The Biographic Information Module provides you with linguistic and cultural skills needed for a simple conversation typical of a first-meeting situation in China. These skills include those needed at the beginning of a conversation (greetings, introductions, and forms of address), in the middle of a conversation (understanding and answering questions about your­self and your immediate family), and at the end of a conversation (leave-taking). Before starting this module, you must take and pass the ORN Criterion Test. The resource modules Pronunciation and Romanization and Numbers (tapes 1-4) are also prerequisites to the BIO Module. The Criterion Test will focus largely on this module, but material from Module 1 and associated resource modules may also be included.

Upon successful completion of the module, the student should be able to: Pronounce correctly any word from the Target Lists of ORN or BIO, properly distinguishing sounds and tones, using the proper stress and neutral tones, and making the necessary tone changes. Pronounce correctly any sentence from the BIO Target Lists, with proper pauses and intonation, that is, without obscuring the tones with English intonation. Use polite formulas in asking and answering questions about identity (name), health, age, and other basic information. Reply to questions with the Chinese equivalents of “yes” and “no” Ask and answer questions about families, including who the members are, how old they are, and where they are. Ask and answer questions about a stay in China, including the date of arrival, location-purpose-duration of stay, previous visits, traveling companions, and date of departure. Ask and answer questions about work or study, identification of occupation, the location, and the duration. Give the English equivalent for any Chinese sentence in the BIO Target Lists. Be able to say any Chinese sentence in the BIO Target Lists when cued with its English equivalent. Take part in a short Chinese conversation, using expressions included in the BIO Target List sentences.

Biographic information (BIO) Unit 1: 1 C-l 1 P-1 1&2 D-1 1 C-2 1 P-2 Unit 2: 2 C-l 2 P-1 2 C-2 2 P-2 Unit 3: 3 C-l 3 P-1 3&4 D-1 3 C-2 3 P-2 Unit 4: 4 C-l 4 P-1 4 C-2 4 P-2 Unit 5: 5 C-l 5 P-1 5&6 D-1 5 C-2 5 P-2 Unit 6: 6 C-l 6 P-1 6 C-2 6 P-2 Unit 7: 7 C-l 7 P-1 7&8 D-1 7C-2 7 P-2 Unit 8: 8 C-l 8 P-1 8 C-2 8 P-2 Units 1–4 R-1 Units 5–8 R-1 Classroom Expressions (CE) CE 2 Time and Dates (T&D) T&D 1 T&D 2

1. Qǐngwèn, nǐ zhù zai nǎr? 請問，你住在哪兒？ May I ask, where are you staying? Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 我住在北京飯店。 I’m staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 2. Nǐ zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 你住在哪個飯店？ Which hotel are you staying at? Wǒ zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. 我住在那個飯店。 I’m staying at that hotel. 3. Nǐ zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? 你住在這個飯店嗎？ Are you staying at this hotel? Bù, wǒ bú zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 不，我不住在這個飯店。 No, I’m not staying at this hotel. 4. Nǐ zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? 你住在民族飯店嗎？ Are you staying at the Nationalities Hotel? Bù, wǒ bú zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 不，我不住在民族飯店。 No, I’m not staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 5. Něiwèi shi Gāo tóngzhì? 哪位是高同志？ Which one is Comrade Gāo Nèiwèi shi Gāo tóngzhì. 那位是高同志。 That one is Comrade Gāo. 6. Zǎo. Nuòwǎkè nǚshì! Nín hǎo. 早。 諾瓦克女士！您好。 Good morning. Ms. Nowak! How are you? Wǒ hěn hǎo. 我很好。 I’m very well. 7. Qīnwèn, nǐ shi Měiguó nǎrde rén? 請問，你是美國哪兒個人。 Where are you from in America? Wǒ shi Jiāzhōu Jiùjīnshān rén. 我是加州舊金山人。 I’m from San Francisco, California.

1. Nǐ péngyou jiā zài náli? 你朋友家在哪裏？ Where is your friend’s house? Tā jiā zài Dàlǐ Jiē. 他家在大理街。 His house is on Dàlǐ street. 2. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi ...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièr hào. 他的地址是大理街四十二號。 His address is No. 42 Dàlǐ Street. 3. Nǐ shi Wèi shàoxiào ba? 你是魏少校把？ You are Major Weiss, aren’t you? Shìde. 是的。 Yes. 4. Nà shi Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn ba? 那是國賓大飯店吧？ That is Ambassador Hotel, isn’t it? Shìde, nà shi Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn. 是的，那是國賓大飯店。 Yes, that’s the Ambassador Hotel. Nǐ zhù zai nàli ma? 你住在那裏嗎？ Are you staying there? Bù, wǒ zhù zai zhèli. 不，我住在這裏。 No, I’m staying here. 5. Nǐ péngyou zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 你朋友在臺北工作嗎？ Does your friend work in Taipei? Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 他不在臺北工作。他在臺中工作。 He doesn’t work in Taipei; he works in Taichung. 6. Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? Wǒ zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. 我在武官處工作。 I work at the defense attache’s office. Wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò. 我在銀行工作。 I work at a bank.

1. Nǐmen yǒu háizi ma? 你們有孩子嗎？ Do you have any children? Yǒu, wǒmen yǒu. 有，我們有。 Yes, we have. 2. Liú xiānsheng méiyou Měiguó péngyou. 劉先生沒有美國朋友。 Mr. Liú doesn’t have any American friends. 3. Nǐmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 你們有幾個男孩子，幾個女孩子？ How many boys and how many girls do you have? Wómen yǒu liǎnge nánhaizi, yíge nǚháizi. 我們有兩個男孩子，一個女孩子。 We have two boys and one girl. 4. Hú xiānsheng, Hú tàitai yǒu jǐge háizi? 胡先生，胡太太有幾個孩子？ How many children do Mr. and Mrs. Hú have? Tāmen yǒu liǎngge háizi. 他們有兩個孩子。 They have two children. Shi nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Are they boys or girls? Dōu shi nǚháizi. 都是女孩子。 Both of them are girls. 5. Nǐmen háizi dōu zài zhèli ma? 你們孩子都在這裏嗎？ Are all your children here? Bù.　Liǎngge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Měiguó. 不，兩個在這裏，一個還在美國。 No. Two are here, and one is still in America. 6. Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家裏有什麼人？ What people are in your family? Yǒu wǒ tàitai gēn sānge háizi. 有我太太跟三個孩子。 There’s my wife and two children. 7. Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家裏有什麼人？ What people are in your family? Jiù yǒu wǒ fùqin, mǔqin. 就有我父親，母親。 Just my father and mother.

1. Tā míngtiān lái ma? 他明天來嗎？ Is he coming tomorrow? Tā yǐjīng lái le. 他已經來了。 He has already come. 2. Nǐ péngyou lái le ma? 你朋友來了嗎？ Has your friend come? Tā hái méi(you) lái. 她還沒(有)來。 She hasn’t come yet. 3. Tā shi shénme shíhou dàode? 他是什麼時候到的？ When did he arrive? Tā shi zuótiān dàode. 他是昨天到的。 He arrived yesterday. 4. Nǐ shi yíge rén láide ma? 你是一個人來的嗎？ Did you come alone? Bú shi, wǒ bú shi yíge rén láide. 不是，我不是一個人來的。 No, I didn’t come alone. 5. Nǐ něitiān zǒu? 你哪天走？ What day are you leaving? Wǒ jīntian zǒu. 我今天走。 I’m leaving today.

1. Nǐ shi zài nǎr shēngde? 你是在哪兒生的？ Where were you born? Wǒ shi zài Dézhōu shēngde. 我是在得州生的。 I was born in Texas. 2. Nǐmen xīngqījǐ zǒu? 你們星期幾走？ What day of the week are you leaving? Wǒmen Xīngqītiān zǒu. 我們星期天走。 We are leaving on Sunday. 3. Ní shi něinián shēngde? 你是哪年生的？ What year were you born? Wǒ shi yī jiǔ sān jiǔ nián shēngde. 我是一九三九年生的。 I was born in 1939. 4. Nǐ shi jǐyüè jíhào shēngde? 你是幾月幾號生的？ What is your month and day of birth? Wó shi qīyüè sìhào shēngde. 我是七月四號生的。 I was born on July 4. 5. Nǐ duó dà le? 你多大了？ How old are you? Wǒ sān shí wǔ le. 我三十五了。 I’m 35. 6. Níměn nánháizi dōu jǐsuì le? 你們男孩子都幾歲了？ How old are your boys? Yíge jiǔsuì le, yíge liùsuì le. 一個九歲了，一個六歲了。 One is nine and one is six.

1. Nǐ zhù duó jiǔ? 你住多久？ How long are you staying? Wǒ zhù yìnián. 我住一年。 I’m staying one year. 2. Nǐ tàitai zài Xiānggǎng zhù duó jiǔ? 你太太在香港住多久？ How long is your wife staying in Hong Kong? Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù liǎngtiān. 我想她住兩天。 I think she is staying two days. 3. Nǐ xiǎng zài Táiwān zhù duó jiǔ? 你想在臺灣住多久？ How long are you thinking of staying in Taiwan? Wǒ xiǎng zhù liùge yuè. 我想住六個月。 I’m thinking of staying six months. 4. Nǐ láile duó jiǔ le? 你來了多久了？ How long have you been here? Wǒ láile liǎngge xīnqī le. 我來了兩個星期。 I have been here two weeks. 5. Nǐ tàitai zài Xiānggǎng zhùle duó jiǔ? 你太太在香港住了多久？ How long did your wife stay in Hong Kong? Tā zhùle liǎngtiān. 她住了兩天。 She stayed two days. 6. Lǐ tàitai méi lái. 李太太沒來。 Mrs. Lǐ didn’t come. 7. Nǐ cóngqián láiguo ma? 你從前來過嗎？ Have you ever been here before? Wǒ cóngqián méi láiguo. Wǒ tàitai láiguo. 我從前沒來過。我太太來過。 I have never been here before. My wife has been here.

1. Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? Wǒ zài Měiguó Guówùyuàn gōngzuò. 我在美國國務院工作。 I work with the State Department. 2. Ní zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? Wǒ shi xuésheng. 我是學生。 I’m student. 3. Nǐ lái zuò shénme? 您來做什麼？ What did you come here to do? Wǒ lái niàn shū. 我來念書。 I came here to study. 4. Nǐ niàn shénme? 你念什麼？ What are you studying? Wǒ xüé Zhōngwén. 我學中文。 I’m studying Chinese. 5. Nǐ zài dàxüé niànguo lìshǐ ma? 你在大學念過歷史嗎？ Did you study history in college? Niànguo. 念過。 Yes. 6. Nǐmen huì shuō Zhōngwén ma? 你們會説中文嗎？ Can you speak Chinese? Wǒ tàitai bú huì shuō, wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我太太不會説，我會説一點。 My wife can’t speak it; I can speak it a little. 7. Nǐ de Zhōngguo huà hěn hǎo. 你的中國話很好。 Your Chinese is very good. Náli, náli. Wǒ jiù huì shuō yìdiǎn. 哪裏，哪裏。我就説一點。 Not at all. I can speak only a little. 8. Nǐ shi zài náli xüéde Zhōngzén? 你是在哪裏學的中文？ Where did you study Chinese? Wó shi zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde. 我是在華盛頓學的。 I studied it in Washington.

1. Nǐ jīntiān hái yǒu kè ma? 你今天還有課嗎？ Do you have any more classes today? Méiyou kè le. 沒有課了。 I don’t have any more classes. 2. Nǐ cóngqián niàn Yīngwén niànle duó jiǔ? 你從前念英文唸了多久？ How long did you study English? Wǒ niàn Yīngwén niànle liùnián. 我念英文唸了六年。 I studied English for six years. 3. Nǐ niàn Fàwén niànle duó jiǔ le? 你念法文唸了多久了？ How long have you been studying French? Wǒ niànle yìnián le. 我念了一年了。 I’ve been studying it for one year. 4. Qùnián wǒ hái bú huì xiě Zhōngguo zì. 去年我還不會寫中國字。 Last year, I couldn’t write Chinese characters. Xiànzài wǒ huì xiě yìdiǎn le. 現在我會寫一點了。 Now, I can write a little. 5. Nǐ fùqin shi jǖnrén ma? 你父親是軍人嗎？ Is your father a military man? Shì, tā shi hǎijǖn jǖnguān. 是，他是海軍軍官。 Yes, he’s a naval officer. 6. Wǒ jīntiān bù lái le. 我今天不來了。 I’m not coming today. Wǒ bìng le. 我病了。 I’m sick. 7. Jīntiān hǎo le méiyou? 今天好了沒有？ Are you better today? Jīntiān hǎo le. 今天好了。 Today, I’m better.

Where people are staying (hotels), Short answers. The question word něige, “which.”

The C-l and P-1 tapes, the Reference List and Reference Notes. The C-2 and P-2 tapes, the Workbook. The drill tape (1D-1).

(in Běijīng) 1. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ zhù zai nǎr? 請問，你朱在哪兒？ May I ask, where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 握住在北京飯店。 I’m staying at the Beijing Hotel. 2. A: Nǐ zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? 你住在民族飯店嗎？ Are you staying at the Nationalities Hotel? B: Shì, wǒ zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 是，我住在民族飯店嗎。 Yes, I’m staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 3. A: Nǐ zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 你住在哪個飯店？ Which hotel are you staying at? B: Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 我住在北京飯店。 I’m staying ate the Beijing Hotel. 4. A: Něiwèi shi Zhāng tóngzhì? 哪位是張同志？ Which one is Comrade Zhāng? B: Tā shi Zhāng tóngzhì. 他是張同志。 She is Comrade Zhāng. 5. A: Něige rén shi Méi tóngzhì? 哪個人是梅同志？ Which person is Comrade Méi? B: Nèige rén shi Méi tóngzhì. 那個人是梅同志。 That person is Comrade Méi. 6. A: Něiwei shi Gāo tóngzhì? 哪位是高同志。 Which one is Comrade Gāo? B: Nèiwèi shi Gāo tóngzhì. 那位是高同志。 That one is Comrade Gāo. 7. This exchange occurs on the C-l tape only. A: Nǐ zhù zai zheìge fàndiàn ma? 你住在這個飯店嗎？ Are you staying at this hotel? B: Bù, wǒ bú zhù zai zheìge fàndiàn. 不，我不住在這個飯店。 No, I’m staying at this hotel. 8. A: Jiāng tóngzhì! nín zǎo. 江同志！您早。 Comrade Jiāng! Good morning. B: Zǎo. Nuòwǎkè nǚshì! nín hǎo. 早。諾瓦克 女士！您好。 Good morning, Ms. Novak! How are you? A: Wǒ hěn hǎo. There is a one sandhi shift here for 2 3rd tones in a row to hén hǎo. 我很好 I’m very well. 9. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ shi Měiguo nǎrde rén? 請問，你是美國哪兒人？ May I ask, where are you from in America? B: Wǒ shi Jiāzhōu Jiùjīnshān rén. 我是加州舊金山人。 I’m from San Francisco, California.

fàndiàn 飯店 hotel -ge 個 general counter hěn 很 very Jiùjīnshān 舊金山 San Francisco Mínzú Fàndiàn 民族飯店 Nationalities Hotel něi- 哪-？ which něige? 哪個？ which? nèige 那個 that něiwei 哪位？ which one (person)? nèiwèi 那位 that one (person) nǚshì 女士 polite title for a married or unmarried woman) Ms.; Lady shì 是 yes, that’s so. -wèi 位 polite counter for people zǎo 早 good morning zhèi- 這- this zheìge 這個 this zhèiwèi 這位 this one (person) zhù 住 to stay, to live

1. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ zhù zai nǎr? 請問，你朱在哪兒？ May I ask, where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 我住在北京飯店。 I’m staying at the Běijīng Hotel. The verb zhù, “to live,” or “to reside,” may be used to mean “to stay at” (temporary residence) or “to live in” (permanent residence). Zhù zài nǎr literally means “live at where.” The verb zài, “to be in/at/on,” is used here as a preposition “at.” It loses its tone in this position in a sentence. (The use of zài as a preposition is treated more fully in Unit 2.) Fàndiàn has two meanings—“restaurant” and “hotel” (a relatively large hotel with modern facilities). Another word for “restaurant” is fànguǎnzi. The general word for “hotel” is lǚguǎn. Literally, fàndiàn means “rice shop.”

2. A: Nǐ zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? 你住在民族飯店嗎？ Are you staying at the Nationalities Hotel? B: Shì, wǒ zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 是，我住在民族飯店。 Yes, I’m staying at the Nationalities Hotel. Shì: The usual way to give a short affirmative answer is to repeat the verb used in the question. Some verbs, however, may not be repeated as short answers. Zhù is one such verb. Others not to be used are xìng, “to be surnamed,” and jiào, “to be given-named.” Many speakers do not repeat the verb zài as a short answer. To give a short “yes” answer to questions containing these verbs, you use shì.

3. A: Nǐ zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 你住在哪個飯店？ Which hotel are you staying at? B: Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 我住在北京飯店。 I’m staying ate the Beijing Hotel. 4. A: Něiwèi shi Zhāng tóngzhì? 哪位是張同志？ Which one is Comrade Zhāng? B: Tā shi Zhāng tóngzhì. 他是張同志。 She is Comrade Zhāng. 5. A: Něige rén shi Méi tóngzhì? 哪個人是梅同志？ Which person is Comrade Méi? B: Nèige rén shi Méi tóngzhì. 那個人是梅同志。 That person is Comrade Méi. 6. A: Něiwei shi Gāo tóngzhì? 哪位是高同志。 Which one is Comrade Gāo? B: Nèiwèi shi Gāo tóngzhì. 那位是高同志。 That one is Comrade Gāo. 7. A: Nǐ zhù zai zheìge fàndiàn ma? 你住在這個飯店嗎？ Are you staying at this hotel? B: Bù, wǒ bú zhù zai zheìge fàndiàn. 不，我不住在這個飯店。 No, I’m staying at this hotel. Něige is the question word “which.” In the compound něiguó, you found the bound word něi-, which was attached to the noun guó. In the phrase něiguó rén, “which person,” the bound word něi- is attached to the general counter -ge. (You will learn more about counters in Unit 3. For now, you nay think of -ge as an ending which turns the bound word něi- into the full word něige.) Něige rén/něiwèi: To be polite when referring to an adult, you say nèiwèi or něiwèi, using the polite counter for people -wèi rather than the general counter -ge, though -ge is used in many informal situations. Notice that the noun rén is not used directly after -wèi: Nèiwèi Měiguó rén shi shéi? Něiwèi zhù zài Mínzú Fàndiàn. Compare the specifying words “which?” “that,” and “this” with the location words you learned in Unit 4 of ORN: Specifying words Location words něige? (nǎge?) which? nǎr? where? nèige (nàge) that nàr (nèr) there zhèige (zhège) this zhèr (zhàr) here Both question words are in the Low tone, while the other four words are in the Falling tone. Many people pronounce the words for “which?” “that,” and “this” with the usual vowels for “where?” “there,” and “here”: nǎge? nàge, and zhège. Bù: A short negative answer is usually formed by bù plus a repetition of the verb used in the question. When a verb, like zhù (zài), cannot be repeated, bù is used as a short answer and is followed by a complete answer. Notice that when used by itself bù is in the Falling ton, but when followed by a Falling tone syllable bù is in the Rising tone. Bù, tā xiànzai bú zài zher. No, he’s not here now.

8. A: Jiāng tóngzhì! Nín zǎo. 江同志！您早。 Comrade Jiang! Good morning. B: Zǎo. Nuòwǎkè nǚshì! nín hǎo. 早。諾瓦克 女士！您好。 Good morning, Ms. Novak! How are you? Name as greeting: A greeting may consist simply of a person’s name: Wáng tóngzhì! “Comrade Wáng!” The name may also be used with a greeting phrase: Wáng tóngzhì! Nín zǎo. “Comrade Wáng! Good morning.”—or, in reverse order, Nín zǎo. Wáng tóngzhì! “Good morning. Comrade Wáng!” The name is pronounced as an independent exclamation acknowledging that person’s presence and status. It is not de-emphasized like “Comrade Wáng,” in the English sentence “Good morning, Comrade Wáng.” Nín zǎo means “good morning”—literally, “you are early.” You may also say either nǐ zǎo or simply zǎo. Nǚshì, “Ms.,” is a formal, respectful title for a married or unmarried woman. It is used after a woman’s own surname, not her husband’s. Traditionally, this title was used for older, educated, and accomplished women. In the PRC, where people use tóngzhì, “Comrade,” in general only foreign women are referred to and addressed as (so-and-so) nǚshì. On Taiwan, however, any woman may be called (so-and-so) nǚshì in a formal context, such as a speech or an invitation. Nín hǎo: This greeting may be said either with or without a question marker, just as in English we say “How are you?” as a question or “How are you” as a simple greeting. Nǐ hǎo ma? How are you? Nǐ hǎo. How are you. Also Just as in English, you may respond to the greeting by repeating it rather than giving an answer. Lǐ tóngzhì! Nín hǎo. Comrade Lǐ! How are you. Nín hǎo. Gāo tóngzhì! How are you. Comrade Gāo! Literally, hěn means “very.” The word often accompanies adjectival verbs (like hǎo, “to be good”), adding little to their meaning. (See also Module 3, Unit 3.) How to identify yourself: You have now learned several ways to introduce yourself. One simple, direct way is to extend your hand and state your name in Chinese—for instance, Mǎ Mínglǐ. Here are some other ways: Wǒ shi Mǎ Mínglǐ. I’m Mǎ Mínglǐ. Wǒ xìng Mǎ. My surname is Mǎ. Wǒ xìng Mǎ, jiào Mǎ Mínglǐ. My surname is Mǎ; I’m called Mǎ Mínglǐ. Wǒ de Zhōngguo míngzi jiào Mǎ Mínglǐ. My Chinese name is Mǎ Mínglǐ.

9. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ shi Měiguo nǎrde rén? 請問，你是美國哪兒的人？ May I ask, where are you from in America? B: Wǒ shi Jiāzhōu Jiùjīnshān rén. 我是加州舊金山人。 I’m from San Francisco, California. Order of place names: Notice that Jiāzhōu Jiùjīnshān is literally “California, San Francisco.” In Chinese, the larger unit cones before the smaller. Similarly, in the question Nǐ shi Měiguó nǎrde rén? the name of the country comes before the question word nǎr, which is asking for a more detailed location. The larger unit is usually repeated in the answer: Nǐ shi Shāndōng nǎr -de rén? Wǒ shi Shāndōng Qīngdǎo rén. Literally, Jiùjīnshān means “Old Gold Mountain.” The Chinese gave this name to San Francisco during the Gold Rush days.

Respond according to the cue Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她住在哪兒？ Tā zhù zai nǎr? Where is he/she staying? 北京飯店 Běijīng Fàndiàn the Běijīng Hotel 他/她住在北京飯店。 Tā zhù zai Běijìng Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 2. 你愛人住在哪兒？ Nǐ àiren zhù zai nǎr? Where is your spouse staying? 民族飯店 Mínzú Fàndiàn the Nationalities Hotel 他/她住在民族飯店。 Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 3. 李同志住在哪兒？ Lǐ tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? Where is Comrade Lǐ staying? 這個飯店 zhèige fàndiàn this hotel 他/她住在這個飯店。 Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. He/she is staying at this hotel. 4. 方同志住在哪兒？ Fāng tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? Where is Comrade Fāng staying? 那個飯店 nèige fàndiàn that hotel 他/她住在那個飯店。 Tā zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. He/she is staying at that hotel. 5. 陳同志住在哪兒？ Chén tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? Where is Comrade Chén staying? 北京飯店 Běijīng Fàndiàn the Běijīng Hotel 他/她住在北京飯店。 Ta zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 6. 林同志住在哪兒？ Lín tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? Where is Comrade Lín staying? 民族飯店 Mínzú Fàndiàn the Nationalities Hotel 他/她住在民族飯店。 Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 7. 黃同志住在哪兒？ Huáng tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? Where is Comrade Huáng staying? 這個飯店 zhèige fàndiàn this hotel 他/她住在這個飯店。 Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. He/she is staying at this hotel.

Question Answer 1. 高女士住在民族飯店嗎？ Gāo nǚshì zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? Is Ms. Gāo staying at the Nationalities Hotel? 是，她住在民族飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn, Yes, she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 2. 張女士住在北京飯店嗎？ Zhāng nǚshì zhù zai Běijìng Fàndiàn ma? Is Ms. Zhāng staying at the Beǐjīng Hotel? 是，她住在北京飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. Yes, she is staying at the Beǐjīng Hotel. 3. 江女士住在這個飯店嗎？ Jiāng nǚshì zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? Is Ms. Jiāng staying at this hotel? 是，她住在這個飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. Yes, she is staying at this hotel. 4. 黃女士住在那個飯店嗎？ Huáng nǚshì zhù zai nèige fàndiàn ma? Is Ms. Huáng staying at that hotel? 是，她住在那個飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. Yes, she is staying at that hotel. 5. 王女士住在北京飯店嗎？ Wáng nǚshì zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn ma? Is Ms. Wáng staying at the Beǐjīng Hotel? 是，她住在北京飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai Beǐjīng Fàndiàn. Yes, she is staying at the Beǐjīng Hotel. 6. 林女士住在民族飯店嗎？ Lín nǚshì zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? Is Ms. Lín staying at the Nationalities Hotel? 是，她住在民族飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn, Yes, she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 7. 毛女士住在這個飯店嗎？ Máo nǚshì zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? Is Ms. Máo staying at this hotel? 是，她住在這個飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. Yes, she is staying at this hotel.

Question Answer 1. 江先生住在這個飯店嗎？ Jiāng xiānsheng zhù zai zhège fàndiàn ma? Is Mr. Jiāng staying at this hotel? 不是，他不住在這個飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai zhège fàndiàn. No, he is not staying at this hotel. 2. 馬先生住在那個飯店嗎？ Mǎ xiānsheng zhù zai nàge fàndiàn ma? Is Mr. Mǎ staying at that hotel? 不是，他不住在那個飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai nàge fàndiàn. No, he is not staying at that hotel. 3. 李先生住在國賓大飯店嗎？ Lǐ xiānsheng zhù zai Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn ma? Is Mr. Lǐ staying at the Ambassador Hotel? 不是，他不住在國賓大飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn. No, he is not staying at the Ambassador Hotel. 4. 趙先生住在圓山大飯店嗎？ Zhào xiānsheng zhù zai Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn ma? Is Mr. Zhào staying at the Yuánshān hotel? 不是，他不住在圓山大飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn. No, he is not staying at the Yuánshān hotel. 5. 劉先生住在圓山大飯店嗎？ Liú xiānsheng zhù zai Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn ma? Is Mr. Liú staying at the Yuánshān hotel? 不是，他不住在圓山大飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Yánshān Dàfàndiàn. No, he is not staying at the Yuánshān hotel. 6. 唐先生住在那個飯店嗎？ Táng xiānsheng zhù zai nàge fàndiàn ma? Is Mr. Táng staying at that hotel? 不是，他不住在那個飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai nàge fàndiàn. No, he is not staying at that hotel. 7. 宋先生住在這個飯店嗎？ Sòng xiānsheng zhù zai zhège fàndiàn ma? Is Mr. Sòng staying at this hotel. 不是，他不住在這個飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai zhège fàndiàn. No, he is not staying at this hotel.

Question Cue Answer 1. 唐同志在在這個飯店嗎？ Táng tóngzhì zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? Is Comrade Táng staying at this hotel? 這個飯店 zhèige fàndiàn this hotel 是，他/她住在這個飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. Yes, he/she is staying at this hotel. 2. 馬同志住在那個飯店嗎？ Mǎ tóngzhì zhù zai nèige fàndiàn ma? Is Comrade Mǎ staying at that hotel? 這個飯店 zhèige fàndiàn this hotel 不是，他/她不住在那個飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. No, he/she is not staying at that hotel. 3. 李同志住在北京飯店嗎？ Lǐ tóngzhì zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn ma? Is Comrade Lǐ staying at the Běijīng Hotel? 北京飯店 Běijīng Fàndiàn Běijīng Hotel 是，他/她住在北京飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. Yes, he/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 4. 趙同志住在民族飯店嗎？ Zhào tóngzhì zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? Is Comrade Zhào staying at the Nationalities Hotel? 北京飯店 Běijīng Fàndiàn Běijīng Hotel 不是，他/她不住在民族飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. No, he/she is not staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 5. 劉同志住在這個飯店嗎？ Liú tóngzhì zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? Is Comrade Liú staying at this hotel? 那個飯店 nèige fàndiàn that hotel 不是，他/她不住在這個飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. No, he/she is not staying at this hotel. 6. 江同志住在那個飯店? Jiāng tóngzhì zhù zai nèige fàndiàn ma? Is Comrade Jiāng staying at that hotel? 那個飯店 nèige fàndiàn that hotel 是，他/她住在那個飯店。 Shì, tā zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. Yes, he/she is staying at that hotel. 7. 張同志住在北京飯店嗎？ Zhāng tóngzhì zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn ma? Is Comrade Zhāng staying at the Běijīng Hotel? 民族飯店 Mínzú Fàndiàn Nationalities Hotel 不是，他/她不住在北京飯店。 Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. No, he/she is not staying at the Běijīng Hotel.

