TRANSCRIPT OF MANDARIN LESSONS | LearnChineseEZ.com
Welcome to our free online Mandarin Chinese lessons. These lessons have been designed to provide
practical travel vocabulary and a foundation for basic conversational skills through a simple listen and repeat
format. Don't get frustrated if you find some of the phrases difficult to pronounce at first. Many of the sounds
will be new to you, and saying them may be a challenge in the beginning. With practice you'll soon notice
your ability to recognize and produce the sounds of Mandarin developing naturally.
SECTION: GETTING STARTED
ENGLISH: Hello
PINYIN: nǐ hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee hau
LITERAL: you good
"Hello" is a combination of two words - the word for "you" and the word for "good".
ENGLISH: You
PINYIN: nǐ
PINYIN EZ: nee
ENGLISH: Good
PINYIN: hǎo
PINYIN EZ: hau
So to say "hello" in Mandarin, you literally say "you good":
ENGLISH: Hello
PINYIN: nǐ hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee hau
LITERAL: you good
To convert that into the question "How are you?", or literally "You good?", all you have to do is add the
following syllable at the end:
ENGLISH: (Add this word to make a statement into a question)
PINYIN: ma
PINYIN EZ: mah / muh
ENGLISH: How are you?
PINYIN: nǐ hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: nee hau mah
LITERAL: you good +?
In China, you'd only ask this of good friends if you're really interested in their well-being. Chinese don't use
this phrase as casually as Americans do. Here are some responses:
ENGLISH: Good (a positive answer)
PINYIN: hǎo
PINYIN EZ: hau
ENGLISH: Very
PINYIN: hěn
PINYIN EZ: hun / heun
ENGLISH: Very good
PINYIN: hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: hun hau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I
PINYIN: wǒ
PINYIN EZ: woh
ENGLISH: I'm very good
PINYIN: wǒ hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: woh hun hau
LITERAL: I very good
ENGLISH: Not
PINYIN: bù
PINYIN EZ: boo
ENGLISH: Not good
PINYIN: bù hǎo
PINYIN EZ: boo hau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Again
PINYIN: zài
PINYIN EZ: dzie
ENGLISH: To see
PINYIN: jiàn
PINYIN EZ: djee-en
ENGLISH: Goodbye
PINYIN: zài jiàn
PINYIN EZ: dzie djee-en
LITERAL: again see
Again, if you're new to Mandarin, don't be worried if you are unable to reproduce these words perfectly.
You'll find that with repeated exposure/listening, your ability to recognize and reproduce Chinese tones will
become easier.
SECTION: NATIONALITY
ENGLISH: Middle
PINYIN: zhōng
PINYIN EZ: johng
ENGLISH: China
PINYIN: zhōng-guó
PINYIN EZ: johng-gwoh
LITERAL: middle country
ENGLISH: Person
PINYIN: rén
PINYIN EZ: ren
ENGLISH: Chinese person
PINYIN: zhōng-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: johng-gwoh ren
LITERAL: China persion
ENGLISH: Beautiful
PINYIN: měi
PINYIN EZ: may
ENGLISH: America
PINYIN: měi-guó
PINYIN EZ: may-gwoh
LITERAL: beautiful country
ENGLISH: American
PINYIN: měi-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: may-gwoh ren
LITERAL: America person
ENGLISH: England
PINYIN: yīng-guó
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-gwoh
ENGLISH: English person
PINYIN: yīng-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-gwoh ren
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Foreign country
PINYIN: wài-guó
PINYIN EZ: wie-gwoh
LITERAL: outside country
SECTION: I / HE / SHE
In Chinese language, tones are very important, because different tones can give the same word different
meanings. Initially, as long as you can approximate the tones, then overall meaning of your statements will
usually be understood by context. But be aware of and try to imitate the intonation of the speaker as best you
can.
ENGLISH: I
PINYIN: wǒ
PINYIN EZ: woh
ENGLISH: Is/are/am
PINYIN: shì
PINYIN EZ: shih
ENGLISH: I am
PINYIN: wǒ shì
PINYIN EZ: woh shih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I am American
PINYIN: wǒ shì měi-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: woh shih may-gwoh ren
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You are American
PINYIN: nǐ shì měi-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: nee shih may-gwoh ren
LITERAL: (same)
As we did with "how are you?", to make a statement into a question, just add "mah" at the end of of the
sentence:
ENGLISH: Are you American?
PINYIN: nǐ shì měi-guó rén ma
PINYIN EZ: nee shih may-gwoh ren mah
LITERAL: you are American?
To make a sentence negative, simple put the word for "not" in front of the verb.
ENGLISH: Not
PINYIN: bù
PINYIN EZ: boo
ENGLISH: I am not American
PINYIN: wǒ bù-shì měi-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: woh boo shih may-gwoh ren
LITERAL: I not am American
ENGLISH: I am Chinese
PINYIN: wǒ shì zhōng-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: woh shih johng-gwoh ren
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: He/she
PINYIN: tā
PINYIN EZ: tah
ENGLISH: She is American
PINYIN: tā shì měi-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: tah shih may-gwoh ren
LITERAL: she is America person
SECTION: I / WE / THEY
You've already learned the pronouns "I", "you", and "she"/"he". These can be converted into the pronouns
"we', "they', and plural form of "you" by adding the extension "men":
ENGLISH: I
PINYIN: wǒ
PINYIN EZ: woh
ENGLISH: We
PINYIN: wǒ-men
PINYIN EZ: woh-men
ENGLISH: He/she
PINYIN: tā
PINYIN EZ: tah
ENGLISH: They
PINYIN: tā-men
PINYIN EZ: tah-men
ENGLISH: You
PINYIN: nǐ
PINYIN EZ: nee
ENGLISH: You (when more than one person)
PINYIN: nǐ-men
PINYIN EZ: nee-men
ENGLISH: Hello (to address one person)
PINYIN: nǐ hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee hau
LITERAL: you good
ENGLISH: Hello (to address more than 1 person)
PINYIN: nǐ-men hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee-men hau
LITERAL: you good
For the remainder of the program, when the plural form of "you" is required, we will say "you guys".
SECTION: LANGUAGES / MY / YOUR
ENGLISH: England
PINYIN: yīng-guó
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-gwoh
ENGLISH: English (the language)
PINYIN: yīng-wén
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-wuhn
ENGLISH: China
PINYIN: zhōng-guó
PINYIN EZ: johng-gwoh
ENGLISH: Chinese (language)
PINYIN: zhōng-wén
PINYIN EZ: johng-wuhn
ENGLISH: I
PINYIN: wǒ
PINYIN EZ: woh
ENGLISH: My
PINYIN: wǒ-de
PINYIN EZ: woh-duh
ENGLISH: You
PINYIN: nǐ
PINYIN EZ: nee
ENGLISH: Your
PINYIN: nǐ-de
PINYIN EZ: nee-duh
ENGLISH: My Chinese is bad
PINYIN: wǒ-de zhōng-wén bù hǎo
PINYIN EZ: woh-duh johng-wuhn boo hau
LITERAL: my Chinese not good
ENGLISH: Your English is very good
PINYIN: nǐ-de yīng-wén hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee-duh yeeng-wuhn hun hau
LITERAL: your English very good
ENGLISH: It's mine
PINYIN: shì wǒ-de
PINYIN EZ: shih woh-duh
LITERAL: is mine
ENGLISH: It's not mine
PINYIN: bù-shì wǒ-de
PINYIN EZ: boo shih woh-duh
LITERAL: not is mine
ENGLISH: It's yours
PINYIN: shì nǐ-de
PINYIN EZ: shih nee-duh
LITERAL: is yours
ENGLISH: I'm yours
PINYIN: wǒ shì nǐ-de
PINYIN EZ: woh shih nee duh
LITERAL: I am yours
ENGLISH: You're mine
PINYIN: nǐ shì wǒ-de
PINYIN EZ: nee shih woh duh
LITERAL: you are mine
SECTION: TO SPEAK
ENGLISH: To speak (verb)
PINYIN: shuō
PINYIN EZ: shoh / shwoh
ENGLISH: To know how (verb)
PINYIN: huì
PINYIN EZ: way
ENGLISH: You know how to speak
PINYIN: nǐ huì shuō
PINYIN EZ: nee way shoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You know how to speak English
PINYIN: nǐ huì shuō yīng-wén
PINYIN EZ: nee way shoh yeeng-wuhn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Do you know how to speak English?
PINYIN: nǐ huì shuō yīng-wén ma
PINYIN EZ: nee way shoh yeeng-wuhn mah
LITERAL: you know how to speak English +?
ENGLISH: They cannot speak English
PINYIN: tā-men bù-huì shuō yīng-wén
PINYIN EZ: tah-men boo way shoh yeeng-wuhn
LITERAL: they not know how to speak English
ENGLISH: I know how to speak Chinese
PINYIN: wǒ huì shuō zhōng-wén
PINYIN EZ: woh way shoh johng-wuhn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I don't know how to speak Chinese
PINYIN: wǒ bù-huì shuō zhōng-wén
PINYIN EZ: woh boo way shoh johng-wuhn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: A little
PINYIN: yī-diǎn
PINYIN EZ: ee-dee-en
ENGLISH: A little (alternate - Northern China)
PINYIN: yī-diǎnr
PINYIN EZ: ee-dee-ar
ENGLISH: A little Chinese
PINYIN: yī-diǎn zhōng-wén
PINYIN EZ: ee-dee-en johng-wuhn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I know how to speak a little Chinese
PINYIN: wǒ huì shuō yī-diǎn zhōng-wén
PINYIN EZ: woh way shoh ee-dee-en johng-wuhn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: She can speak some English
PINYIN: tā huì shuō yī-diǎn yīng-wén
PINYIN EZ: tah way shoh ee-dee-en yeeng-wuhn
LITERAL: she knows how to speak a little English
ENGLISH: Please repeat that
PINYIN: qǐng zài shuō yī-biàn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng dzie shoh ee-bee-en
LITERAL: please again speak one time
SECTION: WHAT
ENGLISH: What
PINYIN: shén-me
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh
ENGLISH: What's the matter?
PINYIN: shén-me shì
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh shih
LITERAL: what is
ENGLISH: What did you say?
PINYIN: nǐ shuō shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee shoh shun-muh
LITERAL: you said what
ENGLISH: What did he say?
PINYIN: tā shuō shén-me
PINYIN EZ: tah shoh shun-muh
LITERAL: he said what
ENGLISH: To do (verb)
PINYIN: zuò
PINYIN EZ: dzoh
ENGLISH: What are you doing?
PINYIN: nǐ zuò shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee dzoh shun-muh
LITERAL: you doing what
SECTION: THANK YOU / YOU'RE WELCOME
ENGLISH: Thanks
PINYIN: xiè-xie
PINYIN EZ: see-ay-see-ay
ENGLISH: Thank you (alternate)
PINYIN: xiè-xie nín
PINYIN EZ: see-ay-see-ay neen
LITERAL: thanks you
ENGLISH: You're welcome
PINYIN: bù xiè
PINYIN EZ: boo see-eh
LITERAL: no thanks
ENGLISH: You're welcome (more formal)
PINYIN: bù kè-qì
PINYIN EZ: boo kuh-tchee
LITERAL: don't be polite
ENGLISH: Your welcome / no prob (for small things)
PINYIN: méi guān-xì
PINYIN EZ: may gwahn-shee
LITERAL: not have connection
ENGLISH: Welcome (welcome to hotel/restaurant/shop)
PINYIN: huān-yíng guāng-lín
PINYIN EZ: wahn-yeeng gwahng-leeng
SECTION: WOULD LIKE TO / TO EAT
ENGLISH: Would like to
PINYIN: xiǎng
PINYIN EZ: see-ahng / shee-ahng
ENGLISH: What would you like to do?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng zuò shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng dzoh shun-muh
LITERAL: you would like to do what?
ENGLISH: To eat
PINYIN: chī
PINYIN EZ: chih
ENGLISH: Rice
PINYIN: fàn
PINYIN EZ: fahn
ENGLISH: To eat a meal
PINYIN: chī fàn
PINYIN EZ: chih fahn
LITERAL: to eat rice
ENGLISH: I would like to eat (meal)
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng chih fahn
LITERAL: I would l like to eat rice
ENGLISH: Would you like to eat?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng chī-fàn ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng chih fahn mah
LITERAL: you would like to eat rice?
There is no standard word for "yes" and "no" in Chinese. Instead, questions are usually answered by
repeating the positive or negative for of the verb from the original question. To answer the question "would
you like to eat?', you could simply repeat the positive or negative form of the verb:
ENGLISH: Yes
PINYIN: xiǎng
PINYIN EZ: see-ahng
LITERAL: would like
ENGLISH: No
PINYIN: bù xiǎng
PINYIN EZ: boo see-ahng
LITERAL: not would like
ENGLISH: Okay?
PINYIN: hǎo bù hǎo
PINYIN EZ: hau boo hau
LITERAL: good-not-good?
ENGLISH: Let's eat, okay?
PINYIN: wǒ-men chī-fàn, hǎo bù hǎo
PINYIN EZ: woh-men chih fahn, hau boo hau
LITERAL: we eat, good not good?
ENGLISH: Okay
PINYIN: hǎo
PINYIN EZ: hau
LITERAL: good
ENGLISH: What would you like to eat?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng chī shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng chih shun-muh
LITERAL: you would like to eat what?
SECTION: TO NEED / TO WANT / TO EAT
ENGLISH: To want / to need
PINYIN: yào
PINYIN EZ: yau
ENGLISH: What do you want?
PINYIN: nǐ yào shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee yau shun-muh
LITERAL: you want what?
The verb "yau" followed by a noun means "to want', and followed by a verb implies "to need".
ENGLISH: I want rice
PINYIN: wǒ yào yī-ge fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh yau ee-guh fahn
LITERAL: I want one rice
We will discuss the word for "one" later
ENGLISH: I want you
PINYIN: wǒ yào nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh yau nee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I need to eat
PINYIN: wǒ yào chī
PINYIN EZ: woh yau chih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I need to eat (meal)
PINYIN: wǒ yào chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh yau chih fahn
LITERAL: I need to eat rice
ENGLISH: Do you want?
PINYIN: nǐ yào ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yau mah
LITERAL: you want +?
Another way of asking a questing (other than using "mah') is to instead place the positive and negative forms
of a verb back-to-back, effectively giving the listener a "choice":
ENGLISH: Do you want? (using +/- verb construction)
PINYIN: nǐ yào-bù-yào
PINYIN EZ: nee yau boo yau
LITERAL: you want-not-want?
ENGLISH: Don't want (good response to pushy sellers)
PINYIN: bù yào
PINYIN EZ: boo yau
LITERAL: not want
ENGLISH: No thanks
PINYIN: xiè-xie, bù yào
PINYIN EZ: see-ay-see-ay, boo yau
LITERAL: thanks, not want
SECTION: DELICIOUS
ENGLISH: Delicious (said about food)
PINYIN: hǎo-chī
PINYIN EZ: hau chih
LITERAL: good to eat
ENGLISH: Very delicious
PINYIN: hěn hǎo-chī
PINYIN EZ: hun hau chih
LITERAL: very good to eat
ENGLISH: Really
PINYIN: zhēn
PINYIN EZ: jun / jeun
ENGLISH: Really delicious
PINYIN: zhēn hǎo-chī
PINYIN EZ: jun hau chih
LITERAL: really good to eat
SECTION: A LOT / TOO MUCH
ENGLISH: A lot
PINYIN: hěn duō
PINYIN EZ: hun doh
LITERAL: very much
ENGLISH: I ate a lot
PINYIN: wǒ chī-le hěn duō
PINYIN EZ: woh chih luh hun doh
LITERAL: I ate very much
The word "luh" after a verb indicates past tense, but is also used in other places, such as when indicating
excessiveness.
ENGLISH: Too (excessive)
PINYIN: tài
PINYIN EZ: tie
ENGLISH: Too much
PINYIN: tài duō
PINYIN EZ: tie doh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I ate too much
PINYIN: wǒ chī-le tài duō le
PINYIN EZ: woh chih luh tie doh luh
LITERAL: (same)
The first "luh" is to indicate past tense, and the second "luh" is for "too / excessively". You'll get a lot more
practive with this.
SECTION: TO BUY
ENGLISH: To buy
PINYIN: mǎi
PINYIN EZ: mie
ENGLISH: I need to buy
PINYIN: wǒ yào mǎi
PINYIN EZ: woh yau mie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I would like to buy
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: What would you like to buy?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng mǎi shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng mie shun-muh
LITERAL: you would like to buy what
ENGLISH: I would not like to buy it
PINYIN: wǒ bù xiǎng mǎi
PINYIN EZ: woh boo see-ahng mie
LITERAL: I not would like to buy
Notice the difference between the tones for "to sell" and "to buy'
ENGLISH: To sell
PINYIN: mài
PINYIN EZ: mie
ENGLISH: To buy
PINYIN: mǎi
PINYIN EZ: mie
SECTION: THING / SOMETHING
ENGLISH: Thing
PINYIN: dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: dohng-see
ENGLISH: You are nothing (insult)
PINYIN: nǐ bù-shì dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: nee boo shih dohng-see
LITERAL: you not are thing
ENGLISH: To shop
PINYIN: mǎi dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: mie dohng-see
LITERAL: to buy things
ENGLISH: I would like to go shop
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie dohng-see
LITERAL: I would like to buy things
ENGLISH: Something
PINYIN: yī-diǎn dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: ee-dee-en dohng-see
LITERAL: little thing
ENGLISH: I would like to eat something
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng chī yī-diǎn dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng chih ee-dee-en dohng-see
LITERAL: I would like to eat something
ENGLISH: I would like to buy something
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī-diǎn dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie ee-dee-en dohng-see
LITERAL: I would like to buy something
SECTION: TO GO
ENGLISH: To go
PINYIN: qù
PINYIN EZ: tchoo
ENGLISH: I'm going
PINYIN: wǒ qù
PINYIN EZ: woh tchoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: He's not going
PINYIN: tā bù qù
PINYIN EZ: tah boo tchoo
LITERAL: he not going
ENGLISH: Are we going?
PINYIN: wǒ-men qù ma
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tchoo mah
LITERAL: we going +?
ENGLISH: Are you going?
PINYIN: nǐ qù ma
PINYIN EZ: nee tchoo mah
LITERAL: you going +?
ENGLISH: What are you going there to do?
PINYIN: nǐ qù nàr zuò shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee tchoo nar dzoh shun-muh
LITERAL: you go there do what?
ENGLISH: I would like to go
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng qù
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng tchoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Would you like to go?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng qù ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng tchoo mah
LITERAL: you would like to go +?
ENGLISH: Let's go eat, okay?
PINYIN: wǒ-men qù chī-fàn, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tchoo chih fahn, hau mah
LITERAL: we go eat rice, good +?
ENGLISH: Beijing
PINYIN: běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: bay-jeeng
ENGLISH: I'm going to Beijing
PINYIN: wò qù běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh tchoo bay-jeeng
LITERAL: I go Beijing
ENGLISH: I would like to go to Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng qù běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng tchoo bay-jeeng
LITERAL: I would like to go Beijing
SECTION: INVITATIONS / SUGGESTIONS
ENGLISH: We go
PINYIN: wǒ-men qù
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tchoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Would you like to go?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng qù ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng tchoo mah
LITERAL: you would like to go +?
ENGLISH: (Phrase extension creates suggestion)
PINYIN: ba
PINYIN EZ: bah
ENGLISH: Let's go ('bah' makes it a suggestion)
PINYIN: wǒ-men qù ba
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tchoo bah
LITERAL: we go + 'bah'
ENGLISH: Let's eat (suggestion)
PINYIN: wǒ-men chī-fàn ba
PINYIN EZ: woh-men chih fahn bah
LITERAL: we eat + 'bah'
ENGLISH: Is it good?
PINYIN: hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: hau mah
LITERAL: good +?
ENGLISH: How about we eat?
PINYIN: wǒ-men chī-fàn, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: woh-men chih fahn, hau mah
LITERAL: we eat, good +?
SECTION: PLEASE
ENGLISH: Please
PINYIN: qǐng
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng
ENGLISH: To come in (verb)
PINYIN: jìn
PINYIN EZ: jeen
ENGLISH: Please come in
PINYIN: qǐng jìn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng jeen
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: To sit
PINYIN: zuò
PINYIN EZ: dzoh
ENGLISH: Please sit down
PINYIN: qǐng zuò
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng dzoh
LITERAL: please sit
ENGLISH: Do you want to sit down?
PINYIN: nǐ yào zuò ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yau dzoh mah
LITERAL: you want sit +?
ENGLISH: To listen
PINYIN: tīng
PINYIN EZ: teeng
ENGLISH: Please listen
PINYIN: qǐng tīng
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng teeng
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: THIS AND THAT
ENGLISH: This
PINYIN: zhè
PINYIN EZ: juh / jih
ENGLISH: This (alternate - informal)
PINYIN: nèi
PINYIN EZ: nay
ENGLISH: This one
PINYIN: zhè-ge
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh
LITERAL: this one
ENGLISH: This one (alternate - informal)
PINYIN: nèi-ge
PINYIN EZ: nay-guh
LITERAL: this one
ENGLISH: This one is delicious
PINYIN: zhè-ge hěn hǎo-chī
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh hun hau chih
LITERAL: this very good to eat
ENGLISH: My/mine
PINYIN: wǒ-de
PINYIN EZ: woh duh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: This one is mine
PINYIN: zhè-ge shì wǒ-de
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh shih woh-duh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Book
PINYIN: shū
PINYIN EZ: shoo
ENGLISH: This book (with measure word)
PINYIN: zhè běn shū
PINYIN EZ: juh boon shoo / juh beun shoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I would like to buy this book
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi zhè běn shū
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie juh boon shoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: This is my book
PINYIN: zhè běn shū shì wǒ-de
PINYIN EZ: juh boon shoo shih woh-duh
LITERAL: this book is mine
ENGLISH: This one is yours
PINYIN: zhè-ge shì nǐ-de
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh shih nee-duh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Is this yours?
PINYIN: zhè-ge shì nǐ-de ma
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh shih nee-duh mah
LITERAL: this one is yours +?
ENGLISH: Luggage
PINYIN: xíng-lǐ
PINYIN EZ: seeng-lee
ENGLISH: Is this your luggage?
PINYIN: zhè shì nǐ-de xíng-lǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: juh shih nee duh seeng-lee mah
LITERAL: this is your luggage +?
ENGLISH: This is hers
PINYIN: zhè-ge shì tā-de
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh shih tah-duh
LITERAL: this one is hers
ENGLISH: This is ours
PINYIN: zhè-ge shì wǒ-men de
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh shih woh-men duh
LITERAL: this one is ours
ENGLISH: What is this?
PINYIN: zhè shì shén-me
PINYIN EZ: juh shih shun-muh
LITERAL: this is what
ENGLISH: That
PINYIN: nà
PINYIN EZ: nah
ENGLISH: What is that?
PINYIN: nà shì shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nah shih shun-muh
LITERAL: that is what
ENGLISH: That one
PINYIN: nà-ge
PINYIN EZ: nah guh
LITERAL: that one
ENGLISH: That person
PINYIN: nà-ge rén
PINYIN EZ: nah guh ren
LITERAL: that person
ENGLISH: Which one
PINYIN: nǎ-ge
PINYIN EZ: nah guh
LITERAL: (same)
Note that there is a tone difference between the words for "that" and "which".
ENGLISH: Which one is yours?
PINYIN: nǎ-ge shì nǐ-de
PINYIN EZ: nah-guh shih nee-duh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: That is my luggage
PINYIN: nà-ge shì wǒ-de xíng-lǐ
PINYIN EZ: nah-guh shih woh-duh seeng-lee
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: TO BE LOCATED
ENGLISH: To be located (verb)
PINYIN: zài
PINYIN EZ: dzie
ENGLISH: In China
PINYIN: zài zhōng-guó
PINYIN EZ: dzie johng-gwoh
LITERAL: located China
ENGLISH: To live / to stay (somewhere)
PINYIN: zhù
PINYIN EZ: joo
ENGLISH: I live in China
PINYIN: wǒ zhù zài zhōng-guó
PINYIN EZ: woh joo dzie johng-gwoh
LITERAL: I live located China
ENGLISH: She lives in America
PINYIN: tā zhù zài měi-guó
PINYIN EZ: tah joo dzie may-gwoh
LITERAL: she lives located America
ENGLISH: We live in Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ-men zhù zài běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh-men joo dzie bay-jeeng
LITERAL: we live located Beijing
ENGLISH: Here
PINYIN: zhèr
PINYIN EZ: jar
ENGLISH: Is it here?
PINYIN: shì zài zhèr ma
PINYIN EZ: shih dzie jar mah
LITERAL: is located here +?
ENGLISH: Yes, it is here
PINYIN: shì, shì zài zhèr
PINYIN EZ: shih, shih dzie jar
LITERAL: is, is located here
ENGLISH: Here (alternate)
PINYIN: zhè-lǐ
PINYIN EZ: juh-lee / jeu-lee
LITERAL: this place
ENGLISH: Do you live here?
PINYIN: nǐ zhù zài zhè-lǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: nee joo dzie juh-lee mah
LITERAL: you live located here +?
SECTION: WHERE
ENGLISH: Where
PINYIN: nǎr
PINYIN EZ: nar
ENGLISH: Where (alternate - Southern China)
PINYIN: nǎ-lǐ
PINYIN EZ: nah-lee
ENGLISH: Where is it?
PINYIN: zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: dzie nar
LITERAL: located where
ENGLISH: Where is she?
PINYIN: tā zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: tah dzie nar
LITERAL: she located where
ENGLISH: Where do you live?
PINYIN: nǐ zhù zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: nee joo dzie nar
LITERAL: you live located where
ENGLISH: Where are we going?
PINYIN: wǒ-men qù nǎr
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tchoo nar
LITERAL: we going where?
ENGLISH: Where would you like to go?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng qù nǎr
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng tchoo nar
LITERAL: you would like to go where?
ENGLISH: Hotel (small hotel/hostel)
PINYIN: lǚ-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: loo-gwahn
ENGLISH: Hotel (large hotel)
PINYIN: jǐu-diàn
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh-dee-en
ENGLISH: I would like to go to the hotel
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng qù jǐu-diàn
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng tchoo djee-oh-dee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm staying at a hotel
PINYIN: wǒ zhù zài jǐu-diàn
PINYIN EZ: woh joo dzie djee-oh-dee-en
LITERAL: I living located hotel
ENGLISH: Where is the Beijing Hotel?
PINYIN: běi-jīng jǐu-diàn zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: bay-jeeng djee-oh-dee-en dzie nar
LITERAL: Beijing hotel located where?
ENGLISH: Where are we going to eat?
PINYIN: wǒ-men qù nǎr chī
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tchoo nar chih
LITERAL: we go where to eat?
ENGLISH: Where would you like sit?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng zuò zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng dzoh dzie nar
LITERAL: you would like located where to sit?
SECTION: PARDON ME
In Chinese, when approaching someone to ask a question, it's polite to first say "Excuse me, may I ask..."
before asking the question.
ENGLISH: I'm sorry / excuse me (get attention / pardon)
PINYIN: duì-bu-qǐ
PINYIN EZ: dway-boo-tchee
ENGLISH: Excuse me, do you speak English?
PINYIN: duì-bu-qǐ, nǐ huì shuō yīng-wén ma
PINYIN EZ: dway-boo-tchee, nee way shoh weeng-wun mah
LITERAL: excuse me, you know how to speak English?
ENGLISH: To ask (verb)
PINYIN: wèn
PINYIN EZ: wun
ENGLISH: May I ask
PINYIN: qǐng wèn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng wun
LITERAL: please to ask
ENGLISH: May I ask, where is the hotel?
PINYIN: qǐng wèn, jǐu-diàn zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng wun, djee-oh-dee-en dzie nar
LITERAL: please to ask, hotel located where?
ENGLISH: Excuse me, may I ask, where is the hotel?
PINYIN: duì-bu-qǐ, qǐng-wèn, jǐu-diàn zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: dway-boo-tchee, tcheeng wun, djee-oh-dee-en dzie nar
LITERAL: excuse me, please to ask, hotel located where?
SECTION: PLACE
ENGLISH: Where
PINYIN: nǎr
PINYIN EZ: nar
ENGLISH: Place (notice tone difference)
PINYIN: nàr
PINYIN EZ: nar
ENGLISH: I
PINYIN: wǒ
PINYIN EZ: woh
ENGLISH: My place
PINYIN: wǒ nàr
PINYIN EZ: woh nar
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We
PINYIN: wǒ-men
PINYIN EZ: woh-men
ENGLISH: Our place
PINYIN: wǒ-men nàr
PINYIN EZ: woh-men nar
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You
PINYIN: nǐ
PINYIN EZ: nee
ENGLISH: Your place
PINYIN: nǐ nàr
PINYIN EZ: nee nar
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Friend
PINYIN: péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: pung-yoh
ENGLISH: A friend's place
PINYIN: péng-yǒu nàr
PINYIN EZ: pung-yoh nar
LITERAL: friend's place
ENGLISH: I'm going to my friend's place
PINYIN: wǒ qù wǒ-de péng-yǒu nàr
PINYIN EZ: woh tchoo woh duh pung-yoh nar
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I would like to go to your place
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng qù nǐ nàr
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng tchoo nee nar
LITERAL: I would like to go your place
ENGLISH: Home
PINYIN: jiā
PINYIN EZ: tchee-ah / djee-ah
ENGLISH: There is our home
PINYIN: nàr shì wǒ-men-de jiā
PINYIN EZ: nar shih woh-men duh djee-ah
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: TO COME
ENGLISH: To come
PINYIN: lái
PINYIN EZ: lie
ENGLISH: I'm coming / Let me
PINYIN: wǒ lái
PINYIN EZ: woh lie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm not coming
PINYIN: wǒ bù lái
PINYIN EZ: woh boo lie
LITERAL: I not coming
ENGLISH: She/he is coming
PINYIN: tā lái
PINYIN EZ: tah lie
LITERAL: she/he coming
ENGLISH: Are you coming?
PINYIN: nǐ lái ma
PINYIN EZ: nee lie mah
LITERAL: you coming +?
ENGLISH: Come to our place
PINYIN: lái wǒ-men nàr
PINYIN EZ: lie woh-men nar
LITERAL: come our place
ENGLISH: Would you like to come to our place?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng lái wǒ-men nàr ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng lie woh-men nar mah
LITERAL: you would like to come our place +?
ENGLISH: I am American
PINYIN: wǒ shì měi-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: woh shih may-gwoh lie duh
LITERAL: I from America come
SECTION: TO LIKE and TO LOVE
ENGLISH: To like
PINYIN: xǐ-huan
PINYIN EZ: see-wahn / shee-wahn
ENGLISH: I like your place
PINYIN: wǒ xǐ-huan nǐ-nàr
PINYIN EZ: woh see-wahn nee nar
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I like China
PINYIN: wǒ xǐ-huan zhōng-guó
PINYIN EZ: woh see-wahn johng-gwoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I like China very much
PINYIN: wǒ hěn xǐ-huan zhōng-guó
PINYIN EZ: woh hun see-wahn johng-gwoh
LITERAL: I very like China
ENGLISH: Do you like?
