Common Verbs

qù 去 to go

lái 来 to come

mǎi 买 to buy

zuò 做 to do

xiě 写 to write

chī 吃 to eat

hē 喝 to drink

tīng 听 to listen to

xǐhuān 喜欢 to like

zuò 坐 to sit

xuéxí 学习 to learn

gōngzuò 工作 to work

bāngzhù 帮助 to help

jiào 叫 to call

dǎ diànhuà 打电话 to make a call

gěi 给 to give

shǔ 数 to count

lǚxíng 旅行 to travel

shì 是 to be

yǒu 有 to have

xǐ 洗 to wash

yóuyǒng 游泳 to swim

yòng 用 to use

kàn 看 to look

shuìjiào 睡觉 to sleep

zhīdào 知道 to know

yào 要 to want

jiǎng 讲 to speak

shuō 说 to say

zuòfàn 做饭 to cook

qǐng 请 to please; please

fǎngwèn 访问 to visit

zǒu 走 to walk

pǎo 跑 to run

dú 读 to read

xūyào 需要 to need

yùjiàn 遇见 to meet

Farewell Cambridge 再别康桥 Zai bie kangqiao

Zaibie kangqiao
再别康桥

qingqing de wo zou le
轻轻的我走了，
zhengru wo qingqing de lai
正如我轻轻的来;
wo qingqing de zhaoshou
我轻轻的招手，
zuobie xitian de yuncai
作别西天的云彩。

Na hepan de jinliu
那河畔的金柳，
shi xiyang zhong de xinniang
是夕阳中的新娘；
boguang li de yanying
波光里的艳影，
zai wo de xintou dangyang
在我的心头荡漾。

Ruanni shang de qingxing
软泥上的青荇，
youyou de zai shuidi zhaoyao
油油的在水底招摇：
zai kanghe de roubo li
在康河的柔波里，
wo ganxin zuo yitiao shuicao
我甘心做一条水草！

Na yuyin xia de yitan
那榆荫下的一潭，
bushi qingquan, shi tianshang hong
不是清泉，是天上虹
rousui zai fuzao jian
揉碎在浮藻间，
chendian zhe caihong si de meng
沉淀着彩虹似的梦。

Xun meng? Cheng yizhi chang gao
寻梦？撑一支长篙，
xiang qingcao geng qingchu mansu
向青草更青处漫溯，
manzai yichuan xinghui
满载一船星辉，
zai xinghui banlan li fangge
在星辉斑斓里放歌。

Dan wo buneng fangge
但我不能放歌，
qiaoqiao shi bieli de shengxiao
悄悄是别离的笙箫；
xiachong ye wei wo chenmo
夏虫也为我沉默，
chenmo shi jinwan de kangqiao
沉默是今晚的康桥！

Qiaoqiao de wo zou le
悄悄的我走了，
zhengru wo qiaoqiao de lai
正如我悄悄的来；
wo hui yi hui yixiu
我挥一挥衣袖，
bu daizou yipian yuncai
不带走一片云彩。

Booking/hiring

A couple is hiring a boat.

Ticket clerk:
Nǐ hǎo. 你好。
Hello.

Customer:
Wǒ xiǎng zū yī tiáo chuán. 我想租一条船。
I'd like to hire a boat.

Ticket clerk:
Zū duō cháng shíjiān? 租多长时间？
How long for?

Customer:
Yī gè xiǎoshí duō shǎo qián? 一个小时多少钱？
How much is it per hour?

Ticket clerk:
èrshí kuài qián. Zhè biān qǐng 二十块钱。这边请。
Twenty kuai. This way, please.

Customer:
Xièxie. 谢谢。
Thank you.

Ticket clerk:
Bù kèqì. 不客气。
You're welcome.


People are talking about their favourite sporting and leisure pursuits.

Woman 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān lánqiú, zúqiú hé tiánjìng. 我喜欢篮球、足球和田径。
I like basketball, football and athletics.

Man 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān zúqiú, yóuyǒng, pīngpāng qiú. 我喜欢足球、游泳、乒乓球。
I like football, swimming and table-tennis.

Woman 2:
Wǒ xǐhuān dǎ pīngpāng qiú, xǐhuān yóuyǒng, xǐhuān dǎ lánqiú.
我喜欢打乒乓球，喜欢游泳，喜欢到篮球。
I like playing football, I like swimming, I like playing basketball.

Man 2:
wǒ xǐhuān túbùzǒu. Wǒ rè'ài dà zìrán. 我喜欢徒步走。我热爱大自然。
I like hiking. I love nature.

A couple is booking a room in a hotel.

