Class Notes: How to Have Meaningful Conversations in Mandarin Chinese

Objective

Learn 50 natural Mandarin phrases and strategies for making meaningful conversations with native Chinese speakers, progressing through five conversational steps.

Structure of a Meaningful Conversation

1. Breaking the Ice

How to start a conversation with a stranger or new acquaintance:

• Begin with polite greetings:
  • 你好 (nǐhǎo) — Hello
  • 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāo xìng rèn shì nǐ) — Happy to meet you
  • 我叫... (wǒ jiào...) — My name is...
  • 你叫什么名字? (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi) — What's your name?
• Handshakes are normal in China.
• For groups: 你们是怎么认识的？(nǐmen shì zěnme rènshí de?) — How did you guys meet?
• “Haven't we met before at [place]?" 用于见过面但未正式介绍
• Compliments: 我喜欢你的 + [item] (wǒ xǐhuān nǐ de...) — I like your...
• Where did you buy it? 是在哪儿买的？(shì zài nǎ er mǎi de?)
• Other icebreakers:
  • 你是和朋友一起来的吗？— Did you come with friends?
  • 你是怎么知道这个活动的？— How did you find out about this event?
  • 你以前来过吗？— Have you been here before?

2. Asking Sincere Questions

Move beyond small talk to show genuine interest:

• Prefer open-ended questions to encourage sharing.
• Good for when the conversation lags, or as “back pocket” questions:
  • 你是哪国人 (nǐ shì nǎ guó rén) — What country are you from?
    • Typical responses: 英国人 (Yīngguó rén) — English, etc.
    • For Chinese people: 你是哪里人 (nǐ shì nǎ lǐ rén) — Where in China are you from?
  • 你做什么工作 (nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò) — What work do you do?
    • Address people politely using last names + 老/小/哥/姐 (Lǎo/Xiǎo/Gē/Jiě)
  • 你在哪儿上学 (nǐ zài nǎr shàngxué) — Where do you go to school?
  • 你家住哪儿 (nǐ jiā zhù nǎr) — Where do you live (in this city/town)?
• Open sincere questions/structures:
  • 你觉得...怎么样? (nǐ juéde... zěnmeyàng?) — What do you think about [X]?
  • 你听说...了吗? (nǐ tīng shuō... le ma?) — Have you heard about [news/event]?
  • 你怎么看...? (nǐ zěnme kàn...?) — What's your view on...?
  • 你上次做...是什么时候? (nǐ shàng cì zuò... shì shénme shíhou?) — When was the last time you did [X]?
  • 周末你有什么打算? (zhōumò nǐ yǒu shénme dǎsuàn?) — What are your weekend plans?
  • 你可以推荐...给我吗? (nǐ kěyǐ tuījiàn... gěi wǒ ma?) — Can you recommend [X] to me? (Book/Film: 书/电影)

3. Follow-Up Questions

Keep the conversation going and signal active interest:

• Structure: 那个...怎么样? (nàge... zěnmeyàng?) — What's [that] like?
  • e.g., 你的学校怎么样? — What's your school like?
• 你最喜欢...什么? (nǐ zuì xǐhuān... shénme?) — What's your favorite thing about [X]?
• ...是做什么的? (...shì zuò shénme de?) — What does [your job/major/field] involve?
• 然后呢? — And then what happened? (When they’re telling a story)
• 最后呢? — What happened in the end?
• 你现在工作怎么样? — How’s your job going now?
• 你不工作的时候都做什么? — What do you get up to when you're not working?
• 你弹吉他弹多久了? — How long have you been playing guitar?

Closed Follow-Up Questions (for variety)

• 你喜欢...吗? — Do you like [X]?
• 为什么你喜欢/不喜欢...? — Why do you (not) like [X]?
• 你喜欢吃辣吗? — Do you like spicy food?
• 你喜欢A还是B? — Do you prefer A or B?
• 你是哪一类人? — What kind of person are you? (e.g., optimistic/pessimistic)

4. Sharing Your Own Opinions or Experiences

Prevent the conversation from feeling one-sided:

• Use 也 (yě) — Also
  • 我也喜欢... — I also like...
• 我不喜欢... — I don’t like...
• 我也这么觉得 — I think so too.
• 我不这么觉得 — I don’t think so.
• 我觉得...太... — I think [something] is too [adjective].
  • 这里太吵了 — This place is too noisy.
  • 这个问题太复杂 — This question is too complicated.
• 我觉得... — I feel...
• 我认为... — I think (more reasoned/definite opinion).

5. Ending the Conversation & Setting Up a Next Meeting

Ending on a positive note and ensuring future contact:

• Basis for follow-up:
  • 下次一起去吃饭好吗 — Shall we eat together next time?
  • 我们下次一起去...吧 — Let’s go to [place] next time.
  • 周末你有空吗? — Are you free this weekend?
  • 你明天下午有时间吗? — Are you free tomorrow afternoon?
• Asking for contact info:
  • 我们可以交换联系方式吗? — Can we exchange contact information?
  • 我可以加你的微信吗? — Can I add your WeChat?
  • 如果方便, 我可以加你微信吗? — If it's convenient, can I add your WeChat?
• Ending phrases:
  • 那, 下次见 — Well, see you next time.
  • 我得走了 — I’ve got to go.
  • 我们下次再聊 — Let’s talk next time.
  • 和你聊天很开心 — I enjoyed chatting with you.
  • 希望下次在[地方]见到你 — Hope to see you at [place] next time.

Key Points

• Use natural phrases and simple structures to start, maintain, and close conversations.
• Prioritize genuine, open-ended questions to create meaningful interaction.
• Share your own opinions for balance—don’t just ask questions.
• Set up the next meeting and/or exchange contact information if you want to continue the relationship.
• Download practice materials and review examples to build confidence.

Tip: Consistency and sincerity are key to building friendships and language skills. Practice these phrases often—in person or online!