Living Language

Ultimate Mandarin Chinese

Learn at Home

CD1 Study

compiled by
Tal
 The Tones of Mandarin

"Chinese is a tonal language." You hear this a lot, but what does it really mean? Well to put it simply it
means that you have to accept that pronouncing a word with a particular tone is important. It’s different
from Western languages in this way.

Mandarin has four tones - five if you count the "neutral" tone. The Pinyin romanization system which
is used in this document (and is commonly used in mainland China) shows the tone of a word using
tone marks above the main vowel sound. Look at the following charts.

Tone Mark Description

1st mä High and level.

2nd má Starts medium in tone, then rises to the top.

Starts low, dips to the bottom, then rises toward the

3rd mâ
top.
Starts at the top, then falls sharp and strong to the
4th mà
bottom.

neutral ma Flat, with no emphasis.

2
01 - Dì yï kè – Duìhuà
01 – Lesson 1 - Dialogue

Lì Xiänsheng: Wáng Xiâojie, hâo jiû bú jiàn! Nî hâo!

Wáng Xiâojie: Nî hâo, hâo jiû bú jiàn, Lì Xiänsheng.
Lì Xiänsheng: Nî zuìjìn máng ma?
Wáng Xiâojie: Wô hên máng, nî ne?
Lì Xiänsheng: Wô yê hên máng.
Wáng Xiâojie: Tä shì nî tàitai ma?
Lì Xiänsheng: Shì, tä shì wô tàitai, Yânfëng. Yânfëng, tä shì Wáng Xiâojie, wôde
tóngxué.
Wáng Xiâojie: Lì Tàitai, nî hâo ma?
Lì Tàitai: Wô hên hâo, xièxie. Wáng Xiâojie, nî ne?
Wáng Xiâojie: Wô yê hâo, xièxie.
Lì Xiänsheng: Hâo, hâo. Wômen zôule, zàijiàn.
Wáng Xiâojie: Zàijiàn.
Lì Tàitai: Zàijiàn.

02 fäyïn (发音) – pronunciation

bï bí bî bì
dä dá dâ dà
wëi wéi wêi wèi
yïng yíng yîng yìng
wü wú wû wù
xï xí xî xì
qï qí qî qì
qïng qíng qîng qìng

Nî hâo ma? (Note: Two 3rd tones together, so first one changes to 4th tone, so this
would actually be pronounced: Nì hâo ma?)

xièxie

Tä shì Wáng Xiâojie

3
03 shëngcí (生词) – new words

de 的
hâo 好 good; ②good to | hâochï - good to eat ③quite; very | hâo jiû - very long time
hâo jiû bú jiàn 好久不见 = Long time no see.
hên 很 adv. very; quite; awfully
lâoshï 老师 n. teacher
jiàn 见 v. ①see; catch sight of ②meet with; be exposed to
jiû 久 ①for a long time ②of specified duration (period of time)
lù 路 n. road; path; way | Zhè tiáo lù bù dào dòngwùyuán. = This road does not lead
to the zoo.
ma 吗 (calling for agreement or disagreement) | Nî xìn tä ma? = Do you believe
him?
máng 忙 busy; fully occupied
ne 呢 ①(indicating continued state or action) | Tä zài zhèr ne. - He's (still) here.
②(marking questions about subject already mentioned) | Wô xìn. Nî ne? - I believe
it. What about you? | Wèi shénme ne? - Why is that?
nî 你 you
nîmen 你们 you (plural)
nín 您 you (polite singular)
shàng 上 upper; upward
shì 是 v. to be
tä 他/她 he/she
tämen 他们/她们 they
tàitai 太太 n. ①Mrs.; madam ②wife
tóngxué 同学 n. fellow student; schoolmate
wô 我 I
wômen 我们 we
xiänsheng 先生 n. ①mister; Mr.; gentleman; sir ②husband
xiâojie 小姐 n. ①Miss ②young lady
xièxie 谢谢 thank you
yê 也 adv. also; too; as well;
zài 再 adv. again; once more; further(more) | zài chï yïdiânr. - Eat some more.
zàijiàn 再见 Good-bye.; See you again.
zôu 走 v. walk; go/leave
zuìjìn 最近 recently; lately | Wô zuìjìn hên máng. - I've been very busy lately.

04 – Dì èr kè – Duìhuà (对话)
04 – Lesson 2 – Dialogue

Zhäng Xiänsheng: Nín hâo! Qîng wèn, nín xìng shénme?

Gäo Xiänsheng: Wô xìng Gäo, wô jiào Zhëng Lín. Nín ne?
Zhäng Xiänsheng: Wô xìng Zhäng, jiào Jïng Zî.
Gäo Xiänsheng: Zhäng Xiänsheng, nín zuò shénme göngzuò?

