LIVING LANGUAGE - iKnow Chinese - Beginner Level Chinese Program

iKnow

CHINESE

WORDS + PHRASES + CONVERSATIONS
Beginner Level Chinese Program

Transcript

Welcome to Living Language iKnow Chinese. This audio flash card
program lets you see and hear all of the essential words, phrases, and
conversations that you need to get by in Mandarin Chinese. Just listen
to the native speakers of Mandarin Chinese and repeat in the pauses.

Before we look at any Chinese words, let’s first learn a little about
Chinese pronunciation.

Each word in Chinese is pronounced with one of four tones. They’re
written here over the vowel a, which is pronounced similarly to the
vowel in John. Imagine saying the name John in the following contexts:

Tone Example Description
First tone ā
Second tone á High.
Sing “John.”
Third tone ă
From middle to high, as in asking a
Fourth tone à question.
“John? Is that you?”

From middle to low, and then to high,
as if stretching out a question.
“Jo-o-o-hn, what do you think?”

From high to low, as if answering a
question.
“Who’s there?”“John.”

There is also a neutral tone, which has no mark: a. As the name
implies, it is pronounced neutrally, without any emphasis or tone.

If there are two third tones in a row (Nĭ hăo ma?), the first third tone
is pronounced in the second tone, even though it is still written in
the third tone.

The Chinese words, phrases, and conversations in iKnow Chinese are
written in pīnyīn, the standard romanization alphabet for Mandarin
Chinese used in mainland China. Pīnyīn was designed for people
who do not read Chinese characters to read Chinese sounds. Here is
a pronunciation guide to some pīnyīn letters, and combinations of
letters, that sound different than those in English:

2

Pīnyīn Pronunciation Examples
z ds in yards zuŏ (left)
ts in its cóng (from)
c dg in judge zhú (bamboo)
dy in and yet jiŭ (nine)
zh ty in won’t you qián (money)
sh in shoe xièxie (thank
j
ee in see you)
q r in thunder bĭ (pen)
sĭ (to die)
x
oa in float yŏu (to have)
i
weigh shuĭ (water)
i (after z, c,
s, zh, ch, sh, r) like ee in see, but qù (to go),
ou with lips rounded nü (female)
into a pout (German
ui hübsch, French tu)

ü are ĕrduo (ear)
(when ü combines
with j, q, x, and y,
the two dots above
the letter can be
omitted)
er

As a helpful introduction to the Chinese writing system, all of the
words, phrases, and sentences below are also written in Chinese
characters.

Okay, ready to get started?

Action Phrases: Watch Out! Bú yòng găn./Bié jíjímángmáng.
Don’t rush.
Kuài diăn lái!
Come quickly! Kuài yìdiăn er!/Kuài yìxiē!
Hurry up! (lit., More fast!)

3

Wŏ măshàng lái! Kuài diăn er!
I’m coming right away! Quickly!

Wŏ xiànzài jiù lái. Màn diăn er.
I’m coming right now. Slower.

Wŏ lái le! bù jiŭ
I’m coming! soon

Wŏ zài găn shíjiān. tūrán

I’m in a hurry. (lit., I am rushing time.) suddenly

Wŏ bù găn shíjiān. hĕn kuài
I’m not in a hurry. very soon

Măshàng. Xiăoxīn!
Immediately./Right away. Watch out! (lit., Be careful!)

hòulái And, Or, But
later
Jiāmíng hé Jiāqiáng shì xiōngdì.
Zánmen zŏu ba! Jiaming and Jiaqiang are brothers.
Let’s go!
mŭqīn hé nü ’ér
xiànzài mother and daughter
now, right now
wŭ kuài huòzhĕ liù kuài
Dĕng yíhuì er! five or six dollars
One moment!/Just a minute!
(lit., Wait a moment!)

4

Wŏ gēn wŏ(de) dìdi huòzhĕ gōngyù dàlóu
mèimei qù. apartment building
I’m going with my younger brother or
with my younger sister. miànbāodiàn
bakery

Nĭ qù háishì tā qù? yínháng
You go or he/she goes? (informal) bank

Wŭ diăn háishì qī diăn? shūdiàn
Five o’clock or seven o’clock? bookstore

Nán háishì nü ? dàlóu/dàshà
Male or female? building

Wŏ xiăng qù, kĕshì wŏ bù zhīdào gōngchē
shénme shíhou. bus
I want to go, but I don’t know when.

Wŏ xiăng qù, kĕshì wŏ bù néng qù. ròudiàn
I want to go, but I can’t go. butcher shop

Wŏ qù kĕshì tā bú qù. kāfēidiàn
I’m going but he/she isn’t going. café, coffee shop

Around Town chē
car
fēijī
airplane jiàotáng
church
fēijīchăng
airport

5

shìzhèngfŭ/shìzhèng dàlóu shìchăng
city hall, municipal building market

chéng(shì) shìzhăng
city, urban mayor

fúzhuāngdiàn qīngzhēnsì
clothing store mosque

băihuò shāngdiàn jìn
department store near

yàofáng gōngyuán
drugstore, pharmacy park

diànzĭ qìjiàn shāngdiàn cānguăn/fànguăn
electronics store restaurant

yuăn nóngcūn/xiāngxià
far rural

shízì lùkŏu xiédiàn
intersection shoe store

lùdēngzhù/dēnggăn rénxíngdào
lamppost sidewalk

túshūguăn chéngzhèn yóulăn
library sightseeing around town

6

shāngdiàn chéngzhèn
store town

jiē jiāotōng
street traffic

lùdēng huŏchē
streetlight train

jiāoqū/shìjiāo huŏchēzhàn
suburban train station

dìtiĕ cūnzhuāng
subway, metro village

chāojí shìchăng Asking Directions
supermarket
Qĭngwèn . . . zài nă er?
chūzūchē May I ask, where is . . . ?
taxi
. . . zŏu
miàoyŭ/sìyuàn Go . . . /Walk . . .
temple
Yì zhí wăng qián zŏu.
măi Go straight ahead.
to buy
Wăng nèibiān zŏu.
qù măi dōngxi Go that way.
to go shopping
Wăng huí qù.
Go back.

