| Useful
Chinese Phrases Mandarin, the
official form of spoken Chinese based on Beijing dialect, is referred to
in China as putonghua, or Popular Tongue, a term coined by the
Chinese government in the 1950's. Modern Mandarin consists of
four
tones. The phrases below are spelled in pinyin, the official
romanization system in the People's Republic of China. The pinyin
system is pronounced as it looks, with a few exceptions. Wade-Giles
pronunciations are also provided for your convenience.
|
Chinese Phrases in Pinyin |
Pronunciation by
Wade-Giles system |
Meaning |
| Ni Hao/你好 |
ni hao |
Hello |
| Ni Hao Ma/你好吗? |
ni hao ma |
How are you? |
| Xie Xie/谢谢 |
hsieh hsieh |
Thank you |
| Zai Jian/再见 |
tsai chien |
Goodbye |
| Bu Ke Qi/不客气 |
pu k'o ch'i |
You are welcome |
| Dui Bu Qi/对不起 |
tui pu ch'i |
I am sorry |
| Qing/请 |
ch'ing |
Please |
| Huan Qian/换钱 |
huan ch'ien |
Exchange money |
| Duo Shao Qian/多少钱? |
to shao ch'ien |
How much? |
| Tai Gui Le/太贵了 |
t'ai kuei le |
Too expensive |
| Bu Yao/不要 |
pu yao |
I don't want it |
| Wo Shi Jia Na Da
Ren/我是加拿大人 |
wo shih chia na ta
jen |
I am Canadian |
| Wo Shi Mei Guo
Ren/我是美国人 |
wo shih mei kuo
jen |
I am American |
| Wo Shi Ying Guo
Ren/我是英国人 |
wo shih ying kuo
jen |
I am British |
| Pi Jiu/啤酒 |
p'i chiu |
Beer |
| Cha/茶 |
ch'a |
Tea |
| Liang Kai Shui/凉开水 |
liang k'ai shui |
Boiled cold water |
| Cha Zi/叉子 |
ch'a tzu |
Fork |
| La Jiao Jiang/辣椒酱 |
la chiao chiang |
Chilli sauce |
| Jiang You/酱油 |
chiang yu (you
is closer) |
Soy sauce |
| Ce Suo/厕所 |
ts'e so |
Toilet |
|