PINYIN: nǐ xǐ-huan ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-wahn mah
LITERAL: you like +?
ENGLISH: Do you like Beijing?
PINYIN: nǐ xǐ-huan běi-jīng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-wahn bay-jeeng mah
LITERAL: you like Beijing +?
ENGLISH: I like Beijing very much
PINYIN: wǒ hěn xǐ-huan běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh hun see-wahn bay-jeeng
LITERAL: I very like Beijing
ENGLISH: Do you like it here?
PINYIN: nǐ xǐ-huan zhè-lǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-wahn juh-lee mah
LITERAL: you like here +?
ENGLISH: I like it here very much
PINYIN: wǒ hěn xǐ-huan zhè-lǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh hun see-wahn juh-lee
LITERAL: I very like here
ENGLISH: Don't like
PINYIN: bù xǐ-huan
PINYIN EZ: boo see-wahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I don't like him/her/it
PINYIN: wǒ bù xǐ-huan tā
PINYIN EZ: woh boo see-wahn tah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I like you
PINYIN: wǒ xǐ-huan nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh see-wahn nee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I like you very much
PINYIN: wǒ hěn xǐ-huan nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh hun see-wahn nee
LITERAL: I very like you
ENGLISH: To love
PINYIN: ài
PINYIN EZ: ie
ENGLISH: I love you
PINYIN: wǒ ài nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh ie nee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I don't love you
PINYIN: wǒ bù ài nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh boo ie nee
LITERAL: I not love you
ENGLISH: I would like to make love
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng zuò-ài
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng dzoh ie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Lover
PINYIN: ài-rén
PINYIN EZ: ie ren
LITERAL: love person
SECTION: WHY AND BECAUSE
ENGLISH: For / in order to
PINYIN: wèi
PINYIN EZ: way
ENGLISH: Why?
PINYIN: wèi-shén-me
PINYIN EZ: way shun-muh
LITERAL: in order to what?
ENGLISH: Why are you going?
PINYIN: nǐ wèi-shén-me qù
PINYIN EZ: nee way-shun-muh tchoo
LITERAL: you why go?
ENGLISH: To learn
PINYIN: xué
PINYIN EZ: shway
ENGLISH: I'm going to America in order to learn English
PINYIN: wǒ qù měi-guó wèi xué yīng-wén
PINYIN EZ: woh tchoo may-gwoh way shway yeeng-wuhn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Why do you ask?
PINYIN: nǐ wèi-shén-me wén
PINYIN EZ: nee way-shun-muh wun
LITERAL: you why ask?
ENGLISH: Why do you not like her?
PINYIN: nǐ wèi-shén-me bù xǐ-huan tā
PINYIN EZ: nee way-shun-muh boo see-wahn tah
LITERAL: you why not like her?
ENGLISH: Because
PINYIN: yīn-wèi
PINYIN EZ: yeen-way
ENGLISH: Because she doesn't like me
PINYIN: yīn-wèi tā bù xǐ-huan wǒ
PINYIN EZ: yeen-way tah boo see-wahn woh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Why don't you want to come?
PINYIN: nǐ wèi-shén-me bù xiǎng lái
PINYIN EZ: nee way-shun-muh boo see-ahng lie
LITERAL: you why would like not to come?
ENGLISH: Because I love you
PINYIN: yīn-wèi wǒ ài nǐ
PINYIN EZ: yeen-way woh ie nee
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: CAN (to be able)
ENGLISH: Can
PINYIN: ké-yǐ
PINYIN EZ: kuh-ee
ENGLISH: Is it okay?
PINYIN: ké-yǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: kuh-ee mah
LITERAL: can?
ENGLISH: I can go
PINYIN: wǒ ké-yǐ qù
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee tchoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Can you go?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ qù ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee tchoo mah
LITERAL: you can go +?
ENGLISH: Can you come?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ lái ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee lie mah
LITERAL: you can come +?
ENGLISH: May I sit down?
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ zuò ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee dzoh mah
LITERAL: I can sit +?
ENGLISH: I cannot eat this
PINYIN: wǒ bù kě-yǐ chī zhè-ge
PINYIN EZ: woh boo kuh-ee chih juh-guh
LITERAL: I not can eat this
There is more than one way of saying "can" in Cantonese. In general you'll find "kuh-ee" involving
permission issues. The following verb, "nung', implies ability because of skills/knowledge. However, this is
a very loose rule and these two verbs are often used interchangeably.
ENGLISH: Can (alternate)
PINYIN: néng
PINYIN EZ: nung
ENGLISH: Can you speak English?
PINYIN: nǐ néng shuō yīng-wén ma
PINYIN EZ: nee nung shoh yeeng-wuhn mah?
LITERAL: you able to speak English?
ENGLISH: I cannot come
PINYIN: wǒ bù néng lái
PINYIN EZ: woh boo nung lie
LITERAL: I not able come
SECTION: WHEN
ENGLISH: What
PINYIN: shén-me
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh
ENGLISH: When
PINYIN: shén-me shí-hòu
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh-shih-hoh
LITERAL: what times
ENGLISH: When are we going?
PINYIN: wǒ-men shén-me shí-hòu qù
PINYIN EZ: woh-men shun-muh-shih-hoh tchoo
LITERAL: we when go?
ENGLISH: When are you going?
PINYIN: nǐ shén-me shí-hòu qù
PINYIN EZ: nee shun-muh-shih-hoh tchoo
LITERAL: you when go?
ENGLISH: When is he coming?
PINYIN: tā shén-me shí-hòu lái
PINYIN EZ: tah shun-muh-shih-hoh lie
LITERAL: he when come?
ENGLISH: When can you come?
PINYIN: nǐ shén-me shí-hòu kě-yǐ lài
PINYIN EZ: nee shun-muh-shih-hoh kuh-ee lie
LITERAL: you when can come?
ENGLISH: When are we eating?
PINYIN: wǒ-men shén-me shí-hòu chī
PINYIN EZ: woh-men shun-muh-shih-hoh chih
LITERAL: we when eat?
ENGLISH: When do you want to eat?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng shén-me shí-hòu chī
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng shun-muh-shih-hoh chih
LITERAL: you would like when to eat?
SECTION: TO BE CALLED
ENGLISH: To be called
PINYIN: jiào
PINYIN EZ: djee-au / tchee-au
ENGLISH: What is this called?
PINYIN: zhè-ge jiào shén-me
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh djee-au shun-muh
LITERAL: this called what
ENGLISH: What is this called in Chinese?
PINYIN: zhè-ge zhōng-wén jiào shén-me
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh johng-wuhn djee-au shun-muh
LITERAL: this Chinese called what
ENGLISH: What is that called?
PINYIN: nà-ge yīng-wén jiào shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nah-guh djee-au shun-muh
LITERAL: that called what
SECTION: NAMES AND INTRODUCTIONS
ENGLISH: My name is Michael
PINYIN: wǒ jiào michael
PINYIN EZ: woh djee-au michael
LITERAL: I called Michael
ENGLISH: Is / are / am
PINYIN: shì
PINYIN EZ: shih
ENGLISH: I am Michael
PINYIN: wò shì michael
PINYIN EZ: woh shih michael
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I am Yao Ming
PINYIN: wò shì yáo-míng
PINYIN EZ: woh shih yau meeng
LITERAL: (same)
The following is the more polite way to ask for someone's name and give your own.
ENGLISH: To be called a last name
PINYIN: xìng
PINYIN EZ: seeng
ENGLISH: What is your last name?
PINYIN: nǐ gèi xìng
PINYIN EZ: nee gway seeng
LITERAL: you honorable last name
ENGLISH: My last name is Jackson
PINYIN: wǒ xìng jackson
PINYIN EZ: woh seeng jackson
LITERAL: my last name Jackson
ENGLISH: My name is Michael Jackson
PINYIN: wǒ xìng jackson, jiào michael
PINYIN EZ: woh seeng jackson, djee-au michael
LITERAL: My last name Jackson, called Michael
ENGLISH: My name is Yao Ming
PINYIN: wǒ xìng yáo, jiào míng
PINYIN EZ: woh seen yau, djee-au meeng
LITERAL: My last name is Yao, first name Ming
SECTION: TITLES
ENGLISH: Sir / Mister
PINYIN: xiān-shēng
PINYIN EZ: see-en-shung / shee-en-shung
ENGLISH: Mr. Lee
PINYIN: lǐ xiān-shēng
PINYIN EZ: lee see-en-shung
LITERAL: Lee Mr.
ENGLISH: Mrs.
PINYIN: tài-tai
PINYIN EZ: tie tie
ENGLISH: Mrs. Lee
PINYIN: lǐ tài-tai
PINYIN EZ: lee tie tie
LITERAL: Lee Mrs.
ENGLISH: Miss
PINYIN: xiǎo-jiě
PINYIN EZ: see-au-djee-ay
ENGLISH: Miss Chen
PINYIN: chén xiǎo-jiě
PINYIN EZ: chun see-au-djee-ay
LITERAL: Chen Miss
ENGLISH: Are you Miss Chen?
PINYIN: nǐ shì chén xiǎo-jiě ma
PINYIN EZ: nee shih chun see-au-djee-ay mah
LITERAL: you are Chen Miss
ENGLISH: Yes, I am
PINYIN: shì, wǒ shì
PINYIN EZ: shih, woh shih
LITERAL: am, I am
ENGLISH: She is Miss Chen
PINYIN: tā shì chén xiǎo-jiě
PINYIN EZ: tah shih chun see-au-djee-ay
LITERAL: she is Chen Miss
A more polite way of introducing someone would be to use the following word:
ENGLISH: honorable person
PINYIN: wèi
PINYIN EZ: way
ENGLISH: This is Miss Chen
PINYIN: zhè wèi shì chén xiǎo-jiě
PINYIN EZ: juh way shih chun see-au-djee-ay
LITERAL: this honorable person is Miss Chen
SECTION: WHO
ENGLISH: Who
PINYIN: shéi
PINYIN EZ: shay
To ask who is at the door, or who is on the phone, you could simply say:
ENGLISH: Who is it?
PINYIN: shéi
PINYIN EZ: shay
LITERAL: who?
Or you could say:
ENGLISH: Who is it?
PINYIN: shì shéi
PINYIN EZ: shih shay
LITERAL: is who?
ENGLISH: Whose
PINYIN: shéi-de
PINYIN EZ: shay-duh
ENGLISH: Who is that?
PINYIN: nà shì shéi
PINYIN EZ: nah shih shay
LITERAL: that is who?
ENGLISH: Can anyone speak English?
PINYIN: shéi huì shuō yīng-wén
PINYIN EZ: shay way shoh yeeng-wuhn
LITERAL: who knows how to speak English?
SECTION: TO HAVE / IS THERE
ENGLISH: To have
PINYIN: yǒu
PINYIN EZ: yoh
ENGLISH: Do you have it?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh mah
LITERAL: you have +?
ENGLISH: Do you have it? (with +/- construction)
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu-méi-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh may yoh
LITERAL: you have-not-have?
ENGLISH: Yes (affirmative response)
PINYIN: yǒu
PINYIN EZ: yoh
LITERAL: have
ENGLISH: No
PINYIN: méi-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: may yoh
LITERAL: not have
ENGLISH: Passport
PINYIN: hù-zhào
PINYIN EZ: hoo-jau
ENGLISH: Do you have your passport? (e.g. did you bring it?)
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu hù-zhào ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh hoo-jau mah
LITERAL: you have passport +?
ENGLISH: My passport
PINYIN: wǒ-de hù-zhào
PINYIN EZ: woh-duh hoo-jau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Where is my passport?
PINYIN: wǒ-de hù-zhào zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: woh-duh hoo-jau dzie nar
LITERAL: my passport located where?
ENGLISH: Car
PINYIN: chē
PINYIN EZ: chih
ENGLISH: A car
PINYIN: yī liàng chē
PINYIN EZ: ee lee-ahng chih
LITERAL: one car
ENGLISH: He has a car
PINYIN: tā yǒu yī liàng chē
PINYIN EZ: tah yoh ee lee-ahng chih
LITERAL: he has car
ENGLISH: Do you have a car?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu chē ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh chih mah
LITERAL: you have car +?
In Chinese, the verb "to have" can also mean "there is" and "there are".
ENGLISH: Is there a hotel here?
PINYIN: zhé-lǐ yǒu jǐu-diàn ma
PINYIN EZ: juh-lee yoh djee-oh-dee-en mah?
LITERAL: here has hotel +?
ENGLISH: There is
PINYIN: yǒu
PINYIN EZ: yoh
LITERAL: has
ENGLISH: Is there anybody here?
PINYIN: yǒu rén ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh ren mah
LITERAL: has anyone +?
ENGLISH: Is there anyone who speaks English?
PINYIN: yǒu shéi huì shuō yīng-wén
PINYIN EZ: yoh shay way shoh yeeng-wuhn
LITERAL: has who knows how to speak English?
SECTION: MONEY
ENGLISH: Money
PINYIN: qián
PINYIN EZ: tchee-en
ENGLISH: I don't have money
PINYIN: wǒ méi-yóu qián
PINYIN EZ: woh may-yoh tchee-en
LITERAL: I not have money
ENGLISH: Do you have money?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu qián ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh tchee-en mah
LITERAL: you have money?
ENGLISH: A little
PINYIN: yī-diǎn
PINYIN EZ: ee-dee-en
ENGLISH: I have a little money
PINYIN: wǒ yǒu yī-diǎn qián
PINYIN EZ: woh yoh ee-dee-en tchee-en
LITERAL: I have little money
ENGLISH: He has money
PINYIN: tā yǒu qián
PINYIN EZ: tah yoh tchee-en
LITERAL: he has money
SECTION: HOW MUCH
ENGLISH: How much?
PINYIN: duō-shǎo
PINYIN EZ: doh-shee-au
ENGLISH: How much money?
PINYIN: duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: how much money?
ENGLISH: How much is this one?
PINYIN: zhè-ge shì duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh shih doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: this one how much money?
ENGLISH: How much is it to go to Beijing?
PINYIN: qù běi-jīng, duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: tchoo bay-jeeng, doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: to go to Beijing, how much money?
ENGLISH: How much money do you have?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: you have how much money
SECTION: CHEAP and EXPENSIVE
ENGLISH: Expensive
PINYIN: guì
PINYIN EZ: gway
ENGLISH: It's very expensive
PINYIN: hěn guì
PINYIN EZ: hun gway
LITERAL: very expensive
ENGLISH: Is it very expensive?
PINYIN: hěn guì ma
PINYIN EZ: hun gway mah
LITERAL: very expensive +?
ENGLISH: It's not very expensive
PINYIN: bù shì hěn guì
PINYIN EZ: boo shih hun gway
LITERAL: not is very expensive
ENGLISH: It's too expensive
PINYIN: tài guì le
PINYIN EZ: tie gway luh
LITERAL: to expensive
ENGLISH: Is it expensive to go to Beijing?
PINYIN: qù běi-jīng, hěn guì ma
PINYIN EZ: tchoo bay-jeeng, hun gway muh
LITERAL: to go to Beijing, very expensive?
ENGLISH: Cheap
PINYIN: pián-yí
PINYIN EZ: pee-en-yee
ENGLISH: It's very cheap
PINYIN: hěn pián-yí
PINYIN EZ: hun pee-en-yee
LITERAL: very cheap
ENGLISH: Everything
PINYIN: shén-me dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh dohng-see doh
LITERAL: something all
ENGLISH: Everything is very cheap
PINYIN: shén-me dōng-xi dōu hěn pián-yí
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh dohng-see doh hun pee-en-yee
LITERAL: something all very cheap
SECTION: EARLY and LATE
ENGLISH: Early
PINYIN: zǎo
PINYIN EZ: dzau
ENGLISH: Good morning
PINYIN: zǎo ān
PINYIN EZ: dzau ahn
LITERAL: early well
ENGLISH: It's too early
PINYIN: tài zǎo le
PINYIN EZ: tie dzau luh
LITERAL: too early
ENGLISH: Breakfast
PINYIN: zǎo fàn
PINYIN EZ: dzau fahn
LITERAL: early rice
ENGLISH: I would like to eat breakfast
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng chī zǎo-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng chih dzau-fahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Late
PINYIN: wǎn
PINYIN EZ: wahn
ENGLISH: Dinner
PINYIN: wǎn-fàn
PINYIN EZ: wahn fahn
LITERAL: late rice
ENGLISH: It's very late
PINYIN: hěn wǎn le
PINYIN EZ: hun wahn luh
LITERAL: very late
ENGLISH: It's too late
PINYIN: tài wǎn le
PINYIN EZ: tie wahn luh
LITERAL: too late
ENGLISH: I'm late
PINYIN EZ: woh lie wahn luh
LITERAL: wǒ lái wǎn le
LITERAL: I came late
ENGLISH: I'm sorry, I’m late
PINYIN: duì-bu-qǐ, wǒ lái wǎn le
PINYIN EZ: dway-boo-tchee, woh lie wahn luh
LITERAL: sorry, I came late
SECTION: IS IT FAR?
ENGLISH: Far
PINYIN: yuǎn
PINYIN EZ: yew-en
ENGLISH: Is it far?
PINYIN: hěn yuǎn ma
PINYIN EZ: hun yew-en mah
LITERAL: very far?
ENGLISH: Is it far? (using positive/negative construction)
PINYIN EZ: yew-en boo yew-en
LITERAL: yuǎn bù yuǎn
LITERAL: far-not-far?
ENGLISH: Not far
PINYIN: bù yuǎn
PINYIN EZ: boo yew-en
LITERAL: not far
ENGLISH: It's not far
PINYIN: bù shì hén yuǎn
PINYIN EZ: boo shih hun yew-en
LITERAL: not is very far
ENGLISH: It's too far
PINYIN: tài yuǎn le
PINYIN EZ: tie yew-en luh
LITERAL: very far
ENGLISH: Restaurant
PINYIN: fàn-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: fahn-gwahn
ENGLISH: Is the restaurant far?
PINYIN: fàn-guǎn hěn yuǎn ma
PINYIN EZ: fahn-gwahn hun yew-en mah
LITERAL: restaurant very far?
ENGLISH: Is your house far?
PINYIN: nǐ jiā hěn yuǎn ma
PINYIN EZ: nee tchee-ah hun yew-en mah
LITERAL: your house very far?
SECTION: BIG and SMALL
ENGLISH: Small
PINYIN: xiǎo
PINYIN EZ: see-au
ENGLISH: Our house is very small
PINYIN: wǒ-men de jiā hěn xiǎo
PINYIN EZ: woh-men duh tchee-ah hun see-au
LITERAL: our house very small
ENGLISH: Too small
PINYIN: tài xiǎo le
PINYIN EZ: tie see-au luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: This is too small
PINYIN: zhè-ge tài xiǎo le
PINYIN EZ: juh guh tie see-au luh
LITERAL: this one too small
ENGLISH: This car is too small
PINYIN: zhè liàng chē tài xiǎo le
PINYIN EZ: juh lee-ahng chih tie see-au luh
LITERAL: this car too small
ENGLISH: Room
PINYIN: fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: fahng-djee-en
ENGLISH: This room is too small
PINYIN: zhè-ge fáng jiān tài xiǎo le
PINYIN EZ: juh guh fahng-djee-en tie see-au luh
LITERAL: this room too small
ENGLISH: Big / large
PINYIN: dà
PINYIN EZ: dah
ENGLISH: This car is too big
PINYIN: zhè liàng chē tài dà le
PINYIN EZ: juh lee-ahng chih tie dah luh
LITERAL: this car too big
ENGLISH: Adult
PINYIN: dà-rén
PINYIN EZ: dah ren
LITERAL: big person
ENGLISH: 3 adults
PINYIN: sān ge dà-rén
PINYIN EZ: sahn guh dah ren
LITERAL: 3 big people
SECTION: RECOMMEND
ENGLISH: Recommendation
PINYIN: tuī-jiàn
PINYIN EZ: tway djee-en
ENGLISH: Do you have a recommendation?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu-méi-yǒu hǎo tuī-jiàn
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh may yoh hau tway djee-en
LITERAL: you have-not-have good recommendation?
ENGLISH: Can you recommend a hotel?
PINYIN: yǒu hǎo-de jǐu-diàn tuī-jiàn ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh hau duh djee-oh-dee-en tway djee-en mah?
LITERAL: have good hotel recommendation +?
ENGLISH: Can you recommend a restaurant?
PINYIN: yǒu hǎo-de fàn-guǎn tuī-jiàn ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh hau duh fahn-gwahn tway djee-en mah
LITERAL: have good restaurant recommendation +?
An easy way to ask for a recommendation would be to stay what you want, and then ask if the person has a
recommendation. For example:
ENGLISH: Can you recommend a restaurant?
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng chī-fàn. nǐ yǒu-méi-yǒu hǎo tuī-jiàn
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng chih fahn. nee yoh may yoh hau tway djee-en
LITERAL: I would like to eat. you have-not-have good recommendation?
Or you might just say:
ENGLISH: What's good to eat around here?
PINYIN: zhè-lǐ yǒu shén-me hǎo chī
PINYIN EZ: juh-lee yoh shun-muh hau chih
LITERAL: this place has what good to eat?
SECTION: EASY and DIFFICULT
ENGLISH: Easy
PINYIN: róng-yì
PINYIN EZ: rohng-yee
ENGLISH: English is very easy
PINYIN: yīng-wén hěn róng-yì xué
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-wuhn hun rohng-yee shway
LITERAL: English very easy to learn
ENGLISH: Chinese is not easy
PINYIN: zhōng-wén bù róng-yì xué
PINYIN EZ: johng-wuhn boo rohng-yee shway
LITERAL: Chinese not easy to learn
ENGLISH: Difficult
PINYIN: nán
PINYIN EZ: nahn
ENGLISH: Learning English is very difficult
PINYIN: xué yīng-wén hěn nán
PINYIN EZ: shway yeeng-wuhn hun nahn
LITERAL: to learn English very difficult
SECTION: FAST and SLOW
ENGLISH: Fast
PINYIN: kuài
PINYIN EZ: kwie
ENGLISH: Too fast
PINYIN: tài kuài le
PINYIN EZ: tie kwie luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You're speaking too fast
PINYIN: nǐ shuō de tài kuài le
PINYIN EZ: nee shoh duh tie kwie luh
LITERAL: you speak to fast
The "duh" means something like "in a manner". Therefore that sentence is literally "you speak in a manner
too fast".
ENGLISH: More
PINYIN: yī-diǎn
PINYIN EZ: ee-dee-en
LITERAL: a little
This word literally means "a little', but in the following examples it means something like "more'
ENGLISH: Faster
PINYIN: kuài yī-diǎn
PINYIN EZ: kwie ee-dee-en
LITERAL: fast more
ENGLISH: To drive
PINYIN: kāi
PINYIN EZ: kie
ENGLISH: Please drive faster
PINYIN: qǐng kāi de kuài yī-diǎn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng kie duh kwie ee-dee-en
LITERAL: please drive in a manner fast more
ENGLISH: Slow
PINYIN: màn
PINYIN EZ: mahn
ENGLISH: Slower
PINYIN: màn yī-diǎn
PINYIN EZ: mahn ee-dee-en
LITERAL: slow more
ENGLISH: Please drive more slowly
PINYIN: qǐng kāi de màn yī-diǎn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng kie duh mahn ee-dee-en
LITERAL: please drive in a manner slow more
ENGLISH: Can you speak a little slower?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ shuō màn yī-diǎn ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee shoh mahn ee-dee-en mah?
LITERAL: you able speak in a manner slow more +?
SECTION: COUNTING 0-10
ENGLISH: Zero
PINYIN: líng
PINYIN EZ: leeng
ENGLISH: One
PINYIN: yī
PINYIN EZ: yee / ee
ENGLISH: Two
PINYIN: èr
PINYIN EZ: ar
ENGLISH: Three
PINYIN: sān
PINYIN EZ: sahn
ENGLISH: Four
PINYIN: sì
PINYIN EZ: sih
ENGLISH: Five
PINYIN: wǔ
PINYIN EZ: woo
ENGLISH: Six
PINYIN: lìu
PINYIN EZ: lee-oh
ENGLISH: Seven
PINYIN: qī
PINYIN EZ: tchee
ENGLISH: Eight
PINYIN: bā
PINYIN EZ: bah
ENGLISH: Nine
PINYIN: jǐu
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh
ENGLISH: Ten
PINYIN: shí
PINYIN EZ: shih
ENGLISH: One, two, three, four, five
PINYIN: yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ
PINYIN EZ: yee ar sahn sih woo
ENGLISH: Six, seven, eight, nine, ten
PINYIN: lìu, qī, bā, jǐu, shí
PINYIN EZ: lee-oh tchee bah djee-oh shih
SECTION: DAYS OF THE WEEK
ENGLISH: Week
PINYIN: xīng-qī
PINYIN EZ: seeng-tchee / sheeng-tchee
ENGLISH: How much for one week? (e.g. for renting a car)
PINYIN: yī ge xīng-qī, duō-shǎo qin
PINYIN EZ: ee guh seeng-tchee, doh-shee-au
LITERAL: one week, how much?
ENGLISH: 3 weeks
PINYIN: sān ge xīng-qī
PINYIN EZ: sahn guh seeng-tchee
LITERAL: (same)
In Chinese, days of the week are numbered, beginning with "Monday', which is literally said as "week one'
ENGLISH: Monday
PINYIN: xīng-qī yī
PINYIN EZ: seeng-tchee yee
LITERAL: week one
ENGLISH: Tuesday
PINYIN: xīng-qī èr
PINYIN EZ: seeng-tchee ar
LITERAL: week two
ENGLISH: Wednesday
PINYIN: xīng-qī sì
PINYIN EZ: seeng-tchee sahn
LITERAL: week three
ENGLISH: (The pattern continues until Saturday) Saturday
PINYIN: xīng-qī lìu
PINYIN EZ: seeng-tchee lee-oh
LITERAL: week six
ENGLISH: Day
PINYIN: tiān
PINYIN EZ: tee-en
ENGLISH: Sunday (exception to rule)
PINYIN: xīng-qī tiān
PINYIN EZ: seeng-tchee tee-en
LITERAL: week day
SECTION: COUNTING MONEY
ENGLISH: (Counting word for any money)
PINYIN: kuài
PINYIN EZ: kwie
Unless the name of the currency is stated (which we'll get to later), use of this measure word will usually
imply that you're speaking about the currency of whichever country you're in.
ENGLISH: 5 units of money (any local currency)
PINYIN: wǔ kuài
PINYIN EZ: woo kwie
LITERAL: 5 units
ENGLISH: 9 units of local currency
PINYIN: jǐu kuài qián
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh kwie
LITERAL: 9 units
ENGLISH: 10 units of local currency
PINYIN: shí kuài
PINYIN EZ: shih kwie
LITERAL: 10 units
ENGLISH: (If you're in the U.S.) 4 dollars
PINYIN: sì kuài
PINYIN EZ: sih kwie
LITERAL: 4 units
ENGLISH: (If you're in China) 7 RMB
PINYIN: qī kuài
PINYIN EZ: tchee kwie
LITERAL: 7 units
ENGLISH: (If you're in Hong Kong) 8 HK dollars
PINYIN: bā kuài
PINYIN EZ: bah kwie
LITERAL: 8 units
SECTION: FIRST, SECOND, THIRD
To create ordinal numbers, just add the follow prefix before the number:
ENGLISH: (Ordinal indicator)
PINYIN: dì
PINYIN EZ: dee
ENGLISH: First
PINYIN: dì yī
PINYIN EZ: dee-yee
ENGLISH: Second
PINYIN: dì èr
PINYIN EZ: dee-ar
ENGLISH: Third
PINYIN: dì sān
PINYIN EZ: dee-sahn
ENGLISH: You are first (e.g. first in line)
PINYIN: nǐ shì dì-yī de
PINYIN EZ: nee shih dee-yee duh
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: OTHER COUNTING WORDS
In Chinese, most nouns have an associated measure word, or "counting" word, which precedes the noun
much in the same manner that the word "a" or "an" precedes nouns in English. But unlike English, Chinese
has different measure words for different categories of nouns. They are best learned along with new
vocabulary, and will be introduced periodically throughout the program. We just discussed "kwie" which is
used for money. Here are some other common ones:
ENGLISH: (Counting word for most objects and people)
PINYIN: ge
PINYIN EZ: guh
ENGLISH: One person
PINYIN: yī ge rén
PINYIN EZ: yee guh ren
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Three people
PINYIN: sān ge rén
PINYIN EZ: sahn guh ren
LITERAL: (same)
The following would be an appropriate way to ask for a "table for 3" at a restaurant:
ENGLISH: There will be three people
PINYIN: wǒ-men yǒu sān ge rén
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yoh sahn guh ren
LITERAL: we have 3 people
ENGLISH: (Counting word for cars)
PINYIN: liàng
PINYIN EZ: lee-ahng
ENGLISH: 3 cars
PINYIN: sān liàng chē
PINYIN EZ: sahn lee-ahng chih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: (Counting word for cups/glasses/drinks)
PINYIN: bēi
PINYIN EZ: bay
ENGLISH: One cup
PINYIN: yī bēi
PINYIN EZ: yee bay
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Tea
PINYIN: chá
PINYIN EZ: tchah
ENGLISH: A cup of tea
PINYIN: yī bēi chá
PINYIN EZ: yee bay tchah
LITERAL: one cup tea
ENGLISH: 4 cups of tea
PINYIN: sì bēi chá
PINYIN EZ: sih bay tchah
LITERAL: four cups tea
SECTION: TIME
ENGLISH: O'clock
PINYIN: diǎn
PINYIN EZ: dee-en
LITERAL: points
ENGLISH: O'clock (alternate)
PINYIN: diǎn-zhōng
PINYIN EZ: dee-en johng
LITERAL: points of clock
ENGLISH: One o'clock
PINYIN: yī diǎn
PINYIN EZ: yee dee-en
LITERAL: one points
ENGLISH: One o'clock (alternate)
PINYIN: yī diǎn-zhōng
PINYIN EZ: yee dee-en johng
LITERAL: one points of clock
ENGLISH: Two o'clock
PINYIN: liǎng diǎn
PINYIN EZ: lee-ahng dee-en
LITERAL: two points
ENGLISH: 5 o'clock
PINYIN: wǔ diǎn
PINYIN EZ: woo dee-en
LITERAL: five points
ENGLISH: 10 o'clock
PINYIN: shí diǎn
PINYIN EZ: shih dee-en
LITERAL: ten points
ENGLISH: What time?
PINYIN: jǐ diǎn
PINYIN EZ: djee dee-en
LITERAL: how-many points
ENGLISH: Now
PINYIN: xiàn-zài
PINYIN EZ: see-en-dzie
ENGLISH: What time is it now?
