Practical phrases with word-for-word Pinyin analysis and tap-to-play audio.
Greetings
Q: Good morning! How are you today?
A: I’m good, thank you. And you?
Zǎoshang hǎo! Jīntiān zěnmeyàng?
Wǒ hěn hǎo, xièxie. Nǐ ne?
Zǎoshang hǎo / good morningJīntiān / todayzěnmeyàng / how (is it)
Wǒ / Ihěn hǎo / very wellxièxie / thanksNǐ ne / and you?
早上好！今天怎么样？我很好，谢谢。你呢？
Introductions
Q: Hello, my name is Chris Rowland.
A: Nice to meet you, Mr. Rowland.
Nǐ hǎo, wǒ jiào Kèlǐsī Luólán.
Luólán xiānsheng, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín.
Nǐ hǎo / hellowǒ / Ijiào / am calledKèlǐsī / ChrisLuólán / Rowland
Luólán xiānsheng / Mr. Rowlandhěn / verygāoxìng / pleasedrènshi / to knownín / you (polite)
你好，我叫克里斯·罗兰。罗兰先生，很高兴认识您。
Networking
Q: May I have your business card?
A: Please take my business card.
Kěyǐ gěi wǒ nín de míngpiàn ma?
Qǐng shōuxià wǒ de míngpiàn.
Kěyǐ / maygěi / givewǒ / menín de / your (polite)míngpiàn / business card
Qǐng / pleaseshōuxià / acceptwǒ de / mymíngpiàn / business card
Directions
Q: Excuse me, how do I get to Tiananmen Square?
A: Go straight and turn left at the second light.
Qǐngwèn, qù Tiān’ānmén Guǎngchǎng zěnme zǒu?
Yīzhí zǒu, zài dì èr gè hónglǜdēng zuǒ zhuǎn.
Qǐngwèn / excuse meqù / go toTiān’ānmén Guǎngchǎng / Tiananmen Squarezěnme zǒu / how to go
Yīzhí zǒu / go straightzài dì èr gè / at the secondhónglǜdēng / traffic lightzuǒ zhuǎn / turn left
请问，去天安门广场怎么走？一直走，在第二个红绿灯左转。
Transit
Q: Where is the subway entrance?
A: It’s just across the street.
Dìtiě rùkǒu zài nǎr?
Jiù zài mǎlù duìmiàn.
Dìtiě / subwayrùkǒu / entrancezài nǎr / where is
Jiù zài / right atmǎlù / roadduìmiàn / opposite
Small talk
Q: What time is it now?
A: It’s three thirty.
Xiànzài jǐ diǎn le?
Sān diǎn bàn.
Xiànzài / nowjǐ diǎn / what time
Sān diǎn / three o’clockbàn / half
Favors
Q: Can I use your charger for a moment?
A: Sure, here it is.
Wǒ kěyǐ jièyòng yíxià nǐ de chōngdiànqì ma?
Kěyǐ, gěi nǐ.
Wǒ / Ikěyǐ / canjièyòng / borrow-useyíxià / a bitnǐ de / yourchōngdiànqì / chargerma / ?
Kěyǐ / cangěi nǐ / give you
我可以借用一下你的充电器吗？可以，给你。
Weather
Q: It’s really hot today!
A: Yes, it’s hotter than yesterday.
Jīntiān zhēn rè a!
Shì a, bǐ zuótiān hái rè.
Jīntiān / todayzhēn / reallyrè / hota / (modal)
Shì a / yesbǐ / thanzuótiān / yesterdayhái / even morerè / hot
Social
Q: Can I take a photo with you?
A: Of course!
Wǒ kěyǐ hé nǐ héyǐng ma?
Dāngrán kěyǐ!
Wǒ / Ikěyǐ / canhé / withnǐ / youhéyǐng / take a photoma / ?
Dāngrán / of coursekěyǐ / can
Politeness
Q: Thank you very much for your help.
A: You’re welcome. Have a nice day!
Fēicháng gǎnxiè nín de bāngzhù.
Bù kèqi, zhù nǐ yǒu měihǎo de yì tiān!
Fēicháng / verygǎnxiè / grateful tonín de / your (polite)bāngzhù / help
Bù kèqi / you’re welcomezhù / wishnǐ / youyǒu / haveměihǎo de / wonderfulyì tiān / a day
非常感谢您的帮助。不客气，祝你有美好的一天！
