iKnow

CHINESE
WORDS + PHRASES + CONVERSATIONS
Beginner Level Chinese Program

Transcript
Welcome to Living Language iKnow Chinese. This audio flash card Pīnyīn Pronunciation Examples
program lets you see and hear all of the essential words, phrases, and
z ds in yards zuŏ (left)
conversations that you need to get by in Mandarin Chinese. Just listen
to the native speakers of Mandarin Chinese and repeat in the pauses. c ts in its cóng (from)
Before we look at any Chinese words, let’s first learn a little about zh dg in judge zhú (bamboo)
Chinese pronunciation. j dy in and yet jiŭ (nine)
Each word in Chinese is pronounced with one of four tones. They’re q ty in won’t you qián (money)
written here over the vowel a, which is pronounced similarly to the x sh in shoe xièxie (thank
vowel in John. Imagine saying the name John in the following contexts:
you)
Tone Example Description i ee in see bĭ (pen)
First tone ā High. i (after z, c, r in thunder sĭ (to die)
Sing “John.” s, zh, ch, sh, r)
Second tone á From middle to high, as in asking a ou oa in float yŏu (to have)
question. ui weigh
“John? Is that you?” shuĭ (water)
ü like ee in see, but qù (to go),
Third tone ă From middle to low, and then to high,
(when ü combines with lips rounded nü (female)
as if stretching out a question.
with j, q, x, and y, into a pout (German
“Jo-o-o-hn, what do you think?”
the two dots above hübsch, French tu)
Fourth tone à From high to low, as if answering a the letter can be
question. omitted)
“Who’s there?” “John.”
er are ĕrduo (ear)
There is also a neutral tone, which has no mark: a. As the name
implies, it is pronounced neutrally, without any emphasis or tone. As a helpful introduction to the Chinese writing system, all of the
words, phrases, and sentences below are also written in Chinese
If there are two third tones in a row (Nĭ hăo ma?), the first third tone characters.
is pronounced in the second tone, even though it is still written in
the third tone. Okay, ready to get started?

Action Phrases: Watch Out!

The Chinese words, phrases, and conversations in iKnow Chinese are
written in pīnyīn, the standard romanization alphabet for Mandarin Bú yòng găn./Bié jíjímángmáng.
Chinese used in mainland China. Pīnyīn was designed for people Don’t rush.
Kuài diăn lái!
who do not read Chinese characters to read Chinese sounds. Here is Come quickly!
a pronunciation guide to some pīnyīn letters, and combinations of
Kuài yìdiăn er!/Kuài yìxiē!
letters, that sound different than those in English: Hurry up! (lit., More fast!)

2 3
Wŏ măshàng lái! Kuài diăn er! gōngyù dàlóu
I’m coming right away! Quickly! Wŏ gēn wŏ(de) dìdi huòzhĕ apartment building
mèimei qù.
I’m going with my younger brother or
Wŏ xiànzài jiù lái. Màn diăn er. with my younger sister. miànbāodiàn
I’m coming right now. Slower. bakery

Nĭ qù háishì tā qù?
Wŏ lái le! bù jiŭ You go or he/she goes? (informal) yínháng
I’m coming! soon bank

Wŭ diăn háishì qī diăn?

Wŏ zài găn shíjiān. tūrán Five o’clock or seven o’clock? shūdiàn
I’m in a hurry. (lit., I am rushing time.) suddenly bookstore

Nán háishì nü ?

Wŏ bù găn shíjiān. hĕn kuài Male or female? dàlóu/dàshà
I’m not in a hurry. very soon building

Măshàng. Xiăoxīn! Wŏ xiăng qù, kĕshì wŏ bù zhīdào gōngchē

Immediately./Right away. Watch out! (lit., Be careful!) shénme shíhou. bus
I want to go, but I don’t know when.

hòulái And, Or, But ròudiàn

Wŏ xiăng qù, kĕshì wŏ bù néng qù.
later butcher shop
I want to go, but I can’t go.
Jiāmíng hé Jiāqiáng shì xiōngdì.
Zánmen zŏu ba! Jiaming and Jiaqiang are brothers. kāfēidiàn
Wŏ qù kĕshì tā bú qù.
Let’s go! café, coffee shop
I’m going but he/she isn’t going.
mŭqīn hé nü’ér
xiànzài mother and daughter
Around Town chē
now, right now car

wŭ kuài huòzhĕ liù kuài

fēijī
Dĕng yíhuì er! five or six dollars
airplane jiàotáng
One moment!/Just a minute! church
(lit., Wait a moment!)
fēijīchăng
airport

4 5
shìzhèngfŭ/shìzhèng dàlóu shìchăng shāngdiàn chéngzhèn
city hall, municipal building market store town

chéng(shì) shìzhăng jiē jiāotōng

city, urban mayor street traffic

fúzhuāngdiàn qīngzhēnsì lùdēng huŏchē

clothing store mosque streetlight train

băihuò shāngdiàn jìn jiāoqū/shìjiāo huŏchēzhàn

department store near suburban train station

yàofáng gōngyuán dìtiĕ cūnzhuāng

drugstore, pharmacy park subway, metro village

diànzĭ qìjiàn shāngdiàn cānguăn/fànguăn chāojí shìchăng Asking Directions

electronics store restaurant supermarket

Qĭngwèn . . . zài nă er?

yuăn nóngcūn/xiāngxià chūzūchē May I ask, where is . . . ?
far rural taxi

. . . zŏu
shízì lùkŏu xiédiàn miàoyŭ/sìyuàn Go . . . /Walk . . .
intersection shoe store temple

Yì zhí wăng qián zŏu.

lùdēngzhù/dēnggăn rénxíngdào măi Go straight ahead.
lamppost sidewalk to buy

Wăng nèibiān zŏu.

túshūguăn chéngzhèn yóulăn qù măi dōngxi Go that way.
library sightseeing around town to go shopping

Wăng huí qù.

Go back.

6 7
 At Home
Zhuăn . . . zài . . . pángbian shénme
Turn . . . next to . . . what
gōngyù
apartment
Wăng yòu zhuăn. jiāotōngdēng Nĭde diànyóu dìzhĭ shì shénme?
Turn right. traffic light What is your email address?
zài jiā lĭ
(informal)
at home
Wăng zuŏ zhuăn. (mă)lù
Turn left. road, street sheí
yùshì/wèishēngjiān
who
bathroom
Zhuăn wān. shízì lùkŏu
Turn around. intersection Tā shì sheí?
wòfáng/wòshì
Who is that? (lit., He/She is who?)
bedroom
zŏu dào tóu gōngyuán
at the end of the street (public) park shénme shíhou
dà/xiăo
when
big/small
dào jiējiăo gōnggòng qìchēzhàn
on the corner (public) bus stop
Fēijī shénme shíhou dĭdá?
dìtăn
When does the plane arrive?
carpet
dìtiĕzhàn
Dì yī ge lùkŏu xiàng zuŏ zhuăn.
subway station
Take the first left. zĕn(me)yàng
guāngdiéjī
how
CD player
lüguăn
Dì èr ge lùkŏu xiàng yòu zhuăn.
hotel
Take the second right. Zĕn(me)yàng dă diànhuà gĕi
tiānhuābăn
Mĕiguó?
ceiling
Asking Questions How do I call the U.S.?
Lí de jìn ma?
Is it near?
yĭzi
(zài) năli/(zài) nă er (used in duōshăo
chair
northern China) how much, how many
Lí de yuăn ma? where
Is it far?
bìchú/yīguì
Zhè shì duōshăo qián?
closet
Chūkŏu zài nă er? How much (money) does this cost?
Where is the exit?

8 9
chuānglián xīn/jiù qiáng kùnnan/róngyì
curtain new/old wall difficult/easy

fàntīng huà/túhuà chuānghu bìyè zhèngshū/wénpíng

dining room painting/picture window diploma

mén sùjiāo/sùjiāo zuò de mùtóu/mùzhìde kăoshì

door plastic/made from plastic wood/wooden exam

dvd jī fángjiān At School jíbié

DVD player room grade

yìshù
dìbăn jiàzi art tĭyùguăn
floor shelf gym

zài xuéxiào
lìshĭ
méntīng shāfā/chángshāfā at school
history
hall sofa/couch

shēngwùxué
yŭyán
fángzi yīnxiăng biology
language
house sound system

huàxué
wénxué
chúfáng lóutī chemistry
literature
kitchen stairs

jiàoshì shùxué
dēng zhuōzi classroom math
lamp table

kèchéng yīnyuè
kètīng diànshì course music
living room television

xuéwèi bĭjìbĕn
degree notebook

10 11
jiàoshòu xué Wŏ méiyŏu shénme dōngxi yào Wŏ xĭhuan kào zŏudào de zuòwèi.
professor to learn shēnbào. I like the aisle seat.
I don’t have anything to declare.

xiăoxiū/kèjiān xiūxí kăoshì jígé Zhè shì nĭde dēngjīzhèng.

recess to pass Wŏ yŏu xiē dōngxi yào shēnbào. Here is your boarding pass. (informal)
I have something to declare.

chéngjīdān xuéxí Lütú yúkuài!

report card to study Qĭngwèn chū xíngli de dìfang zài Have a good trip!
nă er?
May I ask, where is the baggage
xuéxiào dàxué claim area? At the Hotel
school university

Qĭngwèn guójì chūrùjìng zài nă er? Wŏ yào dēngjì zhùsù.

xuésheng At the Airport May I ask, where are the international I’d like to check in.
student departures?

(zài) năli/(zài) nă er (used in Wŏ yào yí ge fángjiān.

xuékē northern China) Qĭngwèn dàodádiăn zài nă er? I’d like a room.
subject where May I ask, where are the arrivals?