PINYIN: xiàn-zài jǐ diǎn le
PINYIN EZ: see-en-dzie djee dee-en luh
LITERAL: now how-many points
ENGLISH: What time is it now? (alternate)
PINYIN: xiàn-zài jǐ diǎn-zhōng
PINYIN EZ: see-en-dzie djee dee-en johng
LITERAL: now how-many points of clock
ENGLISH: Now it is...
PINYIN: xiàn-zài shì
PINYIN EZ: see-en-dzie shih
LITERAL: now is
ENGLISH: Now it is 8 o'clock
PINYIN: xiàn-zài shì bā diǎn
PINYIN EZ: see-en-dzie shih bah dee-en
LITERAL: now is eight points
ENGLISH: What time do we eat?
PINYIN: wǒ-men jǐ diǎn chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men djee-dee-en chih fahn
LITERAL: we how-many points eat rice
SECTION: CONVENIENT
ENGLISH: Convenient
PINYIN: fāng-biàn
PINYIN EZ: fahng-bee-en
ENGLISH: Not convenient
PINYIN: bù fāng-biàn
PINYIN EZ: boo fahng-bee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Now is not convenient
PINYIN: xiàn-zài bù fāng-biàn
PINYIN EZ: see-en-dzie boo fahng-bee-en
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: TO START or OPEN
Do you remember the verb "to drive'? This same word also means "to start" or "to open".
ENGLISH: To start
PINYIN: kāi-shǐ
PINYIN EZ: kie-shih
ENGLISH: When does it start?
PINYIN: shén-me shí-hòu kāi-shǐ
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh-shih-hoh kie-shih
LITERAL: when start?
ENGLISH: It starts at 7 o'clock
PINYIN: qī diǎn kāi-shǐ
PINYIN EZ: tchee dee-en kie-shih
LITERAL: seven points starts
ENGLISH: Door
PINYIN: mén
PINYIN EZ: mun / meun
ENGLISH: To open
PINYIN: kāi-mén
PINYIN EZ: kie-mun
LITERAL: to open doors
ENGLISH: When does it open?
PINYIN: shén-me shí-hòu kāi-mén
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh shih-hoh kie-mun
LITERAL: when open doors?
ENGLISH: What time does the restaurant open?
PINYIN: fàn-guǎn jǐ diǎn kāi-mén
PINYIN EZ: fahn-gwahn djee dee-en kie-mun
LITERAL: restaurant how-many points open doors?
ENGLISH: The restaurant opens at 5 o'clock
PINYIN: fàn-guǎn wǔ diǎn kāi-mén
PINYIN EZ: fahn-gwahn woo dee-en kie-mun
LITERAL: restaurant five points open doors
ENGLISH: Is the restaurant open?
PINYIN: fàn-guǎn kāi-mén le ma
PINYIN EZ: fahn-gwahn kie-mun luh mah
LITERAL: restaurant opened doors?
ENGLISH: Yes
PINYIN: kāi-mén le
PINYIN EZ: kie mun luh
LITERAL: doors opened
ENGLISH: What time do you guys open?
PINYIN: nǐ-men jǐ diǎn kāi-mén
PINYIN EZ: nee-men djee dee-en kie-mun
LITERAL: you how-many points open door?
ENGLISH: When do you guys open?
PINYIN: nǐ-men shén-me shí-hòu kāi-mén
PINYIN EZ: nee-men shun-muh-shih-hoh kie-mun
LITERAL: you when open door?
ENGLISH: To close door
PINYIN: guān-mén
PINYIN EZ: gwahn-mun
ENGLISH: What time does it close?
PINYIN: jǐ diǎn guān-mén
PINYIN EZ: djee-dee-en gwahn-mun
LITERAL: how-many points close door?
ENGLISH: We're closed
PINYIN: wǒ-men guān-mén le
PINYIN EZ: woh-men gwahn-mun luh
LITERAL: we closed doors
SECTION: THE NUMBER 2
ENGLISH: Two (mathematical/numbers)
PINYIN: èr
PINYIN EZ: ar
This two ('ar') would be used for math and calculations, specifying door numbers and phone numbers, etc.
The following would be used for ordering drinks and most conversational purposes:
ENGLISH: Two (conversational/counting)
PINYIN: liǎng
PINYIN EZ: lee-ahng / lay-ahng
ENGLISH: Two people
PINYIN: liǎng ge rén
PINYIN EZ: lee-ahng guh ren
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Two cups of tea
PINYIN: liǎng bēi chá
PINYIN EZ: lee-ahng bay tchah
LITERAL: two cups tea
ENGLISH: A couple cars
PINYIN: liǎng liàng chē
PINYIN EZ: lee-ahng lee-ahng chih
LITERAL: two cars
SECTION: MONTHS OF THE YEAR
ENGLISH: Month
PINYIN: yuè
PINYIN EZ: yew-eh
ENGLISH: One month (includes counting word)
PINYIN: yī ge yuè
PINYIN EZ: yee guh yew-eh
LITERAL: (same)
Like days, months of the year are numbered, without any exceptions:
ENGLISH: January (no counting word)
PINYIN: yī yuè
PINYIN EZ: ee yew-eh
LITERAL: 1 month
ENGLISH: Two months (includes counting word)
PINYIN: liǎng ge yuè
PINYIN EZ: lee-ahng guh yew-eh
LITERAL: 2 months
ENGLISH: February (no counting word)
PINYIN: èr yuè
PINYIN EZ: ar yew-eh
LITERAL: 2 month
ENGLISH: Three months
PINYIN: sān ge yuè
PINYIN EZ: sahn guh yew-eh
LITERAL: 3 months
ENGLISH: March
PINYIN: sān yuè
PINYIN EZ: sahn yew-eh
LITERAL: 3 month
ENGLISH: October
PINYIN: shí yuè
PINYIN EZ: shih yew-eh
LITERAL: 10 month
SECTION: COUNTING 10-1000
ENGLISH: 11
PINYIN: shí-yī
PINYIN EZ: shih ee
LITERAL: ten, one
ENGLISH: 12
PINYIN: shí-èr
PINYIN EZ: shih ar
LITERAL: ten, two
ENGLISH: 13, 14, 15
PINYIN: shí-sān, shí-sì, shí-wǔ
PINYIN EZ: shih sahn, shih sih, shih woo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: 16, 17, 18, 19
PINYIN: shí-lìu, shí-qī, shí-bā, shí-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: shih lee-oh, shih tchee, shih bah, shih djee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: 20
PINYIN: èr-shí
PINYIN EZ: ar shih
LITERAL: 2 ten
ENGLISH: 21
PINYIN: èr-shí yī
PINYIN EZ: ar shih yee
LITERAL: 2 ten, one
ENGLISH: 30
PINYIN: sān-shí
PINYIN EZ: sahn shih
LITERAL: 3 ten
ENGLISH: 40
PINYIN: sì-shí
PINYIN EZ: sih shih
LITERAL: 4 ten
ENGLISH: 99
PINYIN: jǐu-shí jǐu
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh shih djee-oh
LITERAL: 9 ten, nine
ENGLISH: 100
PINYIN: yī bǎi
PINYIN EZ: ee bie
ENGLISH: 101
PINYIN: yī-bǎi líng yī
PINYIN EZ: ee bie leeng yee
LITERAL: one hundred, zero, one
ENGLISH: 155
PINYIN: yī-bǎi wǔ-shí wǔ
PINYIN EZ: ee bie woo shih woo
LITERAL: one hundred, 5 ten, five
ENGLISH: 200
PINYIN: èr-bǎi
PINYIN EZ: ar bie
LITERAL: two hundred
ENGLISH: 211
PINYIN: èr-bǎi yī shí yī
PINYIN EZ: ar bie yee shih yee
LITERAL: two hundred, one ten, one
ENGLISH: 999
PINYIN: jǐu-bǎi jǐu-shí-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh bie djee-oh shih djee-oh
LITERAL: nine hundred, nine ten, nine
ENGLISH: 1000
PINYIN: yī qiān
PINYIN EZ: ee-tchee-en
Practice counting from 1-1000 as often as possible. Becoming familiar with numbers will help you with
telling time, shopping, ordering, room numbers, bus numbers, etc.
SECTION: HOW FAR?
ENGLISH: How far is it?
PINYIN: yǒu duō yuǎn
PINYIN EZ: yoh doh yew-en
LITERAL: has how far?
ENGLISH: From here
PINYIN: lí zhèr
PINYIN EZ: lee jar
ENGLISH: How far from here?
PINYIN: lí zhèr yǒu duō yuǎn
PINYIN EZ: lee jar yoh doh yew-en
LITERAL: from here has how far
ENGLISH: It's close
PINYIN: lí zhèr bù yuǎn
PINYIN EZ: lee-jar boo yew-en
LITERAL: from here not far
ENGLISH: Meter
PINYIN: mǐ
PINYIN EZ: mee
ENGLISH: 50 meters
PINYIN: wǔ-shí mǐ
PINYIN EZ: woo shih mee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Approximately
PINYIN: zuǒ-yòu
PINYIN EZ: dzoh yoh
LITERAL: left-right
ENGLISH: Approximately 100 meters
PINYIN: yī-bǎi mǐ zuǒ-yòu
PINYIN EZ: ee bie mee dzoh yoh
LITERAL: 100 meters about
ENGLISH: Kilometer
PINYIN: gōng-lǐ
PINYIN EZ: gohng-lee
ENGLISH: 20 kilometers
PINYIN: èr-shí gōng-lǐ
PINYIN EZ: ar shih gohng-lee
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: HOW LONG
ENGLISH: Time (period of time)
PINYIN: jǐu
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh
ENGLISH: How long will it take to go to the hotel?
PINYIN: qù jǐu-diàn yào duō jǐu
PINYIN EZ: tchoo djee-oh-dee-en yau doh djee-oh
LITERAL: go to hotel need how long
ENGLISH: How long have you been here?
PINYIN: nǐ zài zhèr duō jǐu le
PINYIN EZ: nee dzie jar doh djee-oh luh
LITERAL: you located here how long?
The "luh" is added to the end because you have already "been" here in the past.
SECTION: HALF and MINUTES
ENGLISH: Half
PINYIN: bàn
PINYIN EZ: bahn
ENGLISH: 8:30
PINYIN: bā diǎn bàn
PINYIN EZ: bah dee-en bahn
LITERAL: eight points half
ENGLISH: Hour
PINYIN: xiǎo-shí
PINYIN EZ: see-au-shih
ENGLISH: How many hours?
PINYIN: jǐ ge xiǎo-shí
PINYIN EZ: djee-guh see-au-shih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: One hour
PINYIN: yī-ge xiǎo-shí
PINYIN EZ: ee guh see-au-shih
LITERAL: (same)
The following question is useful for renting a computer at an Internet cafe, a bike, etc.
ENGLISH: How much is it per hour?
PINYIN: yī ge xiǎo-shí, duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: ee guh see-au-shih, doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: one hour, how much money?
ENGLISH: 3 hours
PINYIN: sān ge xiǎo-shí
PINYIN EZ: sahn guh see-au-shih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I've been here 3 hours
PINYIN: wǒ zài zhèr sān ge xiǎo-shí le
PINYIN EZ: woh dzie jar sahn guh see-au-shih luh
LITERAL: I located here 3 hours
ENGLISH: Half hour
PINYIN: bàn ge xiǎo-shí
PINYIN EZ: bahn guh see-au-shih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Minute
PINYIN: fēn
PINYIN EZ: fun / feun
ENGLISH: 5 minutes
PINYIN: wǔ fēn
PINYIN EZ: woo fun
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: 8:10
PINYIN: bā diǎn shí fēn
PINYIN EZ: bah dee-en shih fun
LITERAL: 8 points, 10 minutes
ENGLISH: 8:15
PINYIN: bā diǎn shí-wǔ fēn
PINYIN EZ: bah dee-en shih woo fun
LITERAL: 8 points, 15 minutes
ENGLISH: 8:30 (using the word for minutes)
PINYIN: bā diǎn sān-shí fēn
PINYIN EZ: bah dee-en sahn shih fun
LITERAL: 8 points, 30 minutes
ENGLISH: Minute (alternate)
PINYIN: fēn-zhōng
PINYIN EZ: fun johng
LITERAL: minute clock
ENGLISH: How much does it cost per minute (e.g. phone call)
PINYIN: yī fēn-zhōng duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: yee fun johng doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: one minute clock how much money?
SECTION: HOW OLD ARE YOU?
ENGLISH: How old?
PINYIN: duō dà le
PINYIN EZ: doh dah luh
LITERAL: how big?
ENGLISH: How old are you?
PINYIN: nǐ duō dà le
PINYIN EZ: nee doh dah luh
LITERAL: you how big?
ENGLISH: How old is your friend?
PINYIN: nǐ-de péng-yǒu duō dà le
PINYIN EZ: nee duh pung-yoh doh dah luh
LITERAL: your friend how old?
ENGLISH: (to be a number of years old)
PINYIN: suì
PINYIN EZ: sway
ENGLISH: I'm 10 years old
PINYIN: wǒ shí suì le
PINYIN EZ: woh shih sway luh
LITERAL: I ten years old
ENGLISH: She's 21 years old
PINYIN: tā èr-shí-yī suì le
PINYIN EZ: tah ar-shih-yee sway luh
LITERAL: she 2,10,1 years old
ENGLISH: He's 35 years old
PINYIN: tā sān-shí-wǔ suì le
PINYIN EZ: tah sahn-shih-woo sway luh
LITERAL: he 3,10,5 years old
ENGLISH: I'm 70 years old
PINYIN: wǒ qī-shí suì le
PINYIN EZ: woh tchee-shih sway luh
LITERAL: I 7,10 years old
When asking "how old are you', the above form would always be used with adults. With children only, you
would instead say:
ENGLISH: How old are you? (alternate - children)
PINYIN: nǐ jǐ suì le
PINYIN EZ: nee djee sway luh
LITERAL: you how many years old?
ENGLISH: Old (person)
PINYIN: lǎo
PINYIN EZ: lau
ENGLISH: Old man
PINYIN: lǎo xiān-shēng
PINYIN EZ: lau shee-en-shung
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Old woman
PINYIN: lǎo tài-tai
PINYIN EZ: lau tie-tie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Foreigner
PINYIN: lǎo wài
PINYIN EZ: lau wie
LITERAL: old outside
ENGLISH: You're not old
PINYIN: nǐ bù lǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee boo lau
LITERAL: you not old
ENGLISH: Too old!
PINYIN: tài lǎo le
PINYIN EZ: tie lau luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: How old is it? (historic objects, etc)
PINYIN: yǒu duō lǎo
PINYIN EZ: yoh doh lau
LITERAL: has how old?
SECTION: THIS / NEXT / LAST
ENGLISH: This month
PINYIN: zhè ge yuè
PINYIN EZ: juh guh yew-eh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: This week
PINYIN: zhè ge xīng-qī
PINYIN EZ: juh-guh seeng-tchee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Last
PINYIN: shàng
PINYIN EZ: shahng
LITERAL: up
ENGLISH: Last month
PINYIN: shàng ge yuè
PINYIN EZ: shahng guh yew-eh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Last week
PINYIN: shàng ge xīng-qī
PINYIN EZ: shahng guh seeng-tchee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Next
PINYIN: xià
PINYIN EZ: see-ah / shee-ah
LITERAL: down
ENGLISH: Next month
PINYIN: xià ge yuè
PINYIN EZ: see-ah guh yew-eh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Next week
PINYIN: xià ge xīng-qī
PINYIN EZ: see-ah guh seeng-tchee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Next Friday
PINYIN: xià ge xīng-qī wǔ
PINYIN EZ: see-ah-guh seeng-tchee woo
LITERAL: next week five
ENGLISH: Time (occurrence)
PINYIN: cì
PINYIN EZ: tsih
ENGLISH: Last time
PINYIN: shàng yī cì
PINYIN EZ: shahng ee tsih
LITERAL: last one time
ENGLISH: This time
PINYIN: zhè yī cì
PINYIN EZ: juh ee tsih
LITERAL: this one time
ENGLISH: Next time
PINYIN: xià yī cì
PINYIN EZ: see-ah ee tsih
LITERAL: next one time
SECTION: TODAY / TOMORROW / YESTERDAY / YEARS
ENGLISH: Day
PINYIN: tiān
PINYIN EZ: tee-en
ENGLISH: Today (as in the current day)
PINYIN: jīn-tiān
PINYIN EZ: jeen tee-en
ENGLISH: What day is today?
PINYIN: jīn-tiān shì xīng-qī jǐ
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en shih seeng-tchee djee
LITERAL: today is week how many?
ENGLISH: Today is Saturday
PINYIN: jīn-tiān shì xīng-qī lìu
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en shih seeng-tchee lee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Everyday
PINYIN: měi-tiān
PINYIN EZ: may tee-en
LITERAL: each/every day
ENGLISH: Tomorrow
PINYIN: míng-tiān
PINYIN EZ: meeng tee-en
ENGLISH: Yesterday
PINYIN: zuó-tiān
PINYIN EZ: dzoh tee-en
ENGLISH: Year
PINYIN: nián
PINYIN EZ: nee-en
ENGLISH: This year
PINYIN: jīn nián
PINYIN EZ: jeen nee-en
ENGLISH: Last year
PINYIN: qù nián
PINYIN EZ: tchoo nee-en
LITERAL: go year
ENGLISH: Next year
PINYIN: míng-nián
PINYIN EZ: meeng nee-en
ENGLISH: Shanghai
PINYIN: shàng-hǎi
PINYIN EZ: shahng-hie
ENGLISH: She would like to come to Shanghai next year
PINYIN: tā xiǎng míng-nián lái shàng-hǎi
PINYIN EZ: tah see-ahng meeng-nee-en lie shahng-hie
LITERAL: she would like next year come Shanghai
ENGLISH: One year
PINYIN: yī nián
PINYIN EZ: yee nee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: First year
PINYIN: dì yī nián
PINYIN EZ: dee-yee nee-en
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: RENTING
ENGLISH: To rent
PINYIN: zū
PINYIN EZ: joo
ENGLISH: I would like to rent a car
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng zū yī liàng chē
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng joo ee lee-ahng chih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: How much is it for a day?
PINYIN: yī tiān duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: ee tee-en doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: one day how much money?
ENGLISH: How much is it per day? (alternate)
PINYIN: měi-tiān duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: may-tee-en doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: each/everyday, how much money?
ENGLISH: Bicycle
PINYIN: zì-xíng-chē
PINYIN EZ: zih-seeng-chih / jih-sheeng-chih
LITERAL: (self riding car)
ENGLISH: Do you have a bicycle?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu-méi-yǒu zì-xíng-chē
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh-may-yoh jih-sheeng-chih
LITERAL: you have-not-have bicycle
ENGLISH: A bicycle
PINYIN: yī liàng zì-xíng-chē
PINYIN EZ: ee lee-ahng jih-sheeng-chih
LITERAL: one bicycle
ENGLISH: I would like to rent a bike
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng zū yī liàng zì-xíng-chē
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng joo ee lee-ahng jih-sheeng-chih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: How much is for an hour?
PINYIN: yī ge xiǎo-shí duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: ee guh see-au-shih doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: one hour how much money
ENGLISH: How much is it per hour? (alternate)
PINYIN: měi-ge xiǎo-shí duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: may guh see-au-shih doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: every hour how much money?
ENGLISH: How much is it per person?
PINYIN: měi-ge rén duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: may guh ren doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: every person how much money?
SECTION: TIMES OF THE DAY
ENGLISH: Late
PINYIN: wǎn
PINYIN EZ: wahn
ENGLISH: Evening / tonight
PINYIN: wǎn-shàng
PINYIN EZ: wahn-shahng
ENGLISH: This evening
PINYIN: jīn-tiān wǎn-shàng
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en wahn-shahng
LITERAL: today evening
ENGLISH: Last night
PINYIN: zuó-tiān wǎn-shàng
PINYIN EZ: dzoh-tee-en wahn shahng
LITERAL: yesterday evening
ENGLISH: Tomorrow evening
PINYIN: míng-tiān wǎn-shàng
PINYIN EZ: meeng-tee-en wahn shahng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: In the evening
PINYIN: zài wǎn-shàng
PINYIN EZ: dzie wahn-shahng
LITERAL: located evening
ENGLISH: Morning
PINYIN: zǎo-shàng
PINYIN EZ: dzau-shahng
ENGLISH: In the morning
PINYIN: zài zǎo-shàng
PINYIN EZ: dzie dzau-shahng
LITERAL: located morning
"In the morning" and "in the evening" would not be used alone for answering questions. They would only be
used in a sentences, such as:
ENGLISH: In the morning I like to eat breakfast
PINYIN: zài zǎo-shàng wǒ xǐ-huan chī zǎo-fàn
PINYIN EZ: dzie dzau-shahng woh see-wahn chih dzau-fahn
LITERAL: located morning I like eat early rice
ENGLISH: This morning
PINYIN: jīn-tiān zǎo-shàng
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en dzau-shahng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Tomorrow morning
PINYIN: míng-tiān zǎo-shàng
PINYIN EZ: meeng-tee-en dzau shahng
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: USING TIME IN SENTENCES
in Chinese, you can often indicate past or future simply by adding a time indicating word
ENGLISH: We are going now
PINYIN: wǒ-men xiàn-zài qù
PINYIN EZ: woh-men see-en-dzie tchoo
LITERAL: we now go
ENGLISH: I cannot go now
PINYIN: wǒ xiàn-zài bù néng qù
PINYIN EZ: woh see-en-dzie boo nung tchoo
LITERAL: I now not able to go
ENGLISH: Tomorrow
PINYIN: míng-tiān
PINYIN EZ: meeng-tee-en
ENGLISH: They are going to Beijing tomorrow
PINYIN: tā-men míng-tiān qù běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: tah-men meeng-tee-en tchoo bay-jeeng
LITERAL: they tomorrow go Beijing
ENGLISH: Can you go to Shanghai tomorrow?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ míng-tiān qù shàng-hǎi ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee meeng-tee-en tchoo shahng-hie mah
LITERAL: you can tomorrow go Shanghai +?
We have been using "kuh-ee" and "nung" interchangeably for the verb "can". In most of these sentences,
both would be correct.
ENGLISH: Do you want to do something now?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng xiàn-zài zuò shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng see-en-dzie dzoh shun-muh
LITERAL: you would like now do something?
ENGLISH: What are you doing tonight?
PINYIN: nǐ jīn-tiān wǎn-shàng zuò shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee jeen-tee-en wahn-shahng dzoh shun-muh
LITERAL: you today evening doing what?
ENGLISH: Do you want to do something tonight?
PINYIN: nǐ jīn-tiān wǎn-shàng xiǎng zuò shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee jeen-tee-en wahn shahng see-ahng dzoh shun-muh
LITERAL: you today evening would like do something?
ENGLISH: What do you want to do tomorrow?
PINYIN: nǐ míng-tiān xiǎng zuò shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee meeng-tee-en see-ahng dzoh shun-muh
LITERAL: you tomorrow would like do what?
ENGLISH: Do you want to come to my place tonight?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng jīn-tiān wǎn-shàng lái wǒ nàr ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng jeen-tee-en wahn shahng lie woh nar mah
LITERAL: you would like today evening come my place +?
ENGLISH: Can you come to my place tomorrow?
PINYIN: nǐ míng-tiān kě-yǐ lái wǒ nàr ma
PINYIN EZ: nee meeng-tee-en kuh-ee lie woh nar mah
LITERAL: you tomorrow can come my place?
SECTION: GOING TO / PLANNING TO / WILL
The verb meaning "to want', when placed before another verb, means "going to".
ENGLISH: To need / going to / will
PINYIN: yào
PINYIN EZ: yau
ENGLISH: We are going to eat
PINYIN: wǒ-men yào qù chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yau tchoo chih fahn
LITERAL: we going to go to eat
ENGLISH: Tomorrow I am going to buy that car
PINYIN: wǒ míng-tiān yào mǎi nà liàng chē
PINYIN EZ: woh meeng-tee-en yau mie nah lee-ahng chih
LITERAL: I tomorrow going to buy that car
ENGLISH: We're going to go
PINYIN: wǒ-men yào qù
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yau tchoo
LITERAL: we going to go
ENGLISH: Where are we going to go?
PINYIN: wǒ-men yào qù nǎr
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yau tchoo nar
LITERAL: we going to go where
ENGLISH: I am going to go to Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ yào qù běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh yau tchoo bay-jeeng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: To plan (verb)
PINYIN: dǎ-suàn
PINYIN EZ: dah-shwihn
ENGLISH: I'm planning to go to Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ dǎ-suàn qù běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh dah-shwihn tchoo bay-jeeng
LITERAL: (same)
The verb "way" can also indicate future:
ENGLISH: I will go to Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ huì qù běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh way tchoo bay-jeeng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I will buy that car
PINYIN: wǒ huì mǎi nà liàng chē
PINYIN EZ: woh way mie nah lee-ahng chih
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: SIMPLE PAST TENSE
Simple past tense can be indicated by adding "luh" after a verb
ENGLISH: Eat / eating
PINYIN: chī
PINYIN EZ: chih
ENGLISH: Ate ('luh' indicates past action)
PINYIN: chī le
PINYIN EZ: chih luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm eating
PINYIN: wǒ chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh chih fahn
LITERAL: I eating rice
ENGLISH: I ate
PINYIN: wǒ chī le
PINYIN EZ: woh chih luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I ate (a meal)
PINYIN: wǒ chī-fàn le
PINYIN EZ: woh chih fahn luh
LITERAL: I ate rice
ENGLISH: Already
PINYIN: yǐ-jīng
PINYIN EZ: ee-jeeng
ENGLISH: I already ate
PINYIN: wǒ yǐ-jīng chī le
PINYIN EZ: woh ee-jeeng chih-luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I have already eaten lunch
PINYIN: wǒ yǐ-jīng chī-le wǔ-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh ee-jeeng chih-luh woo-fahn
LITERAL: I already ate lunch
ENGLISH: To buy
PINYIN: mǎi
PINYIN EZ: mie
ENGLISH: Bought
PINYIN: mǎi le
PINYIN EZ: mie luh
ENGLISH: What did you buy?
PINYIN: nǐ mǎi shén-me le
PINYIN EZ: nee mie shun-muh luh
LITERAL: you buy what?
ENGLISH: To do
PINYIN: zuò
PINYIN EZ: dzoh
ENGLISH: Did
PINYIN: zuò le
PINYIN EZ: dzoh luh
ENGLISH: What did you do today?
PINYIN: nǐ jīn-tiān zuò shén-me le
PINYIN EZ: nee jeen-tee-en dzoh shun-muh luh
LITERAL: you today did what?
ENGLISH: Where did you go today?
PINYIN: nǐ jīn-tiān qù nǎ-lǐ le
PINYIN EZ: nee jeen-tee-en tchoo nah-lee luh
LITERAL: you today went where?
SECTION: TIME / FREE TIME / SOMETIMES
ENGLISH: Time
PINYIN: shí-jiàn
PINYIN EZ: shih-djee-en
ENGLISH: I have time
PINYIN: wǒ yǒu shí-jiàn
PINYIN EZ: woh yoh shih-djee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We don't have time
PINYIN: wǒ-men méi-yǒu shí-jiàn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men may-yoh shih-djee-en
LITERAL: we not have time
ENGLISH: Free time
PINYIN: kōng
PINYIN EZ: kohng
LITERAL: space
ENGLISH: Do you have free time?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu kōng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh kohng mah
LITERAL: you have free time +?
ENGLISH: Do you have free time tonight?
PINYIN: nǐ jīn-tiān wǎn-shàng yǒu kōng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee jeen-tee-en wahn-shahng yoh kohng mah
LITERAL: you today evening have free time +?
ENGLISH: Tomorrow I have free time
PINYIN: míng tiān wǒ yǒu kōng
PINYIN EZ: meeng-tee-en woh yoh kohng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: When
PINYIN: shén-me shí-hòu
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh-shih-hoh
LITERAL: what times
ENGLISH: Sometimes
PINYIN: yǒu shí-hòu
PINYIN EZ: yoh shih-hoh
LITERAL: has times
ENGLISH: Sometimes I like to shop
PINYIN: wǒ yǒu-shí-hòu xǐ-huan mǎi dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: woh yoh shih-hoh see-wahn mie dohng-see
LITERAL: I sometimes like buy things
SECTION: ENOUGH
ENGLISH: To be enough
PINYIN: gòu
PINYIN EZ: goh
ENGLISH: Not enough
PINYIN: bù gòu
PINYIN EZ: boo goh
ENGLISH: Is it enough? / Do you want more?
PINYIN: gòu bù gòu
PINYIN EZ: goh boo goh
LITERAL: enough-not-enough
ENGLISH: It's enough
PINYIN: gòu le
PINYIN EZ: goh luh
LITERAL: enough
ENGLISH: I've had enough
PINYIN: wǒ gòu le
PINYIN EZ: woh goh luh
LITERAL: I enough
ENGLISH: I've eaten enough
PINYIN: wǒ chī gòu le
PINYIN EZ: woh chih goh luh
LITERAL: I ate enough
ENGLISH: I've eaten enough, thank you (more polite)
PINYIN: wǒ chī gòu le, xiè-xie
PINYIN EZ: woh chih goh luh, see-ay-see-ay
LITERAL: I ate enough, thanks
ENGLISH: I don't have enough time
PINYIN: wǒ shí-jiàn bù gòu
PINYIN EZ: woh shih-dee-en boo goh
LITERAL: I time not enough
ENGLISH: I don't have enough money
PINYIN: wǒ qián bù gòu
PINYIN EZ: woh tchee-en boo goh
LITERAL: I money not enough
SECTION: TO GIVE
ENGLISH: To give
PINYIN: gěi
PINYIN EZ: gay
ENGLISH: Give it to me
PINYIN: gěi wǒ
PINYIN EZ: gay woh
LITERAL: give me
ENGLISH: I give you
PINYIN: wǒ gěi nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh gay nee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'll give you money
PINYIN: wǒ gěi nǐ qián
PINYIN EZ: woh gay nee tchee-en
LITERAL: I give you money
ENGLISH: I can give you money
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ gěi nǐ qián
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee gay nee tchee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'll give you some money
PINYIN: wǒ gěi nǐ yī-diǎn qián
PINYIN EZ: woh gay nee ee-dee-en tchee-en
LITERAL: I give you some money
ENGLISH: Give me some money
PINYIN: gěi wǒ yī-diǎn qián
PINYIN EZ: gay woh ee-dee-en tchee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Please give me a little
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ yī-diǎn
PINYIN EZ: teeng gay woh ee-dee-en
LITERAL: please give me a little
ENGLISH: I gave her a lot of money
PINYIN: wǒ gěi tā hěn-duō qián
PINYIN EZ: woh gay tah hun doh tchee-en
LITERAL: I give her very much money
ENGLISH: I would like to give this to you
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng gěi nǐ zhè-ge
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng gay nee juh-guh
LITERAL: I would like to give you this
SECTION: PAYING THE BILL
ENGLISH: Bill/check (noun)
PINYIN: zhàng
PINYIN EZ: jahng
ENGLISH: Bill/check (to request to pay)
PINYIN: jì zhàng
PINYIN EZ: tzee-eh jahng
LITERAL: (pay money) bill
ENGLISH: The bill, please
PINYIN: qǐng jì-zhàng
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng tzee-eh jahng
LITERAL: please (pay money) bill
ENGLISH: Bill/check (alternate - Southern China)
PINYIN: mǎi-dān
PINYIN EZ: mie-dahn
ENGLISH: To pay
PINYIN: fù
PINYIN EZ: foo
LITERAL: pay money
ENGLISH: I would like to pay
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng fù-qián
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng foo tchee-en
LITERAL: I would like to pay
ENGLISH: Receipt
PINYIN: shōu-jù
PINYIN EZ: shoh-joo
ENGLISH: A receipt please
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ shōu-jù
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng gay woh shoh-joo
LITERAL: please give me receipt
ENGLISH: Problem
PINYIN: wèn-tí
PINYIN EZ: wun-tee
ENGLISH: There's a problem
PINYIN: yǒu wèn-tí
PINYIN EZ: yoh wun-tee
LITERAL: have problem
ENGLISH: What's the problem
PINYIN: yǒu shén-me wèn-tí
PINYIN EZ: yoh shun-muh wun-tee
LITERAL: has what problem?
