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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 5
Basic Phrases 8
Scenarios 13
English - Chinese  31

Chinese - English 175

Chinese - English: Signs and Notices 211

Menu Reader
Food �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓 227
Drink �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓 243

How the Language Works

Pronunciation; Pinyin �����������������������������������尓��������������������������������� 249
Tones �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓����������������������������������� 252
Abbreviations �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓��������������� 254
General; Nouns �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓����������� 255
Articles; Adjectives �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓�� 256
Adverbs �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓����������������������������� 259
Pronouns �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓������������������������� 260
Possessives �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓������������������ 261
Measure Words �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓���������� 262
Verbs �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓����������������������������������� 265
Sentence Particles �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓��� 270
Questions �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓������������������������ 271
Prepositions �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓������������������ 273
Yes and No �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓��������������������� 275
Imperatives �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓�������������������� 276
Dates; Days �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓������������������� 277
Months; Time �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓��������������� 278
Numbers �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓��������������������������� 279
Conversion Tables �����������������������������������尓������������������������������������尓���� 284


Introduction

BASICS
T 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, there’s a sec-

■
tion called Basic Phrases and to get you involved in two-way
communication, the Rough Guide includes, in this new edition,

Introduction
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. You’ll also find here other essentials
like numbers, dates, telling the time and basic phrases. The Chinese-
English section is in two parts: a dictionary, arranged phonetically,
of all the words and phrases you’re 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), it’s indispensable
whether you’re eating out, stopping for a quick drink, or brows-
ing through a local food market.
~!@#
yílù shùnfēng!
have a good trip!

 Basic
Phrases
 Basic Phrases
B A S I C P H R A SES
yes goodbye/see you!
shìde zàijiàn
shur-dur dzai-jyen
~! +|
no see you later
bù huítóujiàn
boo hway-toh-jyen
@ `12
OK
n

hăo please
how
Basic Phrases

qĭng
# ching
3
hello yes, please
ní hăo hăo, xièxie
nee how how hsyeh-hsyeh
$% 456
good morning could you please‑...?
nĭ zăo qĭng nínâ•‚..., hăo ma?
nee dzow ching nin ... how mah
^& 78 ..., \QW
good evening thank you
nĭ hăo xièxie
ni how hsyeh-hsyeh
*( ER
good night thank you very much
wăn’ān duōxiè
wahn-ahn dwor-hsyeh
)_ TY


no, thank you excuse me/sorry

B A S I C P H R A SES
xièxie, wŏ bú yào duìbuqĭ
hsyeh-hsyeh wor boo yow dway-boo-chee
UIOP{ hjk
don’t mention it sorry?/pardon me?
bú kèqi nĭ shuō shénme?
boo kur-chee shwor shun-mur
}we l;'ZX
how do you do?
nĭ hăo I see/I understand

n
ni how wŏ míngbai le
rty wor ming-bai lur

Basic Phrases
how are you? CVBN
nĭ hăo ma? I don’t understand
mah wŏ bù dŏng
uiop M<>
fine, thanks do you speak English?
hén hăo, xièxie nín huì jiăng Yīngyŭ ma?
hun how hsyeh-hsyeh hway jyang ying-yew mah
[]AS ?zxcvbn
nice to meet you I don’t speak‑Chinese
jiàndào nĭ hĕn gāoxìng wŏ búhuì jiăng Hànyŭ
jyen-dow nee hun gow-hsing wor boo-hway hahn-yew
DFGHJK ~!@#$%
could you speak more slowly?
excuse me (to get past) qĭng shuō màn yìdiănr
láojià ching shwor mahn yee-dyenr
low-jyah ^&*()_
()
could you repeat that?
(to get attention) qĭng nĭ zài shuō yíbiàn, hăo
láojià, qĭng wènâ•‚... ma?
ching wun ching nee dzai shwor yee-byen how
()fg mah
+|`123456

Scenarios
1. Accommodation

Scenarios  Chinese
is there an inexpensive hotel you can recommend?
a nÇ kĕyÇ gĕi wŏ tuījiàn yīge búguì de fàndiàn ma?
[nee kur-yee gay wor tway-jyen yee-gur boo-gway dur fahn-dyen mah]

duìbuqÇ, hăoxiàng shì dōu mănle b

[dway-boo-chee, how-hsiang shur doh mahn-lur]
I’m sorry, they all seem to be fully booked

can you give me the name of a good middle-range hotel?

a nÇ kĕyÇ gĕi wŏ tuījiàn yīge zhōngjí fàndiàn ma?
[nee kur-yee gay wor tway-jyen yee-gur joong-jee fahn-dyen mah]

wŏ lái kànkan, nÇ xiăng zài shìzhōngxīn 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 rúguŏ kĕyÇ de huà
[roo-gwor kur-yee dur hwah]

rúguŏ lí shìzhōngxīn shāo yuăn yīdiănr, kĕyÇ 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 wŏ bù xiăng tài yuăn
[wor boo hsyang tai yew-ahn]

where is it on the map?

a nÇ kĕyÇ zài dìtúshang gĕi wŏ zhÇyīxià ma?
[nee kur-yee dzai dee-too shahng gay wor` jur-yee-hsyah mah]

can you write the name and address down?

a nÇ kĕyÇ gĕi wŏ bă míngzi hé dìzhÇ xiĕxiàlái ma?
[nee kur-yee gay wor bah dee-jur hsyeh-hsyah-lai mah]

I’m looking for a room in a private house

a wŏ xiăng zhù sīrén fáng
[wor hsyang joo sur-run fahng]

13
 2. Banks
Scenarios  Chinese

bank account yínháng zhànghù [yin-hahng jahng-hoo]

to change money huàn qián [hwahn-chyen]
cheque zhīpiào [jur-pyow]
to deposit cúnqián [tsun-chyen]
pin number gèrén mìmă [gur-run mee-mah]
pound yīngbàng [ying-bahng]
renminbi rénmínbì [run-min-bee]
to withdraw qŭqián [chew-chyen]

can you change this into renminbi?

a qÇng nín gĕi wŏ huànchéng rénmínbì, kĕyÇ ma?
[ching nin gay wor hwahn-chung run-min-bee, kur-yee mah]
nín yào shénme yàng de chāopiào? b
[nin yoh shun-mur yang dur chow-pyow]
how would you like the money?
small notes big notes
a xiăo chāopiào a dà chāopiào
[hsyow chow-pyow] [da chow-pyow]
do you have information in English about opening an account?
a nÇmen yŏu guānyú kāizhàng de yīngyŭ yìnshuāpÇn ma?
[nee-mun yoh gwahn-yew kai-jahng dur ying-yew yin-shwah-pin mah]
a yŏu, nín xiăng kāi năzhŏng zhànghù? I’d like a current account
[yoh, nee hsyang kai nah-chung jahng-hoo] huóqī cúnkuăn b
yes what sort of account do you want? [hwor-chee tsun-kwahn]
qÇng gĕi wŏ kàn yīxià nínde hùzhào b
[ching gay wor kahn yee-hsyah neen-dur hoo-jow]
your passport, please
can I use this card to draw some cash?
a kĕyÇ yòng zhège kă qŭ xiànjīn ma?
[kur-yee yoong jur-gur kah chew hsyan-jin mah]
nÇ dĕi dào chūnàyuán nàr qù b
[nee day dow choo-nah-yew-ahn nahr chew]
you have to go to the cashier’s desk
I want to transfer this to my account at the Bank of China
a wŏ xiăng bă qián zhuăndào wŏ zài Zhōnguó yínháng de zhànghù
shang qù
[wor hsyang bah chyen jwahn-dow wor dzai chung-gwor yin-hahng dur jahng-
hoo-shahng chew]
hăo, nínde diànhuà dĕi shōufèi b
[how, nin-dur dyen-hwah day shoh-fay]
OK, but we’ll have to charge you for the phonecall

14 download these scenarios as MP3s from:

 3. Booking a room

Scenarios  Chinese
shower línyù [lin-yew]
telephone in fángjiānlÇ de [fahng-jyen-lee dur dyen-
the room diànhuà hwah]
payphone in dàtīnglÇ de tóubì [da-ting-lee dur toh-bee
the lobby diànhuà dyen-hwah]

do you have any rooms? jÇge rén? b

a yŏu fángjiān ma? [jee-gur run]
[yoh fahng-jyen mah] for how many people?
for one / for two yŏu fángjiān b
a yīge rén / liăngge rén [yoh fahng-jyen]
[yee-gur run / lyang-gur run] yes, we have rooms free
a zhù jÇge wănshang? just for one night
[joo jee-gur wahn-shahng] yīge wănshang b
for how many nights? [yee-gur wahn-shahng]
how much is it?
a duōshăo qián?
[dwor-show chyen]
dài xÇzăojiān de jiŭbăi yuán rénmínbì, búdài xÇzăojiān de qībăi yuán b
[dai hshee-dzow-jyen dur jyoh-bai yew-ahn run-min-bee, boo dai hshee-dzow-
jyen dur chee-bai yew-ahn]
900 yuan with bathroom and 700 yuan without bathroom
does that include breakfast?
a bāokuò zăocān ma?
[bow-kwor dzow-tsahn mah]
can I see a room with bathroom?
a wŏ kĕyÇ kàn yīxià dài xÇzăojiān de fángjiān ma?
[wor kur-yee kahn yee-hsyah dai hshee-dzow-jyen dur fahng-jyen mah]
ok, I’ll take it
a hăo, wŏ yàole
[how wor yow-lur]
when do I have to check out?
a wŏ shénme shíhou jiézhàng líkāi?
[wor shun-mur shur-hoh jyeh-jahng lee-kai]
is there anywhere I can leave luggage?
a yŏu cún xíngli de dìfāng ma?
[yow tsun hsing-lee dur dee-fahng mah]

www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks 15
 4. Car hire
Scenarios  Chinese

automatic zìdòng huàndăng [dzur-doong hwahn-dahng]

full tank yóuxiāng mănde [yoh-hsyang mahn-dur]
manual shŏudòng huàndăng [show-doong hwahn-dahng]
rented car zūde chē [dzoo-dur chur]

I’d like to rent a car duō cháng shí jiān? b

a wŏ wiăng zū chē [dwor chahng shur-jyen]
[wor hsyang dzoo chur] for how long?
two days I’ll take the ...
a liăng tiān a wŏ yào …
[lyang-tyen] [wor yow]
is that with unlimited mileage? méiyou xiànzhì b
a kāi duō cháng lù yŏu xiànzhì ma? [may-yoh hsyen-jur]
[kai dwor-chahng loo yoh hsyen-jur mah] it is
wŏ kàn yīxià nÇde jiàshÇ zhí zhào, hăo ma? b
[wor kahn yee-hsyah nee-dur jyah-shur jur-jow, how mah]
can I see your driving licence please?
hái yào nÇde hùzhào b
[hai yow nee-dur hoo-jow]
and your passport
is insurance included?
a bāokuò băoxiăn ma?
[bow-kwor bow-hsyen mah]
bāokuò, búguò nín dĕi xiàn fù yīqiān yuán b
[bow-kwor, boo-gwor nin day hsyen foo yee-chyen yew-ahn]
yes, but you have to pay the first 1000 yuan
qÇng nín fù yīqiān yuán yājīn, hăo 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 rúguŏ nÇmen zhèr guānménle, wŏ bă yàoshi fàng zài năr?
[roo-gwor nee-mun jer gwahn-mun-lur, wor bah yow-shur fahng dzai nahr]
fàng zài nàge hézi lÇ b
[fahng dzai nah-gur hur-dzur lee]
you drop them in that box

16 download these scenarios as MP3s from:

 5. Communications

Scenarios  Chinese
ADSL modem tiáozhì jiĕtiáoqì [tyow-jur jyeh-tyow-chee]
dial-up modem diànhuà tiáozhì [dyen-hwah tyow-jur
jiĕtiáoqì jyeh-tyow-chee]
dot diăn [dyen]
Internet hùliánwăng [hoo-lyen-wahng]
mobile (phone) shŏujī [show-jee]
password mìmă [mee-mah]
telephone socket diànhuà chāzuò [dyen-hwah chah-dzwor
adaptor zhuănhuàn jwahn-hwahn]
wireless hotspot wúxiàn rèdiăn [woo-hsyen rur-dyen]

is there an Internet café around here?

a zhèr fùjìn yŏu wăngbā ma?
[jur foo-jin yoh wahng-bah mah]
zero five
can I send email from here? líng wŭ
a wŏ kĕyÇ zài zhèr fā diànzÇ yóujiàn ma? [ling] [woo]
[wor kur-yee dzai jur fah dyen-dzur yoh-jyen mah]

where’s the at sign on the keyboard? one six
a jiànpán shangde “at sign” zài năr? yī liù
[jyen-pan shahng-dur “at sign” dzai nahr] [yee] [lyoh]
can you switch this to a UK keyboard?
a wŏ kĕyÇ yòng yīngshì jiànpán ma? two seven
[wor kur-yee yoong ying-shur jyen-pan mah] èr qī
[ur] [chee]
can you help me log on?
a nÇ kĕyÇ bāng wŏ jìnrù míngdān ma? three eight
[nee kur-yee bahng wor jin-roo ming-dan mah] sān bā
can you put me through to ...? [san] [bah]
a qÇng nín gĕi wŏ jiē …?
[ching nin gay wor jyeh …] four nine
sì jiŭ
I’m not getting a connection, can you help? [sur] [jyoh]
a wŏ bù néng jìnrù, bāng ge máng, hăo ma?
[wor boo nung jin-roo, bahng-gur mahng, how mah]
where can I get a top-up card for my
mobile?
a năr mài shŏujī chōngzhí kă?
[nahr mai show-jee choong-jur kah]

www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks 17
 6. Directions
Scenarios  Chinese

hi, I’m looking for Nán Jiē hi, Nán

a wŏ zhăo Nán Jiē Jiá, do you
[wor jow Nan Jyeh] know where
duìbuqÇ, méi tīngshuōguo zhè tiáo jiē b it is?
[dway-boo-chee, may ting-shwor-gwor juh tyow jyeh] qÇng wèn, nÇ
sorry, never heard of it zhīdao Nán
Jiē zài năr
hi, can you tell me where Nán Jiē is? ma?
a qÇng wèn, Nán Jiē zài năr? [ching wun, nee
[ching wun, Nan Jyeh dzai nar] jur-dow Nan
wŏ duì zhège dìfang yĕ bù shúxi b Jyeh dzai nar
[wor dway juh-gur dee-fahng yur boo shoo-hshee] mah]
I’m a stranger here too

where? which direction?

zài năr? năge fāngxiàng?
[dzai nar] [nah-gur fahng-hsyang]

a dàole dìèrge hónglëdēng, wăng zuŏ guăi

[dow-luh dee-er-gur hoong-lyew-dung, wahng dzwor gwai]
left at the second traffic lights
a guòle lùkŏu a zhīhòu, zŏu yòubiān dìyì tiáo lù
[gwor-luh loo-koh] [jur-hoh, dzoh yoh-byen dee-yee tyow loo]
around the corner then it’s the first street on the right

duìmiàn jìn yīzhí wăng zài nàr

[dway-myen] [jin] qián zŏu [dzai nar]
opposite near [yee-jur wahng over there
chyen dzoh]
guăi qiánmiàn straight zài…zhīhòu
[gwai] [chyen-myen] ahead [dzai…jur-hoh]
turn (off) in front of just after
yòubiān
guòle wăng huí [yoh-byen] zuŏbiān
[gwor-luh] [wahng hway] on the right [dzwor-byen]
past the back on the left
yuăn
jiē xià yíge [yew-ahn]
[jyeh] [hsyah yee-gur] further
street next

18 download these scenarios as MP3s from:

 7. Emergencies

Scenarios  Chinese
accident shìgù [shur-goo]
ambulance jiùhùchē [jyoh-hoo-chur]
consul lÇngshì [ling-shur]
embassy dàshÇguăn [da-shur-gwahn]
fire brigade xiāofángduì [hsyow-fahng-dway]
police jÇngchájú [jing-chah-joo]

help!
a jiùmìng!
[jyoh-ming]
can you help me?
a bāngge māng, hăo ma?
[bahng-gur mahng, how mah]
please come with me! it’s really very urgent
a qÇng gēn wŏ lái! yŏu jÇnjí qíngkuàng
[ching gun wor lai! yoh jin-jee ching-kwahng]
I’ve lost (my keys)
a wŏ diūle (yàoshi)
[wor dyoh-lur (yow-shur)]
(my car) is not working
a (wŏde chē) bù gōngzuòle
[(wor-dur chur) boo goong-dzwor-lur]
(my purse) has been stolen
a (wŏde qiánbāo) bèi tōule
[(wor-dur chyen-bow) bay tow-lur]
I’ve been mugged
a wŏ bèi rén qiăngle
[wor bay run chyang-lur]
nínde míngzi? b
[nin-dur ming-dzur]
what’s your name?
wŏ kànkan nínde hùzhào, hăo ma? b
[wor kahn-kahn nin-dur hoo-jow, how mah]
I need to see your passport
I’m sorry, all my papers have been stolen
a duìbuqÇ, wŏ suŏyŏu de wénjiàn bèi tōule
[dway-boo-chee, wor swor-yoh dur wun-jyen bay toh-lur]

www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks 19
 8. Friends
Scenarios  Chinese

hi, how’re you doing? wŏ hĕn hăo, nÇ ne? b

a nÇ hăo ma? [wor hun how, nee nuh]
[nee how mah] ok, and you?
yeah, fine not bad
a hĕn hăo a búcuò
[hun how] [boo-tswor]
d’you know Mark?
a nÇ rènshi Măkè ma?
[nee run-shur Mah-kuh mah]
and this is Hannah wŏmen yÇjīng rènshile b
a zhè shì Hànnà [wor-mun yee-jing run-shur-luh]
[juh shur Han-nah] yeah, we know each other
where do you know each other from?
a nÇmen shì zĕnme rènshide?
[nee-mun shur dzen-mur run-shur-dur]
a wŏmen shì zài Lúkè jiā rènshide
[wor-mun shur dzai loo-kur jyah run-shur-dur]
we met at Luke’s place
that was some party, eh? shì zuìhăo de b
a nàge yànhuì bàng jíle, dùi budùi [shur dzway-how dur]
[nah-gur yen-hway bang jee-luh, dway boo-dway] the best
are you guys coming for a beer? hăo, zŏu ba b
a zánmen hējiŭ qù ba? [how, dzoh bah]
[dzahn-mun huh-jyoh chew bah] cool, let’s go
wŏ búqù, wŏ yào qù jiàn Luólā b
[wor boo-chew, wor yow chew jyen Lwor-lah]
no, I’m meeting Lola

ok, that’s cool too

a hăo ba
[how bah]

see you at Luke’s place tonight

a wănshang zài Lúkè jiā jiànmiàn
[wahn-shahng dzai Loo-kur jyah jyen-myen]
huítóu jiàn b
[hway-toh jyen]
see you

20 download these scenarios as MP3s from:

 9. Health

Scenarios  Chinese
I’m not feeling very well
a wŏ juéde bù shūfu
[wor jew-eh-dur boo shoo-foo]

can you get a doctor?

a qÇng gĕi wŏ zhăo ge yīshēng
[ching gay wor jow-gur yee-shung]

a năr bù shūfu? it hurts here

[nahr boo shoo-foo] zhèr téng b
where does it hurt? [jur tung]

a zŏngshì téng ma? it’s not a constant pain

[dzoong-shur tung mah] bù zŏngshì téng b
is the pain constant? [boo dzoong-shur tung]

can I make an appointment?

a wŏ kĕyÇ yùyuē yīshēng ma?
[wor kur-yee yew-yew-eh yee-shung mah]

can you give me something for ...? yes, I have insurance

a gĕi wŏ diănr…yào, hăo ma? a wŏ yŏu băoxiăn
[gay wor dyanr…yow, how mah] [wor yoh bow-hsyen]

antibiotics kàngjūnsù [kahng-joon-soo]

antiseptic ointment kàngjūn yóugāo [kahng-joon yoh-gow]
cystitis pángguāngyán [pahng-gwahng-yen]
dentist yāyī [yah-yee]
diarrhoea lādùzi [lah-doo-dzur]
doctor yīshēng [yee-shung]
hospital yīyuàn [yee-yew-ahn]
ill shēngbìngle [shung-bing-lur]
medicine yào [yow]
painkillers zhÇténgyào [jur-tung-yow]
pharmacy yàofáng [yow-fahng]
to prescribe kāi yàofāng [kai yow-fahng]
thrush ékŏuchuāng [ur-koh-chwahng]

www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks 21
 10. Language difficulties
Scenarios  Chinese

a few words jÇge zì [jee-gur dzur]

interpreter kŏutóu fānyì [koh-tow fahn-yee]
to translate fānyì [fahn-yee]

nÇde xìnyòngkă bèi jùle b

[nee-dur hsin-yoong-kah bay-jew-lur]
your credit card has been refused
what, I don’t understand; do you speak English?
a shénme? wŏ bù dŏng: nÇ huì shuō yīngyŭ ma?
[shun-mur wor boo doong: nee hway shwor ying-yew mah]
xìnyòngkă wúxiàole b
[hsin-yoong-kah woo-hsyow-lur]
this isn’t valid
could you say that again? slowly
a qÇng zài shuō yīxià, hăo ma? màn diănr b
[ching dzai shwor yee-hsyah, how mah] [mahn dyenr]
I understand very little Chinese
a wŏ zhÇ huì yīdiănr zhōngwén
[wor jur hway yee-dyenr choong-wun]
I speak Chinese very badly
a wŏ zhōngwén shuōde bù hăo
[wor choong-wun shwor-dur boo how]
ní bù néng yòng zhège kă fùqián b
[nee boo nung yoong jur-gur kah foo chyen]
you can’t use this card to pay
a dŏngle ma? sorry, no
[doong-lur mah] duìbuqÇ, wŏ hái shì bù míngbai b
do you understand? [dway-boo-chee, wor hai shur boo ming-bai]
is there someone who speaks English?
a zhèr yŏu rén huì yīngwén ma?
[jur yoh run hway ying-wun mah]
oh, now I understand is that ok now?
a hăo, wŏ míngbaile a xíngle ma?
[how wor ming-bai-lur] [hsing-lur mah]

22 download these scenarios as MP3s from:

 11. Meeting people

Scenarios  Chinese
hello
a nÇ hăo
[nee how]
nÇ hăo, wŏ jiào Shèn, xìng Wáng b
[nee how, wor jyow Shun, hsing Wahng]
hello, my name’s Wang Shen

Graham, from England, Thirsk

a wŏ shì yīngguórén, wŏ jiào Graham, shì Thirsk rén
[wor shur ying-gwor-run, wor jyow Graham, shur Thirsk run]

Thirsk wŏ bù zhīdao, zài năr? b

[Thirsk wor boo jur-dow, dzai nar]
don’t know that, where is it?

not far from York, in the North; and you?

a zài Yīnggélán bĕibù, lí York bù yuăn; nÇ ne?
[dzai Ying-guh-lan bay-boo, lee York boo yewahn; nee nur]

wŏ shì Lúndūn rén; nÇ shì yíge rén lái de ma? b

[wor shur Lun-dun run; nee shur yee-gur run lai duh mah]
I’m from London; here by yourself?

no, I’m with my wife and two kids

a búshì, wŏ gēn wŏ àiren hé liăngge háizi yìqÇ láide
[boo-shur, wor gun wor ai-run huh lyang-gur hai-dzur yee-chee lai-dur]

what do you do? a wŏ shì găo diànnăode

a nÇ zuò shénme gōngzuò? [wor shur gow dyen-nao-dur]
[nee dzwor shun-mur goong-dzwor] I’m in computers

me too
a wŏ yĕ shì
[wor yeh shur]

here’s my wife now

a zhè shì wŏ aìren
[jur shur wor ai-run]
hĕn gāoxìng rènshi nín b
[hun gow-hsing run-shur nin]
nice to meet you

www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks 23
 12. Post offices
Scenarios  Chinese

airmail hángkōng [hahng-kung]

post card míngxìnpiàn [ming-hsin-pyen]
post office yóujú [yoh-jew]
stamp yóupiào [yoh-pyow]

what time does the post office close? a gōngzuòrì wŭdiăn

a yóujú jÇdiăn guānmén? [gung-dzow-rur woo-dyen]
[yoh-jew jee-dyen gwahn-mun] five o’clock weekdays

is the post office open on Saturdays? zhÇdào zhōngwŭ b

a yóujú xīngqīliù kāimén ma? [jur dow joong-woo]
[yoh-jew hsing-chee-lyow kai-mun mah] until midday

I’d like to send this registered to England

a wŏ yào wăng yīngguó jì guàhàoxìn
[wor yow wahng ying-gwor jee gwah-how-hsin]

méi wèntí, guàhàoxìn shí yuán b

[may wun-tee, gwah-how-hsin shur yew-ahn]
certainly, that will cost 10 yuan

and also two stamps for England, please

a hái yào liăng zhāng dào yīngguó de yóupiào
[hai yow lyang-jahng dow ying-gwor dur yoh-pyow]

do you have some airmail stickers?

a yóu hángkōng yóujiàn biāoqiān ma?
[yoh hahng-kung yoh-jyen byow-chyen mah]

do you have any mail for me?

a yŏu wŏde xìn ma?
[yoh wor-dur hsin mah]

国际 guójì international
信 xìn letters
国内 guónèi domestic
包裹 bāoguŏ parcels
待领邮件 dàilÇng yóujiàn poste restante

24 download these scenarios as MP3s from:

 13. Restaurants

Scenarios  Chinese
bill zhàngdān [jahng-dan] menu càidān [tsai-dan]
table zhuōzi [jwor-dzur]

can we have a non-smoking table?

a wŏmen yào bù chōuyānde zhuōzi, kĕyÇ ma?
[wor-mun yow boo choh-yen-dur jwor-dzur, kur-yee mah]
there are two of us there are four of us
a wŏmen liăngge rén a yīgòng sìgerén
[wor-mun
lyang-gur run] [yee-gung sur-gur run]
what’s this? yī zhŏng yŭ b
a zhè shì shénme? [yee joong yew]
[jur shur shun-mur] it’s a type of fish
shì bĕndì tèchăn b
[shur bun-dee tur-chahn]
it’s a local speciality
qÇng jìnlái kànkan b
[ching jin-lai kahn-kahn]
come inside and I’ll show you
we would like two of these, one of these, and one of those
a zhège liăngge, zhège yīge, nàge yīge
[jur-gur lyang-gur, jur-gur yee-gur, nah-gur yee-gur]
a hē diănr shénme? red wine white wine
[hur dyenr shun-mur] a hóng pútaójiŭ a bái pútaójiŭ
and to drink? [hung poo-tow-jyoh] [bai poo-tow-jyoh]
a beer and two orange juices
a yībeī píjiŭ, liăng bēi júzizhī
[yee-bay pee-jyoh, lyang bay jew-dzur-jur]
some more bread please
a qÇng zài lái xiē miànbāo
[ching dzai lai hsyeh myen-bow]
a chīde hăo ma? excellent!, very nice!
[chur-dur how mah] a hĕn hăo! búcuò!
how was your meal? [hun how boo-tswor]
a hái yào shénme ma? just the bill thanks
[hai yow shun-mur mah] a wŏmen fù zhàngdān, hăo ma?
anything else? [wor-mun foo jahng-dan, how mah]

www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks 25
 14. Shopping
Scenarios  Chinese

măi diănr shénme? b

[mai dyenr shun-mur]
can I help you?
can I just have a look around? yes, I’m looking for ...
a wŏ kànkan, kĕyÇ ma? a wŏ xiăng măi…
[wor kahn-kahn, kur-yee mah] [wor hsyang mai]
how much is this? sānshī èr yuán b
a duōshăo qián? [san-shur ur yew-ahn]
[dwor-show chyen] thirty-two yuan
OK, I think I’ll have to leave it; it’s a little too expensive for me
a wŏ búyào, yŏu diănr tài guì
[wor boo-yow, yoh dyenr tai gway]
zhège zĕnme yàng? b
[jur-gur dzun-mur yang]
how about this?
can I pay by credit card?
a shōu xìnyòngkă ma?
[shoh hsin-yoong-kah mah]
it’s too big it’s too small
a tài dàle a tài xiăole
[tai dah-lur] [tai hsyow-lur]
it’s for my son – he’s about this high
a gĕi wŏ érzi măide – tā zhème gāo
[gay wor ur-dzur mai-dur, tah jur-mur gow]
a hái yào biéde ma? that’s all thanks
[hai yow byeh-dur mah] a búyàole, xièxie
will there be anything else? [boo-yow-lur, hsyeh-hsyeh]
make it twenty yuan and I’ll take it
a wŏ zhÇ xiăng fù èrshí yuán, kĕyÇ ma?
[wor jur hsyang foo ur-shur yew-ahn, kur-yee mah]
fine, I’ll take it
a xíng
[hsing]

dà jiănjià [dah-jyen-jyah] sale

fùkuăntái [foo kwahn-tai] cash desk
guānmén [gwahn-mun] closed
huàn [hwahn] to exchange
kāimén [kai-mun] open

26 download these scenarios as MP3s from:

 15. Sightseeing

Scenarios  Chinese
art gallery mĕishùguăn [may-shoo-gwahn]
bus tour zuò dà bāshì líyóu [dzwor dah bah-shur lyew-yoh]
city centre shì zhōngxīn [shur joong-hsin]
closed guānmén [gwahn-mun]
guide dăoyóu [dow-yoh]
museum bówùguăn [bor-woo-gwahn]
open kāimén [kai-mun]

I’m interested in seeing the old town

a wŏ duì cānguān lăochéng yŏu xìngqù
[wor dway tsan-gwahn low-chung yoh hsing-chew]
are there guided tours? duìbuqÇ, dōu dìngmănle b
a yŏu dăoyóu tuán ma? [dway-boo-chee, doh ding-mahn-lur]
[yoh dow-yoh twahn mah] I’m sorry, it’s fully booked
how much would you charge to drive us around for four hours?
a wŏmen zuò nÇde chē sìge xiăoshi, duŏshăo qián?
[wor-mun, dzwor nee-dur chur sur-gur hsyow-shur dwor-show chyen]
can we book tickets for the concert here?
a wŏmen kĕyÇ zài zhèr dìng yīnyuèhuì de piào ma?
[wor-mun kur-yee dzai jur ding yin-yew-eh-hway dur pyow mah]
a kĕyÇ, qÇngwèn, nínde míngzi? shénme xìnyòngkă? b
[kur-yee, ching-wun, nin-dur ming-dzur] [shun-mur hsin-yoong-kah]
yes, in what name? which credit card?
where do we get the tickets? jiù zài rùkŏu (qŭ piào) b
a zài năr qŭ piào? [jyoh dzai roo-koh (chew pyow)]
[dzai nahr chew pyow] just pick them up at the entrance
is it open on Sundays? how much is it to get in?
a xīngqiīan kāimén ma? a ménpiào duōshăo qián?
[hsing-chee tyen kai-mun mah] [mun-pyow dwor-show chyen]
are there reductions for groups of 6?
a liùgerén yīqÇ yŏu méiyou yōuhuì?
[lyoh-gur-run yee-chee yoh may-yoh yoh-hway]
that was really impressive!
a zhēn shì hăojíle!
[jun shur how-jee-lur]

www.roughguides.com/phrasebooks 27
 16. Trains
Scenarios  Chinese

to change trains huàn huŏchē [hwahn hwor-chur]

platform zhàntái [jahn-tai]
return wăngfănpiào [wahng-fahn-pyow]
single dānchéngpiào [dahn-chung-pyow]
station huŏchēzhàn [hwor-chur-jahn]
stop tīngchē [ting-chur]
ticket huŏchēpiào [hwor-chur-pyow]

how much is ...?

a… duōshăo qián?
[dwor-show chyen]
a single, second class to ...
a yīzhāng dānchéngpiào, érdĕng chēxiāng, dào …
[yee-jahng, dhan-chur-pyow, ur-dung chur-hsyang, dow]
two returns, second class to ...
a liăngzhāng wăngfănpiào, érdĕng chēxiāng, dào …
[lyang-jahng, wahng-fahn-pyow, ur-dung chur-hsyang, dow]
for today for tomorrow for next Tuesday
a jīntiānde a míngtiānde a xià xīngqīèrde
[jin-tyen-dur] [ming-tyen-dur] [hsyah hsing-chee-ur-dur]
tèkuài jiàshōu b
[tur-kway jyah-shoh]
there’s a supplement for the express
nÇ yào dìng zuòwèi ma? b
[nee yow ding dzwor-way mah]
do you want to make a seat reservation?
nÇ dĕi zài Shànghăi huànchē b
[nee day dzai Shahng-hai hwahn-chur]
you have to change at Shanghai
is this seat free?
a zhège zuò yŏurén zuò ma?
[jur-gur dzwor yow-run dzwor mah]
excuse me, which station are we at?
a qÇngwèn, zhèshì shénme zhàn?
[ching-wun, jur shur shun-mur jahn]
is this where I change for Suzhou?
a shì zài zhèr huàn dào Sūzhōu de huŏchē ma?
[shur dzai jur hwahn dow Soo-joh dur hwor-chur mah]

28
English
➜
Chinese
 my back aches wŏ
A

English ➜ Chinese
hòubèi téng [wor
hoh-bay]
a, an* qwet
about: about 20‑èr shí zuŏyòu acrobatics zájì [dzah-jee]
[dzwor-yoh] yu
#$%^ across: across the road zài
it’s about 5 o’clock wŭdiăn mălù duìmiànr [dzai mah-loo
(zhōng) zuŏyòu dway-myenr]
&*()_ iop[]A
a film about China guānyú acupuncture zhēnjiŭ [jun-
Zhōngguó de diànyĭng jyoh]
[gwahn-yew – dur dyen-ying] SD
+|`1234 adapter duōyòng chātóu
above* (zài)‑... shàng [(dzai)â•‚... [dwor-yoong chah-toh]
shahng] FGHJ
5 ... 9 address dìzhĭ [dee-jur]
abroad guówài [gwor-wai] KL

ABCDEFGHIJKLAd
0- what’s your address? nín zhù
absorbent cotton yàomián năr? [joo]
[yow-myen] :"asd
=\ address book tōngxùnlù
accept jiēshòu [jyeh-shoh] [toong-hsyewn-loo]
QW ~!@
accident shìgù [shur-goo] admission charge: how much
ER is the admission charge?
there’s been an accident rùchăng fèi shì duōshao qián?
chūle ge shìgù [roo-chahng fay shur dwor-show
[choo-lur gur] chyen]
TYUIO #$%^&*()
accurate zhŭnquè adult dàrén [dah-run]
[jun-chew-eh] _+
P{ advance: in advance tíqián
ache téng [tung] [tee-chyen]
} |`

31
 aeroplane fēijī [fay-jee] toong-yee]
English ➜ Chinese

12 ~!@
after yĭhòu [yee-hoh] AIDS àizībìng [ai-dzur-bing]
34 #$%
after you nĭ xiān qù ba [nee air kōngqì [koong-chee]
hsyen chew bah] ^&
5678 by air zuò feījī [dzwor fay-jee]
after lunch wŭfàn hòu *()
[woo-fahn] air-conditioning kōngtiáo
-=Q [koong-tyow]
afternoon xiàwŭ _+
[hsyah-woo] airmail: by airmail
WE hángkōng(xìn) [hahng-koong(-
in the afternoon xiàwŭ hsin)]
RT |`1
this afternoon jīntiān xiàwŭ airmail envelope hángkōng
[jin-tyen] xìnfēng [hsin-fung]
YUIO 2345
ABCDEFGHIJKLAe

aftershave xūhòushuĭ [hsyew- airplane fēijī [fay-jee]

hoh-shway] 67
P{} airport fēijīchăng [–chahng]
afterwards yĭhòu [yee-hoh] 890
qw to the airport, please qĭng dài
again zài [dzai] wŏ dào fēijīchăng [ching dai
e wor dow]
age niánjì [nyen-jee] -=\QWER
rt airport bus jīchăng bānchē
ago: a week ago yíge xīngqī [jee-chahng bahn-chur]
yĭqián [yee-gur hsing-chee yee- YUIO
chyen] alarm clock nàozhōng [now-
yuiop[ joong]
an hour ago yíge xiăoshí P{
yĭqián [hsyow-shur] alcohol (drink) jiŭ [jyoh]
]ASDFG }
agree: I agree wŏ tóngyì [wor all: all of it quánbù [chew-ahn-

32
 boo] [yee-goong]

English ➜ Chinese
qw ~!
that’s all, thanks gòule, xièxie always zŏng [dzoong]
[goh-lur hsyeh-hsyeh] @
erty am*: I am shì [shur]
allergic: I’m allergic toâ•‚... wŏ #
duì‑... guòmĭn [wor dwayâ•‚... a.m.: at seven a.m. shàngwŭ
gwor-min] qī diăn [chee dyen]
ui ... ]A $%^&
allowed: is it allowed? zhè amazing (surprising) méi
yúnxŭ‑ma? [jur yun-hsyewâ•‚ xiăngdào [may hsyang-dow]
mah] *()
SDFGH (very good) liăobùqĭ [lyow-boo-
all right hăo [how] chee]
J _+|
I’m all right wŏ méi shìr [wor ambulance jiùhùchē [jyoh-hoo-
may shur] chur]
KL:" `12

ABCDEFGHIJKLAm
are you all right? nĭ méi shìr call an ambulance! (kuài) jiào
ba? [nee may-shur bah] jiùhùchē! [(kwai) jyow]
asdfgh 3456789
(greeting) ní hăo ma? [nee how] America Mĕiguó [may-gwor]
jkl; 0-
almost chàbuduō [chah-boo- American (adj) Mĕiguó
dwor] =\
'ZX I’m American wŏ shì Mĕiguó
alone yíge rén [yee-gur run] rén [wor shur – run]
CVB QWERT
already yĭjing among zài‑... zhī zhōng [dzaiâ•‚...
NM jur joong]
also yĕ [yur] Y ... P{
< amp: a 13-amp fuse shísān
although suīrán [sway-rahn] ānpéi de băoxiănsī [shur-sahn
>? ahn-pay dur bow-hsyen-sur]
altogether yígòng }qwertyu

33
 and hé [hur] antiseptic fángfŭjì [fahng-foo-
English ➜ Chinese

i jee]
angry shēngqì [shung-chee]
op
animal dòngwù [doong-woo]
[]
ankle jiăobózi [jyow-bor-dzur]
ASD
annoying: how annoying! zhēn
tăoyàn! [jun tow-yahn]
FGH
another (different) lìng yíge
[yee-gur]
JKL
(one more) yòu yíge [yoh]
:"a
can we have another room?
wŏ xiăng huàn lìngwài yíge
ABCDEFGHIJKLAn
)_+
any: do you have anyâ•‚...? nĭ
yŏu ... ma? [nee yoh ... mah]
|` ... 45
sorry, I don’t have any
duìbuqĭ, wŏ méiyŏu [dway-
boo-chur wor may-yoh]
67890-
anybody shéi [shay]
=
does anybody speak English?
shéi huì shuō Yīngyŭ? [hway
shwor ying-yoo]
\QWERT
there wasn’t anybody there
zàinàr shénme rén dōu

fángjiān [wor hsyang hwahn ling- méiyou [zai-nar shun-mur run doh
wai] may-yoh]
sdfghjkl; YUIOP{}qw
another beer, please qĭng zài anything shénme [shun-mur]
lái yì bēi píjiŭ [ching dzai lai yee] er
'ZXCVBN
antibiotics kàngjūnsù [kahng- dialogues
jyewn-soo]
M<> anything else? hái yào
antique: is it a genuine shénme? [hai yow]
antique? shì zhēn gŭdŏng nothing else, thanks bú
ma? [shur jurn goo-doong mah] yào, xièxie [hsyeh-hsyeh]
~!@#$%
antique shop wénwù would you like anything
shāngdiàn [wun-woo shahng- to drink? nĭ yào hé diănr
dyen] shénme? [hur dyenr]
^&*( I don’t want anything,

34
 thanks wŏ shénme dōu bú nín xiăng yuē shénme

English ➜ Chinese
yào, xièxie [wor – doh] shíjian[yew-eh]
three o’clock sān diăn
apart from chúle‑... yĭwài (zhōng) [dyen (joong)]
[choo-lur] I’m afraid that’s not
ty ... p[ possible, is four o’clock all
apartment dānyuán [dahn- right? duìbùqĭ sān diăn bù
yew-ahn] xíng, sì diăn (zhōng) xíng
]A ma? [dway-boo-chee – hsing
aperitif kāiwèijiŭ [kai-way-jyoh] – mah]
SDF yes, that will be fine xíng,
appendicitis lánwĕiyán [lahn- kĕyĭ [kur-yee]
way-yen] the name was? nín guì
GHJ xìng? [gway]
appetizer lĕngpánr [lung-
pahnr] apricot xìngzi [hsing-dzur]
KL: ~!
apple píngguŏ [ping-gwor] April sìyuè [sur-yew-eh]

ABCDEFGHIJKLAr
"a @#
appointment yuēhuì [yew-eh- are*: we are wŏmen shì [wor-
hway] mun shur]
sd $%^
you are (sing) nĭ shì
dialogue &*
(pl) nĭmen shì [nee-mun]
good morning, how can ()_
I help you? nín zăo, wŏ they are tāmen shì [tah-mun]
néng bāng shénme máng +|`
ma? [dzow wor nung bahng area (measurement) miànjì
shun-mur mahng mah] [myen-jee]
I’d like to make an 12
appointment wŏ xiăng (region) dìqū [dee-chew]
dìng ge yùehùi [hsyang 34
ding gur] arm gēbo [gur-bor]
what time would you like? 56

35
 army jūnduì [chewn-dway] gahng]
English ➜ Chinese

SD 'ZX
arrange: will you arrange it for ask (someone to do something)
us? nĭ néng tì wŏmen ānpái qĭng [ching]
yí xià ma? [nung tee wor-mun ~
ahn-pai yee hsyah mah] (a question) wèn [wun]
7890-=\QW !
ER could you ask him toâ•‚...? nĭ
arrive dào [dow] néng bù néng qĭng tā ...?
T [nung – tah]
when do we arrive? wŏmen @#$%^& ..._
shénme shíhou dàodá? [wor- asleep: she’s asleep tā
mun shun-mur shur-hoh dow-dah] shuìzháole [tah shway-jow-lur]
YUIOP{}qw +|`1
has my fax arrived yet? wŏ aspirin āsīpĭlín [ah-sur-pee-lin]
gĕi nĭ fā de chuánzhēn dàole 2345
ma? [wor gay nee fah dur chwahn- asthma qìchuăn [chee-chwahn]
jun dow-lur mah] 67
ABCDEFGHIJKLAr

ertyuiop[]A at*: at my hotel zài wŏ zhú de

we arrived today wŏmen fàndiàn [dzai wor joo dur]
jīntiān gāng dào [jin-tyen 890-=\
gahng] at the railway station zài
SDFGHJ huŏchē zhàn
art yìshù [yee-shoo] QWER
KL at six o’clock liùdiăn zhōng
art gallery mĕishùguăn [may- [lyoh-dyen joong]
shoo-gwahn] TYU
:"a at Li Zhen’s zài Lĭ Zhēn jiā
as: as big as... gēn ... yíyàng [jyah]
dà [gun ... yee-yang dah] IOP{
s ... hjk ATM zìdòng qŭkuănjī [dzur-
as soon as possible jĭnkuài doong chew-kwahn-jee]
[jin-kwai] }qwer
l; attendant (on train)
ashtray yānhuī gāng [yahn-hway chéngwùyuán [chung-woo-

36
 yew-ahn] awake: is he awake? tā xĭngle

English ➜ Chinese
tyu ma? [tah hsing-lur mah]
August bāyuè [bah-yew-eh] ~!@#$
io away: is it far away? yuăn ma?
aunt (father’s sister, unmarried) [yew-ahn]
gūgu %^&
p[ awful zāogaōle [dzow-gow-lur]
(father’s sister, married) gūmŭ *()
]A
(mother’s sister, unmarried) yímŭ B
SD
(mother’s sister, married) yímā
[yee-mah] baby yīng’ér [ying-er]
FG _+
Australia Àodàlìyà [or-dah- baby food yīng’ér shíwù [shur-
lee-yah] woo]
HJKL |`12
Australian (adj) Àodàlìyà baby’s bottle năipíng

ABCDEFGHIJKLBa
:"as 34
I’m Australian wŏ shì baby-sitter línshí kān
Àodàlìyà rén [wor shur – run] xiăoháir de [lin-shur kahn hsyow-
dfghjkl hair dur]
automatic (adj) zìdòng [dzur- 567890-
doong] back hòu [hoh]
;' =
autumn qiūtian [chyoh-tyen] (of body) hòubèi [bay]
ZX \Q
in the autumn qiūtian at the back zài hòumian [dzai
CV hoh-myen]
average (ordinary) yíbàn [yee- WER
bahn] can I have my money back?
BN qĭng ba qián huán gĕi wŏ ba
on average píngjūn [ping- [ching bah chyen hwahn gay wor
jyewn] bah]
M< TYUIOP{

37
 to come back huílai [hway–] jyen]
English ➜ Chinese

}q CVBNM<
to go back huíqu [–chew] ball qiú [chyoh]
we ~
backache bèitòng [bay- ballet bāléiwŭ [bah-lay-woo]
toong] !@#
rt ballpoint pen yuánzhūbĭ [yew-
bad huài [hwai] ahn-joo-bee]
y $%^
a bad headache tóu téng de bamboo zhúzi [joo-dzur]
lìhai [toh tung dur lur-hai] &*
uiop[ bamboo shoots zhúsŭn [joo-
bag dàizi [dai-dzur] sun]
~A ()
(handbag) shŏutíbāo [shoh-tee- banana xiāngjiāo
bow] [hsyang-jyow]
SDF _+
(suitcase) shŏutíxiāng [shoh-tee- band (musical) yuèduì [yew-eh-
ABCDEFGHIJKLBa

hsyang] dway]
GHJ |`
baggage xíngli [hsing-lee] bandage bēngdài [bung-dai]
KL 12
baggage check (US) xíngli Bandaid® xiàngpí gāo [hsyang-
jìcúnchù [jee-tsun-choo] pee gow]
:"asd 345
baggage claim xíngli tíqŭchù bank (money) yínháng [yin-
[tee-chew-choo] hahng]
fghjk 67
bakery miànbāodiàn [myen- bank account zhànghù [jahng-
bow-dyen] hoo]
l;' 89
balcony yángtái banquet yànhuì [yen-hway]
ZX 0-
a room with a balcony dài bar jiŭbājiān [jyoh-bah-jyen]
yángtái de fángjiān [dur fahng- =\Q

38
 a bar of chocolate yí kuàir with a private bathroom dài

English ➜ Chinese
qiăokèlì [yee kwair chyow-kur- xízăojiān de fángjiān [dai
lee] hshee-dzow-jyen dur fahng-jyen]
WERTYU +|`1234
barber’s lĭfàdiàn [lee-fah-dyen] bath towel yùjīn [yew-jin]
IOP 56
bathtub zăopén [dzow-pun]
dialogue 78
battery diànchí [dyen-chur]
how much is this? zhèi ge 90
duōshao qián? [jay gur dwor- bay hăiwān [hai-wahn]
show chyen] -=
30 yuan sān shí kuài qián be* shì [shur]
[kwai chyen] \
that’s too expensive, how beach hăitān [hai-tahn]
about 20? tài guì le, èr shí QW
kuài, zénme yàng? [gway lur on the beach zài hăitānshang
– dzun-mur] [dzai –shahng]

ABCDEFGHIJKLBe
I’ll let you have it for 25 èr ERTY
shí wŭ kuài ba [bah] bean curd dòufu [doh-foo]
can you reduce it a bit UI
more? zài jiăn yí diănr ba beans dòu [doh]
[dzai jyen yee dyenr] O
OK, it’s a deal hăo ba [how] French beans sìjìdòu [sur-jee-
doh]
basket kuāng [kwahng] P{}
~ broad beans cándòu [tsahn-
bath xĭzăo [hshee-dzow] doh]
!@ qw
can I have a bath? wŏ néng string beans jiāngdòu [jyang-
xĭ ge zăo ma? [wor nung hshee doh]
gur dzow mah] er
#$%^&*( soya beans huángdòu
bathroom yùshì [yew-shur] [hwahng-doh]
)_ ty

39
 bean sprouts dòu yár [yee-chyen]
English ➜ Chinese

uio ... ER
beard húzi [hoo-dzur] begin kāishĭ [kai-shur]
p[ TY
beautiful (object) mĕilì when does it begin? shénme
[may-lee] shíhou kāishĭ? [shun-mur shur-
~! hoh]
(woman) piàoliang UIOP{}q
[pyow-lyang] beginner chūxuézhĕ [choo-yew-
@# eh-jur]
(view, city, building) mĕi wer
$ behind zài‑... hòumian [dzaiâ•‚...
(day, weather) hăo [how] hoh-myen]
% ~ ... $%
because yīnwéi [yin-way] behind me zài wŏ hòumian
^& [wor]
because ofâ•‚... yóuyú ... [yoh- ^&*(
yew] believe xiāngxìn [hsyang-hsin]
ABCDEFGHIJKLBe

*( )_
bed chuáng [chwahng] below* zài‑... xiàmian [dzaiâ•‚...
) hsyah-myen]
I’m going to bed now wŏ + ... 23
yào shuì le [wor yow shway (less than) zài‑... yĭxià [yee-
lur] hsyah]
_+|` 4 ... 89
bedroom wòshì [wor-shur] belt yāodài [yow-dai]
12 0-
beef niúròu [nyoh-roh] bend (in road) lùwánr [loo-
34 wahnr]
beer píjiŭ [pee-jyoh] =\Q
56 berth (on train) wòpù [wor-poo]
two beers, please qĭng lái WE
liăng bēi píjiŭ [ching] beside: beside theâ•‚... zài‑...
7890-= pángbiān [dzaiâ•‚... pahng-byen]
before: beforeâ•‚... ... yĭqián R ... IO

40
best zuìhăo [dzway-how] hsyang]

English ➜ Chinese
P{ 678
better: even better gèng hăo bird niăo [nyow]
[gung how] 9
}q birthday shēngrì [shung-rur]
a bit better hăo yì diănr 0-
[dyenr] happy birthday! zhù nĭ
wert shēngrì kuàilè! [joo – kwai-lur]
are you feeling better? hăo =\QWER
diănr le ma? [lur mah] biscuit bĭnggān [bing-gahn]
yuiop[ TY
between zài‑... zhī jiān [dzaiâ•‚... bit: a little bit yìdiănr [yee-
jur-jyen] dyenr]
] ... FG UIO
bicycle zìxíngchē [dzur-hsing- a big bit yídàkuàir [yee-dah-
chur] kwair]
HJK P{}q
big dà [dah] a bit expensive yŏu diăn guì

ABCDEFGHIJKLBl
~ ~!@
too big tài dà le [lur] bite (by insect) yăo [yow]
!@# #
it’s not big enough búgòu dà bitten by a dog ràng gŏu gĕi
[boo-goh] yăoshāng le [rahng goh gay yow-
$%^ shahng]
bill zhàngdānr [jahng-dahnr] $%^&*(
&*( bitter (taste etc) kŭ
(US: money) chāopiào [chow- )
pyow] black hēi [hay]
)_ _
could I have the bill, please? blanket tănzi [tahn-dzur]
qĭng bāng wŏ jiézhàng, hăo +|
ma? [ching bahng wor jyeh-jahng blind xiā [hsyah]
how mah] `
+|`12345 blocked dŭzhùle [doo-joo-lur]
bin lājī xiāng [lah-jee 123

41
 blond (adj) jīnhuángsè [jin- [mee-fahn]
English ➜ Chinese

hwahng-sur] ]A
456 boiled water kāishuĭ [kai-
blood xiĕ [hsyeh] shway]
7 SD
high blood pressure gāo bone gŭ [goo]
xuèyā [gow hsyew-eh-yah] F
890 book (noun) shū
blouse nWchènshān [nyew-chun- H
shahn] (verb) dìng
-=\ J
blow-dry: I’d like a cut and can I book a seat? wŏ néng
blow-dry wŏ xiăng lĭfà hé dìng ge zuòwei ma? [wor nung
chuīfēng [wor hsyang lee-fah hur – gur dzwor-way mah]
chway-fung] KL:"asdf
QWERTYU
blue lánsè [lahn-sur] dialogue
IO
ABCDEFGHIJKLBl

blue eyes lán yănjing [lahn I’d like to book a table for
yahn-jing] two/three wŏ xiăng dìng
P{} liăng/sān ge rén yì zhuō de
boarding pass dēngjì kă [dung- wèizi [wor hsyang – gur run
jee kah] yee jwor dur way-dszur]
qw! what time would you like it
boat chuán [chwahn] booked for? nín yào jĭdiăn
r zhōng? [yow jee-dyen joong]
(for passengers) kèchuán [kur- half past seven qī diăn bàn
chwahn] that’s fine xíng [hsing]
ty and your name? nín guì
body shēntĭ [shun-tee] xìng? [gway]
ui
boiled egg zhŭ jīdàn [joo jee- bookshop, bookstore shūdiàn
dahn] [shoo-dyen]
op[ ~!
boiled rice mĭfàn boot (footwear) xuēzi [hsyew-

42
 eh-dzur] bottle píngzi [ping-dzur]

English ➜ Chinese
@# FG
(of car) xínglixiāng [hsing-lee- a bottle of beer yì píng píjiŭ
hsyang] HJKL
$%^ bottle-opener kāi píng qì [chee]
border (of country) biānjiè [byen- :"a
jyeh] bottom dĭr [deer]
&* sd
border region biānjìng (of person) pìgu
() fg
bored: I’m bored fán sĭ le [fahn at the bottom of the road lù
sur-lur] de jìntóu [loo dur jin-toh]
_+| hjkl
boring méi jìnr [may] box hézi [hur-dzur]
`12 ;'
born: I was born in a box of chocolates yí hé
Manchester wŏ shì zài qiăokèlì [hur chyow-kur-lee]
Mànchéng shēng de‑[wor shur ZXCVB

ABCDEFGHIJKLBr
dzai – shung dur] box office shòupiào chù [shoh-
3456789 pyow]
I was born in 1960 wŏ shì yí ~!@
jiŭ liù líng nián‑shēng de boy nánhái [nahn-hai]
0-=\QWERT #$
borrow jiè [jyeh] boyfriend nán péngyou [nahn
Y pung-yoh]
may I borrowâ•‚...? wŏ kĕyĭ jiè %^&
yíxia‑... ma? [wor kur-yee jyeh bra xiōngzhào [hsyoong-jow]
yee-hsyahâ•‚... mah] *(
UIOP{} ... rt bracelet shŏuzhuó [shoh-jwor]
both liăngge dōu [lyang-gur doh] )_
yui brandy báilándì [bai-lahn-dee]
bother: sorry to bother you +|`
duìbuqĭ dájiăo nín le [dway- bread (baked) miànbāo [myen-
boo-chee dah-jyow nin lur] bow]
op[]ASD 12

