15-Minute Mandarin Chinese Learn in Just 12 Weeks

162 Pages·2018·38.717 MB·English

by  Chen, Ma

15 -MINUTE
MANDARIN
CHINESE
LEARN IN JUST 12 WEEKS
MA CHENG
ISBN: 9781465462978
US_001_Half_Title.indd 1 6/22/20 9:26 AM
CONTENTS
How to use this book 4
Senior Editors Angeles Gavira, Christine Stroyan
Senior Art Editor Ina Stradins WEEK 1
Art Editor Hugh Schermuly
INTRODUCTIONS
US Managing Editor Lori Hand
US Editor Kayla Dugger Hello 8
Jacket Design Development Manager Sophia MTT My family 10
Jacket Designer Juhi Sheth
Your relatives 12
Pre-Producer David Almond
Senior Producer Ana Vallarino To be/to have 14
Associate Publisher Liz Wheeler Review and repeat 16
Publishing Director Jonathan Metcalf
WEEK 2
Language content for Dorling Kindersley by
g-and-w publishing EATING AND DRINKING
In the café 18
This American Edition, 2018
In the restaurant 20
First American Edition, 2005
Published in the United States by DK Publishing Dishes 22
1450 Broadway, Suite 801, New York, NY 10018 Requests 24
18 19 20 21 22 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Review and repeat 26
001—196643—Jan/2018
Copyright © 2005, 2012, 2013, 2018 WEEK 3
Dorling Kindersley Limited MAKING ARRANGEMENTS
DK, a Division of Penguin Random House LLC
All rights reserved. Days and months 28
Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved Time and numbers 30
above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, Appointments 32
stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, On the telephone 34
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) Review and repeat 36
without the prior written permission of
the copyright owner.
WEEK 4
Published in Great Britain by Dorling Kindersley Limited. TRAVEL
A catalog record for this book is available from the At the train station 38
Library of Congress.
ISBN 978-1-4654-6297-8 To go/to take 40
Bus, taxi, and subway 42
DK books are available at special discounts when purchased
On the road 44
in bulk for sales promotions, premiums, fund-raising, or
educational use. For details, contact: DK Publishing Special Review and repeat 46
Markets, 1450 Broadway, Suite 801, New York, NY 10018
[email protected]
Printed in China
For the curious
www.dk.com
US_002-003_Contents_Chinese.indd 2 19/05/20 2:45 PM
WEEK 5 WEEK 10
GETTING AROUND AT HOME
Around town 48 Home 98
Asking directions 50 Inside the home 100
Sightseeing 52 The garden 102
At the airport 54 Animals 104
Review and repeat 56 Review and repeat 106
WEEK 6 WEEK 11
ACCOMMODATION SERVICES
Booking a room 58 Post office and bank 108
In the hotel 60 Repairs 110
Hot spas 62 To come 112
Adjectives 64 Police and crime 114
Review and repeat 66 Review and repeat 116
WEEK 7 WEEK 12
SHOPPING LEISURE AND SOCIALIZING
Department store 68 Leisure time 118
Electronics store 70 Sport and hobbies 120
At the supermarket 72 Socializing 122
Clothes and shoes 74 Review and repeat 124
Review and repeat 76 Reinforce and progress 126
WEEK 8 MENU GUIDE 128
WORK AND STUDY
Jobs 78 ENGLISH–CHINESE DICTIONARY 138
The office 80
At the conference 82 THE CHINESE WRITING SYSTEM 152
In business 84
Review and repeat 86 USEFUL SIGNS 158
Acknowledgments 160
WEEK 9
HEALTH
At the pharmacy 88
The body 90
With the doctor 92
In the hospital 94
Review and repeat 96
US_002-003_Contents_Chinese.indd 3 19/05/20 2:45 PM
44 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
How to use this book
The main part of this book is devoted to
12 themed chapters, broken down into
five 15-minute daily lessons, the last of
which is a revision lesson. So, in just 122 WEEK 12 LEISURE AND SOCIALIZING 123
12 weeks you will have completed the Warm-up (1 minute) SHÈJIĀO Words to remember (3 minutes)
course. A concluding reference section Socializing
Say “your husband” and Familiarize yourself with these words and test yourself using the flap.
contains a menu guide, an English-to- “your wife.” (pp.12–13) As a business guest, it’s more common 东道主 party 晚会
Chinese dictionary, and a guide Hanodw “ ddion nyoeru” siany C “hluinnechse” ? tsoo mbee oinnvei’tse hdo tmo ea . rTehstisa uisr apnatr ttlhya n to dōngdàohzohsǔt invitation w邀ǎ请nhuì
to Chinese characters. (Sdpaapyy. .2”“ S0(po–pr2r.13y),2 I–’m33 b)usy that pcfoorram clomtnicugaetle—r,s py. eoBouup tm liefa yoyo fbtuee’rn ei n hsvatiavteyedi nl ogn g gk客uère人ésnt gift y礼lǐāw物oùq ǐng
for a meal or a party.
