Chinese Phrases for Dummies (ISBN - 0764584774)

Chinese Phrases

DUMmIESpermil

by Dr Wendy Abraham

01_584774_ffirsqxd 8305 1038 PM Page i

Chinese Phrases

DUMmIESpermil

by Dr Wendy Abraham

Chinese Phrases For Dummiesreg

Published byWiley Publishing Inc111 River StHoboken NJ 07030-5774wwwwileycom

Copyright copy 2005 by Wiley Publishing Inc Indianapolis Indiana

Published by Wiley Publishing Inc Indianapolis Indiana

Published simultaneously in Canada

No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or trans-mitted in any form or by any means electronic mechanical photocopying recordingscanning or otherwise except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976United States Copyright Act without either the prior written permission of thePublisher or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to theCopyright Clearance Center 222 Rosewood Drive Danvers MA 01923 978-750-8400fax 978-646-8600 Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to theLegal Department Wiley Publishing Inc 10475 Crosspoint Blvd Indianapolis IN46256 317-572-3447 fax 317-572-4355 or online at permcoordinatorwileycom

Trademarks Wiley the Wiley Publishing logo For Dummies the Dummies Man logo A Reference for the Rest of Us The Dummies Way Dummies Daily The Fun and EasyWay Dummiescom and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarksof John Wiley amp Sons Inc andor its affiliates in the United States and other countriesand may not be used without written permission All other trademarks are the prop-erty of their respective owners Wiley Publishing Inc is not associated with any prod-uct or vendor mentioned in this book

LIMIT OF LIABILITYDISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY THE PUBLISHER AND THE AUTHOR MAKE NOREPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OFTHE CONTENTS OF THIS WORK AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES INCLUDINGWITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE NO WARRANTYMAY BE CREATED OR EXTENDED BY SALES OR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS THE ADVICE ANDSTRATEGIES CONTAINED HEREIN MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EVERY SITUATION THIS WORK ISSOLD WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PUBLISHER IS NOT ENGAGED IN RENDERINGLEGAL ACCOUNTING OR OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES IF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE ISREQUIRED THE SERVICES OF A COMPETENT PROFESSIONAL PERSON SHOULD BE SOUGHTNEITHER THE PUBLISHER NOR THE AUTHOR SHALL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ARISING HERE-FROM THE FACT THAT AN ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE IS REFERRED TO IN THIS WORK AS ACITATION ANDOR A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FURTHER INFORMATION DOES NOT MEAN THATTHE AUTHOR OR THE PUBLISHER ENDORSES THE INFORMATION THE ORGANIZATION ORWEBSITE MAY PROVIDE OR RECOMMENDATIONS IT MAY MAKE FURTHER READERS SHOULDBE AWARE THAT INTERNET WEBSITES LISTED IN THIS WORK MAY HAVE CHANGED OR DISAP-PEARED BETWEEN WHEN THIS WORK WAS WRITTEN AND WHEN IT IS READ

For general information on our other products and services please contact ourCustomer Care Department within the US at 800-762-2974 outside the US at317-572-3993 or fax 317-572-4002

For technical support please visit wwwwileycomtechsupport

Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats Some content thatappears in print may not be available in electronic books

Library of Congress Control Number is available from the publisher

ISBN-13 978-07645-8477-0

ISBN-10 0-7645-8477-4

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1OSSQYQVIN

01_584774_ffirsqxd 8305 1038 PM Page ii

About the AuthorWendy Abraham is the Associate Director of the StanfordCenter for Buddhist Studies and the Asian Religions ampCultures Initiative She has taught courses on Chinese lan-guage Chinese literature and Asian cultures at HunterCollege Georgetown University New York University andStanford University where shersquos currently pursuing hersecond doctorate in modern Chinese literature She spent ayear researching Shang Dynasty oracle bones in Taiwanwhich sparked her deep interest in the development ofChinarsquos written language Wendy has directed Chinese lan-guage programs for American students in Beijing andShanghai and has interpreted for high-level arts delegationsfrom China Her first doctoral dissertation from TeachersCollege (Columbia University) was on the Chinese Jews ofKaifeng a subject about which she has written widely andcontinues to lecture frequently throughout the UnitedStates She also created Jewish Historical Tours of Chinabringing people to visit Shanghai and Kaifeng on educationaltrips Her interest in all things Chinese continues unabated

01_584774_ffirsqxd 8305 1038 PM Page iii

Publisherrsquos AcknowledgmentsWersquore proud of this book please send us your commentsthrough our Dummies online registration form located atwwwdummiescomregister

Some of the people who helped bring this book to marketinclude the following

Acquisitions Editorial andMedia Development

Compiler Laura Peterson-Nussbaum

Senior Project Editor Tim Gallan

Acquisitions Editor Stacy Kennedy

Copy Editor Chad R Sievers

Technical Editor Wen Yang

Editorial Manager Christine Meloy Beck

Editorial AssistantsCourtney Allen Nadine Bell

Cartoons Rich Tennantwwwthe5thwavecom

Composition

Project CoordinatorsAdrienne MartinezShannon Schiller

Layout and Graphics Denny HagerStephanie D JumperHeather RyanErin Zeltner

Proofreaders David FaustLeeann Harney Joe Niesen Mildred Rosenzweig

Indexer Johnna Van Hoose

Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies

Diane Graves Steele Vice President and PublisherConsumer Dummies

Joyce Pepple Acquisitions Director Consumer DummiesKristin A Cocks Product Development Director

Consumer DummiesMichael Spring Vice President and Publisher TravelKelly Regan Editorial Director Travel

Publishing for Technology Dummies

Andy Cummings Vice President and Publisher DummiesTechnologyGeneral User

Composition Services

Gerry Fahey Vice President of Production ServicesDebbie Stailey Director of Composition Services

01_584774_ffirsqxd 8305 1038 PM Page iv

Table of Contents Introduction 1

About This Book 1Conventions Used in This Book 2Foolish Assumptions 3Icons Used in This Book 3Where to Go from Here 4

Chapter 1 I Say It How Speaking Chinese 5The Written Word Yikes No Alphabet 6Pinyin Spelling Beijing Not Peking 8Sounding Off Basic Chinese Sounds 9

Starting off with initials 10Ending with finals 11Perfect pitch Presenting the four tones 13

Adding Idioms and Popular Expressions to Your Repertoire 15

Mastering Basic Phrases 17

Chapter 2 Grammar on a Diet Just the Basics 19How Chinese Is Easier Than English 19Naming Those Nouns 21

Pronouns 21Classifiers 22Singular and plural Itrsquos not an issue 23

Those Little Words Definite Versus Indefinite Articles 24

Describing Adjectives 26Verbs 27

Feeling tense Le guograve and other aspect markers 27

Coverbs 29To be or not to be The verb shigrave 30The special verb Yocircu (to have) 30Asking for what you want The verb yagraveo 31

Advocating Adverbs 31Bugrave and Meacuteiyocircu Total Negation 32Getting Possessive with the Particle De 33Asking Questions 34

The question particle ldquomardquo 34Using bugrave to ask a question 34Interrogative pronouns 35

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page v

Chinese Phrases For Dummies viChapter 3 Numerical Gumbo

Counting of All Kinds 371 2 3 Cardinal Numbers 37Discovering Ordinal Numbers 40Telling Time 41Monday Tuesday Weekdays 44Using the Calendar and Dates 46Money Money Money 50

Making and exchanging money 51Cashing checks and checking your cash 53Doing your banking 54Accessing an ATM machine 56

Chapter 4 Making New Friends and Enjoying Small Talk 57

Making Introductions 57Acquainting yourself 58Introducing your friends and family 58Asking people for their names 60Addressing new friends and strangers 61Taking (aka rejecting) compliments 62Saying goodbye 62

Asking Basic Questions 63Chatting It Up 66

Yakking about the weather 66Finding out where people are from 68Chatting about family 70Making small talk on the job 71Talking about where you live 73

Chapter 5 Enjoying a Drink and a Snack (or Meal) 75

All about Meals 75Dining Out 76Understanding Whatrsquos on the Menu 78

Vegetarianrsquos delight 80Some favorite Chinese dishes 81Sauces and seasonings 82Dipping into some dim sum 82Ordering Western food 84

Placing an Order and Chatting with the Wait Staff 86

Finding the Restrooms 89Finishing Your Meal and Paying the Bill 90All the Tea in China 91

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page vi

Table of Contents viiChapter 6 Shop lsquotil You Drop 93

Going to Stores 93Shopping for Clothes 95

Whatrsquos your size 95What are you wearing Chuasympn versus dagravei 97Asking about the color 98

Shopping for Other Items 100Hunting for antiques 100Buying hi-tech and electronics 101

Hitting the Markets for Food 102Getting a Good Price and Paying 105

Negotiating prices at the night market 105Demanding a refund 106

Comparing Quality Good Better Best 107

Chapter 7 Making Leisure a Top Priority 111Going Out on the Town 111

Attending a performance 111Exploring museums and galleries 114Visiting historical sites 115Going to the movies 116Listening to a concert 118Hopping around bars and clubs 118

Naming Your Hobbies 119Exploring Nature 120Tapping into Your Artistic Side 122Getting into Sports 123

Chapter 8 When You Gotta Work 127Picking Up a Telephone 127

Telephone basics 127Making a phone call 129Checking the answering machine 133

Heading Off to Work 134Your office digs 134Conducting a meeting 135Scheduling and planning a meeting 136Starting the meeting 137Making a presentation 138Ending the meeting 139

Discussing Business and Industry 139Using the Internet 141

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page vii

Chinese Phrases For Dummies viiiChapter 9 I Get Around Transportation 143

On the Move Types of Transportation 143Catching a plane 144Hailing a cab 148Hopping on the bus 150Riding the rails 152

Going through Customs 154Asking for Directions 156

Avoiding 20 questions Just ask ldquowhererdquo 157Getting direction about directions 158Answering ldquowhererdquo questions 159Giving directions 160Expressing distances with liacute 161Specifying cardinal points

with directional coverbs 163

Chapter 10 Finding a Place to Lay Your Weary Head 167

Making a Room Reservation 168Checking In Before You Hit the Pool 170Taking Advantage of Hotel Service 173Checking Out Before Heading Out 176

Chapter 11 Dealing with Emergencies 179Calling for Help in Times of Need 179Receiving Medical Care 180

Finding a doctor 182Describing what ails you 183Discussing your medical history 185Making a diagnosis 186Treating yourself to better health 187

Calling the Police 189Acquiring Legal Help 190

Chapter 12 Ten Favorite Chinese Expressions 191Gpartngxicirc Gpartngxicirc 191Yiacute Lugrave Piacutengrsquoasympn 191Yigrave Yaacuten Naacuten Jigraven 192Macircmacirc H∆h∆ 192Kasympi Waacuten Xiagraveo 192Maacutefan Nicirc 193Zecircnme Yagraveng 193Qicircng Wegraven 193Zigravejicirc Laacutei 194sumiya 194

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page viii

Table of Contents ixChapter 13 Ten Phrases That Make You

Sound Like a Local 195Huasympnyiacuteng Huasympnyiacuteng 195Bicirccicirc Bicirccicirc 195Jiucircyacircng Jiucircyacircng 196Magraven Magraven Chint 196Wocirc Qicircng Kegrave 196Yocircu Kpartng Laacutei Waacuten 196Laacuteojiagrave Laacuteojiagrave 197Zhugrave Nicirc Zacirco Rigrave Kasympng Fugrave 197Buacutekegraveqi 197Hacirco Jiucirc Meacutei Jiagraven 198

Index 199

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03_584774_flastqxd 8305 1045 PM Page x

Introduction

G lobalization has made familiarity with otherpeople cultures and languages not only prefer-

able in the 21st century but also essential With thehelp of the Internet reaching out and touching some-one on the other side of the world has become aseasy as the click of a mouse And yet nothing quitebeats the excitement of a face-to-face encounter withsomeone who hails from the other side of the globe inhis or her own language Communication in cyber-space doesnrsquot even come close

Whether yoursquore going around the world for businessgetting ready to study overseas interested in fre-quenting Chinatown befriending a Chinese-speakingclassmate or coworker or just plain curious aboutChina Chinese Phrases For Dummies can help you getacquainted with enough Chinese to carry on a decentconversation on any number of topics You wonrsquotbecome fluent instantly of course but this bookhelps you greet a stranger buy a plane ticket ordersome food and even adopt a baby This book alsogives you some invaluable cultural tips so that youcan not only rattle off those newly acquired wordsand phrases but also back them up with the rightbehavior at the right time

I design this book to help guide you toward the suc-cessful use of one of the most difficult languages onearth I hope this book makes studying Chinese fun

About This BookThe good news is that you can use Chinese PhrasesFor Dummies anytime anywhere No mandatory classsessions no exams and no homework assignments todread Need to get to a business meeting after youarrive in a new town Just turn to the chapter on

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 1

Chinese Phrases For Dummies 2

travel to find out how to haggle for a plane ticketdetermine the price and get to the airport on timeHave to make a sudden trip to the doctor Turn to thechapter on health and figure out how to tell your care-givers exactly what ails you

The beauty of this book is that it can basically be allthings to all people You donrsquot have to memorize onechapter before moving on to the next if what thesecond chapter deals with what you really need Readas much or as little as you want as quickly or asslowly as you like Whatever interests you is what youcan focus on And remember Yoursquore discovering alanguage that simultaneously represents one of theworldrsquos oldest civilizations and one of todayrsquos fastestgrowing economies

Note If yoursquove never taken Chinese before you maywant to read Chapters 1 and 2 before you tackle thelater chapters They give you some of the basics thatyou need to know about the language such as how topronounce the various sounds

Conventions Used in This BookPay attention to a couple of conventions that can helpyou navigate this bookrsquos contents

Chinese terms are set in boldface to make themstand out

Pronunciations and meanings appear in paren-theses immediately after the Chinese terms Thepronunciations are in italics

This book uses the pinyin (literally spelling the way itsounds) romanization of Chinese words What doesthat mean Well if you go to China you see signs inChinese characters but if you look for something inEnglish you may be hard pressed to find it Whateversigns you see in roman letters are in pinyin theromanization system developed by the Communistsin the 1950s so seeing pinyin in this book is goodpractice for you

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 2

Introduction 3

Something else to keep in mind as you begin to under-stand Chinese is that many of the English translationsyou see in this book arenrsquot exactly literal Knowing thegist of what you hear or see is more important insteadof what individual words in any given phrase meanFor example if you translate ldquohorse horse tiger tigerrdquoliterally into Chinese you have the phrase meaningldquoso sordquo Yoursquore not actually talking about animalsWhenever I give a literal translation I preface it withldquoliterallyrdquo in italics

Foolish AssumptionsSome of the foolish assumptions I made about youwhile writing Chinese Phrases For Dummies are

You donrsquot know any Chinese except for maybe a couple of words you picked up from a goodkung-fu movie or the word ldquotofurdquo which youpicked up while grocery shopping

Your goal in life isnrsquot to become an interpreter ofChinese at the United Nations You just want topick up some useful words phrases and sen-tence constructions to make yourself under-stood when speaking Chinese

You have no intention of spending hours andhours memorizing Chinese vocabulary andgrammar patterns

You want to have fun while trying to speak a little Chinese like at your local Chinese restaurant

Icons Used in This BookThe cute little icons in the left-hand margins highlightthe kind of information yoursquore looking at and can helpyou locate certain types of information in a hurryThis bookrsquos five icons are

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 3

The bullrsquos-eye appears wherever I highlight a great idea to help make your study ofChinese easier

This icon serves as a reminder about particu-larly important information concerningChinese

The icon acts as a stop sign in your mind Itwarns you something you need to avoidsaying or doing so that you donrsquot make a foolof yourself

This icon clues you in on fascinating bits ofinformation about China and Chinese cul-ture Knowledge of a culture goes hand inhand with knowledge of a foreign languageso these icons help light the way as youembark on your journey

This icon highlights various rules of gram-mar that may be unusual Even though thisbook doesnrsquot focus primarily on grammar bypaying attention to these little grammaticalrules as they pop up can only enhance yoursuccessful execution of the language

Where to Go from HereChinese is often considered one of the toughest languages in the world to master Donrsquot worry Thegood news is that yoursquore not trying to master it Allyou want is for people to understand you when youopen your mouth All you have to do now is turn towhichever chapter piques your curiosity and keeppracticing your favorite Chinese phrases when yoursquorewith your family and friends in Chinatown

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 4

Chapter 1

I Say It How SpeakingChinese

In This Chapter Getting a handle on basic Chinese sounds

Perfecting the four basic tones

Practicing Chinese idioms

Understanding basic Chinese phrases and gestures

Time to get your feet wet with the basics ofChinese This chapter gives you the guidelines

that help you pronounce words in standard Mandarin(the official language of both the Peoplersquos Republic of China and Taiwan) like a native speaker and helpsyou get a handle on the four tones that distinguishthe Mandarin dialect After you have the basics downwe show you how to construct basic Chinese phrases

But before you dive in herersquos a bit of advice Donrsquot beintimidated by all the tones When studying a foreignlanguage donrsquot worry about making mistakes theminute you open your mouth

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 5

The Written Word Yikes No Alphabet

With so many distinct dialects in Chinese how dopeople communicate with each other The answerlies in (drum roll) the written word

Say you see two Chinese people sitting next to eachother on a train traveling from Canton to Shanghai Ifthe Cantonese speaker reads the newspaper out loudthe guy from Shanghai wonrsquot have a clue what hersquossaying But if they both read the same newspaper arti-cle silently to themselves they could understandwhatrsquos going on in the world Thatrsquos because Chinesecharacters are uniform all across the country

Chinese words are written in beautiful oftensymbolic configurations called charactersEach character is a word in and of itself andsometimes itrsquos a part of a compound word Itmakes no difference if you write the charac-ters from right to left left to right or top tobottom because you can read and under-stand them in any order

During the Han dynasty a lexicographer named XuShen identified six ways in which Chinese charactersreflected meanings and sounds Of these four werethe most common

Pictographs These characters are formedaccording to the shape of the objects them-selves such as the sun and the moon

Ideographs These characters represent moreabstract concepts For example the charactersfor ldquoaboverdquo and ldquobelowrdquo each have a horizontalline representing the horizon and another strokeleading out away above or below the horizon

Complex ideographs Combinations of simplercharacters such as the sun and moon togetherwhich mean ldquobrightrdquo

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 6

Chapter 1 I Say It How Speaking Chinese 7

Phonetic compounds Also called logographsthese compound characters are formed by twographic elements mdash one hinting at the meaningof the word and the other providing a clue tothe sound Phonetic compounds account formore than 80 percent of all Chinese characters

No matter which type of character you see you wonrsquotfind any letters stringing them together like you see inEnglish So how in the world do Chinese people con-sult a Chinese dictionary In several different ways

Because Chinese characters are composed of several(often many) strokes of the writing brush one way tolook up a character is by counting the number ofstrokes and then looking up the character under theportion of the dictionary that notes characters bystrokes But to do so you have to know which radicalto check under first Chinese characters have 214 radicals mdash parts of the character that can help iden-tify what the character may signify such as three dotson the left-hand side of the character representingwater Each radical is itself composed of a certainnumber of strokes so you have to first look up theradical by the number of strokes it takes to write itand after you locate that radical you start lookingonce more under the number of strokes left in thecharacter after that radical to locate the characteryou wanted to look up in the first place

You can always just check under the pronunciation ofthe character (if you already know how to pronounceit) but you have to sift through every single charac-ter with the same pronunciation first according towhich tone the word is spoken with mdash first secondthird or fourth And because Chinese has so manyhomophones this task isnrsquot as easy as it may sound(no pun intended) For example the word pronouncedldquomardquo if spoken with a first tone means ldquomotherrdquo witha second tone it means ldquohemprdquo with a third tone itmeans ldquohorserdquo and with a fourth tone it means ldquotoscoldrdquo So if yoursquore not careful you can scold yourmother and call her a horse

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 7

I bet you feel really relieved that yoursquore only focusingon spoken Chinese and not the written languageabout now

Pinyin Spelling Beijing Not Peking

To spell the way it sounds thatrsquos the literal mean-ing of pintnyintn For decades Chinese had been translit-erated in any number of ways Finally in 1979 thePeoplersquos Republic of China officially adopted pintnyintnas its official romanization system After the adoptionUS libraries and government agencies diligentlychanged all their prior records from other romaniza-tion systems into pintnyintn

Keep in mind the following quick facts about some ofthe initial sounds in Mandarin when you see themwritten in the relatively new pintnyintn system

J Sounds like the ldquogrdquo in ldquogee whizrdquo An ldquoirdquo oftenfollows a ldquojrdquo ldquoJicirc kuagravei qiaacutenrdquo (jee kwye chyan)means ldquoHow much moneyrdquo

Q Sounds like the ldquochrdquo in ldquocheekrdquo You neversee it followed by a ldquourdquo like in English but an ldquoirdquoalways follows it in pintnyintn possibly beforeanother vowel or a consonant Qintngdacirco (cheengdaow) beer used to be spelled ldquochrsquoing taordquo orldquoTsingtaordquo

X The third letter thatrsquos often followed by anldquoirdquo It sounds like the ldquoshrdquo in ldquosherdquo One famousChinese leader Degraveng Xiacircopiacuteng (dung shyaowpeeng) boasted this letter in his name

Zh Unlike ldquojrdquo which often precedes a vowel mdashmaking it sound like yoursquore opening your mouth mdash ldquozhrdquo is followed by vowels whichmake it sound like your mouth is a bit moreclosed Take Zhpartu radicnlaacutei (joe un lye) for exam-ple the great statesman of 20th-century ChinaWhen you say his name it sounds like Joe Un-lye

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 8

Z Sounds like a ldquodzrdquo You see it in the name ofthe PRCrsquos first leader Maacuteo Zeacutedpartng (maow dzuhdoong) which used to be spelled Mao Tse-tung

C Pronounced like ldquotsrdquo in such words as cagravei(tsye food) or cegravesuocirc (tsuh swaw bathroom)

B D and G In the past the sounds made bythese three letters were represented by P T andK respectively and the corresponding aspiratedinitial sounds (like in the words ldquopierdquo ldquotierdquo andldquokiterdquo) were written as ldquoprsquordquo ldquotrsquordquo and ldquokrdquo Todaythe letters ldquoPrdquo ldquoTrdquo and ldquoKrdquo represent the aspi-rated sounds

Sounding Off Basic Chinese Sounds

Donrsquot worry about sounding like a native speaker thefirst time you utter a Chinese syllable mdash after all whodoes But the longer you procrastinate becomingfamiliar with the basic elements of Chinese words thegreater your fear of this unique language maybecome

The main thing to remember about theChinese language is that each morpheme (thesmallest unit of meaning in a language) isrepresented by one syllable which in turnconsists of an initial sound and a final soundtopped off by a tone This applies to eachand every syllable Without any one of thesethree components your words may beincomprehensible to the average Chineseperson For example the syllable ldquomasymprdquo iscomprised of the initial ldquomrdquo and the final ldquoardquoand you pronounce it with whatrsquos called afirst tone Together the parts mean ldquomotherrdquoIf you substitute the first tone for a thirdtone which is written as ldquomacircrdquo you say theword ldquohorserdquo The following sections breakup the three parts and give each their due

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 9

Starting off with initialsIn Chinese initials always consist of consonantsTable 1-1 lists the initials you encounter in theChinese language

Table 1-1 Chinese InitialsChinese Letter Sound English Example

b baw bore

p paw paw

m maw more

f faw four

d duh done

t tuh ton

n nuh null

l luh lull

g guh gull

k kuh come

h huh hunt

j gee gee

q chee cheat

x she she

z dzuh ldquodsrdquo in suds

c tsuh ldquotsrdquo in huts

s suh sun

zh jir germ

ch chir churn

sh shir shirt

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 10

Chinese Letter Sound English Example

r ir ldquoerrdquo in bigger

w wuh won

y yuh yup

The initials ndashn -ng and -r can also appear asfinals (see the next section for more onfinals) so donrsquot be surprised if you see themthere

Ending with finalsChinese boasts many more consonants than vowels Infact the language has only six vowels all together a oe i u and uuml If you pronounce the vowels in sequenceyour mouth starts off very wide and your tongue startsoff very low Eventually when you get to uuml your mouthbecomes much more closed and your tongue endspretty high You can also combine the vowels in vari-ous ways to form compound vowels Table 1-2 lists thevowels and some possible combinations

Table 1-2 Chinese VowelsChinese Vowel Sound English Example

a ah hot

ai i eye

ao ow chow

an ahn sonogram

ang ahng angst

o aw straw

ong oong too + ng

(continued)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 11

Table 1-2 (continued)Chinese Vowel Sound English Example

ou oh oh

e uh bush

ei ay way

en un ton

eng ung tongue

er ar are

i ee tea

ia ya gotcha

iao yaow meow

ie yeh yet

iu yo leo

ian yan Cheyenne

iang yahng y + angst

in een seen

ing eeng going

iong yoong you + ng

u oo too

ua wa suave

uo waw war

ui way way

uai why why

uan wan want

un one one

uang wahng wan + ng

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 12

Chinese Vowel Sound English Example

ueng wung one + ng

uuml yew ewe

uumle yweh you + eh

uumlan ywan you + wan

uumln yewn you + n

Tone marks in pintnyintn always appear abovethe vowel but if you see a couple of vowelsin a row the tone mark appears above thefirst vowel in that sequence One exceptionis when you see the vowels iu and uitogether In that case the tone marks fall onthe second vowel

Sometimes vowels appear without initial consonantaccompaniment but they still mean something Theword acirci meaning ldquoshortrdquo (of stature) is one example

Perfect pitch Presenting the four tonesMandarin has only four tones The best way to imag-ine what each of the four tones sounds like is to visu-alize these short descriptions

First tone High level The first tone is supposedto be as high as your individual pitch range canbe without wavering It appears like this abovethe letter a asymp

Second tone Rising The second tone soundslike yoursquore asking a question It goes from themiddle level of your voice to the top It doesnrsquotautomatically indicate that yoursquore asking a ques-tion however mdash it just sounds like you are Youmark it like this aacute

Third tone Falling and then rising The thirdtone starts in the middle level of your voice

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 13

range and then falls deeply before slightly risingat the end It looks like this if you were to see itabove the letter a acirc

Fourth tone Falling The fourth tone soundslike yoursquore giving someone an order (unlike themore plaintive-sounding second tone) It fallsfrom the high pitch level it starts at Herersquos howit looks above the letter a agrave

Even though tones reduce the number ofhomophones (words that are pronouncedalike even if they differ in spelling meaningor origin) any given syllable with a specifictone can have more than one meaningSometimes the only way to decipher theintended meaning is to see the written word

One third tone after anotherWhen you have to say a third tone followed byanother third tone out loud in consecutive fashionthe first one actually becomes a second tone If youhear someone say ldquoTasymp hecircn hacircordquo (tah hun how shersquosvery well) you may not realize that both ldquohecircnrdquo andldquohacircordquo individually are third tone syllables It soundslike ldquoheacutenrdquo is a second tone and ldquohacircordquo is a full thirdtone

Half-third tonesWhenever a third tone is followed by any of the othertones mdash first second fourth or even a neutral tone mdashit becomes a half-third tone You only pronounce thefirst half of the tone mdash the falling half mdash before youpronounce the other syllables with the other tones Infact a half-third tone barely falls at all It sounds morelike a level low tone (kind of the opposite of the highlevel first tone) Get it

Neutral tonesA fifth tone exists that you canrsquot exactly count amongthe four basic tones because itrsquos actually toneless orneutral You never see a tone mark over a fifth toneand you only say it when you attach it to grammatical

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 14

particles or the second character of repetitive sylla-bles such as bagraveba (bah bah father) or masympma (mahmah mother)

Tonal changes in yint and bugraveJust when you think yoursquore getting a handle on all thepossible tones and tone changes in Chinese I haveone more aspect to report The words yint (ee one) andbugrave (boo not or no) are truly unusual in Chinese inthat their tones may change automatically dependingon what comes after them You pronounce yint by itselfwith the first tone However when a first second orthird tone follows it it instantly turns into a fourthtone such as in yigravezhasympng zhecirc (ee jahng jir a piece ofpaper) If a fourth tone follows yint however it auto-matically becomes a second tone such as in the wordyiacuteyagraveng (ee yahng the same) I know this all soundsvery complicated but when you get the hang oftones pronunciation becomes second nature Theseconcepts will sink in quicker than you expect

Adding Idioms and PopularExpressions to Your Repertoire

The Chinese language has thousands of idiomaticexpressions known as cheacutengyucirc (chung yew) Most ofthese cheacutengyucirc originated in anecdotes fables fairytales or ancient literary works and some of theexpressions are thousands of years old The vastmajority consists of four characters succinctlyexpressing morals behind very long ancient storiesOthers are more than four characters Either way theChinese pepper these pithy expressions throughoutany given conversation

Here are a few cheacutengyucirc you frequently hear inChinese

Agraven bugrave jiugrave basympn (ahn boo jyoe bahn To take onestep at a time)

Huocirc shagraveng jiasymp yoacuteu (hwaw shahng jyah yo Toadd fuel to the fire to aggravate the problem)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 15

Huacute shupart basymp dagraveo (hoo shwaw bah daow literallyto talk nonsense in eight directions) To talknonsense

Mograve miacuteng qiacute miagraveo (maw meeng chee meow liter-ally No one can explain the wonder and mys-tery of it all) This saying describes anythingthatrsquos tough to figure out including unusualbehavior

Quaacuten xintn quaacuten yigrave (chwan sheen chwan ee liter-ally entire heart entire mind) Wholeheartedly

Rugrave xiasympng suiacute suacute (roo shyahng sway soo When inRome do as the Romans do)

Yigrave jh liucircng deacute (ee jyew lyahng duh To kill twobirds with one stone)

Yigrave moacute yigrave yagraveng (ee maw ee yahng Exactly alike)

Yecirc shradicn zuograve zeacute (ee shun dzwaw dzuh To set agood example)

Yigrave zhradicn jiagraven xiecirc (ee jun jyan shyeh To hit thenail on the head)

Another fact you quickly become aware of when youstart speaking with cheacutengyucirc is that the expressionsare sometimes full of references to animals Here aresome of those

gocircu zhagraveng reacuten shigrave (go jahng run shir literallythe dog acts fierce when his master is presentto take advantage of onersquos connections withpowerful people)

guagrave yaacuteng toacuteu magravei gocircu rograveu (gwah yahng toe mygo roe literally to display a lambrsquos head but selldog meat to cheat others with false claims)

dacirc cacirco jintng sheacute (dah tsaow jeeng shuh literallyto beat the grass to frighten the snake to give awarning)

duigrave niuacute taacuten qiacuten (dway nyo tahn cheen literallyto play music to a cow to cast pearls beforeswine)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 16

xuaacuten yaacute legrave macirc (shywan yah luh mah literally torein in the horse before it goes over the edge tohalt)

huagrave sheacute tiasympn zuacute (hwah shuh tyan dzoo literallyto paint a snake and add legs to gild the lily todo something superfluous)

hucirc toacuteu sheacute wecirci (hoo toe shuh way literally withthe head of a tiger but the tail of a snake tostart strong but end poorly)

chradic shuicirc macirc loacuteng (chuh shway mah loong liter-ally cars flowing like water and horses creatinga solid line looking like a dragon heavy traffic)

Mastering Basic PhrasesIf you make it a habit to use the following shortChinese phrases whenever you get the chance youcan master them in no time

Nicirc hacirco (nee how Hi How are you)

Xiegravexiegrave (shyeh shyeh Thank you)

Buacute kegraveqigrave (boo kuh chee Yoursquore welcome Donrsquotmention it)

Meacutei shigrave (may shir Itrsquos nothing Donrsquot mention it)

Hacirco jiacutele (how jee luh Great Fantastic)

Duigrave le (dway luh Thatrsquos right)

Gpartngxicirc gpartngxicirc (goong she goong sheCongratulations)

Duigravebuqicirc (dway boo chee Excuse me)

Suagraven le (swan luh Forget it Never mind)

Meacuteiyocircu guasympnxi (mayo gwan she It doesnrsquotmatter)

Decircng yiacutexiagrave (dung ee shyah Wait a minute)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 17

Communicating with body languageEver think you know what certain couples are saying orthinking just by observing their gestures and body languageWell people can make the same observations in ChinaAlthough the gestures are different they contain importantclues as to social status between people their emotions andso on Observe Chinese people wherever you can to see ifyou notice any of the following gestures

Pointing to onersquos own nose You may find this hard tobelieve but Chinese people often point to their ownnoses often touching them when they refer to them-selves by saying the word ldquowocircrdquo (waw I) The Chineseare probably just as curious as to why Westerners pointto their hearts

Nodding and bowing slightly When greeting olderpeople professors or others in positions of power orprestige people lower their heads slightly to acknowl-edge them and show respect Unlike the Japanese whobow deeply the Chinese basically bow with their headsin a slight fashion

Shaking hands People of vastly different status gener-ally donrsquot give each other a handshake but itrsquos commonamong friends and business colleagues

Bowing with hands clasped If you see hand claspingand bowing going on at the same time you know the par-ticipants have something to celebrate It indicates con-veying congratulations or greeting others during specialfestival occasions Their hands are held at chest leveland their heads are slightly bowed (and they often havebig smiles on their faces)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 18

Chapter 2

Grammar on a Diet Just the Basics

In This Chapter Getting the hang of the parts of speech

Discovering how to ask questions

Yoursquore probably one of those people who cringeat the mere mention of the word grammar Just

the thought of all those rules on how to constructsentences can put you into a cold sweat

Hey donrsquot sweat it This chapter could just as easilybe called ldquoChinese without Tearsrdquo It gives you somequick and easy shortcuts on how to combine thebasic building blocks of Chinese (which by the wayare the same components that make up English)

How Chinese Is Easier Than English

The basic word order of Chinese is exactly the sameas in English Just think of it this way When you say ldquoI love spinachrdquo yoursquore using the subject (I) verb(love) object (spinach) sentence order Itrsquos the samein Chinese Only in Beijing it sounds more like Wocircxicirchuasympn bpartcagravei (waw she hwahn baw tsye)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 19

And if that werenrsquot enough to endear you to Chinesealready maybe these tidbits of information will

You donrsquot need to conjugate verbs

You donrsquot need to master verb tenses (Donrsquotyou just love it already)

You donrsquot need to distinguish between singularand plural nouns

You donrsquot need to worry about gender-specificnouns

You can use the same word for both the subjectand the object

The way you can tell how one part of a Chinese sen-tence relates to another is generally by the use of par-ticles and what form the word order takes (For thoseof you presently scratching your heads you can find particles at the beginning or end of sentencesthey serve mainly to distinguish different types ofemphatic statements but canrsquot be translated in and of themselves)

Some interesting characteristics of theChinese language include

You donrsquot have to think about first second orthird person (for example ldquoI eatrdquo versus ldquoheeatsrdquo)

You donrsquot have to worry about active or passivevoices (for example ldquohearrdquo versus ldquobe heardrdquo)

You donrsquot have to concern yourself with the pastor present (ldquoI like himrdquo versus ldquoI liked himrdquo)

In addition Chinese language has only two aspects mdashcomplete and continuous mdash whereas English has all sorts of different aspects indefinite continuousperfect perfect continuous and so on (Examplesinclude ways of distinguishing between ldquoI eatrdquo ldquoI aterdquoldquoI will eatrdquo ldquoI said I would eatrdquo ldquoI am eatingrdquo and soon) Aspects are what characterize the Chinese lan-guage in place of tenses Aspects refer to how aspeaker views an event or state of being

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 20

Chapter 2 Grammar on a Diet Just the Basics 21

Naming Those NounsChinese is just chock-full of nouns

Common nouns that represent tangible thingssuch as haacuteizi (hi dzuh child) or yegrave (yeh leaf)

Proper nouns for such items as names of coun-tries or people like Facircguoacute (fah gwaw France)and Zhasympng Xiasympnsheng (jahng shyan shungMr Zhang)

Material nouns for such nondiscrete things askasympfradici (kah fay coffee) or jintn (jin gold)

Abstract nouns for such items as zhegravengzhigrave(juhng jir politics) or weacutenhuagrave (one hwahculture)

PronounsPronouns are easy to make plural in Chinese Herersquoswhat you need to know Just add the plural suffix -men to the three basic pronouns

Wocirc (waw Ime) becomes wocircmen (waw munweus)

Nicirc (nee you) becomes nicircmen (nee mun you[plural])

Tasymp (tah hehim sheher it) becomes tasympmen(tah mun theythem)

Sometimes instead of using the term wocircmenfor ldquousrdquo yoursquoll hear the term zaacutenmeninstead This word is used in very familiarsettings when the speaker is trying toinclude the listener in an action like whenyou say Zaacutenmen zocircu ba (dzah mun dzoe bahletrsquos go)

When speaking to an elder or someone youdonrsquot know too well and the person is some-one to whom you should show respect you

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 21

need to use the pronoun niacuten (neen) insteadof the more informal nicirc (nee) On the otherhand if yoursquore speaking to several peoplewho fit that description the plural remainsnicircmen (nee mun)

ClassifiersClassifiers sometimes called measure words helpclassify particular nouns For example the classifierbecircn (bun) can refer to books magazines dictionariesand just about anything else thatrsquos printed and boundlike a book You may hear Wocirc yagraveo yigravebecircn sh∆ (wawyaow ee bun shoo I want a book) just as easily asyoursquoll hear Wocirc yagraveo kagraven yigravebecircn zaacutezhigrave (waw yaow kahnee bun dzah jir I want to read a magazine)

Classifiers are found in between a number (or ademonstrative pronoun such as ldquothisrdquo or ldquothatrdquo) and a noun Theyrsquore similar to the English words such asldquoherdrdquo (of elephants) or ldquoschoolrdquo (of fish)

Because you have so many potential classi-fiers to choose from in Chinese the generalrule is When in doubt use ge (guh) Itrsquos theall-purpose classifier and the one used themost in the Chinese language Just donrsquot giveinto the temptation to leave a classifier outaltogether because no one may understandyou at all

Table 2-1 lists classifiers for natural objects but firsthere are some other examples

gradicn (gun) Used for anything looking like a sticksuch as a string or even a blade of grass

kradic (kuh) Used for anything round and tiny suchas a pearl

zhasympng (jahng) Used for anything with a flat sur-face such as a newspaper table or bed

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 22

Table 2-1 Some Typical Classifiers for Natural Objects

Classifier Pronunciation Used For

duocirc dwaw flowers

kradic kuh trees

ligrave lee grain (of rice sand and so on)

zhint jir animals insects birds

zuograve dzwaw hills mountains

Whenever you have a pair of anything youcan use the classifier shuasympng (shwahng)That goes for yigrave shuasympng kuagraveizi (ee shwahngkwye dzuh a pair of chopsticks) as well asfor yigrave shuasympng shocircu (ee shwahng show a pairof hands) Sometimes a pair is indicated bythe classifier duigrave (dway) as in yiacute duigrave ecircrhuaacuten(ee dway are hwahn a pair of earrings)

Singular and plural Itrsquos not an issueRegular nouns in Chinese make no distinctionbetween singular and plural Whether you want totalk about one piacutengguocirc (peeng gwaw apple) two juacutezi(jyew dzuh oranges) or both piacutengguocirc heacute juacutezi (peenggwaw huh jyew dzuh apples and oranges) the fruitsalways sound the same in Chinese On the otherhand if you want to refer to human beings you canalways add the suffix men (mun) The word for ldquoIrdquo orldquomerdquo is wocirc (waw) but ldquowerdquo becomes wocircmen (wawmun) The same goes for nicirc (nee you) and tasymp (tah heshe and it) ldquoTheyrdquo becomes nicircmen (nee mun) ortasympmen (tah mun) If you want to refer to a specificnumber of apples however you donrsquot use ldquomenrdquo as asuffix You can either say piacutengguocirc (peeng gwaw) forapple (or apples) or liacircngge piacutengguocirc (lyahng guhpeeng gwaw) meaning two apples Got it

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 23

Never attach the suffix -men to anything nothuman People will think yoursquore nuts if youstart referring to your two pet cats as wocircdexiacirco masympomen (waw duh shyaow maow mun)Just say Wocircde xiacirco masympo hecircn hacirco xiegravexiegrave(waw duh shyaow maow hun how shyehshyeh My cats are fine thank you) and thatshould do the trick

Those Little Words DefiniteVersus Indefinite Articles

If yoursquore looking for those little words ldquoardquo ldquoanrdquo andldquotherdquo in Chinese they simply donrsquot exist The onlyway you can tell whether something is being referredto specifically (hence considered definite) or justgenerally (and therefore itrsquos indefinite) is by the wordorder Nouns that refer specifically to something areusually found at the beginning of the sentence beforethe verb

