Chinese pronunciation. Reading rules in Chinese
Today, October 15, starts Sergey Igoshin's course "Independent study of any foreign language in one month".
This course will allow you master active basis of your chosen language for one month and assimilate a universal algorithm thanks to which you can independently learn any foreign languages.
The first lesson will start today at 19.00 Moscow time and you can still catch it:
Sergey Igoshin
Three women - noise or depravity? Or where do associations lead?
"My name is a worn Hieroglyph
My clothes are patched with the wind
What do I carry in clasped hands
They won't ask me and I won't answer.
Edmund Shklyarsky, group "Picnic"
As you may have guessed, today we will talk about hieroglyphs. Surely many have a stereotype that there is nothing worse than languages using hieroglyphs.
Some will also sympathize: how the poor fellows suffer with these squiggles! However, unusual for us does not mean uncomfortable for them.
If you look closely at the characters in Japanese and Chinese, you will find that they have both convenience and logic. But above all imagery! 
When an artist paints a picture, he first makes a sketch, a sketch. Then the details are drawn and the final work begins already with paints.
We can say that the hieroglyph (not everyone, of course) has traveled in the opposite direction: from the picture to the sketch.
The hieroglyph is a canvas, rewritten by time, but has not lost its aesthetic value.
Before you is the Chinese-Japanese character for "moon".
And where is the moon? Let's figure it out! We connect the imagination and ...
I thought it was better to see once than to tell. In the photo you see my cheerful Chinese friend.
He drew this picture specifically for this article. Now it's all clear! Once upon a time it really was a drawing of the month with two clouds.
You probably already want to know the answer to the question in the title of the article? We are already close! Let's first find out: what are two women?
女女 Answer: quarrel! Let's add one more and get...
女 女 女 And noise and debauchery at the same time! It all depends on... the dialect of Chinese.
Here one could make a big digression about the peculiarities of the Chinese-Japanese worldview, but let's leave that aside...-)
Hieroglyphs triplets are very funny and figurative. Especially when you find out the meaning of the hieroglyph-base. We will see:
Since there are triplets, then there are twins:
By the way, have you noticed how much space is occupied by hieroglyphs, and how much is the text in Russian? Here is the obvious advantage! That is, hieroglyphs are convenient, logical, and figurative. They stir the imagination, kindle curiosity, develop associative thinking!
Listen to the audio lesson with additional explanationsThe official language of the People's Republic of China is putonghua(普通话 pǔtōnghuà, lit. "common language"), whose phonetics and vocabulary are based on the pronunciation norm of the Beijing dialect.
The basic phonetic unit of Chinese is the syllable. A syllable consists of a consonant part - initial(声母 ，shēng mǔ) - at the beginning of a syllable and a vowel - final(韵母 ，yùn mǔ) - at the end of a syllable, as well as tone. Modern Mandarin has about 400 basic syllables. To record the sounds of the Chinese language, the pinyin phonetic alphabet (拼音, pīn yīn) is used - a transcription system based on the Latin alphabet.
tone
Home hallmark The phonetics of the Chinese language are tones. In Chinese, there are 4 tones + a slight unstressed tone. Tone is needed in order to distinguish the meaning of syllables that sound the same.
For example:
First tone: high and even, denoted by ā.
Second tone: ascending, denoted by á.
The third tone: first falling, and then rising, is indicated by ǎ.
Fourth tone: falling from high to low, denoted by à.
The tone sign is always placed above the finals. If the tone sign is placed over the final i, then the dot is not written: nǐ, nín. In syllables with compound finals, the tone sign is placed above the one at the moment of pronouncing which, the mouth is opened wider (a, o, e, i, u, ü): māo, dài, péi.
light tone
The light tone is also sometimes referred to as "zero". Light tone is pronounced weaker and shorter. In transcription, a light tone is not indicated by any sign.
For example:
| 好吗？ | 你呢？ | 爸爸 | 谢谢 |
| Hǎo ma? | Nǐne? | baba | xiexie |
| Good? | And you? | dad | Thank you |
Initials
initial can be expressed with only one consonant.
Before proceeding to study initials, let's get acquainted with the concept of "breathing", because in Chinese initials divided into aspirated and non-aspirated. To learn how to pronounce initials with aspiration, try to pronounce a piece of paper to your lips and pronounce the sound with a strong exhalation. A piece of paper should deviate from you due to the air flow during intense exhalation. When pronouncing initials without aspiration, the sheet of paper should not move. Thus, it turns out that the sound “x” is added to the sound, however, one should avoid pronouncing aspirated sounds like a Russian sound + “x”, one should try to achieve this effect precisely with the help of exhalation.
