Chinese Basics
What is the pinyin and tone for 你好 (Hello)?
Nǐ hǎo. The first syllable nǐ uses the third tone (falling-rising), and hǎo also uses the third tone. When two third tones meet, the first often changes to a second tone in casual speech, sounding like ní háo, but the written tones remain 3-3.
You say 我饿了 (wǒ è le). 我 = I, 饿 (è, fourth tone) = hungry, 了 (le) = particle indicating a change of state. This is one of the most common ways to express current hunger in casual Mandarin.
早安 (zǎo ān) is a common Mandarin greeting for 'good morning,' though 早上好 (zǎo shang hǎo, 'zǎo-shàng-hǎo') is more formal. 早上 means 'morning' and 好 means 'good.' Both words use the third tone, which is a dipping tone that falls and then rises.
You say 你会说英语吗? (nǐ huì shuō Yīng yǔ ma?). 你 (nǐ, third tone) 'you,' 会 (huì, fourth tone) 'can/know how to,' 说 (shuō, first tone) 'speak,' 英语 (Yīng yǔ) 'English,' and 吗 (ma) is a question particle. Yes/no questions in Chinese often just add 吗 at the end of a statement.
Chinese Basics
What does 句子 mean, and how do you say 'This sentence is too long'?
句子 (jù zi, fourth tone + neutral) means 'sentence.' 句 is a measure word for sentences or lines of poetry. To say 'This sentence is too long,' say 这个句子太长了 (zhè ge jù zi tài cháng le). 这 (zhè) 'this,' 个 (ge) is the general measure word, 太 (tài) 'too,' 长 (cháng, second tone) 'long,' and 了 indicates change.
Nǐ hǎo. The first syllable nǐ uses the third tone (falling-rising), and hǎo also uses the third tone. When two third tones meet, the first often changes to a second tone in casual speech, sounding like ní háo, but the written tones remain 3-3.
吧 ba is a suggestion or speculation particle. 我们走吧 Wǒmen zǒu ba 'Let's go' (suggestion). 他是老师吧? Tā shì lǎoshī ba? 'He is probably a teacher?' (speculation). Tone is light/neutral.
You say 我去过上海两次 (wǒ qù guò Shàng hǎi liǎng cì). 我 (wǒ) 'I,' 去 (qù, fourth tone) 'go,' 过 (guò) is a particle indicating past experience, 上海 (Shàng hǎi) 'Shanghai,' 两 (liǎng) 'two,' and 次 (cì, fourth tone) is the measure word for times. 过 is essential for showing past experience.
Chinese Basics
What is the difference between 听 and 听见 in Chinese?
You say 她正在做作业 (tā zhèng zài zuò zuò yè). 她 (tā, first tone) 'she,' 正在 (zhèng zài) is an adverb meaning 'right now,' 做 (zuò, fourth tone) 'to do,' and 作业 (zuò yè) 'homework.' The 在 before 做 indicates the action is currently happening. You can also say 她在做作业 (tā zài zuò zuò yè) without 正在.
听 (tīng, first tone) means 'to listen' and is an active verb describing the action of listening. 听见 (tīng jiàn) means 'to hear' and refers to actually perceiving a sound. For example, 我在听 (wǒ zài tīng) means 'I am listening,' but 我听见了 (wǒ tīng jiàn le) means 'I heard (it).' 见 indicates successful perception.
Say 我是医生 (wǒ shì yīshēng). Pronunciation: wǒ (third tone), shì (fourth tone), yī (first tone), shēng (first tone). To ask someone else's profession: 你是医生吗? (nǐ shì yīshēng ma?). 医生 specifically refers to medical doctors; for other professions see 工程师 (engineer), 护士 (nurse), 律师 (lawyer), etc.
很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ). 很高兴 means 'very happy,' 认识 means 'to meet/get to know,' and 你 means 'you.' This is a common polite phrase when meeting someone new.
Chinese Basics
What does 学 mean, and how do you say 'I study Chinese every day'?
学 (xué, second tone) means 'to learn/study.' The sentence is: 我每天学中文 (wǒ měitiān xué Zhōngwén) or 我每天学习中文 (xuéxí). 学习 adds emphasis. 每天 = every day, 中文/汉语 = Chinese language.
Formally: 您多大年纪了? (nín duō dà niánjì le?) — 'how old is your age?' Informally: 你多大了? (nǐ duō dà le?). 年纪 (niánjì) adds politeness. A respectful response to elders: 我今年六十岁 (wǒ jīnnián liùshí suì, this year I'm sixty). Avoid asking women's ages as it can be considered impolite.
'I want to go to Shanghai' is 我想去上海 (wǒ xiǎng qù Shànghǎi). 我 (wǒ) means 'I', 想 (xiǎng, third tone) means 'to want/would like', 去 (qù, fourth tone) means 'to go', and 上海 (Shànghǎi) is the city name. 上海 has 上 fourth tone and 海 third tone.
The phrase 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo) means 'good evening.' Wǎn (third tone) means 'evening,' shàng (fourth tone) means 'up/upper,' and hǎo (third tone) means 'good.' It is used as a greeting when meeting someone in the evening, similar to 'buenas noches' in Spanish.
Chinese Basics
What does 认识 mean, and how do you use it in a sentence?
You can say 回头见 (huítóu jiàn), meaning 'see you later/when we turn around.' Alternatively, 待会儿见 (dāihuìr jiàn). Both use 见 (jiàn) = 'see.' For more casual contexts, 下次见 (xiàcì jiàn) = 'see you next time' is also common.
容易 (róng yì, second tone + fourth tone) means 'easy.' To say 'Chinese is not easy,' say 中文不容易 (Zhōng wén bù róng yì). 不 (bù, fourth tone) negates the adjective. The opposite is 难 (nán, second tone) meaning 'difficult.' 中文很难 means 'Chinese is difficult.' For 'very easy,' add 很: 中文很容易.
一点儿 (yì diǎnr, fourth tone + third tone) means 'a little bit' or 'a small amount.' It is used to express small quantities. For example, 我会一点儿中文 (wǒ huì yì diǎnr Zhōng wén) means 'I know a little Chinese.' 一点 (yì diǎn) is the formal version without the erhua sound.
认识 (rènshi) means 'to know (a person)' or 'to meet.' 认 is fourth tone, 识 is fourth tone (neutral in 认识). Example: 我认识他 (wǒ rènshi tā) means 'I know him.' It differs from 知道 (zhīdào), which means 'to know (a fact).' First meetings: 我们认识一下 (wǒmen rènshi yíxià) means 'Let's get to know each other.'
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'I don't understand' in Mandarin Chinese?
我不懂 (wǒ bù dǒng) or 我不明白 (wǒ bù míngbai). 不 (bù) is the negation word, 懂 (dǒng) means 'understand,' and 明白 (míngbai) means 'clear/understand.' To ask 'do you understand?' say 你明白吗? (nǐ míngbai ma?).
