Class Note: Understanding Formal vs. Informal Chinese Speech

Objective

• To help Chinese language learners distinguish between formal and informal (casual) styles of speaking, identify appropriate contexts for each, recognize key vocabulary, and understand practical usage.

1. When to Use Formal vs. Informal Chinese

Informal/Casual Chinese

• Used with friends, peers, or in everyday, relaxed situations.
• Makes you sound more natural and friendly.
• Appropriate with people of the same age or status, or in casual settings.

Formal Chinese

• Used with elders, superiors, strangers (e.g. in-laws, bosses, officials), or in professional/public settings.
• Demonstrates respect and social awareness.
• Found in official documents, news, or when addressing authority figures.

2. Recognizing and Using Casual Chinese

Key Features

• Use of filler words & sounds to sound more natural and buy time to think (e.g., 那个 [nàge], 就 [jiù], 啊 [a]).
• Abbreviated or less precise vocabulary and expressions.
• Universal measure words and generalized terms.

Common Casual Words & Examples

| English | Casual Chinese | Example Usage | Notes | |-||-|| | Filler (well/um) | 那个/嗯/就/啊 | 那个，我觉得…… | Insert for pausing | | Do/Make | 弄 (nòng) or 搞 (gǎo) | 弄坏了, 搞懂了 | Informal; broad usage | | Food | 吃的 | 准备了一些吃的 | Less formal than 食物 | | Understand | 搞明白 | 你搞明白了吗？ | More casual than 理解 | | Don't disturb | 别弄我 | 别弄我，我正忙 | | | Lose (sth.) | 弄丢 | 不小心把东西弄丢了 | | | What | 啥 (shá) | 你找啥？ | More casual than 什么 | | Measure word | 个 (gè) | 一个人 | Universal; casual | | Here/there | 这儿/那儿 | 你在这儿吗？ | With 儿化音 (er suffix)| | Play/Have fun | 玩儿 | 去玩儿 | |

3. Recognizing and Using Formal Chinese

Key Features

• Use of full/compound words rather than abbreviations.
• More specific, precise, or technical vocabulary.
• Extended/classical expressions, especially in writing, news, or professional speech.
• Use of set phrases/chengyu or four-character idioms.

Common Formal Words & Examples

| English | Casual/Neutral | Formal | Example Usage | |-|-|-|| | Use | 用 (yòng) | 使用 (shǐyòng) | 如何使用灭火器？ | | How | 怎么 (zěnme) | 如何 (rúhé) | 您如何看待这个问题？ | | Extremely | 很/特别/死了 | 极其/极为 (jíqí/jíwéi) | 极其重要 | | But | 但是/不过 | 然而，然而 (rán'ér) | 外观好看，然而电池不耐用 | | Still | 还 (hái) | 仍然/依然 (réngrán/yīrán) | 仍然没有进展 | | Therefore | 所以 (suǒyǐ) | 因此 (yīncǐ) | 因此我们必须…… | | Because | 因为 (yīnwèi) | 由于 (yóuyú) | 由于时间关系…… | | Equipment | 东西 (dōngxi) | 设备 (shèbèi) | 购买新设备 | | Immediately | 马上 (mǎshàng) | 立刻 (lìkè)/立即 (lìjí) | 立即采取行动 | | Now | 现在 (xiànzài) | 目前 (mùqián) | 目前仍未解决 | | No money | 没钱 (méi qián) | 缺乏资金 (quēfá zījīn) | 公司面临资金缺乏问题 | | With | 跟 (gēn) | 与 (yǔ) | 与贵公司无关 | | Anything | 什么 (shénme) | 任何 (rènhé) | 没有任何消息 | | Your company | 你们公司 | 贵公司 | 与贵公司无联系 |

4. Translating Between Casual and Formal Speech

• Consistency is important: If you use a formal term in a sentence, match the rest of your vocabulary/register.
• Formalization often means using full, precise words, and more structured sentences.
• Formal writing may include idioms & classical expressions; spoken form often simpler, but still uses appropriate formality.

5. Practical Examples

Casual Passenger Story

• Used filler words, generic terms, abbreviations (“弄丢了”, “没看到”, “急死了”)
• The narrative is simple, with breaks and interjections.

Formal News Report

• Used full terms, more precise/technical language, and formal connectors (“立刻”, “依然没有”, “据称”)
• Sentences are longer, more structured, and more objective.

6. Key Takeaways for Learners

• Awareness: Know your context and audience to choose the appropriate register.
• Filler Words: Make speech sound casual and natural; use/avoid as needed.
• Vocabulary Choice: Using broader/simple words makes you sound casual; more precise/lengthy terms add formality.
• Practice: Exposure and repetition help internalize when and how to use each type.

7. Recommended Practice

• Download and review bonus dialogues (if available)
• Listen and repeat to audio files to build listening and speaking fluency in both registers
• Focus on recognizing & swapping out words depending on formality level

8. Further Study

• Build vocabulary lists of formal and informal words
• Practice converting sentences between casual and formal registers
• Explore more authentic materials (news, conversations, official notices)

Comment below with questions; practice consistently for best results!