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How to Pronounce Basic Chinese Phrases

Chinese language

By Peaushan DevanarayanaPublished 3 years ago 3 min read
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How to Pronounce Basic Chinese Phrases
Photo by Eepeng Cheong on Unsplash

With over 1.3 billion native Chinese speakers in the world, it is now the most spoken language globally. This means that more and more people are going to find their lives intersecting with the need to be able to understand or communicate to a basic level in Chinese. As the world becomes more globalized the economic power of the Chinese mainland is becoming undeniable and it will certainly attract people who hope to conduct business or visit as travellers.

Why the Chinese language?

Something that may seem unexpected is that despite its unique structure, it can be quite easy to pick up. People who visit the country, even for a short period, can pick up basic phrases that help them get through the day without much hassle.

With some curiosity and practice, it is a fairly straightforward task to learn this new language. It is no different from learning other western languages such as French or German. Practice coupled with regular education will help you keep your skills sharp and be prepared for an impromptu conversation.

Phrases to know when travelling

If you have taken the option of visiting the nation of China to immerse yourself in its culture then you will certainly need an arsenal of phrases to ensure you can travel without any major issues. A phrase that is going to be quite important is, 'Do you speak English?', which is pronounced, 'nǐ huì shuō yīng yǔ ma?'. This is likely to be a lifesaver, especially if you have wandered away from the city toward the more rural parts of China. If you are looking for an apartment hotel in Hefei such as the Somerset Swan Lake Hefei the likelihood of running into someone who speaks English is going to be significantly higher, and this person will surely be happy to assist you in your journey.

Another key phrase to know when travelling is, 'where is the bathroom?', which is pronounced, 'xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎ lǐ?'. There is nothing worse than being unable to find a bathroom when in a foreign country. Having this phrase in your mind will save you a lot of hassle during dire situations!

A word that you hopefully will not need to use your trip but is still useful to know is the word for, 'help'. The phonetical pronunciation is, 'jiù mìng' and it will be very handy if you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.

What if you are a beginner?

There is no shame in being a beginner when it comes to learning Chinese. Everyone has to start from somewhere and the best way to grow is to ask questions, make mistakes and stay persistent. Let your curiosity guide you, simply ask someone, 'zhè ge yòng hàn yǔ zěn me shuō?' and they will quickly relay to you how to communicate your point in Chinese.

If you are having a little bit of trouble trying to understand what the people around you are asking or saying then simply say, 'kě yǐ jiě shì yī xià ma? Wǒ bú tài míng bai.' This will let them know that you are having trouble understanding what they are trying to communicate with you.

Much of the phrases that are taught to newcomers are selected to provide them with the fastest journey to mastery. It is also to ensure that the speakers who are learning the language also have an appreciation for the courtesy and etiquettes that are part and parcel of the Chinese culture. This will allow you to better integrate with Chinese communities not only on the mainland but also around the world!

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About the Creator

Peaushan Devanarayana

Im a Sri Lankan travel enthusiast !!!

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