Class Notes: How to Start a Conversation in Mandarin Chinese

Objective

Provide a comprehensive overview of culturally appropriate greetings and conversation starters in Mandarin Chinese, with tips for formal, informal, age-based, and situational contexts.

Key Points

1. Cultural & Body Language Insights

• Body language: Nodding and smiling are universally positive; handshakes are normal.
• Physical touch: Less common in China; hugging is rare, especially with elders or acquaintances.
• Cultural rules: Age and status often dictate formality and appropriate greetings.
• Foreigners' leeway: Native speakers are more forgiving of foreigners' mistakes.

2. Basic Greetings for Passing By

• General greeting: 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) – with a smile and nod.
• Recognizing acquaintances: Raising head/eyebrows is also common.
• If you know their name: "Name + 你好."
• If you know their title:
  • 老板 (lǎobǎn) – boss/shop owner
  • 叔叔 (shūshu) – for older men (like father’s age)
  • 阿姨 (āyí) – for older women (like mother’s age)
  • 姐姐 (jiějiě) – for slightly younger or to be polite to middle-aged women

Time-Based Greetings:

• 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo), 早 (zǎo), or 早啊 (zǎo a) – Good morning
• 下午好 (xiàwǔ hǎo) – Good afternoon (rare; mostly formal)
• 晚上好 (wǎnshàng hǎo) – Good evening (rare; mostly formal)

3. Commenting on Actions

• Common to narrate or comment on what the person is doing:
  • 下班了？(xiàbān le?) – Finished work?
  • 要走啦？(yào zǒu la?) – Leaving?
  • 回来了？(huílái le?) – Back home?
• Response can be simple: 就是啊 (jiùshì a), or repeat the comment.

4. Asking "Have You Eaten?"

• 吃了吗？(chī le ma?) – Have you eaten? (Shows care)
  • Answers: 吃了 (chī le, yes), 还没 (hái méi, not yet)
• Variants for specificity:
  • 吃早餐了吗？(chī zǎocān le ma?) – Had breakfast?
  • 吃午饭了吗？(chī wǔfàn le ma?) – Had lunch?
  • 吃晚饭了吗？(chī wǎnfàn le ma?) – Had dinner?
  • More casual: 吃饭了没？(chīfàn le méi?), 吃了没？(chī le méi?)

5. Formal Introductions & Meeting New People

• 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ) – I'm happy to meet you (ask after name exchange or at end of meeting; formal)
• 很高兴见到你 (hěn gāoxìng jiàndào nǐ) – Slightly more personal/formal; implies familiarity.
• 久仰 (jiǔ yǎng) – “I’ve heard so much about you." Used for people of higher status or in formal settings.

6. Starting Conversations With Acquaintances

• If someone’s been away: 好久不见 (hǎojiǔ bùjiàn) – Long time no see.
• For regular catch-ups: 最近怎么样？(zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?) – How have you been recently?
  • Or drop the “你”: 最近怎么样？(zùijìn zěnmeyàng?)
• More casual/varied:
  • 最近忙什么？(zuìjìn máng shénme?) – What have you been busy with?
  • 你最近都好吗？(nǐ zuìjìn dōu hǎo ma?) – Are you all good recently? (shows care)

7. Responding to "How Have You Been?"

• 挺好的 (tǐng hǎo de) – Pretty good
• 还行 (hái xíng) – I’m alright/fine
• 老样子 (lǎo yàngzi) – Same old, same old

8. Ending Conversations & Further Learning

• Fixed phrases help jumpstart skills, but natural acquisition through content (listening, reading, watching) is necessary for fluency.
• Recommended: Explore structured courses or webinars for accelerated learning.

Summary Table: Useful Phrases

| Situation | Chinese Phrase | Meaning | |--|-|--| | Basic greet (anyone) | 你好 (nǐ hǎo) | Hello | | Morning | 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo), 早 (zǎo) | Good morning | | Formal intro | 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ) | Happy to meet you | | Long time no see | 好久不见 (hǎojiǔ bù jiàn) | Long time no see | | How have you been? | 最近怎么样？(zuì jìn zěnmeyàng?) | How have you been? | | Have you eaten? | 吃了吗？(chī le ma?) | Have you eaten? | | Response: "pretty good" | 挺好的 (tǐng hǎo de) | Pretty good | | Response: "same old" | 老样子 (lǎo yàngzi) | Same old |

Tips

• Be cautious with physical contact, especially with elders or strangers.
• Err on the side of formality, especially in new or professional situations.
• Use titles or respectful terms for people based on their age or status.
• Fixed phrases are helpful, but strive for deeper language exposure.

For more on saying goodbye in Chinese, refer to the linked video/resource mentioned in the original content.