Question Answer 1. 那個人是李同志。 Nèige rén shi Lǐ tóngzhì That person is Comrade Lǐ. 那位是李同志。 Nèiwèi shi Lǐ tóngzhì. That one is Comrade Lǐ. 2. 這個人是方同志。 Zhèige rén shi Fāng tóngzhì. This person is Comrade Fāng. 這位是方同志。 Zhèiwèi shi Fāng tóngzhì. This one is Comrade Fāng. 3. 那個人是江同志。 Nèige rén shi Jiāng tóngzhì. That person is Comrade Jiāng. 那位是江同志。 Nèiwèi shi Jiāng tóngzhì. That one is Comrade Jiāng. 4. 這個人是周同志。 Zhèige rén shi Zhōu tóngzhì. This person is Comrade Zhōu. 這位是周同志。 Zhèiwèi shi Zhōu tóngzhì. This one is Comrade Zhōu. 5. 那個人是張同志。 Nèige rén shi Zhāng tóngzhì. That person is Comrade Zhāng. 那位是張同志。 Nèiwèi shi Zhāng tóngzhì. That one is Comrade Zhāng. 6. 這個人是陳同志。 Zhèige rén shi Chén tóngzhì. This person is Comrade Chén. 這位是陳同志。 Zhèiwèi shi Chén tóngzhì. This one is Comrade Chén. 7. 那個人是衚同志。 Nèige rén shi Hú tóngzhì. That person is Comrade Hú. 那位是衚同志。 Nèiwèi shi Hú tóngzhì. That one is Comrade Hú.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她住在哪個飯店？ Tā zhù zai něige fàndiàn? Which hotel is he/she staying at? 民族飯店 Mínzú Fàndiàn the Nationalities Hotel 他/她住在民族飯店。 Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 2. 張同志住在哪個飯店？ Zhāng tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? Which hotel is Comrade Zhāng staying at? 北京飯店 Běijīng Fàndiàn the Běijīng Hotel 他/她住在 Tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 3. 江同志住在哪個飯店？ Jiāng tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? Which hotel is Comrade Jiāng staying at? 哪個飯店 nèige fàndiàn that hotel 他/她住在 Tā zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. He/she is staying at that hotel. 4. 王同志住在哪個飯店？ Wáng tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? Which hotel is Comrade Wáng staying at? 這個飯店 zhèige fàndiàn this hotel 他/她住在這個飯店。 Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. He/she is staying at this hotel. 5. 黃同志住在哪個飯店？ Huáng tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? Which hotel is Comrade Huáng staying at? 民族飯店 Mínzú Fàndiàn the Nationalities Hotel 他/她住在民族飯店。 Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 6. 林同志住在哪個飯店？ Lín tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? Which hotel is Comrade Lín staying at? 北京飯店 Běijīng Fàndiàn this hotel 他/她住在北京飯店。 Tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Beijing hotel. 7. 劉同志住在哪個飯店？ Liú tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? Which hotel is Comrade Liú staying at? 這個飯店 zhèige fàndiàn this hotel 他/她住在這個飯店。 Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. He/she is staying at this hotel.

Question Answer 1. 請問，哪個人是王德賢？ Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Wáng Déxián? May I ask, which person is Wáng Déxián? 那個人是王德賢。 Nèige rén shi Wáng Déxián. That person is Wáng Déxián. 2. 請問，哪個人是趙世民？ Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Zhào Shìmín? May I ask, which person is Zhào Shìmín? 那個人是趙世民。 Nèige rén shi Zhào Shìmín. That person is Zhào Shìmín. 3. 請問，哪個人是林寶蘭？ Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Lín Bǎolán? May I ask, which person is Lín Bǎolán? 那個人是林寶蘭。 Neìge rén shi Lín Bǎolán. That person is Lín Bǎolán. 4. 請問，哪個人是高廷峯？ Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Gāo Tíngfēng? May I ask, which person is Gāo Tíngfēng? 那個人是高廷峯。 Neìge rén shi Gāo Tíngfēng. That person is Gāo Tíngfēng. 5. 請問，哪個人是張婉如？ Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Zhāng Wǎnrú? May I ask, which person is Zhāng Wǎnrú? 那個人是張婉如。 Nèige rén shi Zhāng Wǎnrú. That person is Zhāng Wǎnrú. 6. 請問，哪個人是胡美玲？ Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Hú Měilíng? May I ask, which person is Hú Měilíng? 那個人是胡美玲。 Nèige rén shi Hú Měilíng. That person is Hú Měilíng. 7. 請問，哪個人是宋知遠？ Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Sòng Zhīyuǎn? May I ask, which person is Sòng Zhīyuǎn? 那個人是宋知遠。 Nèige rén shi Sòng Zhīyuǎn. That person is Sòng Zhīyuǎn.

Statement Question 1. 他/她老家在青島。 Tā lǎojiā zài Qīngdǎo. His/her family is from Qīngdǎo. 他/她老家在哪兒？ Tā lǎojiā zài nǎr? Where is his/her family from? 2. 他/她現在在加拿大。 Tā xiànzài zài Jiānádà. He /she is in Canada now. 他/她現在在哪兒？ Tā xiànzài zài nǎr? Where is he/she now? 3. 他/她住在北京飯店。 Tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 他/她住在哪個飯店？ Tā zhù zai něige fàndiàn? In which hotel is he/she staying? 4. 他/她現在在山東。 Tā xiànzài zài Shāndōng. He /she is in Shāndōng now. 他/她現在在哪兒？ Tā xiànzài zài nǎr? Where is he/she now? 5. 他/她住在民族飯店。 Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 他/她住在哪個飯店？ Tā zhù zai něige fàndiàn. In which hotel is he/she staying? 6. 他/她老家在湖北。 Tā lǎojiā zài Húběi. His/her family is from Húběi. 他/她老家在那兒？ Tā lǎojiā zài nǎr? Where is his/her family from? 7. 他/她現在在美國。 Tā xiànzài zài Měiguó. He/she is in America now. 他/她現在在哪兒？ Tā xiànzài zài nǎr? Where is he/she now? 8. 他/她住在這個飯店。 Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. He/she is staying at this hotel. 他/她住在哪個飯店？ Tā zhù zai něige fàndiàn? In which hotel is he/she staying? 9. 他/她老家在廣東 Tā lǎojiā zài Guǎngdōng. His/her family is from Guǎngdōng. 他/她老家在那兒？ Tā lǎojiā zài nǎr? Where is his/her family from?

Where people are staying (houses). Where people are working. Addresses. The marker de. The marker ba. The prepositional verb zài.

The C-l and P-1 tapes, the Reference List and Reference Notes. The C-2 and P-2 tapes, the Workbook. The 2D-1 tape.

1. A: Nǐ zhù zài náli? 你住在哪理？ Where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zài Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn. 我住在國賓大飯店。 I’m staying at the Ambassador Hotel. 2. A: Nǐ zhù zài náli? 你住在哪理？ Where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zài zhèli. 我住在這理。 I’m staying here. A: Tā ne? 他呢？ How about him? B: Tā zhù　zài nàli. 他住在那理。 He is staying there. 3. A: Nǐ zhù zài náli? 你住在哪理？ Where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zài péngyou jiā. 我住在朋友家。 I’m staying at a friend’s home. 4. A: Nǐ péngyou jiā zài náli? 你朋友家在哪理？ Where is your friend’s house? B: Tā jiā zài Dàlǐ Jiē. 他家在大力街。 His house is on Dàlǐ Street. 5. A: Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi ...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? B: Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ jiē Sìshièrhào. 他的地址是大力街四十二號。 His address is № 42 Dàlǐ Street. 6. This exchange occurs on the C-1 tape only A: Nǐ shi Wèi shàoxiào ba? 你是魏少校吧？ You are Major Weiss, aren’t you? B: Shìde. 是的。 Yes. 7. This exchange occurs on the P-1 tape only A: Nà shi Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn ba? 那是國賓大飯店吧？ That is Ambassador Hotel, isn’t it? B: Shìde. 是的。 Yes. 8. A: Nǐ péngyou xiànzài zài náli gōngzuò? 你朋友現在在哪裏工作？ Where does your friend work now? B: Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. 他在臺南工作。 He works in Táinán. 9. This exchange occurs on the C-1 tape only A: Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. 我在武官處工作。 I work at the Defense Attache’s Office. 10. This exchange occurs on the P-1 tape only A: Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò. 我在銀行工作。 I work at a bank. 11. This exchange occurs on the C-1 tape only A: Nǐ péngyou zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 你朋友在臺北工作嗎？ Does your friend work in Taipei? B: Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 他不在臺北工作。他在臺中工作。 He doesn’t work in Taipei; he works in Taichung.

ba 吧 question marker expressing supposition of what answer will be dàfàndiàn 大飯店 hotel -de 的 possessive marker dìzhǐ 地址 address gōngzuò 工作 to work Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn 國賓大飯店 Ambassador Hotel -hào —號 number (in address) jiā 家 home, house jiē 街 street lù 路 road nà- 那— that nàge 那個 that (one) náli 哪裏 where nàli 那裏 there péngyou 朋友 friend shàoxiào 少校 major (military title) Shìde 是的 Yes, that’s so. Wǔguānchù 武官處 defense attache office yínháng 銀行 bank zài 在 to be in/at/on (prepositional verb) zhè- 這 this zhège 這個 this (one) zhèli 這裏 here Dìyī Dàfàndiàn 第一大飯店 First Hotel Měiguó Guójì Jiāoliú Zǒngshǔ 美國國際交流總署 U.S. International Communications Agency Měiguó Yínháng 美國銀行 Bank of America Táiwān Yínháng 臺灣銀行 Bank of Taiwan Yóuzhèngjǘ 郵政局 post office

1. A: Nǐ zhù zài náli? 你住在哪理？ Where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zài Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn. 我住在國賓大飯店。 I’m staying at the Ambassador Hotel. 2. A: Nǐ zhù zài náli? 你住在哪理？ Where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zài zhèli. 我住在這理。 I’m staying here. A: Tā ne? 他呢？ How about him? B: Tā zhù　zài nàli. 他住在那理。 He is staying there. The word guóbǐn actually refers to any official state guest, not just an ambassador. (The word for “ambassador” is dàshǐ) The translation “Ambassador Hotel” has been used for years by that hotel and, although inaccurate, has been retained in this text. Dàfàndiàn means “great hotel” or “grand hotel.” It is commonly used in the names of Taiwan and Hong Kong hotels. Náli, nàli, and zhèli are common variants of nǎr, nàr, and zhèr in non-Peking dialects of Standard Chinese. The forms with r are Peking dialect forms. Compare: Peking Other nǎr? náli? where? nàr nàli there zhèr zhèli here Notice the difference in tone “between nǎr and náli. This is because -li has a basic Low tone, and the first of two adjoining Low-tone syllables changes to a Rising tone: nǎ + -lǐ = náli.

3. A: Nǐ zhù zài náli? 你住在哪理？ Where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zài péngyou jiā. 我住在朋友家。 I’m staying at a friend’s home. 4. A: Nǐ péngyou jiā zài náli? 你朋友家在哪理？ Where is your friend’s house? B: Tā jiā zài Dàlǐ Jiē. 他家在大力街。 His house is on Dàlǐ Street. The possessive relationships in péngyou jiā, “friend’s house,” nǐ péngyou jiā, “your friend’s house,” and tā jiā, “his house,” are unmarked, while the English must include -’s or the possessive form of the pronoun (“your,” “his”). In Chinese, possessive relationships may be expressed by simply putting the possessor in front of the possessed when the relationship between the two is particularly close, like the relationship between a person and his home, family, or friends.

5. A: Nǐ péngyoude dìzhǐ shi ...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? B: Tā de dìzhǐ shì jiē Sìshièrhào. 他的地址是大力街四十二號。 His address is № 42 Dàlǐ street. Péngyou de dìzhǐ: “The marker -de in this phrase is Just like the English possessive ending -’s. With the exception of close relationships, this is the usual way to form the possessive in Chinese. nǐ péngyǒu -de dìzhǐ your friend ’s address Unlike the English -’s ending, -de is also added to pronouns. wǒ de my nǐ de your tā de his/her You are learning possessive phrases in which the marker -de is used (tā de dìzhǐ) and some possessive phrases which do not contain -de (nǐ péngyou jiā). There are certain reasons for the inclusion or omission of -de. If a close relationship exists between the possessor and the possessed, the marker -de might not be used. If a phrase is long and complex, as Lǐ xiānsheng péngyou de tàitai, the marker -de is used to separate the possessor from the possessed. short or simple long or complex nǐ jiā Hú Měilíng -de lǎojiā wǒ péngyou nǐ péngyou -de dìzhǐ Lǐ xiānsheng péngyou -de tàitai But these are not hard and fast rules. The use or omission of -de is not determined solely by the number of syllables in a phrase or by the closeness between the possessor and the possessed, although both of these considerations do play a big part in the decision. While some common nouns are usually used without -de before them, most nouns are more likely to be preceded by -de, and many even require it. Dìzhǐ, “address,” is the only noun you have learned which REQUIRES the possessive marker -de added to the possessor. But other nouns such as jiā are not always preceded by -de. This is also the case with nouns indicating personal relationships, like fùmǔ, “father,” and tàitai “wife.” Péngyou, “friend,” xuésheng, “student,” and lǎoshī “teacher” are commonly used without -de, but may also be used with the marker. You might expect the question Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ...? to be completed with a word such as shénme, “what.” However, the incomplete form given in this exchange, with the voice trailing off, inviting completion, is also commonly used. Addresses: The order in which addresses are given in Chinese is the reverse of that used in English. In Chinese, the order is from the general to the specific: country, province or state, city, street name, street number. -hào: A street number is always given with the bound word -hào, “number,” after it. The word dì- is sometimes translated “number,” as in dìyī, “number one” (See resource module on Numbers, tape 4.)

6. A: Nǐ shi Wèi shàoxiào ba? 你是魏少校吧？ You are Major Weiss, aren’t you? B: Shìde. 是的。 Yes. 7. A: Nà shi Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn ba? 那是國賓大飯店吧？ That is Ambassador Hotel, isn’t it? B: Shìde. 是的。 Yes. Ba is a marker for a question which expresses the speaker’s supposition as to what the answer will be. It is the type of question which asks for a confirmation from the listener. There are three ways to translate the two questions in exchanges 6 and 7 into English: Nǐ shi Wèi shàoxiào ba? Aren’t you Major Weiss?You are Major Weiss, aren’t you?You must be Major Weiss. Nà shi Guóbǐn Dàfàndiàn ba? Isn’t that the Ambassador Hotel? That is the Ambassador Hotel, isn’t it? That must be the Ambassador Hotel. Each translation reflects a different degree of certainty on the part of the speaker. (While the differences in certainty are expressed in English by variation in wording, they can be expressed in Chinese by intonation.) You will probably find that the “isn’t it”, “aren’t you” translation fits most situations. The short answer shìde is an expanded form of the short answer shì, with the same meaning: “Yes, that’s so.” Shìde is also the word used for the “yes” in the military “Yes, sir.” Nà (nèi): In the subject position, nà (nèi), “that,” and zhè (zhèi), “this,” may be used either as free words or as bound words, with -ge following. Compare: Nà shi Guóbǐn Dàfàndiàn. That is the Ambassador Hotel. Nà -ge shi Guóbǐn Dàfàndiàn. That one is the Ambassador Hotel. However, the question form nǎ- (něi-) is a bound word. Nǎge (fàndiàn) shi Guóbǐn Dàfàndiàn? Which one is the Ambassador Hotel?

8. A: Nǐ péngyou xiànzài zài náli gōngzuò? 你朋友現在在哪裏工作？ Where does your friend work now? B: Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. 他在臺南工作。 He works in Táinán. 9. A: Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. 我在武官處工作。 I work at the Defense Attache’s Office. 10. A: Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò. 我在銀行工作。 I work at a bank. 11. A: Nǐ péngyou zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 你朋友在臺北工作嗎？ Does your friend work in Taipei? B: Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 他不在臺北工作。他在臺中工作。 He doesn’t work in Taipei; he works in Taichung. Wǔguānchù, “defense attache’s office,” literally means “military attache’s office.” Zài...gōngzuò: Compare these two sentences: Tā zài Táinán. He is in Tainan. Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. He in Tainan works. The sentence Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò seems to have two verbs: zài, “to be in/at/on,” and gōngzuò, “to work.” But there is only one verb in the translation: “He works in Tainan.” The translation reflects the fact that zài loses its full verb status in this sentence and plays a role like that of the English preposition “in” The zài phrase in Chinese, like the “in” phrase in English, gives more information about the main verb gōngzuò; that is, it tells where the action takes place. “He works,” and the work takes place “in Tainan.” In sentences like this, the word zài is a prepositional verb. Most relationships expressed by prepositions in English are expressed by prepositional verbs in Chinese. You have also seen zài used as a prepositional verb in the sentence Nǐ zhù zài náli? “Where do you live?”—literally, “You live at where?” Notice that in this sentence the prepositional verb phrase zài náli comes after the main verb zhù. In the sentence Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? the prepositional verb phrase zài náli conies before the main verb gōngzuò. Many things, such as stress, contrast, and other objects in the sentence, can influence the order of the prepositional verb phrase and the main verb. In some cases, either order may be used, as in Nǐ zài náli zhù? or Nǐ zhù zài náli?. In other cases, the word order is fixed, as in Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? For text examples, it will be pointed out whether or not the word order may be changed, and the reasons will be given. Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò, “He doesn’t work in Taipei”: In this sentence, the negative adverb bù comes before the prepositional verb zài (which starts the complete predicate zài Táiběi gōngzuò, not before the main verb gōngzuò. This makes sense, for you are not saying “He does NOT WORK,” but you are saying “He does NOT work IN TAIPEI.” Tā gōngzuò. Tā bù gōngzuò. Tā zài Táiběi gōngzuò. Tā bù zài Táiběi gōngzuò.

Question Cue Answer 1. 李先生住在那裏？ Lǐ xiānsheng zhù zai náli? Where is Mr. Lǐ staying? 國賓大飯店 Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn Ambassador Hotel 他住在國賓大飯店。 Tā zhù zai Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn. He is staying at the Ambassador Hotel. 2. 高先生住在那裏？ Gāo xiānsheng zhù zai náli? Where is Mr. Gāo staying? 圓山大飯店 Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn Yuánshān hotel 他住在圓山大飯店。 Tā zhù zai Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn. He is staying at the Yuánshān hotel. 3. 楊先生住在哪裏？ Yáng xiānsheng zhù zai náli? Where is Mr. Yáng staying? 第一大飯店 Dìyī Dàfàndiàn Grand Hotel 他住在第一大飯店。 Ta zhù zai Dìyī Dàfàndiàn. He is staying at the Grand Hotel. 4. 唐先生住在哪裏？ Táng xiānsheng zhù zai náli? Where is Mr. Táng staying? 這裏 zhèli here 他住在這裏。 tā zhù zài zhèli. He is staying here. 5. 司馬先生住在哪裏？ Sǐmǎ xiānsheng zhù zai náli? Where is Mr. Sǐmǎ staying? 朋友家 péngyou jiā friend’s house 他住在朋友家。 Tā zhù zai péngyou jiā. He is staying at his friend’s house. 6. 劉先生住在哪裏？ Liú xiānsheng zhù zai náli? Where is Mr. Sǐmǎ staying? 那裏 nàli there 他住在那裏。 Tā zhù zai nàli. He is staying there. 7. 王住在哪裏？ Wáng xiānsheng zhù zai náli? Where is Mr. Wáng staying? 第一大飯店 Dìyī Dàfàndiàn Grand Hotel 他住在第一大飯店。 Tā zhù zai Dìyī Dàfàndiàn. He is staying at the Grand Hotel.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他朋友家在哪裏？ Tā péngyou jiā zài náli? Where is your friend’s house? 博愛路 Bóài Lù Bóài road 他家在博愛路。 Tā jiā zài Bóài Lù. His/her house is on Bóài road. 2. 李先生家在哪裏？ Lǐ xiānsheng jiā zài náli? Where is Mr. Lǐ house? 敦化路 Dūnhuà Lù Dūnhuà road 他家在敦化路。 Tā jiā zài Dūnhuà Lù His house is on Dūnhuà road. 3. 王先生家在哪裏？ Wáng xiānsheng jiā zài náli? Where is Mr. Wáng’s house? 農安街 Nóngān Jiē Nóngān street 他家在農安街。 Tā jiā zài Nóngān Jiē. His house is on Nóngān street. 4. 何先生家在哪裏？ Hé xiānsheng jiā zài náli? Where is Mr. Hé’s house? 大理街 Dàlǐ Jiē Dàlǐ street 他家在大理街。 Tā jiā zài Dàlǐ Jiē His house is on Dàlǐ street. 5. 包先生家在哪裏？ Bāo xiānsheng jiā zài náli? Where is Mr. Bāo’s house? 南京路 Nánjīng Lù Nánjīng road 他家在南京路。 Tā jiā zài Nánjīng Lù His house is on Nánjīng road. 6. 馬先生家在哪裏？ Mǎ xiānsheng jiā zài náli? Where is Mr. Mǎ’s house? 中山路 Zhōngshān Lù Zhōngshān road 他家在中山路。 Tā jiā zài Zhōngshān Lù. His house is on Zhōngshān road. 7. 林先生家在哪裏？ Lín xiānsheng jiā zài náli? Where is Mr. Lín’s house? 浙江街 Zhèjiāng Jiē Zhèjiāng street 他家在浙江街。 Tā jiā zài Zhèjiāng Jiē. His house is on Zhèjiāng street.

Question Cue Answer 1. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi ...? What is your friend’s address? 42 號 Sìshièrhào number 42 他/她的地址是大理街四十二號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. His/her address is number 42 Dàlǐ street. 2. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi ...? What is your friend’s address? 40 號 Sìshihào hào number 40 他/她的地址是大理街十四號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshihào. His/her address is number 40 Dàlǐ street. 3. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi ...? What is your friend’s address? 95 號 Jiǔshiwǔhào hào number 95 他/她的地址是大理街九十五號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Jiǔshiwǔhào. His/her address is number 95 Dàlǐ street. 4. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi ...? What is your friend’s address? 26 號 Èrshiliùhào hào number 26 他/她的地址是大理街二十六號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Èrshiliùhào. His/her address is number 26 Dàlǐ street. 5. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi ...? What is your friend’s address? 77 號 Qīshiqīhào hào number 77 他/她的地址是大理街七十七號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Qīshiqīhào. His/her address is number 77 Dàlǐ street. 6. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi ...? What is your friend’s address? 68 號 Liùshibáhào hào number 68 他/她的地址是大理街六十八號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Liùshibáhào. His/her address is number 68 Dàlǐ street. 7. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi ...? What is your friend’s address? 44 號 Sìshisìhào hào number 44 他/她的地址是大理街四十四號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshisìhào. His/her address is number 44 Dàlǐ street.

Question Cue Answer 1. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? What is your friend’s address? 大理街十四二號 Dàlǐ Jiē 42 hào 42 Dàlǐ street 他/她的地址是大理街十四二號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. His/her address is number 42 Dàlǐ street. 2. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? What is your friend’s address? 博愛路九十四號 Bóài Lù 94 hào 94 Bóài road 他/她的地址是博愛路九十四號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Bóài Lù Jiǔshisìhào. His/her address is number 95 Bóài road. 3. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? What is your friend’s address? 敦化路五十五好 Dūnhuà Lù 55 hào 55 Dūnhuà road 他/她的地址是敦化路五十五好。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. His/her address is number 55 Dūnhuà road. 4. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? What is your friend’s address? 農安街七十五號 Nóngān Jiē 75 hào 75 Nóngān street 他/她的地址是農安街七十五號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Qīshiwǔhào. His/her address is number 75 Nóngān street. 5. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? What is your friend’s address? 大理街四十二號 Dàlǐ Jiē 42 hào 42 dàlǐ street 他/她的地址是大理街四十二號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. His/her address is number 42 dàlǐ street. 6. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? What is your friend’s address? 敦化路五十五號 Dūnhuà Lù 55 hào 55 Dūnhuà road 他/她的地址是敦化路五十五號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. His/her address is number 55 Dūnhuà road. 7. 你朋友的地址是……？ Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? What is your friend’s address? 博愛路九十四號 Bóài Lù 94 hào 94 Bóài road 他/她的地址是博愛路九十四號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Bóài Lù Jiǔshisìhào. His/her address is number 94 Bóài road.

Statement Answer 1. 馬太太家在大理街四十二號。 Mǎ tàitai jiā zài Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. Mǎ’s house is at N°42 Dàlǐ street. 她的地址是大理街四十二號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. Her address is N°42 Dàlǐ street. 2. 趙太太家在博愛路九十四號。 Zhào tàitai jiā zài Bóài Lù Jiǔshisìhào. Mrs. Zhào’s house is at N°94 Bóài road. 她的地址是博愛路九十四號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Bóài Lú Jiǔshisìhào. Her address is N°94 Bóài road. 3. 李太太家在敦化路五十五號。 Lǐ tàitai jiā zài Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. Mrs. Lǐ’s house is at Dūnhuà road. 她的地址是敦化路五十五號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. Her address is N°55 Dūnhuà road. 4. 何太太家在農安街七十五號 Hé tàitai jiā zài Nóngān Jiē Qīshiwǔhào. Mrs. Hé’s house is at N°75 Nóngān street. 她的地址是農安街七十五號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Nóngān Jiē Qīshiwǔhào. Her address is N°75 Nóngān street. 5. 高太太家在大理街四十二號。 Gāo tàitai jiā zài Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. Mrs. Gāo’s house is at N°42 Dàlǐ street. 她的地址是大理解街四十二號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. Her address is N°42 Dàlǐ street. 6. 王太太家在博愛路九十四號。 Wáng tàitai jiā zài Bóài Lù Jiǔshisìhào. Mrs. Wáng’s house is at N°94 Bóài road. 她的地址是博愛路九十四號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Bóài Lú Jiǔshisìhào. Her address is N°94 Bóài road. 7. 林太太家在敦化路五十五號。 Lín tàitai jiā zài Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. Mrs. Lín’s house is at N°55 Dūnhuà road 她的地址是敦化路五十五號。 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. Her address is N°55 Dūnhuà road.

Statement Answer 1. 您是魏少校嗎？ Nín shi Wèi shàoxiào ma? Are you Major Weiss? 您是魏少校吧 Nín shi Wèi shàoxiào ba? You are Major Weiss, aren’t you? 2. 他是張少校嗎？ Tā shi Zhāng shàoxiào ma? Is he Major Zhāng? 他是張少校吧？ Tā shi Zhāng shàoxiào ba? He is Major Zhāng, isn’t he? 3. 您是黃小姐嗎？ Nín shi Huáng xiǎojiě ma? Are you Miss Huáng? 您是黃小姐吧？ Nín shi Zhāng xiǎojiě ba? You are Miss Huáng, aren’t you? 4. 那是國賓大飯店嗎？ Nà shi Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn ma? Is that the Nationalities Hotel? 那是國賓大飯店吧？ Nà shi Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn ba? That is the Nationalities Hotel, isn’t it? 5. 這是第一大飯店嗎？ Zhè shi Dìyī Dàfàndiàn ma? Is this the Grand Hotel? 這是第一大飯店吧？ Zhè shi Dìyī Dàfàndiàn ba? This is the Grand Hotel, isn’t it? 6. 那位是王太太嗎？ Nàwèi shi Wáng tàitai ma? Is that person Mrs. Wáng? 那位是王太太吧。 Nàwèi shi Wáng tàitai ba? This person is Mrs. Wáng, isn’t it? 7. 那是圓山大飯店嗎？ Nà shi Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn ma? Is that the Yuánshān hotel? 那是圓山大飯店吧？ Nà shi Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn ba? That is the Yuánshān hotel, isn’t it?

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她在那哪裏工作？ Tā zài náli gōngzuò? Where does he/she work? 臺北 Táiběi Taipei 他/她在臺北工作。 Tā zài Táiběi gōngzuò. He/she works in Taipei. 2. 他/她在哪裏工作？ Tā zài náli gōngzuò? Where does he/she work? 臺南 Táinán Tʽai-nan 他/她在臺南工作。 Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. He/she works in Tʽai-nan. 3. 他/她在哪裏工作？ Tā zài náli gōngzuò? Where does he/she work? 臺中 Táizhōng Tʽai-chung 他/她在臺中工作。 Tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. He/she works in Tʽai-chung. 4. 他/她在哪裏工作？ Tā zài náli gōngzuò? Where does he/she work? 高雄 Gāoxióng Kao-hsiung 他/她在高雄工作。 Tā zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. He/she works in Kao-hsiung. 5. 他/她在哪裏工作？ Tā zài náli gōngzuò? Where does he/she work? 基隆 Jīlóng Chi-lung 他/她在基隆工作。 Tā zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. He/she works in Chi-lung. 6. 他/她在哪裏工作？ Tā zài náli gōngzuò? Where does he/she work? 臺北 Táiběi Taipei 他/她在臺北工作。 Tā zài Táiběi Gōngzuò. He/she works in Taipei. 7. 他/她在哪裏工作？ Tā zài náli gōngzuò? Where does he/she work? 臺中 Táizhōng Tʽai-chung 他/她在臺中工作。 Tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. He/she works in Tʽai-chung.

