learn chinese pinyin with Matt!!

Chinese dialogue: Nà nâ xíng a! That’s unacceptable!

2009-03-03T03:07:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Wô jiè gêi nî de qián jiù búyòng huán le.
B: Nà nâ xíng a, hâo jiè hâo huán zài jiè bù nán ma.

A: You don’t have to repay the money I lent you.
B: That’s unacceptable. As the saying goes: repay the borrowed money duly and you may borrow again easily.

Example 2:
A: Nîmen xiän huíqù ba, shèngxià de shìqing wô lái zuò ba.
B: Nà nâ xíng a, háishi zánmen yìqî zuò wán zài zôu ba.

A: You go back first, I’ll finish the rest.
B: That’s unacceptable! Let’s finish it together and then go.

This is an expression of disagreement or opposition to someone’s way of saying or doing something. You can also simply say: “不行 (bù xíng)”.

Synonymous Expressions
Nà bù xíng.
Nà zênme xíng a!

Chinese dialogue: Méiménr! No way!

2009-03-03T03:05:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Jïntiän nî zuòfàn, wô kàn diànshìjù qù.
B: Méiménr! Wô hái xiâng kàn diànshìjù ne.

A: You cook today and I’ll watch the sitcoms.
B: No way! I want to watch the sitcoms too.

Example 2:
A: Zán liâ lâo châojià, wô kàn líhün suàn le.
B: Xiâng gën wô líhün, méiménr!

A: We quarrel too much. We’d better divorce.
B: You want to divorce me? No way!

This is an abrupt and strong rejection to a request or suggestion made by someone else. The tone is very strong.

Synonymous Expressions
Zuòmèng!
Xiüxiâng!

Chinese dialogue; Huà bù néng zhème shuö. You can’t be that conclusive.

2009-03-03T03:03:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Wô juéde mâi bâoxiân yìdiânr yòng döu méiyôu.
B: Huà bù néng zhème shuö, fäshëng yìwài de shíhou jiù yôu yòng le.

A: I think insurance is simply useless.
B: You can’t be that conclusive. It will be useful if an accident happens.

Example 2:
A: Diànzî yóuxì duì háizi yìdiânr hâochù döu méiyôu.
B: Huà bù néng zhème shuö, wánr diànzî yóuxì yê néng duànliàn háizi de fânyìng nénglì.

A: Computer games can never do children any good.
B: You can’t be that conclusive. Computer games can surely strengthen children’s reflexes.

Use this roundabout expression when you disagree with someone’s opinion, but don’t want to embarrass him.

Synonymous Expressions
Yê bújìnrán.
Bújìnrán ba.

Chinese dialogue; Húshuö bädào! Nonsense!

2009-03-03T03:01:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Tïngshuö nî bù xiâng cänjiä HSK kâoshì le.
B: Húshuö bädào! Shéi shuö de?

A: I hear you don’t want to take the HSK test.
B: Nonsense! Who said that?

Example 2:
A: Xiâo Liú shuö gâo chuánxiäo kêyî zhèng dà qián.
B: Húshuö bädào! Nà kêshì wéifâ de.

A: Xiao Liu said you can make big money by pyramid selling.
B: Nonsense! That’s illegal.

This is an expression showing strong opposition. Use it with caution: it is comparatively rude, unfriendly, and nearly abusive.

Synonymous Expressions
Hú shuö!
Húchê!

Chinese dialogue; Yôu dàolî! You’re right.

2009-02-28T21:17:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Nî bìxü jiänchí zuò mêiróng pífü cái huì hâo.
B: Yôu dàolî.

A: You must have continuous beauty treatments in order to have good looking skin.
B: You’re right.

Example 2:
A: Zâo shuì zâo qî shëntî hâo.
B: Ng, zhè huà yôu dàolî.

A: Early to bed and early to rise makes a person healthy, wealthy, and wise.
B: Eh, you’re right.

This expression means that you agree with others’ suggestions or ideas, but without commitment.

Synonymous Expressions
Shuö de duì!

Learn Chinese tones; video

2009-02-28T01:21:00.000-08:00

Learn Chinese tones. There are four full tones in Mandarin pronunciation, and one neutral tone. Lets see this video to learn more about chinese tones..

Chinese dialogue; Xíng. OK.

2009-02-26T23:08:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Zánmen mâi yì tái DVD jï ba, zài jiäli kàn diànyîng fängbiàn.
B: Xíng, nî mâi ba.

A: Let’s buy a DVD player so we can watch movies at home.
B: OK, go ahead.

Example 2:
A: Zánmen míngtiän qù páshän ba.
B: Xíng, jî diân chüfä?

A: Shall we go hiking in the mountains tomorrow?
B: OK, when shall we set out?

This is a simple and idiomatic way of expressing agreement. If you think someone’s request or suggestion is reasonable, you can use this expression to show your agreement.

Synonymous Expressions
Hâo.
Hâo ba.
Kêyî.

Learn Chinese Pronunciation: the 80/20 Guide, Part 1

2009-02-26T15:06:00.000-08:00

By Kah Joon Liow

"I want to learn Chinese but just give me the basics!"

That’s what this Chinese pronunciation guide is all about. It’s all that you need to know about the pinyin system of Chinese pronunciation to get by.

The 80% that’s important. (Spend 20% of time to learn the 80% that's important.)