Yí ge rén.
lăoshī/jiàoshī Qĭngwèn năli shì hăiguān? Qĭngwèn yī sān èr dēngjīkŏu zài For one person.
teacher May I ask, where is customs? nă er?
May I ask, where is gate 132
(lit., one-three-two)? Liăng ge rén.
cèyàn Qĭngwèn hùzhào guănlĭchù zài For two people.
test nă er?
May I ask, where is passport control? Qĭngwèn xúnwènchù zài nă er?
May I ask, where is information? Wŏ yĭjīng dìng le fángjiān.
jiàokēshū I have a reservation.
textbook Nĭ yŏu shénme dōngxi yào
shēnbào? Wŏ xĭhuan . . .
Do you have anything to declare? I like . . . Nĭ dăsuàn zhù jĭtiān?
kăoshì bùjígé (informal) For how many nights? (informal)
to fail
Wŏ xĭhuan kào chuāngkŏu de
zuòwèi. Yì tiān.
I like the window seat. For one night.

12 13
Liăng tiān. Zhè er yŏu yóuyŏngchí ma? Qĭng gĕi wŏ yí fèn jiŭshŭi dānzi. Zhèlĭ yŏu shénmeyàng de shūcài?
For two nights. Is there a pool? The wine list, please./Please bring me Do you have vegetarian dishes
the wine list. (here)?/Are there vegetarian dishes
(here)?
Yí ge xīngqī. (Yí ge lĭbài.) Qĭngwèn huìyìshì zài nă er?
For one week. May I ask, where is the conference xiăochī
room? appetizer Cèsŭo zài nă er?
Where is the restroom/bathroom?
Zhè shì nĭde yàoshi.
Here is your key. (informal) Qĭngwèn chuánzhēnjī zài nă er? zhŭcài
May I ask, where is the fax machine? main course Jiù zhèyàng.
That’s all.
Zhè shì nĭde yàoshikă.
Here is your key card. (informal) Qĭngwèn ménfáng guănlĭbù zài tiándiăn
nă er? dessert Qĭng jiézhàng.
May I ask, where is the concierge? The check, please.
Nĭ hái yŏu bié de fángjian ma?
Do you have another room? Wŏ xiăng yào diăn er hē de.
(informal) Wŏ yào tuì fáng jié zhàng. I would like something to drink. Zhè lĭmiàn bāokuò xiăofèi ma?
I’d like to check out. Is the tip included?
Shìfŏu dài sīrén xĭzaojiān?
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì bēi shŭi.
With a private bathroom? At the Restaurant A glass of water, please./Please bring zăocān
me a glass of water. breakfast
Dài shùjù jiēkŏu ma?
Nĕi yì jiā cānguăn bĭjiào hăo?
With a connection to the internet?
Where is there a good restaurant? Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì bēi chá. wŭcān
A cup of tea, please./Please bring me lunch
a cup of tea.
Liăng wèi.
Qĭngwèn yŏu ānjìng yìdiăn er de
fángjiān ma?
A table for two. wăncān
May I ask, is there a quieter room? kāfēi jiā niúnăi dinner
coffee with milk
Xīyān háishì bù xīyān?
Qĭngwèn yŏu dà yìdiăn er de Smoking or non-smoking? (lit., To Màn màn chī!
fángjiān ma? smoke or not to smoke?) píjiŭ Enjoy the meal!
May I ask, is there a larger room? beer

Qĭng gĕi wŏ càidān. Zhù nĭ jiànkāng!

Zhè er yŏu jiànshēnfáng ma? The menu, please./Please bring me To your health!/Wishing you (good)
Is there an exercise room? the menu. health! (informal)

14 15
Hĕn hăochī! yán shūcài Qĭng zài jiā yíxiē.
It’s delicious! salt vegetables (Some) more, please.

pánzi hújiāo jī(ròu) Qĭng bă . . . gĕi wŏ.

plate pepper (condiment) chicken Please pass me the . . .

chāzi táng zhūròu là

fork sugar pork spicy

dāo tāng niúròu tián

knife soup beef sweet

tiáogēng sèlā Wŏde niúpái yào shēng yìdiăn er. suān

spoon salad I like my steak rare. sour

Wŏde niúpái yào zhōngshú.

kuàizi miànbāo At the Train Station
I like my steak medium.
chopsticks bread

Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng chēpiào.

Wŏde niúpái yào shú yìdiăn er.
cānjīn huángyóu I would like a ticket, please./Please
I like my steak well-done.
napkin butter give me a ticket. (train or bus only)

guŏzhī
yì bēi miàntiáo Dào Shànghăi.
juice
one/a cup, one/a glass noodles To Shanghai.

xiàn er bĭng
yì píng jiŭ mĭfàn pie dānchéng chēpiào
one/a bottle of wine rice one-way ticket (train or bus only)

bīngqílín
bīngkuài er rŭlào ice cream láihuí chēpiào
ice cube(s) cheese round-trip ticket (train or bus only)

Qĭng zài lái yí ge.

Another, please.

16 17
Tóudĕngcāng háishì èrdĕngcāng? Fēicháng gănxiè. Wŏde Zhōngwén jiăng de bù hăo. wàitào
First class or second class? Thank you very much. I don’t speak Chinese very well. coat

Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng shíjiānbiăo. Búyòng kèqì. Qĭng nĭ shuō màn yìdiăn er. dēngxīnróng
May I have a schedule?/Please give You’re welcome. Please speak more slowly. (informal) corduroy
me a schedule.

Qĭng. Qĭng nĭ zài shuō yí biàn. miánbù

Zài nĕi ge zhàntái? Please. Please repeat (that)./Please say (that) cotton fabric
Which platform? one more time. (informal)

Shì. líanyīqún
Huŏchē jĭdiăn kāi chē? Yes. Clothing dress
When/At what time does the train
leave?
Búshì. yóuyŏngyī ĕrhuán
No. bathing suit, swimsuit earring(s)
Huŏchē jĭdiăn dĭdá?
When/At what time does the train
arrive? Duìbuqĭ. yóuyŏngkù yănjìng
Excuse me./Pardon me./Sorry. bathing trunks, swimming trunks eyeglasses

Gāi cì lièchē ànshí dĭdá ma?

Is the train on time? Hĕn bàoqiàn. yāodài lĭfú
I’m sorry. (lit., Very regretful.) belt formal dress

Gāi cì lièchē yŏu cānchē ma?

Is there a dining car? Wŏ tīng bù dŏng. zhàoshān shŏutào
I don’t understand. blouse glove(s)

Gāi cì lièchē yŏu wòpù ma?

Is there a sleeping car? Wŏ bú huì jiăng Zhōngwén. shŏuzhuó màozi
I don’t speak Chinese. (lit., I don’t bracelet hat
know how to speak Chinese.)
Basic Expressions
yīfu duăn shàngyī/jiākè
Nĭ huì shuō Yīngyŭ ma? clothes, clothing jacket
Xièxie nĭ. (Xièxie nín.) Do you (know how to) speak English?
Thank you. (informal/formal) (informal)

18 19
niúzăikù sī hànshān wénjiàn
jeans silk undershirt document, file

huābiān hào/chĭmă shŏubiăo shùmă yònghù xìanlù

lace size watch DSL

pígé qúnzi Computers and the Internet diànyóu

leather skirt email

fùjiàn
xiàngliàn qiúxié/jiāodĭbùxié attachment dăng’àn
necklace sneakers, tennis shoes file

bókè/bùluógé/wăngshàngrìzhì
nílóng wàzi blog (web log) jíshí xùnxī
nylon sock(s) instant message

diànlăn
shuìyī hùliánwăng
tàozhuāng cable
pajamas internet
suit

guāngpán
kùzi jiànpán
tàiyáng yănjìng CD-ROM
pants keyboard
sunglasses

wéidú guāngdiéjī
jièzhĭ/zhĭhuán jìyìtĭ/cúnchŭqì
ring chuān CD-ROM drive
memory
to wear, to put on

wéijīn liáotiānshì tiáozhìjiĕtiáoqì

scarf T-xùshān (tìxùshān) chat room modem
T-shirt

chènshān diànnăo yíngguāngpíng/píngmù

shirt nèikù computer monitor, screen
underpants

xiézi diànnăo jí hùliánwăng huáshŭ/shŭbiāo

shoe(s) computers and the internet mouse

20 21
dăyìnjī wăngyè Zhōngguó Yìdàlìrén
printer webpage China Italian

fùshàng wénjiàn wăngzhàn Zhōngguórén Yìdàlì

to attach a document/file website Chinese Italy

guānbì wénjiàn Countries and Nationalities Yīngguó Rìbĕn

to close a document/file England, Britain Japan

Fēizhōu
shānchú Africa Yīngguórén Rìbĕnrén
to delete English, British Japanese

Mĕiguó
zhuănjì America, the United States Ōuzhōu Hánguó
to forward Europe Korea

Mĕiguórén
dăkāi wénjiàn American Făguó Nánjīngrén
to open a document/file France Nanjingese (from Nanjing)

Yăzhōu
huífù Asia Făguórén Éguó
to reply French Russia

Àozhōurén
cúnchŭ dăng’àn Australian Déguórén Shànghăirén
to save a file German Shanghaiese (from Shanghai)

Bĕijīngrén
fā wénjiàn Beijinger (from Beijing) Déguó Nán Mĕizhōu
to send a document/file Germany South America

Jiānádà
fā diànyóu Canada Xiānggăngrén Xībānyá
to send an email Hongkongese (from Hong Kong) Spain

Guăngdōngrén
Cantonese

22 23
Xībānyárén xīngqī tiān (lĭbài tiān) shí yuè hăo/huài
Spanish Sunday October good/bad

Yuènán yī yuè shí yī yuè mĕilì/chŏu

Vietnam January November beautiful/ugly

Nă guó rén? èr yuè shí èr yuè rè/lĕng

What nationality? (lit., Which country February December hot/cold
person?)