Question Answer 1. 他/她在郵政局工作嗎？ Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò ma? Does he/she work at the post office? 對了，他/她在郵政局工作。 Duì le, tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò. Yes, he/she works at the post office. 2. 他/她在武官處工作嗎？ Tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò ma? Does he/she works at the military attache’s office? 對了，他/她在武官處工作。 Duì le, tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. Yes, he/she works at the military attache’s office. 3. 他/她在銀行工作嗎？ Tā zài yínháng gōngzuò ma? Does he/she works at the bank? 對了，他/她在銀行工作。 Duì le, tā zài yínháng gōngzuò. Yes, he/she works at the bank? 4. 他/她在美國銀行工作嗎？ Tā zài Měiguó Yínháng gōngzuò ma? Does he/she works at the Bank of America? 對了，他/她在美國銀行工作。 Duì le, tā zài Měiguó Yínháng gōngzuò. Yes, he/she works at the Bank of America. 5. 他/她在臺灣銀行工作嗎？ Tā zài Táiwān Yínháng gōngzuò ma? Does he/she works at the Bank of Táiwān. 對了，他/她在臺灣銀行工作。 Duì le, tā zài Táiwān Yínháng gōngzuò. Yes, he/she works at the Bank of Táiwān. 6. 他/她在武官處工作嗎？ Tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò ma? Does he/she works at the military attache’s office? 對了，他/她在武官處工作。 Duì le, tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. Yes, he/she works at the military attache’s office. 7. 他/她在郵政局工作嗎？ Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò ma? Does he/she works at the post office? 對了，他/她在郵政局工作。 Duì le, tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò. Yes, he/she works at the post office.

Statement Answer 1. 周先生在臺北工作。 Zhōu xiānsheng zài Táiběi gōngzuò. Mr. Zhōu works in Táiběi. 周先生現在在臺北工作。 Zhōu xiānsheng xiànzài zài Táiběi gōngzuò. Mr. Zhōu is working in Táiběi now. 2. 張先生在臺中工作。 Zhāng xiānsheng zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. Mr. Zhāng works in Táizhōng. 張先生現在在臺中工作。 Zhāng xiānsheng xiànzài zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. Mr. Zhāng is working in Táizhōng now. 3. 胡小姐在臺南工作。 Hú xiǎojiě zài Táinán gōngzuò. Miss Hú works in Táinán. 胡小姐現在在臺南工作。 Hú xiǎojiě xiànzài zài Táinán gōngzuò. Miss Hú is working in Táinán now. 4. 馬小姐在高雄工作。 Mǎ xiǎojiě zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. Miss Mǎ works in Gāoxióng. 馬小姐現在在高雄工作。 Mǎ xiǎojiě xiànzài zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. Miss Mǎ is working in Gāoxióng now. 5. 趙先生在基隆工作。 Zhào xiānsheng zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. Mr. Zhāo works in Jīlóng. 趙先生現在在基隆工作。 Zhào xiānsheng xiànzài zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. Mr. Zhāo is working in Jīlóng now. 6. 陳先生在臺北工作。 Chén xiānsheng zài Táiběi gōngzuò. Mr. Chén works in Táiběi. 陳先生現在在臺北工作。 Chén xiānsheng xiànzài zài Táiběi gōngzuò. Mr. Chén is working in Táiběi now. 7. 江小姐在高雄工作。 Jiāng xiǎojiě zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. Miss Jiāng works in Gāoxióng. 江小姐現在在高雄工作。 Jiāng xiǎojiě xiànzài zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. Miss Jiāng is working in Gāoxióng now.

Statement Answer 1. 衚同志在北京工作。 Hú tōngzhì zài Běijīng gōngzuò. Comrade Hú works in Běijīng. 衚同志不在北京工作。 Hú tōngzhì bú zài Běijīng gōngzuò. Comrade Hú doesn’t work in Běijīng. 2. 李同志在南京工作。 Lǐ tóngzhì zài Nánjīng gōngzuò. Comrade Lǐ works in Nánjīng. 李同志不在南京工作。 Lǐ tóngzhì bú zài Nánjīng gōngzuò. Comrade Lǐ doesn’t work in Nánjīng. 3. 他/她在青島工作。 Tā zài Qīngdǎo gōngzuò. He/she works in Qīngdǎo. 他/她不在青島工作。 Tā bú zài Qīngdǎo gōngzuò. He/she doesn’t work in Qīngdǎo. 4. 林同志在廣州工作。 Lín tóngzhì zài Guǎngzhōu gōngzuò. Comrade Lín works in Guǎnzhōu. 林同志不在廣州工作。 Lín tóngzhì bú zài Guǎngzhōu gōngzuò. Comrade Lín doesn’t work in Guǎnzhōu. 5. 趙同志在上海工作。 Zhào tōngzhì zài Shànghǎi gōngzuò. Comrade Zhào works in Shànghǎi. 趙同志不在上海工作。 Zhào tōngzhì bú zài Shànghǎi gōngzuò. Comrade Zhào doesn’t work in Shànghǎi. 6. 陳同志在青島工作。 Chén tóngzhì zài Qīngdǎo gōngzuò. Comrade Chén works in Qīngdǎo. 陳同志不在青島工作。 Chén tóngzhì bú zài Qīngdǎo gōngzuò. Comrade Chén doesn’t work in Qīngdǎo. 7. 黃同志在北京工作。 Huáng tóngzhì zài Běijīng gōngzuò. Comrade Huáng works in Běijīng. 黃同志不在北京工作。 Huáng tóngzhì bú zài Běijīng gōngzuò. Comrade Huáng doesn’t work in Běijīng.

Question Cue Answer 1. 胡小姐在臺北工作嗎？ Hú xiǎojiě zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? Does Miss Hú work in Taipei? 臺南 Táinán Tainan 她不在臺北工作。她在臺南工作。 Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. She doesn’t work in Taipei; she works in Tainan. 2. 李太太在臺中工作嗎？ Lǐ tàitai zài Táizhōng gōngzuò ma? Does Ms Lǐ work in Táizhōng? 基隆 Jīlóng Jīlóng 她不在臺中工作。 她在基隆工作。 Tā bú zài Táizhōng gōngzuò; tā zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. She doesn’t work in Táizhōng; she works in Jīlóng. 3. 馬先生在這裏工作嗎？ Mǎ xiānsheng zài zhèli gōngzuò ma? Does Mr. Mǎ work here? 高雄 Gāoxióng Gāoxióng 他不在這裏工作。 他在高雄工作。 Tā bú zài zhèli gōngzuò; tā zài Gāoxiōng gōngzuò. He doesn’t work here; he works in Gāoxióng. 4. 他/她在武官處工作嗎？ Tā zài Wúguānchù gōngzuò ma? Does he work in the military attaché’s office? 美國銀行 Měiguo Yínháng Bank of America 他/她不在武官處工作。 他/她在美國銀行工作。 Tā bú zài Měiguo gōngzuò; tā zài Měiguo Yínháng gōngzuò. He doesn’t work in the military attaché’s office; he works in the Bank of America. 5. 他/她在郵政局工作嗎？ Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò ma? Does he work in the post office? 臺灣銀行 Táiwān Yínháng Bank of Taiwan 他/她不在郵政局工作。 他/她在臺灣銀行工作。 Tā bú zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò; tā zài Táiwān Yínháng gōngzuò. He doesn’t work in the post office; he works in the Bank of Taiwan. 6. 林先生在那裏工作嗎？ Lín xiānsheng zài nàli gōngzuò ma? Does Mr. Lín work there? 這裏 zhèli here 他不在那裏工作。 他在這裏工作。 Tā bú zài nàli gōngzuò; tā zài zhèli gōngzuò. He doesn’t work there; he works here. 7. 劉小姐在臺北工作嗎？ Liú xiǎojiě zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? Does Miss Liú work in Taipei? 臺中 Táizhōng Táizhōng 她不在臺北工作。她在臺中工作。 Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. She doesn’t work in Taipei; she works in Táizhōng.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她在臺北工作嗎？ Tā zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? Does he/she work in Taipei? 臺北 Táiběi Taipei 對了，他/她在臺北工作。 Duì le, tā zaì Táiběi gōngzuo. Yes, he/she works in Taipei. 2. 他/她在臺北工作嗎？ Tā zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? Does he/she work in Taipei? 臺南 Táinán Tʽai-nan 他/她不在臺北工作。他/她在臺南工作。 Tā bú zaì Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. No, he/she doesn’t work in Taipei. he/she works in Tʽai-nan. 3. 他/她在臺中工作嗎？ Tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò ma? Does he/she work in Tʽai-chung. 基隆 Jīlóng Chi-lung 他/她不在臺中工作嗎。他/她在基隆工作。 Tā bú zài Táizhōng gōngzuò; tā zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. No he/she doesn’t work in Tʽai-chung. He/she works in Chi-lung. 4. 他/她在這裏工作嗎？ Tā zài zhèli gōngzuò ma? Does he/she work here? 這裏 zhèli here 對了，他/她在這裏工作。 Duì le, tā zài zhèli gōngzuò. Yes, he/she works here. 5. 他/她在郵政局工作嗎？ Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò ma? Does he/she work at the post office? 臺灣銀行 Táiwān Yínháng Bank of Taiwan 他/她不在郵政局工作。他/她在臺灣銀行工作嗎。 Tā bú zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuo; tā zài Táiwān Yínháng gōngzuò. He/she doesn’t work at the post office. He/she works at the Bank of Taiwan. 6. 他/她在武官處工作嗎？ Tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò ma? Does he/she work at the defense attache office? 這裏 zhèli here 他/她不在武官處工作。他/她在這裏工作。 Tā bú zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò; tā zài zhèli gōngzuò. No, he/she doesn’t work at the defense attache office. He/she works here. 7. 他/她在美國銀行工作嗎？ Tā zài Měiguó Yínháng gōngzuò ma? Does he/she work at the Bank of America? 美國銀行 Měiguó Yínháng Bank of America 對了，他/她在美國銀行工作。 Duì le, tā zài Měiguó Yínháng gōngzuò. Yes, he/she works at the Bank of America.

Members of a family. The plural ending -men. The question word jǐ- “how many.” The adverb dōu “all.” Several ways to express “and.”

The C-l and P-1 tapes, the Reference List and Reference Notes. The C-2 and P-2 tapes, the Workbook. The 3D-1 tape.

1. A: Nǐmen yǒu háizi ma? 你們有孩子嗎？ Do you have children? B: Yǒu, wǒmen yǒu. 有，我們有。 Yes, we have. 2. B: Liú xiānsheng yǒu Měiguó péngyou ma? 劉先生有美國朋友嗎？ Does Mr Liú have any American friends? A: Tā meíyǒu Měiguó péngyou. 他沒有美國朋友。 He doesn’t have any American friends. A: Tā yǒu Yīngguó péngyou. 他有英國朋友。 He has English friends. (or an English friend) 3. A: Nǐmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 你們有幾個孩子？ How many children do you have? B: Wǒmen yǒu sānge háizi. 我們有三個孩子。 We have three children. 4. A: Nǐmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 你們有幾個男孩子，幾個女孩子？ How many boys and how many girls do you have? B: Wǒmen yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, yīge nǚháizi. 我們有兩個男孩子，一個女孩子。 We have two boys and one girl. 5. B: Shì nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Are they boys or girls? A: Tāmen dōu shi nǚháizi. 他們都是女孩子。 All of them are girls. 6. B: Hú xiānsheng, tàitai ne? Tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 胡先生，太太呢？他們有幾個孩子？ How about Mr. and Mrs. Hú? How many children do they have? A: Tāmen yǒu liǎngge háizi. 他們有兩個孩子。 They have two children. B: Shì nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Are they boys or girls? A: Dōu shi nǚháizi. 都是女孩子。 Both of them are girls. 7. A: Nǐmen háizi dōu zài zhèli ma? 你們孩子都在這裏嗎？ Are all your children here? B: Bù, liǎngge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Měiguó. 不，兩個在這裏，一個還在美國。 No. Two are here, and one is still in America. 8. A: Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家裏有什麼人？ What people are (there) in your family? B: Yǒu wǒ tàitai gēn sānge háizi. 有我太太跟三個孩子。 There’s my wife and three children. 9. B: Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家裏有什麼人？ What people are (there) in your family? A: Jiù (yǒu) wǒ fùqin, mǔqin. 就（有）我父親，母親。 Just my father and mother.

zhǐ 只 only dìdi 弟弟 younger brother gēge 哥哥 older brother jiějie 姐姐 older sister mèimei 妹妹 younger sister xiōngdì 兄弟 brothers jiěmèi 姐妹 sisters xiōngdì jiěmèi 兄弟姐妹 brothers and sisters fùmǔ 父母 parents zǔfù 祖父 paternal grandfather zǔmǔ 祖母 paternal grandmother wàizǔfù 外祖父 maternal grandfather wàizǔmǔ 外祖母 maternal grandmother bàba 爸爸 papa, dad, father māma 媽媽 momma, mom, mother dōu 都 all, both fùqin 父親 father gēn 跟 and, with, and (in addition to) hái 還 still, yet háizi 孩子 children, child jǐ- 幾－ how many jiāli 家裏 family jǐge 幾個 how many jiù 就 only, just liǎng- 兩 two méi 沒 not, not to have méiyou 沒有 not to have, there is not -men 們 plural suffix mǔqin 母親 mother nán- 男－ male nánháizi 男孩子 boy nǐmen 你們 you (plural) nǚ- 女－ female nǚháizi 女孩子 girl tāmen 他們 they, them wǒmen 我們 we, us yǒu 有 to have, there is zhǐ 只 only yíng le 贏了 I(’ve) won

1. A: Nǐmen yǒu háizi ma? 你們有孩子嗎？ Do you have children? B: Yǒu, wǒmen yǒu. 有，我們有。 Yes, we have. The plural pronouns are formed by adding -men to the singular pronouns singular plural wǒ I wǒmen we nǐ you nǐmen you tā he/she tāmen they (You have already seen these pronoun forms used as possessives: “my,” “our,” etc. Later you will find that they are also used as objects: “me,” “us,” etc.) Háizi: Chinese nouns have the same form for singular and plural. Háizi may be either “child” or “children.” A few nouns referring to people may be made explicitly plural by adding -men. Háizimen can only be “children” Usually the context will make clear whether a noun should be translated as singular or as plural, but not always. Chinese does not require that the matter be pinned down to the same extent that English does. Wǒmen yǒu háizi is a perfectly good sentence, even though the only accurate translation is the clumsy “We have one or more children.” We would prefer to have enough information to translate it either as “We have a child” or as “We have children.” At times this ambiguity is an advantage. When you ask Nǐmen yǒu háizi ma? you do not, after all, know whether you are referring to one child or to more than one child. To cover both bets in the same way in English, we have to say “Do you have any children?”

2. B: Liú xiānsheng yǒu Měiguó péngyou ma? 劉先生有美國朋友嗎？ Does Mr Liú have any American friends? B: Tā meíyǒu Měiguó péngyou. 他沒有美國朋友。 He doesn’t have any American friends. A: Tā yǒu Yīngguó péngyou. 他有英國朋友。 He has English friends. (or an English friend) Méi you: All the verbs discussed so far form the negative with bù, with the single exception of yǒu, “to have,” which has the irregular negative form méiyou.

3. A: Nǐmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 你們有幾個孩子？ How many children do you have? B: Wǒmen yǒu sānge háizi. 我們有三個孩子。 We have three children. 4. A: Nǐmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 你們有幾個男孩子，幾個女孩子？ How many boys and how many girls do you have? B: Wǒmen yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, yíge nǚháizi. 我們有兩個男孩子，一個女孩子。 We have two boys and one girl. In Peking speech, jǐ-, “how many,” is usually used only when the number expected in an answer is about 10 or less. In many other parts of China, speakers use jǐ- no matter how large a number is expected in the answer. Counters: In Chinese, a noun cannot be counted or specified (i.e., used with něi- “which,” nèi-, “that,” zhèi-, “this”) without the addition of a bound word, a counter, to indicate the sort of thing being specified or counted. English has a few such counters, as “head” in “how many head of cattle” and “loaves” in “seven loaves of bread.” The counter used in a particular instance depends on the noun being specified or counted. Many nouns have special counters. You have already learned the polite counter for persons, -wèi. Other special counters refer in some way to the kind of thing the noun represents. The word for “hotel,” for instance, has a special counter -jiā, “house,” used for counting or specifying business establishments. The general counter -ge is used with nouns that do not have special counters. For example, there is no special counter for the word pùbù, “waterfall,” so you would say yíge pùbù, “one waterfall.” You have already found the general counter -ge in specifying expressions such as něige háizi, “which child,” and zhèige fàndiàn, “this hotel.” You may find that, in colloquial speech, nouns that have special counters are sometimes used with -ge anyway, but this tendency is looked down upon by many speakers. Here are the numbers 1 through 10 with the counter -ge: yíge liǎngge sānge sìge wǔge liùge qíge báge jiǔge shíge The number 2 has a special form before a counter: liǎng-. Notice that the words for 1, 2, and 8 have Rising tones before -ge, because -ge is basically a Falling-tone syllable. (See also Unit 5, notes on No. 9 and No. 10.) Nán- nǚ-: The “bound words nán- “male,” and nǚ-, “female,” are often used in compounds; for example, nánpéngyou, “boyfriend,” and nǚtóngzhì “(woman) Comrade.” And: In Chinese, a word for “and” is not needed between parallel phrases like liǎngge nánháizi, yíge nǚháizi “two boys, (and) one girl.” A pause is usual between the two phrases, but even the pause is sometimes omitted.

5. B: Shì nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Are they boys or girls? A: Tāmen dōu shi nǚháizi. 他們都是女孩子。 All of them are girls. 6. B: Hú xiānsheng, tàitai ne? tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 胡先生，太太呢？他們有幾個孩子？ How about Mr. and Mrs. Hú? How many children do they have? A: Tāmen yǒu liǎngge háizi. 他們有兩個孩子。 They have two children. B: Shì nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Are they boys or girls? A: Dōu shi nǚháizi. 都是女孩子。 Both of them are girls. 7. A: Nǐmen háizi dōu zài zhèli ma? 你們孩子都在這裏嗎？ Are all your children here? B: Bù, liǎngge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Měiguó. 不，兩個在這裏，一個還在美國。 No. Two are here, and one is still in America. Shi nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? In Chinese, an “or” question (i.e., a question asking which of two alternatives is true) may be asked simply by stating the two alternatives with a pause between. In this kind of question, the verb must appear in each alternative. (You will learn other ways of making “or” questions in later modules.) Dōu may usually be translated in a sentence as “all (of),” or, if it refers to only two things, as “both (of).” Literally, dōu means “in all cases,” “uniformly,” “entirely,” “completely.” Since it is an adverb), it must be placed after the subject of a sentence and before the verb (like the adverb yě, “also”.)

8. A: Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家裏有什麼人？ What people are (there) in your family? B: Yǒu wǒ tàitai gēn sānge háizi. 有我太太跟三個孩子。 There’s my wife and three children. 9. B: Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家裏有什麼人？ What people are (there) in your family? A: Jiù yǒu wǒ fùqin, mǔqin. 就有我父親，母親。 Just my father and mother. Literally, the phrase nǐ jiāli means “in your home” (jiā, “home”; -li, “in”）. In this sentence it is extended to mean “the people in your home, “that is, “your family.” Nǐ jiāli - yǒu - shénme rén? Phrase by phrase, this question is: “In your family - there are - what people?,’ The word “family” can be taken to mean either all your relatives or only those living in your household. By itself, the verb yǒu means “to “be,” “to exist.” You have now seen it translated two ways: as “have,” with a personal subject: Wǒmen yǒu sānge háizi. “We have three children.” as “there is/are,” in the so-called impersonal construction: Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? “What people are (there) in your family?” In exchange 8, the verb yǒu in the answer is translated as “there’s.” Some English speakers may find this translation too colloquial. The answer can also be translated Just by listing the family members, with no verb in the English, as was done in exchange 9. Chinese almost always keeps the verb in the answer to a question, while English tends to leave it out. How to say “and”: Chinese has several words for “and.” Gēn is the word for “and” when joining nouns or noun phrases. Yě is the word for “and” when Joining verbs, verb phrases, or whole sentences: Wǒ bú xìng Lǐ, yě bú xìng Lǔ. Wǒ xìng Lǚ. I’m not surnamed Lǐ and I’m not surnamed Lǔ. I’m surnamed Lǚ. Chinese tends to use a word for “and” when the noun phrases being Joined are not parallel and not to use one when the phrases are parallel: Not parallel Yǒu wǒ tàitai Possessor noun gēn sānge háizi. number noun There’s my wife and 3 children. Parallel Yǒu liǎngge nánháizi number noun , yíge nǚháizi. number noun There are 2 boys and one girl. While “and” is often omitted in Chinese, it may be added for emphasis between nouns and between noun phrases just as in English. Jiù, “only,” “just,” is an adverb (like yě and dōu. The use of jiù to mean “only” is probably mostly confined to the Peking dialect. Jiù has several other meanings, which will be presented to you as you continue through this course. Speakers from other parts of the country will not necessarily use jiù to mean “only” or understand it as such. A more widely used and understood word for “only” is zhǐ. Thus the answer in exchange 9 could also be: Zhǐ yǒu wǒ fùqin, mǔqin.

Chinese is much more precise than English in its terms for family members. There is not just one word for “brother,” or “sister” but words for “older brother,” “younger brother,” “older sister,” and “younger sister.” older younger brother gēge dìdi brothers xiōngdì sister jiějie mèimei sisters jiěmèi When referring to both older and younger sisters, the term jiěmèi is used. When referring to both older and younger brothers, the term xiōngdì is used. When referring to sisters and brothers, the phrase xiōngdì jiěmèi is used. Chinese also distinguishes between grandparents on the father’s side of the family and grandparents on the mother’s side: father’s side mother’s side grandfather zǔfù wàizǔfù grandmother zǔmǔ wàizǔmǔ The syllable wài- in wàizǔfù and wàizǔmǔ literally means “outer” or “outside.”

Statement Answer 1. 他/她有美國朋友嗎？ Tā yǒu Měiguó pényou ma? Does he/she have any American friends? 有，他/她有美國朋友。 Yǒu, tā yǒu Měiguó péngyou. Yes, he/she has some American friends. 2. 他/她有中國朋友嗎？ Tā yǒu Zhōngguo péngyou ma? Does he/she have any Chinese friends? 有，他/她有中國朋友。 Yǒu, tā yǒu Zhōngguo péngyou. Yes, he/she has some Chinese friends. 3. 他/她有德國朋友嗎？ Tā yǒu Déguó péngyou ma? Does he/she have any German friends? 有，他/她有德國朋友。 Yǒu, tā yǒu Déguó péngyou. Yes, he/she has some German friends. 4. 他/她有日本朋友嗎？ Tā yǒu Rìběn péngyou ma? Does he/she have any Japanese friends? 有，他/她有日本朋友。 Yǒu, tā yǒu Rìběn péngyou. Yes, he/she has some Japanese friends. 5. 他/她有加拿大朋友嗎？ Tā yǒu Jiānádà péngyou ma? Does he/she have any Canadian friends? 有，他/她有加拿大朋友。 Yǒu, tā yǒu Jiānádà pényou. Yes, he/she has some Canadian friends. 6. 他/她有俄國朋友嗎？ Tā yǒu Èguó péngyou ma? Does he/she have any Russian friends? 有，他/她有俄國朋友。 Yǒu, tā yǒu Èguó péngyou. Yes, he/she has some Russian friends. 7. 他/她有英國朋友嗎？ Tā yǒu Yīngguó péngyou ma? Does he/she have any English friends? 有，他/她有英國朋友。 Yǒu, tā yǒu Yīngguó péngyou. Yes, he/she has some English friends.

Statement Answer 1. 他/她有哥哥嗎？ Tā yǒu gēge ma? Does he/she have an older brother? 有，他/她有哥哥。 Yǒu, tā yǒu gēge. Yes, he/she has an older brother. 2. 他/她有姐姐嗎？ Tā yǒu jiějie ma? Does he/she have an older sister? 有，他/她有姐姐。 Yǒu, tā yǒu jiějie. Yes, he/she has an older sister. 3. 他/她有弟弟嗎？ Tā yǒu dìdi ma? Does he/she have a younger brother? 有，他/她有弟弟。 Yǒu, tā yǒu dìdi. Yes, he/she has a younger brother. 4. 他/她有妹妹嗎？ Tā yǒu mèimei ma? Does he/she have a younger sister? 有，他/她有妹妹。 Yǒu, tā yǒu mèimei. Yes, he/she has a younger sister. 5. 他/她們有孩子嗎？ Tāmen yǒu háizi ma? Does he/she have children? 有，他/她們有孩子。 Yǒu, tāmen yǒu háizi. Yes, he/she has children. 6. 他/她們有男孩子嗎？ Tāmen yǒu nánháizi ma? Does he/she have boys? 有，他/她們有男孩子。 Yǒu, tāmen yǒu nánháizi. Yes, he/she has boys. 7. 他/她們有女孩子嗎？ Tāmen yǒu nǚháizi ma? Does he/she have girls? 有，他/她們有女孩子？ Yǒu, tāmen yǒu nǚháizi. Yes, he/she has girls.

Statement Answer 1. 張先生有姐姐嗎？ Zhāng xiānsheng yǒu jiějie ma? Does Mr. Zhāng have an older sister? 沒有，張先生沒有姐姐。 Méiyou, Zhāng xiānsheng méiyou jiějie. No, Mr. Zhāng doesn’t have an older sister. 2. 王先生有路女子嗎？ Wáng xiānsheng yǒu nǚháizi ma? Does Mr. Wáng have a daughter? 沒有，王先生沒有女孩子。 Méiyou, Wáng xiānsheng méiyou nǚháizi. No, Mr. Wáng doesn’t have a daughter. 3. 林先生有妹妹嗎？ Lín xiānsheng yǒu mèimei ma? Does Mr. Lín have a younger sister? 沒有，林先生沒有妹妹。 Méiyou, Lín xiānsheng méiyou mèimei. No, Mr. Lín doesn’t have a younger sister. 4. 馬太太有哥哥嗎？ Mā tàitai yǒu gēge ma? Does Mrs. Mā have an older brother? 沒有，馬太太沒有哥哥。 Méiyou, Mā tàitai méiyou gēge. No, Mrs. Mā doesn’t have an older brother. 5. 黃小姐有弟弟嗎？ Huáng xiǎojiě yǒu dìdi ma? Does Miss Huáng have a younger brother? 沒有，黃小姐沒有弟弟。 Méiyou, Huáng xiǎojiě méiyou dìdi. No, Miss Huáng doesn’t have a younger brother. 6. 馬先生，馬太太有孩子嗎？ Mǎ xiānsheng, Mǎ tàitai yǒu háizi ma? Do Mr. Mǎ, Mrs. Mǎ have children? 沒有，馬先生，馬太太沒有孩子。 Méiyou, Mǎ xiānsheng, Mǎ tàitai méiyou háizi. No, Mr. Mǎ, Mrs. Mǎ don’t have children. 7. 楊太太有男孩子嗎？ Yáng tàitai yǒu nánháizi ma? Does Mrs. Yáng have boys? 沒有，楊太太沒有男孩子。 Méiyou, Yáng tàitai méiyou nánháizi. No, Mrs. Yáng doesn’t have boys.

Question Cue Answer 1. 你有弟弟嗎？ Nǐ yǒu dìdi ma? Do you have a younger brother? 有 yǒu yes 有，我有弟弟。 Yǒu, wǒ yǒu dìdi. Yes, I have a younger brother. 2. 你有弟弟嗎？ Nǐ yǒu dìdi ma? Do you have an younger brother? 沒有 méiyou no 沒有，我沒有弟弟。 Méi you, wǒ méiyou dìdi. No, I don’t have an younger brother. 3. 他/她有妹妹嗎？ Tā yǒu mèimei ma? Does he/she have a younger sister? 沒有 méiyou no 沒有， 他/她沒有妹妹。 Méi you, tā méiyou mèimei. No, he/she doesn’t have a younger sister. 4. 王同志有哥哥嗎？ Wáng tóngzhì yǒu gēge ma? Does Comrade Wáng have an older brother? 有 yǒu yes 有， 王同志有哥哥。 Yǒu, Wáng tóngzhì yǒu gēge. Yes, Comrade Wáng has an older brother. 5. 他們有孩子嗎？ Tāmen yǒu háizi ma? Do you have children? 有 yǒu yes 有他們有孩子。 Yǒu, tāmen yǒu háizi. Yes, we have children. 6. 郭同志有英國朋友嗎？ Guō tóngzhì yǒu Yīngguó péngyou ma? Does Comrade Guō have an English friend? 沒有 méiyou no 沒有，郭同志沒有英國朋友。 Méi you, Guō tóngzhì méiyou Yīngguó péngyou. No, Comrade Guō doesn’t have an English friend. 7. 陳先生有法國朋友嗎？ Chén xiānsheng yǒu Fàguó péngyou ma? Does Mr. Chén have a French friend? 有 yǒu yes 有，陳先生有法國朋友。 Yǒu, Chén xiānsheng yǒu Fàguó péngyou. Yes, Mr. Chén has a French friend.

Statement Answer 1. 他們有孩子嗎？ Tāmen yǒu háizi ma? Do they have any children? 他們有幾個孩子？ Tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? How many children do they have? 2. 王先生有姐姐嗎？ Wáng xiānsheng yǒu jiějie ma? Does Mr. Wáng have an older sister? 王先生有幾個姐姐？ Wáng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge jiějie? How many older sisters does have Mr Wáng? 3. 他們有男孩子嗎？ Tāmen yǒu nánháizi ma? Do they have any boys? 他們有幾個男孩子？ Tāmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi? How many boys do they have? 4. 你們有女孩子嗎？ Nǐmen yǒu nǚháizi ma? Do you have daughters? 你們有幾個女孩子？ Nǐmen yǒu jǐge nǚháizi? How many daughters do you have? 5. 方小姐有哥哥嗎？ Fāng xiǎojiě yǒu gēge ma? Does Miss Fāng have an older brother? 方小姐有幾個哥哥？ Fāng xiǎojiě yǒu jǐge gēge? How many older brothers does Miss Fāng have? 6. 趙太太有弟弟嗎？ Zhào tàitai yǒu dìdi ma? Does Mrs. Zhào have a younger brother? 趙太太有幾個弟弟？ Zhào tàitai yǒu jǐge dìdi? How many younger brothers does Mrs. Zhào have? 7. 他/她有中國朋友嗎？ Tā yǒu Zhōngguo péngyou ma? Does he/she have a Chinese friend? 他/她有幾個中國朋友？ Tā yǒu jǐge Zhōngguo péngyou? How many Chinese friends does he/she have?

