Authors

WOMEN LAI JIANG ZHONGWEN!

LETS SPEAK CHINESE!

by
JASMINE
KONG-YAN
TANG
WOMEN LAI JIANG ZHONGWEN!

LETS SPEAK CHINESE!

By
JASMINE KONG-YAN TANG
 2013 Jasmine Kong-Yan Tang
Published by Milne Library, State University of New York at Geneseo,
Geneseo, NY 14454
Cover photographs by Jasmine Kong-Yan Tang
Cover and book design by Allison P. Brown
Sound recordings produced by Steve Dresbach, read by Jasmine Kong-Yan Tang and Steve Dresbach.
 About this Textbook
This book is for those with experience learning Mandarin but who need confidence
interacting in everyday situations. What distinguishes Lets Speak Chinese! from other
language acquisition guides is the emphasis on practical usage and the promotion of
self-learning.
To speak the language with ease, one needs to find the courage to simply ask for
what you want in order to receive what you seek. Once you are able to do so, then
vocabulary, grammar rules, and intonation will flow more smoothly in your speech.
There are four chapters based on common themes, each illustrating typical dialogue.
Now, dive in!

About the Author

Professor Jasmine Tang is a faculty member at SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Monroe
Community College and SUNY Empire State College. Professor Tang has been
the Distinguished Chinese Language Lecturer in the Department of Languages and
Literatures at SUNY Geneseo since 1990. Professor Tang is a nationally recognized
and award winning educator, and has been a Chinese language teacher for over 30
years. Professor Tang is also an accomplished author, her latest publication Lets Speak
Chinese is the first Geneseo Authors Open Textbook, and is also available in print.
 Reviewer's Notes
Professor Tangs new textbook, Lets Speak Chinese! builds on her well-established
tradition of creating user-friendly materials for new and continuing students of
Mandarin Chinese. As an instructor of Introductory Chinese in my consulting
practice and as a faculty member at the University of Rochester, I have used her Taking
Off with Chinese (2011) as a classroom staple. Im now eager to introduce my students
to the practical and educational aspects of Lets Speak Chinese! Organized in four units
(Shopping, Food and Drink, Asking for Help, and Personal Information and Daily
Conversation), the text covers key conversation for everyday situations that are likely
to be encountered by everyonestudents, tourists, business peoplein Chinese-
speaking environments. Whats remarkable about the somewhat deceptive simplicity
of the texts design is the effective language-teaching pedagogy behind the practical
conversation. Professor Tang keeps phrases relatively brief and simple, yet includes a
great variety of language structures and vocabulary so that, gradually, a student will
intuit the larger framework and rules of Chinese! As a second language acquisition
professional, I really appreciate this text, and Im looking forward to using Lets Speak
Chinese in my next class!
Ellen Zuroski

Director, English Language and U.S. Culture Program,

Simon School of Business, University of Rochester

Owner, Zuroski Consulting

 Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Chapter One

Shopping  1
Chapter Two

Food & Drink  8

Chapter Three

Asking for Help  20

Chapter Four

Personal Information & Daily Conversation

 32
Resources 54
 Acknowledgements
First, I would like to thank my family: husband Dr. Chi-Ming Tang; children
Angeline, Audwin and Austin; mother Mrs. George Tien-fu Li; my brothers Dr. John
Kong-Jiann Li and Alexander K-I Lee; sister Taselin and brother-in-law Joe; nieces
Jean, Leslie, and Isabel; nephews Michael, Christopher, and Jonathan. My appreciation
also goes to my students at SUNY Geneseo and Monroe Community College as well
as friends and colleagues for their support, interaction, communication and much more.
A special thanks to Mr. Cyril Oberlander, Mr. Stephen Dresbach, and Ms. Allison
Brown for their time and expertise in providing this text as an online resource for all
students of the Chinese language.
I am grateful to my friends Ying Duan and Jin Zhou in Shanghai for their
encouragement and ideas.
 Chapter One

Shopping

Lessons 1 & 2

Photo by Jasmine Tang

Qing wn cho sh zi n l? Where is the

1
supermarket?
Qing wn tig ch chng zi n Where is the parking lot?
l?
Where is the fitting
Qing wn sh y jin zi n l? room?

Zi n bin. It is over there.

2 Zh g du sho qin? How much is it?

Zh g sn sh s kui qin. It is thirty-four dollars.

1
 Lessons 3, 4 & 5

Lessons 6, 7 & 8
Photo of Wang Fu Jing Market by Ian Sewell

3 W k b k y shu k? Can I use the credit card?

K y. Sure.
B k y. No.

4 W yo f xin jn. I want to pay in cash.

5 N yu lng qin m? Do you have change?

Sh de, w yu. , Yes, I do.

W mi yu. No, I dont.

N xing q n g shng Which market do you want

6 chng?

to go?

W xing q wng f jng I want to go to Wang Fu

bi hu. Jing market.

7 N yu d zh qun m? Do you have the coupon?

Sh de, zi zh e. , Yes, here you go.

Jn tin yu dng xi jin ji

8 m?
Whats on sale today?

2
 Lessons 9 & 10

CC-BY SA by Lamkeeo

Qng wn shu yn ti zi n Will you tell me where the

l? cashier is?
9 Qng wn q kun j zi n Will you tell me where the
l? ATM is?