Warm up
Each day starts with a warm up that Useful phrases (3 minutes) Read it You now know the principle of how the
encourages you to recall vocabulary or Learn these phrases and then test yourself. Crehciunrersineg s cchriaprta wctoerrkss. Yaonud’ lcl aanls ore fcinodgn mizoer seo imnfeo rbmasaitci on
phrases you have learned previously. 您想来参加晚宴吗? Would you like to come on pp.152–57 to further expand your understanding.
The time in brackets indicates the nín xiǎng lái cānjiā for dinner?
wǎnyàn ma
amount of time you are expected Put into practice (2 minutes)
to spend on each exercise.
星期三怎么样? What about Wednesday? Join in this conversation.
xīngqīsān zěnmeyàng 我们星期日有一个 好，那太好了。
晚会。你能来吗? hǎo, nà tài hǎo le
wǒmen xīngqīrì yǒu yīgè
Useful phrases 下一次吧。Perhaps another time. wǎnhuì. nǐ néng lái ma
Selected phrases relevant xiàyīcì ba Woen aSraet uhradvainy.g A ar ep ayrotuy
to the topic help you speak free to come?
and understand. Say: Yes, how nice!
那太好了。 我们几点钟来呢?
Cultural tip When visiting a Chinese home, remember that it’s nà tài hǎo le wǒmen jǐdiǎnzhōng lái ne
common to remove your shoes at the door. Take a gift for the host 谢谢你的邀请。 That’s great!
or hostess. Flowers, a bottle of wine, or a present from your home xièxie nǐde yāoqǐng Say: At what time
Cultural/Conversational tip country will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for should we arrive?
inviting us.
These panels provide additional
insights into life in China and In conversation (6 minutes)
language usage.
您想来参加星期二的 对不起，我星期二很忙。 星期四怎么样? 好，那太好了。 请带你的先生一起来。 我们几点钟来呢?
晚宴吗? duìbuqǐ, wǒ xīngqī’èr xīngqīsì zěnmeyàng hǎo, nà tài hǎo le qǐng dài nǐde xiānsheng wǒmen jǐdiǎnzhōng lái ne
nxīínng xqiǎī’nègr dláei wcāǎnnjyiāà n ma hSoěnrrmy.á In’mg busy on Tuesday. What about Thursday? Yes, how nice! yPīlqeǐa lsáei bring your husband. Awte w cohmate t?ime should
Would you like to come
for dinner on Tuesday?
96 WEEK 9 HEALTH 97
dá àn FÙXÍ YǓ LIÀNXÍ dá àn
Answers Cover with flap Review and repeat Answers Cover with flap
The body The body (4 minutes) Clothing (3 minutes) Clothing
❶ ❷ 头t手shóuǒ臂 u bì Nboadmye p tahrets n inu mCbhceihnreeesdste❸ . ❶❷ahremad Soaf yc ltohteh iCngh.inese words fo❶r tjhacek entumbered items ❶ ❷ jl领夹iǐán带克kgèd衫sàhiā n
❸ ❹ 胸x腹fùiōng stomach❹ tie❷ ❸ ❹ kx裤鞋iùé子子zzii
❺ ❻ ❼ 腿t膝x脚jiuǎīǐ o knleeeg❻❺ pants❸ ❻skirt ❺ ❻ kq裤裙ùú子袜wnzà i
foot❼ ❺pantyhose
How to use the flap shoes❹
