Class Notes: Essential Basic Chinese Phrases & Language Learning Tips

Objective

An organized class note compiling the important points, explanations, and example phrases from a foundational guide to essential Chinese language phrases, pronunciation, question words, and cultural tips for beginners.

1. Learning Approach

• Repetition is key to mastering pronunciation and fluency.
• Listen to material repeatedly to internalize phrases.
• PDF & audio resources are available for further practice.

2. Essential Greetings & Polite Phrases

Saying Hello & Goodbye

• 你 (nǐ) 好 (hǎo) – Hello (formal/general, “you good”), standard greeting.
• 嗨 (hāi) – Hi (informal, used with close acquaintances).
• 再见 (zàijiàn) – Goodbye (general usage).
• 拜拜 (bàibài) – Bye-bye (casual, common with friends/family).

Thank You & You’re Welcome

• 谢谢 (xièxiè) – Thank you (universal, formal/informal).
  • Doubling (谢谢谢谢) adds emphasis or friendliness.
• 不客气 (bú kèqì) – You’re welcome (literally: don’t be polite).
• 不用谢 (bú yòng xiè) – No need to thank (literally: no need).

3. Useful Phrases for Everyday Situations

Expressing Sorry

• 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) – Sorry (for minor inconveniences; literally: bad meaning, or “excuse me”).
• 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) – Sorry (more serious, formal apology).

Saying "Good" and Related

• 好 (hǎo) – Good/Okay/Agreed.
• 不好 (bù hǎo) – Not good/No.
• 很 (hěn) 好 – Very good.
• 真 (zhēn) 好 – Really good (genuine compliment).
• 超 (chāo) 好 – Super good.

Making Requests & Asking for Help

• 请 (qǐng) – Please.
• 慢慢说 (màn man shuō) – Please speak slowly.
• 可以再说一遍吗? (kěyǐ zài shuō yí biàn ma?) – Can you say that again?
• 麻烦你 (máfan nǐ) – (Could I) trouble you to… (politer request).

Too Much, Very, or Super

• 太 (tài) [adj.] 了 (le) – Too (adjective), e.g., 太慢了 (too slow), 太辣了 (too spicy), 太好了 (excellent!).

4. Basic Yes/No Questions

• [Verb/adj.] + 不 + [verb/adj.] (e.g., 好不好?) – Good or not? (Is it good?)
  • Example: 我们一起去公园, 好不好? (Shall we go to the park together? Is that good?)

5. Question Words and Structure

How, What, Where, Which, Who, When, Why

• 怎么 (zěnme) – How (to do something)
  • Example: 用中文怎么说？(How do you say this in Chinese?)
• 什么 (shénme) – What
  • Example: 你做什么工作？(What do you do for a living?)
• 哪里/哪儿 (nǎlǐ/nǎr) – Where
  • Example: 你在哪里？(Where are you?)
• 哪 (nǎ) – Which
• 谁 (shéi) – Who
  • Example: 他是谁？(Who is he?)
• 几点 (jǐ diǎn) – What time
  • Example: 你什么时候去中国？(When do you want to go to China?)
• 为什么 (wèishénme) – Why (literally: for the sake of what)
  • Example: 你为什么喜欢中国？(Why do you like China?)
• 因为 (yīnwèi) – Because (answering why).

6. Discussing Skills & Abilities

• 会 (huì) – To know how to (a skill)
  • Example: 你会说英语吗？(Can you speak English?)
• 能 (néng) – Can (ability/permission)
  • Example: 你能帮我吗？(Can you help me?)

7. Food, Eating Out & Numbers

Eating Out

• 几位 (jǐ wèi) – How many people? (in restaurants)
• 啤酒 (píjiǔ) – Beer
• 有 (yǒu) – To have
  • Example: 有冷啤酒吗? (Do you have cold beer?)
• 没有 (méiyǒu) – Don't have/No.
• 要 (yào)/想 (xiǎng) – Want/would like
• 点菜 (diǎn cài) – Order food
• 买单 (mǎidān) – Bill, please.

Numbers & Measure Words

• 一 (yī) / 二 (èr) / 两 (liǎng) – 1/2/2-of-something.
• 个 (gè) – General measure word.
• 杯 (bēi) – Glass/cup (for drinks).

