Lesson 010 Numbers: 6 7 8 9 10
Y: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Hi, everyone, glad to have you with us again on Chinese Studio. I’m Yajie.
C: Good morning, I’m Cam. Last time we learned some numbers. 0 líng, 1 yī, 2 èr, 3 sān, 4 sì, 5 wǔ, and what’s the topic this time?
Y: Today will learn the remaining numbers! Let’s check the Key words of the day!
*****************Key words of the day
This time we’ll learn five more numbers, and they are: 6 7 8 9 10. All in today’s Chinese Studio.
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C: Yajie, how do you say 6 and 7 in Chinese?
Y: 6 is liù, forth tone, liù. And 7 is qī, first tone. (starting to imitate the sound sent by a pan when the food’s boiling. )
C: liù, qī.
Y: Right, for example, you can say “六本书” or “七本书”。Běn is a measure word for books, and shū means book. So “六本书” “七本书”
C: 六本书 七本书。
C: Good, then what’s 8 and 9 in Chinese?
Y: 8 is bā. And 9 is jiǔ, third tone. bā , jiǔ.
C: bā, jiǔ. And what happens if we put these two the other way around, as in, jiu ba?
Y: That means bar! It’s a totally different word!
C: I will have to remember that!
Y: And you might go to the bar at 8 o’clock or 9 o’clock. 八点，九点。Diǎn means o’clock. 八点，eight o’clock 九点 nine o’clock。
C: 八点，九点．
C: OK, we have only 10 left. What’s 10?
Y: 10 is shí, second tone. Shí.
C: shí.
Y: Yeah, then how do you say “10 books” and “10 o’clock” in Chinese?
C: I see. It’s “十本书” and “十点”.
Y: Right, “十本书” “ 十点 ”.
****************Key words reminder
6 7 8 9 10，六本书， 七本书，八点，十点。
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Y: Now let’s review. Today we learned how to say another five more numbers in Chinese. And they are 6 7 8 9 10 (liù qī bā jiǔ shí).
C: 6 7 8…(liù qī bā). Sorry, I can’t follow you. 6 (liù) is six, and 7(qī) is seven, 8 (bā) is eight. How do you say nine and ten again?
Y: nine is 9 (jiǔ) in Chinese. 9 (jiǔ).
C: 9 (jiǔ).
Y: And ten is 10 (shí). The second tone, 10 (shí).
C: 10 (shí).
Y: Right. We also learned some phrases. How do you say six books?
C: Let me see. Is it六本书(liù běn shū)?
Y: Well done. It is 六本书. Then how do you say eight o’clock?
C: It’s八点(bā diǎn). 点(diǎn) here means o’clock.
Y: And nine o’clock is?
C: It’s九点. (jiǔ diǎn)
Y: What about ten o’clock?
C: Is it十点 (shí diǎn)?
Y: Yes. OK, that’s it for today. You can win a CRI gift by answering the question of the day: What time is it?
C: Yep, that’s quite easy. You can send us questions or comments to Chinese@crifm.com. That’s Chinese@crifm.com. Or you can visit us on our website at en.chinabroadcast.cn. Click learn Chinese, where you can enjoy other free Chinese-learning programs.
Y: Well class is over. 再见!
C: 再见!
Lesson 009 Numbers from 0 to 5 in Chinese
Yajie: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to this edition of Chinese Studio. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Good morning, I’m Cam.
Y: This week we’ll mainly focus on numbers, which you can use almost everyday in China.
C: Right, numbers are very important in our lives. We are going to start from the very beginning. Let’s check Key Words of the Day!
************** Key words of the day
Today we’ll learn how to say the numbers from 0 to 5 in Chinese. They are 0 1 2 3 4 5. 0 1 2 3 4 5. All in today’s Chinese Studio!
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Y: I have a question for you Cam. How many family members do you have?
C: There are 5.
Y: So, that’s 5口人 in Chinese. Wǔ is 5, the third tone. Wǔ. kǒu is a measure word for people. You know in Chinese there are lots of measure words for different nouns. And rén means people. So your family has 5口人, five people .
C: Yeah, then how many family members do you have, Yajie?
Y: My family has 4口人。Sì is 4, forth tone. 4 口人, 4 people.
C: Yajie, could you please tell me how long have you been here, in Beijng?
Y: 3 years. 3 年。 Sān is 3, and nión means year. 3年，three years. What about you? How many years have you been in Beijing?
C: One year.
