Nowadays, the saying is frequently used to assure an understanding between two people in conversation. Next time you find yourself in a situation where details aren't convenient to say out loud, a simple "你懂的 (nǐ dǒng de)" conveys "you understand what I'm talking about."
 

Examples:

1.

       Mike, nǐ zěnme hé Mary zài yì qǐ le?
Tom: Mike，你怎么和 Mary  在 一起了？

       Mike, how’s it going with Mary?

       Xiǎo diǎnr shēng, nǐ dǒng de…
Mike: 小 点儿     声，   你  懂   的… …

       Keep it down, you know what's been going on…

2.

       Zěnme le? Chóuméikǔliǎn de.
  Lily: 怎么了？ 愁眉苦脸          的。

       What's wrong? Why such a long face?

       Wǒ wàngjì zhǔnbèi lǎobǎn yào de wénjiàn le, jiéguǒ… … nǐ dǒng de.
Lucy: 我忘记     准备     老板     要     的  文件    了，结果… … 你 懂   的。 

        I forgot to prepare the boss's paper, so now…well, you know what'll happen.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

   Money or no, we'll be home for Spring Festival.

Background Information: This popular phrase originated from a well-known song of the same name. On Chinese New Year, getting home to see family is a long held practice. When the festival finally arrives, no matter where you are, or how life has been treating you, there’s always that voice in the back of your head telling you to return home and visit your loved ones.

  Gōngxǐfācái, hóngbāo ná lái.
2. 恭喜发财， 红包       拿 来。

   I wish you prosperity in the New Year; now give me my red envelope!

Background Information: On Chinese New Year, one of the most loved pastimes is exchanging "红包 (hóngbāo) red envelopes," also called "压岁钱 (yāsuìqián) gift money," especially for kids. The gift is what adults give the youth during the festival to bring blessings and good luck.

  Lóngnián dào le, zhù nǐ lóngténg hǔyuè, lóngmǎjīngshén.
3. 龙年        到  了，祝 你  龙腾        虎跃、龙马精神。

  The Year of the Dragon is coming. I wish you happiness reminiscent of dragons rising and a tiger's coiled leap. May the spirited  souls of the dragon and horse guide your path.

Background Information: According to the order of the 12 animals in the "生肖 (shēngxiào) Chinese Zodiac," 2012 is "龙年 (Lóngnián) the Year of the Dragon," as each lunar year denotes a different animal stepping into the zodiac's limelight.

Vocabulary

恭喜发财 (gōngxǐfācái): May you be prosperous!

红包 (hóngbāo): n. red envelopes

压岁钱 (yāsuìqián): n. gift money

生肖 (shēngxiào): n. Chinese Zodiac

龙年 (Lóngnián): n. the Year of the Dragon

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Since then, netizens began to use the phrase "hold 住" to show confidence and a cool head when facing a challenge. The character "住 (zhù)" in the expression means "stable or solid," A bit like relating oneself to a brick wall. When you’re confident in handling a situation, you can ease any skepticism by simply assuring, "我能hold住。 (Wǒ néng hold zhù.) I can get  this under control." Many people nowadays additionally use "hold 住" to cheer someone on, kind of like saying "hold on," or "hang in there!" Also, keep in mind that its antonym "hold不住 (hold bú zhù)" is used to admit a situation has spiraled out of control, or that somebody can't handle the challenge.

Examples:

2012 kuà nián zhī yè, Lady Gaga zàicì yǐ léirén zàoxíng hold zhù quán chǎng.
2012 跨     年    之夜，Lady Gaga 再次以 雷人   造型     hold  住    全      场。

At the 2012 New Year's Eve party, Lady Gaga captivated the audience with another one of her shocking get-ups.

           Liánzhe jiābān hǎo jǐtiān le, wǒ dōu lèi sǐ le.
Susan: 连着       加班   好   几天了，我都  累 死 了。

           We've been working over time a few days in a row now. I'm exhausted.
              
           Yídìng yào hold zhù! Mǎshàng jiù fàng Yuándàn jià le!
Elaine: 一定    要   hold 住！马上         就   放     元旦     假  了！

           Hang in there! New Year's is just around the corner. We'll get our break soon enough.
             
           Jiù pà hold bú zhù ya!
Susan: 就怕  hold  不  住 呀！

            I am afraid that I can't.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Yuándàn kuàile! Quán jiā xìngfú! Zài xīn de yì nián lǐ hǎo shì duōduō!
元旦          快乐！  全    家    幸福！在新  的 一 年  里 好   事    多多！

Happy New Year! May happiness find you and yours. Good tidings with many more good things to come! 

Xīnnián zhī jì, zhù nǐ: dà cái, xiǎo cái, yìwài cái, cáiyuán gǔngǔn. 
新年      之际，祝你：大 财、小 财、意外  财，财源       滚滚。

On the occasion of the New Year, may you find yourself rolling in wealth of all kinds, from large fortunes to life’s small and unexpected treasures.

Yuándàn dào, wèn ge hǎo, yuàn nǐ kāixīn kùnnan shǎo; qīngchūn zhù, bú biàn lǎo, 
元旦       到，  问   个   好，  愿  你    开心     困难   少；        青春   驻，不  变   老，
quán jiā tiāntiān hēhē xiào.
全      家   天天     呵呵 笑。

I greet you on this New Year with good tidings for an abundance of blessings and an absence of hardships. May your lasting youth shine on and all those you care for be blessed.

Vocabulary:

幸福 (xìngfú): n. happiness

财源滚滚 (cáiyuán gǔngǔn): v. to roll in wealth

困难 (kùnnan): n. difficulty

青春 (qīngchūn): n. youth

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Zhèxiē tiān yìzhí yŏu ge wèntí kùnhuòzhe wŏ: nǐ míngmíng bú shì jī, wèishénme         
这些    天    一直   有  个   问题    困惑着    我：你    明明     不   是 鸡， 为什么
rénrén dōu yào zhù nǐ shēngdàn (Shèngdàn) kuàile ne?
人人都  要      祝  你         生蛋     （圣诞）         快乐    呢？

A question has been confusing me these days. Why should everyone wish you to lay eggs happily (Merry Christmas), since you are obviously not a hen?

Měi yì duǒ xuěhuā piāoxià, měi yí ge yānhuǒ ránqǐ, měi yì miǎo shíjiān liúdòng, 
每  一  朵      雪花     飘下，每 一 个    烟火   燃起，每 一  秒     时间    流动，
měi yí fèn sīniàn chuánsòng. Dōu dàibiǎozhe wǒ xiǎng sòng nǐ de měi yí ge zhùfú:
每    一份    思念       传送。     都     代表  着   我    想      送  你  的  每一个   祝福：
Shèngdàn kuàile!
圣诞           快乐！

The snowflakes fall, the fireworks burst, the seconds fly, and every "I miss you" is delivered. And each one of these stands for my blessings to you; Merry Christmas!

Vocabulary:

快乐 (kuàile): n./adj. happiness/happy

困惑 (kùnhuò): v. to confuse

思念 (sīniàn): n./v. missing/to miss

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

The phrase "纠结 (jiūjié)" literally expresses entangled ropes or vines. It’s come to represent the various feelings that tug on our heartstrings and play with our emotions for better, or worse. We’ve all felt those inextricable knots in our stomachs when confronted with moments of confusion, hesitance, or bewilderment. In daily life, the phrase "纠结 (jiūjié)" is quite flexible in its use as a verb, adjective and noun. For instance, "纠结 (jiūjié)" can also be used when people find themselves in a dilemma that prevents them from moving forward. Also, when you find yourself indecisive when confronted with a particular choice, "纠结 (jiūjié)" can describe your state of mind. If you go on any Chinese language social network, it’s quite common to see someone change their status to "我很纠结 (wǒ hěn jiūjié)" when they have no idea how to make a decision.

