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.
NEW
WORDS
Time-shi(2)
jian(1)
Hours- xiao(3) shi(2)
Minutes- fen(1) zhong(1)
Clock-zhong(1) biao(3)
Watch-shou(3) biao(3)
Thank you- xie(4) xie(4) ni(3)
LESSON
- Can
you tell me the time please?
ni(3) neng(2) gao(4) su(4) wo(3) shi(2)
jian(1) ma?
- Is
the meeting at 9AM or 9PM?
hui(4) yi(4) shi(4) shang(4) wu(3) jiu(3)
dian(3) hai(2) shi(4) wan(3) shang(4)
jiu(3) dian(3)?
-
Where can I buy a nice watch?
wo(3) zai(4) na(3) er ke(2) yi(3) mai(3)
dao(4) hao(3) shou(3) biao(3)?
-
What time does the bar open?
jiu(3) bar(1) shen(2) mo shi(2) hou(4)
kai(1)?
-
Thank you for telling me the time.
xie(4) xie(4) nin(2) gao(4) su(4) wo(3)
shi(2) jian(1).
*
Tip: Watches in China, as in most other
countries, serve a dual purpose. They show
the time as well as being a fashion statement
or an expression of individuality.
Famous Chinese watch brands such as Seagull
and MeiHua still rank among the most common
in China and are well known for their reliability.
China, despite its enormity, has just one
time zone - Beijing time. Beijing time is
eight hours ahead of GMT.