Y: OK, in Chinese one year is 1 年。Yī means one, the first tone. But if it’s followed by a second tone syllable it should be changed to the forth tone. 1年(yì nián), one year. So it’s yi nian, instead of yi nian; remember we learned 一会儿 last week? it’s the same. Cam, Give it a try, 1年(yì nián)
C: 1年(yì nián)
C: Ok, we already have learned 1 3 4 5. Then how about the two remaining numbers, 0 and 2?
Y: 0 is líng, second tone. Ling;
C: líng.
Y: 2 is èr, forth tone. èr.
C: Er. Now we’ve learned all of the numbers from 0 to 5. Let’s put them together.
Y: They are: 0; 1; 2; 3; 4; 5. (in Chinese)
C: 0 1 2 3 4 5 (ling, yī, èr, sān, sì, wǔ). That sounds like a song. I’ll be able to start using these right away.
**********Key words reminder:
Today we’ve learned how to say the six basic numbers from 0 to 5 in Chinese. They are 0, zero; 1, one, 2, two, 3, three, 4, four, 5, five ; And also 5口人, five persons,； 4口人, four persons,； 3年, three years ； 1年, one year.
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Y: Well. That’s it for today. One more thing, you can win a gift by answering the question of the day: How do you say three in Chinese? Your answer can be written in pinyin or the Chinese alphabet. Of course it would be perfect if you could write Chinese characters.
C: Send us your answer to chinese@crifm.com. That’s chinese@crifm.com. If you answer the question correctly, you’ll be able to win CRI prizes! Also you are welcome to log on to the website, that’s en.chinabroadcast.cn. It’s available 24 hours a day.
Y: Well, class is over. 再见!
C: 再见!
Lesson 008 Revision of Saying Thanks
Yajie: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to Chinese Studio. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Hello, every one. I’m Cam. Time flies. We are already at the end of the week. That means it’s time for us to review what we’ve learned this week.
Yajie: This week we mainly focused on basic and useful sentences for saying thanks and goodbye. Let’s go over Sentences In The week.
***************Sentences in the Week
During this week we learnt very basic and useful sentences for saying thanks. Let’s go over them now!
谢谢你。Thank you. 非常感谢。Thank you very much. 不用谢。不客气。You are welcome. All in today’s Chinese Studio.
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Yajie: When you want to thank somebody for doing something for you. For instance, “Thank you for passing the salt.” Just say “谢谢” or “谢谢你”. 谢谢means “thank”, and 你 means “you”. Thank you. 谢谢你.
Cam: 谢谢你(xièxie nǐ).
Yajie: Cam, do you still remember the reply to 谢谢?
Cam: Yep. It’s不用谢. Bù yòng xiè! Or 不谢 (bú xiè).
Yajie: Great!
***************Sentences in the Week
Also we learnt a few popular expressions of saying goodbye. 再见, goodbye. 一会儿见, see you later. 明天见, see you tomorrow. 保重, take care. 我走了／打扰了，我走了。 哪里，您慢走。Time for me to leave.／以后再来啊。
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Yajie: We also learned how to say goodbye.
Cam: Yes, it’s 再见.
Yajie: Right. 再means again, 见means to see. Literally, 再见 means to see you again. 再见 Zàijiàn.
Cam:再见is suitable for any occasion, right?
Y: Yes, totally. But if you know you will see the person again soon, you can just say一会儿见. 一会儿means a while, so一会儿见means see you later.
Cam: 一会儿见. Yíhuìr jiàn.
A: 您好。请问，您是哪国人？
B: 你好。我是英国人。您是哪国人？
A:我是中国人。)
Yajie: Also learned a few more popular expressions of saying goodbye. 我走了。／打扰了，我走了。
Cam: 打扰了，我走了。(Dǎráo le, wǒ zǒu le. )
Yajie:The reply should be哪里，您慢走。哪里 has the meaning of where. Here it means that’s nothing. And this is the reply to your thanks. Usually the Chinese people would repeat by saying “哪里哪里”.
Cam: “哪里哪里”.
Cam: I’ve learned the two basic sentence structures. It’s a good start. Well, every one, you can win a CRI gift by answering the question of the day. This time please make a sentence with 是. (shi) You might even win CRI prizes!
Yajie: We also need to remind you again about our new email address. You can send us questions or comments to Chinese@crifm.com. That’s Chinese@crifm.com. Or you can visit us on our website at en.chinabroadcast.cn. Click learn Chinese, where you can enjoy other free Chinese-learning programs.
Cam: Well, class is over. This is Cam saying goodbye.
Yajie: This is Yajie, Hope you will join us tomorrow on China Radio International. 再见！
Lesson 007 I’m Going to Leave.
Y: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to Chinese Studio. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Hi, everyone, I’m Cam. This is a daily show that teaches Chinese at an elementary level. So if you are just learning, stay with us!