Examples:

Zuìjìn de gōngzuò ràng wǒ hěn jiūjié.
最近   的     工作      让    我  很   纠结。

My work’s got me in a tough spot lately.

Zhège diànyǐng kànqǐlái tè jiūjié.  
这个     电影       看起来 特 纠结。

This movie makes everyone feel conflicted.

Zuìjìn xīnqíng bú tài hǎo, yě bù zhī gāi rúhé páiqiǎn xīnzhōng de jiūjié.
最近   心情      不 太好，   也不 知  该  如何   排遣     心中      的  纠结。

I’ve been in a really bad way lately. I don’t know how to fix this confusion in my heart.

Měi ge rén dōu huì fàncuò de, búyào zài jiūjié yú yǐqián de cuòwù le. 
每   个  人    都  会   犯错    的，不要   再 纠结  于 以前   的    错误 了。

Everyone makes mistakes, but shouldn't get caught making the same mistake twice.

Wǒ xiǎng chī dàngāo, dàn yòu hàipà zhǎng pàng, hǎo jiūjié ya!  
我   想      吃  蛋  糕，  但    又   害怕      长      胖， 好  纠结   呀！

I want to eat that cake, but I’m afraid of getting fat…so many choices!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

The proper meaning of "牛 (niú)" is cow, but now it can be used to express "cool," "awesome" or "excellent." It is believed that this meaning originated from the north-eastern Chinese dialect.

Usage:

You can say "你好牛啊 (nǐ hǎo niú a)" or "真牛 (zhēn niú)" to express your admiration of others. There are many circumstances in which you can use this word. For example, if your friend wins a championship you can give him or her thumbs up and say, "你好牛啊! (Nǐ hǎo niú a!)" or "真牛! (Zhēn niú!)" to express "You're awesome!"

 Examples:

1. Nǐ zhēn niú  a,  měicì  kǎoshì dōushì  quánbān dìyī.
    你   真  牛 啊， 每次   考试    都是        全班      第一。

    You are awesome! You always get the highest grade on the exams in your class.

2. Zhēn niú! Tā yígeyuè  nèi   jiù  dāng le  jīnglǐ.
    真     牛!  他 一个月     内   就   当    了  经理。

    Excellent! He became a manager in only one month.

 3.    Nǐ  zhīdào ma? Lucy dāng kǒuyì le.
Lisa: 你   知道   吗？Lucy    当    口译 了。

        Did you know that Lucy is becoming an interpreter? 

       Tā  hǎo niú  a!
Lily: 她   好    牛  啊！

       She is awesome!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

At first, "伤不起 (shāngbùqǐ)" was only popular in schools and on the internet, but now "伤不起 (shāngbùqǐ)" is widely used in daily life. Some television programs are using this phrase to create dramas. It has even been used as a song title by popular singers. Using the normal sentence order, the sentence should be "你伤不起… (nǐ shāngbùqǐ…)", but it is now much more common to say "…你伤不起 (…nǐ shāngbùqǐ)." We put the object in the front of the sentence to emphasis our feelings.

For examples:

1. Méiyǒu fángzi de nánrén, nǐ shāngbùqǐ a.
    没有      房子    的   男人，你   伤不起   啊。

    The man without a house can’t be hurt anymore.

Note:

In China, from ancient time to nowadays, Chinese people have a rooted tradition –they have always wanted to own their own houses. In Chinese people’s mind, if you want to have a family, you’d better own a house first, especially for men. So those who don’t have a house will feel grieved and you cannot say nor do something to hurt their heart again.

2. Bēnsān de nǚrén, nǐ shāngbùqǐ a.
    奔三      的   女人，你 伤不起    啊。

    A woman in her late 20s can’t be hurt anymore.

Note:

"奔 (bēn)" means "to hurry/to rush." In the phrase "奔三 (bēnsān)," "三 (sān)" refers to the being thirty years old. "奔三 (bēnsān)" refers to the people who are in their late 20s, rushing to meet their 30s. In China, that means they begin to become old. So you cannot say nor do something to hurt their heartbecause they have grieved.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

二百五 (èrbǎiwǔ): n. a careless or silly person 

In Chinese, especially between friends, one often calls another "二百五 (èrbǎiwǔ)," or says that someone is "二百加五十 (èrbǎi jiā wǔshí) two hundred plus fifty." What does this expression mean? Let's read this small story to learn more about it.

Sū Qín shì Zhànguó shí de yí ge shuìkè, tā shēn pèi liù guó xiàngyìn,
苏 秦   是   战国         时 的 一个 说客，  他 身   佩   六 国    相印，
hěn shì wēifēng, dàn yě jiéxiàle hěnduō chóurén.
很    是   威风，   但  也  结下了   很多        仇人。

Su Qin was a lobbyist in the Warring States. He wore the chief minister's seals for six states and was quite impressive, but also had many enemies.

Hòulái, tā zài Qíguó bèi rén shā le, Qí Wáng hěn nǎonù, yào wèi Sū Qín bàochóu.
后来，他  在   齐国   被   人   杀 了，齐 王     很     恼怒，要   为   苏   秦   报仇。

One day, he was murdered in Qi. The King of Qi was very angry, and he wanted to avenge Su Qin.

Kě yì shí zhuā bú dào xiōngshǒu, yúshì, tā xiǎngle yì tiáo jìcè.
可 一时 抓     不   到    凶手，       于是，他 想了   一 条 计策。

The murderers had not been caught yet, so the king formulated a strategy to uncover the criminals.

Tā ràng rén bǎ Sū Qín de tóu guà zài chéngmén shàng, bìng xuānchēng
他 让    人    把 苏 秦  的 头   挂    在   城门              上，   并       宣称
shuō: "Sū Qín shì ge nèijiān, shāle tā de rén shǎng huángjīn qiān liǎng."
说： “苏   秦   是   个  内奸,     杀了 他 的 人   赏         黄金       千     两。”

He let someone hang Su Qin’s head on the city gate and declared, "Su Qin was a spy, and the people who killed him are expected to claim an award of one thousand taels of gold.

Yúshì yǒu sì ge rén shēngchēng shì zìjǐ shāle Sū Qín.
于是   有   四 个人    声称              是自己 杀了 苏 秦  。

Four people stepped forward and claimed they were the killers.

Qí Wáng wèn: "Yìqiānliǎng huángjīn, nǐmen sì ge rén gè fēn dé duōshǎo?"
齐 王      问：“ 一千两         黄金，    你们   四 个 人 各 分 得 多少？”   

The King of Qi asked: "There are one thousand taels of gold, how much should each of you get?"

Sì rén qíshēng huídá: "yìrén èrbǎiwǔ."
四人   齐声        回答：“一人  二百五。”  

"Two hundred and fifty each person," the four answered all at once.

Qí Wáng dànù dào: "Láirén, bǎ zhè sì ge ‘èrbǎiwǔ ’ tuīchūqu zhǎn le!"
齐 王      大怒 道：“ 来人，把 这 四个‘ 二百五’推出去    斩 了！”

The king said in a rage, "Come, take out these four '二百五 two hundred and fifty' and behead them!"

"Èrbǎiwǔ" yì cí jiù zhèyàng liúchuán xiàlái le.
“二百五”一词就 这样      流传        下来 了。

The word "二百五" passed down into spoken Chinese from this event.