Zi r lu. It is on the second floor.

N xing mi shn m dng What do you want to buy?

10 xi?

W xing mi tio wi jn. I want to buy a scarf.

3
 Lessons 11 & 12

Photo by Jasmine Tang

Yu mi yu xio ho de Do you have this shirt in

chn shn? small size?
Yu mi yu zhng ho de Do you have this shirt in
11 chn shn? medium size?
Yu mi yu d ho de chn Do you have this shirt in
shn? large size?

Mi yu l, zh shng xi d , Not anymore, there are only

ho. larges left.

Zh jin mo y d zh m? Is there a discount on this

12
sweater?

Sh de. D b w zh. , Yes, fifteen percent.

4
 N ju de n kui shu bio Which watch do you think
gng ho kn? looks better?
N ju de n tio qn zi Which skirt do you think
13 gng ho kn? looks better?
N ju de n g ti bo gng Which purse do you think
ho kn? looks better?

Lessons 13 & 14

Lessons 15 & 16 Photo by Jasmine Tang

Zh g jin ji do shn m When does the sale end?

14 sh hu?

Do zh g zhu m wi This weekend.

zh.

Zi wng shng gu w fi Shopping online is

15 chng fang bin.

convenient.

N mn k y sng ho Do you offer door-to-door

16 shng mn m?

delivery services?

K y. Sure.
B xng, n yo z j li q. , Sorry, you have to pick it up
yourself.

5
 Lessons 17 & 18

Photo by Jasmine Tang

R gu w mi ling g, n , If I buy two, can you give

17 k b k y pin y xie? me a discount?

Ho ba, zi pin y sh kui , All right, another ten dollars

qin. off.

Zh dig mo zi hi yu q Does this hat come in any

18 t yn z m?

other color?

Hi yu hng s h hi s. We also have red and black.

6
 Lessons 19 & 20

W k y tu dio zh tio May I have a refund on

19 k zi m? these pants?

Ho de. Sure.
Du bu q, b k y tu. , Sorry, these are non-
refundable.

I want to buy a trendy new

W xing mi b xn kun cellphone.
shu j. I want to buy a trendy new
20 W xing mi b b j bn laptop.
din no. I want to buy a trendy new
W xing mi b xing j. camera.

Du bu q, tu xio l. , Im sorry, its out of stock.

7
 Chapter Two

Food & Drink

Lessons 1 & 2

Photos by Jasmine Tang

Qng wen n l yu mi bng Excuse me, where can I buy

1 q ln? some ice cream?

Qin min l ku zu , Take a left turn at the first

zhun, yu ji bng q ln corner; there is an ice cream
din. parlor.

Qng wn ji b j din guan Excuse me, what time does

2 mn? the bar close?

Lng chn ling din. Two oclock in the morning.

8
 Lessons 3 & 4

Photo by Jasmine Tang

Qng wn f jn n l yu Is there a restaurant nearby?

cn guan?
3 Qng wn f jn n l yu Is there a KFC nearby?
kn d j?

Wng qin zh zu r sh m . Go straight for 20 meters. It

ji do l. Zi n yu bin. is on your right.

Zh e n g cn guan zu Which restaurant has the

4 ho ch?

most delicious food?

Qun j d zu ho ch. Quanjudes food is the best.

9
 Lessons 5 & 6

Photo by Jasmine Tang

Hu j ho bu ho ch? Is the turkey good?

Xio log bo ho bu ho ch? Is the small steamed bun
5 good?
Dn go ho bu ho ch? Is the cake good?

Fi chng ho ch! It is delicious!

6 N x hun ch shn m? What would you like to eat?

W x hun ch hu gu. I would like to eat hot pot.

W x hun ch Bijng ko y. I would like to Beijing roast
duck.
W x hun ch hi xin. I would like to eat seafood.

10
 Photos by Jasmine Tang

N x hun ch l de sh w Do you like to eat spicy

7 m?

food?

Sh de, w x hun ch l de. , Yes, I like spicy food.

B, w b xihun ch l de. , No, I dont like spicy. I like
W x hun ch tin de. sweet.

Zh ji din shn m ci What are the best dishes in

8 ho ch?
this restaurant?

Zh e shu zh ni ru zi Poached Sliced Beef is the

ho ch. best dish here.

Lessons 7 & 8

11
 Lessons 9 & 10

Photo by Jasmine Tang

F w yun, w k y din Server, I am ready to order.

9 ci l.
,

Qng wn n xing ch shn What would you like?

m?

N yo b yo h ch hu Would you like to drink

zh k fi? some tea or coffee?
10 N yo b yo h chng zh? Would you like to drink
some orange juice?

W xiang h bi k fi. I would like a cup of coffee.

12
 Lessons 11 & 12

Lessons 13 & 14
Photo by Jasmine Tang

Qng wn yu ch zi m? May I have a fork?

Qng wn yu do m? May I have a knife?
11 Qng wn yu cn jn zh

May I have a napkin?
m?

Qng sho dng. W m One second, please. I will

shng n gi n. get it for you right away.

Wo hn k. N yu bing de I am very thirsty. Do you

nng mng shu m? have cold water with
12 lemon?
Wo hn k. N yu r de I am very thirsty. Do you
nng mng shu m? have hot water with lemon?

