Menu
Start a Thread Start a Poll
Should I learn Mandarine or Cantonese for a stay in Shenzhen?
Nov 25, 2006 02:35
  • DAVIDJOSHUA
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Nov 25, 2006
  • Status: offline
I would like to acquire some speaking command of Chinese toward a stay of a few weeks in Shenzhen.

I read that , although Contonese is the primary dialect in this part of China, Mandarine is also widely understood there. Is Mandarine indeed understood and spoken by all or most people of Shenzhen?

I want to be able to carry on a simple dialog at the tourist level.

Nov 25, 2006 03:58
#1  
  • ALICEGAO
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Jun 5, 2006
  • Status: Offline
I guess mandarine is a better choice, it has been widely used among China.
As for cantonese, umm... not every people in shenzheng are local people who can speak, nor understand their so called standard dialect well, I guess.
Nov 26, 2006 09:37
#2  
  • LINGZ
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Nov 21, 2006
  • Status: Offline
Learn Mandarine is the best choice. You can start learning Chinese with the book "Essential Chinese 1500" and the web site Chinese-tools.com, the best book and website for beginners.
Nov 26, 2006 17:23
#3  
  • APAULT
  • Points:
  • Join Date: Mar 11, 2006
  • Status: Offline
Definitely Mandarin, just about everyone you want to talk to understands it - but whether they understand you speaking it is another matter! However much I practiced a phrase, I was rarely understood. Even my most used phrase 'yi bing pijiu' often drew blank looks, but a walk to the fridge and talikg out a beer saved the day on most occasions :) But don't give up, I had friends who were more successful...perhaps it was our relative ages that makes the difference!
Post a Reply to: Should I learn Mandarine or Cantonese for a stay in Shenzhen?
Content: ( 3,000 characters at most, please )
You can add emoticons below to your post by clicking them.
characters left
Name:    Get a new code