Russian-Chinese phrasebook with transcription for tourists. Everyday phrases and words in Chinese

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!) is the first basic Chinese phrase that you need to learn in order to make contact in a society where everyone speaks Chinese.

  • 你好吗? (nǐ hǎo ma) How are you?

If this is not your first time greeting someone, you can show more attention and interest by asking how they are doing. (nǐ hǎo ma)你好吗?

  • 你吃了吗? - an excellent phrase for this case.(nǐ chī le ma)

Have you eaten? This is the Chinese way of showing attention. Culturally, this is a close equivalent to the phrase “How are you?” People ask “Have you eaten?” as a polite way to inquire about the well-being of the other person, and most people simply respond with “吃了”(chī le)

, “I have eaten.”

  • 早安! Admitting that you have not eaten means putting some pressure on the questioner: a polite reaction to such an admission will be the only way out - to feed you.(zǎo ān)

Good morning! The Chinese love to say "Good morning", so if you greet someone early, try to use this greeting. If Golden time missed, don't 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:

诶, 你好. Add casualness and coolness by adding the word “Hey” at the beginning of the phrase. For example: (ēi, nǐ hǎo)

诶, 怎么样? "Hey hello". (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?

  • 怎么称呼？ This is an informal way to introduce yourself to each other.我叫 (wǒ jiào) means “My name”, and 你呢? (nǐ ne) “And you?”

(zěn me chēng hū)

  • 请问您贵姓? How can I contact you? This phrase is a more formal/polite way of asking someone's name. This roughly translates to “How should I address you?”

(qǐng wèn nín gùi xìng) May I know your last name? This phrase is even more formal and is used in. When someone answers by saying their last name, for example, “我姓王” (wǒ xìng wáng)– Mr. Wang), 王小姐 ( wáng xiǎo jiě– Mrs. (unmarried) Wang) or 王太太 ( wáng tài tài– Mrs. (married) Wang).

Again, a little conversational flavor:

For a fun, tongue-in-cheek 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?

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

Continuing 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?

This is a less direct way of asking “Where are you from?” 你是哪里人?(nǐ shì nǎ lǐ rén)

  • 你作什么样的工作? . In China, people from big cities often come from elsewhere. They move from smaller towns to big cities to work or study. Asking if they're local can provide an opportunity to talk about their hometowns.(nǐ zùo shén me yàng de gōng zùo)

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

  • 你读什么专业? - What is your specialty?)(nǐ dú shén me zhuān yè)

What do you study?

  • 你有什么爱好? Among the students, you can start a conversation by asking about their specialization or main subject.(nǐ yǒu shén me ài hào?)

What do you like to do? This phrase is used to ask about hobbies or interests. Another great way

start a conversation.

How to “dilute” the situation:

诶, 什么事？ Try this casual phrase to overcome awkwardness and tension when entering a room or joining a group: (ēi, shen 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, it can sound very friendly and appropriate.

Answers during a conversation

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

  • 太酷了! What do you say when you hear something exciting or interesting? Here are some basic phrases to respond to such stories:(tài kù le!)

That's cool!

  • 好搞笑。 The Chinese word for "cool" is borrowed from the English "cool" and sounds exactly the same!(hǎo gǎo xiào)

搞笑 Cool.(gǎo xiào)

  • 真的吗? literally means "to have fun" or "to joke."(zhēn de ma)

真的 What, really?(zhēn de) means “truth”, and 吗(ma)

  • 不会吧? – interrogative particle.(bù hùi ba)

不会 Are you serious?(bù hùi) means “no”, and 吧(ba)

  • 我的妈呀! – exclamation particle. In other words, it’s like saying “Come on!”(wǒ de mā ya)

我的妈呀! – exclamation particle. In other words, it’s like saying “Come on!” 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. (āi yōu wǒ qù)哎呦我去!