43
 (steamed) mántou [mahn-toh] [chyow]
English ➜ Chinese

34 d
white bread bái miànbāo brief duăn [dwahn]
567 f
brown bread hēi miànbāo briefcase gōngwénbāo [goong-
[hay] wun-bow]
890 ghj
wholemeal bread quánmài bright (light etc) míngliàng
miànbāo [chew-ahn-mai] [ming-lyang]
-=\Q ~!
break (verb) dăpò [dah-por] brilliant (idea, person) gāomíng
WE [gow-ming]
I’ve broken theâ•‚... wŏ @#
dăpòle ... [wor dah-por-lur] bring dàilái
RTYU ... $%
I think I’ve broken my ... I’ll bring it back later wŏ guò
wŏde ... kĕnéng huàile [wor- xiē shíhou dàihuílái [wor gwor
dur ... kur-nung hwai-lur] hsyeh shur-hoh dai-hway-lai]
ABCDEFGHIJKLBr

{} ... rtyu ^&*()_+|

breakdown gùzhàng [goo- Britain Yīngguó [ying-gwor]
jahng] `1
io British (adj) Yīngguó
breakfast zăofàn [dzow-fahn] 23
p[ I’m British wŏ shì Yīngguó
break-in: I’ve had a break-in rén [wor shur – run]
(in room) wŏde fángjiān ràng df23l
rén gĕi qiàole mén le [wor-dur brochure shuōmíng shū [shwor-
fahng-jyen rahng run gay chyow-lur ming]
mun lur] 456
]ASDFGHJKL: broken (object) pòle [por-lur]
breast xiōng [hsyoong] 78
" (leg etc) duànle [dwahn-lur]
breeze wēifēng [way-fung] 90
as (not working) huàile [hwai-lur]
bridge (over river) qiáo -=

44
brooch xiōngzhēn [hsyoong-jun] Buddhism Fójiào [for-jyow]

English ➜ Chinese
\Q AS
brother xiōngdì Buddhist (adj) Fójiàotú
[hsyoong-dee] DFG
WE buffet car cānchē
(older) gēge [gur-gur] [tsahn-chur]
RT HJ
(younger) dìdi building fángzi [fahng-dzur]
YU KL
brother-in-law (elder sister’s (multi-storey) dàlóu [dah-loh]
husband) jiĕfū [ jyeh-foo] :"
IO bunk: bottom bunk xià pù
(younger sister’s husband) mèifu [hsyah]
[may-foo] ~!
P{ middle bunk zhōng pù [joong]
(wife’s elder brother) nèixiōng @#
[nay-hsyoong] top bunk shàng pù [shahng]
}q $%

ABCDEFGHIJKLBu
(wife’s younger brother) nèidì [nay- bureau de change wài huì
dee] duìhuàn bù
we [hway dway-hwahn]
(husband’s elder brother) dàbó ^&*()
[dah bor] burglary dàoqiè [dow-chyeh]
rt _+
(husband’s younger brother) Burma Miăndiàn [myen-dyen]
xiăoshū [hsyow-shoo] |`
yu burn (noun) shāoshāng [show-
brown zōngsè [dzoong-sur] shahng]
io 12
brush shuāzi [shwah-dzur] (verb) ránshāo [rahn-show]
p 34
bucket tŏng [toong] burnt: this is burnt (food)
[ shāojīaole [show-jyow-lur]
Buddha Fó [for] 567
] bus (public transport) gōnggòng

45
 qìchē [goong-goong chee-chur] business shēngyi [shung-yee]
English ➜ Chinese

890- ~!
(limited stop) shìqūchē [shur- (firm, company) gōngsī [goong-
chew-chur] sur]
=\Q @#
(in suburbs) jiāoqūchē [jyow- bus station gōnggòng qìchē
chew-chur] zŏngzhàn [goong-goong chee-
WER chur dzoong-jahn]
(long-distance) chángtú qìchē $%^&*(
[chahng-too chee-chur] bus stop gōnggòng qìchē
TYUI zhàn [jahn]
what number bus is it toâ•‚...? )_+|`
dào ... qù zuò jĭ lù chē? [dow ... busy (road etc) rènào [rur-now]
chew dzwor jee lu chur] 12
O ... qwerty (person) hĕn máng [hun mahng]
when is the next bus toâ•‚...? 34
dào ... qù de xià (yì) bān chē I’m busy tomorrow wŏ
shì jídiăn? [dow ... chew dur hsyah míngtian hĕn máng [wor ming-
ABCDEFGHIJKLBu

(yee) bahn chur shur jee-dyen] tyen hun mahng]

u ... []ASDFGH 56789
JK but kĕshi [kur-shur]
what time is the last bus? 0-
mòbānchē shì jĭ diăn? [mor- butcher’s ròu diàn [roh dyen]
bahn-chur shur jee dyen] =\
L:"asdf butter huángyóu [hwahng-yoh]
QW
dialogue button niŭkòu [nyoh-koh]
ER
does this bus go toâ•‚...? buy măi
zhèi liàng chē qù ... ma? T
[jay lyang chur chew ... mah] where can I buyâ•‚...? zài năr
no, you need a numberâ•‚... néng măidào‑...? [dzai nar nung
bú qù, nĭ yào zùo ... hào mai-dow]
chē [chew nee yow zwor ... YUIOP{ ...e
how chur] by: by bus zuò gònggōng

46
 qìchē [dzwor] he/she is calledâ•‚... (given name)

English ➜ Chinese
rtyui tā jiào ... [tah jyow]
written byâ•‚... shì ... xiĕ de ^& ...
[shur ... sheh dur] (surname) tā xìng ... [hsing]
o ... AS _+ ...
by the window zài chuānghu please call the doctor qĭng bă
pángbiān [dzai] yīshēng jiào lái [ching bah yee-
DFGHJ shung jyow]
by the sea zài hăibiān 234567
KL: please give me a call at 7.30
by Thursday xīngqī sì zhī a.m. tomorrow qĭng
qián [jur chyen] míngtian zăoshàng qī diăn
"asdf bàn gĕi wŏ dă diànhuà
bye zàijiàn [dzai-jyen] [ching ming-tyen dzow-shahng
gh chee dyen bahn gay wor dah dyen-
hwah]
C 890-=\QWE
RTYU

ABCDEFGHIJKLCa
please ask him to call me
cabbage báicài [bai-tsai] qĭng tā dă diànhuà gĕi wŏ [tah
jk dah – gay]
cabin (on ship) chuáncāng IOP{}qw
[chwahn-tsahng] call back: I’ll call back later
l; (phone back) wŏ guò yì huìr
cake dàngāo [dahn-gow] zài dă lái [gwor yee hwayr dzai
'Z dah]
cake shop gāodiăndiàn [gow- ertyuiop
dyen-dyen] call round: I’ll call round
XCV tomorrow wŏ míngtian lái
call (verb: to phone) dă diànhuà zháo nĭ [jow]
[dah dyen-hwah] []ASDF
BNM camcorder shèxiàngjī [shur-
what’s it called? zhèige jiào hsyang-jee]
shénme? [jay-gur jyow shun-mur] GHJ
~!@#$% camera zhàoxiàngjī [jow-

47
 hsyang-jee] (language) Guăngdōnghuà
English ➜ Chinese

KL: [–hwah]
can (noun) guàntou [gwahn-toh] RTY
"a (person) Guăngdōng rén [run]
a can of beer yí guànr píjiŭ UIO
sdfgh cap (hat) màozi [mow-dzur]
can: can youâ•‚...? nĭ néng‑... P{
ma? [nungâ•‚... mah] (of bottle) pínggài [ping-gai]
jk ... ZX }q
can I haveâ•‚...? qĭng gĕi wŏ car xiăo qìchē [hsyow
...? [ching gay wor] chee-chur]
CVB ...> wer
I can’tâ•‚... wŏ bù néng‑... by car zuò xiăo qìchē
~!@ ... [dzwor]
Canada Jiānádà [jyah-nah-dah] twyu
^&* card kăpiàn [kah-pyen]
Canadian (adj) Jiānádà io
()_ here’s my (business) card
ABCDEFGHIJKLCa

I’m Canadian wŏ shì zhèi shì wŏde míngpiàn [jay

Jiānádàrén [wor shur –run] shur wor-dur ming-pyen]
+|`123 p[]ASD
canal yùnhé [yewn-hur] Christmas card shèngdàn kă
45 [shung-dahn kah]
cancel (reservation etc) tuì [tway] FGH
6 birthday card shēngrì kă
candies tángguŏ [tahng-gwor] [shung-rur kah]
78 JKL
candle làzhú [lah-joo] cardphone cíkă diànhuà [tsur-
90 kah dyen-hwah]
can-opener kāiguàn dāojù :"as
[kai-gwahn dow-joo) careful: be careful! xiăoxīn!
-=\Q [hsyow-hsin]
Cantonese (adj) Guăngdōng fg
[gwahng-doong] car ferry lúndù [lun-doo]
WE hj

48
car park tíngchēchăng [ting- castle chéngbăo [chung-bow]

English ➜ Chinese
chur-chahng] WE
kl; casualty department jíjiùshì
carpet dìtăn [dee-tahn] [jee-jyoh-shur]
'Z RTY
car rental qìchē chūzū [chee- cat māo [mow]
chur choo-dzoo] U
XCVB catch (verb) zhuā [jwah]
carriage (of train) chēxiāng I
[chur-hsyang] where do we catch the bus
NM toâ•‚...? qù‑... zài năr shàng
carrot húluóbo [hoo-lwor-bor] chē? [chewâ•‚... dzai – chur]
~!@ O ... qwerty
carry ná [nah] cathedral dà jiàotáng [dah
# jyow-tahng]
cash (noun) xiànqián [hsyen- uio
chyen] Catholic (adj) tiānzhŭjiào [tyen-
$% joo-jyow]

ABCDEFGHIJKLCe
will you cash this for me? nĭ p[]
néng tì wŏ huàn chéng xiàn cauliflower càihuā [tsai-hwah]
qián ma? [nung tee wor hwahn AS
chung – mah] cave shāndòng [shahn-doong]
^&*()_+|`1 DF
cash desk jiāokuănchù [jyow- (dwelling) yáodòng
kwahn-choo] [yow-doong]
234 GH
cash dispenser zìdòng cemetery mùdì
qúkuănjī [dzur-doong chew- JK
kwahn-jee] centigrade shèshì [shur-shur]
56789 L:
cassette cídài [tsur-dai] centimetre límĭ [lee-mee]
0- "a
cassette recorder lùyīnjī [loo- central zhōngyāng
yin-jee] [joong-yang]
=\Q sd

49
 central heating nuănqì [nwahn-
English ➜ Chinese
chee]
fg
centre zhōngxīn [joong-hsin]
hj
how do we get to the city
centre? qù shì zhōngxīn
zénme zŏu? [chew shur joong-
hsin dzun-mur dzoh]
kl;'ZXCV
certainly dāngrán [dahn-grahn]
BN
certainly not dāngrán bù
~!@
chair yĭzi [yee-dzur]
#$
Chairman Mao Máo zhŭxí
[mow jyew-hshee]
ABCDEFGHIJKLCe
%^&
change (noun: money) língqián
[ling-chyen]
*(
(verb: money) duìhuàn [dway-
hwahn]
)_
can I change this forâ•‚...? nín
néng bāng wŏ duìhuàn chéng
... ma? [nung bahng wor dway-
hwahn chung ... mah]
+|`1234 ... 89
I don’t have any change wŏ
yìdiănr língqián yĕ méi yŏu
[wor yee-dyenr ling-chyen yur may
yoh]
0-=\QWERT
50
can you give me change for
a hundred-yuan note? yí băi
kuài nín zhăodekāi ma? [kwai
nin jow-dur-kai mah]
YUIOP{}qw
dialogue
do we have to change
(trains)? zhōngtú yào huàn
chē ma? [joong-too yow hwahn
chur mah]
yes, change at Hangzhou
yào zài Hángzhōu huàn
chē [yow dzai]
no, it’s a direct train bú
yòng huàn chē, zhè shì
zhídáchē [yoong – jur shur jur-
dah-chur]
changed: to get changed huàn
yīfu [hwahn yee-foo]
ert
character (in Chinese writing) zì
[dzur]
y
charge (noun) shōufèi [shoh-fay]
ui
cheap piányi [pyen-yee]
op
do you have anything
cheaper? yŏu piányi diănr
de ma? [yoh pyen-yee dyenr dur
mah]
[]ASDFGH
check: could you check [hsyang-chee]

English ➜ Chinese
theâ•‚bill, please? qĭng ba 23
zhàngdān jiănchá yíxià, hāo chest (body) xiōng [hsyoong]
ma? [ching bah jahng-dahn jyen- 4
chah yee-syah how mah] chicken (meat) jīròu [jee-roh]
JKL:"asdf 56
gh child háizi [hai-dzur]
check (US: bill) zhàngdānr 78
[jahng-dahnr] child minder băomŭ [bow-moo]
jkl 90
check in dēngjì [ dung-jee] chin xiàba [hsyah-bah]
;' -=
where do we have to check china cíqì [tsur-chee]
in? wŏmen yaò zài nár \Q
dēngjì? [wor-men yow dzai nar ] China Zhōngguó [joong-gwor]
ZXCVBN;<> WE
cheerio! zàijiàn! [dzai-jyen] China tea Zhōngguo chá
~! [chah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLCh
cheers! (toast) gānbēi! [gahn- RTY
bay] Chinese (adj) Zhōngguó [joong-
@# gwor]
cheese năilào [nai-low] UI
$% (person) Zhōngguó rén [run]
chemist’s yàofáng [yow- OP{
fahng] (spoken language) Hànyŭ [hahn-
^& yew]
cherry yīngtao [ying-tow] }q
*( (written language) Zhōngwén
chess guójì xiàngqí [gwor-jee [joong-wun]
hsyang-chee] we
)_+| the Chinese Zhōngguó
to play chess xià qí [hsyah rénmín [run-min]
chee] rtyu
`1 Chinese leaf báicài [bai-tsai]
Chinese chess xiàngqí io

51
 Chinese-style Zhōngshì [joong- church jiàotáng [jyow-tahng]
English ➜ Chinese

shur] rt
p[ cigar xuĕjiā [hsyew-eh-jyah]
chips zhá tŭdòu tiáo [jah too- yu
doh tyow] cigarette xiāngyān [hsyang-yen]
]ASD io
(US) (zhá) tŭdòupiànr [too-doh- cinema diànyĭng yuàn [dyen-
pyenr] ying yew-ahn]
~!@#$%^ p[]
chocolate qiăokèlì [chyow- circle yuánquān [ywahn-kwahn]
kur-lee] AS
&*( (in theatre) lóutīng [loh-ting]
milk chocolate năiyóu DF
qiăokèlì [nai-yoh] city chéngshì [chung-shur]
)_+|` GH
plain chocolate chún city centre shì zhōngxīn [shur
qiăokèlì joong-hsin]
1234 JKL
ABCDEFGHIJKLCh

a hot chocolate yì bēi rè clean (adj) gānjìng [gahn-jing]

qiăokèlì (yĭnliào) [bay rur – (yin- :"
lyow)] can you clean these for me?
567890-=\Q nĭ néng tì wŏ xĭyixĭ, ma?
choose xuăn [hsyew-ahn] [nung tee wor hshee-yee-hshee
W mah]
chopsticks kuàizi [kwai-dzur] asdfghjl;
ER clear (water) qīngchè [ching-
Christmas Shèngdàn jié [shung- chur]
dahn jyeh] ~!
TYU (speech, writing) qīngxī [ching-
Christmas Eve hshee]
Shèngdànqiányè [–chyen-yur] @#
IOP{ (obvious) míngxiăn [–hsyen]
Merry Christmas! Shèngdàn $%
kuàilè! [kwai-lur] clever cōngming [tsoong-ming]
}qwe ^&

52
cliff xuányá [hsyew-ahn-yah] closed guānménle [gwahn-

English ➜ Chinese
*( mun-lur]
climbing páshān [pah-shahn] 567
)_ cloth (fabric) bùliào [bool-yow]
clinic zhénsuŏ [jun-swor] 89
+| (for cleaning etc) mābù [mah-boo]
cloakroom yīmàojiān [yee- 0-
mow-jyen] clothes yīfu [yee-foo]
`12 =\
clock zhōng [joong] clothes line shàiyīshéng [shai-
3 yee-shung]
close (verb) guān [gwahn] QWE
4 clothes peg yīfu jiāzi [yee-foo
jyah-dzur]
dialogue RTYU
cloudy duōyún [dwor-yewn]
what time do you close? IO
nĭmen shénme shíhou coach (bus) chángtú qìchē

ABCDEFGHIJKLCo
guān mén? [nee-mun shun- [chahng-too chee-chur]
mur shur-hoh – mun] P{}q
we close at 8 p.m. on (tourist bus) lWyóu chē [lyew-yoh
weekdays and 6 p.m. on chur]
Saturdays zhōurì xiàwŭ bā wer
diăn, xīngqī liù xiàwŭ liù (on train) kèchē [kur-chur]
diăn [joh-rur] ty
do you close for lunch? chī coach station chángtú
wŭfàn de shíhou guān mén qìchēzhàn [chang-too chee-
ma? [chur woo-fahn dur shur- chur-jahn]
hoh – mah] uiop[
yes, between 1 and coach trip zuò chángtú qìchē
3.30 p.m. shì de, cóng yī lWxíng [dzwor chahng-too chee-
diăn dào sān diăn bàn yĕ chur lyew-hsing]
guān mén [shur dur tsoong ~!@#$%^
– dow – yur] coast hăibīn
&*

53
 coat (long coat) dàyī [dah-yee] kuăle [tah kwah-lur]
English ➜ Chinese

() DFG
coathanger yījià [yee-jyah] collar yīlĭng
_+ HJ
cockroach zhāngláng [jahng- collect qŭ‑... [chew]
lahng] K
|` I’ve come to collectâ•‚... wŏ lái
code (for phoning) diànhuà qŭ‑... [wor]
qūhào [dyen-hwah chew-how] L:"
1234 collect call duìfāng fùkuăn
what’s the (dialling) code for [dway-fahng foo-kwahn]
Beijing? Bĕijīng de diànhuà asdf
qūhào shì duōshao? [dur – shur college xuéyuàn [hsyew-eh-
dwor-show] yew-ahn]
567890-=\ ~!
QW colour yánsè [yahn-sur]
coffee kāfēi [kah-fay] @#
ER do you have this in other
ABCDEFGHIJKLCo

two coffees, please qĭng lái colours? yŏu biéde yánsè de

liăng bēi kāfēi [ching] ma? [yoh byeh-dur – dur mah]
TYUIOP $%^&*()
coin yìngbì [ying-bee] colour film căisè jiāojuănr [tsai-
{} sur jyow-jyew-ahnr]
Coke® Kĕkŏukĕlè [kur-koh- _+|`1
kur-lur] comb shūzi [shoo-dzur]
qwer 23
cold lĕng [lung] come lái
t 4
I’m cold wŏ juéde hĕn
lĕng [wor jyew-eh-dur hun lung] dialogue
yuiop
I have a cold wŏ gănmào le where do you come from?
[gahn-mow lur] nĭ shì cóng năr láide? [shur
[]AS tsoong nar lai-dur]
collapse: he’s collapsed tā I come from Edinburgh

54
 wŏ shì cóng Àidīngbăo lái complaint bàoyuàn [bow-yew-

de [wor]
come back huílai [hway-lai]
56
I’ll come back tomorrow wŏ
míngtiān huílai [ming-tyen]
7890-
come in qĭng jìn [ching jin]
=\
comfortable shūfu [shoo-foo]
QW
communism gòngchánzhŭyì
[goong-chahn-joo-yee]
ERTY
Communist Party
Gòngchándăng [–dahng]
UIO
English ➜ Chinese
ahn]
AS
I have a complaint to make
wŏ xiăng tí yí ge yìjiàn [wor
hsyang tee yee gur yee-jyen]
DFGHJKL
completely wánwánquánquán
[wahn-wahn-chahn-chahn]
:"as
computer diànnăo [dyen-now]
df
concert yīnyuèhuì [yin-yew-
eh-hway]
ghj
concussion năozhèndàng
[now-jun-dahng]
~!@

ABCDEFGHIJKLCo
Communist Party member conditioner (for hair) hùfàsù
gòngchándăngyuán [hoo-fah-soo]
[–dahng-yew-ahn] #$%
P{}q condom bìyùntào [bee-yewn-
compact disc jīguāng tow]
chàngpiàn [jee-gwahng chahng- ^&*
pyen] conference huìyì [hway-yee]
wert ()
company (business) gōngsī congratulations! gōngxĭ!
[goong-sur] gōngxĭ! [goong-hshee]
yu _+|`
compass zhĭnánzhēn [jur- connecting flight xiánjiē de
nahn-jun] bānjī [hsyen-jyeh dur bahn-jee]
iop 12345
complain mányuàn [mahn- connection (in travelling) liányùn
yew-ahn] [lyen-yewn]
[] 67

55
 (rail) zhōngzhuăn [joong-jwahn] correct (right) duì [dway]
English ➜ Chinese

89 H
constipation biànbì [byen-bee] corridor zŏuláng [dzoh-lahng]
0- JK
consulate lĭngshìguăn [ling- cosmetics huàzhuāngpĭn
shur-gwahn] [hwah-jwahng-pin]
=\Q L:"
contact (verb) liánxi [lyen- cost (noun) jiàqián
hshee] [jyah-chyen]
WE as
contact lenses yĭnxíng how much does it cost?
yănjìng [yin-hsing yahn-jing] duōshao qián? [dwor-show
RTYU chyen]
contraceptive bìyùn yòngpĭn dfgh
[bee-yewn yoong-pin] cotton miánhuā [myen-hwah]
IOP{ ~!
convenient fāngbiàn [fahng- cotton wool yàomián [yow-
byen] myen]
ABCDEFGHIJKLCo

}q @#
that’s not convenient bù couchette wòpù [wor-poo]
fāngbiàn $%
wer cough késou [kur-soh]
cooker lúzào [loo-dzow] ^&
ty cough medicine zhĭké yào [jur-
cookie xiăo bĭnggān [hsyow kur yow]
bing-gahn] *()
uio could: could youâ•‚...? nín
cool liángkuai [lyang-kwai] kĕyi‑... ma? [kur-yeeâ•‚... mah]
p[ _+| ... 34
corner: on the corner jiējiăor I couldn’tâ•‚... wŏ bù néng ...
[jyeh-jyowr] [wor boo nung]
]AS 567
in the corner qiángjiăor country (nation) guójiā [gwor-
[chyang-jyowr] jyah]
DFG 89

56
 (countryside) xiāngcūn [hsyang- than speaker) tángjiĕ [tahng-jyeh]

English ➜ Chinese
tsun] AS
0- (younger than speaker) tángmèi
couple (two people) fūfù [tahng-may]
[foo-foo] DF
=\ cow năiniú [nain-yoh]
a couple ofâ•‚... liăngge‑... GH
[lyang-gur] crab pángxiè [pahng-hsyeh]
QW ... JK
courier xìnshĭ [hsin-shur] craft shop gōngyìpĭn
YU shāngdiàn [goong-yee-pin
course: of course dāngrán shahng-dyen]
[dahn-grahn] L:"as
IO crash (noun: vehicle) zhuàng chē
of course not dāngrán bù [jwahng chur]
P{} ~!
cousin (son of mother’s brother: crazy fēng [fung]
older than speaker) biăogē [byow- @

ABCDEFGHIJKLCr
gur] credit card xìnyòng kă [hsin-
qw yoong kah]
(younger than speaker) biăodì #$%
er do you take credit cards?
(son of father’s brother: older than shōu xìnyòng kă ma?
speaker) tángxiōng [tahng- [show – mah]
hsyoong] %()_+|
ty
(younger than speaker) tángdì dialogue
ui
(daughter of mother’s brother: older can I pay by credit card?
than speaker) biáojiĕ [byow-jyeh] wŏ kéyĭ yòng xìnyòng kă
op jiāo kuăn ma? [wor kur-yee
(younger than speaker) biăomèi yoong hsin-yoong kah jyow
[byow-may] kwahn mah]
[] which card do you want
(daughter of father’s brother: older to use? nín yóng de shì

57
 shénme kă? [dur shur shun- Cultural Revolution wénhuà dà
English ➜ Chinese

mur kah] gémìng [wun-hwah dah gur-ming]

Mastercard/Visa !@#$%
yes, sir kĕyĭ [kur-yee] cup bēizi [bay-dzur]
what’s the number? ^&
duōshao hàomă? [dwor-show a cup of tea/coffee, please yì
how-mah] bēi chá/kāfēi [bay]
and the expiry date? jĭ shí *()_+|
guòqī? [jee shur gwor-chee] cupboard guìzi [gway-dzur]
`1
crisps (zhá) tŭdòupiànr [(jah) cure (verb) zhìyù [jur-yew]
too-doh-pyenr] 23
`123456 curly juănqūde [jwahn-chew-dur]
crockery cānjù [tsahn-jyew] 456
78 current (electric) diànliú [dyen-
crossing (by sea) guòdù [gwor- lyoh]
doo] 78
90 (in water) shuĭliú [shway-lyoh]
ABCDEFGHIJKLCr

crossroads shízì lùkŏu [shur- 90

dzur loo-koh] curry gālì [gah-lee]
-=\Q -=
crowd rénqún [run-chewn] curtains chuānglián [chwahng-
WE lyen]
crowded yōngjĭ [yoong-jee] \Q
RT cushion diànzi [dyen-dzur]
crown (on tooth) yáguàn [yah- WE
gwahn] custom fēngsú [fung-soo]
YU RT
cruise zuò chuán lWxíng [dzwor Customs hăiguān [hai-gwahn]
chwahn lyew-sing] YU
IOP{ cut (noun) dāoshāng [dow-
crutches guăizhàng [gwai-jahng] shahng]
}q ~!
cry (verb) kū I’ve cut myself wŏ bă zìjĭ
~ gēshāng le [wor bah dzur-jee gur-

58
shahng lur] (verb) tiàowŭ [tyow-woo]

English ➜ Chinese
@#$%^&* op
cutlery dāochā cānjù [dow-chah would you like to dance? nĭ
tsahn-jyew] xiăng tiàowŭ ma? [hsyang
()_+ – mah]
cycling qí zìxíngchē [chee dzur- []ASDF
hsing-chur] dangerous wēixiăn [way-hsyen]
|`12 GH
cyclist qí zìxíngchē de rén Danish (adj) Dānmài [dahn-mai]
[dur run] JK
345678 dark (adj) àn [ahn]
~
D (colour) shēnsè [shunsur]
!%
it’s getting dark tiān hēile
dad bàba [bah-bah] [tyen hay-lur]
90 ^&*
daily mĕi tiān [may tyen] date*: what’s the date today?

ABCDEFGHIJKLDa
-= jīntiān jĭ hào? [jin-tyen jee how]
damage (verb) sŭnhuài [syewn- _+|`1
hwai] let’s make a date for next
\Q Monday zánmen xiàge
damaged sŭnhuài le xīngqīyī jiànmiàn [zahn-mun
WER hsyah-gur – jyen-myen]
I’m sorry, I’ve damaged this 234567890
duìbùqĭ, wó bă zhèi ge nòng daughter nW’ér [nyew-er]
huài le [dway-boo-chee wor bah -=
jay gur noong hwai lur] daughter-in-law érxífur [er-
TYUIOP{}qw hshee-foor]
damn! zāole! [dzow-lur] \QWE
er dawn límíng
damp (adj) cháoshī [chow-shur] RT
ty at dawn tiān gāng liàng [tyen
dance (noun) wŭdăo [woo-dow] gahng lyang]
ui YUI

59
 day tiān tyen] death sĭwáng [sur-wahng]
English ➜ Chinese

O XC
the day after dìèr tiān December shí’èr yuè [shur-er
P{} yew-eh]
the day after tomorrow VBN
hòutiān [hoh-tyen] decide juédìng [jyew-eh-ding]
qw M<
the day before qián yì tiān we haven’t decided yet
[chyen] wŏmen hái méi juédìng [wor-
ert mun hai may]
the day before yesterday ~!@#$%
qiántiān [chyen-tyen] decision juédìng
yu ^&
every day mĕitiān [may-tyen] deck (on ship) jiábăn [jyah-
io bahn]
all day zhĕngtiān [jung-tyen] *(
p[ deep shēn [shun]
in two days’ time liăng tiān )
ABCDEFGHIJKLDa

nèi [nay] definitely yídìng

]AS _+
have a nice day zhù nĭ wánr definitely not yídìng bù
de gāoxìng [joo nee wahnr dur |`1
gow-hsing] degree (qualification) xuéwèi
DFGHJL: [hsyew-eh-way]
day trip yírìyóu [yee-rur-yoh] 23
"as delay (noun) wándiăn [wahn-
dead sĭle [sur-lur] dyen]
df 45
deaf ĕr lóng [loong] deliberately gùyì [goo-yee]
gh 67
deal (business) măimài delicious hăochī [how-chur]
jk 89
it’s a deal! yì yán wéi dìng! deliver sòng [soong]
[yee yahn way] 0
l;'Z delivery (of mail) sòngxìn

60
 [soong-hsin] deposit yājīn [yah-jin]

English ➜ Chinese
-= ^&
Denmark Dānmài [dahn-mai] dessert tiánpĭn [tyen-pin]
\Q *(
dentist yáyī [yah-yee] destination mùdìdì
WE )_+
develop (film) chōngxĭ [choong-
dialogue hshee]
|`
it’s this one here zhèr zhèi
kē [jer jay kur] dialogue
this one? zhèi kē ma? [mah]
no, that one bù, shì nèi kē could you develop these
[shur nay] films? qĭng nín bāng wŏ
here? zhèr? chōngxĭ yíxìa zhèi xiē
yes duì [dway] jiāojuănr, hăo ma? [ching nin
bahng wor choong-hshee yee-
dentures jiăyá [jee-ah-yah] hsyah jay hsyeh jyow-jyew-ahnr

ABCDEFGHIJKLDi
RT how mah]
deodorant chúchòujì [choo- yes, certainly kĕyĭ [kur-yee]
choh-jee] when will they be ready?
YUI shénme shíhou néng
department (administrative) bù chōng hăo? [shun-mur shur-
O hoh nung choong how]
(academic) xì [hshee] tomorrow afternoon
P míngtian xiàwŭ [ming-tyen
department store băihuò hsyah-woo]
dàlóu [bai-hwor dah-loh] how much is the four-hour
{}qw service? sì xiăoshí fúwù
departure lounge hòujīshì duōshao qián? [sur hsyow-
[hoh-jee-shur] shur foo-woo dwor-show]
ert
depend: it depends onâ•‚... nà diabetic (noun) tángniàobìng
yào kàn‑... [nah yow kahn] rén [tahng-nyow-bing run]
~!@ ... 1234

61
 dial (verb) bōhào [bor-how] what’s the difference? yŏu
English ➜ Chinese

56 shénme bùtóng? [yoh shun-

dialling code diànhuà qūhào mur]
[dyen-hwah chew-how] )_+|`1
7890 different bùtóng
diamond zuànshí [dzwahn-shur] 23
-= difficult kùnnan [kun-nahn]
diaper niàobù [nyow-boo] 45
\Q difficulty kùnnan
diarrhoea lā dùzi [lah doo-dzur] 67
WER dining room cāntīng [tsahn-ting]
do you have something for 89
diarrhoea? nĭ yŏu zhì lā dùzi dinner (evening meal) wănfàn
de yào ma? [nee yoh jur lah doo- [wahn-fahn]
dzur dur yow mah] 0-
TYUIOP{}qw to have dinner chī wănfàn
diary rìjì [rur-jee] =\Q
er direct (adj) zhíjiē [jur-jyeh]
ABCDEFGHIJKLDi

dictionary cídiăn [tsur-dyen] WE

ty (flight) zhífēi [jur-fay]
didn’t* see not RT
die sĭ [sur] is there a direct train? yŏu
u zhídá huŏchē ma? [yoh jur-dah
diet jìkŏu [jee-koh] hwor-chur mah]
io YUIOP{}
I’m on a diet wŏ zài jìkŏu [wor direction fāngxiàng [fahng-
dzai] hsyang]
p[]A qw
I have to follow a special diet which direction is it? zài nĕige
wŏ dĕi chī guīdìng de fāngxiàng? [dzai nay-gur]
yĭnshí [day chur gway-ding dur ertyui
yin-shur] is it in this direction? shì
~!@#$%^& zhèige fāngxiàng ma? [shur
difference bùtóng [boo-toong] jay-gur – mah]
*( op[]ASD

62
director zhŭrén [joo-run] hsing) nyow-boo]

English ➜ Chinese
FG $%^&*()
dirt wūgòu [woo-goh] distance jùlí
HJ _+
dirty zāng [dzahng] in the distance zài yuănchù
K [dzai yew-ahn-choo]
disabled cánfèi [tsahn-fay] |`1
L: district dìqū [dee-chew]
is there access for the 23
disabled? yŏu cánjirén de disturb dárăo [dah-row]
tōngdào ma? [you tsahn-jee–run 45
dur toong-dow mah] divorced líhūn [lee-hun]
"asdfghjk 67
disaster zāinàn [dzai-nahn] dizzy: I feel dizzy wŏ tóuyūn
l; [wor toh-yewn]
disco dísīkē [dee-sur-kur] 890
'ZX do (verb) zuò [dzwor]
discount jiănjià [jyen-jyah] -

ABCDEFGHIJKLDo
CV what shall we do? nĭ xiăng
is there a discount? néng zuò shénme? [hsyang – shun-
jiănjià ma? [nung – mah] mur]
BNM<> =\QWER
disease jíbìng how do you do it? gāi zĕnme
?z zuò? [dzun-mur]
disgusting ĕxīn [ur-hsin] TYUIO
xc will you do it for me?
dish (meal) cài [tsai] máfan nĭ bāng wŏ zuò
v yíxià, hăo ma? [mah-fahn nee
(bowl) diézi [dyeh-dzur] bahng wor dzwor yee-hsyah how
~! mah]
disk (for computer) ruănpán P{}qwerty
[rwahn-pahn] ui
@#
disposable nappies/diapers
(yícìxìng) niàobù [(yee-tsur-

63
 dialogues gur]
English ➜ Chinese

how do you do? nín hăo?
[how]
nice to meet you jiàn dào
nín zhēn gāoxìng [jyen dow
nin jun gow-hsing]
what do you do? (work) nĭ
shì zuò shénme gōngzuò
de? [shur – goong-dzwor dur]
I’m a teacher, and you? wŏ
shì jiàoshī, nĭ ne? [wor –
nur]
I’m a student wŏ shì
xuésheng
what are you doing this
evening? nĭ jīnwăn zuò
shénme? [jin-wahn]
ABCDEFGHIJKLDo
[]ASDF
dialogue
where does it hurt? nár
téng? [tung]
right here jiù zài zhèr [jyoh
dzai jer]
does that hurt now?
xiànzài hái téng ma?
[hsyahn-dzai – mah]
yes hái téng
take this prescription to
the chemist ná zhèi gè
yàofāng dào yàodiàn qù
pèi yào [nah jay gur yow-fahng
dow yow-dyen chew pay yow]

we’re going out for a drink,

do you want to join us? document wénjiàn [wun-jyen]
wŏmen chū qù hē jiŭ, nĭ ~!
xiăng gēn wŏmen yí kuàir dog gŏu [goh]
qù ma? [wor-mun choo chew @
hur jyoh nee hsyang gun – kwair domestic flight guónèi
chew mah] hángbān [gwor-nay
hahng-bahn]
do you want more rice? nĭ #$%^
hái yào fàn, ma? [yow fahn] don’t!* búyào! [boo-yow]
I do, but she doesn’t wŏ &*
yào, tā bú yào [wor yow tah] don’t do that! bié zhème zuò
[byeh jur-mur zwor]
doctor yīshēng [yee-shung] ()_+
op see not
please call a doctor qĭng nĭ door mén [mun]
jiào ge yīshēng [ching nee jyow |

64
doorman băménrde [bah-munr- pee-jyoh]

English ➜ Chinese
dur] WER
`123 draughty: it’s draughty
double shuāng [shwahng] zhèr tōngfēng [jer
4 toong-fung]
double bed shuāngrén chuáng TYUI
[–run chwahng] drawer chōuti [choh-tee]
567 OP
double room shuāngrén drawing huìhuà [hway-hwah]
fáng( jiān) [fahng(jyen)] {}
~!@#$% dreadful zāotòule [dzow-toh-lur]
down xià [hsyah] qwe
^ dress (noun) liányīqún [lyen-
down here jiù zài zhèr [jyoh yee-chewn]
dzai jer] rty
&*() dressed: to get dressed chuān
put it down over there gē zài yīfu [chwahn]
nàr uio

ABCDEFGHIJKLDr
_+|` dressing gown chényī [chun-
it’s down there on the right yee]
jiù zài yòubian [yoh-byen] p[
1234 drink (noun: alcoholic) jiŭ [jyoh]
it’s further down the road zài ]
wăng qián [wahng chyen] (non-alcoholic) yĭnliào [yin-lyow]
567 AS
downstairs lóuxià [loh- (verb) hē [hur]
hsyah] D
89 a cold drink yì bēi léngyĭn
dozen yì dá [dah] [yee bay lung-yin]
0- FGHJ
half a dozen bàn dá [bahn] can I get you a drink? hēdiănr
=\ shénme ma? [dyenr shun-mur
dragon lóng [loong] mah]
Q KL:"asd
draught beer shēng píjiŭ [shung what would you like (to

65
 drink)? nĭ xiăng hē diănr xièxie [jun dur yee dyen hsyeh-
English ➜ Chinese

shénme? [hsyang] hsyeh]

fghjkl;' yuiop[]
no thanks, I don’t drink drugs (narcotics) dúpĭn
xièxie, wŏ bú huì hē jiŭ [doo-pin]
[hsyeh-hsyeh wor boo hway hur jyoh] AS
!@#$%^& drunk (adj) hēzuìle [hur-dzway-
I’ll just have a drink of water lur]
wŏ hē diánr shuĭ ba [shway DFG
bah] dry (adj) gān [gahn]
*()_+| H
drinking water yĭnyòngshuĭ dry-cleaner gānxĭdiàn [gahn-
[yin-yoong-shway] hshee-dyen]
`12 JKL
is this drinking water? zhè duck (meat) yā [yah]
shuĭ kĕyĭ hē ma? [jur shway kur- :
yee hur ma] due: he was due to arrive
3456789 yesterday tā yīnggāi shì
ABCDEFGHIJKLDr

drive (verb) kāichē [kai-chur] zuótiān dào [tah ying-gai dzwor-

0- tyen dow]
we drove here wŏmen ~!@#$%
kāichē lái de [wor-mun kai-chur when is the train due?
lai dur] huŏchē jĭ diăn dào? [hwor-chur
=\QWER jee shur]
I’ll drive you home wŏ kāichē ^&*()_
sòng nĭ huíjiā [wor kai-chur dull (pain) yínyĭn zuòtòng
soong nee hway-jyah] [dzwor-toong]
TYUIOP{ +|`1
driver sījī [sur-jee] (weather) yīntiān [yin-tyen]
}q 23
driving licence jiàshĭ zhízhào during zài‑... de shíhou [dzaiâ•‚...
[jyah-shur jur-jow] dur shur-hoh]
wert 4 ... 890
drop: just a drop, please (of dust huīchén [hway-chun]
drink) zhēn de yì diănr, -=

66
dustbin lājīxiāng [lah-jee-hsyang] earrings ĕrhuán [er-hwahn]

English ➜ Chinese
\QW sd
Dutch (adj) Hélán [hur-lahn] east dōng [doong]
ER f
duty-free (goods) miănshuì in the east dōngbiān [doong-
[myen-shway] byen]
TY gh
duty-free shop miănshuì East China Sea Dōng Hăi
shāngdiàn [shahng-dyen] jk
UIOP easy róngyì [roong-yee]
dynasty cháodài [chow-dai] l;
{} eat chī [chur]
'
E we’ve already eaten, thanks
xièxie, wŏmen yĭjing chīle
[hsyeh-hsyeh wor-mun –chur-lur]
each (every) mĕi [may] ~!@#$%^&
q economy class jīngjìcāng

ABCDEFGHIJKLEl
how much are they each? yí [–tsahng]
ge yào duōshao qián? [yee gur *()
yow dwor-show chyen] egg jīdàn [jee-dahn]
wertyui _+
ear ĕrduo [er-dwor] either: eitherâ•‚... orâ•‚...
op huòzhe‑... huòzhe‑... [hwor-
earache: I have earache wó jur]
ĕrduo téng [wor – tung] |` ... 45 ...
[]AS either of them nĕi liângge dōu
early zăo [dzow] kĕyĭ [nay lyang-gur doh kur-yee]
D 90-=\Q
early in the morning yì zăo elastic band xiàngpíjīnr
FG [hsyahng–]
I called by earlier wŏ zăo xiē WERT
shíhou láiguo [wor – hsyeh shur- elbow gēbozhŏur [gur-bor-
hoh lai-gwor] johr]
HJKL:"a YUIO

67
 electric diàn [dyen] embroidery cìxiù [tsur-hsyoh]
English ➜ Chinese

P :"
electric fire diàn lúzi [loo- emergency jĭnjí qíngkuàng
dzur] [ching-kwahng]
{}q asdf
electrician diàngōng [dyen- this is an emergency!
goong] jiùmìng! [jyoh-ming]
we gh
electricity diàn [dyen] emergency exit ānquánmén
r [ahn-choo-en-mun]
elevator diàntī [dyen-tee] jkl
ty emperor huángdì
else: something else biéde [hwahng-dee]
dōngxi [byeh-dur ;'
doong-hshee] empress huánghòu
uiop ZX
somewhere else biéde dìfāng empty kōng [koong]
[dee-fahng] C
ABCDEFGHIJKLEl

[]AS end (noun) mòduān [mor-dwahn]

VB
dialogue at the end of the street zhèi
tiáo jiē de jìntóu [jay tyow jyeh
would you like anything dur jin-toh]
else? hái yào biéde ma? ~!@#$%
[yow – mah] when does it end? shénme
no, nothing else, thanks shíhou jiéshù? [shun-mur shur-
bú yào le, xièxie [lur hsyeh- hoh jyeh-shoo]
hsyeh] ^&*()_+
engaged (toilet) yŏurén [yoh-run]
email diànzi yóujiàn [dyen-dzur |`
yoh-jyen] (phone) zhànxiàn [jahn-hsyen]
DFGH 12
embassy dàshíguăn [dah-shur- (to be married) dìnghūnle [ding-
gwahn] hun-lur]
JKL 345

68
England Yīngguó [ying-gwor] enough: that’s enough gòule

English ➜ Chinese
67 [goh-lur]
English (adj) Yīngguó [ying- DF
gwor] there’s not enough bú gòu
89 GH
(language) Yīngyŭ [ying-yew] it’s not big enough bú gòu
-= dà
I’m English wŏ shì Yīngguó JKL
rén [wor shur – run] entrance (noun) rùkŏuchù [roo-
\QWER koh-choo]
do you speak English? ni :"a
huìbuhuì shuō Yīngyŭ? envelope xìnfēng [hsin-fung]
[hway-boo-hway shwor] sd
TYUIOP{} equipment shèbèi [shur-bay]
enjoy: to enjoy oneself wánr fg
de hĕn kāixīn [wahnr dur hun (for climbing, sport etc) qìxiè
kai-hsin] [chee-hsyeh]
qwerty hj

ABCDEFGHIJKLEv
especially tèbié [tur-byeh]
dialogue kl
essential zhòngyào [joong-yow]
how did you like the film? ~!
nĭ juéde diànyĭng zĕnme it is essential thatâ•‚... ... shì
yàng? [jyew-eh-dur dyen-ying juéduì bìyào de [shur jyew-eh-
dzun-mur yang] dway bee-yow dur]
I enjoyed it very much, did ... %^&*()
you enjoy it? wŏ juéde hĕn Europe Ōuzhōu [oh-joh]
hăo, nĭ ne? [wor – hun how _+
nee nur] European (adj) Ōuzhōu
|`
enjoyable lìng rén yúkuàide even shènzhi [shun-jur]
[run yew-kwai-dur] 12
uiop[ even ifâ•‚... jìshĭ‑... yĕ [jee-shurâ•‚...
enormous dàjíle [dah-jee-lur] yur]
]AS 34 ... 8

69
 evening wănshang [wahn- jyen shur]
English ➜ Chinese

shahng] tyui
90 (objects) suŏyŏu de dōngxi
this evening jīntiān wănshang [swor-yoh dur doong-hshee]
[jin-tyen] op[]A
-=\Q everywhere mĕige dìfāng [may-
in the evening wănshang gur dee-fahng]
WE SDFG
evening meal wănfàn [wahn- exactly! duìjíle!
fahn] [dway-jee-lur]
RT HJK
eventually zuìhòu [dzway-hoh] exam kăoshì [kow-shur]
YU L:
ever céngjīng [tsung-jing] example lìzi [lee-dzur]
IO "a
for example lìrú
dialogue sd
excellent hăojíle [how-jee-lur]
ABCDEFGHIJKLEv

have you ever been to fgh

the Great Wall? nĭ qùguo
Chángchéng ma? [chew-
gworâ•‚– mah]
yes, I was there two years
ago qùguo, liăng nián qián
qùguo [chew-gwor lyang nyen
chyen chew-gwor]
every mĕige [may-gur]
P{
every day mĕitiān [may-tyen]
}q
everyone mĕige rén [may-gur
run]
wer
everything mĕijiàn shìr [may-
except chúle‑... yĭwài [choo-lur]
~! ... %^
excess baggage chāozhòng
xíngli [chow-joong hsing-lee]
&*()
exchange rate duìhuàn lU
[dway-hwahn lyew]
_+|
exciting (day) cìji [tsur-jee]
`1
excuse me (to get past) láojià
[low-jyah]
()
(to get attention) láojià, qĭng
wèn‑... [ching wun]
()89

70
 (to say sorry) duìbuqĭ [dway-boo- [fun-jee]

English ➜ Chinese
chee] sd
0-= extension 221, please qĭng
exhausted (tired) lèisĭle [lay- guà èr èr yāo [ching gwah er er
sur-lur] yow]
\QW fghjk
exhibition (of paintings etc) extra: can we have an extra
zhánlăn [jan-lan] one? qĭng zài lái yíge? [dzai lai
ER yee-gur]
(trade fair etc) jiāoyì huì [jyow- 'ZXCVB
yee hway] do you charge extra for that?
TYU hái yaò qián ma? [hai yow chyen
exit chūkŏu [choo-koh] mah]
IO NM<>?
where’s the nearest exit? zuì extremely fēicháng [fay-
jìn de chūkŏu zài năr? [dzway chahng]
jin dur choo-koh dzai] zx
P{}qwerty eye yănjing [yahn-jing]

ABCDEFGHIJKLFa
expensive guì [gway] cv
u will you keep an eye on my
experienced yŏu jīngyàn [yoh suitcase for me? máfan nín
jing-yen] bāng wŏ kān yíxià tíbāo, hăo
iop ma? [mah-fahn nin bahng wor kahn
explain jiĕshì [jyeh-shur] yee-hsyah tee-bow how mah]
[] ~!@#$%^&*
can you explain that? nĭ néng ()_+
jiĕshì yíxìa ma? [nung – yee- eyeglasses yănjìng [yahn-jing]
syah mah] |`
ASDFGHJK
express (mail) kuàidì
F
[kwai-dee]
L:
(train) kuàichē [kwai-chur] face liăn [lyen]
"a 1
extension (telephone) fēnjī factory gōngchăng [goong-

71
 chahng] shahn]
English ➜ Chinese

23 DF
Fahrenheit huáshì [hwah-shur] (hand-held) shànzi
45 [shahn-dzur]
faint (verb) yūn [yewn] GH
6 (sports) qiúmí [chyoh-mee]
she’s fainted tā yūndăole [tah JK
yewn-dow-lur] fantastic (wonderful) tàihăole
7890 [tai-how-lur]
I feel faint wŏ juéde yŏu diăn L:"
(tóu) yūn [wor jyew-eh-dur yoh far yuăn [yew-ahn]
dyen (toh)] a
-=\QWERTY
fair (adj) gōngpíng dialogue
[goong-ping]
UI is it far from here? lí zhèr
fake màopái [mow-pai] yuăn ma? [jer – mah]
OP no, not very far bú tài yuăn
ABCDEFGHIJKLFa

fall (verb: person) shuāidăo well, how far? duō yuăn

[shwai-dow] ne? [dwor – nur]
{} it’s about 20 kilometres èr
she’s had a fall tā shuāile yì shí gōnglĭ zuŏyòu [goong-
jiāo [tah shwai-lur yee jyow] lee dzwor-yoh]
qwert
fall (US) qiūtiān [chyoh-tyen] fare chēfèi [chur-fay]
yu ~!
in the fall qiūtiān Far East Yuăndōng [yew-ahn-
io doong]
false jiă [jyah] @#
p farm nóngchăng [noong-chahng]
family jiātíng [jyah-ting] $%
[] fashionable shímáo [shur-mow]
famous yŏumíng [yoh-ming] ^&
AS fast kuài [kwai]
fan (electrical) fēngshàn [fung- *

72
fat (person) pàng [pahng] feel gănjué [gahn-jyew-eh]

English ➜ Chinese
( ui
(on meat) féiròu [fay-roh] I feel hot wŏ juéde hĕn rè [wor
)_ jyew-eh-dur hun rur]
father fùqīn [foo-chin] op[]A
+| I feel unwell wŏ juéde
father-in-law yuèfù [yew-eh- bú tài shūfu [–dur – shoo-foo]
foo] SDFGHJK
`1 I feel like going for a walk wŏ
faucet shuĭlóngtóu [shway- xiăng qù zŏuzŏu [hsyahng chew
loong-toh] dzoh-dzoh]
234 L:"as
fault cuò [tswor] how are you feeling? nĭ juéde
5 zĕnme yàng le? [nee jyew-eh-
sorry, it was my fault duìbuqĭ dur dzun-mur – lur]
shì wŏde cuò [dway-boo-chee dfghjkl;
shur wor-dur tswor] I’m feeling better wŏ hăo
67890-= diănr le [how dyenr]

ABCDEFGHIJKLFe
it’s not my fault bú shì wŏde 'ZXCV
cuò fence zhàlan [jah-lahn]
\QWER BN
faulty yŏu máobìng [yoh mow- ferry băidù
bing] M<
TYU festival jiérì [jyeh-ree]
favourite zuì xĭhuan de [dzway ~!
hshee-hwahn dur] fetch qŭ [chew]
IOP{ @
fax (noun) chuánzhēn [chwahn- I’ll fetch him wŏ qù jiào tā lái
jun] [wor – jyow tah]
}q #$%^&
to send a fax fā chuánzhēn will you come and fetch me
[fah] later? dĕng huìr nĭ lái jiē
wer wŏ, hăo ma? [dung hwayr –
February èryuè [er-yew-eh] jyeh]
ty *()_+|`123

73
 feverish fāshāo [fah-show] dialogue
English ➜ Chinese

45
few: a few yì xiē [yee-hsyeh] do you have this kind of
67 film? nĭ yŏu zhèi zhŏng
a few days jĭ tiān [tyen] jiāojuănr ma? [yoh jay-joong
89 jyow-jyew-ahnr mah]
fiancé wèihūnfū [way-hun- yes, how many exposures?
foo] yŏu, nĭ yào duōshao zhāng
0-= de? [yow dwor-show jahng dur]
fiancée wèihūnqī [way-hun- 36 sān shí liù zhāng (de)
chee]
\QW filthy zāng [dzahng]
field tiándì [tyen-dee] ~
ER find (verb) zhăodào [jow-dow]
(paddy) dàotián [dow-tyen] !@
TY I can’t find it wŏ zhăobúdào
fill in tián [tyen] [wor jow-boo-dow]
U #$%^
ABCDEFGHIJKLFe

do I have to fill this in? wŏ I’ve found it zhăodàole [jow-

yào tián zhèi zhāng biăo ma? dow-lur]
[wor yow tyen jay jahng byow &*(
mah] find out zhăochū [jow-choo]
IOP{}qwe )_
filling (in cake, sandwich) xiànr could you find out for me? nĭ
[hsyenr] néng tì wŏ diàochá yíxià ma?
rt [nung tee wor dyow-chah yee-hsyah
(in tooth) bŭ yá [byew yah] mah]
yu +|`1234567
film (movie) diànyĭng [dyen- fine (weather) qínglăng [ching-
ying] lang]
io 89
(for camera) jiāojuănr [jyow-jew- (punishment) fákuán [fah-
ahnr] kwahn]
p[] 0-

74
dialogues fire alarm huŏjĭng [hwor-

English ➜ Chinese
jing]
how are you? nĭ hăo ma? FG
[how mah] fire brigade xiāofángduì
I’m fine, thanks hĕn hăo, [hsyow-fahng-dway]
xièxie [hun how hsyeh-hsyeh] HJK
fire escape tàipíngtī
is that OK? zhèyàng xíng L:"
ma? [jur-yang hsing mah] fire extinguisher mièhuŏqì
that’s fine, thanks xíng, [myeh-hwor-chee]
xièxie ~!@
first dìyī
finger shóuzhĭ [shoh-jur] #$
=\ I was first wŏ dìyī [wor]
finish (verb) zuò wán [dzwor %^&
wahn] first of all shŏuxiān [shoh-
QW hsyen]
I haven’t finished yet wŏ hái *(

ABCDEFGHIJKLFi
méi nòng wán [wor hai may at first qĭchū [chee-choo]
noong wahn] )_
ERTYU the first time dīyí cì [tsur]
when does it finish? shénme +|`
shíhou néng wán? [shun-mur first on the left zuŏbian dì
shur-hoh nung] yīge [zwor-byen – gur]
IOP{}qw 12345
fire huŏ [hwor] first aid jíjiù [jee-jyoh]
e 67
(blaze) huŏzāi [hwor-dzai] first-aid kit jíjiùxiāng
rt [–hsyahng]
fire! zháohuŏle! [jow-hwor-lur] 890
yui first class (travel etc) yīdĕng
can we light a fire here? zhèr [yee-dung]
néng diăn huŏ ma? [jer nung -=
dyen hwor mah] first floor èr lóu [er loh]
op[]ASD \Q

75
 (US) yī lóu byeh-lur]
English ➜ Chinese

WE ghjkl;
first name míngzi [ming-dzur] flavour wèidao [way-dow]
RT 'Z
fish (noun) yú [yew] flea tiàozăo [tyow-dzow]
Y XC
fit: it doesn’t fit me zhè duì flight hángbān [hahng-bahn]
wŏ bù héshì [jur dway wor boo ~!
hur-shur] flight number hángbān hào
UIOP{} [how]
fitting room shì yī shì [shur yee @#$
shur] flood hóngshuĭ [hoong-shway]
qwe %^
fix: can you fix this? (repair) nĭ floor (of room: wooden) dìbăn
néng bă zhèige xiū hăo ma? &*
[nung bah jay-gur hsyoh how mah] (storey) lóu [loh]
rtyuiop[] (
fizzy yŏuqìde [yoh-chee-dur] (in hotel etc) céng [tsung]
ABCDEFGHIJKLFi

ASD )
flag qí [chee] on the floor zài dìshang [dzai
F dee-shahng]
flannel (xĭliăn) máojīn [(hshee- _+|
lyen) mow-jin] florist huādiàn [hwah-dyen]
GHJK `1
flash (for camera) flower huā [hwah]
shănguāngdēng [shahn-gwahng- 2
dung] flu liúgăn [lyoh-gahn]
L:" 34
flat (noun: apartment) dānyuán fluent: he speaks fluent
[dahn-yew-ahn] Chinese tā Hànyŭ jiăngde
as hĕn liúlì [tah hahn-yew jyang-dur
(adj) píngtăn [ping-tahn] hun lyoh-lee]
df 567890-=
I’ve got a flat tyre wŏde fly (noun) cāngying [tsahng-ying]
chētāi biĕle [wor-dur chur-tai \Q

76
 (verb) fēi [fay] chyoh-sai]

English ➜ Chinese
W dfg
can we fly there? dào nàr yŏu (ball) zúqiú [dzoo-chyoh]
fēijī ma? [dow nar yoh fay-jee hj
mah] for*: do you have something
ERTYUIOP forâ•‚...? (illness) nĭ yŏu zhì... de
fog wù yào ma? [yoh –jur yow mah]
{ kl; ... CVBN
foggy: it’s foggy yŏu wù [yoh]
}q dialogues
folk dancing mínjiān wŭdăo
[min-jyen woo-dow] who are the dumplings
wert for? zhèi xiē jiăozi shì shéi
folk music mínjiān yīnyuè [yin- ( jiào) de? [jay hsyeh jyow-dzur
yew-eh] shur shay (jyow) dur]
yuio that’s for me shì wŏ de
food shíwù [shur-woo] [shur wor]
p[ and this one? zhèi gè ne?