To speak Mandarin, the first thing is to learn Chinese pronunciation of words using the system known as pinyin.

Pinyin is the Romanized Chinese phonetic system and is the most effective aid to learn Chinese pronunciation today. (Romanized means using English alphabets.) Pinyin was invented in the 1950’s so that anyone, especially English speaking people, could learn Chinese pronunciation easily.

Most of the letters in pinyin have the same sounds as letters of the alphabet – with only a few exceptions. It’s really a very practical system that reduces the time it takes to learn Chinese words.

Can you imagine an English speaker trying to pronounce Chinese characters without pinyin?

First, "The Four Tones" of Chinese pronunciation

Chinese is a tonal language. This means each Chinese character is a syllable with a fixed tone. A different tone is a different Chinese character and hence a different meaning. To learn Chinese, you'll have to learn Chinese characters individually.

Chinese pronunciation involves four tones, each indicated by a tone mark. The tone marks are placed over the vowels. (If the letter “i” has a tone mark over it, the dot is removed.”

First Tone: a high, level tone represented by “-“ as in mā 妈 “mother”

Second Tone: a rising, questioning tone represented by “/” as in má 麻 “to have pins and needles”

Third Tone: a drawling tone falling then rising represented by “v” as in mǎ 马 “horse”

Fourth Tone: a sharp falling tone represented by “” as in mà 骂 “to scold”

Each syllable is written as a combination of consonants and vowels, plus the tone mark. Some syllables don’t start with consonants. And the only consonants that come after vowels are are the nasal “n” or “ng”.

(From here on, I’m just going to use 1, 2 3, 4 to represent the four tones in Chinese pronunciation.)

You can see the importance of getting the tones right when you learn Chinese pronunciation to avoid misunderstandings and comic situations.

A friend of mine just learnt the Chinese words for “secretary” “mi4 shu1” and instead said “mystery book” “mi2 shu1”. I bet you've heard stories like that of people.

It will take some time to get the tones right because they’re not “natural” to English speakers. Do your best when to pick up the tones when you learn Chinese, but don’t be deterred. Eventually you’ll get it. But just so you know, you don’t have to be perfect.

I have American friends living in Shanghai who get by fine with a flat tone. Of course, breakdowns in communication arise now and then, but the Chinese people can see you’re a foreigner learning the Chinese language (i.e. their language) and they’ll try hard to make sense of what you say.

So, they’re doing all the “hard work”!

Want to learn Chinese for pleasure and profit in less time? Like to creatively enhance your life with Chinese characters and symbols? Liow Kah Joon is your guide. Sign up for his free Chinese Symbols ezine at Living Chinese Symbols

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kah_Joon_Liow

Chinese dialogue; Hâo zhûyi! Good idea!

2009-02-26T15:01:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Zánmen käi ge wângbä ba, xiànzài shàngwâng de rén hên duö, käi wângbä yídìng néng zhèngqián.
B: Hâo zhûyi!

A: Let’s open an internet bar. I’m sure we can make money, because there are so many web-surfers nowadays.
B: Good idea!

Example 2:
A: Zhè cì lÛyóu zánmen zuò huôchë qù, zuò fëijï huílái, zênmeyàng?
B: Hâo zhûyi! Zhèyàng yòu bù dänwù shíjiän, yòu piányi.

A: For this trip how about we go there by train and come back by plane?
B: Good idea! That way we can save both time and money.

Use this expression to show admiration for a good idea or suggestion.
Synonymous Expressions

Tài hâo le!
Hâo bànfâ!
Hâojí le!

Chinese dialogue; Hâoshuö. Alright.

2009-02-26T03:18:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Bâ nî de zìxíngchë jiè gêi wô yòngyong xíng ma?
B: Hâoshuö, zhè shì chë yàoshi, gêi nî.

A: Can I borrow your bicycle?
B: Alright. Here’s the key.

Example 2:
A: Wô xiâng xué dâzì, nî néng jiäojiao wô ma?
B: Hâoshuö. Nî dâsuàn shénme shíhou käishî xué?

A: I want to learn to type. Can you show me how?
B: Alright. When do you want to start?

The literal meaning is close to “(I’m) easy to be persuaded”, and is used as a light-hearted expression of agreement. When you say this, you show that you agree to someone’s request and want to accede to the request.

Synonymous Expressions
Méi de shuö.
Méi shuö de.

Chinese dialogue; Xiâng de mêi! In your dreams!

2009-02-25T02:02:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Míngnián zánmen yê mâi liàng chë ba?
B: Xiâng de mêi! Zánmen nâ yôu qián ya!

A: Shall we buy a car next year?
B: In your dreams! We don’t have the money.

Example 2:
A: Yí ge xïngqï yàoshi zhî göngzuò sän tiän duö hâo a!
B: Xiâng de mêi! Kuài gànhuó ba.

A: How nice it would be if we only had to work three days a week!
B: In your dreams! Just get on with your work.

The literal meaning of the Chinese expression is “(you) think so beautifully (that your idea can never be realized)”. It is used to ridicule someone whose expectation is too high or whose ideas are unrealistic. It shows that you are strongly opposed to someone’s ideas or suggestions and want them to give up their position. Women usually use it.

Synonymous Expressions
Zuòmèng!
Bù kênéng!

Chinese dialogue; Shéi shuö de? Who said that?

