Learning Chinese

Weather Talk

2007-06-24T22:47:00.000-07:00

天气 (Tiānqì) - Weather

The weather in Spring is fairly good.

春天的天气比较好。
Chūntiān de tiānqì bǐjiào hǎo.

It is very hot in summer.
夏天很热。
Xiàtiān hěn rè.

It is very comfortable in fall. It is neither cold nor hot.
秋天很舒服，不冷也不热。
Qiūtiān hěn shūfu, bù lěng yě bú rè.

Although it does not snow often in winter, it is very cold.
冬天虽然不常下雪，可是很冷。
Dōngtiān suīrán bù cháng xià xuě, kěshì hén lěng.

The weather here is very nice.
这里天气很好。
Zhèlǐ tiānqì hén hǎo.

The Fall is the best season in Beijing.
在北京，秋天是最好的季节。
Zài běijīng, qiūtiān shì zuì hǎo de jìjié.

The weather in Spring is very comfortable.
春天天气很舒服。
Chūntiān tiānqì hěn shūfu.

Learning the Tones - this is the first thing you should do!

2007-06-03T22:52:00.000-07:00

Tones

Mandarin Chinese has four pitched tones and a "toneless" tone. The reason for having these tones is probably that the Chinese language has very few possible syllables -- approximately 400 -- while English has about 12,000. For this reason, there may be more homophonic words , words with the same sound expressing different meanings, in Chinese than in most other languages. Apparently tones help the relatively small number of syllables to multiply and thereby alleviate but not completely solve the problem. Learning Chinese in context, therefore, is very important.

For example, the Chinese use only one syllable "da" and yet can tell the difference between "to hang over something" ( da1 ), "to answer" (da2), "to hit" (da3), and "big" (da4). The answer in the tones.

The numbers after each of the syllables indicates the tone. In normal text this is indicated as . In the diagram below you can see the tones.

Tone	Mark	Description
1st		High and level.
2nd		Starts medium in tone, then rises to the top.
3rd		Starts low, dips to the bottom, then rises toward the top.
4th		Starts at the top, then falls sharp and strong to the bottom.
Neutral		Flat, with no emphasis.

This diagram helps visualize the pitches of the four tones:

The tone of a syllable may change in some situations. For example, these are the characters for "mother" . As separate characters each is pronounced as "ma," but when put together, the second "ma" becomes toneless: . Rules like this are, however, very few and very easy to remember.

Learning Chinese Grammar

2007-06-03T22:20:00.000-07:00

Tips for effectively learning basic Chinese grammar:

Learn basic grammar, but try not to worry and be constrained by the rules. After all, languages are spoken as a way to express meaning.

The basic grammar elements are almost identical with different languages; however, the sequence may be different. Pay particular attention to the differences and practice on them.

The most important points on learning new foreign languages:

Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Being self-conscious can be an obstacle in learning a language. Remember, most people are willing to helping you rather than laughing at you.
Don't be discouraged by the difficulties at first attempt. Practice, practice, and practice! you will be amazed by your own progress!
Be persistent. Allocate a set time on studying and follow the schedule. Studying a little every day is more effective than studying for a long period at once.

Tips on how to quickly learn Chinese characters

2007-06-03T21:52:00.000-07:00

Note: As a general prerequisite, study and familiarize yourself with Chinese writing strokes and rules. There's no shortcut to this. This will provide you with a good solid foundation on how Chinese characters are formed.

Tips on how to quickly learn Chinese characters:

Only way to learn Chinese characters is to memorize them, practice writing a character on paper until you remember it. Start from easy ones, which also include all the strokes, for example, 一(one), 十(ten), 中(middle),山(mountain), 上(above), 火(fire), 河(river), 入(enter).
Rather than writing one word many times before doing the next one, write each word once or twice then go through the whole list again until you've done the required number of repetitions. This will reinforce the new words more firmly in your memory.
Read Chinese newspapers, booklets and books found at your local library or Chinese market
Watch movies or TV programs with Chinese subtitles, it is a great way to learn Chinese speaking and writing at the same time in a simulated real-life scenario.
Use post-it notepaper to write down the characters and stick them on the objects you are about to learn.
Write vocabulary words using index or flash cards on one side with the definition on the other side.
Use your imagination by linking the shape of the new word by first glancing to something you are familiar with.
Play vocabulary by creating a 3-column vocabulary sheet with characters, pinyin, and English definitions. Fold the paper with only one or two columns showing and then take practice written tests.
After a while, you will notice that many characters have elements in common, either related to meaning or pronunciation. Note the common elements and use them to help you remember new characters.
Take advantage of free learning Chinese resources online.