(in shops) shípĭn [shur-pin]
]A
food poisoning shíwù
zhòngdú [joong-doo]
SDFG
food shop, food store shípĭn
diàn [shur-pin dyen]
HJK
foot (measurement) yīngchĭ
[ying-chur]
L:
(of person) jiăo [jyow]
"
to go on foot bùxíng [boo-
hsing]
as
football (game) zúqiúsài [dzoo-
ABCDEFGHIJKLFo
[jay gur nur]
that’s for her shì tā de [shur
tah]
where do I get the bus for
Beijing? qù Bĕijīng zài nár
zuò chē? [chew – dzai nar
dzwor chur]
the bus for Beijing leaves
from Donglu Street qù
Bĕijīng de chē zài Dōnglù
kāi [chew – dur chur dzai]
how long have you been
here? nĭ lái zhèr duō cháng
shíjiān le? [jer dwor chahng
shur-jyen lur]

77
 I’ve been here for two fortunately xìngkuī [hsing-
English ➜ Chinese

days, how about you? wŏ kway]

láile liăng tiān le, nĭ ne?
[wor lai-lur lyang tyen lur nee
nur]
I’ve been here for a week
wŏ láile yíge xīngqī le [yee-
gur hsing-chee lur]
Forbidden City Gùgōng [goo-
goong]
M<
foreign wàiguó [wai-gwor]
>?
foreigner wàiguó rén [run]
zxc
forest sēnlín [sun-lin]
~!
ABCDEFGHIJKLFo
23
forward: could you forward
my mail? nín néng bāng wó
zhuăn yíxià xìn ma? [nung
bahng wor jwahn yee-hsyah hsin
mah]
4567890-=\
forwarding address zhuănxìn
dìzhĭ [jwahn-hsin dee-jur]
QWER
fountain pēnquán [pun-chew-
ahn]
TY
foyer xiūxītīng [hsyoh-see-ting]
UIO
fracture (noun) gŭzhé [gyew-jur]

forget wàng [wahng] P{

@ France Făguó [fah-gwor]
I forget, I’ve forgotten wŏ }q
wàngle [wor –lur] free zìyóu [dzur-yoh]
#$% we
fork (for eating) chā [chah] (no charge) miăn fèi [myen fay]
^ rt
(in road) chàlù [chah-loo] is it free (of charge)? miăn fèi
&* de ma? [dur mah]
form (document) biăo [byow] yuiop
( French (adj) Făguó [fah-gwor]
formal (dress) zhèngshì [jung- []
shur] (language) Fáyŭ [fah-yew]
)_ AS
fortnight liăngge xīngqī [lyang- French fries zhá tŭdòu tiáo [jah
gur hsing-chee] too-doh tyow]
+|`1 DFGH

78
frequent jīngcháng [jing- fried noodles chăomiàn [chow-

English ➜ Chinese
chahng] myen]
JK IO
how frequent is the bus to the fried rice chăofàn [chow-fahn]
Forbidden City? dào Gùgōng P{
qù de gōnggòng qìchē friend péngyou [pung-yoh]
duōcháng shíjian kāi yì bān? }q
[dow goo-goong chew dur goong- friendly yŏuhăo [yoh-how]
goong chee-chur dwor-chahng shur- we
jyen kai yee bahn] friendship yŏuyì [yoh-yee]
~!@#$%^&* rt
()_+|`12 friendship store yŏuyì
fresh (weather, breeze) qīngxīn shāngdiàn [yoh-yee shahng-dyen]
[ching-hsin] yuio
34 from* cóng [tsoong]
(fruit etc) xiān [hsyen] p
5 how far is it from here? lí zhèr
fresh orange juice xiān júzhī duō yuăn? [jer dwor ywahn]

ABCDEFGHIJKLFr
[jyew-jur] []ASDF
678 when does the next train from
Friday xīngqī wŭ [hsing-chee- Suzhou arrive? cóng Sūzhōu
woo] lái de xià yì bān huŏchē jĭdiăn
90- dàodá? [tsoong soo-joh lai dur
fridge bīngxiāng [–hsyahng] hsyah yee bahn hwor-chur jee-dyen
=\ dow-dah]
fried (shallow-fried) jiānde GHJKL:"as
[jyen-dur] dfghjk
QW from Monday to Friday cóng
(deep-fried) zháde [jah-dur] xīngqī yī dào xīngqī wŭ
E [tsoong hsing-chee-yee dow hsing-
(stir-fried) chăode [chow-dur] chee]
R ~!@#$%^&
fried egg jiān jīdàn [jyen jee- from next Thursday cóng xià
dahn] xīngqī sì qĭ [hsyah – sur chee]
TYU *()_+|

79
 dialogue [hun how wahnr]
English ➜ Chinese

iop[
where are you from? nĭ shì funeral zànglĭ [dzahng-lee]
nár de rén? [shur nar-duh run] ]A
I’m from Slough wŏ shì funny (strange) qíguài [chee-
Slough láide rén [wor shur gwai]
– lai-dur] SD
(amusing) yŏu yìsi [yoh yee-sur]
front qiánmian [chyen-myen] FGH
`1 (comical) huájī [hwah-jee]
in front, at the front zài JK
qiánbianr [dzai chyen-byenr] furniture jiājù [jyah-jyew]
2345 L:
in front of the hotel zài further: it’s further down the
fàndiàn qiánmian [dzai fahn- road zài wăng qián zŏu [dzai
dyen chyen-myen] wahng chyen soh]
67890 "asd
frozen bīngdòngde [bing-doong-
ABCDEFGHIJKLFr

dur]
-=\ dialogue
fruit shuĭguŏ [shway-gwor]
QW how much further is it to
fruit juice guŏzhī [gwor-jur] the Forbidden City? dào
ER Gùgōng hái yŏu duōshao
full măn [mahn] lù? [dow – yoh dwor-show]
T about 5 kilometres dàyuē
it’s full ofâ•‚... lĭmian dōu shì ... wŭ gōnglĭ (lù) [dah-yew-eh
[lee-myen doh shur] woo goong-lee]
YUIO ...
I’m full wŏ băole [wor bow-lur] future jiānglái [jyang-lai]
qwe fg
full board shí zhù quán bāo in future jiānglái
[shur joo choo-en bow] ~!
rtyu
fun: it was fun hĕn hăo wánr

80
 gay tóngxìngliàn [toong-hsing-
G

English ➜ Chinese
lyen]
UIO
game (cards etc) yóuxì [yoh- general (adj) yì bān [yee bahn]
hshee] P{
@# gents’ toilet nán cèsuŏ [nahn
(match) bĭsài tsur-swor]
$% }qw
(meat) yĕwèi [yur-way] genuine (antique etc) zhēnzhèng
^& [jun-jung]
garage (for fuel) jiāyóu zhàn er
[jyah-yoh jahn] German (adj) Déguó [dur-
*() gwor]
(for repairs) qìchē xiūlíchăng ty
[chee-chur hsyoh-lee-chahng] (language) Déyŭ [dur-yew]
_+|`1 ui
(for parking) chēkù [chur-koo] Germany Déguó
23 op

ABCDEFGHIJKLGe
garden huāyuán [hwah-yew- get (fetch) qŭ [chew]
ahn] [
45 could you get me another
garlic dàsuàn [dah-swahn] one, please? qĭng nĭ zài gĕi
67 wŏ yí ge hăo ma? [ching nee
gas méiqì [may-chee] dzai gay wor yee gur how mah]
89 ]ASDFGHJKL
gasoline qìyóu [chee-yoh] how do I get toâ•‚...? qù‑...
0- zĕnme zŏu? [chewâ•‚... dzun-mur
gas station jiāyóu zhàn [jyah- dzoh]
yoh jahn] : ... dfgh
=\Q do you know where I can get
gate dàmén [dah-mun] them? nĭ zhīdao wŏ zài năr
WE néng măi dào ma? [jee-dow wor
(at airport) dēngjīkŏu [dung-jee- dzai nar nung mai dow mah]
koh] jkl;'ZXCV
R_Y BNM

81
 dialogue ginger shēngjiāng [shung-jyang]
English ➜ Chinese

90
can I get you a drink? hē girl nW háir [nyew]
diănr shénme ma? [hur dyenr -=\
shun-mur mah] girlfriend nW péngyou [pung-
no, I’ll get this one, what yoh]
would you like? zhèi huí QWE
wŏ lái măi, nĭ xiăng hē give gĕi [gay]
shénme? [jay hway wor R
– hsyahng hur] can you give me some
a glass of Maotai (lái) yì change? qĭng gĕi wŏ líng
bēi Máotáijiŭ [bay] qián, hăo ma? [ching gay wor ling
chyen how mah]
get back huílai [hway-lai] TYUIOP{}
~! I gave ... to him wŏ bă ... sòng
get in (arrive) dàodá [dow-dah] gĕi tā [wor bah ... soong gay tah]
@# qw ... yui
get off: where do I get off? wŏ will you give this toâ•‚...? qĭng
ABCDEFGHIJKLGe

zài nár xià chē? [wor dzai nar bă zhèige sònggĕi ...? [ching
hsyah chur] bah jay-gur soong-gay]
$%^&*() op[]AS ...H
get on (to train etc) shàng chē give back huán [hwahn]
[shahng chur] J
_+ glad gāoxìng [gow-sing]
get out (of car etc) xià chē ~!
[hsyah-chur] glass (material) bōli [bor-lee]
|` @#
get up (in the morning) qĭchuáng (for drinking) bōli bēi [bay]
[chee-chwahng] $%^
12 a glass of wine yì bēi jiŭ
gift lĭwù [lee-woo] &*(
34 glasses yănjìng [yahn-jing]
gift shop lĭwù shāngdiàn )_
[shahng-dyen] gloves shŏutào [shoh-tow]
5678 +|

82
glue jiāoshuĭr [jyow-shwayr] go down (the stairs etc) xià

English ➜ Chinese
`12 [hsyah]
go qù [chew] g
3 go in jìn
we’d like to go to the h
Summer Palace wŏmen go out (in the evening) chūqu
xiăng qù Yíhéyuán [wor-mun [choo-chew]
hsyahng] jk
4567890 do you want to go out
where are you going? nĭ qù tonight? nĭ jīntiān wănshang
năr? xiăng chūqù ma? [jin-tyen
-=\QW wahn-shahng hsyahng – mah]
where does this bus go? zhèi l;'ZXCVBNM
liàng chē qù năr? [jay lyang go through chuān [chwahn]
chur] <
ERTYUIO go up (the stairs etc) shàng
let’s go! wŏmen zŏu ba! [wor- [shahng]
mun dzoh bah] >

ABCDEFGHIJKLGo
P{}q God shàngdì
she’s gone tā yĭjing zŏule [tah ?z
yee-ying zoh-lur] gold (metal) huángjīn [hwahng-
werty jin]
where has he gone? tā dào xc
năr qù le? [dow] (colour) jīnsè [jin-sur]
uiop[]A ~!
I went there last week wŏ shì good hăo [how]
shàng xīngqī qù nàr de [wor @
shur shahng hsing-chee] good! hăo!
SDFGHJKL: #
go away líkāi it’s no good bù hăo
"a $%
go away! zŏu kāi! [dzoh] goodbye zàijiàn [dzai-jyen]
sd ^&
go back (return) huí [hway] good evening nĭ hăo [how]
f *(

83
 good morning nĭ zăo [zow] grandmother (maternal) wàipó
English ➜ Chinese

)_ [wai-por]
good night wăn’ān [wahn-ahn] ui
+| (paternal) năinai
goose é [ur] op
` grandson (daughter’s son) wài
gorge xiá [hsyah] sūnzi [sun-dzur]
F []A
got: we’ve got to leave (son’s son) sūnzi
wŏmen déi zŏu le [wor-mun SD
day zoh lur] grapefruit pútáoyòu [poo-tow-
12345 yoh]
have you got anyâ•‚...? nĭ yŏu FGH
... ma? [yoh ... mah] grapes pútáo [poo-tow]
67 ... -= JK
government zhèngfŭ [jung-foo] grass căo [tsow]
\Q L
gradually jiànjiàn de [jyen-jyen grateful gănjī [gahn-jee]
ABCDEFGHIJKLGo

dur] :"
WER great (excellent) hăojíle [how-
grammar yŭfă [yew-fah] jee-lur]
TY asd
gram(me) kè [kur] a great success jùdà
U chéngjiù [joo-dah chung-jyoh]
granddaughter (daughter’s ~!@#
daughter) wàisūnnWr [wai-sun- greedy (for money etc) tānxīn
nyewr] [tahn-hsin]
IOP{ $%
(son’s daughter) sūnnWr (for food) chán [chahn]
}qw ^
grandfather (maternal) wàigōng green lUsè(de) [lyew-sur(-dur)]
[wai-goong] &*(
er greengrocer’s càidiàn [tsai-
(paternal) yéye [yur-yur] dyen]
ty )_

84
grey huīsè(de) [hway- [shoh-tsur]

English ➜ Chinese
sur(-dur)] erty
+|` guided tour yŏu dăoyóu de
grilled kăo [kow] yóulăn [yoh – dur yoh-lahn]
1 uiop[]
grocer’s záhuòdiàn [dzah-hwor- guitar jítā [jee-tah]
dyen] ~!
234 gum (in mouth) chĭyín [chur-
ground: on the ground zài dì yin]
shàng [dzai dee shahng] @#
567 gym tĭyùguăn [tee-yoo-gwahn]
ground floor yī lóu [loh] $%^
89
group (tourist etc)
H
cānguāntuán [tsahn-gwahn-
twahn]
0-= hair tóufa [toh-fah]
(study, work etc) xiăozŭ [hsyow- &*

ABCDEFGHIJKLHa
dzyew] haircut lĭfà [lee-fah]
\Q ()
guarantee (noun) băozhèng hairdresser’s lĭfàdiàn [dyen]
[bow-jung] _+|
WE hairdryer diànchuīfēng [dyen-
is it guaranteed? băo bù chway-fung]
băoxiū? [bow – hsyoh] `12
RTYUI hair spray pēnfàjì
guest kèrén [kur-run] [pun-fah-jee]
OP 345
guesthouse bīnguăn [bing- half* (adj) bàn [bahn]
wahn] 6
{} (noun) yí bàn
guide (tour guide) dăoyóu [dow- 78
yoh] half an hour bàn xiăoshí
qw [hsyow-shur]
guidebook dăoyóu shŏucè 90-

85
 half a litre bàn shēng [shung] what has happened? fāshēng
English ➜ Chinese

=\ le shénme shìr la? [fah-shung lur

about half that nàme duō yí shun-mur lah]
bàn [nah-mur dwor] dfghjkl;'
QW+ER happy kuàilè [kwai-lur]
half board bàn shísù ZX
[shur-soo] I’m not happy about this
TYU wŏ duì zhèige bù mănyì
half-bottle bàn píng [wor dway jay-gur boo
IO mahn-yee]
half fare bànfèi [bahn-fay] ~!@#$%^
P{ harbour gángkŏu
half price bànjià [bahn-jyah] [gahng-koh]
}q &*
ham huŏtuĭ [hwor-tway] hard yìng
we (
hamburger hànbăobāo (difficult) nán [nahn]
[hahn-bow-bow] )
ABCDEFGHIJKLHa

|`1 hardly: hardly ever hĕn shăo

hand shŏu [shoh] [hun show]
u _+
handbag shŏutíbāo [shoh-tee- hard seat yìngxí
bow] [ying-hshee]
iop |`
handkerchief shŏujuànr [shoh- hardware shop wŭjīn
jwahnr] (shāng) diàn [woo-jin (shahng)
[]A dyen]
hand luggage shŏutí xíngli 123456
[shoh-tee hsing-lee] hat màozi [mow-dzur]
SDFG 78
happen fāshēng [fah-shung] hate (verb) hèn [hun]
HJ 9
what’s happening? zĕnme have* yŏu [yoh]
huí shìr? [dzun-mur hway shur] 0
KL:"as can I have aâ•‚...? (asking for

86
 something) qĭng gĕi wŏ‑... hăo dialogue

English ➜ Chinese
ma? [ching gay worâ•‚... how]
-=\ ... RTY can you hear me? nĭ néng
(ordering food) qĭng lái‑..., hăo tīngjiàn ma? [nung ting-jyen
ma? [ching] mah]
UI ... }qw I can’t hear you, could
(in shop) wŏ xiăng măi‑... [wor you repeat that? duìbuqĭ,
hsyahng] tīngbujiàn, nĭ néng zài
ert ... shuō yí biàn ma? [dway-boo-
do you haveâ•‚...? nĭmen chee ting-boo-jyen – dzai shwor
yŏu‑... ma? [nee-mun yohâ•‚... yee byen]
mah]
op[ ... DF hearing aid zhùtīngqì [joo-ting-
what’ll you have? nĭ xiăng hē chee]
shénme? [hsyahng hur >?z
shun-mur] heart xīnzàng [hsin-dzahng]
GHJKL: xc
I have to leave now wŏ dĕi heart attack xīnzàngbìng

ABCDEFGHIJKLHe
zŏu le [wor day dzoh lur] [–bing]
"asd ~!@
do I have toâ•‚...? wŏ dĕi‑... heat rè [rur]
ma? #
fg ... l; heater sànrèqì [sahn-rur-chee]
hayfever huāfĕnrè [hwah-fun- $%^
rur] heating nuănqì [nwahn-chee]
'ZX &*
he* tā [tah] heavy zhòng [joong]
C (
head tóu [toh] heel (of foot) jiăogēn
V [jyow-gun]
headache tóuténg [toh-tung] )_
BN (of shoe) xié hòugēn [hsyeh]
hear tīngjian [ting-jyen] +|`
M< could you heel these? qĭng
gĕi wŏ dă hoùgēn, hăo ma?

87
 [ching gay wor dah – how mah] herbs (for cooking) zuóliào
English ➜ Chinese

123456789 [dzwor-lyow]
heelbar xiūxiépù [hsyoh-hsyeh- fg
poo] (medicinal) căoyào [tsow-yow]
0-= hj
helicopter zhíshēng fēijī [jur- here zhèr [jer]
shung fay-jee] kl
\QWE here is/areâ•‚... zhèr shì ... [shur]
hello nĭ hăo [nee how] ;'Z ...
RT here you are gĕi nĭ [gay]
(answer on phone) wéi [way] BN
Y hers* tāde [tah-dur]
help bāngzhù [bahng-joo] M<
UI that’s hers zhè shì tāde [jur
help! jiùmìng! [jyoh-ming] shur]
OP >?zx
can you help me? nĭ néng hey! hēi! [hay]
bù néng bāngbāng wŏ? [nung ~
ABCDEFGHIJKLHe

bahng-bahng wor] hi! (hello) ní hăo! [how]

{}qweety !@
thank you very much for your high gāo [gow]
help xièxie nĭde bāngmáng #
[hsyeh-hsyeh nee-dur] hill shān [shahn]
uiop[] $
helpful bāngle bú shăo máng him* tā [tah]
[bahng-lur boo show mahng] %
ASDFG hip túnbù [tun-boo]
hepatitis gānyán [gah-nyen] ^&
HJ hire (bike, car) zū [dzoo]
her* tā [tah] *
K (guide, interpreter) gù
that’s her towel nà shì tāde (
máojīn [nah shur tah-dur for hire chūzū [choo-dzoo]
mow-jin] )_
L:"asd where can I hire a bike? zài

88
 năr néng zū dào zìxíngchē? honeymoon mìyuè [mee-yew-

English ➜ Chinese
[dzai nar nung zoo dow dzi-hsing- eh]
chur] []
+|`1234567 Hong Kong Xiānggăng
his* tāde [tah-dur] [hsyahng-gahng]
89 AS
hit (verb) dă [dah] hope xīwàng [hshee-wahng]
0 DF
hitch-hike dā biànchē [byen- I hope so wŏ xīwàng shì zhèi
chur] yàng [wor – shur jay yang]
-=\ GHJKL:
hobby shìhào [shur-how] I hope not wŏ xīwàng bú shì
QW zhèi yàng
hole dòng [doong] "asdfgh
E hopefully xīwàng rúcĭ [hshee-
holiday (public) jiàqī [jyah-chee] wahng roo-tsur]
RT ~!@#
(festival) jiérì [jyeh-ree] horrible kĕpà [kur-pah]

ABCDEFGHIJKLHo
YU $%
on holiday dùjià [doo-jyah] horse mă [mah]
IO ^
home jiā horse riding qí mă [chee]
P &*
at home (in my house etc) zài jiā hospital yīyuàn [yee-yew-ahn]
[dzai] ()
{} hospitality hàokè [how-kur]
we go home tomorrow (to _+
country) wŏmen míngtian huí thank you for your
guó [wor-mun ming-tyen hway hospitality xièxie nínde
gwor] shèngqíng kuăndài [hsyeh-
qwerty hsyeh nin-dur shung-ching kwahn-
honest chéngshí [chung-shur] dai]
ui |`123456
honey fēngmì [fung-mee] hot rè [rur]
op 7

89
 (spicy) là [lah] hĕn hăo, nĭ ne? [hun –
English ➜ Chinese

8 nur]
I’m hot wŏ juéde hĕn rè [wor
jyew-eh-dur hun rur] how much is it? duōshao
90-=\ qián? [chyen]
it’s hot today jīntiān hĕn rè 17 yuan shí qī kuài [shur
[jin-tyen] chee kwai]
QWER I’ll take it wŏ măi [wor]
hotel (small) lWguăn [lyew-
gwahn] humid cháoshī [chow-shur]
TY 23
(luxury) fàndiàn [fahn-dyen] hungry è [ur]
UI 4
hour xiăoshí [hsyow-shur] are you hungry? nĭ èle ma?
~! [ur-lur mah]
house fángzi [fahng-dzur] 56789
@# hurry: I’m in a hurry wŏ hĕn jí
how zĕnme [dzun-mur] de [wor hun jee dur]
ABCDEFGHIJKLHo

$%^ 0-=Q
how many? (if answer is likely there’s no hurry mànmàn lái
to be more than ten) duōshao? [mahn-mahn]
[dwor-show] WER
&*( hurry up! kuài diănr! [kwai
(if answer is likely to be ten or less) dyenr]
jĭge? [jee-gur] TYU
)_+ hurt (verb) téng [tung]
how do you do? nĭ hăo I
[how] it really hurts zhēn téng [jun
|`1 tung]
OP
dialogues husband zhàngfu [jahng-foo]
{}
how are you? nĭ hăo ma?
[mah]
fine, thanks, and you?

90
 imitation (leather etc) făng
I

English ➜ Chinese
[fahng]
*
I wŏ [wor] immediately măshàng [mah-
q shahng]
ice bīng ()
w important zhòngyào [joong-
with ice jiā bīngkuàir [jyah yow]
bing-kwair] _+
erty it’s very important hĕn
no ice, thanks bù jiā zhòngyào [hun joong-yow]
bīngkuàir, xièxie [boo jyah bing- |`1
kwair hsyeh-hsyeh] it’s not important bú
uiop[]A zhòngyào
ice cream bīngqílín [bing- 234
chee-lin] impossible bù kĕnéng [kur-
SDF nung]
ice-cream cone dànjuănr 567

ABCDEFGHIJKLIn
bīngqílín [dahn-jyew-ahnr] impressive (building, view)
GHJKL: xióngwĕi [hsyoong-way]
ice lolly bīnggùnr [bing-gunr] 89
"as improve tígāo [tee-gow]
idea zhŭyi [joo-yee] 0-
df I want to improve my
idiot shăguā [shah-gwah] Chinese wŏ xiăng tígāo
gh wŏde Hànyŭ shuĭpíng [wor
if rúguŏ [roo-gwor] hsyahng – wor-dur hah-yew shway-
jk ping]
ill bìngle [bing-lur] =\QWERTYUI
l; in*: it’s in the centre zài
I feel ill wŏ juéde bù shūfu zhōngjiān [dzai joong-jyen]
[wor jyew-eh-dur] OP{
~!@#$% in my car zài wŏde chē lĭ [wor-
illness jíbìng dur chur lee]
^& }qwer

91
 in London zài Lúndūn Indian (adj) Yìndù
English ➜ Chinese

tyu %^
in two days from now liăng indigestion xiāohuà bù liáng
tiān zhī hòu [tyen jur hoh] [hsyow-hwah boo lyang]
iop[ &*()
in five minutes wŭ fēn Indonesia Yìndùníxīyà [yin-
zhōng (zhī) nèi [fun joong (jur) doo-nee-hshee-yah]
nay] _+|`1
]ASDFGH indoor pool shìnèi
in May zài wŭyuè yóuyŏngchí [shur-nay yoh-
JKL yoong-chur]
in English yòng Yīngyŭ 23456
:"a indoors shìnèi [shur-nay]
in Chinese yòng Hànyŭ 78
sdf inexpensive piányi [pyen-yee]
is Mr Li in? Lĭ xiānsheng zài 90
ma? [hsyahng-shung dzai mah] infection gănrăn [gahn-rahn]
ghjkl; -=
ABCDEFGHIJKLIn

inch yīngcùn [ying-tsun] infectious chuánrăn [chwahn-

'Z rahn]
include bāokuò [bow-kwor] \Q
XC inflammation fāyán [fah-yen]
does that include meals? zhè WE
bāokuò fàn qián ma? [jur – fahn informal (clothes) suíbiàn [sway-
chyen mah] byen]
VBNM<>? RT
is that included? nèige yĕ (occasion) fēi zhèngshì [fay jung-
bāokuò zài nèi ma? [nay-gur shur]
yur] YUI
zxcvbnm,. information xiāoxi [hsyow-
inconvenient bù fāngbiàn hshee]
[fahng-byen] OP
~!@ do you have any information
India Yìndù [yin-doo] aboutâ•‚...? nĭ yŏu guānyú ...
#$ de xiāoxi ma? [nee yoh gwahn-

92
 yew dur – mah] zuò ba [wor-mun jin-chew dzwor

English ➜ Chinese
{}qw ... yuiop bah]
information desk wènxùnchù )_+|`1
[wun-hsyewn-choo] insist: I insist wŏ jiānchí [wor
[]A jyen-chur]
injection dăzhēn [dah-jun] 234
SD instant coffee sùróng kāfēi
injured shòushāng [shoh-shahng] [soo-roong kah-fay]
FG 5678
she’s been injured tā insulin yídăosù [yee-dow-soo]
shòushāng le [tah – lur] 90-
HJKL insurance băoxiăn [bow-hsyen]
inner tube (for tyre) nèitāi [nay–] =\
:" intelligent cōngming [tsoong-
innocent wúgū ming]
as QW
insect kūnchóng [kun-choong] interested: I’m interested inâ•‚...
df wŏ duì‑... hĕn găn xìngqù

ABCDEFGHIJKLIn
insect bite chóngzi yăo de [wor dwayâ•‚... hun gahn
[choong-dzur yow dur] hsing-chew]
ghjk ER ... IOP{
do you have anything for interesting yŏu yìsi [yoh yee-sur]
insect bites? yŏu zhì chóng }qw
yăo de yào ma? [yoh jur choong that’s very interesting hĕn
yow dur yow mah] yŏu yìsi [hun]
l;'ZXCVB erty
insect repellent qūchóngjì international guójì
[chew-choong-jee] [gwor-jee]
NM< ui
inside* zài‑... lĭ [dzaiâ•‚... lee] Internet guójì wăngluò [gwor-
~ ... $ jee wahng-luo]
inside the hotel zài lWguăn op[]
lĭmiàn interpreter fānyì [fahn-yee]
%^&*( AS
let’s sit inside wŏmen jìnqù intersection (US) shízì lùkŏu

93
 [shur-dzur loo-koh] foo how mah]
English ➜ Chinese

DFGH _+|`12345
interval (at theatre) mùjiān xiūxi 6789
[moo-jyen hsyoh-hshee] is* shì [shur]
JKL: 0
into: I’m not intoâ•‚... wŏ duì ... island dăo [dow]
bù găn xìngqù [wor dway ... boo -
gahn hsing-chew] it tā [tah]
"a ... ghjk =
introduce jièshào [jyeh-show] it isâ•‚..., it was ... shì‑... [shur]
l; \ ...
may I introduceâ•‚...? wŏ lái is itâ•‚...? shì‑... ma? [mah]
jièshào yíxià, zhèi wèi R ... IO
shì‑... [wor – yee-hsyah jay-way where is it? zài năr? [dzai]
shur] P{}q
'ZXCVBNM< ... Italian (adj) Yìdàlì [yee-dah-lee]
invitation yāoqĭng wer
[yow-ching] Italy Yìdàlì
ABCDEFGHIJKLIn

xc tyu
invite yāoqĭng itch: it itches yăng
vb i
Ireland Ài’ĕrlán [ai-er-lahn]
nm, J
Irish Ài’ĕrlán [ai-er-lahn]
~!@
I’m Irish wŏ shì Ài’ĕrlán rén jacket jiākè [jyah-kur]
[wor shur ai-er-lahn run] op
#$%^&* jade yù [yew]
iron (for ironing) yùndŏu [yewn- [
doh] jam guŏjiàng [gwor-jyang]
() ]A
can you iron these for me? January yīyuè [yee-yew-eh]
qĭng nĭ bāng wŏ yùnyùn zhè SD
xié yīfu, hăo ma? [ching nee Japan Rìbĕn [ree-bun]
bahng wor yun-yun jur hsyeh yee- FG

94
jar guànzi [gwahn-dzur] shùnfēng! [shun-fung]

English ➜ Chinese
HJ $%^&
jasmine tea mòlìhuā chá [mor- jug guàn [gwahn]
lee hwah chah] *
KL:" a jug of water yí guànr shuĭ
jaw xiàba [hsyah-bah] ()_+
as July qīyuè [chee-yew-eh]
jazz juéshì yuè [jyeweh-shur |`
yeweh] jumper tàoshān [tow-shahn]
dfh 12
jealous jìdù junction (road) jiāochākŏu
jk [jyow-chah-koh]
jeans niúzăikù [nyoh-dzai-koo] 345
l;' June liùyuè [lyoh-yew-eh]
jetty mătóu [mah-toh] 67
ZX just (only just) jĭnjĭn
jeweller’s zhūbăo (shāng)diàn 89
[joo-bow (shahng-)dyen] (with numbers) zhĭ [jur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLJu
CVBNM< 0
jewellery zhūbăo just two zhĭ yào liăngge [yow]
>? -=\Q
Jewish Yóutàirén de [yoh-tai- just for me jiù wŏ yào [jyoh
run dur] wor]
zxcv WER
job gōngzuò [goong-dzwor] just here jiù zài zhèr [dzai jer]
bn TYUI
jogging păobù [pow-boo] not just now xiànzài bùxíng
m, [hsyen-dzai boo-hsing]
to go jogging qù păobù [chew] OP{}
./, we’ve just arrived wŏmen
joke wánxiào [wahn-hsyow] gāng dào [wor-mun gahng dow]
~! qwer
journey lWxíng [lyew-sing]
@#
have a good journey! yílù

95
 kilo gōngjīn [goong-jin]
K
English ➜ Chinese

#$
kilometre gōnglĭ [goong-lee]
keep liú [lyoh] %^
t how many kilometres is it
keep the change búyòng toâ•‚...? qù ... yŏu duōshao
zhăo le [boo-yoong jow lur] gōnglĭ? [chew ... yoh dow-show]
yuio & ... _+|`12
can I keep it? wŏ kĕyi kind (type) zhŏng [joong]
liúzhe ma? [wor kur-yee lyoh-jur 3
mah] that’s very kind nĭ zhēn hăo
p[]ASDF [nee jun how]
please keep it qĭng liúzhe ba 456
[ching – bah]
GHJK dialogue
kettle shuĭhú [shway-hoo]
L: which kind do you want? nĭ
key yàoshi [yow-shur] yào nă yí zhŏng? [yow nah]
ABCDEFGHIJKLKe

"a I want this/that kind wŏ

the key for room 201, yào zhèi/nèi yì zhŏng [wor
please qĭng gĕi wŏ èr líng yow jay/nay]
yāo fáng de yàoshi [ching
gay wor er ling yow fahng dur king guówáng [gwor-wahng]
yow-shur] 78
sdfghjkl;' kiosk shòuhuòtíng [shoh-hwor-
keyring yàoshi quān [yow-shur ting]
choo-en] 90-
ZXC kiss wĕn [wun]
kidneys (in body) shènzàng =
[shun-dzahng] kitchen chúfáng [choo-fahng]
VB \Q
(food) yāozi [yow-dzur] Kleenex® zhĭjīn [jur-jin]
~! WE
kill shā [shah] knee xīgài [hshee-gai]
@ RT

96
knickers sānjiăokù [sahn-jyow-
L

English ➜ Chinese
koo]
YUI
knife dāozi [dow-dzur] lacquerware qīqì [chee-chee]
OP ~!
knock (verb) qiāo [chyow] ladies’ room, ladies’ toilets nW
{ cèsuŏ [nyew tsur-swor]
knock over (object) dă fān [dah @#$
fahn] ladies’ wear nWzhuāng [nyew-
}q jwahng]
(pedestrian) zhuàng dăo [jwahng %^
dow] lady nWshì [nyew-shur]
we &*
know (somebody) rènshi [run- lager píjiŭ [pee-jyoh]
shur] ()
rt lake hú [hoo]
(something, a place) zhīdao [jur- _
dow] lamb (meat) yángròu

ABCDEFGHIJKLLa
yu [yang-roh]
I don’t know wŏ bù zhīdao +|
iop[ lamp dēng [dung]
I didn’t know that nà wŏ bù `
zhīdao [nah] lane (motorway) chēdào [chur-dow]
]ASDF 12
do you know where I can (small road) hútòng [hoo-toong]
buyâ•‚...? nĭ zhīdao wŏ zài năr 34
néng măi dào ...? [wor dzai nar language yŭyán [yew-yen]
nung mai dow] 56
GHJKL:"as language course yŭyán kè
d ...j [kur]
Korean (adj) Cháoxiān [chow- 789
hsyen] Laos Lăowō [low-wor]
kl 0-
large dà [dah]
=

97
 last (final) zuìhòu [dzway-hoh] later hòulái [hoh-lai]
English ➜ Chinese

\Q #$
last week shàng xīngqī I’ll come back later wŏ guò
[shahng hsing-chee] yìhuĭr zài lái [wor gwor yee-
WER hwayr dzai]
last Friday shàng xīngqī wŭ %^&*()_
TYUI see you later huítóujiàn
last night zuótiān wănshang [hway-toh-jyen]
[dzwor-tyen wahn-shahng] +|`
OP{} later on hòulái
what time is the last train to 12
Beijing? qù Bĕijīng de zuìhòu latest zuìhòu [dzway-hoh]
yì bān huŏchē jĭ diăn kāi? 34
[chew – dur dzway-hoh yur bahn (most recent) zuìjìn
hwor-chur jee dyen] [dzway-jin]
qwertyuio 56
p[]AS by Wednesday at the latest
late (at night) wăn [wahn] zuìwăn xīngqīsān
ABCDEFGHIJKLLa

D 7890-
(delayed) chí [chur] laugh (verb) xiào [hsyow]
F =
sorry I’m late duìbuqĭ, wŏ lái laundry (clothes) xĭyī [hshee-yee]
wănle [dway-boo-chee wor lai \Q
wahn-lur] (place) xĭyīdiàn [–dyen]
GHJKL:" WER
the train was late huŏchē lái lavatory cèsuŏ [tsur-swor]
wănle [hwor-chur] TY
asdfg law fălU [fah-lyew]
we must go – we’ll be late UI
wŏmen dĕi zŏule láibujíle lawyer lUshī [lyew-shur]
[wor-mun day dzoh-lur lai-boo-jee-lur] OP
hjkl;'ZXC laxative xièyào [hsyeh-hyow]
it’s getting late bù zăole {}
[dzow-lur] lazy lăn [lahn]
~!@ q

98
lead: where does this road tyen lee-kai dur]

English ➜ Chinese
lead to? zhè tiáo lù tōng năr ~!@#$%^
qù? [jur tyow loo toong nar I left my coat in the bar wŏ
chew] ba wŏde dàyī liú zài jiŭbājiān
wertyuio [bah wor-dur dah-yee lyoh dzai
leak: the roof leaks wūdĭng jyoh-bah-jyen]
lòule [woo-ding loh-lur] &*()_+|`1
p[]A 23
learn xuéxí [hsyew-eh-hshee] there’s none left shénme dōu
SD búshèng [shun-mur doh boo-
least: not in the least yìdiănr shung]
dōu bù [yee-dyenr doh bu] 45678
FGHJK left zuŏ [dzwor]
at least zhìshăo [jee-show] 9
L: on the left zài zuŏbiānr [dzai
leather pígé [pee-gur] dzwor-byenr]
"a 0-=\
leave (depart) zŏu [dzoh] to the left wăng zuŏ [wahng]

ABCDEFGHIJKLLe
s QW
I am leaving tomorrow wŏ turn left wăng zuŏ guăi [gwai]
míngtian zŏu [wor ming-tyen] ERT
dfgh left-handed zuópiĕzi [dzwor-
when does the bus for pyeh-dzur]
Beijing leave? qù Bĕijīng de YUI
qìchē jĭ diăn kāi? [chew – dur left luggage (office) xíngli
chee-chur jee dyen] jìcúnchù [hsing-lee jee-tsun-
jkl;'ZXCVB choo]
may I leave this here? wŏ OP{}q
néng bă zhèige liú zài zhèr leg tuĭ [tway]
ma? [wor nung bah jay-gur lyoh w
dzai jer mah] lemon níngméng [ning-mung]
NM<>?zxcv er
bn lemonade níngméng qìshuĭr
he left yesterday tā shì [chee-shwayr]
zuótiān líkāi de [tah shur dzwor- tyuio

99
 lemon tea níngméngchá letter xìn [hsin]
English ➜ Chinese

[–chah] 5
p[] do you have any letters for
lend jiè [jyeh] me? yŏu xìn, ma? [yoh hsin
A mah]
will you lend me yourâ•‚...? 6789
qĭng ba nĭde ... jiè gĕi wŏ letterbox xìnxiāng [hsin-
[ching bah nee-dur ... jyeh gay wor] hsyahng]
SDFG ... L:"a 0-
lens (of camera) jìngtóu [jing-toh] library túshūguăn [too-shoo-
sd gwahn]
less shăo [show] =\Q
f lid gàir [gair]
less than ... bĭ ... shăo WE
g ... l lie (tell untruth) shuōhuăng
less expensive than ... bĭ ... [shwor-hwahng]
piányi [pyen-yee] RT
; ... CV lie down tăng [tahng]
ABCDEFGHIJKLLe

lesson kè [kur] Y
B life shēnghuó [shung-hwor]
let: will you let me know? nĭ UI
dào shíhou gàosu wŏ, hăo lifebelt jiùshēngquān [jyoh-
ma? [dow shur-hoh gow-soo wor shung-choo-en]
how mah] OP{
NM<>?zxcvb lifeguard jiùshēngyuán [jyoh-
I’ll let you know wŏ dào shung-yew-ahn]
shíhou gàosu nĭ }qw
~!@#$%^ life jacket jiùshēngyī [jyoh-
let’s go for something to eat shung-yee]
chīfàn, ba [chur-fahn bah] ert
&*( lift (in building) diàntī
let off: will you let me off [dyen-tee]
atâ•‚...? wŏ zài‑... xià, xíng ma? yu
[dzaiâ•‚... hsyah hsing] could you give me a lift? nĭ
)_ ... 1234 néng bù néng ràng wŏ dāge

100
 chē? [nung – rahng wor dah-gur yìpíng píjiŭ [hsyahng hur yee-

English ➜ Chinese
chur] ping]
iop[]ASDFG 567890-
light (noun) dēng [dung] I’d like to go swimming wŏ
H xiăng qù yóuyŏng
(not heavy) qīng [ching] =\QWE
J would you like a drink? nĭ
do you have a light? (for xiăng hē diănr shénme ma?
cigarette) nĭ yŏu huŏ ma? [nur [hur dyenr shun-mur]
yoh hwor mah] RTYUIOP{}
KL:"a would you like to go for a
light bulb dēngpào [dung-pow] walk? nĭ xiăng bu xiăng qù
sd zŏuyizŏu? [chew dzoh-yee-dzoh]
I need a new light bulb wŏ qwertyuio
xūyào yíge xīn dēngpào [wor what’s it like? tā xiàng
hsyoo-yow yee-gur hsin] shénme? [tah]
fghjkl;' p[]AS
lighter (cigarette) dăhuŏjī [dah- I want one like this wŏ yào

ABCDEFGHIJKLLi
hwor-jee] tónglèide [yow toong-lay-dur]
ZXC DFGHJ
lightning shăndiàn [shahn- line xiàn [hsyen]
dyen] K
VB could you give me an outside
like xĭhuan [hshee-hwahn] line? qĭng gĕi wŏ wàixiàn,
NM hăo ma? [ching gay wor wai-hsyen
I like it wŏ xĭhuan [wor] how dzwaymah]
~!@ L:"asdfg
I don’t like it wŏ bù xĭhuan lips zuĭchún [dzway]
#$%^ hj
I like you wŏ xĭhuan nĭ lip salve chúngāo [chun-gow]
&*() kl
do you likeâ•‚...? nĭ xĭhuan‑... lipstick kŏuhóng [koh-hoong]
ma? [mah] ;'
_+| ... 34 listen tīng
I’d like a beer wŏ xiăng hē Z

101
 litre shēng [shung] lobby (in hotel) qiántīng [chyen-
English ➜ Chinese

X ting]
little xiăo [hsyow] _+
C lobster lóngxiā [loong-hsyah]
just a little, thanks jiù yìdiănr, |`
xièxie [jyoh yee-dyenr hsyeh- local dìfāngde [dee-fahng-dur]
hsyeh] 123
VBNM<> lock suŏ [swor]
a little milk yìdiănr níunăi 4
[nyoh-nai] it’s locked suŏshang le [swor
?zxcv shahng lur]
a little bit more duō yìdiănr 567
[dwor yee-dyenr] lock out: I’ve locked myself
bnm, out wŏ bă zìjĭ suŏ zài ménwài
live (verb) zhù [joo] le [wor bah dzur-jee swor dzai
. mun-wai lur]
we live together wŏmen zhù 234E67890
zài yìqĭ [wor-mun joo dzai yee- locker (for luggage etc)
ABCDEFGHIJKLLi

chee] xiăochúguì [hsyow-choo-gway]

~!@#$% QWE
London Lúndūn
dialogue RT
long cháng [chahng]
where do you live? nĭ zhù Y
zài năr? [joo dzai] how long does it take? yào
I live in London wŏ zhù zài duōcháng shíjian? [yow dwor-
Lúndūn [wor] chahng shur-jyen]
UIOP{}
lively (person) huópo how long will it take to fix it?
[hwor-por] bă zhèige dōngxi xiūlí hăo
^& yào duōcháng shíjian? [bah
(town) rènao [rur-now] jay-gur doong-hshee hsyoo-lee hao]
*( qwertyuio
liver (in body, food) gān [gahn] p[]AS
) a long time hĕn cháng shíjian

102
 [hun] I’m looking forward to it wŏ

English ➜ Chinese
DFGH pànwàng [wor]
one day/two days longer yí/ 345
liăng tiān duō [tyen dwor] loose (handle etc) sōng [soong]
JKL:" 6
long-distance call chángtú lorry kăchē [kah-chur]
diànhuà [chahng-too dyen-hwah] 78
asdf lose diū [dyoh]
look: I’m just looking, thanks 9
wŏ zhĭshi kànyikàn, xièxie I’m lost wŏ mílùle [wor mee-
[wor jur-shur kahn-yee-kahn hsyeh- loo-lur]
hsyeh] 0-=\
ghjkl;'Z I’ve lost my bag wŏ bă
you don’t look well kànqĭlái, dàizi diūle [bah dai-dzur dyoh-
nĭ shēntĭ bù shūfu [kahn-chee- lur]
lai nee shun-tee boo shoo-foo] QWERTY
XCVBNM<>? lost property (office) shīwù
look out! xiăoxīn! [hsyow-hsin] zhāolĭng chù [shur-woo jow-ling

ABCDEFGHIJKLLo
zx choo]
can I have a look? kĕyi UIOP{
kànkan ma? [kur-yee kahn-kahn lot: a lot, lots hĕnduō [hun-
mah] dwor]
~!@#$% }q
look after zhàokàn [jow-kahn] not a lot bù duō
^& we
look at kàn [kahn] a lot of people hĕnduō rén
* [run]
look for zhăo [jow] rty
( a lot bigger dà de duō [dah dur]
I’m looking forâ•‚... wŏ zhăo ... uio
[wor jow] I like it a lot wŏ hén xĭhuan
)_ ... [wor hun hshee-hwahn]
look forward to pànwàng p[]A
[pahn-wahng] loud dàshēng de [dah-shung dur]
12 SDF

103
 lounge (in house) kètīng [kur- luxury (comfort etc) gāojí [gow-
English ➜ Chinese

ting] jee]
GH 45
(in hotel) xiūxishì [hsyoh-hshee- (extravagance) shēchĭ [shur-
shur] chee]
JKL 67
love (noun) liàn’ài [lyen-ai] lychee lìzhī [lee-jur]
:" 89
(verb) ài
a M
I love China wŏ ài Zhōngguó
[wor ai joong-gwor]
sdfg machine jīqì [jee-chee]
lovely (person) kĕài [kur-ai] 0-
hj magazine zázhì [dzah-jur]
(thing) hĕn hăo [hun how] =\
kl maid (in hotel) nW fúwùyuán
low (bridge) dī [nyew foo-woo-yew-ahn]
ABCDEFGHIJKLLo

; QWER
(prices) piányide [pyen-yee-dur] mail (noun) yóujiàn [yoh-jyen]
~!@ TY
luck yùnqi [yewn-chee] (verb) jì
#$ U
good luck! zhù nĭ shùnlì! [joo is there any mail for me? yŏu
nee shun-lee] wŏde xìn ma? [yoh wor-dur hsin
%^&* mah]
luggage xíngli [hsing-lee] IOP{}q
() see postal service
luggage trolley xínglichē mailbox xìnxiāng [hsin-hsyahng]
[–chur] we
_+| main zhŭyào de [joo-yow dur]
lunch wŭfàn [woo-fahn] rty
`1 main course zhŭcài [joo-tsai]
luxurious háohuá [how-hwah] ui
23 main post office dà yóujú [dah

104
 yoh-joo] dzur]

English ➜ Chinese
op[ 89
main road dàlù [dah-loo] many hĕn duō [hun dwor]
]A 0-
make (brand name) pái not many bù duō
S =\
(verb) zhìzào [jur-dzow] map dìtú
DF QW
I make it 10 yuan, OK? wŏ March sānyuè [sahn-yew-eh]
suàn shí kuài qián, hăo ma? ER
[wor swahn shur kwai chyen how margarine rénzào húangyóu
mah] [run-zow hwahng-yoh]
GHJKL:"a TYUI
what is it made of? zhè shì market shìchăng [shur-chahng]
yòng shénme zào de? [jur shur OP
yoong shun-mur dzow dur] married: I’m married wŏ
sdfghjkl jiéhūnle [wor jyeh-hun-lur]
make-up huàzhuāngpĭn [hwah- {}qw

ABCDEFGHIJKLMa
jwahng-pin] are you married? nĭ jiéhūnle
~!@ ma? [nee jyeh-hun-lur mah]
Malaysia Măláixīyà [mah-lai- ertyui
hshee-yah] martial arts wŭshù
#$%^ op
man nánrén [nahn-run] mascara jiémáogāo [jyeh-mow-
&* gow]
manager jīnglĭ []A
() match (sport) bĭsài
can I see the manager? kĕyi SD
jiànjian jīnglĭ ma? [kur-yee jyen- football match zúqiú sài [dzoo-
jyen – mah] chyoh]
_+|`1234 FGH
Mandarin Pŭtōnghuà [poo- matches huŏchái [hwor-]
toong-hwah] JK
567 material (fabric) bù
mandarin orange gānzi [gahn- L

105
 matter: it doesn’t matter méi me too wŏ yĕ [yur]
English ➜ Chinese

guānxi [may gwahn-hshee] yu

~!@ meal fàn [fahn]
what’s the matter? zĕnmele? i
[dzun-mur-lur]
#$%^ dialogue
mattress chuángdiàn [chwahng-
dyen] did you enjoy your meal?
&* chīde hái hăo ma? [chur-dur
May wŭyuè [woo-yew-eh] hai how mah]
() it was excellent, thank you
may: may I have another one? hĕn hăo, xìexìe [hun how
qĭng zài lái yīge [ching dzai lai hsyeh-hsyeh]
yee-gur]
_+|`1 mean: what do you mean? nĭ
may I come in? wŏ néng zhĭde shì shénme? [nee jur-dur
jìnlái ma? [wor nung jin-lai shur shun-mur]
mah] op[]ASD
ABCDEFGHIJKLMa

234567
may I see it? wŏ néng kàn dialogue
ma? [kahn]
890-= what does this word mean?
may I sit here? wŏ néng zuò zhèige cír shì shénme yìsi?
zhèr ma? [zwor jer] [jay-gur tsur – yee-sur]
\QWERTY it meansâ•‚... in English yòng
maybe kĕnéng [kur-nung] yīngwen shì ... de yìsi
UI [yoong ying-wun – dur]
me* wŏ [wor]
O meat ròu [roh]
that’s for me zhè shì wŏde [jer F
shur wor-dur] medicine (Western) xīyào [hshee-
P{}q yow]
send it to me qĭng sòng gĕi GH
wŏ [ching soong gay] (Chinese) zhōngyào [joong-yow]
wert JK

106
medium (adj: size) zhōngdĕng men’s room nán cèsuŏ [nahn

English ➜ Chinese
[joong-dung] tsur-swor]
L: wer
medium-rare (steak) bànshēng menswear nánzhuāng [nahn-
de [bahn-shung dur] jwahng]
~!@ ty
medium-sized zhōnghào mention shuōdào [shwor-dow]
[joong-how] ui
#$ don’t mention it búyòng kèqi
meet pèngjiàn [pung-jyen] [boo-yoong kur-chee]
%^ op[]
nice to meet you jiàndào nĭ menu càidānr [tsai-dahnr]
hĕn gāoxìng [jyen-dow nee hun ASD
gow-hsing] may I see the menu, please?
&*()_+ qĭng lái càidānr, hăo ma?
where shall I meet you? wŏ [ching lai tsai-dahnr - how mah]
zài năr jiàn nĭ? [wor dzai-nar FGHJKL:"
jyen] see menu reader page 244

ABCDEFGHIJKLMi
|`12345 message xìnr [hsinr]
meeting huì(yì) (hway-yee] as
6789 are there any messages for
melon guā [gwah] me? yŏu wŏde xìn shénmede
0 ma? [yoh wor-dur hsin shun-mur-
men nánde [nahn-dur] dur mah]
-= dfghjkl;'
mend (machine, bicycle) xiūlĭ I want to leave a message
[hsyoh-lee] forâ•‚... wŏ xiăng gĕi ... liúge
\Q xìnr [hsyahng gay ... lyoh-gur]
(clothes) féngbŭ [fung-boo] ZXC ... M<>?
WE metal jīnshŭ [jin-shoo]
could you mend this for me? zx
qĭng gĕi wŏ xīulĭ yíxìa hăo metre mĭ
ma? [ching gay wor – yee-hsyah c
how mah] midday zhōngwŭ [joong-woo]
RTYUIOP{}q vb

107
 at midday zhōngwŭ găibiàn zhŭyì le [wor gai-byen
English ➜ Chinese

~! joo-yee lur]
middle*: in the middle zài IOP{}q
zhōngjiān [dzai joong-jyen]
@#$ dialogue
in the middle of the night yèli
[yur-lee] do you mind if I open the
%^ window? wŏ kāi chuāng,
the middle one zhōngjiānde xíngbùxíng? [chwahng hsing-
[joong-jyen-dur] boo-hsing]
&*( no, I don’t mind xíng
midnight bànyè [bahn-yur] [hsing]
)_
at midnight bànyè [bahn-yur] mine*: it’s mine shì wŏde [shur
+| wor-dur]
might: I might ... yĕxŭ ... [yur- wer
hsoo] mineral water kuàngquánshuĭr
`1 [kwahng-choo-en-shwayr]
ABCDEFGHIJKLMi

