LIVING LANGUAGE - iKnow Chinese - Beginner Level Chinese Program

Zhè xiē shì tāde. Wŏ zìjĭ lái.
These are his/hers. Let me do it by myself. (lit., I self
come.)
Zhè shì wŏmende.
This is ours. Nĭ zìjĭ cái zhīdào.
Only you yourself know it. (informal)
Zhè xiē shì wŏmende.
These are ours. Tā juéde tā zìjĭ zuì piàoliang.
She thinks she herself is the prettiest.
Zhè shì nĭmende.
This is yours. (plural) Wŏmen zài jìngzilĭ kànjiàn zìjĭ.
We see ourselves in the mirror. (lit.,
Zhè xiē shì nĭmende. We in the mirror see selves.)
These are yours. (plural)
Nĭ duì zìjĭ yào yŏu xìnxīn.
Zhè shì tāmende. You must have confidence in yourself.
This is theirs (male/female/it). (lit., You toward self must have
confidence.) (informal)
Zhè xiē shì tāmende.
These are theirs (male/female/it). Nĭ zìjĭ xĭ.
You wash (it) yourself. (lit., You self
Myself wash.) (informal)

Nĭ bié guài zìjĭ. Nature
Don’t blame yourself. (informal)
hăitān
Tā zìjĭ qù kàn diànyĭng. beach
He/She goes to watch a movie by
himself/herself. shāmò
desert

51

tiándì zhíwù
field, farm land plant

huā chítáng
flower pond

sēnlín hé
forest river

shānqiū yánshí
hill rock

hú shā
lake sand

lùdì hăi
land sea

yuèliàng tiān
moon sky

shān xīng
mountain star

dàzìrán tàiyáng
nature sun

hăiyáng shù
ocean tree

52

shuĭ Wŏ shénme yĕ bù zhīdào.
water I don’t know anything.

Negatives: No, Not, Nothing, Wŏ bù zhīdào shì zĕnmeyàng
Never, Etc. huòzhĕ shì shénme shíhou.
I don’t know how or when.
Tā cóngwèi lái guò.
He/She has never come. Wŏ bù zhīdào shì nă er.
I don’t know where.
Tā bú zài zhè er.
He/She is not here. Wŏ kàn bú jiàn.
I don’t see./I can’t see.
Tā cóng bù lái.
He/She never comes. Wŏ shénme yĕ bú yào./
Wŏ bú yào shénme dōngxi.
Tā shuō bù. I don’t want anything.
He/She says no.

Tā shuō shì. Wŏ méiyŏu shíjiān.
He/She says yes. I have no time.

Wŏ cái bú zàihu ne. Wŏ méiyŏu shénme shì zuò.
I don’t care at all./It doesn’t make the I have nothing to do.
slightest difference to me.
Wŏ méiyŏu shénme hăo shuō.
Wŏ bú zàihu. I have nothing to say.
I don’t care./It makes no difference
to me. Wŏ cóng bú qù.
I never go.
Wŏ méiyŏu qián.
I don’t have money. Wŏ cóng bú jiàn tā.
I never see him/her.

53

Wŏ shénme yĕ méi(yŏu) kànjiàn./ Búshì hĕnduō.
Wŏ méi kànjiàn shénme. It’s not a lot/much.
I see nothing./I don’t see anything.
Búcuò.
Wŏ xiăng shì ba. It’s not bad.
I think so.
Bú gòu.
Wŏ yŏngyuăn yĕ bú huì qù. It’s not enough.
I’ll never go. (lit., I forever will not go.)
Bù hăo.
Wŏ yŏngyuăn yĕ bú huì shuō. It’s not good.
I’ll never say it.
Búshì nàyàng.
Wŏ bú qù. It’s not that.
I’m not going.
Búshì hĕn zhòngyào.
It’s not very important.

Wŏ yĭqián cónglái méiyŏu jiàn guò Méi shénme.
tā./Wŏ cóng wèi jiàn guò tā. It’s nothing.
I’ve never seen him/her before.

Búyàojĭn. Méiyŏu rén lái le.
It doesn’t matter./It’s not important. No one is coming (here)./Nobody
comes (here).
Gòu le.
It’s enough. Shénme rén yĕ bù lái le.
No one is coming.
Shì zhè er le.
It’s here. Bù, xiānsheng.
No, sir.