Depending on the context, the following could be an insult:
ENGLISH: What's your problem?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu shén-me wèn-tí
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh shun-muh wun-tee
LITERAL: you have what problem?
SECTION: TO USE
ENGLISH: To use
PINYIN: yòng
PINYIN EZ: yohng
ENGLISH: Chopsticks
PINYIN: kuài-zi
PINYIN EZ: kwie-dzih
ENGLISH: I don't know how to use chopsticks
PINYIN: wǒ bù huì yòng kuài-zi
PINYIN EZ: woh boo way yohng kwie-dzih
LITERAL: (same)
The verb "to know how" is the same that we used for asking "do you know how to speak English?'
ENGLISH: He knows how to use chopsticks
PINYIN: tā huì yòng kuài-zi
PINYIN EZ: tah way yohng kwie-dzih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Do you know how to use chopsticks?
PINYIN: nǐ huì yòng kuài-zi ma
PINYIN EZ: nee way yohng kwie-dzih mah
LITERAL: you know how to use chopsticks +?
SECTION: FOR YOU
ENGLISH: For
PINYIN: gěi
PINYIN EZ: gay
LITERAL: give
ENGLISH: It's for you
PINYIN: shì gěi nǐ de
PINYIN EZ: shih gay nee duh
LITERAL: is to give yours
ENGLISH: This is for you
PINYIN: zhè shì gěi nǐ de
PINYIN EZ: juh shih gay nee-duh
LITERAL: this is to give yours
ENGLISH: Tip (gratuity)
PINYIN: xiǎo-fèi
PINYIN EZ: see-au-fay
ENGLISH: The tip is for you
PINYIN: xiǎo-fèi shì gěi nǐ de
PINYIN EZ: see-au-fay shih gay nee-duh
LITERAL: tip is to give yours
ENGLISH: I'll open the door for you
PINYIN: wǒ gěi nǐ kāi-mén
PINYIN EZ: woh gay nee kie mun
LITERAL: I give you open door
SECTION: TO HIT or TO PLAY
ENGLISH: To hit / to play (verb)
PINYIN: dǎ
PINYIN EZ: dah
ENGLISH: Tennis
PINYIN: wǎng-qíu
PINYIN EZ: wahng-tchee-oh
LITERAL: net ball
ENGLISH: I like to play tennis
PINYIN: wǒ xǐ-huan dǎ wǎng-qíu
PINYIN EZ: woh see-wahn dah wahng-tchee-oh
LITERAL: I like to hit tennis
ENGLISH: Basketball
PINYIN: nán-qíu
PINYIN EZ: lahn tchee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Do you like Basketball
PINYIN: nǐ xǐ-huan dǎ nán-qíu ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-wahn dah lahn tchee-oh mah
LITERAL: you like hit basketball +?
SECTION: PHONE CALLS
ENGLISH: Telephone
PINYIN: diàn-huà
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-wah
LITERAL: electric speech
ENGLISH: Is there a phone?
PINYIN: yǒu diàn-huà ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh dee-en-wah mah
LITERAL: has phone +?
ENGLISH: Do you have a phone?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu diàn-huà ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh dee-en-wah mah
LITERAL: you have phone +?
ENGLISH: Where's the phone?
PINYIN: diàn-huà zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-wah dzie nar
LITERAL: phone located where?
ENGLISH: Can I use the phone?
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ yòng diàn-huà ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee yohng dee-en-wah mah
LITERAL: I can use phone?
ENGLISH: Can I use your phone?
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ yòng nǐ-de diàn-huà ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee yohng nee-duh dee-en-wah mah
LITERAL: I can use your phone?
ENGLISH: To make a phone call
PINYIN: dǎ diàn-huà
PINYIN EZ: dah dee-en-wah
LITERAL: to hit phone
ENGLISH: I would like to make a phone call
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng dǎ diàn-huà
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng dah dee-en-wah
LITERAL: I would like to hit phone
ENGLISH: To arrive / To
PINYIN: dào
PINYIN EZ: dau
ENGLISH: I would like to call the United States
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng dǎ diàn-huà dào měi-guó
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng dah dee-en-wah dau may-gwoh
LITERAL: I would like hit phone arrive America
ENGLISH: Call me
PINYIN: dǎ diàn-huà gěi wǒ
PINYIN EZ: dah dee-en-wah gay woh
LITERAL: hit phone to give me
ENGLISH: Please call me
PINYIN: qǐng nǐ dǎ diàn-huà gěi wǒ
PINYIN EZ: teeng nee dah dee-en-wah gay woh
LITERAL: please you hit phone to give me
ENGLISH: I'll call you
PINYIN: wǒ dǎ diàn-huà gěi nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh dah dee-en-wah gay nee
LITERAL: I'll hit phone give to you
ENGLISH: Can I call you?
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ dǎ diàn-huà gěi nǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee dah dee-en-wah gay nee mah
LITERAL: I can hit phone to give you +?
ENGLISH: Hello? (on phone)
PINYIN: wēi
PINYIN EZ: way
ENGLISH: Is Mr. Ming there?
PINYIN: míng xiān-shēng zài ma
PINYIN EZ: meeng see-en-shung dzie mah
LITERAL: Ming Mr. located +?
ENGLISH: Is Mike there?
PINYIN: mike zài ma
PINYIN EZ: mike dzie mah
LITERAL: Mike located +?
ENGLISH: Please, is Mike there
PINYIN: qǐng-wèn, mike zài ma
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng wun, mike dzie mah
LITERAL: please to ask, Mike located +?
ENGLISH: Mike is not here
PINYIN: mike bù zài
PINYIN EZ: mike boo dzie
LITERAL: Mike not located
ENGLISH: He's not here now
PINYIN: tā xiàn-zài bù zài
PINYIN EZ: tah see-en-dzie boo dzie
LITERAL: he now not located
SECTION: SHOULD
ENGLISH: Should
PINYIN: yīng-gāi
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-gie
ENGLISH: I should
PINYIN: wǒ yīng-gāi
PINYIN EZ: woh yeeng-gie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I should call Mike
PINYIN: wǒ yīng-gāi gěi mike dǎ diàn-huà
PINYIN EZ: woh yeeng-gie gay mike dah dee-en-wah
LITERAL: I should give Mike hit phone
ENGLISH: You should call her
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi dǎ diàn-huà gěi tā
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie dah dee-en-wah gay tah
LITERAL: Your should hit phone to give her
ENGLISH: You should come
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi lái
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie lie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You should go
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi qù
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie tchoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You should go to China
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi qù zhōng-guó
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie tchoo johng-gwoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: When should I come?
PINYIN: wǒ yīng-gāi shén-me shí-hòu lái
PINYIN EZ: woh yeeng-gie shun-muh-shih-hoh lie
LITERAL: I should when come?
ENGLISH: We should eat now
PINYIN: wǒ-men yīng-gāi xiàn-zài chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yeeng-gie see-en-dzie chih-fahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Vegetables (green vegetables)
PINYIN: sù-cài
PINYIN EZ: shoo-tchie
ENGLISH: You should eat vegetables
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi chì sù-cài
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie chih shoo-tchie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You should eat more vegetables
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi duō chī yī-diǎn sù-cài
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie doh chih ee-dee-en shoo-tchie
LITERAL: you should more eat vegetables
ENGLISH: Should I tip
PINYIN: wǒ yīng-gāi gěi xiǎo-fèi ma
PINYIN EZ: woh yeeng-gie gay see-au-fay mah
LITERAL: I should give tip
In general, tips are not given in China. When they are given, the amount should be modest.
ENGLISH: How much should I tip?
PINYIN: wǒ yīng-gāi gěi duō-shǎo xiǎo-fèi
PINYIN EZ: woh yeeng-gie gay doh-shee-au see-au-fay
LITERAL: I should give how much tip
SECTION: TO INVITE
ENGLISH: To invite (same as please)
PINYIN: qǐng
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng
ENGLISH: Invite you to dinner
PINYIN: qǐng nǐ chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng nee chih fahn
LITERAL: invite you to eat (dinner is understood based on time)
ENGLISH: You should invite him
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi qǐng tā lái
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie tcheeng tah lie
LITERAL: you should invite him to come
ENGLISH: You should invite her to dinner
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi qǐng tā chī wǎn-fàn
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie tcheeng tah chih wahn-fahn
LITERAL: you should invite her to eat dinner
ENGLISH: Who did you invite?
PINYIN: nǐ qǐng shéi le
PINYIN EZ: nee tcheeng shay luh
LITERAL: you invited who?
SECTION: TO LEAVE
ENGLISH: To leave / to go
PINYIN: zǒu
PINYIN EZ: dzoh
ENGLISH: I'm leaving
PINYIN: wǒ zǒu le
PINYIN EZ: woh dzoh luh
LITERAL: I leaving
ENGLISH: I'm leaving now
PINYIN: wǒ xiàn-zài zǒu le
PINYIN EZ: woh see-en dzoh luh
LITERAL: I first leave already
ENGLISH: I'm leaving tomorrow
PINYIN: míng-tiān wǒ yào zǒu
PINYIN EZ: meeng-tee-en woh yau dzoh
LITERAL: tomorrow I going to leave
ENGLISH: I should leave
PINYIN: wǒ yīng-gāi zǒu le
PINYIN EZ: woh yeeng-gie dzoh luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Let's go ('bah' creates a suggestion)
PINYIN: wǒ-men zǒu ba
PINYIN EZ: woh-men dzoh bah
LITERAL: we leave
ENGLISH: We're leaving
PINYIN: wǒ-men zǒu le
PINYIN EZ: woh-men dzoh luh
LITERAL: we leaving
ENGLISH: What time do we leave?
PINYIN: wǒ-men jǐ diǎn zǒu
PINYIN EZ: woh-men djee-dee-en dzoh
LITERAL: we how-many points leave
SECTION: TO WAIT
ENGLISH: To wait
PINYIN: děng
PINYIN EZ: dung
ENGLISH: I'll wait for you
PINYIN: wǒ děng nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh dung nee
LITERAL: I wait you
ENGLISH: Wait for me
PINYIN: děng wǒ
PINYIN EZ: dung woh
LITERAL: wait me
ENGLISH: Can you wait for me?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ děng wǒ ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee dung woh mah
LITERAL: you can wait me +?
ENGLISH: Please you wait for me
PINYIN: qǐng nǐ děng wǒ
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng nee dung woh
LITERAL: please you wait me
ENGLISH: Please you wait for me (more polite)
PINYIN: qǐng nǐ děng wǒ yī-xià
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng nee dung woh ee see-ah
LITERAL: please you wait me a little
ENGLISH: Wait a sec / hold on
PINYIN: děng děng
PINYIN EZ: dung dung
LITERAL: wait wait
ENGLISH: Wait one sec
PINYIN: děng yī děng
PINYIN EZ: dung ee dung
LITERAL: wait one wait
ENGLISH: A moment
PINYIN: yī-kuài-er
PINYIN EZ: ee war
ENGLISH: Please wait a moment
PINYIN: qǐng děng yī-kuài-er
PINYIN EZ: tcheen dung ee war
LITERAL: please wait moment
ENGLISH: Can you wait a moment?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ děng yī-kuài-er ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee dung ee war mah
LITERAL: you can wait moment +?
ENGLISH: Yes (positive answer)
PINYIN: kě-yǐ
PINYIN EZ: kuh-ee
LITERAL: can
ENGLISH: No
PINYIN: bù kě-yǐ
PINYIN EZ: boo kuh-ee
LITERAL: cannot
SECTION: TO HELP
ENGLISH: To help
PINYIN: bāng
PINYIN EZ: bahng
ENGLISH: I help you
PINYIN: wǒ bāng nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh bahng nee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Can I help you?
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ bāng nǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee bahng nee mah
LITERAL: I can help you +?
ENGLISH: Can you help me?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ bāng wǒ ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee bahng woh mah
LITERAL: you can help me +?
Once again, here you can use either "kuh-ee" or "nung".
ENGLISH: I'll help you do it
PINYIN: wǒ bāng nǐ zuò
PINYIN EZ: woh bahng nee dzoh
LITERAL: I help you to do
ENGLISH: Please help me
PINYIN: qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng nee bahng woh
LITERAL: please you help hand me
ENGLISH: You should help her
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi bāng tā
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie bahng tah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: To give a hand
PINYIN: bāng yī-xià
PINYIN EZ: bahng ee see-ah
LITERAL: help a little
ENGLISH: Can you give a hand?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ bāng yī-xià ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee bahng ee see-ah mah
LITERAL: you can help a little +?
ENGLISH: Can you give me a hand?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ bāng wǒ yī-xià ma
PINYIN EZ: nee nung bahng woh ee see-ah mah
LITERAL: you can help me a little +?
ENGLISH: Help! (serious emergency / or kids playing)
PINYIN: jìu-mìng a
PINYIN EZ: tchew meeng uh
Above we introduced the verb "to help". Here is the noun for "help":
ENGLISH: Help
PINYIN: bāng-máng
PINYIN EZ: bahng-mahng
SECTION: TO NEED (A THING)
ENGLISH: To need
PINYIN: xū-yào
PINYIN EZ: shoo-yau
ENGLISH: I need help
PINYIN: wǒ xū-yào bāng-máng
PINYIN EZ: woh shoo-yau bahng-mahng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Do you need help?
PINYIN: nǐ xū-yào bāng-máng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee shoo-yau bahng-mahng mah
LITERAL: you need help +?
ENGLISH: He doesn't need help
PINYIN: tā bù xū-yào bāng-máng
PINYIN EZ: tah boo shoo-yau bahng-mahng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: He needs money
PINYIN: tā xū-yào qián
PINYIN EZ: tah shoo-yau tchee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We need some money
PINYIN: wǒ-men xū-yào yī-diǎn qián
PINYIN EZ: woh-men shoo-yau ee-dee-en tchee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Translator / interpreter
PINYIN: fān-yì
PINYIN EZ: fahn-yee
ENGLISH: I need a translator
PINYIN: wǒ xū-yào yī ge fān-yì
PINYIN EZ: woh shoo-yau ee guh fahn-yee
LITERAL: I need one translator
ENGLISH: Umbrella
PINYIN: yǔ-sǎn
PINYIN EZ: yew-sahn
ENGLISH: An umbrella
PINYIN: bǎ yǔ-sǎn
PINYIN EZ: bah yew-sahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We need an umbrella
PINYIN: wǒ-men xū-yào yī bǎ yǔ-sǎn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men shoo-yau ee bah yew-sahn
LITERAL: we need umbrella
ENGLISH: Shampoo
PINYIN: xǐ-fà-shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: see-fah-shway
LITERAL: (wash hair water)
ENGLISH: Soap
PINYIN: féi-zào
PINYIN EZ: fay-dzau
For simple needs, you'll more likely use the the previous verb meaning "to need":
ENGLISH: I need soap
PINYIN: wǒ yào féi-zào
PINYIN EZ: woh yau fay-dzau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Could you give me some soap?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ gěi wǒ yī kuài féi-zào ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee gay woh ee-kwie fay-dzau mah
LITERAL: you can give me some soap +?
ENGLISH: Towel
PINYIN: máo-jīn
PINYIN EZ: mau-djeen
ENGLISH: A towel
PINYIN: yī tiáo máo-jīn
PINYIN EZ: ee tee-au mau-djeen
LITERAL: one towel
ENGLISH: I need a towel
PINYIN: wǒ yào yī tiáo máo-jīn
PINYIN EZ: woh yau ee tee-au mau-djeen
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We need towels
PINYIN: wǒ-men yào máo-jīn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yau mau-djeen
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We need two towels
PINYIN: wǒ-men yào liǎng tiáo máo-jīn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yau lay-ahng tee-au mau-djeen
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Could you give me a towel?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-bù-kě-yǐ gěi wǒ yī tiáo máo-jīn
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-boo-kuh-ee gay woh ee tee-au mau-djeen
LITERAL: you can-not-can give me one towel?
ENGLISH: Map (of city)
PINYIN: dì-tú
PINYIN EZ: dee-too
ENGLISH: A map
PINYIN: yī zhāng dì-tú
PINYIN EZ: ee jahng dee-too
LITERAL: one map
ENGLISH: I need a map
PINYIN: wǒ yào yī zhāng dì-tú
PINYIN EZ: woh yau ee jahng dee-too
LITERAL: need map
SECTION: TO LOOK / TO SEE / TO READ / TO WATCH
ENGLISH: To look / to see / to read
PINYIN: kàn
PINYIN EZ: kahn
ENGLISH: I would like to see you
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng kàn nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng kahn nee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm going to see her
PINYIN: wǒ yào kàn tā
PINYIN EZ: woh yau kahn tah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: She is going to come to see me
PINYIN: tā yào lái kàn wǒ
PINYIN EZ: tah yau lie kahn woh
LITERAL: she is going to come to see me
ENGLISH: May I see that
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ kàn nà-ge ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee kahn nah-guh mah
LITERAL: I can see that +?
ENGLISH: Book
PINYIN: shū
PINYIN EZ: shoo
ENGLISH: Do you like reading books?
PINYIN: nǐ xǐ-huan kàn shū ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-wahn kahn shoo mah
LITERAL: you like to read books +?
ENGLISH: I cannot read Chinese
PINYIN: wǒ bù kě-yǐ kàn zhōng-wén
PINYIN EZ: woh boo way kahn johng-wuhn
LITERAL: I not know how to read Chinese
ENGLISH: Can you read Chinese?
PINYIN: nǐ huì kàn zhōng-wén ma
PINYIN EZ: nee way kahn johng-wuhn mah?
LITERAL: you know how to read Chinese?
ENGLISH: To take a look
PINYIN: kàn-kàn
PINYIN EZ: kahn-kahn
LITERAL: look look
ENGLISH: Can I take a look? (e.g. at room / merchandise)
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ kàn-kàn ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee kahn-kahn mah
LITERAL: I can look look +?
ENGLISH: Television
PINYIN: diàn-shì
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-shih
LITERAL: electric vision
ENGLISH: To watch television
PINYIN: kàn diàn-shì
PINYIN EZ: kahn dee-en-shih
ENGLISH: We're watching television
PINYIN: wǒ-men kàn diàn-shì
PINYIN EZ: woh-men kahn dee-en-shih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Do you want to watch?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng kàn ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng kahn mah
LITERAL: you would like to watch +?
SECTION: MOVIES
ENGLISH: Movie
PINYIN: diàn-yǐng
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-yeeng
LITERAL: electric shadow
ENGLISH: Do you like watching movies?
PINYIN: nǐ xǐ-huan kàn diàn-yǐng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-wahn kahn dee-en-yeeng mah
LITERAL: you like to watch movies +?
ENGLISH: Do you want to see a movie?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng kàn diàn-yǐng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng kahn dee-en-yeeng mah
LITERAL: you would like to watch movie +?
ENGLISH: Let's go see a movie (suggestion)
PINYIN: wǒ-men qù kàn diàn-yǐng, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tchoo kahn dee-en-yeeng, hau mah
LITERAL: we go watch movie, good +?
ENGLISH: What time does the movie start?
PINYIN: diàn-yǐng jǐ diǎn kāi-shǐ
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-yeeng djee-dee-en kie shih
LITERAL: movie how-many points starts?
ENGLISH: Movie theater
PINYIN: diàn-yǐng-yuàn
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-yeeng yew-en
ENGLISH: Where is a movie theater?
PINYIN: diàn-yǐng-yuàn zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-yeeng yew-en dzie nar
LITERAL: movie theater located where?
SECTION: SHOW ME
ENGLISH: Show me
PINYIN: gěi wǒ kàn
PINYIN EZ: gay woh kahn
LITERAL: give me to see
ENGLISH: Show us your house
PINYIN: gěi wǒ-men kàn nǐ de jiā
PINYIN EZ: gay woh-men kahn nee duh tee-eh
LITERAL: give us to see your house
ENGLISH: Please show me
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ kàn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng gay woh kahn
LITERAL: please give me to see
ENGLISH: Please show me that
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ kàn nà-ge
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng gay woh kahn nah-guh
LITERAL: please give me to see that
SECTION: TO KNOW (INFORMATION)
ENGLISH: To know
PINYIN: zhī-dào
PINYIN EZ: jih-dau
ENGLISH: I know
PINYIN: wǒ zhī-dào
PINYIN EZ: woh jih-dau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I don't know
PINYIN: wǒ bù zhī-dào
PINYIN EZ: woh boo jih-dau
LITERAL: I not know
ENGLISH: I don't know if he has a car
PINYIN: wǒ bù zhī-dào tā yǒu yī liàng chē
PINYIN EZ: woh boo jih-dau tah yoh ee lee-ahng chih
LITERAL: I not know he has a car
ENGLISH: I don't know her name
PINYIN: wǒ bù zhī-dào tā jiào shén-me míng-zi
PINYIN EZ: woh boo jih-dau tah djee-au shun-muh meeng-dzih
LITERAL: I don't know she called what name
ENGLISH: Do you know?
PINYIN: nǐ zhī-dào ma
PINYIN EZ: nee jih-dau mah
LITERAL: you know +?
ENGLISH: Do you know? (using +/- verb construction)
PINYIN: nǐ zhī-bù-zhī-dào
PINYIN EZ: nee jih-boo-jih-dau
LITERAL: you know-not-know?
ENGLISH: I know she is American
PINYIN: wǒ zhī-dào tā shì měi-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: woh jih-dau tah shih may-gwoh ren
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Do you know where the hotel is?
PINYIN: nǐ zhī-dào jǐu-diàn zài nǎr ma
PINYIN EZ: nee jih-dau djee-oh-dee-en dzie nar mah
LITERAL: you know hotel located where +?
SECTION: TO KNOW A PERSON
ENGLISH: To recognize/know a person
PINYIN: rèn-shi
PINYIN EZ: ren-shih
ENGLISH: I know him
PINYIN: wǒ rèn-shi tā
PINYIN EZ: woh ren-shih tah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You know her
PINYIN: nǐ rèn-shi tā
PINYIN EZ: nee ren-shih tah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I know that person
PINYIN: wǒ rèn-shi nà-ge rén
PINYIN EZ: woh ren-shih nah-guh ren
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Do you know her?
PINYIN: nǐ rèn-shi tā ma
PINYIN EZ: nee ren-shih tah mah
LITERAL: you know her +?
ENGLISH: Do you know Mr. Chen?
PINYIN: nǐ rèn-shi chén xiān-shēng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee ren-shih chun see-en-shung mah
LITERAL: you know Chen Mr. +?
ENGLISH: I don't know him
PINYIN: wǒ bù rèn-shi tā
PINYIN EZ: woh boo ren-shih tah
LITERAL: I not know him
ENGLISH: She doesn't know me
PINYIN: tā bù rèn-shi wǒ
PINYIN EZ: tah boo ren-shih woh
LITERAL: she not know me
ENGLISH: Pleased to meet you
PINYIN: hěn gāo-xìng rèn-shi nǐ
PINYIN EZ: hun gau sheeng ren-shih nee
LITERAL: very happy to know you
SECTION: TO MEET / SEE
ENGLISH: To meet / see
PINYIN: jiàn
PINYIN EZ: tee-en
ENGLISH: Goodbye
PINYIN: zài-jiàn
PINYIN EZ: dzie tee-en
LITERAL: again meet
ENGLISH: I would like to see her again
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng zài jiàn tā
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng dzie tee-en tah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Let's meet at my place
PINYIN: zài wǒ nàr jiàn
PINYIN EZ: dzie woh-nar tee-en
LITERAL: located my place meet
ENGLISH: See you later
PINYIN: yī-kuài-er jiàn
PINYIN EZ: ee-war tee-en
ENGLISH: See you tomorrow
PINYIN: míng-tiān jiàn
PINYIN EZ: meeng-tee-en tee-en
LITERAL: tomorrow meet
ENGLISH: See you tonight
PINYIN: wǎn-shàng jiàn
PINYIN EZ: wahn-shahng tee-en
LITERAL: evening meet
SECTION: WHICH ROAD
ENGLISH: Road
PINYIN: lù
PINYIN EZ: loo
ENGLISH: (Counting word for roads and other long things)
PINYIN: tiáo
PINYIN EZ: tee-au
ENGLISH: This road
PINYIN: zhè tiáo lù
PINYIN EZ: juh tee-au loo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Does this road go to Beijing?
PINYIN: zhè tiáo lù qù běi-jīng ma
PINYIN EZ: juh tee-au loo tchoo bay-jeeng mah
LITERAL: this road goes to Beijing +?
ENGLISH: That road
PINYIN: nà tiáo lù
PINYIN EZ: nah tee-au loo
LITERAL: (same)
The verb "to leave" can also mean "to go / to take / to walk":
ENGLISH: You should take that road
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-gāi zǒu nà tiáo lù
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-gie dzoh nah tee-au loo
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: TO WALK
ENGLISH: To walk (for transportation)
PINYIN: zǒu lù
PINYIN EZ: dzoh-loo
LITERAL: walk road
ENGLISH: I'd like to walk
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng zǒu-lù
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng dzoh-loo
LITERAL: I would like to walk road
ENGLISH: Can we go by foot?
PINYIN: wǒ-men kě-yǐ zǒu-lù qù ma
PINYIN EZ: woh-men kuh-ee dzoh-loo tchoo mah
LITERAL: we can walk road to go +?
ENGLISH: To go for a stroll (walk for pleasure)
PINYIN: sàn-bù
PINYIN EZ: tchoo sahn-boo
LITERAL: to go stroll
ENGLISH: Let's take a walk ('bah' creates suggestion)
PINYIN: wǒ-men qù sàn-bù ba
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tchoo sahn-boo bah
LITERAL: we to go take a walk?
ENGLISH: Would you like to take a walk?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng qù sàn-bù ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng tchoo sahn-boo mah
LITERAL: you would like to take a walk +?
SECTION: MORE PLACES
ENGLISH: Room
PINYIN: fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: fahng-djee-en
ENGLISH: Store
PINYIN: shāng-diàn
PINYIN EZ: shahng-dee-en
ENGLISH: I am going to go to the store
PINYIN: wǒ yào qù shāng-diàn
PINYIN EZ: woh yau tchoo shahng-dee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Book
PINYIN: shū
PINYIN EZ: shoo
ENGLISH: Bookstore
PINYIN: shū-diàn
PINYIN EZ: shoo-dee-en
ENGLISH: English (language) bookstore
PINYIN: yīng-wén shū shū-diàn
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-wuhn shoo shoo-dee-en
LITERAL: English book bookstore +?
ENGLISH: Where is there an English bookstore?
PINYIN: nǎ-lǐ yǒu yīng-wén shū shū-diàn
PINYIN EZ: nah-lee yoh yeeng-wuhn shoo shoo-dee-en?
LITERAL: where has English book bookstore
SECTION: TO SLEEP and TO REST
ENGLISH: To sleep
PINYIN: shuì-jiào
PINYIN EZ: shway-djee-au
ENGLISH: I'm sleepy
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng shuì-jiào
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng shway-djee-au
LITERAL: I would like to sleep
ENGLISH: I am going to sleep
PINYIN: wǒ yào shuì-jiào
PINYIN EZ: woh yau shway-djee-au
LITERAL: I am going to go to sleep
ENGLISH: He's going to sleep
PINYIN: tā yào shuì-jiào
PINYIN EZ: tah yau shway-djee-au
LITERAL: he going to sleep
ENGLISH: She fell asleep
PINYIN: tā shuì-jiào le
PINYIN EZ: tah shway-djee-au luh
LITERAL: she slept
ENGLISH: To rest
PINYIN: xīu-xí
PINYIN EZ: shew-see
ENGLISH: I would like to rest
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng xīu-xí
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng shew-see
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I need to rest
PINYIN: wǒ xū-yào xīu-xí
PINYIN EZ: woh shoo-yau shew-see
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: HELPER WORDS
ENGLISH: If
PINYIN: rú-guǒ
PINYIN EZ: roo-gwoh
ENGLISH: If...then
PINYIN: rú-guǒ... jìu
PINYIN EZ: roo-gwoh...djee-oh
ENGLISH: If you go, I’ll go
PINYIN: rú-guǒ nǐ qù, wǒ jìu qù
PINYIN EZ: roo-gwoh nee tchoo, woh djee-oh tchoo
LITERAL: If you go, I then go
ENGLISH: However / but
PINYIN: kě-shì
PINYIN EZ: kuh-shih
ENGLISH: I would like to go, but I can't
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng qù, kè-shì wǒ bù kě-yǐ qù
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng tchoo, kuh-shih woh boo kuh-ee tchoo
LITERAL: I would like to go, but I can't go
ENGLISH: But I don't know
PINYIN: kè-shì, wǒ bù zhī-dào
PINYIN EZ: kuh-shih, woh boo jih-dau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: In that case
PINYIN: nà-me
PINYIN EZ: nah-muh
ENGLISH: In that case, I’ll go
PINYIN: nà-me, wǒ qù
PINYIN EZ: nah-muh, woh tchoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: First (before)
PINYIN: xiān
PINYIN EZ: see-en
ENGLISH: Then (next)
PINYIN: rán-hòu
PINYIN EZ: ran-hoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm going to Shanghai, then I’m going to Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ xiān qù shàng-hǎi, rán-hòu qù běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh see-en tchoo shahng-hie, ran-hoh tchoo bay-jeeng
LITERAL: I first go Shanghai, then go Beijing
ENGLISH: We can see a movie, then eat dinner
PINYIN: wǒ-men kě-yǐ xiān kàn diàn-yǐng, rán-hòu chì wàn-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men kuh-ee see-en kahn dee-en-yeeng, ran-hoh chih wahn-fahn
LITERAL: we can first see movie, then eat dinner
ENGLISH: What about / how about
PINYIN: ne
PINYIN EZ: nuh
ENGLISH: What about you?
