Lesson #2 - Common Mandarin Phrases

In this lesson, the most common Mandarin Chinese phrases and greetings are covered. The English phrase is presented and then the Simplified Chinese equivalent is shown. Underneath the Chinese version, the Pinyin version is shown along with the corresponding tone indicated by 1, 2, 3, or 4. For example, Ni2 means pronounce Ni with the second Mandarin tone (rising tone). Please review Lesson #1 to familiarize yourself with the four tones. To help with you pronunciation, please listen and follow-along to the audio which goes through each phrase.

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1. How are you?

你好!
Ni2 Hao3
你好吗？
Ni2 Hao3 Ma1

你 (Ni2) = you
好 (Hao3) = good

2. My name is …

我叫…
Wo3 Jiao3

我 (Wo3) = I
叫 (Jiao3) = call

3. Thank you!

谢谢!
Xie4 Xie4

4. Good Morning

早上好
Zao3 Shan4 Hao3

早上 (Zao3 Shan4) = Morning
好 (Hao3) = Good

5. Good night

晚安
Wan3 An1

晚 (Wan3) = Night or late
安 (An1) = Safe

6. I don’t understand

我不懂
Wo3 Bu4 Dong3

7. Do you speak English?

你说英语吗？
Ni3 Shuo1 Ying1 Yu3 Ma1

英语 (Ying1 Yu3) = English

8. How much?

多少钱？
Duo1 Shao3 Qian2

多少 (Duo1 Shao3) = How much / How many
钱 (Qian2) = Money

9. Cheers

干杯
Gan1 Bei1

干 (Gan1) = Dry
杯 (Bei1) = Cup / Glass

10. Good-bye

再见
Zai4 Jian4

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