7

Zhuăn . . . zài . . . pángbian
Turn . . . next to . . .

Wăng yòu zhuăn. jiāotōngdēng
Turn right. traffic light

Wăng zuŏ zhuăn. (mă)lù
Turn left. road, street

Zhuăn wān. shízì lùkŏu
Turn around. intersection

zŏu dào tóu gōngyuán
at the end of the street (public) park

dào jiējiăo gōnggòng qìchēzhàn
on the corner (public) bus stop

Dì yī ge lùkŏu xiàng zuŏ zhuăn. dìtiĕzhàn
Take the first left. subway station

Dì èr ge lùkŏu xiàng yòu zhuăn. lü guăn
Take the second right. hotel

Lí de jìn ma? Asking Questions
Is it near?
(zài) năli/(zài) nă er (used in
Lí de yuăn ma? northern China)
Is it far? where

Chūkŏu zài nă er?
Where is the exit?

8

shénme At Home
what
gōngyù
Nĭde diànyóu dìzhĭ shì shénme? apartment
What is your email address?
(informal) zài jiā lĭ
at home
sheí
who yùshì/wèishēngjiān
bathroom
Tā shì sheí?
Who is that? (lit., He/She is who?) wòfáng/wòshì
bedroom
shénme shíhou
when dà/xiăo
big/small
Fēijī shénme shíhou dĭdá?
When does the plane arrive? dìtăn
carpet
zĕn(me)yàng
how guāngdiéjī
CD player
Zĕn(me)yàng dă diànhuà gĕi
Mĕiguó? tiānhuābăn
How do I call the U.S.? ceiling

duōshăo yĭzi
how much, how many chair

Zhè shì duōshăo qián? bìchú/yīguì
How much (money) does this cost? closet

9

chuānglián xīn/jiù
curtain new/old

fàntīng huà/túhuà
dining room painting/picture

mén sùjiāo/sùjiāo zuò de
door plastic/made from plastic

dvd jī fángjiān
DVD player room

dìbăn jiàzi
floor shelf

méntīng shāfā/chángshāfā
hall sofa/couch

fángzi yīnxiăng
house sound system

chúfáng lóutī
kitchen stairs

dēng zhuōzi
lamp table

kètīng diànshì
living room television

10

qiáng kùnnan/róngyì
wall difficult/easy

chuānghu bìyè zhèngshū/wénpíng
window diploma

mùtóu/mùzhìde kăoshì
wood/wooden exam

At School jíbié
grade
yìshù
art tĭyùguăn
gym
zài xuéxiào
at school lìshĭ
history
shēngwùxué
biology yŭyán
language
huàxué
chemistry wénxué
literature
jiàoshì
classroom shùxué
math
kèchéng
course yīnyuè
music
xuéwèi
degree bĭjìbĕn
notebook

11

jiàoshòu xué
professor to learn

xiăoxiū/kèjiān xiūxí kăoshì jígé
recess to pass

chéngjīdān xuéxí
report card to study

xuéxiào dàxué
school university

xuésheng At the Airport
student
(zài) năli/(zài) nă er (used in
xuékē northern China)
subject where

lăoshī/jiàoshī Qĭngwèn năli shì hăiguān?
teacher May I ask, where is customs?

cèyàn Qĭngwèn hùzhào guănlĭchù zài
test nă er?
May I ask, where is passport control?
jiàokēshū
textbook Nĭ yŏu shénme dōngxi yào
shēnbào?
kăoshì bùjígé Do you have anything to declare?
to fail (informal)

12

Wŏ méiyŏu shénme dōngxi yào Wŏ xĭhuan kào zŏudào de zuòwèi.
shēnbào. I like the aisle seat.
I don’t have anything to declare.
Zhè shì nĭde dēngjīzhèng.
Wŏ yŏu xiē dōngxi yào shēnbào. Here is your boarding pass. (informal)
I have something to declare.
Lü tú yúkuài!
Qĭngwèn chū xíngli de dìfang zài Have a good trip!
nă er?
May I ask, where is the baggage At the Hotel
claim area?

Qĭngwèn guójì chūrùjìng zài nă er? Wŏ yào dēngjì zhùsù.
May I ask, where are the international I’d like to check in.
departures?

Qĭngwèn dàodádiăn zài nă er? Wŏ yào yí ge fángjiān.
May I ask, where are the arrivals? I’d like a room.

Qĭngwèn yī sān èr dēngjīkŏu zài Yí ge rén.
nă er? For one person.
May I ask, where is gate 132
(lit., one-three-two)? Liăng ge rén.
For two people.

Qĭngwèn xúnwènchù zài nă er? Wŏ yĭjīng dìng le fángjiān.
May I ask, where is information? I have a reservation.

Wŏ xĭhuan . . . Nĭ dăsuàn zhù jĭtiān?
I like . . . For how many nights? (informal)

Wŏ xĭhuan kào chuāngkŏu de Yì tiān.
zuòwèi. For one night.
I like the window seat.

13

Liăng tiān. Zhè er yŏu yóuyŏngchí ma?
For two nights. Is there a pool?