晚安 (wǎn ān) means 'good night' and is used as a farewell before going to bed, not as a greeting. Pronunciation: wǎn (third tone), ān (first tone flat). It is similar to 'goodnight' in English. 晚上好, in contrast, is a greeting meaning 'good evening,' said when meeting someone in the evening.
酒店 (jiǔ diàn) or 旅馆 (lǚ guǎn) both mean 'hotel' in Mandarin. To check in, say 我要登记入住 (wǒ yào dēng jì rù zhù) meaning 'I want to check in.' 登记 (dēng jì) means 'to register,' 入住 (rù zhù) means 'to check in/stay.' This phrase is useful for HSK1-level travel vocabulary.
我二十岁 (wǒ èrshí suì). 我 = I, 二十 = twenty (two-ten), 岁 = years old. Note that 岁 is the measure word for age. To ask someone's age, say 你多大了? (nǐ duō dà le?) informally or 您多大年纪? (nín duō dà niánjì?) formally.
Chinese Basics
How do you count from ten to twenty in Mandarin?
听 (tīng, first tone) means 'to listen' and is an active verb describing the action of listening. 听见 (tīng jiàn) means 'to hear' and refers to actually perceiving a sound. For example, 我在听 (wǒ zài tīng) means 'I am listening,' but 我听见了 (wǒ tīng jiàn le) means 'I heard (it).' 见 indicates successful perception.
The measure word 张 (zhāng, first tone) is used for flat, paper-like objects such as papers, tickets, photos, tables, and beds. For example, 一张照片 (yì zhāng zhào piàn) means 'one photo,' and 两张票 (liǎng zhāng piào) means 'two tickets.' It cannot be used for people or books.
我是一名学生 (wǒ shì yī míng xué sheng) or 我是学生 (wǒ shì xué sheng) both mean 'I am a student.' 是 (shì) means 'to be,' 学生 (xué sheng, 'xué-shēng') means 'student,' and 名 (míng) is a measure word for people. The first version is more formal; the second is conversational.
From ten to twenty: 十 (shí, 10), 十一 (shíyī, 11), 十二 (shí'èr, 12), 十三 (shísān, 13), 十四 (shísì, 14), 十五 (shíwǔ, 15), 十六 (shíliù, 16), 十七 (shíqī, 17), 十八 (shíbā, 18), 十九 (shíjiǔ, 19), 二十 (èrshí, 20). Numbers 11-19 combine 十 with the digit, while 20 is 二十.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'I have two older brothers' in Chinese with pinyin?
喜欢 (xǐhuan) means 'to like.' Structure: Subject + 喜欢 + Object. Example: 我喜欢苹果 (wǒ xǐhuan píngguǒ, I like apples). To ask 'do you like...?' say 你喜欢...吗? (nǐ xǐhuan... ma?). Note: unlike English, 喜欢 cannot be used with infinitives directly; you need a noun phrase.
一 means 'one.' On its own it is pronounced yī (first tone). However, before a fourth-tone syllable it becomes yì, before any other tone it becomes yí, and it is also yī in ordinal or standalone use. Example: 一二 yī èr, 一样 yí yàng.
Both can mean 'can,' but 会 huì emphasizes learned skill (I can speak Chinese 我会说中文), while 能 néng emphasizes ability or permission (I can go now 我现在能走了). Use 能 for general capability and 会 for acquired skills.
'I have two older brothers' is 我有两个哥哥 (wǒ yǒu liǎng gè gēge). 我 (wǒ) means 'I', 有 (yǒu) means 'have', 两 (liǎng) is the number two used before a measure word, 个 (gè) is the measure word, and 哥哥 (gēge) means 'older brother'.
Chinese Basics
What does 走 mean, and how do you say 'I am walking to school'?
好吃 (hǎochī) means 'delicious' or 'tasty.' 好 is third tone and 吃 is first tone. Example: 这个菜很好吃 (zhège cài hěn hǎochī), meaning 'This dish is very delicious.' It uses 很 (hěn) as an adverb to modify the adjective.
走 (zǒu, third tone) means 'to walk/leave.' The sentence is 我走路去学校 (wǒ zǒulù qù xuéxiào) or 我走去学校. 走路 = walk (literally 'walk road'), 去 = go, 学校 = school (学 = learn, 校 = school). 走路 also means 'to behave/manner.'
她是我的姐姐/妹妹. Tā shì wǒ de jiějie / mèimei. 她 she, 是 is, 我的 my, 姐姐 older sister, 妹妹 younger sister. Tone change: 不 + fourth tone becomes second tone, as in 不是 bú shì.
Nǐ hǎo. The first syllable nǐ uses the third tone (falling-rising), and hǎo also uses the third tone. When two third tones meet, the first often changes to a second tone in casual speech, sounding like ní háo, but the written tones remain 3-3.
Chinese Basics
Form the sentence 'I have a cat' in Chinese.
我有一只猫. Wǒ yǒu yì zhī māo. 有 yǒu = to have, 一只 = one (measure word for animals), 猫 māo = cat. Note that 只 zhī is the measure word used for most animals.
我今天很累 (wǒ jīn tiān hěn lèi) means 'I am very tired today.' 我 (wǒ) is 'I,' 今天 (jīn tiān) is 'today,' 很 (hěn) intensifies, and 累 (lèi, fourth tone) means 'tired.' Note Mandarin usually requires 很 before adjectives in present tense statements. The sentence has no 'am' verb.
I am cold = 我很冷 (wǒ hěn lěng). I am hot (temperature) = 我很热 (wǒ hěn rè). 冷 (lěng, third tone) = cold, 热 (rè, fourth tone) = hot. Be careful: 我很热 can also mean 'I am horny' in slang, so 我感觉很热 is safer when speaking about weather.
觉得 (jué de, second tone + neutral) means 'to feel' or 'to think.' To say 'I think it's too expensive,' say 我觉得太贵了 (wǒ jué de tài guì le). 我 'I,' 觉得 'think,' 太 (tài, fourth tone) 'too,' 贵 (guì, fourth tone) 'expensive,' and 了 indicates change. 你觉得呢? (nǐ jué de ne?) means 'What do you think?'
Chinese Basics
What does 喜欢 mean, and how do you use it in a sentence?
You say 我叫安娜 (wǒ jiào Ān nà). 我 (wǒ, third tone) means 'I,' 叫 (jiào, fourth tone) means 'to be called,' and 安娜 (Ān nà) is the name 'Anna.' A common alternative is 我的名字是安娜 (wǒ de míng zì shì Ān nà), which is more literal: 'my name is Anna.'
喜欢 (xǐ huan) means 'to like' in Mandarin, pronounced with the third tone (xǐ) and neutral tone (huan). For example: 我喜欢唱歌 (wǒ xǐ huan chàng gē) means 'I like singing.' The structure is Subject + 喜欢 + Object. Unlike English, no preposition is needed between 喜欢 and the object.
