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? 请问，你住在哪儿？ May I ask, where are you staying? Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 我住在北京饭店。 I’m staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 2. Nǐ zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 你住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel are you staying at? Wǒ zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. 我住在那个饭店。 I’m staying at that hotel. 3. Nǐ zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? 你住在这个饭店吗？ Are you staying at this hotel? Bù, wǒ bú zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 不，我不住在这个饭店。 No, I’m not staying at this hotel. 4. Nǐ zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? 你住在民族饭店吗？ Are you staying at the Nationalities Hotel? Bù, wǒ bú zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 不，我不住在民族饭店。 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。 诺瓦克女士！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? 请问，你是美国哪儿个人。 Where are you from in America? Wǒ shi Jiāzhōu Jiùjīnshān rén. 我是加州旧金山人。 I’m from San Francisco, California.

1. Nǐ péngyou jiā zài náli? 你朋友家在哪里？ 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号。 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? 那是国宾大饭店吧？ That is Ambassador Hotel, isn’t it? Shìde, nà shi Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn. 是的，那是国宾大饭店。 Yes, that’s the Ambassador Hotel. Nǐ zhù zai nàli ma? 你住在那里吗？ Are you staying there? Bù, wǒ zhù zai zhèli. 不，我住在这里。 No, I’m staying here. 5. Nǐ péngyou zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 你朋友在台北工作吗？ Does your friend work in Taipei? Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 他不在台北工作。他在台中工作。 He doesn’t work in Taipei; he works in Taichung. 6. Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪里工作？ Where do you work? Wǒ zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. 我在武官处工作。 I work at the defense attache’s office. Wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò. 我在银行工作。 I work at a bank.

1. Nǐmen yǒu háizi ma? 你们有孩子吗？ Do you have any children? Yǒu, wǒmen yǒu. 有，我们有。 Yes, we have. 2. Liú xiānsheng méiyou Měiguó péngyou. 刘先生没有美国朋友。 Mr. Liú doesn’t have any American friends. 3. Nǐmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 你们有几个男孩子，几个女孩子？ How many boys and how many girls do you have? Wómen yǒu liǎnge nánhaizi, yíge nǚháizi. 我们有两个男孩子，一个女孩子。 We have two boys and one girl. 4. Hú xiānsheng, Hú tàitai yǒu jǐge háizi? 胡先生，胡太太有几个孩子？ How many children do Mr. and Mrs. Hú have? Tāmen yǒu liǎngge háizi. 他们有两个孩子。 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? 你们孩子都在这里吗？ Are all your children here? Bù.　Liǎngge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Měiguó. 不，两个在这里，一个还在美国。 No. Two are here, and one is still in America. 6. Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家里有什么人？ What people are in your family? Yǒu wǒ tàitai gēn sānge háizi. 有我太太跟三个孩子。 There’s my wife and two children. 7. Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家里有什么人？ What people are in your family? Jiù yǒu wǒ fùqin, mǔqin. 就有我父亲，母亲。 Just my father and mother.

1. Tā míngtiān lái ma? 他明天来吗？ Is he coming tomorrow? Tā yǐjīng lái le. 他已经来了。 He has already come. 2. Nǐ péngyou lái le ma? 你朋友来了吗？ Has your friend come? Tā hái méi(you) lái. 她还没(有)来。 She hasn’t come yet. 3. Tā shi shénme shíhou dàode? 他是什么时候到的？ When did he arrive? Tā shi zuótiān dàode. 他是昨天到的。 He arrived yesterday. 4. Nǐ shi yíge rén láide ma? 你是一个人来的吗？ Did you come alone? Bú shi, wǒ bú shi yíge rén láide. 不是，我不是一个人来的。 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? 你是在哪儿生的？ 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? 你们星期几走？ What day of the week are you leaving? Wǒmen Xīngqītiān zǒu. 我们星期天走。 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? 你是几月几号生的？ What is your month and day of birth? Wó shi qīyüè sìhào shēngde. 我是七月四号生的。 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? 你们男孩子都几岁了？ How old are your boys? Yíge jiǔsuì le, yíge liùsuì le. 一个九岁了，一个六岁了。 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. 我想她住两天。 I think she is staying two days. 3. Nǐ xiǎng zài Táiwān zhù duó jiǔ? 你想在台湾住多久？ How long are you thinking of staying in Taiwan? Wǒ xiǎng zhù liùge yuè. 我想住六个月。 I’m thinking of staying six months. 4. Nǐ láile duó jiǔ le? 你来了多久了？ How long have you been here? Wǒ láile liǎngge xīnqī le. 我来了两个星期。 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. 她住了两天。 She stayed two days. 6. Lǐ tàitai méi lái. 李太太没来。 Mrs. Lǐ didn’t come. 7. Nǐ cóngqián láiguo ma? 你从前来过吗？ Have you ever been here before? Wǒ cóngqián méi láiguo. Wǒ tàitai láiguo. 我从前没来过。我太太来过。 I have never been here before. My wife has been here.

1. Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪里工作？ Where do you work? Wǒ zài Měiguó Guówùyuàn gōngzuò. 我在美国国务院工作。 I work with the State Department. 2. Ní zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪里工作？ Where do you work? Wǒ shi xuésheng. 我是学生。 I’m student. 3. Nǐ lái zuò shénme? 您来做什么？ What did you come here to do? Wǒ lái niàn shū. 我来念书。 I came here to study. 4. Nǐ niàn shénme? 你念什么？ What are you studying? Wǒ xüé Zhōngwén. 我学中文。 I’m studying Chinese. 5. Nǐ zài dàxüé niànguo lìshǐ ma? 你在大学念过历史吗？ Did you study history in college? Niànguo. 念过。 Yes. 6. Nǐmen huì shuō Zhōngwén ma? 你们会说中文吗？ Can you speak Chinese? Wǒ tàitai bú huì shuō, wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我太太不会说，我会说一点。 My wife can’t speak it; I can speak it a little. 7. Nǐ de Zhōngguo huà hěn hǎo. 你的中国话很好。 Your Chinese is very good. Náli, náli. Wǒ jiù huì shuō yìdiǎn. 哪里，哪里。我就说一点。 Not at all. I can speak only a little. 8. Nǐ shi zài náli xüéde Zhōngzén? 你是在哪里学的中文？ Where did you study Chinese? Wó shi zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde. 我是在华盛顿学的。 I studied it in Washington.

1. Nǐ jīntiān hái yǒu kè ma? 你今天还有课吗？ Do you have any more classes today? Méiyou kè le. 没有课了。 I don’t have any more classes. 2. Nǐ cóngqián niàn Yīngwén niànle duó jiǔ? 你从前念英文念了多久？ How long did you study English? Wǒ niàn Yīngwén niànle liùnián. 我念英文念了六年。 I studied English for six years. 3. Nǐ niàn Fàwén niànle duó jiǔ le? 你念法文念了多久了？ 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. 去年我还不会写中国字。 Last year, I couldn’t write Chinese characters. Xiànzài wǒ huì xiě yìdiǎn le. 现在我会写一点了。 Now, I can write a little. 5. Nǐ fùqin shi jǖnrén ma? 你父亲是军人吗？ Is your father a military man? Shì, tā shi hǎijǖn jǖnguān. 是，他是海军军官。 Yes, he’s a naval officer. 6. Wǒ jīntiān bù lái le. 我今天不来了。 I’m not coming today. Wǒ bìng le. 我病了。 I’m sick. 7. Jīntiān hǎo le méiyou? 今天好了没有？ 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? 请问，你朱在哪儿？ May I ask, where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 握住在北京饭店。 I’m staying at the Beijing Hotel. 2. A: Nǐ zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? 你住在民族饭店吗？ Are you staying at the Nationalities Hotel? B: Shì, wǒ zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 是，我住在民族饭店吗。 Yes, I’m staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 3. A: Nǐ zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 你住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel are you staying at? B: Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 我住在北京饭店。 I’m staying ate the Beijing Hotel. 4. A: Něiwèi shi Zhāng tóngzhì? 哪位是张同志？ Which one is Comrade Zhāng? B: Tā shi Zhāng tóngzhì. 他是张同志。 She is Comrade Zhāng. 5. A: Něige rén shi Méi tóngzhì? 哪个人是梅同志？ Which person is Comrade Méi? B: Nèige rén shi Méi tóngzhì. 那个人是梅同志。 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? 你住在这个饭店吗？ Are you staying at this hotel? B: Bù, wǒ bú zhù zai zheìge fàndiàn. 不，我不住在这个饭店。 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。诺瓦克 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? 请问，你是美国哪儿人？ May I ask, where are you from in America? B: Wǒ shi Jiāzhōu Jiùjīnshān rén. 我是加州旧金山人。 I’m from San Francisco, California.

fàndiàn 饭店 hotel -ge 个 general counter hěn 很 very Jiùjīnshān 旧金山 San Francisco Mínzú Fàndiàn 民族饭店 Nationalities Hotel něi- 哪-？ which něige? 哪个？ which? nèige 那个 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- 这- this zheìge 这个 this zhèiwèi 这位 this one (person) zhù 住 to stay, to live

1. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ zhù zai nǎr? 请问，你朱在哪儿？ May I ask, where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 我住在北京饭店。 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? 你住在民族饭店吗？ Are you staying at the Nationalities Hotel? B: Shì, wǒ zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 是，我住在民族饭店。 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? 你住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel are you staying at? B: Wǒ zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 我住在北京饭店。 I’m staying ate the Beijing Hotel. 4. A: Něiwèi shi Zhāng tóngzhì? 哪位是张同志？ Which one is Comrade Zhāng? B: Tā shi Zhāng tóngzhì. 他是张同志。 She is Comrade Zhāng. 5. A: Něige rén shi Méi tóngzhì? 哪个人是梅同志？ Which person is Comrade Méi? B: Nèige rén shi Méi tóngzhì. 那个人是梅同志。 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? 你住在这个饭店吗？ Are you staying at this hotel? B: Bù, wǒ bú zhù zai zheìge fàndiàn. 不，我不住在这个饭店。 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? 那位 美国人 是谁 Něiwèi zhù zài Mínzú Fàndiàn. 哪位 住在民族饭店。 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? 哪个 哪儿 nèige (nàge) that nàr (nèr) there 那个 那儿 zhèige (zhège) this zhèr (zhàr) here 这个 这儿 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。诺瓦克 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. 我是马明理。 Wǒ xìng Mǎ. My surname is Mǎ. 我姓马。 Wǒ xìng Mǎ, jiào Mǎ Mínglǐ. My surname is Mǎ; I’m called Mǎ Mínglǐ. 我姓马，叫马明理。 Wǒ de Zhōngguo míngzi jiào Mǎ Mínglǐ. My Chinese name is Mǎ Mínglǐ. 我的中国名字叫马明理。

9. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ shi Měiguo nǎrde rén? 请问，你是美国哪儿的人？ May I ask, where are you from in America? B: Wǒ shi Jiāzhōu Jiùjīnshān rén. 我是加州旧金山人。 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? 你是 山东 哪儿 的 人 Wǒ shi Shāndōng Qīngdǎo rén. 我是 山东 青岛 人 Literally, Jiùjīnshān means “Old Gold Mountain.” The Chinese gave this name to San Francisco during the Gold Rush days.

1. Tā zhù zai nǎr? 他/她住在哪儿？ Where is he/she staying? Cue Běijīng Fàndiàn 北京饭店 the Běijīng Hotel Tā zhù zai Běijìng Fàndiàn. 他/她住在北京饭店。 He/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 2. Nǐ àiren zhù zai nǎr? 你爱人住在哪儿？ Where is your spouse staying? Cue Mínzú Fàndiàn 民族饭店 the Nationalities Hotel Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 他/她住在民族饭店。 He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 3. Lǐ tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? 李同志住在哪儿？ Where is comrade Lǐ staying? Cue zhèige fàndiàn 这个饭店 this hotel Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 他/她住在这个饭店。 He/she is staying at this hotel. 4. Fāng tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? 方同志住在哪儿？ Where is comrade Fāng staying? Cue nèige fàndiàn 那个饭店 that hotel Tā zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. 他/她住在那个饭店。 He/she is staying at that hotel. 5. Chén tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? 陈同志住在哪儿？ Where is comrade Chén staying? Cue Běijīng Fàndiàn 北京饭店 the Běijīng Hotel Ta zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 他/她住在北京饭店。 He/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 6. Lín tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? 林同志住在哪儿？ Where is comrade Lín staying? Cue Mínzú Fàndiàn 民族饭店 the Nationalities Hotel Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 他/她住在民族饭店。 He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 7. Huáng tóngzhì zhù zai nǎr? 黄同志住在哪儿？ Where is comrade Huáng staying? Cue zhèige fàndiàn 这个饭店 this hotel Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 他/她住在这个饭店。 He/she is staying at this hotel.

1. Gāo nǚshì zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? 高女士住在民族饭店吗？ Is Ms. Gāo staying at the Nationalities Hotel? Shì, tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 是，她住在民族饭店。 Yes, she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 2. Zhāng nǚshì zhù zai Běijìng Fàndiàn ma? 张女士住在北京饭店吗？ Is Ms. Zhāng staying at the Beǐjīng Hotel? Shì, tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 是，她住在北京饭店。 Yes, she is staying at the Beǐjīng Hotel. 3. Jiāng nǚshì zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? 江女士住在这个饭店吗？ Is Ms. Jiāng staying at this hotel? Shì, tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 是，她住在这个饭店。 Yes, she is staying at this hotel. 4. Huáng nǚshì zhù zai nèige fàndiàn ma? 黄女士住在那个饭店吗？ Is Ms. Huáng staying at that hotel? Shì, tā zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. 是，她住在那个饭店。 Yes, she is staying at that hotel. 5. Wáng nǚshì zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn ma? 王女士住在北京饭店吗？ Is Ms. Wáng staying at the Beǐjīng Hotel? Shì, tā zhù zai Beǐjīng fàndiàn. 是，她住在北京饭店。 Yes, she is staying at the Beǐjīng Hotel. 6. Lín nǚshì zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? 林女士住在民族饭店吗？ Is Ms. Lín staying at the Nationalities Hotel? Shì, tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn, 是，她住在民族饭店。 Yes, she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 7. Máo nǚshì zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? 毛女士住在这个饭店吗？ Is Ms. Máo staying at this hotel? Shì, tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 是，她住在这个饭店。 Yes, she is staying at this hotel.

1. Jiāng xiānsheng zhù zai zhège fàndiàn ma? 江先生住在这个饭店吗？ Is Mr. Jiāng staying at this hotel? Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai zhège fàndiàn. 不是，他不住在这个饭店。 No, he is not staying at this hotel. 2. Mǎ xiānsheng zhù zai nàge fàndiàn ma? 马先生住在那个饭店吗？ Is Mr. Mǎ staying at that hotel? Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai nàge fàndiàn. 不是，他不住在那个饭店。 No, he is not staying at that hotel. 3. Lǐ xiānsheng zhù zai Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn ma? 李先生住在国宾大饭店吗？ Is Mr. Lǐ staying at the Ambassador Hotel? Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn. 不是，他不住在国宾大饭店。 No, he is not staying at the Ambassador Hotel. 4. Zhào xiānsheng zhù zai Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn ma? 赵先生住在圆山大饭店吗？ Is Mr. Zhào staying at the Yuánshān hotel? Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn. 不是，他不住在圆山大饭店。 No, he is not staying at the Yuánshān hotel. 5. Liú xiānsheng zhù zai Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn ma? 刘先生住在圆山大饭店吗？ Is Mr. Liú staying at the Yuánshān hotel? Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Yánshān Dàfàndiàn. 不是，他不住在圆山大饭店。 No, he is not staying at the Yuánshān hotel. 6. Táng xiānsheng zhù zai nàge fàndiàn ma? 唐先生住在那个饭店吗？ Is Mr. Táng staying at that hotel? Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai nàge fàndiàn. 不是，他不住在那个饭店。 No, he is not staying at that hotel. 7. Sòng xiānsheng zhù zai zhège fàndiàn ma? 宋先生住在这个饭店吗？ Is Mr. Sòng staying at this hotel. Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai zhège fàndiàn. 不是，他不住在这个饭店。 No, he is not staying at this hotel.

1. Táng tóngzhì zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? 唐同志在在这个饭店吗？ Is Comrade Táng staying at this hotel? Cue zhèige fàndiàn 这个饭店 this hotel Shì, tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 是，他/她住在这个饭店。 Yes, he/she is staying at this hotel. 2. Mǎ tóngzhì zhù zai nèige fàndiàn ma? 马同志住在那个饭店吗？ Is Comrade Mǎ staying at that hotel? Cue zhèige fàndiàn 这个饭店 this hotel Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. 不是，他/她不住在那个饭店。 No, he/she is not staying at that hotel. 3. Lǐ tóngzhì zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn ma? 李同志住在北京饭店吗？ Is Comrade Lǐ staying at the Běijīng Hotel? Cue Běijīng Fàndiàn 北京饭店 Běijīng Hotel Shì, tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 是，他/她住在北京饭店。 Yes, he/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 4. Zhào tóngzhì zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn ma? 赵同志住在民族饭店吗？ Is Comrade Zhào staying at the Nationalities Hotel? Cue Běijīng Fàndiàn 北京饭店 Běijīng Hotel Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 不是，他/她不住在民族饭店。 No, he/she is not staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 5. Liú tóngzhì zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn ma? 刘同志住在这个饭店吗？ Is Comrade Liú staying at this hotel? Cue nèige fàndiàn 那个饭店 that hotel Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 不是，他/她不住在这个饭店。 No, he/she is not staying at this hotel. 6. Jiāng tóngzhì zhù zai nèige fàndiàn ma? 江同志住在那个饭店? Is Comrade Jiāng staying at that hotel? Cue nèige fàndiàn 那个饭店 that hotel Shì, tā zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. 是，他/她住在那个饭店。 Yes, he/she is staying at that hotel. 7. Zhāng tóngzhì zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn ma? 张同志住在北京饭店吗？ Is Comrade Zhāng staying at the Běijīng Hotel? Cue Mínzú Fàndiàn 民族饭店 Nationalities Hotel Bú shi, tā bú zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 不是，他/她不住在北京饭店。 No, he/she is not staying at the Běijīng Hotel.

1. Nèige rén shi Lǐ tóngzhì. 那个人是李同志。 That person is Comrade Lǐ. Nèiwèi shi Lǐ tóngzhì. 那位是李同志。 That one is Comrade Lǐ. 2. Zhèige rén shi Fāng tóngzhì. 这个人是方同志。 This person is Comrade Fāng. Zhèiwèi shi Fāng tóngzhì. 这位是方同志。 This one is Comrade Fāng. 3. Nèige rén shi Jiāng tóngzhì. 那个人是江同志。 That person is Comrade Jiāng. Nèiwèi shi Jiāng tóngzhì. 那位是江同志。 That one is Comrade Jiāng. 4. Zhèige rén shi Zhōu tóngzhì. 这个人是周同志。 This person is Comrade Zhōu. Zhèiwèi shi Zhōu tóngzhì. 这位是周同志。 This one is Comrade Zhōu. 5. Nèige rén shi Zhāng tóngzhì. 那个人是张同志。 That person is Comrade Zhāng. Nèiwèi shi Zhāng tóngzhì. 那位是张同志。 That one is Comrade Zhāng. 6. Zhèige rén shi Chén tóngzhì. 这个人是陈同志。 This person is Comrade Chén. Zhèiwèi shi Chén tóngzhì. 这位是陈同志。 This one is Comrade Chén. 7. Nèige rén shi Hú tóngzhì. 那个人是胡同。 That person is Comrade Hú. Nèiwèi shi Hú tóngzhì. 那位是胡同志。 That one is Comrade Hú.

1. Tā zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 他/她住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel is he/she staying at? Cue Mínzú Fàndiàn 民族饭店 the Nationalities Hotel Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 他/她住在民族饭店。 He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 2. Zhāng tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 张同志住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel is Comrade Zhāng staying at? Cue Běijīng Fàndiàn 北京饭店 the Běijīng Hotel Tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 他/她住在北京饭店 He/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 3. Jiāng tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 江同志住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel is Comrade Jiāng staying at? Cue nèige fàndiàn 哪个饭店 that hotel Tā zhù zai nèige fàndiàn. 他/她住在那个饭店 He/she is staying at that hotel. 4. Wáng tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 王同志住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel is Comrade Wáng staying at? Cue zhèige fàndiàn 这个饭店 this hotel Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 他/她住在这个饭店。 He/she is staying at this hotel. 5. Huáng tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 黄同志住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel is Comrade Huáng staying at? Cue Mínzú Fàndiàn 民族饭店 the Nationalities Hotel Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 他/她住在民族饭店。 He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. 6. Lín tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 林同志住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel is Comrade Lín staying at? Cue Běijīng Fàndiàn 北京饭店 the Běijīng Hotel Tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 他/她住在北京饭店 He/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. 7. Liú tóngzhì zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 刘同志住在哪个饭店？ Which hotel is Comrade Liú staying at? Cue zhèige fàndiàn 这个饭店 this hotel Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 他/她住在这个饭店。 He/she is staying at this hotel.

1. Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Wáng Déxián? 请问，哪个人是王德贤？ May I ask, which person is Wáng Déxián? Nèige rén shi Wáng Déxián. 那个人是王德贤。 That person is Wáng Déxián. 2. Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Zhào Shìmín? 请问，哪个人是赵世民？ May I ask, which person is Zhào Shìmín? Nèige rén shi Zhào Shìmín. 那个人是赵世民。 That person is Zhào Shìmín. 3. Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Lín Bǎolán? 请问，哪个人是林宝兰？ May I ask, which person is Lín Bǎolán? Neìge rén shi Lín Bǎolán. 那个人是林宝兰。 That person is Lín Bǎolán. 4. Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Gāo Tíngfēng? 请问，哪个人是高廷峰？ May I ask, which person is Gāo Tíngfēng? Neìge rén shi Gāo Tíngfēng. 那个人是高廷峰。 That person is Gāo Tíngfēng. 5. Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Zhāng Wǎnrú? 请问，哪个人是张婉如？ May I ask, which person is Zhāng Wǎnrú? Nèige rén shi Zhāng Wǎnrú. 那个人是张婉如。 That person is Zhāng Wǎnrú. 6. Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Hú Měilíng? 请问，哪个人是胡美玲？ May I ask, which person is Hú Měilíng? Nèige rén shi Hú Měilíng. 那个人是胡美玲。 That person is Hú Měilíng. 7. Qǐngwèn, něige rén shi Sòng Zhīyuǎn? 请问，哪个人是宋知远？ May I ask, which person is Sòng Zhīyuǎn? Nèige rén shi Sòng Zhīyuǎn. 那个人是宋知远。 That person is Sòng Zhīyuǎn.

1. Tā lǎojiā zài Qīngdǎo. 他/她老家在青岛。 His/her family is from Qīngdǎo. Tā lǎojiā zài nǎr? 他/她老家在哪儿？ Where is his/her family from? 2. Tā xiànzài zài Jiānádà. 他/她现在在加拿大。 He /she is in Canada now. Tā xiànzài zài nǎr? 他/她现在在哪儿？ Where is he/she now? 3. Tā zhù zai Běijīng Fàndiàn. 他/她住在北京饭店。 He/she is staying at the Běijīng Hotel. Tā zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 他/她住在哪个饭店？ In which hotel is he/she staying? 4. Tā xiànzài zài Shāndōng. 他/她现在在山东。 He /she is in Shāndōng now. Tā xiànzài zài nǎr? 他/她现在在哪儿？ Where is he/she now? 5. Tā zhù zai Mínzú Fàndiàn. 他/她住在民族饭店。 He/she is staying at the Nationalities Hotel. Tā zhù zai něige fàndiàn. 他/她住在哪个饭店？ In which hotel is he/she staying? 6. Tā lǎojiā zài Húběi. 他/她老家在湖北。 His/her family is from Húběi. Tā lǎojiā zài nǎr? 他/她老家在那儿？ Where is his/her family from? 7. Tā xiànzài zài Měiguó. 他/她现在在美国。 He/she is in America now. Tā xiànzài zài nǎr? 他/她现在在哪儿？ Where is he/she now? 8. Tā zhù zai zhèige fàndiàn. 他/她住在这个饭店。 He/she is staying at this hotel. Tā zhù zai něige fàndiàn? 他/她住在哪个饭店？ In which hotel is he/she staying? 9. Tā lǎojiā zài Guǎngdōng. 他/她老家在广东。 His/her family is from Guǎngdōng. Tā lǎojiā zài nǎr? 他/她老家在那儿？ 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. 我住在国宾大饭店。 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. 我住在这理。 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号。 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? 那是国宾大饭店吧？ That is Ambassador Hotel, isn’t it? B: Shìde. 是的。 Yes. 8. A: Nǐ péngyou xiànzài zài náli gōngzuò? 你朋友现在在哪里工作？ Where does your friend work now? B: Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. 他在台南工作。 He works in Táinán. 9. This exchange occurs on the C-1 tape only A: Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪里工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. 我在武官处工作。 I work at the Defense Attache’s Office. 10. This exchange occurs on the P-1 tape only A: Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪里工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò. 我在银行工作。 I work at a bank. 11. This exchange occurs on the C-1 tape only A: Nǐ péngyou zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 你朋友在台北工作吗？ Does your friend work in Taipei? B: Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 他不在台北工作。他在台中工作。 He doesn’t work in Taipei; he works in Taichung.

ba 吧 question marker expressing supposition of what answer will be dàfàndiàn 大饭店 hotel -de 的 possessive marker dìzhǐ 地址 address gōngzuò 工作 to work Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn 国宾大饭店 Ambassador Hotel -hào —号 number (in address) jiā 家 home, house jiē 街 street lù 路 road nà- 那— that nàge 那个 that (one) náli 哪里 where nàli 那里 there péngyou 朋友 friend shàoxiào 少校 major (military title) Shìde 是的 Yes, that’s so. Wǔguānchù 武官处 defense attache office yínháng 银行 bank zài 在 to be in/at/on (prepositional verb) zhè- 这 this zhège 这个 this (one) zhèli 这里 here Dìyī Dàfàndiàn 第一大饭店 First Hotel Měiguó Guójì Jiāoliú Zǒngshǔ 美国国际交流总署 U.S. International Communications Agency Měiguó Yínháng 美国银行 Bank of America Táiwān Yínháng 台湾银行 Bank of Taiwan Yóuzhèngjǘ 邮政局 post office

1. A: Nǐ zhù zài náli? 你住在哪理？ Where are you staying? B: Wǒ zhù zài Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn. 我住在国宾大饭店。 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. 我住在这理。 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? 哪儿 哪里 nàr nàli there 那儿 那里 zhèr zhèli here 这儿 这里 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号。 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 你朋友 的 地址 your friend ’s address Unlike the English -’s ending, -de is also added to pronouns. wǒ de my 我的 nǐ de your 你的 tā de his/her 他/她的 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 你 家 胡美玲 的老家 wǒ péngyou nǐ péngyou -de dìzhǐ 我 朋友 你朋友 的地址 Lǐ xiānsheng péngyou -de tàitai 李先生朋友 的太太 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? 那是国宾大饭店吧？ 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. 你是魏少校吧？ 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. 那是国宾大饭店吧？ 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. 那 是国宾大饭店。 That is the Ambassador Hotel. Nà -ge shi Guóbǐn Dàfàndiàn. 那 个 是国宾大饭店。 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? 那个（饭店）是国宾大饭店？

8. A: Nǐ péngyou xiànzài zài náli gōngzuò? 你朋友现在在哪里工作？ Where does your friend work now? B: Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. 他在台南工作。 He works in Táinán 9. A: Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪里工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. 我在武官处工作。 I work at the Defense Attache’s Office. 10. A: Nǐ zài náli gōngzuò? 你在哪里工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò. 我在银行工作。 I work at a bank. 11. A: Nǐ péngyou zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 你朋友在台北工作吗？ Does your friend work in Taipei? B: Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 他不在台北工作。他在台中工作。 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. 他/她 在 台南 He is in Tainan. Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. 他/她 在 台南 工作。 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. 他/她 工作。 Tā bù gōngzuò. 他/她 不 工作。 Tā zài Táiběi gōngzuò. 他/她 在台北 工作。 Tā bù zài Táiběi gōngzuò. 他/她 不 在台北 工作。

1. Lǐ xiānsheng zhù zai náli? 李先生住在哪里？ Where is Mr. Lǐ staying? Cue Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn 国宾大饭店 Ambassador Hotel Tā zhù zai Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn. 他住在国宾大饭店。 He is staying at the Ambassador Hotel. 2. Gāo xiānsheng zhù zai náli? 高先生住在哪里？ Where is Mr. Gāo staying? Cue Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn 圆山大饭店 Yuánshān hotel Tā zhù zai Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn. 他住在圆山大饭店。 He is staying at the Yuánshān hotel. 3. Yáng xiānsheng zhù zai náli? 杨先生住在哪里？ Where is Mr. Yáng staying? Cue Dìyī Dàfàndiàn 第一大饭店 Grand Hotel Ta zhù zai Dìyī Dàfàndiàn. 他住在第一大饭店。 He is staying at the Grand Hotel. 4. Táng xiānsheng zhù zai náli? 唐先生住在哪里？ Where is Mr. Táng staying? Cue zhèli 这里 here tā zhù zài zhèli. 他住在这里里。 He is staying here. 5. Sǐmǎ xiānsheng zhù zai náli? 司马先生住在哪里？ Where is Mr. Sǐmǎ staying? Cue péngyou jiā 朋友家 friend’s house Tā zhù zai péngyou jiā. 他住在朋友家。 He is staying at his friend’s house. 5. Liú xiānsheng zhù zai náli? 刘先生住在哪里？ Where is Mr. Sǐmǎ staying? Cue nàli 那里 there Tā zhù zai nàli. 他住在那里？ He is staying there. 7. Wáng xiānsheng zhù zai náli? 王住住在哪里？ Where is Mr. Wáng staying? Cue Dìyī Dàfàndiàn 第一大饭店 Grand Hotel Tā zhù zai Dìyī Dàfàndiàn. 他住在第一大饭店。 He is staying at the Grand Hotel.

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

1. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi…? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue 42 hào 四十二号 number 42 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. 他/她的地址是大理街四十二号。 His/her address is number 42 Dàlǐ street. 2. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi…? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue 40 hào 四十号 number 40 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshihào. 他/她的地址是大理街四十号。 His/her address is number 40 Dàlǐ street. 3. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi…? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue 95 hào 九十五号 number 95 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Jiǔshiwǔhào. 他/她的地址是大理街九十五号。 His/her address is number 95 Dàlǐ street. 4. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi…? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue 26 hào 二十六号 number 26 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Èrshiliùhào. 他/她的地址是大理街二十六号。 His/her address is number 26 Dàlǐ street. 5. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi…? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue 77 hào 七十七号 number 77 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Qīshiqíhào. 他/她的地址是大理街七十七号。 His/her address is number 77 Dàlǐ street. 6. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi…? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue 68 hào 六十八号 number 68 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Liùshibáhào. 他/她的地址是大理街六十八号。 His/her address is number 68 Dàlǐ street. 7. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi…? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue 44 hào 四十四号 number 44 Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshisìhào. 他/她的地址是大理街四十四号。 His/her address is number 44 Dàlǐ street.

1. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue Dàlǐ Jiē 43 hào 大理街十四三号 42 Dàlǐ street Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. 他/她的地址是大理街十四三号。 His/her address is number 42 Dàlǐ street. 2. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue Bóài Lù 94 hào 博爱路九十四号 94 Bóài road Tā de dìzhǐ shi Bóài Lù Jiǔshisìhào. 他/她的地址是博爱路九十四号。 His/her address is number 95 Bóài road. 3. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue Dūnhuà Lù 55 hào 敦化路五十五号 55 Dūnhuà road Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. 他/她的地址是敦化路五十五好。 His/her address is number 55 Dūnhuà road. 4. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue Nóngān Jiē 75 hào 农安街七十五号 75 Nóngān street Tā de dìzhǐ shi Nóngān Qīshiwǔhào. 他/她的地址是农安街七十五号。 His/her address is number 75 Nóngān street. 5. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue Dàlǐ Jiē 42 hào 大理解四十二号 42 Dàlǐ street Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. 他/她的地址是大理街四十二号。 His/her address is number 42 Dàlǐ street. 6. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue Dūnhuà Lù 55 hào 敦化路五十五号 55 Dūnhuà road Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. 他/她的地址是敦化路五十五号。 His/her address is number 55 Dūnhuà road. 7. Nǐ péngyou de dìzhǐ shi...? 你朋友的地址是……？ What is your friend’s address? Cue Bóài Lù 94 hào 博爱路九十四号 94 Bóài road Tā de dìzhǐ shi Bóài Lù Jiǔshisìhào. 他/她的地址是博爱路九十四号。 His/her address is number 94 Bóài road.

1. Mǎ tàitai jiā zài Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. 马太太家在大理街四十二号。 Mǎ’s house is at N°42 Dàlǐ street. Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. 她的地址是大理街四十二号。 Her address is N°42 Dàlǐ street. 2. Zhào tàitai jiā zài Bóài Lù Jiǔshisìhào. 赵太太家在博爱路九十四号。 Mrs. Zhào’s house is at N°94 Bóài road. Tā de dìzhǐ shi Bóài Lú Jiǔshisìhào. 她的地址是博爱路九十四号。 Her address is N°94 Bóài road. 3. Lǐ tàitai jiā zài Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. 李太太家在敦化路五十五号。 Mrs. Lǐ’s house is at Dūnhuà road. Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. 她的地址是敦化路五十五号。 Her address is N°55 Dūnhuà road. 4. Hé tàitai jiā zài Nóngān Jiē Qīshiwǔhào. 何太太家在农安街七十五号。 Mrs. Hé’s house is at N°75 Nóngān street. Tā de dìzhǐ shi Nóngān Jiē Qīshiwǔhào. 她的地址是农安街七十五号。 Her address is N°75 Nóngān street. 5. Gāo tàitai jiā zài Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. 高太太家在大理街四十二号。 Mrs. Gāo’s house is at N°42 Dàlǐ street. Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dàlǐ Jiē Sìshièrhào. 她的地址是大理街四十二号。 Her address is N°42 Dàlǐ street. 6. Wáng tàitai jiā zài Bóài Lù Jiǔshisìhào. 王太太家在博爱路九十四号。 Mrs. Wáng’s house is at N°94 Bóài road. Tā de dìzhǐ shi Bóài Lú Jiǔshisìhào. 她的地址是博爱路九十四号。 Her address is N°94 Bóài road. 7. Lín tàitai jiā zài Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. 林太太家在敦化路五十五号。 Mrs. Lín’s house is at N°55 Dūnhuà road. Tā de dìzhǐ shi Dūnhuà Lù Wǔshiwǔhào. 她的地址是敦化路五十五号。 Her address is N°55 Dūnhuà road.

1. Nín shi Wèi shàoxiào ma? 您是魏少校吗？ Are you Major Weiss? Nín shi Wèi shàoxiào ba? 您是魏少校吧？ You are Major Weiss, aren’t you? 2. Tā shi Zhāng shàoxiào ma? 他是张少校吗？ Is he Major Zhāng? Tā shi Zhāng shàoxiào ba? 他是张少校吧？ He is Major Zhāng, isn’t he? 3. Nín shi Huáng xiǎojiě ma? 您是黄小姐吗？ Are you Miss Huáng? Nín shi Huáng xiǎojiě ba? 您是黄小姐吧？ You are Miss Huáng, aren’t you? 4. Nà shi Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn ma? 那是国宾大饭店吗？ Is that the Nationalities Hotel? Nà shi Guóbīn Dàfàndiàn ba? 那是国宾大饭店吧？ That is the Nationalities Hotel, isn’t it? 5. Zhè shi Dìyī Dàfàndiàn ma? 这是第一大饭店吗？ Is this the Grand Hotel? Zhè shi Dìyī Dàfàndiàn ba? 这是第一大饭店吧？ This is the Grand Hotel, isn’t it? 6. Nàwèi shi Wáng tàitai ma? 那位是王太太吗？ Is that person Mrs. Wáng? Nàwèi shi Wáng tàitai ba? 那位是王太太吧。 This person is Mrs. Wáng, isn’t it? 7. Nà shi Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn ma? 那是圆山大饭店吗？ Is that the Yuánshān hotel? Nà shi Yuánshān Dàfàndiàn ba? 那是圆山大饭店吧？ That is the Yuánshān hotel, isn’t it?

1. Tā zài náli gōngzuò? 他/她在哪里工作？ Where dos he/she works? Cue Táiběi 台北 Taipei Tā zài Táiběi gōngzuò. 他/她在台北工作。 He/she works in Taipei. 2. Tā zài náli gōngzuò? 他/她在哪里工作？ Where dos he/she works? Cue Táinán 台南 T‘ai-nan Tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. 他/她在台南工作。 He/she works in T‘ai-nan. 3. Tā zài náli gōngzuò? 他/她在哪里工作？ Where dos he/she works? Cue Táizhōng 台中 T‘ai-chung Tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 他/她在台中工作。 He/she works in T‘ai-chung. 4. Tā zài náli gōngzuò? 他/她在哪里工作？ Where dos he/she works? Cue Gāoxióng 高雄 Kao-hsiung Tā zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. 他/她在高雄工作。 He/she works in Kao-hsiung. 5. Tā zài náli gōngzuò? 他/她在哪里工作？ Where dos he/she works? Cue Jīlóng 基隆 Chi-lung Tā zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. 他他/她在基隆工作。 He/she works in Chi-lung. 6. Tā zài náli gōngzuò? 他/她在哪里工作？ Where dos he/she works? Cue Táiběi 台北 Taipei Tā zài Táiběi Gōngzuò. 他/她在台北工作。 He/she works in Taipei. 7. Tā zài náli gōngzuò? 他/她在哪里工作？ Where dos he/she works? Cue Táizhōng 台中 T‘ai-chung Tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 他/她在台中工作。 He/she works in T‘ai-chung.

1. Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò ma? 他/她在邮政局工作吗？ Does he/she works at the post office? Duì le, tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò. 对了，他/她在邮政局工作。 Yes, he/she works at the post office. 2. Tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò ma? 他/她在武官处工作吗？ Does he/she works at the military attache’s office? Duì le, tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. 对了，他/她在武官处工作。 Yes, he/she works at the military attache’s office. 3. Tā zài yínháng gōngzuò ma? 他/她在银行工作吗？ Does he/she works at the bank? Duì le, tā zài yínháng gōngzuò. 对了，他/她在银行工作。 Yes, he/she works at the bank? 4. Tā zài Měiguó yínháng gōngzuò ma? 他/她在美国银行工作吗？ Does he/she works at the Bank of America? Duì le, tā zài Měiguó yínháng gōngzuò. 对了，他/她在美国银行工作。 Yes, he/she works at the Bank of America. 5. Tā zài Táiwān yīnhāng gōngzuò ma? 他/她在台湾银行工作吗？ Does he/she works at the Bank of Táiwān? Duì le, tā zài Táiwān yínyáng gōngzuò. 对了，他/她在台湾银行工作。 Yes, he/she works at the Bank of Táiwān. 6. Tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò ma? 他/她在武官处工作吗？ Does he/she works at the military attache’s office? Duì le, tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò. 对了，他/她在武官处工作。 Yes, he/she works at the military attache’s office. 7. Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò ma? 他/她在邮政局工作吗？ Does he/she works at the post office? Duì le, tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò. 对了，他/她在邮政局工作。 Yes, he/she works at the post office.

1. Zhōu xiānsheng zài Táiběi gōngzuò. 周先生在台北工作。 Mr. Zhōu works in Táiběi. Zhōu xiānsheng xiànzài zài Táiběi gōngzuò. 周先生现在在台北工作。 Mr. Zhōu is working in Táiběi now. 2. Zhāng xiānsheng zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 张先生在台中工作。 Mr. Zhāng works in Táizhōng. Zhāng xiānsheng xiànzài zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 张先生现在在台中工作。 Mr. Zhāng is working in Táizhōng now. 3. Hú xiǎojiě zài Táinán gōngzuò. 胡小姐在台南工作。 Miss Hú works in Táinán. Hú xiǎojiě xiànzài zài Táinán gōngzuò. 胡小姐现在在台南工作。 Miss Hú is working in Táinán now. 4. Mǎ xiǎojiě zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. 马小姐在高雄工作。 Miss Mǎ works in Gāoxióng. Mǎ xiǎojiě xiànzài zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. 马小姐现在在高雄工作。 Miss Mǎ is working in Gāoxióng now. 5. Zhào xiānsheng zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. 赵先生在基隆工作。 Mr. Zhào works in Jīlóng. Zhào xiānsheng xiànzài zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. 赵先生现在在基隆工作。 Mr. Zhāo is working in Jīlóng now. 6. Chén xiānsheng zài Táiběi gōngzuò. 陈先生在台北工作。 Mr. Chén works in Táiběi. Chén xiānsheng xiànzài zài Táiběi gōngzuò. 陈先生现在在台北工作。 Mr. Chén is working in Táiběi now. 7. Jiāng xiǎojiě zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. 江小姐在高雄工作。 Miss Jiāng works in Gāoxióng. Jiāng xiǎojiě xiànzài zài Gāoxióng gōngzuò. 江小姐现在在高雄工作。 Miss Jiāng is working in Gāoxióng now.

