The following is a collection of sentences in Mandarin which I believe are special in some way.
What do I mean by "special"? Well, let's just say grammatically and structurally they're not exactly typical. and in most cases they stand-alone as in independent expression. Plus, many of them contain elements of Chinese culture that set them apart from regular sentences.
I've broken these up into beginners, intermediate and advanced levels and tried to explain not only the literal meaning of each sentence, but its function and near-equivalent translation in English. Of course your comments and constructive feedback are always welcome in the comments section. Enjoy!
Beginner level
1. 你吃饭了吗？ Nǐ chīfàn le ma？
Literally: '"Have you eaten?"
Function: Greet someone when Chinese meet each other.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "How's it going?" or "How are you?"
2. 你多吃一点。 Nǐ duō chī yìdiǎn.
Literally: "Eat some more."
Function: Expresses one's hospility for a guest.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Have some more."
3. 慢慢吃。 Mànman chī.
Literally: "Eat slowly."
Function: Expresses politeness to someone when eating.
Near-equvalent phrase in Ehglish: "BoN appétit" or "enjoy your meal".
4. 慢走。Mànzǒu.
Literally: "Walk slowly."
Function: Expresses politeness to someone when leaving someone's house or a hotel, restaurant, etc.
Near-equvalent phrase in English: "BoN appétit" or "enjoy your meal".
5. 慢慢来。 Mànman lái.
Literally: "Come slowly."
Function: Expresses to someone to take it easy.
Near-equvalent phrase in English: "Take it easy", "Take your time" or "Easy does it".
6. 我跟你讲。Wǒ gēn nǐ jiǎng.
Literally: "I speak to you."
Funtion: Used to get someone to listen to you when you want you tell them something you think is important.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Look,..." or "Listen,..."
7. 我先走了。Wǒ xiān zǒu le.
Literally: "I go first."
Function: Used to tell someone that you're leaving, and that they can stay in the same place if they wish.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "I'm off." or "I gotta run."
8. 请问一下。 Qǐnɡwèn yíxià.
Literally: "Please [let me] ask."
Funtion: Used when you wish to ask someone (usually a stranger) a question.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Excuse me."
What do I mean by "special"? Well, let's just say grammatically and structurally they're not exactly typical. and in most cases they stand-alone as in independent expression. Plus, many of them contain elements of Chinese culture that set them apart from regular sentences.
I've broken these up into beginners, intermediate and advanced levels and tried to explain not only the literal meaning of each sentence, but its function and near-equivalent translation in English. Of course your comments and constructive feedback are always welcome in the comments section. Enjoy!
Beginner level
1. 你吃饭了吗？ Nǐ chīfàn le ma？
Literally: '"Have you eaten?"
Function: Greet someone when Chinese meet each other.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "How's it going?" or "How are you?"
2. 你多吃一点。 Nǐ duō chī yìdiǎn.
Literally: "Eat some more."
Function: Expresses one's hospility for a guest.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Have some more."
3. 慢慢吃。 Mànman chī.
Literally: "Eat slowly."
Function: Expresses politeness to someone when eating.
Near-equvalent phrase in Ehglish: "BoN appétit" or "enjoy your meal".
4. 慢走。Mànzǒu.
Literally: "Walk slowly."
Function: Expresses politeness to someone when leaving someone's house or a hotel, restaurant, etc.
Near-equvalent phrase in English: "BoN appétit" or "enjoy your meal".
5. 慢慢来。 Mànman lái.
Literally: "Come slowly."
Function: Expresses to someone to take it easy.
Near-equvalent phrase in English: "Take it easy", "Take your time" or "Easy does it".
6. 我跟你讲。Wǒ gēn nǐ jiǎng.
Literally: "I speak to you."
Funtion: Used to get someone to listen to you when you want you tell them something you think is important.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Look,..." or "Listen,..."
7. 我先走了。Wǒ xiān zǒu le.
Literally: "I go first."
Function: Used to tell someone that you're leaving, and that they can stay in the same place if they wish.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "I'm off." or "I gotta run."
8. 请问一下。 Qǐnɡwèn yíxià.
Literally: "Please [let me] ask."
Funtion: Used when you wish to ask someone (usually a stranger) a question.
Near-equivalent phrase in English: "Excuse me."
