Learn Chinese -- Dialogue -- Lesson 1 Exchange Currency

Text

             Láo jià, wŏ xiăng bă měi yuán huàn chéng Rénmínbì.
麦克： 劳驾，我想把美元换成人民币。 
Mike: Excuse me, I’d like to exchange some US dollars for Renminbi.
  
          Nín yào huàn duō shăo?
小姐: 您要换多少？ 
Miss:  How much do you want to change? 
   
          Wŭ băi měi yuán.
麦克： 五百美元。 
Mike:  Five hundred US dollars.
   

         Qĭng nín xiān tiān yī zhāng duì huàn dān.
小姐: 请您先填一张兑换单。 
Miss: Fill in the exchange form first, please.
   
            Jīn tiān měi yuán hé Rénmínbì de bĭ jià shì duō shăo?
麦克： 今天美元和人民币的比价是多少？ 
Mike: What’s the rate for US dollars to Renminbi today?
   
          Bĭ jià shì yī bĭ bā diăn liù sān.
小姐: 比价是一比八点六三。 
Miss: The rate is 1:8.63.
   
             Wŏ tiān hăo duì huàn dān le.
麦克： 我填好兑换单了。 
Mike: I’ve finished the form.
   

        Qĭng shāo dĕng. Zhè shì nín de qián.
小姐: 请稍等。这是您的钱。 
Miss: Wait a moment, please. Here is your money.
   
           Xiè xiè.
麦克： 谢谢。 
Mike:  Thank you.

Background

外国人在中国应该支付人民币。迈克是位美国人，他在北京工作。一天，他去银行换一些钱。
Foreigners in China should pay in Renminbi. Mike comes from the United States and works in Beijing now. One day, he goes to the bank to exchange some money.

New Words

1. 换钱 huàn qián: to exchange money

2. 百 băi: hundred

3. 填 tiān: to fill in

4. 兑换单 duì huàn dān: exchange form

5. 今天 jīn tiān: today

6. 比价 bĭ jià: rate of exchange

7. 请 qĭng: please

8. 等 děng: wait

9. 一会儿 yī huìr: a moment

10. 谢谢　xiè xiè: thank

How to Read Chinese Menus -- Lesson 3

　hóng shāo ròu
1　红 烧 肉
　Braised pork with soy sauce
　huí guō ròu
2　回 锅 肉
　Stir-fried pork slices in hot sauce
　xiāng sū jī
3　香 酥 鸡
　Crispy fried chicken
　bái zhăn jī
4　白 斩 鸡
　Tender-boiled chicken with soy sauce
　yán shuĭ yā
5　盐 水 鸭
　Salted duck
　shuĭ zhǔ yú
6　水 煮 鱼
　Boiled fish fillet in spicy Sichuan sauce

How to read Chinese Menus -- Lesson 2

　liáng bàn qié ní
1　凉 拌 茄 泥
　Mashed eggplant in sauce
　táng cù lĭ yú
2　糖 醋 鲤 鱼
　Carp in sweet and sour sauce
　yú xiāng ròu sī
3　鱼 香 肉 丝
　Fish-flavored shredded pork
　qīng zhēng páng xiè
4　清 蒸 螃 蟹
　Steamed crabs
　má pó dòu fu
5　麻 婆 豆 腐
　Stir-fired bean curd in spicy sauce
　tiĕ băn niú liǔ
6　铁 板 牛 柳
　Beef with ginger and scallions on a hot plate

How to read Chinese Menus -- Lesson 1

　gōng bào jī dīng
1　宫 爆 鸡 丁
　Stir-fried diced chicken with chilli and peanuts
　hóng shāo pái gǔ
2　红 烧 排 骨
　Pork ribs in Brown Sauce
　hǔ pí jiān jiāo
3　虎 皮 尖 椒
　Tiger-skin green peppers
　sōng rén yù mĭ
4　松 仁 玉 米
　Pine nuts with sweet corn
　pí dàn dòu fu
5　皮 蛋 豆 腐
　Tofu mixed with salted duck eggs
　táng cù ǒu piàn
6　糖 醋 藕 片
　Sweet and sour lotus root slices

