Chinese phrases

Master This One Thing To Speak Better Mandarin Chinese

April 1, 2019 By Kwadwo

SUPERCHARGE YOUR MANDARIN

Do you want to get better at everyday Chinese? Do you find yourself struggling to expand your vocabulary? You don’t need Chinese classes. You need this one very simple and effective tip.

During my recent visit to Shanghai I discussed with Elisa Montalvo how she levelled up her Mandarin Chinese way back when she was first learning.

Elisa is a dance choreographer with Disney Shanghai and So You Think You Can Dance China. She’s been bouncing around China since 2012 and has a not so secret obsession with travel—especially to the Grasslands of Inner Mongolia.

LEARN THIS PHRASE

How do you say this?

How do you say this?
怎么说？
zěn me shuō?

Everyday Elisa would ask friends, colleagues, and strangers ‘how do you say this?’ and they would tell her. She’d ask again and again and slowly her vocabulary started to expand.

She openly admits to making a lot of mistakes and embarrassing herself. But she learnt how to say the things that were useful and important in her life. By asking people the simple question ‘how do you say this?’ she would actively understand how to use the word or phrase in context next time.

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Elisa now teaches and choreographs dance in Chinese. In the beginning, she would mix Mandarin and English to learn new words. She would ask her students what something was called by pointing to a body part and saying ‘how do you say this?’ They would respond and she would continue to ask until she remembered the word or phrase off by heart.

Never be afraid to look silly. Never be afraid to ask questions. Be curious. Go outside and communicate in Mandarin Chinese. No one cares if your accent is off or you stumble on your words. They care that you are trying. The more uncomfortable situations you put yourself in the quicker you’ll learn. Immerse yourself with the language and be prepared to fail.

BONUS TIP

Be willing to put yourself out there and practise. At the beginning you will be nervous to speak Mandarin Chinese. Maybe you’re scared of looking like a fool? Most people are willing to help you once you make the effort. Look for opportunities to ask questions and expand your everyday vocabulary.

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How To Start Learning Mandarin Chinese

March 25, 2019 By Kwadwo

LEARN THE BASICS

I’ve been in Mexico for the last seven weeks learning Spanish and it really gave me some perspective on beginners learning a new language. I’ve been struggling with remembering phrases and getting my tongue used to speaking in a new accent. I needed to encourage myself to keep practising the basics. So, here are my tops tips for starting to learn Mandarin Chinese as a complete beginner:

1. Surround yourself with the language

If you’re living in China then you’re one step closer to integrating yourself. Go to markets, cafes, parks and open your ears. Listen to accents and the speed at which people talk. Learn to copy pronunciation and the nuances that local Chinese people use to speak.

If you’re taking the leap to learn Mandarin Chinese in your home country then it might be harder to surround yourself with Chinese speakers. You won’t be able to hear Mandarin all day at school or in your office. What YouTube channels can you watch to get that listening fix?

Mandarin Corner is my absolute favorite. It’s the channel I use because there are tons of dialogues you can listen to in Mandarin. They also have a range of speeds available so you can listen whatever level you’re currently at.

When you’re watching or listening to anything in Mandarin Chinese always try to speak under your breath, or out loud if you’re in a comfortable place. Copy the phrases as you go. Even if you think you’re terrible, repeat along with the audio as it gets your tongue and brain used to speaking the language.

2. Audio practise with books

Pronunciation is the hardest thing to acquire and the thing that you need to practice the most. Pick yourself up a comprehensive book with audio that will allow you to listen to native speakers speaking fluently. This way you can rewind, go back, listen over and over again and practice until you’re blue in the face.

Get Talking Chinese is honestly a revelation. It’s absolutely perfect for beginners. Everything inside this book is pure, pretty gold. They only teach you the useful day-to-day language you need to know in China. Let’s call this a phrase book plus. I haven’t felt as excited about a book since Integrated Chinese and you guys know that is my all time favorite book.

3. Practise like crazy

In order to master the basics, you must practice every day. No questions asked. If you’re not practicing every day and you aren’t seeing results then this is why. You must prioritize your language learning. Create a habit. Turn your habit into huge success. Use your downtime as study time. Set aside ten minutes of your commute to listen to your audio book or revise your flashcards.