4
Zhäng Xiänsheng: Wô zuò shëngyi.
Gäo Xiänsheng: Oh, nín zài shénme göngsï zuò shëngyi?
Zhäng Xiänsheng: Zài Mêiguó màoyì göngsï. Nín yê zuò shëngyi ma?
Gäo Xiänsheng: Bù, wô bù zuò shëngyi, wô jiäoshü.
Zhäng Xiänsheng: Nín jiäo shénme?
Gäo Xiänsheng: Wô zài yûyán xuéyuàn jiäo wàiguórén Hànyû.
Zhäng Xiänsheng: Gäo lâoshī, wô hên gäoxìng rènshi nín.
Gäo Xiänsheng: Wô yê hên gäoxìng rènshi nín.

shëngyi 生意 n. business; trade | Zuìjìn shëngyi zênmeyàng? How's business lately?

jiäoshü 教书 v. teach school; teach (usually for a living) | Nî xîhuan jiäoshü ma? Do
you like teaching?

yûyán 语言 n. language; speech; tongue

05 fäyïn (发音) – pronunciation

bën bèi bâo

pâo pàng pá
döu dêng dà
tïng töu tà
gè gân gào
kè kào kû

Nî hâo ma?
Hâo jiû bú jiàn.

06 shëngcí (生词) – new words

bù 不 ① not ② no
gäoxìng 高兴 glad; happy
göngsï 公司 company; corporation
göngzuò 工作 v./n. work; job
guì 贵 expensive; costly
Hànyû 汉语 n. the Chinese language
Hànzì 汉字 n. Chinese characters | Tä huì xiê jî gè Hànzì. - He can write a few
Chinese characters.
jiào 叫 v. call, to be called | Wô jiào Zhäng Lín. - My name is Lin Zhang.
jiäo 教 v. teach | Wáng lâoshï jiäo shùxué. = Teacher Wang teaches maths.
jiäoshü 教书 v. teach school; teach (usu. for a living)
màoyì 贸易 n. trade
Mêiguó 美国 United States

5
Mêiguórén 美国人 n. an American
qîng 请 v. request; ask (a favor) | Qîng tä jìnlái. = Ask him in. invite
Please...
qîngwèn 请问 intj. Excuse me, may I ask...?
rén 人 n. person; people
rènshi 认识 v. know; recognize
sh ngyi 生意 n. business; trade
shénme 什么what? | Nî zài shuö shénme? = What are you talking about?
shü 书 n. book
wàiguó 外国 foreign country
wàiguórén 外国人 n. foreigner
wânhuì 晚会 n. evening entertainment/party
wèn 问 v. ask | Yôu wèntí jiù wèn. = If you have a question, just ask.
xìng 姓 n./v. surname; family/clan name | Wô xìng wô mäma de xìng. - I take my
mother's family name.
xuéyuàn 学院 n. college; academy; institute
yûyán 语言 n. language; speech; tongue
zài 在 v. be at/in/on | Qíngwèn, Lâo Wáng zài ma? - Excuse me, is old Wang
there/here? / Wô zài Bêijïng zhù. - I live in Beijing.
zuò 做 v. do, make.

07 Dì sän kè – Duìhuà (对话)

07 – Lesson 3 – Dialogue

A: Ãimêi, qîngwèn nîde jiä yôu jîge rén?

B: Wô jiä yôu liù ge rén. Yôu mäma, bàba, gëge, mèimei, dìdi hé wô. Tämen
döu zhù zài Mêiguó Niûyuë Shì.
A: Nîde fùmû zuò shénme göngzuò?
B: Wô mûqin däng dàifu, wôde fùqin jiäo gäozhöng xuéshëng. Wô mèimei
dàxué bìyè yîhòu xiâng xuéxi yïshù. Wô jiärén döu shì lâoshï huòzhê dàifu.
A: Nî xiâng bu xiâng tämen?
B: Wô dängrán xiâng tämen. Nîde jiärén döu zhù zài Bêijïng ma?
A: Wô fùmû döu tuìxiü le, zhù zài Bêijïng. Wô chángcháng qù kàn tämen. Wô
yê yôu liàng ge jiêjie, tämen yê zài Bêijïng göngzuò. Wô méiyôu xiöng-dì.
B: Wô xïwàng yôu jïhuì rénshi nîde jiärén.

07 fäyïn (发音) – pronunciation

zài zâo zuô

câo cóng cài
sän sì suô
zhuö zhöu zhãn

6
chá chöu chü
shöu shä shü
jiä jìn jî
qì qiú qún
xï xíe xué

Wô bú zuò shëngyi.