Y: Cam, today I’m to teach you a few more popular ways of saying goodbye. Are you excited?
Cam: Yeah, We learned a few last time… and there are other ways to say goodbye?
Y: Absolutely!. Now let’s check Key words of the day!
***************** Key words of the day
Today we’ll learn a few more popular expressions of saying goodbye. 我走了／打扰了，我走了。
哪里，您慢走。／以后再来啊。All in today’s Chinese Studio.
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Y: 我走了 means I’m going to leave. You remember 我? Wo. 我, I. 走, to go. Now （搞笑）please follow me to the pronunciation of 了. Le.
Cam: Le.
Y:了maybe a little difficult for you guys , so let’s learn more about it. We’ll first learn the most common usage of the 了. 了is used after a verb to indicate the completion of a real or expected action. Here, 了 indicates that you’ve finished visiting your friends. 我走了。
Cam: 我走了。(wǒ zǒu le)。
Y: If you want to show sincere thanks to your friend, you may add打扰了to 我走了。 打扰 means interruption or disturbance. However, here it does not really means you’ve disturbed your friends. Instead you are just expressing your thanks to them. Is it same in your country?
Cam: Sort of. In the west, we will often apologize for troubling someone as a way of saying thank you. But it is not that common anymore. Mostly, we say sorry for disturbing you if we have actually disturbed them!
Cam: Yajie, what’s the response to打扰了，我走了? (Dǎráo le, wǒ zǒu le. )
Y: The reply should be哪里，您慢走。哪里 originally means where. Here, it means it’s nothing, no problem. And this is the reply to your thanks. Usually the Chinese people would repeat by saying “哪里哪里”.
Cam: “哪里哪里 (nǎli nǎli)”.
您, you. We learnt this last week. 您 is the polite form of saying “你”. 慢走, walk slowly, or take care on your way back home. The pronunciation of 慢is similar to that of the English word “man”, the fourth tone. 走, to walk.
***************Key Words Reminder:
我走了／打扰了，我走了。
哪里，您慢走。
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Y: Some Chinese may also say以后再来啊。This means do visit us again in the future. 以后, in the future. 再, again. 来, to come back. 以后再来啊。
Cam: 以后再来啊。This reflects the hospitality of the Chinese. Ok, we may call it a day. Well everyone, you can win a CRI gift by answering the question of the day: What’s the reply to 我走了(wǒ zǒu le )? Please make a sentence in pinyin, or English if you like. Well, yajie, it seems that we have a little problem with our original e-mail address, so will you tell our listeners what the new one is?
Y: Sure. Our new address is chinese@crifm.com. That’s chinese@crifm.com. If you submit the correct answer to the correct e-mail box, you’ll win CRI prizes! Also you are welcome to log on our website: http://en.chinabroadcast.cn, where you can listen to program online, and enjoy free Chinese-learning program.
Cam: Well, class is over. This is Cam saying goodbye for now!
Y: And this is Yajie from Beijing. Hope you’ll join us tomorrow on China Radio International. 再见！
Lesson 006 Goodbye
Y: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to Chinese Studio, an elementary Chinese learning program on China Radio International. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Hi again everyone, I’m Cam. Hi Yajie, 你好吗？
Y: 我很好，谢谢。
Cam: Yajie, one of my Canadian friends has been visiting, and he is going back to Canada tomorrow. How do I say goodbye?
Y: Well, let’s find out in key words of the day!
***************** Key words of the day
Today we’ll learn a few of popular expressions of saying goodbye. 再见, goodbye. 一会儿见, see you later. 明天见, see you tomorrow. 保重, take care. All in today’s Chinese Studio.
*************
Cam: My best friend Keith is leaving tomorrow. He is catching a flight in the afternoon and I will be seeing him off at the airport. What should I say?
Y: I believe the first thing you need to learn is goodbye. In Chinese, goodbye is 再见. 再is again, 见is see. Literally, 再见 is to see you again. 再见 Zàijiàn.
Cam: 再见. Is it suitable for any occasion?
Y: Yes, totally. But if you know you will see him or her soon, you can say一会儿见instead of再见. 一会儿means a while, so一会儿见means see you later. It’s used very often.
Cam: 一会儿见 Yìhuǐ’erjiàn. The pronunciation is so hard for me.
Y: It’s okay. Let me explain. You know “一” means one. The first tone “一” should be changed to yì, the fourth tone, when you put it in front of a third tone.会。 Yi hui’er jian.
Cam: That makes sense. 一会儿见. See you later. I need to practice this. And what about “See you tomorrow.”
Y: Here it is. 明天见. 明天is tomorrow. So, see you tomorrow.
