Ken Cheong asked:


The Chinese Language and dialects Each province, each city and even each village speaks their own dialect. There are hundreds of Chinese dialects in China so much so that each dialect speaker is not likely to understand another dialect speaker from another village or city. Fortunately, Mandarin, the official dialect, is understood by all dialect speakers.

Let’s learn a few useful basic and common Mandarin words and phrases that will help you break barriers with your Chinese friends.

How are You? -Ni Hao Ma

Also commonly shorten to Ni Hao.

This is likely to be the first Mandarin phrase that you will ever learn. Useful as a greeting or a ice-breaker. Suitable for use with all ages and professions.

Thank You -Xie Xie.

Another polite term that is easy to remember and use.

Very Good -Hen Hao.

This is useful when giving praise for a job or task well done. Also useful as a reply to anyone who says “Ni Hao Ma?’ to you.

Ni Hao Ma? -How are you?

Hen Hao (Very Good)

No Good -Bu Hao

This is useful when there is a need to comment on a shoddy or incomplete job or task. Can also be used as a reply to Ni Hao Ma? but may not be such a good reply.

Ni Hao Ma? -How are you?-

Bu Hao (No Good)

Very Expensive -Hen Gui.

When bargaining at the shops, this is the best term to use when driving a hard bargain.

Don’t want or -No Bu Yao.

This is the best term to use for touts – street hawkers who approach you at every tourist stop to ask you to buy things. Bu Yao….will stop them in their track.

This is beautiful -Hen Piao Liang.

Use this phrase to praise something that is nice or beautiful. May also be used when meeting a pretty girl too!

Taxi -De Shi.

De Shi is the correct term but you should be understood even if you use the English word for Taxi. They sound alike anyway.

Good Bye or See You Again -Zai Jian.

Well, I guess this is another term that will be easily understood even if the English word is used.

Excuse Me -Jie Guo.

There is always a crowd in touristy areas. There are so many Chinese who wants to see the same monuments too. Rather than push your way through the crowd, using the term Jie Guo may just open the path ahead for you!

Receipt -Fa Piao.

Always ask for the receipt or Fa Piao at the shops or from a taxi. This may be useful if you need to complain about a fraud or shoddy product. Also useful if you leave behind your bag or camera in the taxi.

I don’t want -Wo Bu Yao.

Useful when refusing a tout or when offered a drink too many at the Dinner table.

Please visit us at: www.chinese-culture.net for more such useful aticles

Shun Minh asked:


The Chinese language is a complicated communication system that has numerous written characters as well as a number of different dialects. If you are interested in learning how to speak Mandarin, you will first need to understand the basics of this Chinese dialect.

Mandarin was originally defines as a group of dialects that was spoken by the people of Beijing as well as the area of northern China. The term is now used to describe the standard Chinese language, in which case it is the type that is spoken by the largest amount of Chinese people. This language is spoken in the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), and is one of four official languages that are spoken in Singapore. This factor means that your knowledge of this language will allow for easier communication with the greatest number of Chinese-speaking countries, making your decision to learn to speak Mandarin a good one.

The mandarin language utilizes the Pinyin alphabet, which is Latin based and uses four different tones. There are many Web sites that allow you to hear these tones as you learn to speak Mandarin. The following are a few basic phrases that you can learn to help you to become acquainted with the Mandarin pronunciation.

1. Ni Hao – Pronounced like “Nee How.” Translates into “You Good” and

can be used as a greeting.

2. Xie Xie – Pronounced like “Shi-e Shi-e” or “Zhi-Zhi.” It means “Thank

you” in Mandarin.

3. Bu Ke Qi – Pronounced like “Boo Ker Chi” with the “r” in “Ker” being

pronounced with a British accent. It means “You’re Welcome.”

4. Tai Hao Le – Pronounced like “Thai Hao Lah.” It means “Wonderful.”

5. Na Li Na Li – Pronounced “Nah Lee Nah Lee.” This phrase is the proper

Chinese response when someone compliments you or your spouse.

You should not use the term “Xie Xie” as this is not the way the

Chinese respond to compliments.

6. Wo Jiao – Pronounced “Wah Jee Ow.” It means “My Name is…” and

you should fill in your name.

7. Wu de ming je shi – Pronounced “Wuu Duh Meeng Jee Shi”. It also

means “My name is…”

8. Da Jia Hao – Pronounced as “Dah Jee Ah How.” Loosely translated, it

means “Hello, everyone,” Good day, everyone,” or “wish everyone

well.” This is a good opening if you are planning on making a speech

to a Mandarin-speaking audience.

9. Zao Shang – Pronounced like “Zow Shahng.” It means “Good Morning.”

10. Xia Shang – Pronounced like “Shee ah Shahng.” It means “Good Afternoon.”

11. Wan Shang – Pronounced like “Wahn Shahng.” It means “Good Evening.”

12. Zai Jian – Pronounced like “Zigh Jee In.” It means “Goodbye.”

13. Wo Hui Yi Dianr Zhong Wen – Pronounced like “Waw Hway Ee Dee In A Zah Hoong Wun” It Means: “I speak a little Chinese.”

These are just a few basic conversational phrases that you can use when you learn to speak Mandarin. There are a few helpful tips that you may want to keep in mind when using these phrases. You should always repeat them as this is the way the Chinese conduct themselves during a conversation. You should smile as this is part of the Chinese etiquette system and avoid shrugging, as this has no meaning in the Chinese culture.

When you want to learn to speak Mandarin, you must also be sure to have the proper tone in your speech as well as maintaining Chinese etiquette, so that you can be clearly understood while giving no offense.