54

Méiyŏu nàme kuài. Bú tài duō yĕ bú tài shăo.
Not so fast. Neither too much nor too little.

Búshì jīngcháng. Bú tài hăo yĕ bú tài huài.
Not so often. It’s so-so./It’s not too good and not
too bad.
Shénme yĕ méiyŏu.
Nothing. (lit., Not anything.) Wŏ bù néng qù yĕ bù xiăng qù.
I can’t go and I don’t want to.
Méiyŏu fāshēng shénme shì.
Nothing happened. Wŏ shíjiān hé qián dōu méiyŏu.
I have neither the time nor the
Shì, xiānsheng. money.
Yes, sir.
Kàn hé xiĕ tā dōu bùxíng.
Neither . . . Nor He/She can neither read nor write.

yĕ bù/yĕ méiyŏu Numbers
neither, nor
líng
jì bù . . . yĕ bù zero (0)
neither . . . nor
yī
Gāng gāng hăo. 1
Just so./Just right. (lit., Neither more
nor less.) èr
2 (used in counting)
Zhè ge hé nà ge dōu búshì.
Neither the one nor the other./ liăng
Neither this one nor that one over 2 (used with nouns)
there.

55

sān shí sān
3 13

sì shí sì
4 14

wŭ shí wŭ
5 15

liù shí liù
6 16

qī shí qī
7 17

bā shí bā
8 18

jiŭ shí jiŭ
9 19

shí èrshí
10 20

shí yī èrshí yī
11 21

shí èr èrshí èr
12 22

56

èrshí sān liùshí
23 60

èrshí sì qīshí
24 70

èrshí wŭ bāshí
25 80

èrshí liù jiŭshí
26 90

èrshí qī yìbăi
27 100

èrshí bā yìbăi líng yī
28 101

èrshí jiŭ yìbăi líng èr
29 102

sānshí yìbăi líng sān
30 103

sìshí liăngbăi (èrbăi)
40 200

wŭshí sānbăi
50 300

57

sìbăi jiànzhù gōngrén
400 construction worker

wŭbăi yáyī
500 dentist

yìqiān yīshēng
1,000 (one thousand) doctor

yìbăiwàn diàngōng
1,000,000 (one million) electrician

On the Job gōngchéngshī
engineer
yănyuán
actor, actress nóngmín
farmer
jiànzhùshī
architect quánzhí
full-time
yìshùjiā
artist gōngzuò
job
yínhángjiā
banker jìzhĕ
journalist
shāngrén/shíyèjiā
business person lü` shī
lawyer
mùjiàng
carpenter yīnyuèjiā
musician

58

bànzhí shīyè/dàiyè
part-time unemployed

guănzigōng shòuyī
plumber veterinarian

gōng’ān/jĭngchá zuòjiā
police officer writer

jiàoshòu On the Phone
professor
Zhè er yŏu diànhuà ma?
tuìxiū Is there a telephone here?
retired
Wŏ kĕyĭ zài nă er dă diànhuà?
tūixiāoyuán/shòuhuòyuán Where can I make a phone call?
salesperson
Diànhuà zài nă er?
mìshū/zhùlĭ Where is the telephone?
secretary/assistant
Diànhuàjiān zài nă er?
wĕndìng de gōngzuò Where is the phone booth?
steady job
Wŏ kĕbùkĕyĭ yòng nĭ de diànhuà?
shŭqīgōng May I use your phone? (informal)
summer job
Dāngrán kĕyĭ! Yòng ba!
chūzūchē sījī Of course, go ahead! (lit., Of course
taxi driver you can! Use it!)

jiàoshī/lăoshī 59
teacher

Búyào wàngjì bă nĭde yídòng Diànhuà zhànxiàn.
diànhuà fàng zài dàizi lĭ. The line is busy.
Don’t forget to pack your cell phone
in your bag. (informal) Nĭ gĕi wŏ de hàomă shì búduì de.
You gave me the wrong number.
Wŏ bù zhīdào kĕbùkĕyĭ zài wŏ qù (informal)
de guójiā lĭ shĭyòng.
I don’t know if it will work in all the Méiyŏu rén jiē.
countries I’m going to visit. There is no answer.

