Chinese Greetings and Common Phrases

Chinese Greetings

• "zaoshang hao" translates to "good morning" and can be shortened to "zao" when speaking to friends.
• "xiawuhao" means "good afternoon" and is used after morning and before late afternoon.
• "wanshang hao" translates to "good evening."
• "wan an hao" is used to say "good night."
• "ni hao" means "hello/hi" and is used when addressing one person.
• "dajia hao" is used to say "hello/hi“ to a group of people.

Common Phrases

• "Ni hao ma?" is used to ask someone how are you.
• "Wo hen hao" means "I am very good / I am very fine."
• "Wohao" means "I am good."
• "Wo bu hao" translates to " I am not good."
• "Bu" means "no" or "not."
• "Xie xie ni" and "xie xie" both mean "thank you".
• "bukeqi" means "you're welcome."
• "Duibuqi" translates to "I am sorry."
• "Mei guan xi" means "alright" or "its okay".
• "Nin ne?" is used to ask “how about you?”
• "Yesi" means "too".

Pronouns and Verbs

• "Wo" means "I".
• "Ni" means "you".
• "Ta" means "he" or "she."
• "Shi" means "is," "am," "are," "was," or "were."
• "Ni men" means "them".
• "Wo men" means "us."
• "Ta men" means "they".
• "He" means "and".
• "De" signifies possession, and can be translated as "your."

Common Words and Phrases

• "Laoshi" means "teacher."
• "Tongxue" means "classmate", and "tongxuemen" can be used to address a group of classmates.
• "Xuesheng" means "student."
• "Peng you" means "friend".
• "Ming bai le ma?" is used to ask "Do you understand?"
• "Ming bai le" means "I understand."
• "Bu ming bai" translates to "I don't understand."
• "Wo shi" means "I am."
• "Wo de" means "my."
• "Zaijian" means "goodbye."

Basic Questions

• "Ni (you) jiao (name) shenme(what) mingzi?(is/am/are)" is a way to ask someone "What is your name?"