There are 21 initials in Chinese:
| Pronunciation method | Pronounced like | Examples | |
|---|---|---|---|
| b | Something in between Russian voiced[b] and deaf [P] | 爸爸 - father | |
| p | Russian [P][n x] | 怕 - to be afraid | |
| m | Chinese [m]different from Russian[m]greater tension and duration | 妈妈 - mother | |
| f | Sounds like Russian[f] | 发 - send | |
| d | Chinese [d]similar to Russian[e]but is deaf | 都 - all | |
| t | Russian [t], which is pronounced with a breath -[t x ] | 他 - he | |
| n | Unlike the Russian[n]while pronouncing Chinese[n]the tip of the tongue is raised | 你 - you | |
| l | Chinese [l]different from Russian[l]lowering the back of the tongue | 来 - to come | |
| g | Chinese [g]similar to Russian[G]but is deaf | 狗 - dog | |
| k | Russian [to], which is pronounced with a breath -[to x] | 看 - to look | |
| h | Russian sound [X]but more intense | 很 - very | |
| j | When pronouncing[j], [q]and[x]the tongue should lie down, slightly touching the tip of the lower teeth. The middle of the tongue touches the palate during pronunciation. There are no such sounds in Russian. Note that the initials[j], [q], [x]not compatible with finals[u], [a] |
Sound [j]approximately equal to Russian[dj], pronounced softly and without aspiration | 几 - how much |
| q | Average between Russian soft[t] and [h](something like soft[hush]), pronounced with a breath | 七 - seven | |
| x | Looks like a hiss[with](something like a hissing[sh]) | 星 - star | |
| z | These are hissing sounds. When pronouncing[z], [c]and[s]tip of tongue touches back of front teeth |
Similar to Russian[c], but pronounced louder (something like a combination[dz]) | 在 - in; on the |
| c | Deaf combination[ts]with a strong breath | 从 - with; from | |
| s | Similar to Russian[with], just a little tighter | 三 - three | |
| zh | When pronouncing , , and[r]the tip of the tongue curls back towards the palate | Combination [j](for example, as in [jam]), but pronounced as a single sound. | 这 is |
| ch | Combination [sh]with a strong breath | 车 - machine | |
| sh | Close to Russian[w], but more hissing | 书 - book | |
| r | Similar to Russian[f] | 人 - person |
The initial may be absent, then the syllable consists only of the final and is called a syllable with a zero or omitted initial.
Finals
The final can consist of either one vowel sound (simple) or several (compound). There are 38 finals in Chinese:
| Pronounced like | Examples | Transcription rules | |
|---|---|---|---|
| a | Similar to Russian[a], only pronounced more intensely | 那 - that | |
| e | When pronouncing[e]the tongue is in the same position as when pronouncing Russian[about], but without rounding the lips. The sound itself is somewhere between[e] and [s] | 呢 interrogative particle | |
| i | Pronounced like Russian[and], but more intense; softens the consonant before it | 骑 - to ride | If a[i] [y], For example,一 - one After[z], [c], [s], , , and[r]finals[-i]reads like hard[s], For example:吃 - eat, 词 - word, 日 - day, etc. |
| o | Pronounced like Russian[about]but more intense | 摸 - to touch | |
| u | Pronounced like Russian[y] | 不 - no, no | If a[u]forms an independent syllable[w], For example:五 - five |
| ü | There is no such sound in Russian. Sound[ü] brings together sounds[i] and [u], pronounced together, as one sound. To pronounce this sound, try pronouncing[wu], only rounding the lips as when pronouncing[Yu] | 女 - woman | If a[ü]
forms an independent syllable, then an unpronounceable initial is added before it[y], and two points above[ü]
are not written, for example:语 - language If the finals[ü] comes after the initials[j], [q]or[x],then two dots over[ü] are not written, but the sound is still read as[ü] . And if before[ü] worth initials[n]or[l], then dots must be written, for example:去 - to go |
| ai | [ah] | 还 - still | |
| ao | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[ao] | 猫 - cat | |
| ei | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[hey] but softly | 杯 - glass | |
| ia | Pronounced like Russian[I] | 家 - home, family | [i], then[i]changes to[y], For example:鸭 - duck, 要 - want, 也 - too |
| iao | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[yao] | 小 - small | |
| ie | Reads like [s]but without stretching the sounds, it looks like a Russian sound[e] | 姐姐 - older sister | |
| iou / iou | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[yo] | 六 - six | Composite final , when placed after any initial, is written as , and the tone sign is written above[u], For example:丢 - to lose |
| ou | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[OU] | 走 - to walk | |
| ua | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[ya], where [y] very short | 抓 - to grab | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[u], then[u]changes to[w], For example:挖 - to dig |
| uai | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[wow], where [y] very short. | 块 - yuan | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[u], then[u]changes to[w], For example:外 - external |
| ue | Pronounced close to a combination of Russian sounds[yue] | 学 - to teach | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[ü]
, then an unpronounceable initial is added before it[y], and two points above[ü]
are not written, for example: 月
[ü] , comes after the initials[j], [q], [x], then two points over[ü] are not written, for example:雪 - snow |
| ui/ui | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[way], only together and with emphasis on[e], which is pronounced very short | 水 - water | Composite final , when placed after any initial, is abbreviated as , and the tone sign is written above[i], For example:贵 - expensive |
| uo | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[woo], only pronounced as a single sound | 说 - to speak | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[u], then[u]changes to[w], For example:我 - I |
| an | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[en] | 看 - to look | |
| en | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[en] | 很 - very | |
| ian | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[yen] | 钱 - money | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[i], then[i]changes to[y], For example:烟 - smoke |