Hĕnduō (diànhuà) gōngsī zài qítā Huáng xiānsheng zài ma?
guójiā yĕ tígòng fúwù. May I speak to Mr. Huang?
Many (phone) companies also (lit., Is Mr. Huang there?)
provide service in other countries.
Wŏ jiùshì.
Wŏ yào bō chángtú diànhuà. Speaking. (lit., I am.)
I need to call long distance.
Zhè shì Chén Dànián.
Dă diànhuà qù Shànghăi yào This is Danian Chen speaking.
duōshăo qián?
How much is a phone call to Shì Huáng xiānsheng ma?
Shanghai? Is this Mr. Huang?

Wŏ yào bō èr èr bā qī wŭ bā èr. Shì.
I want 228–7582. Yes./Speaking.

Búyào guàxiàng. Nă er zhăo?
Hold on a minute. (lit., Don’t Who is this?
hang up.)

60

People pàng/shòu
fat/thin
rén
people, person, man yŏushàn/bùyŏushàn
friendly/unfriendly
nánrén
man kuàilè/shāngxīn
happy/sad
nü rén
woman mĕilì/yīngjùn/nánkàn
beautiful/handsome/ugly
dàren/chéngrén
adult yŏubìng/jiànkāng
sick/healthy
xiăohái’er/xiăopéngyou
child qiáng/ruò
strong/weak
nánhái’er/nánhái(zi)
boy yŏumíng
famous
nü hái’er/nü hái(zi)
girl cōngmíng
intelligent
qīngshàonián
teenager yŏu cáinéng
talented
gāo/ăi
tall/short Saying Hello

lăo/niánqīng Nĭ hăo!
old/young Hello!/Good day! (informal)

61

Zăo’ān! Zàijiàn.
Good morning! Good-bye.

Wănshang hăo! Dāi huì er jiàn.
Good evening! See you later.

Nĭ hăo ma? Zài huì.
How are you? (informal) See you soon./Adieu.

Hăo, xièxie. Wăn’ān.
Fine, thanks. Good night.

Wŏ hĕn hăo, xièxie. Seasons and Cardinal
I’m very well, thanks. Directions

Hái kĕyĭ. chūntiān
So-so. spring

Qĭngwèn nĭ jiào shénme míngzi? xiàtiān
May I ask, what’s your name? summer
(informal)
qiūtiān
Wŏ jiào Wáng Míng. autumn
My name is Ming Wang.
dōngtiān
Wŏ jiào Zhāng Lán. winter
My name is Lan Zhang.
dōng
Wŏ hĕn gāoxìng rènshi nĭ. east
It’s nice to meet you. (informal)

62

nán Wŏ yào zhè ge.
south I’ll take it. (lit., I want this.)

xī Shāngdiàn jĭdiăn kāi mén?
west At what time does the store open?

bĕi Shāngdiàn jĭdiăn guān mén?
north At what time does the store close?

Shopping Nĭ xĭhuan shénme?
What would you like? (lit., You like
Zhè shì duōshăo qián? what?) (informal)
How much does this cost? (lit., This is
how much?) Nĭ xūyào bāngmáng ma?
Can I help you? (informal)
Qĭng nĭ bă jiàgé xiĕ xiàlái.
Please write down the price. Wŏ xiăng yào zhè ge.
(informal) I would like this.

Wŏ yào măi . . . Wŏ xiăng yào diànchí.
I’d like to buy . . . I would like batteries.

Hĕn guì! Wŏ xiăng yào yì juăn jiāojuăn.
It’s very expensive! I would like a roll of film.

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)

Wŏ chuān (dà/zhōng/xiăo) mă. Gĕi nĭ zhè ge.
My size is (large/medium/small). Here it is. (lit., Give you this.)
(lit., I wear large/medium/small size.) (informal)

63

Jiù zhè xiē le ma? niúzăikù
Is that all? jeans

Wŏ xiăng fù xiànjīn. shūdiàn
I’d like to pay with cash. bookstore

Wŏ xiăng yòng xìnyòngkă fù. bĭngdiàn
I’d like to pay by credit card. bakery

Wŏ kĕyĭ zài wăngshàng dìng ma? chāojí shìchăng
Can I order this online? supermarket

băihuò gōngsī ròudiàn
department store butcher shop

nü zhuāng shìchăng
women’s clothes market

chènyi, qúnzi, líanyīqún Some, Any, A Few
blouse, skirt, dress
Nĭ yŏu qián ma?
nánzhuāng Do you have (any) money? (informal)
men’s clothes
Wŏ yŏu yìxiē.
kùzi, chènshān, lĭngdài I have some.
pants, shirt, tie
Wŏ yìdiăn er yĕ méiyŏu.
xié(zi) hé wàzi I don’t have any. (lit., I don’t even
shoes and socks have a little bit.)