I might not ... yĕxŭ bù ... tyui

234 ... Ming Tombs shísānlíng [shur-
mild (taste) wèidàn sahn-ling]
[wei-dahn] op[
89 minute fēn(zhōng) [fun(-joong)]
(weather) nuănhuo [nwahn-hwor] ]ASD
0- in a minute yìhuĭr [yee-hwayr]
mile yīnglĭ FGH
=\ just a minute dĕng yìhuĭr
milk niúnăi [nyoh-nai] [dung]
QW JKL:
millimetre háomĭ [how-mee] mirror jìngzi [jing-dzur]
ER "a
mind: never mind méi guānxi Miss xiăojiĕ [hsyow-jyeh]
[may gwahn-hshee] sd
TYU miss: I missed the bus wŏ méi
I’ve changed my mind wŏ gănshàng chē [wor may gahn-

108
shahng chur] joong]

English ➜ Chinese
fghjk rtyu
missing: myâ•‚... is missing monastery (Buddhist) sìyuàn
wŏde ... diūle [wor-dur ... [sur-yew-ahn]
dyoh-lur] io
~! ... %^ Monday xīngqīyī [hsing-chee-
there’s a suitcase missing yee]
yíge yīxiāng diūle [yee-gur yee- p[]
hsyahng dyoh-lur] money qián [chyen]
&*()+| A
mist wù Mongolia Ménggŭ [mung-goo]
` SD
mistake cuò(wù) [tswor–] Mongolian (adj) Ménggŭ
1234 FG
I think there’s a mistake zhèr monk sēng [sung]
yŏuge cuòr [jer yoh-gur] H
567890 month yuè [yew-eh]
sorry, I’ve made a mistake J

ABCDEFGHIJKLMo
dùibùqĭ, wŏ nòngcùole monument jìniànbēi [jin-yen-
[dway-boo-chee wor noong-tswor- bay]
lur] KL:
-=\QWER moon yuèliang [yew-eh-lyang]
misunderstanding wùhuì "a
[woo-hway] more* gèng duō [gung
TY dwor]
mobile phone shŏutí dìanhuà sd
[shoh-tee dyen-hwah] can I have some more water,
UIOP please? qĭng zài lái diănr
modern xiàndài [hsyen-dai] shuĭ? [ching dzai lai shway ]
{} fghjkl;
moisturizer cāliănyóu [tsah- more expensive gèng guì
lyen-yoh] [gung gway]
qwe 'Z
moment: I won’t be a moment more interesting than ... bĭ ...
jiù yìfēn zhōng [jyoh yee-fun gèng yŏu xìngqù [yoh hsing-

109
 chew] mosquito wénzi [wun-dzur]
English ➜ Chinese

X ... NM<> 78
more than 50/100 wŭshí/ mosquito net wénzhàng [wun-
yìbăi duō jahng]
~!@#$% 90
more than that one bĭ nèige mosquito repellent qūwénjì
duō [nay-gur] [chew-wun-jee]
^&*( -=\
a lot more duōde duō [dwor- most*: I like this one most of
dur] all wŏ zuì xĭhuān zhèige [wor
)_+ dzway hshee-hwahn jay-gur]
~!@#$%
dialogue most of the time dàbùfen
shíjiān [dah-boo-fun shur-jyen]
would you like some more? ^&*()
nĭ hái yào diānr shénme most tourists dà duōshù
ma? [yow dyenr shun-mur mah] lWyóuzhe [dah dwor-shoo]
no, no more for me, thanks _+|`12
ABCDEFGHIJKLMo

búyào, xièxie [boo-yow mostly dàduō [dah-dwor]

hsyeh-hsyeh] 34
how about you? nĭ ne? mother mŭqīn [moo-chin]
[nee-nur] 56
I don’t want any more, mother-in-law pópo [por-por]
thanks wŏ bú zàiyàole, 78
xièxie [wor boo dzai-yow-lur] motorbike mótuōchē [mor-
twor-chur]
morning zăoshang [dzow- 90-
shahng] motorboat qìtĭng [chee-ting]
|` =\
this morning jīntiān zăoshang mountain shān [shahn]
[jin-tyen dzow-shahng] Q
1234 in the mountains zài shānlĭ
in the morning zăoshang [dzai shahn-lee]
[dzow-shahng] WER
56 mountaineering dēngshān

110
[dung-shahn] much duō [dwor]

English ➜ Chinese
TY V
mouse láoshŭ [low-shoo] much better/worse hăo/huài
UI de duō [dur]
moustache xiăo húzi [hsyow BNM<>
hoo-dzur] not (very) much bù hĕn duō
OP{ ?zx
mouth zuĭ [dzway] I don’t want very much wŏ
} búyào tài dūo [wor boo-yow]
move: he’s moved to another cvbnm
room tā bāndào lìngwài yí mug (for drinking) bēi [bay]
jīan qùle [tah bahn-dow ling-wai ~
yee jyen choo-lur] I’ve been mugged wŏ gĕi rén
qwertyuio qiăngle [gay run chyang-lur]
could you move it? qĭng !@#$%
nín nuó yíxià, hăo ma? mum māma [mah-mah]
[ching nin nwor yee-hsyah how ^&
mah] museum bówùguăn [bor-woo-

ABCDEFGHIJKLMu
p[]ASDFG gwahn]
could you move up a little? *()
qĭng wăng qían núo yíxià, mushrooms mógu
hăo ma? [wahng chyen nwor yee- [mor-goo]
hsyah] _+
HJKL:"asd music yīnyuè [yin-yew-eh]
movie diànyĭng [dyen-ying] |`
fg Muslim (adj) mùsīlín [moo-
movie theater diànyĭng yuàn sur-lin]
[dyen-ying yew-ahn] 123
hjk must*: I must wŏ bìxū [wor
Mr xiānsheng [hsyen-shung] bee-hsyew]
l; 456
Mrs fūren [foo-run] I mustn’t drink alcohol wŏ
'Z búhuì hē jiù [wor-boo-hway hur
Ms nWshì [nyew-shur] jyoh]
XC 7890-

111
 my* wŏde [wor-dur] nappy niàobù [nyow-boo]
English ➜ Chinese

=\ @#
myself: I’ll do it myself wŏ zìjĭ narrow (street) zhăi [jai]
lái [wor dzur-jee] $
QWER nasty (person) ràng rén tăoyàn
by myself wŏ yíge rén [yee-gur [rahng run tow-yen]
run] %^&*
TYUZ (weather, accident) zāotòule
[dzow-toh-lur]
N ()_
national (state) guójiā [gwor-
jyah]
nail (finger) zhĭjiā [jur-jyah] +|
OP (nationwide) quánguó [choo-en-
(metal) dīngzi [ding-dzur] gwor]
{} `1
nail varnish zhĭjiā yóu [jur-jyah nationality guójí [gwor-jee]
yoh] 23
ABCDEFGHIJKLMy

qwe (for Chinese minorities) shăoshù

name míngzi [ming-dzur]
rt
my name’s John wŏde
míngzi jiào John [wor-dur
– jyow]
yuiop John
what’s your name? nĭ
jiào shénme? [nee –
shun-mur]
DFGHJ
what is the name of this
street? zhèi tiào lù jiào
shénme? [jay tyow]
KL:"asd
napkin cānjīn [tsahn-jin]
~!
mínzú [show-shoo min-dzoo]
4567
natural zìrán [dzur-rahn]
89
near jìn
0
near the ... lí‑... hĕnjìn [hun-
jin]
- ... WE
is it near the city centre?
lí‑shì zhōngxīn jìn ma? [shur
joong-hsin jin mah]
RTYUIOP
do you go near the Great
Wall? nĭ zài‑Chángchéng
fùjìn tíngchē ma? [nee dzai

112
 chahng-chung foo-jin ting-chur Nepali (adj) Níbóĕr

English ➜ Chinese
mah] 0-=
{}qwertyui nephew zhízi [jur-dzur]
where is the nearestâ•‚...? \Q
zuìjìn de‑... zài năr? [dzway-jin net (in sport) wăng [wahng]
durâ•‚... dzai nar] W
op[ ... DFGH network map jiāotōngtú [jyow-
nearby fùjìn [foo-jin] toong-too]
JK ERT
nearly chàbuduō [chah-boo- never (not ever) cónglái bù
dwor] [tsoong-lai]
L:" YUI
necessary bìyào(de) [bee-yow(- (not yet) hái méiyou [may-yoh]
dur)] OP{
asdfg
neck bózi [boh-dzur] dialogue
~!
necklace xiàngliàn [hsyahng- have you ever been to

ABCDEFGHIJKLNe
lyen] Beijing? nĭ qùguo Bĕijīng
@# méiyou? [chew-gwor – may-
necktie lĭngdài yoh]
$% no, never, I’ve never
need: I needâ•‚... wŏ xūyào‑... been there cónglái méiqù
[wor hsyew-yow] [tsoong-lai may-chew]
^&*
do I need to pay? wŏ yīnggāi new xīn [hsin]
fùqián ma? [foo-chyen mah] }
()_+|`1 news (radio, TV etc) xīnwén
needle zhēn [jun] [hsin-wun]
2 qw
neither: neither (one) of them newspaper bào(zhĭ) [bow(-jur)]
liăngge dōu bù [lyang-gur doh] erty
3456 New Year xīnnián [hsin-nyen]
Nepal Níbóĕr [nee-bor-er] ui
789 Chinese New Year chūnjié

113
 [chun-jyeh] (looks, view etc) hăokàn [how-
English ➜ Chinese

op kahn]
Happy New Year! xīnnián {}
hăo! [how] (person) hăo [how]
[]A ~
(Chinese) gōnghè xīnxĭ! [goong- niece zhínW [jin-yew]
hur hsin-hshee] !@
SDFG night yè [yur]
New Year’s Eve: Chinese New #
Year’s Eve chúxī [choo-hshee] at night yèli [yur-lee]
~! $%
New Zealand Xīnxīlán [hsin- good night wăn ān [wahn
see-lahn] ahn]
@#$ ^&
New Zealander: I’m a New
Zealander wŏ shì xīnxīlánren dialogue
[–run]
%^&*() do you have a single room
ABCDEFGHIJKLNe

next xià yíge [hsyah yee-gur]
_+|
the next street on the left
zŭobiānr díyì tiáo lù [dzwor-
byenr dee-yee tiao]
`123456
at the next stop xià yízhàn
[hsyah yee-jahn]
789
next week xià(ge) xīngqī
[hsyah(-gur) hsing-chee]
0-=\QW
next to ... zài‑... pángbiān
[dzaiâ•‚... pahng-byen]
E ... UI
nice (food) hăochī [how-chur]
OP
for one night? yŏu yítiān
de dānrén jiān ma? [yoh yee-
tyen dur dahn-run jyen mah]
yes, madam yŏu [yoh]
how much is it per night?
yìwăn yào duōshaoqián?
[yee-wahn yow dwor-show-
chyen]
it’s 30 yuan for one night
yìwăn yào sānshí kuài qián
[sahn-shur – chyen]
thank you, I’ll take it xíng
[hsing]
nightclub yèzŏnghuì [yur-
dzoong-hway]
*()

114
no* bù chahng(-dur)]

English ➜ Chinese
_ ASDFG
I’ve no change wŏ méiyou north bĕi [bay]
líng qián [wor may-yoh – chyen] H
+|`12 in the north bĕibian [bay-byen]
no way! bù xíng! [hsing] JK
34 to the north wăng bĕi
oh no! (upset) tiān na! [tyen [wahng]
nah] ~!
56 north of Rome Luómă bĕi
nobody méirén [may-run] @#$
78 northeast dōngbĕi [doong-bay]
there’s nobody there méirén %^
zài nàr [dzai] northern bĕibiān [bay-byen]
90-=\ &*
noise zàoyīn [dzow-yin] Northern Ireland Bĕi Ài’ĕrlán
QW [bay ai-er-lahn]
noisy: it’s too noisy tài chăole ()_+

ABCDEFGHIJKLNo
[chow-lur] North Korea Bĕi Cháoxiăn [bay
ERT chow-hsyen]
non-alcoholic bù hán jiŭjīng |`1
de [hahn jyoh-jing dur] northwest xībĕi [hshee-bay]
YUIOP 23
none shénme yĕ méiyou [shun- Norway Nuówēi [nwor-way]
mur yur may-yoh] 45
{}qwe Norwegian (adj, language)
noon zhōngwŭ [joong-woo] Nuówēiyŭ
rt 678
at noon zhōngwŭ nose bízi [bee-dzur]
yu 90
no-one méirén [may-run] not* bù
io -
nor: nor do I wŏ yĕ bù [wor yur] no, I’m not hungry wŏ búè
p[] [wor bway]
normal zhèngcháng(de) [jung- =\Q

115
 I don’t want any, thank you now xiànzài [hsyen-dzai]
English ➜ Chinese

búyào, xièxie [boo-yow hsyeh- CV

hsyeh] number hàomă [how-mah]
WERT BN
it’s not necessary búbìyào (figure) shùzì [shoo-dzur]
YUI M<
I didn’t know that wŏ bù I’ve got the wrong number
zhīdao [wor boo jur-dow] wŏ dăcuòle [wor dah-tswor-lur]
OP{} ~!@#
not that one, this one búyào what is your phone number?
nèige, yào zhèige [nay-gur yow nĭde diànhuà hàomă shì
jay-gur] duŏshao? [nee-dur dyen-hwah
qwertyu shur dwor-show]
note (banknote) chāopiào [chow- $%^&*()_+|
pyow] number plate chēpái [chur-pai]
io `1
notebook bĭjìbĕn [bee-jee-bun] nurse hùshi [hoo-shur]
p[] 23
ABCDEFGHIJKLNo

nothing méiyou shénme [may- nut (for bolt) luósī [lwor-sur]

yoh shun-mur] 45
ASDF nuts (chestnuts) lìzi [lee-dzur]
nothing for me, thanks wŏ 67
shénme dōu bú yào, xièxie (hazelnuts) zhēnzi [jun-dzur]
[wor – doh boo yow hsyeh-hsyeh] 89
GHJKL:"a (walnuts) hétao [hur-tow]
nothing else, thanks qítade 0-
búyào, xièxie [chee-tah-dur boo-
yow]
O
sdfghjk
novel (noun) xiăoshuō [hsyow-
shwor] occupied (US) yŏurén [yoh-run]
l; QW
November shíyīyuè [shur-yee- o’clock* diănzhōng [dyen-
yew-eh] joong]
'ZX =\

116
October shíyuè [shur-yew-eh] ointment yàogāo [yow-gow]

English ➜ Chinese
ER l;
odd (strange) qíguài [chee-gwai] OK hăo [how]
TY '
of* de [dur] are you OK? hái hăo ma?
U [mah]
off (lights, machine) guān shangle ZXCV
[gwahn shahng-lur] I feel OK hĕn hăo [hun]
IOP ~!
it’s just off ... (street etc) lí ... is that OK with you? xíng bù
bùyuán [boo-ywahn] xíng? [hsing]
{ ... er @#$%
we’re off tomorrow wŏmen is it OK toâ•‚...? wó kĕyi ...?
míngtian zŏu [wor-mun ming- [wor kur-yee]
tyen dzoh] ^&* ...+
tyuio that’s OK, thanks xíngle
office (place of work) xièxie [hsing-lur hsyeh-hsyeh]
bàngōngshì [bahn-goong-shur] |`12

ABCDEFGHIJKLOl
p[] is this train OK forâ•‚...? zhè
often jīngcháng [jing-chahng] liè huŏchē qù ... ma? [jer lyeh
AS hwor-chur chew ... mah]
not often bù jīngcháng [boo 34567 ... -=
jing-chahng] old (person) lăo [low]
DFG \
how often are the buses? (thing) jiù [jyoh]
yíge zhōngtóu duōshao Q
qìchē? [yee-gur joong-toh dwor-
show chee-chur] dialogue
HJKL:"asd
oil (for car) yóu [yoh] how old are you? nín
f duō dà niánling? [dwor dah
vegetable oil càiyóu [tsai-yoh] nyen-ling]
gh (to an old person) nín duō dà
oily (food) yóunì [yoh-nee] niánjì le? [dwor dah nyen-jee
jk lur]

117
 (to a child) ni jĭsuì le? [jee- on television zài diànshìshang
English ➜ Chinese

sway lur] kl;'

I’m 25 wŏ èrshíwŭ suì [wor I haven’t got it on me wŏ méi
– sway] dài zài shēnshang [wor may dai
and you? nĭ ne? [nur] dzai shun-shahng]
ZXCVBN
old-fashioned guòshí(de) this one’s on me (drink) wŏ
[gwor-shur(-dur)] fùqián [wor foo-choo-en]
WERTY ~!@
(person) shŏujiù(de) [shoh-jyoh(- the light wasn’t on dēng méi
dur)] kāi [dung may]
UIOP{ #$%
old town (old part of town) what’s on tonight? jīntiān
jiùchéng [jyoh-chung] wănshang yŏu shénme
}q huódòng? [jin-tyen wahn-shahng
omelette chăojīdàn [chow-jee- you shun-mur hwor-dong]
dahn] ^&*()_+|`1
wer once (one time) yícì [yee-tsur]
ABCDEFGHIJKLOl

on*: on ... (on top of) zài‑... 23

shàngmian [dzaiâ•‚... shahng- at once (immediately) măshàng
myen] [mah-shahng]
t ... op 45
on the street zài‑lùshàng one* yī [yur]
[]A 6
on the beach zài‑hăitān the white one báisè de [bai-sur
shàng dur]
SDFG 789
is it on this road? one-way ticket dānchéng piào
zài‑zhètíaolù ma? [jur-tyow-loo [dahn-chung pyow]
mah] -=Q
HJKL:" onion yángcōng [yang-tsoong]
on the plane zài‑feījī shàng WE
asdf only zhí yŏu [jur yoh]
on Saturday xīngqī liù [lyoh] RT
ghj only one zhí yŏu yíge [yee-

118
 gur] [dzoong-jee]

English ➜ Chinese
YUIO $%
it’s only 6 o’clock cái liùdiăn opposite: the opposite
[tsai lyoh-dyen] direction xiāngfăn de
P{} fāngxiàng [hsyahng-fahn dur
I’ve only just got here wŏ fahng-hsyahng]
gāng daò le [wor gahng dow lur] ^&*()
qwer the bar opposite zài duìmianr
on/off switch kāiguān [kai- de jiŭba [dzai dway-myenr dur]
gwahn] _+|`123
ty opposite my hotel zài wŏ
open (adj) kāi(de) [kai(-dur)] fàndiàn duìmianr
uiop 4567890
(verb) kāi optician yănjìngdiàn [yen-jing-
[ dyen]
when do you open? nĭmen -=\
shénme shíhou kāiménr? or (in statement) huòzhĕ [hwor-
[nee-mun shun-mur shur-hoh kai- jur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLOr
munr] QW
]ASDFGHJKL (in question) háishi [hai-shur]
I can’t get it open wŏ dăbúkāi ER
[wor dah-boo--kai] orange (fruit) júzi [joo-dzur]
:"as TY
in the open air zài shìwài [dzai (colour) júhuángsè [jyew-sur]
shur-wai] UIO
dfg orange juice (fresh) xiānjúzhī
opening times yíngyè shíjiān [hsyen-jyew-jur]
[ying-yur shur-jyen] P{}
hjkl (fizzy) júzi qìshuĭ [jyew-dzur
opera gējù [gur-jyew] chee-shway]
~! qwer
operation (medical) shŏushù (diluted) júzishuĭr [jyew-dzur-
[shoh-shoo] shwayr]
@# tyui
operator (telephone) zŏngjī order: can we order now? (in

119
 restaurant) wŏmen kĕyi diăncài our/ours* wŏmende [wor-mun-
English ➜ Chinese

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

mah] 345
op[]ASDF out: he’s out tā chūqule [tah
I’ve already ordered, thanks choo-chew-lur]
yĭjing diăn le, xièxie [yee-jing 6789
dyen lur hsyeh-hsyeh] three kilometres out of town
GHJKL: lí shìqū sān gōnglĭ [shur-chew
I didn’t order this wŏ méiyŏu – goong-lee]
diăn zhèige cài [wor may-yoh 0-==\Q
dyen jay-gur tsai] outdoors lùtiān [loo-tyen]
"asdfgh WE
out of order huàile [hwai-lur] outside* wàimian
jk [wai-myen]
ordinary pŭtōng [poo-toong] RT
l; can we sit outside? wŏmen
other qítā [chee-tah] kĕyi dào wàimian qù zuò ma?
'Z [wor-mun kur-yee dow wai-myen
ABCDEFGHIJKLOr

the other one lìng yíge [yee- chew dzwor mah]

gur] YUIOP{}qw
XCV er
the other day zuìjìn oven kăoxiāng [kow-syang]
[dzway-jin] ty
~! over: over here zài zhèr [dzai
I’m waiting for the others wŏ jer]
dĕngzhe qíyúde [wor dung-jer uio
chee-yoo-dur] over there zài nàr
@#$%^& p[]
do you have any others? over 500 wŭbăi duō [dwor]
(other kinds) hái yŏu biéde ma? ASD
[yoh byeh-dur mah] it’s over wánle [wahn-lur]
*()_+| FG
otherwise yàobùrán [yow-boor- overcharge: you’ve
ahn] overcharged me nĭ duōshōule
`12 wŏde qián [dwor-shoh-lur wor-

120
dur chyen] packet: a packet of

English ➜ Chinese
HJKL:"a cigarettes yìbāo yān [yee-bow
overland mail lùshang yóudì yen]
[loo-shahng yoh-dee] ^&*
sdfg paddy field dàotián [dow-tyen]
overnight (travel) guòyè [gwor- ()
yur] page (of book) yè [yur]
hj _
overtake chāoguò [chow-gwor] could you page Mrâ•‚...? nĭ
kl néng jiào yíxia‑... xiānsheng
owe: how much do I owe you? ma? [nung jyow yee-hsyahâ•‚...
yígòng duōshao qián? [yee- hsyen-shung mah]
goong dwor-show chyen] +|`12 ... 6789
;'ZXCV pagoda tă [tah]
own: my ownâ•‚... wŏ zìjĭde‑... 0
[wor dzur-jur-dur] pain téng [tung]
BNM< ... -
are you on your own? jiù nĭ I have a pain here wŏ zhèr

ABCDEFGHIJKLPa
yíge rén ma? [jyoh nee yee-gur téng [wor jer]
run mah] =\QW
xcvbnm, painful téng
I’m on my own jiù wŏ yíge E
rén [jyoh wor yee-gur run] painkillers zhĭténgyào [jur-
./vbn tung-yow]
RTY
painting huà [hwah]
P
U
(oil) yóuhuà [yoh-hwah]
pack (verb) shōushi [shoh-shur] IO
~! (Chinese) guóhuà [gwor-hwah]
package (parcel) bāoguŏ [bow- P{
gwor] pair: a pair ofâ•‚... yíduìr‑...
@# [yee-dwayr]
packed lunch héfàn [hur-fahn] }qw ...
$% Pakistani (adj) Bājīsītăn [bah-

121
 jee-sur-tahn] pardon (me)? (didn’t understand/
English ➜ Chinese

yuio hear) nĭ shuō shénme? [shwor

palace gōngdiàn [goong-dyen] shun-mur]
p[ ()_+|
pale cāngbái [tsahng-bai] parents fùmŭ
]A `1
pale blue dàn lánsè [dahn lahn- park (noun) gōngyuán [goong-
sur] yew-ahn]
SDF 23
panda dà xióngmāo [dah (verb) tíngchē [ting-chur]
hsyoong-mow] 45
GHJ can I park here? wŏ néng zài
pants (underwear: men’s) kùchă zhèr tíngchē ma? [wor nung
[koo-chah] dzai-jer ting-chur mah]
KL 67890-=\Q
(women’s) xiăo sānjiăokù parking lot tíngchē chăng [ting-
[hsyow sahn-jyow-koo] chur chahng]
:"as WER
ABCDEFGHIJKLPa

(US: trousers) kùzi [koo-dzur] part (noun) bùfen

df TY
pantyhose liánkùwà [lyen-koo- partner (boyfriend, girlfriend etc)
wah] bànr [bahnr]
ghj UI
paper zhĭ [jur] party (group) tuántĭ [twahn-tee]
k OP
(newspaper) bàozhĭ [bow-jur] (celebration) wănhuì [wahn-
~! hway]
a piece of paper yìzhāng zhĭ {}
[yee-jahng jur] passenger chéngkè [chung-kur]
@#$ qw
paper handkerchiefs zhĭjīn passport hùzhào [hoo-jow]
[jur-jin] er
%^ past*: in the past guòqu [gwor-
parcel bāoguŏ [bow-gwor] chew]
&* ty

122
 just past the information payphone jìfèi diànhuà [jee-fay

English ➜ Chinese
office gāng jīngguò dyen-hwah]
wènxùnchŭ [gahng jing-gwor ~!@#
wun-hsun-choo] peaceful ānjìng [ahn-jing]
uiop[] $%
path xiăolù [hsyow-loo] peach táozi [tow-dzur]
AS ^&
pattern tú’àn [too-ahn] peanuts huāshēng [hwah-
DF shung]
pavement rénxíng dào [run- *(
hsing dow] pear lí
GHJ )
pavilion tíngzi [ting-dzur] peculiar (taste, custom) guài
KL [gwai]
pay (verb) fù qián [foo(-chyen)] _
:" pedestrian crossing rénxíng
can I pay, please? suànzhàng héngdào [run-hsing hung-dow]
ba? [swahn-jahng bah] +|`1

ABCDEFGHIJKLPe
asdf Peking Opera Jīngjù [jing-jew]
it’s already paid for zhèige 23
yĭjīng fùqián le [jay-gur yee-jing pen gāngbĭ [gahng-bee]
foo-chyen lur] 45
ghjkl;' pencil qiānbĭ [chyen-bee]
67
dialogue penfriend bíyŏu [bee-yoh]
89
who’s paying? shúi fùqián? penicillin pánníxīlín [pahn-nee-
[shway foo-chyen] see-lin]
I’ll pay wŏ fùqián [wor foo- 0-=\
chyen] penknife qiānbĭdāo [chyen-
no, you paid last time, I’ll bee-dow]
pay bù, nĭ shì zuìhoù yícì QWE
fùde, wŏ fùqián [shur dzway- pensioner lĭng yánglăojīn de
hoh yee-tsur foo-dur] rén [yang-low-jin dur run]
RTYUIO

123
 people rénmín [run-min] perhaps kĕnéng [kur-nung]
English ➜ Chinese

P{ _+
the other people in the hotel perhaps not kĕnéng bù
fàndiàn li de qítā kèrén [lee dur |`1
chee-tah ker-run] period (of time) shíqī
}qwertyu [shur-chee]
too many people rén tài duō 23
le [run tai dwor-lur] (menstruation) yuèjīng [yew-eh-
iop[ jing]
People’s Republic of 45
China Zhōnghuá Rénmín permit (noun) xŭkĕ zhèng
Gònghéguó [joong-hwah run- [hsyew-kur jung]
min goong-hur-gwor] 678
]ASDFGH person rén [run]
pepper (spice) hújiāo [hoo- 9
jyow] personal stereo fàngyīnjī
JK [fahng-yin-jee]
(vegetable, red) shìzijiāo [shur- 0-=
ABCDEFGHIJKLPe

dzur-jyow] petrol qìyóu [chee-yoh]

L:" \Q
per: per night mĕi wăn [may petrol can yóutŏng [yoh-toong]
wahn] WE
as petrol station jiāyóu zhàn [jyah-
how much per day? yìtiān yoh jahn]
yaò duōshao qián? [yee-tyen RTY
yow dwor-show chyen] pharmacy yàodiàn [yow-dyen]
dfghjkl UI
... per cent băifēn zhī‑... [bai- Philippines FēilUbīn [fay-lew-bin]
fun jur] OP{
~!@ ... phone (noun) diànhuà [dyen-
perfect wánmĕi [wahn-may] hwah]
^& }q
perfume xiāngshuĭr [hsyahng- (verb) dă diànhuà [dah]
shwayr] wer
*() phone book diànhuà bù [dyen-

124
hwah] piece kuàir [kwair]

English ➜ Chinese
~!@ ~!
phone box diànhuàtíng a piece ofâ•‚... yíkuàir‑... [yee-
#$% kwair]
phonecard diànhuàkă [dyen- @#$ ...
hwah-kah] pig zhū [joo]
^&* *
phone number diànhuà hàomă pill bìyùnyào [bee-yewn-yow]
[how-mah] ()_
()_+ I’m on the pill wŏ chī
photo zhàopiàn [jow-pyen] bìyùnyào [wor chur bee-yew-
|` nyow]
could you take a photo of +|`12
us, please? qĭng gĕi wŏ pillow zhèntou [jun-toh]
zhàozhāng xiàng [ching gay- 34
wor jow-jahng hsyahng] pillow case zhĕntào [jun-tow]
123456 56
phrasebook duìhuà shŏucè pin (noun) biézhēn [byeh-jun]

ABCDEFGHIJKLPi
[dway-hwah shoh-tsur] 78
7890 pineapple bōluó [bor-lwor]
piano gāngqín [gahng-chin] 90
-= pineapple juice bōluózhī [bor-
pickpocket páshŏu lwor-jur]
[pah-shoh] -=\
\Q pink fĕnhóng [fun-hoong]
pick up: will you be there to QW
pick me up? nĭ lái jiē wó hăo pipe (for smoking) yāndŏu [yen-
ma? [ni lai jyeh wor how mah] doh]
WERTYUI ER
picnic (noun) yĕcān [yur-tsahn] (for water) guănzi [gwahn-
OP dzur]
picture (painting) huà [hwah] TY
{ pity: it’s a pity zhēn kĕxī [jun
(photo) zhàopiàn [jow-pyen] kur-hshee]
}q UIO

125
 place (noun) dìfāng [dee-fahng] run yew-kwai]
English ➜ Chinese

P{ \QWE
at your place zài nĭde jiā [dzai please qĭng [ching]
nee-dur jyah] R
}qwe yes, please hăo, xièxie [how
plane fēijī [fay-jee] hsyeh-hsyeh]
rt TYU
by plane zuò fēijī [dzwor] could you pleaseâ•‚...? qĭng
yui nín‑..., hăo ma? [mah]
plant zhíwù [jur-woo] IO ... qwe
op please don’t qĭng nín‑bù
plasters xiàngpí gāo [syang- rty
pee gow] pleased: pleased to meet you
[]A hĕn gāoxìng jiàndào nĭ [hun
plastic sùliào [soo-lyow] gow hsing jyen dow]
~! uiop[]
plastic bag sùliàodài pleasure: my pleasure méi shìr
@#$ [may shur]
ABCDEFGHIJKLPl

plate pánzi [pahn-dzur] ASD

%^ plenty: plenty ofâ•‚... xŭduō‑...
platform zhàntái [jahn-tai] [hsyew-dwor]
&* FG
which platform is it for there’s plenty of time hăo duō
Beijing? wăng Bĕijīng de shíjian [how dwor shur-jyen]
huŏchē cóng jĭhào zhàntái HJKL
kāichū? [wahng – dur hwor-chur that’s plenty, thanks gòule,
tsoong jee-how jahn-tai kai-choo] xièxie [goh-lur hsyeh-hsyeh]
()_+|`123 :"as
45678 plug (electrical) chātóu
play (verb) wánr [wahnr] [chah-toh]
90 df
(noun: in theatre) huàjù [hwah- (in sink) sāizi [sai-dzur]
jew] gh
-= plum lĭzi [lee-dzur]
pleasant lìngrén yúkuài [ling- jk

126
plumber guănzigōng [gwahn- [yoh-yoong-chur]

English ➜ Chinese
dzur-goong] 890
l;' poor (not rich) qióng [chyoong]
p.m. xiàwŭ [hsyah-woo] -
ZX (quality) lièzhì [lyeh-jur]
pocket kŏudàir [koh-dair] =\
CVB pop music liúxíng yīnyuè
point: two point five èr dián [lyoh-hsing yin-yew-eh]
wŭ [dyen] QWER
NM< pop singer liúxíng gēshŏu
there’s no point bù zhíde [jur- [gur-shoh]
dur] TYUI
>?z pork zhūròu [joo-roh]
poisonous yŏudúde [yoh-doo- OP
dur] port (for boats) gángkŏu [gahng-
~!@ koh]
police jĭngchá [jing-chah] {}
#$ porter (in hotel) ménfáng [mun-

ABCDEFGHIJKLPo
call the police! kuài jiào fahng]
jĭngchá! [kwai jyow jing-chah] qw
%^&* possible kĕnéng [kur-nung]
policeman jĭngchá [jing-chah] er
() is it possible toâ•‚...? kĕyĭ...ma?
police station pàichūsuŏ [pai- [yoh]
choo-swor] ty ... p[
_+| asâ•‚... as possible jĭn kĕnéng
polish (for shoes) xiéyóu [hsyeh- ]AS
yoh] post (noun: mail) yóujiàn [yoh-
`1 jyen]
polite kèqi [kur-chee] DF
23 (verb) jì [jee]
polluted wūrănle de [woo-rahn- G
lur dur] could you post this letter
4567 for me? qĭng bāng wŏ bă
pool (for swimming) yóuyŏngchí zhèifēng xìn jìzŏu, hăo ma?

127
 [ching bahng wor bah jay-fung hsin Zhōngwén [wor hsyahng lyen-
English ➜ Chinese

jee-dzoh how mah] hshee jyang joong-wun]

HJKL:"asd WERTYUI
fgh prawn crackers xiābĭng [hsyah-
postbox xìnxiāng [hsin- bing]
hsyahng] OP
~! prawns duìxiā [dway-hsyah]
postcard míngxìnpiàn [ming- {}
hsin-pyen] prefer: I preferâ•‚... wŏ gèng
@#$ xĭhuan‑... [wor gung see-
poster zhāotiē [jow-tyeh] hwahn]
%^ qwer ...
poste restante dàilĭng yóujiàn pregnant huáiyùn [hwai-yewn]
[yoh-jyen] io
&*() prescription (for medicine)
post office yóujú [yoh-jew] yàofāng [yow-fahng]
_+ p[
potato tŭdòu [too-doh] present (gift) lĭwù
ABCDEFGHIJKLPo

|` ]A
potato chips (US) zhá president (of country) zóngtŏng
tŭdòupiànr [jah too-doh-pyenr] [dzoong-toong]
12345 SD
pound (money) yīngbàng [ying- pretty piàoliang [pyow-lyang]
bahng] FG
67 it’s pretty expensive tài guìle
(weight) bàng [bahng] [gway-lur]
8 HJK
power cut tíngdiàn [ting-dyen] price jiàgé [jyah-gur]
90 L:
power point diànyuán prime minister shŏuxiàng
chāzuò [dyen-yew-ahn chah- [shoh-hsyahng]
dzwor] ~!
-=\Q printed matter yìnshuāpĭn [yin-
practise: I want to practise my shwah-pin]
Chinese wŏ xiăng liànxí jiăng @#$

128
prison jiānyù [jyen-yew] puncture (noun) păoqì [pow-

English ➜ Chinese
%^ chee]
private sīrén(de) #$
[sur-run(-dur)] purple zĭ [dzur]
&*()_ %
private bathroom purse (for money) qiánbāo
sīrén(de)yùshì [–yoo-shur] [chyen-bow]
+|`1234 ^&
probably dàgài [dah-gai] (US: handbag) shŏutíbāo [shoh-
56 tee-bow]
problem wèntí [wun-tee] *()
78 push tuī [tway]
no problem! méi wèntí! [may] _
90- put fàng [fahng]
programme (theatre) jiémùdānr +
[jyeh-moo-dahnr] where can I putâ•‚...? wŏ bă‑...
=\QW fàng zai năr? [wor bahâ•‚– dzai]
pronounce: how is this |` ... 45678

ABCDEFGHIJKLQu
pronounced? zhèige zì zĕnme could you put us up for the
fāyīn? [jay-gur dzur dzun-mur night? wŏmen kĕyi zài zhèr
fah-yin] guò yíyè ma? [wor-mun kur-yee
ERTYUIOP – jer gwor yee-yur mah]
Protestant xjīnjiàotú [hsin- 90-=\QWERT
jyow-too] YU
{}q pyjamas shuìyī [shway-yee]
public convenience gōnggòng IO
cèsuŏ [goong-goong tsur-swor]
wert Q
public holiday gōngjià [goong-
jyah]
yu quality zhìliàng [jur-lyang]
pull lā [lah] P{
~ quarter sì fēn zhī yī [sur fun
pullover tàoshān [mow-bay-hsin] jur yee]
!@ }qwe

129
 question wèntí [wun-tee] racket (tennis, squash) qiúpāi
English ➜ Chinese

rt [chyoh-pai]
queue (noun) duì [dway] -=
y radiator (in room) nuănqì
quick kuài [kwai] [nwahn-chee]
u \Q
that was quick zhēn kuài [jun] (of car) sànrèqì
~! [sahn-rur-chee]
what’s the quickest way WER
there? nĕitiáo lù zuì jìn? [nay- radio shōuyīnjī [shoh-yin-jee]
tyow loo zway] TYU
@#$%^& on the radio zài shōuyīnjīlĭ
quickly hĕn kuài di [hun kwai] [dzai – lee]
*() IOP{\
quiet (place, hotel) ānjìng [ahn- rail: by rail zuò huŏchē [dzwor
jing] hwor-chur]
_+ }qw
quite (fairly) xiāngdāng railway tiĕlù [tyeh-loo]
ABCDEFGHIJKLQu

[hsyahng-dahng] er
|` rain (noun) yŭ [yew]
that’s quite right duì jíle t
[dway-jee-lur] in the rain zài yŭli [dzai yew-
123 lee]
quite a lot xiāngdāng duō yui
[hsyahng-dahng dwor] it’s raining xià yŭ le [hsyah yew
456 lur]
op[
raincoat yŭyī [yew-yee]
R
]A
rape (noun) qiángjiān [chyang-
rabbit (meat) tùzi [too-dzur] jyen]
78 SD
race (for runners, cars) bĭsài rare (uncommon) xīyŏu [hshee-
[bee-sai] yoh]
90 FG

130
 (steak) nèn diănr [nun dyenr] méi hăo ne [wor hai may how

English ➜ Chinese
HJK nur]
rash (on skin) pízhĕn [pee-jun] P{}qw
L:
rat láoshŭ [low-shoo] dialogue
~!
rate (for changing money) when will it be ready?
duìhuànlU [dway-hwahn-lyew] (repair etc) shénme shíhou
@#$ xiūwánle? [shun-mur shur-hoh
rather: it’s rather good búcuò hsyoh-wahn-lur]
[boo-tswor] it should be ready in a
%^ couple of days liăngtiān jiù
I’d ratherâ•‚... wŏ nìngkĕ... [wor hăole [lyang-tyen jyoh how-lur]
ning-kur]
&*( ... real (genuine) zhēn de [jun dur]
razor (wet) tìxúdāo [tee-hsyew- er
dow] really zhēnde [jun-dur]
|`1 ty

ABCDEFGHIJKLRe
(electric) diàntìdāo [dyen-tee- I’m really sorry zhēn duìbuqĭ
dow] [jun dway-boo-chee]
234 uiop
razor blades tìxú dāopiàn [tee- that’s really great bàngjíle
hsyew dow-pyen] [bahng-jee-lur]
5`78 []A
read (book) kànshū [kahn-shoo] really? (doubt) shì ma? [shur
90 mah]
(newspaper) kànbào [kahn-bow] SDF
-= (polite interest) zhēnde ma?
ready zhŭnbèi hăole [jun-bay [mah]
how-lur] GHJK
\QWE reasonable (prices etc) hélĭ
are you ready? zhŭnbèi hăole [hur-lee]
ma? [mah] L:
RTYUIO receipt shōujù [shoh-jyew]
I’m not ready yet wŏ hái "a

131
 recently zuìjìn [dzway-jin] region dìqū [dee-chew]
English ➜ Chinese

sd we
reception (in hotel) fúwùtái [foo- registered: by registered mail
woo-tai] guàhàoxìn [gwah-how-hsin]
fgh rty
(for guests) zhāodàihuì [jow-dai- registration number chēhào
hway] [chur-how]
~!@ ui
reception desk zŏng fúwùtái religion zōngjiào [dzoong-jyow]
[dzoong foo-woo-tai] op
#$%^ remember: I don’t remember
receptionist fúwùyuán [foo- wŏ jìbudé le [wor jee-boo-dur
woo-yew-ahn] lur]
&*( []ASD
recognize rènshi [run-shur] I remember wŏ jìdé [wor jee-
)_ dur]
recommend: could you FGH
recommendâ•‚...? qĭng nín do you remember? nĭ jìde
ABCDEFGHIJKLRe

tuījiàn‑..., hăo ma? [ching nin ma? [nee jee-dur mah]

tway-jyenâ•‚... how mah] JKL:"
+|`1 ... 567 rent (noun: for apartment etc)
red hóngsède [hoong- fángzū [fahng-dzoo]
sur-dur] as
890 (verb: car etc) chūzū [choo-dzoo]
red wine hóng pútaojiŭ [hoong df
poo-tow-jyoh] to rent chūzū
-=\Q gh
refund (noun) tuìkuăn [tway- I’d like to rent a bike wŏ
kwahn] xiăng zū yīliàng zìxíng chē
WE [wor hsyahng dzoo yee-lyang dzur-
can I have a refund? qĭng nín hsing chur]
ba qián tuì gĕi wŏ hăo ma? jkl;'ZXC
[ching nin bah chyen tway gay wor repair (verb) xiūlĭ [hsyoh-lee]
how mah] VB
RTYUIOP{}q can you repair it? nĭ kĕyi

132
xiūxiu ma? [kur-yee hsyoh-hsyoh
mah]
NM<>?zx
repeat chóngfù [choong-foo]
cv
could you repeat that? qĭng
nĭ zài shuō yíbiān, hăo ma?
[ching nee dzai shwor yee-byen how
mah]
~!@#$%^&*
reservation yùdìng [yew-ding]
()
I’d like to make a reservation
for a train ticket wŏ xiăng
yùdìng huŏchēpiào [wor
hsyahng yew-ding
hwor-chur-pyow]
_+|`123
dialogue
I have a reservation wŏ
yĭjing yùdìng le [yee-jing
–lur]
yes sir, what name,
please? hăo, nín guì xìng?
[how nin gway hsing]
reserve (verb) yùdìng [yew-ding]
45
dialogue
can I reserve a table for
tonight? wŏ kĕyi dìng ge
jīntian wănshang de zuò
English ➜ Chinese
ma? [kur-yee ding gur jin-tyen
wah-shahng dur dzwor mah]
yes madam, for how many
people? hăo, yígòng jĭge
rén? [how yee-goong jee-gur
run]
for two liăngge rén [lyang-
gur run]
and for what time? jĭdiăn
zhōng? [jee-dyen joong]
for eight o’clock bā diăn
zhōng [bah dyen]
and could I have your
name, please? hăo, nín
guì xìng? [how nin gway
hsing]
ABCDEFGHIJKLRe
rest: I need a rest wŏ xūyào
xiūxi yíxià [wor hsyew-yow
hsyoh-hshee yee-hsyah]
67890-=
the rest of the group tāmen
biéde rén [tah-mun byeh-dur]
\QWER
restaurant cāntīng [tsahn-ting]
TY
(big) fàndiàn [fahn-dyen]
UI
(small) fànguănr [fahn-gwahnr]
OP{
(Western-style) xīcāntīng [hshee-
tsahn-ting]
}qw
restaurant car cānchē [tsahn-
133
 chur] right (correct) duì [dway]
English ➜ Chinese

~! e
rest room cèsuŏ [tsur-swor] (not left) yòu(biānr) [yoh(-byenr)]
@# rtyui
retired: I’m retired wŏ tuìxiūle you were right nĭ duìle [nee
[wor tway-hsyoh-lur] dway-lur]
$%^& op[
return: a return toâ•‚... dào‑... de that’s right duì le
láihui piào [dowâ•‚... dur lai-hway ]A
pyow] this can’t be right zhè búduì
* ... +|`1 [jur boo-dway]
return ticket láihui piào SDF
234 right! duì!
reverse charge call duìfāng G
fùkuăn [dway-fahng is this the right road forâ•‚...?
foo-kwahn] qù‑..., zhème zŏu duì ma?
5678 [chewâ•‚... jur-mur dzoh dway mah]
revolting ràng rén ĕxīn [rahng H ... :"asdf
ABCDEFGHIJKLRe

run ur-hsin] on the right zài yòubiānr

90-= [dzai]
rice (cooked) mĭfàn [mee-fahn] ghjk
\Q turn right wăng yòu guăi
(uncooked) dàmĭ [dah-mee] [wahng yoh gwai]
WE ~!@
rice bowl fànwăn [fahn-wahn] ring (on finger) jièzhi [jyeh-jur]
RT #$
rice field dàotián [dow-tyen] I’ll ring you wŏ géi ní dă
YU diànhuà [wor gay nee dah dyen-
rice wine míjiŭ [mee-jyoh] hwah]
IO %^&*()
rich (person) yŏuqián [yoh-chyen] ring back zài dă diànhuà [dzai]
P{ _+|`
ridiculous kĕxiàode [kur-hsyow- ripe (fruit) shú [shoo]
dur] 1
}qw rip-off: it’s a rip-off zhè shì

134
 qiāozhúgàng [jur shur chyow- room (hotel) fángjiān [fahng-jyen]

English ➜ Chinese
joo-gahng] sd
23456 (space) kōngjiān [koong-jyen]
rip-off prices qiāozhúgàng de fg
jiàr [chyow-joo-gahng dur jyahr] in my room zài wŏ fángjiānli
7890-= [dzai]
risky màoxiăn [mow-hsyen] hjkl;
\Q room service sòng fàn fúwù
river hé [hur] [soong fahn foo-woo]
W ~!@#
RMB rénmínbì [run-min-bee] rope shéngzi [shung-dzur]
ERT $%
road lù roughly (approximately) dàyuē
Y [dah-yew-eh]
is this the road forâ•‚...? zhèi ^&
tiáo lù wăng ... qù? [jay tyow round: it’s my round gāi wŏ
loo wahng ... chew] măi le [gai wor mai lur]
UIOP ... we *()_

ABCDEFGHIJKLRu
rob: I’ve been robbed wŏ round trip ticket láihuí piào
bèi rén qiăngle [wor bay run [lai-hway pyow]
chyang-lur] +|`
rtyui route lùxiàn [loo-hsyen]
rock yánshí [yen-shur] 12
op what’s the best route? nĕitiáo
(music) yáogŭn yuè [yow-gun lùxiàn zuì hăo? [nay-tyow loo-
yew-eh] hsyen dzway how]
[]S 3456789
on the rocks (with ice) jiā rubber (material) xiàngjiāo
bīngkuàir [jyah bing-kwair] [hsyahng-jyow]
DFGH 0-
roll (bread) miànbāo juănr (eraser) xiàngpí
[myen-bow jyew-ahnr] [hsyahng-pee]
JKL: =\
roof fángdĭng [fahng-ding] rubbish (waste) lājī [lah-jee]
"a QW

135
 (poor-quality goods) fèiwù S
English ➜ Chinese

[fay-woo]
ER
rubbish! (nonsense) fèihuà! [fay- saddle (for horse) ānzi
hwah] [ahn- dzur]
TY ~!
rucksack bèibāo [bay-bow] safe (not in danger) píng’ān
UI @#
rude bù lĭmào [lee-mow] (not dangerous) ānquán [ahn-
OP{ choo-en]
ruins fèixū [fay-hsyew] $%
}q safety pin biézhēn [byeh-jun]
rum lángmújiŭ [lahng-moo- ^&
jyoh] sail (noun) fān [fahn]
wer *
rum and Coke® kĕkoukĕlè jiā salad shālà [shah-lah]
lángmújiŭ [kur-koh-kur-lur jyah ()
lahng-moo-jyoh] salad dressing shālà yóu [yoh]
ABCDEFGHIJKLRu

tyuiop[] _+|
run (verb: person) păo [pow] sale: for sale chūshòu [choo-
A shoh]
how often do the buses run? `1
gōnggòng qìchē duóchang salt yán [yahn]
shíjian yítàng? [goong-goong 2
chee-chur dwor-chahng shur-jyen same: the same yíyàng [yee-
yee-tahng] yang]
SDFGHJKL: 34
"a the same as this gēn zhèige
Russia Éguó [ur-gwor] yíyàng [gun jay-gur yee-yang]
sd 56789
Russian (adj) Éguó the same again, please qĭng
fg zài lái yíge [ching dzai lai yee-
gur]
0-=\Q
it’s all the same to me wŏ wú

136
 suŏwèi [wor woo swor-way] schedule (US: train) lièchē shíkè

English ➜ Chinese
WERT biăo [lyeh-chur shur-kur byow]
sandals liángxié [lyang-hsyeh] ~!@#$
YU scheduled flight bānjī [bahn-
sandwich sānmíngzhì [sahn- jee]
ming-jur] %^
IOP school xuéxiào [hsyew-eh-
sanitary napkins/towels hsyow]
wèishēngjīn [way-shung-jin] &*
{}q scissors: a pair of scissors
Saturday xīngqiliù [hsing-chee- yìbá jiănzi [yee-bah jyen-dzur]
lyoh] ()_+
wer scotch wēishìjì [way-shur-jee]
say (verb) shuō [shwor] |`1
t Scotch tape® tòumíng jiāodài
how do you sayâ•‚...â•‚in [toh-ming jyow-dai]
Chinese? yòng Zhōngwén 2345
zĕnme shuō‑...? [yoong joong- Scotland Sūgélán

ABCDEFGHIJKLSe
wun dzun-mur shwor] 678
yuiop[ ...D Scottish Sūgélán [soo-gur-lahn]
what did he say? tā shuō 90-
shénme? [tah – shun-mur] I’m Scottish wŏ shi
FGHJK Sūgélánren [wor shur –run]
he said tā shuō [tah] =\QWER
L: scrambled eggs chăo jīdàn
could you say that again? [chow jee-dahn]
qĭng zài shuō yíbiān [ching dzai TYU
– yee-byen] sea hăi
"asdf I
scarf (for neck) wéijīn [way-jin] by the sea zaì hăibiānr [dzai
gh hai-byenr]
(for head) tóujīn [toh-jin] OP{}
jk seafood hăiwèi [hai-way]
scenery fēngjĭng [fung-jing] qw
l; seal (for printing name) túzhāng

137
 [too-jahng] kàndàole‑...‑ma? [kahn-dow-lur
English ➜ Chinese

er mah]
seasick: I feel seasick wŏ &*() ... `1
yūnchuánle [wor yewn-chwahn- I saw him this morning wŏ
lur] jīntian zăoshang kànjian tā le
tyui [wor jin-tyen dzow-shahng kahn-
I get seasick wŏ yūnchuán jyen tah lur]
[wor yewn-chwahn] 234567890
op[ see you! zàijiàn! [dzai-jyen]
seat zuòwei [dzwor-way] -=
]A I see (I understand) wŏ míngbai
is this seat taken? yŏu rén le [wor ming-bai lur]
ma? [yoh run mah] \QWE
SDFG self-service zìzhù [dzur-joo]
second (adj) dièrge [dee-er-gur] RT
HJK sell mài
(of time) miăo [myow] Y
L do you sellâ•‚...? nĭ mài bu
ABCDEFGHIJKLSe

just a second! zhè jiù dé! [jur mài‑...?

jyoh dur] UIOP ...w
:"a Sellotape® tòumíng jiāobù
second class (travel etc) èr dĕng [toh-ming jyow-boo]
[er dung] ertQ
sd send sòng [soong]
(hard sleeper) yìngwò u
[ying-wor] (by post) jì
fg i
second-hand jiù(de) [jyoh(-dur)] I want to send this to England
hjkl wŏ xiăng ba zhèige jì dào
see kànjian [kahn-jyen] Yīngguó qù [wor syahng bah
;' jay-gur jee dow ying-gwor chew]
can I see? wŏ kĕyi kànkan op[]ASDFGH
ma? [wor kur-yee kahn-kahn mah] senior citizen lăoniánren [low-
~!@#$%^ nyen-run]
have you seenâ•‚...? nĭ JKL

138
separate fēnkāi [fun-kai] shake: let’s shake hands

English ➜ Chinese
:" wŏmen wòwo shŏu ba [wor-
separately (pay, travel) fēnkāi de mun wor-wor shoh bah]
asd 0-=\QW
September jiŭyuè [jyoh-yew-eh] shallow (water) qiăn [chyen]
fg E
serious (problem, illness) shame: what a shame! zhēn
yánzhòng(de) [yen-joong(-dur)] kĕxī! [jun kur-hshee]
hjkl; RTY
service charge (in restaurant) shampoo (noun) xĭfàqì [hshee-
xiăofèi [hsyow-fay] fah-chee]
'Z UIO
serviette cānjīn [tsahn-jin] share (verb: room, table etc)
XC héyòng [hur-yoong]
set menu fènrfàn [funr-fahn] P{
VBN sharp (knife) jiānruì
several jĭge [jee-gur] [jyen-rway]
M< }q

ABCDEFGHIJKLSh
sew féng [fung] (pain) ruì [rway]
> w
could you sew thisâ•‚...â•‚back shaver diàndòng tìxū dāo
on? qĭng nín bāng wŏ bă [dyen-doong tee-hsyew dow]
zhèige‑...‑fénghuíqu, hăo ertyu
ma? [ching nin bahng wor bah jay- shaving foam guā hú pàomò
gur ... fung-hway-chew how mah] [gwah hoo pow-mor]
~!@#$%^ ... )_ iop[
+|`1 shaving point diàntìdāo
sex (male/female) xìngbié [hsing- chāxiāo [dyen-tee-dow chah-
byeh] hsyow]
23 ]ASDF
sexy xìnggăn [hsing-gahn] she* tā [tah]
45 G
shade: in the shade zài is she here? tā zài ma? [dzai
yīnliáng chù [dzai yin-lyang] mah]
6789 HJKL

139
 sheet (for bed) bèidān [bei-dahn] shopping: I’m going shopping
English ➜ Chinese

:" wŏ qù măi dōngxi [wor chew

shelf jiàzi [jyah-dzur] mai doong-hshee]
as %^&*(
shellfish bèilèi [bay-lay] shore (of sea, lake) àn [ahn]
df )
ship chuán [chwahn] short (person) ăi
g _
by ship zuò chuán [dzwor] (time, journey) duăn [dwahn]
hj +
shirt chènyī [chun-yee] shorts duănkù [dwahn-koo]
kl |`
shock: I got an electric should: what should I do? wŏ
shock from theâ•‚...‑wŏ gāi zĕnme bàn? [wor gai dzun-
pèngzhe...‑ér chùdiàn [wor mur bahn]
pung-jur – dyen] 123456
;'Z ... BNM you shouldâ•‚...‑nĭ
shocking jīngrénde [jing-run- yīnggāi‑...‑[ying-gai]
ABCDEFGHIJKLSh

dur] 789 ...