PINYIN: nǐ ne
PINYIN EZ: nee nuh
LITERAL: you, what about?
ENGLISH: I don't know, what about you
PINYIN: wǒ bù zhī-dào, nǐ ne
PINYIN EZ: woh boo jih dau, nee nuh
LITERAL: I don't know, you what about?
ENGLISH: How about tomorrow?
PINYIN: míng-tiān ne
PINYIN EZ: meeng-tee-en nuh
LITERAL: tomorrow, what about?
SECTION: POSSIBLE and OKAY
ENGLISH: Possible
PINYIN: xíng
PINYIN EZ: seen / sheen
ENGLISH: Not possible
PINYIN: bù xíng
PINYIN EZ: boo seen
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Tomorrow is not possible
PINYIN: míng-tiān bù xíng
PINYIN EZ: meeng-tee-en boo seen
LITERAL: tomorrow not possible
ENGLISH: How about today?
PINYIN: jīn-tiān ne
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en nuh
LITERAL: today, how about?
ENGLISH: Yes
PINYIN: xíng
PINYIN EZ: seen
LITERAL: possible
ENGLISH: Yes (alternate reply)
PINYIN: jīn-tiān kě-yǐ
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en kuh-ee
LITERAL: today can
ENGLISH: Okay/Good?
PINYIN: hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: hau mah
LITERAL: good +?
ENGLISH: Is 5 o'clock good?
PINYIN: wǔ diǎn, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: woo dee-en, hau mah
LITERAL: five points good +?
ENGLISH: 5 o'clock is not good
PINYIN: wǔ diǎn bù hǎo
PINYIN EZ: woo dee-en boo hau
LITERAL: five points not good
ENGLISH: Is 7 o'clock okay?
PINYIN: qī diǎn, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: tchee dee-en, hau mah
LITERAL: seven points good +?
ENGLISH: Tonight is not good
PINYIN: jīn-tiān wǎn-shàng bù hǎo
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en wahn shahn boo hau
LITERAL: today evening not good
ENGLISH: Is tomorrow night okay?
PINYIN: míng-tiān wǎn-shàng, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: meeng tee-en wahn shahng, hau mah
LITERAL: tomorrow evening, okay +?
ENGLISH: It's okay
PINYIN: hǎo
PINYIN EZ: hau
LITERAL: good
SECTION: TROUBLE
ENGLISH: Trouble
PINYIN: má-fán
PINYIN EZ: mah-fahn
ENGLISH: Please / Excuse me (to request service)
PINYIN: má-fán nín
PINYIN EZ: mah-fah-neen
LITERAL: trouble you
ENGLISH: Excuse me, can you show me that one?
PINYIN: má-fán nǐ, kě-yǐ gěi wǒ kàn-yī-kàn nà-ge ma
PINYIN EZ: mah-fah-nee, kuh-ee gay woh kahn ee kahn nah guh mah
LITERAL: trouble you, can give me see a bit that one +?
ENGLISH: I'm in trouble
PINYIN: wǒ yǒu má-fán le
PINYIN EZ: woh yoh mah-fahn luh
LITERAL: I have trouble
ENGLISH: You're in trouble
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu má-fán le
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh mah-fahn luh
LITERAL: you have trouble
ENGLISH: I don't want to bother her
PINYIN: wǒ bù xiǎng gěi tā má-fán
PINYIN EZ: woh boo see-ahng gay tah mah-fahn
LITERAL: I not would like to give her trouble
ENGLISH: Can I bother you?
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ má-fán nǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee mah-fahn nee mah
LITERAL: I can trouble you +?
ENGLISH: You are really troublesome
PINYIN: nǐ zhēn má-fán
PINYIN EZ: nee jun mah-fahn
LITERAL: you really trouble
ENGLISH: She is very troublesome
PINYIN: tā hěn má-fán
PINYIN EZ: tah hun mah-fahn
LITERAL: you very trouble
SECTION: POLITE HELLO & INTROS
ENGLISH: You (casual form said to 1 person)
PINYIN: nǐ
PINYIN EZ: nee
LITERAL: you
ENGLISH: Hello (casual form said to 1 person)
PINYIN: nǐ hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee hau
LITERAL: you good
ENGLISH: You (respectful form for older people, superiors)
PINYIN: nín
PINYIN EZ: neen
ENGLISH: Hello (respectful form said to 1 person)
PINYIN: nín hǎo
PINYIN EZ: neen hau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You (when speaking to more than 1 person)
PINYIN: nǐ-men
PINYIN EZ: nee-men
ENGLISH: Hello (when speaking to >1 person)
PINYIN: nǐ-men hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee-men hau
ENGLISH: You (respectful form for >1 person)
PINYIN: nín-men
PINYIN EZ: neen-men
ENGLISH: Hello (respectful form to said to>1 person)
PINYIN: nín-men hǎo
PINYIN EZ: neen-men hau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: This is Chris (casual intro)
PINYIN: zhè shì chris
PINYIN EZ: jih shih chris
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: This is Mr. Jones (polite intro)
PINYIN: zhè wèi shì jones xiān-shēng
PINYIN EZ: jih way shih jones see-en-shung
LITERAL: this honorable person is Jones Mr.
SECTION: MORE NATION(ALITIE)S
ENGLISH: England
PINYIN: yīng-guó
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-gwoh
ENGLISH: English person
PINYIN: yīng-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-gwoh ren
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Are you English?
PINYIN: nǐ shì yīng-guó rén ma
PINYIN EZ: nee shih yeeng-gwoh ren mah
LITERAL: you are English +?
ENGLISH: Australia
PINYIN: ào-zhōu
PINYIN EZ: au-joh
ENGLISH: Australian
PINYIN: ào-zhōu rén
PINYIN EZ: au-joh ren
LITERAL: Australia person
ENGLISH: Canada
PINYIN: jiā-ná-dà
PINYIN EZ: tchee-ah-nah-dah
ENGLISH: Canada person
PINYIN: jiā-ná-dà rén
PINYIN EZ: tchee-ah-nah-dah ren
LITERAL: Canada person
ENGLISH: Foreign country
PINYIN: wài-guó
PINYIN EZ: wie-gwoh
ENGLISH: Foreigner
PINYIN: wài-guó rén
PINYIN EZ: wie-gwoh ren
LITERAL: foreign country person
ENGLISH: What country is he from?
PINYIN: tā shì nǎ guó rén
PINYIN EZ: tah shih nah gwoh ren
LITERAL: he is which country person?
ENGLISH: What country are you from?
PINYIN: nǐ shì nǎ guó rén
PINYIN EZ: nee shih nah gwoh ren
LITERAL: you are which country person?
SECTION: MORE MONEY
ENGLISH: American dollars
PINYIN: měi-jīn
PINYIN EZ: may-jeeng
ENGLISH: Do you have any American dollars?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu měi-jīn ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh may-jeeng mah
LITERAL: you have American dollars +?
ENGLISH: Money
PINYIN: qián
PINYIN EZ: tchee-en
LITERAL: money
ENGLISH: To change (verb)
PINYIN: huàn
PINYIN EZ: wahn
ENGLISH: To exchange / convert
PINYIN: duì-huàn
PINYIN EZ: dway-wahn
ENGLISH: To exchange money
PINYIN: duì-huàn qián
PINYIN EZ: dway-wahn tchee-en
LITERAL: change money
ENGLISH: I would like to exchange money
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng duì-huàn qián
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng dway-wahn tchee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I would like to exchange 10 dollars
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng duì-huàn shí kuài měi-jīn
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng dway-wahn shih kwie may-jeeng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: How much money would you like to exchange?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng duì-huàn duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng dway-wahn doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: you would like to exchange how much money?
ENGLISH: Where can I exchange dollars?
PINYIN: nǎ-lǐ kě-yǐ duì-huàn qián
PINYIN EZ: nah-lee kuh-ee dway-wahn tchee-en
LITERAL: where can exchange dolllars?
ENGLISH: Do you guys exchange money?
PINYIN: nǐ-men duì-huàn qián ma
PINYIN EZ: nee-men dway-wahn tchee-en mah
LITERAL: you (plural) change money +?
ENGLISH: China currency (China dollars)
PINYIN: rén-mín-bì
PINYIN EZ: ren-men-bee
LITERAL: people's money
ENGLISH: I want Chinese currency
PINYIN: wǒ yǒu rén-mín-bì
PINYIN EZ: woh yoh ren-men-bee
LITERAL: I want people's money
ENGLISH: How many RMB do you have?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu duō-shǎo rén-mín-bì
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh doh-shee-au ren-men-bee
LITERAL: you have how much RMB
ENGLISH: I have 10 RMB
PINYIN: wǒ yǒu shí kuài rén-mín-bì
PINYIN EZ: woh yoh shih kwie ren-men-bee
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: BUSY
ENGLISH: Busy / to be busy
PINYIN: máng
PINYIN EZ: mahng
ENGLISH: Are you busy?
PINYIN: nǐ máng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee mahng mah
LITERAL: you busy +?
ENGLISH: I'm very busy
PINYIN: wǒ hěn máng
PINYIN EZ: woh hun mahng
LITERAL: I very busy
ENGLISH: I'm too busy
PINYIN: wǒ tài máng le
PINYIN EZ: woh tie mahng luh
LITERAL: I too busy
ENGLISH: She is very busy
PINYIN: tā hěn máng
PINYIN EZ: tah hun mahng
LITERAL: she very busy
ENGLISH: I'm not busy, I can go
PINYIN: wǒ bù máng, wǒ kě-yǐ qù
PINYIN EZ: woh boo mahng, woh kuh-ee tchoo
LITERAL: I not busy, I can go
SECTION: FOOD ITEMS
ENGLISH: Rice
PINYIN: fàn
PINYIN EZ: fahn
ENGLISH: Meat
PINYIN: ròu
PINYIN EZ: roh
ENGLISH: Chicken
PINYIN: jī ròu
PINYIN EZ: tchee-roh
LITERAL: chicken meat
ENGLISH: Pork
PINYIN: zhū ròu
PINYIN EZ: joo-roh
LITERAL: pig meat
ENGLISH: Beef
PINYIN: níu ròu
PINYIN EZ: new-roh
LITERAL: cow meat
ENGLISH: Tofu
PINYIN: dòu-fu
PINYIN EZ: doh-foo
LITERAL: bean curd
ENGLISH: Fish
PINYIN: yú
PINYIN EZ: yew
ENGLISH: Seafood
PINYIN: hǎi-xiān
PINYIN EZ: hie-see-en
LITERAL: sea fresh
ENGLISH: Vegetables
PINYIN: sù-cài
PINYIN EZ: shoo-tchie
ENGLISH: Vegetables (alternate)
PINYIN: qīng-cài
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng-tzie
ENGLISH: Dessert
PINYIN: tián-pǐn
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-pihn
ENGLISH: Dim sum
PINYIN: diǎn-xīn
PINYIN EZ: dee-en seen
ENGLISH: Fruit
PINYIN: shuǐ-guǒ
PINYIN EZ: shway-gwoh
ENGLISH: I would like to buy some fruit
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī-diǎn shuǐ-guǒ
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie ee-dee-en shway-gwoh
LITERAL: I would like to buy fruit
ENGLISH: Apples
PINYIN: píng-guǒ
PINYIN EZ: peeng-gwoh
SECTION: MEALS
ENGLISH: Breakfast
PINYIN: zǎo-fàn
PINYIN EZ: dzau fahn
LITERAL: early rice
ENGLISH: Dinner
PINYIN: wǎn-fàn
PINYIN EZ: wahn fahn
LITERAL: late rice
ENGLISH: Lunch
PINYIN: wǔ-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woo fahn
LITERAL: noon rice
ENGLISH: Afternoon
PINYIN: xià-wǔ
PINYIN EZ: shee-ah woo
LITERAL: after noon
ENGLISH: 3 p.m.
PINYIN: xià-wǔ sān diǎn
PINYIN EZ: shee-ah woo sahn dee-en
LITERAL: afternoon 3 points
ENGLISH: Menu
PINYIN: cài-dān
PINYIN EZ: tzie-dahn
ENGLISH: The menu please
PINYIN: kě-yǐ gěi wǒ cài-dān ma
PINYIN EZ: kuh-ee gay woh tzie-dahn mah
LITERAL: can give me menu +?
ENGLISH: Please bring us menus
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ-men kàn-yī-xià cài-dān
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng gay woh-men kahn ee see-ah tzie-dahn
LITERAL: please give us look a bit menus
ENGLISH: I want that (point to the food you want)
PINYIN: wǒ yào nà-ge
PINYIN EZ: woh yau nah-guh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I want what he's eating
PINYIN: wǒ yào gēn tā-de yī-yàng
PINYIN EZ: woh yau gun tah duh yee yahng
LITERAL: I want as he as (eating)
There are some words you don't recognize in that last phrase, but it's a useful one to memorize.
ENGLISH: What is that?
PINYIN: nà shì shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nah shih shun-muh
LITERAL: that is what
ENGLISH: To order (a meal / drink / thing)
PINYIN: xiǎng yào
PINYIN EZ: see-ahng yau
LITERAL: would like to want
ENGLISH: I would like to order... (blah blah)
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng yào
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng yau
LITERAL: I would like to want
ENGLISH: I would like to order lunch
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng yào wǔ-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng yau woo-fahn
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: FOOD PREFERENCES
ENGLISH: We would like to eat (meal)
PINYIN: wǒ-men xiǎng chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men see-ahng chih fahn
LITERAL: we would like to eat rice
ENGLISH: I would like to eat rice
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng chī yī-diǎn fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng chih ee-dee-en fahn
LITERAL: we would like to eat some rice
ENGLISH: We don't eat beef
PINYIN: wǒ-men bù chī níu-ròu
PINYIN EZ: woh-men boo chih new-roh
LITERAL: we not eat beef
ENGLISH: I like chicken
PINYIN: wǒ xǐ-huan jī-ròu
PINYIN EZ: woh see-wahn djee-roh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: MSG
PINYIN: wèi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: way-djeeng
LITERAL: flavoring
ENGLISH: We don't want MSG
PINYIN: wǒ-men bù yào wèi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh-men boo yau way-djeen
LITERAL: we no want flavoring
ENGLISH: No MSG please (alternate)
PINYIN: bù fàng wèi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: boo fung way-djeen
LITERAL: no put flavoring
SECTION: HUNGRY and FULL
ENGLISH: To be hungry
PINYIN: è
PINYIN EZ: uh / eu
ENGLISH: I'm hungry
PINYIN: wǒ è le
PINYIN EZ: woh uh luh
LITERAL: I hungry
In that last phrase, "luh" is included because the hunger has already occured, so it is the past tense.
ENGLISH: I'm not hungry
PINYIN: wǒ bù è
PINYIN EZ: woh boo uh
LITERAL: I not hungry
ENGLISH: I'm not very hungry
PINYIN: wǒ bù tài è
PINYIN EZ: woh boo tie uh
LITERAL: I not too hungry
ENGLISH: Are you hungry?
PINYIN: nǐ è ma
PINYIN EZ: nee uh mah
LITERAL: you hungry +?
ENGLISH: Full
PINYIN: bǎo
PINYIN EZ: bau
ENGLISH: I'm full
PINYIN: wǒ bǎo le
PINYIN EZ: woh bau-luh
LITERAL: I full
Again, the "fullness" has already occured so it is expresses as past tense with "luh".
ENGLISH: I'm full (alternate)
PINYIN: chī bǎo le
PINYIN EZ: chih bau luh
LITERAL: eat full
ENGLISH: Are you full?
PINYIN: nǐ chī bǎo le ma
PINYIN EZ: nee chih bau luh mah
LITERAL: you ate full +?
SECTION: THIRSTY?
ENGLISH: Thirsty
PINYIN: kě
PINYIN EZ: kuh / keu
ENGLISH: Are you thirsty?
PINYIN: nǐ kě ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh mah
LITERAL: you thirsty +?
ENGLISH: I'm thirsty
PINYIN: wǒ kě le
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-luh
LITERAL: I thirsty
ENGLISH: I'm not thirsty
PINYIN: wǒ bù kě
PINYIN EZ: woh boo kuh
LITERAL: I not thirsty
ENGLISH: I'm not too thirsty
PINYIN: wǒ bù tài kě
PINYIN EZ: woh boo tie kuh
LITERAL: I not too thirsty
ENGLISH: To drink
PINYIN: hē
PINYIN EZ: huh / heu
ENGLISH: Where would you like to go drink?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng qù nǎr hē
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng tchoo nar huh
LITERAL: you would like to go where to drink?
ENGLISH: I need to drink something
PINYIN: wǒ yào hē yī-diǎn dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: woh yau huh ee-dee-en dohng-see
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I would like to drink something
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng hē yī-diǎn dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng huh ee-dee-en dohng-see
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: What do you want to drink?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng hē shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng huh shun-muh
LITERAL: you would like to drink what?
ENGLISH: Tea
PINYIN: chá
PINYIN EZ: tchah
ENGLISH: I want tea
PINYIN: wǒ yào chá
PINYIN EZ: woh yau tchah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Let's drink some tea, okay?
PINYIN: hē yī-diǎn chá, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: huh ee-dee-en tchah, hau mah
LITERAL: drink some tea, good +?
ENGLISH: Would you like to drink some tea
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng hē yī-diǎn chá ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng huh ee-dee-en tchah mah
LITERAL: you would like to drink tea +?
ENGLISH: I would not like to drink tea
PINYIN: wǒ bù xiǎng hē chá
PINYIN EZ: woh boo see-ahng huh tchah
LITERAL: I not would like to drink tea
ENGLISH: Tea, please
PINYIN: qǐng lái chá
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng lie tchah
LITERAL: please bring tea
ENGLISH: One cup of tea
PINYIN: yī bēi chá
PINYIN EZ: ee bay tchah
LITERAL: one cup tea
ENGLISH: Please give us 4 cups of tea
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ-men sì bēi chá
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng gay woh-men sih bay tchah
LITERAL: please give us 4 cups tea
ENGLISH: Bring some tea
PINYIN: lái yī-diǎn chá
PINYIN EZ: lie ee-dee-en tchah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Dimsum place
PINYIN: chá guǎn
PINYIN EZ: tchah gwahn
LITERAL: tea restaurant
ENGLISH: Coffee
PINYIN: kā-fēi
PINYIN EZ: kah-fay
ENGLISH: Coffee, please
PINYIN: qǐng lái kā-fēi
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng lie kah-fay
LITERAL: please bring coffee
ENGLISH: Cafe (also 'living room')
PINYIN: kā-fēi-tīng
PINYIN EZ: kah-fay teeng
LITERAL: coffee area
ENGLISH: Do you want to go to a cafe?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng qù kā-fēi-tīng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng tchoo kah-fay-teeng mah
LITERAL: you would like to go cafe +?
ENGLISH: Or (when making a statement / list)
PINYIN: huò-zhě
PINYIN EZ: woh-juh
ENGLISH: They have tea or coffee
PINYIN: tā-men yǒu chá huò-zhě kā-fēi
PINYIN EZ: tah-men yoh tchah woh-juh kah-fay
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Water
PINYIN: shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: shway
ENGLISH: Water, please
PINYIN: qǐng lái shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng lie shway
LITERAL: please bring water
ENGLISH: Can I have a water?
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ yào yī bēi shuǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee yau yee bay shway mah
LITERAL: can I want one water +?
ENGLISH: Or (when asked a question / given choices)
PINYIN: hái-shì
PINYIN EZ: hie-shih
ENGLISH: Are you American or Chinese?
PINYIN: nǐ shì měi-guó-rén hái-shì zhōng-guó-rén
PINYIN EZ: nee shih may-gwoh-ren hie-shih johng-gwoh-ren
LITERAL: you are America person or China person?
ENGLISH: Would you like to drink tea or water?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng hē chá hái-shì shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng huh tchah hie-shih shway
LITERAL: you would like to drink tea or water?
ENGLISH: I would like to drink water
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng hē shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng huh shway
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Two cups of water
PINYIN: liǎng bēi shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: lee-ahng bay shway
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Bottle (counting word)
PINYIN: píng
PINYIN EZ: peeng
ENGLISH: A bottle of water
PINYIN: yī píng shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: ee peeng shway
LITERAL: one bottle water
ENGLISH: More
PINYIN: duō
PINYIN EZ: doh
ENGLISH: Please, more water
PINYIN: qǐng duō lái shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng doh lie shway
LITERAL: please more bring water
ENGLISH: Ice
PINYIN: bīng
PINYIN EZ: beeng
ENGLISH: Ice water
PINYIN: bīng shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: beeng shway
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Boiled water
PINYIN: kāi shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: kie shway
LITERAL: open water
ENGLISH: Soft drink (Lemonade/Coke/7Up)
PINYIN: qì-shuǐ
PINYIN EZ: tchee shway
LITERAL: gas water
ENGLISH: A coke
PINYIN: kě-kǒu-kě-lè
PINYIN EZ: kuh-koh-kuh-luh / keu-koh-keu-leu
LITERAL: suit for the mouth, suit for joy
ENGLISH: Cow
PINYIN: níu
PINYIN EZ: neu / nee-oh
ENGLISH: Milk
PINYIN: níu-nǎi
PINYIN EZ: neu-nie
ENGLISH: A glass of milk
PINYIN: yī bēi níu-nǎi
PINYIN EZ: ee bay neu-nie
LITERAL: one cup milk
ENGLISH: Drinking straw
PINYIN: yǐn-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: see-gwahn
ENGLISH: A drinking straw (with measure word)
PINYIN: zhī yǐn-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: jih see-gwahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Please, a drinking straw
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ yī zhī yǐn-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng gay woh ee jih see-gwahn
LITERAL: please give me one straw
SECTION: ADDING SUGAR, MILK, ICE
ENGLISH: To add (verb)
PINYIN: jiā
PINYIN EZ: tchee-ah
ENGLISH: Sugar
PINYIN: táng
PINYIN EZ: tahng
ENGLISH: With sugar
PINYIN: jiā táng
PINYIN EZ: tchee-ah tahng
LITERAL: add sugar
ENGLISH: Without milk
PINYIN: bù jiā níu-nǎi
PINYIN EZ: boo tchee-ah nee-oh nie
LITERAL: no add milk
ENGLISH: A cup of coffee without sugar
PINYIN: yī bēi kā-fēi bù jiā níu-nǎi
PINYIN EZ: ee bay kah-fay boo tchee-ah tahng
LITERAL: one cup coffee not add sugar
ENGLISH: No ice, please
PINYIN: bù jiā bīng
PINYIN EZ: boo tchee-ah beeng
LITERAL: no add ice
SECTION: ALCOHOL and BARS
ENGLISH: Alcohol
PINYIN: jǐu
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh
ENGLISH: Bar
PINYIN: jǐu-bā
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh bah
LITERAL: alcohol bar
ENGLISH: Let's go to a bar to drink, okay?
PINYIN: qù jǐu-bā hē, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: tchoo djee-oh bah huh, hau mah
LITERAL: go bar to drink, good +?
ENGLISH: Grapes
PINYIN: pú-táo
PINYIN EZ: poo-tau
ENGLISH: Wine
PINYIN: pú-táo-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: poo-tau djee-oh
LITERAL: grape alcohol
ENGLISH: I would like to drink wine
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng hē pú-táo-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng huh poo-tau-djee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Also
PINYIN: yě
PINYIN EZ: yeh
ENGLISH: I would also like to drink wine
PINYIN: wǒ yě xiǎng hē pú-táo-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: woh yeh see-ahng huh poo-tau-djee-oh
LITERAL: I also would like to drink wine
ENGLISH: I'd like to order two glasses of wine
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng yào liǎng bēi pú-táo-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng yau lay-ahng bay poo-tau-djee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: A bottle of wine
PINYIN: yī píng pú-táo-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: ee peeng poo-tau-djee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Please bring a bottle of wine
PINYIN: qǐng lái yī píng pú-táo-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng lie ee peeng poo-tau-djee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Beer
PINYIN: pí-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: pee-djee-oh
ENGLISH: A bottle of beer
PINYIN: yī píng pí-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: ee peeng pee-djee-oh
LITERAL: one bottle beer
ENGLISH: A bottle of Tsingtao
PINYIN: yī píng qīng-dǎo
PINYIN EZ: ee peeng tcheeng-dau
LITERAL: one bottle Tsingtao
ENGLISH: Please bring a bottle of beer
PINYIN: qǐng lái yī píng qīng-dǎo
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng lie ee peeng pee-djee-oh
LITERAL: please bring one bottle beer
ENGLISH: Two glasses of beer please
PINYIN: qǐng lái liǎng píng pí-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng lie lee-ahng bay pee-djee-oh
LITERAL: please bring two cups beer
ENGLISH: And
PINYIN: hé
PINYIN EZ: huh
ENGLISH: One bottle of beer and one glass of wine
PINYIN: yī píng pí-jǐu hé yī bēi pú-táo-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: ee peeng pee-djee-oh huh ee bay poo-tau-djee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Cheers, drink up
PINYIN: gān-bēi
PINYIN EZ: gahn-bay
ENGLISH: I don't drink alcohol
PINYIN: wǒ bù hē jǐu
PINYIN EZ: woh boo huh djee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Never
PINYIN: cóng-lái bù
PINYIN EZ: tchong-lie boo
ENGLISH: I never drink alcohol
PINYIN: wǒ cóng-lái bù hē jǐu
PINYIN EZ: woh tchong-lie boo huh djee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I drank too much
PINYIN: wǒ hē le tài duō le
PINYIN EZ: woh huh luh tie doh luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Always
PINYIN: jīng-cháng
PINYIN EZ: djeen chahng
ENGLISH: I always drink to much
PINYIN: wǒ jīng-cháng hē tài-duō
PINYIN EZ: woh djeen chahng huh tie doh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I think you've had enough to drink
PINYIN: nǐ hē gòu le
PINYIN EZ: nee huh goh luh
LITERAL: you drank enough
SECTION: COLORS
ENGLISH: Color
PINYIN: sè
PINYIN EZ: sih
ENGLISH: Green
PINYIN: lǜ
PINYIN EZ: lew
ENGLISH: Green (color)
PINYIN: lǜ-sè
PINYIN EZ: lew sih
LITERAL: green color
ENGLISH: Green tea
PINYIN: lǜ-chá
PINYIN EZ: lew tchah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I like to drink green tea
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng hē lǜ-chá
PINYIN EZ: woh shee-wahn huh lew chah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Red
PINYIN: hóng
PINYIN EZ: hohng
ENGLISH: Red (color)
PINYIN: hóng-sè
PINYIN EZ: hohng sih
LITERAL: red color
ENGLISH: Red wine
PINYIN: hóng pú-táo-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: hohng poo-tau-djee-oh
LITERAL: (same)
What we call black tea, Chinese call red tea:
ENGLISH: Red tea
PINYIN: hóng-chá
PINYIN EZ: hohng tchah
LITERAL: red tea
ENGLISH: White
PINYIN: bái
PINYIN EZ: bie
ENGLISH: White color
PINYIN: bái sè
PINYIN EZ: bie sih
LITERAL: white color
ENGLISH: White wine
PINYIN: bái pú-táo-jǐu
PINYIN EZ: bie poo-tau-djee-oh
LITERAL: white grape alcohol
ENGLISH: Black
PINYIN: hēi
PINYIN EZ: hay
ENGLISH: Black color
PINYIN: hēi-sè
PINYIN EZ: hay sih
LITERAL: black color
ENGLISH: Yellow
PINYIN: huáng
PINYIN EZ: wahng
ENGLISH: Yellow (color)
PINYIN: huáng-sè
PINYIN EZ: wahng sih
LITERAL: yellow color
ENGLISH: River
PINYIN: hé
PINYIN EZ: huh
ENGLISH: Yellow River (a place)
PINYIN: huáng-hé
PINYIN EZ: wahng huh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Mountain
PINYIN: shān
PINYIN EZ: shahn
ENGLISH: Yellow Mountain (a place)
PINYIN: huáng-shān
PINYIN EZ: wahng shahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Blue
PINYIN: lán
PINYIN EZ: lahn
ENGLISH: His car is blue
PINYIN: tā-de chē shì lán-sè de
PINYIN EZ: tah duh chih shih lahn sih duh
LITERAL: (same)
The word "duh" above says something like "of color blue'
ENGLISH: Grey
PINYIN: huī
PINYIN EZ: way
ENGLISH: Grey (color)
PINYIN: huī-sè
PINYIN EZ: way sih
LITERAL: grey color
ENGLISH: Orange (color)
PINYIN: chéng-sè
PINYIN EZ: cheng sih
ENGLISH: Tangerine
PINYIN: jú-zi
PINYIN EZ: joo-dzih
SECTION: HOT and COLD
ENGLISH: Cold
PINYIN: lěng
PINYIN EZ: lung
ENGLISH: It's very cold
PINYIN: hěn lěng
PINYIN EZ: hun lung
LITERAL: very cold
ENGLISH: Too cold
PINYIN: tài lěng
PINYIN EZ: tie lung luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: The water is cold
PINYIN: shuǐ hěn lěng
PINYIN EZ: shway hun lung
LITERAL: water very cold
ENGLISH: Our room is too cold
PINYIN: wǒ-men de fáng-jiān tài lěng le
PINYIN EZ: woh-men duh fahng-djee-en tie lung luh
LITERAL: our room too cold
ENGLISH: Are you cold?
PINYIN: nǐ lěng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee lung mah
LITERAL: you cold +?
ENGLISH: Hot
PINYIN: rè
PINYIN EZ: ruh
ENGLISH: Are you hot?
PINYIN: nǐ rè ma
PINYIN EZ: nee ruh mah
LITERAL: you hot +?
ENGLISH: The tea is hot
PINYIN: chá hěn rè
PINYIN EZ: tchah hun ruh
LITERAL: tea very hot
ENGLISH: Is there hot water? (e.g. ask in small hotel)
PINYIN: yǒu rè shuǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh ruh shway mah
LITERAL: has hot water +?
