Chinese Phrase for the Day
Introduction to Chinese
好好学习，天天向上。
Chinese Phrase for the Day
明天有什么安排？
míngtiān yǒu shénme ānpái?
mingtee'anne yo(as in yo-yo) shen'mer an'pie
What plans do you have tomorrow?
你的生日是哪天？
nǐ de shēngrì shì něi tiān?
knee der shung rurh shir (as in shirt) nay tee'anne
What day is your birthday?
这个辣不辣？
zhè ge là bu là?
jer (as in jerk) ger lar boo lar
Is this spicy/hot or not?
多少钱 duōshǎo qián - door show (as in the first syllable of shower) qee'an - how much money
我的钱包丢了，护照也丢了。
wǒ de qiánbāo diū le, hùzhào yě diū le.
wore der quee'anne bow (as in bow down) ler, who j'ow (as in ouch) yeah d'way ler
I have lost my wallet and my passport
没事。怎么了？
Méishì, zěnmele?
May shir (as in shirt), zen mer ler
Nope. What's up?
你今天晚上有事吗？
nǐ jīntiān wǎnshang yǒu shì ma?
knee jin-tee'anne won-shang yo shir (as in shirt) mar
Do you have something to do tonight?
我来试试。
wǒ lái shì shi.
wore lie shir shir (shir as in shirt)
I'll come and try.
我喜欢吃火鸡。
wǒ xǐhuan chī huǒjī.
wore she-h'won chir (as in chirp) hor (as in horse) jee
I like to eat turkey.
没看过。
méi kàn guo.
May can g'wore
No, I haven't read it
你看过这本书吗？
nǐ kàn guo zhè běn shū ma?
Knee can g'wore jer ben shoe mar?
Have you read this book?
您要茶还是咖啡？
nín yào chá háishi kāfēi?
nin yow (as in ouch) high'shir (as in shirt) ca (as in cafe)'fey
Would you like tea or coffee?
我要热水。
wǒ yào rèshuǐ.
Wore yow rur(ur as in hurt) sh'way
I'd like hot water.
明天有什么安排？
míngtiān yǒu shénme ānpái?
ming-tee'anne yo (as in yo-yo) shen-mer (as in mermaid) an-pie
What plans do I have tomorrow?
你喜欢什么运动？
nǐ xǐhuan shénme yùndòng?
knee she-won shen-mer you'n-dong?
What sports do you like?
有什么可以帮您？
yǒu shén-me kě-yǐ bāng nín?
yo (as in yo-yo) shen-mer ker-yee bung nin?
What can I help you with?
我来试试。
wǒ lái shì shi.
wore lie shir (as in shirt) shir
I'll try.
你是谁？
nǐ shì shéi?
knee shir (as in shirt) shay
Who are you?
我一定去。
wǒ yī-dìng qù.
wore yee-ding chew
I'll definitely go.
我们在开会
wǒ-men zài kāi-huì
wore-men z'eye k'eye-h'way
We're holding a meeting.
你怎么了？
nǐ zěnmele?
Knee zen-mer-ler (said quickly)
What's wrong?
我没事儿。
wǒ méi shìr.
wore may shir (as in shirt)
I'm fine.
这是你的桌子。
zhè shì nǐde zhuōzi.
jer (as in jerk) shir (as in shirt) knee-der jaw-z'er
This is your desk.
现在几点？
xiàn-zài jǐ diǎn?
shee'anne z'eye jee dee'anne
What time is it now?
服务员，再拿一个杯子。
fú-wù-yuán, zài ná yī ge bēi-zi.
foo-woo-you'anne z'eye nar yee ger bay'zer
Waiter/Waitrss, bring another glass.
可以的。
kěyǐ de.
Ker yee der
Yes, you can.
行，你买什么？
xíng, nǐ mǎi shén-me?
Shing, knee my shen-mer?
OK. What do you want to buy?
