A Dictionary for Everyday Chinese Conversation
For those times when the textbook falls short, a guide to how the locals would say it.
The SituationSomeone has thanked you - for holding a gate open or handing the something - and you want to tell them, "You're welcome."
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The Right PhraseIf speaking to someone older or in a position of authority, use méiguānxi / 没关系. In everyday conversation, though, you'll use méishì / 没事. Both mean "It's nothing. That's alright." Méiguānxi is more formal and shows respect, whereas méishì is conversational.
Pronounce it: méiguānxi || may-gwan-see || The "méi" is said in a rising way, lifting up, while the "guān" is sustained at a higher tone on the "ah" sound. The "xi" is clipped, with an almost "she" sound to it. méishì || may-shur || Again, the "méi" lifts up, while the "shì" is a clipped, downward "sure". |
Uh oh. Someone has said something you simply do not understand. How can you convey this?
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If you understood well enough what they asked, but do not have or know the answer, use bù zhīdao / 不知道. This means "I don't know." But if you simply don't know enough Chinese yet, you respond with tīngbudŏng / 听不懂. This means you aren't able to understand what you are hearing. You can also say the complete phrase, "Wŏ bù huì shuō zhòngguó huà." / 我不会说中国话。This means "I don't speak Chinese."
Pronounce it: bù zhīdao || boo-jer-dow || "Bù" is said in a short, downward way, like a quick "boo". "Zhī" is another sustained tone, where the "er" sound, following the "j" sound, is a bit higher than others. Finally, "dao" sort of tags along with "zhī", almost falling a bit in the tone. tīngbudŏng || ting-boo-dahng || There's that sustained "i" again. You'll just say "ting" with the short-"i" sound, and sustain it a bit higher than your normal tone. "Bu" is a bit of an afterthought following this, a quick "boo" tucked in. "Dŏng," though, is a bit harder. The dipped third tone requires you to go down and back up in the course of the vowel. So you'll say that "ah" sound with a downward inflection, and then come back up before hitting the "ng". Wŏ bù huì shuō zhòngguó huà. || Woo boo hway shoo-oh jahng-gwoh hwah. |
You're chatting and laughing with your friend. Here are a few phrases that will sound natural in a casual conversation.
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Your friend has said something you can't quite believe. A good equivalent to "Oh my gosh, really?" is "Zhēn de ma?" / 真的吗? Typically zhēn is used to express that something is really ______ (good, bad, spicy, etc.). Here, with "de ma" following, it turns into a question. They will often answer, "Zhēn de," 真的 ("Really.). Amid the laughs of a good joke or funny circumstance, toss in, "Yŏu yìsi," 真有意思. While "yŏu" on its own often means "to have," paired with "yìsi" the phrase becomes "significant," "interesting," or "enjoyable." Essentially, you're saying, "Oh, how funny!" or "That's interesting."
Pronounce it: zhēn de ma || jen-duh-mah || "Zhēn" is a flat tone, a bit sustained and a bit higher than the other words. Without tones, "de ma" are quick and short, said smoothly after "zhēn". yŏu yìsi || yoh-ee-suh || The "yŏu" has that pesky third tone, requiring a dip in the way you say it. I recommend starting downward, and moving back up as you say "yoh," elongating the word. "Yìsi" is quipped, the downward fourth tone making "yi" a short "ee", followed by an afterthought "suh." |