喝 (hē, first tone) means 'to drink,' used for liquids: water (喝水), tea (喝茶), coffee (喝咖啡). 吃 (chī, first tone) means 'to eat,' used for solid food: rice (吃饭), apples (吃苹果). Note: 喝 is also used figuratively for 'drinking in' experiences like 喝西北风 — 'drinking the northwest wind' (slang for being broke).
喜欢 (xǐhuan) means 'to like.' Structure: Subject + 喜欢 + Object. Example: 我喜欢苹果 (wǒ xǐhuan píngguǒ, I like apples). To ask 'do you like...?' say 你喜欢...吗? (nǐ xǐhuan... ma?). Note: unlike English, 喜欢 cannot be used with infinitives directly; you need a noun phrase.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'left' and 'right' in Chinese, and how do you give directions?
Left is 左 (zuǒ, third tone) and right is 右 (yòu, fourth tone). To say 'turn left,' say 左转 (zuǒ zhuǎn). To say 'turn right,' say 右转 (yòu zhuǎn). You can also say 一直走 (yí zhí zǒu) meaning 'go straight ahead.' 直 (zhí) means 'straight' and 一直 means 'continuously.'
我不懂 (wǒ bù dǒng) or 我不明白 (wǒ bù míngbai). 不 (bù) is the negation word, 懂 (dǒng) means 'understand,' and 明白 (míngbai) means 'clear/understand.' To ask 'do you understand?' say 你明白吗? (nǐ míngbai ma?).
现在 (xiàn zài) means 'now' or 'at present' in Mandarin. To ask the time, say 现在几点? (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn?) meaning 'What time is it now?' 几 (jǐ) is used for asking small quantities/time. For example, the response might be 现在三点 (xiàn zài sān diǎn) meaning 'It's three o'clock now.'
我已经吃了. Wǒ yǐjīng chī le. 我 I, 已经 already, 吃 ate/eaten, 了 sentence-final particle indicating completed action. This is the basic 'already' pattern with 了.
Chinese Basics
How do you ask 'where is the airport?' in Chinese?
'I am taking a train' is 我坐火车 (wǒ zuò huǒchē). 我 (wǒ) means 'I', 坐 (zuò, fourth tone) means 'to sit/take (transportation)', and 火车 (huǒchē) means 'train' (literally 'fire vehicle'). For future tense, add 要 (yào): 我要坐火车 (wǒ yào zuò huǒchē).
The phrase 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo) means 'good evening.' Wǎn (third tone) means 'evening,' shàng (fourth tone) means 'up/upper,' and hǎo (third tone) means 'good.' It is used as a greeting when meeting someone in the evening, similar to 'buenas noches' in Spanish.
Ask 机场在哪里? (jīchǎng zài nǎlǐ?). Pronunciation: jīchǎng (first + third tone) = airport; zài (fourth tone) = at/in; nǎlǐ (third + third tone) = where. Literally: 'airport is at where?' You can answer: 机场在北京郊区 (jīchǎng zài Běijīng jiāoqū) — 'The airport is in the suburbs of Beijing.'
你是哪国人 (nǐ shì nǎ guó rén) means 'Which country's person are you?' or 'Where are you from?' It literally means 'You are which country person?' To answer as American, you say 我是美国人 (wǒ shì Měi guó rén, 'I am an American'). 哪 (nǎ, third tone) means 'which.'
Chinese Basics
What does 飞机场 mean, and how do you get to the airport?
Formally: 您多大年纪了? (nín duō dà niánjì le?) — 'how old is your age?' Informally: 你多大了? (nǐ duō dà le?). 年纪 (niánjì) adds politeness. A respectful response to elders: 我今年六十岁 (wǒ jīnnián liùshí suì, this year I'm sixty). Avoid asking women's ages as it can be considered impolite.
个 ge is the most common general measure word, used for people and many objects. 们 men is a plural suffix, not a measure word. Example: 一个人 yí ge rén 'one person,' 三个老师 sān ge lǎoshī 'three teachers.'
出租车 (chūzūchē) means 'taxi.' Pronunciation: chū (first tone), zū (first tone), chē (first tone). To hail one, you can wave or say: 出租车! (chūzūchē!) or 你好, 我要去... (nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào qù...) — 'Hello, I want to go to...' In Mandarin, taxis are often called 滴滴 (Dīdī) after the ride-hailing app, especially by younger people.
机场 (jīchǎng) means 'airport' (literally 'machine field'). 飞机 = airplane (飞 = fly, 机 = machine). To ask how to get there: 请问机场怎么走? (qǐngwèn jīchǎng zěnme zǒu?) = 'Excuse me, how do I get to the airport?' 怎么 = how, 走 = go/walk.
Chinese Basics
What does 吧 at the end of a sentence indicate?
吧 ba is a suggestion or speculation particle. 我们走吧 Wǒmen zǒu ba 'Let's go' (suggestion). 他是老师吧? Tā shì lǎoshī ba? 'He is probably a teacher?' (speculation). Tone is light/neutral.
Numbers 11-19 follow a pattern: ten (十 shí) + the digit. 11 = 十一 (shí yī), 12 = 十二 (shí èr), 13 = 十三 (shí sān), 14 = 十四 (shí sì), 15 = 十五 (shí wǔ), 16 = 十六 (shí liù), 17 = 十七 (shí qī), 18 = 十八 (shí bā), 19 = 十九 (shí jiǔ). Note that 两 (liǎng) is NOT used here, unlike for 20+.
You say 我二十五岁 (wǒ èrshíwǔ suì). 我 = I, 二十五 = 25, 岁 (suì) = years of age. Numbers 21-99 follow the pattern: tens digit + units digit. 岁 is used for age in Chinese, never 年 for age (年 means year as in calendar).
这是什么? (zhè shì shénme?) — 'this is what?' 这 (zhè) = this, 是 (shì) = is, 什么 (shénme) = what. To ask 'what is that?' replace 这 with 那 (nà, that): 那是什么? (nà shì shénme?). 什么 is also used in 'who' contexts: 那个人是谁? (nàge rén shì shéi?).
Chinese Basics
What does 容易 mean, and how do you say 'Chinese is not easy'?
喝 (hē, first tone) means 'to drink,' used for liquids: water (喝水), tea (喝茶), coffee (喝咖啡). 吃 (chī, first tone) means 'to eat,' used for solid food: rice (吃饭), apples (吃苹果). Note: 喝 is also used figuratively for 'drinking in' experiences like 喝西北风 — 'drinking the northwest wind' (slang for being broke).
容易 (róng yì, second tone + fourth tone) means 'easy.' To say 'Chinese is not easy,' say 中文不容易 (Zhōng wén bù róng yì). 不 (bù, fourth tone) negates the adjective. The opposite is 难 (nán, second tone) meaning 'difficult.' 中文很难 means 'Chinese is difficult.' For 'very easy,' add 很: 中文很容易.