| in | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[in] | 新 - new | If a forms an independent syllable, then an unpronounceable initial is added before it[y], For example:银 - silver |
| uan | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[one]; when pronouncing[y]lips in a tube | 馆 – hotel, restaurant | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[u], then[u]changes to[w], For example:玩 - to play |
| uan | It doesn't look like a combination of Russian sounds[yuen] | 选 - choose | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[ü]
, then an unpronounceable initial is added before it[y], and two points above[ü]
are not written, for example:元 - yuan If the finale that starts on[ü] , comes after the initials[j], [q], [x], then two points over[ü] are not written, for example:全 - all |
| uen/un | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[wen], where [e]soft and short | 婚 - wedding | Composite final
, when placed after an initial, is abbreviated as
, For example:困 - sleepy In case the final independently forms a syllable, then[u]is replaced[w], For example:问 - to ask |
| un | [jun] | 群 - crowd | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[ü]
, then an unpronounceable initial is added before it[y], and two points above[ü]
are not written, for example:云 - cloud If the finale that starts on[ü] , comes after the initials[j], [q], [x], then two dots over[ü] are not written, for example:迅 - fast |
| ang | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[en], sound only [n]- nasal | 忙 - busy | |
| eng | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[en], sound only [n]- nasal | 冷 - cold | |
| iang | It looks like a combination of Russian sounds[yan], sound only [n]- nasal | 想 - to want, to think | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[i], then[i]changes to[y], For example:羊 - ram |
| ing | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[in], sound only [n]- nasal | 病 - to hurt | If a forms an independent syllable, then an unpronounceable initial is added before it[y], For example:影 - shadow |
| iong | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[yon], sound only [n]- nasal | 穷 - poor | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[i], then[i]changes to[y], For example:用 - to use |
| ong | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[is he], sound only [n]- nasal | 红 - red | |
| uang | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[one], sound only [n]- nasal | 床 - bed | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[u], then[u]changes to[w], For example:网 - network |
| ueng | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[wen], sound only [n]- nasal | 翁 - old man | If a syllable consists only of a final that begins with[u], then[u]changes to[w]. Syllable is the only syllable that is formed with this final |
| er | Pronounced as a combination of Russian sounds[ar]; when pronouncing, the tip of the tongue curls up and back | 二 [èr] - two | When added to a syllable
erization process takes place. final
can form an independent syllable, for example:儿子 [érzi] - son If a stands at the end of a syllable, it loses its independence and merges with the syllable. In transcription, the syllable is added[r], a hieroglyph is added to the hieroglyphic record儿 , For example:哪儿 - where In this case, the pronunciation of the last consonant is usually lost, for example:玩儿 - to play |
The tables give examples of monosyllabic words, during the pronunciation of which, it is imperative to pay attention to tones. In words that consist of two or more syllables, tones sometimes modulate. Now we will analyze the most common cases of modulation.
3rd tone modulation
When reading two syllables of the 3rd tone together, the first syllable is read in the second tone. If there are three or more successive words of the third tone, then all tones change, except for the last one. The transcription retains the sign of the 3rd tone.
For example:
你好 (nǐ hǎo (so spelled)– ni hǎo (that's how it reads)). - Hello!
我很好 (wǒ hěn hǎo (so spelled)– wó hen hǎo (that's how it reads)). – I'm fine.
Negative particle modulation 不 (bù)
The negative 不 (bù) is pronounced with the fourth tone. But if 不 (bù) is followed by a syllable with a fourth tone, then 不 (bù) is read as a second tone. For example:
不是 (bú shì) - no
不去 (bú qù) - do not go
不要 (bú yào) – not to want
In sentences with repetition of the verb (affirmative-negative), when 不 (bù) is between the same verbs, we read 不 (bù) in a light tone, the tone sign is not put in the transcription, for example:
是不是 - yes or no
去不去 - to go - not to go
Modulation "一" (yī)
The initial tone "一" is the first tone. Pronounced "一" in the first tone, if pronounced in isolation, if it is at the end of a phrase or sentence, if used as an ordinal number. In other cases, "一" is modulated: before the first, second and third tones, "一" is modulated into the fourth tone, and before the fourth tone - into the second tone.
Apostrophe
An apostrophe is used in transcription for a syllable section in cases where a normal syllable is followed by a zero-initialed syllable, for example:
先 - first
西安 - Xi'an
When studying the phonetics of the Chinese language, try to listen and repeat more. It's like in sports: there are a lot of techniques, but the key to success is practice.
China is one of the most visited countries in the world by tourists. It attracts for the most part with its diversity of landscape, virgin villages with their traditions and fascinating legends, and huge metropolitan areas in which nightlife is seething. In China, everyone will find something new and unusual for themselves. China is one of ancient civilizations, in this republic, architectural monuments that are more than tens of thousands of years old have been preserved to this day. Each sight of China carries a mystery and a centuries-old legend.
Traveling through the expanses of this extraordinary state, nothing will prevent you from enjoying its beauties, except perhaps not knowing the Chinese language, but you can cope with this problem thanks to our Russian-Chinese phrase book, which you can download or print directly from the site. It contains topics that you may need while traveling.
