teach
yourself
teach yourself phone mandarin chinese
kan qian
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Recorded at Alchemy Studios, London
Cast: Kan Jia, Peng Cong, Sarah Sherborne, Sun Chen,
Wang Xiaoning
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Year 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008
Contents
iii
track listing 1
call 1: making contact with friends 2
part 1: calling a friend
part 2: getting hold of a friend s telephone number
call 2: speaking to the switchboard or the receptionist 4
part 1: transferring a call
part 2: understanding a recorded message and leaving a
message
call 3: making a booking (1) 8
part 1: booking a hotel room
part 2: booking a youth hostel room
call 4: making a booking (2) 12
part 1: booking a private room at a restaurant
part 2: booking a table in a restaurant
call 5: requesting a service when staying at a hotel 16
part 1: the wake-up call
part 2: calling housekeeping
call 6: placing orders 18
part 1: booking a mini-bus
part 2: ordering food to be delivered
call 7: getting information 22
part 1: calling a fitness club
part 2: calling a bank
call 8: making changes and getting a refund 26
part 1: changing a booking
part 2: getting a refund
call 9: dealing with emergencies 30
part 1: calling for an ambulance
part 2: calling to track your lost luggage
call 10: answering calls 34
job interview
listening skills: survival phrases 38
using the telephone in China 38
Chinese English glossary 48
English Chinese glossary 57
dates, times and numbers 66
Track listing
1
track 1: introduction
tracks 2 7: call 1
tracks 8 13: call 2
tracks 14 19: call 3
tracks 20 25: call 4
tracks 26 31: call 5
tracks 32 37: call 6
tracks 38 43: call 7
tracks 44 49: call 8
tracks 50 55: call 9
tracks 56 58: call 10
Call 1: Making contact with friends
2
Part 1: Calling a friend
John
WŁi, sh� L�nlin ma?
Mother
Bś sh�, w4 sh� ta mama. Q3ng wŁn n3 sh� sh�i?
John
W4 jiąo Yubhąn, sh� L�nlin dąxu� de tóngxu�. Ta ząi
jia ma? W4 sh� cóng Ycngguó d1 de diąnhuą.
Mother
Ząi jia. w4 m1shąng qł jiąo ta. W4 tcng L�nlin
shudq3 gu� n3.
John
XiŁxie.
[Pause]
Linlin
Yubhąn, n3 d1 l�i diąnhuą, zhbn sh� ge jcngx3!
John 
L�nlin, gąosu n3 yc ge h1o xiaox�  w4 yąo qł B2ijcng
gdngzu� le!
Linlin
Zhbnde! Tąi h1o le. Sh�nme sh�h�u l�i?
John
Xiąge yuŁ sh�ji5 hąo dąo. Xi1ng m�f�n n3 bang w4
zh1o f�ngzi.
Linlin
M�i wŁnt�. G2i w4 fa ge diąnzi yóujiąn, gąosu w4
n3de y�oqiś.
John
W4 b1 n3de diąnzi yóujiąn d�zh3 n�ng die le. Su4y3
jcntian g2i n3 d1 diąnhuą.
Linlin
W4 h�i y4u n3de d�zh3. W4 xian g2i n3 fa yc ge.
John
H1ode.
3
John Hello, is that Linlin?
Mother No. I m her mother. Who s speaking please?
John I m John. I m Linlin s university friend. Is she in?
I m calling from Britain.
Mother Yes, she is in. I ll go to get her now. I ve heard Linlin
talking about you.
John Thank you.
[Pause]
Linlin Hello, John. What a lovely surprise to hear from you!
John Linlin, here s some good news  I m going to go to
work in Beijing!
Linlin Really! That s wonderful. When are you coming?
John 19th next month. I wonder if I could trouble you to look
for accommodation for me.
Linlin No problem. Send me an email and tell me your
requirements.
John I ve lost your email address. That s why I m calling you
today.
Linlin I ve still kept your email address. Will send you one
first.
John Great!
Part 2: Getting hold of a friend s telephone
4
number
John
WŁi, q3ng wŁn zhŁ sh� Fbihóng Gu1nggąo Gdngsc
ma?
Secretary
Sh� a, n3 zh1o sh�i?
John
Zh1o Zhang Ąip�ng. Ta ząi ma?
Secretary
Ta y3jcng l�kai w4men gdngsc, qł B2ijcng W1nbąo
gdngzu� le.
John
N3 y4u ta xiąnząi de gdngzu� diąnhuą ma?
Secretary
Du�buq3, W4 m�i y4u. N3 k2y3 d1 yao yao s� diąnhuą
d1oh�ng wŁn ycxią.
John
XiŁxie.
[John has dialled 114]
Operator
Yao yao s� diąnhuą d1oh�ng w�i n�n fśwł. N�n
xeyąo sh�nme bangzhł?
John
Q3ng gąosu w4 B2ijcng W1nbąo de hąom1.
Operator
Q3ng shao d2ng. Q3ng j�lł: ba w5 Łr l�ng s� l�ng l�ng
l�ng.
Call 2: Speaking to the switchboard
or the receptionist
Part 1: Transferring a call
Switchboard
N�n h1o, Ch�ng Ch�ng Fąndiąn.
Jane
Q3ng jib qi�nt�i.
5
John Hello, is this Feihong Advertising Firm?
Secretary Yes, it is. Who would you like to speak to?
John I d like to speak to Zhang Aiping. Is she in?
Secretary She s already left our firm and has gone to work for
Beijing Evening News.
John Do you have her current work telephone number?
Secretary Sorry, I don t have it. You can call 114 to enquire about
it.
John Thank you.
[John has dialled 114]
Operator 114 telephone directory at your service. Can I help
you?
John Please tell me the number for Beijing Evening News.
Operator Just a second. Please write it down. 85204000.
Switchboard Hello, this is the Great Wall Hotel.
Jane Please put me through to the reception.
Receptionist
6
N�n h1o, qi�n t�i.
Jane
Q3ng wŁn y4u yc wŁi x�ng Qióngsc de Ycngguó
geniang l� diąn le ma?
Receptionist
Tade ycngw�n m�ngz� sh� sh�nme?
Jane Amy Johnson.
Receptionist
H�i m�iy4u l� diąn. Y�nggai sh� m�ngtian z1oshang l�
diąn.
Jane
Nąme, m�f�n n3 g2i w4 zhu1n tade f�ngjian.
Receptionist
H1ode. Ta zhł san yao l�ng f�ngjian.
Jane
XiŁxie.
Part 2: Understanding a recorded message and
leaving a message
Recorded
message
Huany�ng bdd1 Shąngh1i Jiaotdng Dąxu�. Q3ng bd
fbnjc hąo. Ch� hąo q3ng bd l�ng.
[After dialling 0]
Operator
N3 h1o, Shąngh1i Jiaodą z4ngjc.
John
Liś xu�shbng bąngdngsh� de fbnjchąo sh� dud sh1o?
Operator
�r qc ji5. Xeyąo xiąnząi zhu1n ma?
John
H1ode, xiŁxie.
Staff member
N3 h1o, liś xu�shbng bąngdngsh�. Q3ng wŁn zh1o
sh�i?
John
W�ng l1oshc ząi ma?
Receptionist Hello, this is reception.
7
Jane Will you please tell me if a British girl with the surname
Johnson has checked out?
Receptionist What s her English name?
Jane Amy Johnson.
Receptionist No, she hasn t checked out yet. (She) should check out
tomorrow morning.
Jane In that case, can I trouble you to transfer this call to her
room?
Receptionist Okay. She is in Room 310.
Jane Thank you.
Recorded Welcome to Shanghai Transportation University. Please
message dial the extension. Dial zero if you need to find out the
extension number.
[After dialling 0]
Operator Hello, Shanghai Transportation University s
switchboard.
John What s the extension number for the Overseas
Students Office?
Operator 279. Would you like me to put you through?
John Okay, thanks.
Staff member Hello, Overseas Students Office. Who do you want to
speak to?
John Is Professor Wang there?
Staff member
8
Bś ząi, ta qł kaihu� le. Xiąw5 hu�l�i. N3 yąo liś y�n
ma?
John
. . .
Q3ng gąosu ta jcntian g2i w4 hu� ge diąnhuą. W4 jiąo
Yubhąn, diąnhuą sh� . . .
Call 3: Making a booking (1)
Part 1: Booking a hotel room
Receptionist
N�n h1o! D�ngf�ng Bł.
Tom
N3 h1o! W4 xi1ng d�ng yc jian f�ng. N3men jcnw1n
y4u f�ngjian ma?
Receptionist
Yąo danr�n f�ngjian h�ish� shuangr�n f�ngjian?
Tom
Zu�h1o sh� shuangr�n jian.
Receptionist
Y4u f�ngjian. N3 yąo zhł j3 tian?
Tom
Dud sh1o qi�n yc tian?
Receptionist
Shuangr�n jian s� b1i yu�n yc tian.
Tom
Y4u wŁishbngjian ma?
Receptionist
Y4u dąn, zh3 y4u l�nył, m�i y4u yłgang.
Tom
S� b1i yu�n baoku� z1ocan ma?
Receptionist
Baoku�.
Tom
Ną, w4 zhł san tian.
Receptionist
H1ode, q3ng wŁn gu� x�ng?
Staff member No, he s gone to a meeting. He ll be back in the
9
afternoon. Would you like to leave him a message?
John Please tell him to call me back today. My name is John,
and my telephone number is . . .
Receptionist Hello! Reservation desk.
Tom Hello! I d like to book a room. Do you have rooms for
tonight?
Receptionist A single room or a double room?
Tom Ideally a double room.
Receptionist Yes, we do have rooms. How many nights do you need
it for?
Tom How much is it per night?
Receptionist 400 yuan for a double.
Tom Does it have a bathroom?
Receptionist Yes, but it only has a shower. There s no bath.
Tom Does the price include breakfast?
Receptionist Yes, it does.
Tom In that case, I ll stay for three nights.
Receptionist Fine. Please may I take your surname?