Sh∆ zagravei nagraver (shoo dzye nar The book[s] arethere)

Haacuteizimen xicirchuasympn tasymp (hi dzuh mun she hwahntah The children like her)

Paacutenzi zagravei zhupartzishagraveng (pahn dzuh dzye jwawdzuh shahng Therersquos a plate on the table)

You can often find those articles that refer to some-thing more general (and are therefore ldquoindefiniterdquo) atthe end of the sentence after the verb

Nacircr yocircu huasymp (nar yo hwah Where are theresome flowers Or Where is there a flower)

Nagraver yocircu huasymp (nar yo hwah There are someflowers over there Or Therersquos a flower overthere)

Zhegraveige yocircu wegraventiacute (jay guh yo one tee Therersquos aproblem with this Or There are some problemswith this)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 24

These rules do have a few exceptions If youfind a noun at the beginning of a sentence itmay refer to something indefinite if the sen-tence makes a general comment (instead oftelling a whole story) like when you see theverb shigrave (shir to be) as part of the comment

Xioacutengmasympo shigrave dogravengwugrave (shyoong maow shirdoong woo Pandas are animals)

You use the same rule if an adjective comes after thenoun such as

Puacutetaacuteo hecircn tiaacuten (poo taow hun tyan Grapes arevery sweet)

Or if therersquos an auxiliary verb

Xiacirco masympo huigrave zhuasymp lacircoshucirc (shyaow maow hwayjwah laow shoo Kittens can catch mice)

Or a verb indicating that the action occurs habitually

Niuacute chint cacirco (nyo chir tsaow Cows eat grass)

Nouns that are preceded by a numeral and a classi-fier especially when the word dpartu (doe all) exists inthe same breath are also considered to be definite

Sigravege xueacuteshradicng dpartu hecircn cpartngmiacuteng (suh guhshweh shung doe hun tsoong meeng The four stu-dents are all very smart)

If the word yocircu (yo to exist) comes before the nounand is then followed by a verb the reference may beindefinite

Yocircu sh∆ zagravei zhupartzishagraveng (yo shoo dzye jwawdzuh shahng There are books on top of the table)

If you see the word zhegrave (juh this) or nagrave (nah that)plus a classifier used when a noun comes after theverb it indicates a definite reference

Wocirc yagraveo macirci nagrave zhasympng huagrave (waw yaow my nahjahng hwah I want to buy that painting)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 25

Describing AdjectivesAdjectives describe nouns mdash the question is where toput them The general rule in Chinese is if the adjec-tive is pronounced with only one syllable it appearsimmediately in front of the noun it qualifies The fol-lowing are a couple examples

lh chaacute (lyew chah green tea)

chaacuteng zhinttiaacuteo (chahng jir tyaow long stick)

If the adjective has two syllables though the posses-sive particle de (duh) comes between it and whateveritrsquos qualifying

gasympnjigraveng de yintfu (gahn jeeng duh ee foo cleanclothes)

casympozaacute de wacircnhuigrave (tsaow dzah duh wahn hwaynoisy party)

And if a numeral is followed by a classifier they both need to go in front of the adjective and what itrsquosqualifying

yiacute jiagraven xintn yintfu (ee jyan shin ee foo a [piece of]new clothing)

sasympn becircn yocircuyigravesi de sh∆ (sahn bun yo ee suh duhshoo three interesting books)

One unique thing about Chinese is that whenan adjective is also the predicate appearingat the end of a sentence it follows the sub-ject or the topic without needing the verb shigrave(shir to be)

Tasymp de faacutengzi hecircn gasympnjigraveng (tah duh fahng dzuhhun gahn jeeng His house [is] very clean)

Nagrave jiagraven yintfu tagravei jiugrave (nah jyan ee foo tye jyoeThat piece of clothing [is] too old)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 26

VerbsGood news You never have to worry about conjugat-ing a Chinese verb in your entire life If you hearsomeone say Tasympmen chint Yigravedagraveligrave fagraven (tah men chir eedah lee fahn) it could mean ldquoThey eat Italian foodrdquojust as easily as it could mean ldquoThey are eating Italianfoodrdquo Table 2-2 lists some common verbs

Table 2-2 Some Common Chinese VerbsChinese Pronunciation Translation

chint chir to eat

kagraven kahn to see

macirci my to buy

magravei my to sell

regravenshi run shir to know (a person)

shigrave shir to be

yagraveo yaow to wantto need

yocircu yo to have

zhintdagraveo jir daow to know (a fact)

zocircu lugrave dzoe loo to walk

zuograve fagraven dzwaw fahn to cook

Feeling tense Le guograve and other aspect markersOkay you can relax now No need to get tense withChinese because verbs donrsquot indicate tenses all bythemselves Thatrsquos the job of aspect markers Thoseare little syllables that indicate whether an action hasbeen completed is continuing has just begun andjust about everything in between

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 27

Take the syllable le (luh) for example It can indicatean action has been completed if itrsquos used as a suffix toa verb

Nicirc macirci le hecircn dupart sh∆ (nee my luh hun dwawshoo You bought many books)

Tasymp dagravei le tasympde yucircsacircn (tah dye luh tah duh yewsahn He brought his umbrella)

And if you want to turn it into a question just addmeacuteiyocircu (mayo) at the end It automatically negatesthe action completed by le

Nicirc macirci le hecircn dupart sh∆ meacuteiyocircu (nee my luh hundwaw shoo mayo Have you bought manybooks Or Did you buy many books)

Tasymp dagravei le tasympde yucircsacircn meacuteiyocircu (tah dye luh tahduh yew sahn mayo Did he bring his umbrella)

Then therersquos guograve (gwaw) It basically means thatsomething has been done at one point or anothereven though itrsquos not happening right now

Tasymp qugrave guograve Mecirciguoacute (ta chyew gwaw may gwawHe has been to America)

Wocircmen chint guograve Facircguoacute cagravei (waw mun chir gwawfah gwaw tsye We have eaten French foodbefore)

If an action is happening just as you speak you usethe aspect marker zagravei (dzye)

Wocircmen zagravei chintfagraven (waw mun dzye chir fahn Weare eating)

Nicirc masympma zagravei zuogravefagraven (nee mah mah dzye dzwawfahn Your mother is cooking)

If something is or was happening continually andresulted from something else you did just add thesyllable zhe (juh) to the end of the verb and you cansay things like

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 28

Tasymp dagravei zhe yiacutege huaacuteng magraveozi (tah dye juh ee guh hwahng maow dzuh Hersquos wearing ayellow hat)

Nicirc chuasympn zhe yiacute jiagraven piagraveoliagraveng de chegravenshasympn(nee chwan juh ee jyan pyaow lyahng duh ee fooYoursquore wearing a pretty shirt)

Another way you can use zhe is when you want toindicate two actions occurring at the same time

Tasymp zuograve zhe chintfagraven (tah dzwaw juh chir fahn Sheiswas sitting there eating)

CoverbsThe coverb bacirc often appears right after the subject ofthe sentence separating it from the direct objectwhich is always something concrete rather than anabstract idea It separates the indirect and directobjects

Instead of having the following sentence pattern

Subject + Verb + Complement (+ Indirect Object) +Object

You have

Subject + bacirc + Object + Verb + Complement (+ Indirect Object)

Here are some examples

Wocirc bacirc sh∆ jiegrave gecirci nicirc (waw bah shoo jyeh gaynee Irsquoll loan you the book)

Qicircng nicirc bacirc becircnzi naacute gecirci lacircoshint (cheeng nee bahbun dzuh nah gay laow shir Please give the note-book to the teacher)

You use the coverb bacirc (bah) when you wantto put the object right up front before youstate the verb that tells what you did or willdo with the object

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 29

To be or not to be The verb shigraveBe careful not to put the verb shigrave (shir) infront of an adjective unless you really meanto make an emphatic statement In thecourse of normal conversation you mightsay Nagrave zhint bicirc tagravei guigrave (nah jir bee tye gwayThat pen [is] too expensive) You wouldnrsquotsay Nagrave zhint bicirc shigrave tagravei guigrave (nah jir bee shir tyegway) unless you really meant to say ldquoThatpen IS too expensiverdquo in which case yoursquodemphasize the word shigrave when saying it too

To negate the verb shigrave put the negative prefix bugrave infront of it ldquoShigrave buacute shigraverdquo (shir boo shir Is it or isnrsquot it)and ldquoZhegrave buacute shigrave taacuteng cugrave yuacuterdquo (jay boo shir tahng tsooyew This isnrsquot sweet and sour fish) are two examples

The special verb Yocircu (to have)Do you yocircu (yo) a computer No Too bad Everyoneelse seems to have one these days How about aFerrari Do you yocircu one of those If not welcome tothe club People who have lots of things use the wordyocircu pretty often It means ldquoto haverdquo

Wocirc yocircu yiacute wagraven kuagravei qiaacuten (waw yo ee wahnkwye chyan I have $10000)

Wocirc yocircu sasympnge faacutengzi mdash yiacutege zagravei partuzhpartu yiacutegezagravei Yagravezhpartu yiacutege zagravei Mecirciguoacute (waw yo sahn guhfahng dzuh mdash ee guh dzye oh joe ee guh dzyeyah joe ee guh dzye may gwaw I have threehomes mdash one in Europe one in Asia and one inAmerica)

Another way yocircu can be translated is ldquothere isrdquo orldquothere arerdquo

Yocircu hecircn dupart haacuteizi (yo hun dwaw hi dzuhThere are many children) As opposed to Wocircyocircu hecircn dupart haacuteizi (waw yo hun dwaw hi dzuh Ihave many children)

Sh∆zhupartshagraveng yocircu wucirc zhasympng zhicirc (shoo jwawshahng yo woo jahng jir There are five pieces ofpaper on the desk)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 30

To negate the verb yocircu you canrsquot use theusual negative prefix bugrave Instead you mustuse another term indicating negation meacutei

Meacuteiyocircu hecircn dupart haacuteizi (mayo hun dwaw hidzuh There arenrsquot many children)

Sh∆zhupartshagraveng meacuteiyocircu wucirc zhasympng zhicirc (shoejwaw shahng may yo woo jahng jir There arenrsquotfive pieces of paper on the desk)

Asking for what you want The verb yagraveoYagraveo (yaow) is one of the coolest verbs in ChineseWhen you say it you usually get what you want Infact the mere mention of the word yagraveo means thatyou want something

Wocirc yagraveo yigrave bradici kasympfradici (waw yaow ee bay kah fayI want a cup of coffee)

Wocirc yagraveo gradicn nicirc yigraveqicirc qugrave kagraven diagravenyicircng (wawyaow gun nee ee chee chyew kahn dyan yeengI want to go to the movies with you)

You can also give someone an order with the verbyagraveo but only if you use it with a second-person pronoun

Nicirc yagraveo xiacircoxintn (nee yaow shyaow sheen Youshould be careful)

Nicirc yagraveo xicirc shocircu (nee yaow she show You need towash your hands)

Advocating AdverbsAdverbs serve to modify verbs or adjectives andalways appear in front of them The most commonones yoursquoll find in Chinese are hecircn (hun very) and yecirc(yeah also)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 31

If you want to say that something isnrsquot just hacirco (howgood) but that itrsquos very good you say itrsquos hecircn hacirco(hun how very good) If your friend wants to then puthis two cents in and say that something else is alsoreally good hersquod say ldquoZhegraveige yecirc hecircn hacircordquo (Jay guhyeah hun how This is also very good) because yecircalways comes before hecircn

The adverb yecirc always comes not only beforethe adverb hecircn but also before the negativeprefix bugrave

Bugrave and Meacuteiyocircu Total NegationBoo Did I scare you Donrsquot worry Irsquom just being negative in Chinese Thatrsquos right the word bugrave is pro-nounced the same way a ghost might say it (boo) andis often spoken with the same intensity

Bugrave can negate something yoursquove done in the past orthe present (or at least indicate you donrsquot generallydo it these days) and it can also help negate some-thing in the future

Tasymp xiacirco de shiacutehograveu bugrave xicirchuasympn chint sh∆cagravei (tahshyaow duh shir ho boo she hwahn chir shootsye When he was young he didnrsquot like to eatvegetables)

Wocirc buacuteyagraveo chagraveng gradic (waw boo yaow chahngguh I donrsquot want to sing)

Wocirc buacute huagrave huagraver (waw boo hwah hwar I donrsquotpaint)

Diagravenyicircngyuagraven xintngqintliugrave bugrave kasympimeacuten (dyanyeeng ywan sheeng chee lyo boo kye mun Themovie theater isnrsquot open on Saturday)

The negative prefix bugrave is usually spoken witha fourth (falling) tone However when it pre-cedes a syllable with another fourth tone itbecomes a second (rising) tone instead as insuch word as buacutequgrave (boo chyew wonrsquotdidnrsquot

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 32

doesnrsquot go) or buacuteyagraveo (boo yaow donrsquotdidnrsquotwonrsquot want) (For more about tonessee Chapter 1)

Remember that when Chinese people speak quicklythey may leave out the second syllable in a few bisyl-labic verbs and even a few auxiliary verbs like in theldquoverb-bugrave-verbrdquo pattern So instead of saying ldquoTasympxicirchuasympn bugravexicirchuasympn hradic jiucircrdquo (tah she hwan boo shehwan huh jyo Does he or she like to drink wine) youmay hear someone say ldquoTasymp xicirc bugravexicirchuasympn hradic jiucircrdquo (tahshe boo she hwan huh jyoe)

Meacuteiyocircu is another negative prefix that also goesbefore a verb It refers only to the past though andmeans either something didnrsquot happen or at leastdidnrsquot happen on a particular occasion

Wocirc meacuteiyocircu kagraven negravei bugrave diagravenyicircng (waw mayokahn nay boo dyan yeeng I didnrsquot see thatmovie)

Zuoacutetiasympn meacuteiyocircu xiagraveyucirc (dzwaw tyan mayo shyahyew It didnrsquot rain yesterday)

If the aspect marker guograve is at the end of the verbmeacuteiyocircu it means it never happened (up until now) inthe past By the way yoursquoll sometimes find thatmeacuteiyocircu is shortened just to meacutei

Wocirc meacutei qugrave guograve Facircguoacute (waw may chyew gwawfah gwaw Irsquove never been to France)

Wocirc meacutei chint guograve Yigravendugrave cagravei (wo may chir gwaween doo tsye Irsquove never eaten Indian food)

Getting Possessive with the Particle De

The particle de is ubiquitous in Chinese Whereveryou turn there it is Wocircde tiasympn (waw duh tyan Mygoodness) Using it is easy All you have to do is

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 33

attach it to the end of the pronoun such as nicircde chradic(nee duh chuh your car) or other modifier such as tasymp gpartngsint de jintnglicirc (tah goong suh duh jeeng lee hiscompanyrsquos manager) and mdash voilagrave mdash it indicates possession

Nicircde diagravennacirco yocircu meacuteiyocircu yintntegravewacircng (nee duhdyan now yo mayo een tuh wahng Does yourcomputer have Internet)

Kecircxint meacuteiyocircu Nicircde ne (kuh she mayo nee duhnuh Unfortunately not How about yours)

The particle de acts as an apostrophe ldquosrdquo (rsquos)in English when itrsquos not attached to a pro-noun It also makes the process of modifica-tion exactly the opposite of the Frenchpossessive ldquoderdquo or the English ldquoofrdquo withwhich you may be tempted to compare it

Asking QuestionsYou can ask questions in Chinese in a couple easyways You may be so curious about the world aroundyou that you ask tons of questions after you know how

The question particle ldquomardquoBy far the easiest way to ask a question is simply toend any given statement with a ma That automati-cally makes it into a question For example Tasymp chintfagraven(tah chir fahn Hersquos eatinghe eats) becomes Tasympchintfagraven ma (tah chir fahn mah Is hedoes he eat) Nicircshupart Zhpartngweacuten (nee shwaw joong one You speakChinese) becomes Nicirc shupart Zhpartngweacuten ma (neeshwaw joong one mah Do you speak Chinese)

Using bugrave to ask a questionThe second way you can ask a question is just torepeat the verb in its negative form The Englishequivalent would be to say something like ldquoDo you

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 34

eat not eatrdquo for example You can use this formatonly for a yes or no question though For example

Nicirc shigrave buacuteshigrave Zhpartngguoacutereacuten (nee shir boo shirjoong gwaw run Are you Chinese)

Tasymp yagraveo buacuteyagraveo haacuteizi (tah yaow boo yaow hidzuh Does he want children)

Tasympmen xicirchuasympn bugravexicirchuasympn chint Zhpartngguoacute cagravei(tah mun she hwahn boo she hwahn chir joonggwaw tsye Do they like to eat Chinese food)

Interrogative pronounsThe last way of asking questions in Chinese is to useinterrogative pronouns The following are pronounsthat act as questions in Chinese

nacirc (nah + classifier which)

nacircr (nar where)

sheacutei (shay whowhom)

sheacutei de (shay duh whose)

sheacutenme (shummuh what)

sheacutenme digravefasympng (shummuh dee fahng where)

Donrsquot confuse nacirc with nacircr That one extraletter makes the difference between sayingldquowhichrdquo (nacirc) and ldquowhererdquo (nacircr)

Figuring out where such interrogative pronounsshould go in any given sentence is easy Just put themwherever the answer would be found For example

Question Nicirc shigrave sheacutei (nee shir shay Who are you)

Answer Nicirc shigrave wocirc peacutengyocircu (nee shir wawpuhng yo You are my friend)

Question Tasympde nhpeacutengyocircu zagravei nacircr (tah duhnyew puhng yo dzye nar Where is his girlfriend)

Answer Tasympde nhpeacutengyocircu zagravei jiasymplicirc (tah duhnyuew puhng yo dzye jyah lee His girlfriend is athome)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 35

This rule also goes for the verb-bugrave-verb pattern Allyou have to do to answer that type of question is omiteither the positive verb or the negative prefix andverb following it

Question Nicirc hacirco bugrave hacirco (nee how boo howHow are you Literally Are you good or notgood)

Answer Wocirc hacirco (waw how Irsquom okay) Or Wocirc bugravehacirco (waw boo how Irsquom not okay)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 36

Chapter 3

Numerical GumboCounting of All Kinds

In This Chapter Counting to 10

Telling time

Ticking off the calendar

Spending money

Numbers make the world go round or is thatmoney Well itrsquos probably both This chapter

gives you a rundown on number and money phrasesand also shows you how to tell time and navigate themonths of the year

1 2 3 Cardinal NumbersCardinal numbers are important when talking aboutamounts telling time or exchanging money Table 3-1lists numbers from 1 to 19

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 37

Table 3-1 Numbers from 1 to 19Chinese Pronunciation Translation

liacuteng leeng 0

yint ee 1

egraver are 2

sasympn sahn 3

sigrave suh 4

wucirc woo 5

liugrave lyo 6

qint chee 7

basymp bah 8

jiucirc jyoe 9

shiacute shir 10

shiacuteyint shir ee 11 (literally 10 + 1)

shiacutersquoegraver shir are 12 (literally 10 + 2)

shiacutesasympn shir sahn 13

shiacutesigrave shir suh 14

shiacutewucirc shir woo 15

shiacuteliugrave shir lyo 16

shiacuteqint shir chee 17

shiacutebasymp shir bah 18

shiacutejiucirc shir jyoe 19

If the number ldquotwordquo comes before a classifier(see Chapter 2) use the word liacircng insteadof egraver So you would say that you have liacircngbecircn sh∆ (lyahng bun shoo two books)instead of egraver becircn sh∆ (are bun shoo)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 38

Chapter 3 Numerical Gumbo Counting of All Kinds 39

When you get to 20 you have to literally think ldquotwotensrdquo mdash plus whatever single digit you want to add to that up until nine for 21 through 29 as shown inTable 3-2

egravershiacute are shir 20 (literally two tens)

egravershiacuteyint are shir ee 21 (two tens plus one)

egravershiacutersquoegraver are shir are 22

egravershiacutesasympn are shir sahn 23

egravershiacutesigrave are shir suh 24

egravershiacutewucirc are shir woo 25

egravershiacuteliugrave are shir lyo 26

egravershiacuteqint are shir chee 27

egravershiacutebasymp are shir bah 28

egravershiacutejiucirc are shir jyoe 29

The same basic idea goes for sasympnshiacute (sahn shir thirtyliterally three tens) sigraveshiacute (suh shir forty) wucircshiacute (wooshir fifty) liugraveshiacute (lyo shir sixty) qintshiacute (chee shir sev-enty) basympshiacute (bah shir eighty) and jiucircshiacute (jyoe shirninety) What could be easier

After the number 99 you can no longer count by tens

100 is yigrave bacirci (ee bye)

1000 is yigrave qiasympn (ee chyan)

10000 is yiacute wagraven (ee wahn literally one unit often thousand)

100000 is shiacute wagraven (shir wahn literally ten unitsof ten thousand)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 39

1000000 is yigrave bacirci wagraven (ee bye wahn literallyone hundred units of 10000)

100000000 is yiacute yigrave (ee ee one hundred million)

Chinese people count all the way up to wagraven (wahnten thousand) and then repeat up to yigrave (ee a hundredmillion) unlike in English where counting goes up to a thousand before being repeated all the way to amillion

Numbers are represented with the higherunits of value first So the number 387 is sasympnbacirci basymp shiacute qint (sahn bye bah shir chee) Thenumber 15492 is yiacute wagraven wucirc qiasympn sigrave bacirci jiucirc shiacuteegraver (ee wahn woo chyan suh bye jyoe shir are)

The number 1 (yint) changes its tone from itsfirst (high) to the fourth (falling) tone whenfollowed by a first (high) tone as in yigrave qiasympn(ee chyan 1000) by a second (rising) toneas in yigrave niaacuten (ee nyan one year) and by athird (low dipping) tone as in yigrave bacirci (ee bye100) (See Chapter 1 for a review of the fourtones) And it changes to the second (rising)tone when followed by a fourth (falling) toneas in yiacute wagraven (ee wahn 10000) It remains itsoriginal first tone mark only when peoplecount numbers one two three and so on

If you want to add a half to anything the word for halfis bagraven (bahn) and it can either come at the beginningsuch as in bagraven bradici kecirclegrave (bahn bay kuh luh a half a glassof cola) or after a number and classifier but beforethe object to mean ldquoand a halfrdquo such as in yiacute ge bagravenxintngqint (ee guh bahn sheeng chee a week and a half)

Discovering Ordinal NumbersEver tell someone to make a right at the secondjiasympotpartng dradicng (jyaow toong dung traffic light) or thatyour house is the third one on the left Creating ordi-nal numbers in Chinese is quite easy Just put digrave infront of the numeral

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 40

digrave yint (dee ee first)

digrave egraver (dee are second)

digrave sasympn (dee sahn third)

digrave sigrave (dee suh fourth)

digrave wucirc (dee woo fifth)

digrave liugrave (dee lyoe sixth)

digrave qint (dee chee seventh)

digrave basymp (dee bah eighth)

digrave jiucirc (dee jyoe ninth)

digrave shiacute (dee shir tenth)

You may need to use these examples to give directions

digrave yint tiaacuteo lugrave (dee ee tyaow loo the first street)

digrave egraver ge faacutengzi (dee are guh fahng dzuh thesecond house)

zuocirc biasympn digrave basymp ge faacutengzi (dzwaw byan dee bahguh fahng dzuh the eighth house on the left)

If a noun follows the ordinal number a classi-fier needs to go in between them such as digravebasymp ge xueacuteshradicng (dee bah guh shweh shuhngthe eighth student) or digrave yint ge haacuteizi (dee eeguy hi dzuh the first child)

Telling TimeAll you have to do to find out the shiacutejiasympn (shir jyantime) is take a peek at your shocircubiacirco (show byaowwatch) or look at the zhpartng (joong clock) on the wall

You can indicate the hour by saying 3-diacircnor 3-diacircn zhpartng Diacircn (dyan) means ldquohourrdquobut itrsquos also a classifier and zhpartng (joong)means ldquoclockrdquo Feel free to use either to saywhat time it is (Check out Table 3-3)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 41

Table 3-3 Telling Time in ChineseChinese Phrase Pronunciation English Phrase

1-diacircn zhpartng ee dyan joong 1 orsquoclock

2-diacircn zhpartng lyahng dyan joong 2 orsquoclock

3-diacircn zhpartng sahn dyan joong 3 orsquoclock

4-diacircn zhpartng suh dyan joong 4 orsquoclock

5-diacircn zhpartng woo dyan joong 5 orsquoclock

6-diacircn zhpartng lyo dyan joong 6 orsquoclock

7-diacircn zhpartng chee dyan joong 7 orsquoclock

8-diacircn zhpartng bah dyan joong 8 orsquoclock

9-diacircn zhpartng jyo dyan joong 9 orsquoclock

10-diacircn zhpartng shir dyan joong 10 orsquoclock

11-diacircn zhpartng shir ee dyan joong 11 orsquoclock

12-diacircn zhpartng shir are dyan joong 12 orsquoclock

When mentioning 12 orsquoclock be careful Theway to say noon is simply zhpartngwucirc (joongwoo) and the way to say midnight is bagravenyegrave(bahn yeh)

The Chinese are very precise when they tell time Youcanrsquot just say 3-diacircn zhpartng (sahn dyan joong) whenyou want to say 3 orsquoclock you need to add what partof the day or night you mean

qintngzacirco (cheeng dzaow midnight to dawn)

zacircoshagraveng (dzaow shahng 6 am to noon)

xiagravewucirc (shyah woo noon to 6 pm)

wacircnshagraveng (wahn shahng 6 pm to midnight)

The segment of the day comes before the actual timeitself in Chinese

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 42

wacircnshagraveng qint diacircn zhpartng (wahn shahng cheedyan joong 7 pm)

xiagravewucirc sasympn diacircn bagraven (shyah woo sahn dyan bahn330 pm)

qintngzacirco yigrave diacircn yiacute kegrave (cheeng dzaow ee dyan eekuh 115 am)

zacircoshagraveng basymp diacircn egravershiacutewucirc fradicn (dzaow shahngbah dyan are shir woo fun 825 am)

If you want to indicate half an hour just add bagraven(bahn half) after the hour

3-diacircn bagraven (sahn dyan bahn 330)

4-diacircn bagraven (suh dyan bahn 430)

11-diacircn bagraven (shir ee dyan bahn 1130)

Do you want to indicate a quarter of an hour or threequarters of an hour Just use the phrases yiacute kegrave (eekuh) and sasympn kegrave (sahn kuh) after the hour

2-diacircn yiacute kegrave (lyahng dyan ee kuh 215)

4-diacircn yiacute kegrave (suh dyan ee kuh 415)

5-diacircn sasympn kegrave (woo dyan sahn kuh 545)

7-diacircn sasympn kegrave (chee dyan sahn kuh 745)

Here are some other examples of alternative ways toindicate the time

chagrave shiacute fradicn wucirc diacircn (chah shir fun woo dyan10 to 5)

wucirc diacircn chagrave shiacute fradicn (woo dyan chah shir fun10 to 5)

sigrave diacircn wucircshiacute fradicn (suh dyan woo shir fun 450)

chagrave yiacute kegrave qint diacircn (chah ee kuh chee dyana quarter to 7)

qint diacircn chagrave yiacute kegrave (chee dyan chah ee kuha quarter to 7)

liugrave diacircn sasympn kegrave (lyo dyan sahn kuh 645)

liugrave diacircn sigraveshiacutewucirc fradicn (lyo dyan suh shir woo fun645)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 43

When talking about time you may prefer to saybefore or after a certain hour To do so you use eitheryicircqiaacuten (ee chyan before) or yicirchograveu (ee ho after) Hereare some examples

xiagravewucirc 3-diacircn zhpartng yicircqiaacuten (shyah woo sahndyan joong ee chyan before 300 pm)

qintngzacirco 5-diacircn bagraven yicirchograveu (cheeng dzaow woodyan bahn ee ho after 530 am)

Monday Tuesday WeekdaysAlthough Chinese people recognize seven days in theweek just as Americans do the Chinese week beginson xintngqintyint (sheeng chee ee Monday) and ends onxintngqinttiasympn (sheeng chee tyan Sunday) See Table 3-4for a list of days of the week

Table 3-4 Days of the WeekChinese Word Pronunciation English Word

xintngqintyint sheeng chee ee Monday

xintngqintrsquoegraver sheeng chee are Tuesday

xintngqintsasympn sheeng chee sahn Wednesday

xintngqintsigrave sheeng chee suh Thursday

xintngqintwucirc sheeng chee woo Friday

xintngqintliugrave sheeng chee lyo Saturday

xintngqinttiasympn sheeng chee tyan Sunday

So jintntiasympn xintngqintjicirc (jin tyan sheeng chee jee Whatday is it today) Where does today fit in your weeklyroutine

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 44

Jintntiasympn xintngqintrsquoegraver (jin tyan sheeng chee areToday is Tuesday)

Wocirc xintngqintyint dagraveo xintngqintwucirc gpartngzuograve (wawsheeng chee ee daow sheeng chee woo goongdzwaw I work from Monday to Friday)

Wocircmen mecircige xintngqintyint kasympihuigrave (waw mun mayguh sheeng chee ee kye hway We have meetingsevery Monday)

Xiagravege xintngqintsasympn shigrave wocircde shradicngrigrave (shyah guhsheeng chee sahn shir waw duh shung ir NextWednesday is my birthday)

Words to Knowhograveutiasympn ho tyan the day after

tomorrow

jintntiasympn jin tyan today

miacutengtiasympn meeng tyan tomorrow

qiaacutentiasympn chyan tyan the day beforeyesterday

shagravengge xintngqint shahng guh last weeksheeng chee

xiagravege xintngqint shyah guh next weeksheeng chee

zhegraveige xintngqint jay guh sheeng this weeksheeng chee

zuoacutetiasympn dzwaw tyan yesterday

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 45

Using the Calendar and DatesTo ask what todayrsquos date is you simply say Jintntiasympnjicircyuegrave jicirchagraveo (jin tyan jee yweh jee how literally Todayis what month and what day)

When answering remember that the larger unit of themonth always comes before the smaller unit of thedate in Chinese

Yintyuegrave egraver hagraveo (ee yweh are how January 2nd)

Sasympnyuegrave sigrave hagraveo (sahn yweh suh how March 4th)

Shiacutersquoegraveryuegrave sasympnshiacute hagraveo (shir are yweh sahn shirhow December 30th)

I list the months of the year in Table 3-5 and the sea-sons in Table 3-6

Table 3-5 Months of the Year andOther Pertinent Terms

Chinese Word Pronunciation English Word or Phrase or Phrase

yintyuegrave ee yweh January

egraveryuegrave are yweh February

sasympnyuegrave sahn yweh March

sigraveyuegrave suh yweh April

wucircyuegrave woo yweh May

liugraveyuegrave lyo yweh June

qintyuegrave chee yweh July

basympyuegrave bah yweh August

jiucircyuegrave jyo yweh September

shiacuteyuegrave shir yweh October

shiacuteyintyuegrave shir ee yweh November

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 46

shiacutersquoegraveryuegrave shir are yweh December

zhegraveige yuegrave jay guh yweh this month

shagravengge yuegrave shahng guh yweh last month

xiagravege yuegrave shyah guh yweh next month

shradicngrigrave shung er birthday

Table 3-6 Seasonal TermsChinese Word Pronunciation English Word or Phrase or Phrase

sigrave jigrave suh jee The four seasons

dpartngjigrave doong jee winter

ch∆njigrave chwun jee spring

xiagravejigrave shyah jee summer

qi∆jigrave chyo jee fall

Even though you say each month by addingthe number of the month in front of the wordyuegrave (which means ldquomonthrdquo) if you add theclassifier ge (guh) in between the numberand the word yuegrave you say ldquoone monthrdquoldquotwo monthsrdquo and so on For example basympyuegrave (bah yweh) means August (which is the8th month) but basymp ge yuegrave (bah guh yweh)means eight months

You canrsquot check out the months of the year withoutfirst looking at the holidays First you celebrate

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 47

Xintnniaacuten (shin nyan New Yearrsquos Day also knownas yuaacutendagraven ywan dahn) on yint yuegrave yint hagraveo (eeyweh ee how January 1st)

Ch∆n jieacute (chwun jyeh Spring Festival or ChineseNew Year) This a three-day celebration coin-ciding with the lunar new year Every year thedates for ch∆n jieacute change because it follows theyintnligrave (yeen lee lunar calendar) rather than theyaacutengligrave (yahng lee solar calendar) Ch∆n jieacutealways occurs sometime in January or February

If you travel to China jintn niaacuten (jin nyan this year)during 2005 you arrive during jint niaacuten (jee nyan theYear of the Rooster) Want to travel in the comingyears instead

2006 gocircu niaacuten (go nyan) Year of the Dog

2007 zh∆ niaacuten (joo nyan) Year of the Pig

2008 shucirc niaacuten (shoo nyan) Year of the Rat

The Year of the Rat is actually the beginning of awhole new 12-year cycle of animals Table 3-7 showsall the animals of the Chinese zodiac Just as inWestern astrology each of the Chinese animals repre-sents a different personality type

Table 3-7 Animals of the Chinese ZodiacChinese Word Pronunciation English Word

shucirc shoo rat

niuacute nyo ox

hucirc hoo tiger

tugravezi too dzuh rabbit

loacuteng loong dragon

sheacute shuh snake

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 48

Chinese Word Pronunciation English Word

macirc mah horse

yaacuteng yahng goat

hoacuteu ho monkey

jint jee rooster

gocircu go dog

zh∆ joo pig

In mainland China Laacuteodograveng jieacute (laow doong jyehLabor Day) is celebrated on wucirc yuegrave yint hagraveo (woo ywehee how May 1st) and Guoacute qigraveng jieacute (gwaw cheengjyeh National Day) is celebrated on shiacute yuegrave yint hagraveo(shir yweh ee how October 1st) in commemoration ofthe day Mao Zedong and the Chinese CommunistParty declared the founding of the Zhpartnghuaacute reacutenmiacutengogravengheacute guoacute (joong hwah run meen goong huh gwawthe Peoplersquos Republic of China) in 1949 In TaiwanGuoacute qigraveng jieacute is celebrated on shiacute yuegrave shiacute hagraveo (shiryweh shir how October 10th) to commemorate theday in 1911 when Chinarsquos long dynastic history endedand a new era of the Zhpartnghuaacute miacuten guoacute (joong hwahmeen gwaw the Republic of China) began under theleadership of Dr Sun Yat-sen

In Taiwan you often see years written outthat seem to be 11 years short of what youthink is correct Thatrsquos because the foundingof the Republic of China in 1911 is consid-ered the base line for all future years So 1921is listed as miacuten guoacute shiacute niaacuten (meen gwawshir nyan ldquomeen gwawrdquo is the abbreviationfor Zhpartnghuaacute miacuten guoacute [joong hwah meengwaw] or the Republic of China and ldquoshirnyanrdquo meaning 10 years refers to 10 yearsfollowing the founding of the Republic ofChina) The year 2005 is noted as miacuten guoacutejiucircshiacute sigrave niaacuten (meen gwaw jyo shir suh nyan94 years after the establishment of theRepublic of China)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 49

Words to Knowhograveuniaacuten ho nyan the year

after next

jintnniaacuten jin nyan this year

mecirciniaacuten may nyan every year

miacutengniaacuten meeng nyan next year

shagravengge xintngqintsigrave shahng guh last sheeng chee suh Thursday

qiaacutenniaacuten chyan nyan the yearbefore last

qugraveniaacuten chyew nyan last year

xiagravege xintngqintyint shyah guh next sheeng chee ee Monday

Zhugrave nicirc shradicngrigrave joo nee shung ir Happy kuagraveilegrave kwye luh Birthday

Money Money MoneyQiaacuten (chyan money) makes the world go around Inthis section pick up important words and phrases foracquiring and spending money

The basic elements of all Chinese currencyare the yuaacuten (colloquially referred to as akuagravei) which you can think of as a dollar thejiacirco (colloquially referred to as the maacuteo)which is the equivalent of a dime and thefradicn (fun) which is equivalent to the penny

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 50

Want to know how much money I have right now inmy pocket Nosy Why not just ask me

Nicirc yocircu jicirc kuagravei qiaacuten (nee yo jee kwye chyanHow much money do you have)

Use this phrase if you assume the amount is lessthan $10

Nicirc yocircu dupartshacirco qiaacuten (nee yo dwaw shaowchyan How much money do you have)

Use this phrase if you assume the amount isgreater than $10

Making and exchanging moneyYou can always huagraven qiaacuten (hwahn chyan exchangemoney) the minute you arrive at the fradicijint chacircng (fayjee chahng airport) at the many duigravehuagravenchugrave (dwayhwahn choo exchange bureaus) or you can wait untilyou get to a major yiacutenhaacuteng (een hahng bank) orcheck in at your lhguacircn (lyew gwahn hotel)

The following phrases come in handy when yoursquoreready to huagraven qiaacuten

Qicircng wegraven zagravei nacircr kecircyicirc huagraven qiaacuten (cheeng onedzye nar kuh yee hwahn chyan Excuse mewhere can I change money)

Qicircng wegraven yiacutenghaacuteng zagravei nacircr (cheeng one eenghahng dzye nar Excuse me where is the bank)

Jintntiasympn de duigravehuagraven lf shigrave sheacutenme (jin tyanduh dway hwahn lyew shir shummuh Whatrsquostodayrsquos exchange rate)

Qicircng nicirc gecirci wocirc sigrave zhasympng wucircshiacute yuaacuten de(cheeng nee gay waw suh jahng woo shir ywanduh Please give me four 50-yuan bills)

Wocirc yagraveo huagraven yigrave bacirci mecirciyuaacuten (waw yaow hwahnee bye may ywan Irsquod like to change $100)

Nicircmen shpartu dupartshacirco qiaacuten shocircuxugravefegravei (nee munshow dwaw shaow chyan show shyew fay Howmuch commission do you charge)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 51

Words to Knowch∆nagraveyuaacuten choo nah ywan cashier

duigravehuagraven lf dway hwahn lyew exchangerate

duigravehuagravenchugrave dway hwahn choo exchangecounter

huagraven hwahn to exchange

huagraven qiaacuten hwahn chyan to exchangemoney

mecirciyuaacuten may ywan US dollars

Qicircng gecirci wocirc Cheeng gay waw Please show kagravenkagraven nicircde kahn kahn nee duh me your hugravezhagraveo hoo jaow passport

reacutenmiacutenbigrave run meen bee Chinesedollar(mainland)

shocircuxugravefegravei show shyew fay commission

wagraveibigrave why bee foreign currency

xintn taacuteibigrave shin tye bee New Taiwandollars

yigrave mecirciyuaacuten ee may ywan one USdollar

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 52

Cashing checks and checking your cashWhen you talk about how much something costs youput the numerical value before the word for bill orcoin For example you can call a dollar yiacute kuagravei (eekwye one dollar) or sasympn kuagravei (sahn kwye three dollars) You translate 10 cents literally as one 10-cent coin mdash yigrave maacuteo (ee maow) mdash or 30 cents asliterally three 10-cent coins mdash sasympn maacuteo (sahn maow)

Herersquos how you speak of increasing amounts ofmoney You mention the larger units before thesmaller units just like in English

sasympn kuagravei (sahn kwye $3)

sasympn kuagravei yigrave maacuteo (sahn kwye ee maow $310)

sasympn kuagravei yigrave maacuteo wucirc (sahn kwye ee maow woo$315)

Qicircng wegraven zhegrave jiagraven yintfu dupartshacirco qiaacuten (Cheengone jay jyan ee foo dwaw shaow chyan Excuseme how much is this piece of clothing)

Nicircmen shpartu bugrave shpartu zhintpiagraveo (nee mun showboo show jir pyaow Do you take checks)

Nicircmen shpartu bugrave shpartu xigravenyograveng kacirc (nee munshow boo show sheen yoong kah Do you acceptcredit cards)

Words to Knowdagrave piagraveozi dah pyaow dzuh large bills

fugrave zhagraveng foo jahng to pay a bill

continued

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 53

Words to Know (continued)huagraven kasympi hwahn kye to break

(a large bill)

kocircudagravei ko dye pocket

liacutengqiaacuten leeng chyan small change

lhxiacuteng zhintpiagraveo lyew sheeng jir travelerrsquos pyaow checks

qiaacutenbasympo chyan baow wallet purse

zhintpiagraveo jir pyaow checks

zhintpiagraveo bugrave jir pyaow boo checkbook

Doing your bankingIf you plan on staying in Asia for an extended time oryou want to continue doing business with a Chinesecompany you may want to open a huoacuteqint zhagravenghugrave(hwaw chee jahng hoo checking account) where youcan both cuacuten qiaacuten (tswun chyan deposit money) andqucirc qiaacuten (chyew chyan withdraw money) If you staylong enough consider opening a digravengqint cuacutenkuacircnhugravetoacuteu (deeng chee tswun kwan hoo toe savingsaccount) so you can start earning some ligravexi (lee sheinterest) Earning interest sure beats stuffing dagravepiagraveozi (dah pyaow dzuh large bills) under yourchuaacuteng diagraven (chwahng dyan mattress) for years