<>? you shouldn’tâ•‚...‑nĭ bù
shoe xié [hsyeh] yīnggāi‑...
z \QWE ...
a pair of shoes yìshuāng xié he should be back soon guò
[yee-shwahng] yíhuìr, tā yīng zài huílai [gwor
xcv yee-hwayr tah ying dzai hway-lai]
shoelaces xiédài [hsyeh-dai] UIOP{}qwe
bn shoulder jiānbăng [jyen-bahng]
shoe polish xiéyóu rt
[hsyeh-yoh] shout (verb) hăn [hahn]
m, y
shoe repairer xiūxiéjiàng show (in theatre) biáoyăn [byow-
[hsyoh-hsyeh-jyang] yahn]
~!@ ui
shop shāngdiàn [shahng-dyen] could you show me? nĭ néng
#$ ràng wŏ kànkan ma? [nung

140
rahng wor kahn-kahn mah] side: the other side of the

English ➜ Chinese
op[]ASDF street zài jiē duìmian [dzai jyeh
shower (of rain) zhènyŭ [jun- dway-myen]
yew] )_+|
GH sidewalk rénxíng dào [run-hsing
(in bathroom) línyù [lin-yew] dow]
JK `12
with shower dài línyù sight: the sights ofâ•‚...‑‑...‑de
L:" fēngjĭng [fung-jing]
shrine shénkān [shun-kahn] ... 678
as sightseeing: we’re going
shut (verb) guān [gwahn] sightseeing wŏmen qù
d yóulăn [wor-mun chew yoh-
when do you shut? nĭmen lahn]
jídiăn guānménr? [nee-mun jee- 90-=\
dyen gwahn-munr] silk sīchóu [sur-choh]
fghjkl;' QW
when does it shut? jídiăn Silk Road sīchóu zhī lù [jur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLSi
guānménr? [jee-dyen] ERTY
ZXCVBN silly chŭn
they’re shut guānménr le [lur] U
M<>? silver (noun) yín(zi) [yin-dzur]
I’ve shut myself out wŏ bă zìjĭ IOP{
guān zài wàitou le [wor bah similar xiāngjìn de [hsyahng-jin
dzur-jee gwahn dzai wai-toh lur] dur]
zxcvbnm,. }q
shut up! zhù zuĭ! [joo dzway] simple (easy) jiăndān [jyen-dahn]
~! we
shy hàixiū [hai-hsyoh] since: since last week zìcóng
@# shàngge xīngqī yĭlái [dzur-
sick (ill) yŏubìng [yoh-bing] tsoong shahng-gur hsing-chee
$% yee-lai]
I’m going to be sick (vomit) wŏ rtyuiop[
yào ŏutù [wor yow oh-too] since I got here zìcóng wŏ lái
^&*( yĭhòu [dzur-tsoong wor lai yee-

141
 hoh] jer mah]
English ➜ Chinese

]ASDFG _+|`1234
sing chànggē [chahng-gur] is anyone sitting here? yŏu
HJ rén zài zhèr ma? [yoh run]
Singapore Xīnjiāpō [hsin-jyah- 567890-
por] sit down zuòxià [dzwor-hsyah]
KL: =\
singer gēchàngjiā [gur-chahng- sit down! qĭng zuò! [ching]
jyah] QW
"as size chĭcùn [chur-tsun]
single: a single toâ•‚...‑yìzhāng ER
qù‑...‑de dānchéngpiào [yee- skin (human) pífu
jahng chewâ•‚...â•‚dur dahn-chung- TY
pyow] (animal) pí
dfg ... l;'Z U
I’m single wŏ shì dúshēn [wor skinny shòu [shoh]
shur dahn-shun] I
XCVB skirt qúnzi [chewn-dzur]
ABCDEFGHIJKLSi

single bed dānrén chuáng OP

[dahn-run chwahng] sky tiān [tyen]
NM< {
single room dānrén jiān [jyen] sleep (verb) shuìjiào [shway-
>?z jyow]
single ticket (dānchéng) piào }q
[pyow] did you sleep well? nĭ shuì de
~!@#$ hăo ma? [shway dur how mah]
sink (in kitchen) shuĭchí [shway- wertyu
chur] sleeper (on train) wòpù
%^ [wor-poo]
sister (elder) jiĕjie [jyeh-jyeh] io
&* (soft) ruănwò [rwahn-wor]
(younger) mèimei [may-may] p[
() (hard) yìngwò [ying-wor]
sit: can I sit here? wŏ kĕyi zuò ]A
zhèr ma? [wor kur-yee dzwor sleeping bag shuìdài [shway-

142
dai] I don’t smoke wŏ bú huì

English ➜ Chinese
SD chōu yān [hway]
sleeping car wòpù chēxiāng 56789
[wor-poo chur-hsyahng] do you smoke? nĭ chōu yān
FGHJ ma?
sleeve xiùzi [hsyoh-dzur] 0-=\Q
KL snack diănxīn [dyen-hsin]
slide (photographic) WE
huàndēngpiānr [hwahn-dung- sneeze (noun) dă pēntì [da
pyenr] pun-tee]
:"as RTY
slip (garment) chènqún [chun- snow (noun) xuĕ [hsyew-eh]
chewn] U
df so: it’s so good nàme
slow màn [mahn] [nah-mur]
g IOP
slow down! màn diănr! [dyenr] it’s so expensive nàme guì
hjk {}q

ABCDEFGHIJKLSo
slowly màn not so much méi nàme duō
l [may – dwor]
very slowly hĕn màn [hun] wert
~! not so bad méi nàme huài
small xiăo [hsyow] yuio
@ so-so búguò rúcĭ [boo-gwor
smell: it smells (bad) yŏu wèir roo-tsur]
le [yoh wayr lur] p[]A
#$%^ soap féizào [fay-dzow]
smile (verb) xiào [hsyow] SD
& soap powder xĭyīfĕn [hshee-
smoke (noun) yān [yahn] yee-fun]
* FGH
do you mind if I smoke? wŏ sock duănwà [dwahn-wah]
kĕyi zài zhèr chōu yān ma? JK
[wor kur-yee dzai jer choh yahn mah] socket chāzuò [chah-dzwor]
()_+|`1234 L:

143
 soda (water) sūdá [soo-dah] xiăng chī diăn dōngxī [wor
English ➜ Chinese

"a hsyahng chur dyen doong-hshee]

sofa shāfā [shah-fah] {}qwer
sd sometimes yŏushíhhou [yoh-
soft (material etc) ruăn [rwahn] shur-hoh]
f tyu
soft drink qìshuĭr somewhere mŏudì [moh-dee]
[chee-shwayr] io
ghj I need somewhere to stay wŏ
soft seat ruănzuò yào zhăoge zhùchù [wor yow
[rwahn-dzwor] jow-gur]
~! p[]ASD
sole (of shoe) xiédĭ [hsyeh-dee] son érzi [er-dzur]
@# FG
(of foot) jiáodĭ [jyow-dee] song gē [gur]
$% H
could you put new soles on son-in-law nWxu [nyoo-hsoo]
these? qĭng nín huàn shuāng JK
ABCDEFGHIJKLSo

xīn xiédĭ, hăo ma? [ching nin soon (after a while) yìhuĭr [yee-
hwahn shwahng hsin – how mah] hwayr]
^&*()_+|`1 LW"
some: can I have some water? (quickly) kuài [kwai]
qĭng lái yídiănr shŭi, hăo ma? a
[ching lai yee-dyenr – how mah] I’ll be back soon wŏ yìhuĭr
234567890 jiù huílai [wor yee-hwayr jyoh
can I have some apples? hway-lai]
qĭng lái yíxiē píngguŏ, hăo sdWghjk
ma? [yee-hsyeh] as soon as possible yuè kuài
-=\QWERTY yuè hăo [yew-eh – how]
somebody, someone mŏurén l;'Z
[moh-run] sore: it’s sore téng [tung]
UI X
something mŏushì [moh-shur] sore throat săngziténg [sahng-
OP dzur-tung]
I want something to eat wŏ ~!@

144
sorry: (I’m) sorry duìbuqĭ
[dway-boo-chee]
#$%
sorry? (didn’t understand) nĭ
shuō shénme? [shwor shun-mur]
^&*()
sort: what sort ofâ•‚...? shénme
yàng de‑...? [dur]
_+|` ...4
soup tāng [tahng]
5 Spanish (adj) Xībānyáde [hshee-
sour (taste) suān [swahn]
6 ASDF
south nán [nahn]
7 nín huì jiăng Yīngyŭ ma?
in the south nánfāng [nahn-
fahng]
89
South Africa Nánfēi [nahn-fay]
0-
South African (adj) Nánfēi
=\
I’m South African wŏ shì
Nánfēirén [wor shur –run]
QWERT
South China Sea Nánhăi
[nahn-hai]
YU
southeast dōngnán [doong-
nahn]
IO
southern nánde [nahn-dur]
P{
South Korea nán Cháoxiān
[nahn chow-hsyen]
}qw
English ➜ Chinese
southwest xīnán [hsin-ahn]
er
souvenir jìniànpĭn
[jin-yen-pin]
tyu
soy sauce jiàngyóu [jyahn-gyoh]
io
Spain Xībānyá [hshee-bahn-yah]
p[]
bahn-yah-dur]
speak: do you speak English?
[hway jyang ying-yew mah]
GHJKL:"
I don’t speakâ•‚...‑wŏ búhuì
ABCDEFGHIJKLSp
jiăng‑...‑[wor boo-hway]
asdf ...
can I speak toâ•‚...? (in person)
máfan nín zhăo yíxia ... hăo
ma? [mah-fahn nin jow yee-
hsyahâ•‚...â•‚how]
kl;'ZX ... NM<
dialogue
can I speak to Mr Wang?
Wáng xiānsheng zàibúzài?
[hsyahng-shung dzai-boo-dzai]
who’s calling? nĭ shì
nawéi? [shur nar-way]
it’s Patricia wŏ shì Patricia
[wor]
145
 I’m sorry, he’s not in, can I
English ➜ Chinese
take a message? duìbuqĭ,
tā búzài, yàobúyào liú
gexìn? [dway-boo-chee tah
boo-dzai yow-boo-yow lyoh
gur-hsin]
no thanks, I’ll call back
later xièxie, guò yìhuìr wŏ
zài dă [hsyeh-hsyeh gwor yee-
hwayr wor dzai dah]
please tell him I called
qĭng gàosu tā wŏ dă le
diànhuà [ching gow-soo tah
wor dah lur dyen-hwah]
spectacles yănjìng [yenjing]
~!
spend huāfèi [hwah-fay]
ABCDEFGHIJKLSp
@#
spoke (in wheel) fútiáo [foo-tyow]
$%
spoon sháozi [show-dzur]
^&
sport yùndòng [yewn-doong]
*(
sprain: I’ve sprained
myâ•‚...‑wŏde ... niŭ le [wor-
durâ•‚... nyoh lur]
)_ ... 12
spring (season) chūntian [chun-
tyen]
34
in the spring chūntian
56
square (in town) guángchăng
146
[gwahng-chahng]
78
stairs lóutī [loh-tee]
90
stamp (noun) yóupiào [yoh-
pyow]
-=
dialogue
a stamp for England,
please măi yìzhāng jì
Yīngguó de yóupiào [mai
yee-jahng jee ying-gwor dur]
what are you sending? nĭ jì
shénme? [shun-mur]
this postcard zhèizhāng
míngxìnpiàn [jay-jahng ming-
hsin-pyen]
star xīngxing [hsing-hsing]
\Q
start kāishĭ [kai-shur]
WE
when does it start? jĭdiăn
kāishĭ? [jee-dyen]
RTYUI
the car won’t start chē
fādòngbùqĭlái [chur fah-doong-
boo-chee-lai]
OP{}qw
starter (food) lĕngpánr [lung-
pahnr]
ert
station (train) huŏchē zhàn
 [hwor-chur jahn] steamed roll huājuănr [hwah-

English ➜ Chinese
yui jwahnr]
(city bus) qìchē zŏng zhàn )_+
[chee-chur dzoong] steep (hill) dŏu [doh]
op[] |
(long-distance bus) chángtú step: on the steps zài táijiē
qìchēzhàn [chahng-too chee- shang [dzai tai-jyeh shahng]
chur-jahn] `123
ASDFG stereo lìtĭshēng [lee-tee-shung]
(underground) dì tĭe zhàn [tyeh 456
jahn] Sterling yīngbàng [ying-bahng]
HJK 78
statue sùxiàng [soo-hsyahng] steward (on plane) fúwùyuán
L: [nahn foo-woo-yew-ahn]
stay: where are you staying? 90-
nĭmen zhù zài năr? [nee-mun stewardess kōngzhōng
joo dzai nar] xiáojiĕ [koong-joong hsyow-jyeh]
"asdfgh =\QW

ABCDEFGHIJKLSt
I’m staying atâ•‚...‑wŏ zhù still: I’m still here wŏ hái zài
zài‑...‑[wor joo dzai] [wor hai dzai]
jkl ... ERT
I’d like to stay another two is he still there? tā hái zài ma?
nights wŏ xiăng zài zhù liăng [tah – mah]
tiān [syahng dzai joo] YUIOP
XCVBNM keep still! bié dòng! [byeh
steak niúpái [nyoh-pai] doong]
~! {}
steal tōu [toh] sting: I’ve been stung wŏ gĕi
@ zhēle [wor gay jur-lur]
my bag has been stolen qwer
wŏde bāo bèi tōule [wor-dur stockings chángtŏngwà
bow bay toh-lur] [chahng-toong-wah]
#$%^&* tyu
steamed zhēng [jung] stomach wèi [way]
( i

147
 stomach ache wèiténg [way- strawberry căoméi [tsow-may]
English ➜ Chinese

tung] ()
op stream xiăoxī [hsyow-hshee]
stone (rock) shítou [shur-toh] _+
[] street jiē(dào) [jyeh(-dow)]
stop (verb) tíng |`12
A on the street zài jiēshang [dzai
please, stop here (to taxi driver jyeh-shahng]
etc) qĭng tíng zài zhèr [ching 345
ting dzai jer] streetmap jiāotōngtú [jyow-
SDFGH toong-too]
do you stop nearâ•‚...? 678
zài‑...‑fùjìn tíng ma? [mah] string shéngzi [shung-dzur]
J ... "asdf 90
stop it! tíngzhĭ! [ting-jur] strong (person)
gh qiángzhuàng[chyang-
storm bàofēngyŭ [bow-fung- jwahng]
yew] -=
ABCDEFGHIJKLSt

jkl (material) jiēshi [jyeh-shur]

straight (whisky etc) chún \Q
; (drink, taste) nóng [noong]
it’s straight ahead yìzhí W
cháoqián [yee-jur chow- stuck: it’s stuck kăle [kah-lur]
chyen] ER
'ZXC student xuésheng [hsyew-eh-
straightaway măshàng [mah- shung]
shahng] TY
~! stupid bèn [bun]
strange (odd) qíguài de [chee- U
gwai dur] suburb jiāoqū [jyow-chew]
@#$ IO
stranger shēngrén [shun-grun] subway (US) dìtiĕ [dee-tyeh]
%^ P{
strap dàir suddenly tūrán [too-rahn]
&* }q

148
sugar táng [tahng] sunny: it’s sunny yángguāng

English ➜ Chinese
w chōngzú [yang-gwahng choong-
suit (noun) tàozhuāng [tow- dzoo]
jwahng] *()_
er sunset rìluò [rur-lwor]
it doesn’t suit me (jacket +|
etc) wŏ chuān bù héshì [wor sunshine yángguāng [yang-
chwahn boo hur-shur] gwahng]
tyuio `1
it suits you nĭ chuān sunstroke zhòngshŭ [joong-
héshì shoo]
p[]A 2@
suitcase shŏutíxiāng suntan lotion fángshài jì [fahng-
[shoh-tee-hsyahng] shai]
SDF 456
summer xiàtian [hsyah- suntan oil fángshàiyóu [–yoh]
tyen] 789
GH super hăojíle [how-jee-lur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLSw
in the summer xiàtian 0-=
JK supermarket chāojí shìchăng
sun tàiyáng [chow-jee shur-chahng]
L: \QWE
sunbathe shài tàiyáng supper wănfàn [wahn-fahn]
"as RT
sunblock (cream) fángshàirŭ supplement (extra charge)
[fahng-shai-roo] fùjiāfèi [foo-jyah-fay]
dfg YUI
sunburn rìzhì [rur-shur] sure: are you sure? zhēnde
~! ma? [jun dur mah]
Sunday xīngqītiān [hsing-chee- OP{}
tyen] sure! dāngrán! [dahn-grahn]
@#$ qw
sunglasses tàiyángjìng [tai- surname xìng [hsing]
yang-jing] e
%^& swearword zāngzìr [dzahng-

149
 dzur] [yoh-yoong-koo]
English ➜ Chinese

rty +|`
sweater máoyī [mow-yee] switch (noun) kāiguān [kai-
ui gwahn]
sweatshirt (chángxiù) hànshān 12
[chahng-hsyoh hahn-shahn] switch off guān [gwahn]
op[]AS 3
Sweden Ruìdiăn [rway-dyen] switch on kāi [kai]
DF 4
Swedish (adj) Ruìdiănyŭ swollen zhŏng [joong]
GHJ 5
sweet (taste) tián [tyen]
K T
(noun: dessert) tiánshí [tyen-shur]
L:
sweets tángguŏ [tahng-gwor] table zhuōzi [jwor-dzur]
"a 67
swim (verb) yóuyŏng [yoh- a table for two liăngrén zhuō
ABCDEFGHIJKLSw

yoong] [lyang-run]
sd 0=Q
I’m going for a swim wŏ qù tablecloth zhuōbù
yóuyŏng [wor chew [jwor-boo]
yoh-yoong] ER
fghj table tennis pīngpāngqiú [ping-
let’s go for a swim zánmen qù pahng-chyoh]
yóuyŏng ba TYU
[zahn-mun] tailor cáifeng [tsai-fung]
~!@#$% IO
swimming costume Taiwan Táiwān [tai-wahn]
yóuyŏngyī [yoh-yoong-yee] P{
^&* Taiwanese (adj) Táiwān(de)
swimming pool yóuyŏng chí [–dur]
[chur] }qwer
()_ take ná [nah]
swimming trunks yóuyŏngkù t

150
 (somebody somewhere) lĭng tampons wèishēngjīn [way-

English ➜ Chinese
y shung-jin]
(something somewhere) dài ()_
u tap shuĭlóng tóu [shway-loong
(accept) jiēshòu [jyeh-shoh] toh]
io +|`
can you take me to theâ•‚...? tape (cassette) cídài
qĭng dài wŏ dào‑...? [ching dai [tsur-dai]
wor dow] 12
p[]A ...G taste (noun) wèir [wayr]
do you take credit cards? nĭ 34
shòu xìnyòngkă ma? [shoh can I taste it? kĕyĭ
hsin-yoong-kah mah] chángchang ma? [kur-yee
HKL:"as chahng-chahng mah]
fine, I’ll take it hăo, xíngle 567890
[how hsing-lur] taxi chūzū qìchē [choo-dzoo
dfg chee-chur]
can I take this? (leaflet etc) kĕyi -=\Q

ABCDEFGHIJKLTa
ná ma? [kur-yee nah] will you get me a taxi?
hjkl; qíng nín bāng wŏ jiào liàng
how long does it take? yào chūzūchē, hăo ma? [ching nin
duōcháng shíjiān? [yow dwor- bahng wor jyow lyang choo-dzoo-
chahng shur-jyen] chur how mah]
'ZXCVB WERTYUIOP
it takes three hours yào sānge {}q
zhōngtóu [yow sahng-gur joong- where can I find a taxi? zài
toh] năr kĕyi zhăodao chūzū
NM<>? qìchē? [dzai nar kur-yee jow-dow]
is this seat taken? zhèr yŏu wertyuiop
rén ma? [jer yoh run mah] []A
~!@#$%
talk (verb) shuōhuà [shwor-hwah] dialogue
^&
tall gāo [gow] to the airport/to the Xian
* Hotel, please qĭng dài

151
 wŏ dào fēijīcháng/Xīān boo]
English ➜ Chinese

fàndiàn [dow – TYU

fay-jee-chahng] teenager qīngshàonián [ching-
how much will it be? show-nyen]
duōshao qián? [dwor-show IOP
chyen] telegram diànbào
30 yuan sānshí kuài qián [dyen-bow]
[sahn-shur kwai] {}
that’s fine right here, telephone diànhuà [dyen-
thanks jiù zài zhèr, xièxie hwah]
[jyoh dzai jer hsyeh-hsyeh] qw
see phone
taxi driver chūzū sījī [choo-dzoo television diànshì [dyen-shur]
sur-jee] er
~!@# tell: could you tell himâ•‚...?
taxi rank chūzūchē diănr qĭng nín gàosu tà‑..., hăo ma?
[dyenr] [ching nin gow-soo tahâ•‚...â•‚how
$%^&* mah]
ABCDEFGHIJKLTa

tea (drink) chá [chah] ~!@#$ ... *()

( temperature (weather) qìwēn
tea for one/two, please qĭng [chee-wun]
lái yí/liăngge rén de chá [ching _+
– run dur] (fever) fāshāo [fah-show]
)_+|`1234 |`
teach: could you teach me? temple (Buddhist) sì [sur]
nín kĕyi jiāojiao wŏ ma? [kur- 1
yee jyow-jyow wor mah] (Taoist) guàn [gwahn]
567890-= 2
teacher lăoshī [low-shur] tennis wăngqiú [wahng-
\Q chyoh]
team duì [dway] 34
W term (at university, school) xuéqī
teaspoon cháchí [chah-chur] [hsyew-eh-chee]
ER 56
tea towel cāwănbù [tsah-wahn- terminus (rail) zhōngdiănzhàn

152
 [joong-dyen-jahn] dialogue

English ➜ Chinese
789
terrible zāogāo [dzow-gow] thanks xièxie
0- that’s OK, don’t mention it
that’s terrible tài zāogāo le bú kèqi [kur chee]
[lur]
=\QW that* nèige [nay-gur]
terrific bàngjíle [bahng-jee-lur] sd
ERT that one nèi yíge [yee-gur]
text (message) duănxìn fgh
[dwahn-hsin] I hope thatâ•‚...‑wŏ
+ 5 xīwàng‑...‑[wor hshee-
Thailand Tàiguó [tai-gwor] wahng]
YU jkl ...
than* bĭ that’s nice nà zhèng hăo
I [nah jung-how]
even moreâ•‚...â•‚thanâ•‚...‑bĭ‑... XCV
‑gèngduō [gungâ•‚...â•‚dwor] is thatâ•‚...? nà shì‑...‑ma?

ABCDEFGHIJKLTh
O ... qw [shurâ•‚...â•‚mah]
smaller than bĭ‑...‑xiăo ~! ... %^
[hsyow] that’s it (that’s right) duìle
e ... u [dway-lur]
thank: thank you xièxie [hsyeh- &*
hsyeh] the*
io theatre jùyuàn
thank you very much fēicháng [jyew-yew-ahn]
gănxiè [fay-chahng gahn-hsyeh] ()
RTYU their/theirs* tāmende [tah-
thanks for the lift xièxie nín mun-dur]
ràng wŏ dāle chē [rahng wor _+|
dah-lur chur] them* tāmen [tah-mun]
]ASDFGHJ `1
no, thanks xièxie, wŏ bú yào then (at that time) nèi shíhou
[boo yow] [nay shur-hoh]
KL:"a 234

153
 (after that) ránhòu [rahn-hoh] (object) xì [hshee]
English ➜ Chinese

56 D
there nàr thing (matter) shìr [shur]
78 FG
over there zài nàr [dzai] (object) dōngxi [doong-hshee]
90- HJ
up there zài shàngtou [dzai my things wŏde dōngxi
shahng-toh] KL:"
=\Q think xiăng [hsyahng]
is/are thereâ•‚...? yŏu‑...‑ma? a
[yohâ•‚...â•‚mah] I think so wŏ xiăng shì
W ... YU zhèiyang [wor hsyahng shur jay-
there is/areâ•‚...‑yŏu‑... yang]
I ... sdfgh
there you are (giving something) I don’t think so wŏ bú
gĕi nĭ [gay] zhèiyang xiăng [jay-yang]
}q jkl;'
Thermos® flask I’ll think about it wŏ kăolU
ABCDEFGHIJKLTh

rèshuĭpíng [rush-way- yíxia [kow-lyew yee-hsyah]

ping] ~!@#$
wer third class sāndĕng [sahn-
these* zhèixie [jay-hsyeh] dung]
ty %^
they* tāmen [tahmun] (hard seat) yìngzuò [ying-dzwor]
ui &*
thick hòu [hoh] thirsty: I’m thirsty wŏ kŏukĕ
o [wor koh-kur]
(stupid) bèn [bun] ()_
p this* zhèige [jay-gur]
thief zéi [dzay] +|
[ this one zhèige
thigh dàtuĭ [dah-tway] `1
]A this is my wife zhè shì wŏ qīzi
thin (person) shòu [shoh] [jur shur wor chee-dzur]
S 23456

154
 is thisâ•‚...? zhèi shìbúshì‑...? dialogue

English ➜ Chinese
[shur-boo-shur]
7890 ...Q a return to Xian wăng Xīān
those* nèixie [nay-hsyeh] de láihuí piào [wahng – dur
WE lai-hway]
thread (noun) xiàn [hsyen] coming back when?
R nèitiān yào huílái? [shur nay-
throat săngzi [sahng-dzur] tyen yow]
TY today/next Tuesday
throat lozenges rùnhóu piàn jīntian/xiàge xīngqīèr
[run-hoh pyen] that will be 30 yuan sānshí
UIO kuài qián [chyen]
through jīngguò [jing-gwor]
P{ ticket office (bus, rail)
does it go throughâ•‚...? (train, shòupiàochù [shoh-pyow-choo]
bus) jīngguò‑...‑ma? [mah] :"a
}q ... ty tie (necktie) lĭngdài
throw/throw away rēng sd

ABCDEFGHIJKLTi
[rung] tight (clothes etc) xiăo [hsyow]
u f
thumb dàmúzhĭ [dah-moo-jur] it’s too tight tài xiăo le [lur]
iop ghj
thunderstorm léiyŭ [lay-yew] tights liánkùwà [lyen-koo-wah]
[] ~!@
Thursday xīngqīsì [hsing-chee- time* shíjiān [shur-jyen]
sur] #$
ASD what’s the time? jĭdiăn le?
Tibet Xīzàng [hshee-dzahng] [jee-dyen lur]
FG %^&*
Tibetan (adj) Xīzàngde [hshee- this time zhèicì [jay-tsur]
dzahng] ()
HJK last time shàngcì [shahng-tsur]
ticket piào [pyow] _+
L next time xiàcì [hsyah]
|`

155
 three times sāncì myen-bow]
English ➜ Chinese

12 :"a
timetable (train) lièchē shíkè today jīntian [jin-tyen]
biăo [lyeh-chur shur-kur byow] sd
34567 toe jiáozhĭtou [jyow-jur-toh]
tin (can) guàntou [gwahn-toh] fgh
89 together yìqĭ [yee-chee]
tinfoil xīzhĭ [hshee-jur] jk
0- we’re together (in shop etc)
tin-opener guàntou qĭzi wŏmen shì yíkuàir de [wor-
[gwahn-toh chee-dzur] mun shur yee-kwair dur]
=\QW l;'ZXCV
tiny yìdiánrdiănr [yee-dyenr- toilet cèsuŏ [tsur-swor]
dyenr] ~!
ERTYU where is the toilet? cèsuŏ zài
tip (to waiter etc) xiăo fèi [hsyow năr? [dzai]
fay] @#$%^&
IO I have to go to the toilet wŏ
ABCDEFGHIJKLTi

tire (US) lúntāi [lun-tai] dĕi qù fāngbian fāngbian [wor

P{ day chew fahng-byen]
tired lèi [lay] *()_+|`
} toilet paper wèishēngzhĭ [way-
I’m tired wŏ lèi le [wor lay lur] shung-jee]
qwe 123
tissues zhĭjīn [jur-jin] tomato xīhóngshì [hshee-hoong-
~! shur]
to*: to Shanghai/London dào 456
Shànghăi/Lúndūn [dow] tomato juice fānqié zhī [fahn-
yuiop[ chyeh jur]
to China/England qù 789
Zhōngguó/Yīnggélán [chew] tomorrow míngtian [ming-tyen]
]ASDFGH 0-
to the post office qù yóujú tomorrow morning míngtian
JKL zăoshang [dzow-shahng]
toast (bread) kăo miànbāo [kow =\QW

156
 the day after tomorrow torch shŏudiàntŏng [shoh-dyen-

English ➜ Chinese
hòutian [hoh-tyen] toong]
ER ~!@
tongue shétou [shur-toh] total (noun) zŏnggòng [dzoong-
TY goong]
tonic (water) kuàngquánshuĭ #$
[kwahng-choo-en-shway] tour (noun) lWxíng [lyew-hsing]
UIO %^
tonight jīntian wănshang [jin- is there a tour ofâ•‚...? yŏu
tyen wahn-shahng] méiyou wăng‑...‑de lWxíng?
P{}q [yoh may-yoh wahngâ•‚...â•‚dur]
too (also) yĕ [yur] &*() ... `123
w tour guide dăoyóu [dow-yoh]
(excessively) tài 45
e tourist lWyóu zhĕ [lyew-yoh jur]
too hot tài rè [rur] 678
rt tour operator lWxíng shè [lyew-
too much tài duō [dwor] hsing shur]

ABCDEFGHIJKLTo
yu 90-
me too wŏ yĕ [wor] towards cháozhe [chow-jur]
io =\
tooth yá [yah] towel máojīn [mow-jin]
p QW
toothache yáténg [yah-tung] town chéngzhèn [chung-jun]
[] ER
toothbrush yáshuā [yah-shwah] in town (zài) chéngli [(dzai)
AS chung-lee]
toothpaste yágāo [yah-gow] TYUIO
DF out of town (zài) chéngwài
top: on top ofâ•‚...‑zài ... [chung-wai]
shàngtou [dzaiâ•‚...â•‚shahng-toh] P{}qw
G ... L: town centre shì zhōngxīn [shur
at the top zài dĭngshang [ding- joong-hsin]
shahng] ert
"as town hall shì zhèngfŭ dàlóu

157
 [shur-jung-foo] [hwor-chur-jahn]
English ➜ Chinese

yuiop |`1
toy wánjù [wahn-jyew] tram yŏuguĭ diànchē [yoh-gway
[] dyen-chur]
track (US) zhàntái [jahn-tai] 2345
AS translate fānyì [fahn-yee]
tracksuit yùndòngfú [yewn- 67
doong-foo] could you translate that?
~!@ qĭng nín fānyì yíxia, hăo ma?
traditional chuántŏng [chwahn- [ching nin fahn-yee yee-hsyah how
toong] mah]
#$ ~!@#$%^&*
train huŏchē [hwor-chur] translator fānyì [fahn-yee]
%^ ()
by train zuò huŏchē [dzwor trash lājī [lah-jee]
hwor-chur] _+
&*( travel lWxíng [lyew-hsing]
|`
ABCDEFGHIJKLTo

dialogue we’re travelling around

is this the train
forâ•‚Shanghai? zhèliè
huŏchē qù Shànghăi ma?
[jur-lyeh hwor-chur chew –
mah]
sure qù [chew]
no, you want that platform
there búqù, nĭ yào dào
nèige zhàntái qù [boo-chew
nee yow dow nay-gur jahn-tai]
trainers (shoes) lWyóuxié [lyew-
yoh-hsyeh]
)_+
train station huŏchēzhàn
wŏmen zài lWxíng [wor-mun
dzai]
12345
travel agent’s lWxíngshè [lyew-
hsing-shur]
678
traveller’s cheque lWxíng
zhīpiào [lyew-hsing jur-pyow]
90-=
tray chápán [chah-pahn]
\Q
tree shù [shoo]
W
trim: just a trim, please (to
hairdresser) qĭng zhĭ xiūxiu
biānr [ching jur hsyoh-hsyoh

158
 byenr] Tuesday xīngqièr [hsing-chee-

#$%^&*
trip: I’d like to go on a trip
toâ•‚...‑wŏ xiăng dào‑...‑qù
[wor hsyahng dowâ•‚...â•‚chew]
OP{ ... e
trouble (noun) máfan [mah-fahn]
rt
I’m having trouble withâ•‚...‑w
ŏde‑...‑yùdàole diănr máfan
[wor-duhâ•‚... yew-dow-lur dyenr]
yu ... []ASDFG
trousers kùzi [koo-dzur]
HJ
true zhēnde [jun-dur]
~!
that’s not true bú duì [dway]
@#
English ➜ Chinese
er]
QWE
tunnel suīdào [sway-dow]
RT
turn: turn left wăng zuó guăi
[wahng dzwor gwai]
YUI
turn right wăng yòu guăi
OP{
turn off: where do I turn off?
wŏ dĕi zài năr guăiwān? [wor
day dzai nar gwai-wahn]
}qwertyu
can you turn the heating off?
qĭng ba nuănqì guānshang
[ching bah nwahn-chee-gwahn-
shahng]

ABCDEFGHIJKLTw
trunk (US: of car) xínglixiāng iop[]AS
[hsing-lee-hsyahng] turn on: can you turn the
$%^ heating on? qĭng ba nuănqì
trunks (swimming) yóuyŏngkù dăkāi yíxià [dah-kai
[yoh-yoong-koo] yee-hsyah]
&*( DFGHJKL:"
try (verb) shì [shur] turning (in road) zhuănwānr
) [jwahn-wahnr]
can I try it? kĕyi shìyishì ma? asd
[kur-yee shur-yee-shur mah] TV diànshì [dyen-shur]
_+|`123 fg
try on: can I try it on? kĕyi twice liăngcì [lyang-tsur]
shìyishì ma? hj
4567890 twice as much duō yíbèi
T-shirt T xùshān [tee hsoo [dwor yee-bay]
shahn] kl;
-=\ twin beds liăngge

159
 dānrénchuáng [lyang-gur dahn- jyoh]
English ➜ Chinese

run-chwahng] `1
'ZXCV underâ•‚...‑(in position) zài‑...‑xià
twin room shuāngrén fángjiān [dzaiâ•‚...â•‚hsyah]
[shwahng-run fahng-jyen] 2 ... 6
BNM< (less than) shăoyú‑...‑[show-
twist: I’ve twisted my ankle yew]
wŏde jiăobózi niŭle [wor-dur ... 0-
jyow-bor-dzur nyoh-lur] underdone (meat) bàn shēng bù
>?zxcvb shú [bahn shung boo shoo]
type (noun) zhŏng [joong] =\QW
n underground (railway) dìtiĕ
another type ofâ•‚...‑lìng [dee-tyeh]
yìzhŏng‑...‑[ling yee-joong] ER
m,. ... underpants kùchă
typical diănxíng [dyen-hsing] [koo-chah]
~! TY
tyre lúntāi understand: I understand wŏ
ABCDEFGHIJKLTw

@# dŏng le [wor doong lur]

UIO
I don’t understand wŏ bù
U
dŏng
P{}
ugly nánkàn [nahn-kahn] do you understand? nĭ
$% dŏngle, ma?
UK Yīngguó [ying-gwor] qwert
^& unemployed shīyè [shur-yur]
umbrella yŭsăn [yew-sahn] yu
*( unfashionable bù shímáo [boo
uncle (father’s elder brother) bófù shur-mow]
)_ iop
(father’s younger brother) shūshu United States Mĕiguó [may-
[shoo-shoo] gwor]
+| []
(mother’s brother) jiùjiu [jyoh- university dàxué

160
 [dah-hsyew-eh] us* wŏmen [wor-mun]

English ➜ Chinese
AS ER
unlock kāi with us gēn wŏmen yìqĭ [gun
D – yee-chee]
unpack dăkāi [dah-kai] TYUIO
FG for us wéi wŏmen [wei]
untilâ•‚...‑zhĭdào‑...‑wéizhĭ P{}
[jur-dowâ•‚...â•‚way-jur] use (verb) yòng [yoong]
HJ ... "a q
unusual bù chángjiàn(de) may I useâ•‚...? wŏ kĕyi
[chahng-jyen(-dur)] yòng yíxia... ma? [wor
sdfghj kur-yee yoongâ•‚yee-hsyahâ•‚...â•‚
up shàng [shahng] mah]
k wertyu ... []
up there zài nàr [dzai] useful yŏuyòng [yoh-yoong]
~!@ AS
he’s not up yet tā hái méi qĭlai usual (normal) píngcháng [ping-
[tah hai may chee-lai] chahng]

ABCDEFGHIJKLVa
#$%^& DF
what’s up? zĕnme huí shìr? (habitual) yuánlái de [yew-ahn-lai
[dzun-mur hway shur] dur]
*()_+| GHJ
upmarket gāojí [gow-jee]
`1 V
upset stomach wèi bù shūfu
[way boo shoo-foo]
2345 vacancy: do you have
upside down dàoguolai [dow- any vacancies? (hotel)
gwor-lai] zhèr yŏu kòng fángjiān
678 ma? [jer yoh koong fahng-jyen
upstairs lóushàng mah]
[loh-shahng] KL:"asdf
90 vacation (holiday) jiàqī [jyah-
urgent jĭnjí(de) [jin-jee(-dur)] chee]
-=\QW gh

161
 on vacation xiūjià [hsyoh-jyah] soo-dur]
English ➜ Chinese

jk WER
vacuum cleaner xīchénqì very fēicháng [fay-chahng]
[hshee-chun-chee] TY
l;' very little hĕn xiăo [hun hsyow]
valid (ticket etc) yŏuxiào [yoh- UI
hsyow] I like it very much wŏ hĕn
ZX xĭhuan [wor hun hshee-hwahn]
how long is it valid for? duō OP{}
cháng shíjiānnei yŏuxiào? via tújīng [toojing]
[dwor chahng shur-jyen nay yoh- qw
hsyow] Vietnam Yuènán [yew-eh-nahn]
CVBNM<>? er
valley shāngŭ [shahn-goo] view jĭng
zx t
valuable (adj) băoguì(de) [bow- village cūnzi [tsun-dzur]
gway(-dur)] ~!
~!@#$ vinegar cù [tsoo]
ABCDEFGHIJKLVa

can I leave my valuables @

here? wŏ kĕyi bă guìzhòng visa qiānzhèng [chyen-jung]
de dōngxi fàng zài zhèr #$
ma? [wor kur-yee bah gway-joong visit (verb: person) qù kàn [chew
dur doong-hshee fahng dzai jer mah] kahn]
%^&*()_+| %^
`12345 (place) cānguān [tsahn-gwahn]
van huòchē [hwor-chur] &*
67 I’d like to visitâ•‚...â•‚wŏ xiăng
vary: it varies jīngcháng biàn cānguān‑...‑[wor hsyahng]
[jing-chahng byen] ()_+ ...
890 voice shēngyīn [shung-yin]
vase huāpíng [hwah-ping] 23
-= voltage diànyā [dyen-yah]
vegetables shūcài [shoo-tsai] 45
\Q vomit ŏutù [oh-too]
vegetarian (noun) chīsùde [chur- 67

162
W jiàoxíng wŏ, hăo ma? [ching

English ➜ Chinese
dzai – jyow-hsing wor]
ertyuiop[
waist yāo [yow] ]A
8 Wales Wēiĕrshì [way-er-shur]
wait dĕng [dung] SDF
9 walk: is it a long walk? yào
wait for me dĕngdeng wŏ zŏu hén yuăn ma? [yow dzoh
[wor] hun yew-ahn mah]
~!@ GHJKL:
don’t wait for me búyòng it’s only a short walk zhĭ shì
déng wŏ [boo-yoong] liūdaliūda [jur shur
#$%^ lyoh-dah–]
can I wait until my wife gets "asdfg
here? wŏ néng dĕngdào wŏ I’ll walk wŏ zŏuzhe qù [wor
qīzi lái ma? [nung dung-dow wor dzoh-jur chew]
chee-dzur lai mah] hjkl
&*()_+|`45 I’m going for a walk wŏ

ABCDEFGHIJKLWa
can you do it while I wait? chūqu sànsan bù [choo-chew
shìbúshì lìdĕng kéqŭ? [shur- sahn-sahn]
boo-shur lee-dung kur-chew] ;'ZXCV
67890-=\ wall qiáng [chyang]
could you wait here for me? B
qĭng zài zhèr dĕng hăo the Great Wall of China
ma? [ching dzai jer dung how Chángchéng [chahng-chung]
mah] NM
QWERTYUI wallet qiánbāo [chyen-bow]
waiter/waitress fúwùyuán [foo- <>
woo-yew-ahn] want: I want aâ•‚...‑wŏ yào
OP{ yíge‑...‑[wor yow yee-gur]
waiter!/waitress! ?zxc
fúwùyuán! I don’t want anyâ•‚...‑wŏ bú
}qw yào‑...
wake: can you wake me up vbn
at 5.30? qĭng zài wŭdiănbàn I want to go home wŏ yào

163
 huíjiā [hway-jyah] washing machine xĭyījī [hshee-
English ➜ Chinese

m,./ yee-jee]
I don’t want to wŏ bú yào yui
~!@ washing powder xĭyīfĕn
he wants toâ•‚...‑tā [–fun]
xiăng‑...‑[tah hsyahng] op[
#$ ... wasp huángfēng [hwahng-fung]
what do you want? nĭ yào ]A
shénme? [shun-mur] watch (wristwatch) shóubiăo
*()_+ [shoh-byow]
ward (in hospital) bìngfáng [bing- SD
fahng] water shuĭ [shway]
|` F
warm nuănhuo [nwahn-hwor] may I have some water? qĭng
12 lái diánr shuĭ, hăo ma? [ching
was*: he/she was tā yĭqián shì lai dyenr shway how mah]
[tah yee-chyen shur] GHJKL:"a
345678 water melon xīguā [hshee-gwah]
ABCDEFGHIJKLWa

it was shì sd
9 waterproof (adj) fángshuĭ
wash (verb) xĭ [hshee] [fahng-shway]
0 fg
can you wash these? qĭng way: it’s this way shì zhèitiáo
xĭxi zhèixie, hăo ma? [ching lù [shur jay-tyow]
hshee-hshee jay-hsyeh how mah] hjkl
-=\QWERT it’s that way shì nèitiáo lù
washhand basin liănpén [lyen- [nay-tyow]
pun] ;'ZX
YU is it a long way toâ•‚...?
washing (dirty clothes) dài xĭ de dào‑...‑yuăn ma? [dowâ•‚...â•‚chew
yīfu [yow hshee dur yee-foo] yew-ahn mah]
IOP{} ~ ... $%^
(clean clothes) yíxĭ de yīfu [yee- no way! bù kĕnéng! [kur-nung]
hshee-how] &*(
qwert

164
dialogue
could you tell me the way
toâ•‚...? qĭng nín gàosu wŏ,
dào‑...‑zĕnme zŏu, hăo
ma? [ching nin gow-soo wor
dowâ•‚...â•‚dzun-mur dzoh how
mah]
go straight on until you
reach the traffic lights
yìzhí zŏu hónglùdēng [yee-
jur dzoh hoong-loo-dung]
turn left wăng zuŏ guăi
[wahng dzwor gwai]
take the first on the right
yào yòubiānr dì yízhuăn
[yow yoh-byenr dee yee-jwahn]
see where
we* wŏmen [wor-mun]
)_
weak (person) ruò [rwor]
+ well: I don’t feel well wŏ bù
(drink) dàn [dahn]
| GHJK
weather tiānqi [tyen-chee]
`1
wedding hūnlĭ [hun-lee]
23
wedding ring jiéhūn jièzhi
[jyeh-hun jyeh-jur]
4567
Wednesday xīngqīsān [hsing-
chee-sahn]
890
week xīngqī [hsing-chee]
English ➜ Chinese
-=
a week (from) today xiàge
xīngqī de jīntian [hsyah-gur
– dur jin-tyen]
\QWERTY
a week (from) tomorrow xiàge
xīngqi de míngtian [ming-tyen]
UIOP{}q
weekend zhōumò [joh-mor]
we
at the weekend zhōumò
rt
weight zhòngliàng [joong-lyang]
yu
welcome: welcome
toâ•‚...‑huānyíng
dào‑...‑[hwahn-ying dow]
ABCDEFGHIJKLWe
iop ...
you’re welcome (don’t mention
it) búyòng xiè [boo-yoong hsyeh]
SDF
shūfu [wor boo shoo-foo]
she’s not well tā bù shūfu
[tah]
~!@#
you speak English very well
nĭ Yīngyŭ jiăngde hĕn hăo
[ying-yew jyang-dur hun how]
$%^&*()
well done! tài hăole! [how-lur]
_+|
I would like this one as well
165
 zhèige wŏ yĕ yào [ jay-gur wor in the West Xīfāng
English ➜ Chinese

yeh yow] ui
`1234 western (adj) xī [hshee]
well well! āiyā! [ai-yah] D
56 Western (adj: European etc)
xīfāng de [hshee-fahng dur]
dialogue FGH
Western-style xīshì
how are you? nín hăo ma? [hshee-shur]
[how mah] JK
very well, thanks, and you? Western-style food xīcān
hén hăo xièxie, nĭ ne? [hun [hshee-tsahn]
how hsyeh-hsyeh nee-neh] L:
West Indian (adj) Xī Yìndù
well-done (meat) lànshú [lahn- qúndăo rén [hshee yin-doo chun-
shoo] dow run]
78 op[]AS
Welsh Wēi’ĕrshì [way-er-shur] wet shī [shur]
ABCDEFGHIJKLWe

90- "
I’m Welsh wŏ shì what? shénme? [shun-mur]
Wēi’ĕrshìrén [wor shur –run] asd
=\QWER what’s that? nà shì shénme?
were*: we were wŏmen yĭqián [nah shur]
shì [wor-mun yee-chyen shur] fghjk
TYUIO what should I do? wŏ yīnggāi
you were nĭmen shì [nee-mun] zuò shénme? [wor ying-gai
P{} dzwor]
west xī [hshee] l;'ZXCV
q what a view! kàn zhè jĭngr!
in the west xībiānr [hshee- [kahn jur]
byenr] ~!@#
wer what bus do I take? wŏ gāi
West (European etc) Xīfāng zuò nèilù chē? [wor gai dzwor
[hshee-fahng] nay-loo chur]
ty $%^&*()

166
wheel lúnzi [lun-dzur] [jyoh – jer]

English ➜ Chinese
_+ see way
wheelchair lúnyĭ [lun-yee]
|` which: which bus? nĕilù chē?
when? shénme shíhou? [shun- [nay-loo chur]
mur shur-hoh] uiop
12345
when we get back wŏmen dialogue
huílai de shíhou [wor-mun
hway-lai dur] which one? nă yíge? [nah
67890-= yee-gur]
when’s the train/ferry? that one nèige [nay-gur]
huŏchē/dùchuán jídiăn kāi? this one? zhèige? [jay-gur]
[hwor-chur/doo-chwahn jee-dyen] no, that one búshì, nèige
\QWERTYUI [boo-shur]
where? năr?
OP{ while: while I’m here wŏ zài
I don’t know where it is wŏ zhèr de shíhou [wor dzai jer dur

ABCDEFGHIJKLWh
bù zhīdao zài nàr [wor boo jur- shur-hoh]
dow dzai nar] []ASDFG
}qwerty whisky wēishìjì [way-shur-jee]
HJK
dialogue white bái
L
where is the Dragon white wine bái pútaojiŭ [poo-
temple? lóng miào zài năr? tow-jyoh]
[dzai] :"as
it’s over there jiù zài nàr who? shéi? [shay]
[jyoh] d
could you show me where who is it? shéi? [shway]
it is on the map? qĭng zài f
dìtúshang zhĭshì gĕi wŏ ba the man whoâ•‚...‑...‑de nèige
[ching – dee-too-shahng jur-shur rén [dur nay-gur run]
gay wor bah] ... kl;'
it’s just here jiù zài zhèr whole: the whole week

167
 zhĕngzheng yíge xīngqī [jung- window seat kào chuāng de
English ➜ Chinese

jung yee-gur hsing-chee] zuòwei [kow chwahng dur dzwor-

~!@#$% way]
the whole lot quánbù [choo-en- ertyu
boo] windy: it’s windy yŏufēng
^& [yoh-fung]
whose: whose is this? zhèi io
shì shéide? [jay shur wine pútaojiŭ [poo-tow-jyoh]
shay-dur] p[]
*()_+ can we have some more
why? wèishénme? [way-shun- wine? qĭng zài lái diănr
mur] pútaojiŭ, hăo ma?
|`12 [ching dzai lai dyenr –
why not? wèishénme bù? how mah]
34567 ASDFGHJKL
wide kuān de [kwahn dur] :"
89 wine list jiŭdān [jyoh-dahn]
wife qīzi [chee-dzur] as
ABCDEFGHIJKLWh

0- winter dōngtian [doong-tyen]

will*: will you do it for me? df
qĭng gĕi wŏ zuò yíxìa [ching in the winter dōngtian
gay wor dzwor yee-hsyah] gh
=\QWER with* hé‑...‑yìqĭ [hurâ•‚...â•‚yee-
wind (noun) fēng [fung] chee]
T j ... 'Z
window chuānghu [chwahng- I’m staying withâ•‚...‑wŏ
hoo] gēn‑...‑zhù zài yìqĭ [wor
YU gunâ•‚...â•‚joo dzai yee-chee]
near the window kào XC ... M<>?
chuānghu [kow] without méiyŏu [may-yoh]
IOP zx
in the window (of shop) zài witness zhèngren [jung-run]
chúchuāngli [dzai choo- cv
chwahng-lee] wok guō [gwor]
{}qw b

168
woman fùnW [foo-nyew] wrap: could you wrap it up?

English ➜ Chinese
nm qĭng nín bāng wŏ bāo
wonderful hăojíle [how-jee-lur] yíxia, hăo ma? [ching nin
~!@ bahng wor bow yee-hsyah how
won’t*: it won’t start bù dáhuŏ mah]
[dah-hwor] {}qwertyui
#$% wrapping paper bāozhuāngzhĭ
wood (material) mùtou [moo-toh] [bow-jwahng-jur]
^& op[
(forest) shùlín [shoo-lin] wrist shŏuwànr [shoh-wahnr]
*( ]AS
wool yángmáo [yang-mow] write xiĕ [hsyeh]
)_ D
word cí [tsur] writing paper xìnzhĭ [hsin-jur]
+ FG
work (noun) gōngzuò [goong- wrong: this is the wrong train
dzwor] wŏmen shàngcuò huŏchēle
|` [wor-mun chung-tswor-lur hwor-

ABCDEFGHIJKLWr
it’s not working huàile [lur] chur-lur]
12 HJKL:"a
world shìjiè [shur-jyeh] the bill’s wrong zhàngdānr
34 cuòle [jahng-dahnr tswor-lur]
worry: I’m worried wŏ bù ān ~!@#$
[wor bwahn] sorry, wrong number
567 duìbuqĭ, dăcuòle [dway-boo-
worse: it’s worse huàile [hway- chee dah–]
lur] %^&*()
89 sorry, wrong room duìbuqĭ,
worst zuì huài [dzway hwai] zhàocuò fángjiān le
0- [jow-fahng-jyen]
would: would you give this _+|(1234
toâ•‚...? qĭng nín bă zhèige there’s something wrong
gĕi‑..., hăo ma? [ching nin bah withâ•‚...‑...‑yŏu máobìng [yoh
jay gayâ•‚...â•‚how mah] mow-bing]
=\QWER ... IOP ... 890

169
 what’s wrong? zĕnmele? dialogue
English ➜ Chinese

[dzun-mur-lur]
-=\Q is it here yet? hái láile
méiyou? [lai-lur may-yoh]
no, not yet hái méilái
Y
[may-lai]
you’ll have to wait a little
yacht fānchuán [fahn-chwahn] longer yet nĭ hái yaò dĕng
WE yídiănr [yow dung yee-dyenr]
Yangtze Gorge Chángjiāng
sānxiá [chahng-jyang sahn-syah] yoghurt suānnăi [swahn-nai]
RTYU FG
Yangtze River Chángjiāng you* (sing) nĭ
IO H
year nián [nyen] (sing, pol) nín
P J
yellow huángsè [hwahng-sur] (pl) nĭmen [nee-mun]
{} KL
ABCDEFGHIJKLYa

Yellow River Huáng Hé this is for you zhèi shì gĕi nĭ

[hwahng hur] de [jay shur gay nee dur]
qw :"asd
Yellow Sea Huánghăi with you gēn nĭ yìqĭ [gun nee
er yee-chee]
yes* shìde [shur-dur] ~!@#
ty young niánqīng [nyen-ching]
yesterday zuótian [dzwor-tyen] $%
ui your/yours* (sing) nĭde
yesterday morning zuótian [nee-dur]
zăoshang [dzow-shahng] ^&
op[] (sing, pol) nínde [nin-dur]
the day before yesterday *(
qiántiān [chyen-tyen]
AS
yet hái
D

170
Z

English ➜ Chinese
zero líng
)
zip lāliàn [lah-lyen]
_+
could you put a new zip on?
qĭng nín bāng wŏ huànge xīn
lāliànr, hăo ma? [ching nin bahng
wor hwahn-gur hsin – how mah]
|`1234567
890
zoo dòngwùyuán [doong-woo-
yew-ahn]
-=\

ABCDEFGHIJKLZo

171
Chinese
➜
English
Colloquialisms

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.
bèndàn! [bun-dahn] idiot!
chŭnhuò! [chun-hwor] idiot!
dàbízi! [dah-bee-dzur] big nose!
dà tuánjié [dah twahn-jyeh] ten-yuán note
fèihuà! [fay-hwah] rubbish!
gàile màorle [gai-lur mow-lur] absolutely the best
gŭn! [goon] go away!, get lost!
gŭnchūqù! [goon-choo-chyew] get out!
húndàn! [hoon-dahn] bastard!
juéle [jweh-lur] wonderful, unique
lăowài! [low-wai] foreigner!
liăobude [lyow-boo-dur] terrific, extraordinary
méizhìle [may-jur-lur] excellent
năli, năli [nah-lee] oh, it was nothing, you’re welcome
suànle [swahn-lur] forget it
suíbiàn [sway-byen] as you wish
tāmāde! [tah-mah-dur] hell!, damn!
tài bàngle [bahng-lur] that’s great
tài zāogāole [dzow-gow-lur] that’s terrible
tài zāotòule [dzow-toh-lur] that’s awful
xīpíshì [hshee-pee-shur] hippy
yángguçzi! [yang-gway-dzur] foreign devil!
yāpíshì [yah-pee-shur] yuppie
yílù píng’ān [yee-loo ping-ahn] safe journey, bon voyage
yuánmù qiúyú [yew-ahn-moo choh-yoo] a waste of time (literally:
climbing a tree to catch fish)
zāole! [dzow-lur] damn!, shit!
zhù zuç! [joo dzway] shut up!
zŏu kāi! [dzoh] go away!