她是医生 (tā shì yì shēng) means 'She is a doctor' in Mandarin. 她 (tā) is 'she,' 是 (shì) is the 'to be' verb, and 医生 (yì shēng) means 'doctor.' Note that Mandarin has no 'a/an' article, and 是 directly connects subject and noun. 医生 uses the first tone (yī) and first tone (shēng).
Numbers 11-19 follow a pattern: ten (十 shí) + the digit. 11 = 十一 (shí yī), 12 = 十二 (shí èr), 13 = 十三 (shí sān), 14 = 十四 (shí sì), 15 = 十五 (shí wǔ), 16 = 十六 (shí liù), 17 = 十七 (shí qī), 18 = 十八 (shí bā), 19 = 十九 (shí jiǔ). Note that 两 (liǎng) is NOT used here, unlike for 20+.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'I think this book is interesting' in Chinese?
Both can mean 'can,' but 会 huì emphasizes learned skill (I can speak Chinese 我会说中文), while 能 néng emphasizes ability or permission (I can go now 我现在能走了). Use 能 for general capability and 会 for acquired skills.
我觉得这本书很有意思. Wǒ juéde zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yìsi. 我 I, 觉得 think/feel, 这 this, 本 measure word for books, 书 book, 很 very, 有 have, 意思 meaning/interest. 有意思 = interesting.
You say 你会说英语吗? (nǐ huì shuō Yīng yǔ ma?). 你 (nǐ, third tone) 'you,' 会 (huì, fourth tone) 'can/know how to,' 说 (shuō, first tone) 'speak,' 英语 (Yīng yǔ) 'English,' and 吗 (ma) is a question particle. Yes/no questions in Chinese often just add 吗 at the end of a statement.
I am cold = 我很冷 (wǒ hěn lěng). I am hot (temperature) = 我很热 (wǒ hěn rè). 冷 (lěng, third tone) = cold, 热 (rè, fourth tone) = hot. Be careful: 我很热 can also mean 'I am horny' in slang, so 我感觉很热 is safer when speaking about weather.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'good evening' in Mandarin, and what are the tones?
'Good evening' is 晚上好 (wǎnshàng hǎo). 晚 is fourth tone, 上 is fourth tone, 好 is third tone. It is used as a greeting when meeting someone in the evening, typically after sunset.
Ask 你是哪国人? (nǐ shì nǎ guó rén?) — literally 'you are which country person?' Alternatively, 你的国籍是什么? (nǐ de guójí shì shénme?) — 'What is your nationality?' Pronunciation: nǎ (third tone) = which; guó (second tone) = country. Answer: 我是美国人 (wǒ shì měiguó rén) — 'I am American.'
我觉得这本书很有意思. Wǒ juéde zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yìsi. 我 I, 觉得 think/feel, 这 this, 本 measure word for books, 书 book, 很 very, 有 have, 意思 meaning/interest. 有意思 = interesting.
没关系 (méi guānxi) means 'it doesn't matter' or 'no problem/you're welcome.' It's used when someone apologizes: 对不起 (duìbuqǐ, sorry) — 没关系 (no problem). Use this when the situation isn't a big deal. 不客气 (bú kèqi, you're welcome) is specifically for thanks, not apologies.
Chinese Basics
How do you count from one hundred to one thousand in Mandarin?
我二十岁 (wǒ èrshí suì). 我 = I, 二十 = twenty (two-ten), 岁 = years old. Note that 岁 is the measure word for age. To ask someone's age, say 你多大了? (nǐ duō dà le?) informally or 您多大年纪? (nín duō dà niánjì?) formally.
爸爸 (bà ba) means 'father' or 'dad' in Mandarin. It's pronounced with the fourth tone (bà) followed by a neutral/light tone (ba). The repetition creates an affectionate, familiar tone. This is different from 母亲 (mǔ qīn, 'mother'), which is more formal.
听 (tīng, first tone) means 'to listen' and is an active verb describing the action of listening. 听见 (tīng jiàn) means 'to hear' and refers to actually perceiving a sound. For example, 我在听 (wǒ zài tīng) means 'I am listening,' but 我听见了 (wǒ tīng jiàn le) means 'I heard (it).' 见 indicates successful perception.
一百 (yī bǎi) is 100, 两百 (liǎng bǎi) is 200, 三百 (sān bǎi) is 300, continuing to 九百 (jiǔ bǎi) is 900. 一千 (yī qiān) is 1,000. Note that 两 (liǎng) is used for 200, not 二. Patterns: X百 = X hundreds, X千 = X thousands. The character 百 (bǎi) is third tone, 千 (qiān) is first tone.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'happy birthday' in Mandarin Chinese?
生日快乐 (shēng rì kuài lè) means 'happy birthday' in Mandarin. 生日 is 'birthday' (shēng rì, both first tones), and 快乐 means 'happy' (kuài lè, fourth and second tones). This phrase is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese celebrations.
好吃 (hǎo chī) means 'delicious' or 'tasty' in Mandarin. 好 (hǎo) means 'good' (third tone), and 吃 (chī) means 'to eat' (first tone). Together they form a common adjective used to compliment food. For example: 这个菜很好吃 (zhè ge cài hěn hǎo chī) means 'This dish is very delicious.'
You say 今天天气很好 (jīn tiān tiān qì hěn hǎo). 今天 (jīn tiān) means 'today,' 天气 (tiān qì, first tone + fourth tone) means 'weather,' 很 (hěn, third tone) means 'very,' and 好 (hǎo, third tone) means 'good.' To say the weather is bad, replace 好 with 不好 (bù hǎo).
我想去北京 (wǒ xiǎng qù běi jīng) means 'I want to go to Beijing.' 我 (wǒ) is 'I,' 想 (xiǎng) is 'to want,' 去 (qù) is 'to go,' and 北京 (běi jīng) is 'Beijing.' Note the 去 tone sandhi: 想 (xiǎng, third tone) changes to second tone before 去 (qù, fourth tone), becoming 想 (xiáng) in connected speech.
Chinese Basics
What does 吃 mean, and how do you use it in a basic sentence?
谢谢 is pronounced xiè xie. Both syllables use the fourth tone (a sharp falling tone). The phrase literally means 'thanks' and is used in most casual and formal situations.
The word for 'tea' is 茶 (chá), pronounced with a second (rising) tone. In Mandarin, 茶 refers to tea in general. You can specify types like 绿茶 (lǜchá, green tea) or 红茶 (hóngchá, black tea). To order tea, you can say 我要一杯茶 (wǒ yào yì bēi chá).
吃 (chī) means 'to eat.' It is pronounced with a first (high, flat) tone. Example: 我吃饭 (wǒ chī fàn) = 'I eat' or 'I have a meal.' 饭 means cooked rice/meal. To ask 'have you eaten?' use 你吃了吗? (nǐ chī le ma?)