Appeals
Common phrases
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 是 | shea |
| Not | 没有 | bu shi |
| Thank you! | 谢谢！ | Sese! |
| You are welcome! | 不客气！ | Bukhatsy! |
| Sorry! | 对不起！ | Duibutsi! |
| It's OK. | 没关系。 | Meiguanxi |
| I don't understand | 我不明白。 | Wo bu minbai |
| Please repeat what you said | 请您再说一遍 | Tsin ning zai shuo and beep |
| Do you speak Russian? | 你会说俄语吗? | No fuck sho hey ma? |
| Does anyone here speak Russian? | 这里有人会说俄语吗？ | Zheli yuzhen huisho eyyu ma? |
| Do you speak English? | 你会说英语吗？ | No fuck sho inyu ma? |
| Does anyone here speak English? | 这里有人会说英语吗？ | Zheli yuzhen huisho yinyu ma? |
| What is your name? | 你叫什么名字 | ni yiao shen mi ming zi |
| How are you? | 你怎么 | no earth |
| Good | 玉 | yu |
| So-so | 马马虎虎 | may may hyu hyu |
| Have a good trip! | 一路平安! | And luphing an! |
At customs
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| baggage | sinli | |
| currency | waihui | |
| import | daiju | |
| export | Daichu | |
| declaration | baoguandan | |
| receipt | fapiao | |
| control (passport, customs) | chayanchu (bian jian, haiguan) | |
| medicine | yao | |
| drugs | matzuiping | |
| weapon | uqi | |
| passport | huzhao | |
| duty | guanshui | |
| cigarettes | yang | |
| souvenirs | jinyanping | |
| a bag | bao | |
| suitcase | pisyan | |
| Please tell me where is the passport (customs) control? | Qing wen, huzhao (haiguan) chayanchu zai nali? | |
| I need a customs declaration form | Wo xuyao and zhang baoguandan | |
| Please explain how to complete the customs declaration | Qing zeshi ixia, zenme tian baoguandan | |
| Help me complete this form | qing bangzhu wo tian ixia zhege biaoge | |
| Where is your declaration? | Nide baoguandan? | |
| Here is my declaration | Zhe ju shi wode baoguandan | |
| I don't have items that need to be declared in the declaration | In meiyu xuyao baoguande upin | |
| Your passport? | Nide huzhao? | |
| Here's my passport | Zhe shi wode huzhao | |
| These are my personal items. | Zhe shi vode siren xingli | |
| I have foreign currency in the amount of... | Wo yu waihui, noise shi... | |
| Where should I (should) sign? | zai naer qian zi? | |
| I want to call the Embassy (Consulate) | Wo xiang da dianhua gay dashiguan (lingshiguan) |
At the station
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much does the ticket cost? | Phiao doshao tien? | |
| When does the train arrive (depart)? | Hoche shemme shihou daoda? | |
| Porter! | Banyungong! | |
| Where is the taxi stand? | Chuzu chezhan zai naer? | |
| I need one/two/three/four/five/six/seven/eight tickets. | 我要一张/两张/三张/四张/五张/六张/七张/八张票。 | Wo yao and zhang/liang zhang/san zhang/si zhang/wu zhang/liu zhang/tsi zhang/ba zhang phiao. |
| On which track does our train arrive? | Womende che ting zai di ji dao? | |
| Where is the exit…? | …chukou zai naer? | |
| -in town | qu chengshi | |
| -to the platform | shang | |
| Where is the storage room? | Zongcunchu zai naer? | |
| Where is the ticket window? | Shopiao chu zai naer? | |
| Where is platform no..? | …hao yuetai zai naer? | |
| Where is wagon no..? | hao chexiang zai naer? | |
| One ticket to... please | Qing Mai and Zhang Qu... De Piao | |
| Railway carriage… | …chexiang | |
| …soft | ruan wo | |
| …sleeping | Ying Wo | |
| …hard | ying zuo | |
| One way | Qu Wang Yige Fangxiang | |
| Roundtrip | wangfan | |
| Is it possible...? | …kei ma? | |
| …return this ticket | Tui ixia zhe zhang piao | |
| … change | huan |
In transport
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Bus | 巴士 | kkaji |
| The car | 汽车 | gojang |
| Taxi | 的士 | taxi |
| Parking | 停车 | posu tominol |
| Stop | 停止 | jeonnyujang |
| Take me here (indicate the place written on the business card). | 请把我送到这里。 | Tsin ba in sundao zheli. |
| Open trunk. | 请打开行李舱吧。 | Tsin dakhai sinli chan ba. |
| Turn left here | 这里往左拐。 | Zheli wang zuo guai. |
| Turn right here. | 这里往右拐。 | Zheli wang you guai. |