Tom  Smith
10
X�ng Sh3, ycngw�n sh�  Smith . J3 di1n k2y3 bąnl3
rłzhł sh4uxł?
Receptionist
Xiąw5 li1ngdi1n. Q3ng j�xią n�nde yłd�ng hąo,
Sh3m�sc xiansheng.
Part 2: Booking a youth hostel room
Manager
Guangm�ng Qcngni�n l.shŁ, n�n h1o.
Jane
N3 h1o! W4 sh� Ycngguó liśxu� shbng, xi1ng d�ng ge
f�ngjian. Zhdngw�n shud de bł h1o, q3ng jiąnliąng.
Manager
N3de Zhdngw�n bś cu�. N3 xi1ng sh�nme sh�h�u
rłzhł?
Jane
Jcntian w1nshang, san ge r�n.
Manager
Du�buq3. Jcnw1n qu�n m1n le, yc jian f�ngjian ddu
m�i y4u.
Jane
N3 n�ng g2i w4 tucjiąn q�ta pi�ny� xib de l.diąn ma?
Manager
K2y3. W4men p�ngbian y4u yc jia jiąo  h1ixcng de.
Tamen k2n�ng y4u f�ngjian.
Jane
Tamende diąnhuą hąom1 sh� dudsh1o?
Manager
Lił ba ba qc Łr Łr san s�.
Jane
Q3ng ząi shud ycbiąn.
Manager
Lił ba ba qc Łr Łr san s�.
Jane
XiŁxie.
Tom My surname is Shi. It is  Smith in English. What time
11
can I check in?
Receptionist 2pm. Please write down your reservation number,
Mr Smith.
Manager Hello, this is Guangming Youth Hostel.
Jane Hello. I m an overseas British student. I d like to book a
room. My Chinese is not very good. Please bear with
me.
Manager You speak quite good Chinese. When do you need the
room?
Jane Tonight, for three people.
Manager Sorry. We are fully booked today, I haven t got a room
at all.
Jane Can you recommend me other low-budget hotels?
Manager Of course I can. Near us, there s one called  Haixing .
They may have rooms.
Jane What is their telephone number?
Manager 68872234.
Jane Please say it again.
Manager 68872234.
Jane Thank you.
Manager
12
Bś kŁq�.
[Jane calls the Youth Hostel]
Jane
WŁi! N3 sh� H1ixcng Qcngni�n L.shŁ ma?
Receptionist
Sh�de. Y4u sh�nme sh�r?
Jane
W4 h� l�ngwąi li1ng ge p�ngy4u xi1ng zhł diąn.
Jcnw1n y4u f�ngjian ma?
Receptionist
Y4u. Yąo zhł j3 tian? Yąo sh�nme yąng de f�ngjian?
Jane
Yc ge xcngqc. N�ng bł n�ng g2i w4men yc jian y4u
san zhang danr�n chu�ng de f�ngjian?
Receptionist
M�i wŁnt�. Xiąnząi jił k2y3 rłzhł.
Jane
Q3ng gąosu w4 n3men de d�zh3. W4men m1shąng jił
l�i.
Call 4: Making a booking (2)
Part 1: Booking a private room at a restaurant
Receptionist
N�n h1o! T�ngch�o Ji5lóu.
Tom
N3 h1o! W4 xi1ng yłd�ng yc ge bao jian. Xi1ng wŁn
ycxią jiąg�.
Receptionist
W4men y4u h�ohu� baojian h� p5tdng baojian.
Tom
N3men shdu bao jian fŁi ma?
Receptionist
OK
H�ohu� bao jian de bao jian fŁi sh� Łr b1i yu�n, k2y3
zu� Łrsh� r�n, y4u k1la OK shŁbŁi. P5tdng bao jian
d�dąo zu�dc xiaofŁi jił bł shdu fŁi.
Manager You are welcome.
13
[Jane calls the Youth Hostel]
Jane Hello! Is this Haixing Youth Hostel?
Receptionist Yes. Can I help you?
Jane My two friends and I need accommodation. Have you
got rooms for tonight?
Receptionist Yes, I do. For how many days? And what type of
rooms?
Jane For one week. Could you give us a room with three
single beds?
Receptionist No problem. You can check in now.
Jane Please tell me your address. We ll come straight away.
Receptionist Hello, this is Tang Dynasty Restaurant.
Tom Hello, I d like to reserve a private room and would like
to find out about the price.
Receptionist We have got luxurious private rooms and ordinary
private rooms.
Tom Do you charge a private room fee?
Receptionist It s 200 yuan for luxurious rooms. They can seat up to
20 people and there are karaoke facilities. For ordinary
rooms, if you spend more than the minimum amount,
there is no room fee.
Tom
14
P5tdng bao jian de zu�dc xiaofŁi sh� dud sh1o?
Receptionist
San b1i yu�n y3shang.
Tom
Ną h1o, w4 zhŁ ge zhdulił w1nshang yąo yc ge
p5tdng bao jian. Lił di1n bąn kaish3.
Receptionist
H1ode. Dud sh1o r�n jiłcan?
Tom
Sh� Łr ge r�n.
Receptionist . . .
Q3ng wŁn gu� x�ng? . . .
Part 2: Booking a table in a restaurant
Waiter
ZhŁ sh� M�nghś H1ixian Lóu, n�n h1o.
Jane
N3 h1o! W4 sh� Ycngguór�n, xi1ng d�ng ge bao jian.
Zhdngw�n shudde bł h1o, q3ng jiąnliąng.
Waiter
Shud de bś cu�. N3 xi1ng sh�nme sh�h�u y�ngcan?
Jane
Jcntian w1nshang lił di1n.
Waiter
Du�buq3. Jcnw1n bao jian qu�n d�ng m1nle. Ząi
dątcng chc x�ng ma?
Jane
Ną h1o ba. Dątcng l3 y4u bł xcyan qe ma?
Waiter
Y4u.
Jane
Q3ng g2i w4men yc zhang ząi bł xcyan qe de zhudzi.
Waiter
Q3ng wŁn j3 wŁi y�ngcan?
Jane
Q3ng ząi shud ycbiąn.
Tom What is the minimum you must spend for the ordinary
15
rooms?
Receptionist Above 300 yuan.
Tom Okay. I ll have an ordinary private room for this
Saturday evening, starting at half past six.
Receptionist Fine. For how many people?
Tom Twelve.
Receptionist Please can I take your surname?
Waiter Hello, Minghu Seafood Restaraunt.
Jane Hello! I am British. I d like to book a private room. My
Chinese is not very good. Please excuse me.
Waiter Your Chinese is pretty good. When would you like to
dine here?
Jane 6 o clock this evening.
Waiter I m sorry. All the private rooms are booked. Would you
like to eat in the communal hall?
Jane Okay then. Is there a no-smoking area in the hall?
Waiter Yes.
Jane Please give us a table in the no-smoking area.
Waiter Please let me know how many of you will dine.
Jane Say it again please.
Waiter
16
N3 yąo j3 ge r�n de zhudzi?
Jane
Ąo, ba ge r�n.
Waiter
H1ode. Q3ng wŁn gu� x�ng, diąnhuą.
Jane
X�ng Sh3,  l�sh3 de  sh3 . Sh4ujc hąo sh�: l�ng yao san
ji5 ba ba w5 qc lił Łr san w5.
Call 5: Requesting a service when
staying at a hotel
Part 1: The wake-up call
Operator
N3 h1o! N3 xeyąo sh�nme bangzhł?
John
N3 h1o! ZhŁ sh� w5 Łr lił ba f�ngjian. M�ngtian
z1oshang xeyąo jiąox3ng fśwł.
Operator
J3 di1n?
John
Lił di1n bąn.
Operator
H1ode, lił di1n bąn jiąox3ng fśwł. H�i y4u bi�de sh�
ma?
John
Y4u, jcntian w1nshang sh� di1n bąn y3h�u rśgu4 y4u
r�n g2i w4 l�i diąnhuą, q3ng bś yąo jibdąo w4de
f�ngjian. K2y3 jibdąo qi�nt�i liś y�n.
Operator
Zhcdąo le.
John
XiŁxie.
Operator
Bś kŁq�. W1n an.
Waiter A table for how many people?
17
Jane Oh, eight people.
Waiter Okay. Please tell me your surname and telephone
number.
Jane My surname is  Shi , as in  lishi [ lishi means  history ].
My mobile number is 019388576235.
Operator Hello, can I help you?
John Hello. This is room 5268. I d like a wake-up call for
tomorrow morning.
Operator What time?
John Six thirty.
Operator Okay. A 6.30 wake-up call is booked. Is there anything
else I can do?
John Yes, there is. If there are any calls for me after 10.30
tonight, please don t put them through to my room.
You can put it through to the reception to leave a
message.
Operator Alright.
John Thank you.
Operator You are welcome. Good night.
Part 2: Calling housekeeping
18
Manager
KŁf�ng Bł, n3 h1o.
Jane
W4 sh� Łr yao l�ng san f�ngjian. ZhŁr de
diąnchucfbng huąi le.
Manager
N3 ji1nch� ycxią diąnyu�n, kąn sh� bś sh� cha shąng
le.
Jane
Du�buq3, w4 tcng bł d4ng.
Manager
Bi� zh�oj�, w4 m1shąng gu�l�i kąnkan.
Jane
H�i y4u yc jiąn sh�, m�f�n n3 ząi g2i w4 s�ng yc ti�o
t1nzi, x�ng ma?
Manager
M�i wŁnt�. W4 dąi gu�l�i.
Jane
XiŁxie.
Call 6: Placing orders
Part 1: Booking a mini-bus
Jane
WŁi! Zhdu shcfu, w4 sh� Zhbnn�, qi�ntian zu�guo
n�nde chb.
Mr Zhou
N3 h1o, Zhbnn�. Y4u sh� ma?
Jane
M�ngtian z1oshang w4 h� j3 ge tóngxu� yąo l�kai
B2ijcng, xeyąo yc liąng miąnbao chb. N�n n�ng s�ng
w4men qł fbijcch1ng ma?
