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the Rough Guide

mandarin
chinese
phrasebook
Compiled by

L E X US

w w w. ro u g h g u i d e s . c o m

Credits
Compiled by Lexus with Julian Ward and Xu Yinong
Lexus Series Editor: Sally Davies
Rough Guides Reference Director: Andrew Lockett
Rough Guides Series Editor: Mark Ellingham
First edition published in 1997.
Revised in 1999.
This updated edition published in 2006 by
Rough Guides Ltd,
80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL
345 Hudson St, 4th Floor, New York 10014, USA
Email: mail@roughguides.co.uk.
Distributed by the Penguin Group.
Penguin Books Ltd, 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL
Penguin Putnam, Inc., 375 Hudson Street, NY 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell,
Victoria 3124, Australia
Penguin Books Canada Ltd, 10 Alcorn Avenue, Toronto,
Ontario, Canada M4V 1E4
Penguin Group (New Zealand), Cnr Rosedale and Airborne Roads,
Albany, Auckland, New Zealand
Typeset in Bembo and Helvetica to an original design by Henry Iles.
Printed in Italy by LegoPrint S.p.A
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from
the publisher except for the quotation of brief passages in reviews.
Lexus Ltd 2006
288pp.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN 13: 978-1-84353-635-2
ISBN 10: 1-84353-635-8

The publishers and authors have done their best to ensure the
accuracy and currency of all information in The Rough Guide
Chinese Phrasebook however, they can accept no responsibility for
any loss or inconvenience sustained by any reader using the book.
Online information about Rough Guides can be found at our website
www.roughguides.com

contents
Introduction

Basic Phrases

Scenarios

13

English - Chinese 

31

Chinese - English

175

Chinese - English: Signs and Notices

211

Menu Reader
Food  227
Drink  243

How the Language Works


Pronunciation; Pinyin 
Tones 
Abbreviations 
General; Nouns 
Articles; Adjectives 
Adverbs 
Pronouns 
Possessives 
Measure Words 
Verbs 
Sentence Particles 
Questions 
Prepositions 
Yes and No 
Imperatives 
Dates; Days 
Months; Time 

249
252
254
255
256
259
260
261
262
265
270
271
273
275
276
277

278
Numbers  279
Conversion Tables  284

Introduction

he Rough Guide Mandarin Chinese dictionary phrasebook


is a highly practical introduction to the contemporary
language. Laid out in clear A-Z style, it uses key-word referencing
to lead you straight to the words and phrases you want so if you
need to book a room, just look up room. The Rough Guide gets
straight to the point in every situation, in bars and shops, on trains
and buses, and in hotels and banks.
The main part of the Rough Guide is a double dictionary:
English-Chinese then Chinese-English. Before that, theres a section called Basic Phrases and to get you involved in two-way
communication, the Rough Guide includes, in this new edition,
a set of Scenario dialogues illustrating questions and responses in
key situations such as renting a car and asking directions. You can
hear these and then download them free from www.roughguides.
com/phrasebooks for use on your computer or MP3 player.
Forming the heart of the guide, the English-Chinese section
gives easy-to-use transliterations of the Chinese words wherever
pronunciation might be a problem. Throughout this section,
cross-references enable you to pinpoint key facts and phrases, while
asterisked words indicate where further information can be found in
a section at the end of the book called How the Language Works.
This section sets out the fundamental rules of the language, with
plenty of practical examples. Youll also find here other essentials
like numbers, dates, telling the time and basic phrases. The ChineseEnglish section is in two parts: a dictionary, arranged phonetically,
of all the words and phrases youre likely to hear (starting with a
section of slang and colloquialisms); then a compilation, arranged
by subject, of various signs, labels, instructions and other basic
words you may come across in print or in public places.
Near the back of the book too the Rough Guide offers an
extensive Menu Reader. Consisting of food and drink sections
(each starting with a list of essential terms), its indispensable
whether youre eating out, stopping for a quick drink, or browsing through a local food market.

BASICS

Introduction

~!@#

yl shnfng!

have a good trip!

Basic
Phrases

B A S I C P H R A SES

Basic Phrases
yes

goodbye/see you!

shur-dur

dzai-jyen

~!

+|

no

see you later

boo

hway-toh-jyen

`12

shde

OK

Basic Phrases

how

ho

hutujin

please

qng
ching

hello

yes, please

nee how

how hsyeh-hsyeh

$%

456

good morning

could you please...?

nee dzow

ching nin ... how mah

n ho

n zo

ho, xixie

qng nn..., ho ma?

^&

78 ..., \QW

good evening

thank you

ni how

hsyeh-hsyeh

*(

ER

good night

thank you very much

wahn-ahn

dwor-hsyeh

)_

TY

n ho

wnn

zijin

xixie

duxi

excuse me/sorry

hsyeh-hsyeh wor boo yow

dway-boo-chee

UIOP{

hjk

dont mention it

sorry?/pardon me?

boo kur-chee

shwor shun-mur

}we

l;'ZX

xixie, w b yo

b kqi

dubuq

n shu shnme?

how do you do?


ni how
how are you?

n ho ma?
mah

uiop
fine, thanks

hn ho, xixie
hun how hsyeh-hsyeh

[]AS
nice to meet you

jindo n hn goxng
jyen-dow nee hun gow-hsing

DFGHJK
excuse me (to get past)

loji

low-jyah

()

(to get attention)


loji, qng wn...

ching wun

()fg

w mngbai le
wor ming-bai lur

CVBN
I dont understand

w b dng
M<>

do you speak English?

nn hu jing Yngy ma?

Basic Phrases

rty

I see/I understand

n ho

B A S I C P H R A SES

no, thank you

hway jyang ying-yew mah

?zxcvbn
I dont speakChinese

w bhu jing Hny


wor boo-hway hahn-yew

~!@#$%
could you speak more slowly?

qng shu mn ydinr

ching shwor mahn yee-dyenr

^&*()_
could you repeat that?

qng n zi shu ybin, ho


ma?
ching nee dzai shwor yee-byen how
mah

+|`123456


Scenarios

is there an inexpensive hotel you can recommend?


a n ky gi w tujin yge bgu de fndin ma?
[nee kur-yee gay wor tway-jyen yee-gur boo-gway dur fahn-dyen mah]
dubuq, hoxing sh du mnle b
[dway-boo-chee, how-hsiang shur doh mahn-lur]
Im sorry, they all seem to be fully booked
can you give me the name of a good middle-range hotel?
a n ky gi w tujin yge zhngj fndin ma?
[nee kur-yee gay wor tway-jyen yee-gur joong-jee fahn-dyen mah]

Scenarios Chinese

1. Accommodation

w li knkan, n xing zi shzhngxn ma? b


[wor lai kahn-kahn, nee hsyang dzai shur-joong-hsin mah]
let me have a look, do you want to be in the centre?
if possible
a rgu ky de hu
[roo-gwor kur-yee dur hwah]
rgu l shzhngxn sho yun ydinr, ky ma? b
[roo-gwor lee shur-joong-hsin show-yew-ahn-yee-dyenr, kur-yee mah]
do you mind being a little way out of town?
not too far out
a w b xing ti yun
[wor boo hsyang tai yew-ahn]
where is it on the map?
a n ky zi dtshang gi w zhyxi ma?
[nee kur-yee dzai dee-too shahng gay wor` jur-yee-hsyah mah]
can you write the name and address down?
a n ky gi w b mngzi h dzh xixili ma?
[nee kur-yee gay wor bah dee-jur hsyeh-hsyah-lai mah]
Im looking for a room in a private house
a w xing zh srn fng
[wor hsyang joo sur-run fahng]

13

Scenarios Chinese

2. Banks
bank account
ynhng zhngh
to change money hun qin
cheque
zhpio
to deposit
cnqin
pin number
grn mm
pound
yngbng
renminbi
rnmnb
to withdraw
qqin

[yin-hahng jahng-hoo]
[hwahn-chyen]

[jur-pyow]

[tsun-chyen]

[gur-run mee-mah]
[ying-bahng]

[run-min-bee]

[chew-chyen]

can you change this into renminbi?


a qng nn gi w hunchng rnmnb, ky ma?
[ching nin gay wor hwahn-chung run-min-bee, kur-yee mah]
nn yo shnme yng de chopio? b
[nin yoh shun-mur yang dur chow-pyow]
how would you like the money?
small notes
big notes
a xio chopio
a d chopio
[hsyow chow-pyow]
[da chow-pyow]
do you have information in English about opening an account?
a nmen yu guny kizhng de yngy ynshupn ma?
[nee-mun yoh gwahn-yew kai-jahng dur ying-yew yin-shwah-pin mah]
a yu, nn xing ki nzhng zhngh? Id like a current account
[yoh, nee hsyang kai nah-chung jahng-hoo]
huq cnkun b
yes what sort of account do you want?
[hwor-chee tsun-kwahn]
qng gi w kn yxi nnde hzho b
[ching gay wor kahn yee-hsyah neen-dur hoo-jow]
your passport, please
can I use this card to draw some cash?
a ky yng zhge k q xinjn ma?
[kur-yee yoong jur-gur kah chew hsyan-jin mah]
n di do chnyun nr q b
[nee day dow choo-nah-yew-ahn nahr chew]
you have to go to the cashiers desk
I want to transfer this to my account at the Bank of China
a w xing b qin zhundo w zi Zhngu ynhng de zhngh
shang q
[wor hsyang bah chyen jwahn-dow wor dzai chung-gwor yin-hahng dur jahnghoo-shahng chew]
ho, nnde dinhu di shufi b
[how, nin-dur dyen-hwah day shoh-fay]
OK, but well have to charge you for the phonecall

14

download these scenarios as MP3s from:

shower
telephone in
the room
payphone in
the lobby

lny
fngjinl de
dinhu
dtngl de tub
dinhu

do you have any rooms?


a yu fngjin ma?
[yoh fahng-jyen mah]
for one / for two
a yge rn / lingge rn
[yee-gur run / lyang-gur run]
a zh jge wnshang?
[joo jee-gur wahn-shahng]
for how many nights?

[lin-yew]
[fahng-jyen-lee dur dyenhwah]
[da-ting-lee dur toh-bee
dyen-hwah]
jge rn? b
[jee-gur run]
for how many people?

Scenarios Chinese

3. Booking a room

yu fngjin b
[yoh fahng-jyen]
yes, we have rooms free
just for one night
yge wnshang b
[yee-gur wahn-shahng]

how much is it?


a dusho qin?
[dwor-show chyen]
di xzojin de jibi yun rnmnb, bdi xzojin de qbi yun b
[dai hshee-dzow-jyen dur jyoh-bai yew-ahn run-min-bee, boo dai hshee-dzowjyen dur chee-bai yew-ahn]
900 yuan with bathroom and 700 yuan without bathroom
does that include breakfast?
a boku zocn ma?
[bow-kwor dzow-tsahn mah]
can I see a room with bathroom?
a w ky kn yxi di xzojin de fngjin ma?
[wor kur-yee kahn yee-hsyah dai hshee-dzow-jyen dur fahng-jyen mah]
ok, Ill take it
a ho, w yole
[how wor yow-lur]
when do I have to check out?
a w shnme shhou jizhng lki?
[wor shun-mur shur-hoh jyeh-jahng lee-kai]
is there anywhere I can leave luggage?
a yu cn xngli de dfng ma?
[yow tsun hsing-lee dur dee-fahng mah]
www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks

15

Scenarios Chinese

4. Car hire
automatic
full tank
manual
rented car

zdng hundng
yuxing mnde
shudng hundng
zde ch

Id like to rent a car


a w wing z ch
[wor hsyang dzoo chur]
two days
a ling tin
[lyang-tyen]

[dzur-doong hwahn-dahng]
[yoh-hsyang mahn-dur]
[show-doong hwahn-dahng]
[dzoo-dur chur]
du chng sh jin? b
[dwor chahng shur-jyen]
for how long?

Ill take the ...


a w yo
[wor yow]

is that with unlimited mileage?


a ki du chng l yu xinzh ma?
[kai dwor-chahng loo yoh hsyen-jur mah]

miyou xinzh b
[may-yoh hsyen-jur]
it is

w kn yxi nde jish zh zho, ho ma? b


[wor kahn yee-hsyah nee-dur jyah-shur jur-jow, how mah]
can I see your driving licence please?
hi yo nde hzho b
[hai yow nee-dur hoo-jow]
and your passport
is insurance included?
a boku boxin ma?
[bow-kwor bow-hsyen mah]
boku, bgu nn di xin f yqin yun b
[bow-kwor, boo-gwor nin day hsyen foo yee-chyen yew-ahn]
yes, but you have to pay the first 1000 yuan
qng nn f yqin yun yjn, ho ma? b
[ching nin foo yee-chyen yew-ahn yah-jin, how mah]
can you leave a deposit of 1000 yuan?
and if this office is closed, where do I leave the keys?
a rgu nmen zhr gunmnle, w b yoshi fng zi nr?
[roo-gwor nee-mun jer gwahn-mun-lur, wor bah yow-shur fahng dzai nahr]
fng zi nge hzi l b
[fahng dzai nah-gur hur-dzur lee]
you drop them in that box

16

download these scenarios as MP3s from:

ADSL modem
dial-up modem

dot
Internet
mobile (phone)
password
telephone socket
adaptor
wireless hotspot

tiozh jitioq
dinhu tiozh
jitioq
din
hlinwng
shuj
mm
dinhu chzu
zhunhun
wxin rdin

[tyow-jur jyeh-tyow-chee]
[dyen-hwah tyow-jur
jyeh-tyow-chee]
[dyen]
[hoo-lyen-wahng]
[show-jee]
[mee-mah]
[dyen-hwah chah-dzwor
jwahn-hwahn]
[woo-hsyen rur-dyen]

is there an Internet caf around here?


a zhr fjn yu wngb ma?
[jur foo-jin yoh wahng-bah mah]
can I send email from here?
a w ky zi zhr f dinz yujin ma?
[wor kur-yee dzai jur fah dyen-dzur yoh-jyen mah]
wheres the at sign on the keyboard?
a jinpn shangde at sign zi nr?
[jyen-pan shahng-dur at sign dzai nahr]
can you switch this to a UK keyboard?
a w ky yng yngsh jinpn ma?
[wor kur-yee yoong ying-shur jyen-pan mah]
can you help me log on?
a n ky bng w jnr mngdn ma?
[nee kur-yee bahng wor jin-roo ming-dan mah]
can you put me through to ...?
a qng nn gi w ji ?
[ching nin gay wor jyeh ]
Im not getting a connection, can you help?
a w b nng jnr, bng ge mng, ho ma?
[wor boo nung jin-roo, bahng-gur mahng, how mah]

zero
lng
[ling]

one
y
[yee]

two
r
[ur]

three
sn
[san]

four
s
[sur]

Scenarios Chinese

5. Communications

five
w
[woo]

six
li
[lyoh]

seven
q
[chee]

eight
b
[bah]
nine
ji
[jyoh]

where can I get a top-up card for my


mobile?
a nr mi shuj chngzh k?
[nahr mai show-jee choong-jur kah]
www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks

17

Scenarios Chinese

6. Directions
hi, Im looking for Nn Ji
a w zho Nn Ji
[wor jow Nan Jyeh]
dubuq, mi tngshuguo zh tio ji b
[dway-boo-chee, may ting-shwor-gwor juh tyow jyeh]
sorry, never heard of it
hi, can you tell me where Nn Ji is?
a qng wn, Nn Ji zi nr?
[ching wun, Nan Jyeh dzai nar]
w du zhge dfang y b shxi b
[wor dway juh-gur dee-fahng yur boo shoo-hshee]
Im a stranger here too
where?
zi nr?
[dzai nar]

hi, Nn
Ji, do you
know where
it is?
qng wn, n
zhdao Nn
Ji zi nr
ma?
[ching wun, nee
jur-dow Nan
Jyeh dzai nar
mah]

which direction?
nge fngxing?
[nah-gur fahng-hsyang]

a dole drge hngldng, wng zu gui


[dow-luh dee-er-gur hoong-lyew-dung, wahng dzwor gwai]
left at the second traffic lights
a zhhu, zu yubin dy tio l
a gule lku
[gwor-luh loo-koh]
[jur-hoh, dzoh yoh-byen dee-yee tyow loo]
around the corner then its the first street on the right

18

dumin
[dway-myen]
opposite

jn
[jin]
near

gui
[gwai]
turn (off)

qinmin
[chyen-myen]
in front of

gule
[gwor-luh]
past the

wng hu
[wahng hway]
back

ji
[jyeh]
street

xi yge
[hsyah yee-gur]
next

yzh wng
qin zu
[yee-jur wahng
chyen dzoh]
straight
ahead
yubin
[yoh-byen]
on the right
yun
[yew-ahn]
further

zi nr
[dzai nar]
over there
zizhhu
[dzaijur-hoh]
just after
zubin
[dzwor-byen]
on the left

download these scenarios as MP3s from:

accident
ambulance
consul
embassy
fire brigade
police

shg
jihch
lngsh
dshgun
xiofngdu
jngchj

[shur-goo]
[jyoh-hoo-chur]
[ling-shur]
[da-shur-gwahn]
[hsyow-fahng-dway]
[jing-chah-joo]

help!
a jimng!
[jyoh-ming]
can you help me?
a bngge mng, ho ma?
[bahng-gur mahng, how mah]
please come with me! its really very urgent
a qng gn w li! yu jnj qngkung
[ching gun wor lai! yoh jin-jee ching-kwahng]

Scenarios Chinese

7. Emergencies

Ive lost (my keys)


a w dile (yoshi)
[wor dyoh-lur (yow-shur)]
(my car) is not working
a (wde ch) b gngzule
[(wor-dur chur) boo goong-dzwor-lur]
(my purse) has been stolen
a (wde qinbo) bi tule
[(wor-dur chyen-bow) bay tow-lur]
Ive been mugged
a w bi rn qingle
[wor bay run chyang-lur]
nnde mngzi? b
[nin-dur ming-dzur]
whats your name?
w knkan nnde hzho, ho ma? b
[wor kahn-kahn nin-dur hoo-jow, how mah]
I need to see your passport
Im sorry, all my papers have been stolen
a dubuq, w suyu de wnjin bi tule
[dway-boo-chee, wor swor-yoh dur wun-jyen bay toh-lur]
www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks

19

Scenarios Chinese

8. Friends
hi, howre you doing?
a n ho ma?
[nee how mah]
yeah, fine
a hn ho
[hun how]

w hn ho, n ne? b
[wor hun how, nee nuh]
ok, and you?

not bad
a bcu
[boo-tswor]

dyou know Mark?


a n rnshi Mk ma?
[nee run-shur Mah-kuh mah]
and this is Hannah
a zh sh Hnn
[juh shur Han-nah]

wmen yjng rnshile b


[wor-mun yee-jing run-shur-luh]
yeah, we know each other

where do you know each other from?


a nmen sh znme rnshide?
[nee-mun shur dzen-mur run-shur-dur]
a wmen sh zi Lk ji rnshide
[wor-mun shur dzai loo-kur jyah run-shur-dur]
we met at Lukes place
that was some party, eh?
a nge ynhu bng jle, di budi
[nah-gur yen-hway bang jee-luh, dway boo-dway]
are you guys coming for a beer?
a znmen hji q ba?
[dzahn-mun huh-jyoh chew bah]

sh zuho de b
[shur dzway-how dur]
the best
ho, zu ba b
[how, dzoh bah]
cool, lets go

w bq, w yo q jin Lul b


[wor boo-chew, wor yow chew jyen Lwor-lah]
no, Im meeting Lola
ok, thats cool too
a ho ba
[how bah]
see you at Lukes place tonight
a wnshang zi Lk ji jinmin
[wahn-shahng dzai Loo-kur jyah jyen-myen]
hutu jin b
[hway-toh jyen]
see you

20

download these scenarios as MP3s from:

Im not feeling very well


a w jude b shfu
[wor jew-eh-dur boo shoo-foo]
can you get a doctor?
a qng gi w zho ge yshng
[ching gay wor jow-gur yee-shung]
a nr b shfu?
[nahr boo shoo-foo]
where does it hurt?
a zngsh tng ma?
[dzoong-shur tung mah]
is the pain constant?

it hurts here
zhr tng b
[jur tung]

Scenarios Chinese

9. Health

its not a constant pain


b zngsh tng b
[boo dzoong-shur tung]

can I make an appointment?


a w ky yyu yshng ma?
[wor kur-yee yew-yew-eh yee-shung mah]
can you give me something for ...?
a gi w dinryo, ho ma?
[gay wor dyanryow, how mah]
antibiotics
kngjns
antiseptic ointment kngjn yugo
cystitis
pnggungyn
dentist
yy
diarrhoea
ldzi
doctor
yshng
hospital
yyun
ill
shngbngle
medicine
yo
painkillers
zhtngyo
pharmacy
yofng
to prescribe
ki yofng
thrush
kuchung

www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks

yes, I have insurance


a w yu boxin
[wor yoh bow-hsyen]
[kahng-joon-soo]

[kahng-joon yoh-gow]
[pahng-gwahng-yen]
[yah-yee]
[lah-doo-dzur]

[yee-shung]

[yee-yew-ahn]

[shung-bing-lur]

[yow]

[jur-tung-yow]

[yow-fahng]

[kai yow-fahng]

[ur-koh-chwahng]

21

Scenarios Chinese

10. Language difficulties


a few words
interpreter
to translate

jge z
kutu fny
fny

[jee-gur dzur]

[koh-tow fahn-yee]
[fahn-yee]

nde xnyngk bi jle b


[nee-dur hsin-yoong-kah bay-jew-lur]
your credit card has been refused
what, I dont understand; do you speak English?
a shnme? w b dng: n hu shu yngy ma?
[shun-mur wor boo doong: nee hway shwor ying-yew mah]
xnyngk wxiole b
[hsin-yoong-kah woo-hsyow-lur]
this isnt valid
could you say that again?
a qng zi shu yxi, ho ma?
[ching dzai shwor yee-hsyah, how mah]

slowly
mn dinr b
[mahn dyenr]

I understand very little Chinese


a w zh hu ydinr zhngwn
[wor jur hway yee-dyenr choong-wun]
I speak Chinese very badly
a w zhngwn shude b ho
[wor choong-wun shwor-dur boo how]
n b nng yng zhge k fqin b
[nee boo nung yoong jur-gur kah foo chyen]
you cant use this card to pay
a dngle ma?
[doong-lur mah]
do you understand?

sorry, no
dubuq, w hi sh b mngbai b
[dway-boo-chee, wor hai shur boo ming-bai]

is there someone who speaks English?


a zhr yu rn hu yngwn ma?
[jur yoh run hway ying-wun mah]
oh, now I understand
a ho, w mngbaile
[how wor ming-bai-lur]

22

is that ok now?
a xngle ma?
[hsing-lur mah]

download these scenarios as MP3s from:

hello
a n ho
[nee how]
n ho, w jio Shn, xng Wng b
[nee how, wor jyow Shun, hsing Wahng]
hello, my names Wang Shen
Graham, from England, Thirsk
a w sh ynggurn, w jio Graham, sh Thirsk rn
[wor shur ying-gwor-run, wor jyow Graham, shur Thirsk run]

Scenarios Chinese

11. Meeting people

Thirsk w b zhdao, zi nr? b


[Thirsk wor boo jur-dow, dzai nar]
dont know that, where is it?
not far from York, in the North; and you?
a zi Ynggln bib, l York b yun; n ne?
[dzai Ying-guh-lan bay-boo, lee York boo yewahn; nee nur]
w sh Lndn rn; n sh yge rn li de ma? b
[wor shur Lun-dun run; nee shur yee-gur run lai duh mah]
Im from London; here by yourself?
no, Im with my wife and two kids
a bsh, w gn w iren h lingge hizi yq lide
[boo-shur, wor gun wor ai-run huh lyang-gur hai-dzur yee-chee lai-dur]
what do you do?
a n zu shnme gngzu?
[nee dzwor shun-mur goong-dzwor]

a w sh go dinnode
[wor shur gow dyen-nao-dur]
Im in computers

me too
a w y sh
[wor yeh shur]
heres my wife now
a zh sh w aren
[jur shur wor ai-run]
hn goxng rnshi nn b
[hun gow-hsing run-shur nin]
nice to meet you

www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks

23

Scenarios Chinese

12. Post offices


airmail
post card
post office
stamp

[hahng-kung]
[ming-hsin-pyen]
[yoh-jew]
[yoh-pyow]

hngkng
mngxnpin
yuj
yupio

what time does the post office close?


a yuj jdin gunmn?
[yoh-jew jee-dyen gwahn-mun]

a gngzur wdin
[gung-dzow-rur woo-dyen]
five oclock weekdays

is the post office open on Saturdays?


a yuj xngqli kimn ma?
[yoh-jew hsing-chee-lyow kai-mun mah]

zhdo zhngw b
[jur dow joong-woo]
until midday

Id like to send this registered to England


a w yo wng ynggu j guhoxn
[wor yow wahng ying-gwor jee gwah-how-hsin]
mi wnt, guhoxn sh yun b
[may wun-tee, gwah-how-hsin shur yew-ahn]
certainly, that will cost 10 yuan
and also two stamps for England, please
a hi yo ling zhng do ynggu de yupio
[hai yow lyang-jahng dow ying-gwor dur yoh-pyow]
do you have some airmail stickers?
a yu hngkng yujin bioqin ma?
[yoh hahng-kung yoh-jyen byow-chyen mah]
do you have any mail for me?
a yu wde xn ma?
[yoh wor-dur hsin mah]






24

guj
xn
guni
bogu
dilng yujin

international
letters
domestic
parcels

poste restante
download these scenarios as MP3s from:

bill
table

zhngdn [jahng-dan]
zhuzi
[jwor-dzur]

menu

cidn [tsai-dan]

can we have a non-smoking table?


a wmen yo b chuynde zhuzi, ky ma?
[wor-mun yow boo choh-yen-dur jwor-dzur, kur-yee mah]
there are two of us
a wmen lingge rn
[wor-mun
lyang-gur run]

there are four of us


a ygng sgern
[yee-gung sur-gur run]

whats this?
a zh sh shnme?
[jur shur shun-mur]

Scenarios Chinese

13. Restaurants

y zhng y b
[yee joong yew]
its a type of fish
sh bnd tchn b
[shur bun-dee tur-chahn]
its a local speciality
qng jnli knkan b
[ching jin-lai kahn-kahn]
come inside and Ill show you

we would like two of these, one of these, and one of those


a zhge lingge, zhge yge, nge yge
[jur-gur lyang-gur, jur-gur yee-gur, nah-gur yee-gur]
a h dinr shnme?
[hur dyenr shun-mur]
and to drink?

red wine
a hng ptaji
[hung poo-tow-jyoh]

white wine
a bi ptaji
[bai poo-tow-jyoh]

a beer and two orange juices


a ybe pji, ling bi jzizh
[yee-bay pee-jyoh, lyang bay jew-dzur-jur]
some more bread please
a qng zi li xi minbo
[ching dzai lai hsyeh myen-bow]
a chde ho ma?
[chur-dur how mah]
how was your meal?
a hi yo shnme ma?
[hai yow shun-mur mah]
anything else?
www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks

excellent!, very nice!


a hn ho! bcu!
[hun how boo-tswor]
just the bill thanks
a wmen f zhngdn, ho ma?
[wor-mun foo jahng-dan, how mah]

25

Scenarios Chinese

14. Shopping
mi dinr shnme? b
[mai dyenr shun-mur]
can I help you?
can I just have a look around?
a w knkan, ky ma?
[wor kahn-kahn, kur-yee mah]
how much is this?
a dusho qin?
[dwor-show chyen]

yes, Im looking for ...


a w xing mi
[wor hsyang mai]
snsh r yun b
[san-shur ur yew-ahn]
thirty-two yuan

OK, I think Ill have to leave it; its a little too expensive for me
a w byo, yu dinr ti gu
[wor boo-yow, yoh dyenr tai gway]
zhge znme yng? b
[jur-gur dzun-mur yang]
how about this?
can I pay by credit card?
a shu xnyngk ma?
[shoh hsin-yoong-kah mah]
its too big
a ti dle
[tai dah-lur]

its too small


a ti xiole
[tai hsyow-lur]

its for my son hes about this high


a gi w rzi mide t zhme go
[gay wor ur-dzur mai-dur, tah jur-mur gow]
a hi yo bide ma?
thats all thanks
[hai yow byeh-dur mah]
a byole, xixie
will there be anything else?
[boo-yow-lur, hsyeh-hsyeh]
make it twenty yuan and Ill take it
a w zh xing f rsh yun, ky ma?
[wor jur hsyang foo ur-shur yew-ahn, kur-yee mah]
fine, Ill take it
a xng
[hsing]
d jinji
fkunti
gunmn
hun
kimn

26

[dah-jyen-jyah]
[foo kwahn-tai]
[gwahn-mun]
[hwahn]
[kai-mun]

sale
cash desk
closed
to exchange
open

download these scenarios as MP3s from:

art gallery
bus tour
city centre
closed
guide
museum
open

mishgun
[may-shoo-gwahn]
zu d bsh lyu [dzwor dah bah-shur lyew-yoh]
sh zhngxn
[shur joong-hsin]
gunmn
[gwahn-mun]
doyu
[dow-yoh]
bwgun
[bor-woo-gwahn]
kimn
[kai-mun]

Scenarios Chinese

15. Sightseeing

Im interested in seeing the old town


a w du cngun lochng yu xngq
[wor dway tsan-gwahn low-chung yoh hsing-chew]
are there guided tours?
a yu doyu tun ma?
[yoh dow-yoh twahn mah]

dubuq, du dngmnle b
[dway-boo-chee, doh ding-mahn-lur]
Im sorry, its fully booked

how much would you charge to drive us around for four hours?
a wmen zu nde ch sge xioshi, dusho qin?
[wor-mun, dzwor nee-dur chur sur-gur hsyow-shur dwor-show chyen]
can we book tickets for the concert here?
a wmen ky zi zhr dng ynyuhu de pio ma?
[wor-mun kur-yee dzai jur ding yin-yew-eh-hway dur pyow mah]
a ky, qngwn, nnde mngzi?
[kur-yee, ching-wun, nin-dur ming-dzur]
yes, in what name?
where do we get the tickets?
a zi nr q pio?
[dzai nahr chew pyow]
is it open on Sundays?
a xngqian kimn ma?
[hsing-chee tyen kai-mun mah]

shnme xnyngk? b
[shun-mur hsin-yoong-kah]
which credit card?

ji zi rku (q pio) b
[jyoh dzai roo-koh (chew pyow)]
just pick them up at the entrance
how much is it to get in?
a mnpio dusho qin?
[mun-pyow dwor-show chyen]

are there reductions for groups of 6?


a ligern yq yu miyou yuhu?
[lyoh-gur-run yee-chee yoh may-yoh yoh-hway]
that was really impressive!
a zhn sh hojle!
[jun shur how-jee-lur]
www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks

27

Scenarios Chinese

16. Trains
to change trains
platform
return
single
station
stop
ticket

hun huch
zhnti
wngfnpio
dnchngpio
huchzhn
tngch
huchpio

[hwahn hwor-chur]
[jahn-tai]
[wahng-fahn-pyow]
[dahn-chung-pyow]
[hwor-chur-jahn]
[ting-chur]
[hwor-chur-pyow]

how much is ...?


a dusho qin?
[dwor-show chyen]
a single, second class to ...
a yzhng dnchngpio, rdng chxing, do
[yee-jahng, dhan-chur-pyow, ur-dung chur-hsyang, dow]
two returns, second class to ...
a lingzhng wngfnpio, rdng chxing, do
[lyang-jahng, wahng-fahn-pyow, ur-dung chur-hsyang, dow]
for today
a jntinde
[jin-tyen-dur]

for tomorrow
a mngtinde
[ming-tyen-dur]

for next Tuesday


a xi xngqrde
[hsyah hsing-chee-ur-dur]

tkui jishu b
[tur-kway jyah-shoh]
theres a supplement for the express
n yo dng zuwi ma? b
[nee yow ding dzwor-way mah]
do you want to make a seat reservation?
n di zi Shnghi hunch b
[nee day dzai Shahng-hai hwahn-chur]
you have to change at Shanghai
is this seat free?
a zhge zu yurn zu ma?
[jur-gur dzwor yow-run dzwor mah]
excuse me, which station are we at?
a qngwn, zhsh shnme zhn?
[ching-wun, jur shur shun-mur jahn]
is this where I change for Suzhou?
a sh zi zhr hun do Szhu de huch ma?
[shur dzai jur hwahn dow Soo-joh dur hwor-chur mah]

28

English

Chinese

a, an*
about: about 20r sh zuyu
[dzwor-yoh]

#$%^

its about 5 oclock wdin

(zhng) zuyu
&*()_

a film about China guny

Zhnggu de dinyng

my back aches w
hubi tng [wor
hoh-bay]

qwet
acrobatics zj [dzah-jee]
yu

across: across the road zi


ml duminr [dzai mah-loo
dway-myenr]

iop[]A
acupuncture zhnji [junjyoh]

[gwahn-yew dur dyen-ying]

SD

shahng]

FGHJ
address dzh [dee-jur]
KL

+|`1234
above* (zi)... shng [(dzai)...

adapter duyng chtu


[dwor-yoong chah-toh]

whats your address? nn zh


nr? [joo]

=\

:"asd
address book tngxnl

QW

~!@

ER

admission charge: how much


is the admission charge?

[yow-myen]

accept jishu [jyeh-shoh]


accident shg [shur-goo]
theres been an accident

chle ge shg
[choo-lur gur]

TYUIO
accurate zhnqu
[jun-chew-eh]

P{
ache tng [tung]
}

[toong-hsyewn-loo]

ABCDEFGHIJKLAd

5 ... 9
abroad guwi [gwor-wai]
0absorbent cotton yomin

English Chinese

rchng fi sh dushao qin?

[roo-chahng fay shur dwor-show


chyen]

#$%^&*()
adult drn [dah-run]
_+
advance: in advance tqin
[tee-chyen]
|`

31

English Chinese

aeroplane fij [fay-jee]


12
after yhu [yee-hoh]
34
after you n xin q ba [nee
hsyen chew bah]
5678
after lunch wfn hu
[woo-fahn]
-=Q
afternoon xiw
[hsyah-woo]
WE
in the afternoon xiw

RT

this afternoon
[jin-tyen]

jntin xiw

ABCDEFGHIJKLAe

YUIO
aftershave xhushu [hsyewhoh-shway]

P{}

afterwards yhu [yee-hoh]

qw
again zi [dzai]
e
age ninj [nyen-jee]
rt
ago: a week ago yge xngq
yqin [yee-gur hsing-chee yeechyen]
yuiop[
an hour ago yge xiosh
yqin [hsyow-shur]

]ASDFG
agree: I agree w tngy [wor
32

toong-yee]

~!@
AIDS izbng [ai-dzur-bing]
#$%
air kngq [koong-chee]
^&
by air zu fej [dzwor fay-jee]
*()
air-conditioning kngtio
[koong-tyow]

_+

airmail: by airmail
hngkng(xn) [hahng-koong(hsin)]

|`1

airmail envelope hngkng


xnfng [hsin-fung]

2345
airplane fij [fay-jee]
67
airport fijchng [chahng]
890
to the airport, please qng di
w do fijchng [ching dai
wor dow]

-=\QWER
airport bus jchng bnch
[jee-chahng bahn-chur]

YUIO

alarm clock nozhng [nowjoong]

P{

alcohol (drink) ji [jyoh]

all: all of it qunb [chew-ahn-

thats all, thanks gule, xixie


[goh-lur hsyeh-hsyeh]

erty

allergic: Im allergic to... w


du... gumn [wor dway...
gwor-min]

ui ... ]A

allowed: is it allowed? zh
ynxma? [jur yun-hsyew
mah]

SDFGH
all right ho [how]
J
Im all right w mi shr [wor
may shur]

are you all right? n mi shr


ba? [nee may-shur bah]

asdfgh
(greeting) n ho ma? [nee how]
jkl;
almost chbudu [chah-boodwor]

'ZX
alone yge rn [yee-gur run]
CVB
already yjing
NM
also y [yur]
<
although surn [sway-rahn]
>?
altogether ygng

always zng [dzoong]

am*: I am sh [shur]

a.m.: at seven a.m. shngw


q din [chee dyen]

$%^&
amazing (surprising) mi
xingdo [may hsyang-dow]
*()
(very good) liobq [lyow-boochee]

_+|

ambulance jihch [jyoh-hoochur]

`12

call an ambulance! (kui) jio


jihch! [(kwai) jyow]

3456789
America Migu [may-gwor]
0American (adj) Migu
=\
Im American w sh Migu
rn [wor shur run]
QWERT
among zi... zh zhng [dzai...

ABCDEFGHIJKLAm

KL:"

[yee-goong]

~!

English Chinese

boo]

qw

jur joong]

Y ... P{

amp: a 13-amp fuse shsn


npi de boxins [shur-sahn
ahn-pay dur bow-hsyen-sur]

}qwertyu

33

English Chinese

and h [hur]

angry shngq [shung-chee]

op

animal dngw [doong-woo]

[]
ankle jiobzi [jyow-bor-dzur]
ASD
annoying: how annoying! zhn
toyn! [jun tow-yahn]
FGH
another (different) lng yge
[yee-gur]

JKL
(one more) yu yge [yoh]
:"a
can we have another room?

ABCDEFGHIJKLAn

w xing hun lngwi yge


fngjin [wor hsyang hwahn lingwai]

sdfghjkl;
another beer, please qng zi
li y bi pji [ching dzai lai yee]
'ZXCVBN
antibiotics kngjns [kahngjyewn-soo]

M<>

antique: is it a genuine
antique? sh zhn gdng
ma? [shur jurn goo-doong mah]

~!@#$%
antique shop wnw
shngdin [wun-woo shahngdyen]

^&*(
34

antiseptic fngfj [fahng-foojee]

)_+

any: do you have any...? n


yu ... ma? [nee yoh ... mah]

|` ... 45

sorry, I dont have any


dubuq, w miyu [dwayboo-chur wor may-yoh]

67890anybody shi [shay]


=

does anybody speak English?


shi hu shu Yngy? [hway
shwor ying-yoo]

\QWERT

there wasnt anybody there

zinr shnme rn du
miyou [zai-nar shun-mur run doh
may-yoh]

YUIOP{}qw
anything shnme [shun-mur]
er
dialogues
anything else? hi yo
shnme? [hai yow]
nothing else, thanks b
yo, xixie [hsyeh-hsyeh]
would you like anything
to drink? n yo h dinr
shnme? [hur dyenr]
I dont want anything,

apart from chle... ywi


[choo-lur]

Im afraid thats not


possible, is four oclock all
right? dubq sn din b

ty ... p[
apartment dnyun [dahn-

xng, s din (zhng) xng


ma? [dway-boo-chee hsing

yew-ahn]

]A

aperitif kiwiji [kai-way-jyoh]

SDF

appendicitis lnwiyn [lahnway-yen]

GHJ

appetizer lngpnr [lungpahnr]

hway]

sd

mah]
yes, that will be fine xng,
ky [kur-yee]
the name was? nn gu
xng? [gway]

apricot xngzi [hsing-dzur]

~!
April syu [sur-yew-eh]
@#
are*: we are wmen sh [wormun shur]

nng bng shnme mng


ma? [dzow wor nung bahng

$%^
you are (sing) n sh
&*
(pl) nmen sh [nee-mun]
()_
they are tmen sh [tah-mun]
+|`
area (measurement) minj

shun-mur mahng mah]


Id like to make an
appointment w xing
dng ge yehi [hsyang
ding gur]
what time would you like?

12
(region) dq [dee-chew]
34
arm gbo [gur-bor]
56

dialogue
good morning, how can
I help you? nn zo, w

ABCDEFGHIJKLAr

KL:
apple pnggu [ping-gwor]
"a
appointment yuhu [yew-eh-

English Chinese

nn xing yu shnme
shjian[yew-eh]
three oclock sn din
(zhng) [dyen (joong)]

thanks w shnme du b
yo, xixie [wor doh]

[myen-jee]

35

English Chinese

army jndu [chewn-dway]


SD
arrange: will you arrange it for
us? n nng t wmen npi
y xi ma? [nung tee wor-mun
ahn-pai yee hsyah mah]

7890-=\QW
ER
arrive do [dow]
T
when do we arrive? wmen
shnme shhou dod? [wor-

mun shun-mur shur-hoh dow-dah]

YUIOP{}qw
has my fax arrived yet? w
gi n f de chunzhn dole
ma? [wor gay nee fah dur chwahn-

ABCDEFGHIJKLAr

jun dow-lur mah]

ertyuiop[]A
we arrived today wmen
jntin gng do [jin-tyen
gahng]

SDFGHJ
art ysh [yee-shoo]
KL
art gallery mishgun [mayshoo-gwahn]

:"a

as: as big as... gn ... yyng


d [gun ... yee-yang dah]

s ... hjk

as soon as possible jnkui


[jin-kwai]

l;

ashtray ynhu gng [yahn-hway

36

gahng]

'ZX
ask (someone to do something)
qng [ching]
~
(a question) wn [wun]
!
could you ask him to...? n
nng b nng qng t ...?
[nung tah]

@#$%^& ..._
asleep: shes asleep t
shuzhole [tah shway-jow-lur]
+|`1
aspirin spln [ah-sur-pee-lin]
2345
asthma qchun [chee-chwahn]
67
at*: at my hotel zi w zh de
fndin [dzai wor joo dur]
890-=\
at the railway station zi
huch zhn
QWER
at six oclock lidin zhng
[lyoh-dyen joong]

TYU

at Li Zhens zi L Zhn ji
[jyah]

IOP{
ATM zdng qkunj [dzurdoong chew-kwahn-jee]

}qwer
attendant (on train)
chngwyun [chung-woo-

[yee-mah]

FG

Australia odly [or-dahlee-yah]

doong]

;'

autumn qitian [chyoh-tyen]

ZX

in the autumn qitian

CV

average (ordinary) ybn [yeebahn]

BN

on average pngjn [pingjyewn]

M<

~!@#$

away: is it far away? yun ma?


[yew-ahn]

%^&
awful zogale [dzow-gow-lur]
*()

B
baby yngr [ying-er]

_+

baby food yngr shw [shurwoo]

|`12

babys bottle nipng

34

baby-sitter lnsh kn
xiohir de [lin-shur kahn hsyowhair dur]

567890back hu [hoh]
=
(of body) hubi [bay]
\Q
at the back zi humian [dzai

ABCDEFGHIJKLBa

HJKL
Australian (adj) odly
:"as
Im Australian w sh
odly rn [wor shur run]
dfghjkl
automatic (adj) zdng [dzur-

awake: is he awake? t xngle


ma? [tah hsing-lur mah]

English Chinese

yew-ahn]

tyu
August byu [bah-yew-eh]
io
aunt (fathers sister, unmarried)
ggu
p[
(fathers sister, married) gm
]A
(mothers sister, unmarried) ym
SD
(mothers sister, married) ym

hoh-myen]

WER

can I have my money back?

qng ba qin hun gi w ba


[ching bah chyen hwahn gay wor
bah]

TYUIOP{

37

English Chinese

to come back hulai [hway]

}q

to go back huqu [chew]

we

backache bitng [baytoong]

rt
bad hui [hwai]
y

a bad headache tu tng de


lhai [toh tung dur lur-hai]

uiop[
bag dizi [dai-dzur]
~A
(handbag) shutbo [shoh-teebow]

ABCDEFGHIJKLBa

SDF
(suitcase) shutxing [shoh-teehsyang]

ahn-joo-bee]

$%^
bamboo zhzi [joo-dzur]
&*
bamboo shoots zhsn [joosun]

()

banana xingjio
[hsyang-jyow]

_+
band (musical) yudu [yew-ehdway]

GHJ

|`

KL

12

baggage xngli [hsing-lee]


baggage check (US) xngli
jcnch [jee-tsun-choo]

:"asd

baggage claim xngli tqch


[tee-chew-choo]

fghjk
bakery minbodin [myenbow-dyen]

l;'
balcony yngti
ZX

a room with a balcony di


yngti de fngjin [dur fahng-

38

jyen]

CVBNM<
ball qi [chyoh]
~
ballet bliw [bah-lay-woo]
!@#
ballpoint pen yunzhb [yew-

bandage bngdi [bung-dai]


Bandaid xingp go [hsyangpee gow]

345
bank (money) ynhng [yinhahng]

67

bank account zhngh [jahnghoo]

89

banquet ynhu [yen-hway]

0bar jibjin [jyoh-bah-jyen]


=\Q

lee]

WERTYU
barbers lfdin [lee-fah-dyen]
IOP
dialogue

basket kung [kwahng]

bath xzo [hshee-dzow]

!@

can I have a bath? w nng


x ge zo ma? [wor nung hshee
gur dzow mah]

#$%^&*(
bathroom ysh [yew-shur]
)_

+|`1234
bath towel yjn [yew-jin]
56
bathtub zopn [dzow-pun]
78
battery dinch [dyen-chur]
90
bay hiwn [hai-wahn]
-=
be* sh [shur]
\
beach hitn [hai-tahn]
QW
on the beach zi hitnshang
[dzai shahng]

ERTY
bean curd dufu [doh-foo]
UI
beans du [doh]
O
French beans sjdu [sur-jeedoh]

P{}

ABCDEFGHIJKLBe

how much is this? zhi ge


dushao qin? [jay gur dworshow chyen]
30 yuan sn sh kui qin
[kwai chyen]
thats too expensive, how
about 20? ti gu le, r sh
kui, znme yng? [gway lur
dzun-mur]
Ill let you have it for 25 r
sh w kui ba [bah]
can you reduce it a bit
more? zi jin y dinr ba
[dzai jyen yee dyenr]
OK, its a deal ho ba [how]

with a private bathroom di


xzojin de fngjin [dai
hshee-dzow-jyen dur fahng-jyen]

English Chinese

a bar of chocolate y kuir


qiokl [yee kwair chyow-kur-

broad beans cndu [tsahndoh]

qw

string beans jingdu [jyangdoh]

er

soya beans hungdu


[hwahng-doh]

ty

39

English Chinese

bean sprouts du yr

uio
beard hzi [hoo-dzur]
p[
beautiful (object) mil
[may-lee]

~!
(woman) pioliang
[pyow-lyang]

@#
(view, city, building) mi
$
(day, weather) ho [how]
%
because ynwi [yin-way]
^&
because of... yuy ... [yoh-

ABCDEFGHIJKLBe
40

yew]

*(
bed chung [chwahng]
)

Im going to bed now w


yo shu le [wor yow shway
lur]

_+|`
bedroom wsh [wor-shur]
12
beef niru [nyoh-roh]
34
beer pji [pee-jyoh]
56
two beers, please qng li
ling bi pji [ching]
7890-=
before: before... ... yqin

[yee-chyen]

... ER
begin kish [kai-shur]
TY

when does it begin? shnme


shhou kish? [shun-mur shurhoh]

UIOP{}q
beginner chxuzh [choo-yeweh-jur]

wer
behind zi... humian [dzai...
hoh-myen]

~ ... $%
behind me zi w humian
[wor]

^&*(
believe xingxn [hsyang-hsin]
)_
below* zi... ximian [dzai...
hsyah-myen]

+ ... 23
(less than) zi... yxi [yeehsyah]

4 ... 89
belt yodi [yow-dai]
0bend (in road) lwnr [loowahnr]

=\Q
berth (on train) wp [wor-poo]
WE
beside: beside the... zi...
pngbin [dzai... pahng-byen]
R ... IO

P{

better: even better gng ho


[gung how]
}q
a bit better ho y dinr
[dyenr]

wert

are you feeling better? ho


dinr le ma? [lur mah]

yuiop[
between zi... zh jin [dzai...
jur-jyen]

] ... FG
bicycle zxngch [dzur-hsingchur]

[boo-goh]

$%^
bill zhngdnr [jahng-dahnr]
&*(
(US: money) chopio [chowpyow]

)_
could I have the bill, please?

qng bng w jizhng, ho


ma? [ching bahng wor jyeh-jahng
how mah]

+|`12345
bin lj xing [lah-jee

dyenr]

UIO

a big bit ydkuir [yee-dahkwair]

P{}q

a bit expensive yu din gu

~!@
bite (by insect) yo [yow]
#
bitten by a dog rng gu gi
yoshng le [rahng goh gay yowshahng]

$%^&*(
bitter (taste etc) k
)
black hi [hay]
_
blanket tnzi [tahn-dzur]
+|
blind xi [hsyah]
`
blocked dzhle [doo-joo-lur]
123

ABCDEFGHIJKLBl

HJK
big d [dah]
~
too big ti d le [lur]
!@#
its not big enough bgu d

hsyang]

678
bird nio [nyow]
9
birthday shngr [shung-rur]
0 happy birthday! zh n
shngr kuil! [joo kwai-lur]
=\QWER
biscuit bnggn [bing-gahn]
TY
bit: a little bit ydinr [yee-

English Chinese

best zuho [dzway-how]

41

English Chinese

blond (adj) jnhungs [jinhwahng-sur]

456
blood xi [hsyeh]
7

boiled water kishu [kaishway]

-=\

SD
bone g [goo]
F
book (noun) sh
H
(verb) dng
J

blow-dry: Id like a cut and


blow-dry w xing lf h
chufng [wor hsyang lee-fah hur
chway-fung]

KL:"asdf

high blood pressure go


xuy [gow hsyew-eh-yah]

890
blouse nWchnshn [nyew-chunshahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLBl

QWERTYU
blue lns [lahn-sur]
IO
blue eyes ln ynjing [lahn
yahn-jing]

P{}

boarding pass dngj k [dungjee kah]

qw!
boat chun [chwahn]
r
(for passengers) kchun [kurchwahn]

ty
body shnt [shun-tee]
ui
boiled egg zh jdn [joo jeedahn]

op[

boiled rice mfn

42

[mee-fahn]

]A

can I book a seat? w nng


dng ge zuwei ma? [wor nung
gur dzwor-way mah]

dialogue
Id like to book a table for
two/three w xing dng

ling/sn ge rn y zhu de
wizi [wor hsyang gur run
yee jwor dur way-dszur]
what time would you like it
booked for? nn yo jdin
zhng? [yow jee-dyen joong]
half past seven q din bn
thats fine xng [hsing]
and your name? nn gu
xng? [gway]
bookshop, bookstore shdin
[shoo-dyen]

~!
boot (footwear) xuzi [hsyew-

hsyang]

$%^
border (of country) binji [byenjyeh]

&*
border region binjng
()
bored: Im bored fn s le [fahn
sur-lur]

_+|
boring mi jnr [may]
`12

3456789
I was born in 1960 w sh y
ji li lng ninshng de
0-=\QWERT
borrow ji [jyeh]
Y
may I borrow...? w ky ji
yxia... ma? [wor kur-yee jyeh
yee-hsyah... mah]

UIOP{} ... rt
both lingge du [lyang-gur doh]
yui
bother: sorry to bother you
dubuq djio nn le [dwayboo-chee dah-jyow nin lur]

op[]ASD

FG

a bottle of beer y png pji

HJKL

bottle-opener ki png q [chee]

:"a
bottom dr [deer]
sd
(of person) pgu
fg

at the bottom of the road l


de jntu [loo dur jin-toh]

hjkl
box hzi [hur-dzur]
;'

a box of chocolates y h
qiokl [hur chyow-kur-lee]

ZXCVB
box office shupio ch [shohpyow]

~!@
boy nnhi [nahn-hai]
#$
boyfriend nn pngyou [nahn
pung-yoh]

%^&
bra xingzho [hsyoong-jow]
*(
bracelet shuzhu [shoh-jwor]
)_
brandy bilnd [bai-lahn-dee]
+|`
bread (baked) minbo [myen-

ABCDEFGHIJKLBr

born: I was born in


Manchester w sh zi
Mnchng shng de[wor shur
dzai shung dur]

bottle pngzi [ping-dzur]

English Chinese

eh-dzur]

@#
(of car) xnglixing [hsing-lee-

bow]

12
43

English Chinese

(steamed) mntou [mahn-toh]


34
white bread bi minbo
567
brown bread hi minbo
[hay]

890

wholemeal bread qunmi


minbo [chew-ahn-mai]

-=\Q
break (verb) dp [dah-por]
WE
Ive broken the... w
dple ... [wor dah-por-lur]
RTYU ...

