Tag: china

Easy Beginner Chinese: How to Introduce Yourself in Mandarin Chinese

Easy Beginner Chinese: How to Introduce Yourself in Mandarin

The first thing that most people learn when they learn a language is how to say hello.  Use this how to guide to learn a basic mandarin introduction. Click here to get more Chinese lessons!

nihao2

你好 － Ni3 Hao3 – Falling/Rising Tone x2

First, say the Mandarin word for hello.  This phrase literally translates to “You, Good” or “You, Well”.

nihao1

我叫（Your Name) – Wo3 Jiao4 – Falling/Rising + Falling Tone

Then say I am called , literally (I, called) and then your name.  The english equivalent would be my name is sam.

nihao3

我是 － Wo3 Shi4 – Falling/Rising + Falling Tone

Here is where we expand, this phrase means I am, and just like in english, you can add things to the end of it to add meaning.

An example would be, 我是中文学生。

Wo3 shi4 zhong1wen2 xue2sheng5.  – literally i am chinese language student.

nihao4

It’s that easy.  Say hello, tell people your name, and give them one fact about your identity!

For more Chinese Lessons Click HERE!

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Useful Chinese Bargaining Phrases – 5 Steps: How to Haggle in Mandarin

Four useful Chinese Phrases (4)

Four Useful Chinese Bargaining Phrases + Tips on How to Haggle in Mandarin.`

我不要 – Wo3 bu4 yao4 – I don”t want it / I would not like it. (Useful to tell hawkers that you aren’t interested.)

多少钱 – Duo1 shao3 qian1 – How much is it? How much money? – Useful for asking price.

一点贵 – Yi1Dian3 Gui4 – A little bit expensive. Great for telling the seller that you think it’s too expensive and that you would like to suggest them to lower their price. Yi Dian softens it and tells them that you are willing to negotiate.

便宜点 – Pian2Yi2 Dian3 – A little bit cheaper? Basically you can say this to convince the seller that they should lower their price.

5 Step Easy Haggle –  Mainland Chinese hawkers will try to get as much as they possibly can from you.  Here are a few simple tips that will help you lower the price.

1) Ask them to state a price.  Once they name their price, immediately put it down and act embarrassed.

2) Once you put the item down, turn your body orientation away as if you”re uncomfortable and about to leave.

3) Tell them that you are embarassed (Bu4 hao3 yi4 si – 不好意思）

4) Begin to walk away.

5) They will chase you, reluctantly ask how much it is again.  If you like the price that they restate, take it, if not, restate your price and continue the cycle.

These phrases are a great way to learn useful vocabulary for when you are shopping in china, haggling with street vendors, or bargaining at a fake market!

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