Mr Zhou
Ycg�ng j3 ge r�n?
Jane
Ycg�ng w5 ge r�n.
19
Manager Hello, Housekeeping.
Jane This is room 2103. The hairdryer has broken down.
Manager Please check the power supply. Find out if it is
plugged in.
Jane Sorry, I can t understand.
Manager Don t worry. I ll come around in a minute.
Jane There s something else. Could you send me another
blanket?
Manager No problem. I ll bring it with me.
Jane Thank you.
Jane Hello, Mr Zhou. This is Jane. I took your taxi the day
before yesterday.
Mr Zhou Hello, Jane. Can I help?
Jane Tomorrow morning, several of my schoolfriends and I
are leaving Beijing. We ll need a mini-bus. Could/Can
you take us to the airport (please)?
Mr Zhou How many of you altogether?
Jane Five in total.
Mr Zhou
20
M�ngtian gangh1o y4u yc liąng qcr�n zu� de chb.
Jane
Tąi h1o le!
Mr Zhou
Dąo n1r jib n3men?
Jane
R�nm�n Dąxu� m�nk4u.
Mr Zhou
N3men de h�ngban j3 di1n q3fbi? GuónŁi h�ish� guój�
h�ngban?
Jane
Sh� di1n sh� fbn q3fbi, sh� guój� h�ngban.
Mr Zhou
Ną, z�nmen lił di1n bąn d2i z4u. Pą wąnyc d5chb.
Jane
H1ode. W4men lił di1n bąn ząi dąm�nk4u d2ng n3.
Qł jcch1ng yąo dud sh1o qi�n?
Mr Zhou
Li1ng b1i w5sh� yu�n.
Jane
H1ode. M�ngtian jiąn.
Part 2: Ordering food to be delivered
John
WŁi, n3 sh� JiajialŁ B3sąb3ng Diąn ma?
Waiter
Sh�de. N�n xeyąo sh�nme bangzhł?
John
N3men s�ngcan ma?
Waiter
S�ng. W4 g2i n3 zhu1ndąo S�ngcan Bł.
Waitress
S�ngcan Bł, n�n h1o! Yąo s�ngcan ma?
John
Sh�de. N3men shdu s�ngcan fŁi ma?
Waitress
W5 gdngl3 y3nŁi bł shdu fŁi, dąn xiaofŁi b�xe ząi
w5sh� yu�n y3shąng.
Mr Zhou Luckily, there s a seven-seat car available tomorrow.
21
Jane That s great!
Mr Zhou Where shall I collect you?
Jane At the entrance of the People s University.
Mr Zhou What time does your flight take off? Is it domestic or an
international flight?
Jane Take-off is ten past ten and it is an international flight.
Mr Zhou In which case, we have to leave at half past six, in case
there s a traffic jam.
Jane Fine. We ll wait for you at half past six at the entrance.
How much is it to go to the airport?
Mr Zhou 250 yuan.
Jane Okay. See you tomorrow.
John Hello, is this Jiajiale Pizza Shop?
Waiter Yes, what can I do for you?
John Do you do (food) delivery?
Waiter Yes, we do. Let me put you through to our (food)
delivery department.
Waitress Hello, Delivery Department. Would you like a delivery?
John Yes. Do you charge a delivery fee?
Waitress Not within five kilometres, but you must spend a
minimum of 50 yuan.
John
22
Tąi h1o le. W4men zhł ząi B2ijcng Dąxu� liś
xu�shbng słsh2, l� n3men bł yu1n.
Waitress
N�n xią d�ngdan ba.
John
W4 yąo yc ge ji5 cłn de h1ixian b3sąb3ng, li1ng ge
sh�s� cłn de hu4tu3 móge.
Waitress
Ycg�ng yc b1i yu�n. Xeyąo j3 di1n s�ng dąo?
John
Qc di1n n�ng s�ng dąo ma?
Waitress
M�i wŁnt�. Q3ng gąosu w4 x�ngm�ng h� jłt3 s�ngcan
d�zh3.
Call 7: Getting information
Part 1: Calling a fitness centre
John
N3 h1o! Sh� S�j� Jiąnshbn JelŁbł ma?
Receptionist 1
Bś sh�. N3 d1 cu� diąnhuą le.
John
Du�buq3.
[John dials the number again]
Receptionist 2
N3 h1o. S�j� Jiąnshbn JelŁbł. N3 xeyąo sh�nme
bangzhł?
John
Q3ng wŁn, fbi hu�yu�n k2y3 y�ng n3men de shŁshc
ma?
Receptionist 2
K2y3, m2i c� w5sh� yu�n. N3 y2 k2y3 m1i xiaofŁi k1.
John
N3men y4u sh�nme shŁshc ?
John That s super. We live in the overseas students building
23
of Beijing University. Not far from you.
Waitress Please place the order then.
John I d like to have a 9-inch seafood pizza, and two 14-inch
ham and mushroom pizzas.
Waitress 100 yuan altogether. When would you like to have them
delivered?
John Can you deliver it by 7 o clock?
Waitress No problem. Please tell me your name and the detailed
delivery address.
John Hello. Is this Four Seasons Fitness Club?
Receptionist 1 No. You dialled the wrong number.
John I m sorry.
[John dials the number again]
Receptionist 2 Hello. This is Four Seasons fitness Club. Can I help
you?
John Could you tell me please, can non-members use your
facilities?
Receptionist 2 Yes, they may. 50 yuan per visit. You can also buy a
customer card.
John What facilities have you got?
Receptionist 2
24
Y4u sh�nŁi yóuy4ng ch�, sangn�, jiąnshbnf�ng,
sh�nŁi w1ngqiś ch1ng h� l�nqiś ch1ng.
John
Q3ng gąosu w4 y4uy4ng ch� de kaifąng sh�jian.
Receptionist 2
M2itian cóng z1oshang qc di1n dąo w1nshang ji5
di1n.
John
Rśgu4 m1i k1, shdufŁi biaozh5n sh� sh�nme?
Receptionist 2
Ni�n k1 yc qian ba b1i yu�n, yuŁ k1 Łr b1i w5sh�
yu�n.
John
W4 m�ngtian xian qł sh�y�ng ycxią, x�ng ma?
Receptionist 2
Dangr�n k2y3.
John
Sh�nme sh�jian h�sh�?
Receptionist 2
Xiąw5 ycdi1n zhcqi�n ddu x�ng. Q3ng wŁn gu� x�ng?
John
W4 x�ng Błl1ng. M�ngtian shąng w5 w4 sh�yc di1n
qł n3men n1r.
Receptionist 2
M�ngtian jiąn.
Part 2: Calling a bank
Clerk
N3 h1o! ZhŁ sh� Zhdngguó Y�nh�ng Hóngqi�o
Fbnh�ng.
Jane
N3 h1o! Q3ng wŁn n3men y�nh�ng xcngqclił kaim�n
ma?
Clerk
Kaim�n. N3 y4u sh�nme sh�?
Jane
W4 xeyąo huąn ycxib �uyu�n.
Receptionist 2 We have an indoor swimming pool, sauna, gym, indoor
25
tennis court and basketball court.
John What s the opening time of the swimming pool?
Receptionist 2 7 am to 9 pm every day.
John If I buy a card, what is the standard charge?
Receptionist 2 1800 yuan for an annual card and 250 yuan for a
monthly card.
John Can I go to have a trial session tomorrow?
Receptionist 2 Of course you can.
John What time is suitable?
Receptionist 2 Anytime before 1 pm. Please can I take your surname?
John My surname is Brown. I ll be at your place at 11 am
tomorrow morning.
Receptionist 2 See you tomorrow.
Clerk Hello, this is Bank of China s Honhqiao Branch.
Jane Hello, are you open on Saturday please?
Clerk Yes, we are. What is it you need?
Jane I need to exchange some euros.
Clerk
26
Du�buq3. Xcngqclił w4men bś bąnl3 wąihu� du�huąn
yŁwł.
Jane
N1 sh�nme sh�h�u k2y3 huąn qi�n?
Clerk
Xcngqcyc dąo xcngqcw5 ddu k2y3.
Jane
Q3ng wŁn �uyu�n du� R�nm�nb� de hu�l' sh� dud
sh1o?
Clerk
Yc �uyu�n huąn sh� Łr yu�n R�nm�nb�.
Jane
N3men shdu sh4uxłfŁi ma?
Clerk
Rśgu4 sh� xiąnjcn, bł shdu sh4uxłfŁi; rśgu4 sh�
l.x�ng zhcpiąo, shdu b1ifbnzhc Łr de sh4uxłfŁi.
Jane
XiŁxie. Zu�h�u yc ge wŁnt�: n3men j3 di1n guanm�n?
Clerk
W5 di1n.
Jane
XiŁxie.
Clerk
Bś kŁq�.
Call 8: Making changes and
getting a refund
Part 1: Changing a booking
Tom
WŁi, sh� qcngni�n l.x�ng shŁ ma?
Consultant
Sh� de, n�n y4u sh�nme sh�?
Tom
W4 qi�ntian yłd�ng le qł Ch�ng Ch�ng de ycr� yóu.
Xi1ng g1i ycxią r�zi.
Clerk Sorry. We do not have a foreign exchange service on
27
Saturday.
Jane So when can I exchange money?
Clerk Any time between Monday and Friday.
Jane Please can you tell me the exchange rate between the
euro and the renminbi?
Clerk There is one euro to 12 renminbi.
Jane Do you charge commission?
Clerk If it s cash, there s no commission. If it s traveller s
cheques, we charge 2% commission.
Jane Thank you. Final question: what time do you close?
Clerk 5 o clock.
Jane Thank you.
Clerk You are welcome.
Tom Hello, is that the Qingnian Travel Agency?
Consultant Yes, it is. What can I do for you?
Tom I booked a one-day tour to the Great Wall the day
before yesterday. I d like to change the date.
Consultant
28
Q3ng gąosu w4 n3de yłd�ng hąo.
Tom SJ
SJ lił yao l�ng ba.
Consultant
Q3ng shaod2ng. N�n sh� sh3m�sc xiansheng ma?