Receptionist:
Nǐmen hǎo. 你们好！
Hello.

Guest:
Nǐ hǎo. Jīntiān wǎnshang yǒu fángjiān ma? 你好。今天晚上有房间吗？
Hello. Do you have any rooms tonight?

Receptionist:
Yǒu.有。
Yes, we do.

Guest:
Duō shǎo qián yī tiān? 多少钱一天？
How much is it per night?

Receptionist:
Wǔ bǎi yuán.五百元。
Five hundred yuan.

Guest:
Hǎo ba. Wǒmen yào yī jiān. 好吧。我们要一间。
Fine. We'll take one room.

People are talking about their favourite sporting and leisure pursuits.

Man 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān dǎ lánqiú, pīngpāng qiú, yóuyǒng. 我喜欢打篮球、乒乓球、游泳。
I like playing basketball, ping pong and swimming.

Woman 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān yóuyǒng, wánr pīngpāng qiú. 我喜欢游泳，玩儿乒乓球。
I like swimming and playing ping pong.

Man 2:
Wǒ xǐhuān dǎ lánqiú, zúqiú, tiàoshéng. 我喜欢打篮球、足球、跳绳。
I like playing basketball, football and skipping.

Woman 2:
Wǒ xǐhuān páiqiú, yǔmáoqiú, háiyǒu yóuyǒng. 我喜欢排球、羽毛球，还有游泳。
I like volley-ball, badminton and swimming.

Some tourists are hiring bicycles.

Tourist:
Nǐ hǎo. 你好。
Hello.

Ticket clerk:
Nǐ hǎo. 你好。
Hello.

Tourist:
Yī xiǎoshí duō shǎo qián? 一小时多少钱？
How much is it per hour?

Ticket clerk:
Yī xiǎo shí èrshí kuài qián. 一小时二十块钱。
Twenty kuai per hour.

Tourist:
Wǒmen zū yī liàng. Liǎng gè xiǎo shí. 我们租一辆。两个小时。
We'll hire one bike. For two hours.

Ticket clerk:
Sìshí kuài qián. Yājīn sì bǎi. 四十块钱。
Forty kuai. The deposit is four hundred.

A tourist is enquiring about the boat departure.

Tourist:
Chuán jǐ diǎn kāi? 船几点开？
What time does the boat leave?

Ticket clerk:
Jiǔ diǎn shí fēn. 九点十分。
At ten past nine.

Travelling

Two tourists are enquiring about coaches to the Great Wall.

Customer:
Nǐmen hǎo.你们好。
Hello.

Ticket clerk:
Nǐ hǎo。你好.
Hello.

Customer:
Zhè gè chē qù Chángchéng ma?这个车去长城吗？
Does this coach go to the Great Wall?

Ticket clerk:
Shì。是.
Yes.

Customer:
Wǒ mǎi liǎng zhāng piào. Duō shǎo qián yī zhāng？我买两张票。多少钱一张?
I'll buy two tickets. How much is it per ticket?

Ticket clerk:
Yī gè rén wǎngfǎn wǔshí。一个人往返五十。
Fifty kuai for a return.

Customer:
Zhè gè chē shénme shíhòu kāi？这个车什么时候开?
When does this coach leave?

Ticket clerk:
Qī diǎn bàn kāi。七点半。
Half past seven.

Customer:
Xièxie。谢谢。
Thank you.

A customer is buying train tickets to Chengde.

Ticket clerk:
Nǐ hǎo。你好。
Hello.

Customer:
Nǐ hǎo. Wǒ yào qù Chéngdé. Yào liǎng zhāng piào。你好。我要去承德。要两张票。
Hello. I'm going to Chengde. I'd like two tickets.

Ticket clerk:
Yào mǎi yìng zuò háishì ruǎn zuò？ 要买硬座还是软座?
Do you want a hard seat or a soft seat?

Customer:
Wǒ yào ruǎn zuò. Qǐng wèn duō shǎo qián yī zhāng我要软座。请问多少钱一张?
I want a soft seat. How much is it for each one, please?

Ticket clerk:
Liǎng zhāng yī bǎi èrshí kuài qián。两张一百二十块钱。
One hundred and twenty yuan for two.

Customer:
Huǒchē shénme shíhòu kāi？火车什么时候开?
When does the train leave?

Ticket clerk:
Zǎochén qī diǎn bàn。早晨七点半。
Seven thirty in the morning.

Customer:
Xièxie。谢谢。
Thank you.


A customer is asking a taxi driver how much it is to get to Puning Temple.

