lesson 2 flahscards chinese

What is "at / in" (location marker) in Chinese?

在 (zài) — "dzeye" | The signpost that marks WHERE something happens. Without it, a place noun is just a thing, not a location. 我在家 (I'm at home) vs 我家 (my home — possession, different meaning)

What is "to drink" in Chinese?

喝 (hē) — "huh" (flat, high tone) | Picture taking a satisfying gulp and sighing "huh" — the sound of refreshment. TONE NOTE: flat tone, unlike 和 (hé, "and") which rises.

What is "today" in Chinese?

今天 (jīntiān) — "jin-tyen" | Picture drinking gin (jin) today, this very day (tyen).

What is "home / family" in Chinese?

家 (jiā) — "jyah" | Always needs 在 in front when used as a location in a sentence: 在家 = at home.

What is "cup / glass" (measure word for drinks) in Chinese?

杯 (bēi) — "bay" | Used between a number and a drink noun. 一杯茶 (one cup of tea), 一杯水 (one glass of water). Think: "bay-be, here's your drink."

What is the measure word for flat objects in Chinese?

张 (zhāng) — "jang" | Used for menus, paper, tickets, photos. 一张菜单 (one menu), 一张票 (one ticket). Picture a menu being "changed" (zhāng) hands.

What is the default / general measure word in Chinese?

个 (gè) — "guh" | The fallback when you don't know which measure word to use — almost always acceptable. 一个朋友 (one friend), 一个苹果 (one apple).

What is "to want / need" in Chinese?

要 (yào) — "yao" | Goes before a noun or verb. 我要一杯咖啡 (I want one cup of coffee), 我要去 (I need to go).

What is "to give / for" in Chinese?

给 (gěi) — "gay" | 请给我一杯水 (please give me a glass of water). Also used as "for someone": 我给你做饭 (I'll make food for you).

What is "to do / to make" in Chinese?

做 (zuò) — "dzwoh" | 你在做什么 (what are you doing?). Same sound as 坐 (zuò, to sit) — context tells them apart.

What is "to know (a fact)" in Chinese?

知道 (zhīdào) — "jr-dao" | For knowing facts/information. 你知道吗? (do you know?). Different from 认识 (rènshi) which means knowing a person.

What is "how is it? / how about?" in Chinese?

怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) — "dzen-muh-yang" | Used to ask how someone/something is doing. 你妈妈怎么样? (how is your mum?). SPACED REP — revisit from Lesson 1.

What is "already" in Chinese?

已经 (yǐjīng) — "ee-jing" | Goes before the verb. 我已经吃了 (I've already eaten). Usually pairs with 了 at the end. SPACED REP — revisit from earlier.