School & Language Learning — Practical Mandarin Phrases

Introductions

Q: Hi, I’m from Canada. Nice to meet you.

A: Nice to meet you too.

Nǐ hǎo, wǒ láizì Jiānádà. Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ. Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.

Nǐ hǎo / hellowǒ / Iláizì / come from Jiānádà / Canadahěn / verygāoxìng / happyrènshi / knownǐ / you

Wǒ / Iyě / alsohěn / verygāoxìng / happyrènshi / knownǐ / you

你好，我来自加拿大。很高兴认识你。我也很高兴认识你。

Classroom

Q: How do you say this in Chinese?

A: You say “谢谢”.

Zhège Zhōngwén zěnme shuō? Kěyǐ shuō “xièxie”.

Zhège / thisZhōngwén / Chinesezěnme / howshuō / say

Kěyǐ / canshuō / sayxièxie / thanks

这个中文怎么说？可以说“谢谢”。

Listening

Q: Could you please repeat that?

A: Sure, listen carefully.

Qǐng nín zài shuō yí biàn. Hǎo de, qǐng rènzhēn tīng.

Qǐng / pleasenín / you (polite)zài / againshuō / speakyí biàn / one time

Hǎo de / okayqǐng / pleaserènzhēn / carefullytīng / listen

请您再说一遍。好的，请认真听。

Comprehension

Q: I don’t understand.

A: That’s okay, I’ll explain again.

Wǒ bù dǒng. Méi guānxi, wǒ zài jiěshì yí biàn.

Wǒ / Ibù / notdǒng / understand

Méi guānxi / it’s okaywǒ / Izài / againjiěshì / explainyí biàn / one time

我不懂。没关系，我再解释一遍。

Directions

Q: Where is classroom 305?

A: On the third floor.

Sān líng wǔ jiàoshì zài nǎr? Zài sān lóu.

Sān líng wǔ / 305jiàoshì / classroomzài / atnǎr / where

Zài / atsān / threelóu / floor

三零五教室在哪儿？在三楼。

Classwork

Q: I haven’t finished my homework yet.

A: Please finish it tonight.

Wǒ hái méi zuò wán zuòyè. Qǐng jīnwǎn zuò wán.

Wǒ / Ihái / stillméi / not yetzuò wán / finish doingzuòyè / homework

Qǐng / pleasejīn wǎn / tonightzuò wán / finish

我还没做完作业。请今晚做完。

Schedule

Q: What time does class start?

A: At nine o’clock.

Jǐ diǎn shàng kè? Jiǔ diǎn kāishǐ.

Jǐ diǎn / what timeshàng kè / have class

Jiǔ diǎn / nine o’clockkāishǐ / start

几点上课？九点开始。

Schedule

Q: When is the exam?

A: Next Monday.

Kǎoshì shì shénme shíhòu? Xià xīngqī yī.

Kǎoshì / examshì / isshénme shíhòu / when

Xià / nextxīngqī / weekyī / Monday

考试是什么时候？下星期一。

Pronunciation

Q: Can you help me pronounce this?

A: Sure, repeat after me.

Nǐ néng bāng wǒ dú yíxià zhège ma? Kěyǐ, gēn wǒ dú.

Nǐ / younéng / canbāng / helpwǒ / medú / readyíxià / a bitzhège / thisma / ?

Kěyǐ / cangēn / followwǒ / medú / read

你能帮我读一下这个吗？可以，跟我读。

Politeness

Q: Thank you, teacher.

A: You’re welcome, keep practicing.

Xièxie lǎoshī. Bù yòng xiè, jìxù liànxí.

Xièxie / thankslǎoshī / teacher

Bù yòng / no needxiè / thankjìxù / continueliànxí / practice

谢谢老师。不用谢，继续练习。