2009-02-10T19:50:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Tïngshuö nî yào qù guówài fäzhân?
B: Shéi shuö de? Wô gënbên jiù méi zhège xiângfâ.

A: I hear you’re going abroad for personal development.
B: Who said that? I’ve never had that idea at all.

Example 2:
A: Nîmen göngsï bú jïngyíng de búcuò ma?
B: Shéi shuö de? Döu kuài dâobì le.

A: Your company has been running well, hasn’t it?
B: Who said that? It’s going bankrupt.

This is a way of expressing denial. It means: “ (bú duì - that’s not right)” or “(bú shì zhè yàng de – it’s not like that)”. Sometimes it conveys a sense of resentment.

Synonymous Expressions
Méiyôu zhè huí shìr.

Chinese dialogue; Guî zhïdào! Only the devil knows!

2009-02-10T19:48:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Bù zhïdào míngtiän tiänqì zênmeyàng.
B: Guî zhïdào! Zhè jî tiän tiänqì lâo biàn, yíhuìr qíng, yíhuìr yïn.

A: Don’t know what the weather will be tomorrow.
B: Only the devil knows! The weather is always changing these days: cloudless one hour and overcast the next.

Example 2:
A: Lâobân shénme shíhou gêi wômen jiä xïn ya?
B: Guî zhïdào!

A: When will the boss give us a pay rise?
B: Only the devil knows.

This expression is one of denial that means: “I don’t know”. It expresses the idea that you are unable to understand, are dissatisfied, or don’t care about something. It conveys a tone of dissatisfaction and complaint.

Synonymous Expressions
Shéi zhïdào.
Tiän zhïdào.

Chinese dialogue; Bù kênéng. It’s impossible

2009-02-10T19:45:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Tïngshuö Xiâo Wáng hé Xiâo Chén líhün le.
B: Bù kênéng, zuótiän wô hái kànjiàn tämen guàng shängchâng ne.

A: I hear Xiao Wang and Xiao Chen got divorced.
B: It’s impossible. I saw them window-shopping only yesterday.

Example 2:
A: Nîmen liâng ge hâohäo liáoliao, máodùn jiù kênéng jiêjué le.
B: Bù kênéng, wômen méi shénme hâo shuö de le.

A: You two have a good talk and maybe the conflict will be resolved.
B: It’s impossible. We have nothing to say to each other.

Use this expression when you think the odds of something happening are very low.

Synonymous Expressions
Bú huì de.

Chinese dialogue; Nà hái yòng shuö. Absolutely!

2009-02-08T06:41:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Däng fëixíngyuán shëntî sùzhì yídìng yào hâo.
B: Nà hái yòng shuö.

A: You need a good physique to become a pilot.
B: Absolutely.

Example 2:
A: Nî hái néng jìde wômen shàng cì yùxiân de dìfang ma?
B: Nà hái yòng shuö, wô yíbèizi döu wàngbuliâo.

A: Do you still remember the place where we had that emergency?
B: Absolutely, I’ll never forget it.

When someone expresses doubt about something you are proud of because they lack full knowledge, you can respond with this expression. It has a sense of pride, confidence, even complacency.

Synonymous Expressions
Nà shì.

Chinese dialogue; Nà dängrán! Of course!

2009-02-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Nî tàitai ràng nî kàn shìjièbëi ma?
B: Nà dängrán! Tä bú ràng wô kàn, wô yê yào kàn.

A: Does your wife allow you to watch the World Cup?
B: Of course! I’d watch it anyway, even if she disagrees.

Example 2:
A: Nî shìbushì yê xîhuan tîyù yùndòng?
B: Nà dängrán, wô mêitiän döu yóuyông.

A: Do you love sports too?
B: Of course, I swim every day.

This is an affirmative and confident expression that is used to dispel the doubts of others when you think you have no problem in doing something.

Synonymous Expressions
Dängrán!
Dängrán la

Chinese dialogue; Méi wèntí. No problem.

2009-02-01T19:46:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Yîjïng shí diân le, zánmen néng gânshang mòbänchë ma?
B: Méi wèntí.

A: It’s ten o’clock already. Can we catch the last bus?
B: No problem.

Example 2:
A: Nî juéde jïntiän wânshang de qiúsài zánmen duì néng yíng ma?
B: Méi wèntí, kêndìng néng yíng.

A: Do you think our team will win the match tonight?
B: No problem. We will surely win.

When someone feels worried or lacks confidence in what you’re doing, you can use this expression to reassure him. At the same time, it implies a promise.

Synonymous Expressions
Wèntí bú dà.

Chinese dialogue ; Cuòbuliâo! It can’t be wrong!

2009-02-01T19:43:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Zhè shì Huáng xiàozhâng de diànhuà ma?
B: Cuòbuliâo, wô zuótiän hái dâguo ne.

A: Is this the telephone number of President Huang?
B: It can’t be wrong. I dialed it just yesterday.

Example 2:
A: Xiâo Liú jiä shì zhù zhège lóu ma?
B: Cuòbuliâo, wô láiguo tä jiä.

A: Is Xiao Liu’s home in this building?
B: It can’t be wrong. I visited his home once

**************************************************************************************
Use this expression to reassure someone who somewhat doubts what you said or did.

Synonymous Expressions
Méi cuò.
Bú huì cuò de.

Chinese dialogue; Mâmâhühü. Passable.

