How it will be in Chinese is possible. Basic forms of greeting (translated by Nihao)

In my opinion, everyone has been familiar with this phrase since childhood: what’s the Chinese word for ass. The most offensive thing is that this is almost the first question that the average person asks when meeting a person who speaks Chinese. And the most interesting thing is that a phrase inspired in childhood forever takes root in people’s heads, becoming the absolute truth. Shouldn't we just leave it all as it is? Let us open our eyes, comrades Sinologists, to everyone who wants an answer to this treacherous question.

What is Che in Chinese?

In fact, dear ones, in Chinese this is not an ass at all. Moreover, in the Chinese language there is not even a syllable that could be pronounced similar to our word “che”. This word is similar in pronunciation to the Korean language, but here the questions are for Korean language specialists, maybe they know something. Thus, we have dispelled the first half of the myth: “che” is definitely not in Chinese. Go ahead.

Ass in Chinese

Next, let’s get acquainted with the beautiful word 屁股 “phiku”, which is translated from Chinese into Russian as “the butt, butt, or rear part of the body in animals.” The word 屁股 consists of two characters: the first is 屁 “phi”, which means “intestinal gas”, and the second is 股 “ku”, which means “thigh”. Thus, 屁股 is nothing more than “the area of ​​the thigh in which gases from the intestines are concentrated.” Actually, everything is logically connected, a purely physiological phenomenon in the body. In general, know “what is not Chinese and not at all an ass”

Useful word formation:

But personally, I am not so interested in the fact of word formation or the formation of the meaning of this word as in how this word can work in the Chinese language. Here is a selection of the most interesting phrases that would be nice to get acquainted with. Well, yes, please don’t consider it “outhouse humor.”

1. 舔屁股- suck up, flatter someone, fawn.

2. 光屁股- hungry (expletive).

3. 香烟屁股- nothing more than a cigarette butt, bull.

4. 屁股沉– annoying, tedious (about a guest), where it carries the meaning “boring, dreary.”

5. 闹了个屁股蹲儿– – plop down on your butt.

Tourists in China often encounter the problem of a language barrier. This is due to the fact that even in big cities limited quantity Few Chinese speak English. And if in stores you can communicate using gestures and signs, then for communication in transport or in other public places it is better to memorize simple phrases and take with you a phrasebook or dictionary with transcription.

The most popular Chinese words

China is a country where live communication is valued. Here you cannot stand aside and be an outside observer. Representatives Western culture It’s not easy to get used to this way of life. A few of the most popular words should be learned by every person planning a trip to China. There are no words “yes” and “no” in this language; instead, more than 20 particles are used to express one’s attitude to a given issue.

Basic Chinese phrases with translation that will be useful in any situation:

When communicating with the Chinese, you can ask about the history and culture of their country, family and family traditions. But it's better not to touch political topics and do not discuss economic problems. Asking a Chinese person if it will rain can be an insult. The fact is that rain is predicted by a turtle, and identifying a person with this animal is an insult.

Simple phrases for children

Knowledge of basic expressions will help the child join the team and develop his social skills. It is important to be able to say hello, introduce yourself and get to know each other, express your attitude to what is happening, and maintain a conversation. Young people like to start phrases with the word “Hey”:

Among young people, the phrase “how are you” or “how is life” is often replaced with the informal “What’s going on here?” 诶, 什么事?(ēi, shén me shì?) Hey, sheng mi shi?

Chinese phrasebook with pronunciation in Russian

Depending on the situation, different phrases may be needed. The main thing is that the interlocutor understands what we are talking about, and he can answer with a gesture or show the direction with his hand.

Appeals

When addressing strangers, you should not use colloquial addresses such as “aunt” or “uncle” unnecessarily. When communicating with good friends, it is appropriate to use the first name, and in a more formal setting, the first and last names, and first you need to put the person’s status, then the last name and first name.

