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TEACH YOURSELF BO^KS H. R. Williamson CHINESE Mandarin Chinese in one volume TEACH YOURSELF BOOKS CHINESE This book is written for those who desire to acquaint themselves with the elements of the spoken and written language of the Chinese people. There are about 1,200 different characters in the book. These, ifthoroughly learned, will enable the student to converse freely on matters ofeveryday importance. I urge the student to write the Chinese characters as the best means ofmemorising them, as the book is designed to enable the student to read and write Basic Chinese as well as to speak it. The Author r TEACH YOURSELF BOOKS CHINESE H. R. Williamson M.A., B.D., D.Lit. st. Paul's house Warwick lane london ec4p 4ah Firstprinted 1947 This impression 1974 This volume is published in the U.S.A. by David McKay Company Inc., 750 Third Avenue, Xew York, X.Y. 10017 All rights reserved. No part ofthis publication may be reproduced or transmitted inanyformorbyanymeans, electronicormechanical,includingphotocopy,recording, oranyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem, without permission in writing from the publisher. ISBX 340 05773 4 Printed in Great Britainfor The English Universities Press Ltd., by Fletcher <b Son Ltd, Norwich PREFACE Much of the world's progress in mutual under- standing and co-operation depends on our being able to understand one another's speech, and on our acquaintance with each other's literature. With the idea of contributing a little towards these worthy objectives, I have prepared this short introduction to the language of the Chinese people, many of whom I have learned to respect, and whose culture I greatly admire. I am conscious of many imperfections in the work, which has been prepared mainly in the course of long journeys. I am greatly indebted to many friends who have co-operated with me in preparing the book for publication. Such include Mr. and Mrs. Su Cheng of the Chinese section of the B.B.C. who, with other Chinese co-workers there, have helped with the Chinese translation of the dialogues. In addition Mr. Su has written the whole of the Chinese characters at the end of the book. Professor Edwards of the School of Oriental Studies has given me many helpful suggestions, and I have found Professor Simon's book on the Study and Writing of Chinese Characters most useful. The Eev. A. J. Garnier, formerly General Secretary of the Christian Literature Society for China, has rendered generous help in the reading of the proofs. He has also prepared the valuable Dictionary and Character ( v ) PREFACE Index at the end of the volume. I owe much also to my wife and daughter Evelyn for work on the manuscript itself. Finally I should like to express my thanks to my publishers for their patience in waiting for the manuscript and for many courtesies attendant upon the preparation of the work for publication. H, R. Williamson. CONTENTS PAGE Introduction 1 Guide to Pronunciation 6 Spelling Chart of Chinese Words 22 . . Introduction to the Dialogues Notes on the Tone 27 Dialogues A ... 1. friend arrives 30 2. The Chinese teacher arrives 38 3. Conversation with Chinese teacher . . 44 A 4 Illustrating basic rules 52 5. „ B 60 ,, 6. Discussion on domestic matters . . 66 7. A Chinese and a foreigner meet . . 72 8- , , (cont.) • • 84 9. On the use of the numerals, A & B . . 90 10. Discussing the time, etc 102 no 11. 12. Windows, doors, wages and the well . . 118 13. Domestic matters, (various)... .. .. 130 14. Weights and Measures 110 ... ... 15. A talk with the cook 148 16. Hiring a rickshaw 156 17. An intimate personal matter 162 . . . 18. Expressions of comparison , . . 172 vii viii CONTENTS PAGE 19. At the drapery store 180 . 20. At the shoe shop 188 21. Lighting, heating, etc. . • . 194 22. Washing, waking, wages, etc. • • • 200 23. The week's workin the home 206 . . . 24. Talking accounts with the cook 214 , . 25. Travelling by road 222 26. Travelling by train 232 . . . . . 27. Travelling by steamer and train 242 . . 28. Some common idioms 250 . 29. Clothing and personal matters 256 . . . 30. Discussion on tones, dialects, etc. . , 262 31. On time idioms 270 32. Talk with a Chinese official . . . 276 33. Doctor and patient 286 34. Personal characteristics and relationships 294 . 35. On scissors, the tailor, etc.... .. .. 300 36. Idiomatic phrases 306 37. A walk in the country 312 38. Proverbs 32 39. In the city 330 40. On war and peace 340 Chinese Text of the Dialogues 351 . . . Grammar Notes 425 Character Index in the Written Form 437 . Howto Use a Dictionary From the Radicals 503 . List of Radicals 508 Index to Chinese Characters Alphabetically Arranged 517