Key Learning Point:

二百五 (èrbǎiwǔ): n. a careless or silly person 

The phrase "二百五 (èrbǎiwǔ)" refers to people who are silly, innocent and careless. Though this word is a little negative, it is commonly used in daily life. Sometimes, instead of sincerely trying to insult someone, it is used as a friendly way to comment on people who don't think or do things carefully. For example, when your friend says you are an "二百五 (èrbǎiwǔ)," they are showing their care at the same time. Now, many people also shorten it as "二 (èr)," which is used as an adjective or adverb.

Example:

Lǐ Léi: Nǐ gēn nǐ jiě zhǎng de hǎo xiàng a.  
李雷：你 跟 你姐   长      得   好    像   啊。

Li Lei: Jon, you look very much like your sister.

Qiáoēn: Nǐ ge èrbǎiwǔ, zhè shì wǒ mā.
乔恩： 你 个 二百五，这    是  我 妈。

Jon:  You got the cabbage head. This is my mother. (Note: "二百五" here is used between friends, so it isn’t meant to seriously insult Li Lei.)

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

            Āiya, nǐ nǚpéngyou hǎo piàoliang a, shēncái yě hǎo jí le!
Susan: 哎呀，你女朋友      好    漂亮       啊，身材     也 好 极了！

            Oh, my god, your girlfriend is so pretty, and she's got a fabulous figure!

            Hāhā, āyí, nà shì kěndìng de, wǒ nǚpéngyou shì xiàohuā ne.
 Calvin: 哈哈，阿姨，那是肯定     的，我 女朋友        是   校花     呢。

            Haha! Certainly auntie; my girlfriend is our school's beauty queen.

"哎呀 (āiya) Oh, My god" is a frequently used exclamatory phrase. Susan uses this phrase to show her surprise after seeing Calvin’s girlfriend Emily. But do you know "哎呀 (āiya)" can also be used to complain or to express one's impatience? Let's take a look. 
 
Complaining:

Lǎogōng: Āiya, lǎopó, nǐ yòu mǎi yīfu le? Zhège yuè nǐ yǐjīng mǎile sì jiàn yīfu le.
老公:        哎呀，老婆，你又 买   衣服了？这个   月   你 已经  买了四 件 衣服了。

Husband: Ah, Dear, did you buy clothes again? You’ve already gone clothes shopping four times this month!

Lǎopo: Lǎogōng, wǒ yǐjīng mǎile ma, nǐ shuō wǒ yě méiyòng a.
老婆:    老公，      我   已经  买了  嘛，你 说   我 也 没用     啊。

Wife: Hubby, I’ve already bought them, does me no good for you to complain.

Impatience:

              Āiya, jiějie, nǐ fán sǐ le, ràng wǒ zài shuì huì’r ma!
      Milly: 哎呀，姐姐，你烦死了，让 我 再    睡  会儿 嘛！

              Ah, sis, you're annoying me. Let me sleep.

              Bùxíng, tàiyáng dōu shàidào pìgu shàng le, qǐchuáng!
Phoebe: 不行， 太阳    都     晒到      屁股  上       了，起床！

              No, you're burning daylight! Get up!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

丑八怪 (chǒubāguài): n. an extremely ugly person/someone whose conduct is not good 

In class, the teacher told the students that "丑八怪 (chǒubāguài)" refers to extremely ugly people. A confused student asked the teacher, “Why don’t we use the number 9? Why can’t we say "丑九怪 (chǒujiǔguài)?"

The teacher smiled and explained to the student, "We should start with '扬州八怪 (Yángzhōu Bā Guài).' '扬州八怪 (Yángzhōu Bā Guài)' refers to a group of people who had similar interests and painting styles. They include: 李蟮 (Lǐ Shàn), 汪士慎 (Wāng Shìshèn), 高翔 (Gāo Xiáng) and so on. (Note: In Chinese, the number "8" is a function word used to represent large amounts of something; it doesn't always literally mean eight.) These painters' painting philosophy was to 'weed through the old and bring forth the new.' They did things in their own way without regarding other’s criticism. They were disregarded by the so-called "orthodox school" at that time. '丑八怪 (chǒubāguài)' means that they were freaks. Even though the orthodox painters and upper-class society shunned them, common people loved their paintings very much. Because of their popularity with common people, they became very famous. The phrase '丑八怪 (chǒubāguài)' has been around ever since. Now people usually use it to describe someone whose conduct is not good."

Key Learning Point:

丑八怪 (chǒubāguài): n. extremely ugly person/someone whose conduct is not good

Example:

Tā kě bú huì xǐhuan yí gè chǒubāguài.
他 可 不 会 喜欢    一个   丑八怪。

He won’t like an ugly girl who is not kind.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Key Learning Points (Preview):

月亮 (yuèliang) n. moon

实现 (shíxiàn) v. to come true

Yuàn nǐ měi yì tiān dōu xiàng shíwǔ de yuèliang yíyàng chénggōng yuánmǎn.
愿    你  每  一 天   都   像      十五     的   月亮      一样        成功          圆满。

I hope your days are like the full moon on the Mid-Autumn, which represents great success.

Xìngfú yuánmǎn qiān wàn nián!
幸福     圆满          千   万    年！

May the ray of happiness always shine on you.

Péngyou, bùguǎn nǐ xiànzài shēn chǔ hé fāng, jīnwǎn yídìng yào kànkan nà yuányuán 
朋友，     不管     你    现在    身     处    何   方,  今晚    一定   要     看看    那    圆圆     
de yuèliang, xǔ gè yuàn ba, hěn kěnéng jiùhuì shíxiàn o! Zhōngqiū kuàilè!
的    月亮,    许 个   愿   吧，很    可能      就会     实现  哦!  中秋      快乐!

Dear friend, no matter where yo uare you need to take a look at the bright moon tonight. Make a wish, maybe it will come true! Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

Key learning Points:

月亮 (yuèliang) n. moon

"月亮 (yuèliang)" are the Chinese words for "moon," but when referring to the moon on Mid-Autumn Day, we often say "满月(mǎnyuè) full moon."

Examples:

Wǒ xǐhuan kàn yuèliang hé xīngxing.
我   喜欢    看     月亮      和  星星。

I love to watch the moon and stars.

Zuówǎn shì mǎnyuè.
昨晚      是    满月。

Last night there was a full moon.

实现 (shíxiàn) v. to come true

Example:

Xiǎoshíhou wǒ xiǎng dāng yìmíng jǐngchá, xiànzài wǒ de mèngxiǎng shíxiàn le.
小时候        我    想      当      一名      警察，现在    我   的     梦想     实现    了。

I wanted to be a policeman when I was young, and now my dream has come true.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

      Màikè, nǐ xīyān ma?
A：麦克， 你吸烟  吗？

      Mike, do you smoke?

      Bù, wǒ guòqù shìgè yānmín. Dàn wǒ yǐjīng jièyān bànnián le.
B：不，我 过去    是个   烟民。  但   我   已经    戒烟    半年   了。

      No, I used to be a heavy smoker. But it’s been half a year since I last smoked.

      Zhùhè nǐ jièyān chénggōng le! Jiānchízhù!
A：祝贺    你 戒烟     成功         了!  坚持住!

      Congratulations on giving up smoking! Hang in there!

      Xièxiè.
B：谢谢。

      Thanks.

Vocabulary:

烟民 (yānmín) n. smoker

戒烟 (jièyān) to give up smoking

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

    Xiānsheng, wǒ néng bāng nín shénme máng ma?
A: 先生，          我    能    帮     您     什么     忙     吗? 

     Can I help you, sir?

    Wǒ yào tuì fáng.
B: 我     要    退  房. 

     I’d like to check out.

    Qǐng wèn nín de xìngmíng hé fángjiān hào shì duōshǎo?
A: 请        问   您 的     姓名     和    房间    号     是    多少? 

