Asking Some Basic Questions in Chinese

Learn how to ask these basic questions in Chinese to help you begin communicating with others and gather useful information regarding directions, time, and weather conditions:

• How’s it going? Ni zenme yàng? (nee dzummuh yahng)

• Do you speak English? Ni huì shu∂ Y∫ngyu ma? (nee hway shwaw eeng yew mah)

• Can you help me? Néng bùnéng b≈ngmáng? (nung boo nung bahng mahng)

• What is your name? Ni jiào shénme míngzi? (nee jyaow shummah meeng dzuh)

• What time is it? Xiànzài ji dian zh∂ng? (shyan dzye jee dyan joong)

• What’s the weather like? Ti≈nqi zenme yàng? (tyan chee dzummuh yahng)

• How much is this? Zhèige du∂shao qián? (jay guh dwaw shaow chyan)

• Where do I find . . . ? Zài nar zhao . . . ? (dzye nar jaow . . . )

• Where is the bathroom? Cèsuo zài nar? (tsuh swaw dzye nar)

• What time do you open/close? Nín ji dian zh∂ng k≈i/gu≈n mén? (neen jee dyan joong kye/gwahn mun)

• Could you please talk more slowly? Qing ni shu∂ màn y∫diar. (cheeng nee shwaw mahn ee dyar)

• Could you repeat that please? Qing ni zài shu∂ yícì. (cheeng nee dzye shwaw ee tsuh)

Language Phrases Glossary

accusative case

When noun or pronoun is the direct object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

dative case

When noun or pronoun is the indirect object of the verb of the sentence, you are required to switch to the dative case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

genitive case

When the noun or pronoun indicates possession, you are required switch to the genitive case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

instrumental case

A Russian grammatical term that indicates that the noun or pronoun assist in the carrying out of an action, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

interrogative

Words used to ask questions, such as who, what, when, where, and why.

Language Phrases Glossary

macron

A small, horizontal mark above the vowel that indicates a long vowel sound. Make the vowel sound like its name.

Language Phrases Glossary

nominative case

When noun or pronoun is the subject of the sentence, you are required to switch to the nominative case ending.

Language Phrases Glossary

prepositional case

A grammatical case that indicates that the noun or pronoun is the object of a preposition, you are required to switch to the accusative case ending. Used with the Russian prepositions: v (v; in), na (nah; on), o (oh; about), and ob (ohb; about).