Mandarin Chinese
phrase sheet

China has many languages and dialects. Mandarin is the most widely used and is considered the national spoken language.

Tone pronunciation

Mandarin Chinese uses 4 tones to differentiate words (see key below). Using them is essential for avoiding misunderstandings. For example, the world "ma" has four distinct meanings, depending on the tone you use.

Ma =  Mother
Ma =  Linen/hemp
Ma =  Horse
Ma = To curse

You wouldn't want to call someone's
mother a horse.

Hello
ni hao  kneehow

Goodbye
zaijian  zyejeeahn

---

Thank you
xie xie ni  shehshehknee

You're welcome
bu ke qi  bookehchee

Please
qing  cheeng

Excuse me
dui bu qi  dwayboochee

---

My name is...
wo jiao  wahjao("a" as in "father")

How much?
duo shao  dahshao (rhymes with "cow")

I don't understand
wo bu dong  wahboodohng

---

Yes
shi  she

No
bu shi  booshe

One
yi  yee

Two
er  ehr

Three
san  sahn

---

List and phonetics ©2013 HQP /hillmanwonders.com

---

Mandarin Chinese
insights

Mandarin is the spoken language of Beijing and surrounding areas.

It is difficult for foreigners to speak because it is a tonal language.

The words in black non-bold type in the glossary above are the Pinyin spelling ("ni hao" for instance). It converts Chinese characters into Roman letters. The system was created for the benefit of non-Chinese speaking foreigners.

Some of the street and other signs in big cities use Pinyin in small type under the Chinese characters.

Print this page to take with you on your next trip to China.

Learn these helpful
China tips and insights

Wonders of China - Top 10 rankings
China Wonder location map
Chinese cuisine guide
Basic Chinese phrases with pronunciations

 

CNTO

 

World's Top 100 Wonders
World's Top 1000 Wonders

Site map
My credentials
About my website and criteria
Reader testimonials