How about trying to make your money work for youby investing in one of the following

chucircxugrave cuacutenkuacircn (chew shyew tswun kwanCertificate of Deposit CD)

guoacutekugrave quagraven (gwaw koo chwan treasury bond)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 54

gucircpiagraveo (goo pyaow stock)

hugravezhugrave jintjintn (hoo joo jee jeen mutual fund)

tagraveotoacuteu jintjintn (taow toe jee jeen hedge fund)

zhagraveiquagraven (jye chwan bond)

If you plan to cash some checks along with yourdeposits here are a couple useful phrases to know

Wocirc yagraveo duigravexiagraven zhegravei zhasympng zhintpiagraveo (wawyaow dway shyan jay jahng jir pyaow Irsquod like tocash this check)

Begraveimiagraven qiasympn zigrave xiecirc zagravei nacircr (bay myan chyandzuh shyeh dzye nar Where shall I endorse it)

Words to Knowch∆nagrave chuasympngkocircu choo nah chwahng cashierrsquos

ko window

ch∆nagraveyuaacuten choo nah ywan bank teller

cuacutenkuacircn tswun kwan savings

cuacuten qiaacuten tswun chyan to depositmoney

kasympi yiacutege cuacutenkuacircn kye ee guh tswun to open a hugravetoacuteu kwan hoo toe savings

account

qucirc qiaacuten chyew chyan to withdrawmoney

yiacutenghaacuteng eeng hahng bank

xiagravenjintn shyan jeen cash

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 55

Accessing an ATM machineZigravedograveng tiacutekuacircnjint (dzuh doong tee kwan jee ATMmachines) are truly ubiquitous these days In order touse one you need a zigravedograveng tiacutekuacircn kacirc (dzuh doong teekwan kah ATM card) to find out your jieacuteyuacute (jyeh yewaccount balance) to cuacuten qiaacuten (tswun chyan depositmoney) or to qucirc qiaacuten (chyew chyan withdrawmoney) And you definitely need to know your migravemacirc(mee mah PIN number) otherwise the zigravedogravengtiacutekuacircnjint is useless

And one more thing Make sure you donrsquot let anyoneelse know your migravemacirc Itrsquos your migravemigrave (mee meesecret)

Words to Knowtoacutengyigrave toong ee to agree

yiacutegograveng ee goong altogether

yintnggasympi eeng guy should

yintnwegravei suocircyicirc een way because swaw yee therefore

zhagravengdasympn jahng dahn bill

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 56

Chapter 4

Making New Friends andEnjoying Small Talk

In This Chapter Introducing yourself and others

Using question words

Greeting and chatting with family friends and colleagues

Nicirc hacirco (nee how Hello How are you) Thesetwo words are probably the most important

you need to know to start a conversation

In this chapter I show you how to greet people intro-duce yourself and make small talk

Making IntroductionsNothing beats making new friends at a wacircnhuigrave (wahnhway party) a xintn gpartngzuograve (sheen goong dzwawnew job) on the digravetiecirc (dee tyeh subway) or just zagravei lugraveshagraveng (dzye loo shahng on the street) This section gives you a head start in making a good firstimpression

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 57

Acquainting yourselfYou have options other than nicirc hacirco (nee how hi howare you) when you first meet someone such as

Hecircn gasympoxigraveng jiagravendagraveo nicirc (hun gaow sheeng jyandaow nee Glad to meet you)

Wocirc hecircn roacutengxigraveng (waw hun roong sheeng Irsquomhonored to meet you)

Or if you want a time-specific greeting try

zacirco (dzaow good morning)

zacirco asympn (dzaow ahn good morning literallyearly peace)

wacircn asympn (wahn ahn good night)

Donrsquot know what to say after the first nicirc hacirco The fol-lowing are a few examples of common opening linesto get you started

Qicircng ragraveng wocirc jiegraveshagraveo wocirc zigravejicirc (cheeng rahngwaw jyeh shaow waw dzuh jee Please let meintroduce myself)

Wocirc jiagraveo ______ Nicirc ne (waw jyaow ____ neenuh My name is _____ Whatrsquos yours)

Nicirc jiagraveo sheacutenme miacutengzi (nee jyaow shummuhmeeng dzuh Whatrsquos your name)

Wocirc shigrave Mecirciguoacutereacuten (waw shir may gwaw run Irsquoman American)

Introducing your friends and familyTo introduce your friends to each other say ldquoQicircngragraveng wocirc jiegraveshagraveo wocircde peacutengyocircu Carlrdquo (cheeng rahngwaw jyeh shaow waw duh puhng yo Carl May I pleaseintroduce my friend Carl) In addition to introducingyour peacutengyocircu (puhng yo friend) you can also intro-duce these important people

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 58

Chapter 4 Enjoying Small Talk 59

agraveireacuten (eye run spouse mdash used mostly in main-land China [as opposed to Taiwan])

bagraveba (bah bah father)

eacuterzi (are dzuh son)

fugravemucirc (foo moo parents)

mucircqin (moo cheen mother)

fugraveqin (foo cheen father)

haacuteizi (hi dzuh children)

lacircobacircn (laow bahn boss)

lacircoshint (laow shir teacher)

masympma (mah mah mother)

naacuten peacutengyocircu (nahn puhng yo boyfriend)

nhrsquoeacuter (nyew are daughter)

nhpeacutengyocircu (nyew pung yo girlfriend)

qintzi (chee dzuh wife)

s∆nnh (swun nyew granddaughter)

s∆nzi (swun dzuh grandson)

tagraveitagravei (tye tye wife mdash used mostly in Taiwan)

toacutengshigrave (toong shir colleague)

toacutengw∆ (toong woo roommate)

toacutengxueacute (toong shweh classmate)

wocircde peacutengyocircu (waw duh puhng yo my friend)

xipartngdigrave jiecircmegravei (shyoong dee jyeh may brothersand sisters)

zhagravengfu (jahng foo husband)

zucircfugrave (dzoo foo grandfather)

zucircmucirc (dzoo moo grandmother)

When introducing two people to each otheralways introduce the one with the lowersocial status andor age to the person withthe higher social status The Chinese con-sider it polite

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 59

Asking people for their namesMany situations call for informal greetings like

Wocirc jiagraveo Sarah Nicirc ne (waw jyaow Sarah neenuh My name is Sarah And yours)

To show a greater level of politeness and respect ask

Niacuten guigrave xigraveng (neen gway sheeng literallyWhatrsquos your honorable surname)

When answering this question donrsquot use the honorificguigrave to refer to yourself Such a response is like sayingldquoMy esteemed family name is Smithrdquo The best way toanswer is to say Wocirc xigraveng Smith (waw sheeng SmithMy family name is Smith)

The polite way to ask the name of someone whorsquosyounger than yourself or lower in social status is

Even though miacutengzi usually means ldquogiven namerdquowhen you ask this question it may elicit an answer offirst and last name

If a guy tells you his name in Chinese youcan be sure the first syllable he utters will be his surname not his given name So if hesays his name is Licirc Shigravemiacuten for example hisfamily name is Licirc and his given name isShigravemiacuten Keep on referring to him as LicircShigravemiacuten (rather than just Shigravemiacuten) until youbecome really good friends If you want toaddress him as Xiasympnshradicng (shyan shuhngMr) or if yoursquore addressing a female asXiacircojiecirc (shyaow jyeh Miss) you put that title after his or her last name and say LicircXiasympnshradicng or Licirc Xiacircojiecirc Even though theChinese language has words for Mr Missand Mrs (tagraveitagravei tye tye) it doesnrsquot have anequivalent term for ldquoMsrdquo At least not yet

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 60

This little conversation shows how to introduce afriend

Sylvia Irene qicircng ragraveng wocirc jiegraveshagraveo wocircdepeacutengyocircu Mel (Irene cheeng rahng waw jyehshaow waw duh puhng yo Mel Irene allow me tointroduce my friend Mel)

Irene Nicirc hacirco Hecircn gasympoxigraveng jiagravendagraveo nicirc (nee howhun gaow sheeng jyan daow nee Hi Nice to meet you)

Mel Hecircn gasympoxigraveng jiagravendagraveo nicirc Wocirc shigrave Sylvia detoacutengxueacute (hun gaow sheeng jyan daow nee wawshir Sylvia duh toong shweh Good to meet youIrsquom Sylviarsquos classmate)

Irene Hecircn gasympoxigraveng jiagravendagraveo nicirc (hun gaow sheengjyan daow nee Nice to meet you)

Mel Nicircmen zeacutenme regravenshigrave (nee mun dzummuhrun shir How do you happen to know eachother)

Irene Wocircmen shigrave toacutengshigrave (waw mun shir toongshir Wersquore coworkers)

Addressing new friends and strangersYou can always safely greet people in professional set-tings by announcing their last name followed by theirtitle such as Waacuteng Xiagraveozhacircng (wahng shyaow jahngPresident [of an educational institution] Wang) or JintnZhucircregraven (jeen joo run Director Jin) Here are someother examples of occupational titles

bugravezhacircng (boo jahng department head or minister)

fugravezhucircregraven (foo joo run assistant director)

jiagraveoshograveu (jyaow show professor)

jintnglicirc (jeeng lee manager)

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 61

Sometimes people add the terms lacirco (laowold) or xiacirco (shyaow young) in front of thelast name and omit the first name com-pletely It indicates a comfortable degree offamiliarity and friendliness that can onlydevelop over time But make sure you knowwhich one to use mdash lacirco is for someone whorsquosolder than you and xiacirco is for someonewhorsquos younger than you

Taking (aka rejecting) complimentsChinese people are always impressed whenever theymeet a foreigner who has taken the time to learn theirlanguage So when you speak Zhpartngweacuten (joong oneChinese) to a Zhpartngguoacutereacuten (joong gwaw run Chineseperson) he may very well say ldquoNicircde Zhpartngweacuten tagraveihacircolerdquo (nee duh joong one tye how luh Your Chineseis fantastic) But donrsquot give in to the temptation toaccept the compliment easily and say xiegravexiegrave (shyehshyeh thanks) because that implies that you agreewholeheartedly with the complimentary assessmentInstead try one of the following replies Each of themcan be roughly translated as ldquoItrsquos nothingrdquo or theequivalent of ldquoNo no I donrsquot deserve any praiserdquo

guograve jiacircng guograve jiacircng (gwaw jyahng gwaw jyahng)

naacutelicirc naacutelicirc (nah lee nah lee)

nacircr de huagrave (nar duh hwah)

Saying goodbyeWhen it comes time to say goodbye refer to the fol-lowing list of phrases

Huiacutetoacuteu jiagraven (hway toe jyan See you later)

Miacutengniaacuten jiagraven (meeng nyan jyan See you nextyear)

Miacutengtiasympn jiagraven (meeng tyan jyan See you tomorrow)

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 62

Xiagravege licircbagravei jiagraven (shyah guh lee bye jyan See younext week)

Xintngqintrsquoegraver jiagraven (sheeng chee are jyan See you onTuesday)

Yinthuicircr jiagraven (ee hwahr jyan See you soon)

Yiacutelugrave piacutengrsquoasympn (ee loo peeng ahn Have a goodtrip)

Zagravei jiagraven (dzye jyan Goodbye)

Practice your adieursquos with this conversation

Christopher Lacircoshint zacirco (laow shir dzaow Good morning Professor)

Professor Zacirco Nicirc hacirco (dzaow nee how Goodmorning Hello)

Christopher Jintntiasympn de tiasympnqigrave hecircn hacirco duigravebuacuteduigrave (jin tyan duh tyan chee hun how dwayboo dway The weather today is great isnrsquot it)

Professor Duigravele Hecircn hacirco (dway luh hun howYes it is Itrsquos very nice)

Christopher Negravemme miacutengtiasympn shagravengkegrave deshiacutehograveu zagravei jiagraven (nummuh meeng tyan shahngkuh duh shir ho dzye jyan So Irsquoll see you again inclass tomorrow)

Professor Hacirco Miacutengtiasympn jiagraven (how meeng tyanjyan Okay See you tomorrow)

Asking Basic QuestionsA surefire way of initiating a conversation is to asksomeone a question Here are some basic questionwords to keep in mind

Dupart jiucirc (dwaw jyoe For how long)

Sheacutei (shay Who)

Sheacutenme (shummuh What)

Sheacutenme shiacutehograveu (shummuh shir ho When)

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 63

Wegraveisheacutenme (way shummuh Why)

Zagravei nacircr (dzye nar Where)

Zecircnme (dzummah How)

These examples can help you use these questionwords in simple sentences mdash sometimes you can alsouse some of them on their own just as in English

Tasymp shigrave sheacutei (tah shir shay Who is heshe)

Nicirc yagraveo sheacutenme (nee yaow shummuh Whatwould you like)

Jicirc diacircn zhpartng (jee dyan joong What time is it)

Cegravesuocirc zagravei nacircr (tsuh swaw dzye nar Wherersquos thebathroom)

Nicirc sheacutenme shiacutehograveu chintfagraven (nee shummuh shirho chir fahn When do you eat)

Nicirc wegraveisheacutenme yagraveo qugrave Zhpartngguoacute (nee wayshummuh yaow chyew joong gwaw Why do youwant to go to China)

Nicirc zecircnme yagraveng (nee dzummah yahng Howrsquos itgoing)

Nicirc yicircjintng zagravei zhegraver dupart jiucirc le (nee ee jeeng dzyejar dwaw jyoe luh How long have you been herealready)

Xiagravenzagravei jicirc diacircn zhpartng (shyan dzye jee dyanjoong What time is it now)

You can also use the following responses to the ques-tions in the preceding list if someone happens toapproach you These statements are the basics ofsmall talk and really come in handy when studying aforeign language

Wocirc bugravedocircng (waw boo doong I donrsquot understand)

Wocirc bugravezhintdagraveo (waw boo jir daow I donrsquot know)

Wocirc buacuteregravenshi tasymp (waw boo run shir tah I donrsquotknow himher)

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 64

Duigravebugraveqicirc (dway boo chee Excuse me)

Hecircn bagraveoqiagraven (hun baow chyan Irsquom so sorry)

The following dialog incorporates some basic questions

Molly Duigravebugraveqicirc Qicircngwegraven xiagravenzagravei jicircdiacircn zhpartng(dway boo chee cheeng one shyan dzye jee dyanjoong Excuse me May I ask what time is it)

Man Xiagravenzagravei yintdiacircn bagraven (shyan dzye ee dyanbahn Itrsquos 130)

Molly Hacirco Xiegravexiegrave nicirc (how shyeh shyeh neeGreat Thank you)

Man Buacute kegraveqigrave (boo kuh chee Yoursquore welcome)

Molly Maacutefaacuten nicirc sigrave lugrave chradiczhagraven zagravei nacircr (mahfahn nee suh loo chuh jahn dzye nar Sorry totrouble you again but wherersquos the No 4 busstop)

Man Chradiczhagraven jiugrave zagravei nagraver (chuh jahn jyoe dzyenar The bus stop is just over there)

Molly Hacirco Xiegravexiegrave (how shyeh shyeh OkayThanks)

Man Meacutei wegraventiacute (may one tee No problem)

Words to Knowchradiczhagraven chuh jahn bus stop

meacutei wegraventiacute may one tee no problem

Xiagravenzagravei jicirc diacircn shyan dzye jee What time zhpartng dyan joong is it

The following is a list of simple questions you can usewhen you meet people

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 65

Nicirc niaacutenjigrave dupart dagrave (nee nyan jee dwaw dah Howold are you)

Nicirc zhugrave zagravei nacircr (nee joo dzye nar Where do youlive)

Nicirc jieacuteh∆n le meacuteiyocircu (nee jyeh hwun luh mayoAre you married)

Nicirc yocircu haacuteizi ma (nee yo hi dzuh mah Do youhave children)

Nicirc zuograve sheacutenme gpartngzuograve (nee dzwaw shummuhgoong dzwaw What kind of work do you do)

Nicirc huigrave jiacircng Zhpartngweacuten ma (nee hway jyahngjoong one mah Do you speak Chinese)

Nicirc xicirchuasympn kagraven diagravenyicircng ma (nee she hwahnkahn dyan yeeng mah Do you like to seemovies)

Nicirc sheacutenme shiacutehograveu zocircu (nee shummuh shir hodzoe When are you leaving)

Jintntiasympn de tiasympnqigrave zecircnme yagraveng (jin tyan duhtyan chee dzummah yahng Howrsquos the weathertoday)

Chatting It UpXiaacutenliaacuteo (shyan lyaow) means ldquosmall talkrdquo in ChineseXiaacutentaacuten (shyan tahn) is ldquoto chatrdquo either term doesthe trick This section helps you master a few keyphrases and questions you can use to establish a relationship

Yakking about the weatherTalking about the tiasympnqigrave (tyan chee weather) isalways a safe topic in any conversation In fact itrsquoskind of the universal icebreaker If the skies are blueand all seems right with the world you can start bysaying

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 66

Jintntiasympn de tiasympnqigrave zhradicn hacirco duigrave buacute duigrave (jin tyanduh tyan chee juhn how dway boo dway Theweather today is sure nice isnrsquot it)

The following adjectives can help you describe tem-perature and humidity

lecircng (lung cold)

liaacutengkuagravei (lyahng kwye cool)

mradicnregrave (mun ruh muggy)

nuacircnhuoacute (nwan hwaw warm)

regrave (ruh hot)

The sigravejigrave (suh jee four seasons) mdash dpartngtiasympn (doongtyan winter) ch∆ntiasympn (chwun tyan spring) xiagravetiasympn(shyah tyan summer) and qi∆tiasympn (chyo tyan fall) mdashall have their charms They also all have their distinc-tive characteristics when it comes to the weatherwhich you can express with the following words inany conversation

bagraveofradicngxuecirc (baow fuhng shweh blizzard)

dagravefradicng (dah fuhng gusty winds)

dupartyuacuten (dwaw yewn cloudy)

fradicng hecircn dagrave (fuhng hun dah windy)

leacuteiyucirc (lay yew thunderstorm)

qiacutenglacircng (cheeng lahng sunny)

qiacutengtiasympn (cheeng tyan clear)

xiagrave maacuteomaacuteoyucirc (shyah maow maow yew drizzle)

xiagravewugrave (shyah woo fog)

xiagravexuecirc (shyah shweh snow)

xiagraveyucirc (shyah yew rainy)

yintntiasympn (yeen tyan overcast)

Try out this small talk on the weather

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 67

Jean Hasymprsquoecircrbintn dpartngtiasympn hecircn lecircng Chaacutengchaacutengxiagravexuecirc (hah are been doong tyan hun lungchahng chahng shyah shweh Harbin is very coldin the winter It snows often)

Bill Zhradicnde ma (jun duh mah Really)

Jean Zhradicnde Yecirc yocircu bagraveofradicngxuecirc Xiagravetiasympn haacuteihacirco Bicircjiagraveo nuacircnhuoacute (jun duh yeh yo baowfuhng shweh shyah tyan hi how bee jyaow nwanhwaw Really There are also blizzardsSummertime is okay though Itrsquos relativelywarm)

Bill Lecircng tiasympn keacuteyicirc qugrave huaacutexuecirc haacutei keacuteyicirc qugraveli∆bintng Negravemme Hasymprsquoecircrbintn dpartngtiasympn de shiacutehograveuhecircn hacirco waacuten (lung tyan kuh yee chyew hwahshweh hi kuh yee chyew lyo beeng nummah hahare been doong tyan duh shir ho hun how wahnIn cold weather you can go skiing or ice-skatingSo Harbin during the winter is a lot of fun)

Finding out where people are fromWondering where people are from when you firstmeet them is only natural You ask them by saying

Nicirc shigrave coacuteng nacircr laacuteide (nee shir tsoong nar lyeduh Where are you from)

To answer you replace the word nicirc (nee you) withwocirc (waw I) and put the name of wherever yoursquorefrom where the word nacircr is

Wocirc shigrave coacuteng Paris laacuteide (waw shir tsoong parislye duh I am from Paris)

People in Taiwan say naacutelicirc (nah lee) ratherthan nacircr (nar) for the word ldquowhererdquo Nacircrindicates a northern accent and is used pri-marily by people from mainland China

This list includes countries that may come up in conversation

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 68

Agraveudagraveligraveyagrave (ow dah lee yah Australia)

Facircguoacute (fah gwaw France)

Mecirciguoacute (may gwaw America)

Rigravebecircn (ir bun Japan)

Ruigravediacircn (rway dyan Sweden)

Ruigraveshigrave (rway shir Switzerland)

Yigravedagraveligrave (ee dah lee Italy)

Yintngguoacute (eeng gwaw England)

Yuegravenaacuten (yweh nahn Vietnam)

Zhpartngguoacute (joong gwaw China)

A little chat about where yoursquore from

Cynthia Adrienne nicirc shigrave coacuteng nacircr laacuteide(Adrienne nee shir tsoong nar lye duh Adriennewhere are you from)

Adrienne Wocirc shigrave coacuteng Jiasympzhpartu laacuteide Nicirc ne(waw shir tsoong jyah joe lye duh nee nuh Irsquomfrom California How about you)

Cynthia Wocirc buacuteshigrave Mecirciguoacutereacuten Wocirc shigrave coacutengYintngguoacute Luacutend∆n laacuteide (waw boo shir may gwawrun waw shir tsoong eeng gwaw lwun dun lye duhIrsquom not American Irsquom from London England)

Adrienne Nagrave tagravei hacircole (nah tye how luh Thatrsquosgreat)

Words to KnowJiasympzhpartu jyah joe California

Mecirciguoacutereacuten may gwaw run American

Nagrave tagravei hacircole nah tye how luh Thatrsquos great

Yintngguoacute eeng gwaw England

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 69

Chatting about familyIf you want to talk about your family when answeringquestions or making small talk you need to knowwho is in your family (Check out ldquoIntroducing yourfriends and familyrdquo earlier in this chapter for impor-tant vocabulary words)

Join with these women chatting about their families

Licirc Huaacute Beverly nicirc yocircu meacuteiyocircu xipartngdigrave jiecircmegravei(Beverly nee yo mayo shyoong dee jyeh mayBeverly do you have any brothers or sisters)

Beverly Wocirc yocircu yiacutege jiecircjie Tasymp shiacutewucirc suigrave Bicirc wocircdagrave liacircngsuigrave (waw yo ee guh jyeh jyeh tah shirwoo sway bee waw dah lyahng sway I have anolder sister Shersquos 15 Shersquos two years older than me)

Licirc Huaacute Tasymp yecirc huigrave jiacircng Zhpartngweacuten ma (tah yeahhway jyahng joong one mah Can she also speakChinese)

Beverly Buacutehuigrave Tasymp zhicirc huigrave Yintngyucirc (boo hwaytah jir hway eeng yew No She only speaksEnglish)

Licirc Huaacute Nicircde fugravemucirc zhugrave zagravei nacircr (nee duh foomoo joo dzye nar Where do your parents live)

Beverly Wocircmen dpartu zhugrave zagravei Becircijintng Wocirc bagravebashigrave wagraveijiasympoguasympn (waw men doe joo dzye bayjeeng waw bah bah shir why jyaow gwan We alllive in Beijing My father is a diplomat)

Words to Knowjiacircng jyahng to talk

wagraveijiasympoguasympn why jyaow gwahn diplomat

Yintngyucirc eeng yew English

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 70

Zhpartngweacuten joong one Chinese

zhugrave joo to live

Making small talk on the jobThe kind of job you have can say plenty about you Itcan also be a great topic of conversation or spice upan otherwise dull exchange To ask someone abouthis or her gpartngzuograve (goong dzwaw work) you can say

You may even try to guess and say for example

Nicirc shigrave lacircoshint ma (nee shir laow shir mah Areyou a teacher)

The following are some occupations you or theperson yoursquore talking with may hold

biasympnjiacute (byan jee editor)

caacuteifeng (tsye fung tailor)

cheacutengwugraveyuaacuten (chuhng woo ywan flight attendant)

ch∆nagraveyuaacuten (choo nah ywan bank teller)

diagravengpartng (dyan goong electrician)

fradicixiacutengyuaacuten (fay sheeng ywan pilot)

hacirciguasympn guasympnyuaacuten (hi gwan gwan ywanCustoms agent)

hugraveshigrave (hoo shir nurse)

jiradicxiagravenyuaacuten (jyeh shyan ywan telephone operator)

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 71

kegravefaacuteng fuacutewugraveyuaacuten (kuh fahng foo woo ywanhousekeeper)

kuagraveijigrave (kwye jee accountant)

liegravechradicyuaacuten (lyeh chuh ywan train conductor)

lfshint (lyew shir lawyer)

qiaacutentaacutei fuacutewugraveyuaacuten (chyan tye foo woo ywanreceptionist)

shuicircnuacircngpartng (shway nwan goong plumber)

yacircnyuaacuten (yan ywan actor)

yintshradicng (ee shung doctor)

yoacuteudigraveyuaacuten (yo dee ywan mail carrier)

zhucircguacircn (joo gwan CEO)

The following are some useful job terms and job-related expressions

bagraven rigrave gpartngzuograve (bahn ir goong dzwaw part-timework)

gugraveyuaacuten (goo ywan employee)

gugravezhucirc (goo joo employer)

miagravenshigrave (myan shir interview)

quaacuten rigrave gpartngzuograve (chwan ir goong dzwaw full-time work)

shintyegrave (shir yeh unemployed)

In China your dasympnwegravei (dahn way work unit)is an important part of your life (This termrefers to your place of work which can beanywhere in the country Your dasympnwegravei is thegroup thatrsquos responsible for both taking careof you and being responsible for any mis-steps you happen to make) In fact whenpeople ask you to identify yourself over thephone they often say ldquoNicirc nacircrrdquo (nee narliterally Where are you from) to find outwhat dasympnwegravei you belong to

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 72

The following dialog uses these occupational phrases

Xiacirco Liuacute Yaacuteng nicirc zuograve sheacutenme gpartngzuograve (Yahngnee dzwaw shummuh goong dzwaw Yang whatkind of work do you do)

Yaacuteng Wocirc shigrave laacutenqiuacute duigraveyuaacuten (waw shir lahnchyo dway ywan Irsquom a basketball player)

Xiacirco Liuacute Nagrave hecircn yocircuyigravesi (nah hun yo ee suhThatrsquos very interesting)

Yaacuteng Nicirc ne (nee nuh How about you)

Xiacirco Liuacute Wocirc shigrave hugraveshigrave Wocirc zagravei Kasympifradicng digraveyintyintyuagraven gpartngzuograve (waw shir hoo shir waw dzyekye fung dee ee ee ywan goong dzwaw Irsquom anurse I work at Kaifengrsquos No 1 Hospital)

Yaacuteng Naacuten bugravenaacuten (nahn boo nahn Is it difficult)

Xiacirco Liuacute Bugravenaacuten Wocirc hecircn xicirchuasympn wocircde zhiacuteyegrave(noo nahn waw hun she hwahn waw duh jir yehItrsquos not difficult I really like my profession)

Words to Knowgpartngzuograve goong dzwaw to work

hugraveshigrave hoo shir nurse

naacuten nahn difficult

xicirchuasympn she hwahn to like to enjoy

yintyuagraven ee ywan hospital

zhiacuteyegrave jir yeh profession

Talking about where you liveAfter folks get to know each other through small talkthey may exchange addresses and phone numbers tokeep in touch That introductory question covered

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 73

earlier in this chapter ldquoNicirc zhugrave zagravei nacircrrdquo (nee joo dzyenar Where do you live) may pop up You may alsowant to ask a few of these questions

Nicircde digravezhicirc shigrave sheacutenme (nee duh dee jir shirshummuh Whatrsquos your address)

Nicircde diagravenhuagrave hagraveomacirc dupartshacirco (nee duh dyanhwah how mah dwaw shaow Whatrsquos your phonenumber)

Nicirc sheacutenme shiacutehograveu zagravei jiasymp (nee shummuh shir hodzye jyah When will you be at homeWhen areyou home)

You may also talk about your home from time to timeThese words and phrases can come in handy

Wocircmen zhugrave de shigrave faacutengzi (waw mun joo duhshir fahng dzuh We live in a house)

Tasymp zhugrave de shigrave gpartngyugrave (tah joo duh shir guhgoong yew She lives in an apartment)

Tasympmen yocircu yiacutege yuagravenzi (tah mun yo ee guhywan dzuh They have a yard)

Nicirc yocircu yiacutege huasympyuaacuten (nee yo ee guh hwahywan You have a garden)

Wocirc zhugrave zagravei cheacutenglicirc (waw joo dzye chuhng leeI live in the city)

Wocirc zhugrave zagravei jiasympowagravei (waw joo dzye jyaow whyI live in the suburbs)

Wocirc zhugrave zagravei noacutengc∆n (waw joo dzye noongtswun I live in the country)

In addition to your diagravenhuagrave hagraveomacirc (dyan hwah howmah phone number) and your digravezhicirc (dee jir address)most people also want to know your diagravenzicirc yoacuteuxiasympngdigravezhicirc (dyan dzuh yo shyahng dee jir e-mail address)And if you find yourself in a more formal situation itmay be appropriate to give someone your miacutengpiagraven(meeng pyan business card)

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 74

Chapter 5

Enjoying a Drink anda Snack (or Meal)

In This Chapter Eating Chinese style

Ordering and conversing in restaurants

Paying for your meal

Exploring Chinese food and Chinese eating eti-quette is a great way to discover Chinese culture

You can also use what you discover in this chapter toimpress your date by ordering in Chinese the nexttime you eat out

All about MealsIf you feel hungry when beginning this section thenstop and chint (chir eat) some fagraven (fahn food) Differentmeals throughout the day for example are called

zacircofagraven (dzaow fahn breakfast)

wucircfagraven (woo fahn lunch)

wacircnfagraven (wahn fahn dinner)

For centuries Chinese people greeted each other notby saying ldquoNicirc hacirco mardquo (nee how ma How are you)but by saying ldquoNicirc chintfagraven le meacuteiyocircurdquo (nee chir fahnluh mayo literally ldquoHave you eatenrdquo)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 75

If yoursquore hungry you can say wocirc hecircn egrave (waw hun uhIrsquom very hungry) and wait for a friend to invite you fora bite to eat If yoursquore thirsty just say wocircde kocircu hecircnkecirc (waw duh ko hun kuh literally my mouth is verydry) to hear offers for all sorts of drinks

Or you can be subtler with one of these phrases

Nicirc egrave ma (nee uh mah Are you hungry)

Nicirc egrave buacute egrave (nee uh boo uh Are you hungry)

Nicirc haacutei meacutei chint wacircnfagraven ba (nee hi may chir wahnfahn bah I bet you havenrsquot had dinner yet)

When having dinner at someonersquos home donrsquot be hes-itant to use some of these phrases at the table

Magraven chint or magraven magraven chint (mahn chir or mahnmahn chir Bon appetite) This phrase literallymeans ldquoEat slowlyrdquo but itrsquos loosely translatedas ldquoTake your time and enjoy your foodrdquo

Zigravejicirc laacutei (dzuh jee lye Irsquoll help myself)

Gasympnbradici (gahn bay Bottoms up)

Dupart chint yigravediacircr ba (dwaw chir ee dyar bah Havesome more)

Wocirc chintbacirco le (waw chir baow luh Irsquom full)

Whenever a dining partner begins to serveyou food as is the custom you must alwaysfeign protest with a few mentions of zigravejicirc laacutei(dzuh jee lye Irsquoll help myself) so you donrsquotappear to assume that someone should beserving you In the end permit the personto follow proper etiquette by serving youportions from each dish if yoursquore the guest

Dining OutWhether you eat in a friendrsquos home or in a fancyChinese restaurant you need to know how to ask forsome basic utensils and how to refer to items alreadyon the table

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 76

You ask for something politely by saying Qicircng nicirc gecirciwocirc (cheeng nee gay waw Would you mind pleasegetting me a )

You can also say Maacutefan nicirc gecirci wocirc (mah fahn neegay waw May I trouble you to please get me a )

Here are some items you commonly encounter orneed to ask for when dining out

yiacutege wacircn (ee guh wahn a bowl)

yiacutege paacutenzi (ee guh pahn dzuh a plate)

yiacutege bradicizi (ee guh bay dzuh a glass)

yiacutege tiaacuteogradicng (ee guh tyaow guhng a spoon)

yiacutege dasympozi (ee guh daow dzuh a knife)

yiacutege chasympzi (ee guh chah dzuh a fork)

yigrave zhasympng casympnjintn (ee jahng tsahn jeen a napkin)

yigrave gradicn yaacuteqiasympn (ee gun yah chyan a toothpick)

yiacutege shint maacuteojintn (ee guh shir maow jeen a wettowel)

yiacutege regrave maacuteojintn (ee guh ruh maow jeen a hottowel)

yigrave shuasympng kuagraveizi (ee shwahng kwye dzuh a pairof chopsticks)

When in doubt use the measure word ge(guh) in front of the noun you want to modifyby a numeral or a specifier such as ldquothisrdquo(zhegrave jay) or ldquothatrdquo (nagrave nah) As you cansee from the previous list the word for ldquoardquoalways begins with yint (ee) meaning thenumber 1 in Chinese In between yint and thenoun is the measure word For chopsticks itrsquosshuasympng (shwahng) meaning pair for napkinitrsquos zhasympng (jahng) used for anything with aflat surface (such as paper a map or even abed) and a toothpickrsquos measuring word is gradicn(gun) referring to anything resembling a sticksuch as rope a thread or a blade of grassChinese has many different measure wordsbut ge (guh) is by far the most common

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 77

When yoursquore thinking about dining out herersquos a con-versation you may have

Livia Charlotte nicirc hacirco (Charlotte nee howCharlotte hi)

Charlotte Nicirc hacirco Hacirco jiucirc meacutei jiagraven (nee howhow jyoe may jyan Hi there Long time no see)

Livia Nicirc egrave buacute egrave (nee uh boo uh Are youhungry)

Charlotte Wocirc hecircn egrave Nicirc ne (waw hun uh neenuh Yes very hungry How about you)

Livia Wocirc yecirc hecircn egrave (waw yeah hun uh Irsquom alsopretty hungry)

Charlotte Wocircmen qugrave Zhpartngguoacutecheacuteng chintZhpartngguoacute cagravei hacirco bugrave hacirco (waw men chyewjoong gwaw chuhng chir joong gwaw tsye howboo how Letrsquos go to Chinatown and haveChinese food okay)

Livia Hacirco Nicirc zhintdagraveo Zhpartngguoacutecheacuteng nacirc jiasympcasympnguacircn hacirco ma (how nee jir daow joong gwawchuhng nah jya tsahn gwahn how ma Okay Doyou know which restaurant in Chinatown isgood)

Charlotte Becircijintng kacirco yasymp diagraven hacircoxiagraveng buacute cuograve(bay jeeng cow ya dyan how shyang boo tswawThe Peking Duck place seems very good)

Understanding Whatrsquoson the Menu

Familiarize yourself with the basic types of food onthe cagraveidasympn (tsye dahn menu) in case you have onlyChinese characters and pinyin romanization to go onHaving the knowledge allows you to immediately knowwhich section to focus on (or likewise to avoid)

Table 5-1 shows the typical elements of a cagraveidasympn

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 78

Table 5-1 Typical Sections of a Chinese Menu

Chinese Word(s) Pronunciation English Word(s)

kasympiwegraveipicircn kye way peen appetizers

rograveu legravei row lay meat dishes

jint legravei jee lay poultry dishes

hacircixiasympn hi shyan seafood dishes

sugravecagravei soo tsye vegetarian dishes

tasympng tahng soup

diacircnxintn dyan sheen desserts

yicircnliagraveo een lyaow drinks

The following is a conversation you may have whenarriving at a restaurant

Host Jicirc wegravei (jee way How many are in yourparty)

Leslie Sasympn wegravei (sahn way There are three of us)

Host Qicircng zuograve zhegraver Zhegrave shigrave cagraveidasympn (cheengdzwaw jar jay shir tsye dahn Please sit hereHerersquos the menu)

Leslie Nicirc yagraveo chint fagraven haacuteishigrave yagraveo chint miagraven (neeyaow chir fahn hi shir yaow chir myan Do youwant to eat rice or noodles)

Gerry Liacircngge dpartu keacuteyicirc (lyahng guh doe kuhyee Either one is fine)

Jean Wocirc hecircn xicirchuasympn yasympoguocirc jintdintng Nicircmen ne(waw hun she hwan yaow gwaw jee deeng neemen nuh I love diced chicken with cashew nutsHow about you guys)

Gerry Duigravebugraveqicirc wocirc chint sugrave Wocircmen neacuteng bugrave neacutengdiacircn yigravediacircr dograveufugrave (dway boo chee waw chir soowaw mun nung boo nung dyan ee dyar doe fooSorry Irsquom a vegetarian Can we order some tofu)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 79

Jean Dasympngraacuten kecircyicirc (dahng rahn kuh yee Ofcourse we can)

Leslie Bugrave guacircn zecircnme yagraveng wocircmen laacutei sasympnpiacuteng jiucirc hacirco bugrave hacirco (boo gwahn dzummuhyahng waw mun lye san peeng jyoe how boohow No matter what letrsquos get three bottles ofbeer okay)

Gerry Hecircn hacirco (hun how Very good)

Words to Knowbugrave guacircn boo gwahn no matter zecircnme yagraveng dzummuh yahng what

fagravenguacircn fahn gwahn restaurant

gasympojiacute jiucircloacuteu gaow jee jyoe low fancyrestaurant

kasympfradicitintng kah fay teeng cafe

kuagraveicasympn kwye tsahn fast food

piacutejiucirc pee jyoe beer

xiacircochintdiagraven shyaow chir dyan snack shop

Xintcasympn she tsahn Westernfood

Zhpartngcasympn joong tsahn Chinese food

Vegetarianrsquos delightIf yoursquore a vegetarian you may feel lost when lookingat a menu filled with mostly pork (the staple meat ofChina) beef and fish dishes Not to worry Table 5-2shows some vegetarian dishes (And take a look at thelist of vegetables in Chapter 6 for some added help)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 80

Table 5-2 Vegetarian DishesChinese Words Pronunciation English Words

dagravenhuasymp tasympng dahn hwah tahng egg drop soup

gasympnbiasympn sigravejigravedograveu gahn byan suh jee doe sauteacuteed stringbeans

hoacutengshasympo dograveufu hoong shaow doe foo braised beancurd in soysauce

suasympn lagrave tasympng swan lah tahng hot-and-soursoup

yuacutexiasympng qieacutezi yew shyang chyeh dzuh spicy eggplantwith garlic

Some favorite Chinese dishesYou may be familiar with many of the following dishesif yoursquove ever been in a Chinese restaurant

Becircijintng kacirco yasymp (bay jeeng cow yah Peking roastduck)

ch∆njuacircn (chwun jwan spring roll)

dagravenhuasymp tasympng (dahn hwah tahng egg drop soup)

dograveufu gasympn (doe foo gahn dried beancurd)

gagraveilaacuten niuacuterograveu (guy lahn nyoe row beef withbroccoli)

gpartngbacirco jintdintng (goong baow jee deeng dicedchicken with hot peppers)

haacuteoyoacuteu niuacuterograveu (how yo nyoe row beef withoyster sauce)

hoacutengshasympo dograveufu (hoong shaow doe foo braisedbeancurd in soy sauce)

huacutendugraven tasympng (hwun dwun tahng wonton soup)

shuagraven yaacutengrograveu (shwahn yahng row Mongolianlamb hot pot)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 81

suasympn lagrave tasympng (swan lah tahng hot-and-soursoup)

taacutengcugrave yuacute (tahng tsoo yew sweet and sour fish)

yasympn huaacutengguasymp (yan hwahng gwah pickledcucumber)

Sauces and seasoningsThe Chinese use all kinds of seasonings and sauces tomake their dishes so tasty Check out Chinese CookingFor Dummies by Martin Yan (Wiley) for much moreinfo Here are just a few of the basics

cugrave (tsoo vinegar)

jiasympng (jyahng ginger)

jiagravengyoacuteu (jyahng yo soy sauce)

lagraveyoacuteu (lah yo hot sauce)

maacuteyoacuteu (mah yo sesame oil)

yaacuten (yan salt)

