Mandarin is the national language of China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and
Macau. Although it is regarded as the national common language by the
government, you will find people speaking their own dialects and
languages in different parts of the country. In the same way other
languages evolved to their status as 'national languages', Mandarin
Chinese, more commonly distinguished as Han Yu, Zhong Wen, Hua Yu,
Guo Yu or Pu Tong Hua, was derived from the northern Han Chinese
languages of Pekingese (or the BeiJing dialect) and other related
languages and dialects.
Unlike other 'contemporary' languages, excluding Japanese, Korean and
Manchurian, Chinese is written with ideographic characters known as
Han Yu in Chinese or Kanji in Japanese. Each character has a specific
pronounciation distinct to a language or dialect. In short, a
character will be pronounced differently in Mandarin, Cantonese,
Hokkien, Japanese, Korean... In addition to pronounciation
differences, the meaning of each character or character combination
would have different meanings from one dialect or language to
another. For example, the character or character combination
depicting the 'word' "I" is written differently in Chinese and
Japanese. That is why I sometimes call the various dialects that are
distinct from Mandarin Chinese as languages themselves even if they
use the unified writing system created by one of the emperors of the
earlier dynasties.
'Modern' Mandarin can be divided as 'Traditional Chinese' and
'Simplified Chinese'. Traditional Chinese is mainly used in Taiwan
and has a longer history than Simplified Chinese. The Communist
Chinese and their despicable cultural revolution created the much
clipped version of Chinese characters and introduced the Pin Yin
system of pronounciation. The Pin Yin system is the romanization of
the Zhu Yin system of pronounciation. Below, the charts give both Zhu
Yin and Pin Yin phonetics.
The Simplified Chinese characters are much easier to learn and write,
however, the meaning of each stroke and ideograph is absent in them.
Hence, it is much more difficult to associate a character to its
origins. If I forget how to write one character, I can think of the
action, tense, or situation the word is used and easily remember how
to write it in Traditional Chinese. In Simplified Chinese, one cannot
attempt to achieve this with much success.
Zhu Yin or Pin Yin can be regarded as the 'alphabet' of Mandarin
Chinese. It consists of 21 'consonants' and 16 main 'vowels and
dipthongs'. As Mandarin is a tonal language, each character
pronounced in a different tone will give a different meaning. To make
life more confusing, a character can be pronounced many ways and a
character pronounced in the same way may have different meanings. So,
it might be wise to learn both pronounciation and characters.
Chinese, like Korean, Japanese and Mongolian is written from top to
bottom, right to left; a real confusing and messy system when you are
right-handed because the base of your hand will smudge the ink.
However, each character is written from top to bottom, from left to
right. Are you confused now?
Consonants
Please read the chart from left to right, top to bottom. Consonants
cannot live without a vowel or a dipthong.
The consonants when read individually, except j, q, x, zh, ch, sh, r,
z, c, s, should be read as consonant sound + schwa (an inverted e)
sound, like the French e without any accent markings. The exceptions
are read as consonant sound + short i (as in the i of big).
b: unaspirated p; as in the the Tagalog p
p: aspirated p; as in the English p
m: as in the m of mother
f: as in the f of father
d: unaspirated t; as in the Tagalog t
t: aspirated t; as in the English t
n: as in the n of nook
l: as in the l or lorry
g: unaspirated k; as in the Tagalog k
k: aspirated k; as in the English k
h: as in the h of house
j: unaspirated 'ts' as in the 'tu' in capture
q: aspirated 'ts'
x: as in the s of soft or the French ç
zh: unaspirated ch; as in the Tagalog ch
ch: aspirated ch; as in the English ch
sh: as in the sh in shower
r: as in the Spanish, French or Tagalog r
z: unaspirated sharp 'dz'
c: aspirated sharp 'dz'
s: a hard s, a sound in the middle of s & z
Vowels and Dipthongs
Please read the chart from left to right, top to bottom. Vowels and
dipthongs can have a divorce or separation with a consonant and never
suffer any hardships! They'll probably be paying alimony but they are
still well-off than consonants trying to live by themselves.
a: as in the a of car
o: as in the o of long
e: as in the schwa or French e
ê: as in the e of hen
ai: as in eye
ei: as in the ay of say
ao: as in the ou of grouch
ou: as in the oa of roach
an: as in the a of car + n
en: schwa + n
ang: as in the a of car + ng
eng: schwa + ng
er: schwa + r
yi: as in the ee of eel
wu: as in the oo of loo
yu: as in the French u
Tones
Tones are only applied to vowels and dipthongs and are written on the
right side of the first vowel after a consonant (in the Zhu Yin
system). In the Pin Yin system, it is written as a superscript after
the syllable or as a marking on top of the first vowel after a
consonant. A consonant is always pronounced with a mid-tone and
doesn't have any tonal changes.
First Tone: The first tone or the mid-tone uses no markings at all.
Say a word with a normal tone.
