Skip to content
EachTone

Virtual Life Quests · Expression Book

Every underlined expression from the quests in one booklet — pinyin, English, a short explanation and an example. Download and print it.

Download PDF

EachTone · HSK 2–3

虚xū拟nǐ生shēng活huó闯chuǎng关guān

Virtual Life Quests

表biǎo达dá本běnPHRASEBOOK

All 322 underlined expressions from the quests: pinyin, English, a short explanation and an example. After a quest, turn to its chapter to review.

01健jiàn身shēn房fáng练liàn臀tún日rì
02咖kā啡fēi店diàn
03超chāo市shì
04服fú装zhuāng店diàn
05宠chǒng物wù店diàn
06地dì铁tiě站zhàn
07酒jiǔ吧bā
08打dǎ工gōng
09打dǎ工gōng
10打dǎ工gōng
11回huí家jiā休xiū息xi
12小xiǎo镇zhèn
01

健jiàn身shēn房fáng练liàn臀tún日rì

Glute day at the gym

刷shuā脸liǎn签qiān到dàocheck in by face scan
在zài中zhōng国guó很hěn多duō健jiàn身shēn房fáng不bú用yòng卡kǎ,看kàn一yí下xià摄shè像xiàng头tóu就jiù签qiān到dào了le。

Many gyms in China don't use cards. You look at the camera, and you're checked in.

我wǒ每měi天tiān下xià班bān去qù健jiàn身shēn房fáng刷shuā脸liǎn签qiān到dào。

I check in at the gym with my face every day after work.

月yuè卡kǎmonthly card
健jiàn身shēn房fáng的de卡kǎ:月yuè卡kǎ、季jì卡kǎ、年nián卡kǎ。

Gym cards: 月卡 (one month), 季卡 (three months), 年卡 (one year).

月yuè卡kǎ两liǎng百bǎi块kuài,年nián卡kǎ两liǎng千qiān块kuài。

A month card is 200 kuai. A year card is 2,000.

还hái有yǒu1shíliù6天tiān16 days left
“还hái有yǒu + 数shù字zì”说shuō还hái剩shèng多duō少shǎo:还hái有yǒu1shíliù6天tiān、还hái有yǒu两liǎng组zǔ。

还有 + number = how much is left: 还有16天, 还有两组.

我wǒ的de年nián卡kǎ还hái有yǒu三sān个gè月yuè。

My year card has three months left.

练liàn臀tún腿tuǐtrain glutes and legs
“练liàn + 部bù位wèi”:练liàn腿tuǐ、练liàn背bèi、练liàn胸xiōng。臀tún和hé腿tuǐ常cháng常cháng一yì起qǐ练liàn。

练 + body part = train that part: 练腿 (legs), 练背 (back), 练胸 (chest). People often train glutes and legs together.

今jīn天tiān练liàn背bèi,明míng天tiān练liàn臀tún腿tuǐ。

Back today, glutes and legs tomorrow.

训xùn练liàn卡kǎtraining card
柜guì子zilocker
十shí二èr号hàonumber twelve
“数shù字zì + 号hào”:几jǐ号hào?十shí二èr号hào。

number + 号 = number …: 几号?十二号。

你nǐ的de房fáng间jiān是shì几jǐ号hào?

What's your room number?

热rè身shēnwarm up
运yùn动dòng前qián先xiān热rè身shēn,不bù然rán容róng易yì受shòu伤shāng。

Warm up before sport, or you can get hurt.

跑pǎo步bù前qián要yào先xiān热rè身shēn。

Warm up before you run.

调tiáo到dào五wǔset it to five
“调tiáo到dào + 数shù字zì”:把bǎ速sù度dù、温wēn度dù、音yīn量liàng调tiáo到dào一yí个gè数shù。

调到 + number = set it to a number: speed, temperature, volume.

空kōng调diào调diao到dào二èr十shí六liù度dù。

Set the air conditioner to 26 degrees.

太tài慢màn了letoo slow
“太tài + 形xíng容róng词cí + 了le”:太tài慢màn了le、太tài贵guì了le。

太 + adjective + 了 = too …: 太慢了, 太贵了.

快kuài一yì点diǎna bit faster
形xíng容róng词cí + 一yì点diǎn:快kuài一yì点diǎn、慢màn一yì点diǎn。北běi方fāng人rén常cháng说shuō“一yì点diǎnr儿”,“儿ér”跟gēn前qián面miàn的de字zì连lián着zhe读dú。

adjective + 一点 = a bit more …: 快一点, 慢一点. Northern speakers say 一点儿, with 儿 joined onto the sound before it.

你nǐ说shuō话huà慢màn一yì点diǎn,好hǎo吗ma?

Can you speak a bit slower, please?

太tài快kuài了letoo fast
慢màn一yì点diǎna bit slower
形xíng容róng词cí + 一yì点diǎn:快kuài一yì点diǎn、慢màn一yì点diǎn。北běi方fāng人rén常cháng说shuō“一yì点diǎnr儿”,“儿ér”跟gēn前qián面miàn的de字zì连lián着zhe读dú。

adjective + 一点 = a bit more …: 快一点, 慢一点. Northern speakers say 一点儿, with 儿 joined onto the sound before it.

热rè身shēn热rè好hǎo了lewarm-up done
“热rè身shēn”是shì“热rè + 身shēn”。说shuō做zuò完wán了le,口kǒu语yǔ里lǐ常cháng把bǎ动dòng词cí重chóng复fù一yí下xià:热rè身shēn热rè好hǎo了le、吃chī饭fàn吃chī好hǎo了le。

热身 = 热 + 身. To say you've finished, people often say the verb twice: 热身热好了, 吃饭吃好了.

我wǒ吃chī饭fàn吃chī好hǎo了le,走zǒu吧ba!

I've finished eating. Let's go!

深shēn蹲dūn架jiàsquat rack
练liàn深shēn蹲dūn、硬yìng拉lā的de大dà架jià子zi。

The big rack for squats and deadlifts.

一yì边biān加jiā一yí个gèone on each side
“一yì边biān + 数shù量liàng”:每měi一yì边biān都dōu这zhè么me多duō —— 左zuǒ边biān一yí个gè,右yòu边biān也yě一yí个gè。

一边 + number = that many on each side.

桌zhuō子zi一yì边biān坐zuò两liǎng个gè人rén。

Two people sit on each side of the table.

十shí公gōng斤jīnten kilos
公gōng斤jīn = kg。一yì公gōng斤jīn是shì两liǎng斤jīn。

公斤 = kg. 1 公斤 = 2 斤.

我wǒ想xiǎng减jiǎn三sān公gōng斤jīn。

I want to lose three kilos.

太tài重zhòng了letoo heavy
“太tài + 形xíng容róng词cí + 了le”。

太 + adjective + 了 = too …

先xiānfirst
先xiān……再zài……:先xiān热rè身shēn,再zài练liàn。

先……再…… = first …, then …: 先热身,再练.

先xiān吃chī饭fàn,再zài写xiě作zuò业yè。

Eat first, then do your homework.

杠gàng铃língbarbell
一yì根gēn长cháng杆gān,两liǎng头tóu加jiā片piàn。哑yǎ铃líng小xiǎo,一yì只zhī手shǒu拿ná一yí个gè。

A long bar with plates on both ends. 哑铃 (dumbbells) are small: one in each hand.

罗luó马mǎ尼ní亚yà硬yìng拉lāRomanian deadlift
用yòng杠gàng铃líng练liàn臀tún腿tuǐ的de动dòng作zuò:屁pì股gǔ往wǎng后hòu推tuī,背bèi挺tǐng直zhí。

A barbell move for glutes and legs: push your hips back, keep your back straight.

一yì组zǔ八bā个gèeight reps a set
健jiàn身shēn说shuō“组zǔ”和hé“个gè”:一yì组zǔ八bā个gè,做zuò三sān组zǔ。

At the gym: 组 = set, 个 = rep. 一组八个,做三组 = 3 sets of 8.

每měi天tiān做zuò三sān组zǔ俯fǔ卧wò撑chēng。

I do three sets of push-ups every day.

还hái有yǒu多duō少shǎo组zǔhow many sets left
“还hái有yǒu多duō少shǎo + 量liàng词cí?”问wèn还hái剩shèng多duō少shǎo:还hái有yǒu多duō少shǎo组zǔ?还hái有yǒu多duō少shǎo天tiān?

还有多少 + measure word? = how many are left? 还有多少组?还有多少天?

你nǐ的de月yuè卡kǎ还hái有yǒu多duō少shǎo天tiān?

How many days are left on your month card?

坚jiān持chí住zhùhang in there
快kuài做zuò不bú动dòng的de时shí候hou,教jiào练liàn会huì喊hǎn“坚jiān持chí住zhù!”

When you can't do any more, the coach shouts 坚持住!

最zuì后hòu五wǔ个gè,坚jiān持chí住zhù!

Last five, hang in there!

把bǎ毛máo巾jīn放fàng在zài长cháng椅yǐ上shàngput the towel on the bench
“把bǎ + 东dōng西xi + 放fàng在zài + 地dì方fang”:把bǎ手shǒu机jī放fàng在zài桌zhuō子zi上shàng。

把 + thing + 放在 + place = put it there: 把手机放在桌子上.

请qǐng把bǎ书shū放fàng在zài书shū包bāo里lǐ。

Please put the book in your school bag.

饮yǐn水shuǐ机jīwater dispenser
接jiē点diǎn水shuǐget some water
“接jiē水shuǐ”是shì从cóng饮yǐn水shuǐ机jī、水shuǐ龙lóng头tóu接jiē水shuǐ;“点diǎn”是shì“一yì点diǎnr儿”。

接水 = get water from a water dispenser or a tap. 点 = 一点儿 (a little).

我wǒ去qù接jiē点diǎn水shuǐ。

I'm going to get some water.

练liàn得de不bú错cuòtrained well
“动dòng词cí + 得dé + 怎zěn么me样yàng”:练liàn得de不bú错cuò、说shuō得de很hěn好hǎo。

verb + 得 + how = how well you do it: 练得不错, 说得很好.

你nǐ中zhōng文wén说shuō得de真zhēn好hǎo!

Your Chinese is really good!

别bié迟chí到dàodon't be late
“别bié + 动dòng词cí”:别bié迟chí到dào、别bié忘wàng了le。

别 + verb = don't …: 别迟到, 别忘了.

明míng天tiān八bā点diǎn上shàng课kè,别bié迟chí到dào!

Class is at eight tomorrow. Don't be late!

在zài睡shuì觉jiàois sleeping
“在zài + 动dòng词cí”说shuō现xiàn在zài正zhèng在zài做zuò的de事shì。

在 + verb = doing it right now.

小xiǎo猫māo在zài睡shuì觉jiào,别bié吵chǎo它tā。

The kitten is sleeping. Don't wake it up.

叫jiào我wǒ大dà力lì就jiù行xíngjust call me Dali
“叫jiào我wǒ……就jiù行xíng”:不bú用yòng客kè气qi,这zhè样yàng叫jiào我wǒ就jiù可kě以yǐ。

Say 叫我…就行 to tell people what to call you, in a friendly way.

叫jiào我wǒ小xiǎo王wáng就jiù行xíng。

Just call me Xiao Wang.

别bié看kàn我wǒdon't look at me
“别bié + 动dòng词cí”:别bié看kàn我wǒ、别bié说shuō话huà。

别 + verb = don't …: 别看我, 别说话.

上shàng课kè了le,别bié看kàn手shǒu机jī!

Class has started. Don't look at your phone!

核hé心xīn收shōu紧jǐnbrace your core
“核hé心xīn”是shì肚dù子zi和hé腰yāo这zhè一yì圈quān;“收shōu紧jǐn”是shì用yòng力lì绷bēng住zhù。练liàn的de时shí候hou教jiào练liàn常cháng说shuō。

核心 = your core (belly and lower back). 收紧 = tighten. Coaches say this all the time.

肌jī肉ròu发fā力lìmuscles working
“感gǎn受shòu + 哪nǎr儿 + 发fā力lì”:想xiǎng着zhe这zhè块kuài肌jī肉ròu在zài用yòng力lì。练liàn臀tún可kě以yǐ说shuō“感gǎn受shòu臀tún部bù发fā力lì”。

感受…发力 = feel that muscle doing the work. For glutes: 感受臀部发力.

多duō喝hē水shuǐdrink more water
“多duō + 动dòng词cí”:多duō做zuò一yì点diǎnr儿;“少shǎo + 动dòng词cí”:少shǎo做zuò一yì点diǎnr儿。

多 + verb = do more; 少 + verb = do less.

多duō吃chī菜cài,少shǎo吃chī肉ròu。

Eat more vegetables, less meat.

奶nǎi茶chábubble tea
累lèi就jiù对duì了letired is good
“……就jiù对duì了le”:这zhè样yàng是shì对duì的de、是shì好hǎo的de。教jiào练liàn很hěn爱ài说shuō。

…就对了 = that's how it should be. Coaches love this one.

每měi天tiān早zǎo上shangevery morning
“每měi天tiān + 时shí间jiān”说shuō常cháng常cháng做zuò的de事shì:每měi天tiān早zǎo上shang、每měi天tiān晚wǎn上shang。

每天 + time = something you do every day.

我wǒ每měi天tiān晚wǎn上shang十shí点diǎn睡shuì觉jiào。

I go to bed at ten every night.