Dipping into some dim sumDim sum takes the shape of mini portions and itrsquosoften served with tea to help cut through the oil andgrease afterwards Part of the allure of dim sum isthat you get to sample a whole range of differenttastes while you catch up with old friends Dim summeals can last for hours which is why most Chinesepeople choose the weekends to have dim sum Noproblem lingering on a Saturday or Sunday

You can tell the waiter you want a specific kind of dimsum by saying

Qicircng laacutei yigrave dieacute _____ (cheeng lye ee dyeh_______ please give me a plate of _____) Fill inthe blank with one of the tasty choices I list inTable 5-3

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 82

Table 5-3 Common Dim Sum DishesChinese Word(s) Pronunciation English Word(s)

ch∆njuacircn chwun jwan spring rolls

dagraventacirc dahn tah egg tarts

dograveushasymp basympo doe shah baow sweet bean buns

gupart tiradic gwaw tyeh fried porkdumplings

luoacutebo gasympo law baw gaow turnip cake

niagraveng qintngjiasympo nyahng cheeng stuffed peppersjyaow

niuacuterograveu waacuten nyoe row wahn beef balls

yugravejiacirco yew jyaow deep fried taroroot

xiasymp jiacirco shyah jyaow shrimp dumplings

xiasymp waacuten shyah wahn shrimp balls

xiacircoloacuteng basympo shyaow lonog baow steamed pork buns

The following conversation uses these dim sumphrases

George Nicirc chint guograve dim sum ma (nee chir gwawdeem sum mah Have you ever had dim sumbefore)

Rhoda Meacuteiyocircu Zhegrave shigrave digrave yint cigrave (mayo jay shirdee yee tsuh No This is the first time)

Susan Wegraveidagraveo zecircnme yagraveng (way daow dzum-muh yahng How does it taste)

Rhoda Hacirco jiacutele (how jee luh Itrsquos great)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 83

George Nicirc xicirc bugravexicirchuasympn chint dim sum (neeshe boo she hwahn chir deem sum Do you likedim sum)

Susan Dasympngraacuten Hecircn xicirchuasympn (dahng rahn hunshe hwahn Absolutely I like it very much)

Rhoda Nicirc zuigrave xicirchuasympn chint de dim sum shigravesheacutenme (nee dzway she hwahn chir duh deemsum shir shummuh Whatrsquos your favorite dim sumdish)

Susan Nagrave hecircn naacuten shupart Buacute shigrave gupart tiradic jiugrave shigravexiasymp jiacirco ba Dim sum wocirc dpartu xicirchuasympn chint (nahhun nahn shwaw boo shir gwaw tyeh jyoe shirshyah jyaow bah deem sum waw doe she hwahnchir Itrsquos difficult to say If not pork dumplingsthen definitely shrimp dumplings I love all dimsum dishes)

Ordering Western foodEven though Chinese food is so varied and great oncein a while you may really find yourself hankering for a good old American hamburger or a stack of Frenchfries Table 5-4 lists some items you may want toorder when yoursquore in need of some old-fashionedcomfort food and Table 5-5 lists common beverages

Table 5-4 Western FoodChinese Word(s) Pronunciation English Word(s)

bicircsasymp bicircng bee sah beeng pizza

hagravenbacircobasympo hahn baow baow hamburger

kacirco tucircdograveu cow too doe baked potato

regravegocircu ruh go hot dog

sasympnmiacutengzhigrave sahn meeng jir sandwich

shasymplasymp jiagraveng shah lah jyahng salad dressing

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 84

shasymplasymp zigravezhugraveguigrave shah lah dzuh salad barjoo gway

tucircdograveuniacute too doe nee mashed potatoes

yaacuteng paacutei yahng pye lamb chops

yigravedagraveligrave shigrave miagraventiaacuteo ee dah lee shir spaghettimyan tyaow

zhaacute jint jah jee fried chicken

zhaacute shucirctiaacuteo jah shoo tyaow French fries

zhaacute yaacutengcpartng quasympn jah yahng tsoong onion ringschwan

zh∆ paacutei joo pye pork chops

Table 5-5 BeveragesChinese Word(s) Pronunciation English Word(s)

chaacute chah tea

guocirczhint gwaw jir fruit juice

jiucircdasympn jyoe dahn wine list

kasympfradici kah fay coffee

kecirclegrave kuh luh soda

kuagravengquaacutenshuicirc kwahng chwan mineral watershway

niacutengmeacuten qigraveshuicirc neeng muhng lemonadechee shway

niuacutenacirci nyoe nye milk

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 85

Placing an Order and Chattingwith the Wait Staff

Chinese table etiquette dictates that every-one decides together what to order The twomain categories you must decide upon arethe cagravei (tsye food dishes) and the tasympng(tahng soup) Feel free to be the first one toask wocircmen yintnggasympi jiasympo jicircge cagravei jiicircge tasympng(waw men eeng gye jyaow jee guh tsye jee guhtahng How many dishes and how manysoups should we order) Ideally one of eachof the five major tastes should appear in thedishes you choose for your meal to be aldquotruerdquo Chinese meal suasympn (swan sour) tiaacuten(tyan sweet) kucirc (koo bitter) lagrave (lah spicy)or xiaacuten (shyan salty)

Here are some questions your server is likely toask you

Nicircmen yagraveo sheacutenme cagravei (nee men yaow shum-muh tsye What would you like to orderLiterally What kind of food would you like)

Nicircmen yagraveo hradic diacircr sheacutenme (nee mun yaow huhdyar shummuh What would you like to drink)

Yagraveo jicirc piacuteng piacutejiucirc (yaow jee peeng pee jyoe Howmany bottles of beer do you want)

And here are some phrases that come in handy whenyou need to give an answer

Wocircmen yagraveo yiacutege suasympn lagrave tasympng (waw mun yaowee guh swan lah tahng Wersquod like a hot-and-soursoup)

Wocirc bugrave chint lagrave de (waw boo chir lah duh I donrsquoteat spicy food)

Qicircng bieacute fagraveng wegraveijintng wocirc guogravemicircn (cheengbyeh fahng way jeeng waw gwaw meen Pleasedonrsquot use any MSG Irsquom allergic)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 86

When addressing a food server you can call him orher by the same name fuacutewugraveyuaacuten (foo woo ywan ser-vice personnel) In fact ldquoherdquo ldquosherdquo and ldquoitrdquo all sharethe same Chinese word too tasymp (tah) Isnrsquot that easy toremember

Qicircng gecirci wocirc cagraveidasympn (cheeng gay waw tsye dahnPlease give me the menu)

Nicirc gecirci wocircmen jiegraveshagraveo jicircge cagravei hacirco ma (neegay waw men jyeh shaow gee guh tsye how maCan you recommend some dishes)

Dagrave shintfu naacuteshocircu cagravei shigrave sheacutenme (dah shir foonah show tsye shir shummuh Whatrsquos the chefrsquosspecialty)

Yuacute xintnxiasympn ma (yew shin shyan mah Is the fishfresh)

Wocirc buacute yuagravenyigrave chint hacircishradicn (waw boo ywan yeechir hi shun I donrsquot want to try sea slugs)

Nicircmen yocircu kuagravengquaacuten shuicirc ma (nee mun yokwahng chwan shway mah Do you have anymineral water)

Wocirc buacute yagraveo lagrave de cagravei (waw boo yaow lah duhtsye I donrsquot want anything spicy)

Wocirc bugrave neacuteng chint yocircu taacuteng de cagravei (waw boonuhng chir yo tahng duh tsye I canrsquot eat anythingmade with sugar)

Wocirc bugrave chint zh∆rograveu (waw boo chir joo row Idonrsquot eat pork)

Qicircng casymp zhupartzi (cheeng tsah jwaw dzuh Pleasewipe off the table)

Qicircng bacirc yicircnliagraveo sograveng laacutei (cheeng bah yin lyaowsoong lye Please bring our drinks)

Wocirc meacutei jiagraveo zhegraveige (waw may jyaow jay guh Ididnrsquot order this)

Herersquos how a conversation may go when ordering

Tom Wocircmen neacuteng bugraveneacuteng kagravenkagraven cagraveidasympn(waw mun nung boo nung kahn kahn tsye dahnMay we see the menu)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 87

Waiter Dasympngraacuten keacuteyicirc (dahng rahn kuh yee Ofcourse you may)

Waiter Nicircmen xiacircng diacircn sheacutenme cagravei (nee munshyang dyan shummuh tsye What dishes wouldyou like to order)

Tom Qicircng wegraven nicircmen de naacuteshocircu cagravei shigravesheacutenme (cheeng one nee mun duh nah showtsye shir shummuh Excuse me may I ask whatyour house specialty is)

Waiter Maacutepoacute dograveufu heacute Chaacutengshasymp jint dpartuyocircumiacuteng (mah paw doe foo huh chahng shah jeedoe yo meeng Sichuan beancurd and Changshachicken are both very famous)

Wendy Tintngshupart maacutepoacute dograveufu hecircn lagrave Duigravebugraveqicirckecircshigrave wocirc bugravechint lagrave de Yocircu meacuteiyocircu bieacutede cagravei(teeng shwaw mah paw doe foo hun lah dwayboo chee kuh shir waw boo chir lah duh yo mayobyeh duh tsye Irsquove heard the Sichuan beancurd isvery spicy Irsquom sorry but I donrsquot like spicy foodDo you have any other kinds of dishes)

Waiter Dasympngraacuten yocircu Jiegravelaacuten jint heacute xiasymp loacuteng huacutedpartu bicircjiacirco wradicnheacute Hacirco bugravehacirco (dahng rahn yojyeh lahn jee huh shyah loong hoo doe bee jyaowone huh how boo how Of course we do Chickenwith broccoli and shrimp with lobster sauce areboth relatively mild How about those)

Wendy Hecircn hacirco Xiegravexiegrave (hun how shyeh shyehVery good Thank you)

Tom Qicircng ligravengwagravei gecirci wocircmen lagravejiasympo jiagraveng Wocirchecircn xicirchuasympn chint lagravede (cheeng leeng wye gay wawmun lah jyaow jyahng waw hun she hwan chirlah duh Please also bring us some hot peppersauce I love spicy food)

Waiter Haacutei yagraveo bieacutede ma (hi yaow byeh duhma Would you like anything else)

Tom Qicircng ligravengwagravei laacutei yiacutege chacirco qintngcagravei(cheeng leeng wye lye ee guh chaow cheeng tsyePlease also bring a sauteacuteed green vegetable)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 88

Words to Knowguogravemicircn gwaw meen allergic

naacuteshocircu cagravei nah show tsye house specialty

tuintjiagraven tway jyan recommend

wegraveijintng way jeeng MSG

Wocircde kocircu waw duh ko Irsquom thirstyhecircn kecirc hun kuh

Wocirc hecircn egrave waw hun uh Irsquom very hungry

Finding the RestroomsAfter you have a bite to eat you may be in need of arestroom The need may be dire if yoursquore smack in themiddle of a 12-course banquet in Beijing and alreadyhad a couple of glasses of maacuteotaacutei (maow tye) thestiffest of all Chinese drinks

Now all you have to do is garner the energy to askldquoCegravesuocirc zagravei nacircrrdquo (tsuh swaw dzye nar Wherersquos therestroom) if yoursquore in mainland China or ldquoCegravesuocirc zagraveinacirclicircrdquo (tsuh swaw dzye nah lee) if yoursquore in TaiwanYou can also ask ldquoNacirclicirc keacuteyicirc xicirc shocircu (nah lee kuh yeeshe show Where can I wash my hands)

In most cases the pictures on the bathroomdoors are self-explanatory but you may alsosee the pinyin for male (naacuten nahn) andfemale (nh nyew) before the word cegravesuocircThose are the words you want to pay atten-tion to above all else

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 89

Finishing Your Meal andPaying the Bill

After yoursquore through sampling all possible permuta-tions of Chinese cuisine you need to pay the bill myfriend I hope the food was worth the expense Hereare some phrases you need to know when the timecomes

Basympokuograve fuacutewugravefegravei (baow kwaw foo woo fay Thetip is included)

fradicnkasympi suagraven (fun kye swahn to go Dutch)

jieacutezhagraveng (jyeh jahng to pay the bill)

Qicircng jieacutezhagraveng (cheeng jyeh jahng The checkplease)

Qicircng kasympi shpartujugrave (cheeng kye show jyew Pleasegive me the receipt)

Wocirc keacuteyicirc yograveng xigravenyograveng kacirc ma (waw kuh yeeyoong sheen yoong kah mah May I use a creditcard)

Wocirc qicircng kegrave (waw cheeng kuh Itrsquos on me)

Zhagravengdasympn basympokuograve fuacutewugravefradici ma (jahng dahnbaow kwaw foo woo fay mah Does the billinclude a service chargetip)

Zhagravengdasympn yocircu cuograve (jahng dahn yo tswaw Thebill is incorrect)

The following is a short conversation about payinga tip

Rebecca Wocircmen de zhagravengdasympn yiacutegograveng sasympnshiacutekuagravei qiaacuten Xiacirco fegravei yintnggasympi dupartshacirco (waw munduh jahng dahn ee goong sahn shir kwye chyanshyaow fay eeng guy dwaw shaow Our bill comesto $30 altogether How much should the tip be)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 90

Rachel Yintnwegravei fuacutewugrave hecircn hacirco suocircyicirc xiacirco fegraveikeacuteyicirc bacirci fradicn zhint egraver shiacute Nicirc toacutengyigrave ma (een wayfoo woo hun how swaw yee shyaow fay kuh yeebai fun jir are shir nee toong ee mah Becausethe service was really good I think we can leavea 20 percent tip Do you agree)

Rebecca Toacutengyigrave (toong ee I agree)

All the Tea in ChinaYou encounter about as many different kinds of teaas you do Chinese dialects Hundreds in fact Tomake ordering or buying this beverage easier how-ever you really only need to know the most commonkinds of tea

Lf chaacute (lyew chah Green tea) Green tea is theoldest of all the teas in China with many unfer-mented subvarieties The most famous kind ofGreen tea is called loacutengjicircng chaacute (loong jeengchah) meaning Dragon Well tea You can find itnear the famous West Lake region in Hangzhouand people in the south generally prefer thiskind of tea

Hoacuteng chaacute (hoong chah Black tea) Even thoughhoacuteng means red in Chinese you translate thisphrase as Black tea Unlike Green tea Black teasare fermented and enjoyed primarily by peoplein Fujian Province

W∆loacuteng chaacute (oo loong chah Black dragon tea)This kind of tea is semifermented Itrsquos a favoritein Guangdong and Fujian provinces and inTaiwan

Mograveligrave huasymp chaacute (maw lee hwah chah Jasmine)This kind of tea consists of a combination ofBlack Green and W∆loacuteng teas in addition tosome fragrant flowers like jasmine or magnoliathrown in for good measure Most northernersare partial to jasmine tea probably because thenorth is cold and this type of tea raises thebodyrsquos temperature

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09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 92

Chapter 6

Shop lsquotil You DropIn This Chapter Checking out the stores

Looking for clothes and other items

Bargaining for a better price

Making comparisons

To macirci dpartngxi (my doong she buy things) is one ofthe most enjoyable pastimes for people the world

over Whether yoursquore just going guagravengshasympngdiagraven(gwahng shahng dyan window shopping) or actuallyabout to macirci dpartngxi doesnrsquot matter You can stillenjoy looking at all the shasympngpicircn (shahng peenmerchandise) fantasizing about buying that zuagravenshiacutejiegravezhi (dzwan shir jyeh jir diamond ring) and hag-gling over the jiagravegeacute (jyah guh price)

Going to StoresThe following list contains some types of stores youmay encounter and some items you can find in them

Zagravei yiacutege sh∆diagraven nicirc keacuteyicirc macirci sh∆ zaacutezhigrave heacutebagraveozhicirc (dzye ee guh shoo dyan nee kuh yee myshoo dzah jir huh baow jir In a bookstore youcan buy books magazines and newspapers)

Zagravei yiacutege wucircjintn diagraven nicirc keacuteyicirc macirci zhuacircnjiradic qigravechasymptoacuteu heacute yasympnwugrave bagraveojicircng qigrave (dzye ee guh woojeen dyan nee kuh yee my jwan jyeh chee chah

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 93

toe huh yan woo baow jeeng chee In a hardwarestore you can buy adaptors plugs and smokedetectors)

Zagravei yiacutege yasympncacirco diagraven nicirc keacuteyicirc macirci xuecircjiasympyasympnxiasympngyasympn yasympndocircu heacute gegravezhocircng gegraveyagraveng deyasympncacirco (dzye ee guh yan tsaow dyan nee kuhyee my shyweh jyah yan shyahng yan yan doehuh guh joong guh yahng duh yan tsaow In atobacco shop you can buy cigars cigarettespipes and all kinds of tobacco)

Zagravei yiacutege zh∆bacirco diagraven nicirc keacuteyicirc macirci shocircuzhuoacuteecircrhuaacuten xiagravengliagraven xipartngzhradicn heacute jiegravezhi (dzyeee guh joo baow dyan nee kuh yee my showjwaw are hwahn shyahng lyan shyoong juhnhuh jyeh jir In a jewelry store you can buybracelets earrings necklaces pins and rings)

Here are a few other stores you may want to visit

bacircihuograve shasympngdiagraven (bye hwaw shahng dyandepartment stores)

chagravengpiagraven diagraven (chahng pyan dyan record store)

chasympojiacute shigravechacircng (chow jee shir chahng supermarket)

fuacutezhuasympng diagraven (foo jwahng dyan clothing store)

licircpicircn diagraven (lee peen dyan gift shop)

sh∆diagraven (shoo dyan bookstore)

waacutenjf diagraven (wahn jyew dyan toy store)

wucircjintn diagraven (woo jeen dyan hardware store)

xieacutediagraven (shyeh dyan shoe store)

yagraveofaacuteng (yaow fahng drugstore)

When you finally make up your mind about what toshop for you may want to call ahead to check out thestorersquos hours The following questions can be helpful

Niacuten jicirc diacircn zhpartng kasympiguasympn meacuten (neen jee dyanjoong kyegwahn mun What time do you openclose)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 94

Chapter 6 Shop rsquotil You Drop 95

Nicircmen wucircdiacircn zhpartng yicirchograveu haacutei kasympi ma (neemun woo dyan joong ee hoe hi kye mah Areyou open after 5 pm)

Nicircmen xintngqinttiasympn kasympi bugravekasympi (nee munsheeng chee tyan kye boo kye Are you openon Sundays)

If all you want to do is browse you donrsquot want ashograveuhuograveyuaacuten (show hwaw ywan salesperson) sneak-ing up behind you and asking Nicirc xiacircng macirci sheacutenme(nee shyahng my shummuh What would you like tobuy) At this point just say Wocirc zhicirc shigrave kagravenkagravenXiegravexiegrave (waw jir shir kahn kahn shyeh shyeh Irsquom justlooking Thanks)

But if you really do want help here are some phrasesthat can help

Neacuteng bugraveneacuteng basympngmaacuteng (nung boo nung bahngmahng Can you help me)

Nicirc yocircu meacuteiyocircu Yintngweacuten de sh∆ (nee yo mayoeeng one duh shoo Do you have any books inEnglish)

Nacircr yocircu wagraveitagraveo (Nar yo why taow Where arethe jackets)

Qicircng nicirc gecirci wocirc kagravenkagraven nicircde xintzhuasympng (cheengnee gay waw kahn kahn nee duh she jwahngPlease show me your [Western] suits)

Nicircmen magravei buacutemagravei guasympngpaacuten (nee mun my boomy gwahng pahn Do you sell CDs)

Shopping for ClothesGoing shopping for clothes is an art mdash one requiringplenty of patience and fortitude not to mention newvocabulary if yoursquore going to do it in Chinese

Whatrsquos your sizeTo find the right dagravexiacirco (dah shyaow size) in Chinesehere are some useful phrases you may want to know

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 95

Niacuten chuasympn dupart dagrave hagraveo (neen chwan dwaw dahhow What size are you)

Dagravexiacirco buacuteduigrave (dah shyaow boo dway Itrsquos thewrong size)

Hecircn heacuteshradicn (hun huh shun It fits really well)

Zagravei Mecirciguoacute wocircde chicirccugraven shigrave wucirc hagraveo (dzye maygwaw waw duh chir tswun shir woo how InAmerica I wear a size 5)

Instead of using the word dagravexiacirco you can say

Wocirc chuasympn sasympnshiacuteqint hagraveo (waw chwahn sahn shirchee how I wear a size 37)

Niacuten chuasympn jicirc hagraveo de chegravenshasympn (neen chwahnjee how duh chun shahn What size shirt doyou wear)

Wocirc chuasympn xiacircohagraveo (waw chwahn shyaow how Iwear a size small)

Of course you can always guess your approximatesize just by indicating you want to see something inone of the following categories

xiacirco (shyaow small)

zhpartng (joong medium)

dagrave (dah large)

Herersquos a sample conversation using some of thesephrases

Julia Wocirc xiacircng macirci yiacutejiagraven jiaacutekegrave (waw shyahngmy ee jyan jyah kuh Irsquom looking for a jacket)

Clerk Hacirco ba Nicirc chuasympn jicirc hagraveo (how bah neechwahn jee how Very well What size are you)

Julia Wocirc bugravezhintdagraveo Mecirciguoacute de hagraveomacirc heacuteZhpartngguoacute de hagraveomacirc hecircn bugraveyiacuteyagraveng (waw boo jirdaow may gwaw duh how ma huh joong gwaw duhhow ma hun boo ee yahng I donrsquot know Americansizes are quite different from Chinese sizes)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 96

Clerk Wocirc g∆jigrave nicirc chuasympn xiacircohagraveo (waw goo jeenee chwahn shyaow how I would estimate youwear a size small)

Julia Hacirco ba Nagrave maacutefaacuten nicirc gecirci wocirc kagravenkagraven xiacirco-hagraveo de jiaacutekegrave Xiegravexiegrave (how bah nah mah fahnnee gay waw kahn kahn shyaow how duh jyahkuh shyeh shyeh That sounds about rightWould you mind showing me the small size jackets then Thank you)

Words to Knowchicirccugraven chir tswun measurement

dagravehagraveo dah how large

jiasympdagravehagraveo jyah dah how extra-large

kuasympn kwan wide

spartng soong loose

xiacircohagraveo shyaow how small

zhacirci jye narrow

zhpartnghagraveo joong how medium

What are you wearingChuasympn versus dagraveiDagravei (dye) and chuasympn (chwan) both mean to wear butChinese uses them differently depending on whatyoursquore putting on your body You dagravei things likemagraveozi (maow dzuh hats) and yacircnjigraveng (yan jeengglasses) mdash in other words accessories but you chuasympnthings like quacutenzi (chewn dzuh skirts) and dagraveyint (dahee coats)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 97

Here are some things you can chuasympn

begraveixintn (bay sheen vest)

chaacutengkugrave (chahng koo pants also referred tosimply as kugravezi)

chaacutengxiugrave (chahng shyoe long sleeve)

chegravenshasympn (chun shahn blouse)

dagraveyint (dah ee coat)

duacircnkugrave (dwan koo shorts)

duacircnxiugrave (dwahn shyoe short sleeve)

jiaacutekegrave (jyah kuh jacket)

kugravezi (koo dzuh pants)

negraveiyint (nay ee underwear)

niuacutezacircikugrave (nyo dzye koo blue jeans)

quacutenzi (chewn dzuh skirt)

tupartxieacute (twaw shyeh slippers)

wagravezi (wah dzuh socks)

yucircyint (yew ee raincoat)

gasympogradicnxiecirc (gaow gun shyeh high heels)

Here are some things you dagravei

licircngdagravei (leeng dye necktie)

shocircubiacirco (show byow wristwatch)

shocircutagraveo (show taow gloves)

zh∆bacirco (joo byaow jewelry)

Asking about the colorYaacutensegrave (yan suh colors) are an important considera-tion when buying clothes Do you generally preferdasympnsegrave (dahn suh solid colors) or huasymp (hwah pat-terned) shirts The following is a list of handy wordsthe next time you go shopping either for clothes orfor material to create your own

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 98

baacutei (bye white)

fecircnhoacuteng (fun hoong pink)

hradici (hey black)

hoacuteng (hoong red)

huaacuteng (hwahng yellow)

juacutehoacuteng (jyew hoong orange)

laacuten (lahn blue)

zicirc (dzuh purple)

dasympnsegrave (dahn suh solid color)

dagraven yigravediacircn (dahn ee dyan lighter)

duagravenzi (dwahn dzuh satin)

huasymp (hwah patterned)

kasympishigravemicirc (kye shir mee cashmere)

liagraveozi (lyaow dzuh fabric)

shradicn yigravediacircn (shun ee dyan darker)

sintchoacuteu (suh cho silk)

yaacutengmaacuteo (yahng maow wool)

Herersquos a conversation that incorporates colors

Laurel Zhegrave jiagraven maacuteoyint nicirc jueacutede zecircnmeyagraveng(jay jyan maow ee nee jweh duh dzummuh yahngWhat do you think of this sweater)

John Nagrave jiagraven maacuteoyint tagravei xiacirco Yaacutensegrave yecircbuacutepiagraveoliagraveng (nay jyan mow ee tye shyaow yansuh yeah boo pyaow lyahng That sweater is toosmall The color doesnrsquot look good either)

Laurel Nicirc xicirchuasympn sheacutenme yaacutensegrave (nee she hwahnshummuh yan suh What color do you like)

John Wocirc xicirchuasympn hoacutengde Buacuteyagraveo negraveige hradicide(waw she hwahn hoong duh boo yaow nay guhhey duh I like the red one You shouldnrsquot get theblack one)

Laurel Hacircole Nagrave wocirc jiugrave macirci hoacutengde ba (howluh nah waw jyo my hoong duh bah Okay Inthat case Irsquoll buy the red one)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 99

When the possessive particle de is attachedto an adjective and no noun follows it it canbe translated as the one which is (adjective)as in hoacutengde (hoong duh the red one) dagrave de(dah duh the big one) tiaacuten de (tyan duh thesweet one) and so on

You can use two classifiers when it comesto clothing jiagraven and tiaacuteo Classifiers arethe words used in between a number or thewords this or that and the clothing yoursquoretalking about Jiagraven is used when yoursquore talk-ing about clothing worn on the upper partof the body and tiaacuteo is used for clothesworn on the lower part So yoursquod say yiacutejiagravenchegravenshasympn (ee jyan chun shahn one shirt)or sasympntiaacuteo kugravezi (sahn tyaow koo dzuh threepairs of pants)

Shopping for Other ItemsOf course clothes arenrsquot the only items in the world tobuy How about some antiques or hi-tech toys Thepossibilities are endless in todayrsquos consumer-orientedworld

Hunting for antiquesOne of the best places in the world to go searching forgucircdocircng (goo doong antiques) is mdash you guessed it mdashChina The following words and phrases can come inhandy when hunting for antiques

Zhegrave shigrave necircige chaacuteodagravei de (jay shir nay guhchaow dye duh Which dynasty is this from)

Neacuteng dagravei ch∆guoacute ma (nung dye choo gwawmah Can it be taken out of China)

Nicircde gucircdocircng digravetacircn zagravei nacircr (nee duh goo doongdee tahn dzye nar Where are your antique carpets)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 100

Keacuteyicirc bugravekeacuteyicirc jiasymp zhuacutenxucirc ch∆guoacute de huocircqint yigraven(kuh yee boo kuh yee jyah jwun shyew choogwaw duh hwaw chee yeen Can you put theexport seal on it)

Zhegraveige dupartshacirco niaacuten (jay guh dwaw shaownyan How old is this)

Necircige chaacuteodagravei de (nay guh chaow dye duhWhich dynasty is it from)

biacute yasympn huacute (bee yan who snuff bottles)

dradicngloacuteng (dung loong lantern)

diasympokegrave picircn (dyaow kuh peen carved objects)

foacutexiagraveng (faw shyahng Buddhas)

gucircdocircng diagraven (goo doong dyan antique shop)

gucircdocircng jiasympjugrave (goo doong jyah jyew antique furniture)

gugraveizi (gway dzuh chest)

jigravebagravei yograveng de zhupartzi (jee bye yoong duh jwawdzuh altar table)

jicircngtagraveilaacuten (jeeng tye lahn cloisonneacute)

piacutengfradicng (peeng fung screen)

sheacutenxiagraveng (shun shyahng idol)

sh∆facirc (shoo fah calligraphy)

xipartngzhradicn (shyoong juhn brooch)

xiugravehuasymp zhigravepicircn (shyow hwah jir peen embroidery)

yugrave (yew jade)

Buying hi-tech and electronicsNew electronic gadgets appear on the market everytwo minutes these days or so it seems The followinglist includes some of the most commonly used (andmost commonly bought) items you may need

chuaacutenzhradicn jint (chwahn juhn jee fax machine)

dacircyigravenjint (dah yeen jee printer)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 101

diagravennacirco shegravebegravei (dyan now shuh bay computerequipment)

diagravenshigrave jint (dyan shir jee TV)

gegravereacuten diagravennacirco (guh run dyan now PC)

guasympngpaacuten (gwahng pahn CD)

jiagravenpaacuten (jyan pahn keyboard)

jigravesuagraven jint (jee swaan jee computer)

kacirclasymppartukegravei jint (kah lah okay jee karaoke machine)

ruacircnjiagraven (rwahn jyan software)

sacircomiaacuteoyiacute (saow myaow ee scanner)

shegravexiagraveng jint (shuh shyahng jee camcorder)

shocircutiacuteshigrave (show tee shir laptop)

shucircbiasympo (shoe byaow mouse)

xiacircnshigraveqigrave (shyan shir chee monitor)

yigravengjiagraven (eeng jyan computer hardware)

zucircheacute yintnxiacircng (dzoo huh yeen shyahng stereosystem)

Hitting the Markets for FoodOutdoor markets in China usually offer all sorts offood items Table 6-1 lists them for you

Table 6-1 Typical FoodsChinese Word(s) Pronunciation English Word(s)

rograveu row meat

niuacuterograveu nyoe row beef

yaacutengrograveu yahng row lamb

jintrograveu jee row chicken

yuacute yew fish

xiasymp shyah shrimp

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 102

paacutengxiegrave pahng shyeh crab

loacutengxiasymp loong shyah lobster

yoacuteuyuacute yo yew squid

shuicircguocirc shway gwaw fruit

piacutengguocirc peeng gwaw apples

juacutezi jyew dzuh oranges

biacircndograveu byan doe string bean

bpartcagravei baw tsye spinach

dograveufu doe foo bean curd

fasympnqieacute fahn chyeh tomato

gagraveilaacuten gye lahn Chinese broccoli

moacuteg∆ maw goo mushroom

qieacutezi chyeh dzuh eggplant

qintngjiasympo cheeng jyaow green pepper

tucircdograveu too doe potato

xintlaacutenhuasymp she lahn hwah broccoli

yaacuteng baacuteicagravei yahng bye tsye cabbage

yugravemicirc yew me corn

zhuacutesucircn joo swoon bamboo shoot

These following words can be helpful when buyingfood

magraveirograveude (my row duh butcher)

chasympojiacute shigravechacircng (chow jee shir chahngsupermarket)

shigravechacircng (shir chahng market)

shiacutepicircn zaacutehuograve (shir peen dzah hwaw groceries)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 103

shograveuhuogravetasympn (show hwaw tahn stall)

zaacutehuograveshasympng (dzah hwaw shahng grocer)

zhicirc dagravei (jir dye a paper bag)

When buying fruits and vegetables you buy by theweight which is the metric system in both mainlandChina and Taiwan The basic unit of weight is thegpartngkegrave (goong kuh gram) The standard liquid mea-surement is the shradicng (shung liter) One liter equalsabout 106 quarts Table 6-2 gives you a list of weightsand measures

Table 6-2 Weights and MeasuresChinese Word Pronunciation English Word

picircntupart peen twaw pint

bagraveng bahng pound

kuasymptupart kwah twaw quart

agravengsi ahng suh ounce

jiasympluacuten jyah lwun gallon

gpartngkegrave goong kuh gram

gpartngjintn goong jeen kilogram

haacuteokegrave how kuh milligram

shradicng shung liter

liacutemicirc lee mee centimeter

gpartnglicirc goong lee kilometer

micirc mee meter

yintnglicirc eeng lee mile

macirc mah yard

yintngcugraven eeng tswun inch

yintngchicirc eeng chir foot

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 104

Getting a Good Price and PayingWhen yoursquore ready to buy some merchandise here aretwo simple ways to ask how much the products cost

Dupartshacirco qiaacuten (dwaw shaow chyan How muchmoney is it)

Jicirckuagravei qiaacuten (jee kwye chyan literally Howmany dollars does it cost)

The only difference between the two questions is theimplied amount of the cost If you use the questionword ldquodupartshacircordquo (dwaw shaow) you want to inquireabout something thatrsquos most likely greater than $10 Ifyou use ldquojicircrdquo in front of kuagravei (kwye the term for dol-lars) you assume the product costs less than $10 Ofcourse whether you accept that price depends onwhere yoursquore shopping

Negotiating prices at the night marketAmong the more fun things to do in Taiwan and main-land China is visit one of the many lively night mar-kets Because the Chinese love to macirci dpartngxi (mydoong she shop) and tacircojiagrave huaacutenjiagrave (taow jyah hwahnjyah haggle) yoursquoll have plenty of company on yoursojourns

You always need to assume that prices are negotiablein an open-air market You can always ask one of thefollowing and see what happens

Neacuteng bugraveneacuteng piaacutenyigrave yigravediacircr (nung boo nungpyan yee ee dyar Can you sell it more cheaply)

Neacuteng bugraveneacuteng shacirco yigravediacircr (nung boo nungshaow ee dyar Can you lower the price)

Or you can always play hardball and say somethinglike Zecircnme zhegravemme guigrave a (dzummah jummah gwayah Why is this so expensive) in an exasperated voicestart walking away and see what happens These haggling-related phrases are also worth knowing

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 105

Nicircmen shpartu bugrave shpartu Mecirciyuaacuten (nee mun showboo show may ywan Do you accept US dollars)

Zhegraveige dupartshacirco qiaacuten (jay guh dwaw shaowchyan How much is this)

Dacirc zheacute hacirco bugravehacirco (dah juh how boo howHow about giving me a discount)

Keacuteyicirc jiacircng jiagrave ma (kuh yee jyahng jyah mahCan we negotiate the price)

The following conversation uses some of thesephrases

Kate Zhegrave tiaacuteo hoacuteng quacutenzi dupartshacirco qiaacuten (jaytyaow hoong chwun dzuh dwaw shaow chyanHow much is this red skirt)

Clerk Nagrave tiaacuteo quacutenzi egravershiacutewucirc kuagravei qiaacuten (nahtyaow chwun dzuh are shir woo kwye chyan Thatskirt is $25)

Kate Nagrave tagravei guigravele Nicirc neacuteng bugraveneacuteng dacirc zheacute (nahtye gway luh nee nung boo nung dah juh Thatrsquostoo expensive Can you give me a discount)

Clerk Kecircneacuteng (kuh nung Perhaps)

Kate Nicirc neacuteng gecirci wocirc dupartdagrave de zheacutekograveu (neenung gay waw dwaw dah duh juh ko How muchof a discount can you give me)

Clerk Bacirci fradicn zhint shiacute hacirco bugravehacirco (bye fun jirshir how boo how Howrsquos 10 percent)

Kate Nagrave tagravei hacirco le Xiegravexiegrave (nah tye how luhshyeh shyeh Thatrsquos great Thanks)

Demanding a refundIf you end up being bugraveyuacutekuagravei (boo yew kwyeunhappy) about your purchase one of these phrasesmay come in handy when you try to tuigrave (tway return)your huograve (hwaw merchandise)

Wocirc yasympoqiuacute tuigravekuacircn (waw yaow chyo twaykwahn I want a refund)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 106

Wocirc yagraveo tuigrave huograve (waw yaow tway hwaw I wouldlike to return this)

Qicircng nicirc bacirc qiaacuten jigraverugrave wocircde xigravenyograveng kacirc (cheengnee bah chyan jee roo waw duh sheen yoong kahPlease refund my credit card)

Wocirc neacuteng bugraveneacuteng jiagraven zocircngjintnglicirc (waw nungboo nung jyan dzoong jeeng lee May I see themanager)

Qicircng nicirc basympo qicirclaacutei (cheeng nee baow chee lyePlease wrap thesethis)

Duigrave wocirc bugrave heacuteshradicn (dway waw boo huh shun Itdoesnrsquot fit me)

Comparing QualityGood Better Best

When you want to let loose with a superlative in orderto say something is absolutely the best mdash or for thatmatter the worst mdash always keep this one little wordin mind zuigrave (dzway) which means the most (itrsquos theequivalent of the suffix -est)

Zuigrave is a word just waiting for something to follow itotherwise it wonrsquot have much meaning Here are somesuperlatives you may need to use from time to time

zuigrave legravei (dzway lay the most tired)

zuigrave magraven (dzway mahn the slowest)

zuigrave maacuteng (dzway mahng the busiest)

zuigrave qiacuteguagravei (dzway chee gwye the strangest)

zuigrave yocircumiacuteng (dzway yo meeng the mostfamous)

zuigrave yocircuqiaacuten (dzway yo chyan the richest)

If you just want to say that something is better thansomething else or ldquomorerdquo something rather than thebest necessarily you use the word gegraveng (guhng)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 107

before an adjective You can consider these the equiv-alent of the suffix -er Another word that has themeaning of more or -er is yigravediacircn (ee dyan) Althoughthe term gegraveng comes before an adjective the termyigravediacircn must appear after it Instead of saying gegravengkuagravei (gung kwye faster) for example say kuagravei yigravediacircn(kwye ee dyan) to mean faster

gegraveng cpartngmiacuteng (guhng tsoong meeng smarter)

gegraveng guigrave (guhng gway more expensive)

piaacutenyi yigravediacircn (pyan yee ee dyan cheaper)

gegraveng kuagravei (guhng kwye faster)

gegraveng magraven (guhng mahn slower)

hacirco (how good)

gegraveng hacirco (guhng how better)

zuigrave hacirco (dzway how best)

duacircn yigravediacircn (dwahn ee dyan shorter)

chaacuteng yigravediacircn (chahng ee dyan longer)

xiacirco yigravediacircn (shyaow ee dyan smaller)

dagrave yigravediacircn (dah ee dyan larger)

gegraveng piaacutenyi (gung pyan yee cheaper)

When you want to compare people orobjects you generally put the word bicirc (beecompared to) between two nouns followedby an adjective A bicirc B (adjective) Thismeans A is more ____ than B

Here are a few examples

Piacutengguocirc bicirc juacutezi hacircochint (peeng gwaw bee jyewdzuh how chir Apples are tastier than oranges)

Zhegraveige fagravenguacircr bicirc negraveige fagravenguacircr guigrave (jay guhfahn gwar bee nay guh fahng gwar gway Thisrestaurant is more expensive than that one)

Tasymp bicirc nicirc niaacutenqintng (tah bee nee nyan cheengShersquos younger than you)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 108

If instead you want to convey similarity between twothings use the coverbs gradicn (gun) or heacute (huh) inbetween the two things being compared followed bythe word yiacuteyagraveng (ee yahng the same) and then theadjective So if you say A gradicn B yiacuteyagraveng dagrave (A gun B eeyahng dah) yoursquore saying that A and B are equally largeor as big as each other You can also just say A gradicn Byiacuteyagraveng meaning A and B are the same Here are someother things you can say with this sentence pattern

Gradicge heacute digravedi yiacuteyagraveng gasympo (guh guh huh dee deeee yahng gaow My older brother is as tall as myyounger brother

Masympo gradicn gocircu yiacuteyagraveng tiaacuteopiacute (maow gun goee yahng tyaow pee Cats are just as naughtyas dogs)

Wocirc gradicn nicirc yiacuteyagraveng dagrave (waw gun nee ee yahngdah You and I are the same age)

To make a negative comparison such as Irsquom not as tallas he use the following sentence pattern

A meacuteiyocircu B negravemme adjective

The means ldquoA is not as (adjective) as Brdquo You can seethis pattern in action in the following sentences

Shasympyuacute meacuteiyocircu jintnyuacute negravemme kecircrsquoagravei (shah yewmayo jeen yew nummah kuh eye Sharks are notas cute as goldfish)

Yintngweacuten meacuteiyocircu Zhpartngweacuten negravemme naacuten (eengone mayo joong one nummah nahn English isnot as difficult as Chinese)

Masympo de wecirciba meacuteiyocircu tugravezi de wecirciba negravemmec∆ (maow duh way bah mayo too dzuh duh waybah nummah tsoo Catsrsquo tails arenrsquot as thick asthe tails of rabbits)

Herersquos a dialog using comparisons

Olivia Zhegrave jiagraven qiacutepaacuteo zecircnmeyagraveng (jay jyanchee paow dzummah yahng What do you thinkof this traditional Chinese dress)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 109

