Chinese phrases with transcription and translation. Basic forms of greeting (translated by Nihao)

Chinese from scratch: the most compact phrasebook

The Chinese language is incredibly complex, and the Chinese agree. In their country great amount dialects. A southern Chinese can compete with a northern Chinese in the pronunciation of the same word. But every self-respecting citizen of the PRC knows Putonghua, the national Chinese language. If you master at least a dozen of his words and phrases, you will be understood in any corner of China. Oh, and don't forget to learn to count to 10.

Politeness is the basis of dialogue with Asians. There is an optimal set of phrases for its expression. He will build bridges of understanding in a foreign land. We read and remember:

Hello! 你好 No hao!

Goodbye! 再见 Zai chien!

Welcome! 欢迎 Huanying!

Please! 请 Tsin!

Thank you! 谢谢 Behold!

Yes! 是 Shi!

Not! 不 Boo!

How are you? 你 吃饭 了 吗? Ni chi fan le ma.
Literally, such a chain of Chinese characters translates as “Have you eaten?”, But it can also mean “How are you?” or "What's going on?"

It is for you! 我 敬 你! In jing ni. This phrase can be heard during a toast at dinner. Its meaning is similar to "Hurrah".

I appreciate your hard work! 你辛苦了! Ni xin ku le.
The Chinese say such words when they have been rendered a service or helped.

Excuse me! 多多包涵! Do do bao han!
Everything is clear here. In Russian, the phrase "I'm sorry" will be synonymous.

You are incredible! 你真牛! Ni Zhen Niu!
The character 牛 means "cow" in Chinese. It is not entirely clear why to use such a comparison when you want to praise someone. But that's how Chinese works.

Please take a photo of us. 请给我们拍一照. Tsing gei women phai and jao.

Please repeat what you said. 请您再说一遍. Tsin nin zai shuo and beep.

Where can I buy a phone card? 在哪儿可以买到电话卡？ Zainar khei maidao dienhua kha?

Tell me, please, what time is it? 请问，现在几点了？ Tsingwen, xienzai jidien le?

Let's go eat together! I treat! 起吃饭，我请客! And qi chi fan, wo qing ke! Keep in mind, you should not refuse a Chinese lunch together. For them, this is an important ritual and a way to establish personal and business relationships.

Please tell me how to get through? 请问，到 怎么走? Tsing wen, dao zenme zu?

Tell me, please, where is the toilet? 请问，厕所在哪里？ Tsing wen, zhesuo zai nali?

Where? Where? 哪里哪里?Nali, Nali?
A rhetorical question used in China as a polite answer. For example, when they say "thank you", say "nali, nali" afterwards. Believe me, this will impress the Chinese.

What's the price? 多少钱？ Tuo shao tsieng?

Please count me! 买单! May tribute!

I love you. 我爱你 Oh no.

I love you too. 我也爱你 In e ai no.

Bonus! Numbers in Chinese

1 一 And
2 二 ER
3 三 SAN
4 四 SY
5 五 At
6 六 LIU
7七 TSI
8 八 BA
9 九 JIU
10 十 SHI
11 十一 SHI I
12 十二 SHI ER
20 二十 ER SHI
30 三十 San Shi
40 四十 SYSHI
50 五十 EARS
100 一百 AND BY
200 二百 ER BY
1000 一千 and tsien
10,000 一万 I WAN
1,000,000 一百万 AND BAI WAN

The bare minimum of polite Chinese is in front of your eyes. Master it in advance and at first you will definitely not be lost in the Middle Kingdom.

The Chinese language is recognized as one of the most difficult to learn in the world. His characteristic features are atypical pronunciation, difficult spelling and the presence of a large number of dialects. The knowledge of most of our compatriots ends with an elementary translation of the word "Nihao" (Hello). Despite all the complexity, this language is native to a huge number of people. The Russian-Chinese phrase book will definitely help travelers who decide to visit China. In it you will find a list important words and offers that will be needed for any occasion of life.

Russian-Chinese phrasebook with transcription

Exists a large number of pronunciation rules for Chinese syllables. Transcription (transmission of elements of speech in writing) will provide an opportunity for Russian-speaking men and women to pronounce unfamiliar sentences with high quality. Thus, it is possible to achieve maximum clarity and intelligibility of the words, the translation of which you will pronounce.

How to find a hotel, using what phrases?