还hái不bù渴kěnot thirsty yet
“还hái不bù + 形xíng容róng词cí”:现xiàn在zài还hái不bú是shì这zhè样yàng,等děng一yí下xià可kě能néng会huì。

还不 + adjective = not … yet.

我wǒ还hái不bú饿è。

I'm not hungry yet.

练liàn完wán再zài喝hē水shuǐdrink after training
“动dòng词cí + 完wán + 再zài……”:这zhè件jiàn事shì做zuò完wán了le,再zài做zuò那nà件jiàn事shì。

verb + 完 + 再 … = finish this, then do that.

吃chī完wán再zài走zǒu吧ba。

Finish eating, then go.

等děng一yí下xiàin a moment
“等děng一yí下xià”:一yí会huìr儿,不bú是shì现xiàn在zài。

等一下 = in a moment, not now.

等děng一yí下xià,我wǒ马mǎ上shàng来lái!

Wait a moment, I'm coming!

别bié着zháo急jídon't rush
“别bié着zháo急jí”:慢màn慢màn来lái,不bú用yòng急jí。

别着急 = take your time, don't worry.

别bié着zháo急jí,还hái有yǒu时shí间jiān。

Don't rush. There's still time.

已yǐ经jīng加jiā好hǎo了lealready done
“已yǐ经jīng + 动dòng词cí + 好hǎo了le”:这zhè件jiàn事shì做zuò好hǎo了le。

已经 + verb + 好了 = already done.

饭fàn我wǒ已yǐ经jīng做zuò好hǎo了le。

I've already made dinner.

有yǒu点diǎnr儿累lèia bit tired
“有yǒu点diǎnr儿 + 形xíng容róng词cí”:说shuō不bú太tài好hǎo的de感gǎn觉jué:有yǒu点diǎnr儿累lèi、有yǒu点diǎnr儿贵guì。

有点儿 + adjective = a bit … (often something not so good).

这zhè件jiàn衣yī服fu有yǒu点diǎnr儿贵guì。

This top is a bit expensive.

加jiā油yóukeep going!
“加jiā油yóu!”:给gěi人rén打dǎ气qì,让ràng他tā继jì续xù努nǔ力lì。

加油! = come on, you can do it!

来lái得de正zhèng好hǎojust at the right time
“来lái得de正zhèng好hǎo”:来lái的de时shí间jiān刚gāng刚gāng好hǎo。

来得正好 = you came at just the right time.

一yì瓶píng三sān块kuàithree kuai a bottle
“一yī + 量liàng词cí + 价jià钱qián”:一yì瓶píng三sān块kuài、一yì杯bēi十shí五wǔ块kuài。

one + measure word + price: 一瓶三块 = 3 kuai a bottle.

奶nǎi茶chá一yì杯bēi十shí五wǔ块kuài。

Bubble tea is 15 kuai a cup.

记jì得de拉lā伸shēnremember to stretch
“记jì得de + 动dòng词cí”:别bié忘wàng了le做zuò这zhè件jiàn事shì。

记得 + verb = remember to … (don't forget).

出chū门mén记jì得de带dài钥yào匙shi。

Remember to take your keys when you go out.

记jì住zhù了legot it (I'll remember)
“记jì住zhù了le”:记jì在zài心xīn里lǐ了le,不bú会huì忘wàng。

记住了 = I've got it, I won't forget.

你nǐ的de电diàn话huà我wǒ记jì住zhù了le。

I've remembered your phone number.

02

咖kā啡fēi店diàn:今jīn天tiān喝hē什shén么me?

Coffee shop: what's today's order?

帮bāng朋péng友you带dài咖kā啡fēiA coffee for a friend

占zhàn了le个gè座zuògot a seat
“占zhàn座zuò”是shì先xiān找zhǎo好hǎo位wèi子zi、留liú给gěi自zì己jǐ和hé朋péng友you。

占座 = save a seat for yourself and your friends.

图tú书shū馆guǎn的de位wèi子zi很hěn难nán占zhàn。

It's hard to get a seat in the library.

帮bāng我wǒ带dàiget it for me
“帮bāng我wǒ带dài + 东dōng西xi”:你nǐ去qù的de时shí候hou,顺shùn便biàn给gěi我wǒ买mǎi一yí个gè。

帮我带 + thing = buy one for me while you're there.

你nǐ去qù超chāo市shì的de话huà,帮bāng我wǒ带dài一yì瓶píng水shuǐ。

If you go to the supermarket, get me a bottle of water.

冰bīng美měi式shìiced Americano
“冰bīng + 饮yǐn料liào”:冰bīng美měi式shì、冰bīng拿ná铁tiě、冰bīng可kě乐lè。

冰 + drink = the iced one: 冰美式, 冰拿铁.

我wǒ夏xià天tiān只zhǐ喝hē冰bīng美měi式shì。

In summer I only drink iced Americano.

大dà杯bēilarge (cup)
小xiǎo杯bēi、中zhōng杯bēi、大dà杯bēi:杯bēi子zi从cóng小xiǎo到dào大dà。

小杯 small, 中杯 medium, 大杯 large.

我wǒ一yì般bān喝hē中zhōng杯bēi。

I usually have a medium.

少shǎo糖tángless sugar
甜tián度dù:无wú糖táng、少shǎo糖táng、正zhèng常cháng糖táng。

How sweet: 无糖 none, 少糖 less, 正常糖 regular.

奶nǎi茶chá我wǒ都dōu要yào少shǎo糖táng。

I always get my milk tea with less sugar.

再zài要yào一yí个gèand one more
“再zài”:还hái要yào一yí个gè、又yòu一yí次cì。点diǎn东dōng西xi时shí说shuō“再zài要yào一yí个gè……”。

再 = one more / again. When ordering: 再要一个…

再zài说shuō一yí遍biàn,好hǎo吗ma?

Can you say it again, please?

请qǐng问wènmay I ask
有yǒu礼lǐ貌mào地de问wèn问wen题tí,前qián面miàn加jiā“请qǐng问wèn”。

Put 请问 in front of a question to be polite.

请qǐng问wèn洗xǐ手shǒu间jiān在zài哪nǎ里lǐ?

Excuse me, where is the restroom?

还hái是shìor (in a question)
“A还hái是shìB?”让ràng别bié人rén从cóng两liǎng个gè里lǐ选xuǎn一yí个gè:冰bīng的de还hái是shì热rè的de?

A 还是 B? = A or B? Use it when asking someone to choose.

你nǐ喜xǐ欢huān喝hē咖kā啡fēi还hái是shì茶chá?

Do you like coffee or tea?

打dǎ包bāoto go; take away
“在zài这zhèr儿吃chī/喝hē”还hái是shì“打dǎ包bāo”带dài走zǒu。饭fàn店diàn里lǐ吃chī不bù完wán,也yě可kě以yǐ说shuō“打dǎ包bāo”。

打包 = to go. In a restaurant it also means packing up leftovers.

这zhè些xiē菜cài吃chī不bù完wán,我wǒ们men打dǎ包bāo吧ba。

We can't finish this — let's pack it up.

会huì员yuán卡kǎmembership card
店diàn里lǐ的de卡kǎ,用yòng它tā买mǎi东dōng西xi便pián宜yi一yì点diǎn、可kě以yǐ积jī分fēn。

A shop's card: things cost a bit less, and you collect points.

这zhè家jiā超chāo市shì的de会huì员yuán卡kǎ是shì免miǎn费fèi的de。

This supermarket's membership card is free.

扫sǎo码mǎ点diǎn单dānorder by scanning a QR code
在zài中zhōng国guó很hěn多duō店diàn用yòng手shǒu机jī扫sǎo桌zhuō上shàng的de码mǎ点diǎn单dān、付fù钱qián。

In China you often order and pay by scanning a QR code with your phone.

这zhè家jiā店diàn只zhǐ能néng扫sǎo码mǎ点diǎn单dān。

This place only takes orders by QR code.

有yǒu优yōu惠huìthere's a discount
“优yōu惠huì”:便pián宜yi一yì点diǎn、打dǎ折zhé、送sòng东dōng西xi。

优惠 = a deal: cheaper, a discount, or something free.

学xué生shēng有yǒu优yōu惠huì吗ma?

Is there a student discount?

打dǎ八bā折zhé20% off
“打dǎ几jǐ折zhé”:打dǎ八bā折zhé = 原yuán价jià的de百bǎi分fēn之zhī八bā十shí。一yì百bǎi块kuài打dǎ八bā折zhé是shì八bā十shí块kuài。

打八折 = you pay 80% of the price. 100 kuai → 80 kuai.

这zhè件jiàn衣yī服fu打dǎ九jiǔ折zhé。

This top is 10% off.

取qǔ餐cān号hàopickup number
付fù了le钱qián,店diàn里lǐ给gěi你nǐ一yí个gè号hào。号hào好hǎo了le就jiù去qù拿ná。

After you pay you get a number. When it's called, go and pick up.

你nǐ的de取qǔ餐cān号hào是shì多duō少shǎo?

What's your pickup number?

请qǐng稍shāo等děngjust a moment, please
“稍shāo”是shì一yì点diǎn点dian。“请qǐng稍shāo等děng”比bǐ“等děng一yí下xià”更gèng客kè气qi。

稍 = a little. 请稍等 is a polite "please wait".

请qǐng稍shāo等děng,我wǒ马mǎ上shàng来lái。

Just a moment, I'll be right there.

好hǎo了leis ready
“……好hǎo了le”:做zuò好hǎo了le,可kě以yǐ拿ná了le。

…好了 = it's ready, come and get it.

饭fàn好hǎo了le,快kuài来lái吃chī!

Dinner's ready, come and eat!

八bā十shí二èr号hàonumber 82
“二èr十shí八bā”和hé“八bā十shí二èr”听tīng起qǐ来lai很hěn像xiàng,注zhù意yì听tīng前qián面miàn是shì几jǐ。

28 (二十八) and 82 (八十二) sound alike — listen to the first number.

转zhuǎn给gěi你nǐsend (money) to you
用yòng微wēi信xìn、支zhī付fù宝bǎo把bǎ钱qián给gěi别bié人rén,说shuō“转zhuǎn”。

转 = send money by WeChat or Alipay.

晚wǎn饭fàn的de钱qián我wǒ转zhuǎn给gěi你nǐ了le。

I sent you the money for dinner.

我wǒ请qǐng你nǐmy treat
“请qǐng”也yě有yǒu“我wǒ付fù钱qián”的de意yì思si:我wǒ请qǐng你nǐ喝hē咖kā啡fēi。

请 can mean "I'll pay": 我请你喝咖啡 = coffee's on me.

今jīn天tiān晚wǎn饭fàn我wǒ请qǐng你nǐ。

Dinner's on me tonight.

下xià次cìnext time
“下xià次cì”下xià一yí次cì;“这zhè次c씓上shàng次cì”。

下次 next time; 这次 this time; 上次 last time.

下xià次cì见jiàn!

See you next time!

不bù着zháo急jíno rush
“不bù着zháo急jí”:慢màn慢màn来lái,没méi关guān系xi。

不着急 = take your time.

你nǐ慢màn慢màn吃chī,不bù着zháo急jí。

Take your time eating, no rush.

卖mài完wán了lesold out
“动dòng词cí + 完wán”:做zuò好hǎo了le、没méi有yǒu了le。卖mài完wán了le、吃chī完wán了le、用yòng完wán了le。

verb + 完 = finished: 卖完了 sold out, 吃完了 eaten up.

牛niú奶nǎi喝hē完wán了le,明míng天tiān再zài买mǎi。

The milk's all gone — I'll buy more tomorrow.

这zhèr儿有yǒu人rénthis seat is taken
“有yǒu人rén”在zài这zhèr儿是shì“有yǒu人rén坐zuò了le”。问wèn的de时shí候hou说shuō“这zhèr儿有yǒu人rén吗ma?”

有人 here means someone is sitting here. Ask: 这儿有人吗?

请qǐng问wèn这zhèr儿有yǒu人rén吗ma?

Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?

就jiù够gòu了leis enough
“……就jiù够gòu了le”:这zhè么me多duō就jiù可kě以yǐ了le,不bú用yòng再zài多duō。

…就够了 = that much is enough, no more needed.

一yí个gè人rén吃chī,一yì碗wǎn米mǐ饭fàn就jiù够gòu了le。

For one person, one bowl of rice is enough.

甜tián度dùsweetness
甜tián的de程chéng度dù。点diǎn奶nǎi茶chá、果guǒ汁zhī的de时shí候hou常cháng常cháng要yào选xuǎn。

How sweet it is. You often choose it for milk tea or juice.

这zhè杯bēi奶nǎi茶chá的de甜tián度dù刚gāng刚gāng好hǎo。

This milk tea is just sweet enough.

还hái需xū要yào别bié的de吗maanything else?
店diàn员yuán常cháng问wèn的de一yí句jù:还hái要yào不bu要yào别bié的de东dōng西xi?

Shop staff often ask this: do you want anything else?

不bú用yòng了le,就jiù这zhè些xiē。

No thanks, that's all.

慢màn走zǒutake care
客kè人rén走zǒu的de时shí候hou,店diàn里lǐ的de人rén常cháng说shuō“慢màn走zǒu”,意yì思si是shì路lù上shang小xiǎo心xīn。

When a guest leaves, staff often say 慢走: take care on your way.

谢xiè谢xie你nǐ们men来lái,慢màn走zǒu!

Thanks for coming, take care!