Yí ge xīngqī. (Yí ge lĭbài.) Qĭngwèn huìyìshì zài nă er?
For one week. May I ask, where is the conference
room?
Zhè shì nĭde yàoshi.
Here is your key. (informal) Qĭngwèn chuánzhēnjī zài nă er?
May I ask, where is the fax machine?
Zhè shì nĭde yàoshikă.
Here is your key card. (informal) Qĭngwèn ménfáng guănlĭbù zài
nă er?
Nĭ hái yŏu bié de fángjian ma? May I ask, where is the concierge?
Do you have another room?
(informal) Wŏ yào tuì fáng jié zhàng.
I’d like to check out.
Shìfŏu dài sīrén xĭzaojiān?
With a private bathroom? At the Restaurant

Dài shùjù jiēkŏu ma? Nĕi yì jiā cānguăn bĭjiào hăo?
With a connection to the internet? Where is there a good restaurant?

Qĭngwèn yŏu ānjìng yìdiăn er de Liăng wèi.
fángjiān ma? A table for two.
May I ask, is there a quieter room?
Xīyān háishì bù xīyān?
Qĭngwèn yŏu dà yìdiăn er de Smoking or non-smoking? (lit., To
fángjiān ma? smoke or not to smoke?)
May I ask, is there a larger room?
Qĭng gĕi wŏ càidān.
Zhè er yŏu jiànshēnfáng ma? The menu, please./Please bring me
Is there an exercise room? the menu.

14

Qĭng gĕi wŏ yí fèn jiŭshŭi dānzi. Zhèlĭ yŏu shénmeyàng de shūcài?
The wine list, please./Please bring me Do you have vegetarian dishes
the wine list. (here)?/Are there vegetarian dishes
(here)?

xiăochī Cèsŭo zài nă er?
appetizer Where is the restroom/bathroom?

zhŭcài Jiù zhèyàng.
main course That’s all.

tiándiăn Qĭng jiézhàng.
dessert The check, please.

Wŏ xiăng yào diăn er hē de. Zhè lĭmiàn bāokuò xiăofèi ma?
I would like something to drink. Is the tip included?

Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì bēi shŭi. zăocān
A glass of water, please./Please bring breakfast
me a glass of water.

Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì bēi chá. wŭcān
A cup of tea, please./Please bring me lunch
a cup of tea.

kāfēi jiā niúnăi wăncān
coffee with milk dinner

Màn màn chī!
píjiŭ Enjoy the meal!
beer

Zhù nĭ jiànkāng!
To your health!/Wishing you (good)
health! (informal)

15

Hĕn hăochī! yán
It’s delicious! salt

pánzi hújiāo
plate pepper (condiment)

chāzi táng
fork sugar

dāo tāng
knife soup

tiáogēng sèlā
spoon salad

kuàizi miànbāo
chopsticks bread

cānjīn huángyóu
napkin butter

yì bēi miàntiáo
one/a cup, one/a glass noodles

yì píng jiŭ mĭfàn
one/a bottle of wine rice

bīngkuài er rŭlào
ice cube(s) cheese

16

shūcài Qĭng zài jiā yíxiē.
vegetables (Some) more, please.

jī(ròu) Qĭng bă . . . gĕi wŏ.
chicken Please pass me the . . .

zhūròu là
pork spicy

niúròu tián
beef sweet

Wŏde niúpái yào shēng yìdiăn er. suān
I like my steak rare. sour

Wŏde niúpái yào zhōngshú. At the Train Station
I like my steak medium.
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng chēpiào.
Wŏde niúpái yào shú yìdiăn er. I would like a ticket, please./Please
I like my steak well-done. give me a ticket. (train or bus only)

guŏzhī Dào Shànghăi.
juice To Shanghai.

xiàn er bĭng dānchéng chēpiào
pie one-way ticket (train or bus only)

bīngqílín láihuí chēpiào
ice cream round-trip ticket (train or bus only)

Qĭng zài lái yí ge.
Another, please.

17

Tóudĕngcāng háishì èrdĕngcāng? Fēicháng gănxiè.

First class or second class? Thank you very much.

Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng shíjiānbiăo. Búyòng kèqì.
May I have a schedule?/Please give You’re welcome.
me a schedule.
Qĭng.
Zài nĕi ge zhàntái? Please.
Which platform?
Shì.
Huŏchē jĭdiăn kāi chē? Yes.
When/At what time does the train
leave? Búshì.
No.
Huŏchē jĭdiăn dĭdá?
When/At what time does the train Duìbuqĭ.
arrive? Excuse me./Pardon me./Sorry.

Gāi cì lièchē ànshí dĭdá ma? Hĕn bàoqiàn.
Is the train on time? I’m sorry. (lit., Very regretful.)

Gāi cì lièchē yŏu cānchē ma? Wŏ tīng bù dŏng.
Is there a dining car? I don’t understand.