Bye 再见! hare
Good morning/evening 早上好 / 晚上好 Ziao/wang shang hao
addressing an older woman 阿姨 A-i
"master", in relation to a man 先生 hsien-sheng
"madam" 女士 nyu-shi
You are a beautiful girl! 你很漂亮! Ni hen pyao liang!
“little friend” - to the child 小朋友 xiao pen-yu
to a young man 小伙子 xiao huozi
to a young woman 小姐 xiao-jie

Some time ago, a popular address in China was the word “comrade”, by analogy with the USSR. It’s better not to use this word now, as it has a new meaning: “gay.”

Common phrases

Knowing common phrases will help you make new acquaintances. China has both standard formal phrases and youth slang expressions. You should not use them without understanding your surroundings.

At customs

Knowing basic phrases will help you pass customs inspection and prevent unpleasant situations when crossing the border. The rules for importing and exporting goods from the customs territory of China are very confusing. It is important to keep all receipts for goods purchased in China. All valuables and jewelry must be declared upon entering the country so that there are no problems with export.


At the station

There are a lot of checks at the train station in China, so it is better to carry your passport with you along with your ticket. All information about trains is displayed on a large illuminated board, which is located near the main entrance. Without knowing the language, you can find there the train number, its departure time and the floor to which you should go. All other information is indicated in hieroglyphs, so you should not delve into it without knowing how to read. There are waiting rooms for different trains on different floors of the station; you need to find yours and wait for the corresponding announcement.

The Chinese are always running to take up space. Therefore, as soon as the train is boarded, all passengers from the waiting room will grab their bags and run, pushing everyone in their path.

If you can’t find your carriage, you need to show your ticket to the conductor - he will direct you in the right direction.

When buying a ticket, you should write down your destination, the number of tickets and the desired date on a piece of paper and give it to the cashier.

In transport

To get to your hotel or other desired location, you can use the map and show it to the taxi driver Right place. When using a business card or handwritten address, it is important to be sure that the spelling is correct.

Take me here (show the place on the map). 请把我送到这里 Tsin ba wo sundao zheli.
How much does it cost to travel by bus/metro? 公车/地铁票多少钱? Gunche/dithe phao duo xiao tsien?
Where is the bus stop here? 附近的公交车站在哪儿? Fujin de gongjiaochhezhan zai nar?
Are you getting off? / I'm going out Xia ma? / Xia (clearly, affirmatively)
Driver! Stop it! (it's better to scream) Shifu, xia chhee!
Where can I rent a car? 在哪儿可 以租车? Zainar khei juche?

Taxi drivers in China can take advantage of the fact that a tourist does not know the area and drive him around in circles to inflate the price. This can be avoided if you create your own route in the navigator and show it to the driver. Also, ordering an official taxi with checkers and a meter can protect you from troubles.

At the hotel

Hotel staff in China practically does not speak English or Russian. If the hotel is 4 stars or higher, then it must have English-speaking reception staff. Gestures and pictures will help you communicate with maids, porters and other staff. Before checking in, it is advisable to check the integrity of the furniture in the room, the presence of all equipment, and the fullness of the minibar, so that you do not have to pay for something that was damaged by someone else.

When you don’t need to rush, it’s convenient to use an electronic translator - a special program on your smartphone that translates all phrases and reproduces speech. It must work online, but in China there are difficulties with the Internet, some services are limited, messages in instant messengers are sometimes moderated.

Emergencies

If you ask something on the street, it is better to find a policeman or an older, intelligent-looking person and ask the question or show it written on paper.

In the event of unforeseen situations, you should not argue or speak rudely with government officials. You should remain calm and be polite.

It is important to have the phone number of your country's consulate on hand so that you can contact them in an emergency.

On the streets major cities There are “people's telephones”, as well as telephone booths that charge money per conversation from a card.

If a tourist falls ill during his stay in China, then before going to the doctor you need to:

  • find all the symptoms on the Internet and write them down in Chinese on paper;
  • Buy a protective mask from germs at the pharmacy, of which there are many in Asian medical institutions.