2009-02-01T00:08:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Nî juéde zhè piän lùnwén zênmeyàng?
B: Mâmâhühü ba.

A: What do you think of the thesis?
B: Just passable.

Example 2:
A: Nîmen göngsï jïnnián de xiäoshòuliàng zênmeyàng?
B: Mâmâhühü, hái guòdeqù.

A: How are your company’s auto sales this year?
B: Passable, and acceptable.

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Use this expression to evaluate someone or something that is neither very good nor very bad.

Synonymous Expressions
Yìbänbän.
Còuhe.

Chinese dialogue; Hái xíng. Acceptable.

2009-02-01T00:06:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Nî juéde Zhöngyäng Diànshìtái de jiémù zênmeyàng?
B: Hái xíng, yôude jiémù ting hâo de.

A: What do you think of CCTV’s programs?
B: Acceptable. There are some good programs

Example 2:
A: Nî kàn zhè tào fángzi zênmeyang?
B: Hái xíng, wèizhì hé huánjìng döu hái kêyî.

A: What do you think of the house?
B: Acceptable. The location and environment are both alright.

**************************************************************************************
If you think something is generally adequate, though not without some deficiencies, use this expression.

Synonymous Expressions
Hái kêyî.
Hái búcuò.

Chinese dialogue; Háishi lâo yàngzi. Still the same old story.

2009-02-01T00:02:00.000-08:00

Example 2:
A: Nî hé pópo de guänxi zênmeyàng le?
B: Háishi lâo yàngzi, méiyôu shénme biànhuà.

A: How are you getting on with your mother-in-law?
B: It’s still the same old story. Nothing changes.

Example 2:
A: Nî bàba de bìng hâo le méi?
B: Háishi lâo yàngzi.

A: How is your father’s illness?
B: It’s still the same old story.

**************************************************************************************
You use this expression to show your dissatisfaction or anxiety when someone or the state of affairs are not progressing or changing.

Synonymous Expressions
Méi shénme biànhuà.

Chinese Characters; Hanzi Practice

2009-01-31T23:52:00.000-08:00

Please refer to www.Hanzi-Sudoku.com for free Chinese & Japanese related language learning
materials like crossword puzzles or Sudoku with Chinese characters.

Chinese dialogue; Jiù nàme huí shìr. (It’s) nothing special

2009-01-31T06:32:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Nàge xïn jiàn de yóulèyuán nî qù le ma? Gânjué rúhé?
B: Qù le. Jiù nàme huí shìr.

A: Did you go to the new amusement park? How is it?
B: I did. It’s nothing special.

Example 2:
A: Nî érzi zuìjìn xuéxí zênmeyàng le?
B: Jiù nàme huí shìr, Yïngyû jïngcháng bù jígé.

A: How is your son getting on with his studies?
B: Nothing special. He often fails his English tests.

**************************************************************************************
You may use this expression to express your dissatisfaction if you think something is humdrum or mediocre. The literal meaning of the expression is “it’s just like that”. The tone is comparatively strong.

Synonymous Expressions
Bù zênmeyàng.

Chinese dialogue; Bú tài hâo! Not too good!

2009-01-31T06:30:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Zuìjìn shëngyi zênmeyàng?
B: Bú tài hâo! Hên duö huò döu mài bu chüqù.

A: How is your business lately?
B: Not too good! There are many goods in stock that can’t be sold.

Example 2:
A: Nî mäma shëntî zênmeyàng?
B: Bú tài hâo, mêitiän döu dêi chï yào.

A: How is your mother?
B: Not too good! She has to take medicine every day.

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The Chinese and English versions of the expression are almost equivalent. Inserting “(tài – too)” between “(bù - not” and “ (hâo – good)” makes the tone more mild and polite.

Synonymous Expressions
Bù zênme hâo.
Bú tài lîxiâng.

Chinese dialogue; Zhën yôu liângxiàzi You’re so capable.

2009-01-31T06:26:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Zhè shì wô zìjî zuò de yïfu.
B: Kàn bu chülái, nî hái zhën yôu liângxiàzi.

A: I made the clothes myself.
B: I can’t believe it. You’re so capable.

Example 2:
A: Zhäng Fëi yîjïng bâ diànnâo xiühâo le.
B: Tä zhën yôu liângxiàzi wô xiü le liâng tiän döu méi xiühâo.

A: Zhang Fei has fixed the computer.
B: He’s so capable. I tried to fix it for two days without success.

**************************************************************************************
This expression is used to compliment someone who you think is capable and skilful.

Synonymous Expressions
Zhën yôu bênshi.
Zhën bù jiândän.

Chinese dialogue; Zhën liâobuqî! It’s admirable!

2009-01-29T18:50:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Lí Míng zhè cì kâoshì yòu shì quán bän dìyï?
B: Zhën liâobuqî! Tä tài cöngming le.

A: Li Ming ranks first again in the examination this time.
B: Admirable! He’s so smart.

Example 2:
A: Wô gëge châo gûpiào, yì nián jiù zhuàn le wûshí wàn.
B: Nî gëge zhën liâobuqî!

A: My brother speculated in the stock market and made half a million dollars in a year!
B: Your brother is admirable.

****************************************************************************************
This is an expression of admiration for somebody’s extraordinary conduct in words or deeds.

Synonymous Expressions
Zhën xíng!
Zhën bùdéliâo!

Chinese dialogue; Tài bàng le! Great!