ABCDEFGHIJKLBr

I think Ive broken my ...


wde ... knng huile [wordur ... kur-nung hwai-lur]

{} ... rtyu
breakdown gzhng [goojahng]

io

breakfast zofn [dzow-fahn]

p[

break-in: Ive had a break-in


(in room) wde fngjin rng
rn gi qiole mn le [wor-dur
fahng-jyen rahng run gay chyow-lur
mun lur]

]ASDFGHJKL:
breast xing [hsyoong]
"
breeze wifng [way-fung]
as
bridge (over river) qio
44

[chyow]

brief dun [dwahn]

briefcase gngwnbo [goongwun-bow]

ghj
bright (light etc) mngling
[ming-lyang]

~!

brilliant (idea, person) gomng


[gow-ming]

@#
bring dili
$%

Ill bring it back later w gu


xi shhou dihuli [wor gwor
hsyeh shur-hoh dai-hway-lai]

^&*()_+|
Britain Ynggu [ying-gwor]
`1
British (adj) Ynggu
23
Im British w sh Ynggu
rn [wor shur run]
df23l
brochure shumng sh [shworming]

456
broken (object) ple [por-lur]
78
(leg etc) dunle [dwahn-lur]
90
(not working) huile [hwai-lur]
-=

Buddhism Fjio [for-jyow]

brother xingd
[hsyoong-dee]

Buddhist (adj) Fjiot

\Q

WE
(older) gge [gur-gur]
RT
(younger) ddi
YU
brother-in-law (elder sisters
husband) jif [ jyeh-foo]
IO
(younger sisters husband) mifu
[may-foo]

P{
(wifes elder brother) nixing
[nay-hsyoong]

dee]

we
(husbands elder brother) db
[dah bor]

rt
(husbands younger brother)
xiosh [hsyow-shoo]
yu
brown zngs [dzoong-sur]
io
brush shuzi [shwah-dzur]
p
bucket tng [toong]
[
Buddha F [for]
]

DFG

buffet car cnch


[tsahn-chur]

HJ

building fngzi [fahng-dzur]

KL
(multi-storey) dlu [dah-loh]
:"
bunk: bottom bunk xi p
[hsyah]

~!

middle bunk zhng p [joong]

@#

top bunk shng p [shahng]

$%

bureau de change wi hu

duhun b

[hway dway-hwahn]

^&*()
burglary doqi [dow-chyeh]
_+
Burma Mindin [myen-dyen]
|`
burn (noun) shoshng [show-

ABCDEFGHIJKLBu

}q
(wifes younger brother) nid [nay-

AS

English Chinese

brooch xingzhn [hsyoong-jun]

shahng]

12
(verb) rnsho [rahn-show]
34
burnt: this is burnt (food)
shojaole [show-jyow-lur]
567
bus (public transport) gnggng
45

English Chinese

qch [goong-goong chee-chur]


890 (limited stop) shqch [shurchew-chur]

=\Q
(in suburbs) jioqch [jyowchew-chur]

WER
(long-distance) chngt qch
[chahng-too chee-chur]

TYUI

what number bus is it to...?


do ... q zu j l ch? [dow ...
chew dzwor jee lu chur]

O ... qwerty

when is the next bus to...?

ABCDEFGHIJKLBu

do ... q de xi (y) bn ch
sh jdin? [dow ... chew dur hsyah

(yee) bahn chur shur jee-dyen]

u ... []ASDFGH
JK

sur]

@#

bus station gnggng qch


zngzhn [goong-goong cheechur dzoong-jahn]

$%^&*(
bus stop gnggng qch
zhn [jahn]
)_+|`
busy (road etc) rno [rur-now]
12
(person) hn mng [hun mahng]
34
Im busy tomorrow w
mngtian hn mng [wor mingtyen hun mahng]

[jay lyang chur chew ... mah]


no, you need a number...

56789
but kshi [kur-shur]
0butchers ru din [roh dyen]
=\
butter hungyu [hwahng-yoh]
QW
button niku [nyoh-koh]
ER
buy mi
T
where can I buy...? zi nr
nng mido...? [dzai nar nung

how chur]

YUIOP{ ...e
by: by bus zu gnggng

what time is the last bus?


mbnch sh j din? [morbahn-chur shur jee dyen]

L:"asdf
dialogue

does this bus go to...?

zhi ling ch q ... ma?

b q, n yo zo ... ho
ch [chew nee yow zwor ...

46

business shngyi [shung-yee]


~!
(firm, company) gngs [goong-

mai-dow]

[shur ... sheh dur]

o ... AS
by the window zi chunghu
pngbin [dzai]
DFGHJ
by the sea zi hibin
KL:
by Thursday xngq s zh
qin [jur chyen]
"asdf
bye zijin [dzai-jyen]
gh

cabbage bici [bai-tsai]

jk
cabin (on ship) chuncng
[chwahn-tsahng]

l;
cake dngo [dahn-gow]
'Z
cake shop godindin [gowdyen-dyen]

XCV
call (verb: to phone) d dinhu

^& ...
(surname) t xng ... [hsing]
_+ ...
please call the doctor qng b
yshng jio li [ching bah yeeshung jyow]

234567
please give me a call at 7.30
a.m. tomorrow qng

mngtian zoshng q din


bn gi w d dinhu

[ching ming-tyen dzow-shahng


chee dyen bahn gay wor dah dyenhwah]

890-=\QWE
RTYU
please ask him to call me

qng t d dinhu gi w [tah


dah gay]

IOP{}qw
call back: Ill call back later
(phone back) w gu y hur
zi d li [gwor yee hwayr dzai
dah]

ertyuiop

call round: Ill call round


tomorrow w mngtian li
zho n [jow]

BNM

[]ASDF
camcorder shxingj [shur-

~!@#$%

GHJ
camera zhoxingj [jow-

[dah dyen-hwah]

whats it called? zhige jio


shnme? [jay-gur jyow shun-mur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLCa

he/she is called... (given name)


t jio ... [tah jyow]

English Chinese

qch [dzwor]
rtyui
written by... sh ... xi de

hsyang-jee]

47

English Chinese

hsyang-jee]

ABCDEFGHIJKLCa

KL:
can (noun) guntou [gwahn-toh]
"a
a can of beer y gunr pji
sdfgh
can: can you...? n nng...
ma? [nung... mah]
jk ... ZX
can I have...? qng gi w
...? [ching gay wor]
CVB ...>
I cant... w b nng...
~!@ ...
Canada Jind [jyah-nah-dah]
^&*
Canadian (adj) Jind
()_
Im Canadian w sh
Jindrn [wor shur run]
+|`123
canal ynh [yewn-hur]
45
cancel (reservation etc) tu [tway]
6
candies tnggu [tahng-gwor]
78
candle lzh [lah-joo]
90
can-opener kigun doj
[kai-gwahn dow-joo)

-=\Q
Cantonese (adj) Gungdng
[gwahng-doong]

WE
48

(language) Gungdnghu
[hwah]

RTY
(person) Gungdng rn [run]
UIO
cap (hat) mozi [mow-dzur]
P{
(of bottle) pnggi [ping-gai]
}q
car xio qch [hsyow
chee-chur]

wer
by car zu xio qch
[dzwor]

twyu
card kpin [kah-pyen]
io
heres my (business) card
zhi sh wde mngpin [jay
shur wor-dur ming-pyen]

p[]ASD
Christmas card shngdn k
[shung-dahn kah]

FGH

birthday card shngr k


[shung-rur kah]

JKL

cardphone ck dinhu [tsurkah dyen-hwah]

:"as

careful: be careful! xioxn!


[hsyow-hsin]

fg

car ferry lnd [lun-doo]

hj

kl;
carpet dtn [dee-tahn]
'Z
car rental qch chz [cheechur choo-dzoo]

XCVB
carriage (of train) chxing
[chur-hsyang]

NM

carrot hlubo [hoo-lwor-bor]

~!@
carry n [nah]
#
cash (noun) xinqin [hsyenchyen]

will you cash this for me? n

nng t w hun chng xin


qin ma? [nung tee wor hwahn

chung mah]

^&*()_+|`1
cash desk jiokunch [jyowkwahn-choo]

234

cash dispenser zdng


qkunj [dzur-doong chewkwahn-jee]

56789
cassette cdi [tsur-dai]
0cassette recorder lynj [looyin-jee]

=\Q

WE

casualty department jjish


[jee-jyoh-shur]

RTY
cat mo [mow]
U
catch (verb) zhu [jwah]
I

where do we catch the bus


to...? q... zi nr shng
ch? [chew... dzai chur]

O ... qwerty
cathedral d jiotng [dah
jyow-tahng]

uio
Catholic (adj) tinzhjio [tyenjoo-jyow]

p[]

cauliflower cihu [tsai-hwah]

AS
cave shndng [shahn-doong]
DF
(dwelling) yodng
[yow-doong]

GH

ABCDEFGHIJKLCe

$%

castle chngbo [chung-bow]

English Chinese

car park tngchchng [tingchur-chahng]

cemetery md

JK

centigrade shsh [shur-shur]

L:

centimetre lm [lee-mee]

"a

central zhngyng
[joong-yang]

sd

49

English Chinese

central heating nunq [nwahnchee]

fg

centre zhngxn [joong-hsin]

hj

how do we get to the city


centre? q sh zhngxn
znme zu? [chew shur joonghsin dzun-mur dzoh]

kl;'ZXCV
certainly dngrn [dahn-grahn]
BN
certainly not dngrn b
~!@
chair yzi [yee-dzur]
#$
Chairman Mao Mo zhx

ABCDEFGHIJKLCe

[mow jyew-hshee]

%^&
change (noun: money) lngqin
[ling-chyen]

*(
(verb: money) duhun [dwayhwahn]

)_

can I change this for...? nn

nng bng w duhun chng


... ma? [nung bahng wor dway-

YUIOP{}qw
dialogue

do we have to change
(trains)? zhngt yo hun
ch ma? [joong-too yow hwahn
chur mah]
yes, change at Hangzhou

yo zi Hngzhu hun
ch [yow dzai]
no, its a direct train b
yng hun ch, zh sh
zhdch [yoong jur shur jurdah-chur]

changed: to get changed hun


yfu [hwahn yee-foo]

ert

character (in Chinese writing) z


[dzur]

charge (noun) shufi [shoh-fay]

ui

hwahn chung ... mah]

cheap pinyi [pyen-yee]

[wor yee-dyenr ling-chyen yur may


yoh]

do you have anything


cheaper? yu pinyi dinr
de ma? [yoh pyen-yee dyenr dur
mah]

+|`1234 ... 89
I dont have any change w
ydinr lngqin y mi yu
0-=\QWERT
50

can you give me change for


a hundred-yuan note? y bi
kui nn zhodeki ma? [kwai
nin jow-dur-kai mah]

op

[]ASDFGH

chah yee-syah how mah]

JKL:"asdf
gh
check (US: bill) zhngdnr
[jahng-dahnr]

jkl
check in dngj [ dung-jee]
;'
where do we have to check
in? wmen ya zi nr
dngj? [wor-men yow dzai nar ]

ZXCVBN;<>
cheerio! zijin! [dzai-jyen]
~!
cheers! (toast) gnbi! [gahnbay]

@#

cheese nilo [nai-low]

$%

chemists yofng [yowfahng]

^&

cherry yngtao [ying-tow]

*(

chess guj xingq [gwor-jee


hsyang-chee]

)_+|

to play chess xi q [hsyah


chee]

`1

Chinese chess xingq

[chah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLCh

zhngdn jinch yxi, ho


ma? [ching bah jahng-dahn jyen-

[hsyang-chee]

English Chinese

check: could you check


thebill, please? qng ba

23
chest (body) xing [hsyoong]
4
chicken (meat) jru [jee-roh]
56
child hizi [hai-dzur]
78
child minder bom [bow-moo]
90
chin xiba [hsyah-bah]
-=
china cq [tsur-chee]
\Q
China Zhnggu [joong-gwor]
WE
China tea Zhngguo ch
RTY
Chinese (adj) Zhnggu [joonggwor]

UI
(person) Zhnggu rn [run]
OP{
(spoken language) Hny [hahnyew]

}q
(written language) Zhngwn
[joong-wun]

we

the Chinese Zhnggu


rnmn [run-min]

rtyu

Chinese leaf bici [bai-tsai]

io

51

English Chinese

Chinese-style Zhngsh [joongshur]

p[
chips zh tdu tio [jah toodoh tyow]

]ASD
(US) (zh) tdupinr [too-dohpyenr]

~!@#$%^
chocolate qiokl [chyowkur-lee]

&*(

milk chocolate niyu


qiokl [nai-yoh]

)_+|`

plain chocolate chn

ABCDEFGHIJKLCh

qiokl
1234

a hot chocolate y bi r
qiokl (ynlio) [bay rur (yinlyow)]

567890-=\Q
choose xun [hsyew-ahn]
W
chopsticks kuizi [kwai-dzur]
ER
Christmas Shngdn ji [shungdahn jyeh]

TYU

Christmas Eve

Shngdnqiny [chyen-yur]
IOP{
Merry Christmas! Shngdn
kuil! [kwai-lur]
}qwe

52

church jiotng [jyow-tahng]

rt
cigar xuji [hsyew-eh-jyah]
yu
cigarette xingyn [hsyang-yen]
io
cinema dinyng yun [dyenying yew-ahn]

p[]
circle yunqun [ywahn-kwahn]
AS
(in theatre) lutng [loh-ting]
DF
city chngsh [chung-shur]
GH
city centre sh zhngxn [shur
joong-hsin]

JKL
clean (adj) gnjng [gahn-jing]
:"
can you clean these for me?

n nng t w xyix, ma?

[nung tee wor hshee-yee-hshee


mah]

asdfghjl;
clear (water) qngch [chingchur]

~!
(speech, writing) qngx [chinghshee]

@#
(obvious) mngxin [hsyen]
$%
clever cngming [tsoong-ming]
^&

*(

climbing pshn [pah-shahn]

)_
clinic zhnsu [jun-swor]
+|
cloakroom ymojin [yeemow-jyen]

`12
clock zhng [joong]
3
close (verb) gun [gwahn]
4
dialogue
what time do you close?

567
cloth (fabric) blio [bool-yow]
89
(for cleaning etc) mb [mah-boo]
0clothes yfu [yee-foo]
=\
clothes line shiyshng [shaiyee-shung]

QWE

clothes peg yfu jizi [yee-foo


jyah-dzur]

RTYU
cloudy duyn [dwor-yewn]
IO
coach (bus) chngt qch
[chahng-too chee-chur]

mur shur-hoh mun]


we close at 8 p.m. on
weekdays and 6 p.m. on
Saturdays zhur xiw b

P{}q
(tourist bus) lWyu ch [lyew-yoh

hoh mah]
yes, between 1 and
3.30 p.m. sh de, cng y

uiop[
coach trip zu chngt qch
lWxng [dzwor chahng-too chee-

dow yur]

~!@#$%^
coast hibn
&*

din, xngq li xiw li


din [joh-rur]
do you close for lunch? ch
wfn de shhou gun mn
ma? [chur woo-fahn dur shur-

din do sn din bn y
gun mn [shur dur tsoong

chur]

wer
(on train) kch [kur-chur]
ty
coach station chngt
qchzhn [chang-too chee-

ABCDEFGHIJKLCo

nmen shnme shhou


gun mn? [nee-mun shun-

closed gunmnle [gwahnmun-lur]

English Chinese

cliff xuny [hsyew-ahn-yah]

chur-jahn]

chur lyew-hsing]

53

English Chinese

coat (long coat) dy [dah-yee]

()

coathanger yji [yee-jyah]

_+

cockroach zhnglng [jahnglahng]

|`
code (for phoning) dinhu
qho [dyen-hwah chew-how]
1234

whats the (dialling) code for


Beijing? Bijng de dinhu
qho sh dushao? [dur shur
dwor-show]

ABCDEFGHIJKLCo

567890-=\
QW
coffee kfi [kah-fay]
ER
two coffees, please qng li
ling bi kfi [ching]
TYUIOP
coin yngb [ying-bee]
{}
Coke Kkukl [kur-kohkur-lur]

qwer
cold lng [lung]
t
Im cold w jude hn
lng [wor jyew-eh-dur hun lung]
yuiop
I have a cold w gnmo le
[gahn-mow lur]

[]AS

collapse: hes collapsed t

54

kule [tah kwah-lur]


DFG
collar ylng
HJ
collect q... [chew]
K

Ive come to collect... w li


q... [wor]

L:"

collect call dufng fkun


[dway-fahng foo-kwahn]

asdf
college xuyun [hsyew-ehyew-ahn]

~!

colour yns [yahn-sur]

@#

do you have this in other


colours? yu bide yns de
ma? [yoh byeh-dur dur mah]

$%^&*()
colour film cis jiojunr [tsaisur jyow-jyew-ahnr]

_+|`1
comb shzi [shoo-dzur]
23
come li
4
dialogue
where do you come from?

n sh cng nr lide? [shur


tsoong nar lai-dur]
I come from Edinburgh

come back hulai [hway-lai]

56

Ill come back tomorrow w


mngtin hulai [ming-tyen]

7890come in qng jn [ching jin]


=\
comfortable shfu [shoo-foo]
QW
communism gngchnzhy
[goong-chahn-joo-yee]

ERTY

complaint boyun [bow-yewahn]

AS

I have a complaint to make


w xing t y ge yjin [wor
hsyang tee yee gur yee-jyen]

DFGHJKL
completely wnwnqunqun
[wahn-wahn-chahn-chahn]

:"as
computer dinno [dyen-now]
df
concert ynyuhu [yin-yeweh-hway]

ghj

concussion nozhndng
[now-jun-dahng]

Communist Party member

conditioner (for hair) hfs


[hoo-fah-soo]

gngchndngyun

[dahng-yew-ahn]

P{}q

compact disc jgung


chngpin [jee-gwahng chahngpyen]

wert
company (business) gngs
[goong-sur]

yu

compass zhnnzhn [jurnahn-jun]

iop

complain mnyun [mahnyew-ahn]

[]

~!@

#$%
condom bynto [bee-yewntow]

^&*

conference huy [hway-yee]

()

ABCDEFGHIJKLCo

Communist Party
Gngchndng [dahng]

UIO

English Chinese

w sh cng idngbo li
de [wor]

congratulations! gngx!
gngx! [goong-hshee]

_+|`

connecting flight xinji de


bnj [hsyen-jyeh dur bahn-jee]

12345
connection (in travelling) linyn
[lyen-yewn]

67

55

English Chinese

(rail) zhngzhun [joong-jwahn]


89
constipation binb [byen-bee]
0consulate lngshgun [lingshur-gwahn]

=\Q
contact (verb) linxi [lyenhshee]

corridor zulng [dzoh-lahng]

JK

cosmetics huzhungpn
[hwah-jwahng-pin]

L:"
cost (noun) jiqin
[jyah-chyen]

WE

as

RTYU

how much does it cost?


dushao qin? [dwor-show
chyen]

contact lenses ynxng


ynjng [yin-hsing yahn-jing]
contraceptive byn yngpn
[bee-yewn yoong-pin]

IOP{
convenient fngbin [fahng-

ABCDEFGHIJKLCo

byen]

dfgh
cotton minhu [myen-hwah]
~!
cotton wool yomin [yowmyen]

}q

@#

fngbin
wer
cooker lzo [loo-dzow]
ty
cookie xio bnggn [hsyow

$%

thats not convenient b

bing-gahn]

uio
cool lingkuai [lyang-kwai]
p[
corner: on the corner jijior
[jyeh-jyowr]

couchette wp [wor-poo]
cough ksou [kur-soh]

^&

cough medicine zhk yo [jurkur yow]

*()

could: could you...? nn


kyi... ma? [kur-yee... mah]

_+| ... 34
I couldnt... w b nng ...
[wor boo nung]

]AS

567
country (nation) guji [gwor-

DFG

89

in the corner qingjior


[chyang-jyowr]

56

correct (right) du [dway]

jyah]

tsun]

0-

couple (two people) ff


[foo-foo]

=\

a couple of... lingge...


[lyang-gur]

QW ...
courier xnsh [hsin-shur]
YU
course: of course dngrn
[dahn-grahn]

IO

of course not dngrn b

gur]

qw
(younger than speaker) biod
er
(son of fathers brother: older than
speaker) tngxing [tahnghsyoong]

ty
(younger than speaker) tngd
ui
(daughter of mothers brother: older
than speaker) bioji [byow-jyeh]
op
(younger than speaker) biomi
[byow-may]

[]
(daughter of fathers brother: older

[tahng-may]

DF
cow nini [nain-yoh]
GH
crab pngxi [pahng-hsyeh]
JK
craft shop gngypn
shngdin [goong-yee-pin
shahng-dyen]

L:"as
crash (noun: vehicle) zhung ch
[jwahng chur]

~!
crazy fng [fung]
@
credit card xnyng k [hsinyoong kah]

#$%

do you take credit cards?

shu xnyng k ma?

[show mah]

%()_+|

ABCDEFGHIJKLCr

P{}
cousin (son of mothers brother:
older than speaker) biog [byow-

than speaker) tngji [tahng-jyeh]


AS
(younger than speaker) tngmi

English Chinese

(countryside) xingcn [hsyang-

dialogue
can I pay by credit card?

w ky yng xnyng k
jio kun ma? [wor kur-yee
yoong hsin-yoong kah jyow
kwahn mah]
which card do you want
to use? nn yng de sh

57

English Chinese

shnme k? [dur shur shunmur kah]


Mastercard/Visa
yes, sir ky [kur-yee]
whats the number?
dushao hom? [dwor-show
how-mah]
and the expiry date? j sh
guq? [jee shur gwor-chee]
crisps (zh) tdupinr [(jah)
too-doh-pyenr]

`123456
crockery cnj [tsahn-jyew]
78
crossing (by sea) gud [gwordoo]

ABCDEFGHIJKLCr

90

crossroads shz lku [shurdzur loo-koh]

-=\Q
crowd rnqn [run-chewn]
WE
crowded yngj [yoong-jee]
RT
crown (on tooth) ygun [yahgwahn]

YU

cruise zu chun lWxng [dzwor


chwahn lyew-sing]

IOP{
crutches guizhng [gwai-jahng]
}q
cry (verb) k
~
58

Cultural Revolution wnhu d


gmng [wun-hwah dah gur-ming]

!@#$%
cup bizi [bay-dzur]
^&

a cup of tea/coffee, please y


bi ch/kfi [bay]

*()_+|
cupboard guzi [gway-dzur]
`1
cure (verb) zhy [jur-yew]
23
curly junqde [jwahn-chew-dur]
456
current (electric) dinli [dyenlyoh]

78
(in water) shuli [shway-lyoh]
90
curry gl [gah-lee]
-=
curtains chunglin [chwahnglyen]

\Q

cushion dinzi [dyen-dzur]

WE

custom fngs [fung-soo]

RT

Customs higun [hai-gwahn]

YU
cut (noun) doshng [dowshahng]

~!

Ive cut myself w b zj


gshng le [wor bah dzur-jee gur-

tsahn-jyew]

()_+
cycling q zxngch [chee dzurhsing-chur]

|`12
cyclist q zxngch de rn
[dur run]

345678

D
dad bba [bah-bah]

hwai]

\Q

damaged snhui le

WER

Im sorry, Ive damaged this

dubq, w b zhi ge nng


hui le [dway-boo-chee wor bah
jay gur noong hwai lur]

TYUIOP{}qw
damn! zole! [dzow-lur]
er
damp (adj) chosh [chow-shur]
ty
dance (noun) wdo [woo-dow]
ui

would you like to dance? n


xing tiow ma? [hsyang
mah]

[]ASDF
dangerous wixin [way-hsyen]
GH
Danish (adj) Dnmi [dahn-mai]
JK
dark (adj) n [ahn]
~
(colour) shns [shunsur]
!%
its getting dark tin hile
[tyen hay-lur]

^&*

date*: whats the date today?


jntin j ho? [jin-tyen jee how]

_+|`1

lets make a date for next


Monday znmen xige
xngqy jinmin [zahn-mun
hsyah-gur jyen-myen]

234567890
daughter nWr [nyew-er]
-=
daughter-in-law rxfur [er-

ABCDEFGHIJKLDa

90
daily mi tin [may tyen]
-=
damage (verb) snhui [syewn-

(verb) tiow [tyow-woo]


op

English Chinese

shahng lur]

@#$%^&*
cutlery doch cnj [dow-chah

hshee-foor]

\QWE
dawn lmng
RT
at dawn tin gng ling [tyen
gahng lyang]

YUI

59

English Chinese

day tin tyen]

death swng [sur-wahng]

the day after dr tin

December shr yu [shur-er


yew-eh]

P{}

the day after tomorrow


hutin [hoh-tyen]

qw

the day before qin y tin


[chyen]

ert

the day before yesterday


qintin [chyen-tyen]

yu

every day mitin [may-tyen]

io

all day zhngtin [jung-tyen]

p[

ABCDEFGHIJKLDa

in two days time ling tin


ni [nay]

]AS

have a nice day zh n wnr


de goxng [joo nee wahnr dur
gow-hsing]

DFGHJL:
day trip yryu [yee-rur-yoh]
"as
dead sle [sur-lur]
df
deaf r lng [loong]
gh
deal (business) mimi
jk
its a deal! y yn wi dng!
[yee yahn way]

l;'Z
60

XC

VBN
decide judng [jyew-eh-ding]
M<
we havent decided yet

wmen hi mi judng [wor-

mun hai may]

~!@#$%
decision judng
^&
deck (on ship) jibn [jyahbahn]

*(
deep shn [shun]
)
definitely ydng
_+
definitely not ydng b
|`1
degree (qualification) xuwi
[hsyew-eh-way]

23
delay (noun) wndin [wahndyen]

45

deliberately gy [goo-yee]

67

delicious hoch [how-chur]

89

deliver sng [soong]

delivery (of mail) sngxn

Denmark Dnmi [dahn-mai]

\Q

dentist yy [yah-yee]

WE

dialogue

its this one here zhr zhi


k [jer jay kur]
this one? zhi k ma? [mah]
no, that one b, sh ni k
[shur nay]
here? zhr?
yes du [dway]

RT

deodorant chchuj [choochoh-jee]

YUI

department (administrative) b

O
(academic) x [hshee]
P
department store bihu
dlu [bai-hwor dah-loh]
{}qw
departure lounge hujsh
[hoh-jee-shur]

ert

depend: it depends on... n


yo kn... [nah yow kahn]

~!@ ...

^&

dessert tinpn [tyen-pin]

*(

destination mdd

)_+
develop (film) chngx [choonghshee]

|`

dialogue
could you develop these
films? qng nn bng w

chngx yxa zhi xi


jiojunr, ho ma? [ching nin

bahng wor choong-hshee yeehsyah jay hsyeh jyow-jyew-ahnr


how mah]
yes, certainly ky [kur-yee]
when will they be ready?

shnme shhou nng


chng ho? [shun-mur shur-

hoh nung choong how]


tomorrow afternoon
mngtian xiw [ming-tyen
hsyah-woo]
how much is the four-hour
service? s xiosh fw
dushao qin? [sur hsyowshur foo-woo dwor-show]

ABCDEFGHIJKLDi

dentures jiy [jee-ah-yah]

deposit yjn [yah-jin]

English Chinese

[soong-hsin]

-=

diabetic (noun) tngniobng


rn [tahng-nyow-bing run]

1234

61

English Chinese

dial (verb) bho [bor-how]

56

dialling code dinhu qho


[dyen-hwah chew-how]

7890
diamond zunsh [dzwahn-shur]
-=
diaper niob [nyow-boo]
\Q
diarrhoea l dzi [lah doo-dzur]
WER
do you have something for
diarrhoea? n yu zh l dzi
de yo ma? [nee yoh jur lah doodzur dur yow mah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLDi

TYUIOP{}qw
diary rj [rur-jee]
er
dictionary cdin [tsur-dyen]
ty
didnt* see not
die s [sur]

diet jku [jee-koh]

)_+|`1
different btng
23
difficult knnan [kun-nahn]
45
difficulty knnan
67
dining room cntng [tsahn-ting]
89
dinner (evening meal) wnfn
[wahn-fahn]

0-

to have dinner ch wnfn

=\Q
direct (adj) zhji [jur-jyeh]
WE
(flight) zhfi [jur-fay]
RT
is there a direct train? yu
zhd huch ma? [yoh jur-dah
hwor-chur mah]

io

YUIOP{}
direction fngxing [fahng-

p[]A

qw

Im on a diet w zi jku [wor


dzai]
I have to follow a special diet

w di ch gudng de
ynsh [day chur gway-ding dur

yin-shur]

~!@#$%^&
difference btng [boo-toong]
*(
62

whats the difference? yu


shnme btng? [yoh shunmur]

hsyang]

which direction is it? zi nige


fngxing? [dzai nay-gur]

ertyui

is it in this direction? sh
zhige fngxing ma? [shur
jay-gur mah]

op[]ASD

FG
dirt wgu [woo-goh]
HJ
dirty zng [dzahng]
K
disabled cnfi [tsahn-fay]
L:
is there access for the
disabled? yu cnjirn de
tngdo ma? [you tsahn-jeerun
dur toong-dow mah]

[rwahn-pahn]

@#

[dzai yew-ahn-choo]

|`1
district dq [dee-chew]
23
disturb dro [dah-row]
45
divorced lhn [lee-hun]
67
dizzy: I feel dizzy w tuyn
[wor toh-yewn]

890
do (verb) zu [dzwor]
what shall we do? n xing
zu shnme? [hsyang shunmur]

=\QWER

how do you do it? gi znme


zu? [dzun-mur]

TYUIO

will you do it for me?

ABCDEFGHIJKLDo

"asdfghjk
disaster zinn [dzai-nahn]
l;
disco dsk [dee-sur-kur]
'ZX
discount jinji [jyen-jyah]
CV
is there a discount? nng
jinji ma? [nung mah]
BNM<>
disease jbng
?z
disgusting xn [ur-hsin]
xc
dish (meal) ci [tsai]
v
(bowl) dizi [dyeh-dzur]
~!
disk (for computer) runpn

hsing) nyow-boo]

$%^&*()
distance jl
_+
in the distance zi yunch

English Chinese

director zhrn [joo-run]

mfan n bng w zu
yxi, ho ma? [mah-fahn nee

bahng wor dzwor yee-hsyah how


mah]

P{}qwerty
ui

disposable nappies/diapers
(ycxng) niob [(yee-tsur-

63

English Chinese

dialogues
how do you do? nn ho?
[how]
nice to meet you jin do
nn zhn goxng [jyen dow
nin jun gow-hsing]
what do you do? (work) n

sh zu shnme gngzu
de? [shur goong-dzwor dur]
Im a teacher, and you? w
sh jiosh, n ne? [wor
nur]
Im a student w sh

xusheng

ABCDEFGHIJKLDo

what are you doing this


evening? n jnwn zu
shnme? [jin-wahn]
were going out for a drink,
do you want to join us?

wmen ch q h ji, n
xing gn wmen y kuir
q ma? [wor-mun choo chew
hur jyoh nee hsyang gun kwair
chew mah]
do you want more rice? n
hi yo fn, ma? [yow fahn]
I do, but she doesnt w
yo, t b yo [wor yow tah]

doctor yshng [yee-shung]

op

please call a doctor qng n


jio ge yshng [ching nee jyow

64

gur]

[]ASDF
dialogue
where does it hurt? nr
tng? [tung]
right here ji zi zhr [jyoh
dzai jer]
does that hurt now?

xinzi hi tng ma?

[hsyahn-dzai mah]
yes hi tng
take this prescription to
the chemist n zhi g

yofng do yodin q
pi yo [nah jay gur yow-fahng
dow yow-dyen chew pay yow]
document wnjin [wun-jyen]

~!
dog gu [goh]
@

domestic flight guni


hngbn [gwor-nay
hahng-bahn]

#$%^
dont!* byo! [boo-yow]
&*
dont do that! bi zhme zu
[byeh jur-mur zwor]

()_+

see not
door mn [mun]

`123
double shung [shwahng]
4
double bed shungrn chung
[run chwahng]

567

double room shungrn


fng( jin) [fahng(jyen)]

~!@#$%
down xi [hsyah]
^
down here ji zi zhr [jyoh
dzai jer]

&*()

put it down over there g zi

its down there on the right


ji zi yubian [yoh-byen]

draughty: its draughty


zhr tngfng [jer
toong-fung]

TYUI
drawer chuti [choh-tee]
OP
drawing huhu [hway-hwah]
{}
dreadful zotule [dzow-toh-lur]
qwe
dress (noun) linyqn [lyenyee-chewn]

rty

dressed: to get dressed chun


yfu [chwahn]

uio

dressing gown chny [chunyee]

89

p[
drink (noun: alcoholic) ji [jyoh]
]
(non-alcoholic) ynlio [yin-lyow]
AS
(verb) h [hur]
D
a cold drink y bi lngyn

0-

FGHJ

1234

its further down the road zi


wng qin [wahng chyen]

567

downstairs luxi [lohhsyah]


dozen y d [dah]
half a dozen bn d [bahn]

[yee bay lung-yin]

dragon lng [loong]

can I get you a drink? hdinr


shnme ma? [dyenr shun-mur
mah]

draught beer shng pji [shung

what would you like (to

=\
Q

ABCDEFGHIJKLDr

nr
_+|`

pee-jyoh]

WER

English Chinese

doorman bmnrde [bah-munrdur]

KL:"asd

65

English Chinese

drink)? n xing h dinr


shnme? [hsyang]
fghjkl;'
no thanks, I dont drink

xixie, w b hu h ji

[hsyeh-hsyeh wor boo hway hur jyoh]

!@#$%^&

Ill just have a drink of water


w h dinr shu ba [shway
bah]

*()_+|
drinking water ynyngshu
[yin-yoong-shway]

`12

is this drinking water? zh


shu ky h ma? [jur shway kuryee hur ma]

ABCDEFGHIJKLDr

3456789
drive (verb) kich [kai-chur]
0 we drove here wmen
kich li de [wor-mun kai-chur

yuiop[]
drugs (narcotics) dpn
[doo-pin]

AS
drunk (adj) hzule [hur-dzwaylur]

DFG
dry (adj) gn [gahn]
H
dry-cleaner gnxdin [gahnhshee-dyen]

JKL
duck (meat) y [yah]
:
due: he was due to arrive
yesterday t ynggi sh
zutin do [tah ying-gai dzwortyen dow]

~!@#$%

=\QWER

when is the train due?


huch j din do? [hwor-chur
jee shur]

TYUIOP{
driver sj [sur-jee]
}q
driving licence jish zhzho

+|`1
(weather) yntin [yin-tyen]
23
during zi... de shhou [dzai...

lai dur]

Ill drive you home w kich


sng n huji [wor kai-chur
soong nee hway-jyah]

[jyah-shur jur-jow]

wert

drop: just a drop, please (of


drink) zhn de y dinr,

66

xixie [jun dur yee dyen hsyehhsyeh]

^&*()_
dull (pain) ynyn zutng
[dzwor-toong]

dur shur-hoh]

4 ... 890
dust huchn [hway-chun]
-=

\QW
Dutch (adj) Hln [hur-lahn]
ER
duty-free (goods) minshu
[myen-shway]

earrings rhun [er-hwahn]

sd
east dng [doong]
f
in the east dngbin [doongbyen]

TY

gh

UIOP
dynasty chodi [chow-dai]
{}

jk
easy rngy [roong-yee]
l;
eat ch [chur]
'

duty-free shop minshu


shngdin [shahng-dyen]

E
each (every) mi [may]
how much are they each? y
ge yo dushao qin? [yee gur
yow dwor-show chyen]

wertyui
ear rduo [er-dwor]
op

earache: I have earache w


rduo tng [wor tung]

[]AS
early zo [dzow]
D

early in the morning y zo

FG

I called by earlier w zo xi
shhou liguo [wor hsyeh shurhoh lai-gwor]

HJKL:"a

weve already eaten, thanks

xixie, wmen yjing chle

[hsyeh-hsyeh wor-mun chur-lur]

~!@#$%^&
economy class jngjcng
[tsahng]

*()
egg jdn [jee-dahn]
_+
either: either... or...

huzhe... huzhe... [hwor-

jur]

|` ... 45 ...
either of them ni lingge du
ky [nay lyang-gur doh kur-yee]
90-=\Q
elastic band xingpjnr

ABCDEFGHIJKLEl

East China Sea Dng Hi

English Chinese

dustbin ljxing [lah-jee-hsyang]

[hsyahng]

WERT
elbow gbozhur [gur-borjohr]

YUIO
67

English Chinese

electric din [dyen]

embroidery cxi [tsur-hsyoh]

electric fire din lzi [loodzur]

emergency jnj qngkung


[ching-kwahng]

{}q

electrician dingng [dyengoong]

we

electricity din [dyen]

elevator dint [dyen-tee]

ty

else: something else bide


dngxi [byeh-dur
doong-hshee]

uiop

ABCDEFGHIJKLEl

somewhere else bide dfng


[dee-fahng]

[]AS

dialogue
would you like anything
else? hi yo bide ma?
[yow mah]
no, nothing else, thanks
b yo le, xixie [lur hsyehhsyeh]
email dinzi yujin [dyen-dzur
yoh-jyen]
DFGH
embassy dshgun [dah-shurgwahn]

JKL
68

:"

asdf

this is an emergency!
jimng! [jyoh-ming]

gh

emergency exit nqunmn


[ahn-choo-en-mun]

jkl
emperor hungd
[hwahng-dee]

;'

empress

ZX

hunghu

empty kng [koong]

end (noun) mdun [mor-dwahn]

VB

at the end of the street zhi


tio ji de jntu [jay tyow jyeh
dur jin-toh]

~!@#$%

when does it end? shnme


shhou jish? [shun-mur shurhoh jyeh-shoo]

^&*()_+
engaged (toilet) yurn [yoh-run]
|`
(phone) zhnxin [jahn-hsyen]
12
(to be married) dnghnle [dinghun-lur]

345

67

English (adj) Ynggu [yinggwor]

89
(language) Yngy [ying-yew]
-=
Im English w sh Ynggu
rn [wor shur run]
\QWER
do you speak English? ni
hubuhu shu Yngy?
[hway-boo-hway shwor]

TYUIOP{}
enjoy: to enjoy oneself wnr
de hn kixn [wahnr dur hun
kai-hsin]

enough: thats enough gule


[goh-lur]

DF

theres not enough b gu

GH

its not big enough b gu

d
JKL

entrance (noun) rkuch [rookoh-choo]

:"a

envelope xnfng [hsin-fung]

sd

equipment shbi [shur-bay]

fg
(for climbing, sport etc) qxi
[chee-hsyeh]

hj

dialogue

kl

n jude dinyng znme


yng? [jyew-eh-dur dyen-ying
dzun-mur yang]
I enjoyed it very much, did
you enjoy it? w jude hn
ho, n ne? [wor hun how
nee nur]
enjoyable lng rn ykuide
[run yew-kwai-dur]

uiop[
enormous djle [dah-jee-lur]
]AS

especially tbi [tur-byeh]


essential zhngyo [joong-yow]

~!

it is essential that... ... sh


judu byo de [shur jyew-ehdway bee-yow dur]

... %^&*()
Europe uzhu [oh-joh]
_+
European (adj) uzhu
|`
even shnzhi [shun-jur]
12
even if... jsh... y [jee-shur...

ABCDEFGHIJKLEv

qwerty

how did you like the film?

English Chinese

England Ynggu [ying-gwor]

yur]

34 ... 8
69

English Chinese

evening wnshang [wahnshahng]

90

-=\Q

op[]A
everywhere mige dfng [may-

this evening jntin wnshang


[jin-tyen]
in the evening wnshang

[swor-yoh dur doong-hshee]

gur dee-fahng]

WE

SDFG
exactly! dujle!

RT

HJK
exam kosh [kow-shur]
L:
example lzi [lee-dzur]
"a
for example lr
sd
excellent hojle [how-jee-lur]
fgh
except chle... ywi [choo-lur]
~! ... %^
excess baggage chozhng
xngli [chow-joong hsing-lee]
&*()
exchange rate duhun lU

evening meal wnfn [wahnfahn]


eventually zuhu [dzway-hoh]

YU
ever cngjng [tsung-jing]
IO
dialogue

ABCDEFGHIJKLEv

have you ever been to


the Great Wall? n qguo
Chngchng ma? [chewgwor mah]
yes, I was there two years
ago qguo, ling nin qin
qguo [chew-gwor lyang nyen
chyen chew-gwor]
every mige [may-gur]

P{

every day mitin [may-tyen]

}q

everyone mige rn [may-gur


run]

wer

everything mijin shr [may-

70

jyen shur]

tyui
(objects) suyu de dngxi

[dway-jee-lur]

[dway-hwahn lyew]

_+|
exciting (day) cji [tsur-jee]
`1
excuse me (to get past) loji
[low-jyah]

()
(to get attention) loji, qng
wn... [ching wun]
()89

chee]

0-=

exhausted (tired) lisle [laysur-lur]

\QW

exhibition (of paintings etc)


zhnln [jan-lan]

ER
(trade fair etc) jioy hu [jyowyee hway]

TYU
exit chku [choo-koh]
IO

wheres the nearest exit? zu


jn de chku zi nr? [dzway
jin dur choo-koh dzai]

jing-yen]

iop
explain jish [jyeh-shur]
[]

can you explain that? n nng


jish yxa ma? [nung yeesyah mah]

ASDFGHJK
express (mail) kuid
[kwai-dee]

L:
(train) kuich [kwai-chur]
"a
extension (telephone) fnj

extension 221, please qng


gu r r yo [ching gwah er er
yow]

fghjk

extra: can we have an extra


one? qng zi li yge? [dzai lai
yee-gur]

'ZXCVB

do you charge extra for that?


hi ya qin ma? [hai yow chyen
mah]

NM<>?
extremely fichng [faychahng]

zx
eye ynjing [yahn-jing]
cv
will you keep an eye on my
suitcase for me? mfan nn

bng w kn yxi tbo, ho


ma? [mah-fahn nin bahng wor kahn

yee-hsyah tee-bow how mah]

~!@#$%^&*
()_+
eyeglasses ynjng [yahn-jing]
|`

ABCDEFGHIJKLFa

P{}qwerty
expensive gu [gway]
u
experienced yu jngyn [yoh

[fun-jee]

sd

English Chinese

(to say sorry) dubuq [dway-boo-

F
face lin [lyen]

factory gngchng [goong-

71

English Chinese

chahng]

23

Fahrenheit hush [hwah-shur]

45
faint (verb) yn [yewn]
6
shes fainted t yndole [tah

[shahn-dzur]

yewn-dow-lur]

GH
(sports) qim [chyoh-mee]
JK
fantastic (wonderful) tihole

dyen (toh)]

L:"
far yun [yew-ahn]
a

7890
I feel faint w jude yu din
(tu) yn [wor jyew-eh-dur yoh
-=\QWERTY
fair (adj) gngpng
[goong-ping]

ABCDEFGHIJKLFa
72

shahn]

DF
(hand-held) shnzi

UI
fake mopi [mow-pai]
OP
fall (verb: person) shuido
[shwai-dow]

{}

shes had a fall t shuile y


jio [tah shwai-lur yee jyow]

qwert
fall (US) qitin [chyoh-tyen]
yu
in the fall qitin
io
false ji [jyah]
p
family jitng [jyah-ting]
[]
famous yumng [yoh-ming]
AS
fan (electrical) fngshn [fung-

[tai-how-lur]

dialogue
is it far from here? l zhr
yun ma? [jer mah]
no, not very far b ti yun
well, how far? du yun
ne? [dwor nur]
its about 20 kilometres r
sh gngl zuyu [goonglee dzwor-yoh]
fare chfi [chur-fay]
~!
Far East Yundng [yew-ahndoong]

@#
farm nngchng [noong-chahng]
$%
fashionable shmo [shur-mow]
^&
fast kui [kwai]
*

(
(on meat) firu [fay-roh]
)_
father fqn [foo-chin]
+|
father-in-law yuf [yew-ehfoo]

`1

faucet shulngtu [shwayloong-toh]

234
fault cu [tswor]
5

sorry, it was my fault dubuq


sh wde cu [dway-boo-chee
shur wor-dur tswor]

bing]

TYU

favourite zu xhuan de [dzway


hshee-hwahn dur]

IOP{
fax (noun) chunzhn [chwahnjun]

}q

to send a fax f chunzhn


[fah]

wer

February ryu [er-yew-eh]

ty

ui

I feel hot w jude hn r [wor


jyew-eh-dur hun rur]

op[]A
I feel unwell w jude
b ti shfu [dur shoo-foo]
SDFGHJK
I feel like going for a walk w
xing q zuzu [hsyahng chew
dzoh-dzoh]

L:"as

how are you feeling? n jude


znme yng le? [nee jyew-ehdur dzun-mur lur]

dfghjkl;
Im feeling better w ho
dinr le [how dyenr]
'ZXCV
fence zhlan [jah-lahn]
BN
ferry bid
M<
festival jir [jyeh-ree]
~!
fetch q [chew]
@
Ill fetch him w q jio t li

ABCDEFGHIJKLFe

67890-=
its not my fault b sh wde
cu
\QWER
faulty yu mobng [yoh mow-

feel gnju [gahn-jyew-eh]

English Chinese

fat (person) png [pahng]

[wor jyow tah]

#$%^&
will you come and fetch me
later? dng hur n li ji
w, ho ma? [dung hwayr
jyeh]

*()_+|`123
73

English Chinese

feverish fsho [fah-show]

45

few: a few y xi [yee-hsyeh]

67

a few days j tin [tyen]

89

fianc wihnf [way-hunfoo]

0-=
fiance wihnq [way-hunchee]

ABCDEFGHIJKLFe

\QW
field tind [tyen-dee]
ER
(paddy) dotin [dow-tyen]
TY
fill in tin [tyen]
U
do I have to fill this in? w
yo tin zhi zhng bio ma?
[wor yow tyen jay jahng byow
mah]

IOP{}qwe
filling (in cake, sandwich) xinr
[hsyenr]

rt
(in tooth) b y [byew yah]
yu
film (movie) dinyng [dyenying]

io
(for camera) jiojunr [jyow-jewahnr]

p[]
74

dialogue
do you have this kind of
film? n yu zhi zhng
jiojunr ma? [yoh jay-joong
jyow-jyew-ahnr mah]
yes, how many exposures?

yu, n yo dushao zhng


de? [yow dwor-show jahng dur]
36 sn sh li zhng (de)

filthy zng [dzahng]

find (verb) zhodo [jow-dow]

!@

I cant find it w zhobdo


[wor jow-boo-dow]

#$%^

Ive found it zhodole [jowdow-lur]

&*(
find out zhoch [jow-choo]
)_

could you find out for me? n

nng t w dioch yxi ma?

[nung tee wor dyow-chah yee-hsyah


mah]

+|`1234567
fine (weather) qnglng [chinglang]

89
(punishment) fkun [fahkwahn]

0-

how are you? n ho ma?