上shàng班bān前qián,一yì杯bēi热rè拿ná铁tiěA hot latte before work

早zǎo点diǎna bit earlier
“早zǎo点diǎn”就jiù是shì早zǎo一yì点diǎn。也yě说shuō“晚wǎn点diǎn”“快kuài点diǎn”。

早点 = a bit earlier. Also 晚点 (later), 快点 (faster).

明míng天tiān早zǎo点diǎn来lái。

Come a bit earlier tomorrow.

带dài去qùtake (to a place)
“带dài去qù + 地dì方fang”:拿ná着zhe东dōng西xi去qù那nàr儿。

带去 + place = take something there.

我wǒ把bǎ午wǔ饭fàn带dài去qù公gōng司sī吃chī。

I take my lunch to the office.

有yǒu点diǎna bit
“有yǒu点diǎn + 不bú太tài好hǎo的de感gǎn觉jué”:有yǒu点diǎn冷lěng、有yǒu点diǎn累lèi、有yǒu点diǎn贵guì。

有点 + a not-so-good feeling: a bit cold, a bit tired, a bit pricey.

这zhè件jiàn衣yī服fu有yǒu点diǎn贵guì。

This piece of clothing is a bit expensive.

六liù十shí四sì号hàonumber 64
“四sì十shí六liù”和hé“六liù十shí四sì”听tīng起qǐ来lai很hěn像xiàng,注zhù意yì听tīng前qián面miàn是shì几jǐ。

46 and 64 sound alike — listen to the first number.

帮bāng同tóng事shì带dài三sān杯bēiThree coffees for coworkers

同tóng事shìcoworker
一yì起qǐ工gōng作zuò的de人rén。

Someone you work with.

我wǒ和hé同tóng事shì一yì起qǐ吃chī午wǔ饭fàn。

I have lunch with my coworkers.

让ràngask (someone to do)
“A让ràngB做zuò……”:A请qǐngB去qù做zuò一yí件jiàn事shì。

A 让 B do… = A asks B to do something.

妈mā妈ma让ràng我wǒ早zǎo点diǎn回huí家jiā。

Mom told me to come home early.

两liǎng杯bēitwo cups
数shù东dōng西xi:一yì杯bēi、两liǎng杯bēi,不bù说shuō“二èr杯bēi”。

Counting: 一杯, 两杯 — never 二杯.

我wǒ要yào两liǎng杯bēi水shuǐ。

Two glasses of water, please.

六liù十shí三sān块kuài二èr63.20 yuan
说shuō钱qián的de时shí候hou,“块kuài”后hòu面miàn的de数shù是shì“毛máo”:六liù十shí三sān块kuài二èr就jiù是shì六liù十shí三sān块kuài两liǎng毛máo。

With money, the number after 块 is tenths: 六十三块二 = ¥63.20.

苹píng果guǒ三sān块kuài五wǔ一yī斤jīn。

Apples are 3.50 a jin.

七qī十shí号hàonumber 70
“十shí七qī”和hé“七qī十shí”听tīng起qǐ来lai很hěn像xiàng,注zhù意yì听tīng前qián面miàn是shì几jǐ。

17 and 70 sound alike — listen to the first number.

一yí个gè人rén吃chī早zǎo饭fànBreakfast on my own

早zǎo饭fànbreakfast
早zǎo上shang吃chī的de饭fàn。中zhōng午wǔ是shì“午wǔ饭fàn”,晚wǎn上shang是shì“晚wǎn饭fàn”。

The morning meal. Lunch is 午饭, dinner is 晚饭.

你nǐ早zǎo饭fàn吃chī了le什shén么me?

What did you have for breakfast?

换huànchange; swap
“换huàn”:不bú要yào这zhè个ge,要yào另lìng一yí个gè。

换 = swap this one for another one.

这zhè件jiàn太tài小xiǎo了le,能néng换huàn一yí件jiàn大dà的de吗ma?

This one is too small. Can I swap it for a bigger one?

舒shū服fucomfortable; nice
身shēn体tǐ、心xīn里lǐ感gǎn觉jué很hěn好hǎo。

Feeling good in body or mind.

这zhè把bǎ椅yǐ子zi坐zuò着zhe很hěn舒shū服fu。

This chair is very comfortable.

九jiǔ十shí三sān号hàonumber 93
“三sān十shí九jiǔ”和hé“九jiǔ十shí三sān”听tīng起qǐ来lai很hěn像xiàng,注zhù意yì听tīng前qián面miàn是shì几jǐ。

39 and 93 sound alike — listen to the first number.

天tiān热rè,跟gēn朋péng友you喝hē奶nǎi茶cháMilk tea with a friend on a hot day

去qù冰bīngno ice
“去qù冰bīng”:不bú放fàng冰bīng块kuài,但dàn还hái是shì凉liáng的de。“少shǎo冰bīng”:冰bīng块kuài少shǎo一yì点diǎn。

去冰 = no ice cubes, but still cold. 少冰 = less ice.

我wǒ的de柠níng檬méng茶chá要yào少shǎo冰bīng。

Less ice in my lemon tea, please.

无wú糖tángno sugar
没méi有yǒu糖táng。

No sugar at all.

我wǒ只zhǐ喝hē无wú糖táng的de。

I only drink sugar-free.

五wǔ十shí号hàonumber 50
“十shí五wǔ”和hé“五wǔ十shí”听tīng起qǐ来lai很hěn像xiàng,注zhù意yì听tīng前qián面miàn是shì几jǐ。

15 and 50 sound alike — listen to the first number.

第dì二èr杯bēi半bàn价jiàSecond cup half price

也yěalso
“也yě”放fàng在zài动dòng词cí前qián面miàn:我wǒ也yě喝hē、我wǒ也yě去qù。

也 goes before the verb: 我也喝 = I'll drink it too.

你nǐ去qù,我wǒ也yě去qù。

If you go, I'll go too.

第dì二èr杯bēi半bàn价jiàsecond cup half price
第dì一yī杯bēi是shì原yuán价jià,第dì二èr杯bēi只zhǐ要yào一yí半bàn的de钱qián。

The first cup is full price, the second costs half.

这zhè家jiā店diàn周zhōu五wǔ第dì二èr杯bēi半bàn价jià。

At this shop the second cup is half price on Fridays.

划huá算suàna good deal
花huā的de钱qián少shǎo,得dé到dào的de多duō。

You pay little and get a lot.

这zhè件jiàn衣yī服fu打dǎ五wǔ折zhé,很hěn划huá算suàn。

This is 50% off — a really good deal.

一yí半bànhalf
分fēn成chéng两liǎng份fèn,其qí中zhōng一yí份fèn。

One of two equal parts.

这zhè个ge蛋dàn糕gāo我wǒ们men一yì人rén一yí半bàn。

Let's have half of this cake each.

四sì十shí二èr号hàonumber 42
“二èr十shí四sì”和hé“四sì十shí二èr”听tīng起qǐ来lai很hěn像xiàng,注zhù意yì听tīng前qián面miàn是shì几jǐ。

24 and 42 sound alike — listen to the first number.

在zài咖kā啡fēi店diàn工gōng作zuòWorking at the café

密mì码mǎpassword
进jìn手shǒu机jī、连lián Wi-Fi 要yào输shū入rù的de数shù字zì或huò字zì母mǔ。

The numbers or letters you type to get into a phone or onto Wi-Fi.

你nǐ的de手shǒu机jī密mì码mǎ是shì多duō少shǎo?

What's your phone password?

插chā座zuòsocket
墙qiáng上shàng插chā电diàn的de地dì方fang。

Where you plug things in on the wall.

这zhèr儿有yǒu插chā座zuò吗ma?

Is there a socket here?

八bā个gè八bāeight 8s
“八bā个gè八bā”就jiù是shì 88888888。说shuō密mì码mǎ、电diàn话huà号hào码mǎ的de时shí候hou常cháng这zhè样yàng说shuō。

八个八 = 88888888. People say passwords and phone numbers like this.

充chōng电diàncharge (a battery)
给gěi手shǒu机jī、电diàn脑nǎo加jiā电diàn。

Put power back into a phone or computer.

我wǒ的de手shǒu机jī没méi电diàn了le,要yào充chōng电diàn。

My phone is dead, I need to charge it.

三sān十shí号hàonumber 30
“十shí三sān”和hé“三sān十shí”听tīng起qǐ来lai很hěn像xiàng,注zhù意yì听tīng前qián面miàn是shì几jǐ。

13 and 30 sound alike — listen to the first number.

健jiàn身shēn前qián的de冰bīng美měi式shìAn iced Americano before the gym

等děng一yí下xiàin a moment
过guò一yí会huìr儿,不bù久jiǔ以yǐ后hòu。

In a little while.

等děng一yí下xià我wǒ给gěi你nǐ打dǎ电diàn话huà。

I'll call you in a bit.

练liànwork out; practise
“练liàn”:多duō做zuò、多duō运yùn动dòng。健jiàn身shēn房fáng里lǐ说shuō“练liàn腿tuǐ”“练liàn臀tún”。

练 = practise, train. At the gym: 练腿 legs day, 练臀 glutes day.

我wǒ每měi天tiān练liàn半bàn个gè小xiǎo时shí。

I work out for half an hour every day.

加jiā油yóugo for it!
给gěi别bié人rén打dǎ气qì:努nǔ力lì!你nǐ可kě以yǐ的de!

Cheering someone on: go for it, you can do it!

明míng天tiān考kǎo试shì,加jiā油yóu!

Exam tomorrow — good luck!

八bā十shí五wǔ号hàonumber 85
“五wǔ十shí八bā”和hé“八bā十shí五wǔ”听tīng起qǐ来lai很hěn像xiàng,注zhù意yì听tīng前qián面miàn是shì几jǐ。

58 and 85 sound alike — listen to the first number.

03

超chāo市shì:帮bāng室shì友yǒu买mǎi东dōng西xi

Supermarket: shopping for your roommate

三sān斤jīn苹píng果guǒthree jin of apples
“数shù字zì + 量liàng词cí + 东dōng西xi”:三sān斤jīn苹píng果guǒ、两liǎng瓶píng牛niú奶nǎi。“斤jīn”是shì重zhòng量liàng,一yì斤jīn是shì五wǔ百bǎi克kè。

number + measure word + thing. 斤 is a weight: 1 斤 = 500 g.

我wǒ要yào一yì斤jīn苹píng果guǒ。

I'd like one jin of apples.

两liǎng瓶píng牛niú奶nǎitwo bottles of milk
“瓶píng”:瓶píng子zi装zhuāng的de东dōng西xi:一yì瓶píng水shuǐ、两liǎng瓶píng牛niú奶nǎi。

瓶 = bottle: 一瓶水, 两瓶牛奶.

他tā买mǎi了le两liǎng瓶píng牛niú奶nǎi。

He bought two bottles of milk.

一yì盒hé鸡jī蛋dàna box of eggs
“盒hé”:盒hé子zi装zhuāng的de东dōng西xi:一yì盒hé鸡jī蛋dàn、一yì盒hé饼bǐng干gān。

盒 = box: 一盒鸡蛋, 一盒饼干.

我wǒ早zǎo上shang吃chī了le一yì盒hé酸suān奶nǎi。

I had a pot of yogurt this morning.

一yí袋dài米mǐa bag of rice
“袋dài”:袋dài子zi装zhuāng的de东dōng西xi:一yí袋dài米mǐ、一yí袋dài面miàn包bāo。

袋 = bag: 一袋米, 一袋面包.

妈mā妈ma让ràng我wǒ买mǎi一yí袋dài米mǐ和hé一yì瓶píng酱jiàng油yóu。

Mum asked me to buy a bag of rice and a bottle of soy sauce.

购gòu物wù车chēshopping cart
超chāo市shì里lǐ推tuī的de车chē。小xiǎo一yì点diǎn、拿ná在zài手shǒu上shàng的de是shì“购gòu物wù篮lán”。

The cart you push. The small one you carry is 购物篮.

小xiǎo孩hái子zi能néng坐zuò在zài购gòu物wù车chē里lǐ吗ma?

Can kids sit in the shopping cart?

怎zěn么me卖màihow much is it
问wèn价jià钱qián:“……怎zěn么me卖mài?”比bǐ“多duō少shǎo钱qián”更gèng常cháng说shuō在zài菜cài市shì场chǎng、超chāo市shì。

Asking a price: …怎么卖? (at markets and supermarkets).

西xī瓜guā怎zěn么me卖mài?

How much is the watermelon?

五wǔ块kuài钱qián一yì斤jīnfive kuai a jin
“价jià钱qián + 一yī + 量liàng词cí”:五wǔ块kuài钱qián一yì斤jīn、三sān块kuài一yì瓶píng。

price + 一 + measure word: 五块钱一斤 = 5 kuai per jin.

打dǎ折zhéon sale
“打dǎ折zhé”:比bǐ原yuán来lái便pián宜yi。打dǎ八bā折zhé、打dǎ九jiǔ折zhé。

打折 = on sale, cheaper than usual.

超chāo市shì的de东dōng西xi一yì般bān什shén么me时shí候hou打dǎ折zhé?

When do supermarkets usually have sales?

按àn斤jīn卖màisold by the jin
“按àn + 量liàng词cí + 卖mài”:按àn斤jīn卖mài、按àn个gè卖mài。

按 + measure word + 卖 = sold by…

鸡jī蛋dàn是shì按àn个gè卖mài还hái是shì按àn斤jīn卖mài?

