Previous Lesson: Lesson 1: Beginning A Conversation
Note! In this lesson, you may notice that most of the phrases and sentences are from the previous lesson. These were put here so that you could review what you have learned. So don’t skip any lesson because every lesson has new lessons.
For example, in this lesson, you will learn how to say ‘hello’, ‘thanks’, ‘goodbye’, in Mandarin.
English
Mandarin Chinese
I can speak.
Did you pronounce that as the speaker did? Remember, to be understood in Mandarin, it’s important to pronounce each word with the correct intonation.
I can speak Mandarin Chinese.
A little.
I can speak a little Mandarin Chinese.
Excuse me. Please let me ask.
Can you speak?
Can you speak Mandarin Chinese?
No. (Can’t.)
Can you speak English?
Yes. (Can.)
In Mandarin, the answers yes and no will change depending on the question. In this case, yes means can.
I can’t speak English.
I can’t speak Mandarin Chinese.
No, I can’t.
I can speak a little.
I can speak English.
Please let me ask.
I can speak a little English.
You
You are.
Are you American?
You are American.
Yes. (Am.)
I am American.
No. (Am not.)
I am not American.
Well.
Or, in other words, good; fine; okay.
I don’t speak well.
The “da” has no literal meaning in English. But in Mandarin, it’s sometimes used with words describing an action, such as “speak well.”
Yes, I am American.
You are not American.
Hello. (You be well.)
How are you? (You well?)
This is only asked when you are inquiring of the person’s state of being. It’s not used as a greeting. You only ask this to someone who you’re sincerely concerned with–not to someone you don’t know well.