Most tourists visiting the Celestial Empire are faced with the problem of finding a hotel. It is real to find the desired hotel by using a couple of simple sentences. Try to use the following algorithm of actions:

1. Find out if the interlocutor speaks English. To do this, it is enough to pronounce 你会说英语吗？ Ni hui sho yinyu ma?.
2. In case of refusal, try to find out the necessary details already in Chinese. To do this, say the translation of the following phrase: "Tell me how to get to the house located at this address." In the original, it sounds like this: 告诉我怎么去屋坐落在这个地址. Guo su wo zhen me gu wu zhuo luo zhai same gedi zhi.
3. It is recommended to show the interlocutor a map, where he will depict an approximate route.

If the tourist is in close proximity to the hotel, but cannot find its facade, then you should ask the interlocutor to help you find the entrance to the hotel. To do this, just say: 告诉我在哪里可以找到的酒店? .Gaosu wo zai nai keui zhaodao dejuidein. The traveler will be prompted to the desired route.

Note! The lion's share of the Chinese population knows very little English language. Your spoken Chinese may not be perfect, try to pronounce the words slowly and clearly. Pre-work on pronunciation using transcription. Constantly practice, because only daily lessons will help develop skills.

Common phrases

An ordinary dictionary will help to communicate with the Chinese. Pay attention to basic phrases. The most famous expression in Chinese is Nihao! (an analogue of the Russian "Hello"). For forgiveness, they say Zaijien. The word Sese means gratitude, and Bukhetsy means "Please." Also very often, Chinese people use the following phrases:

• Welcome. — Huanying.
• Please - Tsin.
• Yes Shi.
• No - Boo.
• I'm sorry - Duibutsi.
• No big deal, Meiguanxi.
• Thank you for your attention - Xie Xie Ning De Guanzhu.
• I don't understand - Wo bu mingbai.
• Have a good trip - I lu phing an.
• Good night Wan An.
• I love you - Wow.
• I love you too - Wow.

Most tourists like to be photographed against the backdrop. beautiful buildings and buildings. Locals will be able to take a picture of the traveler without any problems, just ask for it with the help of the phrase “Tsing gei women phai and jao”.

Phrases at the airport

The easiest way to visit China is by using the services of air carriers. Certain problems may arise at the airport, in the lion's share of cases a phrase book will come to the rescue again. When returning home, find the international departure hall as quickly as possible. Make it real by using the phrase "Tsingwen, guoji chhufashi zai nali?".

Saying “Tsingwen, guonei chhufashi zai nali?”, you will ask to see the nearest luggage storage. Translation of the expression “Zai feijichang you meiyou jishi xiuxi shi? Zai Nali? in Russian it sounds like “Is there a lounge at the airport? Where can I find her?"

Good to know! It is important for travelers not to miss check-in for their own flight. Finding the right counter at an unfamiliar airport can be very difficult. To do this, try to say the following: “Zhege hanban zai nali denji?”.

Transport

Only a few taxi drivers in China understand spoken English. When getting into the car, you should say “Tsin ba wo sundao zheli”, while simultaneously showing the desired address name or point on the map. The Russian translation of the phrase is very simple, it sounds like "Take me here." Asking to open the trunk is real, using the expression "Tsin dakhai sinli chan ba".

It is also useful for a tourist to be able to learn the following information in Chinese:

• The fare is “Tsin dakhai sinli chan bai?”.
• The location of the nearest bus stop is "Fujin de gongjiaochhezhan zai nar?".
• The name of the next station is “Xia and zhan shi shenme zhan?”.

Restaurants and cafes

Having visited a restaurant, a Russian tourist should ask for a menu. The following words are suitable for this: “Tsin gei wo tshaiphu”. Having chosen one of the items, you should pronounce the translation of the phrase from the Russian language “I want to order this (Wo yao dzhege ...), while simultaneously pointing to a certain line in the list of available dishes. A couple of clarifying sentences will also help you, you can find out the spiciness of a particular food. Say with a questioning intonation to the waiter "Jege la bula?". Get the bill real by saying "Mai tribute". If you want to praise a dish, then say "Hen hao chshi".

Phrases while shopping

It is quite difficult to go shopping without knowing Chinese. The translation of the phrase "yao duo shao qian" will help you understand how much a certain product costs. If you want to know which payment method you need, then say "shen mi fu kyan fang shi". When you hear “hbyan jiya”, you will know that you will have to pay in cash. The sentence "dyu hui fei hyang ji" means cashless payment.