8. Shopping & Prices

• 多少钱? (duōshǎo qián) – How much (money)?
• 一个 (yí ge) / 两个 (liǎng ge) ... – One, two (of an item).
• 便宜 (piányi) – Cheap.

9. Everyday Commands & Safety

• 快点 (kuài diǎn) – Hurry up
• 过马路 (guò mǎlù) – Cross the road
• 小心 (xiǎoxīn) – Be careful
• 来 (lái) – Come (here)
• 看看 (kànkan) – Have a look

10. Experience & Situational Usage

• 过 (guò) – Experience marker (used after a verb)
  • Example: 你吃过吗？(Have you eaten it before?)

11. Phrases for Introductions & Getting to Know Someone

• 你叫什么名字? (nǐ jiào shénme míngzì) – What’s your name?
• 我叫... (wǒ jiào...) – My name is...
• 你是哪国人? (nǐ shì nǎ guó rén) – What country are you from?
• 我是...人 (wǒ shì ... rén) – I am from...

12. Common Social Questions

• 你吃饭了吗? (nǐ chīfàn le ma?) – Have you eaten? (Social small talk)
• 还没有 (hái méiyǒu) – Not yet.

13. Expressing Wants/Desires

• 我想吃点东西 (wǒ xiǎng chī diǎn dōngxi) – I want to eat something.
• 你想吃什么? (nǐ xiǎng chī shénme) – What do you want to eat?
• 我们去哪里吃? (wǒmen qù nǎlǐ chī) – Where shall we go to eat?
• 请客 (qǐng kè) – To treat/pay for others.

14. Phrases for Ending Interactions

• 我吃饱了 (wǒ chī bǎo le) – I’m full.
• 服务员 (fúwùyuán) – Waiter/Waitress/Service person.
• 再见 (zàijiàn) / 拜拜 (bàibài) – Goodbye/Bye-bye.
• 慢走 (mànzǒu) – Take care (literally, walk slowly; customary when someone is leaving).

15. Bonus & High-frequency Everyday Phrases

• 好久不见 (hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn) – Long time no see.
• 加油 (jiā yóu) – Come on!/You can do it!/Cheer up!
• 知道了 (zhīdàole) – Got it/I know now.
• 我的天 (wǒ de tiān) – My God!/Good Heavens!
• 干杯 (gānbēi) – Cheers! (lit. dry glass; used for toasts).

16. Cultural Tips

• Face-saving: Self-deprecation (“my Chinese is poor”) can be seen as polite and may prompt encouragement.
• Drinking Culture: Traditional norms (e.g., requesting cold beer, using 干杯 to indicate finishing a drink).
• Politeness: Using 请, 麻烦你, and friendly tones, even with service staff.
• Announcements: When leaving, it’s customary to say goodbye, avoid leaving unannounced.

17. Practice Resources

• PDF and audio of all phrases available via download link (with email sign-up).
• Further courses available: comprehensive curriculum and kickstarter package of 1000 everyday phrases.

Summary Table: Sample Phrases

| English | Chinese (pinyin) | |-|--| | Hello | 你好 (nǐ hǎo) | | Goodbye | 再见 (zàijiàn) | | Thank you | 谢谢 (xièxiè) | | Sorry (minor) | 不好意思 (bù hǎoyìsi) | | Sorry (serious) | 对不起 (duìbuqǐ) | | Very good | 很好 (hěn hǎo) | | Too spicy | 太辣了 (tài là le) | | Can you help me? | 你能帮我吗? (nǐ néng bāng wǒ ma?) | | How much is this? | 这个多少钱? (zhège duōshǎo qián?) | | Where are you? | 你在哪里？(nǐ zài nǎlǐ?) | | What’s your name? | 你叫什么名字? (nǐ jiào shénme míngzì) | | I want... | 我要... (wǒ yào...) | | Cheers! | 干杯 (gānbēi) | | Take care (when leaving) | 慢走 (mànzǒu) |

18. Final Encouragement

• Practice daily: repetition and immersion are key.
• Use filler and social phrases: helps maintain the flow and comfort in conversations.
• Don’t stress grammar at first: focus on listening and repeating.

[Download resources and courses as mentioned for further study.] Keep practicing, and see you next lesson!