Second Tone: The second tone or the high-tone is higher than the midtone. For example, pronounce the vowel or dipthong in a higher
musical note from the one you use pronouncing the mid-tone. This tone
also rises immediately from the mid-tone as compared to the rising
tone.
Third Tone: The third tone or the rising tone has 2 steps. From the
mid-tone, bring down the tone of your voice a couple of notches then
slowly raise it to a very high tone. To help you with this
pronounciation, sway your head downwards and slowly sway it upwards.
As if this really helps! =)
Fourth Tone: The fourth tone or the falling tone literally falls!
It's like something heavy falling down. Say a word and bring it down
with a heavy tone like saying 'damn it' when you are really angry!
Fifth Tone: The fifth tone is shorter than the falling tone. It has
the same principle as the fourth tone but you pronounce the word a
half-time shorter than you would pronounce a word with a falling
tone. In addition, you have to have an abrupt glottal stop.
After you have mastered the 5 different tones, you can learn Thai and
have certain ease in learning languages with more than 5 tones.
Moreover, you'll be speaking your native language in a sing-song
manner and tend to be very musical or tonal.
Basic Conversation
Good Morning: Zao3 An1
Good Day (Noon): Wu3 An1
Good Afternoon: Wu3 An1
Good Evening: Wan3 An1
Hello/Hi: Ni3 Hao3
Goodbye: Zai4 Jian4
Thank you: Xie4 Xie5
Thank you very much: Duo1 Xie4
You're welcome: Bu4 Ke4 Qi4
Excuse Me: Dui4 Pu4 Qi3 [in general]; Jie4 Guo4 [if asking for
passage].
Sorry: Dui4 Pu4 Qi3.
May I/Do you mind: Wo3 Ke3 Bu4 Ke3 Yi3...
Yes: Shi4/You3
No: Bu2 Shi4 [note the change of tone in Bu as used in this word
combination]./Mei2 You3
Welcome to... : Huan1 Ying2 Ni3 {Lai2} Dao 4...
Please...: Qing3...
Mr.: Xien1 Sheng1 or Xien1 Sheng5
Mrs.: Tai4 Tai5
Ms: Nu3 Shi4
Do you speak English?: Ni3 Hui4 Jiang3 Ying1 Wen2 {or Ying1 Yu3} Ma1?
I speak a little... : Wo3 Hui4 Jiang3 Yi4 Dian3...
Do you understand: Ni3 Dong3... {insert noun}... Ma1?
I (don't) understand: Wo1 [Bu4] Dong3
Could you please speak more slowly?: Ni3 Ke3 Bu4 Ke3 Yi3 Jiang3 Man4 Yi4
Dian3?
Could you repeat that?: Ni3 Ke3 Bu4 Ke3 Yi3 Zai4 Shuo1 {or Jiang3} Yi3
Ci4.
Please write it down.: Qing3 Xie3 Xia4 Lai2!
How do you say... ?: Ni3 Ze3 Me5 Shuo1... ?
What does... mean?: ...{insert word}... Shi4 She2 Me5 Yi4 Si4?
How are you?:Ni3 Hao3 Ma1?
Fine!: Hao3; Hen3 Hao3 = very good/fine.
What is your name?: Ni3 Jiao4 She 2 Me5 Ming2 Zi4; Nin3 Gui4 Xing4 =
more formal.
My name is... : Wo3 Jiao4...{your name}.
I'm pleased to meet you. : Wo3 Hen3 Gao1 Xing4 Neng2 Gou4 Ren4 Shi4 Ni3.
Where are you from (a Country, region, province, state, city...)? :
Ni3 Shi4 Na3 Yi3 Ge4 Di4 Fang1 Lai2 De5?
Where did you come from (general)?: Ni3 Cong2 Na3 Li3 Lai2?
How old are you?: Ni3 Ji3 Sui4?
I'm... years old.: Wo3... {age}... Sui4.
What do you do (as an occupation)?: Ni3 De5 Zhi2 Yeh4 Shi4 She2 Me5
Are you married?: Ni3 Jie2 Hun1 Le5 Ma1?
I am single.: Wo3 Wei4 Hun1.
I am married: Wo3 Yi3 Jing1 Jie2 Hun1 Le5.
I like... : Wo 3 Xi3 Huan1...
I don't like... : Wo3 Bu4 Xi3 Huan1...
Do you like... ?: Ni3 Xi3 Huan1 Ma1?
Where are you going?: Ni3 Yao4 Qu4 Na3 Li3?
What are you doing (general)?:Ni3 Zai4 Zuo4 She2 Me5?
What is this called?: Zhe4 Ge5 Jiao4 She2 Me5?
Just a minute.: Qing3 Deng3 Yi3 Xia4.
It's important.: {pronoun/classifier} Zhong4 Yao4.
It's not important.:{pronoun/classifier} Bu4 Zhong4 Yao4.
Look!: Kan4!
Listen/Listen to this!: Ting1/Ting1 Zhe4 Ge5!
Where is the... ?: {object/place} Zai4 Na3 Li3?
How do we get to?: Wo3 Men2 Ze3 Me4 Qu4... {name of place}?
