Difference between revisions of "Language/Mandarin-chinese/Vocabulary/Expressions-to-survive-in-China"
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[[File:Expressions-to-survive-in-China.jpg|thumb]] | [[File:Expressions-to-survive-in-China.jpg|thumb]] | ||
Are you going to China for a while? Here is a list of Chinese expressions to communicate with your local interlocutors and to "survive" there. | Are you going to China for a while? Here is a list of Chinese expressions to communicate with your local interlocutors and to "survive" there. | ||
== | ==Nǐ hao: hello== | ||
For the polite form, prefer nín hao. | For the polite form, prefer nín hao. | ||
==Wǒ | ==Wǒ bú huì shuō Hànyǔ: I do not speak Chinese== | ||
At least not yet. A very useful expression to immediately remove any ambiguity. | At least not yet. A very useful expression to immediately remove any ambiguity. | ||
==Wǒ bù dǒng: I did not understand== | ==Wǒ bù dǒng: I did not understand== | ||
In addition to the previous sentence for example. | In addition to the previous sentence for example. | ||
== | ==Huānyíng huānyíng: welcome== | ||
So that the guests feel at home. | So that the guests feel at home. | ||
== | ==Jiǔyǎng jiǔyǎng: honored to meet you== | ||
When you meet someone you have heard (good things) about. | When you meet someone you have heard (good things) about. | ||
==Zěnmeyàng: how are you?== | |||
== | |||
A rather familiar catch-all phrase. To be avoided in formal circumstances. | A rather familiar catch-all phrase. To be avoided in formal circumstances. | ||
== | ==Xièxie: thanks== | ||
In testimony of your eternal gratitude. | In testimony of your eternal gratitude. | ||
==Duì bù qǐ: sorry== | ==Duì bù qǐ: sorry== | ||
A little politeness is the least of things. | A little politeness is the least of things. | ||
== | ==Méi guānxi: it's nothing== | ||
Or also "no problem", "it does not matter" | Or also "no problem", "it does not matter" | ||
== | ==wǒ è: I'm hungry== | ||
In such a country, it would be criminal to miss out on meals. Or not, it's according to the tastes ... | In such a country, it would be criminal to miss out on meals. Or not, it's according to the tastes ... | ||
==Duō shǎo qián: how much does it cost?== | ==Duō shǎo qián: how much does it cost?== | ||
To take the measure. | To take the measure. | ||
== Zhè tài guì: it's too expensive == | == Zhè tài guì: it's too expensive == | ||
==Mànmàn chi: Enjoy your meal== | ==Mànmàn chi: Enjoy your meal== | ||
Literally, it means "take your time while eating" or "eat slowly". | Literally, it means "take your time while eating" or "eat slowly". | ||
==Mǎi dān: the check please== | ==Mǎi dān: the check please== | ||
A must, unfortunately. | A must, unfortunately. | ||
==Zài jiàn: good bye== | ==Zài jiàn: good bye== |
Revision as of 05:22, 22 February 2019
Are you going to China for a while? Here is a list of Chinese expressions to communicate with your local interlocutors and to "survive" there.
Nǐ hao: hello
For the polite form, prefer nín hao.
Wǒ bú huì shuō Hànyǔ: I do not speak Chinese
At least not yet. A very useful expression to immediately remove any ambiguity.
Wǒ bù dǒng: I did not understand
In addition to the previous sentence for example.
Huānyíng huānyíng: welcome
So that the guests feel at home.
Jiǔyǎng jiǔyǎng: honored to meet you
When you meet someone you have heard (good things) about.
Zěnmeyàng: how are you?
A rather familiar catch-all phrase. To be avoided in formal circumstances.
Xièxie: thanks
In testimony of your eternal gratitude.
Duì bù qǐ: sorry
A little politeness is the least of things.
Méi guānxi: it's nothing
Or also "no problem", "it does not matter"
wǒ è: I'm hungry
In such a country, it would be criminal to miss out on meals. Or not, it's according to the tastes ...
Duō shǎo qián: how much does it cost?
To take the measure.
Zhè tài guì: it's too expensive
Mànmàn chi: Enjoy your meal
Literally, it means "take your time while eating" or "eat slowly".
Mǎi dān: the check please
A must, unfortunately.