     Your name and room number, please? 

    Màikè, 730 fángjiān.
B: 迈克、   730   房间。 

     Mike, Room 730.

    Qǐng shāoděng yí xià.
A: 请        稍等     一  下.

     Just a minute, please.

    Hǎo de, xièxie.
B: 好   的，谢谢。

    OK, thanks.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

    Zhè cì de HSK kǎoshì, nǐ shì quánxiào dì yī míng.
A: 这   次 的 HSK  考试，你  是     全校   第 一 名！

    You got the highest score on the HSK test out of our whole school. 

    Nǐ quèdìng ma?
B: 你    确定    吗？

    Are you sure?

    Dāngrán, lǎoshī qīnkǒu gàosu wǒ de.
A: 当然，     老师    亲口    告诉    我   的。

    Of course, our teacher told me the news herself. 

    Tài hǎo le, wǒ yào bǎ zhège hǎo xiāoxi gàosu wǒ de hànyǔ lǎoshī.
B: 太   好  了，我 要  把   这个  好    消息    告诉 我   的 汉语    老师。

    Great! I will tell the good news to my Chinese teacher.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Nán: Míngtiān zǎoshang wǒ yào huí Běijīng le.
男： 明天          早上       我  要   回    北京 了。

Man: Tomorrow morning I will return to Beijing.

Nǚ: Wèishénme? Nǐ dāyìng wǒ hòutiān huí de ya!
女：为什么？       你  答应   我    后天    回   的 呀！

Lady: Why? You promised me you would head back the day after tomorrow!

Nán: Duìbùqǐ, gōngsī yǒu jíshì.
男：    对不起，公司   有  急事。

Man: I’m sorry; there are some urgent businesses in my company.

Nǚ: Kěshì míngtiān shì Qíngrénjié ya.
女：可是     明天     是     情人节     呀。

Lady: But tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.

Nán: Hé nǐ zài yìqǐ, měitiān dōushì Qíngrénjié.
男： 和 你在 一起，每天    都是     情人节。

Man: Everyday is Valentine’s Day when I’m with you.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

   Tóngxué men, wǒmen míngtiān kǎoshì.
A: 同学         们，  我们     明天    考试。

    Boys and girls, there will be an exam tomorrow.

    Á? Bú shì ba.
B: 啊? 不 是 吧？

    Ah? No Way?

    Hāha, jīntiān shì Yúrénjié! Zěnme dōu wàng le?
A: 哈哈，今天     是   愚人节！怎么     都    忘   了？

    Haha, today is April Fool’s Day! How did you all forget?

    Ò, yuánlái wǒmen bèi zhěng le.
B: 哦，原来     我们     被    整    了。

     Huh? We were fooled.

    Hǎo le, bù gēn dàjiā kāi wánxiào le. Qíshí wǒmen shì jīntiān kǎoshì.
A: 好 了，不  跟  大家 开    玩笑   了。其实    我们    是   今天    考试。

    Alright, now let’s be serious. Actually, you’ll take an exam today.

    Shénme?
B: 什么？

    What?

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

    Jímǔ, nǐ juéde wǒ yīnggāi xiàng Lìlì biǎobái mā?
A: 吉姆,你 觉得   我 应该        向      莉莉 表白 吗？

    Jim, do you think I should declare my love to Lily?

    Qù ba, wǒ zhīchí nǐ.
B. 去 吧，我 支持 你。

   Go ahead, I support you.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Hāi, shénme shíhou yǒu kòng? Yì qǐ qù chànggē ba.
A: 嗨，什么        时候     有     空？一 起 去 唱歌     吧。

    Hi, when are you free? Let’s go to karaoke!

    Hǎo a, suíshí.
B: 好 啊，随时。

    Ok, anytime.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Zhè shì gěi nǐ de shēngrì lǐwù.
A: 这   是 给 你 的 生日     礼物。

    Here’s your birthday present!

    Wa, wǒ zuì ài de biànxíngjīngāng. Tài kù le!
B: 哇，我最  爱 的 变形金刚。         太 酷 了！

    Wow, Transformers. It is so cool!

 Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:
(Knock at the door)

      Āyí, qǐng wèn, Wáng Lì zài bú zài jiā?
A：阿姨，请问，     王   力 在 不 在 家？

      Aunty, may I ask if Wang Li is at home?

      Tā zài, qǐng jìn.
B：他在，    请进。

      Yes. Come in, please!

      Xièxie.
A：谢谢。

      Thank you.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

    Lǐ Míng, nǐ jīntiān zěnme zhème gāoxīng a?
A: 李明，  你  今天  怎么      这么    高兴    啊？

    Li Ming, why are you so happy today?

    Nǐ cāi cāi.
B: 你  猜   猜。

   Guess.

    Shìbúshì nǐ nǚ péngyou jiēshòu nǐ de qiúhūn la?
A: 是不是   你 女     朋友    接受    你  的  求婚   啦？

   Did your girlfriend accept your marriage proposal?

    Nǐ dá duì le.
B: 你 答对 了。

    Bingo!/You are right.

    Gōngxǐ nǐ
A: 恭喜    你！

    Congratulations to you!

    Xièxie.
B: 谢谢。

    Thanks.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Nǐ zuì xǐhuan shénme tǐyù xiàngmù?
A: 你 最 喜欢      什么   体育     项目？

    What’s your favorite sport?

    Wǒ xǐhuan Zhōngguó gōngfu.
B: 我 喜欢      中国         功夫。

    I like Chinese Kung Fu.

    Zhēn de ma? Wǒ yě shì.
A: 真     的 吗？我 也 是。

    Really? So do I.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Xīnnián kuàilè! Gōngxǐ fācái!
A: 新年       快乐！ 恭喜    发财！

    Happy New Year! May you be prosperous!

    Xièxie!
B: 谢谢！

   Thank you!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Jīntiān nǐ yì zhí zài késou, nǐ zěnme le?
A: 今天   你 一直   在  咳嗽,  你  怎么  了？

    You have been coughing all day. What happened to you?

    Wǒ gǎnmào le, hěn yánzhòng.
B: 我    感冒     了，很     严重。

    I have caught a bad cold.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Xīnnián hǎo!

A：新年     好！

     Happy New Year!

     Nǐ yě yíyàng!

B：你也    一样！

     The same to you!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

   Háo jiǔ bú jiàn, yí qiè dōu hǎo ma?
A: 好    久 不 见，一切   都    好  吗？

   Hi, long time no see. How is everything going?

   Yí qiè dōu shùnlì. Nǐ ne?
B: 一切   都   顺利。你呢？

   Everything is going well. How about you?

   Hái xíng.
A: 还 行。

   Not too bad.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

At a Chinese New Year party

    Xīn nián kuàilè!
A: 新    年    快乐！

    Happy New Year!

    Xīn nián kuàilè! Ràng wǒmen wéi xīn nián jǔ bēi ba.
B: 新   年     快乐！让       我们   为   新  年   举 杯  吧。

    Happy New Year! Let’s have a New Year’s toast.

    Hǎo de, gānbēi!
A: 好  的， 干 杯！

    Ok, cheers!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Xià zhōu wǒ yào hé nǐ de hǎo péngyǒu jiéhūn le.
A: 下  周    我   要   和 你 的  好    朋友      结婚   了。

I’m going to marry your best friend next week.

Nǐ zài kāiwánxiào ba?
B: 你 在    开玩笑      吧？

Are you kidding?

Wǒ shuō zhēnde.
A:  我    说     真的。

I’m serious.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

    Nǐ qù tōngzhī tā dào wǒ de bàngōngshì lái! Yuè kuài yuè hǎo!
A: 你 去  通知    她  到  我  的   办公室      来！  越  快    越    好！

    Tell her to come to my office! The sooner the better!

