SURVIVAL

CHINESE
How to Communicate
Without Fuss or Fear—Instantly!

by Boyé Lafayette De Mente

T UT T L E Publishing
Tokyo Rutland, Vermont Singapore
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

www.tuttlepublishing.com

Copyright © 2004 Boyé Lafayette De Mente

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OTHER BOOKS BY THE AUTHOR
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Businessman’s After Hours Guide to Japan
Women of the Orient
Mistress-Keeping in Japan
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Exotic Japan—The Land, Places, People & Pleasures
Businessman’s Language Guide to Japan
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Japanese in Plain English
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Businessman’s Quick Guide to Japan
Japan’s Secret Weapon: The Kata Factor
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Dining Guide to Japan
Shopping Guide to Japan
Etiquette Guide to Japan
Etiquette Guide to China
Etiquette Guide to Korea
Instant Japanese
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Chinese in Plain English
Japanese for the Travel Industry
China’s Cultural Code Words
Japan Encyclopedia
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Korea’s Business & Cultural Code Words
Cultural Code Words of the Hopi People (e-book)
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Nihon Rashisa wo Eigo ni Dekimasu Ka (with Michihiro
Matsumoto)
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Tsuji-nai Katakana Eigo-Meanings & Uses of Japanized English
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Kata-The Key to Understanding & Dealing With the Japanese
Instant Chinese
Instant Korean
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Subway Guide to Tokyo
 Contents
PREFACE
The “Language Wall” is Down! ..............................................8
The National Language ..........................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Chinese Written in “English”................................................10
Those Notorious Tones ........................................................12
Chinese is Easier Than English! ............................................13
The Chinese “Alphabet” .......................................................16
Running Words Together .....................................................16
Pronouncing Chinese “in English” .......................................17
Pronunciation Guides ..........................................................18

PART 1
Common Expressions & Key Words ....................................29
Personal Information ............................................................48
Directions ............................................................................50
Airport / Airline ...................................................................51
Money..................................................................................53
Taxis .....................................................................................56
Subways ...............................................................................57
Trains ...................................................................................58
Buses ....................................................................................61
Rental Cars ..........................................................................62
Hotel Vocabulary .................................................................63
Toilet / Restroom .................................................................65
The Seasons..........................................................................66
The Weather ........................................................................67
Eating .................................................................................69
Drinking ..............................................................................73
Paying Bills...........................................................................76
Telephone / Email ................................................................77
Shopping..............................................................................79
Business ...............................................................................81
Post Office............................................................................82
Health / Help .......................................................................83
Sightseeing ...........................................................................87
Barber Shop / Beauty Salon ..................................................89
Measurements ......................................................................90
Personal Titles ......................................................................90
Academic Titles ....................................................................91
Business & Professional Titles...............................................91
Homes ................................................................................93

PART 2
The Cardinal Numbers ........................................................94
The Ordinal Numbers..........................................................98
Counting Things ..................................................................99
Counting People ................................................................100
Counting Other Things .....................................................101
Telling Time .......................................................................102
Days of the Week ...............................................................105
Counting Days ...................................................................106
Weeks.................................................................................107
Counting Weeks .................................................................107
The Months .......................................................................108
The Years............................................................................110
Giving Dates ......................................................................111
Holidays .............................................................................113
PART 3
Countries ...........................................................................114
China’s Provinces ................................................................115
The Autonomous Regions ..................................................116
Major Cities .......................................................................116
Famous Places in Beijing ....................................................117
Famous Landmarks Near Beijing ........................................119
Shopping Districts in Beijing..............................................119
Famous Places in Shanghai .................................................120
Shopping Districts in Shanghai ..........................................122
Important Signs .................................................................122

PART 4
Making Your Own Sentences .............................................126

PART 5
Additional Vocabulary ........................................................128
 PREFACE
The “Language Wall” is Down!
There are at least eight primary Chinese languages, and
although they belong to the same family and historically have
been referred to as dialects, they are as different as French,
Italian, Spanish and other so-called Romance languages, if not
more so.
Westerners have also traditionally regarded learning and
speaking any of the Chinese “dialects” as especially difficult
because they are all “tonal languages.” That is, changing the
tone of voice in the pronunciation of words changes the mean-
ings of the words.
These circumstances, combined with the forbidding ap-
pearance of the “characters,” or ideograms, used to write all of
the Chinese languages, have long been viewed by Westerners as
insurmountable barriers. Furthermore, many Chinese words
have dozens to over a hundred homonyms [words that are
spelled the same and may be pronounced the same but have
different meanings], further complicating matters.

The National Language

But this view of the Chinese language is outdated. In 1949 the
newly established Communist government of Mao Ze-dong
decreed that Mandarin Chinese, the “dialect” spoken in Bei-
jing and the surrounding areas, was to be the official language
of China, and thereafter would be taught in all of the schools
throughout the country.

8 Preface
 Today, virtually all Chinese speak Mandarin Chinese,
known as putonghua (poo-tohng-hwah) ௞ใޯor “the com-
mon language,” as their first or second language. A further
boon to foreigners taking up the study of the national Chinese
language is the fact that Mandarin Chinese—now the only
“dialect” needed—has only four tones. [Some of the other
dialects have as many as eight tones.]

Boyé Lafayette De Mente

The National Language 9

 INTRODUCTON
Chinese Written in “English”
The transcription of Mandarin Chinese into Roman letters,
known as pinyin (peen-een) ஽ၥ, was reformed in 1958,
making it easier for foreigners to study the language without
having to learn the thousands of ideograms.
However, several of the letters used in the pinyin version
of Chinese are still pronounced in what might the called the
old way. These include c, q, x, z, and the combination of ch.
C is pronounced more or less as “ts,” q as “ch,” x as “sh,” z as
“dz,” and zh as “j.”
There are also some variations (from English) in the pro-
nunciation of vowels in Chinese words. U may be pronounced
more like o, and e may be pronounced more like u. These
and other variations in pronunciation are accounted for — to
the extent possible — in the English phonetic version of each
word and sentence in this book.
Here are some additional guidelines on how the 26 English
letters are pronounced when used in Chinese words (most of
them are pronounced very much like they are in English):

A “ah”, as in father
B like the “b” in bay
C like “ts” in rats
D similar to the “d” in day
E similar to the “u” in up
F same as in English
G similar to the “g” in gay
H similar to the “h” in hah
I pronounced as the “e” in easy

10 Introduction
J sounds like “jee-ay”
K like the “k” in kay
L same as in English
M same as in English
N similar to the “n” in nay
O “oh”
P like the “p” in pay
Q sounds like “chee”, as in cheese
R same as in English
S same as in English
T has a “ta”sound, as in take
U like the “oo” in oops
W like “wa” in water
X pronounced “she”
Y pronounced like “yah”
Z sounds like the “ds” in heads

Chinese Written in “English” 11

 Those Notorious “Tones”
Dealing with the problem of tonal changes in the pronuncia-
tion of Chinese words remains a challenge, but with a little ef-
fort, it does not preclude one from communicating effectively
in the language. For one thing, one of the four tones in the
language is neutral or flat, requiring no tonal change. [This is
the way most English is spoken, but if you enunciate all Chi-
nese words in this manner you will get some surprising results!]
Fortunately, the pronunciation of the other three tones in
Chinese is not absolutely precise in actual use, although there
is an “official” tone. Different people pronounce them slightly
differently, so there is some tolerance; plus the fact that the
context in which words are used helps make the meaning clear.
The four tones in Mandarin Chinese are described as even,
rising, falling-rising, and falling. The even tone is generally
spoken in a slightly higher pitch then the normal voice. In the
rising tone, the voice goes from the normal pitch to a slightly
higher pitch. In the falling-rising tone the voice goes down and
up, and in the falling tone the voice goes from a higher to a
lower tone.
In “formal” Chinese written in Roman letters the tones are
indicated by diacritical marks over the appropriate letters—the
even tone by a horizontal line; the rising tone by a line sloping
up; the falling-rising tone by a v-shaped mark; and the falling
tone by a line slanting downward. When there are no diacriti-
cal marks over letters it means they are pronounced “flat.”
Again, while using an incorrect tone will change the
meaning of a word, pronunciation of the tones by the Chinese
themselves often varies significantly, based on their education,
where they were raised, etc.

12 Introduction
 Chinese is Easier Than English!
It may require a stretch to think of Chinese as simpler and
easier than English, but linguistically speaking that is the case.
The Chinese “alphabet” consists of 405 syllables that use tonal
differences to make up some 1,277 “building blocks.” English
uses 26 letters and 44 basic sounds to create several thousand
“building blocks.”
The 405 Chinese syllables are made up of combinations
of five vowel sounds, 23 consonant sounds and 15 compound
sounds consisting of combinations of the five vowels. While
this may sound extraordinarily intimidating, the same syllables
are repeated over and over, and their spelling never changes—
while there often appears to be no rhyme or reason to the
spelling of English words.
Chinese is also grammatically simpler than English. The
sentence order of Chinese is the same as that of English:
subject, verb and object. Adjectives come before nouns, just
as they do in English. But there are no verb conjugations in
Chinese, no articles (the, a, an), and no plurals. To make the
Chinese words for I, you, he, she and it plural, you just add
the suffix men (mern) to them:

I wo (woh) ໋
we wo-men (woh-mern) ໋શ
you ni (nee) ର
you (all) ni-men (nee-mern) ରશ
he, she, it ta (tah) ේොෛ
they ta-men (tah-mern) ේશ

There is just one word in Chinese for all of the variations

of the verb “to be”—shi (pronounced shr) ൈ, which expresses

Chinese is Easier Than English! 13

be, am, is, are and were. Similarly, the word qu (chwee) ౪,
incorporates go, goes, went and gone.
Here are some of the other “rules” of Chinese:

1) The subject of sentences (I, he, she, they, it) is generally

not expressed when it is obvious from the context.
2) The past tense is formed by adding the term le (ler) ৾
after the verb.
3) The future tense is formed by adding the term jiang (jee-
ahng) ࡦbefore the verb.
4) To make a sentence negative all you do is add the term bu
(boo) Ѭin front of the verb.
5) Questions are formed by the use of interrogative terms and
tone of voice as well as by adding the special interrogative
term ma (mah) ઁat the end of sentences.
6) Sentences are made possessive by using the word de (der)
֏in between the pronoun and noun.
7) Likewise, you qualify adjectives by putting either bijiao
(bee-jee-ow) Лࢊor zui (zway) ስin front of them. Bijiao
incorporates the meaning of “relatively,” and zui “most”—
in the sense of better and best, bigger and biggest, cheaper,
cheapest, etc.
8) Special “measure words” are used between numbers and
nouns when referring to a number or quantity of things
and people. There are different “measure words” for
different types of things (flat, round), for people, animals,
etc. There is, however, one “measure word,” ge (guh) ۛ
that is more or less universal and may be used for virtually
anything if you don’t know the correct one.
9) “Yes” and “no” are generally not used by themselves. The
custom is to use the negative or the positive of the
appropriate verb or adjective to express these meanings. In

14 Introduction
 other words, the usual response to “Are you going?” is not
“no.” It is the negative form of going—that is, “not going,”
with the subject [I] understood—i.e. qu? (chwee?) ౪/ Are
you going? Bu qu (boo chwee) Ѭ౪/ I’m not going.

There are other “rules” for using Chinese, but rather than
trying to remember them individually, it is best to simply use
them as they appear in the basic sentences in this book.

Chinese is Easier Than English! 15

 The Chinese “Alphabet”
The 405 syllables that make up the Chinese language are in
effect the Chinese “alphabet.” These syllables are divided into
five sets, each of which is based on three or more of the five
vowel sounds, a (ah), i (ee), u (uu), e (eh) and o (oh), com-
bined with consonants.
The initial or first letter in Chinese syllables is always
a consonant. The “final” or ending portion of the syllables
always begins with a vowel. Example: sanbu (sahn-boo), which
means walk or stroll. Individual words consist of one or more
syllables. And as in English, there are many compound words.
One example of a compound word: qiche (chee-cher) ఄӄ,
literally “steam vehicle”; and figuratively, car or automobile.
Another commonly seen and used compound word is xiexie
(she-eh-she-eh) ཰཰, or “thank you.” [When pronounced at
normal speed it sounds like “shay-shay.”]
With only a few exceptions (as shown above) pronuncia-
tion of the initial letters of Chinese syllables is the same as or
similar to the English pronunciation. Pronunciation of the
so-called “final” portions of the syllables varies slightly. [See the
pronunciation guidelines below.]

Running Words Together

In written Chinese, characters representing the words of the
language are not separated by spaces (as individual words are in
English), but because most Chinese words are written with one
character, this does not cause the Chinese any problems.
However, the custom of not separating words with spaces
is frequently carried over into pinyin (the Roman letter version
of Chinese), so that what looks like one word may be two or

16 Introduction
three words, with Tiananmen, Beijing’s famous central square,
being an outstanding example. This is actually three words,
written in Chinese with three characters, Tian An Men (Tee-
an Ahn Mern), which literally means “Heaven Peace Gate,”
and is usually translated as “Gate of Heavenly Peace.”
In some cases in this book, I have chosen to separate the
pinyin spellings of some words to make it easier to identify
and pronounce them.

Pronouncing Chinese “in English”

The English phonetics used in the following pronunciation
guides are designed to approximate the correct Chinese
pronunciation as closely as possible. In some cases, the Chinese
syllables are pronounced exactly like—or almost exactly like—
common English words, and I have chosen to use these
English words in an effort to make recognizing and pronounc-
ing syllables and words as simple as possible. The Chinese
syllable “bai,” for example, sounds like “by,” and “bao” sounds
like “bow” (as in bowing down). “Gai” sounds like “guy,” and
so on.

Pronouncing Chinese “in English” 17

 Pronunciation Guide No. 1
[Pronounce the phonetic spellings as English. Note that the
a (ah) vowel sound is repeated in all of the syllables in this
group.]
A AI AN ANG AO
ah aye in/ahn ahng ow
(as in ouch)
BA BAI BAN BANG BAO
bah by bahn bahng bow
(as in bow down)
CA CAI CAN CANG CAO
tsah tsigh tsahn tsahng tsow
CHA CHAI CHAN CHANG CHAO
chah chigh chahn chahng chow
DA DAI DAN DANG DAO
dah die dahn dahng dow
FA FAN FANG
fah fahn fahng
GA GAI GAN GANG GAO
gah guy gahn gahng gow
HA HAI HAN HANG HAO
hah hi hahn hahng how
KA KAI KAN KANG KAO
kah kigh kahn kahng kow (as in cow)
LA LAI LAN LANG LAO
lah lie lahn lahng lao (as in Laos)

18 Introduction
MA MAI MAN MANG MAO
mah my mahn mahng mao
NA NAI NAN NANG NAO
nah nigh nahn nahng now
PA PAI PAN PANG PAO
pah pie pahn pahng pow
RAN RANG RAO
rahn rahng rao
SA SAI SAN SANG SAO
sah sigh sahn sahng sao
SHA SHAI SHAN SHANG SHAO
shah shy shahn shahng shou
TA TAI TAN TANG TAO
tah tie tahn tahng tao
WA WAI WAN WANG
wah wigh wahn wahng
YA YAN YANG YAO
yah yahn yahng yee-ow
ZA ZAI ZAN ZANG ZAO
zah zigh zahn zahng zow
ZHA ZHAI ZHAN ZHANG ZHAO
jah jigh jahn jahng jow

Pronunciation Guide No. 1 19

 Pronunciation Guide No. 2
[Note that the e (eh) vowel sound is repeated in all of the syllables.]

E EI EN ENG ER
uh a* ern** erng ur

*EI is pronounced like the “ei” in eight.

**EN is pronounced as the “ern” in concern.

BEI BEN BENG

bay burn bung
CE CEN CENG
tser tswun tserng
CHE CHEN CHENG
cher churn churng
DE DENG
der derng
FEI FEN FENG
fay fern ferng
GE GEI GEN GENG
guh gay gurn gurng
HE HEI HEN HENG
her hay hern herng
KE KEN KENG
ker kern kerng

20 Introduction
LE LEI LENG
ler lay lerng
ME MEI MEN MENG
mer may mern merng
NE NEI NEN NENG
nuh nay nern nerng
PEI PEN PENG
pay pern perng
RE REN RENG
ruh wren wreng
SE SEN SENG
ser sern serng
SHE SHEI SHEN SHENG
sher shay shern sherng
TE TENG
ter terng
WEI WEN WENG
way wern werng
YE
yeh
ZE ZEI ZEN ZENG
zuh zay zern zerng
ZHE ZHEI ZHEN ZHENG
juh jay jern jehng

Pronunciation Guide No. 2 21

 Pronunciation Guide No. 3
[These syllables are based on the i vowel sound, which is pro-
nounced as ee.]

BI BIAN BIAO BIE BIN BING

bee bee-an* bee-ow bee-eh bin beeng

*Phonetic terms divided by hyphens, like bian (bee-an) should be pronounced

smoothly as one word.

CHI
chee
CI
tsu
DI DIU DIAN DIAO DIE DING
dee dew/deo dee-an dee-ow dee-eh deeng
JI JIA JIAN JIAO JIE JIN
jee jee-ah jee-an jee-ow jee-eh jeen
JING JIU JIANG
jeeng jew/jeo jee-ahng
LI LIAN LIAO LIE LIN
lee lee-an lee-ow lee-eh leen
LING LIU LIANG
leeng lew/leo lee-ahng
MI MIAN MIAO MIE MIN
me mee-an mee-ow me-eh meen
MING MIU
meeng mew

22 Introduction
 NI NIAN NIAO NIE NIN
nee nee-an nee-ow nee-eh neen
NING NIU NIANG
neeng new nee-ahng
PI PIAN PIAO PIE PIN PING
pee pee-an pee-ow pee-eh peen peeng
QI QIA QIAN QIAO QIE QIN
chee chee-ah chee-in chee-ow chee-eh cheen
QING QIU QIANG
cheeng chew chee-ahng
RI
rr
SHI
shr
SI
suh
TI TIAN TIAO TIE TING
tee tee-an tee-ow tee-eh teeng
XI XIA XIAN XIAO XIE XIN
she she-ah shee-an she-ow she-eh sheen
XING XIU XIANG XIONG
sheeng shew shee-ahng she-ong
YI YIN YING
ee een eeng
ZHI ZI
jr dzu

Pronunciation Guide No. 3 23

 Pronunciation Guide No. 4
[These syllables are based on the o (oh) vowel sound.]

BO
bwo/bwough
CHONG CHOU CONG COU
chohng choe tsohng tsoe
DONG DOU
doong doe
FO FOU
fwo/fwough foe
GONG GOU
gohng go
HONG HOU
hohng hoe
KONG KOU
kohng koe
LONG LOU
lohng low
MO MOU
mwo/mwough moe
NONG
nohng

24 Introduction
 O OU
aw oh
PO
pwaw
RONG ROU
rohng roe
SHOU SONG
show sohng
TONG TOU
tohng toe
WO
woh
YO YONG YOU
yaw yohng you
ZHONG ZHOU ZONG ZOU
johng joe zohng dzow

Pronunciation Guide No. 4 25

 Pronunciation Guide No. 5
[These syllables are based on the u (“oo” as in soon) vowel sound.]

BU
boo
CHU CHUAI CHUAN
choo chwie chwahn
CHUANG CHUI CHUN CHUO
chwang chwee/chway choon chwoh
CU CUAN
tsu tswahn
CUI CUN CUO
tsway/tswee tsoon tswoh
DU DUAN DUI
doo dwahn dway/dwee
DUN DUO
doon dwoh
FU
foo
GU GUA GUAI GUAN
goo gwah gwie gwahn
GUANG GUI GUN GUO
gwahng gway/gwee goon gwoh
HU HUA HUAI HUAN
hoo hway hwie hwahn
HUANG HUI HUN HUO
hwahng hway/hwee hoon hwoh

26 Introduction
 JU JUAN
jwee jwen
JUE JUN
jway jwin/joon
KU KUA KUAI KUAN
koo kwah kwie kwahn
KUANG KUI KUN KUO
kwahng kway/kwee koon kway
LU LUAN
loo or lwee lwahn
LUE LUN LUO
lu-eh loon lwaw
MU
moo
NU NUAN
nwee nwahn
NUE NUO
nu-eh nwoh
PU
poo
QU QUE QUAN
chwee chee-eh chwahn
QUN
chwun
RU RUAN
roo rwahn
RUI RUN RUO
rway/rwee roon rwoh

Pronunciation Guide No. 5 27

 SHU SHUA SHUAI SHUAN
shoo shwah shwie shwahn
SHUANG SHUI SHUN SHUO
shwahng shway/shwee shoon shwo
SU SUAN
soo swahn
SUI SUN SUO
sway/swee soon swoh
TU TUAN
too twahn
TUI TUN TUO
tway toon twoh
WU
woo
XU XUAN
shee shwen
XUE XUN
shu-eh sheen
YU YUAN
yuu ywahn
YUE YUN
yu-eh ywun
ZHU ZHUA ZHUAI ZHUAN
joo jwah jwie jwahn
ZHUANG ZHUI ZHUN ZHUO
jwahng jway/jwee joon jwoh
ZU ZUAN
joo zwahn
ZUI ZUN ZUO
zway/zwee zwun zwoh

28 Part One
 PART 1
Common Expressions & Key Words
Please keep in mind that the phonetic words that are divided
by hyphens [to make the syllables easier to recognize] should
be pronounced as single words, in a smooth, even flow.

Hello (also used in the sense of How are you?)

Nin hao! େ‫ݤ‬ƌ
(Neen how)

[Nin hao (neen how) and the informal ni hao (nee how) are
commonly used as universal greetings (good morning, good
afternoon, good evening), but there are also specific words for
these expressions.]

Good morning!
Zaoshang hao! ᄔೲ‫ݤ‬ƌ
(Zow-shahng how)

Good afternoon!
Xiawu hao! ༙໠‫ݤ‬ƌ
(Shee-ah-woo how)

Good evening!
Wanshang hao! ຈೲ‫ݤ‬ƌ
(Wahn-shahng how)

Good night!
Wan an! ຈΧƌ
(Wahn ahn)

Common Expressions & Key Words 29

See you tomorrow.
Mingtian jian. ૦ษࡘè
(Meeng-tee-an jee-an)

See you later.

Yi huir jian. ာߠ‫ࡘآ‬è
(Ee hway-er jee-an)

Goodbye.
Zai jian. ᄆࡘè
(Zigh jee-an)

OK.
Xing. ྅è
(Sheeng)

Please.
Qing. ౒è
(Cheeng)

Thank you.
Xie Xie. ཰཰è
(She-eh She-eh, sounds like shay-shay)

Thank you for your hospitality.

Duoxie ni dekuandai. ؉཰ର֏॥ժè
(Dwoh-she-eh nee der-kwahn-die)

Thank you for your kindness.

Duoxie ni de haoyi. ؉཰ର֏‫ݤ‬ၓè
(Dwoh-she-eh nee der how-ee)

30 Part One
You’re welcome.
Bu xie. Ѭ཰è
(Boo she-eh)

Don’t mention it.

Bu keqi meiyou guanxi. ѬॄఁƗપ႟‫ܛ‬༌è
(Boo ker-chee may-you gwahn-she)

I’m sorry.
Duibuqi. ‫׽‬Ѭ௹è
(Dway-boo-chee)

That’s all right.

Mei guanxi. પ‫ܛ‬༌è
(May gwahn-she)

That’s right.
Duile. ‫৾׽‬è
(Dway-ler)

That’s wrong.
Bu dui. Ѭ‫׽‬è
(Boo dway)

Very good.
Hen hao. ‫ݤݽ‬è
(Hern how)

Excellent!
Hao ji le! ‫৾ࠍݤ‬ƌ
(How jee ler)

Common Expressions & Key Words 31

Yes, I agree; correct ൈƦ‫׽‬
Shi (shr); Dui (dway)

Yes You (You) ႟

No Bu shi (Boo shr) Ѭൈ

I understand.
Wo dong. ໋‫ח‬è
(Woh dohng)

Do you understand?
Dong ma? ‫ઁח‬ƪ
(Dohng mah)

I don’t understand.
Wo bu dong. ໋Ѭ‫ח‬è
(Woh boo dohng)

Do you speak English?

