Chinese for the Casual Learner

Chit Chat

This is my business card

zhè shì wǒ de míngpiàn

这是我的名片

What's your occupation?

nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò

你做什么工作？

I'm a [teacher]

wǒ shì lǎoshī

我是[老师]

For other occupations, see Topical Vocabulary: Professions

Where do you work?

nǐ zài nǎlǐ gōngzuò

你在哪里工作？

I work at [McDonald's]

wǒ zài [màidāngláo] gōngzuò

我在[麦当劳]工作

Where are you from?

nǐ shì cóng nǎlǐ lái de?

你是从哪里来的？

I'm from [the USA]

wǒ shì cóng [měiguó] lái de

我是从[美国]来的

For other countries, see Topical Vocabulary: Countries: Europe

Do you speak [English]？

nǐ huì jiǎng yīngwén ma？

你会讲[英文]吗？

For other languages, see Topical Vocabulary: Languages

Yes, I can / No, I can't

huì / bùhuì

会/不会

How old are you?

nǐ jǐ suì

你几岁

I'm [30] years old

wǒ [sānshí] suì

我[三十]岁

See Numbers to learn how to count in Chinese

Do you like [to play ball}?

nǐ xǐhuān dǎqiú ma？

你喜欢[打球]吗？

Yes I like / No, I don't like

xǐhuān / bù xǐhuān

喜欢 / 不喜欢

Special Occassions and Holiday Greetings

Congratulations

gōngxǐ gōngxǐ

恭喜，恭喜

Wishing you success

zhù nǐ chéng gōng

祝你成功

Happy Birthday

shēngrì kuài lè

生日快乐

Merry Christmas

shèngdàn kuài lè

圣诞快乐

Happy New Year

xīnnián kuài lè

新年快乐

Have a nice trip

yī lù shùn fēng

一路顺风

Literally "propitious wind all along the way"

Eating

Bon Appetit

mànmàn chī

慢慢吃

Literally "eat slowly"

Bottoms up

gān bēi

干杯

Literally “dry cup"

Understanding (or Not)

Chinese for the Casual Learner

Chit Chat

Special Occassions and Holiday Greetings

Eating

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