Basic forms of greeting (translation by Nihao). Conversational phrases in Chinese that will allow you to relax and enjoy communication What is Che in Chinese

WikiHow works like a wiki, which means that many of our articles are written by multiple authors. This article was produced by 32 people, including anonymously, to edit and improve it.

Do you want to surprise your Chinese friends or guests, but you only have one day to prepare? No problem! In this article, we will teach you how to speak Mandarin Chinese in one day. Most likely, you will have a translator, or your Chinese friends know Russian, but you can still show off and say a couple of phrases that this article will teach you.

Steps

Master the four tones of Mandarin. The Internet is full of sites where you can read about the four tones, so search for “Chinese language tones” in a search engine. This is the basis of pronunciation in Chinese. Don't be discouraged if you don't get them right; mastering the tone system can be a very difficult task. Slightly "foreign" and less-than-perfect pronunciation can add variety to the way you speak and set you apart from stupid foreigners trying to speak Chinese and native Chinese.

Learn to say "Ni hao.""Ni hao" (transcription) literally means "you are good" and is a common greeting phrase. It can be said when shaking hands with a Chinese friend, during a chance meeting along the way, when you sit next to a stranger during your lunch break, etc. This phrase can be freely used in all situations where in Russian we say “hello” or “ Hello".

Learn to say "Se Se".“Se se” means “thank you.” Transcription. The phrase is used in any situation when you want to thank someone.

Learn to say “Bu khe tsi.”“Bu khe tsi” means “please” in response to gratitude. Transcription.

Learn to say "Tai hao le.""Tai hao le" means "excellent/very good/wonderful/great." Transcription. As you might guess, this phrase can be said in many situations: for example, when someone agrees to meet with you again or someone gives you a business card, etc.

Learn to say “Na na li.” This is a common response to a compliment, including one given to your spouse. Don't respond to a compliment with "Xie Xie" (thank you) - the Chinese don't say that. Instead, answer “Na li na li” (transcription).

Learn to pronounce your name in Chinese. Ask your Chinese friends how to pronounce your name in Chinese and practice pronouncing it. Then, when you meet a Chinese stranger, you can introduce yourself: “Wo jiao [your name].” "Wo jiao" means "my name is." For example, “My name is Ivan” in Chinese would be “Wo Jiao Yi Wan.” You can also say “Wo de ming zi shi [your name]”, which also means “my name...”.

Say each phrase twice. Some of these phrases, except for "Li na li" which is already repeated, can be said twice to sound like a real Chinese. For example, instead of “Ni hao,” say “Ni hao ni hao!” Instead of “Xie Xie,” say “Xie Xie Xie” (I understand that this sounds strange, but believe me, this is what the native Chinese say). Repetition is needed to underline words. The second time you pronounce it, say the phrase a little more quietly, gradually fading away. So, let’s repeat again: “Ni hao ni hao!”, “Se se se se!”, “Bu khe tsi bu khe tsi!”, “Tai hao le tai hao le!”

Say "Tajia hao" before performing. You may be asked to give a speech to a Chinese audience. Start it with the phrase “Tajia hao” (transcription), which can literally be translated as “How is your day today?”, “Hello everyone!”, “I wish you all the best!” or “Good afternoon everyone!”

1. Don't miss the opportunity to insert a phrase in Chinese. Most likely, when talking with a Chinese person, you will have a translator, or your Chinese friend will speak Russian, but, nevertheless, try to say a couple of phrases in Chinese before speaking Russian. This will distinguish you from all the other foreigners with whom your interlocutor communicated, and will leave a good impression of you.

   • Always smile when you speak. In China, a smile is important too! It shows your goodwill, so smile more!
   • Buy a Russian-Chinese phrasebook. This article didn't teach you all the phrases you might need. Therefore, if you want, then buy a small phrasebook and learn a few more phrases from it.
   • Just kidding. Make jokes whenever possible. Humor is part of the positive stereotype about Westerners. Compared to Westerners, the Chinese are more likely to be serious, but they like foreigners with a sense of humor. So maintain this positive image, especially when you are giving a speech. Be sure to have a couple of jokes ready, the Chinese may be upset if you act too serious and businesslike. However, don't overdo it with jokes or you'll look weird.