Customer:
Shīfù, qù Pǔníng Sì duō shǎo qián？师傅，去普宁寺多少钱?
Driver, how much is it to go to Puning Temple?

Driver:
Shí kuài qián。十块钱。
Ten kuai.

Customer:
Hǎo。好。
OK.

Asking the Way

A woman is asking the way to the Beijing Hotel.

Woman 1:
Qǐng wèn Běijīng fàndiàn zài nǎlǐ?
Where is Beijing Hotel, please?

Woman 2:
Běijīng fàndiàn zài nà biānr, zài Dōng Cháng'ān Jiē
Beijing Hotel is over there, on Chang'an Avenue East.

Woman 1:
Xièxie.
Thank you.

A man is asking the way to the Imperial Palace.

Man 1:
Qǐng wèn qù Gùgōng zěnme zǒu?
Excuse me, how do I get to the Imperial Palace?

Man 2:
Yīzhí zǒu, wǎng zuǒ guǎi, Gùgōng zài nǐde yòu biān
Go straight on, turn left, the Palace is on your right

Man 1:
Hǎo. Xièxie
OK. Thank you.

A couple is asking for a restaurant.

Woman:
Qǐng wèn zhèlǐ yǒu cāntīng ma?
Excuse me, is there a restaurant around here?

Man:
Yǒu, jiù zài dǎo shàng. Yīzhí zǒu, guò qiáo wǎng yòu guǎi
Yes, it's on the island. Go straight on, and turn right after the bridge.

Woman:
Xièxie.
Thank you.

Man:
Bù kèqì.
You're welcome.

A man is asking the way to the Confucious Museum.

Man 1:
Qǐng wèn wǒ qù Guózijiān. Zěnme zǒu?
Excuse me, I'm going to the Confucious Museum. How do I get there?

Man 2:
Wǎng zuǒ guǎi, ránhòu yīzhí zǒu. Guózijiān zài nǐde yòu biān. Bù tài yuǎn.
Turn left, then straight on. The Museum is on your right. It's not far.

Man 1:
Hǎo. Xièxie.
OK. Thank you.

Some day-trippers are asking the way to Derling Tomb.

Man:
Nǐ hǎo. Qǐng wèn zhè shì qù Délíng de lù ma?
Hello. Is this the way to Derling Tomb?

Woman:
Shì, yīzhí zǒu, wǎng yòu guǎi, zǒu dào tóu, jiù shì Délíng.
Yes, go straight on, turn right, and go to the end of the road. Derling Tomb is right there.

Man:
Hái yuǎn ma?
Is it far from here?

Woman:
Bù yuǎn, liǎng lǐ dì.
Not far, it's about one kilometre.

Man:
Xièxie nǐ. Zàijiàn.
Thank you. Bye.

Shopping

A customer is buying a vase at a market stall.

Customer:
Duō shǎo qián yī gè?
How much is it (per piece)?

Sales assistant:
Yī bǎi wǔshí
One hundred and fifty.

Customer:
Guì le diǎnr, jiǔshí ba?
That's a bit expensive, how about 90?

Sales assistant:
Jiǔshí tài shǎo le. Jiā diǎnr.
Ninety is too little. Add a few (yuan).

Customer:
Nà, yī bǎi ba.
One hundred then.

Sales assistant:
Yī bǎi èr.
One hundred and twenty.

Customer:
Hǎo ba.
OK.

Sales assistant:
Màn zǒu.
Bye. (lit. mind where you go/walk slowly)

A customer is looking at vases in an art shop.

Customer:
Qǐng wèn, zhè gè duō shǎo qián?
How much is this one, please?

Sales assistant:
Zhè gè jiǔ bǎi kuài.
This is nine hundred kuai.

Customer:
Nà, zhè gè duō shǎo qián?
How much is this then?

Sales assistant:
Zhè gè bā bǎi kuài.
This is eight hundred kuai.

Customer:
Hǎo de. Wǒ xiǎng yī xiǎng.
OK. I'll think about it.

A couple is buying a painting in an art shop.

Customer 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān zhè fú huà.
I like this painting.

Customer 2:
Wǒ xǐhuān nà fú huà.
I like that painting.

Customer 1:
Nà fú huà duō shǎo qián?
How much is that painting?

Sales assistant:
Wǔ bǎi kuài.
Five hundred.

Customer 2:
Tài guì le.
That's too expensive.

Sales assistant:
Zhè fú yī bǎi èrshí kuài. Zhè fú yě shì yī bǎi èrshí kuài. Zhè fú bāshí kuài.
This one is one hundred and twenty kuai. This is also one hundred and twenty kuai. This one is eighty kuai.