Lecircileacutei Wocirc jueacutede hecircn hacirco (waw jweh duh hunhow I think it looks great)

Olivia Zhradicnde ma (jun duh mah Really)

Lecircileacutei Zhradicnde Kecircshigrave jintnsegravede meacuteiyocircu hoacutengdenegravemme piagraveoliagraveng (jun duh kuh shir jeen suh duhmayo hoong duh nummah pyaow lyahng ReallyBut the gold one isnrsquot as pretty as the red one)

Olivia Jintnsegravede heacute hoacutengde yiacuteyagraveng guigrave ma (jeensuh duh huh hoong duh ee yahng gway mah Arethe gold one and the red one the same price)

Lecircileacutei Meacuteiyocircu Jintnsegravede bicirc hoacutengde piaacutenyi(mayo jeen suh duh bee hoong duh pyan yee NoThe gold one is less expensive than the red one)

Olivia Nagrave wocirc jiugrave macirci jintnsegravede (nah waw jyoe myjeen suh duh In that case Irsquoll buy the gold one)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 110

Chapter 7

Making Leisurea Top Priority

In This Chapter Getting into the nightlife

Talking about your hobbies

Appreciating Mother Nature

Exercising as an athlete

Life requires a little fun a little going out on thetown a little immersing yourself in a hobby a

little getting outdoors a little delving into art anda little playing your favorite sport This chapter getsyou out of the house

Going Out on the TownIf you have an active nightlife then you want toreview this section thoroughly It offers you plenty ofvocabulary to help you when yoursquore out on the town

Attending a performanceAre you planning on taking in a few yacircnch∆ (yan chooshows) in the near future You have so much tochoose from nowadays

basympleacutei (bah lay ballet)

diagravenyicircng (dyan yeeng movie)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 111

gradicjugrave (guh jyew opera)

yintnyuegravehuigrave (yin yweh hway music concert)

The following phrases can help you get what youwant or at least understand what yoursquore being told

Zagravei nacircr keacuteyicirc macircidagraveo piagraveo (dzye nar kuh yee mydaow pyaow Where can I buy tickets)

Yocircu meacuteiyocircu jintntiasympn wacircnshagraveng yacircnch∆ de piagraveo(yo mayo jin tyan wahn shahng yan choo duhpyaow Are there any tickets to tonightrsquos performance)

Duigravebugraveqicirc jintntiasympn wacircnshagraveng de piagraveo dpartumagraveiwaacuten le (dway boo chee jin tyan wahnshahng duh pyaow doe my wahn luh Irsquom sorrytickets for tonight are all sold out)

Wocirc yagraveo macirci yigrave zhasympng dagravereacuten piagraveo liacircng zhasympngeacutertoacuteng piagraveo (waw yaow my ee jahng dah runpyaow lyahng jahng are toong pyaow Irsquod like tobuy one adult ticket and two kidsrsquo tickets)

Sheacutenme shiacutehograveu kasympiyacircn (shummuh shir ho kyeyan What time does the show begin)

Sheacutenme shiacutehograveu yacircn waacuten (shummuh shir hoyan wahn What time does the show end)

You can use these phrases in a conversation likethis one

Maria Nicircmen jintntiasympn wacircnshagraveng xiacircng kagravensheacutenme Kagraven huagravejugravema (nee men jin tyan wahnshahng shyahng kahn shummuh kahn hwah jyewmah What do you guys want to see tonightA play)

Catherine Wocirc hecircn xiacircng qugrave kagraven wucircshugrave biacircoyacircnZaacutejigrave biacircoyacircn yecirc keacuteyicirc (waw hun shyahng chyewkahn woo shoo byaow yan dzah jee byaow yanyeah kuh yee Irsquod really like to see a martial artsperformance Acrobatics would be okay too)

Elizabeth Wocirc xiacircng kagraven huagravejugrave (waw shyahngkahn hwah jyew I want to see a play)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 112

Chapter 7 Making Leisure a Top Priority 113

Maria Nicircmen kagravenguograve Jintngjugrave ma nee mun kahngwaw jeeng jyew mah Have you ever seenPeking Opera)

Catherine Meacuteiyocircu (mayo No)

Maria Nagrave wocircmen qugrave kagraven Jintngjugrave ba Jintngjugravesheacutenme dpartu yocircu Yocircu huagravejugrave yocircu wucircshugrave liaacutenzaacutejigrave yecirc yocircu (nah waw mun chyew kahn jeengjyew bah jeeng jyew shummuh doe yo hwah jyewyo woo shoo yo lyan dzah jee yeah yo In thatcase letrsquos go to see Peking Opera It has every-thing It has a play it has martial arts and iteven has acrobatics)

Maria Nicirc hacirco Wocirc xiacircng macirci sasympnzhasympng jintntiasympnwacircnshagraveng de piagraveo (nee how waw shyahng mysahn jahng jin tyan wahn shahng duh pyaowHello Irsquod like to buy three tickets to tonightrsquosperformance)

Clerk Hacirco ba Jintntiasympn wacircnshagraveng de piagraveochagravebugravedupart dpartu magraveiwaacuten le Zhicirc yocircu egraver loacuteu dezuogravewegravei (how bah jin tyan wahn shahng duhpyaow chah boo dwaw doe my wahn luh jir yoare low duh dzwaw way Sure Tickets for tonightare almost all sold out We only have secondfloor seats left)

Maria egraver loacuteu meacuteiyocircu wegraventiacute Qiaacuten paacutei zuogravewegravei depiagraveo yocircu meacuteiyocircu (are low mayo one tee chyanpye dzwaw way duh pyaow yo mayo Secondfloor is no problem Do you have any front rowseats though)

Clerk Yocircu Yiacutegograveng sasympnshiacute kuagravei qiaacuten (yo eegoong sahn shir kwye chyan Yes That will be $30all together)

Words to Knowbasympleacutei wucirc bah lay woo ballet

digravefasympng xigrave dee fahng she local folk opera

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 113

Words to Know (continued)gradicwucirc guh woo song and

Jintngjugrave jeeng jyew Peking Opera

jugravechacircng jyew chahng theater

licirctaacuteng lee tahng auditorium

loacuteushagraveng lo shahng balcony de wegraveizi duh way dzuh seats

loacuteuxiagrave de lo shyah duh orchestrawegraveizi way dzuh seats

mugravejiasympn moo jyan xi∆xi shyo she intermission

piagraveo pyaow tickets

wucircshugrave woo shoo martial arts biacircoyacircn byaow yan performance

yintnyuegrave tintng yin yweh teeng concert hall

Yuegravejugrave yweh jyew Cantoneseopera

zaacutejigrave dzah jee acrobaticbiacircoyacircn byaow yan performance

Exploring museums and galleriesTheater shows and live musical performances arenrsquotthe only forms of entertainment you can see to getyour fill of weacutenhuagrave (one hwah culture) One of thenicest calmest activities to do at your own pace is to visit a boacutewugraveguacircn (baw woo gwahn museum) orhuagravelaacuteng (hwah lahng gallery) Sometimes the best

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 114

reason to go to a boacutewugraveguacircn is to buy some licircwugrave (leewoo gifts) and some cool zhasympotiradic (jaow tyeh posters)

Here are some questions you may want to ask in amuseum or gallery

Boacutewugraveguacircn jicircdiacircn zhpartng kasympimeacuten (baw woogwahn jee dyan joong kye mun What time doesthe museum open)

Licircpicircn shasympngdiagraven sheacutenme shiacutehograveu guasympnmeacuten (leepeeng shahng dyan shummuh shir ho gwahn munWhat time does the gift shop close)

Nicircmen magravei buacutemagravei zhasympotiradic (nee mun my boomy jaow tyeh Do you sell posters)

Words to Knowboacutewugraveguacircn baw woo gwahn museum

huagravelaacuteng hwah lahng gallery

jieacutezuograve jyeh dzwaw masterpiece

shocircuyigravereacuten show ee run artisan

yigraveshugrave ee shoo art

yigraveshugravejiasymp ee shoo jyah artist

Visiting historical sitesBy far the easiest way to see the major historical sitesin China is to join a tour Here are some phrases thatmay come in handy

Lhxiacutengshegrave zagravei nacircr (lyew sheeng shuh dzye narWherersquos the travel agency)

Yocircu meacuteiyocircu shupart Yintngweacuten de dacircoyoacuteu (yomayo shwaw eeng one duh daow yo Are thereany English-speaking guides)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 115

Bagraven tiasympn dupartshacirco qiaacuten (bahn tyan dwaw shaowchyan How much for half a day)

Nicirc yocircu meacuteiyocircu lhyoacuteu shocircucegrave (nee yo mayolyew yo show tsuh Do you have a guidebook)

Qicircngwegraven zagravei nacircr keacuteyicirc macirci piagraveo (cheeng onedzye nar kuh yee my pyaow Excuse me wherecan I buy tickets for admission)

Hacirco jiacutele Piagraveojiagrave dupartshacirco (how jee luh pyaowjyah dwaw shaow Great How much is the ticketprice)

Xiacircohaacuteizi miacircnfegravei ma (shyaow hi dzuh myanfay mah Do children get in free)

Wocircmen kecirc bugrave keacuteyicirc zhagraveoxiagraveng (waw munkuh boo kuh yee jaow shyahng May we take pictures)

Going to the moviesSo you want to relax kick back and take in a movieWhat kind of movie do you want to see Table 7-1gives you a few genres to choose from

Table 7-1 Movie GenresChinese Word(s) Pronunciation English Word(s)

xicircjugrave piasympn she jyew pyan comedy

gugraveshi piasympn goo shir pyan drama

agraveiqiacuteng piasympn eye cheeng pyan romance

dogravengzuograve piasympn doong dzwaw pyan action

jigravelugrave piasympn jee loo pyan documentary

dogravenghuagrave piasympn doong hwah pyan cartoon

kocircngbugrave piasympn koong boo pyan horror

wucircxiaacute piasympn woo shyah pyan kung fu

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 116

Use the following conversation as an example of talk-ing about movies

Wendy Wocircmen jintntiasympn wacircnshagraveng qugrave kagraven yiacutebugravediagravenyicircng ba (waw mun jin tyan wahn shahngchyew kahn ee boo dyan yeeng bah Letrsquos go see amovie tonight)

Tom Jintntiasympn yacircn sheacutenme (jin tyan yan shum-muh Whatrsquos playing today)

Wendy Yiacutege Zhasympng Yigravemoacuteu dacircoyacircn de piasympnziWocirc wagravengle negraveige miacutengzi (ee guh jahng ee moedaow yan duh pyan dzuh waw wahng luh nay guhmeeng dzuh A film directed by Zhang Yimou Iforget the name)

Tom Shigrave shupart Yintngweacuten de ma (shir shwaweeng one duh mah Is it in English)

Wendy Buacuteshigrave kecircshigrave yocircu Yintngweacuten zigravemugrave (booshir kuh shir yo eeng one dzuh moo No butthere are English subtitles)

Words to Knowdacircoyacircn daow yan director

diagravenyicircng yuagraven dyan yeeng ywan movie theater

Diagravenyicircng yuagraven dyan yeeng ywan Wherersquos the zagravei nacircr dzye nar movie theater

naacuten yacircnyuaacuten nahn yan ywan actor

nh yacircnyuaacuten nyew yan ywan actress

wagraveiguoacutepiasympn wye gwaw pyan foreign film

Yintngweacuten eeng one dzuh English zigravemugrave moo subtitles

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 117

Listening to a concertYou often hear that the language of music crossesinternational boundaries If yoursquore feeling a bitexhausted after practicing Chinese you can headto a concert in the evening where you can relax Letthe music transport you to another mental space

At the end of a concert in China you donrsquothear anyone yelling ldquoEncorerdquo What you dohear however is ldquoZagravei laacutei yiacutege zagravei laacutei yiacutegerdquo(dzye lye ee guh dzye lye ee guh Bring onone more)

Here are some words that may come in handy

dagraveiwegraveiyuaacuten (dye way ywan usher)

gradic chagraveng huigrave (guh chahng hway choral recital)

gucircdiacircn yintnyuegrave (goo dyan een yweh classicalmusic)

jiasympoxiacircng yuegrave (jyaow shyahng yweh symphonicmusic)

jieacutemugravedasympn (jyeh moo dahn program)

jueacuteshigrave yintnyuegrave (jyweh shir een yweh jazz music)

miacutengradic (meen guh folk song)

qigrave yuegrave (chee yweh instrumental music)

shigravenegravei yuegrave (shir nay yweh chamber music)

yaacuteogucircn yuegrave (yaow gun yweh rock lsquonrsquo roll)

yintnyuegrave huigrave (een yweh hway concert)

Zhpartngguoacute gucircdiacircnyintnyuegrave (joong gwaw goo dyanyeen yweh classical Chinese music)

Hopping around bars and clubsThe following phrases may come in handy whenyoursquore out exploring the local pubs and dance halls

Qicircng laacutei yigravepiacuteng piacutejiucirc (cheeng lye ee peeng peejyo Please bring me a bottle of beer)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 118

Nicirc xiacircng gradicn wocirc tiagraveowucirc ma (nee shyahng gunwaw tyaow woo mah Would you like to dance)

Wocirc neacuteng bugraveneacuteng qicircng nicirc hradic jiucirc (waw nung boonung cheeng nee huh jyo May I get you a drink)

Wocircmen dagraveo nacircr qugrave tiagraveowucirc (waw mun daownar chyew tyaow woo Where can we go todance)

Yocircu meacuteiyocircu rugravechacircng fegravei (yo mayo roo chahngfay Is there a cover charge)

When you go to a bar with friends you may ask forsome bintngzhegraven piacutejiucirc (beeng juhn pee jyo cold beer)or maybe some hoacuteng (hoong red) or baacutei (bye white)puacutetaacuteo jiucirc (poo taow jyo wine) And donrsquot forget to askfor some huasympshradicngmicirc (hwah shung mee peanuts) ortucircdograveupiagraven (too doe pyan potato chips) so you donrsquotget too sloshed with all that piacutejiucirc

Naming Your HobbiesHaving at least one yegraveyuacute agraveihagraveo (yeh yew eye howhobby) is always good How about getting involved insome of the following

diagraveoyuacute (dyaow yew fishing)

guoacutejigrave xiagravengqiacute (gwaw jee shyahng chee chess)

kagraven sh∆ (kahn shoo reading)

niacirco (nyaow birds)

pradicngtiaacuteo (pung tyaow cooking)

pintngpasympngqiuacute (peeng pahng chyo Ping Pong)

puacute kegrave (poo kuh cards)

tagraveijiacutequaacuten (tye jee chwan commonly referred tojust as Tai Ji a slow form of martial arts)

yoacuteupiagraveo (yo pyaow stamps)

yuaacutenyigrave (ywan ee gardening)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 119

If you want to ask a person what his or her hobby isuse the following terms

Nicirc huigrave buacutehuigrave dacirc tagraveijiacutequaacuten (nee hway boo hwaydah tiye jee chwahn Do you know how to doTai Ji)

Nicirc dacirc bugravedacirc pintngpasympngqiuacute (nee dah boo dahpeeng pahng chyo Do you play Ping Pong)

Nicirc dacirc maacutejiagraveng ma (nee dah mah jyahng mahDo you play mah-jongg)

Both tagraveijiacutequaacuten and maacutejiagraveng are quintessentialChinese pastimes In addition to tagraveijiacutequaacuten everyoneis familiar with other forms of wucircshugrave (woo shoomartial arts) including kung fu mdash a martial art prac-ticed since the Tang (tahng) dynasty back in theeighth century In fact you can still see kung fu mas-ters practicing at the Shaolin Temple in ZhengzhouHenan Province mdash one great reason for making a tripoff the beaten path if you ever visit China

Exploring NatureIf you want to get far from the madding crowds oreven just far enough away from your bagravengpartngshigrave(bahn goong shir office) to feel refreshed try goingto one of the seven sacred shasympn (shahn mountains)or a beautiful hacircitasympn (hi tahn beach) to take in theshasympnshuicirc (shahn shway scenery)

Here are some things you would see along the way ifyou were to travel through the Chinese countryside

bacircotacirc (baow tah pagoda)

dagraveomiagraveo (daow meow Daoist temple)

dagraveotiaacuten (daow tyan rice paddies)

foacutemiagraveo (faw meow Buddhist temple)

kocircngmiagraveo (koong meow Confucian temple)

miagraveo (meow temple)

noacutengmiacuten (noong meen farmers)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 120

If yoursquore ever exploring dagravezigraveraacuten (dah dzuh rahnnature) with a friend who speaks Chinese a few ofthese words may come in handy

agraven (ahn shore)

chiacutetaacuteng (chir tahng pond)

hacirci (hi ocean)

hacircitasympn (hi tahn beach)

heacute (huh river)

huacute (hoo lake)

shasympmograve (shah maw desert)

shasympn (shahn mountains)

shasympndograveng (shahn doong cave)

xiacirco shasympn (shyaow shahn hills)

Words to Knowfradicngjicircng fung jeeng scenery

piagraveoliagraveng pyaow lyahng beautiful

tiasympntaacuteng tyan tahng paradise

To indicate a similarity between two ideasor objects use the phrase xiagraveng yiacuteyagravengHere are some examples

xiagraveng nicirc digravedi yiacuteyagraveng (shyahng nee dee dee eeyahng like your younger brother)

xiagraveng qintngwasymp yiacuteyagraveng (shyahng cheeng wah eeyahng like a frog)

xiagraveng fradicngzi yiacuteyagraveng (shyahng fungdzuh eeyahng like a crazy person)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 121

Tapping into Your Artistic SideOkay now yoursquore ready to tap into your more sensi-tive artistic side in Chinese Donrsquot be afraid ofexpressing your gacircnqiacuteng (gahn cheeng emotions)The Chinese appreciate sensitivity to their Song(soong) dynasty shasympnshuicirc huagrave (shahn shway hwahlandscape painting) or the beauty of a Ming (meeng)dynasty ciacuteqigrave (tsuh chee porcelain)

I bet you have tons of chuagravengzagraveoxigraveng (chwahngdzaow sheeng creativity) If so try your hand at oneof these fine arts

diasympokegrave (dyaow kuh sculpting)

huagrave (hwah painting)

shuicirccacircihuagrave (shway tsye hwah watercolor)

sugravemiaacuteohuagrave (soo meow hwah drawing)

taacuteoqigrave (taow chee pottery)

Like kids all over the world many Chinese childrentake xiacirco tiacuteqiacuten (shyaow tee cheen violin) andgasympngqiacuten (gahng cheen piano) classes mdash often underduress Do you play a yuegrave qigrave (yweh chee musicalinstrument) How about trying your hand (or mouth)at one of these

chaacutengdiacute (chahng dee flute)

chaacutenghagraveo (chahng how trombone)

dagrave hagraveo (dah how tuba)

dasympnhuaacutengguacircn (dahn hwahng gwan clarinet)

dagrave tiacuteqiacuten (dah tee cheen cello)

gasympngqiacuten (gahng cheen piano)

gucirc (goo drums)

lacircba (lah bah trumpet)

jiacuteta (gee tah guitar)

naacuten dintyintn (nahn dee een double bass)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 122

sasympkegravesintguacircn (sah kuh suh gwahn saxophone)

shuasympnghuaacutengguacircn (shwahng hwahng gwanoboe)

shugraveqiacuten (shoo cheen harp)

xiacirco tiacuteqiacuten (shyaow tee cheen violin)

zhpartng tiacuteqiacuten (joong tee cheen viola)

If yoursquove heard any traditional Chinese music at a con-cert or on a CD yoursquove probably heard one of theseChinese yuegrave qigrave (yweh chee musical instruments) atone point or another

egraverhuacute (are hoo a two-stringed bowed instrument)

gucirczhradicng (goo juhng a long plucked stringinstrument that rests on a large stand in frontof you)

piacutepa (pee pah a plucked string instrument witha fretted fingerboard that sits on your lap)

The Chinese language has a couple of differ-ent verbs that you can use to indicate thepractice of various instruments

For stringed instruments Use the verb lasymp (lahto draw as in draw a bow) For example lasympzhpartng tiacuteqiacuten (lah joong tee cheen play the viola)

For wind instruments Use chuint (chwayto blow)

For other instruments Use taacuten (tahn play) agasympngqiacuten (gahng cheen piano)

Getting into SportsNo matter where you go in the world yoursquoll find anational pastime In the United States itrsquos bagravengqiuacute(bahng chyo baseball) In most of Europe itrsquos zuacuteqiuacute(dzoo chyo soccer) And in China itrsquos pintngpasympngqiuacute(peeng pahng chyo Ping Pong) The following are popular sports you may encounter

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 123

bagravengqiuacute (bahng chyo baseball)

bintngqiuacute (beeng chyo hockey)

yintngshigrave zuacuteqiuacute (eeng shir dzoo chyo soccer (literally English-style football)

laacutenqiuacute (lahn chyo basketball)

lecirciqiuacute (lay chyo softball)

paacuteiqiuacute (pye chyo volleyball)

shocircuqiuacute (show chyo handball)

ticirccasympo (tee tsaow gymnastics)

wacircngqiuacute (wahng chyo tennis)

yucircmaacuteoqiuacute (yew maow chyo badminton)

zuacuteqiuacute (dzoo chyo football)

Yoacuteuyocircng (yo yoong swimming) is also a quite popularsport Here are some related words

cegrave yocircng (tsuh yoong side stroke)

dieacute yocircng (dyeh yoong butterfly stroke)

wasymp yocircng (wah yoong breast stroke or frog-style)

yacircng yocircng (yahng yoong backstroke)

yoacuteuyocircng magraveo (yo yoong maow swimming cap)

zigraveyoacuteu yocircng (dzuh yo yoong freestyle swimming)

Some games require the use of pintngpasympngqiuacute pasympi(peeng pahng chyo pye Ping-Pong paddles) othersrequire wacircngqiuacute pasympi (wahng chyo pye tennis rackets)or laacutenqiuacute (lahn chyo basketballs) All games howeverrequire a sense of gpartngpiacuteng jigravengzhradicng (goong peengjeeng jung fair play)

Here are some useful phrases to know whether yoursquorean amateur or a professional athlete

Wocirc xiacircng qugrave kagraven qiuacutesagravei (waw shyahng chyewkahn chyo sye I want to see a ballgame)

Bicircsagravei sheacutenme shiacutehograveu kasympishicirc (bee sye shummuhshir ho kye shir When does the game begin)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 124

Bicircfradicn dupartshacirco (bee fun dwaw shaow Whatrsquosthe score)

Necircixiradic duigrave casympnjiasymp bicircsagravei (nay shyeh dway tsahnjya bee sye Which teams are playing)

Wocirc yiacutengle (waw yeeng luh I won)

Nicirc sh∆le (nee shoo luh You lost)

Wocirc zhradicn x∆yagraveo liagravenxiacute (waw jun shyew yaowlyan she I really need to practice)

meacutei toacuteuzhograveng (may toe joong to miss the shot)

Herersquos a list of things that happen at sports eventsYou need to know these terms if you want to followthe action

chuint shagraveozi (chway shaow dzuh to blow a whistle)

dacircngzhugrave qiuacute (dahng joo chyo to block the ball)

deacute yigrave fradicn (duh ee fun to score a point)

fasymp qiuacute (fah chyo to serve the ball)

tintjigraven yigrave qiuacute (tee jeen ee chyo to make a goal)

Words to Knowcaacuteipagravenyuaacuten tsye pahn ywan referee

duigravefasympng dway fahng the opposing team

fagravenguint fahn gway foul

fradicnshugrave fun shoo the score

jigravefradicnbacircn jee fun bahn scoreboard

piacutengjuacute peeng jyew tied

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 125

Words to Know (continued)shagravengbagravenchacircng shahng bahn first half of

chahng a game

ticircyugrave chacircng tee yew stadiumchahng

xiagravebagravenchacircng shyah bahn second half of chahng a game

zuacuteqiuacute chacircng dzoo chyo soccer fieldchahng

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 126

Chapter 8

When You Gotta WorkIn This Chapter Managing the telephone

Working around the office

Using the Internet

Dealing with the phone making appointmentsand sending letters and e-mails are all in a dayrsquos

work This chapter helps you get through your work-day in Chinese

Picking Up a TelephoneThis section gives you all the phrases you need to usethe phone to call friends as well as work and to leavemessages

Telephone basicsBefore even going near a diagravenhuagrave (dyan hwah tele-phone) you may want to become familiar with somecommon Chinese words and phrases connected tousing one

becircnshigrave diagravenhuagrave (bun shir dyan hwah local call)

chaacutengtuacute diagravenhuagrave (chahng too dyan hwah long-distance call)

diagravenhuagrave hagraveomacirc (dyan hwah how mah telephonenumber)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 127

diagravenhuagravekacirc (dyan hwah kah phone card)

duigravefasympng fugravefegravei diagravenhuagrave (dway fahng foo fay dyanhwah collect call)

gpartngyograveng diagravenhuagrave (goong yoong dyan hwahpublic telephone)

guoacutejigrave diagravenhuagrave (gwaw jee dyan hwah interna-tional phone calls)

jiradicxiagravenyuaacuten (jyeh shyan ywan operator)

shocircujint (show jee cell phone)

wuacutexiagraven diagravenhuagrave (woo shyan dyan hwah cord-less phone)

Here are some things you can do before during orafter your call

chaacute diagravenhuagrave hagraveomacircbugrave (chah dyan hwah howmah boo look a number up in a phonebook)

dacirc diagravenhuagrave (dah dyan hwah to make a phonecall)

jiradic diagravenhuagrave (jyeh dyan hwah answer a phonecall)

guagrave diagravenhuagrave (gwah dyan hwah hang up)

huiacute diagravenhuagrave (hway dyan hwah return a phonecall)

liuacute yiacutege huagrave (lyo ee guh hwah leave a message)

naacuteqicirc diagravenhuagrave (nah chee dyan hwah pick up thephone)

shpartudagraveo diagravenhuagrave (show daow dyan hwahreceive a phone call)

If yoursquore like me you need to ask plenty of basic ques-tions before you figure out what yoursquore doing with atelephone overseas These questions may come inhandy

Zecircnme dacirc diagravenhuagrave (dzummuh dah dyan hwahHow can I place a phone call)

Zagravei nacircr keacuteyicirc dacirc diagravenhuagrave (dzye nar kuh yee dahdyan hwah Where can I make a call)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 128

Chapter 8 When You Gotta Work 129

Becircnshigrave diagravenhuagrave shpartufegravei dupartshacirco qiaacuten (bunshir dyan hwah show fay dwaw shaow chyanHow much is a local phone call)

The following words may come in handy now thatmost people use cell phones and beepers

h∆ (who beep)

h∆jint (who jee beeper)

h∆jint hagraveomacirc (who jee how mah beeper number)

shocircujint hagraveomacirc (show jee how mah cell phonenumber)

Here are some problems you may encounter whiletrying to make a phone call

decircnghograveu (dung ho be on hold)

diagravenhuagrave huagraveile (dyan hwah hwye luh the phoneis broken)

meacutei reacuten jiradic diagravenhuagrave (may run jyeh dyan hwahno one answers)

meacuteiyocircu bparthagraveoyintn (mayo baw how yeen no dialtone)

nicirc bpartcuograve hagraveomacircle (nee baw tswaw how mahluh you dialed the wrong number)

zaacuteyintn (dzah yeen static)

zhagravenxiagraven (jahn shyan the line is busy)

Making a phone callldquoWeacuteirdquo (way hello) You hear this word spoken in thesecond (or rising) tone a lot on the other end of theline when you make a phone call Itrsquos kind of like test-ing the waters to see if someone is there You canreply with the same word in the fourth (or falling)tone so it sounds like yoursquore making a statement oryou can just get right to asking if the person you wantto speak with is in at the moment (For more aboutthe four tones see Chapter 1)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 129

A phrase you may hear on the other end of the line inmainland China is ldquoNicirc nacircrrdquo (nee nar literally whereare you) It asks what dasympnwegravei (dahn way work unit)yoursquore attached to After these first little questionsyou may finally be ready to ask for the person youintended to call in the first place

For decades after Communist rule took overmainland China in 1949 all Chinese peoplewere assigned a dasympnwegravei which pretty muchregulated every aspect of onersquos life mdash fromwhere one lived when one married and evenwhen one had children Asking about onersquosdasympnwegravei is still pretty common when answer-ing the phone

Herersquos how you might call to talk to a friend

Mr Cheacuteng Weacutei (way Hello)

Margaret Qicircngwegraven Luograve Cheacuteng zagravei ma (cheengone law chung dzye mah May I please speak toLuo Cheng)

Mr Cheacuteng Qicircngwegraven niacuten shigrave nacirc yiacute wegravei (cheengone neen shir nah ee way May I ask whorsquos calling)

Margaret Wocirc shigrave tasympde toacutengxueacute Margaret (wawshir tah duh toong shweh Margaret Irsquom his class-mate Margaret)

Mr Cheacuteng Hacirco Shasympodecircng Wocirc qugrave jiagraveo tasymp (howshaow dung waw chyew jyao tah Okay Just amoment Irsquoll go get him)

Calling places of business may be a bit different thanthe more informal call to a friend or coworker Whenyou call a lybguacircn (lyew gwahn hotel) shasympngdiagraven(shahng dyan store) or a particular gpartngsint (goongsuh company) you may be asked what fradicnjint hagraveomacirc(fun jee how mah extension) you want If you donrsquotknow you can ask for the same

Qicircngwegraven fradicnjint hagraveomacirc shigrave dupartshacirco (cheengone fun jee how mah shir dwaw shaow May I askwhat the extension number is)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 130

After you figure out the extension the jiradicxiagravenshradicng(jyeh shyan shung operator) may say

Wocirc xiagravenzagravei jiugrave gecirci nicirc jiradic hagraveo (waw shyan dzyejyo gay nee jyeh how Irsquoll transfer you now)

If you finally do get through to an employeersquos officeonly to discover the person isnrsquot there you canalways leave a yocircu shradicng yoacuteujiagraven (yo shung yo jyanvoicemail) When dealing with voicemail you mayhave to deal with the following kinds of instructionson a recorded message

Niacuten ruacuteguocirc shicircyograveng agravenjiagraven shigrave diagravenhuagravejint qicircngagraven 3 (neen roo gwaw shir yoong ahn jyan shirdyan hwah jee cheeng ahn sahn If you have atouch-tone phone please press 3 now)

Niacuten ruacuteguocirc shicircyograveng xuaacutenzhuacircn bparthagraveo jint qicircngbieacute guagrave (neen roo gwaw shir yoong shwan jwanbaw how jee cheeng byeh gwah If you have arotary phone please stay on the line)

Yagraveo huiacute dagraveo zhucirc mugravelugrave qicircng agraven jicircngzigravehagraveo (yowhway dow joo moo loo cheeng ahn jeeng dzuhhow If you want to return to the main menuplease press [pound] now)

If you want to reach your kegravehugrave (kuh hoo client) oryour heacutegucircreacuten (huh goo run business partner) intodayrsquos business world you may want some helpfrom the migravesh∆ (mee shoo secretary) to connect youto the person you want to reach

Jacob Liuacute Xiacircojiecirc zecircnme jiradic wagraveixiagraven (lyoshyaow jyeh dzummuh jyeh wye shyan Miss Liuhow can I get an outside line)

Liuacute Xiacircojiecirc Meacutei wegraventiacute Wocirc basympng nicirc dacirc zhegraveigehagraveomacirc (may one tee waw bahng nee dah jayguh how mah Donrsquot worry Irsquoll help you dial thenumber)

Jacob Xiegravexiegrave (shyeh shyeh Thanks)

Liuacute Xiacircojiecirc Weacutei Zhegrave shigrave Waacuteng Xiasympnshradicng debagravengpartngshigrave ma (way jay shir wahng shyan

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 131

shung duh bahn goong shir ma Hello Do I havethe office of Mr Wang)

Secretary Duigravele Jiugrave shigrave (dway luh jyoe shirYes it is)

Liuacute Xiacircojiecirc Keacuteyicirc gecirci wocirc jiradic tasymp ma (kuh yee gaywaw jyeh tah mah Can you connect me with himplease)

Secretary Duigravebugraveqicirc tasymp xiagravenzagravei kasympihuigrave Nicirc yagraveoliuacuteyaacuten ma (dway boo chee tah shyan dzye kyehway nee yaow lyo yan mah Irsquom sorry hersquos in ameeting at the moment Would you like to leavea message)

Liuacute Xiacircojiecirc Maacutefan nicirc gagraveosugrave tasymp ABC gpartngsint dejintnglicirc Jacob Smith gecirci tasymp dacirc diagravenhuagrave le (mahfahn nee gaow soo tah ABC goong suh duh jeenglee Jacob Smith gay tah dah dyan hwah luh May I trouble you to tell him that Jacob Smith theManager of ABC Company called him)

Words to Knowfugrave zocircngcaacutei foo dzoong tsye vice president

jintnglicirc jeeng lee manager

Qicircngwegraven niacuten cheeng one neen May I askshigrave nacirc yiacute wegravei shir nah ee way whorsquos calling

shasympodecircng shaow dung just amoment

wagraveixiagraven wye shyan outside line

Weacutei way Hello

Wegravei way Hello

zhucircregraven joo run director

zocircngcaacutei dzoong tsye president

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 132

Checking the answering machineBecause people lead such busy lives you often haveto liuacutehuagrave (lyo hwah leave a message) on the lugraveyintndiagravenhuagrave (loo yeen dyan hwah answering machine)

Here are some common greetings you may hear if youreach an answering machine

Zhegrave shigrave Barry Jones (jay shir Barry Jones Youhave reached Barry Jones)

Wocirc xiagravenzagravei buacutezagravei (waw shyan dzye boo dzyeIrsquom not in at the momentIrsquom away from mydesk)

Sasympn yuegrave sigrave hagraveo zhintqiaacuten wocirc zagravei dugravejiagrave (sahnyweh suh how jir chyan waw dzye doo jyah Irsquomon vacation until March 4th)

Niacuten ruacuteguocirc xiacircng gradicn wocircde zhugraveshocircu tpartnghuagraveqicircng bpart fradicnjint 108 (neen roo gwaw shyahng gunwaw duh joo show toong hwah cheeng baw funjee yaow leeng bah If yoursquod like to speak withmy assistant please dial extension 108)

Qicircng liuacute xiagrave niacutende miacutengzi diagravenhuagrave hagraveomacirc heacutejiacircnduacircn de liuacuteyaacuten Wocirc huigrave gecirci niacuten huiacute diagraven-huagrave (cheeng lyo shyah neen duh meeng dzuhdyan hwah how mah huh jyan dwahn duh lyoyan waw hway gay neen hway dyan hwahPlease leave your name number and a briefmessage Irsquoll get back to you)

When you leave a message on an answering machinebe sure to leave clear instructions about what youwant the person to do

Wocirc zagravei dacirc diagravenhuagrave gecirci nicirc (waw dzye dah dyanhwah gay nee Irsquoll call you again)

Nicirc huiacute jiasymp zhinthograveu qicircng dacirc diagravenhuagrave gecirci wocirc (neehway jyah jir ho cheeng dah dyan hwah gay wawAfter you get home please give me a call)

Bieacute wagravengle huiacute wocircde diagravenhuagrave (byeh wahng luhhway waw duh dyan hwah Donrsquot forget to returnmy call)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 133

If a live person answers and you have to leave a mes-sage be polite Keep these phrases in mind

Qicircng gagraveosugrave tasymp wocirc gecirci tasymp dacirc diagravenhuagrave le (cheenggaow soo tah waw gay tah dah dyan hwah luhPlease tell her I called)

Maacutefan nicirc qicircng tasymp huiacute wocircde diagravenhuagrave (mah fahnnee cheeng tah hway waw duh dyan hwah May Itrouble you to please have him return my call)

Qicircng gagraveosugrave tasymp wocirc huigrave wacircn yigravediacircr laacutei (cheenggaow soo tah waw hway wahn ee dyar lye Pleaselet him know Irsquoll be a little late)

Qicircng gecirci wocirc zhuacircn tasympde liuacuteyaacutenjint (cheeng gaywaw jwan tah duh lyo yan jee Could you pleasetransfer me to his voicemail)

Heading Off to WorkTime to get down to shasympngyegrave (shahng yeh business)Your shasympngyegrave that is Want to know how to managethat job in Jiangsu or how to deal with the headhoncho in Harbin This section shows you everythingfrom making a business appointment to conducting ameeting to checking your e-mail on the fly

Your office digsWhether yoursquore a migravesh∆ (mee shoo secretary) or thezhucircxiacute (joo she chairman) of the board the atmos-phere and physical environment of your bagravengpartngshigrave(bahn goong shir office) is important

These days just about any office you work in or visithas the following basic items

chuaacutenzhradicn (chwan jun fax)

diagravenhuagrave (dyan hwah telephone)

diagravennacirco (dyan now computer)

dacircyigravenjint (dah een jee printer)

fugraveyigravenjint (foo een jee copier)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 134

Of course you first may want to look for the kasympfradicijint(kah fay jee coffee machine) especially in the morn-ing In fact the one part of the day you may look for-ward to the most is your xi∆xi (shyo she coffee break)

As you look around your xiacircogeacutejiasympn (shyaow guh jyancubicle) I bet you can find all of these items

bicircjigravebecircn (bee jee bun notebook)

dacircngrsquoagraven (dahng ahn file)

digravengsh∆jint (deeng shoo jee stapler)

gasympngbicirc (gahng bee pen)

huiacuteweacutenzhradicn (hway one jun paper clip)

qiasympnbicirc (chyan bee pencil)

jiasympodagravei (jyaow dye scotch tape)

xiagravengpiacutejintn (shyahng pee jeen rubberband)

If you canrsquot find some indispensable item justwhen you need it you can always ask some-one in the next xiacircogeacutejiasympn The simplest wayto ask is by using the phrase

Nicirc yocircu meacuteiyocircu ____ (nee yo mayo _______ doyou have any _____)

Use that phrase as often as you like Just make sureyou can reciprocate whenever your toacutengshigrave (toongshir coworker) needs something as well

Nicirc yocircu meacuteiyocircu gasympngbicirc (nee yo mayo gahngbee Do you have a pen)

Nicirc yocircu meacuteiyocircu digravengsh∆jint (nee yo mayo deengshoo jee Do you have a stapler

Conducting a meetingCongratulations Yoursquove finally set up shop in yournew office in Beijing and are all set to have your firstbusiness meeting on foreign soil But just what is themugravedigrave (moo dee purpose) of your huigraveyigrave (hway ee

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 135

meeting) Is it to yacircnshigrave (yan shir give a presenta-tion) about a new chacircnpicircn (chahn peen product)Is it to taacutenpagraven (tahn pahn negotiate) a heacutetoacuteng (huhtoong contract) How about for the purpose ofshograveuxugraven (show shewn training) mdash either you or yourChinese colleagues Do you have a specific yigravecheacuteng(ee chung agenda) in mind already I hope so Youdefinitely donrsquot want to look unprepared

Scheduling and planning a meetingYou may be one of those people who needs to asympnpaacuteihuigraveyigrave yigravecheacuteng (ahn pye hway ee ee chung schedulea meeting) just to prepare for another meeting Thefollowing list includes a few tasks you may need todo at such a preliminary meeting

jiecircjueacute wegraventiacute (jyeh jweh one tee solve problems)

tacircolugraven wegraventiacute (taow lewn one tee discuss problems)

tuaacutenduigrave jiagravenshegrave (twan dway jyan shuh teambuilding)

zhigravedigraveng huigraveyigrave yigravecheacuteng (jir deeng hway ee eechung set an agenda)

If you want to make sure everyone has a say in plan-ning matters these phrases can help

Jack nicirc haacutei yocircu sheacutenme x∆yagraveo bucircchpartng ma(Jack nee hi yo shummuh shyew yaow boochoong mah Jack do you have anything elseto add)

Wocircmen x∆yagraveo duigrave zhegraveige xiagravengmugrave biacircojueacutema (waw mun shyew yaow dway jay guhshyahng moo byaow jweh mah Do we need tovote on this item)

Sheacutei haacutei yocircu sheacutenme yigravejiagraven huogravezhecirc wegraventiacute(shay hi yo shummuh ee jyan hwaw juh one teeWho still has any comments or questions)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 136

Starting the meetingWhen yoursquore ready to get a business meeting startedthese phrases can be helpful

Zacircoshagraveng hacirco (dzaow shahng how Good morning)

Huasympnyiacuteng niacuten dagraveo wocircmen de bagravengpartngshigrave(hwahn eeng neen dqow waw mun duh bahngoong shir Welcome to our office)