Ni hui Yingyu ma? ରߠၱႾઁƪ
(Nee hway Eeng-yuu mah)

Also: Ni dong bu dong Yingyu? ର‫ח‬Ѭ‫ח‬ၱႾƪ

(Nee dohng boo dohng Eeng-yuu)

Please repeat that.

Qing ni zaishuo yibian. ౒ରᄆඔာмè
(Cheeng nee zigh-shwoh ee-bee-an)

Please speak more slowly.

Qing ni shuo man dian. ౒ରඔ઎֮è
(Cheeng nee shwo mahn dee-an)

32 Part One
I, me wo (woh) ໋

I am going.
Wo yao qu. ໋ရ౪è
(Woh yee-ow chwee)

I’m not going.

Bu qu. Ѭ౪
(Boo chwee)

I’m lost!
Wo mi lu le! ໋ૃੈ৾ƌ
(Woh me loo ler)

I’m looking for my friends.

Wo zai zhao wo-de pengyou. ໋ᄇᅝ໋֏ஞႠè
(Woh zigh jow woh-der perng-you)

we wo-men (woh-mern) ໋શ

We’re lost!
Wo-men mi lu le! ໋શૃੈ৾ƌ
(Woh-mern me loo ler)

my, mine wo-de (woh-der) ໋֏

This is mine.
Zhe shi wo-de. ᅭൈ໋֏è
(Juh shr woh-der)

That is not mine.

Bu shi wo-de. Ѭൈ໋֏è
(Boo shr woh-der)

Common Expressions & Key Words 33

you ni (nee), informal ର
nin (neen), polite େ

How are you?

Nin hao ma? େ‫ઁݤ‬ƪ
(Neen how mah)

Fine, thank you.

Hen hao, xiexie. ‫ݤݽ‬Ɨ཰཰è
(Hern how, she-eh she-eh)

And you?
Ni ne? ରଥƪ
(Nee nuh)

Who are you?

Ni shi shei? ରൈඌƪ
(Nee shr shay)

you (plural) nimen (nee-mern) ରશ

your ni-de (nee-der) ର֏

That is your umbrella.

Na shi ni-de san. ଔൈର֏ೄè
(Nah shr nee-der sahn)

your (plural) nimen-de (nee-mern-der) ରશ֏

he, she, it ta (tah) ේƚොƚෛ

He/she is not going.

Ta bu qu. ේƚොѬ౪è
(Tah boo chwee)

34 Part One
his, hers, its ta-de (tah-der) ේ֏ƚො֏ƚෛ֏
we, us wo-men (woh-mern) ໋શ

We are not going.

Wo-men bu qu. ໋શѬ౪è
(Woh-mern boo chwee)

our wo-men-de (woh-mern-der) ໋શ֏

they, them ta-men (tah-mern) ේશ
their, theirs ta-men-de (tah-mern-der) ේશ֏
what shenme (shern-mer) ളણ
this zhe (juh); ᅭ zhei (jay) ᅭ

What is this?
Zhe shi shenme? ᅭൈളણƪ
(Juh shr shern-mer)

This is his/her book.

Zhe shi ta-de shu. ᅭൈේƚො֏൪è
(Juh shr tah-der shoo)

What is your email address?

Ni-de dianzi youjian xinxiang shi shenme?
(Nee-der dee-an-dzu you-jee-an sheen-she-ahng she-shern-mer)
ର֏ֲሚ႙ེ࡛༻ൈളણƪ

that na (nah) ଔ

What is that?
Na shi shenme? ଔൈളણ'
(Nah shr shern-mer)

Common Expressions & Key Words 35

I don’t want that.
Wo bu yao na ge. ໋Ѭရଔۛè
(Woh boo yee-ow nah guh)

who? shui? (shway) ඌ'

shei? (shay) ඌ'

Who is it?
Shei? ඌƪ
(Shay)

when?
shenme shihou? ളણല‫'ޓ‬
(shern-mer shr-hoe)

When are we going?

Wo-men shenme shihou qu? ໋શളણല‫ޓ‬౪ƪ
(Woh-mern shern-mer shr-hoe chwee)

where? nali? (nah-lee) ଔৄ';

nar? (nah-urr) ଔ‫'آ‬

Where are we going?

Wo-men yao qu nali? ໋શရ౪ଔৄƪ
(Woh-mern yee-ow chwee nah-lee)

Where is the toilet?

Nali you cesuo? ଔৄ႟ҏෘƪ
(Nah-lee you tser-swoh)

Where is the men’s room?

Nali you nan cesuo? ଔৄ႟ଝҏෘƪ
(Nah-lee you nahn tser-swoh)

36 Part One
Where is the ladies’ room?
Nali you nu cesuo? ଔৄ႟୙ҏෘƪ
(Nah-lee you nwee tser-swoh)

Where is a public telephone?

Gongyong dianhua zai nali? ‫ۮ‬႒ֲޯᄇଔৄƪ
(Gohng-yohng dee-an-hwah zigh nah-lee)

why? weishenme? (way-shern-mer) ຣളણ'

Why have we stopped?

Wo-men weishenme tingxia? ໋શຣളણ฾༙ƪ
(Woh-mern way-shern-mer teeng-shee-ah)

how duo (dwoh) ؉; duome (dwoh-mer) ؉ણ;

zenme (zern-mer) ᄢણ; jige (jee-guh) ࠕۛ

How far is it?

Li zhe duo yuan? ীᅭ؉უƪ
(Lee juh dwoh ywahn)

How long will it take?

Zhe yao duo jiu? ᅭရ؉ࣜƪ
(Juh yee-ow dwoh jeo)

which? neige? (nay-guh) ଔۛ';

nage? (nah-guh) ଔۛ'

Which one?
Na yi-ge? ଔာۛƪ
(Nah yee-guh)

Common Expressions & Key Words 37

have you (you) ႟

Do you have _______?

Youmei you __________ ? ႟પ႟ __________ ƪ
(You-may-you _________ )

good / well hao (how) ‫ݤ‬

I don’t feel well.

Wo gan jue bu hao. ໋‫ڵ‬ऎѬ‫ݤ‬è
(Woh gahn jway boo how)

I need an interpreter!
Wo xuyao fanyi! ໋ྜྷရ‫ش‬ၜƌ
(Woh shee-yee-ow fahn-ee)

wait deng (derng) ֓

Please wait a minute.

Qing deng yi xia. ౒֓ာ༙è
(Cheeng derng ee shee-ah)

Just a second!
Deng yi deng! ֓ာ֓ƌ
(Derng ee derng)

I’m sorry, I cannot wait.

Duibuqi, wo bu neng deng. ‫׽‬Ѭ௹Ɨ໋Ѭ଩֓è
(Dway-boo-chee, woh boo nerng derng)

Hurry up!
Gan kuai! ‫ॣڴ‬ƌ
(Gahn kwie)

38 Part One
I don’t know.
Wo bu zhidao. ໋Ѭᆓ֋è
(Woh boo jr-dow)

Is that so?
Shi-ma? ൈઁƪ
(Shr-mah)

I think so.
Wo xiang shi-de. ໋གൈ֏è
(Woh she-ahng shr-der)

I don’t think so.

Wo bu renwei shi zheyang. ໋Ѭಔຣൈᅭဌè
(Woh boo wren-way shr juh-yahng)

It doesn’t matter.
Mei guan xi. પ‫ܛ‬༌è
(May gwahn she)

No problem.
Mei wenti. પໃฟè
(May wern-tee)

This is mine.
Zhe shi wo-de. ᅭൈ໋֏è
(Juh shr woh-der)

That is my luggage.
Na shi wo-de xingli. ଔൈ໋֏྅ৃè
(Nah shr woh-der sheeng-lee)

Common Expressions & Key Words 39

What is that?
Na shi shenme? ଔൈളણƪ
(Nah shr shern-mer)

What time is it?

Ji dian-le? ࠕ֮৾ƪ
(Jee dee-an-ler)

What time shall I come?

Wo gai shenme shihou lai? ໋‫ڨ‬ളણല‫ޓ‬উƪ
(Woh guy shern-mer shr-how lie)

When are you going?

Ni shenme shihou qu? ରളણല‫ޓ‬౪ƪ
(Nee shern-mer shr-hoe chwee)

Where is it?
Ta zai nali? ෛᄇଔৄƪ
(Tah zigh nah-lee)

How much (is it)?

Duo shao? ؉೼ƪ
(Dwoh show)

How far is it?

Li zhe duo yuan? ীᅭ؉უƪ
(Lee juh dwoh ywahn)

Which one?
Na yi-ge? ଔာۛƪ
(Nah yee-guh)

40 Part One
buy mai (my) ઃ

I want to buy this.

Wo xiang mai zhe ge. ໋གઃᅭۛè
(Woh shee-ahng my juh guh)

drink (verb) he (her) ‫ݩ‬

I would like to drink something cold.

Wo xing he dian liang-de yinliao. ໋ག‫֮ݩ‬৬֏ၬਂè
(Woh shee-ahng her dee-an lee-ahng der een-lee-ow)

I do not drink alcoholic drinks.

Wo bu he jiu. ໋Ѭ‫ࣟݩ‬è
(Woh boo her jeo)

eat chi (chr) ӣ

What time do we eat?

Wo-men shenme shi jian chi fan? ໋શളણലࡁӣ‫ـ‬ƪ
(Woh-mern shern-mer shr jee-an chr fahn)

Where shall we go to eat?

Women qu nali chi? ໋શ౪ଔৄӣƪ
(Woh-mern chwee nah-lee chr)

like xihuan (she-hwahn) ༉޵

I like Chinese food.

Xihuan zhong can. ໋༉޵ᆹѾè
(She-hwahn johng tsahn)

Common Expressions & Key Words 41

I don’t like it.
Bu xihuan. Ѭ༉޵è
(Boo she-hwahn)

I can’t eat this!

Wo bu neng chi zhe-ge! ໋Ѭ଩ӣᅭۛƌ
(Woh boo nerng chr juh-guh)

enough gou-le (go-ler) ‫৾۾‬

That’s enough!
Na xie gou-le! ଔཞ‫৾۾‬ƌ
(Nah she-eh go-luh)

I have had enough.

Wo chi gou-le. ໋ӣ‫৾۾‬è
(Woh chr go-ler)

a little yidian dianr (ee-dee-an dee-an-urr)

 ာ֮֮‫آ‬

Just a little, please.

Jiu yidian dianr. ࣦာ֮֮‫آ‬è
(Jeo ee-dee-an dee-an-urr)

too much tai dou-le (tie dwoh-ler) ෨؉৾

That’s too much!

Na xie tai duo-le! ଔཞ෨؉৾ƌ
(Nah she-eh tie dwoh-ler)

42 Part One
go qu (chwee) ౪

Are you going?

Ni qu ma? ର౪ઁƪ
(Nee chwee mah)

I’m not going.

Bu qu. Ѭ౪è
(boo chwee)

I want to go to a shopping district.

Wo xiang qu mai dongxi. ໋ག౪ઃ‫ה‬໰è
(Woh shee-ang chwee my dohng she)

Can you go with me?

Ni neng he wo yiqi qu ma? ର଩‫໋ݮ‬ာ௹౪ઁƪ
(Nee nerng her woh ee-chee chwee mah)

I cannot go now.
Wo xianzai bu neng qu. ໋༭ᄇѬ଩౪è
(Woh shee-an-zigh boo nerng chwee)

have you (you) ႟

Do you have it?

Ni you ma? ର႟ઁƪ
(Nee you mah)

I don’t have it!

Wo mei you! ໋પ႟ƌ
(Woh may you)

Common Expressions & Key Words 43

look/see kan (kahn) फ

May I see it?

Wo neng kan ma? ໋଩फઁƪ
(Woh nerng kahn mah)

mistake cuowu (tswoh-woo) ՚໬

I made a mistake.
Wo zuo-le yijian cuoshi. ໋ሽ৾ာ࡛՚ൃè
(Woh zwoh-ler ee-jee-an tswoh-shr)

I think that is a mistake.

Wo xiang na shi-ge cuowu. ໋གଔൈۛ՚໬è
(Woh shee-ahng nah shr-guh tswoh-woo)

Can you help me?

Neng bang wo yixia ma? ଩Ϥ໋ာ༙ઁƪ
(Nerng bahng woh ee-shee-ah mah)

Excuse me! (to get attention)

Lao jia! ঢ࠺ƌ
(Lao jee-ah)

May I ask you a question?

Neng wen ni yi ge wenti ma? ଩ໃରာۛໃฟઁƪ
(Nerng wern nee ee guh wern-tee mah)

write xie (she-eh) ཀྵ

Please write it down for me.

Qing xie xia lai. ౒ཀྵ༙উè
(Cheeng she-eh she-ah lie)

44 Part One
Please write it in Roman letters.
Qing yong pinyin xie. ౒႒஽ၥཀྵè
(Cheeng yohng peen-een she-eh)

Please write it in Chinese.

Qing yong Zhongwen xie. ౒႒ᆹຽཀྵè
(Cheeng yohng Johng-wern she-eh)

want yao (yee-ow) ရ

What do you want?

Ni yao shenme? ରရളણƪ
(Nee yee-ow shern-mer)

Congratulations!
Zhuhe ni! ᇪ‫ݹ‬ରƌ
(Joo-her nee)

Look out!
Xiao xin! བཹƌ
(She-ow sheen)

Help!
Jiu ming a! ࣡૫Ζƌ
(Jeo meeng ah)

Please call an ambulance!

Qing kuai jiao jiuhu che! ౒ॣࢋ࣡‫ޣ‬ӄƌ
(Cheeng kwai jee-ow jeo-hoo cher)

Please take me back to my hotel.

Qing kuai song wo hui luguan. ౒ॣඬ໋ߗ੔‫ܠ‬è
(Cheeng kwai sohng woh hway lwee-gwahn)

Common Expressions & Key Words 45

big, large da (dah) ՠ
large size da hao (dah how) ՠ‫ݦ‬
medium size zhong hao (johng how) ᆹ‫ݦ‬
small size xiao hao (shee-ow how) བ‫ݦ‬

It’s too big.

Zhe tai da-le. ᅭ෨ՠ৾è
(Juh tie dah-ler)

cheap pianyi (pee-an-ee) жြ

expensive gui (gway) ܶ

That one is too expensive.

Na yi-ge tai gui. ଔာۛ෨ܶè
(Nah ee-guh tie gway)

long chang (chahng) ҳ

The sleeves are too long.

Xiuzi tai chang-le. ྙሚ෨ҳ৾è
(Shew dzu tie chahng-ler)

short duan (dwahn) ‫׵‬

The sleeves are too short.

Xiuzi tai duan-le. ྙሚ෨‫৾׵‬è
(Shew dzu tie dwahn-ler)

small xiao (she-ow) བ

best zuihao (zway-how) ስ‫ݤ‬

46 Part One
This is the best (one).
Zhe zuihao. ᅭስ‫ݤ‬è
(Juh zwee-how)

better
geng hao ۡ‫ݤ‬
(gurng how)

Common Expressions & Key Words 47

 Personal Information
family name xing (sheeng) ྊ

My name is George.
Wo jiao George. ໋ࢋ/MWZOMè
(Woh jee-ow George)

What is your name?

Ni jiao shenme mingzi? ରࢋളણ૪ምƪ
(Nee jee-ow shern-mer meeng-dzu)

family name mingzi (meeng-dzu) ૪ም

full name xingming (sheeng-meeng) ྊ૪
address dizhi (dee-jr) ֣ᆠ

What is your address?

Ni de dizhi shi shenme? ର֏֣ᆠൈളણƪ
(Nee der jee-jr shr shern-mer)

age nianling (nee-an-leeng) ଷਗ

name ming zi (meeng dzu) ૪ም
husband zhangfu / airen (jahng-foo / aye-wren) ᅔ‫ٹ‬
Σಐ
wife qizi / furen / airen (chee-dzu / foo-wren / aye-
wren) ௧ሚ‫ٹ‬ಐΣಐ
my husband wo-de airen (woh-der aye-wren) ໋֏Σಐ

This is my husband.
Zhe shi wo-de airen. ᅭൈ໋֏Σಐè
(Juh shr woh-der aye-wren)

48 Part One
My wife wo-de furen (woh-der foo-wren) ໋֏‫ٹ‬ಐ

This is my wife.
Zhe shi wo-de furen. ᅭൈ໋֏‫ٹ‬ಐè
(Juh shr woh-der foo-wren)

Our son.
Wo-men-de erzi. ໋શ֏‫آ‬ሚè
(Woh-mern-der urr-jee)

Our daughter.
Wo-men-de nuer. ໋શ֏୙‫آ‬è
(Woh-mern-derh nwee-urr)

We are from Arizona.

Wo-men shi Arizona lai-de. ໋શൈ)ZQbWVIউ֏è
(Woh-mern shr Arizona lie-der)

Are you married?

Ni jiehun le ma? ର࢜ߨ৾ઁƪ
(Nee jee-eh-hoon ler mah)

Do you have children?

Ni you xiaohai ma? ର႟བ݃ઁƪ
(Nee you she-ow-high mah)

Please give me your phone number.

Qing gaosu wo ni-de dianhua haoma.
౒‫ۋ‬඾໋ର֏ֲޯ‫੼ݦ‬è
(Cheeng gow-soo woh nee-der dee-an-hwah how-mah)

Personal Information 49
What is your email address?
Ni-de dianzi youjian xinxiang shishenme?
(Nee-der dee-an-dzu you-jee-an sheen-she-ahng shr-shern-mer)
ର֏ֲሚ႙ེ࡛༻ൈളણƪ

May I take your picture?

Wo gei ni zhaoxiang hao ma? ໋‫۝‬ରᅠ༷‫ઁݤ‬ƪ
(Woh gay nee jow-she-ahng how mah)

Directions
north bei (bay) Є
east dong (dohng) ‫ה‬
south nan (nahn) ଜ
west xi (she) ໰
northeast dongbei (dohng-bay) ‫ה‬Є
southeast dongnan (dohng-nahn) ‫ה‬ଜ
northwest xibei (she-bay) ໰Є
southwest xinan (she-nahn) ໰ଜ
right you (you) Ⴁ
left zuo (zwoh) ሺ
turn guaiwan (gwie-wahn) ‫ܘ‬๿

50 Part One
 Airport / Airline
airport feijichang (fay-jee-chahng) ِ߹Ұ

I want to go to the airport.

Wo yao qu feijichang. ໋ရ౪ِ߹Ұè
(Woh yow chwee fay-jee-chahng)

airport shuttle bus jichang jie songche (jee-chahng jee-eh

sohng-cher) ߹Ұࢎඬӄ
airplane feiji (fay-jee) ِ߹
airline hangkong gongsi (hahng-kohng gohng-suh)
‫ݞ‬ौ‫ۮ‬ඝ
first class toudeng cang (toe-derng tsahng) ๒֓҆
business class gongwu cang (gohng-woo tsahng) ‫ۮ‬໪҆
economy class jingji cang (jeeng-jee tsahng) ࣆࠠ҆
one-way dancheng (dahn-cherng) հӛ
round-trip laihui (lie-hway) উߗ
flight hangban (hahng-bahn) ‫ݞ‬ϕ
flight number hangban haoma (hahng-bahn how-mah)
‫ݞ‬ϕ‫੼ݦ‬
connecting flight xianjie hangban (shee-an jee-eh hahng-
bahn) ༶ࢎ‫ݞ‬ϕ
reservations yuding (yuu-deeng) ბ‫ב‬
confirm queren (chwee-eh-wren) ౼ಔ
check-in ban chengji shouxu (bahn churng-jee
show-shee) ϡӚ߹ൗྭ

I have only carry-on baggage.

Wo zhi you shou tibao. ໋ᆤ႟ൗพϱè
(Woh jr you show tee-bow)

Airport / Airline 51
check-in time
jianpiao shijian ࡑ஺ലࡁ
(jee-an pee-ow shr-jee-an)

I would like an aisle seat.

Wo xiang yao kao zoudao de weizi. ໋གရशሦ֋֏ິሚè
(Woh she-ahng yee-ow kow dzow dow der way-dzu)

I would like a window seat.

Wo xiang yao kao chuang de weizi. ໋གရशԝ֏ິሚè
(Woh she-ahng yee-ow kow chwahng der way-dzu)

boarding time qifei shijian (chee-fay shr-jee-an)

௹ِലࡁ
departure time chugang shijian (choo-gahng shr-jee-an)
ԅ‫ڿ‬ലࡁ
baggage xingli (sheeng-lee) ྅ৃ
claim check xingli piao (sheeng-lee-pee-ow) ྅ৃ஺
hotel shuttle bus luguan jie songche (lwee-gwahn jee-eh
sohng-cher) ੔‫ࢎܠ‬ඬӄ

52 Part One
 Money
China’s currency is known as renminbi (wren-meen-bee), which
literally means “people’s money.” The formal Chinese
equivalent of the English word “dollar” is yuan (ywahn). The
informal term for this denomination is kuai (kwie).
The yuan is made up of 100 fen (fern), and 10 mao (mao),
with the latter commonly referred to as jiao (jee-ow). The
currency comes in 1, 2 and 5 fen coins, and 1, 5, 10 and 50
yuan notes or bills. There are two Chinese words for cash:

cash xiankuan (shee-an-kwahn) ༭॥

cash xianjin (shee-an-jeen) ༭ࢫ

1 yuan yi yuan (ee-ywahn) ာთ

yi kuai (ee kwie) ာॠ

2 yuan liang yuan (lee-ahng ywahn) ৰთ

liang kuai (lee-ahng kwie) ৰॠ

3 yuan san yuan (sahn ywahn) ೂთ

san kuai (sahn kwie) ೂॠ

4 yuan si yuan (suh ywahn) ඣთ

si kuai (suh kwie) ඣॠ

5 yuan wu yuan (woo ywahn) ໞთ

wu kuai (woo kwie) ໞॠ

10 yuan shi yuan (shr ywahn) യთ

shi kuai (shr kwie) യॠ

credit card xingyong ka (sheen-yohng kah) ེ႒ट

Money 53
Which credit cards do you accept?
Nimen jieshou naxie xingyongka? ରશࢎ൝ଔཞེ႒टƪ
(Nee-mern jee-eh-show nah-shee-ah sheeng-yohng kah)

traveler’s checks luxing zhipiao (lwee-sheeng jr-pee-ow)

੔྅ᆐ஺
signature qianming (chee-an meeng) ఐ૪

Where do I sign?
Zai nali qian zi? ᄇଔৄఐምƪ
(Zigh nah-lee chee-an dzu)

US dollars Mei yuan (May ywahn) યთ

British Sterling Ying bang (Eeng bahng) ၱϬ
Deutsche Mark Xide Make (She-der Mah-ker)
໰֍੾ू
Hong Kong dollars Gang bi (Gahng bee) ‫ۀ‬Х
Japanese yen Ri yuan (Ree ywahn) ಚთ
Australian dollars Aodaliya yuan (Ow-dah-lee-yah ywahn)
η֣৐࿚თ
exchange duihuan (dway-hwahn) ‫޺׻‬
exchange rate duihuan lu (dway-hwahn lwee) ‫޺׻‬ਜ਼
exchange money duihuan qian (dway-hwahn chee-an)
‫޺׻‬క
small change ling qian (leeng chee-an) ਖక
small bills xiao chaopiao (she-ow chow-pee-ow)
བҽ஺
large bills da chaopiao (dah chow-pee-ow) ՠҽ஺
money qian (chee-an) క

Where can I exchange money?

Nali keyi duihuan qian? ଔৄी၅‫޺׻‬కƪ
(Nah-lee ker-ee dway-hwahn chee-an)

54 Part One
What is today’s exchange rate for U.S. dollars?
Jintian Mei yuan duihuan lu duosho? ࢬษયთ‫޺׻‬ਜ਼؉೼ƪ
(Jeen-tee-an May ywahn dway-hwahn lwee dwoh-shou)

Can you cash a personal check?