sān yuè zhè ge xīngqī yī (zhè ge lĭbài yī) gāo/ăi

Days and Months March this Monday tall/short

xīngqī yī (lĭbài yī) sì yuè shàng ge xīngqī (shàng ge lĭbài) pàng/shòu

Monday April last week fat/thin

xīngqī èr (lĭbài èr) jiù/xīn

wŭ yuè xià ge yuè
Tuesday old/new
May next month

lăo/niánqīng
xīngqī sān (lĭbài sān) liù yuè sān yuè èrshí hào
old/young
Wednesday June on march 20

gāoxìng/bēiāi
xīngqī sì (lĭbài sì) qī yuè Jīntiān shì jĭ hào? happy/sad
Thursday July What is the date today?

kuài/màn
xīngqī wŭ (lĭbài wŭ) bā yuè Jīntiān shì sì yuè èrshí wŭ hào. fast/slow
Friday August Today is April 25.

jìn/yuăn
xīngqī liù (lĭbài liù) jiŭ yuè Describing Things near/far
Saturday September

dà/xiăo hóngsè
big/small red

24 25
lánsè Hăo. măxì yŏu yìsi
blue Okay./Fine./Good. circus interesting

huángsè Wŏ bù zhīdào. jùlèbù zázhì

yellow I don’t know. club magazine

lǜsè Zhè shì hĕn zhòngyào de! xĭjù diànyĭngyuàn

green It’s very important! (lit., This is very comedy movie theater, cinema
important!)

chénghuángsè yīnyuèhuì diànyĭng

orange Xiăoxīn! concert movie, film
Be careful!

zĭsè wŭhuì bówùguăn

purple Zhù nĭ wán er de kāixīn! dance party museum
Have fun! (informal)
jìlùpiān gējù
hēisè
documentary opera
black Zhù nĭ hăoyùn!
Good luck! (informal)
xìjù huà
báisè
drama painting
white Entertainment

yúlè shèjiāo jùhuì

zōngsè mĕishùguăn
entertainment party
brown art museum, gallery

lìng rén xīngfèn fànguăn/fàndiàn

Nà tài hăo le! yuèduì exciting restaurant
That’s great! band

yŏuqù/hăowán kĕpà
Nà tài zāogāo le! shū funny scary
That’s terrible! book

huàláng diāokè/diāosù
gallery sculpture

26 27
gēqŭ qù kàn diànyĭng Duō(me) zāogāo! Duō fán!
song to go to the movies How awful!/How horrible! What a drag!

qīngtán jiémù/făngtán jiémù bàn wŭhuì Duō(me) mĕilì! Duō(me) kĕxī!

talk show to have a party How beautiful! What a pity!

diànshì jiémù wán de gāoxìng Duō mĕi! Duō(me) yìxiăng bú dào!

television program to have fun How beautiful!/How pretty!/How What a surprise!
nice!

xīnwén tīng yīnyuè Duō(me) zŏuyùn!

the news to listen to music Duō(me) xìngyùn! What amazing luck!
How lucky!/What luck!

jùyuàn kàn shū Fèihuà!

theater to read a book Duō hăo!/Duō bàng! What nonsense! (lit., Nonsense!)
How nice!
piào kàn zázhì Family and Relationships
ticket to read a magazine
Duō piàoliang!
How pretty!
gūmŭ
mèn kàn diànyĭng aunt (father’s [elder] sister)
to be bored, boring to see a movie
Duō bèn!
How stupid!/What stupidity!
gūmā
zhuăntái kàn xìjù aunt (father’s [married] sister)
to change channels to see a play
Duō(me) búxìng!
How unfortunate!/What a gūgu
xuăntái kàn diànshì misfortune! aunt (father’s [younger] sister)
to choose channels to watch television

Hĕn kĕxī. bómŭ

tiàowŭ Exclamations: What a It’s a pity. (lit., Very pity.) aunt (father’s elder brother’s wife)
to dance Surprise!

Xiūxiăng! shĕnshen
qù wŭhuì Hăo! No way! (lit., Don’t think about it!) aunt (father’s younger brother’s
to go to a party Good! wife)

28 29
yímŭ tángdì jiātíng jí guānxì năinai
aunt (mother’s [elder] sister) cousin (father’s brother’s son who is family and relationships grandmother (father’s mother)
younger than you)

yímā bàba wàipó

aunt (mother’s [married] sister) biăojiĕ father grandmother (mother’s mother)
cousin (father’s sister or mother’s
sibling’s daughter who is older than
āyí you) gōnggong xiānsheng/zhàngfu
aunt (mother’s [younger] sister) father-in-law (husband’s father) husband

biăomèi
jiùmŭ/jiùmā cousin (father’s sister or mother’s yuèfù/yuèzhàng māma
aunt (mother’s brother’s wife) sibling’s daughter who is younger father-in-law (wife’s father) mother
than you)

yīng’ér wèihūnfū pópo

baby biăodì fiancé mother-in-law (husband’s mother)
cousin (father’s sister or mother’s
sibling’s son who is younger than
nánpéngyou you) wèihūnqī yuèmŭ
boyfriend fiancée mother-in-law (wife’s mother)

biăogē
tángjiĕ cousin (father’s sister or mother’s péngyou qīnqi
cousin (father’s brother’s daughter sibling’s son who is older than you) friend relative
who is older than you)

nü’ĕr nüpéngyou érzi

tángmèi daughter girlfriend son
cousin (father’s brother’s daughter
who is younger than you)
gēge yéye jìnü
elder brother grandfather (father’s father) stepdaughter
tángxiōng
cousin (father’s brother’s son who is
older than you) jiĕjie wàigōng jìfù
elder sister grandfather (mother’s father) stepfather

30 31
jìmŭ bófù dì sān niúròu
stepmother uncle (father’s elder brother) third beef

jìzĭ gūfù dì sì píjiŭ

stepson uncle (father’s sister’s husband) fourth beer

gēn . . . líhūn shūshu dì wŭ miànbāo

to divorce (someone) uncle (father’s younger brother) fifth bread

bàn líhūn jiùfù/jiùjiù dì liù zăocān

to get a divorce uncle (mother’s brother) sixth breakfast

jìchéng yífù dì qī húluóbo

to inherit uncle (mother’s sister’s husband) seventh carrot

rènshi
tàitai/qīzi dì bā năilào/rŭlào
to know (a person)
wife eighth cheese

ài
dìdi dì jiŭ jī(ròu)
to love
younger brother ninth chicken (meat)

qŭ
to marry (a man to marry a woman) mèimei dì shí làjiāo
younger sister tenth chili pepper

jià
to marry (a woman to marry a man) First, Second, Third, Etc. Food kāfēi
coffee

gēn . . . jiéhūn dì yī píngguŏ

to marry (to get married to . . . ) first apple huángguā
cucumber

jiàn dì èr xiāngjiāo
to meet second banana

32 33
wăncān lóngxiā qìshuĭ Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng dìtiĕ
dinner lobster soft drink, soda xiànlùtú.
A subway map, please./Please give
me a subway map.
yĭnliào wŭcān táng
drink lunch sugar
Zhè liàng gōnggòng qìchē dào
Nánjing Lù qù ma?
dàn ròu tián/suān Does this (public) bus go to Nanjing
egg meat sweet/sour Road?

yú niúnăi chá Chēfèi yào duōshăo qián?

fish milk tea How much is the fare?

shíwù júzi fānqié Qĭngwèn zài nă er kĕyĭ zhăodào

food orange tomato chūzūchē?
May I ask, where are the taxis?
(lit., May I ask, where can I find the
shuĭguŏ lí
cài taxis?)
fruit pear
vegetable

Qĭngwèn gōnggòng qìchēzhàn zài

pútáo hújiāo
shuĭ nă er?
grapes pepper (condiment)
water May I ask, where is the (public) bus
stop?
fēngmì zhūròu
honey pork jiŭ
wine, alcohol Qĭngwèn năli shì chūkŏu?
May I ask, where is the exit?
rè/lĕng fàn
hot/cold rice (cooked), meal Getting Around
Qĭngwèn dìtiĕzhàn zài nă er?
May I ask, where is the subway
guŏzhī yán Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng shìqū dìtú. station?
juice salt A map of the city, please./Please give
me a map of the city.
Qĭng nĭ tíng zài zhè er.
shēngcài/wōjù xiā Please stop here. (informal)
lettuce shrimp