I am seriously obsessed with the book The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson. He talks about turning simple disciplines into massive success and happiness. I’ve honestly read this book a billion times and it keeps teaching me new things.

If you practice for ten minutes, that time is seemingly insignificant. Ten minutes every day for a week or a month builds up to a whole heap of study time. Finally, you’ll see the compounded results. You’ll start to notice you can understand more words and phrases, your pronunciation is getting better or your reaction time is quicker.

That’s it. Sounds simple, huh? These three tips are your key to success. Learn the basics. Surround yourself with the language. Listen to audio, and study like crazy. No one said it would be easy but if you create a solid habit then you’re on the road to success.

Comment below what you are doing to keep your language learning going? How do you persist? The Elementary Chinese community will benefit from your knowledge.

Affiliate link disclaimer: If you purchase any of these books through the links found on this page a teeny bit of the cost helps me pay my bills and continue to provide you with valuable content. Hope that’s cool.

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The only two phrases you need when travelling in China

March 11, 2019 By Kwadwo

Kudos to you. You’re learning Chinese. A challenging yet surprisingly rewarding language to learn, especially if you’re in China.

In this post, I’ll teach you the two most important and useful Chinese phrases. How to ask where the bathroom is and how to get what you want.

If you’re an expat living in China and would like to join a community of like-minded language learners, add me on WeChat. I offer two premium WeChat groups for learning Everyday Chinese and Chinese Characters.

1. Where is the bathroom?

洗手间在哪儿？
xǐ shǒu jiān zài nǎr?
Where is the bathroom?

If this sentence is too much of a tongue twister you can simply say:

洗手间？
xǐ shǒu jiān?
Bathroom?

They will understand you. Be confident with your words. Listen to my tones in the video below. Listen over and over again. Repeat out loud. Practice makes perfect.

Or if this fails, just do the international pee pee dance and everyone will understand you! 😂

2. Get what you need

我要
Wǒ yào
I want

我不要
Wǒ bù yào
I don’t want

Pair this with pointing to the object you want/don’t want. There is nothing better than using your body language and actions to communicate your needs.

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Survival Chinese

These two phrases are the basis for working your way around China with confidence. Point to the Baozi you want when grabbing breakfast on the way to work and speak with ease when asking where the bathroom is.

Sick of saying tīng bù dǒng? Without useful phrases life in China is hard. How great would it be to grow your vocabulary, improve your tones, and apply what you’ve learnt to everyday situations? I’ve crafted an online course that ticks all these boxes. You’ll learn everyday Chinese, fast.

Are you a beginner learning Chinese?
Talk Mandarin might just be the book for you.

Is learning Chinese hard?

I get a ton of emails asking me ‘how hard is it to learn Mandarin Chinese?’. The honest answer is, learning Mandarin Chinese is hard. But, if you’re learning Chinese in China you have an added advantage because I can provide you with the tools you need to communicate effectively in Mandarin Chinese.

Top three ways to learn Chinese

1. FREE guide to learning everyday Chinese!

The first thing you should check out is my eight effective ways to learn Chinese free guide. It breaks down the top ways to learn Chinese fast!

2. The best books to learn Mandarin Chinese

There are so many books which claim to help you master the Chinese language. And, most of them are a waste of money. I’ve used my 10 years experience of living in China and learning Chinese to compile a comprehensive guide of the best books to learn Chinese.

3. Weekly live streams

The most effective way to learn Chinese in China is to experience the language for yourself. I guide you through everyday situations in my live Youtube videos, helping you learn Mandarin Chinese quickly and effectively. What aspects of learning Chinese are you struggling with?

Comment below and I’ll make a video to help you overcome language barriers in China.

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Wish Someone Happy New Year & Make Their Day!

February 12, 2018 By Kwadwo

Use these five phrases to surprise your Chinese friends around the Chinese New Year holiday. Chinese you meet certainly don’t expect you to wish them Happy New Year like this! Take this chance to spread good will and make a positive connection!