Customer 2:
Wǒ xǐhuān zhè fú huà.
I like this painting.

Customer 1:
Wǒmen jiù yào zhè fú huà.
We'll have this painting.

Cashier:
Yī bǎi èrshí kuài.
One hundred and twenty kuai.

A customer is buying some fruit at a market stall.

Customer:
Wǒ yào sān gè mángguǒ, sì gè táo.
I'll have three mangos and four peaches.

Sales assistant:
Biéde hái xūyào shénme?
What else do you need?

Customer:
Wǒ yào yī jīn pútáo. yīgòng duō shǎo qián?
I'd like half a kilo of grapes. How much is it in total?

Sales assistant:
Yīgòng sānshí wǔ.
Thirty five altogether.

Food & Drink

People in a canteen are saying what they like and what they don't like to eat.

Woman 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān chī dòufu, mǐfàn, háiyǒu jīròu.
I like to eat tofu, rice and chicken.

Woman 2:
Wǒ xǐhuān chī biǎndòu, bù xǐhuān chī bōcài.
I like to eat beans, I don't like to eat spinach.

Woman 3:
Wǒ xǐhuān chī yángròu, háiyǒu shuǐjiǎo, bù xǐhuān chī mǐfàn.
I like to eat lamb and boiled dumplings. I don't like to eat rice.

Man 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān chī Zhōngguó jiǎozi, bù xǐhuān chī yángbáicài.
I like to eat Chinese dumplings, I don't like to eat cabbage.

People are ordering food in a restaurant.

Waitress:
Nǐmen chī diǎnr shénme?
What would you like to eat?

Guest:
Qǐng lái yī zhī kǎo yā.
We'll have roast duck.

Guest:
Nǐmen yǒu shénme qīngcài?
What kind of vegetables do you have?

Guest:
Qǐng lái yī pán chǎo dòujiǎo, yī pán mógū.
We'll have a plate of stir-fried beans and a plate of mushrooms.

Guest:
Qǐng jié zhàng. Yī bǎi, èr bǎi, èr bǎi jiǔshí wǔ yuán. Gěi nín.
The bill, please. One hundred, two hundred, two hundred ninety five yuan. Here you are.

Waitress:
Xièxie.
Thank you.

People are talking about food in a restaurant.

Man 1:
Nǐ xǐhuān chī yú háishì chī xiā?
Do you like to eat fish or prawns?

Man 2:
Wǒ xǐhuān chī xiā.
I like to eat prawns.

Woman:
Wǒ xǐhuān chī yú.
I like to eat fish.

Man 1:
Nǐ xǐhuān qīngzhēng háishì hóng shāo?
Do you like it steamed or cooked in soy sauce?

Woman:
Qīngzhēng.
Steamed.

Man 1:
Wǒmen chī bái fàn háishì chǎo fàn?
Are we having boiled rice or fried rice?

Woman:
Bái fàn.
Boiled rice.

People are talking about food.

Man 3:
Zhè jīròu zhēn hǎochī.
This chicken is really tasty.

Woman 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān chī niúròu, xǐhuān chī jīròu.
I like to eat beef and chicken.

Woman 2:
Wǒ bù xǐhuān chī jīròu. Wǒ xǐhuān chī yú.
I don't like to eat chicken. I like to eat fish.

Man 1:
Wǒ xǐ huān chī niú ròu. Wǒ bù xǐhuān chī qīngcài.
I like to eat beef. I don't like to eat vegetables.

A couple is ordering food at a food stall.

Woman:
Wǒ yào yī gè chǎo miàn.
I'd like one portion of fried noodles.

Man:
Wǒ yào yī gè mógū, liǎng gè xīlánhuā .
I'd like one portion of mushrooms and two portions of broccoli.

Cook:
Gānbēi!
Cheers!

Ordering Food

Programme 4 : Ordering drinks and snacks.
People are ordering tea in a tea-house.



Waitress:
Nǐmen hǎo! Nǐmen hē diǎnr shénme?
Hello! What would you like to drink?
Customer 1:
Wǒ yào huā chá.
I'd like jasmine tea.
Customer 2:
Wǒmen hē lǜ chá.
We'd like green tea.
Waitress:
Nǐmen hái yào diǎnr shénme?
Would you like anything else?
Customer 2:
Zài lái yī pán diǎnxīn.
A plate of cakes, please.
Waitress:
Hǎo de. Qǐng shāo děng.
OK. Right away.
Customer 2:
Hǎo de. Xièxie.
Fine. Thanks.
Waitress:
Bù kèqi.
You're welcome.
Waitress:
Zhè shì huā chá. Zhè shì lǜ chá. Zhè shì yī pán diǎn xīn.
Here's the jasmine tea. Here's the green tea. And here's your plate of cakes.
Customer 2:
Hǎo, xièxie.
Good, thank you.
People are ordering refreshments in a street café in a seaside resort