[how mah]
Im fine, thanks hn ho,
xixie [hun how hsyeh-hsyeh]
is that OK? zhyng xng
ma? [jur-yang hsing mah]
thats fine, thanks xng,

xixie

finger shuzh [shoh-jur]

=\
finish (verb) zu wn [dzwor
wahn]

QW

ERTYU

when does it finish? shnme


shhou nng wn? [shun-mur
shur-hoh nung]

IOP{}qw
fire hu [hwor]
e
(blaze) huzi [hwor-dzai]
rt
fire! zhohule! [jow-hwor-lur]
yui
can we light a fire here? zhr
nng din hu ma? [jer nung
dyen hwor mah]

op[]ASD

FG

fire brigade xiofngdu


[hsyow-fahng-dway]

HJK

fire escape tipngt

L:"

fire extinguisher mihuq


[myeh-hwor-chee]

~!@
first dy
#$

I was first w dy [wor]

%^&

first of all shuxin [shohhsyen]

*(

at first qch [chee-choo]

)_

the first time dy c [tsur]

+|`

first on the left zubian d


yge [zwor-byen gur]

12345
first aid jji [jee-jyoh]
67
first-aid kit jjixing

ABCDEFGHIJKLFi

I havent finished yet w hi


mi nng wn [wor hai may
noong wahn]

fire alarm hujng [hworjing]

English Chinese

dialogues

[hsyahng]

890

first class (travel etc) ydng


[yee-dung]

-=

first floor r lu [er loh]

\Q

75

English Chinese

(US) y lu
WE
first name mngzi [ming-dzur]
RT
fish (noun) y [yew]
Y
fit: it doesnt fit me zh du
w b hsh [jur dway wor boo
hur-shur]

UIOP{}
fitting room sh y sh [shur yee
shur]

qwe

fix: can you fix this? (repair) n

nng b zhige xi ho ma?

[nung bah jay-gur hsyoh how mah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLFi

rtyuiop[]
fizzy yuqde [yoh-chee-dur]
ASD
flag q [chee]
F
flannel (xlin) mojn [(hsheelyen) mow-jin]

GHJK
flash (for camera)
shngungdng [shahn-gwahngdung]

L:"
flat (noun: apartment) dnyun
[dahn-yew-ahn]

as
(adj) pngtn [ping-tahn]
df
Ive got a flat tyre wde
chti bile [wor-dur chur-tai
76

byeh-lur]

ghjkl;
flavour widao [way-dow]
'Z
flea tiozo [tyow-dzow]
XC
flight hngbn [hahng-bahn]
~!
flight number hngbn ho
[how]

@#$
flood hngshu [hoong-shway]
%^
floor (of room: wooden) dbn
&*
(storey) lu [loh]
(
(in hotel etc) cng [tsung]
)
on the floor zi dshang [dzai
dee-shahng]

_+|
florist hudin [hwah-dyen]
`1
flower hu [hwah]
2
flu lign [lyoh-gahn]
34
fluent: he speaks fluent
Chinese t Hny jingde
hn lil [tah hahn-yew jyang-dur
hun lyoh-lee]

567890-=
fly (noun) cngying [tsahng-ying]
\Q

can we fly there? do nr yu


fij ma? [dow nar yoh fay-jee
mah]

ERTYUIOP
fog w
{
foggy: its foggy yu w [yoh]
}q
folk dancing mnjin wdo
[min-jyen woo-dow]

wert
folk music mnjin ynyu [yinyew-eh]

[ying-chur]

L:
(of person) jio [jyow]
"
to go on foot bxng [boohsing]

as

football (game) zqisi [dzoo-

for*: do you have something


for...? (illness) n yu zh... de
yo ma? [yoh jur yow mah]

kl; ... CVBN


dialogues

who are the dumplings


for? zhi xi jiozi sh shi
( jio) de? [jay hsyeh jyow-dzur
shur shay (jyow) dur]
thats for me sh w de
[shur wor]
and this one? zhi g ne?
[jay gur nur]
thats for her sh t de [shur
tah]
where do I get the bus for
Beijing? q Bijng zi nr
zu ch? [chew dzai nar
dzwor chur]
the bus for Beijing leaves
from Donglu Street q

ABCDEFGHIJKLFo

yuio
food shw [shur-woo]
p[
(in shops) shpn [shur-pin]
]A
food poisoning shw
zhngd [joong-doo]
SDFG
food shop, food store shpn
din [shur-pin dyen]
HJK
foot (measurement) yngch

chyoh-sai]

dfg
(ball) zqi [dzoo-chyoh]
hj

English Chinese

(verb) fi [fay]
W

Bijng de ch zi Dngl
ki [chew dur chur dzai]

how long have you been


here? n li zhr du chng
shjin le? [jer dwor chahng
shur-jyen lur]

77

English Chinese

Ive been here for two


days, how about you? w

fortunately xngku [hsingkway]

[wor lai-lur lyang tyen lur nee


nur]
Ive been here for a week
w lile yge xngq le [yeegur hsing-chee lur]

forward: could you forward


my mail? nn nng bng w
zhun yxi xn ma? [nung
bahng wor jwahn yee-hsyah hsin
mah]

lile ling tin le, n ne?

Forbidden City Ggng [googoong]

M<

foreign wigu [wai-gwor]

>?

foreigner wigu rn [run]

ABCDEFGHIJKLFo

zxc
forest snln [sun-lin]
~!
forget wng [wahng]
@

I forget, Ive forgotten w


wngle [wor lur]

#$%
fork (for eating) ch [chah]
^
(in road) chl [chah-loo]
&*
form (document) bio [byow]
(
formal (dress) zhngsh [jungshur]

)_

fortnight lingge xngq [lyanggur hsing-chee]

+|`1
78

23

4567890-=\
forwarding address zhunxn
dzh [jwahn-hsin dee-jur]
QWER
fountain pnqun [pun-chewahn]

TY
foyer xixtng [hsyoh-see-ting]
UIO
fracture (noun) gzh [gyew-jur]
P{
France Fgu [fah-gwor]
}q
free zyu [dzur-yoh]
we
(no charge) min fi [myen fay]
rt
is it free (of charge)? min fi
de ma? [dur mah]
yuiop
French (adj) Fgu [fah-gwor]
[]
(language) Fy [fah-yew]
AS
French fries zh tdu tio [jah
too-doh tyow]

DFGH

fried noodles chomin [chowmyen]

how frequent is the bus to the


Forbidden City? do Ggng

fried rice chofn [chow-fahn]

JK

q de gnggng qch
duchng shjian ki y bn?

[dow goo-goong chew dur goonggoong chee-chur dwor-chahng shurjyen kai yee bahn]

~!@#$%^&*
()_+|`12
fresh (weather, breeze) qngxn
[ching-hsin]

[jyew-jur]

678
Friday xngq w [hsing-cheewoo]

90fridge bngxing [hsyahng]


=\
fried (shallow-fried) jinde
[jyen-dur]

QW
(deep-fried) zhde [jah-dur]
E
(stir-fried) chode [chow-dur]
R
fried egg jin jdn [jyen jeedahn]

TYU

P{
friend pngyou [pung-yoh]
}q
friendly yuho [yoh-how]
we
friendship yuy [yoh-yee]
rt
friendship store yuy
shngdin [yoh-yee shahng-dyen]
yuio
from* cng [tsoong]
p
how far is it from here? l zhr
du yun? [jer dwor ywahn]
[]ASDF
when does the next train from
Suzhou arrive? cng Szhu

li de xi y bn huch jdin
dod? [tsoong soo-joh lai dur

hsyah yee bahn hwor-chur jee-dyen


dow-dah]

GHJKL:"as
dfghjk
from Monday to Friday cng
xngq y do xngq w

ABCDEFGHIJKLFr

34
(fruit etc) xin [hsyen]
5
fresh orange juice xin jzh

IO

English Chinese

frequent jngchng [jingchahng]

[tsoong hsing-chee-yee dow hsingchee]

~!@#$%^&
from next Thursday cng xi
xngq s q [hsyah sur chee]
*()_+|

79

English Chinese

dialogue
where are you from? n sh
nr de rn? [shur nar-duh run]
Im from Slough w sh
Slough lide rn [wor shur
lai-dur]
front qinmian [chyen-myen]

`1

in front, at the front zi


qinbianr [dzai chyen-byenr]

2345

in front of the hotel zi


fndin qinmian [dzai fahndyen chyen-myen]

ABCDEFGHIJKLFr

67890
frozen bngdngde [bing-doongdur]

-=\
fruit shugu [shway-gwor]
QW
fruit juice guzh [gwor-jur]
ER
full mn [mahn]
T
its full of... lmian du sh ...
[lee-myen doh shur]

YUIO ...
Im full w bole [wor bow-lur]
qwe
full board sh zh qun bo
[shur joo choo-en bow]

rtyu

fun: it was fun hn ho wnr

80

[hun how wahnr]

iop[
funeral zngl [dzahng-lee]
]A
funny (strange) qgui [cheegwai]

SD
(amusing) yu ysi [yoh yee-sur]
FGH
(comical) huj [hwah-jee]
JK
furniture jij [jyah-jyew]
L:
further: its further down the
road zi wng qin zu [dzai
wahng chyen soh]

"asd

dialogue
how much further is it to
the Forbidden City? do

Ggng hi yu dushao
l? [dow yoh dwor-show]
about 5 kilometres dyu
w gngl (l) [dah-yew-eh
woo goong-lee]
future jingli [jyang-lai]
fg
in future jingli
~!

game (cards etc) yux [yohhshee]

@#
(match) bsi
$%
(meat) ywi [yur-way]
^&
garage (for fuel) jiyu zhn
[jyah-yoh jahn]

*()
(for repairs) qch xilchng
[chee-chur hsyoh-lee-chahng]

ahn]

45
garlic dsun [dah-swahn]
67
gas miq [may-chee]
89
gasoline qyu [chee-yoh]
0-
gas station jiyu zhn [jyahyoh jahn]

=\Q
gate dmn [dah-mun]
WE
(at airport) dngjku [dung-jeekoh]

R_Y

UIO
general (adj) y bn [yee bahn]
P{
gents toilet nn csu [nahn
tsur-swor]

}qw
genuine (antique etc) zhnzhng
[jun-jung]

er

German (adj) Dgu [durgwor]

ty
(language) Dy [dur-yew]
ui
Germany Dgu
op
get (fetch) q [chew]
[
could you get me another
one, please? qng n zi gi
w y ge ho ma? [ching nee
dzai gay wor yee gur how mah]

]ASDFGHJKL
how do I get to...? q...
znme zu? [chew... dzun-mur

ABCDEFGHIJKLGe

_+|`1
(for parking) chk [chur-koo]
23
garden huyun [hwah-yew-

gay tngxnglin [toong-hsinglyen]

English Chinese

dzoh]

: ... dfgh

do you know where I can get


them? n zhdao w zi nr
nng mi do ma? [jee-dow wor
dzai nar nung mai dow mah]

jkl;'ZXCV
BNM

81

English Chinese

dialogue
can I get you a drink? h
dinr shnme ma? [hur dyenr
shun-mur mah]
no, Ill get this one, what
would you like? zhi hu

w li mi, n xing h
shnme? [jay hway wor

hsyahng hur]
a glass of Maotai (li) y
bi Motiji [bay]
get back hulai [hway-lai]

ABCDEFGHIJKLGe

~!
get in (arrive) dod [dow-dah]
@#
get off: where do I get off? w
zi nr xi ch? [wor dzai nar
hsyah chur]

$%^&*()
get on (to train etc) shng ch
[shahng chur]

_+

get out (of car etc) xi ch


[hsyah-chur]

|`

get up (in the morning) qchung


[chee-chwahng]

12
gift lw [lee-woo]
34
gift shop lw shngdin
[shahng-dyen]

5678
82

ginger shngjing [shung-jyang]

90
girl nW hir [nyew]
-=\
girlfriend nW pngyou [pungyoh]

QWE
give gi [gay]
R
can you give me some
change? qng gi w lng
qin, ho ma? [ching gay wor ling
chyen how mah]

TYUIOP{}
I gave ... to him w b ... sng
gi t [wor bah ... soong gay tah]
qw ... yui
will you give this to...? qng
b zhige snggi ...? [ching
bah jay-gur soong-gay]

op[]AS ...H
give back hun [hwahn]
J
glad goxng [gow-sing]
~!
glass (material) bli [bor-lee]
@#
(for drinking) bli bi [bay]
$%^
a glass of wine y bi ji
&*(
glasses ynjng [yahn-jing]
)_
gloves shuto [shoh-tow]
+|

`12
go q [chew]
3

wed like to go to the


Summer Palace wmen
xing q Yhyun [wor-mun
hsyahng]

4567890

where are you going? n q

nr?
-=\QW

where does this bus go? zhi


ling ch q nr? [jay lyang
chur]

ERTYUIO
lets go! wmen zu ba! [wor P{}q

shes gone t yjing zule [tah


yee-ying zoh-lur]

werty

where has he gone? t do


nr q le? [dow]

uiop[]A

I went there last week w sh


shng xngq q nr de [wor
shur shahng hsing-chee]

SDFGHJKL:
go away lki
"a
go away! zu ki! [dzoh]
sd
go back (return) hu [hway]
f

go in jn

go out (in the evening) chqu


[choo-chew]

jk

do you want to go out


tonight? n jntin wnshang
xing chq ma? [jin-tyen
wahn-shahng hsyahng mah]

l;'ZXCVBNM
go through chun [chwahn]
<
go up (the stairs etc) shng
[shahng]

>

God shngd

?z
gold (metal) hungjn [hwahngjin]

xc
(colour) jns [jin-sur]
~!
good ho [how]
@
good! ho!
#
its no good b ho
$%
goodbye zijin [dzai-jyen]
^&
good evening n ho [how]
*(

ABCDEFGHIJKLGo

mun dzoh bah]

go down (the stairs etc) xi


[hsyah]

English Chinese

glue jioshur [jyow-shwayr]

83

English Chinese

good morning n zo [zow]

)_

good night wnn [wahn-ahn]

+|

goose [ur]

gorge xi [hsyah]
F
got: weve got to leave
wmen di zu le [wor-mun
day zoh lur]

12345

ui
(paternal) ninai
op
grandson (daughters son) wi
snzi [sun-dzur]
[]A
(sons son) snzi
SD
grapefruit ptoyu [poo-towyoh]

WER

FGH
grapes pto [poo-tow]
JK
grass co [tsow]
L
grateful gnj [gahn-jee]
:"
great (excellent) hojle [how-

TY

asd

have you got any...? n yu


... ma? [yoh ... mah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLGo

67 ... -=
government zhngf [jung-foo]
\Q
gradually jinjin de [jyen-jyen
dur]

grammar yf [yew-fah]
gram(me) k [kur]

granddaughter (daughters
daughter) wisnnWr [wai-sunnyewr]

IOP{
(sons daughter) snnWr
}qw
grandfather (maternal) wigng
[wai-goong]

er
(paternal) yye [yur-yur]
ty
84

grandmother (maternal) wip


[wai-por]

jee-lur]

a great success jd
chngji [joo-dah chung-jyoh]

~!@#
greedy (for money etc) tnxn
[tahn-hsin]

$%
(for food) chn [chahn]
^
green lUs(de) [lyew-sur(-dur)]
&*(
greengrocers cidin [tsaidyen]

)_

+|`
grilled ko [kow]
1
grocers zhudin [dzah-hwordyen]

234

ground: on the ground zi d


shng [dzai dee shahng]

567

ground floor y lu [loh]

89

group (tourist etc)


cnguntun [tsahn-gwahntwahn]

dzyew]

\Q

guarantee (noun) bozhng


[bow-jung]

WE

is it guaranteed? bo b
boxi? [bow hsyoh]

RTYUI
guest krn [kur-run]
OP
guesthouse bngun [bingwahn]

{}
guide (tour guide) doyu [dowyoh]

qw

guidebook doyu shuc

guided tour yu doyu de


yuln [yoh dur yoh-lahn]

uiop[]
guitar jt [jee-tah]
~!
gum (in mouth) chyn [churyin]

@#
gym tygun [tee-yoo-gwahn]
$%^

H
hair tufa [toh-fah]

&*

haircut lf [lee-fah]

()

hairdressers lfdin [dyen]

_+|

hairdryer dinchufng [dyenchway-fung]

`12

hair spray pnfj


[pun-fah-jee]

ABCDEFGHIJKLHa

0-=
(study, work etc) xioz [hsyow-

[shoh-tsur]

erty

English Chinese

grey hus(de) [hwaysur(-dur)]

345
half* (adj) bn [bahn]
6
(noun) y bn
78
half an hour bn xiosh
[hsyow-shur]

90-

85

English Chinese

half a litre bn shng [shung]

=\

about half that nme du y


bn [nah-mur dwor]

QW+ER
half board bn shs
[shur-soo]

TYU

half-bottle bn png

IO

half fare bnfi [bahn-fay]

P{

half price bnji [bahn-jyah]

}q
ham hutu [hwor-tway]
we
hamburger hnbobo

ABCDEFGHIJKLHa

[hahn-bow-bow]

|`1
hand shu [shoh]
u
handbag shutbo [shoh-teebow]

iop

handkerchief shujunr [shohjwahnr]

[]A

hand luggage shut xngli


[shoh-tee hsing-lee]

SDFG
happen fshng [fah-shung]
HJ
whats happening? znme
hu shr? [dzun-mur hway shur]
KL:"as
86

what has happened? fshng


le shnme shr la? [fah-shung lur
shun-mur lah]

dfghjkl;'
happy kuil [kwai-lur]
ZX
Im not happy about this

w du zhige b mny

[wor dway jay-gur boo


mahn-yee]

~!@#$%^
harbour gngku
[gahng-koh]

&*
hard yng
(
(difficult) nn [nahn]
)

hardly: hardly ever hn sho


[hun show]

_+

hard seat yngx


[ying-hshee]

|`

hardware shop wjn


(shng) din [woo-jin (shahng)
dyen]

123456
hat mozi [mow-dzur]
78
hate (verb) hn [hun]
9
have* yu [yoh]
0
can I have a...? (asking for

hsyahng]

ert ...

do you have...? nmen


yu... ma? [nee-mun yoh...
mah]

op[ ... DF

whatll you have? n xing h


shnme? [hsyahng hur
shun-mur]

GHJKL:
"asd

do I have to...? w di...

ma?
fg ... l;
hayfever hufnr [hwah-funrur]

'ZX
he* t [tah]
C
head tu [toh]
V
headache tutng [toh-tung]
BN
hear tngjian [ting-jyen]
M<

can you hear me? n nng


tngjin ma? [nung ting-jyen
mah]
I cant hear you, could
you repeat that? dubuq,

tngbujin, n nng zi
shu y bin ma? [dway-boo-

chee ting-boo-jyen dzai shwor


yee byen]
hearing aid zhtngq [joo-tingchee]

>?z
heart xnzng [hsin-dzahng]
xc
heart attack xnzngbng
[bing]

~!@
heat r [rur]
#
heater snrq [sahn-rur-chee]
$%^
heating nunq [nwahn-chee]
&*
heavy zhng [joong]
(
heel (of foot) jiogn

ABCDEFGHIJKLHe

I have to leave now w di


zu le [wor day dzoh lur]

dialogue

English Chinese

something) qng gi w... ho


ma? [ching gay wor... how]
-=\ ... RTY
(ordering food) qng li..., ho
ma? [ching]
UI ... }qw
(in shop) w xing mi... [wor

[jyow-gun]

)_
(of shoe) xi hugn [hsyeh]
+|`
could you heel these? qng
gi w d hogn, ho ma?
87

English Chinese

[ching gay wor dah how mah]

123456789
heelbar xixip [hsyoh-hsyehpoo]

0-=

helicopter zhshng fij [jurshung fay-jee]

ABCDEFGHIJKLHe

\QWE
hello n ho [nee how]
RT
(answer on phone) wi [way]
Y
help bngzh [bahng-joo]
UI
help! jimng! [jyoh-ming]
OP
can you help me? n nng
b nng bngbng w? [nung
bahng-bahng wor]

{}qweety
thank you very much for your
help xixie nde bngmng
[hsyeh-hsyeh nee-dur]

uiop[]
helpful bngle b sho mng
[bahng-lur boo show mahng]

ASDFG
hepatitis gnyn [gah-nyen]
HJ
her* t [tah]
K
thats her towel n sh tde
mojn [nah shur tah-dur
mow-jin]

L:"asd
88

herbs (for cooking) zulio


[dzwor-lyow]

fg
(medicinal) coyo [tsow-yow]
hj
here zhr [jer]
kl
here is/are... zhr sh ... [shur]
;'Z ...
here you are gi n [gay]
BN
hers* tde [tah-dur]
M<
thats hers zh sh tde [jur
shur]

>?zx
hey! hi! [hay]
~
hi! (hello) n ho! [how]
!@
high go [gow]
#
hill shn [shahn]
$
him* t [tah]
%
hip tnb [tun-boo]
^&
hire (bike, car) z [dzoo]
*
(guide, interpreter) g
(
for hire chz [choo-dzoo]
)_
where can I hire a bike? zi

[dzai nar nung zoo dow dzi-hsingchur]

+|`1234567
his* tde [tah-dur]
89
hit (verb) d [dah]
0
hitch-hike d binch [byenchur]

[dzai]

{}

we go home tomorrow (to


country) wmen mngtian hu
gu [wor-mun ming-tyen hway
gwor]

qwerty
honest chngsh [chung-shur]
ui
honey fngm [fung-mee]
op

[]

Hong Kong Xinggng


[hsyahng-gahng]

AS
hope xwng [hshee-wahng]
DF
I hope so w xwng sh zhi
yng [wor shur jay yang]
GHJKL:
I hope not w xwng b sh
zhi yng
"asdfgh
hopefully xwng rc [hsheewahng roo-tsur]

~!@#
horrible kp [kur-pah]
$%
horse m [mah]
^
horse riding q m [chee]
&*
hospital yyun [yee-yew-ahn]
()
hospitality hok [how-kur]
_+

ABCDEFGHIJKLHo

-=\
hobby shho [shur-how]
QW
hole dng [doong]
E
holiday (public) jiq [jyah-chee]
RT
(festival) jir [jyeh-ree]
YU
on holiday dji [doo-jyah]
IO
home ji
P
at home (in my house etc) zi ji

honeymoon myu [mee-yeweh]

English Chinese

nr nng z do zxngch?

thank you for your


hospitality xixie nnde
shngqng kundi [hsyehhsyeh nin-dur shung-ching kwahndai]

|`123456
hot r [rur]
7

89

English Chinese

(spicy) l [lah]
8
Im hot w jude hn r [wor
jyew-eh-dur hun rur]

90-=\
its hot today jntin hn r
[jin-tyen]

QWER
hotel (small) lWgun [lyewgwahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLHo

TY
(luxury) fndin [fahn-dyen]
UI
hour xiosh [hsyow-shur]
~!
house fngzi [fahng-dzur]
@#
how znme [dzun-mur]
$%^
how many? (if answer is likely
to be more than ten) dushao?

how much is it? dushao


qin? [chyen]
17 yuan sh q kui [shur
chee kwai]
Ill take it w mi [wor]
humid chosh [chow-shur]

23

hungry [ur]

are you hungry? n le ma?


[ur-lur mah]

56789

hurry: Im in a hurry w hn j
de [wor hun jee dur]

0-=Q

theres no hurry mnmn li


[mahn-mahn]

[dwor-show]

WER

[how]

TYU
hurt (verb) tng [tung]
I
it really hurts zhn tng [jun

&*(
(if answer is likely to be ten or less)
jge? [jee-gur]
)_+
how do you do? n ho
|`1
dialogues
how are you? n ho ma?
[mah]
fine, thanks, and you?

90

hn ho, n ne? [hun


nur]

hurry up! kui dinr! [kwai


dyenr]

tung]

OP

husband zhngfu [jahng-foo]

{}

I w [wor]

q
ice bng
w

with ice ji bngkuir [jyah


bing-kwair]

erty

no ice, thanks b ji
bngkuir, xixie [boo jyah bingkwair hsyeh-hsyeh]

uiop[]A
ice cream bngqln [bingchee-lin]

SDF

GHJKL:
ice lolly bnggnr [bing-gunr]
"as
idea zhyi [joo-yee]
df
idiot shgu [shah-gwah]
gh
if rgu [roo-gwor]
jk
ill bngle [bing-lur]
l;
I feel ill w jude b shfu
[wor jyew-eh-dur]

~!@#$%
illness jbng
^&

immediately mshng [mahshahng]

()

important zhngyo [joongyow]

_+

its very important hn


zhngyo [hun joong-yow]

|`1

its not important b

zhngyo
234

impossible b knng [kurnung]

567

impressive (building, view)


xingwi [hsyoong-way]

89

improve tgo [tee-gow]

0-

I want to improve my
Chinese w xing tgo
wde Hny shupng [wor
hsyahng wor-dur hah-yew shwayping]

ABCDEFGHIJKLIn

ice-cream cone dnjunr


bngqln [dahn-jyew-ahnr]

imitation (leather etc) fng


[fahng]

English Chinese

=\QWERTYUI
in*: its in the centre zi
zhngjin [dzai joong-jyen]
OP{
in my car zi wde ch l [wordur chur lee]

}qwer
91

English Chinese

in London zi Lndn

Indian (adj) Ynd

in two days from now ling


tin zh hu [tyen jur hoh]

indigestion xiohu b ling


[hsyow-hwah boo lyang]

tyu

iop[

in five minutes w fn
zhng (zh) ni [fun joong (jur)
nay]

ABCDEFGHIJKLIn

]ASDFGH
in May zi wyu
JKL
in English yng Yngy
:"a
in Chinese yng Hny
sdf
is Mr Li in? L xinsheng zi
ma? [hsyahng-shung dzai mah]
ghjkl;
inch yngcn [ying-tsun]
'Z
include boku [bow-kwor]
XC
does that include meals? zh
boku fn qin ma? [jur fahn

&*()
Indonesia Yndnxy [yindoo-nee-hshee-yah]

_+|`1
indoor pool shni
yuyngch [shur-nay yohyoong-chur]

23456
indoors shni [shur-nay]
78
inexpensive pinyi [pyen-yee]
90
infection gnrn [gahn-rahn]
-=
infectious chunrn [chwahnrahn]

\Q

inflammation fyn [fah-yen]

WE

chyen mah]

informal (clothes) subin [swaybyen]

yur]

YUI

[fahng-byen]

OP

VBNM<>?
is that included? nige y
boku zi ni ma? [nay-gur
zxcvbnm,.
inconvenient b fngbin
~!@
India Ynd [yin-doo]
#$

92

%^

RT
(occasion) fi zhngsh [fay jungshur]

information xioxi [hsyowhshee]


do you have any information
about...? n yu guny ...
de xioxi ma? [nee yoh gwahn-

[wun-hsyewn-choo]

[choong-dzur yow dur]

ghjk

do you have anything for


insect bites? yu zh chng
yo de yo ma? [yoh jur choong
yow dur yow mah]

l;'ZXCVB
insect repellent qchngj
[chew-choong-jee]

NM<
inside* zi... l [dzai... lee]
~ ... $
inside the hotel zi lWgun
lmin
%^&*(
lets sit inside wmen jnq

)_+|`1
insist: I insist w jinch [wor
jyen-chur]

234

instant coffee srng kfi


[soo-roong kah-fay]

5678
insulin ydos [yee-dow-soo]
90insurance boxin [bow-hsyen]
=\
intelligent cngming [tsoongming]

QW
interested: Im interested in...

w du... hn gn xngq
[wor dway... hun gahn
hsing-chew]

ER ... IOP{
interesting yu ysi [yoh yee-sur]
}qw
thats very interesting hn
yu ysi [hun]
erty
international guj

ABCDEFGHIJKLIn

[]A
injection dzhn [dah-jun]
SD
injured shushng [shoh-shahng]
FG
shes been injured t
shushng le [tah lur]
HJKL
inner tube (for tyre) niti [nay]
:"
innocent wg
as
insect knchng [kun-choong]
df
insect bite chngzi yo de

zu ba [wor-mun jin-chew dzwor


bah]

English Chinese

yew dur mah]

{}qw ... yuiop


information desk wnxnch

[gwor-jee]

ui

Internet guj wnglu [gworjee wahng-luo]

op[]
interpreter fny [fahn-yee]
AS
intersection (US) shz lku
93

English Chinese

[shur-dzur loo-koh]

DFGH
interval (at theatre) mjin xixi
[moo-jyen hsyoh-hshee]

JKL:

into: Im not into... w du ...


b gn xngq [wor dway ... boo
gahn hsing-chew]

"a ... ghjk


introduce jisho [jyeh-show]
l;
may I introduce...? w li
jisho yxi, zhi wi
sh... [wor yee-hsyah jay-way
shur]

'ZXCVBNM< ...
invitation yoqng

ABCDEFGHIJKLIn

[yow-ching]

xc
invite yoqng
vb
Ireland irln [ai-er-lahn]
nm,
Irish irln [ai-er-lahn]
~!@
Im Irish w sh irln rn
[wor shur ai-er-lahn run]

#$%^&*
iron (for ironing) yndu [yewndoh]

()
can you iron these for me?

qng n bng w ynyn zh


xi yfu, ho ma? [ching nee
bahng wor yun-yun jur hsyeh yee-

94

foo how mah]

_+|`12345
6789
is* sh [shur]
0
island do [dow]
it t [tah]
=
it is..., it was ... sh... [shur]
\ ...
is it...? sh... ma? [mah]
R ... IO
where is it? zi nr? [dzai]
P{}q
Italian (adj) Ydl [yee-dah-lee]
wer
Italy Ydl
tyu
itch: it itches yng
i

J
jacket jik [jyah-kur]

op
jade y [yew]
[
jam gujing [gwor-jyang]
]A
January yyu [yee-yew-eh]
SD
Japan Rbn [ree-bun]
FG

HJ

jasmine tea mlhu ch [morlee hwah chah]

KL:"
jaw xiba [hsyah-bah]
as
jazz jush yu [jyeweh-shur
yeweh]

dfh
jealous jd
jk
jeans nizik [nyoh-dzai-koo]
l;'
jetty mtu [mah-toh]
ZX
jewellers zhbo (shng)din

run dur]

zxcv
job gngzu [goong-dzwor]
bn
jogging pob [pow-boo]
m,
to go jogging q pob [chew]
./,
joke wnxio [wahn-hsyow]
~!
journey lWxng [lyew-sing]
@#
have a good journey! yl

[jyow-chah-koh]

345
June liyu [lyoh-yew-eh]
67
just (only just) jnjn
89
(with numbers) zh [jur]
0
just two zh yo lingge [yow]
-=\Q
just for me ji w yo [jyoh
wor]

WER

just here ji zi zhr [dzai jer]

TYUI

ABCDEFGHIJKLJu

[joo-bow (shahng-)dyen]

CVBNM<
jewellery zhbo
>?
Jewish Yutirn de [yoh-tai-

shnfng! [shun-fung]
$%^&
jug gun [gwahn]
*
a jug of water y gunr shu
()_+
July qyu [chee-yew-eh]
|`
jumper toshn [tow-shahn]
12
junction (road) jiochku

English Chinese

jar gunzi [gwahn-dzur]

not just now xinzi bxng


[hsyen-dzai boo-hsing]

OP{}

weve just arrived wmen


gng do [wor-mun gahng dow]

qwer

95

English Chinese

K
keep li [lyoh]

keep the change byng


zho le [boo-yoong jow lur]

yuio

can I keep it? w kyi


lizhe ma? [wor kur-yee lyoh-jur
mah]

p[]ASDF
please keep it qng lizhe ba
[ching bah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLKe

GHJK
kettle shuh [shway-hoo]
L:
key yoshi [yow-shur]
"a
the key for room 201,
please qng gi w r lng
yo fng de yoshi [ching
gay wor er ling yow fahng dur
yow-shur]

sdfghjkl;'
keyring yoshi qun [yow-shur
choo-en]

ZXC
kidneys (in body) shnzng
[shun-dzahng]

VB
(food) yozi [yow-dzur]
~!
kill sh [shah]
@
96

kilo gngjn [goong-jin]

#$

kilometre gngl [goong-lee]

%^

how many kilometres is it


to...? q ... yu dushao
gngl? [chew ... yoh dow-show]

& ... _+|`12


kind (type) zhng [joong]
3
thats very kind n zhn ho
[nee jun how]

456

dialogue
which kind do you want? n
yo n y zhng? [yow nah]
I want this/that kind w
yo zhi/ni y zhng [wor
yow jay/nay]
king guwng [gwor-wahng]
78
kiosk shuhutng [shoh-hworting]

90kiss wn [wun]
=
kitchen chfng [choo-fahng]
\Q
Kleenex zhjn [jur-jin]
WE
knee xgi [hshee-gai]
RT

YUI
knife dozi [dow-dzur]
OP
knock (verb) qio [chyow]
{
knock over (object) d fn [dah
fahn]

}q
(pedestrian) zhung do [jwahng
dow]

we
know (somebody) rnshi [runshur]

rt
(something, a place) zhdao [jur I dont know w b zhdao

iop[

I didnt know that n w b


zhdao [nah]

]ASDF

do you know where I can


buy...? n zhdao w zi nr
nng mi do ...? [wor dzai nar
nung mai dow]

GHJKL:"as
d ...j
Korean (adj) Choxin [chowhsyen]

kl

lacquerware qq [chee-chee]

~!

ladies room, ladies toilets nW


csu [nyew tsur-swor]

@#$

ladies wear nWzhung [nyewjwahng]

%^
lady nWsh [nyew-shur]
&*
lager pji [pee-jyoh]
()
lake h [hoo]
_
lamb (meat) yngru
[yang-roh]

+|
lamp dng [dung]
`
lane (motorway) chdo [chur-dow]
12
(small road) htng [hoo-toong]
34
language yyn [yew-yen]
56
language course yyn k

ABCDEFGHIJKLLa

dow]

yu

English Chinese

knickers snjiok [sahn-jyowkoo]

[kur]

789
Laos Low [low-wor]
0large d [dah]
=
97

English Chinese

last (final) zuhu [dzway-hoh]

\Q
last week shng xngq
[shahng hsing-chee]

WER

last Friday shng xngq w

TYUI
last night zutin wnshang
[dzwor-tyen wahn-shahng]

OP{}

what time is the last train to


Beijing? q Bijng de zuhu

y bn huch j din ki?

[chew dur dzway-hoh yur bahn


hwor-chur jee dyen]

ABCDEFGHIJKLLa

qwertyuio
p[]AS
late (at night) wn [wahn]
D
(delayed) ch [chur]
F
sorry Im late dubuq, w li
wnle [dway-boo-chee wor lai
wahn-lur]

GHJKL:"
the train was late huch li
wnle [hwor-chur]
asdfg
we must go well be late

wmen di zule libujle

[wor-mun day dzoh-lur lai-boo-jee-lur]

hjkl;'ZXC
its getting late b zole
[dzow-lur]

~!@
98

later huli [hoh-lai]

#$

Ill come back later w gu


yhur zi li [wor gwor yeehwayr dzai]

%^&*()_
see you later hutujin
[hway-toh-jyen]

+|`
later on huli
12
latest zuhu [dzway-hoh]
34
(most recent) zujn
[dzway-jin]

56
by Wednesday at the latest
zuwn xngqsn
7890laugh (verb) xio [hsyow]
=
laundry (clothes) xy [hshee-yee]
\Q
(place) xydin [dyen]
WER
lavatory csu [tsur-swor]
TY
law flU [fah-lyew]
UI
lawyer lUsh [lyew-shur]
OP
laxative xiyo [hsyeh-hyow]
{}
lazy ln [lahn]
q

when does the bus for


Beijing leave? q Bijng de
qch j din ki? [chew dur
chee-chur jee dyen]
jkl;'ZXCVB
may I leave this here? w

nng b zhige li zi zhr


ma? [wor nung bah jay-gur lyoh

dzai jer mah]

NM<>?zxcv
bn
he left yesterday t sh
zutin lki de [tah shur dzwor-

I left my coat in the bar w

ba wde dy li zi jibjin
[bah wor-dur dah-yee lyoh dzai
jyoh-bah-jyen]

&*()_+|`1
23
theres none left shnme du
bshng [shun-mur doh booshung]

45678
left zu [dzwor]
9
on the left zi zubinr [dzai
dzwor-byenr]

0-=\
to the left wng zu [wahng]
QW
turn left wng zu gui [gwai]
ERT
left-handed zupizi [dzworpyeh-dzur]

YUI

left luggage (office) xngli


jcnch [hsing-lee jee-tsunchoo]

ABCDEFGHIJKLLe

wertyuio
leak: the roof leaks wdng
lule [woo-ding loh-lur]
p[]A
learn xux [hsyew-eh-hshee]
SD
least: not in the least ydinr
du b [yee-dyenr doh bu]
FGHJK
at least zhsho [jee-show]
L:
leather pg [pee-gur]
"a
leave (depart) zu [dzoh]
s
I am leaving tomorrow w
mngtian zu [wor ming-tyen]
dfgh

tyen lee-kai dur]

~!@#$%^

English Chinese

lead: where does this road


lead to? zh tio l tng nr
q? [jur tyow loo toong nar
chew]

OP{}q
leg tu [tway]
w
lemon nngmng [ning-mung]
er
lemonade nngmng qshur
[chee-shwayr]

tyuio
99

English Chinese

lemon tea nngmngch


[chah]

p[]
lend ji [jyeh]
A

will you lend me your...?

qng ba nde ... ji gi w


[ching bah nee-dur ... jyeh gay wor]

ABCDEFGHIJKLLe

SDFG ... L:"a


lens (of camera) jngtu [jing-toh]
sd
less sho [show]
f
less than ... b ... sho
g ... l
less expensive than ... b ...
pinyi [pyen-yee]
; ... CV
lesson k [kur]
B
let: will you let me know? n
do shhou gosu w, ho
ma? [dow shur-hoh gow-soo wor
how mah]

NM<>?zxcvb
Ill let you know w do
shhou gosu n
~!@#$%^
lets go for something to eat
chfn, ba [chur-fahn bah]

&*(

let off: will you let me off


at...? w zi... xi, xng ma?
[dzai... hsyah hsing]

)_ ... 1234
100

letter xn [hsin]

do you have any letters for


me? yu xn, ma? [yoh hsin
mah]

6789
letterbox xnxing [hsinhsyahng]

0-

library tshgun [too-shoogwahn]

=\Q
lid gir [gair]
WE
lie (tell untruth) shuhung
[shwor-hwahng]

RT

lie down tng [tahng]

Y
life shnghu [shung-hwor]
UI
lifebelt jishngqun [jyohshung-choo-en]

OP{

lifeguard jishngyun [jyohshung-yew-ahn]

}qw

life jacket jishngy [jyohshung-yee]

ert
lift (in building) dint
[dyen-tee]

yu

could you give me a lift? n

nng b nng rng w dge

iop[]ASDFG
light (noun) dng [dung]
H
(not heavy) qng [ching]
J
do you have a light? (for
cigarette) n yu hu ma? [nur
yoh hwor mah]

KL:"a
light bulb dngpo [dung-pow]
sd
I need a new light bulb w
xyo yge xn dngpo [wor
hsyoo-yow yee-gur hsin]

hwor-jee]

ZXC
lightning shndin [shahndyen]

VB
like xhuan [hshee-hwahn]
NM
I like it w xhuan [wor]
~!@
I dont like it w b xhuan
#$%^
I like you w xhuan n
&*()
do you like...? n xhuan...
ma? [mah]
_+| ... 34
Id like a beer w xing h

ping]

567890-

Id like to go swimming w

xing q yuyng
=\QWE

would you like a drink? n

xing h dinr shnme ma?

[hur dyenr shun-mur]

RTYUIOP{}
would you like to go for a
walk? n xing bu xing q
zuyizu? [chew dzoh-yee-dzoh]

qwertyuio
whats it like? t xing
shnme? [tah]
p[]AS
I want one like this w yo
tnglide [yow toong-lay-dur]
DFGHJ
line xin [hsyen]
K

could you give me an outside


line? qng gi w wixin,
ho ma? [ching gay wor wai-hsyen
how dzwaymah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLLi

fghjkl;'
lighter (cigarette) dhuj [dah-

ypng pji [hsyahng hur yee-

English Chinese

ch? [nung rahng wor dah-gur


chur]

L:"asdfg
lips zuchn [dzway]
hj
lip salve chngo [chun-gow]
kl
lipstick kuhng [koh-hoong]
;'
listen tng
Z

101

English Chinese

litre shng [shung]

lobby (in hotel) qintng [chyenting]

lobster lngxi [loong-hsyah]

little xio [hsyow]


just a little, thanks ji ydinr,
xixie [jyoh yee-dyenr hsyehhsyeh]

VBNM<>
a little milk ydinr nuni
[nyoh-nai]

?zxcv

a little bit more du ydinr


[dwor yee-dyenr]

ABCDEFGHIJKLLi

bnm,
live (verb) zh [joo]
.
we live together wmen zh
zi yq [wor-mun joo dzai yeechee]

~!@#$%
dialogue
where do you live? n zh
zi nr? [joo dzai]
I live in London w zh zi
Lndn [wor]
lively (person) hupo
[hwor-por]

^&
(town) rnao [rur-now]
*(
liver (in body, food) gn [gahn]
)

102

_+

|`
local dfngde [dee-fahng-dur]
123
lock su [swor]
4
its locked sushang le [swor
shahng lur]

567

lock out: Ive locked myself


out w b zj su zi mnwi
le [wor bah dzur-jee swor dzai
mun-wai lur]

234E67890
locker (for luggage etc)
xiochgu [hsyow-choo-gway]
QWE
London Lndn
RT
long chng [chahng]
Y
how long does it take? yo
duchng shjian? [yow dworchahng shur-jyen]

UIOP{}
how long will it take to fix it?

b zhige dngxi xil ho


yo duchng shjian? [bah

jay-gur doong-hshee hsyoo-lee hao]

qwertyuio
p[]AS
a long time hn chng shjian

Im looking forward to it w
pnwng [wor]

w zhshi knyikn, xixie

345
loose (handle etc) sng [soong]
6
lorry kch [kah-chur]
78
lose di [dyoh]
9
Im lost w mlle [wor mee-

[wor jur-shur kahn-yee-kahn hsyehhsyeh]

0-=\

lai nee shun-tee boo shoo-foo]

QWERTY

one day/two days longer y/


ling tin du [tyen dwor]

JKL:"

long-distance call chngt


dinhu [chahng-too dyen-hwah]

asdf

look: Im just looking, thanks

ghjkl;'Z
you dont look well knqli,
n shnt b shfu [kahn-chee-

mah]

~!@#$%
look after zhokn [jow-kahn]
^&
look at kn [kahn]
*
look for zho [jow]
(
Im looking for... w zho ...
[wor jow]

)_ ...

look forward to pnwng


[pahn-wahng]

12

loo-lur]

Ive lost my bag w b


dizi dile [bah dai-dzur dyohlur]
lost property (office) shw
zholng ch [shur-woo jow-ling
choo]

UIOP{
lot: a lot, lots hndu [hundwor]

}q

not a lot b du

we

a lot of people hndu rn


[run]

ABCDEFGHIJKLLo

XCVBNM<>?
look out! xioxn! [hsyow-hsin]
zx
can I have a look? kyi
knkan ma? [kur-yee kahn-kahn

English Chinese

[hun]

DFGH

rty

a lot bigger d de du [dah dur]

uio

I like it a lot w hn xhuan


[wor hun hshee-hwahn]

p[]A
loud dshng de [dah-shung dur]
SDF
103

English Chinese

lounge (in house) ktng [kurting]

GH
(in hotel) xixish [hsyoh-hsheeshur]

JKL
love (noun) lini [lyen-ai]
:"
(verb) i
a
I love China w i Zhnggu
[wor ai joong-gwor]

ABCDEFGHIJKLLo

sdfg
lovely (person) ki [kur-ai]
hj
(thing) hn ho [hun how]
kl
low (bridge) d
;
(prices) pinyide [pyen-yee-dur]
~!@
luck ynqi [yewn-chee]
#$
good luck! zh n shnl! [joo
nee shun-lee]

%^&*
luggage xngli [hsing-lee]
()
luggage trolley xnglich
[chur]

_+|
lunch wfn [woo-fahn]
`1
luxurious hohu [how-hwah]
23
104

luxury (comfort etc) goj [gowjee]

45
(extravagance) shch [shurchee]

67

lychee lzh [lee-jur]

89

M
machine jq [jee-chee]

0-

magazine zzh [dzah-jur]

=\
maid (in hotel) nW fwyun
[nyew foo-woo-yew-ahn]

QWER
mail (noun) yujin [yoh-jyen]
TY
(verb) j
U
is there any mail for me? yu
wde xn ma? [yoh wor-dur hsin
mah]

IOP{}q
see postal service
mailbox xnxing [hsin-hsyahng]

we
main zhyo de [joo-yow dur]
rty
main course zhci [joo-tsai]
ui
main post office d yuj [dah

main road dl [dah-loo]

]A
make (brand name) pi
S
(verb) zhzo [jur-dzow]
DF

I make it 10 yuan, OK? w

sun sh kui qin, ho ma?

[wor swahn shur kwai chyen how


mah]

GHJKL:"a
what is it made of? zh sh
yng shnme zo de? [jur shur
yoong shun-mur dzow dur]

jwahng-pin]

~!@

Malaysia Mlixy [mah-laihshee-yah]

#$%^
man nnrn [nahn-run]
&*
manager jngl
()

can I see the manager? kyi


jinjian jngl ma? [kur-yee jyenjyen mah]

_+|`1234
Mandarin Ptnghu [pootoong-hwah]

567

mandarin orange gnzi [gahn-

[run-zow hwahng-yoh]

TYUI
market shchng [shur-chahng]
OP
married: Im married w
jihnle [wor jyeh-hun-lur]
{}qw
are you married? n jihnle
ma? [nee jyeh-hun-lur mah]
ertyui
martial arts wsh
op
mascara jimogo [jyeh-mowgow]

[]A
match (sport) bsi
SD
football match zqi si [dzoo-

ABCDEFGHIJKLMa

sdfghjkl
make-up huzhungpn [hwah-

dzur]

89
many hn du [hun dwor]
0 not many b du
=\
map dt
QW
March snyu [sahn-yew-eh]
ER
margarine rnzo hangyu

English Chinese

yoh-joo]

op[

chyoh]

FGH
matches huchi [hwor-]
JK
material (fabric) b
L
105

English Chinese

matter: it doesnt matter mi


gunxi [may gwahn-hshee]

~!@

whats the matter? znmele?


[dzun-mur-lur]

#$%^
mattress chungdin [chwahngdyen]

&*
May wyu [woo-yew-eh]
()
may: may I have another one?
qng zi li yge [ching dzai lai
yee-gur]

_+|`1

ABCDEFGHIJKLMa

may I come in? w nng


jnli ma? [wor nung jin-lai
mah]

234567
may I see it? w nng kn
ma? [kahn]
890-=
may I sit here? w nng zu
zhr ma? [zwor jer]
\QWERTY
maybe knng [kur-nung]
UI
me* w [wor]
O
thats for me zh sh wde [jer
shur wor-dur]

P{}q

send it to me qng sng gi


w [ching soong gay]

wert
106

me too w y [yur]

yu
meal fn [fahn]
i
dialogue

did you enjoy your meal?

chde hi ho ma? [chur-dur


hai how mah]
it was excellent, thank you
hn ho, xexe [hun how
hsyeh-hsyeh]
mean: what do you mean? n
zhde sh shnme? [nee jur-dur
shur shun-mur]

op[]ASD
dialogue

what does this word mean?

zhige cr sh shnme ysi?

[jay-gur tsur yee-sur]


it means... in English yng

yngwen sh ... de ysi


[yoong ying-wun dur]
meat ru [roh]

medicine (Western) xyo [hsheeyow]

GH
(Chinese) zhngyo [joong-yow]
JK

mens room nn csu [nahn


tsur-swor]

medium-rare (steak) bnshng


de [bahn-shung dur]

menswear nnzhung [nahnjwahng]

L:

~!@

medium-sized zhngho
[joong-how]

#$
meet pngjin [pung-jyen]
%^
nice to meet you jindo n
hn goxng [jyen-dow nee hun
gow-hsing]

&*()_+

|`12345
meeting hu(y) (hway-yee]
6789
melon gu [gwah]
0
men nnde [nahn-dur]
-=
mend (machine, bicycle) xil
[hsyoh-lee]

\Q
(clothes) fngb [fung-boo]
WE
could you mend this for me?

qng gi w xul yxa ho


ma? [ching gay wor yee-hsyah

how mah]

RTYUIOP{}q

ty

mention shudo [shwor-dow]

ui

dont mention it byng kqi


[boo-yoong kur-chee]

op[]
menu cidnr [tsai-dahnr]
ASD

may I see the menu, please?

qng li cidnr, ho ma?