175
A bànyè [bahn-yur] midnight; at
ăi short
Àiĕrlán [ai-ur-lahn] Ireland; Irish
àizībìng [ai-dzur-bing] AIDS
àn [ahn] dark; shore
ānjìng [ahn-jing] quiet
ānquán [ahn-choo-en] safe
ānzuò [ahn-dzwor] saddle
Àodàlìyà [or-dah-lee-yah]
Australia; Australian (adj)
B Kleenex®
ba [bah] particle at the end
of a sentence to indicate a
suggestion, piece of advice
etc
bā eight
bă measure word* used for
chairs, knives, teapots, tools
or implements with handles,
stems and bunches of flowers
bàba [bah-bah] father
bābăi eight hundred
bái white
băidù ferry
báisè [bai-sur] white
bái tiān [tyen] day, daytime
băiwàn [bai-wahn] one million
bàn [bahn] half
bàndá [bahn-dah] half a dozen
bàngjíle [bahng-jee-lur] terrific
bàngōngshì [bahn-goong-shur]
office
bāngzhù [bahng-joo] help
bànr [bahnr] partner,
boyfriend; girlfriend
Chinese ➜ English
midnight
báo [bow] thin
bàofēngyŭ [bow-fung-yew]
storm
bàozhç [bow-jur] newspaper
bāoguŏ [bow-gwor] package,
parcel
bāokuò [bow-kwor] include
băole [bow-lur] full
băozhèng [bow-jung] promise;
guarantee
báozhç [bow-jur] tissue,
bāshí [bah-shur] eighty
bāyuè [bah-yew-eh] August
beī [bay] cup, glass
bĕi north
Bĕi Ài’ĕrlán [ai-er-lahn]
Northern Ireland
ABCDEFGHIJKLBi
bēizi [bay-dzur] cup
bèn [bun] stupid
bĕn measure word* used for
books, magazines etc
bēngdài [bung-dai] bandage
bç [bee] than
bç‑... gèng [gung] even more
thanâ•‚...
bç nèi duō diănr [nay dwor
dyenr] more than that
biānjiè [byen-jyeh] border
biānjìng [byen-jing] border
biānr [byenr] side
biăo [byow] form
biăodì [byow-dee] cousin (male,
younger than speaker)
biăogē [byow-gur] cousin (male,
older than speaker)
biáojiĕ [byow-jyeh] cousin
177
 (female, older than speaker)
Chinese ➜ English
biăomèi [byow-may] cousin
(female, younger than speaker)
biéde dìfang [byeh-dur dee-fahng]
somewhere else
biéde dōngxi [byeh-dur doong-
hshee] something else
bīng ice
bīngdòngde [–doong-dur]
frozen
bìngfáng [–fahng] ward
bīnguăn [–wahn] hotel
bīngxiāng [–hsyang] fridge
bçsài game; match; race
bìxū [bee-hsyew] must
bìyào(de) [bee-yow(-dur)]
necessary
bíyŏu [bee-yoh] penfriend
bízi [bee-dzur] nose
bōhào [bor-how] dial
ABCDEFGHIJKLBi
bōli [bor-lee] glass (material)
bōli bēi [bay] glass (for drinking)
bówùguăn [bor-woo-gwahn]
museum
bózi [boh-dzur] neck
bù [boo] no; not; material,
fabric
bù duō [dwor] not much
bù chángjiàn(de) [chahng-jyen(-
dur)] unusual
bú kèqi [kur-chee] you’re
welcome, don’t mention it
bùfen [boo-fun] part
bùhăo [boo-how] bad
bù jiŭ [jyoh] soon
bù kĕnéng [kur-nung]
impossible
bùliào [boo-lyow] cloth, fabric
bù lçmào [lee-mow] rude
178
búshì [boo-shur] no, it is not
the case
búshì‑... jiùshi‑... [jyoh-shur]
eitherâ•‚... orâ•‚...
bùtóng [boo-toong] different;
difference
bùxíng [boo-sing] on foot
búyào! [boo-yow] don’t!
búyàole [–lur] that’s all;
nothing else
búyòng xiè [hsyeh] you’re
welcome, don’t mention it
C
cài [tsai] dish; meal
cái only
cānchē [tsahn-chur] buffet car
cánfèi [tsahn-fay] disabled
cáng [tsahng] hide
cāngbái [–bai] pale
cānguān [–wahn] visit
cāngying fly (noun)
cānjīn [tsahn-jin] napkin
cāntīng restaurant; dining
room
căo [tsow] grass
căoyào [tsow-yow] herbs
(medicinal)
céng [tsung] floor (in hotel etc)
cèsuŏ [tsur-swor] toilet, rest
room
chá [chah] tea (drink)
chà to (the hour)
chàbuduō [chah-boo-dwor]
almost, nearly
cháchí [chah-chur] teaspoon
cháhàotái [chah-how-tai]
directory enquiries
chán [chahn] greedy
cháng [chahng] long
chànggē [–gur] sing
chàngpiàn [–pyen] record
(music)
chángtú chēzhàn [–too chur-
jahn] long-distance bus station
chángtú diànhuà [dyen-hwah]
long-distance call
chángtú qìchē [chee-chur]
long-distance bus
chángtú qūhào [chew-how]
dialling code
chāojí shìchăng [chow-jee shur-
chahng] supermarket
chăole [chow-lur] noisy
chāopiào [chow-pyow]
banknote, (US) bill
cháoshī [chow-shur] damp;
humid
cháozhe [chow-jur] towards
chápán [chah-pahn] tray
chāzi [chah-dzur] fork
chē [chur] city bus
chēfèi [chur-fay] fare
chēlún [chur-lun] wheel
chéngbăo [chung-bow] castle
chéngjiā [–jyah] married
chéngkè [–kur] passenger
chéngli [–lee] in town, in the
city
chéngshì [–shur] city, town
chéngshí honest
chéngzhèn [–jun] town
chènyī [chun-yee] shirt
chētāi [chur-tai] tyre
chēzhàn [chur-jahn] bus station;
bus stop
chī [chur] eat
chí late
Chinese ➜ English
chçcùn [chur-tsun] size
chīde [chur-dur] food
chīsùde [chur-soo-dur]
vegetarian
chóngfù [choong-foo] repeat
chuán [chwahn] ship, boat
chuáncāng [–tsahng] cabin
chuáng [chwahng] bed
chuángdān [–dahn] sheet
chuángdiàn [–dyen] mattress
chuānghu [–hoo] window
chuānkŏng [chwahn-koong]
puncture
chuánrăn [–rahn] infectious
chuántŏng [–toong] traditional
chuánzhēn [–jun] fax
chúfáng [choo-fahng] kitchen
chūkŏu [choo-koh] exit
ABCDEFGHIJKLCo
chúle‑... yçwài [choo-lurâ•‚... yee-
wai] exceptâ•‚..., apart fromâ•‚...
chŭn silly
chūnjié [chun-jyeh] Chinese
New Year
chūntian [chun-tyen] spring; in
the spring
chúxī [choo-hshee] New Year’s
Eve
chŭxù [choo-hsyew] deposit
chūzū [choo-dzoo] hire, rent
chūzūchē diănr [–chur dyenr]
taxi rank
chūzū qìchē [chee-chur] taxi
cí [tsur] word
cídài [tsur-dai] tape, cassette
cóng [tsoong] from
cōngcong hurriedly
cónglái bù never (referring to the
past or present)
179
 cōngming clever, intelligent
Chinese ➜ English
cūnzhuāng [tsun-jwahng] village
cuò(wù) [tswor(-woo)] mistake,
error; fault
D apartment
dà [dah] big, large
dă hit
dàbó [dah-bor] brother-in-law
(husband’s elder brother)
dà bùfen shíjīan [dah boo-fun
shur-jyen] most of the time
dăcuòle [dah-tswor-lur] wrong
number
dă diànhuà [dyen-hwah] phone,
call
dàgài probably
dàhuì [dah-hway] conference
dáhuŏjī [dah-hwor-jee] cigarette
ABCDEFGHIJKLCo
lighter
dài take (something somewhere)
dàilái bring
dàilçng yóujiàn [yoh-jyen] poste
restante
dàitì instead
dàjíle [dah-jee-lur] enormous
dàlù main road
dàmç uncooked rice
dàn [dahn] weak; pale
dānchéngpiào [dahn-chung-
pyow] single ticket, one-way
ticket
dāndú alone
dāngrán [dahn-grahn] of course,
certainly
dànián sānshí [dah-nyen sahn-
shur] Chinese New Year’s Eve
dānrén jiān [dahn-run jyen]
180
single room
dānshēn [dahn-shun] single,
unmarried
dànshì [dahn-shur] but
dānyuán [dahn-yew-ahn] flat,
dăo [dow] island
dāo knife
dào to; arrive
dào‑... wéizhç [way-jur] untilâ•‚...
dàodá [dow-dah] arrive
dàodá shíjiān [shur-jyen] arrival
dàotián [dow-tyen] paddy field,
rice field
dăoyóu [dow-yoh] tour guide
dāozi [dow-dzur] knife
dàrén [dah-run] adult
dàshēng de [dah-shung dur]
loud
dàshíguăn [dah-shur-gwahn]
embassy
dàxióngmāo [hsyoong–mow]
panda
dàxué [dah-hsyew-eh] university
dàyī [dah-yee] coat, overcoat
dàyuē [dah-yew-eh] roughly,
approximately
dăzhàng [dah-jahng] fight
de [dur] of (particle inserted
between adjective and noun to
denote possession)
dé get, obtain
de duō:‑... de duō [dwor] much
moreâ•‚...
Déguó [dur-gwor] Germany;
German (adj)
dēng [dung] light; lamp
dĕng wait
dēngjì [dung-jee] check-in
dēngjīkŏu [–koh] gate (at airport)
dēngjī pái boarding pass
dēngpào [dung-pow] lightbulb
dì [dee] floor
dì èr tiān [tyen] the day after
dī low
diàn [dyen] electric; electricity
-diăn hour; o’clock
diànchí [dyen-chur] battery
diànchuīfēng [dyen-chway-fung]
hairdryer
diàndòng tìxú dāo [dyen-doong
tee-hsyew dow] shaver
diàngōng [dyen-goong]
electrician
diànhuà [dyen-hwah] phone
diànhuà hàomă bù [how-mah]
phone book
diànhuàtíng phone box
diànnăo [dyen-now] computer
diănr [dyenr] a little bit
... diănr moreâ•‚...
diànshì [dyen-shur] television
diàntī lift, elevator
diàntìdāo [dyen-tee-dow] electric
shaver
diànxiàn [dyen-hsyen] wire; lead
diănxíng [dyen-hsing] typical
diànyā [dyen-yah] voltage
diànyçng [dyen-ying] film,
movie
diànyçng yuàn [yew-ahn]
cinema, movie theater
diànyuán chāzuò [dyen-yew-ahn
chah-dzwor] power point
diànzi [dyen-dzur] cushion
diàochuáng [dyow-chwahng] cot
dìbā [dee-bah] eighth
dìdi younger brother
di’èr(ge) [–gur] second
Chinese ➜ English
diézi [dyeh-dzur] dish, bowl;
saucer
dìfāng [dee-fahng] place
dìjiŭ [dee-jyoh] ninth
dìliăng [dee-lyang] second
dìliù [dee-lyoh] sixth
dìnghūnle [–hun-lur] engaged (to
be married)
dçngshang: zài dçngshang [dzai
ding-shahng] at the top
dìngzuò [–dzwor] reserve
dìqī [dee-chee] seventh
dìqū [dee-chew] region
dçr [deer] bottom
dìsān [dee-sahn] third
dìshang [dee-shahng] on the
ground
dìshí [dee-shur] tenth
dìsì [dee-sur] fourth
ABCDEFGHIJKLDo
dísīkē [–kur] disco
dìtăn [dee-tahn] carpet
dìtiĕ [dee-tyeh] underground,
(US) subway
dìtçe zhàn [jahn] underground
station, subway station
dìtú [dee-too] map
diū [dyoh] lose
dìwŭ [dee-woo] fifth
dìyī first
dìzhç [dee-jur] address
dŏng: nç dŏngle? [doong-lur] do
you understand?
wŏ bù dŏng [wor] I don’t
understand
dōng [doong] east
dòng hole; puncture
dōngbĕi [–bay] northeast
dōngbiān [–byen] in the
181
 east
Chinese ➜ English
dōngnán [–nahn] southeast
dŏngshì [–shur] director
dōngtian [–tyen] winter; in the
winter
dòngwù [–woo] animal
dòngwùyuán [–yew-ahn] zoo
dōngxi [–hshee] thing (object)
dōu [doh] both, all
dŏu steep
dú [doo] read
duăn [dwahn] short
duănkù shorts
duànle [–lur] broken
duănwà [–wah] sock
duì [dway] right, correct;
towards; with regard to;
queue; side
duìbuqç [dway-boo-chee] sorry,
excuse me
ABCDEFGHIJKLDo
duìfāng fùkuăn [–fahng foo-
kwahn] collect call
duìhuàn [dway-hwahn] change
(verb: money)
duìhuànlë [–lyew] exchange
rate
duìjíle! [–jee-lur] exactly!
duìle yes, that’s it, that’s
right
duō [dwor] much; more than
duōde duō [–dur] a lot more
duōle:‑... duōle [–lur] far
moreâ•‚...
duōshao? [dwor-show] how
much?, how many? (if answer
is likely to be more than ten)
duōxiè [–hsyeh] thank you
very much
duō yíbèi [yee-bay] twice as
182
much
duō yìdiănr [yee-dyenr] a bit
more
duōyòng chātóu [–yoong chah-
toh] adapter
dúpçn [doo-pin] drugs, narcotics
dŭzhùle [doo-joo-lur] blocked
E
è [ur] hungry
Éguó [ur-gwor] Russia; Russian
(adj)
èr two
èrbăi two hundred
èr dĕng [dung] second class
ĕrduo [er-dwor] ear
ĕrhuán [er-hwahn] earring
ĕr lóng [loong] deaf
èrlóu [er-loh] first floor, (US)
second floor
èrshí [er-shur] twenty
értóng [er-toong] children
èrwàn [er-wahn ] twenty
thousand
érxí [er-hshee] daughter-in-law
èryuè [er-yew-eh] February
érzi [er-dzur] son
ĕxīn [ur-hsin] disgusting;
nausea
F
Făguó [fah-gwor] France;
French (adj)
fán [fahn] bored
fàn meal
fàndiàn [fahn-dyen] large
restaurant; luxury hotel
făng [fahng] imitation
fàng put
fāngbiàn [–byen] convenient
fángdçng roof; ceiling
fángfŭjì [–foo-jee] antiseptic
fángjiān [–jyen] room
fànguănr [fahn-gwahnr] small
restaurant
fāngxiàng [–hsyang] direction
fángzi [–dzur] building; house
fángzū [–dzoo] rent (noun)
fànwăn [fahn-wahn] rice bowl
fānyì translate; translation;
translator
fāshēng [fah-shung] happen
fēi [fay] fly (verb)
fēicháng [fay-chahng] very,
extremely
fēijī [fay-jee] plane
zuò feījī [dzwor] by air
fēijīchăng [–chahng] airport
fèixū [fay-hsyew] ruins
féizào [fay-dzow] soap
fēi zhèngshì [jung-shur]
informal
fēn [fun] minute
fēng [fung] mad, insane; wind;
measure word* used for
letters
fēngjçng [fung-jing] scenery;
sights
fēngshàn [fung-shahn] fan
(electrical)
fēngsú [fung-soo] custom
fĕnhóng [fun-hoong] pink
fēnjī [fun-jee] extension
fēnkāi separate
fēnzhōng [fun-joong] minute
Fó [for] Buddha
Fójiào [for-jyow] Buddhism;
Chinese ➜ English
Buddhist
fù(qián) [foo(-chyen)] pay
fūfù couple (two people)
fùjiāfèi [foo-jyah-fay]
supplement, extra charge
fùjìn [foo-jin] nearby; near
fùmŭ parents
fùní [foo-nyew] woman
fùqin [foo-chin] father
fūren [foo-run] Mrs
fúshŏu [foo-shoh] handle
fúwùtái reception
fúwùyuán [–yew-ahn]
receptionist
fùzá [foo-zah] complicated
G
gàir [gai-r] lid
ABCDEFGHIJKLGa
gālí [gah-lee] curry
gān [gahn] dry; liver
găn catch up
gānbēi! [gahn-bay] cheers!
gāngbç [gahng-bee] pen
gángkŏu [–koh] port,
harbour
gānjìng [gahn-jing] clean
gănjué [gahn-jyew-eh] feel
gănmào [gahn-mow] cold
(illness)
gănrăn [gahn-rahn] infection
gāo [gow] high; tall
gāodiăndiàn [–dyen] cake shop
gāomíng [gow-ming] brilliant
gāoxìng [gow-hsing] pleased,
glad
hĕn gāoxìng jiàndào nç [hun
– jyen dow] pleased to meet
183
 you
Chinese ➜ English
ge [gur] general all-purpose
measure word*
gē song
gēbo [gur-bor] arm
gēbozhŏu [–joh] elbow
gēchàngjiā [gur-chahng-jyah]
singer
gēge [gur-gur] elder brother
gĕi [gay] give; for
gējù [gur-jyew] opera
gēn [gun] with
gèng:‑... gèng [gung] even
moreâ•‚...
gèng hăo [how] better; even
better
Gòngchándăng [goong-chahn-
dahng] Communist Party
Gòngchándăngyuán [–yew-ahn]
Communist Party member
ABCDEFGHIJKLGe
gōngchăng [–chahng] factory
gòngchánzhŭyì [–chahn-joo-yee]
communism
gōngchç [–chur] metre
gōngdiàn [–dyen] palace
gōnggòng cèsuŏ [tsur-swor]
public convenience
gōnggong pópo [por-por] wife’s
parents-in-law
gōnggòng qìchē [chee-chur]
city bus
gōnggòng qìchē zhàn [jahn]
bus stop
gōnggòng qìchē zŏngzhàn
[dzoong-jahn] bus station
gōngjià [–jyah] public holiday
gōngjīn [–jin] kilogram
gōngli kilometre
gōnglù motorway, (US)
184
highway, (US) freeway
gōngsī [–sur] company,
business, firm
gōngxç! gōngxç! [–hshee]
congratulations!
gōngyuán [–yew-ahn] park
gōngzuò [–dzwor] job;
work
gŏu [goh] dog
gòu(le) [–lur] enough
guài [gwai] peculiar
guān [gwahn] close, shut
guàn jug
guángchăng [gwahng-chahng]
square
Guăngdōng [–doong]
Cantonese (adj)
Guăngdōnghuà [–hwah]
Cantonese (language)
Guăngdōng rén [run]
Cantonese (person)
guānkŏu [gwahn-koh] pass (in
mountains)
guānle [–lur] closed
guānménle [–mun-lur] closed
guānshang le [shahng] off,
switched off
guàntou [–toh] can, tin
guānyú [–yew] about,
concerning
gúdŏng [goo-doong] antique
gūgu aunt (father’s sister)
guì(le) [gway(-lur)] expensive
guìzi [gway-dzur] cupboard
-guo [gwor] verb suffix
indicating a past
experience
guóhuà [–hwah] Chinese
painting
guójí [–jee] nationality
guójì [–jee] international
guójiā [–jyah] country, nation;
national, state
guòle [–lur] beyond
guòmçn allergic
guòqu [–chew] in the past
guòshí(de) [–shur(-dur)] old-
fashioned
guówài abroad
guòyè [–yur] overnight
gútou [goo-toh] bone
gùyì deliberately
gŭzhé [gyew-jur] fracture
H hē drink (verb)
hăi sea
hái still
hái hăo ma? [how mah] are
you OK?
hăibiānr [hai-byenr] sea; seaside
hăibīn coast
hăiguān [hai-gwahn] Customs
háishi [hai-shur] or
hăitān [hai-tahn] beach
hăiwān [hai-wahn] bay
háizi [hai-dzur] child
hăn [hahn] shout
hángbān [hahng-bahn] flight
hángbān hào [how] flight
number
hángkōng [–koong] by airmail
hángkōng xìnfēng [hsin-fung]
airmail envelope
Hànyŭ [hahn-yew] Chinese
(spoken language)
hăo [how] good; nice; all right,
OK
hăo, xièxie [hsyeh-hsyeh] yes,
Chinese ➜ English
please
hăochī [how-chur] delicious
háohuá [how-hwah] luxurious;
posh
hăojíle [how-jee-lur] great,
wonderful, excellent
hăokàn [how-kahn] attractive
hàomă [how-mah] number
hăo yìdiănr [yee-dyenr] better
hé [hur] and; river
hé‑... yìqç [yee-chee] together
withâ•‚...
... hé‑... dōu bù‑... [doh boo]
neitherâ•‚... norâ•‚...
hēi [hay] black
hēi àn [ahn] dark
hélç [hur-lee] reasonable
hĕn [hun] very
ABCDEFGHIJKLHu
hĕnduō [hun-dwor] a lot, lots;
many
hĕnkuài di [kwai] quickly
hézi [hur-dzur] box
hēzuìle [hur-dzway-lur] drunk
hóngsède [hoong-sur-dur] red
hóngshuç [–shway] flood
hòu [hoh] thick
hòulái later; later on
hóulóng [hoh-loong] throat
hòumian [hoh-myen] behind
zài hòumian [dzai] at the back
zài‑... hòumian behindâ•‚...
hòutiān [hoh-tyen] the day after
tomorrow
hú lake
huā [hwah] flower
huà picture, painting
huāfèi [hwah-fay] spend
185
 huài [hwai] bad
Chinese ➜ English
huàile [hwai-lur] broken
huáiyùn [hwai-yewn] pregnant
huáji [hwah-jee] funny
huàjù [hwah-jew] play (in theatre)
huáng [hwahng] yellow
huángdì emperor
huángfēng [–fung] wasp
huángjīn gold
huángsè [–sur] yellow
huānyíng dào‑... [hwahn-ying
dow] welcome toâ•‚...
huāpíng [hwah-ping] vase
huàr [hwar] painting, picture
huàxiàng [hwah-hsyang]
portrait
huāyuán [hwah-yew-ahn] garden
huì [hway] meeting, conference
huílai come back
huīsède [hway-sur-dur] grey
ABCDEFGHIJKLHu
huítóujiàn [hway-toh-jyen] see
you later
huìyì [hway-yee] meeting,
conference
hūnlç [hun-lee] wedding
huŏ [hwor] fire
huŏchái [hwor-chai] matches
huòchē [hwor-chur] van
huŏchē train
zuò huŏchē [dzwor] by train
huŏchēzhàn [–jahn] railway
station
huŏzāi [hwor-dzai] fire
huòzhe‑... huòzhe‑... [hwor-jur]
eitherâ•‚... orâ•‚...
huòzhĕ or
hùshi [hoo-shur] nurse
hútòng [hoo-toong] lane; side
street
186
hùzhào [hoo-jow] passport
húzi [hoo-dzur] beard
J
jì [jee] post, mail (verb)
jç few
jiā [jyah] home
zài jiā [dzai] at home
jiàgé [jyah-gur] price
jiăn [jyen] cut
jiàn measure word* used for
things, affairs etc
Jiānádà [jyah-nah-dah] Canada;
Canadian (adj)
jiānbăng [jyen-bahng] shoulder
jiăndān [jyen-dahn] simple, easy
jiāng [jyang] river
jiăng speak
jiānglái future; in future
jiànkāng [jyen-kahng] healthy
jiànzhù [jyen-joo] building
jiănzi [jyen-dzur] scissors
jiăo [jyow] foot (of person)
jiào call, greet
jiāochākŏu [jyow-chah-koh]
junction
jiáodç sole (of foot)
jiăo gēn [gun] heel (of foot)
jiāojuănr [jyow-jew-ahnr] film
(for camera)
jiāoqū [jyow-chew] suburb
jiāoqūchē [–chur] bus (in
suburbs)
jiàotáng [jyow-tahng] church
jiāotōng tú [jyow-toong ]
streetmap
jiāoyì huì [jyow-yee hway]
exhibition, trade fair
jiáozhçtou [jyow-jur-toh] toe
jiàqī [jyah-chee] holiday,
vacation
jiàqián [jyah-chyen] cost (noun)
jiātíng family
jiăyá [jyah-yah] dentures
jiāyóu zhàn [jyah-yoh jahn]
petrol station, gas station
jiàzhí [jyah-jur] value
jiàzi [jyah-dzur] shelf
jíbìng illness, disease
jīchăng bānchē [jee-chahng
bahn-chur] airport bus
jiē(dào) [jyeh(-dow)] avenue;
street
jiè [jyeh] borrow
jiĕfū [jyeh-foo] brother-in-law
(elder sister’s husband)
jiéhūn [jyeh-hun] married
nç jiéhūnle ma? [jyeh-hun-lur
mah] are you married?
jiĕjie [jyeh-jyeh] elder sister
jiémùdānr [jyeh-moo-dahnr]
programme
jiérì [jyeh-rur] festival; holiday
jiēshi [jyeh-shur] strong
jièzhi [jyeh-jur] ring (on finger)
jìfèi diànhuà [jee-fay dyen-hwah]
payphone
jçge [jee-gur] several
jçge? how much?, how
many? (if answer is likely to be ten
or fewer)
jíjiù [jee-jyoh] first aid
jíjiùxiāng [–hsyang] first-aid kit
jìn near
jçngchá [jing-chah] police;
policeman
jīngcháng [jing-chahng] often,
frequent
Chinese ➜ English
jīngguò [jing-gwor] through; via
jīnglç manager
jçngr view
jīngrén de [jing-run dur]
astonishing
jìngzi [jing-dzur] mirror
jīnhuángsè [jin-hwahng-sur]
blond
jìniànbēi [jee-nyen-bay]
monument
jìniànpçn [jee-nyen-pin] souvenir
jçnjí(de) [–dur] urgent
jçnjin just, only
jīnshŭ metal
jīntian [jin-tyen] today
jīntian wănshang [wahn-
shahng] tonight
jìntóu [jin-toh] end (of street etc)
jīnwăn [jin-wahn] tonight
ABCDEFGHIJKLJi
jīnzi [jin-dzur] gold
jīqì [jee-chee] machine
jìshi‑... yĕ [jee-shurâ•‚... yur] even
ifâ•‚...
jìsuànjī [jee-swahn-jee]
computer
jiŭ [jyoh] nine; alcohol;
alcoholic drink
jiù just; then; secondhand
jiù yìdiănr [yee-dyenr] just a
little
jiù yìhuçr [yee-hwayr] just a
minute
jiúbăi nine hundred
jiŭbājiān [jyoh-bah-jyen] bar
jiùde [jyoh-dur] secondhand
jiùhùchē [jyoh-hoo-chur]
ambulance
jiùjiu uncle (mother’s brother)
187
 jiŭshí [jyoh-shur] ninety
Chinese ➜ English
jiŭyuè [jyoh-yew-eh]
September
juănqūde [jwahn-chew-dur] curly
jué búhuì [jew-eh boo-hway]
never (referring to the future)
juéde [–dur] feel
juédìng decide; decision
juéduì bàng [–dway bahng]
perfect
juéduìde! [–dur] absolutely!
júhuángsè [jyew-hwahng-sur]
orange (colour)
jùlí [joo-lee] distance
jùyuàn [jyew-yew-ahn] theatre
K youâ•‚...?
kăchē [kah-chur] lorry, truck
kāfēi diàn [kah-fay dyen] café
ABCDEFGHIJKLJi
kāfēiguănr [–gwahnr] café
kāi open (adj)
kāichē [kai-chur] drive
kāide [kai-dur] open (adj)
kāile [kai-lur] open (adj)
kāishç [kai-shur] begin; start;
beginning
yì kāishç at the beginning
kāishuç [kai-shway] boiled water
kànbào [kahn-bow] read
(newspaper)
kàngjūnsù [kahng-jyewn-soo]
antibiotics
kànjian [kahn-jyen] see
kànshū [kahn-shoo] read (book)
kànyikàn [kahn-yee-kahn] have
a look
kào [kow] near
kăoshì [kow-shur] exam
188
kăoxiāng [kow-hsyang] oven
kè [kur] lesson; gram(me)
kē measure word* used for
trees etc
kĕài lovely
kĕnéng [kur-nung] maybe,
perhaps; possible
kĕpà [kur-pah] horrible
kèqi [kur-chee] polite
kèrén [kur-run] guest
kĕshì [kur-shur] but
késou [kur-soh] cough
kètīng lounge
kĕyi [kur-yee] be able
kĕyi qçng [ching] yes please
nín kĕyi‑... ma? [mah] could
kōng [koong] empty
kōngjiān [–jyen] room, space
kōngqì [–chee] air
kōngtiáo [–tyow] air-
conditioning
kŏukĕ [koh-kur] thirsty
kŭ [koo] bitter
kū cry
kuài [kwai] quick, fast; sharp;
soon; measure word* used
for lumps or pieces
kuài chē [chur] express (train)
kuàidì express (mail)
kuài diănr! [dyenr] hurry up!
kuàilè [kwai-lur] happy
kuàir [kwai-r] piece
kuàizi [kwai-dzur] chopsticks
kuān de [kwahn dur] wide
kuāng [kwahng] basket
kuánghuānjié [–hwahn-jyeh]
carnival
kùchă [koo-chah] underpants,
 men’s underwear
kūnchóng [kun-choong] insect
kùnle [kun-lur] sleepy
kùnnan [kun-nahn] difficult;
difficulty
kùzi [koo-dzur] trousers, (US)
pants
L -lç inside
là [lah] hot, spicy
lā pull
lái come, arrive
láide: nç shì cóng năr láide?
[shur tsoong nar lai-dur] where
do you come from?
láihuí piào [lai-hway pyow]
return/round-trip ticket
lājī [lah-jee] rubbish, trash
lājīxiāng [–hsyang] dustbin,
trashcan
lán [lahn] blue
lăn lazy
lánzi [lahn-dzur] basket
lăo [low] old
lăolao grandmother (maternal)
lăoniánren [low-nyen-run] senior
citizen
lăoshī [low-shur] teacher
lăoshŭ [low-shoo] rat; mouse
Lăowō [low-wor] Laos
lăoye [low-yeh] grandfather
(maternal)
làzhú [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
or future
Chinese ➜ English
-le [-lur] verb suffix indicat-ing
completion of action
lèi [lay] tired
léiyŭ [lay-yew] thunderstorm
lĕng [lung] cold
li: zài‑... li [dzai ... lee] insideâ•‚...
lí [lee] from; to; pear
liăn [lyen] face
liăng [lyang] two
liàng measure word* used for
vehicles
liăngcì [–tsur] twice
liăngge dānrénchuáng [–gur
dahn-run-chwahng] twin beds
liăngge dōu [dow] both
liăngge dōu bù [doh] neither
(one) of them
ABCDEFGHIJKLLi
liăngge xīngqī [hsing-chee]
fortnight
liángkuai [–kwai] cool
liángxié [–hsyeh] sandal
liánkùwà [lyen-koo-wah] tights,
pantyhose
liánxi [lyen-hshee] contact
liányīqún [lyen-yee-chewn] dress
liányùn [lyen-yewn] connection
liăobuqç [lyow-boo-chee]
incredible, amazing
lièchē shíkè biăo [lyeh-chur
shur-kur byow] timetable, (US)
schedule
lièzhì [lyeh-jur] poor
lçfà [lee-fah] haircut
lçfàdiàn [–dyen] hairdresser’s;
barber’s
lçfàshī [–shur] hairdresser’s
líhūn [lee-hun] divorced
189
 límç centimetre lóuxià [loh-hsyah] downstairs
Chinese ➜ English
límíng dawn líxíng [lyew-hsing] travel; tour;
líng zero journey
lçng take (someone somewhere) líxíngshè [–shur] travel agent’s
lçng tie, necktie líxíngzhĕ [–jur] tourist
língqián [ling-chyen] change líxíng zhīpiào [jur-pyow]
(noun: money) traveller’s cheque
lìngrén yúkuài [ling-run yew- líyóuchē [lyew-yoh-chur] tourist
kwai] pleasant bus, coach
lçngshìguăn [ling-shur-gwahn] líyóuzhĕ [lyew-joh-jur] tourist
consulate líguăn [lyew-gwahn] small hotel
lìngwài another, lësède [lyew-sur-dur] green
different lù road; way
lçng yánglăojīn de rén [–low-jin lúntāi tyre
dur run] pensioner lúnzi [lun-dzur] wheel
lìng yíge [yee-gur] another, lùtiān [loo-tyen] outdoors
different; the other one lùxiàn [loo-hsyen] route
línyù [lin-yew] shower lùxiàngdài [loo-hsyang-dai]
dài línyù with shower video tape
lìrú for example lúzào [loo-dzow] cooker
ABCDEFGHIJKLLi