Zagravei kasympihuigrave yicircqiaacuten ragraveng wocircmen zuograve zuograve zigravewocircjiegraveshagraveo (dzye kye hway ee chyan rahng wawmun dzwaw dzwaw dzuh waw jyeh shaow Beforethe meeting begins letrsquos introduce ourselves)

Wocirc xiacircng jiegraveshagraveo yiacutexiagrave huigraveyigrave de casympnjiasympzhecirc(waw shyahng jyeh shaow ee shyah hway ee duhtsahn jya juh Irsquod like to introduce the conferenceparticipants)

Zaacutenmen kasympishicirc ba (dzahn mun kye shir bahLetrsquos begin)

Always greet the person who holds the high-est rank first before saying hello to othersHierarchy is important to the Chinese so tryto always be conscious of this or you mayunintentionally cause someone to ldquolose facerdquoby not acknowledging his or her importancein the overall scheme of things In order tofollow this protocol you need to knowpeoplersquos titles

chacircngzhacircng (chahng jahng factory director)

docircngshigrave (doong shir director of the board)

fugrave zocircngcaacutei (foo dzoong tsye vice president)

shocircuxiacute kuagraveijigrave (show she kwye jee chief financialofficer)

zhucircregraven (joo run director of a department)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 137

zhucircxiacute (joo she chairman)

zocircngcaacutei (dzoong tsye president)

zucirczhacircng (dzoo jahng team leader)

In Chinese last names always come firstWhen addressing someone with a titlealways say the last name first followed bythe title So if you know someonersquos name isLi Peijie (Li being the surname) and he is thecompany director you would address him asLicirc Zhucircregraven (Lee joo run Director Li)

Making a presentationWhen you need to give a presentation during themeeting you may want to use these terms

bacircnzi (bahn dzuh board) and fecircnbicirc (fun beechalk)

biacircogeacute (byaow guh charts)

chasymptuacute (chah too illustrations)

huagravebacircn (hwah bahn easel) and cacircibicirc (tsye beemarker)

tuacutebiasympo (too byaow diagrams)

zintliagraveo (dzuh lyaow handouts)

Planning to go hi-tech instead In that case you mightwant one of these

PowerPoint yacircnshigrave (PowerPoint yan shirPowerPoint presentation)

huagravendradicngjint (hwahn dung jee slide projector)and piacutengmugrave (peeng moo screen)

toacuteu yicircng piagraven (toe eeng pyan transparency)

If you plan on videotaping your presentation youneed a lugravexiagravengjint (loo shyahng jee video recorder) Ifthe room is pretty big you may also want to use amagraveikegravefradicng (my kuh fung microphone)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 138

Ending the meetingHere are some phrases that can come in handy at themeetingrsquos conclusion

Gacircnxiegrave dagravejiasymp jintntiasympn ch∆xiacute huigraveyigrave (gahn shyehdah jyah jeen tyan choo she hway ee Thank youeveryone for participating in todayrsquos meeting)

Wocircmen x∆yagraveo zagravei kasympihuigrave tacircolugraven zhegrave jiagraven shigraveqiacutengma (waw mun shyew yaow dzye kye hway taowlwun jay jyan shir cheeng mah Do we needanother meeting to continue the discussion)

Zagravei liacutekasympi zhintqiaacuten wocircmen bacirc xiagrave cigrave huigraveyigrave de rigraveqintdigraveng xiagravelaacutei ba (dzye lee kye jir chyan waw munbah shyah tsuh hway ee duh ir chee deeng shyahlye bah Before we leave letrsquos confirm a date forthe next meeting)

Words to Knowbagraveo biacirco baow byaow spreadsheet

huigraveyigrave hway ee meeting conference

huigraveyigrave yigravecheacuteng hway ee ee chung conferenceagenda

mugravedigrave moo dee purpose

ruacircnjiagraven rwahn jyan software

zintliagraveo dzuh lyaow material

Discussing Business and IndustryYoursquore sure to find one or another of the industrieslisted in Table 8-1 represented in mainland ChinaTaiwan or Hong Kong

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 139

Table 8-1 Foreign Industries with Representation in

China Taiwan and Hong KongChinese Pronunciation English

guacircnggagraveo heacute gwahng gaow huh advertisinggpartngguasympn goong gwan and public

relations

qigravechradic chee chuh automotive

yiacutenhaacuteng yuacute yeen hahng yew banking and caacuteiwugrave tsye woo finance

diagravennacirco dyan now computers

jiagravenzagraveo jyan dzaow construction

gpartngcheacuteng goong chung engineering

yuacutelegrave yew luh entertainment

shiacutezhuasympng shir jwahng fashion

bacircoxiacircn baow shyan insurance

xintnweacuten sheen one journalism

guacircnlicirc zintxuacuten gwahn lee dzuh managementshwun consulting

cacircikuacircng yuacute tsye kwahng yew mining and shiacuteyoacuteu shir yo petroleum

zhigraveyagraveo jir yaow pharmaceuticals

ch∆bacircn choo bahn publishing

faacutengdigravechacircn fahng dee chahn real estate

yugraven huograve yewn hwaw shipping

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 140

Using the InternetThese days you can reach your business partner in Beijing in a matter of seconds through diagravenzicirckpartngjiasympn (dyan dzuh koong jyan cyberspace) Withshocircutiacute shigrave (show tee shir portable) computers andmultiple jiacircnsuocirc yicircnqiacuten (jyan swaw yeen cheensearch engines) you can jiacircnsuocirc guoacutejigrave wacircngluograve (jyanswaw gwaw jee wahng lwaw search the Internet) andfind just about anything

You can use your computer and the Internet for thefollowing tasks

asympnzhuasympng tiaacuteozhigrave jiecirctiaacuteoqigrave (ahn jwahng tyaowjir jyeh tyaow chee install a modem)

choacutengxintn kasympijint (choong sheen kye jee reboot)

dacirckasympi diagravennacirco (dah kye dyan now turn on thecomputer)

guasympndiagraveo diagravennacirco (gwahn dyaow dyan nowturn off the computer)

jiagravenligrave yiacutege zhagravenghugrave (jyan lee ee guh jahng hooset up an account)

jigraven rugrave (jeen roo log on)

tuigrave ch∆ (tway choo log off)

xiagravezacirci weacutenjiagraven (shyah dzye one jyan downloada file

xuacircnzeacute yigravejiasymp wacircngshagraveng fuacutewugrave tiacutegpartng shasympng(shwan dzuh ee jya wahng shahng foo woo teegoong shahng choose an Internet serviceprovider)

These days your diagravenzicirc yoacuteuxiasympng digravezhicirc (dyan dzuh yoshyahng dee jir e-mail address) is as important asyour miacutengzi (meeng dzuh name) and your diagravenhuagravehagraveomacirc (dyan hwah how mah phone number) when itcomes to keeping in touch Here are some things youcan do with e-mail after you have your own account

fasymp diagravenzicirc yoacuteujiagraven (fah dyan dzuh yo jyan sendan e-mail)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 141

sograveng weacutenjiagraven (soong one jyan send a file)

zhuacircnfasymp xigravenxi (jwan fah sheen she forward amessage)

bacirc weacutenjiagraven fugravejiasymp zagravei diagravenzicirc yoacuteujiagraven (bah onejyan foo jyah dzye dyan dzuh yo jyan attach afile to an e-mail)

Words to Knowfuacutewugraveqigrave foo woo chee server

guoacutejigrave gwaw jee interna-tional

jigraveshugrave fuacutewugrave jee shoo foo woo technicalsupport

leacuteishegrave lay shuh CD-ROMguasympngdieacute gwahng dyeh

liuacutelacircn lyo lahn browse

liuacutelacircnqigrave lyo lahn chee browser

migravemacirc mee mah password

shagravengwacircng shahng wahng to go online

wacircngyegrave wahng yeh Web page

wacircngzhagraven wahng jahn Web site

wacircngzhicirc wahng jir URL

yintntegravewacircng een tuh wahng the Internet

yogravenghugrave yoong hoo user namexigravengmiacuteng sheeng meeng

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 142

Chapter 9

I Get AroundTransportation

In This Chapter Traveling by plane

Surviving Customs

Getting around town

Asking directions

This chapter helps you make your way around thefradicijintchacircng (fay jee chahng airport) survive the

hacirciguasympn (hi gwahn Customs) experience and boarddifferent types of jiasympotpartng (jyaow toong transporta-tion) after you reach your destination It also showsyou how to ask the occasional bystander for direc-tions or give them yourself

On the Move Typesof Transportation

You need to be able to get around with your languageskills The following sections give you some basicphrases to get you on the move

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 143

Catching a planeReady to bagravenlicirc dradicngjint shocircuxugrave (bahn lee duhng jee showshyew check in) After lugging your bags around youfinally get to tupartyugraven (twaw yewn check) your xiacutengli(sheeng lee luggage) You receive a dradicngjintpaacutei (duhngjee pye boarding pass) at the check-in counter atwhich point yoursquore ready to make your way to theappropriate ch∆kocircu (choo ko gate) taking only yourshocircutiacute xiacutengli (show tee sheeng lee carry-on luggage)

All sorts of questions may be running through yourmind about now Here are some basic phrases thatmay come in handy during check in

Wocirc xiacircng yagraveo kagraveo guogravedagraveo de wegraveizi (wawshyahng yaow cow gwaw daow duh way dzuhIrsquod like an aisle seat)

Wocirc xiacircng yagraveo kagraveo chuasympng de wegraveizi (wawshyahng yaow cow chwahng duh way dzuh Irsquodlike a window seat)

Wocirc xiacircng tupartyugraven xiacutengli (waw shyahng twawyewn sheeng lee Irsquod like to check my luggage)

Fradicijint jicirc diacircn qicircfradici (fay jee jee dyan chee fayWhat time does it depart)

Wocircde haacutengbasympn hagraveomacirc shigrave dupartshacirco (waw duhhahng bahn how mah shir dwaw shaow Whatrsquosmy flight number)

Zagravei jicirc hagraveo meacuten hograveujint (dzye jee how mun ho jeeWhich gate do we leave from)

The following conversation can help you with phrasesyou may encounter when getting on a plane

Zhiacuteyuaacuten Niacuten hacirco Qicircng ch∆shigrave niacutende jintpiagraveo(neen how cheeng choo shir neen duh jee pyaowHello Your ticket please)

Gordon Jiugrave zagravei zhegraver (jyo dzye jar Here it is)

Zhiacuteyuaacuten Niacuten shigrave buacute shigrave qugrave Becircijintng Neacutengkagravenkagraven niacutende hugravezhagraveo ma (neen shir boo shir

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 144

Chapter 9 I Get Around Transportation 145

chyew bay jeeng nuhng kahn kahn neen duh hoojaow mah Are you going to Beijing May I seeyour passport)

ZhiacuteyuaacutenYocircu jicirc jiagraven xiacutengli (yo jee jyan sheenglee How many suitcases do you have)

Gordon Wocirc yocircu sasympnge xiasympngzi (waw yo sahnguh shyahng dzuh I have three suitcases)

Zhiacuteyuaacuten Yocircu meacuteiyocircu shocircutiacute xiacutengli (yo mayoshow tee sheeng lee Do you have any carry-onluggage)

Gordon Wocirc zhicirc yocircu yiacutege gpartngweacutenbasympo (wawjir yo ee guh goong one baow I have only onebriefcase)

Zhiacuteyuaacuten Hacirco Niacuten yagraveo kagraveo guogravedagraveo de wegraveizihaacuteishigrave yagraveo kagraveo chuasympng de wegraveizi (how neenyow cow gwaw daow duh way dzuh hi shir yaowcow chwahng duh way dzuh Okay Would youlike an aisle or a window seat)

Gordon Wocirc xiacircng yagraveo kagraveo guogravedagraveo de wegraveizi(waw shyahng yaow cow gwaw daow duh waydzuh Irsquod like an aisle seat)

Zhiacuteyuaacuten Hacirco Zhegravei shigrave nicircde dradicngjintpaacutei QugraveBecircijintng de 108 cigrave basympnjint 19 paacutei B zuograve (how jayshir nee duh duhng jee pye chyew bay jeeng duhee bye leeng bah tsuh bahn jee shir jyo pye Bdzwaw Fine Herersquos your boarding pass Flight108 to Beijing Row 19 Seat B)

Zhiacuteyuaacuten Zhegrave shigrave niacutende xiacutengli licircngqucircdasympn DagraveoleBecircijintng yicirchograveu kecircyicirc licircngqucirc niacutende xiacutengli (jay shirneen duh sheeng lee leeng chyew dahn daow luhbay jeeng ee ho kuh yee leeng chyew neen duhsheeng lee Here are your luggage claim tagsAfter you arrive in Beijing you can claim yourluggage)

Gordon Xiegravexiegrave (shyeh shyeh Thanks)

Zhiacuteyuaacuten Zhugrave niacuten yiacute lugrave piacuteng asympn (joo neen ee loopeeng ahn Have a nice trip)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 145

Words to Knowdagraveodaacute daow dah arrivals

fagravengjigraven zuogravewegravei fahng jin dzwaw fit under the dicircxiagrave way dee shyah seat

gpartngweacutenbasympo goong one baow briefcase

guoacutejigrave gwaw jee international

guoacutenegravei gwaw nay domestic

hugravezhagraveo hoo jaow passport

licircngqucircdasympn leeng chyew dahn luggageclaim tag

meacuten or ch∆kocircu mun or choo ko gate

piagraveo pyaow ticket

qiasympnzhegraveng chyan juhng visa

qicircfradici chee fay departures

shocircutiacute xiacutengli show tee carry-on sheeng lee luggage

toacuteudicircng toe deeng overheadshagravengfasympng shahng fahng compartmentde xiacutenglicasympng duh sheeng lee

tsahng

xiacutengli sheeng lee luggage

Okay Yoursquore all set to board the plane Are you luckyenough to sit in the toacuteudecircngcasympng (toe duhng tsahngfirst-class) section or do you have to sit in jintngjigravecasympng

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 146

(jeeng jee tsahng economy class) the whole timeEither way here are some people you see get on theplane before you

cheacutengwugraveyuaacuten (chung woo ywan flight attendants)

jiagraveshicircyuaacuten (jyah shih ywan pilot)

jintzucirc (jee dzoo crew)

And if yoursquore like me you get worried about somethings as the plane begins to taxi down the runway

qicircfradici (chee fay take off)

qigraveliuacute (chee lyo turbulence)

zhuoacutelugrave (jwaw loo landing)

You may also hear the cheacutengwugraveyuaacuten say the follow-ing instructions

Jigravejicircn nicircde asympnquaacutendagravei (jee jin nee duh ahnchwan dye Fasten your seat belt)

Bugrave zhucircn chpartuyasympn (boo jwun cho yan No smok-ing permitted)

Bacirc zuograveyicirc kagraveobegravei fagravengzhiacute (bah dzwaw ee cowbay fahng jir Put your seat back to the uprightposition)

Bacirc tupartpaacuten casympnzhupart shpartu qicirclaacutei (bah twawpahn tsahn jwaw show chee lye Put your traytable back)

Ruacuteguocirc kpartngqigrave yasympligrave yocircu biagravenhuagrave yacircngqigravezhagraveohuigrave zigravedograveng luogravexiagrave (roo gwaw koong chee yahlee yo byan hwah yahng chee jaow hway dzuhdoong lwaw shyah If therersquos any change in airpressure the oxygen mask will automaticallydrop down)

If yoursquore not a nervous flyer yoursquoll probably spendall your time listening to yintnyuegrave (een yweh music)through the ecircrjint (are jee headset) flipping piacutendagraveo(peen daow dials) on the radio or diagravenshigrave taacutei (dyan

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 147

shir tye channels) on the television or trying toshuigravejiagraveo (shway jyaow sleep) I hope the flight isshowing a good diagravenyicircng (dyan yeeng movie) onsuch a long trip

If things are going a little slow you may use thesephrases

Qicircng wegraven wocircmen de fradicijint huigrave buacutehuigrave zhegravengdiacircnqicircfradici (cheeng one waw mun duh fay jee hwayboo hway juhng dyan chee fay Excuse me butwill our plane be departing on time)

Hecircn duigravebugraveqicirc Fradicijint yagraveo tuintchiacute chagravebugravedupart bagravengexiacircoshiacute (hun dway boo chee fay jee yaow twaychir chah boo dwaw bahn guh shyaow shir Irsquomvery sorry Takeoff has been postponed forabout a half an hour)

Words to Knowchagravebugravedupart chah boo dwaw about almost

(approximately)

jicircnjiacute ch∆kocircu jin jee choo ko emergency exits

jiugraveshradicngyint jyo shung ee life vests

zhegravengdiacircn juhng dyan on time

zuocircyograveu dzwaw yo approximately

Hailing a cabRenting a car in China is virtually impossibleso take a taxi and relax Let the driver worryabout how to get you from point A to point BHerersquos what you say to the hotel door atten-dant if you want help hailing a cab

Wocirc yagraveo jiagraveo jintcheacutengchradic (waw yaow jyaow jeechung chuh I would like a taxi)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 148

You can also say

Wocirc yagraveo jiagraveo ch∆z∆chradic (waw yaow jyaow choodzoo chuh I would like a taxi)

The two methods are interchangeable just like sayingldquotaxirdquo or ldquocabrdquo

After yoursquore safely in the cab you need to know howto say the following phrases

Qicircng dagravei wocirc dagraveo zhegraveige digravezhicirc (cheeng dye wawdaow jay guh dee jir Please take me to thisaddress)

Qicircng dacirc biacirco (cheeng dah byaow Please turnon the meter)

Qicircng kasympi magraven yigravediacircr (cheeng kye mahn ee dyarPlease drive a little slower)

Qicircng kasympi kuagravei yigravediacircr (cheeng kye kwye ee dyarPlease drive a little faster)

Wocirc decirci gacircn shiacutejiasympn (waw day gahn shir jyan Irsquomin a hurry)

Qicircng zocircu fradicngjicircng hacirco de lugrave (cheeng dzoe fungjeeng how duh loo Please take a scenic route)

Zagravei zhegraver guacirci wasympr (dzye jar gwye wahrTurn here)

Nicirc keacuteyicirc decircng jicirc fradicn zhpartng ma (nee kuh yeeduhng jee fun joong mah Can you wait a fewminutes)

Oh and one more thing As you ch∆fasymp (choo fah setoff) with your taxi sintjint (suh jee driver) make sure youput on your asympnquaacutendagravei (ahn chwan dye seat belt)

Finally before you get out of the cab these phrasesmay come in handy for price negotiations

Wocirc gasympi gecirci nicirc dupartshacirco qiaacuten (waw guy gay needwaw shaow chyan How much do I owe you)

Wocirc huigrave agraven biacirco fugrave kuacircn (waw hway ahn byaowfoo kwahn Irsquoll pay what the meter says)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 149

Bieacute qintpiagraven wocirc (byeh chee pyan waw Donrsquotcheat me)

Kasympi waacuten xiagraveo Wocirc jugravejueacute fugrave zhegravemme dupart qiaacuten(kye wahn shyaow waw jyew jweh foo juhmmahdwaw chyan Yoursquove got to be kidding I refuse topay so much)

Buacute yograveng zhacirco le (boo yoong jaow luh Keep thechange)

Qicircng gecirci wocirc shpartujugrave (cheeng gay waw showjyew Please give me a receipt)

Words to Knowchradic chuh car

cheacutengkegrave chuhng kuh passenger

ch∆z∆chradic choo dzoo chuh taxi

ducircchradic doo chuh traffic jam

gasympofradicngqint gaow fung chee rush hour

jigravecheacutengbiacirco jee chuhng byaow meter

kasympi chradic kye chuh to drive a car

sintjint suh jee driver

wegravenlugrave one loo to ask fordirections

xiacircofegravei shyaow fay tip

Hopping on the busGpartnggograveng qigravechradic (goong goong chee chuh buses) arealmost as common as bicycles in China They also

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 150

cost much less than ch∆z∆chradic (choo dzoo chuhtaxis) but yoursquoll need these phrases

Yintnggasympi zuograve jicirc lugrave chradic (eeng guy dzwaw jee loochuh Which (number) bus should I take)

Yintnggasympi zuograve sasympn lugrave chradic Negraveige gpartnggograveng qigravechradiczhagraven jiugrave zagravei zhegraver (eeng guy dzwaw sahn loochuh nay guh goong goong chee chuh jahn jyodzye jar You should take the number 3 busThat bus stop is right here)

Chradic piagraveo dupartshacirco qiaacuten (chuh pyaow dwawshaow chyan How much is the fare)

Gpartnggograveng qigravechradic zhagraven zagravei nacircr (goong goongchee chuh jahn dzye nar Wherersquos the bus station)

Dupartjiucirc laacutei yiacutetagraveng (dwaw jyo lye ee tahng Howoften does it come)

Qicircng gagraveosugrave wocirc zagravei nacircr xiagrave chradic (cheeng gaowsoo waw dzye nar shyah chuh Please let meknow where to get off)

Words to Knowgpartnggograveng goong goong busqigravechradic chee chuh

gpartnggograveng goong goong bus stationqigravechradic zhagraven chee chuh jahn

haacutei hacirco hi how itrsquos okaynot too bad

jicirc lugrave jee loo which route

jicirc lugrave chradic jee loo chuh which numberbus

yuegrave piagraveo yweh pyaow monthly pass

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 151

Riding the railsIf you want to get where you need to go reallyquickly especially in Hong Kong the fastest wayis the digravetiecirc (dee tyeh subway) Hong Kongrsquos digravetiecirczbagraven (dee tyeh jahn subway stations) are prettyeasy to navigate

Unlike in Hong Kong the subway system in mainlandChina is relatively new and you only find stationsin less than a handful of cities Aboveground huocircchradic(hwaw chuh train) travel however is tried and trueYou can find plenty of huocircchradiczhagraven (hwaw chuhjahn train stations) in China They even comeequipped with hograveuchradicshigrave (ho chuh shir waitingrooms)

If you plan to travel a long distance be sure tobook a ruacircnwograve (rwan waw soft sleeper) for suchoccasions mdash or at least ask for a ruacircnzuograve (rwandzwaw soft seat) Table 9-1 gives you the goods onthe types of seats in trains

Table 9-1 Seating Accommodations on Trains

Chinese Word Pronunciation English Words

yigravengzuograve eeng dzwaw hard seat

ruacircnzuograve rwan dzwaw soft seat

yigravengwograve eeng waw hard sleeper

ruacircnwograve rwahn waw soft sleeper

xiagravepugrave shyah poo lower berth

shagravengpugrave shahng poo upper berth

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 152

Before you shagravengchradic (shahng chuh board the train)you need to go to the shograveupiagraveochugrave (show pyaowchoo ticket office) to buy your piagraveo (pyaow ticket)You use the following words and phrases to get thejob done

dasympncheacutengpiagraveo (dahn chuhng pyaow one-wayticket)

laacuteihuiacutepiagraveo (lye hway pyaow roundtrip ticket)

magravenchradic (mahn chuh local train)

piagraveo (pyaow ticket)

piagraveojiagrave (pyaow jyah fare)

shograveupiagraveochugrave (show pyaow choo ticket office)

tegravekuagravei (tuh kwye express train)

The following questions may come in handy at thetrain station

Piagraveofaacuteng zagravei nacircr (pyaow fahng dzye narWherersquos the ticket office)

Notice the different way of saying ticket office inthis question Options abound in the Chineselanguage

Wocirc yagraveo yigravezhasympng yigravengwograve piagraveo (waw yow eejahng eeng waw pyaow Irsquod like a hard-sleeperticket)

Huocircchradic coacuteng necircige zhagraventaacutei kasympi (hwaw chuhtsoong nay guh jahn tye kye Which gate does thetrain leave from)

And when you finally hear the liegravechradicyuaacuten (lyeh chuhywan conductor) say ldquoShagraveng chradic lerdquo (shahng chuhluh All aboard) you can board and ask the followingquestions

Zhegraveige zuogravewegravei yocircu reacuten ma (jay guh dzwawway yo run mah Is this seat taken)

Casympnchradic zagravei nacircr (tsahn chuh dzye nar Wherersquosthe dining car)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 153

Words to Knowcasympnchradic tsahn chuh dining car

chaacutepiagraveo chah pyaow check theticket

huagravenchradic hwahn chuh change trains

huiacute laacutei hway lye to return

laacutei huiacute piagraveo lye hway pyaow roundtripticket

shiacutekegravebiacirco shir kuh byaow time schedule

zhagraventaacutei jahn tye platform

Going through CustomsSurviving hacirciguasympn (hi gwahn Customs) is an experi-ence especially if none of the hacirciguasympn guasympnyuaacuten (higwahn gwahn ywan Customs officers) docircng Yintngyucirc(doong eeng yew understand English) Table 9-2 liststhe items you need to have ready at Customs The fol-lowing phrases can come in handy too

Nicirc docircng Yintngyucirc ma (nee doong eeng yew mahDo you understand English)

Wocirc shigrave Mecirciguoacute reacuten (waw shir may gwaw runIrsquom American)

Wocirc shigrave Yintngguoacute reacuten (waw shir eeng gwaw runIrsquom British)

Wocirc shigrave Jiasympnaacutedagrave reacuten (waw shir jyah nah dah runIrsquom Canadian)

Xicircshocircujiasympn zagravei nacircr (she show jyan dzye narWhere are the restrooms)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 154

Table 9-2 Items to Have Ready at CustomsChinese Word(s) Pronunciation English Word(s)

rugravejigraveng dradicngjigrave kacirc roo jeeng duhng arrival cardjee kah

ch∆jigraveng dradicngjigrave kacirc choo jeeng duhng departure card jee kah

jiagravenkasympng zhegraveng jyan kahng juhng health certificate

shradicnbagraveo de wugravepicircn shun baow duh articles towoo peen declare

xiasympngyasympn shyahng yan cigarettes

jiucirc jyo alcohol

basympo baow bag

xiasympngzi shyahng dzuh suitcase

The hacirciguasympn guasympnyuaacuten may ask you a couple of theseimportant questions

Nicirc yocircu meacuteiyocircu yagraveo shradicnbagraveo de wugravepicircn (nee yomayo yaow shun baow duh woo peen Do youhave anything you want to declare)

Qicircng gecirci wocirc kagravenkagraven nicircde hugravezhagraveo (cheeng gaywaw kahn kahn nee duh hoo jaow Please showme your passport)

Qicircng gecirci wocirc kagravenkagraven nicircde hacirciguasympn shradicnbagraveodasympn(cheeng gay waw kahn kahn nee duh hi gwanshun baow dahn Please show me your Customsdeclaration form)

Nicirc dacircsuagraven zagravei zhegraver dasympi dupartjiucirc (nee dah swandzye jar dye dwaw jyo How long do you plan onstaying)

Nicirc laacutei zhegraver shigrave bagraven gpartngwugrave haacuteishigrave lhyoacuteu (neelye jar shir ban goong woo hi shir lyew yo Areyou here on business or as a tourist)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 155

Customs agents arenrsquot the only people with questionsto ask You may have some questions you want to tryout yourself

Xiacutengli yagraveo dacirckasympi ma (sheeng lee yaow dah kyemah Should I open my luggage)

Xiacutengli keacuteyicirc shpartu qicirclaacutei ma (sheeng lee kuhyee show chee lye mah May I close mysuitcases now)

X guasympng huigrave sucircnhuagravei wocircde jiasympojuacircn ma (Xgwahng hway swuhn hwye waw duh jyaow jwanmah Will the X-ray damage my film)

Wocirc yagraveo fugrave shuigrave ma (waw yaow foo shway mahMust I pay duty)

Words to Knowgpartngwugrave goong woo to be on

business

jiasympo shuigrave jyaow shway pay duty

lugraveguograve loo gwaw passingthrough

lhyoacuteu lyew yo tour

qucirc xiacutengli chugrave chyew sheeng baggage-claimlee choo area

Asking for DirectionsEveryone (yes even you) has to ask for fasympngxiagraveng(fahng shyahng directions) at some time or anotherThis section helps you figure out exactly how toask for directions before you ever miacutelugrave (mee looget lost)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 156

Avoiding 20 questionsJust ask ldquowhererdquo

The easiest way to ask where something is inChinese is to use the question word nacircr(nar) It means ldquowhererdquo But you canrsquot justsay nacircr or folks still wonrsquot know what yoursquoretalking about You have to use the coverb zagravei(dzye) in front of nacircr (zagravei nacircr) which can betranslated as ldquoinrdquo or ldquoatrdquo Just put the nameof whatever yoursquore looking for before theword zagravei to create a complete question

Yoacuteujuacute zagravei nacircr (yo jyew dzye nar Wherersquos thepost office)

Sh∆diagraven zagravei nacircr (shoo dyan dzye nar Wherersquosthe bookstore)

Nicirc zagravei nacircr (nee dzye nar Where are you)

Here are some more places you may be looking forwhen you lose your way

cegravesuocirc (tsuh swaw bathroom)

ch∆z∆ qigravechradiczhagraven (choo dzoo chee chuh jahntaxi stand)

digravetiecirczhagraven (dee tyeh jahn subway station)

fagravenguacircn (fahn gwahn restaurant)

gpartnggogravengqigravechradiczhagraven (goong goong chee chuhjahn bus stop)

huocircchradiczhagraven (hwaw chuh jahn train station)

jiacutezhecircnshigrave (jee juhn shir emergency room)

Mecirciguoacute Dagraveshicircguacircn (may gwaw dah shir gwahnAmerican Embassy)

piagraveofaacuteng (pyaow fahng ticket office)

xueacutexiagraveo (shweh shyaow school)

yiacutenhaacuteng (een hahng bank)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 157

When you travel in unknown areas you may need todetermine whether you can walk or if you need totake a gpartnggograveng qigravechradic (goong goong chee chuh bus)or ch∆z∆ qigravechradic (choo dzoo chee chuh taxi) to reachyour destination

Hecircn jigraven ma (hun jeen mah Is it near)

Hecircn yuacircn ma (hun ywan mah Is it far)

The word nacircr spoken with a third (low fallingand then rising) tone means ldquowhererdquo but thesame word said with a fourth (falling) tonenagraver means ldquothererdquo so be particularly carefulwhich tone you use when you ask for direc-tions The person you ask may think yoursquoremaking a statement not asking a question(See Chapter 1 for more on tones)

Words to Knowdigravezhicirc dee jir address

fasympngxiagraveng fahng shyahng directions

zuograve ch∆z∆ dzwaw choo dzoo to take qigravechradic chee chuh a taxi

zuograve gpartnggograveng dzwaw goong goong to take qigravechradic chee chuh the bus

Getting direction about directionsKnowing how to ask where you can find a particularplace is the first step but you also need to know howto get there Herersquos the simplest way to find out

Qugrave zecircnme zocircu (chyew dzummuh dzoeHow do I get to______)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 158

Here are some examples of how to use this questionpattern

Qugrave fradicijintchacircng zecircnme zocircu (chyew fay jeechahng dzummuh dzoe How do I get to the airport)

Qugrave tuacutesh∆guacircn zecircnme zocircu (chyew too shoogwahn dzummuh dzoe How do I get to thelibrary)

Qugrave xueacutexiagraveo zecircnme zocircu (chyew shweh shyaowdzummuh dzoe How do I get to the school)

Answering ldquowhererdquo questionsShort of using international sign language with a pan-tomime act you may want to get a handle on somebasic terms that indicate direction and location Readon for a quick list

yograveu (yo right)

zuocirc (dzwaw left)

qiaacuten (chyan front)

hograveu (ho back)

licirc (lee inside)

wagravei (why outside)

shagraveng (shahng above)

xiagrave (shyah below)

duigravemiagraven (dway myan opposite)

kagraveojigraven (kaow jeen next to)

If you plan to indicate that something isinside outside above below in front of orbehind something else you can use three dif-ferent completely interchangeable word end-ings with any of the location words

biagraven (byan)

miasympn (myan)

toacuteu (toe)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 159

So for example if you want to say that the dog is out-side you can say it in any of the following ways

Gocircu zagravei wagraveimiagraven (go dzye why myan The dogis outside)

Gocircu zagravei wagraveibiasympn (go dzye why byan The dog isoutside)

Gocircu zagravei wagraveitoacuteu (go dzye why toe The dog isoutside)

Words to Knowduigrave miagraven dway myan opposite

kasympi chradic kye chuh to drive

shagraveng shahng to get on

wagraveng wahng toward

xiagrave shyah to get off

zocircu (zocircu lugrave) dzoe (dzoe loo) to walk

zuograve huocircchradic zwaw hwaw chuh to take thetrain

Giving directionsKnowing how to give directions comes in handy whenyou think the taxi driver is about to take you for aride (figuratively that is) because he figures you donrsquotknow your way around town

If you really do know your way around the city youuse the following words to instruct the taxi driverwhich way you want to go

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 160

digravexiagravedagraveo (dee shyah daow underpass)

gasymposugravegpartnglugrave (gaow soo goong loo freeway)

gpartnglugrave (goong loo highway)

guacircijiacirco (gwye jyaow corner)

lugrave (loo road)

qiaacuteo (chyaow bridge)

tiasympnqiaacuteo (tyan chyaow overpass)

xiagravengzi (shyahng dzuh alley or lane)

Wherever you want to go you need to know a few keyverbs to instruct the cab driver

guograve (gwaw to pass)

shagraveng (shahng to go up)

xiagrave (shyah to go down)

yograveu zhuacircn (yo jwan turn right)

zuocirc zhuacircn (dzwaw jwan turn left)

zhiacute zocircu (jir dzoe go straight ahead)

zhuacircn wasympn (jwan wahn turn around)

If you donrsquot know an exact location you can alsoconvey less specific details

fugravejigraven (foo jeen near)

sigravezhpartu (suh joe around)

Expressing distances with liacuteTo indicate the distance from one place to another youneed to use the ldquodistance fromrdquo coverb ldquoliacuterdquo (lee) Thegeneral sentence pattern looks something like this

Place word + liacute + place word + description of thedistance

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 161

For example

Gpartngyuaacuten liacute tuacutesh∆guacircn hecircn jigraven (goong ywanlee too shoo gwan hun jeen The park is veryclose to the library)

Wocirc jiasymp liacute nicirc jiasymp ticircng yuacircn (waw jyah lee neejyah teeng ywan My home is really far fromyour home)

If you want to specify exactly how far one place isfrom another you use the number of licirc (lee theChinese equivalent of a kilometer) followed by theword licirc and then the word lugrave (loo literally road)Whether you say sigrave licirc lugrave (suh lee loo 4 kilometers)basymp licirc lugrave (bah lee loo 8 kilometers) or egravershiacutesasympn licirc lugrave(are shir sahn lee loo 23 kilometers) people knowthe exact distance when you use this pattern Youalso have to use the word yocircu (yo to have) beforethe number of kilometers If the answer includes anadjectival verb such as yuacircn (ywan far) or jigraven (jinclose) rather than a numerical distance howeveryou donrsquot need to specify the number of kilometersor use the word yocircu

Check out the following samples questions andanswers that use these new patterns

Gpartngyuaacuten liacute tuacutesh∆guacircn dupartme yuacircn (goongywan lee too shoo gwahn dwaw mah ywan Howfar is the park from the library)

Gpartngyuaacuten liacute tuacutesh∆guacircn yocircu basymp licirc lugrave (goongywan lee too shoo gwahn yo bah lee loo Thepark is eight kilometers from the library)

Yiacutenhaacuteng liacute nicirc jiasymp dupartme jigraven (een hahng lee neejyah dwaw mah jin How close is the bank fromyour home)

Hecircn jigraven Zhicirc yigrave licirc lugrave (hun jin jir ee lee loo Veryclose Just one kilometer)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 162

You may have some other questions when you inquireabout locations and distances

Yagraveo dupart chaacuteng shiacutejiasympn (yaow dwaw chahngshir jyan How long will it take)

Zocircu de dagraveo ma (dzoe duh daow mah Can Iwalk there)

Zocircu de dagraveo zocircu buacute dagraveo (dzoe duh daow dzoeboo daow Can one walk there)

Specifying cardinal points with directional coverbsYou can tell someone to go yograveu (yo right) or zuocirc(dzwaw left) until yoursquore blue in the face but some-times the best way to give people directions is topoint them the right way with the cardinal pointsnorth south east or west

In Chinese however you say them in this order

becirci (bay north)

dpartng (doong east)

naacuten (nahn south)

xint (she west)

To give more precise directions you may have to usethe following

dpartng becirci (doong bay northeast)

dpartng naacuten (doong nahn southeast)

xint becirci (she bay northwest)

xint naacuten (she nahn southwest)

When indicating north south east west leftor right you can use either -biasympn (byan) or -miagraven (myan) as word endings but not -toacuteu(toe) which you can use with other positionwords such as front back inside and outside

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 163

Giving directions often entails multipleinstructions You canrsquot always say ldquomake aright and yoursquore thererdquo or ldquogo straight andyoursquoll see it right in front of yourdquo Sometimesyou have to use a common Chinese patternfor giving multiple directions That pattern is

xiasympn + Verb 1 zagravei + Verb 2

This translates into ldquofirst you do X and then you doYrdquo Here are some examples

Xiasympn wagraveng dpartng zocircu zagravei wagraveng yograveu zhuacircn(shyan wahng doong dzoe dzye wahng yo jwanFirst walk east and then turn right)

Xiasympn zhiacute zocircu zagravei wagraveng xint zocircu (shyan jir dzoedzye wahng she dzoe First go straight and thenturn west)

Herersquos an example conversation

George Qicircng wegraven Shagravenghacirci boacutewugraveguacircn liacute zhegraverhecircn yuacircn ma (cheeng one shahng hi baw woogwahn lee jar hun ywan mah Excuse me Is theShanghai Museum very far from here)

Stranger Bugrave yuacircn Shagravenghacirci boacutewugraveguacircn jiugrave zagraveireacutenmiacuten dagrave dagraveo (boo ywan Shahng hi baw woogwahn jyo dzye run meen dah daow Itrsquos not far atall The Shanghai Museum is on the Avenue ofthe People)

George Reacutenmiacuten dagrave dagraveo liacute zhegraver dupartme yuacircn(run meen dah daow lee jar dwaw mah ywanHow far is the Avenue of the People from here)

Stranger Reacutenmiacuten dagrave dagraveo liacute zhegraver zhicirc yocircu yint licirc lugravezuocircyograveu (run meen dah daow lee jar jir yo ee leeloo dzwaw yo The Avenue of the People is onlyabout one kilometer from here)

George Coacuteng zhegraver zocircu de dagraveo zocircu buacute dagraveo(tsoong jar dzoe duh daow dzoe boo daow Can Iwalk there from here)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 164

Stranger Kecircndigraveng zocircu de dagraveo Nicirc xiasympn wagravengnaacuten zocircu zagravei digrave egraver tiaacuteo lugrave wagraveng xint zhuacircn Digrave yintge loacuteu jiugrave shigrave (kun deeng dzoe duh daow neeshyan wahng nahn dzoe dzye dee are tyaow loowahng she jwan dee ee guh low jyoe shir Itrsquos cer-tainly walkable Walk north first and then turnwest at the second street Itrsquoll be the first build-ing you see)

George Fradicichaacuteng gacircnxiegrave nicirc (fay chahng gahnshyeh nee Irsquom extremely grateful (for your help))

Stranger Meacutei shigrave (may shir Itrsquos nothing)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 165

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 166

Chapter 10

Finding a Place to LayYour Weary Head

In This Chapter Booking your room reservation

Checking in upon arrival

Requesting hotel service

Packing your bags and paying your bill

The right lhguacircn (lyew gwahn hotel) can make orbreak a vacation This chapter runs you through

the gamut of booking your hotel checking in at thefront desk checking out at the designated time anddealing with all sorts of issues that may come up inbetween

First however I have an astounding fact for you Youhave not one not two but as many as five ways tosay the word ldquohotelrdquo in Chinese

lhguacircn (lyew gwahn hotel)

fagravendiagraven (fahn dyan literally a place for meals)

jiucircdiagraven (jyo dyan literally a place for wine)

zhasympodagraveisuocirc (jaow dye swaw literally a place toreceive people)

bintnguacircn (been gwahn literally a place forguests)

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 167

Making a Room ReservationAre you thinking of yugravedigraveng (yew deeng reserving) ahotel faacutengjiasympn (fahng jyan room) What kind do youwant A dasympnreacuten faacutengjiasympn (dahn run fahng jyan singleroom) all for yourself A shuasympngreacuten faacutengjiasympn (shwahngrun fahng jyan double room) for you and your specialsomeone Or perhaps a penthouse tagraveojiasympn (taow jyansuite) for a special occasion like your 50th weddingzhpartuniaacuten (joe nyan anniversary)

Here are some questions you may want to ask overthe phone as you begin the search for your licircxiacircng(lee shyahng ideal) hotel