[ching lai tsai-dahnr - how mah]

FGHJKL:"

see menu reader page 244


message xnr [hsinr]

as

are there any messages for


me? yu wde xn shnmede
ma? [yoh wor-dur hsin shun-murdur mah]

dfghjkl;'

I want to leave a message


for... w xing gi ... lige
xnr [hsyahng gay ... lyoh-gur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLMi

where shall I meet you? w


zi nr jin n? [wor dzai-nar
jyen]

wer

English Chinese

medium (adj: size) zhngdng


[joong-dung]

ZXC ... M<>?


metal jnsh [jin-shoo]
zx
metre m
c
midday zhngw [joong-woo]
vb
107

English Chinese

at midday zhngw

~!

middle*: in the middle zi


zhngjin [dzai joong-jyen]

@#$

in the middle of the night yli


[yur-lee]

%^

the middle one zhngjinde


[joong-jyen-dur]

&*(

midnight bny [bahn-yur]

)_

at midnight bny [bahn-yur]

+|

IOP{}q
dialogue
do you mind if I open the
window? w ki chung,
xngbxng? [chwahng hsingboo-hsing]
no, I dont mind xng
[hsing]
mine*: its mine sh wde [shur
wor-dur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLMi

might: I might ... yx ... [yurhsoo]

wer

I might not ... yx b ...

tyui

`1

mineral water kungqunshur


[kwahng-choo-en-shwayr]

234 ...
mild (taste) widn

Ming Tombs shsnlng [shursahn-ling]

[wei-dahn]

89
(weather) nunhuo [nwahn-hwor]
0mile yngl
=\
milk nini [nyoh-nai]
QW
millimetre hom [how-mee]
ER
mind: never mind mi gunxi
[may gwahn-hshee]

TYU

Ive changed my mind w

108

gibin zhy le [wor gai-byen


joo-yee lur]

op[
minute fn(zhng) [fun(-joong)]
]ASD
in a minute yhur [yee-hwayr]
FGH
just a minute dng yhur
[dung]

JKL:
mirror jngzi [jing-dzur]
"a
Miss xioji [hsyow-jyeh]
sd
miss: I missed the bus w mi
gnshng ch [wor may gahn-

missing: my... is missing


wde ... dile [wor-dur ...
dyoh-lur]

~! ... %^

theres a suitcase missing


yge yxing dile [yee-gur yeehsyahng dyoh-lur]

&*()+|
mist w
`
mistake cu(w) [tswor]
1234

I think theres a mistake zhr


yuge cur [jer yoh-gur]

567890

dibq, w nngcole

[dway-boo-chee wor noong-tsworlur]

-=\QWER
misunderstanding whu
[woo-hway]

TY

mobile phone shut danhu


[shoh-tee dyen-hwah]

UIOP
modern xindi [hsyen-dai]
{}
moisturizer clinyu [tsahlyen-yoh]

qwe
moment: I wont be a moment
ji yfn zhng [jyoh yee-fun

[sur-yew-ahn]

io

Monday xngqy [hsing-cheeyee]

p[]
money qin [chyen]
A
Mongolia Mngg [mung-goo]
SD
Mongolian (adj) Mngg
FG
monk sng [sung]
H
month yu [yew-eh]
J
monument jninbi [jin-yenbay]

KL:
moon yuliang [yew-eh-lyang]
"a
more* gng du [gung
dwor]

sd

ABCDEFGHIJKLMo

sorry, Ive made a mistake

joong]

rtyu
monastery (Buddhist) syun

English Chinese

shahng chur]

fghjk

can I have some more water,


please? qng zi li dinr
shu? [ching dzai lai shway ]

fghjkl;
more expensive gng gu
[gung gway]

'Z

more interesting than ... b ...


gng yu xngq [yoh hsing-

109

English Chinese

chew]

X ... NM<>

more than 50/100 wsh/

ybi du
~!@#$%

more than that one b nige


du [nay-gur]

^&*(
a lot more dude du [dwordur]

)_+
dialogue
would you like some more?

n hi yo dinr shnme
ma? [yow dyenr shun-mur mah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLMo

no, no more for me, thanks


byo, xixie [boo-yow
hsyeh-hsyeh]
how about you? n ne?
[nee-nur]
I dont want any more,
thanks w b ziyole,
xixie [wor boo dzai-yow-lur]

78

mosquito net wnzhng [wunjahng]

90

mosquito repellent qwnj


[chew-wun-jee]

-=\

most*: I like this one most of


all w zu xhun zhige [wor
dzway hshee-hwahn jay-gur]

~!@#$%

most of the time dbfen


shjin [dah-boo-fun shur-jyen]

^&*()
most tourists d dush
lWyuzhe [dah dwor-shoo]
_+|`12
mostly ddu [dah-dwor]
34
mother mqn [moo-chin]
56
mother-in-law ppo [por-por]
78
motorbike mtuch [mortwor-chur]

morning zoshang [dzowshahng]

90-

this morning jntin zoshang


[jin-tyen dzow-shahng]

mountain shn [shahn]

|`

1234

in the morning zoshang


[dzow-shahng]

56
110

mosquito wnzi [wun-dzur]

motorboat qtng [chee-ting]

=\
Q

in the mountains zi shnl


[dzai shahn-lee]

WER

mountaineering dngshn

mouse losh [low-shoo]

UI

moustache xio hzi [hsyow


hoo-dzur]

OP{
mouth zu [dzway]
}

move: hes moved to another


room t bndo lngwi y
jan qle [tah bahn-dow ling-wai
yee jyen choo-lur]

qwertyuio
could you move it? qng
nn nu yxi, ho ma?
p[]ASDFG

could you move up a little?

qng wng qan no yxi,


ho ma? [wahng chyen nwor yee-

hsyah]

HJKL:"asd
movie dinyng [dyen-ying]
fg
movie theater dinyng yun
[dyen-ying yew-ahn]

hjk
Mr xinsheng [hsyen-shung]
l;
Mrs fren [foo-run]
'Z
Ms nWsh [nyew-shur]
XC

much better/worse ho/hui


de du [dur]

BNM<>

not (very) much b hn du

?zx

I dont want very much w


byo ti do [wor boo-yow]

cvbnm
mug (for drinking) bi [bay]
~
Ive been mugged w gi rn
qingle [gay run chyang-lur]
!@#$%
mum mma [mah-mah]
^&
museum bwgun [bor-woogwahn]

*()

mushrooms mgu
[mor-goo]

_+

music ynyu [yin-yew-eh]

|`

Muslim (adj) msln [moosur-lin]

ABCDEFGHIJKLMu

[ching nin nwor yee-hsyah how


mah]

much du [dwor]

English Chinese

[dung-shahn]

TY

123

must*: I must w bx [wor


bee-hsyew]

456

I mustnt drink alcohol w


bhu h ji [wor-boo-hway hur
jyoh]

7890-

111

English Chinese

my* wde [wor-dur]

nappy niob [nyow-boo]

myself: Ill do it myself w zj


li [wor dzur-jee]

narrow (street) zhi [jai]

=\

QWER
by myself w yge rn [yee-gur
run]

TYUZ

@#
$

nasty (person) rng rn toyn


[rahng run tow-yen]

%^&*
(weather, accident) zotule
[dzow-toh-lur]

()_
national (state) guji [gwor-

nail (finger) zhji [jur-jyah]

+|
(nationwide) qungu [choo-en-

OP
(metal) dngzi [ding-dzur]
{}
nail varnish zhji yu [jur-jyah

ABCDEFGHIJKLMy

yoh]

qwe
name mngzi [ming-dzur]
rt
my names John wde
mngzi jio John [wor-dur
jyow]

yuiop John
whats your name? n
jio shnme? [nee
shun-mur]

DFGHJ
what is the name of this
street? zhi tio l jio
shnme? [jay tyow]

KL:"asd
napkin cnjn [tsahn-jin]
~!
112

jyah]

gwor]

`1

nationality guj [gwor-jee]

23
(for Chinese minorities) shosh
mnz [show-shoo min-dzoo]
4567
natural zrn [dzur-rahn]
89
near jn
0
near the ... l... hnjn [hunjin]

- ... WE

is it near the city centre?


lsh zhngxn jn ma? [shur
joong-hsin jin mah]

RTYUIOP

do you go near the Great


Wall? n ziChngchng
fjn tngch ma? [nee dzai

{}qwertyui
where is the nearest...?
zujn de... zi nr? [dzway-jin
dur... dzai nar]

op[ ... DFGH


nearby fjn [foo-jin]
JK
nearly chbudu [chah-boodwor]

L:"

necessary byo(de) [bee-yow(dur)]

lyen]

@#

necktie lngdi

$%

need: I need... w xyo...


[wor hsyew-yow]

^&*

do I need to pay? w ynggi


fqin ma? [foo-chyen mah]

()_+|`1
needle zhn [jun]
2

neither: neither (one) of them


lingge du b [lyang-gur doh]

3456
Nepal Nbr [nee-bor-er]
789

0-=
nephew zhzi [jur-dzur]
\Q
net (in sport) wng [wahng]
W
network map jiotngt [jyowtoong-too]

ERT
never (not ever) cngli b
[tsoong-lai]

YUI
(not yet) hi miyou [may-yoh]
OP{
dialogue
have you ever been to
Beijing? n qguo Bijng
miyou? [chew-gwor mayyoh]
no, never, Ive never
been there cngli miq
[tsoong-lai may-chew]
new xn [hsin]

ABCDEFGHIJKLNe

asdfg
neck bzi [boh-dzur]
~!
necklace xinglin [hsyahng-

Nepali (adj) Nbr

English Chinese

chahng-chung foo-jin ting-chur


mah]

news (radio, TV etc) xnwn


[hsin-wun]

qw

newspaper bo(zh) [bow(-jur)]

erty
New Year xnnin [hsin-nyen]
ui
Chinese New Year chnji

113

English Chinese

[chun-jyeh]

op

Happy New Year! xnnin


ho! [how]

[]A
(Chinese) gngh xnx! [goonghur hsin-hshee]

SDFG

New Years Eve: Chinese New


Years Eve chx [choo-hshee]
~!
New Zealand Xnxln [hsinsee-lahn]

kahn]

{}
(person) ho [how]
~
niece zhnW [jin-yew]
!@
night y [yur]
#
at night yli [yur-lee]
$%
good night wn n [wahn
ahn]

@#$

^&

New Zealander: Im a New


Zealander w sh xnxlnren
[run]

dialogue

ABCDEFGHIJKLNe

%^&*()
next xi yge [hsyah yee-gur]
_+|

the next street on the left


zobinr dy tio l [dzworbyenr dee-yee tiao]

`123456
at the next stop xi yzhn
[hsyah yee-jahn]

789

next week xi(ge) xngq


[hsyah(-gur) hsing-chee]

0-=\QW
next to ... zi... pngbin
[dzai... pahng-byen]

E ... UI
nice (food) hoch [how-chur]
OP
114

(looks, view etc) hokn [how-

do you have a single room


for one night? yu ytin
de dnrn jin ma? [yoh yeetyen dur dahn-run jyen mah]
yes, madam yu [yoh]
how much is it per night?

ywn yo dushaoqin?

[yee-wahn yow dwor-showchyen]


its 30 yuan for one night

ywn yo snsh kui qin


[sahn-shur chyen]
thank you, Ill take it xng
[hsing]
nightclub yznghu [yurdzoong-hway]

*()

Ive no change w miyou


lng qin [wor may-yoh chyen]

+|`12
no way! b xng! [hsing]
34
oh no! (upset) tin na! [tyen
nah]

56

nobody mirn [may-run]

78

theres nobody there mirn


zi nr [dzai]

[chow-lur]

ERT

non-alcoholic b hn jijng
de [hahn jyoh-jing dur]

YUIOP
none shnme y miyou [shunmur yur may-yoh]

{}qwe
noon zhngw [joong-woo]
rt
at noon zhngw
yu
no-one mirn [may-run]
io
nor: nor do I w y b [wor yur]
p[]
normal zhngchng(de) [jung-

[wahng]

~!

north of Rome Lum bi

@#$

northeast dngbi [doong-bay]

%^

northern bibin [bay-byen]

&*

Northern Ireland Bi irln


[bay ai-er-lahn]

()_+

North Korea Bi Choxin [bay


chow-hsyen]

|`1

northwest xbi [hshee-bay]

23

Norway Nuwi [nwor-way]

45

Norwegian (adj, language)

ABCDEFGHIJKLNo

90-=\
noise zoyn [dzow-yin]
QW
noisy: its too noisy ti chole

chahng(-dur)]

ASDFG
north bi [bay]
H
in the north bibian [bay-byen]
JK
to the north wng bi

English Chinese

no* b

Nuwiy
678
nose bzi [bee-dzur]
90
not* b
-

no, Im not hungry w b


[wor bway]

=\Q

115

English Chinese

I dont want any, thank you


byo, xixie [boo-yow hsyehhsyeh]

WERT

its not necessary bbyo

YUI

I didnt know that w b


zhdao [wor boo jur-dow]

OP{}

not that one, this one byo


nige, yo zhige [nay-gur yow
jay-gur]

qwertyu
note (banknote) chopio [chowpyow]

io

notebook bjbn [bee-jee-bun]

ABCDEFGHIJKLNo

p[]
nothing miyou shnme [mayyoh shun-mur]

ASDF

nothing for me, thanks w

shnme du b yo, xixie

[wor doh boo yow hsyeh-hsyeh]

GHJKL:"a
nothing else, thanks qtade
byo, xixie [chee-tah-dur boo-

CV

number hom [how-mah]

BN
(figure) shz [shoo-dzur]
M<

Ive got the wrong number


w dcule [wor dah-tswor-lur]

~!@#

what is your phone number?

nde dinhu hom sh


dushao? [nee-dur dyen-hwah

shur dwor-show]

$%^&*()_+|
number plate chpi [chur-pai]
`1
nurse hshi [hoo-shur]
23
nut (for bolt) lus [lwor-sur]
45
nuts (chestnuts) lzi [lee-dzur]
67
(hazelnuts) zhnzi [jun-dzur]
89
(walnuts) htao [hur-tow]
0-

yow]

shwor]

occupied (US) yurn [yoh-run]

sdfghjk
novel (noun) xioshu [hsyow l;

November shyyu [shur-yeeyew-eh]

'ZX
116

now xinzi [hsyen-dzai]

QW

oclock* dinzhng [dyenjoong]

=\

ER
odd (strange) qgui [chee-gwai]
TY
of* de [dur]
U
off (lights, machine) gun shangle
[gwahn shahng-lur]

IOP

its just off ... (street etc) l ...


byun [boo-ywahn]

{ ... er

were off tomorrow wmen


mngtian zu [wor-mun mingtyen dzoh]

jing-chahng]

DFG

how often are the buses?

yge zhngtu dushao


qch? [yee-gur joong-toh dwor-

show chee-chur]

HJKL:"asd
oil (for car) yu [yoh]
f
vegetable oil ciyu [tsai-yoh]
gh
oily (food) yun [yoh-nee]
jk

l;
OK ho [how]
'

are you OK? hi ho ma?


[mah]

ZXCV
I feel OK hn ho [hun]
~!
is that OK with you? xng b
xng? [hsing]
@#$%
is it OK to...? w kyi ...?
[wor kur-yee]

^&* ...+

thats OK, thanks xngle


xixie [hsing-lur hsyeh-hsyeh]

|`12

is this train OK for...? zh


li huch q ... ma? [jer lyeh
hwor-chur chew ... mah]

34567 ... -=
old (person) lo [low]
\
(thing) ji [jyoh]
Q

ABCDEFGHIJKLOl

tyuio
office (place of work)
bngngsh [bahn-goong-shur]
p[]
often jngchng [jing-chahng]
AS
not often b jngchng [boo

ointment yogo [yow-gow]

English Chinese

October shyu [shur-yew-eh]

dialogue
how old are you? nn
du d ninling? [dwor dah
nyen-ling]
(to an old person) nn du d
ninj le? [dwor dah nyen-jee
lur]

117

English Chinese

(to a child) ni jsu le? [jeesway lur]


Im 25 w rshw su [wor
sway]
and you? n ne? [nur]
old-fashioned gush(de)
[gwor-shur(-dur)]

WERTY
(person) shuji(de) [shoh-jyoh(dur)]

UIOP{
old town (old part of town)
jichng [jyoh-chung]
}q
omelette chojdn [chow-jeedahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLOl

wer

on*: on ... (on top of) zi...


shngmian [dzai... shahngmyen]

t ... op

kl;'

I havent got it on me w mi
di zi shnshang [wor may dai
dzai shun-shahng]

ZXCVBN

this ones on me (drink) w


fqin [wor foo-choo-en]

~!@

the light wasnt on dng mi


ki [dung may]

#$%

whats on tonight? jntin

wnshang yu shnme
hudng? [jin-tyen wahn-shahng

you shun-mur hwor-dong]

^&*()_+|`1
once (one time) yc [yee-tsur]
23
at once (immediately) mshng
[mah-shahng]

[]A

45
one* y [yur]
6

shng
SDFG

789

on the street zilshng


on the beach zihitn

is it on this road?

zizhtaol ma? [jur-tyow-loo

mah]

HJKL:"
on the plane zifej shng
asdf
on Saturday xngq li [lyoh]
ghj
118

on television zi dinshshang

the white one bis de [bai-sur


dur]
one-way ticket dnchng pio
[dahn-chung pyow]

-=Q
onion yngcng [yang-tsoong]
WE
only zh yu [jur yoh]
RT
only one zh yu yge [yee-

its only 6 oclock ci lidin


[tsai lyoh-dyen]

P{}

Ive only just got here w


gng da le [wor gahng dow lur]

qwer

on/off switch kigun [kaigwahn]

ty
open (adj) ki(de) [kai(-dur)]
uiop
(verb) ki
[
when do you open? nmen
shnme shhou kimnr?
]ASDFGHJKL
I cant get it open w dbki
[wor dah-boo--kai]

:"as

in the open air zi shwi [dzai


shur-wai]

dfg

opening times yngy shjin


[ying-yur shur-jyen]

hjkl
opera gj [gur-jyew]
~!
operation (medical) shush
[shoh-shoo]

@#

operator (telephone) zngj

opposite: the opposite


direction xingfn de
fngxing [hsyahng-fahn dur
fahng-hsyahng]

^&*()

the bar opposite zi dumianr


de jiba [dzai dway-myenr dur]

_+|`123
opposite my hotel zi w
fndin dumianr
4567890
optician ynjngdin [yen-jingdyen]

-=\
or (in statement) huzh [hworjur]

QW
(in question) hishi [hai-shur]
ER
orange (fruit) jzi [joo-dzur]
TY
(colour) jhungs [jyew-sur]
UIO
orange juice (fresh) xinjzh

ABCDEFGHIJKLOr

[nee-mun shun-mur shur-hoh kaimunr]

[dzoong-jee]

$%

English Chinese

gur]

YUIO

[hsyen-jyew-jur]

P{}
(fizzy) jzi qshu [jyew-dzur
chee-shway]

qwer
(diluted) jzishur [jyew-dzurshwayr]

tyui

order: can we order now? (in

119

English Chinese

restaurant) wmen kyi dinci


ma? [wor-mun kur-yee dyen-tsai
mah]

op[]ASDF

Ive already ordered, thanks


yjing din le, xixie [yee-jing
dyen lur hsyeh-hsyeh]

GHJKL:

I didnt order this w miyu


din zhige ci [wor may-yoh
dyen jay-gur tsai]

ABCDEFGHIJKLOr

"asdfgh
out of order huile [hwai-lur]
jk
ordinary ptng [poo-toong]
l;
other qt [chee-tah]
'Z
the other one lng yge [yeegur]

XCV

the other day zujn


[dzway-jin]

~!

Im waiting for the others w


dngzhe qyde [wor dung-jer
chee-yoo-dur]

@#$%^&

do you have any others?


(other kinds) hi yu bide ma?
[yoh byeh-dur mah]

*()_+|
otherwise yobrn [yow-boorahn]

`12
120

our/ours* wmende [wor-mundur]

345

out: hes out t chqule [tah


choo-chew-lur]

6789

three kilometres out of town


l shq sn gngl [shur-chew
goong-lee]

0-==\Q
outdoors ltin [loo-tyen]
WE
outside* wimian
[wai-myen]

RT

can we sit outside? wmen

kyi do wimian q zu ma?

[wor-mun kur-yee dow wai-myen


chew dzwor mah]

YUIOP{}qw
er
oven koxing [kow-syang]
ty
over: over here zi zhr [dzai
jer]

uio

over there zi nr

p[]

over 500 wbi du [dwor]

ASD

its over wnle [wahn-lur]

FG

overcharge: youve
overcharged me n dushule
wde qin [dwor-shoh-lur wor-

packet: a packet of
cigarettes ybo yn [yee-bow
yen]

[loo-shahng yoh-dee]

^&*

yur]

()
page (of book) y [yur]
_

sdfg
overnight (travel) guy [gwor hj

overtake chogu [chow-gwor]

kl

owe: how much do I owe you?


ygng dushao qin? [yeegoong dwor-show chyen]

;'ZXCV
own: my own... w zjde...
[wor dzur-jur-dur]

BNM< ...

xcvbnm,
Im on my own ji w yge
rn [jyoh wor yee-gur run]
./vbn

P
pack (verb) shushi [shoh-shur]

~!

package (parcel) bogu [bowgwor]

@#

packed lunch hfn [hur-fahn]

$%

could you page Mr...? n

nng jio yxia... xinsheng


ma? [nung jyow yee-hsyah...

hsyen-shung mah]

+|`12 ... 6789


pagoda t [tah]
0
pain tng [tung]
I have a pain here w zhr
tng [wor jer]
=\QW
painful tng
E
painkillers zhtngyo [jurtung-yow]

RTY
painting hu [hwah]
U
(oil) yuhu [yoh-hwah]
IO
(Chinese) guhu [gwor-hwah]
P{
pair: a pair of... ydur...

ABCDEFGHIJKLPa

are you on your own? ji n


yge rn ma? [jyoh nee yee-gur
run mah]

paddy field dotin [dow-tyen]

English Chinese

dur chyen]

HJKL:"a
overland mail lshang yud

[yee-dwayr]

}qw ...
Pakistani (adj) Bjstn [bah121

English Chinese

jee-sur-tahn]

yuio
palace gngdin [goong-dyen]
p[
pale cngbi [tsahng-bai]
]A
pale blue dn lns [dahn lahnsur]

SDF
panda d xingmo [dah
hsyoong-mow]

GHJ
pants (underwear: mens) kch
[koo-chah]

KL
(womens) xio snjiok
[hsyow sahn-jyow-koo]

ABCDEFGHIJKLPa

:"as
(US: trousers) kzi [koo-dzur]
df
pantyhose linkw [lyen-koowah]

ghj
paper zh [jur]
k
(newspaper) bozh [bow-jur]
~!
a piece of paper yzhng zh
[yee-jahng jur]

@#$

paper handkerchiefs zhjn


[jur-jin]

%^

parcel bogu [bow-gwor]

&*
122

pardon (me)? (didnt understand/


hear) n shu shnme? [shwor
shun-mur]

()_+|
parents fm
`1
park (noun) gngyun [goongyew-ahn]

23
(verb) tngch [ting-chur]
45
can I park here? w nng zi
zhr tngch ma? [wor nung
dzai-jer ting-chur mah]

67890-=\Q
parking lot tngch chng [tingchur chahng]

WER
part (noun) bfen
TY
partner (boyfriend, girlfriend etc)
bnr [bahnr]
UI
party (group) tunt [twahn-tee]
OP
(celebration) wnhu [wahnhway]

{}

passenger chngk [chung-kur]

qw

passport hzho [hoo-jow]

er

past*: in the past guqu [gworchew]

ty

uiop[]
path xiol [hsyow-loo]
AS
pattern tn [too-ahn]
DF
pavement rnxng do [runhsing dow]

foo-chyen lur]

ghjkl;'
dialogue
whos paying? shi fqin?
[shway foo-chyen]
Ill pay w fqin [wor foochyen]
no, you paid last time, Ill
pay b, n sh zuho yc
fde, w fqin [shur dzwayhoh yee-tsur foo-dur]

~!@#
peaceful njng [ahn-jing]
$%
peach tozi [tow-dzur]
^&
peanuts hushng [hwahshung]

*(
pear l
)

peculiar (taste, custom) gui


[gwai]

pedestrian crossing rnxng


hngdo [run-hsing hung-dow]

+|`1

Peking Opera Jngj [jing-jew]

23
pen gngb [gahng-bee]
45
pencil qinb [chyen-bee]
67
penfriend byu [bee-yoh]
89
penicillin pnnxln [pahn-nee-

ABCDEFGHIJKLPe

GHJ
pavilion tngzi [ting-dzur]
KL
pay (verb) f qin [foo(-chyen)]
:"
can I pay, please? sunzhng
ba? [swahn-jahng bah]
asdf
its already paid for zhige
yjng fqin le [jay-gur yee-jing

payphone jfi dinhu [jee-fay


dyen-hwah]

English Chinese

just past the information


office gng jnggu
wnxnch [gahng jing-gwor
wun-hsun-choo]

see-lin]

0-=\
penknife qinbdo [chyenbee-dow]

QWE

pensioner lng ynglojn de


rn [yang-low-jin dur run]

RTYUIO

123

English Chinese

people rnmn [run-min]

perhaps knng [kur-nung]

the other people in the hotel


fndin li de qt krn [lee dur
chee-tah ker-run]

perhaps not knng b

P{

}qwertyu
too many people rn ti du
le [run tai dwor-lur]
iop[
Peoples Republic of
China Zhnghu Rnmn
Gnghgu [joong-hwah runmin goong-hur-gwor]

]ASDFGH
pepper (spice) hjio [hoojyow]

ABCDEFGHIJKLPe

JK
(vegetable, red) shzijio [shurdzur-jyow]

L:"

per: per night mi wn [may


wahn]

as

how much per day? ytin


ya dushao qin? [yee-tyen
yow dwor-show chyen]

dfghjkl
... per cent bifn zh... [baifun jur]

~!@ ...
perfect wnmi [wahn-may]
^&
perfume xingshur [hsyahngshwayr]

*()
124

_+

|`1
period (of time) shq
[shur-chee]

23
(menstruation) yujng [yew-ehjing]

45

permit (noun) xk zhng


[hsyew-kur jung]

678
person rn [run]
9

personal stereo fngynj


[fahng-yin-jee]

0-=
petrol qyu [chee-yoh]
\Q
petrol can yutng [yoh-toong]
WE
petrol station jiyu zhn [jyahyoh jahn]

RTY

pharmacy yodin [yow-dyen]

UI

Philippines FilUbn [fay-lew-bin]

OP{
phone (noun) dinhu [dyenhwah]

}q
(verb) d dinhu [dah]
wer
phone book dinhu b [dyen-

phone box dinhutng

#$%

phonecard dinhuk [dyenhwah-kah]

^&*

phone number dinhu hom


[how-mah]

()_+
photo zhopin [jow-pyen]
|`

could you take a photo of


us, please? qng gi w
zhozhng xing [ching gaywor jow-jahng hsyahng]

[dway-hwah shoh-tsur]

7890
piano gngqn [gahng-chin]
-=
pickpocket pshu
[pah-shoh]

\Q

pick up: will you be there to


pick me up? n li ji w ho
ma? [ni lai jyeh wor how mah]

WERTYUI
picnic (noun) ycn [yur-tsahn]
OP
picture (painting) hu [hwah]
{
(photo) zhopin [jow-pyen]
}q

~!

a piece of... ykuir... [yeekwair]

@#$ ...
pig zh [joo]
*
pill bynyo [bee-yewn-yow]
()_
Im on the pill w ch
bynyo [wor chur bee-yewnyow]

+|`12
pillow zhntou [jun-toh]
34
pillow case zhnto [jun-tow]
56
pin (noun) bizhn [byeh-jun]
78
pineapple blu [bor-lwor]
90
pineapple juice bluzh [borlwor-jur]

-=\
pink fnhng [fun-hoong]
QW
pipe (for smoking) yndu [yen-

ABCDEFGHIJKLPi

123456
phrasebook duhu shuc

piece kuir [kwair]

English Chinese

hwah]

~!@

doh]

ER
(for water) gunzi [gwahndzur]

TY

pity: its a pity zhn kx [jun


kur-hshee]

UIO

125

English Chinese

place (noun) dfng [dee-fahng]

P{

at your place zi nde ji [dzai


nee-dur jyah]

}qwe
plane fij [fay-jee]
rt
by plane zu fij [dzwor]
yui
plant zhw [jur-woo]
op
plasters xingp go [syangpee gow]

ABCDEFGHIJKLPl

[]A
plastic slio [soo-lyow]
~!
plastic bag sliodi
@#$
plate pnzi [pahn-dzur]
%^
platform zhnti [jahn-tai]
&*
which platform is it for
Beijing? wng Bijng de

huch cng jho zhnti


kich? [wahng dur hwor-chur
tsoong jee-how jahn-tai kai-choo]

()_+|`123
45678
play (verb) wnr [wahnr]
90
(noun: in theatre) huj [hwahjew]

-=

pleasant lngrn ykui [ling-

126

run yew-kwai]

\QWE
please qng [ching]
R
yes, please ho, xixie [how
hsyeh-hsyeh]

TYU

could you please...? qng


nn..., ho ma? [mah]

IO ... qwe
please dont qng nnb
rty

pleased: pleased to meet you


hn goxng jindo n [hun
gow hsing jyen dow]

uiop[]

pleasure: my pleasure mi shr


[may shur]

ASD

plenty: plenty of... xdu...


[hsyew-dwor]

FG

theres plenty of time ho du


shjian [how dwor shur-jyen]

HJKL

thats plenty, thanks gule,


xixie [goh-lur hsyeh-hsyeh]

:"as
plug (electrical) chtu
[chah-toh]

df
(in sink) sizi [sai-dzur]
gh
plum lzi [lee-dzur]
jk

l;'
p.m. xiw [hsyah-woo]
ZX
pocket kudir [koh-dair]
CVB
point: two point five r din
w [dyen]
NM<
theres no point b zhde [jurdur]

>?z

poisonous yudde [yoh-doodur]

choo-swor]

_+|
polish (for shoes) xiyu [hsyehyoh]

`1
polite kqi [kur-chee]
23
polluted wrnle de [woo-rahnlur dur]

4567
pool (for swimming) yuyngch

[lyoh-hsing yin-yew-eh]

QWER
pop singer lixng gshu
[gur-shoh]

TYUI
pork zhru [joo-roh]
OP
port (for boats) gngku [gahngkoh]

{}

porter (in hotel) mnfng [munfahng]

qw

possible knng [kur-nung]

er

is it possible to...? ky...ma?


[yoh]

ty ... p[

as... as possible jn knng

ABCDEFGHIJKLPo

~!@
police jngch [jing-chah]
#$
call the police! kui jio
jngch! [kwai jyow jing-chah]
%^&*
policeman jngch [jing-chah]
()
police station pichsu [pai-

[yoh-yoong-chur]

890
poor (not rich) qing [chyoong]
(quality) lizh [lyeh-jur]
=\
pop music lixng ynyu

English Chinese

plumber gunzigng [gwahndzur-goong]

]AS
post (noun: mail) yujin [yohjyen]

DF
(verb) j [jee]
G
could you post this letter
for me? qng bng w b
zhifng xn jzu, ho ma?
127

English Chinese

[ching bahng wor bah jay-fung hsin


jee-dzoh how mah]

HJKL:"asd
fgh
postbox xnxing [hsinhsyahng]

~!

postcard mngxnpin [minghsin-pyen]

@#$
poster zhoti [jow-tyeh]
%^
poste restante dilng yujin
[yoh-jyen]

ABCDEFGHIJKLPo

&*()
post office yuj [yoh-jew]
_+
potato tdu [too-doh]
|`
potato chips (US) zh
tdupinr [jah too-doh-pyenr]
12345
pound (money) yngbng [yingbahng]

67
(weight) bng [bahng]
8
power cut tngdin [ting-dyen]
90
power point dinyun
chzu [dyen-yew-ahn chahdzwor]

-=\Q
practise: I want to practise my
Chinese w xing linx jing

128

Zhngwn [wor hsyahng lyenhshee jyang joong-wun]

WERTYUI
prawn crackers xibng [hsyahbing]

OP

prawns duxi [dway-hsyah]

{}

prefer: I prefer... w gng


xhuan... [wor gung seehwahn]

qwer ...
pregnant huiyn [hwai-yewn]
io
prescription (for medicine)
yofng [yow-fahng]
p[
present (gift) lw
]A
president (of country) zngtng
[dzoong-toong]

SD
pretty pioliang [pyow-lyang]
FG
its pretty expensive ti gule
[gway-lur]

HJK
price jig [jyah-gur]
L:
prime minister shuxing
[shoh-hsyahng]

~!

printed matter ynshupn [yinshwah-pin]

@#$

%^

private srn(de)
[sur-run(-dur)]

&*()_

private bathroom
srn(de)ysh [yoo-shur]

+|`1234
probably dgi [dah-gai]
56
problem wnt [wun-tee]
78
no problem! mi wnt! [may]
90programme (theatre) jimdnr
[jyeh-moo-dahnr]

=\QW

ERTYUIOP
Protestant xjnjiot [hsinjyow-too]

{}q

public convenience gnggng


csu [goong-goong tsur-swor]

#$

purple z [dzur]

purse (for money) qinbo


[chyen-bow]

^&
(US: handbag) shutbo [shohtee-bow]

*()
push tu [tway]
_
put fng [fahng]
+

where can I put...? w b...


fng zai nr? [wor bah dzai]

|` ... 45678

could you put us up for the


night? wmen kyi zi zhr
gu yy ma? [wor-mun kur-yee
jer gwor yee-yur mah]

90-=\QWERT
YU
pyjamas shuy [shway-yee]
IO

wert

yu
pull l [lah]
~
pullover toshn [mow-bay-hsin]
!@

quality zhling [jur-lyang]

public holiday gngji [goongjyah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLQu

pronounce: how is this


pronounced? zhige z znme
fyn? [jay-gur dzur dzun-mur
fah-yin]

puncture (noun) poq [powchee]

English Chinese

prison jiny [jyen-yew]

P{

quarter s fn zh y [sur fun


jur yee]

}qwe

129

English Chinese

question wnt [wun-tee]

rt

queue (noun) du [dway]

quick kui [kwai]

that was quick zhn kui [jun]

~!

whats the quickest way


there? nitio l zu jn? [naytyow loo zway]

@#$%^&
quickly hn kui di [hun kwai]
*()
quiet (place, hotel) njng [ahnjing]

ABCDEFGHIJKLQu

_+
quite (fairly) xingdng
[hsyahng-dahng]

|`

thats quite right du jle


[dway-jee-lur]

123

quite a lot xingdng du


[hsyahng-dahng dwor]

456

R
rabbit (meat) tzi [too-dzur]

78
race (for runners, cars) bsi
[bee-sai]

90
130

racket (tennis, squash) qipi


[chyoh-pai]

-=

radiator (in room) nunq


[nwahn-chee]

\Q
(of car) snrq
[sahn-rur-chee]

WER
radio shuynj [shoh-yin-jee]
TYU
on the radio zi shuynjl
[dzai lee]

IOP{\
rail: by rail zu huch [dzwor
hwor-chur]

}qw
railway til [tyeh-loo]
er
rain (noun) y [yew]
t
in the rain zi yli [dzai yewlee]

yui

its raining xi y le [hsyah yew


lur]

op[
raincoat yy [yew-yee]
]A
rape (noun) qingjin [chyangjyen]

SD
rare (uncommon) xyu [hsheeyoh]

FG

[boo-tswor]

%^

Id rather... w nngk... [wor


ning-kur]

&*( ...
razor (wet) txdo [tee-hsyewdow]

dow]

P{}qw
dialogue
when will it be ready?
(repair etc) shnme shhou
xiwnle? [shun-mur shur-hoh
hsyoh-wahn-lur]
it should be ready in a
couple of days lingtin ji
hole [lyang-tyen jyoh how-lur]
real (genuine) zhn de [jun dur]

er
really zhnde [jun-dur]
ty
Im really sorry zhn dubuq
[jun dway-boo-chee]

234

uiop

5`78
read (book) knsh [kahn-shoo]
90
(newspaper) knbo [kahn-bow]
-=
ready zhnbi hole [jun-bay

[]A
really? (doubt) sh ma? [shur

razor blades tx dopin [teehsyew dow-pyen]

how-lur]

\QWE

are you ready? zhnbi hole


ma? [mah]

RTYUIO

Im not ready yet w hi

thats really great bngjle


[bahng-jee-lur]

mah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLRe

|`1
(electric) dintdo [dyen-tee-

mi ho ne [wor hai may how


nur]

English Chinese

(steak) nn dinr [nun dyenr]


HJK
rash (on skin) pzhn [pee-jun]
L:
rat losh [low-shoo]
~!
rate (for changing money)
duhunlU [dway-hwahn-lyew]
@#$
rather: its rather good bcu

SDF
(polite interest) zhnde ma?
[mah]

GHJK
reasonable (prices etc) hl
[hur-lee]

L:

receipt shuj [shoh-jyew]

"a

131

English Chinese

recently zujn [dzway-jin]

region dq [dee-chew]

reception (in hotel) fwti [foowoo-tai]

registered: by registered mail


guhoxn [gwah-how-hsin]

sd

fgh
(for guests) zhodihu [jow-daihway]

~!@

reception desk zng fwti


[dzoong foo-woo-tai]

#$%^

receptionist fwyun [foowoo-yew-ahn]

&*(

recognize rnshi [run-shur]

)_

ABCDEFGHIJKLRe

recommend: could you


recommend...? qng nn
tujin..., ho ma? [ching nin
tway-jyen... how mah]

+|`1 ... 567


red hngsde [hoongsur-dur]

890
red wine hng ptaoji [hoong
poo-tow-jyoh]

-=\Q
refund (noun) tukun [twaykwahn]

WE

can I have a refund? qng nn

ba qin tu gi w ho ma?

[ching nin bah chyen tway gay wor


how mah]

RTYUIOP{}q
132

we

rty

registration number chho


[chur-how]

ui

religion zngjio [dzoong-jyow]

op

remember: I dont remember


w jbud le [wor jee-boo-dur
lur]

[]ASD
I remember w jd [wor jeedur]

FGH

do you remember? n jde


ma? [nee jee-dur mah]

JKL:"
rent (noun: for apartment etc)
fngz [fahng-dzoo]
as
(verb: car etc) chz [choo-dzoo]
df
to rent chz
gh
Id like to rent a bike w
xing z yling zxng ch
[wor hsyahng dzoo yee-lyang dzurhsing chur]

jkl;'ZXC
repair (verb) xil [hsyoh-lee]
VB
can you repair it? n kyi

mah]

NM<>?zx
repeat chngf [choong-foo]
cv
could you repeat that? qng
n zi shu ybin, ho ma?
[ching nee dzai shwor yee-byen how
mah]

~!@#$%^&*
reservation ydng [yew-ding]
()

Id like to make a reservation


for a train ticket w xing
ydng huchpio [wor
hsyahng yew-ding
hwor-chur-pyow]

dialogue
I have a reservation w
yjing ydng le [yee-jing
lur]
yes sir, what name,
please? ho, nn gu xng?
[how nin gway hsing]
reserve (verb) ydng [yew-ding]

45

dialogue

wah-shahng dur dzwor mah]


yes madam, for how many
people? ho, ygng jge
rn? [how yee-goong jee-gur
run]
for two lingge rn [lyanggur run]
and for what time? jdin
zhng? [jee-dyen joong]
for eight oclock b din
zhng [bah dyen]
and could I have your
name, please? ho, nn
gu xng? [how nin gway
hsing]
rest: I need a rest w xyo
xixi yxi [wor hsyew-yow
hsyoh-hshee yee-hsyah]

67890-=

the rest of the group tmen


bide rn [tah-mun byeh-dur]

\QWER
restaurant cntng [tsahn-ting]
TY
(big) fndin [fahn-dyen]
UI
(small) fngunr [fahn-gwahnr]
OP{
(Western-style) xcntng [hshee-

ABCDEFGHIJKLRe

_+|`123

jntian wnshang de zu
ma? [kur-yee ding gur jin-tyen

English Chinese

xixiu ma? [kur-yee hsyoh-hsyoh

tsahn-ting]

can I reserve a table for


tonight? w kyi dng ge

}qw

restaurant car cnch [tsahn-

133

English Chinese

chur]

~!

rest room csu [tsur-swor]

@#

retired: Im retired w tuxile


[wor tway-hsyoh-lur]

$%^&

return: a return to... do... de


lihui pio [dow... dur lai-hway
pyow]

* ... +|`1
return ticket lihui pio
234
reverse charge call dufng
fkun [dway-fahng
foo-kwahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLRe

5678
revolting rng rn xn [rahng
run ur-hsin]

90-=
rice (cooked) mfn [mee-fahn]
\Q
(uncooked) dm [dah-mee]
WE
rice bowl fnwn [fahn-wahn]
RT
rice field dotin [dow-tyen]
YU
rice wine mji [mee-jyoh]
IO
rich (person) yuqin [yoh-chyen]
P{
ridiculous kxiode [kur-hsyowdur]

}qw
134

right (correct) du [dway]

e
(not left) yu(binr) [yoh(-byenr)]
rtyui
you were right n dule [nee
dway-lur]

op[

thats right du le

]A

this cant be right zh bdu


[jur boo-dway]

SDF
right! du!
G

is this the right road for...?

q..., zhme zu du ma?

[chew... jur-mur dzoh dway mah]

H ... :"asdf
on the right zi yubinr
[dzai]

ghjk
turn right wng yu gui
[wahng yoh gwai]

~!@
ring (on finger) jizhi [jyeh-jur]
#$
Ill ring you w gi n d
dinhu [wor gay nee dah dyenhwah]

%^&*()
ring back zi d dinhu [dzai]
_+|`
ripe (fruit) sh [shoo]
1
rip-off: its a rip-off zh sh

joo-gahng]

23456
rip-off prices qiozhgng de
jir [chyow-joo-gahng dur jyahr]
7890-=
risky moxin [mow-hsyen]
\Q
river h [hur]
W
RMB rnmnb [run-min-bee]
ERT
road l
Y
is this the road for...? zhi
tio l wng ... q? [jay tyow
loo wahng ... chew]

rob: Ive been robbed w


bi rn qingle [wor bay run
chyang-lur]

rtyui
rock ynsh [yen-shur]
op
(music) yogn yu [yow-gun
yew-eh]

[]S

on the rocks (with ice) ji


bngkuir [jyah bing-kwair]

DFGH
roll (bread) minbo junr
[myen-bow jyew-ahnr]

JKL:
roof fngdng [fahng-ding]
"a

sd
(space) kngjin [koong-jyen]
fg
in my room zi w fngjinli
[dzai]

hjkl;
room service sng fn fw
[soong fahn foo-woo]

~!@#
rope shngzi [shung-dzur]
$%
roughly (approximately) dyu
[dah-yew-eh]

^&

round: its my round gi w


mi le [gai wor mai lur]

*()_

round trip ticket lihu pio


[lai-hway pyow]

+|`
route lxin [loo-hsyen]
12

whats the best route? nitio


lxin zu ho? [nay-tyow loohsyen dzway how]

ABCDEFGHIJKLRu

UIOP ... we

room (hotel) fngjin [fahng-jyen]

English Chinese

qiozhgng [jur shur chyow-

3456789
rubber (material) xingjio
[hsyahng-jyow]

0 (eraser) xingp
[hsyahng-pee]

=\

rubbish (waste) lj [lah-jee]

QW

135

English Chinese

(poor-quality goods) fiw


[fay-woo]
ER
rubbish! (nonsense) fihu! [fayhwah]

TY

rucksack bibo [bay-bow]

UI
rude b lmo [lee-mow]
OP{
ruins fix [fay-hsyew]
}q
rum lngmji [lahng-moojyoh]

wer

ABCDEFGHIJKLRu

rum and Coke kkoukl ji


lngmji [kur-koh-kur-lur jyah
lahng-moo-jyoh]

tyuiop[]
run (verb: person) po [pow]
A

how often do the buses run?

gnggng qch duchang


shjian ytng? [goong-goong

chee-chur dwor-chahng shur-jyen


yee-tahng]

SDFGHJKL:
"a
Russia gu [ur-gwor]
sd
Russian (adj) gu
fg

S
saddle (for horse) nzi
[ahn- dzur]

~!
safe (not in danger) pngn
@#
(not dangerous) nqun [ahnchoo-en]

$%

safety pin bizhn [byeh-jun]

^&
sail (noun) fn [fahn]
*
salad shl [shah-lah]
()
salad dressing shl yu [yoh]
_+|
sale: for sale chshu [chooshoh]

`1
salt yn [yahn]
2

same: the same yyng [yeeyang]

34

the same as this gn zhige


yyng [gun jay-gur yee-yang]

56789

the same again, please qng


zi li yge [ching dzai lai yeegur]

0-=\Q

its all the same to me w w

136

ming-jur]

IOP
sanitary napkins/towels
wishngjn [way-shung-jin]

{}q

Saturday xngqili [hsing-cheelyoh]

wer
say (verb) shu [shwor]
t

yuiop[ ...D
what did he say? t shu
shnme? [tah shun-mur]
FGHJK
he said t shu [tah]
L:

could you say that again?


qng zi shu ybin [ching dzai
yee-byen]

"asdf
scarf (for neck) wijn [way-jin]
gh
(for head) tujn [toh-jin]
jk
scenery fngjng [fung-jing]
l;

~!@#$

scheduled flight bnj [bahnjee]

%^

school xuxio [hsyew-ehhsyow]

&*

scissors: a pair of scissors


yb jinzi [yee-bah jyen-dzur]

()_+
scotch wishj [way-shur-jee]
|`1
Scotch tape tumng jiodi
[toh-ming jyow-dai]

2345
Scotland Sgln
678
Scottish Sgln [soo-gur-lahn]
90 Im Scottish w shi
Sglnren [wor shur run]
=\QWER
scrambled eggs cho jdn
[chow jee-dahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLSe

how do you say...in


Chinese? yng Zhngwn
znme shu...? [yoong joongwun dzun-mur shwor]

schedule (US: train) lich shk


bio [lyeh-chur shur-kur byow]

English Chinese

suwi [wor woo swor-way]


WERT
sandals lingxi [lyang-hsyeh]
YU
sandwich snmngzh [sahn-

TYU
sea hi
I

by the sea za hibinr [dzai


hai-byenr]

OP{}
seafood hiwi [hai-way]
qw
seal (for printing name) tzhng
137

English Chinese

[too-jahng]

er

seasick: I feel seasick w


ynchunle [wor yewn-chwahnlur]

tyui

I get seasick w ynchun


[wor yewn-chwahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLSe

op[
seat zuwei [dzwor-way]
]A
is this seat taken? yu rn
ma? [yoh run mah]
SDFG
second (adj) dirge [dee-er-gur]
HJK
(of time) mio [myow]
L
just a second! zh ji d! [jur
jyoh dur]

:"a

second class (travel etc) r dng


[er dung]

sd
(hard sleeper) yngw
[ying-wor]

fg

second-hand ji(de) [jyoh(-dur)]

hjkl
see knjian [kahn-jyen]
;'
can I see? w kyi knkan
ma? [wor kur-yee kahn-kahn mah]
~!@#$%^
have you seen...? n
138

kndole...ma? [kahn-dow-lur
mah]

&*() ... `1

I saw him this morning w

jntian zoshang knjian t le

[wor jin-tyen dzow-shahng kahnjyen tah lur]

234567890
see you! zijin! [dzai-jyen]
-=
I see (I understand) w mngbai
le [wor ming-bai lur]
\QWE
self-service zzh [dzur-joo]
RT
sell mi
Y
do you sell...? n mi bu
mi...?
UIOP ...w
Sellotape tumng jiob
[toh-ming jyow-boo]

ertQ
send sng [soong]
u
(by post) j
i

I want to send this to England

w xing ba zhige j do
Ynggu q [wor syahng bah

jay-gur jee dow ying-gwor chew]

op[]ASDFGH
senior citizen loninren [lownyen-run]

JKL

:"

separately (pay, travel) fnki de

asd

September jiyu [jyoh-yew-eh]

fg

serious (problem, illness)


ynzhng(de) [yen-joong(-dur)]

hjkl;

service charge (in restaurant)


xiofi [hsyow-fay]

'Z

serviette cnjn [tsahn-jin]

XC

set menu fnrfn [funr-fahn]

could you sew this...back


on? qng nn bng w b

zhige...fnghuqu, ho
ma? [ching nin bahng wor bah jay-

gur ... fung-hway-chew how mah]

~!@#$%^ ... )_


+|`1
sex (male/female) xngbi [hsingbyeh]

23
sexy xnggn [hsing-gahn]
45
shade: in the shade zi
ynling ch [dzai yin-lyang]
6789

0-=\QW
shallow (water) qin [chyen]
E
shame: what a shame! zhn
kx! [jun kur-hshee]
RTY
shampoo (noun) xfq [hsheefah-chee]

UIO
share (verb: room, table etc)
hyng [hur-yoong]
P{
sharp (knife) jinru
[jyen-rway]

}q
(pain) ru [rway]
w
shaver dindng tx do
[dyen-doong tee-hsyew dow]

ertyu
shaving foam gu h pom
[gwah hoo pow-mor]

iop[

ABCDEFGHIJKLSh

VBN
several jge [jee-gur]
M<
sew fng [fung]
>

shake: lets shake hands


wmen wwo shu ba [wormun wor-wor shoh bah]

English Chinese

separate fnki [fun-kai]

shaving point dintdo


chxio [dyen-tee-dow chahhsyow]

]ASDF
she* t [tah]
G
is she here? t zi ma? [dzai
mah]

HJKL
139

English Chinese

sheet (for bed) bidn [bei-dahn]

:"
shelf jizi [jyah-dzur]
as
shellfish bili [bay-lay]
df
ship chun [chwahn]
g
by ship zu chun [dzwor]
hj
shirt chny [chun-yee]
kl
shock: I got an electric
shock from the...w

pngzhe...r chdin [wor

pung-jur dyen]

ABCDEFGHIJKLSh

;'Z ... BNM


shocking jngrnde [jing-rundur]

<>?
shoe xi [hsyeh]
z

a pair of shoes yshung xi


[yee-shwahng]

xcv

shoelaces xidi [hsyeh-dai]

bn

shoe polish xiyu


[hsyeh-yoh]

m,

shoe repairer xixijing


[hsyoh-hsyeh-jyang]

~!@
shop shngdin [shahng-dyen]
#$
140

shopping: Im going shopping


w q mi dngxi [wor chew
mai doong-hshee]

%^&*(
shore (of sea, lake) n [ahn]
)
short (person) i
_
(time, journey) dun [dwahn]
+
shorts dunk [dwahn-koo]
|`

should: what should I do? w


gi znme bn? [wor gai dzunmur bahn]

123456
you should...n
ynggi...[ying-gai]
789 ...
you shouldnt...n b
ynggi...
\QWE ...

he should be back soon gu


yhur, t yng zi hulai [gwor
yee-hwayr tah ying dzai hway-lai]

UIOP{}qwe
shoulder jinbng [jyen-bahng]
rt
shout (verb) hn [hahn]
y
show (in theatre) bioyn [byowyahn]

ui

could you show me? n nng


rng w knkan ma? [nung

yew]

GH
(in bathroom) lny [lin-yew]
JK
with shower di lny
L:"
shrine shnkn [shun-kahn]
as
shut (verb) gun [gwahn]
d
when do you shut? nmen
jdin gunmnr? [nee-mun jeedyen gwahn-munr]

dzur-jee gwahn dzai wai-toh lur]

zxcvbnm,.
shut up! zh zu! [joo dzway]
~!
shy hixi [hai-hsyoh]
@#
sick (ill) yubng [yoh-bing]
$%
Im going to be sick (vomit) w
yo ut [wor yow oh-too]
^&*(

)_+|
sidewalk rnxng do [run-hsing
dow]

`12

sight: the sights of......de


fngjng [fung-jing]

... 678

sightseeing: were going


sightseeing wmen q
yuln [wor-mun chew yohlahn]

90-=\
silk schu [sur-choh]
QW
Silk Road schu zh l [jur]
ERTY
silly chn
U
silver (noun) yn(zi) [yin-dzur]
IOP{
similar xingjn de [hsyahng-jin
dur]

}q

ABCDEFGHIJKLSi

fghjkl;'
when does it shut? jdin
gunmnr? [jee-dyen]
ZXCVBN
theyre shut gunmnr le [lur]
M<>?
Ive shut myself out w b zj
gun zi witou le [wor bah

side: the other side of the


street zi ji dumian [dzai jyeh
dway-myen]

English Chinese

rahng wor kahn-kahn mah]

op[]ASDF
shower (of rain) zhny [jun-

simple (easy) jindn [jyen-dahn]

we

since: since last week zcng


shngge xngq yli [dzurtsoong shahng-gur hsing-chee
yee-lai]

rtyuiop[
since I got here zcng w li
yhu [dzur-tsoong wor lai yee141

English Chinese

hoh]

]ASDFG
sing chngg [chahng-gur]
HJ
Singapore Xnjip [hsin-jyahpor]

KL:
singer gchngji [gur-chahngjyah]

"as

single: a single to...yzhng


q...de dnchngpio [yeejahng chew...dur dahn-chungpyow]

dfg ... l;'Z


Im single w sh dshn [wor
shur dahn-shun]

ABCDEFGHIJKLSi

XCVB
single bed dnrn chung
[dahn-run chwahng]

NM<

single room dnrn jin [jyen]

>?z

single ticket (dnchng) pio


[pyow]

~!@#$
sink (in kitchen) shuch [shwaychur]

%^
sister (elder) jijie [jyeh-jyeh]
&*
(younger) mimei [may-may]
()
sit: can I sit here? w kyi zu
zhr ma? [wor kur-yee dzwor
142

jer mah]

_+|`1234

is anyone sitting here? yu


rn zi zhr ma? [yoh run]

567890sit down zuxi [dzwor-hsyah]


=\
sit down! qng zu! [ching]
QW
size chcn [chur-tsun]
ER
skin (human) pfu
TY
(animal) p
U
skinny shu [shoh]
I
skirt qnzi [chewn-dzur]
OP
sky tin [tyen]
{
sleep (verb) shujio [shwayjyow]

}q

did you sleep well? n shu de


ho ma? [shway dur how mah]

wertyu
sleeper (on train) wp
[wor-poo]

io
(soft) runw [rwahn-wor]
p[
(hard) yngw [ying-wor]
]A
sleeping bag shudi [shway-

sleeping car wp chxing


[wor-poo chur-hsyahng]

FGHJ
sleeve xizi [hsyoh-dzur]
KL
slide (photographic)
hundngpinr [hwahn-dungpyenr]

:"as
slip (garment) chnqn [chunchewn]

[wor kur-yee dzai jer choh yahn mah]

()_+|`1234

56789

do you smoke? n chu yn

ma?
0-=\Q
snack dinxn [dyen-hsin]
WE
sneeze (noun) d pnt [da
pun-tee]

RTY
snow (noun) xu [hsyew-eh]
U
so: its so good nme
[nah-mur]

IOP

its so expensive nme gu

{}q

not so much mi nme du


[may dwor]

wert

not so bad mi nme hui

yuio
so-so bgu rc [boo-gwor
roo-tsur]

p[]A
soap fizo [fay-dzow]
SD
soap powder xyfn [hshee-

ABCDEFGHIJKLSo

df
slow mn [mahn]
g
slow down! mn dinr! [dyenr]
hjk
slowly mn
l
very slowly hn mn [hun]
~!
small xio [hsyow]
@
smell: it smells (bad) yu wir
le [yoh wayr lur]
#$%^
smile (verb) xio [hsyow]
&
smoke (noun) yn [yahn]
*
do you mind if I smoke? w
kyi zi zhr chu yn ma?