Gāi cì lièchē yŏu wòpù ma? Wŏ bú huì jiăng Zhōngwén.
Is there a sleeping car? I don’t speak Chinese. (lit., I don’t
know how to speak Chinese.)
Basic Expressions
Nĭ huì shuō Yīngyŭ ma?
Xièxie nĭ. (Xièxie nín.) Do you (know how to) speak English?
Thank you. (informal/formal) (informal)

18

Wŏde Zhōngwén jiăng de bù hăo. wàitào

I don’t speak Chinese very well. coat

Qĭng nĭ shuō màn yìdiăn er. dēngxīnróng

Please speak more slowly. (informal) corduroy

Qĭng nĭ zài shuō yí biàn. miánbù
Please repeat (that)./Please say (that) cotton fabric
one more time. (informal)

Clothing líanyīqún
dress

yóuyŏngyī ĕrhuán
bathing suit, swimsuit earring(s)

yóuyŏngkù yănjìng
bathing trunks, swimming trunks eyeglasses

yāodài lĭfú
belt formal dress

zhàoshān shŏutào
blouse glove(s)

shŏuzhuó màozi
bracelet hat

yīfu duăn shàngyī/jiākè
clothes, clothing jacket

19

niúzăikù sī
jeans silk

huābiān hào/chĭmă
lace size

pígé qúnzi
leather skirt

xiàngliàn qiúxié/jiāodĭbùxié
necklace sneakers, tennis shoes

nílóng wàzi
nylon sock(s)

shuìyī tàozhuāng
pajamas suit

kùzi tàiyáng yănjìng
pants sunglasses

jièzhĭ/zhĭhuán chuān
ring to wear, to put on

wéijīn T-xùshān (tìxùshān)
scarf T-shirt

chènshān nèikù
shirt underpants

xiézi 20
shoe(s)

hànshān wénjiàn
undershirt document, file

shŏubiăo shùmă yònghù xìanlù
watch DSL

Computers and the Internet diànyóu
email
fùjiàn
attachment dăng’àn
file
bókè/bùluógé/wăngshàngrìzhì
blog (web log) jíshí xùnxī
instant message
diànlăn
cable hùliánwăng
internet
guāngpán
CD-ROM jiànpán
keyboard

wéidú guāngdiéjī jìyìtĭ/cúnchŭqì
CD-ROM drive memory

liáotiānshì tiáozhìjiĕtiáoqì
chat room modem

diànnăo yíngguāngpíng/píngmù
computer monitor, screen

diànnăo jí hùliánwăng huáshŭ/shŭbiāo
computers and the internet mouse

21

dăyìnjī wăngyè
printer webpage

fùshàng wénjiàn wăngzhàn
to attach a document/file website

guānbì wénjiàn Countries and Nationalities
to close a document/file
Fēizhōu
shānchú Africa
to delete
Mĕiguó
zhuănjì America, the United States
to forward
Mĕiguórén
dăkāi wénjiàn American
to open a document/file
Yăzhōu
huífù Asia
to reply
Àozhōurén
cúnchŭ dăng’àn Australian
to save a file
Bĕijīngrén
fā wénjiàn Beijinger (from Beijing)
to send a document/file
Jiānádà
fā diànyóu Canada
to send an email
Guăngdōngrén
Cantonese

22

Zhōngguó Y ìdàlìrén
China Italian

Zhōngguórén Y ìdàlì
Chinese Italy

Yīngguó Rìbĕn
England, Britain Japan

Yīngguórén Rìbĕnrén
English, British Japanese

Ōuzhōu Hánguó
Europe Korea

Făguó Nánjīngrén
France Nanjingese (from Nanjing)

Făguórén Éguó
French Russia

Déguórén Shànghăirén
German Shanghaiese (from Shanghai)

Déguó Nán Mĕizhōu
Germany South America

Xiānggăngrén Xībānyá
Hongkongese (from Hong Kong) Spain

23

Xībānyárén xīngqī tiān (lĭbài tiān)
Spanish Sunday

Yuènán yī yuè
Vietnam January

Nă guó rén? èr yuè
What nationality? (lit., Which country February
person?)

Days and Months sān yuè
March

xīngqī yī (lĭbài yī) sì yuè
Monday April

xīngqī èr (lĭbài èr) wŭ yuè
Tuesday May

xīngqī sān (lĭbài sān) liù yuè
Wednesday June

xīngqī sì (lĭbài sì) qī yuè
Thursday July

xīngqī wŭ (lĭbài wŭ) bā yuè
Friday August

xīngqī liù (lĭbài liù) jiŭ yuè
Saturday September

24

shí yuè hăo/huài
October good/bad

shí yī yuè mĕilì/chŏu
November beautiful/ugly

shí èr yuè rè/lĕng
December hot/cold

zhè ge xīngqī yī (zhè ge lĭbài yī) gāo/ăi
this Monday tall/short

shàng ge xīngqī (shàng ge lĭbài) pàng/shòu
last week fat/thin

xià ge yuè jiù/xīn
next month old/new

sān yuè èrshí hào lăo/niánqīng
on march 20 old/young

Jīntiān shì jĭ hào? gāoxìng/bēiāi
What is the date today? happy/sad

Jīntiān shì sì yuè èrshí wŭ hào. kuài/màn
Today is April 25. fast/slow

Describing Things jìn/yuăn
near/far

dà/xiăo hóngsè
big/small red

25

lánsè Hăo.
blue Okay./Fine./Good.

huángsè Wŏ bù zhīdào.
yellow I don’t know.