Are eggs sold by the piece or by the jin?

一yí共gòngin total
“一yí共gòng”:全quán部bù加jiā起qǐ来lai。

一共 = altogether, in total.

一yí共gòng多duō少shǎo钱qián?

How much is it altogether?

还hái要yào别bié的de吗maanything else?
店diàn员yuán常cháng问wèn:还hái要yào别bié的de吗ma?回huí答dá:还hái要yào……/就jiù这zhè些xiē。

Shop assistants ask this. Answer: 还要… or 就这些.

水shuǐ果guǒ区qūfruit section
“区qū”:超chāo市shì里lǐ的de一yí块kuài地dì方fang:水shuǐ果guǒ区qū、蔬shū菜cài区qū、零líng食shí区qū。

区 = a section: 水果区, 蔬菜区.

零líng食shí区qū在zài二èr楼lóu。

The snacks section is upstairs.

过guò期qīexpire; past its date
“过guò期qī”:过guò了le保bǎo质zhì期qī,不bù能néng吃chī了le。

过期 = past its date.

这zhè瓶píng牛niú奶nǎi过guò期qī了le,别bié喝hē!

This milk has expired — don't drink it!

保bǎo质zhì期qīshelf life; best-before
吃chī的de东dōng西xi能néng放fàng多duō久jiǔ。买mǎi牛niú奶nǎi、面miàn包bāo要yào看kàn保bǎo质zhì期qī。

How long food keeps. Check it on milk and bread.

你nǐ买mǎi牛niú奶nǎi时shí会huì看kàn保bǎo质zhì期qī吗ma?

Do you check the date when you buy milk?

促cù销xiāospecial offer
“促cù销xiāo”:商shāng店diàn为wèi了le多duō卖mài,打dǎ折zhé、送sòng东dōng西xi。

促销 = a promotion: discounts, free extras.

超chāo市shì的de促cù销xiāo活huó动dòng有yǒu哪nǎ些xiē?

What special offers does the supermarket have?

买mǎi一yì盒hé送sòng五wǔ个gèbuy one box, get five free
“买mǎi……送sòng……”:买mǎi了le这zhè个ge,再zài给gěi你nǐ那nà个ge,不bú要yào钱qián。

买…送… = buy this, get that free.

买mǎi一yí送sòng一yī!

Buy one, get one free!

面miàn粉fěnflour
做zuò面miàn条tiáo、包bāo子zi、面miàn包bāo的de白bái色sè的de粉fěn。

Flour, for noodles, buns and bread.

包bāo饺jiǎo子zi要yào用yòng面miàn粉fěn。

You need flour to make dumplings.

就jiù这zhè些xiēthat's all
“就jiù这zhè些xiē”:东dōng西xi都dōu买mǎi好hǎo了le,不bú要yào别bié的de了le。

就这些 = that's all.

就jiù这zhè些xiē,谢xiè谢xie。

That's all, thanks.

结jié账zhàngpay; check out
“结jié账zhàng”:买mǎi完wán东dōng西xi给gěi钱qián。超chāo市shì、饭fàn店diàn都dōu说shuō。

结账 = pay the bill / check out.

服fú务wù员yuán,结jié账zhàng!

Waiter, the bill please!

收shōu银yín台táicheckout
付fù钱qián的de地dì方fang。有yǒu“人rén工gōng收shōu银yín台tái”,也yě有yǒu“自zì助zhù结jié账zhàng”。

Where you pay. Staffed checkouts or self-checkout.

你nǐ喜xǐ欢huān人rén工gōng收shōu银yín台tái还hái是shì自zì助zhù结jié账zhàng?

Do you prefer a staffed checkout or self-checkout?

手shǒu机jī支zhī付fùpay by phone
在zài中zhōng国guó常cháng用yòng微wēi信xìn、支zhī付fù宝bǎo扫sǎo码mǎ付fù钱qián。

In China people pay with WeChat or Alipay on their phone.

你nǐ买mǎi东dōng西xi时shí会huì用yòng手shǒu机jī扫sǎo码mǎ支zhī付fù吗ma?

Do you pay by scanning with your phone?

自zì己jǐ带dài了lebrought my own
“自zì己jǐ带dài”:不bú用yòng店diàn里lǐ的de,用yòng自zì己jǐ的de:自zì己jǐ带dài杯bēi子zi、自zì己jǐ带dài袋dài子zi。

自己带 = bring your own.

我wǒ去qù超chāo市shì都dōu自zì己jǐ带dài购gòu物wù袋dài。

I always bring my own bag to the supermarket.

需xū要yào帮bāng忙máng吗maneed any help?
店diàn员yuán、路lù人rén常cháng问wèn的de一yí句jù。不bú用yòng:“不bú用yòng了le,谢xiè谢xie。”

A common offer of help. Reply: 不用了,谢谢。

排pái队duìqueue up
“排pái队duì”:一yí个gè人rén一yí个gè人rén站zhàn好hǎo,等děng。

排队 = stand in line.

你nǐ排pái队duì时shí会huì玩wán手shǒu机jī吗ma?

Do you play on your phone while queueing?

尝cháng一yi尝chánghave a taste
“动dòng词cí + 一yī + 动dòng词cí”:试shì一yí下xià:尝cháng一yi尝cháng、看kàn一yi看kàn、听tīng一yi听tīng。

verb + 一 + verb = have a go: 尝一尝, 看一看.

你nǐ尝cháng一yi尝cháng,很hěn好hǎo吃chī!

Have a taste, it's delicious!

04

服fú装zhuāng店diàn:买mǎi衣yī服fu

Clothes shop: buying clothes

试shì穿chuāntry on
穿chuān上shàng看kàn看kan合hé不bu合hé适shì。

Put it on to see if it fits.

这zhè条tiáo裙qún子zi可kě以yǐ试shì穿chuān吗ma?

Can I try on this skirt?

有yǒu没méi有yǒuis there / do you have
问wèn有yǒu没méi有yǒu:“有yǒu没méi有yǒu + 东dōng西xi?”后hòu面miàn不bú用yòng“吗ma”。

To ask if there is: 有没有 + thing? No 吗 at the end.

有yǒu没méi有yǒu大dà一yì点diǎn的de?

Do you have a bigger one?

号hàosize
衣yī服fu的de大dà小xiǎo:S号hào、M号hào、L号hào。

Clothing size: S, M, L.

我wǒ穿chuānM号hào。

I wear a medium.

这zhè条tiáothis (one)
裤kù子zi、裙qún子zi用yòng“条tiáo”:这zhè条tiáo裤kù子zi、这zhè条tiáo裙qún子zi。

Trousers and skirts take 条.

这zhè条tiáo裤kù子zi有yǒu点diǎnr儿长cháng。

These trousers are a bit long.

只zhǐ有yǒuonly (have)
“只zhǐ有yǒu + 东dōng西xi”:就jiù这zhè些xiē,没méi有yǒu别bié的de。

只有 + thing = there's only this, nothing else.

我wǒ只zhǐ有yǒu十shí块kuài钱qián。

I only have ten yuan.

试shì一yí下xiàtry (it) on / have a try
动dòng词cí +“一yí下xià”:做zuò一yí次cì、时shí间jiān不bù长cháng,说shuō起qǐ来lai客kè气qi。

Verb + 一下 = do it once, briefly — sounds polite.

我wǒ可kě以yǐ试shì一yí下xià吗ma?

Can I try it?

试shì衣yī间jiānfitting room
店diàn里lǐ换huàn衣yī服fu、试shì衣yī服fu的de小xiǎo房fáng间jiān。

The little room in a shop for trying clothes on.

试shì衣yī间jiān里lǐ有yǒu镜jìng子zi。

There's a mirror in the fitting room.

直zhí走zǒugo straight
一yì直zhí往wǎng前qián走zǒu,不bù拐guǎi弯wān。

Keep walking forward, don't turn.

直zhí走zǒu五wǔ分fēn钟zhōng就jiù到dào了le。

Go straight for five minutes and you're there.

左zuǒ拐guǎiturn left
往wǎng左zuǒ边biān走zǒu。往wǎng右yòu边biān走zǒu是shì“右yòu拐guǎi”。

Turn left. Turning right is 右拐.

前qián面miàn路lù口kǒu左zuǒ拐guǎi。

Turn left at the next crossing.

这zhè顶dǐngthis (hat)
帽mào子zi用yòng“顶dǐng”:一yì顶dǐng帽mào子zi。

Hats take 顶: 一顶帽子.

我wǒ想xiǎng买mǎi一yì顶dǐng帽mào子zi。

I'd like to buy a hat.

这zhè副fùthis (glasses)
眼yǎn镜jìng用yòng“副fù”:一yí副fù眼yǎn镜jìng(两liǎng片piàn是shì一yí副fù)。

Glasses take 副 (a pair): 一副眼镜.

我wǒ想xiǎng买mǎi一yí副fù眼yǎn镜jìng。

I'd like to buy a glasses.

结jié账zhàngpay the bill; check out
买mǎi东dōng西xi、吃chī饭fàn以yǐ后hòu付fù钱qián。

Pay after shopping or a meal.

服fú务wù员yuán,结jié账zhàng!

Waiter, the bill please!

镜jìng子zimirror
照zhào自zì己jǐ的de东dōng西xi。

What you look at yourself in.

出chū门mén前qián照zhào一yí下xià镜jìng子zi。

Check the mirror before you go out.

员yuán工gōng通tōng道dàostaff passage
只zhǐ有yǒu店diàn里lǐ工gōng作zuò的de人rén能néng走zǒu的de路lù。

A way only the shop's staff may use.

员yuán工gōng通tōng道dào,顾gù客kè不bù能néng进jìn。

Staff passage — no customers.

照zhào镜jìng子zilook in the mirror
在zài镜jìng子zi里lǐ看kàn自zì己jǐ。

Look at yourself in a mirror.

她tā每měi天tiān出chū门mén前qián都dōu照zhào镜jìng子zi。

She checks the mirror every day before going out.

挺tǐng好hǎo看kàn的dequite nice-looking
“挺tǐng + 形xíng容róng词cí + 的de”:很hěn……,口kǒu语yǔ常cháng说shuō。

挺 + adjective + 的 = quite..., very common in speech.

这zhè家jiā店diàn挺tǐng便pián宜yi的de。

This shop is quite cheap.

有yǒu点diǎnr儿a bit (too)
“有yǒu点diǎnr儿 + 形xíng容róng词cí”:不bú太tài满mǎn意yì的de时shí候hou说shuō。“儿ér”跟gēn前qián面miàn的de“点diǎn”连lián着zhe读dú。

有点儿 + adjective, when you're not happy with it. Read 儿 joined to 点.

今jīn天tiān有yǒu点diǎnr儿冷lěng。

It's a bit cold today.

不bú太tàinot very
“不bú太tài + 形xíng容róng词cí”:比bǐ“不bù”客kè气qi一yì点diǎn。

不太 + adjective — softer than plain 不.

这zhè个ge菜cài不bú太tài辣là。

This dish isn't very spicy.

慢màn慢màn看kàntake your time looking
“慢màn慢màn + 动dòng词cí”:不bù着zháo急jí,慢màn一yì点diǎn做zuò。

慢慢 + verb = take your time doing it.

慢màn慢màn吃chī,别bié着zháo急jí。

Eat slowly, no rush.

欢huān迎yíng下xià次cì光guāng临línplease come again
店diàn员yuán送sòng客kè人rén走zǒu的de时shí候hou常cháng说shuō。

What shop staff say as you leave.

谢xiè谢xie,欢huān迎yíng下xià次cì光guāng临lín!

Thank you, please come again!

不bú够gòunot enough
“钱qián不bú够gòu”“时shí间jiān不bú够gòu”:比bǐ要yào的de少shǎo。

钱不够, 时间不够 — less than you need.

我wǒ的de钱qián不bú够gòu买mǎi这zhè件jiàn。

I don't have enough to buy this one.

05

宠chǒng物wù店diàn:给gěi咪mī咪mi和hé丢diū丢diu买mǎi东dōng西xi

Pet shop: treats for Mimi and Diudiu

可kě爱àicute
小xiǎo猫māo、小xiǎo狗gǒu、小xiǎo孩hái子zi,让ràng人rén喜xǐ欢huān的de样yàng子zi。

Sweet and lovable — like kittens, puppies, little kids.

这zhè只zhī小xiǎo狗gǒu真zhēn可kě爱ài!

This puppy is so cute!

叫jiào什shén么me名míng字ziwhat is (it) called
问wèn名míng字zi:“你nǐ叫jiào什shén么me名míng字zi?”“它tā叫jiào什shén么me名míng字zi?”

Asking a name: 你叫什么名字? 它叫什么名字?

你nǐ的de猫māo叫jiào什shén么me名míng字zi?

What's your cat's name?

随suí便biàn看kàn看kanhave a look around
店diàn员yuán常cháng说shuō:不bú用yòng着zháo急jí买mǎi,先xiān看kàn看kan。

Shop staff say this: no rush, just look.

您nín随suí便biàn看kàn看kan,喜xǐ欢huān可kě以yǐ试shì试shi。

Take a look — try anything you like.

零líng食shísnacks
正zhèng餐cān以yǐ外wài吃chī的de小xiǎo东dōng西xi:饼bǐng干gān、小xiǎo鱼yú干gān……

Little things to eat between meals.

我wǒ晚wǎn上shang喜xǐ欢huān吃chī零líng食shí。

I like snacking in the evening.

