Mandarin for Mongering

[Ninni]

One pice of advice I was given about learning the language when I arrived was to get myself a long haired dictionary!

 

[Kallan- MIA]

Stegram - Yeah, I know what you mean. I'm a bit the same.

Fluky - I hope that web site I sent via PM to you the other day is useful.

I think that sometimes, when learning any language, it's a matter of finding the right teacher/web site/CD etc. Some methods work really well for some people but not at all for others.

a.t.

 

[Tuesday Smith]

I used CD lessons I bought at the bookstore and get an hour a day while driving to practice and learn.
This creates a weird situation - I speak way better than I understand. Usually it's to opposite.

 

[iloveanimals]

Yea, I am in the NYC area so I get to practice my chinese almost everyday. Everytime I see a cute chinese girl I start to chat her up. I may even score some chinese pussy in the USA doing this tactic.

I am trying to put in about 30 minutes each day. the hard part is remembering all the different tones to use for each word. What a complicated language

Oh well, now I have a new hobby for the next few years.

Fluky

 

[John S2005]

I don't like Chinesepod. Something about the strong accents of the American speakers on there and the structure of the lessons got under my skin a bit. I found it a bit over-bearing! But it seems to be well used and recommended by many people. I've put it down to one of those things which is "just me" rather than any problem with the material.

It will make a huge difference. Even ten minutes each day until your next trip will give you some tools to feel more in control and confident while in China.

a.t.

 

[CaliBlondi7]

I am actually taking Chinesepod.com. It's pretty good and by my next trip I should be able to say something more than just "HI and Bye".

Thanks for the tips,
Fluky

 

[takeme2theXtreme]

No worries, I was only joking !!!

 

[Beebs]

My apologies, JW.

Myself, I'm OK for simple conversation in Mandarin, but if discussions get complicated I'm usually in way over my head and have to beat a hasty retreat!

 

[doctor frog]

http://www.fortune-cookie-500.com/Pinyin.html

This is an online guide to pinyin - it will tell you how to pronounce things like wo, you, mei, etc...
(hint - it is not WOE, YOU, MAY)

If you have a little Chinese dictionary, there will be a page for pinyin pronounciations.

 

[SassyB]

Heh, u quoted me then not flukey. My Mandarin is fine.

 

[Emmy [Redux]]

Another mongering site has an excellent thread dediated to this topic with detailed phrases/words and, from memory, includes the Pinyin tones to help pronunciation.

I mean no offense when I write that if you're unsure on how to pronounce "wo", then you're probably at the very start of the beginner level in Chinese proficiency. In this case, and you're so inclined, I'd recommend going online and downloading some free Mandarin Chinese lesson MP3 files; which will probably help a lot more at this seforum.xxxe than anything which can be written here.

a.t.

 

[kazlith]

I will try and it phonetically later but you are right, there may be a problem with tones

 

[livinnbfe]

brilliant

 

[michellemoniquexx]

Great post, my biggest problem is working out the phonics of actually pronouncing the words. That would help alot in your list. For example:

I, me = wo

is that prononced Woo, like in winnie the phoo. Or is it pronounced Whoa, like in slow down the horse.

But overall, your list is helping me greatly and is much appreciated.

Thanks much,
Fluky

 

[fa fas]

Good work, Jocko. A good starting point for mongers new to Shanghai.

Importantly, if the girl does speak some English, remember to speak clearly, slowly and avoid complicated bar/pub talk -- i.e. don't speak to the girl like you would to a group of mates at the pub in Toronto during happy hour and then expect her to understand. Think about what message you're trying to convey and how to explain it as simply a possible.

I have seen so many laoweis here using fast, complicated and heavily accented English to confused-looking girls, which just sets them up to fail and immediately reduces their confidence to understand anything else you're likely to say.

a.t.

 

[The Rikstir XIV]

I found this in another thread and think it might be helpfull for a few people.