Learning Mandarin is exciting. It can also feel hard. Many beginners ignore tones at first. This causes problems later. You might also learn single words. Instead, learn phrases. A few basic phrases help a lot. You can talk well with them. This guide gives you tools. You will learn how to say something in chinese. This is for everyday talks. Start with how words sound. Learn the tones too. This helps you talk clearly.
Key Takeaways
Learn Chinese phrases, not just single words. This helps you talk better.
Mastering tones is very important. Tones change word meanings. Practice them early.
Chinese grammar is simple. It uses a Subject-Verb-Object order. Verbs do not change form.
Practice Chinese daily. Watch shows, listen to music, and use apps. You can learn anywhere.
Coachers.org offers personalized lessons. They help you speak Chinese well. You can learn alone or in groups.
Mastering Chinese Sounds: Pronunciation & Tones
You need to understand how Chinese sounds work. This helps you speak clearly. It also helps others understand you. Mandarin uses a system called Pinyin. This system helps you read Chinese characters.
The Pinyin System Explained
Pinyin is the phonetic guide for Mandarin. It uses letters from the English alphabet. These letters represent Chinese sounds. Each Pinyin syllable has parts. These parts include initials, finals, and tones. Initials are the starting consonants. Examples are b, p, m, f or zh, ch, sh, r. Finals are the rest of the sound. They include medials, a nucleus vowel, and a coda. Medials are semivowels before the main vowel. The nucleus vowel is the central sound. The coda is the final vowel or consonant. Mandarin only uses -n, -ng, and -r as final consonants.
Understanding the Four Tones
Mandarin is a tonal language. This means the pitch of your voice changes a word's meaning. You will learn four main tones and a neutral tone.
Tone 1 (high-level): Your voice stays high and flat. This tone is usually quite long.
Tone 2 (high-rising): Your voice starts mid-range and rises up.
Tone 3 (dipping): Your voice goes down, then up. This tone is long. It also has a drop in how loud it is in the middle.
Tone 4 (high-falling): Your voice starts high and falls sharply. This tone is often much shorter than Tone 1.
Neutral Tone: This tone is light and quick. It has no specific pitch contour.
Tone Sandhi Rules for Smooth Speech
Sometimes tones change when they are next to each other. This is called tone sandhi. It makes speech sound more natural.
Two Third Tones: When two third tones appear together, the first one changes. You pronounce the first third tone as a second tone. For example,
nǐ hǎo(Hi / Hello) becomesní hǎo.Three Third Tones: This rule is more complex. If the first two characters are closely related, both become second tones. For instance,
zhǎnlǎn guǎn(展览馆) becomeszhánlán guǎn. If the last two characters are related, the middle one becomes a second tone. For example,wǒ kěyǐ(我可以) becomeswǒ kéyǐ.Tone Sandhi of “一 (yī)”: The word
yī(one) often changes its tone. It becomes a fourth tone before a first, second, or third tone. It becomes a second tone before a fourth tone.Tone Sandhi of “不 (bù)”: The word
bù(no/not) also changes. It keeps its fourth tone before a first, second, or third tone. It changes to a second tone before a fourth tone. For example,bù duì(不对) becomesbú duì.
Essential Chinese Vocabulary
Building your vocabulary is crucial. You can start with common words. These words help you talk about yourself and others.
Basic Pronouns and People
You need to know basic pronouns. These include "I," "you," and "he/she/it."
我 (wǒ): I / me
你 (nǐ): You (singular, informal)
他 (tā): He / him
她 (tā): She / her
它 (tā): It
我们 (wǒmen): We / us
你们 (nǐmen): You (plural)
他们 (tāmen): They / them (male or mixed group)
她们 (tāmen): They / them (female group)
You can also learn terms for family. For example, 爸爸 (bàba) means "dad." 妈妈 (māma) means "mom."
Key Verbs for Daily Actions
Verbs help you describe actions. You will use them often. Here are some high-frequency verbs:
是 (shì): To be (is, am, are)
有 (yǒu): To have
吃 (chī): To eat
喝 (hē): To drink
去 (qù): To go
要 (yào): To want
Many other action verbs are common in daily Mandarin.
吃 (chī) - Eat
喝 (hē) - Drink
走 (zǒu) - Walk
看 (kàn) - Look; Watch
写 (xiě) - Write
读 (dú) - Read
睡觉 (shuì jiào) - Sleep
起床 (qǐ chuáng) - Get up
You can also learn these main action verbs:
kàn - To Look
zǒu - To go
ná - To take
pǎo - To run
zuò - To sit
xuéxí - To Learn or study
tíngzhǐ - To Stop
mǎi - To buy or sell
xiě - To write
Yǒu - To have
Numbers, Time, and Location
Numbers are essential for daily life. You use them for prices or counting.