If you can memorize about 1,000 - 2,000 characters, you will feel comfortable with reading and writing modern Chinese.

Feelings - Emotions (Part 2)

2007-05-29T17:43:00.000-07:00

B

悲伤 bēi shāng sad / sorrowful

F

烦躁 fán zào ( adj. ) jittery; twitchy; fidgety

G

尴尬 gān gà awkward / embarrassed
高兴 gāo xìng happy / glad / willing (to do sth) / in a cheerful mood

J

激动 jī dòng to excite / to agitate / exciting
骄傲 jiāo ào arrogant / conceited / full of oneself
叫喊 jiào hǎn exclamation / outcry / shout / yell
紧张 jǐn zhāng critical / tension / nervous / intense / strained / tense
惊恐 jīng kǒng appall
惊讶 jīng yà confound

K

哭 kū to cry / to weep
快乐 kuài lè happy / merry
困惑 kùn huò bewilder / perplexity / confused

N

恼怒 nǎo nù ( v. ) be irritated and angry

T

叹息 tàn xī sigh

W

无聊 wú liáo nonsense / bored

X

笑 xiào laugh / smile
兴奋 xīng fèn (be) excited
羞涩 xiū sè shy / bashful

Y

忧虑 yōu lǜ to worry / anxiety (about)
犹豫 yóu yù hesitate
郁闷 yù mèn gloomy / depressed
晕倒 yūn dǎo ( v. ) to faint off

Z

震惊 zhèn jīng to shock / to astonish
自卑 zì bēi ( adj. ) feel inferior
自豪 zì háo (feel a sense of) pride
自信 zì xìn confidence

Numbers, numbers, numbers

2007-05-29T00:07:00.000-07:00

一 yi1 one, 1				三十 san1 shi2 thirty, 30
二 er4 two, 2				五十 wu3 shi2 fifty, 50
三 san1 three, 3				六十 liu4 shi2 sixty, 60
四 si4 four, 4				七十 qi1 shi2 seventy, 70
五 wu3 five, 5				八十 ba1 shi2 eighty, 80
六 liu4 six, 6				九十 jiu3 shi2 ninety, 90
七 qi1 seven, 7				百 bai3 hundred, 100
八 ba1 eight, 8				二百 er4 bai3 two hundred, 200
九 jiu3 nine, 9				三百 san1 bai3 three hundred
十 shi2 ten, 10				五百 wu3 bai3 five hundred
十一 shi2 yi1 eleven, 11				千 qian1 thousand, 1000
十二 shi2 er4 twelve, 12				两千 liang3 qian1 two thousand
十三 shi2 san1 thirteen, 13				万 wan4 ten thousand, a great number
十四 shi2 si4 fourteen, 14				千万 qian1 wan4 ten million, millions, very many
十五 shi2 wu3 fifteen, 15				百万 bai3 wan4 million, millions
十六 shi2 liu4 sixteen, 16				亿 yi4 a hundred million
十七 shi2 qi1 seventeen, 17				零 ling2 zero
十八 shi2 ba1 eighteen, 18
十九 shi2 jiu3 nineteen, 19
二十 er4 shi2 twenty, 20

Office Supplies (Part 1)