Waitress:
Nǐmen hǎo! Nǐmen yào hē diǎnr shénme?
Hello! What would you like to drink?
Customer:
Yī gè jú zi zhī, liǎng gè bīng hóng chá, yī gè lùlu.
One orange juice, two black ice teas, and one Lulu almond drink.
Girl:
Wǒ yào yī gè bīng qí lín.
I'd like an ice-cream.
Waitress:
Zhè shì bīng hóng chá, jú zi zhī, zhè shì lùlu, bīng qí lín.
Here's the black ice tea, the orange juice, and here's the Lulu almond juice, and an ice-cream.
People are saying what they like to drink




Woman 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān hē chá, hái xǐhuān hē píjiǔ.
I like to drink tea, and I also like to drink beer.

Man 1:
Wǒ xǐhuān hē Zhōngguó tè yǒu de chá, hái yǒu kāfēi.
I like to drink Chinese tea, and also coffee.

Woman 2:
Wǒ xǐhuān hē kāfēi, háiyǒu guǒzhī.
I like to drink coffee and also fruit juice.

Man 2:
wǒ xǐhuān hē hóng pútáojiǔ.
I like to drink red wine.

People are ordering drinks in a wine bar.

Customer 1:
Qǐng lái yī bēi Qīngdǎo píjiǔ, yī bēi bái pútáojiǔ, yī bēi júzi zhī
Please can I have a glass of Tsingtao beer, a glass of white wine, and a glass of orange juice.

Customer 2:
Wǒ yào yī bēi píngguǒ zhī.
I'd like a glass of apple juice.

Waitress:
Hǎo, qǐng shāo děng.
OK. Right away.

Talking about oneself

Man 1:
Wǒ shì Shāndōngrén.
我是山东人。
I'm from Shandong (lit. I'm a Shandong person).

Woman 1:
Wǒ shì Chóngqìngrén.
我是重庆人。
I'm from Chongqing (lit. I'm a Chongqing person).

Woman 2:
Wǒ cóng Húnán lái.
我从湖南来。
I come from Hunan.

Woman 3:
Wǒ cóng Sìchuān lái.
我从四川来。
I come from Sichuan.


Friends are greeting each other.

Gu Zhiyong:
Xiǎoyīng nǐ hǎo.
小英，你好。
Hello, Xiao Ying.



Xiao Ying:
Gù Zhìyǒng nǐ hǎo.
顾志勇，你好。
Hello, Gu Zhiyong.



Gu Zhiyong:
Xiànzài zěnme yàng?
现在怎么样？
How are you these days?



Xiao Ying:
Hái xíng. Zhè shì Wáng Jūn. Wáng Jūn, zhè shì Gù Zhìyǒng.
还行。这是王军。王军，这是顾志勇。
Fine. This is Wang Jun. Wang Jun, this is Gu Zhiyong.



Wang Jun:
Nǐ hǎo Gù Zhìyǒng.
你好，顾志勇。
Hello, Gu Zhiyong.



Gu Zhiyong:
Nǐ hǎo Wáng Jūn.
你好，王军。
Hello, Wang Jun.



People are introducing their friends.


Tan Yuanyuan:
Wǒ jiào Tán Yuányuán. Zhè shì wǒde péngyou. Tā jiào Lǐ Jiāxīn. Tā yě shì wǒde péngyou. Tā jiào Shěn Wènbó.
My name's Tan Yuanyuan. This is my friend. His name's Li Jiaxin. She's also my friend. Her name's Shen Wenbo.



Zhang Hao:
Wǒ jiào Zhāng Hào. Tā shì wǒ péngyou. Tā xìng Zhōu. Tā jiào Zhōu Lìhuá.
My name's Zhang Hao. She's my friend. Her surname is Zhou. Her full name is Zhou Lihua.



People are saying what they're studying.


Woman 1:
Wǒ xué Jīnróng.
I study finance.



Man 1:
Wǒ xué Fǎlǜ.
I study law.



Man 2:
Wǒ xué Zhéxué.
I study philosophy.



Woman 2:
Wǒ xué Zhōngguó wénxué.
I study Chinese literature.



People are talking about their nationality and the languages they speak.


Man 4:
Wǒ shì Fǎguórén.
I'm French.



Man 5:
Wǒ shì Jiānádàrén.
I'm Canadian.



