES 230
ABOUT YUNNAN HUA 231
PRONUNCIATION 232
TIME & DATES 234
ACCOMMODATION 236
SIGHTSEEING 238
SHOPPING 239
MEETING PEOPLE 240
FAREWELLS 244
EATING OUT 245
ENGLISH–YUNNAN HUA DICTIONARY 249
tones
Yunnan Hua is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering
of pitch on certain syllables). In this chapter Yunnan Hua is represented with four
tones, as well as a fifth one, the neutral tone. Apart from the unmarked neutral tone,
we have used symbols above the vowels to indicate each tone, as shown in the table

á à
– t on es
230
YUNNAN HUA
about Yunnan Hua

Yúnnán may well be China’s most diverse province. In the far southwest of the
country it borders Vietnam, Laos, Burma and Tibet; it’s noted for the variety of its
topography and myriad plant species, and is the most ethnically diverse province in
China, boasting communities of 25 of China’s 56 recognised nationalities. These var-
ious communities speak a range of tongues from Tibeto-Burmese, Tai and Hmong-
Mien language families. Despite this linguistic diversity, Yunnan Hua (yìn nùn hwà
) is broadly lumped together with other southwestern dialects of Mandarin
because of its similarity to Standard Mandarin. Yunnan Hua evolved this way due
to the influx of Mandarin speakers from northern China in recent centuries. To the
trained ear the only different elements of Yunnan Hua are a strong accent and some
minor differences in pronunciation and grammatical structure. The idiom of the ‘City
dialect of Yunnan Hua, featuring some idiosyncratic pronunciations.
yunnan hua
ab o ut – YUN N AN H UA





231
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants

a father b bed
ai aisle ch cheat
air lair with strong ‘r’ d dog
ao Mao f fun
ay say g go
e taken h hat
ea yeah j jump
ee see k kid
er her l lot
as in new, with
ew m man
rounded lips
i hit n no
o low ng ring
oo tool p pet
or more r run
u cut s sun
sh shot
t top
In this chapter, the Yunnan Hua ts cats
pronunciation is given in brown after
each phrase. w win
y yes
z lads
232
essentials
Yes.
No. bóo hòr
Please … chìng …
Hello.
Goodbye. zài jyèn gèr
Thank you.
Excuse me. mà fún yì hà
Sorry.
lang uage dif f icult ie s – YUN N AN HUA

Do you understand?
I (don’t) speak Yunnan Hua.

repeat that
speak more slowly
numbers
0 lìng 20
1 yì 30
2 40 sì shì
3 50 wóo shì
4 sì 60 lòo shì
5 wóo 70 chì shì
6 lòo 80 bà shì
7 chì 90
8 bà 100
9 1000
10 shì 1,000,000
233
time & dates
What time is it?
Quarter past (10).
Half past (10).
Quarter to (11).
minutes past (10).)
At what time
(does it start)?
(It starts) At 10.
yesterday
today
now jyè hà
tonight
tomorrow
– t ime & da te s
sunrise
sunset
this … jyè gè …
morning záo shùng
(after breakfast)
morning shúng wóo
(before lunch)
afternoon shyàr wóo
spring
summer
autumn
winter
234
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
tr ansp o r t d ire ct ion s – YU N NAN H UA

August
September
October
November
December

Is this the … to
boat chùn
bus
train
bank yìn hùng
place to change
foreign money
post office yèw jèe
Is this the road to (the Green Lake)?
235

How far is it?
How do I get there?
Turn left/right.
It’s … zài …
behind …
in front of …
near …
on the corner … gwài jòr
opposite …
there này dèa
accommodation
Where’s a hotel?
236
Do you have a …
room?
double tào
single
twin
b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – YUN N AN HUA

please?
deposit
passport hòo jyào

Where’s a/an …? … zài ná dèa

ATM
public phone
I’d like to …
get internet access
use a printer
use a scanner
237
The number is …
sightseeing
What’s that?
này gè shì ná yùng
Can I take a photo?
– s ightse e ing
sightseeing
hóo
Green Lake tswày hóo
Shangri-la
Dragon Snow Mountain)
238
shopping
Where’s a …?
camera shop
market
souvenir shop
supermarket

Can I look at it?
How much is it?
sho p p ing – Y UN N AN H UA
less shào
enough zòo gò
more
bigger gyèn dà
smaller
239
meeting people
Hello.
Good morning.
Good afternoon.
Good evening.
Goodbye. zài jyèn gè
Good night.
Mr
Mrs
Ms/Miss
How are you?

Fine. And you?
What’s your name?

My name is …
I’m pleased to meet you. shìng hwày
This is my …
brother
child
daughter
father
friend
husband nùn ryèn
mother
partner (intimate) dwày shyung
sister
son
wife shèe fòo
240
making conversation
Do you live here?
I love it here.
Have you eaten?
I’m here …
for a holiday wùn
on business
to study lyèw shòr
m ak ing co nver sat ion – YU NN AN H UA

Do you speak (Yunnan Hua)?
What do you call this in (Yunnan Hua)?
I’d like to learn some (Yunnan Hua).
241
local talk
Great! bún jyà
Hey! mà fùn
It’s OK.
Just a minute.
Just joking.
Maybe.
No problem. mó dè sì
No way! bòo kór nyèn
Sure, whatever.
That’s enough!
Where are you from?

I’m from … wór tsòng … lài
Australia ào dà lì yà
Canada
England
New Zealand
the USA máy gòr
I’m a/an …
businessperson
office worker
tradesperson
How old …?
are you
is your daughter
is your son
242
I’m … years old. wór … swày
Too old!
Are you married?
Do you have a family?
I’m … wór …
married
single
Do you like …?
art
film
fee lings & o p inio ns – YUN N AN HUA

music
reading
sport
feelings & opinions

I’m (not) … wór (bòo) …
Are you …?
cold
hot
hungry
thirsty
tired
I (don’t) feel … wór (bòo) jòr dè …
Do you feel …?
happy
sad
worried jyòr jì
What do you
think of it?
243
It’s …
awful
beautiful
boring tài wóo lyáo là
great bún jyà
interesting
OK
strange
farewells
Keep in touch!
chùng lyèn shì
– f a re wells
well-wishing
Bon voyage!
Congratulations!
Good luck!
Happy birthday!
Happy New Year!
244
eating out
Where would you go
for (a) …?
banquet
celebration
cheap meal
local specialities
yum cha
Can you recommend
a …? yì gè …
bar
cafe
dish
noodle house myèn gùn
restaurant
snack shop shyáo chì dyèn
(wonton) stall
street vendor
e ating o ut – YUN N AN HUA

teahouse chà shì
I’d like (a/the) … wór yào …
table for (five)
bill
drink list
local speciality
menu
(non)smoking
table
245
What’s in that dish? jyè dào tsài shì yòng nùn
What’s that called? này gè hùn ná yùng

I’ll have that. jyèng dèa lài mà
I’d like it without … bòo yào fùng …
chilli
garlic dà swùn
MSG
nuts
oil yèw
one slice
a piece
a sandwich
that one
two lyùng gè
This dish is …
(too) spicy
superb
That was delicious!
I’m full.
breakfast zào dyèn
lunch
– e at ing ou t
dinner wún fùn

drink (alcoholic) jèw
… water … shwày
boiled jyùng
cold
sparkling mineral kùng chwùn chì
still mineral kùng chwùn
(cup of) coffee …
(cup of) tea …
with (milk)
without (sugar)
246
black tea hòng chà
chrysanthemum tea
green tea lòo chà
jasmine tea
oolong tea
(orange) juice
lychee juice
soft drink chèe shwày
sour plum drink
Cheers!
a … of beer yì … pèe jèw
glass
large bottle dà pìng
small bottle shyáo pìng
a shot of (whisky)
e ating o ut – YUN N AN HUA

a bottle/glass of
… wine
red hòng
white bèr
street eats
cold clear bean-flour noodles lyùng fèn
corn on the cob
dumpling (boiled)
dumpling (fried)
dumpling (steamed)
pork pie (small) shyèn bìng
rice cake
rice noodles
wonton soup hwèn dyèn
247
I’m allergic to … wóo … gòr mìn

dairy produce nái jyì pìn
eggs
meat rò
nuts gór ryèn
seafood

Help! jèw mìng

Go away!
Fire!
Watch out!
Where’s the nearest …?
dentist
doctor
hospital
pharmacist yòr fùng

pài chòo sór zài ná dèa
tsè sór zài ná dèa
I’m lost.
248
english–yunnan hua dictionary
n a v sg pl inf
pol
A bottle
boy
brakes (car)
accident (mishap)
accommodation
breakfast
adaptor
address n
bus
business
buy v
A
after
air conditioning
airplane
airport
C
alcohol jéw camera
all cancel
allergy car
ambulance cash n
and cash (a cheque) v
ankle cell phone
ATM cheap
check (bill)
check-in n
B chest (body)
children
baby cigarette
back (of body) city
backpack clean a
bad
e nglish–yunna n hua
closed
bag cold a
baggage collect call
bank
bar come
bathroom computer
battery condom
beautiful contact lenses
bed cook v
beer cost n
before credit card
behind currency exchange
big
bill
blanket D
blood group dangerous
boat date (time)
book (make a reservation) v day
249
delay v
dentist
depart
G
gift
diaper girl
dinner glass (drinking)
direct a glasses
dirty go
disabled good
discount v guide n
doctor
E double bed
double room H
drink n half n
drive v hand
driving licence happy
drug (illicit) he
head n
heart
E heavy
help
ear here
east high
eat highway
economy class hike v
electricity holiday
elevator homosexual
email hospital
embassy hot
emergency hotel
(be) hungry
English (language)
husband
evening
exit n
expensive
eye
I
I
F ill
important
far injury (harm)
fast injury (wound)
father insurance
DIC TION ARY
internet
interpreter
n
J
jewellery
food job
foot
free (of charge)
friend K
fruit key
full kilogram
250
kitchen nose
knife now
number
L O
laundry (place)
lawyer old (people)
lesbian open a
less
letter (mail)
light n
outside
P L
like v
lock n passport
long pay v
lost pharmacy
love v phonecard
luggage photo
lunch police
postcard
M pregnant
mail n price n
man
map
market
Q
matches quiet a
meat
medicine
message R
milk rain n
minute razor
mobile phone receipt n
money refund n e nglish–yunna n hua
month registered (mail)
morning rent v
mother repair v
motorcycle reserve v
mouth restaurant
return (give back)
N return (go back)
return ticket
name right (direction)
near road
neck n room n
new
newspaper
night S
no (not at all) safe a
no (not this) sanitary napkin
noisy seat n
nonsmoking send
north sex (intercourse)
251
shampoo
she
sheet (bed) towel
shirt train n
shoes translate
shower n trousers
T single room
skin n
twin-bed room
skirt n
sleep v U
slow underwear
small urgent
soap
some
soon V
south vacancy
stamp vegetarian
station (train)
stomach
stop v
stop (bus) n
W
walk v
street wallet
student wash (something)
sun watch n
sunscreen water n
swim v we
weekend
T west
wheelchair
tampon when
telephone n where
that why
they wife
(be) thirsty window
DIC TION ARY
this with
throat without
ticket woman
time write
tired
tissues
today
Y
toilet yes
tomorrow yesterday
tonight you sg inf
tooth you sg pol
toothbrush you pl
252
Zhuang
TONES 254
ABOUT ZHUANG 255
PRONUNCIATION 256
TIME & DATES 258
ACCOMMODATION 260
SIGHTSEEING 262
SHOPPING 262
MEETING PEOPLE 263
FAREWELLS 268
EATING OUT 268
ENGLISH–ZHUANG DICTIONARY 273
tones
Zhuang is a tonal language (‘tonal quality’ refers to the raising and lowering of
pitch on certain syllables). Tones in Zhuang fall on vowels. The same combination of
sounds pronounced with different tones can have a very different meaning.
Zhuang has nine tones. In our pronunciation guide they’ve been simplified to six
tones, indicated with accents on the letters, as shown in the tables below for the
vowel ‘a’. We’ve represented the following tones with one symbol: high flat, high
even and high even short (eg ); high rising and high rising long (eg á); mid flat and
mid flat short (eg a). The last value for all three tones applies when the syllable ends
in k, p or t.
while lower tones are made by relaxing the vocal cords to get a lower pitch. Bear in
mind that the tones are relative to the natural vocal range of the speaker, eg the high
tone is pronounced at the top of one’s vocal range. Note also that some tones slide up
or down in pitch.
high high high mid mid
â á à
ZH UAN G – t on es
254
ZHUANG
about Zhuang
Zhuang (vaa·shueng) is a Tai-Kadai language related to Thai and Lao. It’s spoken pri-
group, with a population of around 18 million. Zhuang is tonal and largely mono-
syllabic. For many centuries, Zhuang has been written with a script borrowed from
fangkuaizi, ‘square characters’), but since the 1950s the gov-
ernment has promoted a system of romanisation called Zhuangwen. Zhuangwen can
be seen on road signs, official documents and in newspapers, and educated people
script to write Zhuang. In this chapter, we have provided a more user-friendly trans-
literation system rather than Zhuangwen. There are two main dialects of Zhuang:
northern and southern. The northern dialect represented here is based on that of
-
book and a spirit of goodwill and adventure, you’ll get along surprisingly well.
zhuang
ab o ut – ZH UAN G


255
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants

like English b, but
a run b
unvoiced
like English d, but
aa father d
unvoiced
e bet f fat
like English g, but
ee like e, but longer g
unvoiced
as the ‘oo’ in ‘soon’, with
ew h hat
as in ‘luck’, but with no
i hit k
ii machine l lot
o vote m man
oo like o, but longer mb a strongly voiced b
ZH UAN G – p r on uncia tio n
u put n not
uu like u, but longer nd a strongly voiced d
In this chapter, the Zhuang pronuncia- ring (both at the start

ng
tion is given in blue after each phrase. and at the end of words)
as in ‘nap’, but with no
In Zhuang, vowels can appear in com- p
binations of two (diphthongs) or three
r roach (guttural)
word some consonants can also appear
in combination, eg by, gv, gy, my, ngv, sh ship
ny are as in ‘hat’, but with no
simply pronounced in series. t
Syllables within a word are separated by th thing
a dot, eg: . v vote
256
essentials
Yes./No.
Hello.
Goodbye. (said by person leaving)
Goodbye. (said by person staying)
Please …
Thank you.
Excuse me. (asking for assistance)
Sorry.
Do you understand?
lang uage dif f icult ie s – ZHUANG

I (don’t) speak Mandarin.
Could you please repeat that?
Could you please speak more slowly?
numbers
0 lìng 20 ngei·ship
1 30
2 40
3 50
4 60
5 70
6 80
7 90
8 100
9 1000
10 ship 1,000,000
257
time & dates
What time is it?
Quarter past (10).
Half past (10).
Quarter to (11). (literally: Forty-five minutes past (10).)
(It starts) At 10.

ZH UAN G – t ime & da te s
this …
morning (after breakfast)
morning (before lunch)
afternoon
yesterday ngòn·lèw·en
today ngòn·nêi
now thèi·nêi
tonight ham·nêi
tomorrow ngòn·shook
sunrise
sunset
spring
summer thèi·haa
autumn
winter
258
Monday
Tuesday thing·gìi·ngei
Wednesday thing·gìi·tháam
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday ngòn·thing·gìi
January
February ngei·nyiet
March
April
May
June lok·nyiet
July
August
September
October ship·nyiet
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – ZH UAN G

November
December ship·ngei·nyiet
boat
bus
train
bank
place to change foreign money
post office
What village is this?
259
How far is it?
How do I get there?
Turn towards the left/right.
It’s …
behind …
in front of …
near …
on the corner
opposite …
there gìi·hân
ZH UAN G – a cc o mm o dat ion
accommodation

double (suite) dáau
single
twin
260

(gung·dìu) vaai lo
b ank ing & c o mm unic atio ns – ZH UAN G

please?
deposit shìen·áat
passport

Where’s a/an …?
ATM
public phone
I’d like to …
get internet access
The number is …
261
sightseeing
What’s that?
Can I take a photo?
sightseeing
International Song Festival
museum
Zhuang village
ZH UAN G – s ightse e ing
shopping
Where’s a …?
camera shop
market
souvenir shop
supermarket
262
Can I look at it?
How much is it?

dáai bèeng lo
less dáai nôoi

enough gáu
more
bigger
m ee ting p eo p le – ZH UAN G
smaller
meeting people
Hello. (said to one person) mèwng
Hello. (said to more than one person)
Welcome. hoon·yìng
Goodbye. (said by person leaving) lo
Goodbye. (said by person staying)
Good night.
How are you?
Fine. And you?
What’s your name?
My name is …
263
a manner of speaking
When approaching people to ask assistance, it‘s polite to address them with
one of the following terms, which differ according to the gender and age of the
person you’re speaking to.
female older than your parents
female (adult) younger than your parents
male older than your parents
male (adult) younger than your parents
This is my …
brother (older/younger)
child lewk
daughter daa·lewk
father dâa·boo
friend
husband
ZH UAN G – m ak ing c o nve rs atio n
mother dâa·mee
partner (intimate) dak·yôu/daa·yôu m/f
sister (older/younger)
son dak·lewk
wife yaa
making conversation
Do you live here?
I love it here.
Have you eaten?
264
I’m here …
for a holiday
on business
to study lòu·haak
Do you speak (Zhuang)?
What do you call this in (Zhuang)?
m ak ing co nver sat ion – ZH UAN G

I’d like to learn some (Zhuang).

sg/pl
local talk
Great!
Hey! vei
It’s OK.
Just a minute.
Just joking.
Maybe.
No problem.
No way!
Oh, spare me!
Sure, whatever.
That’s enough! gáu lo, gáu lo
265
Where are you from?
I’m from …
Australia
Canada
England ying·gòo
New Zealand
the USA
I’m a/an …
businessperson
office worker
tradesperson
How old …?
are you mèwng
is your daughter daa·lewk mèwng
ZH UAN G – m ak ing c o nve rs atio n
is your son dak·lewk mèwng

Too old!
dáai lâau lo
Are you married? (asking a man)
Are you married? (asking a woman)

mèwng háa la
I’m …
married (said by a man)
married (said by a woman)
single bôu·dok
Do you have a family of your own?
266
Do you like …?
art
film
music
reading
sport
feelings & opinions

I’m (not) …
Are you …?
cold
fee lings & o p inio ns – ZHUAN G

hot
hungry
thirsty hòo·háew
tired bak
Do you feel …?
happy áang
sad
worried
It’s …
awful yáak râai·shâai
beautiful
boring
great
interesting
OK
strange gìi·gváai/gèi·hei
267
farewells
Keep in touch!
well-wishing
Bon voyage!
Congratulations!
Good luck!
Happy birthday!
Happy (Chinese) New Year!
ZH UAN G – f are wells
eating out
Where would you go for (a) …?
banquet
celebration baan hoi hoo
cheap meal
local specialities
yum cha
268
Can you recommend a …?
bar
cafe
dish
noodle house
restaurant
snack shop
(wonton) stall
street vendor
teahouse
table for (five)
bill
drink list
local speciality
menu
(non)smoking table

e ating o ut – ZHUAN G
I’ll have that.

chilli lewk·maan
garlic
MSG
nuts máak·fâi
oil yòu
269
one slice
a piece
a sandwich
that one
two
This dish is …
(too) spicy (dáai) maan
superb
I love this dish.
That was delicious!
I’m full.
breakfast
lunch rìng
dinner
drink (alcoholic)
… water
ZH UAN G – e at ing out
boiled
cold
sparkling mineral
still mineral
(cup of) coffee …
(cup of) tea …
with (milk)
without (sugar)
black tea
chrysanthemum tea
green tea
jasmine tea
oolong tea
270
(orange) juice
lychee juice
soft drink
a … of beer
glass
large bottle
small bottle
a shot of (whisky)
a bottle of … wine
a glass of … wine
red hòng
white
Cheers!
This is hitting the spot.
I think I’ve had one too many.
e ating o ut – ZHUAN G
street eats
corn on the cob
dumpling (boiled) shèi
dumpling (fried)
dumpling (steamed)
rice noodles
sticky rice in bamboo leaves fâng
wonton soup
271
dairy produce
eggs gyái·gái
meat noo
nuts ngvei·máak
seafood