Yu. Yes.
Du bu q, mi yu. , Sorry, we dont.

13 N x hun ch y m? Do you like fish?

W x hun ch y. Yes, I like fish.

B, w sh s sh zh y zh. , No, I am vegetarian.

N hi yo ch din shn m Would you like to order

14 m? more?

W ch bo l. I am full.
Yu tin dian m? Do you have any dessert?

13
 Lessons 15, 16, 17 & 18

Photo by Jasmine Tang

W nng kn kan ci dn m? May I take a look at the menu?

15 Yu yng wn de m? Do you have a menu in English?

Qng zi gi w y shung Please give me another pair of

kui zi. chopsticks.
16 Qng zi gi w y png ji. Please give me a bottle of wine.

Yu r tog to cn m? Do you have a childrens menu?

17 Yu r tog zo y m?

Do you have a high chair?

Kui din ch, kui dian ch, ,, Hurry up, Im starving.

18 w s l.

14
 Lessons 19 & 20

Photo by Jasmine Tang

N xing yo j fn sh de ni How would you like your

19 pi? steak done?

W xing yo fn sn fn sh de I want my steak rare.

ni pi.
W xing yo fn q fn sh de I want my steak medium.
ni pi.
W xing yo fn qun sh de I want my steak well-
ni pi. done.

N x hun ch r bn lo l m? Do you like to eat Japanese

food?
N x hun ch zhng gu ci m? Do you like to eat Chinese
20 food?
N x hun ch hn gu sho ko Do you like to eat Korean
m? BBQ?

W x hun ch zhng gu ci, t , I like Chinese food,

bi sh chun ci he yu ci. especially Sichuan and
Cantonese cuisine.

15
 Lessons 21 & 22

Lessons 23 & 24
Photos by Jasmine Tang

Zh do ci zn m zu? Would you tell me how to

21
cook this dish?

W go s n w de ci p. I would like to tell you my

recipe.

N h ji m? Do you drink?
22 N chu yn m?

Do you smoke?

N d j ch l m? Is your chicken wing

23
spicy?

Y din du b l. They are not spicy at all.

Fi chng l. They are very spicy.

Qng bng w b shng xi de Please wrap up the

24 ci d bo.

leftovers for me.

16
 Lessons 25, 26 & 27

Photo by Jasmine Tang

N x hun h shn m ku wi Which flavor would you

25 de zhn zh ni ch? prefer for your bubble tea
with milk?

W x hun h y tu ku wi I like the taro flavor.

de.

W k y zo zi chung h png May I sit next to the

bin m? window?
26 W k y zo zi n jng din de

May I sit in a quiet place?
d fng m?

N g cn gun yng wi jng Does that restaurant use MSG

27 m?

(monosodium glutamate)?

17
 Lessons 28, 29 & 30 Lessons 31 & 32

N jin y w mn ch shn m? What do you recommend?

28

W jin y ch hu gu. I recommend the hotpot.

W yo ch p s. I want to eat pizza.

29 W yo ch bng gn.

I want to eat cookies.

W xing h din k fi. I want some coffee.

30 W xing h din gu zh. I want some juice.
W xing h din p ji. I want some beer.

N yu shn m yng de p ji? What kind of beer do you have?

31

W mn yu shng p, gn p, ,, We have draft beer, dry beer,

h gu p. and fruit-flavored beer.

N yu n xi pn zhng de k What kind of coffee do you

32 fi? have?

W mn yu p tng k fi, t , We have regular coffee,

nng k fi, h bng k fi. , espresso, and iced coffee.

18
 Lessons 33, 34, & 35 Lessons 36, 37 & 38 Lessons 39 & 40

F w yun, mi dn. Y gng , Waiter/waitress, check please.

33 du sho qin? How much will that be
altogether?

Y gng y bi r sh kui. The total is one hundred twenty

dollars.

34 Jn tin w qng k. It is my treat today.

W mn hi shi fn ki f ba. Lets split the bill.

B yng zho l, lng qin sh Never mind the change, keep it

35 xio fi.
,
as tip.

N k y jio w zn m yng Could you teach me how to use

36 ki zi m? chopsticks?

Qng wn yu w cn to cn Do you have a lunch special?

37 m?

38 Zh do ci jio shn m? What is the name of this dish?

M p du fu. Ma Po Tofu.

W du hu shng gu mn. I am allergic to peanuts.

39 W du xi gu mn. I am allergic to shrimp.
W du hu fn gu mn. I am allergic to pollen.

Zh n shng r kui l. Happy birthday to you.

40 Gn bi!

Cheers!

Xi Xie! Thank you!

19
 Chapter Three

Asking for Help

Lessons 1, 2 & 3

Photos by Jasmine Tang

W mi tng dng, qng zi I dont understand, please say it

1 jing y bin.
,
again.

Qng wn d dio sh shn m Could you tell me what Di diao

y si? means?
2 Qng wn gi l sh shn m

Could you tell me what Gei li
y si? means?