Left is 左 (zuǒ, third tone) and right is 右 (yòu, fourth tone). To say 'turn left,' say 左转 (zuǒ zhuǎn). To say 'turn right,' say 右转 (yòu zhuǎn). You can also say 一直走 (yí zhí zǒu) meaning 'go straight ahead.' 直 (zhí) means 'straight' and 一直 means 'continuously.'
Chinese Basics
How do you ask 'how old are you?' politely in Mandarin Chinese?
Formally: 您多大年纪了? (nín duō dà niánjì le?) — 'how old is your age?' Informally: 你多大了? (nǐ duō dà le?). 年纪 (niánjì) adds politeness. A respectful response to elders: 我今年六十岁 (wǒ jīnnián liùshí suì, this year I'm sixty). Avoid asking women's ages as it can be considered impolite.
You say 我去过上海两次 (wǒ qù guò Shàng hǎi liǎng cì). 我 (wǒ) 'I,' 去 (qù, fourth tone) 'go,' 过 (guò) is a particle indicating past experience, 上海 (Shàng hǎi) 'Shanghai,' 两 (liǎng) 'two,' and 次 (cì, fourth tone) is the measure word for times. 过 is essential for showing past experience.
You say 今天下雨了 (jīntiān xià yǔ le). 今天 = today, 下 = fall/come down, 雨 = rain, 了 = particle indicating new situation. Without 了, the sentence sounds incomplete. To ask 'Is it raining?' — 现在下雨吗? (xiànzài xià yǔ ma?)
怎么 (zěnme) means 'how' or 'why.' Used for manner: 怎么去? (zěnme qù?, how to go?) or reason: 你怎么不去? (nǐ zěnme bù qù?, why aren't you going?). Place 怎么 before the verb. To ask 'how about...?' use 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng): 你怎么样? (nǐ zěnmeyàng?, how are you?).
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'I am from America' in Mandarin Chinese?
句子 (jù zi, fourth tone + neutral) means 'sentence.' 句 is a measure word for sentences or lines of poetry. To say 'This sentence is too long,' say 这个句子太长了 (zhè ge jù zi tài cháng le). 这 (zhè) 'this,' 个 (ge) is the general measure word, 太 (tài) 'too,' 长 (cháng, second tone) 'long,' and 了 indicates change.
Formally: 您多大年纪了? (nín duō dà niánjì le?) — 'how old is your age?' Informally: 你多大了? (nǐ duō dà le?). 年纪 (niánjì) adds politeness. A respectful response to elders: 我今年六十岁 (wǒ jīnnián liùshí suì, this year I'm sixty). Avoid asking women's ages as it can be considered impolite.
我已经吃了. Wǒ yǐjīng chī le. 我 I, 已经 already, 吃 ate/eaten, 了 sentence-final particle indicating completed action. This is the basic 'already' pattern with 了.
我是美国人 (wǒ shì Měiguó rén). 是 means 'am/is/are,' 美国 (Měiguó) means 'America,' and 人 means 'person/people.' For other countries, replace 美国 with the country name, like 英国 (Yīngguó, England) or 法国 (Fǎguó, France).
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'I am a student' in Mandarin Chinese?
'I don't want it' is 我不要 (wǒ bú yào) or 我不想要 (wǒ bù xiǎng yào). 我 means 'I', 不 (bù, or bú before fourth tone) means 'not', 要 (yào) means 'want', and 想要 (xiǎng yào) means 'would like.' The negative bú is used because 要 is fourth tone.
我是一名学生 (wǒ shì yī míng xué sheng) or 我是学生 (wǒ shì xué sheng) both mean 'I am a student.' 是 (shì) means 'to be,' 学生 (xué sheng, 'xué-shēng') means 'student,' and 名 (míng) is a measure word for people. The first version is more formal; the second is conversational.
老师 (lǎoshī) means 'teacher.' Address them as 老师 (Lǎoshī) on its own, similar to saying 'Teacher.' For more formality, use 王老师 (Wáng lǎoshī, Teacher Wang). Note: 师傅 (shīfu) means 'master' and is used for skilled workers like taxi drivers or repair people.
这 (zhè) means 'this,' and 那 (nà) means 'that.' They are demonstratives. 这/那 + measure word + noun: 这个书 (this book), 那个苹果 (that apple). Used alone, 这 can mean 'here' and 那 'there.' Pronouns: 这儿 (zhèr) = here, 那儿 (nàr) = there.
Chinese Basics
Count from one to ten in Chinese with pinyin.
很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ). 很高兴 means 'very happy,' 认识 means 'to meet/get to know,' and 你 means 'you.' This is a common polite phrase when meeting someone new.
Both characters are the same here: 妈妈 mā ma means 'mom.' The first syllable uses the first tone (high level) and the second is a neutral, light tone. There is no trick; the lesson is that reduplicated family nouns typically use a neutral tone on the second syllable.
现在 (xiàn zài) means 'now' or 'at present' in Mandarin. To ask the time, say 现在几点? (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn?) meaning 'What time is it now?' 几 (jǐ) is used for asking small quantities/time. For example, the response might be 现在三点 (xiàn zài sān diǎn) meaning 'It's three o'clock now.'
一 yī, 二 èr, 三 sān, 四 sì, 五 wǔ, 六 liù, 七 qī, 八 bā, 九 jiǔ, 十 shí. Note that 二 can also be pronounced liǎng when used with measure words like 两本书 two books.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'I am full (after eating)' in Chinese?
You say 我去过中国 (wǒ qù guò Zhōngguó). 我 = I, 去 = go, 过 = particle indicating past experience, 中国 = China. The 过 particle is essential for 'have ever done' — without it, the sentence means 'I went to China' (a single past event).
我吃饱了. Wǒ chī bǎo le. 我 I, 吃 eat, 饱 full, 了 completion particle. 饱 specifically means 'full from food.' For 'tired,' use 累 lèi.
Say 我是医生 (wǒ shì yīshēng). Pronunciation: wǒ (third tone), shì (fourth tone), yī (first tone), shēng (first tone). To ask someone else's profession: 你是医生吗? (nǐ shì yīshēng ma?). 医生 specifically refers to medical doctors; for other professions see 工程师 (engineer), 护士 (nurse), 律师 (lawyer), etc.
你叫什么名字? (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?). 你 = you, 叫 = is called, 什么 = what, 名字 = name. To answer: 我叫... (wǒ jiào...) = 'I am called...'. For politeness, use 请问 (qǐngwèn, may I ask) at the start.
Chinese Basics
What does 好吃 mean, and how do you use it in a sentence?
好吃 (hǎochī) means 'delicious' or 'tasty.' 好 is third tone and 吃 is first tone. Example: 这个菜很好吃 (zhège cài hěn hǎochī), meaning 'This dish is very delicious.' It uses 很 (hěn) as an adverb to modify the adjective.
我已经吃了. Wǒ yǐjīng chī le. 我 I, 已经 already, 吃 ate/eaten, 了 sentence-final particle indicating completed action. This is the basic 'already' pattern with 了.