    Hǎode. Wǒ xiànzài jiù qù.
B: 好  的。我   现在    就  去。

    Ok. I’ll go right now.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Bàba, wǒ ná le xuéxiào jiēwǔ bǐsài yī děng jiǎng!
A: 爸爸，我  拿了 学校      街舞 比赛 一 等     奖！

    Dad, I won the first prize in my school’s hip-hop competition!

    Hǎo wa, gànde piàoliang!
B: 好    哇，干得     漂亮！

    Bravo! Well done!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Nín hǎo! Wǒ shì S gōngsī de Jim, qǐng wèn nín guì xìng?
A: 您    好！ 我 是 S  公司    的 Jim，请    问   您    贵   姓？

     Hello! I’m Jim from company S. May I ask what your surname is?

    Miǎn guì xìng Wáng.
B: 免     贵   姓      王。

    My surname is Wang.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Wǒ de zhè cì kǎoshì chéngjì zǒngfēn tígāo le 30 fēn!
A: 我  的   这  次   考试    成绩       总分   提高  了 30 分！

    My total score in this exam has improved by 30 points!

    Gōngxǐ! Nǐ tài bàng le!
B: 恭   喜！你太  棒   了！

   Congratulations! You are great!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Nǐ yuànyì jià gěi wǒ ma?
A: 你 愿意     嫁 给 我 吗？

    Will you marry me?

    Wǒ xiǎngxiǎng.
B: 我   想想。

   Let me think!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Hěn jiǔ bú jiàn! Yíqiè hái hǎo ba?
A：很 久 不 见！ 一切 还 好   吧？

Haven’t seen you for a long time! How’s everything?

     Fēicháng hǎo! Nǐ ne?
B：   非常      好！你 呢？

Couldn’t be better! How about you?

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

      Xīnnián kuàile! Zhù nǐ xīn de yì nián lǐ wànshìrúyì.
A：新年       快乐！祝   你 新  的一 年  里  万事如意！

      Happy New Year! I wish you all the best in the coming new year.

      Xièxie! Nǐ yě yíyàng.
B：谢谢！你  也 一 样。

      Thanks! Same to you.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Míngtiān wǒ yào qù miànshì le.
A:   明天     我  要   去    面试    了。

    I am going to have an interview tomorrow.

    Zhù nǐ hǎoyùn!
B:  祝  你  好运！

    Good luck!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Shèngdàn kuàilè!
A:     圣诞       快乐！

Merry Christmas!

    Shèngdàn kuàilè!
B:     圣诞       快乐！

Merry Christmas!

    Nǐ yǒu shénme tèbié de dǎsuàn ma?
A: 你 有    什么     特别 的   打算   吗？

Are you planning anything special?

    Ò,   wǒ zhǐ xiǎng fàngsōng yí xià.
B: 哦，我 只  想        放松     一 下。

Oh, I’m just going to take it easy.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Nǐ kàn tiānqì yùbào le ma? Jīntiān tiānqì zěnmeyàng?
A: 你 看   天气  预报  了 吗？ 今天   天气    怎么样？

Did you see the weather report? How is the weather today?

    Búshì hěnhǎo, yǒufēng.
B: 不是   很好，    有风。

Not very good. It’s windy.

    Shùnbiàn wèn yíxià, míngtiān ne?
A: 顺便         问   一下，  明天     呢？

By the way, what about tomorrow?

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Nǐ fù wǎnfàn qián, wǒ qǐng nǐ kàn diànyǐng, zěnmeyàng?
A: 你付  晚饭     钱， 我   请  你 看    电影，     怎么样？

You pay for dinner and I will treat you to a movie. OK?

    Yìyánwéidìng!
B：一言为定！

It’s a deal!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Xiǎo míng, wǒ de wùlǐ kǎoshì méi jígé. Wǒ hǎo nánguò,
A:  小明，       我 的  物理 考试  没 及格。我 好    难过，
     wǒ wèi zhècì kǎoshì zhǔnbèi le yígèyuè le!
     我 为  这次   考试     准备     了 一个月  了！

Xiao Ming, I failed my physics exam. I feel so frustrated because I had been preparing for it for a whole month!

     Bié zhèyàng! Zhènzuò qǐlái! Xiàcì yídìng néng tōngguò de!
B：别  这样！       振作    起来！下次  一定    能      通过      的！

It’s OK! Cheer up! Next time you will pass it!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

Nánhái: Míngtiān wǒ kěyǐ yuē nǐ hē kāfēi ma?
男孩：    明天      我 可以 约 你 喝 咖啡 吗？

Boy: May I take you out for coffee tomorrow?

Nǚhái: Tài yíhàn le, wǒ yǐjīng yǒu yuē le.
女孩:    太  遗憾 了，我 已经  有 约 了。

Girl: What a pity! I have a prior engagement.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Nǐhǎo，Wáng Lì! Kuài jìnlái , qǐng suíyì! Lái diǎn kékǒukělè zěnmeyàng?
A：你好，    王力！    快 进来， 请    随意！来   点   可口可乐   怎么样？

Hi, Wang Li! Come in, please! Make yourself at home! How about some Coca-Cola?

     Hǎo de! Xièxiè!
B：好   的！谢谢！

B: Ok! Thank you!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

   Tiānqì yuèláiyuèlěng le, wǒ gěi nǐ mǎi le yífù yángmáo shǒutào, dàizhe tā jiù nuǎnhuo le!
A：天气 越来越冷        了，我 给你 买 了 一副 羊毛     手套，     戴着  它 就  暖和       了！

A: The weather is getting colder and colder, so I’ve bought you a pair of wool gloves. Wear them to keep warm.

     Hā,  nǐ zhēn hǎo! Xièxiè!
B：哈，你 真    好！谢谢！

B: Ha, you are so kind! Thank you!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

      Wǒ lǎogōng jīngcháng zài mènglǐ xiàng wǒ dàoqiàn!
A：我    老公      经常         在   梦里    向     我    道歉！

A: My husband often apologizes to me in his dreams!

      Zhēn yǒuqù!
B：真      有趣！

B: That’s funny!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

      Bāngbang wǒ! Nǚpéngyou ràng wǒ péi tā qù xué fǎyǔ, kěshì wǒ  
A： 帮帮         我！女朋友         让    我 陪 她 去 学  法语，可是 我
      zhēnde hěn xiǎng xué shuō hànyǔ.
      真的      很   想     学    说     汉语。

A:  Please help me! My girlfriend wants me to study French with her, but I    
      really want to learn to speak Chinese.

      Nà jiù gàosu tā nǐde xiǎngfǎ, wǒ xiāngxìn nǐ nǚpéngyou huì lǐjiě de.
B：那 就 告诉   她 你的  想法， 我  相信     你  女朋友       会 理解 的。

B:  So just tell her how you feel. I think she’ll understand.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

Nánhái: Dāngxīn! Dìbǎn shì shī de.
  男孩： 当心！     地板  是  湿 的。

Boy: Watch out! The floor is wet.

Nǚhái: Duōkuī nǐ lāle wǒ yì bǎ, bùrán wǒ jiù shuāidǎo le.
女孩： 多亏   你拉了我 一 把，不然  我 就  摔倒       了。

Girl: Thanks for helping me, or else I would have fallen down.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Dì yī cì gěi zhème duō rén zuò yǎnjiǎng, wǒ hǎo jǐnzhāng a.
A: 第一次 给 这么     多   人  做    演讲，     我  好  紧张   啊。

    This is the first time I have had to give a speech to so many people. I’m awfully nervous.