34 35
Qĭng nĭ bă wŏ sòng dào zhè ge
dìdiăn.
Please take me to this address.
(informal)
Getting Help
Nĭ néng bāngbāngmáng ma?
Can you help me? (informal)
Jiù mìng!
Help!
Wŏ zhăo bú dào wŏde háizi le.
I don’t know where my child is.
Wŏ zhăo bú dào wŏde zhàngfu le.
I don’t know where my husband is.
Wŏ zhăo bú dào wŏde tàitai le.
I don’t know where my wife is.
Wŏ gănjué ĕxin.
I feel nauseous.
Wŏ xūyào qù kàn yīshēng.
I need (to go see) a doctor.
Wŏ duì pánníxilín guòmĭn.
I’m allergic to penicillin.
36
Wŏde tóu yūn.
I’m dizzy.
Wŏ shòu shāng le.
I’m hurt.
Wŏ mílù le.
I’m lost.
Wŏ bèi rén qiăng le.
I’ve been robbed.
Wŏde xíngli diūle.
I’ve lost my luggage.
Wŏde hùzhào diūle.
I’ve lost my passport.
Wŏde qiánbāo diūle.
I’ve lost my wallet.
Wŏ găn bú shàng wŏde huŏchē le.
I’ve missed my train.
Wŏde (shŏu)bì tòng.
My arm hurts.
Wŏde tóu tòng.
My head hurts.
Wŏde jiăo tòng.
My leg hurts.
Qĭng jiào jiùhùchē.
Please call an ambulance.
Jĭngchá!
Police!
Getting to Know Someone
Nĭ shì cóng shénme dìfang lái de?
Where are you from? (lit., You come
from what place?) (informal)
Wŏ shì cóng Bĕijīng lái de.
I’m from Beijing.
Wŏ shì cóng Niŭ Yuē lái de.
I’m from New York.
Tā shì cóng shénme dìfang lái de?
Where is he/she from? (lit., He/She
comes from what place?)
Tā shì cóng Guăngzhōu lái de.
He/She is from Guangzhou.
Nĭ zài nălĭ chūshēng?
Where were you born? (informal)
Wŏ yĕ zài Mĕiguó chūshēng.
I was also born in the U.S. (like you).
Wŏ xiànzài zhù zài Tiānjīn.
I’m now living in Tianjin.
Nĭ duō dà?/Nĭ jĭ suì?
How old are you? (informal)
Wŏ èrshí sì suì.
I’m 24 years old.
Dào jiŭ yuè wŏ èrshí sì suì.
I’ll be 24 years old in September.
Wŏ zài yī jiŭ liù liù nián bā yuè shí
jiŭ hào chūshēng.
I was born August 19, 1966.
Nĭ shénme shíhou shēngrì?
When is your birthday? (informal)
Wŏ yī yuè èrshí sān hào shēngrì.
My birthday is on January 23.
Tā duō dà?
How old is he/she?
Tā sānshí suì.
He/She is 30 years old.
37
 Going Out
Nĭ yŏu jĭ ge xiōngdì? Năli kĕyĭ yóuyŏng? Tā hĕn piàoliang.
How many brothers do you have? Where can I go to swim? She’s (very) pretty.
(informal)
Nĭ néng gàosu wŏ nĕi ge
kāfēiguăn hăo ma?
Good or Bad? Tā hĕn mĕi.
Can you recommend a café/coffee
Wŏ yŏu yí ge gēge hé yí ge dìdi. She’s (very) beautiful/pretty.
shop? (informal)
I have one older brother and one
younger brother. hăo
good, well, fine, okay, all right Tā hĕn yŏu mèilì.
Nĭ néng gàosu wŏ nĕi ge cānguăn
He/She is (very) charming.
hăo ma?
Gēge èrshí èr suì. (lit., He/She has a lot of charisma.)
Can you recommend a restaurant?
The older brother is 22 years old. hĕn hăo
(informal)
very good, very well, good
Tā shì yí ge hăo rén!
Tā zài dàxué dúshū. He’s a good guy!/She’s a good person!
Fùjìn yŏu hăo de jiŭbā ma?
He studies at the university. Tài bàng le.
Is there a good bar nearby?
It’s wonderful./It’s excellent.
Bù hăo.
Dìdi shí qī suì. It’s not good./It’s no good./It’s bad.
Fùjìn yŏu diànyĭngyuàn ma?
The younger brother is 17 years old. Fēicháng de hăo.
Is there a movie theater nearby?
It’s excellent./It’s admirable.
Búshì tài hăo.
Tā zài gāozhōng niàn gāosān. It’s not very good.
Fùjìn yŏu bówùguăn ma?
He’s in his last year of high school. Wánmĕi.
Is there a museum nearby?
(lit., He is studying grade three in high It’s perfect.
school.) Nà ge bù hăo.
That’s no good./That’s not good.
Năli shì lü̆yóu de jĭngdiăn?
Búcuò.
Where are the tourist attractions?
Nĭ yŏu duōshăo ge jiĕmèi? It’s not bad./It’s pretty good. (lit., Not
How many sisters do you have? incorrect.) Zhèyàng bú duì.
(informal) It’s not right./This isn’t right./
Năli wŏ néng qù tiàowŭ?
This is wrong. (lit., It’s not correct in
Where can I go to dance?
Hăo bù hăo? this way.)
Wŏ yŏu yí ge mèimei. Is it all right?/Is it okay? (lit., Good not
I have one younger sister. good?)
Năli kĕyĭ liànxí păobù?
Zhèyàng bù hăo.
Where can I go to jog?
That’s bad. (lit., It’s bad in this way.)
Tā jiŭ suì. Shífēn hăo!
She’s nine years old. Perfect!/Very good!/Very well!
Năli kĕyĭ qí zìxíngchē?
Tā hĕn huài.
Where can I go to ride a bike?
He/She is very bad.

38 39
Zhèyàng hĕn bù hăo. Wŏ zuì pà (dăzhēn). tā shuō yùgāng/yùpén
That’s very bad./That’s really bad. I’m most afraid of (getting a shot). he/she/it speaks bathtub
(lit., It’s very bad in this way.)

Bù hăoyìsi. nín shuō gŭlóngshuĭ

Zhè ge tài huài. I’m sorry. (lit., I feel embarrassed [for you speak (formal) cologne
That’s too bad. doing that].)

wŏmen shuō chúchòujì

Tā zhēn de hĕn huài. Wŏ hĕn hăo. we speak deodorant
He/She is really very bad. I’m (very) well./I’m fine.

nĭmen shuō zài yùshì lĭ

Hĕn bèn! Wŏ yŏudiăn er bù shūfu. you speak (plural) in the bathroom
It’s very silly!/It’s very stupid! I don’t feel very well.

tāmen shuō yàoguì

Wŏ bù guăn. Nĭ juéde lĕng huòzhĕ rè ma? they (male/female/it) speak medicine cabinet
I don’t care for it. Do you feel cold or hot?
Wŏ shuō Zhōngwén. jìngzi
I speak Chinese. mirror
Zhè ge wú jiàzhí. Wŏ tóu tòng.
It’s worthless. (lit., This is worthless.) I have a headache.
John shuō Yīngwén. xiāngshuĭ
John speaks English. perfume
Háo wú jiàzhí. Nĭ shuō de duì.
It’s worthless./It’s not good for You’re right.
anything. (lit., Without worth.) Wŏ hé Elena shuō Zhōngwén. fĕn
Elena and I speak Chinese. (lit., I and powder
I Speak, You Speak, etc.
Elena speak Chinese.)
I Am Feeling . . .
tìdāo
wŏ shuō In the Bathroom razor
Wŏ yŏu diăn è le. I speak
I’m hungry.
bēngdài xĭfàjīng
nĭ shuō bandage shampoo
Wŏ hĕn lèi. you speak (informal)
I’m (very) tired.
yùshì/wèishēngjiān guāhúgāo
bathroom shaving cream

40 41
línyù píng chúguì dāo
shower bottle cupboard knife

xĭliănpén wăn xĭwănjī xĭyīfĕn/xĭyījīng

sink (wash basin) bowl dishwasher laundry detergent

féizào xiāng/hé qīngjiéjì wēibōlú

soap box dishwashing detergent microwave

guā húzi sàozhou chōutì kăolú/kăoxiāng

to shave broom drawer oven

xĭzăo guàn(tóu)/jīnshŭguàn hōnggānjī pánzi

to take a shower/bath can dryer plate

zhĭbănxiāng
cèsuŏ/wèishēngjiān chāzi bīngxiāng
carton
toilet fork refrigerator

kuàizi
wèishēngzhĭ bōlibēi/bēizi xĭcáo
chopsticks
toilet paper glass (kitchen) sink

gānjìng/zāng
máojīn clean/dirty zài chúfáng lĭ tāngchí/sháozi
towel in the kitchen spoon

kāfēijī
In the Kitchen coffeemaker yùndŏu huŏlú
iron stove

piăobáijì guìtái
bleach counter yùndŏu băn cháhú/hú
ironing board teapot

jiăobànjī/zhàzhījī bēi/bēizi
blender, juicer cup

42 43
zhŭ/shāo gōngsī huìyì Wŏ xiànzài qù Bĕijīng.
to cook (lit., to burn) company meeting I’m going to Beijing now./I’m leaving
for Beijing now.

xĭ pánzi diànnăo/diànzĭ jìsuànjī huìyìshì

to do the dishes (lit., to wash dishes) computer meeting room Wŏ cóng Nánjīng lái.
I come from Nanjing.

xĭ yīfu xiĕzìtái/bàngōng zhuō bàngōngshì/bàngōnglóu

to do the laundry (lit., to wash desk office/office building Wŏ shì cóng Nánjīng lái de.
clothing) I’m from Nanjing.

wénjiàn xīnjīn/xīnshuĭ
xĭyījī document, file salary Wŏ xiànzài qù Xī’ān.
washing machine I’m going to Xian now./I’m leaving for
Xian now.
gùyuán gōngzuò rényuán
In the Office employee staff
Wŏ xiĕ le xìn gĕi tā.
I wrote a letter to him/her.
yuēhuì gōngchăng diànhuà
appointment factory telephone
Wŏ zài túshūguăn (lĭ).
I’m in(side) the library.
shūjià chuánzhēnjī zhuàn
bookshelf fax machine to earn
Cóng Nánjīng qù Shànghăi yào
dăng’àn shàngbān yí ge zhōngtóu.
lăobăn
file to go to work Going from Nanjing to Shanghai
boss
takes one hour.

măimài/shāngyè dăng’àn guì In, To, From

business filing cabinet Tā xiànzài wăng Shànghăi qù.
He/She is going toward Shanghai
Wŏ qù guò Bĕijīng. now.
máng zài bàngōngshì lĭ I’ve been to Beijing. (lit., I have gone
busy in the office [to] Beijing before.)
Wŏ zuì yuăn dào le Lánzhōu.
I got as far as Lanzhou. (lit., The
tóngshì gōngzuò furthest I arrived was Lanzhou.)
colleague job

