English-Mandarin Dictionary     English Mandarin Pinyin Pronunciation 

Numbers

zero ling/ leengone yi– eetwo er\ urhthree san– sahnfour si\ suhfive wu\/ wuusix liu\ leoseven qi– tcheeeight ba– bahnine jiu\/ jeoten shi/ shreleven shi/ yi– shr eetwelve shi/ er\ shr urhhundred bai\/ buythousand qian– tchee–inten thousand wan\ wahnhundred thousand (use 1 wan) shi/ wan\ shr wahnmillion (use 1 wan) bai\/ wan\ buy wahnten million (use 1 wan) qian– wan\ tchee–in wahnhundred million (use 1 wan wan) wan\ wan\ (yi\) wahn wahnbillion (use 1 wan wan) shi/ wan\ wan\ shr wahn wahnten billion (use 1 wan wan) bai\/ wan\ wan\ buy wahn wahnhundred billion (use 1 wan wan) qian– wan\ wan\ tchee–in wahn wahn     

Modifiers

(best) zui\ zway(experiential suffix to verb) guo\ (after a verb) gwaw(future again) zai\ tsai(future tense, used before verb) jiang– jee–ahng(measure for book) ben\/ ben(measure for buildings) suo\/ swaw(measure for clothes) jian\ jee–in(measure for flat objects) zhang– jahng(measure for long slender objects) zhi– jr(measure for long, narrow objects; roads) tiao/ tee–ow(measure for movies) bu\ buu

(measure for people, polite form) wei\ way(measure, general) ge\ guh(modifier, changes adjective into adverb) de duh(particle at end of imperative sentence implying probability)

ba bah

(past tense, change of condition; used at end of sentence)

le luh

(pluralizing suffix) men mun(possessive, used after word, omit for close relationship)

de duh

(question particle) a ah(question particle; used at end of sentence) ma mah(substantive suffix used with location word) tou toe(verb) taking place … qi\/ lai tchee lie     

A

able to hui\ hwayabove edge shang\ bian– shahng bee–inabove edge zai\ … shang\ bian– zigh … shahng bee–inabove surface shang\ mian\ shahng mee–inabove surface zai\ … shang\ mian\ zigh … shahng mee–inabove, upper part shang\ tou shahng toeabove, upper part zai\ … shang\ tou zigh … shahng toeadditionally, in addition hai/ highAfrica Fei– zhou– fay joeafter, afterwards yi\/ hou\ ee hoeafternoon 1 pm to 6 pm xia\ wu\/ shee–ah wuuagain (past) you\ yoeair, cold leng\/ qi\ luung tcheeairplane fei– ji– fay jeeairplane ticket fei– ji– piao\ fay jee pee–owalike yi/ yang\ ee yahngall dou– doealready yi\/ jing– ee jeengalso ye\/ yehalso you\ yoealtogether yi/ gong\ ee goongAmerica Mei\/ guo/ may gwawAmerican people Mei\/ guo/ ren/ may gwaw wrenand han\ hahnappear (to) kan\ qi\/ lai kahn tchee lieapple ping/ guo\/ peeng gwawapple juice ping/ guo\/ zhi– peeng gwaw jrApril si\ yue\ suh yu–eh

arm ge– bei guh bayarm ge– bo guh bwoharrive, then jiu\ dao\ le jeo dow luhas same as xiang\ … yi/ yang\ shee–ahng … ee yahngascend (to) shang\ shahngAsia Ya\/ zhou– yah joeask (a question, to) wen\ wunask (to) qing\/ tcheengat zai\ zighattorney lu\ shi– luu shrAugust ba– yue\ bah yu–ehautomobile che– zi chuh dzuhautumn, fall season qiu– tian– tcheo tee–in     

B

back of edge, in hou\ bian– hoe bee–inback of edge, in; rear zai\ … hou\ bian– zigh … hoe bee–inback of surface, in hou\ mian\ hoe mee–inback of surface, in; rear zai\ … hou\ mian\ zigh … hoe mee–inback of, in hou\ tou hoe toeback of, in; rear zai\ … hou\ tou zigh … hoe toebanana xiang– jiao– shee–ahng jee–owbe (to), am, is, are, was, were shi\ shrbe able to (to) neng/ nuungbe at zai\ zighbe, not (to) bu/ shi\ buu shrbeach hai\/ bian– high bee–inbeancurd dou\ fu\/ doe fuubeautiful mei\/ maybeef with oyster sauce hao/ you/ niu/ rou\ how yoe neo roebefore yi\/ qian/ ee tchee–inbehind hou\ mian\ hoe mee–inbelow xia\ shee–ahbelow edge xia\ bian– shee–ah bee–inbelow edge zai\ … xia\ bian– zigh … shee–ah bee–inbelow surface xia\ mian\ shee–ah mee–inbelow surface zai\ … xia\ mian\ zigh … shee–ah mee–inbelow, lower part xia\ tou shee–ah toebelow, lower part zai\ … xia\ tou zigh … shee–ah toebelt, leather pi/ dai\ pee diebetween in zhong– jian– joong jee–inbetween in, middle zai\ … han\ …de zhong– jian– zigh … hahn duh joong jee–inbicycle jiao\/ ta\ che– jee–ow tah chuhbicycle zi\ xing/ che– dzuh sheeng chuh