Cam: Yajie, I don’t want my friend to go back to Canada. I’ll miss him. He is one of my best friends.
Yajie: Poor Cam. I’m sure you will see him again very soon. I bet he had a fun time in Beijing.
Cam: Yes, it was great. But tell me how to say, “take care” in Chinese.
Yajie: It’s保重. Take care, 保重, bǎozhòng. 保is like your Chinese name, Yuan Bao.
Cam: Yeah, that will be easy to remember! 保重。
Y: 谢谢，再见。
***************Key Words Reminder:
再见, goodbye.一会儿见, see you later. 明天见, see you tomorrow. 保重, take care.
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Y: You know there’s another useful saying, which is 一路顺风，Have a nice trip!
Cam: Is it common?
Y: Yes, but it’s probably not suitable to say it when your friend is catching a plane. That’s because in Chinese,一路顺风literally means “sail with the wind”. But if you are taking a plane, too much wind might cause turbulence! So it’s probably not best to say at the airport.
Cam: Thanks for the advice.
Y: You are welcome. 不客气
Cam: Ok, that’s it for today but one more important thing, you could win a gift by answering the question of the day: How many ways are there to say good-bye in Chinese?
Y: Send us your answer to chinesestudio@crifm.com. That’s chinesestudio@crifm.com. If you answer the question correctly, you’ll be able to win CRI prizes! Also you are welcome to log on the website, that’s en.chinabroadcast.cn, then you can learn Chinese whenever you want.
Cam: Well, class is over. This is Cam saying goodbye for now!
Y: And this is Yajie. Hope you’ll join us tomorrow on China Radio International. Bye.
Y: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to Chinese Studio, an elementary Chinese learning program on China Radio International. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Hi again everyone, I’m Cam. Hi Yajie, 你好吗？
Y: 我很好，谢谢。
Cam: Yajie, one of my Canadian friends has been visiting, and he is going back to Canada tomorrow. How do I say goodbye?
Y: Well, let’s find out in key words of the day!
***************** Key words of the day
Today we’ll learn a few of popular expressions of saying goodbye. 再见, goodbye. 一会儿见, see you later. 明天见, see you tomorrow. 保重, take care. All in today’s Chinese Studio.
*************
Cam: My best friend Keith is leaving tomorrow. He is catching a flight in the afternoon and I will be seeing him off at the airport. What should I say?
Y: I believe the first thing you need to learn is goodbye. In Chinese, goodbye is 再见. 再is again, 见is see. Literally, 再见 is to see you again. 再见 Zàijiàn.
Cam: 再见. Is it suitable for any occasion?
Y: Yes, totally. But if you know you will see him or her soon, you can say一会儿见instead of再见. 一会儿means a while, so一会儿见means see you later. It’s used very often.
Cam: 一会儿见 Yìhuǐ’erjiàn. The pronunciation is so hard for me.
Y: It’s okay. Let me explain. You know “一” means one. The first tone “一” should be changed to yì, the fourth tone, when you put it in front of a third tone.会。 Yi hui’er jian.
Cam: That makes sense. 一会儿见. See you later. I need to practice this. And what about “See you tomorrow.”
Y: Here it is. 明天见. 明天is tomorrow. So, see you tomorrow.
Cam: Yajie, I don’t want my friend to go back to Canada. I’ll miss him. He is one of my best friends.
Yajie: Poor Cam. I’m sure you will see him again very soon. I bet he had a fun time in Beijing.
Cam: Yes, it was great. But tell me how to say, “take care” in Chinese.
Yajie: It’s保重. Take care, 保重, bǎozhòng. 保is like your Chinese name, Yuan Bao.
Cam: Yeah, that will be easy to remember! 保重。
Y: 谢谢，再见。
***************Key Words Reminder:
再见, goodbye.一会儿见, see you later. 明天见, see you tomorrow. 保重, take care.
***************
Y: You know there’s another useful saying, which is 一路顺风，Have a nice trip!
Cam: Is it common?
Y: Yes, but it’s probably not suitable to say it when your friend is catching a plane. That’s because in Chinese,一路顺风literally means “sail with the wind”. But if you are taking a plane, too much wind might cause turbulence! So it’s probably not best to say at the airport.
Cam: Thanks for the advice.
Y: You are welcome. 不客气
Cam: Ok, that’s it for today but one more important thing, you could win a gift by answering the question of the day: How many ways are there to say good-bye in Chinese?
Y: Send us your answer to chinesestudio@crifm.com. That’s chinesestudio@crifm.com. If you answer the question correctly, you’ll be able to win CRI prizes! Also you are welcome to log on the website, that’s en.chinabroadcast.cn, then you can learn Chinese whenever you want.
