b p m f d t n l g k h j (gee) q (chi) x (shi) can only precede i and ü and their compound finals zh (dj) ch (chur) sh (shur) r z (dz) c (ts) s y (i) w (oo)
Finals:
a o e (uh) i (eye) u (oo) ü (yu)
Compound Finals:
a: ai (aī) ao an ang o: ou (ō) ong e: ei (ā) en eng (ŭng) i: ia (ya) ie (ye) iao (yao) iu (yū) in (yin) iang (yang) ing (yng) iong (yŏng) u: ua (wa) uo (wŭ) uai (wai) ui (wei) uan (wan) un (one) uang (wong) ueng (wung) ü: üe (yue) üan(yuan) ün (yun)
Tones:
• First Tone: Long
• Second Tone: Short and up, like asking a question
• Third Tone: Long
• Fourth Tone: Short and down, like an exclamation
• Neutral Tone: quick, light, and short
Vocabulary
Pronouns nĭ You; your (when followed by “de”) nín You (polite, like ustedes) wŏ I, me, my (when followed by “de”) tā He; she; him; her; it wŏmen We; us nĭmen You (plural) tāmen They; them de Indicates possession zhè (zhèi) This Nà (nèi) That zhèr (zhèli) Here nàr (nàli) There nàbiān There biéde other; anything else
Prepositions and Conjunctions zài in; at; on (used before location) cóng from dào to hé and; with (conj.) (connects nouns) yòu and; additionally (connects clauses) shàng(biān) on; above (shàng also denotes time, see notes) (biān = side) xià(biān) below; under (xià also denotes time, see notes) (biān = side) háishi or (conj.) dànshì but (conj.) suŏyĭ so (conj.) de shíhou when (e.g., when you eat dumplings, …) yŏu shíhou sometimes qiánbiān in front of hòubiān behind pángbiān next to duìmiàn across from lí away from yĭqián before; in the past (appears between to actions) yĭhòu after; later; in the future (appears between two actions)
Questions ma Used at the end of a yes or no type question (e.g., “how are you?” or “are you busy?”) ne Used at the end of a special, alternative, or rhetorical question (e.g., “how about you?”/ “what about you?”) năr (năli) Where shénme What shéi (shuí) Who (e.g., Tā shì shéi?) Nă Which (e.g., Nĭ shì nă guó rén?) shéi de Whose (e.g., zhé shì shéi de shū?) duōshao How many; how much (e.g., duōshao xiăoshí) jĭ How many; how much (only used for small numbers, less than 10) (also “jĭ ge” when followed by measure word such as xiăoshí) Zěnme How shénme shíhou when; literally “what moment” jĭ diăn what time; literally “how many hours” (e.g., xiànzài jĭ diăn le?) duō cháng how long (does it take to …) (e.g., duō cháng shíjiān) kěyĭ may; can zěnmeyàng what about; how about; how is it (e.g., Nĭ xiān shìshi, kàn nĭ chuān zěnmeyàng = You first try it on, see how it looks on you/see you wear how about) ba used at the end of a sentence when the statement is more of a suggestion (e.g., Wŏmen chūqu chī fàn ba.)