好 (hǎo) is third tone, meaning 'good' or 'fine.' Used in 你好 (nǐ hǎo, hello), where two third tones together cause the first to become second tone: níhǎo. Also used in responses: 我很好 (wǒ hěn hǎo, I'm very good). 好 can also mean 'okay' on its own.
'Where is the train station?' is 火车站在哪里? (huǒchēzhàn zài nǎlǐ?). 火车站 means 'train station' (火车 = train, 站 = station), 在 means 'at/in', and 哪里 means 'where.' All tones: huǒ(3rd) chē(1st) zhàn(4th) zài(4th) nǎ(3rd) lǐ(3rd).
Chinese Basics
What does 火车站 mean, and how do you get there?
听 (tīng, first tone) means 'to listen' and is an active verb describing the action of listening. 听见 (tīng jiàn) means 'to hear' and refers to actually perceiving a sound. For example, 我在听 (wǒ zài tīng) means 'I am listening,' but 我听见了 (wǒ tīng jiàn le) means 'I heard (it).' 见 indicates successful perception.
我是一名学生 (wǒ shì yī míng xué sheng) or 我是学生 (wǒ shì xué sheng) both mean 'I am a student.' 是 (shì) means 'to be,' 学生 (xué sheng, 'xué-shēng') means 'student,' and 名 (míng) is a measure word for people. The first version is more formal; the second is conversational.
火车站 (huǒ chē zhàn) means 'train station' in Mandarin: 火车 (huǒ chē) is 'train' and 站 (zhàn) is 'station.' To ask how to get there, say 火车站怎么走? (huǒ chē zhàn zěn me zǒu?) meaning 'How do I get to the train station?' 怎么走 (zěn me zǒu) literally means 'how to walk/go.'
再见 (zài jiàn) means 'goodbye' or 'see you again.' 再 (zài, fourth tone) means 'again,' and 见 (jiàn, fourth tone) means 'to see' or 'to meet.' The phrase literally translates to 'see again,' reflecting the idea of meeting another time in the future.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'I already ate' in Mandarin Chinese?
晚安 (wǎn ān) means 'good night' and is used as a farewell before going to bed, not as a greeting. Pronunciation: wǎn (third tone), ān (first tone flat). It is similar to 'goodnight' in English. 晚上好, in contrast, is a greeting meaning 'good evening,' said when meeting someone in the evening.
工作 (gōng zuò) means 'work' or 'job' in Mandarin, pronounced with the first tone (gōng) and fourth tone (zuò). 我在工作 (wǒ zài gōng zuò) means 'I am working.' The 在 marks the ongoing action. As a verb: 他在北京工作 (tā zài běi jīng gōng zuò) means 'He works in Beijing.'
我已经吃了 (wǒ yǐjīng chī le). 我 = I, 已经 = already, 吃了 = have eaten (了 here indicates completed action). Note: 在汉语中 '了' indicates completion: 吃了饭 (chī le fàn, ate [the] meal). To emphasize recent completion, use 刚 (gāng, just): 我刚吃完 (wǒ gāng chī wán).
You say 我住在纽约 (wǒ zhù zài Niǔyuē). 我 = I, 住在 (zhù zài) = live in, 纽约 = New York. 住 is the verb 'to live/reside,' and 在 marks location. To ask someone else's address: 你住在哪里? (nǐ zhù zài nǎlǐ?)
Chinese Basics
What does 老师 mean, and how do you address a teacher politely?
'I am waiting for you' is 我在等你 (wǒ zài děng nǐ). 我 (wǒ) means 'I', 在 (zài) indicates continuous action, 等 (děng, third tone) means 'to wait', and 你 (nǐ) means 'you.' Note that 等 can also mean 'etc.' or 'and so on' when listing items.
老师 (lǎoshī) means 'teacher.' Address them as 老师 (Lǎoshī) on its own, similar to saying 'Teacher.' For more formality, use 王老师 (Wáng lǎoshī, Teacher Wang). Note: 师傅 (shīfu) means 'master' and is used for skilled workers like taxi drivers or repair people.
朋友 (péngyǒu) means 'friend.' It is composed of 朋 and 友, both meaning companion. Example sentence: 他是我的朋友 (tā shì wǒ de péngyǒu) — 'He is my friend.' Use 的 after a pronoun to mark possession.
You say 我累了 (wǒ lèi le). 我 (wǒ, third tone) means 'I,' 累 (lèi, fourth tone) means 'tired,' and 了 (le) is a particle indicating a change of state. Adding 了 tells the listener that you have become tired. For 'very tired,' add 很 (hěn): 我很累 (wǒ hěn lèi).
Chinese Basics
What is the measure word for flat objects like books, and how is it used?
The measure word is 张 (zhāng, first tone). Use it for flat, thin objects: paper (纸 zhǐ), photos (照片 zhàopiàn), tickets (票 piào), tables (桌子 zhuōzi), beds (床 chuáng). Example: 一张照片 (yī zhāng zhàopiàn) — 'one photo.' Note: 张 can also mean 'classifier for bow/crossbow' or 'open/extend.'
本 (běn) is the measure word for books and bound items like magazines or notebooks. Structure: Number + 本 + Noun. Example: 一本书 (yì běn shū, one book), 两本杂志 (liǎng běn zázhì, two magazines). 本 is one of the most common measure words in Mandarin.
Say 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo). Pronunciation: wǎn (third tone), shàng (fourth tone), hǎo (third tone). It literally means 'evening good.' Use it when greeting someone after sunset or in the early evening, similar to how 'good evening' works in English.
我已经吃了. Wǒ yǐjīng chī le. 我 I, 已经 already, 吃 ate/eaten, 了 sentence-final particle indicating completed action. This is the basic 'already' pattern with 了.
Chinese Basics
What is the pinyin and tone for 好, and how is it used in greetings?
二 (èr, fourth tone) is the formal or written form of 'two,' used in numbers, dates, and ordinals (e.g., 第二 'second'). 两 (liǎng, third tone) is used before measure words and in colloquial speech, as in 两个人 (liǎng ge rén, 'two people'). Both mean 'two,' but 两 cannot stand alone as a number.
好 (hǎo) is third tone, meaning 'good' or 'fine.' Used in 你好 (nǐ hǎo, hello), where two third tones together cause the first to become second tone: níhǎo. Also used in responses: 我很好 (wǒ hěn hǎo, I'm very good). 好 can also mean 'okay' on its own.
多少 (duō shao) means 'how much' or 'how many' in Mandarin. Use it before a measure word: 多少钱? (duō shao qián?) means 'How much money?' or 'How much does it cost?' 多少个苹果? (duō shao gè píng guǒ?) means 'How many apples?' Both 少 (shao) tones are neutral/light in this expression.
Say 我是医生 (wǒ shì yīshēng). Pronunciation: wǒ (third tone), shì (fourth tone), yī (first tone), shēng (first tone). To ask someone else's profession: 你是医生吗? (nǐ shì yīshēng ma?). 医生 specifically refers to medical doctors; for other professions see 工程师 (engineer), 护士 (nurse), 律师 (lawyer), etc.