2009-01-29T18:48:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Nî chángchang wô zuò de cài, wèidào zênmeyàng?
B: Ng, tài bàng le, wèidào hâo jí le.

A: Taste the dish I cooked. How is it?
B: Eh, great! It tastes fabulous.

Example 2:
A: Zhè bên shü zênmeyàng?
B: Tài bàng le, nî yê náqù kànkan ba.

A: What do you think of this book?
B: Great! Just take it and have a look.

****************************************************************************************
The expression is commonly used by the northerners in China to praise anything that is admired: a dish, a book, a performance or a behavior.

Synonymous Expressions
Bàng jí le!
Zhën bàng!

Chinese dialogue; Kù bì le! Cool!

2009-01-29T18:38:00.000-08:00

Example:
A: Nî kàn nàge nÛhái de fàxíng duö xïncháo.
B: Wä sài! Kù bì le!

A: Look at that girl’s hairstyle, so chic.
B: Wow! Cool!

Example 2:
A: Nî de tàiyángjìng shì zài nâr mâi de? Kù bì le.
B: Shì ma? Nî yê mâi yí ge ba.

A: Where did you buy your sunglasses? They’re cool.
B: Really? You can buy a pair too.

The expression literally means “cool to the point of death”. The character “(kù)” is a transliteration of the English word “cool”. Young people often use this expression to pay a compliment when they think someone or something is very modern or fashionable.

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Synonymous Expressions
Zhën kù!
Tài kù le!

Chinese dialogue; Gàn de hâo! Well done!

2009-01-29T18:36:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Jïntiän zhè châng zúqiú sài Huáng Hóng yí ge rén jiù tïjìn le sän ge qiú.
B: Gàn de hâo!

A: In today’s football match, Huang Hong alone scored three goals.
B: Well done!

Example 2:
A: Nàge xiâotöu zài töu zìxíngchë de shíhou, bèi wô zhuäzhù le, wô bâ tä jiàoxùn le yí dùn.
B: Gàn de hâo!

A: I caught a thief stealing a bike and gave him a dressing down.
B: Well done!

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This expression is used to give praise or show admiration for good deeds.

Synonymous Expressions
Gàn de búcuò!
Hâoyàngrde!

Chinese Grammar

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Pinyin has become a tool for many foreigners/students to learn the Mandarin pronunciation.It is used to explain the grammar and spoken Mandarin together with hanzi.Chinese grammar is straight and rather simple. Due to the lack of many particles and all tenses it might feel a little confusing sometimes.

>>click image to enlarge<<

Download example Chinese Grammar

Tones

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To speak Mandarin, the first thing is to learn Chinese pronunciation of words using the system known as pinyin.Mandarin Chinese has four pitched tones and a "toneless" tone.Each Chinese word (character) carries a tone. Different tones carry different meanings.

First tone: This is the highest tone you can pronounce in a simple and normal way. It is pronounced with a steady pitch.

Second tone: Rising pitch from low to high.

Third tone: First sinking pitch at the same time as the voice is lowered, followed by a rising pitch and stronger voice.

Forth tone: fast sinking pitch with a sharp end.

Toneless: Relax in your mouth and let the tone fall where it is natural.

Here is a link to practice the tones.

Learn how to write Chinese characters(Basic strokes)

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Strokes are classified into eight basic forms, each strokes appearing in the character "eternally" and listed below according to their contemporary names:

1. "Dian" - A simple dot.

2. "Heng" - Horizontal stroke, left to right.

3. "Shu" - Vertical stroke, top to bottom.

4. "Gou" - Hook appended to other strokes.

5. "Ti" - Diagonal stroke, rising from left to right.

6. "Pie" - Diagonal stroke, falling from right to left.

7. "Duan Pie" - Short diagonal stroke, falling from right to left.

8. "Na" - Horizontal stroke, falling from left to right.

Download more about Stroke Order and Component Order

The syllables in Mandarin Chinese

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There are 416 syllables in Mandarin Chinese, irrespective of the four tones. The following list shows the syllables in alphabetical order in Hanyu Pinyin.
A—a, ai, an, ang, ao,

B—ba, bai, ban, bang, bao, bei, ben, beng, bi, bian, biao, bie, bin, bing, bo, bu,

C—ca, cai, can, cang, cao, ce, cen, ceng, cha, chai, chan, chang, chao, che, chen,cheng, chi, chong, chou, chu, chua, chuai, chuan, chuang, chui, chun, chuo, ci, cong, cou, cu, cuan, cui, cun, cuo,

D—da, dai, dan, dang, dao, de, dei, den, deng, di, dia, dian, diao, die, ding, diu, dong, dou, du, duan, dui, dun, duo,

E—e, ê, ei, en, eng, er,

F—fa, fan, fang, fei, fen, feng, fo, fou, fu,

G—ga, gai, gan, gang, gao, ge, gei, gen, geng, gong, gou, gu, gua, guai, guan, guang, gui, gun, guo,

H—ha, hai, han, hang, hao, he, hei, hen, heng, hm, hng, hong, hou, hu, hua, huai, huan, huang, hui, hun, huo,

J—ji, jia, jian, jiang, jiao, jie, jin, jing, jiong, jiu, ju, juan, jue, jun,

K—ka, kai, kan, kang, kao, ke, kei, ken, keng, kong, kou, ku, kua, kuai, kuan, kuang, kui, kun, kuo,