1. Hú tōngzhì zài Běijīng gōngzuò. 胡同志在北京工作。 Comrade Hú works in Běijīng. Hú tōngzhì bú zài Běijīng gōngzuò. 胡同志不在北京工作。 Comrade Hú doesn’t work in Běijīng. 2. Lǐ tóngzhì zài Nánjīng gōngzuò. 李同志在南京工作。 Comrade Lǐ works in Nánjīng. Lǐ tóngzhì bú zài Nánjīng gōngzuò. 李同志不在南京工作。 Comrade Lǐ doesn’t work in Nánjīng. 3. Tā zài Qīngdǎo gōngzuò. 他/她在青岛工作。 He/she works in Qīngdǎo. Tā bú zài Qīngdǎo gōngzuò. 他/她不在青岛工作。 He/she doesn’t work in Qīngdǎo. 4. Lín tóngzhì zài Guǎngzhōu gōngzuò. 林同志在广州工作。 Comrade Lín works in Guǎngzhōu. Lín tóngzhì bú zài Guǎngzhōu gōngzuò. 林同志不在广州工作。 Comrade Lín doesn’t work in Guǎngzhōu. 5. Zhào tōngzhì zài Shànghǎi gōngzuò. 赵同志在上海工作。 Comrade Zhào works in Shànghǎi. Zhào tōngzhì bú zài Shànghǎi gōngzuò. 赵同志不在上海工作。 Comrade Zhào doesn’t work in Shànghǎi. 6. Chén tóngzhì zài Qīngdǎo gōngzuò. 陈同志在青岛工作。 Comrade Chén works in Qīngdǎo. Chén tóngzhì bú zài Qīngdǎo gōngzuò. 陈同志不在青岛工作。 Comrade Chén doesn’t work in Qīngdǎo. 7. Huáng tóngzhì zài Běijīng gōngzuò. 黄同志在北京工作。 Comrade Huáng works in Běijīng. Huáng tóngzhì bú zài Běijīng gōngzuò. 黄同志不在北京工作。 Comrade Huáng doesn’t work in Běijīng.

1. Hú xiǎojiě zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 胡小姐在台北工作吗？ Does Miss Hú work in Taipei? Cue Táinán 台南 T'ai-nan Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. 她不在台北工作。她在台南工作。 She doesn’t work in Taipei; she works in Tainan. 2. Lǐ tàitai zài Táizhōng gōngzuò ma? Lǐ tàitai zài Táizhōng gōngzuò ma？ Does Mrs. Lǐ work in Táizhōng? Cue Jīlóng 基隆 Chi-lung Tā bú zài Táizhōng gōngzuò; tā zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. 她不在台中工作。 她在基隆工作。 She doesn’t work in T'ai-chung; she works in Chi-lung. 3. Mǎ xiānsheng zài zhèli gōngzuò ma? 马先生在这里工作吗？ Does Mr. Mǎ work here? Cue Gāoxióng 高雄 Kao-hsiung Tā bú zài zhèli gōngzuò; tā zài Gāoxiōng gōngzuò. 他不在这里工作。 他在高雄工作。 He doesn’t work here. He works in Kao-hsiung. 4. Tā zài Wúguānchù gōngzuò ma? 他/她在武官处工作吗？ Does he/she work in the defense attache office? Cue Měiguo Yínháng 美国银行 Bank of America Tā bú zài Měiguo gōngzuò; tā zài Měiguo Yínháng gōngzuò. 他/她不在武官处工作。 他/她在美国银行工作。 He doesn’t work in the military attaché’s office; he works in the Bank of America. 5. Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò ma? 他/她在邮政局工作吗？ Does he work in the post office? Cue Táiwān Yínháng 台湾银行 Bank of Taiwan Tā bú zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò; tā zài Táiwān Yínháng gōngzuò 他/她不在邮政局工作。 他/她在台湾银行工作。 He doesn’t work in the post office; he works in the Bank of Taiwan. 6. Lín xiānsheng zài nàli gōngzuò ma? 林先生在那里工作吗？ Does Mr. Lín work there? Cue zhèli 这里 here Tā bú zài nàli gōngzuò; tā zài zhèli gōngzuò. 他不在那里工作。 他在这里工作。 He doesn’t work here; he works there. 7. Liú xiǎojiě zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 刘小姐在台北工作吗？ Does Miss Liú work in Taipei? Cue Táizhōng 台中 T'ai-chung Tā bú zài Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò. 她不在台北工作。她在台中工作。 She doesn’t work in Taipei; she works in T'ai-chung.

1. Tā zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 他/她在台北工作吗？ Does he/she work in Taipei? Cue Táiběi 台北 Taipei Duì le, tā zaì Táiběi gōngzuo. 对了，他/她在台北工作。 Yes, he/she works in Taipei. 2. Tā zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? 他/她在台北工作吗？ Does he/she work in Taipei? Cue Táinán 台南 T’ai-nan Tā bú zaì Táiběi gōngzuò; tā zài Táinán gōngzuò. 他/她不在台北工作。他/她在台南工作。 No, he/she doesn’t work in Taipei. he/she works in T’ai-nan. 3. Tā zài Táizhōng gōngzuò ma? 他/她在台中工作吗？ Does he/she work in T’ai-chung. Cue Jīlóng 基隆 Chi-lung Tā bú zài Táizhōng gōngzuò; tā zài Jīlóng gōngzuò. 他/她不在台中工作吗。他/她在基隆工作。 No he/she doesn’t work in T’ai-chung. He/she works in Chi-lung. 4. Tā zài zhèli gōngzuò ma? 他/她在这里工作吗？ Does he/she work here? Cue zhèli 这里 here Duì le, tā zài zhèli gōngzuò. 对了，他/她在这里工作。 Yes, he/she works here. 5. Tā zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuò ma? 他/她在邮政局工作吗？ Does he/she work at the post office? Cue Táiwān yínháng 台湾银行 Bank of Taiwan Tā bú zài yóuzhèngjǘ gōngzuo; tā zài Táiwān Yínháng gōngzuò. 他/她不在邮政局工作。他/她在台湾银行工作吗。 He/she doesn’t work at the post office. He/she works at the Bank of Taiwan. 6. Tā zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò ma? 他/她在武官处工作吗？ Does he/she work at the defense attache office? Cue zhèli 这里 here Tā bú zài Wǔguānchù gōngzuò; tā zài zhèli gōngzuò. 他/她不在武官处工作。他/她在这里工作。 No, he/she doesn’t work at the defense attache office. He/she works here. 7. Tā zài Měiguó Yínháng gōngzuò ma? 他/她在美国银行工作吗？ Does he/she work at the Bank of America? Cue Měiguó Yínháng 美国银行 Bank of America Duì le, tā zài Měiguó Yínháng gōngzuò. 对了，他/她在美国银行工作。 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? 你们有孩子吗？ Do you have children? B: Yǒu, wǒmen yǒu. 有，我们有。 Yes, we have. 2. B: Liú xiānsheng yǒu Měiguó péngyou ma? 刘先生有美国朋友吗？ Does Mr Liú have any American friends? A: Tā meíyǒu Měiguó péngyou. 他没有美国朋友。 He doesn’t have any American friends. A: Tā yǒu Yīngguó péngyou. 他有英国朋友。 He has English friends. (or an English friend) 3. A: Nǐmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 你们有几个孩子？ How many children do you have? B: Wǒmen yǒu sānge háizi. 我们有三个孩子。 We have three children. 4. A: Nǐmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 你们有几个男孩子，几个女孩子？ How many boys and how many girls do you have? B: Wǒmen yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, yīge nǚháizi. 我们有两个男孩子，一个女孩子。 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. 他们都是女孩子。 All of them are girls. 6. B: Hú xiānsheng, tàitai ne? Tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 胡先生，太太呢？他们有几个孩子？ How about Mr. and Mrs. Hú? How many children do they have? A: Tāmen yǒu liǎngge háizi. 他们有两个孩子。 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? 你们孩子都在这里吗？ Are all your children here? B: Bù, liǎngge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Měiguó. 不，两个在这里，一个还在美国。 No. Two are here, and one is still in America. 8. A: Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家里有什么人？ What people are (there) in your family? B: Yǒu wǒ tàitai gēn sānge háizi. 有我太太跟三个孩子。 There’s my wife and three children. 9. B: Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家里有什么人？ What people are (there) in your family? A: Jiù (yǒu) wǒ fùqin, mǔqin. 就（有）我父亲，母亲。 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 妈妈 momma, mom, mother dōu 都 all, both fùqin 父亲 father gēn 跟 and, with, and (in addition to) hái 还 still, yet háizi 孩子 children, child jǐ- 几－ how many jiāli 家里 family jǐge 几个 how many jiù 就 only, just liǎng- 两 two méi 没 not, not to have méiyou 没有 not to have, there is not -men 们 plural suffix mǔqin 母亲 mother nán- 男－ male nánháizi 男孩子 boy nǐmen 你们 you (plural) nǚ- 女－ female nǚháizi 女孩子 girl tāmen 他们 they, them wǒmen 我们 we, us yǒu 有 to have, there is zhǐ 只 only yíng le 赢了 I(’ve) won

1. A: Nǐmen yǒu háizi ma? 你们有孩子吗？ Do you have children? B: Yǒu, wǒmen yǒu. 有，我们有。 Yes, we have. The plural pronouns are formed by adding -men to the singular pronouns singular plural wǒ I wǒmen we 我 我们 nǐ you nǐmen you 你 你们 tā he/she tāmen they 他/她 他/她们 (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? 刘先生有美国朋友吗？ Does Mr Liú have any American friends? B: Tā meíyǒu Měiguó péngyou. 他没有美国朋友。 He doesn’t have any American friends. A: Tā yǒu Yīngguó péngyou. 他有英国朋友。 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? 你们有几个孩子？ How many children do you have? B: Wǒmen yǒu sānge háizi. 我们有三个孩子。 We have three children. 4. A: Nǐmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 你们有几个男孩子，几个女孩子？ How many boys and how many girls do you have? B: Wǒmen yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, yíge nǚháizi. 我们有两个男孩子，一个女孩子。 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. 他们都是女孩子。 All of them are girls. 6. B: Hú xiānsheng, tàitai ne? tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 胡先生，太太呢？他们有几个孩子？ How about Mr. and Mrs. Hú? How many children do they have? A: Tāmen yǒu liǎngge háizi. 他们有两个孩子。 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? 你们孩子都在这里吗？ Are all your children here? B: Bù, liǎngge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Měiguó. 不，两个在这里，一个还在美国。 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? 你家里有什么人？ What people are (there) in your family? B: Yǒu wǒ tàitai gēn sānge háizi. 有我太太跟三个孩子。 There’s my wife and three children. 9. B: Nǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 你家里有什么人？ What people are (there) in your family? A: Jiù yǒu wǒ fùqin, mǔqin. 就有我父亲，母亲。 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 哥哥 弟弟 兄弟 sister jiějie mèimei sisters jiěmèi 姐姐 妹妹 姐妹 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 祖父 外祖父 grandmother zǔmǔ wàizǔmǔ 祖母 外祖母 The syllable wài- in wàizǔfù and wàizǔmǔ literally means “outer” or “outside.”

1. Tā yǒu Měiguó pényou ma? 他/她有美国朋友吗？ Does he/she have any American friends? Yǒu, tā yǒu Měiguó péngyou. 有，他/她有美国朋友。 Yes, he/she has some American friends. 2. Tā yǒu Zhōngguo péngyou ma? 他/她有中国朋友吗？ Does he/she have any Chinese friends? Yǒu, tā yǒu Zhōngguo péngyou. 有，他/她有中国朋友。 Yes, he/she has some Chinese friends. 3. Tā yǒu Déguo péngyou ma? 他/她有德国朋友吗？ Does he/she have any German friends? Yǒu, tā yǒu Déguo péngyou. 有，他/她有德国朋友。 Yes, he/she has some German friends. 4. Tā yǒu Rìběn péngyou ma? 他/她有日本朋友吗？ Does he/she have any Japanese friends? Yǒu, tā yǒu Rìběn péngyou. 有，他/她有日本朋友。 Yes, he/she has some Japanese friends. 5. Tā yǒu Jiānádà péngyou ma? 他/她有加拿大朋友吗？ Does he/she have any Canadian friends? Yǒu, tā yǒu Jiānádà pényou. 有，他/她有加拿大朋友。 Yes, he/she has some Canadian friends. 6. Tā yǒu Èguo péngyou ma? 他/她有俄国朋友吗？ Does he/she have any Russian friends? Yǒu, tā yǒu Èguo péngyou. 有，他/她有俄国朋友。 Yes, he/she has some Russian friends. 7. Tā yǒu Yīngguó péngyou ma? 他/她有英国朋友吗？ Does he/she have any English friends? Yǒu, tā yǒu Yīngguó péngyou. 有，他/她有英国朋友。 Yes, he/she has some English friends.

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

1. Zhāng xiānsheng yǒu jiějie ma? 张先生有姐姐吗？ Does Mr. Zhāng have an older sister? Méiyou, Zhāng xiānsheng méiyou jiějie. 没有，张先生没有姐姐。 No, Mr. Zhāng doesn’t have an older sister. 2. Wáng xiānsheng yǒu nǚháizi ma? 王先生有女孩子吗？ Does Mr. Wáng have a daughter? Méiyou, Wáng xiānsheng méiyou nǚháizi. 没有，王先生没有女孩子。 No, Mr. Wáng doesn’t have a daughter. 3. Lín xiānsheng yǒu mèimei ma? 林先生有妹妹吗？ Does Mr. Lín have a younger sister? Méiyou, Lín xiānsheng méiyou mèimei. 没有，林先生没有妹妹。 No, Mr. Lín doesn’t have a younger sister. 4. Tā tàitai yǒu gēge ma? 他太太有哥哥吗？ Does his wife have an older brother? Méiyou, Tā tàitai méiyou gēge. 没有，他太太没有哥哥。 No, his wife doesn’t have an older brother. 5. Huáng xiǎojiě yǒu dìdi ma? 黄小姐有弟弟吗？ Does Miss Huáng have a younger brother? Méiyou, Huáng xiǎojiě méiyou dìdi. 没有，黄小姐没有弟弟。 No, Miss Huáng doesn’t have a younger brother. 6. Mǎ xiānsheng, Mǎ tàitai yǒu háizi ma? 马先生，马太太有孩子吗？ Do Mr. Mǎ, Mrs. Mǎ have children? Méiyou, Mǎ xiānsheng, Mǎ tàitai méiyou háizi. 没有，马先生，马太太没有孩子。 No, Mr. Mǎ, Mrs. Mǎ don’t have children. 7. Yáng tàitai yǒu nánháizi ma? 杨太太有男孩子吗？ Does Mrs. Yáng have boys? Méiyou, Yáng tàitai méiyou nánháizi. 没有，杨太太没有男孩子。 No, Mrs. Yáng doesn’t have boys.

1. Nǐ yǒu dìdi ma? 你有弟弟吗？ Do you have a younger brother? Cue yǒu 有 yes Yǒu, wǒ yǒu dìdi. 有，我有弟弟。 Yes, I have a younger brother. 2. Nǐ yǒu dìdi ma? 你有弟弟吗？ Do you have an older brother? Cue méiyou 没有 no Méiyou, wǒ méiyou dìdi. 没有，我没有弟弟。 No, I don’t have an older brother. 3. Tā yǒu mèimei ma? 他/她有妹妹吗？ Does he/she have a younger sister? Cue méiyou 没有 no Méiyou, tā méiyou mèimei. 没有， 他/她没有妹妹。 No, he/she doesn’t have a younger sister. 4. Wáng tóngzhì yǒu gēge ma? 王同志有哥哥吗？ Does Comrade Wáng have an older brother? Cue yǒu 没有 yes Yǒu, Wáng tóngzhì yǒu gēge. 有，王同志有哥哥。 Yes, Comrade Wáng has an older brother. 5. Tāmen yǒu háizi ma? 他们有孩子吗？ Do you have children? Cue yǒu 有 yes Yǒu, tāmen yǒu háizi. 有，他们有孩子。 Yes, we have children. 6. Guō tóngzhì yǒu Yīngguo péngyou ma? 郭同志有英国朋友吗？ Does Comrade Guō have an English friend? Cue méiyou 没有 no Méiyou, Guō tóngzhì méiyou Yīngguó péngyou. 没有，郭同志没有英国朋友。 No, Comrade Guō doesn’t have an English friend. 7. Chén xiānsheng yǒu Fàguo péngyou ma? 陈先生有法国朋友吗？ Does Mr. Chén have a French friend? Cue yǒu 有 yes Yǒu, Chén xiānsheng yǒu Fàguó péngyou. 有，陈先生有法国朋友。 Yes, Mr. Chén has a French friend.

1. Tāmen yǒu háizi ma? 他们有孩子吗？ Do they have any children? Tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 他们有几个孩子？ How many children do they have? 2. Wáng xiānsheng yǒu jiějie ma? 王先生有姐姐吗？ Does Mr. Wáng have an older sister? Wáng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge jiějie? 王先生有几个姐姐？ How many older sisters does have Mr Wáng? 3. Tāmen yǒu nánháizi ma? 他们有男孩子吗？ Do they have any boys? Tāmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi? 他们有几个男孩子？ How many boys do they have? 4. Nǐmen yǒu nǚháizi ma? 你们有女孩子吗？ Do you have daughters? Nǐmen yǒu jǐge nǚháizi? 你们有几个女孩子？ How many daughters do you have? 5. Fāng xiǎojiě yǒu gēge ma? 方小姐有哥哥吗？ Does Miss Fāng have an older brother? Fāng xiǎojiě yǒu jǐge gēge? 方小姐有几个哥哥？ How many older brothers does Miss Fāng have? 6. Zhào tàitai yǒu dìdi ma? 赵太太有弟弟吗？ Does Mrs. Zhào have a younger brother? Zhào tàitai yǒu jǐge dìdi? 赵太太有几个弟弟？ How many younger brothers does Mrs. Zhào have? 7. Tā yǒu Zhōngguo péngyou ma? 他/她有中国朋友吗？ Does he/she have a Chinese friend? Tā yǒu jǐge Zhōngguo péngyou? 他/她有几个中国朋友？ How many Chinese friends does he/she have?

1. Zhāng tóngzhì yǒu jǐge háizi? 张同志有几个孩子？ How many children does Comrade Zhāng have? Cue 2 Zhāng tóngzhì yǒu liǎngge háizi. 张同志有两个孩子。 Comrade Zhāng has 2 children. 2. Zhào tóngzhì yǒu jǐge nǚháizi? 赵同志有几个女孩子？ How many daughters does Comrade Zhào have? Cue 1 Zhào tóngzhì yǒu yíge nǚháizi. 赵同志有一个女孩子。 Comrade Zhào has 1 daughter. 3. Chén tóngzhì yǒu jǐge nánháizi? 陈同志有几个男孩子？ How many boys does Comrade Chén have? Cue 3 Chén tóngzhì yǒu sānge nánháizi. 陈同志有三个男孩子。 Comrade Chén has 3 boys. 4. Jiāng tóngzhì yǒu jǐge Měiguo péngyou. 江同志有几个美国朋友？ How many American friends does Comrade Jiāng have? Cue 5 Jiāng tōngzhì yǒu wǔge Měiguo péngyou. 江同志有五个美国朋友。 Comrade Jiāng has 5 American friends. 5. Fāng tóngzhì yǒu jǐge mèimei? 方同志有几个妹妹？ How many younger sisters does Comrade Fāng have? Cue 1 Fāng tóngzhì yǒu yíge mèimei. 方同志有一个妹妹。 Comrade Fāng has 1 younger sister. 6. Wáng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge Zhōngguo péngyou? 王先生有几个中国朋友？ How many Chinese friends does Mr. Wáng have? Cue 2 Wáng xiānsheng yǒu liǎngge Zhōngguo péngyou. 王先生有两个中国朋友。 Mr. Wáng has 2 Chinese friends. 7. Tā yǒu jǐge gēge? 他/她有几个哥哥？ How many older brothers does he/she have? Cue 3 Tā yǒu sānge gēge. 他/她有三个哥哥。 He/she has 3 older brothers.