Keyi duihuan siren zhipiao ma? ी၅‫޺׻‬ගಐᆐ஺ઁƪ
(Ker-ee dway-hwahn suh-wren jr-pee-ow mah)

automatic teller machine (atm) tikuan ji (tee-kwahn jee)

พ॥߹
tip xiaofei (she-ow-fay) བ٘

Where is an ATM?
Nali you tikuan ji? ଔৄ႟พ॥߹ƪ
(Nah-lee you tee-kwahn jee)

Will it accept foreign bank cards?

Shou waiguo yinhang ka ma? ൖ๽ܽၩ྅टઁƪ
(Show wigh-gwoh een-hang kah mah)

How much should I tip?

Yinggai gei duoshao xiaofei? ၵ‫۝ڨ‬؉೼བ٘ƪ
(Eeng-guy gay dwoh-shou she-ow-fay)

Is foreign currency okay?

Keyi yong waibi gei ma? ी၅႒๽Х‫ઁ۝‬ƪ
(Ker-ee yohng wigh-bee gay mah)

This (tip) is for you.

Zhe shi gei ni-de. ᅭൈ‫۝‬ର֏è
(Juh she gay nee-der)

Money 55
 Taxis
taxi chuzuche (choo-joo-cher) ԅሩӄ
taxi stand chuzuche zhan (choo-joo-cher jahn) ԅሩӄᅉ
fare chefei (cher-fay) ӄ٘

Please call a taxi for me.

Qing gei wo jiao che. ౒‫ࢋ໋۝‬ӄè
(Cheeng gay woh jee-ow cher)

I want to go to ______
Wo yao qu ______ ໋ရ౪ ______
(Woh yow chwee ______ )

Please go to _______
Qing qu ________ ౒౪ ______
(Cheeng chwee _____ )

Is it far?
Hen yuan ma? ‫ݽ‬უઁƪ
(Hern ywahn mah)

Please wait for me.

Qing deng wo yixia. ౒໋֓ာ༙è
(Cheeng derng woh ee-she-ah)

I will be right back.

Wo mashang jiu huilai. ໋੾ೲࣦߗউè
(Woh mah-shahng jeo hway-lie)

How much is it to Tiananmen Square?

Qu Tiananmen duoshao qian? ౪ษΧ઴؉೼కƪ
(Chwee tee-an-ahn-mern dwoh-shou chee-an)

56 Part One
The airport, please.
Qing qu jichang. ౒౪߹Ұè
(Cheeng chwee jee-chahng)

Please turn on the meter.

Qing da biao. ౒՟рè
(Cheeng dah bee-ow)

How much do I owe you?

Wo gai fu ni duoshao? ໋‫ڛڨ‬ର؉೼ƪ
(Woh guy foo nee dwoh-shou)

Please give me a receipt.

Qing gei wo kai shouju. ౒‫໋۝‬डൖࣶè
(Cheeng gay woh kigh show-jwee)

Subways
subway ditie (dee-tee-eh) ֣ื
subway station ditie chezhan (dee-tee-eh cher-jahn)
֣ืӄᅉ

Where is the nearest subway station?

Zuijin de ditie chezhan zai nali? ስࢷ֏֣ืӄᅉᄇଔৄƪ
(Zway-jeen der dee-tee-eh cher-jahn zigh nah-lee)

Where is the subway entrance?

Ditie zhankou zai nali ֣ืᅉ॑ᄇଔৄƪ
(Dee-tee-eh jahn-koe zigh nah-lee)

Subways 57
 Trains
Trains are the primary means of long-distance travel in China,
and although often crowded they offer an extraordinary oppor-
tunity to meet people and see the picturesque countryside.

Chinese National Zhongguo Tielu (Johng-gwoh Tee-eh-

Railways loo) ᆹܽืੈ
train huoche (hwoh-cher) ߯ӄ
train station huoche zhan (hwoh-cher jahn) ߯ӄᅉ
local train putong che (poo-tohng cher) ௞ใӄ
express train kuai che (kwie cher) ॣӄ
special express te kuai (ter kwie) ตॣ
ticket piao (pee-ow) ஺
adult ticket daren piao (dah-wren pee-ow)
ՠಐ஺
ticket office shou piao chu (show pee-ow choo)
൜஺ԓ
one-way ticket dan cheng piao (dahn churng pee-ow)
հӛ஺
round-trip ticket laihui piao (lie-hway pee-ow)
উߗ஺
first-class ticket tou-deng piao (toe-derng pee-ow)
๒֓஺
economy-class ticket putong piao (poo-tohng pee-ow)
௞ใ஺

*First-class accommodations on trains and ships are generally

called “soft” class. Second and third class accommodations are
called “hard” class.

58 Part One
compartment chexiang (cher-shee-ahng) ӄ༸
reserved seat ticket yuding zuowei piao (yuu-deeng
zwoh-way pee-ow) ბ‫ב‬ቀິ஺
unreserved seat ticket wu yuding zuowei piao (woo yuu-
deeng zwoh pee-ow) ໗ბ‫ב‬ቀິ஺
waiting room houche shi (hoe-cher shr) ‫ޓ‬ӄ൓
boarding platform yuetai (yu-eh-tie) ჯ෥
get on board shang che (shahng cher) ೲӄ
get off train xia (she-ah) ༙
disembark xiache (she-ah cher) ༙ӄ
departure time likai shi jian (lee-kigh shr-jee-an)
ীडലࡁ
arrival time daoda shijian (dow-dah shr-jee-an)
ֈ՜ലࡁ
dining car can che (tsahn cher) Ѿӄ
transfer dao (dow) ք; huan (hwahn) ޺
stop ting (teeng) ฾

Where is the train station?

Che zhan zai nali? ӄᅉᄇଔৄ'
(Cher jahn zigh nah-lee)

Where is the ticket office?

Nali shi shou piao chu? ଔৄൈ൜஺ԓ'
(Nah-lee shr show pee-ow choo)

Which platform?
Neige yuetai? ଔۛჯ෥'
(Nay-guh yuu-eh-tie)

Where is the dining car?

Can che zai nali? Ѿӄᄇଔৄƪ
(Tsahn cher zigh nah-lee)

Trains 59
Does the train have Western-style toilets?
You Xishi-de cesuo ma? ႟໰ാ֏ҏෘઁƪ
(You She-shr-der tser-swoh mah)

Where is the toilet?

Cesuo zai nali? ҏෘᄇଔৄƪ
(Tser-swoh zigh nah-lee)

Is this seat taken?

Zhe weizi you ren zuo ma? ᅭິሚ႟ಐሿઁƪ
(Juh way-dzu you wren zwoh mah)

60 Part One
 Buses
bus qiche (chee-cher) ఄӄ
bus driver siji (suh-jee) ඝ߹
bus station qiche zhongzhang (chee-cher zohng-jahng)
ఄӄᆾᅉ
bus stop qiche zhan (chee-cher jahn) ఄӄᅉ
express bus kuaiche (kwie-cher) ॣӄ
fare chefei (cher-fay) ӄ٘

Where is the bus stop?

Qiche zhongzhan zai nali? ఄӄᆾᅉᄇଔৄƪ
(Chee-cher johng-jahng zigh nah-lee)

Is it far from here?

Li zheli yuan ma? ীᅭৄუઁƪ
(Lee juh-lee ywahn mah)

How many stops (from here)?

Ji zhan? ࠕᅉƪ
(Jee jahn)

Is it necessary to change buses?

Yao huan che ma? ရ޺ӄઁƪ
(Yee-ow hwahn cher mah)

Please tell me where to get off.

Qing gaosu wo zai nali xia che. ౒‫ۋ‬඾໋ᄇଔৄ༙ӄè
(Cheeng gow-soo woh zigh nah-lee she-ah cher)

Buses 61
 Rental Cars
rent zu joo ሩ
car che cher ӄ

I want to rent a car.

Wo yao zu yi liang che. ໋ရሩာৱӄè
(Woh yee-ow joo ee lee-ahng cher)

Do you charge by time or mileage?

An shijian suan, haishi an licheng? ΩലࡁෂƗ޸ൈΩৄӛƪ
(An shr-jee-an swahn, high-shr ahn lee-churng)

What is the charge by the day?

Meitian zujin duoshao? મษሩࢫ؉೼ƪ
(May-tee-an joo-jeen dwoh-shou)

Does the price include gasoline?

Jiaqian baokuo qiyou fei ma? ࠸కϱॽఄႜ٘ઁƪ
(Jee-ah-chee-an bow-kwoh chee-you fay mah)

Does the price include insurance?

Feiyong baokuo baoxian ma? ٘႒ϱॽ϶༬ઁƪ
(Fay-yohng bow-kwoh bow-shee-an mah)

I want to buy insurance.

Wo xiang mai baoxian. ໋གઃ϶༬è
(Woh she-ahng my bow-shee-an)

62 Part One
 Hotel Vocabulary
There are several words for hotels in Chinese, depending on
the type and age. Older hotels may be called “place for guests”
or “place for eating.”

Hotel (place for travelers) luguan* (lwee-gwahn) ੔‫ܠ‬

ludian (lwee-dee-an) ੔ֵ
Hotel (place for guests) binguan (bin-gwahn) щ‫ܠ‬
Hotel (place for eating) fandian (fahn-dee-an) ‫ֵـ‬
Hotel (place for liquor) jiudian (jeo-dee-an) ֵࣟ

*Luguan (lwee-gwahn) is now the common generic term for hotel.

vacancy (rooms available) fangjian (fahng-jee-an) ‫ࡁن‬

reservations yuding (yuu-deeng) ბ‫ב‬
check in (register) dengji (derng-jee) ֒ࠤ
registration desk dengji tai (derng-jee tie) ֒ࠤ෥
lobby qianting (chee-an-teeng) గู
check out tuifang (tway-fahng) ๦‫ن‬
cashier chunayuan (choo-nah-ywahn)
ԅଖპ
bell desk fuwu tai (foo-woo tie) ‫څ‬໪෥
room key yaoshi (yee-ow shr) წӦ
room number fangjian haoma (fahng-jee-an how-
mah) ‫੼ݦࡁن‬
single room dan jian (dahn jee-an) հࡁ
double room shuangren fang (shwahng-wren
fahng) ඊಐ‫ن‬
airconditioning kongtiao (kohng-tee-ow) ौׂ
lengqi (lerng-chee) হఁ
dining room can ting (tsahn teeng) Ѿู

Hotel Vocabulary 63
coffee shop kafei dian (kah-fay dee-an) ञֵُ
bar jiuba (jeo-bah) ࣟξ

I have a reservation.
Wo yuding le fangjian. ໋ბ‫ࡁن৾ב‬è
(Woh yuu-deeng ler fahng-jee-an)

My (family) name is De Mente.

Wo-de mingzi shi De Mente. ໋֏૪ምൈDe Menteè
(Woh-der meeng-dzu shr De Mente)

What time does the coffee shop open?

Kafei dian jidian kaimen? ञֵُࠕ֮ड઴ƪ
(Kah-fay dee-an jee-dee-an kigh-mern)

Where is the bar?

Jiuba zai nali? ࣟξᄇ଑ৄƪ
(Jeo-bah zigh nah-lee)

*Electrical voltage in China is 220, so American-made appliances

designed for 110 volts do not work well. Newer hotels have outlets
for both 220V and 110V. But if you are going to stay in older,
out-of-the way hotels, you might want to take along a voltage
converter.

How much is the room tax?

Fangjian shui duoshao? ‫ࡁن‬ඏ؉೼ƪ
(Fahng-jee-an shway dwoh-shou)

64 Part One
 Toilet / Restroom
As in English, there are several words for toilet in Chinese.

toilet cesuo (tser-swoh) ҏෘ

restroom weishengjian (way-sherng-jee-an) ູഝࡁ
washroom xishou jian (she-show jee-an) ་ൗࡁ
powder room huazhuang jian (hwah-jwahng jee-an)
ޮᇷࡁ
men’s toilet nan cesuo (nahn tser-swoh) ଝҏෘ
women’s toilet nu cesuo (noo tser-swoh) ୙ҏෘ
toilet paper shou zhi (show jr) ൗᆦ

Where is the nearest toilet?

Zuijin-de cesuo zai nali? ስࢷ֏ҏෘᄇଔৄƪ
(Zway-jeen-der tser-swoh zigh nah-lee)

Is there a toilet on this floor?

Zhe yi ceng you cesuo ma? ᅭာҔ႟ҏෘઁƪ
(Juh ee tserng you tser-swoh mah)

May I use the toilet?

Wo keyi yong cesuo ma? ໋ी၅႒ҏෘઁƪ
(Woh ker-ee yohng tser-swoh mah)

Toilet / Restroom 65
 The Seasons
season jijie (jee-jeeh) ࠛ࢕
spring chunji (choon-jee) ԧࠛ
springtime zai chuntian (zigh choon-tee-an) ᄇԧษ
summer xiaji (she-ah-jee) ༛ࠛ
summertime zai xiatian (zigh she-ah-tee-an) ᄇ༛ษ
fall qiuji (chew-jee) ౖࠛ
autumn qiutian (chew-tee-an) ౖษ
winter dongji (dohng-jee) ‫ࠛו‬
wintertime zai dongji (zigh dohng-jee) ᄇ‫ࠛו‬

66 Part One
 The Weather
weather tianqi (tee-an-chee) ษఁ
weather forecast tianqi yubao (teen-an-chee yuu-bow)
ษఁბϻ
wind feng (ferng) ‫ٮ‬
windy guafeng-de (gwah-ferng-der) ܑ‫֏ٮ‬
cloudy yin (een) ၦ
dust chentu (churn-too) Ӎ๜
cold leng (lerng) হ
coat shangyi (shahng-ee) ೲဳ
hot re (ruh) ಍
humid chaoshi (chow-shr) Ӏഫ
humidity shiqi (shr-chee) ഫఁ
temperature qiwen (chee-wern) ఁົ
rain yushui (yuu-shway) Ⴙඍ
heavy rain da yu (dah yuu) ՠႹ
typhoon taifeng (tie-ferng) ෥‫ٮ‬
storm baofengyu (bow-ferng-yuu) ϼ‫ٮ‬Ⴙ
raincoat yuyi (yuu-ee) Ⴙဳ
umbrella yusan (yuu-sahn) Ⴙೄ
snow xue (shu-eh) ྼ
ice bing (beeng) ь

It’s hot!
Man re du! ઊ಍֏ƌ
(Mahn ruh der)

It’s cold!
Man leng de! ઊহ֏ƌ
(Mahn lerng der)

The Weather 67
It’s raining.
Xia yu le. ༙Ⴙ৾è
(She-ah yuu ler)

It’s snowing.
Xia xue le. ༙ྼ৾è
(She-ah shu-eh ler)

It’s windy.
Feng da. ‫ٮ‬ՠè
(Ferng dah)

The weather is beautiful.

Tianqi hao jile. ษఁ‫৾ࠈݤ‬è
(Tee-an-chee how jee-ler)

What is the weather going to be like tomorrow?

Mingtian tianqi zenme yang? ૦ษษఁᄢણဌƪ
(Meeng-tee-an tee-an-chee zern-mer yahng)

Should we take our umbrellas?

Yao dai yusan ma? ရեႹೄઁƪ
(Yee-ow die yuu-sahn mah)

68 Part One
 Eating
Chinese food Zhong can (Johng tsahn) ᆹѾ
Chinese restaurant Zhong canting (Johng tsahn-teeng)
ᆹѾู

To specify a regional style of cooking, prefix the name to shi

(shr). Here are the four most famous styles:

Shanghai style Shanghai shi (Shahng-high shr) ೲ݄ാ

Szechuan style Sichuan shi (Suh-chwahn shr) ඣԕാ
Beijing style Beifang shi (Bay-fahng shr) Є‫ل‬ാ
Cantonese style Guangdong shi (Gwahng-dohng shr)
‫הܦ‬ാ
Beijing dishes Beijing cai (Bay-jeeng tsigh) ЄࣂѼ
Cantonese dishes Guangdong cai (Gwahng-dohng tsigh)
‫הܦ‬Ѽ
Szechuan dishes Sichuan cai (Suh-chwahn tsigh) ඣԕѼ
Shanghai dishes Shanghai cai (Shahn-high tsigh) ೲ݄Ѽ

Chinese appetizers Youming Zhongguo kaiwei xiaocai (You-

meeng Johng-gwoh kigh-way she-ow-tsigh)
႟૪ᆹܽडັབѼ
restaurant fanguan (fahn-gwahn) ‫ܠـ‬
famous restaurant fan zhuang (fahn jwahng) ‫ـ‬ᇶ
hotel restaurant fan dian (fahn dee-an) ‫ֵـ‬
cafeteria can guan (tsahn gwahn) Ѿ‫ܠ‬
snackbar xiaochi dian (she-ow-chr dee-an) བӣֵ
Chinese snackbar fengwei xiaochi (ferng-way she-ow-chr)
‫ٮ‬ຯབӣ
American food Meiguo can (May-gwoh tsahn) યܽѾ
Western food Xi can (She tsahn) ໰Ѿ

Eating 69
American-style breakfast
Meiguo zaocan યܽᄔѾ
(May-gwoh zow-tsahn)

American-style sandwich
Meiguo sanmingzhi યܽೂ૦ᆷ
(May-gwoh sahn-meeng-jr)

American-style dessert
Meiguo tianshi યܽอഴ
(May-gwoh tee-an-shr)

Chinese-style breakfast
Zhongguo zaocan ᆹܽᄔѾ
(Johng-gwoh zow-tsahn)

Chinese-style dessert
Zhongguo tianshi ᆹܽอഴ
(Johng-gwoh tee-an-shr)

menu caidan (tsigh-dahn) Ѽհ

English menu Yingyu caidan (Eeng-yuu tsigh-dahn)
ၱႾѼհ
waiter fuwuyuan (foo-woo-ywahn) ‫څ‬໪პ
appetizers kaiweipin (kigh-way-peen) डັீ
fork chazi (chah-dzu) җሚ
knife daozi (dow-dzu) ցሚ
spoon shaozi (shou-dzu) ೺ሚ
napkin canjin (tsahn-jeen) Ѿࢨ
rice, cooked mifan (me-fahn) ૆‫ـ‬
soup tang (tahng) ෽
steak niupai (new-pie) ୎୰

70 Part One
famous dim sum dishes
youming dian xin ႟૪֮ཹ
(you-meeng dee-an sheen)

famous fish dishes

youming yu cai ႟૪ႲѼ
(you-meeng yuu tsigh)

famous pork dishes

youming rou cai ႟૪ಧѼ
(you-meeng roe tsigh)

famous vegetable dishes

youming shu cai ႟૪ൠѼ
(you-meeng shoo tsigh)

seafood haiwei (high-way) ݄ຯ

fruit shuiguo (shway-gwoh) ඍܾ
vegetables shucai (shoo-tsigh) ൠѼ
chopsticks kuaizi (kwie-dzu) ॡሚ
toothpick yaqian (yah-chee-an) ࿓ఐ
delicious haochi (how-chr) ‫ݤ‬ӣ

I would like to make reservations for dinner this evening.

Wo yao ding jintian de wanfan. ໋ရ‫ࢬב‬ษ֏ຈ‫ـ‬è
(Woh yee-ow deeng jeen-teen-an der wahn-fahn)

There will be three people.

Wo-men you san-ge ren. ໋શ႟ೂۛಐè
(Woh-mern you sahn-guh wren)

Eating 71
We want to go to a Peking duck restaurant.
Wo-men xiang qu yige Beijing kaoya guan.
(Woh-mern she-ahng chwee ee-guh Bay-jeeng kow-yah gwahn)
໋શག౪ာۛЄࣂव࿏‫ܠ‬è

I’m hungry.
Wo e le. ໋‫৾؟‬è
(Woh eh ler)

I’m thirsty.
Wo ke le. ໋ु৾è
(Woh kuh ler)

Please bring us menus.

Qing gei wo-men caidan. ౒‫໋۝‬શѼհè
(Cheeng gay woh-mern tsigh-dahn)

Please bring us wet towels.

Qing gei wo-men shi maojin. ౒‫໋۝‬શഫચࢨè
(Cheeng gay woh-mern shr mao-jeen)

Please bring us hot towels.

Qing gei wo-men re maojin. ౒‫໋۝‬શ಍ચࢨè
(Cheeng gay woh-mern ruh mao-jeen)

It tastes good!
Kekou! ी॑
(Ker-koe)

No more, thanks!
Gou-le, xiexie! ‫৾۾‬Ɨ཰཰
(Go-ler, she-eh-she-eh)

72 Part One
 Drinking
drink (noun) yinliao (een-lee-ow) ၬਂ
to drink (verb) he (her) ‫ݩ‬
bar jiuba (jeo-bah) ࣟξ
nightclub ye zonghui (yeh johng-hway) ဪሣߠ

Is there a cover charge?

You ruchang feiyong ma? ႟ರҰ٘႒ઁƪ
(You roo-chahng fay-yohng mah)

How much is the cover charge?

Ruchang duoshao qian? ರҰ؉೼కƪ
(Roo-chahng dwoh-shou chee-an)

Would you like to dance?

Ni xiang gen wo tiaowu ma? ରག໋۟ี໡ઁƪ
(Nee shee-ahng gurn woh tee-ow-woh mah)

karaoke lounge kala-OK ting (kah-lah-oh-kay teeng)

टংOKู

How much (do you charge) per hour?

Yi xiaoshi duoshao qian? ာབല؉೼కƪ
(Ee she-ow-shr dwoh-shou chee-an?)

Do you have Western songs?

Ni-men you Xiyang ge mah? ରશ႟໰ဆ‫ઁۍ‬ƪ
(Nee-mern you She-yahng guh mah)

Drinking 73
café leng yindian (lerng een-deen-an) হၬֵ
coffee kafei (kah-fay) ञُ
coffee with cream kafei, jia niunai (kah-fay, jee-ah new-
nigh) ञُƗ࠰୎ଙ

coffee shop kafei ting (kah-fay teeng) ञُู

teahouse chaguan (chah-gwahn) ҙ‫ܠ‬
maotai (mao-tie) ઘ෥
(China’s famous
banquet and
toast drink)
Cheers! Ganbei! (Gahn-bay) ‫ڮ‬Ѐƌ
wine putaojiu (poo-tou-jeo) ௘ฎࣟ
rice wine shaoxing jiu (shou-sheeng jeo) ೿ྀࣟ
beer (Western) pijiu (pee-jeo) பࣟ
draft beer zha pi (jah pee) ᄨப
cold drink leng yin (lerng een) হၬ
water shui (shway) ඍ
ice water bing shui (beeng shway) ьඍ
hot water kai shui (kigh shway) डඍ
mineral water kuangquan shui (kwahng-chwahn
shway) ४౯ඍ
orange juice juzi shui (jwee-dzu shway) ᢷሚඍ
hangover zui (zway) ሴ
milk niunai (neo-nigh) ୎ଙ
tea (black) hong cha (hohng chah) ‫ލ‬ҙ
jasmine tea molihua cha (mwo-lee-hwah chah)
Ꮼেާҙ

I’m thirsty.
Wo kele. ໋ु৾è
(Woh ker-ler)

74 Part One
Black tea, please.
Qing gei wo hong cha. ౒‫ލ໋۝‬ҙè
(Cheeng gay woh hohng chah)

Please bring me a bottle of beer.

Qing gei wo lai yi ping pijiu. ౒‫໋۝‬উာைபࣟè
(Cheen gay woh lie ee-peeng pee-jeo)

Please bring me a glass of red wine.

Qing gei wo lai yi-bei hong putao jiu.
(Cheeng gay woh lie ee-bay hohng poo-tao-jeo)
౒‫໋۝‬উာЀ‫ލ‬௘ฎࣟè

Please bring us some peanuts.

Qing gei wo-men lai dian huashengmi.
(Cheeng gay woh-mern lie dee-an hwah-sherng-me)
౒‫໋۝‬શউ֮ާഝ૆è

Drinking 75
 Paying Bills
bill, check zhangdan (jahng-dahn) ᅕհ
separate checks fenkai suan (fern-kigh swahn) ٝडෂ
receipt shouju (show-jwee) ൖࣶ
credit card shinyong ka (sheen-yohng kah) ེ႒ट

The bill, please.

Qing suan zhang. ౒ෂᅕè
(Cheeng swahn jahng)

Do you accept credit cards?