Tythhoahauvete tby orooe cuomo kcne’ascm nce boatevel esrthetr dewfl aCchpoehrstir nhaeeelclsrot elywy os. ou ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ 请qx 我的wc 我wlh的会Oihúiǐuāǒǒn可电议杰给ǎ是yìnn gyánsksì以 不话 h克我大n gěghtbìy ěe h给是dm。•ú接通dǐin 亨weseàgagh他星 印王těj ǒ 特ìiōpdi é 留期tx刷先jnekāihīē gèn言 四d生厂 o -gwyihàq吗n。ì ēánnīensn?sh ìhgg uut àèā Yct ❶ ❷ ❸hooe nuwIMnITdzC O’’v Ehdmauíaaénernàt ìn.rnilr bo ,niegsJWs kunahI wl xa ieatcqgìlsita ǒeà hrkh iǐstnrPo,a nh o easHdgpnrv éh ni .sier,iunìà p pgo rynztnaieemhianǒt hnpam gnooupgkl gy.feàa nt tijsns nīoe. s g aa (pgi4nep m?Coiihnniutnmteesse)en tf.o Flloolwloiwng t h e S❶❷❸❹❺ay IIIWIA s’tmhh hiitaatl e l vvp tssieerehete raa hegpi ounhp hudraeartsnaiao??nstrc e.ti ntsc o oimnnr y’dCs il hte(i4igon .nme.sineu.tes) ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺ wywwt我严我疼我Aéáǒǒǒn重有怀吗腿nt g ztyh心t吗 ?孕u疼hǒumhǐòuá 脏?了。taen i éxyg。 病nīùdn gmnz。o àalcen tgo brìn’sg
Revision pages ❺ 谢xiè谢xie你 n。ǐ ❹ dToānhn eTg umreáesnedtainy.g isn’t
A recap of selected elements ❺ hTěhnahnǎko you.
of previous lessons helps to
reinforce your knowledge.
US_004-007_How_To_Use_Chinese.indd 4 19/05/20 2:45 PM
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK HOW TO USE THIS BOOK 55
122 WEEK 12 LEISURE AND SOCIALIZING 123 Instructions
Warm-up (1 minute) SHÈJIĀO Words to remember (3 minutes) Eanacdh i netxreordcuiscee dis wnuitmh bered
Socializing
Say “your husband” and Familiarize yourself with these words and test yourself using the flap. instructions. In some
“your wife.” (pp.12–13) As a business guest, it’s more common 东道主 party 晚会 cases, more information is
How do you say “lunch” to be invited to a restaurant than to dōngdàozhǔ wǎnhuì
and “dinner” in Chinese? someone’s home. This is partly host invitation 邀请 given about the language
(pp.20–21) practical—people often have long 客人 yāoqǐng point being covered.
Sdaayy .”“ S(poprr.3y,2 I–’m33 b)usy that cfoorm lomnugeter,s y. oBuu tm ifa yyo bue’r ein svtiateydin g gkuèreésnt gift 礼lǐw物ù
for a meal or a party.
Read it
Useful phrases (3 minutes) Read it You now know the principle of how the These panels explain
42 WEEK 4 Learn these phrases and then test yourself. Crehciunrersineg s cchriaprta wctoerrkss. Yaonud’ lcl aanls ore fcinodgn mizoer seo imnfeo rbmasaitci on TRAhwVoowErk Ltsh, esh Cohwin 4uess3eef uscl ript
您想来参加晚宴吗? Would you like to come on pp.152–57 to further expand your understanding.
nín xiǎng lái cānjiā for dinner? signs, and give tips for
wǎnyàn ma
GŌNGGÒNG QÌCHĒ, Put into practice (2 minutes) deciphering Chinese
Warm up (1 minute) Useful phrases (4 minutes) characters.
星期三怎么样? What about Wednesday? Join in this conversation.
Say “I want to go CHŪZŪCHĒx,īng qīDsān zěnmÌeyTàng IĚ Learn these phrases and then tes我t 晚们y会星o。期u你日r能s有来e一吗l个f? ush好ǎi，on那, ng太à tt好àhi了 he。ǎo cleo ver flap.