Adjectives/Adverbs hăo Good hĕn Very yĕ Also; too hái also máng Busy bù Not; no duì correct méi not; no guì honoured piàoliang very pretty; beautiful Měilì beautiful (more elegant than piàoliang) dào successfully kāixīn happy; glad yìzhí straight zài again; then; additionally (same pronunciation as “in, at, on” but different character) yìdiănr a little (+ noun) (MW) yŏudiănr a little (+ adjective) (MW) le already (also indicates past tense – see verbs) lèi tired jiù just; then; only; soon búcuò not bad tài too (much) guì expensive piányi cheap duō many; much; more shăo few; little; fewer; less hái still yígòng altogether; in total qīng clear; clearly hóng red huáng yellow hēi black lán blue bái white lǜ green zĭ purple fěn hóng pink huī grey zōng brown jīn golden qiăn lán light blue shēn lǜ dark green xiăo small dà big dà mă big size; bigger size cháng long duăn short lěng cold rè hot xiān first è hungry gaō tall kuai fast/faster yìqĭ together là spicy gòu enough dīng diced (e.g., jīdīng = diced chicken) jí le very/extremely jìn near yuăn far kě thirsty
Nouns chū to go out; exit; come out bàba dad māma mom guānxi relationship Xiānsheng Mr.; sir; husband xiăojie Miss tàitai Mrs.; wife xìng Surname míng Given name xìngmíng Name péngyou Friend lăoshī Teacher yīshēng Doctor guó Country rén People Zhōngguó/ Zhōngguórén/Hànyŭ/Zhōngwén China/Chinese people/spoken chinese/written chinese Měiguó/Měiguórén/Yīngyŭ America/American people/English language Yīngguó/ Yīngguórén; Yīngyŭ England/ English people/ English language shū Book bĭ Pen diànshì TV diànhuà telephone (huà = hear) diànnăo computer (năo = brain) diàn electricity huār flower bēizi cup shāngdiàn shop; store shìchăng market chāoshì supermarket gōngsī company; office; workplace jiā home qián money píng bottle kuài dollar (all currency) máo 10 cents (currency) fēn 1 cent (currency) gēge elder brother jiějie elder sister dìdi younger brother mèimei younger sister érzi son nǚ’ér daughter dīshì taxi dōngxi thing; stuff sījī driver zuŏ left yòu right lùkŏu crossing; corner shíhou time xiăoshí hour zăofàn breakfast wŭfàn lunch wănfàn dinner chuáng bed (e.g., qĭ chuáng = get up from bed) diànyĭng movie shēngri birthday fēijī airplane huŏchē train huŏchēzhàn railway station qìchē automobile; vehicle zhuōzi table lóu building or floor guójiā home country fángzi house; apartment lù road; street yánsè color yīfu clothes (only used for upper body clothes) kùzi trousers; pants tīxù t-shirt chènshān shirt xiézi shoes máoyī sweater dàyī coat qúnzi skirt; dress xīzhuāng suit jiākè jacket bèixīn vest duănkù shorts lĭngdài tie màozi hat; cap wàzi socks nèiyī underwear nèikù panties língqián change fāpiào invoice; receipt cānguănr restaurant (western, lower class (i.e., McDonalds) jiŭjiā restaurant (Chinese, especially dim sum) fànguănr restaurant (Chinese) fàndiàn restaurant (big/hotel restaurant) canting restaurant (western, higher class) càidān menu dān the bill (e.g., gěi wŏ dān) Guăngdōng cài Cantonese food Sìchuān cài Sichuan food Shāndōng cài Beijing food Huáiyáng cài Shanghai food jiànyì suggestion kuàizi chopsticks (yì shuāng kuàizi) dāozi knife chāzi fork sháozi spoon cānjīn napkin zhĭjīn tissue pánzi plate (MW) wăn bowl (MW) niú cow běi(bù) north (more clear to use with bù) nán(bù) south (nán = man; difficult) xī(bù) west dōng(bù) east dìfang place sì jì four seasons chūntiān spring xiàtiān summer qiūtiān fall dōngtiān winter yínháng bank săn umbrella jīchăng airport lĭwù gift