SECTION: WEATHER
ENGLISH: Weather
PINYIN: tiān-qì
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-tchee
ENGLISH: It's hot
PINYIN: tiān-qì hěn rè
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-tchee hun ruh
LITERAL: weather very hot
ENGLISH: It's cold
PINYIN: tiān-qì hěn lěng
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-tchee hun lung
LITERAL: weather very cold
ENGLISH: Today is very hot
PINYIN: jīn-tiān hěn rè
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en hun ruh
LITERAL: today very hot
ENGLISH: It's very cold today
PINYIN: jīn-tiān hěn lěng
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en hun lung
LITERAL: today very cold
ENGLISH: The weather is nice
PINYIN: tiān-qì hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-tchee hau
LITERAL: weather good
ENGLISH: The weather is very nice
PINYIN: tiān-qì hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-tchee hun hau
LITERAL: weather very good
ENGLISH: Now the weather is very nice
PINYIN: xiān-zài tiān-qì hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: see-en-dzie tee-en-tchee hun hau
LITERAL: now weather very good
ENGLISH: Today weather is very nice
PINYIN: jīn-tiān tiān-qì hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en tee-en-tchee hun hau
LITERAL: today weather very good
ENGLISH: The weather is bad
PINYIN: tiān-qì bù hǎo
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-tchee boo hau
LITERAL: weather not good
ENGLISH: Today weather is bad
PINYIN: jīn-tiān tiān-qì bù hǎo
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en tee-en-tchee boo hau
LITERAL: today weather not good
ENGLISH: Wind
PINYIN: fēng
PINYIN EZ: fung / feung
ENGLISH: It's windy
PINYIN: yǒu fēng
PINYIN EZ: yoh fung
LITERAL: has wind
ENGLISH: It's windy today
PINYIN: jīn-tiān guā-fēng
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en gwah fung
LITERAL: today blow wind
ENGLISH: Sun
PINYIN: tài-yáng
PINYIN EZ: tie-yahng
ENGLISH: It's sunny
PINYIN: yǒu tài-yáng
PINYIN EZ: yoh tie-yahng
LITERAL: has sun
ENGLISH: Today is sunny
PINYIN: jīn-tiān yǒu tài-yáng
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en yoh tie-yahng
LITERAL: today has sun
SECTION: INTERNET / COMPUTER
ENGLISH: Bar
PINYIN: jǐu-bā
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh bah
LITERAL: alcohol bar
ENGLISH: Internet bar
PINYIN: wǎng bā
PINYIN EZ: wahng bah
LITERAL: web bar
ENGLISH: Network / Internet
PINYIN: wǎng lù
PINYIN EZ: wahng loo
LITERAL: net road
ENGLISH: To get on / mount
PINYIN: shàng
PINYIN EZ: shahng
That is the same word as used for "last" and "up'
ENGLISH: To get in a car / on a train
PINYIN: shàng chē
PINYIN EZ: shahng chih
LITERAL: get in car
ENGLISH: To get on the Internet
PINYIN: shàng wǎng
PINYIN EZ: shahng wahng
LITERAL: get on Internet
ENGLISH: I would like to get on the Internet
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng shàng wǎng
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng shahng wahng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Telephone
PINYIN: diàn-huà
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-wah
LITERAL: electric speech
ENGLISH: Computer
PINYIN: diàn-nǎo
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-nau
LITERAL: electric brain
ENGLISH: Can I use a computer?
PINYIN: wǒ kě-yǐ yòng diàn-nǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: woh kuh-ee yohng dee-en-nau mah
LITERAL: I can use computer +?
ENGLISH: We don't have a computer
PINYIN: wǒ-men méi-yǒu diàn-nǎo
PINYIN EZ: woh-men may-yoh dee-en-nau
LITERAL: We not have computer
ENGLISH: Batteries
PINYIN: diàn-chí
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-chih
LITERAL: electric polarity
SECTION: PEOPLE
ENGLISH: Friend
PINYIN: péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: pung-yoh
ENGLISH: He is my friend
PINYIN: tā shì wǒ-de péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: tah shih woh-duh pung-yoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: That is my friend
PINYIN: nà shì wǒ-de péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: nah shih woh duh pung-yoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Boy
PINYIN: nán-hái-ér
PINYIN EZ: nahn-hie-er
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Male
PINYIN: nán
PINYIN EZ: nahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Man
PINYIN: nán-rén
PINYIN EZ: nahn ren
LITERAL: male person
ENGLISH: Boyfriend
PINYIN: nán-péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: nahn pung-yoh
LITERAL: male friend
ENGLISH: She doesn't have a boyfriend
PINYIN: tā méi-yǒu nán-péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: tah may-yoh nahn-pung-yoh
LITERAL: she not have male friend
ENGLISH: I don't want a boyfriend
PINYIN: wǒ bù yào nán-péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: woh boo yau nahn-pung-yoh
LITERAL: I don't want male friend
ENGLISH: Girl
PINYIN: nǚ-hái-ér
PINYIN EZ: noo hie-er
ENGLISH: Female
PINYIN: nǚ
PINYIN EZ: noo
LITERAL: female
ENGLISH: Woman
PINYIN: nǚ-rén
PINYIN EZ: noo ren
LITERAL: female person
ENGLISH: Girlfriend
PINYIN: nǚ-péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: noo-pung-yoh
LITERAL: female friend
ENGLISH: I don't have a girlfriend
PINYIN: wǒ méi-yǒu nǚ-péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: woh may-yoh noo-pung-yoh
LITERAL: I not have girlfriend
ENGLISH: My girlfriend can speak Chinese
PINYIN: wǒ nǚ-péng-yǒu huì shuō zhōng-wén
PINYIN EZ: woh noo-pung-yoh way shoh johng-wuhn
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: BEAUTIFUL and PRETTY
ENGLISH: Beautiful
PINYIN: měi
PINYIN EZ: may
ENGLISH: Beautiful lady
PINYIN: měi nǚ
PINYIN EZ: may noo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: You're very beautiful
PINYIN: nǐ hěn měi
PINYIN EZ: nee hun may
LITERAL: you very beautiful
ENGLISH: Pretty
PINYIN: piào-liàng
PINYIN EZ: pee-au-lay-ahng
ENGLISH: You're very pretty
PINYIN: nǐ hěn piào-liàng
PINYIN EZ: nee hun pee-au-lay-ahng
LITERAL: you very pretty
ENGLISH: She's very pretty
PINYIN: tā hěn piào-liàng
PINYIN EZ: tah hun pee-au-lay-ahng
LITERAL: she very pretty
SECTION: REALLY and QUITE
The word for "really" can be changed into the question "really?" simply by using standard English tones for
asking a question
ENGLISH: Really?
PINYIN: zhēn-de ma
PINYIN EZ: jun-duh mah
ENGLISH: Really!
PINYIN: zhēn-de
PINYIN EZ: jun-duh
ENGLISH: Really
PINYIN: zhēn
PINYIN EZ: jun / jeun
ENGLISH: Quite
PINYIN: mán
PINYIN EZ: mahn
ENGLISH: She is quite pretty
PINYIN: tā mán piào-liàng
PINYIN EZ: tah mahn pee-au-lay-ahng
LITERAL: she quite pretty
SECTION: SCHOOL
ENGLISH: School
PINYIN: xué-xiào
PINYIN EZ: shway-see-au
ENGLISH: Student
PINYIN: xué-shēng
PINYIN EZ: shway-shung
ENGLISH: I'm a student
PINYIN: wǒ shì xué-shēng
PINYIN EZ: woh shih shway-shung
LITERAL: I am student
ENGLISH: My friend is a student
PINYIN: wǒ-de péng-yǒu shì xué-shēng
PINYIN EZ: woh duh pung-yoh shih sway-shung
LITERAL: my friend is student
ENGLISH: Classmate
PINYIN: tōng-xué
PINYIN EZ: tohng-shway
ENGLISH: Teacher
PINYIN: lǎo-shī
PINYIN EZ: lau-shih
ENGLISH: I'm a teacher
PINYIN: wǒ shì lǎo-shī
PINYIN EZ: woh shih lau-shih
LITERAL: I am teacher
ENGLISH: Your are not a teacher
PINYIN: nǐ bù shì lǎo-shī
PINYIN EZ: nee boo shih lau-shih
LITERAL: you not teacher
ENGLISH: Our teacher is very busy
PINYIN: wǒ-men-de lǎo-shī hěn máng
PINYIN EZ: woh-men-duh lau-shih hun mahng
LITERAL: our teacher very busy
ENGLISH: To teach
PINYIN: jiào
PINYIN EZ: djee-au
ENGLISH: I teach English
PINYIN: wǒ jiào yīng-wén
PINYIN EZ: woh djee-au yeeng-wuhn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Mandarin
PINYIN: pǔ-tōng-huà
PINYIN EZ: poo-tohn-wah
LITERAL: common language
ENGLISH: Can you teach me some Mandarin?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ jiào wǒ yī-diǎnr pǔ-tōng-huà ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee djee-au woh ee-dee-ar poo-tohn-wah mah
LITERAL: you can teach me a little Mandarin +?
SECTION: BUSINESS and TRAVEL
ENGLISH: Business
PINYIN: shēng-yì
PINYIN EZ: shung-yee
ENGLISH: I do business
PINYIN: wǒ zuò shēng-yì
PINYIN EZ: woh dzoh shung-yee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I don't do business
PINYIN: wǒ bù zuò shēng-yì
PINYIN EZ: woh boo dzoh shung-yee
LITERAL: I not do business
ENGLISH: Business person
PINYIN: shāng-rén
PINYIN EZ: shahng-ren
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: To travel
PINYIN: lǚ-xíng
PINYIN EZ: loo-seeng
ENGLISH: I like to travel
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng lǚ-xíng
PINYIN EZ: woh see-wahn loo-seeng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Classmate
PINYIN: tóng-xué
PINYIN EZ: tohng-shway
ENGLISH: Colleague / co-worker
PINYIN: tóng-shì
PINYIN EZ: tohng-shih
ENGLISH: She is my co-worker
PINYIN: tā shì wǒ-de tóng-shì
PINYIN EZ: tah shih woh-duh tohng-shih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: My colleague is coming
PINYIN: wǒ-de tóng-shì yào lái
PINYIN EZ: woh-duh tohng-shih yau lie
LITERAL: my colleague is going to come
ENGLISH: Meeting (business / appointment / conference)
PINYIN: huì
PINYIN EZ: way
ENGLISH: I have a meeting with Mr. Chen
PINYIN: wǒ gēn chén xiān-shēng kāi-huì
PINYIN EZ: woh gun chun see-en-shung kie way
LITERAL: I with Chun Mr. open meeting
ENGLISH: We have a meeting at 10 o'clock
PINYIN: wǒ-men shí diǎn yào kāi-huì
PINYIN EZ: woh-men shih dee-en yau kie way
LITERAL: we 10 points need to open conference
SECTION: TO HAVE TO (do something)
ENGLISH: To have to
PINYIN: děi
PINYIN EZ: day
ENGLISH: I have to go to Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ děi qù běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh day tchoo bay-jeeng
LITERAL: I have to go Beijing
SECTION: WORK
ENGLISH: Office
PINYIN: bàn-gōng-shì
PINYIN EZ: bahn-gohng-shuh
ENGLISH: Where is your office?
PINYIN: nǐ-de bàn-gōng-shì zǎi nǎr
PINYIN EZ: nee-duh bahn-gohng-shuh dzie nar
LITERAL: your office located where?
ENGLISH: Company
PINYIN: gōng-sī
PINYIN EZ: gohng-sih
ENGLISH: My company is in China
PINYIN: wǒ-de gōng-sī zài zhōng-guó
PINYIN EZ: woh duh gohng-sih dzie johng-gwoh
LITERAL: my company located China
ENGLISH: Job / to work
PINYIN: gōng-zuò
PINYIN EZ: gohng-dzoh
ENGLISH: I have to work
PINYIN: wǒ děi gōng-zuò
PINYIN EZ: woh day gohng-dzoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I have a lot of work
PINYIN: wǒ yǒu hěn-duō gōng-zuò
PINYIN EZ: woh yoh hun doh gohng zoh
LITERAL: I have very much work
ENGLISH: I have work to do
PINYIN: wǒ yǒu gōng-zuò yào zuò
PINYIN EZ: woh yoh gohng-zoh yau dzoh
LITERAL: I have work need to do
ENGLISH: Where do you work?
PINYIN: nǐ zài shén-me gōng-sī gōng-zuò
PINYIN EZ: nee dzie shun-muh gohng-see gohng-dzoh
LITERAL: you located what company work?
ENGLISH: What do you do? (job)
PINYIN: nǐ zuò shén-me gōng-zuò
PINYIN EZ: nee dzoh shun-muh gohng-zoh
LITERAL: you do what work?
ENGLISH: I don't want to work today
PINYIN: wǒ bù xiǎng jīn-tiān gōng-zuò
PINYIN EZ: woh boo see-ahng jeen-tee-en gohng-zoh
LITERAL: I not would like today to work
ENGLISH: I work in America
PINYIN: wǒ zài měi-guó gōng-zuò
PINYIN EZ: woh dzie may-gwoh gohng-dzoh
LITERAL: I located America work
ENGLISH: I work at home
PINYIN: wǒ zài jiā gōng-zuò
PINYIN EZ: woh dzie tchee-ah gohng-dzoh
LITERAL: I located home work
ENGLISH: Do you like your job?
PINYIN: nǐ xǐ-huan nǐ-de gōng-zuò ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-wahn nee duh gohng-zoh mah
LITERAL: you like your work +?
ENGLISH: Yes
PINYIN: xǐ-huan
PINYIN EZ: see-wahn
LITERAL: like
ENGLISH: No
PINYIN: bù xǐ-huan
PINYIN EZ: boo see-wahn
LITERAL: not like
SECTION: IT'S FUN
ENGLISH: Fun / amusing
PINYIN: hǎo-wán
PINYIN EZ: hau-wahn
LITERAL: good play
ENGLISH: Is it fun?
PINYIN: hǎo-wán ma
PINYIN EZ: hau-wahn mah
LITERAL: good play +?
ENGLISH: Is China fun?
PINYIN: zhōng-guó hǎo-wán ma
PINYIN EZ: johng-gwoh hau wahn mah
LITERAL: China good play +?
SECTION: DOCTOR
ENGLISH: Doctor
PINYIN: yī-shēng
PINYIN EZ: yee-shung / ee-shung
ENGLISH: I'm a doctor
PINYIN: wǒ shì yī-shēng
PINYIN EZ: woh shih ee-shung
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Call a doctor
PINYIN: jiào yī-shēng
PINYIN EZ: djee-au ee-shung
LITERAL: call doctor
ENGLISH: Please call a doctor
PINYIN: qǐng jiào yī-shēng lái
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng djee-au ee-shung lie
LITERAL: please call doctor to come
ENGLISH: I need to see a doctor
PINYIN: wǒ xū-yào kàn yī-shēng
PINYIN EZ: woh shoo-yau kahn ee-shung
LITERAL: I need to see doctor
ENGLISH: Can you recommend a doctor?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ tuī-jiàn yī ge yī-shēng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee tway djee-en ee-guh ee-shung mah
LITERAL: you can recommend a doctor +?
ENGLISH: Hospital
PINYIN: yī-yuàn
PINYIN EZ: ee-yew-en
ENGLISH: Where's the hospital?
PINYIN: yī-yuàn zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: ee-yew-en dzie nar
LITERAL: hospital located where
ENGLISH: Is there an English speaking doctor?
PINYIN: yǒu huì shuō yīng-wén de yī-shēng ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh way shoh yeeng-wuhn duh ee-shung mah
LITERAL: have knows how to speak English doctor
ENGLISH: Tooth
PINYIN: yá
PINYIN EZ: yah
ENGLISH: Dentist
PINYIN: yá-yī
PINYIN EZ: yah-ee
ENGLISH: I need to see a dentist
PINYIN: wǒ yào kàn yá-yī
PINYIN EZ: woh yau kahn yah-ee
LITERAL: I need see dentist
SECTION: IT HURTS
ENGLISH: Pain / to hurt
PINYIN: tòng
PINYIN EZ: tohng
ENGLISH: My tooth hurts
PINYIN: wǒ yá tòng
PINYIN EZ: woh yah tohng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: It hurts here
PINYIN: zài zhèr tòng
PINYIN EZ: dzie jar tohng
LITERAL: located here hurts
ENGLISH: It hurts here (alternate)
PINYIN: zhè-lǐ tòng
PINYIN EZ: juh-lee tohng
LITERAL: here hurts
ENGLISH: Where does it hurt?
PINYIN: nǐ nǎ-lǐ tòng
PINYIN EZ: nee nah-lee tohng
LITERAL: you where hurt
ENGLISH: Head
PINYIN: tóu
PINYIN EZ: toh
ENGLISH: Headache
PINYIN: tóu tòng
PINYIN EZ: toh tohng
LITERAL: head hurt
ENGLISH: I have a headache
PINYIN: wǒ tóu tòng
PINYIN EZ: woh toh tohng
LITERAL: I head hurt
ENGLISH: Stomach (upper stomach)
PINYIN: wèi
PINYIN EZ: way
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Stomach (lower stomach)
PINYIN: dù-zi
PINYIN EZ: doo-dzih
ENGLISH: I have a stomach ache
PINYIN: wǒ dù-zi tòng
PINYIN EZ: woh doo-dzih tohng
LITERAL: my stomach hurts
ENGLISH: Chest
PINYIN: xiōng
PINYIN EZ: shih-ohng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: My chest hurts
PINYIN: wǒ xiōng tòng
PINYIN EZ: woh shih-ohng tohng
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: MEDICINE / PHARMACY
ENGLISH: Medicine
PINYIN: yào
PINYIN EZ: yau
ENGLISH: Pharmacy
PINYIN: yào-fáng
PINYIN EZ: yau-fahng
LITERAL: medicine room
ENGLISH: Where is a pharmacy?
PINYIN: yào-fáng zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: yau-fahng dzie nar
LITERAL: pharmacy located where?
ENGLISH: Aspirin
PINYIN: ā-sī-pī-lín
PINYIN EZ: ah-sih-pee-leen
ENGLISH: I need aspirin
PINYIN: wǒ xū-yào ā-sī-pī-lín
PINYIN EZ: woh shoo-yau ah-sih-pee-leen
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'd like some aspirin
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng yào ā-sī-pī-lín
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng yau ah-sih-pee-leen
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: I'M SICK
ENGLISH: Sickness
PINYIN: bìng
PINYIN EZ: beeng
ENGLISH: I'm sick
PINYIN: wǒ bìng le
PINYIN EZ: woh beeng luh
LITERAL: I sick
ENGLISH: He's sick
PINYIN: tā bìng le
PINYIN EZ: tah beeng luh
LITERAL: he sick
Note that these are past tense with "luh" because the sickness has already happened.
ENGLISH: My friend is sick
PINYIN: wǒ-de péng-yǒu bìng le
PINYIN EZ: woh duh pung-yoh beeng luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Comfortable
PINYIN: shū-fú
PINYIN EZ: shoo-foo
ENGLISH: Not feeling well
PINYIN: bù shū-fú
PINYIN EZ: boo shoo-foo
LITERAL: not comfortable
ENGLISH: She's not feeling very well
PINYIN: tā bù tài shū-fú
PINYIN EZ: tah boo tie shoo-foo
LITERAL: she not too comfortable
ENGLISH: My friend is not feeling well
PINYIN: wǒ-de péng-yǒu bù shū-fú
PINYIN EZ: woh duh pung-yoh boo shoo foo
LITERAL: my friend not too comfortable
ENGLISH: Where does it hurt?
PINYIN: nǐ nǎr bù shū-fú
PINYIN EZ: nee nar boo shoo foo
LITERAL: you where not comfortable
ENGLISH: Vomit
PINYIN: ǒu-tù
PINYIN EZ: oh-too
ENGLISH: I need to vomit
PINYIN: wǒ yào ǒu-tù
PINYIN EZ: woh yau oh-too
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: ENGLISH and AMERICAN
ENGLISH: Consulate
PINYIN: lǐng-shì-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: leeng-shih-gwahn
ENGLISH: Embassy
PINYIN: dà-shì-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: dah-shih-gwahn
ENGLISH: British embassy
PINYIN: yīng-guó dà-shì-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-gwoh dah-shih-gwahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: American embassy
PINYIN: měi-guó dà-shì-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: may-gwoh dah-shih-gwahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I need to go to the American embassy
PINYIN: wǒ yào qù měi-guó dà-shì- guǎn
PINYIN EZ: woh yau tchoo may-gwoh dah-shih-gwahn
LITERAL: I need to go American embassy
ENGLISH: Newspaper
PINYIN: bào-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: bau-jih
ENGLISH: I would like to buy a newspaper
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi bào-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie bau-jih
LITERAL: I would like to buy newspaper
ENGLISH: English language newspaper
PINYIN: yīng-wén bào-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-wuhn bau-jih
LITERAL: English newspaper
ENGLISH: Is there an English language newspaper?
PINYIN: yǒu yīng-wén bào-zhǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh yeeng-wuhn bau-jih mah
LITERAL: has English newspaper +?
ENGLISH: American newspaper
PINYIN: měi-guó bào-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: may-gwoh bau-jih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Is there an American newspaper?
PINYIN: yǒu měi-guó bào-zhǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh may-gwoh bau-jih mah
LITERAL: has American newspaper +?
SECTION: NEIGHBORHOOD / NEARBY
ENGLISH: Neighborhood / nearby
PINYIN: fù-jìn
PINYIN EZ: foo-djeen
ENGLISH: My neighborhood
PINYIN: wǒ jiā fù-jìn
PINYIN EZ: woh tchee-ah foo-djeen
LITERAL: my home neighborhood
ENGLISH: The neighborhood around the shop is very pretty
PINYIN: shàng-diàn fù-jìn hěn měi
PINYIN EZ: shahng-dee-en foo-djeen hun may
LITERAL: shop neighborhood very beautiful
ENGLISH: Is there a pharmacy nearby?
PINYIN: fù-jìn yǒu yào-fáng ma
PINYIN EZ: foo-djeen yoh yau-fahng mah
LITERAL: nearby has pharmacy +?
ENGLISH: Is there a hospital nearby?
PINYIN: fù-jìn yǒu yī-yuàn ma
PINYIN EZ: foo-djeen yoh ee-yew-en mah
LITERAL: nearby has hospital +?
ENGLISH: Is there a restaurant nearby?
PINYIN: fù-jìn yǒu fàn-guǎn ma
PINYIN EZ: foo-djeen yoh fahn-gwahn mah?
LITERAL: nearby has restaurant +?
ENGLISH: McDonalds
PINYIN: mài-dāng-láo
PINYIN EZ: mie-dahng-lau
ENGLISH: Is there a McDonalds nearby?
PINYIN: fù-jìn yǒu mài-dāng-láo ma
PINYIN EZ: foo-djeen yoh mie-dahng-lau mah
LITERAL: nearby has McDonalds +?
ENGLISH: Is there an Internet cafe nearby?
PINYIN: fù-jìn yǒu wǎng-bā ma
PINYIN EZ: foo-djeen yoh wahng-bah mah?
LITERAL: nearby has web bar +?
ENGLISH: Bank
PINYIN: yín-háng
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-hahng
ENGLISH: Is there a bank nearby?
PINYIN: fù-jìn yǒu yín-háng ma
PINYIN EZ: foo-djeen yoh yeeng-hahng mah
LITERAL: nearby has bank +?
ENGLISH: ATM
PINYIN: qǔ-kuǎn-jī
PINYIN EZ: tchoo-kwahn djee
LITERAL: (get money) machine
ENGLISH: ATM (alternate)
PINYIN: ATM jī
PINYIN EZ: ATM djee
LITERAL: ATM machine
ENGLISH: Most
PINYIN: zuì
PINYIN EZ: dzway
ENGLISH: Nearest
PINYIN: zuì jìn
PINYIN EZ: dzway-djeen
LITERAL: most near
ENGLISH: Where is the nearest ATM
PINYIN: zuì jìn de qǔ-kuǎn-jī zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: dzway-djeen duh tchoo-kwahn djee dzie nar
LITERAL: nearest ATM located where?
SECTION: POST OFFICE
ENGLISH: Post office
PINYIN: yóu-jú
PINYIN EZ: yoh-joo
ENGLISH: Is there a post office nearby?
PINYIN: fù-jìn yǒu yóu-jú ma
PINYIN EZ: foo-djeen yoh yoh-joo mah
LITERAL: nearby has a post office?
ENGLISH: Where's the post office?
PINYIN: yóu-jú zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: yoh-joo dzie nar
LITERAL: post office located where?
ENGLISH: Postage stamps
PINYIN: yóu-piào
PINYIN EZ: yoh-pee-au
ENGLISH: I don't have any stamps
PINYIN: wǒ méi-yǒu yóu-piào
PINYIN EZ: woh may-yoh yoh-pee-au
LITERAL: I not have stamps
ENGLISH: I'd like to buy stamps
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi yóu-piào
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie yoh-pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We need to buy stamps
PINYIN: wǒ- men yào mǎi yóu-piào
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yau mie yoh-pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Letter
PINYIN: xìn
PINYIN EZ: seen
ENGLISH: You have mail
PINYIN: yǒu nǐ-de xìn
PINYIN EZ: yoh nee duh seen
LITERAL: have your letter
ENGLISH: Do I have any mail?
PINYIN: yǒu-méi-yǒu wǒ-de xìn
PINYIN EZ: yoh-may-yoh woh duh seen
LITERAL: have-not-have my letter?
ENGLISH: To mail / send (verb)
PINYIN: jì-xìn
PINYIN EZ: djee-seen
LITERAL: send out letter
ENGLISH: I need to mail this (letter)
PINYIN: wǒ yào jì-xìn
PINYIN EZ: woh yau djee seen
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: A letter (with measure word)
PINYIN: fēng xìn
PINYIN EZ: fung seen
ENGLISH: I would like to send a letter
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng jì yī fēng xìn
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng djee ee fung seen
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: WRITING
ENGLISH: To write
PINYIN: xiě
PINYIN EZ: see-ay-uh
ENGLISH: Please write it
PINYIN: qǐng nǐ xiě xià lái
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng nee see-ay-uh see-ah lie
LITERAL: please you write down come
ENGLISH: To use (verb)
PINYIN: yòng
PINYIN EZ: yohng
ENGLISH: Pinyin (Chinese written in Roman letters)
PINYIN: pīn-yīn
PINYIN EZ: peen-yeen
ENGLISH: Please use pinyin letters to write it
PINYIN: qǐng yòng pīn-yīn xiě
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng yohng peen-yeen see-ay-uh
LITERAL: please use Pinyin to write
ENGLISH: Please write it in Chinese
PINYIN: qǐng yòng zhōng-wén xiě
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng yohng johng-wuhn see-ay-uh
LITERAL: please use Chinese to write it
ENGLISH: Pen
PINYIN: bǐ
PINYIN EZ: bee
ENGLISH: Do you have a pen?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu bǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh bee mah
LITERAL: you have pen +?
SECTION: THE TOILET
ENGLISH: Toilet
PINYIN: cè-suǒ
PINYIN EZ: tzih-swoh
ENGLISH: Where is a toilet
PINYIN: nǎ-lǐ yǒu cè-suǒ
PINYIN EZ: nah-lee yoh tzih-swoh
LITERAL: where has toilet
ENGLISH: Is there a toilet near?
PINYIN: fù-jìn yǒu cè-suǒ ma
PINYIN EZ: foo-djeen yoh tzih-swoh mah
LITERAL: nearby has toilet +?
ENGLISH: Where is the toilet? (alternate)
PINYIN: cè-suǒ zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: tzih-swoh dzie nar
LITERAL: toilet is where
ENGLISH: Here is the bathroom
PINYIN: cè-suǒ zài zhèr
PINYIN EZ: tzih-swoh dzie jar
LITERAL: toilet located here
ENGLISH: I need to go to the toilet
PINYIN: wǒ yào qù cè-suǒ
PINYIN EZ: woh yau tchoo tzih-swoh
LITERAL: I need to go toilet
ENGLISH: I need to go to the toilet (alternate)
PINYIN: wǒ yào shàng cè-suǒ
PINYIN EZ: woh yau shahng tzih-swoh
LITERAL: I need mount toilet
ENGLISH: Toilet paper
PINYIN: wèi-shēng-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: way-shung-jih
ENGLISH: I need some toilet paper
PINYIN: wǒ yào wèi-shēng-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh yau way-shung-jih
LITERAL: I need toilet paper
ENGLISH: Western style toilet
PINYIN: mǎ-tǒng
PINYIN EZ: mah tohng
ENGLISH: Is there a Western toilet in the room?
PINYIN: fáng-jiān yǒu mǎ-tǒng ma
PINYIN EZ: fahng-djee-en yoh mah tohng mah
LITERAL: room has western toilet +?
SECTION: IT'S BROKEN / FIX IT
ENGLISH: Broken
PINYIN: huài le
PINYIN EZ: wie luh
ENGLISH: The toilet is broken
PINYIN: cè-suǒ huài le
PINYIN EZ: tzih-swoh wie luh
LITERAL: toilet broke
ENGLISH: My car is broken / not working
PINYIN: wǒ-de chē huài le
PINYIN EZ: woh duh chih wie luh
LITERAL: my car broke
ENGLISH: Their computer is broken
PINYIN: tā-men de diàn-nǎo huài le
PINYIN EZ: tah-men duh dee-en-nau wie luh
LITERAL: their computer broke
ENGLISH: The phone is broken
PINYIN: diàn-huà huài le
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-wah wie luh
LITERAL: phone broke
ENGLISH: To fix
PINYIN: xīu-lǐ
PINYIN EZ: shew-lee
ENGLISH: Please fix...
PINYIN: qǐng xīu-lǐ
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng shew-lee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Please fix the toilet
PINYIN: qǐng xīu-lǐ cè-suǒ
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng shew-lee tzih-swoh
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: TRAVEL
ENGLISH: Tourist
PINYIN: lǚ-kè
PINYIN EZ: loo-kuh
ENGLISH: I'm a tourist
PINYIN: wǒ shì lǚ-kè
PINYIN EZ: woh shih loo-kuh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: To travel (verb)
PINYIN: lǚ-xíng
PINYIN EZ: loo-seen
ENGLISH: I'm traveling in China
PINYIN: wǒ lái zhōng-guó lǚ-xíng
PINYIN EZ: woh lie johng-gwoh loo-seen
LITERAL: I come China to travel
ENGLISH: Do you like traveling?
PINYIN: nǐ xǐ-huan lǚ-xíng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-wahn loo-seen mah
LITERAL: you like traveling +?
ENGLISH: Check (money)
PINYIN: zhī-piào
PINYIN EZ: jih-pee-au
ENGLISH: Travelers checks
PINYIN: lǚ-xíng zhī-piào
PINYIN EZ: loo-seen jih-pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Can I use a travelers check?
PINYIN: kě-yǐ yòng lǚ-xíng zhī-piào ma
PINYIN EZ: kuh-ee yohng loo-seen jih-pee-au mah
LITERAL: can use travelers check +?
ENGLISH: Travel agency
PINYIN: lǚ-xíng-shè
PINYIN EZ: loo-seen shih
LITERAL: travel organization
ENGLISH: I'm on vacation
PINYIN: wǒ lái dù-jià
PINYIN EZ: woh lie doo-djee-ah
LITERAL: I come vacation
ENGLISH: I'm going to Beijing for vacation
PINYIN: wǒ qù běi-jīng dù-jià
PINYIN EZ: woh tchoo bay-jeen doo-djee-ah
LITERAL: I going Beijing to vacation
ENGLISH: Have a good trip / Bon voyage
PINYIN: yī-lù shùn-fēng
PINYIN EZ: ee-loo-shweun-fun
SECTION: TRANSPORTATION
ENGLISH: Station/stop
PINYIN: zhàn
PINYIN EZ: jahn
ENGLISH: Which station is this?