D ro yxi, qng wn zu jn , Excuse me, where is the nearest

3 de bin l din zi n l? convenience store?
?
D ro yxi, qng wn zu jn , Excuse me, where is the nearest
de xu xio zi n l? ? school?
D ro yxi, qng wn zu jn , Excuse me, where is the nearest
de yu q hag zi n l? musical instrument shop?
?
D ro yxi, qng wn zu jn , Excuse me, where is the nearest
de l f din zi n l? barbershop?
?
Zi qin min d yu y bi m. Straight ahead about 100
meters.

20
 Lessons 4 & 5

Photo by Jasmine Tang

Qng wn gu ho zn m zu? How can I get to the

4 registration?

Qng wn yo fng zn m zu? How can I get to the

pharmacy?
How can I get to the
Qng wn xn wn z zn m
zu?
information desk?

Xi lou hou zu gui ji do l. Go downstairs then turn left

and there you are.

5 Gng jio ch zhn zi n e? Where is the bus station?

D ti zhn zi n e? Where is the subway station?

Wi shng jin zi n e? Where is the washroom

(bathroom)?

Gn x din zi n e? Where is the dry cleaner?

Zi jio tng yn hng png . It is next to the Bank of

bin. Communications.

21
 Qng wn hu ch zhn zi n Could you tell me where the
6 l? train station is?
Qng wn din yng yun zi n Could you tell me where the
l? movie theater is?
Qng wn yn hng zi n l? Could you tell me where the
bank is?
Qng wn yu j zi n l? Could you tell me where the
post office is?
Qng ji din zi n l? Could you tell me where the
hotel is?

Qng wn b w gun zi n l?
Could you tell me where the
museum is?

Zi hui hi l ling bi lng sn 203 It is at 203 Huai Hai Road.

ho.

7 W x hun tio w. I like dancing.

W x hun chng g. I like singing.

Qng wn n l yu ji b? Where is the bar?

Qng wn n l yu k l u ki OK Where is the Karaoke bar?

tng?

Q xn tin d. N l yu hn Go to Xin Tian Di. There are a

du ji b he k l u ki tng. OK lot of bars and Karaoke bars
there.

Lessons 6 & 7

22
 Du bu q, qng wn xin zi j , Excuse me, what time is it
8 din zhng? now?

Xin zi sh sn din bn. It is three thirty.

Xin zi sh sh din lng w. It is five past ten.

W k y wn g wn t m? May I ask a question? How

9 Zh ti din no bo xi q sh long is the warranty on this
du ji? computer?
W k y wn g wn t m? How long is the warranty on
Zh ti bng xing bo xi q this refrigerator?
sh du ji?

Dng rn k y. W mn bo Yes, of course. We offer a two-

xi ling nin. year guarantee.

Mng tin tin q zn m yng? How is the weather

10 tomorrow?
Hu tin tin q zn m yng? How is the weather the day
after tomorrow?

Mng tin yo xi y h gu It's going to rain and be windy

fng. tomorrow.
Hu tin yo xixu. It's going to snow the day
after tomorrow.

N zh do shu yu hu bn Do you know who has a

11 m? skateboard?

N zh do shu yu ln qi m?
Do you know who has a
basketball?

L mng yu hu bn. Li Ming has a skateboard.

L mng yu ln qi. Li Ming has a basketball.

Lessons 8 & 9 Lessons 10 & 11

23
 Lessons 12 & 13

Lessons 14, 15 & 16

Photo by CIA World Factbook

Qng wn q tin n mn Can you tell me which bus

12 gung chng zu j l ch? goes to Tian An Men Square?
X yo du chng sh jin? How long it will take?

N k y chng zu w l ch. You can take Bus Route Five. It

D gi s sh fn zhng. will take about forty minutes.

Dng n x yo j ji, qng d , When you need emergency

13 yao yao lng. 110 service, please dial 110.

Qng wn w zn m q fi j Could you tell me how to get

14 chng? to the airport?
Qng wn w zn m q g Could you tell me how to get
gng? to the Imperial Palace?

15 W hi yo dng du ji? How long do I have to wait?

16 N yu d t m? Do you have a map?

N yu b m? Do you have a pen?

N yu z din m? Do you have a dictionary?

N yu mng pin m? Do you have a business card?

24
 Lessons 17, 18 & 19

Photo by CIA World Factbook

17 N xng q y yu kng m? Are you free Monday?

N zhu m yu kng m? Are you free this weekend?

W men mng tin zi n l jin Where shall we meet

18 min? tomorrow?

B n de din hu ho m go Could you tell me your phone

19 s w ho m? ? number?

B n de yu jin d zh go s Could you tell me your email

w ho m? ? address?

25
 Lessons 20, 21, 22 & 23

CC-BY ChvhLR10:

N sh zu fi j hi sh zu hu Did you come by plane or by

20 ch li de? train?

21 N l k y z ch? Where I can rent a car?

N l k y d ch? Where I can call a Taxi?

N l k y tng ch? Where I can park my car?

N l k y x ch? Where I can wash my car?

N nng gi w bng g mng Could you do me a favor?

22 m?

K y b n de z xng ch ji gi May I borrow your bicycle?

23 w m?
K y b n de xing j ji gi w May I borrow your camera?
m?
K y b n de shu j ji gi w May I borrow your cellphone?
m?

26
 Lessons 24, 25 & 26 Lessons 27, 28 & 29

Xin shng, qng wn xi y , Excuse me, sir, could you tell

24 zhn sh n l? me what the next stop is?

