Learn To Speak Mandarin Chinese For Beginners

21/04/2019 2 By Christopher jones

Hello and Welcome to another lesson

To another dose of Chris’s Class on ”Working” Mandarin Chinese

Chinese mandarin ”PUTONGHUA” > expressed as PU TONG HUA

Following on from my last introduction to Chinese basic usage for travellers street use.

the purpose of this simple approach is to offer the understanding of tones

Do you remember the 4 tones?

Let’s Dive in on them below

Pinyin uses either numbers or tone marks to indicate the tones. Here is the word ‘ma’ with numbers and then tone marks:

- 1st tone: ma1 or mā [Numbers after the Pinyin (ma1) represents the tonal sounds ]
- 2nd tone: ma2 or má
- 3rd tone: ma3 or mǎ
- 4th tone: ma4 or mà

Travel basics lesson:2

[Frequently used Phrases}

Wutong Mountain Entrance

go to > zhuǎn dào ……….wo yao [i want] to go to [zhuan dao] toilet [ce suo]

where is > zài nǎ li

toilet/wc > cè suǒ ………….[zai na] where is the toilet [ce suo]

Bank > yín háng ………….zai na le [ yin yang] where is then bank

Buy > mǎi …. ……….. [wo yao] mai de [bing qi ling] [ice-cream]

Doctor > yī shēng . zai na le ………where is the doctor

Dentist > yá yī zai na le. ………where is the dentist

Hospital > yī yuàn zai nal le ………where is the hospital

Sorry > Dui Bu Qi,

nǐ shì > you are

bu zhi dao > dont understand

zài jiàn > goodbye

Speaking Exercise:

In Mandarin there is no specific words for saying “yes” and “no.” but Instead, the verb which is used in the Mandarin question is used to make a positive or negative reply.

ABC learn fruit chart

For Example The Question:

Do you like rice? Nǐ3 xǐ huan3 fàn4 ma?

The answer would be:

I like. ni xi huan
or
I don’t like. wo bu xi huan

Mandarin Questions and Answers

Q: Nǐ yǒu bǐ ma?
Do you have a pen?

A: Méi yǒu.
No (don’t have).

Q: Nǐ yào bú yào mǎi?
Do you want to buy (it)?

A: Yào.
Yes (want).

Q: Jīntiān shì xīng qī yī ma?
Is today Monday?

A: Shì.
Yes (is)

Note:

Chinese ”Putonghua” is the language of instruction in Chinese school system, and as recent as 2014, approx 30% of the Chinese population do not speak Putonghua.

Those not speaking Putonghua typically live in rural areas and belong to an ethnic minority group of the older generation Chinese

Exercise for you: how to say or write:

I like ice-cream
You are a Doctor
I don’t understand

This Approach

Is to GUIDE you into the basic Language gently, so attempt is to keep it simple and useful.

MORE LESSON <HERE>

HAVE YOUR SAY

Did this post offer useful info for you?
Did it answer Questions or leave you wanting?

Chris

TagsChinese lessons Flights and high-speed trains languages mandarin mandarin language SHOULD I WANT TO HELP YOU simple Chinese learning social attitudes tourism industry tourist trap WAYS TO GET AROUND CHINA CITIES

About the author

Christopher jones

Hi Welcome Passionate and Article-blog writer Born Latin America, Grew up predominantly in the UK World traveler countries but none inspired me to take on the writing scene. until Asia. My goal is in utilizing both new and acquired experiences. This site is designed to bring a grounded walk of life in what and where i have resided, worked or loved in some cases all consequitively. No Fancy talk and Promises just plain experinces, life is about tribulations and this is no different, quality in its contents and what it offers is what you will inevitably read digest and consider. My natural drive meeting and greeting organically, is about life and its cultures, different circumstances I encountered in this carbon body and its grace on this earth. To complete a book of experiences is a plan,, Honest and relevant testimonials beginings to where i am now. Feedback from you Comments is all i request, Tell me what niggles, frustrates or pleases you. If you want a topic covered Fine! That too! Have a Positive Life Chris

2 Comments

Robert J Warneck says:

07/05/2019 at 12:30 AM

This was very informational and very interesting facts and ways to pronounce syllables and words. That is interesting how the older generation do not speak Putonghua, is it because they refuse to learn, or is it because they are very into tradition and speaking the ancient language? Would love to see posts on more words and sentences, this is great for someone traveling to China.

Reply
- Christopher jones says:
  
  07/05/2019 at 2:37 AM
  
  Hi Robert appreciate the kind words.Yes i will put together more on basics of mandarin in my next post,
  then older generation do speak putonghua but it is very specific to the areas they live as in dialect difference, it is a strain of mandarin but in fact they dont understand each other?
  it is incredibly big and with several provinces and smaller towns and villages make it unrivaled in variety of cuisine and language
  
  there are in fact traditional mandarin [more complicated to read and write] even the new generation cant speak or write it much!
  then there is simplified Chinese [the modern version] around the Mao-zi dong era
  
  chris
  
  Reply