wǒmen xīngqīrì yǒu yīgè
by bus.” (pp.40–1) 下一次吧。Perhaps another time. wǎnhuì. nǐ néng lái ma Read it
Bus, taxi, and undxieàyīcìr baground Woen aSraet uhradvainy.g A ar ep ayrotIuy’ d like a taxi to 请给我叫出租Ch车ine去se 东tak es
Ask “Where are you free to coDmeo?ngdan, please. 单，好吗? basic concepts
going?” (pp.40–1) On buses, you can generally buy your ticket from Say: Yes, how nice! qǐng gěiwǒ ajniàd oco cmhbūinzeūs tchheēm
What’s 88 in Chinese? a machine as you get on board. In smCaulltluerra l ctiipt iWehsen, v isiting a Chinese home, remember that it’s nà t那ài太 hǎ好o了 le。 我wǒ们m几en点 jǐ钟diǎ来n呢zh?ōng lái ne qù dōngdāntmo,e mhanaǎiknoeg dsm,i feaf.egr. e nt
(pp.30–1) you can buy your tickets from a bus ccocooor muhnnomtsrtdoyen swu sti.o lFlc rlboetemw ogeorrversea., tayl yob uaorpt tpslhreeo ocefisa w taetind te.h,e o dr oao pr.r eTsaeknet a f rgoifmt fyoor utrh eh ohmoset 谢xTihè谢axnie你k n yǐ的doeu邀 yfāo请or q。ǐng Sshayo:u AlTdth wwateh’ saa tgr rrtiievmaete?! 飞(fly机in gfē 飞ijī pfēlai n+e
inviting us. What time is the next bus 下一趟去机场ma的chi公ne 共机 jī);
to the airport? 汽车几点发车火车? huǒchē train
In conversation (6 minutes) (fire 火 huǒ +
xiàyītàng qvùe hjiīccleh 车ǎn chgē )d.e
Words to remember (4 minutes) gōnggòng qìchē jǐ diǎn
fāchē
Familiarize yourself with these words.
How do you get to the 去颐和园怎么走?
公共汽车 bus Summer Palace? qù yíhéyuán zěnme zǒu
gōnggòng qìchē 您晚宴想吗来?参加星期二的 对du不ìbu起q，ǐ, 我w星ǒ x期īn二gq很ī’è忙r 。 星xīn期gq四īs怎ì z么ěn样me?yàng 好hǎ，o那, n太à t好ài了 h。ǎo le 请qǐn带g 你dà的i n先ǐd生e x一iā起ns来he。ng 我wǒ们m几en点 jǐ钟diǎ来n呢zh?ō ng lái ne Text styles
出租车 taxi nxīínng xqiǎī’nègr dláei wcāǎnnjyiāà n ma hSoěnrrmy.á In’mg busy on Tuesday. What about Thursday? Yes, how nice! yPīlqeǐa lsáei bring your husband. Awte w cohmate t?ime should Chinese script and
chūzūchē Wforo duilndn yeoru o lnik Teu teos dcoamy?e pinyin pronunciation
96 WEEK 9 HEALTH 97 are included, as well as
地铁 underground dAán sàwne rs Cover with flap FReÙvXieÍw YanǓd LreIpÀeNatXÍ dAán sàwne rs Cover with flap Please wait for me. 请等等我。the English translation.
dìtiě The body The body (4 minutes) Clothing (3 minutes) Clothing qǐng děngdeng wǒ
公共汽车站 bus station ❶ ❷ 头t手shóuǒ臂 u bì Nboadmye p tahrets n inu mCbhceihnreeesdste❸ . ❶❷ahremad Soaf yc ltohteh iCngh.inese words fo❶r tjhacek entumbered items ❷ ❶ jl领夹iǐán带克kgèd衫sàhiā n
gōnggòng qìchēzhàn ❸ ❹ 胸x腹fùiōng stomach❹ tie❷ ❸ ❹ kx裤鞋iùé子子zzii In conversation
chūzūc出hē租 z车hà站n taxi rank ❺ ❻ ❼ 腿t膝x脚jiuǎīǐ o kfnoleeoegt❻❺❼ pants❸ ❺p❻antsykhirotse ❺ ❻ kq裤裙ùú子袜wnzà i Irvleolufclsaetbcrtauitlnaegrd yh d oainawldo gues
地铁站 underground shoes❹ Culturalp htriapse s are used in Say it Say it (2 minutes)