2007-03-27T05:47:00.001-07:00

中文	Pinyin	English
笔筒	Bǐ tǒng	Pencil vase
资料册	zī liào cè	Clear book
标签贴纸	Biaō qiān tiē zhǐ	Label sticker
文档夹	Wén dàng jiā	2-lever file
自动铅笔笔芯	Zì dòng qiān bǐ bǐ xīn	Mechanical pencil leads
铅笔	Qiān bǐ	Pencil
黑水笔	Heī shuǐ bǐ	Black gel link pen
红水笔	Hóng shuǐ bǐ	Red gel link pen
转笔刀	Zhuàn bǐ daō	Pencil sharpener
笔记本	Bǐ jì beň	Note book
便签纸	Biàn qiān zhǐ	Sticky note
透明胶	Toù míng daì	Transparent tape
修正带	Xiū zhèng daì	Correction tape
剪刀	Jiǎn daō	Scissors
订书机	Dìng shū jī	Stapler
订书钉	Diǹg shū dīng	Staple
胶水	Jiaō shuǐ	Glue
键盘清洁膏	Jiàn pán qīng jié gaō	Keyboard cleaning cream
长尾夹	Cháng weǐ jiā	Binder clip
曲别针	Qū bié zhēn	Gem clip
30厘米尺	30 lí mǐ chǐ	Ruler(30cm)
乒乓球	Pīng pāng qiú	Table tennis ball

Feelings - Postive (Part 1)

2007-03-18T19:20:00.001-07:00

我很激动. Wǒ hěn dào jī dòng. I'm very excited.	我相信你. Wǒ xiāng xìn nǐ. I trust (believe in) you.
我感觉好点了. Wǒ gǎn jué hǎo diǎn le. I feel better. (I feel comfortable.).	我为你感到骄傲. Wǒ weì nǐ gǎn daò jiāo aò. I'm proud of you.
我很羡慕你. Wǒ hěn xiàn mù nǐ. I admire you.	我很高兴有你这样的朋友. Wǒ hěn gaō xìng yǒu nǐ zhè yàng de péng you. I'm so glad to have a friend like you. (I'm happy to have you.)
我很喜欢我的工作. Wǒ hěn xǐ huan wǒ de gōng zuò. I like my work.	我倍受鼓舞. Wǒ beì shoù gǔ wǔ. I feel motivated.

Feelings - Negative (Part 1)

2007-03-18T18:37:00.000-07:00

我不高兴.
Wǒ bù gaō xìng.
I'm unhappy.

我很失望.
Wǒ hěn shī wàng.
I'm very disappointed.

我好象生病了.
Wǒ hǎo xiàng shēng bìng le.
I feel sick.

我对这件事情感到失望
Wǒ duì zhè jiàn shì qing gǎn daò shī wàng.
I feel disappointed about this matter.

不太舒服.
Bù taì shū fu.
Not too comfortable.

我不喜欢这里.
Wǒ bù xǐ huan zhè lǐ.
I don't like it here.

这里让我感到不舒服.
Zhè lǐ ràng wǒ gǎn daò bù shū fu.
This place makes me uncomfortable.

我很害怕.
Wǒ hěn haì pà.
I'm very scared.

我感到紧张.
Wǒ gǎn daò jǐn zhāng.
I feel nervous.

我感到害怕.
Wǒ gǎn daò haì pà.
I feel scared.

我很伤心.
Wǒ hěn shāng xīn.
I feel hurt (emotionally).

我头痛
Wǒ toú tòng.
My head hurts.

Casual Talk (Part 1)

2007-03-06T02:26:00.000-08:00

Just between friends...

你怎么样？ Nǐ zěn me yàng? How are you? (informal)	你好吗? Nǐ haǒ ma? How are you?
我想念你. Wǒ xiǎng niàn nǐ. I miss you.	好久不见。你好吗？ Hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn. Nǐ hǎo ma? Long time no see. How are you?
你身体好吗？ Nǐ shēn tǐ hǎo ma? How's your health?	要注意身体啊。 Yào zhù yì shēn tǐ ā. Take care of yourself.
你家人好吗？ Nǐ jiā rén hǎo ma? How's your family?	我只想问好. Wǒ zhǐ xiǎng wèn hǎo. I just want to say hello.
如果你忙,我不会麻烦你了. Rú guǒ nǐ máng, wǒ bù huì má fan nǐ le. If you're busy, I will not bother you.	再见，有空联系。 Zài jiàn. Yǒu kòng lián xì. Bye. Contact me when you are free.

Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1)

2007-03-02T22:16:00.000-08:00

你哪里人?
Ni3 na3 li ren2?
What (nationality) are you?