09 shëngcí
(生词) – new words

bàba 爸爸 n. papa; dad; father

bìyè 毕业 v. graduate; finish school
cháguân 茶馆 n. teahouse
chángcháng 常常 adv. frequently; often; usually | Zhèlî chángcháng xiàyû. - It rains
often here.
dàifu 大夫 n. physician; doctor
däng 当 v. to become/to act as
dängrán 当然 adv. as it should be; only natural without doubt; certainly; of
course | Wô dängrán yào shuö. I'll certainly talk.
dìdi 弟弟 n. younger brother
döu 都 adv. all | Dàjiä döu lái le. - All the people have come.
fùqin 父亲 n. father
fùmû 父母 n. father and mother; parents
gäozhöng 高中 p.w. senior middle school; high school
ge 个 m. non-specific measure word
gëge 哥哥 n. elder brother
hé 和 conj. And
huòzhê 或者 conj. or; either...or...
jî 几 num. ①how many? ②a few; several; some
jiêjie 姐姐 n. elder sister
jiêmèi 姐妹 n. sisters
jïhuì 机会 n. chance; opportunity
mäma 妈妈 n. (common speaking) mama; mother
méi 没 adv. Not
mèimei 妹妹 n. younger sister
mûqin 母亲 n. mother
Niûyuë 纽约 New York
Shì 市 City
tuìxiü 退休 v. ①retire | Wô dàole tuìxiü niánlíng. - I've reached retirement age.
xiâng 想 ①think | Wô huì xiâng chü bànfâ lái de. - I'll be able to think of a way.
②suppose; reckon; consider ③want to; would like to; feel like (doing sth.) ④
remember with longing; miss
xiöng-dì 兄弟 n. brothers

7
xïwàng 希望 v./n. hope; wish | dà yǒu chénggöng de xïwàng – (to) have high hopes
of success
xuéxí 学习 v. study; learn
yïshëng 医生 n. doctor
yïshù 医术 n. medical skill; art of healing
yôu 有 v. to have; (can be used like ‘there is…’)
zhù 住 v. live; reside; stay | Nî zhù nâr? - Where do you live?

10 Dì sì kè – Duìhuà (对话)
10 Lesson 4 – Dialogue

A: Sòng Xuê Zhî, nî jiànguo wômen de xïn tóngshì ma? Tä shì nâ guó rén?
B: Wô bù rènshi tä, kêshì wô zhïdao tä bù shì Mêiguórén. Tä dàgài shì
Déguórén. Wômen de göngsï xiànzài yào gën Déguó duö zuò mâimài, suôyî
wômen yïnggäi yôu Déguó de zhuänjiä.
A: Tä shénme shíhou yào lái? Nî zhïdao bu zhïdao?
B: Dàgài zhège yuè yào lái. Zhè shì tä dì yï cì lái Zhöngguó, suôyî wômen döu
yïnggäi qîng tä chï fàn, huänyíng tä.
A: Wômen yê yïnggäi qîng wômen de Rìbên tóngshì.
B: Hên hâo.

11 fäyïn (发音)

mä mén míng
fàn fëng fù
nán nÛ nâr
lêng lä lán

Zhè shì dì yí kè.

Wô chï yïxië jiâozì.

Wômen yïqî qù.

Tä yôu yíge lâoshï.

12 shëngcí
(生词) – new words

bànfâ 办法 n. way; means; measure

chïfàn 吃饭 v. eat; have a meal | Wô méi chï shàng fàn. - I missed mealtime.

8
dàgài 大概 adv. probably
Déguó 德国 Germany
Déguórén 德国人 German (person)
Fâguó 法国 France
Fâguórén 法国人 French (person)
guójí 国籍 n. nationality
huänyíng 欢迎 v. welcome; greet
jiàn 见 v. meet with; be exposed to
jïnnián 今年 n. this year
kêshì 可是 conj. but; yet; however
mâimài 买卖 n. buying and selling; business deal/transaction
nâ 哪 pr. which?; what?
nà 那 pr. that | nà wômen jiù bùnéng qù le. - In that case we just can't go. ◆conj.
then; in that case
nèi 那 〈coll.〉 pr. that
qîng 请 v. request; ask (a favor) | qîng tä jìnlái. - Ask him in.
Rìbên 日本 Japan
shàng ge 上个 last (week, month, etc)
shíhou 时候 n. ①(duration of) time ②(a point in) time; moment | Dào chïfàn de
shíhou le! = It's meal time now!
suôyî 所以 conj. so; therefore; as a result
tóngshì 同事 n. colleague; fellow worker
xiàge 下个 next (week, month, etc)
xiànzài 现在 now
xïn 新 new
yào 要 v./aux. want/wish (to); ask (for) ◆aux. shall; will; be about to
yïnggäi 应该 aux. should; ought to; must
yuè 月 n. month
zhïdao 知道 v. know
Zhöngguó 中国 China
zhuänjiä 专家 n. expert; specialist
zuò mâimài 做买卖 v. do business; carry on trade