At the reception you need to present the prepared sheet, and the administrator will tell you how much you need to pay and which office to go to. If a foreigner does not have insurance, treatment can be expensive.

Dates and times

Time in Chinese is made up of the hour number from 1 to 12 and the word “hour” itself 点 (diǎn). The Chinese do not use a 24-hour time system. The days of the week in Chinese have no name - they are numbered. The name of the day of the week consists of the week (xinqi) and the number of the day of the week.

Numerals

You will have to use a lot of numbers during your trip to China, so it is better to practice in advance.

  • 10+1 = 11 (shi and)
  • 10+5 = 15 (shi y)
  • 3+10 = 30 (san shi)
  • 4+10+5 = 45 (sy shi wu)

A popular Chinese way of showing numbers on the fingers. To indicate prime numbers From 1 to 9, fingers of one hand are used:

While shopping

Trade in China is developing and is focused on Russian buyers. Therefore, in many boutiques, sellers know certain words, and some speak broken Russian. But the most proven way to bargain is a calculator.

In large shopping centers, where there are many Russian buyers, you can meet Chinese traders who have taken European pseudonyms (Sasha, Natasha and others). They do this for the convenience of their clients. If we are talking about a business partner, then it is better to remember Chinese name and pronounce it without errors.

While eating

The Chinese love to eat, they spend their weekends in cafes and meet friends there.

Bon appetit! 请慢用! jin ma yong
I will do it... 我要这个… In yao jege...
Is this dish spicy? 这个辣不辣? Jege la bu la?
Menu 菜单 kaidan
Check! 买单 Maidan
I would like to reserve a table. 我想预订一张桌子 Wu yang yuding yu zang ziosi
Can we see the menu? 能给我们看看菜单吗? Nyung gay woman cankan kaidan ma
What kind of soup do you have? 你们这儿有什么样的汤? Nimen zhai yu shemeyang de tang
Please bring the bill 请给我们账单 Chin jay woman jangdan

When visiting Chinese restaurants you need to be prepared for the following:

  • most food is spicy;
  • no menu in English;
  • the waiters speak only Chinese.

A good way out of the situation would be to print out the names of dishes in hieroglyphs with the names of the products and display them for ordering. Separately, you need to prepare the phrase “I don’t eat spicy things.” If the menu says 辣, it means the dish is very spicy.

Don't rely on the waiter's taste or ask best dish restaurant - most likely it will be aimed at the taste of the Chinese, not the European.

Conclusion

Tones are of great importance in the pronunciation of words. One word spoken with different intonations can take on a completely different meaning. Puntuhua has 4 syllabic tones that have symbols.

1st tone 2nd tone 3rd tone 4th tone
  • The 1st tone is intonationally similar to an unfinished phrase;
  • 2nd tone – short, similar to asking again;
  • 3rd tone - like a puzzled question;
  • The 4th tone is short and resembles an order.

We learn the melody of pronunciation of Chinese words like a song, then working on the tones will not be a problem.

To master the rules of pronunciation, you should listen to the speech of native speakers, watch video lessons or attend courses. The study should be based on the auditory level. Interrogative sentences in Chinese are pronounced with a rising intonation, while declarative sentences are pronounced with a falling intonation.
Basic knowledge of the Chinese language and some words will improve the quality of travel in this country.

Do you know what is the most embarrassing moment for all foreigners learning Chinese? When they realize that “ni hao” is far from the most popular word that the people of the Middle Kingdom use to greet.

How do you say “hello” or “how are you” in Chinese? Just for you - six ways to say it.

Bonus! (ni hao!) / 您好 (Ning hao!) - “Hello!” / “Hello!”

In case you have just started learning Chinese, or you are a simple tourist who is not even going to learn the language, but has already applied for a visa to the Celestial Empire.

“Ni Hao” is the first thing all foreigners learn. And even those who are completely unfamiliar with the language know that if you want to say “hello” in Chinese, say “ni hao.” If translated literally, the meaning will be consonant with our “hello”: “neither” - you; "hao" - good.