    Bié jǐnzhāng! Xiāngxìn zìjǐ!
B: 别  紧张！      相信     自己！

    Take it easy and believe in yourself!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Wǒmen dào nǎlǐ chīfàn ne?
A: 我们      到   哪里 吃饭  呢？

    Where shall we have dinner?

    Nǐ juédìng ba!
B: 你 决定     吧！

    It’s up to you!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Tīngshuō zài wǎng shàng xué hànyǔ de rén yuè lái yuè duō le.
A: 听说         在    网    上       学   汉语   的  人   越  来  越   多  了。

    I heard that more and more people are learning Mandarin Chinese online nowadays.

    Yéxǔ! Wǒ bú tài qīngchu.
B: 也许！我  不  太   清楚。

    Perhaps! I am not sure.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Nǐ míngtiān yǒuméiyǒu shíjiān? Wǒmen yìqǐ qù dǎqiú ba!
A: 你 明天       有没有       时间？   我们    一起 去  打球  吧！

    Do you have any time tomorrow? Let’s play basketball together!

    Shuí zhīdào ne? Dào shí hou zài shuō ba.
B: 谁     知道    呢？到    时   候   再  说     吧。

    Who knows? Let’s talk about this again when the time comes.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Māma, wǒ jīntiān néng hé péngyou yìqǐ qù fàng fēngzheng ma?
A: 妈妈， 我 今天    能    和  朋友     一起 去 放     风筝          吗？

    Mum, can I go fly kites with my friends this afternoon?

    Kěyǐ. Xīwàng nǐ wán de kāixīn.
B: 可以。希望   你 玩  得  开心。

    Sure. I hope you enjoy yourself!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:
    Wáng Huá, xièxie nǐ jiāo wó xué Hànyǔ.
A: 王华，        谢谢  你 教  我  学  汉语。

Wang Hua, thank you for teaching me Chinese.

    Bú yòng kèqi. Wǒ hěn lèyi!
B: 不 用    客气。我  很  乐意！

You’re welcome. It is my pleasure!

Additional Popular Sayings in Mandarin Language:

Mandarin Language Phrase: 你确定吗? Are you sure?
Popular Mandarin Language Saying: 为什么？Why?
Mandarin Language Saying: 去吧。Go ahead.
Learn the Mandarin Language Phrase: 太酷了！It’s so cool!
Learn the Popular Mandarin Phrase for “Come in, please!”
 

Got questions about how to learn Chinese? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Wǒ bǎozhèng, xià zhōu yídìng dài nǐ qù hǎibiān wán.
A: 我     保证，     下   周    一定   带 你 去   海边    玩。

    I promise I will take you to the beach to have fun next week.

    Hǎode, qīn’àide, wǒ xiāngxìn nǐ.
B: 好的，  亲爱的，我    相信    你。

    Ok, honey, I trust you.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Zhèlǐ de fēngjǐng hǎo měi a!
A: 这里 的    风景     好  美  啊！

     The scenery here is so beautiful!

    Wǒ yě zhème xiǎng.
B: 我   也    这么    想。

      I think so.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng, Yuēhàn?
A: 最近    怎么样，     约翰？

    What’s up, John?

    Háibúcuò, wǒ zuìjìn zhèngzài wǎngshàng xué hànyǔ.
B: 还不错，   我 最近  正在        网上            学   汉语。

    Not bad, I am learning Chinese online recently.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Tīngshuō nǐ  hé nǐ nǚpéngyou fēnshǒu le. Zhēn de ma?
A:    听说     你  和 你     女朋友     分手     了。真    的 吗？

I heard you and your girlfriend broke up. Is it true?

     Yǔ  nǐ wú guān!
B:  与  你 无    关！

None of your business!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

 Example:

     Māma, wǒ  huílai le! Jīntiān wǒmen  bān shàng láile   yí wèi xīn tóngxué.
A:  妈妈， 我   回来 了！今天    我们     班    上     来了  一 位 新    同学。

     Mom, I’m back! We have a new classmate today.

     Shì ma?
B:  是   吗？

     Really?

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Yuēhàn, nǐ  zhè cì  de zuòwén xiěde fēicháng bú cuò. Zuòde hǎo!
A:   约翰，  你   这 次 的   作文    写得    非常      不 错。  做得   好！

John, the composition you wrote this time is quite good. Good job!

     Xièxiè!
B:  谢谢！

Thanks!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

 Example:

      Gōngxǐ nǐ zhòng le wǔbǎi wàn!
A:    恭喜    你   中    了  五百   万！

Congratulations! You’ve won five million in the lottery!

      Tiān na,   nǐ zài kāiwánxiào ma?
B:    天    哪，你 在     开玩笑    吗？

Oh my God! Are you kidding?

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

      Tiān na! Zhè yǔ xià de hǎo dà ya!
A:    天   哪！这   雨 下 得  好   大 呀！

My God! It’s pouring rain!

      Zhè xià zāo le,  wǒ méi dài  yǔsǎn.
B:    这 下   糟 了，我 没   带    雨伞。

This is terrible! I didn’t bring an umbrella.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Nǐ  zhè piān wénzhāng hái xūyào zài gǎi xià ba.
A:  你 这    篇      文章       还   需要   再  改 下 吧。

 I think you need to revise your essay again.

    Wǒ jìnlì   le,  jiù zhè yàng ba.
B: 我 尽力 了，就 这    样   吧。

I have tried my best. That’s it.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Wèi, nǐhǎo, qǐng wèn Ānnà zài ma?
A:  喂，你好，  请     问  安娜 在 吗？

Hello, excuse me, is Anna there?

     Tā  zài, qǐng děng yí xià.
B:  她 在， 请     等   一 下。

Yes, she is. Please hold on.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

Zǒukāi, wǒ xiǎng yí gè rén zǒu zou.
 走开， 我   想   一 个  人  走   走。

Leave me alone. I want to take a walk by myself.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

Bìzuǐ,  nǐ  bù zhīdào nǐ chǎo de wǒ dōu tóuténg le ma?
闭嘴，你 不   知道 你   吵   得 我   都    头疼    了  吗？

Shut up! Can’t you see you’re giving me another headache?

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

      Nǐ zuìjìn shēntǐ hǎo xiē le ma?
A：你 最近   身体   好 些 了 吗？

     Are you feeling better recently?

     Hái bú cuò, duō xiè.
B：还 不 错，多   谢。

     Not bad. Many thanks!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

     Jīntiān shízài shì tài rè  le,   xiàwǔ wǒmen yì qǐ  qù yóuyǒng zěnmeyàng?
A:  今天     实在 是 太 热 了， 下午   我们 一 起 去     游泳     怎么样？

It’s so hot today. How about going swimming together this afternoon?

     Èn, hǎo zhǔyi!
B:  嗯，好  主意！

Mmm, good idea!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Wǒ yào xiān jiē gè diànhuà, nǐ  jìn diànyǐngyuàn lǐmiàn děng wǒ ba.
A: 我   要   先   接 个    电话， 你 进       电影院      里面     等    我 吧。

I need to answer my phone. You can go inside the cinema to wait for me.

   Hǎo de. Yí huìr jiàn!
B: 好 的。一会儿 见！

 Ok. See you soon!

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Duì bù qǐ,   wǒ bù xiǎoxīn bǎ  nǐ  de bēizi shuāi suì le.
A:   对 不 起，我 不   小心   把 你 的  杯子  摔     碎 了。

   Sorry, I broke your cup because of my carelessness.

     Méi guānxi.
B:   没    关系。

   No worries.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Wǒmen cuòguò gōngjiāochē le.
A:   我们       错过       公交车      了。

      We’ve missed the bus.