Chinese Idioms -- Xiōng yǒu chéng zhú

胸有成竹 (Xiōng yǒu chéng zhú)

Have an image of bamboo in one's mind (before drawing)---Well prepared

One Song Dynasty painter named Wen Yuke loved bamboo very much. He planted many groves of bamboo around his house, and watched them during every season. This inspired him to paint many different bamboo styles. He often formed images of bamboo in his mind, before he actually started painting. He could finish his masterpieces in one sitting, and the bamboo always looked truth to life.

Chao Buzhi wrote a poem about the artist, saying when Yuke draws bamboo, " he has the finished picture in his mind."

Another idiom based on the same story is 成竹在胸(chéng zhú zài xiōng) which also means "as well prepared as an artist who has an image of bamboo in his mind before painting". This is taken from comments on how Wen Yuke painted by Song Dynasty scholar Su Shi, otherwise known as Su Dongpo.

Both 胸有成竹(Xiōng yǒu chéng zhú) and 成竹在胸(chéng zhú zài xiōng) are used to describe someone who acts with confidence because of his preparation.

Everyday Chinese -- Lesson 20 At Second-hand Market

1.   这是什么牌子的？
Zhè shì shénme páizi de?
What brand is it?　
2.   中国名牌。
Zhōngguó míngpái.
China top brand.　
3.   这儿有点儿毛病。
Zhèr yǒu diǎnr máobìng.
Something seems wrong here.　
4.   最多100元！
Zuìduō yìbǎi yuán!
100 yuan at most.

 

Chinese Idioms -- yì rén dé dào, jī quǎn shēng tiān

一人得道，鸡犬升天 (yì rén dé dào, jī quǎn shēng tiān)

When a man attains the Dao, even his pets ascend to heaven---when a man gets to the top, all his friends and relations rise to high positions.

道 Dào means enlightenment and immortality.

Liu An (179-122BC), the grandson of Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty, was a man of letters and a Taoist thinker. He organized thousands of Taoist alchemists to compile a book advocating the idea that everything in the universe originates from Dào 道. He was also fond of alchemy and dreamed of becoming an immortal. He plotted a rebellion but the conspiracy was brought to light and he committed suicide.

As Liu An had a great influence on Taoists, after he died, people created a legend about him.

The legend says, one day Liu An met eight old men and, in a solemn ceremony, formally became their pupil. He began to learn from them how to make elixir of life and cultivate himself for the attainment of divinity.

After some time, Liu An succeeded in refining divinity pills. But before he had time to swallow them, someone told the emperor about his scheme. The emperor sent men to arrest him. Liu An hurriedly asked his eight old teachers for help. They told him that he could swallow the divinity pills and become a celestial being. With the permission of his teachers, Liu An and all his friends and relations ate some of the pills and immediately became immortals and ascended to heaven.
His dogs and chicken ate the remaining pills left in the courtyard and also flew into the sky, clucking and barking, making quite a scene.

From that legend comes the idiom 一人得道，鸡犬升天 (yì rén dé dào, jī quǎn shēng tiān). In Chinese culture, the word for pets, especially "dog", has a bad implication. Comparing someone to a pet, a dog in particular, shows we hold him in contempt. So, we use the idiom to mock those of great influence whose friends and relations make easy and rapid progress in their careers just because of such a relationship.

Chinese Idioms -- Hài qún zhī mǎ

害群之马 (Hài qún zhī mǎ )

The horse which does harm to the herd --- a black sheep

About four thousand years ago, China's first legendary ruler Huangdi (Yeallow Emperor) took his entourage into the countryside to visit an old friend. They met a boy who was keeping watch over a herd of horses. Huangdi asked the boy if he knew the way to his friend's village which was far away. The answer was yes. Then the emperor asked him if he knew his friend. The boy said yes again. Huangdi thought the boy so knowledgeable that he asked him if he knew how to role a country. The boy said the principle of ruling a country was not that different from watching over a herd of horses.