In fact, locals rarely use this phrase, as it sounds too formal. “Ning hao” is a respectful form (“ning” means you). Most often used to greet teachers or superiors. In this form it is actively used.

Also, quite often, even in the first lessons of Chinese, they learn: if you add an interrogative particle to “ni hao”, then the greeting turns into the question “how are you” (“ni hao ma?”). However, this will immediately make you look like a foreigner. The Chinese use this phrase not to ask how things are, but to make sure that everything is fine. That is, when you say “ni hao ma,” you focus on the fact that the person looks, to put it mildly, unimportant and you want to find out if he is healthy.

早!(Zao!) - “Good morning!”

"Zao" is short for 早上好! ("Zao shang hao!"), which means " Good morning" This is one of the popular ways to say “hello” in Chinese. The only case when using this word is inappropriate is if it is evening outside.

你吃了吗?(Ni chi le ma?) - “Have you eaten?”

If you are asked, “Ni chi le ma?”, don’t rush to talk about the delicious sandwich you had for breakfast or look around for food.

For the Chinese, this is not an invitation to dinner, but a way to ask how you are doing. It is enough to simply answer: “Chi le. No ne? (“I’ve eaten, and you?”). This is how you express unobtrusive concern for the person. If you ask this way, no one will demand treats from you, but it is quite possible that the locals’ attitude towards you will become several degrees warmer. The Chinese love foreigners who not only know how to say “hello” in Chinese, but are also not surprised when asked about food.

最近好吗?(Zui jin hao ma?) - “How are things going?”

“Zui jin hao ma?” similar to Russian “how are you?” The answer may be the same as in your native language. You can limit yourself to a short “hao” - “good”, or simply nod your head affirmatively. Or, if your language level allows you, you can say a couple of phrases about how things are going.

喂 (Way!) - “Hello?”

This is how the Chinese answer phone calls. Very simple and nice sound word. It is used by everyone, regardless of age, gender and social status.

去哪儿?(Chu nar?) - “Where are you going?”

“Ni chu nar?” is a way to say "hello" in Chinese if you bump into someone. By our standards, such a question may seem like excessive curiosity, especially when the interlocutor is a casual acquaintance. However, for the Chinese this is just a way to show concern and show some respect for a person.

Often a question form is used where the location is already specified. For example, when faced with a student or schoolchild, you can ask: “Chu shan ky le?” (“Are you going to class/classes?”).

好久不见!(Hao jou bu zen!) - “Long time no see!”

“Hao jou bu zen!” - this is how you can say “hello” in Chinese to an old acquaintance whom you have not seen for quite a long time. This phrase has a very positive emotional connotation.

Small "but"

As you probably know, Chinese is a tone language. The same word said in a different tone can mean something completely different. Of course, if you are a tourist, and even a fair-haired one, then the good-natured Chinese will definitely make a discount on this. But if you want to sound like a local, be warned: knowing how to say "hello" in Chinese isn't enough. Pronunciation also plays an important role.

There is a very simple option for those who are not going to seriously study the language - enter the phrase in online translator with the ability to listen to the typed text and just try to copy the intonation of the speaker. It's much easier than understanding the nuances of one of the most difficult languages ​​in the world to learn.

Most importantly, don't be afraid to speak up. The Chinese will always be happy to tell you how to do it right. Especially if you respond by taking a photo with them and teaching them a few phrases in Russian or English. Or buy something since the noodle vendor helped you.

Today there are nine Chinese expressions used when breaking up, accompanied by detailed explanations situation and context of their use, which will allow you to be sure that you are saying exactly what you want.

1) 再见 (zài jiàn) - Goodbye

This is the most standard Chinese farewell. It is usually learned right in the first Chinese lesson, and it is impossible to get into trouble with it. 再 (zài) means “once again.” 见 (jiàn) means "to see someone". So literally it doesn’t really mean “goodbye,” but “see you again.” Moreover, this farewell is appropriate even if you do not plan to see someone again.