64

Tā yŏu qián ma? Speaking Chinese
Does he/she have (any) money?
Nĭ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?
Tā yìdiăn er yĕ méiyŏu. Do you (know how to) speak
He/She doesn’t have any. (lit., He/She Chinese? (informal)
doesn’t even have a little bit.)
Huì shuō yìdiăn er.
Nĭ hái yŏu qián ma? (I) can speak a little.
Do you have (any) money left?
(informal) Yìdiăndiăn er.
Very little.

Nĭ yŏu duōshăo bĕn shū? Bú tài hăo.
How many books do you have? Not very well.
(informal)

Nĭ yào yìxiē shuĭguŏ ma? Wŏ huì shuō Zhōngwén.
Do you want some fruit? (informal) I (know how to) speak Chinese.

Gĕi wŏ jĭ ge. Wŏ shuō de bù hăo.
Give me a few. I speak it poorly.

Gĕi wŏ yìxiē. Wŏ shuō de bú tài hăo.
Give me some. I don’t speak it very well. (lit., I speak
not too well.)

Gĕi tā yìxiē. Wŏ zhĭ huì shuō jĭ gè dāncí.
Give him/her some. I only know (how to speak) a few
words.
wŏ(de) yìxiē péngyou
some of my friends Wŏ huì shuō yìxiē Zhōngwén
dāncí.
I can say some words in Chinese.

65

Nĭ(de) péngyou huì shuō Wŏ yào duō liànxí.
Zhōngwén ma? I need to practice more.
Does your friend (know how to)
speak Chinese? (informal) Nĭ tīng de dŏng ma?
Do you understand (me)? (informal)
Wŏ(de) péngyou bú huì shuō
Zhōngwén. Wŏ tīng de dŏng.
My friend doesn’t (know how to) I understand (you).
speak Chinese.

Nĭ dŏng Zhōngwén ma? Wŏ tīng de bú tài dŏng.
Do you understand Chinese? I don’t understand (you) very well.
(informal)
Nĭ shuō shénme?/
Wŏ dŏng Zhōngwén. Nĭ jiăng shénme?
I understand Chinese. What did you say? (informal)

Wŏ dŏng, kĕshì wŏ bú huì shuō. Nĭ shuō de tài kuài.
I understand it, but I don’t (know how You speak too fast./You’re speaking
to) speak it. too fast. (informal)

Wŏ huì kàn, kĕshì wŏ bú huì shuō. Bú yào shuō zhème kuài.
I can read it, but I don’t (know how to) Don’t speak so fast.
speak it.
Shuō màn yìdiăn er.
Wŏ bù dŏng Zhōngwén. Speak more slowly.
I don’t understand Chinese.
Qĭng shuō zài màn yìdiăn er.
Wŏ bú tài dŏng Zhōngwén. Please speak a little more slowly.
I don’t understand Chinese very well.
Qĭng zài shuō yí biàn./
Wŏ fāyīn fā de bú tài hăo. Qĭng zài shuō yí cì.
I don’t pronounce it very well. Please repeat (that). (Please say that
one more time.)