Xi y zhn sh rn mn gung Next stop is Peoples Square.

chng.

N nng go s w n l yu Would you tell me where the

25 zhng wn xu xio m? Chinese Language School is?

N nng go s w n l yu y Would you tell me where the

y zhn su m? dental clinic is?

Mi gu d sh gun zn m How can I get to the American

26 zu? Embassy?
Zhng gu d sh gun zn m How can I get to the Chinese
zu? Embassy?
Bi jng d xu zn m zu? How can I get to the Beijing
University?

Qng bng w jio ji h ch. Please help me call the

27
ambulance.
Qng bng w dng ji pio. Please help me book a flight.

Qng bng w zho lu xng sh. Please help me find a travel

agency.

W k y du xin zh zhng zh Can I cash this check?

28 pio m?

Jin shn fng j din ki mn? What time does the gym
29 open?

Yu yng ch j din ki mn? What time does the swimming

pool open?

27
 N nng jio w d pngpang Could you teach me how to
30 qi m?

play table tennis?
Could you teach me how to
N nng jio w d ti j qun
m?
play tai chi?

N nng jio w d go r f Could you teach me how to

qi m? play golf?

Dng rn, w fi chng l y. , Certainly, it is my pleasure.

Lessons 30, 31, & 32

Photo by CIA World Factbook

W m l l. N k y wi w zh I am lost. Could you show me

31 l m? the way?

Qng wn r h b d gu j How can I make an

32 chng t? international call?

28
 Lessons 33, 34, & 35

Photo by airunp, Wikimdia

Ch z ch sh zn m j fi de? How much do they charge for

33 ? a taxi?
Gu j chng t din hu sh How much do they charge for
zn m j fi de? ? international calls?

Sh fn zhng w kui qin. They charge five dollars every

ten minutes.

W yo q dng fng mng , I am going to Oriental Pearl

34 zh, yng gi zi n zhn xi Tower. Which stop should I
ch? get off?

N yng gi zi l ji zu xi ch. You should get off at Lu Jia

Zui.
N yng gi zi xi y zhn xi You should get off at the next
ch. stop.

35 Qng wn lu t zi n l? Where is the stairway?

Qng wn ch ku zi n l? Where is the exit?

29
 Lessons 36, 37 & 38

Photo of Embassy of the US, Beijing, Wikimdia

W xing dng pio, kn mng , I have to purchase tickets for

36 tin de xing shng bio yn. tomorrows cross talk.

Zh g fng jin yu wng lu Does this room have internet?

37 m?
Zh g fng jin yu wi xng Does this room have satellite
din sh m? television?

W de yn hng k di l, w , I lost my bank card. What can

38 gi zn m bn? I do?

W de h zho di l, w gi , I lost my passport. What can I

zn m bn? do?

N yo m shng tng zh yn You must report the loss to

hng shn qng gu sh. the bank immediately.

N yo m shng tng zh lng You must report the loss to

sh gun shn qng gu sh. the embassy immediately.

30
 Gng jio ch sh m sh hu When does the bus come?
39 li?

W fn zhng y hu. In five minutes.

Qng wn gng jio k zi n l Where can I buy the public

40 mi? transportation card (Metro
card)?

D ti zhn yu mi de. You can buy them at the

subway station.

Lessons 39 & 40

31
 Chapter Four

Personal Information &

Daily Conversation

Lessons 1 & 2

N ho! W jio Wngl, hn !, Hello! I am Wang Li, nice to

1 go xng rn sh n. meet you.

N ho! W jio Sam, hn go !Sam, Hello! I am Sam, nice to meet

xng rn sh n. you.

2 N jn nin du d? How old are you?

W r sh sn su. I am twenty-three years old.

32
 Lessons 3, 4 & 5 Lessons 6, 7 & 8

W de b ba sh no wi k y My father is a brain surgeon.

3 shng.
W de b ba sh y shng. My father is a doctor.
W de b ba sh gng chng My father is an engineer.
4 sh.
W de b ba sh lu sh. My father is a lawyer.
W de b ba sh chu shi. My father is a chef.
W de b ba sh s j. My father a driver.
W de b ba sh jin zhu gng. My father is a constructor.
W de b ba sh gng w My father is a public
yun. employee.

5 W de m m sh lo sh. My mother is a teacher.

W de m m kua j sh. My mother is an accountant.
W de m m sh q y lng My mother is the head of a
do. company.

6 T sh w de sh yu. He is my roommate.
T sh w de fng dng. He is my landlord.
T sh w de tng xu. He is my classmate.
T sh w de lo sh. He is my teacher.
T sh w de tng sh. He is my co-worker.
T sh w de lo bn. He is my boss.

7 T sh w de m m. She is my mother.
T sh w de mi mi. She is my younger sister.
T sh w de ni nai. She is my grandma.
T sh w de y. She is my aunt.

W d di sh g yn dng yun. My younger brother is an

8 athlete.

33
 Lessons 9, 10 & 11 Lessons 12 & 13

W sh mi gu rn, b sh , I am American, not Chinese.

9 zhng gu rn.

W de xin shng shi zhng My husband is Chinese.

10 gu rn.

W de ti tai sh zhng gu My wife is Chinese.

rn.

W x hun kn sh h hu , I like reading and painting.