Tom
Sh�de.
Consultant
N�n xi1ng g1idąo n1 yc tian?
Tom
Xiąge xcngqcyc. Y4u kdng wŁi ma?
Consultant
Y4u.
Tom
Q3ng g2i w4 g1idąo xiąge xcngqcyc.
Consultant
Bł h1o y�sc, yąo shdu w5sh� yu�n g1ipiąo fŁi.
Tom
H1ode. Z2nme fł g1ipiąo fŁi?
Consultant
Dangtian jiao g2i d1oyóu jił x�ngle.
Tom
Xcngqcyc y2 sh� z1oshang ba di1n chefa ma?
Consultant
Sh�de, cóng B2ijcng Fąndiąn m�nk4u chefa.
Tom
XiŁxie.
Part 2: Getting a refund
Mary
N3 h1o! Q3ng wŁn L3 xi1oji2 ząi ma?
Mr Zhang
Ta jcntian bś shąngban. W4 n�ng bang n3 ma?
Mary
W4 cóng n3men n1r m1i le yc zhang qł L�nzhdu de
ru1n w� piąo. K2y3 tu� ma?
Consultant Please tell me your reservation number.
29
Tom SJ6108.
Consultant Just a second. Are you Mr Smith?
Tom Yes, I am.
Consultant Which day would you like to change it to?
Tom Next Monday. Do you have places available?
Consultant Yes, we have.
Tom Please change it to next Monday for me.
Consultant I m afraid we charge 50 yuan for making the change.
Tom That s fine. How do I pay for the changing fee?
Consultant Give it to the tour guide on the day. That will be fine.
Tom Is it also an 8 am departure on Monday?
Consultant Yes, it is. It leaves from Beijing Hotel s entrance.
Tom Thank you.
Mary Hello, is Miss Li in please?
Mr Zhang She is not at work today. Can I help you?
Mary I bought a soft-sleeper to Lanzhou from you. Can I
have a refund?
Mr Zhang
30
Sh� n1 tian de piąo?
Mary
Ji5yuŁ s� hąo de.
Mr Zhang
Jcntian c�i qc hąo, k2y3 tu�. L� chefa s�sh� ba xi1osh�
zhcqi�n ddu k2y3 tu�, dąn w4men yąo shdu b1ifbnzhc
sh� de tu�piąo fŁi.
Mary
Dangr�n. Z2nme bąnl3 tu� ku1n?
Mr Zhang
N3 b1 piąo n� dąo w4men bąngdngsh� l�i, w4
m1shąng g2i n3 tu� ku1n.
Mary
XiŁxie! W4 z2nme chbnghe n3?
Mr Zhang
 Xi1o Zhang hu�zh2  Zhang xiansheng ddu x�ng.
Mary
Zhang xiansheng, n3 j3 di1n xiąban?
Mr Zhang
W1nshang qc di1n.
Mary
W4 jiąo M1l�. W4 lił di1n zu4y�u qł zh1o n3.
Mr Zhang
Ychu�r jiąn, M1l�.
Mary
Ychu�r jiąn, Zhang xiansheng.
Call 9: Dealing with emergencies
Part 1: Calling for an ambulance
Operator
Jiaotdng Sh�gł Zhdngxcn, n3 xeyąo sh�nme
bangzhł?
Jane
W4 che le chbhu�. Y4u r�n sh�ushang le.
Operator
N3 xiąnząi ząi sh�nme d�fang?
Mr Zhang Which day is the ticket for?
31
Mary 10th of September.
Mr Zhang It is only the 7th today. Yes, you can have a refund.
One can get a refund 48 hours prior to departure,
but we charge a 10% cancellation fee.
Mary Of course. How do you get a refund?
Mr Zhang Bring the ticket to our office and I ll refund you
immediately.
Mary Thank you. How do I address you?
Mr Zhang Little Zhang or Mr Zhang, whichever.
Mary When do you finish work, Mr Zhang?
Mr Zhang At 7 pm.
Mary My name is Mary. I ll come to see you around 6
o clock.
Mr Zhang See you soon, Mary.
Mary See you later, Mr Zhang.
Operator Traffic Accident Centre. Can I help you?
Jane I ve had a traffic accident. There are people injured.
Operator Where are you now?
Jane
32
Ząi yao l�ng yao guó dąo, l� B2ijcng dą yub sh� gdngl3
de d�fang.
Operator
J3 ge r�n sh�ushang le?
Jane
Li1ng ge r�n. Shang de bł qcng.
Operator
Y4u shbngm�ng w�ixi1n ma?
Jane
M�i y4u, dąn xeyąo l�j� s�ng ycyuąn.
Operator
Jiłhłchb sh� fbnzhdng zhcnŁi jił dąo. Q3ng gąosu
w4 n3de x�ngm�ng h� sh4ujc hąom1.
Jane
W4 jiąo Zhbnn��Qióngsc. Hąom1 sh�: l�ng yao san ji5
ji5 lił san w5 w5 ba lił lił.
Operator
Qióngsc xi1oji2, jiaotdng j3ngch� m1shąng hu� dąo
sh�gł xiąnch1ng.
Jane
Zhcdąo le. XiŁxie n3de bangzhł.
Part 2: Calling to track your lost luggage
Operator
W�izhbn H�ngkdng Gdngsc sh�uh�u fśwł. N3 xeyąo
sh�nme bangzhł?
John
W4de x�ngl3 die le. Sh� d1 zhŁ ge diąnhuą ma?
Operator
Bś sh�, xiansheng. Y4u yc ge zhuanxiąn. W4 k2y3 g2i
n3 hąom1.
John
Q3ng d2ng ycxią. W4 n� ge b3. Q3ng shud ba.
Operator
L�ng Łr yao, lił ba san w5 w5 lił ba l�ng.
John
L�ng Łr yao, lił ba san w5 w5 lił ba l�ng.
Jane On 101 National Road. It s somewhere about
33
10 kilometres away from Beijing.
Operator How many people have been injured?
Jane Two; the injury is quite serious.
Operator Is it life threatening?
Jane No, but they need to be sent to hospital immediately.
Operator The ambulance will arrive in 10 minutes. Please tell me
your name and mobile number.
Jane My name is Jane Johnson and my number is
013996355866.
Operator Miss Johnson, the traffic police will arrive at the
accident scene very soon.
Jane Alright. Thank you for your help.
Operator Virgin Airline Customer Service. Can I help you?
John I ve lost my luggage. Is this the number to call?
Operator No. There s a dedicated phone line. I can give you the
number.
John Just a second. I ll pick up a pen. Please go ahead.
Operator 021 68355680.
John 021 68355680.
Operator
34
Du� le.
John
XiŁxie. ZhŁ ge diąnhuą y4u Ycngw�n fśwł ma?
Operator
Y4u. Rśgu4 n3 xi1ng tóng gdngzu� r�nyu�n
shudhuą, q3ng ąn l�ng.
[John dials the other number and then presses 0]
John
N3 h1o! W4de x�ngl3 die le. Xi1ng zhcdąo sh�f4u y4u
sh�nme xiaox�?
Operator
Q3ng gąosu w4 n�nde h�ngban hąo?
John VS
VS Łr w5 l�ng.
Operator
N1 tian dąo de Shąngh1i?
John
YcyuŁ sh� hąo.
Operator  John Smith
N�nde m�ngz� sh�  John Smith ma?
John
Sh�de.
Operator
Gąosu n�n yc ge h1o xiaox�: n�nde x�ngl3 zh1o dąo le.
Jcntian xiąw5 s�ng dąo n�nde fąndiąn.
John
Tąi xiŁxie le!
Call 10: Answering calls
Job interview
Tom
WŁi, q3ngwŁn n3 zh1o sh�i?
Publisher
Tangm5 sh3m�sc ząi ma?
Tom
W4 jił sh�. Q3ngwŁn n�n sh� sh�i?
Operator Correct.
35
John Thank you. Does this number have an English-language
service?
Operator Yes, it has. If you want to speak to an operator, press
zero.
[John dials the other number and then presses 0]
John Hello. I ve lost my luggage, and I d like to know if
there s any news (of my luggage).
Operator Please tell me your flight number.
John VS250.
Operator Which day did you arrive in Shanghai?
John The 10th of January.
Operator Are you  John Smith ?
John Yes, I am.
Operator Here s the good news: your luggage has been found.
We ll deliver it to your hotel this afternoon.
John Thank you so much.
Tom Hello, who would you like to speak to?
Publisher Is Tom Smith in?
Tom Speaking. Who am I talking to, please?
Publisher
36
N3 h1o, Tangm5. W4 sh� zhdngguó r�bąo shŁ de,
x�ng W�ng.
Tom
N3 h1o! W�ng xi1oji2.
Publisher
W4men shdudąo le n3de shbnq3ng.
Tom
W4 y4u xcwąng ma?
Publisher
Dangr�n y4u. W4men xi1ng jiąnjian n3.
Tom
N3 sh� shud, rąng w4 canjia gdngzu� miąnsh�?
Publisher
Sh�de.
Tom
Tąi bąng le!
Publisher
Yc yuŁ sh�ba hąo shąngw5 sh� di1n. N3 n�ng l�i ma?
Tom
Rąng w4 ch� ycxią w4de r�j�. W4 shąngw5 y4u sh�.
N�ng g1i dąo xiąw5 ma?
Publisher
Xiąw5 li1ng di1n x�ng ma?
Tom
M�i wŁnt�. Q3ng gąosu w4 miąnsh� d�di1n.
Publisher
W4 ychu�r jił g2i n3 fa diąnzi yóujiąn, gąosu n3
xi�ngq�ng h� y4uguan zhły� sh�xiąng.
Tom
H1ode. XiŁxie n3de diąnhuą.
Publisher Hello, Tom. I m from (the) China Daily Newspaper. My
37
surname is Wang.
Tom Hello. Miss Wang.
Publisher We have received your application.
Tom Do I stand a chance?
Publisher Of course. We d like to meet you.
Tom Are you saying you re asking me to attend a job
interview?