Cam: Well, class is over. This is Cam saying goodbye for now!
Y: And this is Yajie. Hope you’ll join us tomorrow on China Radio International. Bye.
Lesson 005 Thank You
Y: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to this edition of Chinese Studio. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Hi, everyone, I’m Cam. This daily show will teach Chinese at the elementary level, which is very appropriate, considering I’m just starting to learn myself! Hi Yajie, thank you for inviting me to the French Movie Show. I love it!
Y: You are welcome. I’m happy you enjoyed it.
Cam: Yajie, I have a question. How to say “Thank you” in Chinese?
Y: That’s just what I want to tell you today. Now let’s check Key words of the day!
***************** Key words of the day
Today we’ll learn a few of popular expressions of saying thanks. 谢谢你。Thank you. 非常感谢。Thank you very much. 不用谢。不客气。You are welcome. All in today’s Chinese Studio.
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Y: When you want to thank somebody for doing something for you. For instance, “Thank you for passing me the salt.” Just say “谢谢” or “谢谢你”, which has the same order as that of in English. 谢谢means “thank”, and 你 means “you”. Thank you. 谢谢你.
Cam: 谢谢你(xièxie nǐ), Yajie. 谢谢你for teaching me how to say “Thank you”. Is it right?
Y: Absolutely! And the response should be不用谢. You are welcome.
Cam: 不用谢. Bù yòng xiè!
Y: Yes. You can get the pronunciation of 不 by deleting the “sh” from the English word “bush”. And then you will get 不(bù). 不用谢. Literally it means “Don’t thank”, 不用is “There’s no need to…”, and 谢 is “Thank”. So the whole sentence has the meaning of “Don’t mention it.” But I think one thing is important. And that is the pronunciation of不 would be changed to bú, the second tone, when it’s put in front of the one that has the fourth tone.
Cam: Interesting! So it is不用bú yòng instead of bù yòng?
Y:Correctly!
Cam: Yajie, can I say不谢 (bú xiè)?
Y: Yes, it’s more casual to say 不谢than不用谢 in daily life. It’s just like “Welcome” is the short form of “You are welcome.” in English. So today we will learn the negative form of verb. Simply just need to put不 in front of the verb谢, 不谢.
Cam: 谢谢你(xièxie nǐ)。
Y: 不用谢。
Y: There is another way to say “Thank you”. 感谢 is the formal way of谢谢. It’s widely used in writing. For example, 感谢你.
Cam: 感谢你. Thank you.
Y: When you want to show your great appreciation to somebody. The proper saying is非常感谢. Thank you very much. 非常 is an adverb, which means “very”, “quite”.
Cam: 非常感谢. But the order of the words is different from that of in English.
Y: Yes, very much thank you. 非常感谢.
***************Key Words Reminder:
谢谢你。Thank you. 非常感谢。Thank you very much. 不用谢。You are welcome.
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Y: Also you can say不客气 as the reply to 谢谢. And it’s another way of saying “You are welcome”. 不客气. 客气 is courteous, so不客气 means “Don’t be so polite.”
Cam: 不客气.
Y: Great. Hope it will be useful.
Cam: Thanks. Certainly it will. Well, every one. That’s it for today. One more important thing, you can win a gift by answering the question of the day: How to show your great appreciation to people in Chinese? You can make a sentence. If it’s difficult for you to write Chinese characters, the Chinese alphabet or pinyin will also do.
Y: Send us your answer to chinesestudio@crifm.com. That’s chinesestudio@crifm.com. If you submit the correct answer, you’ll win CRI prizes! Also you are welcome to log on our website: http://en.chinabroadcast.cn, where you can listen to program online, and enjoy free Chinese-learning program.
Cam: Well, class is over. This is Cam saying goodbye for now!
Y: And this is Yajie. Hope you’ll join us tomorrow on China Radio International. Bye.
(Source CRI)
Lesson 004 Revision of Greetings
Yajie: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to Chinese Studio, a brand new Chinese learning program on China Radio International. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Hello, every one. I’m Cam. Time goes so quickly that we are already at the end of the week. It’s time for us to review what we’ve learnt this week.
Yajie: Well. During the week we learnt two very important sentence structures. One is declarative sentence，and another is interrogative sentence. These two are very basic. Let’s first go over some sentences.
***************Sentences in the Week
During this week we learnt very basic and useful sentences for greetings. Let’s go over them now!
你好, Cam。你好, Pingping。您好，Director. 你好。Hi, Cam, 你好吗？我很好。谢谢！
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Yajie: 是(shì) means am, is and are in English. There is no need to consider the time change or the form of the subject, no matter single or plural, or the first person or the second person. 是(shì) is the symbol of a declarative sentence.
