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 How the phrases are listed:

  • The following Mandarin phrases are listed on the first line in English.
  • On the 2nd line, the Pin-Yin Romanization is listed first, followed by the Tone of each syllable in brackets [tone]. Finally, an English pronounciation spelling that comes closest to the correct sounds if it were being read by an English speaking person who had not studied the Pin-Yin romanization standards.
  • If you have a sound plug-in for your web browser, you can click on one of the Pin-Yin terms and hear the hear the phrase spoken by a native Chinese speaker. Listen closely to the tones and how they are used to pronounce each word.


COMMONLY USED PHRASES IN MANDARIN
 I, me
Wo [3] (Waw)

You (singular)
Ni [3] (Knee)

He / She
Ta. [1] (Tah)

America
Mei-guo [3-2] (May-gwaw)

China
Zhong-guo [1-2] (Joong-gwaw)

Good Day / Hello / How are You?
Ni Hao? [3-3] (Knee How?)

Thank you.
Xie-xie ni. [4-4-3] (Syeah-syeah nee)

Excuse me.
Dui-bu-qi. [4-2-3] (Dway-boo-chee)

I don't understand.
Wo bu dong. [3-2-3] (Waw boo-doong)

Please speak English.
Qing shou Ying-wen. [3-1-1-2] (Ching shwaw Ying-wun)

Welcome to America.
Huan-yin ni dao Mei-guo lai. [1-2-3-4-3-3-2] (Hwaan-ying knee daw May-gwaw lie)

Please help me.
Qing bang-zhu wo. [3-1-4-3] (Ching baang-joo waw)
   I am lost.
Wo mi-lu le. [3-2-4-0] (Waw mee-loo luh)

Beijing
Beijing [3-1] (Bay jing)

Taiwan
Taiwan [2-1] (Tye waan)

Goodbye
Zai jian [4-4] (Dzai gee-en)

HaveYou Eaten?
Ni, chi fan le, mai you? [3-1-4-5, 3-3] (Knee chir fawn la, may yo?)

Acupuncture
Zhen Jiu [1-1] (Gin Joe)

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
(counting from one to ten)
Yi, Er, San, Sz, Wu, Leo, Qi, Ba, Jou, Shi
[1, 4, 1, 4, 3, 4, 1, 1, 3, 2]

Qigong
Qi gong [4-1] (Chee gung)

See You Later
Ming tien jian [2-1-4] (Ming tien jian)

Taijiquan (T'ai Chi Ch'uan)
Tai ji quan [4-2-2] (Tie gee chwan)

Dao De Jing (Tao Te Ching)
Dao de jing [4-2-1] (Dowel De Ching)

I don't understand
Wo bu dong [3-4-3] (Waw boo dung)

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