   Warnings

   • This article applies to Mandarin Chinese only. Use these phrases only after you are sure that your Chinese friend knows Mandarin. They won't work if he speaks Yue (Cantonese Chinese). Cantonese is another Chinese dialect that sounds very different. Speaking to a Cantonese person in Mandarin will make you look stupid. Also, many words in Cantonese have completely different meanings, so you may be misunderstood!
   • Don't shrug your shoulders to show that you don't understand. IN Chinese culture there is no such gesture. You may cause misunderstanding among the Chinese.

Tourists in China often face the problem of a language barrier. This is because even in big cities a limited number of Chinese speak English. And if in stores you can communicate using gestures and signs, then for communication in transport or in other public places better memorize simple phrases and take with you a phrasebook or dictionary with transcription.

The most popular Chinese words

China is a country where live communication is valued. Here you cannot stand aside and be an outside observer. It is not easy for representatives of Western culture to get used to this way of life. A few of the most popular words should be learned by every person planning a trip to China. This language does not have the words “yes” and “no”; instead, more than 20 particles are used to express one’s attitude towards this issue.

When communicating with the Chinese, you can ask about the history and culture of their country, family and family traditions. But it's better not to touch political topics and do not discuss economic problems. Asking a Chinese person if it will rain can be an insult. The fact is that rain is predicted by a turtle, and identifying a person with this animal is an insult.

Simple phrases for children

Knowledge of basic expressions will help the child join the team and develop his social skills. It is important to be able to say hello, introduce yourself and get to know each other, express your attitude to what is happening, and maintain a conversation. Young people like to start phrases with the word “Hey”:

Among young people, the phrase “how are you” or “how is life” is often replaced with the informal “What’s going on here?” 诶, 什么事？(ēi, shén me shì?) Hey, sheng mi shi?

Chinese phrasebook with pronunciation in Russian

Depending on the situation, different phrases may be needed. The main thing is that the interlocutor understands what we are talking about, and he can answer with a gesture or show the direction with his hand.

Appeals

When addressing strangers, you should not unnecessarily use colloquial addresses such as “aunt” or “uncle.” When communicating with good friends, it is appropriate to use the first name, and in a more formal setting, the first and last names, and first you need to put the person’s status, then the last name and first name.

Some time ago, a popular address in China was the word “comrade”, by analogy with the USSR. It’s better not to use this word now, as it has a new meaning: “gay.”

Common phrases

Knowing common phrases will help you make new acquaintances. China has both standard formal phrases and youth slang expressions. You should not use them without understanding your surroundings.

At customs

Knowing basic phrases will help you pass customs inspection and prevent unpleasant situations when crossing the border. The rules for importing and exporting goods from the customs territory of China are very confusing. It is important to keep all receipts for goods purchased in China. All valuables and jewelry must be declared upon entering the country so that there are no problems with export.

At the station

There are a lot of checks at the train station in China, so it is better to carry your passport with you along with your ticket. All information about trains is displayed on a large illuminated board, which is located near the main entrance. Without knowing the language, there you can find the train number, its departure time and the floor to which you should go. All other information is indicated in hieroglyphs, so you should not delve into it without knowing how to read. There are waiting rooms for different trains on different floors of the station; you need to find yours and wait for the corresponding announcement.

The Chinese are always running to take up space. Therefore, as soon as the train is boarded, all passengers from the waiting room will grab their bags and run, pushing everyone in their path.

If you can’t find your carriage, you need to show your ticket to the conductor - he will direct you in the right direction.

When buying a ticket, you should write down your destination, the number of tickets and the desired date on a piece of paper and give it to the cashier.

In transport

To get to a hotel or other desired location, you can use the map and show the taxi driver the desired location. When using a business card or handwritten address, it is important to be sure that the spelling is correct.