  • 我也是。 literally translates to "Oh, I'm coming!" This phrase is super casual, so it's not something you can use with just anyone, especially if you've just met.(wǒ yě shì)

Me too.

  • 我理解。Three words to help you express your shared feelings.(wǒ lǐ jiě)

I understand. Very useful phrase

to express empathy.

Conversational version:

太牛了! For the most emotional response, try saying: (tài níu le)

This is damn good (can't stand up)!

In formal business contexts, this may be considered rude. But perfectly acceptable at a party.

Farewell phrases

  • 我先走了。下次再聊吧！ Finally we come to the words for parting. Here's how you can say goodbye in a relaxed and appropriate way.(wǒ xiān zǒu le。 xià cì zài liáo ba)

I have to go. Let's talk again (let's talk another time)!

  • 回头见。 If you need to leave first, you can bow out in a friendly manner.(húi tóu jiàn)

See you.

  • 我们再联络吧。 This phrase is useful for breaking up for a short time, for example, if you meet again on the same day.(wǒ mén zài 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 very often, but would like to stay in the know and maintain closer contact.

How to say this more casually: Even when we're talking about

这是我的手机号码。给我发短信吧！ About saying goodbye, there are several opportunities to tone down the tone of “secularism” and perhaps move on to a more intimate relationship in the future: (zhè shì wǒ de shǒu jī hào mǎ。gěi wǒ fā duǎn xìn ba)

Here's my cell number. Text me sometime!

加我的微信。 This is a simple phrase that should help maintain your relationship after the party. (jiā wǒ de wēi xìn)

Add me on WeChat. We hope these phrases will add some “zest” to your social life

! Whatever social situation you encounter, use it as an opportunity to hone your language skills, even when greeting someone, saying goodbye, or responding to someone's story. Today, April 20, is International Chinese Language Day. The date was not chosen by chance - it is believed that the founder was born on this day Chinese writing

Modern Chinese is considered the most widely spoken language in the world. It is spoken by over 1.3 billion people in the world. It contains more than 80 thousand hieroglyphs, however, for basic knowledge It is enough to know 500 - this will make it possible to understand 80% of ordinary text. To read newspapers and magazines you need to know 3000 hieroglyphs.

Chinese is one of the oldest languages ​​on the planet that has survived to this day. The enormous size of the Chinese Empire and the disconnected regions gave rise to many dialects and dialects. Over time, southerners and northerners ceased to understand each other, it got to the point that they had to write phrases on paper to communicate. About a hundred years ago, the Chinese realized that this could not continue, and decided to take the Beijing dialect (called “Putonghua” or “Pinyin”) as a basis, and in 1955 it acquired the official status of the state language. Today it is the language of television, literature and official documents, it is used for education in universities and is spoken by educated Chinese. This same standard of pronunciation most often means “ Mandarin Chinese language", although this is not entirely accurate, since linguists use this term to refer to the entire northern group of Chinese dialects.

In general, as you already understand, Chinese is one of the the most complex languages peace. The Chinese themselves are generally welcoming to foreigners, especially those who know some Chinese. However, according to foreigners who know Chinese perfectly, the Chinese have ambivalent attitudes towards them. Especially if you immediately start demonstrating your knowledge, you will deprive the Chinese of the opportunity to be in your eyes a resident of a large mysterious country.

10 simple phrases in Chinese

Hello!你好！ (literally translated means"you're good") Ni hao!

Thank you!

谢谢！ Se se! Please!(response to gratitude)

不客气！ Bu khe tsi! Sorry

对不起 Dui bu qi My name is...

我叫... Wo jiao... Beautiful

好看 (about a thing) / 漂亮 (about a person) Hao kan / Piao liang Goodbye

再见 Tsai Tsien Good bad

好/不好 Hao/Buhao Does anyone here speak Russian?