dìtcihě ēz车phiàà票路lnùo stliitncakete/iortonute ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺ 5w 请qx 我的wc 我wlh谢x的会Oihúiiǐuèāǒǒn可电议杰给谢ǎ是yìnxn gy1ánskisì以 不话e h你克我大n gěgǔhtb ìy ěne h给是dm。•ú。接通dǐinǐ 亨wes8eàgagh他星 印王btěj ǒ 特ìiōpdi é 留期tx刷先jnekāihī路ē gèn言 ǎ四d生厂 o- gwyihàq吗n。ì ēánnīensin?sh ìhgg uyut à车èā īshYct ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺在hooe nuwIMnITdzCdTohT íO’’v Ehdmauāníěhhaaénernàt bnnì aen.rnilr bo T ,nieghsJgnW s kuunamhI wl xaǎrk这 ieatceqgáìlsitao ǒeeà āhrkh siǐysntnrPo,ea nhd oo easHdgpnrvt éah unii .sier,iunyn ìà p. pgo ry.nzgtnaieemhilanǒ t hn儿paim gnsooupùgkln gy.feàa nt ’tijstns nīoe . s g aa (pgi4cnep停 m?Cohiihnniutnmteeēsse)吗en t f.o Flzloolwlào?iwng ti h e S❶❷❸❹❺ay IIIWIA s’tmhh hiitaatl e l vvp tssieerehete raa hegpi ounhp hudraeartsnaiao??nstrc e.ti ntsc o oimnnr y’dCs il hte(i4igon .nme.sineu.tes) ❶ ❷ ❸ ❹ ❺ wywtw我严我疼我Aéáǒǒǒn重有怀吗腿nt g ztyh心t吗 ?孕u疼hǒumhǐòuá 脏?了。taen i éxyg。 病nīùdn gmnz。o àalcen tgo brìn’sg Bhscsbiyaaoegsnvtnitjhe ie bn( mapeegsxi s nrats.e yenhScindeatontohpvsa w Sgeeiaptv nhrinnebeoyiaa doz dnhnmre oa eCgtnkdyehrhh a. etsrbamiroi)ntyoi,u ue ei agna ssh t e i oo. un ts apyodpInuilfyy tf hoehtauhreev esaen erv t elo eec cxaaoaesrnbknrtceueeiddlsxae ttrissnoy,. ISIF’’ouddrm llbiikkmideeed tareo tnP ag aCxolia i tttcoyoe . t,t hhpeele ase.
How do you get
zhèr tíng ma Fares are very reasonable.
Does the number 518 to Dongdan?
stop here?
In conversation: taxi (2 minutes) In conversation: bus (2 minutes)
US_004-007_How_To_Use_Chinese.indd 5 19/05/20 2:45 PM
请带我去故宫，好吗? 上车吧。 我就在这儿下车，可以吗? 这趟车去故宫博物院吗? 是的。不很远。 到了那里，您能告诉我吗?
qǐng dàiwǒ qù gùgōng, shàngchē ba wǒ jiù zài zhèr xià chē, zhè tàng chē qù gùgōng shìde. bù hěn yuǎn dào le nàlǐ, nín néng
hǎo ma kěyǐ ma bówùyuàn ma gàosù wǒ ma
Do get in. Yes. It’s not very far.
I’d like to go to the Can you drop me Is this bus going to the Can you tell me when
Forbidden City, please. here, please? Palace Museum? to get off?
66 HOW TO USE THIS BOOK HOW TO USE THE AUDIO APP
Dictionary 138 DICTIONARY ENGLISH TO CHINESE
A mini-dictionary provides DICTIONARY
ready reference from English English to Chinese
to Chinese for 2,500 words. Tmhains yd ioctthioenr ahriyg hc-ofnretqaiunesn tchye wvoocrdabs.u Ylaoruy cfraonm a l1so5 fMinidn uadted iCtihoinnael stee, rtmogse ftohre fro wodit h
and drink in the Menu Guide (pp.128–37).
In Chinese, the plural of nouns is normally the same as the singular. Chinese
descriptive words, or adjectives, may have different endings depending on how they
are used and are also often preceded by hěn (very). Verbs have no tenses and don’t