2) 拜拜啦! (bài bài la) - Bye! Bye Bye!

This farewell is especially common in Taiwan. It came to Chinese from English and means the same as in the source language: “Bye!”

3) 明天见 (míng tiān jiàn) - See you tomorrow

This is a variation of 再见 (zài jiàn). Instead of 再 (zài), this expression uses 明天 (míng tiān), which means “tomorrow.” Unlike 再见 (zài jiàn), don't use this phrase unless you actually expect to see someone tomorrow. Otherwise, you may confuse the person.

4) 再会! (zài huì) - See you

Similar to 再见 (zài jiàn), but not as common. 会 (huì) means to meet. Somewhat reminiscent of the phrase “We’ll talk later.”

5) 再联系! (zài lián xì) - Let's stay in touch

This is a version of goodbye in which you emphasize future contact, which does not necessarily involve a physical meeting. 联系 (lián xì) means “to contact someone.”

The phrase can be used as a polite farewell even if the speaker has no intention of actually maintaining contact in the future.

6. 有空再聊 (yǒu kòng zài liáo) -When you have time, let's chat some more

This is a very informal way to say goodbye. 有空 (yǒu kòng) means "to have free time" 聊 (liáo) means “to talk, chat.”

Using this phrase will make you sound like a true Chinese. Plus, it sounds like you're sure the other person is your friend. Which can be perceived in two ways (very warm and friendly or almost offensive) depending on the context. Perhaps it's best to save this phrase for real friends.

7. 我不得不说再见了 (wǒ bù dé bù shuō zài jiàn le) - I have to go

You need to be especially careful with this difficult-to-translate Chinese phrase, although it may show you in a favorable light. Literally it means “I have no choice but to say goodbye.” 我 (wǒ) means "I". 不得不 (bù dé bù) means “there is no choice but to do something.” 说 (shuō) means "to say". 了 (le) expresses that something has changed (mainly that you shouldn't have gone before, but should now). The phrase seems very polite in meaning and in literal translation, but it does not apply to formal farewells. It's kind of like how you would say to your friends, “Listen, I'd really like to stay, but I just have to go.”

8. 我先告辞了 (wǒ xiān gào cí le) - I must leave first (polite farewell)

This is a polite and very formal way to bow and leave the company. It sounds somewhat like an apology. Literally it means something like “I announce my retirement in advance.” 先 (xiān) means “first”, 告 (gào) means “to announce”, 辞 (cí) means “to leave”. You can use this phrase with friends without it sounding awkward or too stilted. You can say it casually, but it will still show respect.

9. 失陪了 (shī péi le) - I apologize for leaving you (a very polite farewell)

This is one of the most formal farewells. 失 (shī) means “to fail” or “to lose.” 陪 (péi) means "to accompany". You can use this phrase when communicating with friends, but then it will take on an ironic connotation, because it is an emphatically polite and formal form of farewell.

We hope this post on saying goodbye in Chinese will help you make a good impression on your Chinese friends.

Chinese Language History Chinese is a language with a rich history that dates back to 1122 BC. (BC). While today more than one billion people around the world speak several variations of Chinese, the history of this language is associated with a more primitive, simpler language known as Proto-Sino-Tibetan. Modern linguists classify Chinese within the Sino-Tibetan group of languages.

Interestingly, the history of the Chinese language is controversial issue among linguists, since many have conflicting notions of how the evolution of this language should be classified. However, despite ongoing scientific debate, many experts rely on the historical classification system developed by Swedish linguist Bernhard Carlgren in the early 20th century. Carlgren suggested seeing the history of the Chinese language in the following eras: Old Chinese Middle Chinese Modern Chinese Traditionally, Chinese characters are written in columns. These columns must be read from top to bottom and from right to left. Since it is a writing system that uses one character to represent a word or phrase, there are literally thousands of characters. In fact, Hanzi (literally, Chinese for " Chinese characters") has more than 50,000 characters. This great amount counting symbols, in particular for high level illiteracy in China. In an attempt to get around this problem, People's Republic China has introduced a program to simplify the language into a set of commonly used characters. Today's system the entry uses approximately 6,000 of these characters. Of course, they are also used proper names characters that rarely appear.