PINYIN: zhè shì nǎ ge zhàn
PINYIN EZ: juh shih nah-guh jahn
LITERAL: this is which stop?
ENGLISH: Subway
PINYIN: dì-tiě
PINYIN EZ: dee-tee-eh
LITERAL: ground steel
ENGLISH: Subway station
PINYIN: dì-tiě zhàn
PINYIN EZ: dee-tee-eh jahn
LITERAL: subway stop
ENGLISH: Where is the subway stop?
PINYIN: dì-tiě zhàn zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: dee-tee-eh jahn dzie nar
LITERAL: subway stop located where
ENGLISH: Excuse me, where is the metro?
PINYIN: qǐng wèn yī-xià, dì-tiě zhàn zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng wun ee see-ah, dee-tee-eh jahn dzie nar
LITERAL: may I ask, subway stop located where
ENGLISH: Let's go by subway
PINYIN: wǒ-men zuò dì-tiě qù
PINYIN EZ: woh-men dzoh dee-tee-eh tchoo
LITERAL: we sit subway to go
ENGLISH: We take the subway in Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ-men zài běi-jīng zuò dì-tiě
PINYIN EZ: woh-men dzie bay-jeeng dzoh dee-tee-eh
LITERAL: we located Beijing sit subway
ENGLISH: Car
PINYIN: chē
PINYIN EZ: chih
ENGLISH: Bus (within city)
PINYIN: gōng chē
PINYIN EZ: gohng chih
LITERAL: public car
ENGLISH: Bus station / bus stop
PINYIN: chē zhàn
PINYIN EZ: chih jahn
LITERAL: car stop
ENGLISH: Where is the bus station?
PINYIN: chē zhàn zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: chih jahn dzie nar
LITERAL: bus station located where?
ENGLISH: Let's take a bus, okay?
PINYIN: zuò gōng-chē qù, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: dzoh gohng-chih tchoo, hau mah
LITERAL: sit bus to go, good +?
ENGLISH: Is this the bus for Beijing?
PINYIN: zhè shì qǔ běi-jīng de gōng-chē ma
PINYIN EZ: juh shih tchoo bay-jeeng duh gohng-chih mah
LITERAL: this is going to Beijing bus +?
ENGLISH: Which bus? (to ask which bus to take)
PINYIN: jǐ lù chē
PINYIN EZ: djee loo chih
LITERAL: how-many road car
ENGLISH: Which bus do I need to take to go to Beijing?
PINYIN: wǒ yào zuò jǐ lù chē qù běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: woh yau dzoh djee loo chih tchoo bay-jeeng
LITERAL: I need take sit how-many car go Beijing?
ENGLISH: To change
PINYIN: huàn
PINYIN EZ: wahn
ENGLISH: Do I change busses?
PINYIN: wǒ yào huàn chē ma
PINYIN EZ: woh yau wahn chih mah
LITERAL: I need to change car +?
ENGLISH: Do we need to change busses?
PINYIN: wǒ-men yào huàn chē ma
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yau wahn chih mah
LITERAL: we need to change car +?
ENGLISH: Taxi
PINYIN: qū-zū qì-chē
PINYIN EZ: choo-joo tchee-chih
ENGLISH: Taxi (alternate)
PINYIN: jì-chéng-chē
PINYIN EZ: djee cheeng chih
ENGLISH: Where are there taxis?
PINYIN: nǎ-lǐ yǒu chū-zū-chē
PINYIN EZ: nah-lee yoh choo-joo chih
LITERAL: where has taxis?
ENGLISH: Where can I get a taxi? (alternate)
PINYIN: chū-zū-chē zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: choo-joo chih dzie nar
LITERAL: taxis located where?
ENGLISH: She likes to take taxis
PINYIN: tā xǐ-huan zuò chū-zū-chē qù
PINYIN EZ: tah see-wahn dzoh choo-joo chih tchoo
LITERAL: she like to sit taxis to go
ENGLISH: Please call a taxi for me
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ jiào yī liàng chū-zū-chē
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng gay woh djee-au ee lay-ahng choo-joo chih
LITERAL: please give me call a taxi
ENGLISH: Can you call a taxi for me?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ bāng wǒ jiào chū-zū-chē ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee bahng woh djee-au choo-joo chih mah
LITERAL: you can help me call taxi +?
ENGLISH: Master (what you might call a taxi driver)
PINYIN: shī-fu
PINYIN EZ: shih-foo
ENGLISH: Airplane
PINYIN: fēi-jī
PINYIN EZ: fay-djee
LITERAL: flying machine
ENGLISH: We're flying
PINYIN: wǒ-men zuò fēi-jī qù
PINYIN EZ: woh-men dzoh fay-djee tchoo
LITERAL: I sit plane to go
ENGLISH: How many hours by plane?
PINYIN: zuò fēi-jī qù yào jǐ ge xiǎo-shí
PINYIN EZ: dzoh fay-djee tchoo yau djee-guh see-au-shih
LITERAL: sit plane go need how many hours?
ENGLISH: Field
PINYIN: chǎng
PINYIN EZ: chahng
ENGLISH: Airport
PINYIN: fēi-jī-chǎng
PINYIN EZ: fay-djee chahng
LITERAL: airplane field
ENGLISH: Where's the airport?
PINYIN: fēi-jī-chǎng zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: fay-djee chahng dzie nar
LITERAL: airport is where
ENGLISH: To the airport, please
PINYIN: qù fēi-jī-chǎng
PINYIN EZ: tchoo fay-djee chahng
LITERAL: go airport
ENGLISH: I need to go to the airport
PINYIN: wǒ yào qù fēi-jī-chǎng
PINYIN EZ: woh yau tchoo fay-djee-chahng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Does this bus go to the airport?
PINYIN: zhè liàng gōng-chē qù fēi-jī-chǎng ma
PINYIN EZ: juh lee-ahng gohng chih tchoo fay-djee chahng mah
LITERAL: this bus goes to airport +?
SECTION: TO ARRIVE / TAKE / ADDRESS
ENGLISH: Arrive
PINYIN: dào
PINYIN EZ: dau
ENGLISH: What time does it/we arrive in Beijing? (e.g. bus)
PINYIN: jǐ diǎn dào běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: djee-dee-en dau bay-jeeng
LITERAL: how-many points arrive Beijing?
ENGLISH: How long is the trip to Beijing?
PINYIN: jǐ ge xiǎo-shí dào běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: djee-guh see-au-shih dau bay-jeeng
LITERAL: how many hours arrive Beijing?
ENGLISH: How much does it cost to go to Beijing?
PINYIN: duō-shǎo qián dào běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: doh-shee-au tchee-en dau bay-jeeng
LITERAL: how much money arrive Beijing?
ENGLISH: Which number bus goes to Beijing
PINYIN: dào běi-jīng zuò jǐ lù chē
PINYIN EZ: dau bay-jeeng dzoh djee-loo chih
LITERAL: arrive Beijing sit which road car?
ENGLISH: How many stops until the movie theater?
PINYIN: dào diàn-yǐng-yuàn zuò jǐ ge zhàn
PINYIN EZ: dau dee-en-yeeng yew-en dzoh djee guh jahn
LITERAL: arrive cinema sit how many stops?
ENGLISH: Arrived
PINYIN: dào le
PINYIN EZ: dau duh
Here, the "duh" creates a past tense just like we saw with "luh".
ENGLISH: When did you arrive?
PINYIN: nǐ shén-me shí-hòu dào de
PINYIN EZ: nee shih shun-muh-shih-hoh dau duh
LITERAL: you are when arrived
ENGLISH: To take someone to somewhere
PINYIN: sòng
PINYIN EZ: sohng
ENGLISH: Please take me to the hotel
PINYIN: qǐng sòng wǒ dào jǐu-diàn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng sohng woh dau djee-oh-dee-en
LITERAL: please take me to arrive hotel
ENGLISH: Please take me to the airport
PINYIN: qǐng sòng wǒ dào fēi-jī-chǎng
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng sohng woh dau fay-djee-chahng
LITERAL: please take me to arrive airport
ENGLISH: I'm flying to America
PINYIN: wǒ zuò fēi-jī dào měi-guó qù
PINYIN EZ: woh dzoh fay-djee dau may-gwoh tchoo
LITERAL: I sit plane arrive America to go
ENGLISH: To lead someone somewhere (verb)
PINYIN: dài
PINYIN EZ: die
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Please take me to the bus station
PINYIN: qǐng dài wǒ dào gōng-chē zhàn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng die woh dau gohng-chih jahn
LITERAL: please lead me to arrive bus station
ENGLISH: Please take me to the hospital
PINYIN: qǐng dài wǒ dào yī-yuàn
PINYIN EZ: tcheen die woh dau ee-yew-en
LITERAL: please lead me arrive hospital
ENGLISH: Please take me to the British embassy
PINYIN: qǐng dài wǒ dào yīng-guó dà-shì-guǎn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng die woh dau yeeng-gwoh dah-shih-gwahn
LITERAL: please lead me arrive British embassy
ENGLISH: Address
PINYIN: dì-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: dee-jih
ENGLISH: What's the address?
PINYIN: shén-me dì-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh dee-jih
LITERAL: what address?
ENGLISH: Please take me to this address
PINYIN: qǐng sòng wǒ dào zhè ge dì-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng sohng woh dau juh-guh dee-jih
LITERAL: please take me to arrive this address
ENGLISH: I need to go to this address
PINYIN: wǒ yào qù zhè-ge dì-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh yau tchoo juh guh dee-jih
LITERAL: I need to go this address
ENGLISH: How much does it cost to go to this address?
PINYIN: dào zhè ge dì-zhǐ yào duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: dau juh guh dee-jih yau doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: arrive this address needs how much money
ENGLISH: Please give me your address
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ nǐ-de dì-zhǐ
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng gay woh nee duh dee-jih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Email address
PINYIN: diàn-yóu
PINYIN EZ: dee-an-yoh
LITERAL: electric mail
ENGLISH: What's your email address?
PINYIN: nǐ-de diàn-yóu shì shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee duh dee-an-yoh shih shun-muh
LITERAL: your electric mail is what?
SECTION: TRAINS and TICKETS
ENGLISH: Fire
PINYIN: huǒ
PINYIN EZ: woh
ENGLISH: Do you have a light? (e.g. for a cigarette)
PINYIN: yǒu huǒ ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh woh mah
LITERAL: have fire +?
ENGLISH: Train
PINYIN: huǒ-chē
PINYIN EZ: woh-chih
LITERAL: fire car
ENGLISH: Train station
PINYIN: huǒ-chē zhàn
PINYIN EZ: woh-chih jahn
LITERAL: train stop
ENGLISH: Where is the train station?
PINYIN: huǒ-chē-zhàn zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: woh-chih jahn dzie nar
LITERAL: train station located where?
ENGLISH: Take me to the train station
PINYIN: qǐng dài wǒ qù huǒ-chē zhàn
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng die woh tchoo woh-chih jahn
LITERAL: please take me go to train station
Notice that we use the word "to go" in the above sentence rather than "arrive', as we did in the above section.
This is actually a more common construction.
ENGLISH: Ticket (e.g. train or airplane ticket)
PINYIN: piào
PINYIN EZ: pee-au
ENGLISH: (Counting word for sheets of paper or tickets)
PINYIN EZ: jahng
ENGLISH: Two tickets
PINYIN: liǎng zhāng piào
PINYIN EZ: lee-ahng jahng pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Please give me two tickets
PINYIN: qǐng gěi wǒ liǎng zhāng piào
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng gay woh lay-ahng jahng pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Do you have the tickets?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu piào ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh pee-au mah
LITERAL: you have tickets +?
ENGLISH: I need to buy a ticket
PINYIN: wǒ yào mǎi yī zhāng piào
PINYIN EZ: woh yau mie ee jahng pee-au
LITERAL: I need to buy one ticket
ENGLISH: I would like to buy a train ticket
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhāng huǒ-chē piào
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie ee jahng woh-chih pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I would like to buy a plane ticket
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhāng fēi-jī piào
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie ee jahng fay-djee pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We would like to buy two tickets
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi liǎng zhāng piào
PINYIN EZ: woh-men see-ahng mie lay-ahng jahng pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Where do we buy tickets?
PINYIN: nǎ-lǐ mǎi piào
PINYIN EZ: nah-lee mie pee-au
LITERAL: where buy tickets?
ENGLISH: Where do we buy tickets? (alternate)
PINYIN: nǎ-lǐ yǒu piào mài
PINYIN EZ: nah-lee yoh pee-au mie
LITERAL: where have ticket to SELL
ENGLISH: A ticket to Beijing
PINYIN: yī zhāng qù běi-jīng de piào
PINYIN EZ: ee jahng tchoo bay-jeeng duh pee-au
LITERAL: one to go Beijing ticket
ENGLISH: I would like to buy a ticket for Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhāng qù běi-jīng de piào
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng mie ee jahng tchoo bay-jeeng duh pee-au
LITERAL: I would like to buy to go Beijing ticket
ENGLISH: One-way road
PINYIN: dān-xíng lù
PINYIN EZ: dahn sheeng loo
ENGLISH: One way ticket
PINYIN: dān-chéng piào
PINYIN EZ: dahn chohng pee-au
ENGLISH: Round-trip
PINYIN: shuāng-chéng
PINYIN EZ: shwahn chung
ENGLISH: Round-trip ticket
PINYIN: shuāng-chéng piào
PINYIN EZ: shwahn chung pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: First-class ticket
PINYIN: tóu-děng piào
PINYIN EZ: toh-dohng pee-au
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Cheap
PINYIN: pián-yí
PINYIN EZ: pee-en-yee
ENGLISH: It's cheap
PINYIN: hěn pián-yí
PINYIN EZ: hun pee-en-yee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Really cheap
PINYIN: zhēn pián-yí
PINYIN EZ: jun pee-en-yee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Cheapest ticket
PINYIN: zuì pián-yí de piào
PINYIN EZ: jway pee-en-yee duh pee-au
LITERAL: most cheap's ticket
ENGLISH: Fast
PINYIN: kuài
PINYIN EZ: kwie
ENGLISH: Express train
PINYIN: kuài chē
PINYIN EZ: kwie chih
LITERAL: fast train
ENGLISH: Slow
PINYIN: màn
PINYIN EZ: mahn
ENGLISH: Slow train
PINYIN: màn chē
PINYIN EZ: mahn chih
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: MAKING COMPARISONS
ENGLISH: (Comparison word)
PINYIN: bǐ
PINYIN EZ: bee
ENGLISH: To go by plane is faster than train
PINYIN: zuò fēi-jī bǐ zuò huǒ-chē kuài
PINYIN EZ: dzoh fay-djee bee dzoh woh-chih kwie
LITERAL: sit plane compared sit train fast
ENGLISH: This car is bigger that that car
PINYIN: zhè liàng chē bǐ nà liàng chē dà
PINYIN EZ: juh lee-ahng chih bee nah lee-ahng chih dah
LITERAL: this car compared that car bigger
ENGLISH: That one is better than this one
PINYIN: nà-ge bǐ zhè-ge hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nah-guh bee juh-guh hau
LITERAL: that one compared this one good
ENGLISH: Wine is more expensive than tea
PINYIN: pú-táo-jǐu bǐ chá guì
PINYIN EZ: poo-tau-djee-oh bee tchah gway
LITERAL: wine compared tea expensive
ENGLISH: Going by bus is cheaper than taxi
PINYIN: zuò gōng-chē bǐ zuò chū-zū-chē pián-yí
PINYIN EZ: dzoh gohng-chih bee dzoh choo-joo chih pee-en-yee
LITERAL: sit bus compared sit taxi cheap
SECTION: HOTEL ROOMS
ENGLISH: Room
PINYIN: fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: fahng-djee-en
ENGLISH: Single room
PINYIN: dān-rén jiān
PINYIN EZ: dahn ren djee-en
LITERAL: single people room
ENGLISH: Double room
PINYIN: shuāng-rén jiān
PINYIN EZ: shwahng ren djee-en
LITERAL: double people room
ENGLISH: Do you have rooms?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu-méi-yǒu fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh-may-yoh fahng-djee-en
LITERAL: you have-not-have rooms
ENGLISH: Evening
PINYIN: wǎn-shàng
PINYIN EZ: wahn-shahng
ENGLISH: This evening
PINYIN: jīn-tiān wǎn-shàng
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en wahn shahng
LITERAL: today evening
ENGLISH: Do you have rooms tonight?
PINYIN: jīn-tiān wǎn-shàng, nǐ yǒu-méi-yǒu fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en wahn-shahng, nee yoh-may-yoh fahng-djee-en
LITERAL: this evening, you have-not-have rooms
ENGLISH: We like this room
PINYIN: wǒ-men xǐ-huan nèi-ge fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: woh-men see-wahn nay-guh fahng-djee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: To reserve
PINYIN: dìng
PINYIN EZ: deeng
ENGLISH: I would like to reserve a room
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng dìng yī ge fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng deeng ee-guh fahng-djee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Reservation
PINYIN: yù-yuē
PINYIN EZ: yew-yew-eh
ENGLISH: I don't have a reservation
PINYIN: wǒ méi-yǒu yù-yuē
PINYIN EZ: woh may-yoh yew-yew-eh
LITERAL: I not have reservation
ENGLISH: Free time
PINYIN: kōng
PINYIN EZ: kohng
ENGLISH: Vacancy
PINYIN: kōng fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: kohng fahng-djee-en
LITERAL: free room
ENGLISH: Vacancy (alternate - simpler)
PINYIN: kōng fáng
PINYIN EZ: kohng fahng
ENGLISH: Do you have vacancy?
PINYIN: yǒu kōng fang ma
PINYIN EZ: yoh kohng fahng mah
LITERAL: have free room +?
ENGLISH: Day
PINYIN: tiān
PINYIN EZ: tee-en
ENGLISH: How many days are you staying?
PINYIN: nǐ yào zhù jǐ tiān
PINYIN EZ: nee yau joo djee tee-en
LITERAL: you need live how many days?
ENGLISH: 3 days
PINYIN: sān tiān
PINYIN EZ: sahn tee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: For 3 days
PINYIN: zhù sān tiān
PINYIN EZ: joo sahn tee-en
LITERAL: stay 3 days
ENGLISH: I'm staying for 3 days
PINYIN: wǒ yào zhù sān tiān
PINYIN EZ: woh yau joo sahn tee-en
LITERAL: I am going to stay 3 days
ENGLISH: I'm staying for 1 week
PINYIN: wǒ yào zhù yī ge xīng-qī
PINYIN EZ: woh yau joo ee-guh seeng-tchee
LITERAL: I am going to stay 1 week
ENGLISH: Late / night
PINYIN: yè
PINYIN EZ: yeh
ENGLISH: I will stay for 1 night
PINYIN: wǒ yào zhù yī yè
PINYIN EZ: woh yau joo yee yeh
LITERAL: I am going to stay 1 night
ENGLISH: We will stay for 5 nights
PINYIN: wǒ-men yào zhù wǔ yè
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yau joo woo yeh
LITERAL: we are going to stay 5 nights
ENGLISH: Credit card
PINYIN: xìn-yòng-kǎ
PINYIN EZ: seen-yohng-kah
ENGLISH: Can I use a credit card?
PINYIN: kě-yǐ yòng xìn-yòng-kǎ ma
PINYIN EZ: kuh-ee yohng seen-yohng-kah mah
LITERAL: can use credit card +?
ENGLISH: Do you accept credit cards
PINYIN: xìn-yòng-kǎ kě-yǐ ma
PINYIN EZ: seen-yohng-kah kuh-ee mah
LITERAL: credit card can +?
ENGLISH: Do you guys accept credit cards (alternate)
PINYIN: nǐ-men shōu xìn-yòng-kǎ ma
PINYIN EZ: nee-men shoh seen-yohng-kah mah
LITERAL: you (plural) accept credit cards +?
ENGLISH: Do you guys accept credit cards (alternate)
PINYIN: nǐ-men shōu kǎ ma
PINYIN EZ: nee-men shoh kah mah
LITERAL: you (plural) accepts cards +?
SECTION: THINGS YOU MIGHT LOSE
ENGLISH: Key
PINYIN: yào-shi
PINYIN EZ: yau-shih
ENGLISH: To lose
PINYIN: diào
PINYIN EZ: dee-au
ENGLISH: Lost
PINYIN: diào le
PINYIN EZ: dee-au luh
ENGLISH: I've lost my key
PINYIN: wǒ diào le wǒ-de yào-shi
PINYIN EZ: woh dee-au luh woh duh yau-shih
LITERAL: I lost my key
ENGLISH: I need my key
PINYIN: wǒ xū-yào wǒ-de yào-shi
PINYIN EZ: woh shoo-yau woh duh yau-shih
LITERAL: I need my key
ENGLISH: I've lost my passport
PINYIN: wǒ diào le wǒ-de hù-zhào
PINYIN EZ: woh dee-au luh woh duh hoo-jau
LITERAL: I lost my passport
SECTION: SOMEONE / STEALING
ENGLISH: Person
PINYIN: rén
PINYIN EZ: ren
ENGLISH: Other people/person (someone)
PINYIN: rén-jiā
PINYIN EZ: ren-djee-ah
LITERAL: people home
ENGLISH: To steal
PINYIN: tōu
PINYIN EZ: toh
ENGLISH: Stole
PINYIN: tōu le
PINYIN EZ: toh luh
ENGLISH: Someone stole
PINYIN: rén-jiā tōu le
PINYIN EZ: ren-djee-ah toh-luh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Someone stole my passport
PINYIN: rén-jiā tōu le wǒ-de hù-zhào
PINYIN EZ: ren-djee-ah toh-luh woh-duh hoo-jau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Someone stole my money
PINYIN: rén-jiā tōu le wǒ-de qián
PINYIN EZ: ren-djee-ah toh-luh woh-duh tchee-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Someone stole my money (alternate)
PINYIN: yǒu rén tōu le wǒ-de qián
PINYIN EZ: yoh ren toh-luh woh-duh tchee-en
LITERAL: have person stole my money
SECTION: TO LOOK FOR
ENGLISH: To look for
PINYIN: zhǎo
PINYIN EZ: jau
Put "dzie" in front of a verb to indicate that it is an action that's happening right now:
ENGLISH: Looking for
PINYIN: zài zhǎo
PINYIN EZ: dzie-jau
ENGLISH: I'm looking for
PINYIN: wǒ zài zhǎo
PINYIN EZ: woh dzie-jau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm looking for my passport
PINYIN: wǒ zài zhǎo wǒ-de hù-zhào
PINYIN EZ: woh dzie-jau woh duh hoo-jau
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm looking for my friend
PINYIN: wǒ zài zhǎo wǒ-de péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: woh dzie-jau woh duh pung-yoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm looking for the hospital
PINYIN: wǒ zài zhǎo yī-yuàn
PINYIN EZ: woh dzie jau ee-yew-en
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: What are you looking for?
PINYIN: nǐ zài zhǎo shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee dzie-jau shun-muh
LITERAL: you looking for what?
ENGLISH: We're looking for our room
PINYIN: wǒ-men zài zhǎo wǒ-men-de fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: woh-men dzie-jau woh-men duh fahng-djee-en
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: WHICH NUMBER
ENGLISH: Number
PINYIN: hào-mǎ
PINYIN EZ: hau-mah
ENGLISH: Room number
PINYIN: fáng-jiān hào-mǎ
PINYIN EZ: fahng-djee-en hau-mah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm staying in room number 5
PINYIN: wǒ zhù zài wǔ hào fáng-jiān
PINYIN EZ: woh joo dzie woo hau fahng-djee-en
LITERAL: I stay located 5 number room
ENGLISH: Credit card number
PINYIN: xìn-yòng-kǎ hào-mǎ
PINYIN EZ: seen-yohng-kah hau-mah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: My credit card number is 33
PINYIN: wǒ-de xìn-yòng-kǎ hào-mǎ shì sān-sān
PINYIN EZ: woh duh seen-yohng-kah hau-mah shih sahn sahn
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Phone number
PINYIN: diàn-huà hào-mǎ
PINYIN EZ: dee-en-wah hau-mah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: What is your phone number?
PINYIN: nǐ-de diàn-huà hào-mǎ shì shén-me
PINYIN EZ: nee duh dee-en-wah hau-mah shih shun-muh
LITERAL: your phone number is what?
ENGLISH: What is your phone number? (alternate)
PINYIN: nǐ-de diàn-huà hào-mǎ shì jǐ hào
PINYIN EZ: nee duh dee-en-wah hau-mah shih djee hau
LITERAL: your phone number is how many numbers?
ENGLISH: This is my phone number
PINYIN: zhè shì wǒ-de diàn-huà hào-mǎ
PINYIN EZ: juh shih woh duh dee-en-wah hau-mah
LITERAL: this is my phone number
ENGLISH: My number is
PINYIN: wǒ-de hào-mǎ shì
PINYIN EZ: woh duh hau-mah shih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: My phone number is
PINYIN: wǒ-de diàn-huà hào-mǎ shì
PINYIN EZ: woh duh dee-en wah hau-mah shih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: My telephone number is 88
PINYIN: wǒ-de diàn-huà hào-mǎ shì bā-bā
PINYIN EZ: woh-duh dee-en-wah hau-mah shih bah bah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Passport number
PINYIN: hù-zhào hào-mǎ
PINYIN EZ: hoo-jau hau-mah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Flight number
PINYIN: háng-bān hào-mǎ
PINYIN EZ: hahng-bahn hau-mah
ENGLISH: Bus number
PINYIN: gōng-chē hào
PINYIN EZ: gohng chih hau
LITERAL: public car number
ENGLISH: Which number?
PINYIN: jǐ hào
PINYIN EZ: djee hau
LITERAL: how many number
ENGLISH: Platform/track (train terminal)
PINYIN: zhàn tái
PINYIN EZ: jahn tie
ENGLISH: What is the terminal number for Shanghai?
PINYIN: qù shàng-hǎi jǐ hào zhàn tái
PINYIN EZ: tchoo shahng-hie djee hau jahn tie
LITERAL: to go Shanghai how-many number terminal platform?
SECTION: THE DATE
ENGLISH: What's the date today?
PINYIN: jīn-tiān jǐ hào
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en djee hau
LITERAL: today which number
ENGLISH: It's February 5th
PINYIN: èr yuè wǔ hào
PINYIN EZ: ar yew-eh woo hau
LITERAL: two month 5 number
SECTION: GETTING OFF and FALLING
The following verb means to get out of a car/taxi/train. You can say it to a taxi driver to ask taxi him to stop.
ENGLISH: To get out of a car/taxi/train
PINYIN: xià chē
PINYIN EZ: see-ah chih / shee-ah chih
LITERAL: down car
ENGLISH: I would like to get out/off
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng xià chē
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng see-ah chih
LITERAL: I would like get off car
ENGLISH: I'd like to get off in Beijing
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng zài běi-jīng xià chē
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng dzie bay-jeeng see-ah chih
LITERAL: I would like located Beijing get off car
ENGLISH: Rain
PINYIN: yǔ
PINYIN EZ: yew
ENGLISH: It's raining
PINYIN: xià yǔ
PINYIN EZ: see-ah yew
LITERAL: falls rain
ENGLISH: It's going to rain
PINYIN: yào xià yǔ
PINYIN EZ: yau see-ah yew
LITERAL: going to fall rain
ENGLISH: Rain coat
PINYIN: yǔ-yī
PINYIN EZ: yeu-yee
ENGLISH: I need a rain coat
PINYIN: wǒ xū-yào yǔ-yī
PINYIN EZ: woh shoo-yau yeu-yee
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Do I need a rain coat
PINYIN: wǒ xū-yào yǔ-yī ma
PINYIN EZ: woh shoo-yau yeu-yee mah
LITERAL: I need rain coat +?
ENGLISH: Often
PINYIN: cháng-cháng
PINYIN EZ: chahng-chahng
ENGLISH: It often rains
PINYIN: cháng-cháng xià-yǔ
PINYIN EZ: chahng-chahng see-ah yew
LITERAL: often falls rain
ENGLISH: Does it often rain in Beijing?
PINYIN: běi-jīng cháng-cháng xià-yǔ ma
PINYIN EZ: bay-jeeng chahng-chahng see-ah yew mah
LITERAL: Beijing often rains +?
ENGLISH: Do you often go to Beijing?
PINYIN: nǐ cháng-cháng qù běi-jīng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee chahng-chahng tchoo bay-jeeng mah
LITERAL: you often go to Beijing +?
SECTION: HOW [phrase of many uses]
ENGLISH: How
PINYIN: zěn-me
PINYIN EZ: dzun-muh
ENGLISH: How is it said?
PINYIN: zěn-me shuō
PINYIN EZ: dzun-muh shoh
LITERAL: how say?
Suppose you are pointing to a Chinese character, and want to ask someone how to pronounce it:
ENGLISH: How is this said?
PINYIN: zhè-ge zěn-me shuō
PINYIN EZ: juh guh dzun-muh shoh
LITERAL: this how say?
ENGLISH: In Chinese, (hello) is said how
PINYIN: zhōng-wén, 'hello' zěn-me shuō
PINYIN EZ: johng-wuhn, 'hello' dzun-muh shoh
LITERAL: Chinese (hello) how say?
ENGLISH: In English how do you say (nee-hau)
PINYIN: yīng-wén, 'nǐ-hǎo' zěn-me shuō
PINYIN EZ: yeeng-wuhn, 'nee-hau' dzun-muh shoh
LITERAL: English, (nee hau) how say?
ENGLISH: How is it done?
PINYIN: zěn-me zuò
PINYIN EZ: dzun-muh dzoh
LITERAL: how to do?
ENGLISH: What's up? / How is it going? (informal)
PINYIN: zěn-me-yàng
PINYIN EZ: dzun-muh yahng
LITERAL: how
ENGLISH: What's up? / How is it going? (alternate)
PINYIN: zěn-me
PINYIN EZ: dzun-muh
ENGLISH: How are you?
PINYIN: nǐ zěn-me-yàng
PINYIN EZ: nee dzun-muh yahng
LITERAL: you how?
ENGLISH: Is that alright? / how about?
PINYIN: zěn-me-yàng
PINYIN EZ: dzun-muh yahng
ENGLISH: How about 5 o'clock?
PINYIN: wǔ diǎn, zěn-me-yàng
PINYIN EZ: woo dee-en, dzun-muh yahng
LITERAL: 5 points, how about?
ENGLISH: How is your mother?
PINYIN: nǐ-de mà-ma zěn-me-yàng
PINYIN EZ: nee duh mah-mah dzun-muh yahng
LITERAL: your mom how?
ENGLISH: How to get to the bus station?
PINYIN: chē-zhàn zěn-me qù
PINYIN EZ: chih jahn dzun-muh tchoo
LITERAL: bus station how go?
ENGLISH: How to go to the train station?
PINYIN: huǒ-chē zhàn zěn-me qù
PINYIN EZ: woh-chih jahn dzun-muh tchoo
LITERAL: train station how go?
