Chinese Language and Cultural Study Guide: Shopping, Time, and Grammar

Welcome (Guānglín - 光临): This term is specifically used to greet customers in shops, stores, and theaters. It translated to "to come" or "to visit (honorific)."
Down Jacket (Yǔróngfú - 羽绒服): A specific term for a coat filled with down feathers.
Good-looking (Hǎokàn - 好看): Used to describe items or people that are aesthetically pleasing.
To Try (Shì - 试): Used when trying on clothing or testing something out.
A Little Bit (Yīdiǎnr - 一点儿): Used to signify a small amount or degree.
Of Course (Dāngrán - 当然): Used to express certainty.
Discount (Dǎ zhé - 打折): To give or receive a discount. The noun for discount is zhé (折).
Descriptive Adjective Opposites:
- Dark vs. Light: shēn \times qin (深浅) — used for colors.
- Long vs. Short: chng \times dun (长短).
- Thin vs. Fat/Loose: shu \times png / fi (瘦胖 / 肥).
Suitable (Hēsh - 合适): Used to indicate something is fitting or appropriate in size or context.

Formal Written Units:
- Yun (元): The primary unit.
- Jio (角): $1/10$ of a Yuan.
- Fēn (分): $1/100$ of a Yuan.
Spoken/Oral Units:
- Kui (块): Replaces Yuan in daily speech.
- Mo (毛): Replaces Jiao in daily speech.
- Fēn (分): Remains the same in spoken Chinese.
Pricing Examples:
- $46.5$ Yuan is spoken as: Sshli kui wĔ (四十六块五).
Numerical Notation:
- Zero is expressed as Lng (零).
Discount Calculation:
- D b zh (打八折): This means the items is sold at $80\%$ of the original price ( $20\%$ off).

Temporal Vocabulary:
- This Year: Jđnnin (今年).
- Next Year: Mngnin (明年).
- Last Year: Qnin (去年).
Life Events:
- Graduation: B y (毕业).
- Birthday: Shēngr (生日).
Inquiring and Stating Age:
- DuŁ d (多大): How old (used for adults/general inquiry).
- Su (岁): Years of age.
- ShĔ (属): To belong to a Chinese Zodiac sign (e.g., "I am born in the year of the…").

Planning Verbs:
- ZhĔnbi (准备): To prepare.
- Dsun (打算): To plan or intend.
Social Activities:
- Wnhu (晚会): Evening party.
- Cānjiā (参加): To join, attend, or participate in.

Clock Time Units:
- Fēn(zhŁng) (分(钟)): Minute(s).
- K (刻): A quarter (15 minutes).
- Bn (半): Half (30 minutes).
- Ch (差): Short of / lacking (e.g., 5 minutes to 10:00).
Daily Actions:
- Qĭ chung (起床): To get out of bed.
- Shu jio (睡觉): To sleep.
- Zofn (早饭): Breakfast.
- Shng k (上课): To start class/go to class.
- Xi k (下课): To finish class.
Punctuality and Departure:
- ZhĔnsh (准时): Punctual / on time.
- Jh (集合): To assemble or gather at a location.
- Chūfā (出发): To set out or depart.

Pivotal Sentences (Subject + Causing Verb + Object/Subject2 + Action):
- Rng (让): To let or make someone do something.
- Jio (叫): To order or tell someone to do something.
- Qĭng (请): To invite or politely ask someone to do something.
- Structure: First Subject + Causative Verb (rng/jio/qĭng) + Second Subject + Second Verb.
Expressing Interest:
- Gn xngq (感兴趣): To be interested.
- Structure: Subject + Du (对) + Object of Interest + Gn xngq.
Sequencing Events:
- Yĭqin (以前): Before.
- Yĭhu (以后): After.
Hobbies and Spare Time:
- iho (爱好): Hobby.
- Yy (业余): Spare time / amateur.

Directional Pairs:
- Qinbian/Hubian (前边/后边): Front / Back.
- Nnbian/Bēibian (南边/北边): South / North.
- DŁngbian/Xībian (东边/西边): East / West.
- ZuŃbian/Yubian (左边/右边): Left / Right.
- Wibian/Lĭbian (外边/里边): Outside / Inside.
Distance and Inquiries:
- L (离): Used to indicate distance "from" a place.
- Dting (打听): To inquire or ask about something (e.g., asking for directions).
- Loji (劳驾): "Excuse me" (literally: "to trouble your carriage"), used when asking for a favor or information.

The pronunciation of the interjection "a" (啁) changes based on the final sound of the preceding word:

After sounds ending in u or ao: It is pronounced wa.
After sounds ending in i: It is pronounced ya.
After sounds ending in n: It is pronounced na (referenced as "nao" in transcript contexts).
After sounds ending in ng: It is pronounced nga.