Shingyong ka keyi ma? ེ႒टी၅ઁƪ
(Sheeng-yohng kah ker-ee mah)

Separate checks, please.

Qing fenkai suan. ౒ٝडෂè
(Cheeng fern-kigh swahn)

76 Part One
 Telephone / Email
telephone dianhua (dee-an hwah) ֲޯ
public telephone gongyong dianhua (gohng-yohng dee-an-
hwah) ‫ۮ‬႒ֲޯ
inhouse phone neixian dianhua (nay-shee-an dee-an-
hwah) ଧ༶ֲޯ
cell phone shou ji (show jee) ൗ߹
telephone number dianhua haoma (dee-an-hwah how-
mah) ֲޯ‫੼ݦ‬
make a phone call da dianhua (dah dee-an-hwah) ՟ֲޯ
hello! wei! (way) າƌ
goodbye zaijian (zigh-jee-an) ᄆࡘ
local call bendi dianhua (bern-dee dee-an-hwah)
Бֲ֣ޯ
domestic call guonei dianhua (gwoh-nay dee-an-
hwah) ܽଧֲޯ
long-distance call changtu dianhua (chahng-too dee-an-
hwah) ҳ๙ֲޯ
international call guowai dianhua (gwoh-wigh dee-an-
hwah) ܽ๽ֲޯ
collect call shuohuaren fufei dianhua
(shwo-hwah-wren foo-fay dee-an-hwah)
ඔޯಐ‫ޯֲ٘ڛ‬
United States Meiguo (May-gwoh) યܽ
email dianzi youjian (dee-an-dzu you-jeen-an)
ֲሚ႙࡛
internet yingtewang (eeng-ter-wahng) ၵตຓ
internet café yingtewang kafeiting (eeng-ter-wahng
kah-fay teeng) ၵตຓञُู

Telephone / Email 77
I want to make (a/an) _______ call.
Wo yao da yi-ge _____ dianhua. ໋ရ՟ာۛ _____ ֲޯè
(Woh yee-ow dah ee-guh ______ dee-an-hwah)

I want to make an international call.

Wo yao da yige guoji changtu dianhua.
(Woh yee-ow dah ee-guh gwoh-jee chahng-too dee-an hwah)
໋ရ՟ာۛܽࠧҳ๙ֲޯè

May I use your phone?

Wo keyi yong ni de dianhua ma? ໋ी၅႒ର֏ֲޯઁƪ
(Woh ker-ee yohng nee der dee-an-hwah mah)

Can I dial direct?

Neng zhijie bo ma? ଩ᆚࢎїઁƪ
(Nerng jr-jee-eh bwo mah)

International direct dialing

Guoji zhijie changtu bohao ܽࠧᆚࢎҳ๙ї‫ݦ‬
(Gwoh-jee jr-jee-eh chahng-too bwo-how)

May I use a computer?

Wo keyi yong diannao ma? ໋ी၅႒ֲଡઁƪ
(Woh ker-ee yohng dee-an-now mah)

I want to check my email.

Wo xiang cha wo-de dianzi youjian. ໋གҚ໋֏ֲሚ႙࡛è
(Woh she-ahng chah woh-der dee-an-dzu you-jee-an)

Where can I rent a cell phone?

Zai nali keyi zudao shou ji? ᄇଔৄी၅ሩֈൗ߹ƪ
(Zigh nah-lee ker-ee joo-dow show jee)

78 Part One
 Shopping
shop / store shangdian (shahng-dee-an) ೯ֵ
shopping mai dongxi (my dohng-she) ઃ‫ה‬໰
shopping center shang chang (shahng-chahng) ೯Ұ
shangpin bu (shahng-peen boo) ೯ீ௕
shopping street gouwu jie (go-woo jee-eh) ‫۽‬໨࢑
department store baihuo shangdian (by-hwoh
shahng dee-an) ώߴ೯ֵ
souvenir / gift shop luyou jinianpin shangdian (lwee-you
jee-nee-an-peen shahng dee-an)
੔ႝࠪ଻ீ೯ֵ

bookstore shu dian (shoo dee-an) ൪ֵ

buy mai (my) ઃ
calling female clerk xiao jie (she-ow jee-eh) བ࢞
calling any clerk shifu (shr-foo) ധ‫ښ‬
antique gudong (goo-dohng) ‫ז܈‬
chinaware ciqi (tsu-chee) Զఀ
handicrafts shougongyi pin (show-gohng-ee peen)
ൗۧ၆ீ
jade carving yudiao (yuu-dee-ow) Ⴠּ
jewelry zhubao (joo-bow) ᇒϹ
silk sichou (tsuh-choe) ඞԀ

I want to buy ___________

Xiang mai _____________ གઃ _____________
(She-ahng my __________ )

Shopping 79
Please show me ___________
Qing gei wo kankan ________ ౒‫໋۝‬फफ ________
(Cheeng gay woh kahn-kahn _________ )

How much is it?

Duoshao qian? ؉೼కƪ
(Dwoh-shou chee-an)

Too expensive.
Tai gui-le ෨ܶ৾è
(Tie gway-ler)

It doesn’t fit me.
Bu heshen. Ѭ‫ݰ‬ഐè
(Boo her-shern)

This is the wrong size.

Zhe daxiao bu-dui. ᅭՠབѬ‫׽‬è
(Juh dah-she-ow boo-dway)

80 Part One
 Business
business shengyi (sherng-ee) ഝၓ
businessperson shangren (shahng-wren) ೯ಐ
office bangongshi (bahn-gohng-shr) ϡ‫ۮ‬൓
office building bangong lou (bahn-gohng low) ϡ‫ۮ‬ਸ਼
address dizhi (dee-jr) ֣ᆠ
office hours bangongshi jian (bahn-gohng-shr jee-an)
ϡ‫ۮ‬ലࡁ
company gongsi (gohng-suh) ‫ۮ‬ඝ
appointment yuehui (yu-eh hway) ჩߠ

Where is your office?

Nali shi ni-de bangong shi? ଔৄൈର֏ϡ‫ۮ‬൓ƪ
(Nah-lee shr nee-der bahn-gohng shr)

What is your address?

Ni-de zhu zhi shi? ର֏ᇨᆠൈƪ
(Nee-der joo jr shr)

I have an appointment with Mr. Lee.

Wo gen Lee Xiansheng you yuehui.
(Woh gurn Lee She-an-sherng you yuu-eh-hway)
໋۟ৃ༟ഝ႟ჩߠè

Business 81
 Post Office
post office you ju (you jwee) ႙࣯
mail youjian (you-jee-an) ႙࡛
airmail hangkong (hahng-kohng) ‫ݞ‬ौ
surface mail ping you (peeng you) ெ႙
express mail kuaidi youjian (kwie-dee you-jee-an)
ॣ֨႙࡛
registered letter guahao xin (gwah-how sheen) ‫ེݦܕ‬
parcel, package baoguo (bow-gwoh) ϱܿ
postage stamp you piao (you pee-ow) ႙஺
special delivery xianshi zhuansong (shee-an-shr jwahn-
sohng) ༭ലᇯඬ

Where is the nearest post office?

Zuijin-de you ju zai nali? ስࢷ֏႙࣯ᄇଔৄƪ
(Zway-jeen-der you jwee zigh nah-lee)

An airmail stamp, please.

Mai hangkong youpiao. ઃ‫ݞ‬ौ႙஺è
(My hahng-kohng you-pee-ow)

82 Part One
 Health / Help
help! jiu ming! (jeo meeng) ࣡૫ƌ

Please help me!

Qing kuai lai bang wo! ౒ॣউϤ໋ƌ
(Cheeng kwie lie bahng woh)

sick shengbing-le (sherng-beeng-ler) ഝђ৾

doctor daifu (die-foo) ՠ‫ٹ‬
yisheng (ee-sherng) ီഝ
ambulance jiuhuche (jeo-hoo-cher) ࣡‫ޣ‬ӄ
hospital yiyuan (ee-ywahn) ီყ
injury shang (shahng) ೮
pain / hurt tong (tohng) ๏teng (terng) ธ
emergency room jizhen shi (jee-jern shr) ࠎᅺ൓
fever fashao-le (fah-shou-ler) ‫ة‬೸৾
temperature tiwen (tee-wern) ยົ
headache touteng (toe-terng) ๒ธ
a cold shangfeng-le (shahng-ferng-ler) ೮‫৾ٮ‬
stomachache duzi teng (doo-dzu terng) ‫װ‬ሚธ
diarrhea xieduzi (she-eh-doo-dzu) ཯‫װ‬ሚ
dysentery youliji (you-lee-jee) ႝ৔ࠏ
food poisoning shiwu zhongdu (shr-woo johng-doo)
ഴ໨ᆹ‫ק‬
vomit outu (oh-too) ୦๝
toothache ya teng (yah terng) ࿓ธ
dentist yayi (yah-ee) ࿓ီ
yake yisheng (yak-ker ee-sherng)
࿓ऽီഝ
allergy guomin (gwoh-meen) ݀ૣ
high blood pressure gao xueya (gow shu-eh-yah) ‫ۄ‬྽࿌

Health / Help 83
eyes yan (yahn) ࿮
eyeglasses yanjing (yahn-jeeng) ࿮࣎
health insurance jiankang baoxian (jee-an-kahng bow-
shee-an) ࡜ब϶༬

I’m sick.
Wo bing le. ໋ђ৾è
(Woh beeng ler)

It hurts here.
Zheli tong. ᅭৄ๏è
(Juh-lee tohng)

I have a toothache.
Wo yatong. ໋࿓๏è
(Woh yah-tohng)

I have a headache.
Wo toutong. ໋๒๏è
(Woh toe-tohng)

I have a stomachache.
Wo weitong. ໋ັ๏è
(Woh way-tohng)

I feel dizzy.
Wo touyun. ໋๒჻è
(Woh toe-ywun)

Is there a drugstore in the hotel?

Luguan you yaofang ma? ੔‫ܠ‬႟ယ‫ઁن‬ƪ
(Lwee-gwahn you yee-ow-fahng mah)

84 Part One
What time does the drugstore open?
Yaofang jidian kai? ယ‫֮ࠕن‬डƪ
(Yee-ow-fahng jee-dee-an kigh)

I’m not feeling well.

Wo youdian bu shufu. ໋႟֮Ѭ൧‫څ‬è
(Woh you-dee-an boo shoo-foo)

I’ve caught a cold.

Wo ganmao le. ໋‫ڵ‬ટ৾è
(Woh gahn-mao ler)

I’m sick, please call a doctor.

Wo sheng bing-le, qing jiao yisheng.
(Woh sherng beeng-ler, cheeng jee-ow ee-sherng)
໋ഝђ৾Ɨ౒ࢋီഝè

Is there a doctor who speaks English?

You neng shuo Yinyu de yisheng ma?
(You nerng shwo Eenyuu der ee-sherng mah)
႟଩ඔၱႾ֏ီഝઁƪ

I am allergic to __________ .
Wo dui ________guomin. ໋‫ૣ݀ ________׽‬è
(Woh dwee ________ gwoh-meen)

There’s been an accident!

Chushi-le! ԅൃ৾ƌ
(Choo-shr-ler)

Please call an ambulance.

Qing jiao jiuhuche. ౒ࢋ࣡‫ޣ‬ӄè
(Cheeng jee-ow jeo-hoo-cher)

Health / Help 85
I lost my glasses.
Wo-de yanjing diu-le. ໋֏࿮࣎‫৾ד‬è
(Woh-der yahn-jeeng deo-ler)

police jingcha (jeeng-chah) ࣈҝ

police station jingcha ju (jeeng-chah jwee) ࣈҝ࣯
gongan ju (gohng-ahn jwee) ‫ۮ‬Χ࣯

Please call the police.

Qing jiao jingcha. ౒ࢋࣈҝè
(Cheeng jee-ow jeeng-cha)

I lost my passport.
Wo de huzhao bu jian le. ໋֏‫ޣ‬ᅠѬࡘ৾è
(Woh der hoo-jow boo jee-an ler)

I’ve lost my suitcase.

Wo diu le tibao. ໋‫৾ד‬พϱè
(Woh deo ler tee-bow)

Can you please help me?

Ni keyi bang wo ma? ରी၅Ϥ໋ઁƪ
(Nee ker-ee bahng woh mah)

Do you speak English?

Ni neng shuo Yingyu ma? ର଩ඔၱႾઁƪ
(Nee nerng shwo Eeng-yuu mah)

embassy dashiguan (dah-shr-gwahn) ՠഺ‫ܠ‬

American Embassy Meiguo Dashiguan (May-gwoh Dah-
shr-gwahn) યܽՠഺ‫ܠ‬

86 Part One
 Sightseeing
sightseeing guanguang (gwahn-gwahng) ‫ܥܞ‬
youlan (you-lahn) ႝক
tourist guide daoyou (dow-you) ևႝ
tourist bus luyou che (lwee-you cher) ੔ႝӄ
tourist sites luyou dian (lwee-you dee-an) ੔ႝ֮
tourist map luyou ditu (lwee-you dee-too) ੔ႝ֣๗
city map shiqu ditu (shr-chwee dee-too) ൑౟֣๗
local/area map dangdi ditu (dahng-dee dee-too) ռ֣
֣๗
Tiananmen Square Tiananmen guangchang (Tee-an-ahn-
mern gwahng-chahng) ษΧ઴‫ܦ‬Ұ
Buddhist temple si yuan (suh ywahn) ඡყ
miao (mee-ow) ૜
Taoist temple guan (gwahn) ‫ܞ‬
art gallery meishu guan (may-shoo gwahn) ય൶‫ܠ‬
museum bowuguan (bwo-woo-gwahn) њ໨‫ܠ‬
Summer Palace Yiheyuan (Ee-her-ywahn) ဴ‫ݮ‬ო

I want an English speaking tourist guide.

Wo yao yi-ge Yinguo daoyou. ໋ရာۛၱܽևႝè
(Woh yee-ow ee-guh Eeng-gwoh dow-you)

What is the rate per hour?

Mei xiaoshi duoshao qian? મབല؉೼కƪ
(May she-ow-shr dwoh-shou chee-an)

Is it all right to take photographs?

Rang paizhao ma? ಈ୯ᅠઁƪ
(Rahng pie-jow mah)

Sightseeing 87
Please (go) take me to the Ming Tombs.
Qing qu Shisanling. ౒౪യೂਝè
(Cheeng chwee Shr-sahn-leeng)

Please take us to the Great Wall.

Qing qu Chang Cheng. ౒౪ҳӖè
(Cheeng chwee Chahng Churng)

88 Part One
 Barber Shop / Beauty Salon
barber shop lifa dian (lee-fah dee-an) ূ‫ֵة‬
haircut lifa (lee-fah) ূ‫ة‬
beauty salon falang (fah-lahng) ‫ة‬ঝ
shampoo xi tou (she toe) ་๒
permanent tang toufa (tahng toe-fah) ฉ๒‫ة‬
hair wash xifa (she-fah) ་‫ة‬
hair curl juanfa (jwen-fah) आ‫ة‬
manicure xiu zhijia (shew jr-jee-ah) ྒྷᆡ࠴
pedicure xiu jiao zhijia (shew jee-ow jr-jee-ah)
ྒྷࢀᆡ࠴

I’d like to make an appointment for this afternoon.

Wo xiang yuding jintian xiawu. ໋གბ‫ࢬב‬ษ༙໠è
(Woh she-ahng yuu-deeng jeen-tee-an she-ah-woo)

Please give me a haircut.

Qing wei wo lifa. ౒ຣ໋ূ‫ة‬è
(Cheeng way woh lee-fah)

Please give me a shampoo.

Qing wei wo xitou. ౒ຣ໋་๒è
(Cheeng way woh she-toe)

I’d like a shave, please.

Wo yao gua lian. ໋ရܑ০è
(Woh yee-ow gwah lee-an)

I’d like a massage, please.

Wo yao anmo. ໋ရΩ૳è
(Woh yee-ow ahn-mwo)

Barber Shop / Beauty Salon 89

 Measurements
(China uses the metric system)

centimeter limi (lee-me) ঺૆

meter mi (me) ૆
kilometer gongli (gohng-lee) ‫ৄۮ‬
gram gongke (gohng-ker) ‫ूۮ‬
kilogram gongjin (gohng-jeen) ‫ࢪۮ‬
liter sheng (sherng) ഠ
gallon jialun (jah-loon) ࠰੩
hectare (2.47 acres) gongqing (gohng-cheeng) ‫౑ۮ‬
foot yingchi (eeng-chr) ၱӮ
inch yingcun (eeng-tsoon) ၱՔ
mile yingli (eeng-lee) ၱৄ
yard ma (mah) ੼

Personal Titles
Mr. Xiansheng (She-ahn sherng) ༟ഝ
Mrs. Taitai (Tie-tie) ෨෨
Furen (Foo-wren) ‫ٹ‬ಐ
Miss / Ms Nushi (Nwee-shr) ୙ീ

90 Part One
 Academic Titles
chancellor, president xiaozhang (she-ow-jahng) མҳ
department head xi zhuren (she joo-wren) ༌ᇠಓ
professor jiaoshou (jee-ow-show) ࢇ൛
teacher laoshi (lao-shr) তധ
jiaoshi (jee-ow-shr) ࢇധ
student xuesheng (shu-eh-sherng) ྺഝ

Business & Professional Titles

accountant kuaijishi (kwie-jee-shr) ߠࠣധ
attorney lushi (lwee-shr) ਗ਼ധ
banker yinhangjia (een-hahng-jee-ah) ၩ྅࠯
businessperson shangren (shahng-wren) ೯ಐ
computer specialist diannao zhuanjia (dee-an-now jwahn-
jee-ah) ֲଡᇯ࠯
consultant guwen (goo-wern) ܎ໃ
doctor yisheng (ee-sherng) ီഝ
driver siji (suh-jee) ඝ߹
editor bianji (bee-an-jee) гࠊ
engineer gongchengshi (gohng-churng-shr)
ۧӛധ
entertainer biaoyanzhe (bee-ow-yahn-juh) р࿰ᅪ
factory manager changzhang (chahng-jahng) Ҷҳ
farmer nongfu (nohng-foo) ୔‫ٹ‬
general manager zong jingli (zohng jeeng-lee) ሣࣆূ
government official guan (gwahn) ‫ܜ‬
government worker zhengfu ren yuan (jehng foo wren
ywahn) ᆉ‫ړ‬ಐპ

Academic Titles 91
governor shengzhang (sherng-jahng) ഢҳ
guide daoyou (dow-you) ևႝ
journalist jizhe (jee-juh) ࠤᅪ
laborer gongren (gohng-wren) ۧಐ
librarian tushuguanliyuan (too-shoo-gwahn-lee-
ywahn) ๗൪‫ূܟ‬პ
manager jingli (jeeng-lee) ࣆূ
mayor shizhang (shr-jahng) ൑ҳ
mechanic jigong (jee-gohng) ࠙ۧ
musician yinyuejia (een-yu-eh-jee-ah) ၥফ࠯
nurse hushi (hoo-shr) ‫ޣ‬ീ
office worker zhiyuan (jr-ywahn) ᆙპ
Ph.D, Dr. boshi (bwo-shr) њീ
photographer sheyingshi (sher-eeng-shr) ആၿധ
professor jiaoshou (jee-ow-show) ࢇ൛
scientist kexuejia (ker-shu-eh-jee-ah) ऽྺ࠯
secretary mishu (me-shoo) ે൪
sportsperson yundongyuan (ywun-dohng-ywahn)
ჸ‫ט‬პ
student xuesheng (shu-eh-sherng) ྺഝ
teacher laoshi (lao-shr) তധ
technician jishuyuan (jee-shoo-ywahn) ࠙൶პ
tourist luke (lwee-ker) ੔ॄ
translator fanyi (fahn-ee) ‫ش‬ၜ
travel agent luxing yuan (lwee-sheeng ywahn)
੔྅პ
writer zuojia (zwoh-jee-ah) ሾ࠯

*One of the traditional courtesies used in China when addressing

older people is to put the word lao (lou) in front of their family
name, as in Lao Chang. Lao means “old” and when used in this
way it has the connotation of “honored older person.”

92 Part One
 Homes
home jia (jee-ah) ࠯
house fangzi (fahng-dzu) ‫ن‬ሚ
apartment danyuanfang (dahn-ywahn-fahng) հთ‫ن‬
invitation qingjian (cheeng-jee-an) ౒ࡊ
invite yaoqing (yee-ow-cheeng) ဎ౒
kitchen chufang (choo-fahng) ԇ‫ن‬
dining room can shi (tsahn shr) Ѿ൓
bathroom yushi (yuu-shr) ჎൓

Please give me your address.

Qing gaosu wo ni de dizhi. ౒‫ۋ‬඾໋ର֏֣ᆠè
(Cheeng gow-soo woh nee der dee-jr)

May I come in?

Neng jinlai ma? ଩ࢳউઁƪ
(Nerng jeen-lie mah)

The food was delicious.

Fan hen xiang. ‫༺ݽـ‬è
(Fahn hern she-ahng)

Thank you for a wonderful evening.

Xiexie jin wan hen gaoxin. ཰཰ࢬຈ‫ྀۄݽ‬è
(She-eh-she-eh jeen wahn hern gow-sheen)

Homes 93
 PART 2
The Cardinal Numbers
Numbers are one of the most important parts of human
speech and communication. Like English and other languages,
numbers in Chinese are based on original terms from one
through ten, and then combinations of these ten terms.

0 ling (leeng) ਖ
1 yi (ee)* ာ

*The pronunciation of yi changes to yao (yee-ow) when used in

higher numbers. For example, 118 is yao yao ba (yee-ow yee-ow
bah).

2 er (urr) ‫ ;ا‬also liang (lee-ahng) ৰ

3 san (sahn) ೂ
4 si (suh) ඣ
5 wu (woo) ໞ
6 liu (leo) ਬ
7 qi (chee) ௨
8 ba (bah) π
9 jiu (jeo) ࣞ
10 shi (shr) യ

As noted, from 10 on, the numbers are combinations of the

first ten numbers. Eleven is 10 and 1, 12 is 10 and 2, etc.
Twenty is 2–10; 30 is 3–10, and so on.

11 shiyi (shr-ee) യာ
12 shier (shr-urr) യ‫ا‬

94 Part Two
13 shisan (shr-sahn) യೂ
14 shisi (shr-suh) യඣ
15 shiwu (shr-woo) യໞ
16 shiliu (shr-leo) യਬ
17 shiqi (shr-chee) യ௨
18 shiba (shr-bah) യπ
19 shijiu (shr-jeo) യࣞ
20 ershi (urr-shr) ‫ا‬യ
21 ershiyi (urr-shr-ee) ‫ا‬യာ
22 ershier (urr-shr-urr) ‫ا‬യ‫ا‬
23 ershisan (urr-shr-sahn) ‫ا‬യೂ
24 ershisi (urr-shr-suh ‫ا‬യඣ
25 ershiwu (urr-shr-woo) ‫ا‬യໞ
26 ershiliu (urr-shr-leo) ‫ا‬യਬ
27 ershiqi (urr-shr-chee) ‫ا‬യ௨
28 ershiba (urr-shr-bah) ‫ا‬യπ
29 ershijiu (urr-shr-jeo) ‫ا‬യࣞ
30 sanshi (sahn-shr) ೂയ
31 sanshiyi (sahn-shr-ee) ೂയာ
32 sanshier (sahn-shr-urr) ೂയ‫ا‬
33 sanshisan (sahn-shr-sahn) ೂയೂ
34 sanshisi (sahn-shr-suh ೂയඣ
35 sanshiwu (sahn-shr-woo) ೂയໞ
36 sanshiliu (sahn-shr-leo) ೂയਬ
37 sanshiqi (sahn-shr-chee) ೂയ௨
38 sanshiba (sahn-shr-bah) ೂയπ
39 sanshijiu (sahn-shr-jeo) ೂയࣞ
40 sishi (suh-shr) ඣയ
41 sishiyi (suh-shr-ee) ඣയာ
50 wushi (woo-shr) ໞയ
60 liushi (leo-shr) ਬയ
70 qishi (chee-shr) ௨യ
80 bashi (bah-shr) πയ

The Cardinal Numbers 95

 90 jiushi (jeo-shr) ࣞയ
100 yibai (ee-by)* ာώ
____
*bai is the designator for 100

101 yibailingyi (ee-by-leeng-ee) ာώਖာ

102 yibailinger (ee-by-leeng-urr) ာώਖ‫ا‬
103 yibailingsan (ee-by-leeng-sahn) ာώਖೂ
104 yibailingsi (ee-by-leeng-suh) ာώਖඣ
105 yibailingwu (ee-by-leeng-woo) ာώਖໞ
106 yibailingliu (ee-by-leeng-leo) ာώਖਬ
107 yibailingqi (ee-by-leeng-chee) ာώਖ௨
108 yibailingba (ee-by-leeng-bah) ာώਖπ
109 yibailingjiu (ee-by-leeng-jeo) ာώਖࣞ

110 yibaiyishi (ee-by-ee-shr) ာώာയ

120 yibaiershi (ee-by-urr-shr) ာώ‫ا‬യ
130 yibaisanshi (ee-by-sahn-shr) ာώೂയ
140 yibaisishi (ee-by-suh-shr) ာώඣയ
150 yibaiwushi (ee-by-woo-shr) ာώໞയ
175 yibaiqishiwu (ee-by-chee-shr-woo) ာώ௨യໞ

200 erbai (urr-by) ‫ا‬ώ

201 erbailingyi (urr-by-leeng-ee) ‫ا‬ώਖာ
300 sanbai (sahn-by) ೂώ
400 sibai (suh-by) ඣώ
500 wubai (woo-by) ໞώ
600 liubai (leo-by) ਬώ
700 qibai (chee-by) ௨ώ
800 babai (bah-by) πώ
900 jiubai (jeo-by) ࣞώ
1,000 yiqian* ာఎ
_______
*Qian is the designator for 1,000.