lü` sè Zhè shì hĕn zhòngyào de!
green It’s very important! (lit., This is very
important!)
chénghuángsè
orange Xiăoxīn!
Be careful!
zĭsè
purple Zhù nĭ wán er de kāixīn!
Have fun! (informal)
hēisè
black Zhù nĭ hăoyùn!
Good luck! (informal)
báisè
white Entertainment

zōngsè mĕishùguăn
brown art museum, gallery

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

Nà tài zāogāo le! shū
That’s terrible! book

26

măxì yŏu yìsi
circus interesting

jùlèbù zázhì
club magazine

xĭjù diànyĭngyuàn
comedy movie theater, cinema

yīnyuèhuì diànyĭng
concert movie, film

wŭhuì bówùguăn
dance party museum

jìlùpiān gējù
documentary opera

xìjù huà
drama painting

yúlè shèjiāo jùhuì
entertainment party

lìng rén xīngfèn fànguăn/fàndiàn
exciting restaurant

yŏuqù/hăowán kĕpà
funny scary

huàláng diāokè/diāosù
gallery sculpture

27

gēqŭ qù kàn diànyĭng
song to go to the movies

qīngtán jiémù/făngtán jiémù bàn wŭhuì
talk show to have a party

diànshì jiémù wán de gāoxìng
television program to have fun

xīnwén tīng yīnyuè
the news to listen to music

jùyuàn kàn shū
theater to read a book

piào kàn zázhì
ticket to read a magazine

mèn kàn diànyĭng
to be bored, boring to see a movie

zhuăntái kàn xìjù
to change channels to see a play

xuăntái kàn diànshì
to choose channels to watch television

tiàowŭ Exclamations: What a
to dance Surprise!

qù wŭhuì Hăo!
to go to a party Good!

28

Duō(me) zāogāo! Duō fán!
How awful!/How horrible! What a drag!

Duō(me) mĕilì! Duō(me) kĕxī!
How beautiful! What a pity!

Duō mĕi! Duō(me) yìxiăng bú dào!
How beautiful!/How pretty!/How What a surprise!
nice!
Duō(me) zŏuyùn!
Duō(me) xìngyùn! What amazing luck!
How lucky!/What luck!
Fèihuà!
Duō hăo!/Duō bàng! What nonsense! (lit., Nonsense!)
How nice!
Family and Relationships
Duō piàoliang!
How pretty! gūmŭ
aunt (father’s [elder] sister)
Duō bèn!
How stupid!/What stupidity! gūmā
aunt (father’s [married] sister)
Duō(me) búxìng!
How unfortunate!/What a gūgu
misfortune! aunt (father’s [younger] sister)

Hĕn kĕxī. bómŭ
It’s a pity. (lit., Very pity.) aunt (father’s elder brother’s wife)

Xiūxiăng! shĕnshen
No way! (lit., Don’t think about it!) aunt (father’s younger brother’s
wife)

29

yímŭ tángdì
aunt (mother’s [elder] sister) cousin (father’s brother’s son who is
younger than you)

yímā biăojiĕ
aunt (mother’s [married] sister) cousin (father’s sister or mother’s
sibling’s daughter who is older than
āyí you)
aunt (mother’s [younger] sister)

jiùmŭ/jiùmā biăomèi
aunt (mother’s brother’s wife) cousin (father’s sister or mother’s
sibling’s daughter who is younger
than you)

yīng’ér biăodì
baby cousin (father’s sister or mother’s
sibling’s son who is younger than
nánpéngyou you)
boyfriend

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

tángmèi nü ’ĕr
cousin (father’s brother’s daughter daughter
who is younger than you)
gēge
tángxiōng elder brother
cousin (father’s brother’s son who is
older than you) jiĕjie
elder sister

30

jiātíng jí guānxì năinai
family and relationships grandmother (father’s mother)

bàba wàipó
father grandmother (mother’s mother)

gōnggong xiānsheng/zhàngfu
father-in-law (husband’s father) husband

yuèfù/yuèzhàng māma
father-in-law (wife’s father) mother

wèihūnfū pópo
fiancé mother-in-law (husband’s mother)

wèihūnqī yuèmŭ
fiancée mother-in-law (wife’s mother)

péngyou qīnqi
friend relative

nü péngyou érzi
girlfriend son

yéye jìnü
grandfather (father’s father) stepdaughter

wàigōng jìfù
grandfather (mother’s father) stepfather

31

jìmŭ bófù
stepmother uncle (father’s elder brother)

jìzĭ gūfù
stepson uncle (father’s sister’s husband)

gēn . . . líhūn shūshu
to divorce (someone) uncle (father’s younger brother)

bàn líhūn jiùfù/jiùjiù
to get a divorce uncle (mother’s brother)

jìchéng yífù
to inherit uncle (mother’s sister’s husband)

rènshi tàitai/qīzi
to know (a person) wife

ài dìdi
to love younger brother

qŭ mèimei
to marry (a man to marry a woman) younger sister

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

gēn . . . jiéhūn dì yī
to marry (to get married to . . . ) first

jiàn dì èr
to meet second

32

dì sān niúròu
third beef

dì sì píjiŭ
fourth beer

dì wŭ miànbāo
fifth bread

dì liù zăocān
sixth breakfast

dì qī húluóbo
seventh carrot

dì bā năilào/rŭlào
eighth cheese

dì jiŭ jī(ròu)
ninth chicken (meat)

dì shí làjiāo
tenth chili pepper

Food kāfēi
coffee
píngguŏ
apple huángguā
cucumber
xiāngjiāo
banana 33

wăncān lóngxiā
dinner lobster

yĭnliào wŭcān
drink lunch

dàn ròu
egg meat

yú niúnăi
fish milk

shíwù júzi
food orange

shuĭguŏ lí
fruit pear

pútáo hújiāo
grapes pepper (condiment)

fēngmì zhūròu
honey pork

rè/lĕng fàn
hot/cold rice (cooked), meal

guŏzhī yán
juice salt

shēngcài/wōjù xiā
lettuce shrimp

34

qìshuĭ Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng dìtiĕ
soft drink, soda xiànlùtú.
A subway map, please./Please give
táng me a subway map.
sugar
Zhè liàng gōnggòng qìchē dào
tián/suān Nánjing Lù qù ma?
sweet/sour Does this (public) bus go to Nanjing
Road?

chá Chēfèi yào duōshăo qián?
tea How much is the fare?

fānqié Qĭngwèn zài nă er kĕyĭ zhăodào
tomato chūzūchē?
May I ask, where are the taxis?
cài (lit., May I ask, where can I find the
vegetable taxis?)

shuĭ Qĭngwèn gōnggòng qìchēzhàn zài
water nă er?
May I ask, where is the (public) bus
stop?

jiŭ Qĭngwèn năli shì chūkŏu?
wine, alcohol May I ask, where is the exit?