Publisher Yes.
Tom Wonderful!
Publisher At 10 am on 18th January. Can you make it?
Tom Let me check my diary. Oh, I ve got something in the
morning. Could it be changed to the afternoon?
Publisher How about 2 pm?
Tom No problem. Please tell me the location of the
interview.
Publisher I ll send you an email in a while, giving you all the
details and relevant information.
Tom Okay. Thank you for your call.
Listening skills: survival phrases
38
Hello! wŁi!/n3 h1o!
I beg your pardon? bąoqiąn, n3 shud
sh�nme?
This is . . . w4 sh� . . . . . .
Is . . . in? ząi ma?
I d like to speak to . . . w4 zh1o. . . . . .
Is this/that . . . ? sh� . . . ma? . . .
Speaking (please). q3ng shud.
Please give me your q3ng gąosu w4 n3de
name and number. m�ngz�/hąom1.
Could you tell me n�n gu� x�ng?/q3ng
your surname wŁn gu� x�ng?
please? (polite way)
I didn t hear what w4 m�i tcng qcng n3
you said. shud de.
I can t hear you. w4 tcng bł qcng.
Could you repeat, q3ng ząi shud ycbiąn,
please? h1o ma?
Please speak more q3ng mąn ycdi1nr
slowly. shud.
I can t speak Chinese w4de zhdngw�n
very well. shud de bł h1o.
Can you speak n3 hu� shud ycngw�n
English? ma?
Sorry, I couldn t du�buq3, w4 tcng bł
understand. d4ng.
Using the telephone in China
Essential words for making a call
public telephone gdngy�ng diąnhuą
landline/fixed phone zu� jc
telephone card diąnhuą k1
international call guój� diąnhuą
engaged zhąnxiąn
local call sh�nŁi diąnhuą
long-distance call sh�wąi diąnhuą
recorded message lłycn liśy�n
out of order huąi le
to make a call d1 diąnhuą
39
to take a call jib diąnhuą
cannot get through d1 bł tdng
to talk on the phone ji1ng diąnhuą/d1
diąnhuą
to make a reservation diąnhuą yłd�ng
by phone
to make an enquiry diąnhuą zcxśn
by phone
to redial chóngbd
to return a call hu� diąnhuą
message k4ux�n/ti�ozi
to leave a message liś y�n
to hang up guą shang
wake-up call jiąo x3ng diąnhuą
When you buy phone cards, note that some phone cards can
i
only be used in the city you are in, but others can be used
nationally. Public phones that allow you to dial international numbers
direct can only be found in large cities. Watch out for the sign saying
IDD (international direct dialling). There are many public phone booths
attended by assistants. You first tell the assistant where you wish to
call  you will be asked to put down a deposit. You can also make
international calls from main post offices and telecommunications
offices. There are also discounted phone cards for making both
international and domestic calls if you can be bothered to dial a long
series of pin numbers.
Mobile phones
mobile/cell phone sh4ujc
What s your mobile/ n3de sh4ujc hąo sh�
cell phone number? dud sh1o?
My mobile/cell phone w4de sh4ujc hąo . . .
number is . . . sh� . . .
The battery is running kuąi m�i diąn le.
out.
My mobile is nearly w4de sh4ujc kuąi
out of credit. m�i qi�n le.
I m running out of w4de mi1nfŁi sh�jian
minutes. kuąi d1 w�n le.
It s a text message. sh� du1n x�n.
to send a text message fa du1n x�n
My phone does not w4de sh4ujc bł
40
display characters. xi1nsh� hąnz�.
I can t get a signal. m�i y4u x�nhąo.
pay-as-you-go SIM chdng zh� k1
card
My mobile phone has w4de sh4ujc bŁi tdu
been stolen. le.
Mobile phones are very popular in China and the coverage is
i
extensive. If you take your mobile phone with you to China, you
can buy a pay-as-you go SIM card. Please note that some SIM cards
charge two ways  making and receiving a call. So make sure which
type you want before the purchase.
Speaking to the operator/switchboard
Room 312 please. q3ng jib san yao Łr
f�ngjian.
Extension 5321 please. q3ng zhu1n w5 san
Łr yao fbngji.
Could you put me n�ng bł n�ng g2i
through to w4 zhu1n Łr yao
Room 213? san f�ngjian?
Could you give me n3 n�ng gąosu w4 . . . . . .
the number of . . . ? de hąom1 ma?
Could you give me n�ng g2i w4 jib
directory enquiries? diąnhuą d1oh�ng
ma?
Can I dial direct? w4 n�ng zh� bd ma?
This is room number . . . zhŁ sh� . . . f�ngjian. . . .
How do I get an z2nme d1 wąi xiąn?
outside line?
What s the code for Shąngh1i de qehąo
Shanghai? sh� sh�nme?
Telephone codes in China are linked to towns. Some codes are
i
three digits (e.g. 010 for Beijing) and others are four digits (e.g.
0571 for Hangzhou). Most landline numbers have eight digits. Mobile
phone numbers start with the digit 0, followed by 10 digits. If you dial
a mobile outside the city you are in, you do not dial zero.
Operator/switchboard speaking to the caller
41
Hello! n�n h1o!
This is Beijing Hotel. zhŁ sh� b2ijcng
Can I help you? fąndiąn. n3 xeyąo
sh�nme bangzhł?
I ll put you through. bang n�n jib xiąn.
You can dial that n�n k2y3 zh� bd.
number direct.
The line is engaged. zhąn xiąn.
Do you want to wait? n�n xi1ng d2ng ma?
Hold the line please. q3ng shao d2ng.
There s a dedicated y4u ge zhuan xiąn.
phone line.
I can give you the w4 k2y3 g2i n3 hąom1.
number.
Problems
Sorry, we were cut off. du�buq3, xiąn duąn le.
I can hardly hear you. w4 jche tcng bu jiąn.
It s a very bad line. xiąnlł bł h1o.
Could you say that n�ng bł n�ng ząi
again, please? shud yc biąn?
The number you ve dialled replies
Hello? wŁi?
Hello, China Daily, n3 h1o, zhdngguó
Wang Ping speaking. r�bąo. w4 sh� w�ng
p�ng.
Whom would you like n3 zh1o sh�i?
to speak to?
You get a recorded message
The number you ve n�n bdd1 de sh�
dialled does not exist. kdng hąo.
The person you are c3 r�n zhŁngząi
calling is on the tdnghuą zhdng,
phone. Please wait. q3ng shao h�u.
Sorry, our office is du�buq3, w4men y3
42
currently closed. xią ban. w4men de
Our office hours bąngdng sh�jian . . .
are. . . w�i . . .
Please call back later. q3ng shaoh�u ząi d1.
Dial the extension now. q3ng bd fbnjc hąo.
If you want to speak ch� hąo q3ng bd
to the operator, dial ling.
zero.
Most phones in China do not have answer phones or voicemail.
i
You simply have to call back later if the office is closed or if the
person you are calling is not answering the call.
You dial the wrong number
You have dialled the n3 bd cu� hąom1 le.
wrong number.
I m sorry, I must have du�buq3, w4 ycd�ng
dialled the wrong bd cu� hąom1 le.
number.
She doesn t work here ta bś ząi zhŁr
any more. gdngzu� le.
He now works for . . . ta xiąnząi wŁi . . . . . .
gdngzu�.
She s on extension ta xiąnząi de fbnjc
5642 now. hąo sh� w5 lił s� Łr.
Do you want me to n3 yąo w4 g2i n3
transfer you now? zhu1n gu�qu ma?
Asking for the person you want
Hello, is . . . in? wŁi, . . . ząi ma? , . . .
Hello, is that . . . ? wŁi, n3 sh� . . . ma? . . .
May/Could I speak q3ng zh1o ycxią. . . , . . .
to. . . , please? h1o ma?
I d like to speak to . . . , w4 zh1o. . . . . .
please.
The person you want is not available
43
I m sorry, He is not in. du�buq3, ta bś ząi.
She s gone out. ta chequ le.
He s on another line. ta zhŁngząi l�ngycgŁ
diąnhuą shąng.
She is on the phone. ta zhŁngząi ji1ng
diąnhuą.
She s in a meeting. ta ząi kaihu�.
Can I help you? w4 n�ng bangzhł n3
ma?
Leaving a message
Could you ask him to n�ng rąng ta g2i w4
ring me back? hu� ge diąnhuą ma?
Could you tell her I n3 n�ng gąosu ta w4
called? l�i diąnhuą le ma?
She s got my number. ta y4u w4de diąnhuą.
I ll call back in w4 sh� fbnzhdng h�u
10 minutes. ząi d1.
Can I trouble you m�f�n n3 chu�n ge
to pass on the k4ux�n, x�ng ma?
message?
Answering calls
Who s calling please? q3ng wŁn n3 sh� sh�i?
This is . . . zhŁ sh� . . . . . .
Please go ahead. q3ng shud.
Would you like to n3 yąo liś y�n ma?
leave a message?
Can I pass on a w4 n�ng chu�n ge
message? k4ux�n ma?
Gap fillers
Yes. h1ode.
Certainly/Of course. dangr�n.
Yes, sure. h1o, m�i wŁnt�.
I understand. m�ngb�i le.
Fine/All right! k2y3!
Great!/Wonderful! tąi bąng le!
Asking for and giving numbers
44
What s your number? n3de hąom1 sh� dud
sh1o?
What s your telephone/ n3de diąnhuą/
fax/mobile number? hu�nzhbn/sh4ujc
hąom1 sh� dud sh1o?
What s your extension n3de fbnjc hąom1 sh�
number? dud sh1o?
What s the number . . . de diąnhuą hąom1 . . .
for . . . ? sh� dud sh1o?
What s your office/ n3 jial3/bąngdngsh�
home number? de hąom1 sh� dud
sh1o?
I ll give you my work w4 g2i n3 w4de
number. gdngzu� hąom1.
My number is . . . hąom1 sh� . . . . . .