ZH UAN G – s pe c ial die ts & alle rgie s
Help!
Go away!
Fire!
Watch out!
I’m lost.
Where’s the
nearest …?
dentist
doctor
hospital
pharmacist
272
english–zhuang dictionary
n a v sg pl
A boy
brakes (car)
breakfast
accident (mishap)
accommodation
óok·thai broken (out of order)
bus A
adaptor business
address n buy v
after
air conditioning
airplane fei·gii
C
airport camera
alcohol cancel
all car
allergy cash n
ambulance cash (a cheque) v
and cell phone
ankle centre n
antibiotics change (money) v
arm cheap
ATM check (bill)
check-in n
B chest (body)
children
cigarette
baby
back (of body) city
backpack clean a
bad closed
bag dai cold (food/water) a
baggage cold (weather) a
bank collect call
bar come
e nglish–z huang
bathroom computer
battery condom
beautiful contact lenses
bed cook v
beer cost n
before (time) credit card
behind currency exchange
big
bill
blanket D
blood group dangerous
boat date (time)
book (make a reservation) v day
bottle delay v
273
dentist
depart
diaper
G
gift
dinner girl
direct a shik·thoo glass (drinking)
dirty glasses
disabled féi go
discount v good
doctor guide n
E double bed
double room
drink n
H
drive v half n
hand
drivers licence
happy
drug (illicit) he
head n
E heart
heavy
ear help v
east here
eat high
economy class highway
electricity hike v
elevator holiday
email homosexual
embassy hospital
emergency hot (temperature/weather)
English (language) hotel
(be) hungry
evening husband
exit n
expensive
eye I
I
F ill
far important
fast váai injury (harm)
insurance
DIC TION ARY
internet
interpreter
food
n J
jewellery
foot job
free (of charge)
friend
fruit máak K
full (container) key
full (stomach) kilogram
274
kitchen nose
knife shâa now
number
L O
laundry (place)
lawyer old (people)
left (direction) old (things) gée
lesbian open a
less
letter (mail)
outside
L
light n
like v P
lock n passport
long pay v
lost pharmacy
love v phonecard
luggage photo
lunch police
postcard
M pregnant
mail n price n
man
map dei·dòo
market Q
matches quiet a
meat
medicine
message R
milk rain n
minute razor faak·dái
mobile phone receipt n
money refund n
month registered mail
morning rent v
mother dâa·mee repair v shooi
e nglish–z huang
motorcycle moo·dòo·shee reserve v

mouth restaurant
return (give back) hòoi
N return (go back)
return ticket
name right (direction)
near road
neck n hòo room n
new móo
newspaper
night S
no safe a
nonsmoking seat n
north send
275
shampoo
she
sheet (bed) towel
shirt train n
shoes hàai translate
short dám travellers cheque
T shower n
single room
skin n
trousers váa
twin-bed room
skirt n
sleep v
U
slow underwear
small urgent
soap
some
soon
V
south vacancy
stamp vegetarian a
station (train)
stomach
stop v
W
stop (bus) n walk v
street wallet
wash (something) thak
student
watch n
sun
water n
sunscreen we (including ‘you’)
swim v we (not including ‘you’)
weekend
T west
wheelchair
tampon when
telephone n where
that why vii·màa
they wife
(be) thirsty
DIC TION ARY
window
this with
throat hòo without
ticket woman
time write
tired
tissues
today Y
toilet yes
tomorrow yesterday
tonight you sg
tooth you pl
276
Mongolian
ALPHABET 278
ABOUT MONGOLIAN 279
PRONUNCIATION 280
TIME & DATES 282
ACCOMMODATION 285
SIGHTSEEING 286
SHOPPING 288
MEETING PEOPLE 289
FAREWELLS 295
EATING OUT 296
IN THE GRASSLANDS 301
ENGLISH–MONGOLIAN DICTIONARY 305
alphabet
Initial Medial Final Romanisation Initial Medial Final Romanisation
t t
a a
Fe F Fi Fo Foi N
a, aa y
Y R W
I *
y
e
u r
r
E
I O
i, ee w, v, e
w
i
o,
X
Extended letters (for Chinese and other

foreign words) are listed below.
oi n
, oo
O a et $ # (
X e
n f
f
ng f k
2 b p
Q L~ {
Q l~ {
b, v, w lh
b p H k G k L M S Z D C
p ts
h, kh z
ee
} F~ ~
} ~
h, kh h
k
g zh
)
(
g
t & ^ _ + oa
g zh
k
– a lph ab et
xxI
l chö
l
m Mongolian is written vertically, ie from top

m
to bottom (and read from left to right), in

s, sh a cursive alphabetic script consisting of 23
s z
basic letters with the addition of several

extra characters used mainly to write words
sh borrowed from other languages.
oe
t, d
d
Not all sounds listed in this table are found

in the phrases within this chapter. See the
ch
c
pronunciation guide, p280.
j Where two options are given in the table,

J
you might see either symbol used.
278
MONGOLIAN
Mo2go& kEla
about Mongolian
Mongolian (mong·gol hul Mo2go& kEla ) is a Mongolic language, thought to be
related to Turkish, Japanese and Korean. It’s written using a cursive script in vertical
lines read from left to right (also see p282) – one of few languages to be written
this way. According to legend, the script was instituted by order of Genghis Khan in
1204. Today, there are estimated to be around 10 million Mongols worldwide, the
majority living in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. The standard
language for Mongols in China is based on the Chahar dialect (used in this chapter),
an official language alongside Mandarin Chinese. Mongolian restaurants and stores
can be found throughout Inner Mongolia, and if the Mongolian writing on the signs
is larger than the Chinese, you can be sure those inside speak Mongolian. Of course,
a trip to Inner Mongolia should include a visit to its famous grasslands. Travel-
lers here will often be met by locals and presented with a ceremonial scarf, called a
khadag (had·dug Hede(), along with verbal blessings. Foreigners speaking Mongo-
lian cause great delight – even more so if you say tan· rool tog·tukh bol·too
, meaning ‘May your blessings come to pass!’
mongolian

ab o ut – MON GOL IAN




 

  
279
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants

a fat b bit
aa father ch chin
ai aisle d dog
ao Mao f fun
ay day g go
e bet h hot
there j jump
ee see k kid
as the ‘ch’ in
i pig kh
Scottish ‘loch’
o hot l lip
ô alone m map
– pr o nunc iatio n
‘e’ pronounced
ö n no
with rounded lips
oi oil ng sing
öö slightly longer ö p pet
run (very strong
oo tool r
and trilled)
u cut s sip
good sh shoe
In this chapter, the Mongolian pronunci- t top
ation is given in green after each phrase.
The ‘r’ in Mongolian is a hard, trilled ts cats
sound. Note that s should always be v very
pronounced as in ‘sip’ regardless of the
sounds around it. w win
Syllables are separated by a dot and the y you
stressed syllable is marked by italics.
For example: Ferbea ar·bun z lads
280
essentials
Yes./No. DeiimO / FoiheI teem/oo·gway
Yes, that’s right. Dekt tu·gu
Yes, that would be OK. Blo%T bol·
Hello. se;a bE;%T oO ?
Goodbye. bEyerdeI ba·yur·
Thank you. beyerle&T ba·yur·laa
Excuse me./Sorry. FegocilegereI ôch·
Da Fe2h7I kela Mede%T oO ? ta ang·gul hul mu·tun nô
lang uage dif f icult ie s – MON G OLI AN

Do you understand?
Da Fo;legejO oO ? ta oil·goj jô
bU Fo;legeeesea ( FoihEI ) bee oil·og·sun·(gway)
Could you please repeat that?
kElejO Blo%T oO ? aad daa
Dehigeoa Niht Fode)T hilj bol·un nô
Could you please speak more slowly?
Fegeji^ Si( kElejO Blo%T oO ? aa·jim shig hilj bol·un nô
numbers
0 Det tig 20 HorI hur
1 Niht nig 30 GocI
2 Hoye* hoi·yur 40 DoicI
3 Gorbt roo 50 DebU teb
4 Doirbt roo 60 Jira jir
5 De@X tav 70 Dela dal
6 Jirgo)T gaa 80 Neya nai
7 Dolo)T dol·lô 90 Yera yir
8 Neima 100 JegO jô
9 YisO yis 1000 Mi2)T myang
10 Ferbt a·ra·oo 1,000,000 Jegoa Doima
281
time & dates
What time is it?
kEdoI Ce( BljO be;eeO BI ? hut
( Ferbea ) Ce( BljO be;%T (ar
Quarter past (10).
DeBa MinoiDA (ar·bun) chag ar·ban
( Ferbea ) Ce( Ferbea ta·vun min·nut
Half past (10).
( Ferbea ) Ce( Hege_ (ar·bun) chag ha·gas
Forty-five minutes past (10).
DeBa MinoiDA Doicia (ar·bun) chag ·chin
( Ferbea ) Ce( ta·vun min·nut
kedoa Ce( DO ( FhilevX BI ) ? hut·tee chagt (ukh
(It starts) At 10.
Ferbea Ce( ( Fca Fkile%T ) ar·bun chag·aas (ukh·lun·
Ferbea Neimea ) oo·noo·dur (ar·bun sar·in
– t ime & da te s
Foinodo* ( Ferbea Se*T iia

the day before Forjido* jee·dur
yesterday
yesterday FoicohEdo* oo·chig·dur
today Foinodo* oo·noo·dur
tomorrow MergesI mar·gaash
the day after NoivxhEdo* oo·dur
tomorrow
just a twist to the right

Mongolian script is written vertically and read from left to right. So if you want
to have a go at reading the script in this chapter, or when asking a local to read it
for you, simply turn the book 90 degrees clockwise. Our coloured pronunciation
guides, however, should simply be read the same way you read English.
282
Monday Gere( oa NihEa ga·rug·een nig·un
Tuesday Gere( oa Hoye* ga·rug·een hoir
Wednesday Gere( oa Gorbea ga·rug·een ·bun
Thursday Gere( oa Doirbea ga·rug·een ·bun
Friday Gere( oa DeBa ga·rug·een ta·vun
Saturday Gere( oa Jirgogea ga·rug·een jur·gaa
Sunday Gere( oa Fdo* ga·rug·een ·dur
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – M ON GOL IAN

Is this the … Moia oO ? laan·ad)
to (Ulaan Hada)? VO FocieeO … och·ikh …
Fna ( Folegeeeeeda )
bus Mesia Derht neet·in ma·shin tur·rug
Neiida iia
train GeldO Derht galt tur·rug
plane NishE& nis·gul
Where’s a/the …? … Hemi)T be;eeO BI ?
bank bE2hiA benk
convenience kEdO DelhEvx* khit dul·goor
store
currency Jogo_ SolieeO Geje* jôs so·likh gaj·jur
exchange
pharmacy F^ oa DelhEvx* um·meen dul·goor
post office Siodea DobciIT shô·dang tob·chô
restaurant Hogolea ke* hô·lan gur
Is this the road to (the Inner Mongolia Museum)?
Je^ Moia oO ? un bol (oo·woor mong·gol·in
Moi}wI )VO YeBeeO moo· )·d ya·vukh
Fna B& ( FoiB* Mo2go& oa
283
NededO JigejO Foihvx%T oO ? oon·ee gaj·rin jir·rug döör
Fvxa I Geje* oa Jiro( DehE*T nad·ad jaaj
Where is it located?
Hemi)T bE;de( BI ? haa
How far is it?
kEdoI Hola BI ? hut
How do I get there?
FocieeO BI ? bee yaaj tund
bU YegehijO Deeda och
Turn towards the left.
JevxesI bea joonsh·ön
Turn towards the right.
bEregoesI bea ba·rônsh·ön
– t ran sp or t & direc tio ns

Sigooa YeB%T shôt ya·vun
Blo%T oO ? bee yav·gun o·chij
bU YebEgea FocijO bol·un nô
behind FerO VonI ar·dun

in front of Fmo%T NI oom·nun
near Fo;relce)T oi·rul·chô
on the corner Foiecot DO be;%T
opposite FservX De&T VonI us·rug tal·dun
there Deeda tund
284
accommodation
Hemi)T be;eeO BI ? joch·deen bô·tul
Jocioa oa begode& haa
Foihvx% T oO ? nad·ud nig hyemd
Si( Geje* DenilcegoljO gaj·jur tan·il·chôlj
NededO Niht kimdeeeea/ Se;a ·gun nô
JehiyeleeeO Sene)T DeI röö
bU Niht Foiroht jakh·aal·dakh san·naa
bU Niht Foiroht JehiyeljeI röö jakh·aald·jai
Do you have a be;%T oO ? röö
… room? Dea VO … Foiroht
ac c om mo d atio n – MON GO LIAN

double (suite) Hoye* Kimoa O hoi·yur hoo
single Geeeca Kimoa O ganch hoo
twin Hoye* ForO DeI hoi·yur or·
kEdoI Jogo_ BI ? nig ho·nug/hoon
Niht Hono( / Kimoa hut
bU ( Gorbt ) HonoeeO Sene)T DeI bee ( ·roo) hon·nokh san·naa
Blo%T oO ? khoor·öön
Doilhivx* iiea FoihcO bol·un nô
FoihcO Blo%T oO ? bol·un nô
Foihe*T Niht ( De2sa )
( :iet DiyoO ) FbderejeI (kong·tee·aa·oo) uv·dur·
YeBeeO BI ? mar·gaash hut·tee chagt
MergesI kEdoI Ce( DO yav
285
Could I have my Blo%T oO ? min·nee … bô·chaj
…, please? MinO … BcejO FoihcO bol·un nô
deposit bericegea O Moi2vX bar·ree·chaan
passport pesPrDA pas·port

Where’s a/an …? bE;eeO BI ?
… Hemi)T
ATM DI :wea JI tee kwan jee
public phone Ne;da iia FodesO neet·in ô·tas
internet cafe NwDA bEge* net baar

Niht Ce( kEdoI Jogo_ BI ? nig chag hut
kEdoI BI ? tan· ·tus·un no·mur
Dea O Fodesoa Nomw* hut
The number is …
MinO Nomw* B& … min·nee no·mur bol …
sightseeing
NehEhedet / Hegede( BI ? hut·tun chagt
kEdoa Ce( DO nö·dug/haa
piyoO kEdoI Jogo_ BI ? pee·aa·oo hut
Is there a discount for student/children?
piyoO be;%T oO ? een/hookh·deen
SoroeecI iia / keoheoa oa pee·aa·
I’d like a … bU … FeBIT bee … av·yaa
catalogue Jogecile& oa Debde* jô·gaa·chul·een div·tir
guide JemcileeecI jam·chee·lugch
map Geje* oa Jiro( gaj·reen ·rug
286
… FoijevX Sene)T DeI … ·jikh san·naa
What’s that?
Dera YegO BI ?
Can I take a photo?
Blo%T oO ? bee soo·dur avch
bU Sevxde* FebcO bol·un nô
Can I take photos here?
Blo%T oO ? und soo·dur avch
F-eda Sevxde* FebcO bol·un nô
JogeceeeO FhEljI BleeO BI ? hut·tee chag·aas da·raa·cheen
kedoI Ce( Fca DeregecI iia jô·gaa·chikh ölj bol
kEdoI Hogoce)T BI ? hut·tee
sightseeing
Arjai Grotto (Utag Banner)
FerjeI FegoI ar·jai a·goi
sigh tse eing – M ONG OLI AN

Cegea SoBr)T cha·gaan ·rag
Dà Zhào Monastery
Yeht JoO Soi^T yikh jô som
Dali Lake
DelO Nigo* dal nôr
Coi2vX& oa GoO ·khul·een gao
DeBa SoBrgedO Soi^T ta·vun ·ragt som

Genghis Khan’s Mausoleum in Ordos
Ci2hi_ oa Fo2goa ching·gis·seen ong·gun
Tomb of Zhaojun
JoO Jiyoia O Fo2goa jao jee·yun· ·gun
DehedO Ne;sle& yoo·an ·seen

Yowea Folo_ oa dööd nees·lul
287
shopping
Where’s a …? bE;de( BI ? … haa
… Hemi)T
camera shop Geje* soo·dur ta·takh
Sevxde* DedeeeO ga·jar
market Je(T DelhEvx* jakh dul·goor
souvenir shop Delhevx* mong·gol·een onch
Gerolda iia ga·rul·teen
Mo2go& oa Foeca dul·goor
De;lvX BI ? haan·aas tan kheen
Foeca Gerolda FebcO onch gar·ult avch
Hemi)T Fca Dea O FedehU iia dee
Fna I YegO be* kihsea BI ? un·nee yoo·gaar hee
bU … FebEeO Sene)T DeI bee … a·vukh san·naa
Can I look at it?
bU FoijejO Blo% t oO ? bee ·jij bol·un nô
Can I have it sent overseas?
– s ho pp ing
Blo%T oO ? gad·aad ·sud ya·vôlj

GedegedO Folo_ DO YeBgoljO bol·un nô
How much is it?
kEdoI Jogo_ BI ? hut
FoihcO Blo%T oO ? nee·geen bi·chij

Foi%T iI NI bicijO bol·un nô
MesI FoinedeI
FoihvxIT tand (ta·vun ·rug)
Dea VO ( DeBa Doivxrit ) yöö
288
Can you lower the price?
kimdere%T oO ? hyamd·run nô
Is that enough?
Jogo_ Kiro%T oO ? jôs ·run nô
It’s faulty.
FbderejeI uv·dur·
I’d like a refund.
FebcO Blo%T oO ? öön bo·chaj avch
Moi2vX bEa BcejO bol·un nô
I’d like …, please. … FoihvxhereI
a bag SoiliyoO Fogoda sô·lee·ao ôt
a receipt berimda ba·rimt
m ee ting p eo p le – M ON GOL IAN

meeting people
Hello. Se;a be;%T oO ?
Hi. S;a oO ?
Goodbye. beyerdeI ba·yur·
Good night. Se;a FemeregereI raa
Mr/Mrs FeBgeI av·
Ms/Miss FebeeeeI av·
How are you? Se;a be;%T oO ?
Fine. And you? Se;a oO ?
S;a Se;a ,
What’s your name? Dea O Felde* ? tan· al·dur
My name is … MinO Ne*T … min·nee nur …
I’m pleased to Se;eeea Denilce&T ·khun ta·nilch·laa
meet you.
289
This is my … Fna B& MinO … un bol min·nee …
brother (older) Fe(T akh
brother (younger) DevxO doo
child keoheoa hoo·khud
daughter keohea hoo·khun
father Fe@X aav
friend NeiijI
husband Noivx* ·khur
mother FjI ööj
partner (intimate) kE* oa Kimoa gu·reen hoon
sister (older) FhecI ugch
sister (younger) kEohea DevxO hoo·khun doo
son KiO hoo
wife Fhene* ukh·nur
making conversation
Do you live here?
F-eda SegojO be;%T oO ?
Hemi)T YeBeeO BI ? haa ya
F-eda SegoeeO DoredeI oO ? und sôkh
I love it here.
MesI DoredeI mash
Have you eaten?
Fidehsea oO ? id·sun nô
bE* Firehsea oO ? und am rö·khör
F-eda Femerelda Foi2hErehEvX yir·sun nô
290
local talk
Great! yaa
Hey! hoo·yee
It’s OK. HemiIT FoihEI ha·maa·gway
Just a minute. bE)T KiliyejO bEI
Just joking. ZoeelejO be;%T sho
Maybe. Blolce)T DeI bol·ul·chô
No problem. HemiIT FoihEI ha·maa·gway
No way! BleeO FoihEI bolkh·gway
Sure, whatever. Blo% T Blo%T bol·un bol·un
That’s enough! Blcieee%T bol·chi·khun
I’m here … bU … F-eda FirejeI bee … und yir·

on business MeiimeI kivX be* hee·khöör
for a holiday Foi2herehEvX be* am·rilt
m ak ing co nver sat ion – M ONG OL IAN