66

Nĭ xiànzài míngbai le ma? lánqiú
Do you understand (me) now? basketball
(informal)

O` , wŏ míngbai le. kă
Oh, now I understand. cards

Zhè ge shì shénme yìsi? guànjūn
What does this mean? champion

“Thanks” Zhōngwén zĕnme shuō? jiàoliàn
How do you say “thanks” in Chinese? coach

Zhè ge zì zĕnme xiĕ? yóuxì
How do you write this word? game

Qĭng nĭ xiĕ gĕi wŏ. qūgùnqiú
Please write it down for me. hockey
(informal)
yùndòngyuán
Sports and Recreation player

Mĕishì zúqiú zhuàngqiú/táiqiú
American football pool, billiards

zúqiú
qiú soccer (football)
ball

bàngqiú yùndòng jí yúlè
baseball sports and recreation

67

yùndòngchăng Staying in Touch
stadium
diànhuà
duì/qiúduì/yùndòng duì telephone
team
Wŏ bìxū dă ge diànhuà.
wăngqiú I have to make a phone call.
tennis
Zhèlĭ yŏu gōngyòng diànhuà ma?
dăchéng píngjú Is there a public phone here?
to draw/tie (lit., the match was
drawn/tied) Wŏ kĕyĭ yòng nĭde shŏujī ma?
May I use your cell phone? (informal)
yĕyíng/lùyíng
to go camping Qĭngwèn hàomă shì duōshăo?
What number, please? (lit., May I ask,
yuănzú how much is the number?)
to go hiking
Zhànxiàn.
shū The line is busy.
to lose
chuánzhēn
wán yóuxì fax
to play a game
Wŏ xūyào fā ge chuánzhēn.
zuò yùndòng I need to send a fax.
to play a sport, to exercise
Yŏu gĕi wŏde chuánzhēn ma?
yíng Is there a fax for me?
to win
diànyóu
email

68

Diànnăo zài nă er? hángkōng
Where is the computer? air mail

Wŏ xūyào jì fēng diànyóu. èrshí sì xiăoshí kuàijiàn
I need to send an email. overnight delivery (lit., 24-hour
express delivery)
Wŏ kĕyĭ shàngwăng ma?
Can I get on the internet? Telling Time

Nĭ yŏu wăngyè ma? Xiànzài jĭdiăn le?
Do you have a webpage? (informal) What time is it (now)?

Qĭngwèn yóujú zài nă er? zhōngwŭ
May I ask, where is the post office? noon

Qĭng gĕi wŏ yìxiē yóupiào. wŭyè
I’d like some stamps, please./ midnight
Please give me some stamps.
Xiànzài shì yī diăn.
Jì yì fēng xìn. It’s 1:00 (now).
For (mailing) a letter.
Xiànzài shì liăng diăn.
Jì míngxìnpiàn. It’s 2:00 (now).
For (mailing) a postcard.
Xiànzài shì sān diăn bàn.
Yóufèi shì duōshăo? It’s 3:30 (now).
How much is the postage?
Xiànzài shì sì diăn.
Jì dào Mĕiguó. It’s 4:00 (now).
To the United States.

69

Xiànzài shì wŭ diăn sìshí wŭ (fēn). yí huì er

It’s 5:45 (now). later, a while

Xiànzài shì qī diăn líng sān (fēn). măshàng
It’s 7:03 (now). immediately, right away

Diànyĭng jiŭ diăn bàn kāishĭ. The Human Body
The movie starts at 9:30.

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

zăoshang shŏubì
morning arm

xiàwŭ xuè/xiĕ
afternoon blood

wănshang gŭtou
evening, night bone

jīntiān năo
today brain

míngtiān xiōngbù
tomorrow breast

zuótiān liănjiá
yesterday cheek

xiànzài xiōngkŏu
now chest

70

xiàba tóufa
chin hair

ĕrduo shŏu
ear hand

zhŏu tóu
elbow head

yăngjing xīn
eye heart

méimao xīgài
eyebrow knee

jiémáo tuĭ
eyelashes leg

liăn fèi
face lungs

shŏuzhĭ zuĭ/kŏu
finger mouth

jiăo jīròu
foot muscle

étóu bózi
forehead neck

71

bízi This and That
nose
Gĕi wŏ zhè ge.
jiānbăng Give me this one.
shoulders
Gĕi wŏ zhè xiē.
pífū Give me these.
skin
Gĕi wŏ nà ge.
wèi/fù Give me that one.
stomach/abdomen
Gĕi wŏ nà xiē.
jiàn Give me those.
tendon
Gĕi wŏ nàbiān nà ge.
réntĭ Give me that one over there.
the human body
Gĕi wŏ nàbiān nà xiē.
jiăozhĭ Give me those over there.
toe
zhè ge nánhái’er
shétou this boy
tongue
zhè wèi nü shì
yáchĭ this lady
tooth
nà wèi nü shì
shŏuwàn (er) that lady
wrist
zhè bĕn shū
this book