generally change according to who or what is the subject; but there are some
111122228888 MENU GUIDE characters that can be added to indicate a particulaMr tEimNeU o rG mUoIoDdE—see p.112.
MENU GUIDE A always zǒngshì associate professor (college)
idaesnC taUhi frisyMneeifen eetsgnhre eupi snd o gcigpseuuhu iifelddoaseerr. Rcdnmccmhhhàuiǐǎǎǎnàfòiàoooncmcnhfmmtàǐ iǎ áeiǐnàofo ěnf nà a n nd nooTect炒糯米面蛋炒炒oanh dtc条面米ih饭米饭炒esoe ggul l粉 o 饭punre itiyd e eoesr u alod iisnndtd esCi ntthshhtiieenfhy eCm istheoeei smnmtes sces oenom unss cmsfrnfffa.rrrrr it Doicimiiioipeeeeceonitddddesk d hint yslernrre ue diiirrsoccc.smii seeeaocprse dewn layl oedoyiteosiuhvd dim d leceealgesdyga irnlyto aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa llliiiggccccddddfflrrrac(ttaczasccchtea ohmad peeourshhohcmldoiinenpuremldrroǒnhuuor iaume dneǒtssty aretà ǎoynre ynshi)zsyaotéǒicnǐngniv lsdǎàr lihǒtsnye uol joegejt jhaniosīihiòuīgd (i cnētkgn ǔsuipdsnyác umbìiho ěhè tzj:ouìeclktnx īyǎartunhìé hnaáng gieiìjknngǐà nēn iāgdnùkiteērugd)wnpàt iìmōd tàc,cóoi ag snǔààhifkuzgij ēgooéìsk ehsei s nfōhjtōy sèiīg ncīoón mi hgungéǎtj iinnàápgnoi ào aAAaaaaaaaaa aaaAa aamnnnnnprnnnnpprrpmmecmtshj(mwyinppotttadsifhrhmh:à:áiiiuweert t iiloěbqse ūeInyleiihvhhtrsrrei y tia i uemoghyzetaé siinaioeeàpplcchnìhre uǒmur rytcrtoaiíaatedeùs góeumin nuti rsc n(anaò rxcq : bugdmeègwt r)wsrrneu tíaìo égr i (ft e,y yěgǒfténmep nknǒáguārfg òāi w àet emznne ōgyǒsēmu(as hn hrgsuǐrntùbhbg eceshōtgìesyfóg íoonǔhuohnpǔsunīiy godnhdinìǐjt nsù nnìès)ǒēkhg)yi ,h eán nl )ì m dì ìy en gnglāulaisdgsúnēù? ieyàyhy?áīunug n áìè jn ī BaaaAaAaAabbbbbbbbbAwutttsaaaaaaaaaTuuu ttad(stkngbgbcccdzMpirgssùhfàtecàkkk gatyy uttu la(mxhr iirrt pf aclà g(tsyzs(uowyhaau metgbaoézaìt tīéllràeidmn rerācliiiod v abóiaapn òexpjgko iàedcitāuàx ninaeeǎ’ute ààia yény íb lòg mntsrrono))f(rub ēc u n agé hcdygtígbāèihldrs ahbíòīàeo ūlèzékhnalijuāulàiln m).uīìègs ) ǎoyji dieǎy’i ,àānàēék eínsmom brā ,j dìīficeānàēàāt ngilcx ìb gy.ǐ )ājuà īonǎdd nèiàn
zhōu 粥 rice porridge thhǎaotle’s, axilèl,x tieh anks aarrrriivveal ddààooddáá bbaalllc oqniúy yángtái
allergic guòmǐn art yìshù bamboo zhúzi
almost chàbuduō ashtray yānhuīgāng bamboo shoots zhúsǔn
Basic food items aallroenaed dyā ynǐ djiún g astleāe sph:u hìzeh’ás oa lsel eep bbaannadn (am xuisāincg) jyiāuoèduì
also yě ask wèn bandage bēngdài
chūnjuǎn 春卷 spring rolls
dòushābāo 豆沙包 steamed dumplings
with sweet bean
paste filling
huājuǎn 花卷 steamed rolls
mántou 馒头 steamed bread
Pinyin pronunciation guide
The Chinese taught in this book is Mandarin Chinese, the main language of the
People's Republic of China (PRC). The pronunciation is written in pinyin, the official
romanization system used in PRC schools. Most pinyin spellings reflect the nearest
equivalent sound in English, but some letters sound different:
a pinyin x is pronounced like sh as in “ship”
a pinyin c is pronounced like ts as in “sits”
a pinyin z is pronounced like ds as in “kids”
a pinyin q is pronounced like ch as in “chin”
a pinyin zh is pronounced like j as in “just”
a pinyin ü is a u pronounced with rounded lips, like “few” in English or
“über” in German
Mandarin Chinese has four “tones”, which affect the way a word is pronounced.
Each syllable is pronounced with one of four tones: high, rising, falling–rising, and
falling. These tones can be written as accents on the pinyin pronunciation, but
you need to listen to and mimic native speakers to master them. Use the 15 Minute
Mandarin Chinese audio CDs to practise your pronunciation, and the written
pinyin as a memory aid.