Food and Beverage (specific) Shuĭ Water chá Tea kāfēi Coffee píjiŭ beer kělè cola tang sugar guŏzhī fruit juice miànbāo bread dòufu bean curd (tofu) cài food; vegetable (dish) ròu meat jī chicken jīdàn egg (chicken egg) yú fish yā duck hăixiān sea food niúròu beef (literally “beef meat”) pángxiè crab niúpái beef steak xiā shrimp zhūròu pork yóuyú squid yángròu lamb; mutton shuĭguŏ fruit píngguŏ apples xiāngjiāo banana júzi orange mángguŏ mango pútao grape mùguā papaya xīguā watermelon lí pear căoméi strawberry bōluó pineapple lìzhī litchi yēzi coconut shūcài vegetable (actual veggie) qiézi eggplant shēngcài lettuce tŭdòu potato húluóbo carrot yángcōng onion huángguā cucumber xīhóngshì tomato qíncài celery xīlánhuā broccoli yùmĭ corn dàbáicài Chinese cabbage wōsŭn asparagus lettuce qīngjiāo green pepper jiāng ginger suàn garlic cōng Chinese onion yán salt jiàngyóu soy sauce cù vinegar Làzi jīdīng traditional spicy Chinese food of diced chicken with chili pútaojiŭ wine (literally, “grape alcohol”) cha shao bao BBQ pork steamed bun zhēng jiăo steamed dumpling xiāngbō gūlŭròu sweet and sour pork hànbăobāo hamburger bĭsàbĭng pizza niúnăi milk (from a cow) kăomiànbāo toast (kăo = roast) guŏjiàng jam năilào cheese huángyóu butter (literally, yellow oil) xiāngcháng sausage
Verbs le Indicates simple past tense guò Indicates present/past perfect tense (have, has, had __) chī to eat qù to go jiào To call; to be known as shì To be; am; is; are (negative: bú shì); to try (shìshi = polite “try” like “please try”) lái to come; to order (in restaurant only, can use lái to mean order, e.g., lái yí ping pijiu, lái yí ge ___) huí to return; go back kàn to see; look at; watch; read yŏu to have (negative: méiyŏu) jìn to come in; enter qĭng please; to invite gōngzuò to work (also can be noun: work, job) yào to want (something); to need xiăng to want (to do something); to miss (people/country); to think hē to drink gěi to give chī fàn to eat a meal dă dī to take a taxi măi to buy gàosu to tell zhīdao to know shuō to speak; say wèn to ask zŏu to go; walk guăi to turn tíng to stop dào to get to; arrive; reach qĭ to get up qĭ chuáng to get up from bed shuì jiào to go to bed zuò to do; to sit; to take (use when naming method of transportation, e.g., “by plane” = zuo feiji); to cook dă qiú to play ball (any ball game) kāishĭ to start Shàng bān to go to work; start work; working Shàng kè to give a lesson; go to class Shàng lóu to go upstairs Shàng chē to get on the bus or car (any vehicle) Xià bān to get off work Xià kè to get out of class Xià lóu to go downstairs Xià chē to get off the bus or car (any vehicle) ting to listen; to hear fù to pay xĭhuan like Bĭqĭ compare chuān to wear (clothing); put on shìshi try diăn to order néng to be able to; can (physically) (e.g., can run, can eat) máidān/jiézhàng to bill; to settle accounts huānyíng to welcome guānglín to come; visit chăo to stir-fry (big pan, like wok) shāo to stew after frying or fry after stewing qīngzhēng to steam jiān to pan fry (small pan with oil) zhá to deep fry huì to braise dùn to stew yòng to use huì can (after learning) fang to put zhù to live ná to take (actually physically taking) dài to take; bring; carry (to somewhere) qŭ to fetch; get back; withdraw (money from bank) fàng to put jiē to receive; meet; welcome sòng to give as a present; off or out (e.g., to send off) xià yŭ to rain wán finish (e.g., kànwán = finish reading)