I dont smoke w b hu
chu yn [hway]

English Chinese

dai]

SD

yee-fun]

FGH
sock dunw [dwahn-wah]
JK
socket chzu [chah-dzwor]
L:
143

English Chinese

soda (water) sd [soo-dah]

"a
sofa shf [shah-fah]
sd
soft (material etc) run [rwahn]
f
soft drink qshur
[chee-shwayr]

ghj

soft seat runzu


[rwahn-dzwor]

~!
sole (of shoe) xid [hsyeh-dee]
@#
(of foot) jiod [jyow-dee]
$%

ABCDEFGHIJKLSo

could you put new soles on


these? qng nn hun shung
xn xid, ho ma? [ching nin
hwahn shwahng hsin how mah]

^&*()_+|`1

some: can I have some water?

qng li ydinr shi, ho ma?


[ching lai yee-dyenr how mah]

234567890
can I have some apples?

qng li yxi pnggu, ho


ma? [yee-hsyeh]
-=\QWERTY
somebody, someone murn
[moh-run]

UI

something mush [moh-shur]

OP

I want something to eat w

144

xing ch din dngx [wor


hsyahng chur dyen doong-hshee]

{}qwer
sometimes yushhhou [yohshur-hoh]

tyu

somewhere mud [moh-dee]

io

I need somewhere to stay w


yo zhoge zhch [wor yow
jow-gur]

p[]ASD
son rzi [er-dzur]
FG
song g [gur]
H
son-in-law nWxu [nyoo-hsoo]
JK
soon (after a while) yhur [yeehwayr]

LW"
(quickly) kui [kwai]
a
Ill be back soon w yhur
ji hulai [wor yee-hwayr jyoh
hway-lai]

sdWghjk

as soon as possible yu kui


yu ho [yew-eh how]

l;'Z

sore: its sore tng [tung]

sore throat sngzitng [sahngdzur-tung]

~!@

#$%
sorry? (didnt understand) n
shu shnme? [shwor shun-mur]
^&*()
sort: what sort of...? shnme
yng de...? [dur]
_+|` ...4
soup tng [tahng]
5
sour (taste) sun [swahn]
6
south nn [nahn]
7
in the south nnfng [nahnfahng]

South Africa Nnfi [nahn-fay]

0-

South African (adj) Nnfi

=\

Im South African w sh
Nnfirn [wor shur run]

QWERT

South China Sea Nnhi


[nahn-hai]

YU

southeast dngnn [doongnahn]

IO

southern nnde [nahn-dur]

P{

South Korea nn Choxin


[nahn chow-hsyen]

southwest xnn [hsin-ahn]

er

souvenir jninpn
[jin-yen-pin]

tyu

soy sauce jingyu [jyahn-gyoh]

io
Spain Xbny [hshee-bahn-yah]
p[]
Spanish (adj) Xbnyde [hsheebahn-yah-dur]

ASDF

speak: do you speak English?

nn hu jing Yngy ma?

[hway jyang ying-yew mah]

GHJKL:"
I dont speak...w bhu
jing...[wor boo-hway]
asdf ...
can I speak to...? (in person)
mfan nn zho yxia ... ho
ma? [mah-fahn nin jow yeehsyah...how]

kl;'ZX ... NM<

ABCDEFGHIJKLSp

89

}qw

English Chinese

sorry: (Im) sorry dubuq


[dway-boo-chee]

dialogue
can I speak to Mr Wang?

Wng xinsheng zibzi?


[hsyahng-shung dzai-boo-dzai]
whos calling? n sh
nawi? [shur nar-way]
its Patricia w sh Patricia
[wor]

145

English Chinese

Im sorry, hes not in, can I


take a message? dubuq,

t bzi, yobyo li
gexn? [dway-boo-chee tah

boo-dzai yow-boo-yow lyoh


gur-hsin]
no thanks, Ill call back
later xixie, gu yhur w
zi d [hsyeh-hsyeh gwor yeehwayr wor dzai dah]
please tell him I called

qng gosu t w d le
dinhu [ching gow-soo tah
wor dah lur dyen-hwah]

spectacles ynjng [yenjing]

~!

ABCDEFGHIJKLSp

spend hufi [hwah-fay]

@#

spoke (in wheel) ftio [foo-tyow]

$%

spoon shozi [show-dzur]

^&
sport yndng [yewn-doong]
*(
sprain: Ive sprained
my...wde ... ni le [wordur... nyoh lur]

)_ ... 12
spring (season) chntian [chuntyen]

34

in the spring chntian

56

square (in town) gungchng

146

[gwahng-chahng]

78
stairs lut [loh-tee]
90
stamp (noun) yupio [yohpyow]

-=
dialogue
a stamp for England,
please mi yzhng j
Ynggu de yupio [mai
yee-jahng jee ying-gwor dur]
what are you sending? n j
shnme? [shun-mur]
this postcard zhizhng
mngxnpin [jay-jahng minghsin-pyen]
star xngxing [hsing-hsing]
\Q
start kish [kai-shur]
WE
when does it start? jdin
kish? [jee-dyen]
RTYUI
the car wont start ch
fdngbqli [chur fah-doongboo-chee-lai]

OP{}qw
starter (food) lngpnr [lungpahnr]

ert
station (train) huch zhn

[chee-chur dzoong]

op[]
(long-distance bus) chngt
qchzhn [chahng-too cheechur-jahn]

ASDFG
(underground) d te zhn [tyeh
jahn]

HJK
statue sxing [soo-hsyahng]
L:
stay: where are you staying?
nmen zh zi nr? [nee-mun
joo dzai nar]

Id like to stay another two


nights w xing zi zh ling
tin [syahng dzai joo]

XCVBNM
steak nipi [nyoh-pai]
~!
steal tu [toh]
@

my bag has been stolen


wde bo bi tule [wor-dur
bow bay toh-lur]

#$%^&*
steamed zhng [jung]
(

)_+
steep (hill) du [doh]
|
step: on the steps zi tiji
shang [dzai tai-jyeh shahng]
`123
stereo ltshng [lee-tee-shung]
456
Sterling yngbng [ying-bahng]
78
steward (on plane) fwyun
[nahn foo-woo-yew-ahn]

90-

stewardess kngzhng
xioji [koong-joong hsyow-jyeh]

=\QW

still: Im still here w hi zi


[wor hai dzai]

ERT

is he still there? t hi zi ma?


[tah mah]

YUIOP
keep still! bi dng! [byeh
doong]

ABCDEFGHIJKLSt

"asdfgh
Im staying at...w zh
zi...[wor joo dzai]
jkl ...

steamed roll hujunr [hwahjwahnr]

English Chinese

[hwor-chur jahn]

yui
(city bus) qch zng zhn

{}

sting: Ive been stung w gi


zhle [wor gay jur-lur]

qwer
stockings chngtngw
[chahng-toong-wah]

tyu

stomach wi [way]

147

English Chinese

stomach ache witng [waytung]

op
stone (rock) shtou [shur-toh]
[]
stop (verb) tng
A
please, stop here (to taxi driver
etc) qng tng zi zhr [ching
ting dzai jer]

SDFGH
do you stop near...?

zi...fjn tng ma? [mah]


J ... "asdf
stop it! tngzh! [ting-jur]
gh
storm bofngy [bow-fung-

ABCDEFGHIJKLSt

yew]

jkl
straight (whisky etc) chn
;
its straight ahead yzh
choqin [yee-jur chowchyen]

'ZXC

straightaway mshng [mahshahng]

~!

strange (odd) qgui de [cheegwai dur]

@#$
stranger shngrn [shun-grun]
%^
strap dir
&*
148

strawberry comi [tsow-may]

()

stream xiox [hsyow-hshee]

_+
street ji(do) [jyeh(-dow)]
|`12
on the street zi jishang [dzai
jyeh-shahng]

345

streetmap jiotngt [jyowtoong-too]

678
string shngzi [shung-dzur]
90
strong (person)
qingzhung[chyangjwahng]

-=
(material) jishi [jyeh-shur]
\Q
(drink, taste) nng [noong]
W
stuck: its stuck kle [kah-lur]
ER
student xusheng [hsyew-ehshung]

TY

stupid bn [bun]

suburb jioq [jyow-chew]

IO

subway (US) dti [dee-tyeh]

P{

suddenly trn [too-rahn]

}q

w
suit (noun) tozhung [towjwahng]

er

it doesnt suit me (jacket


etc) w chun b hsh [wor
chwahn boo hur-shur]

tyuio
it suits you n chun
hsh
p[]A
suitcase shutxing
[shoh-tee-hsyahng]

SDF
summer xitian [hsyahtyen]

in the summer xitian

JK
sun tiyng
L:
sunbathe shi tiyng
"as
sunblock (cream) fngshir
[fahng-shai-roo]

dfg
sunburn rzh [rur-shur]
~!
Sunday xngqtin [hsing-cheetyen]

@#$

sunglasses tiyngjng [taiyang-jing]

%^&

*()_
sunset rlu [rur-lwor]
+|
sunshine ynggung [yanggwahng]

`1

sunstroke zhngsh [joongshoo]

2@

suntan lotion fngshi j [fahngshai]

456

suntan oil fngshiyu [yoh]

789
super hojle [how-jee-lur]
0-=
supermarket choj shchng
[chow-jee shur-chahng]

\QWE
supper wnfn [wahn-fahn]
RT
supplement (extra charge)
fjifi [foo-jyah-fay]
YUI
sure: are you sure? zhnde
ma? [jun dur mah]
OP{}
sure! dngrn! [dahn-grahn]
qw
surname xng [hsing]
e
swearword zngzr [dzahng-

ABCDEFGHIJKLSw

GH

sunny: its sunny ynggung


chngz [yang-gwahng choongdzoo]

English Chinese

sugar tng [tahng]

149

English Chinese

dzur]

rty
sweater moy [mow-yee]
ui
sweatshirt (chngxi) hnshn
[chahng-hsyoh hahn-shahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLSw

op[]AS
Sweden Rudin [rway-dyen]
DF
Swedish (adj) Rudiny
GHJ
sweet (taste) tin [tyen]
K
(noun: dessert) tinsh [tyen-shur]
L:
sweets tnggu [tahng-gwor]
"a
swim (verb) yuyng [yohyoong]

sd

Im going for a swim w q


yuyng [wor chew
yoh-yoong]

fghj

lets go for a swim znmen q

yuyng ba
[zahn-mun]

~!@#$%
swimming costume
yuyngy [yoh-yoong-yee]

^&*

swimming pool yuyng ch


[chur]

()_

swimming trunks yuyngk

150

[yoh-yoong-koo]

+|`
switch (noun) kigun [kaigwahn]

12

switch off gun [gwahn]

switch on ki [kai]

swollen zhng [joong]

T
table zhuzi [jwor-dzur]

67

a table for two lingrn zhu


[lyang-run]

0=Q

tablecloth zhub
[jwor-boo]

ER

table tennis pngpngqi [pingpahng-chyoh]

TYU
tailor cifeng [tsai-fung]
IO
Taiwan Tiwn [tai-wahn]
P{
Taiwanese (adj) Tiwn(de)
[dur]

}qwer
take n [nah]
t

can you take me to the...?


qng di w do...? [ching dai
wor dow]

p[]A ...G

do you take credit cards? n


shu xnyngk ma? [shoh
hsin-yoong-kah mah]

HKL:"as
fine, Ill take it ho, xngle
[how hsing-lur]

dfg

hjkl;

how long does it take? yo


duchng shjin? [yow dworchahng shur-jyen]

'ZXCVB

it takes three hours yo snge


zhngtu [yow sahng-gur joongtoh]

NM<>?

is this seat taken? zhr yu


rn ma? [jer yoh run mah]

~!@#$%
talk (verb) shuhu [shwor-hwah]
^&
tall go [gow]
*

()_
tap shulng tu [shway-loong
toh]

+|`
tape (cassette) cdi
[tsur-dai]

12
taste (noun) wir [wayr]
34
can I taste it? ky
chngchang ma? [kur-yee
chahng-chahng mah]

567890
taxi chz qch [choo-dzoo
chee-chur]

-=\Q
will you get me a taxi?

qng nn bng w jio ling


chzch, ho ma? [ching nin

bahng wor jyow lyang choo-dzoochur how mah]

WERTYUIOP
{}q
where can I find a taxi? zi
nr kyi zhodao chz
qch? [dzai nar kur-yee jow-dow]
wertyuiop
[]A

ABCDEFGHIJKLTa

can I take this? (leaflet etc) kyi


n ma? [kur-yee nah]

tampons wishngjn [wayshung-jin]

English Chinese

(somebody somewhere) lng


y
(something somewhere) di
u
(accept) jishu [jyeh-shoh]
io

dialogue
to the airport/to the Xian
Hotel, please qng di

151

English Chinese

w do fijchng/Xn
fndin [dow
fay-jee-chahng]
how much will it be?
dushao qin? [dwor-show
chyen]
30 yuan snsh kui qin
[sahn-shur kwai]
thats fine right here,
thanks ji zi zhr, xixie
[jyoh dzai jer hsyeh-hsyeh]
taxi driver chz sj [choo-dzoo
sur-jee]

~!@#
taxi rank chzch dinr
[dyenr]

ABCDEFGHIJKLTa

$%^&*
tea (drink) ch [chah]
(

tea for one/two, please qng


li y/lingge rn de ch [ching
run dur]

)_+|`1234

teach: could you teach me?


nn kyi jiojiao w ma? [kuryee jyow-jyow wor mah]

567890-=
teacher losh [low-shur]
\Q
team du [dway]
W
teaspoon chch [chah-chur]
ER
tea towel cwnb [tsah-wahn152

boo]

TYU

teenager qngshonin [chingshow-nyen]

IOP

telegram dinbo
[dyen-bow]

{}

telephone dinhu [dyenhwah]

qw

see phone
television dinsh [dyen-shur]

er

tell: could you tell him...?

qng nn gosu t..., ho ma?


[ching nin gow-soo tah...how
mah]

~!@#$ ... *()


temperature (weather) qwn
[chee-wun]

_+
(fever) fsho [fah-show]
|`
temple (Buddhist) s [sur]
1
(Taoist) gun [gwahn]
2
tennis wngqi [wahngchyoh]

34
term (at university, school) xuq
[hsyew-eh-chee]

56

terminus (rail) zhngdinzhn

[lur]

=\QW
terrific bngjle [bahng-jee-lur]
ERT
text (message) dunxn
[dwahn-hsin]

+ 5

Thailand Tigu [tai-gwor]

YU
than* b
I

O ... qw
smaller than b...xio
[hsyow]

e ... u

thank: thank you xixie [hsyehhsyeh]

io

thank you very much fichng


gnxi [fay-chahng gahn-hsyeh]

RTYU

thanks for the lift xixie nn


rng w dle ch [rahng wor
dah-lur chur]

]ASDFGHJ
no, thanks xixie, w b yo
[boo yow]

KL:"a

thanks xixie
thats OK, dont mention it
b kqi [kur chee]
that* nige [nay-gur]
sd
that one ni yge [yee-gur]
fgh
I hope that...w
xwng...[wor hsheewahng]

jkl ...

thats nice n zhng ho


[nah jung-how]

XCV

is that...? n sh...ma?
[shur...mah]

~! ... %^
thats it (thats right) dule
[dway-lur]

&*

the*
theatre jyun
[jyew-yew-ahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLTh

even more...than...b...
gngdu [gung...dwor]

dialogue

English Chinese

[joong-dyen-jahn]

789
terrible zogo [dzow-gow]
0 thats terrible ti zogo le

()

their/theirs* tmende [tahmun-dur]

_+|
them* tmen [tah-mun]
`1
then (at that time) ni shhou
[nay shur-hoh]

234

153

English Chinese

(after that) rnhu [rahn-hoh]


56
there nr
78
over there zi nr [dzai]
90 up there zi shngtou [dzai
shahng-toh]

=\Q

is/are there...? yu...ma?


[yoh...mah]

W ... YU

there is/are...yu...

yang]

I ...

sdfgh

}q

jkl;'

there you are (giving something)


gi n [gay]

ABCDEFGHIJKLTh
154

(object) x [hshee]
D
thing (matter) shr [shur]
FG
(object) dngxi [doong-hshee]
HJ
my things wde dngxi
KL:"
think xing [hsyahng]
a
I think so w xing sh
zhiyang [wor hsyahng shur jay-

Thermos flask
rshupng [rush-wayping]

wer
these* zhixie [jay-hsyeh]
ty
they* tmen [tahmun]
ui
thick hu [hoh]
o
(stupid) bn [bun]
p
thief zi [dzay]
[
thigh dtu [dah-tway]
]A
thin (person) shu [shoh]
S

I dont think so w b
zhiyang xing [jay-yang]
Ill think about it w kolU
yxia [kow-lyew yee-hsyah]

~!@#$
third class sndng [sahndung]

%^
(hard seat) yngzu [ying-dzwor]
&*
thirsty: Im thirsty w kuk
[wor koh-kur]

()_
this* zhige [jay-gur]
+|
this one zhige
`1
this is my wife zh sh w qzi
[jur shur wor chee-dzur]

23456

7890 ...Q
those* nixie [nay-hsyeh]
WE
thread (noun) xin [hsyen]
R
throat sngzi [sahng-dzur]
TY
throat lozenges rnhu pin
[run-hoh pyen]

[rung]

thumb dmzh [dah-moo-jur]

iop

thunderstorm liy [lay-yew]

[]

Thursday xngqs [hsing-cheesur]

ASD
Tibet Xzng [hshee-dzahng]
FG
Tibetan (adj) Xzngde [hsheedzahng]

HJK
ticket pio [pyow]
L

a return to Xian wng Xn


de lihu pio [wahng dur
lai-hway]
coming back when?
nitin yo huli? [shur naytyen yow]
today/next Tuesday

jntian/xige xngqr
that will be 30 yuan snsh
kui qin [chyen]

ticket office (bus, rail)


shupioch [shoh-pyow-choo]

:"a
tie (necktie) lngdi
sd
tight (clothes etc) xio [hsyow]
f
its too tight ti xio le [lur]
ghj
tights linkw [lyen-koo-wah]
~!@
time* shjin [shur-jyen]
#$
whats the time? jdin le?

ABCDEFGHIJKLTi

UIO
through jnggu [jing-gwor]
P{
does it go through...? (train,
bus) jnggu...ma? [mah]
}q ... ty
throw/throw away rng

dialogue

English Chinese

is this...? zhi shbsh...?


[shur-boo-shur]

[jee-dyen lur]

%^&*
this time zhic [jay-tsur]
()
last time shngc [shahng-tsur]
_+
next time xic [hsyah]
|`
155

English Chinese

three times snc

12

timetable (train) lich shk


bio [lyeh-chur shur-kur byow]

34567
tin (can) guntou [gwahn-toh]
89
tinfoil xzh [hshee-jur]
0tin-opener guntou qzi
[gwahn-toh chee-dzur]

=\QW
tiny ydinrdinr [yee-dyenrdyenr]

ERTYU
tip (to waiter etc) xio fi [hsyow
fay]

ABCDEFGHIJKLTi
156

IO
tire (US) lnti [lun-tai]
P{
tired li [lay]
}
Im tired w li le [wor lay lur]
qwe
tissues zhjn [jur-jin]
~!
to*: to Shanghai/London do
Shnghi/Lndn [dow]
yuiop[
to China/England q
Zhnggu/Ynggln [chew]
]ASDFGH
to the post office q yuj
JKL
toast (bread) ko minbo [kow

myen-bow]

:"a
today jntian [jin-tyen]
sd
toe jiozhtou [jyow-jur-toh]
fgh
together yq [yee-chee]
jk
were together (in shop etc)
wmen sh ykuir de [wormun shur yee-kwair dur]

l;'ZXCV
toilet csu [tsur-swor]
~!
where is the toilet? csu zi
nr? [dzai]
@#$%^&
I have to go to the toilet w
di q fngbian fngbian [wor
day chew fahng-byen]

*()_+|`
toilet paper wishngzh [wayshung-jee]

123
tomato xhngsh [hshee-hoongshur]

456

tomato juice fnqi zh [fahnchyeh jur]

789

tomorrow mngtian [ming-tyen]

0-

tomorrow morning mngtian


zoshang [dzow-shahng]

=\QW

ER

tongue shtou [shur-toh]

TY

tonic (water) kungqunshu


[kwahng-choo-en-shway]

UIO
tonight jntian wnshang [jintyen wahn-shahng]

shahng]

"as

~!@
total (noun) znggng [dzoonggoong]

#$
tour (noun) lWxng [lyew-hsing]
%^
is there a tour of...? yu
miyou wng...de lWxng?
[yoh may-yoh wahng...dur]

&*() ... `123


tour guide doyu [dow-yoh]
45
tourist lWyu zh [lyew-yoh jur]
678
tour operator lWxng sh [lyewhsing shur]

90towards chozhe [chow-jur]


=\
towel mojn [mow-jin]
QW
town chngzhn [chung-jun]
ER
in town (zi) chngli [(dzai)

ABCDEFGHIJKLTo

P{}q
too (also) y [yur]
w
(excessively) ti
e
too hot ti r [rur]
rt
too much ti du [dwor]
yu
me too w y [wor]
io
tooth y [yah]
p
toothache ytng [yah-tung]
[]
toothbrush yshu [yah-shwah]
AS
toothpaste ygo [yah-gow]
DF
top: on top of...zi ...
shngtou [dzai...shahng-toh]
G ... L:
at the top zi dngshang [ding-

torch shudintng [shoh-dyentoong]

English Chinese

the day after tomorrow


hutian [hoh-tyen]

chung-lee]

TYUIO
out of town (zi) chngwi
[chung-wai]

P{}qw
town centre sh zhngxn [shur
joong-hsin]

ert

town hall sh zhngf dlu

157

English Chinese

[shur-jung-foo]

yuiop
toy wnj [wahn-jyew]
[]
track (US) zhnti [jahn-tai]
AS
tracksuit yndngf [yewndoong-foo]

~!@

traditional chuntng [chwahntoong]

#$
train huch [hwor-chur]
%^
by train zu huch [dzwor
hwor-chur]

&*(

ABCDEFGHIJKLTo

dialogue
is this the train
forShanghai? zhli

huch q Shnghi ma?

[jur-lyeh hwor-chur chew


mah]
sure q [chew]
no, you want that platform
there bq, n yo do
nige zhnti q [boo-chew
nee yow dow nay-gur jahn-tai]
trainers (shoes) lWyuxi [lyewyoh-hsyeh]

)_+

train station huchzhn

158

[hwor-chur-jahn]

|`1
tram yugu dinch [yoh-gway
dyen-chur]

2345
translate fny [fahn-yee]
67
could you translate that?

qng nn fny yxia, ho ma?

[ching nin fahn-yee yee-hsyah how


mah]

~!@#$%^&*
translator fny [fahn-yee]
()
trash lj [lah-jee]
_+
travel lWxng [lyew-hsing]
|`

were travelling around


wmen zi lWxng [wor-mun
dzai]

12345
travel agents lWxngsh [lyewhsing-shur]

678

travellers cheque lWxng


zhpio [lyew-hsing jur-pyow]

90-=
tray chpn [chah-pahn]
\Q
tree sh [shoo]
W

trim: just a trim, please (to


hairdresser) qng zh xixiu
binr [ching jur hsyoh-hsyoh

trip: Id like to go on a trip


to...w xing do...q
[wor hsyahng dow...chew]

OP{ ... e
trouble (noun) mfan [mah-fahn]
rt
Im having trouble with...w
de...ydole dinr mfan
[wor-duh... yew-dow-lur dyenr]

[hsing-lee-hsyahng]

$%^
trunks (swimming) yuyngk
[yoh-yoong-koo]

&*(
try (verb) sh [shur]
)
can I try it? kyi shyish ma?
[kur-yee shur-yee-shur mah]

_+|`123

try on: can I try it on? kyi

shyish ma?
4567890
T-shirt T xshn [tee hsoo
shahn]

-=\

QWE
tunnel sudo [sway-dow]
RT
turn: turn left wng zu gui
[wahng dzwor gwai]

YUI

turn right wng yu gui

OP{

turn off: where do I turn off?


w di zi nr guiwn? [wor
day dzai nar gwai-wahn]

}qwertyu

can you turn the heating off?

qng ba nunq gunshang

[ching bah nwahn-chee-gwahnshahng]

iop[]AS

turn on: can you turn the


heating on? qng ba nunq
dki yxi [dah-kai
yee-hsyah]

DFGHJKL:"
turning (in road) zhunwnr
[jwahn-wahnr]

ABCDEFGHIJKLTw

yu ... []ASDFG
trousers kzi [koo-dzur]
HJ
true zhnde [jun-dur]
~!
thats not true b du [dway]
@#
trunk (US: of car) xnglixing

Tuesday xngqir [hsing-cheeer]

English Chinese

byenr]

#$%^&*

asd
TV dinsh [dyen-shur]
fg
twice lingc [lyang-tsur]
hj
twice as much du ybi
[dwor yee-bay]

kl;

twin beds lingge

159

English Chinese

dnrnchung [lyang-gur dahn-

`1

[shwahng-run fahng-jyen]

2 ... 6
(less than) shoy...[show-

'ZXCV
twin room shungrn fngjin
BNM<

twist: Ive twisted my ankle


wde jiobzi nile [wor-dur
jyow-bor-dzur nyoh-lur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLTw

>?zxcvb
type (noun) zhng [joong]
n
another type of...lng
yzhng...[ling yee-joong]
m,. ...
typical dinxng [dyen-hsing]
~!
tyre lnti
@#

U
ugly nnkn [nahn-kahn]

$%
UK Ynggu [ying-gwor]
^&
umbrella ysn [yew-sahn]
*(
uncle (fathers elder brother) bf
)_
(fathers younger brother) shshu
[shoo-shoo]

+|
(mothers brother) jijiu [jyoh160

jyoh]

run-chwahng]

under...(in position) zi...xi


[dzai...hsyah]

yew]

... 0-

underdone (meat) bn shng b


sh [bahn shung boo shoo]

=\QW

underground (railway) dti


[dee-tyeh]

ER

underpants kch
[koo-chah]

TY

understand: I understand w
dng le [wor doong lur]

UIO

I dont understand w b

dng
P{}

do you understand? n

dngle, ma?
qwert
unemployed shy [shur-yur]
yu
unfashionable b shmo [boo
shur-mow]

iop

United States Migu [maygwor]

[]

university dxu

unlock ki

unpack dki [dah-kai]

FG

until...zhdo...wizh
[jur-dow...way-jur]

HJ ... "a
unusual b chngjin(de)
[chahng-jyen(-dur)]

sdfghj
up shng [shahng]
k
up there zi nr [dzai]
~!@
hes not up yet t hi mi qlai

[dzun-mur hway shur]

*()_+|
upmarket goj [gow-jee]
`1
upset stomach wi b shfu

ER

with us gn wmen yq [gun


yee-chee]

TYUIO
for us wi wmen [wei]
P{}
use (verb) yng [yoong]
q
may I use...? w kyi
yng yxia... ma? [wor

kur-yee yoongyee-hsyah...
mah]

wertyu ... []
useful yuyng [yoh-yoong]
AS
usual (normal) pngchng [pingchahng]

DF
(habitual) yunli de [yew-ahn-lai
dur]

GHJ

[way boo shoo-foo]

2345

upside down doguolai [dowgwor-lai]

678
upstairs lushng

vacancy: do you have


any vacancies? (hotel)

zhr yu kng fngjin


ma? [jer yoh koong fahng-jyen

mah]

90

KL:"asdf
vacation (holiday) jiq [jyah-

-=\QW

gh

[loh-shahng]

urgent jnj(de) [jin-jee(-dur)]

ABCDEFGHIJKLVa

[tah hai may chee-lai]

#$%^&
whats up? znme hu shr?

us* wmen [wor-mun]

English Chinese

[dah-hsyew-eh]

AS

chee]

161

English Chinese

on vacation xiji [hsyoh-jyah]

jk

vacuum cleaner xchnq


[hshee-chun-chee]

l;'
valid (ticket etc) yuxio [yohhsyow]

ZX

how long is it valid for? du

chng shjinnei yuxio?

[dwor chahng shur-jyen nay yohhsyow]

CVBNM<>?
valley shng [shahn-goo]
zx
valuable (adj) bogu(de) [bowgway(-dur)]

ABCDEFGHIJKLVa

~!@#$
can I leave my valuables
here? w kyi b guzhng

de dngxi fng zi zhr


ma? [wor kur-yee bah gway-joong

dur doong-hshee fahng dzai jer mah]

%^&*()_+|
`12345
van huch [hwor-chur]
67
vary: it varies jngchng bin
[jing-chahng byen]

890
vase hupng [hwah-ping]
-=
vegetables shci [shoo-tsai]
\Q
vegetarian (noun) chsde [chur162

soo-dur]

WER
very fichng [fay-chahng]
TY
very little hn xio [hun hsyow]
UI
I like it very much w hn
xhuan [wor hun hshee-hwahn]
OP{}
via tjng [toojing]
qw
Vietnam Yunn [yew-eh-nahn]
er
view jng
t
village cnzi [tsun-dzur]
~!
vinegar c [tsoo]
@
visa qinzhng [chyen-jung]
#$
visit (verb: person) q kn [chew
kahn]

%^
(place) cngun [tsahn-gwahn]
&*
Id like to visit...w xing
cngun...[wor hsyahng]
()_+ ...
voice shngyn [shung-yin]
23
voltage diny [dyen-yah]
45
vomit ut [oh-too]
67

waist yo [yow]

wait dng [dung]

wait for me dngdeng w


[wor]

~!@

dont wait for me byng


dng w [boo-yoong]

jioxng w, ho ma? [ching


dzai jyow-hsing wor]

ertyuiop[
]A
Wales Wirsh [way-er-shur]
SDF
walk: is it a long walk? yo
zu hn yun ma? [yow dzoh
hun yew-ahn mah]

GHJKL:

#$%^

its only a short walk zh sh


lidalida [jur shur
lyoh-dah]

can I wait until my wife gets


here? w nng dngdo w
qzi li ma? [nung dung-dow wor
chee-dzur lai mah]

hjkl

can you do it while I wait?


shbsh ldng kq? [shurboo-shur lee-dung kur-chew]

67890-=\

could you wait here for me?

qng zi zhr dng ho


ma? [ching dzai jer dung how
mah]

QWERTYUI
waiter/waitress fwyun [foowoo-yew-ahn]

OP{

waiter!/waitress!

fwyun!
}qw

wake: can you wake me up


at 5.30? qng zi wdinbn

"asdfg
Ill walk w zuzhe q [wor
dzoh-jur chew]

Im going for a walk w


chqu snsan b [choo-chew
sahn-sahn]

;'ZXCV
wall qing [chyang]
B

the Great Wall of China


Chngchng [chahng-chung]

NM
wallet qinbo [chyen-bow]
<>
want: I want a...w yo
yge...[wor yow yee-gur]
?zxc
I dont want any...w b
yo...
vbn
I want to go home w yo

ABCDEFGHIJKLWa

&*()_+|`45

English Chinese

163

English Chinese

huji [hway-jyah]
m,./
I dont want to w b yo
~!@
he wants to...t
xing...[tah hsyahng]
#$ ...
what do you want? n yo
shnme? [shun-mur]
*()_+
ward (in hospital) bngfng [bingfahng]

|`
warm nunhuo [nwahn-hwor]
12
was*: he/she was t yqin sh
[tah yee-chyen shur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLWa

345678
it was sh
9
wash (verb) x [hshee]
0

can you wash these? qng


xxi zhixie, ho ma? [ching
hshee-hshee jay-hsyeh how mah]

-=\QWERT
washhand basin linpn [lyenpun]

YU

washing (dirty clothes) di x de


yfu [yow hshee dur yee-foo]

IOP{}
(clean clothes) yx de yfu [yeehshee-how]

qwert
164

washing machine xyj [hsheeyee-jee]

yui

washing powder xyfn


[fun]

op[
wasp hungfng [hwahng-fung]
]A
watch (wristwatch) shubio
[shoh-byow]

SD
water shu [shway]
F

may I have some water? qng


li dinr shu, ho ma? [ching
lai dyenr shway how mah]

GHJKL:"a
water melon xgu [hshee-gwah]
sd
waterproof (adj) fngshu
[fahng-shway]

fg

way: its this way sh zhitio


l [shur jay-tyow]

hjkl

its that way sh nitio l


[nay-tyow]

;'ZX

is it a long way to...?


do...yun ma? [dow...chew
yew-ahn mah]

~ ... $%^
no way! b knng! [kur-nung]
&*(

could you tell me the way


to...? qng nn gosu w,

do...znme zu, ho
ma? [ching nin gow-soo wor

dow...dzun-mur dzoh how


mah]
go straight on until you
reach the traffic lights
yzh zu hngldng [yeejur dzoh hoong-loo-dung]
turn left wng zu gui
[wahng dzwor gwai]
take the first on the right

yo yubinr d yzhun

we* wmen [wor-mun]

)_
weak (person) ru [rwor]
+
(drink) dn [dahn]
|
weather tinqi [tyen-chee]
`1
wedding hnl [hun-lee]
23
wedding ring jihn jizhi
[jyeh-hun jyeh-jur]

4567

Wednesday xngqsn [hsingchee-sahn]

890

-=

a week (from) today xige


xngq de jntian [hsyah-gur
dur jin-tyen]

\QWERTY

a week (from) tomorrow xige


xngqi de mngtian [ming-tyen]

UIOP{}q
weekend zhum [joh-mor]
we
at the weekend zhum
rt
weight zhngling [joong-lyang]
yu
welcome: welcome
to...hunyng
do...[hwahn-ying dow]

iop ...

youre welcome (dont mention


it) byng xi [boo-yoong hsyeh]

SDF

well: I dont feel well w b


shfu [wor boo shoo-foo]

GHJK

shes not well t b shfu


[tah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLWe

[yow yoh-byenr dee yee-jwahn]


see where

week xngq [hsing-chee]

English Chinese

dialogue

~!@#

you speak English very well

n Yngy jingde hn ho

[ying-yew jyang-dur hun how]

$%^&*()
well done! ti hole! [how-lur]
_+|
I would like this one as well

165

English Chinese

zhige w y yo [ jay-gur wor


yeh yow]

`1234
well well! iy! [ai-yah]
56
dialogue
how are you? nn ho ma?
[how mah]
very well, thanks, and you?
hn ho xixie, n ne? [hun
how hsyeh-hsyeh nee-neh]
well-done (meat) lnsh [lahnshoo]

78

ABCDEFGHIJKLWe

Welsh Wirsh [way-er-shur]

90-

Im Welsh w sh
Wirshrn [wor shur run]

=\QWER
were*: we were wmen yqin
sh [wor-mun yee-chyen shur]
TYUIO
you were nmen sh [nee-mun]
P{}
west x [hshee]
q
in the west xbinr [hsheebyenr]

wer
West (European etc) Xfng
[hshee-fahng]

ty
166

in the West Xfng

ui

western (adj) x [hshee]

Western (adj: European etc)


xfng de [hshee-fahng dur]

FGH

Western-style xsh
[hshee-shur]

JK

Western-style food xcn


[hshee-tsahn]

L:

West Indian (adj) X Ynd


qndo rn [hshee yin-doo chundow run]

op[]AS
wet sh [shur]
"
what? shnme? [shun-mur]
asd
whats that? n sh shnme?
[nah shur]

fghjk

what should I do? w ynggi


zu shnme? [wor ying-gai
dzwor]

l;'ZXCV
what a view! kn zh jngr!
[kahn jur]

~!@#

what bus do I take? w gi


zu nil ch? [wor gai dzwor
nay-loo chur]

$%^&*()

_+

wheelchair lny [lun-yee]

|`

when? shnme shhou? [shunmur shur-hoh]

12345

when we get back wmen


hulai de shhou [wor-mun
hway-lai dur]

67890-=

whens the train/ferry?

huch/dchun jdin ki?


[hwor-chur/doo-chwahn jee-dyen]

dow dzai nar]

}qwerty
dialogue
where is the Dragon
temple? lng mio zi nr?
[dzai]
its over there ji zi nr
[jyoh]
could you show me where
it is on the map? qng zi

dtshang zhsh gi w ba

[ching dee-too-shahng jur-shur


gay wor bah]
its just here ji zi zhr

which: which bus? nil ch?


[nay-loo chur]

uiop

dialogue
which one? n yge? [nah
yee-gur]
that one nige [nay-gur]
this one? zhige? [jay-gur]
no, that one bsh, nige
[boo-shur]
while: while Im here w zi
zhr de shhou [wor dzai jer dur
shur-hoh]

[]ASDFG
whisky wishj [way-shur-jee]
HJK
white bi
L
white wine bi ptaoji [pootow-jyoh]

ABCDEFGHIJKLWh

\QWERTYUI
where? nr?
OP{
I dont know where it is w
b zhdao zi nr [wor boo jur-

[jyoh jer]
see way

English Chinese

wheel lnzi [lun-dzur]

:"as
who? shi? [shay]
d
who is it? shi? [shway]
f
the man who......de nige
rn [dur nay-gur run]
... kl;'
whole: the whole week

167

English Chinese

zhngzheng yge xngq [jungjung yee-gur hsing-chee]

~!@#$%
the whole lot qunb [choo-en-

ertyu

^&

windy: its windy yufng


[yoh-fung]

*()_+
why? wishnme? [way-shun-

can we have some more


wine? qng zi li dinr

boo]

whose: whose is this? zhi


sh shide? [jay shur
shay-dur]

mur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLWh

|`12
why not? wishnme b?
34567
wide kun de [kwahn dur]
89
wife qzi [chee-dzur]
0will*: will you do it for me?
qng gi w zu yxa [ching
gay wor dzwor yee-hsyah]

=\QWER
wind (noun) fng [fung]
T
window chunghu [chwahnghoo]

YU

near the window ko


chunghu [kow]

IOP

in the window (of shop) zi


chchungli [dzai choochwahng-lee]

{}qw
168

window seat ko chung de


zuwei [kow chwahng dur dzworway]

io
wine ptaoji [poo-tow-jyoh]
p[]
ptaoji, ho ma?

[ching dzai lai dyenr


how mah]

ASDFGHJKL
:"
wine list jidn [jyoh-dahn]
as
winter dngtian [doong-tyen]
df
in the winter dngtian
gh
with* h...yq [hur...yeechee]

j ... 'Z

Im staying with...w
gn...zh zi yq [wor
gun...joo dzai yee-chee]

XC ... M<>?
without miyu [may-yoh]
zx
witness zhngren [jung-run]
cv
wok gu [gwor]
b

nm

wonderful hojle [how-jee-lur]

~!@

wont*: it wont start b dhu


[dah-hwor]

#$%
wood (material) mtou [moo-toh]
^&
(forest) shln [shoo-lin]
*(
wool yngmo [yang-mow]
)_
word c [tsur]
+
work (noun) gngzu [goongdzwor]

its not working huile [lur]

12
world shji [shur-jyeh]
34
worry: Im worried w b n
[wor bwahn]

567

worse: its worse huile [hwaylur]

89
worst zu hui [dzway hwai]
0-

would: would you give this


to...? qng nn b zhige
gi..., ho ma? [ching nin bah
jay gay...how mah]

=\QWER ... IOP

qng nn bng w bo
yxia, ho ma? [ching nin

bahng wor bow yee-hsyah how


mah]

{}qwertyui
wrapping paper bozhungzh
[bow-jwahng-jur]

op[
wrist shuwnr [shoh-wahnr]
]AS
write xi [hsyeh]
D
writing paper xnzh [hsin-jur]
FG
wrong: this is the wrong train

wmen shngcu huchle

[wor-mun chung-tswor-lur hworchur-lur]

HJKL:"a
the bills wrong zhngdnr
cule [jahng-dahnr tswor-lur]
~!@#$

sorry, wrong number


dubuq, dcule [dway-boochee dah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLWr

|`

wrap: could you wrap it up?

English Chinese

woman fnW [foo-nyew]

%^&*()

sorry, wrong room dubuq,

zhocu fngjin le

[jow-fahng-jyen]

_+|(1234
theres something wrong
with......yu mobng [yoh
mow-bing]

... 890

169

English Chinese

whats wrong? znmele?


[dzun-mur-lur]

-=\Q

Y
yacht fnchun [fahn-chwahn]

WE

Yangtze Gorge Chngjing


snxi [chahng-jyang sahn-syah]

RTYU

Yangtze River Chngjing

ABCDEFGHIJKLYa

IO
year nin [nyen]
P
yellow hungs [hwahng-sur]
{}
Yellow River Hung H
[hwahng hur]

qw

Yellow Sea Hunghi

er
yes* shde [shur-dur]
ty
yesterday zutian [dzwor-tyen]
ui
yesterday morning zutian
zoshang [dzow-shahng]
op[]
the day before yesterday
qintin [chyen-tyen]

AS
yet hi
D
170

dialogue
is it here yet? hi lile
miyou? [lai-lur may-yoh]
no, not yet hi mili
[may-lai]
youll have to wait a little
longer yet n hi ya dng
ydinr [yow dung yee-dyenr]
yoghurt sunni [swahn-nai]
FG
you* (sing) n
H
(sing, pol) nn
J
(pl) nmen [nee-mun]
KL
this is for you zhi sh gi n
de [jay shur gay nee dur]
:"asd
with you gn n yq [gun nee
yee-chee]

~!@#
young ninqng [nyen-ching]
$%
your/yours* (sing) nde
[nee-dur]

^&
(sing, pol) nnde [nin-dur]
*(

zero lng

)
zip llin [lah-lyen]
_+
could you put a new zip on?

qng nn bng w hunge xn


llinr, ho ma? [ching nin bahng

English Chinese

wor hwahn-gur hsin how mah]

|`1234567
890
zoo dngwyun [doong-wooyew-ahn]

-=\

ABCDEFGHIJKLZo
171

Chinese

English

You might well hear the following expressions, but on no


account should you use any of the stronger ones they will cause
great offence if used by a foreigner.
bndn! [bun-dahn] idiot!
chnhu! [chun-hwor] idiot!
dbzi! [dah-bee-dzur] big nose!
d tunji [dah twahn-jyeh] ten-yun note
fihu! [fay-hwah] rubbish!
gile morle [gai-lur mow-lur] absolutely the best
gn! [goon] go away!, get lost!
gnchq! [goon-choo-chyew] get out!
hndn! [hoon-dahn] bastard!
jule [jweh-lur] wonderful, unique
lowi! [low-wai] foreigner!
liobude [lyow-boo-dur] terrific, extraordinary
mizhle [may-jur-lur] excellent
nli, nli [nah-lee] oh, it was nothing, youre welcome
sunle [swahn-lur] forget it
subin [sway-byen] as you wish
tmde! [tah-mah-dur] hell!, damn!
ti bngle [bahng-lur] thats great
ti zogole [dzow-gow-lur] thats terrible
ti zotule [dzow-toh-lur] thats awful
xpsh [hshee-pee-shur] hippy
yngguzi! [yang-gway-dzur] foreign devil!
ypsh [yah-pee-shur] yuppie
yl pngn [yee-loo ping-ahn] safe journey, bon voyage
yunm qiy [yew-ahn-moo choh-yoo] a waste of time (literally:
climbing a tree to catch fish)
zole! [dzow-lur] damn!, shit!
zh zu! [joo dzway] shut up!
zu ki! [dzoh] go away!

