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.

Ask Questions: wen(4) wen(4) ti(2)

NEW WORDS

1) Again: zai(4)

2) Repeat: chong(2) fu(4)

3) Slower: man(4) yi(1) dian(3)

4) Sorry: dui(4) bu(2) qi(3)

5) Understand: ming(2) bai(2)

LESSON

I don't understand.
wo(3) bu(4) ming(2) bai(2).

I'm sorry, I don't understand you.
dui(4) bu(2) qi(3), wo(3) bu(4) ming(2) bai(2).

Ask someone else.
wen(4) bie(2) ren(2) ba.

Can you repeat the question?
ni(3) neng(2) zai(4) wen(4) yi(1) ci(4) ma?

Can you speak slower please?
ni(3) neng(2) shuo(1) de(1) man(4) yi(1) dian(3) ma?

What did you say?
ni(3) shuo(1) shen(2) me?

Examples you can expect:

Q: Is this yours?
zhe(4) shi(4) ni(3) de(1) ma?

A: Sorry?
dui(4) bu(2) qi(3) ?

Q: Are you from Canada?
ni(3) cong(2) jia(1) na(2) da(4) lai(2) shi(4) ma?

A: Can you repeat the question?
ni(3) neng(2) zai(4) wen(4) yi(1) ci(4) ma?

Q: Do you live near here?
ni(3) zai(4) zhe(4) fu(3) jin(4) zhu(4) ma?

A: Can you speak slower please?
qing(3) ni(3) shuo(1) man(4) yi(1) dian(3) hao(3) ma?

Q: What time is it?
ji(2) dian(3) la?

A: I'm sorry, I don't understand, ask someone else.
dui(4) bu(2) qi(3), wo(3) bu(4) ming(2) bai(2), wen(4) bie(2) ren(2) ba(1).

Q: Please teach me English( and have my baby).
jiao(1) wo(3) ying(1) yu(3) ba(1).

A: What did you say?
ni(3) shuo(1) shen(2) me?

* When in doubt just use the phrase, "I can't speak Chinese. wo(3) bu(2) hui(4) shuo(1) zhong(1) guo(2) hua(4)" This sentences goes over best if it is augmented with a smile.