Phrases Nĭ hăo Hello; literally, “you good” Zàijiàn Goodbye; literally “see you again” Nĭ chīle ma? “Have you had the meal” OR “Good Afternoon” Zăoshang hăo Good Morning Wănshang hăo Good Evening Xièxie Thanks Bú Kèqi/Búyòng xiè You are welcome; literally “don’t be polite” Duì bu qĭ I’m sorry Méi guānxi Never mind; it doesn’t matter; literally “don’t have relationship Nín guì xìng?/ Nĭ xìng shénme? What is your surname? dă dī to take a taxi Měilì Huāyuán the Beautiful Garden qĭngwèn Excuse me; May I ask (literally, “please ask”) wŏ zhīdao le I got it hăo ba okay tài guì le too expensive piányi yìdiănr make a little cheaper kěyĭ piányi diănr ma? can you make it cheaper? Jiā li home inside/inside a home/at home zhè jiàn ba this one or this piece (of clothing) shuō màn yìdiănr speak a little slower wŏ zuì xĭhuan My favorite (“I most like”) Méi wèntí No problem Nĭ xĭhuan shénme tiān? what season do you like? yào ___ le soon (e.g., Tiān yào xià yŭ le = soon it will rain) mamahuhu soso
Numbers yī 1 èr 2 (used without measure words) liăng 2 (used with measure words) sān 3 sì 4 wŭ 5 liù 6 qī 7 bā 8 jiŭ 9 shí 10 líng 0 shí yī 11 èr shí 20 yī băi 100 yì qiān 1,000 yí wàn 10,000 shí wàn 100,000 (10*10,000) (e.g., liu shi ba wan = 680,000 or 68*10,000) băi wàn 1,000,000 (100*10,000) qiānwàn 10,000,000 (1,000 * 10,000) yì 100,000,000
Measure Words • Measure words express units of measure for objects or actions. • Noun measure words: units used to show the number or amount of an object. o Noun measure words for individual units, collectives, weights and measures (length/distance, weight, area, volume), and indefinite measure words (e.g., xiē) • Verb measure words: used to show the number of times an action is carried out
gè A generally applicable measure word. Can be used for people, as well as for many tangible and intangible objects bēi glass; cup (used for measuring liquids) běn items measurable in volumes/bound objects, such as books and notebooks. píng objects in bottles bǎi hundred qiān thousand wàn ten thousand diăn (zhōng) o’clock fēn (zhōng) minutes (always fēnzhōng when talking about duration, as opposed to time) kè quarter (precede by number of quarters) suì age (e.g., liang suì= 2 years old) jīn a unit of weight, which equals half a kilo (approx. 1 Pound) zhŏng kind; sort; type diănr a little; a bit (indicates a small number or amount) (written alone when it follows a verb, e.g., chī diănr dōngxi = eat a little something) yìdiănr a little (+ noun) yŏudiănr a little (+ adjective) xiē some (indicates a large number or amount) (written alone when it follows a verb, e.g., chī xiē dōngxi = eat something) yìxiē some zhèxiē these nàxiē those tiáo for something long or narrow or thin (e.g., fish, snake, dog, belt, tie, scarf, and all lower body clothing (pants and skirts) and dresses) kuài piece; lump dài bag dĭng used for objects with protruding top/a peak, something to put over one’s head (e.g., a hat = yì dĭng màozi) jiàn used for clothing (tops) (“yīfu”) (e.g., undershirt, shirt, coat) shuāng used for pairs of objects which naturally come in pairs (e.g., shoes, socks, gloves, eyes, ears, hands, chopsticks) pánzi a plate of (e.g., yì pánzi __ = 1 plate of __) wăn a bowl of (e.g., yì wăn ___)
Time Words zăoshang early morning shàngwŭ late morning (10-12) zhōngwŭ lunch time xiàwŭ afternoon wănshang evening zuótiān yesterday jīntiān today míngtiān tomorrow bàn half (as in time) chà to lack; be short of (time) (e.g., 3 minutes til 10 = chà sān fēn shì diăn) xiànzài now; present diăn (zhōng) o’clock (MW) fēn (zhōng) minutes (always fēnzhōng when talking about duration, as opposed to time) (MW) kè quarter (precede by number of quarters) (MW) wănshang __ diăn pm zăoshang __ diăn am shíhou time xiăoshí hour nián year yuè month; moon yīyuè January èryuè February sānyuè March sìyuè April