     Bú yào jǐn, guò shí fēnzhōng hái yǒu yí tàng.
B:  不 要  紧，过    十    分钟      还   有 一   趟。 

     No worries. There’ll be another in ten minutes.  

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Nǐ néng jiè wǒ wǔ bǎi yuán qián mā?
A:  你   能   借 我 五 百    元    钱    吗？

     Could you please lend me five hundred Yuan?

    Bù xíng! Nǐ qùnián qiàn wǒ de qián hái méi huán ne.
B: 不 行！  你 去年    欠   我 的   钱    还   没 还     呢。

     No way! You haven’t paid back the money you owed me last year.

 Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

 Example:

     Hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn, zhè duàn shíjiān nǐ qù nǎ  le?
A:   好  久   不 见，这     段    时间  你 去 哪 了？

      Long time no see! Where have you been these days?

     Méi qù nǎ, wǒ zài jiā xuéxí hànzì ne!
B:   没 去 哪，我 在 家 学习 汉字 呢！

       I didn’t go anywhere. I just stayed at home to learn Chinese characters.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

      Wǒ réngrán bù zhīdào gāi zěnyàng xué hànyǔ.
A： 我    仍然     不   知道    该     怎样    学    汉语。

   I still don’t know how to learn Chinese.

      Wǒ yě shì, huòxǔ wǒmen kěyǐ wènwen Tuōni.
B： 我 也 是，或许     我们  可以    问问    托尼。

   Me neither, perhaps we should ask Tony about it.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

     Wǒ ài  nǐ!   Nǐ   kěyǐ  zuò wǒ de nǚpéngyǒu mā?
A:  我 爱 你！你   可以  做   我 的   女朋友       吗？

   I love you! Could you be my girlfriend?

     Duìbùqǐ, wǒ yǐjīng yǒu nánpéngyǒu le.
B:   对不起，我 已经 有     男朋友        了。

   Sorry, I already have a boyfriend.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

   Yuēhàn, nǐ zuìjìn hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì zhǔnbèi de zěnmeyàng le?
A: 约 翰，你 最近   汉语     水平      考试      准备   的      怎么样   了？

   Hi, John, how is your HSK preparation going?

   Yìbān. Nǐ ne?
B: 一般。你 呢？

    Just so so. How about you?

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

  Zhège zhōumò wǒmen yìqǐ qù Shànghǎi lǚyóu ba.
A:  这个   周末    我们   一起  去   上海        旅游   吧。

   Let’s go to Shanghai in this weekend.

   Suàn le ba, zhè ge zhōumò wǒ hěn máng. Xià zhōu mò zěnmeyàng?
B:  算 了 吧，这 个    周末    我   很    忙。  下   周    末     怎么样？

   Forget it! I will be very busy this weekend. What about next weekend?

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

 Example:

  Qǐng wèn zhèjiàn hóngsè  de  chènshān duōshǎo qián?
A: 请     问    这件     红色     的       衬衫       多少    钱？

   Excuse me, how much is this red shirt?

    Yìbǎi kuài.
B: 一百 块。

    One hundred Yuan.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

      Zhècì  de  hànyǔ yǔfǎ  kǎoshì, nǐ kǎo de  zěnmeyàng?
A:   这次    的   汉语  语法   考试，  你 考 的 怎么样？

How about your Chinese grammar test this time?

     Hái  bú  cuò.
B:   还 不 错。

Not Bad.

     Tài hǎo le! Gōngxǐ nǐ!
A:   太 好 了！恭喜 你！

Great! Congratulations!

Got questions on Chinese grammar? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese grammar lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Wǒ fāxiàn nǐ zuìjìn hànyǔ jìnbù hǎo kuài a！
A: 我 发现    你最近   汉语   进步   好   快  啊！

     I find you have made so much progress in your Chinese learning.

    Dāngrán le, wǒ zuìjìn yì zhí zài wǎngshàng xuéxí hànyǔ.
B: 当然      了，我  最近 一 直 在    网上        学习    汉语。

    Of course, I have been studying Mandarin online recently.

     Ò, wǒ míngbai le.
A: 哦，我    明白    了。

    Oh, I see.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

   Jiějie, ràng wǒ yòng diànnǎo fùxí yí xià ba, hànyǔ shuǐpíng 
A: 姐姐，让    我 用       电脑   复习一 下 吧，汉语    水平

   kǎoshì  (HSK test) jiù yào dào le.
   考试     (HSK test) 就 要   到   了。

   Sister, please let me use the computer. I would like to review for the HSK test, which is
   coming up soon.

   Shāoděng, wǒ mǎshàng nòng wán.|
B: 稍等，        我     马上        弄     完。

   Wait for a moment; I’ll be done soon.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Bàba, nǐ gěi wǒ mǎi hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì (HSK) de cānkǎoshū le ma?
A: 爸爸，你 给 我 买     汉语    水平   考试   （HSK）的  参考书    了    吗？

    Dad, have you bought the HSK reference book for me?

    Duìbùqǐ, bǎobèi, wǒ wàng le.
B: 对不起， 宝贝，  我 忘 了。

     I’m sorry, honey. I forgot to do so.

Got questions on HSK test? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online HSK Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

Bǎobèi, zěnme le? Kū de nàme shāngxīn?
A: 宝贝，  怎么 了？ 哭 得 那么      伤心？

Honey, what’s wrong? Why are you crying so sadly?

Māma, wǒ hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì (HSK) méi kǎo hǎo.
B: 妈妈，我    汉语     水平     考试（HSK）  没 考    好。

Mom, I failed in my HSK test.

Got questions on HSK test? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online HSK Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Sūshān, jīntiān de hànyǔ kè jiù dào zhèlǐ,  wǒ gāi zǒu le.
A:  苏 珊，   今天   的   汉语 课 就 到  这里，我 该 走 了。

   Susan, that’s all for today’s Chinese lessons, I should leave.

    Hǎo de, bǎozhòng.
B:  好 的，  保    重。

   OK, take care, please.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Bù hǎo yìsi, tuō ni, jiǔ děng le.
A: 不 好 意思，托尼，久 等    了。

    Excuse me, Tony, thank you for waiting.

    Méi guānxi.
B: 没   关系。

    Not at all.

    Hǎo,  nà wǒmen jìxù jīntiān de hànyǔ kè ba.
A: 好， 那 我们   继续 今天  的   汉语 课 吧。

    OK, let’s continue today’s Chinese lesson.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

This phrase is often used in formal context (for instance, in business Chinese). The Chinese character “您 (nín)” shows more respect than “你 (nĭ).” It is often used in business Chinese to call those who are older or have higher ranks.

Example : (Learn a simple dialogue in business Chinese)

   Jiàn dào nín fēicháng róngxìng! Nín guìxìng?
A: 见   到   您    非常        荣幸！    您    贵姓？

    It’s a great honor to meet you! May I have your name?

    Miǎn guì xìng Wáng. Wǒ yě hěn gāoxìng rènshi nín!
B: 免      贵 姓     王。    我 也   很    高兴     认识    您！

   Yes, my surname is Wang. Nice to meet you too!

Note: 免贵姓…is the polite reply to …贵姓 in business Chinese. “贵 (guì)” means honored.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online business Chinese lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

Qǐng yuánliàng, wǒ děi shīpéi yíxià,  wǒ de shāngwù hànyǔ gùwèn zhǎo wǒ.       
    请      原谅，   我  得   失陪  一下, 我 的    商务       汉语     顾问   找   我。

Please pardon me, I have to leave for a while because my business Chinese teacher is looking for me.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Āi yo,  nǐ yā dào wǒ de shǒu le!
A: 哎哟！你 压 到   我 的   手 了！

    Ouch! You are pressing on my hand!