Femerelda rö·khöör
for a meeting Hore& kivX be* khöör
to study SorolceeeO be* khaar
for travel JogeceeeO be* jô·gaach·khaar
to work FejilleeeO bE* a·jil·khaar
to visit family FoijevX be* sa·dun·aan
Sedoa iiea khöör
Da F-eda kEdoI FodeeeO BI ? ta und hut·tee
How long have you been here?
FodejO be;eeO BI ? ta und yi·rööd hut·tee
Da F-eda Fireheoa kEdoI
SegoeeO Sene)T DeI bee und ( ·bun ga·rag)
bU Feda ( DoirbEa Gere( ) sôkh san·naa
Can I take a photo of you?
Dea I SevXderlejO Blo%T oO ? tan·nee soo·durlj bol·un nô
Are you Mongolian?
Da Mo2go& Kimoa oO ? ta mong·gol hoon nô
Do you speak Mongolian?
Cide%T oO ? ta mong·gol hul
Da Mo2go& kEla chat·tun nô
291
Fna YegO BI ?
How do you say … in Mongolian?
iie* YegehijO kElevX BI ? … gu gee mong·gol·ôr
… kesea Fokt iI Mo2go& yaaj hu
I’d like to learn some (Mongolian).
Sene)T DeI bee (mong
bU ( Mo2go& kEla ) SoreeO san·naa
Jigelge%T oO ? ta nad·aar ang·gul hul
Da Neda be* FE2h7I kEla jaal·gan·nô
Sorry, I didn’t mean to do anything wrong.
bU Felbt bE* biSI ôch·
FegocilegereI , bee al·vaar bish
I didn’t do it on purpose.
bU Felbt bE* biSI bee al·vaar bish
– mak ing c o nver satio n

Je2si& Moia oO ? un tan kheen
Fna Dea O FedehU iia jang nô
Where are you from?
Firehsea BI ? ta haa·naas yir·see
Da Hemi)T Fca
Where is your home county?
Dea O Nodo( CinI ? tan· ·tug chin
I’m from … bU … Kimoa bee … hoon

Australia FeoisDreliIT av·straa·lee·yaa
Canada qeneda ka·na·da
England Fe2hlI ang·gul
New Zealand Si%T [ileedA shin zee·land
the USA Femwriqt am·e·rik
292
Da Yeme* Feji& DeI BI ? ta ya·mur a·jil·
I’m a/an … bU … bee …
businessperson Meiimeiicia
doctor FmcI umch
foreign language bEeesI ga·daad hul·nee
teacher GedegedO kElea O bagsh
nurse SobileeecI sov·lugch
office worker Felbea Fejildea al·ban a·jil·tun
photographer SvxderlehcI soo·dur·lugch
reporter SorBljileeecI jee·lugch
student SoroeecI ·rugch
teacher bEeesI bagsh
m ak ing co nver sat ion – M ONG OL IAN

How old are you? (asking someone younger or close to your age)
Da kEdoa NesodeI BI ? ta hut·tun nas
How old are you? (asking someone noticeably older than you)
Dea O Nesoa Sevxde* ? tan· ·sun soo·dur
How old is …? NesodeI BI ? tan· … hu·tun
Dea O … kedoa nas
your daughter kEohEa hoo·hun
your son KiO hoo
bU … NesodeI bee … nas
Dera … NesodeI tir … nas
HereeedejO bE;%T bee mash ja·lô
bU MesI JelegO ha
Are you married?
Da Horimleeesea oO ? ta hor·mul·sun nô
I’m … bU … bee …
single HorimlegedoI ho·rum·lö
married Horimlecieeeeesea hor·mul·chikh·sun
293
SegojO bE;%T bee nig hoon
bU Niht Kimoa DeI HemdO
Da kEoheoa DeI oO ? ta hookhd
Do you like …? Da … DoredeI oO ? ta …
I like … bU … Do*T DeI bee …
I don’t like … bU … Do*T FoihEI bee … dür oo·gway
art Jiro( DO ·rugt
film qinX FoijevX kee·nô ·jikh
music Kihji^ VO ·jimt
reading No^ Fo2sieeO nom ·shikh
sport KidelhEhEa VO tem·reen
Demi* oa göönd
feelings & opinions

I feel … bU … be;%T
I don’t feel … bU … FoiheI bee … oo·gway
Are you …? Da … bE;a oO ?
cold DegerejO daarch
drunk SoeedejO sog
happy bEyerlejO ba
hot HelegocejO ha·lô·chij
hungry FoiloscO
sad JobejO
thirsty FomdegesejO daasch
tired YederejO ya·durj
294
mixed emotions
a little be)T bag sag
I’m a little sad. JobejO be;%T
bU bE)T
very Yeht yikh
I’m very surprised. SocijO bE;%T bee yikh so·
bU Yeht
extremely MesI Yeht mash yikh
I’m extremely happy. beyerlejO be;%T bee mash yikh
bU MesI Yeht ba

BdojO be;%T oO ? oon yoo
Fvxa O DoeeeI YegO bo
awful MesI MegO mash mô
beautiful MesI GoYO mash goi
boring Foiioeeee* DeI weed·gar·
great Se;a BI yaa·sun
Yegehieesea
interesting SonireeeldeI son
OK Joihe* Sit ·gur shig
strange Sonia Hecia so·nin ha·chin
farewells f arewe lls – MON GO LIA N

bU MergesI YeB%T bee mar·gaash ya·vun
If you come to my country you can stay with me.
Neda DeI HemdO SegojO Blo%T ta min·nee ·ad och·bul nad
Da MinO Folo_ DO FocibE& hamt sôj bol·un
Keep in touch!
ha
Fna B& MinO ( kE* oa Heyi( ) un bol min·nee (gir·reen ha·yig)
Dea O ( Fimw& ) CinI ? tan· (ee
295
well-wishing
Bon voyage!
s n ya·va·
Congratulations!
ba gee
Good luck!
aaj jar·gal hoo·see
Happy birthday!
·sun ·reen
Doirohsea Fdo* oa ba gee
Happy New Year!
Se;a SinelebeO ? voo
eating out
Can you recommend a (restaurant)?
kElejO FoihcO Blo%T oO ? ta na·dud un hö·vöör ya·mar
S;a ( Hogolea kE* ) be;eeO iI sain (hô·lung gur) ·khee
Da NededO Fna HebU bE* Yeme* bol·un nô
bar bEge* baar
cafe Hogolea kE* hô·lung gur
– e at ing ou t
dish Hogola hôl

teahouse CeI iia Moeeole( ·geen ·lukh
I’d like a table for (five).

( DeBa ) Kimoa O Sireht (ta·vun) hoon röö
What are the local specialities?
Gerolda DEI BI ? und ya·mar onch
F-eda Yeme* Foeca ga
I’d like to see the menu.
[eI Vea FoijeUT tsay yöö
Can we have a private room?
bE;%T oO ? höb röö
HobU iia Foiroht
296
Can we have the bill?
De2sa bea BdoIT dang·saan bod·dee·yöö
be;%T oO ? o·dô
FodO bEsa Hogola
be;eeO BI ? und ya·mar ·khun
F-eda Yeme* Se;eeea Hogola
Fidedet BI ? döön ya·mar
( Foirlohtiia Hogolea ) löö·geen hôl)
Da YerO Vehea Yeme* it
Dera YegO BI ?
YegO be* kidet BI ? yoo·gur hee
I’ll have that.
Dera I FeBIT tur·ee a·vee
I’d like it with … kiciht … gee·gin i·loo e ating o ut – MON G OLI AN

… iI NI FilevXO hee·chikh
I’d like it without … bidehEI … kiA bit·gee … hee
chilli LejiyoO laa·jao
garlic Serimse( sa·rim·sug
MSG WwI Jiet wee jing
nuts Hosi)T ho·shig
oil DosO tos
I’d like … bU … FeBIT bee … a·vee
a piece Niht kEset nig hu·sug
one bottle Nikt Lo2eeO nig longk
one box/carton Nikt Heiirce( nig ·chug
one jing (500gm) Nikt Jiet nig jing
that one Dera iI tu·ree
two Hoye* I hoi·ree
297
This dish is … Fna Hogola … un hôl …
(too) spicy ( MesI ) Helegoa (mash) ha·lôn
superb MesI FemdedeI mash amt
I love this dish.
Do*T DeI bee un hôl·lee i·dukh
bU Fna Hogola iI FidevX
Do*T DeI bee un gaj·reen hôl·lund
bU Fna Geje* oa Hogolea VO
That was delicious!
MesI FemdedeI mash amt
I’m full.
bU Ceoede&T Fide&T bee chat·tul id·löö
breakfast Foirloht iia Hogola löö·geen hôl

lunch Foida iia Hogola een hôl
dinner ForoI iia Hogola ö·röö·geen hôl
drink (alcoholic) FeriheA a·rikh
drink (nonalcoholic) Fomdegea un·daan
– e at ing ou t
… water … FosO …
boiled Bceloeesea bo·chil·sun
cold Kiidea hwee·tun
still mineral Cebe* chu·vur
not your cup of tea?

Mongols are generally tea, rather than coffee, drinkers. Be warned, though, that
Mongolian food and drink customs are quite different to those in other parts of
China. For instance, ‘milk tea’ sounds innocent enough, but many people are
surprised to find lumps of flour and meat, as well as animal fats, butter, millet
and salt added to a Mongolian cuppa. And don’t expect a cup and saucer – locals
usually drink their tea from a bowl.
298
(cup of) coffee KfiA kôf
(cup of) tea CeI
black tea He*T CeI
fresh drinking Fe;re( ·rug
yoghurt
kumiss (fermented Ceht chu·gu
mare’s milk)
milk tea SoA DeI CeI soo
… of beer … piwoA … peev
a glass Niht ComO nig cho·mo
a large bottle DomO Lo2eeO DeI tom longk
a small bottle bE)T Lo2eeO DeI bag longk
red/white wine Foijo^ oa FerihiA aan/cha·gaan
Folegea/ Cegea ·meen a·rikh
a shot of (rice wine) ( He*T FerihiA ) nig ·dug
Niht Hoede)T (har a·rikh)
Da YegO FoogoeeO BI ?
e ating o ut – MON G OLI AN

FebcO FoihvXIT tand un·daan
Dea VO Fomdegea avch yöö
Da Yegoa VO DoredeI BI ? ta yoond
Cheers!
tog·toi·yo
Yegehieesea Se;a BI yaa
I’m feeling drunk!
bU SoeedojO bE;%T bee sog
I’m totally drunk!
(lit: I’ve become a domestic animal)
bU Me& Blcieee&T bee mal bol·chikh·lô
299
street eats
boiled dumplings bE2sI
boiled meat Cineeesea Mi(T chan·sun makh
butter (to add to milk tea) Si*T DosO shar tos
dried beef strips Brca borch
fried bread ·sun bôb
fried-meat pancake Zelbiet shal·bing
fried millet Hegoroeesea Bde)T hôr·sun bo·daa
fried millet with JoihEhEI DeI Bde)T jöö daa
sweet cream
huruud (a type of curd) Horooa ood
noodles MiyeeDiyoo* mee·en·ti·yor
öröm (hardened skin of milk) Foiro^T oo·room
steamed dumplings Boja bôs

I’m a vegetarian.
bU SeyoO bee saa·yô
I can’t eat pork.
Fidedet FoihEI bee ga
bU GeeeeI iia Mi(T it·dug·gway
Where can I find halal food?
Hogola be;eeO BI ? haa ho
Hemi)T Hodoet Foiedosodea O
I only want to eat vegetables.
kEjO BdojO be;%T bee no·gô id·ee·yöö
bU Nogo)T FideIT gij bo
300
Could you prepare Blo%T oO ? un hôl·ee
a meal without …? … FoiheI kijO … oo·gway heej
Fna Hogola I bol·un nô
I’m allergic to … DegereeeO FoikEI bee … i·duj bolkh
FoiheI , NededO gway nad·ud
bU … FidejO BleeO taa·rukh·gway
dairy produce kihsea Yego^T soo·gaar
SoA be* hee·sun yim
eggs Foiedeht ·dug
meat Mi(T makh
nuts Hosi)T hosh·ug
seafood Fidehea dal
DeleI iia id·dön
in the grasslands
in the gra ssland s – MON GO LIA N

I’d like to visit a Mongolian family on the steppe.
FocijO FoijevX Sene)T DeI bee hu·döö·geen mong
bU Kideht iia Mo2go& Fe;& VO o·chij ·jikh san·naa
I’d like to see some traditional Mongolian life.
Sene)T DeI bee ·lam·jee·lalt mong·gol
Femidore& I FoijevX am·dur·lee ·jikh
bU FolemjileldO Mo2go& san·naa
I’d like to find a company that arranges tours of the grasslands.
:mpEnIFrivX Sene)T DeI bee tal ·geen
Jogecile& oa gaa·chil·een
bU De&T Nodo( oa kom·pan ur·ikh san·naa
Can you help me?
Da NemeiI Dosele%T oO ? ta na· nô
kEdoI Jogo_ BI ? nig hoon
Niht Kimoa hut·tee
I’d like to see a traditional Mongolian yurt.
FoijevX Sene)T DeI bee mong·gol gur ·jikh
bU Mo2go& kE* san·naa
301
Where can I hire a horse?
BleeO BI ? haa·naas mur
MorI DoiriyesolejO öös·ulj
Hemi)T Fca bol
kedoI Jogo_ BI ? nig chag
Niht Ce( hut·tee
Can I have a guide?
Blo%T oO ?
JemcI FoljO FoihcO bol·un nô
I’d like to … bU … Sene)T DeI bee … san·naa
do some archery NomO SomO HerBeeO har·vukh
ride a buggy Derht berieeO tu·rug ba·rikh
do some wrestling Biht bErildoeeO ba·ril·dukh
– in t he gr assla nds
horse MorI mur

horse riding MorI FonoeeO mur ô·nakh
reins JilogO jol·lô
saddle FmehE& um·ööl
steppe/grasslands De&T Nodo( tal ·tug
stirrup Doiroht röö
Stop!
jogs·sôch
My saddle is hurting me.
FbeoehejO be;%T un um·ööl na·
Fna FmEhE& NemeiI
Can I change horses?
Blo%T oO ? bee mur·öön sol·lee·yô
bU MorI bEa SoliIT , bol·un nô
Can we stop here?
BloaT oO ? und jogs·ô·yöö
F-eda JoeesoIT , bol·un nô
302
just a twist to the right
Mongolian script is written vertically and read from left to right. So if you want
to have a go at reading the script in this chapter, or when asking a local to read it
for you, simply turn the book 90 degrees clockwise. Our coloured pronunciation
guides, however, should simply be read the same way you read English.
Can we go back now?

Blo%T oO ? bid o·dô he·rij
bida FodO HerijO bol·un nô
Let’s go back now.
bid o·dô he·ree·yaa
Can you help me get off this horse?
nad·dee bôl·gaa·gaach
e me rg enc ie s & he alth – MON G OLI AN

Help!
em av·raa
Could you help me, please?
Blo%T oO ? ta nad·dee khav
Da Neda iI HebsorcO bol·un nô
I’ve been injured.
bU Sireeedocieee&T bee shar·khug·tich·ukh·laa
My friend has been injured.
MinO NeiijI Sireeedocieee&T min·nee ·laa
There’s been an accident.
F-ede& Gercieee&T un·dul gar·chikh·laa
Where’s the nearest phone?
Hemi)T bE;eeO BI ? ham·geen öör ô·tas
Hemo( oa Fo;*T FodesO
We need to get to a doctor.
Hordoa FocieeO kErehdeI bid umch·ud
bida FmcI VO ·dun och·ikh hu
303
Where’s the … Hemi)T bE;eeO BI ? ham·geen öör
nearest …? Hemo( oa Fo;*T
dentist Sidoa O FmcI shood
doctor FmcI umch
hospital HoriIT um·nul·geen
Fmnelht iia hor·rô
pharmacist F^ oa Delhevx* um·een dul·goor
I’m ill.
bU Fbeoecihe&T löö
My friend is ill.
MinO NeiijI Fbeoecihe&T min·nee löö
304
english–mongolian dictionary
n a v sg pl
inf pol
broken (out of order) FbderhEI

A bus Neiida iia Mesia Derht
neet ma tur
accident (mishap) Foso& Fede& ·sul un·dul buy v FebeeO a
accommodation be;rI
adaptor biyea Ya CI bee·yen yaa chee
after Dere)T da·raa
air conditioning :iet DiyoO kong·tee·aa·oo C A
airplane NishE& ·gul camera SevxderlevX Mesia ma
airport NishE& oa bEgode& ·gul·een bô·tul car Mesia Derkt ma tur
alcohol FerihiA a cash n bElea Moi2vX bul
all BivX cell phone Ge* FodesO ô·tas
ambulance DoirhEa FeBrelda iia Mesia centre n Doi$
teen ma change (money) v Jogo_ SolieeO jôs
and bt ba cheap kimda hyemd
ankle Ze)T shaa check (bill) n De2sa dangs
arm Ge* chest (body) CehejI chööj
children keohEoa hoo·hud
cigarette DemehiA ta
B city Hoda hot
clean a Cebe* chu
baby Nil(T kEohEoa nyel khoo closed Fvxda HegejeI ood haa·
back (of body) NirogO rô cold a K;dea hwee·tun
backpack BeecO bogch come FirevX yi
bad MegO mô computer :mpioDw* pyoo
bag Fogoda ôt condom bU Yoia DoO bee yoo·wun tao
baggage Bgode& bô·tul cook v Hogola kivX
bank bE2heA cost n Foi%T
bar bEge* credit card FidehemjI iia qErDA
e nglish–m o ngo lian
bathroom Fohiyel)T iia kE* gaal jeen
battery Viyea ooI dee·en chö currency exchange Jogo_ SolieeO Geje*
beautiful GoyO jôs ga
bed ForO customs (immigration) Bgomda iia Ge;lI
beer piwoA peev bôm
before Fmo%T
behind Ho;%T höön
bicycle DogoI gway
big DomO tom D
bill De2sa dangs dangerous FeyoldeI a
blanket Kiejila khoon date (time) Fdo*
blood group Cisoa Doiro& ·sun too day Fdo*
boat JebiA jab delay v HocoreeO hoch
book (make a reservation) v JehiyeleeeO dentist Sidoa O FmcI
aa depart YeBeeO ya
bottle Lo2eeO dinner ForoI iia Hogola ö·röö·geen hôl
boy KiO hoo direct a Sigooa shôt
breakfast Foirloht iia CeI löö·geen hôl dirty Bje*
305
disabled Jemdet jim·dug glass (drinking) ComO cho·mô
discount v kimderegoleeO hyemt·rô glasses Nidoa Si&
doctor FmcI umch go YeBeeO ya
double bed Hoye* Kimoa O ForO good Se;a
hoi hoo guide n JemcI jamch
double room Hoye* Kimoa O Foiroht
hoi hoo röö
drink n Fomdegea un·daan
drink v FoogoeeO
H
drive v JilogooeeeO jo·lô half n Hege_ ha·gus
hand Ge*
E driving licence JilogocI iia Demdet
jo·lô·cheen tum·dug
drug (illicit) HoordO F^
happy bEyerlejO be;%T ba
he Dera
head n DologeI tol·
heart Jiroht
E heavy KiedO
help DoselemjI ·lamj
ear CihU here F-eda und
east Jevxa joon high Foiedo*
eat FidevX id hike v YebEgea YeBeeO yav·gun ya
electricity Cehilgea cha holiday Femerelda am
elevator Cehilgea ZedO cha homosexual
email FimW& ee am
embassy Flcia Se;oa oa Yemoa horse MorI
ul ·deen ya·mun hospital Fmnelht iia HoriIT
emergency bEci^ kEret ba hu um rô
English (language) Fe2h7I kEla ang·gul hul hot Helegoa ha·lôn
evening ForoI ö·röö hotel Jocioa oa bEgode& joch·deen bô·tul
exit n FvXda ood (be) hungry FoilosvX
expensive FoinedeI husband F*T Noivx*
eye NidO
F I
I bU bee
far Hola hol bEIT iia kErecI
fast Hordoa hur·dun bay
father FE@X aav ill FbeoecideI ub
HorogO rô injury n Sir(T
bEci^ FeBrelda iia He;rce( insurance beIT iia Degeoeeee&
ba ·chug bay·yeen daat·gul
DerivXa Jerht iia roon jir·geen internet SoiljiIT jöö
n JigesO jag·gas interpreter kElemorcI hul
DIC TION ARY
food Hogola hôl