big da\ dahbirth to, give (to) sheng– shuungbirthday sheng– ri\ shuung ruhbirthday, happy sheng– ri\ kuai\ le\ shuung rr kwie luhblack and white hei– bai/ hay buyblack color hei– hayblackboard hei– ban\/ hay bahnbless zhu\ juublue lan/ lahnblue color lan/ se\ lahn suhboard ban\/ bahnbody shen– ti\/ shuun teebook shu– shuuborn (to be) sheng– shuungborrow from (someone) (to) gen– (someone) jie\ gun … jee-ehboss lao\/ ban\/ lou bahnboth dou– doeboth … and you\ … you\ yoe … yoebottom xia\ shee–ahbought and gave to me mai\/ gei\/ wo\/ my gay wawbought for mai\/ gei\/ my gaybowl wan\/ wahnboy nan/ hai/ zi nahn high dzuhboyfriend nan/ peng/ you\/ nahn puung yoebrave ying– eengbread mian\ bao– mee–in bowbreakfast zao\/ fan\ zow fahnbright ming/ meengbright, shining liang\ lee–ahngbring (to) dai\ diebrother, older ge– ge guh guhbrother, younger di\ di dee deebrush for writing mao/ bi\/ mou beebus, public gong– gong\ qi\ che– goong goong tchee chuhbusinessman shang– ren/ shahng wrenbusy (to be) mang/ mahngbut ke\/ shi\ huh shrbutter niu/ you/ neo yoebuy (to) mai\/ my     

C

C.P.A., certified public accountant kuai\ ji\ shi– kwie jee shrcalculator (counting machine) ji\ suan\ ji– jee swahn jeecalf xiao\/ tui\/ shee–ow tway

called (to be) jiao\ jee–owcalled (to be) xing\ sheengcan hui\ hwaycan ke\/ yi\/ kuh eeCanton Guang\/ dong– gwahng doongcar che– zi chuh dzuhcard, business ming/ pian\ meeng pee–incarp with hot bean sause dou\ ban\ yu/ doe bahn yuucarrot hong/ luo/ bo/ hoong lwaw bwohcart che– chuhcassette tape lu\ yin– dai\ luu een diecatch sight of (to) kan\ dao\ kahn dowcent, penny fen– finCentral America Zhong– mei\/ zhou– joong may joecheap pian/ yi pee–in eecheck (money) zhi– piao\ jr pee–owcheck, bill (restaurant) zhang\ dan– jahng dahnchicken ji– jeechicken, diced with paprikas gong– bao\/ ji– ding– goong bow jee deengchild zi\/ dzuhchildren hai/ zi high dzuhChina, Chinese (country) Zhong– guo/ joong gwawChinese character Zhong– guo/ zi\ joong gwaw dzuhChinese food zhong– can– joong tsahnChinese language, literature Zhong– wen/ joong wunchocolate qiao\/ ke\ li\ tchee–ow kuh leechopsticks kuai\ zi kwie dzuhcircle yuan/ xing/ ywen sheengcity cheng/ chuungclassmate tong/ xue/ toong shu-ehclassroom jiao\ shi\ jee–ow shrclever cong– ming tsoong meengclip, paper hui/ wen/ zhen– hway wun junclock zhong– joongclothes, dress yi– fu/ ee fuucoffee ka– fei– kah faycola ke\/ le\ kuh luhcold leng\/ luungcold, too tai\ leng\/ tie luungcolor yan/ se\ yahn suhcome from cong/ … lai/ tsoong … liecome to (place) dao\ (place) lai/ dow … liecome, come here (to) lai/ liecomfortable shu– fu/ shuu fuucompany gong– si– goong suhcomparatively bi\/ jiao\ bee jee–ow

computer (electric brain) dian\ nao\/ dee–in now

computer programmer dian\ nao\/ cheng/ shi\ she\ ji\ shi–dee-in now chuung shr shuh jee shr

cook (to) zuo\ fan\ zwaw fahncookie, cracker bing\/ gan– beeng gahncool, comfortably liang/ kuai\ lee–ahng kwiecopy (of a book) ben\/ bincorrect!, right! dui\ dwaycorrect!, right! dui\ le dway luhcountry guo/ gwawcouple, a liang\/ lee–ahngcow niu/ neocrossroad junction shi/ zi\ lu\ kou\/ shr dzuh luu koecute ke\/ ai\ kuh eye     

D

daughter nu\/ er/ nuu urhdaughter, little sister xiao\/ jie\/ shee–ow jee–ehday tian– tee–inday of the month hao\ howday, after tomorrow hou\ tian– hoe tee–inday, before yesterday qian/ tian– tchee–in tee–inday, every tian– tian– tee–in tee–inday, this jin– tian– jeen tee–inday, tomorrow ming/ tian– meeng tee–inday, yesterday zuo/ tian– zwaw tee–inDecember shi/ er\ yue\ shr urh yu–ehdefinitely jiu\ jeodelicious hao\/ chi– how chrdentist ya/ yi– yah eedepartment store bai\/ huo\ gong– si– buy hwaw goong dzuhdessert dian\/ xin– dee–in sheendessert (sweet) tian/ dian\/ tee–in dee–indialog dui\ hua\ dway hwahdictionary zi\ dian\/ dzuh dee–indictionary, English–Chinese ying– han\ zi\ dian\/ eeng hahn dzuh dee–indifferent bu\ yi/ yang\ buu ee yahngdime mao/ moudinner wan\/ fan\ wahn fahndirection fang– xiang\ fahng shee-ahngdirection from one place to another zai\ (place)de (direction)bian– zigh …duh …bee–indismiss the class (to) xia\ ke\ shee–ah kuhdo (to) zuo\ zwawdo, won't; not OK bu\ xing/ buu sheeng

doctor yi– sheng– ee shuungdollar, (measure for money) kuai\ kwiedoor men/ mundot dian\/ dee–indrink (to) he– huhdrive (to) kai– kighduckling, crisp pepperskin xiang– su– ya– shee-ahng suu yahdust tu\/ tuu     