Nicircmen haacutei yocircu faacutengjiasympn ma (nee mun hi yofahng jyan mah Do you have any rooms available)

Nicircmen faacutengjiasympn de jiagravegeacute shigrave dupartshacirco (nee munfahng jyan duh jyah guh shir dwaw shaow Howmuch are your rooms)

Nagrave shigrave dasympnreacuten faacutengjiasympn haacutei shigrave shuasympngreacutenfaacutengjiasympn de jiagravegeacute (nah shir dahn run fahng jyanhi shir shwahng run fahng jyan duh jyah guh Isthat the price of a single room or a double)

Nicircmen yagraveo dasympi jicirc ge wacircnshagraveng (nee mun yaowdye jee guh wahn shahng How many nights willyou be staying)

Wocirc yagraveo yiacutege faacutengjiasympn zhugrave liacircng ge wacircnshagraveng(waw yaow ee guh fahng jyan joo lyahng guhwahn shahng Irsquod like a room for two nights)

Yocircu meacuteiyocircu shasympngwugrave zhpartngxintn (yo mayoshahng woo joong sheen Is there a businesscenter)

Nicircmen de faacutengjiasympn yocircu meacuteiyocircu wacircngluograve liaacuten-jieacute (nee mun duh fahng jyan yo mayo wahnglwaw lyan jyeh Do your rooms have Internetaccess)

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 168

You have many kinds of rooms to choose fromdepending on your budget and your unique needs

yiacutege asympnjigraveng de faacutengjiasympn (ee guh ahn jeeng duhfahng jyan a quiet room)

yiacutege guasympngxiagraven hacirco de facircngjiasympn (ee guh gwahngshyan how duh fahng jyan a bright room)

yiacutege chaacuteo hacirci de faacutengjiasympn (ee guh chaow hi duhfahng jyan a room with an ocean view)

yiacutege chaacuteo yuagravenzi de faacutengjiasympn (ee guh chaowywan dzuh duh fahng jyan a room facing thecourtyard)

yiacutege yocircu kpartngtiaacuteo de faacutengjiasympn (ee guh yokoong tyaow duh fahng jyan a room with air conditioning)

yiacutege dagravei yaacutengtaacutei de faacutengjiasympn (ee guh dye yahngtye duh fahng jyan a room with a balcony)

yiacutege bugrave xintyasympn de faacutengjiasympn (ee guh boo she yanduh fahng jyan a nonsmoking room)

yiacutege fasympngbiagraven caacutenjiacute reacuten de faacutengjiasympn (ee guhfahng byan tsahn jee run duh fahng jyan a roomequipped for handicapped people)

Words to Knowdasympi dye to stay

dasympnreacuten faacutengjiasympn dahn run single roomfahng jyan

dpartu doe both all

dpartu yiacuteyagraveng doe ee yahng theyrsquore boththe same

heacute huh and

continued

Chapter 10 a Place to Lay Your Weary Head

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 169

Words to Know (continued)jiagravegeacute jyah guh price

shuasympngreacuten shwahng run double roomfaacutengjiasympn fahng jyan

tagraveojiasympn taow jyan suite

yiacuteyagraveng ee yahng the same

The coverb heacute (huh and) along with thenoun that always follows it precedes themain verb or adjective of a sentence Somesynonyms of heacute are gradicn (gun) yucirc (yew) andtoacuteng (toong) although toacuteng translates moreclosely to ldquowithrdquo

Checking In BeforeYou Hit the Pool

Aaahhh Yagravezhpartu (yah joe Asia) Its allure often beginsas soon as you pull up to the front entrance and walkthrough the hotel door You may even find yourselfmysteriously lingering a bit in the dagravetintng (dah teenglobby) visually casing the joint long enough to takein all sorts of amenities The luxuries at your disposalmay include the following

diagravenshigrave (dyan shir television)

gasympnxicirc fuacutewugrave (gahn she foo woo dry cleaning)

huiacuteyasymp agravenmpartchiacute (hway yah ahn maw chir hot tub)

lhguacircn fagravendiagraven (lyew gwahn fahn dyan hotelrestaurant)

shasympngwugrave zhpartngxintn (shahng woo joong sheenbusiness center)

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 170

ticircyugraveguacircn (tee yew gwahn gym)

yoacuteuyocircngchiacute (yo yoong chir swimming pool)

Before you can take advantage of these convenienceshowever you have to officially bagravenlicirc rugravezhugrave shocircuxugrave(bahn lee roo joo show shyew check in) You donrsquotwant to be caught red handed running in the ticircyugraveguacircnor relaxing in the huiacuteyasymp agravenmpartchiacute unless yoursquore a bonafide guest right

When you walk up to the fagravendiagraven qiaacutentaacutei (fahn dyanchyan tye reception desk) yoursquoll invariably find your-self needing to say one of the following sentences

Wocirc yicircjintng yugravedigraveng le faacutengjiasympn (waw ee jeengyew deeng luh fahng jyan I already made a reservation)

Wocirc meacuteiyocircu yugravedigraveng faacutengjiasympn (waw mayo yewdeeng fahng jyan I donrsquot have a reservation)

If yoursquore in luck the hotel will have at least one kpartng(koong empty vacant) faacutengjiasympn (fahng jyan room) Ifthe hotel has no available space yoursquoll hear

Duigravebugraveqicirc wocircmen kegravemacircn le (dway boo cheewaw mun kuh mahn luh Sorry there are novacancieswersquore full)

In this case you may need these phrases

Zasympogasympo Nicirc neacuteng bugrave neacuteng tuintjiagraven bieacutede lhguacircn(dzaow gaow nee nung boo nung tway jyan byehduh lyew gwahn Rats Could you perhaps rec-ommend another hotel then)

Keacuteyicirc Geacutebigrave de lhguacircn yocircu kpartng faacutengjiasympn Nicirc zuigravehacirco zocircu guograve qugrave shigrave shigrave kagraven (kuh yee guh beeduh lyew gwahn yo koong fahng jyan nee dzwayhow dzoe gwaw chyew shir shir kahn Yes Thehotel next door has vacancies You may as wellwalk over there and have a look)

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 171

The qiaacutentaacutei fuacutewugraveyuaacuten (chyan tye foo woo ywan frontdesk clerk) will ask you to tiaacuten (tyan fill out) a coupleof biacirco (byaow forms) to book your room so have agasympngbicirc (gahng bee pen) and some form of zhegravengjiagraven(juhng jyan ID) ready mdash especially your hugravezhagraveo (hoojaow passport) Voilagrave Yoursquore officially a hotel kegravereacuten(kuh run guest)

After you successfully manage to check in axiacutenglicircyuaacuten (sheeng lee ywan porterbell boy) immedi-ately appears to help take your xiacutenglicirc (sheeng lee lug-gage) to your faacutengjiasympn After he lets you in hersquoll giveyou the yagraveoshi (yaow shir key) if you didnrsquot get it fromthe qiaacutentaacutei fuacutewugraveyuaacuten downstairs

Now you can finally xi∆xi (shyo she take a rest) andmaybe fall asleep Before you do however you maywant to put in for a wake-up call All you have to say is

Qicircng nicirc jiagraveo wocirc qicircchuaacuteng (cheeng nee jyaowwaw chee chwahng literally Please call me to getout of bed)

Words to Knowbieacutede byeh duh other

duigravebugraveqicirc dway boo chee Irsquom sorry

geacutebigrave guh bee next door

lhguacircn lyew gwahn hotel

zasympogasympo dzaow gaow ratswhat ashame

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 172

Taking Advantageof Hotel Service

Yoursquore finally ensconced in your big beautiful hotelroom when you discover that the meacuten suocirc buacute shagraveng(mun swaw boo shahng door doesnrsquot lock) and thekpartngtiaacuteo huagravei le (koong tyaow hwye luh air condi-tioning doesnrsquot work) To make matters worse yourchuasympnghu dacirc bugrave kasympi (chwahng hoo dah boo kyewindow wonrsquot open) Heat wave It may be hard tobelieve but in addition to all that your macirctocircngducirczhugravele (mah toong doo joo luh toilet is clogged)Time to call the nearest kegravefaacuteng fuacutewugraveyuaacuten (kuh fahngfoo woo ywan hotel housekeeper) and ask for help

You may want the kegravefaacuteng fuacutewugraveyuaacuten to sograveng (soongsend) the following items right over

chuintfradicngjint (chway fung jee hair dryer)

maacuteojintn (maow jeen towel)

maacuteotacircn (maow tahn blanket)

wegraveishradicngzhicirc (way shung jir toilet paper)

zhecircntoacuteu (jun toe pillow)

Quickly call if the following pieces of equipment arehuagraveile (hwye luh broken) and need immediate fixing

chasympzuograve (chah dzwaw electric outlet)

kasympiguasympn (kye gwahn light switch)

kpartngtiaacuteo (koong tyaow air conditioner)

macirctocircng (mah toong toilet)

nuacircnqigrave (nwan chee heater)

yaacuteokograveng qigrave (yaow koong chee remote control)

Maybe you just need someone to dacircsacirco faacutengjiasympn (dahsaow fahng jyan clean the room) Oh well Even thebest hotels need some tweaking every now and then

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 173

You interact with many different employees on anygiven hotel stay

fuacutewugravetaacutei jintnglicirc (foo woo tye jeeng lee concierge)

fuacutewugraveyuaacuten (foo woo ywan attendant)

fuacutewugraveyuaacuten licircngbasympn (foo woo ywan leeng bahnbell captain)

zhugravelicirc jintnglicirc (joo lee jeeng lee assistant manager)

zocircngjintnglicirc (dzoong jeeng lee general manager)

Before you decide to order room service however justremember that itrsquos often guigrave liacircng begravei (gway lyahng baytwice as expensive) as dining in the lhguacircn fagravendiagraven(lyew gwahn fahn dyan hotel restaurant) because theservice is more fasympngbiagraven (fahng byan convenient)

Herersquos a practice conversation

Housekeeper Kegravefaacuteng fuacutewugraveyuaacuten (kuh fahng foowoo ywan Housekeeping)

David Qicircng jigraven (cheeng jin Come on in)

Housekeeper Yocircu sheacutenme wegraventiacute (yo shummuhone tee What seems to be the trouble)

David Zhegraveige shuicircloacutengtoacuteu huagraveile Yecirc meacuteiyocircuregraveshuicirc (jay guh shway loong toe hwye luh yeahmayo ruh shway This faucet is broken Therersquosalso no hot water)

Housekeeper Hecircn duigravebugraveqicirc Macircshagraveng sogravengshuicircnuacircngpartng guogravelaacutei kagravenkagraven (hun dway boochee mah shahng soong shway nwan goong gwawlye kahn kahn Irsquom so sorry Wersquoll send a plumberright away to have a look)

David Xiacircojiecirc nicircmen yocircu meacuteiyocircu xicircyint fuacutewugrave(shyaow jyeh nee men yo mayo she ee foo wooMiss do you have any laundry service)

Housekeeper Yocircu (yo Yes we do)

David Hacirco jiacutele Jintntiasympn kecircyicirc bacirc zhegrave xiradic yintfuacute xicirchacirco ma (how jee luh jin tyan kuh yee bah jayshyeh ee foo she how mah Great Can I havethese clothes cleaned today)

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 174

To make a comparison by saying that some-thing is a number of times more expensivethan something else you first use the wordguigrave (gway expensive) followed by thenumber of times you think itrsquos more expen-sive and the word begravei (bay roughly trans-lated as ldquotimesrdquo) You can compare therelative cost of two products or services byusing the word bicirc (bee compared to) in thefollowing pattern

X bicirc Y guigrave begravei

Zuograve ch∆z∆chradic bicirc zuograve gpartnggograveng qigravechradic guigrave wucircbegravei (zwaw choo dzoo chuh bee dzwaw goonggoong chee chuh gway woo bay Taking a cab isfive times more expensive than taking the bus)

Zhegraveitiaacuteo quacutenzi bicirc negraveige guigrave shiacute begravei (jay tyaowchwun dzuh bee nay guh gway shir bay This skirtis ten times more expensive than that one)

Every hotel room in China has a large flask ofboiling water that you can use to make tea orfor drinking water Never drink directly fromthe tap You can brush your teeth with tapwater because you just spit it out LocalChinese donrsquot dare drink the tap water eitherso yoursquore in good company

Words to Knowmacircshagraveng mah shahng immediately

qugravediagraveo chyew dyaow erase remove

continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 175

Words to Know (continued)qicircng jigraven cheeng jin come in

please

shuicircnuacircngpartng shway nwan goong plumber

w∆diacircn woo dyan stain

xicirc she to wash

xicircyint fuacutewugrave she ee foo woo laundry service

yoacuteuqiacuteshigrave yo chee shir especially

Checking Out BeforeHeading Out

Time to teacutengch∆ (tuhng choo vacate) your hotelfaacutengjiasympn (fahng jyan room) and tuigravefaacuteng (tway fahngcheck out)

You may need to say some of the following as youbegin the end of your stay

Wocirc yagraveo fugrave zhagraveng (waw yaow foo jahng Irsquod liketo pay the bill)

Nicircmen jiradicshograveu sheacutenme xigravenyograveng kacirc (nee munjyeh show shummuh sheen yoong kah Whichcredit cards do you accept)

Zhegrave buacuteshigrave wocircde zhasympngdagraven (jay boo shir wawduh jahng dahn This isnrsquot my bill)

Wocirc bugrave yintnggasympi fugrave zhegrave xiagraveng (waw boo eeng gyefoo jay shyahng I shouldnrsquot be charged for this)

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 176

Jieacutezhagraveng yicirchograveu wocirc neacuteng bugraveneacuteng bacirc basympoguocircliuacute zagravei qiaacutentaacutei (jyeh jahng ee ho waw nungboo nung bah baow gwaw lyo dzye chyan tyeAfter checking out may I leave my bags at thefront desk)

Yocircu meacuteiyocircu qugrave fradicijintchacircng de basympnchradic (yo mayochyew fay jee chahng duh ban chuh Is there ashuttle to the airport)

Words to Knowfaacutengjiagrave fahng jya room charge

jieacute zhagraveng jyeh jahng figure outthe bill

suocircyicirc swaw yee so therefore

tuigravefaacuteng tway fahng check out

yagraveoshi yaow shir key

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 177

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 178

Chapter 11

Dealing withEmergencies

In This Chapter Yelling for help

Visiting your doctor

Going to the authorities

Looking for legal advice

This chapter gives you the language tools you needto communicate your problems during your times

of need mdash whether you need a doctor the police oran attorney

Calling for Help in Times of NeedWhen yoursquore faced with an emergency you donrsquot wantto waste your time searching for an oversizedChinese-English dictionary to figure out how toquickly call for help Try memorizing these phrasesbefore a situation arises

Jiugrave migraveng (jyo meeng Help Save me)

Zhuasymp zeacutei (jwah dzay Stop thief)

Zhaacuteohuocirc la (jaow hwaw lah Fire)

Jiagraveo jiugravehugravechradic (jyaow jyo hoo chuh Call anambulance)

Jiagraveo jicircngchaacute (jyaow jeeng chah Call the police)

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 179

Be careful when you say the words jiagraveo(jyaow to call) and jiugrave (jyo to save) in theprevious phrases You donrsquot want to mistak-enly ask someone to save the police whenyou want him to call the police

Sometimes you have to ask for someone who speaksEnglish Here are some phrases you can quickly blurtout during emergencies

Nicirc shupart Yintngweacuten ma (nee shwaw eeng onemah Do you speak English)

Wocirc x∆yagraveo yiacutege jiacircng Yintngweacuten de lfshint (wawshyew yaow ee guh jyahng eeng one duh lyewshir I need a lawyer who speaks English)

Yocircu meacuteiyocircu jiacircng Yintngweacuten de dagraveif u (yo mayojyahng eeng one duh dye foo Are there anyEnglish-speaking doctors)

When you finally get someone on the phone who canhelp you you need to know what to say to get imme-diate help

Wocirc begravei reacuten qiacircng le (waw bay run chyahng luhIrsquove been robbed)

Yocircu reacuten shograveu shasympng le (yo run show shahng luhPeople are injured)

Wocirc yagraveo huigrave bagraveo yiacutege chradic huograve (waw yaow hwaybaow ee guh chuh hwaw Irsquod like to report a caraccident)

Receiving Medical CareIf you suddenly find yourself in the yintyuagraven (ee ywanhospital) or otherwise visiting an yintshradicng (ee shungdoctor) you need to explain what ails you mdash often ina hurry Use Table 11-1 to figure out how to say thebasic body parts

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 180

Chapter 11 Dealing with Emergencies 181

Table 11-1 Basic Body PartsChinese Word Pronunciation English Word

shradicnticirc shun tee body

gradicbpart guh baw arm

jiasympnbacircng jyan bahng shoulder

shocircu show hand

shocircuzhicirc show jir finger

tuicirc tway leg

jiacirco jyaow foot

toacuteu toe head

boacutezi baw dzuh neck

xipartng shyoong chest

begravei bay back

liacircn lyan face

yacircnjintng yan jeeng eye

ecircrdupart are dwaw ear

biacutezi bee dzuh nose

hoacuteuloacuteng ho loong throat

gucirctoacuteu goo toe bone

jintrograveu jee row muscles

sheacutenjintng shun jeeng nerves

fegravei fay lungs

gasympn gahn liver

shegraven shun kidney

xintn shin heart

dugravezi doo dzuh stomach

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 181

Finding a doctorIf your yugravenqigrave (yewn chee luck) is good yoursquoll neverneed to use any of the phrases I present in this chap-ter If you end up running dacircomeacutei (daow may out ofluck) however keep reading Even if yoursquove neverchpartuyasympn (cho yan smoked) a day in your life you can still develop keacutesograveu (kuh so a cough) or evenqigraveguacircnyaacuten (chee gwahn yan bronchitis) Time to seean yintshradicng (ee shung doctor) The following is asample dialog between a nurse and patient

Nurse Nicirc zecircnme bugravesh∆fu (nee dzummah booshoo foo Whatrsquos wrong)

Patient Wocirc gacircnjueacute bugravesh∆f u kecircshigrave bugrave zhintdagraveo wocircdeacutele sheacutenme bigraveng (waw gahn jweh boo shoo fookuh shir boo jir daow waw duh luh shummuhbeeng I donrsquot feel well but I donrsquot know what Ihave)

Nurse Nicirc fasymp shasympo ma (nee fah shaow mah Areyou running a fever)

Patient Meacuteiyocircu dagravenshigrave wocirc toacuteuy∆n Yecircxucirc wocircx∆yagraveo kagraven negraveikradic yintshradicng (mayo dahn shir wawtoe yewn yeh shyew waw shyew yaow kahn naykuh ee shung No but I feel dizzy Perhaps I needto see an internist)

Words to Knowbigravengreacuten beeng run patient

hugraveshi hoo shir nurse

kagravenbigraveng kahn beeng to see a doctor

yaacuteyint yah ee dentist

yintshradicng ee shung doctor

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 182

Describing what ails youWhether you make a sudden trip to the jiacutezhecircnshigrave (jeejun shir emergency room) or take a normal visit to adoctorrsquos office yoursquoll probably be asked

Yocircu sheacutenme zhegravengzhuagraveng (yo shummuh juhngjwahng What sorts of symptoms do you have)

Table 11-2 lists some symptoms you may have

Table 11-2 Common Medical SymptomsChinese Phrase Pronunciation English Phrase

pagravengle pahng luh put on weight

shograveule show luh lose weight

fasympshasympo fah shaow to have a fever

lasympdugravezi lah doo dzuh diarrhea

biagravenmigrave byan mee constipation

ecircxintn uh sheen nauseous

hoacuteuloacuteng teacuteng ho loong tung sore throat

toacuteu teacuteng toe tung headache

wegravei teacuteng way tung stomach ache

begravei teacuteng bay tung back ache

ecircr teacuteng are tung ear ache

yaacute teacuteng yah tung tooth ache

xiagraventicirc zhocircngle shyan tee joong luh swollen glands

Your doctor has a laundry list of inspections she mustperform when you hit the check-up table

Qicircng juacircnqicirc nicircde xiugravezi (cheeng jwan chee needuh shyo dzuh Please roll up your sleeve)

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 183

Wocirc yograveng tintngzhecircnqigrave tintng yiacutexiagrave nicircde xintnzagraveng(waw yoong teeng jun chee teeng ee shyah needuh shin dzahng Irsquom going to use a stethoscopeto listen to your heart)

Shradicn h∆xint (shun hoo she Take a deep breath)

Bacirc zuicirc zhasympngkasympi (bah dzway jahng kye Openyour mouth)

Bacirc sheacutetoacuteu shradicn ch∆laacutei (bah shuh toe shun choolye Stick out your tongue)

Wocircmen huagraveyagraven yiacutexiagrave xiacircobiagraven (waw menhwah yan ee shyah shyaow byan Letrsquos have yoururine tested)

The following phrases about insurance may come inhandy

Yocircu meacuteiyocircu yintliaacuteo bacircoxiacircn (yo mayo eelyaow baow shyan Do you have any medicalinsurance)

Hacirco Qicircng tiaacuten yiacutexiagrave zhegravei zhasympng biacirco (howcheeng tyan ee shyah jay jahng byaow AlrightPlease fill out this form)

Words to Knowbigravengligrave beeng lee medical history

bigravengle beeng luh to be sick

bigravengreacuten beeng run patient

fasympyaacuten fah yan an infection

gacircnmagraveo gahn maow to have a cold

gasympo xuecircyasymp gaow shweh yah high bloodpressure

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 184

jiacircnchaacute jyan chah to examine

liuacutegacircn lyo gahn the flu

shograveushasympng show shahng be injured

wocirc bugravesh∆fu waw boo shoo foo I donrsquot feel well

zhaacuteoliaacuteng jaow lyahng to catch a cold

Discussing your medical historyWhen you see a doctor for the first time he or shewill want to find out about your bigraveng shicirc (beeng shirmedical history) You may hear the following query

Nicirc jiasymp yocircu meacuteiyocircu ____ de bigravengligrave (nee jyah yomayo ___ duh beeng lee Does your family haveany history of ___)

Table 11-3 lists some of the more serious illnessesthat I hope neither you nor your family members haveever had

Table 11-3 Serious IllnessesChinese Word(s) Pronunciation English Word(s)

aacuteizhegraveng eye juhng cancer

agraveizintbigraveng eye dzuh beeng AIDS

bicircngxiacuteng gasympnyaacuten beeng sheeng hepatitis Cgahn yan

fegravei jieacuteheacute fay jyeh huh tuberculosis

fegraveirsquoaacutei fay eye lung cancer

huograveluagraven hwaw lwan cholera

(continued)

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 185

Table 11-3 (continued)Chinese Word(s) Pronunciation English Word(s)

jiacircxiacuteng gasympnyaacuten jya sheeng hepatitis Agahn yan

ligravejiacute lee jee dysentery

qigravechuacircnbigraveng chee chwan beeng asthma

shuicircdograveu shway doe chicken pox

taacutengniagraveobigraveng tahng nyaow beeng diabetes

xintnzagraveng yocircu shin dzahng yo heart troublemaacuteobigraveng maow beeng

yicircxiacuteng gasympnyaacuten ee sheeng hepatitis Bgahn yan

yocircu ligravejiacute yo lee jee dysentery

Making a diagnosisYou may have heard stories about how doctors whouse traditional medical techniques from ancient cul-tures can just take one look at a person and immedi-ately know what ails him or her The truth is asidefrom simple colds and the flu most doctors still needto take all kinds of tests to give a proper diagnosisThey may even need to perform the following tasks

huagrave yagraven (hwah yan lab tests)

xintndiagraventuacute (shin dyan too electrocardiogram)

huagraveyagraven yiacutexiagrave xiacircobiagraven (hwah yan ee shyahshyaow byan have your urine tested)

Here are some other phrases you may hear

Nicircde ticircwradicn zhegravengchaacuteng (nee duh tee one juhngchahng Your temperature is normal)

Kecircyicirc chuaacutenracircn ma (kuh yee chwahn rahn mahIs it contagious)

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 186

Yaacutenzhograveng ma (yan joong mah Is it serious)

Tasymp decirci zagravei chuaacutengshagraveng tacircng dupartjiucirc (tah daydzye chwahng shahng tahng dwaw jyo How longmust she rest in bed)

When you give approximate numbers oramounts you donrsquot need to use the word ldquoor(huograve zhe)rdquo as in ldquothree or four daysrdquo Justsay the numbers right after each other toautomatically imply the ldquoorrdquo For examplewucirc liugrave ge reacuten (woo lyo guh run) means fiveor six people and sigrave wucirc tiasympn (suh woo tyan)means four or five days

Words to Knowchpartu xiecirc cho shyeh to draw blood

dagravebiagraven dah byan to have a bowelmovement

liaacuteng ticircwradicn lyahng tee one take onersquos temperature

magraveiboacute my baw pulse

wradicndugrave jigrave one doo jee thermometer

xiacircobiagraven shyaow byan to urinate

xiecircxuegrave shyehshweh blood

xuegraveyasymp shweh yah blood pressure

Treating yourself to better healthNot everything can be cured with a bowl of jint tasympng (jeetahng chicken soup) despite what my grandmothertold me Your doctor may prescribe some yagraveo (yaow

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 187

medicine) to make you feel better After you naacute (nahfill) your yagraveo (yaow prescription) you may find thefollowing instructions on the bottle

Niacuten neacuteng bugraveneacuteng gecirci wocirc zhuasymp zhegraveige yagraveo(neen nung boo nung gay waw jwah jay guhyaow Can you fill this prescription for me)

Wocirc duigrave qintngmeacuteisugrave yocircu guogravemicircn (waw dwaycheeng may soo yo gwaw meen Irsquom allergic topenicillin)

Wocirc yecirc yagraveo zhigrave keacutesograveu de yagraveo (waw yeah yaowjir kuh so duh yaow Irsquod also like something for acough)

Mecirci sigravege xiacircoshiacute chint yiacutecigrave (may suh guh shyaowshir chir ee tsuh Take one tablet every fourhours)

Mecirci tiasympn chint liacircng cigrave mecirci cigrave sasympn piagraven (may tyanchir lyahng tsuh may tsuh sahn pyan Take threetablets twice a day)

Fagraven hograveu chint (fahn ho chir Take after eating)

Words to Knowasympsintpicircliacuten ah suh pee leen aspirin

chint yagraveo chir yaow to take medicine

dasympnjiagrave dahn jya stretcher

dacirc zhradicn dah juhn injection

dograveng shocircushugrave doong show shoo to undergoan operation

jiugravehugravechradic jyo hoo chuh ambulance

jiacutezhecircnshigrave jee juhn shir emergencyroom

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 188

kagravengshradicngsugrave kahng shung soo antibiotics

kagravengsuasympnyagraveo kahng swan yaow antacid

wagraveikradic why kuh surgery

weacuteitasympmigraveng way tah meeng vitamin

Xint yagraveo she yaow Western medicine

yagraveo yaow medicine

yagraveofaacuteng yaow fahng pharmacy

yagraveowaacuten yaow wahn pill

zhradicnjiucirc juhn jyo acupuncture

zhecircnliaacuteosuocirc juhn lyaow swaw clinic

Zhpartng yagraveo joong yaow Chinese medicine

Calling the PoliceHave you ever had your pocketbook tpartu le (toe luhstolen) Being a victim is an awful feeling and I knowfrom personal experience You feel shradicngqigrave (shungchee angry) at such a kecircpagrave (kuh pah scary) experi-ence especially if it happens in another country andthe zeacutei (dzay thief) taacuteopacirco (taow paow escapes)quickly

You always need to be prepared with some key wordsyou can use when the jicircngchaacute (jeeng chah police)finally pull up in the jicircngchradic (jeeng chuh police car)and take you back to the jicircngchaacutejuacute (jeeng chah jyew

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 189

police station) to identify a potential zeacutei Hopefullythe culprit will be zhuasymp zhaacuteo le (jwah jaow luharrested)

You may also find yourself in an emergency that doesnrsquot involve you If you ever witness an accidenthere are some phrases you can relay to the police oremergency workers

Tasymp begravei qigravechradic yagrave zhaacuteo le (tah bay chee chuh yahjaow luh He was run over by a car)

Tasymp zagravei liuacutexiecirc (tah dzye lyo shyeh Hersquos bleeding)

Bieacute k∆ Jicircngchaacute heacute jiugravehugravechradic laacuteile (byeh koojeeng chah huh jyo hoo chuh lye luh Donrsquot cryThe police and the ambulance have arrived)

Acquiring Legal HelpNine out of ten foreigners never need to look for alawyer during a stay in China which isnrsquot as litigious asociety as the United States to be sure If you do needa lfshint (lyew shir lawyer) however your best bet isto check with your countryrsquos dagraveshicircguacircn (dah shirgwahn embassy) or licircnshigraveguacircn (leen shir gwahnconsulate) for advice

It can be very maacutef an (mah fun annoying) and stress-ful to have to deal with lfshint no matter what countryyoursquore in but you have to admit mdash they do know thefacirclf (fah lyew law) And if you have to go to facircyuagraven(fah ywan court) for any serious shigravejiagraven (shir jyanincident) you want the judge to pagravenjueacute (pahn jwehmake a decision) in your favor Moral of the storyGood lfshint are worth their weight in jintn (gin gold)even if you still consider them shasympyuacute (shah yewsharks) in the end

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 190

Chapter 12

Ten Favorite ChineseExpressions

This chapter offers some idiomatic expressionsthat make you sound like a native You hear these

expressions all the time in typical daily situations

Gpartngxicirc Gpartngxicircgoong she goong she Congratulations

You say gpartngxicirc gpartngxicirc for happy occasions whencongratulations are in order

ldquoMy wife just had a babyrdquo your friend says ldquoWow I didnrsquot even know she was pregnantrdquo you sayldquoGpartngxicirc gpartngxicircrdquo

Hey You just turned 21 Now you can finally go to abar Gpartngxicirc gpartngxicirc Letrsquos go

On the Chinese New Year you hear not onlyldquogpartngxicirc gpartngxicircrdquo but also ldquogpartngxicirc fasympcaacuteirdquo(goong she fah tsye) which meansldquoCongratulations and may you prosperrdquo

Yiacute Lugrave Piacutengrsquoasympnee loo peeng ahn Bon Voyage Have a good trip

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 191

This phrase is great to use when a friend or acquain-tance is about to embark on a long journey When yousee someone off at the airport you hear many peoplesay this phrase You may want to teach your familyand friends yiacute lugrave piacutengrsquoasympn before you board the plane

Yigrave Yaacuten Naacuten Jigravenee yan nahn jeen Itrsquos a long story

Maybe someone wants to know how you got thatblack eye Maybe you donrsquot really want to go into thedetails Just say yigrave yaacuten naacuten jigraven to save the blow-by-blow description for when yoursquore ready

Macircmacirc H∆h∆mah mah hoo hoo So-so

The phrase macircmacirc h∆h∆ literally means ldquohorse horsetiger tigerrdquo You use this expression when you want toindicate a situation is just okay or mediocre

Kasympi Waacuten Xiagraveokye (rhymes with pie) wahn shyaow Just kid-ding or Yoursquove got to be kidding

You say kasympi waacuten xiagraveo when you canrsquot believe yourears Suppose your coworker just told you shersquos beenfired even though she was promoted only a monthago That definitely calls for a kasympi waacuten xiagraveo inresponse When she finally tells you itrsquos not true sheadds kasympi waacuten xiagraveo at the end She was just kidding(Now yoursquore really angry)

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 192

Chapter 12 Ten Favorite Chinese Expressions 193

Maacutefan Nicircmah fahn nee Sorry to trouble you

You say maacutefan nicirc when although you donrsquot want toput anyone out you politely accept an extended offerto do something for you If you canrsquot reach the salt atthe other end of the dinner table and someone offersto pass it to you you say maacutefan nicirc It means ldquoSosorry to trouble you but would you mindrdquo

Zecircnme Yagravengdzummah yahng Howrsquos it going or whatrsquos up

A great catchall expression when you run into oldfriends and want to find out how theyrsquove been or whattheyrsquore up to these days You just say Hey Zecircnmeyagraveng

Another way you can use zecircnme is by addingldquolerdquo in place of ldquoyagravengrdquo at the end (Nicirc zecircnmele) If you do you say ldquoHey whatrsquos wrongwith yourdquo Kind of like ldquoWhat could you pos-sibly have been thinking when you did sucha stupid thingrdquo

Qicircng Wegravencheeng one Please may I ask excuse me but

Before you ask a question be polite and preface itwith qicircng wegraven Yoursquore asking if you can even askabout something You can use it when you go shop-ping and need to address a store clerk

Qicircng wegraven (Please may I ask) how much is thatthousand-year-old egg

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 193

You can also use it when you need directions andhave to approach a total stranger

Qicircng wegraven (Excuse me) which bus can take meto the Temple of Heaven

Zigravejicirc Laacuteidzuh gee lye Irsquoll help myself thanks

The rules of Chinese eating etiquette dictatethat you should never start to fill up yourplate before at least attempting to servesomeone else first Zigravejicirc laacutei is a polite expres-sion you use to indicate that you can helpyourself as soon as someone starts to serveyou A host always starts to serve the guestssitting closest but the guests should alwayssay zigravejicirc laacutei (and then relent and let theperson serve them anyway) for each andevery course After the host has started adish however you may indeed begin toserve yourself

sumiyaeye yah Oh my

sumiya can be heard all over China whenever peoplefeel frustrated shocked or even just plain oldannoyed You hear it when you show up to your par-entsrsquo home for dinner with a friend who looks like hersquosin a punk rock band You may even say it yourselfwhen you realize you left your briefcase in the taxiwhich is now halfway across town

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 194

Chapter 13

Ten Phrases That MakeYou Sound Like a Local

This chapter gives you phrases that help your con-versation for many social occasions Notice that

the Chinese often repeat phrases Repeating wordshappens often in spoken Chinese

Huasympnyiacuteng Huasympnyiacutenghwan yeeng hwan yeeng Welcome

Use this phrase when guests arrive at your home or inyour country to make them feel at home And if yousay huasympnyiacuteng zagravei laacutei (hwan yeeng dzye lye) beforethey leave it means you welcome them to comeagain

Bicirccicirc Bicirccicircbee tsuh bee tsuh same to you you too

This little phrase comes in handy when someonewishes you well or gives you a compliment thatmerits return so you donrsquot appear vain Whatrsquos thatyou say Great looking dress I have on Bicirccicirc bicirccicirc(Yours looks great too)

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 195

Jiucircyacircng Jiucircyacircngjyoe yahng jyoe yahng Pleased to meet you liter-ally I have admired you for a long time

Saying Jiucircyacircng jiucircyacircng when you first meet someoneyoursquove heard something about is a polite gesture

Magraven Magraven Chintmahn mahn chir Bon Appetit

Be sure to say magraven magraven chint to the others at yourtable before you take your first bite Yoursquoll win heartsall around It actually means ldquoeat real slowlyrdquo Thisphrase lets everyone know you hope they take theirtime and enjoy the meal

Wocirc Qicircng Kegravewaw cheeng kuh Itrsquos on me My treat

You hear this phrase day in and day out all overChina Everyone wants to be the one to pay the billso folks make a big deal out of being the first personto go to the hip when the check comes

Friends often make a joke by adding ldquonicirc fugrave qiaacutenrdquo (neefoo chyan) at the end of this phrase If you hear some-one say ldquowocirc qicircng kegrave nicirc fugrave qiaacutenrdquo it means ldquoIrsquoll takethe bill but yoursquoll be the one to pay itrdquo Only say thiswhen you dine with a good friend who can take a joke

Yocircu Kpartng Laacutei Waacutenyo koong lye wahn Please come again

Just before guests leave your home say ldquoYocircu kpartnglaacutei waacutenrdquo (literally When you have time come backand play) Sometimes you also hear people say ldquomagraven

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 196

Chapter 13 Sound Like a Local 197

zocircurdquo (mahn dzoe) which literally means ldquowalkslowlyrdquo and is loosely translated as ldquocareful goinghomerdquo

Laacuteojiagrave Laacuteojiagravelaow jyah laow jyah excuse me pardon me

Ever wonder what to say when you need to pass aperson whorsquos standing in your way Laacuteojiagrave laacuteojiagrave is thephrase you want to remember for crowded momentsIt offers you a nice way of getting someonersquos attentionwithout being rude

Zhugrave Nicirc Zacirco Rigrave Kasympng Fugravejoo nee dzaow ir kahng foo Get well soon

Ideally you wonrsquot have to use this expression toooften but if you do at least the folks hearing it willknow your colloquial Chinese is good

Buacutekegraveqiboo kuh chee yoursquore welcome no problem donrsquotmention it

You say buacutekegraveqi as the bookend to xiegravexiegrave (shyeh shyehthanks) You canrsquot say one without expecting to hearthe other Buacutekegraveqi represents more than just a responseto ldquothank yourdquo however Itrsquos part and parcel of a largergroup of words that express a humble spirit which theChinese always treasure in friends and acquaintancesIf someone thanks you profusely for something you dowhether big or small never accept the thanks as some-thing you agree you deserve Giving yourself a pat onthe back is the opposite of what you want to conveyAlways make it sound like your deed is no big dealsomething you prefer to downplay

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 197

Hacirco Jiucirc Meacutei Jiagravenhow jyoe may jyan long time no see

You can use this phrase in all seriousness or in jest ifyoursquove just seen someone an hour before Either wayit puts people in a good mood to know that you careabout being in their presence again

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 198

bull A bullaction verbs aspect

markers 28active voice 20addresses in small talk 73ndash74addressing others 61ndash62adjectives

numeral followed byclassifier 26

as predicate verbs and 26syllables number of 26

adverbs 31air travel

boarding 144ndash145check in 144

alphabet 6animals Chinese zodiac

48ndash49answering machine work

telephone calls 133ndash134antique shopping 100ndash101articles

definite 24indefinite 24ndash25

aspect markers 27aspects 20ATM access 56

bull B bullbanking 54ndash56basic phrases 17boarding airplane 144ndash145body language

bowing hands clasped 18shaking hands 18

body parts 181bowing

body language and 18hands clasped 18

breakfast 75browsing instead of buying

while shopping 95bus transportation 150ndash152business discussions 139ndash140

bull C bullcab travel 148ndash150calendar

Chinese zodiac 48ndash49hoilidays 47ndash50months 46ndash47seasons 47

calling for helpbasic phrases 179ndash180police 189ndash190

car travel taxi cabs 148ndash150cardinal numbers

introduction 371 through 19 3820s and higher 3999 and higher 39ndash40

cardinal points in directions163ndash165

characters 6chatting

family 70place of origin 68ndash69weather 66ndash67

check cashing 53ndash54check in at airport 144check in at hotel 170ndash172classifiers

clothing 100natural objects 22ndash23numbers 38numeral followed by

adjectives and 26pairs 23pronouns 22time 41

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 199

clothes shoppingarticles of clothing 97ndash98color 98ndash99sizes 95ndash97

clothing classifiers 100color 98ndash99complex ideographs in the

written word 6compliments on learning

language 62cost of items

introduction 53ndash54negotiation 105ndash106shopping and 105

countingcardinal numbers 37ndash40ordinal numbers 40ndash41

coverbs 29 163ndash165currency 50ndash51customs

introduction 154items to have ready 154

bull D bulldays

calendar 46ndash50dates 46ndash50time and 42week 44ndash45

definite articles 24destination words directions

and 157diagnosis medical 186ndash187dim sum ordering 82ndash84dining out

bill 90Chinese menu 79ndash80dim sum 82ndash84drinks 85favorite dishes 81ndash82menu 78ndash85ordering 86ndash89restrooms 89sauces 82

seasonings 82tea 91tipping 90utensils dishes 77vegetarians 80ndash81Western food 84ndash85

dinner 75directions

cardinal points 163ndash165destination words 157directional coverbs 163ndash165directional words 158ndash159distance 158 161ndash163giving 160ndash161where 157

distance directions and158 161ndash163

doctors locating 182

bull E bullease of Chinese 19ndash20elders pronouns for 21ndash22electronics shopping and

101ndash102emergencies

calling for help 179ndash180introduction 179legal help 190medical care 180ndash189police 189ndash190

exchanging money 51ndash52

bull F bullfamily

chatting about 70introductions 58ndash59

favorite expressions 191ndash194finals sounds 11ndash13first time introduction 58first tone 13food shopping 102ndash104fourth tone 14friends 58ndash59

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 200

Index 201

bull G bullgender-specific nouns 20goodbye 62ndash63grammar

active voice 20aspects 20coverbs 29ease of 19ndash20particles 20passive voice 20tense 20verbs 27ndash31

greetingsaddresses 61ndash62asking names 60ndash61first meeting 58introductions 57questions 66time-specific 58

bull H bullhalf numbers 40half-third tone 14help calling for 179ndash180hi-tech items shopping