Question Cue Answer 1. 張同志有幾個孩子？ Zhāng tóngzhì yǒu jǐge háizi? How many children does Comrade Zhāng have? 2 張同志有兩個孩子。 Zhāng tóngzhì yǒu liǎngge háizi. Comrade Zhāng has 2 children. 2. 趙同志有幾個女孩子？ Zhào tóngzhì yǒu jǐge nǚháizi? How many daughters does Comrade Zhào have? 1 趙同志有一個女孩子。 Zhào tóngzhì yǒu yíge nǚháizi. Comrade Zhào has 1 daughter. 3. 陳同志有幾個男孩子？ Chén tóngzhì yǒu jǐge nánháizi? How many boys does Comrade Chén have? 3 陳同志有三個男孩子。 Chén tóngzhì yǒu sānge nánháizi. Comrade Chén has 3 boys. 4. 江同志有幾個美國朋友？ Jiāng tóngzhì yǒu jǐge Měiguó péngyou. How many American friends does Comrade Jiāng have? 5 江同志有五個美國朋友。 Jiāng tōngzhì yǒu wǔge Měiguó péngyou. Comrade Jiāng has 5 American friends. 5. 方同志有幾個妹妹？ Fāng tóngzhì yǒu jǐge mèimei? How many younger sisters does Comrade Fāng have? 1 方同志有一個妹妹。 Fāng tóngzhì yǒu yíge mèimei. Comrade Fāng has 1 younger sister. 6. 王先生有幾個中國朋友？ Wáng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge Zhōngguo péngyou? How many Chinese friends does Mr. Wáng have? 2 王先生有兩個中國朋友。 Wáng xiānsheng yǒu liǎngge Zhōngguo péngyou. Mr. Wáng has 2 Chinese friends. 7. 他/她有幾個哥哥？ Tā yǒu jǐge gēge? How many older brothers does he/she have? 3 他/她有三個哥哥。 Tā yǒu sānge gēge. He/she has 3 older brothers.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她有幾個男孩子？ Tā yǒu jǐge nánháizi? How many sons does he/she have? 女孩子 nǚháizi daughter 他有幾個男孩子，幾個女孩子？ Tā yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? How many sons and how many daughters does he/she have? 2. 黃先生有幾個美國朋友？ Huáng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge Měiguó péngyou? How many American friends does Mr. Huáng have? 法國朋友 Fàguó péngyou French friend 黃先生有幾個美國朋友，幾個法國朋友? Huáng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge Měiguó péngyou, jǐge Fàguó péngyou? How many American friends and how many French friends does Mr. Huáng have? 3. 李太太有幾個哥哥？ Lǐ tàitai yǒu jǐge gēge? How many older brothers does Mrs. Lǐ have? 弟弟 dìdi younger brother 李太太有幾個哥哥，幾個弟弟？ Lǐ tàitai yǒu jige gēge, jǐge dìdi? How many older brothers and how many younger brothers does Mrs. Lǐ have? 4. 孫小姐有幾個姐姐？ Sūn xiǎojiě yǒu jǐge jiějie? How many older sisters does Miss Sūn have? 妹妹 mèimei younger sister 孫小姐有幾個姐姐，幾個妹妹？ Sūn xiǎojiě yǒu jǐge jiějie, jǐge mèimei? How many older sisters and how many younger sisters does Miss Sūn have? 5. 他們有幾個英國朋友？ Tāmen yǒu jǐge Yīngguó péngyou? How many English friends do they have? 德國朋友 Déguó péngyou German friend 他們有幾個英國朋友，幾個德國朋友？ Tāmen yǒu jǐge Yīngguó péngyou, jǐge Déguó péngyou? How many English and German friends do they have? 6. 宋先生有幾個男孩子？ Sòng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge nánháizi? How many sons does Mr. Sòng have? 女孩子 nǚháizi daughter 宋先生有幾個男孩子，幾個女孩子？ Sòng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge nānháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? How many sons and how many daughters does Mr. Sòng have? 7. 他/她有幾個哥哥？ Tā yǒu jǐge gēge? How many older brothers does he/she have? 姐姐 jiějie older sister 他/她有幾個哥哥，幾個姐姐？ Tā yǒu jǐge gēge, jǐge jiějie? How many older brothers sand how many older sisters does he/she have?

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她有幾個男孩子，幾個女孩子？ Tā yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? How many sons and how many daughters does he/she have? 2 他/她就有兩個男孩子，沒有女孩子。 Tā jiù yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, méiyou nǚháizi. He/she has only two sons, no daughters. 2. 李先生有幾個哥哥，幾個姐姐？ Lǐ xiānsheng yǒu jǐge gēge, jǐge jiějie? How many older brothers and how many older sisters does Mr. Lǐ have? 1 他/她就有一個哥哥，沒有姐姐。 Tā jiù yǒu yíge gēge, méiyou jiějie. He/she has only one older brother and no older sister. 3. 張小姐有幾個姐姐，幾個妹妹？ Zhāng xiǎojiě yǒu jǐge jiějie, jǐge mèimei? How many older sisters and how many younger sisters does Miss Zhāng have? 2 他/她就有兩個姐姐，沒有妹妹。 Tā jiù yǒu liǎngge jiějie, méiyou mèimei. He/she has only two older sisters nad no younger sister. 4. 周太太有幾個哥哥，幾個弟弟？ Zhōu tàitai yǒu jǐge gēge, jǐge dìdi? How many older brothers and how many younger brothers does Mrs. Zhōu have? 1 他/她就有一個哥哥，沒有弟弟。 Tā jiù yǒu yíge gēge, méiyou dìdi. He/she has only one older brother, no younger brother. 5. 胡先生有幾個弟弟，幾個妹妹？ Hú xiānsheng yǒu jǐge dìdi, jǐge mèimei? How many younger brothers and how many younger sisters does Mr. Hú have? 2 他就有兩個弟弟，沒有妹妹。 Tā jiù yǒu liǎngge dìdi, méiyou mèimei. He has only two younger brothers and no younger sister. 6. 他/她有幾個法國朋友，幾個德國朋友？ Tā yǒu jǐge Fàguó péngyou, jǐge Déguó péngyou? How many French friends and how many German friends does he/she have? 2 他/她就有兩個法國朋友，沒有德國朋友。 Tā jiù yǒu liǎngge Fàguó péngyou, méiyou Déguó péngyou. He/she has only two French friends and no German friend. 7. 他們有幾個男孩子，幾個女孩子？ Tāmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? How many sons and how many daughters do they have? 1 他們就有一個男孩子，沒有女孩子。 Tāmen jiù yǒu yíge nánháizi, méiyou nǚháizi. They have only one son and no daughter.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她有幾個男孩子，幾個女孩子？ Tā yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? How many sons and how many daughters does he/she have? 2, 3 他/她有兩個男孩子， 三個女孩子。 Tā yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, sānge nǚháizi. He/she has 2 sons and 3 daughters. 2. 周同志有幾個哥哥， 幾個弟弟？ Zhōu tóngzhì yǒu jǐge gēge, jǐge dìdi? How many older brothers and how many younger brothers does Comrade Zhōu have ? 1, 2 周同志有一個哥哥，兩個弟弟。 Zhōu tóngzhì yǒu yíge gēge, liǎngge dìdi. Comrade Zhōu has one older brother and two younger brothers. 3. 張同志有幾個姐姐，幾個妹妹？ Zhāng tóngzhi yǒu jǐge jiějie, jǐge mèimei? How many older sisters and how many younger sisters does Comrade Zhāng have. 3, 1 張同志有三個姐姐，一個妹妹。 Zhāng tóngzhì yǒu sānge jiějie, yíge mèimei. Comrade Zhāng has 3 older sisters and one younger sister. 4. 他們有幾個中國朋友，幾個日本朋友？ Tāmen yǒu jǐge Zhōngguo péngyou, jǐge Rìběn péngyou? How many Chinese friends and how many Japanese friends do they have? 5, 1 他們有五個中國朋友，一個日本朋友。 Tāmen yǒu wǔge Zhōngguo péngyou, yíge Rìběn péngyou. They have 5 Chinese friends and one Japanese friend. 5. 陳同志有幾個英國朋友， 幾個德國朋友？ Chén tóngzhì yǒu jǐge Yīngguó péngyou, jǐge Déguó péngyou? How many English friends and how many German friends does Comrade Chén have? 3, 2 陳同志有三個英國朋友，兩個德國朋友。 Chén tóngzhì yǒu sānge Yīngguó péngyou, liǎngge Déguó péngyou. Comrade Chén has 3 English friends and 3 German friends. 6. 劉同志有幾個男孩子， 幾個女孩子？ Liú tóngzhì yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? How many sons and how many daughters does Comrade Liú have? 2, 2 劉同志有兩個男孩子，兩個女孩子。 Liú tóngzhì yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, liǎngge nǚháizi. Comrade Liú has 2 sons and 2 daughters. 7. 他/她有幾個姐姐，幾個哥哥？ Tā yǒu jǐge jiějie, jǐge gēge? How many older sisters and how many older brothers does he/she have? 1, 3 他/她有一個姐姐， 三個哥哥。 Tā yǒu yíge jiějie, sānge gēge. He/she has one older sister and 3 older brothers.

Question Cue Answer 1. 請問， 他們有幾個孩子？ Qǐngwèn, tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? May I ask, how many children do you have? 2 2 2 他們有兩個孩子。 Tāmen yǒu liǎngge háizi. They have 2 children. 2. 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Shi nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? Are they boys or girls? 都 Dōu all 都是男孩子。 Dōu shi nānháizi. Both of them are boys. 3. 請問，他/她有幾個兄弟？ Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge xiōngdì? May I ask, how many brothers does he/she have? 3 3 3 他/她有三個兄弟。 Tā yǒu sānge xiōngdì. He/she has 3 brothers. 4. 是哥哥，是弟弟？ Shi gēge, shi dìdi? Are they older or younger brothers? 都 Dōu all 都是哥哥。 Dōu shi gēge. All of them are older brothers. 5. 請問，他/她有幾個姐妹？ Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge jiěmèi? May I ask, how many sisters does he/she have? 2 2 2 他/她有兩個姐妹。 Tā yǒu liǎngge jiěmèi. He/she has 2 sisters. 6. 是姐姐，是妹妹？ Shi jiějie, shi mèimei? Are they older or younger sisters? 都 Dōu all 都是姐姐。 Dōu shi jiějie. Both of them are older sisters. 7. 請問，他/她有幾個中國朋友？ Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge Zhōngguo péngyou? May I ask, how many Chinese friends does he/she have? 4 4 4 他/她有四個中國朋友。 Tā yǒu sìge Zhōngguò péngyou. He/she has 4 Chinese friends. 8. 是男朋友，是女朋友？ Shì nánpéngyou, shi nǚpéngyou? Are they male or female friends? 都 Dōu all 都是男朋友。 Dōu shi nánpéngyou. All of them are male friends. 9. 請問，他/她有幾個美國朋友？ Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge Měiguó péngyou? May I ask, how many American friends does he/she have? 2 2 2 他/她有兩個美國朋友。 Tā yǒu liǎngge Měiguó péngyou. He/she has 2 American friends. 10. 是男朋友，是女朋友？ Shì nánpéngyou, shi nǚpéngyou? Are they male or female friends? 都 Dōu all 都是男朋友。 Dōu shi nánpéngyou. Both of them are male friends. 11. 請問，他/她有幾個孩子。 Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge háizi? May I ask, how many children does he/she have? 3 3 3 他/她有三個孩子。 Tā yǒu sānge háizi. He/she has 3 children. 12. 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Shì nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? Are they boys or girls? 都 Dōu all 都是男孩子。 Dōu shi nánháizi. All of them are boys. 13. 請問，他們有幾個孩子。 Qǐngwèn, tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? May I ask, how many children do they have? 5 5 5 他們有五個孩子。 Tāmen yǒu wǔge háizi. They have 5 children. 14. 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Shì nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? Are they boys or girls? 都 Dōu all 都是男孩子。 Dōu shi nánháizi. All of them are boys.

Question Cue Answer 1. 請問，你們家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, nǐmen jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in your family? 他們 tāmen they 請問，他們家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, tāmen jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in their family? 2. 請問，他們家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, tāmen jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in their family? 方先生 Fāng xiānsheng Mr. Fāng 請問，方先生有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, Fāng xiānsheng jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in Mr. Fāng family? 3. 請問，方先生家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwen, Fāng xiānsheng jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in Mr. Fāng family? 張小姐 Zhāng xiǎojiě Miss Zhāng 請問，張小姐家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, Zhāng xiǎojiě jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in Miss Zhāng family? 4. 請問，張小姐家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwen, Zhāng xiǎojiě jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in Miss Zhāng family? 李明理 Lǐ Mínglǐ Lǐ Mínglǐ 請問，李明理家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, Lǐ Mínglǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in Lǐ Mínglǐ family? 5. 請問，李明理家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, Lǐ Mínglǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in Lǐ Mínglǐ family? 你哥哥 nǐ gēge your older brother 請問，你哥哥家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ gēge jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in your older brother’s family? 6. 請問，你哥哥家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ gēge jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in your older brother’s family? 你朋友 nǐ péngyou your friend 請問，你朋友家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn nǐ péngyou jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in your friend’s family? 7. 請問，你朋友家裏有什麼人？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ péngyou jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in your friend’s family? 你爸爸 nǐ bàba your father 請問，你爸爸家裏有什麼人？ Qíngwèn, nǐ bàba jiāli yǒu shénme rén? May I ask, what people are (there) in your father’s family?

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她有一個孩子。 Tā yǒu yíge háizi. He/she has one child. 太太 tàitai wife 有他/她太太跟一個孩子。 Yǒu tā tàitai gēn yíge háizi. There are his wife and one child. 2. 胡先生有一個妹妹。 Hú xiānsheng yǒu yíge mèimei. Mr. Hú has one younger sister. 母親 mǔqin mother 有他母親跟一個妹妹。 Yǒu tā mǔqin gēn yíge mèimei. There are his mother and one younger sister. 3. 李小姐有兩個弟弟。 Lǐ xiǎojiě yǒu liǎngge dìdi. Miss Lǐ has 2 younger brothers. 姐姐 jiějie older sister 有她姐姐跟兩個弟弟。 Yǒu tā jiějie gēn liǎngge dìdi. There are her older sister and two younger brothers. 4. 劉先生有一個女孩子。 Liú xiānsheng yǒu yíge nǚhaizi. Mr. Liú has one daughter. 母親 mǔqin mother 有他母親跟一個女孩子。 Yǒu tā mǔqin gēn yíge nǚháizi. There are his mother and one daughter. 5. 林太太有三個男孩子。 Lín tàitai yǒu sānge nánháizi. Mrs. Lín has 2 boys. 先生 xiānsheng husband 有她先生跟三個男孩子。 Yǒu tā xiānsheng gēn sānge nánháizi. There are her husband and 3 boys. 6. 他/她有一個姐姐。 Tā yǒu yíge jiějie. He has one older sister. 父親 fùqin father 有他/她父親跟一個姐姐。 Yǒu tā fùqin gēn yíge jiějie. There are his/her older sister and his/her father. 7. 王先生有四個孩子。 Wāng xiānsheng yǒu sìge háizi. Mr. Wāng has 4 children. 太太 tàitai wife 有他太太跟四個孩子。 Yǒu tā tàitai gēn sìge háizi. There are his wife and 4 children.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他們孩子都在這裏嗎？ Tāmen háizi dōu zài zhèli ma? Are all of their children here? 美國 Měiguó America 不，一個在這裏，一個還在美國。 Bù, yíge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Měiguó. No, one is here, and one is still in America. 2. 他/她哥哥，姐姐都在這裏嗎？ Tā gēge, jiějie dōu zài zhèli ma? Are his/her older brother and older sister both here? 加州 Jiāzhōu California 不，一個在這裏，一個還在加州。 Bù, yíge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Jiāzhōu. No, one is here, and one is still in California. 3. 他/她美國朋友都在這裏嗎？ Tā Měiguó péngyou dōu zài zhèli ma? Are his/her American friends all here? 臺中 Táizhōng Tʽai-chung 不，一個在這裏 ，一個還在臺中。 Bù, yíge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Táizhōng. No, one is here, and one is still in Tʽai-chung. 4. 他/她弟弟，妹妹都在中國嗎？ Tā dìdi, mèimei dōu zài Zhōngguo ma? Are his/her younger brother and younger sister both here? 德州 Dézhōu Texas 不，一個在中國，一個還在德州。 Bù, yíge zài Zhōngguo, yíge hái zài Dézhōu. No, one is is in China, one is still in Texas. 5. 王先生的孩子都在德州嗎？ Wáng ziānsheng de háizi dōu zài Dézhōu ma? Are Mr. Wáng’s children all here? 加州 Jiāzhōu California 不，一個在德州，一個還在加州。 Bù, yíge zài Dézhōu, yíge hái zài Jiāzhōu. No, one is in Texas, and one is still in California. 6. 那兩位先生都在上海嗎？ Nèi liǎngwèi xiānsheng dōu zài Shànghǎi ma? Are they both in Shànghǎi? 青島 Qīngdǎo Qīngdǎo 不，一個在上海，一個還在青島。 Bù, yíge zài Shànghǎi, yíge hái zài Qīngdǎo. No, one is in Shànghǎi, one is in Qīngdǎo. 7. 他們孩子都在香港嗎？ Tāmen háizi dōu zài Xiāngǎng ma? Are their children all in Hong-Kong? 美國 Měiguó America 不，一個在香港，一個還在美國。 Bù, yíge zài Xiāngǎng, yíge hái zài Měiguó. No, one is in Hong Kong, one is still in America.

Arrival and departure times. The marker le The shì … de construction.

The C-l and P-1 tapes, the Reference List and Reference Notes. The C-2 and P-2 tapes, the Workbook. The 4D-1 tape.

in Běijīng 1. A: Nǐ àiren lái ma? 你愛人來嗎？ Is your wife coming? B: Tā lái. 她來。 She is coming. 2. A: Nǐ àiren lái le ma? 你愛人來了嗎？ Has your wife come? B: Lái le, tā lái le. 來了，她來了。 Yes, she has come. 3. A: Nǐ àiren yě lái le ma? 你愛人也來了嗎？ Has your wife come too? B: Tā hái méi lái. 她還沒來。 She hasn’t come yet. 4. A: Tā shénme shíhou lái? 她什麼時候來？ When is she coming? B: Tā míngtiān lái. 她明天來。 She is coming tomorrow. 5. A: Nǐ péngyou shénme shíhou dào? 你朋友什麼時候到？ When is your friend arriving? B: Tā yǐjīng dào le. 他已經到了。 He has already arrived. 6. A: Tā shi shénme shíhou dàode? 她是什麼時候到的？ When did she arrive? B: Tā shi zuótiān dàode. 她是昨天到的。 She arrived yesterday. 7. A: Nǐ shi yíge rén láide ma? 你是一個人來的嗎？ Did you come alone? B: Bú shi, wǒ bú shi yíge rén láide. 不是，我不是一個人來的。 No, I didn’t come alone. 8. A: Nǐ shénme shíhou zǒu? 你什麼時候走？ When are you leaving? B: Wǒ jīntiān zǒu. 我今天走。 I’m leaving today. 9. A: Nǐ něitiān zǒu? 你哪天走？ What day are you leaving? B: Wǒ jīntiān zǒu. 我今天走。 I’m leaving today.

dào 到 to arrive érzi 兒子 son érzi 二字 son hòutiān (hòutian) 後天 the day after tomorrow jīntiān (jīntian) 今天 today lái 來 to come le 了 combined le: new-situation and completion marker míngtiān (mīngtian) 明天 tomorrow něitiān 哪天 what day nǚér 女兒 daughter qiántiān (qiántian) 前天 the day before Yesterday shénme shíhou 什麼時候 when shì de 是的 emphatic agreement -tiān 天 day tiāntiān 天天 every day yíge rén 一個人 singly, alone yǐjīng (yǐjing) 已經 already zǒu 走 to leave zuótiān 昨天 Yesterday jiéhūn 結婚 to get married, to be married méi jiéhūn 沒結婚 not to be married kěshi 可是 but xiǎng 想 to think, to think that

1. A: Nǐ àiren lái ma? 你愛人來嗎？ Is your wife coming? B: Tā lái. 她來。 She is coming. These sentences refer to future time, but lái is not a future-tense form. Strictly speaking, Chinese verbs do not have tenses. The same form of the verb can be used in present, past, and future contexts. We translated the sentence Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. as “He works in Tainan” assuming a present context. But in a past context we could translate It as “He worked in Tainan; and in a future context we could translate it as “He will work in Tainan.” The verb form gōngzuò does not tell you what time is being talked about. You have to look elsewhere for that information, perhaps to a time expression like “last year” or “now” or “tomorrow,” or to the conversational setting.

2. A: Nǐ àiren lái le ma? 你愛人來了嗎？ Has your wife come? B: Lái le, tā lái le. 來了，她來了。 Yes, she has come. Aspect: Le is an aspect marker. Through the use of and other one-syllable markers (de, zhe, ne, guo), the Chinese language indicates whether the occurrence being talked about is completed, ongoing, about to occur, or experienced for the first time. Aspect markers may also be used to indicate whether the whole situation in the sentence is a new, changed situation. “Completion” and “new situation” are not tenses but aspects. Aspect is a way of talking about events or activities in relation to time. While tenses categorize action in terms of features such as completeness and change. Aspect markers are very different from tense markers because the same aspect may be used in past, present, and future contexts. We may speak of an action that will be completed as of a future time, for example, or of a situation that was new as of a past time. English communicates these ideas to a certain extent through the use of many different tenses for the verb (future perfect, simple past, etc,). Chinese does this through the use of aspect markers and time words. The verbs themselves do not change form. Le is used in exchange 2 to indicate two aspects—completion and new situation, (it is, however, often used to indicate only one aspect.) Here, it indicates that the person has come, meaning that the action is completed, and that the person is now here, a changed situation. When the marker le refers to both these aspects, we call it “combined le.” Combined le can be thought of as a telescoping of the completion le followed by a new-situation le: le le becomes le. In the next two units, you will see the marker le used to indicate each of these aspects separately.

3. A: Nǐ àiren yě lái le ma? 你愛人也來了嗎？ Has your wife come too? B: Tā hái méi lái. 她還沒來。 She hasn’t come yet. Negative of combined le: Compare these affirmative and negative forms: affirmative lái is coming. negative bù lái isn’t coming. affirmative lái le has come (now). negative hái méi(you) lái hasn’t come (yet). Notice that the marker le does not appear in the negative answer in the exchange. Hái: The negative of a sentence containing combined le will include the adverb hái, “yet,” as well as the negative méi(you). In English, the “yet” is frequently left out. Like other adverbs such as yě, hái always precedes the verb, although not always directly. Elements such as the negatives bù and méi may come between an adverb and a verb. Méiyou, “not have” is used to negate the aspect of completion; that is, to say that a certain event did not take place. Méiyou may be shortened to méi. Here are three possible negative answers to the question. Tā lái le ma? “Has he come?” Tā hái méiyou lái. He hasn’t come yet. Tā hái méi lái. He hasn’t come yet. hái méiyou. Not yet.

4. A: Tā shénme shíhou lái? 她什麼時候來？ When is she coming? B: Tā míngtiān lái. 她明天來。 She is coming tomorrow. 5. A: Nǐ péngyou shénme shíhou dào? 你朋友什麼時候到？ When is your friend arriving? B: Tā yǐjīng dào le. 他已經到了。 He has already arrived. Position of time words: Time phrases occupy the same position in a sentence as adverbs such as yě and hái between the subject and the verb.

6. A: Tā shi shénme shíhou dàode? 她是什麼時候到的？ When did she arrive? B: Tā shi zuótiān dàode. 她是昨天到的。 She arrived Yesterday. 7. A: Nǐ shi yíge rén láide ma? 你是一個人來的嗎？ Did you come alone? B: Bú shi, wǒ bú shi yíge rén láide. 不是，我不是一個人來的。 No, I didn’t come alone. (shi)...de: On occasion, a speaker may omit the shì (which is why it is written in parentheses in these notes). This is another way to indicate the aspect of completion. The aspect marker le and the pattern (shi...de) perform different functions and convey different meanings. This is how they are different: The aspect marker le or its negative méi (you) is used when the center of interest is whether or not an action took place. For example, if you do not know whether Mr. Sun came or not, you would ask: Tā léile méiyou? Did he come? and you would be answered either Tā láile. He came. or Tā méi lái. He didn’t come. In this question and answer, you use le or its negative méi(you) because the focus is on whether the action took place or not. The purpose of the (shi)...de construction, on the other hand, is to focus on additional information about a completed action; that is, the construction is used when the center of interest is NOT whether or not a certain action took place. For example, once it has been established that Mr. Sun did in fact come, the (shi)...de construction will probably be used for any additional questions and answers about his coming. For example: Tā shi shénme shíhou láide? When did he come? Tā shi zuótiān láide. He came yesterday. Tā shi yíge rén láide ma? Did he come alone? Tā shi yíge rén láide. He came alone. These questions and answers use the (shi)...de construction because you already know that Mr. Sun came and now you are asking for additional information about his visit. Many types of additional information can be focus points for which the (shi)...de construction is used. In Tā shi shénme shíhou láide? the additional information is the time when something happens. In Tā shi yíge rén láide ma? the information asked for is the manner in which something takes place. Other possible focus points are place, cause of action, goal of action, and performer of action. Now let’s take a look at how shì and de function separately in this construction. The verb shì, coming before the phrase which is the center of interest, serves as a signal that what follows is emphasized. The verb “to “be” is often used in a similar way in English to mark the center of interest: Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? Was it yesterday that he came? Another way of showing the center of interest in English is by word stress. Here is a comparison between focusing in Chinese with (shi)...de and focusing in English with stress: Tā lái le ma? Has he come? Lái le. Yes, he has. Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? Did he come YESTERDAY? Shì, tā shi zuótiān láide. Yes, YESTERDAY. The marker de coming after the verb indicates completion. When the marker de is not used in the sentence, that sentence no longer describes a completed event. The marker shì by itself emphasizes something about the action. Compare these sentences: Tā shi jīntiān lái. She is coming (later) today. Tā shi jīntiān láide. She came (earlier) today. For the time being, you will not use shì without de. The negative form of the (shi)...de construction is bú shi...de. Compare this with the negatives you have already learned: Tā shi zuótiān lái -de It was YESTERDAY that he came. Tā bú zuótiān lái -de It wasn’t YESTERDAY that he came. Tā lái le. He has come. Tā hái méi lái. He hasn’t come. Tā míngtiān lái. He is coming tomorrow. Tā míngtiān bù lái. He isn’t coming tomorrow. Notice that in a (shi)...de construction the negative bú precedes the verb shì rather than the main verb. Short answers are also formed with shì rather than with the main verb: Nǐ shi yíge rén láide ma? Did you come alone? Shì, wǒ shi yíge rén láide. Yes, I came alone. Búshì, wǒ bú shi yíge rén láide. No, I didn’t come alone. The (shi)...de construction is not used in every completed-action sentence containing a time, place, or manner phrase. If the center of interest is still whether or not the action took place, le is used. If, for example, you knew that someone was expected to come yesterday and you wanted to find out only whether he actually did come, the conversation might go as follows: A: Tā zuótiān méi lái ma? Didn’t he COME yesterday? B: Tā zuótiān lái le. He DID COME yesterday. Literally, yíge rén means “one person.” When the expression is used to describe how someone does something, translate it as “alone”

8. A: Nǐ shénme shíhou zǒu? 你什麼時候走？ When are you leaving? B: Wǒ jīntiān zǒu. 我今天走。 I’m leaving today. 9. A: Nǐ něitiān zǒu? 你哪天走？ What day are you leaving? B: Wǒ jīntiān zǒu. 我今天走。 I’m leaving today. The word for “day” is the bound word -tiān. To ask “what day” (literally “which day”), the bound word něi- “which,” is combined with the bound word -tiān, “day”: něitiān (like něiguó, “which country”). něitiān? what day?/which day? qiántiān day before yesterday zuótiān yesterday jīntiān today míngtiān tomorrow hòutiān day after tomorrow Some speakers say the -tiān in these words in the Neutral tone: qiántian, zuótian, jīntian, míngtian, hòutian.