foot Ki&
free (of charge) JoihE*
friend
J
fruit Jimi_ ji·mus jewellery Frdeni_ ur
full DoivXreet doo job Feji& a
G K
gift bElet bul·lug key Doilhivx* khoor
girl Foihia o kilogram Qilohre^ lô
306
kitchen Dogogea kE* to·gôn north HoiidO hööt
knife kido)T khut·ag nose Heme* ha
now FodO o·dô
L number Nomw* no
laundry (place) HobcesO FohiyeeeO Geje*

hub·chus ô·gaakh ga
O
lawyer HeolicI hölch old (people) NesodeI
left (direction) JevXa joon old (things) Hegocia hô
leg (body) Ki& open a NehEheldedeI nölt
less Coihea chöön
letter (mail) Jehide& jakh·dul
outside Gede%T ga·dun
L
light n kEre& gu
like v DoredeI P
lock n FonisO ·us passport pEsPrDA
long FordO pay v Jogo_ FoihvX jôs
lost (items) kEhehsea göö·sun pharmacy F^ oa DelkEvx* um·meen dul·goor
love v He;redeI photo Sevxde*
luggage Bgode& bô·tul police Ceeede)T chag·daa
lunch Foida iia Hogola d·een hôl Siodea DobciIT ·dang tob·chô
pregnant Jirmosoa jir·um·sun
M price n Foi%T
mail n Siodea ·dang

man Kimoa hoon Q
map Geje* oa Jiro( gaj ·ug quiet a De;Bet ·vung
market Je(T DelhEvx* goor
matches Co;deeit chwee·dung
meat Mi(T
medicine F^ um
R
rain n Brogea ôn
message JehiIT jakh·aa razor Seeee& oa kido)T ·leen ·tug
milk SoA soo receipt n piyoO pee·ao
minute MinoiDA min·nut rent v KilosolevX
mobile phone Ge* FodesO ô·tas repair v JeseeeO
money Jogo_ jôs restaurant Hogolea kE* hô
e nglish–m o ngo lian
month Se*T return (give back) FoihvX
morning Foirloht löö return (go back) BcejO YeBeeO bo·chuj ya
mother FjI ööj return ticket YeBjO HerieeO bilwDA
motorcycle MoDo* mo yavj ha
mouth Fema em right (direction) bEregoa ba·rôn
road Je^ jam
N room n Foiroht röö
name Ne*T
near Fo;*T S
neck n joo safe a Femo* Doibsia a
new Si%T seat n Segode& ·dul
newspaper Sonia send YeBgoleeO ya·vô
night SoinI sex (act) Horice& hor·chul
no (not at all) FoiheI oo·gway sex (gender) Cine* oa Filge& chan yil·gul
no (not this) bisI shampoo kEjiht FohiyeeeO Si2hEa
noisy ZoohiyeedeI shô·gaan gu aakh ·gun
307
she Dera tour n Feyele& ay·lul
sheet (bed) Kiejila khoon towel Felcigo* al
shirt Cemca chamch train n GeldO Derht galt tur
shoes ZeeeeI translate ForcigoleeO ô
shop n DelhEvx* dul·goor trousers FoimodO ·mud
short BgonI bo·gun
single room Geeeca Kimoa O Foiroht Hoye* ForO DeI Foiroht
ganch hoo röö hoi· t röö
skin n FeresO
T
skirt n bE2je& bang
sleep v FoedeeeO
slow Fodegea daan
U
underwear Dodo*T FoimodO do ·mud
small ji urgent YegereldeI yaa
soap SeBet ·vung
some Jeri^ jar
soon Fode& FoihEU ô·dul·gway
south Fmo%T ·un V
souvenir Doreseee& oa FdA vegetable n Nogo)T nog·gô
stamp ywO piyoO yô·oo pee·ao vegetarian a SeyoO ·yô
station (train) GeldO DerhEa Foirdeht visa Wi}I veez
galt tur töö
stomach kEdesO gu·dus
stop v JoeesoeeO jog
stop (bus) n Joeesoge& jog·
W
street GodomjI gô·dumj walk v YeBgea YeBeeO yab·gun ya
student Foyodea ô·yoo·tun wallet Jogo_ oa BeecO ·un bogch
sun Nera wash (something) v FohiyeeeO gaakh
sunscreen feet ZeI zoweet watch n Ge* Ce(
·yee ·wong water n FosO
swim v FombeeeO om we bida
weekend Gere( oa SevxlcI gar·geen soolch
T west beregoa ba·rôn
when kEjiIT hu·jöö
telephone n FodesO ô·tas where Hemi)T haa
temperature (weather) Dolegea O kEmjiIT who kEa hun
laa jöö why Yegekigeoa yaa·gaad
that Dera wife Fhene* ukh
they Deda tund
window Co2eeO
(be) thirsty FomdegeseeO un·daa
this Fna un with …DeI
throat HogoleI hô without FoiheI oo·gway
woman FmehdeI um
DIC TION ARY
ticket piyoO pee·ao

time Ce( chag write bicivX bi
tired YederejO bE;%T ya
tissues CegesO chaas
today Foinodo* oo·noo
toilet Jorloet jor·long
Y
tomorrow MergesI yes De;mO teem
tonight FoinO ForoI noo röö yesterday Foicohedo* oo
tooth SidO you sg inf CI chee
toothbrush Sidoa Zowesa ·dun umch you sg pol Da ta
toothpaste Ya GoO yaa gao you pl Da Ne*
ViyembE* dee yurt kE*
308
Tibetan
ALPHABET 310
ABOUT TIBETAN 311
PRONUNCIATION 312
TIME & DATES 314
ACCOMMODATION 317
SIGHTSEEING 319
SHOPPING 320
MEETING PEOPLE 321
FAREWELLS 326
EATING OUT 327
ENGLISH–TIBETAN DICTIONARY 331
alphabet
Tibetan script consists of 30 basic characters and four symbols for vowels, which can
be added to these characters.
Each of the consonants in the writing system includes an ‘a’. This is because
consonants in Tibetan are represented as syllabic units and all have an inherent ‘a’
sound in their basic form. Consonants are arranged according to where the sound
comes from in your mouth (from the throat to the lips).
Symbols are added above or below the consonant to indicate different vowel
sounds – we’ve used the first consonant, (ka), as an example. Note that the
Tibetan symbol for each vowel can be pronounced in different ways because the
pronunciation is affected by the letters around it.
Vowels (consonant ‘ka’ used as example)
ki ku ke ko
Consonants
ka kha ga nga
ca cha ja nya
ta tha da na
pa pha ba ma
– a lph ab et
tsa tsha dza
wa zha za
‘a ya ra la
sha sa
ha a
310
TIBETAN
about Tibetan
The language of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tibetan (bod·skad ), belongs to
the Tibeto-Burman group of the Sino-Tibetan language family, with Burmese its clos-
est relative. It’s spoken by more than six million people, mainly in Tibet but also in
neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan, India and Pakistan. Tibetan has many dialects, but the
Lhasa dialect (used in this chapter) is the most influential and considered the stand-
ard. Written Tibetan was devised in the 7th century by a scholar sent to India by the
Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo to enable the translation of Buddhist literature into
Tibetan. The new script was based on the Devanagari characters used to write many
Indian languages. Since its introduction, the writing system of Tibetan has barely
changed, but the spoken language has evolved considerably. As a result, written
and spoken Tibetan are quite different. The importance of Mandarin Chinese is also
a reality in Tibet – in urban areas almost all Tibetans speak Mandarin. Nevertheless,
making an effort to get a few Tibetan phrases together will be greatly appreciated by
the Tibetans you encounter on your travels.
tibetan



ab o ut – TIBE TAN

 




311
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants
a run b bed
â ago c cheat
aw law d dog
ay say dz adds
e bet g go
ee see h hat
i hit j jar
o so k kit
ö her l lot
oo zoo m man
u glue n not
flute (with a
ü ng ring
raised tongue)
In this chapter, the Tibetan pronunciation ny canyon
is given in pink after each phrase. p pet
Some consonants in Tibetan can be run (pronounced

r
aspirated (pronounced with a puff of deep in the throat)
air after the sound). Aspirated sounds s sun
are represented with an h following the
consonant: ch, kh, ph, th and tsh. sh shot
An n, m or ng following a vowel indicates t top
a nasalised sound (pronounced with air
escaping through the nose). ts hats
w win
Tibetan also has tones but, unlike in
some Asian languages, they aren’t crucial y yes
to meaning and haven’t been indicated z zero
in this chapter.
Syllables are separated by a dot. zh pleasure
For example: tu·jay·chay
312
essentials
Hello. ta·shi de·lek
Goodbye. (by person staying) ka·lee pay
Goodbye. (by person leaving) ka·lee shu
Please. tu·jay·sig
Thank you. tu·jay·chay
Sorry./Excuse me. gong·da
kay·râng in·ji·kay shing·gi yö·bay
Do you understand?
ha ko song·ngay
I understand.
ha ko·song
lang uage dif f icult ie s – TIBE TAN

ha ko ma·song
Could you speak more slowly, please?
yâng·kya ka·lee ka·lee soong nâng da
Could you repeat that, please?
te yâng·kya soong nâng·da
numbers
0 lay·koh 20 nyi·shu
1 chig 30 soom·chu
2 nyi 40 shib·chu
3 soom 50 ngâb·chu
4 shi 60 doog·chu
5 nga 70 dün·chu
6 doog 80 gyay·chu
7 dün 90 goob·chu
8 gye 100 gya
9 gu 1000 chig·tong
10 chu 1,000,000 sa·ya·chig
313
time & dates
What time is it?
tân·da chu·tsö kâ·tsay·ray
It’s (two) o’clock.
( ) chu·tsö (nyi)·pa ray
It’s quarter past (six).
( ) chu·tsö (doog)·dâng ka·ma
chö·nga ray
It’s half past (two).
( ) chu·tsö (nyi)·dâng chay·ka ray
It’s quarter to (three).
( ) (soom)·pa sin·ba ka·ma
cho·nga
The Western calendar date is (28 June).
( te·ring chin·da (doog·bay tsay
) nyi·shu tsâb·gye) ray
– t ime & da te s
now tân·da
today te·ring
tonight dho·gong·tshen
this morning te·ring shoh·gay
this afternoon te·ring chi·toh
yesterday kay·sa
tomorrow sa·nyin
sunrise nyin·ma shar·dü
sunset nyin·ma noob·dü
314
spring chi·ka
summer yar·ga
autumn tön·ga
winter gün·ga
Monday sa da·wa
Tuesday sa mig·ma
Wednesday sa lhâg·bâ
Thursday sa phu·bu
Friday sa pa·sâng
Saturday sa pem·pa
Sunday sa nyi·mâ
Tibet uses both the traditional lunar calendar, in which each month has 30 days, and
the Gregorian calendar, as used in the West. There are 12 months in each, and they
are simply referred to as the ‘1st month’, the ‘2nd month’ etc. However, the Lunar
New Year is about six weeks after the Western New Year.
tr ansp o r t & d ire c tio ns – TI BE TAN

1st month da·wa dâng·po
(Tibetan lunar)
2nd month da·wa nyi·pa
3rd month da·wa soom·pa
4th month da·wa shi·pa
5th month da·wa nga·pa
6th month da·wa doog·pa
7th month da·wa dün·pa
8th month da·wa gye·pa
9th month da·wa gu·pa
10th month da·wa chu·pa
11th month da·wa chu·chig·pa
12th month da·wa chu·nyi·pa

Where is this … … … ka·bah doh·gi ray
going?
boat dru·zing
bus chi·chö lâng·kho·di
plane nâm·du
315
What time’s the chi·chö lâng·kho
… bus? … … chu·tsö kâ·tsay·la
doh·gi ray
first tâng·po·te
last tha·ma·te
next je·ma·te
I’d like to hire a … … nga …·chig yar dhö·yö
car mo·ta
donkey boong·gu
landcruiser len cu·ru·sa
How much is it daily/weekly?
/ nyin/dun·tâg ray·ray
gong kâ·tsay ray
Where’s the …? … … ka·bah yö·ray
bank ngü·khâng
post office da·khâng
tourist information yu·kor to·châm
office lay·khoong
Does this road lead to …?
… lâm·ga·di …
doh·ya re·bay
Can you show me (on the map)?
( ) (sâp·ta di·nâng) tön nâng·da
ka·châng kâ·ray ray
Is it far?
ta ring·po re·bay
How do I get to …?
… …·la kân·teh·si doh·gö ray
Turn left/right.
/ yön·la/yeh·la kyog·nâng
Go straight ahead.
ka·toog·do
316
behind … … … gyâb·lâ
in front of … … … dün·lâ
near (to) … … … tee·lâ
opposite … … … pha·chog·lâ
there pha·kay
accommodation
I’m looking for a … … …·chig mig ta·gi·yö
campsite gur gyâb·nay
dö·say sa·cha
guest house drön·khâng
hotel drü·khâng
ac c om mo d atio n – TIBE TAN

Where’s the … … drü·khâng …
hotel? ka·bah yö·ray
best yâg·shö
cheapest ke·shö
khâng·mi·chig la gö·yö
Do you have a room with two beds?
nye·ti·nyi chay·pay khâng·mi yö·bay
Do you have a room with a double bed?
mi·nyi shong·say nye·ti
chay·pay khâng·mi yö·bay
How much for …? … …·la gong kâ·tsay ray
one night tsen chig
a week dun·tâ chig
two people mi·nyi
317
For (three) nights. ( ) tsen (soom) ring
Could we have … ngân·tsoh … gö
(a/an) …?
(extra) blanket ( ) nye·chay (tö·bâ)
mosquito net nye·gur
our key ngân·tsö di·mig
The (heater) doesn’t work.
( ) (tsa·log) di kyön
shor·sha
Is there somewhere to wash clothes?
du·log trü·sa yö re·bay
Can we use the kitchen?
tâb·tsâng bay·chö chay·na
di·gi re·bay
Do you have a safe where I can leave my valuables?

rin·tâng·chen cha·lâg
chö·sa yö·bay
What time do we have to check out?
ngân·tso chu·tsö ka·tsay
tön·gö·ray

I’m looking for … … ka·bah yö·may
a/the … ta·gi yö
bank ngü·khâng
public telephone mi·mâng kha·pah
I want to exchange some money.
nga chi·gay ngü jay·gö·yö
What’s the exchange rate?
ngü·je·gong·tsay kâ·ray ray
Is there a local internet cafe?
sa·nay·day in·ta·net bay·chö
tong·sa yö·pay cha·khâng
318
I’d like to get internet access.
nga in·ta·net bay·chö chay·go yö
How much is it for an hour?
chu·tsö·chig la·ja kâ·tsay ray
I want to make a long-distance call to (Australia).
( ) nga (o·ta·li·ya)·la kha·pah
tâng·go yö
I want to make a collect call.
kha·pah tong·la phâ·chog·nay tsi·gya
chog·pay kha·pah·chi tâng go·yö
The number is …
… kha·pah ahng·dâng … ray
sightseeing
I’d like to see … sigh tse eing – TIB E TAN
… … mig ta·dö yö
What’s that place?
sa·cha pha·gi kâ·ray ray
Is it OK if I take a photo?
par gyâb·na di·gi re·bay
ta·kor gyün ring·lö do·ya yö·ray
/ chu·tsö kâ·tsay·la go chay·gi/
gyâb·gi ray
Is there an admission charge?
zü·la tay·go re·bay
319
sightseeing
monastery gom·pa
mosque ka·chay lha·khâng
mountain ri
museum dem·tön khâng
old city dron·kay nying·ba
palace pho·dâng
park ling·ga
statues dâ·ku
temple lha·khâng
waterfall bâb·chu
How much is a guide?

nay·shay gya·khen
la·cha kâ·tsay ray
Where can I get a local map?
sa·nay·ki sâp·ta kâ·nay ra·gi·ray
shopping
Where’s the … … nyay·shö ka·bah
nearest …? yö·ray
camera shop par tsong·khâng
market trom
souvenir shop dren·ten cha·lâg
– s ho pp ing
tsong·khâng
Do you have any …?
… kay·râng·la … tsong·ya yö·bay
Can you show me that?
pha·gi ngah mik tön·dâ
sa·nay râng·nay tön·pay
den·ten cha·lâg
nyo·sa ga·bah yö·ray
320
Is this made from …? … diy gyub·ja … re·bay
leopard bone sig·ki rü·koh
leopard skin sig·pâg
onyx si
tiger bone tâg·gi rü·koh
tiger skin tâg·pâg
turquoise yu
How much is it?
gong kâ·tsay ray
Can you write down the price?
gong shu·gu·tog dih nâng·da
It’s too expensive.
gong chay·ta·sha
I’ll give you …
… ngay … tay go
bu·lön shog·jâng·tog
rim·pa tay·na di·gi re·bay
ngü·tsi·nâng non·tü shor·sha
m ee ting p eo p le – TIB E TAN

less nyoong·nga
enough dig·pa
more mâng·wa
meeting people
Hello. ta·shi de·lek
Goodbye. (said by / ka·lee pay/
person staying/ ka·lee shu
leaving)
Good night. sim·ja nâng·go
321
How are you?
kay·râng ku·su de·po yin·bay
Fine. And you?
de·bo·yin kay·râng·yâng
ku·su de·po yin·bay
What’s your name?
kay·râng·gi tsen·lâ kâ·ray·ray
My name is …
… ngay·ming·la … ray
Pleased to meet you.
kay·râng jel·pa gâh·po choong
This is my … … khong ngay·… ray
brother pün·kya bu
daughter bu·mo
father pa·pha
friend / tok·po/tok·mo m/f
husband kyo·ka
mother ah·ma
sister pün·kya bu·mo

son bu
wife kye·man
making conversation
Do you live here?
kay·râng·day shu·gi yö·bay
kay·râng ka·bah pay·kay
kay·râng·day kyi·po du·gay
I love it here.
nga day kyi·po du
322
I’m here … … nga day … yin
on business tsong·lay·chay
on holiday goong·seng·chay
to study lob·jong je·chay
kay·râng·day yün ring·lö
day·ki·yin
I’m here for … weeks/days.
/ nga day dün·ta/
… nyin·ma … day·ki·yin
( ) (kay·râng) par·chig gyâb·na
di·giy ray·bay
I’d like to learn some of your local dialects.
nga yü·miy·kay jâng·dö·yö
m ak ing co nver sat ion – TIB E TAN

ngay kay·râng·la in·ji·kay
lâb gö·bay
di·la kâ·ray sa
How do you do this in your country?
kay·râng·gi loong·pay
loog·sö·la
Is this a local or national custom?
di yü·miy loog·söl yin·na
gya·kâb chi·yong·gi
loog·söl yin·na
I’m sorry, it’s not the custom in my country.
gong·ta te·da
ngân·tsö loong·pay
loog·sö·la yö·ma·ray
Thank you for your hospitality.
nay·len yak·po nâng·wa
tu·jay·chay
323
local talk
Just a minute. teh·si gu·ah
I see. ah·leh
It’s OK. di·gi ray
Sure. yin·da·yin
Where are you from?

kay·râng loong·pa ka·nay yin
I’m from … … nga …·nay yin
Australia o·ta·li·ya
Canada ka·na·da
England in·ji loong·pa
New Zealand nu·zee·land
the USA yu·es·ay/ah·mi·ri·ka