1. Tā yǒu jǐge nánháizi? 他/她有几个男孩子？ How many sons does he/she have? Cue nǚháizi 女孩子 daughter Tā yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 他/她有几个男孩子，几个女孩子？ How many sons and how many daughters does he/she have? 2. Huáng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge Měiguo péngyou? 黄先生有几个美国朋友？ How many American friends does Mr. Huáng have? Cue Fàguo péngyou 法国朋友 French friend Huáng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge Měiguo péngyou, jǐge Fàguo péngyou? 黄先生有几个美国朋友，几个法国朋友? How many American friends and how many French friends does Mr. Huáng have? 3. Lǐ tàitai yǒu jǐge gēge? 李太太有几个哥哥？ How many older brothers does Mrs. Lǐ have? Cue dìdi 弟弟 younger brother Lǐ tàitai yǒu jǐge gēge, jǐge dìdi? 李太太有几个哥哥，几个弟弟？ How many older brothers and how many younger brothers does Mrs. Lǐ have? 4. Sūn xiǎojiě yǒu jǐge jiějie? 孙小姐有几个姐姐？ How many older sisters does Miss Sūn have? Cue mèimei 妹妹 younger sister Sūn xiǎojiě yǒu jǐge jiějie, jǐge mèimei? 孙小姐有几个姐姐，几个妹妹？ How many older sisters and how many younger sisters does Miss Sūn have? 5. Tāmen yǒu jǐge Yīngguo péngyou? 他们有几个英国朋友？ How many English friends do they have? Cue Déguo péngyou 德国朋友 German friend Tāmen yǒu jǐge Yīngguo péngyou, jǐge Déguó péngyou? 他们有几个英国朋友，几个德国朋友？ How many English and German friends do they have? 6. Sòng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge nánháizi? 宋先生有几个男孩子？ How many sons does Mr. Sòng have? Cue nǚháizi 女孩子 daughter Sòng xiānsheng yǒu jǐge nānháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 宋先生有几个男孩子，几个女孩子？ How many sons and how many daughters does Mr. Sòng have? 7. Tā yǒu jǐge gēge? 他/她有几个哥哥？ How many older brothers does he/she have? Cue jiějie 姐姐 older sister Tā yǒu jǐge gēge, jǐge jiějie? 他/她有几个哥哥，几个姐姐？ How many older brothers and how many older sisters does he/she have?

1. Tā yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 他/她有几个男孩子，几个女孩子？ How many sons and how many daughters does he/she have? Cue 2 Tā jiù yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, méiyou nǚháizi. 他/她就有两个男孩子，没有女孩子。 2. Lǐ xiānsheng yǒu jǐge gēge, jǐge jiějie? 李先生有几个哥哥，几个姐姐？ How many older brothers and how many older sisters does Mr. Lǐ have? Cue 1 Tā jiù yǒu yíge gēge, méiyou jiějie. 他就有一个哥哥，没有姐姐。 3. Zhāng xiǎojiě yǒu jǐge jiějie, jǐge mèimei? 张小姐有几个姐姐，几个妹妹？ How many older sisters and how many younger sisters does Miss Zhāng have? Cue 2 Tā jiù yǒu liǎngge jiějie, méiyou mèimei. 她就有两个姐姐，没有妹妹。 4. Zhōu tàitai yǒu jǐge gēge, jǐge dìdi? 周太太有几个哥哥，几个弟弟？ How many older brothers and how many younger brothers does Mrs. Zhōu have? Cue 1 Tā jiù yǒu yíge gēge, méiyou dìdi. 她就有一个哥哥，没有弟弟。 5. Hú xiānsheng yǒu jǐge dìdi, jǐge mèimei? 胡先生有几个弟弟，几个妹妹？ How many younger brothers and how many younger sisters does Mr. Hú have? Cue 2 Tā jiù yǒu liǎngge dìdi, méiyou mèimei. 他就有两个弟弟，没有妹妹。 6. Tā yǒu jǐge Fàguo péngyou, jǐge Déguo péngyou? 他/她有几个法国朋友，几个德国朋友？ How many French friends and how many German friends does he/she have? Cue 2 Tā jiù yǒu liǎngge Fàguo péngyou, méiyou Déguo péngyou. 他/她就有两个法国朋友，没有德国朋友。 7. Tāmen yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 他们有几个男孩子，几个女孩子？ How many sons and how many daughters do they have? Cue 1 Tāmen jiù yǒu yíge nánháizi, méiyou nǚháizi. 他们就有一个男孩子，没有女孩子。

1. Tā yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 他/她有几个男孩子，几个女孩子？ How many sons and how many daughters does he/she have? Cue 2, 3 Tā yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, sānge nǚháizi. 他/她有两个男孩子， 三个女孩子。 He/she has 2 sons and 3 daughters. 2. Zhōu tóngzhì yǒu jǐge gēge, jǐge dìdi? 周同志有几个哥哥，几个弟弟？ How many older brothers and how many younger brothers does Comrade Zhōu have ? Cue 1, 2 Zhōu tóngzhì yǒu yíge gēge, liǎngge dìdi. 周同志有一个哥哥，两个弟弟。 Comrade Zhōu has one older brother and two younger brothers. 3. Zhāng tóngzhì yǒu jǐge jiějie, jǐge mèimei? 张同志有几个姐姐，几个妹妹？ How many older sisters and how many younger sisters does Comrade Zhāng have. Cue 3, 1 Zhāng tóngzhì yǒu sānge jiějie, yíge mèimei. 张同志有三个姐姐，一个妹妹。 Comrade Zhāng has 3 older sisters and one younger sister. 4. Tāmen yǒu jǐge Zhōngguó péngyou, jǐge Rìběn péngyou? 他们有几个中国朋友，几个日本朋友？ How many Chinese friends and how many Japanese friends do they have? Cue 5, 1 Tāmen yǒu wǔge Zhōngguo péngyou, yíge Rìběn péngyou. 他们有五个中国朋友，一个日本朋友。 They have 5 Chinese friends and one Japanese friend. 5. Chén tóngzhì yǒu jǐge Yīngguo péngyou, jǐge Déguo péngyou? 陈同志有几个英国朋友，几个德国朋友？ How many English friends and how many German friends does Comrade Chén have? Cue 3, 2 Chén tóngzhì yǒu sānge Yīngguo péngyou, liǎngge Déguo péngyou. 陈同志有三个英国朋友，两个德国朋友。 Comrade Chén has 3 English friends and 3 German friends. 6. Liú tóngzhì yǒu jǐge nánháizi, jǐge nǚháizi? 刘同志有几个男孩子，几个女孩子？ How many sons and how many daughters does comrade Liú have? Cue 2, 2 Liú tóngzhì yǒu liǎngge nánháizi, liǎngge nǚháizi. 刘同志有两个男孩子，两个女孩子。 Comrade Liú has 2 sons and 2 daughters. 7. Tā yǒu jǐge jiějie, jǐge gēge? 他/她有几个姐姐，几个哥哥？ How many older sisters and how many older brothers does he/she have? Cue 1, 3 Tā yǒu yíge jiějie, sānge gēge. 他/她有一个姐姐， 三个哥哥。 He/she has one older sister and 3 older brothers.

1. Qǐngwèn, tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 请问， 他们有几个孩子？ May I ask, how many children do you have? Cue 2 2 2 Tāmen yǒu liǎngge háizi. 他们有两个孩子。 They have 2 children. 2. Shi nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Are they boys or girls? Cue Dōu 都 all Dōu shi nánháizi. 都是男孩子。 Both of them are boys. 3. Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge xiōngdì? 请问，他/她有几个兄弟？ May I ask, how many brothers does he/she have? Cue 3 3 3 Tā yǒu sānge xiōngdì. 他/她有三个兄弟。 He/she has 3 brothers. 4. Shi gēge, shi dìdi? 是哥哥，是弟弟？ Are they older or younger brothers? Cue Dōu 都 all Dōu shi gēge. 都是哥哥。 All of them are older brothers. 5. Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge jiěmèi? 请问，他/她有几个姐妹？ May I ask, how many sisters does he/she have? Cue 2 2 2 Tā yǒu liǎngge jiěmèi. 他/她有两个姐妹。 He/she has 2 sisters. 6. Shi jiějie, shi mèimei? 是姐姐，是妹妹？ Are they older or younger sisters? Cue Dōu 都 all 都是姐姐。 Dōu shi jiějie. Both of them are older sisters. 7. Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge Zhōngguo péngyou? 请问，他/她有几个中国朋友？ May I ask, how many Chinese friends does he/she have? Cue 4 4 4 Tā yǒu sìge Zhōngguo péngyou. 他/她有四个中国朋友。 He/she has 4 Chinese friends. 8. Shì nánpéngyou, shi nǚpéngyou? 是男朋友，是女朋友？ Are they male or female friends? Cue Dōu 都 all Dōu shi nánpéngyou. 都是男朋友。 All of them are female friends. 9. Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge Měiguo péngyou? 请问，他/她有几个美国朋友？ May I ask, how many American friends does he/she have? Cue 2 2 2 Tā yǒu liǎngge Měiguo péngyou. 他/她有两个美国朋友。 He/she has 2 American friends. 10. Shì nánpéngyou, shi nǚpéngyou? 是男朋友，是女朋友？ Are they male or female friends? Cue Dōu 都 all Dōu shi nánpéngyou. 都是男朋友。 Both of them are male friends. 11. Qǐngwèn, tā yǒu jǐge háizi? 请问，他/她有几个孩子？ May I ask, how many children does he/she have? Cue 3 3 3 Tā yǒu sānge háizi. 他/她有三个孩子。 He/she has 3 children. 12. Shì nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Are they boys or girls? Cue Dōu 都 all Dōu shi nánháizi. 都是男孩子。 All of them are boys. 13. Qǐngwèn, tāmen yǒu jǐge háizi? 请问，他们有几个孩子？ May I ask, how many children do they have? Cue 5 5 5 5 Tāmen yǒu wǔge háizi. 他们有五个孩子。 14. Shì nánháizi, shi nǚháizi? 是男孩子，是女孩子？ Are they boys or girls? Cue Dōu 都 all Dōu shi nánháizi. 都是男孩子。 All of them are boys.

1. Qǐngwèn, nǐmen jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，你们家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in your family? Cue tāmen 他们 they Qǐngwèn, tāmen jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，他们家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in their family? 2. Qǐngwèn, tāmen jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，他们家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in their family? Cue Fāng xiānsheng 方先生 Mr. Fāng Qǐngwèn, Fāng xiānsheng yǒu shénme rén? 请问，方先生有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in Mr. Fāng’s family? 3. Qǐngwèn, Fāng xiānsheng jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，方先生家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in Mr. Fāng’s family? Cue Zhāng xiǎojiě 张小姐 Mrs. Zhāng Qǐngwèn, Zhāng xiǎojiě jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，张小姐家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in Miss Zhāng’s family? 4. Qǐngwèn, Zhāng xiǎojiě jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，张小姐家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in Miss Zhāng’s family? Cue Lǐ Mínglǐ 李明理 Lǐ Mínglǐ Qǐngwèn, Lǐ Mínglǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，李明理家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in Lǐ Mínglǐ’s family? 5. Qǐngwèn, Lǐ Mínglǐ jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，李明理家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in Lǐ Mínglǐ’s family? Cue nǐ gēge 你哥哥 your younger brother Qǐngwèn, nǐ gēge jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，你哥哥家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in your older brother’s family? 6. Qǐngwèn, nǐ gēge jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，你哥哥家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in your older brother’s family? Cue nǐ péngyou 你朋友 your friend Qǐngwèn nǐ péngyou jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，你朋友家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in your friend’s family? 7. Qǐngwèn, nǐ péngyou jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，你朋友家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in your friend’s family? Cue nǐ bàba 你爸爸 your father Qǐngwèn, nǐ bàba jiāli yǒu shénme rén? 请问，你爸爸家里有什么人？ May I ask, what people are (there) in your father’s family?

1. Tā yǒu yíge háizi. 他/她有一个孩子。 He/she has one child. Cue tàitai 太太 wife Yǒu tā tàitai gēn yíge háizi. 有他/她太太跟一个孩子。 There are his wife and one child. 2. Hú xiānsheng yǒu yíge mèimei. 胡先生有一个妹妹。 Mr. Hú has one younger sister. Cue mǔqin 母亲 mother Yǒu tā mǔqin gēn yíge mèimei. 有他母亲跟一个妹妹。 There are his mother and one younger sister. 3. Lǐ xiǎojiě yǒu liǎngge dìdi. 李小姐有两个弟弟。 Miss Lǐ has 2 younger brothers. Cue jiějie 姐姐 older sister Yǒu tā jiějie gēn liǎngge dìdi. 有她姐姐跟两个弟弟。 There are her older sister and two younger brothers. 4. Liú xiānsheng yǒu yíge nǚhaizi. 刘先生有一个女孩子。 Mr. Liú has one daughter. Cue mǔqin 母亲 mother Yǒu tā mǔqin gēn yíge nǚháizi. 有他母亲跟一个女孩子。 There are his mother and one daughter. 5. Lín tàitai yǒu sānge nánháizi. 林太太有三个男孩子。 Mrs. Lín has 2 boys. Cue xiānsheng 先生 Mister Yǒu tā xiānsheng gēn sānge nánháizi. 有她先生跟三个男孩子。 There are her husband and 3 boys. 6. Tā yǒu yíge jiějie. 他/她有一个姐姐。 He has one older sister. Cue fùqin 父亲 father Yǒu tā fùqin gēn yíge jiějie. 有他/她父亲跟一个姐姐。 There are his/her older sister and his/her father. 7. Wáng xiānsheng yǒu sìge háizi. 王先生有四个孩子。 Mr. Wáng has 4 children. Cue tàitai 太太 wife Yǒu tā tàitai gēn sìge háizi. 有他太太跟四个孩子。 There are his wife and 4 children.

1. Tāmen háizi dōu zài zhèli ma? 他们孩子都在这里吗？ Are all of their children here? Cue Měiguo 美国 America Bù, yíge zhèli, yíge hái zài Měiguo. 不，一个在这里，一个还在美国。 No, one is here, and one is still in America. 2. Tā gēge, jiějie dōu zài zhèli ma? 他/她哥哥，姐姐都在这里吗？ Are his/her older brother and older sister both here? Cue Jiāzhōu 加州 California Bù, yíge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Jiāzhōu. 不，一个在这里，一个还在加州。 No, one is here, and one is still in California. 3. Tā měiguó péngyou dōu zài zhèli ma? 他/她美国朋友都在这里吗？ Are his/her American friends all here? Cue Táizhōng 台中 T‘ai-chung Bù, yíge zài zhèli, yíge hái zài Táizhōng. 不，一个在这里 ，一个还在台中。 No, one is here, and one is still in T‘ai-chung. 4. Tā dìdi , mèimei dōu zài Zhōngguo ma? 他/她弟弟，妹妹都在中国吗？ Are his/her younger brother and younger sister both here? Cue Dézhōu 德州 Texas Bù, yíge zài Zhōngguo, yíge hái zài Dézhōu. 不，一个在中国，一个还在德州。 No, one is in China, one is still in Texas. 5. Wáng xiānsheng de háizi dōu zài Dézhōu ma? 王先生的孩子都在德州吗？ Are Mr. Wáng’s children all here? Cue Jiāzhōu 加州 California Bù, yíge zài Dézhōu, yíge hái zài Jiāzhōu. 不，一个在德州，一个还在加州。 No, one is in Texas, and one is still in California. 6. Nèi liǎngwèi xiānsheng dōu zài Shànghǎi ma? 那两位先生都在上海吗？ Are both those gentlemen in Shànghǎi? Cue Qīngdǎo 青岛 Qīngdǎo Bù, yíge zài Shànghǎi, yíge hái zài Qīngdǎo. 不，一个在上海，一个还在青岛。 No, one is in Shànghǎi, one is in Qīngdǎo. 7. Tāmen háizi dōu zài Xiānggǎng ma? 他们孩子都在香港吗？ Are their children all in Hong Kong? Cue Měiguó 美国 America Bù, yíge zài Xiāngǎng, yíge hái zài Měiguo. 不，一个在香港，一个还在美国。 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? 你爱人来吗？ Is your wife coming? B: Tā lái. 她来。 She is coming. 2. A: Nǐ àiren lái le ma? 你爱人来了吗？ Has your wife come? B: Lái le, tā lái le. 来了，她来了。 Yes, she has come. 3. A: Nǐ àiren yě lái le ma? 你爱人也来了吗？ Has your wife come too? B: Tā hái méi lái. 她还没来。 She hasn’t come yet. 4. A: Tā shénme shíhou lái? 她什么时候来？ When is she coming? B: Tā míngtiān lái. 她明天来。 She is coming tomorrow. 5. A: Nǐ péngyou shénme shíhou dào? 你朋友什么时候到？ When is your friend arriving? B: Tā yǐjīng dào le. 他已经到了。 He has already arrived. 6. A: Tā shì shénme shíhou dàode? 她是什么时候到的？ When did she arrive? B: Tā shì zuótiān dàode. 她是昨天到的。 She arrived Yesterday. 7. A: Nǐ shì yíge rén láide ma? 你是一个人来的吗吗？ Did you come alone? B: Bú shì, wǒ bú shì yíge rén láide. 不是，我不是一个人来的。 No, I didn’t come alone. 8. A: Nǐ shénme shíhou zǒu? 你什么时候走？ 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 儿子 son érzi 二字 son hòutiān (hòutian) 后天 the day after tomorrow jīntiān (jīntian) 今天 today lái 来 to come le 了 combined le: new-situation and completion marker míngtiān (mīngtian) 明天 tomorrow něitiān 哪天 what day nǚér 女儿 daughter qiántiān (qiántian) 前天 the day before Yesterday shénme shíhou 什么时候 when shì de 是的 emphatic agreement -tiān 天 day tiāntiān 天天 every day yíge rén 一个人 singly, alone yǐjīng (yǐjing) 已经 already zǒu 走 to leave zuótiān 昨天 Yesterday jiéhūn 结婚 to get married, to be married méi jiéhūn 没结婚 not to be married kěshi 可是 but xiǎng 想 to think, to think that

1. A: Nǐ àiren lái ma? 你爱人来吗？ Is your wife coming? B: Tā lái. 她来。 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? 你爱人来了吗？ Has your wife come? B: Lái le, tā lái le. 来了，她来了。 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? 你爱人也来了吗？ Has your wife come too? B: Tā hái méi lái. 她还没来。 She hasn’t come yet. Negative of combined le: Compare these affirmative and negative forms: affirmative lái is coming. 来 negative bù lái isn’t coming. 不 来 affirmative lái le has come (now). 来 了 negative hái méi(you) lái hasn’t come (yet). 还 没（有） 来 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. 他 还 没有 来。 Tā hái méi lái. He hasn’t come yet. 他 还 没 来。 hái méiyou. Not yet. 还 没有。

4. A: Tā shénme shíhou lái? 她什么时候来？ When is she coming? B: Tā míngtiān lái. 她明天来。 She is coming tomorrow. 5. A: Nǐ péngyou shénme shíhou dào? 你朋友什么时候到？ When is your friend arriving? B: Tā yǐjīng dào le. 他已经到了。 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? 她是什么时候到的？ 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? 你是一个人来的吗？ Did you come alone? B: Bú shi, wǒ bú shi yíge rén láide. 不是，我不是一个人来的。 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 láile méiyou? Did he come? 他来了没有？ and you would be answered either Tā láile. He came. 他来了。 or Tā méi lái. He didn’t come. 他没来。 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? 他是什么时候来的？ Tā shi zuótiān láide. He came yesterday. 他是昨天来的。 Tā shi yíge rén láide ma? Did he come alone? 他是一个人来的马？ Tā shi yíge rén láide. He came alone. 他是一个人来的。 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? 他是昨天来的马？ 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? 他来了马？ Lái le. Yes, he has. 来了。 Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? Did he come YESTERDAY? 他是昨天来的马？ Shì, tā shi zuótiān láide. Yes, YESTERDAY. 是，他是昨天来的。 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. 他是今天来。 Tā shi jīntiān láide. She came (earlier) today. 他是今天来的。 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. 他 是 昨天 来 的。 Tā bú zuótiān lái -de It wasn’t YESTERDAY that he came. 他 不 昨天 来 的。 Tā lái le. He has come. 他 来 了。 Tā hái méi lái. He hasn’t come. 他 还 没 来。 Tā míngtiān lái. He is coming tomorrow. 他 明天 来。 Tā míngtiān bù lái. He isn’t coming tomorrow. 他 明天 不 来。 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? 你是一个人来的马？ Shì, wǒ shi yíge rén láide. Yes, I came alone. 是，我是一个人来的。 Búshì, wǒ bú shi yíge rén láide. No, I didn’t come alone. 不是，我不是一个人来的。 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? 他昨天没来马？ B: Tā zuótiān lái le. He DID COME yesterday. 他做太年来了。 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? 你什么时候走？ 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? 那天 qiántiān day before yesterday 前田 zuótiān yesterday 昨天 jīntiān today 今天 míngtiān tomorrow 明天 hòutiān day after tomorrow 后天 Some speakers say the -tiān in these words in the Neutral tone: qiántian, zuótian, jīntian, míngtian, hòutian.