72

nàbiān nà wèi xiānsheng guò yízhènzi
that gentleman over there in a short time

nàbiān nà xiē línjū guò yīhuì er
those neighbors over there in a little while

Time Expressions: Ago, Now, bùshí
Once, Etc. from time to time

Duōjiŭ yĭqián? Duōshăo cì?
How long ago? How many times?

gāngcái yí cì
a moment ago once, one time

hĕn jiŭ yĭqián mĕi cì
a long time ago each time

xiànzài liăng cì
now twice, two times

mùqián bùcháng

this very moment, for the time being very seldom, not often

zài zhè ge shíhou jīngcháng
at this moment very often

zài rènhé shíhou yŏushí
at any moment sometimes, now and then, from time
to time

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ŏu’ĕr zhè ge yuè wŭ hào
once in a while the fifth of this month

qīngzăo/yídàzăo shàng (yí) ge yuè wŭ hào
early in the morning the fifth of last month

zài wănshang sān yuè chū
in the evening at the beginning of March

dìèrtiān/yìrì yuèdĭ
on the following day at the end of the month

cóng jīntiān kāishĭ liăng ge xīngqī niánchū
yĭhòu in the early part of the year
two weeks from today
niándĭ
cóng jīntiān kāishĭ yí ge xīngqī toward the end of the year
yĭhòu
a week from today Fāshēng zài bānián qián.
It happened eight years ago.
cóng míngtiān kāishĭ yí ge xīngqī
yĭhòu Time Expressions: Morning,
a week from tomorrow Noon, Night

guò yí ge xīngqī jīntiān zăoshang
in a week this morning

xià (yí) ge xīngqī sān zuótiān zăoshang
next Wednesday yesterday morning

shàng (yí) ge xīngqī yī míngtiān zăoshang
last Monday tomorrow morning

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jīntiān zhōngwŭ guò liăng ge xīngqī
today noon in two weeks

zuótiān zhōngwŭ liăng ge xīngqī yĭqián
yesterday noon two weeks ago

míngtiān zhōngwŭ zhè ge yuè
tomorrow noon this month

jīntiān wănshang shàng (yí) ge yuè
this evening, tonight last month

zuótiān wănshang xià (yí) ge yuè
yesterday evening, last night next month

míngtiān wănshang guò liăng ge yuè
tomorrow evening/night in two months

Time Expressions: Week, liăng ge yuè yĭqián
Month, Year two months ago

zhè ge xīngqī qián ge yuè
this week the month before last

shàng (yí) ge xīngqī jīnnián
last week this year

xià (yí) ge xīngqī qùnián
next week last year

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míngnián/xiàyī’nián nĭ búshì
next year you are not (informal)

guò liăngnián tā búshì
in two years he/she/it is not

liăngnián qián wŏmen búshì
two years ago we are not

To Be or Not to Be nĭmen búshì
you are not (plural)
wŏ shì
I am tāmen búshì
they (male/female/it) are not
nĭ shì
you are (informal) Tā shì yīshēng.
He/She is a doctor.
tā shì
he/she/it is Tā shì Zhōngguórén.
He/She is Chinese.
wŏmen shì
we are Tā hĕn niánqīng.
He/She is (very) young.
nĭmen shì
you are (plural) Tā hĕn cōngmíng.
He/She is (very) intelligent.
tāmen shì
they (male/female/it) are Shì wŏ.
It’s me.
wŏ búshì
I am not

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Nĭ shì cóng năli lái de? Zài zhuōzi shàng.
Where are you from?/Where do you On the table.
come from? (informal)
Wŏ hĕn lèi.
Wŏ shì cóng Zhōngguó lái de. I am (very) tired.
I’m from China./I come from China.
Wŏ zhŭnbèi hăo le.
Zhè shì mùtóu zuò de ma? I am ready.
Is this made of wood?
Kāfēi lĕng le.
Zhè shì shéi de? The coffee is cold. (lit., The coffee has
Whose is this? become cold.)

Zhè shì tāde. Zhè ge hĕn míngxiăn.
This is his/hers. It is very clear./It is very obvious.