你在中国生活了多久?
Ni3 zai4 Zhong1 guo4 sheng1 huo2 le duo1 jiu3?
How long have you lived in China?

你在中国逗留多久?
Ni3 zai4 Zhong1 guo2 dou4 liu2 duo1 jiu3?
How long will you stay in China?

你多大了?
Ni3 duo1 da4 le?
How old are you?

你有什么工作?
Ni3 you3 shen2 me gong1 zuo4?
What is your work?

你住那里?
Ni3 zhu4 na4 li?
Where do you live?

Introducing Myself (Part 2)

2007-03-02T21:37:00.000-08:00

(Note about Pinyin: Wo3 is Wo in the 3rd tone; ming2 is ming in 2nd tone, etc.)

在美国我住了二十五年.
Zai4 Mei3 guo2 wo3 zhu4 le er4 shi2 wu3 nian2.
I lived in America for 25 years.

我出生在菲律宾.
Wo3 chu1 sheng1 zai4 fei1 lu4 bin1.
I was born in the Philippines.

我毕业于加州大学.
Wo3 bi4 ye4 yu2 jia1 zhou1 da4 xue2.
I graduated from the University of California.

我有硕士学位.
Wo3 you3 shuo4 shi4 xue2 wei4.
I have a Master's Degree.

我主要是电脑科学.
Wo3 zhu3 yao4 shi4 dian4 nao3 ke1 xue2.
My specialty (or major) is Computer Science.

我公司是美国软件公司.
Wo3 gong1 si1 shi4 Mei3 guo2 ruan3 jian4 gong1 si1.
I work for an American software company.

公司总经理.
Wo3 gong1 si1 zong3 jing1 li3.
I am the director (or general manager).

我的办公室设在天津.
Wo3 de ban4 gong1 shi4 she4 zai4 Tian1 jin1.
My office is located in Tianjin.

Introducing Myself (Part 1)

2007-03-01T17:42:00.000-08:00

(Note about Pinyin: Wo3 is Wo in the 3rd tone; ming2 is ming in 2nd tone, etc.)

我的名字叫文森.
Wo3 de ming2 zi jiao4 Wen2 Sen1.
My name is Vincent.

我来自美国.
Wo3 lai2 zi4 Mei3 guo2.
I am from America.

我是一个软件工程师.
Wo3 shi4 yi1 ge4 ruan3 jian4 gong1 cheng2 shi1.
I am a software engineer.

我住在北京.
Wo3 zhu4 zai4 Bei3 jing1.
I live in Beijing.

我在天津工作.
Wo3 zai4 Tian1 jin1 gong1 zuo4.
I work in Tianjin.

我一直在中国两年.
Wo3 yi4 zhi2 zai4 Zhong1 guo2 liang3 nian2.
I have been in China for two years.

我非常喜欢中国.
Wo3 fei1 chang2 xi3 huan Zhong1 guo2.
I like China very much.

我可以讲一点点中文.
Wo3 ke3 yi3 jiang3 yi1 dian3 dian3 Zhong1 wen2.
I can speak a little bit Chinese.

我想学习汉语.
Wo3 xiang3 xue2 xi2 Han4 yu3.
I want to study Chinese language.

你可以教我吗?
Ni3 ke3 yi3 jiao4 wo3 ma?
Can you teach me?

Ni hao! 你好!

2007-03-01T17:21:00.000-08:00

你好 ! Ni hao ! Hello!

That's my first post and our first lesson! Hi, I'm Vincent and I've been living and working in China for almost 2 years now. Unfortunately, I haven't been too diligent with my Chinese lessons so I'm still pretty inadequate at it. I work for an American software company's engineering office here and English is still the standard language at work. I hang out with expatriates and English-speaking locals so that doesn't help either.

Recently, I've decided to get really serious at learning the language because I've decided to stay in China for a long, long time! Lots of challenges, lots of entrepreneurial opportunities and lots of new things to learn out here. First step, if you want to settle down here for quite some time, is to learn the language.

That's what this blog is for: my online notebook for learning Chinese and journaling my lessons. So come learn with me or share your knowledge with me! It's Mandarin time!!

欢迎 ! Huan ying ! Welcome!