Bargain

Bargaining is common in some places in China. Thus, it is realistic to get a certain discount. Saying “Let's get a little cheaper” to the seller is real by saying “Lay phienyi diar”. The transcription of the sentence in Latin is lái piányi diǎnr.

grocery supermarket

• Sugar / salt - tang / yang.
• Milk - newi nai.
• Fish - yu.
• The meat is a swarm of lees.
• Chicken - yi.
• Pepper / spices - ia iao / hyang liao.
• Potatoes - that doi.
• Rice - yes myi.
• Sweets - tian dian.
• Fruits are Shui Guo.
• Strawberries - kao mei.
• Oranges - ju zi.
• Tangerines - pu tonghua.

Good to know! At the very beginning of the sentence, you should say the words "Nali nen", and then add the name of the type of product. Thus, it is really possible to find out the location of any product.

Pharmacy

Ask them to show you the way to the nearest pharmacy by saying the question “Tsingwen, dao zui jin de yaodien zenme zuu?”. It is not necessary to take a Chinese dictionary to ask for the necessary pills. Just say, "Give me something from, please" (Tsing gei wo na ige), and then add a kind of problem:

• Headache - zhi thoutheng de yao.
• Runny nose - zhi shengfeng de yao.
• Cough - zhi haisou de yao.
• Diarrhea - zhi fuse de yao.
• Sharp pain in yao zhithunyao.

Feel free to use gestures in the pharmacy if you have real health problems. Pharmacists will be able to pick up the necessary medicine and contribute to solving the problem. If the traveler suddenly became ill, then you should say “Wo ganjue zitchi buhao” (I don’t feel well). You can also ask to call a doctor with the following words "Qing jiao ixia ishen".

emergency cases

The Chinese word for police is "Jingchha" and the hospital is "Yuan". Such words are enough to locals you were told necessary information and called competent people. Asking for help is also real by saying "Tsin ban wo" (help me please). In emergency cases of attack, you can shout "Jiuming" (save).

Customs

It is best to look for customs by saying the question "Haiguan zai nar?". The customs declaration is translated as "Baoguandan". A tourist can ask for a customs declaration form by saying “Wo yao baoguan biao”. The duty at customs is indicated by the word "Guanshui". In cases where all standard procedures have been completed, you can ask if you are allowed to go. To do this, say "Wo khei zu ma?".

Chinese numerals

• 1 - i.
• 2 - er.
• 3 - sleigh.
• 4 - sy.
• 5 - at.
• 5 - liu.
• 7 - tsi.
• 8 - ba.
• 9 - jiu.
• 10 - shi.
• 100 - and buy.
• 101 - and bai ling.
• 115 - both bai and shi wu.
• 200 - er buy.
• 1000 - and tsien.
• 10,000 - and van.
• 1,000,000 - and bai wan.

Good to know! To denote numbers from 11 to 19, the prefix shi is added (11 will sound like shi and).

Pronouns

Visiting China, tourists very often hear a variety of pronouns. Understanding the language is easier if you navigate them.

• I am in.
• We are Wo Men.
• You are neither.
• You are ni men.
• You are ninh (respectful address to elders).
• It is tha.
• This one is zhe.

The most common questions in Chinese

If you want to ask the interlocutor a specific question, then you can use the translation of the following phrases:

• What? - shenme.
• Okuda? Where? Where? - cash.
• When? - shenme shihou.
• Who? Whose? Whom? - shay.
• How? – zenme?
• What for? Why? - Weishenme?
• Which? – shenme?

Note! When communicating with the indigenous population, you can use the translator on your smartphone. Drive in any sentence in Russian, and then show its translation into Chinese to the interlocutor. Use voice input so that the device automatically translates the words of the interlocutor.

Color names

Understanding Chinese will be easier if you clearly understand the name of the most popular colors. The character for white is 白色, which sounds like baise. Black is heise, red is hunse, green is luise, and blue is thien lanse. Also try to remember the designation of pink (fen hongse), yellow (huang se), blue (lanse) and purple (zise).

Good to know! The lion's share of colors in Chinese are consonant, the word will necessarily contain the sound "se".

Conclusion

Just a few simple words and applications contribute to better communication with the local people in China. Now the translator mobile phone you won't need. Thus, anyone can get the necessary information about the Chinese language. After studying the translation of a couple of sentences, men and women will better immerse themselves in the culture of the Celestial Empire and learn how to conduct a dialogue with the native Chinese. Translation into Chinese popular phrases help to communicate with the local population.