Telephone numbers in China are read as single figures. For
i
example, 010 85204001 is read out as l�ng yao ling ba w5 Łr l�ng
s� l�ng l�ng yao. Leave a pause after 010. Please note that number one
is read out as yao, NOT as yc because yc can be confused with
number seven (qc ).
To make an international call from China you need to dial 00 + country
code + area code (without the zero) + number. For example, to call
London you dial 00 + 44 (for United Kingdom) + 20 (for London) + the
number you want.
To make a call to China from your own country, you need to dial 00
(or other international code used in your country) + 86 (for China) +
area code (without the zero) + number. If it is a mobile number in
China, after + 86, dial the mobile number without the first zero. For
example, to call a landline in Beijing, you dial 00 + 86 + 10 (for Beijing)
+ the number you want. To call a mobile number 01398899561, you
dial 00 + 86 + 1398899561.
Here are some helpful telephone numbers when you are inside China:
Directory enquiry: 114 Traffic accident: 112
Police: 110 Ambulance: 120
Fire: 119 Beijing Red Cross First Aid Centre: 999
Asking for addresses and directions
45
Will you give me the n3 n�ng g2i w4 fąndiąn
address of the hotel, de d�zh3 ma?
please?
Give me your address, q3ng g2i w4 n3de d�zh3.
please.
What s the address? d�zh3 sh� sh�nme?
How can I get there? dąo n3 nąr z2nme
z4u?
We re on the fifth floor. w4men ząi lił c�ng.
You can take a bus or n3 k2y3 ch�ng
the subway. gdngchb hu�zh2
d�ti2.
Take a taxi, and I ll zu� ge cheze, w4 hu�
tell the taxi driver gąosu cheze chb
my address. scjc w4de d�zh3.
Chinese addresses follow a different pattern from English.
i
The largest unit comes first. So city comes first, then street,
and finally house number/flat number. For example, the address
 Flat 2, 68 Chang an Road, Beijing in Chinese will be  Beijjng,
Chang an Lu 68 hao, 2 hao gongyu .
Making a booking
I d like to book a table/ w4 xi1ng d�ng yc ge
room/taxi. zhud/yc jian f�ng/
yc liąng cheze.
Have you got rooms n3men jcnw1n y4u
available for tonight? kdng f�ngjian ma?
Can I have a table in a n�ng g2i w4men yc
no-smoking area? zhang ząi bł xcyan
qe de zhudzi ma?
Requesting a service
I m phoning to order a w4 diąnhuą d�ng
pizza. b3sąb3ng.
Would you send a n�ng bł n�ng s�ng yc
bottle of dry red p�ng kuąngqu�n
wine to room 802? shu3 dąo ba l�ng Łr
f�ngjian?
I ll need a wake-up call. w4 xeyąo jiąo x3ng
46
fśwł.
Could you send some n3 n�ng g2i lił Łr ba
extra blankets f�ngjian s�ng j3 ti�o
to room 628? t1nzi ma?
I need a doctor/ w4 m1shąng xeyąo
an ambulance as kąn ycshbng/yc liąng
soon as possible. jiłhłchb.
Asking for information
Please will you tell q3ng gąosu w4 . . . . . .
me. . .
Would you give me n�ng g2i w4 miąnsh�
detailed information de xi�ngq�ng ma?
about the interview?
I d like to know the w4 xi1ng zhcdąo
opening times. kaim�n sh�jian.
Would you send me n3 n�ng g2i w4 fa ge
an email? diąnz3 yóujiąn ma?
Could you post some n3 n�ng g2i w4 j�
information to me? ycxib zcliąo ma?
Making arrangements
Is Monday 11am xcngqcyc shąngw5
alright? sh�yc di1n x�ng ma?
Can you make it? n3 n�ng x�ng ma?
I ve got things on xcngqc Łr shąngw5 w4
Tuesday morning. y4u sh�. n�ng g1i
Could it be changed dąo xiąw5 ma?
to the afternoon?
Thanking someone and responding
Thank you. xiŁxie.
Thank you very much. fbich�ng g1nxiŁ.
You re welcome. bś kŁq�.
Thank you for calling. xiŁxie n3 l�i diąnhuą.
Ending a telephone conversation and
47
saying good bye
I ll call you (next week/ w4 xiąge xcngqc/
Monday, etc.) xcngqcyc g2i n3 d1
diąnhuą.
Please ring me q3ng ( jcntian xiąw5/
(this afternoon/ jcntian w1nshang)
tonight, etc.) g2i w4 d1 diąnhuą.
Don t forget to call me. bi� wąng le g2i w4
d1 diąnhuą.
Good bye! ząijiąn!
See you soon! ychu�r jiąn!
See you tomorrow/ m�ngtian/xcngqctian
on Sunday! jiąn!
How to clarify characters over the phone
As Chinese is not an alphabetically based script, you simply cannot
spell words. To clarify words, people either take a character apart and
say each component aloud or give another phrase where the same
character is used. For example, if one s surname is wś, this person
may clarify by saying  k4u tian wś , meaning  the wu that
consists of k4u (mouth) and tian (sky) . Or if the surname is
sh3, one may clarify by saying  l�sh3 de sh3 , meaning
 sh3 as in the word  l�sh3  (history).
Chinese English glossary
48
ąn to press
bąba father/dad
b1i hundred
b1ifbnzhc percent
bąn half
bang/bangzhł to help
bąngdngsh� office
bąnl3 to deal/to sort out
bao jian private room
baoku� to include
b2ijcng Beijing
b3 pen
biąn to change
biaozh5n standard
bi� do not . . .
bi�de other
b3sąb3ng pizza
b�xe must
bdd1/bd to dial
bś cu� not bad/quite good
bł h1o y�sc I m sorry
bś kŁq� you re welcome
bł qcng quite serious (injury)
bł shdufŁi free of charge
bł xcyan no-smoking (area)
bś y�ng le no need
błl1ng Brown (surname)
c�i only/just
canjia to attend
ch� to check
ch� hąo to check the number
cha shąng to plug in
ch�ng ch�ng the Great Wall
chb car
chb hu� traffic accident
chbnghe to address/to call
chc to eat
che qł to go out
chu�n to pass on
chefa to depart
cóng from
cóng . . . dąo . . . from. . . to
cłn inch
cu� mistake
d1 chb to take a taxi
d1 diąnhuą to make a call
49
dą tcng communal hall
d�dąo to reach
dąi to bring
dang tian on the day
dangr�n of course
danr�n single
dąo to arrive
d1o yóu tour guide
dąxu� university
d2i to have to
d2ng to wait
diąn shop
diąn chucfbng hairdryer
diąn yu�n power
diąnhuą d1oh�ng telephone directory
diąnz3 yóujiąn email
d�fang location/place
d�ng to book/to reserve
d�ng m1n fully booked
d�ngfang bł reservation department
die to lose
d�zh3 address
d5 chb traffic jam
du1n x�n text message
du�/du� le correct
du�buq3 sorry
du�huąn to exchange (money)
dud sh1o what s . . . (phone number)?/
how many?
dud sh1o qi�n how much is it
fa to send (fax/email)
fąndiąn hotel/restaurant
fangbiąn convenient
f�ngjian room
f�ngzi house
fŁi fee
fbi hu�yu�n non-memeber
fbijcch1ng airport
fbnh�ng branch (of a bank)
fbnjc hąo extension number
fbnzhdng minute
fł to pay
fśwł service
g1i to change
g1i piąo to change the ticket
gangh1o coincidentally
gąosu to tell
50
gaox�ng be pleased
g2i n3/w4 to you/me
gdngl3 kilometre
gdngsc firm/company
gdngzu� to work/work
guan jc to be switched off
gu1nggąo advertising/advertisement
guanm�n to be closed
gu� expensive
geni�ng girl
guó dąo national road
gu� l�i to come over
guój� international
guónŁi domestic
h�i still
h�ish� . . . or . . . ?
h1ixian seafood
h�iy4u also
h�ngban flight
h�ngban hąo flight number
h�ngkdng airmail
hąo date
h1o good
h1o j3c� several times
h1oba/h1ode okay/alright
h�ohu� luxurious
hąom1 number
h�sh� suitable
huąi le to have broken down
hu�n to return
huąn to change
huąn qi�n to change money
huany�ng to welcome
hu� ge diąnhuą to return the call
hu� l' exchange rate
hu�l�i to return
hu4tu3 ham
hu�zh2 or
jc piąo flight ticket
j3 tian how many days?
j� xią to write down
jia family [measure word]
jiąg� price
jiąn [measure word]
jiąn to see/[measure word]
ji1nch� to check/to examine
jiąnliąng to excuse/to bear with
51
jiąnshbn to exercise
jiąnshbn f�ng fitness centre
jiąo to call/to be called
jiao g2i to hand to
jiąo x3ng to wake up/wake-up call
jiaotdng transportation
jib to collect/to answer (phone)
j�huą plan
j�lł to write it down
jcng x3 pleasant surprise
j3ngch� police
jcntian today
jcnw1n tonight
jił then
jiłcan to dine
jiłhłchb ambulance
ji5lóu restaurant
jelŁbł club/centre
jłt3 detailed
k1 card
kai hu� to attend meeting
kaifąng to open/be open
kaim�n to open/be open
kaish3 to start
k1la OK OK karaoke
kąnkan to have a look
k2n�ng perhaps/possibly
k2y3 may/can
k�ng wŁi vacancy/available place
k4ux�n message
l�i to come
l�i diąnhuą an incoming call
l�nqiś ch1ng basketball
l�nzhdu Lanzhou (place name)
l1oshc teacher
l� diąn to check out (hotel)
l� zhŁr from here
liąng [measure word]
l�j� immediately
l�kai to leave
l�ng zero
l�nył shower (in a bathroom)
l�sh3 history
liś xu�shbng overseas student
liś y�n to leave a message
lóu building/block
l.diąn/l.shŁ inn/guesthouse
52
l.x�ng shŁ travel agent
l.x�ng zhcpiąo traveller s cheque
m�f�n to trouble
m1i to buy
m1n full
m1shąng immediately
m�i y4u not
m�i wŁnt� no problem
m�i y4u do not have
m2itian everyday
m�nk4u entrance
miąnbao chb mini-bus
miąnsh� interview
m�ngtian tomorrow
m�ngzi name
móge mushroom
n� to pick up/to fetch
n� dąo/n� dąo sh4u to have got hold of
n1 tian/n1 yc tian which day?