Chinese Basics
What is the Chinese word for 'family,' and how is it pronounced?
家 (jiā) means 'family' or 'home' in Mandarin, pronounced with the first tone (a high, level pitch). 家人 (jiā rén, 'jiā-rén') means 'family members.' The word can also refer to a household or one's homeland. 家 is a fundamental HSK1 vocabulary word.
老师 (lǎoshī) means 'teacher.' Address them as 老师 (Lǎoshī) on its own, similar to saying 'Teacher.' For more formality, use 王老师 (Wáng lǎoshī, Teacher Wang). Note: 师傅 (shīfu) means 'master' and is used for skilled workers like taxi drivers or repair people.
很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ). 很高兴 means 'very happy,' 认识 means 'to meet/get to know,' and 你 means 'you.' This is a common polite phrase when meeting someone new.
Both characters are the same here: 妈妈 mā ma means 'mom.' The first syllable uses the first tone (high level) and the second is a neutral, light tone. There is no trick; the lesson is that reduplicated family nouns typically use a neutral tone on the second syllable.
Chinese Basics
What is the measure word for flat objects like paper or photos, and give an example?
学 (xué, second tone) means 'to learn/study.' The sentence is: 我每天学中文 (wǒ měitiān xué Zhōngwén) or 我每天学习中文 (xuéxí). 学习 adds emphasis. 每天 = every day, 中文/汉语 = Chinese language.
本 (běn) is the measure word for books and bound items like magazines or notebooks. Structure: Number + 本 + Noun. Example: 一本书 (yì běn shū, one book), 两本杂志 (liǎng běn zázhì, two magazines). 本 is one of the most common measure words in Mandarin.
几 (jǐ, third tone) means 'how many' or 'a few' and is used for small quantities (usually under 10). Example: 几个人? (jǐ gè rén?) means 'How many people?' It is more casual than 多少 (duōshao), which is used for larger amounts or prices.
The measure word is 张 (zhāng, first tone). Use it for flat, thin objects: paper (纸 zhǐ), photos (照片 zhàopiàn), tickets (票 piào), tables (桌子 zhuōzi), beds (床 chuáng). Example: 一张照片 (yī zhāng zhàopiàn) — 'one photo.' Note: 张 can also mean 'classifier for bow/crossbow' or 'open/extend.'
Chinese Basics
What does 学生 mean, and how do you say 'I am a student'?
家 (jiā) means 'family' or 'home' in Mandarin, pronounced with the first tone (a high, level pitch). 家人 (jiā rén, 'jiā-rén') means 'family members.' The word can also refer to a household or one's homeland. 家 is a fundamental HSK1 vocabulary word.
You say 我去过中国 (wǒ qù guò Zhōngguó). 我 = I, 去 = go, 过 = particle indicating past experience, 中国 = China. The 过 particle is essential for 'have ever done' — without it, the sentence means 'I went to China' (a single past event).
朋友 (péngyǒu) means 'friend.' It is composed of 朋 and 友, both meaning companion. Example sentence: 他是我的朋友 (tā shì wǒ de péngyǒu) — 'He is my friend.' Use 的 after a pronoun to mark possession.
学生 (xuésheng) means 'student.' Pronunciation: xué (second tone) = study/learn; sheng (first tone, neutral here). Say 我是学生 (wǒ shì xuésheng) — 'I am a student.' To be specific about level: 我是大学生 (wǒ shì dàxuéshēng) — 'I am a university student'; 我是中学生 — 'I am a middle school student.'
Chinese Basics
What does 再见 mean, and what is its literal word-by-word translation?
我明天要去机场. Wǒ míngtiān yào qù jīchǎng. 我 I, 明天 tomorrow, 要 will (future), 去 go to, 机场 airport. The 要 future marker indicates planned actions.
The phrase 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo) means 'good evening.' Wǎn (third tone) means 'evening,' shàng (fourth tone) means 'up/upper,' and hǎo (third tone) means 'good.' It is used as a greeting when meeting someone in the evening, similar to 'buenas noches' in Spanish.
再见 (zài jiàn) means 'goodbye' or 'see you again.' 再 (zài, fourth tone) means 'again,' and 见 (jiàn, fourth tone) means 'to see' or 'to meet.' The phrase literally translates to 'see again,' reflecting the idea of meeting another time in the future.
吃 (chī) means 'to eat.' It is pronounced with a first (high, flat) tone. Example: 我吃饭 (wǒ chī fàn) = 'I eat' or 'I have a meal.' 饭 means cooked rice/meal. To ask 'have you eaten?' use 你吃了吗? (nǐ chī le ma?)
Chinese Basics
What is the pinyin and tone for the Chinese greeting meaning 'good evening'?
学生 (xuésheng) means 'student.' Pronunciation: xué (second tone) = study/learn; sheng (first tone, neutral here). Say 我是学生 (wǒ shì xuésheng) — 'I am a student.' To be specific about level: 我是大学生 (wǒ shì dàxuéshēng) — 'I am a university student'; 我是中学生 — 'I am a middle school student.'
一 (yī), 二 (èr), 三 (sān), 四 (sì), 五 (wǔ), 六 (liù), 七 (qī), 八 (bā), 九 (jiǔ), 十 (shí). Note that 二 is the formal written form; 两 (liǎng) is often used before measure words, like 两个 (liǎnggè, two [of something]). Eleven is 十一 (shí yī), twelve is 十二 (shí èr).
吧 ba is a suggestion or speculation particle. 我们走吧 Wǒmen zǒu ba 'Let's go' (suggestion). 他是老师吧? Tā shì lǎoshī ba? 'He is probably a teacher?' (speculation). Tone is light/neutral.
The phrase 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo) means 'good evening.' Wǎn (third tone) means 'evening,' shàng (fourth tone) means 'up/upper,' and hǎo (third tone) means 'good.' It is used as a greeting when meeting someone in the evening, similar to 'buenas noches' in Spanish.
Chinese Basics
How do you ask 'What did you do yesterday?' in Chinese with pinyin?
给 (gěi, third tone) means 'to give/for/to.' Examples: 给我 (gěi wǒ) = give me/for me, 请给我一杯水 (qǐng gěi wǒ yì bēi shuǐ) = 'Please give me a glass of water.' 给 can also mark the recipient of an action, similar to 'for' in English.
喝 (hē, first tone) means 'to drink,' used for liquids: water (喝水), tea (喝茶), coffee (喝咖啡). 吃 (chī, first tone) means 'to eat,' used for solid food: rice (吃饭), apples (吃苹果). Note: 喝 is also used figuratively for 'drinking in' experiences like 喝西北风 — 'drinking the northwest wind' (slang for being broke).