1. Nǐ àiren lái ma? 你爱人来吗？ Is your spouse coming? Nǐ àiren lái le ma? 你爱人来了吗？ Has your spouse come? 2. Nǐ fùmǔ zǒu ma? 你父母走吗？ Are your parents coming? Nǐ fùmǔ zǒu le ma? 你父母走了吗？ Have your parents come? 3. Nǐ péngyou zǒu ma? 你朋友走吗？ Is your friend coming? Nǐ péngyǒu zǒu le ma? 你朋友走了吗？ Has your friend come? 4. Nǐ gēge zǒu ma? 你哥哥走吗？ Is your older brother coming? Nǐ gēge zǒu le ma? 你哥哥走了吗？ Has your older brother come? 5. Nǐ jiějie lái ma? 你姐姐来吗？ Is your older sister coming? Nǐ jiějie lái le ma? 你姐姐来了吗？ Has your older sister come? 6. Nǐ mèimei lái ma? 你妹妹来吗？ Is your younger sister coming? Nǐ mèimei lái le ma? 你妹妹来了吗？ Has your younger sister come? 7. Nǐ dìdi zǒu ma? 你弟弟走吗？ Is your younger brother coming? Nǐ dìdi zǒu le ma? 你弟弟走了吗？ Has your younger brother come?

1. Tā lái le ma? 他/她来了吗？ Has he/she come? Tā yǐjīng lái le ma? 他/她已经来了吗？ Has he/she already come? 2. Máo tóngzhì dào le ma? 毛同志到了吗？ Has Comrade Máo arrived? Máo tóngzhì yǐjīng dào le ma? 毛同志已经到了吗？ Has comrade Máo already arrived? 3. Lǐ tóngzhì zǒu le ma? 李同志走了吗？ Has Comrade Lǐ left? Lǐ tóngzhì yǐjīng zǒu le ma? 李同志已经走了吗？ Has comrade Lǐ already left? 4. Mǎ tóngzhì zǒu le ma? 马同志走了吗？ Has Comrade Mǎ left? Mǎ tóngzhì yǐjīng zǒu le ma? 马同志已经走了吗？ Has comrade Mǎ already left? 5. Zhāng tóngzhì lái le ma? 张同志来了吗？ Has Comrade Zhāng come? Zhāng tóngzhì yǐjīng lái le ma? 张同志已经来了吗？ Has comrade Zhāng already come? 6. Huáng tóngzhì dào le ma? 黄同志到了吗？ Has Comrade Huáng arrived? Huáng tóngzhì yǐjīng dào le ma? 黄同志已经到了吗？ Has comrade Huáng already arrived? 7. Sūn tōngzhì zǒu le ma? 孙同志走了吗？ Has Comrade Sūn left? Sūn tóngzhì yǐjīng zǒu le ma? 孙同志已经走了吗？ Has comrade Sūn already left?

1. Tā lái le ma? 他/她来了吗？ Has he/she come? Tā hái méi lái. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t come yet. 2. Wáng tóngzhì zǒu le ma? 王同志走了吗？ Has Comrade Wáng left? Tā hái méi zǒu. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t left yet. 3. Lǐ tóngzhì dào le ma? 李同志到了吗？ Has Comrade Lǐ arrive yet? Tā hái méi dào. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t arrive yet. 4. Hé tóngzhì lái le ma? 何同志来了吗。 Has Comrade Hé come? Tā hái méi lái. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t come yet. 5. Zhào tóngzhì lái le ma? 赵同志来了吗？？ Has Comrade Zhào come? Tā hái méi lái. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t come yet. 6. Liú tóngzhì zǒu le ma? 刘同志走了吗？ Has Comrade Liú left? Tā héi méi zǒu. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t left yet. 7. Sūn tóngzhì lái le ma? 孙同志来了吗？ Has Comrade Sūn come? Tā hái méi lái. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t come yet.

1. Tā zǒu le ma? 他/她走了吗？ Has he/she left? Zǒu le, tā yǐjīng zǒu le. 走了，他/她已经走了。 Yes, he/she has already left. 2. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren yě yǐjīng zǒu le. 他/她爱人也已经走了。 His/her spouse has already left too. 3. Tā lái le ma? 他/她来了吗？ Has he/she come? Lái le, tā yǐjīng lái le. 来了，他/她。 Yes, he/she has already come. 4. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren yě yǐjīng lái le. 他/她爱人也已经来了。 His/her spouse has already come too. 5. Tā dào le ma? 他/她到了吗？ Has he/she arrived? Dào le, tā yǐjīng dào le. 到了，他/她已经到了 Yes, he/she has already arrived. 6. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren yě yǐjīng dào le. 他/她爱人也已经到了。 His/her spouse has already arrived too. 7. Lǐ tóngzhì zǒu le ma? 李同志走了走吗？ Has Comrade Lǐ left? Zǒu le, tā yǐjīng zǒu le. 走了，他已经走了。 Yes, he has already left. 8. Tā gēge ne? 他/她哥哥呢？ And his older brother? Tā gēge yě yǐjīng zǒu le. 他/她哥哥也已经走了。 His older brother has already left too. 9. Wáng tóngzhì lái le ma? 王同志来了吗？ Has Comrade Wáng come? Lái le, tā yǐjing lái le. 来了，他已经来了。 Yes, he has already come. 10. Tā àiren ne? 他爱人呢？ And his spouse? Tā àiren yě yǐjīng lái le. 他爱人也已经来了。 His spouse has already come too. 11. Zhào xiānsheng dào le ma? 赵先生到了吗？ Has Mr. Zhào arrived? Dào le, tā yǐjīng dào le. 到了，他已经到了。 Yes, he has already arrived. 12. Tā dìdi ne? 他弟弟呢？ And his younger brother. Tā dìdi yě yǐjing dào le. 他弟弟也已经到了。 His younger brother has already arrived too. 13. Zhāng tóngzhì zǒu le ma? 张同志走了吗？ Has Comrade Zhāng left? Zǒu le, tā yǐjīng zǒu le. 走了，他已经走了。 Yes, he has already left. 14. Chén tóngzhì ne? 陈同志呢？ And Comrade Chén? Chén tóngzhì yě yǐjīng zǒu le. 陈同也已经走了。 Comrade Chén has already left too.

1. Tā lái le ma? 他/她来了吗？ Has he/she come? Tā hái méi lái. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t come yet. 2. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren yě hái méi lái. 他/她爱人也还没来。 His/her spouse hasn’t come yet either. 3. Tā zǒu le ma? 他/她走了吗？ Has he/she left? Tā hái méi zǒu. 他/她还没走。 He/she hasn’t left yet. 4. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren yě hái méi zǒu. 他/她爱人也还没走。 His/her spouse hasn’t left yet either. 5. Tā dào le ma? 他/她到了吗？ Has he/she arrived? Tā hái méi dào. 他/她还没到。 He/she hasn’t arrived yet. 6. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren yě hái méi dào. 他/她爱人也还没到。 His/her spouse hasn’t arrived yet either. 7. Fāng nǚshì lái le ma? 方女士来了吗？ Has Ms. Fāng come? Fāng nǚshì hái méi lái. 方女士还没来。 Ms. Fāng hasn’t come yet. 8. Tā dìdi ne? 她弟弟呢？ And her younger brother? Tā dìdi yě hái méi lái. 她弟弟也还没来。 Her younger brother hasn’t come yet either. 9. Lǐ xiānsheng dào le ma? 李先生到了吗？ Has Mr. Lǐ arrived? Lǐ xiānsheng hái méi dào. 李先生还没到。 Mr. Lǐ hasn’t arrived yet. 10. Tā fùmǔ ne? 他父母呢？ And his parents? Tā fùmǔ yě hái méi dào. 她父母也还没到。 His parents haven’t come yet either. 11. Chén tóngzhì zǒu le ma? 陈同志走了吗？ Has comrade Chén left? Chén tóngzhì hái méi zǒu. 陈同志还没走。 Comrade Chén hasn’t left yet? 12. Jiāng tóngzhì ne? 江同志呢？ And comrade Jiāng? Jiāng tóngzhì yě hái méi zǒu. 江同志也还没走。 Comrade Jiāng hasn’t left yet either. 13. Tā mǔqin dào le ma? 他/她亲到了吗？ Has his/her mother arrived? Tā mǔqin hái méi dào. 他/她母亲还没到。 His/her mother hasn’t arrived yet. 14. Tā jiějie ne? 他/她姐姐呢？ And his/her older sister? Tā jiějie yě hái méi dào. 他/她姐姐也还没到。 His/her older sister hasn’t arrived yet either.

1. Tā zǒu le ma? 他/她走了吗？ Has he/she left? Tā yǐjīng zǒu le. 他/她已经走了。 He/she has already left. 2. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren hái méi zǒu. 他/她爱人还没走。 His/her spouse hasn’t left yet. 3. Tā lái le ma? 他/她来了吗？ Has he/she come? Tā yǐjīng lái le. 他/她已经来了。 He/she has already come. 4. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren hái méi lái. 他/她爱人还没来。 His/her spouse hasn’t come yet. 5. Tā dào le ma? 他/她到了吗？ Has he/she arrived? Tā yǐjīng dào le. 他/她已经到了。 He/she has already arrived. 6. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren hái méi dào. 他/她爱人还没到。 His/her spouse hasn’t arrived yet. 7. Wáng xiānsheng zǒu le ma? 王先生走了吗？ Has Mr. Wáng left? Wáng xiānsheng yǐjīng zǒu le. 王先生已经走了。 Mr. Wáng has already left. 8. Tā mǔqin ne? 他母亲呢？ And his mother? Tā mǔqin hái méi zǒu. 他母亲还没走。 His mother hasn’t left yet. 9. Qián tóngzhì lái le ma? 钱同志来了吗？ Has Comrade Qián come? Qián tóngzhì yǐjīng lái le. 钱同志已经来了了。 Comrade Qián has already come. 10. Jiāng tóngzhì ne? 江同志呢？ And Comrade Jiāng? Jiāng tóngzhì hái méi lái. 江同志还没来。 Comrade Jiāng hasn’t come yet. 11. Máo nǚshì dào le ma? 毛女士到了吗？ Has Mrs. Máo arrived? Máo nǚshì yǐjīng dào le. 毛女士已经到了。 Mrs. Máo has already arrived. 12. Tā mèimei ne? 她妹妹呢？ And her younger sister? Tā mèimei hái méi dào. 他妹妹还没到。 Her younger sister hasn’t arrived yet. 13. Zēng fūren zǒu le ma? 曾夫人走了吗？ Has Mrs. Zēng left? Zēng fūren yǐjīng zǒu le. 曾副人已经走了。 Mrs. Zēng has already left. 14. Tā mǔqin ne? 他母亲呢？ And his mother? Tā mǔqin hái méi zǒu. 他母亲还没走。 His mother hasn’t left yet.

1. Tā lái le ma? 他/她来了吗？ Has he/she come? Tā hái méi lái. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t come yet. 2. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And is/her spouse? Tā àiren yǐjīng lái le. 他/她爱人已经来了。 His/her spouse has already come. 3. Tā zǒu le ma? 他/她走了吗？ Has he/she left? Tā hái méi zǒu. 他/她还没走。 He/she hasn’t left yet. 4. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren yǐjīng zǒu le. 他/她爱人已经走了。 His/her spouse has already left. 5. Tā dào le ma? 他/她到了吗？ Has he/she arrived? Tā hái méi dào. 他/她还没到。 He/she hasn’t arrived yet. 6. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Tā àiren yǐjīng dào le. 他/她爱人已经到了。 His/her spouse has already arrived. 7. Cāo tóngzhì lái le ma? 曹同志来了吗？ Has Comrade Cāo come? Cāo tóngzhì hái méi lái. 曹同志还没来。 Comrade Cāo hasn’t come yet. 8. Sūn tóngzhì ne? 孙同志呢？ And Comrade Sūn? Sūn tóngzhì yǐjīng lái le. 孙同志已经来了。 Comrade Sūn has already come. 9. Zhāng xiānsheng lái le ma? 张先生来了吗？ Has Mr. Zhāng come? Zhāng xiānsheng hái méi lái. 张先生还没来。 Mr. Zhāng hasn’t come yet. 10. Tā dìdi ne? 他弟弟呢？ And his younger brother? Tā dìdi yǐjǐng lái le. 他弟弟已经来了。 His younger brother has already come. 11. Tā mǔqin dào le ma? 他/她母亲到了吗？ Has his/her mother arrived? Tā mǔqin hái méi dào. 他/她母亲还没到。 His/her mother hasn’t arrived yet. 12. Tā mèimei ne? 他/她妹妹呢？ And his/her younger sister? Tā mèimei yǐjīng dào le. 他/她妹妹已经到了。 His/her younger sister has already arrived. 13. Wáng nǚshì zǒu le ma? 王女士走了吗？ Has Mrs. Wáng left. Wāng nǚshì hái méi zǒu. 王女士还没走。 Mrs. Wáng hasn’t left yet. 14. Zhāng nǚshì ne? 张女士呢？ And Mrs. Zhāng? Zhāng nǚshì yǐjīng zǒu le. 张女士已经走了。 Mrs. Zhāng has already left.

1. Tā zǒu le ma? 他/她走了吗？ Has he/she left? Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Tā yǐjīng zǒu le. 他/她已经走了。 He/she has already left. 2. Tā àiren ne? 他/她呢？ And his/her spouse? Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Tā àiren yě yǐjīng zǒu le 他/她爱人也已经走了。 His/her spouse has already left too. 3. Tā lái le ma? 他/她来了吗？ Has he/she come? Cue míngtiān 明天 tomorrow Tā hái méi lái. 他/她还没来。 He/she hasn’t come yet. 4. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Cue míngtiān 明天 tomorrow Tā àiren yě hái méi lái. 他/她爱人也还没来。 His/her spouse hasn’t come either. 5. Tā dào le ma? 他/她到了？ Has he/she arrived? Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Tā yǐjīng dào le. 他/她已经到了。 He/she hasn’t already yet. 6. Tā àiren ne? 他/她爱人呢？ And his/her spouse? Cue míngtiān 明天 tomorrow Tā àiren hái méi dào. 他/她爱人还没到。 His/her spouse hasn’t arrived either. 7. Tā zǒu le ma? 他/她走了吗？ Has he/she left? Cue míngtiān 明天 tomorrow Tā hái méi zǒu. 他/她还没走 . He/she hasn’t left yet. 8. Tā gēge ne? 他/她哥哥呢？ And his/her older brother? Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Tā gēge yǐjīng zǒu le. 他/她哥哥已经走了。 His/her older brother hasn’t left either. 9. Zhào tóngzhì dào le ma? 赵同志到了吗？ Has comrade Zhào arrived? Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Zhào tóngzhì yǐjīng dào le. 赵同志已经到了。 Comrade Zhào has already arrived. 10. Wáng tóngzhì ne? 王同志呢？ And comrade Wáng? Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Wáng tóngzhì yě yǐjīng dào le. 王同志也已经到了。 Comrade Wáng has already arrived too. 11. Tā fùmǔ zǒu le ma? 他/她父母走了吗？ Have his/her parents left? Cue míngtiān 明天 tomorrow Tā fùmǔ hái méi zǒu. 他/她父母还没走。 His/her parents hasn’t left yet. 12. Tāmen háizi ne? 他们孩子呢？ And their children? Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Tāmen háizi yǐjīng zǒu le. 他们孩子已经走了。 Their children have already left. 13. Tā àiren lái le ma? 他/她爱人来了呢？ Has his/her spouse come? Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Tā àiren yǐjīng lái le. 他/她爱人已经来了。 His/her spouse has already come. 14. Tāmen háizi ne? 他们孩子呢？ And his children? Cue míngtiān 明天 tomorrow Tāmen háizi hái méi lái. 他们孩子还没来。 His children haven’t come yet.

1. Tā shénme shíhou lái? 他/她什么时候来？ When is he/she coming? Cue míngtiān 明天 tomorrow Tā míngtiān lái. 他/她明天来。 He/she is coming tomorrow. 2. Lǐ xiānsheng shénme shíhou zǒu? 李先生什么时候走？ When is Mr. Lǐ leaving? Cue jīntiān 今天 today Tā jīntiān zǒu. 他今天走。 He is leaving today. 3. Hú xiǎojiě shénme shíhou dào? 胡小姐设么时候到？ When is Miss Hú arriving? Cue míngtiān 明天 tomorrow Tā míngtiān dào. 她明天到。 She is arriving tomorrow 4. Zhāng xiānsheng shénme shíhou lái? 张个什么时候来？ When is Mr. Zhāng coming? Cue hòutian 后天 the day after tomorrow Tā hòutiān lái. 他后天来。 He is coming the day after tomorrow. 5. Wáng xiǎojiě shénme shíhou dào? 王小姐什么时候到？ When is Miss Wáng arriving? Cue jīntiān 今天 today Tā jīntiān dào. 她今天到。 She is arriving today. 6. Tā shénme shíhou zǒu? 他/她什么时候走？ When is he/she leaving? Cue hòutiān 后天 the day after tomorrow Tā hòutiān zǒu. 他/她后天走。 He/she is leaving the day after tomorrow.

1. Tā lái. 他/她来。 He/she is coming. Tā něitiān lái? 他/她哪天来？ What day is he/she coming? 2. Wáng xiānsheng zǒu. 王先生走。 Mr. Wáng is leaving. Wáng xiānsheng něitiān zǒu? 王先生哪天走？ What day is Mr. Wáng leaving? 3. Lǐ tàitai dào. 李太太到。 Mrs. Lǐ is arriving. Lǐ tàitai něitiān dào? 李太太哪天道？ What day is Mrs. Lǐ arriving? 4. Hú tàitai zǒu. 胡太太走。 Mrs. Hú is leaving. Hú tàitai něitiān zǒu. 胡太太哪天走？ What day is Mrs. Hú leaving? 5. Zhāng xiānsheng dào. 张先生到。 Mr. Zhāng is arriving. Zhāng xiānsheng něitiān dào? 张先生哪天到？ What day is Mr. Zhāng arriving? 6. Huáng tàitai lái. 黄太太来。 Mrs. Huáng is coming. Huáng tàitai něitiān lái? 黄太太哪天来。 What day is Mrs. Huáng coming? 7. Tā zǒu. 他/她走。 He/she is leaving. Tā něitiān zǒu? 他/她哪天走？ What day is he/she leaving?

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

1. Tā lái. 他/她来。 He/she is coming. Cue míngtiān 明天 tomorrow Tā míngtiān lái. 他/她明天来。 He/she is coming tomorrow. 2. Tā lái le. 他/她来了。 He/she has come. Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Tā shì zuótiān láide. 他/她是昨天来的。 He/she has come yesterday. 3. Wáng tàitai zǒu. 王太太走。 Mrs. Wáng is leaving. Cue jīntiān 今天 today Wáng tàitai jīntiān zǒu. 王太太今天走。 Mrs. Wáng is leaving today. 4. Huáng tàitai zǒu le. 黄太太走了。 Mrs. Huáng has left. Cue qiántiān 前天 the day before yesterday Huáng tàitai shì qiántiān zǒude. 黄太太是前天走的。 Mrs. Huáng left the day before yesterday. 5. Lǐ xiānsheng lái. 李先生来。 Mr. Lǐ is coming. Cue hòutiān 后天 the day after tomorrow Lǐ xiánsheng hòutiān lái. 李先生后天来。 Mr. Lǐ is coming the day after tomorrow. 6. Lín xiānsheng lái le. 林先生来了。 Mr. Lín has come. Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Lín xiānsheng shì zuótiān láide. 林先生是昨天来的。 Mr. Lín came yesterday. 7. Mǎ xiǎojiě dào le. 马小姐到了。 Miss Mǎ has arrived. Cue qiántiān 前天 the day before yesterday Mǎ xiǎojiě shì qiántiān dàode. 马小姐是前天到的。 Miss Mǎ has arrived the day before yesterday.

1. Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? 他/她是昨天来的吗？ Did he/she come yesterday? Shìde. Tā shi zuótiān láide. 是的。他/她是昨天来的。 Yes, he/she came yesterday. 2. Wáng xiānsheng shi jīntiān dàode ma? 王先生是今天到的吗？ Did Mr. Wáng arrived today? Shìde. Wáng xiānsheng shi jīntiān dàode. 是的。王先生是今天到的。 Yes, Mr. Wáng arrived today. 3. Lǐ tóngzhì shi qiántiān zǒude ma? 李同志是前天走的吗？ Did Comrade Lǐ leave the day before yesterday? Shìde. Lǐ tóngzhì shi qiántiān zǒude. 是的。李同志是前天走的。 Yes, Comrade Lǐ left the day before yesterday. 4. Máo fūren míngtiān lái ma? 毛夫人明天来吗？ Is Mrs. Máo coming tomorrow? Shìde. Máo fūren míngtiān lái. 是的。毛夫人明天来？ Yes, Mrs. Máo is coming tomorrow. 5. Tāmen háizi hòutiān dào ma? 他们孩子后天到吗？ Are their children arriving the day after tomorrow? Shìde. Tāmen háizi hòutian dào. 是的。他们孩子后天到。 Yes, their children are arriving the day after tomorrow. 6. Tā fùmǔ jīntiān zǒu ma? 他/她父母今天走吗？ Are his/her parents leaving? Shìde. Tā fùmǔ jīntiān zǒu. 是的。他/她父母今天走。 Yes, his/her parents are leaving today. 7. Zhāng nǚshì shi zuótiān láide ma? 张女士是昨天来的吗？ Did Mrs. Zhāng come yesterday? Shìde. Zhāng nǚshì shi zuótiān láide. 是的。张女士是昨天来的。 No, Mrs. Zhāng did not come yesterday.

1. Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? 他/她是昨天来的吗？ Did he/she come yesterday? Bù. Tā bú shi zuótiān láide. 不。他/她不是昨天来的。 No, he/she didn’t come yesterday. 2. Jiāng xiānsheng shi jīntiān dàode ma? 江先生是今天道德吗？ Did Mr. Jiāng arrive today? Bù. Jiāng xiānsheng bú shi jīntiān dàode. 不。江先生不是今天到的。 No, Mr. Jiāng didn’t arrive today. 3. Zhāng tóngzhì shi qiántiān zǒude ma? 张同志是前天走的吗？ Did Comrade Zhāng leave the day before yesterday? Bù. Zhāng tóngzhì bú shi qiántian zǒude. 不。张同志不是前天走的。 No, Comrade Zhāng didn’t leave day before yesterday. 4. Tāmen shi zuótiān láide ma? 他们是昨天来的吗？ Did they come yesterday? Bù. Tāmen bú shi zuótiān láide. 不。他们不是昨天来的。 No, they didn’t come yesterday. 5. Tāmen háizi shi qiántiān dàode ma? 他们孩子是前天到的吗？ Did their children arrive the day before yesterday? Bù. Tāmen háizi bú shi qiántian dàode. 不。他们孩子不是前天到的。 No, their children didn’t arrive the day before yesterday. 6. Hé tóngzhì shi jīntiān zǒude ma? 何同志是今天走的吗？ Did comrade Hé leave today? Bù. Hé tóngzhì bú shi jīntiān zǒude. 不。何同志不是今天走的。 No, Comrade Hé didn’t leave today. 7 Tā àiren shi zuótiān láide ma? 他/她爱人是昨天来的吗？ Did his/her spouse come yesterday? Bù. Tā àiren bú shi zuótiān láide. 不。他/她爱人不是昨天来的。 No, his/her spouse didn’t come yesterday.

1. Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? 他/她是昨天来的吗？ Did he/she come yesterday? Cue affirmative Shìde. Tā shi zuótiān láide. 是的。他/她是昨天来的。 Yes, he/she came yesterday. 2. Tā shi zuótiān láide ma? 他/她是昨天来的？ Did he/she come yesterday? Cue negative Bù. Tā bú shi zuótiān láide. 不。他/她不是昨天来的. No, he/she didn’t come yesterday. 3. Wáng tóngzhì shi qiántiān dàode ma? 王同志是前天到的吗？ Did Comrade Wáng arrive the day before yesterday? Cue negative Bù. Wáng tóngzhì bú shi qiántiān dàode. 不。王同志不是前天到的。 No, Comrade Wáng didn’t arrive the day before yesterday. 4. Tā gēge shi jīntiān láide ma? 他/她哥哥是今天来的吗？ Did his/her older brother come today? Cue negative Bù. Tā gēge bú shi jīntiān láide. 不。他/她哥哥不是今天来的。 No, his/her older brother didn’t come today. 5. Lǐ xiānsheng shi jīntiān zǒude ma? 李先生是今天走的吗？ Did Mr. Lǐ leave today? Cue negative Bù. Lǐ xiānsheng bú shi jīntiān zǒude. 不。李先生不是今天走的。 No, Mr. Lǐ didn’t leave today. 6. Zhào fūren shi zuótiān dàode ma? 赵夫人是昨天到的吗？ Did Mrs. Zhào arrive yesterday? Cue affirmative Shìde. Zhào fūren shi zuótiān dàode. 是的。赵夫人是昨天到的。 Yes, Mrs. Zhào did arrive yesterday. 7. Tāmen háizi shi qiántiān zǒude ma? 他们孩子是前天走的吗？ Did their children leave the day before yesterday? Cue negative Bù. Tāmen háizi bú shi qiántiān zǒude. 不。他们孩子不是前天走的。 No, their children didn’t leave the day before yesterday. 8. Sūn nǚshì shi zuótiān dàode ma? 孙女士是昨天到的吗？ Did Mrs. Sūn arrive yesterday? Cue negative Bù. Sūn nǚshì bǔ shi zuótiān dàode. 不。孙女士不是昨天到的。 No, Mrs. 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，你是在哪儿生的？ 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? 你们是星期四到的吗？ Did you arrive on Thursday? B: Bú shi, wǒmen shi Xīngqīwǔ dàode. 不是，我们是星期五到的。 No, we arrived on Friday. 3. A: Nǐmen xīngqījǐ zǒu? 你们星期几走？ What day of the week are you leaving? B: Wǒmen Xīngqītiān zǒu. 我们星期天走。 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? 你是几月生的？ 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? 你是几号生的？ What day of the month were you born? B: Wǒ shi Sìhào shēngde. 我是四号生的。 I was born on the fourth. 7. This exchange occurs on the C-1 tape only. 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. This exchange occurs on the P-1 tape only. 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? 你们女孩子几岁了？ How old is your girl? B: Tā básuì le. 她八岁了。 She’s eight years old. 10. A: Nǐmen nánháizi dōu jǐsuì le? 你们男孩子都几岁了？ How old are your boys? B: Yíge jiǔsuì le, yíge liùsuì le. 一个九岁了，一个六岁了。 One is nine, and one is six.

duó dà 多大 how old hòunián (hòunian) 后年 the year after next jǐhào 几号 what day of the month? jīnnián (jīnnian) 今年 this year jǐsuì 几岁 how old jǐyüè 几月 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 上个月 last month shēng 生 to be born -suì 岁 year (of age) xiàge yüè 下个月 next month Xīngqīèr 星期二 Tuesday xīngqījǐ 星期几 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 这个月 this month

1. A: Āndésēn fūren, nǐ shi zài nǎr shēngde? 安德森夫人，你是在哪儿生的？ 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 我 是 在美国 生 的。 Wǒ shi zuótiān dào -de. I arrived yesterday. WHEN 我 是 昨天 到 的。 Wǒ shi yíge rén lái -de. I came alone. HOW 我 是 一个人 来 的

2. A: Nǐmen shi Xīngqīsì dàode ma? 你们是星期四到的吗？ Did you arrive on Thursday? B: Bú shi, wǒmen shi Xīngqīwǔ dàode. 不是，我们是星期五到的。 No, we arrived on Friday. 3. A: Nǐmen xīngqījǐ zǒu? 你们星期几走？ What day of the week are you leaving? B: Wǒmen Xīngqītiān zǒu. 我们星期天走。 We are leaving on Sunday. Days of the week: Xīngqījǐ What day of the week? 星期几 Xīngqīyī Monday 星期一 Xīngqīèr Tuesday 星期二 Xīngqīsàn Wednesday 星期三 Xīngqīsì Thursday 星期四 Xingqīwǔ Friday 星期五 Xīngqīliù Saturday 星期六 Xīngqītiān Sunday 星期天 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? 你是几月生的？ 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? 几月 yíyüè January qíyüè July 一月 七月 èryüè February báyüè August 二月 八月 sānyüè March jiǔyüè September 三月 九月 sìyüè April shíyüè October 四月 十月 wǔyüè May shǐyīyüè November 五月 十一月 liùyüè June shíèryüè December 六月 十二月 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? 你是几号生的？ What day of the month were you born? B: Wǒ shi Sìhào shēngde. 我是四号生的。 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? 你是几月几号生的？ Wǒ shi bāyüè jiǔhào shēngde. I was born on August 9. 我是八月九号生的。

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? 你们女孩子几岁了？ How old is your girl? B: Tā básuì le. 她八岁了。 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? 你们男孩子都几岁了？ How old are your boys? B: Yíge jiǔsuì le, yíge liùsuì le. 一个九岁了，　一个六岁了。 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 十七号 shíyīyüè November 十一月 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 前田 昨天 今天 明天 后天 Years qiánnián qǜnián jīnnián míngnián hòunián 千年 去年 今年 名年 后年 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 岁数 and Niánjì 年纪 suìshu 岁数 and Niánjì 年纪 usually and mostly refer to OLDER people that you ask for. suìshu 岁数 is very spoken though. And less polite. For kids especially, you only need to do 多大了？ duó dà le? or 几岁了？ jǐsuì le? with 几岁了？ neither suìshu 岁数 nor Niánjì 年纪 .

1. Qǐngwèn, tā shi zài nǎr shēngde? 请问，他/她是在哪儿生的？ May I ask, where was he/she born? Cue Dézhōu 德州 Texas Tā shi zài Dézhōu shēngde. 他/她是在德州生的。 He/she was born in Texas. 2. Qǐngwèn, nǐ àiren shi zài nǎr shēngde? 请问，你爱人是在哪儿生的？ May I ask, where was your spouse born? Cue Jiāzhōu 加州 California Tā shi zài Jiāzhōu shēngde. 他/她是在加州生的。 He/she was born in California. 3. Qǐngwèn, tā àiren shi zài nǎr shēngde? 请问，他/她爱人是在哪儿生的？ May I ask, where was his/her spouse born? Cue Shànghǎi 上海 Shànghǎi Tā shi zài Shànghǎi shēngde. 他/她是在上海生的。 He/she was born in Shànghǎi. 4. Qǐngwèn, nǐ háizi shi zài nǎr shēngde? 请问，你孩子是在哪儿生的？ May I ask, where was your child born? Cue Sìchuān 四川 Sìchuān Tā shi zài Sìchuān shēngde. 他/她是在四川生的。 He/she was born in Sìchuān 5. Qǐngwèn, nǐmen nǚháizi shi zài nǎr shēngde? 请问，你们女孩子是在哪儿生的？ May I ask, where was your daughter born? Cue Běijīng 北京 Běijīng Tā shi zài Běijīng shēngde. 她是在北京生的。 She was born in Běijīng. 6. Qǐngwèn, nǐmen nánháizi shi zài nǎr shēngde? 请问，你们男孩子是在哪儿生的？ May I ask, where was your son born? Cue Mǎsàzhūsāi zhōu (Mázhōu) 马萨诸塞州 Massachusetts Tā shi zài Mǎsàzhūsāi zhōu shēngde. 他是在我住在马萨诸塞州生的。 He was born in Massachusetts. 7. Qǐngwèn, Zēng xiānsheng shi zài nǎr shēngde? 请问，曾先生是在哪儿生的？ May I ask, where was Mr. Zēng born? Cue Niǔ Yüē 纽约 New York Tā shi zài Niǔ Yüē shēngde. 他是在纽约生的。 He was born in New York.

1. Qǐngwèn, nǐ shénme shíhou zǒu? 请问，你是什么时候走？ May I ask, when are you leaving? Cue něitiān 哪天 what day Qǐngwèn, nǐ něitiān zǒu? 请问，你哪天走？ May I ask, what day are you leaving? 2. Qǐngwèn, nǐ něitiān zǒu? 请问，你哪天走？ May I ask, what day are you leaving? Cue jǐyüè 几月 what month Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐyüè zǒu? 请问，你几月走？ May I ask, what month are you leaving? 3. Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐyüè zǒu? 请问，你几月走？ May I ask, what month are you leaving? Cue jǐhào 几号 what day of the month Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐhào zǒu? 请问，你几号走？ May I ask, what day of the month are you leaving? 4. Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐhào zǒu? 请问，你几号走？ May I ask, what day of the month are you leaving? Cue něinián 哪年 what year Qǐngwèn, nǐ něinián zǒu? 请问，你哪年走？ May I ask, what year are you leaving? 5. Qǐngwèn, nǐ něinián zǒu? 请问，你哪年走？ May I ask, May I ask, what year are you leaving? Cue jǐyüè jǐhào 几月几号 what month and what day of the month Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐyüe jǐhào zǒu? 请问，你几月几号走？ May I ask, what month, what day of the month are you leaving? 6. Qǐngwèn, nǐ jǐyüè jǐhào zǒu? 请问，你几月几号走？ May I ask, what month, what day of the month are you leaving? Cue xīngqījǐ 星期几 what day of the week Qǐngwèn, nǐ xīngqījǐ zǒu? 请问，你星期几走？ May I ask, what day of the week are you leaving?

1. Wǒmen xīngqīyī zǒu. 我们星期一走。 We are leaving on Monday. Cue xīngqīèr 星期二 Tuesday Wǒmen xīngqīèr zǒu. 我们星期二走。 We are leaving on Tuesday. 2. Wǒmen xīngqīèr zǒu. 我们星期二走。 We are leaving on Tuesday. Cue xīngqīsān 星期三 Wednesday Wǒmen xīngqīsān zǒu. 我们星期三走。 We are leaving on Wednesday. 3. Wǒmen xīngqīsān zǒu. 我们星期三走。 We are leaving on Wednesday. Cue xīngqīsì 星期四 Thursday Wǒmen xīngqīsì zǒu. 我们星期四走。 We are leaving on Thursday. 4. Wǒmen xīngqīsì zǒu. 我们星期四走。 We are leaving on Thursday. Cue xīngqījǐ 星期几 What day of the week Wǒmen xīngqījǐ zǒu? 我们星期几走？ What day of the week are you leaving? 5. Wǒmen xīngqījǐ zǒu? 我们星期几走？ What day of the week are you leaving? Cue xīngqīwǔ 星期五 Friday Wǒmen xīngqīwǔ xǒu. 我们星期五走。 We are leaving on Friday. 6. Wǒmen xīngqīwǔ zǒu. 我们星期五走。 We are leaving on Friday. Cue xīngqītiān 星期天 Sunday Wǒmen xīngqītiān zǒu. 我们星期天走。 We are leaving on Sunday. 7. Wǒmen xīngqītiān zǒu. 我们星期天走。 We are leaving on Sunday. Cue xīngqīliù 星期六 Saturday Wǒmen xīngqīliù zǒu. 我们星期六走。 We are leaving on Saturday. 8. Wǒmen xīngqīliù zǒu. 我们星期六走。 We are leaving on Saturday. Cue xīngqīyī 星期一 Monday Wǒmen xīngqīyī zǒu. 我们星期一走。 We are leaving on Monday.

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

1. Tā shi jǐyüè shēngde? 他/她是几月生的？ What month was he/she born? Cue èryüe 二月 February Tā shi èryüè shēngde. 他/她是二月生的。 He/she was born in February. 2. Tā àiren shi jǐyüè shēngde? 他/她爱人是几月生的？ What month was his/her spouse born? Cue wǔyüè 五月 May Tā shi wǔyüè shēngde. 他/她是五月生的。 He/she was born in May. 3. Zhāng tóngzhì shi jǐyüè shēngde? 张同志是几月生的？ What month was Comrade Zhāng born? Cue sìyüè 四月 April Tā shi sìyüè shēngde. 他/她是四月生的。 He/she was born in April. 4. Wáng tóngzhì shi jǐyüè shēngde? 王同志是几月生的？ What month was Comrade Wāng born? Cue shíyīyüè 十一月 November Tā shi shíyīyüè shēngde. 他/她是十一月生的。 He/she was born in November. 5. Nǐ àiren shi jǐyüè shēngde? 你爱人是几月生的？ What month was your spouse born? Cue bāyüè 八月 August Tā shi bāyüè shēngde. 他/她是八月生的。 He/she was born in August. 6. Nǐ gēge shi jǐyüè shēngde? 你哥哥是几月生的？ What month was your older brother born? Cue shíèryüè 十二月 December Tā shi shíèryüè shēngde. 他是十二月生的。 He was born in December. 7. Tā mèimei shi jǐyüè shēngde? 他/她妹妹是几月生的？ What month was your younger sister born? Cue liùyüè 六月 June Tā shi liùyüè shēngde. 她是六月生的。 She was born in June.

1. Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. 他/她是一月生的。 He/she was born in January. Cue yíhào 一号 first Tā shi yíyüè yíhào shēngde. 他/她是一月一号生的。 He/she was born in January first. 2. Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. 他/她是一月生的。 He/she was born in January. Cue shíyīhào 十一号 11th Tā shi yíyüè shíyīhào shēngde. 他/她是一月十一号生的。 He/she was born on the 11th of January. 3. Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. 他/她是一月生的。 He/she was born in January. Cue èrshiliùhào 二十六号 26th Tā shi yíyüè èrshiliùhào shēngde. 他/她是一月二十六号生的。 He/she was born on the 26th of January. 4. Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. 他/她是一月上的。 He/she was born in January. Cue qíhào 七号 7th Tā shi yíyüè qíhào shēngde. 他/她是一月七号生的。 He/she was born on the 7th of January. 5. Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. 他/她是一月生的。 He/she was born in January. Cue shísìhào 十四号 14th Tā shi yíyüè shísìhào shēngde. 他/她是一月十四号生的。 He/she was born on the 14th of January. 6. Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. 他/她是一月生的。 He/she was born in January. Cue èrshibāhào 二十八号 28th Tā shi yíyüè èrshibāhào shēngde. 他/她是一月二十八号生的。 He/she was born on the 28th of January. 7. Tā shi yíyüè shēngde. 他/她是一月生的。 He/she was born in January. Cue shíhào 十号 10th Tā shi yíyüè shíhào shēngde. 他/她是一月十号生的。 He/she was born on the 10th of January.

1. Nǐmen nǚhāizi jǐsuì le? 你们女孩子几岁了？ How old is your daughter? Cue 5 Tā wǔsuì le. 她五岁了。 She is 5. 2. Tāmen nánháizi jǐsuì le? 他们男孩子几岁了？ How old is their boy? Cue 11 Tā shíyīsuì le. 他十一岁了。 He is 11. 3. Hú tàitai nǚháizi jǐsuì le? 胡太太女孩子几岁了？ How old is Mrs. Hú’s daughter? Cue 13 Tā shísānsuì le. 她十三岁了。 She is 13. 4. Tā mèimei jǐsuì le? 他/她妹妹几岁了？ How old is his/her younger sister? Cue 7 Tā qísuì le. 她七岁了。 She is 7. 5. Nǐ nánháizi jǐsuì le? 你男孩子几岁了？ How old is your boy? Cue 6 Tā liùsuì le. 他六岁了。 He is 6. 6. Nǐ nǚháizi jǐsuì le? 你女孩子几岁了？ How old is your daughter? Cue 4 Tā sìsuì le . 她四岁了。 She is 4. 7. Nèige nánháizi jǐsuì le? 那个男孩子几岁了？ How old is that boy? Cue 8 Tā bāsuì le. 他八岁了。 He is 8.

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

1. Nín mǔqin duó dà suìshu le? 您母亲多大岁数了？ How old is your mother? Cue 65 Tā liùshiwǔsuì le. 她六十五岁了。 She is 65. 2. Nín fùqin duódà suìshu le? 您父亲多大岁数了？ How old is your father? Cue 67 Tā liùshiqīsuì le. 他六十七岁了。 He is 67. 3. Tā jiějie duódà suìshu le? 他/她姐姐多大岁数了？ How old is his/her older sister? Cue 46 Tā sìshiliùsuì le. 他四十六岁了。 She is 46. 4. Tā gēge duó dà suìshu le? 他/她哥哥多大岁数了？ How old is his/her older brother? Cue 44 Tā sìshisìsuì le. 他四十四岁了。 He is 44. 5. Zhāng xiānsheng duódà suìshu le? 张先生多大岁数了？ How old is Mr. Zhāng? Cue 72 Tā qīshièrsuì le. 他七十二岁了。 He is 72. 6. Wáng tàitai duó dà suìshu le? 王太太多大岁数了？ How old is Mrs . Wáng? Cue 59 Tā wǔshijiǔsuì le. 她五十九岁了。 She is 59. 7. Wáng tàitai mèimei duó dà suìshu le? 王太太妹妹多大岁数了？ How old is Mrs. Wáng’s younger sister? Cue 58 Tā wǔshibāsuì le. 她五十八岁了。 She is 58.

