Brief Summary
This video provides essential phrases and cultural tips for starting conversations in Mandarin Chinese. It covers greetings for various situations, from casual encounters to formal introductions, and offers advice on responding to common greetings. The video emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and provides practical phrases to impress native speakers.
- Cultural nuances in Chinese interactions.
- Greetings for different social contexts.
- Phrases for starting and responding to conversations.
Intro & Cultural Differences
The video addresses the common concerns of learners when initiating conversations with Chinese speakers, such as using appropriate language for different age groups and social settings. It highlights that while Western body language like nodding and smiling are common in China, physical touch is more limited due to cultural conservatism. The video also notes that as a foreigner who speaks Chinese well, you'll have more leeway with mistakes compared to native speakers.
Just Passing By
When greeting someone in passing, use "Ni hao" with a smile and nod. If you know their name or title, use it before "Ni hao." For shop owners, use "Lǎobǎn (老板)," meaning boss. For men who appear to be of your father's age, use "Shūshu (叔叔)," and for women of your mother's age, use "Āyí (阿姨)." If a woman is on the border of your mother's age, use "Jiějie (姐姐)," meaning older sister. In the morning, say "Zǎo shang hǎo (早上好)" or the casual "Zǎo (早)." "Xiàwǔ hǎo (下午好)" (good afternoon) and "Wǎnshàng hǎo (晚上好)" (good evening) are formal and typically used by waiters in nice restaurants.
Stopping to Talk
When stopping to talk, it's common to comment on what the person is doing. For example, if someone is resting, you can say "Xiūxi ne (休息呢)," meaning "you're resting." If someone is leaving, say "Zǒu la (走啦)," meaning "you're leaving," or if they're returning home, say "Huílái la (回来啦)," meaning "you're back." A common phrase is "Chī le ma (吃了吗)," meaning "have you eaten?" Respond with "Chī le (吃了)" (yes, I have eaten) or "Hái méi chī (还没吃)" (not yet). Variations include "Chī zǎo fan le ma (吃早饭了吗)" (have you had breakfast?), "Chī wǔ fan le ma (吃午饭了吗)" (have you had lunch?), or the casual "Chī la me (吃啦没)."
Most Common Conversation Starters
When starting a conversation with someone you haven't seen in a while, use "Hǎo jiǔ bù jiàn (好久不见)," meaning "long time no see." If it hasn't been long, use "Zuìjìn zěnme yàng (最近怎么样)," meaning "how have you been recently?" or the casual "Zěnme yàng a (怎么样啊)." You can also say "Zuìjìn máng shénme ne (最近忙什么呢)," meaning "what have you been up to?" or "Zuìjìn hǎo ma (最近好吗)," meaning "how's life been treating you?" or "Zuìjìn yīqiè dōu hǎo ba (最近一切都好吧)," expressing sincere care.
Fixed Phrases
The video emphasizes that while learning fixed phrases is helpful, it's essential to acquire the language naturally through listening, reading, and watching Chinese content for smooth, effortless conversations. Mandarin Blueprint offers courses to accelerate Chinese learning.
Common Responses to Greetings
When someone asks how you're doing, you can respond with "Hái kěyǐ (还可以)," meaning "pretty good," "Hái xíng (还行)," meaning "I'm alright," or "Lǎo yàngzi (老样子)," meaning "same old, same old."