Chinese English

Colloquialisms

175

i short
irln [ai-ur-lahn] Ireland; Irish
izbng [ai-dzur-bing] AIDS
n [ahn] dark; shore
njng [ahn-jing] quiet
nqun [ahn-choo-en] safe
nzu [ahn-dzwor] saddle
odly [or-dah-lee-yah]
Australia; Australian (adj)

B
ba [bah] particle at the end

bngngsh [bahn-goong-shur]

office

bngzh [bahng-joo] help


bnr [bahnr] partner,

boyfriend; girlfriend

midnight

bo [bow] thin
bofngy [bow-fung-yew]

storm

bozh [bow-jur] newspaper


bogu [bow-gwor] package,

parcel

boku [bow-kwor] include


bole [bow-lur] full
bozhng [bow-jung] promise;

guarantee

bozh [bow-jur] tissue,

Kleenex

bsh [bah-shur] eighty


byu [bah-yew-eh] August
be [bay] cup, glass
bi north
Bi irln [ai-er-lahn]

Northern Ireland

bizi [bay-dzur] cup


bn [bun] stupid
bn measure word* used for

books, magazines etc

bngdi [bung-dai] bandage


b [bee] than
b... gng [gung] even more

than...

b ni du dinr [nay dwor


dyenr] more than that
binji [byen-jyeh] border
binjng [byen-jing] border
binr [byenr] side
bio [byow] form
biod [byow-dee] cousin (male,
younger than speaker)
biog [byow-gur] cousin (male,
older than speaker)
bioji [byow-jyeh] cousin

ABCDEFGHIJKLBi

of a sentence to indicate a
suggestion, piece of advice
etc
b eight
b measure word* used for
chairs, knives, teapots, tools
or implements with handles,
stems and bunches of flowers
bba [bah-bah] father
bbi eight hundred
bi white
bid ferry
bis [bai-sur] white
bi tin [tyen] day, daytime
biwn [bai-wahn] one million
bn [bahn] half
bnd [bahn-dah] half a dozen
bngjle [bahng-jee-lur] terrific

bny [bahn-yur] midnight; at

Chinese English

177

Chinese English

(female, older than speaker)


biomi [byow-may] cousin
(female, younger than speaker)
bide dfang [byeh-dur dee-fahng]
somewhere else

bide dngxi [byeh-dur doonghshee] something else


bng ice
bngdngde [doong-dur]

frozen

bngfng [fahng] ward


bngun [wahn] hotel
bngxing [hsyang] fridge
bsi game; match; race
bx [bee-hsyew] must
byo(de) [bee-yow(-dur)]

necessary

ABCDEFGHIJKLBi

byu [bee-yoh] penfriend


bzi [bee-dzur] nose
bho [bor-how] dial
bli [bor-lee] glass (material)
bli bi [bay] glass (for drinking)
bwgun [bor-woo-gwahn]

museum

bzi [boh-dzur] neck


b [boo] no; not; material,

fabric

b du [dwor] not much


b chngjin(de) [chahng-jyen(dur)] unusual
b kqi [kur-chee] youre

welcome, dont mention it

bfen [boo-fun] part


bho [boo-how] bad
b ji [jyoh] soon
b knng [kur-nung]

impossible

blio [boo-lyow] cloth, fabric


b lmo [lee-mow] rude

178

bsh [boo-shur] no, it is not

the case

bsh... jishi... [jyoh-shur]

either... or...

btng [boo-toong] different;

difference

bxng [boo-sing] on foot


byo! [boo-yow] dont!
byole [lur] thats all;

nothing else

byng xi [hsyeh] youre

welcome, dont mention it

C
ci [tsai] dish; meal
ci only
cnch [tsahn-chur] buffet car
cnfi [tsahn-fay] disabled
cng [tsahng] hide
cngbi [bai] pale
cngun [wahn] visit
cngying fly (noun)
cnjn [tsahn-jin] napkin
cntng restaurant; dining

room

co [tsow] grass
coyo [tsow-yow] herbs
(medicinal)
cng [tsung] floor (in hotel etc)
csu [tsur-swor] toilet, rest

room

ch [chah] tea (drink)


ch to (the hour)
chbudu [chah-boo-dwor]

almost, nearly

chch [chah-chur] teaspoon


chhoti [chah-how-tai]

directory enquiries

long-distance call

chngt qch [chee-chur]

long-distance bus

chngt qho [chew-how]

dialling code

humid

chozhe [chow-jur] towards


chpn [chah-pahn] tray
chzi [chah-dzur] fork
ch [chur] city bus
chfi [chur-fay] fare
chln [chur-lun] wheel
chngbo [chung-bow] castle
chngji [jyah] married
chngk [kur] passenger
chngli [lee] in town, in the

city

chngsh [shur] city, town


chngsh honest
chngzhn [jun] town
chny [chun-yee] shirt
chti [chur-tai] tyre
chzhn [chur-jahn] bus station;

bus stop

ch [chur] eat

vegetarian

chngf [choong-foo] repeat


chun [chwahn] ship, boat
chuncng [tsahng] cabin
chung [chwahng] bed
chungdn [dahn] sheet
chungdin [dyen] mattress
chunghu [hoo] window
chunkng [chwahn-koong]

puncture

chunrn [rahn] infectious


chuntng [toong] traditional
chunzhn [jun] fax
chfng [choo-fahng] kitchen
chku [choo-koh] exit
chle... ywi [choo-lur... yeewai] except..., apart from...
chn silly
chnji [chun-jyeh] Chinese

New Year

chntian [chun-tyen] spring; in

the spring

chx [choo-hshee] New Years

Eve

chx [choo-hsyew] deposit


chz [choo-dzoo] hire, rent
chzch dinr [chur dyenr]

ABCDEFGHIJKLCo

choj shchng [chow-jee shurchahng] supermarket


chole [chow-lur] noisy
chopio [chow-pyow]
banknote, (US) bill
chosh [chow-shur] damp;

ch late
chcn [chur-tsun] size
chde [chur-dur] food
chsde [chur-soo-dur]

Chinese English

chn [chahn] greedy


chng [chahng] long
chngg [gur] sing
chngpin [pyen] record
(music)
chngt chzhn [too churjahn] long-distance bus station
chngt dinhu [dyen-hwah]

taxi rank

chz qch [chee-chur] taxi


c [tsur] word
cdi [tsur-dai] tape, cassette
cng [tsoong] from
cngcong hurriedly
cngli b never (referring to the
past or present)

179

Chinese English

cngming clever, intelligent


cnzhung [tsun-jwahng] village
cu(w) [tswor(-woo)] mistake,

error; fault

number

d dinhu [dyen-hwah] phone,

call

ABCDEFGHIJKLCo

dgi probably
dhu [dah-hway] conference
dhuj [dah-hwor-jee] cigarette

lighter

di take (something somewhere)


dili bring
dilng yujin [yoh-jyen] poste

restante

dit instead
djle [dah-jee-lur] enormous
dl main road
dm uncooked rice
dn [dahn] weak; pale
dnchngpio [dahn-chungpyow] single ticket, one-way

ticket

certainly

course,

dnin snsh [dah-nyen sahnshur] Chinese New Years Eve


dnrn jin [dahn-run jyen]

180

unmarried

dnsh [dahn-shur] but


dnyun [dahn-yew-ahn] flat,

apartment

d [dah] big, large


d hit
db [dah-bor] brother-in-law
(husbands elder brother)
d bfen shjan [dah boo-fun
shur-jyen] most of the time
dcule [dah-tswor-lur] wrong

dnd alone
dngrn [dahn-grahn] of

single room

dnshn [dahn-shun] single,

do [dow] island
do knife
do to; arrive
do... wizh [way-jur] until...
dod [dow-dah] arrive
dod shjin [shur-jyen] arrival
dotin [dow-tyen] paddy field,

rice field

doyu [dow-yoh] tour guide


dozi [dow-dzur] knife
drn [dah-run] adult
dshng de [dah-shung dur]

loud

dshgun [dah-shur-gwahn]

embassy

dxingmo [hsyoongmow]

panda

dxu [dah-hsyew-eh] university


dy [dah-yee] coat, overcoat
dyu [dah-yew-eh] roughly,

approximately

dzhng [dah-jahng] fight


de [dur] of (particle inserted
between adjective and noun to
denote possession)
d get, obtain
de du:... de du [dwor] much

more...

Dgu [dur-gwor] Germany;


German (adj)
dng [dung] light; lamp
dng wait
dngj [dung-jee] check-in

dir(ge) [gur] second


dizi [dyeh-dzur] dish, bowl;

saucer

dinhu [dyen-hwah] phone


dinhu hom b [how-mah]

dfng [dee-fahng] place


dji [dee-jyoh] ninth
dling [dee-lyang] second
dli [dee-lyoh] sixth
dnghnle [hun-lur] engaged (to
be married)
dngshang: zi dngshang [dzai
ding-shahng] at the top
dngzu [dzwor] reserve
dq [dee-chee] seventh
dq [dee-chew] region
dr [deer] bottom
dsn [dee-sahn] third
dshang [dee-shahng] on the

dinhutng phone box


dinno [dyen-now] computer
dinr [dyenr] a little bit
... dinr more...
dinsh [dyen-shur] television
dint lift, elevator
dintdo [dyen-tee-dow] electric

dsh [dee-shur] tenth


ds [dee-sur] fourth
dsk [kur] disco
dtn [dee-tahn] carpet
dti [dee-tyeh] underground,
(US) subway
dte zhn [jahn] underground

dinxin [dyen-hsyen] wire; lead


dinxng [dyen-hsing] typical
diny [dyen-yah] voltage
dinyng [dyen-ying] film,

dt [dee-too] map
di [dyoh] lose
dw [dee-woo] fifth
dy first
dzh [dee-jur] address
dng: n dngle? [doong-lur] do

hairdryer

dindng tx do [dyen-doong
tee-hsyew dow] shaver
dingng [dyen-goong]

electrician

phone book

movie

dinyng yun [yew-ahn]

cinema, movie theater

dinyun chzu [dyen-yew-ahn


chah-dzwor] power point
dinzi [dyen-dzur] cushion
diochung [dyow-chwahng] cot
db [dee-bah] eighth
ddi younger brother

ground

station, subway station

ABCDEFGHIJKLDo

shaver

Chinese English

dngjku [koh] gate (at airport)


dngj pi boarding pass
dngpo [dung-pow] lightbulb
d [dee] floor
d r tin [tyen] the day after
d low
din [dyen] electric; electricity
-din hour; oclock
dinch [dyen-chur] battery
dinchufng [dyen-chway-fung]

you understand?

w b dng [wor] I dont

understand

dng [doong] east


dng hole; puncture
dngbi [bay] northeast
dngbin [byen] in the

181

Chinese English

east

dngnn [nahn] southeast


dngsh [shur] director
dngtian [tyen] winter; in the

winter

dngw [woo] animal


dngwyun [yew-ahn] zoo
dngxi [hshee] thing (object)
du [doh] both, all
du steep
d [doo] read
dun [dwahn] short
dunk shorts
dunle [lur] broken
dunw [wah] sock
du [dway] right, correct;

ABCDEFGHIJKLDo

towards; with regard to;


queue; side
dubuq [dway-boo-chee] sorry,
excuse me
dufng fkun [fahng fookwahn] collect call
duhun [dway-hwahn] change
(verb: money)
duhunl [lyew] exchange

rate

dujle! [jee-lur] exactly!


dule yes, thats it, thats

right

du [dwor] much; more than


dude du [dur] a lot more
dule:... dule [lur] far

more...

dushao? [dwor-show] how


much?, how many? (if answer
is likely to be more than ten)
duxi [hsyeh] thank you

very much

du ybi [yee-bay] twice as

182

much

du ydinr [yee-dyenr] a bit

more

duyng chtu [yoong chahtoh] adapter


dpn [doo-pin] drugs, narcotics
dzhle [doo-joo-lur] blocked

E
[ur] hungry
gu [ur-gwor] Russia; Russian
(adj)
r two
rbi two hundred
r dng [dung] second class
rduo [er-dwor] ear
rhun [er-hwahn] earring
r lng [loong] deaf
rlu [er-loh] first floor, (US)

second floor

rsh [er-shur] twenty


rtng [er-toong] children
rwn [er-wahn ] twenty

thousand

rx [er-hshee] daughter-in-law
ryu [er-yew-eh] February
rzi [er-dzur] son
xn [ur-hsin] disgusting;

nausea

F
Fgu [fah-gwor] France;
French (adj)
fn [fahn] bored
fn meal
fndin [fahn-dyen] large

restaurant; luxury hotel

restaurant

fngxing [hsyang] direction


fngzi [dzur] building; house
fngz [dzoo] rent (noun)
fnwn [fahn-wahn] rice bowl
fny translate; translation;

translator

fshng [fah-shung] happen


fi [fay] fly (verb)
fichng [fay-chahng] very,

extremely

informal

fn [fun] minute
fng [fung] mad, insane; wind;

measure word* used for


letters
fngjng [fung-jing] scenery;
sights
fngshn [fung-shahn] fan
(electrical)
fngs [fung-soo] custom
fnhng [fun-hoong] pink
fnj [fun-jee] extension
fnki separate
fnzhng [fun-joong] minute
F [for] Buddha

Buddhist

f(qin) [foo(-chyen)] pay


ff couple (two people)
fjifi [foo-jyah-fay]

supplement, extra charge

fjn [foo-jin] nearby; near


fm parents
fn [foo-nyew] woman
fqin [foo-chin] father
fren [foo-run] Mrs
fshu [foo-shoh] handle
fwti reception
fwyun [yew-ahn]

receptionist

fz [foo-zah] complicated

G
gir [gai-r] lid
gl [gah-lee] curry
gn [gahn] dry; liver
gn catch up
gnbi! [gahn-bay] cheers!
gngb [gahng-bee] pen
gngku [koh] port,

harbour

gnjng [gahn-jing] clean


gnju [gahn-jyew-eh] feel
gnmo [gahn-mow] cold
(illness)
gnrn [gahn-rahn] infection
go [gow] high; tall
godindin [dyen] cake shop
gomng [gow-ming] brilliant
goxng [gow-hsing] pleased,

ABCDEFGHIJKLGa

fij [fay-jee] plane


zu fej [dzwor] by air
fijchng [chahng] airport
fix [fay-hsyew] ruins
fizo [fay-dzow] soap
fi zhngsh [jung-shur]

Fjio [for-jyow] Buddhism;

Chinese English

fng [fahng] imitation


fng put
fngbin [byen] convenient
fngdng roof; ceiling
fngfj [foo-jee] antiseptic
fngjin [jyen] room
fngunr [fahn-gwahnr] small

glad

hn goxng jindo n [hun


jyen dow] pleased to meet

183

Chinese English

you

ge [gur] general all-purpose

measure word*

g song
gbo [gur-bor] arm
gbozhu [joh] elbow
gchngji [gur-chahng-jyah]

singer

gge [gur-gur] elder brother


gi [gay] give; for
gj [gur-jyew] opera
gn [gun] with
gng:... gng [gung] even

more...

gng ho [how] better; even

better

Gngchndng [goong-chahndahng] Communist Party


Gngchndngyun [yew-ahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLGe

Communist Party member

gngchng [chahng] factory


gngchnzhy [chahn-joo-yee]

communism

gngch [chur] metre


gngdin [dyen] palace
gnggng csu [tsur-swor]

public convenience

gnggong ppo [por-por] wifes

parents-in-law

gnggng qch [chee-chur]

city bus

gnggng qch zhn [jahn]

bus stop

gnggng qch zngzhn


[dzoong-jahn] bus station
gngji [jyah] public holiday
gngjn [jin] kilogram
gngli kilometre
gngl motorway, (US)

184

highway, (US) freeway


gngs [sur] company,
business, firm

gngx! gngx! [hshee]

congratulations!

gngyun [yew-ahn] park


gngzu [dzwor] job;

work

gu [goh] dog
gu(le) [lur] enough
gui [gwai] peculiar
gun [gwahn] close, shut
gun jug
gungchng [gwahng-chahng]

square

Gungdng [doong]
Cantonese (adj)
Gungdnghu [hwah]
Cantonese (language)
Gungdng rn [run]
Cantonese (person)
gunku [gwahn-koh] pass (in
mountains)
gunle [lur] closed
gunmnle [mun-lur] closed
gunshang le [shahng] off,

switched off

guntou [toh] can, tin


guny [yew] about,

concerning

gdng [goo-doong] antique


ggu aunt (fathers sister)
gu(le) [gway(-lur)] expensive
guzi [gway-dzur] cupboard
-guo [gwor] verb suffix

indicating a past
experience
guhu [hwah] Chinese
painting

national, state

gule [lur] beyond


gumn allergic
guqu [chew] in the past
gush(de) [shur(-dur)] old-

fashioned

guwi abroad
guy [yur] overnight
gtou [goo-toh] bone
gy deliberately
gzh [gyew-jur] fracture

you OK?

hibinr [hai-byenr] sea; seaside


hibn coast
higun [hai-gwahn] Customs
hishi [hai-shur] or
hitn [hai-tahn] beach
hiwn [hai-wahn] bay
hizi [hai-dzur] child
hn [hahn] shout
hngbn [hahng-bahn] flight
hngbn ho [how] flight

number

hngkng [koong] by airmail


hngkng xnfng [hsin-fung]

airmail envelope

Hny [hahn-yew] Chinese


(spoken language)
ho [how] good; nice; all right,

OK

please

hoch [how-chur] delicious


hohu [how-hwah] luxurious;

posh

hojle [how-jee-lur] great,

wonderful, excellent

hokn [how-kahn] attractive


hom [how-mah] number
ho ydinr [yee-dyenr] better
h [hur] and; river
h... yq [yee-chee] together

with...

... h... du b... [doh boo]

neither... nor...

h drink (verb)
hi [hay] black
hi n [ahn] dark
hl [hur-lee] reasonable
hn [hun] very
hndu [hun-dwor] a lot, lots;

many

hnkui di [kwai] quickly


hzi [hur-dzur] box
hzule [hur-dzway-lur] drunk
hngsde [hoong-sur-dur] red
hngshu [shway] flood
hu [hoh] thick
huli later; later on
hulng [hoh-loong] throat
humian [hoh-myen] behind
zi humian [dzai] at the back
zi... humian behind...
hutin [hoh-tyen] the day after

ABCDEFGHIJKLHu

hi sea
hi still
hi ho ma? [how mah] are

ho, xixie [hsyeh-hsyeh] yes,

Chinese English

guj [jee] nationality


guj [jee] international
guji [jyah] country, nation;

tomorrow

h lake
hu [hwah] flower
hu picture, painting
hufi [hwah-fay] spend

185

Chinese English

hui [hwai] bad


huile [hwai-lur] broken
huiyn [hwai-yewn] pregnant
huji [hwah-jee] funny
huj [hwah-jew] play (in theatre)
hung [hwahng] yellow
hungd emperor
hungfng [fung] wasp
hungjn gold
hungs [sur] yellow
hunyng do... [hwahn-ying
dow] welcome to...
hupng [hwah-ping] vase
hur [hwar] painting, picture
huxing [hwah-hsyang]

portrait

ABCDEFGHIJKLHu

huyun [hwah-yew-ahn] garden


hu [hway] meeting, conference
hulai come back
husde [hway-sur-dur] grey
hutujin [hway-toh-jyen] see

you later

huy [hway-yee] meeting,

conference

hnl [hun-lee] wedding


hu [hwor] fire
huchi [hwor-chai] matches
huch [hwor-chur] van
huch train
zu huch [dzwor] by train
huchzhn [jahn] railway

station

huzi [hwor-dzai] fire


huzhe... huzhe... [hwor-jur]

either... or...

huzh or
hshi [hoo-shur] nurse
htng [hoo-toong] lane; side

street

186

hzho [hoo-jow] passport


hzi [hoo-dzur] beard

J
j [jee] post, mail (verb)
j few
ji [jyah] home
zi ji [dzai] at home
jig [jyah-gur] price
jin [jyen] cut
jin measure word* used for

things, affairs etc

Jind [jyah-nah-dah] Canada;


Canadian (adj)
jinbng [jyen-bahng] shoulder
jindn [jyen-dahn] simple, easy
jing [jyang] river
jing speak
jingli future; in future
jinkng [jyen-kahng] healthy
jinzh [jyen-joo] building
jinzi [jyen-dzur] scissors
jio [jyow] foot (of person)
jio call, greet
jiochku [jyow-chah-koh]

junction

jiod sole (of foot)


jio gn [gun] heel (of foot)
jiojunr [jyow-jew-ahnr] film
(for camera)
jioq [jyow-chew] suburb
jioqch [chur] bus (in
suburbs)
jiotng [jyow-tahng] church
jiotng t [jyow-toong ]

streetmap

jioy hu [jyow-yee hway]

exhibition, trade fair

vacation

jiqin [jyah-chyen] cost (noun)


jitng family
jiy [jyah-yah] dentures
jiyu zhn [jyah-yoh jahn]

petrol station, gas station

jizh [jyah-jur] value


jizi [jyah-dzur] shelf
jbng illness, disease
jchng bnch [jee-chahng
bahn-chur] airport bus
ji(do) [jyeh(-dow)] avenue;

street

programme

jir [jyeh-rur] festival; holiday


jishi [jyeh-shur] strong
jizhi [jyeh-jur] ring (on finger)
jfi dinhu [jee-fay dyen-hwah]

payphone

jge [jee-gur] several


jge? how much?, how
many? (if answer is likely to be ten
or fewer)
jji [jee-jyoh] first aid
jjixing [hsyang] first-aid kit
jn near
jngch [jing-chah] police;

policeman

jngchng [jing-chahng] often,

astonishing

jngzi [jing-dzur] mirror


jnhungs [jin-hwahng-sur]

blond

jninbi [jee-nyen-bay]

monument

jninpn [jee-nyen-pin] souvenir


jnj(de) [dur] urgent
jnjin just, only
jnsh metal
jntian [jin-tyen] today
jntian wnshang [wahnshahng] tonight
jntu [jin-toh] end (of street etc)
jnwn [jin-wahn] tonight
jnzi [jin-dzur] gold
jq [jee-chee] machine
jshi... y [jee-shur... yur] even

if...

jsunj [jee-swahn-jee]

computer

ji [jyoh] nine; alcohol;

alcoholic drink

ji just; then; secondhand


ji ydinr [yee-dyenr] just a

ABCDEFGHIJKLJi

ji [jyeh] borrow
jif [jyeh-foo] brother-in-law
(elder sisters husband)
jihn [jyeh-hun] married
n jihnle ma? [jyeh-hun-lur
mah] are you married?
jijie [jyeh-jyeh] elder sister
jimdnr [jyeh-moo-dahnr]

frequent

jnggu [jing-gwor] through; via


jngl manager
jngr view
jngrn de [jing-run dur]

Chinese English

jiozhtou [jyow-jur-toh] toe


jiq [jyah-chee] holiday,

little

ji yhur [yee-hwayr] just a

minute

jibi nine hundred


jibjin [jyoh-bah-jyen] bar
jide [jyoh-dur] secondhand
jihch [jyoh-hoo-chur]

ambulance

jijiu uncle (mothers brother)

187

Chinese English

jish [jyoh-shur] ninety


jiyu [jyoh-yew-eh]

September

junqde [jwahn-chew-dur] curly


ju bhu [jew-eh boo-hway]
never (referring to the future)
jude [dur] feel
judng decide; decision
judu bng [dway bahng]

perfect

judude! [dur] absolutely!


jhungs [jyew-hwahng-sur]
orange (colour)
jl [joo-lee] distance
jyun [jyew-yew-ahn] theatre

ABCDEFGHIJKLJi

kch [kah-chur] lorry, truck


kfi din [kah-fay dyen] caf
kfigunr [gwahnr] caf
ki open (adj)
kich [kai-chur] drive
kide [kai-dur] open (adj)
kile [kai-lur] open (adj)
kish [kai-shur] begin; start;

beginning

y kish at the beginning


kishu [kai-shway] boiled water
knbo [kahn-bow] read
(newspaper)
kngjns [kahng-jyewn-soo]

antibiotics

knjian [kahn-jyen] see


knsh [kahn-shoo] read (book)
knyikn [kahn-yee-kahn] have

a look

ko [kow] near
kosh [kow-shur] exam

188

koxing [kow-hsyang] oven


k [kur] lesson; gram(me)
k measure word* used for

trees etc

ki lovely
knng [kur-nung] maybe,

perhaps; possible

kp [kur-pah] horrible
kqi [kur-chee] polite
krn [kur-run] guest
ksh [kur-shur] but
ksou [kur-soh] cough
ktng lounge
kyi [kur-yee] be able
kyi qng [ching] yes please
nn kyi... ma? [mah] could

you...?

kng [koong] empty


kngjin [jyen] room, space
kngq [chee] air
kngtio [tyow] air-

conditioning

kuk [koh-kur] thirsty


k [koo] bitter
k cry
kui [kwai] quick, fast; sharp;

soon; measure word* used


for lumps or pieces
kui ch [chur] express (train)
kuid express (mail)
kui dinr! [dyenr] hurry up!
kuil [kwai-lur] happy
kuir [kwai-r] piece
kuizi [kwai-dzur] chopsticks
kun de [kwahn dur] wide
kung [kwahng] basket
kunghunji [hwahn-jyeh]

carnival

kch [koo-chah] underpants,

difficulty

kzi [koo-dzur] trousers, (US)

pants

L
l [lah] hot, spicy
l pull
li come, arrive
lide: n sh cng nr lide?
[shur tsoong nar lai-dur] where

do you come from?

lihu pio [lai-hway pyow]

return/round-trip ticket
trashcan

ln [lahn] blue
ln lazy
lnzi [lahn-dzur] basket
lo [low] old
lolao grandmother (maternal)
loninren [low-nyen-run] senior

citizen

losh [low-shur] teacher


losh [low-shoo] rat; mouse
Low [low-wor] Laos
loye [low-yeh] grandfather
(maternal)
lzh [lah-joo] candle
le [lur] sentence particle

indicating something in the


past which is still relevant to
the present or a change of
circumstances in the present

completion of action

li [lay] tired
liy [lay-yew] thunderstorm
lng [lung] cold
li: zi... li [dzai ... lee] inside...
l [lee] from; to; pear
-l inside
lin [lyen] face
ling [lyang] two
ling measure word* used for

vehicles

lingc [tsur] twice


lingge dnrnchung [gur
dahn-run-chwahng] twin beds
lingge du [dow] both
lingge du b [doh] neither

(one) of them

lingge xngq [hsing-chee]

fortnight

lingkuai [kwai] cool


lingxi [hsyeh] sandal
linkw [lyen-koo-wah] tights,

pantyhose

linxi [lyen-hshee] contact


linyqn [lyen-yee-chewn] dress
linyn [lyen-yewn] connection
liobuq [lyow-boo-chee]

ABCDEFGHIJKLLi

lj [lah-jee] rubbish, trash


ljxing [hsyang] dustbin,

or future

-le [-lur] verb suffix indicat-ing

Chinese English

mens underwear

knchng [kun-choong] insect


knle [kun-lur] sleepy
knnan [kun-nahn] difficult;

incredible, amazing

lich shk bio [lyeh-chur


shur-kur byow] timetable, (US)

schedule

lizh [lyeh-jur] poor


lf [lee-fah] haircut
lfdin [dyen] hairdressers;

barbers

lfsh [shur] hairdressers


lhn [lee-hun] divorced

189

Chinese English

lm centimetre
lmng dawn
lng zero
lng take (someone somewhere)
lng tie, necktie
lngqin [ling-chyen] change
(noun: money)
lngrn ykui [ling-run yewkwai] pleasant
lngshgun [ling-shur-gwahn]

consulate

lngwi another,

different

lng ynglojn de rn [low-jin


dur run] pensioner
lng yge [yee-gur] another,

different; the other one

ABCDEFGHIJKLLi

lny [lin-yew] shower


di lny with shower
lr for example
li [lyoh] six
libi six hundred
lign [lyoh-gahn] flu
lil fluent
lish [lyoh-shur] sixty
lixng [lyoh-hsing] popular,

fashionable

lixngxng gnmo [gahnmow] flu


lixng ynyu [yin-yew-eh] pop

music

liyu [lyoh-yew-eh] June


lw [lee-woo] present, gift
lzi [lee-dzur] example; chestnut
lng [loong] dragon
lu [loh] floor, storey; building
(with more than one storey)
lushng [loh-shahng] upstairs
lut [loh-tee] stairs

190

luxi [loh-hsyah] downstairs


lxng [lyew-hsing] travel; tour;

journey

lxngsh [shur] travel agents


lxngzh [jur] tourist
lxng zhpio [jur-pyow]

travellers cheque

lyuch [lyew-yoh-chur] tourist

bus, coach

lyuzh [lyew-joh-jur] tourist


lgun [lyew-gwahn] small hotel
lsde [lyew-sur-dur] green
l road; way
lnti tyre
lnzi [lun-dzur] wheel
ltin [loo-tyen] outdoors
lxin [loo-hsyen] route
lxingdi [loo-hsyang-dai]

video tape

lzo [loo-dzow] cooker

M
ma? [mah] question particle
m mother
m horse
m scold
mfan [mah-fahn] trouble
mi buy
mi sell
mimi business deal
mn [mahn] full
mn slow; slowly
hn mn [hun] very slowly
mn dinr! [dyenr] slow down!
mngmang [mahng] busy
mo [mow] cat
mobixn [mow-bay-hsin]

pullover

fake

motn [mow-tahn] blanket


moy sweater
mozi [mow-dzur] hat, cap
mshng [mah-shahng] at once,

immediately

mi wnshang [wahn-shahng]

per night

mi wnti! [wun-tee] no

problem!

mixingdo [may-hsyang-dow]

amazing, surprising

miyge [may-yee-gur] each,

every

mtu [mah-toh] jetty


Mo zhx [mow jyew-hshee]

miyge rn [run] everyone


miyu [may-yoh] did not; has

mi [may] each, every;

mi...-zhe [-zhur] was not...-

mi not; does not; no; have

-men suffix indicating the

mif [may-foo] brother-in-law


(younger sisters husband)
mi...-gu [-gwor] has never;

mn [mun] door
Mngg [mung-goo] Mongolia;
Mongolian (adj)
m metre; uncooked rice
Mindin [myen-dyen] Burma;
Burmese (adj)
min fi [fay] free (no charge)
minhu [myen-hwah]

Chairman Mao

beautiful

not

everywhere

mige rn [run] everyone


mi gunxi [gwahn-hshee] never

mind, it doesnt matter


Migu [may-gwor] America;
American (adj)

mijin shqng [may-jyen shurching] everything


mijin shr [shur] everything
mi jnr boring
mil beautiful
mimei younger sister
miq [may-chee] gas
mirn [may-run] everybody
mishr le [may-shur lur] safe
mishgun [may-shoo-gwahn]

art gallery

mitin [may-tyen] every day

not, have not; without


ing; is not...-ing

plural

cotton

minshu [myen-shway] duty-

free goods

mio [myow] second (of time)


mngbai: w mngba le [wor
lur] I see, I understand
mngpin [ming-pyen] card
mngtian [ming-tyen]

ABCDEFGHIJKLMo

have never

mige [may-gur] every


mige dfng [dee-fahng]

Chinese English

mojn towel
mopirhu [mow-pai-r-hwor]

tomorrow

mngtian zoshang [dzowshahng] tomorrow morning


mngxnpin [ming-hsin-pyen]

postcard

mngzi [ming-dzur] name; first

name

mdun [mor-dwahn] end

191

Chinese English

mtuch [mor-twor-chur]

motorbike

mud [moh-dee]

somewhere
md cemetery
mdd destination
mjin xixi [moo-jyen hsyohhshee] interval
mqn [moo-chin] mother
mtou [moo-toh] wood

ABCDEFGHIJKLMo

n [nah] carry; take


n that; that one; the
ninai grandmother
(paternal)
nini [nai-nyoh] cow
nli? [nah-lee] where?
nn [nahn] south; hard,

difficult; man

nn csu [tsur-swor] gents

toilet, mens room

nnfng [nahn-fahng] in the

south

Nnfi [nahn-fay] South Africa;


South African (adj)
nn fwyun [foo-woo-yew-ahn]

waiter; steward

nngu [nahn-gwor] sad


nnhi boy
nnkn [nahn-kahn] ugly
nn pngyou [pung-yoh]

boyfriend

nnrn [nahn-run] man


nr? where?
zi nr? [dzai] where is it?
n q nr? [chew] where are

you going?

192

nr there
n sh [nah shur] then, at that

time

n sh... ma? [mah] is

that...?

n sh shnme? [shun-mur]

whats that?

nzhe [nah-jur] keep


ne [nur] sentence particle

which adds emphasis or


conveys the idea and what
about...?
ni [nay] that; that one
ni? [nay] which?
nid brother-in-law (wifes
younger brother)
nige [nay-gur] that; that one
nige shhou [shur-hoh] then, at
that time
nixing [nay-hsyoong] brotherin-law (wifes elder brother)
ni yge [yee-gur] that one
nng: n nng... ma? [nung...
mah] can you...?
w b nng... [wor] I cant...
n you (sing)
nin [nyen] read (aloud)
nin year
ninj [nyen-jee] age
nn du d ninj le? [dwor dah
nyen-jee lur] how old are you?
ninlng: nn du d ninlng?
[nyen-ling] how old are you?
ninqng [nyen-ching] young
nio [nyow] bird
niob [nyow-boo] nappy,

diaper

Nbr [nee-bor-er] Nepal;


Nepali (adj)

do you do?

pichsu [pai-choo-swor]

you?

pn [pahn] measure word*

n ho ma? [mah] how are


nmen [nee-mun] you (pl)
nmende [dur] your; yours
(pl)
nn you (sing, pol)
nnde [nin-dur] your; yours
(sing, pol)
nizik [nyoh-dzai-koo] jeans
nng [noong] strong
nngchng [chahng] farm
nngcn [tsun] countryside
nr [nyew-er] daughter
n csu [tsur-swor] ladies

blouse

n fwyun [foo-woo-yew-ahn]

used for round objects

png [pahng] fat


png side
pngbin: zi... pngbin
[dzai... pahng-byen] beside

the..., next to...

pnzi [pahn-dzur] plate


po [pow] run
pngch [pung-chur] van
pngtu ddin [pung-toh deedyen] meeting place
pngyou [pung-yoh] friend
pnqun [pun-choo-en]

fountain

pinyi [pyen-yee] be

inexpensive; inexpensive

waitress; maid; stewardess


n hir [hai-r] girl

pio [pyow] ticket; single

npngyou [nyew-pung-yoh]

pioliang [pyow-lyang]

nsh [nyew-shur] Ms; lady


nzhodi [nyew-jow-dai]
nunhuo [nwahn-hwor] warm;

pfu skin
pg [pee-gur] leather
pngn [ping-ahn] safe
pngchng [ping-chahng] usual,

nunq [nwahn-chee] heating;

pngpngqi [ping-pahng-chyoh]

girlfriend

waitress

mild

central heating; radiator

O
uzhu [oh-joh] Europe;
European (adj)

ticket, one-way ticket

beautiful; pretty

ABCDEFGHIJKLPu

room, ladies toilets

n chnshn [nyew-chun-shahn]

police station

Chinese English

nde [nee-dur] your; yours


(sing)
n ho [nee how] hello; hi; how

normal

table tennis

pngtn [ping-tahn] flat (adj)


pngzi [ping-dzur] bottle
ptng [poo-toong] ordinary
Ptnghu [hwah]

Mandarin

193

Chinese English

qi [chyeh] cut
qfi shjin [chee-fay shee-jyen]

q [chee] seven
qin [chyen] money
qinbo [bow] wallet; purse
qinb pencil
qinbianr: zi qinbianr [dzai
chyen-byenr] in front; at the

qgui(de) [chee-gwai(-dur)]

front

qing [chyang] wall


qingjin [jyen] rape
qingle [lur] robbed
qinmin [chyen-myen] front
qintin [tyen] the day before

yesterday

ABCDEFGHIJKLQi

qintng lobby
qanwn [wahn] ten million
qinxing [hsyoong] breast;

bust; chest

qin y tin [tyen] the day

before

qinzhng [jung] visa


qinz [dzur] signature
qio [chyow] bridge
qiokl [kur-lee] chocolate
qiozhgng [joo-gahng]

rip-off

qbi [chee-bai] seven hundred


qch [chee-chur] car
zu qch [dzwor] by car
qch chz [choo-dzoo] car

rental

qch zngzhn [dzoong-jahn]


bus station (for city buses)
qch xilchng [hsyoh- lurchahng] garage (for repairs)
qchung [chee-chwahng] get up
(in the morning)

194

departure

weird, strange, odd

q m [chee mah] horse riding


qng [ching] light (not heavy)
qng please; ask, request
qngdn [dahn] mild
qng jn come in
qngshonin [show-nyen]

teenager

qngxn [hsin] fresh


qing [chyoong] poor
qsh [chee-shur] seventy
qt [chee-tah] other
qtng [chee-ting] motorboat
qi [chyoh] ball
qim sports fan
qipi racket (tennis, squash)
qitian [chyoh-tyen] autumn,
(US) fall; in the autumn/fall
qxi [chee-hsyeh]

equipment

qyu [chee-yoh] petrol, (US)

gas

qyu [chee-yew-eh] July


qzi [chee-dzur] wife
q zxngch de rn [chee dzursing-chur dur run] cyclist
q [chew] go; to
q get, fetch
qunb [choo-en-boo] all; all of

it, the whole lot

qungu [gwor] national,

nationwide

qnin [chew-nyen] last year


qnzi [chewn-dzur] skirt

rnhu [rahn-hoh] then, after

that

r [rur] hot; heat


rd [rur-doo] temperature;

fever

rle [rur-lur] hot


rn [run] person
w sh... rn [wor shur] I come

from...

rnao [rur-now] busy,

lively

rng [rung] throw


rnh [run-hur] any
rnh rn anybody
rnh shnme [shun-mur]

recognize

rnxng do [run-hsing dow]

pavement, sidewalk

rnxng hngdo [hung-dow]

pedestrian crossing

rshupng [rur-shway-ping]

Thermos flask

Rbn [ree-bun] Japan


rj [rur-jee] diary
rngy [roong-yee] easy
ru [roh] meat
run [rwahn] soft
runpn [pahn] disk
runw [wor] soft sleeper, first

class sleeper

runzu [dzwor] soft seat, first

S
si cheek
sizi [sai-dzur] plug (in sink)
sn [sahn] three
snbi three hundred
sndng [sahn-dung] third class
sngzi [sahng-dzur] Thursday
snjiok [sahn-jyow-koo] pants,

panties

snsh [sahn-shur] thirty


snyu [sahn-yew-eh] March
snln [sun-lin] forest
sh [shah] sand; kill
shf [shah-fah] sofa
shgu [shah-gwah] idiot
shiyshng [shai-yee-shung]

clothes line

shn [shahn] mountain, hill


shndng [doong] cave
shng [shahng] up; above
zi...-shng [dzai] above...
shngd God
shngdin [dyen] shop
shngmian: zi... shngmian
[dzaimyen] on...
shngtou: zi... shngtou
[toh] on top of...
shng [shahn-goo] valley
shngungdng [shahn-gwahngdung] flash (for camera)
shngw a.m. (from 9 a.m. to
noon)

ABCDEFGHIJKLSh

anything

rnku [run-koh] population


rnmn people
rnqn [run-chewn] crowd
rnshi [run-shur] know;

class seat

rgu [roo-gwor] if
Rudin [rway-dyen] Sweden
rku [roo-koh] entrance
ru [rwor] weak

Chinese English

195

Chinese English

shngxn [hsin] sad


shng xngq [hsing-chee] last

week

shngy jacket
shng yc [yee-tsur] last time
shnzi [shahn-dzur] fan (handheld)
sho [show] less
shoshng [show-shahng] burn
(noun)
shosh mnz [show-shoo mindzoo] nationality (for Chinese
minorities)
shoy [show-yew] under, less

than

ABCDEFGHIJKLSh

shozi [show-dzur] spoon


shch [shur-chur] luxury
shi? [shay] who?
shide? [shay-dur] whose?
shn [shun] deep
shng [shung] be born; litre
shng bngle [shung bing-lur] ill
shngdn ji [dahn jyeh]

what sort of...?

n shu shnme? [shwor]

sorry?, pardon (me)?

shnme y miyu [yur mayyoh] none


shnt [shun-tee] body
shsh [shur-shur] centigrade
sh [shur] to be; is; are; was;

were; will be; it is; it was;


yes, it is the case
sh... ma? [mah] is it...?
sh ten
sh wet
shb [shur-bah] eighteen
shchng [shur-chahng] market
shde [shur-dur] yes, it is the
case
shr [shur-er] twelve
shr yu [yew-eh] December
shg [shur-goo] accident

shngq [chee] angry


shngrn [run] stranger
shngr [rur] birthday
shngyi business
shngyn voice
shngzi [dzur] string;

shhou: zi... de shhou [dzai...


dur shur-hoh] during...
shjin [shur-jyen] time
shjinbio [byow] timetable,
(US) schedule
shji [shur-jyeh] world
shji [shur-jyoh] nineteen
shli [shur-lyoh] sixteen
shmo [shur-mow]

shnjngbng [shun-jing-bing]

shni [shur-nay] indoors;

shnkn [shun-kahn] shrine


shnme [shun-mur] anything;

shpn din [shur-pin dyen] food

Christmas

rope

crazy

something
shnme? what?

shnme shhu? [shur-hoh]

when?

196

shnme yng de...? [dur]

fashionable

indoor

store

shq [shur-chee] seventeen;


period (of time)
shqch [shur-chew-chur] city

bus

thousand

shw [shur-woo] food


shw fifteen
shw zhngd [joong-doo]

food poisoning

shy [shur-yee] eleven


shyyu [shur-yee-yew-eh]

November

shyu [shur-yew-eh] October


shzhngf dlu [shur-jung-foo
dah-loh] town hall
sh zhngxn [shur joong-sin]

city centre

shz lku [shur-dzur loo-koh]

shu hunyng [hwahn-ying]

popular

shuhutng [shoh-hwor-ting]

kiosk

shuj [shoh-jyew] receipt


shujunr [shoh-jwahnr]

handkerchief

shupioch [shoh-pyow-choo]

ticket office; box office

shushng [shoh-shahng]

injured

shushi [shoh-shur] jewellery


shush operation
shuto [shoh-tow] glove
shutbo [shoh-tee-bow]
handbag, (US) purse
shutxing [shoh-tee-hsyang]

suitcase

hand luggage

shuwnr [shoh-wahnr] wrist


shuxin [shoh-hsyen] at first
shuynj [shoh-yin-jee] radio
shuzh [shoh-jur] toilet paper;

finger

shuzhu [shoh-jwor] bracelet


sh [shoo] book
sh ripe
sh tree
shung [shwahng] double
shungrn chung [run
chwahng] double bed
shungrn fngjin [fahng-jyen]

double room

shdin [shoo-dyen] bookshop,

bookstore

shfu well; comfortable


shu [shway] water
shuch [chur] sink;

swimming pool

shugunr [gwahnr] pipe


shugu [gwor] fruit
shujio [jyow] sleep; asleep
shulng tu [loong toh] tap,

faucet

shuqn [chewn] nightdress


shuy pyjamas
shln woods, forest
shu [shwor] say
shuhu [hwah] talk
shumngsh leaflet;

ABCDEFGHIJKLSi

crossroads, intersection
shu [shoh] hand
shu thin

shut xngli [shoh-tee hsing-lee]

Chinese English

shr [shur] thing, matter


shsn [shur-sahn] thirteen
shs [shur-sur] fourteen
shwn [shur-wahn] hundred

brochure

shshu uncle (fathers younger


brother)
shz [shoo-dzur] number
s [sur] die; dead
s four; Buddhist temple

197

Chinese English

sbi four hundred


schu [sur-choh] silk
s fn zh y [fun jur] quarter
sj [sur-jee] driver
sle [sur-lur] dead
srn(de) [sur-run(-dur)] private
ssh [sur-shur] forty
swng [sur-wahng] death
syun [sur-yew-ahn] Buddhist

monastery

syu [sur-yew-eh] April


sng [soong] deliver; send
sng fn fw [fahn foo-woo]

room service
sngxn delivery (of mail)
sun [swahn] be sour; sour
suntng [tung] ache
Sgln [soo-gur-lahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLSi

Scotland; Scottish

t [tah] he; she; it; him;

her

t pagoda
tde [tah-dur] his; her; hers;

its

ti too (excessively)
ti du [dwor] too much
Tigu [tai-gwor] Thailand
tihole [tai-how-lur] fantastic;

well done

ti shu [tai shoh] skinny


tiyng sun
tiyngjng sunglasses
tmen [tah-mun] they; them
tmen qunb [choo-en-boo]

all of them

subin [sway-byen] informal


sudo [sway-dow] tunnel
surn [sway-rahn] although
slio [soo-lyow] plastic
sliodi plastic bag
snnr [sun-nyewr]
granddaughter (sons
daughter)
snzi [sun-dzur] grandson (sons
son)
su [swor] lock; locked;

tmende [tah-mun-dur] their;

suyu de dngxi [swor-yoh dur


doong-hshee] everything
sshir de [soo-shai-r dur] plain,

tngxing [hsyoong] cousin


(son of fathers brother)
tnzi [tahn-dzur] blanket
toq [tow-chee] pottery
toshn [tow-shahn] jumper
tozhung [tow-jwahng] suit
tbi [tur-byeh] especially

measure word* used for


buildings

not patterned

sxing [soo-hsyang] statue

198

theirs

tn [tahn] greedy
tngd [tahng-dee] cousin (son of
fathers brother)
tngji [jyeh] cousin (daughter
of fathers brother)
tngkuir [kwai-r] sweets,

candies

tngmi [may] cousin (daughter


of fathers brother)
tngniobng [nyow-bing]

diabetic

tumng jiob [jyow-boo]

Sellotape, Scotch tape


tutng [toh-tung] headache
tuyn [toh-yewn] dizzy, faint
tn [too-ahn] pattern
tun [twahn] group
tunt [twahn-tee] party, group
tu [tway] cancel
tu leg
tu push
tukun [tway-kwahn] refund
tpin [too-pyen] picture
trn [too-rahn] suddenly

-wi outside
wigng [wai-goong]
grandfather (maternal)
wigu [wai-gwor] foreign
wigu rn [run] foreigner
wimian [wai-myen] outside
wip [wai-por] grandmother
(maternal)
wisn [wai-sun] grandson
(daughters son)
wisnnr [nyewr]
granddaughter (daughters
daughter)
wi snzi [sun-dzur] grandson
(daughters son)
wito [wai-tow] jacket
wiy jacket; coat
wnn [wahn-ahn] good night
wn [wahn] late (at night)
wn ten thousand
wncn [wahn-tsahn] dinner
wndin [wahn-dyen] delay
wnfn [wahn-fahn] evening

meal; supper

wng [wahng] forget


wng towards; net (in sport)
wnhu [wahn-hway] party
(celebration)
wnj [wahn-jyew] toy
wnqundi [wahn-choo-en-dee]

ABCDEFGHIJKLWa

used for fish and long narrow


objects
tiow [tyow-woo] dance
tiozo [tyow-dzow] flea
til [tyeh-loo] railway
tng stop
tngch [chur] park
tngchchng [chahng] car
park, parking lot; garage
tngdin [dyen] power cut
tngzi [dzur] pavilion
tqin [tee-chyen] in advance
txdo [tee-hsyew-dow] razor
tygun [tee-yoo-gwahn] gym
tng [toong] bucket
tngy agree
tu [toh] head
tu steal
tufa [toh-fah] hair
tujn headscarf

Chinese English

tng [tung] pain, ache; painful


tin [tyen] day; sky
tin sweet (taste)
tind field
tinqi [tyen-chee] weather
tio [tyow] measure word*

completely

wnr [wahnr] play (verb)


wnshang [wahn-shahng]

evening; in the evening

jntian wnshang [jin-tyen] this

evening

199

Chinese English

wnxio [wahn-hsyow] joke


Wirsh [way-er-shur] Welsh
wi [way] hello
wi because of; stomach;

measure word* used politely


to refer to ladies, gentlemen,
guests etc
widao [way-dow] flavour
Wirsh [way-er-shur] Wales
wihnf fianc
wihnq [chee] fiance
wijn [way-jin] scarf
wir [wayr] taste; smell
wishngjn [way-shung-jin]

sanitary napkin/towel

wishngzh [way-shung-jur]

toilet paper

wishnme? [way-shun-mur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLWa

why?

wishnme b? why not?


wixin [way-hsyen] dangerous
wn [wun] ask (a question)
wnhu d gmng [wunhwah dah gur-ming] Cultural

Revolution

wnjin [wun-jyen] document


wnt [wun-tee] problem,

question

wnxnch [wun-hsyewn-choo]

information desk

wnzhng [wun-jahng]

mosquito net

wnzi [wun-dzur] mosquito


w [wor] I; me
wde [wor-dur] my; mine
wmen [wor-mun] we; us
wmende [dur] our; ours
wp [wor-poo] couchette;

sleeper; berth

200

wp chxing [chur-hsyang]

sleeping car

wsh [wor-shur] bedroom


w [woo] five
w mist; fog
wbi five hundred
wfn [woo-fahn] lunch
whu [woo-hway]

misunderstanding

wjior [woo-jyowr] in the

corner of a room

wsh [woo-shur] fifty


wsh [woo-shoo] martial arts
wyu [woo-yew-eh] May

X
x [hshee] wash
x west
xi [hsyah] blind
xi down; below
xi yc [yee-tsur] next time
xi yge [yee-gur] next
xi xngq [hsing-chee] next

week

zi...-xi [dzai] under...


xiba [bah] jaw, chin
xi ch [chur] get out
xige [gur] next
ximian: zi... ximian [dzai
myen] below...
xin [hsyen] line; thread
xin: n xin qng [ching] after

you

xindi modern
xing want; think
xingdng [dahng] quite,

fairly

lot

xingdo [dow] guide


Xinggng [gahng] Hong

Kong

brigade

xiofi [fay] service charge;

tip

xio hzi [hoo-dzur] moustache


xioji [jyeh] Miss
xiol path
xio qch [chee-chur] car
xio snjiok [sahn-jyow-koo]

pants, panties

xioshn [shahn] hill


xioshor [showr] spoon
xiosh [shur] hour
xiosh brother-in-law
(husbands younger brother)
xioxi [hshee] information
xiox stream
xioxn! [hsin] look out!
xioz [dzyew] group
xishudo [hsyah-shway-dow]

summer

xiw afternoon; in the

afternoon; p.m.

jntian xiw [jin-tyen] this

afternoon

xi yge [yee-gur] next


Xbny [hshee-bahn-yah] Spain;
Spanish (adj)
xbi [hshee-bay] northwest
xbinr [byenr] in the west
xcn [tsahn] Western-style

food

xcntng [tsahn-ting] Western-

style restaurant

xi [hsyeh] blood; write


xi shoe
xi a little bit
... xi a bit more...
xid [dee] sole (of shoe)
xi hugn [hoh-gun] heel (of
shoe)
xixie [hsyeh-hsyeh] thank you
xixie, w b yo [wor boo
yow] no thanks
Xfng [hshee-fahng] West; in

the West; Western

Xfng de [dur] Western (adj)


xgi knee
xho de yfu [how dur yee-foo]
washing (clean)
xhuan [hwahn] like
xn [hsin] letter, message
xn new
xnn [hshee-ahn] southwest
xnfng [hsin-fung] envelope
xng [hsing] all right
xng surname