US_004-007_How_To_Use_Chinese.indd 6 19/05/20 2:45 PM
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK HOW TO USE THE AUDIO APP 77
How to use the audio app
All the numbered exercises in each your 15-minute lessons using the book
lesson, apart from the Warm-ups at only, and then go back and work with
the beginning and the Say it exercises the audio and the book together,
at the end, have recorded audio, available repeating the text in the gaps provided
via a free app. The app also includes a and then recording yourself. Or you can
function to record yourself and listen combine the book and the audio right
to yourself alongside native speakers. from the beginning, pausing the app to
To start using the audio with the read the instructions on the page as you
book, first download the DK 15 Minute need to. Try to say the words aloud, and
Language Course app on your smart– practice enunciating properly. Detailed
phone or tablet from the App Store or instructions on how to use the app are
Google Play. Open the app and type in available from the menu bar in the app.
the book’s ISBN (see page 1) to add it to Remember that repetition is vital
your Library. As soon as the ISBN is to language learning. The more
recognized, the audio will download. often you listen to a conversation or
There are two ways in which you can repeat an oral exercise, the more the
use the audio. The first is to read through language will sink in.
Menu, Help/How
to Use, Your Library
CHINESE 1 Getting started CHINESE 2 Lessons week
The list of weeks by week
will open when Shíjiān hé shùzì Each numbered
Time and Numbers
the audio has been exercise in a lesson
downloaded. From is listed in the app
here you can tap into as it appears in the
each week’s lessons. book. Tap on an
exercise to start.
When all the lessons A check mark
in a week have been indicates when
completed, the week an exercise has been
button will be filled completed.
with color and
show a check mark,
so you can track
your progress.
Audio for Record yourself
3 CHINESE 4
exercises When you are in
Tap the play button Shíjiān hé shùzì the Your recordings Shíjiān hé shùzì
Time and Numbers Time and Numbers
to hear instructions, screen, you can
then the exercise. record yourself
You can pause the reading the words or
1点 1点
audio at any point, yīdiǎn participating in the yīdiǎn
one o’clock one o’clock
and return to it. 1点5分 conversations with 1点5分
yfivīdei ǎpna swt ǔofnēen native speakers, then yfivīdei ǎpna swt ǔofnēen
1点一刻 listen back (and 1点一刻
yīdiǎn yīkè yīdiǎn yīkè
quarter past one rerecord if desired). quarter past one
1点20分 1点20分
You can tap any ytwīdeiǎnnty è prsahsítf ēonn e ytwīdeiǎnnty è prsahsítf ēonn e
part of the exercise 1点半 1点半
yīdiǎn bàn Add recording yīdiǎn bàn
to play the audio half past one half past one
from that point. 1yī点diǎ三n 刻sānkè Play recording 1yī点diǎ三n 刻sānkè
quarter to two quarter to two
US_004-007_How_To_Use_Chinese.indd 7 19/05/20 2:45 PM
8 WEEK 1 INTRODUCTIONS
NǏHǍO
Warm-up (1 minute)
Hello
The warm-up panel
appears at the beginning
Chinese gǒngshǒu is famous: cupping one hand in the
of each topic. Use it to
other in front of the chest, which is often accompanied
reinforce what you have
with nodding or a slight bow. Traditionally, there
already learned and to
would not be any contact in the form of a handshake
prepare yourself for
moving ahead with or kisses, although this is changing with the increasing
the new subject. Western influence.
你好。
Words to remember (6 minutes) nǐhǎo
Hello!
Say these expressions aloud. Hide the text on the
left with the cover flap and try to remember the
Chinese for each. Check your answers.
早上好。 Good morning.
zǎoshàng hǎo
晚上好。 Good evening.
wǎnshàng hǎo
我的名字是... My name is…
wǒde míngzì shì…
很高兴认识你。 Pleased to
hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ meet you.
再见。 Goodbye.
zàijiàn
晚安。 Good night.
wǎn‘ān
明天见。 See you tomorrow.
míngtiān jiàn
In conversation: formal (3 minutes)
你好，我的名字是韩红。 你好，我的名字是 很高兴认识你。
nǐhǎo, wǒde míngzì shì 罗伯特•巴克尔 hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ
hánhóng nǐhǎo, wǒde míngzì shì
Pleased to meet you.
luóbótè-bākèěr
Hello. My name is
Han Hong. Hello. My name is
Robert Barker.
US_008-009_Hello.indd 8 08/08/17 12:26 pm