Previous Lesson: Lesson 12: Time Appointment, Currency, and Numbers

What time is it?

Now, it’s 11 o’clock.

Now, it’s 8 o’clock.

How much?

How much money?

13 Renminbi.

It’s 12 units.

2 units or 12 units?

I don’t understand what you’re saying.

Would you like to eat dinner with me?

When? Is it today?

Or tomorrow?

This evening.

Tomorrow evening.

At what time?

At 6 o’clock or at 7 o’clock.

Impossible!

Tomorrow evening impossible.

Hello.

Goodbye.

How are you?

Very well, thank you.

How many Renminbi do you have?

You have.

How many Renminbi?

You don’t need to use the word for “units” when when you ask, ‘How many?’

I have 14 Renminbi.

How many American dollars do you have?

American dollars.

I have 14 American dollars.

5 American dollars.

I have 15 American dollars.

15

Do you have? (variation 1)

You could also ask this another way:

Do you have? (variation 2)

Literally, “You have? Don’t have?” This is another common way to ask questions in Mandarin.

Don’t have.

In this case, the “mei” is what makes this negative.

Do you have 7 Renminbi?

Do you have 6 Renminbi?

Do you have 16 Renminbi?

16

I have 13 Renminbi.

Do you have 16 American dollars?

15 Renminbi.

What about American dollars?

I have 10 American dollars.

Do you have 5 American dollars?

I don’t have 16 Renminbi.

I don’t have 15 units.

In that case, let’s say 14 Renminbi.

Thank you. Goodbye!

Scene #1

Now let’s have a discussion with the saleswoman again.

How much money?

11 Renminbi.

Plus (‘+’)

Now the saleswoman is going to add 1 or 2 Renminbi at a time to the price. Everytime she says a number, you add it on and say the total.

11 + 1?

11 Renminbi + 1 unit?

12 units.

Or . . .

12 Renminbi.

12 units + 2 units?

14 units.

14 units + 1 Renminbi?

15 units.

15 Renminbi.

15 Renminbi + 1 unit?

16 units.

16 Renminbi.

Do you have 16 Renminbi?

I don’t have any Renminbi.

What about American dollars? How much money?

I have 15 American dollars.

In that case, let’s say 10 American dollars.

Here you are. 10 American dollars.

Scene #2

Now imagine you’re in a restaurant in Beijing. You’re going to speak with the waiter.

Would you like? (variation 2)

Would you like to eat something?

Yes, I would like to eat supper.

What would you like to drink?

I’d like to order one beer.

Would you like to order one beer or two beers?

I’d like to order one beer.

Okay. Here you are. One beer.

How much money?

It’s 12 Renminbi.

Do you have any Renminbi? (variation 1)

Do you have any Renminbi? (variation 2)

I have 15 Renminbi.

Thank you.

Next Lesson: Lesson 14: How Much Do You Have/Want?

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