ENGLISH: How do we get to the hospital?
PINYIN: yī-yuàn zěn-me qù
PINYIN EZ: ee-yew-en dzun-muh tchoo
LITERAL: hospital how go?
ENGLISH: How do I get to the hotel?
PINYIN: jǐu-diàn zěn-me qù
PINYIN EZ: djee-oh-dee-en dzun-muh tchoo
LITERAL: hotel how go?
ENGLISH: How do I get to your house?
PINYIN: nǐ-de jiā zěn-me qù
PINYIN EZ: nee duh tchee-ah dzun-muh tchoo
LITERAL: your house how go?
SECTION: HOW'S THE WEATHER
ENGLISH: Weather
PINYIN: tiān-qì
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-tchee
ENGLISH: How is the weather?
PINYIN: tiān-qì zěn-me-yàng
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-tchee dzun-muh yahng
LITERAL: weather how?
ENGLISH: How is the weather today?
PINYIN: jīn-tiān tiān-qì zěn-me-yàng
PINYIN EZ: jeen-tee-en tee-en-tchee dzun-muh yahng
LITERAL: today weather how?
ENGLISH: How's the weather now?
PINYIN: xiàn-zài tiān-qì zěn-me-yàng
PINYIN EZ: see-en-dzie tee-en-tchee dzun-muh yahng
LITERAL: now weather how?
ENGLISH: How will the weather be tomorrow?
PINYIN: míng-tiān tiān-qì huì zěn-me-yàng
PINYIN EZ: meeng-tee-en tee-en-tchee way dzun-muh yahng
LITERAL: tomorrow weather will be how?
SECTION: CLOTHES
ENGLISH: Jacket
PINYIN: shàng-yī
PINYIN EZ: shahng-yee
ENGLISH: You need a jacket
PINYIN: nǐ xū-yào shàng-yī
PINYIN EZ: nee shoo-yau shahng-yee
LITERAL: you need jacket
ENGLISH: Shirt (formal shirt)
PINYIN: chèn-shān
PINYIN EZ: cheun-shahn
ENGLISH: A shirt (with counting word)
PINYIN: yī jiàn chèn-shān
PINYIN EZ: ee tee-en cheun-shahn
LITERAL: a shirt
ENGLISH: How much is this shirt?
PINYIN: zhè jiàn chèn-shān duō-shǎo qián
PINYIN EZ: juh tee-en cheun-shahn doh-shee-au tchee-en
LITERAL: this shirt how much money?
ENGLISH: I want to buy this shirt
PINYIN: wǒ yào mǎi zhè jiàn chèn-shān
PINYIN EZ: woh yau mie juh tee-en cheun-shahn
ENGLISH: Shoes
PINYIN: xié
PINYIN EZ: see-eh
ENGLISH: To take off
PINYIN: tuō-xià
PINYIN EZ: twoh shee-ah
ENGLISH: Take your shoes off
PINYIN: tuō-xià nǐ-de xié
PINYIN EZ: twoh shee-ah nee duh see-eh
LITERAL: take off your shoes
ENGLISH: Please take your shoes off
PINYIN: qǐng tuō-xià nǐ-de xié
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng twoh shee-ah nee duh see-eh
LITERAL: please take off your shoes
ENGLISH: Should I take my shoes off
PINYIN: wǒ yīng-gāi tuō-xià wǒ-de xié ma
PINYIN EZ: woh yeeng-gie twoh shee-ah woh duh see-eh mah
LITERAL: I should take off my shoes +?
ENGLISH: Clothes
PINYIN: yī-fú
PINYIN EZ: yee-foo
ENGLISH: Hat
PINYIN: mào-zi
PINYIN EZ: mau-dzih
ENGLISH: Where's my hat?
PINYIN: wǒ-de mào-zi zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: woh duh mau-dzih dzie nar
LITERAL: my hat located where
SECTION: CITIES and PLACES
ENGLISH: Beijing
PINYIN: běi-jīng
PINYIN EZ: bay-jeeng
ENGLISH: Shanghai
PINYIN: shàng-hǎi
PINYIN EZ: shahng-hie
ENGLISH: I would like to go to Shanghai
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng qù shàng-hǎi
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng tchoo shahng-hie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Xian
PINYIN: xī-ān
PINYIN EZ: see-ahn
ENGLISH: Guangzhou / Canton
PINYIN: guǎng-zhōu
PINYIN EZ: gwahng-joh
ENGLISH: Guilin
PINYIN: guì-lín
PINYIN EZ: gway-leen
ENGLISH: Hong Kong
PINYIN: xiāng-gǎng
PINYIN EZ: shee-ahng-gahng
ENGLISH: Tiananmen Square
PINYIN: tiān-ān-mén
PINYIN EZ: tee-en-ahn-men
LITERAL: Tiananmen
ENGLISH: The Great Wall
PINYIN: wàn-lǐ cháng-chéng
PINYIN EZ: wahn lee chahng-chung
LITERAL: 10 thousand miles of long city
ENGLISH: The Great Wall (alternate)
PINYIN: cháng-chéng
PINYIN EZ: chahng-chung
ENGLISH: I would like to go to the Great Wall
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng qù cháng-chéng
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng tchoo chahng-chung
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We would like to see the Great Wall
PINYIN: wǒ-men xiǎng kàn cháng-chéng
PINYIN EZ: woh-men see-ahng kahn chahng-chung
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Camera
PINYIN: zhào-xiàng-jī
PINYIN EZ: jau-shee-ahng-djee
LITERAL: take photo machine
ENGLISH: Do you have a camera?
PINYIN: nǐ yǒu zhào-xiàng-jī ma
PINYIN EZ: nee yoh jau-shee-ahng-djee mah
LITERAL: you have camera +?
ENGLISH: To take photos
PINYIN: zhào xiàng
PINYIN EZ: jau shee-ahng
ENGLISH: Is it okay to take photos?
PINYIN: néng zhào-xiàng ma
PINYIN EZ: nung jau shee-ahng mah
LITERAL: can photo +?
ENGLISH: Can you take a photo of me?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ bāng wǒ zhào ge xiàng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee bahng woh jau guh shee-ahng mah
LITERAL: you can to help me take a photo +?
ENGLISH: Can you take a photo of us?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ bāng wǒ-men zhào ge xiàng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee bahng woh-men jau guh shee-ahng mah
LITERAL: you can to help us take a photo +?
SECTION: FROM
ENGLISH: From
PINYIN: cóng
PINYIN EZ: tchohng
ENGLISH: She's coming from Hong Kong
PINYIN: tā cóng xiāng-gǎng lái
PINYIN EZ: tah tchohng shee-ahng-gahng lie
LITERAL: she from Hong Kong come
ENGLISH: He is coming from his house
PINYIN: tā cóng tā-de jiā lái
PINYIN EZ: tah tchohng tah duh tchee-ah lie
LITERAL: he from his house come
ENGLISH: Where are you from?
PINYIN: nǐ cóng nǎ-lǐ lái
PINYIN EZ: nee tchohng nah-lee lie
LITERAL: you from where come?
ENGLISH: We are from California
PINYIN: wǒ-men cóng jiā-zhōu lái
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tchohng djee-ah-joh lie
LITERAL: we from California come
SECTION: QUESTIONS and ANSWERS
ENGLISH: Is
PINYIN: shì
PINYIN EZ: shih
ENGLISH: Right?
PINYIN: shì ba
PINYIN EZ: shih bah
ENGLISH: You live in Shanghai, right?
PINYIN: nǐ zhù zài shàng-hǎi, shì ba
PINYIN EZ: nee joo dzie shahng-hie, shih bah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Yes
PINYIN: shì de
PINYIN EZ: shih-duh
LITERAL: (same)
To ask a question, you can either add "mah', or put the positive and negative forms of a verb together
ENGLISH: Is that so? (with 'mah')
PINYIN: shì ma
PINYIN EZ: shih mah
LITERAL: is +?
ENGLISH: Is that so? (using positive/negative construction)
PINYIN: shì bù shì
PINYIN EZ: shih boo shih
LITERAL: is-not-is
ENGLISH: Yes (answer to above question)
PINYIN: shì
PINYIN EZ: shih
LITERAL: is
ENGLISH: No
PINYIN: bù shì
PINYIN EZ: boo shih
LITERAL: not is
ENGLISH: Are you American?
PINYIN: nǐ shì měi-guó-rén ma
PINYIN EZ: nee shih may-gwoh ren mah
LITERAL: you are America person +?
ENGLISH: Are you American? (using +/- construction)
PINYIN: nǐ shì-bù-shì měi-guó-rén
PINYIN EZ: nee shih boo shih may-gwoh ren
LITERAL: you are-not-are American person?
ENGLISH: Yes
PINYIN: shì
PINYIN EZ: shih
LITERAL: am
ENGLISH: No
PINYIN: bù shì
PINYIN EZ: boo shih
LITERAL: not am
ENGLISH: To speak
PINYIN: shuō
PINYIN EZ: shoh
ENGLISH: Can you speak English?
PINYIN: nǐ huì shuō yīng-wén ma
PINYIN EZ: nee way shoh yeeng-wuhn mah
LITERAL: you know how to speak English +?
ENGLISH: Can you speak English? (using +/- construction)
PINYIN: nǐ huì-bù-huì shuō yīng-wén
PINYIN EZ: nee way-boo-way shoh yeeng-wuhn
LITERAL: you know-not-know how to speak English?
ENGLISH: Yes (affirmative answer)
PINYIN: huì
PINYIN EZ: way
LITERAL: know how
ENGLISH: No
PINYIN: bù huì
PINYIN EZ: boo way
LITERAL: not know how
ENGLISH: To want (something)
PINYIN: yào
PINYIN EZ: yau
ENGLISH: To not want
PINYIN: bù yào
PINYIN EZ: boo yau
LITERAL: not want
ENGLISH: Do you want it?
PINYIN: nǐ yào-bù-yào
PINYIN EZ: nee yau boo yau
LITERAL: you want-not-want
ENGLISH: Yes (affirmative answer)
PINYIN: yào
PINYIN EZ: yau
LITERAL: want
ENGLISH: No
PINYIN: bù yào
PINYIN EZ: boo yau
LITERAL: not want
SECTION: MORE LANGUAGE STUFF
ENGLISH: Chinese language
PINYIN: zhōng-wén
PINYIN EZ: johng-wuhn
LITERAL: China speech
ENGLISH: Chinese language (alternate)
PINYIN: hàn-yǔ
PINYIN EZ: hahn-yeu
ENGLISH: Mandarin
PINYIN: pǔ-tōng-huà
PINYIN EZ: poo-tohn-wah
LITERAL: common language
ENGLISH: To speak
PINYIN: shuō
PINYIN EZ: shoh
ENGLISH: You speak very well
PINYIN: nǐ shuō de hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee shoh duh hun hau
LITERAL: you speak very good
ENGLISH: You speak Mandarin well
PINYIN: nǐ pǔ-tōng-huà shuō de hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee poo-tohn-wah shoh duh hun hau
LITERAL: your Mandarin speak very good
ENGLISH: You speak English very well
PINYIN: nǐ yīng-wén shuō de hěn hǎo
PINYIN EZ: nee yeeng-wuhn shoh duh hun hau
LITERAL: you English speak very good
ENGLISH: I speak badly
PINYIN: wǒ shuō de bù hǎo
PINYIN EZ: woh shoh duh boo hau
LITERAL: I speak not good
SECTION: DO YOU UNDERSTAND?
ENGLISH: To understand (interpretations/speech/accent/etc)
PINYIN: míng-bái
PINYIN EZ: meeng-bie
ENGLISH: I understand
PINYIN: wǒ míng-bái
PINYIN EZ: woh meeng-bie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I don't understand
PINYIN: wǒ bù míng-bái
PINYIN EZ: woh boo meeng-bie
LITERAL: I not understand
ENGLISH: Do you understand?
PINYIN: nǐ míng-bái ma
PINYIN EZ: nee meeng-bie mah
LITERAL: you understand +?
ENGLISH: Did you understand?
PINYIN: nǐ míng-bái le ma
PINYIN EZ: nee meeng-bie luh mah
LITERAL: you understood +?
ENGLISH: I understand what you're saying
PINYIN: wǒ míng-bái nǐ shuō shén-me
PINYIN EZ: woh meeng-bie nee shoh shun-muh
LITERAL: I understand you say what
ENGLISH: To understand (how to do something/etc)
PINYIN: dǒng
PINYIN EZ: dohng
The two verbs "meeng-bie" and "dohng" both mean "to understand". As a beginner you can use them
interchangeably, but one will sound more correct to native speakers depending on context.
ENGLISH: I understand
PINYIN: wǒ dǒng
PINYIN EZ: woh dohng
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I don't understand
PINYIN: wǒ bù dǒng
PINYIN EZ: woh boo dohng
LITERAL: I not understand
ENGLISH: I don't understand what you're saying
PINYIN: wǒ bù dǒng nǐ shuō shén-me
PINYIN EZ: woh boo dohng nee shoh shun-muh
LITERAL: I not understand you say what
ENGLISH: We don't understand
PINYIN: wǒ-men bù dǒng
PINYIN EZ: woh-men boo dohng
LITERAL: we not understand
ENGLISH: Do you understand?
PINYIN: nǐ dǒng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee dohng mah
LITERAL: you understand +?
ENGLISH: Do you understand? (using +/- verb construction)
PINYIN: nǐ dǒng-bù-dǒng
PINYIN EZ: nee dohng boo dohng
LITERAL: you understand-not-understand?
ENGLISH: Yes (affirmative response)
PINYIN: dǒng
PINYIN EZ: dohng
LITERAL: understand
ENGLISH: No
PINYIN: bù dǒng
PINYIN EZ: boo dohng
LITERAL: not understand
SECTION: WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
ENGLISH: Meaning
PINYIN: yì-si
PINYIN EZ: ee-suh
ENGLISH: What does that mean?
PINYIN: shén-me yì-si
PINYIN EZ: shun-muh ee-suh
LITERAL: what meaning?
ENGLISH: What does (hello) mean?
PINYIN: 'hello' shì shén-me yì-si
PINYIN EZ: 'hello' shih shun muh ee-seh
LITERAL: (hello) is what meaning
ENGLISH: The meaning is (hello)
PINYIN: yì-si shì 'nǐ hǎo'
PINYIN EZ: ee-suh shih 'nee hau'
LITERAL: meaning is (hello)
ENGLISH: To be interesting / that's interesting
PINYIN: yǒu yì-si
PINYIN EZ: yoh ee-suh
LITERAL: has meaning
ENGLISH: This book is very interesting
PINYIN: zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yì-si
PINYIN EZ: juh beun shoo hun yoh ee-suh
LITERAL: this book very has meaning
ENGLISH: Beijing is very interesting
PINYIN: běi-jīng hěn yǒu yì-si
PINYIN EZ: bay-jeeng hun yoh ee-suh
LITERAL: Beijing very has meaning
ENGLISH: That movie was meaningless
PINYIN: nà piàn diàn-yǐng měi-yǒu yì-si
PINYIN EZ: nah pee-en dee-en-yeeng may-yoh ee-suh
LITERAL: that movie not have meaning
ENGLISH: Life is meaningless
PINYIN: zuò-rén méi-yǒu yì-si
PINYIN EZ: dzoh ren may-yoh ee-suh
LITERAL: being (doing) person not have meaning
SECTION: IS IT RIGHT? (CORRECT)
ENGLISH: Right/correct
PINYIN: duì
PINYIN EZ: dway
ENGLISH: ... Right? (placed after statement)
PINYIN: duì ba
PINYIN EZ: dway bah
LITERAL: right?
ENGLISH: Right (affirmative response)
PINYIN: duì
PINYIN EZ: dway
LITERAL: right
ENGLISH: Is it right?
PINYIN: duì-bù-duì
PINYIN EZ: dway boo dway
LITERAL: right-not-right?
ENGLISH: No (negative response)
PINYIN: bù duì
PINYIN EZ: boo dway
LITERAL: not right
ENGLISH: Right? (Do you think so?)
PINYIN: nǐ shuō duì-bù-duì
PINYIN EZ: nee shoh dway boo dway
LITERAL: you say right-not-right?
ENGLISH: You were right
PINYIN: nǐ duì le
PINYIN EZ: nee dway luh
LITERAL: you right
SECTION: STILL / YET
ENGLISH: Still / yet
PINYIN: hái
PINYIN EZ: hie
ENGLISH: Have
PINYIN: yǒu
PINYIN EZ: yoh
ENGLISH: Not have
PINYIN: méi-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: may yoh
ENGLISH: I still have not eaten
PINYIN: wǒ hái méi-yǒu chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh hie may-yoh chih fahn
LITERAL: I still not have eat rice
ENGLISH: I have not yet gone
PINYIN: wǒ hái méi-yǒu qù
PINYIN EZ: woh hie may-yoh tchoo
LITERAL: I still not have go
ENGLISH: I still have not seen her
PINYIN: wǒ hái méi-yǒu kàn tā
PINYIN EZ: woh hie may-yoh kahn tah
LITERAL: I still not have seen her
ENGLISH: I have not yet seen anything
PINYIN: wǒ hái méi-yǒu kàn shén-me dōng-xi
PINYIN EZ: woh hie may-yoh kahn shun-muh dohng-see
LITERAL: I still not have seen something
ENGLISH: We don't yet know
PINYIN: wǒ-men hái bù zhì-dào
PINYIN EZ: woh-men hie boo jih-dau
LITERAL: we still not know
SECTION: ONE and SOME
ENGLISH: Friend
PINYIN: péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: pung-yoh
ENGLISH: Good friend
PINYIN: hǎo péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: hau pung-yoh
LITERAL: good friend
ENGLISH: A friend
PINYIN: yī ge péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: ee guh pung-yoh
LITERAL: one friend
ENGLISH: Two friends
PINYIN: liǎng ge péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: lay-ahng guh pung-yoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Three friends
PINYIN: sān ge péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: sahn guh pung-yoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Some friends
PINYIN: jǐ ge péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: djee guh pung-yoh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: I'm going to see some friends
PINYIN: wǒ yào kàn jǐ ge péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: woh yau kahn djee-guh pung-yoh
LITERAL: I going to see some friends
ENGLISH: I'm going to see a friend
PINYIN: wǒ yào kàn yī ge péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: woh yau kahn ee-guh pung-yoh
LITERAL: I going to see one friend
SECTION: MARRIED / HUSBAND / WIFE
ENGLISH: Married
PINYIN: jié-hūn le
PINYIN EZ: tee-eh wun luh
ENGLISH: Are you married?
PINYIN: nǐ jié-hūn le ma
PINYIN EZ: nee tee-eh wun luh mah?
LITERAL: you get married +?
ENGLISH: I am married
PINYIN: wǒ jié-hūn le
PINYIN EZ: woh tee-eh wun luh
LITERAL: I married
ENGLISH: We are married
PINYIN: wǒ-men jié-hūn le
PINYIN EZ: woh-men tee-eh wun luh
LITERAL: we got married
ENGLISH: Single room
PINYIN: dān-rén jiān
PINYIN EZ: dahn ren djee-en
LITERAL: single people room
ENGLISH: I am single (alternate)
PINYIN: wǒ shì dān-shēn de
PINYIN EZ: woh shih dahn-shihn duh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Wife
PINYIN: lǎo-pó
PINYIN EZ: lau-poh
ENGLISH: Wife (alternate - more formal)
PINYIN: tài-tai
PINYIN EZ: tie-tie
ENGLISH: This is my wife
PINYIN: zhè shì wǒ-de tài-tai
PINYIN EZ: juh shih woh-duh lau-poh
LITERAL: this is my wife
ENGLISH: She is my wife
PINYIN: tā shì wǒ-de lǎo-pó
PINYIN EZ: tah shih woh duh lau-poh
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Where is your wife?
PINYIN: nǐ de lǎo-pó zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: nee duh lau-poh dzie nar
LITERAL: your wife located where?
ENGLISH: My wife is here
PINYIN: wǒ-de lǎo-pó zài zhèr
PINYIN EZ: woh duh lau-poh dzie jar
LITERAL: my wife located here
ENGLISH: Is she your wife?
PINYIN: tā shì nǐ-de lǎo-pó ma
PINYIN EZ: tah shih nee duh lau-poh mah
LITERAL: she is your wife +?
ENGLISH: She is Mr. Lee's wife
PINYIN: tā shì lǐ xiān-shēng de lǎo-pó
PINYIN EZ: tah shih lee see-en-shung duh lau-poh
LITERAL: she is Lee Mr.'s wife
ENGLISH: Husband
PINYIN: lǎo-gōng
PINYIN EZ: lau-gohng
ENGLISH: That is my husband
PINYIN: nà shì wǒ-de lǎo-gōng
PINYIN EZ: nah shih woh-duh lau-gohng
LITERAL: (same)
SECTION: FAMILY
ENGLISH: Child/children
PINYIN: xiǎo hái-ér
PINYIN EZ: see-au-har
ENGLISH: Child/children (alternate)
PINYIN: hái-zi
PINYIN EZ: hie-dzih
ENGLISH: Do you guys have children?
PINYIN: nǐ-men yǒu xiǎo hái-ér ma
PINYIN EZ: nee-men yoh see-au-har mah
LITERAL: you have children +?
ENGLISH: How many children do you guys have?
PINYIN: nǐ-men yǒu jǐ ge xiǎo hái-ér
PINYIN EZ: nee-men yoh djee-guh see-au-har
LITERAL: you have how many children?
ENGLISH: We have 3 children
PINYIN: wǒ-men yǒu sān ge xiǎo hái-ér
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yoh sahn guh see-au-har
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We don't have children
PINYIN: wǒ-men méi-yǒu xiǎo hái-ér
PINYIN EZ: woh-men may yoh see-au-har
LITERAL: we not have children
ENGLISH: Daughter
PINYIN: nǚ'ér
PINYIN EZ: new-er
ENGLISH: One
PINYIN: yī
PINYIN EZ: yee
ENGLISH: One daughter
PINYIN: yī ge nǚ'ér
PINYIN EZ: yee guh new-er
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: They have 1 daughter
PINYIN: tā-men yǒu yī ge nǚ'ér
PINYIN EZ: tah-men yoh yee-guh new-er
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Son
PINYIN: ér-zi
PINYIN EZ: ar-dzih
ENGLISH: Our son
PINYIN: wǒ-men de ér-zi
PINYIN EZ: woh-men duh ar-dzih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We have two sons
PINYIN: wǒ-men yǒu liǎng ge ér-zi
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yoh lay-ahng guh ar-dzih
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Parents
PINYIN: fù-mǔ
PINYIN EZ: foo-moo
ENGLISH: Where are your parents?
PINYIN: nǐ-de fù-mǔ zài nǎr
PINYIN EZ: nee duh foo-moo joo dzie nar
LITERAL: your parents located where?
ENGLISH: Mom
PINYIN: mà-ma
PINYIN EZ: mah-mah
ENGLISH: This is my mom
PINYIN: zhè shì wǒ-de mà-ma
PINYIN EZ: juh shih woh-duh mah-mah
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Dad
PINYIN: bà-ba
PINYIN EZ: bah-bah
ENGLISH: Home
PINYIN: jiā
PINYIN EZ: tchee-ah
ENGLISH: Family members
PINYIN: jiā rén
PINYIN EZ: tchee-ah ren
LITERAL: home people
ENGLISH: How many people are there in your family?
PINYIN: nǐ-de jiā yǒu jǐ ge rén
PINYIN EZ: nee-duh tchee-ah yoh djee-guh ren
LITERAL: your family has how many people?
ENGLISH: There are 6 people in my family
PINYIN: wǒ-de jiā yǒu lìu ge rén
PINYIN EZ: woh tchee-ah yoh lee-oh guh ren
LITERAL: my family has six people
ENGLISH: My family is in China
PINYIN: wǒ-de jiā-rén zài zhōng-guó
PINYIN EZ: woh duh tchee-ah ren dzie johng-gwoh
LITERAL: my family located China
SECTION: ALONE
ENGLISH: Alone (e.g. say this to ask for a table for one)
PINYIN: yī ge rén
PINYIN EZ: ee-guh ren
LITERAL: one person
ENGLISH: I'm alone
PINYIN: wǒ yī ge rén
PINYIN EZ: woh ee-guh ren
LITERAL: I one person
ENGLISH: Are you going alone?
PINYIN: nǐ yī ge rén qù ma
PINYIN EZ: nee ee-guh ren tchoo mah
LITERAL: your one person go +?
ENGLISH: He's coming alone
PINYIN: tā yī ge rén lái
PINYIN EZ: tah ee-guh ren lie
LITERAL: he one person come
ENGLISH: I am traveling alone
PINYIN: wǒ yī ge rén lǚ-xíng
PINYIN EZ: woh ee-guh ren loo-seen
LITERAL: I one person travel
SECTION: TOGETHER, AND, WITH
ENGLISH: Together
PINYIN: yī-qí
PINYIN EZ: ee-tchee
ENGLISH: We are going together
PINYIN: wǒ-men yī-qí qù
PINYIN EZ: woh-men ee-tchee tchoo
LITERAL: we together go
ENGLISH: We're eating dinner together
PINYIN: wǒ-men yī-qí chī wǎn-fàn
PINYIN EZ: woh-men ee-tchee chih wahn-fahn
LITERAL: we together eat dinner
ENGLISH: Let's eat dinner together ('bah' creates suggestion)
PINYIN: wǒ-men yī-qí chī wǎn-fàn ba
PINYIN EZ: woh-men ee-tchee chih wahn-fahn bah
LITERAL: we together eat dinner
ENGLISH: Let's eat dinner together this evening
PINYIN: wǒ-men jīn-tiān wǎn-shàng yī-qí chī wǎn-fàn ba
PINYIN EZ: woh-men jeen-tee-en wahn shahng ee-tchee chih wahn-fahn bah
LITERAL: we today evening together eat dinner
ENGLISH: We're going to a bar together
PINYIN: wǒ-men yī-qí qù jǐu-bā ba
PINYIN EZ: woh-men ee-tchee tchoo djee-oh bah
LITERAL: we together go bar
ENGLISH: How about we go to a bar together?
PINYIN: wǒ-men yī-qí qù jǐu-bā, hǎo ma
PINYIN EZ: woh-men ee-tchee tchoo djee-oh bah, hau mah
LITERAL: we together go bar, good +?
ENGLISH: And
PINYIN: hé
PINYIN EZ: huh
ENGLISH: You and I
PINYIN: wǒ hé nǐ
PINYIN EZ: woh huh nee
LITERAL: me and you
ENGLISH: My girlfriend and I
PINYIN: wǒ hé wǒ-de nǚ-péng-yǒu
PINYIN EZ: woh huh woh duh noo-pung-yoh
LITERAL: me and my girlfriend
ENGLISH: My girlfriend and I live together
PINYIN: wǒ hé wǒ-de nǚ-péng-yǒu zhù zài yī-qí
PINYIN EZ: woh huh woh duh noo-pung-yoh joo dzie ee-tchee
LITERAL: me and my girlfriend live located together
ENGLISH: with
PINYIN: gēn
PINYIN EZ: gun
ENGLISH: Together with me
PINYIN: gēn wǒ yī-qí
PINYIN EZ: gun woh ee-tchee
LITERAL: with me together
ENGLISH: Can you go with me?
PINYIN: nǐ kě-yǐ gēn wǒ yī-qí qù ma
PINYIN EZ: nee kuh-ee gun woh ee-tchee tchoo mah?
LITERAL: you can with me together go?
ENGLISH: Would you like to eat with me?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒ yī-qí chī-fàn ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng gun woh ee-tchee chih fahn mah
LITERAL: you would like with me together eat rice +?
ENGLISH: Would you like to drink tea with me?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒ yī-qí hē-chá ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng gun woh ee-tchee huh tchah mah
LITERAL: you would like with me together drink tea +?
ENGLISH: Would you like to see a movie with me?
PINYIN: nǐ xiǎng gēn wǒ yī-qí kàn diàn-yǐng ma
PINYIN EZ: nee see-ahng gun woh ee-tchee kahn dee-en-yeeng mah
LITERAL: you would like with me together to see movie +?
ENGLISH: I'm going with a friend
PINYIN: wǒ gēn yī ge péng-yǒu yī-qí qù
PINYIN EZ: woh gun ee-guh pung-woh ee-tchee tchoo
LITERAL: I with one friend together go
ENGLISH: He's coming with his girlfriend
PINYIN: tā gēn tā-de nǚ-péng-yǒu yī-qí lái
PINYIN EZ: tah gun tah duh noo-pung-yoh ee-tchee lie
LITERAL: he with his girlfriend together come
ENGLISH: Is she going with you to Shanghai?
PINYIN: tā gēn nǐ yī-qí qù shàng-hǎi ma
PINYIN EZ: tah gun nee ee-tchee tchoo shahng-hie mah
LITERAL: she with you together going Shanghai +?
ENGLISH: Who are you eating with?
PINYIN: nǐ gēn shéi yī-qí chī-fàn
PINYIN EZ: nee gun shay ee-tchee chih-fahn
LITERAL: you with who together eating?
ENGLISH: I want to make love to you
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐ zuò-ài
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng gun nee dzoh ie
LITERAL: I would like with you do love
SECTION: TO GO BACK / COME BACK
ENGLISH: To go
PINYIN: qù
PINYIN EZ: tchoo
ENGLISH: To go back
PINYIN: huí-qù
PINYIN EZ: way tchoo
LITERAL: return to go
ENGLISH: She would like to go back
PINYIN: tā xiǎng huí-qù
PINYIN EZ: tah see-ahng way tchoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: We should go back
PINYIN: wǒ-men yīng-gāi huí-qù
PINYIN EZ: woh-men yeeng-gie way tchoo
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: To come
PINYIN: lái
PINYIN EZ: lie
ENGLISH: To come back
PINYIN: huí-lái
PINYIN EZ: way lie
LITERAL: return to come
ENGLISH: Please come back
PINYIN: qǐng huí-lái
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng way lie
LITERAL: (same)
ENGLISH: Please come back at 6 o’clock
PINYIN: qǐng lìu diǎn huí-lái
PINYIN EZ: tcheeng lee-oh dee-en way lie
LITERAL: please 6 points return come
ENGLISH: When are you returning?
PINYIN: nǐ shén-me shí-hòu huí-lái
PINYIN EZ: nee shun-muh-shih-hoh way lie
LITERAL: you when return come?
ENGLISH: When will he come back?
PINYIN: tā-men shén-me shí-hòu huí-lái
PINYIN EZ: tah shun-muh-shih-hoh way lie
LITERAL: he when come back?
ENGLISH: Home
PINYIN: jiā
PINYIN EZ: tchee-ah
ENGLISH: To go home
PINYIN: huí jiā
PINYIN EZ: way tchee-ah
LITERAL: return home
ENGLISH: I would like to go home
PINYIN: wǒ xiǎng huí-jiā
PINYIN EZ: woh see-ahng way tchee-ah
LITERAL: I would like to return home