Man 6:
Wǒ shì Yīngguórén.
I'm British.



Man 4:
Wǒ huì shuō Zhōngwén.
I can speak Chinese.



People greet each other formally.


Mr Gao:
Liáng xiānsheng nǐmen hǎo.
Hello, Mr Liang.



Mr Liang:
Gāo xiānsheng nín hǎo. Wǒ lái jièshào yíxià. Zhè wèi shì Lǐ nǚshì.
Hello, Mr Gao. May I introduce Madam Li to you.



Mr Gao:
Lǐ nǚshì nín hǎo. Rènshi nǐ hěn gāo xìng.
Hello, Madam Li. Very pleased to meet you.



Mrs Li:
Nín hǎo. Rènshi nǐ, wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng.
Hello. Very pleased to meet you too.



Mr Zhang:
Wáng xiānsheng nín hǎo.
Hello, Mr Wang.



Mr Wang:
Nín hǎo Zhāng xiānsheng. Zhè shì wǒ tàitai
Hello, Mr Zhang. This is my wife.



Woman:
Nín hǎo Zhāng xiānsheng. Rènshi nín hěn gāoxìng.
Hello, Mr Zhang. Very pleased to meet you.



Mr Gao:
Zhè shì wǒ tóngshì Lǐ xiānsheng.
This is my colleague, Mr Li.



Mr Li:
Nǐ hǎo Wáng xiānsheng.
Hello, Mr Wang.



Mr Wang:
Nǐ hǎo Lǐ xiānsheng.
Hello, Mr Li.



Woman:
Lǐ xiānsheng nín hǎo! Rènshi nín hěn gāoxìng.
Hello Mr Li! Very pleased to meet you.



People are saying what they're doing for a living.


Man 1:
Wǒ zài gōng sī gōng zuò.
I work for a company.



Man 2:
Wǒ zài Zhōngguó Yínháng gōngzuò.
I work for the Bank of China.



Woman 1:
Wǒ shì kuàijì.
I'm an accountant.



Woman 2:
Wǒ zài gōngsī zuò jīnglǐ.
I'm the manager of a company.



Woman 3:
Wǒ shì dǒngshì zǒng jīnglǐ.
I'm the managing director.



Business people are greeting each other before a meeting.


Mrs Zhang:
Duìbùqǐ wǒ lái wǎn le.
I'm sorry I'm late.



Man:
Méi guānxì. Zhè shì wǒde tóngshì, Jiǎng xiānsheng
Don't worry. This is my colleague, Mr Jiang.



Mr Jian:
Nǐ hǎo Zhāng nǚshì. Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.
Hello, Madam Zhang. Very pleased to meet you.



Mrs Zhang:
Rènshi nǐ wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng. Zhè shì wǒde míng piàn.
I'm very pleased to meet you too. Here's my business card.



Mr Jian:
Zhè shì wǒde míng piàn.
Here's my business card.



Mrs Zhang:
Xièxie.
Here's my business card.



Man:
Hǎo, qǐng jìn ba.
OK. Please, let's go in.

More Greetings & next of kins

First meeting


Nǐhǎo! Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ!

你好!很高兴认识你!
Hello! Nice to meet you!

Nǐhǎo! Hěn gāoxìng jìandào nǐ!

你好! 很高兴见到你!
Hello! Glad to see you!


Everyday greeting

Meeting people everyday


Chī le ma?

吃了吗?Have you had your meal? (between acquaintances before or after the meal)

Chū qù a?

出去啊?
Are you going out? (between acquaintances, when the person addressed is going out)

Chū qù le?

出去了?
You’ve been out, haven’t you? (between acquaintaces, when the person addressed has just come back)


Meeting after not seeing each other for some time


Hǎojǐu bú jìan, zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?

好久不见,最近怎么样?
Long time no see. How are you doing?

Hǎojǐu bú jìan, zuìjìn máng shénme ne?

好久不见.最近忙什么呢?
It’s a long time since we met. What are you up to recently?

Jìnlái shēntǐ hǎo ma?

近来身体好吗?
How is your health lately?

Jìnlái gōngzuù shùnlì ma?

近来工作顺利吗?
How are you getting along with your work recently?


Greeting to and from the third party


Qǐng dài wǒ xìang nǐ fùmǔ wènhǎo.

请代我向你父母问好.Please say hello to your parents.

Qǐng dài wǒ wènhòu tāmen.

请代我问候他们.
Please say hi to them.

…xìang nǐ wènhǎo.