这里有人会说俄语吗？Zheli yuzhen huisho eyyu ma? I love you

我爱你 Wo ai nii By the way, in Chinese there are no concepts of “yes” and “no,” at least in our understanding. This fully reflects the Chinese mentality. Instead of two simple words

  • The Chinese use more than 20 particles of negation or agreement. Moreover, when a Chinese says “yes,” he may well mean “no.”
  • 
 Hello - 你好 (nihao – nihao)
  • 
 Goodbye – 再见 (zaijian – tsai den)
  • 
 Please – 不客气 (bukeqi – bu ke chi) or 不用谢 (buyongxie – bu yon se)
  • 

 Sorry - 不好意思 (buhaoyisi - buhaois) or 对不起 (duibuqi - dui bu chi, literally “I’m not your match, not your equal”)
  • 

 It's okay - 没事儿 (meishier - mei shir) or 没关系 (meiguanxi - mei guanxi)
  • 
 Yes – 是 (shi – shi) or 对 (dui – dui)
  • 

 No – 不是 (bushi – bushi)
  • 
 Don't/don't need – 不要 (buyao – bu yao)
    P.S. Repeat several times when street vendors begin to “push” the goods
  • 
 I don't understand - 我听不懂 (wo ting bu dong - wo ting bu dong) or I don't speak Chinese - 我不会说汉语 (wo buhui shuo hanyu - wo bu hui shuo hanyu)
    P.S. If suddenly a local resident tries to chat too intrusively
  • 
 Is there anyone here who speaks English? – 这里有人会说英语吗？(zheli you ren hui shuo ying yu ma? – zheli you ren hui shuo ying yu ma?)
    P.S. But don't get your hopes up
  • 
 Help, please – 请帮助我 (qing bangzhu wo – chin banzhu wo)

At the restaurant

  • 
 Please bring the menu - 请给我菜单 (qing gei wo caidan - chin gay in tskhaidan)
  • 
 Please bring a fork/spoon – 请给我叉子/匙子 (qing gei wo chazi/chizi – chin gei wo chazi/chhizi)
  • 
 I need/I want... – 我要... (woyao – in yao)
  • 
 This... this... and this... (if the menu has pictures) – 这个...这个...和这个 (zhege...zhege...he zhege - jage...jege...he jage)
  • 
 Chicken/beef/pork – 鸡肉/牛肉/猪肉 (jirou/niurou/zhurou – dirou/niurou/jurou)
  • 
 Not spicy - 不辣的 (bu lade) Glass of water - 杯水 (bei shui)
  • 
 Account - 买单 (maidan – Maidan)
  • 
 Wrap it with you – 请带走/请打包 (qing dai zou/qing dabao – chin dai zou/chin dabao)
    P.S. Common practice given Chinese portions. Do not be shy
  • 
 Very tasty – 很好吃 (henhaochi – hen hao chshi)

While shopping

  • Where can I buy... - 在哪里能买到... (zai nali neng maidao... - zai nali neng maidao...) ... shoes - 鞋子 (xiezi - sezi) ... women's/men's clothing - 女的衣服/男的衣服 (nüde yifu - nande yifu - nude ifu/nande ifu) ... technique - 技术 (jishu - dishu) ... cosmetics - 美容 (meirong - mei rong)
  • Can I try it on? – 可以试一试? (keyi shiyishi – kei shi and shi?)
  • I need less - 我要小一点儿 (woyao xiao yidianer - in yao xiao idiar) ... more - 大一点儿 (da yidianer - yes idiar)
  • How much does it cost? (duo shao qian – duo shao chien)
  • Very expensive! Let's make it cheaper - 太贵啊!
  • 来便宜点儿! (tai gui a! lai pianyi dianer - thai gui a! Lai pyenyi diar)
  • Can I have a discount? – 可以打折吗? (keyi dazhe ma? – keyi da jae ma?)
    Please don’t follow me – 请别跟着我 (qing bie genzhe wo – chin biye genzhe wo)..
  • P.S. You will repeat this phrase more than once, believe me.