You say 我去过中国 (wǒ qù guò Zhōngguó). 我 = I, 去 = go, 过 = particle indicating past experience, 中国 = China. The 过 particle is essential for 'have ever done' — without it, the sentence means 'I went to China' (a single past event).
You say 你昨天做了什么? (nǐ zuó tiān zuò le shén me?). 你 (nǐ) 'you,' 昨天 (zuó tiān, second tone + first tone) 'yesterday,' 做 (zuò) 'do,' 了 is the perfective particle, and 什么 (shén me) 'what.' To answer, structure your reply with the same verb: 我昨天看了电影 (wǒ zuó tiān kàn le diàn yǐng, 'I watched a movie yesterday').
Chinese Basics
What does 医院 mean, and how do you say 'I am going to the hospital'?
漂亮 (piào liang) means 'pretty' or 'beautiful' in Mandarin, with 漂 (piào, fourth tone) and 亮 (liang, neutral tone). For example: 她很漂亮 (tā hěn piào liang) means 'She is very pretty.' It's used for people, scenery, or objects. Unlike English, no 'is' is needed; 很 (hěn) intensifies the adjective.
再见 (zài jiàn) means 'goodbye' in Mandarin. It's pronounced with the fourth tone (zài, falling tone) and the fourth tone (jiàn, falling tone). The literal meaning is 'see again,' making it a polite way to part. Use it in both formal and casual situations.
医院 (yīyuàn) means 'hospital.' To say you are going there: 我去医院 (wǒ qù yīyuàn) = 'I am going to the hospital.' 去 (qù) = to go. In an emergency, you might say 我需要去医院 (wǒ xūyào qù yīyuàn) = 'I need to go to the hospital.'
我明天要去机场. Wǒ míngtiān yào qù jīchǎng. 我 I, 明天 tomorrow, 要 will (future), 去 go to, 机场 airport. The 要 future marker indicates planned actions.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'I like to drink coffee' in Chinese?
请给我一杯茶 (qǐng gěi wǒ yī bēi chá) means 'Please give me a cup of tea' in Mandarin. 请 (qǐng) is 'please,' 给 (gěi) is 'to give,' 我 (wǒ) is 'I,' 一 (yī) is 'one,' 杯 (bēi) is the measure word for cups, and 茶 (chá) is 'tea.' This polite sentence uses HSK1 grammar patterns.
我在看书 (wǒ zài kàn shū) means 'I am reading a book' in Mandarin. 我 (wǒ) is 'I,' 在 (zài) marks the ongoing action, 看 (kàn) means 'to look/read,' and 书 (shū) is 'book.' This is the basic progressive tense structure: Subject + 在 + Verb + Object. It's essential for HSK1 grammar.
It means 'What is your name?' Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? A typical reply is 我叫... Wǒ jiào ... followed by your name. 叫 means 'to be called,' 什么 shénme means 'what,' and 名字 míngzi means 'name.'
Say 我喜欢喝咖啡 (wǒ xǐhuān hē kāfēi). Pronunciation: xǐhuān (third + first tone), hē (first tone) = drink, kāfēi (first + first tone) = coffee. Structure: 喜欢 + Verb + Object. The verb (喝) goes between 喜欢 and the object (咖啡). Compare: 我喜欢咖啡 — also acceptable but emphasizes coffee as a thing, not the action.
Chinese Basics
What is the Chinese word for 'goodbye,' and how is it pronounced?
再见 (zài jiàn) means 'goodbye' in Mandarin. It's pronounced with the fourth tone (zài, falling tone) and the fourth tone (jiàn, falling tone). The literal meaning is 'see again,' making it a polite way to part. Use it in both formal and casual situations.
好 is pronounced 'hǎo' with a third (falling-rising) tone. The character 好 is composed of 女 (woman) and 子 (child), originally meaning a woman with a child — something good. It is one of the most common characters in Mandarin.
我是美国人 (wǒ shì Měiguó rén). 是 means 'am/is/are,' 美国 (Měiguó) means 'America,' and 人 means 'person/people.' For other countries, replace 美国 with the country name, like 英国 (Yīngguó, England) or 法国 (Fǎguó, France).
Say 我是医生 (wǒ shì yīshēng). Pronunciation: wǒ (third tone), shì (fourth tone), yī (first tone), shēng (first tone). To ask someone else's profession: 你是医生吗? (nǐ shì yīshēng ma?). 医生 specifically refers to medical doctors; for other professions see 工程师 (engineer), 护士 (nurse), 律师 (lawyer), etc.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'twenty,' 'thirty,' and 'forty' in Chinese?
你想喝茶吗? Nǐ xiǎng hē chá ma? 你 you, 想 want, 喝 drink, 茶 tea, 吗 question particle. Yes-no questions are formed by adding 吗 to a statement.
The phrase 晚上好 (wǎn shàng hǎo) means 'good evening.' Wǎn (third tone) means 'evening,' shàng (fourth tone) means 'up/upper,' and hǎo (third tone) means 'good.' It is used as a greeting when meeting someone in the evening, similar to 'buenas noches' in Spanish.
医生 (yīshēng) means 'doctor' (medical). 医 is first tone, 生 is first tone. 'I want to see a doctor' is 我要看医生 (wǒ yào kàn yīshēng). 我 = I, 要 = want, 看 = see, 医生 = doctor. In emergencies, you can say 我需要医生! (wǒ xūyào yīshēng!) meaning 'I need a doctor!'
20 = 二十 (èr shí), 30 = 三十 (sān shí), 40 = 四十 (sì shí). Pronunciation: shí is second tone. The pattern is [digit] + 十. For 20, when used as a measure (e.g., 20 people), you can say 二十 (èr shí) or 廿 (niàn) in formal/written Chinese.
Chinese Basics
How do you say 'How much is this?' in Chinese?
You say 你会说英语吗? (nǐ huì shuō Yīng yǔ ma?). 你 (nǐ, third tone) 'you,' 会 (huì, fourth tone) 'can/know how to,' 说 (shuō, first tone) 'speak,' 英语 (Yīng yǔ) 'English,' and 吗 (ma) is a question particle. Yes/no questions in Chinese often just add 吗 at the end of a statement.
书 (shū, first tone) means 'book.' To say 'I want to read a book': 我想看书 (wǒ xiǎng kàn shū). 想 (xiǎng) = want to, 看 (kàn) = read/watch/look. The measure word for books is 本, as in 一本书 (yì běn shū).
Ask 请问火车站怎么走? (qǐngwèn huǒchēzhàn zěnme zǒu?). Pronunciation: qǐngwèn (third + fourth tone) = excuse me; huǒchēzhàn (third + first + fourth tone) = train station; zěnme (third + neutral tone) = how; zǒu (third tone) = walk/go. Alternative: 火车站怎么去? (huǒchēzhàn zěnme qù?) — same meaning, more concise.
多少钱 duōshao qián? Literally 'how much money.' You can also ask 这个多少钱 zhège duōshao qián? 'How much is this one?' 多少 means 'how much/how many,' and 钱 means 'money.'