96 Part Two
 1,500 yiqianwubai (ee-chee-an-woo-by) ာఎໞώ
2,000 liangqian (lee-ahng-chee-an) ৰఎ
2,700 liangquanqibai (lee-ahng-chee-an-chee-by)
ৰఎ௨ώ
3,000 sanqian (sahn-chee-an) ೂఎ
4,000 siqian (suh-chee-an) ඣఎ
5,000 wuqian (woo-chee-an) ໞఎ

10,000 yiwan* (ee-wahn) ာຍ

_______
*Wan is the designator for 10,000.

11,000 yiwanyiqian (ee-wahn-ee-chee-an) ာຍာఎ

12,000 yiwanliangqian (ee-wahn-lee-ahng-chee-an)
ာຍৰఎ
15,000 yiwanwuqian (ee-wahn-woo-chee-an) ာຍໞఎ
20,000 erwan (urr-wahn) ‫ا‬ຍ
30,000 sanwan (sahn-wahn) ೂຍ
40,000 siwan (suh-wahn) ඣຍ
50,000 wuwan (woo-wahn) ໞຍ
80,000 bawan (bah-wahn) πຍ
100,000 shiwan (shr-wahn) യຍ
150,000 shiwuwan (shr-woo-wahn) യໞຍ
200,000 ershiwan (urr-shr-wahn) ‫ا‬യຍ
300,000 sanshiwan (sahn-shr-wahn) ೂയຍ
500,000 wushiwan (woo-shr-wahn) ໞയຍ
1,000,000 yibaiwan (ee-by-wahn) ာώຍ

The Cardinal Numbers 97

 The Ordinal Numbers
The ordinal numbers are created by adding the prefix di (dee)
to the cardinal numbers.

1st diyi (dee-ee) ֥ာ

2nd dier (dee-urr) ֥‫ا‬
3rd disan (dee-sahn) ֥ೂ
4th disi (dee-suh) ֥ඣ
5th diwu (dee-woo) ֥ໞ
6th diliu (dee-leo) ֥ਬ
7th diqi (dee-chee) ֥௨
8th diba (dee-bah) ֥π
9th dijiu (dee-jeo) ֥ࣞ
10th dishi (dee-shr) ֥യ
11th dishiyi (dee-shr-ee) ֥യာ
12th dishier (dee-shr-urr) ֥യ‫ا‬
13th dishisan (dee-shr-sahn) ֥യೂ
14th dishisi (dee-shr-suh) ֥യඣ
15th dishiwu (dee-shr-woo) ֥യໞ
20th diershi (dee-urr-shr) ֥‫ا‬യ
30th disanshi (dee-sahn-shr) ֥ೂയ
50th diwushi (dee-woo-shr) ֥ໞയ
one half yi ban (ee-bahn) ာϠ
one quarter si fen zhi yi (suh fern jr ee) ඣٝᆗာ

98 Part Two
 Counting Things
As mentioned earlier, the Chinese language uses special indica-
tors, or “measure words,” for counting things, based on what they
are—people, flat things, round things, animals, fish, etc. There
are over a dozen such terms, so keeping them straight, and using
them properly, can be a problem for the beginner.
However, the most common of these indicators, ge (guh), can
be used when you are uncertain about which one to use. The
“measure words” go between the numbers and the nouns they
apply to. Here is a list of the most common ones:

ben (bern), used when counting books.

ci (tsu), used when counting the number of times some-
thing occurs.
ke (ker), used when counting trees.
suo (swoh), used when counting buildings and houses.
tiao (tee-ow), used when counting large, long, slender
objects like telephone poles.
zhi (jr), used when counting small, round objects like
pencils and sticks.
zhang (jahng), used when counting flat things like pieces
of paper.
wan (wahn), used when referring to bowls and things that
come in bowls.
ping (peeng), used for counting bottles and bottled things.
kuai (kwie), used when referring to money.
ren (wren), used when counting people.
bei (bay), used for counting glasses of water, etc.

Counting Things 99
I have three books.
Wo you san-ben shu. ໋႟ೂБ൪è
(Woh you sahn-bern shoo)

Pleave give me one sheet of paper.

Qing gei wo yi-zhang zhi. ౒‫໋۝‬ာᅐᆦè
(Cheeng gay woh ee-jahng jr)

Two glasses of water, please.

Qing gei wo liang-bei shui. ౒‫໋۝‬ৰЀඍè
(Cheeng gay woh lee-ahng-bay shway)

Counting People
person ren (wren) ಐ
people renmin (wren-meen) ಐૠ

1 persons yi-ge ren (ee-guh wren) ာۛಐ

2 persons liang-ge ren (lee-ahng-guh wren)
ৰۛಐ
3 persons san-ge ren (sahn-ge wren) ೂۛಐ
4 persons si-ge ren (suh-guh wren) ඣۛಐ
5 persons wu-ge ren (woo-guh wren) ໞۛಐ
6 persons liu-ge ren (leo-guh wren) ਬۛಐ
7 persons qi-ge ren (chee-guh wren) ௨ۛಐ
8 persons ba-ge ren (bah-guh wren) πۛಐ
9 persons jiu-ge ren (jeo-guh wren) ࣞۛಐ
10 peoples shi-ge renmin (shr-guh wren-meen)
യۛಐૠ

100 Part Two

 Counting Other Things
2 bottles of beer.
Liang-ping bijiu. ৰைபࣟè
(Lee-ahng-peeng pee-jeo)

3 glasses of water.
San-bei shui. ೂЀඍè
(Sahn-bay shway)

2 hamburgers.
Liang-ge hanbaobao. ৰۛ‫ݛ‬Ϸϱè
(Lee-ahng-guh hahn-bow-bow)

1 book.
Yi-ben shu. ာБ൪è
(Ee-burn shoo)

2 sheets of paper.
Liang-zhang zhi. ৰᅐᆦè
(Lee-ahng-jahng jr)

May I have a pen, please?

Qing gei wo yi zhi bi. ౒‫໋۝‬ာᆐНè
(Cheeng gay woh ee jr bee)

One hamburger, please.

Qing gei yi-ge hanbaobao. ౒‫۝‬ာۛ‫ݛ‬Ϸϱè
(Cheeng gay ee-guh hahn-bow-bow)

Counting Other Things 101

 Telling Time
Telling time in Chinese is a combination of the appropriate
number, plus the word dian (dee-in), which means something
like “point of time” and in this usage is the equivalent of the
English “o’clock.” There is another word for “o’clock”—zhong
(johng)—that is seldom used in ordinary conversation.

time (of day) shijian (shr-jee-an) ലࡁ

hour xiaoshi (she-ow-shr) བല
half an hour ban xiaoshi (bahn-she-ow-shr) Ϡབല
minute fen (fern) ٝ
a.m. shangwu (shahng-woo) ೲ໠
p.m. xiawu (she-ah-woo) ༙໠

In China the 24-hour day is divided into four periods:

midnight to 6 a.m. qingzao (cheeng-zow) ౌᄔ

(early morning)
6 a.m. to noon (morning) zaoshang (zow-shahng) ᄔೲ
noon to 6 p.m. (afternoon) xiawu (she-ah-woo) ༙໠
6 p.m. to midnight (evening) wanshang (wahn-shahng) ຈೲ

In designating the time period as well as the hour, both words

precede the hour, as in the following examples.

1 a.m. qingzao yi dian (cheeng-zow ee dee-an)

ౌᄔာ֮
8 a.m. zaoshang ba dian (zow-shahng bah dee-an)
ᄔೲπ֮
1 p.m. xiawu yi dian (she-ah-woo ee dee-an)
༙໠ာ֮

102 Part Two

8 p.m. wanshang ba dian (wahn-shahng bah
dee-an) ຈೲπ֮
what time? ji dian? (jee dee-an) ࠕ֮ƪ
at / in zai (zigh) ᄇ
early zao (zow) ᄔ
late wan (wahn) ຈ
on time zhunshi (joon-shr) ሃല
in the morning zai zaoshang (zigh zow-shahng) ᄇᄔೲ
in the afternoon zai xiawu (zigh she-ah-woo) ᄇ༙໠
in the evening zai wanshang (zigh wahn-shahng) ᄇຈೲ
1 o’clock yi dian (ee dee-an) ာ֮
1 a.m. qingzao yi dian (cheeng-zow ee-dee-an)
ౌᄔာ֮
1:10 yi dian shifen (ee dee-an shr fern)
ာ֮യٝ
1:30 yi dian ban (ee dee-an bahn) ာ֮Ϡ
2 o’clock liang dian (lee-ahng dee-an) ৰ֮
3 o’clock san dian (sahn dee-an) ೂ֮
2 a.m. qingzao liang dian (cheeng-zow lee-ahng
dee-an) ౌᄔৰ֮
2 p.m. xiawu liang dian (she-ah-woo lee-ahng
dee-an) ༙໠ৰ֮
2:30 liang dian ban (lee-ahng dee-an bahn)
ৰ֮Ϡ
3 o’clock san dian (sahn dee-an) ೂ֮
3 a.m. qingzao san dian (cheeng-zow sahn
dee-an) ౌᄔೂ֮
3 p.m. xiawu san dian (she-ah-woo sahn dee-an)
༙໠ೂ֮
3:15 san dian shiwufen (sahn dee-an shr-woo-
fern) ೂ֮യໞٝƚೂ֮ာृ
3:30 san dian ban (sahn dee-an bahn) ೂ֮Ϡ
4 o’clock si dian (suh dee-an) ඣ֮

Telling Time 103

5 o’clock wu dian (woo dee-an) ໞ֮
6 o’clock liu dian (leo dee-an) ਬ֮
7 o’clock qi dian (chee dee-an) ௨֮
8 o’clock ba dian (bah dee-an) π֮
9 o’clock jiu dian (jeo dee-an) ֮ࣞ
10 o’clock shi dian (shr dee-an) യ֮
11 o’clock shiyi dian (shr-ee dee-an) യာ֮
12 o’clock shier dian (shr-urr dee-an) യ‫֮ا‬
It is 6:30 liu dian ban (leo dee-an bahn)
ਬ֮Ϡ
It is 12:30 shier dian ban (shr-urr dee-an bahn)
യ‫֮ا‬Ϡ

What time are we leaving?

Wo-men shenme shijian zou? ໋શളણലࡁሦƪ
(Woh-mern shern-mer shr-jee-an dzow)

What time does the bus leave?

Gonggong qiche ji dian likai? ‫ۮ‬۵ఄӄࠕ֮ীडƪ
(Gohng-gohng chee-cher jee-dee-an lee-kigh)

What time is breakfast?

Zaocan shi ji dian? ᄔѾൈࠕ֮ƪ
(Zow-tsahn shr jee dee-an)

What times is lunch?

Wucan shi ji dian? ໠Ѿൈࠕ֮ƪ
(Woo-tsahn shr jee dee-an)

What times is dinner?

Wancan shi ji dian? ຈѾൈࠕ֮ƪ
(Wahn-tsahn shr jee dee-an)

104 Part Two

 Days of the Week
The days of the week, from Monday through Saturday, consist
of the “day designator” xingqi (sheeng-chee) plus the numbers
one through six. Sunday consists of the “day designator” plus
the word for “day.”

Monday Xingqiyi (Sheeng-chee-ee) ོ௣ာ

Tuesday Xingqier (Sheeng-chee-urr) ོ௣‫ا‬
Wednesday Xingqisan (Sheeng-chee-sahn) ོ௣ೂ
Thursday Xingqisi (Sheeng-chee-suh) ོ௣ඣ
Friday Xingqiwu (Sheeng-chee-woo) ོ௣ໞ
Saturday Xingqiliu (Sheeng-chee-leo) ོ௣ਬ
Sunday Xingqitian (Sheeng-chee-tee-an) ོ௣ษ

today jintian (jeen-tee-an) ࢬษ

tomorrow mingtian (meeng-tee-an) ૦ษ
day after tomorrow hou tian (hoe tee-an) ‫ޔ‬ษ
yesterday zuotian (zwaw-tee-an) ሹษ
day before yesterday qian tian (chee-an tee-an) గษ
in the morning zai zaoshang (zigh zow-shahng) ᄇᄔೲ
in the afternoon zai xiawu (zigh she-ah-woo) ᄇ༙໠
in the eventing zai wanshang (zigh wahn-shahng)
ᄇຈೲ
early zao (zow) ᄔ
late wan (wahn) ຈ
on time zhunshi (joon-shr) ሃല

Days of the Week 105

 Counting Days
1 day yi tian (ee tee-an) ာษ
2 days liang tian (lee-ahng tee-an) ৰษ
3 days san tian (sahn tee-an) ೂษ
4 days si tian (suh tee-an) ඣษ
5 days wu tian (woo tee-an) ໞษ
6 days liu tian (leo tee-an) ਬษ
7 days qi tian (chee tee-an) ௨ษ
8 days ba tian (bah tee-an) πษ
9 days jiu tian (jew tee-an) ࣞษ
10 days shi tian (shr tee-an) യษ
21 days ershiyi tian (urr-shr-ee tee-an) ‫ا‬യာษ

What day is today?

Jintian shi xingqi ji? ࢬษൈོ௣ࠕƪ
(Jeen-tee-an shr sheeng-chee jee)

Today is Monday.
Jintian shi Xingqiyi. ࢬษൈོ௣ာè
(Jeen-tee-an shr Sheeng-chee-ee)

106 Part Two

 Weeks
week xingqi (sheeng-chee) ོ௣
this week zhei-ge xingqi (jay-guh sheeng-chee)
ᅭོۛ௣
last week shang-ge xingqi (shahng-guh sheeng-
chee) ೲོۛ௣
next week xia-ge xingqi (she-ah sheeng-chee)
ོ༙ۛ௣
weekend zhoumo (joe-mwo) ᇅ૶
week after next xiaxia-ge xingqi (she-ah-she-ah-guh
sheeng-chee) ོ༙༙ۛ௣

Counting Weeks
1 week yi xingqi (ee sheeng-chee) ာོ௣
2 weeks er xingqi (urr sheeng-chee) ‫ོا‬௣
3 weeks san xingqi (sahn sheeng-chee) ೂོ௣
4 weeks si xingqi (suh sheeng-chee) ඣོ௣
5 weeks wu xingqi (woo sheeng-chee) ໞོ௣
6 weeks liu xingqi (leo sheeng-chee) ਬོ௣
7 weeks qi xingqi (chee sheeng-chee) ௨ོ௣
8 weeks ba xingqi (bah sheeng-chee) πོ௣

I will be in China for 2 weeks.

Wo jiang zai Zongguo dai liang-ge duo xingqi.
(Woh jee-ahng zigh Johng-gwoh die lee-ahng-guh dwoh sheeng-chee)
໋ࡦᄇᆹܽժৰۛ؉ོ௣è

Weeks 107
 The Months
The Chinese word for month is yue (yuu-eh). Yue is used when
naming or listing the months, and ri (rr) is used when giving
dates. The names of the months consist of the appropriate
number plus yue—in other words, yi (one) plus yue (month)
equals January.

January Yiyue (Ee-yuu-eh) ာჯ

February Eryue (Urr-yuu-eh) ‫ا‬ჯ
March Sanyue (Sahn-yuu-eh) ೂჯ
April Siyue (Suh-yuu-eh) ඣჯ
May Wuyue (Woo-yuu-eh) ໞჯ
June Liuyue (Leo-yuu-eh) ਬჯ
July Qiyue (Chee-yuu-eh) ௨ჯ
August Bayue (Bah-yuu-eh) πჯ
September Jiuyue (Jeo-yuu-eh) ࣞჯ
October Shiyue (Shr-yuu-eh) യჯ
November Shiyiyue (Shr-ee-yuu-eh) യာჯ
December Shieryue (Shr-urr-yuu-eh) യ‫ا‬ჯ

this month zhei-ge yue (jay-guh yuu-eh) ᅭۛჯ

next month xia-ge yue (she-ah-guh yuu-eh) ༙ۛჯ
last month shang-ge yue (shahng-guh yuu-eh)
ೲۛჯ
month after next xiaxia-ge yue (she-ah-she-ah-guh yuu-eh)
༙༙ۛჯ
monthly mei-ge yue (may-guh yuu-eh) મۛჯ

108 Part Two

To enumerate months, just add the prefix ge (guh) to yue, the
word for month, and put the appropriate number in front of
the word:

1 month yi geyue (ee guh-yuu-eh) ာۛჯ

2 months liang geyue (lee-ang guh-yuu-eh) ৰۛჯ
5 months wu geyue (woo guh-yuu-eh) ໞۛჯ
6 months liu geyue (leo guh-yuu-eh) ਬۛჯ
12 months shier geyue (shr-urr guh-yuu-eh)
യ‫ۛا‬ჯ
every month mei-ge yue (may-guh yuu-eh) મۛჯ
a few months ji-ge yue (jee-guh yuu-eh) ࠕۛჯ

The Months 109

 The Years
The Chinese word for year is nian (nee-an).

this year jin nian (jeen nee-an) ࢬଷ

next year ming nian (meeng nee-an) ૦ଷ
last year qu nian (chwee nee-an) ౪ଷ
every year mei nian (may nee-an) મଷ
one year yi nian (ee nee-an) ာଷ
two years liang nian (lee-ahng nee-an) ৰଷ
three years san nian (sahn nee-an) ೂଷ
four years si nian (suh nee-an) ඣଷ
five years wu nian (woo nee-an) ໞଷ
Happy New Year! Xin Nian Hao! (Sheen Nee-an How)
ཷଷ‫ݤ‬ƌ
New Year’s Day Yuan Dan (Ywahn Dahn) თմ

110 Part Two

 Giving Dates
In Chinese, dates are given with the year (nian / nee-an) first,
the month (yue / yu-eh) second, and the day (hao / how) last.
Example: 2010, January, 1.
Erlingyiling nian yi yue yi hao
(Urr-leeng-ee-leeng nee-an, ee-yu-eh ee how)

In the days of the month, hao (how) may be used in place of ri

(rr)...and it is a lot easier to pronounce!

1st of the month yiri (ee-rr) ာಚ

1st of the month yihao (ee-how) ာ‫ݦ‬
2nd of the month erri (urr-rr) ‫ا‬ಚ
2nd of the month erhao (urr-how) ‫ݦا‬
3rd of the month sanri (sahn-rr) ೂಚ
4th of the month siri (suh-rr) ඣಚ
5th of the month wuri (woo-rr) ໞಚ
6th of the month liuri (leo-rr) ਬಚ
7th of the month qiri (chee-rr) ௨ಚ
8th of the month bari (bah-rr) πಚ
9th of the month jiuri (jeo-rr) ࣞಚ
10th of the month shiri (shr-rr) യಚ
11th of the month shiyiri (shr-ee-rr) യာಚ
12th of the month shierri (shr-urr-rr) യ‫ا‬ಚ
13th of the month shisanri (shr-sahn-rr) യೂಚ
14th of the month shisiri (shr-suh-rr) യඣಚ
15th of the month shiwuri (shr-woo-rr) യໞಚ
16th of the month shiliuri (shr-leo-rr) യਬಚ
17th of the month shiqiri (shr-chee-rr) യ௨ಚ
18th of the month shibari (shr-bah-rr) യπಚ
19th of the month shijiuri (shr-jeo-rr) യࣞಚ

Giving Dates 111

 20th of the month ershiri (urr-shr-rr) ‫ا‬യಚ
21st of the month ershiyiri (urr-shr-ee-rr) ‫ا‬യာಚ
22nd of the month ershierri (urr-shr-urr-rr) ‫ا‬യ‫ا‬ಚ
23rd of the month ershisanri (urr-shr-sahn-rr) ‫ا‬യೂಚ
24th of the month ershisiri (urr-shr-suh-rr) ‫ا‬യඣಚ
25th of the month ershiwuri (urr-shr-woo-rr) ‫ا‬യໞಚ
26th of the month ershiliuri (urr-shr-leo-rr) ‫ا‬യਬಚ
27th of the month ershiqiri (urr-shr-chee-rr) ‫ا‬യ௨ಚ
28th of the month ershigari (urr-shr-bah-rr) ‫ا‬യπಚ
29th of the month ershijiuri (urr-shr-jeo-rr) ‫ا‬യࣞಚ
30th of the month sanshiri (sahn-shr-rr) ೂയಚ
31st of the month sanshiyiri (sahn-shr-ee-rr) ೂയာಚ

Today is the 7th.

Jintian shi qiri. ࢬษൈ௨ಚè
(Jeen-tee-an shr chee-rr)

112 Part Two

 Holidays
New Year’s Day Xin Nian (Sheen Nee-an) ཷଷ

Spring Festival (late January or early February)

Chun Jie ԧ࢕
(Choon Jee-eh)

International Women’s Day, March 8

Guoji Funu Jie ܽࠧ‫ڣ‬୙࢕
(Gwoh-jee Foo-nwee Jee-eh)

International Labor Day, May 1

Guoji Laodong Jie ܽࠧঢ‫࢕ט‬
(Gwoh-jee Lao-dohng Jee-eh)

Youth Day, May 4

Qingnin Jie ేଷ࢕
(Cheeng-nee-an Jee-eh)

International Children’s Day

Guoji Ertong Jie ܽࠧ‫࢕๊آ‬
(Gwoh-jee Urr-tohng Jee-eh)

National Day, October 1

Guoqing Jie ܽ౓࢕
(Gwoh-cheeng Jee-eh)

Holidays 113
 PART 3
Countries
China Zhongguo (Johng-gwoh) ᆹܽ
Chinese Language Hanyu or Zhongwen* (Hahn-yuu /
Johng-wern) ‫ݛ‬Ⴞᆹຽ

*Hanyu is the literary term for the Chinese language; Zhongwen is

the term generally used in ordinary speech.