E

each, every mei\/ mayear er\/ duo– urh dwawearth tu\/ tuueast dong– doongeast side dong– bian– doong bee–ineat (to) chi– chreat breakfast chi– zao\/ fan\ chr zow fahneat dinner chi– wan\/ fan\ chr wahn fahneat food, eat a meal (to) chi– fan\ chr fahneat lunch chi– wu\/ fan\ chr wuu fahneat or drink soup he– tang– huh tahngedge bian– bee–inegg ji– dan\ jee dahnembassy da\ shi\/ guan\/ dah shr gwahnengineer gong– cheng/ shi– goong chuung shrEngland Ying– guo/ eeng gwawEnglish language, literature Ying– wen/ eeng wunEnglish people Ying– guo/ ren/ eeng gwaw wrenentirely dou– doeentrance kou\/ koeenvelope xin\ feng– sheen fuungeraser for blackboard ban\/ ca– bahn tsaheraser for paper xiang\ pi/ ca– shee–ahng pee tsahEurope Ou– zhou– oh joeevening 6 pm to 11 pm wan\/ shang\ wahn shahngexactly at the right moment zheng\ hao\/ juung howExcuse me. I'm sorry. Dui\ bu\ qi\/. dway buu tchee expensive gui\ gwayeye mu\ muueyebrow mei/ mao/ may moueyeglasses yan\/ jing\ yahn jeengeye yan\/ jing– yahn jeeng     

F

face lian\/ lee–infamily jia– ren/ jee–ah wrenfast kuai\ kwiefather ba\ ba bah bahfeather mao/ mouFebruary er\ yue\ urh yu–ehfeet jiao\/ jee–owfemale nu\/ nuufew shao\/ shoufield, farmland tian/ tee–infinger shou\/ zhi\/ show jrfire huo\/ hwawfirst xian– shee–infirst … and then xian– … zai\ shee–in … zighfish yu/ yuufish, assorted cold pin– pan/ peen pahnflat zhang– jahngflour mian\ fen\/ mee–in finflower hua– hwahfollow me gen– wo\/ lai/ gun waw liefood fan\ fahnforce li\ leeforeign country wai\ guo/ wigh gwawforest lin/ leenforget (to) wang\ (ji\) wahng jeeforgot wang\ le wahng luhfork cha– zi chah dzuhform (to), compose, constitute zu\/ cheng/ zuu chuungfoundation ben\/ binFrance Fa\ guo/ fah gwawfree (not have cost) bu/ yao\ qian/ buu yow tchee–inFrench people Fa\ guo/ ren/ fah gwaw wrenFriday xing– qi/ wu\/ (li\/ bai\ wu\/) sheeng tchee wuufriend peng/ you\/ puung yoefrom cong/ tsoongfront qian/ tchee–infront of edge, in qian/ bian– tchee–ah bee–infront of edge, in zai\ … qian/ bian– zigh … tchee–ah bee–infront of surface, in qian/ mian\ tchee–ah mee–infront of surface, in zai\ … qian/ mian\ zigh … tchee–ah mee–infront of, in qian/ tou tchee–ah toefront of, in zai\ … qian/ tou zigh … tchee–ah toefruit shui\/ guo\/ shway gwaw

fruit juice guo\/ zhi– gwaw jrfun, have (to) wan/ wahnfur mao/ mou     

G

garlic suan\ swahngate men/ mungate, main da\ men/ dah munGerman people De/ guo/ ren/ duh gwaw wrenGermany De/ guo/ duh gwawget on (to) shang\ shahngget up from bed qi\/ chuang/ tchee chwahnggift li\/ wu\ lee wuugive a gift (to) song\ soongginger jiang– jee–ahnggirl nu\/ hai/ (zi) nuu high dzuhgirl, young lady xiao\/ jie\/ shee–ow jee–ehgirlfriend nu\/ peng/ you\/ nuu puung yoegive (to) gei\/ gaygloves shou\/ tao\ show touglue jiao– shui\/ jee–ow shwaygo (to) zou\/ zoego from cong/ … qu\ tsoong … tchugo out (to) chu– qu chuu tchugo out of town on business (to) chu– chai– chuu chighgo play, go out and have fun (to) qu\ wan/ tchu wahngo to (place) dao\ (place) qu\ dow … tchugo to (to) dao\ dowgo to class (to) shang\ ke\ shahng kuhgo to work (to) shang\ ban– shahng bahngo up (to) shang\ shahnggo, go there (to) qu\ tchuuGood bye. (again see) Zai\ jian\. zigh jee–ingood morning zao\/ zowgood, not bu\ hao\/ buu howgood, well, fine, OK hao\/ howgood–looking (to be) hao\/ kan\ how kahngrapefruit pu/ tou/ you\ puu toe yoegrapes pu/ tao/ puu tougreat tai\ bang\ le tie bahng luhgreen color lu\ se\ luu suhgrow zhang\/ jahng     