Getting Around Qĭngwèn dìtiĕzhàn zài nă er?
May I ask, where is the subway
Qĭng gĕi wŏ yì zhāng shìqū dìtú. station?
A map of the city, please./Please give
me a map of the city. Qĭng nĭ tíng zài zhè er.
Please stop here. (informal)

35

Qĭng nĭ bă wŏ sòng dào zhè ge Wŏde tóu yūn.
dìdiăn. I’m dizzy.
Please take me to this address.
(informal) Wŏ shòu shāng le.
I’m hurt.
Getting Help

Nĭ néng bāngbāngmáng ma? Wŏ mílù le.
Can you help me? (informal) I’m lost.

Jiù mìng! Wŏ bèi rén qiăng le.
Help! I’ve been robbed.

Wŏ zhăo bú dào wŏde háizi le. Wŏde xíngli diūle.
I don’t know where my child is. I’ve lost my luggage.

Wŏ zhăo bú dào wŏde zhàngfu le. Wŏde hùzhào diūle.
I don’t know where my husband is. I’ve lost my passport.

Wŏ zhăo bú dào wŏde tàitai le. Wŏde qiánbāo diūle.
I don’t know where my wife is. I’ve lost my wallet.

Wŏ gănjué ĕxin. Wŏ găn bú shàng wŏde huŏchē le.
I feel nauseous. I’ve missed my train.

Wŏ xūyào qù kàn yīshēng. Wŏde (shŏu)bì tòng.
I need (to go see) a doctor. My arm hurts.

Wŏ duì pánníxilín guòmĭn. Wŏde tóu tòng.
I’m allergic to penicillin. My head hurts.

36

Wŏde jiăo tòng. Wŏ yĕ zài Mĕiguó chūshēng.
My leg hurts. I was also born in the U.S. (like you).

Qĭng jiào jiùhùchē. Wŏ xiànzài zhù zài Tiānjīn.
Please call an ambulance. I’m now living in Tianjin.

Jĭngchá! Nĭ duō dà?/Nĭ jĭ suì?
Police! How old are you? (informal)

Getting to Know Someone Wŏ èrshí sì suì.
I’m 24 years old.
Nĭ shì cóng shénme dìfang lái de?
Where are you from? (lit., You come Dào jiŭ yuè wŏ èrshí sì suì.
from what place?) (informal) I’ll be 24 years old in September.

Wŏ shì cóng Bĕijīng lái de. Wŏ zài yī jiŭ liù liù nián bā yuè shí
I’m from Beijing. jiŭ hào chūshēng.
I was born August 19, 1966.
Wŏ shì cóng Niŭ Yuē lái de.
I’m from New York. Nĭ shénme shíhou shēngrì?
When is your birthday? (informal)
Tā shì cóng shénme dìfang lái de?
Where is he/she from? (lit., He/She Wŏ yī yuè èrshí sān hào shēngrì.
comes from what place?) My birthday is on January 23.

Tā shì cóng Guăngzhōu lái de. Tā duō dà?
He/She is from Guangzhou. How old is he/she?

Nĭ zài nălĭ chūshēng? Tā sānshí suì.
Where were you born? (informal) He/She is 30 years old.

37

Nĭ yŏu jĭ ge xiōngdì? Going Out
How many brothers do you have?
(informal) Nĭ néng gàosu wŏ nĕi ge
kāfēiguăn hăo ma?
Wŏ yŏu yí ge gēge hé yí ge dìdi. Can you recommend a café/coffee
I have one older brother and one shop? (informal)
younger brother.
Nĭ néng gàosu wŏ nĕi ge cānguăn
Gēge èrshí èr suì. hăo ma?
The older brother is 22 years old. Can you recommend a restaurant?
(informal)

Tā zài dàxué dúshū. Fùjìn yŏu hăo de jiŭbā ma?
He studies at the university. Is there a good bar nearby?

Dìdi shí qī suì. Fùjìn yŏu diànyĭngyuàn ma?
The younger brother is 17 years old. Is there a movie theater nearby?

Tā zài gāozhōng niàn gāosān. Fùjìn yŏu bówùguăn ma?
He’s in his last year of high school. Is there a museum nearby?
(lit., He is studying grade three in high
school.) Năli shì lü˘ yóu de jĭngdiăn?
Where are the tourist attractions?
Nĭ yŏu duōshăo ge jiĕmèi?
How many sisters do you have? Năli wŏ néng qù tiàowŭ?
(informal) Where can I go to dance?

Wŏ yŏu yí ge mèimei. Năli kĕyĭ liànxí păobù?
I have one younger sister. Where can I go to jog?

Tā jiŭ suì. Năli kĕyĭ qí zìxíngchē?
She’s nine years old. Where can I go to ride a bike?

38

Năli kĕyĭ yóuyŏng? Tā hĕn piàoliang.
Where can I go to swim? She’s (very) pretty.