零 (líng): 0
一 (yī): 1
二 (èr): 2
三 (sān): 3
四 (sì): 4
五 (wǔ): 5
六 (liù): 6
七 (qī): 7
八 (bā): 8
九 (jiǔ): 9
十 (shí): 10
You can ask "What time is it now?" with 现在how many (for numbers under ten)点钟? (xiàn zài jǐ diǎn zhōng?). For location, you might ask 你 在 哪 里? (nǐ zài nǎ lǐ?) which means 'Where are you?'. You can also learn phrases like 这里 (zhèlǐ) for "here" and 那里 (nàlǐ) for "there." These words help you understand how to say something in Chinese about your surroundings.
Expressing Tastes and Preferences
You can describe how things taste. Use 好吃 (hǎo chī) for "tastes good." If you do not want something, say 不要了! (bù yào le!). This means "I don't want it!" These phrases help you express your likes and dislikes.
Fundamental Chinese Grammar
Understanding basic grammar helps you build sentences. Chinese grammar is often simpler than you think. You will learn how to put words together.
Basic Sentence Structure
Mandarin Chinese uses a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure. This is like English. The subject comes first. Then comes the verb. The object follows the verb. For example:
他 (tā - He) 打 (dǎ - hit) 人 (rén - person).This means 'He hit person' or 'He hits someone.'我 (Wǒ - I) 喜欢 (xǐhuan - like) 这个 (zhège - this).This clearly shows the SVO order.
Using Particles for Questions and Completion
Particles are small words. They change a sentence's meaning. You use ma (ma (question particle)) to ask yes-no questions. Just add ma to the end of a statement.
For example,
你是学生ma (question particle)? (Nǐ shì xuéshēng ma?)means "Are you a student?"Sometimes,
maasks about a condition. This happens even if another question word is present. For instance,你知道他why不吃肉ma (question particle)？ (Nǐ zhīdào tā wèishéme bù chī ròu ma?)asks "Do you know why he doesn't eat meat?" Here,maapplies to "Do you know?" You usele(了) to show something is complete. It also shows a change has happened. For example,我吃了 (Wǒ chī le)means "I have eaten."
Negation and Possession
You need to know how to say "no" or "not." You also need to show ownership.
Negation: Use
不 (bù)for most negations. Place不before the verb.这条围巾不漂亮 (Zhè tiáo wéijīn bù piàoliang)means "This scarf is not beautiful."我不吃肉 (Wǒ bù chī ròu)means "I do not eat meat." Use没 (méi)to negate有 (yǒu), which means "to have." You cannot use不with有.我没有猫 (Wǒ méiyǒu māo)means "I do not have any cats."Possession: Use the particle
的 (de)to show possession. Place的between the owner and the item.我的 (wǒ de)means "my" or "mine."这是我的猫 (Zhè shì wǒ de māo)means "This is my cat."
Versatile Verbs for "Getting Things Done"
Some verbs are very flexible. They can mean "to do" or "to get something done." These verbs include:
办 (bàn): to handle, to manage做/作 (zuò): to do, to make弄 (nòng): to do, to get, to make (very common, often informal)搞 (gǎo): to do, to make, to get (often informal)干 (gàn): to do, to work整 (zhěng): to fix, to arrange, to do
These verbs help you express many actions. They are useful in daily conversations.
Practical Chinese Phrases for Daily Life
You can start using Chinese right away. These practical phrases help you talk in everyday situations. They make your conversations smoother. You will learn how to say something in chinese for many common interactions.
Greetings and Introductions
Greeting people is your first step. You can use simple phrases to say hello. You also need to introduce yourself.
Hi / Hello (nǐ hǎo) - This means "Hi" or "Hello." It is a common greeting.
Chief Wang, hello hello hello! (wáng zǒng, nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo nǐ hǎo!) - You can use this to greet someone like "Chief Wang." It shows friendliness.
Long time no see (hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn) - This means "Long time no see." You use it when you have not seen someone for a while.
How have you been doing? (zuì jìn zěn me yàng?) - Ask "How have you been doing?" with this phrase.
Formal Greetings:
Hello (formal) (nín hǎo) - This is a formal "Hello." You use it to show respect.
Good morning (zǎo shàng hǎo) - Say "Good morning" with this phrase.