| How much is the bus/metro fare? | 公车/地铁票多少钱？ | Gongche/dithe phiao duoshao tsien? |
| Where is the nearest bus stop? | 附近的公交车站在哪儿？ | Fujin de gongjiaochhezhan zai nar? |
| Where is the nearest subway station? | 附近的地铁站在哪儿？ | Fujin de dithezhan zai nar? |
| What is the next stop (station)? | 下一站是什么站？ | Xia and zhan shi shenme zhan? |
| How many stops is it to (…)? | 到 (…) 有多少站？ | Dao (…) duoshao zhan? |
| Which bus goes to (…)? | 去 (…) 乘哪趟公交车？ | Tsui (…) cheng na thang gunjiaochhe? |
| Which metro line goes to (…)? | 去 (…) 乘几号线地铁？ | Xu (…) cheng jihao xien dithe? |
| Can you please tell me how to get to (…)? | 请问，到 (…) 怎么走? | Tsingwen, tao (...) zenme zu? |
| Please take me to (…) | 请带我去 (…) | Tsin dao woh tsui (…)… airport.飞机场。 fei ji chang. |
| ... railway station. | 火车站。 | huo che zhan. |
| …the nearest hotel | 最近的酒店。 | zui jin de jiudien. |
| … the nearest restaurant. | 最近的饭馆。 | zui jin de fanguan. |
| … the nearest beach. | 最近的海滨。 | zui jin de haibin. |
| … the nearest shopping center. | 最近的购物中心。 | zui jin de gou wu zhong xin. |
| … the nearest supermarket | 最近的超级市场。 | zui jin de chao ji shi chang. |
| … the nearest park. | 最近的公园。 | zui jin de gong yuan. |
| … the nearest pharmacy. | 最近的药店。 | zui jin de yaodien. |
In hotel
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I need to book a room | 我需要储备 | woh yao chu bei |
| I want to book a room | 我想储备 | in hyang chu bei |
| What is the price? | 要多少钱 | duo shao chian? |
| Room with bath | 带浴室的房间 | give yu shi di fang jian |
| We booked a room for two, here are our passports. | 我们预定了双人房间。 这是我们的护照。 | Women yuidingle shuangzhen fanjien. Zhe shi women de huzhao. |
| Do you have rooms available? | 有没有空的房间？ | You meiyou khun de fanjien? |
| Is there a cheaper room? | 有没有便宜点儿的房间？ | You meiyou pienidiar de fanjien? |
| I need a single room. | 我需要单间。 | In xuyao danjien. |
| I need a double room. | 我需要双人间。 | In xuyao shuangzhenjien. |
| I need a double room with sea view. | 我需要一个海景的双人房间。 | Wo Xuyao Yige Haijing De Shuangren Fangjien. |
| Is there a telephone/TV/refrigerator/air conditioner in the room? | 房间里有电话/电视/冰箱/空调吗？ | Fangjien you dienhua/dienshi/bingxiang/khunthao ma? |
| What floor is the room on? | 我的房间在几楼？ | Wo de fanjien zai chi low? |
| Is breakfast included? | 价格包括早餐吗？ | Jiage baokhuo zaochan ma? |
| What time breakfast? | 早餐几点开始? | Zaotshan ji dien khaishi? |
| My room is not cleaned. | 我的房间没有打扫。 | Wo de fanjien meiyou dasao. |
| I want to change my number. | 我想换个房间。 | Wo xiang huang jien. |
| We ran out of toilet paper in our room. | 我们房间没有手纸了。 | Women fanjien meiyou shouzhi le. |
| Tips | 秘诀 | mi jue |
| Room | 室 | cabbage soup |
| We're leaving today. | 我们今天走。 | Women Jinthien Zou. |
| We are leaving on August 5th. | 我们八月五号走。 | Women ba yue wu hao zu. |
| We want to rent a number. | 我们想退房。 | Women xiang thui fan. |
| The minibar was already empty before I checked into this room. | 我进房间的时候迷你吧就是空的。 | Wo jiu fanjien de shihou miniba jiu shi khun de. |
Emergencies
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Department | 消防队 | chiao fang dui |
| Police | 警察 | ying cha |
| Fire | 火灾 | huo zai |
| Fight | 扭打 | nui yes |
| Ambulance | 救护车 | yu hu che |
| Hospital | 医院 | yui yuan |
| I have… | 我已经… | wo yui ying |
| stretching | 实力 | shi li |
| Pharmacy | 药房 | yao fang |
| Doctor | 医生 | yi sheng |
| I got sick) | in bingle | |
| I feel bad | Wo ganjue zitchi buhao | |
| Please call... | Qing jiao ixia… | |
| …doctor | ishen | |
| …ambulance | jijiu | |
| I have… | In… | |
| …cough | …casou | |
| …runny nose | ... shanfeng | |
| …stomach upset | ... fuse |
Dates and times
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | xinqi and | |
| Tuesday | xinqi er | |
| Wednesday | xinqi sai | |
| Thursday | xinqi si | |
| Friday | xinqi wu | |
| Saturday | xinqi liu | |
| Sunday | xingqi tian | |
| Today | jintian | |
| Yesterday | Zuotian | |