liù [lyoh] six

liùbăi six hundred M
liúgăn [lyoh-gahn] flu
liúlì fluent ma? [mah] question particle
liùshí [lyoh-shur] sixty mā mother
liúxíng [lyoh-hsing] popular, mă horse
fashionable mà scold
liúxíngxìng gănmào [gahn- máfan [mah-fahn] trouble
mow] flu măi buy
liúxíng yīnyuè [yin-yew-eh] pop mài sell
music măimài business deal
liùyuè [lyoh-yew-eh] June măn [mahn] full
lçwù [lee-woo] present, gift màn slow; slowly
lìzi [lee-dzur] example; chestnut hĕn màn [hun] very slowly
lóng [loong] dragon màn diănr! [dyenr] slow down!
lóu [loh] floor, storey; building mángmang [mahng–] busy
(with more than one storey) māo [mow] cat
lóushàng [loh-shahng] upstairs máobèixīn [mow-bay-hsin]
lóutī [loh-tee] stairs pullover
190
máojīn towel
màopáirhuò [mow-pai-r-hwor]
fake
máotăn [mow-tahn] blanket
máoyī sweater
màozi [mow-dzur] hat, cap
măshàng [mah-shahng] at once,
immediately
mătóu [mah-toh] jetty
Máo zhŭxí [mow jyew-hshee]
Chairman Mao
mĕi [may] each, every;
beautiful
méi not; does not; no; have
not
mèifū [may-foo] brother-in-law
(younger sister’s husband)
méi‑...-guò [-gwor] has never;
have never
mĕige [may-gur] every
mĕige dìfāng [dee-fahng]
everywhere
mĕige rén [run] everyone
méi guānxi [gwahn-hshee] never
mind, it doesn’t matter
Mĕiguó [may-gwor] America;
American (adj)
mĕijiàn shìqíng [may-jyen shur-
ching] everything
mĕijiàn shìr [shur] everything
méi jìnr boring
mĕilì beautiful
mèimei younger sister
méiqì [may-chee] gas
mĕirén [may-run] everybody
méishìr le [may-shur lur] safe
mĕishùguăn [may-shoo-gwahn]
art gallery
mĕitiān [may-tyen] every day
méi wănshang [wahn-shahng]
Chinese ➜ English
per night
méi wènti! [wun-tee] no
problem!
méixiăngdào [may-hsyang-dow]
amazing, surprising
mĕiyíge [may-yee-gur] each,
every
mĕiyíge rén [run] everyone
méiyŏu [may-yoh] did not; has
not, have not; without
méi‑...-zhe [-zhur] was notâ•‚...-
ing; is notâ•‚...-ing
-men suffix indicating the
plural
mén [mun] door
Ménggŭ [mung-goo] Mongolia;
Mongolian (adj)
mç metre; uncooked rice
Miăndiàn [myen-dyen] Burma;
ABCDEFGHIJKLMo
Burmese (adj)
miăn fèi [fay] free (no charge)
miánhuā [myen-hwah]
cotton
miănshuì [myen-shway] duty-
free goods
miăo [myow] second (of time)
míngbai: wŏ míngba le [wor
– lur] I see, I understand
míngpiàn [ming-pyen] card
míngtian [ming-tyen]
tomorrow
míngtian zăoshang [dzow-
shahng] tomorrow morning
míngxìnpiàn [ming-hsin-pyen]
postcard
míngzi [ming-dzur] name; first
name
mòduān [mor-dwahn] end
191
 mótuōchē [mor-twor-chur]
Chinese ➜ English
motorbike
mŏudì [moh-dee]
somewhere
mùdì cemetery
mùdìdì destination
mùjiān xiūxi [moo-jyen hsyoh-
hshee] interval
mŭqīn [moo-chin] mother
mùtou [moo-toh] wood
N aboutâ•‚...?’
ná [nah] carry; take
nà that; that one; the
năinai grandmother
(paternal)
năiniú [nai-nyoh] cow
năli? [nah-lee] where?
nán [nahn] south; hard,
ABCDEFGHIJKLMo
difficult; man
nán cèsuŏ [tsur-swor] gents’
toilet, men’s room
nánfāng [nahn-fahng] in the
south
Nánfēi [nahn-fay] South Africa;
South African (adj)
nán fúwùyuán [foo-woo-yew-ahn]
waiter; steward
nánguò [nahn-gwor] sad
nánhái boy
nánkàn [nahn-kahn] ugly
nán péngyou [pung-yoh]
boyfriend
nánrén [nahn-run] man
năr? where?
zài năr? [dzai] where is it?
nç qù năr? [chew] where are
you going?
192
nàr there
nà shí [nah shur] then, at that
time
nà shì‑... ma? [mah] is
thatâ•‚...?
nà shì shénme? [shun-mur]
what’s that?
názhe [nah-jur] keep
ne [nur] sentence particle
which adds emphasis or
conveys the idea ‘and what
nèi [nay] that; that one
nèi? [nay] which?
nèidì brother-in-law (wife’s
younger brother)
nèige [nay-gur] that; that one
nèige shíhou [shur-hoh] then, at
that time
nèixiōng [nay-hsyoong] brother-
in-law (wife’s elder brother)
nèi yíge [yee-gur] that one
néng: nç néng‑... ma? [nungâ•‚...
mah] can youâ•‚...?
wŏ bù néng‑... [wor] I can’tâ•‚...
nç you (sing)
niàn [nyen] read (aloud)
nián year
niánjì [nyen-jee] age
nín duō dà niánjì le? [dwor dah
nyen-jee lur] how old are you?
niánlíng: nín duō dà niánlíng?
[nyen-ling] how old are you?
niánqīng [nyen-ching] young
niăo [nyow] bird
niàobù [nyow-boo] nappy,
diaper
Níbóĕr [nee-bor-er] Nepal;
Nepali (adj)
nçde [nee-dur] your; yours
(sing)
nç hăo [nee how] hello; hi; how
do you do?
nç hăo ma? [mah] how are
you?
nçmen [nee-mun] you (pl)
nçmende [–dur] your; yours
(pl)
nín you (sing, pol)
nínde [nin-dur] your; yours
(sing, pol)
niúzăikù [nyoh-dzai-koo] jeans
nóng [noong] strong
nóngchăng [–chahng] farm
nóngcūn [–tsun] countryside
ní’ér [nyew-er] daughter
ní cèsuŏ [tsur-swor] ladies’
room, ladies’ toilets
ní chènshān [nyew-chun-shahn]
blouse
ní fúwùyuán [foo-woo-yew-ahn]
waitress; maid; stewardess
ní háir [hai-r] girl
nípéngyou [nyew-pung-yoh]
girlfriend
níshì [nyew-shur] Ms; lady
nízhāodài [nyew-jow-dai]
waitress
nuănhuo [nwahn-hwor] warm;
mild
nuănqì [nwahn-chee] heating;
central heating; radiator
O píngzi [ping-dzur] bottle
Ōuzhōu [oh-joh] Europe;
European (adj)
P
Chinese ➜ English
pàichūsuŏ [pai-choo-swor]
police station
pán [pahn] measure word*
used for round objects
pàng [pahng] fat
páng side
pángbiān: zài‑... pángbiān
[dzaiâ•‚... pahng-byen] beside
theâ•‚..., next toâ•‚...
pánzi [pahn-dzur] plate
păo [pow] run
péngchē [pung-chur] van
pèngtóu dìdiăn [pung-toh dee-
dyen] meeting place
péngyou [pung-yoh] friend
pēnquán [pun-choo-en]
fountain
ABCDEFGHIJKLPu
piányi [pyen-yee] be
inexpensive; inexpensive
piào [pyow] ticket; single
ticket, one-way ticket
piàoliang [pyow-lyang]
beautiful; pretty
pífu skin
pígé [pee-gur] leather
píng’ān [ping-ahn] safe
píngcháng [ping-chahng] usual,
normal
pīngpāngqiú [ping-pahng-chyoh]
table tennis
píngtăn [ping-tahn] flat (adj)
pŭtōng [poo-toong] ordinary
Pŭtōnghuà [–hwah]
Mandarin
193
 Q qiè [chyeh] cut
Chinese ➜ English
qī [chee] seven
qián [chyen] money
qiánbāo [–bow] wallet; purse
qiānbç pencil
qiánbianr: zài qiánbianr [dzai
chyen-byenr] in front; at the
front
qiáng [chyang] wall
qiángjiān [–jyen] rape
qiăngle [–lur] robbed
qiánmiàn [chyen-myen] front
qiántiān [–tyen] the day before
yesterday
qiántīng lobby
qīanwàn [–wahn] ten million
qiánxiōng [–hsyoong] breast;
bust; chest
ABCDEFGHIJKLQi
qián yì tiān [tyen] the day
before
qiānzhèng [–jung] visa
qiānzì [–dzur] signature
qiáo [chyow] bridge
qiăokèlì [–kur-lee] chocolate
qiāozhúgàng [–joo-gahng]
rip-off
qībăi [chee-bai] seven hundred
qìchē [chee-chur] car
zuò qìchē [dzwor] by car
qìchē chūzū [choo-dzoo] car
rental
qìchē zŏngzhàn [dzoong-jahn]
bus station (for city buses)
qìchē xiūlíchăng [hsyoh- lur-
chahng] garage (for repairs)
qçchuáng [chee-chwahng] get up
(in the morning)
194
qçfēi shíjiān [chee-fay shee-jyen]
departure
qíguài(de) [chee-gwai(-dur)]
weird, strange, odd
qí mă [chee mah] horse riding
qīng [ching] light (not heavy)
qçng please; ask, request
qīngdàn [–dahn] mild
qçng jìn come in
qīngshàonián [–show-nyen]
teenager
qīngxīn [–hsin] fresh
qióng [chyoong] poor
qīshí [chee-shur] seventy
qítā [chee-tah] other
qìtçng [chee-ting] motorboat
qiú [chyoh] ball
qiúmí sports fan
qiúpāi racket (tennis, squash)
qiūtian [chyoh-tyen] autumn,
(US) fall; in the autumn/fall
qìxiè [chee-hsyeh]
equipment
qìyóu [chee-yoh] petrol, (US)
gas
qīyuè [chee-yew-eh] July
qīzi [chee-dzur] wife
qí zìxíngchē de rén [chee dzur-
sing-chur dur run] cyclist
qù [chew] go; to
qŭ get, fetch
quánbù [choo-en-boo] all; all of
it, the whole lot
quánguó [–gwor] national,
nationwide
qùnián [chew-nyen] last year
qúnzi [chewn-dzur] skirt
R class seat
ránhòu [rahn-hoh] then, after
that
rè [rur] hot; heat
rèdù [rur-doo] temperature;
fever
rèle [rur-lur] hot
rén [run] person
wŏ shì‑... rén [wor shur] I come
fromâ•‚...
rènao [rur-now] busy,
lively
rēng [rung] throw
rènhé [run-hur] any
rènhé rén anybody
rènhé shénme [shun-mur]
anything
rénkŏu [run-koh] population
rénmín people
rénqún [run-chewn] crowd
rènshi [run-shur] know;
recognize
rénxíng dào [run-hsing dow]
pavement, sidewalk
rénxíng héngdào [hung-dow]
pedestrian crossing
rèshuçpíng [rur-shway-ping]
Thermos® flask
Rìbĕn [ree-bun] Japan
rìjì [rur-jee] diary
róngyì [roong-yee] easy
ròu [roh] meat
ruăn [rwahn] soft
ruănpán [–pahn] disk
ruănwò [–wor] soft sleeper, first
class sleeper
ruănzuò [–dzwor] soft seat, first
Chinese ➜ English
rúguŏ [roo-gwor] if
Ruìdiăn [rway-dyen] Sweden
rùkŏu [roo-koh] entrance
ruò [rwor] weak
S
sāi cheek
sāizi [sai-dzur] plug (in sink)
sān [sahn] three
sānbăi three hundred
sāndĕng [sahn-dung] third class
săngzi [sahng-dzur] Thursday
sānjiăokù [sahn-jyow-koo] pants,
panties
sānshí [sahn-shur] thirty
sānyuè [sahn-yew-eh] March
sēnlín [sun-lin] forest
shā [shah] sand; kill
ABCDEFGHIJKLSh
shāfā [shah-fah] sofa
shăguā [shah-gwah] idiot
shàiyīshéng [shai-yee-shung]
clothes line
shān [shahn] mountain, hill
shāndòng [–doong] cave
shàng [shahng] up; above
zài‑...-shàng [dzai] aboveâ•‚...
shàngdì God
shāngdiàn [–dyen] shop
shàngmian: zài‑... shàngmian
[dzaiâ•‚–myen] onâ•‚...
shàngtou: zài‑... shàngtou
[–toh] on top ofâ•‚...
shāngŭ [shahn-goo] valley
shănguāngdēng [shahn-gwahng-
dung] flash (for camera)
shàngwŭ a.m. (from 9 a.m. to
noon)
195
 shāngxīn [–hsin] sad
Chinese ➜ English
shàng xīngqī [hsing-chee] last
week
shàngyī jacket
shàng yícì [yee-tsur] last time
shànzi [shahn-dzur] fan (hand-
held)
shăo [show] less
shāoshāng [show-shahng] burn
(noun)
shăoshù mínzú [show-shoo mind-
zoo] nationality (for Chinese
minorities)
shăoyú [show-yew] under, less
than
sháozi [show-dzur] spoon
shēchç [shur-chur] luxury
shéi? [shay] who?
shéide? [shay-dur] whose?
shēn [shun] deep
ABCDEFGHIJKLSh
shēng [shung] be born; litre
shēng bìngle [shung bing-lur] ill
shèngdàn jié [–dahn jyeh]
Christmas
shēngqì [–chee] angry
shēngrén [–run] stranger
shēngrì [–rur] birthday
shēngyi business
shēngyīn voice
shéngzi [–dzur] string;
rope
shénjīngbìng [shun-jing-bing]
crazy
shénkān [shun-kahn] shrine
shénme [shun-mur] anything;
something
shénme? what?
shénme shíhòu? [shur-hoh]
when?
196
shénme yàng de‑...? [dur]
what sort ofâ•‚...?
nç shuō shénme? [shwor]
sorry?, pardon (me)?
shénme yĕ méiyŏu [yur may-
yoh] none
shēntç [shun-tee] body
shèshì [shur-shur] centigrade
shì [shur] to be; is; are; was;
were; will be; it is; it was;
yes, it is the case
shì‑... ma? [mah] is itâ•‚...?
shí ten
shī wet
shíbā [shur-bah] eighteen
shìchăng [shur-chahng] market
shìde [shur-dur] yes, it is the
case
shíèr [shur-er] twelve
shíèr yuè [yew-eh] December
shìgù [shur-goo] accident
shíhou: zài‑... de shíhou [dzaiâ•‚...
dur shur-hoh] duringâ•‚...
shíjiān [shur-jyen] time
shíjiānbiăo [–byow] timetable,
(US) schedule
shìjiè [shur-jyeh] world
shíjiŭ [shur-jyoh] nineteen
shíliù [shur-lyoh] sixteen
shímáo [shur-mow]
fashionable
shìnèi [shur-nay] indoors;
indoor
shípçn diàn [shur-pin dyen] food
store
shíqī [shur-chee] seventeen;
period (of time)
shìqūchē [shur-chew-chur] city
bus
shìr [shur] thing, matter
shísān [shur-sahn] thirteen
shísì [shur-sur] fourteen
shíwàn [shur-wahn] hundred
thousand
shíwù [shur-woo] food
shíwŭ fifteen
shíwù zhòngdú [joong-doo]
food poisoning
shíyī [shur-yee] eleven
shíyīyuè [shur-yee-yew-eh]
November
shíyuè [shur-yew-eh] October
shìzhèngfŭ dàlóu [shur-jung-foo
dah-loh] town hall
shì zhōngxīn [shur joong-sin]
city centre
shízì lùkŏu [shur-dzur loo-koh]
crossroads, intersection
shŏu [shoh] hand
shòu thin
shòu huānyíng [hwahn-ying]
popular
shòuhuòtíng [shoh-hwor-ting]
kiosk
shōujù [shoh-jyew] receipt
shŏujuànr [shoh-jwahnr]
handkerchief
shòupiàochù [shoh-pyow-choo]
ticket office; box office
shòushāng [shoh-shahng]
injured
shŏushi [shoh-shur] jewellery
shŏushù operation
shŏutào [shoh-tow] glove
shŏutíbāo [shoh-tee-bow]
handbag, (US) purse
shŏutíxiāng [shoh-tee-hsyang]
suitcase
shŏutí xíngli [shoh-tee hsing-lee]
Chinese ➜ English
hand luggage
shŏuwànr [shoh-wahnr] wrist
shŏuxiān [shoh-hsyen] at first
shōuyīnjī [shoh-yin-jee] radio
shŏuzhç [shoh-jur] toilet paper;
finger
shŏuzhuó [shoh-jwor] bracelet
shū [shoo] book
shú ripe
shù tree
shuāng [shwahng] double
shuāngrén chuáng [–run
chwahng] double bed
shuāngrén fángjiān [fahng-jyen]
double room
shūdiàn [shoo-dyen] bookshop,
bookstore
shūfu well; comfortable
shuç [shway] water
ABCDEFGHIJKLSi
shuçchí [–chur] sink;
swimming pool
shuçguănr [–gwahnr] pipe
shuçguŏ [–gwor] fruit
shuìjiào [–jyow] sleep; asleep
shuçlóng tóu [–loong toh] tap,
faucet
shuìqún [–chewn] nightdress
shuìyī pyjamas
shùlín woods, forest
shuō [shwor] say
shuōhuà [–hwah] talk
shuōmíngshū leaflet;
brochure
shūshu uncle (father’s younger
brother)
shùzì [shoo-dzur] number
sç [sur] die; dead
sì four; Buddhist temple
197
 sìbăi four hundred
Chinese ➜ English
sīchóu [sur-choh] silk
sì fēn zhī yī [fun jur] quarter
sījī [sur-jee] driver
sçle [sur-lur] dead
sīrén(de) [sur-run(-dur)] private
sìshí [sur-shur] forty
sçwáng [sur-wahng] death
sìyuàn [sur-yew-ahn] Buddhist
monastery
sìyuè [sur-yew-eh] April
sòng [soong] deliver; send
sòng fàn fúwù [fahn foo-woo]
room service
sòngxìn delivery (of mail)
suān [swahn] be sour; sour
suānténg [–tung] ache
Sūgélán [soo-gur-lahn]
Scotland; Scottish
suíbiàn [sway-byen] informal
ABCDEFGHIJKLSi
suídào [sway-dow] tunnel
suīrán [sway-rahn] although
sùliào [soo-lyow] plastic
sùliàodài plastic bag
sūnnír [sun-nyewr]
granddaughter (son’s
daughter)
sūnzi [sun-dzur] grandson (son’s
son)
suŏ [swor] lock; locked;
measure word* used for
buildings
suŏyŏu de dōngxi [swor-yoh dur
doong-hshee] everything
sùshăir de [soo-shai-r dur] plain,
not patterned
sùxiàng [soo-hsyang] statue
198
T
tā [tah] he; she; it; him;
her
tă pagoda
tāde [tah-dur] his; her; hers;
its
tài too (excessively)
tài duō [dwor] too much
Tàiguó [tai-gwor] Thailand
tàihăole [tai-how-lur] fantastic;
well done
tài shòu [tai shoh] skinny
tàiyáng sun
tàiyángjìng sunglasses
tāmen [tah-mun] they; them
tāmen quánbù [choo-en-boo]
all of them
tāmende [tah-mun-dur] their;
theirs
tān [tahn] greedy
tángdì [tahng-dee] cousin (son of
father’s brother)
tángjiĕ [–jyeh] cousin (daughter
of father’s brother)
tángkuàir [–kwai-r] sweets,
candies
tángmèi [–may] cousin (daughter
of father’s brother)
tángniàobìng [–nyow-bing]
diabetic
tángxiōng [–hsyoong] cousin
(son of father’s brother)
tănzi [tahn-dzur] blanket
táoqì [tow-chee] pottery
tàoshān [tow-shahn] jumper
tàozhuāng [tow-jwahng] suit
tèbié [tur-byeh] especially
téng [tung] pain, ache; painful
tiān [tyen] day; sky
tián sweet (taste)
tiándì field
tiānqi [tyen-chee] weather
tiáo [tyow] measure word*
used for fish and long narrow
objects
tiàowŭ [tyow-woo] dance
tiàozăo [tyow-dzow] flea
tiĕlù [tyeh-loo] railway
tíng stop
tíngchē [–chur] park
tíngchēchăng [–chahng] car
park, parking lot; garage
tíngdiàn [–dyen] power cut
tíngzi [–dzur] pavilion
tíqián [tee-chyen] in advance
tìxūdāo [tee-hsyew-dow] razor
tçyùguăn [tee-yoo-gwahn] gym
tŏng [toong] bucket
tóngyì agree
tóu [toh] head
tōu steal
tóufa [toh-fah] hair
tóujīn headscarf
tòumíng jiāobù [jyow-boo]
Sellotape®, Scotch tape®
tóuténg [toh-tung] headache
tóuyūn [toh-yewn] dizzy, faint
tú’àn [too-ahn] pattern
tuán [twahn] group
tuántç [twahn-tee] party, group
tuì [tway] cancel
tuç leg
tuī push
tuìkuăn [tway-kwahn] refund
túpiàn [too-pyen] picture
tūrán [too-rahn] suddenly
W
Chinese ➜ English
-wài outside
wàigōng [wai-goong]
grandfather (maternal)
wàiguó [wai-gwor] foreign
wàiguó rén [run] foreigner
wàimian [wai-myen] outside
wàipó [wai-por] grandmother
(maternal)
wàisūn [wai-sun] grandson
(daughter’s son)
wàisūnnír [–nyewr]
granddaughter (daughter’s
daughter)
wài sūnzi [sun-dzur] grandson
(daughter’s son)
wàitào [wai-tow] jacket
wàiyī jacket; coat
ABCDEFGHIJKLWa
wăn’ān [wahn-ahn] good night
wăn [wahn] late (at night)
wàn ten thousand
wăncān [wahn-tsahn] dinner
wăndiăn [wahn-dyen] delay
wănfàn [wahn-fahn] evening
meal; supper
wàng [wahng] forget
wăng towards; net (in sport)
wănhuì [wahn-hway] party
(celebration)
wánjù [wahn-jyew] toy
wánquándi [wahn-choo-en-dee]
completely
wánr [wahnr] play (verb)
wănshang [wahn-shahng]
evening; in the evening
jīntian wănshang [jin-tyen] this
evening
199
 wánxiào [wahn-hsyow] joke
Chinese ➜ English
Wēi’ĕrshì [way-er-shur] Welsh
wéi [way] hello
wèi because of; stomach;
measure word* used politely
to refer to ladies, gentlemen,
guests etc
wèidao [way-dow] flavour
Wēiĕrshì [way-er-shur] Wales
wèihūnfū fiancé
wèihūnqī [–chee] fiancée
wéijīn [way-jin] scarf
wèir [wayr] taste; smell
wèishēngjīn [way-shung-jin]
sanitary napkin/towel
wèishēngzhç [way-shung-jur]
toilet paper
wèishénme? [way-shun-mur]
why?
wèishénme bù? why not?
ABCDEFGHIJKLWa
wēixiăn [way-hsyen] dangerous
wèn [wun] ask (a question)
wénhuà dà gémìng [wun-
hwah dah gur-ming] Cultural
Revolution
wénjiàn [wun-jyen] document
wèntí [wun-tee] problem,
question
wènxùnchù [wun-hsyewn-choo]
information desk
wénzhàng [wun-jahng]
mosquito net
wénzi [wun-dzur] mosquito
wŏ [wor] I; me
wŏde [wor-dur] my; mine
wŏmen [wor-mun] we; us
wŏmende [–dur] our; ours
wòpù [wor-poo] couchette;
sleeper; berth
200
wòpù chēxiāng [chur-hsyang]
sleeping car
wòshì [wor-shur] bedroom
wŭ [woo] five
wù mist; fog
wúbăi five hundred
wŭfàn [woo-fahn] lunch
wùhuì [woo-hway]
misunderstanding
wūjiăor [woo-jyowr] in the
corner of a room
wŭshí [woo-shur] fifty
wŭshù [woo-shoo] martial arts
wŭyuè [woo-yew-eh] May
X
xç [hshee] wash
xī west
xiā [hsyah] blind
xià down; below
xià yícì [yee-tsur] next time
xià yíge [yee-gur] next
xià xīngqī [hsing-chee] next
week
zài‑...-xià [dzai] underâ•‚...
xiàba [–bah] jaw, chin
xià chē [–chur] get out
xiàge [–gur] next
xiàmian: zài‑... xiàmian [dzaiâ•‚–
myen] belowâ•‚...
xiàn [hsyen] line; thread
xiān: nç xiān qçng [ching] after
you
xiàndài modern
xiăng want; think
xiāngdāng [–dahng] quite,
fairly
 xiāngdāng duō [dwor] quite a
lot
xiàngdăo [–dow] guide
Xiānggăng [–gahng] Hong
Kong
xiàngjiāo [–jyow] rubber
xiāngjìn de [dur] similar
xiàngliàn [–lyen] necklace
xiàngpí rubber, eraser
xiàngqí [–chee] chess
xiāngshuçr [–shwayr] perfume
xiāngxìn [–hsin] believe
xiāngyān [–yahn] cigarette
xiànqián [hsyen-chyen] cash
xiānsheng [hsyen-shung] Mr
xiānyàn [–yen] bright
xiànzài [–dzai] now
xiào [hsyow] laugh; smile
xiăo little, small; tight
xiāofángduì [–fahng-dway] fire
brigade
xiăofèi [–fay] service charge;
tip
xiăo húzi [hoo-dzur] moustache
xiăojiĕ [–jyeh] Miss
xiăolù path
xiăo qìchē [chee-chur] car
xiăo sānjiăokù [sahn-jyow-koo]
pants, panties
xiăoshān [–shahn] hill
xiăosháor [–showr] spoon
xiăoshí [–shur] hour
xiăoshū brother-in-law
(husband’s younger brother)
xiāoxi [–hshee] information
xiăoxī stream
xiăoxīn! [–hsin] look out!
xiáozŭ [–dzyew] group
xiàshuçdào [hsyah-shway-dow]
drain
Chinese ➜ English
xiàtian [–tyen] summer; in the
summer
xiàwŭ afternoon; in the
afternoon; p.m.
jīntian xiàwŭ [jin-tyen] this
afternoon
xià yíge [yee-gur] next
Xībānyá [hshee-bahn-yah] Spain;
Spanish (adj)
xībĕi [hshee-bay] northwest
xībiānr [–byenr] in the west
xīcān [–tsahn] Western-style
food
xīcāntīng [–tsahn-ting] Western-
style restaurant
xiĕ [hsyeh] blood; write
xié shoe
xiē a little bit
... xiē a bit moreâ•‚...
ABCDEFGHIJKLXi
xiédç [–dee] sole (of shoe)
xié hòugēn [hoh-gun] heel (of
shoe)
xièxie [hsyeh-hsyeh] thank you
xièxie, wŏ bú yào [wor boo
yow] no thanks
Xīfāng [hshee-fahng] West; in
the West; Western
Xīfāng de [dur] Western (adj)
xīgài knee
xçhăo de yīfu [–how dur yee-foo]
washing (clean)
xçhuan [–hwahn] like
xìn [hsin] letter, message
xīn new
xī’nán [hshee-ahn] southwest
xìnfēng [hsin-fung] envelope
xíng [hsing] all right
xìng surname
201
 xìnggăn [–gahn] sexy
Chinese ➜ English
xìngkuī [–kway] fortunately
xíngle [–lur] that’s OK
xçngle awake
xíngli luggage, baggage
xīngqī [–chee] week
xīngqīèr [–chee-er] Tuesday
xīngqīliù [–lyoh] Saturday
xīngqīsān [–chee-sahn]
Wednesday
xīngqītiān [–tyen] Sunday
xīngqīwŭ [–woo] Friday
xīngqīyī Monday
xìngqu [–chew] interest
xīngxing star
xìnhào [hsin-how] signal
xìnshç [hsin-shur] courier
xīnwén [hsin-wun] news (radio,
TV etc)
xīnxiān [hsin-hsyen] fresh
ABCDEFGHIJKLXi
xìnxiāng [hsin-hsyang] postbox,
mailbox
Xīnxīlán [hsin-hshee-lahn] New
Zealand
xìnyòng kă [hsin-yoong kah]
credit card
xīnzàng [hsin-dzahng] heart
xiōng [hsyoong] chest
xiōngdì brother
xiōngkŏu [–koh] chest
xiōngzhào [–jow] bra
xiōngzhēn [–jun] brooch
xìshéng [hshee-shung] string
xīshì [hshee-shur] Western-style
xiūlç [hsyoh-lee] repair
xiūxiéjiàng [–hsyeh-jyang] shoe
repairer
xiūxiépù shoe repairer
xiūxishì [–hshee-shur] lounge
202
xiūxītīng foyer
xiùzhēn fàngyīnjī [–jun fahng-yin-
jee] personal stereo
xiùzi [–dzur] sleeve
xīwàng [hshee-wahng] hope
xçyīdiàn [–dyen] laundry (place)
xçyījī washing machine
xīyçnrén [–run] attractive
xīyŏu [–yoh] rare, uncommon
Xīzàng [–dzahng] Tibet
xçzăo [–dzow] bathe
xçzăojiān [–jyen] bathroom
xuăn [hsyew-ahn] choose
xuányá [–yah] cliff
xŭduō [–dwor] a lot, lots,
plenty of
xuĕ [hsyew-eh] snow
xuĕjiā [–jyah] cigar
xuéqī [–chur] term
xuésheng [–shung] student
xuéxí [–hshee] learn
xuéxiào [–hsyow] school
xuéyuàn [–yew-ahn] college
xuēzi [–dzur] boot (footwear)
xŭkĕ zhèng [hsyew-kur jung]
permit (noun)
xūyào [hsyew-yow] need
Y
yá [yah] tooth
yágāo [yah-gow] toothpaste
yājīn [yah-jin] deposit
yákē dàifu [yah-kur] dentist
yákē yīshēng [yee-shung]
dentist
yān [yen] smoke
nç chōu yān ma? [choh yen
mah] do you smoke?
yāndŏu [yen-doh] pipe
yăng itch
yángguāng [yang-gwahng]
sunshine
yángmáo [yang-mow] wool
yángsăn [yang-sahn] sunshade
yángtái balcony
yángwáwa [yang-wah-wah] doll
yànhuì [yen-hway] banquet
yănjing [yen-jing] eye
yănjìng glasses, eyeglasses
yănjìngdiàn [–dyen] optician
yănkē yīshēng [yen-kur yee-
shung] optician
yánsè [yen-sur] colour
yăo [yow] bite (by insect)
yāo waist; one
yào want; drug; Chinese
medicine
nç yào shénme? [shun-mur]
what do you want?
yàobùrán [yow-boor-ahn]
otherwise
yāodài [yow-dai] belt
yàodiàn [yow-dyen] pharmacy
yáodòng [yow-doong] cave
(dwelling)
yàofāng [yow-fahng]
prescription
yàogāo [yow-gow] ointment
yàomián [yow-myen] cotton
wool, absorbent cotton
yāoqçng [yow-ching] invitation;
invite
yăoshāng [yow-shahng] bite
yàoshi [yow-shur] key
yáshuā [yah-shwah] toothbrush
yáténg [yah-tung] toothache
yĕ [yur] also, too
yè night; page
Chinese ➜ English
yèli at night; p.m.
yéye [yur-yur] grandfather
(paternal)
yèzŏnghuì [yur-dzoong-hway]
nightclub
yi [yee] one
yìbăi one hundred
yíbàn [yee-bahn] half
yìbāo [yee-bow] packet
yìbēi [yee-bay] cup
yīcéng [yee-tsung] ground
floor, (US) first floor
yícì [yee-tsur] once
xià yícì [hsyah] next time
yìdá [yee-dah] dozen
yídàkuàir [–kwai-r] a big bit
yīdĕng [yee-dung] first class
yidiănr [yee-dyenr] a little bit
... yidiănr a bit moreâ•‚...
ABCDEFGHIJKLYi
yìdiánrdiănr tiny
yídìng definitely
yīfu dress; clothes
yíge [yee-gur] one
nă yíge? [nah yee-gur] which
one?
yígerén [yee-gur-run] alone
yígòng [yee-goong] altogether
yí guànr [gwahnr] can; jug
yçhòu [yee-hoh] after;
afterwards
yíhuìr [yee-hwayr] soon
yçjīng already
yíkè [yee-kur] quarter past
yíkuàir [yee-kwai-r] piece
yīlçng collar
yī lóu [loh] ground floor, (US)
first floor
yílù shùnfēng! [yee-loo shun-
203
 fung] have a good journey!
Chinese ➜ English
yímā [yee-mah] aunt (mother’s
sister)
yīmàojiān [yee-mow-jyen]
cloakroom
yímŭ [yee-moo] aunt (mother’s
sister)
yín(zi) [yin(-dzur)] silver
Yìndu [yin-doo] India; Indian
(adj)
yìng hard
yīngbàng [ying-bahng] pound
sterling
yìngbì coin
yīng’ér [ying-er] baby
Yīngguó [ying-gwor] England;
Britain; English; British
Yīngguóde [–dur] English;
British
yìngwò [ying-wor] hard sleeper,
ABCDEFGHIJKLYi
second class sleeper
Yīngyŭ [ying-yew] English
(language)
yìngzuò [ying-dzwor] hard seat,
third class seat
yínháng [yin-hahng] bank
yínshuç lóngtóu [yin-shway loong-
toh] fountain (for drinking)
yīnwèi [yin-way] because
yçnyòngshuç [yin-yoong-shway]
drinking water
yīnyuè [yin-yew-eh] music
yīnyuèhuì [–way] concert
yìqç [yee-chee] together
yçqián:‑... yçqián [yee-chyen]
beforeâ•‚...
yìqiān one thousand
yírìyóu [yee-rur-yoh] day trip
yīsheng [yee-shung] doctor
204
yìshù [yee-shoo] art
yíwàn [yee-wahn] ten thousand
yçxià: zài‑... yçxià [dzaiâ•‚... yee-
hsyah] below, less than
yìxiē [yee-hsyeh] a few
yí yì [yur yee] a hundred million
yīyuàn [yee-yew-ahn] hospital
yīyuè [yee-yew-eh] January
yìzhí cháoqián [yee-jur chow-
chyen] straight ahead
yçzi [yee-dzur] chair
yòng [yoong] with; by means
of; use; in
yōngjç [–jee] crowded
yŏu [yoh] have; there is; there
are
yŏu‑... ma? [mah] is thereâ•‚...?;
are thereâ•‚...?
yòu right (not left)
yòubiānr [yoh-byenr] right
yŏubìng [yoh-bing] ill, sick
yŏudúde [yoh-doo-dur]
poisonous
yŏuguç diànchē [yoh-gway dyen-
chur] tram
yŏuhăo [yoh-how] friendly
yóujì [yoh-jee] post, mail (verb)
yóujiàn [yoh-jyen] post, mail
yóujú [yoh-jew] post office
yóulăn [yoh-lahn] tour, visit
yŏu lçmào [yoh lee-mow] polite
yŏu máobìng [yoh mow-bing]
faulty
yŏumíng famous
yóunì greasy, oily (food)
yóupiào [yoh-pyow] stamp
yŏuqián [yoh-chyen] rich
yŏurén [yoh-run] somebody,
someone; engaged, occupied
yŏushíhòu [yoh-shur-hoh]
sometimes
Yóutàiren de [yoh-tai-run dur]
Jewish
yóuxì [yoh-hshee] game
yŏuxiào [yoh-hsyow] valid
yòu yíge [yee-gur] another, one
more
yŏu yìsi [yee-sur] interesting;
funny, amusing
yóuyŏng [yoh-yoong] swim
yŏuyòng useful
yóuyŏngchí [–chur] swimming
pool
yóuzhèng biānmă [yoh-jung
byen-mah] postcode, zip code
yú [yew] fish
yù jade
yŭ rain
yuăn [yew-ahn] far; far away
yuănchù: zài yuănchù [dzai
yew-ahn-choo] in the distance
yuánlái de [dur] usual
yuánzhūbç [–joo-bee] ballpoint
pen
yúchŭn [yew-chun] stupid
yùdìng [yew-ding] reservation;
reserve
yuè [yew-eh] month
yuèfù father-in-law
yuèfù yuèmŭ [yew-eh-moo]
husband’s parents-in-law
yuèliang [yew-eh-lyang] moon
Yuènán [yew-eh-nahn] Vietnam
yúkuài [yew-kwai] lovely
yúkuàide [yew-kwai-dur]
enjoyable
yùndòng [yewn-doong] sport
yùndŏu [yewn-doh] iron
yùnqi [yewn-chee] luck
Chinese ➜ English
yŭsăn [yew-sahn] umbrella
yùshì [yew-shur] bathroom
yŭyán [yew-yahn] language
yŭyán kè [yew-yahn kur]
language course
yŭyī [yew-yee] raincoat
yùyuē [yew-yew-eh]
appointment
Z
záhuòdiàn [dzah-hwor-dyen]
grocer’s
zài [dzai] in; at; on; be in/at a
place; again
zài năr? where is it?
zài‑... de shíhou [dur shur-hoh]
duringâ•‚...
ABCDEFGHIJKLZa
zài‑... hòumian [hoh-myen]
behindâ•‚...
zàijiàn [dzai-jyen] goodbye
zài nàr over there; up there
zájì acrobatics
zài‑...-li insideâ•‚...
zài‑...-pángbiān [pahng-byen]
beside theâ•‚..., next toâ•‚...
zài‑...-shàng [shahng] aboveâ•‚...
zài‑...-shàngmian [shahng-myen]
onâ•‚...
zài‑...-xià [hsyah] underâ•‚...
zài‑...-xiàmian [hsyah-myen]
belowâ•‚...
zài‑...-yçxià [yee-hsyah]
belowâ•‚..., less thanâ•‚...
zài‑...-zhījiān [jur-jyen]
betweenâ•‚...
zài‑...-zhōng [joong] amongâ•‚...
zāng [dzahng] dirty, filthy
205
 zànglç funeral
Chinese ➜ English
zăo [dzow] good morning;
early
yì zăo early in the morning
zăofàn [dzow-fahn] breakfast
zăopén [dzow-pun] bathtub
zăoshang [dzow-shahng]
morning; in the morning;
a.m. (up to 9 a.m.)
jīntian zăoshang [jin-tyen] this
morning
zàoyīn [dzow-yin] noise
zázhì [dzah-jur] magazine
zéi [dzay] thief
zĕnme? [dzun-mur] how?
zĕnme huí shìr? [hway shur]
what’s happening?; what’s
up?, what’s wrong?
zĕnme le? [lur] what’s
happening?
ABCDEFGHIJKLZa
zĕnmele? what’s wrong?,
what’s the matter?
zhăi [jai] narrow
zhāng [jahng] measure word*
used for tables, beds, tickets
and sheets of paper
zhàngdānr [–dahnr] bill, (US)
check
zhàngfu husband
zhāngláng [–lahng] cockroach
zhàntái [jahn-tai] platform, (US)
track
zhànxiàn [jahn-hsyen] engaged
zhànzhù [jahn-joo] stop
zhăodào [jow-dow] find
zhàopiàn [jow-pyen] photo
zhāotiē [jow-tyeh] poster
zhàoxiàngjī [jow-hsyang-jee]
camera
206
zhá tŭdòupiànr [jah too-doh-
pyenr] crisps, (US) potato chips
zhè [jur] this; the
-zhe verb suffix indicating
continuous action or two
actions taking place at the
same time
zhèi [jay] this; this one
zhèi? whose?
zhèicì [jay-tsur] this time
zhèige [jay-gur] this; this one
zhēn [jun] really
zhēnde [jun-dur] true; genuine,
real; sure
zhèngcháng(de) [jung-chahng(-
dur)] normal
zhèngfŭ [jung-foo] government
zhèngshì [jung-shur] formal
zhēnguì(de) [jung-way(-dur)]
valuable
zhéngzhĕng whole, full
zhēnjiŭ [jun-jyoh] acupuncture
zhēn láijìn exciting
zhénsuŏ [jun-swor] clinic
zhèntou [jun-toh] pillow
zhènyŭ [jun-yew] shower
zhēnzhèng [jun-jung] genuine
zhèr [jer] here
zài zhèr [dzai] over here
zhī [jur] measure word* used
for hands, birds, suitcases and
boats
zhīdao [jur-dow] know
wŏ bù zhīdao [wor] I don’t
know
zhífēi [jur-fay] direct flight
zhījiān: zài‑... zhījiān [dzaiâ•‚... jur-
jyen] betweenâ•‚...
zhíjiē [jur-jyeh] direct
zhçjīn [jur-jin] tissue, Kleenex®
zhìliàng [jur-lyang] quality
zhíní [jin-yew] niece
zhçshi [jur-shur] only
zhçténgyào [jur-tung-yow]
painkiller
zhíwù [jur-woo] plant
zhçxuĕ gāobù [jur-hsyew-eh gow-
boo] plaster, Bandaid®
zhçyŏu [jur-yoh] only
zhìzào [jur-dzow] make (verb)
zhízi [jur-dzur] nephew
zhì [jur] cure (verb)
zhç just, only; paper
zhōng [joong] clock
-zhōng in the middle; between
zài‑...-zhōng [dzai] amongâ•‚...
zhòng heavy
zhŏng type; swollen
zhōngdiănzhàn [–dyen-jahn] rail
terminus
Zhōngguó [joong-gwor] China;
Chinese (adj)
Zhōngguó rén [run] Chinese
(person)
Zhōngguó rénmín [run-min]
the Chinese
Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó
[–hwah run-min goong-hur-gwor]
People’s Republic of China
zhōngjiān: zài zhōngjiān [dzai
joong-jyen] in the middle
zhòngliàng [–lyang] weight
Zhōngshì [–shur] Chinese-style
Zhōngwén [–wun] Chinese
(written language)
zhōngwŭ noon; at noon
zhōngxīn [–hsin] central; centre
zhòngyào [–yow] important
zhōngzhuăn [–jwahn]
Chinese ➜ English
connection
zhōumò [joh-mor] weekend
zhù [joo] live (verb)
nín zhù năr? what’s your
address?
zhuănxìn dìzhç [–hsin dee-jur]
forwarding address
zhújiàn de [joo-jyen dur]
gradually
zhŭnbèi hăo le [jun-bay how lur]
ready
zhù nç shùnlì! [joo nee shun-lee]
good luck!
zhuōzi [jwor-dzur] table
zhŭyào de [joo-yow dur] main
zhúyì [joo-yee] idea
zhúzi [joo-dzur] bamboo
zç [dzur] purple
zìdòng [dzur-doong] automatic
ABCDEFGHIJKLZu
zìdòng qúkuănjī [chew-kwahn-
jee] cash dispenser, ATM
zìjç [dzur-jee] oneself
zìrán [dzur-rahn] natural
zìxíngchē [dzur-hsing-chur]
bicycle
zìyóu [dzur-yoh] free
zìzhù [dzur-joo] self-service
zŏng [dzoong] always
zŏng fúwùtái reception desk
zŏnggòng [–goong] total
zŏngjī operator
zōngjiào [–jyow] religion
zōngsè [–sur] brown
zŏngshì [–shur] always
zŏu [dzoh] leave, depart, go
zŏuláng [dzoh-lahng] corridor
zŏuzou go for a walk
zū [dzoo] hire, rent
207
 zuç [dzway] mouth
Chinese ➜ English
zuì drunk
zuì‑... ...-est, the mostâ•‚...
zuçba [-bah] mouth
zuì hăo [how] best
zuìhòu [–hoh] eventually; last
zuì huài [hwai] worst
zuìjìn recently; last, latest
zuò [dzwor] by; do
zuò feījī [fay-jee] by air
zuò huŏchē [hwor-chur] by rail
zuŏ left
zuŏbiānr [–byenr] left
zuò fānyì [fahn-yee] interpret
zuótiān [–tyen] yesterday
zuótiān wănshang [wahn-
shahng] last night
zuótian zăoshang [dzow-
shahng] yesterday morning
ABCDEFGHIJKLZu

zuòwei [–way] seat

zuòxià [–hsyah] sit down
zuŏyòu [–yoh] about
zúqiusài football

208
Chinese
➜
English
Signs and
Notices
Contents

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, Cafés, Bars . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Streets and Roads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Toilets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Train and Underground Travel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224

211
General Signs ~! lóuxià downstairs

Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices

@# lóushàng upstairs
~! wēixiăn danger
@#$%^& qçng wù
luàntā căodì keep off the grass
Airport, Planes
*()_+|`1 jūnshì $% jīchăng airport
yàodì, qçng wù kàojìn military ^&*( jīchăng bānchē
zone, keep out airport bus
2345 jìnzhç rù nèi no )_láizì arriving from
entry +| qiánwăng departing to
67890-=\QWE `123 qçfēi shíjiān
wàiguórén wèi jīng xúkĕ, departure time
jìnzhç chāoyuè no foreigners 456 zhōngdiănzhàn
beyond this point without destination
permission uiop90 yùjì dàodá
RTYUIOP{}q shíjiān estimated time of
qçng wù suídì luànrēng guŏpí arrival
zhçxiè no litter -=\ hángbānhào flight
wertyu qçng wù number
dàshēng xuānhuá no noise, QWER yùjì shíjiān
please scheduled time
iop[ jìnzhç pāizhào no TY yánwù delayed
photographs UIO jīngtíngzhàn via
]ASD qçng wù xī yān no P{}qwe guónèi
smoking hángbān jìnzhàn domestic
FGHJKL qçng wù suídì arrivals
tŭtán no spitting rtyuio guónèi
:"as rénxíng héngdào hángbān chūzhàn domestic
pedestrian crossing departures
df sùjìng quiet p[]ASD guójì
ghjkl;' yī màn, èr hángbān jìnzhàn international
kàn, sān tōngguò slow down, arrivals
look and then cross FGHJKL guójì
ZXCV xiánrén miăn jìn hángbān chūzhàn
staff only international departures
213
 :"a dēngjìpái boarding as yínháng bank
Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices

pass dfgh Zhōngguó Yínháng

~! rìqī date Bank of China
@#$% xínglipáir baggage ~! fēnháng branch
check @#$% yíngyè shíjiān
^&*() xíngli língqŭchù business hours
baggage claim ^& măijià buying rate
_+|`12 bànlç dēngjī *() jiāokuănchù cashier
shŏuxù check-in _+| xìnyòng kă credit card
345 wènxùnchù `1[3 wàibì duìhuàn
information desk foreign exchange
678 dēngjīkŏu gate 456789 Zhōngguó
90-= ānquán jiănchá Rénmín Yínháng People’s
security control Bank of China
\QWE zhōngzhuăn líkè 0- màijià selling rate
transfer passengers =\QW jīnrì páijià today’s
RT zhōngzhuăn transfers exchange rate
YUIO guòjìng líkè transit ERTY líxíng zhīpiào
passengers traveller’s cheque
P{} hòujīshì departure U yuán unit of currency
lounge IO Àoyuán Australian dollar
qwer miănshuì P{}q Jiānádà yuán
shāngdiàn duty-free shop Canadian dollar
tyuio jìhăo ānquándài wer Rénmínbì Chinese
fasten seat belts currency
p[] jiùshēngyī life jacket ty Găngbì Hong Kong
ASDF qçng wù xīyān no dollar
smoking ui Yīngbàng pound sterling
GHJ zuòwèihào seat op Mĕiyuán US dollar
number
Bus and Taxi
Banks, Money Travel
KL zhànghù account []ASD chángtú qìchē
:" zhànghào account no. zhàn long-distance bus station

214
~!@ yèbān chē all-night
bus
#$%^ gōnggòng qìchē
bus
&* kuàichē express bus
()_+| xiăo gōnggòng
qìchē minibus
`12 qūjiānchē part-route
shuttle bus
3456 wúguç diànchē
trolley bus
789 yóulănchē tourist bus
0-= shòupiàokŏu booking
office
\QWERTY chángtú
qìchē shíkèbiăo long-distance
bus timetable/schedule
UIOP{ chéngshì
jiāotōngtú city transport map
}qo shçfāzhàn departure
point
we piàojià fare
rty wènxùnchù
information office
ui yuèpiào monthly ticket
op[ yí rì yóu one-day tour
]ASD jiùjìn xiàchē alight
on request
FGHJ xiān xià hòu shàng
allow passengers to alight
before boarding
KL:"as băochí
chēnèi qīngjié keep the bus
tidy
~!@#$%^ qçng wù yŭ
sījī tánhuà please do not speak
Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices
to the driver
&*()_+| lăoruò
bìngcānyùn zhuānzuò seats
for the elderly or disabled and
for pregnant women
`123 zhāoshŏu
shàngchē stop on request
456 xiăomàibù kiosk
789 xiăochīdiàn snack bar
0-= hòuchēshì waiting
room
\QWE chūzū qìchē taxis
Chinese Culture
R sì Buddhist temple
TYUIO Wénhuà
Dàgémìng Cultural
Revolution (1966-1976)
P{} Tiān’ānmén Gate of
Heavenly Peace
qw Chángchéng the Great
Wall
erty Wŭsì Yùndòng
May 4th Movement (1919)
u Míng Ming Dynasty (1368-
1644)
iop Shísānlíng Ming
Tombs
[] niánhuà New Year
prints
A tă pagoda
SD Gùgōng Forbidden City
~!@ Bādálçng pass at Great
215
 Wall English; UK; British
Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices

#$ Jīngjù Peking opera @# Făguó France; French

%^& mù’ŏuxì puppet show $% Déguó Germany;
* Qīng Qing Dynasty (1644- German
1911) ^& Xiānggăng Hong Kong
( Sòng Song Dynasty (960- *()_+ Yìndùníxīyà
1279) Indonesia; Indonesian
)_+ Yíhéyuán Summer |`1 Ài’ĕrlán Ireland; Irish
Palace 23 Rìbĕn Japan;
| Táng Tang Dynasty Japanese
(618-907) 45 Cháoxiăn Korea; Korean
` gōng Taoist temple 67 Lăowō Laos; Laotian
1 guàn Taoist temple 890- Măláixīyà
2 miào temple Malaysia; Malaysian
34 Tiāntán Temple of = Măn minority people from
Heaven North-East China
567 Bīngmáyŏng \QW Wéiwú’ĕr minority
Terracotta Army people from North-West
890- Xīnhài Gémìng China
Xinhai Revolution (1911) E Dăi minority people from
South-West China
R Miáo minority people from
Countries, South-West China
Nationalities T Yí minority people from
=\ Mĕiguó America; South-West China
American Y Zhuàng minority people
QWER Àodàlìyà Australia; from South-West China
Australian U Mĕng Mongol
TY Miăndiàn Burma; IO Ménggŭ Mongolia
Burmese P Huí Muslim minority
UIO Jiānádà Canada; people
Canadian {}q Níbó’ĕr Nepal; Nepali
P{ Zhōngguó China; ~!@#$%^ Zhōnghuá
Chinese Rénmín Gònghéguó People’s
~! Yīngguó England; Republic of China

216
&*( Fēilëbīn Philippines;
Filipino
)_ Éguó Russia; Russian
+|` Sūgélán Scotland;
Scottish
123 Xīnjiāpō Singapore;
Singaporean
45 Xīzàng Tibet
6 Zàng Tibetan
78 Táiwān Taiwan;
Taiwanese
90 Tàiguó Thailand; Thai
-=\ Wēi’ĕrshì Wales;
Welsh
Customs
QWER Zhōngguó hăiguān
Chinese Customs
TY hăiguān Customs
UIOP{ biānfáng
jiăncházhàn frontier
checkpoint
}qwe miănyì jiănchá
health inspection
rtyu hùzhào jiănchá
passport control
io bàoguān goods to
declare
p[]A búyòng bàoguān
nothing to declare
SDFG lësè tōngdào green
channel, nothing to declare
~!@# hóngsè tōngdào
red channel, goods to declare
Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices
$%^& rùjìng qiānzhèng
entry visa
*()_ chūjìng qiānzhèng
exit visa
+| hùzhào passport
`123 guòjìng qiānzhèng
transit visa
456 líxíngzhèng travel
permit
7890 miănshuì wùpçn
duty-free goods
Emergencies
-=\ jiùhùchē ambulance
QWE tàipíngmén
emergency exit
RTYU huŏjçng, féijçng
emergency telephone
number: fire, robbery
IOP xiāofángduì fire
brigade, fire department
{}q jízhĕnshì first-aid
room
wer Pàichūsuŏ local
police station
ty jçngchá police
uio gōng’ānjú Public
Security Bureau
Entertainment
~!@ shòupiàochù box
office
#$] rùchăngquàn cinema
217
 ticket
Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices
^&* diànyçngyuàn
cinema
()_ dísīkē disco
+| yèchăng evening
performance
`1 quánmăn house full
23 xiūxi interval
45 Jīngjù Peking Opera
678 jiémùdān
programme
9 ... pái row ...
0 ... hào seat number ...
-=\Q piào yç shòu wán
sold out
WE jùchăng theatre
RT jùyuàn theatre
YU xìyuàn theatre
IOP{ biăoyăn shíjiān
times of performance
Forms
}qwe cóng héchù lái
arriving from
rtyuchūshēng niányuè
date of birth
io jíguàn father’s place of
birth
p[]A dào héchù qù
heading for
SDFG nç zhù tiānshù
length of stay
~! xìngmíng full name
@# guójí nationality
218
$% xìngbié (nán/ní) sex
(male/female)
^&*( hùzhào hàomă
passport number
)_+| yóngjiŭ dìzhç
permanent address
`1234 líkè dēngjìbiăo
registration form
56 qiānmíng signature
Geographical
Terms
789 zìzhìqū autonomous
region
0- yùnhé canal
= shì city
\Q guójiā country
W xiàn county
ER sēnlín forest
T dăo island
Y hú lake
U jiāng large river
IO dìtú map
P shān mountain, hill
{} shānmài mountains
qw hăiyáng ocean
e shĕng province
r hé river
t hăi sea
y zhèn town
ui shāngŭ valley
o cūn village
p[ shùlín woods
Health Líxíngshè China Travel

Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices

Service
~!@ zhōngyīkē Chinese ~! bīnguăn hotel
medicine department @# fàndiàn hotel
#$% zhōngyàofáng $%^ xiăomàibù kiosk
Chinese medicine dispensary &*() zŏng fúwùtái
^& yákē dental department reception
*() jízhĕnshì emergency _+| yóuyìshì recreation
_+|`1 wàibīn room
ménzhĕnbù foreign `12 diànchuánshì telex
outpatients office
23 yīyuàn hospital
456 zhùyuànchù hospital Lifts (Elevators)
admissions office
78 nèikē medical 3 guān close
department 4 xià down
90- ménzhĕnbù 56 diàntī lifts, elevators
outpatients 7 kāi open
=\ guàhào registration 8 shàng up
QWE xīyàofáng Western
medicine dispensary Medicines
90- kàngjŭnsù
Hiring, Renting antibiotics
RTYUI chūzū zìxíngchē =\QW āsīpçlín aspirin
bikes to rent ERT kébìqīng cough
OP zū chuán boats to rent lozenges
{} chūzū for hire, to rent YUIO zōngsè héjì cough
mixture
P{}q zhçké tángjiāng
Hotels cough syrup
qwertyu Zhōngguó wert zhçténgpiànr
Guójì Líxíngshè China painkillers
International Travel Service yui qīngméisù
iop[] Zhōngguó penicillin

219
 op[ hándiănpiàn throat
Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices
pastilles
]A jìliàng dosage
~!@ shīxiàoqī expiry date
#$ chūzhĕn first treatment
%^ wàiyòng for external
use
&*() yírì sān cì three
times a day
_+ wèiyán gastritis
|`1234567 fàn
qián/hòu wēnkāishuç sòngfú
to be taken with warm water
before/after food
890-=\QWE mĕi
sì/liù xiăoshí fú yícì one dose
every four/six hours
RTYU yírì sìcì four times
a day
IO nèifú to be taken orally
P{}q mĕi cì yì gé one
measure at a time
wert mĕicì yì wán one
pill at a time
yuiop mĕicì yí piànr
one tablet at a time
[]AS bìyào shí fú when
necessary
Notices on Doors
DFG tàipíngmén
emergency exit
HJ rùkŏu entrance
KL chūkŏu exit
220
:"as gùkè zhç bù no
entry for customers
dfghjkl; wèi jīng
xúkĕ, jìnzhç rù nèi no entry
without permission
~ lā pull
! tuī push
@#$% xiánrén miăn jìn
staff only
Phones
^&*( chángtú qūhào
area code
)_+|` yòng kă diànhuà
tíng cardphone
123 cháhàotái directory
enquiries
45 fēnjī extension
6789 guójì chángtú
international call
0-=\ chángtú diànhuà
long-distance call
QWE diànhuàkă
phonecard
RTYU gōngyòng diànhuà
public telephone
IO zŏngjī switchboard
P{} diànhuàbù telephone
directory
qwer(t) yícì yìjiăo
(máo) ten fen per call
yuio cíkă diànhuà
cardphone
Place Names form

Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices

io, p[] bāoguŏ,
p[ Bĕijīng Beijing yìnshuāpçn parcels, printed
]A Chéngdū Chengdu matter
SD Dūnhuáng Dunhuang ASD yóudiànjú post and
FGH Éméishān Emei telecommunications office
Mountains FGHJ xìnxiāng postbox
~! Guăngzhōu Canton ~!@# yóuzhèng biānmă
@# Chángchéng the Great postcode, zip code
Wall $%, ^& yóupiào, guàhào
$% Guìlín Guilin stamps, registered mail
^& Hángzhōu Hangzhou *() diànbàozhì telegram
*( Kūnmíng Kunming form
)_ Lāsā Lhasa _+ diànbào telegram
+| Luòyáng Luoyang |`12 diànbào dàlóu
`1 Nánjīng Nanjing telegraph building
23 Shēnzhèn Shenzhen
45 Tiānjīn Tientsin Public Buildings
67 Xīhú West Lake
89 Xī’ān Xi’an 34 yùchí baths
0-=\ Chángjiāng Sānxiá 56 xuéyuàn college
Yangtze Gorges 789 lçngshìguăn consulate
0-= dàshçguăn embassy
\Q gōngchăng factory
Post Office WER yóuyŏngguăn indoor
QW yóujú post office swimming pool
ERTY kāixiāng shíjiān TYU túshūguăn library
collection times IOP bówùguăn museum
UI xìnfēng envelope {} zhōngxué secondary
OP yóutŏng letterbox, school
mailbox qwe tçyùguăn sports hall,
{}xìnhán letters indoor stadium
qwer zázhì bàokān rty tçyùchăng stadium
magazines and newspapers ui dàxué university
tyu bāoguŏdān parcel
221
 Restaurants,
Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices
Cafés, Bars
op jiŭbā bar
[]A kāfēidiàn café, coffee
house
SD chálóu café, teahouse
FG cháguăn café, teahouse
~! cháshì café, teahouse
@#$ shōukuăntái cashier
%^& léngyçndiàn cold
drinks bar
*() Zhōng cāntīng
Chinese dining room
_+|` qīngzhēn fàndiàn
Muslim restaurant
12 miànguăn noodle shop
34 càiguăn large restaurant
56 fàndiàn large restaurant
78 jiŭjiā large restaurant
90 jiŭlóu large restaurant
-= cāntīng restaurant;
dining room
\Q kuàicān snack bar
WER xiăochīdiàn snack
bar
TYUI jīnrì gòngyìng
today’s menu
OP{ sùcàiguăn vegetarian
restaurant
}qw xī cāntīng Western
dining room
ert xīcàiguăn Western
restaurant
222
Shopping
yuio wénwù shāngdiàn
antique shop
p[]ASD gōngyì
mĕishù shāngdiàn arts and
crafts shop
~!@ zìxíngchē bicycles
#$% shōukuăntái cashier
^&*( yān jiŭ táng
chá cigarettes, wine,
confectionery, tea
)_+ fúzhuāngdiàn clothes
shop
|`12 nánní fúzhuāng
clothing
3456 huàzhuāng
yòngpçn cosmetics
7890 băihuò shāngdiàn
department store
-=\Q jiāyòng diànqì
domestic appliances
WERT shípçn shāngdiàn
food shop
YUIO shípçn gāodiăn
food and confectionery
P{}q zìyoú shìchăng free
market
wert yŏuyí shāngdiàn
Friendship store
yui càishìchăng
greengrocer
op[]A fùshípçn
shāngdiàn grocery store
SDFG wŭjīn jiāodiàn
hardware and electrical goods JKL: gòuwù zhōngxīn

Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices

HJKL wàzi xiémào shopping centre
hosiery, shoes, hats "asd tçyù yòngpçn sports
:"as rìyòng zápçn goods
household goods fghj wénjù shāngdiàn
dfgh chúfáng yòngpçn stationery
kitchenware ~!@# wénjù yòngpçn
~!@# fùní yòngpçn stationery
ladies’ accessories $%^& yágāo yáshuā
$% nízhuāng ladies’ wear toothpaste and toothbrushes
^&* xçyīdiàn laundry *()_ értóng wánjù toys
()_+ pígé zhìpçn leather +|`1 zhēnzhī yòngpçn
goods underwear
|` shìchăng market
12 nán zhuāng menswear
345 yuèqì háng musical
Streets and
instruments section
Roads
6789 xīnhuá shūdiàn 23 dàjiē avenue
New China bookshop 45 hútòng lane
0- yèshì night market 6 xiàng lane
=\Q yănjìngdiàn optician 7 lù road
WE fùyìn photocopying 89 guángchăng square
RTYU zhàoxiàng qìcái 0 jiē street
photographic equipment
IOP{}qwert
yu qián piào dāngmiàn
Toilets
diănqīng, guòhòu gài bù fùzé -= yŏurén engaged,
please check your change occupied
before leaving as mistakes \QW náncèsuŏ gents’
cannot be rectified toilet, men’s room
iop[ yŭsăn yŭjù ER náncè gents’ toilet,
rainwear men’s room
]AS dàjiănjià sale TYU nícèsuŏ ladies’ toilet,
DFGH gŭjiù shūdiàn ladies’ room
secondhand bookshop IO nícè ladies’ toilet, ladies’

223
 room AS kuàichē fast train
Chinese ➜ English: Signs and Notices

P{ gōngcè public toilets, DF kèchē ordinary

rest rooms passenger train
}qw guànxçshì toilet, GH zhànmíng station name
rest room JK ... kāiwăng ... to ...
er wúrén vacant, free aAs líyóuchē tourist train
df chēcì train number
gh xīngqī week
Train and ~!@#$ xíngli jìcúnchù
Underground left luggage, baggage
Travel checkroom
~!@ huŏchēzhàn station %^ chéngjçng railway police
#$ huŏchē train &*( shòupiàochù ticket
%^&*()_ lièchē office
dàozhàn shíkèbiăo arrival )_+hòuchēshì waiting
times room
+|`1234 lièchē |` cānchē dining car
lízhàn shíkèbiăo departure 12 yìngxí hard seat
times 345 yìngxíchē hard seat
56 ... 0- ... kāiwăng ... carriage
fāngxiàng to ... 67 yìngwò hard sleeper
WE chēcì train number 890 yìngwòchē hard
RTY jiănpiàochù barrier sleeper carriage
UI zhàntái platform, -= ruănxí soft seat
(US) track \QW ruănxíchē soft seat
OP{ zhàntáipiào platform carriage
ticket ER ruănwò soft sleeper
}qw wènxùnchù TYU ruănwòchē soft
information desk sleeper carriage
ertyu huŏchē IOP{} jçnjí zhìdòngzhá
shíkèbiăo timetable, emergency brake
(US) schedule qwe chéngwùyuán train
i tiān day attendant
op tèkuài express rt dìtiĕ underground, (US)
[] zhíkuài through train subway

224
 Menu
Reader:
Food
Contents

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

227
 Essential Terms
Menu Reader: Food

~! bowl diézi [dyeh-dzur]

@# chopsticks kuàizi [kwai-dzur]
$% cup bēizi [bay-dzur]
^& dessert tiánpĭn [tyen-pin]
* fork (for eating) chā [chah]
() fried noodles chăomiàn [chow-myen]
_+ fried rice chăofàn [chow-fahn]
|`1 glass bōli bēi [bor-lee bay]
23 knife dāozi [dow-dzur]
456 menu càidānr [tsai-dahnr]
78 noodles miàntiáo [myen-tyow]
90 plate pánzi [pahn-dzur]
-= rice mĭfàn [mee-fahn]
\ soup tāng [tahng]
QW soy sauce jiàngyóu [jyahn-gyoh]
ER spoon sháozi [show-dzur]
TY table zhuōzi [jwor-dzur]

() excuse me láojià [low-jyah]

ertyuiop could I have the bill, please? qĭng bāng wŏ
jiézhàng, hăo ma? [ching bahng wor jyeh-jahng how mah]

228
Basic Foods
~! huángyóu [hwahng-yoh]
butter
@# năilào [nai-low] cheese
$%^ làjiāo yóu [lah-jyow
yoh] chilli oil
&*( làjiāo jiàng [jyang]
chilli paste
)_+ yēzi yóu [yur-dzur yoh]
coconut milk
|` năiyóu [nai-yoh] cream
1234 dòufu gānr [doh-foo
gahnr] dried bean curd
56 dàsuàn [dah-swahn]
garlic
78 huángmç [hwahng-mee]
glutinous millet
90-=\ Q dòubànr
làjiàngr [doh-bahnr lah-jyengr]
hot soya bean paste
WE yùmç [yoo-mee] maize
RT xiáomç [hsyah-mee]
millet
YU háoyóu [how-yoh] oyster
sauce
IOP huāshēng yóu [hwah-
shung yoh] peanut oil
{ } xiáncài [hsyen-tsai]
pickles
qwe sōnghuādàn [soong-
hwah-dahn] preserved eggs
rty càizi yóu [tsai-dzur yoh]
rape oil
ui dàmç [dah-mee] rice
] yán [yahn] salt
Menu Reader: Food
op[ zhīma yóu [jur-mah
yoh] sesame oil
AS gāoliáng [gow-lyang]
sorghum (similar to corn)
DF dòuyóu [doh-yoh] soya
bean oil
GH jiàngyóu [jyang-yoh] soy
sauce
J táng [tahng] sugar
KL: fānqié jiàng [fahn-
chyeh jyang] tomato paste
"a sùjī [soo-jee] ‘vegetarian
chicken’ (made from soya
beans)
sd xiăomài [hsyow-mai]
wheat
fg miànfĕn [myen-fun]
wheat flour
Basic
Preparation and
Cooking Methods
~! . . . shíjçn ... [shur-jin]
assorted ...
. . . * ... wán [wahn] ... balls
. . . + ... yuán [yew-ahn] ...
balls
|` . . . chāshāo ... [chah-
show] barbecued ...
4 . . . zhŭ ... [joo] boiled ...
8 . . . shāo ... [show]
braised ...
. . . WE ... kuàir [kwair] ...
229
 chunks, pieces
Menu Reader: Food
RT . . . xiāngsū ... [hsyang-
soo] crispy deep-fried ...
OP . . . gāli ... [gah-lee]
curried ...
w . . . zhá ... [jah] deep-
fried ...
. . . o ... dīng diced ...
p[ . . . jiācháng ... [jyah-
chahng] home-style ... (plain)
DF . . . huŏguō ... [hwor-
gwor] ... 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 . . . kăo ... [kow] roasted,
baked
. . . fg ... piànr [pyenr] ...
slices
h . . . zhēng ... [jung] steamed
...
;' . . . qīngzhēng ... [ching-
jung] steamed ...
V . . . huì ... [hway] stewed ...
< . . . chăo ... [chow] stir-
fried ...
xc . . . tángcù ... [tahng-tsoo]
sweet and sour ...
m{ . . . sānxiān ... [sahn-
hsyen] ‘three-fresh’ ... (with
three ingredients which vary)
230
Bean Curd
Dishes
~!@# mápó dòufu [mah-
por doh-foo] bean curd with
minced beef in spicy sauce
$%^& sānxiān dòufu
[sahn-hsyen] ‘three-fresh’ bean
curd (made with three ingredients)
*()_ shāguō dòufu
[shah-gwor] bean curd served
with a pot of boiling water
in which the bean curd is
cooked, also creating a soup
+|`1 málà dòufu [mah-
lah] bean curd with chilli and
wild pepper
2345 xiārén dòufu
[hsyah-run] bean curd with
shrimps
6789 jiācháng dòufu
[jyah-chahng] home-style bean
curd
Beef Dishes
~!@# hóngshāo niúròu
[hoong-show nyoh-roh] beef
braised in brown sauce
$%^& májiàng niúròu
[mah-jyang] beef quick-fried
in sesame paste
*()_ jiàngbào niúròu
[jyang-bow] beef quick-fried
with black bean sauce

