Chinese Grammar for the Day
Introduction to Chinese
好好学习，天天向上。
Chinese Grammar for the Day
打 (dǎ) - to play (a game)
打(dǎ) as a verb is often used in conjunction with various games and can be translated as "to play;" the games played are played with one's hands and are generally ballgames.
你喜欢打牌吗？
(Do you like playing cards?)
你麻将打得怎样？
(How are you at playing mahjong?)
他高尔夫打得很好。
(He plays golf really well.)
我不喜欢打篮球。
(I don't like to play basketball.)
听说你会打棒球？
(I hear you play baseball.)
我们周末去打羽毛球吧。
(Let’s go play badminton this weekend.)
和 (hé)
和(hé) is used to express two things of equal importance. It is usually used to link two words of similar parts of speech, e.g. nouns with other nouns or pronouns, adjectives with adjectives, and so on, or short phrases with other short phrases. It cannot be used to connect two clauses or sentences. When more than three things are connected, 和(hé) is usually only placed before the last item or action (e.g. A, B 和 C).
我和他都是美国人。
(He and I are both Americans.)
弟弟和我都去。
(My little brother and I are both going.)
苹果、香蕉和梨我都买了。
(I bought apples, bananas and pears.)
红的和黄的都是我的。
(The red and the yellow ones are both mine.)
这个和那个我都不喜欢。
(I don't like this one or that one.)
可(kě)/可是(kěshì)
可(kě)/可是(kěshì) express a turn in a course of events. They are the equivalent of 但是(dànshì), but the tone of change they express is a bit softer. They are used most often in colloquial Chinese.
这么好的酒店，可是服务真差。
(It's such a nice hotel, but the service is really poor.)
他很丑，可是他很有钱。
(He's really ugly, but he's very rich.)
我很丑，可是我很温柔。
(I'm very ugly but very gentle.)
那件衣服我洗过了，可是还是很脏。
(I washed that piece of clothing, but it's still really dirty.)
这个挺好看的，可是太贵了。
(This is quite beautiful, but it's too expensive.)
要 (yào) - to want to
Simply put, this is how you say you want to do something.
我要回家！
(I want to go home.)
我要买地图。
(I want to buy a map.)
我要吃这个。
(I want to eat this one.)
请问，你要买什么？
(May I ask what you want to buy?)
平时 (píngshí)
平时 (píngshí) is an adverb that is usually translated as "usually," "ordinarily," or "normally." It's a time word that could be used to differentiate between under rare circumstances and extremely often.
你平时都跟谁一起玩？
(Who do you usually go out with?)
他平时喜欢穿休闲衣服。
(He usually likes wearing casual clothing.)
哎，我平时没时间，只能周末去。
(Agh, I'm usually quite busy. I can only go on the weekend.)
我平时都自己做饭吃，很少在外面吃。
(I usually like to cook my own food. I don't eat out often.)
他平时很少运动。
(Ordinarily he doesn't exercise much.)
"Would like to." 想 (xiǎng) is a little less direct and perhaps slightly more polite than 要 (yào), which is reflected by the translation "would like" rather than "want".
Note that besides being an auxiliary verb, 想 (xiǎng) can also be a main verb, meaning "to think" or "to miss (someone or something)." The examples below are for the auxiliary verb variety.
我想吃苹果。
(I'd like to eat an apple.)
我不想睡觉。
(I don't feel like going to sleep.)
我想去旅游。
(I'd like to go traveling.)
你想和我一起去吗？
(Would you like to go with me?)
马上 (mǎshàng)
马上 (mǎshàng) expresses that something will happen very soon, or immediately. The adverb, 就 is often used after it.
我马上就到。
(I'll be there immediately!)
我们马上做。
(We'll do it right away.)
你能马上送过来吗？
(Will he be able to deliver it immediately?)
火车马上就要开了。
(The train is going to leave in a moment.)
你马上给他打电话。
(Give him a call, immediately.)
一下 (yīxià)
一下 (yīxià) is used after verbs to express performing an action once or trying something out.
能帮我一下吗？
(Could you give me some help?)
请等一下。
(Please wait a moment.)
我试一下，可以吗？
(Can I try it out?)
你来一下。
(Come for a while.)
我可以用一下吗？
(Can I use it for a moment?)
觉得 (juéde) - to think (that)
Used to express opinions, this usage of 觉得 (juéde) means "to think" (that...). This verb is extremely common, so be sure to learn it so you can start expressing your opinions.
我觉得他不错，你觉得呢？
(I think he's great. What do you think?)
我觉得你可以亲自去一趟。
(I think you can go in person.)
大家都觉得这个方案很好。
(Everyone thinks this plan is really good.)