Taxi drivers in China can take advantage of the fact that a tourist does not know the area and drive him around in circles to inflate the price. This can be avoided if you create your own route in the navigator and show it to the driver. Also, ordering an official taxi with checkers and a meter can protect you from troubles.

At the hotel

Hotel staff in China practically does not speak English or Russian. If the hotel is 4 stars or higher, then it must have English-speaking reception staff. Gestures and pictures will help you communicate with maids, porters and other staff. Before checking in, it is advisable to check the integrity of the furniture in the room, the presence of all equipment, and the fullness of the minibar, so that you do not have to pay for something that was damaged by someone else.

When you don’t need to rush, it’s convenient to use an electronic translator - a special program on your smartphone that translates all phrases and reproduces speech. It must work online, but in China there are difficulties with the Internet, some services are limited, messages in instant messengers are sometimes moderated.

Emergencies

If you ask something on the street, it is better to find a policeman or an older, intelligent-looking person and ask the question or show it written on paper.

In the event of unforeseen situations, you should not argue or speak rudely with government officials. You should remain calm and be polite.

It is important to have the phone number of your country's consulate on hand so that you can contact them in an emergency.

On the streets major cities There are “people's telephones”, as well as telephone booths that charge money per conversation from a card.

If a tourist falls ill during his stay in China, then before going to the doctor you need to:

• find all the symptoms on the Internet and write them down in Chinese on paper;
• Buy a protective mask from germs at the pharmacy, of which there are many in Asian medical institutions.

At the reception you need to present the prepared sheet, and the administrator will tell you how much you need to pay and which office to go to. If a foreigner does not have insurance, treatment can be expensive.

Dates and times

Time in Chinese is made up of the hour number from 1 to 12 and the word “hour” itself 点 (diǎn). The Chinese do not use a 24-hour time system. The days of the week in Chinese have no name - they are numbered. The name of the day of the week consists of the week (xinqi) and the number of the day of the week.

Numerals

You will have to use a lot of numbers during your trip to China, so it’s better to practice in advance.

• 10+1 = 11 (shi and)
• 10+5 = 15 (shi y)
• 3+10 = 30 (san shi)
• 4+10+5 = 45 (sy shi wu)

A popular Chinese way of showing numbers on the fingers. The fingers of one hand are used to represent prime numbers from 1 to 9:

While shopping

Trade in China is developing and is focused on Russian buyers. Therefore, in many boutiques, sellers know certain words, and some speak broken Russian. But the most proven way to bargain is a calculator.

In large shopping centers, where there are many Russian shoppers, you can meet Chinese traders who have taken European pseudonyms (Sasha, Natasha and others). They do this for the convenience of their clients. If we are talking about a business partner, then it is better to remember the Chinese name and pronounce it without errors.

While eating

The Chinese love to eat, they spend their weekends in cafes and meet friends there.

When visiting Chinese restaurants you need to be prepared for the following:

• most food is spicy;
• no menu in English;
• the waiters speak only Chinese.

A good way out of the situation would be to print out the names of dishes in hieroglyphs with the names of the products and display them for ordering. Separately, you need to prepare the phrase “I don’t eat spicy things.” If the menu says 辣, it means the dish is very spicy.

You should not rely on the taste of the waiter or ask for the best dish in the restaurant - most likely it will be tailored to the taste of the Chinese, not the European.

Conclusion

Tones are of great importance in the pronunciation of words. One word spoken with different intonations can take on a completely different meaning. Puntuhua has 4 syllabic tones that have symbols.

• The 1st tone is intonationally similar to an unfinished phrase;
• 2nd tone – short, similar to asking again;
• 3rd tone – like a puzzled question;
• The 4th tone is short and resembles an order.

We learn the melody of pronunciation of Chinese words like a song, then working on the tones will not be a problem.

To master the rules of pronunciation, you should listen to the speech of native speakers, watch video lessons or attend courses. The study should be based on the auditory level. Interrogative sentences in Chinese they are pronounced with a rising intonation, while narrative ones are pronounced with a falling intonation.
Basic knowledge Chinese language standards and some words will improve the quality of travel in this country.

