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) qi(1)
LESSON
- When
is Spring Festival this year?
jin(1) nian(2) chun(1) jie(2) shi(4) shen(3)
me shi(2) hou(4)?
- 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) mo shi(2) hou(4) you(3)
jia(4) qi(1)?
* 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).