Communication can be difficult. Especially in a second language!

Knowing a few useful phrases will not only help you avoid awkwardness in communication, but will allow you to create new contacts with others and take communication to a new level.

greetings

• 你好! (nǐ hǎo) Hello!

You may already know this greeting. If not, 你好! (nǐ hǎo - Hello!)- the first basic Chinese phrase that you need to learn in order to make contact in a society where everyone speaks Chinese without exception.

• 你好吗? (nǐ hǎo ma) How are you?

If it's not the first time you've greeted someone, you can show more attention and interest by asking how they're doing. 你好吗? (nǐ hǎo ma)- a great phrase for this case.

• 你吃了吗? (nǐ chī le ma) Have you eaten?

This is the Chinese way of showing attention. Culturally, this is a close equivalent of the phrase "How are you?". People ask "Have you eaten?" as a polite way of inquiring about the well-being and well-being of the interlocutor, and most simply answer this with “吃了” (chile), "I ate."

To admit that you have not eaten means to put some pressure on the questioner: a polite reaction to such a confession will be the only way out - to feed you.

• 早安! (zǎo ān) Good morning!

The Chinese love to say "Good morning," so if you greet someone early, try to use that greeting. If the golden time is missed, you should not go to 午安 ( wǔān- good afternoon) or 晚上好 ( wǎn shàng hǎo– good evening): they are less common.

"Good night" - 晚安 (wǎn ān). As in English, this phrase can also mean "Goodbye."

Add a conversational touch:

Add casualness and "coolness" with the word "Hey" at the beginning of the phrase. For example:

诶, 你好. (ēi, nǐ hǎo) "Hey hello".

诶, 怎么样? (ēi, zěn me yàng) "Hey, how's life?"

What is your name?

• 我叫[name], 你呢？ (wǒ jiào [name], nǐ ne) I am [name]. What is your name?

This is an informal way to introduce yourself to each other. 我叫 (wǒ jiào) means "My name is", but 你呢? (nǐ ne) "And you?"

• 怎么称呼？ (zěn me chēng hū) How can I contact you?

This phrase is a more formal/polite way of asking someone's name. It roughly translates to "How should I address you?"

• 请问您贵姓? (qǐng wèn nín gùi xìng) May I know your last name?

This phrase is even more formal and is used in . When someone responds with their last name, such as “我姓王” (wǒ xìng wáng), "My last name is Wang", you can answer using 王先生 ( wang xiān sheng– Mr. Wang), 王小姐 ( wang xiǎo jě- Lady (unmarried) Wang) or 王太太 ( wang tai tai- Mrs. (married) Wang).

Again, a little colloquial:

For a fun, playful twist on the monotonous introduction ceremony, try this phrase:

請問你貴姓大名? (qǐng wèn nǐ gùi xìng dà míng?) What is your "famous" name?

It's a way of asking someone's name while flattering the other person in a friendly way.

Continuation of the conversation

Now that we've met someone, here's how to keep the conversation going.

• 你是本地人吗？ (nǐ shì běn dì rén ma) Are you local?

It's a less direct way of asking "Where are you from?" 你是哪里人? (nǐ shì nǎ lǐ rén). In China, the inhabitants big cities often come from somewhere else. They move from smaller cities to metropolitan areas to work or study. Asking if they are local can provide an opportunity to talk about their hometowns.

• 你作什么样的工作? (nǐ zùo shén me yàng de gōng zùo) What is your job?

Among professionals or working adults, you can start the conversation by asking what industry they work in. You can also ask “你的专场是什么?” ( nǐ de zhuān chǎng shì shén me?- What is your specialty?)

• 你读什么专业? (nǐ dú shén me zhuān yè) What do you study?

Among students, you can start a conversation by asking about their specialization or main subject.

• 你有什么爱好? (nǐ yǒu shén me ài hào?) What do you like to do?

This phrase is used to ask about hobbies or hobbies. Another great way to start a conversation.

How to "dilute" the situation:

Try this laid-back phrase to overcome awkwardness and tension when entering a room or joining a group:

诶, 什么事？ (ēi, shén me shì?) Well, what's going on here?

It's the equivalent of "How are you?" or "What's going on here?" In the right context, such as among friends or peers, she can sound very friendly and appropriate.