Xiànzài shì yī diăn. Chuānghu dăkāi le.
It’s 1:00. (lit., Now is one o’clock.) The window is open.

Zhè shì bìxū de. Chuānghu guān le.
It’s necessary. (lit., This is necessary.) The window is shut.

Tā zài nàbian. To Have and Have Not
He/She is over there.
wŏ yŏu
Tā zài Shànghăi. I have
He/She is in Shanghai.
nĭ yŏu
Shū zài năli? you have (informal)
Where is the book?

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tā yŏu Wŏ yŏu shíjiān.
he/she/it has I have time.

wŏmen yŏu Wŏ shénme shíjiān yĕ méiyŏu.
we have I don’t have any time.

nĭmen yŏu Tā shénme qián yĕ méiyŏu.
you have (plural) He/She doesn’t have any money.

tāmen yŏu To Like
they (male/female/it) have
Wŏ xĭhuan . . .
wŏ méiyŏu I like . . .
I don’t have
Wŏ xĭhuan tā.
nĭ méiyŏu I like him/her/it.
you don’t have (informal)
Wŏ hĕn xĭhuan tā./Wŏ fēicháng
tā méiyŏu xĭhuan tā.
he/she/it doesn’t have I like him/her/it very much.

wŏmen méiyŏu Wŏ xĭhuan zhè ge.
we don’t have I like this.

nĭmen méiyŏu Wŏ shífēn xĭhuan tāmen.
you don’t have (plural) I like them (male/female/it) a lot.

tāmen méiyŏu Nĭ xĭhuan ma?
they (male/female/it) don’t have Do you like it? (informal)

78

Nĭ xĭhuan shuĭguŏ ma? dìtú
Wŏ xĭhuan. map
Do you (informal) like fruit? I like
(fruit). jìniànbēi
monument

Nĭmen xĭhuan qiăokèlì ma? hùzhào
Do you (plural) like chocolate? passport

Travel and Tourism jiēdàitái
reception desk
xiăocèzi
brochure yùdìng
reservation
zhàoxiàngjī
camera bànlĭ dēngjì shŏuxù
to check in
Nĭ kĕyĭ bāng wŏmen
pāizhào ma? fùzhàng hòu líkāi lü guăn
Can you take our picture? to check out
(lit., Can you help to take our
picture?)

lü xíngtuán qù guānguāng
guided tour to go sightseeing

lü guăn qù pāizhào
hotel to take a picture

xìnxī zhōngxīn lü yóuchē/guānguāng bāshì
information center tour bus

79

guānguāngkè Xiàxuĕ.
tourist It’s snowing.

lü yóu jí lü yóuyè Qíngtiān.
travel and tourism It’s sunny.

qīngnián lü guăn Hĕn mĕilì.
youth hostel It’s very beautiful.

Weather Hĕn lĕng.
It’s very cold.
yún
cloud Hĕn rè.
It’s very hot.
dù
degree Yŏu fēng.
It’s windy.
wù
fog shăndiàn
lightning
jùfēng
hurricane yŭ
rain
Duōyún.
It’s cloudy. yānwù
smog
Xiàbáo.
It’s hailing. xuĕ
snow
Xiàyŭ.
It’s raining. fēngbào
storm

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tàiyáng yŭsăn
sun umbrella

wēndù tiānqì
temperature weather

léi fēng
thunder wind

Dialogue 1 (Shopping)

Xiăojie, nĭmen xiăng kànkan shénme dōngxi?
Ladies, what would you (plural) like to see?

Wŏmen guàngguang.
We’re just browsing.

Míngfēn, nĭ kàn, nà jiàn chènshān hăo kàn ma?
Mingfen, look. Do you think that shirt is pretty?

Búcuò.
Not bad.

Duìbuqĭ, nèi jiàn chènshān duōshăo qián?
Excuse me, how much is that shirt?

Sìshí jiŭ kuài bā máo sì fēn qián.
49 kuai, eight mao, and four fen.
[1 yuan/kuai = 10 mao/jiao = 100 fen]

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Nĭ zhè er de chènshān tài guì le!
Your (informal) shirts are too expensive!

Zhè jiàn piányi, zhĭ yào èrshí kuài wŭ máo.
This one is cheaper, only 20 kuai and five mao.

