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 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(1) 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 you for half an 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(1) you(3) ban(4) xiao(3)
shi(2) le(1). (huo4) 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.
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(1)?
Q: Will you teach me English?
ni(3) jiao(1) wo(3) ying(1) yu(3) ma?
A:
In your dreams. (Mei Mennnnnnnnnnnnnnnn)
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.