44 45
Isn’t It?
Nĭ zài zhè er búshì tài jiŭ, duì ma? Wŏ zhù zài Bĕijīng. Wŏmén quánjiārén yìqĭ lü̆yóu.
You haven’t been here very long, have I live in Beijing. I’m traveling with my family.
Duì ma?
you? (informal)
Is it? (lit., Right?)
Zhè shì wŏde péngyou. Wŏmén shì yóukè.
Nĭ huì lái de, duì ma? This is my friend. We are tourists.
Duì bú duì?
You’ll come, won’t you? (informal)
Isn’t it? (lit., Right not right?)
Zhè shì wŏde nánpéngyou. Nĭ xĭhuan kàn diànyĭng ma?
Hĕn lĕng, duì bú duì? This is my boyfriend. Do you like to go to the movies?
Zhōngwén hĕn róngyì, duì bú duì?
It’s very cold, isn’t it? (informal)
Chinese is very easy, isn’t it?
Zhè shì wŏde nü̆péngyou.
Tài hăo le! Duì bú duì? This is my girlfriend. Nĭ xĭhuan tiàowŭ ma?
Zhè er de rén dōu hĕn hăo, duì bú
It’s great! Don’t you think? Do you like to dance? (informal)
duì?
(lit., Too good! Right not right?)
The people here are very nice, aren’t
Zhè shì wŏde tàitai.
they?
This is my wife. Wŏmén zŏu ba!
Tài kĕ’ài le! Duì bú duì? Let’s go!
How cute! Don’t you think?
Nĭ méiyŏu bĭ, duì ma?
(lit., Too cute! Right not right?) Zhè shì wŏde zhàngfu.
You don’t have a pencil/pen, do you?
This is my husband. Wŏ néng jiàn jiàn nĭde
(informal)
péngyou ma?
Kĕyĭ, duì bú duì? Can I meet your friend? (informal)
It’s all right, isn’t it? Nĭde guójiā hĕn mĕi.
Nĭ zhīdào zhè ge dìfang, duì bú
Your country is very beautiful.
duì?
(informal) Nĭde diànhuà hàomă shì duōshăo?
You know this place, don’t you?
Making Friends What is your telephone number?
(informal)
(informal)
Nĭ qù guò Mĕiguó ma?
Nĭ hăo! Nĭ jiào shénme míngzi? Have you been to the U.S.? (informal)
Nĭ rènshi Wáng xiānsheng, duì bú
Hello! What’s your name? (informal) Qĭng dào wŏ zhèlĭ lái kàn kan!
duì?
Please visit me (here)!
You know Mr. Wang, don’t you?
Wŏ hĕn xĭhuan chī zhèlĭ de
(informal)
Wŏ kĕyĭ zuò zài zhèlĭ ma? dōngxi.
May I sit here? I like the food here very much. Wŏ zhēn shì tài gāoxìng le.
I really had a wonderful time.
Nĭ yŏu tiáogēng hé cānjīn, duì bú
(lit., I really was too happy.)
duì?
Nĭ zhù zài nă er? Wŏ shì shāngwù făngwèn.
You have a spoon and a napkin, don’t
Where do you live? (informal) I’m on a business trip.
you? (informal)

46 47
Measure Words
yì tái diànnăo
one/a computer [one/a + machinery
yì bĕn shū
measure word + computer]
one/a book [one/a + bound text
measure word + book]
yí ge rén
one/a person [one/a + general
yì bă yŭsăn
measure word + person]
one/an umbrella [one/an + measure
word for handheld things/chairs +
umbrella]
yì zhāng zhĭ
one/a piece of paper [one/a +
measure word for flat surfaces +
yì bă yĭzi
paper]
one/a chair [one/a + measure word
for handheld things/chairs + chair]
yì zhāng zhàopiàn
one/a photo [one/a + measure word
yì zhī jī
for flat surfaces + photo]
one/a chicken [one/a + measure
word for birds/certain animals +
chicken]
yì zhāng chuáng
one/a bed [one/a + measure word
for flat surfaces + bed]
yì zhī māo
one/a cat [one/a + measure word for
birds/certain animals + cat]
yì zhī bĭ
one/a pen [one/a + measure word
for something long and thin/stick-
yì zhī bēi
like + pen]
one/a cup, one/a glass [one/a +
measure word for certain containers
+ cup/glass]
yì tiáo lù
one/a road [one/a + measure word
for something long/thin/narrow +
yì zhī wăn
road]
one/a bowl [one/a + measure word
for certain containers + bowl]
yì bēi shuĭ
one/a cup of water, one/a glass of
water
48
yí dài píngguŏ Duìhuànl shì duōshăo?
one/a bag of apples What is the exchange rate? (lit., How
much is the exchange rate?)
yì xiāng lājī
one/a box of garbage Wŏ xĭhuan yào xiăo diăn er de
piàozī.
I’d like that in small bills.
yì shuāng xiézi/yí duì xiézi
one/a pair of shoes
Duìhuànfèi shì duōshăo?
How much is the commission?
yì shuāng yănjing/yí duì yănjing
one/a pair of eyes
More or Less
yì dá jīdàn
gèng màn
one/a dozen eggs
slower (lit., even more slow)
Money
gèng nán
more difficult (lit., even more difficult)
qián
money
gèng róngyì
easier (lit., even more easy)
Rénmínbì
Renminbi (currency of China)
gèng yuăn
farther (lit., even more far)
yínháng
bank
gèng jìn
nearer (lit., even more near)
Qĭngwèn yínháng zài nă er?
May I ask, where is the bank?
bĭ zhè ge gèng . . .
(more) . . . than this
Wŏ xiăng huàn diăn er qián.
I’d like to change some money.
49
chāoguò yì nián nĭde péngyou Zhè xiē shì tāde. Wŏ zìjĭ lái.
more than a year (lit., exceed one your friend (informal) These are his/hers. Let me do it by myself. (lit., I self
year) come.)

tāde péngyou Zhè shì wŏmende.

méiyŏu zhème màn his/her/its friend This is ours. Nĭ zìjĭ cái zhīdào.
less slow (lit., not so slow) Only you yourself know it. (informal)

wŏmende péngyou Zhè xiē shì wŏmende.

méiyŏu zhème nán our friend (exclusive) These are ours. Tā juéde tā zìjĭ zuì piàoliang.
less difficult (lit., not so difficult) She thinks she herself is the prettiest.

zánmende péngyou Zhè shì nĭmende.

méiyŏu zhème róngyì our friend (inclusive)
less easy (lit., not so easy)
nĭmende péngyou
méiyŏu zhème yuăn your friend (plural)
less far, not so far
tāmende péngyou
their (male/female/it) friend
méiyŏu zhème jìn
less near, not so near
Zhè shì wŏde.
This is mine.
bĭ zhè ge shăo
less than this
Zhè xiē shì wŏde.
These are mine.
bú gòu yì nián
less than a year (lit., not enough for
a year) Zhè shì nĭde.
This is yours. (informal)
My, Your, His/Her, Etc.
Zhè xiē shì nĭde.
These are yours. (informal)
wŏde péngyou
my friend
Zhè shì tāde.
This is his/hers.
This is yours. (plural)
Zhè xiē shì nĭmende.
These are yours. (plural)
Zhè shì tāmende.
This is theirs (male/female/it).
Zhè xiē shì tāmende.
These are theirs (male/female/it).
Myself
Nĭ bié guài zìjĭ.
Don’t blame yourself. (informal)
Tā zìjĭ qù kàn diànyĭng.
He/She goes to watch a movie by
himself/herself.
Wŏmen zài jìngzilĭ kànjiàn zìjĭ.
We see ourselves in the mirror. (lit.,
We in the mirror see selves.)
Nĭ duì zìjĭ yào yŏu xìnxīn.
You must have confidence in yourself.
(lit., You toward self must have
confidence.) (informal)
Nĭ zìjĭ xĭ.
You wash (it) yourself. (lit., You self
wash.) (informal)
Nature
hăitān
beach
shāmò
desert

50 51
tiándì zhíwù shuĭ Wŏ shénme yĕ bù zhīdào.
field, farm land plant water I don’t know anything.

huā chítáng Negatives: No, Not, Nothing,

flower pond Never, Etc. Wŏ bù zhīdào shì zĕnmeyàng
huòzhĕ shì shénme shíhou.
I don’t know how or when.
sēnlín hé Tā cóngwèi lái guò.
forest river He/She has never come.
Wŏ bù zhīdào shì nă er.
I don’t know where.
shānqiū yánshí Tā bú zài zhè er.
hill rock He/She is not here.
Wŏ kàn bú jiàn.
I don’t see./I can’t see.
hú shā Tā cóng bù lái.
lake sand He/She never comes.

Wŏ shénme yĕ bú yào./
lùdì hăi Tā shuō bù. Wŏ bú yào shénme dōngxi.
land sea He/She says no. I don’t want anything.

Tā shuō shì. Wŏ méiyŏu shíjiān.

yuèliàng tiān
He/She says yes. I have no time.
moon sky

Wŏ méiyŏu shénme shì zuò.

shān xīng Wŏ cái bú zàihu ne.
I have nothing to do.
mountain star I don’t care at all./It doesn’t make the
slightest difference to me.
Wŏ méiyŏu shénme hăo shuō.
dàzìrán tàiyáng I have nothing to say.
nature sun Wŏ bú zàihu.
I don’t care./It makes no difference
to me. Wŏ cóng bú qù.
hăiyáng shù I never go.
ocean tree
Wŏ méiyŏu qián.
I don’t have money. Wŏ cóng bú jiàn tā.
I never see him/her.