ABCDEFGHIJKLXi

xingjio [jyow] rubber


xingjn de [dur] similar
xinglin [lyen] necklace
xingp rubber, eraser
xingq [chee] chess
xingshur [shwayr] perfume
xingxn [hsin] believe
xingyn [yahn] cigarette
xinqin [hsyen-chyen] cash
xinsheng [hsyen-shung] Mr
xinyn [yen] bright
xinzi [dzai] now
xio [hsyow] laugh; smile
xio little, small; tight
xiofngdu [fahng-dway] fire

drain

xitian [tyen] summer; in the

Chinese English

xingdng du [dwor] quite a

201

Chinese English

xnggn [gahn] sexy


xngku [kway] fortunately
xngle [lur] thats OK
xngle awake
xngli luggage, baggage
xngq [chee] week
xngqr [chee-er] Tuesday
xngqli [lyoh] Saturday
xngqsn [chee-sahn]

Wednesday

ABCDEFGHIJKLXi

xngqtin [tyen] Sunday


xngqw [woo] Friday
xngqy Monday
xngqu [chew] interest
xngxing star
xnho [hsin-how] signal
xnsh [hsin-shur] courier
xnwn [hsin-wun] news (radio,
TV etc)
xnxin [hsin-hsyen] fresh
xnxing [hsin-hsyang] postbox,

mailbox

Xnxln [hsin-hshee-lahn] New

Zealand

xnyng k [hsin-yoong kah]

credit card

xnzng [hsin-dzahng] heart


xing [hsyoong] chest
xingd brother
xingku [koh] chest
xingzho [jow] bra
xingzhn [jun] brooch
xshng [hshee-shung] string
xsh [hshee-shur] Western-style
xil [hsyoh-lee] repair
xixijing [hsyeh-jyang] shoe

repairer

xixip shoe repairer


xixish [hshee-shur] lounge

202

xixtng foyer
xizhn fngynj [jun fahng-yinjee] personal stereo
xizi [dzur] sleeve
xwng [hshee-wahng] hope
xydin [dyen] laundry (place)
xyj washing machine
xynrn [run] attractive
xyu [yoh] rare, uncommon
Xzng [dzahng] Tibet
xzo [dzow] bathe
xzojin [jyen] bathroom
xun [hsyew-ahn] choose
xuny [yah] cliff
xdu [dwor] a lot, lots,

plenty of

xu [hsyew-eh] snow
xuji [jyah] cigar
xuq [chur] term
xusheng [shung] student
xux [hshee] learn
xuxio [hsyow] school
xuyun [yew-ahn] college
xuzi [dzur] boot (footwear)
xk zhng [hsyew-kur jung]
permit (noun)
xyo [hsyew-yow] need

Y
y [yah] tooth
ygo [yah-gow] toothpaste
yjn [yah-jin] deposit
yk difu [yah-kur] dentist
yk yshng [yee-shung]

dentist

yn [yen] smoke
n chu yn ma? [choh yen
mah] do you smoke?

sunshine

yngmo [yang-mow] wool


yngsn [yang-sahn] sunshade
yngti balcony
yngwwa [yang-wah-wah] doll
ynhu [yen-hway] banquet
ynjing [yen-jing] eye
ynjng glasses, eyeglasses
ynjngdin [dyen] optician
ynk yshng [yen-kur yeeshung] optician
yns [yen-sur] colour
yo [yow] bite (by insect)
yo waist; one
yo want; drug; Chinese

what do you want?

yobrn [yow-boor-ahn]

otherwise

yodi [yow-dai] belt


yodin [yow-dyen] pharmacy
yodng [yow-doong] cave
(dwelling)
yofng [yow-fahng]

prescription

yogo [yow-gow] ointment


yomin [yow-myen] cotton

wool, absorbent cotton


yoqng [yow-ching] invitation;
invite
yoshng [yow-shahng] bite
yoshi [yow-shur] key
yshu [yah-shwah] toothbrush
ytng [yah-tung] toothache
y [yur] also, too

nightclub

yi [yee] one
ybi one hundred
ybn [yee-bahn] half
ybo [yee-bow] packet
ybi [yee-bay] cup
ycng [yee-tsung] ground
floor, (US) first floor
yc [yee-tsur] once
xi yc [hsyah] next time
yd [yee-dah] dozen
ydkuir [kwai-r] a big bit
ydng [yee-dung] first class
yidinr [yee-dyenr] a little bit
... yidinr a bit more...
ydinrdinr tiny
ydng definitely
yfu dress; clothes
yge [yee-gur] one
n yge? [nah yee-gur] which

one?

ygern [yee-gur-run] alone


ygng [yee-goong] altogether
y gunr [gwahnr] can; jug
yhu [yee-hoh] after;

ABCDEFGHIJKLYi

medicine

n yo shnme? [shun-mur]

y night; page
yli at night; p.m.
yye [yur-yur] grandfather
(paternal)
yznghu [yur-dzoong-hway]

Chinese English

yndu [yen-doh] pipe


yng itch
ynggung [yang-gwahng]

afterwards

yhur [yee-hwayr] soon


yjng already
yk [yee-kur] quarter past
ykuir [yee-kwai-r] piece
ylng collar
y lu [loh] ground floor, (US)

first floor

yl shnfng! [yee-loo shun-

203

Chinese English

fung] have a good journey!


ym [yee-mah] aunt (mothers
sister)
ymojin [yee-mow-jyen]

cloakroom

ym [yee-moo] aunt (mothers


sister)
yn(zi) [yin(-dzur)] silver
Yndu [yin-doo] India; Indian
(adj)
yng hard
yngbng [ying-bahng] pound

sterling

yngb coin
yngr [ying-er] baby
Ynggu [ying-gwor] England;

ABCDEFGHIJKLYi

Britain; English; British


Ynggude [dur] English;
British
yngw [ying-wor] hard sleeper,
second class sleeper
Yngy [ying-yew] English
(language)
yngzu [ying-dzwor] hard seat,
third class seat
ynhng [yin-hahng] bank
ynshu lngtu [yin-shway loongtoh] fountain (for drinking)
ynwi [yin-way] because
ynyngshu [yin-yoong-shway]

drinking water

ynyu [yin-yew-eh] music


ynyuhu [way] concert
yq [yee-chee] together
yqin:... yqin [yee-chyen]

before...

yqin one thousand


yryu [yee-rur-yoh] day trip
ysheng [yee-shung] doctor

204

ysh [yee-shoo] art


ywn [yee-wahn] ten thousand
yxi: zi... yxi [dzai... yeehsyah] below, less than
yxi [yee-hsyeh] a few
y y [yur yee] a hundred million
yyun [yee-yew-ahn] hospital
yyu [yee-yew-eh] January
yzh choqin [yee-jur chowchyen] straight ahead
yzi [yee-dzur] chair
yng [yoong] with; by means

of; use; in

yngj [jee] crowded


yu [yoh] have; there is; there

are

yu... ma? [mah] is there...?;

are there...?

yu right (not left)


yubinr [yoh-byenr] right
yubng [yoh-bing] ill, sick
yudde [yoh-doo-dur]

poisonous

yugu dinch [yoh-gway dyenchur] tram


yuho [yoh-how] friendly
yuj [yoh-jee] post, mail (verb)
yujin [yoh-jyen] post, mail
yuj [yoh-jew] post office
yuln [yoh-lahn] tour, visit
yu lmo [yoh lee-mow] polite
yu mobng [yoh mow-bing]

faulty

yumng famous
yun greasy, oily (food)
yupio [yoh-pyow] stamp
yuqin [yoh-chyen] rich
yurn [yoh-run] somebody,

someone; engaged, occupied

sometimes

Yutiren de [yoh-tai-run dur]

Jewish

yux [yoh-hshee] game


yuxio [yoh-hsyow] valid
yu yge [yee-gur] another, one

more

yu ysi [yee-sur] interesting;

funny, amusing

yuyng [yoh-yoong] swim


yuyng useful
yuyngch [chur] swimming

pool

pen

ychn [yew-chun] stupid


ydng [yew-ding] reservation;

reserve

yu [yew-eh] month
yuf father-in-law
yuf yum [yew-eh-moo]

husbands parents-in-law

yuliang [yew-eh-lyang] moon


Yunn [yew-eh-nahn] Vietnam
ykui [yew-kwai] lovely
ykuide [yew-kwai-dur]

enjoyable

yndng [yewn-doong] sport


yndu [yewn-doh] iron

language course

yy [yew-yee] raincoat
yyu [yew-yew-eh]

appointment

Z
zhudin [dzah-hwor-dyen]

grocers

zi [dzai] in; at; on; be in/at a

place; again

zi nr? where is it?


zi... de shhou [dur shur-hoh]

during...

zi... humian [hoh-myen]

behind...

zijin [dzai-jyen] goodbye


zi nr over there; up there
zj acrobatics
zi...-li inside...
zi...-pngbin [pahng-byen]

beside the..., next to...

zi...-shng [shahng] above...


zi...-shngmian [shahng-myen]

ABCDEFGHIJKLZa

yuzhng binm [yoh-jung


byen-mah] postcode, zip code
y [yew] fish
y jade
y rain
yun [yew-ahn] far; far away
yunch: zi yunch [dzai
yew-ahn-choo] in the distance
yunli de [dur] usual
yunzhb [joo-bee] ballpoint

ynqi [yewn-chee] luck


ysn [yew-sahn] umbrella
ysh [yew-shur] bathroom
yyn [yew-yahn] language
yyn k [yew-yahn kur]

Chinese English

yushhu [yoh-shur-hoh]

on...

zi...-xi [hsyah] under...


zi...-ximian [hsyah-myen]

below...

zi...-yxi [yee-hsyah]

below..., less than...

zi...-zhjin [jur-jyen]

between...

zi...-zhng [joong] among...


zng [dzahng] dirty, filthy

205

Chinese English

zngl funeral
zo [dzow] good morning;

early

y zo early in the morning


zofn [dzow-fahn] breakfast
zopn [dzow-pun] bathtub
zoshang [dzow-shahng]

morning; in the morning;


a.m. (up to 9 a.m.)
jntian zoshang [jin-tyen] this
morning
zoyn [dzow-yin] noise
zzh [dzah-jur] magazine
zi [dzay] thief
znme? [dzun-mur] how?
znme hu shr? [hway shur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLZa

whats happening?; whats


up?, whats wrong?
znme le? [lur] whats
happening?
znmele? whats wrong?,
whats the matter?
zhi [jai] narrow
zhng [jahng] measure word*
used for tables, beds, tickets
and sheets of paper
zhngdnr [dahnr] bill, (US)
check
zhngfu husband
zhnglng [lahng] cockroach
zhnti [jahn-tai] platform, (US)
track
zhnxin [jahn-hsyen] engaged
zhnzh [jahn-joo] stop
zhodo [jow-dow] find
zhopin [jow-pyen] photo
zhoti [jow-tyeh] poster
zhoxingj [jow-hsyang-jee]

camera

206

zh tdupinr [jah too-dohpyenr] crisps, (US) potato chips


zh [jur] this; the
-zhe verb suffix indicating

continuous action or two


actions taking place at the
same time
zhi [jay] this; this one
zhi? whose?
zhic [jay-tsur] this time
zhige [jay-gur] this; this one
zhn [jun] really
zhnde [jun-dur] true; genuine,
real; sure
zhngchng(de) [jung-chahng(dur)] normal
zhngf [jung-foo] government
zhngsh [jung-shur] formal
zhngu(de) [jung-way(-dur)]

valuable

zhngzhng whole, full


zhnji [jun-jyoh] acupuncture
zhn lijn exciting
zhnsu [jun-swor] clinic
zhntou [jun-toh] pillow
zhny [jun-yew] shower
zhnzhng [jun-jung] genuine
zhr [jer] here
zi zhr [dzai] over here
zh [jur] measure word* used

for hands, birds, suitcases and


boats
zhdao [jur-dow] know
w b zhdao [wor] I dont
know
zhfi [jur-fay] direct flight
zhjin: zi... zhjin [dzai... jurjyen] between...
zhji [jur-jyeh] direct

zhngzhun [jwahn]

zhw [jur-woo] plant


zhxu gob [jur-hsyew-eh gowboo] plaster, Bandaid
zhyu [jur-yoh] only
zhzo [jur-dzow] make (verb)
zhzi [jur-dzur] nephew
zh [jur] cure (verb)
zh just, only; paper
zhng [joong] clock
-zhng in the middle; between
zi...-zhng [dzai] among...
zhng heavy
zhng type; swollen
zhngdinzhn [dyen-jahn] rail

zhunxn dzh [hsin dee-jur]

painkiller

the Chinese

Zhnghu Rnmn Gnghgu


[hwah run-min goong-hur-gwor]

Peoples Republic of China

zhngjin: zi zhngjin [dzai


joong-jyen] in the middle
zhngling [lyang] weight
Zhngsh [shur] Chinese-style
Zhngwn [wun] Chinese
(written language)
zhngw noon; at noon
zhngxn [hsin] central; centre
zhngyo [yow] important

address?

forwarding address

zhjin de [joo-jyen dur]

gradually

zhnbi ho le [jun-bay how lur]

ready

zh n shnl! [joo nee shun-lee]

good luck!

zhuzi [jwor-dzur] table


zhyo de [joo-yow dur] main
zhy [joo-yee] idea
zhzi [joo-dzur] bamboo
z [dzur] purple
zdng [dzur-doong] automatic
zdng qkunj [chew-kwahnjee] cash dispenser, ATM
zj [dzur-jee] oneself
zrn [dzur-rahn] natural
zxngch [dzur-hsing-chur]

bicycle

zyu [dzur-yoh] free


zzh [dzur-joo] self-service
zng [dzoong] always
zng fwti reception desk
znggng [goong] total
zngj operator
zngjio [jyow] religion
zngs [sur] brown
zngsh [shur] always
zu [dzoh] leave, depart, go
zulng [dzoh-lahng] corridor
zuzou go for a walk
z [dzoo] hire, rent

ABCDEFGHIJKLZu

terminus

Zhnggu [joong-gwor] China;


Chinese (adj)
Zhnggu rn [run] Chinese
(person)
Zhnggu rnmn [run-min]

connection

zhum [joh-mor] weekend


zh [joo] live (verb)
nn zh nr? whats your

Chinese English

zhjn [jur-jin] tissue, Kleenex


zhling [jur-lyang] quality
zhn [jin-yew] niece
zhshi [jur-shur] only
zhtngyo [jur-tung-yow]

207

Chinese English

ABCDEFGHIJKLZu
208

zu [dzway] mouth
zu drunk
zu... ...-est, the most...
zuba [-bah] mouth
zu ho [how] best
zuhu [hoh] eventually; last
zu hui [hwai] worst
zujn recently; last, latest
zu [dzwor] by; do
zu fej [fay-jee] by air
zu huch [hwor-chur] by rail
zu left
zubinr [byenr] left
zu fny [fahn-yee] interpret
zutin [tyen] yesterday
zutin wnshang [wahnshahng] last night
zutian zoshang [dzowshahng] yesterday morning
zuwei [way] seat
zuxi [hsyah] sit down
zuyu [yoh] about
zqiusi football

Chinese

English
Signs and
Notices

General Signs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213


Airport, Planes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Banks, Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Bus and Taxi Travel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Chinese Culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Countries, Nationalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Customs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Emergencies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Entertainment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217
Forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Geographical Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Health. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Hiring, Renting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Hotels. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Lifts (Elevators). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Medicines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Notices on Doors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Phones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Place Names. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Post Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Public Buildings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Restaurants, Cafs, Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Streets and Roads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Toilets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Train and Underground Travel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

Contents

211

~! wixin danger
@#$%^& qng w
lunt cod keep off the grass
*()_+|`1 jnsh
yod, qng w kojn military
zone, keep out
2345 jnzh r ni no
entry
67890-=\QWE
wigurn wi jng xk,
jnzh choyu no foreigners

beyond this point without


permission
RTYUIOP{}q

qng w sud lunrng gup


zhxi no litter
wertyu qng w
dshng xunhu no noise,

please
iop[ jnzh pizho no
photographs
]ASD qng w x yn no
smoking
FGHJKL qng w sud
ttn no spitting
:"as rnxng hngdo
pedestrian crossing
df sjng quiet
ghjkl;' y mn, r
kn, sn tnggu slow down,
look and then cross
ZXCV xinrn min jn
staff only

~! luxi downstairs
@# lushng upstairs

Airport, Planes
$% jchng airport
^&*( jchng bnch
airport bus
)_liz arriving from
+| qinwng departing to
`123 qfi shjin
departure time
456 zhngdinzhn
destination
uiop90 yj dod
shjin estimated time of
arrival
-=\ hngbnho flight
number
QWER yj shjin
scheduled time
TY ynw delayed
UIO jngtngzhn via
P{}qwe guni
hngbn jnzhn domestic
arrivals
rtyuio guni
hngbn chzhn domestic
departures
p[]ASD guj
hngbn jnzhn international
arrivals
FGHJKL guj

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

General Signs

hngbn chzhn

international departures

213

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

:"a dngjpi boarding


pass
~! rq date
@#$% xnglipir baggage
check
^&*() xngli lngqch
baggage claim
_+|`12 bnl dngj
shux check-in
345 wnxnch
information desk
678 dngjku gate
90-= nqun jinch
security control
\QWE zhngzhun lk
transfer passengers
RT zhngzhun transfers
YUIO gujng lk transit
passengers
P{} hujsh departure
lounge
qwer minshu
shngdin duty-free shop
tyuio jho nqundi
fasten seat belts
p[] jishngy life jacket
ASDF qng w xyn no
smoking
GHJ zuwiho seat
number

Banks, Money
KL zhngh account
:" zhngho account no.
214

as ynhng bank
dfgh Zhnggu Ynhng
Bank of China
~! fnhng branch
@#$% yngy shjin
business hours
^& miji buying rate
*() jiokunch cashier
_+| xnyng k credit card
`1[3 wib duhun
foreign exchange
456789 Zhnggu
Rnmn Ynhng Peoples
Bank of China
0- miji selling rate
=\QW jnr piji todays
exchange rate
ERTY lxng zhpio
travellers cheque
U yun unit of currency
IO oyun Australian dollar
P{}q Jind yun
Canadian dollar
wer Rnmnb Chinese
currency
ty Gngb Hong Kong
dollar
ui Yngbng pound sterling
op Miyun US dollar

Bus and Taxi


Travel
[]ASD chngt qch
zhn long-distance bus station

sj tnhu please do not speak

to the driver
&*()_+| loru
bngcnyn zhunzu seats
for the elderly or disabled and
for pregnant women
`123 zhoshu
shngch stop on request
456 xiomib kiosk
789 xiochdin snack bar
0-= huchsh waiting
room
\QWE chz qch taxis

Chinese Culture
R s Buddhist temple
TYUIO Wnhu
Dgmng Cultural
Revolution (1966-1976)
P{} Tinnmn Gate of
Heavenly Peace
qw Chngchng the Great
Wall
erty Ws Yndng
May 4th Movement (1919)
u Mng Ming Dynasty (13681644)
iop Shsnlng Ming
Tombs
[] ninhu New Year
prints
A t pagoda
SD Ggng Forbidden City
~!@ Bdlng pass at Great

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

~!@ ybn ch all-night


bus
#$%^ gnggng qch
bus
&* kuich express bus
()_+| xio gnggng
qch minibus
`12 qjinch part-route
shuttle bus
3456 wgu dinch
trolley bus
789 yulnch tourist bus
0-= shupioku booking
office
\QWERTY chngt
qch shkbio long-distance
bus timetable/schedule
UIOP{ chngsh
jiotngt city transport map
}qo shfzhn departure
point
we pioji fare
rty wnxnch
information office
ui yupio monthly ticket
op[ y r yu one-day tour
]ASD jijn xich alight
on request
FGHJ xin xi hu shng
allow passengers to alight
before boarding
KL:"as boch
chni qngji keep the bus
tidy
~!@#$%^ qng w y

215

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

Wall
#$ Jngj Peking opera
%^& mux puppet show
* Qng Qing Dynasty (16441911)
( Sng Song Dynasty (9601279)
)_+ Yhyun Summer
Palace
| Tng Tang Dynasty
(618-907)
` gng Taoist temple
1 gun Taoist temple
2 mio temple
34 Tintn Temple of
Heaven
567 Bngmyng
Terracotta Army
890- Xnhi Gmng
Xinhai Revolution (1911)

Countries,
Nationalities
=\ Migu America;
American
QWER odly Australia;
Australian
TY Mindin Burma;
Burmese
UIO Jind Canada;
Canadian
P{ Zhnggu China;
Chinese
~! Ynggu England;
216

English; UK; British


@# Fgu France; French
$% Dgu Germany;
German
^& Xinggng Hong Kong
*()_+ Yndnxy
Indonesia; Indonesian
|`1 irln Ireland; Irish
23 Rbn Japan;
Japanese
45 Choxin Korea; Korean
67 Low Laos; Laotian
890- Mlixy
Malaysia; Malaysian
= Mn minority people from
North-East China
\QW Wiwr minority
people from North-West
China
E Di minority people from
South-West China
R Mio minority people from
South-West China
T Y minority people from
South-West China
Y Zhung minority people
from South-West China
U Mng Mongol
IO Mngg Mongolia
P Hu Muslim minority
people
{}q Nbr Nepal; Nepali
~!@#$%^ Zhnghu
Rnmn Gnghgu Peoples
Republic of China

Customs
QWER Zhnggu higun
Chinese Customs
TY higun Customs
UIOP{ binfng
jinchzhn frontier
checkpoint
}qwe miny jinch
health inspection
rtyu hzho jinch
passport control
io bogun goods to
declare
p[]A byng bogun
nothing to declare
SDFG ls tngdo green
channel, nothing to declare
~!@# hngs tngdo
red channel, goods to declare

$%^& rjng qinzhng


entry visa
*()_ chjng qinzhng
exit visa
+| hzho passport
`123 gujng qinzhng
transit visa
456 lxngzhng travel
permit
7890 minshu wpn
duty-free goods

Emergencies
-=\ jihch ambulance
QWE tipngmn
emergency exit
RTYU hujng, fijng
emergency telephone
number: fire, robbery
IOP xiofngdu fire
brigade, fire department
{}q jzhnsh first-aid
room
wer Pichsu local
police station
ty jngch police
uio gngnj Public
Security Bureau

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

&*( Filbn Philippines;


Filipino
)_ gu Russia; Russian
+|` Sgln Scotland;
Scottish
123 Xnjip Singapore;
Singaporean
45 Xzng Tibet
6 Zng Tibetan
78 Tiwn Taiwan;
Taiwanese
90 Tigu Thailand; Thai
-=\ Wirsh Wales;
Welsh

Entertainment
~!@ shupioch box
office
#$] rchngqun cinema
217

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

ticket
^&* dinyngyun
cinema
()_ dsk disco
+| ychng evening
performance
`1 qunmn house full
23 xixi interval
45 Jngj Peking Opera
678 jimdn
programme
9 ... pi row ...
0 ... ho seat number ...
-=\Q pio y shu wn
sold out
WE jchng theatre
RT jyun theatre
YU xyun theatre
IOP{ bioyn shjin
times of performance

Forms
}qwe cng hch li
arriving from
rtyuchshng ninyu
date of birth
io jgun fathers place of
birth
p[]A do hch q
heading for
SDFG n zh tinsh
length of stay
~! xngmng full name
@# guj nationality
218

$% xngbi (nn/n) sex


(male/female)
^&*( hzho hom
passport number
)_+| yngji dzh
permanent address
`1234 lk dngjbio
registration form
56 qinmng signature

Geographical
Terms
789 zzhq autonomous
region
0- ynh canal
= sh city
\Q guji country
W xin county
ER snln forest
T do island
Y h lake
U jing large river
IO dt map
P shn mountain, hill
{} shnmi mountains
qw hiyng ocean
e shng province
r h river
t hi sea
y zhn town
ui shng valley
o cn village
p[ shln woods

~!@ zhngyk Chinese


medicine department
#$% zhngyofng
Chinese medicine dispensary
^& yk dental department
*() jzhnsh emergency
_+|`1 wibn
mnzhnb foreign
outpatients
23 yyun hospital
456 zhyunch hospital
admissions office
78 nik medical
department
90- mnzhnb
outpatients
=\ guho registration
QWE xyofng Western
medicine dispensary

Hiring, Renting
RTYUI chz zxngch
bikes to rent
OP z chun boats to rent
{} chz for hire, to rent

Hotels
qwertyu Zhnggu
Guj Lxngsh China
International Travel Service
iop[] Zhnggu

Lxngsh China Travel


Service
~! bngun hotel
@# fndin hotel
$%^ xiomib kiosk
&*() zng fwti
reception
_+| yuysh recreation
room
`12 dinchunsh telex
office

Lifts (Elevators)
3 gun close
4 xi down
56 dint lifts, elevators
7 ki open
8 shng up

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

Health

Medicines
90- kngjns
antibiotics
=\QW spln aspirin
ERT kbqng cough
lozenges
YUIO zngs hj cough
mixture
P{}q zhk tngjing
cough syrup
wert zhtngpinr
painkillers
yui qngmis
penicillin
219

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

op[ hndinpin throat


pastilles
]A jling dosage
~!@ shxioq expiry date
#$ chzhn first treatment
%^ wiyng for external
use
&*() yr sn c three
times a day
_+ wiyn gastritis
|`1234567 fn

:"as gk zh b no
entry for customers
dfghjkl; wi jng
xk, jnzh r ni no entry
without permission
~ l pull
! tu push
@#$% xinrn min jn
staff only

to be taken with warm water


before/after food
890-=\QWE mi
s/li xiosh f yc one dose
every four/six hours
RTYU yr sc four times
a day
IO nif to be taken orally
P{}q mi c y g one
measure at a time
wert mic y wn one
pill at a time
yuiop mic y pinr
one tablet at a time
[]AS byo sh f when
necessary

^&*( chngt qho


area code
)_+|` yng k dinhu
tng cardphone
123 chhoti directory
enquiries
45 fnj extension
6789 guj chngt
international call
0-=\ chngt dinhu
long-distance call
QWE dinhuk
phonecard
RTYU gngyng dinhu
public telephone
IO zngj switchboard
P{} dinhub telephone
directory
qwer(t) yc yjio
(mo) ten fen per call
yuio ck dinhu
cardphone

qin/hu wnkishu sngf

Notices on Doors
DFG tipngmn
emergency exit
HJ rku entrance
KL chku exit
220

Phones

p[ Bijng Beijing
]A Chngd Chengdu
SD Dnhung Dunhuang
FGH mishn Emei
Mountains
~! Gungzhu Canton
@# Chngchng the Great
Wall
$% Guln Guilin
^& Hngzhu Hangzhou
*( Knmng Kunming
)_ Ls Lhasa
+| Luyng Luoyang
`1 Nnjng Nanjing
23 Shnzhn Shenzhen
45 Tinjn Tientsin
67 Xh West Lake
89 Xn Xian
0-=\ Chngjing Snxi
Yangtze Gorges

Post Office
QW yuj post office
ERTY kixing shjin
collection times
UI xnfng envelope
OP yutng letterbox,
mailbox
{}xnhn letters
qwer zzh bokn
magazines and newspapers
tyu bogudn parcel

form
io, p[] bogu,
ynshupn parcels, printed
matter
ASD yudinj post and
telecommunications office
FGHJ xnxing postbox
~!@# yuzhng binm
postcode, zip code
$%, ^& yupio, guho
stamps, registered mail
*() dinbozh telegram
form
_+ dinbo telegram
|`12 dinbo dlu
telegraph building

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

Place Names

Public Buildings
34 ych baths
56 xuyun college
789 lngshgun consulate
0-= dshgun embassy
\Q gngchng factory
WER yuynggun indoor
swimming pool
TYU tshgun library
IOP bwgun museum
{} zhngxu secondary
school
qwe tygun sports hall,
indoor stadium
rty tychng stadium
ui dxu university
221

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

222

Restaurants,
Cafs, Bars
op jib bar
[]A kfidin caf, coffee
house
SD chlu caf, teahouse
FG chgun caf, teahouse
~! chsh caf, teahouse
@#$ shukunti cashier
%^& lngyndin cold
drinks bar
*() Zhng cntng
Chinese dining room
_+|` qngzhn fndin
Muslim restaurant
12 mingun noodle shop
34 cigun large restaurant
56 fndin large restaurant
78 jiji large restaurant
90 jilu large restaurant
-= cntng restaurant;
dining room
\Q kuicn snack bar
WER xiochdin snack
bar
TYUI jnr gngyng
todays menu
OP{ scigun vegetarian
restaurant
}qw x cntng Western
dining room
ert xcigun Western
restaurant

Shopping
yuio wnw shngdin
antique shop
p[]ASD gngy
mish shngdin arts and
crafts shop
~!@ zxngch bicycles
#$% shukunti cashier
^&*( yn ji tng
ch cigarettes, wine,
confectionery, tea
)_+ fzhungdin clothes
shop
|`12 nnn fzhung
clothing
3456 huzhung
yngpn cosmetics
7890 bihu shngdin
department store
-=\Q jiyng dinq
domestic appliances
WERT shpn shngdin
food shop
YUIO shpn godin
food and confectionery
P{}q zyo shchng free
market
wert yuy shngdin
Friendship store
yui cishchng
greengrocer
op[]A fshpn
shngdin grocery store
SDFG wjn jiodin

dinqng, guhu gi b fz

please check your change


before leaving as mistakes
cannot be rectified
iop[ ysn yj
rainwear
]AS djinji sale
DFGH gji shdin
secondhand bookshop

JKL: guw zhngxn


shopping centre
"asd ty yngpn sports
goods
fghj wnj shngdin
stationery
~!@# wnj yngpn
stationery
$%^& ygo yshu
toothpaste and toothbrushes
*()_ rtng wnj toys
+|`1 zhnzh yngpn
underwear

Streets and
Roads

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

hardware and electrical goods


HJKL wzi ximo
hosiery, shoes, hats
:"as ryng zpn
household goods
dfgh chfng yngpn
kitchenware
~!@# fn yngpn
ladies accessories
$% nzhung ladies wear
^&* xydin laundry
()_+ pg zhpn leather
goods
|` shchng market
12 nn zhung menswear
345 yuq hng musical
instruments section
6789 xnhu shdin
New China bookshop
0- ysh night market
=\Q ynjngdin optician
WE fyn photocopying
RTYU zhoxing qci
photographic equipment
IOP{}qwert
yu qin pio dngmin

23 dji avenue
45 htng lane
6 xing lane
7 l road
89 gungchng square
0 ji street

Toilets
-= yurn engaged,
occupied
\QW nncsu gents
toilet, mens room
ER nnc gents toilet,
mens room
TYU ncsu ladies toilet,
ladies room
IO nc ladies toilet, ladies
223

Chinese English: Signs and Notices

224

room
P{ gngc public toilets,
rest rooms
}qw gunxsh toilet,
rest room
er wrn vacant, free

Train and
Underground
Travel
~!@ huchzhn station
#$ huch train
%^&*()_ lich
dozhn shkbio arrival
times
+|`1234 lich
lzhn shkbio departure
times
56 ... 0- ... kiwng ...
fngxing to ...
WE chc train number
RTY jinpioch barrier
UI zhnti platform,
(US) track
OP{ zhntipio platform
ticket
}qw wnxnch
information desk
ertyu huch
shkbio timetable,
(US) schedule
i tin day
op tkui express
[] zhkui through train

AS kuich fast train


DF kch ordinary
passenger train
GH zhnmng station name
JK ... kiwng ... to ...
aAs lyuch tourist train
df chc train number
gh xngq week
~!@#$ xngli jcnch
left luggage, baggage
checkroom
%^ chngjng railway police
&*( shupioch ticket
office
)_+huchsh waiting
room
|` cnch dining car
12 yngx hard seat
345 yngxch hard seat
carriage
67 yngw hard sleeper
890 yngwch hard
sleeper carriage
-= runx soft seat
\QW runxch soft seat
carriage
ER runw soft sleeper
TYU runwch soft
sleeper carriage
IOP{} jnj zhdngzh
emergency brake
qwe chngwyun train
attendant
rt dti underground, (US)
subway

Menu
Reader:
Food

Essential Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228


Basic Foods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Basic Preparation and Cooking Methods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Bean Curd Dishes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Beef Dishes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Bread, Dumplings etc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Cold Platters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Desserts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Fish and Seafood . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Fruit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Lamb and Mutton Dishes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Meats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Noodles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Pork Dishes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
Poultry and Poultry Dishes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Rice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Seasonings, Spices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Snacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Soups. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Typical Combinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
Vegetables. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239
Vegetable Dishes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239

Menu Reader: Food

Contents

227

Menu Reader: Food

Essential Terms
~! bowl dizi [dyeh-dzur]
@# chopsticks kuizi [kwai-dzur]
$% cup bizi [bay-dzur]
^& dessert tinpn [tyen-pin]
* fork (for eating) ch [chah]
() fried noodles chomin [chow-myen]
_+ fried rice chofn [chow-fahn]
|`1 glass bli bi [bor-lee bay]
23 knife dozi [dow-dzur]
456 menu cidnr [tsai-dahnr]
78 noodles mintio [myen-tyow]
90 plate pnzi [pahn-dzur]
-= rice mfn [mee-fahn]
\ soup tng [tahng]
QW soy sauce jingyu [jyahn-gyoh]
ER spoon shozi [show-dzur]
TY table zhuzi [jwor-dzur]
() excuse me loji [low-jyah]
ertyuiop could I have the bill, please? qng bng w
jizhng, ho ma? [ching bahng wor jyeh-jahng how mah]

228

~! hungyu [hwahng-yoh]
butter
@# nilo [nai-low] cheese
$%^ ljio yu [lah-jyow
yoh] chilli oil
&*( ljio jing [jyang]
chilli paste
)_+ yzi yu [yur-dzur yoh]
coconut milk
|` niyu [nai-yoh] cream
1234 dufu gnr [doh-foo
gahnr] dried bean curd
56 dsun [dah-swahn]
garlic
78 hungm [hwahng-mee]
glutinous millet
90-=\ Q dubnr
ljingr [doh-bahnr lah-jyengr]

hot soya bean paste


WE ym [yoo-mee] maize
RT xiom [hsyah-mee]
millet
YU hoyu [how-yoh] oyster
sauce
IOP hushng yu [hwahshung yoh] peanut oil
{ } xinci [hsyen-tsai]
pickles
qwe snghudn [soonghwah-dahn] preserved eggs
rty cizi yu [tsai-dzur yoh]
rape oil
ui dm [dah-mee] rice

] yn [yahn] salt
op[ zhma yu [jur-mah
yoh] sesame oil
AS goling [gow-lyang]
sorghum (similar to corn)
DF duyu [doh-yoh] soya
bean oil
GH jingyu [jyang-yoh] soy
sauce
J tng [tahng] sugar
KL: fnqi jing [fahnchyeh jyang] tomato paste
"a sj [soo-jee] vegetarian
chicken (made from soya
beans)
sd xiomi [hsyow-mai]
wheat
fg minfn [myen-fun]
wheat flour

Menu Reader: Food

Basic Foods

Basic
Preparation and
Cooking Methods
~! . . . shjn ... [shur-jin]
assorted ...
. . . * ... wn [wahn] ... balls
. . . + ... yun [yew-ahn] ...
balls
|` . . . chsho ... [chahshow] barbecued ...
4 . . . zh ... [joo] boiled ...
8 . . . sho ... [show]
braised ...
. . . WE ... kuir [kwair] ...
229

Menu Reader: Food

230

chunks, pieces
RT . . . xings ... [hsyangsoo] crispy deep-fried ...
OP . . . gli ... [gah-lee]
curried ...
w . . . zh ... [jah] deepfried ...
. . . o ... dng diced ...
p[ . . . jichng ... [jyahchahng] home-style ... (plain)
DF . . . hugu ... [hworgwor] ... in hot pot, i.e.
served with a pot of boiling
water in which the meat or
fish is cooked, also creating
a soup
K . . . ko ... [kow] roasted,
baked
. . . fg ... pinr [pyenr] ...
slices
h . . . zhng ... [jung] steamed
...
;' . . . qngzhng ... [chingjung] steamed ...
V . . . hu ... [hway] stewed ...
< . . . cho ... [chow] stirfried ...
xc . . . tngc ... [tahng-tsoo]
sweet and sour ...
m{ . . . snxin ... [sahnhsyen] three-fresh ... (with
three ingredients which vary)

Bean Curd
Dishes
~!@# mp dufu [mahpor doh-foo] bean curd with
minced beef in spicy sauce
$%^& snxin dufu
[sahn-hsyen] three-fresh bean
curd (made with three ingredients)
*()_ shgu dufu
[shah-gwor] bean curd served
with a pot of boiling water
in which the bean curd is
cooked, also creating a soup
+|`1 ml dufu [mahlah] bean curd with chilli and
wild pepper
2345 xirn dufu
[hsyah-run] bean curd with
shrimps
6789 jichng dufu
[jyah-chahng] home-style bean
curd

Beef Dishes
~!@# hngsho niru
[hoong-show nyoh-roh] beef
braised in brown sauce
$%^& mjing niru
[mah-jyang] beef quick-fried
in sesame paste
*()_ jingbo niru
[jyang-bow] beef quick-fried
with black bean sauce

nirupinr [shur-tsai nyoh-rohpyenr] shredded beef with

seasonal vegetables
=\ QW yxing niru
[yoo-hsyang nyoh-roh] stir-fried
beef in hot spicy sauce
ERTY sncho niru
[sun-chow] stir-fried beef
with bamboo shoots
UIOP ml niru [mahlah] stir-fried beef with chilli
and wild pepper
{ } qw hoyu niru
[how-yoh] stir-fried beef with
oyster sauce
erty gngbo niru
[goong-bow] stir-fried beef
with peanuts and chilli
uiop qizh niru
[chyeh-jur] stir-fried sliced
beef with tomato sauce

Bread,
Dumplings etc
~!@ cngyubng
[tsoong-yoh-bing] spring onion
pancake
#$ shujio [shway-jyow]

Chinese ravioli
%^ jiozi [jyow-dzur]
dumplings
&* guti [gwor-tyeh] fried
Chinese ravioli
() hntun small Chinese
ravioli in soup
_+ mntou [mahn-toh]
steamed bread containing
various fillings
|` zhngjio [jung-jyow]
steamed Chinese ravioli
12 shomi [show-mai]
steamed dumplings open at
the top
34 bozi [bow-dzur] steamed
dumplings with various
fillings, usually minced pork
567 hujunr [hwah-jwahnr]
steamed rolls
890- snxin shujio
[sahn-hsyen shoo-jyow] threefresh Chinese ravioli (pork,
shrimps and chives)
=\ minbo [myen-bow]
white bread

Menu Reader: Food

+|`1 cngbo niru


[tsoong-bow] beef quick-fried
with spring onions
2345 gli niru [gah-lee]
curried beef
67890- shci

Cold Platters
QWERT shjn lngpnr
[shur-jin lung-pahnr] assorted
cold platter
YUIO hi zbnr [hai zahbahnr] seafood cold platter
P}}qwe qci lng
231

Menu Reader: Food

pnpnr [chee-tsai lung pin-pahnr]

seven colours cold platter

Desserts
rty xgua zhng [hsheegwah joong] assorted fruit and
water melon
uiop[ shjn shuguo
gng [shur-jin shway-gwor gung]

fruit salad
]AS linzi gng [lyen-dzur]
lotus-seed in syrup
DF sunni [swahn-nai]
yoghurt

Fish and Seafood


GH ly [loo-yoo] bass
JK pngxi [pahng-hsyeh]
crab
L y [yoo] fish
:" chngy pomfret
a xi [hsyah] prawns
sdf jij [jyah-jee] red
snapper
gh yuy [yoh-yoo] squid
~!@# hngsho ly
[hoong-show lee-yoo] carp
braised in brown sauce
$%^& gnsho guy
[gahn-show gway-yoo] Chinese
perch braised with chilli and
black bean sauce
*()_ gli yuy [gah-lee
232

yoh-yoo] curried squid


+|`123 qizh

shbnkuir [chyeh-jur shurbahn-kwair] deep-fried

grouper with tomato sauce


4567 hugu yxi
[hwor-gwor yoo-hsyah] fish and
prawns served with a pot of
boiling water in which they
are cooked, creating a soup
890-= jichng
ykuir [jyah-chahng yoo-kwair]

home-style fish
\ QWE gnsho

hungshn [gahn-show hwahngshahn] paddyfield eel braised

with chilli and black bean


sauce
RTYU shci xiqi [shootsai hsyah-chew] prawn balls
with seasonal vegetables
IOP{ xirn gnbi
[hsyah-run gahn-bay] scallops
with shrimps
} qwe cngbo hishn
[tsoong-bow hai-shun] sea
cucumber quick-fried with
spring onions
rtyu hoyu boy
[how-yoh bow-yoo] stir-fried
abalone with oyster sauce
iop[] huli ypinr
[hwah-lyoh yoo-pyenr] stir-fried
fish slices with thick sauce
ASDF yxing lngxi

fried lobster in hot spicy


sauce
GHJKL dngsn cho

hishn [doong-sun chow haishun] stir-fried sea cucumber

with bamboo shoots


:"asd tngc ykuir
[tahng-tsoo yoo-kwair] sweet and
sour fish

Fruit
q! pnggu [ping-gwor]
apple
@ xng [hsing] apricot
#$ xingjio [hsyang-jyow]
banana
%^ yzi [yur-dzur] coconut
&*( hitnggu [hai-tahnggwor] crab apple
) zo [dzow] date
_+ ptao [poo-tow] grape
|` gunggn [gwahng-gahn]
Guangdong orange
123 hmgu [hah-meegwah] honeydew melon
45 lngyn [loong-yahn]
longan (similar to lychee)
67 lzh [lee-jur] lychee
89 gnzi [gahn-dzur] orange
0- jzi [joo-dzur] orange
=\ tozi [tow-dzur] peach
Q l [lee] pear
WE shzi [shur-dzur]

persimmon, sharon fruit


RT blu [bor-lwor]
pineapple
YU lzi [lee-dzur] plum
IO shliu [shur-lyoh]
pomegranate
P{ } shtinyu [shahtyen-yoh] pomelo
qw jzi [joo-dzur] tangerine
er mj [mee-joo] tangerine
ty xgu [hshee-gwah] water
melon

Menu Reader: Food

[yoo-hsyang loong-hsyah] stir-

Lamb and
Mutton Dishes
uiop gli yngru [gahlee yahn-roh] curried mutton
[]ASD ko

yngruchunr [kow yahng-rohchwahnr] lamb kebabs


FGH shun yngru
[shwahn yang-roh] Mongolian

lamb served with a pot of


boiling water in which the
meat is cooked, also creating
a soup
JKL: hngsho yngru
[hoong-show] mutton braised
in brown sauce
"asd hugu yngru
[hwor-gwor] mutton served
with a pot of boiling water
in which the meat is cooked,
also creating a soup

233

Menu Reader: Food

fghj jingbo yngru


[jyang-bow] mutton quickfried with black bean sauce
kl;' cngbo yngru
[tsoong-bow] mutton quickfried with spring onions
ZXCVBN shci
yngrupinr [shur-tsai yangroh-pyenr] shredded mutton

with seasonal vegetables


M<>? ml yngru
[mah-lah] stir-fried mutton
with chilli and wild pepper
zxcv hoyu yngru
[how-yoh] stir-fried mutton
with oyster sauce

Meats
~! niru [nyoh-roh] beef
@ j [jee] chicken
# y [yah] duck
$% yngru [yahng-roh]
lamb; mutton
^ ru [roh] meat (usually pork)
&* zhru [joo-roh] pork

Noodles
() chomin [chow-myen]
fried noodles
_+|` js chomin
[jee-sur] fried noodles with
shredded chicken
1234 rus chomin
234

[roh-sur] fried noodles with

shredded pork
5678 xirn chomin
[hsyah-run chow-myen] fried
noodles with shrimps
90- chomfn [chow-meefun] fried rice noodles
=\ mintio [myen-tyow]
noodles

Pork Dishes
QWE chsho ru [chahshow roh] barbecued pork
RTYU gli ruwn [gahlee roh-wahn] curried meatballs
IOP shzi tu [shur-dzur toh]
a large meatball stewed with
cabbage
{ } qw hugu zhpi
[hwor-gwor joo-pai] pork chop
served with a pot of boiling
water in which the meat is
cooked, also creating a soup
erty jingbo snyng
[jyang-bow sahn-yang] pork,
pigs liver and kidney quickfried with black bean sauce
uwo ko rzh [kow roo-joo]
roast sucking pig
p[]A mfn zhngru
[mee-fun jung-roh] steamed
pork with rice
SDFG gngbo rudng
[goong-bow roh-ding] stir-fried

rupinr [sun-chow roh-pyenr]

stir-fried sliced pork with


bamboo shoots
`1234 frng rupinr
[foo-roong] stir-fried sliced
pork with egg white
567890 qngjio cho
rupinr [ching-jyow chow] stirfried sliced pork with green
pepper
-=\ QWE shci cho
rupinr [shur-tsai] stir-fried
sliced pork with seasonal
vegetables
RTYUI huli rupinr
[hwah-lyoh] stir-fried sliced
pork with thick sauce
OP{ hugu ru [hway-gwor
roh] boiled then stir-fried
pork

Poultry and
Poultry Dishes
} qwe shci py [shurtsai pah-yah] braised duck
with seasonal vegetables
rty f tio qing [for
tyow chyang] chicken with
duck, pigs trotters and
seafood stewed in rice
wine (literally: Buddha leaps the
wall)
uiop qizh jp [chyehjur jee-poo] chicken breast
with tomato sauce
[]ASD gli jkuir [gahlee jee-kwair] curried chicken
pieces
FGHJ jingbo jdng
[jyang-bow jee-ding] diced
chicken quick-fried with
black bean sauce
KL:"a dngsn

Menu Reader: Food

diced pork with peanuts and


chilli
HJKL yxing rus
[yoo-hsyang roh-sur] stir-fried
shredded pork in hot sauce
~!@# dngsn rus
[doong-sun] stir-fried
shredded pork with bamboo
shoots
$%^&* zhci cho
rus [jah-tsai chow] stir-fried
shredded pork with pickled
mustard greens
()_+| sncho

jpinr [doong-sun jee-pyenr]

chicken slices with bamboo


shoots
sdfgh dngg jpinr
[doong-goo] chicken slices
with mushrooms
jkl xings j [hsyang-soo
jee] crispy deep-fried whole
chicken
;'Z xings y [yah]
crispy deep-fried whole
duck

235

Menu Reader: Food

XCVB lzi jdng [lah-dzur


jee-ding] diced chicken with
chilli
NM<> ml jdng [mahlah] diced chicken with chilli
and wild pepper
?zxc xingg yzhng
[hsyang-goo yah-jahng] ducks
foot with mushroom
~!@#$ qizh jin
runy [chyeh-jur jyen rwahnyah] fried duck with tomato

sauce
%^&* jichng mnj
[jyah-chahng mun-jee] homestyle braised chicken
()_+ Bijng koy [bayjing kow-yah] Peking duck
|`12345 jingbo
ypinr cixn [jyang-bow yahpyenr tsai-hsin] sliced duck and

green vegetables quick-fried


with black bean sauce
67890- cngbo
shoypinr [tsoong-bow showyah-pyenr] sliced duck quick-

fried with spring onions


=\ QW gngbo jdng
[goong-bow jee-ding] stir-fried
diced chicken with peanuts
and chilli
ERTY guiwirj [gwaiwayr-jee] whole chicken with
peanuts and pepper (literally:
strange-tasting chicken)

236

UIOP qgu zhngj


[chee-gwor jung-jee] whole
chicken steamed in a pot
{ } qw hngsho

quny [hoong-show choo-enyah] whole duck braised in

brown sauce
erty hngsho qunj
[choo-en-jee] whole chicken
braised in brown sauce

Rice
ui chofn [chow-fahn]
fried rice
op[ dn chofn [dahn]
fried rice with eggs
]ASD js chofn [jeesur] fried rice with shredded
chicken
FGHJ rus chofn [rohsur] fried rice with shredded
pork
KL:" xirn chofn
[hsyah-run] fried rice with
shrimps
as mfn [mee-fahn] rice
df xfn [hshee-fahn] rice
porridge
ghj chshobo [chahshow-bow] steamed dumplings
with pork filling

kl gup [gway-pee] Chinese


cinnamon
;' dngxing [ding-hsyang]
cloves
ZX huxing [hway-hsyang]
fennel seed
CVBN wxing minr
[woo-hsyang myenr] five spice
powder
~! shngjing [shung-jyang]
ginger
@# ljio [lah-jyow] chilli,
chilli peppers
$%^ ljio fn [fun] chilli
powder
&* hjio [hoo-jyow] pepper
( yn [yahn] salt
) c [tsoo] vinegar

Snacks
_+|` dush sbng
[doh-shah soo-bing] baked flaky
cake with sweet bean paste
filling
12 husho [hwor-show]
baked wheaten bun
345 tng husho [tahng]
baked wheaten bun with
sugar
67 yubng [yoh-bing] deepfried savoury pancake

690 yuzhgo [yohjah-gow] deep-fried sweet


pancake
-=\ xinrbng [hsyenr-bing]
savoury fritter
QW shobng [show-bing]
sesame pancake
ERT chnjunr [chunjwahnr] spring rolls
YUI dushbo [doh-shahbow] steamed dumpling with
sweet bean paste filling
er yutio [yoh-tyow]
unsweetened doughnut
sticks

