Language
Last Updated: April 6, 1999
What follows is my guide to the minimal Chinese that you should
know for a trip to China. You might want to learn more, in
which case you should take course rather than read a web page.
I give both the Pinyin (alas, I couldn't figure out how to get HTML
to put the "half
circle" accent above characters, so it's not quite Pinyin)
and a sort English word equivalent.
- The Most Useful Phrase: bù yào
- Pronunciation: "boo yow".
Meaning: Don't want.
Discussion: For some reason, none of the
guide books listed this phrase; however, it was the one
I used the most. When the vendors come after you at tourist sights,
"no" and shaking your head does nothing. But "bù yào"
does wonders; it works best when said with a smile.
You can also use it when eating with Mandarin
speakers to let them know you don't want a dish. Impress your
hosts by saying (when you don't want more of something)
"bù yào la."
- Phrase I heard the Most: liang kuài
- Pronunciation: "lee-ang kwai".
Meaning: Two RMB (Chinese dollars).
Discussion: Chanted repeatedly by the water vendors
on the streets. 2 RMB is pretty cheap, but you'll do better
to pay more (3 RMB) for water that doesn't have a chemical
flavor.
- Other Useful Phrases:
- Ni hao (knee how) - Hello!
Xiè Xiè (see-a see-a) - Thank you
Zài jiàn (Z-aye gee-in)- Good-bye
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