"You simply have to drive the wild horses out of the herd." The emperor left, deeply impressed by the boy.

The idiom 害群之马 (Hài qún zhī mǎ) is taken from what the boy said and is used for anyone who is a disgrace or a bad influence on his peers.

Everyday Chinese -- Lesson 19 At the Fruit Market

1.   这橘子甜吗？

Zhè júzi tián ma?

Is the mandarin orange sweet?

2.   多少钱一公斤？

Duōshao qián yì gōngjīn?

How much per kilogram?

3.   我没有零钱。

Wǒ méiyou língqián.

I don't have change.

4.   给你一张100元的。

Gěi nǐ yì zhāng yībǎi yuán de.

Here is a 100 yuan note.

Everyday Chinese -- Lesson 18 At the Supermarket

1.   请问有洗发水卖吗？

Qǐngwèn yǒu xǐfàshuǐ mài ma?

Please may I ask is there shampoo sold here?

2.   我想退货。

Wǒ xiǎng tuì huò.

I'd like to return this.

3.   您的发票带来了吗？

Nín de fāpiào dàilai le ma?

Do you have the receipt with you?

4.   您给退了吧。

Nín gěi tuì le ba.

Please help me return this.

Household appliances saying in Chinese

dish drainer 筐子(kuāngzǐ) 晾干(liànggān)餐具(cānjù)的(de)容器(róngqì)（类似(lèisì)铁丝(tiěsī)筐(kuāng)）

table cloth 桌布(zhuōbù)

laundry bag 洗(xǐ)衣袋(yīdài)

pail 洗衣(xǐyī)桶(tǒng)

ironing board 烫(tàng)衣(yī)板(bǎn)

steam and dry iron 蒸汽(zhēngqì)电熨斗(diànyùndǒu)

electric iron 电熨斗(diànyùndǒu)

laundry drier 烘干机(hōnggānjī)

spin-drier 旋转(xuánzhuǎn)式(shì)脱水机(tuōshuǐjī)

washing machine 洗衣机(xǐyījī)

radiator 暖气片(nuǎnqìpiàn)

electric fan 电扇(diànshàn)

stand fan 落地(luòdì)电扇(diànshàn)

oscillating fan 摇头(yáotóu)电扇(diànshàn)

bed light/bed lamp 床头灯(chuángtóudēng)

fluorescent lamp 日光灯(rìguāngdēng)

ceiling lamp/pendant lamp 吊灯(diàodēng)

desk/table lamp 台灯(táidēng)

wall light 壁灯(bìdēng)

floor lamp 落地灯(luòdìdēng)

chandelier 枝(zhī)状(zhuàng)吊灯(diàodēng)

flashlight/eletric torch 手电筒(shǒudiàntǒng)  