Déguó 德国 Germany
Åguó 俄国 Russia
Fâguó 法国 France
Fëizhöu 非洲 Africa
Hánguó 韩国 South Korea
Jiänádà 加拿大 Canada
Mêiguó 美国 United States
Nán Mêizhöu 南美洲 South America
Ìuzhöu 欧洲 Europe
Rìbên 日本 Japan
Yàzhöu 亚洲 Asia

9
Yìdàlì 意大利 Italy
Yïngguó 英国 Britain; England
Yuènán 越南 Vietnam
Xïbänyá 西班牙 Spain
Zhöngguó 中国 China

13 Dì wû kè – Duìhuà (对话)
13 Lesson 5 – Dialogue

A: Lín Tàitai, xiànzài jî diân zhöng?

B: Liù diân shí fën.
A: Yòu'éryuán jïntiän wân yïdiânr xià kè. Nî zuìjìn zênmeyàng?
B: Xiànzài wô tîng máng. Wô mêitiän zâoshang liù diân bàn qîchuáng, xiän chï
zâofàn, ránhòu sòng háizi lái yòu'éryuán, qï diân shí fën shàngbän. Wô
méiyôu shíjiän zùo biéde shì.
A: Xiàbän yîhòu zuò shénme? Jî diân shuìjiào?
B: Wô huíjiä yîhòu chï wânfàn, qïnglî fángzi, gën wô aìren tán yi tán, huôzhè
kàn diànshì. Yôude shíhou wômen qù wàibian chï yïdiân fàn, kêshì yôu háizi
yê yôu göngzuò bù róngyì.
A: Wô tóngyì.
B: Tämen láile, zàijiàn!

14 fäyïn (发音)

hé hàn hên
yê yuân yï
wô wèn wû
rén rè ruân
zhî chï shì
rì èr

15 shëngcí
(生词) – new words

aìren 爱人 n. ① PRC husband; wife ②sweetheart ③lover (non-PRC)

chïfàn 吃饭 v. eat; have a meal
diân 点 (of time) | sän diân zhöng - three o'clock (this word has several other
meanings)
diànshì 电视 n. television
fángzi 房子 n. ①house; building (of less than three stories) ②
room/apartment/etc.

10
gën with; to; from | Qù gën tä shuö. - Go and talk to him.
háizi 孩子 n. child/children
huíjiä 回家 v.o. return home | Tä xiâng huíjiä. - He wants to return home.
jïntiän 今天 today
kàn 看 ①see; look at; watch ②read ③think; consider
qïnglî 清理 v. tidy up
mêitiän 每天 every day
qîchuáng 起床 to get up (from bed); to arise
shàngbän 上班 to go to work; to be on duty
shàngkè 上课 ①attend class; go to class | Tä zǒngshì ànshí shàngkè. - He always
goes to class on time. ②give lessons/lectures
shuìjiào 睡觉 v. go to bed; sleep
tóngyì 同意 v. agree; consent; approve | Wô tóngyì tä de xiângfâ. - I agree with her
idea.
wàibian 外边 ①outside; exterior ②place other than where one lives/works
wânshang 晚上 n. evening
xiàbän 下班 to finish work; go off duty
xiàwû 下午 n. afternoon
xiàkè 下课 v. get out of class; finish class
xiànzài 现在 now
yîhòu 以后 adv. after; afterwards; later; hereafter
yîqián 以前 n. before; formerly; previously | yîqián wô jiä shëngluó bù tài hâo. - In
the past, life was hard for my family.
yòu'éryuán 幼儿园 n. kindergarten
zâoshang 早上 n. morning
zhöng 钟 clock; 三点钟 3 o'clock

sòng 送 v. ① deliver; carry ② give as a present ③ see somebody off/out;

accompany; escort

16 – Dì liù kè – Duìhuà (对话)

16 – Lesson 6 – Dialogue

A: Zhèi ge xïngqïrì shì wô dìdi de shëngrì, nî kêbùkêyî lái wômen jiä chï jiâozi
hé miàntiáo?
B: Dängrán kêyî, suïrán wô gäng rènshi nî dìdi kêshì wômen yîjing shì hâo
péngyou. Tä jïnnián duö dà suì shù?
A: Tä jïnnián èrshísän suì. Nîde shëngrì shì jî yuè jî hào?
B: Wôde shëngrì shì jiû yuè shíbä hào, wô yê mân èrshísän suì.
A: Wô dìdi shuö nî xîhuan chï jiâozi. Nî yê huì bäo jiâozi ma?
B: Jiâozi shì wô zuì xîhuan chï de fàn, kêshì wô bú huì bäo. Nî yào jiäo wô
zênme zuò ma?
A: Hâo, xïngqïrì wômen yïqî bäo jiâozi ba.