| Tomorrow | mingtian | |
| The day before yesterday | Qiantian | |
| Day after tomorrow | Houtian | |
| in the morning | zai zaoshan | |
| afternoon | zai paitian | |
| in the evening | zai wanshan | |
| everyday | meitian | |
| winter | dongtian | |
| Spring | chuntian | |
| summer | xiatian | |
| autumn | qiutian | |
| winter | zai dongtian | |
| spring | zai chuntian | |
| summer | zai xiatian | |
| autumn | zai qiutian | |
| January | and yue | |
| February | er yue | |
| March | san yue | |
| April | si yue | |
| May | wu yue | |
| June | liu yue | |
| July | qi yue | |
| August | ba yue | |
| September | ju yue | |
| October | shi yue | |
| november | shi yue | |
| December | shier yue | |
| What time is it now? | Ji dian zhong? | |
| Now… | Xianzai shi… | |
| …noon | shier dian | |
| …midnight | ling dian | |
| Now… | Xianzai shi… | |
| 1 hour 5 min. (morning) | and dian wu fen (zaoshan) | |
| 5 hours 43 minutes (evenings) | wu dian syshi san fen (wanshan) |
Numerals
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 一 | and |
| 2 | 二 | [er] er |
| 3 | 三 | sleigh |
| 4 | 四 | sy |
| 5 | 五 | at |
| 6 | 六 | liu |
| 7 | 七 | tsi |
| 8 | 八 | ba |
| 9 | 九 | jiwu |
| 10 | 十 | shea |
| 11 | 一十一 | yī shí yī] and shi and |
| 12 | 一十二 | and shi er |
| 20 | 二十 | [èr shi] er shi |
| 30 | 三十 | san shi |
| 40 | 四十 | sy shi |
| 50 | 五十 | ears |
| 51 | 五十一 | wu shi and |
| 52 | 五十二 | wu shi er |
| 53 | 五十三 | wu shi san |
| 100 | 一百 | and buy |
| 101 | 一百零一 | and bai ling and |
| 110 | 一百一十 | and bai and shi |
| 115 | 一百一十五 | and bai and shi u |
| 200 | 二百 | [èr bǎi] er bai |
| 1 000 | 一千 | and tsien |
| 10 000 | 一万 | and wan |
| 1 000 000 | 一百万 | and bai wan |
In the shop
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| What is the price | 要多少钱 | yao duo shao qian |
| Cash | 现金 | hbyang jiya |
| Cashless | 对于非现金 | due cock fairies hyang ji |
| check | 检查 | hyang ji |
| What payment method | 什么付款方式 | shen mi fu kyan fang shi |
| Cigarettes | 香烟 | hyang yang |
| Bread | 面包 | myan bao |
| Products | 产品 | chan ping |
| To wrap up | 包 | bao |
| No change | 无日期 | woo ri kwi |
| Tips | 秘诀 | mu jie |
| Water | 水 | shui |
| Fresh squeezed juice | 新鲜果汁挤压 | hin hyan guo shi yi ya |
| Sugar / salt | 糖/盐 | tang / yang |
| Milk | 牛奶 | newey nai |
| Fish | 鱼 | yuy |
| Meat | 肉类 | roy lei |
| Hen | 鸡 | yy |
| Mutton | 羊肉 | young roy |
| Beef | 牛肉 | new swarm |
| Pepper / spices | 辣椒 / 香料 | ia iao / hyang liao |
| Potato | 土豆 | tou doi |
| Rice | 大米 | yes myi |
| Lentils | 扁豆 | bian doi |
| Onion | 洋葱 | young kong |
| Garlic | 大蒜 | yes xuan |
| Sweets | 甜点 | tian dian |
| Fruits | 水果 | shui guo |
| Apples | 苹果 | ping guo |
| Grape | 葡萄 | pu tao |
| Strawberry | 草莓 | kao mei |
| oranges | 桔子 | ju zi |
| Mandarin | 柠檬 | pu tonghua |
| Lemon | 石榴石 | ning meng |
| Garnet | 香蕉 | shchi pour shchi |
| Bananas | 桃 | xiang zhdiao |
| Peaches | 杏 | tao |
| Apricot | 芒果 | sking |
| Mango | 开放 | mang guo |
| Open | 关闭 | kai |
| Closed | 折扣 | kuan |
| Discount | 关闭 | zhe koy |
| Very expensive | 非常昂贵 | tai gui le |
| Cheap | 便宜 | drunk yi |
| Where can you buy baby products? | 哪里能买到儿童产品？ | Nali neng maidao erthong chang ping? |
| Where can you buy shoes? | 哪里能买到鞋子？ | Nali nen maidao szezi? |
| Where can you buy women's clothing? | 哪里能买到女的衣服？ | Nali neng maidao nu de yifu? |
| Where can you buy men's clothing? | 哪里能买到男的衣服？ | Nali nen maidao nan de yifu? |
| Where can you buy cosmetics? | 哪里能买到美容？ | Nali nen maidao meijun? |
| Where can you buy household goods? | 哪里能买到日用品？ | Nali neng maidao jiyongphing? |
| What floor is the grocery store on? | 超级市场在哪一层？ | Chaoji shichang zai na i zheng? |
| Where's the exit here? | 出口在哪儿？ | Chukhou zainar? |
| Can I try it? | 我把这个试一下，好吗? | Wo ba jege shi isya, hao ma? |
| Where's the fitting room? | 试衣间在哪里？ | Shi and jien zai cash? |
| I need a bigger size. | 我需要大一点儿. | Wo suyao ta idiar. |
| I need a smaller size. | 我需要小一点儿. | Wu Xuyao Xiao Idiar. |