Chinese Person Zhongguoren (Johng-gwoh-wren)

ᆹܽಐ
Overseas Chinese Hua Qiao (Hwah Chee-ow) ީయ
Hong Kong Xiang Gang (She-ahng Gahng) ༺‫ۀ‬
Kowloon Jiulong (Jeo-lohng) ࣞਭ
Macao Aomen (Ow-mern) ι઴

Australia Aodaliya (Ow-dah-lee-ah) ιՠ৐࿚

Canada Jianada (Jee-ah-nah-dah) ࠰ଐՠ
France Faguo (Fah-gwoh) ‫ܽد‬
Germany Deguo (Der-gwoh) ֍ܽ
Great Britain Yingguo (Eeng-gwoh) ၱܽ
India Yindu (Een-doo) ၰ‫ױ‬
Italy Yidali (Ee-dah-lee) ၓՠ৐
Japan Riben (Rr-burn) ಚБ
Spain Xibanya (She-bahn-yah) ໰ϕ࿓
United States Meiguo (May-gwoh) યܽ

114 Part Three

 China’s Provinces
Anhui (Ahn-hway) Χߔ
Fujian (Foo-jee-ahn) ‫ࡣڈ‬
Gansu (Gahn-soo) ‫گ‬඿
Guangdong (Gwahng-dohng) ‫הܦ‬
Guizhou (Gway-joe) ܶᇆ
Hainan (High-nahn) ݄ଜ
Hebei (Her-bay) ‫ݴ‬Є
Heilongjiang (Hay-loong-jee-ahng) ‫ݻ‬ਭࡨ
Henan (Her-nahn) ‫ݴ‬ଜ
Jiangxi (Jee-ahng-she) ࡨ໰
Jilin (Jee-leen) ࠇਉ
Liaoning (Lee-ow-neeng) ৼୋ
Qinghai (Cheeng-high) ే݄
Shaanxi (Shah-ahn-she) ೥໰
Shandong (Shahn-dohng) ೠ‫ה‬
Shanxi (Shah-she) ೠ໰
Sichuan (Suh-chwahn) ඣԕ
Yunnan (Ywun-nahn) ჳଜ
Zhejiang (Juh-jee-ahng) ᅮࡨ

China’s Provinces 115

 The Autonomous Regions
Guangxi Zhuang (Gwahng-she Jwahng) ‫ܦ‬໰ᇶ
Nei Menggu (Nay Merng-goo) ଧસ‫܈‬
(Inner Mongolia)
Ningxia (Neeng-shee-ah) ୋ༛
Xizang (Tibet) (She-zahng) ໰҉
Xinjiang (Sheen-jee-ahng) ཷࡩ

Major Cities
Aomen / Macao (Ow-mern) ι઴
Beijing (Bay-jeeng) Єࣂ
Changchun (Chahng-choon) ҳԧ
Chungking / Chongqing (Chohng-cheeng) ᇁ౓
Canton / Guangzhou (Gwahng-joe) ‫ܦ‬ᇆ
Dalian (Dah-lee-an) ՠয়
Harbin (Hah-urr-bin) ݁‫ؤ‬ш
Hong Kong / Xiang Gang (Shee-ahng Gahng) ༺‫ۀ‬
Kunming (Koon-meeng) ॺ૦
Mukden / Shenyang (Shern-Yahng) കဇ
Nanking / Nanjing (Nahn-jeeng) ଜࣂ
Shanghai (Shahng-high) ೲ݄
Shenzhen (Shern-jern) ഑᎔
Tianjin (Tee-an-jeen) ษࢭ
Urumqi (Woo-roo-moo-chee) ໓੄ଋ௴
Wuhan (Woo-hahn) ໝ‫ݛ‬
Xiamen / Amoy (She-ah-mern) ༚઴

116 Part Three

 Famous Places in Beijing
Beijing Zoo
Beijing Dongwuyuan Єࣂ‫ט‬໨ო
(Bay-jeeng Dohng-woo-ywahn)

Forbidden City
Zijin Cheng ሖࢶӖ
(Dzu-jeen Cherng)

Gate of Supreme Harmony

Tai He Men ෨‫ݮ‬઴
(Tie Her Mern)

Great Hall of the People

Renmin Dahuitang ಐૠՠߠ฀
(Wren-meen Dah-hway-tahng)

Imperial Gardens
Yuhua Yuan ჈ާო
(Yuu-hwah Ywahn)

Mao Zedong Memorial Mausoleum

Mao Zedong Jinian Tang ચᄠ‫଻ࠪה‬฀
(Mao Zuh-dohng Jee-nee-an Tahng)

Marco Polo Bridge

Lugou Qiao ੈ۸బ
(Loo-gwoh Chee-ow)

Famous Places in Beijing 117

Museum of Chinese History
Zhongguo Lishi Bowuguan ᆹܽ৏സњ໨‫ܠ‬
(Johng-gwoh Lee-shr Bwo-woo-gwahn)

National Library
Zhongguo Tushuguan ᆹܽ๗൪‫ܠ‬
(Johng-gwoh Too-shoo-gwahn)

Nationalities Cultural Palace

Minzu Wenhua Gong ૠሬຽޮ‫ۯ‬
(Meen-joo Wern-hwah Gohng)

People’s Cultural Park

Renmin Wenhua Gongyuan ಐૠຽޮ‫ۮ‬ო
(Wren-meen Wern-hwah Gohng-ywahn)

Summer Palace
Yihe Yuan ဴ‫ݮ‬ო
(Ee-her Ywahn)

Tiananmen Square
Tian An Men Guangchang ษΧ઴‫ܦ‬Ұ
(Tee-an Ahn Mern Gwahng-chahng)

Xidan Market
Xidan Shichang ໰ո൑Ұ
(She-dahn Shr-chahng)

Zhongshan Park
Zhongshan Gongyuan ᆹೠ‫ۮ‬ო
(Johng-shahn Gohng-ywahn)

118 Part Three

 Famous Landmarks Near Beijing
Great Wall of China
Chang Cheng ҳӖ
(Chahng Churng)

Ming Tombs
Shi San Ling യೂਝ
(Shr Sahn Leeng)

Shopping Districts in Beijing

Jianguomenwai
Jian Guo Men Wai ࡪܽ઴๽
(Jee-an Gwoh Mern Wigh)

Liulichang
Liu Li Chang ਣ৚Ұ
(Lee-oh Lee Chahng)

Qianmen
Qian Men గ઴
(Chee-an Mern)

Wangfujing
Wang Fu Jing ຐ‫ࣇړ‬
(Wahng Foo Jeeng)

Xidan
Xi Dan ໰ո
(She Dahn)

Famous Landmarks Near Beijing 119

 Famous Places in Shanghai
The Bund
Waitan Zhongshan Road ๽෯ᆹೠੈ
(Wigh-tahn Johng-shahn Loo)

Fuxing Park
Fuxing Gongyuan ‫ۮོڈ‬ო
(Foo-sheeng Gohng-ywahn)

Jade Buddha Temple

Yu Fo Si Ⴠ‫ٷ‬ඡ
(Yuu fwo Suh)

Longhua Temple & Pagoda

Longhua Miao He Ta ਭީ૜‫ݰ‬ෝ
(Lohng-hwah Mee-ow Her Tah)

Lu Xun Memorial Museum

Lu Xun Jinian Guan ੄࿋ࠪ଻‫ܠ‬
(Loo Sheen Jee-nee-an Gwahn)

Old Town
Shanghai Jiu Shi ೲ݄࣢൑
(Shahng-high Jeo Shr)

People’s Park & Square

Renmin Guangchang ಐૠ‫ܦ‬Ұ
(Wren-meen Gwahng-chahng)

120 Part Three

Shanghai Acrobatic Theater
Shanghai Zajiyan Juyuan ೲ݄ᄀ࠙࿰ऀყ
(Shahng-high Zah-jee-yahn Jwee-ywahn)

Shanghai Children’s Palace

Shanghai Shaonian Gong ೲ݄೼ଷ‫ۯ‬
(Shahng-high Shou-nee-an Gohng)

Shanghai Exhibition Center

Shanghai Janlan Guan ೲ݄ᅄক‫ܠ‬
(Shahng-high Jahn-lahn Gwahn)

Shanghai Museum of Art & History

Shanghai Bowuguan-de Yishu he Lishi
(Shahng-high Bwo-woo-gwahn-duh ee-shoo her Lee-shr)
ೲ݄њ໨‫֏ܠ‬၆൶‫ݮ‬৏സ

Sun Yat-sen Residence

Sun Zhongshan Guju ෎ᆹೠ‫࣬܍‬
(Soon Johng-shahn Goo-jwee)

Tomb of Soong Qingling

Song Qing-ling Fenmu ත౓ਗٟଆ
(Soong Cheeng-leeng Fern-moo)

Worker’s Cultural Palace

Gongren Wenhua Gong ۧಐຽޮ‫ۯ‬
(Goong-wren Wun-hwah Goong)

Xijiao Park
Xi Jiao Gongyuan ໰ࢂო
(Shee Jee-ow Gohng-ywahn)

Famous Places in Shanghai 121

Yu Garden
Yu Yuan Ⴠო
(Yuu Ywahn)

Shopping Districts in Shanghai

Huaihai Road (Hwie-high Loo) ޳݄ੈ
Nanjing Road (Nahn-jeeng Loo) ଜࣂੈ

Important Signs
Public signs are a phenomenon of the modern age. Without
them, sophisticated societies simply wouldn’t function, and it
is especially important to be able to read and understand signs
when visiting foreign countries. The following are provided to
help visitors to China avoid being “sign illiterate.”

Arrivals Jinguan (Jeen-gwahn) ࢳ‫ܛ‬

Departures Chuguan (Choo-gwahn) ԅ‫ܛ‬
Customs Haiguan (High-gwahn) ݄‫ܛ‬
Bathroom Yushi (Yuu-shr) ჎൓
Engaged (in use) Shiyongzhong (Shr-yohng-johng)
ഺ႒ᆹ

Alley (narrow street) Hutong (Hoo-tohng) ‫็ޛ‬

Bicycle Parking Cunche Chu (Tsoon-cher Choo) Փӄԓ
Bicycle Parking Zone Zixingche Cunchechu (Dzu-sheeng-cher
Tsoon-cher-choo) ማ྅ӄՓӄԓ

122 Part Three

Car Parking Lot Tingche Chang (Teeng-cher Chahng)
฾ӄҰ
Closed Door Guan Men (Gwahn Mern) ‫ܛ‬઴
Business Hours Yingye Shijian (Eeng-yeh Shr-jee-an)
ၹဦലࡁ
Bus Stop Qiche Zhan (Chee-cher Jahn) ఄӄᅉ
Caution Xiaoxin (She-ow-sheen) བཹ
Closed (business) Tingzhiyingye (Teeng-jr-eeng-yeh)
฾ᆢၹဦ
Guanmen (Gwahn-mern) ‫ܛ‬઴
Danger Weixian (Way-shee-an) ຜ༬
Emergency Exit Jinji Chukou (Jeen-jee Choo-koe)
ࢯࠎԅ॑
Taiping Men (Tie-peeng mern) ෨ெ઴
Entrance Rukou (Roo-koe) ರ॑
Exit Chukou (Choo-koe) ԅ॑
Do Not Enter Buxu Jinru (Boo-shoo Jeen-roo)
Ѭྡྷࢳರ
Don’t Touch Wuchu (Woo-choo) ໩Ԓ
Wumo (Woo-mwo) ໩૵
Drinking Water Yingyong Shui (Eeng-yohng Shway)
ၬ႒ඍ
Elevator Dianti (Dee-an-tee) ֲบ
Employees Only Xianren Mianru (Shee-an-wren Mee-
an-roo) ༧ಐ૑ರ
First Aid Ji Jiu (Jee Jeo) ࠎ࣡
Forbidden Jinzhi (Jeen-jr) ࢶᆢ
Hospital Yiyuan (Ee-ywahn) ီყ
Information Tongzhi (Tohng-jr) ใᆓ
Information Desk Xunwen tai (Shwun-wern tai)
࿂ໃ෥
Information Office Xunwen chu (Shwun wun choo)
࿉ໃԓ

Important Signs 123

Keep Out Qie-wu Runei (Chee-eh woo Roo-nay)
ష໩ರଧ
Ladies’ Room Nu Cesuo (Nwee Tser-swoh) ୙ҏෘ
Left Luggage Storage Xingli Jicun Chu (Sheeng-lee Jee-tsoon
Choo) ྅ৃࠡՓԓ
Luggage Lockers Xingli Gui (Sheeng-lee Gway) ྅ৃܴ
Main Street Dajie (Dah-jee-eh) ՠ࢑
Men’s Room Nan Cesuo (Nahn Tser-swoh) ଝҏෘ
Non-potable Water Fei Yingyong Shui (Fay Eeng-yohng
Shway) َၬ႒ඍ
No Entrance Jinzhi Runei (Jeen-jr Roo-nay)
ࢶᆢರଧ
No Parking Bu Xutingche (Boo Shee-teeng-cher)
Ѭྡྷ฾ӄ
No Picture Taking Qing Wu Pai-zhao (Cheeng Woo Pie-
jow) ౒໩୯ᅠ
No Smoking, Please Qing Wu Xiyan (Cheeng Woo She-yahn)
౒໩Ӹ࿟
No Spitting, Please Qing Wu Tutan (Cheeng Woo Too-tahn)
౒໩๝ෲ
No Trespassing Buzhun Runei (Boo-joon Roo-nay)
Ѭሃರଧ
Open (for business) Yingye (Eeng-yeh) ၹဦ
Open Door Kai Men (Kigh Mern) ड઴
Please Don’t Touch Qing Wu Dongshou (Cheeng Woo
Dohng-show) ౒໩‫ט‬ൗ
Please Line Up Qing Paidui (Jeeng Pie-dway) ౒୰‫׼‬
Police Jingcha (Jeeng-chah) ࣈҝ
Public Bath Gongyong Yu Chi (Gohng-yohng
Yuu Chr) ‫ۮ‬႒჎ӧ
Public Telephone Gongyong dianhua (Gohng-yohng Dee-
an-hwah) ‫ۮ‬႒ֲޯ

124 Part Three

Public Toilet Gongyong Cesuo (Gohng-yohng Tser-
swoh) ‫ۮ‬႒ҏෘ
Pull (to open door) La (Lah) ং
Push (to open door) Tui (Tway) ๡
Reserved Yuyue (Yuu-yuu-eh) ბჩ
Self-Service Zi-Zhu (Dzu-Joo) ማᇣ
Smoking Permitted Keyi Xiyan (Ker-ee She-yahn) ी၅໵࿟
Sold Out Quan Man (Chwahn Mahn) ౰ઋ
Full House Ke Man (Kuh Mahn) ॄઋ
Ticket Office Shoupiao Chu (Show-pee-ow Choo)
൜஺ԓ
Toilet Cesuo (Tser-swoh) ҏෘ
Vacancy You Kong Fang (You Kohng Fahng)
႟ौ‫ن‬
Waiting Room Xiuxi Shi (Sheo-she Shr) ྒ໹൓
Welcome Huanying Guanglin (Hwahn-eeng
Gwahng-leen ޵ၼ‫ܥ‬਌
Admission Free Mianfei Ruchang (Mee-an-fay Roo-
chahng) ૑٘ರҰ

Important Signs 125

 PART 4
Making Your Own Sentences
I want to go to _____ .
Wo yao qu _____ . ໋ရ౪ _____ è
(Woh yee-ow chwee _____)

Please take me to ______ .

Qing dai wo dao _____ . ౒ե໋ֈ _____ è
(Cheeng die woh dow____)

Please pick me up at ______ .

Qing zai ______ jie wo. ౒ᄇ _____ ࢎ໋è
(Cheeng zigh ______ jee-eh woh)

Please come back at _____ .

Qing ____ hui lai. ౒ _____ ߗউè
(Cheeng ____ hwee lie)

Please give me _____ .

Qing gei wo _____ . ౒‫ _____ ໋۝‬è
(Cheeng gay woh _____)

Please show me _____ .

Qing gei wo kan _____ . ౒‫໋۝‬फ _____ è
(Cheeng gay woh kahn _____)

I want to buy _____ .

Wo yao mai _____ . ໋ရઃ _____ è
(Woh yee-ow my _____)

126 Part Four

Please bring me _____ .
Qing song _____ lai. ౒ඬ _____ উè
(Cheeng soong _____ lie)

I would like _____ .

Wo xiang yao _____ . ໋གရ _____ è
(Woh she-ahng yee-ow _____)

I am looking for _____ .

Wo zai zhao _____ . ໋ᄇᅝ _____ è
(Woh zigh jow _____)

Making Your Own Sentences 127

 PART 5
Additional Vocabulary
[A]
abacus suanpan (swahn-pahn) ෂ୷
abroad guowai (gwoh-wigh) ܽ๽
accident shigu (she-goo) ൃ‫܍‬
acupuncture zhenjiu (jern-jeo) ᅶࣝ
adaptor plug zhuanjie chatou (jwahn-jee-eh chatoe)
ᇱࢎҖ๒
address dizhi (dee-jr) ֣ᆠ
address book tongxun bu (tohng-sheen boo) ใ࿉Ѱ
admission ruchang (roo-chahng) ರҰ
adult daren (dah-wren) ՠಐ
age nianling (nee-an-leeng) ଷਗ
AIDS aizi bing (eye-dzu beeng) Σሓђ
air conditioner kongtiaoji (kohng-tee-ow-jee) ौׂ߹
airline hostess hangkong gongsi (hahng-kohng gohng-
suh) ‫ݞ‬ौ‫ۮ‬ඝ
air pollution kongqi wuran (kohng-chee woo-rahn)
ौఁ໔ಃ
airsick yunji (yuun-jee) ჻߹
alarm clock nao zhong (nah-oh johng) ଣᆼ
alcohol jiu (jeo) ࣟ
allergic, allergy guomin (gwoh-meen) ݀ૣ
alley (narrow street) hutong (hoo-tohng) ‫็ޛ‬
altitude haiba (high-bah) ݄σ
ambassador dashi (dah-shr) ՠഺ
ancient gudai (goo-die) ‫܈‬է
anniversary zhounian jinian (joe-nee-an jee-nee-an)
ᇅଷࠪ଻

128 Part Four

announcement diantai huo (dee-an-tie hwah) ֲ෥ޯ
antibiotic kangshengsu (kahng-sherng-soo) रഝභ
antique store gudong dian (goo-dohng dee-an)
‫ֵז܈‬
apartment danyuan fang (dahn-ywahn fahng)
հთ‫ن‬
appendicitis mangchang yan (mahng chahng yahn)
ઓҵ࿪
appetite shiyu (shr-yuu) ഴ჊
appetizer lengpan (lerng-pahn) হ୷
application shengqing (sherng-cheeng) ഍౒
application form shengqing biao (sherng-cheeng bee-ow)
഍౒р
appointment yuehui (yu-eh hway) ჩߠ
area / district yidai (ee-die) ာե
army jundui (jwin-dway) क‫׼‬
arrive daoda (dow-dah) ֈ՜
art yishu (ee-shoo) ၆൶
art gallery hualang (hwah-lahng) ެঝ
artist yishujia (ee-shoo-jee-ah) ၆൶࠯
art museum meishu guan (may-shoo gwahn) ય൶‫ܠ‬
arts & crafts gongyi meishu (gohng-ee may-shoo)
ۧ၆ય൶
Asia Yazhou (Yah-joe) ࿚ᇇ
aspirin asipilin (ah-suh-pee-leen) Ηඝமਉ
asthma qichuanbing (chee-chwahn-beeng)
ఁԚђ
athletics yundong (ywun-dohng) ჸ‫ט‬
attorney lushi (lwee-shr) ਗ਼ധ
audience guanzhong (gwahn-johng) ‫ܞ‬ᇃ
auditorium litang (lee-tahng) ৆฀
authentic kekao (ker-kow) ीश
author zuozhe (zwoh-juh) ሾᅪ

Additional Vocabulary 129

authorize shouchuan (show-chwahn) ൛౭
automobile qiche (chee-cher) ఄӄ
avenue dajie (dah-jee-eh) ՠ࢑

[B]
baby yinger (eeng-urr) ၳ‫آ‬
baby food yinger shipin (eeng-urr shr-peen)
ၳ‫آ‬ഴீ
bachelor danshenhan (dahn-shern-hahn) հഐ‫ݛ‬
back door hou men (hoe mern) ‫ޔ‬઴
bad quality cha (chah) ҟ
bag daizi (die-dzu) թሚ
baggage xingli (sheeng-lee) ྅ৃ
baggage cart xingli che (sheeng-lee cher) ྅ৃӄ
baggage claim xingli ting (sheeng-lee teeng) ྅ৃู
baggage tag xingli pai (sheeng-lee pie) ྅ৃୱ
bakery mianbao dian (mee-an-bow dee-an)
૕ϱֵ
ball game qui sai (cheo sigh) ౙು
ballroom wuting (woo-teeng) ໡ู
bamboo shoots zhusun (joo-soon) ᇚැ
banana xiangiao (shee-ahng-jee-ow) ༺ࡱ
band (musical) yuedui (yu-eh-dway) ফ‫׼‬
bandage bengdai (bung-die) Дե
band-aid zhixue jiaobu (jr-shu-eh jee-ow-boo)
ᆢ྽ࡵѭ
bank yinhang (een-hahng) ၩ྅
banquet yanhui (yahn-hway) ࿺ߠ
banquet room yanhui ting (yahn-hway teeng) ࿺ߠู
bar (drinking) jiuba (jeo-bah) ࣟξ
barbecue kao (kow) व
baseball hangqiu (hahng-chee-oh) ϩౙ
basketball lanqui (lahn-chee-oh) এౙ

130 Part Four

bath yugang (yuu-gahng) ჎‫ڼ‬
bathing suit youyongyi (you-yohng-ee) ႝႍဳ
bathrobe yuyi (yuu-yee) ჎ဳ
bathroom yushi (yuu-shr) ჎൓
bath towel xizao maojin (she-zow mao-jeen)
་ᄕચࢨ
bathtub zaopen (zow-pern) ᄕஓ
bean curd doufu (doe-foo) ‫ڔע‬
beef niurou (new-roe) ୎ಧ
beefsteak niu pai (new pie) ୎୰
beer pijiu (pee-jeo) பࣟ
bell captain xingli lingban (sheeng-lee leeng-bahn)
྅ৃਟϕ
bicycle zixingche (dzu-sheeng-cher) ማ྅ӄ
blister pao (pow) ᭕
blood pressure xueya (shu-eh-yah) ྽࿌
boarding pass dengji pai (derng-jee pie) ֒߹ୱ
boat chuan (chwahn) ԙ
boiled water kai shui (kigh shway) डඍ
book shu (shoo) ൪
bookkeeper kuaiji (kwie-jee) ߠࠣ
bookshop shu dian (shoo dee-an) ൪ֵ
border bianjie (bee-an-jay) вࢢ
bottle ping (peeng) ை
bottle opener kaipingqi (kigh-peeng-chee) डைఀ
boulevard dadao (dah-dow) ՠ֋
box hezi (her-dzu) ‫ݱ‬ሚ
boyfriend nanpengyou (nahn-perng-you) ଝஞႠ
branch office fen gongsi (fern gohng-suh) ٝ‫ۮ‬ඝ
brand, trademark shangbiao (shahng-bee-ow) ೯н
bride xinniang (sheen-nee-ahng) ཷ଼
brother xiongdi (she-ong-dee) ྋ֧
Buddhism Fojiao (Fwo-jee-ow) ‫ࢇٷ‬

Additional Vocabulary 131

budget yusuan (yuu-swahn) ბෂ
Buddhist Fojiao (Fwo-jee-ow) ‫ࢇٷ‬
buffet zizhucan (dzu-joo-tsahn) ማᇣѾ
buffet lunch / dinner zizhu wucan (dzu-joo woo-tsahn)
ማᇣ໠Ѿ
building loufang (low-fahng) ਸ਼‫ن‬
business shangye (shahng-yeh) ೯ဦ
business person shang ren (shahng wren) ೯ಐ

[C]
cable television bilu dianshi (bee-loo dee-an-shr)
ેੇֲൔ
café kafeiguan (kah-fay-gwahn) ञُ‫ܠ‬
cafeteria shitang (shr-tahng) ഴ฀
calendar rili (rr-lee) ಚ৏
lunar calendar yinli (een-lee) ၦ৏
California Jiazhou (Jee-ah-joe) ࠰ᇇ
calligraphy shufa (shoo-fah) ൪‫د‬
calculator jisuanji (jee-swahn-jee) ࠣෂ߹
camera zhaoxiangji (jow-shee-ahng-jee)
ᅠ༷߹
canal yunhe (yuun-her) ჸ‫ݴ‬
cancer aizheng (eye-jerng) Ξᆋ
captain (plane) jizhang (jee-jahng) ߹ҳ
captain (ship) chuanzhang (chwahn-jahng) ԙҳ
cash (money) xianjin (shee-an-jeen) ༭ࢫ
cashier caiwu (tsigh-woo) ѷ໪
casual suibian (sway-bee-an) ළж
cattle shengkou (sherng-koe) ട॑
centigrade sheshi (sher-shr) ആ൐
central heating jizhong gongre (jee-johng gohng-rr)
ࠌᆹ۬಍
century egg pi dan (pee dahn) ஭ջ