给gěi咪mī咪mi买mǎibuy for 咪咪
“给gěi + 谁shéi + 动dòng词cí”:给gěi谁shéi做zuò,“给gěi谁shéi”放fàng在zài动dòng词cí前qián面miàn。

给 + someone + verb: doing it for someone. 给 + someone comes BEFORE the verb.

我wǒ想xiǎng给gěi妈mā妈ma买mǎi一yí件jiàn衣yī服fu。

I want to buy my mum some clothes.

正zhèng好hǎojust right
不bú大dà也yě不bù小xiǎo,刚gāng刚gāng好hǎo。

Not too big, not too small — just right.

这zhè双shuāng鞋xié我wǒ穿chuān正zhèng好hǎo。

These shoes fit me just right.

戴dài上shàngput on (an accessory)
帽mào子zi、眼yǎn镜jìng、蝴hú蝶dié结jié用yòng“戴dài”:戴dài上shàng。

Hats, glasses, bows take 戴: 戴上.

天tiān冷lěng了le,戴dài上shàng帽mào子zi吧ba。

It's cold — put your hat on.

给gěi丢diū丢diu买mǎibuy for 丢丢
“给gěi + 谁shéi + 动dòng词cí”:给gěi谁shéi做zuò,“给gěi谁shéi”放fàng在zài动dòng词cí前qián面miàn。

给 + someone + verb: doing it for someone. 给 + someone comes BEFORE the verb.

我wǒ想xiǎng给gěi妈mā妈ma买mǎi一yí件jiàn衣yī服fu。

I want to buy my mum some clothes.

下xià雨yǔrain
天tiān上shàng掉diào水shuǐ下xià来lai。

Water falling from the sky.

明míng天tiān会huì下xià雨yǔ,带dài伞sǎn吧ba。

It'll rain tomorrow — take an umbrella.

帅shuàihandsome; cool
男nán生shēng、小xiǎo狗gǒu看kàn起qǐ来lai很hěn好hǎo看kàn。

Good-looking (for boys, or a cool dog).

你nǐ今jīn天tiān真zhēn帅shuài!

You look so cool today!

要yào不bu要yàodo you want (to)
“要yào不bu要yào + 动dòng词cí?”问wèn别bié人rén想xiǎng不bu想xiǎng做zuò。

要不要 + verb? — asking if someone wants to.

要yào不bu要yào一yì起qǐ去qù吃chī饭fàn?

Do you want to go eat together?

小xiǎo鱼yú干gāndried little fish
晒shài干gān的de小xiǎo鱼yú,猫māo最zuì喜xǐ欢huān。

Small dried fish — cats love them.

咪mī咪mi每měi天tiān要yào吃chī小xiǎo鱼yú干gān。

Mimi wants dried fish every day.

骨gǔ头toubone
狗gǒu喜xǐ欢huān咬yǎo的de东dōng西xi。

What dogs love to chew.

丢diū丢diu把bǎ骨gǔ头tou藏cáng起qǐ来lai了le。

Diudiu hid his bone.

说shuō反fǎn了lesaid it the wrong way round
“动dòng词cí + 反fǎn了le”:顺shùn序xù或huò方fāng向xiàng弄nòng错cuò了le。

Verb + 反了 = got it the wrong way round.

你nǐ衣yī服fu穿chuān反fǎn了le!

Your top's on inside out!

尝cháng尝changhave a taste
动dòng词cí重chóng叠dié:尝cháng尝chang、看kàn看kan、试shì试shi,说shuō起qǐ来lai轻qīng松sōng。

Doubled verbs (尝尝, 看看, 试试) sound light and casual.

你nǐ尝cháng尝chang这zhè个ge菜cài。

Have a taste of this dish.

吃chī得de真zhēn开kāi心xīneating so happily
“动dòng词cí + 得dé + 怎zěn么me样yàng”:说shuō做zuò得de怎zěn么me样yàng。

Verb + 得 + how: says how something is done.

孩hái子zi们men玩wán得de很hěn开kāi心xīn。

The kids are having a great time.

一yí共gòngaltogether
全quán部bù加jiā起qǐ来lai。

Everything added up.

一yí共gòng三sān个gè人rén。

Three people altogether.

下xià次cìnext time
以yǐ后hòu的de那nà一yí次cì。

The next time.

下xià次cì见jiàn!

See you next time!

挑tiāopick; choose
从cóng很hěn多duō里lǐ面miàn找zhǎo一yí个gè。

Choose one from many.

你nǐ帮bāng我wǒ挑tiāo一yí件jiàn吧ba。

Help me pick one.

鱼yú缸gāngfish tank
养yǎng鱼yú的de玻bō璃li缸gāng。

A glass tank for keeping fish.

我wǒ家jiā有yǒu一yí个gè鱼yú缸gāng。

We have a fish tank at home.

一yí定dìngsurely; must
很hěn肯kěn定dìng。

Very sure.

你nǐ一yí定dìng会huì喜xǐ欢huān这zhè里lǐ。

You'll definitely like it here.

暖nuǎn和huowarm
不bù冷lěng,很hěn舒shū服fu。

Nice and warm, not cold.

今jīn天tiān很hěn暖nuǎn和huo。

It's warm today.

听tīng得de见jiàncan hear
“动dòng词cí + 得dé见jiàn”:能néng听tīng到dào、能néng看kàn到dào。听tīng不bú见jiàn=听tīng不bú到dào。

Verb + 得见 = can hear / can see. 听不见 = can't hear.

你nǐ听tīng得de见jiàn我wǒ说shuō话huà吗ma?

Can you hear me?

软ruǎnsoft
摸mō起qǐ来lai不bú硬yìng。

Soft to the touch.

这zhè个ge枕zhěn头tou很hěn软ruǎn。

This pillow is soft.

酷kùcool
很hěn帅shuài、很hěn有yǒu个gè性xìng。口kǒu语yǔ。

Cool, stylish. Casual word.

你nǐ的de新xīn鞋xié真zhēn酷kù!

Your new shoes are so cool!

06

地dì铁tiě站zhàn:坐zuò地dì铁tiě

Metro: taking the metro

去qù机jī场chǎngTo the airport

坐zuò地dì铁tiětake the metro
“坐zuò + 车chē”:坐zuò地dì铁tiě、坐zuò公gōng交jiāo、坐zuò飞fēi机jī;“打dǎ车chē”是shì叫jiào出chū租zū车chē。

坐 + vehicle: 坐地铁, 坐公交. 打车 = take a taxi.

你nǐ经jīng常cháng坐zuò地dì铁tiě吗ma?

Do you often take the metro?

又yòu快kuài又yòu便pián宜yiboth fast and cheap
“又yòu + 形xíng容róng词cí + 又yòu + 形xíng容róng词cí”:两liǎng个gè都dōu是shì。又yòu快kuài又yòu便pián宜yi、又yòu挤jǐ又yòu热rè。

又 A 又 B = both A and B.

这zhè个ge高gāo铁tiě站zhàn又yòu大dà又yòu干gān净jìng。

This high-speed rail station is big and clean.

高gāo峰fēng期qīrush hour
上shàng班bān、下xià班bān的de时shí候hou,人rén最zuì多duō、车chē最zuì多duō。早zǎo高gāo峰fēng、晚wǎn高gāo峰fēng。

Rush hour: 早高峰 morning, 晚高峰 evening.

高gāo峰fēng期qī你nǐ会huì坐zuò地dì铁tiě吗ma?

Do you take the metro at rush hour?

交jiāo通tōng卡kǎtransit card
坐zuò地dì铁tiě、公gōng交jiāo用yòng的de卡kǎ。也yě可kě以yǐ用yòng手shǒu机jī。

The card for the metro and buses. Phones work too.

交jiāo通tōng卡kǎ在zài哪nǎr儿充chōng值zhí?

Where can I top up my transit card?

单dān程chéng票piàosingle ticket
只zhī去qù不bù回huí的de票piào。来lái回huí的de是shì“往wǎng返fǎn票piào”。

A one-way ticket. A return ticket is 往返票.

买mǎi飞fēi机jī票piào时shí你nǐ一yì般bān买mǎi单dān程chéng票piào还hái是shì往wǎng返fǎn票piào?

When you buy plane tickets, one-way or return?

自zì动dòng售shòu票piào机jīticket machine
自zì己jǐ在zài机jī器qì上shàng买mǎi票piào的de地dì方fang。

A machine where you buy tickets yourself.

就jiù行xíngthat's enough
“……就jiù行xíng”:这zhè样yàng就jiù可kě以yǐ了le,不bú用yòng更gèng多duō。

…就行 = that's enough, that'll do.

你nǐ打dǎ电diàn话huà给gěi我wǒ就jiù行xíng。

Just give me a call, that's enough.

过guò安ān检jiǎngo through security
“安ān检jiǎn”:检jiǎn查chá包bāo和hé人rén。过guò安ān检jiǎn、安ān检jiǎn口kǒu。

安检 = security check. 过安检 = go through it.

你nǐ觉jué得de安ān检jiǎn麻má烦fan吗ma?

Do you find security checks annoying?

放fàng上shàng去quput it up there
“动dòng词cí + 上shàng去qù”:往wǎng上shàng、往wǎng那nàr儿放fàng:放fàng上shàng去qu、走zǒu上shàng去qu。

verb + 上去 = up / onto: 放上去, 走上去.

把bǎ箱xiāng子zi放fàng上shàng去qu吧ba。

Put the suitcase up there.

也yě要yào安ān检jiǎnneed security too
“也yě”:别bié的de地dì方fang要yào安ān检jiǎn,坐zuò地dì铁tiě也yě要yào。说shuō的de时shí候hou有yǒu一yì点diǎn吃chī惊jīng:坐zuò地dì铁tiě也yě要yào安ān检jiǎn啊a?

也 = too. Said with a bit of surprise: even the metro needs security?

每měi个gè地dì铁tiě站zhàn都dōu要yàoevery … (all)
“每měi个gè + 名míng词cí + 都dōu”:每měi个gè人rén都dōu、每měi个gè地dì铁tiě站zhàn都dōu。

每个 + noun + 都 = every … without exception.

每měi个gè学xué生shēng都dōu有yǒu一yì本běn书shū。

Every student has a book.

进jìn站zhànenter the station
“进jìn站zhàn”进jìn地dì铁tiě站zhàn、火huǒ车chē站zhàn;“出chū站zhàn”出chū来lái。

进站 = go into the station; 出站 = come out.

进jìn站zhàn以yǐ后hòu要yào排pái队duì上shàng车chē。

After you go in, queue to board.

二èr号hào线xiànLine 2
“几jǐ号hào线xiàn”:地dì铁tiě的de线xiàn:一yī号hào线xiàn、二èr号hào线xiàn。

几号线 = which line: 一号线, 二号线.

离lí你nǐ家jiā最zuì近jìn的de地dì铁tiě是shì几jǐ号hào线xiàn?

Which line is nearest your home?

往wǎng机jī场chǎng方fāng向xiàngtowards the airport
“往wǎng + 地dì方fang + 方fāng向xiàng”:车chē往wǎng哪nǎ边biān开kāi。

往 + place + 方向 = in the direction of …

这zhè是shì去qù火huǒ车chē站zhàn的de方fāng向xiàng吗ma?

Is this the way to the railway station?

坐zuò反fǎn了letook it the wrong way
“动dòng词cí + 反fǎn”:做zuò反fǎn了le:坐zuò反fǎn了le、穿chuān反fǎn了le。

verb + 反 = done the wrong way round: 坐反了, 穿反了.

我wǒ今jīn天tiān衣yī服fu穿chuān反fǎn了le。

I put my top on inside out today.

下xià一yí站zhànnext stop
地dì铁tiě、公gōng交jiāo上shàng常cháng听tīng到dào:下xià一yí站zhàn是shì哪nǎr儿。

What you hear on trains: the next stop.

下xià一yí站zhàn是shì人rén民mín广guǎng场chǎng吗ma?

Is the next stop People's Square?

好hǎo挤jǐ啊aso crowded
“好hǎo + 形xíng容róng词cí + 啊a”:很hěn……:好hǎo挤jǐ啊a、好hǎo热rè啊a。“挤jǐ”是shì人rén太tài多duō。

好 + adjective + 啊 = so …! 挤 = crowded.

高gāo峰fēng期qī的de地dì铁tiě好hǎo挤jǐ啊a!

The rush-hour metro is so crowded!

换huàn乘chéngchange (lines)
“换huàn乘chéng”:从cóng一yì条tiáo线xiàn换huàn到dào另lìng一yì条tiáo线xiàn。

换乘 = change lines.

请qǐng问wèn在zài哪nǎr儿换huàn乘chéng三sān号hào线xiàn?

Excuse me, where do I change to Line 3?

才cái是shìis (only) then
“下xià一yí站zhàn才cái是shì”:不bú是shì这zhè一yí站zhàn,是shì下xià一yí站zhàn。

才是 = it's that one, not this one.

跟gēn着zhe牌pái子zi走zǒufollow the signs
“跟gēn着zhe + 人rén/东dōng西xi + 走zǒu”:照zhào着zhe它tā走zǒu。

跟着 … 走 = follow …

跟gēn着zhe我wǒ走zǒu,别bié走zǒu丢diū了le。

Follow me — don't get lost.

末mò班bān车chēlast train
最zuì后hòu一yì班bān车chē。末mò班bān车chē走zǒu了le,就jiù只zhǐ能néng打dǎ车chē了le。

The last train of the day.