11 hua, n ne? How about you?

W x hun tn gng qn h I like playing the piano and

tio w. dancing.

N x hun shn m yn dng? What kind of sports do you

12 like?

W x hun d bng qi. I like playing baseball.

W x hun d ln qi. I like playing basketball.
W x hun li bng. I like skating.

N de fi j j din do? W li What time does your flight

13 ji n. . arrive? I will pick you up.

W mng tin xi w s din I will arrive tomorrow

do. Xi xie n. afternoon at four. Thank you.

34
 Lessons 14 & 15 Lessons 16 & 17

14 N li z n l? Where are you from?

W li z zh ji g. I am from Chicago.

N zh g hn ji d sun zu What is your plan for winter

15 shn m? break?

W d sun zho y fn jin zh. I am looking for a part-time

job.

W d sun q lu xng. I am planning to travel.

16 N zu tin zu shn m l? What did you do yesterday?

N shng zhu m zu shn What did you do last

m l?
weekend?

W q png yu ji zu k l. I dropped by my friends

home.

N li zhng gu du ji l? How long have you been in

17
China?

W li zhng gu sn g yu I have been here three

l. months.

35
 Lessons 18 & 19 Lessons 20 & 21 Lessons 22 & 23
Have you gotten used to the
18 N x qun zh l de q hu m?
? weather?
N x qun zh l de yn sh m? Have you gotten used to the
food?

W y jng x gun l. I have gotten used to it.

Du bu q, w ch do l. N , Im sorry, I am late. How long

19 dng l du ji? have you been waiting?

Mi gun x, w y gng do. , No problem, I just got here.

20 I men shn m sh hu zu? When will you leave?

W men mng tin y d zo We will take off early

ch f. tomorrow morning.

N x hun d m jing h p Do you like to play mahjong

21 k m? and poker?

Sh de, yu din xing du m , Yes. It is somewhat similar to

n g pi. dominos.

N yu mi yu q gu mi Have you been to the USA?

22 gu?

W q gu ni yu h b sh I have been to New York City

dn. and Boston.

N ju de ni yu zn m yng? What do you think about New

23 York City?
N l sh sh shng de d d sh. It is a metropolis of fashion.

N l sh y sh de d d sh. It is a metropolis of arts.

36
 Lessons 24 & 25 Lessons 26, 27, 28 & 29

N zi n su d xu d sh? Which university do you go

24 to?

W zi shng hi jio tng d I study at Shanghai Jiao Tong

xu d sh University.

25 N zai zho shn m? What are you looking for?

X yo bng mng m? Do you need my help?

My cellphone has
W de shu j b jin l. disappeared.

W de qin bo b jin l. My wallet has disappeared.

W de yo shi b jin l. My key has disappeared.

26 N hu shu yng wn m? Do you speak English?

27 Qng n jing mn din. Please speak more slowly.

W de zhng wn b ti ho, , My Chinese is not very good,

28 dn sh w hu jn ling shu. but I will try to speak as much
as I can.

29 N yu h (shn m) jin y? () Do you have any suggestions?

37
 Lessons 30, 31 & 32

Photo by Jasmine Tang

Qng n bng w mn zho Please take a picture of us.

30 zhng xing.

31 R ku ch yo shu fi m? Is there an entrance fee?

Sh de. Chng rn sh kui, r ., Yes. The adult fare is ten

tng w kui. dollars and childrens fare is
five dollars.

Qng n yu kng li wn e. Come round when you have

32
the time.

38
 Lessons 33, 34 & 35

33 N zi n l gng zu. Where do you work?

W zi y ji wng lu gng I work for a network company.

zu.
W zi y ji w liu gng s I work for a logistics company.
gng zu.

N shn m sh hu shng bn? What time do you begin to

34 work?
N shn m sh hu xi bn? What time do you end your
work?

N kn q li hn go xng , f , You look happy. Whats new

35 shng shn m sh l? with you?

W q d l jing xu jn. I won a scholarship.

39
 Lessons 36 & 37 Lessons 38, 39 & 40

36 N wi shn m li zhng gu? Why did you come to China?

W xing xu jng j. I want to learn Beijing Opera.

W xing xu p yng. I want to learn shadow

puppet performance.

W xing xu w shu. I want to learn martial arts.

N hu shu shng hi hu m? Can you speak Shanghai

37 dialect?

N hu shu gung dng hu Can you speak Cantonese?

m?

W b hu, w zh hu shu p , No, I can only speak

tng hu. Mandarin.

W k y zu n de png yu May I be your friend?

38 m?

N yun y bng w zho g w Do you mind taking care of

39 de mo m? my cat?
N yun y bng w zho g w Do you mind taking care of
de gu m? my dog?

40 Zi jin! Bye bye!

Qng n b yo wng j w. Please do not forget me.

Bo ch ln x. Keep in touch.

40
 Lessons 41 & 42 Lessons 43 & 44

41 Zh xi gng j sh shn m? What tools are these?

Zh g sh lng tu, zh g sh , This is a hammer, this is a

lu s do, n g sh bn shu. , screwdriver, that is wrench.

N ju de w de yn jing zn What did you think of my

42 yng?

lecture?
N ju de w de sh f zn What did you think of my
yng? calligraphy?

N zu de hn bng. You did a good job.