Question Answer 1. 你愛人來嗎？ Nǐ àiren lái ma? Is your spouse coming? 你愛人來了嗎？ Nǐ àiren lái le ma? Has your spouse come? 2. 你父母走嗎？ Nǐ fùmǔ zǒu ma? Are your parents leaving? 你父母走了嗎？ Nǐ fùmǔ zǒu le ma? Have your parents left? 3. 你朋友走嗎？ Nǐ péngyou zǒu ma? Is your friend leaving? 你朋友走了嗎？ Nǐ péngyǒu zǒu le ma? Has your friend left? 4. 你哥哥走嗎？ Nǐ gēge zǒu ma? Is your older brother leaving? 你哥哥走了嗎？ Nǐ gēge zǒu le ma? Has your older brother left? 5. 你姐姐來嗎？ Nǐ jiějie lái ma? Is your older sister coming? 你姐姐來了嗎？ Nǐ jiějie lái le ma? Has your older sister come? 6. 你妹妹來嗎？ Nǐ mèimei lái ma? Is your younger sister coming? 你妹妹來了嗎？ Nǐ mèimei lái le ma? Has your younger sister come? 7. 你弟弟走嗎？ Nǐ dìdi zǒu ma? Is your younger brother leaving? 你弟弟走了嗎？ Nǐ dìdi zǒu le ma? Has your younger brother left?

Question Answer 1. 他/她來了嗎？ Tā lái le ma? Has he/she come? 他/她已經來了嗎？ Tā yǐjīng lái le ma? Has he/she already come? 2. 毛同志到了嗎？ Máo tóngzhì dào le ma? Has Comrade Máo arrived? 毛同志已經到了嗎？ Máo tóngzhì yǐjīng dào le ma? Has Comrade Máo already arrived? 3. 李同志走了嗎？ Lǐ tóngzhì zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Lǐ left? 李同志已經走了嗎？ Lǐ tóngzhì yǐjīng zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Lǐ already left? 4. 馬同志走了嗎？ Mǎ tóngzhì zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Mǎ left? 馬同志已經走了嗎？ Mǎ tóngzhì yǐjīng zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Mǎ already left? 5. 張同志來了嗎？ Zhāng tóngzhì lái le ma? Has Comrade Zhāng come? 張同志已經來了嗎？ Zhāng tóngzhì yǐjīng lái le ma? Has Comrade Zhāng already come? 6. 黃同志到了嗎？ Huáng tóngzhì dào le ma? Has Comrade Huáng arrived? 黃同志已經到了嗎？ Huáng tóngzhì yǐjīng dào le ma? Has Comrade Huáng already arrived? 7. 孫同志走了嗎？ Sūn tōngzhì zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Sūn left? 孫同志已經走了嗎？ Sún tóngzhì yǐjīng zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Sūn already left?

Question Answer 1. 他/她來了嗎？ Tā lái le ma? Has he/she come? 他/她還沒來。 Tā hái méi lái. He/she hasn’t come yet. 2. 王同志走了嗎？ Wáng tóngzhì zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Wáng left? 他還沒走。 Tā hái méi zǒu. Comrade Wáng hasn’t left yet. 3. 李同志到了嗎？ Lǐ tóngzhì dào le ma? Has Comrade Lǐ arrive yet? 他還沒到。 Tā hái méi dào. He hasn’t arrive yet. 4. 何同志來了嗎。 Hé tóngzhì lái le ma? Has Comrade Hé come? 他還沒來。 Tā hái méi lái. He hasn’t come yet. 5. 趙同志來了嗎？ Zhào tóngzhì lái le ma? Has Comrade Zhào come? 他還沒來。 Tā hái méi lái. He hasn’t come yet. 6. 劉同志走了嗎？ Liú tóngzhì zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Liú left? 他還沒走。 Tā héi méi zǒu. He hasn’t left yet. 7. 孫同志來了嗎？ Sūn tóngzhì lái le ma? Has Comrade Sūn come? 他還沒來。 Tā hái méi lái. He hasn’t come yet.

Question Answer 1. 他/她走了嗎？ Tā zǒu le ma? Has he/she left? 走了，他/她已經走了。 Zǒu le, tā yǐjīng zǒu le. Yes, he/she has already left. 2. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人也已經走了。 Tā àiren yě yǐjīng zǒu le. His/her spouse has already left too. 3. 他/她來了嗎？ Tā lái le ma? Has he/she come? 來了，他/她 Lái le, tā yǐjīng lái le. Yes, he/she has already come. 4. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人也已經來了。 Tā àiren yě yǐjīng lái le. His/her spouse has already come too. 5. 他/她到了嗎？ Tā dào le ma? Has he/she arrived? 到了，他/她已經到了。 Dào le, tā yǐjīng dào le. Yes, he/she has already arrived. 6. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人也已經到了。 Tā àiren yě yǐjīng dào le. His/her spouse has already arrived too. 7. 李同志走了走嗎？ Lǐ tóngzhì zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Lǐ left? 走了，他已經走了。 Zǒu le, tā yǐjīng zǒu le. Yes, he has already left. 8. 他/她哥哥呢？ Tā gēge ne? And his older brother? 他/她哥哥也已經走了。 Tā gēge yě yǐjīng zǒu le. His older brother has already left too. 9. 王同志來了嗎？ Wáng tóngzhì lái le ma? Has Comrade Wáng come? 來了，他已經來了。 Lái le, tā yǐjing lái le. Yes, he has already come. 10. 他愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his spouse? 他愛人也已經來了。 Tā àiren yě yǐjīng lái le. His spouse has already come too. 11. 趙先生到了嗎？ Zhào xiānsheng dào le ma? Has Mr. Zhào arrived? 到了，他已經到了。 Dào le, tā yǐjīng dào le. Yes, he has already arrived. 12. 他弟弟呢？ Tā dìdi ne? And his younger brother. 他弟弟也已經到了。 Tā dìdi yě yǐjing dào le. His younger brother has already arrived too. 13. 張同志走了嗎？ Zhāng tóngzhì zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Zhāng left? 走了，他已經走了。 Zǒu le, tā yǐjīng zǒu le. Yes, he has already left. 14. 陳同志呢？ Chén tóngzhì ne? And Comrade Chén? 陳同也已經走了。 Chén tóngzhì yě yǐjīng zǒu le. Comrade Chén has already left too.

Question Answer 1. 他/她來了嗎？ Tā lái le ma? Has he/she come? 他/她還沒來。 Tā hái méi lái. He/she hasn’t come yet. 2. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人也還沒來。 Tā àiren yě hái méi lái. His/her spouse hasn’t come yet either. 3. 他/她走了嗎？ Tā zǒu le ma? Has he/she left? 他/她還沒走。 Tā hái méi zǒu. He/she hasn’t left yet. 4. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人也還沒走。 Tā àiren yě hái méi zǒu. His/her spouse hasn’t left yet either. 5. 他/她到了嗎？ Tā dào le ma? Has he/she arrived? 他/她還沒到。 Tā hái méi dào. He/she hasn’t arrived yet. 6. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人也還沒到。 Tā àiren yě hái méi dào. His/her spouse hasn’t arrived yet either. 7. 方女士來了嗎？ Fāng nǚshì lǎi le ma? Has Ms. Fāng come? 方女士還沒來。 Fāng nǚshì hái méi lái. Ms. Fāng hasn’t come yet. 8. 她弟弟呢？ Tā dìdi ne? And her younger brother? 她弟弟也還沒來。 Tā dìdi yě hái méi lái. Her younger brother hasn’t come yet either. 9. 李先生到了嗎？ Lǐ xiānsheng dào le ma? Has Mr. Lǐ arrived? 李先生還沒到。 Lǐ xiānsheng hái méi dào. Mr. Lǐ hasn’t arrived yet. 10. 他父母呢？ Tā fùmǔ ne? And his parents? 她父母也還沒到。 Tā fùmǔ yě hái méi dào. His parents haven’t come yet either. 11. 陳同志走了嗎？ Chén tóngzhì zǒu le ma? Has Comrade Chén left? 陳同志還沒走。 Chén tóngzhì hái méi zǒu. Comrade Chén hasn’t left yet? 12. 江同志呢？ Jiāng tóngzhì ne? And Comrade Jiāng? 江同志也還沒走。 Jiāng tóngzhì yě hái méi zǒu. Comrade Jiāng hasn’t left yet either. 13. 他/她母親到了嗎？ Tā mǔqin dào le ma? Has his/her mother arrived? 他/她母親還沒到。 Tā mǔqin hái méi dào. His/her mother hasn’t arrived yet. 14. 他/她姐姐呢？ Tā jiějie ne? And his/her older sister? 他/她姐姐也還沒到。 Tā jiějie yě hái méi dào. His/her older sister hasn’t arrived yet either.

Question Answer 1. 他/她走了嗎？ Tā zǒu le ma? Has he/she left? 他/她已經走了。 Tā yǐjīng zǒu le. He/she has already left. 2. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人還沒走。 Tā àiren hái méi zǒu. His/her spouse hasn’t left yet. 3. 他/她來了嗎？ Tā lái le ma? Has he/she come? 他/她已經來了。 Tā yǐjīng lái le. He/she has already come. 4. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人還沒來。 Tā àiren hái méi lái. His/her spouse hasn’t come yet. 5. 他/她到了嗎？ Tā dào le ma? Has he/she arrived? 他/她已經到了。 Tā yǐjīng dào le. He/she has arrived. 6. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人還沒到。 Tā àiren hái méi dào. His/her spouse hasn’t arrived yet. 7. 王先生走了嗎？ Wáng xiānsheng zǒu le ma? Has Mr. Wáng left? 王先生已經走了。 Wáng xiānsheng yǐjīng zǒu le. Mr. Wáng has already left. 8. 他母親呢？ Tā mǔqin ne? And his mother? 她母親還沒走。 Tā mǔqin hái méi zǒu. His mother hasn’t left yet. 9. 錢同志來了嗎？ Qián tóngzhì lái le ma? Has Comrade Qián come? 錢同志已經來了。 Qián tóngzhì yǐjīng lái le. Comrade Qián has already come. 10. 江同志呢？ Jiāng tóngzhì ne? And Comrade Jiāng? 江同志還沒來。 Jiāng tóngzhì hái méi lái. Comrade Jiāng hasn’t come yet. 11. 毛女士到了嗎？ Máo nǚshì dào le ma? Has Ms. Máo arrived? 毛女士已經到了。 Máo nǚshì yǐjīng dào le. Ms. Máo has already arrived. 12. 她妹妹呢？ Tā mèimei ne? And her younger sister? 他妹妹還沒到。 Tā mèimei hái méi dào. Her younger sister hasn’t arrived yet. 13. 曾夫人走了嗎？ Zēng fūren zǒu le ma? Has Mrs. Zēng left? 曾副人已經走了。 Zēng fūren yǐjīng zǒu le. Mrs. Zēng has already left. 14. 他母親呢？ Tā mǔqin ne? And his mother? 他母親還沒走。 Tā mǔqin hái méi zǒu. His mother hasn’t left yet.

Question Answer 1. 他/她來了嗎？ Tā lái le ma? Has he/she come? 他/她還沒來。 Tā hái méi lái. He/she hasn’t come yet. 2. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And is/her spouse? 他/她愛人已經來了。 Tā àiren yǐjīng lái le. His/her spouse has already come. 3. 他/她走了嗎？ Tā zǒu le ma? Has he/she left? 他/她還沒走。 Tā hái méi zǒu. He/she hasn’t left yet. 4. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人已經走了。 Tā àiren yǐjīng zǒu le. His/her spouse has already left. 5. 他/她到了嗎？ Tā dào le ma? Has he/she arrived? 他/她還沒到。 Tā hái méi dào. He/she hasn’t arrived yet. 6. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 他/她愛人已經到了。 Tā àiren yǐjīng dào le. His/her spouse has already arrived. 7. 曹同志來了嗎？ Cáo tóngzhì lái le ma? Has Comrade Cáo come? 曹同志還沒來。 Cáo tóngzhì hái méi lái. Comrade Cáo hasn’t come yet. 8. 孫同志呢？ Sūn tóngzhì ne? And Comrade Sūn? 孫同志已經來了。 Sūn tóngzhì yǐjīng lái le. Comrade Sūn has already come. 9. 張先生來了嗎？ Zhāng xiānsheng lái le ma? Has Mr. Zhāng come? 張先生還沒來。 Zhāng xiānsheng hái méi lái. Mr. Zhāng hasn’t come yet. 10. 他弟弟呢？ Tā dìdi ne? And his younger brother? 他弟弟已經來了。 Tā dìdi yǐjǐng lái le. His younger brother has already come. 11. 他/她母親到了嗎？ Tā mǔqin dào le ma? Has his/her mother arrived? 他/她母親還沒到。 Tā mǔqin hái méi dào. His/her mother hasn’t arrived yet. 12. 他/她妹妹呢？ Tā mèimei ne? And his/her younger sister? 他/她妹妹已經到了。 Tā mèimei yǐjīng dào le. His/her younger sister has already arrived. 13. 王女士走了嗎？ Wáng nǚshì zǒu le ma? Has Ms. Wáng left. 王女士還沒走。 Wáng nǚshì hái méi zǒu. Ms. Wáng hasn’t left yet. 14. 張女士呢？ Zhāng nǚshì ne? And Ms. Zhāng? 張女士已經走了。 Zhāng nǚshì yǐjīng zǒu le. Ms. Zhāng has already left.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她走了嗎？ Tā zǒu le ma? Has he/she left? 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 他/她已經走了。 Tā yǐjīng zǒu le. He/she has already left. 2. 他/她呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 他/她愛人也已經走了。 Tā àiren yě yǐjīng zǒu le. His/her spouse has already left too. 3. 他/她來了嗎？ Tā lǎi le ma? Has he/she come? 明天 míngtiān tomorrow 他/她還沒來。 Tā hái méi lái. He/she hasn’t come yet. 4. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 明天 míngtiān tomorrow 他/她愛人也還沒來。 Tā àiren yě hái méi lái. His/her spouse hasn’t come either. 5. 他/她到了？ Tā dào le ma? Has he/she arrived? 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 他/她已經到了。 Tā yǐjīng dào le. He/she hasn’t already yet. 6. 他/她愛人呢？ Tā àiren ne? And his/her spouse? 明天 míngtiān tomorrow 他/她愛人還沒到。 Tā àiren hái méi dào. His/her spouse hasn’t arrived either. 7. 他/她走了嗎？ Tā zǒu le ma? Has he/she left? 明天 míngtiān tomorrow 他/她還沒走。 Tā hái méi zǒu. He/she hasn’t left yet. 8. 他/她哥哥呢？ Tā gēge ne? And his/her older brother? 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 他/她哥哥已經走了。 Tā gēge yǐjīng zǒu le. His/her older brother hasn’t left either. 9. 趙同志到了嗎？ Zhào tóngzhì dào le ma? Has Comrade Zhào arrived? 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 趙同志已經到了。 Zhào tóngzhì yǐjīng dào le. Comrade Zhào has already arrived. 10. 王同志呢？ Wáng tóngzhì ne? And Comrade Wáng? 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 王同志也已經到了。 Wáng tóngzhì yě yǐjīng dào le. Comrade Wáng has already arrived too. 11. 他/她父母走了嗎？ Tā fùmǔ zǒu le ma? Have his/her parents left? 明天 míngtiān tomorrow 他/她父母還沒走。 Tā fùmǔ hái méi zǒu. His/her parents hasn’t left yet. 12. 他們孩子呢？ Tāmen háizi ne? And their children? 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 他們孩子已經走了。 Tāmen háizi yǐjīng zǒu le. Their children have already left. 13. 他/她愛人來了呢？ Tā àiren lái le ma? Has his/her spouse come? 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 他/她愛人已經來了。 Tā àiren yǐjīng lái le. His/her spouse has already come. 14. 他們孩子呢？ Tāmen háizi ne? And his children? 明天 míngtiān tomorrow 他們孩子還沒來。 Tāmen háizi hái méi lái. His children haven’t come yet.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她什麼時候來？ Tā shénme shíhou lái? When is he/she coming? 明天 míngtiān tomorrow 他/她明天來。 Tā míngtiān lái. He/she is coming tomorrow. 2. 李先生什麼時候走？ Lǐ xiānsheng shénme shíhou zǒu? When is Mr. Lǐ leaving? 今天 jīntiān today 他今天走。 Tā jīntiān zǒu. He is leaving today. 3. 胡小姐設麼時候到？ Hú xiǎojiě shénme shíhou dào? When is Miss Hú arriving? 明天 míngtiān tomorrow 她明天到。 Tā míngtiān dào. She is arriving tomorrow 4. 張個什麼時候來 Zhāng xiānsheng shénme shíhou lái? When is Mr. Zhāng coming? 後天 hòutian the day after tomorrow 他後天來。 Tā hòutiān lái. He is coming the day after tomorrow. 5. 王小姐什麼時候到？ Wáng xiǎojiě shénme shíhou dào? When is Miss Wáng arriving? 今天 jīntiān today 她今天到。 Tā jīntiān dào. She is arriving today. 6. 他/她什麼時候走？ Tā shénme shíhou zǒu? When is he/she leaving? 後天 hòutiān the day after tomorrow 他/她後天走。 Tā hòutiān zǒu. He/she is leaving the day after tomorrow.

Cue Answer 1. 他/她來。 . Tā lái. He/she is coming. 他/她哪天來？ Tā něitiān lái? What day is he/she coming? 2. 王先生走。 Wáng xiānsheng xǒu. Mr. Wáng is leaving. 王先生哪天走？ Wáng xiānsheng něitiān zǒu? What day is Mr. Wáng leaving? 3. 李太太到。 Lǐ tàitai dào. Mrs. Lǐ is arriving? 李太太哪天道？ Lǐ tàitai něitiān dào? What day is Mrs. Lǐ arriving? 4. 胡太太走。 Hú tàitai zǒu. Mrs. Hú is leaving. 胡太太哪天走？ Hú tàitai něitiān zǒu. What day is Mrs. Hú leaving? 5. 張先生到。 Zhāng xiānsheng dào. Mr. Zhāng is arriving. 張先生哪天到？ Zhāng xiānsheng něitiān dào? What day is Mr. Zhāng arriving? 6. 黃太太來。 Huáng táitai lái. Mrs. Huáng is coming. 黃太太哪天來。 Huáng tàitai něitiān lái? What day is Mrs. Huáng coming? 7. 他/她走。 Tā zǒu. He/she is leaving. 他/她哪天走？ Tā něitiān zǒu? What day is he/she leaving?

Statement Answer 1. 他/她什麼時候來？ Tā shénme shíhou lái? When is he/she coming? 他/她是什麼時候來的？ Tā shi shénme shíhou láide? When did he/she come? 2. 王先生什麼時候到？ Wáng xiánsheng shénme shíhou dào? When is Mr. Wáng arriving? 王先生是什麼時候到的？ Wáng xiánsheng shi shénme shíhou dàode? When did Mr. Wáng arrive? 3. 李太太什麼時候走？ Lǐ tàitai shénme shíhou zǒu? When is Mrs. Lǐ leaving? 李太太是什麼時候走的？ Li tàitai shi shénme shíhou zǒude? When did Mrs. Lǐ leave? 4. 胡先生什麼時候來？ Hú xiānsheng shénme shíhou lái? When is Mr. Hú coming? 胡先生是什麼時候來的？ Hú xiānsheng shi shénme shíhou láide? When did Mr. Hú come? 5. 黃太太什麼時候到？ Huáng tàitai shénme shíhou dào? When is Mrs. Huāng arriving? 黃太太是什麼時候到的？ Huáng tàitai shi shénme shíhou dàode? When did Mrs. Huāng arrive? 6. 林太太什麼時候走？ Lín tàitai shénme shíhou zǒu? When is Mrs. Lín leaving? 林太太是什麼時候走的？ Lín tàitai shi shénme shíhou zǒude? When did Mrs. Lín leave? 7. 他/她什麼時候來？ Tā shénme shíhou lái? When is he/she coming? 他/她是什麼時候來的？ Tā shi shénme shíhou láide? When did he/she come?

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她來。 Tā lái. He/she is coming. 明天 míngtiān tomorrow 他/她明天來。 Tā míngtiān lái. He/she is coming tomorrow. 2. 他/她來了。 Tā lái le. He/she has come. 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 他/她是昨天來的。 Tā shi zuótiān láide. He/she came yesterday. 3. 王太太走。 Wáng tàitai zǒu. Mrs. Wáng is leaving. 今天 jīntiān today 王太太今天走。 Wáng tàitai jīntiān zǒu. Mrs. Wáng is leaving today. 4. 黃太太走了。 Huáng tàitai zǒu le. Mrs. Huáng has left. 前天 qiántiān the day before yesterday 黃太太是前天走的。 Huáng tàitai shi qiántiān zǒude. Mrs. Huáng left the day before yesterday. 5. 李先生來。 Lǐ xiānsheng lái. Mr. Lǐ is coming. 後天 hòutiān the day after tomorrow 李先生後天來。 Lǐ xiánsheng hòutiān lái. Mr. Lǐ is coming the day after tomorrow. 6. 林先生來了。 Lín xiānsheng lái le. Mr. Lín has come. 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 林先生是昨天來的。 Lín xiānsheng shi zuótiān láide. Mr. Lín came yesterday. 7. 馬小姐到了。 Mǎ xiǎojiě dào le. Miss Mǎ has arrived. 前天 qiántiān the day before yesterday 馬小姐是前天到的。 Mǎ xiǎojiě shi qiántiān dàode. Miss Mǎ arrived the day before yesterday.

Question Answer 1. 他/她是昨天來的嗎？ Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? Did he/she come yesterday? 是的。他/她是昨天來的。 Shìde. Tā shi zuótiān láide. Yes, he/she came yesterday. 2. 王先生是今天到的嗎？ Wáng xiānsheng shi jīntiān dàode ma? Did Mr. Wáng arrived today? 是的。王先生是今天到的。 Shìde. Wáng xiānsheng shi jīntiān dàode. Yes, Mr. Wáng arrived today. 3. 李同志是前天走的嗎？ Lǐ tóngzhì shi qiántiān zǒude ma? Did Comrade Lǐ leave the day before yesterday? 是的。李同志是前天走的。 Shìde. Lǐ tóngzhì shi qiántiān zǒude. Yes, Comrade Lǐ left the day before yesterday. 4. 毛夫人明天來嗎？ Máo fūren míngtiān lái ma? Is Mrs. Máo coming tomorrow? 是的。毛夫人明天來。 Shìde. Máo fūren míngtiān lái. Yes, Mrs. Máo is coming tomorrow. 5. 他們孩子後天到嗎？ Tāmen háizi hòutiān dào ma? Are their children arriving the day after tomorrow? 是的。他們孩子後天到。 Shìde. Tāmen háizi hòutian dào. Yes, their children are arriving the day after tomorrow. 6. 他/她父母今天走嗎？ Tā fùmǔ jīntiān zǒu ma? Are his/her parents leaving? 是的。他/她父母今天走。 Shìde. Tā fùmǔ jīntiān zǒu. Yes, his/her parents are leaving today. 7. 張女士是昨天來的嗎？ Zhāng nǚshì shi zuótiān láide ma? Did Ms. Zhāng come yesterday? 是的。張女士是昨天來的。 Shìde. Zhāng nǚshì shi zuótiān láide. Yes, Ms. Zhāng did come yesterday.

Question Answer 1. 他/她是昨天來的嗎？ Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? Did he/she come yesterday? 不。他/她不是昨天來的。 Bù. Tā bú shi zuótiān láide. No, he/she didn’t come yesterday. 2. 江先生是今天道德嗎？ Jiāng xiānsheng shi jīntiān dàode ma? Did Mr. Jiāng arrive today? 不。江先生不是今天到的。 Bù. Jiāng xiānsheng bú shi jīntiān dàode. No, Mr. Jiāng didn’t arrive today. 3. 張同志是前天走的嗎？ Zhāng tóngzhì shi qiántiān zǒude ma? Did Comrade Zhāng leave the day before yesterday? 不。張同志不是前天走的。 Bù. Zháng tóngzhì bú shi qiántian zǒude. No, Comrade Zhāng didn’t leave day before yesterday. 4. 他們是昨天來的嗎？ Tāmen shi zuótiān láide ma? Did they come yesterday? 不。他們不是昨天來的。 Bù. Tāmen bú shi zuótiān láide. No, they didn’t come yesterday. 5. 他們孩子是前天到的嗎？ Tāmen háizi shi qiántiān dàode ma? Did their children arrive the day before yesterday? 不。他們孩子不是前天到的。 Bù. Tāmen háizi bú shi qiántian dàode. No, their children didn’t arrive the day before yesterday. 6. 何同志是今天走的嗎？ Hé tóngzhì shi jīntiān zǒude ma? Did Comrade Hé leave today? 不。何 不是今天走的。 Bù. Hé tóngzhì bú shi jīntiān zǒude. No, Comrade Hé didn’t leave today. 7. 他/她愛人是昨天來的嗎？ Tā àiren shi zuótiān láide ma? Did his/her spouse come yesterday? 不。他/她愛人不是昨天來的。 Bù. Tā àiren bú shi zuótiān láide. No, his/her spouse didn’t come yesterday.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她是昨天來的嗎？ Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? Did he/she come yesterday? affirmative 是的。他/她是昨天來的。 Shìde. Tā shi zuótiān láide. Yes, he/she came yesterday. 2. 他/她是昨天來的嗎？ Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? Did he/she come yesterday? negative 不。他/她不是昨天來的. Bù. Tā bú shi zuótiān láide. No, he/she didn’t come yesterday. 3. 王同志是前天到的嗎？ Wáng tóngzhì shi qiántiān dàode ma? Did Comrade Wáng arrive the day before yesterday? negative 不。王同志不是前天到的。 Bù. Wáng tóngzhì bú shi qiántiān dàode. No, Comrade Wáng didn’t arrive the day before yesterday. 4. 他/她哥哥是今天來的嗎？ Tā gēge shi jīntiān láide ma? Did his/her older brother come today? negative 不。他/她哥哥不是今天來的。 Bù. Tā gēge bú shi jīntiān láide. No, his/her older brother didn’t come today. 5. 李先生是今天走的嗎？ Lǐ xiānsheng shi jīntiān zǒude ma? Did Mr. Lǐ leave today? negative 不。李先生不是今天走的。 Bù. Lǐ xiānsheng bú shi jīntiān zǒude. No, Mr. Lǐ didn’t leave today. 6. 趙夫人是昨天到的嗎？ Zhào fūren shi zuótiān dàode ma? Did Mrs. Zhào arrive yesterday? affirmative 是的。趙夫人是昨天到的。 Shìde. Zhào fūren shi zuótiān dàode. Yes, Mrs. Zhào did arrive yesterday. 7. 他們孩子是前天走的嗎？ Tāmen háizi shi qiántiān zǒude ma? Did their children leave the day before yesterday? negative 不。他們孩子不是前天走的。 Bù. Tāmen háizi bú shi qiántiān zǒude. No, their children didn’t leave the day before yesterday. 8. 孫女士是昨天到的嗎？ Sūn nǚshì shi zuótiān dàode ma? Did Ms. Sūn arrive yesterday? negative 不。孫女士不是昨天到的。 Bù. Sūn nǚshì bú shi zuótiān dàode. No, Ms. Sūn didn’t arrive yesterday

Date and Place of birth. Days of the week. Ages. The marker le for new situations.

The C-1 and P-1 tapes, the Reference List and Reference Notes. The C-2 and P-2 tapes. The 5D-1 tape.

1. A: Āndésēn fūren, nǐ shi zài nǎr shēngde? 安德森夫人，你是在哪兒生的？ Mrs. Andersen, where were you born? B: Wǒ shi zài Dézhōu shēngde. 我是在得州生的。 I was born in Texas. 2. A: Nǐmen shi Xīngqīsì dàode ma? 你們是星期四到的嗎？ Did you arrive on Thursday? B: Bú shi, wǒmen shi Xīngqīwǔ dàode. 不是，我們是星期五到的。 No, we arrived on Friday. 3. A: Nǐmen xīngqījǐ zǒu? 你們星期幾走？ What day of the week are you leaving? B: Wǒmen Xīngqītiān zǒu. 我們星期天走。 We are leaving on Sunday. 4. A: Nǐ shi něinián shēngde? 你是哪年生的？ What year are you born? B: Wǒ shi yī jiǔ sān jiǔ nián shēngde. 我是一九三九年生的。 I was born in 1939. 5. A: Nǐ shi jǐyüè shēngde? 你是幾月生的？ What month were you born? B: Wǒ shi Qíyüè shēngde. 我是七月生的。 I was born in July. 6. A: Nǐ shi jǐhào shēngde? 你是幾號生的？ What day of the month were you born? B: Wǒ shi Sìhào shēngde. 我是四號生的。 I was born on the fourth. 7. A: Nǐ duó dà le? 你多大了？ How old are you? B: Wǒ èr shi sì le. 我二十四了。 I’m 24. 8. A: Nǐ duó dà le? 你多大了？ How old are you? B: Wǒ sān shi wǔ le. 我三十五了。 I’m 35. 9. A: Nǐmen nǚháizi jǐsuì le? 你們女孩子幾歲了？ How old is your girl? B: Tā básuì le. 她八歲了。 She’s eight years old. 10. A: Nǐmen nánháizi dōu jǐsuì le? 你們男孩子都幾歲了？ How old are your boys? B: Yíge jiǔsuì le, yíge liùsuì le. 一個九歲了，　一個六歲了。 One is nine, and one is six.

duó dà 多大 how old hòunián (hòunian) 後年 the year after next jǐhào 幾號 what day of the month? jīnnián (jīnnian) 今年 this year jǐsuì 幾歲 how old jǐyüè 幾月 what month míngnián (míngnian) 明年 next year něinián 哪年？ which year niánnián (niánnian) 年年 every year qiánnián (qiánnian) 前年 the year before last qǜnián (qǜnian) 去年 last year shàngge yüè 上個月 last month shēng 生 to be born -suì 歲 year (of age) xiàge yüè 下個月 next month Xīngqīèr 星期二 Tuesday xīngqījǐ 星期幾 what day of the week Xīngqīliù 星期六 Saturday Xīngqīsān 星期三 Wednesday Xīngqīsì 星期四 Thursday Xīngqītiān, Xīngqīrì 星期天，星期日 Sunday Xīngqīwǔ 星期五 Friday Xīngqīyī 星期一 Monday zheìge yüè 這個月 this month

1. A: Āndésēn fūren, nǐ shi zài nǎr shēngde? 安德森夫人，你是在哪兒生的？ Mrs. Andersen, where were you born? B: Wǒ shi zài Dézhōu shēngde. 我是在得州生的。 I was born in Texas. The shi...de construction is used to focus on place expressions as well as on time and manner expressions. Wǒ shi zài Měiguó shēng -de. I was born in America. WHERE Wǒ shi zuótiān dào -de. I arrived yesterday. WHEN Wǒ shi yíge rén lái -de. I came alone. HOW

2. A: Nǐmen shi Xīngqīsì dàode ma? 你們是星期四到的嗎？ Did you arrive on Thursday? B: Bú shi, wǒmen shi Xīngqīwǔ dàode. 不是，我們是星期五到的。 No, we arrived on Friday. 3. A: Nǐmen xīngqījǐ zǒu? 你們星期幾走？ What day of the week are you leaving? B: Wǒmen Xīngqītiān zǒu. 我們星期天走。 We are leaving on Sunday. Days of the week: Xīngqījǐ What day of the week? Xīngqīyī Monday Xīngqīèr Tuesday Xīngqīsàn Wednesday Xīngqīsì Thursday Xingqīwǔ Friday Xīngqīliù Saturday Xīngqītiān Sunday Until now, you have always seen jǐ, “how many,” at the beginning of a word (jǐge háizi, jǐwèi xiānsheng, jǐhào). In xīngqījǐ, -jǐ is at the end of the word. In both places, occupies the position of a number and acts like a number: xīngqījǐ, “What number day of the week?”