你nǐ坐zuò过guo末mò班bān车chē吗ma?

Have you ever taken the last train?

去qù市shì中zhōng心xīnInto the city centre

逛guàng街jiēgo shopping; stroll the shops
在zài街jiē上shàng走zǒu走zou、看kàn看kan、买mǎi东dōng西xi。

Walk around the shops, look and buy.

我wǒ周zhōu末mò常cháng常cháng跟gēn朋péng友you去qù逛guàng街jiē。

I often go shopping with friends at the weekend.

坐zuò一yí站zhànride one stop
「坐zuò + 几jǐ站zhàn」:坐zuò一yí站zhàn、坐zuò三sān站zhàn。

坐 + number of stops: 坐一站, 坐三站.

坐zuò两liǎng站zhàn就jiù到dào了le。

It's just two stops.

市shì中zhōng心xīncity centre
城chéng市shì最zuì中zhōng间jiān、最zuì热rè闹nao的de地dì方fang。

The middle of the city, the busiest part.

我wǒ住zhù在zài市shì中zhōng心xīn,去qù哪nǎr儿都dōu很hěn方fāng便biàn。

I live in the city centre — it's easy to get anywhere.

车chē门méntrain door
车chē上shàng开kāi、关guān的de门mén。

The doors of a bus or train.

车chē门mén要yào关guān了le,快kuài上shàng车chē!

The doors are closing — get on!

热rè闹naolively; bustling
人rén多duō、声shēng音yīn多duō,很hěn有yǒu意yì思si。

Lots of people and noise, in a fun way.

晚wǎn上shang的de夜yè市shì很hěn热rè闹nao。

The night market is very lively.

回huí家jiāGoing home

好hǎo累lèiso tired
「好hǎo + 形xíng容róng词cí」:很hěn……,口kǒu语yǔ常cháng说shuō。

好 + adjective = very ..., common when talking.

今jīn天tiān好hǎo热rè啊a!

It's so hot today!

座zuò位wèiseat
可kě以yǐ坐zuò的de地dì方fang。

A place to sit.

车chē上shàng没méi有yǒu座zuò位wèi了le,我wǒ站zhàn着zhe吧ba。

There are no seats left — I'll stand.

一yí会huìr儿a little while
很hěn短duǎn的de时shí间jiān。「儿ér」跟gēn前qián面miàn的de「会huì」连lián着zhe读dú。

A short time. Read 儿 joined to 会.

他tā一yí会huìr儿就jiù来lái。

He'll be here in a moment.

终zhōng点diǎn站zhànlast stop; terminus
这zhè条tiáo线xiàn最zuì后hòu一yí站zhàn,车chē不bù往wǎng前qián开kāi了le。

The last stop on the line; the train goes no further.

终zhōng点diǎn站zhàn到dào了le,请qǐng大dà家jiā下xià车chē。

This is the last stop — everyone off, please.

随suí身shēn物wù品pǐnbelongings
带dài在zài身shēn上shàng的de东dōng西xi:包bāo、手shǒu机jī、钥yào匙shi。

Things you carry: bag, phone, keys.

下xià车chē别bié忘wàng了le随suí身shēn物wù品pǐn。

Don't forget your things when you get off.

07

酒jiǔ吧bā:周zhōu五wǔ晚wǎn上shang

Bar: Friday night

龙lóng舌shé兰lántequila
一yì种zhǒng很hěn烈liè的de酒jiǔ,墨mò西xī哥gē的de。

A strong spirit from Mexico.

厕cè所suǒtoilet
“厕cè所suǒ”就jiù是shì洗xǐ手shǒu间jiān。说shuō“洗xǐ手shǒu间jiān”更gèng客kè气qi一yì点diǎn。

厕所 = toilet. 洗手间 sounds a little more polite.

请qǐng问wèn厕cè所suǒ在zài哪nǎ里lǐ?

Excuse me, where's the toilet?

喝hē多duō了ledrank too much
“喝hē多duō了le”:酒jiǔ喝hē得de太tài多duō了le。

喝多了 = had too much to drink.

他tā昨zuó天tiān晚wǎn上shang喝hē多duō了le。

He drank too much last night.

无wú酒jiǔ精jīngalcohol-free
没méi有yǒu酒jiǔ精jīng的de饮yǐn料liào,喝hē了le不bú会huì醉zuì。

A drink with no alcohol — it won't get you drunk.

你nǐ喜xǐ欢huān喝hē无wú酒jiǔ精jīng的de饮yǐn料liào吗ma?

Do you like alcohol-free drinks?

喝hē不bù了liǎocan't drink
“动dòng词cí + 不bù了liǎo”:做zuò不bú到dào、不bù能néng做zuò。喝hē不bù了liǎo、去qù不bù了liǎo、吃chī不bù了liǎo辣là。

verb + 不了 = can't (do it): 喝不了, 去不了, 吃不了辣.

我wǒ明míng天tiān有yǒu事shì,可kě能néng去qù不bù了liǎo。

I'm busy tomorrow, I probably can't go.

烈lièstrong (drink)
酒jiǔ精jīng多duō、很hěn冲chōng的de酒jiǔ是shì“烈liè酒jiǔ”。

A drink with a lot of alcohol is 烈酒, a strong spirit.

我wǒ喝hē不bù了liǎo太tài烈liè的de酒jiǔ。

I can't drink very strong spirits.

都dōuboth; all
“都dōu”:两liǎng个gè或huò者zhě更gèng多duō,全quán部bù都dōu是shì。

都 = both / all of them.

他tā们men都dōu到dào了le吗ma?

Are they all here?

来lái一yì杯bēiI'll have one
点diǎn东dōng西xi的de时shí候hou说shuō“来lái一yì杯bēi”“来lái一yí个gè”,就jiù是shì“要yào一yì杯bēi”。

When ordering, 来一杯 / 来一个 = I'll have one.

老lǎo板bǎn,来lái一yì碗wǎn面miàn!

Boss, a bowl of noodles!

冰bīng块kuàiice cubes
放fàng在zài饮yǐn料liào里lǐ的de冰bīng。

Ice in a drink.

喝hē饮yǐn料liào的de时shí候hou,你nǐ喜xǐ欢huān加jiā冰bīng块kuài吗ma?

Do you like ice in your drinks?

小xiǎo吃chīsnacks
一yì点diǎn点dian吃chī的de东dōng西xi:薯shǔ条tiáo、果guǒ盘pán、炸zhá鸡jī……

Small things to eat: fries, a fruit plate, fried chicken…

你nǐ们men国guó家jiā最zuì有yǒu名míng的de小xiǎo吃chī是shì什shén么me?

What's the most famous snack in your country?

果guǒ盘pánfruit plate
一yì盘pán切qiē好hǎo的de水shuǐ果guǒ。酒jiǔ吧bā、KTV 里lǐ常cháng点diǎn。

A plate of cut fruit — often ordered in bars and karaoke.

我wǒ们men点diǎn个gè果guǒ盘pán吧ba。

Let's get a fruit plate.

一yí份fènone portion
“份fèn”:一yí个gè人rén吃chī的de量liáng。一yí份fèn沙shā拉lā、两liǎng份fèn意yì大dà利lì面miàn。

份 = one portion: 一份沙拉, 两份意大利面.

我wǒ要yào一yí份fèn炒chǎo饭fàn。

One fried rice, please.

微wēi信xìn还hái是shì支zhī付fù宝bǎoWeChat or Alipay?
在zài中zhōng国guó付fù钱qián多duō半bàn用yòng手shǒu机jī:微wēi信xìn或huò者zhě支zhī付fù宝bǎo。

In China people mostly pay by phone: WeChat or Alipay.

你nǐ用yòng微wēi信xìn付fù钱qián还hái是shì支zhī付fù宝bǎo付fù钱qián?

Do you pay with WeChat or Alipay?

这zhè里lǐ有yǒu人rén吗mais this seat taken?
“有yǒu人rén”在zài这zhèr儿是shì“有yǒu人rén坐zuò了le”。想xiǎng坐zuò别bié人rén旁páng边biān,先xiān问wèn这zhè一yí句jù。

有人 here means someone's sitting there. Ask this before you sit next to someone.

请qǐng问wèn这zhè里lǐ有yǒu人rén吗ma?

Excuse me, is this seat taken?

是shì和hé朋péng友you一yì起qǐ来lái的decame with a friend
“是shì……的de”:说shuō已yǐ经jīng发fā生shēng的de事shì是shì跟gēn谁shéi、什shén么me时shí候hou、怎zěn么me做zuò的de。

是……的 tells who / when / how something already happened.

我wǒ是shì坐zuò地dì铁tiě来lái的de。

I came by metro.

多duō久jiǔhow long
“多duō久jiǔ”就jiù是shì“多duō长cháng时shí间jiān”。

多久 = how long (多长时间).

从cóng你nǐ家jiā到dào公gōng司sī要yào多duō久jiǔ?

How long does it take from your home to work?

三sān个gè多duō月yuèa bit over three months
“数shù字zì + 个gè多duō月yuè”:比bǐ这zhè个ge数shù多duō一yì点diǎn。三sān个gè多duō月yuè、一yì年nián多duō。

number + 个多月 = a little more than that: 三个多月, 一年多.

我wǒ学xué中zhōng文wén学xué了le一yì年nián多duō。

I've studied Chinese for just over a year.

说shuō得de很hěn好hǎospeak really well
“动dòng词cí + 得dé + 怎zěn么me样yàng”:说shuō得de很hěn好hǎo、跑pǎo得de很hěn快kuài、睡shuì得de不bù好hǎo。

verb + 得 + how: 说得很好, 跑得很快, 睡得不好.

你nǐ跳tiào得de很hěn棒bàng!

You dance really well!

一yì般bān般banso-so
不bú太tài好hǎo,也yě不bú太tài坏huài。别bié人rén夸kuā你nǐ的de时shí候hou,中zhōng国guó人rén常cháng说shuō“没méi有yǒu没méi有yǒu,一yì般bān般ban”。

Not great, not bad. When praised, Chinese people often say 没有没有,一般般.

这zhè家jiā店diàn的de咖kā啡fēi一yì般bān般ban。

The coffee here is just so-so.

加jiā个gè微wēi信xìnadd on WeChat
“加jiā微wēi信xìn”:在zài微wēi信xìn上shàng加jiā朋péng友you。说shuō“加jiā个gè微wēi信xìn”更gèng轻qīng松sōng。

加微信 = add someone on WeChat. 加个微信 sounds more casual.

我wǒ们men加jiā个gè微wēi信xìn吧ba。

Let's add each other on WeChat.

你nǐ扫sǎo我wǒ还hái是shì我wǒ扫sǎo你nǐyou scan me or I scan you?
加jiā微wēi信xìn的de时shí候hou,一yí个gè人rén打dǎ开kāi二èr维wéi码mǎ,另lìng一yí个gè人rén扫sǎo。

When adding on WeChat, one person shows a QR code and the other scans it.

你nǐ扫sǎo我wǒ吧ba。

You scan mine.

刚gāng认rèn识shijust met
“刚gāng”:一yì点diǎn点dian时shí间jiān以yǐ前qián。刚gāng认rèn识shi、刚gāng到dào、刚gāng吃chī完wán。

刚 = just now: 刚认识, 刚到, 刚吃完.

我wǒ刚gāng到dào,你nǐ在zài哪nǎ里lǐ?

I just got here — where are you?

干gān杯bēicheers!
碰pèng杯bēi的de时shí候hou说shuō“干gān杯bēi”。

Say 干杯 when you clink glasses.

为wèi我wǒ们men的de友yǒu谊yì,干gān杯bēi!

To our friendship — cheers!

08

打dǎ工gōng:咖kā啡fēi店diàn的de一yì天tiān

Part-time job: a day at the café

当dāng店diàn员yuánwork as shop staff
“当dāng + 身shēn份fèn”:做zuò这zhè个ge工gōng作zuò、这zhè个ge角jué色sè。当dāng老lǎo师shī、当dāng店diàn员yuán。

当 + role = work as / be: 当老师, 当店员.

我wǒ大dà学xué的de时shí候hou在zài咖kā啡fēi店diàn打dǎ过guo工gōng。

I worked part-time in a café at university.

招zhāo呼hūgreet; attend to
客kè人rén来lái了le,跟gēn他tā打dǎ招zhāo呼hū、问wèn他tā要yào什shén么me。

Say hello to a customer and ask what they'd like.

有yǒu客kè人rén,你nǐ去qù招zhāo呼hū一yí下xià。

There's a customer — go and see to them.

辛xīn苦kǔ了lethanks for your hard work
别bié人rén工gōng作zuò完wán了le,说shuō“辛xīn苦kǔ了le”,谢xiè谢xie他tā的de努nǔ力lì。

Said to someone who has worked hard — thanks for the effort.

今jīn天tiān大dà家jiā都dōu辛xīn苦kǔ了le!

Great work today, everyone!

工gōng资zīwages; pay
工gōng作zuò挣zhèng的de钱qián。

The money you earn by working.

你nǐ的de工gōng资zī是shì多duō少shǎo?

How much do you earn?

奖jiǎng金jīnbonus
做zuò得de好hǎo,多duō给gěi的de钱qián。

Extra money for doing well.

年nián底dǐ有yǒu奖jiǎng金jīn。

There's a bonus at the end of the year.

