Previous Lesson: Lesson 3: Inquiring Other People’s Thoughts
Hello.
Goodbye.
How are you?
Very well.
Thank you.
Not very well.
I can’t speak Mandarin.
I don’t speak well.
Are you American?
Yes. (Am)
You are not American.
I am American. How about you?
I am not American.
You are not Chinese.
Chinese
Are you Chinese?
Can you speak English?
No. (Can’t)
I can’t speak English.
How about you?
I can speak a little Mandarin.
Understand.
In Chinese, this means, “understand the situation,” or, “understand what’s happening.” It’s not used to say “understand a language.”
You understand.
You can speak Mandarin.
I understand.
I can speak a little.
But
You speak Mandarin very well.
I don’t understand.
What?
I don’t understand what you’re saying.
In most cases, it’s better to say, “I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
I am not Chinese.
But I can speak Mandarin.
But you speak Mandarin very well.
College (name of road)
College Road
This College Road is famous for its Chinese restaurants.
Road
Where?
Where is College Road located?
In Chinese, you’re literally asking, “College road, located where?”
Located
Located where?
This is not a yes/no question so you don’t need the “ma”.
Street
Long Peace Street
The Long Peace Street is also called Changan Avenue.
Where is Long Peace Street located?
Over here.
Located over here.
Is it located over here?
Since you’re asking a “is it” instead of “where is”, you use “shur”.