Míngfēn, nĭ xĭhuan zhè jiàn ma?
Mingfen, do you (informal) like this one?

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

Wŏmen kànkan lĭngdài ba.
Let’s look at ties.

Zhè tiáo búcuò.
This tie isn’t bad.

Qĭngwèn, zhè tiáo lĭngdài zĕnme mài?
May I ask, how much does this (tie) cost?

Qī kuài bā máo wŭ yì tiáo.
(Ties are) seven kuai, eight mao five each.

Wŏmen xiăng măi sì tiáo.
We want to buy four (ties).

Néng bù néng piányi yìdĭan er?
Could you charge us a little less? (lit., Could they be a little cheaper?)

Duìbuqĭ, wŏmen zhè er bù jiăngjià.
Sorry, we don’t bargain here.

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Míngfēn, wŏ bù xiăng măi le.
Mingfen, I don’t want to buy anything anymore.

Wŏmen zŏu ba.
Let’s go.

Dialogue 2 (At the Restaurant)

Xiānsheng, zhè shì wŏmende càidān.
Gentlemen, this is our menu.

Nĭmen xiăng diăn shénme?
What would you (plural) like to order?

Wŏ bú tài shúxi càimíng.
I’m not familiar with the dishes.

Lĭ, nĭ bāng wŏ jiào ba.
Li, why don’t you (informal) order?

Hăo. Wŏmen lái yí ge Bĕijīng kăoyā.
Okay. Let’s have (a) Beijing duck.

Shí, nĭ chī bù chī là de?
Shi, do you (informal) eat spicy food or not?

Tián de, suān de, là de, wŏ dōu chī.
Sweet, sour, spicy; I eat all (of those).

Wŏ jiùshì bù chī kŭ de.
I just don’t eat anything bitter.

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Hăo. Wŏmen yào yí ge Gōngbăo jīdīng . . .
Okay. We’ll have (a) Gongbao chicken . . .

. . . yí ge hóngshāo dòufu, zài chăo yì pán qīngcài.
. . . (a) tofu with brown sauce, (and) stir-fried vegetables.

Liăng wèi xiānsheng yào mĭfàn háishì yào jiăozi?
Would you two gentlemen like steamed rice or dumplings?

Lái yìdiăn mĭfàn ba.
Let’s get some steamed rice.

Nĭmen hē shénme yĭnliào?
What would you (plural) like to drink?

Shí, nĭ xiăng hē píjiŭ háishì guŏzhī?
Shi, do you (informal) want to drink beer or juice?

Wŏmen lái liăng píng Qīngdăo píjiŭ, zĕnmeyàng?
We’ll get two bottles of Qingdao beer, how about that?

Dialogue 3 (At the Bank)

Nĭ hăo, wŏ xiăng huàn rénmínbì.
Hello (informal), I would like to exchange (for) Renminbi.

Nĭ yŏu xiànjīn háishì lü xíng zhīpiào?
Do you (informal) have cash or traveler’s checks?

Lü xíng zhīpiào.
Traveler’s checks.

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Hăo. Nĭ xiān tián zhè zhāng duìhuàndān . . .
Okay. You (informal) need to fill out this exchange form . . .

. . . ránhòu gĕi wŏ kàn nĭde hùzhào.
. . . and then show me your (informal) passport.

Qĭngwèn, jīntiān mĕijīn hé rénmínbì de duìhuànl shì duōshăo?
May I ask, what is the exchange rate between U.S. dollars and Renminbi today?

Yī bĭ bā.
One to eight.

Nĭ dăsuàn huàn duōshăo?
How much do you (informal) want to exchange?

Qībăi kuài mĕijīn.
700 U.S. dollars.

Qián zài zhè er.
Here you go. (lit., Here is the money.)

Hăo. Yígòng shì wŭqiān liùbăi kuài.
Okay. That comes to 5,600 kuai in total.

Qĭng gĕi wŏ bā zhāng yìbăi kuài, qíyú shì shí yuàn de, hăo ma?
Please give me eight 100-kuai bills and the rest in ten-kuai bills, okay?

Méi wènti.
No problem.

85

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
languages. For more information on Living Language programs, go
to www.livinglanguage.com.

Copyright © 2008 Living Language, a Random House Company
ISBN 978–1-4000–0952–7

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