Cam: 我的名字是Yuanbao。(Wǒ de míngzi shì Yuanbao.) My Chinese name is Yuanbao. 我是加拿大人。(Wǒ shì Jiānádà rén.) I’m Canadian.
(converstation：你好, Cam。你好, Pingping。您好，Director. 你好。Hi, Cam, 你好吗？我很好。谢谢！)
***************Sentences in the Week
Also we learnt how to introduce one to another and deliver the self- introduction.
您好，请问，您叫什么名字？/您好。您是哪国人？我是英国人。
你好，我叫Yuanbao，是加拿大人。我来自加拿大(Wǒ láizì Jiānádà).
你好, 我是Yajie，中国人。这位是Lucy, 来自美国。
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Yajie: 吗 indicates that the sentence belongs to the interrogative kind. Like a question mark, 吗 is a sign of a question in Chinese. You can say你好吗？to your friends and other people you’ve already known.
Cam: 你好吗 ( nǐ hǎo ma?), Yajie？
Yajie: 我很好。谢谢。Now comes the sentence您叫什么名字？What’s your name? 什么, what. 名字, name. 您好，您叫什么名字？
Cam: 我的名字是Yuanbao。您叫什么名字？
Yajie: 我的名字是Yajie。
Yajie: The last important sentence we’d like to stress is您是哪国人？您是哪国人？Literally, you are from which country? 哪, where. 哪. it’s the third tone. 国is short for the word 国家, country. 人, person. 您是哪国人？
Cam: 我是加拿大人(Wǒ shì Jiānádà rén). 我来自加拿大(Wǒ láizì Jiānádà). 您是哪国人？
Yajie: 我是中国人。我, I. 是, am. 中国人, Zhōngguó rén, Chinese.
Cam: I’ve learnt the two basic sentence structures. It’s a good beginning. Well, every one, remember? You can win a CRI gift by answering the question. This time please make a sentence with 是. It must be easy for you. And hope you are lucky to win a CRI gift.
Yajie: You can e-mail us at chinesestudio@crifm.com. That’s chinesestudio@crifm.com. Or you can log on our website, that’s en.chinabroadcast.cn. Click learn Chinese, where you can enjoy other free Chinese-learning programs, and raise your questions online. There we have prestigious experts ready to answer your questions.
Cam: Well, class is over. This is Cam saying goodbye.
Yajie: This is Yajie, Hope you join us tomorrow on China Radio International. See you then.
(Source CRI)
Lesson 003 What’s Your Name?
Yajie: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to Chinese Studio, a brand new Chinese learning program on China Radio International. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Hello, every one. I’m Cam. This daily show will teach Chinese at an elementary level. Yajie, last time we learned how to introduce ourselves and our friends. Now I’m wondering how to ask one’s name, nationality or where they are from?
Yajie: Well. In order to solve these problems, first let’s listen to” Key Words of the day”.
***************Key Words of the Day
您好，请问，您叫什么名字？/您好。您是哪国人？我是英国人。
***************
Yajie: In our previous programs we learnt how to pronounce the Chinese character 你 (nǐ), which is similar to the English word knee, k n e e , but 你is the third tone. today we’ll teach you another one: 您. Just add an “n” after 你 (nǐ). 您, the second tone. Cam? Can u say it?
Cam: 您.
Yajie: good . 您 is the polite form of你. As we know that China is renowned for its protocol and politeness.您好，请问，您贵姓？How are you? May I ask your name please? 请 means please. 问means ask, which is similar to the English word when.
Cam: 您好，请问? 请has the third tone, 请. And问 is the fourth tone, right?
Yajie: Exactly. 您叫什么名字？What’s your name? 什么, what. 名字, name.
Yajie: 您叫什么名字？What’s your name? 什么, what. 名字, name.
Conversation 1 Ms Lee is on the phone, looking for a manager of a company. The manager’s secretary answers the phone.
小姐，您好。请问，您贵姓？你好。我姓李。
Conversation 2 in the hotel a waitress is asking for the guest’s name
先生，您好。请问您叫什么名字？
你好。我叫大卫。
Cam: Yajie, Can I ask one’s nationality in Chinese?
Yajie: Listen Carefully: 您好。您是哪国人？Literally means hello, you are from which country?
哪, where. 哪. The pronunciation of哪 is similar to the latter part of the English name Tina. But in Chinese it’s the third tone. 国is short for the word 国家, country. 人, person. 您好。您是哪国人？cam, it’s your turn.