我要买这个包。
wǒ yào mǎi zhè ge bāo.
Wore yow (as in yowl) zher ger bough
I want to buy this bag.
戴绿帽子
dài lǜ mào' zi
dye loo mao zer
Story of the Green Hat
Video showing how Chinese Characters are formed from the shapes of animals
CONTENTS
If you want to learn to speak Chinese you must first learn Pinyin 拼音
Introduction to Pin Yin - the 4 'tones'
The full meaning of Chinese words
Pronunciation of Chinese words is in two parts
Remember that a language is like music
Learning Chinese as a 2nd Language from an adult 'Westerner's Perspective'
CCTV (China Television) - Learn to Speak Chinese
Learn Chinese in China with AllSet Learning Shanghai
Practise your Chinese for FREE - Chatting to China on QQ
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Set in Zanzibar in 1910, it is the story of two people from different worlds falling in love. Susan immerses herself in Zanzibar. Asim falls in love with this woman from the nation that killed his wife. Susan is a spy. Asim is the chief advisor to the Sultan of Zanzibar. Germany and France are holding secret negotiations to form a Pan European alliance, which would isolate Britain and destroy her power. Susan and Asim are caught up in all this and their love is finally dashed on the cold, hard reality of international high politics.
Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages
Chapter One
Zanzibar
'A maharaja’s ruby cast on a Persian carpet by the blackest of hands'
Their souls danced, honouring his promise.
The ancient dhow stirred in the soft morning breeze. Like a sleepy lion, it began to move through the water, snuffling about the other boats on the harbour; some scurrying, some at anchor, some darting before a brief gust of wind. The lateen sails a bustling panorama of blood-red and sun-bleached white.
Aft, the woman's eyes searched the skyline, drinking in the architecture of Stone Town, the heart of Zanzibar; its jagged, cluttered silhouette so familiar, so much a part of her soul.
Abruptly, her eyes ceased their restless searching, jagged by an invisible hook, transfixed by the grand buildings on the northern shore, Beit-al-Ajaib, the House of Wonders, Palace to the great Sultan of Zanzibar. The distinctive architecture captured in the tropical light: coconut white outlined by contrasting shadow plays of pepper black.
A smile, ever so slight, started to play on the edge of her mouth then disappeared. A memory that should have been fond instantly turned to sharp unbearable pain. Her eyes hardened and moved on.
Without warning the captain threw the rudder over. Stumbling, the woman barked her shin on a wooden box, a rough-hewn coffin. She recoiled, knocking over an untidy stack of cane baskets. Imprisoned in the baskets, rusty cockerels, their scruffy heads straining through the latticework, snapped at her, cried out to her; their raucous din overwhelming her, drowning her.
Dimly, through the fog of noise, the strident swearing of the sailors in Kiswahili seeped into her conscious. Understanding, she smiled mirthlessly.
The coffin had been carelessly stowed, a chore, rather than a labour of respect or love.
London 1910
“Hello, who are you? I am Oliver, is Edward at home?”
The words were spoken by a tall, impeccably dressed young man as he rushed into Edward’s flat shaking off surplus water and calling for whisky while shoving his umbrella into a stand. It was a blustery, grey, bitterly cold February afternoon in the heart of London. He brushed a curl of soft auburn hair from his forehead and smiled charmingly.
Susan laughed, her hazel eyes dancing with the exhilaration of the new. “Yes, he is having a bath. I think he is trying to get warm. I’m Susan, Susan Carey, his sister.”
“Ahhh yes, from Australia. How do you do?” said Sir Oliver, smiling broadly and offering his hand. He noticed the laughter in her eyes, and the depth, particularly the depth, intensified by jade flecks that made them striking and alluring. “So, you have arrived, good trip I trust.”
“I am very well thank you, and yes, it was a good trip,” replied Susan.
He laughed and glanced at the sitting room, “whisky?”
