basic mandarin chinese | lesson 2 | saying hello!

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Nǐ hǎo Lesson 2 on Basic Mandarin!

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Revision - Tones

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Revision-Vocabulary

English Mandarin

Mother Mā

Hemp Má

Horse Mǎ

Scold Mà

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Lesson objectives

1 Hello in Mandarin

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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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Saying hello!

In Mandarin, 'Hello' literally translates to 'you good'

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Vocabulary

English Mandarin Type

You (singular,

informal)Nǐ Pronoun

Good Hǎo Adjective

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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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Tonal tip

You = Nǐ

It is pronounced using a falling rising tone (3rd)

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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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Tonal tip

Good = Hǎo

Just like Nǐ, Hǎo is also said with a falling rising tone (3rd)

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Greetings

Hello

Nǐ hǎo

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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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So remember!

You = Nǐ Good = Hǎo

Nǐ hǎo literally means 'You good'

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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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Let's see if you remember…

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Pick the right option

What is the correct tone of 'you' in 'you good'?

1

Nī

2

Nǐ

3

Nì

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Solution

What is the correct tone of 'you' in 'you good'?

1

Nī

2

Nǐ

3

Nì

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So remember!

You = Nǐ

is pronounced using a falling rising tone (3rd)

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Pick the right option

How do we say 'good' in Mandarin?

1

Háo

2

Hāo

3

Hǎo

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Solution

How do we say 'good' in Mandarin?

1

Háo

2

Hāo

3

Hǎo

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Let's practice!

Mark and Lisa are friends, they meet at a coffee shop

Mark : Nǐ hǎo Lisa : Nǐ hǎo

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Culturally speaking

When addressing an elder or greeting someone formally, we use ‘Nín' in place of

'Nǐ'

You (respectful) = Nín

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Try yourself

Can you identify the tone that You (respectful) = Nín carries?

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Solution

You (respectful) = Nín

It is pronounced with a mid rising tone (2nd)

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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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Greetings

Hello

(formal / respectful)

Nín hǎo

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Tonal tips

Let's try and say Nín hǎo

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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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Pick the right option

While saying hello to your grand mom, 'nin' takes which tone?

1

Nǐn hǎo

2

Nín hǎo

3

Nīn hǎo

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Solution

While saying hello to your grand mom, 'nin' takes which tone?

1

Nǐn hǎo

2

Nín hǎo

3

Nīn hǎo

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Pick the right option

Hello (talking to your younger cousin)

1

Nǐ hǎo

2

Nín hao

3

Nī hǎo

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Solution

Hello (talking to your younger cousin)

1

Nǐ hǎo

2

Nín hao

3

Nī hǎo

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So remember!

English Mandarin

Hello (informal) Nǐ hǎo

Hello (formal) Nín hǎo

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Pick the right option

Which tone may be described as falling rising?

1

Ni

2

Ní

3

Nǐ

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Solution

Which tone may be described as falling rising?

1

Ni

2

Ní

3

Nǐ

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Let's revise!

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Revision-Vocabulary

English Mandarin

You (informal Nǐ

You (formal) Nín

Good Hǎo

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Culture Leaf

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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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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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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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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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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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See you at the Alley!

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