I need a package – 我要袋子 (woyao daizi – in yao daizi)

  • 
 Please give me something for... - 请给我拿一个... (qing gei wo na yige... - chin gay wo na ige...)...temperature - 治发烧的药 (zhi fashao de yao - ji fashao de yao) ... cough - 治咳嗽的药 (zhi kesuo de yao - ji kesuo de yao) ... diarrhea - 治腹泻的药 (zhi fuxie de yao - ji fuse de yao)
  • I need a bactericidal patch – 我要创可贴 (wo yao chuang ketie – wo yao chhuang ketie)

Most Chinese people will try to help you and understand your broken Chinese. They, of course, will laugh among themselves, but they will try to help out the poor foreigner. Many will not miss the opportunity to show you their broken English. At this point you’ll laugh, but they won’t refuse help. She is always sincere.

“Hello” is perhaps the very first word with which people begin to learn foreign language. And if you decide to start learning Chinese, then it would be logical to start with this word.

Hello in Chinese looks and sounds like this (Russian translation nihao):

你好 nǐhǎo

There is also a polite form of address. Here's how to say hello in Chinese:

您好 nínhǎo

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But, to be honest, I almost never heard it used in communication. Therefore, I prefer to use the first option.

To greet several people or a company at once, you can use this expression:

Hello everyone

What do "good morning", "good afternoon" and "good night" sound like in Chinese?

Also, I think it would be a good idea to find out how to greet a person depending on the time of day:

    • Good morning

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    • Good afternoon

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Chinese from scratch: the most compact phrasebook

The Chinese language is incredibly complex - and the Chinese agree. Their country has a huge number of dialects. A southern Chinese can compete with a northern Chinese in the pronunciation of the same word. But every self-respecting citizen of the People's Republic of China 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 how to count to 10.

Politeness is the basis of dialogue with Asians. There is an optimal set of phrases to express it. He will build bridges of understanding in foreign lands. Read and remember:

Hello! 你好 Ni hao!

Goodbye! 再见 Tsai jien!

Welcome! 欢迎 Huanying!

谢谢！ Se se! 请 Tsin!

Thank you! 谢谢 Se se!

Yes! 是 Shi!

No! 不 Boo!

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

It is for you! 我 敬 你! Wo jing ni. This phrase can be heard during a toast at dinner. Its meaning is similar to “Hurray”.

I appreciate your hard work! 你辛苦了! Ni xin ku le.
The Chinese say these words when they have received a favor or been 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 nu!
The character 牛 means "cow" in Chinese. It’s not entirely clear why you 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. Tsin gey vomen phai i zhao.

Please repeat what you said. 请您再说一遍. Tsing nin zai shuo yi bien.


And this is a translation from Chinese into Russian. Photo: macos.livejournal.com

Where can I buy a calling 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 have a snack together! I'm treating you! 起吃饭，我请客! And qi chi fan, vo qing ke! Keep in mind that you should not refuse a Chinese person a meal together. For them, this is an important ritual and a way to establish personal and business relationships.

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

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 for a polite answer. For example, when they say “thank you,” say “nali, nali.” Believe me, this will impress the Chinese.

What is the cost? 多少钱？ Tuo shao tsien?

Please count me in! 买单! May tribute!

I love you. 我爱你 Wow.

I love you too. 我也爱你 Vo e ai ni.

Bonus! Numbers in Chinese
Photo: shilaoshi.ru

1 一 AND
2 二 ER
3 三 SAN
4 四 SY
5 degrees U
6 六 LIU
7 七 TSI
8 八 BA
9 九 TsZIU
10 十 SHI
11 SHI YI
12 十二 SHI ER
20 pm ER SHI
30 pm SAN SHI
40 四十 SY SHI
50 五十 EARS
100 一百 AND BYE
200 二百 ER BAY
1,000 一千 AND TSIEN
10,000 一万 AND WANG
1,000,000 一百万 AND BAI WANG

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



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