What do you do (for a living)?
( ) kay·râng (tso·tâb·che) lay·kâ
kâ·ray chay·ki·yö
I’m a/an … … nga … yin
businessperson tsong·pa
office worker lay·koong lay·ka
chay·khen
teacher gay·gan
How old are you?
kay·râng lo kâ·tsay yin
… nga lo … yin
How old is your …? … … lo kâ·tsay ray
daughter kay·râng·gi bu·mo
son kay·râng·gi bu
324
Are you married?
kay·râng châng·sa kyön tsa·bay
We live together, but we’re not married.
nga·nyi nyâm·tu dö·ki yö·te
châng·sa gyâb·may
I’m … … nga …
single mi·hreng yin
married châng·sa gyâb·tsah
Do you like …?
… kay·râng …·la ka·bo yö·bay
I don’t like …
… nga …·la ka·bo may
I like reading.
nga teb lo·ya·la ka·bo yö
I like music.
nga rö·ja tong·ya ka·bo yö
I like playing sport.
fee lings & o p inio ns – TIBE TAN

nga tsay·mo tsi·ya ka·bo yö
feelings & opinions

I’m … … nga …·gi du
Are you …? … kay·râng …·gi du·gay
cold khya
hot tsa·wa tsi
hungry drö·kog tog
sad sem kyo
thirsty ka kom
tired kâ·lay ka
worried sem·tel lâng
I’m happy.
nga kyi·po du
I’m well.
nga de·po yin
325
I’m in a hurry.
nga te·wa yö
What do you think about …?
… kay·râng … tog·la sâm·tsü
kâ·ray·yö
I thought it was … ngay sâm·pâh
… te …·chi ray·sha
boring nyob·to
great pay yâg·po
horrible pay doog·châg
OK dig·tsâm
too expensive doh·song chen·po
farewells
Tomorrow is my last day here.
sa·nyin nga day dö·ya nyin
ta·ma·te yin
If you come to (Scotland) you must come and visit us.
kay·râng gay·si
( ) (so·kot·land)·la pheb·na
– f a re wells
nga·tsö·sah ngay·pa·du
What’s your address?
kay·râng·gi ka·châng kâ·ray ray
What’s your (email address)?
( ) kay·râng·gi (ee·mel ka·châng)
kâ·ray ray
( ) ngay (ka·châng) di·ray
Keep in touch!
mu·tü·nay day·wa nâng·ah
326
well-wishing
Congratulations!
ta·shi de·lek
Happy birthday!
kye·kah·nyin ta·shi de·lek
Happy New Year!
lo·sar ta·shi de·lek
eating out
I’m looking for a restaurant.
sa·khâng ka·bah yö·may ta·gi yö
A table for …, please.
… mi …·la chog·tse·chig nang·ro
Can I see the menu, please?
ngah kha·la·gi·tho tön nang·da
What do you recommend?
kay·râng chay·na kâ·ray yâ·gi·ray
What’s the local speciality? e ating o ut – TIBE TAN
sa·nay·ki sa·chay mig·say
kâ·ray kâ·ray tsong·ya yö·ray
I’ll have …
… nga … gö
I’ll have what they’re having.
khong·tsö chö·ya·te na·shin nga·la gö
kha·la pha·gi·nâng kâ·ray yö·ray
I love this dish.
nga kha·la di·la ka·bo yö
We love the local cuisine.
ngân·tso sa·nay·ki kha·la·la ka·bo yö
327
street eats
fried meat dumplings mo·mo ngö·pa
fried rice day ngö·pa
noodle soup gya·thuk
pork spare ribs tsib·sha
rice soup day·thuk
roasted pancake (bread) ahm·dho bâk·lay
soup with meat, vegetables ten·thuk
and noodles
steamed meat dumplings mo·mo
vegetable dumplings tsay mo·mo
The meal was delicious!

kha·la shim·bu shay·ta choong
Please bring the (bill).
( ) (kha·la·gi zihn)·chig nâng·da
breakfast shog·kay kha·la
lunch nyin·goong kha·la
– e at ing ou t
dinner gong·da kha·la

a bottle of … … … shay·tâm·chig
(boiled) water ( ) chu (khö·ma)
(mineral) water ( ) (bu·tog)·chu
(orange) juice ( ) (tsâ·lu·may) khu·wa
soda chu nga·mo
coffee (without milk) ( ) cha ka·bi (oh·ma may·pa)
black tea cha·tâng
tea cha
tea with sugar cha nga·mo
328
toong·ya·chig ngay nyo·go
kay·râng kâ·ray gö
You can get the next one.
je·ma·te ngâg cho·gi ray
beer (home-brew) châng
beer (bottled) bee·yar
Chinese brandy gya·mee ah·râk
liquor ah·râk
wine gün·doom châng·râk
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – TIB E TAN

I’m vegetarian.
nga sha mi·sa·ken yin
Not too spicy, please.
men·na shay·ta
ma·gyâ·ro·nâng
I’m allergic to … … ngah … pho·gi·yö
eggs go·nga
dairy products kar·chu
fish nya·sha
meat sha
peanuts ba·tâm

Help! rog nâng·da
Stop! kha kâg·dâng
Go away! phâh gyook
Thief ! ku·ma du
Fire! may bâh·gee
Watch out! sâb sâb nâng
329
Call …! … … kay tong·da
a doctor ahm·chi
an ambulance nay·pa or·khen mo·ta
the police kor·soong·wa
Please help me.
ngah ro nâng·dâ
Could I please use the telephone?
kha·pah bay·chö chay·na
di·gi re·bay
I’m lost.
nga lâm·ga la·sha
sâng·chö ka·bah yö·ray
kor·soong·way le·koong
ka·bah yö·ray
330
english–tibetan dictionary
In this dictionary, words are marked as n (noun), a (adjective), v (verb), m (masculine), f (feminine),
sg (singular) and pl (plural) where necessary.
A bottle
boy bu
breakfast
shay·tâm
shog·kay kha·la
accident (collision)
accommodation
adaptor
dhö·nay
dhong·tu gyâb·pa
log·shoog cho·ya
broken
bus
châg·pa
chi·chö lâng·kho A
business tsong
address ka·châng buy v nyo·wa
after je·la
air-conditioned dâng·log
airplane
airport
nâm·du
nâm·tâng C
all tshâng·ma camera par·chay
allergy phog·nay cancel chi·ten chay·pa
ambulance nay·pa or·khen mo·ta car mo·ta
and dâng cell phone lâg·pa kye·ya kha·pa
ankle kâng·tsig centre (city) drong·kay·kyil
antibiotics change v je·wa
nay·bu gok·men an·ti·ba·ye·ot·ik cheap kay·po
arm lâg·pa chest (body) bâng·go
child/children pu·gu
B cigarettes
city
clean
tha·ma
dong·kay
tsâng·ma
baby pu·gu closed go gyâb·pa
back (of body) gyâb cold a dâng·mo
backpack gya·phay come yong·wa
bad dhuk·cha computer câm·pu·tah
bag bag·la condoms lig·shoob
baggage claim tog·tay len·sa cook v kha·la so·wa
bank ngü·khâng cost n gong
bar châng·khâng credit card bu·lön shog·jâng
bathroom trü·khâng customs (at border) gom·söl
e nglish–tib e tan
battery bay·ti·ri
beautiful nying je·po
bed nye·ti
beer (bottled) / bee·yar D
beer (home-brew) châng dangerous nyan·ga
before ngön·la date (time) tshe·pa
behind gyâb·la day nyin·ma
bicycle kâng·ga·ri delay gyâng·wa
big chen·po dentist so ahm·chi
bill (account) ngü·tsi depart chi thön·pa
blanket nye·chay diaper pu·gü chu·den
blood group tâg·rig dinner gong·da kha·la
boat dru·zing direct ka·thoog
book (make a reservation) dirty tsog·ba·chen
ngön·ngâg chay·pa disabled wâng·po kyön·chen
331
discount gong châg·pa
doctor
double bed
ahm·chi H
mi·nyi shong·say nye·ti half chay·ka
double room hand lâg·pa
mi·nyi dö·say khâng·mi happy kyi·po
drink n toong·ya have yö·pa
drive v mo·ta tong·wa he kho
head go
driving licence mo·ta tong·ya lâg·kay
heart nying
drug si·men
heavy ji·kog
E E help v
here day
rog nâng·wa
high tho·po
ear ahm·chog hike v kâng·drö gyâk·pa
east shâr holiday (vacation) goong·seng
eat sa·wa homosexual
electricity log phö pho·la châg·pa chay·pa
email ee·mel hospital men·khâng
embassy shoong·tsab hot tsha·po
emergency za·dâg hotel drü·khâng
English (language) in·ji hungry drö·kog tog·pa
evening gong·da husband kyo·ka
exit dön·sa
expensive
eye mig
gong chen·po
I
I nga
F ill na·wa
ngo·trö lâg·kay
far ta ring·po important kay·chen·po

fast gyok·po injury may·kyön
father pa·pha insurance in·shu·ren gan·gya
phing·sho internet in·ta·net
zu·gu
ka·toog bay·chö chay·ya·men·chö yo·chay

nya
J
jewellery gyen·jâ
nya·sha
job lay·ka
food kha·la
foot kâng·pa
free (of charge)
friend /
rin may·pa
tok·po/tok·mo m/f K
DIC TION ARY
fruit shing·tog key di·mig

full kheng·pa kilogram ki·lo·ga·râm
kitchen thâb·tsang
G knife ti
gift
girl bu·mo
lâg·tâg
L
glass ge·la·si laundry tu·log trü·khâng
go doh·wa lawyer tim·tsö·pa
good yâg·po left (direction) yön
guide (person) lâm·tön·pa leg (body) kâng·pa
332
lesbian
mö mo·la châg·pa chay·khen
less nyoong·wa
P
passport pa·se·pot
letter yi·ge pay v rin trö·pa
light (sun/lamp) wö pharmacy men tsong·khâng
like ga·po chay phonecard kha·pah tong·ya lâg·kye
lock gon·châg photo par
long ring·po police kor·soong·wa
love v ga·po chay
postcard dâg·shog
luggage tog·tay
da·khâng
lunch nyin·goong kha·la pregnant
price n gong
pu·gu kye·ya yö·pa M
M
mail dâg
man pho
Q
quiet a kha·khu sim·bu
map sâp·ta
market trom
matches
meat sha
tsâg·ta
R
medicine men rain chah·pa
message kha·len razor ta·di
milk oh·ma receipt choong·zin
minute ka·ma·chig refund n chi·log
mobile phone lâg·pa kye·ya kha·pa registered mail teb·kyel·dâg
money ngü rent v yâr·wa
month da·wa repair v so·chö gyâk·pa
morning nga·toh reservation ngön·ngâg
mother ah·ma reserve v ngön·ngâg chay·pa
motorcycle bâhg·bâhg restaurant sa·khâng
mouth kha return v chih log·pa
return ticket
N ya·lâm ma·lâm do·ya ti·ka·si

right (direction)
road (main)
yeh
lâm·chen
name ming
near tih·la room khâng·mi
new sar·ba
newspaper tsâg·ba
S
e nglish–tib e tan
night gong·da
no / / / min/may/ma·ray/min·du safe a nyen·ga may·pa
noisy kay·choh sanitary napkins tsâng·day shu·gu
north châng seat koob·kya
nose na·khoog send tong·wa
now tân·da sex pho·mo tâg
shampoo ta·trü·ya shâm·bu
O share (a dorm)
chi·khâng·nâng nyâm·tu dhö·pa
old nying·pa she mo
one-way ticket sheet (bed) cha·tah
ya·lâm chig·po do·ya ti·ka·si shirt tö·toong
open a kha·chay shoes lhâm·ko
outside chi·log shop n tsong·khâng
333
short (height) mâ·po tourist information
short (length) toong·toong yu·kor to·châm·pay lay·khoong
shower soog·po tru·ya tor·cho train ri·li
single room khâng·mi·chig translate v phâb·gyur chay·pa
skin pâg·pa travel agency dim·drü lay·koong
skirt may·yog travellers cheques drü·shü ngü·zin
sleep v nyi nyay·wa trousers gö·toong
slowly ka·lee ka·lee twin beds nye·ti cha·chig
small choong·choong
soap yi·tsi
T some
soon
ka·shay
gyok·po U
south lho underwear nâng·gyön ha·pan
souvenir shop urgent kay chen·po
dren·ten cha·lâg tsong·khâng
stamp dâg·tâg
station
stomach
bâb·tsoog
drö·kog
V
stop v kâg·pa vacant tong·pa
stop (bus) n kâg·sa vegetable ngo·tsay
street lâm·ga vegetarian sha mi·sa·khen
student lob·toog visa vi·za
sun nyi·ma
sunscreen
swim v
nyib·ta gok
chu·kye gyâk·pa W
walk v gom·pa gyâk·pa
T wash (something) v
watch n
water n chu
chu·tsö
trü gyâk·pa
tampons ma·kha gok·chay sin·bay

teeth so we ngân·tso
telephone n kha·pah weekend sa pen·pa dâng nyin·ma
temperature (weather) nâm·shi west noob
that pha·gi wheelchair kho·lö koob·gya
they khong·tso when ka·dü
where ka·bah
thirsty kha kom·po
who su
this di
why kâ·ray chay·nay
throat mik·pa
wife kye·man
ticket ti·ka·si
window gay·koong
time dü·tsö
with nyâm·tu
tired tâng chay·pa
without / may·pa/min·pa
DIC TION ARY
tissues tsâng·ta shu·gu

woman kye·man
today te·ring
write ti·wa
toilet sâng·chö
tomorrow sa·nyin
tonight
toothbrush
toh·gong
so·trü Y
toothpaste so·men yes / / / yin/ray/yö/du
log·shu yesterday kay·sa
tour ta·kor you sg/pl / kay·râng/kay·râng·tso
334
Uighur
ALPHABET 336
ABOUT UIGHUR 337
PRONUNCIATION 338
TIME & DATES 340
ACCOMMODATION 343
SIGHTSEEING 344
SHOPPING 345
MEETING PEOPLE 346
FAREWELLS 351
EATING OUT 352
ENGLISH–UIGHUR DICTIONARY 357
uighur alphabet
word-final word-medial word-initial alone sound
aa
a
b
p
t
j
ch
h
d
r
z
z
s
sh
r
f
k
k
g
ng
l
m
– a lph ab et
n
ee
o
u
v
ü
v
e
i
y
336
UIGHUR
about Uighur
The old language of the Central Asian steppe, Uighur (ooy·roor·cha ) is spoken
Uighur Autonomous Region. True to its history as a language of the Silk Road, Uighur
has absorbed elements of Arabic and Persian and can be heard in pockets of neighbour-
ing Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Russia. Buddhist texts from the
9th century were written in old Uighur script (read from bottom to top) and for much
of the following 1000 years Uighur scribes dutifully recorded the history of Central Asia
using a modified Arabic script. Since the 1970s some Uighur speakers have used the
Roman alphabet, but the modified Arabic script (written from right to left) still predom-
inates in China. Uighur is a Turkic language closely related to Uzbek and similar to mod-
ern Turkish. As the guardians of a venerable language, the Muslim Uighurs also enjoy
a reputation for longevity, with over 25% of all centenarians in China being Uighur. It’s
not unusual for Uighur people to invite foreigners into their homes – with a few of the
phrases in this chapter you’re sure to impress your hosts.
uighur




ab o ut – UIG HU R












337
pronunciation
Vowels Consonants
a hat b bed
aa father ch cheat
e bet d dog
as the ‘ee’ in ‘sleep’,
ee but produced from f fat
the throat
i hit g go
hat (pronounced
o go h
with a puff of air)
as the ‘e’ in ‘her’,
ö pronounced with j joke
rounded lips
oo tool k king
u put l live
i pronounced with
ü m man
rounded lips
n not
ng sing
p pet
In this chapter, Uighur pronunciation is
given in purple after each phrase. room (produced
r
from the throat)
Syllables are separated by a dot, and s sun
stressed syllables are indicated with italics.
sh shut
For example:
t top
ka·chü·rueng
v very
y yes
z zoo
338
essentials
Yes./No. . ee·a·a/yaak
Please … … ma·ree·am·mat …
Hello. . yaah·shi·mu·siz
Goodbye. . hayr·hosh
Thank you. . rah·mat siz·ga
Excuse me. . ka·chü·rüng ö·tü·vaa·laay
(to get past)
Excuse me. (to ka·chü·rüng ga
get assistance) kaan·daak baar·i·du
Sorry. . ka·chü·rüng
siz ing·gi·lis·ka bi·lam·siz
lang uage dif f icult ie s – UIG HU R

Do you understand?
siz chü·shan·di·ngiz·moo
I understand/don’t understand.
. man chü·shan·dim/chu·shan·mi·dim
I speak/don’t speak Mandarin.
man or·taak til·daa söz·li·ya·lay·man/
. söz·li·yal·may·man
Do you speak (Uighur)?
siz (ooy·roor·cha) söz·li·ya·lam·siz
What do you call this in (Uighur)?
bu·ni (ooy·roor ti·li·daa) ni·ma
dap aa·taay·si·lar
Can we try to speak in (Uighur)?
man (ooy·roor·cha) söz·lap si·naap
baak·saam bo·laam·doo
Could you please …? … haa·paa bol·maay …
ki·lip bi·ra·lam·siz
repeat that ya·na bir da·nga
speak more slowly aas·ti·raak söz·lang
339
numbers
0 nöl 20 yi·gir·ma
1 bir 30 ot·tuz
2 ik·ki 40 ki·rik
3 üch 50 al·lik
4 töt 60 at·mish
5 bash 70 yat·mish
6 aal·ta 80 sak·san
7 yat·ta 90 tok·saan
8 sak·kiz 100 bir yüz
9 tok·kuz 1,000 bir mng
10 on 1,000,000 bir mil·yoon
time & dates

What time is it?
ee·aa·zir saa·at kan·cha bol·di
. saa·at (on) bol·di
Quarter past (10).
. (on) din bir chaa·rak öt·ti
Half past (10).
– t ime & da te s
. (on) ye·rim bol·di

Quarter to (11).
. (oon·bir) raa bir kaa·rak üt·ti
saa·at kaan·ki·da (baash·laay·doo)
(It starts) At 10.
saa·at oon·daa (baash·laay·doo)
(o·nin·chi aay·ning on·sak·ki·zin·chi
. kü·ni) bol·di
now ee·aa·zir
today bü·gün
tonight bü·gün aah·shaam
340
this … … bü·gün …
afternoon chüsh·tin ke·yin
morning a·ti·gan
(after breakfast)
morning chüsh·tin bu·run
(before lunch)
yesterday tü·nü·gün
tomorrow a·ta
sunrise kün chi·kish
sunset kün ol·tu·roosh
spring baa·ee·aar
summer yaaz
autumn küz
winter kish
Monday dü·shan·ba
Tuesday say·shan·ba
Wednesday chaar·shan·ba
Thursday pay·shan·ba
Friday jü·ma
tim e & d ates – UI GH UR
Saturday shan·ba
Sunday yak·shan·ba
January yaan·vaar
February fi·vi·raal
March maart
April aap·ril
May maay
June i·yoon
July i·yool
August aav·roost
September sin·ta·bir
October ök·ta·bir
November no·yaa·bir
December de·kaa·bir
341
Is this the … bu … (kash·kar)·ga
to (Kashgar)? baa·raam·du
boat ki·ma
bus aap·too·boos
train po·yiz
Where’s a/the …? … … na·da
bank baan·kaa
place to change chat·al poo·li
foreign money aal·maash·too·ri·di·raan
o·roon
post office posh·taa·haa·naa
Is this the road to (Kashgar)?
bo (kash·kar)·ga baa·ri·di·haan yol·mo
maa·ngaa bu yar·ning ha·ri·ti·di·ki
or·ni·ni kör·si·tip bi·ram·siz

aa·di·ri·si ka·yar
How far is it?
kaan·chi·lik yi·raak
u yar·ga pi·yaa·da bar·ri·li boo·laam·du
How do I get there? kaan·daak maa·ngi·du
Turn right/left. . ong·raa/sol·raa kaay·ri·lip
It’s straight ahead. . u·dul aal·di·raa me·ngip
It’s … … … ning
behind … … … aar·ki·daa
in front of … … … aal·di·daa
near … … … at·raa·pi·daa
on the corner ning bu·lu·ngi·daa
opposite … … … ning kaar·shi
ta·ri·pi·da
there u·yar
342
accommodation
ka·yar·da mee·maan·haa·naa baar
yaah·shi·raak/ar·zaan·raak
yaa·ti·di·raan yar·din bir·ni
tav·si·ya ki·li·nga
mi·ning yar·lik mee·maan·haa·ni·daa
. toor·room baar
. man yaa·taak zaa·kaas kil·maak·chi i·dim
. man aal·din ti·zim·li·tip koy·raan
Do you have a … room? … … yaa·taak baar·mu
double (suite) bir yü·rüsh
single yaal·rooz kish·lik
twin kosh kish·lik
ac c om mo d atio n – UIG HU R
ee·ar bir kün·li·ki/aa·dam·gee
nach·cha pool
. man (üch) kün yaat·maak·chi i·dim
yaa·taak·ning aach·ku·chi·ni bi·ram·siz
man bir taal (a·di·yaal) aar·took
aal·saam boo·laam·doo
(ee·aa·vaa tang·shi·güch·ning)
. chaa·ti·ki baar·kan
saa·at kaan·chi·da yaa·taak kaay·too·ri·du
343
Could I have my …, man ö·züm·ning·ki
please? … … ni e·li·vaal·saam
bo·laam·doo
deposit zaa·kaa·lat pu·li
passport paas·port