H

hair tou/ fa\/ toe fahhair, body mao/ mouhalf ban\ bahnhalf an hour of time ban\ ge zhong– tou/ bahn guh joong toehalf past hour dian\/ ban\ dee–in bahnhalf past … (number) dian\/ ban\ (zhong–) dee–in bahn joonghand shou\/ showhandicraft shou\/ gong– show goonghandle (to) ban\ bahnhappy (to be) gao– xing\ gow sheenghat, cap mao\ zi\/ mou dzuhhave (to) you\/ yoehave, don't (negates completed action) mei/ you\/ may yoehave, still hai/ you\/ high yoehave, still don't hai/ mei/ you\/ high may yoeHaven't seen you for a long time. (good long time no see)

Hao/ jiu\/ bu/ jian\. how jeo buu jee–in

he, him, she, her, it ta– tahhead tou/ toehealthy (for people) shen– ti\/ hao\/ shuun tee howheart xin– sheenhello (to answer phone) wei\ wayhere zher\ jurhhere zhe\ li\/ juh leehigh gao– gowhimself, herself ta– zi\ ji\/ tah dzuh jeehis, hers, its ta– de tah duhhit da\/ dahhit (someone), spank da\/ ren/ dah wrenhome jia– jee–ahhomeland guo/ jia– gwaw jee–ahHong Kong Xiang– gang\/ shee–ahng gahnghope, wish (to) xi– wang\ she wahnghorn jiao\/ jee–owhorse ma\/ mahhorsecart ma\/ che– mah chuhhospital yi– yuan\ ee ywenhot re\ ruhhot, too tai\ re\ tie ruhhour dian\/ (zhong–) dee–in joong(number) hour (number) quarter (number) dian\/ (number) ke\ dee–in …kuhhour of time xiao\/ shi/ shee–ow shrhour of time zhong– tou/ joong toe

house fang/ zi fahng dzuhHow about you? Ni\/ ne? nee nuhHow about …? (question particle; used at end of sentence)

ne nuh

How about …?, How's everything? Zen\/ me yang\? zen muh yahnghow do you go, get there zen\/ ma zou\/ zen mah zoehow many (less than ten) ji\/ jeehow many people? ji\/ wei\ jee wayhow many things? ji\/ ge\ jee guhhow many? duo– shao dwaw shouhow many? (quantity) duo– shao\/ hao\ dwaw shou howhow much money? duo– shao\/ qian/ dwaw shou tchee–inhow much? duo– shao dwaw shouHunan province (lake south) Hu/ nan/ huu nahnHupeh province (lake north) Hu/ bei\/ huu bay     

I

I don't know. Wo\/ bu\ zhi– dao\. waw buu jr dowI, me wo\/ wawif yao\ shi\ yow shrin zai\ zighin all yi/ gong\ ee goongincorrect bu/ dui\ buu dwayincorrect cuo\ tswawindeed jiu\ jeoIndia Yin\ du\ een duuIndian people Yin\ du\ ren/ een duu wrenink mo\ shui\/ mwoh shwayink stick mo\ mwohink stone yan\ tai/ yahn tieinquire (to) wen\ wuninside li\/ leeinside li\/ tou lee toeinside zai\ … li\/ tou zigh … lee toeinside edge li\/ bian– lee bee–ininside edge zai\ … li\/ bian– zigh … lee bee–ininside surface li\/ mian\ lee mee–ininside surface zai\ … li\/ mian\ zigh … lee mee–inintelligent cong– ming tsoong meengintroduce (to) jie\ shao\ jee–eh shouinvite (to) qing\/ tcheengIs it all right? Ke\/ yi\/ ma? kuh ee mahIs that true? Zhen– de ma? jun duh mahItalian people Yi\ da\ li\ ren/ ee dah lee wren

Italy Yi\ da\ li\ ee dah lee     

J

January yi– yue\ ee yu–ehJapan Ri\ ben\/ rr binJapanese language, literature Ri\ wen/ rr wunJapanese people Ri\ ben\/ ren/ rr bin wrenjob gong– zuo\ goong zwawjuice zhi– jrJuly qi– yue\ tchee yu–ehJune liu\ yue\ leo yu–ehjust zhi\/ shi\ jr shrjust in the midst of doing something(used before a verb to form a progressive)

zheng\ zai\ juung zigh

     

K

ketchup fan– qie/ jiang\ fahn tchee–eh jee–ahngking wang/ wahngknee xi– gai\ she guyknife dao– dowknife dao– zi dow dzuhknow how (to) hui\ hwayknow someone (to) ren\ shi\ wren shrknow that …, know a fact (to) zhi– dao\ jr dowKorea Chao/ xian– chow shee–inKorea Han/ guo/ hahn gwawKorean people Chao/ xian– ren/ chow shee–inn wrenKorean people Han/ guo/ ren/ hahn gwaw wren     

