| Most popular Mandarin phrases to learn | |
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| Dec 8, 2007 20:56 |   |
 | I have started learing mandarin, but was wondering if someone could give me some key phrases to make sure I know before I go in two weeks ... I dont have time to learn everything so a little help in what is critical to know is what I am trying to concentrate on. |
| Dec 8, 2007 22:05 | #1 |
| If you don't already have knowledge of Chinese/Mandarin, I will warn you that you most probably won't be able to pick up anything useful other than "hello", "thank you" and "goodbye". It's a tonal language and you most probably won't get the tones right for people to understand you correctly -- and most people won't expect you to speak in Chinese to them when they see your Western face. Try ChinesePod: http://www.chinesepod.com |
| Dec 8, 2007 22:25 | #2 |
| Thanks for the information. I have gone through Chinese pod and have another course I am working through - I was asking some key phrases that I should know - like a top ten list to make sure I get down. |
| Dec 9, 2007 01:07 | #3 |
| I purchase this translator at fry’s electronics for $180.00 I do not know if Fry’s electronics is your region. Any way to me, it is the best for the money; English to Chinese translation is perfect, according to my girl friend. It is worth the money, because it speaks the words and sentences. I stay in China for two days without my girl friend and I was lost, I just do not know where it starts or ends. This translator makes the difference, because I can understand it better than I can understand the real people, what is more important is that, people can understand what ever I want or need. Franklin 12 Language Translator TGA-490 They have some less pricy, I do not know if they are effective. Other wise, as Ellisy said it; it is hard to learn hardly any, if you are in the run. jcl. |
| Dec 9, 2007 02:51 | #4 |
| Well, not to "pour cold water" on you, but if you ask questions, would you have a good enough understanding of Chinese to understand the answer? "Useful" phrases would be: hello; thank you; gents/ladies (toilet-wise); goodbye; how much it (something) costs; numbers for 1 to 10. |
| Dec 9, 2007 03:06 | #5 |
| Fortunate the translator is capable enough to translate Chinese to English if my conversation is with a person that have the most basic or elemental knowledge of the Chinese language and can type of course. Don’t you agree that something is better than nothing is? |
| Dec 9, 2007 13:26 | #6 |
| ELLYSE is correct. I studied hard using Pimsleur and no one understood a word I said. You might want to learn the phrases: * I do not understand what you are saying. *** I do not want it, thank you very much. ...especially the I don't want it phrase.... ;-) |
| Dec 10, 2007 01:41 | #7 |
| Ellyse is correct, but then, everyone needs to start somewhere, and you'll find that most Chinese people you'll meet will really appreciate it if you try to use a little Chinese in conversation. To be a bit more helpful, here are some very simple phrases: 1. Hello| 你好|nǐhǎo 2. Goodbye|再见|zàijiàn 3. Thanks|谢谢|xièxie 4. I don't want it/I don't want to|我不要了|wǒ bù yàole 5. I don't understand|我听不懂|wǒ tīngbùdǒng No 4 is very useful :) Two things you need to know are that: 1. The pronunciation of letters in pinyin and English are NOT always the same. For instance the "x" in "xiexie" is more like the English "shhh" sound. 2. The language is tonal. Which means you need to have an idea of the four tones and how to say them. I really recommend investing in a phrasebook. When I first came to China I used mine all the time and found it really helpful. It's A Rough Guide Mandarin Phrasebook. |
| Dec 10, 2007 09:55 | #8 |
| GUEST21234 | Thank you - I actually have that book and have been studying to tones - this is helpful. And to all who have posted here I am thankful. Looking forward to my first trip to China!! |
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