“Oh, I’m sorry, please come in…….. that was silly of me, after all, it is your flat.”
Oliver smiled and gestured for Susan to lead the way. He followed her into the room, and after helping himself to a generous portion of whisky, walked over to the fire.
Shortly after, Edward, wrapped in a huge ruby-coloured dressing gown and wiping soap from his ear strode into the room. He was of similar age to Oliver, late twenties, well built, if slightly podgy, with dark auburn hair and a full moustache. Susan looked up and smiled to herself, she could see now where he had picked up some of his new mannerisms.
“Thought I could hear voices. I see you two have met, no need for introductions then.”
As he was speaking, Edward walked to the side table and grabbed a whisky decanter by the neck. He glanced at Oliver who nodded. A long finger snaked into one of the tumblers followed by the distinctive clink of crystal. He swept the decanter off the table and carried it to where Oliver was sitting. After pouring the whisky, he sank into a lounge chair and sipped from his glass, enjoying the warm glow as it spread through his body.
Suddenly he sat up exclaiming, “Sorry sis, would you like something to drink?”
“Kind of you to remember, but no thank you, and yes, Oliver has already inquired.”
Edward nodded and sank back into his lounge chair.
They chatted, tentatively at first, getting to know one another. Edward had not seen Susan for two years and was unsure how his sister would take his new relationship. Oliver was intrigued by Susan. An attractive, self-assured young lady of high intelligence with a degree was a rare find. And, as fate would have it, she was also a trained and experienced teacher. He suggested a picnic at Oxford, which was met with ready acquiescence. Arrangements were made for the following Sunday.
“I’ll see if the Rolls is available,” mused Oliver. “Must ring father, haven’t spoken to him in ages.”
Oliver, Sir Oliver Marchmaine, was an unaffected young man of intense intelligence who saw life as a great adventure to be lived to the full. He was also unyieldingly loyal to his country, England, which is why he had joined Military Intelligence on leaving Oxford.
It was 1910 and Europe was stirring. It was a time full of interest, intrigue and danger. The European chessboard was becoming increasingly complex, the moves more subtle. A time when an unexpected move or feint could have profound consequences.
Regaining her balance, the woman’s eyes were drawn, hesitantly at first, resisting back to Beit-al-Ajaib. She wondered if it was still the same. Still the same centre of power and intrigue that had been so much a part of her life all those years before; that had defined her life.
She remembered those first few moments, remembered standing in the foyer of the palace, .………… remembered the breathtakingly beautiful Persian tapestry ........
The sea breeze stirred her clothes. She smiled a little sadly, and in her mind the tapestry gently swayed. Two small apparitions ran giggling up the stairs: two small exquisitely rich burkas disappearing along the first floor landing. Childish squeals of mischief and joy left in the air.......
“Move to seaward, you accused of Allah! Move!”
Her thoughts were clawed back to the dhow, the captain crashing the tiller over to avoid another boat on the crowded harbour. The woman instinctively ducked her head to avoid the heavy boom as it swung over her, the rusty cockerels squawked their raucous indignation, their heads straining through the latticework, relentless.
The collision avoided, the dhow continued on its way. The cacophony dying down to the occasional command by the captain or the cry of a seagull.
The woman's thoughts returned to Beit-al-Ajaib
…………. laughing and giggling, girls of seven or eight. A door on the first floor slammed and all sounds of them disappeared. Silence. The woman smiled. She could see herself, a young woman, dressed plainly, unselfconsciously, her sexuality tantalisingly just out of reach, hidden beneath the thin veil of her clothing. She remembered standing alone in the foyer, looking around, perplexed. Asim came through a door to the left of the tapestry.
“Salaam.”
The woman started and looked around. Then, realising, was cold again. Alone again. Alone, rocking to and fro to the rythm of the sea. Alone, beside a rough-hewn coffin.
Now Available on Amazon's Kindle $4.99 - Over 400 Pages
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