132 Part Four

cereal maipian (my-pee-an) ઄வ
ceremony dianli (dee-in-lee) ֯৆
chair yizi (eed-dzu) ဿሚ
change (money) lingqian (leeng-chee-in) ਖక
changing money duihuan (dway-hwahn) ‫޺׻‬
check (noun) zhipiao (jr-pee-ow) ᆐ஺
check jiancha (jee-an cha) ࡉҝ
cheongsam (dress) qipao (chee-pow) ௵ஆ
children haizimen (high-dzu-mern) ݃ሚશ
Chinese characters / hanzi (hahn-jee) ‫ݛ‬ም
ideograms
Chinese language Han you (Hahn yuu) ‫ݛ‬Ⴞ
Chinese (people) Zhonguoren (Johng-gwoh wren) ᆹܽಐ
chocolate qiaokeli (chee-ow-ker-lee) రू৙
chopsticks kuaizi (kwie-dzu) ॡሚ
church jiaotang (jee-ow-tahng) ࢇ฀
city, town chengshi (churng-shr) Ӗ൑
city tour youlan shirong (you-lahn shr-roong)
ႝক൑ಢ
class (students) ban (bahn) ϕ
classmate tongxue (tohng-shu-eh) ็ྺ
cloakroom yimaojian (ee-mao-jee-an) ဳઠࡁ
clock zhong (johng) ᆼ
closing time guan men (gwahn mern) ‫ܛ‬઴
coach, bus changtuqiche (chahng-too-chee-cher)
ҳ๙ఄӄ
coal mei (may-ee) ઩
coastline haian xian (high-ahn shee-an) ݄Ϋ༶
coat dayi (dah-ee) ՠဳ
cocktail jiweijiu (jee-way-jeo) ࠃຫࣟ
cocktail party jiweijiuhui (jee-way-jeo-hway)
ࠃຫࣟߠ
college, university dazue (dah-shu-eh) ՠྺ

Additional Vocabulary 133

compartment chexiang (cher-shee-ahng) ӄ༸
company, firm gongsi (gohng-suh) ‫ۮ‬ඝ
competition jingzheng (jeeng-jerng) ࣓ᆄ
computer diannao (dee-an-now) ֲଡ
concert yinyuehui (een-yuu-eh-hway) ၥফߠ
conductor (bus) shoupiaoyuan (show-pee-ow-ywahn)
൜஺პ
conference huiyi (hway-ee) ߠၚ
conference room huiyi shi (hway-ee shr) ߠၚ൓
Confucius Kongzi (Kohng-dzu) ॎሚ
congratulations gongxi (gohng-she) ۪༉
consulate lingshiguan (leeng-shr-gwahn) ਟൃ‫ܠ‬
contract hetong (her-tohng) ‫็ݰ‬
conversation huihua (hwee-hwah) ߠޯ
corner (street) guaijiao (gwie-jee-ow) ‫ࢂܘ‬
cough drops kesou tang (ker-soe tahng) िඳค
counter (sales) guitai (gway-tie) ܴ෥
country (nation) guojia (gwoh-jee-ah) ܽ࠯
couple (married) fufu (foo-foo) ‫ڣٹ‬
credit card xinyong ka (sheen-yohng kah) ེ႒ट
crowd renqun (wren-chwun) ಐ౿
crowded yongji (yohng-jee) ႄࠔ
cultural exchange wenhua jiaoliu (wern-hwah jee-ow-leo)
ຽޮࡶਪ
culture wenhua (wern-hwah) ຽޮ
cultural relic wenhua guji (wern-hwah goo-jee)
ຽޮ‫ࠀ܈‬
custom, ways fengsu (ferng-soo) ‫ٮ‬බ
Customs Haiguan (High-gwahn) ݄‫ܛ‬
Customs tariff Guanshui shuize (Gwahn-shway shway-
zuh) ‫ܛ‬ඏඏᄟ

134 Part Four

[D]
daily paper ri bao (rr bow) ಚϻ
dance hall wu ting (woo teeng) ໡ู
dance party wu hui (woo hway) ໡ߠ
dangerous weixian (way-shee-an) ຜ༬
date /meeting yuehui (yu-eh-hway) ჩߠ
courting tan lian ai (tahn-lee-an aye) ෵২Σ
daytime baitian (buy-tee-an) όษ
degree (college) xuewei (shu-eh-way) ྺິ
delicatessen shushi dian (shoo-shr dee-an) ൭ഴֵ
demonstration shiwei (shr-way) ിນ
dentist yayi (yah-ee) ࿓ီ
department (company) bu (boo) Ѱ
department store baihuo dian (by-hwoh dee-an) ώߴֵ
departure chufa (choo-fah) ԅ‫ة‬
deposit (money) yajin (yah-jeen) ࿍ࢫ
desk shuzhuo (shoo-jwoh) ൪ሇ
dessert tianpin (tee-an-peen) อீ
diarrhoea fuxie (foo-she-eh) ‫཯ڞ‬
dictionary zidian (dzu-dee-an) ም֯
dining car canche (tsahn-cher) Ѿӄ
dining room can ting (tsahn teeng) Ѿู
diplomat waijiaojia (wigh-jee-ow-jee-ah) ๽ࡶ࠯
discount zhekou (juh-koe) ᅦ॒
domestic guonei (gwoh-nay) ܽଧ
door, gate men (mern) ઴
Dragon Boat Festival Duan Wu Jie (Dwahn Woo Jee-eh)
‫״‬໠࢕
drink (noun) yinliao (een-lee-ow) ၬਂ
drinking straw xiguanr (she-gwahn-urr) ໵‫ܟ‬
driver siji (suh-jee) ඝ߹
driver’s license jiashi zhizhao (jee-ah-shr jr-jow)
࠺഼ᆝᅠ

Additional Vocabulary 135

drugstore yaodian (yee-ow-dee-an) ယֵ
drunk zui (zway) ሴ
dry clean gan xi (gahn she) ‫ڮ‬་
dry cleaner’s gan xi dian (gahn she dee-an) ‫ڮ‬་ֵ
dust huichen (hway-churn) ߑӍ
dusty huichenduo (hway-churn-dwoh) ߑӍ؉

[E]
ear ache erduo tong (urr-dwoh tohng) ‫؍أ‬๏
earthquake dizhen (dee-jern) ֣ᅻ
East China Sea Dong Hai (Dohng High) ‫݄ה‬
economy jingji (jeeng-jee) ࣆࠠ
editor bianji (bee-an-jee) гࠊ
education jiaoyu (jee-ow-yuu) ࢇ჌
eel manyu (mahn-yuu) ᶫႲ
egg jidan (jee-dahn) ࠃջ
election xuanju (shwen-jwee) ྴࣲ
electric fan dian fengshan (dee-an ferng-shahn)
ֲ‫ٮ‬೫
electric heater dian reqi (dee-an rr-chee) ֲ಍ఀ
elevator dianti (dee-an-tee) ֲบ
embassy dashiguan (dah-shr-gwahn) ՠഺ‫ܠ‬
emergency jinjishijian (jeen-jee-shr-jee-an)
ࢯࠎൃ࡛
emergency door taiping men (tie-peeng mern) ෨ெ઴
emergency room jizhen shi (jee-jern shr) ࠎᅺ൓
employee gongzuorenyuan (gohng-zwoh-wren-
ywahn) ۧሾಐპ
energy nengliang (nerng-lee-ahng) ଩৲
England Yingguo (Eeng-gwoh) ၱܽ
English language Yingwen (Eeng-wern) ၱຽ
entertain (guests) daike (die-ker) ժॄ
envelope xinfeng (sheen-ferng) ེ٩

136 Part Four

environment huanjing (hwahn-jeeng) ޶࣌
Europe Ouzhou (Oh-joe) ୢᇇ
European Ouzhouren (Oh-joe-wren) ୢᇇಐ
exchange rate duihuan lu (dway-hwahn lwee) ‫޺׻‬ਜ਼
exhausted leihuai-le (lay-hwie-ler) র޴৾
Exhibition Hall Zhanlan guan (Jahn-lahn gwahn)
ᅄক‫ܠ‬
exit chukou (choo-koe) ԅ॑
expenses feiyong (fay-yohng) ٘႒
expensive gui (gway) ܶ
expert shulian (shoo-lee-an) ൭৪
export chukou (choo-koe) ԅ॑
extension cord jiechang dianxian (jee-eh-chahng dee-
an-she-an) ࢜ҳֲ༶
extension phone fenji (fern-jee) ٝ߹
eyedrops yanyaoshui (yahn-yee-ow-shway)
࿮ယඍ
eyeglasses yanjing (yahn-jeeng) ࿮࣎

[F]
face lian (lee-an) ০
factory gongchang (gohng-chahng) ۧҶ
Fahrenheit Huashi (Hwah-shr) ީ൐
fail shibai (Shr-by) നϑ
fake maopai (mao-pie) ટୱ
false jiade (jee-ah-der) ࠶֏
family members qin ren (cheen wren) ాಐ
famous dish ming cai (meeng tsigh) ૪Ѽ
far yuan (ywahn) უ
farmer nongfu (nohng-foo) ୔‫ٹ‬
fast food kuai can (kwie tsahn) ॣѾ
fashion shimao (shr-mao) ലᷘ
father fuqin (foo-cheen) ‫ాڝ‬

Additional Vocabulary 137

fault cuo (tswoh) ՚
fee, expense feiyong (fay-yohng) ٘႒
female nu (nwee) ୙
ferry duchuan (doo-chwahn) ‫ײ‬ԙ
festival jieri (jee-eh-rr) ࢕ಚ
fever fashao (fah-shou) ‫ة‬೸
fiancé weihunfu (way-hoon-foo) ອߨ‫ٹ‬
fiancée weihunqi (way-hoon-chee) ອߨ௧
film (camera) jiaojuan (jee-ow-jwahn) ࡵआ
film (movie) dianying (dee-an-eeng) ֲၿ
fine, penalty fakuan (fah-kwahn) ‫ت‬॥
fire houzai (hwoh-zigh) ߯ᄃ
firecracker bianpao (bee-an-pow) бஅ
fire alarm huo jing (hwoh jeeng) ߯ࣈ
fire escape anquan ti (ahn-chwahn tee) Χ౰บ
fire exit taiping men (tie-peeng mern) ෨ெ઴
first-aid kit ji jiu xiang (jee jeo shee-ahng) ࠎ࣡༻
fish yu (yuu) Ⴒ
fisherman yumin (yuu-meen) Ⴕૠ
fishing boat yu chuan (yuu chwahn) Ⴕԙ
flag qizi (chee-dzu) ௵ሚ
flood shuizai (shway-zigh) ඍᄃ
flu ganmao (gahn-mao) ‫ڵ‬ટ
fly (insect) cangying (tsahng-eeng) ҅ၻ
folk dance minjian wudao (meen-jee-an woo-dow)
ૠࡁ໡փ
food shiwu (shr-woo) ഴ໨
food poisoning shiwu zhongdu (shr-woo joong-doo)
ഴ໨ᆹ‫ק‬
football (American) ganlanqiu (gahn-lahn-cheo) ᢭ᢋౙ
football (soccer) zuqui (joo-cheo) ሪౙ
forecast yubao (yuu-bow) ბϻ
foreign exchange waihui (wigh-hway) ๽ߢ

138 Part Four

forest shulin (shoo-leen) ൸ਉ
form (printed) biaoge (bee-ow-guh) рۖ
France Faguo (Fah-gwoh) ‫ܽد‬
free (cost) mianfei (mee-ann-fay) ૑٘
free trade zone ziyou maoyiqu (dzu-you mao-ee-
chwee) ማ႘ઢ၈౟
freezing bingdong (beeng-dohng) ь‫ל‬
fresh xinxian (sheen-shee-an) ཷ༡
frozen food lengcang shipin (lerng-tsahng shr-
peen) হ҉ഴீ
fruit shuiguo (shway-gwoh) ඍܾ
fruit juice guozhi (gwoh-jr) ܾᆖ

[G]
gallon jialun (jee-ah-loon) ࠰੩
game, match qiusai (cheo-sigh) ౙು
garlic suan (swahn) ශ
gasoline qiyou (chee-you) ఄႜ
gas station jiayou zhan (jee-ah-you jahn) ࠰ႜᅉ
genuine zhende (jern-der) ᅱ֏
German Dewen (Der-wern) ֍ຽ
Germany Deguo (Der-gwoh) ֍ܽ
gift liwu (lee-woo) ৆໨
ginger jiang (jee-ahng) ࡥ
ginseng renshen (wren-shern) ಐѿ
girlfriend nupengyou (nwee-perng-you) ୙ஞႠ
glasses (eye) yanjing (yahn-jeeng) ࿮࣎
gloves shoutao (show-tao) ൗด
golf gaoerfuqiu (gow-urr-foo-cheo) ‫ٹؤۄ‬ౙ
government zhengfu (jerng-foo) ᆉ‫ړ‬
government office jiguan (jee-gwahn) ߹‫ܜ‬
Grand Canal Da Yunhe (Dah Ywun-her) ՠჸ‫ݴ‬
grandfather zufu (zoo-foo) ር‫ڝ‬

Additional Vocabulary 139

grandmother zumu (zoo-moo) ርଅ
grandparents zufumu (zoo-foo-moo) ር‫ڝ‬ଅ
Great Wall Chang Cheng (Chahng Churng) ҳӖ
green tea lu cha (lwee chah) ੝ҙ
group tuanti (twahn-tee) ๠ย
guarantee baozheng (bow-jerng) ϶ᆍ
guest keren (ker-wren) ॄಐ
guest house binguan (bin-gwahn) щ‫ܠ‬
guide daoyou (dow-you) ևႝ
guidebook luyou zhinan (luu-yoe jr-nahn)
੔ႝᆡଜ
gymnasium tiyuguan (tee-yuu-gwahn) ย჌‫ܠ‬

[H]
hall, meeting guan (gwahn) ‫ܠ‬
handbag shoutibao (show-tee-bow) ൗพϱ
handicraft shougongyi pin (show-gohng-ee peen)
ൗۧ၆ீ
Happy Birthday shengri kuaile (sherng-rr-kwie-ler)
ഝಚॣফ
harbor gangwan (gahng-wahn) ‫ۀ‬຀
harvest shoucheng (show-churng) ൖӘ
hay fever huafen re (hwah-fern rr) ާ٢಍
health club jianshen fang (jee-an-shern fahng)
࡜ഐ‫ن‬
heart attack xinzangbing fazuo (sheen-zahng-beeng
fah-zwoh) ཹᄍђ‫ة‬ሾ
heater nuanqi (nwahn-chee) ୚ఁ
heavy zhong (johng) ᇁ
highschool zhong xue (johng shu-eh) ᆹྺ
highway gonglu (gohng-loo) ‫ੈۮ‬
hire, rent zu (joo) ሩ
hitchhike dache (dah-cher) ՛ӄ

140 Part Four

hobby aihao (aye-how) Σ‫ݤ‬
holiday jiaqi (jee-ah-chee) ࠶௣
home jia (jee-ah, jah) ࠯
hometown guxiang (goo-shee-ahng) ‫܍‬༾
honey fengmi (ferng-me) ٫૊
Hong Kong Xiang Gang (Shee-ahng Gahng) ༺‫ۀ‬
hospital yiyuan (ee-ywahn) ီყ
host, owner zhuren (joo-wren) ᇠಐ
hot towel re maojin (rr mao-jeen) ಍ચࢨ
hot water re shui (rr shway) ಍ඍ
house fangwu (fahng-woo) ‫ن‬໖
hungry e (uh) ‫؟‬
hurry henji (hern-jee) ‫ࠎݽ‬
hurt, ache teng (terng) ธ

[I]
ice bing (beeng) ь
ice cream bing qilin (beeng chee-leen) ьᛇਏ
ice water bing shui (beeng shway) ьඍ
ill, sick youbing (you-beeng) ႟ђ
illegal buhefa (boo-her-fah)  Ѭ‫دݮ‬
immediately mashang (mah-shahng) ੾ೲ
Imperial Palace Gu Gong (Goo Goong) ‫ۯ܍‬
import (item) jinkou (jeen-koe) ࢳ॑
important zhongyao (johng-yow) ᇁရ
impossible bukenneng (boo-ker-nerng) Ѭी଩
incorrect budui (boo-dway) Ѭ‫׽‬
industry gongye (gohng-yeh) ۧဦ
infected ganran (gahn-rahn) ‫ڵ‬ಃ
inflammation fayan (fah-yahn) ‫ة‬࿪
informal feizhenshi (fay-jern-shr) َᆈാ
information desk wenxun chu (wern-sheen choo) ໃ࿉ԓ
injection zhushe (joo-sher) ᇩഇ

Additional Vocabulary 141

injured shoushang-le (show-shahng-ler) ൝೮৾
insect repellent chuchongi (choo-chohng-jee) Ԍӵࠞ
insurance baoxian (bow-shee-an) ϶༬
international guoji (gwoh-jee) ܽࠧ
interpreter fanyi (fahn-ee) ‫ش‬ၜ
intersection shizilukou (shr-dzu-loo-koe) യምੈ॑
invitation qingtie (cheeng-tee-eh) ౒ุ

[J]
jacket duanshangyi (dwahn-shahng-ee)
‫׵‬ೲဳ
jade yu (yuu) Ⴠ
jail, prison jianyu (jee-an-yuu) ࠽჋
jeans niuzaiku (new-zigh-koo) ୎ሗग़
jewelry zhubao (joo-bow) ᇒϹ
jogging suit yundongyi (ywun-dohng-ee) ჸ‫ဳט‬
journalist jizhe (jee-juh) ࠤᅪ
journey luxing (lwee-sheeng) ੔྅
judge (noun) faguan (fah-gwahn) ‫ܜد‬
judo roudao (roe-dow) ದ֋
juice (fruit) guozhi (gwoh-jr) ܾᆖ
jumper, sweater maoyi (mao-ee) ચဳ
jungle conglin (tsohng-leen) Ձਉ
justice gongzheng (gohng-jerng) ‫ۮ‬ᆈ

[K]
karate kongshoudao (kohng-show-dow) ौൗ֋
key yaoshi (yee-ow-shr) წӦ
kilogram gongjin (gohng-jeen) ‫ࢪۮ‬
kindergarten youeryuan (you-urr-ywahn) Ⴆ‫آ‬ო
kitchen chufang (choo-fahng) ԇ‫ن‬
kite fengzheng (ferng-jerng) ‫ٮ‬ᱧ
kleenex Zhijin (jr-jeen) ᆦࢨ

142 Part Four

knee xigai (she-guy) ໼‫ڬ‬
knife daozi (dow-dzu) ցሚ
Korea Chaoxian (Chow-she-an) Ҿ༡
Kyoto Jingdu (Jeeng-doo) ࣂ‫ץ‬

[L]
label biaoqian (bee-ow-chee-an) нఐ
lacquerware qiqi (chee-chee) ௪ఀ
lake hu (hoo) ‫ޟ‬
lamb (meat) yangrou (yahng-roe) စಧ
landlord fangzhu (fahng-joo) ‫ن‬ᇠ
lane hutong (hoo-tohng) ‫็ޛ‬
language yuyan (yuu-yahn) Ⴞ࿧
late wan (wahn) ຈ
Latin America Lading Meizhou (Lah-deeng May-joe)
ং‫׊‬યᇇ
laundry (clothing) yaoxi-de yifu (yee-ow-she-der ee-foo)
ရ་֏ဳ‫څ‬
laundry (place) xiyi dian (she-ee dee-an) ་ဳֵ
law falu (fah-lwee) ‫د‬ਗ਼
lawyer lushi (lwee-shr) ਗ਼ധ
leather pige (pee-guh) ஭‫۔‬
leave a message liu hua (leo hwah) ਧޯ
lecture jiangyan (jee-ahng-yahn) ࡭࿰
leg tui (tway) ๣
legal hefa (her-fah) ‫دݰ‬
leisure time kongxian shijian (kohng-shee-an shr-jee-
an) ौ༧ലࡁ
lemon ningmeng (neeng-merng) ୈહ
lend jie (jee-eh) ࢣ
lens (camera) jingtou (jeeng-toe) ࣎๒
lens cap jingtougai (jeeng-toe-guy) ࣎๒‫ڬ‬
letter xin (sheen) ེ

Additional Vocabulary 143

letter paper xin zhi (sheen jr) ེᆦ
library tushuguan (too-shoo-gwahn) ๗൪‫ܠ‬
license zuke zheng (joo-tser-jerng) ᇩҒᆍ
lipstick kouhong (koe-hohng) ॑‫ލ‬
liquor baijiu (by-jeo) όࣟ
liter sheng (sherng) ഠ
living room ke ting (ker teeng) ॄู
lock suo (swoh) ෗
long-distance changtu (chahng-too) ҳ๙
longevity changshou (chahng-show) ҳ൚
Los Angeles Luo Shanji (Lwoh Shan-jee) ੶೟ᨌ
lost shiwu (shr-woo) ന໨
lost and found shiwu zhaoling (shr-woo jow-leeng)
ന໨ᅛਟ
loud chao (chow) ӂ
lounge xiuxishi (shew-she-shr) ྒ໹൓
love ai (aye) Σ
luggage xingli (sheeng-lee) ྅ৃ
luggage rack xingli jia (sheeng-lee jee-ah) ྅ৃ࠭
lunar calendar yin li (een lee) ၦ৏
lunch zhongfan (hohng-fahn) ᆹ‫ـ‬
lung fei (fay) ٕ

[M]
Macao Aomen (Ow-mern) ι઴
magazine zazhi (zah-jr) ᄀᆧ
mahjong majiang (mah-jee-ahng) ੺ࡦ
mail (noun) youjian (you-jee-an) ႙࡛
mainland dalu (dah-loo) ՠ੎
main station zhongzhan (johng-jahng) ᆾᅉ
maitre d’ zongguan (zohng-gwahn) ሣ‫ܟ‬
manager jingli (jeeng-lee) ࣆূ
management guanli (gwahn-lee) ‫ূܟ‬

144 Part Four

man-made ren-zao (wren-zow) ಐᄙ
manufacture shengchan (sherng-chahn) ഝҫ
map ditu (dee-too) ֣๗
market shichang (shr-chahng) ൑Ұ
married yijing jiehun-de (ee-jeeng jee-eh-hwun-
duh) ၂ࣆ࢜ߨ֏
martial arts wu shu (woo shoo) ໝ൶
mask (for mouth) kouzhao (kow-jow) ॑ᅡ
massage anmo (ahn-mwo) Ω૳
meal fan (fahn) ‫ـ‬
mechanic jigong (jee-gohng) ࠙ۧ
medicine yiyao (ee-yee-ow) ီယ
meeting hui (hway) ߠ
message liuhua (leo-hwah) ਧޯ
meter gongchi (gohng-chr) ‫ۮ‬Ӯ
microphone huatong (hwah-tohng) ޯํ
military junshi (jwin-shr) कൃ
milk niunai (new-nigh) ୎ଙ
mineral water kuangquan shui (kwahng-chwahn
shway) ४౯ඍ
miniskirt chao duanqun (chow dwahn-chwun)
һ‫׵‬౾
minority (people) shaoshu minzu (shou-shoo meen-joo)
೼ൾૠሬ
mirror jingzi (jeeng-dzu) ࣎ሚ
mistake cuowu (tswoh-woo) ՚໬
model (person) moter (mwo-ter-urr) ૰ต‫آ‬
money qian (chee-an) క
monk heshang (her-shahng) ‫ݮ‬ೳ
monkey houzi (hoe-dzu) ‫ސ‬ሚ
monosodium weijing (way-jeeng) ຯࣄ
 glutamate
monument jinianbei (jee-nee-an-bay) ࠪ଻Ё