1. Tā shi wǔyüè láide. 他/她是五月来的。 He/she came in May. Où. Tā shi shàngge yüè láide. 哦。他/她是上个月来的。 Oh. He/she came last month. 2. Tā qíyüè lái. 他/她七月来。 He/she is coming in July. Où. Tā xiàge yüè lái. 哦。他/她下个月来。 Oh. He/she is coming next month. 3. Tā liùyüè lái. 他/她六月来。 He/she is coming in June. Où. Tā zhèige yüè lái. 哦。他/她这个月来。 Oh. He/she is coming this month. 4. Tā shi liùyüè láide. 他/她是六月来的。 He/she is came in June. Où. Tā shi zhèige yüè láide. 哦。他/她这个月来的。 Oh. He/she came this month. 5. Tā qīyüè zǒu. 他/她七月走。 He/she is leaving in September. Où. Tā xiàge yüè zǒu. 哦。他/她下个月走。 Oh. He/she is leaving next month. 6. Tā shi wǔyüè dàode. 他/她是五月到的。 He/she arrived in May. Où. Tā shi shàngge yüè dàode. 哦。他/她是上个月到的。 Oh. He/she is arrived last month. 7. Tā shi liùyüè zǒude. 他/她是六月走的。 He/she left on June. Où. Tā shi zhèige yüè zǒude. 哦。他/她是这个月走的。 Oh. He/she left this month.

1. Tā shi yījiǔsānwǔnián shēngde. 他/她是一九三五年生的。 He/she was born in 1935. Tā shi něinián shēngde? 他/她是哪年生的？ What year was he/she born? 2. Tā shi sìyüè láide. 他/她是四月来的。 He/she came in April. Tā shi jǐyüè láide? 他/她是几月来的？ What month did he/she come? 3. Tā shi xīngqīwǔ zǒude. 他/她是星期五走的。 He/she left on Friday. Tā shi xīngqījǐ zǒude? 他/她是星期几走的？ What day of the week did he/she leave? 4. Tā shi qīhào dàode. 他/她是七号到的。 He/she has arrived on the seventh. Tā shi jǐhào dàode? 他/她是几号到的？ What day of the month did he/she arrive? 5. Tā shi yījiǔqīsìnián láide. 他/她是一九七四年来的。 He/she has come in 1974. Tā shi něinián láide? 他/她是哪年来的？ What year did he/she came? 6. Tā shi xīngqītiān zǒude. 他/她是星期天走的。 He/she has left on Sunday. Tā shi xīngqījǐ zǒude? 他/她是星期几走的？ What day did he/she leave. 7. Tā shi jiǔyüè shēngde. 他/她是九月生的。 He/she was born in September. Tā shi jǐyüè shēngde? 他/她是几月生的？ 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: Tā zhù liǎngtiān. 她住两天。 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. 我想她住两天。 I think she is staying two days. 4. A: Nǐ xiǎng zhù duò 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? 你想在台湾住多久？ How long are you thinking of staying in Taiwan? B: Wǒ xiǎng zhù báge yüè. 我想住八个月。 I’m thinking of staying eight months. 6. This exchange occurs on the C-1 tape only. 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. 他想住两个星期。 He is thinking of staying two weeks. 7. A: Nǐ láile duó jiǔ le? 你来了多久了？ How long have you been there? B: Wǒ láile sāntiān le. 我来了三天了。 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. 她住了两天。 She stayed two days. 9. A: Tā lái le ma? 他来了吗？ Did he come? B: Lái le, tā lái le. 来了，他来了。 Yes, he came. 10. A: Tā lái le ma? 他来了吗？ Did he come? B: Méi lái, tā méi lái. 没来，他没来。 No, he didn’t come. 11. A: Nǐ cóngqián láiguo ma? 你从前来过吗？ Have you ever been here before? B: Wǒ cóngqián méi láiguo. 我从前没来过。 I have never been here before.

qù 去 to go Niǔ Yüē 纽约 New York cóngqián 从前 in the past duó jiǔ 多久 how long -guo —过 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 zǒu ? When are you leaving? 你 什么时候 走？ Nǐ zhù duó jiǔ? How long are you staying? 你 住 多久？ 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 living in Běijīng. 我 住 在北京。 Nǐ zài Běijīng zhù duó jiǔ? How long are you staying in Běijīng? 你 在北京 住 多久？ 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. 她住两天。 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. 我想她住两天。 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. w哦向他明天来。 Wǒ xiǎng tā bú qù. I think he is not going. 我想他不去。 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? 你想走马？ Wǒ bù xiǎng zǒu. I don’t want to leave. 我不想走。 Nǐ xiǎng zài Táiběi gōngzuò ma? Do you want to work in Taipei? 你想在台北工作马？

5. A: Nǐ xiǎng zài Táiwān zhù duó jiǔ? 你想在台湾住多久？ How long are you thinking of staying in Taiwan? B: Wǒ xiǎng zhù báge yüè. 我想住八个月。 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. 他想住两个星期。 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 三天 sānnián 3 years 三年 sānge xīngqī 3 weeks 三个星期 sānge yüè 3 months 三个月

7. A: Nǐ láile duó jiǔ le? 你来了多久了？ How long have you been there? B: Wǒ láile sāntiān le. 我来了三天了。 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. 她住了两天。 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. 我在那儿住了三天。 Wǒ zài nàr zhùle sāntiān le. I have been here (stayed here) for three days now (so far). 我在那儿住了三天了。 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. 那个时候他们只有两个孩子。 Tā qǜnián bú zài Shànghǎi, zài Běijīng. He wasn’t in Shànghǎi last year; he was in Běijīng. 他去年不在上海，在北京。 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) 到 来 gōngzuò (to work) zhù (to live, to stay) 工作 住 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 大 是 duì to be correct jiào to be called 对 叫 xìng to be surnamed zài to be at 性 在 xiǎng to want to zhīdào to know 想 直到 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. 他已经到了。 Tā gōngzuòle yìnián. He worked one year. 他工作了一年。 Tā lái le ma? Did he come? 他来了马？ STATE Tā qǜnián bú zài zhèr. He wasn’t here last year. 他去年不在这儿。 Tā zuótiān xiǎng qù. Yesterday he wanted to go. 他昨天想去。 Tā zuótiān bú zhīdào. He didn’t know yesterday. 他昨天不知道。

9. A: Tā lái le ma? 他来了吗？ Did he come? B: Lái le, tā lái le. 来了，他来了。 Yes, he came. 10. A: Tā lái le ma? 他来了吗？ Did he come? B: Méi lái, tā méi lái. 没来，他没来。 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? 他 来 了 马？ Tā lái le. She came. 他 来 了。 Tā méi lái She didn’t come. 他 没 来。 Combined le Tā lái le ma? Has he come? 他 来 了 马？ Tā lái le. She has come. OR She’s here. 他 来 了。 Tā hái méi lái. She hasn’t come yet. 他 还 没 来。 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? 你从前来过吗？ Have you ever been here before? B: Wǒ cóngqián méi láiguo. 我从前没来过。 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? 你 从天 来 过 马？ Nǐ cóngqián méi lái -guo I have never been (come) here before. 你 从天 没 来 过 Nǐ cóngqián lái -guo I have been (come) here before 你 从天 来 过 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. 他 来 了。 He came. Tā méi lái 他 没 来 He didn't come. Tā lái -guo. 他 来 过。 He came (He was here). Ta méi lái -guo. 他 没 来 过。 He hasn't been here.

1. Zhāng xiānsheng zhù duó jiǔ? 张先生住多久？ How long is Mr. Zhāng staying? Cue yíge yüè 一个月 one month Zhāng xiānsheng zhù yíge yüè. 张先生住一个月。 Mr. Zhāng is staying one month. 2. Wáng xiǎojiě zhù duó jiǔ? 王小姐住多久？ How long is Miss Wáng staying? Cue liǎngge xīnqī 两个星期 two weeks Wáng xiǎojiě zhù liǎngge xīngqī. 王小姐住两个星期。 Miss Wáng is staying two weeks. 3. Hú tàitai zhù duó jiǔ? 胡太太住多久？ How long is Mrs. Hú staying? Cue sānge yüè 三个月 three months Hú tàitai zhù sānge yüè. 胡太太住三个月。 Mrs. Hú is staying three months. 4. Tā zhù duó jiǔ? 他/她住多久？ How long is he/she staying? Cue sìge xīngqī 四个星期 four weeks Tā zhù sìge xīngqī. 他/她住四个星期。 He/she is staying four weeks. 5. Tā tàitai zhù duó jiǔ? 他/她太太住多久？ How long is his wife staying? Cue liǎngge xīngqī 两个星期 two weeks Tā tàitai zhù liǎngge xīngqī. 他太太住两个星期。 His wife is staying two weeks. 6. Lǐ xiǎojiě zhù duó jiǔ? 李小姐住多久？ How long is Miss Lǐ staying? Cue wǔge yüè 五个月 five months Lǐ xiǎojiě zhù wǔge yüè. 李小姐住五个月。 Miss Lǐ is staying five months. 7. Tā xiānsheng zhù duó jiǔ? 她先生住多久？ How long is her husband staying? Cue liùge xīngqī 六个星期 six weeks Tā xiānsheng zhù liùge xīngqī. 她先生住六个星期。 Her husband is staying six weeks.

1. Zhāng tóngzhì zhù duó jiǔ? 张同志住多久？ How long is Comrade Zhāng staying? Cue sāntiān 三天 three days Zhāng tóngzhì zhù sāntiān. 张同志住三天。 Comrade Zhāng is staying three days. 2. Tā mǔqin zhù duó jiǔ? 他/她母亲住多久？ How long is his/her mother staying? Cue yìnián 一年 one year Tā mǔqin zhù yìnián. 他/她母亲住一年。 His/her mother is staying one year. 3. Tā fùqin zhù duó jiǔ? 他/她父亲住多久？ How long is his/her father staying? Cue wǔtiān 五天 five days Tā fùqin zhù wǔtiān. 他/她父亲住五天。 His/her father is staying five days. 4. Wáng tóngzhì zhù duó jiǔ? 王同志住多久？ How long is Comrade Wáng staying? Cue bātiān 八天 eight days Wáng tóngzhì zhù bātiān. 王同志住八天。 Comrade Wáng is staying eight days. 5. Nǐ jiějie zhù duó jiǔ? 李姐姐住多久？ How long is your older sister staying. Cue liǎngnián 两年 two years Wǒ jiějie zhù liǎngnián. 我姐姐住两年。 My older sister is staying two years. 6. Hú tóngzhì zhù duó jiǔ? 胡同志住多久？ How long is Comrade Hú staying? Cue sìtiān 四天 four days Hú tóngzhì zhù sìtiān. 胡同志之四天。 Comrade Hú is staying four days. 7. Tā zhù duó jiǔ? 他/他住多久？ How long is How long is he/she staying? Cue sānnián 三年 three years Tā zhù sānnián. 他/他住三年。 He/she is staying three years.

1. Tā mǔqin zhù duó jiǔ? 他/她母亲住多久？ How long is his/her mother staying? Cue liǎngge yüè 两个月 two months Tā mǔqin zhù liǎngge yüè. 他/她母亲住两个月。 His/her mother is staying two months. 2. Tā mèimei zhù duó jiǔ? 他/她妹妹住多久？ How long is his/her younger sister staying? Cue yíge xīngqī 一个星期 one week Tā mèimei zhù yíge xīngqī. 他/她妹妹住一个星期。 His/her younger sister is staying one week. 3. Zhāng tàitai zhù duó jiǔ? 张太太住多久？ How long is Mrs. Zhāng staying? Cue jiǔtiān 九天 nine days Zhāng tàitai zhù jiǔtiān. 张太太住九天。 Mrs. Zhāng is staying nine days. 4. Tā gēge zhù duó jiǔ? 他/她哥哥住多久？ How long is his/her older brother staying? Cue sìge xīngqī 四个星期 four weeks Tā gēge zhù sìge xīngqī. 他/她哥哥住四个星期。 His/her older brother is staying four weeks. 5. Wáng xiānsheng zhù duó jiǔ? 王先生住多久？ How long is Mr. Wáng staying? Cue yíge yüè 一个月 one month Wáng xiānsheng zhù yíge yüè. 王先生住一个月。 Mr. Wáng is staying one month. 6. Tā dìdi zhù duó jiǔ? 他/她弟弟住多久？ How long is his/her younger brother staying? Cue yìnián 一年 one year Tā dìdi zhù yínián. 他/她弟弟住一年。 His/her younger brother is staying one year. 7. Tā jiějie zhù duó jiǔ? 他/她姐姐住多久？ How long is his/her older sister staying? Cue shítiān 十天 ten days Tā jiějie zhù shítiān. 他/她姐姐住十天。 His/her older sister is staying ten days.

1. Zhāng tàitai de gēge zhù duó jiǔ? 张太太的哥哥 住多久？ How long is Mrs. Zhāng’s older brother staying? Cue Xiānggǎng 香港 Hong Kong Zhāng tàitaide gēge zài xiānggǎng zhù duó jiǔ? 张太太的哥哥在香港住多久？ How long is Mrs. Zhāng’s older brother staying in Hong Kong? 2. Jiāng xiānsheng de dìdi zhù duó jiǔ? 江先生的弟弟住多久？ How long is Mr. Jiāng’s younger brother staying? Cue Guǎngzhōu 广州 Guǎngzhōu Jiāng xiānsheng de dìdi zài Guǎngzhōu zhù duó jiǔ? 江先生的弟弟住广州多久？ How long is Mr. Jiāng’s younger brother staying in Guǎngzhōu? 3. Zēng xiǎojiě de mèimei zhù duó jiǔ? 曾小姐的妹妹住多久？ How long is Miss Zēng’s younger sister staying? Cue Zhōngguo 中国 China Zēng xiǎojiěde mèimei zài Zhōngguó zhù duó jiǔ? 曾小姐的妹妹在中国住多久？ How long is Miss Zēng’s younger sister staying in China? 4. Chén tóngzhì de jiějie zhù duó jiǔ? 陈同志的姐姐住多久？ How long is comrade Chén’s older sister staying? Cue Shānghǎi 上海 Shānghǎi Chén tóngzhìde jiějie zài Shānghǎi zhù duó jiǔ? 陈同志的姐姐在上海住多久？ How long is comrade Chén’s older sister staying in Shānghǎi? 5. Qián tóngzhì de àiren zhù duó jiǔ? 钱同志的爱人住多久？ How long is comrade Qián’s spouse staying? Cue Měiguo 美国 America Qián tóngzhìde àiren zài Měiguo zhù duó jiǔ? 钱同志的爱人在美国住多久？ How long is comrade Qián’s spouse staying in America? 6. Cáo xiǎojiě de fùqin zhù duó jiǔ? 曹小姐的父亲住多久？ How long is Miss Cáo’s father staying? Cue Qīngdǎo 青岛 Qīngdǎo Cáo xiǎojiě de fùqin zài Qīngdǎo zhù duó jiǔ? 曹小姐的父亲在青岛住多久？ How long is Miss Cáo’s father staying in Qīngdǎo? 7. Xià xiāngsheng de mǔqin zhù duó jiǔ? 夏先生的母亲住多久？ How long is Mr. Xià’s mother staying? Cue Běijīng 北京 Běijīng Xià xiāngshengde mǔqin zài Běijīng zhù duó jiǔ? 夏先生的母亲在北京住多久？ How long is Mr. Xià’s mother staying in Běijīng?

1. Tā zhù jǐtiān? 他/她住几天？ How many days is he/she staying? Tā xiǎng zhù jǐtiān? 他/她想住几天？ How many days is he/she planning on staying? 2. Hú xiānsheng zhù jǐge yüè? 胡先生住几个月？ How many months is Mr. Hú staying? Hú xiānsheng xiǎng zhù jǐge yüè? 胡先生想住几个月？ How many months is Mr. Hú planning on staying? 3. Wáng tàitai zhù jǐge xīngqī? 王太太住几个星期？ How many weeks is Mrs. Wáng staying? Wáng tàitai xiǎng zhù jǐge xīngqī? 王太太想住几个星期？ How many weeks is Mrs. Wáng planning on staying? 4. Tā xiānsheng zhù jǐnián? 她先生住几年？ How many years is her husband staying? Tā xiānsheng xiǎng zhù jǐnián? 她先生想住几年？ How many years is her husband planning on staying? 5. Zhōu xiǎojiě zhù jǐge yüè? 周小姐住几个月？ How many months is Miss Zhōu staying? Zhōu xiǎojiě xiǎng zhù jǐge yüè? 周小姐想住几个月？ How many months is Miss Zhōu planning on staying? 6. Wǒ fùqin zhù jǐge xīngqī? 我父亲住几个星期？ How many weeks is my father staying? Wǒ fùqin xiǎng zhù jǐge xīngqī? 我父亲想住几个星期？ How many weeks is my father planning on staying? 7. Tā mèimei zhù jǐtiān? 他/她妹妹住几天？ How many days is hi/her younger sister staying? Tā mèimei xiǎng zhù jǐtiān? 他/她妹妹想住几天？ How many days is hi/her younger sister planning on staying?

1. Tā zhù yíge xīngqī. 他/她住一个星期。 He/she is staying one week. Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù yíge xīngqī. 我想他/她住一个星期。 I think he/she is staying one week. 2. Tā zhù liǎngnián. 他/她住两年。 He/she is staying two years. Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù liǎngnián. 我想他/她住两年。 I think he/she is staying two years. 3. Tā zhù sānge yüè. 他/她住三个月。 He/she is staying three months. Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù sānge yüè. 我想他/她住三个月。 I think he/she is staying three months. 4. Tā zhù liǎngge xīngqī. 他/她住两个星期。 He/she is staying two weeks. Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù liǎngge xīngqī. 我想他/她住两个星期。 I think he/she is staying two weeks. 5. Tā zhù qītiān. 他/她住七天。 He/she is staying seven days. Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù qītiān. 我想他/她住七天。 I think he/she is staying seven days. 6. Tā zhù sìnián. 他/他住十年。 He/she is staying four years. Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù sìnián. 我想他/她住十年。 I think he/she is staying four years. 7. Tā zhù liùge yüè. 他/她住六个月。 He/she is staying six months. Wǒ xiǎng tā zhù liùge yüè. 我想他/她住六个月。 I think he/she is staying six months.

1. Tā zhù yíge xīngqī. 他/她住一个星期。 He/she is staying one week. Tā zhùle yíge xīngqī. 他/她住了一个星期。 He/she stayed one week. 2. Mǎ tóngzhì zhù yìnián. 马同志住一年。 Comrade Mǎ is staying one year. Mǎ tóngzhì zhùle yìnián. 马同志住了一年。 Comrade Mǎ stayed one year. 3. Wáng tóngzhì zhù sìge yüè. 王同志住四个月。 Comrade Wáng is staying four months. Wáng tóngzhì zhùle sìge yüè. 王同志住了四个月。 Comrade Wáng stayed four months. 4. Zēng tóngzhì zhù wǔtiān. 曾同志住五天。 Comrade Zēng is staying five days. Zēng tóngzhì zhùle wǔtiān. 曾同志住了五天。 Comrade Zēng stayed five days. 5. Wǒ zhù liǎngge xīngqī. 我住两个星期。 I’m staying two weeks. Wǒ zhùle liǎngge xīngqī. 我住了两个星期。 I stayed two weeks. 6. Tā háizi zhù liùtiān. 他/她孩子住六天。 His/her children are staying six days. Tā háizi zhùle liùtian. 他/她孩子住了六天。 His/her children stayed six days. 7. Tā mèimei zhù liǎngnián. 他/她妹妹住两年。 His/her younger sister is staying two years. Tā mèimei zhùle liǎngnián. 他/她妹妹住了两年。 His/her younger sister stayed two years.