nąme/ną in that case
n�ng can/could
n3 you
n3 h1o hello
ni�n k1 annual card
n3men you (plural)
n3men nąr your place
n�n you (polite)
n�n h1o hello (polite)
n�ng die le to have lost it
duyu�n euro
pą I m afaid
p�ngbian nearby
pi�ny� inexpensive/low budget
piąo ticket
p5tdng ordinary
q3 fbi to take off
qc r�n zu� seven-seat (car)/seven-seater
qian thousand
qi�n tian the day before yesterday
qi�nt�i reception (hotel)
q3ng please
q3ng jib to put through to
q3ng shao d2ng/ just a second please/hold on
q3ng shao h�u please
q3ng shud ba go ahead
q3ng wŁn please may I ask . . .
qcngni�n youth
53
qióngsc Johnson
q�ta others
qł to go
qe area
qu�n whole/completely
rąng to let
r�nm�n people
r�nm�nb� [name of Chinese currency]
r�nyu�n person/people
r� bąo daily newspaper
r�j� diary
r�zi day/times
ru1n w� soft-sleeper
rśgu4 if
rłzhł to check in (hotel)
sangn� sauna
shąng ban to go to work
shąngh1i Shanghai
shŁ newspaper/publisher
shŁbŁi equipment
sh�i who
shbngm�ng life
sh�nme what
sh�nme sh�h�u when
shbnq3ng to apply
shŁshc facility
sh� be (am/are/is)
sh� matter
sh� . . . ma . . . is it . . . ?
sh�de yes
sh� y�ng to try it out
sh�f4u if
shcfu master
sh�gł accident
sh�h�u times/moments
sh�jian times
sh3m�sc Smith (name)
sh�nŁi indoor
shdu to charge
shdu dąo to have received
shdu fŁi to charge the fee
sh�u h�u after sale
sh4u jc mobile/cell phone
sh�u shang to be injured
sh4u xł fŁi handling fee
sh4uxł procedure
shuangr�n jian double room
54
shuangr�n double
shud/shudhuą to speak
shudq3 to mention/to talk about
s� j� four seasons
s�ng to take to/to deliver
s�ng can deliver food
s�ng can bł delivery department (food)
s�ng can fŁi delivery charge (food)
s�ng dąo to get it delivered
su4y3 therefore
słshŁ accommodation/dormitory
tąi bąng le wonderful
tąi . . . le . . . very
t�ng ch�o Tang Dynasty
tangm5 Tom
t1nzi blanket
t� qi�n to bring forward
ti�o [measure word]
tcng bł d4ng cannot understand
(by hearing)
tóng with
tóngwe flatmate
tóngxu� classmate
tu� to return
tu� ku1n to get a refund
tucch� to postpone
tucjiąn to recommend
tu�piąo fŁi cancellation fee
wąi hu� foreign currency
w1n an good night
w1n bąo evening newspaper
wąn yc in case
w1nfąn dinner
w1ngqiś ch1ng tennis court
w1nshang evening
wŁi for
wŁi hello (on the phone)
wŁi [measure word]
wbixi1n dangerous
wŁishbngjian toilet/bathroom
w�izhbn Virgin (company)
wŁn to ask
wŁnt� question
w4 I/me
w4men we/us
xią ban to finish work
xią d�ngdan to place order
55
xiąge next
xian first of all
xiąnch1ng scene (accident)
xi1ng to think
xi�ng q�ng detailed information
xiąnjcn cash
xiansheng Mr
xiąnząi now
xi1o small
xiaofŁi consumption
xiaofŁi k1 customer card
xi1osh� hour
xiaoxi news
xiąw5 afternoon
xiŁxie thank you
x�ng surname
x�ng ma is that ok?
x�ngl3 luggage
x�ngm�ng name (surname and given
name)
xcngqcyc Monday
xcwąng to hope
xeyąo to need
yąo would like
yao one
yąoqiś requirement
yŁwł service/business
yc r� yóu 1-day tour
ycd�ng definitely
ycg�ng altogether
y3h�u later
ychu�r in a minute
y3jcng already
y3nŁi within
y�nggai should
ycngguó Britain
ycngguór�n British
ycngw�n English (language)
y�nh�ng bank
ycq3 together
y3shąng above
ycxią for a while
ycxib some
ycyuąn hospital
y�ng bś y�ng . . . . . . do you need . . . ?
y�ngcan to dine
y4u to have
56
y4u sh� to be busy
y4uguan relevant
y4ur�n somebody
yóuy4ng ch� swimming pool
yu�n yuan
yu1n far
yłd�ng to reserve
yłd�ng hąo reservation number
yuŁ month
yuŁ k1 monthly card
yubhąn John
yłgang bath
ząi . . . ma . . . is . . . in?
ząi shud ycbiąn say it again
ząi . . . y3shąng . . . above
z1ocan breakfast
z1oshang morning
z2nme how
zhang common surname/
[measure word]
zh1o to look for
zh1o dąo to have found
zh�oj� to worry/be worried
zhbnde really!
zh2nggŁ whole
zhbnn� Jane
zh3 paper
zhcdąo to know
zhcnŁi within
zhcy4u only
zhdngguó China
zhdngw�n Chinese (language)
zhdngxcn centre
zhł to live, to stay
zhu1n to transfer
zhuan xiąn dedicated phone line
zhudzi table/desk
zhły� sh�xiąng things to bear in mind
z4ngjc switchboard
z4u to leave
zu�dc the lowest/the minimum
zu�h1o the best/you d better
zu�h�u final/last
zu� to sit/to take
zu�fąn to cook
zu4y�u about/approximately
English Chinese glossary
57
about zu4y�u
above y3shąng
accident sh�gł
accommodation słsh2
address d�zh3
address (v) chbnghe
advertisement gu1nggąo
advertising gu1nggąo
after-sale sh�u h�u
afternoon xiąw5
airmail h�ngkdng
airport fbijcch1ng
already y3jcng
alright h1oba/h1ode
also h�iy4u
altogether ycg�ng
ambulance jiłhłchb
an incoming call l�i diąnhuą
annual card ni�n k1
answer (phone) jib
apply (v) shbnq3ng
approximately zu4y�u
area qe
arrive (v) dąo
ask (v) wŁn
attend (v) canjia
attend meeting kai hu�
available place kdng wŁi
bank y�nh�ng
basketball l�nqiś ch1ng
bath yłgang
be (am/are/is) sh�
be busy y4u sh�
be closed guanm�n
be injured sh�u shang
be open kaim�n
be pleased gaox�ng
be switched off guan jc
bear with me q3ng shao d2ng/
q3ng shao h�u
Beijing b2ijcng
best zu�h1o
blanket t1nzi
book (v) d�ng
branch (of a bank) fbnh�ng
58
breakfast z1ocan
bring (v) dąi
bring forward t� qi�n
Britain ycngguó
British ycngguór�n
Brown (surname) błl1ng
building lóu
buy (v) m1i
call (v) chbnghe/jiąo
call/be called (v) jiąo
can/could n�ng/k2y3
cancellation fee tu�piąo fŁi
cannot understand tcng bł d4ng
(by hearing)
car chb
card k1
cash xiąnjcn
cell phone sh4u jc
centre zhdngxcn
centre (fitness) jelŁbł
change (v) g1i
change money huąn qi�n
change the ticket g1i piąo
charge (v) shdu
charge the fee shdu fŁi
check (v) ch�/ji1nch�
check in (hotel) rłzhł
check out (hotel) l� diąn
check the number ch� hąo
China zhdngguó
Chinese (language) zhdngw�n
classmate tóngxu�
club jelŁbł
coincidentally gangh1o
collect (a person) jib
come (v) l�i
come over gu� l�i
communal hall dą tcng
company gdngsc
completely qu�n
consumption xiaofŁi
convenient fangbiąn
cook (v) zu�fąn
correct du�/du� le
customer card xiaofŁi k1
dad bąba
daily newspaper r� bąo
59
dangerous wbixi1n
date hąo
day/times r�zi
deal (v) bąnl3
dedicated phone line zhuan xiąn
definitely ycd�ng
deliver food s�ng can
delivery charge (food) s�ngcan fŁi
delivery department (food) s�ngcan bł
depart (v) chefa
desk zhudzi
detailed jłt3
detailed information xi�ng q�ng
dial (v) bdd1/bd
diary r�j�
dine (v) jiłcan/y�ngcan
dinner w1nfąn
do not have m�i y4u
do not . . . bi�
do you need . . . y�ng bł y�ng . . . . . .
domestic guónŁi
dormitory słshŁ
double shuangr�n
double room shuangr�n jian
eat (v) chc
email diąnz3 yóujiąn
English (language) ycngw�n
entrance m�nk4u
equipment shŁbŁi
euro duyu�n
evening w1nshang
evening newspaper w1n bąo
everyday m2itian
examine (v) ji1nch�
exchange (money) du�huąn
exchange rate hu� l'
excuse (v) jiąnliąng
exercise (v) jiąnshbn
extension number fbnjc hąo
facility shŁshc
family jia
far yu1n
father bąba
fee fŁi
final zu�h�u
finish work xią ban
firm gdngsc
60
first of all xian
fitness centre jiąnshbn f�ng
flatmate tóngwe
flight h�ngban
flight number h�ngban hąo
flight ticket jc piąo
for wŁi
for a while ycxią
foreign currency wąi hu�
four seasons s� j�
free of charge bł shdufŁi
from cóng
from here l� zhŁr
from. . . to cóng . . . dąo . . .
full m1n
fully booked d�ng m1n
get a refund tu� ku1n
get it delivered s�ng dąo
girl geniang
go (v) qł
go ahead q3ng shud ba
go out che qł
go work shąng ban
good h1o
good night w1n an
Great Wall ch�ng ch�ng
guesthouse l.diąn/l.shŁ
hairdryer diąn chucfbng
half bąn
ham hu4tu3
hand to jiao g2i
handling fee sh4u xł fŁi
have (v) y4u
have a look kąnkan
have broken down huąi le
have found zh1o dąo
have got hold of n� dąo/n� dąo sh4u
have lost it n�ng die le
have received shdu dąo
have to d2i
hello n3 h1o
hello (on the phone) wŁi
hello (polite) n�n h1o
help (v) bang/bangzhł
history l�sh3
hold on please q3ng shao d2ng
honourable gu�
61
hope (v) xcwąng
hospital ycyuąn
hotel fąndiąn
hour xi1osh�
house f�ngzi
how z2nme
how many days? j3 tian
how many? dud sh1o
how much is it? dud sh1o qi�n
hundred b1i
I/me w4
I m afaid pą
I m sorry bł h1o y�sc
if rśgu4/sh�f4u
immediately l�j�/m1shąng
in a minute ychu�r
in case wąn yc
in that case nąme/ną
inch cłn
include (v) baoku�
indoor sh�nŁi
inexpensive pi�ny�
inn l.diąn/l.shŁ
international guój�
interview miąnsh�
is it . . . ? sh� . . . ma . . .
is that ok? x�ng ma
is . . . in? ząi . . . ma . . .