我觉得你不应该这么任性。
(I think you shouldn't be so stubborn.)
他觉得我太不成熟了。
(He thinks I'm too immature.)
挺 (tǐng)
挺 (tǐng) is typically translated as, "quite", "really", or "very". It expresses something is to a large extent, but is less than 很(hěn), and is mostly used in spoken language. After the adjectives or verbs that 挺 (tǐng) modifies, often comes 的 (de).
他挺帅的。
(He's quite handsome.)
我挺想去的。
(I'd really like to go.)
天气挺好的。
(The weather is quite nice.)
他对我挺好的。
(He's quite good to me.)
这件衣服挺漂亮的。
(This piece of clothing is really beautiful.)
遍 (biàn)
遍 (biàn) expresses the entire process of a single action or set of actions from beginning to end.
请再说一遍。
(Please say it once more.)
大家再唱一遍。
(Sing it one more time, everybody.)
这些东西我复习了三遍。
(I have reviewed these things three times.)
他一共问了五遍。
(He asked five times in total.)
我们再听一遍对话。
(Let's listen to the dialog one more time.)
请(qǐng) - expression of politeness
请(qǐng) is used to ask someone politely to perform a task. It can be used alone or with a verb-object.
请问，您贵姓？
(May I ask, what's your surname?)
这边请。
(Please come this way.)
请说中文。我想学习中文。
(Please speak Chinese. I want to learn Chinese.)
请跟我来。
(Please come with me.)
请安静！
(Please be quiet!)
打 (dǎ) - to play (a game)
打(dǎ) as a verb is often used in conjunction with various games and can be translated as "to play;" the games played are played with one's hands and are generally ballgames.
你喜欢打牌吗？
(Show Translation)
你麻将打得怎样？
(Show Translation)
他高尔夫打得很好。
(Show Translation)
我不喜欢打篮球。
(Show Translation)
听说你会打棒球？
(Show Translation)
我们周末去打羽毛球吧。
(Show Translation)
一起 (yīqǐ)
一起 (yīqǐ) is similar to 一块儿 (yīkuàir) and means, "together." It often comes directly before a verb, but can also be used with 跟 (gēn) in the structure:
我们一起走吧。
(Let's go together.)
我跟你一起去吧。
(I'll go with you.)
我不和父母一起住。
(I don't live with my parents.)
今天中午你和谁一起吃饭的？
(Who did you have lunch with today?)
周末我跟孩子一起去动物园了。
(I went with my child to the zoo on the weekend.)
还 (hái) - still
还 (hái), "still," expresses that an action or a condition is still going on. (In the negative, may be translated as "yet").
我还在上课。
(I'm still in class.)
你还在那里工作吗？
(Do you still work there?)
外面还在下雨。
(It's still raining outside.)
他还不知道。
(He still doesn't know.)
他还没来。
(He still hasn't come.)
还 (hái) - in addition
"In addition". Used before a verb. Expresses that there is something additional outside of a certain scope, range, or amount.
你还要买什么？
(What else do you want to buy?)
他还说了什么？
(What else did he say?)
我还想试一试。
(I'd still like to try it out.)
离山顶还有五百米。
(We're still five hundred meters from the peak of the mountain.)
你还有什么问题吗？
(Do you have any other questions?)
还是 (háishi) - still
The most basic meaning of 还是 (háishi) is quite simple. In the positive, it means "still." In the negative, it means "yet," as in "I still want to go," or "I haven't gone yet."
他还是和以前一样。
(He's still the same as before.)
你还是那么爱她吗？
(Do you still love her so much?)
我还是想再试一试。
(I still want to give it another try.)
妈妈还是不同意我去北京工作。
(Mom still won't agree to me going to Beijing to work.)
你还是和爸爸妈妈住在一起吗？
(Do you still live with your mom and dad?)
以前 (yǐqián)
Indicates a time "before" another time. It can either follow a time reference or come at the beginning of the sentence, meaning "before now" or "before."
你们以前认识吗？
(Did you know each other in the past?)
这些下班以前给我。
(Give me these before the end of work today.)
别说了，这都是以前的事。
(Stop talking about it. This is all water under the bridge.)
你跟以前一样漂亮。
(You're as beautiful as you always were.)
你以前做什么工作？
(What kind of work did you used to do?)
太 (tài)
Too. Is followed by an adjective or verb, which is frequently followed by 了 (le).
The pattern is:
太 Adj / V 了
Note that in English, the word "too" usually carries the meaning of "to an excessive degree." This may not be the case in Chinese, as 太 (tài) is frequently used in positive expressions such as 太好了(tài hǎo le) or 太棒了(tài bàng le). In these cases, the 太 (tài) is simply intensifying the degree, not making a negative comment about it.
