Learn Mandarin Chinese for free using self-paced audio-visual lessons and interactive practice exercises - CultureAlley - master conversations, grammar, vocabulary and more! This lessons covers conversations around introducing oneself, meeting new people and friends. It will also cover telling one's name.To study this at your own pace, take quizzes and explore more lessons go to www.culturealley.com. See you at the Alley!
5. What's in store today?
Today we will learn how to
introduce ourselves!
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6. Introductions
Letâs begin by discussing a few titles
Lets start with 'friends'!
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21. Moving onâŠ
Next, we will learn how to say
Mr., Mrs. and Miss in Mandarin!
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22. Introductions
Miss = XiÇo jiÄ
Young/little = XiÇo
Elder sister = JiÄ
Thus, âmissâ literally translates to
âyoung ladyâ in Mandarin
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23. Tonal tip
âXiÇoâ and âjiÄâ are both pronounced using
the falling rising tone or the third tone
Remember that âxâ carries a
âshâ sound in Mandarin!
Letâs hear you say XiÇo jiÄ
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25. Introductions
Mister = XiÄn sheng
Early/ prior = XiÄn
Student = Sheng
Thus, âmisterâ literally translates to
âprior studentâ in Mandarin
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26. Tonal tip
âXiÄnâ is pronounced using the high
level tone or the first tone
âShengâ is pronounced using the neutral tone
Letâs hear you say XiÄn sheng
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28. Introductions
Mrs. = FĆ« ren
âMrs.â literally means
âmadamâ and is used while referring
to a married woman
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29. Tonal tip
âFĆ«â is pronounced using the high
level tone or the first tone
âRenâ is pronounced using the neutral tone
Letâs hear you say FĆ« ren
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35. Pick the right option
How do we say 'Mister' in Mandarin?
1
2
3
XiÄn sheng
WÇ shĂŹ
XiÇo jiÄ
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36. Pick the right option
How do we say 'Mister' in Mandarin?
1
2
3
XiÄn sheng
WÇ shĂŹ
XiÇo jiÄ
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37. Moving onâŠ
Let's learn the vocabulary
for self introduction!
There are two ways of saying what your
name is, one formal, the other informal, let's
begin with the formal one!
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39. Tonal tip
âWÇâ is pronounced using the falling rising
tone, also known as the third tone
Letâs try and say WÇ
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41. Tonal tip
âMĂnÉĄziâ is pronounced with a mid rising
tone, also known as the second tone
Letâs try and say MĂnÉĄzi
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43. Grammar tip
The particle âdeâ, is a possessive particle,
used in possessive pronouns, example
(mine = wÇ de)
It is also used for emphasis
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44. Introductions
My name is ...
WÇ de mĂnÉĄzi shĂŹ...
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45. Moving on...
Now let's take a look at the informal
way of telling your name
In future, we shall stick to the informal
way of telling names!
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48. Tonal tip
âJiĂ oâ is pronounced in the falling tone, also
known as the fourth tone
Letâs hear you say JiĂ o
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49. Introducing yourself
I am calledâŠ.
WÇ jiĂ oâŠ
It may also be translated as 'I
am namedâŠ'
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51. Tonal tip
XĂŹng is spoken in the falling tone also
known as the fourth tone
Remember, âxâ is spoken with a âshâ sound!
Letâs hear you say XĂŹng
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52. Introducing yourself
My surname isâŠ.
WÇ xĂŹng......
It may also be translated as 'I
am surnamedâŠ'
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53. Culturally speaking
Name and surname both form an
integral part of Chinese culture, thus
the two words âJiĂ oâ and âXĂŹngâ are
important to learn!
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54. Grammar tip
As we can see, the 'to-be' verb 'am' is not
translated
in both the cases, as we are saying â I am namedâŠâ
or 'I am surnamed' as opposed to
âMy name is âŠâ or 'My surname is...'
âNamed' here acts as an adjective describing the
'personâ and is therefore not translated
It's the same as saying 'I am tall', and as we
learnt,
is/am are not translated before an adjective!
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56. Let's see if you rememberâŠ
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57. Pick the right option
How do we say 'My name is...'?
1
2
3
WÇ de
mĂnÉĄzi shĂŹ...
WÇ xĂŹng
shĂŹâŠ
WÇ de
jiĂ oâŠ
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58. Pick the right option
How do we say 'My name is...'?
1
2
3
WÇ de
mĂnÉĄzi shĂŹ...
WÇ xĂŹng
shĂŹâŠ
WÇ de
jiĂ oâŠ
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59. Pick the right option
How do we say 'I am named âŠ.'?
1
2
3
WÇ jiĂ oâŠ
WÇ shĂŹâŠ
WÇ xĂŹngâŠ
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60. Pick the right option
How do we say 'I am named âŠ.'?
1
2
3
WÇ jiĂ oâŠ
WÇ shĂŹâŠ
WÇ xĂŹngâŠ
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63. Culture Leaf
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64. Culture leaf
Yellow, also called the color of the earth,
is considered the most beautiful colour
The Chinese saying, 'Yellow generates Yin
and Yang', implies that yellow is the
center of everything, Yellow often decorates
royal palaces, altars and temples
The color was used in the robes
and attire of the emperors
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65. Culture leaf
Yellow also represents freedom from worldly
cares and is thus esteemed
in Buddhism
Monksâ garments are yellow, as are elements
of Buddhist temples
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66. What's next?
In the next lesson, we will learn how
to ask someone their family
name and maiden names!
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67. Credits
Content
Team CultureAlley, Sunny Dang
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_in_Chinese
_culture
Images
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chinese_Buddhist_
_Robe_Shanghai.jpeg
Wloh
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68. See you at the Alley!
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