Survival phrases
A few phrases to welcome your guests
- Hello everyone!
Dàjiā - hǎo
'everyone - good' - Welcome!
Huānyíng huānyíng
'welcome - welcome' - Glad to see you!
Hěn - gāoxìng - jiàndào - nǐ
'very - happy - meet - you' - Glad we meet again!
Hěn -gāoxìng - yòu - jiànmiàn - le
Survival phrases
# | Pinyin | English | [literal translation]When do you use it |
1 | Níhǎo | Hallo | [you good] General greeting. Reply with the same |
2 | Zàijiàn | Goodbye / See you again! | [again see] |
3 | Zǒu ba! | Let's go! | Urging someone to get moving |
4 | Duōshǎoqián | Much how? you | [more less/much few money |
5 | Bú yào, xièxie | No, Thank you | [not want, thank you] When offered something, especially useful when shopping. |
6 | Wǒ shì Hélánrén | I am Dutch | [I am Holland person] |
7 | Wǒ bù zhīdào | I do not know. | [I don't know 'the way'] Dao is 'the way' in Taoism/Daoism |
8 | Wǒ bù dǒng | I do not understand | [I not understand] When you have no clue what someone says |
9 | Wó dǒng le! | I understand now! | When you finally get it |
10 | Duìbuqǐ | Sorry! / Excuse me | General apology |
11 | Méiguānxi | It doesn't matter; it's alright | The usual reply to an apology |
12 | Qǐng wèn | May I ask (Excuse me) | When requesting information |
13 | Shì / | ||
Shìde | Yes (the link verb 'to be') / that's right | Affirmation. Often repeated several times. | |
14 | Bú shì | No | |
15 | Xíng | Yes, fine. Alright | |
16 | Bù xíng | It won't work; No way | |
17 | Xíng bù xíng? | Will it do. Will it be alright? | Asking for agreement |
18 | Méi wèntí | No problem! | [no question/problem] When asked a favour |
19 | Duì | Correct. You are right. | Affirmation. Often repeated several times |
20 | Bú duì | Incorrect/Wrong. | |
21 | Zǒu kāi | Go away! | When you are pestered by anyone who won't leave you alone |
22 | Yǒu méiyǒu? | Do you have ... ? Is there... ? | When shopping or asking for something |
23 | Tài měi le ! | It's beautiful! | Spontaneous comment |
24 | Tài hǎo le ! | It's great! | Spontaneous comment |
25 | Tài kělián le ! | It's really pitiful! | Spontaneous comment |
26 | Wǒ è le! | I am hungry! | Announcement, usually before suggesting to go eating |
27 | Wǒ bǎo le! | I am full! | Announcement at the table |
28 | Wǒ lèi le! | I am tired! | Announcement, when engaging in tiring activity |
29 | Wǒ kě le! | I am thirsty! | Announcement, usually before suggesting to go get drinks |
30 | Wǒ bú huì | I don't know how | When you do know know how to do anything. |
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