Good evening (wǎn shàng hǎo) - This means "Good evening."
Goodbye (zài jiàn) - This is "Goodbye." It literally means "see you again."
When you meet new people, you introduce yourself. Here are some phrases:
Basic Self-Introduction:
My name is (wǒ jiào) - You say "My name is" followed by your name.
I am [Your Nationality] (wǒ shì [Your Nationality] rén) - This means "I am [Your Nationality]." For example, you say I’m American (wǒ shì měiguórén) for "I’m American."
I come from [Your Country/Place] (wǒ lái zì [Your Country/Place]) - You use this to say "I come from [Your Country/Place]." For instance, I come from Australia (wǒ lái zì àodàlìyà) means "I come from Australia."
Formal Self-Introduction:
Hello, you can call me [your name] (nín hǎo, kě yǐ jiào wǒ [your name]) - This is a polite way to say "Hello, you can call me [your name]."
How to Say Common Things in Chinese
You will often need to say "thank you" or "sorry." You also need to know how to say something in chinese when you decline an offer.
thank you (xièxie) - This means "thank you." You use it when someone helps you or gives you something. It is always polite.
You’re welcome / Don’t be polite (bú kèqi) - This is the standard response to "thank you." It means "You’re welcome" or "Don’t be polite."
For Apologies:
I'm sorry (duìbuqǐ) - You use this for serious apologies. This is when you make a mistake or cause a big problem. For example, if you bump into someone.
excuse me / I'm embarrassed (bù hǎoyìsi) - This is for lighter apologies. You use it for "excuse me" or when you cause a minor inconvenience. For example, if you need to squeeze through a crowd. This phrase shows you value harmony.
For Responding to Apologies (It's Okay):
It’s okay / No problem (méi guānxi) - This means "It’s okay" or "No problem." You use it to tell someone not to worry after they apologize.
For Declining Offers/Requests:
I'm really sorry, I may not be able to help this time (Shí zài bào qiàn, zhè cì kě néng bāng bu shàng máng) - You say this when you cannot help someone. It means "I'm really sorry, I may not be able to help this time."
I'm truly sorry, there's a sudden matter and I can't go (Zhēn duì bu qǐ, lín shí yǒu shì qù bu liǎo) - Use this when you cannot attend an invitation. It means "I'm truly sorry, there's a sudden matter and I can't go." You often need to explain why.
Sorry to disappoint you (Bào qiàn, ràng nín shī wàng le) - This means "Sorry to disappoint you." You use it when you do not meet someone's expectations.
抱歉,阿姨，今天加班实在走不开，下次一定来！(Bàoqiàn, ā yí, jīn tiān jiā bān shí zài zǒu bu kāi, xià cì yī dìng lái!) - You can use this to decline an invitation from an elder. It means "Sorry, Auntie, I can't get away due to overtime today, I'll definitely come next time!" You give an explanation and promise for the future.
Asking Questions and Expressing Confusion
Asking questions helps you learn more. You also need to know how to say something in chinese when you do not understand.
How are you? (nǐ hǎo ma): This means "How are you?"
Have you eaten? (nǐ chī le ma): You ask "Have you eaten?" with this.
What is your name? (nǐ jiào shén me míng zì？): This asks "What is your name?"
Where are you from? (nǐ lái zì nǎ li?): You ask "Where are you from?"
Do you speak [Chinese]? (Nǐ huì shuō [Zhōng wén] ma?): This means "Do you speak [Chinese]?"
How long have you been studying [Chinese]? (Nǐ xué xí [Zhōng wén] yǒu duō jiǔ le?): You ask "How long have you been studying [Chinese]?"
Have you been to [China]? (Nǐ qù guò [Zhōng guó] ma?): This means "Have you been to [China]?"
who (shéi): who
what (shén me): what
where (nǎ lǐ): where
which (nǎ ge): which
when (shén me shí hou): when
why (wèi shén me): why
how (zěn me): how
how many (for general numbers) (duō shǎo): how many (for general numbers)
how many (for numbers under ten) (jǐ): how many (for numbers under ten)
Common Question Structures:
You often put the question word where the answer would be in a statement. For example, Who teaches you Chinese? means "Who teaches you Chinese?"
You can also say What did you buy at FamilyMart? for "What did you buy at FamilyMart?"
Remember, you do not use the particle ma (question particle) (ma) with question words.
Phrases for Expressing Confusion/Misunderstanding:
Please say that again (qǐng zài shuō yībiàn): You say "Please say that again."