…向你问好. …wished to say hello to you


Next of Kins 亲属

丈夫 zhàngfu，husband

妻子 qīzi, wife

先生 xiānsheng, husband

太太 tàitai, wife

爱人 aìren, apouse, partner

哥哥 gége, elder brother

姐姐 jiějie, elder sister

弟弟 dìdi, younger brother

妹妹 mèimei, younger sister

父亲 fùqin, father

母亲 mǔqin, mother

爸爸 bàba, Papa

妈妈 māma, Mum

兄弟 xiōngdì, brothers

姐妹 jiěmèi, sisiters

孩子 háizi, child/children

儿子 érzi, son

女儿 nǚer, daughter

孙子 sūnzi, grandson

孙女 sūnnǚ, granddaughter

祖父 zǔfù, grand father

祖母 zǔmǔ, grand mother

爷爷 yéye, grandpa

奶奶 nǎinai, grandma

外公 wàigōng, maternal grandpa

外婆 wàipó, maternal grandma

姨妈 yímā, aunt

叔叔 shūshu, uncle; paternal uncle (father's younger brother)

舅舅 jìujiu, maternal uncle

姑妈 gūmā, paternal aunt

伯伯 bóbo, paternal uncle (father's elder brother)

嫂子 sǎozi, sister-in-law (elder brother's wife)

弟妹 dìmèi, sister-in-law (younger brother's wife)

姐夫 jiěfu, brother-in-law (elder sister's husband)

妹夫 mèifu, brother-in-law (younger sister's husband)

Basic words & Basic question words

who 谁 shuí/sheí

whose 谁的 shuíde

what 什么 shénme

which 哪 nǎ

how 怎么 zěnme

how old 多大 duō dà

how much 多少 duōshǎo

how many 多少 duōshǎo

how many 几 jǐ

when 什么时候 shénme shíhou

what time 什么时间 shénme shíjiān

where 哪儿 nǎ'er

why 为什么 weì shénme

什么时候 what time? shénme shíhòu?

多大了 how old? what is his/her age? duö dà le ?

哪国人 from which country? nǎ guó rén ?

哪儿 where, nǎr

娘 mother, niǎng

女 female, nǚ

男 male, nán

喜欢 to like, xǐhuan

大后天 in three days, dà hòu tian

大前天 three days ago, da qian tian

没事 free, without problems; méi shì

黄色 yellow, huángsè

图片 picture, túpian

人 man, rén

儿 son, child; ér

王 king, ruler, surname; wáng

人影 shadow, rényǐng

Essential Chinese - Number System

A Brief Description of the Chinese Number System

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000,000

líng yī èr sān sì wǔ lìu qī bā jǐu shí bǎi qīan wàn yì

零 一 二 三 四 五 六 七 八 九 十 百 千 万 亿

Introducing one's family

People are talking about their families

Meng Chao:
Wǒ jiào Mèng Chāo. Zhè shì wǒ nǎinai. Zhè shì wǒ māma. Zhè shì wǒ bàba.
My name's Meng Chao. This is my grandma. This is my mum. This is my dad.

Zhang Kegang:
Wǒ jiào Zhāng Kěgāng. Zhè shì wǒ tàitai. Tā jiào Féng Xiǎoling. Zhè shì wǒ nǚ'ér. Tā jiào Zhāng Hánlù.
My name's Zhang Kegang. This is my wife. She is called Feng Xiaoling. This is my daughter. She's called Zhang Hanlu.

Xu Chang:
Wǒ jiào Xǔ Chàng. Zhè shì wǒ mǔqīn. Zhè shì wǒ fùqīn. Zhè shì wǒ ài'rén. Zhè shì wǒ érzi.
My name's Xu Chang. This is my mother. This is my father. This is my wife. This is my son.

Woman 1:
Zhè shì wǒde māma. Zhè shì wǒde zhàngfū. Zhè shì wǒde ér'zi.
This is my mum. This is my husband. This is my son.

Woman 2:
Zhè shì wǒde māma. Zhè shì wǒde zhàngfū. Zhè shì wǒde nǚ'ér.
This is my mum. This is my husband. This is my daughter.

Woman 3:
Zhè shì wǒde ér'zi. Jiào Lónglong. Jīn nián yī suì.
This is my son. He's called Longlong. He's one year old this year.

Woman 4:
Wǒ jiéhūn le.
I' m married.

Man 1:
Wǒ méi jiéhūn. Zhè shì wǒ nǚ péngyou.
I'm not married. This is my girlfriend.

Woman 5:
Wǒ yǒu liǎng gè háizi le.
I have two children.


A wedding in a rural setting. Members of the families are introducing themselves.