客kè气qipolite
对duì别bié人rén有yǒu礼lǐ貌mào,说shuō话huà温wēn和hé。

Being polite and gentle with people.

他tā说shuō话huà很hěn客kè气qi。

He speaks very politely.

付fù款kuǎnpay
付fù钱qián。店diàn里lǐ常cháng说shuō“付fù款kuǎn”。

To pay. Shops often say 付款.

可kě以yǐ用yòng手shǒu机jī付fù款kuǎn吗ma?

Can I pay by phone?

马mǎ上shàngright away
很hěn快kuài、一yí会huìr儿就jiù……

Very soon, in a moment.

我wǒ马mǎ上shàng就jiù到dào。

I'll be there right away.

一yí共gòngin total
全quán部bù加jiā起qǐ来lai。

Everything added up.

一yí共gòng多duō少shǎo钱qián?

How much is it altogether?

取qǔ餐cān号hàopickup number
付fù了le钱qián,店diàn里lǐ给gěi客kè人rén一yí个gè号hào,好hǎo了le叫jiào这zhè个ge号hào。

After paying, the customer gets a number to collect their order.

服fú务wù员yuánwaiter; staff
在zài饭fàn馆guǎn、咖kā啡fēi店diàn叫jiào店diàn里lǐ工gōng作zuò的de人rén。

What you call the staff in a restaurant or café.

服fú务wù员yuán,买mǎi单dān!

Waiter, the bill please!

都dōu行xíngeither is fine
两liǎng个gè都dōu可kě以yǐ。

Both are OK.

茶chá还hái是shì咖kā啡fēi?都dōu行xíng。

Tea or coffee? Either is fine.

你nǐ的de中zhōng文wén很hěn好hǎoyour Chinese is very good
中zhōng国guó人rén常cháng这zhè样yàng夸kuā学xué中zhōng文wén的de人rén。回huí答dá可kě以yǐ说shuō“哪nǎ里lǐ哪nǎ里lǐ”或huò者zhě“谢xiè谢xie”。

Chinese people often say this to learners. You can answer 哪里哪里 or just 谢谢.

09

打dǎ工gōng:服fú装zhuāng店diàn店dian员yuán

Part-time job: clothes shop assistant

店diàn员yuánshop assistant
在zài店diàn里lǐ工gōng作zuò、招zhāo呼hū客kè人rén的de人rén。

Someone who works in a shop and serves customers.

这zhè家jiā店diàn的de店diàn员yuán很hěn热rè情qíng。

The staff in this shop are very friendly.

辛xīn苦kǔ了lethanks for your hard work
别bié人rén做zuò完wán很hěn累lèi的de事shì,对duì他tā说shuō。

Said to someone after they've worked hard.

今jīn天tiān辛xīn苦kǔ了le,早zǎo点diǎn休xiū息xi。

You've worked hard today — get some rest.

合hé适shìfits; suitable
大dà小xiǎo、样yàng子zi正zhèng好hǎo。

The right size or style.

这zhè双shuāng鞋xié我wǒ穿chuān很hěn合hé适shì。

These shoes fit me well.

大dà一yì点diǎna bit bigger
“形xíng容róng词cí + 一yì点diǎn”:比bǐ一yi比bǐ,要yào多duō一yì些xiē。

Adjective + 一点 = a bit more so.

有yǒu没méi有yǒu便pián宜yi一yì点diǎn的de?

Is there a cheaper one?

便pián宜yi一yì点diǎna bit cheaper
还huán价jià的de时shí候hou说shuō。

What you say when bargaining.

老lǎo板bǎn,便pián宜yi一yì点diǎn吧ba!

Boss, a little cheaper, please!

10

打dǎ工gōng:宠chǒng物wù店diàn帮bāng忙máng

Part-time job: helping at the pet shop

帮bāng忙mánghelp (out)
帮bāng别bié人rén做zuò事shì。“帮bāng忙máng”后hòu面miàn不bù加jiā别bié的de词cí;“帮bāng + 人rén + 做zuò事shì”。

Help out. 帮忙 stands alone; 帮 + someone + do something.

你nǐ能néng帮bāng我wǒ一yí个gè忙máng吗ma?

Can you do me a favour?

辛xīn苦kǔ了lethanks for your hard work
别bié人rén做zuò完wán很hěn累lèi的de事shì,对duì他tā说shuō。

Said to someone after they've worked hard.

今jīn天tiān辛xīn苦kǔ了le,早zǎo点diǎn休xiū息xi。

You've worked hard today — get some rest.

不bú爱ài吃chī饭fàndoesn't like eating
“不bú爱ài + 动dòng词cí”:不bù喜xǐ欢huān做zuò。

不爱 + verb = doesn't like doing.

我wǒ儿ér子zi不bú爱ài吃chī青qīng菜cài。

My son doesn't like eating greens.

一yì包bāoa bag/pack
装zhuāng在zài袋dài子zi里lǐ的de东dōng西xi用yòng“包bāo”。

Things in a bag or pack take 包.

我wǒ买mǎi了le两liǎng包bāo饼bǐng干gān。

I bought two packs of biscuits.

怎zěn么me办bànwhat to do
遇yù到dào问wèn题tí,不bù知zhī道dào该gāi做zuò什shén么me的de时shí候hou问wèn。

Ask this when you don't know what to do.

我wǒ的de手shǒu机jī丢diū了le,怎zěn么me办bàn?

I've lost my phone — what do I do?

摸mō摸mostroke; pat
动dòng词cí重chóng叠dié,轻qīng轻qing地de摸mō一yí下xià。

Doubled verb: a gentle stroke.

我wǒ可kě以yǐ摸mō摸mo你nǐ的de狗gǒu吗ma?

Can I pat your dog?

11

回huí家jiā休xiū息xi

Home: time to rest

终zhōng于yúat last
等děng了le很hěn久jiǔ,最zuì后hòu……

After a long time, finally…

我wǒ终zhōng于yú考kǎo完wán试shì了le!

I've finally finished my exams!

先xiān打dǎ扫sǎo一yí下xià房fáng间jiān,再zài休xiū息xifirst tidy up, then rest
“先xiān A,再zài B”:A 做zuò完wán了le,再zài做zuò B。

先 A,再 B = do A first, then B.

我wǒ们men先xiān吃chī饭fàn,再zài看kàn电diàn影yǐng。

Let's eat first, then watch a film.

脏zāngdirty
不bù干gān净jìng。

Not clean.

我wǒ的de鞋xié脏zāng了le。

My shoes are dirty.

扫sǎo扫sao地dìsweep the floor
“扫sǎo地dì”:用yòng扫sào把bǎ把ba地dì上shàng的de东dōng西xi扫sǎo走zǒu。动dòng词cí说shuō两liǎng遍biàn(扫sǎo扫sao),听tīng起qǐ来lai轻qīng松sōng:做zuò一yí下xià。

扫地 = sweep the floor. Saying the verb twice (扫扫) sounds relaxed: just a quick sweep.

我wǒ去qù洗xǐ洗xi手shǒu。

I'll just wash my hands.

干gān净jìngclean
没méi有yǒu灰huī、没méi有yǒu脏zāng东dōng西xi。

No dust, nothing dirty.

房fáng间jiān很hěn干gān净jìng。

The room is very clean.

上shàng网wǎnggo online
用yòng电diàn脑nǎo、手shǒu机jī上shàng网wǎng。

Use the internet on a computer or phone.

我wǒ每měi天tiān晚wǎn上shang上shàng网wǎng。

I go online every evening.

朋péng友you圈quānWeChat Moments
微wēi信xìn里lǐ朋péng友you发fā的de照zhào片piàn和hé话huà。

The photos and posts friends share on WeChat.

她tā在zài朋péng友you圈quān发fā了le很hěn多duō照zhào片piàn。

She posted lots of photos on her Moments.

点diǎn个gè赞zàngive it a like
在zài朋péng友you圈quān点diǎn“赞zàn”,就jiù是shì说shuō“我wǒ喜xǐ欢huān”。

点赞 = tap like on a post.

大dà家jiā都dōu给gěi我wǒ点diǎn赞zàn了le。

Everyone liked my post.

沙shā发fāsofa
家jiā里lǐ坐zuò着zhe休xiū息xi的de长cháng椅yǐ子zi。

The long soft seat at home.

猫māo在zài沙shā发fā上shàng睡shuì觉jiào。

The cat is sleeping on the sofa.

天tiān气qì预yù报bàoweather forecast
电diàn视shì、手shǒu机jī上shàng说shuō明míng天tiān天tiān气qì怎zěn么me样yàng。

What the TV or your phone says about tomorrow's weather.

你nǐ看kàn天tiān气qì预yù报bào了le吗ma?

Did you check the weather forecast?

晴qíng天tiānsunny day
天tiān上shàng没méi有yǒu云yún,有yǒu太tài阳yáng。

No clouds, just sunshine.

今jīn天tiān是shì晴qíng天tiān。

It's sunny today.

困kùnsleepy
想xiǎng睡shuì觉jiào。

Wanting to sleep.

我wǒ昨zuó天tiān睡shuì得de太tài晚wǎn,今jīn天tiān很hěn困kùn。

I went to bed too late yesterday, so I'm sleepy today.

关guān灯dēngturn off the light
“关guān”:关guān灯dēng、关guān门mén、关guān电diàn视shì;反fǎn过guò来lai是shì“开kāi”。

关 = turn off / close: 关灯, 关门, 关电视. The opposite is 开.

出chū门mén的de时shí候hou记jì得de关guān灯dēng。

Remember to turn off the lights when you go out.

晚wǎn安āngood night
睡shuì觉jiào以yǐ前qián说shuō的de话huà。

What you say before going to sleep.

晚wǎn安ān,明míng天tiān见jiàn!

Good night, see you tomorrow!

饿è不bu饿èhungry or not?
“形xíng容róng词cí + 不bù + 形xíng容róng词cí”是shì问wèn句jù:饿è不bu饿è?累lèi不bu累lèi?

adjective + 不 + adjective makes a question: 饿不饿? 累不累?

你nǐ冷lěng不bu冷lěng?

Are you cold?

冰bīng箱xiāngfridge
“冰bīng”+“箱xiāng”:放fàng东dōng西xi、让ràng东dōng西xi凉liáng的de箱xiāng子zi。

冰 cold + 箱 box: the box that keeps food cold.

把bǎ牛niú奶nǎi放fàng进jìn冰bīng箱xiāng。

Put the milk in the fridge.

浇jiāo水shuǐwater (plants)
给gěi花huā、给gěi草cǎo喝hē水shuǐ。

Give plants a drink.

我wǒ每měi天tiān给gěi花huā浇jiāo水shuǐ。

I water the flowers every day.

跳tiàojump
两liǎng只zhī脚jiǎo离lí开kāi地dì面miàn,往wǎng上shàng、往wǎng前qián。

Push off the ground and go up or forward.

小xiǎo狗gǒu跳tiào得de很hěn高gāo。

The puppy jumps really high.

过guò来láicome over here
“过guò来lái”:到dào我wǒ这zhèr儿来lái。“过guò去qù”:到dào那nàr儿去qù。

过来 = come over here. 过去 = go over there.

你nǐ过guò来lái一yí下xià。

Come here a sec.

摇yáo尾wěi巴bawag its tail
狗gǒu高gāo兴xìng的de时shí候hou会huì摇yáo尾wěi巴ba。

Dogs wag their tails when they're happy.

小xiǎo狗gǒu一yí看kàn见jiàn我wǒ就jiù摇yáo尾wěi巴ba。

The puppy wags its tail as soon as it sees me.

12

小xiǎo镇zhèn:街jiē上shàng的de事shì

Town: out on the street

问wèn路lùGiving directions

请qǐng问wènexcuse me (may I ask)
问wèn别bié人rén问wèn题tí以yǐ前qián先xiān说shuō“请qǐng问wèn”,很hěn有yǒu礼lǐ貌mào。

Say 请问 before asking a stranger something — it's polite.

请qǐng问wèn,厕cè所suǒ在zài哪nǎ里lǐ?

Excuse me, where's the toilet?

左zuǒ边biānleft side
面miàn对duì着zhe这zhè一yì排pái店diàn:左zuǒ手shǒu那nà边biān是shì“左zuǒ边biān”,右yòu手shǒu那nà边biān是shì“右yòu边biān”。

Facing the shops: your left hand side is 左边, right is 右边.

洗xǐ手shǒu间jiān在zài电diàn梯tī左zuǒ边biān。

The toilet is to the left of the lift.

右yòu边biānright side
右yòu手shǒu那nà边biān。

Your right-hand side.

我wǒ家jiā在zài银yín行háng右yòu边biān。

My home is to the right of the bank.

中zhōng间jiānbetween; in the middle
“在zài A 和hé B 中zhōng间jiān”:A、B 两liǎng个gè的de中zhōng间jiān。

在 A 和 B 中间 = between A and B.

我wǒ坐zuò在zài他tā们men两liǎng个gè中zhōng间jiān。

I'm sitting between the two of them.

旁páng边biānnext to
“在zài……旁páng边biān”:很hěn近jìn,挨āi着zhe。

在……旁边 = right next to.

超chāo市shì旁páng边biān有yǒu一yì家jiā咖kā啡fēi店diàn。

There's a café next to the supermarket.

往wǎng右yòu走zǒuwalk to the right
“往wǎng + 方fāng向xiàng + 走zǒu”:往wǎng左zuǒ走zǒu、往wǎng右yòu走zǒu、往wǎng前qián走zǒu。

往 + direction + 走: walk left / right / straight on.