Hello (hello)- nihao
Bye (goodbye)- zaizen
Thank you- sese
Thank you very much!- Sese, feichang fanse!
Happy New Year- xing nien kwai le, Wo zhu ni xin nian,
I wish you a happy new year- Zhu xin nian kuai yu, Gonghe xin nian, Gonghe xinxi
Do you speak English?- No fuck sho inwen ma?
Please- Buyun Xie
Sorry- Blow buti
What's your name?- Ni jiao shemme mingzi?
Yes- Shi
No- Bushy
Do you want to dance?- Ni xiang tiao wu ma?
I love you!- Wow!
I- woah
We- Wo-man
You- neither
You- nin
You- no-man
They- ta-man
What's your name? -- ni-jo she me min dza?
Fine-hao
Badly- boo-hao
Wife- chi-ze
Husband- chang fu
Daughter- new art
Son- arze
Mother- Mother
Father- dad
Friend- pani-yo

Numbers

zero- lin
one- And
two- ar
three- san
four- se
five- woo
six- leu
seven- chi
eight- pa
nine- jio
ten- shi
twenty- ar shi
thirty- san shi
fourty- sy shi
fifty- wu shi
one hundred- and share
thousand- and whose
million- and pai-wuan

Shops and restaurants

What is it?- jyo she she ma?
I'll buy it- woo-may
Do you have...?- niyo-me...?
Open- kai
Closed- kuan
A little, a little- and ti ar
Many- heng-tuo
All- chuen pu
Breakfast- zao-tsang
Dinner- u-tsang
Dinner- one-tsang
Bread- meem pao
Drink- yn-leao
Coffee- ka-fey
Tea- cha
Juice- puo-ji
Water- chshee
Wine- jio
Salt- yen
Pepper- hu tio ju
Meat- ro
Vegetables- tsai
Fruits- shui-kuo
Ice cream- ping-qi-ling

Tourism

Where- ... ...tai-na?
How much does a ticket cost?- Che-fey tuo-sho?
Ticket- drink
Train- whoa
Bus- kum-kum chee chee
Metro- di tie
Airport- fei-ti-chan(g)
Railway station- uo-cho-jan
Departure- chu-tien
Arrival- ru-tien
Hotel- Lui Kuan
Room- ke fa(n)
Passport- hu-cha
How to get there
Left- zuo
Right- yo
Directly- ji
Up- sha
Down- sya
Far- yuan
Close- tin
Map- di tu

Public areas and attractions

Mail- yo ji
Museum- bow wu guan
Bank- yin ha
Police- tin-cha ti
Hospital-i-yuan
Pharmacy- yo fa
Shop- tie(n)
Restaurant- tiu-lo(u)
School- xue xia(o)
Church- thio tan(g)
Toilet- ti-sho-tye
Street- tie
Square- phuon cha(ng)
Bridge- ciao

Dates and times

What time is it?- you drank
Day- ry ten
Week- ting-chi
Month- yue
Year- nyen
Monday- ting-chi-yi
Tuesday- ting-chi-ah
Wednesday- ting-chi-san
Thursday- ting-chi-fy
Friday- ting-chi-wo
Saturday- ting-chi-lyo
Sunday- ting-chi-ry
Spring- chuen
Summer- tya
Autumn- whose
Winter- then(n)

Do you know what is the most embarrassing moment for all foreigners learning Chinese? When they realize that “ni hao” is far from the most popular word that the people of the Middle Kingdom use to greet.

How do you say “hello” or “how are you” in Chinese? Just for you - six ways to say it.

Bonus! (ni hao!) / 您好 (Ning hao!) - “Hello!” / “Hello!”

In case you have just started learning Chinese, or you are a simple tourist who is not even going to learn the language, but has already applied for a visa to the Celestial Empire.

“Ni Hao” is the first thing all foreigners learn. And even those who are completely unfamiliar with the language know that if you want to say “hello” in Chinese, say “ni hao.” If translated literally, the meaning will be consonant with our “hello”: “neither” - you; "hao" - good.