L

labor gong– goonglake hu/ huulanguage wen/ wunlanguage (used after country name) hua\ hwahlarge da\ dahlate (to be) wan\/ wahnlate, too tai\ wan\/ tie wahnlately zui\ jin\ zway jeenlawyer lu\ shi– luu shrlearn, study (to) xue/ shu–ehleather pi/ pee

leave (to) liu/ xia\ leo shee-ahleave (to) zou\/ zoeleft (in direction) zuo\/ zwawleft side, at the zai\ … zuo\/ bian– zigh … zwaw bee–inleft side, at the zuo\/ bian– zwaw bee–inleg tui\/ twaylemon ning/ meng/ neeng muunglend (to) jie\ gei\/ jee-eh gaylesson (number) di\ (number) ke\ dee (number) kuhlet's go zou\/ ba zoe bahletter (as in mail) xin\ sheenlike (to) xi\/ huan– she hwahnlike, don't bu\ xi\/ huan– buu she hwahnliterature wen/ wunlittle shao\/ shoulittle bit, a yi\ dian\/ ee dee–inlong chang/ chahnglook (to) kan\ kahnlook at, take a kan\ kan\ kahn kahnlook for (to) zhao\/ jowlost, become (to) mi/ lu\ me luulove (to) ai\ eyelovely ke\/ ai\ kuh eyelump kuai\ kwielunch wu\/ fan\ wuu fahn     

M

make (to) zuo\ zwawmake sentence (to) zuo\ ju\ zi zwaw juu dzuhman ren/ wrenmanage (to) ban\ bahnManchuria (east north) Dong– bei\/ doong baymany duo– dwawmap di\ tu/ dee tuuMarch san– yue\ sahn yu–ehmarried (to be) jie/ hun– jee–eh hwunmay ke\/ yi\/ kuh eeMay wu\/ yue\ wuu yu–ehMay I ask? Qing\/ wen\ tcheeng wunmeans fang– fa\/ fahng fahmeet (people) jian\ jee–inmeeting, attend a (to) kai– hui\ kigh hwaymenu can\ dang– tsahn dahngmerely jiu\ jeo

method fang– fa\/ fahng fahMexican people Mo\ xi– ge– ren/ mwoh she guh wrenMexico Mo\ xi– ge– mwoh she guhmiddle zhong– joongmilk nai\/ nighmilk, cow's niu/ nai\/ neo nighminutes fen– (zhong–) fin joongmirror jing\ zi jeeng dzuhMiss, store assistant xiao\/ jie\/ shee–ow jee–ehMister, sir, husband, gentleman xian– sheng– shee–in shuungmoment/little while, in a yi/ xia\ ee shee–ahmoment/little while, in a yi– hui\/ er ee hway urhMonday xing– qi/ yi– (li\/ bai\ yi–) sheeng tchee eemoney qian/ tchee–inmonth yue\ yu–ehmonth, last shang\ ge yue\ shahng guh yu–ehmonth, next xia\ ge yue\ shee–ah guh yu–ehmonth, this zhei\ ge yue\ jay guh yu–ehmonth, two ago shang\ shang\ ge yue\ shahng shahng guh yu–ehmonth, two from now xia\ xia\ ge yue\ shee–ah shee–ah guh yu–ehmoon yue\ yu–ehmoon yue\ liang\ yu–eh lee–ahngmore hai/ highmorning 6 am to 9 am zao\/ chen/ zow chunmorning, early 3am to 6 am qing– chen/ tcheeng chunmost zui\ zwaymother ma– ma mah mahmountain, hill shan– shahnmountain, on the shan– shang\ shahn shahngmouth kou\/ koemouth zui\/ ba– zway bahmovie dian\ ying\/ dee–in eengmuch duo– dwawmustard, ground jie\ mo jee–eh mwohmy, mine wo\/ de waw duhmyself wo\/ zi\ ji\/ waw dzuh jee     

N

name, first ming/ zi\ meeng dzuhname, last xing\ sheengnamed (to be) xing\ sheengnapkin can– jin– zhi\/ tsahn jeen jrnarrow zhai\/ jighnation guo/ gwaw

neck bo/ zi\/ bwoh dzuhnecktie da\/ ling\/ dai\ dah leeng dienephew zhi/ er/ jr urhnew xin– sheenniece zhi/ nu\/ jr nuunight 11 pm to 3 am ye\ li\/ yeh leeno matter (choice between two things) bu/ lun\ … dou– (hao\/) buu lwun … doe (how)No thanks. Bu/ xie\. buu she–eh no, not bu\ buunoodles mian\ mee–innoon time 11 am to 1 pm zhong– wu\/ joong wuunoon, before 9 am to 11 am shang\ wu\/ shahng wuunorth bei\/ bayNorth America Bei\/ mei\/ zhou– bay may joenorth side bei\/ bian– bay bee–innose bi/ zi\/ bee dzuhnot, not yet mei/ maynot bad, so-so bu/ cuo\ buu tswawnot both bu\ dou– buu doenot very, not too bu/ tai\ buu tienotebook ben\/ zi\/ ben dzuhnotebook bi\/ ji\ ben\/ bee jee benNovember shi/ yi– yue\ shr ee yu–ehnow xian\ zai\ shee–in zigh