     Ō, bào qiàn, wǒ zhǐ shì xiǎng kànkan nǐ de hànyǔ yǔfǎ zuòyè.
B: 噢，抱 歉， 我 只 是    想     看看    你 的 汉语   语法 作业。

    Oh, sorry, I just want to have a look at your homework of Chinese grammar.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example (Chinese conversation):

    Nǐ zhīdào zánmen xuéxiào yǒu hànyǔ fǔdǎobān ma?
A: 你  知道     咱们    学校     有    汉语    辅导班     吗？

    Do you know whether there is a Chinese tutorial class in our school?

    Wǒ bùzhīdào. Dànshì nǐ kěyǐ shàngwǎng xué, qù wǎngshàng sōusuǒ yí xià ba.
B: 我    不知道。  但是   你 可以    上网       学，  去      网上          搜索   一 下 吧。

   I don’t know. But you can study Chinese online,  so go and search online.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Xièxie nǐ jiāo wǒ zěnyàng xué hànyǔ.
A: 谢谢   你  教   我   怎样    学     汉语。

    Thanks for teaching me how to learn Chinese.

    Bú yòng xiè, wǒ hěn lèyì hé nǐ fēnxiǎng hànyǔ xuéxí jīngyàn.
B: 不  用     谢，我  很  乐意 和 你   分享     汉语    学习   经验。

     You’re welcome. I’m very glad to share my Chinese learning experiences with you.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Bié zháojí, xué hànyǔ xūyào yǒu nàixīn, yǒu héngxīn, xīn jí chī bù liǎo rè dòufu.
A: 别    着急，学   汉语   需要   有    耐心、有     恒心， 心 急 吃 不 了 热 豆腐。

    Be patient. Learning Mandarin needs patience and persistence. Haste makes waste.
  
    Èn, wǒmen hànyǔ lǎoshī yě shuō le, xué hànyǔ yào tātāshíshí.
B: 嗯，我们    汉语    老师   也   说   了，学    汉语   要   踏踏实实。

    Yeah, our Chinese teacher also said that we need solid work when learning Mandarin.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Usage 1: “便宜” means “价格低 (jiàgé dī) low price.”

Example:

   Zhè tiáo qúnzi zhēn guì, néng bù néng piányi yì diǎn?
A: 这 条    裙子    真   贵，   能 不    能     便宜 一 点？  

This dress is so expensive. Could it be much cheaper?

   Bùhǎoyìsi, zhège yǐjīng shì zhékòu jià le.
B: 不好意思，这个 已经   是   折 扣 价  了。

   I’m sorry. But it is already the discount price. 

Usage 2:  “便宜”means “放过某人(fàng guò mǒurén) let someone off lightly.”

Example: 

   Tā zěnme kěyǐ zhème zuò? Tài guòfèn le!
A: 他 怎么 可以 这么    做？   太 过分    了！

   How can he do this? It’s too excessive!

   Shì ya, nǐ bù néng jiù zhème piányi tā.
B: 是呀，你 不 能     就 这么   便宜 他。

Yeah, you shouldn’t let him off so lightly.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Wūlǐ zhēn rè, wǒmen qù yuànzi  lǐ chéngliáng ba.
A: 屋里 真    热，我们    去   院子 里    乘凉       吧。

    It’s so hot inside the room. Let’s go outside to cool ourselves in the breeze.

   Hǎo de.
B: 好 的。

     Ok.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

  Tóngxuémen, jīntiān de hànyǔ kè jiù dào zhèlǐ, zàijiàn.
A:  同学们，     今天    的    汉语 课 就 到 这里，再见。

   That’s all for today’s Chinese lesson. Goodbye, everybody! 

   Lǎoshī zàijiàn.
B: 老师   再见。

   Goodbye, teacher.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example:

    Zhēn shì tài gǎnxiè nǐ le, zài wǒ xué hànyǔ shí bāng le nàme duō máng.
A: 真     是 太 感谢   你了，在 我 学    汉语 时   帮   了 那么    多    忙。

    Thanks a lot! You helped me so much when I learned Chinese.

   Kèqi le, zánmen shì hǎo péngyoǔ ā!
B: 客气了，咱们    是    好   朋友     啊。

    You are welcome. We are good friends!

 Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example: 

    Jīntiān de shūcài zhēn xīnxian.
A: 今天    的    蔬菜    真    新鲜。

     Today’s vegetables are really fresh!

    Shìya, wǒmen duō mǎi diǎn ba.
B: 是 呀，我 们   多    买 点   吧。

     Yeah, let’s buy more of them.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example: 

    Jiā lǐ méiyǒu shuǐguǒ le, nǐ qù mǎi diǎn píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo ba.
A:  家里   没有     水果   了，你 去   买  点    苹果     和    香蕉     吧。

   There is no fruit at home; please go and buy some apples and bananas.

     Hǎo de.
 B:  好  的。

    Ok.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

一分钱 (yì fēn qián) means one cent; 一分货 (yì fēn huò) means one point of goods.  

Example: 

    Nǐ zhè tiáo qúnzi zhēn hǎo kàn, duō shǎo qián?
A: 你 这 条    裙子   真    好  看， 多    少     钱？

    Your skirt is so beautiful! How much was it?

    Sì bǎi kuài, yǒudiǎn guì.
B: 四 百 块， 有 点 贵。

    Four hundred yuan, a little bit expensive!

  Shì yǒu diǎn, bú guò yì fēn qián yì fēn huò, zhè qúnzi chuān zhe duō yǒu qìzhì ya！
A: 是 有    点，不 过  一 分    钱   一 分 货， 这   裙子    穿     着 多   有    气质 呀！

Yeah, it is. But you get what you pay for. You look so elegant in this skirt! 

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example：

    Nǐ qù shǔqī zhōngwén xuéxiào shàngkè de shíhou jìde dài shàng tàiyángsǎn,
A: 你 去   暑期     中文    学校        上课     的   时候    记得 带 上      太阳伞，

    zhùyì fángshài.
     注意  防晒。

Remember, please take an umbrella in order to protect yourself from sunburn
when you are going to take classes at the summer Chinese school.

 
    Hǎo de, xièxiè nǐ de tíxǐng.
B: 好 的， 谢谢  你的 提醒。

OK，thanks for reminding me.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example： 

 Tiān hěn rè ,wǒ quán shēn dōu chūhàn le,  míngtiān zhēn bù xiǎng lái shàngkè le .
A: 天 很 热，我 全     身       都     出汗 了，     明天      真  不    想 来     上课 了。

    The weather is so hot and I’m all wet. I really won’t want to come here tomorrow.

  Wǒ zǎo jiù jiànyì nǐ xuǎnzé zàixiàn shǔqī hànyǔ kèchéng, zài jiā shàngkè jiù 
B: 我 早 就 建议 你 选择    在线     暑期 汉语      课程，   在  家   上课   就

róngyì hěn duō le.
   容易    很 多了。

    I have already recommended you to take online summer Chinese courses. Taking a class at home would have been much easier to handle.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.

Example： 

   Māma, kǎoxiāng lǐ nàge shì shénme?
A: 妈妈， 烤箱     里  那个  是   什么？

    What is that in the oven?

    Shì wǒ zuò de dàngāo, qìngzhù nǐ zài hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì zhōng
B: 是 我 做 的   蛋糕，     庆祝    你 在   汉语    水平      考试     中

qǔ dé le yōuyì de chéng jì。
取 得 了 优异  的    成绩。

  It is the cake I made for the celebration of your good job in the HSK test.

Got questions? Take a Free 1-on-1 live online lesson with our professional teachers from China.