Menu Reader: Food

Seasonings,
Spices

Soups
{ } qw kishu bici
[kai-shway bai-tsai] Chinese
cabbage in clear soup
ert sun l tng [swahn
lah tahng] hot and sour soup
y tng soup
uiop[ zhsn xinm
tng [joo-sun hsyen-mor] soup
with bamboo shoots and
mushrooms
]ASDFG xhngsh
jdan tng [hshee-hoong-shur
jee-dahn] soup with eggs and

tomato
HJKL: zhci rus
tng [jah-tsai roh-sur] soup
with shredded pork and

237

Menu Reader: Food

pickled mustard greens


"asdfg shci

rupinr tng [shur-tsai rohpyenr] soup with sliced pork

and seasonal vegetables


hjkl; bci fns tng
[bor-tsai fun-sur] soup with
spinach and vermicelli
'ZX snxin tng [sahnhsyen] three-fresh soup
(prawns, meat and a vegetable)
CVBN yuntng shu
[ywahn-tahng soo-hway]

vegetable chowder

Typical
Combinations
~! . . . hngsho ... [hoongshow] ... braised in soy
sauce
%^ . . . gnsho ... [gahnshow] ... braised with chilli
and black bean sauce
)_ . . . jingbo ... [jyangbow] ... quick-fried with
black bean sauce
12 . . . cngbo ... [tsoongbow] ... quick-fried with
spring onions
67 . . . yxing ... [yoohsyang] stir-fried ... in hot
spicy sauce (literally: fish
fragrance; not always with fish)
-= . . . sncho ... [sun238

chow] stir-fried ... with


bamboo shoots
ER . . . gngbo ... [goongbow] stir-fried ... with
peanuts and chilli
IO . . . huli ... [hwah-lyoh]
stir-fried ... with sauce
qw . . . dngsn ... [doongsun] ... with bamboo shoots
yu . . . lzi ... [lah-dzur]
... with chilli
[] . . . ml ... [mah-lah] ...
with chilli and wild pepper
FG . . . xiru ... [hsyeh-roh]
... with crab
L: . . . hutu ... [hwor-tway]
... with ham
df . . . dngg ... [doonggoo] ... with mushrooms
kl . . . xingg ... [hsyanggoo] ... with mushrooms
;' . . . hoyu ... [how-yoh]
... with oyster sauce
ZX . . . zhci ... [jah-tsai]
... with pickled mustard
greens
CV . . . shci ... [shur-tsai] ...
with seasonal vegetables
BN . . . xirn ... [hsyah-run]
... with shrimps
M< . . . qizh ... [chyeh-jur]
... with tomato sauce
>? . . . fnqi ... [fahn-chyeh]
... with tomato sauce

~! qizi [chyeh-dzur]
aubergine, eggplant
@# zhsn [joo-sun] bamboo
shoots
$% duy [doh-yah] bean
sprouts
^&* junxnci [jwahn-hsintsai] cabbage
()_ hlubo [hoo-lwor-bor]
carrots
+| bici [bai-tsai] Chinese
cabbage
`1 qngdu [ching-doh]
green beans
23 mgu [mor-goo]
mushrooms
45 bca [bor-tsai] spinach
67 hngsh [hoong-shoo]
sweet potato
890 xhngsh [hsheehoong-shur] tomato
-= shci [shoo-tsai]
vegetables

Vegetable Dishes
~!@ sho qizi [show
chyeh-dzur] stewed aubergine/
eggplant
#$%^ sho hlubo [hoolwor-bor] stewed carrot
&*( sho snxin [sahnhsyen] stewed three-fresh

vegetables
)_+|` cho ylnpinr
[chow yoo-lahn-pyenr] stir-fried
bamboo shoots
123 cho duy [doh-yah]
stir-fried bean sprouts
456 cho bici [bai-tsai]
stir-fried Chinese cabbage
7890 him bici
[hai-mee] stir-fried Chinese
cabbage with dried shrimps
-=\ QW jici cho

Menu Reader: Food

Vegetables

jdn [jyoh-tsai-chow jee-dyen]

stir-fried chives with eggs


ERTYU hunggu cho
jdn [hwahng-gwah chow jeedahn] stir-fried cucumber

with eggs
IOP{ yxing qizi [yoohsyang chyeh-dzur] stir-fried
aubergine in hot spicy sauce
} qwe dngsn bindu
[doong-sun byen-doh] stir-fried
French beans with bamboo
shoots
rty sho r dng [show er
doong] stir-fried mushrooms
and bamboo shoots with
vegetables
uiop xinm wndu
[hsyen-mor wahn-doh] stir-fried
peas with mushrooms
[]AS cho tdus
[chow too-doh-sur] stir-fried
shredded potato

239

Menu Reader: Food

240

DFGH cho lubos [lworbor-sur] stir-fried shredded


turnip
JKL:" bci cho
jdn [bor-tsai jee-dahn] stirfried spinach with eggs
asdfgh xhngsh
cho jdn [hshee-hoong-shur]

stir-fried tomato with eggs

Menu
Reader:
Drink

Essential Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Beer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coffee, Tea etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Soft Drinks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wine, Spirits etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

244
245
245
245
245

Menu Reader: Food

Contents

243

Menu Reader: Drink

Essential Terms
~! beer pji [pee-jyoh]
@# bottle pngzi [ping-dzur]
$% coffee kfi [kah-fay]
^& cup bizi [bay-dzee]
*() glass blibi [bor-lee-bay]
_+ milk nini [nyoh-nai]
|`12 mineral water kungqunshur [kwahng-choo-en-shwayr]
345 orange juice xinjzh [hsyen-jyew-jur]
67 rice wine mji [mee-jyoh]
890 soft drink qshur [chee-shwayr]
- sugar tng [tahng]
= tea ch [chah]
\ water shu [shway]
QWE whisky wishj [way-shur-jee]
RTYU jishu zi wi drinks not included
IOP{}q a cup of tea/coffee, please y bi ch/kfi [bay]
wertyui another beer, please qng zi li y bi pji
[ching dzai lai yee bay pee-jyoh]

op[]ASDF a glass of Maotai (li) y bi Motiji [yee


bay mow-tai-jyoh]

244

~! pji [pee-jyoh] beer


@#$% bngzhn pji
[bing-jun] iced beer
^&*( Qngdo pji
[ching-dow] most famous type
of Chinese beer

Coffee, Tea etc


)_ hngch [hoong-chah]
black tea
+|` jhuch [joo-hwahchah] chrysanthemum tea
12 kfi [kah-fay] coffee
34 lch [lyew-chah] green
tea
5678 mli huch [morlee hwah-chah] jasmine tea
90- wlngch [wooloong-chah] oolong tea, famous
semi-fermented tea, half
green, half black
=\ huch [hwah-chah]
scented tea
QWER nini kfi [nyohnai kah-fay] white coffee,
coffee with milk

Soft Drinks
TYUI kkou kl [kur-koh
kur-lur] Coke
OP{ guzizh [gwor-dzur-jur]

fruit juice
}q bngshu [bing-shway]
iced water
wert Loshn kl
[low-shahn kur-lur] Chinese
variety of cola made from
Laoshan water
yuiop nngmng

qshur [ning-mung chee-shwayr]

Menu Reader: Drink

Beer

lemonade
[] nini [nyoh-nai] milk
ASDF kungqunshur
[kwahng-chwahn-shwayr]

mineral water
GHJKL jzi qshur
[joo-dzur chee-shwayr]

orangeade
:"a jzizh [joo-dzur-jee]
orange juice
sdf bluozh [bor-lwor-jur]
pineapple juice
ghj sunmitng [swahnmay-tahng] sweet-sour plum
juice

Wine, Spirits etc


~!@ bilnd [bai-lahn-dee]
brandy
#$% xingbnji [hsyangbin-jyoh] champagne
^&* bignr [bai-gahnr]
clear spirit, distilled from
sorghum grain
() biji [bai-jyoh] clear
245

Menu Reader: Drink

246

spirit, distilled from sorghum


grain
_+|`1 fgu bilnd
[fah-gwor bai-lahn-dee] cognac
23456 gn hng

ptaoji [gahn hoong poo-towjyow] dry red wine


7890- gn bi ptaoji

dry white wine


=\ jnji [jin-jyoh] gin
QWE guziji [gwor-dzurjyoh] liqueur
RTY Motiji [mow-taijyoh] Maotai spirit
UIOP hng ptaoji
[hoong poo-tow-jyoh] red wine
{} hungji [hwahng-jyoh]
rice wine
qw loji [low-jyoh] rice wine
ert lngmji [lahng-moojyoh] rum
yuiop[ Sgln
wishj [soo-gur-lahn] Scotch
whisky
]AS qshur [chee-shwayr]
soda water
DF qji [chee-jyoh] sparkling
wine
GHJ wimis [way-may-sur]
vermouth
KL:" dkji [ur-dur-kurjyoh] vodka
asd wishj [way-shur-jur]
whisky
fghj bi ptaoji [poo-

tow-jyoh] white wine


kl; [poo-tow-jyoh] ptaoji
wine

How the
Language
Works

Throughout this book Chinese words have been written in


the standard romanized system known as pinyin (see below).
Pinyin, which was introduced in China in the 1950s, can for
the most part be used as a guide to pronunciation. However,
some of the syllables are not pronounced in an immediately
obvious way. For this reason, a simplified transliteration is also
provided in almost all instances. This transliteration should be
read as though it were English, bearing in mind the notes on
pronunciation below:
Vowels
ah
ai
ay

long a as in art
i as in I, eye
as in hay

e as in bed
o as in go, oh
as in cow

ts
y

as in tsar
as in yes

Consonants
ch
dz
g

as in Chinese
like the ds in heads
hard g as in get

Pinyin
Chinese words are made up of one or more syllables, each of
which is represented in the written language by a character.
These syllables can be divided into initials (consonants) and
finals (vowels or vowels followed by either n or ng). In spoken
Chinese, the consonant finals are often not fully sounded. A
full list of initials and finals, along with the closest equivalent
sound in English appears below. There are, however, some
sounds that are unlike anything in English. In this pronunciation guide, words containing these sounds are given in
Chinese characters as well; ask a Chinese person to pronounce
them for you.

Pronunciation / Pinyin

eh
oh
ow

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Pronunciation

249

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Initials

f, l, m, n, s, are all similar to English


w and y

Pinyin

b, d, g
p, t, k

similar to English, but a shorter sound


a more emphatic pronunciation as in pop, tap
and cap (more strongly pronounced than b, d
and g above)

slightly harsher than an h in English, closer to


the ch sound in loch or Bach

j, q, x
j
q
x

pronounced with the lips positioned as if you


were smiling:
j as in jeer
ch as in cheer
sh as in sheer, but say it with your lips in a
smile and the tip of your tongue pointing up.
This sound is shown in the book with hs

c
z

ts as in tsar
ds as heads

$
%

ch, sh, zh, r the last group of initials is the most difficult
for a non-Chinese to perfect; they are all
pronounced with the tip of the tongue curled
back till it touches the palate:
ch
as ch in birch
^
sh
as sh in shower
&
zh
as ge in budge
*
r
as r in rung
(
Finals

a
ai
an
ang
ao

250

as in art
as in aisle
as in ran, but with a longer a as in art
as in hang, but with a longer a as in art
ow as in cow

like the e in the or the u in fur


as in weight
as in shaken
like en followed by a softly spoken g
similar to err, pronounced with the tongue
curled back so that it touches the palate

usually pronounced as in margarine; however,


after the initials c, ch, r, s, sh, z and zh it is
pronounced like the i in shirt or first
ya as in yarn
similar to yen
yang (i plus ang, but with shorter a sound)
yow as in yowl
ye as in yeti
as in din
as in bring
yoong (i plus ong)
yo as in yo-yo

ia
ian
iang
iao
ie
in
ing
iong
iu

u
ua
uai
uan
uang
ue
ui
un
uo

e

as in lore
like oh
oong (ung as in lung, with the vowel given a
longer, more rounded sound)
as in rule; or like French une or German ber
wah (wa plus a as in art)
similar to why
wahn in most cases (w plus an); after y, the
second pronunciation of u plus an
wahng (w plus ang)
the second pronunciation of u plus e as in bet
wai as in wait
as in fungi
similar to war
like French une or German ber
followed by e as in bet

Pinyin

o
ou
ong

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

e
ei
en
eng
er

251

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Northern Chinese

In Northern Chinese, the suffix r is often placed at the end of


a syllable, producing a sound reminiscent of the burr of southwest England. This is represented in pinyin by the addition of
an r to the syllable so that men (door), for example, becomes
menr, with the n barely pronounced. Such pronunciation is
most apparent in Beijing.

Tones

P i n y i n / To n e s

The Chinese language only uses about four hundred different


sounds. The number of sounds available is increased by the use
of tones: the particular pitch at which a word is pronounced
determines its meaning. The same combination of letters pronounced with a different tone will produce different words.
There are four tones: first tone (), second tone (), third tone
() and fourth tone (`).
Not all syllables are pronounced with tones; where there is
no tone, the syllable is written without a tone mark. Often
when you have a word consisting of two syllables, the second
syllable, for example, xusheng (student), is written without
a tone.
In Chinese, the tone is as important a part of the word as
the consonant and vowel sounds. Context usually makes the
meaning clear, but it is still important whenever possible to
use the correct tone in order to reduce the chance of misunderstanding. The character ma [mah] has five meanings, differentiated by the tones:
m
m
m
m
ma

252

)
_
+
|
`

mother
hemp
horse
abuse, scold
(added to the end of a sentence to turn it into a question)

First tone (). High, level tone, with unchanging volume, held
briefly:
g [goo]
gun [gwahn]
ki
yn [yahn]

solitary
look at
open (verb)
cigarette

5
6
7
8

balance (verb)
person
ten
speech

9
0
-
=

book
law
rise (verb)
cover (verb)

\
Q
W
E

stupid
big
fear (verb)
wild goose

Second tone (). Starting about mid-range, rising quickly and


becoming louder; a shorter sound than the first tone, similar
to a question showing surprise such as eh?:
hng [hung]
rn [run]
sh [shur]
yn [yahn]

Third tone (). Starts low and falls before rising again to
slightly above the starting point; starts quietly then increases
in volume; slightly longer than first tone:
bn [bun]
f [fah]
q [chee]
yn [yahn]

To n e s

1
2
3
4

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

To help you get a clearer idea of how the tones sound, Chinese
character equivalents are given for the words in this section.
Ask a Chinese speaker to read the words for you so that you
can hear the tonal differences.

Fourth tone (`). Starts high, falling abruptly in pitch and volume; shorter than the second tone:
bn [bun]
d [dah]
p [pah]
yn [yahn]

253

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
To n e s / A b b r e v i a t i o n s

254

The tones can be illustrated in diagram form like this:

In speech, a third tone which precedes another third tone


becomes a second tone.

Abbreviations
adj
pl
pol
sing

adjective
plural
polite
singular

The Chinese language has a number of characteristics which


are very different from European languages, the most important of these being that there are no inflections for case,
number or gender and that verbs do not decline. References
to past, present or future are identified by context and the
addition of various time words such as mngtian [ming-tyen]
(tomorrow), jntian [jin-tyen] (today), or qnin [chew-nyen] (last
year). In both the written and spoken language, statements
are kept short and the repetition of what has already been
expressed is avoided. Pronouns, both personal and impersonal,
are often omitted.

Nouns
Singular and plural forms of nouns are nearly always the same.
For example, sh can mean either book or books depending
on the context:

I bought one book

w mile lingbn sh
wor mai-lur lyang-bun shoo

I bought two books

The few exceptions tend to be nouns used in addressing


groups of people, in which case the suffix -men is added to
the end of the noun:

pngyoumen
pung-yoh-mun

friends

General / Nouns

w mile ybn sh
wor mai-lur yee-bun shoo

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

General

hizimen
hai-dzur-mun

children

However, -men is not used for the plural when numbers are
involved as the plural is obvious from the context:

sge pngyou
sur-gur pung-yoh

four friends

255

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Articles
There is no equivalent in Chinese for either the definite article
the or the indefinite articles a and an. The exact meaning
will be clear from the context or word order. Therefore, zzh
(magazine) can mean a magazine or the magazine depending
on the context.
If you want to be more precise, you can use ni (that) or zhi
(this) with the appropriate measure word (see page 262).
The number y (one), along with the appropriate measure
word (see page 262) can also be used to translate a/an. But
often in such sentences yi is either unstressed or omitted altogether, leaving just the measure word:
w xing mi ybn zzh
wor hsyang mai yee-bun dzah-jur

I am going to buy a magazine

or:

Articles / Adjectives

w xing mi bn zzh

I am going to buy a magazine

Adjectives
Adjectives are placed before the noun and usually the word de
is added between the adjective and the noun:

pinyi de sh
pyen-yee dur shoo

cheap book(s)

hn sun de sci
hun swahn dur soo-tsai

very sour vegetable dish(es)

The de is frequently omitted if the adjective is monosyllabic:



256

g hu
goo hwah

ancient paintings

ho bnf
how bahn-fah

a good method

lsh
lee-shur

lsh xioshu
lee-shur hsyow-shwor

history

historical novel(s)

shxu
shoo-hsyew-eh

shxu jioksh
shoo-hsyew-eh jyow-kur-shoo

mathematics

maths textbook

Adjectival Verbs

Some verbs also function as adjectives and are known as adjectival verbs. In sentences using an adjectival verb, the word
order is:
noun subject + hn + adjectival verb
The word hn has little meaning, unless it is stressed, when it
means very.

the vegetable dish is very sour

sh du hn pinyi
shoo doh hun pyen-yee

the books are all cheap

Sun means to be sour and pinyi to be cheap.

For greater emphasis, add ti to mean very, really or


extremely:

Adjectives

sci hn sun
soo-tsai hun swahn

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Some nouns can be used adjectivally:

ti hole
tai how-lur

thats really great


Comparatives

To form the comparative (more ..., ...-er) in sentences when


only one thing is referred to, most often in response to a
question, an adjectival verb is used by itself. In the following
two examples, the adjectival verbs hokn (attractive) and gu
(expensive) are used:
257

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

zhige hokn
jay-gur how-kahn

this (one) is more attractive

nige gu
nay-gur gway

that (one) is more expensive

The above phrases can also be translated as this one is attractive and that one is expensive, but the exact meaning will
be clear from the context.The following are added after the
adjective or adjectival verb to indicate the degree of comparison:
... dinr
... xi
... ydinr
... de du
... dule
... gng

[dyenr]
[hsyeh]
[yee-dyenr]
[dur dwor]
[dwor-lur]
[gung]

more ...
a bit more ...
a bit more ...
much more ...
far more ...
even more ...

zhige gu (yi)dinr/xi
jay-gur gway (yee-)dyenr/hsyeh

this (one) is (a bit) more expensive

Adjectives

zhige gu de du
jay-gur gway dur dwor

this (one) is much more expensive


zhige gu dule
jay-gur gway dwor-lur

this (one) is far more expensive


zhige gng gu
jay-gur gung gway

this (one) is even more expensive

To compare two nouns, the word order is:


subject + b + object of comparison + adjectival verb
Fgu b Zhnggu xio
fah-gwor bee joong-gwor hsyow

France is smaller than China

258

last year was hotter than this year

zhige b nige gng mil


jay-gur bee nay-gur gung may-lur

this one is even more beautiful than that one


Superlatives

To form the superlative (most ..., ...-est), place zu before the


adjective or adjectival verb:
zu gu de zxngch
dzway gway dur dzur-hsing-chur

the most expensive bicycle

zhige fndin zu d
jay-gur fahn-dyen dzway dah

this hotel is the largest

Adverbs

t mnmn de knle nde xn


tah mahn-mahn dur kahn-lur nee-dur hsin

he/she read your letter slowly

Adverbs can also be formed by placing de after an adjective:


n dshng de gn t shu ba
nee dah-shung dur gun tah shwor bah

speak loudly to him/her

When de appears after a verb, the subsequent adjective takes


on an adverbial function:
tmen qde hn wn
tah-mun chee-dur hun wahn

they got up late

Adjectives / Adverbs

Adverbs usually have the same form as adjectives, but are


sometimes repeated for emphasis (mnmn below):

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

qnin b jnnin r
chew-nyen bee jin-nyen rur

t zqiu tde hn ho
tah dzoo-chyew tee-dur hun how

he plays football well

259

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Pronouns
Personal Pronouns
w
[wor]
n
[nee]
nn
[nin]
t
[tah]
wmen [wor-mun]
nmen [nee-mun]
tmen [tah-mun]

I; me
you (sing)
you (sing, pol)
he; him; she; her; it
we; us
you (pl)
they; them
There are no different forms for subject and object in Chinese:
w rnshi t
wor run-shur tah

I know him/her

t rnshi w
tah runshur wor

he/she knows me

zhi sh gi n de
jay shur gay nee dur

Pronouns

this is for you


can also mean it, though this is not a common usage.
Generally, there is no need to refer to it in a sentence as the
context usually makes it clear:
T

sh hn wq w b xhuan
shoo hun woo-choo wor boo hshee-hwahn

the book is boring I dont like it

w xhuan nibn sh hn yu ysi


wor hshee-hwahn nay-bun shoo hun yoh yee-sur

I like that book its very interesting


Like t, tmen referring to inanimate things is rarely used.
Demonstrative Pronouns
zh [jur] this

n [nah] that

zh bsh tde
jur boo-shur tah-dur

n tbi ho
nah tur-byeh how

this is not his

260

thats awfully good

w xhuan zhige/nige
wor hshee-hwahn jay-gur/nay-gur

I like this (one)/that (one)

Possessives
In order to form possessive adjectives and pronouns, add the
suffix -de to the personal pronouns on page 260:
wde
nde
nnde
tde
wmende
nmende
tmende

[wor-dur]
[nee-dur]
[nin-dur]
[tah-dur]
[wor-mun-dur]
[nee-mun-dur]
[tah-mun-dur]

my; mine
your; yours (sing)
your; yours (sing, pol)
his; her; hers; its
our; ours
your; yours (pl)
their; theirs

wde zhuzi
wor-dur jwor-dzur

my table

his/her friend

tmende pngyou
tah-mun-dur pung-yoh

zh sh nde
jur shur nee-dur

their friend

tde pngyou
tah-dur pung-yoh

this is yours

De equates to of or apostrophe s in English. De phrases


always precede the noun to be described:

Shnghi de fngjng
shahng-hai dur fung-jing

the scenery of Shanghai

w qzi de yxing
wor chee-dzur dur yee-hsyang

qitian de tinqi
chyew-tyen dur tyen-chee

Pronouns / Possessives

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

In order to translate this one or that one as the object of a


sentence, a measure word (see page 262) must be added:

autumn weather

my wifes suitcase

261

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
Possessives / Measure Words

262

If a relationship or possession is obvious from the context, it


is common to omit de:

w iren
wor ai-run

my wife

t ji
tah jyah

his/her home

w pngyou
wor pung-yoh

my friend

w mile chpio le
wor mai-lur chur-pyow lur

Ive bought my train ticket


Dependent Clauses and de

Dependent clauses precede the noun to be modified and de is


inserted between the clause and the noun:
t j de xn
tah jee dur hsin

the letter which he sent

w kn de sh
wor kahn dur shoo

the book(s) (which/that) I read

zutian kn de nib dinyng


dzwor-tyen kahn dur nay-boo dyen-ying

that film I saw yesterday

Measure Words
Demonstrative Adjectives and Measure Words

Nouns or groups of nouns in Chinese have specific measure


words which are used when counting or quantifying the noun
or nouns, i.e. which are used in conjunction with demonstratives and numerals. The demonstrative adjective is usually
formed with the demonstrative ni (that) or zhi (this) followed by a measure word. Measure words, of which there
are around fifty in common usage, are added to the end of
the demonstrative (or numeral) and precede the noun. Some
measure words can be readily translated into English while
others cannot, for example:

gngjn
goong-jin

kilogram

m
mee

metre

sngngjn l
sahng-goong-jin lee

three kilos of pears

nipng pji
nay-ping pee-yoh

png
ping

bottle
snm minb
sahn-mee myen-boo

three metres of cotton

that bottle of beer

The most common measure words are:


[bah]

bi
bn
fng
ge
jin
k
kui
ling
pn
su
tio
wi

[bay]
[bun]
[fun]
[gur]
[jyen]
[kur]
[kwai]
[lyang]
[pahn]
[swor]
[tyow]
[way]

zhng [jahng]
zh
[jur]

chairs, knives, teapots, tools or implements


with handles, stems, bunches of flowers
cups, glasses
books, magazines
letters
general measure word
things, affairs, shirts etc
trees
lumps, pieces
vehicles
round objects
buildings
fish and various long narrow things
polite measure word used for gentlemen,
ladies, guests etc
tables, beds, tickets, sheets of paper
hands, birds, suitcases, boats

zhibn sh
jay-bun shoo

nijin lw
nay-jyen lee-woo

nik sh
nay-kur shoo

zhiling zxngch
jay-lyang dzur-hsing-chur

this book

that tree

Measure Words

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

that present

this bicycle

263

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

nisu yyun
nay-swor yee-ywahn

sntio chun
sahn-tyow chwahn

niwi libn
nay-way lai-bin

snzhng pio
sahn-jahng pyow

that hospital

that guest

three boats

three tickets

The most common of all measure words is ge:



zhige shngdin
ay-gur shang-dyen

this shop

nige zhntou
nay-gur jun-toh

that pillow

When the correct measure word is not known, the best solution is to use ge.
In a dialogue, when it is clear from the context what is being
referred to, then the noun may be omitted and only the
demonstrative and measure word are used:

Measure Words

w xhuan nige
wor hshee-hwahn nay-gur

zhibi ch hn hoh
jay-bay chah hun how-hur

I like that (one)

this is a lovely cup of tea

zhiwi sh ...
jay-way shur
this is ... (introducing people)

Numbers and Measure Words

As is the case with demonstrative adjectives, you must use


a measure word with numbers when they are linked with
nouns:

sk sh
sur-kur shoo

four trees

snshwbn sh
sahn-shur-woo-bun shoo

thirty-five books

sshge rn
sur-shur-gur run

forty people

See page 282 for the use of ling (two) with measure words.
Similarly, when ordinal numbers are linked with a noun, it is
264

dsnsu fngzi
dee-sahn-swor fahng-dzur

dstio l
dee-sur-tyow loo

the third house

the fourth road

Demonstratives and Numbers

If a demonstrative and a number are used together in a sentence, the word order is:
demonstrative + number + measure word + noun

ni snbn sh
nay sahn-bun shoo

those three books

zhi bwi libn


jay bah-way lai-bin

these eight guests

ni lige
nay lyoh-gur

those six

Verbs
There is no change in Chinese verbs for first, second or third
person subjects, both singular and plural:

I walk, I am walking

t zu
tah dzoh

he/she walks, he/she is walking

tmen zu
tah-mun dzoh

they walk, they are walking

Chinese verbs also have no tenses:


w mngtian zu
wor ming-tyen dzoh

M e a s u re Wo rd s / Ve r b s

w zu
wor dzoh

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

necessary to include a measure word:

I will go for a walk tomorrow


w zutian zu de shhou, tinqi hn ho
wor dzwor-tyen dzoh dur shur-hoh tyen-chee hun how

when I was walking yesterday, the weather was lovely

265

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

The future and past are indicated in the above sentences by


the time words mngtian (tomorrow) and zutian (yesterday),
while the form of the verb zu does not change.
The meaning of verbs is also influenced by a number of suffixes and sentence particles (see pages 268 and 270).
A verb used by itself usually implies either a habitual action:
Zhnggurn ch mfn
joong-gwor-run chur mee-fahn

Chinese people eat rice

or an imminent action:
n q nr?
nee chew nar

where are you going?


To Be

Ve r b s

The verb to be, when followed by a noun, is sh, which corresponds to all the forms of the verb to be in English (am,
are, is, were etc):
t sh wde pngyou
tah shur wor-dur pung-yoh

she is my friend

zh sh shnme?
jur shur shun-mur

what is this?

tmen sh xusheng
tah-mun shur hway-shung

they are students

The verb sh is not required when adjectival verbs are used


(see page 257).
The preposition zi (in, at) is used as a verb to convey the
meaning of to be in or at a particular place (see page 274).

266

To form a negative sentence, use the word b (not); when


b precedes a word with a fourth tone, the tone changes to a
second tone (b):
w byo nibn sh
wor boo-yow nay-bun shoo

I do not want that book

t b q
tah boo chew

hes not going

n w b zhdao
nah wor boo jur-dow

I didnt know that


B is also the negative used with adjectives/adjectival verbs:
bmn
boo-mahn

dissatisfied, discontented

fngzi b d
fahng-dzur boo dah

the building isnt big

With the verb yu (to have), mi is used as a negative rather


than b:

he/she has time

w miyu kng
wor may-yoh koong

Ve r b s

t yu kng
tah yoh koong

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Negatives

I dont have time

Mi can also be used on its own to mean have not:


w mishr
wor may-shur

I have nothing to do
Yu also means there is/are:
shngdinli miyu nini
shahng-dyen-lee may-yoh nyoh-nai

miyu bnf
may-yoh bahn-fah

theres no milk in the shop


theres nothing to be done,
theres nothing you can do
about it

267

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

yu rn
yoh run

there is someone there; engaged, occupied (on a toilet door)


Verb Suffixes

Suffixes are added to Chinese verbs to modify their meaning.


The addition of the suffix -le indicates a changed situation;
often this means that the action of the verb has been completed:
w mile snge pnggu
wor mai-lur sahn-gur ping-gwor

I bought three apples

t yjing lkile
tah yee-jing lee-kai-lur

he/she has left already

w zi nr zhle jinin
wor dzai nar joo-lur jyoh-nyen

I lived there for nine years

Ve r b s

hwnle ch w ji kn dinsh
hur-wahn-lur chah wor jyoh kahn dyen-shur

when I have finished my tea, I am going to watch television

As the fourth example shows, the completed action need not


necessarily be in the past.
In order to express the negative form of a completed action,
either mi or mi yu is placed before the verb and -le is omitted:
w mi(yu) kn dinsh
wor may(-yoh) kahn dyen-shur

I didnt watch television

t mi(yu) lki
tah may(-yoh) lee-kai

he hasnt left

Continuous or prolonged action is expressed by the suffix


-zhe:

268

t zi shfshang zuzhe
tah dzai shah-fah-shahng dzwor-jur

he/she is smoking a cigarette he/she is sitting on the sofa


The suffix -zhe can also be used to convey the idea of doing
more than one thing at the same time:
t hzhe ch kn sh
tah hur-jur chah kahn shoo

he read a book while drinking tea


When the -zhe suffix is used, mi is placed before the verb to
form the negative:
t mi chunzhe zhngshnzhung
tah may chwahn-jur joong-shahn-jwahng

t zi chuyn
tah dzai choh-yahn

n zi kn shnme?
nee dzai kahn shun-mur

w qguo Zhnggu
wor chew-gwor joong-gwor

w knguo nibn sh
wor kahng-gwor nay-bun shoo

w mi qguo Shnghi
wor may chew-gwor shahng-hai

t mi hguo Ynd ch
tah may hur-gwor yin-doo chah

Ve r b s

he/she isnt wearing a Mao suit


Note that -zhe has no connection with tense. Depending on
the context, the above sentences could be translated as: he/she
was smoking a cigarette, he/she wasnt wearing a Mao suit.
Another way of indicating continuous action is to place the
word zi in front of the verb:

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

t chuzhe yn
tah choh-jur yahn

he is smoking
what are you reading?
The suffix -guo is used to indicate a past experience:

I have been to China


I have read that book
When the suffix -guo is used, mi is placed before the verb to
form the negative:

I have never been to


hes/shes never drunk
Shanghai Indian tea

269

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Sentence Particles
The particle le at the end of a sentence either indicates that
something happened in the past which is still relevant to the
present or implies a change of circumstances in the present or
future:
t mi bozh q le
tah mai bow-jur chew lur

he/she has gone to buy a paper


w zi Lndn zhle linin le
wor dzai lun-dun joo-lur lyoh-nyen lur

I have been living in London for six years


gafng le
gwah-fung lur

w xinzai b le
wor hsyahn-dzai boo ur lur

pnggu du hui le
ping-gwor doh hway lur

wmen zu le
wor-mun dzoh lur

its windy (now)

Sentence Particles

the apples have all gone bad

Im not hungry any more

we are leaving (now)

The particle ne adds emphasis to what is said:


t hi mi lki ne
tah hai may lee-kai nur

he still hasnt gone


zu chngt qch k b fngbin ne
dzwor chahng-too chee-chur kur boo fahng-byen nur

(but) its so inconvenient to go by bus


n zu shnme ne?
nee dzwor shun-mur nur

well, what are you going to do?

On its own, often in response to an earlier question, ne can be


used to express the idea and what about ...?:
270

this pair of shoes is too expensive what about that pair?

The particle ba indicates a suggestion:


zu ba!
dzoh bah

lets go!

n kol yxi ba
nee kow-lyew yee-syah bah

think about it, consider it

It can also mean I suggest or I suppose:


n sh lo Zhng ba?
nee shur low jahng bah

I suppose you must be old Zhang?


nmen du hn li ba?
nee-mun doh hun lay bah

you are all very tired, arent you?

There are a number of ways of forming questions in Chinese.


One way is to add the particle ma to the end of a sentence to
turn it into a question without changing the word order:
t sh Rbrn ma?
tah shur ree-bur-run mah

n mi zhifn bozh ma?


nee mai jay-fun bow-jur mah

n ma?
nee ur mah

n qguo Bijng ma?


nee choo-gwor bay-jing mah

is he/she Japanese?

are you hungry?

n yu hizi ma?
nee yoh hai-dzur mah

do you have any children?

are you buying this newspaper?

have you ever been to Beijing?

Sentence Particles / Questions

Questions

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

zhishung xi ti gu nishung ne?


jay-shwahng hsyeh tai gway nay-shwahng nur

271

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Alternatively, the verb is repeated along with the negative b


or mi:
tmen sh bsh Ynggurn? jntian r b r?
tah-mun shur boo-shur ying-gwor-run jin-tyen rur boo rur

are they British?

is it hot today?

n b ?
nee ur boo ur

t chguo Zhngcn miyu?


tah chur-gwor joong-tsahn may-yoh

are you hungry?


has he/she ever eaten
Chinese food?
n yu miyou hizi?
nee yoh may-yoh hai-dzur

do you have any children?


(who?) and shnme (what?) are the main interrogative
pronouns. Interrogative pronouns are placed in the same position in the sentence as the noun in the answer that is implied:
Shi

Questions

t sh shi?
tah shur shay

t sh w pngyou
tah shur wor pung-yoh

shi f qin?
shay foo chyen

t fqin
tah foo-chyen

n mi shnme?
nee mai shun-mur

w mi yji dinch
wor mai yee-jyeh dyen-chur

who is he?

hes my friend

who is going to pay?

what are you going to buy?

he is going to pay

Im going to buy a battery

The other common interrogatives are:


nr/nli?
dusho?
ni?
shide?
znme?
wishnme?

272

[nar/nah-lee]
[dwor-show]
[nay]
[shay-dur]
[dzun-mur]
[way-shun-mur]

where?
how many?, how much?
which?
whose?
how?
why?

dusho qin?
dwor-show chyen

where is the shop?

how much is that?

nige fndin zu gu?


nay-gur fahn-dyen dzway gway

n xhuan nige?
nee hshee-hwahn nay-gur

zh sh shide?
jur shur shay-dur

n sh znme lide?
nee shur dzun-mur lai-dur

which hotel is most expensive? which one would you like?

whose is this?

how did you get here?

tmen wishnme b shng huch?


tah-mun way-shun-mur goo shahng hwor-chur

why arent they getting on the train?

Hishi (or) is used in questions posing alternatives:


n xing mi zhige hishi nige?
nee hsyahng mai jay-gur hai-shur nay-gur

do you wish to buy this one or that one?

Some common prepositions are:


cng
do
du
gi
gn
l
wile
yng
zi

[tsoong]
[dow]
[dway]
[gay]
[gun]
[lee]
[way-lur]
[yoong]
[dzai]

from
to
towards, with regard to
for
with
from/to (in expressions of distance)
because of
with, by means of,
in, at (see page 274)

Questions / Prepositions

Prepositions

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

shngdin zi nr?
shahng-dyen dzai nar

wmen mngtian do Shnghi q


wor-mun ming-tyen dow shahng-hai chew

were going to Shanghai tomorrow

273

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

cng sndinbn do sdin


tsoong sahn-dyen-bahn dow sur-dyen

from three thirty to four oclock


Ynggu l Fgu b yun
ying-gwor lee fah-gwor boo ywahn

Britain is not far from France


wmen sh zu chun lide
wor-mun shur dzwor chwahn lai-dur

we came by boat

w gi n mile yxi pnggu


wor gay nee mai-lur yee-hsyeh ping-gwor

Ive bought some apples for you


qng gn w li
ching gun wor lai

please come with me

Prepositions

t wi t hizi hn zhoj
tah way tah hai-dzur hun jow-jee

she was very worried about her child


Zi (in, at) is also used as a verb meaning to be in/at:
t zi nr?
tah dzai nar

tmen zi Shnghi
tah-mun dzai shahng-hai

zhuzi zi wibinr
jwor-dzur zai wai-byenr

w zi Shnghi miyu qnq


wor dzai shahng-hai may-yoh ching-chee

where is he/she?

the table is outside

they are in Shanghai

I dont have any relatives in Shanghai

Place Word Suffixes

Various suffixes are added to nouns to indicate location and


are nearly always used in conjunction with the preposition zi.
The most important are:
274

[lee]
[shahng]
[wai]
[hsyah]
[joong]

inside, in
above, on
outside
below
in the middle, between

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

l
shng
wi
xi
zhng

nde bozh zi dizili


nee-dur bow-jur dzai dai-dzur-lee

your newspaper is in your bag


chngwi yu fjchng
chung-wai yoh fur-jee-chahng

theres an airport outside the town


nde zhoxingj zi chungshng
nee-dur jow-hsyahng-jee dzai chwahng-shahng

your camera is on the bed

nde yxing zi chungxi


nee-dur yee-hsyahng dzai chwahng-hsyah
zi shnl
dzai shahn-lee

in the mountains

Yes and No
Chinese has no standard words for yes and no, but you can
often use sh(de) (yes, it is the case), dule (yes, thats right) and
b sh (no, it is not the case).
The most common way of saying yes is to repeat the verb
of the question; to say no, repeat the verb of the question
together with b or mi as required:
n yu kng ma?
nee yoh koong mah

do you have any free time?

yu
yoh

yes

P r e p o s i t i o n s / Ye s a n d N o

your suitcase is under the bed

mi yu
may yoh

no

275

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

t sh xusheng ma?
tah shur hsyeh-shung mah

is he a student?

yes

b sh
boo shur

no

n qguo Chngchng mi yu?


nee chew-gwor chahng-chung may yoh

have you been to see the Great Wall?


qguo
chew-gwor

yes

mi yu/mi qguo
may yoh/may chew-gwor

no

Imperatives
To make an imperative in Chinese, pronounce the verb in an
emphatic way:
zhnzh!
jahn-joo

stop!

gnchqu!
gun-choo-chew

get out!

Ye s a n d N o / I m p e r a t i v e s

Imperatives are rarely used because they sound too abrupt.


The verb is more likely to be preceded by qng (please) or
followed by ba (see page 271) to make the command sound
more polite:
qng zu ba
ching dzwor bah

please sit down

Negative imperatives are formed using either bi or b yo


(dont):
bi zule
byeh dzoh-lur

dont go

276

sh
shur

b yo zi sho
boo yow dzai shwor

say no more

Dates in Chinese are written in the following order:


year + month + number
To write the year, place the relevant numbers in front of nin
(year); this is followed by the month and then the number of
the day plus ho:
RTYU

IOP{}

jiyu yho
jyoh-yew-eh yee-how

shryu rho
shur-er-yew-eh er-how

qwert

@~~^p[]ASDF

the thirty-first of May, 2006

the first of September


wyu snshho
woo-yew-eh sahn-shur-how
the thirtieth of May

the second of December


rlnglnglu nin wyu snshyho
ur-ling-ling-lyoh nyen woo-yew-eh
sahn-shur-yee-how

yji sr nin
yee-jyoh sur-er nyen

1942

Days

Dates / Days

GHJKL

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Dates

Sunday xngqtin [hsing-chee-tyen] :"a


Monday xngqy [hsing-chee-yee] sdf
Tuesday xngqr [hsing-chee-er] ghj
Wednesday xngqsn [hsing-chee-sahn] kl;
Thursday xngqs [hsing-chee-sur] 'ZX
Friday xngqw [hsing-chee-woo] CVB
Saturday xngqli [hsing-chee-lyoh] NM<

277

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
Months / Time

278

Months
January yyu [yee-yew-eh] ~!
February ryu [er-yew-eh] @#
March snyu [sahn-yew-eh] $%
April syu [sur-yew-eh] ^&
May wyu [woo-yew-eh] *(
June liyu [lyoh-yew-eh] )_
July qyu [chee-yew-eh] +|
August byu [bah-yew-eh] `1
September jiyu [jyoh-yew-eh] 23
October shyu [shur-yew-eh] 45
November shyyu [shur-yee-yew-eh] 678
December shryu [shur-er-yew-eh] 90-

Time
When telling the time, the word din is added to the number
to indicate the hours. Zhng (clock) is optional and is placed
at the end of most time expressions. The word fn (minutes) is
added to the number of minutes.
what time is it? jdin le? [jee-dyen lur] =\QW
oclock din zhng [dyen joong] ER
one oclock ydin (zhng) [yee-dyen] TYUIO
two oclock lingdin (zhng) [lyang-dyen] P{}qw
at one oclock ydin (zhng) [yee-dyen] ertyu
its one oclock ydin (zhng) iop[]
its two oclock lingdin (zhng) [lyang-dyen] ASDFG
its ten oclock shdin (zhng) [shur-dyen] HJKL:
five past one ydin wfn [yee-dyen woo-fun] "asd
ten past two lingdin shfn [lyang-dyen shur-fun] fghj
quarter past one ydin yk [yee-dyen yee-kur] kl;'
quarter past two lingdin yk [lyang-dyen yee-kur] ZXCV
half past two lingdin bn [bahn] ~!@
half past ten shdin bn [shur-dyen] #$%

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
Time / Numbers

twenty to one ydin ch rsh [yee-dyen chah er-shur] ^&*()


twenty to ten shdin ch rsh [shur-dyen] _+|`1
quarter to one ydin ch yk [yee-dyen chah yee-kur] 34567
quarter to two lingdin ch yk [lyang-dyen] 890-=
a.m. (early morning up to about 9) zoshang [dzow-shahng] \Q
(from about 9 till noon) shngw WE
p.m. (afternoon) xiw [hsyah-woo] RT
(evening) wnshang [wahn-shahng] YU
(night) yli [yur-lee] IO
2 a.m. lngchn lingdin [ling-chun lyang-dyen] ty}q
2 p.m. (14.00) xiw lingdin [hsyah-woo] wert
6 a.m. zoshang lidin [dzow-shahng lyoh-dyen] yuio
6 p.m. (18.00) wnshang lidin [wahn-shahng] p[]A
10 a.m. shngw shdin [shahng-woo shur-dyen] SDFG
10 p.m. wnshang shdin [wahn-shahng] HJKL
noon zhngw [joong-woo] :"
midnight bny [bahn-yur] as
hour xiosh [hsyow-shur] df
minute fn [fun] g
two minutes ling fnzhng [lyang fun-joong] hjk
second mio [myow] l
quarter of an hour y kzhng [kur-joong] ;'Z
half an hour bn xiosh [bahn hsyow-shur] XCV
three quarters of an hour sn kzhng [sahn kur-joong] BNM
nearly three oclock kui sn din le [kwai sahn dyen lur] <>?z

Numbers
See Measure Words on page 262.
0 lng
~
1 y [yee]
!
2 r, ling [lyang]
@
3 sn [sahn]
#
4 s [sur]
$
5 w
%
279

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
Numbers

280

6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
30
31
32
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
101
102
110
111
200
201
202
210

li [lyoh]
q [chee]
b [bah]
ji [jyoh]
sh [shur]
shy [shur-yee]
shr [shur-er]
shsn [shur-sahn]
shs [shur-sur]
shw [shur-woo]
shli [shur-lyoh]
shq [shur-chee]
shb [shur-bah]
shji [shur-jyoh]
rsh [er-shur]
rshy [er-shur-yee]
rshr [er-shur-er]
snsh [sahn-shur]
snshy [sahn-shur-yee]
snshr [sahn-shur-er]
ssh [sur-shur]
wsh [woo-shur]
lish [lyoh-shur]
qsh [chee-shur]
bsh [bah-shur]
jish [jyoh-shur]
ybi
ybi lng y
ybi lng r
ybi ysh [yee-shur]
ybi yshy [shur-yee]
rbi
rbi lng y
rbi lng r
rbi ysh [yee-shur]

^
&
*
(
)
_+
|`
12
34
56
78
90
-=
\Q
WE
RTY
UIO
P{
}qw
ert
yu
io
p[
]A
SD
FG
~!
@#$%
^&*(
)_+|
`1234
56
7890
-=\Q
WERT

snbi [sahn-bai]
yqin [yee-chyen]
lingqin [lyang-chyen]
sn qin [sahn chyen]
sqin [sur-chyen]
wqin [woo-chyen]
ywn [yee-wahn]
wwn
shwn [shur-wahn]
biwn
qanwn [chyen-wahn]
y y

YU
IO
P{
}q
we
rt
yu
io
p[
]A
SD
FG

When counting one, two, three and so on, y (one) is written and said with the first tone. In other situations, the fourth
tone is used:

one, two, three

ytio y
yee-tyow yoo

a fish

yk sh
yee-kur shoo

a tree

The exception to the above is if y is followed by a fourth tone,


in which case it changes to second tone:

yjin dngxi
yee-jyen doong-hshee

Numbers

y, r, sn
yee er sahn

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

300
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
10,000
50,000
100,000
1,000,000
10,000,000
100,000,000

an object

In number sequences yo is used for one instead of y, as in


the two examples below:

sn-r-w-yo-b
sahn-er-woo-yow-bah

32518
(phone number)

yoyoji
yow-yow-jyoh

number one hundred and nineteen


(room number)

There are two words for two in Chinese: r and ling. r is


used in counting or for phone, room or bus numbers:
281

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
Numbers

282

y, r, sn ...
yee er sahn

r ho
er how

r l ch
er loo chur

one, two three ...


number two
number two bus

(room, house etc)
r also occurs in compound numbers:
snshr [sahn-shur-er] thirty-two
Ling is similar to a couple in English and is used with measure words (see page 262):

lingwi pngyou
lyang-way pung-yoh

lingsu fngzi
lyang-swor fahng-dzur


two friends
two buildings
The numbers 11-19 are made up of sh (ten) followed by the
numbers y (one) to ji (nine):
shy
eleven
shr twelve
shsn thirteen
Multiples of ten are formed by adding the numbers two to
nine to sh (ten):
rsh twenty
snsh thirty
ssh forty
The numbers 21 to 29, 31-39 etc are formed by adding one to
nine to the above numbers rsh, snsh and so on:
rshy
twenty-one
sshq
forty-seven
bshw eighty-five
A similar pattern is used with bi (hundred), qin (thousand)
and wn (ten thousand):

sbi
sur-bai

sbi jish
sur-bai jyoh-shur

four hundred

four hundred and ninety

bbi ssh li
bah-bai sur-shur lyoh

qwn sqin bbi


chee-wahn sur-chyen bah-bai

eight hundred and forty-six


jiqin sbi qsh


jyoh-chyen sur-bai chee-shur

nine thousand four hundred


and seventy

seventy-four thousand eight



hundred
For numbers in the thousands and millions, sh, bi, qin and
wn are added to wn:

shwn
shur-wahn

biwn
bai-wahn

a hundred thousand

a million

qinwn
chyah-wahn

a hundred million

ybi lng sn
yee-bai ling sahn

yqin lng sn
yee-chyen ling sahn

y y

ten million
Lng (zero) is used when there are zeros in the middle of a
number sequence:

one hundred and three

yqin lng bsh


yee-chyen ling bah-shur

one thousand and three

Numbers

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

one thousand and eighty


Ordinals
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th

d y
d r
d sn [sahn]
d s [sur]
d w

HJ
KL
:"
as
df

6th
7th
8th
9th
10th

d li [lyoh]
d q [chee]
d b
d ji [jyoh]
d sh [shur]

gh
jk
l;
'Z
XC
283

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Conversion Tables
1 centimetre = 0.39 inches

1 inch = 2.54 cm

1 metre = 39.37 inches = 1.09 yards

1 foot = 30.48 cm

1 kilometre = 0.62 miles = 5/8 mile

1 yard = 0.91 m

1 mile = 1.61 km

km

miles
km

10

20

30

40

50 100

10

20

30

40

50 100

1.6 3.2 4.8 6.4 8.0 16.1 32.2 48.3 64.4 80.5 161

1 gram = 0.035 ounces

1 kilo = 1000 g = 2.2 pounds

1 oz = 28.35 g

100 250 500

C o n v e r s i o n Ta b l e s

oz

3.5 8.75 17.5

kg

0.5

lb

1.1 2.2 4.4 6.6 8.8 11.0 13.2 15.4 17.6 19.8 22.0

kg

20

30

40

lb

44

66

88 110 132 154 176 198 220

lb

0.5

kg

0.2 0.5 0.9 1.4 1.8 2.3 2.7 3.2 3.6 4.1 4.5 9.0

1 lb = 0.45 kg
3

50

60

70

80

10

90 100

10

20

1 litre = 1.75 UK pints / 2.13 US pints


1 UK pint = 0.57 l
1 US pint = 0.47 l

1 UK gallon = 4.55 l
1 US gallon = 3.79 l

centigrade / Celsius

C = (F - 32) x 5/9

-5

10

15

18

20

25

30 36.8 38

23

32

41

50

59

64

68

77

86 98.4 100.4

Fahrenheit

284

miles 0.6 1.2 1.9 2.5 3.1 6.2 12.4 18.6 24.8 31.0 62.1

F = (C x 9/5) + 32

23

32

40

50

60

65

70

80

85 98.4 101

-5

10

16

18

21

27

29 36.8 38.3

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781843 536352

I S B N 978-1-84353-635-2

50699
Distributed by

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