Cam: 您好。您是哪国人？
***************Key Words Reminder:
您好，请问，您贵姓？Hello. Please may I ask your name?/您好。您是哪国人？我是英国人。Hello. Could you please tell me where you are from? I’m British. /您好，您是哪儿的人？Hello. Where you are from?
***************
Cam: Thank you, Yajie. I think I can now introduce myself and my Chinese friends and ask a couple of simple questions. Well , you can win a CRI gift by answering the question: 您好。您是哪国人？If you couldn’t write Chinese characters, the Chinese alphabet or pinyin will also do.
Yajie: You can e-mail us at chinesestudio@crifm.com. That’s chinesestudio@crifm.com. Or you can log on our website, that’s en.chinabroadcast.cn. Click learn Chinese, where you can enjoy other free Chinese-learning programs, and raise your questions online. There we have prestigious experts ready to answer your questions.
Cam: Well, class is over. This is Cam saying goodbye.
Yajie: This is Yajie, Hope you join us tomorrow on China Radio International. See you then.
(Source CRI
Lesson 002 Introductions
Y: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to Chinese Studio, a brand new Chinese learning program on China Radio International. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Hello, everyone, I’m Cam. It’s good to be back. This daily show will teach Chinese at the elementary level, which is perfect for me, because I’m just learning Chinese myself! Now Yajie, last time we learnt greetings. What’s today’s topic?
Y: After you’ve greeted someone, you are supposed to introduce yourself, or introduce your friends. This is done in English too, right?
Y: It sure it!. Let’s check Key words of the day!
***************** Key words of the day
Today we’ll learn a few of popular introduction expressions. 你好，我叫Yuanbao，是加拿大人。你好,我是Yajie，中国人。这位是Lucy, 来自美国。All in today’s Chinese Studio.
*************
Y: Introductions happen between two people who meet for the first time. It can also happen among three happen or more. In this case, the person will introduce his or her friends as well. Let’s first learn how to introduce yourself. 你好,我是Yajie，中国人。
Cam: 你好(nǐ hǎo)，我叫(wǒ jiào)Yuanbao，是加拿大人(shì Jiānádà rén)。
Y: First you can say your name, and then your nationality. 我是Yajie. Wo shi Yajie. Wo, I. Shi, is. 加拿大人, Canadian. Wo is the same as “wo hen hao” – I’m very good, that we learned last week. Wo is in the third tone. Wǒ.
Cam: Wǒ.
Y: 是(shì) is equal to the meaning of “be” in English, but there is no change of time. You can just use it. There is no need to consider the time change or the form of the subject, no matter the single or plural, or the first person or the second person.
Cam: Does that mean I can say “你是中国人吗” (nǐ shì Zhōngguó rén ma)?
Y: Yes. Of course you can. Now let me explain how to express one’s nationality. You can put the name of the country in front of the Chinese character 人. For instance, you can say 美国人, American. 美国, Měiguó, America. 加拿大人, Jiānádà rén, Canadian. 加拿大, Canada. 中国人, Zhōngguó rén, Chinese.
Y: There are two ways of expressing the nationality of the person. You can say我是加拿大人(wǒ shì Jiānádà rén), Wǒ shì Jiānádà rén. Or you can say. 我来自加拿大, Wǒ láizì Jiānádà. I’m from Canada. 来自, from.
Cam: (repeat) 来自. (láizì). 我是加拿大人(Wǒ shì Jiānádà rén). 我来自加拿大(Wǒ láizì Jiānádà).
(conversation)
Cam: Yajie, do you know how to introduce one to another? For example, suppose you and Lucy are with me. How can I introduce Lucy to you?
Y: Well, you can say “这位是Lucy, 来自美国”. 这位, this one. Zhè wèi, or you can say zhèi wèi.
Cam: It seems easy. How should Lucy continue with the conversation?
Y: Then Lucy can deliver the self-introduction. So does the other person.
Cam: OK. I see.
*********** Key words reminder:
你好，我叫Yuanbao，是加拿大人。Hello, my Chinese name is Yuanbao. I’m from Canada. 你好, 我是Yajie，中国人。Hi, I’m Yajie. I’m Chinese. 这位是Lucy, 来自美国。This is Lucy, from America. 来自 is a preposition word, meaning from.
***********
Cam: Yajie, do you know how to introduce my parents to my friends?
Yajie: Well, when you introduce your parents to your friends you can say 这是我爸爸和妈妈。爸爸, papa, 妈妈, mum. 和means and. Can you repeat?
Cam: 这是我爸爸和妈妈。Zhè shì wǒ bàba hé māma.
Yajie: Great! Hopefully you’ll find this useful! I hear your parents are visiting soon, so maybe you’ll be able to practice!