Chinese Song -- The Beautiful Myth

The Beautiful Myth
美丽的神话
电影《美丽的神话》主题曲

演唱：韩红 孙楠

A familiar face appears in my dream,
梦(mèng)中人(zhōngrén)熟悉(shúxī)的(de)脸孔(liǎnkǒng)。
You are my longing tenderness.
你(nǐ)是(shì)我(wǒ)守候(shǒuhòu)的(de)温柔(wēnróu)。
Even though tears may sweep the world,
就算(jiùsuàn)泪水(lèishuǐ)淹没(yānmò)天地(tiāndì)，
I will never let you go.
我(wǒ)不会(búhuì)放手(fàngshǒu)。
Every moment I endure with loneliness.
每(měi)一刻(yíkè)，孤独(gūdú)的(de)承受(chéngshòu)，
Just because I have ever made a promise.
只(zhī)因(yīn)我(wǒ)曾(céng)许(xǔ)下(xià)承诺(chéngnuò)。
The familiar affection exists between you and me.
你(nǐ)我(wǒ)之间(zhījiān)熟悉(shúxī)的(de)感动(gǎndòng)。
Our love will survive.
爱(ài)就要(jiùyào)苏醒(sūxǐng)
In this changing  world , only love is the never-changing myth.
万事(wànshì)沧桑(cāngsāng)惟有(wéiyǒu)爱(ài)是(shì)永远(yǒngyuǎn)的(de)神话(shénhuà)。
The promise of the true love will never be broken by roaring waves.
潮(cháo)起(qǐ)潮(cháo)落(luò)始终(shǐzhōng)不(bù)毁(huǐ)真(zhēn)爱(ài)的(de)相约(xiāngyuē)。
And will go through the painful struggles, over every dark night.
几(jǐ)番(fān)苦痛(kǔtòng)的(de)纠缠(jiūchán)，多少(duōshǎo)黑夜(hēiyè)挣扎(zhēngzhá)。
We will never part with our hands holding tightly.
紧握(jǐnwò)双手(shuāngshǒu)让(ràng)我(wǒ)和(hé)你(nǐ)再(zài)也(yě)不(bù)离(lí)分(fēn)
The white snow shall witness our true love
枕(zhěn)上(shàng)雪(xuě)冰封(bīngfēng)的(de)爱恋(àiliàn)。
Our true hearts will get together.
真心(zhēnxīn)想(xiǎng)拥(yōng)才能(cáinéng)溶解(róngjiě)。
The flames beating the strong wind will never die.
风(fēng)中(zhōng)摇曳(yáoyè)炉(lú)上(shàng)的(de)雪(xuě)，不(bù)灭(miè)亦(yì)不休(bùxiū)。
I await the blooming flowers from the spring and after spring.
等待(děngdài)花(huā)开春(kāichūn)去(qù)春(chūn)又(yòu)来(lái)。
The merciless life laughs at me,
无情(wúqíng)岁月(suìyuè)笑(xiào)我(wǒ)痴狂(chīkuáng)，
But I will not change my will in spite of the emptiness in this world .
心(xīn)如(rú)钢铁(gāngtiě)任(rèn)世界(shìjiè)荒芜(huāngwú)。
In this changing world, only love is the never-changing myth.
万事(wànshì)沧桑(cāngsāng)惟有(wéiyǒu)爱(ài)是(shì)永远(yǒngyuǎn)的(de)神话(shénhuà)。
The promise of true love will never be broken by roaring waves.
潮(cháo)起(qǐ)潮(cháo)落(luò)始终(shǐzhōng)不(bù)毁(huǐ)真(zhēn)爱(ài)的(de)相约(xiāngyuē)。
And will go through the painful struggles, over every dark night.
几(jǐ)番(fān)苦痛(kǔtòng)的(de)纠缠(jiūchán)，多少(duōshǎo)黑夜(hēiyè)挣扎(zhēngzhá)。
We will never part with our hands holding tightly.
紧握(jǐnwò)双手(shuāngshǒu)让(ràng)我(wǒ)和(hé)你(nǐ)再(zài)也(yě)不(bù)离(lí)分(fēn)。
Only love is the forever myth in life.
悲欢(bēihuān)岁月(suìyuè)惟有(wéiyǒu)爱(ài)是(shì)永远(yǒngyuǎn)的(de)神话(shénhuà)。
Neither of us ever forget the ancient promise.
谁(shuí)都(dōu)没有(méiyǒu)遗忘(yíwàng)古老(gǔlǎo)的(de)誓言(shìyán)。
Your tears shall turn into hundreds of beautiful dancing butterflies.
你(nǐ)的(de)泪水(lèishuǐ)化为(huàwéi)漫天(màntiān)飞舞(fēiwǔ)的(de)彩蝶(cǎidié)。
Two hearts are flying freely in the gentle breeze.
爱(ài)是(shì)翼(yì)下(xià)之(zhī)风(fēng)，两(liǎng)心(xīn)相随(xiāngsuí)自在(zìzài)飞(fēi)。
Only love is the forever myth in life.
悲欢(bēihuān)岁月(suìyuè)惟有(wéiyǒu)爱(ài)是(shì)永远(yǒngyuǎn)的(de)神话(shénhuà)。
Neither of us ever forget the ancient promise.
谁(shuí)都(dōu)没有(méiyǒu)遗忘(yíwàng)古老(gǔlǎo)的(de)誓言(shìyán)。
Your tears shall turn into hundreds of beautiful dancing butterflies.
你(nǐ)的(de)泪(lèi)水(shuǐ)化(huà)为(wéi)漫(màn)天(tiān)飞(fēi)舞(wǔ)的(de)彩(cǎi)蝶(dié)。
Two hearts are flying freely in the gentle breeze.
爱(ài)是(shì)翼(yì)下(xià)之(zhī)风(fēng)，两(liǎng)心(xīn)相(xiāng)随(suí)自(zì)在(zài)飞(fēi)。
You are the only beautiful myth in my heart.
你(nǐ)是(shì)我(wǒ)心(xīn)中(zhōng)唯(wéi)一(yī)美(měi)丽(lì)的(de)神(shén)话(huà)。