wŭyuè May liùyuè June qīyuè July bāyuè August jiŭyuè September shíyuè October shíyīyuè November shí’èryuè December tiān day xīngqī week xīngqīyī Monday xīngqīèr Tuesday xīngqīsān Wednesday xīngqīsì Thursday xīngqīwŭ Friday xīngqīliù Saturday xīngqītiān Sunday hào date zhōumò weekend shíjiān time Jīnniàn This year Qùniàn Last year Míngniàn Next year yí cì once liăng cì twice sān cì three times shàng cì last time zhè cì this time xià cì next time dì-yī cì the first time dì-èr cì the second time dì-sān cì the third time chūntiān spring (placed at beginning of sentence) xiàtiān summer (placed at beginning of sentence) qiūtiān fall (placed at beginning of sentence) dōngtiān winter (placed at beginning of sentence)
Rules:
• When two 3rd tones appear consecutively, pronounce as 2nd tone , then 3rd tone . o E.g., becomes • Last name goes before any title • Yī becomes: o Yì when followed by tones 1 , 2 , or 3 o Yí when followed by tone 4 • “de” o Adjective +noun, always use “de” E.g., piàoliang de huār (beautiful flower) E.g., “The man I met was English” becomes English “de” man I met o Sometimes “de” can be dropped, such as where there is a good relationship E.g., Wŏ māma E.g., tā bàba E.g., wŏ péngyou E.g., wŏ jiā • Conjunction “and” (“hé”) is only used when talking about two things, not for compound sentences. o Yòu (“and”) connects clauses • No “shí” if followed by adjective/adverb o E.g., Tā de huār hen piàoliang NOT Tā de huār shí hen piàoliang • Never “go home” (qù jiā), always “return home” (huí jiā) • Sentence Structure (Time) o Time Subject Location Action Object (big time, then precise time) o Time Subject Intensifier Adjective • Yào versus xiăng o Xiăng + verb = want to do o Yào + noun = want something o Yào + verb = need • Negatives of Verbs and Adjectives o shì = bú shì o yŏu = méiyŏu o Negative form of an adjective is bù + adjective o Verb indicating action in the present or future = bú E.g., Wŏ bú qù shāngdiàn (I am not going shopping) o Verb indicating action in the past = méi E.g., Wŏ méi (yŏu) qù shāngdiàn (I did not go shopping) • Duplicating a verb converts the verb to “try to ___” o E.g., wèn = to ask, but wènwen = try to ask • Duplicating an adverb emphasizes the descriptor o E.g., cháng = often; chángcháng = very often • Past Tense o Le: simple past tense Can be placed between verb and object OR at the end of the sentence Never use “le” when using “méi” to negative the verb because “méi” already indicates simple past tense in the negative forms (bú indicating present and future) o Guò: past perfect (those with helping verbs) Must be placed between verb and object; never at the end of sentence Use in conjunction with “méi” (e.g., Tā méiqùguò Beijing = He has never been to Beijing) • Èr vs. liăng o Èr: used when counting without measure words Also used when a measure word is used for a number ending in two (22, 102, 542, etc.) • E.g., èr shí èr ge rén – 22 people • E.g., yī bǎi líng èr běn shū – 102 books • E.g., liǎng qiān wǔ bǎi sì shí èr kuài qián – 2542 dollars o Liăng: used with measure words E.g., liǎng ge rén – two people E.g., liǎng běn shū – two books E.g., liăng píng píjiŭ – 2 bottles of beer E.g., liǎng bǎi – 200 E.g., liǎng qiān – 2,000 E.g., liǎng wàn – 20,000 E.g., liǎng diăn – 2:00 (always use liang in context of time, except where 2 is component only, such as 3:42) E.g., liăng suì – 2 years old (age) • Numbers greater than 100 o When need to combine 2 sets to make 1 number, must add yī between. For example: 217 = 200 + 17 200 = ér băi 17 = shì qī 217 = ér băi yī shì qī • Yìdiănr vs. Yoŭdiănr