Foreign Visitors
Press "play" to begin.
Listen carefully
to the Chinese audio.
Repeat all of the
Chinese words that
you see on the screen.
In today’s lesson, we’re going to look at some ways to talk about the things one’s interests, and the reasons people find things interesting.
We open as Li Ming is asking Annie how long she has been in China. Here is how to say “how long?”. Please listen and repeat.
We can clarify the meaning here by adding different words to provide context. Here is how to say “time” in Mandarin. Listen and repeat.
Now, we can put these words together to say “how long” as in “how much time?” Give it a try.
Great. Now, do you remember how to say “China” in Mandarin Chinese?
How about the Mandarin word for “come”?
Good. Now say “come to China”.
Okay, now can you remember the word that means “done” or “finished” in Mandarin?
Now say “came to China” or “finished coming to China”.
Excellent. Here we have come to another point where the meaning of the individual Chinese words as we understand them does not reflect the same meaning as an English sentence would containing the same vocabulary.
Basically what we want to say is “How long have you been in China?” However, in Mandarin, the grammar is more like “You - come to china - how long - finished” Listen and repeat.
How to say how long have you been to China, can you try?
Great. Once again, say “How long have you been in China?”
Annie has been in China for over a year. To answer, she simply says “more than one year”.
To form this kind of phrase, we can use a word that means something like “more than” or “over”. You’ll notice that this is the same word we use to say “much” or “many”. Please listen and repeat.
Good. Can you remember how to say “one year”. The grammar is just like it sounds.
Now say “over a year” which, in Chinese grammar, comes out as “one year - more than - finished”. Give it a try.
A common standby for Chinese people making small talk with foreign visitors is to ask “Why have you come to China?”, just as Li Ming does in our dialog.
Here is how to say the Mandarin word for “why”. It’s sort of like the English phrase “what for?” Listen and repeat.
Now say “Why have you come to China?” The grammar here is something like “You - why - come to China.” Give it a try.
Then Annie says she wants to learn Chinese and gain a better understanding of Chinese culture. Here is how to say “Chinese” as in “the Chinese language”.
It should be noted that there are a number of ways to talk about the Chinese language, and the phrase we use here refers primarily to the spoken language, rather than the written form.
Here is how to say “study” or “learn” in Mandarin. Listen and repeat.
Notice that we say this word means both “study” and “learn”. In the Chinese perspective these concepts are somewhat interchangeable.
Try to say “study Chinese”.
Good. Now, can you remember the Mandarin word for “want” as in “want to...”?
Now say “I want to study Chinese.”
Excellent. Now, remember that Annie also said she wants to understand Chinese culture.
Here is the Mandarin word for “understand” or “know”. Listen and repeat.
And here is the Mandarin word for “culture”.
How about “Chinese culture”? Give it a try.
Good. Let’s put these last couple phrases together and say “understand Chinese culture.” Listen and repeat.
Next, Li Ming asks Annie if she likes Chinese culture. Do you still remember how to say “like” in Mandarin?
And, what word do we use to indicate question in Mandarin?
Okay, you already have all the pieces. How do you say, “Do you like Chinese culture?”
Annie tell him that she likes Chinese culture very much. Here is one way to say “very much” or “extremely”. Listen and repeat.
We can respond to Li Ming’s question by saying “I like it very much,” which is simply “very much - like”. Give it a try.
Annie also says that she thinks it is very interesting.
Here is how to say “think” when discussing your opinion.
A minute ago we mentioned one way to say “very much”. We’ve also gone over another way to say this in the past. Can you remember?
Good. He is how to say “interesting” in Mandarin. It sounds a bit like “have meaning”. Please listen and repeat.
Putting it all together, here is how to say, “I think it’s very interesting.” Listen and repeat.
Li Ming agrees with Annie, saying Chinese culture is “broad and deep” or rather: “extensive and profound”. Listen and repeat.
This is a type of Chinese expression known as “Chengyu”. “Chengyu” are derived from ancient Chinese literature, so each phrase is a sort of reference to an idea in a well-known story. While usually four characters long, “chengyu” convey a great deal of information within a very limited number of sounds.
Once again, say “broad and deep” in Mandarin.
And can you say the Mandarin term for “Chinese culture”?
Now say “Chinese culture is extensive and profound” This time, you don’t have to say “is”.
Li Ming tells Annie that she will understand Chinese culture more later on.
Do you remember how to say “understand”?
Here is how to say “more” in Mandarin. Listen and repeat.
Now say “understand more”.
Do you remember how to say “will” in Mandarin?
Here is how to say “after” or “later on”. Listen and repeat.
Putting it all together, we can say, “You will know more later on”.
Very good. Which part of that means “after” or “later on”
And which part means, “You will...”?
Great. I think that’s all we need. Let’s take another look at the dialog.
Upon visiting China, you may find that this type of exchange characterizes many of the conversations you have when meeting Chinese people for the first time.
First Li Ming asks Annie how long she has been in China:
She says, “Over a year.”
“Why did you come to China?”
“I wanted to study Chinese...”
“...and understand Chinese culture.”
“Do you like Chinese culture?”
“I like it very much.”
And she says, “I think it’s very interesting.”
He says “Chinese culture is broad and deep.”
“You will understand more later on.”
Very good. That’s all for today. See you in lesson 16.