52 53
 Búshì hĕnduō. Méiyŏu nàme kuài. Bú tài duō yĕ bú tài shăo.
Wŏ shénme yĕ méi(yŏu) kànjiàn./ It’s not a lot/much. Not so fast. Neither too much nor too little.
Wŏ méi kànjiàn shénme.
I see nothing./I don’t see anything.
Búcuò. Búshì jīngcháng. Bú tài hăo yĕ bú tài huài.
It’s not bad. Not so often. It’s so-so./It’s not too good and not
Wŏ xiăng shì ba. too bad.
I think so.
Bú gòu. Shénme yĕ méiyŏu.
It’s not enough. Nothing. (lit., Not anything.) Wŏ bù néng qù yĕ bù xiăng qù.
Wŏ yŏngyuăn yĕ bú huì qù. I can’t go and I don’t want to.
I’ll never go. (lit., I forever will not go.)
Bù hăo. Méiyŏu fāshēng shénme shì.
It’s not good. Nothing happened. Wŏ shíjiān hé qián dōu méiyŏu.
Wŏ yŏngyuăn yĕ bú huì shuō. I have neither the time nor the
I’ll never say it. money.
Búshì nàyàng. Shì, xiānsheng.
It’s not that. Yes, sir.
Wŏ bú qù. Kàn hé xiĕ tā dōu bùxíng.
I’m not going. He/She can neither read nor write.
Búshì hĕn zhòngyào. Neither . . . Nor
It’s not very important.
Numbers
Wŏ yĭqián cónglái méiyŏu jiàn guò yĕ bù/yĕ méiyŏu
tā./Wŏ cóng wèi jiàn guò tā. Méi shénme. neither, nor
I’ve never seen him/her before. It’s nothing. líng
zero (0)
jì bù . . . yĕ bù
Búyàojĭn. Méiyŏu rén lái le. neither . . . nor
It doesn’t matter./It’s not important. No one is coming (here)./Nobody yī
comes (here). 1
Gāng gāng hăo.
Gòu le. Just so./Just right. (lit., Neither more
It’s enough. Shénme rén yĕ bù lái le. nor less.) èr
No one is coming. 2 (used in counting)

Shì zhè er le. Zhè ge hé nà ge dōu búshì.

It’s here. Bù, xiānsheng. Neither the one nor the other./ liăng
No, sir. Neither this one nor that one over 2 (used with nouns)
there.

54 55
sān shí sān èrshí sān liùshí
3 13 23 60

sì shí sì èrshí sì qīshí

4 14 24 70

wŭ shí wŭ èrshí wŭ bāshí

5 15 25 80

liù shí liù èrshí liù jiŭshí

6 16 26 90

qī shí qī èrshí qī yìbăi

7 17 27 100

bā shí bā èrshí bā yìbăi líng yī

8 18 28 101

jiŭ shí jiŭ èrshí jiŭ yìbăi líng èr

9 19 29 102

shí èrshí sānshí yìbăi líng sān

10 20 30 103

shí yī èrshí yī sìshí liăngbăi (èrbăi)

11 21 40 200

shí èr èrshí èr wŭshí sānbăi

12 22 50 300

56 57
sìbăi jiànzhù gōngrén bànzhí shīyè/dàiyè
400 construction worker part-time unemployed

wŭbăi yáyī guănzigōng shòuyī

500 dentist plumber veterinarian

yìqiān yīshēng gōng’ān/jĭngchá zuòjiā

1,000 (one thousand) doctor police officer writer

yìbăiwàn diàngōng jiàoshòu On the Phone

1,000,000 (one million) electrician professor

Zhè er yŏu diànhuà ma?

On the Job gōngchéngshī tuìxiū Is there a telephone here?
engineer retired

yănyuán Wŏ kĕyĭ zài nă er dă diànhuà?

actor, actress nóngmín tūixiāoyuán/shòuhuòyuán Where can I make a phone call?
farmer salesperson

jiànzhùshī Diànhuà zài nă er?

architect quánzhí mìshū/zhùlĭ Where is the telephone?
full-time secretary/assistant

yìshùjiā Diànhuàjiān zài nă er?

gōngzuò wĕndìng de gōngzuò
artist Where is the phone booth?
job steady job

yínhángjiā Wŏ kĕbùkĕyĭ yòng nĭ de diànhuà?

jìzhĕ shŭqīgōng
banker May I use your phone? (informal)
journalist summer job

shāngrén/shíyèjiā lǜshī Dāngrán kĕyĭ! Yòng ba!

business person chūzūchē sījī Of course, go ahead! (lit., Of course
lawyer taxi driver you can! Use it!)

mùjiàng yīnyuèjiā
carpenter jiàoshī/lăoshī
musician teacher

58 59
 People
Diànhuà zhànxiàn. pàng/shòu
Búyào wàngjì bă nĭde yídòng The line is busy. fat/thin
rén
diànhuà fàng zài dàizi lĭ.
people, person, man
Don’t forget to pack your cell phone
in your bag. (informal) Nĭ gĕi wŏ de hàomă shì búduì de. yŏushàn/bùyŏushàn
You gave me the wrong number. friendly/unfriendly
nánrén
(informal)
man
Wŏ bù zhīdào kĕbùkĕyĭ zài wŏ qù kuàilè/shāngxīn
de guójiā lĭ shĭyòng. Méiyŏu rén jiē. happy/sad
nürén
I don’t know if it will work in all the There is no answer.
woman
countries I’m going to visit.
mĕilì/yīngjùn/nánkàn
Huáng xiānsheng zài ma? beautiful/handsome/ugly
dàren/chéngrén
May I speak to Mr. Huang?
adult
Hĕnduō (diànhuà) gōngsī zài qítā (lit., Is Mr. Huang there?)
guójiā yĕ tígòng fúwù. yŏubìng/jiànkāng
Many (phone) companies also sick/healthy
xiăohái’er/xiăopéngyou
provide service in other countries. Wŏ jiùshì.
child
Speaking. (lit., I am.)
qiáng/ruò
Wŏ yào bō chángtú diànhuà. strong/weak
nánhái’er/nánhái(zi)
I need to call long distance. Zhè shì Chén Dànián.
boy
This is Danian Chen speaking.
yŏumíng
Dă diànhuà qù Shànghăi yào famous
nühái’er/nühái(zi)
duōshăo qián? Shì Huáng xiānsheng ma?
girl
How much is a phone call to Is this Mr. Huang?
Shanghai? cōngmíng
intelligent
qīngshàonián
Shì.
teenager
Wŏ yào bō èr èr bā qī wŭ bā èr. Yes./Speaking.
I want 228–7582. yŏu cáinéng
talented
gāo/ăi
Nă er zhăo?
tall/short
Búyào guàxiàng. Who is this?
Hold on a minute. (lit., Don’t Saying Hello
hang up.)
lăo/niánqīng
old/young
Nĭ hăo!
Hello!/Good day! (informal)

60 61
Zăo’ān! Zàijiàn. nán Wŏ yào zhè ge.
Good morning! Good-bye. south I’ll take it. (lit., I want this.)

Wănshang hăo! Dāi huì er jiàn. xī Shāngdiàn jĭdiăn kāi mén?

Good evening! See you later. west At what time does the store open?

Nĭ hăo ma? Zài huì. bĕi Shāngdiàn jĭdiăn guān mén?

How are you? (informal) See you soon./Adieu. north At what time does the store close?

Hăo, xièxie. Wăn’ān. Shopping Nĭ xĭhuan shénme?

Fine, thanks. Good night. What would you like? (lit., You like
what?) (informal)
Zhè shì duōshăo qián?
Wŏ hĕn hăo, xièxie. Seasons and Cardinal How much does this cost? (lit., This is
I’m very well, thanks. Directions how much?) Nĭ xūyào bāngmáng ma?
Can I help you? (informal)

Hái kĕyĭ. chūntiān Qĭng nĭ bă jiàgé xiĕ xiàlái.

So-so. spring Please write down the price. Wŏ xiăng yào zhè ge.
(informal) I would like this.

Qĭngwèn nĭ jiào shénme míngzi? xiàtiān

May I ask, what’s your name? summer Wŏ yào măi . . . Wŏ xiăng yào diànchí.
(informal) I’d like to buy . . . I would like batteries.

qiūtiān
Wŏ jiào Wáng Míng. autumn Hĕn guì! Wŏ xiăng yào yì juăn jiāojuăn.
My name is Ming Wang. It’s very expensive! I would like a roll of film.

Wŏ jiào Zhāng Lán.
My name is Lan Zhang.
Wŏ hĕn gāoxìng rènshi nĭ.
It’s nice to meet you. (informal)
dōngtiān
winter Nĭ yŏu piányi yìdiăn er de ma? Wŏ xiăng yào yì zhāng shìqū dìtú.
Do you have something (a little) I would like a map of the city.
cheaper? (informal)
dōng
east Gĕi nĭ zhè ge.
Wŏ chuān (dà/zhōng/xiăo) mă. Here it is. (lit., Give you this.)
My size is (large/medium/small). (informal)
(lit., I wear large/medium/small size.)

62 63
 Speaking Chinese
Jiù zhè xiē le ma? niúzăikù Tā yŏu qián ma?
Is that all? jeans Does he/she have (any) money?
Nĭ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?
Do you (know how to) speak
Chinese? (informal)
Wŏ xiăng fù xiànjīn. shūdiàn Tā yìdiăn er yĕ méiyŏu.
I’d like to pay with cash. bookstore He/She doesn’t have any. (lit., He/She
doesn’t even have a little bit.)
Huì shuō yìdiăn er.
(I) can speak a little.
Wŏ xiăng yòng xìnyòngkă fù. bĭngdiàn
I’d like to pay by credit card. bakery Nĭ hái yŏu qián ma?
Do you have (any) money left?
Yìdiăndiăn er.
(informal)
Very little.
Wŏ kĕyĭ zài wăngshàng dìng ma? chāojí shìchăng
Can I order this online? supermarket
Nĭ yŏu duōshăo bĕn shū?
Bú tài hăo.
How many books do you have?
Not very well.
băihuò gōngsī ròudiàn (informal)
department store butcher shop
Wŏ huì shuō Zhōngwén.
Nĭ yào yìxiē shuĭguŏ ma?
I (know how to) speak Chinese.
nüzhuāng shìchăng Do you want some fruit? (informal)
women’s clothes market
Wŏ shuō de bù hăo.
Gĕi wŏ jĭ ge.
I speak it poorly.
chènyi, qúnzi, líanyīqún Some, Any, A Few Give me a few.
blouse, skirt, dress
Wŏ shuō de bú tài hăo.
Nĭ yŏu qián ma? Gĕi wŏ yìxiē.
I don’t speak it very well. (lit., I speak
nánzhuāng Do you have (any) money? (informal) Give me some.
not too well.)
men’s clothes

Wŏ yŏu yìxiē. Gĕi tā yìxiē.

