This document is a lesson on greetings in Mandarin Chinese. It introduces the greeting "Ni hao" which means "Hello" and is used for informal greetings. It also introduces "Nin hao" which is used for more formal or respectful greetings. The lesson explains that "Ni" has a falling-rising tone while "Nin" has a mid-rising tone. It provides examples of usage and practices distinguishing the tones through exercises. The document also includes a brief section on the Chinese concept of feng shui.

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2. Nǐ hǎo
Lesson 2 on Basic Mandarin!
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3. Revision - Tones
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4. Revision-Vocabulary
English
Mandarin
Mother
Mā
Hemp
Má
Horse
Mǎ
Scold
Mà
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5. Lesson objectives
1
Hello in Mandarin
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6. What’s in store today?
Now that we have learnt the basic tones and
their differences, let us see how tones work
when used in actual conversation!
Let's learn to say 'Hello' in Mandarin!
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7. Saying hello!
In Mandarin, 'Hello' literally translates to
'you good'
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8. Vocabulary
English
You (singular,
informal)
Good
Mandarin
Type
Nǐ
Pronoun
Hǎo
Adjective
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9. Saying hello!
So let's try again:
You = Nǐ
(male/ female)
Good = Hǎo
'Nǐ hǎo' literally means 'You good' and is
used to say 'Hello'
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10. Tonal tip
You = Nǐ
It is pronounced using a
falling rising tone (3rd)
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11. Tonal tip
Let's try and say Nǐ
It is said with a falling rising tone - also
known as the third tone, Nǐ
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12. Tonal tip
Good = Hǎo
Just like Nǐ, Hǎo is also said
with a falling rising tone (3rd)
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13. Greetings
Hello
Nǐ hǎo
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14. Grammar tip!
Note that, whenever we have two third
tones, the first third tone is pronounced as a
second tone
For example in 'Nǐ hǎo', ' Nǐ ' is pronounced
using the second tone!
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15. So remember!
You = Nǐ
Good = Hǎo
Nǐ hǎo literally means 'You good'
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16. Culturally speaking
'Nǐ hǎo' is the most common form of
greeting in China
It can be used at any time of day when meeting
people for the first time or for people
you already know
The response to this greeting form is also 'Nǐ hǎo'
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17. Let's see if you remember…
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18. Pick the right option
What is the correct tone of 'you' in
'you good'?
1
2
3
Nī
Nǐ
Nì
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19. Solution
What is the correct tone of 'you' in
'you good'?
1
2
3
Nī
Nǐ
Nì
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20. So remember!
You = Nǐ
is pronounced using a
falling rising tone (3rd)
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21. Pick the right option
How do we say 'good' in Mandarin?
1
2
3
Háo
Hāo
Hǎo
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22. Solution
How do we say 'good' in Mandarin?
1
2
3
Háo
Hāo
Hǎo
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23. Let's practice!
Mark and Lisa are friends, they
meet at a coffee shop
Mark : Nǐ hǎo
Lisa : Nǐ hǎo
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24. Culturally speaking
When addressing an elder or greeting
someone formally, we use ‘Nín' in place of
'Nǐ'
You (respectful) = Nín
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25. Try yourself
Can you identify the tone that
You (respectful) = Nín carries?
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26. Solution
You (respectful) = Nín
It is pronounced with a
mid rising tone (2nd)
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27. Tonal tips
Let's try and say Nín
It is said with a mid rising tone - also known
as the second tone, Nín
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28. Greetings
Hello
(formal / respectful)
Nín hǎo
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29. Tonal tips
Let's try and say Nín hǎo
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30. Do you remember?
'Nín' is used is used in conversations with
elders (Grandparents, parents etc) or
to show respect to bosses etc...
Nín hǎo = Hello (formal) = You (formal) good
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31. Pick the right option
While saying hello to your grand mom, 'nin'
takes which tone?
1
2
3
Nǐn hǎo
Nín hǎo
Nīn hǎo
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32. Solution
While saying hello to your grand mom, 'nin'
takes which tone?
1
2
3
Nǐn hǎo
Nín hǎo
Nīn hǎo
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33. Pick the right option
Hello
(talking to your younger cousin)
1
2
3
Nǐ hǎo
Nín hao
Nī hǎo
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34. Solution
Hello
(talking to your younger cousin)
1
2
3
Nǐ hǎo
Nín hao
Nī hǎo
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35. So remember!
English
Mandarin
Hello (informal)
Nǐ hǎo
Hello (formal)
Nín hǎo
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36. Pick the right option
Which tone may be described as
falling rising?
1
2
3
Ni
Ní
Nǐ
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37. Solution
Which tone may be described as
falling rising?
1
2
3
Ni
Ní
Nǐ
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38. Let's revise!
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39. Revision-Vocabulary
English
Mandarin
You (informal
Nǐ
You (formal)
Nín
Good
Hǎo
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40. Culture Leaf
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41. Culture leaf
‘Feng shui’ literally translates as ‘wind-water’
in English and is the amalgamation of
many ancient Chinese beliefs
The aim of ‘feng shui’ is to bring various water
bodies and land configurations into complete
harmony, so as to direct the flow or ‘qi’ or vital
energy
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42. Culture leaf
Benefits of good ‘feng shui’ encompass health
and longevity, prosperity, fecundity
and general happiness
The benefits of it are also believed to
extend to one’s descendants!
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43. Culture Leaf
A magnetic compass was invented for Feng shui and is used ever since
Many of the higher-level forms of feng shui involve altering architecture or design,
however,less expensive forms of feng shui, including hanging special mirrors, or
forks are also used to
deflect negative energy
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44. What's next?
In the next lesson, we will learn more
basic greetings such as 'How are you',
'I'm good' etc!
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45. Credits
Content
Team CultureAlley, Sunny Dang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feng_shui
Images
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons
/6/6e/La-chinatown-spiral.jpg
Buchanan hermit
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46. See you at the Alley!
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