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.

Buying Clothing: mai(3) yi(1) fu(2)

NEW WORDS
Shirt: chen(4) shan(1)
Tie: ling(3) dai(4)
Pants: ku(4) zi
Big: da(4)
Small: xiao(3)
Cheaper: pian(2) yi(4) yi(1) dian(3)

LESSON

• Do you have a shirt in my size?
  ni(3) men(2) you(3) wo(3) zhe(4) yang(4) chi(3) cun(4) de chen(4) shan(1) ma?
  
• How much are these pants?
  zhe(4) tiao(2) ku(4) zi duo(2) shao(3) qian(2)?
  
• I like this tie.
  wo(3) xi(3) huan(2) zhe(4) tiao(2) ling(3) dai(4).
  
• The pants are too big.
  zhe(4) ku(4) zi(3) tai(4) da(4) le.
  
• Do you have something cheaper?
  ni(3) men(2) you(3) pian(2) yi(4) yi(1) dian(3) de ma?

* Tip: China accounts for almost 30 percent of all clothing and textiles produced in the world! It's not surprising therefore that there is usually at least one large clothing market in every city in China.

While you can get some real bargains, be careful of fakes and poor workmanship. If you do find something you like, make sure you negotiate hard with the seller. Discounts of 50 - 80 percent are not uncommon. Don't be shy or embarrassed to ask for large sizes and don't be surprised when you have to buy an XXL size instead of your usual medium.

Don't forget to check out some of the traditional silk clothing for both men and women. As well as being beautifully decorated using gorgeous fabrics, they are very comfortable to wear.