Wŏ zhĭ huì shuō jĭ gè dāncí.
kùzi, chènshān, lĭngdài I have some. Give him/her some.
I only know (how to speak) a few
pants, shirt, tie
words.
Wŏ yìdiăn er yĕ méiyŏu. wŏ(de) yìxiē péngyou
xié(zi) hé wàzi I don’t have any. (lit., I don’t even some of my friends
Wŏ huì shuō yìxiē Zhōngwén
shoes and socks have a little bit.)
dāncí.
I can say some words in Chinese.

64 65
Nĭ(de) péngyou huì shuō Wŏ yào duō liànxí. Nĭ xiànzài míngbai le ma? lánqiú
Zhōngwén ma? I need to practice more. Do you understand (me) now? basketball
Does your friend (know how to) (informal)
speak Chinese? (informal)
Nĭ tīng de dŏng ma? kă
Do you understand (me)? (informal) Ò, wŏ míngbai le. cards
Wŏ(de) péngyou bú huì shuō Oh, now I understand.
Zhōngwén.
My friend doesn’t (know how to) Wŏ tīng de dŏng. guànjūn
speak Chinese. I understand (you). Zhè ge shì shénme yìsi? champion
What does this mean?

Nĭ dŏng Zhōngwén ma? Wŏ tīng de bú tài dŏng. jiàoliàn

Do you understand Chinese? I don’t understand (you) very well. “Thanks” Zhōngwén zĕnme shuō? coach
(informal) How do you say “thanks” in Chinese?

Nĭ shuō shénme?/ yóuxì

Wŏ dŏng Zhōngwén. Nĭ jiăng shénme? Zhè ge zì zĕnme xiĕ? game
I understand Chinese. What did you say? (informal) How do you write this word?

qūgùnqiú
Nĭ shuō de tài kuài.
Wŏ dŏng, kĕshì wŏ bú huì shuō. Qĭng nĭ xiĕ gĕi wŏ. hockey
You speak too fast./You’re speaking
I understand it, but I don’t (know how Please write it down for me.
too fast. (informal)
to) speak it. (informal)
yùndòngyuán
player
Bú yào shuō zhème kuài.
Wŏ huì kàn, kĕshì wŏ bú huì shuō. Sports and Recreation
Don’t speak so fast.
I can read it, but I don’t (know how to)
speak it. zhuàngqiú/táiqiú
Mĕishì zúqiú pool, billiards
Shuō màn yìdiăn er.
American football
Speak more slowly.
Wŏ bù dŏng Zhōngwén.
I don’t understand Chinese. zúqiú
Qĭng shuō zài màn yìdiăn er. qiú soccer (football)
Please speak a little more slowly. ball
Wŏ bú tài dŏng Zhōngwén.
I don’t understand Chinese very well. yùndòng jí yúlè
Qĭng zài shuō yí biàn./ bàngqiú sports and recreation
Qĭng zài shuō yí cì. baseball
Wŏ fāyīn fā de bú tài hăo. Please repeat (that). (Please say that
I don’t pronounce it very well. one more time.)

66 67
 Staying in Touch
yùndòngchăng Diànnăo zài nă er? hángkōng
stadium Where is the computer? air mail
diànhuà
telephone
duì/qiúduì/yùndòng duì Wŏ xūyào jì fēng diànyóu. èrshí sì xiăoshí kuàijiàn
team I need to send an email. overnight delivery (lit., 24-hour
Wŏ bìxū dă ge diànhuà.
express delivery)
I have to make a phone call.
wăngqiú Wŏ kĕyĭ shàngwăng ma?
tennis Can I get on the internet? Telling Time
Zhèlĭ yŏu gōngyòng diànhuà ma?
Is there a public phone here?
dăchéng píngjú Nĭ yŏu wăngyè ma? Xiànzài jĭdiăn le?
to draw/tie (lit., the match was Do you have a webpage? (informal) What time is it (now)?
Wŏ kĕyĭ yòng nĭde shŏujī ma?
drawn/tied)
May I use your cell phone? (informal)
Qĭngwèn yóujú zài nă er? zhōngwŭ
yĕyíng/lùyíng May I ask, where is the post office? noon
Qĭngwèn hàomă shì duōshăo?
to go camping
What number, please? (lit., May I ask,
how much is the number?)
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yìxiē yóupiào. wŭyè
yuănzú I’d like some stamps, please./ midnight
to go hiking Please give me some stamps.
Zhànxiàn.
The line is busy.
Xiànzài shì yī diăn.
shū Jì yì fēng xìn. It’s 1:00 (now).
to lose For (mailing) a letter.
chuánzhēn
fax
Xiànzài shì liăng diăn.
wán yóuxì Jì míngxìnpiàn. It’s 2:00 (now).
to play a game For (mailing) a postcard.
Wŏ xūyào fā ge chuánzhēn.
I need to send a fax.
Xiànzài shì sān diăn bàn.
zuò yùndòng Yóufèi shì duōshăo? It’s 3:30 (now).
to play a sport, to exercise How much is the postage?
Yŏu gĕi wŏde chuánzhēn ma?
Is there a fax for me?
Xiànzài shì sì diăn.
yíng Jì dào Mĕiguó. It’s 4:00 (now).
to win To the United States.
diànyóu
email

68 69
Xiànzài shì wŭ diăn sìshí wŭ (fēn). yí huì er xiàba tóufa
It’s 5:45 (now). later, a while chin hair

Xiànzài shì qī diăn líng sān (fēn). măshàng ĕrduo shŏu

It’s 7:03 (now). immediately, right away ear hand

Diànyĭng jiŭ diăn bàn kāishĭ. The Human Body zhŏu tóu
The movie starts at 9:30. elbow head

huái
Huŏchē shí yī diăn shí qī fēn chūfā. ankle yăngjing xīn
The train leaves at 11:17. eye heart

shŏubì
zăoshang arm méimao xīgài
morning eyebrow knee

xuè/xiĕ
xiàwŭ blood jiémáo tuĭ
afternoon
eyelashes leg

gŭtou
wănshang
bone liăn fèi
evening, night
face lungs

năo
jīntiān
today
brain shŏuzhĭ zuĭ/kŏu
finger mouth

míngtiān xiōngbù
tomorrow breast jiăo jīròu
foot muscle

zuótiān liănjiá
yesterday cheek étóu bózi
forehead neck

xiànzài xiōngkŏu
now chest

70 71
 This and That
bízi nàbiān nà wèi xiānsheng guò yízhènzi
nose that gentleman over there in a short time
Gĕi wŏ zhè ge.
Give me this one.
jiānbăng nàbiān nà xiē línjū guò yīhuì er
shoulders those neighbors over there in a little while
Gĕi wŏ zhè xiē.
Give me these.
pífū Time Expressions: Ago, Now, bùshí
skin Once, Etc. from time to time
Gĕi wŏ nà ge.
Give me that one.
wèi/fù Duōjiŭ yĭqián? Duōshăo cì?
stomach/abdomen How long ago? How many times?
Gĕi wŏ nà xiē.
Give me those.
jiàn gāngcái yí cì
tendon a moment ago once, one time
Gĕi wŏ nàbiān nà ge.
Give me that one over there.
réntĭ hĕn jiŭ yĭqián mĕi cì
the human body a long time ago each time
Gĕi wŏ nàbiān nà xiē.
Give me those over there.
jiăozhĭ xiànzài liăng cì
toe now twice, two times
zhè ge nánhái’er
this boy
shétou mùqián bùcháng
tongue this very moment, for the time being very seldom, not often
zhè wèi nüshì
this lady
yáchĭ zài zhè ge shíhou jīngcháng
tooth at this moment very often
nà wèi nüshì
that lady
shŏuwàn (er) zài rènhé shíhou yŏushí
wrist at any moment sometimes, now and then, from time
zhè bĕn shū
to time
this book

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ŏu’ĕr zhè ge yuè wŭ hào jīntiān zhōngwŭ guò liăng ge xīngqī
once in a while the fifth of this month today noon in two weeks

qīngzăo/yídàzăo shàng (yí) ge yuè wŭ hào zuótiān zhōngwŭ liăng ge xīngqī yĭqián
early in the morning the fifth of last month yesterday noon two weeks ago

zài wănshang sān yuè chū míngtiān zhōngwŭ zhè ge yuè

in the evening at the beginning of March tomorrow noon this month

dìèrtiān/yìrì yuèdĭ jīntiān wănshang shàng (yí) ge yuè

on the following day at the end of the month this evening, tonight last month

cóng jīntiān kāishĭ liăng ge xīngqī niánchū zuótiān wănshang xià (yí) ge yuè
yĭhòu in the early part of the year yesterday evening, last night next month
two weeks from today
niándĭ
míngtiān wănshang guò liăng ge yuè
toward the end of the year
cóng jīntiān kāishĭ yí ge xīngqī tomorrow evening/night in two months
yĭhòu
a week from today
Fāshēng zài bānián qián.
Time Expressions: Week, liăng ge yuè yĭqián
It happened eight years ago.
Month, Year two months ago
cóng míngtiān kāishĭ yí ge xīngqī
yĭhòu Time Expressions: Morning,
a week from tomorrow zhè ge xīngqī qián ge yuè
Noon, Night
this week the month before last

guò yí ge xīngqī jīntiān zăoshang

in a week shàng (yí) ge xīngqī jīnnián
this morning
last week this year

xià (yí) ge xīngqī sān zuótiān zăoshang

next Wednesday yesterday morning xià (yí) ge xīngqī qùnián
next week last year

shàng (yí) ge xīngqī yī míngtiān zăoshang

last Monday tomorrow morning

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míngnián/xiàyī’nián nĭ búshì Nĭ shì cóng năli lái de? Zài zhuōzi shàng.
next year you are not (informal) Where are you from?/Where do you On the table.
come from? (informal)

guò liăngnián tā búshì Wŏ hĕn lèi.

in two years he/she/it is not Wŏ shì cóng Zhōngguó lái de. I am (very) tired.
I’m from China./I come from China.

liăngnián qián wŏmen búshì Wŏ zhŭnbèi hăo le.

two years ago we are not Zhè shì mùtóu zuò de ma? I am ready.
Is this made of wood?