o Yìdiănr + noun E.g., Wŏ shuō yìdiănr Hànyŭ o Yoŭdiănr + adjective E.g., Wŏ yoŭdiănr lèi. • Expressions of Date o Years are stated as each numeral component, e.g., 2006 = érlínglíngliù nián o To state how long someone has been someplace – Tā zài Běijīng liăng nián o This, Next, and Last Year: Jīnniàn (this) Qùniàn (last) Míngniàn (next) Month/Week: zhèige (this), shàng ge (last), xià ge (next) o Date (hào) Jīntiān jĭ hào? (What is today’s date?) Jīntiān shì sānyuè wŭ hào (today is 3 month 5 date OR March 5th) • Shì = optional, may be dropped o To ask birthday, must ask, what month, what date E.g., Nĭ de shēngri jĭ yuè jĭ hào? • Duōshao vs. Jĭ vs. Duō cháng o How many hours/minutes does it take to __? __ Jĭ ge/duōshao xiăoshí/fēn? o How much time/how long does it take to __? __ duō cháng shíjiān? • Shàng versus xi� o On/Above and Below/Under Zhuōzi shàng = on or above the table Lóuxià = below or under the floor/building = downstairs/lobby To say that a book is on a table = Shū zài zhuōzi shàng (book at table on) o Denoting Time Shàng (past) • Shàng ge yuè (last month) Xià (future) • Xià ge yuè (next month) o As Verbs: Shàng indicates to begin or get on Xià indicates to finish, get off, or get out of. • Comparisons (More/Less and Most/Least): Bĭ, Gèng, and Zuì o Bĭ (more/less than): Object 1 + bĭ + Object 2 + adjective (object 1 is the stronger object in comparison) • E.g., Guăngzhōu bĭ Běijīng rè = It is hotter in Guangzhou than in Beijing • E.g., Zhège gōngsī bĭ nàge gōngsī dà = This company is bigger than that company. Object 1 + bĭ + Object 2 + Adjective + de + Degree (object 1 is the stronger object in comparison) • E.g., My mandarin is much better than my teacher’s = Wŏ de Hanyu bĭ wŏ de laŏshì de hăo de duō. • E.g., His house is a lot bigger than my house = Tā de jiā bĭ wŏ de jiā dà de duō. Object 1 + méi + Object 2 + Adjective (Object 2 is stronger object in comparison) • E.g., Hong Kong is not as big as Beijing = Xianggang méi Beijing dà. • E.g., I ate more than he = Tā chī de méi wŏ de. • E.g., He plays ball better than I = Wŏ da qiu méi tā hăo. o Gèng (more/less): Object + gèng + adjective E.g., Guăngzhōu gèng rè = it is hotter in Guangzhou/Guangzhou is hotter. E.g., Jiānádà gèng lěng = It is colder in Canada/ Canada is colder. o Zuì (most/least): Object + zuì + adjective Zhōngguórén zuì duō = China has the largest population/Chinese people are the most Zhè gè píngguŏ zuì dà = This apple is the largest one/ This apple biggest • “De” used at the end of a sentence refers back to the object from a prior sentence so the noun is not repeated o E.g., Wŏ xiăng kànkan nà jiàn tīxù. Nĭ yào shénme yánsè de? Wŏ xĭhuan báisè de. Báisè de méiyŏu de le. Nĭ yào huángsè de ma? • Saying “Yes”: o Repeat the questioned verb to say yes, because no “yes” in Chinese. (Dui = correct) o E.g., Nĭmen néng chī là de ma? = Can you eat spicy food? => Answer: Néng = yes/can • Cì o Cì means “times” o When using cì to indicates number of times (e.g., once, twice, three times), it is placed at the end of the sentence E.g., I have been to Beijing twice = Wŏ qùguo Běijīng liăng cì. o When using cì to denote which time (e.g., the first time, the last time, etc.), it is placed at the beginning of the sentence or before the action words (after the subject and time words) E.g., Dì-yī cì qùle Xiānggăng shì qunnián shì’ér yue. E.g., Wŏ yījiŭjiŭbā nián dì-yī cì qù Xiānggăng. • “Can” (Kěyĭ, Néng, and Huì) o Kěyĭ – ask permission o Néng – physically o Huì – after learning • Shénme ___ dōu ___ o E.g., Shénme jiăozi wŏ dōu xĭhuan chī = I like to eat all