HelloNihao你好
GoodbyeTsai Zen再见
Do you speak English?No fuck sho inwen ma?你会讲英语吗?
Thank you very much!Sese, feichang fanse!非常感谢你!
PleaseBuyun Xie
SorryBlow buti遗憾
What is your name?Ni jiao shemme mingzi?你叫什么名字?
YesShi是的
NoBushy
Do you want to dance?Ni xiang tiao wu ma?想跳舞吗?
I love you!Wow!我爱你!

Numbers and numbers

OneAND
TwoEr
ThreeSan
FourSy
FiveU
SixLiu
SevenQi
EightBa
NineTszyu
TenShi
TwentyErshi二十
ThirtySanshi三十
FourtySyshi四十
FiftyEars五十
One hundredAnd bye
ThousandYi Qian
MillionAnd Bai Wan百万

Shops, hotels, transport

How much does it cost?Zheige dongxi doshao tien?需要多少费用?
I will buy itIn May Zheig我就买它
How much does the ticket cost?Phyao doshao tien?多少钱的车票?
When does the train arrive/depart?Hoche shemme shihou daoda?当到达(送)火车?
Porter!Banyungong!波特!
Where is the taxi stand?Chuzu chezhan zai naer?出租汽车在哪里?
Where is the bus stop?Gonggong qiche zhan zai naer?哪里是公交车站?
What's the next stop?Xia zhan shi naer?什么是下一站?
Do you have any available rooms?Nimen hai you meiyou kun fanjian?你有没有可用的房间吗?
Is breakfast included in this price?Zhe baoko zaocan feile ma?是这里的早餐的价格是多少?
Do you have a map of the city?Ni you chengshi jiaotong tu ma?你有一个城市的地图?

For different occasions

Where are postcards (booklets, guidebooks) sold?Mingxinpian (shouce, zhinan) tsai shemma difang mai?在哪里购买卡(手册,指南等)?
How many people in your city got sick with SARS?Nimen de chengshi you doshao ren ganzhanle feidianfeiyan?有多少人在你的城市病综合症?
How many died?Doshao zhen sile?而有多少人死亡?
So much (little)?Name do (shao)?这么多(小)?
How are you feeling?Ning juede shufu ma?你感觉怎么样?
Are you coughing, or is it just my imagination?Nin kesou, wo kenen tintsole ma?你咳嗽,或者它似乎给我吗?
I feel myself goodWo juede shufu我觉得没事
I didn't coughWo mei yo kesou我没有咳嗽
I don't have a feverWo meiyou fashao我没有温度
I assure you I didn't coughZhen de, wo mei kesou我向你保证,我没有咳嗽
Thank you, no need to call a doctorSese, daifu bu yong jiao谢谢你,这是没有必要叫医生
Take your hands offZou kai ba保持你的双手
You are not a doctor, you are a pestNing bu shi isheng. Ning shi weihai fengzi你是不是医生,你害虫
You yourself infected meNing Ziji Chuanzhanle Wo请你帮我和感染
I spat in your rice, now you're going to dieWo Xiang Nide Fanwanli Thule Tan我在你的饭吐了,现在你死

At the restaurant

We need a table for two (three, four)Women yao liange ren (sange ren, sige ren) canzhuo我们需要两(三,四)表
Menu, pleaseQing na tsaidan lai菜单,请
I want to try thisWo Xiang Chan Yixia Zhege我想尝试一下
Bon appetit!Zhu ni weikou hao!个饱!
Please explain how they eat itQing Jieshi Yixia, Zhege Zenme Chi解释,请,你怎么吃
I do not know how to eat with chopsticksWo bu dick yong kuaizi我不知道怎么用筷子吃饭
The check, pleaseQing Jiezhang比尔,请

Chinese video lessons for beginners