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Post by Nikudou Natsumi on Apr 14, 2015 23:52:12 GMT
Like in the Japanese and Spanish sub-boards, here you can post any questions you have about the Chinese language.
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imaginator
Junior Member
Staring at the window and experiencing the nature is better than studying Human physiology for me...
Posts: 62
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Post by imaginator on Apr 15, 2015 9:30:07 GMT
Does this language have anything to do with honorifics like in Japanese?
And can someone tell the basic Chinese sentences, with English meaning, that'll help a first time traveller in China?
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Post by airbournebearcarcass on Apr 15, 2015 11:22:17 GMT
To imaginatorSome honorifics, not to the extent of the Japanese language. Honorifics placed behind name. Basic phrases which I think may be helpful 多少錢 (duo shao qian)-how much money(literal translation)/how much does it cost 司機 (shi ji)-driver 先生 (xian sheng)-mister 小姐 (xiao jie)-miss So for example, you can call a driver "shi ji xian sheng" if the driver is male and "shi ji xiao jie" is the driver is female. 在哪裡 (zai na li)-where is it 這個(zhe ge)-this 那個(na ge)-that Like Mikauzoran said, just say "zhe ge" and "na ge" and point around, you should be able to survive. To Mikauzoran"虎虎" is pronounced like "who-who" in "馬馬虎虎" To kkrazy Yay! Traditional Chinese! I am afraid traditional chinese has been driven almost to the point of extinction, glad to see someone else using traditional chinese too. *白目地喝采* 繁體中文萬歲!繁體中文萬歲!
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imaginator
Junior Member
Staring at the window and experiencing the nature is better than studying Human physiology for me...
Posts: 62
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Post by imaginator on Apr 15, 2015 11:44:25 GMT
To Airbournebearcarcass: Thousand thank you(s) to you..Now I think I can survive there, he he!!
Since there are different types Chinese, which was the one you described me? And which is the most difficult one also?
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Post by StarlightDragons on Apr 15, 2015 22:32:40 GMT
My mom's Taiwanese so she is much more familiar with traditional Chinese, but unfortunately I'm only relatively versed in simplified. >.>
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Post by Mikauzoran on Apr 16, 2015 0:29:09 GMT
I studied simplified, but I can read more traditional because that's what the Japanese based their kanji off of, so traditional looks more like Japanese to me.
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Windbritsle
Full Member
Part of the Dark as the Raven's Wing Anime/Manga FanFiction Group! In that group, I'm Robin!
Posts: 195
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Post by Windbritsle on Apr 18, 2015 14:03:55 GMT
Just a little note, "Driver" is "Si ji", not "Shi ji". But honorifics... Let's see here...
xian sheng 先生 "Mister", but in Taiwan or in a formal situation can also be used to refer as someone's husband. "Is that your xian sheng?" While most places will say "Is that your lao gong?" Lao gong: 老公,informal for husband.
xiao jie 小姐 “Young Lady", "Miss", or "Mistress".
nü shi: 女士, "Lady", "Miss/Mrs,"
fu ren 夫人 "Madame" or "Mrs." In Taiwan or in a EXTREMELY formal situation or to a noble can be used to refer as someone's wife. "Is that your fu ren?" While most places will say "Is that your lao po?" Lao po: 老婆, informal for wife.
... I think that's all the common ones, the others are all titles...
As for stuff to help you survive...
You can just wave for a taxi... Ni hao, everyone knows... In informal situations, you can say "Bye bye"... More formal, "Zai jian" 再见, which means: Zai: Again Jian: See Xie xie, I doubt you won't know dat. Duo shao qian, Pronouce it "Dwo shao chian", means Duo: More Shao: less Qian: money "How much money", basically. "Duo shao" Means "How many". I'm too lazy to continues... What you dunno, just ask.
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Icyicy00
New Member
it's been more than 2 years. Wow.
Posts: 37
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Post by Icyicy00 on Aug 20, 2015 10:12:42 GMT
Oh yeah, about the 小姐, I only found out about this recently but apparently you can't call ladies that in mainland China anymore. The Quora article about it
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Post by StarlightDragons on Aug 20, 2015 13:51:58 GMT
Hm, I thought I remembered relatives using 小姐 in informal settings -- especially when they're teasing or something -- but I guess not anymore o.o
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Post by Mikauzoran on Aug 21, 2015 1:41:20 GMT
I think it might be a regional thing. A few years ago in Beijing I seem to remember being called xiaojie. I think some people called me xiaomei or something like that too. Something like "little sister". :/ Can't remember.
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Post by StarlightDragons on Aug 21, 2015 3:11:56 GMT
^ would make sense. might also just be gradual change over time that I've missed out on due to being in america v.v' as for xiao mei... well, mei mei is a way to say little sister, so makes sense.
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