| I need 1 size up. | 我要大一号. | Wo yao ta ihao. |
| I need 1 size down. | 我要小一号. | Wo Yao Xiao Yihao. |
| Can I pay by card? | 可以刷卡吗？ | Khei shua kha ma? |
| What is the price? | 多少钱？ | Tuo shao tsieng? |
| Very expensive! Let's go a little cheaper. | 太贵了！ 来便宜点儿。 | Thai gui le! Lai phieni diar. |
| We are poor students, we can't afford it. | 我们是穷学生， 这个我们买不起。 | Women shi qiong xueshen, zhege women mai butsi. |
| Is this the price for 1 jin? (1 jin \u003d 0.5 kg, in China the price is usually indicated for 1 jin) | 这是一斤的价格吗？ | Zhe shi and jin de jiage ma? |
| Where can you buy fruit? | 哪里能买到水果？ | Nali nen maidao shuiguo? |
| Where can you buy vegetables? | 哪里能买到蔬菜？ | Nali neng maidao shuzhai? |
| Where can you buy meat? | 哪里能买到肉类？ | Nali nen maidao joulei? |
| Where can you buy alcoholic beverages? | 哪里能买到酒类？ | Nali nen maidao jiulei? |
| Where can you buy dairy products? | 哪里能买到奶制品？ | Nali neng maidao naijiphin? |
| Where can you buy confectionery? | 哪里能买到糖果点心？ | Nali neng maidao thangguo dienxin? |
| Where can you buy tea? | 哪里能买到茶叶？ | Nali nen maidao chae? |
| Need 1 big bag. | 我要大的袋子。 | Wo yao tade daizi. |
| One small package is needed. | 我要小的袋子。 | Wo yao xiaode daizi. |
| I'll pay by card. | 我刷卡。 | Wo shua kha. |
Restaurant and cafe
| Phrase in Russian | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Waiter | 服务员 | foo wu one |
| Do you have free tables | 你有自由表 | ni wow zi wow biao |
| I want to book a table | 我想预订一张桌子 | Wo hyang ding yi zang zuo zi |
| Check please (bill) | 请检查（帐户） | qing yian cha |
| accept my order | 请接受我的命令 | queen yie show wo de ming ling |
| What year is the wine | 今年葡萄酒 | yin nian puo tao yi |
| Your signature dish | 您的特色菜 | nin di te se kai |
| Tea coffee | 茶/咖啡 | cha / cafe fairies |
| Instant coffee | 速溶咖啡 | su rong ka fairies |
| Soup | 汤 | tang |
| Olives | 橄榄树 | gan lan shu |
| Salad | 沙拉 | sha la |
| Grilled | 烤 | cao |
| Fried | 烤 | cao |
| Boiled | 煮 | zhu |
| I do not eat meat! | 我不吃肉！ | wo boo yi roi |
| Vermicelli | 挂面 | gia mian |
| Pasta | 面食 | mian si |
| Stuffed pepper | 酿三宝 | niang san bao |
| Sandwich | 三明治 | san ming zhi |
| Cheese / sour cream (sour) | 奶酪/酸奶（酸奶） | nai lao / xuan nai |
| Beer | 啤酒 | phi jiu |
| Wine | 葡萄酒 | pu tao yi |
| Please bring the menu. | 请给我菜谱。 | Tsin gei wo tshaiphu. |
| I want to order this... this... and this. (showing in the menu) | 我要这个… 这个…和这个…。 | Wo yao jege… jege… he jege. |
| Is it sharp? | 这个辣不辣？ | Jage la boo la? |
| Please bring spoons/forks/napkins/chopsticks/plates | 请，给我匙子/叉子/餐巾/筷子/盘子。 | Tsin, Gei Wo Chshi Zi/Cha Zi/Chan Jin/Khuai Zi/Phan Zi. |
| Bring the bill, please. | 买单。 | May tribute. |
| Delicious! | 很好吃！ | Hen hao chi! |
| Squid | 鱿鱼 | yu yu |
| Shrimp | 虾 | Xia |
| Fish | 鱼 | yu |
| Pork | 猪肉 | Zhu Zhou |
| Beef | 牛肉 | niu zhou |
| Mutton | 羊肉 | yang rou |
| Hen | 鸡 | chi |
| Duck | 鸭 | I |
| Tofu | 豆腐 | dofu |
| Eggplant | 茄子 | tse tzu |
| Potato | 土豆 | thu dow |
| Noodles | 面 | mien |
| Egg | 鸡蛋 | chi tribute |
| Orange juice | 橙汁 | cheng zhi |
| Apple juice | 苹果汁 | phing guo chih |
| Tomato juice | 蕃茄汁 | fan tse zhi |
| The grape juice | 葡萄汁 | phu thao zhi |
| Peach juice | 桃汁 | thao zhi |
| Coffee | 咖啡 | kha fei |
| Black tea | 红茶 | hung cha |
| Green tea | 绿茶 | lu cha |
| Eggplant with peppers and potatoes | 地三鲜 | Disanxian. |
| Meat in sweet and sour sauce | 锅包肉 | Guobaozhou. |
| Fried squid with cumin | 孜然鱿鱼 | Zizhan youyu. |
| Dumplings | 饺子 | Jiaozi. |
| Dumplings with meat filling | 肉馅的饺子 | Zhou Xian De Jiaozi. |
| Steamed pies with stuffing | 包子 | Baozi. |
| Peking Duck | 北京烤鸭 | Bei ching kao ya. |
| Fried striped pork in spicy sauce | 鱼香肉丝 | Yu xiang rou si. |
| Chicken with crispy peanuts | 碎米鸡丁 | Sui mi chi ding. |
| spicy tofu | 麻辣豆腐 | Ma la doufu. |
Common phrases are words on which you can start a conversation and keep it going. Here are collected phrases that are most often used in the lexicon.