往wǎng前qián走zǒu两liǎng百bǎi米mǐ就jiù到dào了le。

Walk 200 metres ahead and you're there.

过guò了le路lù口kǒu就jiù是shìjust past the crossroads
“路lù口kǒu”是shì两liǎng条tiáo路lù交jiāo叉chā的de地dì方fang。“过guò了le……就jiù是shì”:走zǒu过guò那nàr儿,就jiù到dào了le。

路口 = a crossroads. 过了……就是 = just past it, you're there.

过guò了le红hóng绿lǜ灯dēng就jiù是shì我wǒ家jiā。

My home is just past the traffic lights.

不bú客kè气qiyou're welcome
别bié人rén说shuō“谢xiè谢xie”,你nǐ说shuō“不bú客kè气qi”。

When someone says 谢谢, answer 不客气.

——谢xiè谢xie你nǐ!——不bú客kè气qi。

— Thank you! — You're welcome.

共gòng享xiǎng单dān车chēShared bikes

扫sǎo码mǎscan the code
用yòng手shǒu机jī扫sǎo二èr维wéi码mǎ。

Scan a QR code with your phone.

这zhè家jiā店diàn扫sǎo码mǎ点diǎn单dān。

This shop takes orders by QR code.

开kāi锁suǒunlock
把bǎ锁suǒ打dǎ开kāi。共gòng享xiǎng单dān车chē扫sǎo了le码mǎ,锁suǒ就jiù开kāi了le。

Open the lock. Scan a shared bike's code and it unlocks.

我wǒ的de车chē开kāi不bù了liǎo锁suǒ了le。

My bike won't unlock.

骑qí车chēride a bike
“骑qí”:坐zuò在zài车chē、马mǎ上shàng面miàn走zǒu。骑qí车chē、骑qí马mǎ、骑qí电diàn动dòng车chē。

骑 = ride (sitting on it): 骑车, 骑马.

我wǒ每měi天tiān骑qí车chē上shàng班bān。

I ride my bike to work every day.

还hái车chēreturn the bike
骑qí完wán了le,把bǎ车chē停tíng好hǎo、在zài手shǒu机jī上shàng关guān锁suǒ,就jiù是shì“还hái车chē”。

Park the bike and lock it in the app when you're done.

还hái车chē以yǐ后hòu才cái会huì扣kòu钱qián。

You're only charged after you return the bike.

停tíng车chē点diǎnbike parking spot
地dì上shàng画huà了le框kuàng的de地dì方fang,共gòng享xiǎng单dān车chē要yào停tíng在zài这zhè里lǐ面miàn。

The marked box on the ground where shared bikes must be parked.

前qián面miàn路lù口kǒu有yǒu个gè停tíng车chē点diǎn。

There's a bike parking spot at the crossroads ahead.

一yí块kuài五wǔ1.50 yuan
“一yí块kuài五wǔ”就jiù是shì一yí块kuài五wǔ毛máo,1yī.5wǔ 元yuán。

一块五 = one yuan fifty, ¥1.5.

一yì瓶píng水shuǐ两liǎng块kuài五wǔ。

A bottle of water is 2.50.

寻xún宝bǎoTreasure hunt

小xiǎo猫māokitten
“小xiǎo”放fàng在zài动dòng物wù前qián面miàn:小xiǎo猫māo、小xiǎo狗gǒu,听tīng起qǐ来lai很hěn可kě爱ài。

小 before an animal sounds cute: 小猫, 小狗.

我wǒ家jiā有yǒu一yì只zhī小xiǎo猫māo。

We have a kitten at home.

红hóng包bāored envelope (hongbao)
装zhuāng着zhe钱qián的de红hóng色sè小xiǎo纸zhǐ袋dài。过guò年nián、结jié婚hūn的de时shí候hou给gěi;微wēi信xìn上shàng也yě能néng发fā红hóng包bāo。

A red packet with money in it — given at New Year and weddings, and sent on WeChat too.

过guò年nián的de时shí候hou,奶nǎi奶nai给gěi我wǒ发fā红hóng包bāo。

Grandma gives me a red envelope at New Year.

钥yào匙shikey(s)
开kāi门mén、开kāi锁suǒ用yòng的de。

What you open doors and locks with.

我wǒ的de钥yào匙shi找zhǎo不bú到dào了le。

I can't find my keys.

雨yǔ伞sǎnumbrella
下xià雨yǔ的de时shí候hou打dǎ的de伞sǎn。

What you hold up when it rains.

我wǒ忘wàng了le带dài雨yǔ伞sǎn。

I forgot my umbrella.

手shǒu机jīmobile phone
“手shǒu”+“机jī”:拿ná在zài手shǒu里lǐ的de机jī器qì。

手 hand + 机 machine: the machine in your hand.

我wǒ的de手shǒu机jī没méi电diàn了le。

My phone's dead.

钱qián包bāowallet
放fàng钱qián的de小xiǎo包bāo。

A little bag for money.

我wǒ的de钱qián包bāo里lǐ没méi有yǒu现xiàn金jīn。

There's no cash in my wallet.

气qì球qiúballoon
吹chuī了le气qì的de球qiú,会huì飘piāo起qǐ来lai。

A ball filled with air — it floats.

孩hái子zi们men最zuì喜xǐ欢huān气qì球qiú。

Kids love balloons.

主zhǔ人rénowner
养yǎng小xiǎo猫māo小xiǎo狗gǒu的de人rén,是shì它tā的de“主zhǔ人rén”。

The person a pet belongs to is its 主人.

这zhè只zhī小xiǎo狗gǒu的de主zhǔ人rén是shì谁shéi?

Who does this puppy belong to?

耳ěr机jīearphones
戴dài在zài耳ěr朵duo上shàng听tīng音yīn乐yuè的de小xiǎo东dōng西xi。

Little things you wear in your ears to listen to music.

我wǒ坐zuò地dì铁tiě的de时shí候hou戴dài耳ěr机jī。

I wear earphones on the metro.

忘wàngforget; leave behind
“忘wàng”:不bú记jì得de了liǎo。“把bǎ……忘wàng在zài……”:东dōng西xi留liú在zài那nàr儿,没méi拿ná走zǒu。

忘 = forget. 把…忘在… = leave something behind somewhere.

我wǒ把bǎ手shǒu机jī忘wàng在zài家jiā里lǐ了le。

I left my phone at home.

掉diàofall; drop
“掉diào”:从cóng上shàng面miàn落luò到dào下xià面miàn。

掉 = fall down from somewhere.

我wǒ的de钥yào匙shi掉diào了le。

I dropped my keys.

一yì张zhāng(measure word for flat things)
卡kǎ、票piào、纸zhǐ、照zhào片piàn的de量liàng词cí是shì“张zhāng”。

Cards, tickets, paper and photos are counted with 张.

我wǒ买mǎi了le两liǎng张zhāng电diàn影yǐng票piào。

I bought two cinema tickets.

一yì支zhī(measure word for long thin things)
笔bǐ、口kǒu红hóng这zhè种zhǒng细xì长cháng的de东dōng西xi,量liàng词cí是shì“支zhī”。

Long thin things like pens and lipsticks are counted with 支.

我wǒ有yǒu三sān支zhī笔bǐ。

I have three pens.

衣yī柜guìWardrobe

穿chuānwear (clothes)
衣yī服fu、裤kù子zi、鞋xié子zi用yòng“穿chuān”。

Clothes, trousers and shoes take 穿.

今jīn天tiān很hěn冷lěng,多duō穿chuān一yì点diǎn。

It's cold today — wear more.

戴dàiwear (accessories)
帽mào子zi、眼yǎn镜jìng、发fā带dài、手shǒu表biǎo用yòng“戴dài”,不bú用yòng“穿chuān”。

Hats, glasses, headbands and watches take 戴, not 穿.

我wǒ戴dài眼yǎn镜jìng。

I wear glasses.

毛máo衣yīsweater
冬dōng天tiān穿chuān的de、毛máo线xiàn织zhī的de衣yī服fu。

A knitted top for cold days.

这zhè件jiàn毛máo衣yī很hěn暖nuǎn和huo。

This sweater is very warm.

外wài套tàojacket; coat
穿chuān在zài最zuì外wài面miàn的de衣yī服fu。

The top layer you wear outside.

出chū门mén的de时shí候hou穿chuān上shàng外wài套tào。

Put on a jacket when you go out.

背bēi一yí个gècarry one (on your back)
这zhè里lǐ读dú bēi:把bǎ东dōng西xi放fàng在zài肩jiān上shàng带dài着zhe走zǒu。

Here it is read bēi: to carry something on your back.

他tā每měi天tiān背bēi着zhe电diàn脑nǎo上shàng班bān。

He carries his laptop on his back to work every day.

衣yī服fuclothes
衣yī服fu:穿chuān在zài身shēn上shàng的de东dōng西xi的de总zǒng称chēng。

衣服 = clothes in general.

我wǒ想xiǎng买mǎi几jǐ件jiàn新xīn衣yī服fu。

I want to buy some new clothes.

一yì顶dǐng(measure word for hats)
帽mào子zi的de量liàng词cí是shì“顶dǐng”:一yì顶dǐng帽mào子zi。

Hats are counted with 顶: 一顶帽子.

我wǒ买mǎi了le一yì顶dǐng新xīn帽mào子zi。

I bought a new hat.

草cǎo帽màostraw hat
草cǎo编biān的de帽mào子zi,夏xià天tiān戴dài。

A woven straw hat for summer.

夏xià天tiān去qù海hǎi边biān,戴dài一yì顶dǐng草cǎo帽mào吧ba。

Wear a straw hat to the beach in summer.

一yí件jiànone (piece of clothing)
上shàng衣yī的de量liàng词cí是shì“件jiàn”:一yí件jiànT恤xù、一yí件jiàn外wài套tào。

Tops are counted with 件: 一件T恤, 一件外套.

我wǒ买mǎi了le两liǎng件jiàn衬chèn衫shān。

I bought two shirts.

运yùn动dòng裤kùtrack pants
运yùn动dòng的de时shí候hou穿chuān的de裤kù子zi。“裤kù子zi”是shì穿chuān在zài腿tuǐ上shàng的de衣yī服fu。

Trousers for sport. 裤子 = trousers.

这zhè条tiáo裤kù子zi有yǒu点diǎn长cháng。

These trousers are a bit long.

卫wèi衣yīhoodie; sweatshirt
厚hòu一yì点diǎn的de运yùn动dòng上shàng衣yī,常cháng常cháng有yǒu帽mào子zi。

A thick sporty top, often with a hood.

天tiān冷lěng了le,穿chuān件jiàn卫wèi衣yī吧ba。

It's getting cold — wear a hoodie.

衬chèn衫shānshirt
有yǒu领lǐng子zi、有yǒu扣kòu子zi的de上shàng衣yī。

A top with a collar and buttons.

上shàng班bān要yào穿chuān衬chèn衫shān。

You wear a shirt to work.

牛niú仔zǎi裤kùjeans
蓝lán色sè的de、很hěn结jiē实shi的de裤kù子zi。

Strong blue trousers.

我wǒ每měi天tiān都dōu穿chuān牛niú仔zǎi裤kù。

I wear jeans every day.

一yì条tiáo(measure word for skirts, trousers)
裙qún子zi、裤kù子zi、围wéi巾jīn的de量liàng词cí是shì“条tiáo”。

Skirts, trousers and scarves are counted with 条.

我wǒ有yǒu三sān条tiáo裙qún子zi。

I have three skirts.

毛máo线xiàn帽màowoolly hat
毛máo线xiàn织zhī的de帽mào子zi,冬dōng天tiān戴dài很hěn暖nuǎn和huo。

A knitted hat — warm in winter.

下xià雪xuě了le,戴dài上shàng毛máo线xiàn帽mào吧ba。

It's snowing — put on a woolly hat.

眼yǎn镜jìngglasses
看kàn不bù清qīng楚chu的de时shí候hou戴dài的de。

What you wear when you can't see clearly.

我wǒ看kàn书shū的de时shí候hou戴dài眼yǎn镜jìng。

I wear glasses when I read.

墨mò镜jìngsunglasses
黑hēi色sè的de眼yǎn镜jìng,太tài阳yáng大dà的de时shí候hou戴dài。

Dark glasses for strong sun.

夏xià天tiān去qù海hǎi边biān要yào带dài墨mò镜jìng。

Take sunglasses to the beach in summer.

围wéiwrap around
围wéi巾jīn不bù说shuō“穿chuān”也yě不bù说shuō“戴dài”,说shuō“围wéi”:围wéi在zài脖bó子zi上shàng。

With a scarf you don't say 穿 or 戴 but 围: wrap it round your neck.

天tiān冷lěng,围wéi上shàng围wéi巾jīn。

It's cold — wrap your scarf on.

换huàn上shàngchange into
“换huàn上shàng + 衣yī服fu”:脱tuō下xià一yí件jiàn,穿chuān上shàng另lìng一yí件jiàn。

换上 + clothes = take one thing off and put another on.

下xià雨yǔ了le,换huàn上shàng雨yǔ鞋xié吧ba。

It's raining — put on your rain boots.

睡shuì衣yīpajamas
睡shuì觉jiào的de时shí候hou穿chuān的de衣yī服fu。

Clothes you wear to sleep.

我wǒ的de睡shuì衣yī是shì蓝lán色sè的de。

My pajamas are blue.