Good or Bad? Tā hĕn mĕi.
She’s (very) beautiful/pretty.

hăo Tā hĕn yŏu mèilì.
good, well, fine, okay, all right He/She is (very) charming.
(lit., He/She has a lot of charisma.)
hĕn hăo
very good, very well, good Tā shì yí ge hăo rén!
He’s a good guy!/She’s a good person!
Tài bàng le.
It’s wonderful./It’s excellent. Bù hăo.
It’s not good./It’s no good./It’s bad.
Fēicháng de hăo.
It’s excellent./It’s admirable. Búshì tài hăo.
It’s not very good.
Wánmĕi.
It’s perfect. Nà ge bù hăo.
That’s no good./That’s not good.
Búcuò.
It’s not bad./It’s pretty good. (lit., Not Zhèyàng bú duì.
incorrect.) It’s not right./This isn’t right./
This is wrong. (lit., It’s not correct in
Hăo bù hăo? this way.)
Is it all right?/Is it okay? (lit., Good not
good?) Zhèyàng bù hăo.
That’s bad. (lit., It’s bad in this way.)
Shífēn hăo!
Perfect!/Very good!/Very well! Tā hĕn huài.
He/She is very bad.

39

Zhèyàng hĕn bù hăo. Wŏ zuì pà (dăzhēn).
That’s very bad./That’s really bad. I’m most afraid of (getting a shot).
(lit., It’s very bad in this way.)
Bù hăoyìsi.
Zhè ge tài huài. I’m sorry. (lit., I feel embarrassed [for
That’s too bad. doing that].)

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

Hĕn bèn! Wŏ yŏudiăn er bù shūfu.
It’s very silly!/It’s very stupid! I don’t feel very well.

Wŏ bù guăn. Nĭ juéde lĕng huòzhĕ rè ma?
I don’t care for it. Do you feel cold or hot?

Zhè ge wú jiàzhí. Wŏ tóu tòng.
It’s worthless. (lit., This is worthless.) I have a headache.

Háo wú jiàzhí. Nĭ shuō de duì.
It’s worthless./It’s not good for You’re right.
anything. (lit., Without worth.)
I Speak, You Speak, etc.
I Am Feeling . . .
wŏ shuō
Wŏ yŏu diăn è le. I speak
I’m hungry.
nĭ shuō
Wŏ hĕn lèi. you speak (informal)
I’m (very) tired.

40

tā shuō yùgāng/yùpén
he/she/it speaks bathtub

nín shuō gŭlóngshuĭ
you speak (formal) cologne

wŏmen shuō chúchòujì
we speak deodorant

nĭmen shuō zài yùshì lĭ
you speak (plural) in the bathroom

tāmen shuō yàoguì
they (male/female/it) speak medicine cabinet

Wŏ shuō Zhōngwén. jìngzi
I speak Chinese. mirror

John shuō Yīngwén. xiāngshuĭ
John speaks English. perfume

Wŏ hé Elena shuō Zhōngwén. fĕn
Elena and I speak Chinese. (lit., I and powder
Elena speak Chinese.)
tìdāo
In the Bathroom razor

bēngdài xĭfàjīng
bandage shampoo

yùshì/wèishēngjiān guāhúgāo
bathroom shaving cream

41

línyù píng
shower bottle

xĭliănpén wăn
sink (wash basin) bowl

féizào xiāng/hé
soap box

guā húzi sàozhou
to shave broom

xĭzăo guàn(tóu)/jīnshŭguàn
to take a shower/bath can

cèsuŏ/wèishēngjiān zhĭbănxiāng
toilet carton

wèishēngzhĭ kuàizi
toilet paper chopsticks

máojīn gānjìng/zāng
towel clean/dirty

In the Kitchen kāfēijī
coffeemaker
piăobáijì
bleach guìtái
counter
jiăobànjī/zhàzhījī
blender, juicer bēi/bēizi
cup

42

chúguì dāo
cupboard knife

xĭwănjī xĭyīfĕn/xĭyījīng
dishwasher laundry detergent

qīngjiéjì wēibōlú
dishwashing detergent microwave

chōutì kăolú/kăoxiāng
drawer oven

hōnggānjī pánzi
dryer plate

chāzi bīngxiāng
fork refrigerator

bōlibēi/bēizi xĭcáo
glass (kitchen) sink

zài chúfáng lĭ tāngchí/sháozi
in the kitchen spoon

yùndŏu huŏlú
iron stove

yùndŏu băn cháhú/hú
ironing board teapot

43

zhŭ/shāo gōngsī
to cook (lit., to burn) company

xĭ pánzi diànnăo/diànzĭ jìsuànjī
to do the dishes (lit., to wash dishes) computer

xĭ yīfu xiĕzìtái/bàngōng zhuō
to do the laundry (lit., to wash desk
clothing)
wénjiàn
xĭyījī document, file
washing machine
gùyuán
In the Office employee

yuēhuì gōngchăng
appointment factory

shūjià chuánzhēnjī
bookshelf fax machine

lăobăn dăng’àn
boss file

măimài/shāngyè dăng’àn guì
business filing cabinet

máng zài bàngōngshì lĭ
busy in the office

tóngshì gōngzuò
colleague job

44

huìyì Wŏ xiànzài qù Bĕijīng.
meeting I’m going to Beijing now./I’m leaving
for Beijing now.
huìyìshì
meeting room Wŏ cóng Nánjīng lái.
I come from Nanjing.
bàngōngshì/bàngōnglóu
office/office building Wŏ shì cóng Nánjīng lái de.
I’m from Nanjing.
xīnjīn/xīnshuĭ
salary Wŏ xiànzài qù Xī’ān.
I’m going to Xian now./I’m leaving for
gōngzuò rényuán Xian now.
staff
Wŏ xiĕ le xìn gĕi tā.
diànhuà I wrote a letter to him/her.
telephone
Wŏ zài túshūguăn (lĭ).
zhuàn I’m in(side) the library.
to earn
Cóng Nánjīng qù Shànghăi yào
shàngbān yí ge zhōngtóu.
to go to work Going from Nanjing to Shanghai
takes one hour.
In, To, From
Tā xiànzài wăng Shànghăi qù.
Wŏ qù guò Bĕijīng. He/She is going toward Shanghai
I’ve been to Beijing. (lit., I have gone now.
[to] Beijing before.)
Wŏ zuì yuăn dào le Lánzhōu.
I got as far as Lanzhou. (lit., The
furthest I arrived was Lanzhou.)

