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
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