Basic Mandarin (Chinese) words and phrases
city and even each village speaks their own dialect. There arehundreds of Chinese dialects in China so much so that each
dialect speaker is not likely to understand another dialect
speaker from another village or city. Fortunately, Mandarin, the
official dialect, is understood by all dialect speakers.
Let"s learn a few useful basic and common Mandarin words and
phrases that will help you break barriers with your Chinese
friends.
How are You? -Ni Hao Ma
Also commonly shorten to Ni Hao.
This is likely to be the first Mandarin phrase that you will
ever learn. Useful as a greeting or a ice-breaker. Suitable for
use with all ages and professions.
Thank You -Xie Xie.
Another polite term that is easy to remember and use.
Very Good -Hen Hao.
This is useful when giving praise for a job or task well done.
Also useful as a reply to anyone who says "Ni Hao Ma?" to you.
Ni Hao Ma? -How are you?
Hen Hao (Very Good)
No Good -Bu Hao
This is useful when there is a need to comment on a shoddy or
incomplete job or task. Can also be used as a reply to Ni Hao
Ma? but may not be such a good reply.
Ni Hao Ma? -How are you?-
Bu Hao (No Good)
Very Expensive -Hen Gui.
When bargaining at the shops, this is the best term to use when
driving a hard bargain.
Don"t want or -No Bu Yao.
This is the best term to use for touts - street hawkers who
approach you at every tourist stop to ask you to buy things. Bu
Yao....will stop them in their track.
This is beautiful -Hen Piao Liang.
Use this phrase to praise something that is nice or beautiful.
May also be used when meeting a pretty girl too!
Taxi -De Shi.
De Shi is the correct term but you should be understood even if
you use the English word for Taxi. They sound alike anyway.
Good Bye or See You Again -Zai Jian.
Well, I guess this is another term that will be easily
understood even if the English word is used.
Excuse Me -Jie Guo.
There is always a crowd in touristy areas. There are so many
Chinese who wants to see the same monuments too. Rather than
push your way through the crowd, using the term Jie Guo may just
open the path ahead for you!
Receipt -Fa Piao.
Always ask for the receipt or Fa Piao at the shops or from a
taxi. This may be useful if you need to complain about a fraud
or shoddy product. Also useful if you leave behind your bag or
camera in the taxi.
I don"t want -Wo Bu Yao.
Useful when refusing a tout or when offered a drink too many at
the Dinner table.
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