Now what time (is it)? Xian\ zai\ shi\ shen/ma shi/ hou\?shee–in zigh shr shuun mah shr hoe

number hao\ ma\/ how mahnurse hu\ shi\ huu shr     

O

o'clock dian\/ (zhong–) dee–in joongoccupy zai\ zighocean hai\/ highocean (hai\/) yang/ high yahngocean, big da\ hai\/ dah highOctober shi/ yue\ shr yu–ehoffice ban\ gong– shi\ bahn goong shroffice (for lawyer, accountant) shi\ wu\ suo\/ shr wuu swawoffice, go to (to) shang\ ban– shahng bahnoften chang/ (chang/) chahng chahngOK xing/ sheengOK? Hao\/ ma? how mahold jiu\ jeoon zai\ zigh

on duty, go (to) shang\ ban– shahng bahnone month yi– ge yue\ ee guh yu–ehone of (used with verb to be) yi– ge ee guhonion, green cong– tsoongonly jiu\ jeoonly zhi\/ shi\ jr shropen (to) kai– kighopening kou\/ koeor huo\ shi\ hwaw shror (still is) hai/ shi high shrorange (color) ju/ se\ juu suhorange (fruit) liu\/ ding– leo deengOrange County cheng/ xian\ chuung shee–inorange juice liu\/ ding– zhi– leo deeng jrorder food (to) dian\/ cai\ dee-in tsighorigin ben\/ binours wo\/ men/ de waw mun duhoutside wai\ wighoutside wai\ tou wigh toeoutside zai\ … wai\ tou zigh … wigh toeoutside edge wai\ bian– wigh bee–inoutside edge zai\ … wai\ bian– zigh … wigh bee–inoutside surface wai\ mian\ wigh mee–inoutside surface zai\ … wai\ mian\ zigh … wigh mee–inox niu/ neo     

P

pair yi\ shuang– ee shwahngpair, a liang\/ lee–ahngpants ku\ zi\/ kuu dzuhpants, long chang/ ku\ chahng kuupants, short duan\/ ku\ dwahn kuupaper zhi\/ jrpaper, white bai/ zhi\/ buy jrpark gong– yuan/ goong ywenpart fen– finpass, exceed, crossover (to) guo\ gwawpassport hu\ zhao\ huu jowpay money to (to) fu\ qian/ fuu tchee–inpeach tao/ zi\/ tou dzuhpen, ball–point yuan/ zi\/ bi\/ ywen dzuh beepen, fountain gang– bi\/ gahng beepen, pencil, marker bi\/ beepencil qian– bi\/ tchee–in bee

people ren/ wrenpepper hu/ jiao– fen\/ huu jee–ow finpermission ke\/ yi\/ kuh eeperson ren/ wrenpiece kuai\ kwiepink color fen\/ hong/ se\ fin hoong suhplace di\ fang– dee fahngplan to (to) xiang\/ shee–ahngplastic bag (Taiwan) su\ jiao– dai\ suu jee–ow dieplastic bag (China) su\ liao\ dai\ suu lee–ow dieplate pan/ zi pahn dzuhplay ball da\/ qiu/ dah tcheoplay, (to) wan/ wahnplease qing\/ tcheengpoliceman jing\/ cha/ jeeng chahpotato ma\/ ling/ shu\/ mah leeng shuupower li\ leeprecisely jiu\ jeopresent li\/ wu\ lee wuupretty piao\ liang\ pee–ow lee–ahngproblem wen\ ti/ wun teeproblem, no mei/ you\/ wen\ ti/ may yoe wun teepurple color zi\/ se\ dzuh suhpurse pi/ bao– pee bowput on accessories (to) dai\ die     

Q

quarter hour, first yi/ ke\ (zhong–) ee kuh joongquarter hour, third san– ke\ (zhong–) sahn kuh joongquestion wen\ ti/ wun teequestion, no mei/ you\/ wen\ ti/ may yoe wun teequick kuai\ kwie     

R

rain xia\ yu\/ shee–ah yuurather, really hen\/ hinread books kan\ shu– kahn shuureal, is zhen– de jun duhreally zhen– junreally is zhen– shi\ jun shrrear hou\ hoerecently jin\ lai/ jeen lierecently zui\ jin\ zway jeen

rectangle chang/ fang– xing/ chahng fahng sheengred hong/ hoongred color hong/ se\ hoong suhregion bu\ buuremember now xiang\/ qi\/ lai/ le shee–ahng tchee lie luhrent (to) zu– zuurequest (to) qing\/ tcheengreservation, make a (to) ding\ wei\ deeng wayrest (to) xiu– xi sheo sherestaurant can– ting– tsahn teengrestaurant fan\ guan\/ fahn gwahnreturn, come back (to) hui/ lai/ hway liereturn from work (to) xia\ ban– shee–ah bahnreturn home (to) hui/ jia– hway jee–ahrice plant dao\ zi\/ dow dzuhrice, cooked fan\ fahnrice, cooked mi\/ fan\ me fahnrice, fried chao\/ fan\ chow fahnrice, uncooked mi\/ mericksha ren/ li\ che– wren lee chuhride astride (to) qi/ tcheeright (in direction) you\ yoeright side, at the you\ bian– yoe bee–inright side, at the zai\ … you\ bian– zigh … yoe bee–inroad lu\ luuroom wu– zi wuu dzuhroot ben\/ binruler chi\/ chrRussia E\ guo/ uh gwawRussia Su– lian/ suu lee–inRussian people E\ guo/ ren/ uh gwaw wrenRussian people Su– lian/ ren/ suu lee–in wren     