N yu shn m shn fn zhng Do you have any form of

43 jin m? identification?

W yu h zho. Heres my passport.

W yu ji zho. Heres my drivers license.
W yu hu yun k. Heres my membership card.

44 T sh shu? Who is he?

T sh w de png yu. He is my friend.

T sh w de shshu Andy Andy He is my Uncle Andy Wang.

Wang. Wang

41
 Lessons 45 & 46

Photo by Jasmine Tang

Xn nin ji q n yu shn m Do you have any plans for

45 n pi? New Year vacation?

W yo q gung mio hu. I am going to the fair.

W yo q gi qn q bi nin. Its New Year I am going to

visit to my relatives.

W yo q d sh ni l yun. I am going to Disneyland.

Wi shn m gu nin yo gi Why give money to children

46 hi zi y su qin. as a Lunar New Year gift?

Zh sh bio sh b zh f he It means to send best wishes

hao yn di gi t mn. and good fortune to them.

42
 Lessons 47 & 48 Lessons 49 & 50

Gng s nin hu n yo biao What will you perform at the

47 yn shn m?

company party?
Xu xio nin hu n yo biao What will you perform at the
yn shn m? school annual party?

W yo bio yn r h. I will play erhu.

W yo bio yn j t. I will play guitar.

N zu x hun shn m ji tu Whats your favorite street

48 xio ch? snack?

W zu x hun chi bng tngh My favorite is candied fruits.

l.
W zu x hun he du jing. My favorite is soybean milk.

W zu x hun chi kao hng My favorite is roasted sweet

sh. potato.

N pi w q kn din yng ho Will you watch the movie with

49 m? me?

50 Zh l yu rn zu m? Is this seat taken?

Du buq, zh l yu rn zu. , Sorry, it is taken.

Zh l mi rn zu. It is empty.

43
 Lessons 51 & 52 Lessons 53 & 54

Photo of Beijing Zoo, by snowyowls Wikimdia

N x kn shn m li xng de What kinds of movie do you

51 din yng? like?

W x hun kn x j pin. I like comedy movies.

W x hun kn dng zu pin. I like action movies.
W x hun kn kng b pin. I like horror movies.

N zu tin q dng w yun What did you see at the zoo

52 kn do l shn m? yesterday?

W kn do l xing mo, , I saw pandas, elephants,

d xing h bn m, hi yu , zebras, and giraffes.
chng jng l.

53 N men wn de ki xn m? Did you have a lot of fun?

W men fi chng ki xn. We had a great time.

54 W b shu j shui hui l. I broke my cellphone.

W b xing j shui hui l. I broke my camera.
W b shu bio shui hui l. I broke my watch.

Zhn sh ti k xi l. What a pity!

44
 Lessons 55 & 56 Lessons 57, 58 & 59

55 N d shn m zhun y? Whats your major?

W de zhun y sh j sun j. My major is computer science.

W de zhun y sh j xn l xu. My major is psychology.

N zu l shn m yu q de What did you do for fun?

56 sh qng?

W kn l y chng fi chng I went to an amazing concert.

bng de yn chng hu.

N wi shn m kn q li hn Why do you look sad?

57 shng xn?

W de hn y shu png ko sh I failed my HSK (Chinese

mi yu tng gu. proficiency) test.

W fi chng shng q yn wi I was very angry because she

58 t ch do l sn g xio sh. was three hours late.

N wn t wi shn m l m? Did you ask her why?

59 N zh zi n l? Where do you live?

45
 Lessons 60 & 61

Photo by Jasmine Tang

N jn tin kan q li hn shui, , You look handsome today.

60 n yo q n e? Where are you going?

N jn tin kn q li hn pio You look pretty today. Where

lng, yo q n e? , are you going?

W yo q min sh. I have an interview.

W yo q yu hu. I have a date.

N x hun zu sh m gng What kind of job are you

61 zu? applying for?

W xing chng wi y mng j I want to be a journalist.

zh.
W xing chng wi y mng I want to be photographer.
sh yng sh.
W xing chng wi y mng I want to be a teacher.
lo sh.
W xing chng wi y mng I want to be a salesman.
tu xio yun.
W xing chng wi y mng I want to be a director.
do yn.
W xing chng wi y mng I want to be a policeman.
jng ch.

46
 Lessons 62 & 63 Lessons 64 & 65

W yo mi y ti din no, w , I am going to buy a computer.

62 de din no ti ji l. My computer is too old.

N k y q ti pn yn din z You can get a new one from

sh chn mi din no. Pacific Electronics.

63 Zh sh r mn yn yu m? Is this hit music?

64 Zh l shn m sh hu xi xu? When does it snow here?

Sh y hu shi r yu ki sh xi It starts to snow between

xu. November and December.

W ji jie ci dng hn, t mng , My elder sister just got

65 nin li yu ji hn. engaged. She will be married
next June.

47
 Lessons 66 & 67 Lessons 68, 69 & 70

66 N zu x hun shn m yn s? What is your favorite color?

W zu x hun de yn s sh My favorite color is blue.

ln s.
W zu x hun de yn s sh My favorite color is red.
hng s.
W zu x hun de yn s sh My favorite color is white.
bi s.

