Chinese Characters; Hanzi Practice

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

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.

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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!

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.

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.

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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!

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.

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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!

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.

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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!

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!