S

sailboat fan/ chuan/ fahn chwahnsalad sha– la– shah lahsalt yan/ yahnsame yi/ yang\ ee yahngSaturday xing– qi/ liu\ (li\/ bai\ liu\) sheeng tchee leosay (to) shuo– shwawscarf wei/ jin– way jeenseasons, four (of the year) si\ ji\ suh jeeseconds miao\/ (zhong–) mee–ow joongsecretary mi\ shu– me shuu

see (people) jian\ jee–inSee you again. (again see) Zai\ jian\. zigh jee–inSee you tomorrow. Ming/ tian– jian\. meeng tee–in jee–inseek (to) zhao\/ jowself zi\ ji\/ dzuh jeesell (to) mai\ my!September jiu\/ yue\ jeo yu–ehShansi province (mountains west) Shan– xi– shahn sheShantung province (mountains east) Shan– dong– shahn doongshape xing/ sheengship, boat chuan/ chwahnshirt, blouse chen\ shan– chun shahnshoes xie/ zi\/ she–eh dzuhshoes, leather pi/ xie/ pee she–ehshort (for people) ai\/ eyeshort (length, for things) duan\/ dwahnshould, ought to ying– gai– eeng guyside bian– bee–insister, older jie\/ jie jee–eh jee–ehsister, younger mei\ mei may maysit (to) zuo\ zwawskirt qun/ zi\/ tchwun dzuhsky tian– tee–insleep (to) shui\ jiao\ shway jee–owslower, be man\ yi\ dian\/ mahn ee dee–insmall xiao\/ shee–owsmart piao\ liang pee–ow lee–ahngsnack (before bed) xiao– ye\ shee–ow yehsnack (street stand) xiao\/ chi– shee–ow chrsnack, dim sum dian\/ xin– dee–in sheensnow xia\ xue\/ shee–ah shu–ehso suo\/ yi\/ swaw eeso–so ma\/ ma\/ hu– hu– mah mah huu huusocks wa\ zi\/ wah dzuhsoda qi\ shui\/ tchee shwaysoil tu\/ tuuson er/ zi urh dzuhson zi\/ dzuhsouth nan/ nahnSouth America Nan/ mei\/ zhou– nahn may joesouth side nan/ bian– nahn bee–inSpain Xi– ban– ya/ she bahn yahSpanish people Xi– ban– ya/ ren/ she bahn yah wrenspeak jiang\/ (shuo–) jee–ahng shwawspeak (to) shuo– shwawspeech hua\ hwah

speech yan/ yahnspinach bo– cai\ bwoh tsighspoon tang– chi/ tahng chrspring season chun– tian– chwun tee–insquare fang– xing/ fahng sheengstamp, postage you/ piao\ yoe pee–owstapler ding\ shu– ji– deeng shuu jeestate (political area) zhou– joestewardess kong– zhong– xiao\/ jie\/ koong joong shee-ow jee-ehstill hai/ highstill not yet (verb) hai/ mei/ (verb) ne high may … nuhstranger, wayfarer lu\ ren/ luu wrenstraw xi– guan\/ she gwahnstreet jie– jee–ehstrength li\ leestudent, pupil xue/ sheng– shu–eh shuungsugar, candy tang/ tahngsuit xi– zhuang– she jwahngsummer season xia\ tian– shee–ah tee–insun ri\ rrsun tai\ yang/ tie yahngSun Yatsen (middle mountain) Zhong– shan– joong shahnSunday xing– qi/ tian (li\/ bai\ tian) sheeng tchee tee–insurface mian\ mee–insweater mao/ yi– mou eeswim (to) you/ yong\/ yoe yoong     

T

take a nap (to) shui\ wu\/ jiao\ shway wuu jee–owtake care of (to) zhao\ gu\ jow guutalk (to) shuo– shwawtall gao– gowtea cha/ chahteacher lao\/ shi– lou shrteeth ya/ chi\/ yah chrtelephone dian\ hua\ dee-in hwahtelephone call, make a (to) da\/ dian\ hua\ dah dee–in hwahtell (to) gao\ su\ gow suuthank you xie\ xie she she–ehthat na\ nahthat nei\ naytheir ta– men/ de tah mun duhthere nar\ nahrthere na\ li\/ nah lee

therefore suo\/ yi\/ swaw eethese zhe\ xie– juh shee–ehthey, them ta– men/ tah munthigh da\ tui\/ dah twaything dong– xi doongthink of (to) xiang\/ shee–ahngthis zhei\ jaythis zhe\ juhthis one zhe\ ge juh guhThursday xing– qi/ si\ (li\/ bai\ si\) sheeng tchee suhtie ling\/ dai\ leeng dietime (number hour: number minutes) (number) dian\/ (number) fen– dee–in … fintime (by clock or calendar) shi/ hou shr hoetime, leisure gong– fu goong fuutime, next xia\ ci\ shee–ah tsutired (to be) lei\ layto (go) shang\ shahngto go (food; means sell outside) wai\ mai\ wigh mytoday jin– tian– jeen tee–intogether yi\ qi\/ ee tcheetomato fan– qie/ fahn tchee–ehtoo tai\ tietoo ye\/ yehtoothpick ya/ qian– yah tchee–intop shang\ shahngtoward wang\/ wahngtraffic lights hong/ lu\ deng– hoong luu duungtrain huo\/ che– hwaw chuhtrain station huo\/ che– zhan\ hwaw chuh jahntravel (to) lu\/ xing/ luu sheengtree mu\ muutree shu\ shuutree leaf shu\ ye\ (zi) shuu yeh dzuhtriangle san– jiao\/ xing/ sahn jee–ow sheengtrue, is zhen– de jun duhtrue, is not bu/ shi\ zhen– de buu shr jun duhTuesday xing– qi/ er\ (li\/ bai\ er\) sheeng tchee urhturn on (to) kai– kighturn over (to) fan\/ fahnturn right you\ zhuan\/ yoe jwahntwo of liang\/ lee–ahngtwo of … (measure) liang\/ ge\ lee–ahng guh     