+|`1 cōngbào niúròu
[tsoong-bow] beef quick-fried
with spring onions
2345 gāli niúròu [gah-lee]
curried beef
67890- shícài
niúròupiànr [shur-tsai nyoh-roh-
pyenr] shredded beef with
seasonal vegetables
=\ QW yúxiāng niúròu
[yoo-hsyang nyoh-roh] stir-fried
beef in hot spicy sauce
ERTY sŭnchăo niúròu
[sun-chow] stir-fried beef
with bamboo shoots
UIOP málà niúròu [mah-
lah] stir-fried beef with chilli
and wild pepper
{ } qw háoyóu niúròu
[how-yoh] stir-fried beef with
oyster sauce
erty gōngbăo niúròu
[goong-bow] stir-fried beef
with peanuts and chilli
uiop qiézhī niúròu
[chyeh-jur] stir-fried sliced
beef with tomato sauce
Bread,
Dumplings etc
~!@ cōngyóubçng
[tsoong-yoh-bing] spring onion
pancake
#$ shuíjiăo [shway-jyow]
Chinese ravioli
Menu Reader: Food
%^ jiăozi [jyow-dzur]
dumplings
&* guōtiē [gwor-tyeh] fried
Chinese ravioli
() húntun small Chinese
ravioli in soup
_+ mántou [mahn-toh]
steamed bread containing
various fillings
|` zhēngjiăo [jung-jyow]
steamed Chinese ravioli
12 shāomài [show-mai]
steamed dumplings open at
the top
34 bāozi [bow-dzur] steamed
dumplings with various
fillings, usually minced pork
567 huājuănr [hwah-jwahnr]
steamed rolls
890- sānxiān shuíjiăo
[sahn-hsyen shoo-jyow] ‘three-
fresh’ Chinese ravioli (pork,
shrimps and chives)
=\ miànbāo [myen-bow]
white bread
Cold Platters
QWERT shíjçn lĕngpánr
[shur-jin lung-pahnr] assorted
cold platter
YUIO hăi zábànr [hai zah-
bahnr] seafood cold platter
P}}qwe qīcăi lĕng
231
 pīnpánr [chee-tsai lung pin-pahnr]
Menu Reader: Food
‘seven colours’ cold platter
Desserts
rty xīgua zhōng [hshee-
gwah joong] assorted fruit and
water melon
uiop[ shíjçn shuíguo
gēng [shur-jin shway-gwor gung]
fruit salad
]AS liánzi gēng [lyen-dzur]
lotus-seed in syrup
DF suānnăi [swahn-nai]
yoghurt
Fish and Seafood
GH lúyú [loo-yoo] bass
JK pángxiè [pahng-hsyeh]
crab
L yú [yoo] fish
:" chāngyú pomfret
a xiā [hsyah] prawns
sdf jiājí [jyah-jee] red
snapper
gh yóuyú [yoh-yoo] squid
~!@# hóngshāo lçyú
[hoong-show lee-yoo] carp
braised in brown sauce
$%^& gānshāo guìyú
[gahn-show gway-yoo] Chinese
perch braised with chilli and
black bean sauce
*()_ gāli yōuyú [gah-lee
232
yoh-yoo] curried squid
+|`123 qiézhī
shíbānkuàir [chyeh-jur shur-
bahn-kwair] deep-fried
grouper with tomato sauce
4567 huŏguō yúxiā
[hwor-gwor yoo-hsyah] fish and
prawns served with a pot of
boiling water in which they
are cooked, creating a soup
890-= jiācháng
yúkuàir [jyah-chahng yoo-kwair]
home-style fish
\ QWE gānshāo
huángshàn [gahn-show hwahng-
shahn] paddyfield eel braised
with chilli and black bean
sauce
RTYU shícài xiāqiú [shoo-
tsai hsyah-chew] prawn balls
with seasonal vegetables
IOP{ xiārén gānbèi
[hsyah-run gahn-bay] scallops
with shrimps
} qwe cōngbào hăishēn
[tsoong-bow hai-shun] sea
cucumber quick-fried with
spring onions
rtyu háoyóu bāoyú
[how-yoh bow-yoo] stir-fried
abalone with oyster sauce
iop[] huáliū yúpiànr
[hwah-lyoh yoo-pyenr] stir-fried
fish slices with thick sauce
ASDF yúxiāng lóngxiā
[yoo-hsyang loong-hsyah] stir-
fried lobster in hot spicy
sauce
GHJKL dōngsŭn cháo
hăishēn [doong-sun chow hai-
shun] stir-fried sea cucumber
with bamboo shoots
:"asd tángcù yúkuàir
[tahng-tsoo yoo-kwair] sweet and
sour fish
Fruit
q! píngguŏ [ping-gwor]
apple
@ xìng [hsing] apricot
#$ xiāngjiāo [hsyang-jyow]
banana
%^ yēzi [yur-dzur] coconut
&*( hăitángguŏ [hai-tahng-
gwor] crab apple
) zăo [dzow] date
_+ pútao [poo-tow] grape
|` guănggān [gwahng-gahn]
Guangdong orange
123 hāmìguā [hah-mee-
gwah] honeydew melon
45 lóngyăn [loong-yahn]
longan (similar to lychee)
67 lìzhī [lee-jur] lychee
89 gānzi [gahn-dzur] orange
0- júzi [joo-dzur] orange
=\ táozi [tow-dzur] peach
Q lí [lee] pear
WE shìzi [shur-dzur]
persimmon, sharon fruit
Menu Reader: Food
RT bōluó [bor-lwor]
pineapple
YU lçzi [lee-dzur] plum
IO shíliu [shur-lyoh]
pomegranate
P{ } shātiányòu [shah-
tyen-yoh] pomelo
qw júzi [joo-dzur] tangerine
er mìjú [mee-joo] tangerine
ty xīguā [hshee-gwah] water
melon
Lamb and
Mutton Dishes
uiop gāli yángròu [gah-
lee yahn-roh] curried mutton
[]ASD kăo
yángròuchuànr [kow yahng-roh-
chwahnr] lamb kebabs
FGH shuàn yángròu
[shwahn yang-roh] Mongolian
lamb served with a pot of
boiling water in which the
meat is cooked, also creating
a soup
JKL: hóngshāo yángròu
[hoong-show] mutton braised
in brown sauce
"asd huŏguō yángròu
[hwor-gwor] mutton served
with a pot of boiling water
in which the meat is cooked,
also creating a soup
233
 fghj jiàngbào yángròu
Menu Reader: Food
[jyang-bow] mutton quick-
fried with black bean sauce
kl;' cōngbào yángròu
[tsoong-bow] mutton quick-
fried with spring onions
ZXCVBN shícài
yángròupiànr [shur-tsai yang-
roh-pyenr] shredded mutton
with seasonal vegetables
M<>? málà yángròu
[mah-lah] stir-fried mutton
with chilli and wild pepper
zxcv háoyóu yángròu
[how-yoh] stir-fried mutton
with oyster sauce
Meats
~! niúròu [nyoh-roh] beef
@ jī [jee] chicken
# yā [yah] duck
$% yángròu [yahng-roh]
lamb; mutton
^ ròu [roh] meat (usually pork)
&* zhūròu [joo-roh] pork
Noodles
() chăomiàn [chow-myen]
fried noodles
_+|` jīsī chăomiàn
[jee-sur] fried noodles with
shredded chicken
1234 ròusī chăomiàn
234
[roh-sur] fried noodles with
shredded pork
5678 xiārén chăomiàn
[hsyah-run chow-myen] fried
noodles with shrimps
90- cháomífĕn [chow-mee-
fun] fried rice noodles
=\ miàntiáo [myen-tyow]
noodles
Pork Dishes
QWE chāshāo ròu [chah-
show roh] barbecued pork
RTYU gāli ròuwán [gah-
lee roh-wahn] curried meatballs
IOP shīzi tóu [shur-dzur toh]
a large meatball stewed with
cabbage
{ } qw huŏguō zhūpái
[hwor-gwor joo-pai] pork chop
served with a pot of boiling
water in which the meat is
cooked, also creating a soup
erty jiàngbào sānyàng
[jyang-bow sahn-yang] pork,
pig’s liver and kidney quick-
fried with black bean sauce
uwo káo rŭzhū [kow roo-joo]
roast sucking pig
p[]A mífĕn zhēngròu
[mee-fun jung-roh] steamed
pork with rice
SDFG gōngbăo ròudīng
[goong-bow roh-ding] stir-fried
diced pork with peanuts and
chilli
HJKL yúxiāng ròusī
[yoo-hsyang roh-sur] stir-fried
shredded pork in hot sauce
~!@# dōngsŭn ròusī
[doong-sun] stir-fried
shredded pork with bamboo
shoots
$%^&* zhàcài chăo
ròusī [jah-tsai chow] stir-fried
shredded pork with pickled
mustard greens
()_+| sŭnchăo
ròupiànr [sun-chow roh-pyenr]
stir-fried sliced pork with
bamboo shoots
`1234 fúróng ròupiànr
[foo-roong] stir-fried sliced
pork with egg white
567890 qīngjiāo chăo
ròupiànr [ching-jyow chow] stir-
fried sliced pork with green
pepper
-=\ QWE shícài chăo
ròupiànr [shur-tsai] stir-fried
sliced pork with seasonal
vegetables
RTYUI huáliū ròupiànr
[hwah-lyoh] stir-fried sliced
pork with thick sauce
OP{ huíguō ròu [hway-gwor
roh] boiled then stir-fried
pork
Poultry and
Menu Reader: Food
Poultry Dishes
} qwe shícài páyā [shur-
tsai pah-yah] braised duck
with seasonal vegetables
rty fó tiào qiáng [for
tyow chyang] chicken with
duck, pig’s trotters and
seafood stewed in rice
wine (literally: Buddha leaps the
wall)
uiop qiézhī jīpú [chyeh-
jur jee-poo] chicken breast
with tomato sauce
[]ASD gāli jīkuàir [gah-
lee jee-kwair] curried chicken
pieces
FGHJ jiàngbào jīdīng
[jyang-bow jee-ding] diced
chicken quick-fried with
black bean sauce
KL:"a dōngsŭn
jīpiànr [doong-sun jee-pyenr]
chicken slices with bamboo
shoots
sdfgh dōnggū jīpiànr
[doong-goo] chicken slices
with mushrooms
jkl xiāngsū jī [hsyang-soo
jee] crispy deep-fried whole
chicken
;'Z xiāngsū yā [yah]
crispy deep-fried whole
duck
235
 XCVB làzi jīdīng [lah-dzur
Menu Reader: Food
jee-ding] diced chicken with
chilli
NM<> málà jīdīng [mah-
lah] diced chicken with chilli
and wild pepper
?zxc xiānggū yāzhăng
[hsyang-goo yah-jahng] duck’s
foot with mushroom
~!@#$ qiézhī jiān
ruănyā [chyeh-jur jyen rwahn-
yah] fried duck with tomato
sauce
%^&* jiācháng mènjī
[jyah-chahng mun-jee] home-
style braised chicken
()_+ Bĕijīng kăoyā [bay-
jing kow-yah] Peking duck
|`12345 jiàngbào
yāpiànr càixīn [jyang-bow yah-
pyenr tsai-hsin] sliced duck and
green vegetables quick-fried
with black bean sauce
67890- cōngbào
shāoyāpiànr [tsoong-bow show-
yah-pyenr] sliced duck quick-
fried with spring onions
=\ QW gōngbăo jīdīng
[goong-bow jee-ding] stir-fried
diced chicken with peanuts
and chilli
ERTY guàiwèirjī [gwai-
wayr-jee] whole chicken with
peanuts and pepper (literally:
strange-tasting chicken)
236
UIOP qìguō zhēngjī
[chee-gwor jung-jee] whole
chicken steamed in a pot
{ } qw hóngshāo
quányā [hoong-show choo-en-
yah] whole duck braised in
brown sauce
erty hóngshāo quánjī
[choo-en-jee] whole chicken
braised in brown sauce
Rice
ui chăofàn [chow-fahn]
fried rice
op[ dàn chăofàn [dahn]
fried rice with eggs
]ASD jīsī chăofàn [jee-
sur] fried rice with shredded
chicken
FGHJ ròusī chăofàn [roh-
sur] fried rice with shredded
pork
KL:" xiārén chăofàn
[hsyah-run] fried rice with
shrimps
as mçfàn [mee-fahn] rice
df xīfàn [hshee-fahn] rice
porridge
ghj chāshāobāo [chah-
show-bow] steamed dumplings
with pork filling
Seasonings,
Spices
kl guìpí [gway-pee] Chinese
cinnamon
;' dīngxiāng [ding-hsyang]
cloves
ZX huíxiāng [hway-hsyang]
fennel seed
CVBN wŭxiāng miànr
[woo-hsyang myenr] ‘five spice’
powder
~! shēngjiāng [shung-jyang]
ginger
@# làjiāo [lah-jyow] chilli,
chilli peppers
$%^ làjiāo fĕn [fun] chilli
powder
&* hújiāo [hoo-jyow] pepper
( yán [yahn] salt
) cù [tsoo] vinegar
Snacks
_+|` dòushā sūbçng
[doh-shah soo-bing] baked flaky
cake with sweet bean paste
filling
12 huŏshāo [hwor-show]
baked wheaten bun
345 táng huŏshāo [tahng]
baked wheaten bun with
sugar
67 yóubçng [yoh-bing] deep-
fried savoury pancake
690 yóuzhágāo [yoh-
Menu Reader: Food
jah-gow] deep-fried sweet
pancake
-=\ xiànrbçng [hsyenr-bing]
savoury fritter
QW shāobçng [show-bing]
sesame pancake
ERT chūnjuănr [chun-
jwahnr] spring rolls
YUI dòushābāo [doh-shah-
bow] steamed dumpling with
sweet bean paste filling
er yóutiáo [yoh-tyow]
unsweetened doughnut
sticks
Soups
{ } qw kāishuç báicài
[kai-shway bai-tsai] Chinese
cabbage in clear soup
ert suān là tāng [swahn
lah tahng] hot and sour soup
y tāng soup
uiop[ zhúsŭn xiānmó
tāng [joo-sun hsyen-mor] soup
with bamboo shoots and
mushrooms
]ASDFG xīhóngshì
jīdan tāng [hshee-hoong-shur
jee-dahn] soup with eggs and
tomato
HJKL: zhàcài ròusī
tāng [jah-tsai roh-sur] soup
with shredded pork and
237
 pickled mustard greens
Menu Reader: Food
"asdfg shícài
ròupiànr tāng [shur-tsai roh-
pyenr] soup with sliced pork
and seasonal vegetables
hjkl; bōcài fĕnsī tāng
[bor-tsai fun-sur] soup with
spinach and vermicelli
'ZX sānxiān tāng [sahn-
hsyen] ‘three-fresh’ soup
(prawns, meat and a vegetable)
CVBN yuántāng sùhuì
[ywahn-tahng soo-hway]
vegetable chowder
Typical
Combinations
~! . . . hóngshāo ... [hoong-
show] ... braised in soy
sauce
%^ . . . gānshāo ... [gahn-
show] ... braised with chilli
and black bean sauce
)_ . . . jiàngbào ... [jyang-
bow] ... quick-fried with
black bean sauce
12 . . . cōngbào ... [tsoong-
bow] ... quick-fried with
spring onions
67 . . . yúxiāng ... [yoo-
hsyang] stir-fried ... in hot
spicy sauce (literally: fish
fragrance; not always with fish)
-= . . . sŭnchăo ... [sun-
238
chow] stir-fried ... with
bamboo shoots
ER . . . gōngbăo ... [goong-
bow] stir-fried ... with
peanuts and chilli
IO . . . huáliū ... [hwah-lyoh]
stir-fried ... with sauce
qw . . . dōngsŭn ... [doong-
sun] ... with bamboo shoots
yu . . . làzi ... [lah-dzur]
... with chilli
[] . . . málà ... [mah-lah] ...
with chilli and wild pepper
FG . . . xièròu ... [hsyeh-roh]
... with crab
L: . . . huótuç ... [hwor-tway]
... with ham
df . . . dōnggū ... [doong-
goo] ... with mushrooms
kl . . . xiānggū ... [hsyang-
goo] ... with mushrooms
;' . . . háoyóu ... [how-yoh]
... with oyster sauce
ZX . . . zhàcài ... [jah-tsai]
... with pickled mustard
greens
CV . . . shícài ... [shur-tsai] ...
with seasonal vegetables
BN . . . xiārén ... [hsyah-run]
... with shrimps
M< . . . qiézhī ... [chyeh-jur]
... with tomato sauce
>? . . . fānqié ... [fahn-chyeh]
... with tomato sauce
Vegetables
~! qiézi [chyeh-dzur]
aubergine, eggplant
@# zhúsŭn [joo-sun] bamboo
shoots
$% dòuyá [doh-yah] bean
sprouts
^&* juănxīncài [jwahn-hsin-
tsai] cabbage
()_ húluóbo [hoo-lwor-bor]
carrots
+| báicài [bai-tsai] Chinese
cabbage
`1 qīngdòu [ching-doh]
green beans
23 mógu [mor-goo]
mushrooms
45 bōcaì [bor-tsai] spinach
67 hóngshŭ [hoong-shoo]
sweet potato
890 xīhóngshì [hshee-
hoong-shur] tomato
-= shūcài [shoo-tsai]
vegetables
Vegetable Dishes
~!@ shāo qiézi [show
chyeh-dzur] stewed aubergine/
eggplant
#$%^ shāo húluóbo [hoo-
lwor-bor] stewed carrot
&*( shāo sānxiān [sahn-
hsyen] stewed ‘three-fresh’
vegetables
Menu Reader: Food
)_+|` chăo yùlánpiànr
[chow yoo-lahn-pyenr] stir-fried
bamboo shoots
123 chăo dòuyá [doh-yah]
stir-fried bean sprouts
456 chăo báicài [bai-tsai]
stir-fried Chinese cabbage
7890 hăimç báicài
[hai-mee] stir-fried Chinese
cabbage with dried shrimps
-=\ QW jiŭcài chăo
jīdàn [jyoh-tsai-chow jee-dyen]
stir-fried chives with eggs
ERTYU huángguă chăo
jīdàn [hwahng-gwah chow jee-
dahn] stir-fried cucumber
with eggs
IOP{ yúxiāng qiézi [yoo-
hsyang chyeh-dzur] stir-fried
aubergine in hot spicy sauce
} qwe dōngsŭn biăndòu
[doong-sun byen-doh] stir-fried
French beans with bamboo
shoots
rty shāo èr dōng [show er
doong] stir-fried mushrooms
and bamboo shoots with
vegetables
uiop xiānmó wāndòu
[hsyen-mor wahn-doh] stir-fried
peas with mushrooms
[]AS chăo tŭdòusī
[chow too-doh-sur] stir-fried
shredded potato
239
 DFGH chăo luóbosī [lwor-
Menu Reader: Food

bor-sur] stir-fried shredded

turnip
JKL:" bōcài chăo
jīdàn [bor-tsai — jee-dahn] stir-
fried spinach with eggs
asdfgh xīhóngshì
chăo jīdàn [hshee-hoong-shur]
stir-fried tomato with eggs

240
 Menu
Reader:
Drink
Contents

Menu Reader: Food

Essential Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Beer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Coffee, Tea etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Soft Drinks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Wine, Spirits etc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245

243
 Essential Terms
Menu Reader: Drink

~! beer píjiŭ [pee-jyoh]

@# bottle píngzi [ping-dzur]
$% coffee kāfēi [kah-fay]
^& cup bēizi [bay-dzee]
*() glass bōlibēi [bor-lee-bay]
_+ milk niúnăi [nyoh-nai]
|`12 mineral water kuàngquánshuĭr [kwahng-choo-en-shwayr]
345 orange juice xiānjúzhī [hsyen-jyew-jur]
67 rice wine míjiŭ [mee-jyoh]
890 soft drink qìshuĭr [chee-shwayr]
- sugar táng [tahng]
= tea chá [chah]
\ water shuĭ [shway]
QWE whisky wēishìjì [way-shur-jee]
RTYU jiúshuç zài wài drinks not included

IOP{}q a cup of tea/coffee, please yì bēi chá/kāfēi [bay]

wertyui another beer, please qĭng zài lái yì bēi píjiŭ
[ching dzai lai yee bay pee-jyoh]
op[]ASDF a glass of Maotai (lái) yì bēi Máotáijiŭ [yee
bay mow-tai-jyoh]

244
Beer
~! píjiŭ [pee-jyoh] beer
@#$% bīngzhèn píjiŭ
[bing-jun] iced beer
^&*( Qīngdăo píjiŭ
[ching-dow] most famous type
of Chinese beer
Coffee, Tea etc
)_ hóngchá [hoong-chah]
black tea
+|` júhuāchá [joo-hwah-
chah] chrysanthemum tea
12 kāfēi [kah-fay] coffee
34 lëchá [lyew-chah] green
tea
5678 mòli huāchá [mor-
lee hwah-chah] jasmine tea
90- wūlóngchá [woo-
loong-chah] oolong tea, famous
semi-fermented tea, half
green, half black
=\ huāchá [hwah-chah]
scented tea
QWER niúnăi kāfēi [nyoh-
nai kah-fay] white coffee,
coffee with milk
Soft Drinks
TYUI kĕkou kĕlè [kur-koh
kur-lur] Coke®
OP{ guŏzizhī [gwor-dzur-jur]
fruit juice
Menu Reader: Drink
}q bīngshuç [bing-shway]
iced water
wert Láoshān kĕlè
[low-shahn kur-lur] Chinese
variety of cola made from
Laoshan water
yuiop níngméng
qìshuçr [ning-mung chee-shwayr]
lemonade
[] niúnăi [nyoh-nai] milk
ASDF kuàngquánshuçr
[kwahng-chwahn-shwayr]
mineral water
GHJKL júzi qìshuçr
[joo-dzur chee-shwayr]
orangeade
:"a júzizhī [joo-dzur-jee]
orange juice
sdf bōluozhī [bor-lwor-jur]
pineapple juice
ghj suānméitāng [swahn-
may-tahng] sweet-sour plum
juice
Wine, Spirits etc
~!@ báilándì [bai-lahn-dee]
brandy
#$% xiāngbīnjiŭ [hsyang-
bin-jyoh] champagne
^&* báigānr [bai-gahnr]
clear spirit, distilled from
sorghum grain
() báijiŭ [bai-jyoh] clear
245
 spirit, distilled from sorghum tow-jyoh] white wine
Menu Reader: Drink
grain kl; [poo-tow-jyoh] pútaojiŭ
_+|`1 făguó báilándì wine
[fah-gwor bai-lahn-dee] cognac
23456 gān hóng
pútaojiŭ [gahn hoong poo-tow-
jyow] dry red wine
7890- gān bái pútaojiŭ
dry white wine
=\ jīnjiŭ [jin-jyoh] gin
QWE guŏzijiŭ [gwor-dzur-
jyoh] liqueur
RTY Máotáijiŭ [mow-tai-
jyoh] Maotai spirit
UIOP hóng pútaojiŭ
[hoong poo-tow-jyoh] red wine
{} huángjiŭ [hwahng-jyoh]
rice wine
qw láojiŭ [low-jyoh] rice wine
ert lángmújiŭ [lahng-moo-
jyoh] rum
yuiop[ Sūgélán
wēishìjì [soo-gur-lahn] Scotch
whisky
]AS qìshuçr [chee-shwayr]
soda water
DF qìjiŭ [chee-jyoh] sparkling
wine
GHJ wèimĕisī [way-may-sur]
vermouth
KL:" édékèjiŭ [ur-dur-kur-
jyoh] vodka
asd wēishìjì [way-shur-jur]
whisky
fghj bái pútaojiŭ [poo-

246
 How the
Language
Works
Pronunciation

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
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 long ‘a’ as in art eh ‘e’ as in bed
ai ‘i’ as in I, eye oh ‘o’ as in go, oh
ay as in hay ow as in cow
Consonants
ch as in Chinese ts as in tsar
dz like the ‘ds’ in heads y as in yes

Pronunciation / Pinyin
g 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 pronun-
ciation guide, words containing these sounds are given in
Chinese characters as well; ask a Chinese person to pronounce
them for you.

249

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
Pinyin
Initials
n
f, l, m, n, s, are all similar to English
w and y
b, d, g similar to English, but a shorter sound
p, t, k a more emphatic pronunciation as in pop, tap
and cap (more strongly pronounced than b, d
and g above)
h slightly harsher than an h in English, closer to
the ch sound in loch or Bach
j, q, x pronounced with the lips positioned as if you
were smiling:
j ‘j’ as in jeer
q ‘ch’ as in cheer
x ‘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 ‘ts’ as in tsar $

z ‘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 as in art
ai as in aisle
an as in ran, but with a longer ‘a’ as in art
ang as in hang, but with a longer ‘a’ as in art
ao ‘ow’ as in cow
250
e like the ‘e’ in the or the ‘u’ in fur

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
ei as in weight
en as in shaken
eng like ‘en’ followed by a softly spoken ‘g’
er similar to err, pronounced with the tongue
curled back so that it touches the palate
i 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
ia ‘ya’ as in yarn
ian similar to yen
iang yang (‘i’ plus ‘ang’, but with shorter ‘a’ sound)
iao ‘yow’ as in yowl
ie ‘ye’ as in yeti
in as in din
ing as in bring
iong yoong (‘i’ plus ‘ong’)
iu ‘yo’ as in yo-yo

Pinyin
o as in lore
ou like oh
ong oong (‘ung’ as in lung, with the vowel given a
longer, more rounded sound)
u as in rule; or like French une or German über
ua wah (‘wa’ plus ‘a’ as in art)
uai similar to why
uan wahn in most cases (‘w’ plus ‘an’); after ‘y’, the
second pronunciation of ‘u’ plus ‘an’
uang wahng (‘w’ plus ‘ang’)
ue the second pronunciation of ‘u’ plus ‘e’ as in bet
ui ‘wai’ as in wait
un as in fungi
uo similar to war
ü like French une or German über
üe ‘ü’ followed by ‘e’ as in bet
251

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
P i n y i n / To n e s
252
Northern Chinese
n
In Northern Chinese, the suffix r is often placed at the end of
a syllable, producing a sound reminiscent of the burr of south-
west 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
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 pro-
nounced 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, xuésheng (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 misun-
derstanding. The character ma [mah] has five meanings, dif-
ferentiated by the tones:
mā ) mother
má _ hemp
mă + horse
mà | abuse, scold
ma ` (added to the end of a sentence to turn it into a question)
To help you get a clearer idea of how the tones sound, Chinese

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
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.
First tone (¯). High, level tone, with unchanging volume, held
briefly:
gū [goo] 1 solitary
guān [gwahn] 2 look at
kāi 3 open (verb)
yān [yahn] 4 cigarette
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?’:
héng [hung] 5 balance (verb)
rén [run] 6 person
shí [shur] 7 ten
yán [yahn] 8 speech

To n e s
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:
bĕn [bun] 9 book
fă [fah] 0 law
qç [chee] - rise (verb)
yăn [yahn] = cover (verb)
Fourth tone (`). Starts high, falling abruptly in pitch and vol-
ume; shorter than the second tone:
bèn [bun] \ stupid
dà [dah] Q big
pà [pah] W fear (verb)
yàn [yahn] E wild goose

253
 The tones can be illustrated in diagram form like this:
H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

In speech, a third tone which precedes another third tone

becomes a second tone.

Abbreviations
adj adjective
pl plural
pol polite
sing singular
To n e s / A b b r e v i a t i o n s

254
General

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
The Chinese language has a number of characteristics which
are very different from European languages, the most impor-
tant 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 míngtian [ming-tyen]
(tomorrow), jīntian [jin-tyen] (today), or qùnián [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, shū can mean either ‘book’ or ‘books’ depending
on the context:

General / Nouns
wŏ măile yíbĕn shū wŏ măile liăngbĕn shū
wor mai-lur yee-bun shoo wor mai-lur lyang-bun shoo
I bought one book 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:
péngyoumen háizimen
pung-yoh-mun hai-dzur-mun
friends children
However, -men is not used for the plural when numbers are
involved as the plural is obvious from the context:
sìge péngyou
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
Articles / Adjectives
256
Articles
n
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, zázhì
(magazine) can mean ‘a magazine’ or ‘the magazine’ depending
on the context.
If you want to be more precise, you can use nèi (that) or zhèi
(this) with the appropriate measure word (see page 262).
The number yī (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 alto-
gether, leaving just the measure word:
wŏ xiăng măi yìbĕn zázhì
wor hsyang mai yee-bun dzah-jur
I am going to buy a magazine
or:
wŏ xiăng măi bĕn zázhì
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:
piányi de shū hĕn suān de sùcài
pyen-yee dur shoo hun swahn dur soo-tsai
cheap book(s) very sour vegetable dish(es)
The de is frequently omitted if the adjective is monosyllabic:
gŭ huà hăo bànfă
goo hwah how bahn-fah
ancient paintings a good method
Some nouns can be used adjectivally:

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
lìshç lìshç xiăoshuō
lee-shur lee-shur hsyow-shwor
history historical novel(s)
shùxué shùxué jiàokēshū
shoo-hsyew-eh shoo-hsyew-eh jyow-kur-shoo
mathematics maths textbook
Adjectival Verbs
Some verbs also function as adjectives and are known as adjec-
tival verbs. In sentences using an adjectival verb, the word
order is:
noun subject + hĕn + adjectival verb
The word hĕn has little meaning, unless it is stressed, when it
means ‘very’.
sùcài hĕn suān shū dōu hĕn piányi
soo-tsai hun swahn shoo doh hun pyen-yee

Adjectives
the vegetable dish is very sour the books are all cheap
Suàn means ‘to be sour’ and piányi ‘to be cheap’.

For greater emphasis, add tài to mean ‘very’, ‘really’ or

‘extremely’:
tài hăole
tai how-lur
that’s 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 hăokàn (attractive) and guì
(expensive) are used:

257

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
Adjectives
zhèige hăokàn nèige guì
n
jay-gur how-kahn nay-gur gway
this (one) is more attractive that (one) is more expensive
The above phrases can also be translated as ‘this one is attrac-
tive’ 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 com-
parison:
... diănr [dyenr] more ...
... xiē [hsyeh] a bit more ...
... yìdiănr [yee-dyenr] a bit more ...
... de duō [dur dwor] much more ...
... duōle [dwor-lur] far more ...
... gèng [gung] even more ...
zhèige guì (yi)diănr/xiē
jay-gur gway (yee-)dyenr/hsyeh
this (one) is (a bit) more expensive

zhèige guì de duō

jay-gur gway dur dwor
this (one) is much more expensive
zhèige guì duōle
jay-gur gway dwor-lur
this (one) is far more expensive
zhèige gèng guì
jay-gur gung gway
this (one) is even more expensive
To compare two nouns, the word order is:
subject + bç + object of comparison + adjectival verb
Făguó bç Zhōngguó xiăo
fah-gwor bee joong-gwor hsyow
France is smaller than China
258
 qùnián bç jīnnián rè

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
chew-nyen bee jin-nyen rur
last year was hotter than this year
zhèige bç nèige gèng mĕilì
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 zuì before the
adjective or adjectival verb:
zuì guì de zìxíngchē zhèige fàndiàn zuì dà
dzway gway dur dzur-hsing-chur jay-gur fahn-dyen dzway dah
the most expensive bicycle this hotel is the largest

Adverbs
Adverbs usually have the same form as adjectives, but are
sometimes repeated for emphasis (mànmàn below):

Adjectives / Adverbs
tā mànmàn de kànle nçde xìn
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:
nç dàshēng de gēn tā shuō 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:
tāmen qçde hén wăn tā zúqiu tīde hén hăo
tah-mun chee-dur hun wahn tah dzoo-chyew tee-dur hun how
they got up late he plays football well

259
 Pronouns
H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n

Personal Pronouns
wŏ [wor] I; me
nç [nee] you (sing)
nín [nin] you (sing, pol)
tā [tah] he; him; she; her; it
wŏmen [wor-mun]
we; us
nçmen [nee-mun]
you (pl)
tāmen [tah-mun] they; them
There are no different forms for subject and object in Chinese:
wŏ rènshi tā tā rènshi wŏ
wor run-shur tah tah runshur wor
I know him/her he/she knows me
zhèi shì géi nç de
jay shur gay nee dur
this is for you
Tà can also mean ‘it’, though this is not a common usage.
Pronouns

Generally, there is no need to refer to ‘it’ in a sentence as the

context usually makes it clear:
shū hĕn wúqù – wŏ bù xçhuan
shoo hun woo-choo – wor boo hshee-hwahn
the book is boring – I don’t like it
wŏ xçhuan nèibĕn shū – hén yŏu yìsi
wor hshee-hwahn nay-bun shoo – hun yoh yee-sur
I like that book – it’s very interesting
Like tà, tàmen referring to inanimate things is rarely used.
Demonstrative Pronouns
zhè [jur] this nà [nah] that
zhè búshì tāde nà tèbié hăo
jur boo-shur tah-dur nah tur-byeh how
this is not his that’s awfully good
260
In order to translate ‘this one’ or ‘that one’ as the object of a

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
sentence, a measure word (see page 262) must be added:
wŏ xçhuan zhèige/nèige
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:
wŏde [wor-dur] my; mine
nçde [nee-dur] your; yours (sing)
nínde [nin-dur] your; yours (sing, pol)
tāde [tah-dur] his; her; hers; its
wŏmende [wor-mun-dur] our; ours
nçmende [nee-mun-dur] your; yours (pl)
tāmende [tah-mun-dur] their; theirs
wŏde zhuōzi tāde péngyou

Pronouns / Possessives
wor-dur jwor-dzur tah-dur pung-yoh
my table his/her friend
tāmende péngyou zhè shì nçde
tah-mun-dur pung-yoh jur shur nee-dur
their friend this is yours
De equates to ‘of ’ or apostrophe ‘s’ in English. De phrases
always precede the noun to be described:
Shànghăi de fēngjçng qiūtian de tiānqi
shahng-hai dur fung-jing chyew-tyen dur tyen-chee
the scenery of Shanghai autumn weather
wŏ qīzi de yīxiāng
wor chee-dzur dur yee-hsyang
my wife’s suitcase

261

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
Possessives / Measure Words
262
If a relationship or possession is obvious from the context, it
n
is common to omit de:
wŏ àiren tā jiā wŏ péngyou
wor ai-run tah jyah wor pung-yoh
my wife his/her home my friend
wŏ măile chēpiào le
wor mai-lur chur-pyow lur
I’ve 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:
tā jì de xìn wŏ kàn de shū
tah jee dur hsin wor kahn dur shoo
the letter which he sent the book(s) (which/that) I read
zuótian kàn de nèibù diànyçng
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 demonstra-
tives and numerals. The demonstrative adjective is usually
formed with the demonstrative nèi (that) or zhèi (this) fol-
lowed 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:
 gōngjīn mç píng

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
goong-jin mee ping
kilogram metre bottle
sāngōngjīn lí sānmç miánbù
sahng-goong-jin lee sahn-mee myen-boo
three kilos of pears three metres of cotton
nèipíng píjiŭ
nay-ping pee-yoh
that bottle of beer
The most common measure words are:
bă [bah] chairs, knives, teapots, tools or implements
with handles, stems, bunches of flowers
bēi [bay] cups, glasses
bĕn [bun] books, magazines
fēng [fun] letters
ge [gur] general measure word
jiàn [jyen] things, affairs, shirts etc
kē [kur] trees

Measure Words
kuài [kwai] lumps, pieces
liàng [lyang] vehicles
pán [pahn] round objects
suŏ [swor] buildings
tiáo [tyow] fish and various long narrow things
wèi [way] polite measure word used for gentlemen,
ladies, guests etc
zhāng [jahng] tables, beds, tickets, sheets of paper
zhī [jur] hands, birds, suitcases, boats
zhèibĕn shū nèijiàn lçwù
jay-bun shoo nay-jyen lee-woo
this book that present
nèikē shù zhèiliàng zìxíngchē
nay-kur shoo jay-lyang dzur-hsing-chur
that tree this bicycle

263

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
Measure Words
nèisuŏ yīyuàn sāntiáo chuán
n
nay-swor yee-ywahn sahn-tyow chwahn
that hospital three boats
nèiwèi láibīn sānzhāng piào
nay-way lai-bin sahn-jahng pyow
that guest three tickets
The most common of all measure words is ge:
zhèige shāngdiàn nèige zhĕntou
ay-gur shang-dyen nay-gur jun-toh
this shop that pillow
When the correct measure word is not known, the best solu-
tion 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:
wŏ xçhuan nèige zhèibēi chá hĕn hăohē

wor hshee-hwahn nay-gur jay-bay chah hun how-hur

I like that (one) this is a lovely cup of tea
zhèiwèi shì ...
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:
sìkē shù sānshíwŭbĕn shū sìshíge rén
sur-kur shoo sahn-shur-woo-bun shoo sur-shur-gur run
four trees thirty-five books forty people
See page 282 for the use of liăng (two) with measure words.
Similarly, when ordinal numbers are linked with a noun, it is
264
necessary to include a measure word:

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
dìsānsuŏ fángzi dìsìtiáo lù
dee-sahn-swor fahng-dzur dee-sur-tyow loo
the third house the fourth road
Demonstratives and Numbers
If a demonstrative and a number are used together in a sen-
tence, the word order is:
demonstrative + number + measure word + noun
nèi sānbĕn shū zhèi bāwèi láibīn nèi liùge
nay sahn-bun shoo jay bah-way lai-bin nay lyoh-gur
those three books these eight guests those six

Verbs
There is no change in Chinese verbs for first, second or third
person subjects, both singular and plural:

M e a s u re Wo rd s / Ve r b s
wŏ zŏu tā zŏu
wor dzoh tah dzoh
I walk, I am walking he/she walks, he/she is walking
tāmen zŏu
tah-mun dzoh
they walk, they are walking
Chinese verbs also have no tenses:
wŏ míngtian zŏu
wor ming-tyen dzoh
I will go for a walk tomorrow
wŏ zuótian zŏu de shíhou, tiānqi hĕn hăo
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
Ve r b s
The future and past are indicated in the above sentences by
n
the time words míngtian (tomorrow) and zuótian (yesterday),
while the form of the verb zŏu does not change.
The meaning of verbs is also influenced by a number of suf-
fixes and sentence particles (see pages 268 and 270).
A verb used by itself usually implies either a habitual action:
Zhōngguórén chī mçfàn
joong-gwor-run chur mee-fahn
Chinese people eat rice
or an imminent action:
nç qù năr?
nee chew nar
where are you going?
To Be
The verb ‘to be’, when followed by a noun, is shì, which cor-
responds to all the forms of the verb ‘to be’ in English (‘am’,

‘are’, ‘is’, ‘were’ etc):

tā shì wŏde péngyou zhè shì shénme?
tah shur wor-dur pung-yoh jur shur shun-mur
she is my friend what is this?
tāmen shì xuésheng
tah-mun shur hway-shung
they are students
The verb shì is not required when adjectival verbs are used
(see page 257).
The preposition zài (in, at) is used as a verb to convey the
meaning of ‘to be in or at’ a particular place (see page 274).

266
Negatives

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
To form a negative sentence, use the word bù (not); when
bù precedes a word with a fourth tone, the tone changes to a
second tone (bú):
wŏ búyào nèibĕn shū tā bú qù
wor boo-yow nay-bun shoo tah boo chew
I do not want that book he’s not going
nà wŏ bù zhīdao
nah wor boo jur-dow
I didn’t know that
Bù is also the negative used with adjectives/adjectival verbs:

bùmăn fángzi bú dà
boo-mahn fahng-dzur boo dah
dissatisfied, discontented the building isn’t big
With the verb yŏu (to have), méi is used as a negative rather
than bù:

Ve r b s
tā yŏu kòng wŏ méiyŏu kòng
tah yoh koong wor may-yoh koong
he/she has time I don’t have time
Méi can also be used on its own to mean ‘have not’:

wŏ méishìr
wor may-shur
I have nothing to do
Yŏu also means ‘there is/are’:

shāngdiànli méiyŏu niúnăi méiyŏu bànfă

shahng-dyen-lee may-yoh nyoh-nai may-yoh bahn-fah
there’s no milk in the shop there’s nothing to be done,
there’s nothing you can do
about it

267
 yŏu rén
H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
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 com-
pleted:

wŏ măile sānge píngguŏ tā yçjing líkāile

wor mai-lur sahn-gur ping-gwor tah yee-jing lee-kai-lur
I bought three apples he/she has left already
wŏ zài nàr zhùle jiŭnián
wor dzai nar joo-lur jyoh-nyen
I lived there for nine years

hēwánle chá wŏ jiù kàn diànshì

Ve r b s

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 méi or méi yŏu is placed before the verb and -le is omit-
ted:

wŏ méi(yŏu) kàn diànshì tā méi(yŏu) líkāi

wor may(-yoh) kahn dyen-shur tah may(-yoh) lee-kai
I didn’t watch television he hasn’t left
Continuous or prolonged action is expressed by the suffix
-zhe:

268
 tā chōuzhe yān tā zài shāfāshang zuòzhe

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
tah choh-jur yahn 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:
tā hēzhe chá kàn shū
tah hur-jur chah kahn shoo
he read a book while drinking tea
When the -zhe suffix is used, méi is placed before the verb to
form the negative:
tā méi chuānzhe zhōngshānzhuāng
tah may chwahn-jur joong-shahn-jwahng
he/she isn’t 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 wasn’t wearing a Mao suit’.
Another way of indicating continuous action is to place the
word zài in front of the verb:

Ve r b s
tā zài chōuyān nç zài kàn shénme?
tah dzai choh-yahn nee dzai kahn shun-mur
he is smoking what are you reading?
The suffix -guo is used to indicate a past experience:
wŏ qùguo Zhōngguó wŏ kànguo nèibĕn shū
wor chew-gwor joong-gwor wor kahng-gwor nay-bun shoo
I have been to China I have read that book
When the suffix -guo is used, méi is placed before the verb to
form the negative:
wŏ méi qùguo Shànghăi tā méi hēguo Yìndù chá
wor may chew-gwor shahng-hai tah may hur-gwor yin-doo chah
I have never been to he’s/she’s 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
Sentence Particles
270
Sentence Particles
n
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:
tā măi bàozhç qù le
tah mai bow-jur chew lur
he/she has gone to buy a paper
wŏ zài Lúndūn zhùle liùnián le
wor dzai lun-dun joo-lur lyoh-nyen lur
I have been living in London for six years
gūafēng le wŏ xiànzai bú è le
gwah-fung lur wor hsyahn-dzai boo ur lur
it’s windy (now) I’m not hungry any more
píngguŏ dōu huài le wŏmen zŏu le
ping-gwor doh hway lur wor-mun dzoh lur
the apples have all gone bad we are leaving (now)
The particle ne adds emphasis to what is said:
tā hái méi líkāi ne
tah hai may lee-kai nur
he still hasn’t gone
zuò chángtú qìchē kĕ bù fāngbiàn ne
dzwor chahng-too chee-chur kur boo fahng-byen nur
(but) it’s so inconvenient to go by bus
nç zuò shénme 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 ...?’:
 zhèishuāng xié tài guì – nèishuāng ne?

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
jay-shwahng hsyeh tai gway – nay-shwahng nur
this pair of shoes is too expensive – what about that pair?
The particle ba indicates a suggestion:
zŏu ba! ní kăolë yíxià ba
dzoh bah nee kow-lyew yee-syah bah
let’s go! think about it, consider it
It can also mean ‘I suggest’ or ‘I suppose’:
nç shì lăo Zhāng ba?
nee shur low jahng bah
I suppose you must be old Zhang?
nçmen dōu hĕn lèi ba?
nee-mun doh hun lay bah
you are all very tired, aren’t you?

Questions

Sentence Particles / Questions

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:
tā shì Rìbĕrén ma? nç măi zhèifèn bàozhç ma?
tah shur ree-bur-run mah nee mai jay-fun bow-jur mah
is he/she Japanese? are you buying this newspaper?
nç è ma? nç qùguo Bĕijīng ma?
nee ur mah nee choo-gwor bay-jing mah
are you hungry? have you ever been to Beijing?
ní yŏu háizi ma?
nee yoh hai-dzur mah
do you have any children?

271

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
Questions
Alternatively, the verb is repeated along with the negative bù
n
or méi:
tāmen shì búshì Yīngguórén? jīntian rè bú rè?
tah-mun shur boo-shur ying-gwor-run jin-tyen rur boo rur
are they British? is it hot today?
nç è bú è? tā chīguo Zhōngcān méiyŏu?
nee ur boo ur tah chur-gwor joong-tsahn may-yoh
are you hungry? has he/she ever eaten
Chinese food?
ní yŏu méiyou háizi?
nee yoh may-yoh hai-dzur
do you have any children?
Shéi (who?) and shénme (what?) are the main interrogative
pronouns. Interrogative pronouns are placed in the same posi-
tion in the sentence as the noun in the answer that is implied:
tā shì shéi? tā shì wŏ péngyou
tah shur shay tah shur wor pung-yoh
who is he? he’s my friend

shéi fù qián? tā fùqián

shay foo chyen tah foo-chyen
who is going to pay? he is going to pay
ní măi shénme? wó măi yìjié diànchí
nee mai shun-mur wor mai yee-jyeh dyen-chur
what are you going to buy? I’m going to buy a battery
The other common interrogatives are:
năr/năli? [nar/nah-lee] where?
duōshăo? [dwor-show] how many?, how much?
nèi? [nay] which?
shéide? [shay-dur] whose?
zĕnme? [dzun-mur] how?
wèishénme? [way-shun-mur] why?

272
 shāngdiàn zài năr? duōshăo qián?

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
shahng-dyen dzai nar dwor-show chyen
where is the shop? how much is that?
nĕige fàndiàn zuì guì? nç xçhuan nĕige?
nay-gur fahn-dyen dzway gway nee hshee-hwahn nay-gur
which hotel is most expensive? which one would you like?
zhè shì shéide? nç shì zĕnme láide?
jur shur shay-dur nee shur dzun-mur lai-dur
whose is this? how did you get here?
tāmen wèishénme bú shàng huŏchē?
tah-mun way-shun-mur goo shahng hwor-chur
why aren’t they getting on the train?
Háishi (or) is used in questions posing alternatives:
nç xiăng măi zhèige háishi nèige?
nee hsyahng mai jay-gur hai-shur nay-gur
do you wish to buy this one or that one?

Questions / Prepositions
Prepositions
Some common prepositions are:
cóng [tsoong] from
dào [dow] to
duì [dway] towards, with regard to
gĕi [gay] for
gēn [gun] with
lí [lee] from/to (in expressions of distance)
wèile [way-lur] because of
yòng [yoong] with, by means of,
zài [dzai] in, at (see page 274)
wŏmen míngtian dào Shànghăi qù
wor-mun ming-tyen dow shahng-hai chew
we’re going to Shanghai tomorrow

273

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
Prepositions
cóng sāndiănbàn dào sìdiăn
n
tsoong sahn-dyen-bahn dow sur-dyen
from three thirty to four o’clock
Yīngguó lí Făguó bù yuăn
ying-gwor lee fah-gwor boo ywahn
Britain is not far from France
wŏmen shì zuò chuán láide
wor-mun shur dzwor chwahn lai-dur
we came by boat
wŏ géi ní măile yìxiē píngguŏ
wor gay nee mai-lur yee-hsyeh ping-gwor
I’ve bought some apples for you
qçng gēn wŏ lái
ching gun wor lai
please come with me
tā wèi tā háizi hĕn zháojí
tah way tah hai-dzur hun jow-jee

she was very worried about her child

Zài (in, at) is also used as a verb meaning ‘to be in/at’:

tā zài năr? tāmen zài Shànghăi

tah dzai nar tah-mun dzai shahng-hai
where is he/she? they are in Shanghai
zhuōzi zài wàibiānr wŏ zài Shànghăi méiyŏu qīnqī
jwor-dzur zai wai-byenr wor dzai shahng-hai may-yoh ching-chee
the table is outside I don’t 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 zài.
The most important are:

274
 lç [lee] inside, in

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
shàng [shahng] above, on
wài [wai] outside
xià [hsyah] below
zhōng [joong] in the middle, between
nçde bàozhç zài dàizili
nee-dur bow-jur dzai dai-dzur-lee
your newspaper is in your bag
chéngwài yŏu fējīchăng
chung-wai yoh fur-jee-chahng
there’s an airport outside the town
nçde zhàoxiàngjī zài chuángshàng
nee-dur jow-hsyahng-jee dzai chwahng-shahng
your camera is on the bed
nçde yīxiāng zài chuángxià
nee-dur yee-hsyahng dzai chwahng-hsyah
your suitcase is under the bed

P r e p o s i t i o n s / Ye s a n d N o
zài shānlç
dzai shahn-lee
in the mountains

Yes and No
Chinese has no standard words for ‘yes’ and ‘no’, but you can
often use shì(de) (yes, it is the case), duìle (yes, that’s right) and
bú shì (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 bù or méi as required:
nç yŏu kòng ma? yŏu méi yŏu
nee yoh koong mah yoh may yoh
do you have any free time? yes no
275

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
tā shì xuésheng ma? shì bú shì
n
tah shur hsyeh-shung mah shur boo shur
is he a student? yes no
nç qùguo Chángchéng méi yŏu?
nee chew-gwor chahng-chung may yoh
have you been to see the Great Wall?
qùguo méi yŏu/méi qùguo
chew-gwor may yoh/may chew-gwor
yes no

Imperatives
To make an imperative in Chinese, pronounce the verb in an
emphatic way:
zhànzhù! gŭnchūqu!
jahn-joo gun-choo-chew
stop! 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 qçng (please) or
followed by ba (see page 271) to make the command sound
more polite:
qçng zuò ba
ching dzwor bah
please sit down
Negative imperatives are formed using either bié or bú yào
(don’t):
bié zŏule bú yào zài shūo
byeh dzoh-lur boo yow dzai shwor
don’t go say no more

276
Dates

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
Dates in Chinese are written in the following order:
year + month + number
To write the year, place the relevant numbers in front of nián
(year); this is followed by the month and then the number of
the day plus hào:
RTYU IOP{}
jiŭyuè yīhào shíèryuè èrhào
jyoh-yew-eh yee-how shur-er-yew-eh er-how
the first of September the second of December
qwert @~~^p[]ASDF
wŭyuè sānshíhào èrlínglínglìu nián wŭyuè sānshíyīhào
woo-yew-eh sahn-shur-how ur-ling-ling-lyoh nyen woo-yew-eh
the thirtieth of May sahn-shur-yee-how
the thirty-first of May, 2006
GHJKL

Dates / Days
yījiŭ sìèr nián
yee-jyoh sur-er nyen
1942

Days
Sunday xīngqītiān [hsing-chee-tyen] :"a
Monday xīngqīyī [hsing-chee-yee] sdf
Tuesday xīngqīèr [hsing-chee-er] ghj
Wednesday xīngqīsān [hsing-chee-sahn] kl;
Thursday xīngqīsì [hsing-chee-sur] 'ZX
Friday xīngqīwŭ [hsing-chee-woo] CVB
Saturday xīngqīliù [hsing-chee-lyoh] NM<

277

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
Months
n
January yīyuè [yee-yew-eh] ~!
February èryuè [er-yew-eh] @#
March sānyuè [sahn-yew-eh] $%
April sìyuè [sur-yew-eh] ^&
May wŭyuè [woo-yew-eh] *(
June liùyuè [lyoh-yew-eh] )_
July qīyuè [chee-yew-eh] +|
August bāyuè [bah-yew-eh] `1
September jiŭyuè [jyoh-yew-eh] 23
October shíyuè [shur-yew-eh] 45
November shíyīyuè [shur-yee-yew-eh] 678
December shíèryuè [shur-er-yew-eh] 90-

Time
When telling the time, the word diān is added to the number
to indicate the hours. Zhōng (clock) is optional and is placed
at the end of most time expressions. The word fēn (minutes) is
Months / Time

added to the number of minutes.

what time is it? jĭdiăn le? [jee-dyen lur] =\QW
o’clock diăn zhōng [dyen joong] ER
one o’clock yìīdiăn (zhōng) [yee-dyen] TYUIO
two o’clock liăngdiăn (zhōng) [lyang-dyen] P{}qw
at one o’clock yìdiăn (zhōng) [yee-dyen] ertyu
it’s one o’clock yìdiăn (zhōng) iop[]
it’s two o’clock liăngdiăn (zhōng) [lyang-dyen] ASDFG
it’s ten o’clock shídiăn (zhōng) [shur-dyen] HJKL:
five past one yìdiăn wŭfēn [yee-dyen woo-fun] "asd
ten past two liăngdiăn shífēn [lyang-dyen shur-fun] fghj
quarter past one yìdiăn yíkè [yee-dyen yee-kur] kl;'
quarter past two liăngdiăn yíkè [lyang-dyen yee-kur] ZXCV
half past two liăngdiăn bàn [bahn] ~!@
half past ten shídiăn bàn [shur-dyen] #$%

278
twenty to one yìdiăn chà èrshí [yee-dyen chah er-shur] ^&*()

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
twenty to ten shídiăn chà èrshí [shur-dyen] _+|`1
quarter to one yìdiăn chà yíkè [yee-dyen chah yee-kur] 34567
quarter to two liăngdiăn chà yíkè [lyang-dyen] 890-=
a.m. (early morning up to about 9) zăoshang [dzow-shahng] \Q
(from about 9 till noon) shàngwŭ WE
p.m. (afternoon) xiàwŭ [hsyah-woo] RT
(evening) wănshang [wahn-shahng] YU
(night) yèli [yur-lee] IO
2 a.m. língchén liăngdiăn [ling-chun lyang-dyen] ty}q
2 p.m. (14.00) xiàwŭ liăngdiăn [hsyah-woo] wert
6 a.m. zăoshang liùdiăn [dzow-shahng lyoh-dyen] yuio
6 p.m. (18.00) wănshang liùdiăn [wahn-shahng] p[]A
10 a.m. shàngwŭ shídiăn [shahng-woo shur-dyen] SDFG
10 p.m. wănshang shídiăn [wahn-shahng] HJKL
noon zhōngwŭ [joong-woo] :"
midnight bànyè [bahn-yur] as
hour xiăoshí [hsyow-shur] df
minute fēn [fun] g

Time / Numbers
two minutes liăng fēnzhōng [lyang fun-joong] hjk
second miăo [myow] l
quarter of an hour yí kèzhōng [kur-joong] ;'Z
half an hour bàn xiăoshí [bahn hsyow-shur] XCV
three quarters of an hour sān kèzhōng [sahn kur-joong] BNM
nearly three o’clock kuài sān diăn le [kwai sahn dyen lur] <>?z

Numbers
See Measure Words on page 262.
0 líng ~
1 yī [yee] !
2 èr, liăng [lyang] @
3 sān [sahn] #
4 sì [sur] $
5 wŭ %
279

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
Numbers
6 liù [lyoh] ^
n
7 qī [chee] &
8 bā [bah] *
9 jiŭ [jyoh] (
10 shí [shur] )
11 shíyī [shur-yee] _+
12 shíèr [shur-er] |`
13 shísān [shur-sahn] 12
14 shísì [shur-sur] 34
15 shíwŭ [shur-woo] 56
16 shíliù [shur-lyoh] 78
17 shíqī [shur-chee] 90
18 shíbā [shur-bah] -=
19 shíjiŭ [shur-jyoh] \Q
20 èrshí [er-shur] WE
21 èrshíyí [er-shur-yee] RTY
22 èrshíèr [er-shur-er] UIO
30 sānshí [sahn-shur] P{
31 sānshíyī [sahn-shur-yee] }qw

32 sānshíèr [sahn-shur-er] ert

40 sìshí [sur-shur] yu
50 wŭshí [woo-shur] io
60 liùshí [lyoh-shur] p[
70 qīshí [chee-shur] ]A
80 bāshí [bah-shur] SD
90 jiŭshí [jyoh-shur] FG
100 yìbăi ~!
101 yìbăi líng yī @#$%
102 yìbăi líng èr ^&*(
110 yìbăi yìshí [yee-shur] )_+|
111 yìbăi yīshíyī [shur-yee] `1234
200 èrbăi 56
201 èrbăi líng yī 7890
202 èrbăi líng èr -=\Q
210 èrbăi yīshí [yee-shur] WERT

280
300 sānbăi [sahn-bai] YU

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
1,000 yìqiān [yee-chyen] IO
2,000 liăngqiān [lyang-chyen] P{
3,000 sān qiān [sahn chyen] }q
4,000 sìqiān [sur-chyen] we
5,000 wŭqiān [woo-chyen] rt
10,000 yíwàn [yee-wahn] yu
50,000 wŭwàn io
100,000 shíwàn [shur-wahn] p[
1,000,000 băiwàn ]A
10,000,000 qīanwàn [chyen-wahn] SD
100,000,000 yí yì FG
When counting ‘one, two, three’ and so on, yī (one) is writ-
ten and said with the first tone. In other situations, the fourth
tone is used:
yī, èr, sān yìtiáo yú yìkē shū
yee er sahn yee-tyow yoo yee-kur shoo
one, two, three a fish a tree

Numbers
The exception to the above is if yì is followed by a fourth tone,
in which case it changes to second tone:
yíjiàn dōngxi
yee-jyen doong-hshee
an object

In number sequences yāo is used for ‘one’ instead of yī, as in

the two examples below:
sān-èr-wŭ-yāo-bā yāoyāojiŭ
sahn-er-woo-yow-bah yow-yow-jyoh
32518 number one hundred and nineteen
(phone number) (room number)
There are two words for two in Chinese: èr and liăng. Èr 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
Numbers
yī, èr, sān ... èr hào èr lù chē
n
yee er sahn er how er loo chur
one, two three ... number two number two bus
(room, house etc)
Èr also occurs in compound numbers:
sānshí’èr [sahn-shur-er] thirty-two
Liăng is similar to ‘a couple’ in English and is used with meas-
ure words (see page 262):
liăngwèi péngyou liăngsuŏ fángzi
lyang-way pung-yoh lyang-swor fahng-dzur
two friends two buildings
The numbers 11-19 are made up of shí (ten) followed by the
numbers yī (one) to jiŭ (nine):
shíyī eleven
shí’èr twelve
shísān thirteen
Multiples of ten are formed by adding the numbers two to

nine to shí (ten):

èrshí twenty
sānshí thirty
sìshí forty
The numbers 21 to 29, 31-39 etc are formed by adding one to
nine to the above numbers èrshí, sānshí and so on:
èrshíyī twenty-one
sìshíqī forty-seven
bāshíwŭ eighty-five
A similar pattern is used with băi (hundred), qiān (thousand)
and wàn (ten thousand):
sìbăi sìbăi jiŭshí
sur-bai sur-bai jyoh-shur
four hundred four hundred and ninety

282
 bābăi sìshí liù jiŭqiān sìbăi qīshí

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S n
bah-bai sur-shur lyoh jyoh-chyen sur-bai chee-shur
eight hundred and forty-six nine thousand four hundred
and seventy
qīwàn sìqiān bābăi
chee-wahn sur-chyen bah-bai
seventy-four thousand eight
hundred
For numbers in the thousands and millions, shí, băi, qiān and
wàn are added to wàn:
shíwàn băiwàn
shur-wahn bai-wahn
a hundred thousand a million
qiānwàn yí yì
chyah-wahn a hundred million
ten million
Líng (zero) is used when there are zeros in the middle of a
number sequence:

Numbers
yìbăi líng sān yìqiān líng sān
yee-bai ling sahn yee-chyen ling sahn
one hundred and three one thousand and three
yìqiān líng bāshí
yee-chyen ling bah-shur
one thousand and eighty

Ordinals
1st dì yī HJ
2nd dì èr KL
3rd dì sān [sahn] :"
4th dì sì [sur] as
5th dì wŭ df
6th dì liù [lyoh] gh
7th dì qī [chee] jk
8th dì bā l;
9th dì jiŭ [jyoh] 'Z
10th dì shí [shur] XC

283

H O W T H E L A N G U A G E W O R K S
Conversion Tables
n
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 1 2 3 4 5 10 20 30 40 50 100
miles 0.6 1.2 1.9 2.5 3.1 6.2 12.4 18.6 24.8 31.0 62.1

miles 1 2 3 4 5 10 20 30 40 50 100
km 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

g 100 250 500 1 oz = 28.35 g
oz 3.5 8.75 17.5 1 lb = 0.45 kg

kg 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
lb 1.1 2.2 4.4 6.6 8.8 11.0 13.2 15.4 17.6 19.8 22.0
C o n v e r s i o n Ta b l e s

kg 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
lb 44 66 88 110 132 154 176 198 220

lb 0.5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 20
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 litre = 1.75 UK pints / 2.13 US pints

1 UK pint = 0.57 l 1 UK gallon = 4.55 l
1 US pint = 0.47 l 1 US gallon = 3.79 l
centigrade / Celsius °C = (°F - 32) x 5/9
°C -5 0 5 10 15 18 20 25 30 36.8 38
°F 23 32 41 50 59 64 68 77 86 98.4 100.4

Fahrenheit °F = (°C x 9/5) + 32

°F 23 32 40 50 60 65 70 80 85 98.4 101
°C -5 0 4 10 16 18 21 27 29 36.8 38.3

284
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I S B N 978-1-84353-635-2
781843 536352

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