Random Chinese ~ My Name Is. . .

Now that I’m living here in China, I’m starting to pick up a little bit of Chinese 🙂 Some of this is from classes, some from my textbook, and most from talking to the locals. But knowing Chinese is very important here, since the English of the older generations (who manage the businesses) is still not very fluent.  

I thought I’d share a few words as I learn them; maybe they will help other new laowai （foreigners) who come to check China out 🙂

Warning, DeceptivelyBlonde (DB) pronunciation uses no tones and is only meant to get you by if needs must 🙂 It’s the redneck Chinese.

What’s Your Name?

Question:

English: What’s Your Name? 

Characters: 你叫什么名字 ？

Pinyin: Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì? 

DB Pronounciation ~ knee jou shehn mah meeng zuh

Answer: There are two answers- formal / informal – informal is okay for us laowai usually.

Informal

English: My name is . . . (Olivia)

Characters: 我 叫 . . . (我 叫 Olivia)

Pinyin: Wǒ jiào Olivia

DB Pronunciation ~ woah jou  . . . 

Formal

English: My name is . .  . (Olivia)

Characters: 我的名字是. . . (我的名字是 Olivia)

Pinyin: Wǒ de míngzì shì . . . 

DB Pronunciation: woah duh meeng zuh shuh

Tags: Beginning Chinese, Characters, Chinese, Chinese lessons, Laowai, Mandarin, pinyin, Standard