4. A: Nǐ shi něinián shēngde? 你是哪年生的？ What year are you born? B: Wǒ shi yī jiǔ sān jiǔ nián shēngde. 我是一九三九年生的。 I was born in 1939. The word for “year,” -nián is a bound word (like the word for “day,” -tiān). The question word něinián, “which year,” is formed with the bound word něi “which.” The year is given as a sequence of digits, so that 1972, yījiǔqīèrnián would literally be “one-nine-seven-two year.” In a sequence of digits, the word èr- (not liǎng- is used for 2, and the words for 1, 7, and 8 keep their basic high tones. (See notes on No. 10 for cases in which these tones change.)

5. A: Nǐ shi jǐyüè shēngde? 你是幾月生的？ What month were you born? B: Wǒ shi Qíyüè shēngde. 我是七月生的。 I was born in July. Months: jǐyüè? What month? yíyüè January qíyüè July èryüè February báyüè August sānyüè March jiǔyüè September sìyüè April shíyüè October wǔyüè May shǐyīyüè November liùyüè June shíèryüè December Since the names of the months are formed with numbers, jǐ- “how many,” is the appropriate question word to use for “what month.” Jǐ- is used in Běijīng to ask for a number expected to be around 10 or 11. Notice the tones on the words for 1, 7 and 8, which most Peking speakers pronounce as Rising before Falling-tone words such as yüè. The syllable -yī- in the word for “November,” however, is usually pronounced with the High tone: shíyīyüè (See the notes on No, 10 for a summary of tone changes.)

6. A: Nǐ shi jǐhào shēngde? 你是幾號生的？ What day of the month were you born? B: Wǒ shi Sìhào shēngde. 我是四號生的。 I was born on the fourth. Days of the month are expressed by the number of the day followed by the bound word -haò. You will remember that -hào is also used in giving addresses. In asking about days of the month, “how many,” is used, even though the question may be answered by a number as high as 31. The month and day of the month may be given together. For example: Nǐ shi jǐyüè jǐhào shēngde? What is your month and day of birth? Wǒ shi bāyüè jiǔhào shēngde. I was born on August 9.

7. A: Nǐ duó dà le? 你多大了？ How old are you? B: Wǒ èr shi sì le. 我二十四了。 I’m 24. 8. A: Nǐ duó dà le? 你多大了？ How old are you? B: Wǒ sān shi wǔ le. 我三十五了。 I’m 35. Nǐ duó dà le? “How old are you?” literally means “How big (in years of age) are you?” This is a common way to ask a person’s age. The question is appropriate for asking the age of a child or a young adult, but the expression is not considered polite enough for asking an older adult his age. (More formal ways to ask a person’s age will be introduced on the C-2, P-2, and drill tapes.) The marker le which ends these sentences calls attention to the fact that something is true now that was not true before. Ages may also be asked and given without using the new-situation le. Le has only this new-situation meaning in these sentences. It has no meaning of completion, since in fact, there is no completed event. One way to reflect the new-situation le in the English translation is to add the word “now”: “I’m 35 now.” Essentially, however, “new situation” (sometimes called “change of state”) is a Chinese grammatical category with no simple English equivalent. The marker le for new situations is always found at the end of a sentence and is sometimes called “sentence le.” Notice that neither answer contains a verb. The verb that has been left out is yǒu “to have.” The verb may not be left out in the negative: Wǒ méiyou sānshiwǔ. “I’m not 35.”

9. A: Nǐmen nǚháizi jǐsuì le? 你們女孩子幾歲了？ How old is your girl? B: Tā básuì le. 她八歲了。 She’s eight years old. -suì: In the traditional Chinese system of giving ages, a person is one -sui old at birth and becomes another -suì old on the New Year’s following his birth. A baby born the day before New Year’s would thus be two -suì old on the day after his birth. Most Chinese, however, have now switched to the Western style of computing age and use -suì just as we use years old. The word -suì like the word -hào, is a bound word shoving what kind of thing a number is counting. In a date or address you are listing a number and use èr for 2, while in giving an age you are counting an amount of something and use liǎng: liǎngsuì, “two years old.”

10. A: Nǐmen nánháizi dōu jǐsuì le? 你們男孩子都幾歲了？ How old are your boys? B: Yíge jiǔsuì le, yíge liùsuì le. 一個九歲了，　一個六歲了。 One is nine, and one is six. The word dōu is used when “both” or “all” would probably not be used in English, namely, when expecting different information about each of the things (or persons) being discussed. “All” tends to be collective, asking or telling about something the members of a group have in common. Dōu can be distributive, asking or telling something about the members of a group as individuals. Yí, qí, bá: In the spoken language of Peking, the basic High tones of yī, qī and bā usually change to Rising tones before Falling-tone words (such as -hào, yüè, and -suì). This change is most common when the complete number given has only one digit. When there are two or more digits, the qī and bā of numbers ending in 7 and 8 are more likely to have Rising tones than the yī of numbers ending in 1 (which is usually in the High tone). Compare: shíqíhào the 17th shíyīyüè November In all cases, the High tone is more likely to be kept in rapid speech. You may also encounter speakers who never make changes in the tones of yī, qī and bā. Remember that, in the digit-by-digit form of giving the year, the numbers 1, 7, and 8 keep their basic High tones: yījiǔbāliùnián 1986.

Days qiántiān zuótiān jīntiān mīngtiān hòutiān Years qiánnián qǜnián jīnnián míngnián hòunián In the Chinese system of expressing relative time in terms of days and years, only one pair of terms is not parallel: zuótiān “yesterday,” and qǜnián “last year.” added by Eric Streit with the explanations given by a Chinese native about the drills I and the use of suìshu 歲數 and Niánjì 年紀 suìshu 歲數 and Niánjì 年紀 usually and mostly refer to OLDER people that you ask for. suìshu 歲數 is very spoken though. And less polite. For kids especially, you only need to do 多大了？ duó dà le? or 幾歲了？ jǐsuì le? with 幾歲了？ neither suìshu 歲數 nor Niánjì 年紀 .

Question Cue Answer 1. 請問，他/她是在哪兒生的？ Qǐngwèn, tā shi zài nǎr shēngde? May I ask, where was he/she born? 德州 Dézhōu Texas 他/她是在德州生的。 Tā shi zài Dézhōu shēngde. He/she was born in Texas. 2. 請問，你愛人是在哪兒生的？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ àiren shi zài nǎr shēngde? May I ask, where was your spouse born? 加州 Jiāzhōu California 他/她是在加州生的。 Tā shi zài Jiāzhōu shēngde. He/she was born in California. 3. 請問，他/她愛人是在哪兒生的？ Qǐngwèn, tā àiren shi zài nǎr shēngde? May I ask, where was his/her spouse born? 上海 Shànghǎi Shànghǎi 他/她是在上海生的。 Tā shi zài Shànghǎi shēngde. He/she was born in Shànghǎi. 4. 請問，你孩子是在哪兒生的？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ háizi shi zài nǎr shēnde? May I ask, where was your child born? 四川 Sìchuān Sìchuān 他/她是在四川生的。 Tā shi zài Sìchuān shēngde. He/she was born in Sìchuān 5. 請問，你們女孩子是在哪兒生的？ Qǐngwèn, nǐmen nǚháizi shi zài nǎr shēngde? May I ask, where was your daughter born? 北京 Běijīng Běijīng 她是在北京生的。 Tā shi zài Běijīng shēngde. She was born in Běijīng. 6. 請問，你們男孩子是在哪兒生的？ Qǐngwèn, nǐmen nánháizi shi zài nǎr shēngde? May I ask, where was your son born? 我住在馬薩諸塞州 mǎsàzhūsāi zhōu (Mázhōu) Massachusetts 他是在我住在馬薩諸塞州生的。 Tā shi zài mǎsàzhūsāi zhōu (Mázhōu) shēngde. He was born in Massachusetts. 7. 請問，曾先生是在哪兒生的？ Qǐngwèn, Zēng xiānsheng shi zài nǎr shēngde? May I ask, where was Mr. Zēng born? 紐約 Niǔ Yüē New York 他是在紐約生的。 Tā shi zài Niǔ Yüē shēngde. He was born in New York.

Question Answer Answer 1. 請問，你是什麼時候走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ shénme shíhou zǒu? May I ask, when are you leaving? 哪天 něitiān what day 請問，你哪天走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ něitiān zǒu? May I ask, what day are you leaving? 2. 請問，你哪天走？ Qǐngwen, nǐ něitiān zǒu? May I ask, what day are you leaving? 幾月 jǐyüe what month 請問，你幾月走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐyüe zǒu? May I ask, what month are you leaving? 3. 請問，你幾月走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐyüe zǒu? May I ask, what month are you leaving? 幾號 jǐhào what day of the month 請問，你幾號走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐhào zǒu? May I ask, what day of the month are you leaving? 4. 請問，你幾號走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐhào zǒu? May I ask, what day of the month are you leaving? 哪年 něinián what year 請問，你哪年走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ něinián zǒu? May I ask, what year are you leaving? 5. 請問，你哪年走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ něinián zǒu? May I ask, May I ask, what year are you leaving? 幾月幾號 jǐyüe jǐhào what month and what day of the month 請問，你幾月幾號走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐyüe jǐhào zǒu? May I ask, what month, what day of the month are you leaving? 6. 請問，你幾月幾號走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐyüe jǐhào zǒu? May I ask, what month, what day of the month are you leaving? 星期幾 xīngqījǐ what day of the week 請問，你星期幾走？ Qǐngwèn, nǐ xīngqījǐ zǒu? May I ask, what day of the week are you leaving?

Statement Cue Answer 1. 我們星期一走。 Wǒmen xīngqīyǐ zǒu. We are leaving on Monday. 星期二 Xīngqīèr Tuesday 我們星期二走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīèr zǒu. We are leaving on Tuesday. 2. 我們星期二走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīèr zǒu. We are leaving on Tuesday. 星期三 Xīngqīsān Wednesday 我們星期三走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīsān zǒu. We are leaving on Wednesday. 3. 我們星期三走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīsān zǒu. We are leaving on Wednesday. 星期四 Xīngqīsì Thursday 我們星期四走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīsì zǒu. We are leaving on Thursday. 4. 我們星期四走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīsì zǒu. We are leaving on Thursday. 星期幾 Xīngqījǐ what day of the week 我們星期幾走？ Wǒmen Xīngqījǐ zǒu? What day of the week are we leaving? 5. 我們星期幾走？ Wǒmen Xīngqījǐ zǒu? What day of the week are we leaving? 星期五 Xīngqīwǔ Friday 我們星期五走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīwǔ xǒu. We are leaving on Friday. 6. 我們星期五走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīwǔ zǒu. We are leaving on Friday. 星期天 Xīngqītiān Sunday 我們星期天走。 Wǒmen Xīngqītiān zǒu. We are leaving on Sunday. 7. 我們星期天走。 Wǒmen Xīngqītiān zǒu. We are leaving on Sunday. 星期六 Xīngqīliù Saturday 我們星期六走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīliù zǒu. We are leaving on Saturday. 8. 我們星期六走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīliù zǒu. We are leaving on Saturday. 星期一 Xīngqīyī Monday 我們星期一走。 Wǒmen Xīngqīyī zǒu. We are leaving on Monday.

Question Cue Answer 1. 你孩子是哪天生的？ Nǐ háizi shi něinián shēngde? What year was your child born? 1971 他/她是一九七一年生的。 Tā shi yījiǔqīyīnián shēngde. He/she was born in 1971. 2. 李先生是哪年生的？ Lǐ xiānsheng shi něinián shēngde? What year was Mr. Lǐ born? 1944 他是一九四四年生的。 Tā shi yījiǔsìsìnián shēngde. He was born in 1944. 3. 你弟弟是哪年生的？ Nǐ dìdi shi něinián shēngde? What year was your younger brother born? 1940 他是一九四零年生的。 Tā shi yījiǔsìlíngnián shēngde. He/she was born in 1940. 4. 那個孩子是哪年生的？ Nèige háizi shi něinián shēngde? What year was that child born? 1967 他/她是一九六七年生的。 Tā shi yījiǔliùqīnián shēngde. He/she was born in 1967. 5. 這個男孩子是哪年生的？ Zhèige nánháizi shi něiniān shēngde? What year was this boy born? 1968 他是一九六八生的。 Tā shi yījiǔliùbānián shēngde. He was born in 1968. 6. 那個人是哪年生的？ Nèige rén shi něinián shēngde? What year was that person born? 1927 他/她是一九二七年生的。 Tā shi yījiǔèrqīnián shēngde. He/she was born in 1927. 7. 他/她是哪年生的？ Tā shi něinián shēngde? What year was he/she born? 1933 他/她是一九三三年生的。 Tā shi yījiǔsānsānnián shēngde. He/she was born in 1933.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她是幾月生的？ Tā shi jǐyüè shēngde? What month was he/she born? 二月 Èryüe February 他/她是二月生的。 Ta shi Èryüè shēngde. He/she was born in February. 2. 他/她愛人是幾月生的？ Tā àiren shi jǐyüè shēngde? What month was his/her spouse born? 五月 Wǔyüè May 他/她是五月生的。 Tā shi Wǔyüè shēngde. He/she was born in May. 3. 張同志是幾月生的？ Zhāng tóngzhì shi jǐyüè shēngde? What month was Comrade Zhāng born? 四月 Sìyüè April 他/她是四月生的。 Tā shi Sìyüè shēngde. He was born in April. 4. 王同志是幾月生的？ Wāng tóngzhì shi jǐyüè shēngde? What month was Comrade Wāng born? 十一月 Shíyīyüè November 他/她是十一月生的。 Tā shi Shíyīyüè shēngde. He/she was born in November. 5. 你愛人是幾月生的？ Nǐ àiren shi jǐyüè shēngde? What month was your spouse born? 八月 Bāyüè August 他/她是八月生的。 Tā shi Bāyüè shēngde. He/she was born in August. 6. 你哥哥是幾月生的？ Nǐ gēge shi jǐyüè shēngde? What month was your older brother born? 十二月 Shíèryüè December 他是十二月生的。 Tā shi Shíèryüè shēngde. He was born in December. 7. 他/她妹妹是幾月生的？ Ta mèimei shi jǐyüè shēngde? What month was your younger sister born? 六月 Liùyüè June 她是六月生的。 Tā shi Liùyüè shēngde. She was born in June.

Statement Cue Answer 1. 他/她是一月生的。 Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. He/she was born in January. 一號 yíhào first 他/她是一月一號生的。 Tā shi yíyüè yíhào shēngde. He/she was born in January first. 2. 他/她是一月生的。 Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. He/she was born in January. 十一號 shíyīhào 11th 他/她是一月十一號生的。 Tā shi yíyüè shíyīhào shēngde. He/she was born on the 11th of January. 3. 他/她是一月生的。 Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. He/she was born in January. 二十六號 èrshiliùhào 26th 他/她是一月二十六號生的。 Tā shi yíyüè èrshiliùhào shēngde. He/she was born on the 26th of January. 4. 他/她是一月上的。 Ta shi yíyüè shēngde. He/she was born in January. 七號 qīhào 7th 他/她是一月七號生的。 Tā shi yíyüè qīhào shēngde. He/she was born on the 7th of January. 5. 他/她是一月生的。 Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. He/she was born in January. 十四號 shísìhào 14th 他/她是一月十四號生的。 Tā shi yíyüè shísìhào shēngde. He/she was born on the 14th of January. 6. 他/她是一月生的。 Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. He/she was born in January. 二十八號 èrshibāhào 28th 他/她是一月二十八號生的。 Tā shi yíyüè èrshibāhào shēngde. He/she was born on the 28th of January. 7. 他/她是一月生的。 Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. He/she was born in January. 十號 shíhào 10th 他/她是一月十號生的。 Tā shi yíyüè shíhào shēngde. He/she was born on the 10th of January.

Question Cue Answer 1. 你們女孩子幾歲了？ Nǐmen nǚhāizi jǐsuì le? How old is your daughter? 5 她五歲了。 Ta wǔsuì le. She is five. 2. 他們男孩子幾歲了？ Tāmen nánháizi jǐsuì le? How old is their boy? 11 他十一歲了。 Tā shíyīsuì le. He is 11. 3. 胡太太女孩子幾歲了？ Hú tàitai nǚháizi jǐsuì le? How old is Mrs. Hú daughter? 13 她十三歲了。 Tā shísānsuì le. She is 13. 4. 他/她妹妹幾歲了？ Ta mèimei jǐsuì le? How old is his/her younger sister? 7 她七歲了。 Ta qísuì le. She is 7. 5. 你男孩子幾歲了？ Nǐ nánháizi jǐsuì le? How old is your boy? 6 他六歲了。 Ta liùsuì le. He is 6. 6. 你女孩子幾歲了？ Nǐ nǚháizi jǐsuì le? How old is your daughter? 4 她四歲了。 Tā sìsuì le . She is 4. 7. 那個男孩子幾歲了？ Nèige nánháizi jǐsuì le? How old is that boy? 8 他八歲了。 Tā bāsuì le. He is 8.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她多大了？ Tā duó dà le? How old is he/she? 35 他/她三十五了。 Tā sānshiwǔ le. He/she is 35. 2. 你哥哥多大了？ Nǐ gēge duó dà le? How old is your older brother? 44 他四十四了。 Tā sìshisì le. He is 44. 3. 你弟弟多大了？ Nǐ dìdi duó dà le? How old is your younger brother? 30 他三十了。 Tā sānshi le. He is 30. 4. 他/她姐姐多大了？ Ta jiějie duó dà le? How old is his/her older sister? 47 她四十七了。 Tā sìshiqī le. She is 47. 5. 你妹妹多大了？ Nǐ mèimei duó dà le? How old is your younger sister? 32 她三十二了。 Tā sānshièr le. She is 32. 6. 他/她愛人多大了？ Ta àiren duó dà le? How old is his/her spouse? 28 他/她二十八了。 Tā èrshibā le. He/she is 28. 7. 王同志多大了？ Wáng tóngzhì duó dà le? How old is Comrade Wáng? 41 他四十一了。 Ta sìshiyī le. He/she is 41.

Question Cue Answer 1. 您母親多大歲數了？ Nín mǔqin duó dà suìshu le? How old is your mother? 65 她六十五歲了。 Tā liùshiwǔsuì le. She is 65. 2. 您父親多大歲數了？ Nín fùqin duódà suìshu le? How old is your father? 67 她六十七歲了。 Tā liùshiqīsuì le. He is 67. 3. 他/她姐姐多大歲數了？ Tā jiějie duódà suìshu le? How old is his/her older sister? 46 她四十六歲了。 Tā sìshiliùsuì le. She is 46. 4. 他/她哥哥多大歲數了？ Tā gēge duó dà suìshu le? How old is his/her older brother? 44 他四十四歲了。 Tā sìshisìsuì le. He is 44. 5. 張先生多大 歲數了？ Zhāng xiānsheng duódà suìshu le? How old is is Mr. Zhāng? 72 他七十二歲了。 Tā qīshièrsuì le. He is 72. 6. 王太太多大歲數了？ Wáng tàitai duó dà suìshu le? How old is Mrs. Wáng? 59 她五十九歲了。 Tā wǔshijiǔsuì le. She is 59. 7. 王太太妹妹多大歲數了？ Wáng tàitai mèimei duó dà suìshu le? How old is Mrs. Wáng’s younger sister? 58 她五十八歲了。 Tā wǔshibāsuì le. She is 58.

Statement Answer 1. 他/她是五月來的。 Tā shi wǔyüè láide. He/she came in May. 哦。他/她山個月來的。 Où. Tā shi shàngge yüè láide. Oh. He/she came last month. 2. 他/她七月來。 Tā qíyüè lái. He/she is coming in July. 哦。他/她下個月來。 Où. Tā xiàge yüè lái. Oh. He/she is coming next month. 3. 他/她六月來。 Tā liùyüè lái. He/she is coming in June. 哦。他/她這個月來。 Où. Tā zhèige yüè lái. Oh. He/she is coming this month. 4. 他/她是六月來的。 Tā shi liùyüè láide. He/she is came in June. 哦。他/她這個月來的。 Où. Tā shi zhèige yüè láide. Oh. He/she came in June. 6. 他/她是五月到的。 Tā shi wǔyüè dàode. He/she arrived in May. 哦。他/她是上個月到的。 Où. Tā shi shàngge yüè dàode. Oh. He/she is arrived last month. 7. 他/她是六月走的。 Tā shi liùyüè zǒude. He/she left on June. 哦。他/她是這個月走的。 Où. Tā shi zhèige yüè zǒude. Oh. He/she left this month.

Statement Question 1. 他/她是一九三五年生的。 Tā shi yījiǔsānwǔnián shēngde. He/she was born in 1935. 他/她是哪年生的？ Tā shi něinián shēngde? What year was he/she born? 2. 他/她是四月來的。 Tā shi sìyüè láide. He/she came in April. 他/她是幾月來的？ Tā shi jǐyüè láide? What month did he/she come? 3. 他/她是星期五走的。 Tā shi xīngqīwǔ zǒude. He/she left on Friday. 他/她是星期幾走的？ Tā shi xīngqījǐ zǒude? What day of the week did he/she leave? 4. 他/她是七號到的。 Tā shi qīhào dàode. He/she arrived on the seventh. 他/她是幾號到的？ Tā shi jǐhào dàode? What day of the month did he/she arrive? 5. 他/她是一九七四年來的。 Tā shi yījiǔqīsìnián láide. He/she came in 1974. 他/她是哪年來的？ Tā shi něinián láide? What year did he/she come? 6. 他/她是星期天走的。 Tā shi xīngqītiān zǒude. He/she left on Sunday. 他/她是星期幾走的？ Tā shi xīngqījǐ zǒude? What day did he/she leave. 7. 他/她是九月生的。 Tā shi jiǔyüè shēngde. He/she was born in September. 他/她是幾月生的？ Tā shi jǐyüè shēngde? What month was he/she born?

Duration phrases The marker le for completion. The “double le” construction. The marker -guo. Action verbs. State verbs.

The C-l and P-1 tapes, the Reference List and Reference Notes. The C-2 and P-2 tapes, the Workbook. The 6D-1 tape.

1. A: Nǐ zhù duó jiǔ? 你住多久？ How long are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù yìnián. 我住一年。 I’m staying one year. 2. A: Nǐ tàitai zhù duó jiǔ? 你太太住多久？ How long is your wife staying? B: Ta zhù liǎngtiān. 她住兩天。 She is staying two days. 3. A: Nǐ tàitai zài Xiānggǎng zhù duó jiǔ? 你太太在香港住多久？ How long is your wife staying in Hong Kong? B: Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù liǎngtiān. 我想她住兩天。 I think she is staying two days. 4. A: Nǐ xiǎng zhù duó jiǔ? 你想住多久？ How long are you thinking of staying? B: Wǒ xiǎng zhù yìnián. 我想住一年。 I’m thinking of staying one year. 5. A: Nǐ xiǎng zài Táiwān zhù duó jiǔ? 你想在臺灣住多久？ How long are you thinking of staying in Taiwan? B: Wǒ xiǎng zhù báge yüè. 我想住八個月。 I’m thinking of staying eight months. 6. A: Nǐ péngyou xiǎng zhù duó jiǔ? 你朋友想住多久？ How long is your friend thinking of staying? B: Tā xiǎng zhù liǎngge xīngqī. 他想住兩個星期。 He is thinking of staying two weeks. 7. A: Nǐ láile duó jiǔ le? 你來了多久了？ How long have you been there? B: Wǒ láile sāntiān le. 我來了三天了。 I have been here three days. 8. A: Nǐ tàitai zài Xiānggǎng zhùle duó jiǔ? 你太太在香港住了多久？ How long did your wife stay in Hong Kong? B: Tā zhùle liǎngtiān. 她住了兩天。 She stayed two days. 9. A: Tā lái le ma? 他來了嗎？ Did he come? B: Lái le, tā lái le. 來了，他來了。 Yes, he came. 10. A: Tā lái le ma? 他來了嗎？ Did he come? B: Méi lái, tā méi lái. 沒來，他沒來。 No, he didn’t come. 11. A: Nǐ cóngqián láiguo ma? 你從前來過嗎？ Have you ever been here before? B: Wǒ cóngqián méi láiguo. 我從前沒來過。 I have never been here before.

qù 去 to go Niǔ Yüē 紐約 New York cóngqián 從前 in the past duó jiǔ 多久 how long -guo —過 experiential marker xiǎng 想 to think that, to want to, would you like to Xiānggǎng 香港 Hong Kong xīngqī 星期 week zhù 住 to live somewhere

1. A: Nǐ zhù duó jiǔ? 你住多久？ How long are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù yìnián. 我住一年。 I’m staying one year. Expressions like duó jiǔ, “how long,” and yìnián “one year,” called duration phrases, come after the verb. “One day” is yìtiān. The tone on yī changes to Falling before a High-tone. Notice the contrast with time-when phrases, like shénme shíhou, “when,” and jīnnián “this year,” which comes before the verb. Nǐ shénme shíhou When are you leaving? Nǐ zhù duó jiǔ? How long are you staying? If a duration phrase is used with the verb zhù, this phrase preempts the position after the verb; and any place phrase, like zài Běijīng, must come before the verb. Wǒ zhù zài Běijīng. I’m l living in Běijīng. Nǐ zài Běijīng zhù duó jiǔ? How long are you staying in Běijīng? Yìnián: In telling how many years (giving an amount) no counter is used. The tone on yī, “one,” changes to Falling before a Rising tone.

2. A: Nǐ tàitai zhù duó jiǔ? 你太太住多久？ How long is your wife staying? B: Ta zhù liǎngtiān. 她住兩天。 She is staying two days. Liǎngtiān: -tiān, “day,” like -nián, “year,” is used without a counter. When telling how many of something, the number 2 takes the form liǎng. (See Unit 3, notes on Nos. 3–4.)

3. A: Nǐ tàitai zài Xiānggǎng zhù duó jiǔ? 你太太在香港住多久？ How long is your wife staying in Hong Kong? B: Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù liǎngtiān. 我想她住兩天。 I think she is staying two days. 4. A: Nǐ xiǎng zhù duó jiǔ? 你想住多久？ How long are you thinking of staying? B: Wǒ xiǎng zhù yìnián. 我想住一年。 I’m thinking of staying one year. The verb xiǎng, “to think that,” “to want to,” “would like to,” may be used as a main verb or as an auxiliary verb. As a main verb it means “to think that.” It is used this way in the answer of exchange 3 and in the following examples. Wǒ xiǎng tā míngtián lái. I think he is coming tomorrow. Wǒ xiǎng tā bú qù. I think he is not going. When xiǎng is used as a main verb meaning “to think that,” it is not made negative. This may be a special problem for English speakers who are used to saying “I don’t think he is going.” In Chinese, it is: “I think he is not going,” Wǒ xiǎng tā bú qù. When xiǎng is used as an auxiliary verb, it means, “to want to,” “would like to.” It is used this way in exchange 4, which could also be translated as, “How long would you like to stay?” Here are other examples: Nǐ xiǎng zǒu ma? Would you like to leave? OR Do you want to go? Wǒ bù xiǎng zǒu. I don’t want to leave. Nǐ xiǎng zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? Do you want to work in Taipei?