Zhu Haijiang:
Wǒ jiào Zhū Hǎijiāng. Zhè shì wǒ tàitai, Liú Yàn.
My name's Zhu Haijiang. This is my wife, Liu Yan.

Man 1:
Wǒ shì xīnniáng de yéye.
I'm the bride's granddad.

Woman 1:
Wǒ shì xīnniáng de nǎinai.
I'm the bride's grandma.

Man 2:
Wǒ shì xīnláng de fùqīn.
I'm the bridegroom's father.

Woman 2:
Wǒ shì xīnláng de mǔqīn.
I'm the bridegroom's mother.

Man 3:
Wǒ shì xīnniáng de bàba. Tā shì xīnniáng de māma.
I'm the bride's dad, and she's the bride's mum.

Woman 3:
Wǒ shì xīnniáng de māma.
I'm the bride's mum.

Lotus - 荷 花 hé huā

hé huā

荷 花

hé huā hé huā zhēn jiào qí，

荷 花 荷 花 真 叫 奇，

bú zài lù dì zài shuǐ lǐ。

不 在 陆 地 在 水 里。

fěn hónɡ huā bàn lǜ yī qún，

粉 红 花 瓣 绿 衣 群，

huār duǒ duǒ zhēn měi lì。

花 儿 朵 朵 真 美 丽。

Essential Chinese Lesson1

Meeting / 见面

1.
- 你好！
nǐ hǎo!
Hi, how are you?

- 我很好，你呢？
wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ ne?
I'm very good, and you?

2.
- 很高兴认识你！
hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ!
Nice to meet you!

3.

- 早上好！
zǎo shàng hǎo!
Good morning!

- 下午好！
xìa wǔ hǎo!
Good afternoon!

- 晚上好！
wǎn shàng hǎo!
Good evening!

Departing / 告别

1.
- 再见！
zài jìan!
Goodbye!

- 再见！
zài jìan!
Bye!

2.
- 明天见！
míng tīan jìan!
See you tomorrow!

3.

- 下周见！

Xìa zhōu jìan!

See you next week!

Thank you

-谢谢。

xièxie.

Thank you.

People are saying greetings.

Group 1:
Nǐ hǎo! 你好！
Hello!

Group 2:
Zàijiàn! 再见！
Goodbye!

Group 3:
Zǎoshàng hǎo! 早上好!
Good morning!

Group 4
Nǐ zǎo! 你早！
Good morning!

Children are saying their name.

Mu Tong:
Wǒ jiào Mù Tóng. 我叫慕童
My name's Mu Tong.

Bao Yuqin:
Wǒ jiào Bāo Yǔqín. 我叫包语琴。
My name's Bao Yuqin.

Sun Yiping:
Wǒ jiào Sūn Yīpíng. 我叫孙依萍。
My name's Sun Yiping.

People are saying their name.

Chen Zhixin:
Wǒ xìng Chén, wǒ jiào Chén Zhìxīn. 我姓陈，我叫陈志新。
My surname is Chen, and my full name is Chen Zhixin.

Qian Sainan:
Wǒ xìng Qián, wǒ jiào Qián Sàinán. 我姓钱，我叫钱赛南。
My surname is Qian, and my full name is Qian Sainan.

Qiyang Yushu:
Wǒ xìng Qíyang, wǒ jiào Qíyáng Yùshū. 我姓欧阳，我叫欧阳玉书。
My surname is Qiyang, and my full name is Qiyang Yushu.

Zhu Bing:
Wǒ xìng Zhū, wǒ jiào Zhūbīng. 我姓朱，我叫朱兵。
My surname is Zhu, and my full name is Zhu Bing.

Wang Lanjun:
Wǒ xìng Wáng, wǒ jiào Wáng Lánjūn. 我姓王，我叫王兰军。
My surname is Wang, and my full name is Wang Lanjun.

Zhang Hao:
Wǒ xìng Zhāng, wǒ jiào Zhāng Hào. 我姓张， 我叫张浩。
My surname is Zhang, and my full name is Zhang Hao.

Wang Zhen:
Wǒ xìng Wáng, wǒ jiào Wáng Zhēn.我姓王，我叫王真。
My surname is Wang, and my full name is Wang Zhen.


People are saying greetings.

Group 1:
Jiérì kuàilè! 节日快乐！
Happy holiday!

Group 2:
Wǎnshàng hǎo! 晚上好！
Good evening!

Grammar: Essential pronouns

I 我 wǒ

you 你 nǐ

you 您 nín (polite form)

s/he/it 她/他/它 tā

we 我们 wǒmen

you 你们 nǐmen

then 他们 tāmen