45

Isn’t It? Nĭ zài zhè er búshì tài jiŭ, duì ma?
You haven’t been here very long, have
Duì ma? you? (informal)
Is it? (lit., Right?)

Duì bú duì? Nĭ huì lái de, duì ma?
Isn’t it? (lit., Right not right?) You’ll come, won’t you? (informal)

Zhōngwén hĕn róngyì, duì bú duì? Hĕn lĕng, duì bú duì?
Chinese is very easy, isn’t it? It’s very cold, isn’t it?

Zhè er de rén dōu hĕn hăo, duì bú Tài hăo le! Duì bú duì?
duì? It’s great! Don’t you think?
The people here are very nice, aren’t (lit., Too good! Right not right?)
they?
Tài kĕ’ài le! Duì bú duì?
Nĭ méiyŏu bĭ, duì ma? How cute! Don’t you think?
You don’t have a pencil/pen, do you? (lit., Too cute! Right not right?)
(informal)
Kĕyĭ, duì bú duì?
Nĭ zhīdào zhè ge dìfang, duì bú It’s all right, isn’t it?
duì?
You know this place, don’t you? Making Friends
(informal)

Nĭ rènshi Wáng xiānsheng, duì bú Nĭ hăo! Nĭ jiào shénme míngzi?
duì? Hello! What’s your name? (informal)
You know Mr. Wang, don’t you?
(informal) Wŏ kĕyĭ zuò zài zhèlĭ ma?
May I sit here?
Nĭ yŏu tiáogēng hé cānjīn, duì bú
duì? Nĭ zhù zài nă er?
You have a spoon and a napkin, don’t Where do you live? (informal)
you? (informal)

46

Wŏ zhù zài Bĕijīng. Wŏmén quánjiārén yìqĭ lü˘ yóu.
I live in Beijing. I’m traveling with my family.

Zhè shì wŏde péngyou. Wŏmén shì yóukè.
This is my friend. We are tourists.

Zhè shì wŏde nánpéngyou. Nĭ xĭhuan kàn diànyĭng ma?
This is my boyfriend. Do you like to go to the movies?
(informal)

Zhè shì wŏde nü˘ péngyou. Nĭ xĭhuan tiàowŭ ma?
This is my girlfriend. Do you like to dance? (informal)

Zhè shì wŏde tàitai. Wŏmén zŏu ba!
This is my wife. Let’s go!

Zhè shì wŏde zhàngfu. Wŏ néng jiàn jiàn nĭde
This is my husband. péngyou ma?
Can I meet your friend? (informal)
Nĭde guójiā hĕn mĕi.
Your country is very beautiful. Nĭde diànhuà hàomă shì duōshăo?
(informal) What is your telephone number?
(informal)
Nĭ qù guò Mĕiguó ma?
Have you been to the U.S.? (informal) Qĭng dào wŏ zhèlĭ lái kàn kan!
Please visit me (here)!
Wŏ hĕn xĭhuan chī zhèlĭ de
dōngxi. Wŏ zhēn shì tài gāoxìng le.
I like the food here very much. I really had a wonderful time.
(lit., I really was too happy.)
Wŏ shì shāngwù făngwèn.
I’m on a business trip.

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 + yì zhāng zhĭ
umbrella] 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 + yì zhāng chuáng
chicken] one/a bed [one/a + measure word
for flat surfaces + bed]
yì zhī māo
one/a cat [one/a + measure word for yì zhī bĭ
birds/certain animals + cat] 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 yì tiáo lù
+ cup/glass] 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.
yì shuāng xiézi/yí duì xiézi I’d like that in small bills.
one/a pair of shoes
Duìhuànfèi shì duōshăo?
yì shuāng yănjing/yí duì yănjing How much is the commission?
one/a pair of eyes
More or Less
yì dá jīdàn
one/a dozen eggs gèng màn
slower (lit., even more slow)
Money
gèng nán
qián more difficult (lit., even more difficult)
money
gèng róngyì
Rénmínbì easier (lit., even more easy)
Renminbi (currency of China)
gèng yuăn
yínháng farther (lit., even more far)
bank
gèng jìn
Qĭngwèn yínháng zài nă er? nearer (lit., even more near)
May I ask, where is the bank?
bĭ zhè ge gèng . . .
Wŏ xiăng huàn diăn er qián. (more) . . . than this
I’d like to change some money.

49

chāoguò yì nián nĭde péngyou
more than a year (lit., exceed one your friend (informal)
year)
tāde péngyou
méiyŏu zhème màn his/her/its friend
less slow (lit., not so slow)
wŏmende péngyou
méiyŏu zhème nán our friend (exclusive)
less difficult (lit., not so difficult)
zánmende péngyou
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
méiyŏu zhème jìn their (male/female/it) friend
less near, not so near
Zhè shì wŏde.
bĭ zhè ge shăo This is mine.
less than this
Zhè xiē shì wŏde.
bú gòu yì nián These are mine.
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.
wŏde péngyou These are yours. (informal)
my friend
Zhè shì tāde.
This is his/hers.

50