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.

The All Too Typical Questions:

What country are you from?
ni(3) lai(2) zi(4) na(3) ge(4) guo(2) jia(1)?

Why did you come to China?
ni(3) wei(4) shen(2) me(1) lai(2) zhong(1) guo(2)?

Can you use chopsticks?
ni(3) hui(4) yong(4) kuai(4) zi(3) ma?

How much money do you make?
ni(3) zheng(4) duo(1) shao(3) qian(2)?

Do you have a Chinese spouse?
ni(3) you(3) yi(1) ge(4) zhong(1) guo(2) pei(4) ou(3) ma?

Will you teach me English?
ni(3) jiao(1) wo(3) ying(1) yu(3) ma?

Typical Answers to the Even More Typical Questions:

Q: What country are you from?
ni(3) lai(2) zi(4) na(3) ge(4) guo(2) jia(1)?
A: I am from the United States.
wo(3) lai(2) zi(4) mei(3) guo(2).

Q: Why did you come to China?
ni(3) wei(4) shen(2) me lai(2) zhong(1) guo(2)?
A: I came for business.
wo(3) lai(2) jing(1) shang(1).

Q: Can you use chopsticks?
ni(3) hui(4) yong(4) kuai(4) zi(3) ma?
A: Yes I can, I have been using them in front of your for half and hour. (Or) "No, please teach me."
wo(3) hui(4). wo(3) zai(4) ni(3) mian(4) qian(2) yi(3) yong(4) le you(3) ban(4) xiao(3) shi(2) le. (huo(4) wo(3) bu(2) hui(4), qing(3) jiao(1) jiao(1) wo(3).

Q: How much money do you make?
ni(3) zheng(4) duo(1) shao(3) qian(2)?
A: I'd rather not say.
wo(3) hai(2) shi(4) bu(4) shuo(1) le(1) ba(1).

Q: Do you have a Chinese spouse?
ni(3) you(3) yi(1) ge(4) zhong(1) guo(2) pei(4) ou(3) ma?

A: Not yet, can you hook me up?
wo(2) hai(1) mei(2) you(3), ni(3) bang(1) wo(3) zhao(3) yi(1) ge(4) ma?

Q: Will you teach me English?
ni(3) jiao(1) wo(3) ying(1) yu(3) ma?

A: In your dreams. (Mei Men)
mei(2) men(2).

*Hint: 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.