Cam: Yes, thanks for the lesson Yajie! Well, that’s it for today. One more important thing, you can win a gift by answering the question of the day: How do you express the nationality of a person in Chinese? You can make a sentence.
Y:Send us your answer to chinesestudio@crifm.com. That’s chinesestudio@crifm.com. If you submit the correct answer, you’ll win CRI prizes! Also you are welcome to log on our website: http://en.chinabroadcast.cn, where you can listen to program online, and enjoy free Chinese-learning program.
Cam: Well, class is over. This is Cam saying goodbye for now!
Y: And this is Yajie. Hope you’ll join us tomorrow on China Radio International. Bye.
(Source CRI)
Lesson 001 Greetings
Y: Perfect Chinese your way, in only five minutes a day. Welcome to Chinese Studio, a brand new Chinese learning program on China Radio International. I’m Yajie.
Cam: Hi, everyone, I’m Cam. This daily show will teach Chinese at the elementary level, which is very appropriate, considering I’m just starting to learn myself! Hi Yajie, may I have the honour of suggesting our first topic?
Cam: Sorry… I was kidding. I guess it’s too soon for that! In fact, the first thing I wanna learn is all about greetings. How to say hello?
Y: I think it is also where most foreigners want to start learning Chinese. Now let’s check Key words of the day!
***************** Key words of the day
Today we’ll learn a few of popular expressions of greeting. 你好, Cam。你好, ..。您好，Director. 你好。Hi, Cam, 你好吗？我很好。谢谢！All in today’s Chinese Studio.
*************
Y: In Chinese there are several different ways to say hello. The most popular expression is 你好。It means ‘hi’ or ‘hello’ and can be used at any time, on any occasion and by anybody. It can be used on either a stranger or a person you’ve already known.
Cam: When somebody says你好 to you, what should you reply?
(converstation)
Y: Right, your reply should be same – 你好. 你 means ‘you’. 好 means ‘good’. Together ‘you- good’: 你好。
Cam: The pronunciation of 你 is similar to that of the English word ‘knee’, and好 similar to ‘how’.
Y: But the tone is totally different. That’s because Chinese is a tonal language. It has four basic tones.
Cam: That’s what I always have a problem with. It’s so confusing!
Y: Don’t worry. We’ll have plenty chances to practice the tones in the future.
Cam: 你好 means ‘Hi, hello’. Actually ‘Hi’ is also used in Chinese to make a greeting. So when you forget how to say hello in Chinese, it still works if you say 嗨. The reply can be same.
Y: 嗨can be used on anybody, at any time, like 你好. And both of them are very causal expressions. So when greeting someone older, or, in a formal manner, we usually say Nin Hao. Nin is the polite form of 你。
Y: Of course, after you say Nin Hao, you won’t expect the same words as a reply. Actually the reply can be 你好, or simply a nod.
C: If you want to greet somebody you have already known, you can also say 你好吗？Remember, like the English expression ‘How are you?’, it’s only used on acquaintances.
Y: 你好吗？How are you? It’s 你好 plus吗. Like a question mark, 吗 is a sign of a question in Chinese.
Cam: In a reply to 你好吗?, we usually say我很好. I’m very well.
Y: 我 is I, 很 means ‘very’, and 好 is ‘good’, remember? So word for word, 我很好 means ‘I – very good.’
C: 你好吗, Yajie？
Y: 我很好. 谢谢！Thanks. 谢谢！
*********** Key words reminder:
Hi, 你好, is the most popular greeting that can be used at any time, on any occasion and by anybody. 您好, also means hello. It’s a more polite expression you can use when meeting someone older. 你好吗？is what you can use on somebody you have already known.
*********
C: In fact there are in China some special ways to say hello, which may confuse we foreigners if we don’t know the local culture.
Y: Yes. For instance, ‘你吃了吗’ – ‘have you eaten’ . You’ll hear this very very often in Beijing. But never be serious to answer ‘Yes, I’ve eaten blah blah blah at my dinner.’ Don’t play fool.
C: In fact, ‘你吃了吗’ – Have you eaten? – is simply a casual greeting like 你好. It’s like we Canadians always talk about weather in our daily greetings. But this doesn’t mean we’re all meteorologists. Got it?
Cam: Well, that’s it for today. One more important thing, you can win a gift by answering the question of the day: What’s the difference between 你好 and 您好?
Y: Send us your answer to chinesestudio@crifm.com. That’s chinesestudio@crifm.com. If you submit the correct answer, you’ll be eligible to win CRI prizes!
Cam: Well, class is over. This is Cam saying goodbye for now!
Y: And this is Yajie. Hope you’ll join us tomorrow on China Radio International. Bye for now.
(Source CRI)