5. A: Nǐ xiǎng zài Táiwān zhù duó jiǔ? 你想在臺灣住多久？ How long are you thinking of staying in Taiwan? B: Wǒ xiǎng zhù báge yüè. 我想住八個月。 I’m thinking of staying eight months. 6. A: Nǐ péngyou xiǎng zhù duó jiǔ? 你朋友想住多久？ How long is your friend thinking of staying? B: Tā xiǎng zhù liǎngge xīngqī. 他想住兩個星期。 He is thinking of staying two weeks. You already know that yìnián and yìtiān are used without counters. The words for “month” and “week,” however, are used with counters. Compare: sāntiān 3 days sānnián 3 years sānge xīngqī 3 weeks sānge yüè 3 months

7. A: Nǐ láile duó jiǔ le? 你來了多久了？ How long have you been there? B: Wǒ láile sāntiān le. 我來了三天了。 I have been here three days. le...le, “up until now,” “so far”: The use of completed-action le after the verb and of new-situation le after the duration phrase tells you how long the activity has been going on and that it is still going on. The answer could also have been translated “I have been here three days so far.” This pattern is sometimes called “double le.” Notice that when le is in the middle of a sentence (in this case, because it is followed by a duration phrase), we write it attached to the verb before it: láile duó jiǔ le.

8. A: Nǐ tàitai zài Xiānggǎng zhùle duó jiǔ? 你太太在香港住了多久？ How long did your wife stay in Hong Kong? B: Tā zhùle liǎngtiān. 她住了兩天。 She stayed two days. Completion le: Here you see the marker le used to indicate one aspect, completion. Compare a sentence with one le to a sentence with two le’s: Wǒ zài nàr zhùle sāntiān. I stayed there three days. Wǒ zài nàr zhùle sāntiān le. I have been here (stayed here) for three days now (so far). Completion le is used with verbs that describe actions or processes, not with verbs that describe a state or condition, or a continuing situation. The following sentences, describing states or ongoing situations, have past-tense verbs in English but no le in Chinese. Nèige shíhou tāmen zhǐ yǒu liǎnge háizi. At that time they had only two children. Tā qǜnián bú zài Shànghǎi, zài Běijīng. He wasn’t in Shànghǎi last year; he was in Běijīng. Verb types in Chinese: In studying some languages, it is important to learn whether a noun is masculine, feminine, or neuter. In Chinese, it is important to learn whether a verb is an action, state, or process verb. These three verb categories are meaning (semantic) groups. A verb is a member of one group or another depending on the meaning of the verb. For instance, “running” and “dancing” are actions; “being good” and “being beautiful” are states; and “getting sick” and “melting” are processes. In Chinese, grammatical rules are applied differently to each semantic verb category. For the most part, you have learned only action and state verbs in this course; so these comments will be confined to those two verb categories. (See Unit 8 of this module for process verbs,) Action verbs: These are verbs which describe physical and mental activities. The easiest to classify are verbs of movement such as “walking,” “running,” and “riding”, however, action verbs also include verbs with not too much motion, such as “working” and “writing,” and verbs with no apparent motion, such as “studying.” One test for determining if a verb is an action is asking “What did he do?” “He arrived,” “He spoke,” and “He listened” are answers which contain action verbs. “He knew” “He wanted” and “He is here” are answers which contain state verbs, not action verbs. Some of the action verbs you have learned are: dào (to arrive) lái (to come) gōngzuò (to work) zhù (to live, to stay) State verbs: These verbs describe qualities, conditions, and states. All adjectival verbs, such as hǎo “to be good,” and jiǔ, “to be long (in time),” are state verbs. Emotions, such as “being happy” and “being sad,” are expressed with state verbs. “Knowing,” “liking,” “wanting,” and “understanding,” which may be called mental states, are also expressed with state verbs. Also, all auxiliary verbs, such as xiǎng, “to want to,” “would like to,” are state verbs. Here are some of the state verbs: dà to be large shì to be duì to be correct jiào to be called xìng to be surnamed zài to be at xiǎng to want to zhīdào to know Aspect and verb types: Not every aspect marker in Chinese may be used with all types of verbs. Completion le does not occur with state verbs. It does occur with action verbs. ACTION Tā yǐjīng dào le. He has already arrived. Tā gōngzuòle yìnián. He worked one year. Tā lái le ma? Did he come? STATE Tā qǜnián bú zài zhèr. He wasn’t here last year. Tā zuótiān xiǎng qù. Yesterday he wanted to go. Tā zuótiān bú zhīdào. He didn’t know yesterday.

9. A: Tā lái le ma? 他來了嗎？ Did he come? B: Lái le, tā lái le. 來了，他來了。 Yes, he came. 10. A: Tā lái le ma? 他來了嗎？ Did he come? B: Méi lái, tā méi lái. 沒來，他沒來。 No, he didn’t come. Compare the two possible interpretations of the question Tā lái le ma? and the answers they receive: Completion le Tā lái le ma? Did she come? Tā lái le. She came. Tā méi lái She didn’t come. Combined le Tā lái le ma? Has he come? Tā lái le. She has come. OR She’s here. Tā hái méi lái. She hasn’t come yet. The first question, with completion le, asks only if the action took place. The second question, with combined le asks both whether the action has been completed and whether the resulting new situation still exists.

11. A: Nǐ cóngqián láiguo ma? 你從前來過嗎？ Have you ever been here before? B: Wǒ cóngqián méi láiguo. 我從前沒來過。 I have never been here before. The aspect marker -guo means literally “to pass over,” “to cross over. The implication is that an event took place and then ceased at some time in the past. It may help you to conceptualize -guo in terms of a bridge. The whole bridge is the event. The marker -guo stresses the fact that not only have you crossed over the bridge but at present you are no longer standing on it. The meaning of -guo changes slightly depending on what type of verb it is used with: action or process, (-guo may not be used with state verbs.) With an action verb, -guo means that the action took place and then ceased at some time before the present. With a process verb, -guo means that the process took place and that the state which resulted from the process ended at some time before the present. Remember that aspect markers like le and -guo are used only when the speaker feels it necessary to stress some feature or aspect of an event. Le is used to stress finishing, or completion, -guo is used to stress that a situation occurred in the past and was “over” or “undone,” before the time of speaking (that is, the absence of that situation followed the situation). Let’s contrast -guo with completion le: both le and -guo express completion, but -guo stresses that an action is no longer being performed, or that a state resulting from a process no longer exists. For example, Tā lái le. means “He came,” or “He has come,” not indicating whether or not he is still there. But Tā láiguo means “He came” with the specification that he is not there anymore–that is, he came and left. One of the uses of the aspect marker -guo,is in sentences which express experience or having experienced something at least once in the past, that is, “to have had the experience of doing something.” This is how -guo is used in exchange 11. In a question, the marker -guo can he reflected by the English word “ever,” and in a negative statement by “never.” Nǐ cóngqiān lái -guo ma? Have you ever been (come) here before? Nǐ cóngqián méi lái -guo I have never been (come) here before. Nǐ cóngqián lái -guo I have been (come) here before The negative of Tā lái le. does not include a le, but the negative of Tā láiguo. does have a -guo. The negative adverb méi is used to negate both completion le and -guo. Tā lái le. Tā méi lái Tā lái -guo. Ta méi lái -guo.

Question Cue Answer 1. 張先生住多久？ Zhāng xiānsheng zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mr. Zhāng staying? 一個月 yíge yüè one month 張先生住一個月。 Zhāng xiānsheng zhù yíge yüè. Mr. Zhāng is staying one month. 2. 王小姐住多久？ Wáng xiǎojiě zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Miss Wáng staying? 兩個星期 liǎngge xīnqī two weeks 王小姐住兩個星期。 Wáng xiǎojiě zhù liǎngge xīngqī. Miss Wáng is staying two weeks. 3. 胡太太住多久？ Hú tàitai zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mrs. Hú staying? 三個月 sānge yüè three months 胡太太住三個月。 Hú tàitai zhù sānge yüè. Mrs. Hú is staying three months. 4. 他/她住多久？ Tā zhù duó jiǔ? How long is he/she staying? 四個星期 sìge xīngqī four weeks 他/她住四個星期。 Tā zhù sìge xīngqī. He/she is staying four weeks. 5. 他太太住多久？ Tā tàitai zhù duó jiǔ? How long is his wife staying? 兩個星期 liǎngge xīngqī two weeks 他太太住兩個星期。 Tā tàitai zhù liǎngge xīngqī. His wife is staying two weeks. 6. 李小姐住多久？ Lǐ xiǎojiě zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Miss Lǐ staying? 五個月 wǔge yüè five months 李小姐住五個月。 Lǐ xiǎojiě zhù wǔge yüè. Miss Lǐ is staying five months. 7. 她先生住多久？ Tā xiānsheng zhù duó jiǔ? How long is her husband staying? 六個星期 liùge xīngqī six weeks 她先生住六個星期。 Tā xiānsheng zhù liùge xīngqī. Her husband is staying six weeks.

Question Cue Answer 1. 張同志住多久？ Zhāng tóngzhi zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Comrade Zhāng staying? 三天 sāntiān three days 張同志住三天。 Zhāng tóngzhì zhù sāntiān. Comrade Zhāng is staying three days. 2. 他/她母親住多久？ Tā mǔqin zhù duó jiǔ? How long is his/her mother staying? 一年 yìnián one year 他/她母親住一年。 Tā mǔqin zhù yìnián. His/her mother is staying one year. 3. 他/她父親住多久？ Tā fùqin zhù duó jiǔ? How long is his/her father staying? 五天 wǔtiān five days 他/她住五天。 Tā fùqin zhù wǔtiān. His/her father is staying five days. 4. 王同志住多久？ Wáng tóngzhì zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Comrade Wáng staying? 八天 bātiān eight days 王同志住八天。 Wáng tongzhì zhù bātiān. Comrade Wáng is staying eight days. 5. 李姐姐住多久？ Nǐ jiějie zhù duó jiǔ? How long is your older sister staying. 兩年 liǎngnián two years 我姐姐住兩年。 Wǒ jiějie zhù liǎngnián. My older sister is staying two years. 6. 衚同志住多久？ Hú tóngzhì zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Comrade Hú staying? 四天 sìtiān four days 衚同志之四天。 Hú tóngzhì zhù sìtiān. Comrade Hú is staying four days. 7. 他/她住多久？ Tā zhù duó jiǔ? How long is How long is he/she staying? 三年 sānnián three years 他/她住三年。 Tā zhù sānnián. He/she is staying three years.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她母親住多久？ Tā mǔqin zhù duó jiǔ? How long is his/her mother staying? 兩個月 liǎngge yüè two months 他/她母親住兩個月。 Tā mǔqin zhù liǎngge yüè. His/her mother is staying two months. 2. 他/她妹妹住多久？ Tā mèimei zhù duó jiǔ? How long is his/her younger sister staying? 一個星期 yíge xīngqī one week 他/她妹妹住一個星期。 Tā mèimei zhù yíge xīngqī. His/her younger sister is staying one week. 3. 張太太住多久？ Zhāng tàitai zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mrs. Zhāng staying? 九天 jiǔtiān nine days 張太太住九天。 Zhāng tàitai zhù jiǔtiān. Mrs. Zhāng is staying nine days. 4. 他/她哥哥住多久？ Tā gēge zhù duó jiǔ? How long is his/her older brother staying? 四個星期 sìge xīngqī four weeks 他/她哥哥住四個星期。 Tā gēge zhù sìge xīngqī. His/her older brother is staying four weeks. 5. 王先生住多久？ Wáng xiānsheng zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mr. Wáng staying? 一個月 yíge yüè one month 王先生住一個月。 Wáng xiānsheng zhù yíge yüè. Mr. Wáng is staying one month. 6. 他/她弟弟住多久？ Tā dìdi zhù duó jiǔ? How long is his/her younger brother staying? 一年 yìnián one year 他/她弟弟住一年。 Tā dìdi zhù yínián. His/her younger brother is staying one year. 7. 他/她姐姐住多久？ Tā jiějie zhù duó jiǔ? How long is his/her older sister staying? 十天 shítiān ten days 他/她姐姐住十天。 Tā jiějie zhù shítiān. His/her older sister is staying ten days.

Question Cue Answer 1. 張太太的哥哥 住多久？ Zhāng tàitai de gēge zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mrs. Zhāng’s older brother staying? 香港 Xiānggǎng Hong Kong 張太太的哥哥在香港住多久？ Zhāng tàitai de gēge zài xiānggǎng zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mrs. Zhāng’s older brother staying in Hong Kong? 2. 江先生的弟弟住多久？ Jiāng xiānsheng de dìdi zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mr. Jiāng’s younger brother staying? 廣州 Guǎngzhōu Guǎngzhōu 江先生的弟弟住廣州多久？ Jiāng xiānsheng de dìdi zài Guǎngzhōu zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mr. Jiāng’s younger brother staying in Guǎngzhōu 3. 曾小姐的妹妹住多久？ Zēng xiǎojiě de mèimei zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Miss Zēng’s younger sister staying? 中國 Zhōngguo China 曾小姐的妹妹在中國住多久？ Zēng xiǎojiě de mèimei zài Zhōngguo zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Miss Zēng’s younger sister staying in China? 4. 陳同志的姐姐住多久？ Chén tóngzhì de jiějie zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Comrade Chén’s older sister staying? 上海 Shānghǎi Shānghǎi 陳同志的姐姐在上海住多久？ Chén tóngzhì de jiějie zài Shānghǎi zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Comrade Chén’s older sister staying in Shānghǎi? 5. 錢同志的愛人住多久？ Qián tóngzhì de àiren zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Comrade Qián’s spouse staying? 美國 Měiguó America 錢同志的愛人在美國住多久？ Qián tóngzhì de àiren zài Měiguó zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Comrade Qián’s spouse staying in America? 6. 曹小姐的父親住多久？ Cáo xiǎojiě de fùqin zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Miss Cáo’s father staying? 青島 Qīngdǎo Qīngdǎo 曹小姐的父親在青島住多久？ Cáo xiǎojiě de fùqin zài Qīngdǎo zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Miss Cáo’s father staying in Qīngdǎo? 7. 夏先生的母親住多久？ Xià xiāngsheng de mǔqin zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mr. Xià’s mother staying? 北京 Běijīng Běijīng 夏先生的母親在北京住多久？ Xià xiāngsheng de mǔqin zài Běijīng zhù duó jiǔ? How long is Mr. Xià’s mother staying in Běijīng?

Question Answer 1. 他/她幾天？ Tā zhù jǐtiān? How many days is he/she staying? 他/她想住幾天？ Tā xiǎng zhù jǐtiān? How many days is he/she planning on staying? 2. 胡先生住幾個月？ Hú xiānsheng zhù jǐge yüè? How many months is Mr. Hú staying? 胡先生想住幾個月？ Hú xiānsheng xiǎng zhù jǐge yüè? How many months is Mr. Hú planning on staying? 3. 王太太住幾個星期？ Wáng tàitai zhù jǐge xīngqī? How many weeks is Mrs. Wáng staying? 王太太想住幾個星期？ Wáng tàitai xiǎng zhù jǐge xīngqī? How many weeks is Mrs. Wáng planning on staying? 4. 她先生住幾年？ Tā xiānsheng zhù jǐnián? How many years is her husband staying? 她先生想住幾年？ Tā xiānsheng xiǎng zhù jǐnián? How many years is her husband planning on staying? 5. 周小姐住幾個月？ Zhōu xiǎojiě zhù jǐge yüè? How many months is Miss Zhōu staying? 周小姐想住幾個月？ Zhōu xiǎojiě xiǎng zhù jǐge yüè? How many months is Miss Zhōu planning on staying? 6. 我父親住幾個星期？ Wǒ fùqin zhù jǐge xīngqī? How many weeks is my father staying? 我父親想住幾個星期？ Wǒ fùqin xiǎng zhù jǐge xīngqī? How many weeks is my father planning on staying? 7. 他/她妹妹住幾天？ Tā mèimei zhù jǐtiān? How many days is hi/her younger sister staying? 他/她妹妹想住幾天？ Tā mèimei xiǎng zhù jǐtiān? How many days is hi/her younger sister planning on staying?

Statement Answer 1. 他/她住一個星期。 Tā zhù yíge xīngqī. He/she is staying one week. 我想他/她住一個星期。 Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù yíge xīngqī. I think he/she is staying one week. 2. 他/她住兩年。 Tā zhù liǎngnián. He/she is staying two years. 我想他/她住兩年。 Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù liǎngnián. I think he/she is staying two years. 3. 他/她住三個月。 Tā zhù sānge yüè. He/she is staying three months. 我想他/她住三個月。 Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù sānge yüè. I think he/she is staying three months. 4. 他/她住兩個星期。 Tā zhù liǎngge xīngqī. He/she is staying two weeks. 我想他/她住兩個星期。 Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù liǎngge xīngqī. I think he/she is staying two weeks. 5. 他/她七天。 Tā zhù qītiān. He/she is staying seven days. 我想他/她住七天。 Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù qītiān. I think he/she is staying seven days. 6. 他/她住十年。 Tā zhù sìnián. He/she is staying four years. 我想他/她住十年。 Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù sìnián. I think he/she is staying four years. 7. 他/她六個月。 Tā zhù liùge yüè. He/she is staying six months. 我想他/她住六個月。 Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù liùge yüè. I think he/she is staying six months.

Statement Answer 1. 他/她住一個星期。 Tā zhù yíge xīngqī. He/she is staying one week. 他/她住了一個星期。 Tā zhùle yíge xīngqī. He/she stayed one week. 2. 馬同志住一年。 Mǎ tóngzhì zhù yìnián. Comrade Mǎ is staying one year. 馬同志住了一年。 Mǎ tóngzhì zhùle yìnián. Comrade Mǎ stayed one year. 3. 王同志住四個月。 Wáng tóngzhì zhù sìge yüè. Comrade Wáng is staying four months. 王同志住了四個月。 Wáng tóngzhì zhùle sìge yüè. Comrade Wáng stayed four months. 4. 曾同志住五天。 Zēng tóngzhì zhù wǔtiān. Comrade Zēng is staying five days. 曾同志住了五天。 Zēng tóngzhì zhùle wǔtiān. Comrade Zēng stayed five days. 5. 我住兩個星期。 Wǒ zhù liǎngge xīngqī. I’m staying two weeks. 我住了兩個星期。 Wǒ zhùle liǎngge xīngqī. I stayed two weeks. 6. 他/她孩子住劉天。 Tā háizi zhù liùtiān. His/her children are staying six days. 他/她孩子住了劉天。 Tā háizi zhùle liùtian. His/her children stayed six days. 7. 他/她妹妹住兩年。 Tā mèimei zhù liǎngnián. His/her younger sister is staying two years. 他/她妹妹住了兩年。 Tā mèimei zhùle liǎngnián. His/her younger sister stayed two years.

Statement Answer 1. 他/她住了三天。 Tā zhùle sāntiān. He/she stayed three days 他/她住了三天了。 Tā zhùle sāntiān le. He/she has stayed three days. 2. 我住了一個星期。 Wǒ zhùle yíge xīngqī. I stayed one week. 我住了一個星期了。 Wǒ zhùle yíge xīngqī le. I have stayed one week. 3. 他/她父親住了兩個月。 Tā fùqin zhùle liǎngge yüè. His/her father stayed two months. 他/她父親住了兩個月了。 Tā fùqin zgùle liǎngge yüè le. His/her father has stayed two months. 4. 他/她姐姐住了十一天。 Tā jiějie zhùle shíyītiān. His/her older sister stayed eleven days. 他/她姐姐住了十一天了。 Tā jiějie zhùle shíyītiān le. His/her older sister has stayed eleven days. 5. 王先生住了一年。 Wáng xiānsheng zhùle yìnián. Mr. Wáng stayed one year. 王先生住了一年了。 Wáng xiānsheng zhùle yìnián le. Mr. Wáng has stayed one year. 6. 王太太住了三個星期。 Wáng tàitai zhùle sānge xīngqī. Mrs. Wáng stayed three weeks. 王太太住了三個星期了。 Wáng tàitai zhùle sānge xīngqī le. Mrs. Wáng has stayed three weeks. 7. 胡小姐住了七天。 Hú xiǎojiě zhùle qītiān. Miss Hú stayed seven days. 胡小姐住了七天了。 Hú xiǎojiě zhùle qītiān le. Miss Hú has stayed seven days.

Statement Cue Answer 1. 他/她住一天。 Tā zhù yìtiān. He/she is staying one day. 還沒來 hái měi lái didn’t come yet 他/她想住一天。 Tā xiǎng zhù yìtiān. He/she is planning on staying one day. 2. 他/她住一天。 Tā zhù yìtiān. He/she is staying one day. 已經走了 yǐjīng zǒu le already left 他/她住了一天。 Tā zhùle yìtiān. He/she stayed one day. 3. 他/她住一天。 Tā zhù yìtiān. He/she is staying one day. 還在這兒 hái zài zhèr already here 他/她住了一天了。 Tā zhùle yìtiān le. He/she has stayed one day. 4. 他/她住兩個星期。 Tā zhù liǎngge xīngqī. He/she is staying two weeks. 已經周了 yǐjīng zǒu le already left 他/她住了兩個星期。 Tā zhùle liǎngge xīngqī. He/she stayed two weeks. 5. 他/她住三天。 Tā zhù sāntiān. He/she is staying three days. 還沒來 hái méi lái didn’t come yet 他/她想住三天。 Tā xiǎng zhù sāntiān. He/she is planning of staying three days. 6. 他/她住一年。 Tā zhù yìnián. He/she is staying one year. 還在這兒 hái zài zhèr already here 他/她住了一年了。 Tā zhùle yìnián le. He/she has stayed one year. 7. 他/她住五個星期。 Tā zhù wǔge xīngqī. He/she is staying five weeks. 已經周了 yǐjīng zǒu le already left 他/她住了五個星期。 Tā zhùle wǔge xīngqī. He/she stayed five weeks.

Statement Answer 1. 他/她星期一來，星期三走。 Tā xīngqīyī lái, xīngqīsān zǒu. He/she is coming on Monday, leaving on Wednesday. 他/他想住兩天。 Tā xiǎng zhù liǎngtiān. He/she is planning on staying two days. 2. 他/她一月來，四月走。 Tā yíyüè lái, sìyüè zǒu. He/she is coming on January, leaving on April. 他/她想住三個月。 Tā xiǎng zhù sānge yüè. He/she is planning on staying three months. 3. 他/她五月來，七月走。 Tā wǔyüè lái, qíyüè zǒu. He/she is coming on May, leaving on September. 他/她想住兩個月。 Tā xiǎng zhù liǎngge yüè. He/she is planning on staying four months. 4. 他/她一號來，六號走。 Tā yíhào lái, liùhào zǒu. He/she is coming the first of the month, leaving the sixth. 他/她想住五天。 Tā xiǎng zhù wǔtiān. He/she is planning on staying five days. 5. 他/她六月來，十月走。 Tā liùyüè lái, shíyüè zǒu. He/she is coming on June, leaving on October. 他/她想住四個月。 Tā xiǎng zhù sìge yüè. He/she is planning on staying four months. 6. 他/她一九七六年來，一九七八年走。 Tā yījiǔqīliùnián lái, yījiǔqībānián zǒu. He/she is coming in 1976, leaving in 1978. 他/她想住兩年。 Tā xiǎng zhù liǎngnián. He/she is planning on staying two years. 7. 他/她星期五來，下個星期一走。 Tā xīngqīwǔ lái, xiàge xīngqīyī zǒu. He/she is coming on Friday, leaving next Monday. 他/她想住三天。 Tā xiǎng zhù sāntiān. He/she is planning on staying three days.

Statement Answer 1. 他/她是二號來的，四號走的。 Tā shi èrhào láide, sìhào zǒude. He/she came on the second, left on the fourth. 他/她住了年天。 Tā zhùle liǎngtiān. He/she stayed two days. 2. 他/她是一九七一年來的，一九七四年走的。 Tā shi yǐjiǔqīyīnián láide, yījiǔqīsìnián zǒude. He/she came in 1971, left in 1974. 他/她住了三年。 Tā zhùle sānnián. He/she stayed three years. 3. 他/她是三月來的，五月走的。 Tā shi sānyüè láide, wǔyüè zǒude. He/she came in April , left in May. 他/她住了兩個月。 Tā zhùle liǎngge yüè. He/she stayed two months. 4. 他/她是星期二來的，星期六走的。 Tā shi xīngqīèr láide, xīngqīliù zǒude. He/she came on Tuesday , left on Saturday. 他/她住了四天。 Tā zhùle sìtiān. He/she stayed four days. 5. 他/她是九號來的，十一號走的。 Tā shi jiǔhào láide, shíyīhào zǒude. He/she came on the ninth, left on the eleventh. 他/她住了兩天。 Tā zhùle liǎngtiān. He/she stayed two days. 6. 他/她是昨天來的，今天走的。 Tā shi zuótiān láide, jīntiān zǒude. He/she came yesterday , left today. 他/她住了一天。 Tā zhùle yìtiān. He/she stayed one day. 7. 他/她是上個月三十一號來的， 這個月五號走的。 Tā shi shànge yüè sānshiyíhào láide, zhèige yüè wǔhào zǒude. He/she came the 31st last month, left on the 5th this month. 他/她住了五天。 Tā zhùle wǔtiān. He/she stayed five days.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她明天不來。 Tā míngtiān bù lái. He/she isn’t coming tomorrow. 昨天 zuótiān yesterday 他/她昨天沒來。 Tā zuótiān méi lái. He/she didn’t come yesterday. 2. 他/她後天不走。 Tā hòutiān bú zǒu. He/she isn’t leaving the day after tomorrow. 前天 qiántiān the day before yesterday 他/她前天沒走。 Ta qiántiān méi zǒu. He/she didn’t leave the day before yesterday. 3. 他/她明天不來。 Tā míngtiān bù lái. He/she isn’t coming tomorrow. 去年 qǜnián last year 他/她去年沒來。 Tā qǜnián méi lái. He/she didn’t come last year.. 4. 他/她下個月不走。 Tā xiàge yüè bù zǒu. He/she isn’t leaving next month. 上個月 shàngge yüè last month 他/她上個月沒走。 Tā shàngge yüè méi zǒu. He/she didn’t leave last month. 5. 他/她下個星期不來。 Tā xiàge xīngqī bù lái. He/she isn’t coming next week. 上個星期 shàngge xīngqī last week 他/她上個星期沒來。 Tā shàngge xīngqī méi lái. He/she didn’t come last week. 6. 他/她後年不來。 Tā hòunián bù lái. He/she isn’t coming the year after next. 天年 qiánnián the year before last 他/她天年沒來 Tā qiánnián méi lái. He/she didn’t come the year before last. 7. 他/她今天不走。 Tā jīntiān bú zòu. He/she isn’t leaving today. 今天 jintiān today 他/她今天沒走。 Tā jīntiān méi zǒu. He/she didn’t leave today.

Question Answer 1. 他/她來了嗎？ Tā lái le ma? Did he/she come? 他/她來過嗎？ Tā láiguo ma? Has he/she ever been here? 2. 他/她愛人來了嗎？ Tā àiren lái le ma? Did his/her spouse come? 他/她愛人來過嗎？ Tā àiren láiguo ma? Has his/her spouse ever been here? 3. 他/她母親來了嗎？ Ta mǔqin lái le ma? Did his/her mother come? 他/她母親來過嗎？ Ta mǔqin láiguo ma? Has his/her mother ever been here? 4. 衚同志來了嗎？ Hú tóngzhì lái le ma? Did Comrade Hú come? 衚同志來過嗎？ Hú tóngzhì láiguo ma? Has Comrade Hú ever been here? 5. 他/她弟弟來了嗎？ Tā dìdi lái le ma? Has his/her younger brother come? 他/她弟弟來過嗎？ Tā dìdi láiguo ma? Did his/her younger brother ever been here? 6. 王大年來了嗎？ Wáng Dànián lái le ma? Did Wáng Dànián come? 王大年來過嗎？ Wáng Dànián láiguo ma? Has Wáng Dànián ever been here? 7. 趙同志來了嗎？ Zhào tóngzhì lái le ma? Did Comrade Zhào come? 趙同志來過嗎？ Zhào tóngzhì láiguo ma? Has Comrade Zhào ever been here?

Question Answer 1. 王小姐來了嗎？ Wáng xiǎojiě lái le ma? Did Miss Wáng come? 王小姐沒來。 Wáng xiǎjiě méi lái. Miss Wáng didn’t come. 2. 林先生來了嗎？ Lín xiānsheng lái le ma? Did Mr. Lín come? 林先生沒來。 Lín xiānsheng méi lái. Mr. Lín didn’t come. 3. 劉太太來了嗎？ Liú tàitai lái le ma? Did Mrs. Liú come? 劉太太沒來。 Liú tàitai méi lái. Mrs. Liú didn’t come. 4. 他/她來了嗎？ Tā lái le ma? Did he/she come? 他/她沒來。 Tā méi lái. He/she didn’t come. 5. 黃先生來了嗎？ Huáng xiānsheng lái le ma? Did Mr. Huáng come? 黃先生沒來。 Huāng xiānsheng méi lái. Mr. Huáng didn’t come. 6. 陳小姐來了嗎？ Chén xiǎojiě lái le ma? Did Miss Chén come? 陳小姐沒來。 Chén xiǎojiě mái lái. Miss Chén didn’t come. 7. 孫太太來了嗎？ Sūn tàitai lái le ma? Did Mrs. Sūn come? 孫太太沒來。 Sūn tàitai méi lái. Mrs. Sūn didn’t come.

