Level 2

Introducing Yourself

Say your name, where you are from, and where you live. Ask the same back.

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Phrases

Tap play to hear it, then say it out loud.

我叫

wǒ jiào

my name is

Say it like woh jyow

The most natural way to introduce yourself. Follow it with your name: 我叫 Sarah.
我的名字是

wǒ de míngzi shì

my name is (literal)

Say it like woh duh meeng-dzuh shir

More literal and slightly stiff. 我叫 is what people actually say.
我從美國來

wǒ cóng Měiguó lái

I come from America

Say it like woh tsong may-gwoh lye

Swap the place to make it yours: 我從英國來, 我從澳洲來. 從 marks the origin.
我住在台灣

wǒ zhù zài Táiwān

I live in Taiwan

Say it like woh joo dzeye tie-wahn

Swap the place to make it yours: 我住在台北, 我住在倫敦. 台灣 uses the traditional 灣.
我是美國人

wǒ shì Měiguó rén

I am American

Say it like woh shir may-gwoh run

人 is a 2nd tone and stays level after the country name.
我是英國人

wǒ shì Yīngguó rén

I am British

Say it like woh shir yeeng-gwoh run

Swap the country: 加拿大人 Canadian, 澳大利亞人 Australian, 德國人 German.
我是觀光客

wǒ shì guānguāngkè

I am a tourist

Say it like woh shir gwan-gwan-kuh

Useful when someone asks what brings you here. 觀光 is sightseeing.
我是學生

wǒ shì xuéshēng

I am a student

Say it like woh shir shyweh-shung

學 is 2nd tone and rises. 學生 is the everyday word for student of any age.
你從哪裡來

nǐ cóng nǎlǐ lái

where are you from?

Say it like nee tsong nah-lee lye

The natural counter-question. 裡 is the traditional form used in Taiwan.
你是哪裡人

nǐ shì nǎlǐ rén

where are you from (origin)?

Say it like nee shir nah-lee run

Asks where someone is from by origin rather than where they travelled from.
你來多久了

nǐ lái duōjiǔ le

how long have you been here?

Say it like nee lye dwoh-jyoh luh

多久 asks for a length of time. 了 marks a change of state.
我第一次來

wǒ dì yī cì lái

it is my first time here

Say it like woh dee yee tsih lye

第一次 means "the first time". Say it with a bit of pride.
很高興認識你

hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ

nice to meet you

Say it like hun gow-shing run-shir nee

認識 means to come to know someone. Good for a first meeting.
你呢

nǐ ne

and you?

Say it like nee nuh

Bounces the question back. Say it after answering, so the conversation moves.
我不會說中文

wǒ bú huì shuō Zhōngwén

I cannot speak Chinese

Say it like woh boo hway shwo jong-wun

會 means "can, know how to". This phrase earns you patience everywhere.
我會說一點點中文

wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎndiǎn Zhōngwén

I can speak a little Chinese

Say it like woh hway shwo yee-dyehn-dyehn jong-wun

一點點 "a little bit" is reduplicated to make it smaller and friendlier.
請說慢一點

qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn

please speak more slowly

Say it like cheeng shwo mahn yee-dyehn

一點 after an adjective means "a little more". Say this whenever you need to.
請再說一次

qǐng zài shuō yí cì

please say that again

Say it like cheeng dzeye shwo yee tsih

再一次 literally "one more time". 再 before a verb means repetition.
這是什麼意思

zhè shì shénme yìsi

what does this mean?

Say it like jeh shir shun-muh yee-suh

意思 is meaning or intention. Point at something as you say it.
這個中文怎麼說

zhège Zhōngwén zěnme shuō

how do you say this in Chinese?

Say it like juh-guh jong-wun dzun-muh shwo

怎麼說 is "how to say". The phrase that gets you a new word every time.
我聽懂了

wǒ tīng dǒng le

I understand (now)

Say it like woh teeng dong luh

聽懂 is to understand what was said. 了 shows it has just clicked.
我聽不懂

wǒ tīng bù dǒng

I do not understand

Say it like woh teeng boo dong

不 goes between the verb and the result here: literally "listen, not reach".
我的中文不好

wǒ de Zhōngwén bù hǎo

my Chinese is not good

Say it like woh duh jong-wun boo how

Modesty is normal and disarming. Follow it with 一點點 and people will warm to you.
我在學中文

wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén

I am learning Chinese

Say it like woh dzeye shyweh jong-wun

在 before a verb marks an action in progress. People love to hear this one.
幸會

xìnghuì

honoured to meet you

Say it like shing hway

Formal and a little literary. Good in a business setting, not at a night market.
你幾歲

nǐ jǐ suì

how old are you?

Say it like nee jee sway

幾 asks for a small number. Use this with peers and children; ask elders more gently.
我也是

wǒ yě shì

me too

Say it like woh yeh shir

也 is 3rd tone and means "also". The easiest way to keep a conversation going.
你好我叫

nǐ hǎo wǒ jiào

hello, my name is

Say it like nee how woh jyow

The whole opening line in one go. Add your name and you have introduced yourself.