Previous Lesson: Lesson 16: Having and Giving Enough Money

Before we get into a conversation with a desk clerk, let’s first practice.

33

44

23

13

37

Do you have money? (var 1)

Do you have money? (var 2)

I don’t have any.

As for me, I have some.

I have a lot.

I can.

I can give you some.

I can give you some money.

Can you? (var 1)

Can you? (var 2)

Yes, I can give you some.

Okay.

Is it for me? (var 1)

Is it for me? (var 2)

Yes, it’s for you.

Do you have Renminbi for me? (var 1)

Do you have Renminbi for me? (var 2)

Yes. Here you are. For you.

It’s enough.

It’s not enough.

Is it enough? (var 1)

Is it enough? (var 2)

I have enough.

In Mandarin, “enough” can also mean “have enough.”

I have enough money.

I have enough Renminbi.

Here you are. 45 Renminbi.

It’s too much.

Give me 4 Renminbi.

40

Now, I have 41 Renminbi.

21

31

51

50

60

61

57

How much money?

31 Renminbi.

53

Do you have enough money? (var 1)

Do you have enough money? (var 2)

I don’t have enough.

Expensive.

It’s too expensive.

It isn’t too expensive.

You drop the “la” in the negative.

It’s too expensive. It isn’t too expensive.

I’m giving you 61 Renminbi.

Do you have American currency for me? (var 1)

Do you have American currency for me? (var 2)

Can you give me some money? (var 1)

Can you give me some money? (var 2)

Give me American dollars.

I don’t have any American dollars.

Can you speak English? (var 1)

Can you speak English? (var 2)

You speak very well.

I can speak Mandarin.

You can speak Mandarin.

Quickly.

Or “fast”.

You speak too quickly.

I don’t speak very well.

I don’t speak quickly.

You speak very quickly.

A Conversation With A Desk Clerk

Finally! Now, imagine you’re having a conversation with a desk clerk in a hotel in Beijing. You asked him to get a newspaper for you, giving him 100 Renminbi. He has now returned with a newspaper. And now you are arguing with him about the change. When he tells you how much he’s going to give you, tell him “No,” and claim 10 Renminbi more than whatever sum he mentions. Here he comes now.

Here you are. The newspaper.

Here you are. 30 Renminbi.

Is it 30 Renminbi?

No, it’s 40 units.

In that case, I’m giving you 31 units. Is it 31?

No, it’s 41 units.

41 Renminbi.

Give me 41 Renminbi.

Here you are. 40 Renminbi. Is it enough?

It’s not enough. Give me 50 Renminbi.

Okay. Here you are. 46 Renminbi. Is it enough?

It’s not enough. Give me 56 Renminbi.

53. Okay. Here you are. 53 Renminbi.

It’s not 53 units. It’s 63 units.

You don’t understand what I’m saying.

I do understand what you’re saying.

I can speak English.

Can you speak Mandarin? (var 1)

Can you speak Mandarin? (var 2)

Yes, I can speak Mandarin.

Do I speak too quickly?

You don’t speak too quickly.

Give me some money.

In that case, 51 units, okay?

No, give me 61 Renminbi.

Okay. Here you are. 61 Renminbi.

Is it enough?

Do you have enough money? (var 1)

Do you have enough money? (var 2)

I have enough money.

Now it’s enough. Thank you.

Next Lesson: Lesson 18: Husband and Wife

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