Question Answer 1. 他/她來過嗎？ Tā láiguo ma? Did he/she come? 他/她沒來過。 Tā méi láiguo. He/she didn’t come. 2. 他/她愛人來過嗎？ Tā àiren láiguo ma? Did his/her spouse come? 他/她愛人沒來過。 Tā àiren méi láiguo. His/her spouse didn’t come. 3. 他/她男孩子來過嗎？ Tā nánháizi láiguo ma? Did his/her son come? 他/她男孩子沒來過。 Tā nánháizi méi láiguo. His/her son didn’t come. 4. 他們孩子都來過嗎？ Tāmen háizi dōu láiguo ma? Did his children all come? 他們孩子都沒來過。 Tāmen háizi dōu méi láiguo. None of his children came. 5. 他/她弟弟來過嗎？ Tā dìdi láiguo ma? Did his/her younger brother come? 他/她弟弟沒來過。 Tā dìdi méi láiguo. His/her younger brother didn’t come. 6. 他/她姐姐來過嗎？ Tā jiějie láiguo ma? Did his/her older sister come? 他/她姐姐沒來過。 Tā jiějie méi láiguo. His/her older sister didn’t come. 7. 他/她母親來過嗎？ Tā mǔqin láiguo ma? Did his/her mother come? 他/她母親沒來過。 Tā mǔqin méi láiguo. His/her mother didn’t come.

Where someone works. Where and what someone has studied. What languages someone can speak. Auxiliary verbs. General objects.

The C-l and P-1 tapes, the Reference List and Reference Notes. The C-2 and P-2 tapes, the Workbook. The TD-1 tape.

1. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài Měiguó Guówùyuàn gōngzuò. 我在美國國務院工作。 I work with the State Department. 2. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ shi xüésheng. 我是學生。 I’m a student. 3. A: Nín lái zuò shénme? 您來做什麼？ What did you come here to do? B: Wǒ lái niàn shū. 我來念書。 I came here to study. 4. A: Ò, wǒ yě shi xüésheng. 哦，我也是學生。 Oh, I’m a student too. B: Qǐngwèn, nǐ niàn shénme? 請問，你念什麼？ May I ask, what are you studying? B: Wǒ niàn lìshǐ. 我念歷史。 I’m studying history. 5. A: Kē xiānsheng, nǐ niàn shénme? 柯先生，你念什麼？ What are you studying, Mr. Cook? B: Wǒ zài zhèli xüé zhōngwén. 我在這裏學中文。 I’m studying Chinese here. 6. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ xüéguo Yīngwén ma? 請問，你學過英文嗎？ May I ask, have you ever studied English? B: Xüéguo 學過。 Yes. 7. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? 請問，你會説英文嗎？ May I ask, can you speak English? B: Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我會説一點。 I can speak a little. 8. A: Nǐ tàitai yě huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? 你太太也會説中國話嗎？ Can your wife speak Chinese too? B: Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō. 不會，她不會説。 No, she can’t. 9. A: Nǐ de Zhōngguo huà hěn hǎo. 你的中國話很好。 Your Chinese is very good. B: Náli, náli. Wǒ jiù shuō yìdiǎn. 哪裏，哪裏。我就説一點。 Not at all, not at all. I can speak only a little. 10. A: Nǐ shi zài náli xüéde? 你是在哪裏學的？ Where did you study it? B: Wǒ shi zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde. 我是在華盛頓學的。 I studied it in Washington. 11. A: Nǐ shi zài dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén ma? 你是在大學學的英文嗎？ Did you study English at college? B: Shìde, wǒ shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén. 是的，我是在臺灣大學學的英文。 Yes, I studied English at Taiwan University.

jīngxüé 經學 Confucian classics Rìwén 日文 Japanese language wénxüé 文學 literature zhèngzhixüé 政治學 political science nán 難 to be difficult róngyi 容易 to be easy dàxüé 大學 university huà 話 language, words Huáshèngdùn 華盛頓 Washington huì 會 to know how to, to can jīngjixüé 經濟學 economics lìshǐ 歷史 history Měiguó Guówùyüàn 美國國務院 U.S. Department of State nán 難 to be difficult niàn (shū) 唸書 to study shuō (huà) 説話 to speak, to talk xüé 學 to study xüéshēng (xüésheng) 學生 student xüéxí (xüéxi) 學習 to study, to learn (PRC) yìdiǎn 一點 a little Yīngwén 英文 English Zhōngwén 中文 Chinese zuò 做 to do shénme dìfang 什麼地方 where, what place

1. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài Měiguó Guówùyüàn gōngzuò. 我在美國國務院工作。 I work with the State Department. 2. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪裏工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ shi xüésheng. 我是學生。 I’m a student. Zài Měiguó Guówùyüàn gōngzuò means either “work at the State Department” (i.e., at main State in Washington, D,C.) or “work in the organization of the State Department” (no matter where assigned). Here the expression is translated loosely as “work with the State Department,” meaning “in the organization.”

3. A: Nín lái zuò shénme? 您來做什麼？ What did you come here to do? B: Wǒ lái niàn shū. 我來念書。 I came here to study. 4. A: Ò, wǒ yě shi xüésheng. 哦，我也是學生。 Oh, I’m a student too. B: Qǐngwèn, nǐ niàn shénme? 請問，你念什麼？ May I ask, what are you studying? B: Wǒ niàn lìshǐ. 我念歷史。 I’m studying history. Purpose: When lái, “to come,” is followed by another verb, the second verb expresses the purpose of the subject’s coming. The “purpose of coming” may be emphasized by the shi...de construction, with the marker shì before the verb lái. Wǒ shi lái niàn shūde. I came to study. Niàn shū: Niàn by itself means “to read aloud.” When followed by an object, the expression means “to study.” Shū is “book(s),” but niàn shū simply means “to study.” Shū is used as a general object, standing for whatever is being studied. Niàn lìshǐ: When you are talking about studying a particular subject, niàn is followed by the name of that subject rather than by the general object shū. To have the meaning “to study,” niàn must be followed by either the general object shū or a specific object such as the name of a subject. Verb types: Zuò, “to do,” and niàn (shū), “to study,” are action verbs. Both are made negative with bu when referring to actions not yet finished Both may take completion le or its negative méi. Tā bú niàn shū. He doesn’t study. Tā méi niàn shū. He didn’t study. Tā yǐjǐng niàn shù le. He has already studied.

5. A: Kē xiānsheng, nǐ niàn shénme? 柯先生，你念什麼？ What are you studying, Mr. Cook? B: Wǒ zài zhèli xüé zhōngwén. 我在這裏學中文。 I’m studying Chinese here. 6. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ xüéguo Yīngwén ma? 請問，你學過英文嗎？ May I ask, have you ever studied English? B: Xüéguo 學過。 Yes. Xüé, “to study” an action verb): You will recognize xüé from the word for “student,” xüésheng. Xüé may refer to acquiring either knowledge or a skill. For example, you can xüé history, economics, a language, piano, and tennis. On the other hand, niàn is used for “study” in the sense of taking a course or courses in a field of knowledge. Niàn is not used for a skill. In some contexts, the verb xüé means “to learn.” The following sentence may be interpreted two ways, depending on the situation. Wǒ zài Měiguó yǐjīng xüéguo. I learned it in America.(e.g., how to use chopsticks) OR I studied it in America. (e.g., the Chinese language) Zhōngwén is used for either the Chinese spoken language or the written language, including literature. In general, use xüé for “learning” to speak Chinese and niàn for “studying” Chinese literature.

7. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? 請問，你會説英文嗎？ May I ask, can you speak English? B: Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我會説一點。 I can speak a little. 8. A: Nǐ tàitai yě huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? 你太太也會説中國話嗎？ Can tour wife speak Chinese too? B: Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō. 不會，她不會説。 No, she can’t. Huì, “to know how to,” “can,” is an auxiliary verb. It is used before the main verb to express an attitude toward the action or to express the potential of action. Xiǎng, “to want to,” “would like to,” is also an auxiliary verb. “Should,” “must,” and “may” are other examples of auxiliary verbs. All auxiliary verbs in Chinese are state verbs, which means that bù is always used to make them negative. Auxiliary verbs never take the aspect marker le for completed action, regardless of whether you are talking about past, present, or future. Tā qǜnián bú huì shuō Yīngwén. He couldn’t speak English last year. When the marker le is used, it is the aspect marker for new situations. Tā qǜnián bú huì shuō Yīngwén, xiànzài huì le, Last year he couldn’t speak English, but now he can. Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn, “I can speak a little”: The word yìdiǎn, literally “a dot,” functions as a noun. It is used in a sentence to mean “a little bit” where a noun object, such as Yīngwén, “English,” might be used. Yìdiǎn may not be used directly after an auxiliary verb, which must be followed by another verb. Shuō, “to speak,” “to talk,” is another example of a verb which must always have an object. Shuō must be followed by either: the general object huà, “words,” in which case the meaning of shuō huà is simply “to speak,” “to talk,” as in: Tā hái méi shuō huà. He hasn’t yet spoken. OR a specific object such as the name of a language. Bú huì: The short yes/no answer to a question containing the auxiliary verb huì is formed with huì rather than with the main verb. Zhōngguo huà: This expression refers only to the spoken language, in contrast to Zhōngwén, which refers to both the spoken and written language.

9. A: Nǐ de Zhōngguo huà hěn hǎo. 你的中國話很好。 Your Chinese is very good. B: Náli, náli. Wǒ jiù shuō yìdiǎn. 哪裏，哪裏。我就説一點。 Not at all, not at all. I can speak only a little. Literally, náli means “where.” As a reply to a compliment, we have translated náli as “not at all.” In China, it has traditionally been considered proper and a matter of course to deny any compliment received, no matter how much truth there is to it. Many people still regard xièxie “thank you,” as an immodest reply to a compliment, since that would amount to agreeing that the compliment was completely correct. Jiù, “only”: As was noted in Unit 3, notes on Nos. 8–9, jiù meaning “only” is not as widely understood as zhǐ. The last sentence in exchange 9 could Just as well be Wǒ zhǐ huì shuō yìdiǎn.

11. A: Nǐ shi zài dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén ma? 你是在大學學的英文嗎？ Did you study English at college? B: Shìde, wǒ shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén. 是的，我是在臺灣大學學的英文。 Yes, I studied English at Taiwan University. In the Peking dialect of Standard Chinese, which is the model for grammatical patterns presented in this course, the -de of a shi...de construction comes between the verb and its object. The object, therefore, is outside the shi...de construction. Compare “I studied here” with “I studied English here”: However, you may hear some Standard Chinese speakers who place the object inside the shi...de construction. Wǒ shì zài zhèr xüé -de. Wǒ shì zài zhèr xüé -de Yīngwén.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她是在中國學的中國話嗎？ Tā shi zài Zhōngguo xüéde Zhōngguo huà ma? Did he/she study Chinese in China? 美國 Měiguó America 不是，他/她是在美國學的中國話。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguó xüéde Zhōngguo huà. No, he/she studied Chinese in America. 2. 他/她是在美國唸的法文嗎？ Tā shi zài Měiguó niànde Fàwén ma? Did he/she study French in America. 加拿大 Jiānádà Canada 不是，他/她是在加拿大唸的法文。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Jiānádà niànde Fàwén. No, he/she studied French in Canada. 3. 他/她是在臺灣大學唸的政治學嗎？ Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde zhēngzhixüé ma? Did he/she study political science in a Taiwan University? 美國大學 Měiguó Dàxüé American University 不是，他/她是在美國大學唸的政治學。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde zhèngshixüé. No, he/she studied political science in an American University. 4. 他/她是在英國唸的英國文學嗎？ Tā shi zài Yīngguó niànde Yīngguó wénxüé ma? Did he/she study English literature in England? 美國大學 Měiguó Dàxüé American University 不是，他/她是在美國大學唸的英國文學。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde Yīngguó wénxüé. No, he/she studied English literature in an American University. 5. 他/她是在加州唸的經濟學嗎？ Tā shi zài Jiāzhōu niànde jīngjixüé ma? Did he/she study economics in California? 臺灣大學 Táiwān Dàxüé National Taiwan University 不是，他/她是在臺灣大學唸的經濟學。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde jīngjixüé. No, he/she studied economics in a Taiwan national university. 6. 他/她是在中國唸的中國歷史嗎？ Tā shi zài Zhōngguo niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ ma? Did he/she study Chinese history in China? 加州大學 Jiāzhōu Dàxüé University of California 不是，他/她是在加州大學唸的中國歷史。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ. No, he/she studied Chinese history in the California university. 7. 他/她是在加拿大唸的中文嗎？ Tā shi zài Jiānádà niànde Zhōngwén ma? Did he/she study the Chinese language in Canada? 臺灣 Táiwān Taiwan 不是，他/她是在臺灣唸的中文。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Táiwān niànde zhōngwén. No, he/she studied the Chinese language in Taiwan.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她是在華盛頓學的中國話嗎？ Tā shi zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde Zhōngguo huà ma? Did he/she study Chinese in Washington? 華盛頓 Huáshèngdùn Washington 是的，他/她是在華盛頓學的中國話。 Shìde, tā shi zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde Zhōnggúo huà. he/she studied Chinese in Washington. 2. 他/她是在臺灣大學唸的中國歷史嗎？ Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ ma? Did he/she study Chinese history in Taiwan University? 美國大學 Měiguó Dàxüé American University 不是，他/她是在美國大學唸的中國歷史。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ. No, he/she studied Chinese history in an American University. 3. 他/她是在大學學的中文嗎？ Tā shi zài dàxüé xüéde Zhōngwén ma? Did he/she learn Chinese in college? 大學 dàxüé college 是的，他/她是在大學學的中文。 Shìde, tā shi zài dàxüé xüéde Zhōngwén. Yes, he/she learned Chinese in college. 4. 他/她是在臺灣大學唸的中國文學嗎？ Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo wénxüé ma? Did he/she study Chinese literature in National Taiwan University? 加州大學 Jiāzhōu Dàxüé University of California 不是，他/她是在加州大學唸的中國文學。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo wénxüé. No, he/she studied Chinese literature in the University of California. 5. 他/她是在美國大學唸的文學嗎？ Tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde wénxüé ma? Did he/she study literature in the American University? 美國大學 Měiguó Dàxüé American University 是的，他/她是在美國大學唸的文學。 Shìde, tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde wénxüé. Yes, he/she studied literature in the University of America. 6. 他/她是在加州唸的政治學嗎？ Tā shi zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde zhèngzhixüé ma? Did he/she study political science in a University of California? 臺灣大學 Táiwān Dàxüé Taiwan University 不是，他/她是在臺灣大學唸的政治學。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde shèngzhixüé. No, he/she studied political science in Taiwan University. 7. 他/她是在法國唸的法文嗎？ Tā shi zài Fàguó niànde Fàwén ma? Did he/she study French in France? 美國 Měiguó America 不是，他/她是在美國唸的法文。 Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguó niànde Fàwén. No, he/she studied French in University of America.

Question Cue Answer 1. 你會説英文嗎？ Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? Can you speak English? 學過 xüéguo have studied 我會説一點。 Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. I can speak a little. 2. 你會説英文嗎？ Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? Can you speak English? 沒學過 méi xüéguo haven’t studied 我不會説。 Wǒ bú huì shuō. I can’t speak it. 3. 你會説中文嗎？ Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma? Can you speak Chinese? 學過 xüéguo have studied 我會説一點。 Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. I can speak Chinese a little. 4. 他/她會説德文嗎？ Tā huì shuō Déwén ma? Can he/she speak German? 沒學過 méi xüéguo haven’t studied 他/她不會説。 Tā bú huì shuō. He cannot speak it. 5. 你會説日文嗎？ Nǐ huì shuō Rìwén ma? Can you speak Japanese? 學過 xüéguo have studied 我會説一點。 Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. I can speak Japanese a little. 6. 他/她會説英國話嗎？ Tā huì shuō Yīngguó huà ma? Can he/she speak English? 學過 xüéguo have studied 他/她會説一點。 Tā huì shuō yìdiǎn. He/she can speak a little. 7. 你會説法文嗎？ Nǐ huì shuō Fàwén ma? Can you speak French? 沒學過 méi xüéguo haven’t studied 我不會説。 Wǒ bú huì shuō. I cannot speak it.

Question Cue Answer 1. 他/她會説中國話嗎？ Tā huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? Can he/she speak Chinese? 學過 xüéguo have studied 會，他/她會説中國話。 Huì, tā huì shuō Zhōngguo huà. Yes, he/she can speak Chinese. 2. 他/她會説中國嗎？ Tā huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? Can he/she speak Chinese? 沒學過 méi xüéguo haven’t studied 不會，他/她會説中國話。 Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō Zhōngguo huà. No, he/she cannot speak Chinese. 3. 他/她愛人會説法文嗎？ Tā àiren huì shuō Fàwén ma? Can his/her spouse speak French? 學過 xüéguo have studied 會，他/她愛人會説法文。 Huì, tā airen huì shuō Fàwén. Yes, his/her spouse can speak French. 4. 他/她父親會説日文嗎？ Tā fùqin huì shuō Rìwén ma? Can his/her father speak Japanese? 沒學過 méi xüéguo haven’t studied 不會，他父親不會説日文。 Bú huì, tā fùqin bú huì shuō Rìwén. No, his/her father cannot speak Japanese. 5. 李同志會説德文嗎？ Lǐ tóngzhì huì shuō Déwén ma? Can Comrade Lǐ speak German? 沒學過 méi xüéguo haven’t studied 不會，李同志不會説德文。 Bú huì, Lǐ tóngzhì bú huì shuō Déwén. No, Comrade Lǐ cannot speak German. 6. 王同志會説英文嗎？ Wáng tóngzhì huì shuō Yīngwén ma? Can Comrade Wáng speak English? 學過 xüéguo have studied 會，王同志會説英文。 Huì, Wáng tóngzhì huì shuō Yīngwén. Yes, Comrade Wáng can speak English. 7. 陳同志會説法文嗎？ Chén tóngzhì huì shuō Fàwén ma? Can Comrade Chén speak French? 學過 xüéguo have studied 會，陳同志會説法文。 Huì, Chén tóngzhì huì shuō Fàwén. Yes, Comrade Chén can speak French.

More on duration phrases. The marker le for new situations in negative sentences. Military titles and branches of service. The marker ne. Process verbs.

The C-l and P-1 tapes, the Reference List and Reference Notes. The C-2 and P-2 tapes, the Workbook. The 8D-1 tape.

1. A: Nǐ jīntiān hái yǒu kè ma? 你今天還有課嗎？ Do you have any more classes today? B: Měiyou kè le. 沒有課了。 I don’t have any more classes. 2. A: Nǐ cóngqián niàn Yīngwén niànle duó jiǔ? 你從前念英文唸了多久？ How long did you study English? B: Wǒ niàn Yīngwén niànle liùnián. 我念英文唸了六年。 I studied English for six years. 3. A: Nǐ xiànzài niàn shénme ne? 你現在念什麼呢？ What are you studying now? B: Wǒ niàn Fàwén ne. 我念法文 I’m studying French. 4. A: Nǐ niàn Fàwén niànle duó jiǔ le? 你念法文唸了多久了？ How long have you studying French? B: Wǒ niànle yìnián le. 我念了一年了。 I’ve have been studying it for one year. 5. A: Nǐ huì xiě Zhōngguo zì ma? 你會寫中國字嗎？ Can you write Chinese characters? B: Huì yìdiǎn. 會一點。 I can a little. 6. A: Qùnián wǒ hái bú huì xiě. 去年我還不會寫。 Last year, I couldn’t write them. B: Xiànzài wǒ huì xiě yìdiǎn le. 現在我會寫一點了。 Now, I can write a little. 7. A: Nǐ fùqin shi jǖnrén ma? 你父親是軍人嗎？ Is your father a military man? B: Shì, tā shi hǎijǖn jǖnguān. 是，他是海軍軍官。 Yes, he is a naval officer. 8. A: Wǒ jīntiān bù lái le. 我今天不來了。 I’m not coming today. B: Wǒ bìng le. 我病了。 I’m sick. 9. A: Jīntiān hǎo le méiyou? 今天好了沒有？ Are you better today? (Are you recovered?) B: Jīntiān hǎo le. 今天好了。 Today I’m better.

kōngjǖn 空軍 Air Force lùjǖn 陸軍 army shìbīng 事兵 enlisted man zuò shì 做事 to work Déwén 德文 German language bìng 病 to become ill Déwén 德文 German language Fàwén 法文 French language hǎijǖn 海軍 navy jǖnguān 軍官 military officer jǖnrén 軍人 military person kè 課 class xiě 寫 to write zì 字 character

1. A: Nǐ jīntiān hái yǒu kè ma? 你今天還有課嗎？ Do you have any more classes today? B: Měiyou kè le. 沒有課了。 I don’t have any more classes. Hái, “additionally,” “also”: You have already learned the word hái used as an adverb meaning “still.” In this exchange you learn a second way to use hái. Nǐ hái xiǎng zǒu ma? Do you still want to leave? Nǐ hái yào xüé shénme? What else do you want to study? Méi you...le: You will remember that in the negative of a completed action, méi or méiyou replaces the completion marker le—is never used together with it. Tā lái le. He came. Tā méi(you) lái. He did not come. In the sentence Méiyou kè le, le is a new-situation marker, and méiyou is simply the negative of the full verb yǒu. (Remember that the verb yǒu is always made negative with méi, never with bù.) Tā yǒu kè le. Now he has class. [Due to a change in the schedule, he now has class at this time.] Tā méi- yǒu kè le. He doesn’t have any more classes. Bù...le/méiyou...le: When the marker le for new situations is used with a negative verb, there are two possible meanings: one is that something that was supposed to happen is now not going to happen. the other is that something that was happening is not happening anymore. Thus the following sentence is ambiguous: Tā bù lái le. He is not coining now. [Either he was expected to come but changed his mind, or he used to come at this time but now has stopped.] In the context of a conversation, the meaning of the sentence would become clear. Here are more examples with the “anymore” meaning: Tā bú niàn shū le. He is not going to study anymore.[He will no longer attend college.] Tā bú shi wǒ de péngyou le. He is not my friend anymore. Méi you le. There is no more.

2. A: Nǐ cóngqián niàn Yīngwén niànle duó jiǔ? 你從前念英文唸了多久？ How long did you study English? B: Wǒ niàn Yīngwén niànle liǔnián. 我念英文唸了六年。 I studied English for six years. More on duration: In Unit 6 of this module, you learned to express duration in a sentence with no object (Wǒ zài Xiāngǎng zhùle liùge yüè le. ). In this unit, you learn one way to express the duration of an activity which involves using both a verb and an object (e.g. “studying economics”). In such cases, the verb appears twice in the sentence: first when the object is stated, and again when the duration is stated. Tā niàn jīngjixüé, niànle yìnián. He studied economics for one year. Tā xüé Zhōngguo huà, xüéle sānge yüè le. He has been studying Chinese for three months. Notice that aspect markers do not occur after the first verb in each sentence, but only after the second verb and at the end of the second sentence.

3. A: Nǐ xiànzài niàn shénme ne? 你現在念什麼呢？ What are you studying now? B: Wǒ niàn Fàwén ne. 我念法文 I’m studying French. Ne is an aspect marker used to emphasize the fact that something is in progress. With action verbs, ne indicates that the action is going on. With state verbs, ne shows that the state exists. With some process verbs, ne indicates that the process is going on. Ne may not be used with certain process verbs. (See also notes on No. 8, about verbs.)

4. A: Nǐ niàn Fàwén niànle duó jiǔ le? 你念法文唸了多久了？ How long have you studying French? B: Wǒ niànle yìnián le. 我念了一年了。 I’ve have been studying it for one year. 5. A: Nǐ huì xiě Zhōngguo zì ma? 你會寫中國字嗎？ Can you write Chinese characters? B: Huì yìdiǎn. 會一點。 I can a little. Xiě Zhōngguo zì: The verb xiě, “to write” can occur with specific objects, such as Zhōngguo zì, as well as with the general object zì. The combination xiě zì can mean either “to write characters” or simply “to write.” Tā xiǎng xüé Zhōngguo zì. He wants to learn to write Chinese characters. Xiǎo dìdi sìsuì le, yǐjīng huì xiě zì le. Little younger brother is four years old and already can write. In the reply Huì yìdiǎn, huì is used as a main verb—not as an auxiliary verb, as in the question. As a main verb, huì means “to have the skill of,” “to have the knowledge of,” “to know.” Wǒ huì Yīngwén. I know English.

6. A: Qùnián wǒ hái bú huì xiě. 去年我還不會寫。 Last year, I couldn’t write them. B: Xiànzài wǒ huì xiě yìdiǎn le. 現在我會寫一點了。 Now, I can write a little. Qùnián wǒ hái bú huì xiě.: Notice that here it is the auxiliary verb huì, not the verb xiě, that is made negative. Auxiliary verbs such as huì and xiǎng are STATE verbs and so are made negative with the prefix bù, regardless of whether the context is past, present, or future. Xiànzài wǒ huì xiě yìdiǎn le.: The marker used is le for new situations. It is always placed at the end of a sentence. The time word xiànzài comes at the beginning of the sentence here. Most time words of more than one syllable may come either before or after the subject, but in either case before the verb.

7. A: Nǐ fùqin shi jǖnrén ma? 你父親是軍人嗎？ Is your father a military man? B: Shì, tā shi hǎijǖn jǖnguān. 是，他是海軍軍官。 Yes, he is a naval officer. 8. A: Wǒ jīntiān bù lái le. 我今天不來了。 I’m not coming today. B: Wǒ bìng le. 我病了。 I’m sick. The verb bìng, “to get sick,” “to become ill,” is a process verb; that is the activity described includes some changes in the situation. Process verbs tell of an action which has caused a change from one state to another, as from whole to broken (“to break”) and from frozen to melted (“to melt”). Bìng is typical of process verbs: not only is an action described (coming down with an illness) but also a resulting state (being ill). Because of this typical combination, process verbs are sometimes thought of as combining the semantic characteristics of action and state verbs. One of the main purposes of talking about verbs in terms of action, state, and process is to draw attention to the fact that the Chinese way of expressing something may not correspond to the English. For instance, “I am sick” in Chinese is Wǒ bìng le. (“I have gotten sick”). For “I am not sick,” you say Wǒ méi bìng. (“I didn’t get sick”). Process verbs are always made negative with méi regardless of whether you are referring to past, present, or future. Nǐ bìng le méiyou? Are you sick? Méiyou. Wǒ méi bing. No. I’m not sick. (State verbs are always made negative with bù.) Another reason for putting verbs into categories according to the type of meaning is to discover how verbs behave in sentences. Knowing whether a verb is in the action, state, or process category, you will know what aspect markers and negatives may be used with that verb. In the following charts, an X mark means that this combination of verb and aspect occurs in the language. Aspect Markers Completion le Combined le New-situation le Verbs Action X X X State X Process X X X Examples: Most of the time you can figure out from a verb’s meaning the semantic category in which that verb belongs. However, process verbs may not be so predictable. Action Tā zuótiān gōngzuò le. He worked yesterday. (completion le) Tā yǐjīng lái le. He has already come. (combined le) Gēge xiànzài niàn dàxüé le. Older brother goes to college now. (new-situation le) In affirmative sentences containing action verbs, the marker le for new situations is used to describe a change in a general habit. State Tā xiànzài huì xiě zì le. He can write now. (new-situation le) Process Tā zuótiān bìng le. He got sick yesterday. (completion le) Tā xiànzài bìng le. He is sick.(combined le) Tā bìngle yíge yüé le. He has been sick for one month now. (new-situation le) and completion le) Verbs Action State Process Negation bù X X méi(you)—negation of completion le X X hái méi—negation of combined le X X Examples: Action Tā bú niàn shū. He doesn’t (isn’t going to) study Tā méi niàn shū. He didn’t study. Tā hái méi niàn shū. He hasn’t studied yet, State Tā qǜnián bù xiǎng niàn shū. Last year, she didn’t want to study. Process Tā jīntiān méi bìng. He is not sick today. Tā hái méi hǎo. He hasn’t yet recovered. Notice that only action verbs use the whole range of negatives to mark the negative of future or present action, completed action, or new situations. State verbs use the negative prefix bù even when referring to past states. Process verbs use the negative prefix méi even when referring to something in the present. If you find a verb occurring with a negative or an aspect marker you had not expected, you might discuss with your teacher how the verb behaves in terms of these charts. You might discover that what you thought was a state verb is actually a process verb, or vice versa.

9. A: Jīntiān hǎo le méiyou? 今天好了沒有？ Are you better today? (Are you recovered?) B: Jīntiān hǎo le. 今天好了。 Today I’m better. Jīntiān hǎo le.: Hǎo is one of many state verbs which can become process verbs. When such a verb becomes a process verb, it takes on a different meaning. While the state verb hǎo means “to be good” or “to be well,” the process verb hǎo means “to get better,” “to recover.” Compare these sentences: Tā hǎo. He’s in good health. Tā zuótiān bìng le. Tā jīntiān yǐjīng hǎo le. Yesterday he became sick. Today he is already recovered. The difference between the state verb hǎo and the process verb hǎo is even more evident in negative sentences. State verbs, as you remember, are made negative only with bù. Process verbs are made negative only with méi or hái méi. Tā bù hǎo. He’s not good. [He’s not a good person.] Tā hái méi hǎo. He hasn’t yet recovered. [He is still sick.] It can be difficult to remember that bìng and hǎo, sometimes translated as “to be sick” and “to be better,” are actually process verbs in Chinese, not state verbs. The English sentence “I am better (recovered)” translates as Wǒ hǎo le. (“I have become well”) and would be incorrect without the le. Jīntiān hǎo le méiyou? Questions may be formed from statements containing completion le or combined le by adding méiyou at the end of the statements. You will learn more about forming questions in the first unit of the next module. Tā láile méiyou? Did he come? Nǐ hǎole méiyou? Are you recovered (from your illness)?