Where’s a/an …? … … na·da
ATM aap·to·maa·tik pool
e·lish maa·shi·ni·si
public phone aam·mi·vi te·li·foon
te·li·foon nu·mu·ri·ngiz kaan·cha
The number is …
… nu·mu·ri bol·saa …
yi·kin at·raap·taa tor·haa·naa baar·mu
I’d like to … man … ki·laay di·gan
get internet access tor·raa chi·kish
use a printer/scanner pi·rin·tir/si·ka·nir
sightseeing
. man yar·lik man·zir·ni kü·ray de·gan
. … man … kü·ray de·gan
What’s that?
u ni·ma
Can I take a photo?
sü·rat·ka taar·ti·vaal·saam bo·laam·doo
mi·ning bu yar·ning
. yar·lik man·zir·si·ni kör·güm baar
344
bu yar·ni kaan·chi·lik vaa·kit·taa
saa·yaa·ee·at ki·lip bol·ri·li bo·li·doo
sightseeing
Etgal Mosque eeyt·kaar ja·ma
mas·chi·ti
Heaven Pool boor·daa kü·li
Kanasi Lake kaa·naas kü·li
Lake Sayram say·raam kü·li
Mahmud’s Tomb mah·moot kash·ki·ri
kab·ri·si
Thousand-Buddha Cave ming öy
Xiangfei Tomb i·paar·haan kab·ri·si
shopping
Where’s a …? … … na·da
camera shop sü·rat·haa·naa
market baa·zaar
souvenir shop haa·ti·ra bo·yoom·li·ri
maag·zi·ni
supermarket tür·lük maal·laar
maag·zi·ni
sho p p ing – U IGH UR
. mi·ning … ni se·ti·vaal·room baar
Can I look at it?
kö·rüp baak·saam bo·laam·doo
How much is it?
kaan·cha pool
. baa·ee·aa·si·ni haa·tir·lap ko·yong
. bak kim·mat·kan
I’ll give you (five yuan).
. siz·ga (bash yu·an) bi·ray
345
bu yar·da i·naa·vat·lik kaar·tuch·kaa
ish·li·tish·ka boo·laam·doo
eey·saa·vaat taa·lu·ni·daa
. ma·si·la baar i·kan
na·din yar·lik ma·ee·soo·laat·laar·ni
se·ti·vaal·ri·li boo·li·doo
bu na·da yaa·saal·raan
less aaz
enough yi·tar·lik
more köp
bigger chong·raak
smaller ki·chik·rak
meeting people
Hello. as·saa·laa·mu a·lay·kom/
. yaah·shi·mu·siz
Good morning. . hayr·lik sa·ee·ar

Good afternoon. chüsh·tin ke·yin·li·ki·ngiz
. hayr·lik bol·soon
Good evening. kach·li·ki·ngiz
. hayr·lik bol·soon
Goodbye. . hayr·hosh
Good night. . hayr·lik kach
Mr a·pan·dim
Mrs haa·nim
Ms/Miss he·nim
How are you? kaan·daak a·ee·vaa·li·ngiz
Fine, and you? yaah·shi siz·chu
What’s your name? siz·ning is·mi·ngiz ni·ma
My name is … … mi·ning is·mim …
Pleased to meet you. . di·daar ra·ni·mat
346
This is my… … bu me·ning …
brother (older) u·kaam
brother (younger) i·nim
child baa·laam
daughter ki·zim
father daa·daam/aa·taam
friend dos·toom
husband ar
mother aa·paam/aa·naam
partner (intimate) laa·yi·kim
sister (older) aa·cham
sister (younger) sing·lim
son or·lum
wife aa·yaa·lim
making conversation
m ak ing co nver sat ion – UI GH UR

Do you live here? siz bu yar·da too·raam·siz
Where are you going? na·ga baa·ri·siz
Do you like it here? bu yar·ni yaak·toor·di·ngiz·mu
I love it here. . bu yar·ni bak yaak·toor·doom
Have you eaten? taa·maak yi·di·ngiz·mu
Are you here on bu yar·ga saa·yaa·ee·at
holidays? kil·ri·li kal·gan·mu
I’m here … … . man bu yar·ga …
. kal·gan
for a holiday saa·yaa·ee·at ki·lish
on business ko·maan·do·roop·ki·raa
chi·kish
to study o·koosh
siz·bu yar·da kaan·chi·lik too·ri·siz
. man (töt) ee·ap·ta too·ri·man
man (siz·ni) sü·rat·ka
taar·ti·vaal·saam boo·laam·doo
347
What language/dialect do you speak at home?
si·lar yoor·toong·laar·daa kaay·si
til·daa söz·li·shi·si·lar
Do most of the people here speak (Uighur)?
bu yar·da kö·pün·cha aa·dam
(ooy·rur·cha) söz·li·sham·doo
I’d like to learn some (Uighur).
mi·ning (ooy·roor ti·li)·ni
. ü·gan·gim baar
maa·ngaa aaz·raak ing·gi·lis·cha
ü·gü·tüp ko·yoosh·ni haa·laam·siz
bu·ni ni·ma day·doo
local talk
Great! ! kaal·tis
Hey! . kaan·daak aee·vaal
It’s OK. . he·li yaah·shi
Just a minute. . bir·dam saak·laap too·roong

Just joking. . chaak·chaak ki·lip koy·doom
Maybe. . bal·kim
No problem. . eech·ki·si yook
No way! . moom·kin a·mas
Sure, whatever. . bo·li·doo maa·kol
That’s enough! ! bol·di yi·tar·lik
Where are you from? siz na·din kal·di·ngiz

I’m from … . . man … din kal·dim
Australia aa·vis·ti·raa·li·ya
Canada kaa·naa·daa
England an·gi·li·ya
New Zealand ye·ngi zin·laan·di·ya
the USA aa·mri·kaa
What’s your siz ni·ma ish bi·lan
occupation? shoo·roon·li·ni·siz
348
I’m a/an … … mi·ning kas·pim …
businessperson soo·di·gar
office worker ish·haa·naa hiz·mat
haa·di·mi
tradesperson ish·chi
How old …? … … kaan·cha
yaash·kaa kir·di·ngiz
are you siz/san pol/inf
is your daughter ki·zi·ngiz
is your son or·li·ngiz
. man … yaash·kaa kir·dim
. oo … yaash·kaa kir·di
Too old!
! bak ke·ri i·kan
m ak ing co nver sat ion – UI GH UR

. man ki·chik kü·ru·ni·man
Are you married?
siz toy kil·di·ngiz·mu
siz yaat·lik bol·di·ngiz·mu
. . mi·ning jüp·tim baar
I’m … … man …
single boy·taak
married toy kil·dim
Do you like …? siz … ni yaah·shi
kü·ram·siz
I like/don’t like … man … ni yaah·shi
. kü·ri·man/kör·may·man
art san·at
film ki·no kü·rüsh
music mu·zi·kaa aang·laash
reading ki·taap kö·rüsh
sport tan·tar·bi·ya
349
feelings & opinions
Are you …? siz … bol·di·ngiz·mu
cold so·rook
hot is·sik
hungry aach
thirsty oos·saash
tired ee·rish
I feel … . … man … ees kil·dim
I don’t feel … . … man … ees kil·mi·dim
Do you feel …? … siz … bo·li·vaa·taam·siz
happy hoo·shaal bo·loosh
sad haa·paa bo·loosh
worried an·si·rash
What do you think siz·ning·cha kaan·daak·raak
of it?
It’s … … u…
awful bak naa·chaar
beautiful bak gü·zal
boring bak ze·ri·kish·lik

great bak yaah·shi
interesting bak ma·ni·lik
OK bop kaa·li·doo
strange ra·li·ta
mixed emotions
a little aaz·raak
very bak
extremely in·taa·yin
I’m a little sad.
. man aaz·raak haa·paa bo·loop kaal·dim
I’m very surprised.
. man bak ee·ay·raan kaal·dim
I’m extremely happy.
. man naa·ee·aa·ti hoo·shaal
350
I didn’t mean to do anything wrong.
. mi·ning haa·taa ish kil·room yok
bu yar·lik ö·rüp aa·dat·mu
farewells
. man a·ta maa·ngi·man
poor·sat bo·loop kaal·saa
(shot·laan·di·ya) ga baar·si·ngiz
. me·ni iz·dang
Keep in touch!
. aa·laa·ki·li·ship tu·raay·li
siz bi·lan to·nush·kan·li·kim·din
. in·taa·yin hoo·shaal·man
Here’s my address.
. aa·dir·sim·ni siz·ga dap bi·ray
f arewe lls – UIG HU R
What’s your email?
siz ning tor aa·dir·si·ngiz chu
well-wishing
Bon voyage! sa·pi·ri·ngiz·ga
! aak·yol bol·soon
Congratulations! ! mu·baa·rak bool·soon
Good luck! ! sya·ga aa·mat ti·lay·man
Happy birthday! too·rool·raan kü·ni·ngiz·ga
! moo·baa·rak bol·soon
Happy New Year! ye·ngi yi·li·ngiz·raa
! moo·baa·rak bol·soon
351
eating out
Where would you go … … u·chun na·ga be·rish
for (a) …? ki·rak
banquet mu·raa·sim
öt·kü·züsh
celebration tab·rik·lash paa·aa·li·yi·ti
öt·kü·züsh
cheap meal ar·zaan·rak
yi·mak·lik·lar·ni
yi·yish
local specialities yar·lik yi·mak·lik·lar
yum cha chaay i·chish
Can you recommend maa·ngaa bi·rar… raak tin
a …? bir·ni tav·si·ya
ki·laam·siz
bar kaa·vaak·haa·naa
cafe ka·ee·va·haa·naa
noodle house üg·ra·haa·naa
dish tah·sa
restaurant aash·ha·naa
snack shop oosh·shaak yi·mak·lik·lar
maag·zi·ni
(wonton) stall chö·kü·ra·haa·naa
street vendor ko·chi·di·ki oosh·shaak
yi·mak·lik·lar
– e at ing ou t
teahouse chaay·haa·naa
I’d like a/the … . man … ki·laay di·gan
table for (five) (bash) kish·lik
üs·tal
bill hi·saa·vaat taa·loo·ni
drink list i·chim·lik
ti·zim·li·ki
local speciality yar·lik aa·laa·eey·da
ko·ru·maa
menu ko·ru·maa ti·zim·li·ki
(non)smoking taa·maa·ka chi·kish
table (man·i ki·lin·raan)
üs·tal
352
si·lar ya·na so·daa ki·laam·si·lar
kaan·daak ko·rum·ni tav·si·ya ki·li·siz
at·ti·gan·lik taa·maak·taa
aa·dat·ta ni·ma yay·doo
oo·ni ni·ma day·doo
bu ko·ro·mi·ning hu·ruch·li·ri ni·ma
I’ll have that.
. maa·ngaa bir kish·lik be·ring
I’d like it with … . … … ni köp·rak se·ling
I’d like it without … . … … bu·ni aar·laash·toor·maay
chilli ki·zil mooch
garlic saam·saak
MSG is·pirt
nuts me·riz
oil maay
I’d like …, please. . maa·ngaa … ni
one slice bir paar·cha
a piece bir kish·lik
that one aa·shoo shoo e ating o ut – UIG HU R
two ik·ki
This dish is … . bu … ning ko·ru·mi·si
(too) spicy (bak) aach·chik
superb bak yaah·shi
I love this dish.
. bu ko·ru·maa shoon·daak mi·zi·lik bop·too
bu yar·ning ko·ru·mi·li·ri shoon·daak
. oh·shaap·too
That was delicious!
. shoon·daak yi·yish·lik bop·too
I’m full.
. man toy·doom
353
breakfast a·ti·gan·lik taa·maak
lunch chüsh·lük taa·maak
dinner kach·lik taa·maak
drink (alcoholic) ee·aa·raak
drink (nonalcoholic) i·chim·lik·lar
… water … … soo
boiled kaay·naak
cold soo·voo·tool·raan
sparkling mineral min·ral·ni
still mineral bu·laak
(cup of) coffee … … (bir is·taa·kaan) kaee·va …
(cup of) tea … … (bir pi·yaa·la) chaay …
with milk süt kosh·kaan
without sugar shi·kar kosh·mi·raan
fresh drinking yoghurt ke·tik
(orange) juice ap·li·sin (sü·yi)
soft drink gaaz sü·yi
black tea ki·zil chaay
chrysanthemum tea jo·ee·aa·gül che·yi
green tea kök chaay
jasmine tea gül che·yi
oolong tea vu·long che·yi
– e at ing ou t
a … of beer bir … pi·va

glass rum·kaa
large bottle chong bo·tool·kaa
small bottle ki·chik bo·tool·kaa
a shot of (whisky) bir rum·kaa (vis·ki)
a bottle/glass of bir bo·tool·kaa/rum·kaa
… wine . … … ü·züm ee·aa·ri·ki
ni·ma ich·ki·ngiz baar
I’ll buy you one.
. man mee·maan ki·li·man
354
ne·mi·ni haa·laay·siz
Cheers!
! ho·sha ee
! ta·mi taa·zaa yaah·ti
I think I’ve had one too many.
köp i·chip koy·raan·dak
. ki·li·man
man aaz·raak mas bo·loop
. kaal·dim
street eats
sp e cial d iet s & alle rgies – UI GH UR

cold clear bean-flour noodles lang·poong
corn on the cob kök·baash ku·naak
dumpling (boiled) ban·shi·ra
egg pancake posh·kaal
fried stuffed (meat) bun saam·saa
hand pilaf po·lo
pork pie (large) gösh naan
pork pie (small) key·mi·lik pi·ra·nik
pulled noodles öy lar·mi·ni
shish kebab kaa·vaap
stuffed naan bread naan
wonton soup chö·chü·ra

kök·taat·lik yi·mak·lik·lar baar·mu
… … ni aar·laash·toor·maay
bir ko·ru·maa ko·ri·sa bop·ti·kan
355
I’m allergic to … maa·ngaa … ri·aak·si·ya
. ki·li·doo
dairy produce süt·lük mah·soo·laat·laar
eggs tu·hoom
meat gösh
nuts me·riz
seafood de·ngiz mah·soo·laat·li·ri

Help! ! kut·ku·zung·laar
Go away! ! yo·kaal
Fire! ! ot kat·ti
Watch out! ! ee·ti·yaat ki·ling
maa·ngaa yaar·dam ki·laa·laam·siz
te·li·fu·ni·ngiz·ni ish·li·tip
toor·sam bo·laam·doo
I’m lost.
. man e·zip kaal·dim
taz·lik ü·yi ka·yar·da
sak·chi·haa·naa ka·yar·da
Where’s the … ang ye·kin…
nearest …? ka·yar·da
dentist chish doh·too·ri
doctor doh·toor
hospital doh·toor·haa·naa
pharmacist do·ri·haa·naa
356
english–uighur dictionary
In this dictionary, words are marked as n (noun), a (adjective), v (verb), sg (singular), pl (plural), inf (informal)
and pol (polite) where necessary.
A blanket
blood group
boat ki·ma
ad·yaal
kaan ti·pi
accident (mishap)
bottle bo·tool·kaa
kü·tül·mi·gan ba·hit·siz·lik
boy o·rool baa·laa
accommodation
adaptor
address n
koo·naal·ru
maas·laash·koo·chi
lik·si·ya süz·lash
brakes (car)
breakfast
toor·mooz
at·ti·gan·lik taa·maak
A
after din ki·yin broken (out of order) tar·tip·siz
air conditioning bus aap·too·boos
ee·aa·vaa tang·shi·güch business so·daa saa·ha·si
airplane aay·roo·pi·laan buy v se·ti·ve·lish
airport aay·doo·room
alcohol
all
is·pirt
ee·am·mi·si C
allergy zi·yaan ki·lish camera aa·paa·raat
ambulance cancel a·mal·din kaal·doo·roosh
jid·di koot·koo·zoosh maa·shi·ni·si car ki·chik maa·shi·naa
and bi·lan cash n nak pool
ankle hoo·shouk cash (a cheque) v pool chi·ki
antibiotics aan·ti bi·ok·tip cell phone yaan te·li·foon
arm bi·lak centre n mar·kaz
ATM change (money) v
aap·to·maa·tik pool e·lish maa·shi·ni·si pool aal·maash·too·roosh
cheap ar·zaan
B check (bill)
check-in n
taa·loon
yok·loo·mi·raa ö·tüsh
baby bo·vak chest (body) may·da
back (of body) düm·ba children baa·li·laar
backpack yük taak cigarette taa·maa·kaa
bad as·ki
city sha·har
bag som·kaa
e nglish–uigh ur
clean a paa·kiz
baggage
closed taa·kaak
sa·par laa·zi·mat·lik·li·ri
bank baan·kaa cold a so·rook
bar kaa·vaak·haa·naa come ki·lish
bathroom moon·chaa computer kom·poo·yo·tir
battery baa·taa·ri·ya contact lenses mik·ro ay·nak
beautiful chi·raay·lik cook v taa·maak i·tish
bed kaar·vaat cost n chi·kim
beer pi·va credit card
before boo·roon i·naa·vat·lik kaar·toch·ki·si
behind kay·ni·da currency exchange
bicycle val·si·pit pool aal·maash·too·roosh
big chong customs (immigration)
bill taa·loon chat·al·lik köch·man·lar
357
D food
foot poot
free (of charge)
yi·mak·lik
ee·ak·siz
dangerous ha·tar·lik friend dost
date (time) chis·laa fruit mi·va
day kün full to·yoosh
delay v ki·chik·tü·rüsh
dentist
depart
diaper zaa·kaa
chish doh·too·ri
aay·ri·lish G
gift soo·raat
dinner kach·lik taa·maak
D direct a
dirty
bi·vaas·ta
may·nat
girl kiz baa·laa
glass (drinking)
glasses
is·taa·kaan
köz ay·nak
disabled mi·yip
go be·rish
discount v i·ti·baar bi·rish
good yaak·shi
doctor doh·toor guide n saa·yaa·hat yi·tak·chi·si
double room
kosh kish·lik yaa·taak
drink n
drive v
i·chim·lik
hay·dash
H
half n ye·rim
driving licence
hand kol
sho·poor·look praa·vi·si
happy hoo·shaal bo·loosh
drug (illicit)
he oo
za·har·lik chi·kim·lik
head n baash
E heart
heavy
help
yü·rak
e·rir
yaar·dam
ear koo·laak here boo·yar
east shark high i·giz
eat yi·yish highway tiz sü·rat·lik taash·yol
economy class aa·dat·ti·ki o·roon hike v pi·yaa·da me·ngish
electricity tok holiday ta·til
elevator li· hospital doh·toor·haa·naa
email il·hat hot is·sik
embassy dö·lat kon·sul·haa·ni·si hotel mee·maan·haa·naa
emergency jid·di ah·vaal (be) hungry kor·si·ki e·chish
English (language) ing·gi·liz ti·li husband e·ri
evening kach
exit n
expensive
eye köz
chi·kish e·ri·zi
kim·mat I
I man
kim·lik
DIC TION ARY
F ill
important
ki·sal
moo·eeim
far yi·raak injury (wound) yaa·raa
fast tiz insurance is·ti·raa·hoo·aa·ni·ya
father daa·daa/aa·taa internet tor
ni·gaa·tip interpreter chü·shan·dü·rüsh
baar·maak
jid·di koot·koo·zoosh saan·doo·ki J