In fact, locals rarely use this phrase, as it sounds too formal. “Ning hao” is a respectful form (“ning” means you). Most often used to greet teachers or superiors. In this form it is actively used.

Also, quite often, even in the first lessons of Chinese, they learn: if you add an interrogative particle to “ni hao”, then the greeting turns into the question “how are you” (“ni hao ma?”). However, this will immediately make you look like a foreigner. The Chinese use this phrase not to ask how things are, but to make sure that everything is fine. That is, when you say “ni hao ma,” you focus on the fact that the person looks, to put it mildly, unimportant and you want to find out if he is healthy.

早！(Zao!) - “Good morning!”

"Zao" is short for 早上好! (“Zao shang hao!”), which means “good morning.” This is one of the popular ways to say “hello” in Chinese. The only case when using this word is inappropriate is if it is evening outside.

你吃了吗？(Ni chi le ma?) - “Have you eaten?”

If you are asked, “Ni chi le ma?”, don’t rush to talk about the delicious sandwich you had for breakfast or look around for food.

For the Chinese, this is not an invitation to dinner, but a way to ask how you are doing. It is enough to simply answer: “Chi le. No ne? (“I’ve eaten, and you?”). This is how you express unobtrusive concern for the person. If you ask this way, no one will demand treats from you, but it is quite possible that the locals’ attitude towards you will become several degrees warmer. The Chinese love foreigners who not only know how to say “hello” in Chinese, but are also not surprised when asked about food.

最近好吗？(Zui jin hao ma?) - “How are things going?”

“Zui jin hao ma?” similar to Russian “how are you?” The answer may be the same as in native language. You can limit yourself to a short “hao” - “good”, or simply nod your head affirmatively. Or, if your language level allows you, you can say a couple of phrases about how things are going.

喂 (Way!) - “Hello?”

This is how the Chinese answer phone calls. A very simple and pleasant sounding word. It is used by everyone, regardless of age, gender and social status.

去哪儿？(Chu nar?) - “Where are you going?”

“Ni chu nar?” is a way to say "hello" in Chinese if you bump into someone. By our standards, such a question may seem like excessive curiosity, especially when the interlocutor is a casual acquaintance. However, for the Chinese this is just a way to show concern and show some respect for a person.

Often a question form is used where the location is already specified. For example, when faced with a student or schoolchild, you can ask: “Chu shan ky le?” (“Are you going to class/classes?”).

好久不见！(Hao jou bu zen!) - “Long time no see!”

“Hao jou bu zen!” - this is how you can say “hello” in Chinese to an old acquaintance whom you have not seen for quite a long time. This phrase has a very positive emotional connotation.

Small "but"

As you probably know, Chinese is a tone language. The same word said in a different tone can mean something completely different. Of course, if you are a tourist, and even a fair-haired one, then the good-natured Chinese will definitely make a discount on this. But if you want to sound like a local, be warned: knowing how to say "hello" in Chinese isn't enough. Pronunciation also plays an important role.

There is a very simple option for those who are not going to seriously study the language - enter the phrase in online translator with the ability to listen to the typed text and just try to copy the speaker’s intonation. It's much easier than understanding the nuances of one of the most difficult languages ​​in the world to learn.

Most importantly, don't be afraid to speak up. The Chinese will always be happy to tell you how to do it right. Especially if you respond by taking a photo with them and teaching them a few phrases in Russian or English. Or buy something since the noodle vendor helped you.

Hello my students! In this lesson, I will tell you how to say hello in Chinese and ask the other person's name. You will also learn a few basic rules.

Dialogue:

-你好！你叫什么名字？

-我叫伊万，你呢？

-我叫玛丽。

-认识你很高兴!玛丽你好吗？

-我很好。你呢？

-我也很好。

Nǐ hǎo! Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?

Wǒ jiào yī wàn, nǐ ne?

Wǒ jiào mǎlì.

Rènshí nǐ hěn gāoxìng! Mǎlì nǐ hǎo ma?

Wǒ hěn hǎo. Nǐne?