L—la, lai, lan, lang, lao, le, lei, leng, li, lia, lian, liang, liao, lie, lin, ling, liu, lo, long, lou, lu, lü, luan, lüe, lun, luo,

M—m, ma, mai, man, mang, mao, me, mei, men, meng, mi, mian, miao, mie, min, ming, miu, mo, mou, mu,

N—n, na, nai, nan, nang, nao, ne, nei, nen, neng, ng, ni, nian, niang, niao, nie, nin, ning, niu, nong, nou, nu, nü, nuan, nüe, nuo,
O—o, ou,

P—pa, pai, pan, pang, pao, pei, pen, peng, pi, pian, piao, pie, pin, ping, po, pou, pu,

Q—qi, qia, qian, qiang, qiao, qie, qin, qing, qiong, qiu, qu, quan, que, qun,

R—ran, rang, rao, re, ren, reng, ri, rong, rou, ru, ruan, rui, run, ruo,

S—sa, sai, san, sang, sao, se, sen, seng, sha, shai, shan, shang, shao, she, shei, shen, sheng, shi, shou, shu, shua, shuai, shuan, shuang, shui, shun, shuo, si, song, sou, su, suan, sui, sun, suo,

T—ta, tai, tan, tang, tao, te, teng, ti, tian, tiao, tie, ting, tong, tou, tu, tuan, tui, tun, tuo,

W—wa, wai, wan, wang, wei, wen, weng, wo, wu,

X—xi, xia, xian, xiang, xiao, xie, xin, xing, xiong, xiu, xu, xuan, xue, xun,

Y—ya, yai, yan, yang, yao, ye, yi, yin, ying, yo, yong, you, yu, yuan, yue, yun,

Z—za, zai, zan, zang, zao, ze, zei, zen, zeng, zha, zhai, zhan, zhang, zhao, zhe, zhei, zhen, zheng, zhi, zhong, zhou, zhu, zhua, zhuai, zhuan, zhuang, zhui, zhun, zhuo, zi, zong, zou, zu, zuan, zui, zun, zuo.

Bié sòng le. There’s no need to go any further.

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Example 1:
A: Tài wân le, nî huíqù ba, bié sòng le.
B: Hâo ba, nî zôu hâo.

A: It’s too late now, just go back please. There’s no need to go any further.
B: Alright, take care.

Example 2:
A: Bié sòng le, döu shì péngyou, búyòng kèqi.
B: Nà wô jiù bú sòng le, màn zôu.

A: There’s no need to go any further. We’re friends, you don’t have to be so courteous.
B: I’ll stop here then. Take care.

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This expression is used by a guest. In China, some hosts have the custom of accompanying guests out the door or farther when they leave to show respect and friendliness.

Synonymous Expressions
Huíqù ba.

Màn zôu! Take care!

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Example 1:
A: Wô yào huíjiä le.
B: Hâo ba, nà nî màn zôu, wô jiù bú sòng le.

A: I have to go home now.
B: Alright, take care. I’ll stop here.

Example 2:
A: Bié sòng le, huíqù ba.
B: Hâo, nî màn zôu, yôu kòngr zài lái.

A: Please stop here and go back.
B: OK. Come again when you’re free. Take care.

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This expression literally means “walk slowly”, which indicates that the host wishes the guest “bon voyage”.

Synonymous Expressions
Zôu hâo.
Qîng màn zôu.

Bú sòng le. I’ll stop here.

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Example 1:
A: Wàimian lêng, nín huíqù ba.
B: Hâo ba, nà wô jiù bú sòng le.

A: It’s cold outside, please go back.
B: Alright, I’ll stop here.

Example 2:
A: Zhèbian de lù wô hên shú, nîmen jiù bié sòng wô le.
B: Nà hâo, wômen bú sòng le, nín zôu hâo.

A: I’m quite familiar with the way. You don’t have to accompany me any further.
B: OK, we’ll stop here. Take care.

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This is a casual expression used by hosts when they see a guest off. You may use this phrase if you do not intend to accompany your guest further from your home.

Synonymous Expressions
Bù yuân sòng le.
Jiù sòng dào zhèr le.

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Names of the most important Romanization systems

Table: Mandarin Phonetic Symbols (MPS)—Hanyu Pinyin

The others are compound finals:

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ai ao an ang

ei en er eng

ie iu in ing

ou ong

ui un üe ün

>>click table to enlarge<<

how to pronounce Chinese Pinyin Finals

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The consonant at the beginning of a syllable is called Initial,
the rest parts after the initial are Finals.
All sound files are recorded in mp3 format. Listen to the
pronunciation by clicking on the speaker symbol right besides
each initial. To hear you listen clearly, each sound is repeated
once.
There are 6 simple finals which are single vowels:
a, o, e, i, u, ü

>>click table to enlarge<<

Chinese Pinyin( Hanyu Pinyin )

2009-01-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

Chinese Pinyin( Hanyu Pinyin )
Chinese Pinyin is the romanization of the Chinese "written sound". Romanization approximates Mandarin pronunciation with Western spellings and includes a tone mark to signify the pitch of a word.

Just like alphabet A - Z to English, Pinyin provides a phonetic alphabet for Chinese and is taught from Grade 1 in Chinese elementary schools. It is a fundamental tool used for learning the spelling of Chinese characters throughout Chinese language study.