bi·rin·chi da·ri·ji·lik jewellery ün·cha mar·vaa·yit
n be·lik job hiz·mat
358
K north
nose
now
shi·maal
boo·roon
ee·aa·zir
key aach·kooch number noo·moor
kitchen aash·haa·naa
knife pi·chaak
O
L old (people)
old (things)
yaa·shaan·raan·laar
ko·naa nar·si·lar
laundry (place) kir·haa·naa one-way ticket bir yol·look
lawyer aa·doo·kaat
left (direction)
leg (body)
sol
paa·chaak
bi·lat
open a
outside
o·chook
sirt
K
less aaz·raak
letter (mail)
light n
like v
chi·raar
aam·raak
tor hat·chak·li·ri
P
passport paas·port
lock n koo·loop
pay v tö·lash
long oo·zoon
pharmacy do·ri·ee·aa·naa
lost e·zip ke·lish
phonecard te·li·foon kaar·ti·si
love v yaah·shi kö·rüsh
photo sü·rat
luggage yük taak
police saak·chi
lunch chüsh·lük taa·maak
postcard aat·kirt·kaa
M pregnant
price n baa·ee·aa
posh·taa·haa·naa
ee·aa·mil·daar
mail n hat
man ar
map
market
ha·ri·ta
baa·zaar
Q
quiet a jim·jit
matches sa·rang·ga
meat gösh
medicine
message
do·raa
oo·choor
R
milk süt rain n yaam·roor
minute mi·noot razor oos·toor
mobile phone yaan te·li·foon receipt n taa·loon
money pool refund n kaay·too·roosh
month aay registered (mail) roy·hat·ka e·lish
morning at·ti·gan rent v aa·ri·yat·ka e·lish
e nglish–uigh ur
mother aa·naa/aa·paa repair v ri·mot ki·lish

motorcycle mo·to·si·ki·lit reserve v zaa·kaas ki·lish
mouth e·riz restaurant taa·maak·haa·naa
return (go back) kaay·tip ki·tish
N return ticket
kaay·tip ki·lish be·li·ti
right (direction) ong
name i·sim
road yol
near ye·kin at·raap
room n öy
neck n bo·yaan
new ye·ngi
newspaper
night
ge·zit
aah·shaam
S
no (not at all) eech·ki·si yok safe a bi·ha·tar
noisy vaa·raang choo·roong sanitary napkin taa·zi·lik ka·ri·zi
359
seat n o·roon tooth chish
send yol·laash toothbrush chish paas·ti·si
sex (gender) jin·si toothpaste chish mal·hi·mi
shampoo chaach soo·poo·ni mash·al
share (a dorm) tang ish·li·tish tour n saa·yaa·ee·at
she oo saa·yaa·ee·at i·daa·ri·si
sheet (bed) kir·lik towel löng·ga
shirt köy·nak train n po·yiz
shoes aa·yaar translate tar·ji·ma ki·lish
shop n maag·zin travel agency
T short
shower n
single room
kis·kaa
yoo·yoo·noosh
bir kish·lik yaa·taak
saa·yaa·ee·at shir·ki·ti
travellers cheque
trousers ish·taan
saa·yaa·ee·at che·ki
skin n ti·ra
skirt n
sleep v
yop·kaa
ooh·laash U
slow aas·taa underwear ich ki·yim
small ki·chik urgent jid·di
soap shor·paa
some
son
ba·zan
o·rool
V
south ja·noop vacancy bi·kaar hiz·mat or·ni
souvenir haa·ti·ra bo·yoo·mi vegetable n kök·taat
stamp poch·ta maar·ki·si vegetarian a
station (train) bi·kat gösh·siz taa·maak yi·gü·chi·lar
stomach aash·kaa·zaan visa yöt·kash ras·mi·yi·ti
stop v toh·taash
stop (bus) n
street ko·chaa
aap·too·boos bi·ki·ti W
student o·koo·roo·chi walk v me·ngish
sun koo·yaash wallet ee·am·yaan
sunscreen wash (something) yoo·yoosh
koo·yaash noo·ri·din saak·li·ni·di·raan watch n saa·at
swim v soo ü·züsh water n soo
we biz
T weekend
west ra·rip
hap·ta aa·hi·ri
tampon wheelchair chaak·lik o·roon·dook

kaan toh·ti·tish paah·ti·si when kaa·chaan
telephone n te·li·foon where ka·yar
temperature (weather) tim·poo·raa·too·raa who kim
that oo why ni·ma ü·chün
DIC TION ARY
they oo·laar wife aa·yaa·li

(be) thirsty oos·saash window da·ri·za
this boo with bi·lan
throat bo·rooz without yok
ticket bi·lat woman aa·yaal ki·shi
time vaa·kit write ye·zish
tired ee·rish
tissues taa·laa
today bü·gün Y
toilet o·boor·ni yes ee·a·a
tomorrow a·ta yesterday tü·nü·gün
tonight bü·gün aah·shaam you sg inf/pol san/siz
you pl si·lar
360
Culture
The glory of China is the sheer diversity of its

culture – from a rich history and regional cuisines to
colourful festivals, China has it all.
Here we present you with a cultural snapshot of the
country and give you the tools to travel
in an exciting and respectful way.
history timeline
Take a wander through the rich history of China …
Early settlements established in modern-day Shaanxi and Hénán.
c 3000 BC
and Five Sovereigns’.
c 2200–1700 BC Dynastic rule commences with the Xia.
1700–1100 BC The Shang dynasty comes to power. Bronzeware production is per-
fected, and the consistent use of Chinese characters is documented.
1100–221 BC The Western and Eastern Zhou dynasties rule.

Laotzu, the founder of Taoism, is reputedly born.
Confucius is born.
Petroglyphs indicate the spread of Buddhism in Tibet at this time.
The short-lived Qin dynasty is established.
221–206 BC The Qin kingdom conquers the surrounding states to create the first
C H IN A – hist or y time line
unified China.
Emperor Qin indentures thousands of labourers to link existing city
walls into one Great Wall.
The Han dynasty takes over.
Chinese traders and explorers follow the Silk Road all the way to
One of the first documented accounts of tea-drinking in China.

AD 220–581
strong division between north and south China.
The Sui dynasty rules.
The Grand Canal, the world’s longest artificial canal, is constructed.
608 The first mission is sent from the Tibetan court to the Chinese emperor.
362
618–907 The Tang dynasty holds sway.
The first Christian missionaries are believed to have arrived.
Pilgrim Xuan Zhuang sets out for India, returning 16 years later with
countless Buddhist holy texts.
625–705 Wu Zetian is the first and only woman to become emperor.
960–1279 The Song dynasty is in power.
The major inventions of the premodern world – paper, printing,
gunpowder and the compass – are all commonly used in China.
1279–1368 Kublai Khan’s vast Mongol empire includes all of China.
1368–1644 Chinese ethnic rule is restored with the Ming dynasty.

1385–1464
medic, inventor of Tibetan opera and builder of 108 bridges in Tibet.
Ming Emperor Yongle begins the construction of the Forbidden City.

The Portuguese establish a permanent trade base in Macau.
The classic tale Journey To The West is published – made known to

many by its incarnation as 1970s TV series Monkey Magic.
The qípáo (cheongsam) becomes a fashionable frock for women.
1644–1911 Conquerors from Manchuria establish the Qing dynasty.
Emperor Kangxi declares Tibet a protectorate of China. Two Chinese
representatives, known as Ambans, are installed at Lhasa, along
with a garrison of Chinese troops.
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Chinese officials, the pretext for the First Opium War.

Hong Kong is ceded to the British in perpetuity.
1856–64 The Taiping uprising establishes army rule in parts of eastern China
363
1894–95 First Sino-Japanese war.
Two-year-old Puyi ascends the throne as China’s last emperor.
1911–12 Revolution brings dynastic rule to an end with Sun Yatsen’s republi-
can government and abdication of the emperor.
1921–22 Lu Xun’s The Story of Ah Q, the first work to be written entirely in
1923–27
Chiang Kaishek’s Kuomintang rounds up and kills thousands of com
begins, travelling 6400km northwest.

Mao Zedong is recognised as head of the Chinese Communist Party
1937–45 Japanese invasion and occupation of China.
Communists and the Kuomintang fail to form a coalition govern-

ment, and plunge China back into civil war.
C H IN A – hist or y time line
The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is established.

China supports North Korea in the Korean War.
but criticisms of the regime lead Mao to imprison or exile thousands.

The Taiwan Straits crisis.
1958–62 The Great Leap Forward ultimately causes mass starvation.
Widespread revolt in Tibet is suppressed. Amid mounting violence
the 14th Dalai Lama flees to exile in India.
The establishment of the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
Red Book’ of quotations is published.
364
The US national table tennis team becomes the first American dele-
gation to set foot in China in 49 years; Nixon soon follows.
Deng Xiaoping returns to power as Deputy Premier.
Diplomatic relations are established with the US.
The Last Emperor collects an Oscar for best picture.

Hundreds of civilian demonstrators are killed by Chinese troops in
the streets around Tiananmen Square. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin
Gyatso, wins the Nobel Peace Prize.
Deng Xiaoping dies. Britain returns Hong Kong to the PRC.
Macau is handed over from Portugal to the PRC.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation is formed between China,
Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. China
also joins the World Trade Organization.
Hu Jintao becomes president. SARS hits Hong Kong and mainland
China. China sends its first astronaut into space. The Golden Shield
Project is put in place to control internet usage.
Prime Minister Wen Jiabao addresses Japan’s parliament. Jiang
Rong wins the first Man Asia Literary Prize for his novel Wolf Totem.
tally with 51 gold – amid pro-Tibet demonstrations.

The global financial crisis sees a 10-year low in China’s economic
C ULTURE
365
food
the chinese & food

The Chinese live to eat – not just to eat, but to eat well, to eat indulgently and to eat
flavoursome, interesting, well-cooked food at every meal.
Chinese cuisine can be divided into four main schools, summed up in the Man-
darin saying (meaning ‘the east is sour, the west
is spicy, the south is sweet and the north is salty’). Cantonese (southern) cuisine
is the nation’s most varied and elaborate; we can also thank it for
(eastern) cuisine is generally richer, sweeter and oilier,
relying on preserved vegetables, pickles and salted meats. (northern) food
while (western or Sìchu n) style is renowned for red chillies and pepper-
corns firing up pork, poultry, legumes and soybeans. Finally, (east coast
cuisine) is relatively vegetarian-friendly and is home to meat simmered in dark soy
sauce, sugar and spices. And there are many other influences, like Macau’s Portu-
guese touches, Hong Kong’s gift at importing the best and Tibet’s (steamed
dumplings) and (fermented barley beer).
eat by number
A Chinese saying talks of seven basic daily necessities: fuel, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce,
vinegar and tea. Another ‘seven’ is the seven tastes incorporated in dishes: sweet,
salty, sour, bitter, hot, (wok essence) and (a kind of savoury, more-
ish element sometimes created with MSG). Then there are five elements that must
be attended to in cooking: colour, aroma, flavour, shape and texture. In addition,
food is considered medicine for the (life energy). Accordingly, a meal must bal-
ance (cool and moist) and (warm and solid), the five elements (wood,
earth, fire, water, metal) and the four states (moist, warm, cool, dry).
C H IN A – f o o d
staples
If it walks, crawls, slithers, swims or flies, someone in China will probably eat it. In
-
pions, cicadas, land and water beetles, snakes (the bile and blood is meant to help
impotence) and turtle. The term for meat is , which will generally mean ‘pork’
unless otherwise stated, and lard is laced in breads and sweets alike. From the water,
sample (catfish) in Sìchu n, and live
366
self-respecting restaurant has live shellfish and fish on the front step. Eat all
(seafood) hot from cooking, even the medicinally ‘cold’ (crab), best steamed
with ginger and spring onions and eaten with yellow rice wine.
Vegetables and fruit are diverse and readily available, but vegetarians will face
(beef stock) and (oyster sauce) in nearly everything – don’t be
suckered by the term (vegetable dish), which is not usually vegetarian but
rather features a particular vegetable. Meantime, try out the chillies of Húnán, the
soft flavour of cabbage and the yammy taste of taro. In addition to green
leafy vegetables), the Chinese make use of delicate, crisp turnips in salads, and fennel
tops in dumplings across the north. Don’t miss out on Yúnnán’s coal-cooked sweet
(flat peaches), the (jujube, also
called Chinese date) and (‘dragon eyes’, also called longan).
Although grains other than (rice) play their part in Chinese cuisine – wheat, mil-
let, sorghum, corn – rice is so important that is a symbol for all meals. It is prepared
as flour, noodles, porridge and more, and even the aroma from rice cooking is revered.
Black rice is glutinous and used in sweets, jasmine rice dominates towards the southeast
border, and red rice is used for alcohol and vinegar. In the northwest, noodles are more
likely to be made from wheat, while in Inner Mongolia and Tibet millet is probably used.
.
Breads include the famous
(deep-fried bread). And finally there’s the versatile (soy bean), which
the Chinese have been fermenting, smoking, maturing and eating for over 3000 years –
best known in (tofu) and (soy milk drink).
fishy business
An ingredient, its form and the manner of eating it may hold symbolic meaning
in China. For example, serving a whole fish means prosperity, as it has a logical
beginning and end. Yet you’d never turn it over once you’ve eaten the top side, as
this is reminiscent of a boat capsizing at sea and therefore means death.
mystery ingredients
C ULTURE
So what are China’s secret herbs and spices?

(star anise) is used
continent-wide in marinades and braised dishes. Look out for (Sìchu n pep-
per, a prickly ash bud that sends your tongue numb), as well as the ubiquitous
(coriander), (sesame seeds) and (five spices mix, using cassia bark,
star anise, fennel seeds, black pepper and cloves).
367
Soy sauce, comes in dark and thick or light varieties, and is used for dips
as well as in cooking. Toasty-flavoured (sesame oil) is a finishing touch,
while in Sìchu n (sesame paste) and (chilli sauce) are ever-
present. Fújiàn’s Pacific oysters provide (oyster sauce), and other flourishes
come from (red rice vinegar) and syrupy black Chinkiang vinegar.
A wealth of dried ingredients is available, with over 30 kinds of mushrooms, not
to mention (wolfberries), (caterpillar consumed from the inside
by a rabid fungus) and dried (sea cucumber). mushroom)
is the most common fungus, but also try (wood-ear fungus) and
(monkey-head mushrooms). Nuts and legumes abound, the more unusual ones
being (bitter apricot kernels) and (ginkgo nuts). Meat is also dried
and the
And then there’s the outright exotic, such as bamboo worms, deer penis and wild
cat. Other local treats are (preserved or ‘thousand-year’ eggs) and
(bird’s nest – made from the saliva of swiftlets).
drinks
No true Chinese will miss out on their tea. There are at least 320 strains of the tea
plant -
fer the heady, gutsy nature of (oolong) or (black) teas, while the
(green) tea. In Yúnnán
they prefer Pu’erh tea , a fermented black tea. While most teas in China are
drunk without milk or sugar, in Inner Mongolia they prefer to add cream or butter to
their ‘milk tea’ , while Tibetans fancy it with rancid yak butter and salt
. Also check out (brick teas – made from tea that has been compressed
into a brick shape) and (scented teas).
For other nonalcoholic options, try (lychee juice), (sour plum
drink) or (almond milk) in the south. In the north, you’ll find
(yoghurt) as a breakfast item. You could also sample the near-nonalcoholic lemon
C H IN A – f o o d
beer and pineapple beer, or (coffee), popular with the up-and-coming younger
generation.
Alcohol definitions in China are a little slippery: (white wine) ac-
tually means near-toxic firewater, containing 40% to 60% alcohol – try Yúnnán’s
Long Chuan rice liqueur and Chinese flowering quince wine. Other renowned wines
include red rose liqueur, and (yellow rice wine), with a 2400-year history
is China’s universal alternative to tea. Always
ask for your beer (cold). In Macau test the evocatively named Lágrima de Cristo
(Tears of Christ), a Portuguese white port.
368
table manners
The word (bustling) encapsulates the atmosphere of restaurants across China,
where people value enthusiastic participation in conversation as well as the meal.
Meals come not in individual servings but in (communal plates) – do get your
hepatitis A shots but don’t miss out on the fun. At the table, wait until your host picks
up their chopsticks before you begin eating. When choosing your food, go for the dish
closest to you or ask people to pass your choice – never reach over the table. Don’t
tap the side of your bowl with your chopsticks (the sign of beggars), nor stick the
chopsticks upright in your rice as that resembles funerary incense. Finally, it’s polite
to offer to pay the bill, even if you’re clearly the guest. Bluffing or not, say:
(You were tonight’s host, but I’ll pay the bill). And
should you need a night off the dreaded white spirits, a good escape is to turn your
glass upside down and explain that your doctor won’t let you drink.
street food
Be prepared: any Chinese with a gas bottle and a wok can become a
(street vendor). Eat only freshly made (snacks) and only where appreciative
crowds are gathered, and you needn’t miss out on local delicacies such as
(sticky rice in bamboo leaves), (wonton soup) or (egg and spring
onion pancake). Ubiquitous (meat- or vegetable-stuffed dumplings) are a
treat – locals mix (chilli), (vinegar) and (soy sauce) according to
taste in a little bowl, then dip. Postparty in Hong Kong, grab some (dim
sum) to soak up the beer – try (steamed shrimp dumplings) or
(steamed rice-flour rolls with shrimp, beef or pork). Some Chinese street-fare
shows a Persian influence, like
C ULTURE
moon dumplings, and in Macau don’t miss the distinctive pastries on Rua da
Felicidade. Hong Kong tempts with (cow’s organs), (fish balls),
(roasted chestnuts) and (rice noodles). Tibetan mar-
kets offer the challenge of (dried yak cheese), white balls eaten like a
boiled sweet.
369
festivals
festivals in china
A-Ma Festival (A-Ma Temple, Inner Harbour, Macau) The birth of the Taoist goddess
of fisherfolk A-Ma is celebrated on the 23rd day of the third lunar month (March/April).
One legend has it that a junk sailing across the South China Sea was embroiled in a storm,
the passengers facing certain death. Behold, a beautiful young woman on the boat stood
and ordered the sea be calm, saving all on board. A temple was built in her honour in
1488 – at the location of their safe return to land – and A-Ma is worshipped along the
coast under the names Mazu, Tin Hau and Niangniang. On the festival day, seafarers and
their families throng the Ming dynasty temple, leaving offerings, burning incense and
praying for safe journeys. Enjoy the Chinese opera performances and take in the gorgeous
poetry inscribed on the surrounding cliff walls.
Cheung Chau Bun Festival (Cheung Chau, Hong Kong) On the island of Cheung
Chau the Buddha’s birthday public holiday is marked by the construction of rock-
et-shaped towers, standing up to 20m high, covered with sacred bread rolls. At mid-
night on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month (April/May), competitors scramble up
the towers, grabbing a bun for good luck – the higher the bun, the better the fortune.
For 26 years the festivities were kept to ground level after a tower collapsed in 1978, but
the bamboo structures have been replaced by metal and climbers now use safety ropes.
Swirling around the towers is the greater festival, with processions featuring floats, stilt
walkers and people dressed as characters from legend and opera. Most interesting are
the ‘floating children’, carried through the streets atop long poles. Make the most of the
vegetarian feast and check out the colourful fishing boats in the harbour.
There’s something special about being in one of China’s