Answers during a conversation

Part of the art of conversation is the ability to give relevant answers. People love to receive sympathy, encouragement, and compliments, no matter what they have to say.

What do you say when you hear something exciting or interesting? Here are some basic phrases suitable as a response to such stories:

• 太酷了! (tai kù le!) That's cool!

The Chinese word for "cool" is borrowed from the English "cool" and sounds exactly the same!

• 好搞笑。 (hǎo gǎo xiào) Cool.

搞笑 (gǎo xiào) literally means "to have fun" or "to joke".

• 真的吗? (zhen de ma) What, really?

真的 (zhende) means "true" and 吗 (ma)- interrogative particle.

• 不会吧? (bù hùi ba) Are you serious?

不会 (bùhùi) means "no" and 吧 (ba)- exclamatory particle. In other words, it's like saying "Come on!"

• 我的妈呀! (wǒ de mā ya) OMG!

我的妈呀! (wǒ de mā ya) Literally means "Oh, Mommy!". Culturally, it's closer to "Oh my God!"

• 哎呦我去! (āi yōu wǒ qù) Oh my God!

Again, there is no exact equivalent. 哎呦我去! (āi yōu wǒ qù) literally translates to "Oh, I'm coming!" This phrase is super casual, so it's not something you can use with anyone, especially if you've just met.

• 我也是。 (wǒ yě shì) Me too.

Three words to help you express the shared feelings of the interlocutor.

• 我理解。(wǒlǐjiě) I understand.

Highly useful phrase to express empathy.

Spoken version:

For the most emotional response, try saying:

太牛了! (tai níu le) It's damn good (to go nuts)!

In formal business contexts, this can be seen as rude. But perfectly acceptable at a party.

Farewell phrases

Finally we come to the words for parting. Here's how you can say goodbye in a casual and appropriate way.

• 我先走了。下次再聊吧！ (wǒ xiān zǒu le。 xià cì zài liáo ba) I have to go. We'll talk again (let's talk another time)!

If you need to leave first, you can take a friendly bow.

• 回头见。 (hui tou jian) See you.

This phrase is useful for parting for a short time, for example, if you meet again on the same day.

• 我们再联络吧。 (wǒ mén zai lián lùo ba) We'll keep in touch.

This means that you may call or write later. The phrase works well when you don't see each other in person often, but would like to keep in touch and keep in touch more closely.

How to say it all more casually:

Even when it comes to saying goodbye, there are a few opportunities to tone down the "social" tone and perhaps move into a more intimate relationship in the future:

这是我的手机号码。给我发短信吧！ (zhè shì wǒ de shǒu jī hào mǎ。gěi wǒ fā duǎn xìn ba) Here is my cell number. Send a text message sometime!

This is a simple phrase that should help maintain relationships after a party.

加我的微信。 (jiā wǒ de wēi xìn) Add me to WeChat.

We hope these phrases will add "zest" to your social life! Whatever social situation you find yourself in, use it as an opportunity to hone your language skills, even by greeting someone, saying goodbye, or responding to someone's story.

Chinese Language History The Chinese language has a rich history that dates back to 1122 BC. (BC). While today more than one billion people around the world speak several varieties of Chinese, the history of this language is associated with a more primitive, more plain language, known as Proto-Sino-Tibetan. Modern linguists classify Chinese as part of the Sino-Tibetan group of languages.

Interestingly, the history of the Chinese language is controversial issue among linguists, since many have conflicting ideas about how the evolution of this language should be classified. However, despite the ongoing scholarly debate, many experts rely on the historical classification system developed by the Swedish linguist Bernhard Karlgren in the early 20th century. Karlgren suggested that the history of the Chinese language be seen in the following eras: Old Chinese Middle Chinese Modern Chinese Traditional Chinese characters are written in columns. These columns are required to be read from top to bottom and from right to left. Since this writing system uses a single character to represent a word or phrase, there are literally thousands of characters. In fact, Hanzi (literally, Chinese for "Chinese characters") has over 50,000 characters. This is a huge number of count symbols, in particular for high level illiteracy in China. In an attempt to get around this problem, People's Republic China has introduced a program to simplify the language into a set of frequently used characters. Today's writing system uses approximately 6,000 of these characters. Of course, proper symbol names are also used, which rarely appear.

Numbers and numbers

Shops, hotels, transport

For different occasions

At the restaurant

Video Chinese lessons for beginners