Pinyin is used by most modern Chinese dictionaries to denote pronunciation of characters. It is also an efficient input method in Chinese computer software, which is natively supported by Microsoft Windows OS.

After mastering Pinyin, you can easily read Chinese books with Pinyin marked, learn Chinese characters by looking in the dictionary, or input Chinese characters into your computer, it will take your Chinese study to a higher level.

25 out of 26 English alphabet letters are used in Pinyin. Letter 'v' is not used, while letter ' ü ' is added to represent the vowel sound of 'yu'.

Pinyin includes consonants and vowel letters.
1. Consonant letters
There are 20 consonant letters use in Mandarin (three consonants are represented by combinations of two letters - 'zh', 'ch' and 'sh'), they are:
b, p, m, f, d, t, n, l, g, k, h, j, q, x, z, c, s, zh, ch, sh, r, y, w

2. Vowel letters
There are 6 vowel letters used in Mandarin:
a, o, e, i, u, ü

3. Syllables
Syllables are composed by consonants, vowels and tone.
The consonant that begins a syllable is initial (listen to the pronunciation in mp3 format online at http://www.learn-chinese-language-online.com/chinese-pinyin-initials.html) , they can be:
b, p, m, f, d, t, n, l, g, k, h, j, q, x, z, c, s, zh, ch, sh, r, y, w

The rest parts after the initial are finals. Final ( listen to the pronunciation in mp3 format online at http://www.learn-chinese-language-online.com/chinese-pinyin-finals.html ) can be a single vowel, a combination of vowels, or combination of vowels and nasals 'n' or 'ng':

There are 6 simple finals which are single vowels, they are : a, o, e, i, u, ü .

The others are compound finals, they are:
ai, ao, ou, ei, ia, ie, iao, iou, ua, uo, uai, uei, üe,
an, ang, ong, en, eng, in, ing, ian, iang, iong, uen, ueng, uan, uang, ün, üan
The combination of 21 initials and 33 finals in Mandarin romanization (there are five more finals, but they share the same symbols as other finals) form about 420 different sounds.
A word consists of initial + final + tone. In some cases, the initial can be omitted.
Although most of the sounds are generally close to how they are used and pronounced in English, some don't follow English letters exactly and are pronounced differently.
Pay extra attention to the differences and listen closely to each Chinese sound, it takes practices to pronounce correctly.
Rosie From Learn Chinese Language Online (http://www.learn-chinese-language-online.com)
The goal of Learn Chinese Language Online (LCLO) is to reduce the Mandarin Learning curve, promote and introduce the most efficient way to grasp the broad foundation of Chinese language.

Yïnggäi de. It’s my pleasure.

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Example 1:
A: Xièxie nî de bängzhù.
B: Kèqi shénme, zánmen shì péngyou, yïnggäi de.

A: Thanks for your help.
B: You are too polite. We’re friends, it was my pleasure

Example 2:
A: Lî lâoshï, nín mêi ge xïngqï döu lái gêi wômen bûxí göngkè, wômen zhën bù zhïdào zênme gânxiè nín cái hâo.
B: Yïnggäi de, bié kèqi.

A: Teacher Li, every week you come to give us a lesson after school. We really don’t know how to thank you
B: You’re welcome. It’s my pleasure.

******************************************************************************************
When others say thanks to you, you may reply with this expression to show that you think it’s your obligation to help them.

Synonymous Expressions
Zhè shì wô yïnggäi zuò de.

Nâr de huà. Don’t mention it.

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Example 1:
A: Xièxie nî lái jïchâng sòng wô.
B: Nâr de huà, wô hên gäoxìng lái wèi nî sòngxíng.

A: Thank you for seeing me off at the airport.
B: Don’t mention it. I’m pleased to be able to say goodbye to you.

Example 2:
A: Xièxie nî qîng wômen chïfàn.
B: Nâr de huà, wô zâo jiù yïnggäi qîng nîmen chïfàn le.

A: Thank you for inviting us to dinner.
B: Don’t mention it. In fact, I should have invited you sooner.

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This is a casual and idiomatic response to somebody saying thanks, which is often used between acquaintances and good friends.

Synonymous Expressions
Bié zhème shuö.
Bié kèqi.

Méiguänxi. It doesn’t matter.

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Example 1:
A: Duìbuqî, ràng nín jiû dêng le.
B: Méiguänxi, wô yê gäng dào yíhuìr.

A: Sorry to have kept you waiting.
B: It doesn’t matter. I just arrived a while ago.

Example 2:
A: Zhën bàoqiàn, wô bängbuliâo nî zhège máng.
B: Méiguänxi, wô zài xiângxiang bànfâ.

A: I’m really sorry, I can’t help you with that.
B: It doesn’t matter, I’ll try to find a way out.

**************************************************************************************
This is a response to apologies such as “(duìbuqî, I’m sorry)”, “ (bàoqiàn, I apologize)”, and “ (qîng yuánliàng, please forgive me)”. This expression is used to show your understanding and to console the apologizer.

Synonymous Expressions
Méishénme.

Zhën bàoqiàn. I’m really sorry.

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Example 1:
A: Hâo jiû döu méiyôu gën nî liánxì, zhën bàoqiàn!
B: Méiguänxi, nî yìzhí hên máng ba.

A: It’s been so long since I contacted you last, I’m really sorry.
B: It’s all right. You must have been really busy.