Airport - in order not to get lost at the Chinese airport, to find ticket offices, exit to the terminals, to the parking lot, to the bus stop, etc., this topic is perfect for you.
Transport - by opening this topic you will find the translation of words and phrases that can be used to explain to the taxi driver where you need to go, or to find out which bus route is right for you, clarify the fare, find out how to get to the station. subway, bus stop, etc.
A restaurant is a place that every tourist visits. However, the Chinese language is very different from Russian, as is the cuisine. Therefore, without knowing the translation of certain dishes, as well as their components, you will not be able to order what you want. To solve this problem, just open this topic and find the name of the dish that you like.
Hotel - when checking into a hotel, you need to fill out some paperwork, choose a room that you like, etc. In order to explain what you want from the hotel and to clarify the nuances of accommodation, just open this section and find the appropriate phrases.
Mall - A list of common phrases that you will definitely need while shopping in the mall.
Grocery supermarket - a list of words and phrases that will help you buy the products you are interested in.
Pharmacy - if you have health problems, but everything is written in Chinese in the pharmacy, and the pharmacist himself does not understand what you need, use this topic and you will buy the medicine that you need.
Cashier - words and phrases that will help you in a conversation with a cashier.
Chinese counting - translation and sound of numbers in Chinese, from zero to a million.
Pronouns - pronunciation and translation of pronouns in Chinese.
Question words - frequently asked and important questions for tourists, their pronunciation and spelling.
Name of flowers - here you will find the translation of many colors and shades, as well as their correct pronunciation.
Expert linguists believe that Chinese pronunciation is real music, which is obtained through the active use of tones and semitones of speech. Standard Chinese uses four tones. They are of great importance, because. sounding in more conveys the meaning of what is said.
The Chinese language is radically different from Russian, both grammatically and phonetically. For beginners, it is extremely important to remember the pronunciation of Chinese sounds, because there are no analogues in Russian, you can only get a rough idea of how they are actually pronounced. It takes skill and constant practice to master. If you listen to audio recordings many times and write down your exercises for later comparison with a native speaker, the pronunciation of Chinese characters will gradually improve.
The main advice that is given to all beginners is to read and listen a lot. Find songs you like, watch movies and shows, memorize symbols and repeat phrases aloud, copying intonation shades. Tongue twisters and poems help well, which improve memory and the rhythm of speech. All sounds in Chinese are written using the Pinyin system, and syllables have two components: initials (there are 21) and finals (36). In the first case, this is the initial consonant, in the second, the final vowel. There are syllables that consist only of the final or only the initial. If you try to explain using transcription, it will look like this.
Initials:
- b - approximately sounds like deaf / b /;
- P - on exhalation /px/;
- m - /m/;
- f - / f /;
- d - like /d/, but not very voiced;
- t - aspirated /tx/;
- n - /n/;
- l - / l /;
- g - /g/;
- a - /a/;
- o - /o/;
- e - something between /ы/ and /е/ (there is nothing similar in the Russian alphabet);
- i - /and/;
- u - /y/;
- ü - similarity of the word puree (after j, q, x, n, l);
- ia - /ya/;
- ie - /ye/;
- er - resembles English /er/ in the word sister;
- ai - /ai/;
- ei - /hey/;
- ou - /ou/;
- an - /en/;
This is only an approximate scheme of letters, which is suitable for initial acquaintance. In order to avoid errors, the pronunciation of Chinese letters is best trained by listening to the speech of real native speakers.
Pronunciation of Chinese words, letters, sounds and characters
The pronunciation of Chinese syllables without errors is unthinkable if one does not master the nuances of tonalities. The first one is flat on a high note, you need to pronounce sounds at the same level as if you were repeating the same note. The second involves a brief voice rise from low to high frequencies. It should give the impression that you are asking again. With the third key, the pronunciation in Chinese first decreases and then rises. The fourth is short, the voice quickly goes down from a high tone to a low one, resembling a categorical “no!”.
In order for the pronunciation of Chinese words at the learning stage to be correct in tone, one should not rush and speak quickly. At the same time, it is better to write down the words and slander aloud on the recorder, so that later you can correct the mistakes. Watch how the Chinese themselves speak - they do not open their mouths wide, slightly squeezing their jaws and stretching the corners of their mouths. Do an exercise to get used to proper articulation: hold a pencil between your teeth and say something in your native language first, and then say a syllabary in Chinese. To better remember the tone corresponding to the hieroglyphs, sign the desired one over them until you can reproduce from memory.
The basic rule is persistent and systematic studies, as well as interest and motivation. All this is enough to overcome any linguistic difficulties.