太贵了！
(It's too expensive!)
太远了。
(It's too far!)
太好了。
(Great!)
太辣了。
(It's too spicy!)
太激动了！
(It's so exciting!)
别 (bié) - don't
别 (bié) is basically has the same meaning as "don't"
别坐！椅子坏了！
(Don't sit! The chair is broken!)
别看了，快去学习！
(Don't watch any more of that! Hurry up and go study.)
别坐黑车，出租车在前面。
(Don't take an illegal cab. The taxis are up ahead.)
别难过了。
(Don't be upset.)
别开窗，太冷了。
(Don't open the window. It's too cold.)
在 (zài)
在 (zài) comes before a verb to indicate that an action is in progress. In English we say, "I am doing (it)," and the Chinese equivalent is 我在做 (wǒ zài zuò).
This 在 (zài) is difficult to translate as an isolated word, and on ChinesePod is often glossed as "currently" (to indicate "in progress").
你在干吗？
(What are you up to?)
安静点，宝宝在睡觉呢。
(Quiet -- the baby is sleeping!)
王经理在开会，没办法接电话。
(Manager Wang is in a meeting. He can't answer the phone.)
我们在唱歌，你要不要加入？
(Show Translation)
不好意思，我在吃饭，待会再打电话给你。
(Sorry, I'm eating. I'll call you again in a bit.)
是 (shì) - to judge to be (is)
This use of 是 (shì) expresses a judgment or categorization on the part of the speaker. We normally just think of it as the Chinese equivalent of the English verb "to be." Simple statements like "I am an American" are of this type.
我是上海人。
(I'm Shanghainese.)
他不是中国人。
(He's not Chinese.)
这是你女朋友吗？
(Is this your girlfriend?)
你是不是王先生？
(Are you Mr. Wang?)
这是我的，那是你的。
(This is mine, that is yours.)
这支笔是红色的。
(This pen is red.)
他是北京大学的学生。
(He's a student at Peking University.)
那个人是你的汉语老师吗？
(Is that person your Chinese teacher?)
几 (jǐ) - how many
When asking "how many" (requiring a specific number), use this word.
现在几点？
(What time is it?)
你要几个？
(How many do you want?)
今天是几号？
(What's today's date?)
你要去北京几天？
(How many days will you spend in Beijing?)
小朋友，你几岁了？
(Hey, little guy, how old are you?)
一共 (yīgòng)
一共 (yīgòng) expresses "in total," "altogether," and is followed by an amount, or a question of "how much" or "how many." It is equivalent to: 总共 (zǒnggòng).
一共多少钱？
(How much does it cost in total?)
你们公司一共多少人？
(How many people are in your company in all?)
我们一共见了三次面。
(We've met three times in all.)
这部电视剧一共二十集。
(There are twenty total episodes in this series.)
去医院一共花了1500块。
(Going to the hospital cost 1500 RMB in total.)
能 - could
"Can" (or "can't") in the sense of permission, willingness, or propriety. This usage is often translated into "could" in English.
不能吃辣，不能喝酒。
(You can't eat spicy food or drink alcohol.)
能帮我一下吗？
(Could you give me some help?)
对不起，我能借你的手机吗？
(Excuse me. Can I borrow your mobile phone?)
啊！老板，这个不能吃。
(Ah! Boss, we can't eat this.)
啊呀，对不起。我忘记带钱包了。你能付午饭的钱吗？
(Oh, I’m sorry. I forgot to bring my wallet. Can you pay for lunch?)
帮 (bāng)
To help someone to do something.
Note that to say "to help someone out" without referring to a specific action, 帮忙 (bāngmáng) is often used.
能帮我一下吗？
(Could you give me some help?)
你能不能帮我一个忙？
(Can you do me a favor?)
帮我开灯，好吗？
(Can you turn on the light for me please?)
我帮你写。
(I'll write it for you.)
可以 - can, may
The English word "can" is translated in a number of different ways in Chinese, corresponding to different uses. When it means "may" (permission), use 可以 (kěyǐ). It is also sometimes used in the sense of "if you do this, it will work," which isn't permission, strictly speaking, but is also "can" in English.
我可以进来吗？
(Can I come in?)
我可以试试吗？——当然可以。
(Can I try it out? Of course you can.)
你可以走了。
(You can leave now.)
他可以去，你也可以。
(He can go, and you can, too.)
不可以喝冰水！
(You can't drink ice water!)
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
(Full Size Images)
Graeme has been using ChinesePod since 2007
"I highly recommend ChinesePod, I haven't found any Online teaching programmes that come close."
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.
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