Example 2:
A: Jïnwân de yànhuì nî néng cänjiä ma?
B: Zhën bàoqiàn! Wô jïnwân zhènghâo yôu shì.

A: Are you coming to the dinner party tonight.
B: I’m really sorry. I have an appointment tonight.

**************************************************************************************
This is an expression used to apologize for mistakes or improper behavior. Here, “ (zhën, really)” indicates the sincerity of the speaker.

Synonymous Expressions
Zhën bù hâo yìsi!

Duìbuqî. I’m sorry.

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Example 1:
A: Duìbuqî, wô bâ nî de shü nòngdiü le.
B: Méiguänxi, wô zài mâi yì bên.

A: I’m sorry, I lost your book.
B: It doesn’t matter. I’ll buy a new copy.

Example 2:
A: Wô yòu chídào le, duìbuqî.
B: Kuài qù göngzuò ba, xià cì zhùyì.

A: I’m late again. Sorry.
B: Get to work and don’t be late again.

**************************************************************************************
If you ever think you’ve done something improper, you may use this commonly used expression to ask for forgiveness.

Synonymous Expressions
Qîng yuánliàng!
(e.g. Qîng yuánliàng, dârâo nín le. - Excuse me for interrupting you.)

Xïnkû le. So much toil for you.

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Example 1:
A: Zuótiän wânshang wômen göngzuò le yí gè töngxiäo.
B: Xïnkû le! Kuài huíqù xiüxi ba.

A: We worked all through the night last night.
B: So much toil for you! Go back and have a rest now.

Example 2:
A: Lâoshï, zhège xuéqï nín xïnkû le.
B: Ï, bié zhème shuö, yïnggäi de.

A: Teacher, it’s been so much toil for you this semester.
B: It’s nothing really. I’ve done what I’m supposed to.

***************************************************************************************
The word Xïnkû le is used to comfort and show understanding for the person who has put great effort into something meaningful and positive.

Synonymous Expressions
Shòulèi le. ( shòulèi = be put to much trouble.
e.g. Jiào nín shòulèi le. - I'm sorry to have put you to so much trouble.)

Máfan nín le. Thanks for the help.

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Example 1:
A: Qîngwèn dìtiê zhàn zài nâr?
B: Jiù zài nàbian.
A: Xièxie, máfan nín le.

A: Where’s the subway station please?
B: It’s right there.
A: Thanks for the help.

Example 2:
A: Nî yào de shü wô döu bäng nî zhâodào le.
B: Zhën shì máfan nín le.

A: I’ve found the books you asked for.
B: Thanks for the help.

****************************************************************************************
The word máfan nín le literally means “(sorry for) troubling you”, and is used to express your gratitude to the person who takes the trouble to help you.

Synonymous Expressions
Tài máfan nín le.
Gêi nín tiän máfan le.

Duöxiè. Thanks a lot.

2009-01-25T16:41:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Qîng bâ nàge bëizi dì gêi wô.
B: Gêi nî.
A: Duöxiè.

A: Please pass me the cup.
B: Here you are.
A: Thanks a lot.

Example 2:
A: Qîngwèn qù dòngwùyuán zênme zôu?
B: Cóng zhèli zuò èrshí’èr lù göngjiäochë kêyî zhíjië dào.
A: Duöxiè.

A: Would you tell me how to get to the zoo, please.
B: Take bus No. 22 from here. It will take you right there.
A: Thanks a lot.

**************************************************************************************
the word Duöxiè is a commonly used expression to say thanks. You may use it to express gratitude whenever someone helps you.

Synonymous Expressions
Xièxie.
Fëicháng gânxiè.

Conversion table

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Syllables with two versions in Wade Giles

Conversion table:

download conversion table pinyin

Comparative tables

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Comparative Table of Hanyu Pinyin and Mandarin Phonetic Symbols

*This sound is equivalent to MPS’and applies only after the consonants j, q, x and y
**German umlaut appears only after l and n

Shïpéi le. Excuse me, I have to go

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Example 1:
A: Göngsï yôu jí shì, wô dêi mâshàng huíqù. Duìbuqî, shïpéi le.
B: Méiguänxi.

A: Something urgent has come up at the company, I have to go back right away. Sorry, I have to go
B: It doesn’t matter.

Example 2:
A: Nîmen tán ba, wô hái yôu bié de shìqing, yào xiän zôu le. Shïpéi le.
B: Hâo, nà nî zôu ba.

A: Excuse me, I have to go now. I have something else to attend to. Please continue.
B: OK, see you.

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This is a polite expression used when you have to leave your friends at gatherings.

Synonymous Expressions
Duìbuqî, wô bù néng péi nîmen le.

Liúbù ba. Please stop here.

2009-01-25T06:36:00.000-08:00

Example 1:
A: Wô bú sòng nî le, yôu kòngr cháng lái wô jiä wánr.
B: Liúbù ba, wô huì de.

A: I’ll say goodbye here. Come again when you have time
B: Please stop here. I’ll surely come again

Example 2:
A: Nî yídìng yào zhàogù hâo zìjî.
B: Wô zhïdào le, nín liúbù ba.

A: Do take good care of yourself.
B: I will. Please stop here.

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This expression is similar to “(bié sòng le, there’s no need to go any further)” or “(huíqù ba, please go back)”, but a little bit more formal.

Synonymous Expressions
Qîng liúbù.