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.
Spring Festival: chun(1)
jie(2)
NEW
WORDS
Spring Festival: chun(1)
jie(2)
Full Moon: man(3) yue(4)
Dumplings: jiao(3) zi(1)
Bonus pay: jiang(3) jin(1)
Holiday: jie(2) ri(4)
LESSON
- When is Spring Festival this year?
jin(1) nian(2) chun(1) jie(2) shi(4) shen(3)
me shi(2) hou?
- I like the full moon.
wo(3) xi(3) huan(1) man(3) yue(4).
- Can I help to make dumplings?
wo(3) neng(2) bang(3) ni(3) bao(1) jiao(3)
zi(1) ma?
- How much was your Spring Festival bonus?
ni(3) de chun(1) jie(2) jiang(3) jin(1)
you(3) duo(1) shao(3)?
- When will you go on holiday?
ni(3) shen(3) me shi(2) hou(4) guo(4) jie(2)?
* Tip: Spring Festival is the major holiday
for most Chinese like Xmas, Hanukah or New Year's
in the west. Falling either in January or February
depending on the cycle of the moon, this is
a time when people travel hundreds and thousands
of kilometers to be with their families.
As it is a real family holiday, streets in
China can be deserted and feel a little lonely
for foreigners here at the time. The best
way to beat the blues is to get yourself invited
to Spring Festival with a Chinese family and
to help make dumplings (which I still think
are the most delicious of all Chinese foods).