U

understand (to) dong\/ doongunderwear nei\ yi– ku\ nay ee kuuUnited States Mei\/ guo/ may gwawuse (to) yong\ yoongused jiu\ jeo     

V

vegetable qing– cai\ tcheeng tsighvegetable shu– cai\ shuu tsighvegetable dish su\ cai\ suu tsighvegetables, stir–fry chao\/ qing– cai\ chow tcheeng tsighvehicle che– chuhvehicle qi\ che– tchee chuhvehicle, electric; trolley bus dian\ che– dee–in chuhvery hen\/ hinvery many hen\/ duo– hin dwawvideotape lu\ ying\/ dai\ luu eeng dieViet Nam Yue\ nan/ yu–eh nahnVietnamese people Yue\ nan/ ren/ yu–eh nahn wrenvisa qian– zheng\ tchee–in juungvisit (to) zhao\/ jowvocabulary sheng– zi\ shuung dzuhvolume (of books) ben\/ bin     

W

wait (to) deng\/ duungwaiter fu/ wu\ sheng– fuu wuu shuungwallet, leather pi/ jia/ zi\/ pee jee–ah dzuhwant (to) yao\ yowwant, don't bu/ yao\ buu yowwant, still hai/ yao\ high yowwarm nuan\/ huo/ nwahn hwawwatch shou\/ biao\/ show bee–owwater shui\/ shwaywatermelon xi– gua– she gwahway fang– fa\/ fahng fahwe, us wo\/ men/ waw munwear clothes (to) chuan– chwahnweather tian– qi\ tee–in tcheeWednesday xing– qi/ san– (li\/ bai\ san–) sheeng tchee sahnweek li\/ bai\ (xing– qi/) lee buyweek xing– qi/ (li\/ bai\) sheeng tcheeweek, last shang\ ge xing– qi/ (li\/ bai\) shahng guh sheeng tchee / lee buy

week, next xia\ ge xing– qi/ (li\/ bai\) shee–ah guh sheeng tchee / lee buyweek, this zhei\ ge xing– qi/ (li\/ bai\) jay guh sheeng tchee / lee buy

week, two agoshang\ shang\ ge xing– qi/ (li\/ bai\)

shahng shahng guh sheeng tchee / lee buy

week, two from now xia\ xia\ ge xing– qi/ (li\/ bai\)shee–ah shee–ah guh sheeng tchee / lee buy

west xi– shewest side xi– bian– she bee–inWhat is your name? Gui\ xing\? gway sheengWhat time (is it)? Ji\/ dian\/ zhong–? jee dee–in joongwhat? na\/ nahwhat? nei\/ naywhat? shen/ me shuun muhwhat? shen/ mo shuun–mwohwhen? shen/ me shi/ hou\ shuun muh shr hoewhere? na\/ li\/ nah leewhere? nar\/ nahrwhich na\/ nahwhich nei\/ naywhich (plural) na\/ xie– nah shee–ehwhich one na\/ ge nah guhwhite bai/ buywho shei/ shaywhose shei/ de shay duhwhy (used at beginning of sentence) wei\ shenme/ way shuun mahwide kuan– kwahnwife, Mrs. tai\ tai tie tiewilling to yuan\ yi\ ywen eewind blow gua– feng– gwah fuungwindow chuang– hu\ chwahng huuwinter season dong– tian– doong tee–inwipe (to) ca– tsahwith, follow gen– gunwoman nu\/ ren/ nuu wrenwoman, career zhi/ ye\ fu\ nu\/ jr yeh fuu nuuwood mu\ muuword yan/ yahnwork gong– goongwork gong– zuo\ goong zwawwork, do (to) zuo\ gong– zuo\ zwaw goong zwawwork, have a job; handle affairs (to) zuo\ shi\ zwaw shrworker gong– ren/ goong wrenwrite (to) xie\/ she–ehwriting wen/ wunwrong bu/ dui\ buu dwaywrong cuo\ tswaw

     

Y

year nian/ nee–inyear, last qu\ nian/ tchuu nee–inyear, next ming/ nian/ meeng nee–inyear, this jin– nian/ jeen nee–inyear, two ago qian/ nian/ tchee–in nee–inyear, two from now hou\ nian/ hoe nee–inyellow color huang/ se\ hwahng suhyes shi\ a! shr ahyes (in response to are you…?) shi\ shryou (plural) ni\/ men/ nee munyou (polite) nin/ neenyou (singular) ni\/ neeYou dialed the wrong number. Ni\/ da\/ zuo\ le. Nee dah zwaw luhYou're welcome. Bu/ ke\ qi\. buu kuh tcheeyour (plural) ni\/ men/ de nee mun duhyour (singular) ni\/ de nee duhyourself ni\/ zi\ ji\/ nee dzuh jee