101ndash102holidays 47home describing 73ndash74homophones tones and 14hotels

check in 170ndash172check out 176ndash177employees 174introduction 167reservations 168ndash170services 173ndash176types of rooms 169

humidity weather 67hunger expressing 76

bull I bullideographs in written word 6idioms frequently used 15ndash17

illnesses medical care and185ndash186

indefinite articles 24industries represented

139ndash140initials sounds 10ndash11Internet 141ndash142interrogative pronouns 35ndash36introductions

asking names 60ndash61family 58ndash59friends 58ndash59people to each other 59pronouns 59questions 66self 57

bull L bulllegal help 190local expressions 195ndash198logographs 7lunch 75

bull M bullMandarin

introduction 5tones 13ndash15

marketsfood 102ndash104night markets negotiating

105ndash106quality comparison 107ndash110refunds 106ndash107

meals See also foodshopping

dining out 76ndash78hunger expressing 76names for 75serving 76

medical carebody parts 181diagnoses 186ndash187doctor locating 182illnesses 185ndash186

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 201

medical care (continued)introduction 180medical history 185ndash186medications 187ndash189symptoms 183ndash185

meetings at workconducting 135ndash136ending 139planning 136scheduling 136starting 137ndash138

moneyATM access 56banking 54ndash56check cashing 53ndash54cost of items 53ndash54currency 50ndash51exchanging 51ndash52

months of year 46ndash47morphemes 9

bull N bullnames asking at meeting

60ndash61natural objects classifers

22ndash23negation 31 32ndash33negotiation at night markets

105ndash106neutral tones 14ndash15night markets 105ndash106nose pointing to body

language and 18nouns

classifiers 22ndash23gender-specific 20object 20ordinal numbers and 41plural 20 23ndash24pronouns 21ndash22singular 20 23ndash24subject 20

numberscardinal numbers 37ndash40days of week 44ndash45half 40

money 50ndash56ordinal numbers 40ndash41time 41ndash44tone 40

numerals followed by classfieradjective and 26

bull O bullobject subject and 20occupational phrases 71ndash73occupational titles 61ndash62office items 134ndash135ordering in restaurant 86ndash89ordinal numbers 40ndash41

bull P bullpairs classifier 23particles

de 33ndash34grammar 20questions 34

passive voice 20personal information small

talk 74phone numbers small talk

73ndash74phonetic compounds written

word 7phrases basic 17pictographs written word 6pinyin

radicals 7sounds 8ndash9

plural nouns 20 23ndash24plural pronouns 21police calling 189ndash190possessives particle de

33ndash34predicates adject as verbs

and 26prescriptions for medical

issues 187ndash189presentations at work 138pronouns

classifiers 22elders 21ndash22

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 202

Index 203interrogative 35ndash36introductions 59plural 21

pronunciationsounds overview 9ndash15tones and 7 13ndash15vowels 11ndash13

bull Q bullquality 107ndash110questions

basics 63ndash66particle ma 34repeating verb in negative

34ndash35

bull R bullradicals in written word

number of 7reading See written wordrefunds while shopping

106ndash107Republic of China years

and 49reservations hotels 168ndash170restaurants See dining outrestrooms dining out and 89room reservations hotels

168ndash170

bull S bullsauces dining out and 82seasonings dining out and 82seasons 47second tone 13serving during meals 76shaking hands body

language 18shigrave 30shopping

antiques 100ndash101browsing 95clothes 95ndash100cost 105

food markets 102ndash104hi-tech items 101ndash102refunds 106ndash107store hours 94ndash95store types 93ndash95weights and measures 104

singular nouns 20 23ndash24sizes of clothing 95ndash97small talk

addresses 73ndash74family 70phone numbers 73ndash74place of origin 68ndash69weather 66ndash67at work 71ndash73

soundsfinals 11ndash13initials 10ndash11morphemes 9

special verb 30spelling pinyin 8stores

hours 94ndash95types of 93ndash95

strokes in written wordnumber of 7

subject object and 20superlatives 107ndash110syllables number of

adjectives and 26symptoms medical issues

183ndash185

bull T bulltaxi cabs 148ndash150tea dining out 91technology shopping for hi-

tech items 101ndash102telephone

answering machine 133ndash134making calls 129ndash132residences versus

workplaces 130ndash131work basics 127ndash129

temperature weather 67

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 203

tense 20third tone

consecutive 14description 13ndash14half-third tone 14

timeclassifiers 41days of week 44ndash45half hour 43hour 41part of day 42

time-specific greetings 58titles greetings 61ndash62tones

First tone 13Fourth 14half-third tone 14homophones and 14marks 13neutral 14ndash15numbers 40pronunciation and 7Second tone 13Third tone 13ndash14

train travel 152ndash154transportation See also travel

airplanes 144ndash148bus 150ndash152introduction 143taxi cabs 148ndash150trains 152ndash154

travel See also hotelstransportation

customs 154ndash156destination words 157directions asking for

156ndash165

bull V bullvegetarian dining out 80ndash81verbs

adverbs 31ndash32common 27conjugation 20coverbs 29

I want 31negation 31shigrave 30special 30tense 20 27ndash28

vowels pronunciation 11ndash13

bull W bullweather small talk 66ndash67weights and measures 104Western food ordering out

84ndash85work

answering machines133ndash134

businessindustrydiscussions 139ndash140

Internet and 141ndash142meetings conducting

135ndash136meetings ending 139meetings planning 136meetings scheduling 136meetings starting 137ndash138office items 134ndash135presentations 138small talk 71ndash73telephone making calls

129ndash132telephone basics 127ndash129

written wordcharacters 6complex ideographs 6ideographs 6introduction 6number of strokes 7phonetic compounds 7pictographs 6pinyin 8radicals 7xu Shen 6

bull X bullXu Shen

written word 6

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 204

Index 205

bull Y bullyears Republic of China

and 49

bull Z bullZodiac 48ndash49

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 205

Chinese Phrases For Dummies

About the Author

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

Foolish Assumptions

Icons Used in This Book

Where to Go from Here

Chapter 1 I Say It How Speaking Chinese




Adding Idioms and Popular Expressions to Your Repertoire

Mastering Basic Phrases

Chapter 2 Grammar on a Diet Just the Basics


Naming Those Nouns

Those Little Words Definite Versus Indefinite Articles

Describing Adjectives

Verbs

Advocating Adverbs

Total Negation


Asking Questions

Chapter 3 Numerical Gumbo Counting of All Kinds

1 2 3 Cardinal Numbers

Discovering Ordinal Numbers

Telling Time

Monday Tuesday Weekdays

Using the Calendar and Dates

Money Money Money

Chapter 4 Making New Friends and Enjoying Small Talk

Making Introductions

Asking Basic Questions

Chatting It Up

Chapter 5 Enjoying a Drink and a Snack (or Meal)

All about Meals

Dining Out

Understanding Whatrsquos on the Menu

Placing an Order and Chatting with the Wait Staff

Finding the Restrooms

Finishing Your Meal and Paying the Bill

All the Tea in China

Chapter 6 Shop lsquotil You Drop

Going to Stores

Shopping for Clothes

Shopping for Other Items

Hitting the Markets for Food

Getting a Good Price and Paying

Comparing Quality Good Better Best

Chapter 7 Making Leisure a Top Priority

Going Out on the Town

Naming Your Hobbies

Exploring Nature

Tapping into Your Artistic Side

Getting into Sports

Chapter 8 When You Gotta Work

Picking Up a Telephone

Heading Off to Work

Discussing Business and Industry

Using the Internet

Chapter 9 I Get Around Transportation

On the Move Types of Transportation

Going through Customs

Asking for Directions

Chapter 10 Finding a Place to Lay Your Weary Head

Making a Room Reservation

Checking In Before You Hit the Pool

Taking Advantage of Hotel Service

Checking Out Before Heading Out

Chapter 11 Dealing with Emergencies

Calling for Help in Times of Need

Receiving Medical Care

Calling the Police

Acquiring Legal Help

Chapter 12 Ten Favorite Chinese Expressions

Chapter 13 Ten Phrases That Make You Sound Like a Local

Index

Chinese Phrases

DUMmIESpermil

by Dr Wendy Abraham

ISBN-13 978-07645-8477-0

ISBN-10 0-7645-8477-4

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1OSSQYQVIN

Composition

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page v

Index 199

Introduction

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 1

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 2

Introduction 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 4

Chapter 1

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 5

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 6

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 7

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 8

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 9

b baw bore

p paw paw

m maw more

f faw four

d duh done

t tuh ton

n nuh null

l luh lull

g guh gull

k kuh come

h huh hunt

j gee gee

q chee cheat

x she she

s suh sun

zh jir germ

ch chir churn

sh shir shirt

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 10

w wuh won

y yuh yup

a ah hot

ai i eye

ao ow chow

an ahn sonogram

ang ahng angst

o aw straw

ong oong too + ng

(continued)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 11

ou oh oh

e uh bush

ei ay way

en un ton

eng ung tongue

er ar are

i ee tea

ia ya gotcha

iao yaow meow

ie yeh yet

iu yo leo

ian yan Cheyenne

in een seen

ing eeng going

iong yoong you + ng

u oo too

ua wa suave

uo waw war

ui way way

uai why why

uan wan want

un one one

uang wahng wan + ng

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 12

ueng wung one + ng

uuml yew ewe

uumle yweh you + eh

uumln yewn you + n

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 13

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 14

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 15

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 16

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 17

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 18

Chapter 2

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 19

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 20

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 21

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 22

kradic kuh trees

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 23

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 24

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 25

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 26

chint chir to eat

macirci my to buy

magravei my to sell

shigrave shir to be

yocircu yo to have

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 27

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 28

You have

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 29

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 30

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 31

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 32

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 33

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 34

nacircr (nar where)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 35

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 36

Chapter 3

Telling time

Spending money

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 37

liacuteng leeng 0

yint ee 1

egraver are 2

sasympn sahn 3

sigrave suh 4

wucirc woo 5

liugrave lyo 6

qint chee 7

basymp bah 8

jiucirc jyoe 9

shiacute shir 10

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 38

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 39

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 40

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 41

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 42

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 43

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 44

tomorrow

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 45

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 46

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 47

shucirc shoo rat

niuacute nyo ox

hucirc hoo tiger

sheacute shuh snake

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 48

macirc mah horse

hoacuteu ho monkey

jint jee rooster

gocircu go dog

zh∆ joo pig

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 49

after next

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 50

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 51

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 52

continued

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 53

(a large bill)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 54

ko window

account

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 55

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 56

Chapter 4

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 57

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 58

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 59

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 60

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 61

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 62

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 63

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 64

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 65

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 66

regrave (ruh hot)

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 67

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 68

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 69

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 70

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 71

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 72

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 73

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 74

Chapter 5

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 75

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 76

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 77

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 78

tasympng tahng soup

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 79

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 80

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 81

yaacuten (yan salt)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 82

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 83

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 84

chaacute chah tea

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 85

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 86

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 87

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 88

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 89

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 90

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 91

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 92

Chapter 6

Making comparisons

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 93

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 94

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 95

dagrave (dah large)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 96

kuasympn kwan wide

spartng soong loose

zhacirci jye narrow

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 97

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 98

hradici (hey black)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 99

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 100

yugrave (yew jade)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 101

rograveu row meat

yuacute yew fish

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 102

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 103

micirc mee meter

macirc mah yard

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 104

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 105

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 106

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 107

hacirco (how good)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 108

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 109

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 110

Chapter 7

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 111

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 112

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 113

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 114

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 115

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 116

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 117

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 118

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 119

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 120

agraven (ahn shore)

hacirci (hi ocean)

heacute (huh river)

huacute (hoo lake)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 121

gucirc (goo drums)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 122

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 123

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 124

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 125

chahng a game

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 126

Chapter 8

Using the Internet

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 127

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 128

h∆ (who beep)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 129

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 130

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 131

Weacutei way Hello

Wegravei way Hello

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 132

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 133

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 134

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 135

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 136

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 137

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 138

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 139

relations

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 140

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 141

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 142

Chapter 9

Surviving Customs

Getting around town

Asking directions

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 143

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 144

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 145

tsahng

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 146

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 147

(approximately)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 148

You can also say

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 149

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 150

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 151

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 152

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 153

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 154

jiucirc jyo alcohol

basympo baow bag

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 155

business

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 156

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 157

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 158

yograveu (yo right)

hograveu (ho back)

licirc (lee inside)

biagraven (byan)

miasympn (myan)

toacuteu (toe)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 159

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 160

lugrave (loo road)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 161

For example

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 162

becirci (bay north)

xint (she west)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 163

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 164

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 165

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 166

Chapter 10

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 167

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 168

dpartu doe both all

heacute huh and

continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 169

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 170

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 171

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 172

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 173

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 174

continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 175

please

xicirc she to wash

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 176

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 177

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 178

Chapter 11

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 179

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 180

shocircu show hand

tuicirc tway leg

jiacirco jyaow foot

toacuteu toe head

begravei bay back

liacircn lyan face

fegravei fay lungs

gasympn gahn liver

xintn shin heart

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 181

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 182

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 183

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 184

(continued)

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 185

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 186

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 187

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 188

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 189

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 190

Chapter 12

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 191

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 192

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 193

sumiyaeye yah Oh my

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 194

Chapter 13

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 195

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 196

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 197

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 198

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 199

bull D bulldays

dinner 75directions

bull F bullfamily

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 200

Index 201

bull M bullMandarin

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 201

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 202

34ndash35

168ndash170

183ndash185

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 203

tense 20third tone

156ndash165

84ndash85work

bull X bullXu Shen

written word 6

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 204

Index 205

and 49

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 205

About the Author

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book


Foolish Assumptions











Naming Those Nouns



Verbs

Advocating Adverbs

Total Negation


Asking Questions




Telling Time



Money Money Money




Chatting It Up


All about Meals

Dining Out







Going to Stores








Naming Your Hobbies

Exploring Nature


Getting into Sports



Heading Off to Work


Using the Internet













Calling the Police




Index

Chinese Phrases

DUMmIESpermil

by Dr Wendy Abraham

ISBN-13 978-07645-8477-0

ISBN-10 0-7645-8477-4

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1OSSQYQVIN

Composition

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page v

Index 199

Introduction

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 1

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 2

Introduction 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 4

Chapter 1

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 5

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 6

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 7

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 8

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 9

b baw bore

p paw paw

m maw more

f faw four

d duh done

t tuh ton

n nuh null

l luh lull

g guh gull

k kuh come

h huh hunt

j gee gee

q chee cheat

x she she

s suh sun

zh jir germ

ch chir churn

sh shir shirt

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 10

w wuh won

y yuh yup

a ah hot

ai i eye

ao ow chow

an ahn sonogram

ang ahng angst

o aw straw

ong oong too + ng

(continued)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 11

ou oh oh

e uh bush

ei ay way

en un ton

eng ung tongue

er ar are

i ee tea

ia ya gotcha

iao yaow meow

ie yeh yet

iu yo leo

ian yan Cheyenne

in een seen

ing eeng going

iong yoong you + ng

u oo too

ua wa suave

uo waw war

ui way way

uai why why

uan wan want

un one one

uang wahng wan + ng

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 12

ueng wung one + ng

uuml yew ewe

uumle yweh you + eh

uumln yewn you + n

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 13

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 14

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 15

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 16

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 17

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 18

Chapter 2

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 19

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 20

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 21

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 22

kradic kuh trees

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 23

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 24

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 25

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 26

chint chir to eat

macirci my to buy

magravei my to sell

shigrave shir to be

yocircu yo to have

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 27

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 28

You have

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 29

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 30

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 31

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 32

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 33

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 34

nacircr (nar where)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 35

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 36

Chapter 3

Telling time

Spending money

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 37

liacuteng leeng 0

yint ee 1

egraver are 2

sasympn sahn 3

sigrave suh 4

wucirc woo 5

liugrave lyo 6

qint chee 7

basymp bah 8

jiucirc jyoe 9

shiacute shir 10

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 38

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 39

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 40

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 41

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 42

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 43

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 44

tomorrow

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 45

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 46

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 47

shucirc shoo rat

niuacute nyo ox

hucirc hoo tiger

sheacute shuh snake

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 48

macirc mah horse

hoacuteu ho monkey

jint jee rooster

gocircu go dog

zh∆ joo pig

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 49

after next

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 50

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 51

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 52

continued

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 53

(a large bill)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 54

ko window

account

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 55

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 56

Chapter 4

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 57

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 58

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 59

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 60

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 61

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 62

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 63

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 64

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 65

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 66

regrave (ruh hot)

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 67

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 68

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 69

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 70

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 71

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 72

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 73

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 74

Chapter 5

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 75

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 76

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 77

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 78

tasympng tahng soup

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 79

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 80

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 81

yaacuten (yan salt)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 82

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 83

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 84

chaacute chah tea

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 85

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 86

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 87

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 88

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 89

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 90

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 91

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 92

Chapter 6

Making comparisons

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 93

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 94

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 95

dagrave (dah large)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 96

kuasympn kwan wide

spartng soong loose

zhacirci jye narrow

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 97

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 98

hradici (hey black)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 99

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 100

yugrave (yew jade)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 101

rograveu row meat

yuacute yew fish

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 102

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 103

micirc mee meter

macirc mah yard

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 104

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 105

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 106

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 107

hacirco (how good)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 108

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 109

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 110

Chapter 7

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 111

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 112

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 113

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 114

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 115

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 116

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 117

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 118

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 119

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 120

agraven (ahn shore)

hacirci (hi ocean)

heacute (huh river)

huacute (hoo lake)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 121

gucirc (goo drums)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 122

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 123

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 124

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 125

chahng a game

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 126

Chapter 8

Using the Internet

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 127

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 128

h∆ (who beep)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 129

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 130

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 131

Weacutei way Hello

Wegravei way Hello

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 132

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 133

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 134

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 135

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 136

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 137

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 138

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 139

relations

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 140

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 141

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 142

Chapter 9

Surviving Customs

Getting around town

Asking directions

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 143

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 144

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 145

tsahng

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 146

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 147

(approximately)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 148

You can also say

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 149

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 150

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 151

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 152

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 153

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 154

jiucirc jyo alcohol

basympo baow bag

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 155

business

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 156

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 157

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 158

yograveu (yo right)

hograveu (ho back)

licirc (lee inside)

biagraven (byan)

miasympn (myan)

toacuteu (toe)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 159

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 160

lugrave (loo road)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 161

For example

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 162

becirci (bay north)

xint (she west)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 163

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 164

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 165

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 166

Chapter 10

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 167

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 168

dpartu doe both all

heacute huh and

continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 169

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 170

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 171

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 172

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 173

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 174

continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 175

please

xicirc she to wash

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 176

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 177

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 178

Chapter 11

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 179

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 180

shocircu show hand

tuicirc tway leg

jiacirco jyaow foot

toacuteu toe head

begravei bay back

liacircn lyan face

fegravei fay lungs

gasympn gahn liver

xintn shin heart

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 181

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 182

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 183

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 184

(continued)

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 185

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 186

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 187

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 188

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 189

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 190

Chapter 12

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 191

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 192

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 193

sumiyaeye yah Oh my

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 194

Chapter 13

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 195

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 196

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 197

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 198

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 199

bull D bulldays

dinner 75directions

bull F bullfamily

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 200

Index 201

bull M bullMandarin

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 201

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 202

34ndash35

168ndash170

183ndash185

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 203

tense 20third tone

156ndash165

84ndash85work

bull X bullXu Shen

written word 6

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 204

Index 205

and 49

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 205

About the Author

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book


Foolish Assumptions











Naming Those Nouns



Verbs

Advocating Adverbs

Total Negation


Asking Questions




Telling Time



Money Money Money




Chatting It Up


All about Meals

Dining Out







Going to Stores








Naming Your Hobbies

Exploring Nature


Getting into Sports



Heading Off to Work


Using the Internet













Calling the Police




Index

ISBN-13 978-07645-8477-0

ISBN-10 0-7645-8477-4

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

1OSSQYQVIN

Composition

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page v

Index 199

Introduction

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 1

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 2

Introduction 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 4

Chapter 1

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 5

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 6

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 7

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 8

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 9

b baw bore

p paw paw

m maw more

f faw four

d duh done

t tuh ton

n nuh null

l luh lull

g guh gull

k kuh come

h huh hunt

j gee gee

q chee cheat

x she she

s suh sun

zh jir germ

ch chir churn

sh shir shirt

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 10

w wuh won

y yuh yup

a ah hot

ai i eye

ao ow chow

an ahn sonogram

ang ahng angst

o aw straw

ong oong too + ng

(continued)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 11

ou oh oh

e uh bush

ei ay way

en un ton

eng ung tongue

er ar are

i ee tea

ia ya gotcha

iao yaow meow

ie yeh yet

iu yo leo

ian yan Cheyenne

in een seen

ing eeng going

iong yoong you + ng

u oo too

ua wa suave

uo waw war

ui way way

uai why why

uan wan want

un one one

uang wahng wan + ng

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 12

ueng wung one + ng

uuml yew ewe

uumle yweh you + eh

uumln yewn you + n

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Chapter 2

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kradic kuh trees

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chint chir to eat

macirci my to buy

magravei my to sell

shigrave shir to be

yocircu yo to have

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06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 28

You have

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06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 31

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nacircr (nar where)

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Chapter 3

Telling time

Spending money

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liacuteng leeng 0

yint ee 1

egraver are 2

sasympn sahn 3

sigrave suh 4

wucirc woo 5

liugrave lyo 6

qint chee 7

basymp bah 8

jiucirc jyoe 9

shiacute shir 10

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tomorrow

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07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 46

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shucirc shoo rat

niuacute nyo ox

hucirc hoo tiger

sheacute shuh snake

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 48

macirc mah horse

hoacuteu ho monkey

jint jee rooster

gocircu go dog

zh∆ joo pig

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 49

after next

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 50

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07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 52

continued

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 53

(a large bill)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 54

ko window

account

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Chapter 4

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08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 66

regrave (ruh hot)

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08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 70

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Chapter 5

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09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 78

tasympng tahng soup

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09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 81

yaacuten (yan salt)

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chaacute chah tea

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Chapter 6

Making comparisons

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dagrave (dah large)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 96

kuasympn kwan wide

spartng soong loose

zhacirci jye narrow

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10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 98

hradici (hey black)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 99

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 100

yugrave (yew jade)

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rograveu row meat

yuacute yew fish

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micirc mee meter

macirc mah yard

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hacirco (how good)

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10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 110

Chapter 7

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11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 112

continued

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11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 115

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agraven (ahn shore)

hacirci (hi ocean)

heacute (huh river)

huacute (hoo lake)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 121

gucirc (goo drums)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 122

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 123

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 124

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 125

chahng a game

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 126

Chapter 8

Using the Internet

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 127

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 128

h∆ (who beep)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 129

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 130

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 131

Weacutei way Hello

Wegravei way Hello

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 132

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12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 134

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relations

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Chapter 9

Surviving Customs

Getting around town

Asking directions

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 143

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 144

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 145

tsahng

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 146

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 147

(approximately)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 148

You can also say

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jiucirc jyo alcohol

basympo baow bag

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business

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yograveu (yo right)

hograveu (ho back)

licirc (lee inside)

biagraven (byan)

miasympn (myan)

toacuteu (toe)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 159

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 160

lugrave (loo road)

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For example

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 162

becirci (bay north)

xint (she west)

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Chapter 10

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dpartu doe both all

heacute huh and

continued

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continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 175

please

xicirc she to wash

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Chapter 11

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shocircu show hand

tuicirc tway leg

jiacirco jyaow foot

toacuteu toe head

begravei bay back

liacircn lyan face

fegravei fay lungs

gasympn gahn liver

xintn shin heart

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(continued)

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Chapter 12

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sumiyaeye yah Oh my

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Chapter 13

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bull D bulldays

dinner 75directions

bull F bullfamily

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Index 201

bull M bullMandarin

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34ndash35

168ndash170

183ndash185

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 203

tense 20third tone

156ndash165

84ndash85work

bull X bullXu Shen

written word 6

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 204

Index 205

and 49

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 205

About the Author

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book


Foolish Assumptions











Naming Those Nouns



Verbs

Advocating Adverbs

Total Negation


Asking Questions




Telling Time



Money Money Money




Chatting It Up


All about Meals

Dining Out







Going to Stores








Naming Your Hobbies

Exploring Nature


Getting into Sports



Heading Off to Work


Using the Internet













Calling the Police




Index

Composition

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page v

Index 199

Introduction

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 1

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 2

Introduction 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 4

Chapter 1

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05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 6

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 7

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 8

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 9

b baw bore

p paw paw

m maw more

f faw four

d duh done

t tuh ton

n nuh null

l luh lull

g guh gull

k kuh come

h huh hunt

j gee gee

q chee cheat

x she she

s suh sun

zh jir germ

ch chir churn

sh shir shirt

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 10

w wuh won

y yuh yup

a ah hot

ai i eye

ao ow chow

an ahn sonogram

ang ahng angst

o aw straw

ong oong too + ng

(continued)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 11

ou oh oh

e uh bush

ei ay way

en un ton

eng ung tongue

er ar are

i ee tea

ia ya gotcha

iao yaow meow

ie yeh yet

iu yo leo

ian yan Cheyenne

in een seen

ing eeng going

iong yoong you + ng

u oo too

ua wa suave

uo waw war

ui way way

uai why why

uan wan want

un one one

uang wahng wan + ng

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 12

ueng wung one + ng

uuml yew ewe

uumle yweh you + eh

uumln yewn you + n

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 13

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05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 15

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05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 18

Chapter 2

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 19

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 20

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 21

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 22

kradic kuh trees

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06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 25

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 26

chint chir to eat

macirci my to buy

magravei my to sell

shigrave shir to be

yocircu yo to have

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 27

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 28

You have

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 29

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 30

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 31

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 32

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 33

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 34

nacircr (nar where)

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06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 36

Chapter 3

Telling time

Spending money

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 37

liacuteng leeng 0

yint ee 1

egraver are 2

sasympn sahn 3

sigrave suh 4

wucirc woo 5

liugrave lyo 6

qint chee 7

basymp bah 8

jiucirc jyoe 9

shiacute shir 10

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07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 40

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07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 42

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07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 44

tomorrow

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 45

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 46

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 47

shucirc shoo rat

niuacute nyo ox

hucirc hoo tiger

sheacute shuh snake

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 48

macirc mah horse

hoacuteu ho monkey

jint jee rooster

gocircu go dog

zh∆ joo pig

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 49

after next

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 50

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 51

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 52

continued

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 53

(a large bill)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 54

ko window

account

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07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 56

Chapter 4

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08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 65

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 66

regrave (ruh hot)

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08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 68

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 69

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 70

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08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 74

Chapter 5

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09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 77

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 78

tasympng tahng soup

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09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 80

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 81

yaacuten (yan salt)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 82

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 83

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 84

chaacute chah tea

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09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 86

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 87

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 88

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 89

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 90

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 91

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 92

Chapter 6

Making comparisons

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10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 94

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 95

dagrave (dah large)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 96

kuasympn kwan wide

spartng soong loose

zhacirci jye narrow

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 97

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 98

hradici (hey black)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 99

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 100

yugrave (yew jade)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 101

rograveu row meat

yuacute yew fish

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 102

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 103

micirc mee meter

macirc mah yard

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 104

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 105

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 106

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 107

hacirco (how good)

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10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 109

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 110

Chapter 7

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11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 112

continued

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11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 115

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11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 120

agraven (ahn shore)

hacirci (hi ocean)

heacute (huh river)

huacute (hoo lake)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 121

gucirc (goo drums)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 122

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 123

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 124

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 125

chahng a game

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 126

Chapter 8

Using the Internet

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 127

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 128

h∆ (who beep)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 129

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 130

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 131

Weacutei way Hello

Wegravei way Hello

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 132

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 133

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 134

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 135

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 136

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 137

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 138

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 139

relations

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 140

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 141

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 142

Chapter 9

Surviving Customs

Getting around town

Asking directions

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 143

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 144

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 145

tsahng

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 146

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 147

(approximately)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 148

You can also say

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 149

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 150

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 151

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 152

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 153

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 154

jiucirc jyo alcohol

basympo baow bag

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 155

business

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 156

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 157

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 158

yograveu (yo right)

hograveu (ho back)

licirc (lee inside)

biagraven (byan)

miasympn (myan)

toacuteu (toe)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 159

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 160

lugrave (loo road)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 161

For example

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 162

becirci (bay north)

xint (she west)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 163

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 164

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 165

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 166

Chapter 10

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 167

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 168

dpartu doe both all

heacute huh and

continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 169

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 170

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 171

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 172

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 173

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 174

continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 175

please

xicirc she to wash

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 176

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 177

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 178

Chapter 11

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 179

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 180

shocircu show hand

tuicirc tway leg

jiacirco jyaow foot

toacuteu toe head

begravei bay back

liacircn lyan face

fegravei fay lungs

gasympn gahn liver

xintn shin heart

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 181

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 182

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 183

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 184

(continued)

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 185

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 186

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 187

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 188

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 189

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 190

Chapter 12

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 191

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 192

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 193

sumiyaeye yah Oh my

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 194

Chapter 13

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 195

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 196

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 197

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 198

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 199

bull D bulldays

dinner 75directions

bull F bullfamily

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 200

Index 201

bull M bullMandarin

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 201

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 202

34ndash35

168ndash170

183ndash185

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 203

tense 20third tone

156ndash165

84ndash85work

bull X bullXu Shen

written word 6

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 204

Index 205

and 49

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 205

About the Author

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book


Foolish Assumptions











Naming Those Nouns



Verbs

Advocating Adverbs

Total Negation


Asking Questions




Telling Time



Money Money Money




Chatting It Up


All about Meals

Dining Out







Going to Stores








Naming Your Hobbies

Exploring Nature


Getting into Sports



Heading Off to Work


Using the Internet













Calling the Police




Index

Composition

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page v

Index 199

Introduction

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 1

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 2

Introduction 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 4

Chapter 1

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 5

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 6

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 7

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 8

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 9

b baw bore

p paw paw

m maw more

f faw four

d duh done

t tuh ton

n nuh null

l luh lull

g guh gull

k kuh come

h huh hunt

j gee gee

q chee cheat

x she she

s suh sun

zh jir germ

ch chir churn

sh shir shirt

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 10

w wuh won

y yuh yup

a ah hot

ai i eye

ao ow chow

an ahn sonogram

ang ahng angst

o aw straw

ong oong too + ng

(continued)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 11

ou oh oh

e uh bush

ei ay way

en un ton

eng ung tongue

er ar are

i ee tea

ia ya gotcha

iao yaow meow

ie yeh yet

iu yo leo

ian yan Cheyenne

in een seen

ing eeng going

iong yoong you + ng

u oo too

ua wa suave

uo waw war

ui way way

uai why why

uan wan want

un one one

uang wahng wan + ng

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 12

ueng wung one + ng

uuml yew ewe

uumle yweh you + eh

uumln yewn you + n

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 13

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 14

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 15

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 16

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 17

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 18

Chapter 2

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 19

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 20

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 21

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 22

kradic kuh trees

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 23

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 24

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 25

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 26

chint chir to eat

macirci my to buy

magravei my to sell

shigrave shir to be

yocircu yo to have

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 27

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 28

You have

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 29

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 30

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 31

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 32

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 33

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 34

nacircr (nar where)

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 35

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 36

Chapter 3

Telling time

Spending money

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 37

liacuteng leeng 0

yint ee 1

egraver are 2

sasympn sahn 3

sigrave suh 4

wucirc woo 5

liugrave lyo 6

qint chee 7

basymp bah 8

jiucirc jyoe 9

shiacute shir 10

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 38

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 39

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 40

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 41

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 42

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 43

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 44

tomorrow

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 45

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 46

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 47

shucirc shoo rat

niuacute nyo ox

hucirc hoo tiger

sheacute shuh snake

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 48

macirc mah horse

hoacuteu ho monkey

jint jee rooster

gocircu go dog

zh∆ joo pig

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 49

after next

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 50

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 51

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 52

continued

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 53

(a large bill)

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 54

ko window

account

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 55

07_584774_ch03qxd 8305 1035 PM Page 56

Chapter 4

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 57

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 58

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 59

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 60

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 61

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 62

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 63

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 64

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 65

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 66

regrave (ruh hot)

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 67

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 68

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 69

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 70

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 71

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 72

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 73

08_584774_ch04qxd 8305 1044 PM Page 74

Chapter 5

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 75

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 76

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 77

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 78

tasympng tahng soup

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 79

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 80

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 81

yaacuten (yan salt)

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 82

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 83

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 84

chaacute chah tea

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 85

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 86

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 87

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 88

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 89

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 90

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 91

09_584774_ch05qxd 8305 1037 PM Page 92

Chapter 6

Making comparisons

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 93

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 94

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 95

dagrave (dah large)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 96

kuasympn kwan wide

spartng soong loose

zhacirci jye narrow

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 97

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 98

hradici (hey black)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 99

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 100

yugrave (yew jade)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 101

rograveu row meat

yuacute yew fish

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 102

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 103

micirc mee meter

macirc mah yard

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 104

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 105

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 106

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 107

hacirco (how good)

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 108

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 109

10_584774_ch06qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 110

Chapter 7

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 111

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 112

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 113

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 114

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 115

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 116

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 117

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 118

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 119

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 120

agraven (ahn shore)

hacirci (hi ocean)

heacute (huh river)

huacute (hoo lake)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 121

gucirc (goo drums)

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 122

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 123

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 124

continued

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 125

chahng a game

11_584774_ch07qxd 8305 1036 PM Page 126

Chapter 8

Using the Internet

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 127

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 128

h∆ (who beep)

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 129

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 130

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 131

Weacutei way Hello

Wegravei way Hello

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 132

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 133

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 134

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 135

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 136

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 137

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 138

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 139

relations

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 140

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 141

12_584774_ch08qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 142

Chapter 9

Surviving Customs

Getting around town

Asking directions

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 143

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 144

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 145

tsahng

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 146

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 147

(approximately)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 148

You can also say

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 149

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 150

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 151

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 152

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 153

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 154

jiucirc jyo alcohol

basympo baow bag

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 155

business

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 156

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 157

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 158

yograveu (yo right)

hograveu (ho back)

licirc (lee inside)

biagraven (byan)

miasympn (myan)

toacuteu (toe)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 159

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 160

lugrave (loo road)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 161

For example

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 162

becirci (bay north)

xint (she west)

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 163

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 164

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 165

13_584774_ch09qxd 8305 1042 PM Page 166

Chapter 10

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 167

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 168

dpartu doe both all

heacute huh and

continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 169

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 170

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 171

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 172

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 173

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 174

continued

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 175

please

xicirc she to wash

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 176

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 177

14_584774_ch10qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 178

Chapter 11

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 179

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 180

shocircu show hand

tuicirc tway leg

jiacirco jyaow foot

toacuteu toe head

begravei bay back

liacircn lyan face

fegravei fay lungs

gasympn gahn liver

xintn shin heart

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 181

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 182

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 183

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 184

(continued)

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 185

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 186

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 187

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 188

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 189

15_584774_ch11qxd 8305 1041 PM Page 190

Chapter 12

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 191

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 192

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 193

sumiyaeye yah Oh my

16_584774_ch12qxd 8305 1043 PM Page 194

Chapter 13

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 195

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 196

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 197

17_584774_ch13qxd 8305 1033 PM Page 198

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 199

bull D bulldays

dinner 75directions

bull F bullfamily

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 200

Index 201

bull M bullMandarin

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 201

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 202

34ndash35

168ndash170

183ndash185

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 203

tense 20third tone

156ndash165

84ndash85work

bull X bullXu Shen

written word 6

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 204

Index 205

and 49

18_584774_indexqxd 8305 1036 PM Page 205

About the Author

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book


Foolish Assumptions











Naming Those Nouns



Verbs

Advocating Adverbs

Total Negation


Asking Questions




Telling Time



Money Money Money




Chatting It Up


All about Meals

Dining Out







Going to Stores








Naming Your Hobbies

Exploring Nature


Getting into Sports



Heading Off to Work


Using the Internet













Calling the Police




Index

02_584774_ftocqxd 8305 1045 PM Page v

Index 199

Introduction

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 1

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 2

Introduction 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 3

04_584774_introqxd 8305 1043 PM Page 4

Chapter 1

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 5

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 6

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 7

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1039 PM Page 8

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 9

b baw bore

p paw paw

m maw more

f faw four

d duh done

t tuh ton

n nuh null

l luh lull

g guh gull

k kuh come

h huh hunt

j gee gee

q chee cheat

x she she

s suh sun

zh jir germ

ch chir churn

sh shir shirt

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 10

w wuh won

y yuh yup

a ah hot

ai i eye

ao ow chow

an ahn sonogram

ang ahng angst

o aw straw

ong oong too + ng

(continued)

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 11

ou oh oh

e uh bush

ei ay way

en un ton

eng ung tongue

er ar are

i ee tea

ia ya gotcha

iao yaow meow

ie yeh yet

iu yo leo

ian yan Cheyenne

in een seen

ing eeng going

iong yoong you + ng

u oo too

ua wa suave

uo waw war

ui way way

uai why why

uan wan want

un one one

uang wahng wan + ng

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 12

ueng wung one + ng

uuml yew ewe

uumle yweh you + eh

uumln yewn you + n

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 13

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 14

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 15

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 16

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 17

05_584774_ch01qxd 8305 1040 PM Page 18

Chapter 2

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 19

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 20

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 21

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 22

kradic kuh trees

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 23

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 24

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 25

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 26

chint chir to eat

macirci my to buy

magravei my to sell

shigrave shir to be

yocircu yo to have

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 27

06_584774z_ch02qxd 8305 1038 PM Page 28

You have

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nacircr (nar where)

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Chapter 3

Telling time

Spending money

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liacuteng leeng 0

yint ee 1

egraver are 2

sasympn sahn 3

sigrave suh 4

wucirc woo 5

liugrave lyo 6

qint chee 7

basymp bah 8

jiucirc jyoe 9

shiacute shir 10

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tomorrow

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shucirc shoo rat

niuacute nyo ox

hucirc hoo tiger

sheacute shuh snake

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macirc mah horse

hoacuteu ho monkey

jint jee rooster

gocircu go dog

zh∆ joo pig

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after next

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continued

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(a large bill)

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ko window

account

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Chapter 4

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regrave (ruh hot)

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Chapter 5

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tasympng tahng soup

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yaacuten (yan salt)

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chaacute chah tea

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Chapter 6

Making comparisons

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dagrave (dah large)

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kuasympn kwan wide

spartng soong loose

zhacirci jye narrow

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hradici (hey black)

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yugrave (yew jade)

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rograveu row meat

yuacute yew fish

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micirc mee meter

macirc mah yard

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hacirco (how good)

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Chapter 7

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continued

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agraven (ahn shore)

hacirci (hi ocean)

heacute (huh river)

huacute (hoo lake)

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gucirc (goo drums)

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continued

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chahng a game

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Chapter 8

Using the Internet

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h∆ (who beep)

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Weacutei way Hello

Wegravei way Hello

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relations

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Chapter 9

Surviving Customs

Getting around town

Asking directions

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tsahng

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(approximately)

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You can also say

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jiucirc jyo alcohol

basympo baow bag

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business

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yograveu (yo right)

hograveu (ho back)

licirc (lee inside)

biagraven (byan)

miasympn (myan)

toacuteu (toe)

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lugrave (loo road)

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For example

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becirci (bay north)

xint (she west)

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Chapter 10

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dpartu doe both all

heacute huh and

continued

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continued

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please

xicirc she to wash

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Chapter 11

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shocircu show hand

tuicirc tway leg

jiacirco jyaow foot

toacuteu toe head

begravei bay back

liacircn lyan face

fegravei fay lungs

gasympn gahn liver

xintn shin heart

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(continued)

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Chapter 12

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sumiyaeye yah Oh my

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Chapter 13

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bull D bulldays

dinner 75directions

bull F bullfamily

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Index 201

bull M bullMandarin

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34ndash35

168ndash170

183ndash185

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tense 20third tone

156ndash165

84ndash85work

bull X bullXu Shen

written word 6

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Index 205

and 49

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About the Author

Table of Contents

Introduction

About This Book


Foolish Assumptions











Naming Those Nouns



Verbs

Advocating Adverbs

Total Negation


Asking Questions




Telling Time



Money Money Money




Chatting It Up


All about Meals

Dining Out







Going to Stores








Naming Your Hobbies

Exploring Nature


Getting into Sports



Heading Off to Work


Using the Internet













Calling the Police




Index

Documents

Chinese Phrases for Dummies (ISBN - 0764584774)