hello
A WORD TO HAND
Essential Mandarin Chinese words and phrases for beginners
Hear the words from your first six lessons, check their English meaning and see a useful phrase. This free reference follows the opening unit, so it connects with what you are learning.
Open the searchable dictionaryStart your first lessonFirst words
Say hello, greet someone politely and say goodbye.
morning
thank you
goodbye
A phrase you can use
— Hello!
Nǐ hǎo. The two third tones change in connected speech: the first is usually pronounced with a rising tone.
Read lesson 1: First wordsHow are you?
Ask how someone is and return the question.
I / me
you
good / well
also / too
A phrase you can use
— How have you been lately?
最近 means recently; 怎么样 asks how things are.
Read lesson 2: How are you?Nice to meet you
Introduce yourself and ask someone their name.
name
to be called
to meet / know
pleased
A phrase you can use
— What is your name?
叫什么名字 literally asks what name you are called.
Read lesson 3: Nice to meet youA little politeness
Make a polite request and respond to thanks.
please
sorry
you are welcome
it is all right
A phrase you can use
— Excuse me.
Use before politely asking a question.
Read lesson 4: A little politenessWhere are you from?
Say where you are from and where you live.
where
the UK
China
Beijing
A phrase you can use
— Where are you from?
从哪里 asks from where.
Read lesson 5: Where are you from?When you do not understand
Ask for English, a slower pace or a repetition.
to listen
to understand
slow
English
A phrase you can use
— I do not understand.
This specifically concerns understanding spoken language.
Read lesson 6: When you do not understandMake the sound and meaning familiar
Use a word in a whole sentence, hear it again, then try the interactive lesson. Each set of three teaching lessons leads to a short mini-test. Revision returns previously learnt phrases using spaced repetition; it does not require a streak or score target.
This reference covers the free opening unit. Full account access opens the remaining lesson content and vocabulary. The first five-minute listening recording and complete Little Town game are also free; checkout is currently closed.
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