67 N zu x hun shn m hu e? What is your favorite flower?

W zu x hun de hu sh bi My favorite the flower is lily.

h.
W zu x hun de hu sh mi My favorite the flower is rose.
gu.
W zu x hun de hu sh ln My favorite the flower is
hu. orchid.

68 Zh sh k shn m sh? What kind of tree is this?

Zh sh k yng sh. This is poplar.

Zh sh k sng sh. This is pine.
Zh sh k li sh. This is willow.

W xing ki g yn hng I would like to open a bank

69 zhng h. account.

Zu mn din e, dng w y Slow down. Let me catch up.

70 xi.
,

48
 Lessons 71 & 72 Lessons 73, 74, 75 & 76

Photo by Jasmine Tang

Tng y xi, n ho xing shu , Wait, you seemed to have said

71 cu l. the wrong thing.

N de y ji k shng de zn Hows your yoga class?

72 m yng?

W shng l y g xio sh. Ti The class lasted for one hour. I

li l. am exhausted.

Qng n f dun xn gi w. Please text me.

73 Qng n d din hu gi w.

Please call me.

W men zh g zhu m yo What shall we do this

74 zu shn m? weekend?

Rng w men zhu m y q q Lets go to beach together this

hi bin ba. weekend.

Tin lng l, w yo di mo zi , It is getting cold; I am going

75 h shu to. to wear my hat and gloves.

W wng l di w de j sun j. I forgot to bring my calculator.

76

W wng l di w de y sn. I forgot to bring my umbrella.

W wng l di w de m jng. I forgot to bring my

sunglasses.

49
 Lessons 77, 78, 79 & 80

Lessons 81, 82, 83 & 84

Photo by Jasmine Tang

Xi xu tin w hn x hun q On snowy days I like to go

77 hu xu. skiing a lot.

It is thundering. Its going to

78 D li l ,yo xi y l. , rain.

N zi kn shn m din sh ji What television program are

79 m? you watching?

80 Qng wn l j tng zi n l? Where is the garbage can?

Qng w chu yn. Please do not smoke.

81 Qng w d ro.

Please do not disturb.

82 W x hun d wng qi. I like to play tennis.

83 T sh w de ho png yu. He is my good friend.

Which country are you going

84 N zhn bi q n l l xu? to study in?

50
 Lessons 85, 86, 87 & 88 Lessons 89 & 90

N zi n xi wng zhn mi Which websites do you shop

85 dng xi?

on?

86 W zi zho w de yo shi. I am looking for my keys.

N tu shu de pio? Who are you going to vote

87
for?

N zhn bi shn m sh hu When will you go to China to

88 q zhng gu d sh? study?

Xin zi hn du nin qng rn Now many young people go

89 q ch q shng bn. to work by bicycle.

Sh y, ki ch hn fng bin, ,, Absolutely, driving car is

k sh b hun bo. convenient, but it is not
environment-friendly.

N kn bo zh l m? fng ji Did you read the newspaper?

90 yu zhng l. The housing price went up
again.

Zi bi jng mi fng zi ti gu Houses in Beijing are too

l, su y w xin zi hi sh z , expensive. Thats why I still
fng zi. rent a house.

51
 Lessons 91, 92, 93 & 94 Lessons 95, 96 & 97

W tng b dng n zi shu I cannot understand what you

91 shn m, qng n zi shu y , are saying. Please say it again.
bin.

92 Qng n shu d shng din. Can you speak louder?

93 N zi kn shn m? What are you looking at?

Qng n b yn yu ki xio Can you turn down the music?

94 shng din.

95 N hu yu yng m? Can you swim?

N hu chng g m? Can you sing?

N hu tio w m? Can you dance?

N yu shn m t chng? What special skills do you

96
have?

97 Wi, w sh Sarah. ,Sarah. Hello, this is Sarah.

52
 N x hun zu shn m gng What kinds of jobs do you
98 zu? want to apply for?

W mn shn m sh hu When will we decorate the

99 zhung sh shng dn sh? Christmas tree?

100 Zh n l t y kui. . Have a nice trip.

Zh n ji r y kui. . Have a nice holidays.

Lessons 98, 99 & 100

Photo by Jasmine Tang

53
Resources
BBC Chinese Language Resources: http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/chinese/
China.org.cn Speak Chinese: http://www.china.org.cn/learning_chinese/index.htm
Chinese Character Learning Program (Univ. of Virginia): http://faculty.virginia.edu/cll/
chinese/index.html
Chinese-English Dictionary MDBG: http://www.mdbg.net
Language Guide: http://www.languageguide.org/
MERLOT Chinese: http://www.merlot.org/merlot/materials.htm?community=&category=
&keywords=chinese&sort.property=relevance
National Foreign Language Center, Univ. of Maryland, Read Chinese!: http://readchinese.
nflc.org/
OER Commons, Chinese Resources: http://www.oercommons.org/search?f.search=chinese
Open University, Beginners Chinese - Audio: https://itunes.apple.com/itunes-u/beginners-
chinese-audio/id380227642
Tang, Jasmine, Taking off with Chinese, http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/787857389
Traditional-Simplified Chinese Character Tutor (Berkeley): http://www.language.berkeley.
edu/fanjian/start.html
Zhongwen.com Chinese Characters and Culture: http://www.zhongwen.com/

54