Jane zhbnn�
John yubhąn
Johnson qióngsc
just c�i
just a second please q3ng shao d2ng
karaoke k1la OK OK
kilometre gdngl3
know (v) zhcdąo
Lanzhou (place name) l�nzhdu
last zu�h�u
later y3h�u
leave z4u
leave (v) l�kai
leave a message liś y�n
let (v) rąng
life shbngm�ng
live (v) zhł
location d�fang
look for zh1o
62
lose (v) die
low budget pi�ny�
lowest zu�dc
luggage x�ngl3
luxurious h�ohu�
make a call d1 diąnhuą
master shcfu
matter sh�
may k2y3
mention (v) shudq3
message k4ux�n
mini-bus miąnbao chb
minimum zu�dc
minute fbnzhdng
mistake cu�
mobile phone sh4u jc
Monday xcngqcyc
month yuŁ
monthly card yuŁ k1
morning z1oshang
Mr xiansheng
mushroom móge
must b�xe
name m�ngzi
national road guó dąo
nearby p�ngbian
need (v) xeyąo
news xiaoxi
newspaper (as an shŁ
organisation)
next xiąge
no need bś y�ng le
no problem m�i wŁnt�
non-member fbi hu�yu�n
no-smoking (area) bł xcyan
not bł/m�i
not bad bś cu�
now xiąnząi
number hąom1
of course dangr�n
office bąngdngsh�
okay h1oba/h1ode
on the day dang tian
one yao
1-day tour yc r� yóu
only zhcy4u/c�i
open (v) kaifąng
63
or h�ish� (used in
alternative questions)
or hu�zh2
ordinary p5tdng
other bi�de
others q�ta
overseas student liś xu�shbng
paper zh3
pass on chu�n
pay (v) fł
pen b3
people r�nm�n/r�nyu�n
percent b1ifbnzhc
perhaps k2n�ng
pick up n�
pizza b3sąb3ng
place d�fang
place order xią d�ngdan
plan j�huą
pleasant surprise jcng x3
please q3ng
please may I ask . . . q3ng wŁn
plug in cha shąng
police j3ngch�
possibly k2n�ng
postpone tucch�
power diąn yu�n
press (v) ąn
price jiąg�
private room bao jian
procedure sh4uxł
put through to q3ng jib
question wŁnt�
quite good bś cu�
quite serious (injury) bł qcng
reach (v) d�dąo
really zhbnde
reception (hotel) qi�nt�i
recommend (v) tucjiąn
relevant y4uguan
requirement yąoqiś
reservation department d�ngf�ng bł
reservation number yłd�ng hąo
reserve (v) d�ng/yłd�ng
restaurant ji5lóu
return (for refund) tu�
return (good) hu�n
64
return (v) hu�l�i
return the call hu� ge diąnhuą
room f�ngjian
sauna sangn�
say it again ząi shud ycbiąn
scene (accident) xiąnch1ng
seafood h1ixian
see (v) jiąn
send (fax/email) fa
service fśwł/yŁwł
seven-seat (car)/ qc r�n zu�
seven-seater
several times h1o j3c�
Shanghai shąngh1i
shop diąn
should y�nggai
shower (in a bathroom) l�nył
single danr�n
sit (v) zu�
small xi1o
Smith sh3m�sc
soft-sleeper ru1n w�
some ycxib
somebody y4ur�n
sorry du�buq3
sort out (v) bąnl3
speak shud/shudhuą
standard biaozh5n
start (v) kaish3
still h�i
suitable h�sh�
surname x�ng
surname and given name x�ngm�ng
swimming pool yóuy4ng ch�
switchboard z4ngjc
table zhudzi
take (train/bus) zu�
take a taxi d1 chb
take off q3 fbi
take to s�ng
talk about shudq3
Tang Dynasty t�ng ch�o
teacher l1oshc
telephone directory diąnhuą d1oh�ng
tell (v) gąosu
tennis court w1ngqiś ch1ng
text message du1n x�n
thank you xiŁxie
65
the day before yesterday qi�n tian
then jił
therefore su4y3
things to bear in mind zhły� sh�xiąng
think (v) xi1ng
thousand qian
ticket piąo
times sh�jian
times/moments sh�h�u
to change biąn
to wait d2ng
to you g2i n3
today jcntian
together ycq3
toilet/bathroom wŁishbngjian
Tom tangm5
tomorrow m�ngtian
tonight jcnw1n
tour guide d1o yóu
traffic accident chb hu�
traffic jam d5 chb
transfer (v) zhu1n
transportation jiaotdng
travel agent l.x�ng shŁ
traveller s cheque l.x�ng zhcpiąo
trouble (v) m�f�n
try it out sh� y�ng
university dąxu�
vacancy k�ngwŁi
very tąi . . . le . . .
Virgin (company) w�izhbn
wake up (v)/wake-up call jiąo x3ng
we/us w4men
welcome (v) huany�ng
what sh�nme
what s . . . (phone number)? dud sh1o
when sh�nme sh�h�u
which day? n1 tian/n1 yc tian
who sh�i
whole zh2nggŁ/qu�n
with tóng
within y3nŁi/zhcnŁi
wonderful tąi bąng le
work (v, n) gdngzu�
worry/be worried zh�oj�
would like yąo
write down j� xią
write it down j�lł
66
yes sh�de
you n3
you (plural) n3men
you (polite) n�n
you d better zu�h1o
you re welcome bś kŁq�
your place n3men nąr
youth qcngni�n
yuan (Chinese currency) yu�n
zero l�ng
Dates, times and numbers
Days of the week
Monday xcngqcyc
Tuesday xcngqc Łr
Wednesday xcngqcsan
Thursday xcngqcs�
Friday xcngqcw5
Saturday xcngqclił
Sunday xcngqcr�/xcngqctian
Months of the year
January ycyuŁ
February ŁryuŁ
March sanyuŁ
April s�yuŁ
May w5yuŁ
June liłyuŁ
July qcyuŁ
August bayuŁ
September ji5yuŁ
October sh�yuŁ
November sh�ycyuŁ
December sh� ŁryuŁ
Dates
on Monday xcngqcyc
Tuesdays xcngqc Łr
on Wednesday the 3rd san hąo, xcngqcsan
on Friday the 8th of bayuŁ ba hąo,
67
August xcngqcw5
on the 2nd of sh�ycyuŁ Łr hąo
November
on December 25th Łr l�ng l�ng ba ni�n
2008 sh� Łr yuŁ Łrsh�w5
hąo
from the 5th of January cóng ycyuŁ w5 hąo
until the 4th of dąo ŁryuŁ s� hąo
February
Time and time phrases
1 o clock yc di1n
2 o clock li1ng di1n
20 past three san di1n Łrsh�
a quarter past four s� di1n yc kŁ
half past five w5 di1n bąn
10 to six lił di1n chą sh� fbn
a quarter to seven qc di1n chą yc kŁ
What time is it? j3 di1n le?
Łr and li!ng both mean  two . Łr is used in counting and
i
saying other numbers such as  22 , while li!ng is used for
telling the time and normally used to quantify things such as  two
books ,  two days ,  two hours , etc. For example: li!ng di!n
(2 o clock) and li!ng b@n shE (two books).
Cardinal numbers
0 l�ng
1 yc
2 Łr
3 san
4 s�
5 w5
6 lił
7 qc
8 ba
9 ji5
10 sh�
11 sh�yc
12. . . sh� Łr . . . . . .
20 Łrsh�
21 Łrsh�-yc
22. . . Łrsh�-Łr . . . . . .
30 sansh�
68
31 sansh�-yc
32. . . sansh�-Łr . . . . . .
40 s�sh�
50 w5sh�
. . . . . . . . .
99 ji5sh�-ji5
100 yc b1i
101 yc b1i l�ng yc
102 . . . yc b1i l�ng Łr . . . . . .
110 yc b1i ycsh�
111 yc b1i ycsh�yc
112 yc b1i ycsh� Łr
113 . . . yc b1i ycsh�san. . . . . .
120 yc b1i Łrsh�
121 . . . yc b1i Łrsh�-yc . . . . . .
200 Łr b1i
250 Łr b1i w5
300 . . . san b1i . . . . . .
1000 yc qian
2000 li1ng qian
3000 . . . san qian. . . . . .
10,000 yc wąn
100,000 sh� wąn
one million yc b1i wąn
one and a half million yc b1i w5sh� wąn
Ordinal numbers
first d�yc
second d� Łr
third d�san
fourth d�s�
fifth d�w5
sixth d�lił
seventh d�qc
eighth d�ba
ninth d�ji5
tenth d�sh�
Currency terms
euro duyu�n
US dollar m2iyu�n
sterling pounds ycngbąng
Chinese yuan r�nm�nb