Note: The spoken Chinese Mandarin language has 4 spoken tones. We have attempted to re-create those below where after each syllable we tell you (1), (2), (3), or (4) as they correspond to each of the 4 tones. We encourage you to complement your Xianzai.com Emergency Chinese newsletter with a good offline study program.

Dentist: ya(2) yi(1)

NEW WORDS
Appointment: yu(4) yue(1)
Cleaning: qing(1) xi(3)
Scaling: gua(1) ci(3)
Filling: bu(3) ya(2)
X-ray: X guang(1)

LESSON

• Can I have an appointment with the dentist please?
  qing(3) wen(4) wo(3) ke(2) yi(3) he(2) ya(2) yi(1) yu(4) yue(1) ma?
  
• What time is my appointment?
  wo(3) de yu(4) yue(1) shi(4) shen(2) me shi(2) hou(4)?
  
• I just want a cleaning and scaling done today.
  wo(3) jin(1) tian(1) zhi(3) xiang(3) qing(1) xi(3) he(2) chu(2) chi(3) gou(4).
  
• I think I need a filling.
  wo(3) jue(2) de wo(3) dei(3) bu(3) ya(2).
  
• Will you do an x-ray before you do the filling?
  bu(3) ya(2) qian(2) ni(3) yao(3) zuo(4) X guang(1) ma?

* Tip: We all need to visit the dentist regularly regardless of whether we are at home or living in a strange and foreign place. Many people who come to China to live forget the importance of oral hygiene and regular check-ups or are too scared to go to a Chinese dentist.

Most people who live in China have at some stage heard horror stories about Chinese dentists, but it does not have to be that way at all. Check in any of the magazines or on websites to find details of either foreign dentists living and working here or for clinics that specially cater for foreigners.

Remember, have at least one check-up and a thorough cleaning and scaling done each year.