Wǒ yě hěn hǎo.

Translation:

Hello! What is your name?

My name is Ivan. What about you?

My name is Maria.

It's very nice to meet you. How are you doing, Maria?

I'm doing very well. And you?

I'm doing very well too.

New words:

好 hǎo – good

你好 nǐhǎo – hello (long: you are good)

吗 ma – phrasal particle expressing a question

很 hěn – very

也 yě – also, also

呢 ne is a phrasal particle expressing a question?

你呢 nǐne - And you? And you?

叫 jiào – to call, to name

什么 shénme – which, which, which, what

名字 míngzi – name

伊万 yīwàn – Ivan (transliteration)

玛丽 mǎlì – Maria (transliteration)

认识 rènshi – to know, to be familiar, to get acquainted, to get acquainted

高兴 gāoxìng – rejoice, joyful

认识你很高兴 rènshi nǐhěn gāoxìng - It’s very nice to meet you.

In Chinese there are 3 ways to form a question.

1. Using the phrasal particle 吗 ma.
2. Using the question word 什么 shénme (and others we will study later).
3. Using the construction of verb repetition (we'll look at it in more detail later).

So let's look at examples.

Question 你好吗？nǐhǎo ma? Literally translated as “Are you good?”, means “How are you doing?” .你认识玛丽吗? nǐ renshi mǎlì ma? -Do you know Maria?

In the question 你叫什么名字？nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? -"What is your name?" there is no phrasal particle 吗 ma, but there is an interrogative word 什么 shénme, which is the formator of the question. Verb. “What name are you called?”

I think the phrase 认识你很高兴 rènshi nǐhěn gāoxìng probably also scares you, because... it is very long and not clear. Well, let's take a look.

认识你 rènshi nǐ means to get to know you, to get to know you

很高兴 hěn gāoxìng - very glad, very pleased

These phrases can be interchanged and the meaning will be the same. You can say 我很高兴认识你 wǒ hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ and it will be translated as “I am very glad to meet you”

Hieroglyph	Writing order
你
玛
吗
我
好
认
丽
伊
万
名
字
很
叫
高
识
兴
什
也
好

Next, I have prepared for you interesting stories with pictures about the formation of hieroglyphs, after reading and watching which, it will be much easier and clearer for you. The hieroglyph 好 hǎo consists of two parts 女 nǚ – woman

and 子 zǐ – child.

Woman with child means “good, right, excellent”

The older form of the character 我 wǒ consisted of two harpoons opposing each other, perhaps representing the opposition of two rights. Namely, my right means me. Subsequently, its form was transformed into a hieroglyph consisting of a pictogram of a hand holding a sword or a spear, thereby denoting that when a man holds a spear in his hand, his EGO becomes stronger, forming the word “I”.

The classical hieroglyph 你 nǐ was denoted by a pictogram of balance or scales; by adding the grapheme “person” to the left, a word was formed that described a person of the same weight, i.e. YOU.

The character 叫 jiào is formed from two parts. The left side means "mouth", and the right used to have a different spelling and meant hand scales used by street vendors. They lured buyers low prices for sweet watermelons.

The right side of the character 很 hěn means stubbornness, namely, the top is the eye, and the bottom is turning back. The left side means steps or force that should be used to curb, pacify this stubbornness, because. stubbornness is usually strong, then a LOT of steps are needed, hence the meaning “very”.

Since ancient times, the hieroglyph 也 yě denoted a cone-shaped drinking horn. In addition to the basic things, the person also carried this vessel with him. Until modern times, the hieroglyph has retained its meaning - the pictogram is used to denote the conjunction “also, also, and” in the construction “a man and his horn.”

As in the previous lesson, homework will be the following: write down new words, write each hieroglyph in 3-4 lines. Make up a simple dialogue following the lesson example. If you have any questions, write, I will try to answer as soon as possible.

We'll stop here for now, read the continuation in the next lesson.

In the next lesson we will study numbers, learn how to write the date and get acquainted with some new words. And in order not to miss a new lesson, subscribe to the site updates newsletter. See you soon!