11
B: Hâo, xïngqïrì jiàn.

17 fäyïn (发音)

mä bà tä lái dài
cäi dào câo nâo fàn
mân tán fang täng bäng

18 shëngcí
(生词) – new words

ba 吧 ①(making mild imperative/indicating a suggestion) ②(acknowledgment)

bäo 包 v. ①wrap ②surround; encircle; envelop
dàxué 大学 n. university
fángjiän 房间 n. a room (in a house or apartment)
gäng 刚adv. ①just; exactly | Huôchë gäng dào. - The train has just arrived. ②
barely; only just ③only a short while ago; just
huì 会 aux. ①can; be able to | Wû huì yòng kuàizi. - I can use chopsticks. ②be
good at; be skillful in
jiâozi 饺子 n. dumplings; Chinese ravioli
kêyî 可以 aux. can; may
miàntiáo 面条 n. noodles
péngyou 朋友 n. friend
rì 日 n. day
shàngxué 上学 v. attend school; be at school
shëngrì 生日 n. birthday
shöushi 收拾 v. ①put in order; tidy/clear up | Bâ fángjiän shöushi hâo! - Tidy up
the room!
suì 岁 measure word for year (of age)
suïrán 虽然 conj. though; although
suìshù 岁数 n. 〈coll.〉 age; years
tiän 天 n. day
xîhuan 喜欢 v. to like
xïngqï 星期 n. week
Xïngqïyï 星期一 Monday
Xïngqï’èr 星期二 Tuesday
Xïngqïsän 星期三 Wednesday
Xïngqïsì 星期四 Thursday
Xïngqïwû 星期五 Friday
Xïngqïliù 星期六 Saturday
Xïngqïtiän 星期天 Sunday
zênme 怎么 adv. how?
Zhöngguóhuà 中国话 n. (spoken) Chinese language; Chinese

12
zuì 最 adv. most; superlatively | Zhège kâoshì zuì nán. - This test is the most
difficult.
zuì xîhuan 最喜欢 favorite, most liked

mân 满 s.v. full; complete

19 – Dì qï kè – Duìhuà (对话)
19 – Lesson 7 – Dialogue

A: Huänyíng, huänyíng! Qîng jìn!

B: Xièxie, nî jiä zhën piàoliang. Wômen kêbùkêyî cänguän?
A: Bù hâo yìsi, tài luàn le!
C: Nî tài kèqi le, Wénlìng. Zhè ge fángzi yôu jî jiàn wüzi?
A: Zhè ge fángzi yôu liâng ge fángjiän, hái yôu chúfáng hé cèsuô. Zhè shì
kètïng, nà shì wòshì. Qîng zuò, qîng zuò!
C: Nîde fángzi bî wômende fángzi shüfu.
B: Duì ya, zhèr de chuänghu zhën duò, fángzi hên liàng, zhèi tào shäfä bî
wômende shüfu.
A: Xièxie, wô yê tîng xîhuan de. Nîmen è ma? Nî yào chï yïdiânr shénme?
C: Bú yòng, bú yòng!

20 fäyïn (发音)

wô mó pò
töu zhöu söu
tóng nóng hóng

21 shëngcí
(生词) – new words

bî 比 cov. compared to | Dìqiú bî yuèqiú dà. - The earth is larger than the moon.
bîjiào 比较 adv. relatively; fairly | Zhège fäng'àn bîjiào hélî. = This plan is more
reasonable. ◆n. comparison
cänguän 参观 v. visit; tour; look around | Xuéshengmen qù bówùguân cänguän. =
The students went to visit the museum.
cèsuô 厕所 n. lavatory, toilet
chúfáng 厨房 n. kitchen
chuänghu 窗户 n. window
è 饿 adj. hungry
gänjìng 干净 clean; neat and tidy | Fángjiän hên gänjìng. = The room is clean.
jiän 间 measure word (for rooms)