Everyday Chinese -- Lesson 17 At a Banquet

1.   您先请！
Nín xiān qǐng!
After you.　

2.   别这么客气！
Bié zhème kèqi!
Don't stand on ceremony!　

3.   为我们的合作成功干杯！
Wèi wǒmen de hézuò chénggōng gān bēi!
Let's toast to our successful cooperation! 　

4.   为大家的身体健康干杯！
Wèi dàjiā de shēntǐ jiànkāng gān bēi!
Let's drink a toast to our good health!　

5.   感谢你们的热情款待。
Gǎnxiè nǐmen de rèqíng kuǎndài.
Thank you for your hospitality.

Everyday Chinese -- Lesson 16 At a Family Gathering

1.   我很高兴认识你的家人。
Wǒ hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ de jiārén.
It's nice to meet your family members.　

2.   这是我的拿手菜。
Zhè shì wǒ de náshǒucài.
This dish is my specialty.　

3.   你多吃点儿。
Nǐ duō chī diǎnr.
Help yourself to some more.　

4.   下次请你们到我家做客。
Xià cì qǐng nǐmen dào wǒ jiā zuò kè.
Next time please come over to my house.

Bathroom item 2

bathroom 浴室(yùshì)，厕所(cèsuǒ)

 

flushing system 冲水(chōngshuǐ)系统(xìtǒng)

 

flush toilet 抽水马桶(chōushuǐmǎtǒng)

 

flush pipe 冲水(chōngshuǐ)管(guǎn)

 

foul drainage system 排(pái)污水系统(wūshuǐxìtǒng)

 

drainage 排水(páishuǐ)道(dào)

 

ventilation shaft/pipe 通风管道(tōngfēngguǎndào)

 

toilet seat 马桶(mǎtǒng)坐(zuò)圈(quān)

 

toilet lid 马桶盖(mǎtǒnggài)

 

squatting pot 蹲(dūn)式(shì)马桶(mǎtǒng)

 

urinal 小便池(xiǎobiànchí)

 

toilet paper/tissue 卫生纸(wèishēngzhǐ)

 

toilet brush 马桶(mǎtǒng)刷(shuā)

 

toothbrush 牙刷(yáshuā)

 

toothpick 牙签(yáqiān)

 

dental floss 牙线(yáxiàn)

 

toothpaste 牙膏(yágāo)

 

tooth glass 刷牙(shuāyá)杯(bēi)

 

brush one's teeth 刷牙(shuāyá)

 

shave 刮胡子(guāhúzi)

Bathroom items saying in Chinese

bathtub 浴缸(yùgāng)

 

hand shower 手握(shǒuwò)式(shì)淋浴器(línyùqì)

 

shower nozzle 喷头(pēntóu)

 

tap faucet 水龙头(shuǐlóngtóu)