Additional Vocabulary 145

mosquitos wenzi (wern-dzu) ຼሚ
mountain shan (shahn) ೠ
movie dianying (dee-an-eeng) ֲၿ
movie theater dianying yuan (dee-an-eeng ywahn)
ֲၿყ
museum bowuguan (bwo-woo-gwahn) њ໨‫ܠ‬
music yinyue (een-yu-eh) ၥফ
Muslim Huijiaotu (Hway-jee-ow-too) ߗࢇ๘
mutton yangrou (yahng-roe) စಧ

[N]
nail clippers zhijiadao (jr-jee-ah-dow) ᆣ࠴ց
name xingming (sheeng-meeng) ྊ૪
nap xiaoshui (she-ow-shway) བඎ
napkin canjin (tsahn-jeen) Ѿࢨ
nation guo (gwoh) ܽ
national guojia (gwoh-jee-ah) ܽ࠯
nationality minzu (meen-joo) ૠሬ
native dress guofu (gwoh-foo) ܽ‫څ‬
native place kuxiang (koo-she-ahng) ‫܍‬༾
navy haijun (high-jwin) ݄क
near jin (jeen) ࢷ
neck bozi (bwo-dzu) Ѣሚ
necklace xianglian (she-ahng-lee-an) ཅ১
necktie lingdai (leeng-die) ਟե
neighbor linju (leen-jwee) ਍࣬
newspaper baozhi (bow-jr) ϻᆦ
New Year’s Eve Xin Nian Yuandan (Sheen Nee-an
Ywahn-dahn) ཷଷთմ
nightclub ye zonghui (yeh johng-hway) ဪሣߠ
nightlife ye shenghuo (yeh sherng-hwoh) ဪഝ߭
noodles miantiao (mee-an-tee-ow) ૕า
noodle shop mian guan (mee-an gwahn) ૕‫ܠ‬

146 Part Four

noon zhongwu (johng-woo) ᆹ໠
North America Bei Meizhou (Bay May-joe) Єયᇇ
Northeast China Dong Bei (Dohng Bay) ‫ה‬Є
notebook bijiben (bee-jee-burn) НࠤБ
novel (book) xiaoshuo (shee-ow-shwo) བඔ
novelist xiaoshuojia (shee-ow-shwo-jee-ah)
བඔ࠯
nurse hushi (hoo-shr) ‫ޣ‬ീ
nursery tuoersuo (twoh-urr-swoh) ๫‫آ‬ෘ

[O]
oatmeal maipian (my-pee-an) ઄வ
ocean haiyang (high-yahng) ݄ဆ
office bangongshi (bahn-gohng-shr) ϡ‫ۮ‬൓
office hours bangong shijian (bahn-gohng shr-jee-an)
ϡ‫ۮ‬ലࡁ
official business gong wu (gohng woo) ‫ۮ‬໪
oil you (you) ႜ
oil field you tian (yoe tee-an) ႜฬ
ointment yaogao (yee-ow-gow) ယ‫ۅ‬
one-way dan-cheng (dahn-churng) հӛ
one-way ticket dan-cheng piao (dahn-churng pee-ow)
հӛ஺
open (shop) kaimen (kigh-mern) ड઴
opera geju (guh-jwee) ‫ऀۍ‬
Beijing opera jingju (jeeng-jwee) ࣂऀ
orange juice juzi zhi (jwee-dzu jr) ᢷሚᆖ
ordinary train putong che (poo-tohng cher) ௞ใӄ
outlet (electric) chazuo (chah-zwoh) Җቀ
out of order huaile (hwie-ler) ޴৾
outside line wai xian (wigh shee-an) ๽༶
overcoat dayi (dah-ee) ՠဳ
overnight guoye (gwoh-yeh) ݀ဪ

Additional Vocabulary 147

overseas guowai (gwoh-wigh) ܽ๽
Overseas Chinese Hua Qiao (Hwah Chee-ow) ީయ
overseas edition haiwai ban (high-wigh- bahn) ݄๽Ϛ
owner suoyouren (swoh-you-wren) ෘ႟ಐ

[P]
Pacific Ocean Taiping Yang (Tie-peeng Yahng)
෨ெဆ
package baoguo (bow-gwoh) ϱܿ
pagoda baota (bow-tah) Ϲෝ
painful henteng (hern-terng) ‫ݽ‬ธ
panda bear xiong mao (shee-ong mao) ྑગ
paper zhi (jr) ᆦ
parents fumu (foo-moo) ‫ڝ‬ଅ
Paris Bali (Bah-lee) ςঽ
parking lot tingche chang (teeng-cher chahng)
฾ӄҰ
partner huoban (hwoh-bahn) ߮Ϟ
party (gathering) jihui (jwee-hway) ࣴߠ
passenger luke (lwee-ker) ੔ॄ
passport huzhao (hoo-jow) ‫ޣ‬ᅠ
passport number huzhao haoma (hoo-jow how-mah)
‫ޣ‬ᅠ‫੼ݦ‬
pastry gaodian (gow-dee-an) ‫֮ۇ‬
pastry shop gaodian dian (gow-dee-an dee-an)
‫ֵ֮ۇ‬
patient bingren (beeng-wren) ђಐ
peanuts huasheng (hwah-sherng) ާഝ
Pearl River Zhu Jiang (Joo Jee-ahng) ᇒࡨ
Peking duck Beijing kaoya (Bay-jeeng kow-yah)
Єࣂव࿏
performer yanyuan (yahn-ywahn) ࿰პ
permission xuke (shee-ker) ྡྷी

148 Part Four

permit (allow) yunxu (ywun-shee) ჷྡྷ
personal siren-de (suh-wren-der) ගಐ֏
pharmacy yaodian (yow-dee-an) ယֵ
phone call dian hua (dee-an hwah) ֲޯ
photo copy fuyin (foo-een) ‫ڙ‬ၰ
physical exam ti jian (tee jee-an) ยࡉ
picnic yecan (yeh-tsahn) အѾ
picture huar (hwah-urr) ެ
pill yao pian (yee-ow-pee-an) ယவ
ping-pong pingpangqiu (peeng-pahng-chee-oh)
ூ୽ౙ
platform (train) zhantai (jahn-tie) ᅉ෥
playground caochang (tsow-chahng) ҊҰ
poached egg shuizhudan (shway-joo-dahn) ඍᇜջ
poison duwu (doo-woo) ‫ק‬໨
police jingcha (jeeng-chah) ࣈҝ
police station gongan ju (gohng-ahn-jwee) ‫ۮ‬Χ࣯
pollution wuran (woo-rahn) ໔ಃ
pool chi (chr) ӧ
pork zhurou (joo-roe) ᇖಧ
postage youfei (you-fay) ႙٘
postage stamp youpiao (you-pee-ow) ႙஺
post office you ju (you jwee) ႙࣯
present (gift) liwu (lee-woo) ৆໨
priest mushi (moo-shr) ଎ധ
prescription yaofang (yow-fahng) ယ‫ل‬
present (gift) liwu (lee-woo) ৆໨
president (company) zongcai (zohng-tsigh) ሣѴ
president (nation) zongtong (zohng-tohng) ሣ๎
primary school xiao xue (she-ow shu-eh) བྺ
printed matter yinshua pin (een-shwah peen) ၰඁீ
private siren (suh-wren) ගಐ
problem wenti (wern-tee) ໃฟ

Additional Vocabulary 149

profession zhiye (jr-yeh) ᆙဦ
professional zhuanye (jwahn-yeh) ᇯဦ
pronunciation fayin (fah-een) ‫ة‬ၥ
property caichan (tsigh-chahn) ѷҫ
province sheng (sherng) ഢ
public square guang chang (gwahng chahng) ‫ܦ‬Ұ

[Q]
quality zhiliang (jr-lee-ahng) ᆳ৲
quantity shuliang (shoo-lee-ahng) ൾ৲
question wenti (wern-tee) ໃฟ
queue paidui (pie-dway) ୰‫׼‬
quiet, peaceful anjing (ahn-jeeng) Χ࣋

[R]
race (human) zhongzu (johng-joo) ᆿሬ
radio shouyinji (show-een-jee) ൖၥ߹
railway tielu (tee-eh-loo) ืੈ
railway station huoche zhan (hwoh-cher jahn) ߯ӄᅉ
rain yushui (yuu-shway) Ⴙඍ
raincoat yuyi (yuu-ee) Ⴙဳ
rainstorm baofengyu (bow-ferng-yuu) ϼ‫ٮ‬Ⴙ
rate / price jiage (jee-ah-guh) ࠸ۖ
raw sheng-de (sherng-der) ഝ֏
razor blades tidao pian (tee-dow pee-an) วցவ
ready hao-le (how-ler) ‫৾ݤ‬
reception (party) zhaodaihui (jow-die-hway) ᅛժߠ
reception desk fuwutai (foo-woo-tie) ‫څ‬໪෥
receptionist jiedaiyuan (jee-eh-die-ywen) ࢎժპ
refund tuikuan (tway-kwahn) ๦॥
registered mail guahaoxin (gwah-how sheen) ‫ེݦܕ‬
regulation guilu (gway-lwee) ‫ܩ‬ਗ਼

150 Part Four

relationship / guanxi (gwahn-she) ‫ܛ‬༌
 connection
relative, kin qinqi (cheen-chee) ా௦
religion zongjiao (zohng-jee-ow) ሡࢇ
rent, hire zu (joo) ሩ
reservation yuding (yuu-deeng) ბ‫ב‬
reservation desk yuding chu (yuu-deeng choo) ბ‫ב‬ԓ
rest xiuxi (she-o-she) ྒ໹
restaurant fanguan (fahn-gwahn) ‫ܠـ‬
return ticket laihui piao (lie-hway pee-ow) উߗ஺
reverse charges duifangfufei (dway-fahng-foo-fay)
‫٘ڛل׽‬
rice (cooked) baifan (by-fahn) ό‫ـ‬
rice (uncooked) mi (me) ૆
ring (jewelry) jiezhi (jee-eh-jr) ࢟ᆡ
river he (her) ‫ݴ‬
road lu (loo) ੈ
romanization luomahua (lwoh-mah-hwah) ੯੾ޮ
room fangjian (fahng-jee-an) ‫ࡁن‬
room number fangjian haoma (fahng-jee-an how-mah)
‫੼ݦࡁن‬
round-trip laihui (lie-hway) উߗ
round-trip ticket laihui piao (lie-hway pee-ow) উߗ஺
row, line, queue pai (pie)  ୰

[S]
sack, bag koudai (koe-die) ॑թ
safe (noun) baoxianxiang (bow-she-an-shee-ahng)
϶༬༻
sales manager xiaoshou jingli (she-ow-show jeeng-lee)
ད൜ࣆূ
sales person dianyuan (dee-an ywahn) ֵპ
sales tax yingye shui (eeng-yeh shway) ၹဦඏ

Additional Vocabulary 151

sample yangping (yahng-peeng) ဌீ
sandwich sanmingzhi (sahn-meeng-jr) ೂ૦ᆷ
San Francisco Jiujin Shan (Jeo-jeen shahn) ࣢ࢫೠ
sanitary towel weishengjing (way-sherng-jeeng) ູഝࢨ
scenery fengjing (ferng-jeeng) ‫ࣉٮ‬
schedule richengbiao (rr-churng-bee-ow) ಚӛр
scholar xuezhe (shu-eh-juh) ྺᅪ
scrambled eggs chao jidan (chow jee-dahn) Ӄࠃջ
seashore, beach haitan (high-tahn) ݄෯
seasick yunchuan (ywun-chwahn) ჻ԙ
seat zuowei (zwoh-way) ቀິ
seatbelt anquan dai (ahn-chwahn die) Χ౰ե
secretary mishu (me-shoo) ે൪
security guard anquan renyuan (ahn-chwahn wren-
ywahn) Χ౰ಐპ
seminar yantaohui (yahn-tou-hway) ࿣ณߠ
Seoul, Korea Hancheng (Hahn-churng) ‫ݛ‬Ӗ
serious (injury) yanzhong (yahn-johng) ࿢ᇁ
service attendant fuwu yuan (foo-woo ywah) ‫څ‬໪პ
service desk fuwu tai (foo-woo tie) ‫څ‬໪෥
service fee fuwu fei (foo-woo fay) ‫څ‬໪٘
sex xing (sheeng) ྉ
shake hands wo shou (woh show) ໎ൗ
ship haichuan (high-chwahn) ݄ԙ
sightseeing youlan (you-lahn) ႝক
signature qianming (chee-in-meeng) ఐ૪
silk sichou (suh-choe) ඞԀ
Silk Road Sichou Zhi Lu (Suh-choe Jr Loo)
ඞԀᆗੈ
single, unmarried danshen (dahn-shern) հഐ
single room danjian (dahn-jee-an) հࡁ
sitting room keting (ker-teeng) ॄู
size daxiao (dah-shee-ow) ՠབ

152 Part Four

size (clothes) chicun (chr-tswun) ӮՔ
sleeping berth wo pu (woh poo) ໍ௕
sleeping car wo che (woh cher) ໍӄ
snack xiaochi (shee-ow-chr) བӣ
socket (electric) chazuo (chah-zwoh) Җቀ
soda water qi shui (chee shway) ఄඍ
soft drink qingliang yinliao (cheeng-lee-ahng een-
lee-ow) ౌ৬ၬਂ
souvenir jinianpin (jee-nee-an-peen) ࠪ଻ீ
soy sauce jiang you (jee-ahng you) ࡯ႜ
spicy la (lah) আ
sports yundong (ywun-dohng) ჸ‫ט‬
square (place) guangchang (gwahng-chahng) ‫ܦ‬Ұ
stadium tiyuchang (tee-yuu-chahng) ย჌Ұ
station zhan (jahn) ᅉ
stationery wenju (wern-jwee) ຽࣸ
stationery store wenju dian (wern-jwee dee-an) ຽֵࣸ
straight ahead yizhi (ee-jr) ာᆚ
street jie (jee-eh) ࢑
student xuesheng (shu-eh-sherng) ྺഝ
suburbs jiaoqu (jee-ow-chwee) ࡷ౟
subway station ditie chezhan (dee-tee-eh cher-jahn)
֣ืӄᅉ
suitcase xiangzi (she-ahng-dzu) ༻ሚ
suite yitao fangjian (ee-tou fahng-jee-an)
ာด‫ࡁن‬
sunburn shaishang (shy-shahng) ೜೮
sunglasses mojing (mwo-jeeng) ૸࣎
suntan lotion shaiheigao (shy-hay-gow) ೜‫ۅݻ‬
Sun Yat-sen Sun Zhong-shan (Soon Johng-shahn)
෎ᆹೠ
supermarket chaojishichang (chow-jee-shr-chahng)
һࠓ൑Ұ

Additional Vocabulary 153

swimming pool youyong chi (you-yohng chr) ႝႍӧ
swimsuit youyong yi (you-yohng ee) ႝႍဳ
switchboard zongji (zohng-jee) ሣ߹
swollen zhong-le (johng-ler) ᇀ৾
symphony jiaoxiangyue (jee-ow-shee-ahng-yuu-eh)
ࡶགྷফ

[T]
talks, meetings huitan (hway tahn) ߠ෵
taste, flavor wei (way) ຯ
tasty haochi (how-chr) ‫ݤ‬ӣ
tax free mian shui (mee-an shway) ૑ඏ
telephone dianhua (dee-an-hwah) ֲޯ
technology jishu (jee-shoo) ࠙൶
television dianshi (dee-an-shr) ֲൔ
temperature wendu (wern-doo) ົ‫;ױ‬
body tiwen (tee-wern) ยົ;
weather qiwen (chee-wern) ఁົ;
Centigrade sheshi (she-shr) ആ൐
Fahrenheit huashi (hwah-shr) ީ൐
temple siyuan (suh-ywahn) ඡყ
tennis wangqui (wahng-cheo) ຓౙ
tennis court wangqui chang (wahng-cheo chahng)
ຓౙҰ
theater juchang (jwee-chahng) ऀҰ
theater ticket xipiao (shee-pee-ow) ༎஺
thermometer wendubiao (wern-doo-bee-ow) ົ‫ױ‬р
thirsty kele (ker-ler) ु৾
Tiananmen Square Tian An Men (Tee-an Ahn Mern)
ษΧ઴
tiger laohu (lao-hoo) ত‫ޡ‬
tip (gratuity) xiaofei (she-ow-fay) བ٘
tissue paper mian zhi (mee-an jr) ૏ᆦ

154 Part Four

toast (bread) kaomianbao (kow-mee-an-bow)
 व૕ϱ
toilet cesuo (tser-swoh) ҏෘ
toilet paper shou zhi (show jr) ൗᆦ
Tokyo Dongjing (Dohng-jeeng) ‫ࣂה‬
toothbrush yashua (yah-shwah) ࿓ඁ
toothpaste yagao (yah-gow) ࿓‫ۅ‬
toothpick yaqian (yah-chee-an) ࿓ఐ
torch (flashlight) shoudiantong (show-dee-an-tohng)
ൗֲํ
tour luxing (lwee-sheeng) ੔྅
tour escort lingdui (leeng-dway) ਟ‫׼‬
tour group luxingtuan (lwee-sheeng-twahn)
੔྅๠
tournament bisai (bee-sigh) Лು
traffic jiaotong (jee-ow-tohng) ࡶใ
traffic circle jiaotong huandao (jee-ow-tohng hwahn-
dow) ࡶใ޺֋
traffic light hongludeng (hohng-lwee-derng) ‫ލ‬੝֑
train huoche (hwoh-cher) ߯ӄ
dining car can che (tsahn chuh) Ѿӄ
express train te kuai (ter kwie) ตॣ
fast train kuai che (kwie cher) ॣӄ
reclining car tang yi (tahng ee) ฆဿ
sleeping car wo pu (woh poo) ໍ௕
transfer huan che (hwahn cher) ޺ӄ
(train or bus line)
translate fanyi (fahn-ee) ‫ش‬ၜ
translator fanyi (fahn-ee) ‫ش‬ၜპ
transportation yunshu (ywun-shoo) ჸ൥
transportation yunshu feiyong (ywun-shoo fay-yohng)
 charges  ჸ൥٘႒
travel agency luxing she (lu-sheeng shuh) ੔྅ഊ

Additional Vocabulary 155

traveler’s checks luxing zhipiao (lwee-sheeng jr-pee-ow)
੔྅ᆐ஺
treatment (medical) zhiliao (jr-lee-ow) ᆷ৹
typewriter daziji (dah-dzu-jee) ՟ም߹
typhoon taifeng (tie-ferng) ෥‫ٮ‬

[U]
umbrella yusan (yuu-sahn) Ⴙೄ
uncomfortable bushufu (boo-shoo-foo) Ѭ൧‫څ‬
underpass dixia guodao (dee-shee-ah gwoh-dow)
֢༙݀֋
uniform zhifu (jr-foo) ᆯ‫څ‬
United States Mei Guo (May Gwoh) યܽ
universal pubian (poo-bee-an) ௞м
university daxue (dah-shu-eh) ՠྺ
urgent matter jishi (jee-shr) ࠎൃ
urinate xiaobian (shee-ow-bee-an) བж
urine niao (nee-ow) ି

[V]
vacancy kongfangjian (kohng-fahng-jee-an)
ौ‫ࡁن‬
vacation fangjia (fahng-jee-ah) ٌ࠶
vaccination fangyi (fahng-ee) ‫ه‬ၐ
valuable zhengui (jern-gway) ᅯܶ
vegetarian chisu-de (chee-soo-der) ӣභ֏
veneral disease xingbing (sheeng-beeng) ྉђ
video camera luxiang ji (loo-shee-ang jee) ੍ཊ߹
Vietnam Yuenan (Yuu-eh-nahn) ცଜ
village cunzhuang (tswun-jwahng) Ւᇶ
visa qianzheng (chee-an jerng) ఐᆍ
visitor, guest keren (ker-wren) ॄಐ
vocabulary cihui (tsu-hway) Էߢ

156 Part Four

vodka futejia (foo-ter-jee-ah) ‫ڃ‬ต࠰
volleyball paiqiu (pie-cheo) ୰ౙ
voltage dianya (dee-an-yah) ֲ࿌
vomit outu (oh-too) ୦๝

[W]
wait deng (derng) ֓
waiter, waitress fuwuyuan (foo-woo-ywahn) ‫څ‬໪პ
waiting room houke shi (hoe-ker shr) ‫ॄޓ‬൓
walk (noun) sanbu (sahn-boo) ೅Ѯ
wallet pijiazi (pee-jee-ah-dzu) ஭࠭ሚ
wall poster guanggao hua (gwahng-gow-hwah)
‫ެۋܦ‬
warm nuanhuo (nwahn-hwoh) ୚‫ݮ‬
wash, clean xi (she) ་
washing machine xiyi ji (she-ee jee) ་ဳ߹
watch (wrist) shou biao (show-bee-ow) ൗр
water shui (shway) ඍ
waterfront haibin (high-bin) ݄ш
way, lane lu (loo) ੈ
weather tianqi (tee-an-chee) ษఁ
weather forecast tianqi yubao (tee-an-chee yuu-bow)
ษఁბϻ
wedding hunli (hoon-lee) ߨ৆
weekend zhoumo (joe-mwo) ᇅ૶
welcome huanying (hwahn-eeng) ޵ၼ
Westernized Xihua-de (She-hwah-duh) ໰ޮ֏
Western toilet zuoshi cesuo (zwoh-shr tser-swoh)
ሿാҏෘ
windbreaker fengyi (ferng-ee) ‫ဳٮ‬
wine putaojiu (poo-tao-jeo) ௘ฎࣟ
wine pub jiuba (jeo-bah) ࣟξ
winter dongtian (dohng-tee-an) ‫ו‬ษ

Additional Vocabulary 157

wound dashang (dah-shahng) ՟೮
wrap baozhuang (bow-jwahng) ϱᇷ
wristwatch shoubiao (show-bee-ow) ൗр
write xie (she-eh) ཀྵ
writing paper xinshi (sheen-jr) ེᆦ
written language wen zi (wern dzu) ຽም
wrong cuo-le (tswoh-ker) ՚৾

[X]
x-ray x-guangpianzi (x-gwahng-pee-an-dzu)
X-‫ܥ‬வሚ

[Y]
Yangtse River Chang Jiang (Chahng Jee-ahng) ҳࡨ
year nian (nee-an) ଷ
yearly niannian (nee-an-nee-an) ଷଷ
yellow huangse (hwahng-suh) ߅೎
Yellow River Huang He (Hwahng Her) ߅‫ݴ‬
yesterday zuotian (zwoh-tee-an) ሹษ
yogurt suanniunai (swahn-new-nigh) ව୎ଙ
your ni-de (nee-der) ର֏

[Z]
zero ling (leeng) ਖ
zipper lalian (lah-lee-an) ং১
zoo dongwuyuan (dohng-woo-ywahn)
‫ט‬໨ო

158 Part Four

 The Tuttle Story: “Books to Span the East and West”

Most people are surprised to learn that the world’s largest publisher of
books on Asia had its humble beginnings in the tiny American state of
Vermont. The company’s founder, Charles E. Tuttle, belonged to a New
England family steeped in publishing. And his first love was naturally
books—especially old and rare editions.
Immediately after WW II, serving in Tokyo under General Douglas
MacArthur, Tuttle was tasked with reviving the Japanese publishing indus-
try. He later founded the Charles E. Tuttle Publishing Company, which
thrives today as one of the world’s leading independent publishers.
Though a westerner, Tuttle was hugely instrumental in bringing a knowl-
edge of Japan and Asia to a world hungry for information about the East.
By the time of his death in 1993, Tuttle had published over 6,000 books on
Asian culture, history and art—a legacy honored by the Japanese emperor
with the “Order of the Sacred Treasure,” the highest tribute Japan can
bestow upon a non-Japanese.
With a backlist of 1,500 titles, Tuttle Publishing is more active today
than at any time in its past—inspired by Charles Tuttle’s core mission to
publish fine books to span the East and West and provide a greater under-
standing of each.