13
kèqi 客气 v. be polite ◆s.v. ①polite; courteous ②stand on ceremony (bù kèqi =
no need to be polite; you’re welcome, etc)
kètïng 客厅 n. living room
le 了 le particle ①(indicating a new situation) | Hâo le. - It's O.K. now. ②(indicating
completed action) | Wô zhî qîng le yï wèi kèren. = I invited only one guest.
liàng 亮 s.v. ①bright; light | Tiänsè biàn de yuèláiyuè liàng le. - The sky is getting
brighter and brighter.
luàn 乱 s.v. ①in disorder/confusion | Nî de fángjiän tài luàn le. - Your room is too
messy.
piàoliang 漂亮 ①handsome; beautiful | Zhèige chéngshì zhën piàoliang. - This city
is so beautiful. ②remarkable; brilliant; splendid; smart | Tä Yïngyû shuö de piàoliang
jíle. = She speaks English so beautifully.
shäfä 沙发 n. sofa/armchair(s)
shüfu 舒服 s.v. ①comfortable ②well | Wô jïntiän bù tài shüfu. - I'm not well
today.
tài 太 adv. ①excessively; too ②extremely; very
tào 套 measure word (for sets/series/suites/etc.)
wòshì 卧室 n. bedroom M: jiän
wüzi 屋子 n. room
tîng 挺 adv. very; rather; quite
yòng 用 use; 好用 useful; 不用 there's no need
zhën 真 s.v. true; real; genuine | Shì zhën de ma? Is it true? ◆adv. ①really; truly;
indeed | Diànyîng zhën hâokàn. - The film is really wonderful.

chuáng 床 n. bed
dëng 灯 n. lamp; lantern; light
dëngpào 灯泡 n. light bulb
dìtân 地毯 n. carpet; rug
jìngzi 镜子 n. mirror; glass
línyù 淋浴 n. shower bath; shower
lóushàng 楼上 upstairs | Lâo Wáng zhù lóushàng. - Old Wang lives upstairs.
lóuxià 楼下 downstairs
máojïn 毛巾 n. towel
qiáng 墙 n. wall
shüzhuö 书桌 n. (writing) desk M:zhäng
tânzi 毯子 n. blanket
wèishëngjiän 卫生间 toilet | Wô shî yïxià wèishëngjiän kêyî ma? - May I use your
toilet?
shuîcáo 水槽 n. kitchen sink
xîyïfáng 洗衣房 laundry room
yîzi 椅子 n. chair M:bâ
zhuözi 桌子 n. table

14
22 – Dì bä kè – Duìhuà (对话)
22 – Lesson 8 – Dialogue

A: Xiänsheng, Xiâojie, nîmen zùo chë ma?

B: Wômen yào dào yôuyì shängdiàn, nî qù bú qù?
A: Wô qù, kêshì yôuyì shängdiàn lí zhèr hên yuân, nî yào duö gêi yïdiânr qián.
C: Dawei, wô kàn wômen zuò gönggòng qìchë, huòzhê qí zìxíngchë ba.
B: Ãimêi, fàngxïn. Wô péngyou gàosu wô, zùo chüzüchë yào zhùyì biâo.
A: Kêshì, xiànzài qìchë hên duö, jiäotöng yê hên jî.
C: Cóng Bêijïng Dàxué dào yôuyì shängdiàn zuò dìtiê yê bú tài fängbiàn.
B: Suànle, suànle! Wô zhâo biéde chüzüchë.
A: Hâo ba, hâo ba! Wô qù yôuyì shängdiàn, qîng liâng wèi shàngchë ba.
C: Nî yào käi biâo a?
A: Hâo.

23 fäyïn (发音)

kè dè lè
dêi bëi mêi
mén gën chën
mèng shëng lêng

24 shëngcí
(生词) – new words

biâo 表 n. meter
bié de 别的 pr. other | Qîng gêi wô diânr bié de. = Please give me something else (to
drink/eat etc.).
Böshìdùn 波士顿 Boston (US city)
chë 车 n. ①vehicle ②wheeled machine/instrument
chüzüchë 出租车 n. taxi
cóng 从 from; since; through
dìtiê 地铁 n. subway, underground railway
fängbiàn 方便 adj. convenient
fàngxïn 放心 r.v. set one's mind at rest; rest assured; feel relieved
gàosu 告诉 v. ①tell; let know; inform | Bié gàosu biéren zhè jiàn shì(r). = Don't tell
anyone about this matter.
gönggòng qìchë 公共汽车 n. public bus
jî 挤 v. squeeze; press jostle; push against crowd; cram
jiäotöng 交通 n. ①traffic; communications; transportation
jìn 近 s.v. near; close | Wômen liâng jiä zhù de hên jìn. = Our two families live near
each other.