More slowly, please (qǐng màn diē): This means "More slowly, please."
I don’t understand (wǒ bù míng bái): You use this to say "I don’t understand."
I’m sorry, I don’t speak Mandarin (duìbùqǐ, wǒ bù huì shuō hànyǔ): This means "I’m sorry, I don’t speak Mandarin."
What does … mean? (… shì shén me yì si): You ask "What does … mean?" by putting the word or phrase before this.
Expressing Emotions and Opinions
You can also learn how to say something in chinese about your feelings. You can express happiness, sadness, or fear.
Happiness: You might say I am very happy (wǒ hěn gāoxìng) for "I am very happy."
Sadness: You can say I am very sad (wǒ hěn nánguò) for "I am very sad."
Fear: Use I am very scared (wǒ hěn hàipà) to say "I am very scared."
Culturally, "I love you" has a specific meaning.
I love you (wǒ ài nǐ) is usually romantic. You use it for a partner.
I love you all (group affection) (wǒ ài nǐmen) is for platonic group affection. You use it for friends or family.
You might also hear internet slang. For example, "666" means "cool" or "awesome." "7451" means "I'm furious." These are informal ways to express strong feelings.
You have learned basic phrases. Now, go beyond them. Keep learning Chinese. This helps you speak better. It also helps you understand the culture. Coachers.org helps you learn more.
Practice and Immersion Strategies
Practice a lot. This helps you learn Chinese well. Make Chinese part of your day. Change English fun to Chinese fun. Watch Chinese movies. Listen to Chinese music. Read easy Chinese books. These things show you real Chinese. Make Chinese friends. Use apps like Tandem and HelloTalk. Meet people in person. This lets you practice. Listen to Chinese in the background. Do this while you do other things. Listen to podcasts and songs. This helps you learn the sounds. Look at websites in Chinese. Use a Chinese dictionary tool. Look up topics on Zhihu. This gives you a reason to learn. It helps you speak well. You can learn anywhere. You do not need to be in China.
Personalized Learning with Coachers Conversational Chinese
Coachers.org helps you use what you learn. Our program teaches you to talk. Each lesson fits your style. It fits your goals too. Pick one-on-one or group classes. This works with your busy life. Kids get fun lessons. They play games. Grown-ups can learn business Chinese. These plans help with work. Choose what you want to learn. You can change your plan. This makes sure you get help. Our online lessons are everywhere.
Advanced Skills: Coachers Business Chinese
Coachers.org has a program for work. It teaches business Chinese. You learn to talk at work. You learn to give talks. You learn words for your job. This helps you talk well at work. Our coaches help you. They focus on your work goals. You will feel good using Chinese for work.
Becoming a Certified Coacher
Do you like helping people learn? Think about being a Coacher. This program helps teachers. You get certified. You can teach online or not. Being a certified coach is good. You make strong friends. You help people with problems. You help them find strengths. You help them reach goals. Coaching helps people change. It helps them find answers. It builds confidence. You take real steps. This makes coaches feel good. You see people change their minds. You see them get better. Certification shows you are good. It proves you know things. It proves you have skills. Certification from a good group helps you. It shows you are serious. It shows you meet rules. You get good training. You follow rules. Certification connects you to other coaches. This helps you get clients. You can work when you want. You get paid well.
You can now talk better. Learning simple phrases helps you understand culture. Keep practicing your Chinese. Be kind to yourself. Each small step helps you feel sure.
Coachers.org is a great next step. We give you many personal lessons. You can learn alone or in groups. Good teachers help you. Many have high degrees. Learn from anywhere. Use fun tools. Get lessons just for you. Our plans are flexible. They include talking and business Chinese. Coachers has a high rating. You will learn faster. You will be more involved.
Look at plans and start your trip!
FAQ
How important are tones in Chinese?
Tones are very important. They change what words mean. Learning them helps you speak clearly. People will understand you better. Practice tones from the start. This helps you talk well.
Is Chinese grammar really easy?
Chinese grammar is often simpler than English. It uses a Subject-Verb-Object order. Verbs do not change form. There are no complex tenses. This makes building sentences easy for you.
Can I learn Chinese without living in China?
Yes, you can! You can learn at home. Watch Chinese shows. Listen to music. Use language apps. Coachers.org has online lessons. You can learn from anywhere. 🌍
What makes Coachers different from other platforms?
Coachers gives you personal lessons. You can learn alone or in groups. Our coaches make lessons for you. They fit your goals. You learn online easily. This helps you talk in real life. We care about your progress.
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