It is far!: Hen3 Yuan3!
It is near!: Hen3 Jin4!
What... is this?: Zhe4 Ge4 Shi4 She2 Me5...?
At the next corner.: Zai4 Xia4 Yi3 Ge5 Jiao3 Chu4.
Straight ahead... : Yi4 Zhi2 Zou3...
To the right... : You4 Pien1...
To the left... : Zuo3 Pien1...
Behind.: Hou4 Mien4.
In front of.: Qian2 Mien4.
Opposite.: Dui4 Mien4.
In the centre.: Zhong1 Xin1/Jien1...
North.: Bei3.
South.: Nan2.
East.: Dong1.
West.: Xi1.
How much does... cost?: Zhe4 Ge5... Duo1 Shao3 Qien2?
Please wait here!: Qing3 Zai4 Zhe4 Li3 Deng3!
Stop!: Ting2!
How long does... take?: {verb + place/object} Yao4 Duo1 Jiou3 ?
I need a (another)...: Wo3 Xu1 Yao4 {Ling4 Yi3 Ge5}...
Where is the bathroom?: Ce4 Suo3 Zai4 Na3 Li3?
Could I please use the telephone.: Wo3 Neng2 Bu4 Neng2 Yung4 Dien4
Hua4?
I am hungry!: Wo3 Hen3 E4!
I need food!: Wo3 Yao4 Dong1 Xi5 Chi1!
I want to eat.: Wo3 Yao4 Chi1...
Breakfast: Zao3 Can1
Lunch: Wu3 Can1
Dinner: Wan3 Can1
Snack: Dien2 Xin1
I'd like to buy... : Wo3 Xiang3 Mai3...
It is too expensive...: Tai4 Gui4 Le5
It is cheap. Pien2 Yi2
You are cheap. Ni3 Hen3 Xiao3 Qi4!
What time is it?: Ji3 Dien2 Le5?
What date/day is it today?: Jin1 Tien1 Ji3 Ri4?
Today: Jin1 Tien1
This morning: Jin1 Tien1 Zao3 Shang4
Tonight: Jin1 Wan3
This week: Zhe4 Ge4 Li3 Bai4/Xing1 Qi2
This year: Jin1 Nien2
Now: Xien4 Zai4
Yesterday: Zuo2 Tien1
Day before yesterday: Qien2 Tien1
Yesterday morning: Zuo2 Tien1 Zao3 Shang4
Last night: Zuo2 Wan3
Last Week: Shang4 Ge4 Li3 Bai4/Xing1 Qi2
Last Year: Qu4 Nien2
Tomorrow: Ming2 Tien1
Day after tomorrow: Hou4 Tien1
Tomorrow morning: Ming2 Tien1 Zao3 Shang4
Tomorrow afternoon: Ming2 Tien1 Xia4 Wu3
Tomorrow evening: Ming3 Tien1 Wan3 Shang4
Next week: Xia4 Ge4 Li3 Bai4/Xing1 Qi2
Next year: Ming2 Nien2
Afternoon: Xia4 Wu3
Dawn: Tien1 Liang4
Day: Ri4
Early: Zao3
Midnight: Ban4 Yeh4
Morning: Zao3 Shang4
Night: Yeh4 Jien1
Noon: Zhong1 Wu3
Sunrise: Ri4 Chu1
Sunset: Ri4 Luo4
I need money!: Wo3 Xu1 Yao4 Qien2!
I don't have money!: Wo3 Mei2 You3 Qien2!
Help!: Jiou4 Ming4 {In Life Threatening Emergencies}/Qing3 Bang1 Mang2
{Asking for General Help}
Go away!: Zou3 Kai1! or Gun3! {more vulgar}
Thief!: Zei2!
Fire!: Huo3.. {fire}/Shi1 Huo3 Le5! {shouting when there is a fire}.
Watch Out!: Zhu4 Yi4!/Xiao3 Xin1
I'm lost!: Wo3 Shi1 Zong1 Le5 or Wo3 Mi2 Lu4 Le5...
Cardinal Numbers
1: Yi1
2: Er4
3: San1
4: Si4
5: Wu5
6: Liou4
7: Qi1
8: Ba1
9: Jiou3
10: Shi2
11: Shi2 Yi1
12: Shi2 Er4
13: Shi2 San1
14: Shi2 Si4
15: Shi2 Wu3
16: Shi2 Liou4
17: Shi2 Qi1
18: Shi2 Ba1
19: Shi2 Jiou3
20: Er4 Shi2
30: San1 Shi2
40: Si4 Shi2
50: Wu3 Shi2
60: Liou4 Shi2
70: Qi1 Shi2
80: Ba1 Shi2
90: Jiou1 Shi2
100: Yi1 Bai3
1000: Yi1 Qien1
10000: Yi1 Wan4
100000: Shi2 Wan4
1000000: Yi1 Bai3 Wan4
10000000: Yi3 Yi4
Ordinal Numbers
1st: Di4 Yi1
2nd: Di4 Er4
3rd: Di4 San1