15
käi 开 v. ①open ②start; begin; operate ③drive ④turn on (a light)
lí 离 distant/apart from | Bêijïng lí Shànghâi yôu duö yuân? = How far is Beijing
from Shanghai?
lî 里 n. Chinese mile (1/2 kilometer or about 1/3 mile)
qí 骑 v. ride/sit astride （eg, a bicycle, a horse）
qìchë 汽车 n. motor vehicle
qián 钱 n. money
shàngchë 上车 v. get on/into (a car/train/etc.) | Gânkuài shàngchë. = Get on the car
immediately.
shängdiàn 商店 n. shop, store
suànle 算了 v. phrase: Forget about it.; That's enough!
wèi 位 (polite measure word for people)
xiàchë 下车 v. to get off/out of (a car/train/etc)
yôuyì 友谊 n. friendship
yôuyì shängdiàn 友谊商店 friendship store
yuân 远 far; distant
zhùyì 注意 v./n. pay attention to; take note of
zìxíngchë 自行车 n. bicycle; bike M:liàng
zuò 坐 ①sit; take a seat ②travel by (plane/etc.) | Wô zuòcuòle chë. = I've taken the
wrong bus.

25 – Dì jiû kè – Duìhuà (对话)

25 – Lesson 9 – Dialogue

A: Láojià, cóng zhèr qù Yíhéyuán zênme zôu?

B: Yíhéyuán lí zhèr bú jìn, bié zôulù, nî zuò gönggòng qìchë cóng zhèr dào
Yíhéyuán qù.
A: Hâo, qìchë zhàn zài nâr?
B: Nî wâng qiánbian zôu yï tiáo jië, dào hóng-lÙdëng yîhòu wâng yòu zhuân, qìchë
zhàn jiù zài yòubian.
A: Xièxie nín.
B: Bié kèqi.

A: Duìbuqî, Xiänsheng, zhè lù chë dào Yíhéyuán ma?

B: Nî xiän zùo zhèi lù chë, ránhòu yào huàn chë.
A: Zài nâr huàn?
B: Nî zài Bêijïng dòngwùyuán xià chë, zài huàn sän sän ér lù qìchë.
A: Xièxie.

26 fäyïn (发音)

bî mî pí jiä liâ

16
chà miáo liáo diào tiän
diân liân jiäng liâng qiáng
tiê bié dié qiü diü
liú xióng chóng qíng jìn
lín xìng líng míng sî
sí zì

27 shëngcí
(生词) – new words

bié 别 aux. don't | Bié máng! = Wait a minute!

cóng 从 from; since; through
dòngwù 动物 n. animal
dòngwùyuán 动物园 n. zoo
duìbuqî 对不起 interjection: I’m sorry, excuse me
hòu 后 rear; back; behind (hòumiàn)
hóng-lÙdëng 红绿灯 n. traffic light
huàn 换 v. ①exchange; trade ②change | Nî zuìhâo chüqù zôuzou, huàn nâojïn. =
You'd better go out for a walk and give your mind a rest.
kèqi 客气 v. be polite ◆s.v. ①polite; courteous ②stand on ceremony
láojià 劳驾 v./intj. 〈court.〉 Excuse me; May I trouble you (to do sth.)
mòshëngrén 陌生人 n. a stranger
qián 前 front | qiánmian ◆ adv./attr. ① forward; former; preceding; first ②
formerly; ago; ahead; before
tiáo 条 ①sth. long and narrow; strip ②measure word (for streets, and long, narrow
things)
wâng 往 v. go toward ◆in the direction of; toward | Nî wâng döng zôu sän lî jiù
dào le. = Go east three miles and you'll be there.
wènlù 问路 v. ask the way
yòu 右 right side; the right
yuân 远 s.v. far; distant
Yíhéyuán 颐和园 The Summer Palace (in Beijing)
zênme 怎么 how?
zhàn 站 n. station; stop | Xià zhàn xiàchë. = We get off at the next stop.
zhí 直 s.v. straight | zhí zôu, jiàndào jiäotöng dëng xiàng yòu guâi. = Go straight
and turn right at the traffic light.
zhuân 转 v. ①turn; shift; change | Bâ liân zhuân guòlái. = Turn your face towards
me.
zuô 左 left side, the left
zôulù 走路 v. walk; go on foot