major cities for Lunar New Year (January/February), the ‘real thing’ after seeing it in
C H IN A – fes tivals
the Chinese year, and for the most part this is a family festival. Throughout the country,
couplets) pasted on door posts, door gods brightening up alleys and streets, and shops
glistening with red and gold decorations. Work colleagues and relatives present each
of fireworks at midnight both to welcome in the New Year and ward off bad spirits, plus
the special services held at Longhua and Jing’an Temples. Stay hungry for the eight- or
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Dragon Boat Festival (Mi Lo River, Húnán) During the Dragon Boat Festival (fifth day
of the fifth lunar month, May/June), the Mi Lo fills with colourful crafts decked out to
imitate dragons, from fearsome snout to scaly tail. The China-wide festival commemo-
rates Qu Yuan, a revered poet-statesman who drowned himself in 278 BC to protest the
Qin state’s invasion. Onlookers tried to keep fish and evil spirits from Qu Yuan’s body by
splashing their oars and beating drums. Today festival spectators snack on zòngzi (sticky
rice in bamboo leaves) in memory of the rice scattered as an offering to the poet’s ghost.
Arrive waterside early to see the dragon-head prows blessed with incense and gongs.
The race is won when a rower straddles his craft’s dragon head and grabs the flag. The
festival is also a tribute to the god of water, and homes fill with invocations of physical
and spiritual well-
being. The herbs calamus and moxa are hung from front doors and pictures of Chung
Kuei, the demon slayer, are pinned up. Adults also enjoy hsiung huang (a type of rice
wine) and the party continues after dark with firecrackers and dragon dances.
revolves around over 1300 fanciful and elaborate ice sculptures built by teams from about
20 countries, including recreations of famous buildings and structures (such as a scaled-
Attractions include ice lanterns, skiing, ice skating, outdoor swimming, hunting, dog-sled
rides and art performances – not to mention whooshing down ice slides and the ice-axe
free-for-all that marks the festival’s end.
Also known as the Moon Festival or the
Moon Cake Festival, this festival on the full moon of the eighth lunar month (September/
October) is a holiday for lovers, families and the homesick. Loved ones meet under the lunar
symbol of unity to barbecue, eat pomelos (draping the rinds on their heads), do fire-dragon
lives on the moon with a jade rabbit. The (moon cakes) themselves are made of a
C ULTURE
thin dough shell containing fillings such as jelly, dates and nuts or red bean paste – during
an uprising against the Mongols in the 14th century, revolutionary plans were secretly
passed around in the cakes. A popular spot to moonbathe is
three candlelit towers.
371
since 1999. Entertainment comes in the form of local and foreign folksingers showing
off their modern and classical numbers, dancing galas and dramatic lighting displays.
ge’wei (song gathering) for the Zhuang minority,
‘Ocean of Folk Songs’. The Zhuang sing their way through daily life, while working the
fields, collecting firewood, attending funerals and, of course, courting. At a ge’wei, young
people sing an impromptu antiphonal song cycle (a one-to-one song competition) telling
of their love; women hand the successful swain xiuqiu, a ball made of 12 silk stripes like
flower petals.
Tomb-Sweeping Day, also called Clear and Bright Festival, sees families returning to their
ancestors’ graves. The dead are honoured by cleaning weeds from gravestones, touching
up inscriptions, offering chrysanthemums and favourite foods, and burning paper goods
and zhiqian (‘Bank of Hell’ money) so the ancestor will be wealthy in the afterlife. The
particularly devout hang a willow branch in the doorway to their homes, preventing the
dead from entering if they roam free of the cemetery. For most it’s a spring celebration
rather than a day of mourning, with families feasting on the offerings and flying kites.
Traditionally, trees are planted to welcome the warmer weather, and tea leaves picked
before this date are prized for their subtle aromas (and priced accordingly).
in order to show his obedience to Allah. Allah saved the boy and a lamb was sacrificed
in his place, and today an important part of Qurban is the sacrifice of a goat or cow to
commemorate this occasion. During the three-day festival, Muslims across China dress
C H IN A – fes tivals
and sacrifice, though – this is also a time for entertaining family and friends, gift-giving
and partaking in traditional festival foods, including sanzi, a deep-fried noodle-shaped
(falling in September until 2017, then August). This is a particularly interesting time for
372
Saga Dawa Festival (Lhasa & Mt Kailash, Tibet) Buddha Sakyamuni’s conception,
wholesome or unwholesome actions is multiplied by 100,000 – another good reason

for most of Lhasa’s population to walk the Lingkhor circuit. Prayer wheels are turned
on the streets, Tibetan operas recount history and legend, and boats are paddled in the
Dragon King Pool at the foot of the Potala Palace. Alternatively, you can trek to holy Mt
instructions. Lung ta (prayer flags; literally ‘wind horses’) are hung to the tune of sacred
horn-and-cymbal music, the faithful circle the pole, and if it’s positioned correctly all
bodes well for Tibet.
Love is in the air during this courtship
medium of sticky rice. To a soundtrack of music from the (a reed instrument), and
amid dancing, paper-dragon fights and buffalo fighting, young women dress in exquisite
embroidery and kilograms of silver jewellery shaped into neck rings, loin chains, and
multiple headdresses. The suitors arrive, serenading the women and presenting a parcel
rice parcels containing unspoken messages – two chopsticks indicate acceptance, one
means ‘no thank you’, a leaf is a request for some satin before giving a decision, while
lunar month (March/April), marks the time when married women return home and see
their parents.
Tradition has it that
the world’s first kite – an eagle made out of wood – was held aloft from Mount Lu
thousands of enthusiasts arrive to display and compete over three days. Visitors will be
awestruck by enormous structures being hauled aloft by jeeps, or dragon kites over 800m
long. The creativity and presentation of the kites, which are often based on traditional
folk designs, is the focus of the festival. Performances include an opening parade of
participants, an impressive fireworks display to close and regional songs and dances.
C ULTURE
Be sure to take in the kite museum, whose peacock-blue roof is designed to resemble a
dragon-head centipede kite.
373
INDEX
Shanghainese
Dongbei Hua
Yunnan Hua
Mongolian
Cantonese
Chaozhou
Hunanese
Mandarin
Sichuan
Zhuang
Tibetan
Uighur
Hakka
Xi’an
A
accommodation 19 44 68 92 116 140 164 188 212 236 260 285 317 343
17, 67, 92, 115, 140, 164, 188, 212, 236, 260, 316, 342,
addresses 43, 51 295
18 76 100 123 147 171 195 219 244 268 326 351
addressing people 24 50 72 96 119 143 168 191 216 240 268 289 – 346
admission
21 47 – – – – – – – – 264 286 319 –
(sightseeing)
242,
age – – 74 98 122 146 170 194 218 266 293 324 349
243
198,
alcoholic drinks 27 53 79 103 126 151 174 223 247 271 299 329 354,
199
27, 54,
allergies 80 104 127 152 175 199 223 248 272 300 329 355
30 56
alphabet – – – – – – – – – – – 278 310 336
ambulances 28 54 – – – – – – – – – – 330 –
amounts 23 49 71 95 119 143 167 191 215 239 263 297 321 346
281, 339,
apologising 13 39 65 89 113 137 161 185 209 233 257 313
292 351
art & architecture 362-5
B
16, 42,
baggage – – – – – – – – – – – –
29 55
18, 43, 67, 92, 115, 139, 163, 187, 211, 235, 259, 316, 342,
banking 283
20 45 69 93 117 141 165 189 213 237 261 318 344
IN DE X
IN DE X
bars 26 52 76 101 124 148 172 196 220 245 269 296 – 352
bargaining 23 49 71 95 118 143 167 191 215 239 263 289 321 345
basic phrases 13 39 65 89 113 137 161 185 209 233 257 281 313 339
374
Shanghainese
Dongbei Hua
Yunnan Hua
Mongolian
Cantonese
Chaozhou
Hunanese
Mandarin
Sichuan
Zhuang
Tibetan
Uighur
Hakka
Xi’an
bill (restaurant) 26 52 77 101 124 148 172 196 220 245 269 297 328 352
bill (shopping) 23 49 71 95 119 143 167 – – – 263 – 321 346
boats 16 42 67 91 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 – 315 342
booking
(accommodation) 19 44 68 93 116 140 164 188 212 236 260 285 317 343
booking (tickets) 15 41 – – – – – – – – – – – –
border crossings 15 40 – – – – – – – – – – – –
bus 16, 315,

42 67 91 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 283 342
17 316
C
22, 48,
cameras 70 95 118 142 166 190 215 239 262 288 320 345
24 50
car 17 43 – – – – – – – – – – 316 –
18, 43,
changing money 67 92 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 283 318 342
20 45
checking out 19 45 69 93 117 141 164 189 213 237 261 285 318 343
civilities 13 39 65 89 113 137 161 185 209 233 257 281 313 339
communications 20 45 69 93 117 141 165 189 213 237 261 286 318 344
complaints
23 49 71 95 119 143 167 – – – 263 289 321 346
(shopping)
consonants 12 38 64 88 112 136 160 184 208 232 256 280 312 338
contact details 25 51 76 100 123 147 171 195 219 244 268 295 326 351
cost
IN
19 45 68 93 116 141 164 188 213 237 261 285 317 343
(accommodation)
INDE
cost (general) 23 49 71 95 118 143 167 191 215 239 263 288 321 345
DEXX
cost (internet) 20 46 – – – – – – – – – 286 319 –

cost (phone) 21 46 – – – – – – – – – 286 319 –
375
Shanghainese
Dongbei Hua
Yunnan Hua
Mongolian
Cantonese
Chaozhou
Hunanese
Mandarin
Sichuan
Zhuang
Tibetan
Uighur
Hakka
Xi’an
cost (sightseeing) 21 47 – – – – – – – – – 286 319 –
cost (taxi) 17 43 – – – – – – – – – – – –
countries 25 51 74 98 121 146 170 193 218 242 266 292 324 348
23, 49,
credit cards 71 95 119 143 167 191 215 239 263 – 321 346
29 55
cuisine 366-9
culture 362-73
292,
customs (local) – 52 73 97 121 145 169 193 217 241 265 323 351
301
D
dates 14 40 66 90 114 138 162 186 210 234 258 282 314 340
days of the week 14 40 66 91 114 138 163 186 211 235 259 283 315 340
dentist 29 55 80 104 128 152 176 200 224 248 272 304 – 356
dictionary 31 57 81 105 129 153 177 201 225 249 273 305 331 357
directions 18 43 67 91 115 139 163 187 212 236 260 283 315 342
28, 54, 303,
doctor 80 104 128 152 176 200 224 248 272 330 356
29 55 304
26, 78, 102, 150, 198, 222, 246, 270, 298, 328,
drinks 53 126 174 354
27 79 103 151 199 223 247 271 299 329
drinks (China) 368
E
eating out 26 52 76 100 124 148 172 196 220 245 268 296 327 352
20, 46, 69, 94, 117, 141, 165, 189, 213, 237, 261, 286, 319, 344,
email
25 51 76 100 123 147 171 195 219 244 268 295 326 351
embassies 28 55 – – – – – – – – – – – –
IN DE X
IN DE X
emergencies 28 54 80 104 127 152 175 200 224 248 272 303 329 356
39,
13, 65, 89, 113, 137, 161, 185, 209, 233, 257, 281, 313, 339,
English, use of 52,
29 73 97 121 145 169 193 217 241 265 292 323 348
56
entertainment 370-3
376
Shanghainese
Dongbei Hua
Yunnan Hua
Mongolian
Cantonese
Chaozhou
Hunanese
Mandarin
Sichuan
Zhuang
Tibetan
Uighur
Hakka
Xi’an
F
family 25 51 72 96 120 144 168 192 216 240 264 290 322 347
71, 96, 119, 143, 167, 191, 215, 240, 263, 289, 321, 346,
farewells 24 50
75 100 123 147 171 195 219 244 268 295 326 351
feelings – – 75 99 122 147 171 194 219 243 267 294 325 350
festivals 370-3
food & drink 26 52 76 101 124 148 172 196 220 245 268 296 327 352
food (China) 366-9
G
71, 96, 119, 143, 167, 191, 215, 240, 263, 289, 321, 346,
goodbyes 24 50
75 100 123 147 171 195 219 244 268 295 326 351
greetings 24 50 71 96 119 143 167 191 215 240 263 289 321 346
286,
guides 21 47 – – – – – – – – – 320 –
302
H
health 29 55 80 104 128 152 176 200 224 248 272 303 329 356
hire (car) 17 43 – – – – – – – – – – 316 –
history 362-5
hospitals 29 55 80 104 128 152 176 200 224 248 272 304 – 356
15, 41,
hotels 68 92 116 140 164 188 212 236 260 285 317 343
19 44
I
illnesses 30 56 – – – – – – – – – 304 – –
interests 25 52 74 99 122 146 170 194 218 243 267 294 325 349
93, 318,
IN
internet 20 46 69 117 141 165 189 213 237 261 286 344
94 319
INDE
introductions 24 50 72 96 119 144 168 191 216 240 263 289 322 346
DEXX
J 348,
jobs 25 51 74 98 122 146 170 193 218 242 266 293 324
349
377
Shanghainese
Dongbei Hua
Yunnan Hua
Mongolian
Cantonese
Chaozhou
Hunanese
Mandarin
Sichuan
Zhuang
Tibetan
Uighur
Hakka
Xi’an
L
language difficulties 13 39 65 89 113 137 161 185 209 233 257 281 313 339
language history 11 37 63 87 111 135 159 183 207 231 255 279 311 337
language map 11 37 63 87 111 135 159 183 207 231 255 279 311 337
language
11 37 63 87 111 135 159 183 207 231 255 279 311 337
speakers
literature 362-5
76, 100, 268, 296, 352,
124, 148, 172, 196, 220, 245, 327,
local food 26 53 77, 101, 269, 298, 353,
127 151 175 199 223 247 328
79 103 271 300 355
16, 42,
lost 80 104 128 152 176 200 224 248 272 – 330 356
29 55
16, 42,
luggage – – – – – – – – – – – –
29 55
M
mail 21 47 – – – – – – – – – – – –
making
24 50 72 96 120 144 168 192 216 241 264 290 322 347
conversation
map (language) 6-7
18, 43, 284, 316,
maps 67 92 115 139 163 187 212 236 259 342
21 47 286 320
markets 22 48 70 95 118 142 166 190 215 239 262 288 320 345
marriage – – 74 99 122 146 170 194 218 243 266 293 325 349
meals 26 53 78 102 125 150 173 197 222 246 270 298 328 354
medicine 29 56 – – – – – – – – – – – –
meeting people 24 50 71 96 119 143 167 191 215 240 263 289 321 346
menus 26 52 77 101 124 148 172 196 220 245 269 296 327 352
IN DE X
IN DE X
18, 43,
20, 45,
money 67 92 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 283 318 342
23, 49,
29 55
months 67 91 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 – 315 341
378
Shanghainese
Dongbei Hua
Yunnan Hua
Mongolian
Cantonese
Chaozhou
Hunanese
Mandarin
Sichuan
Zhuang
Tibetan
Uighur
Hakka
Xi’an
N
nationalities 25 51 74 98 121 146 170 193 218 242 266 292 324 348
nonalcoholic 246, 270,
26 53 78 102 126 150 174 198 222 298 328 354
drinks 247 271
numbers 13 39 65 90 113 137 162 185 209 233 257 281 313 340
O 348,
occupations 25 51 74 98 122 146 170 193 218 242 266 293 324
349
opinions – – 75 99 122 147 171 194 219 243 267 294 325 350
ordering 124, 148, 172, 196, 220, 269,
26 52 77 101 246 296 327 352
(restaurant) 125 149 173 197 221 270
ordering (taxi) 17 42 – – – – – – – – – – – –
P 283,
pharmacies 29 55 80 104 128 152 176 200 224 248 272 – 356
304
20, 45, 93, 141, 213, 237, 318,
69, 117, 165, 189, 261, 286, 344,
phone 21, 46, 94, 142, 214, 238, 319,
80 128 176 200 272 303 356
28 55 104 152 224 248 330
photography 24 50 – – – – – – – – – – – –
70, 94, 117, 142, 166, 190, 214, 238, 262, 287, 319, 344,
photos, taking 22 47
73 97 120 145 169 192 217 241 265 291 323 347
plane 16 42 – – – – – – – – – 283 315 –
54,
police 29 80 104 128 152 176 200 224 248 272 – 330 356
55
18, 43,
post office 67 92 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 283 316 342
21 47
pronunciation 12 38 64 88 112 136 160 184 208 232 256 280 312 338
Q
quantities 23 49 71 95 119 143 167 191 215 239 263 297 321 346
IN
INDE
R
DEXX
receipts 23 49 – – – – – – – – – 289 – –
refunds 23 49 – – – – – – – – – 289 – –
379
Shanghainese
Dongbei Hua
Yunnan Hua
Mongolian
Cantonese
Chaozhou
Hunanese
Mandarin
Sichuan
Zhuang
Tibetan
Uighur
Hakka
Xi’an
religion 362-5
repairs 23 49 – – – – – – – – – – – –
reservations
19 44 68 93 116 140 164 188 212 236 260 285 317 343
(accommodation)
reservations
15 41 – – – – – – – – – – – –
(tickets)
283,
restaurants 26 52 76 101 124 148 172 196 220 245 269 327 352
296
rooms (hotel) 19 44 68 93 116 140 164 188 212 236 260 285 317 343
S 278,
script (alphabet) – – – – – – – – – – – 310 336
282
seasons – – 66 91 114 138 162 186 210 234 258 – 315 341
16, 41,
seating 17, 42, 77 101 124 148 172 196 220 245 269 296 327 352
26 52
shopping 22 48 70 95 118 142 166 190 215 239 262 288 320 345
sightseeing 21 47 70 94 117 142 166 190 214 238 262 286 319 344
70, 166, 345,
souvenirs 22 48 95 118 142 190 215 239 262 288 320
71 167 346
special diets 27 54 79 104 127 151 175 199 223 248 272 300 329 355
street food 369
T
taxis 17 42 – – – – – – – – – – – –
20, 45, 93, 141, 213, 237, 318,
69, 117, 165, 189, 261, 286, 344,
telephone 21, 46, 94, 142, 214, 238, 319,
80 128 176 200 272 303 356
28 55 104 152 224 248 330
161,
IN DE X
telling the time 14 40 66 90 114 138 186 210 234 258 282 314 340
162
16, 42,
theft – – – – – – – – – – 329 –
29 55
tickets 15 41 – – – – – – – – – – – –
380
Shanghainese
Dongbei Hua
Yunnan Hua
Mongolian
Cantonese
Chaozhou
Hunanese
Mandarin
Sichuan
Zhuang
Tibetan
Uighur
Hakka
Xi’an
timeline 362-5
titles (addressing
24 50 72 96 119 143 168 191 216 240 264 289 – 346
people)
toilets 28 55 80 104 128 152 176 200 224 248 272 – 330 356
tones
10 36 62 86 110 134 158 182 206 230 254 – – –
(pronunciation)
287,
tours 22 47 70 94 118 142 166 190 214 238 262 319 345
301
trains 16 42 67 91 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 283 – 342
transport 16 42 67 91 115 139 163 187 211 235 259 283 315 342
20, 45,
travellers cheques 23, 49, – – – – – – – – – – – –
29 55
V
20, 45,
valuables – – – – – – – – – – 318 –
29 55
vegetarian food 27 54 79 104 127 151 175 199 223 248 272 300 329 355
vowels 12 38 64 88 112 136 160 184 208 232 256 280 312 338
W
water (drinkable) 27 53 78 102 126 150 174 197 222 246 270 298 328 354
well-wishing – – 76 100 123 148 172 195 220 244 268 296 327 351
women’s health 29 56 – – – – – – – – – – – –
348,
work 25 51 74 98 122 146 170 193 218 242 266 293 324
349
IN
INDE
DEXX
381
N OTE S
382
383
NNOTE
OTESS
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China

PHRASEBOOK & DICTIONARY

MANDARIN • CANTONESE • CHAOZHOU • DONGBEI HUA • HAKKA

Published by Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd

name or logo to be appropriated by commercial establishments, such as retailers, restaurants

culture section 361

   

    

  

Sinitic languages of China’s ethnic minorities, including Mongolian and Uighur.

did you know?

• In the lead-up to the 2008 Olympics, officials established a committee

high high rising low falling- high falling

Tone Example Meaning

1st – high mother

2nd – high rising má hemp

3rd – low falling-rising horse

4th – high falling mà scold

neutral ma question marker

dialect. Whatever you choose to call it, Mandarin ( ) has been

lang uage dif f icult ie s – MAN DARI N

It’s (10) o’clock.

Quarter past (10).

Half past (10).

Quarter to (11). (literally: Forty-five minutes past (10).)

At what time (does it start)?

(It starts) At 10.

It’s (18 October).

I’m staying at (the Pujiang Hotel).

I have nothing to declare.

b o rd er c ro ss ing – MAN DARIN

That’s (not) mine.

tickets & luggage

How long does the trip take?

Is this the … Zhège …

I’d like a taxi …

Please put the meter on. tr ansp o r t – MAN DARI N

Please stop/wait here.

I’d like to hire a self-drive car.

I’d like to hire a car with a driver.

How much is it per day/week?

What’s the address?

Can you recommend somewhere cheap/good?

I’d like to book a room.

ac c om mo d atio n – MAN DARIN

What time is checkout?

Could I have my key, please?

Can I get an extra (blanket)?

The (air conditioning) doesn’t work.

banking & communications

Where’s the local internet cafe?

How much is it per hour?

What’s your phone number?

I want to buy a/an …

I want to send a parcel.

Please send it by airmail/surface mail to (Australia).

sigh tse eing – MA NDARI N

What’s the admission charge?

Is there a discount for students/children?

How long is the tour?

Can I look at it?

Can I have my (camera) repaired here?

How much is it?

Please write down the price.