 

plastic curtain 防(fáng)水浴(shuǐyù)帘(lián)

 

shower cap 浴帽(yùmào)

 

bath slipper 洗澡(xǐzǎo)用(yòng)拖鞋(tuōxié)

 

bath mat 防(fáng)滑(huá)垫(diàn)

 

towel hanger/holder 毛巾架(máojīnjià)

 

towel ring 毛巾(máojīn)环(huán)

 

bath towel 浴巾(yùjīn)

 

soap stand 肥皂(féizào)盒(hé)

 

comb 梳子(shūzi)

 

soap 肥皂(féizào)

 

shampoo 洗发(xǐfà)露(lù)

 

conditioner 护发(hùfà)素(sù)

 

bath gel 沐(mù)浴(yù)露(lù)

 

dryer 吹(chuī)风(fēng)机(jī)

 

razor 刮(guā)胡(hú)刀(dāo)

The bedroom items saying in Chinese

blanket 毛毯(máotǎn)

 

cushion 垫子(diànzi)

 

quilt 被子(bèizi)

 

cotton terry blanket 毛巾被(máojīnbèi)

 

feather quilt 羽绒(yǔróng)被(bèi)

 

cotton quilt 棉被(miánbèi)

 

bedding 床上用品(chuángshàngyòngpǐn)

 

mosquito net 蚊帐(wénzhàng)

 

pillow 枕头(zhěntou)

 

bolster 长(cháng)枕(zhěn)

 

pillow case 枕套(zhěntào)

 

tick 褥子(rùzi)

 

carpet 地毯(dìtǎn) 

 

rug 地毯(dìtǎn)

 

bed frame/bed base 床架(chuángjià)

 

headboard 床头(chuángtóu)板(bǎn)

 

sofa bed 沙发床(shāfāchuáng)

 

folding guest bed 折叠床(zhédiéchuáng)

 

loftbed frame 架(jià)在(zài)空中(kōngzhōng)的(de)床(chuáng)

 

bunkbed frame 上(shàng)下铺(xiàpù)的(de)床(chuáng)

 

slatted bed base 板条(bǎntiáo)床

 

sprung base 弹簧床(tánhuángchuáng)

 

bedspread 床罩(chuángzhào)

 

sheet 床单(chuángdān)

 

mat 席子(xízi)

 

mattress 床垫(chuángdiàn) （厚(hòu)的(de)那种(nàzhǒng)）

 

mattress pad 床垫(chuángdiàn) (薄(báo)的(de)那种(nàzhǒng))

 

bed canopy 支(zhī)在(zài)床(chuáng)上(shàng)的(de)篷子(péngzi)（一般用于儿童床上的装饰）

 

bedside table 床(chuáng)头(tóu)柜(guì)

Kitchen wares saying in Chinese

refrigerator 冰箱(bīngxiāng)

 

automatic rice cooker 电饭锅(diànfànguō)

 

steamer 蒸锅(zhēngguō)

 

oven 烤箱(kǎoxiāng)

 

grill 烧烤(shāokǎo)架(jià)

 

toaster 烤面包机(kǎomiànbāojī)

 

egg beater 打(dǎ)蛋(dàn)器(qì)

 

ice crusher 刨冰(bàobīng)机(jī)

 

food processor 食品加工机(shípǐnjiāgōngjī)

 

paper towel 纸巾(zhǐjīn)

 

apron 围裙(wéiqún)

 

tableware 餐具(cānjù)

 

plate 盘子(pánzi)

 

dish 碟子(diézi)

 

bowl 碗(wǎn)

 

cupboard 碗橱(wǎnchú)

 

dining table 餐桌(cānzhuō)

 

larder 食品(shípǐn)柜(guì)

 

drop-leaf table 可以(kěyǐ)折叠(zhédié)边缘(biānyuán)的(de)桌子(zhuōzi)

 

chopping board 案板(ànbǎn)

 

cutlery tray 装(zhuāng)餐(cān)具(jù)的(de)容(róng)器(qì)