17
28 – Dì shí kè – Duìhuà (对话)
28 – Lesson 10 – Dialogue

A: Shí Xiänsheng, nîde Zhöngguóhuà shuöde zhën biäozhûn, méiyôu yïdiânr

wàiguó kôuyin.
B: Nâli, nâli, bùgândäng.
A: Nî gën shéi yïqî xué Zhöngwén?
B: Wô yîqián zài Mêiguó xué Zhöngwén. Wôde Zhöngwén lâoshï
jiäo wômen duö shuö, duö kàn. Xiànzài, zài Bêijïng, wô mêitiän döu shuö
Zhöngguóhuà.
A: Zhöngwén zì ne? Nî huì xiê, huì kàn ma?
B: Wô rènzì rèn de bùcuò, kêshì Zhöngguó zì bù hâo xiê. Wô xiêde bù duö.
A: Nî rènshi duöshao Hànzì?
B: Chàbuduö qï bä bâi ge zì.
A: Bù shâo. Nî yïnggäi xué shüfâ. Xué shüfâ de shíhou nî yê kêyî duö zhïdao
Zhöngguó zì yôu shénme yìsi. Bîfangshuö, ài zì. Zài shàngmian yôu yï zhï
shôu. Zhöngjiän, yôu yï kë xïn. Xiàmian, yôu yï zhï jiâo. Yìsi shì yï ge rén
zôu hên yuân de lù yòng shôu bâ täde xïn gêi tä àide rén.
B: Zhöngwén zì zhën yôu yìsi.

English translation:
A: Mr. Stone, your Chinese is very standard, you don’t have any foreign accent.
B: Not really, you’re flattering me.
A: Who do you study Chinese with?
B: I studied Chinese before in America. My Chinese teacher told us to speak
more and read more. Now I’m in Beijing, I speak Chinese every day.
A: How about Chinese characters? Can you read and write?
B: I can read pretty well, but Chinese characters aren’t easy to write. I can’t
write many.
A: How many characters do you know?
B: About seven or eight hundred.
A: Quite a few then. You should study calligraphy. When you learn how
characters are written you can know the meaning of many of them. For
example, (the character for) ‘love’. At the top it has a hand. In the middle
there’s a heart. At the bottom, there’s a foot. This means that a person walks a
long road until they hand their heart to their true love.
B: Chinese characters are really interesting!

(Editor’s note: This cute little story about the Chinese character 爱 ài (love) makes
sense only if you understand the speaker as referring to the traditional form of the
character: 愛. There are two forms for many Chinese characters: the traditional, more
complicated ones, (fántîzì 繁体字), still I believe used in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and
most overseas Chinese communities, and the simplified, much easier to learn ones,

18
(jiântîzì 简体字), used in mainland China since the 1950s. In the simplified form of
the character for love, the 心 xïn (heart) component is absent. This confused me
when I first studied this dialogue. When I asked a young (mainland) Chinese friend to
help me understand it, he wryly remarked “you see in China, love isn’t what it used to
be. Maybe you could say it has no heart these days.”) !

29 fäyïn (发音)

mù zhù chü huä zhuä

shuä huài kuài shuäi tuán
chuän luàn huáng zhuàng chuáng
cuò huó zuò zuì suì
huî shân kùn hün nÛ
lÛ qù yú yuán xuân
quán nuè luè yuè xué
qún jün yún

30 shëngcí
(生词) – new words

ài 爱 v. love
biäozhûn 标准 n. standard
bîfangshuö 比方说 for example
bùcuò 不错 〈coll.〉 not bad; pretty good
bùgändäng 不敢当 〈humb.〉 I don't deserve it; You flatter me.
chàbuduö 差不多 adv. ①almost; about ②almost equal/equally
cuò 错 wrong; mistaken | Wô nòng cuòle. I've got it wrong. ②bad; poor
duö 多 many; much; more
duöshao 多少 f.e. how many/much | duöshao qián yï gè? How much is it for one?
Hànzì 汉字 n. Chinese character | Tä huì xiê jî gè Hànzì. He can write a few Chinese
characters.
huà 话 n. speech; talk; conversation; words; sayings; story
jiâo 脚 n. foot
kèbên 课本 n. textbook
kôuyin 口音 n. local/regional accent
mêitiän 每天 n. every day; daily
mêi nián 每年 n. every year
rèn 认 v. recognize; know
rènshi 认识 v. know; recognize
shâo 少 few; little
shôu 手 n. hand
shuö 说 v. speak; talk | Tä zênme shuö? What did he say?

19
tán 谈 v. talk; chat | Wômen tánle yï ge xiâoshí. - We talked for an hour.
shuöhuà 说话 speak; talk; say; chat | Shuö nâli huà! The idea!
shüfâ 书法 n. calligraphy
xïn 心 n. heart | Tä xïnli zhî yôu nî. - There's only you in her heart.
xué 学 v. study; learn
yôu yìsi 有意思 interesting; enjoyable
yìsi 意思 n. meaning; idea | Wô de yìsi shì shuö... I mean to say...
yòng 用 v. use; employ; apply
Zhöngguóhuà 中国话 n. (spoken) Chinese language; Chinese
Zhöngwén 中文 n. Chinese (written) language
zì 字 n. character | Wô bù rènshi zhège zì. - I don't know this character.

rènzì 认字 v. know how to read | Zhèi háizi yîjing käishî rènzì le. - This child is
beginning to learn to read.

20
21