dumplings o E.g., Shénme yīfu wŏ dōu mai = I buy all kinds of clothes o E.g., Shénme donxi wŏ dōu meizuò. = I didn’t do anything o E.g., Shenme ren wŏ dou bù zhidao = I don’t know anyone o E.g., Jintian wŏ shénme donxi dōu meimai= Today didn’t buy anything • … de shíhou (When …) o Placed in the middle of two actions o E.g., Nĭ chī jiăozi de shíhou, fang yìdiănr cù hé jiàngyóu = when you eat dumplings, put a little vinegar and soy sauce. o E.g., When I was in China, I bought many things = Wŏ zài Zhōngguó de shíhou, wŏ mai le duō donxi. • “One of my favorite” o Wo de yi ge zui xihuan de canguanr o Wo de yi ge zui xihuan de pengyou o Wo de yi jian zui xihuan de yifu • Positional Words – Sentence Structure (běibù, nánbù, xībù, dōngbù, shàngbiān, xiàbiān, qiánbiān, hòubiān, pángbiān, duìmiàn) o A + zài + B + position E.g., Hong Kong is at the South of China = Xiānggăng zài Zhōngguó nánbù. **E.g., There is a big book store across the street = Yŏu dà shū dian zài lù duìmiàn o If action is taking place at the location: A + verb + zài + B + position • E.g., I sit next to him = Wŏ zuò zài tā pángbiān. A + zài + B + position + verb + object • E.g., I buy clothes opposite to my husband’s office = Wŏ zài wŏ de xiānsheng de gōngsi duìmiàn măi yīfu. • E.g., I read books in front of him = Wŏ zài tā qiánbiān kàn shū. • Positional Words (Lí) – Sentence Structure (away from) o A + lí + B + far (yuăn)/near (jìn) E.g., Shenzen is not far from Hong Kong = Shenzen lí Xiānggăng bù yuăn. E.g., Beijing is far from Hong Kong = Běijīng lí Xiānggăng yuăn. E.g., Is it far from here? = Lí zhèr yuăn ma? • Yĭqián and Yĭhòu o Action A + Yĭqián/Yĭhòu + Action B E.g., Lái Guăngzhōu yĭqián, wŏ zhù zài Běijīng. = Before I came to Guangzhou, I lived in Beijing. E.g., Lái Zhōngguó yĭqián, wŏ bù huì shuō Hànyŭ = Before I came to China, I could not speak Chinese *E.g., Tā yĭqián yŏu hěn duō shū = She used to have many books E.g., Xià kè yĭhòu, wŏ huí jiā = After I get out of class, I will return home. E.g., Xuéhuì Hànyŭ yĭhòu, wŏ xiăng zài Zhōngguó gōngzuò = After I learn/study Chinese, I want to work in China E.g., Wŏ yĭhòu, gàosu nĭ = Later I will tell you. E.g., I have not seen him before = Wŏ yĭqián méi kàn guo tā • Dào (successfully) o kàn = to look; kàndào = to see (successfully look) o tīng = to listen; tīngdào = to hear (successfully listen) • Dài (take versus bring) o Take: Dài + qù E.g., I take my book home = Wŏ dài wŏ de shū qù jiā o Bring: Dài + lái E.g., I bring my book to China = Wŏ dài wŏ de shū lái Zhōngguó E.g., Tā dàilái le chī de dōngxi = He brought food • Dài and lái are placed together because there is no location specified as to where the food is brought to • Sentences with “Bă” for emphasis (function/grammar word) o Structure: Subject + bă + Object + Verb + Other Parts… o Without “Bă”: Emphasizes action (1) E.g., Qĭng gěi wŏ nàge! (2) E.g., Tā hé le yī bēi chá. (3) Ná gěi wŏ nàge = Take and give me that (4) Wŏ sòng tā yì bă (MW) huā. o With “Bă”: Emphasizes (object) (1) E.g., Qĭng bă nàge gěi wŏ. (2) E.g., Tā bă yī bēi chá hé le. (3) Bă nàge ná gěi wŏ = Take and give me that (4) Wŏ bă yì bă (MW) huā sòng tā. He ate my breakfast = Tā bă wŏ de zăofàn chī le. She gave me her computer = Tā bă tā de diānnăo gěi wŏ. Please go home and bring that book to me = Qĭng huí jiā bă nà běn shū qŭ gěi wŏ. • “Take and Give Me” versus “Give Me” o Must say take and give me (Ná gěi) when the person you are commanding does not have the object in his/her possession o If person you are commanding has object in their possession you can just say “give me” (gěi wŏ)