To Be or Not to Be nĭmen búshì Kāfēi lĕng le.

you are not (plural) Zhè shì shéi de? The coffee is cold. (lit., The coffee has
Whose is this? become cold.)
wŏ shì
I am tāmen búshì
they (male/female/it) are not Zhè shì tāde. Zhè ge hĕn míngxiăn.
This is his/hers. It is very clear./It is very obvious.
nĭ shì
you are (informal) Tā shì yīshēng.
He/She is a doctor. Xiànzài shì yī diăn. Chuānghu dăkāi le.
It’s 1:00. (lit., Now is one o’clock.) The window is open.
tā shì
he/she/it is Tā shì Zhōngguórén.
He/She is Chinese. Zhè shì bìxū de. Chuānghu guān le.
It’s necessary. (lit., This is necessary.) The window is shut.
wŏmen shì
we are Tā hĕn niánqīng.
He/She is (very) young. Tā zài nàbian. To Have and Have Not
He/She is over there.
nĭmen shì
you are (plural) Tā hĕn cōngmíng. wŏ yŏu
He/She is (very) intelligent. Tā zài Shànghăi. I have
He/She is in Shanghai.
tāmen shì
they (male/female/it) are Shì wŏ. nĭ yŏu
It’s me. Shū zài năli? you have (informal)
Where is the book?
wŏ búshì
I am not

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tā yŏu Wŏ yŏu shíjiān. dìtú
he/she/it has I have time. Nĭ xĭhuan shuĭguŏ ma? map
Wŏ xĭhuan.
Do you (informal) like fruit? I like
wŏmen yŏu Wŏ shénme shíjiān yĕ méiyŏu. (fruit). jìniànbēi
we have I don’t have any time. monument

Nĭmen xĭhuan qiăokèlì ma?

nĭmen yŏu Tā shénme qián yĕ méiyŏu. Do you (plural) like chocolate? hùzhào
you have (plural) He/She doesn’t have any money. passport

Travel and Tourism

tāmen yŏu To Like jiēdàitái
they (male/female/it) have reception desk
xiăocèzi
Wŏ xĭhuan . . . brochure
wŏ méiyŏu I like . . . yùdìng
I don’t have reservation
zhàoxiàngjī
Wŏ xĭhuan tā. camera
nĭ méiyŏu I like him/her/it. bànlĭ dēngjì shŏuxù
you don’t have (informal) to check in
Nĭ kĕyĭ bāng wŏmen
pāizhào ma?
tā méiyŏu Wŏ hĕn xĭhuan tā./Wŏ fēicháng Can you take our picture? fùzhàng hòu líkāi lüguăn
he/she/it doesn’t have xĭhuan tā. (lit., Can you help to take our to check out
I like him/her/it very much. picture?)

wŏmen méiyŏu qù guānguāng

we don’t have Wŏ xĭhuan zhè ge. lü xíngtuán to go sightseeing
I like this. guided tour

nĭmen méiyŏu qù pāizhào

you don’t have (plural) lüguăn to take a picture
Wŏ shífēn xĭhuan tāmen. hotel
I like them (male/female/it) a lot.
tāmen méiyŏu lüyóuchē/guānguāng bāshì
they (male/female/it) don’t have xìnxī zhōngxīn tour bus
Nĭ xĭhuan ma? information center
Do you like it? (informal)

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guānguāngkè Xiàxuĕ. tàiyáng yŭsăn
tourist It’s snowing. sun umbrella

lü yóu jí lü yóuyè Qíngtiān. wēndù tiānqì

travel and tourism It’s sunny. temperature weather

qīngnián lüguăn Hĕn mĕilì. léi fēng

youth hostel It’s very beautiful. thunder wind

Weather Hĕn lĕng. Dialogue 1 (Shopping)

It’s very cold.

yún Xiăojie, nĭmen xiăng kànkan shénme dōngxi?

cloud Hĕn rè. Ladies, what would you (plural) like to see?
It’s very hot.

dù Wŏmen guàngguang.
degree Yŏu fēng. We’re just browsing.
It’s windy.

wù Míngfēn, nĭ kàn, nà jiàn chènshān hăo kàn ma?

fog shăndiàn Mingfen, look. Do you think that shirt is pretty?
lightning

jùfēng Búcuò.
yŭ Not bad.
hurricane
rain

Duōyún. Duìbuqĭ, nèi jiàn chènshān duōshăo qián?

yānwù Excuse me, how much is that shirt?
It’s cloudy.
smog

Xiàbáo. Sìshí jiŭ kuài bā máo sì fēn qián.

xuĕ 49 kuai, eight mao, and four fen.
It’s hailing. snow [1 yuan/kuai = 10 mao/jiao = 100 fen]

Xiàyŭ. fēngbào
It’s raining. storm

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Nĭ zhè er de chènshān tài guì le! Míngfēn, wŏ bù xiăng măi le.
Your (informal) shirts are too expensive! Mingfen, I don’t want to buy anything anymore.

Zhè jiàn piányi, zhĭ yào èrshí kuài wŭ máo. Wŏmen zŏu ba.
This one is cheaper, only 20 kuai and five mao. Let’s go.

Míngfēn, nĭ xĭhuan zhè jiàn ma? Dialogue 2 (At the Restaurant)

Mingfen, do you (informal) like this one?

Xiānsheng, zhè shì wŏmende càidān.

Zhè jiàn tài xiăo le, wŏ bù xĭhuan. Gentlemen, this is our menu.
This one is too small; I don’t like it.

Nĭmen xiăng diăn shénme?

Wŏmen kànkan lĭngdài ba. What would you (plural) like to order?
Let’s look at ties.

Wŏ bú tài shúxi càimíng.

Zhè tiáo búcuò. I’m not familiar with the dishes.
This tie isn’t bad.

Lĭ, nĭ bāng wŏ jiào ba.

Qĭngwèn, zhè tiáo lĭngdài zĕnme mài?
Li, why don’t you (informal) order?
May I ask, how much does this (tie) cost?

Hăo. Wŏmen lái yí ge Bĕijīng kăoyā.

Qī kuài bā máo wŭ yì tiáo.
Okay. Let’s have (a) Beijing duck.
(Ties are) seven kuai, eight mao five each.

Wŏmen xiăng măi sì tiáo. Shí, nĭ chī bù chī là de?

We want to buy four (ties). Shi, do you (informal) eat spicy food or not?

Néng bù néng piányi yìdĭan er? Tián de, suān de, là de, wŏ dōu chī.
Could you charge us a little less? (lit., Could they be a little cheaper?) Sweet, sour, spicy; I eat all (of those).

Duìbuqĭ, wŏmen zhè er bù jiăngjià. Wŏ jiùshì bù chī kŭ de.

Sorry, we don’t bargain here. I just don’t eat anything bitter.

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Hăo. Wŏmen yào yí ge Gōngbăo jīdīng . . . Hăo. Nĭ xiān tián zhè zhāng duìhuàndān . . .
Okay. We’ll have (a) Gongbao chicken . . . Okay. You (informal) need to fill out this exchange form . . .

. . . yí ge hóngshāo dòufu, zài chăo yì pán qīngcài. . . . ránhòu gĕi wŏ kàn nĭde hùzhào.
. . . (a) tofu with brown sauce, (and) stir-fried vegetables. . . . and then show me your (informal) passport.

Liăng wèi xiānsheng yào mĭfàn háishì yào jiăozi? Qĭngwèn, jīntiān mĕijīn hé rénmínbì de duìhuànl shì duōshăo?
Would you two gentlemen like steamed rice or dumplings? May I ask, what is the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Renminbi today?

Lái yìdiăn mĭfàn ba. Yī bĭ bā.

Let’s get some steamed rice. One to eight.

Nĭmen hē shénme yĭnliào? Nĭ dăsuàn huàn duōshăo?

What would you (plural) like to drink? How much do you (informal) want to exchange?

Shí, nĭ xiăng hē píjiŭ háishì guŏzhī? Qībăi kuài mĕijīn.

Shi, do you (informal) want to drink beer or juice? 700 U.S. dollars.

Wŏmen lái liăng píng Qīngdăo píjiŭ, zĕnmeyàng? Qián zài zhè er.
We’ll get two bottles of Qingdao beer, how about that? Here you go. (lit., Here is the money.)

Dialogue 3 (At the Bank) Hăo. Yígòng shì wŭqiān liùbăi kuài.
Okay. That comes to 5,600 kuai in total.

Nĭ hăo, wŏ xiăng huàn rénmínbì.

Hello (informal), I would like to exchange (for) Renminbi. Qĭng gĕi wŏ bā zhāng yìbăi kuài, qíyú shì shí yuàn de, hăo ma?
Please give me eight 100-kuai bills and the rest in ten-kuai bills, okay?

Nĭ yŏu xiànjīn háishì lüxíng zhīpiào?

Do you (informal) have cash or traveler’s checks? Méi wènti.
No problem.

Lüxíng zhīpiào.
Traveler’s checks.

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Qĭng nĭ diănyìdiăn.
Please count them. (informal)

Méi cuò.
It’s all here. (lit., No mistake.)

Xièxie nĭ.
Thank you. (informal)

Bú kèqi.
You’re welcome.

That brings us to the end of Living Language iKnow Chinese. If you

master just the words and phrases you’ve heard in this program,
you’ll be able to get by in Mandarin Chinese. Of course, you may
decide that you’d like to learn more. If that’s the case, Living
Language also offers great complete courses in a variety of
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to www.livinglanguage.com.

Copyright © 2008 Living Language, a Random House Company

ISBN 978–1-4000–0952–7

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