Sample Lesson

Lesson 3, Syntactical Tips

1. All Chinese sentences tend to start with the person doing the talking. After all, our verbs are never conjugated, because we use the same verb regardless of gender, tense, case, etc. This is why it is quintessential that we show who is doing the talking. True, in most cases, we use pronouns instead of common nouns or proper nouns. We seldom if ever call a person by his/her first name unless it’s among close friends. In business circles, they call me Mr. Wu, even though they have known me for years. However, among intimate friends or relatives younger than you, first names are used.

2. “Ni hao ma?” is very distinct from “Ni hao!” The best comparison would be between “How are you?” as opposed to a causal “Hi!” Keep in mind that “Ni hao ma?” requires your formal reply as to the state of your health. Ignoring a formal reply can be construed as a faux pas. You may have lost a friend, forever. Conversely, “Ni hao” requires no reply, only a reciprocal “Ni hao.”

3. We use “hUHn” all the time to indicate “very” and we always respond by “hUHn hao” if we feel very well. Customarily, we use that adverb concerning the state of health or state of being.

4. We use “mang” or “busy” in the sense that of being busy making a living or doing something useful, but never with intentions of a brush-off. It should never be construed as “too busy for you,” which is considered a brush-off, and rudeness is a no-no in any culture, unless you really don’t want to be annoyed. If your visit happens to be inopportune, they will let you know in an oblique way. Just watch their telltale “constipated” look.

Lesson 3, Greetings

3.1. Pronouns---I, You, He or She, We, You (plural), They.

Wo3, Ni3, Ta (he/she), Wo3 mUHn, Ni3 mUHn, Ta mUHn.

3.2. How are you?

Ni2 hao3 ma? (Verb is not required as it is implied. “ma” is used for all questions)

3.3. I am very well.

Wo3 hUHn2 hao3. (Verb is implied. Third tone is changed to second tone in the case of hUHn)

3.4. How about you?

Ni3 nUH? (nUH is also used as a specific question mark)

3.5. I am also very well. Thanks.

Wo2 yie3 hUHn2 hao3. Xie4 xie. (yie = also. xie xie = thanks. Multiple third tones, see next page)

3.6. Are you very busy?

Ni3 hUHn3 mang2 ma? (mang = busy)

3.7. kind of.

Hai2 hao3. (hai = kind of)

3.8. We are very busy.

Wo3 mUHn hUHn3 mang2.

3.9. Long time no see.

Hao3 jiou3 bu2 jien4. (“You” is implied)

3.10. Goodbye.

TZai4 jien4. (TZai = again. jien = see)

RPC Mandarin