1. Tā zhùle sāntiān. 他/她住了三天。 He/she stayed three days Tā zhùle sāntiān le. 他/她住了三天了。 He/she has stayed three days. 2. Wǒ zhùle yíge xīngqī. 我住了一个星期。 I stayed one week. Wǒ zhùle yíge xīngqī le. 我住了一个星期了。 I have stayed one week. 3. Tā fùqin zhùle liǎngge yüè. 他/她父亲住了两个月。 His/her father stayed two months. Tā fùqin zhùle liǎngge yüè le. 他/她父亲住了两个月了。 His/her father has stayed two months. 4. Tā jiějie zhùle shíyītiān. 他/她姐姐住了十一天。 His/her older sister stayed eleven days. Tā jiějie zhùle shíyītiān le. 他/她姐姐住了十一天了。 His/her older sister has stayed eleven days. 5. Wáng xiānsheng zhùle yìnián. 王先生住了一年。 Mr. Wáng stayed one year. Wáng xiānsheng zhùle yìnián le. 王先生住了一年了。 Mr. Wáng has stayed one year. 6. Wáng tàitai zhùle sānge xīngqī. 王太太住了三个星期。 Mrs. Wáng stayed three weeks. Wáng tàitai zhùle sānge xīngqī le. 王太太住了三个星期了。 Mrs. Wáng has stayed three weeks. 7. Hú xiǎojiě zhùle qītiān. 胡小姐住了七天。 Miss Hú stayed seven days. Hú xiǎojiě zhùle qītiān le. 胡小姐住了七天了。 Miss Hú has stayed seven days.

1. Tā zhù yìtiān. 他/她住一天。 He/she is staying one day. Cue hái měi lái 还没来 didn’t come yet Tā xiǎng zhù yìtiān. 他/她想住一天。 He/she is planning on staying one day. 2. Tā zhù yìtiān. 他/她住一天。 He/she is staying one day. Cue yǐjīng zǒu le 已经走了 already left Tā zhùle yìtiān. 他/她住了一天。 He/she stayed one day. 3. Tā zhù yìtiān. 他/她住一天。 He/she is staying one day. Cue hái zài zhèr 还在这儿 already here Tā zhùle yìtiān le. 他/她住了一天了。 He/she has stayed one day. 4. Tā zhù liǎngge xīngqī. 他/她住两个星期。 He/she is staying two weeks. Cue yǐjīng zǒu le 已经走了 already left Tā zhùle liǎngge xīngqī. 他/她住了两个星期。 He/she stayed two weeks. 5. Tā zhù sāntiān. 他/她住三天。 He/she is staying three days. Cue hái méi lái 还没来 didn’t come yet Tā xiǎng zhù sāntiān. 他/她想住三天。 He/she is planning of staying three days. 6. Tā zhù yìnián. 他/她住一年。 He/she is staying one year. Cue hái zài zhèr 还在这儿 already here Tā zhùle yìnián le. 他/她住了一年了。 He/she has stayed one year. 7. Tā zhù wǔge xīngqī. 他/她住五个星期。 He/she is staying five weeks. Cue yǐjīng zǒu le 已经走了 already left Tā zhùle wǔge xīngqī. 他/她住了五个星期。 He/she stayed five weeks.

1. Tā xīngqīyī lái, xīngqīsān zǒu. 他/她星期一来，星期三走。 He/she is coming on Monday, leaving on Wednesday. Tā xiǎng zhù liǎngtiān. 他/他想住两天。 He/she is planning on staying two days. 2. Tā yíyüè lái, sìyüè zǒu. 他/她一月来，四月走。 He/she is coming on January, leaving on April. Tā xiǎng zhù sānge yüè. 他/她想住三个月。 He/she is planning on staying three months. 3. Tā wǔyüè lái, qíyüè zǒu. 他/她五月来，七月走。 He/she is coming on May, leaving on September. Tā xiǎng zhù liǎngge yüè. 他/她想住两个月。 He/she is planning on staying four months. 4. Tā yíhào lái, liùhào zǒu. 他/她一号来，六号走。 He/she is coming the first of the month, leaving the sixth. Tā xiǎng zhù wǔtiān. 他/她想住五天。 He/she is planning on staying five days. 5. Tā liùyüè lái, shíyüè zǒu. 他/她六月来，十月走。 He/she is coming on June, leaving on October. Tā xiǎng zhù sìge yüè. 他/她想住四个月。 He/she is planning on staying four months. 6. Tā yījiǔqīliùnián lái, yījiǔqībānián zǒu. 他/她一九七六年来，一九七八年走。 He/she is coming in 1976, leaving in 1978. Tā xiǎng zhù liǎngnián. 他/她想住两年。 He/she is planning on staying two years. 7. Tā xīngqīwǔ lái, xiàge xīngqīyī zǒu. 他/她星期五来，下个星期一走。 He/she is coming on Friday, leaving next Monday . Tā xiǎng zhù sāntiān. 他/她想住三天。 He/she is planning on staying three days.

1. Tā shi èrhào láide, sìhào zǒude. 他/她是二号来的，四号走的。 He/she came on the second, left on the fourth. Tā zhùle liǎngtiān. 他/她住了两天。 He/she stayed two days. 2. Tā shi yǐjiǔqīyīnián láide, yījiǔqīsìnián zǒude. 他/她是一九七一年来的，一九七四年走的。 He/she came in 1971, left in 1974. Tā zhùle sānnián. 他/她住了三年。 He/she stayed three years. 3. Tā shi sānyüè láide, wǔyüè zǒude. 他/她是三月来的，五月走的。 He/she came in April , left in May. Tā zhùle liǎngge yüè. 他/她住了两个月。 He/she stayed two months. 4. Tā shi xīngqīèr láide, xīngqīliù zǒude. 他/她是星期二来的，星期六走的。 He/she came on Tuesday , left on Saturday. Tā zhùle sìtiān. 他/她住了四天。 He/she stayed four days. 5. Tā shi jiǔhào láide, shíyīhào zǒude. 他/她是九号来的，十一号走的。 He/she came on the ninth, left on the eleventh. Tā zhùle liǎngtiān. 他/她住了两天。 He/she stayed two days. 6. Tā shi zuótiān láide, jīntiān zǒude. 他/她是昨天来的，今天走的。 He/she came yesterday , left today. Tā zhùle yìtiān. 他/她住了一天。 He/she stayed one day. 7. Tā shi shànge yüè sānshiyíhào láide, zhèige yüè wǔhào zǒude. 他/她是上个月三十一号来的， 这个月五号走的。 He/she came the 31st last month, left on the 5th this month. Tā zhùle wǔtiān. 他/她住了五天。 He/she stayed five days.

1. Tā míngtiān bù lái. 他/她明天不来。 He/she isn’t coming tomorrow. Cue zuótiān 昨天 yesterday Tā zuótiān méi lái. 他/她昨天没来。 He/she didn’t come yesterday. 2. Tā hòutiān bù zǒu. 他/她后天不走。 He/she isn’t leaving the day after tomorrow. Cue qiántiān 前天 the day before yesterday Ta qiántiān méi zǒu. 他/她前天没走。 He/she didn’t leave the day before yesterday. 3. Tā míngtiān bù lái. 他/她明天不来。 He/she isn’t coming tomorrow. Cue qǜnián 去年 last year Tā qǜnián méi lái. 他/她去年没来。 He/she didn’t come last year. 4. Tā xiàge yüè bù zǒu. 他/她下个月不走。 He/she isn’t leaving next month. Cue shàngge yüè 上个月 last month Tā shàngge yüè méi zǒu. 他/她上个月没走。 He/she didn’t leave last month. 5. Tā xiàge xīngqī bù lái. 他/她下个星期不来。 He/she isn’t coming next week. Cue shàngge xīngqī 上个星期 last week Tā shàngge xīngqī méi lái. 他/她上个星期没来。 He/she didn’t come last week. 6. Tā hòutiān bù lái. 他/她后年不来。 He/she isn’t coming the day after tomorrow. Cue qiánnián 前面 the day before yesterday Tā qiánnián méi lái. 他/她前年没来。 He/she didn’t come the day before yesterday. 7. Tā jīntiān bù zǒu. 他/她今天不走。 He/she isn’t leaving today. Cue jintiān 今天 today Tā jīntiān méi zǒu. 他/她今天没走。 He/she didn’t leave today.

1. Tā lái le ma? 他/她来了吗？ Did he/she come? Tā láiguo ma? 他/她来过吗？ Has he/she ever been here? 2. Tā àiren lái le ma? 他/她爱人来了吗？ Did his/her spouse come? Tā àiren láiguo ma? 他/她爱人来过吗？ Has his/her spouse been here? 3. Tā mǔqin lái le ma? 他/她母亲来了吗？ Did his/her mother come? Tā mǔqin láiguo ma? 他/她母亲来过吗？ Has his/her mother ever been here? 4. Hú tóngzhì lái le ma? 胡同志来了吗？ Did Comrade Hú come? Hú tóngzhì láiguo ma? 胡同志来过吗？ Has Comrade Hú ever been here? 5. Tā dìdi lái le ma? 他/她弟弟来了吗？ Has his/her younger brother come? Tā dìdi láiguo ma? 他/她弟弟来过吗？ Did his/her younger brother ever been here? 6. Wáng Dànián lái le ma? 王大年来了吗？ Did Wáng Dànián come? Wáng Dànián láiguo ma? 王大年来过吗？ Has Wáng Dànián ever been here? 7. Zhào tóngzhì lái le ma? 赵同志来了吗？ Did Comrade Zhào come? Zhào tóngzhì láiguo ma? 赵同志来过吗？ Has Comrade Zhào ever been here?

1. Wáng xiǎojiě lái le ma? 王小姐来了吗？ Did Miss Wáng come? Wáng xiǎjiě méi lái. 王小姐没来。 Miss Wáng didn’t come. 2. Lín xiānsheng lái le ma. 林先生来了吗？ Did Mr. Lín come? Lín xiānsheng méi lái. 林先生没来。 Mr. Lín didn’t come. 3. Liú tàitai lái le ma? 刘太太来了吗？ Did Mrs. Liú come? Liú tàitai méi lái. 刘太太没来。 Mrs. Liú didn’t come. 4. Tā lái le ma? 他/她来了吗？ Did he/she come? Tā méi lái. 他/她没来。 He/she didn’t come. 5. Huáng xiānsheng lái le ma? 黄先生来了吗？ Did Mr. Huáng come? Huāng xiānsheng méi lái. 黄先生没来。 Mr. Huáng didn’t come. 6. Chén xiǎojiě lái le ma? 陈小姐来了吗？ Did Miss Chén come? Chén xiǎojiě mái lái. 陈小姐没来。 Miss Chén didn’t come. 7. Sūn tàitai lái le ma? 孙太太来了吗？ Did Mrs. Sūn come? Sūn tàitai méi lái. 孙太太没来。 Mrs. Sūn didn’t come.

1. Tā láiguo ma? 他/她来过吗？ Has he/she ever been here? Tā méi láiguo. 他/她没来过。 He/she has never been here. 2. Tā àiren láiguo ma? 他/她爱人来过吗？ Has his/her spouse ever been here? Tā àiren méi láiguo. 他/她爱人没来过。 His/her spouse has never been here. 3. Tā nánháizi láiguo ma? 他/她男孩子来过吗？ Has his/her boy ever been here? Tā nánháizi méi láiguo. 他/她男孩子没来过。 His/her boy has never been here. 4. Tāmen háizi dōu láiguo ma? 他们孩子都来过吗？ Have their children ever been here? Tāmen háizi dōu méi láiguo. 他们孩子都没来过。 Their children have never been here. 5. Tā dìdi láiguo ma? 他/她弟弟来过吗？ Has his/her younger brother ever been here? Tā dìdi méi láiguo. 他/她弟弟没来过。 His/her younger brother has never been here. 6. Tā jiějie láiguo ma? 他/她姐姐来过吗？ Has his/her older sister ever been here? Tā jiějie méi láiguo. 他/她姐姐没来过。 His/her sister has never been here. 7. Tā mǔqin láiguo ma? 他/她母亲来过吗？ Has his/her mother ever been here? Tā múqin méi láiguo. 他/她母亲没来过。 His/her mother has never been here.

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: Nǐn zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪里工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài Měiguo Guówùyüàn gōngzuò. 我在美国国务院工作。 I work with the State Department. 2. A: Nǐn zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪里工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ shì xüésheng. 我是学生。 I’m a student. 3. A: Nǐn lái zuò shénme? 您来做什么？ What did you come here to do? B: Wǒ lái niàn shū. 我来念书。 I came here to study. 4. A: Òu, wǒ yě shì xüésheng. 哦，我也是学生。 Oh, I’m a student too. B: Qǐngwèn, nǐ niàn shénme? 请问，你念什么？ May I ask, what are you studying? 4. A: Wǒ niàn lìshǐ. 我念历史。 I’m studying history. A: Kē xiānsheng, nǐ niàn shénme? 柯先生，你念什么？ What are you studying, Mr. Cook? 5. B: Wǒ zài zhèli xüé Zhōngwén. 我在这里学中文。 I’m studying Chinese here. 6. B: Qǐngwèn, nǐ xüéguo Yīngwén ma? 请问，你学过英文吗？ May I ask, have you ever studied English? A: Xüéguo 学过。 Yes. 7. B: Qǐngwèn, nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? 请问，你会说英文吗？ May I ask, can you speak English? A: Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我会说一点。 I can speak a little. 8. A: Nǐ tàitai yě huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? 你太太也会说中国话吗？ Can your wife speak Chinese too? B: Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō. 不会，她不会说。 No, she can’t. 9. A: Nǐde Zhōngguo huà hěn hǎo. 你的中国话很好。 Your Chinese is very good. B: Náli, náli. Wǒ jiù shuō yìdiǎn. 哪里，哪里。我就说一点。 Not at all, not at all. I can speak only a little. 10. A: Nǐ shì zài náli xüéde? 你是在哪里学的？ Where did you study? B: Wǒ shì zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde. 我是在华盛顿学的。 I studied in Washington. 11. B: Nǐ shì zài dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén ma? 你是在大学学的英文吗？ Did you study English at college? A: Shìde, wǒ shì zài Táiwān Dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén. 是的，我是在台湾大学学的英文。 Yes, I studied English at Taiwan University.

jīngxüé 经学 Confucian classics Rìwén 日文 Japanese language wénxüé 文学 literature zhèngzhixüé 政治学 political science nán 难 to be difficult róngyi 容易 to be easy dàxüé 大学 university huà 话 language, words Huáshèngdùn 华盛顿 Washington huì 会 to know how to, to can jīngjixüé 经济学 economics lìshǐ 历史 history Měiguó Guówùyüàn 美国国务院 U.S. Department of State nán 难 to be difficult niàn (shū) 念书 to study shuō (huà) 说话 to speak, to talk xüé 学 to study xüéshēng (xüésheng) 学生 student xüéxí (xüéxi) 学习 to study, to learn (PRC) yìdiǎn 一点 a little Yīngwén 英文 English Zhōngwén 中文 Chinese zuò 做 to do shénme dìfang 什么地方 where, what place

1. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪里工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ zài Měiguó Guówùyüàn gōngzuò. 我在美国国务院工作。 I work with the State Department. 2. A: Nín zài náli gōngzuò? 您在哪里工作？ Where do you work? B: Wǒ shi xüésheng. 我是学生。 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? 您来做什么？ What did you come here to do? B: Wǒ lái niàn shū. 我来念书。 I came here to study. 4. A: Ò, wǒ yě shi xüésheng. 哦，我也是学生。 Oh, I’m a student too. B: Qǐngwèn, nǐ niàn shénme? 请问，你念什么？ May I ask, what are you studying? B: Wǒ niàn lìshǐ. 我念历史。 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. 我是爱年书念书的。 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. 他不念书。 Tā méi niàn shū. He didn’t study. 他每年念书。 Tā yǐjǐng niàn shù le. He has already studied. 他已经念书了。

5. A: Kē xiānsheng, nǐ niàn shénme? 柯先生，你念什么？ What are you studying, Mr. Cook? B: Wǒ zài zhèli xüé zhōngwén. 我在这里学中文。 I’m studying Chinese here. 6. A: Qǐngwèn, nǐ xüéguo Yīngwén ma? 请问，你学过英文吗？ May I ask, have you ever studied English? B: Xüéguo 学过。 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.我在美国已经学过。 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? 请问，你会说英文吗？ May I ask, can you speak English? B: Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我会说一点。 I can speak a little. 8. A: Nǐ tàitai yě huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? 你太太也会说中国话吗？ Can tour wife speak Chinese too? B: Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō. 不会，她不会说。 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. 他去年不会说英文。 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. 他去年不会说英文，现在会了。 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. 他还没说话。 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. 你的中国话很好。 Your Chinese is very good. B: Náli, náli. Wǒ jiù shuō yìdiǎn. 哪里，哪里。我就说一点。 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? 你是在大学学的英文吗？ Did you study English at college? B: Shìde, wǒ shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé xüéde Yīngwén. 是的，我是在台湾大学学的英文。 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. 我 是 在这儿 学 -的。 Wǒ shì zài zhèr xüé -de Yīngwén. 我 是 在这儿 学 -的 英文。

1. Tā shi zài Zhōngguo xüéde Zhōngguo huà ma? 他/她是在中国学的中国话吗？ Did he/she study Chinese in China? Cue Měiguo 美国 America Bú shì, tā shi zài Měiguo xüéde Zhōngguo huà. 不是，他/她是在美国学的中国话。 No, he/she studied Chinese in America. 2. Tā shi zài Měiguo niànde Fàwén ma? 他/她是在美国念的法文吗？ Did he/she study French in America. Cue Jiānádà 加拿大 Canada Bú shì, tā shi zài Jiānádà niànde Fàwén. 不是，他/她是在加拿大念的法文。 No, he/she studied French in Canada. 3. Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde zhēngzhixüé ma? 他/她是在台湾大学念的政治学吗？ Did he/she study political science at Taiwan University? Cue Měiguo Dàxüé 美国大学 American University Bú shi, tā shi zài Měiguo Dàxüé niànde zhèngshixüé. 不是，他/她是在美国大学念的政治学。 No, he/she studied political science in American University. 4. Tā shi zài Yīngguo niànde Yīngguo wénxüé ma? 他/她是在英国念的英国文学吗？ Did he/she study English literature in England? Cue Měiguo Dàxüé 美国大学 American University Bú shì, tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde Yīngguo wénxüé. 不是，他/她是在美国大学念的英国文学。 No, he/she studied English literature in American University. 5. Tā shi zài Jiāzhōu niànde jīngjixüé ma? 他/她是在加州念的经济学吗？ Did he/she study economics in California? Cue Táiwān Dàxüé 台湾大学 Taiwan University Bú shì, tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde jīngjixüé. 不是，他/她是在台湾大学念的经济学。 No, he/she studied economics in a Taiwan University. 6. Tā shi zài Zhōngguo niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ ma? 他/她是在中国念的中国历史吗？ Did he/she study Chinese history in China? Cue Jiāzhōu Dàxüé 加州大学 University of California Bú shì, tā shi zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ. 不是，他/她是在加州大学念的中国历史。 No, he/she studied Chinese history in the California university. 7. Tā shi zài Jiānádà niànde Zhōngwén ma? 他/她是在加拿大念的中文吗？ Did he/she study the Chinese language in Canada? Cue Táiwān 台湾 Taiwan Bú shì, tā shi zài Táiwān niànde Zhōngwén. 不是，他/她是在台湾念的中文。 No, he/she studied the Chinese language in Taiwan.

1. Tā shi zài Huáshèngdùn xüéde Zhōngguo huà ma? 他/她是在华盛顿学的中国话吗？ Did he/she study Chinese in Washington? Cue Huáshēngdùn 华盛顿 Washington Shìde, tā shi zài Huáshēngdùn xüéde Zhōngguo huà. 是的，他/她是在华盛顿学的中国话。 he/she studied Chinese in Washington. 2. Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo lìshǐ ma? 他/她是在台湾大学念的中国历史吗？ Did he/she study Chinese history in Taiwan University? Cue Měiguó Dàxüé 美国大学 American University Bú shì, tā shi zài Měiguo Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguó lìshǐ. 不是，他/她是在美国大学念的中国历史。 No, he/she studied Chinese history at American University. 3. Tā shi zài dàxüé xüéde Zhōngwén ma? 他/她是在大学学的中文吗？ Did he/she learn Chinese in college? Cue dàxüé 大学 college Shìde, tā shi zài dàxüé xüéde Zhōngwén. 是的，他/她是在大学学的中文。 Yes, he/she learned Chinese in college. 4. Tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo wénxüé ma? 他/她是在台湾大学念的中国文学吗？ Did he/she study Chinese literature at Taiwan University? Cue Jiāzhōu Dàxüé 加州大学 University of California Bú shì, tā shi zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde Zhōngguo wénxüé. 不是，他/她是在加州大学念的中国文学。 No, he/she studied Chinese literature at the University of California. 5. Tā shi zài Měiguó Dàxüé niànde wénxüé ma? 他/她是在美国大学念的文学吗？ Did he/she study literature at American University? Cue Měiguó Dàxüé 美国大学 American University Shìde, tā shi zài Měiguo Dàxüé niànde wénxüé. 是的，他/她是在美国大学念的文学。 Yes, he/she studied literature at American University 6. Tā shi zài Jiāzhōu Dàxüé niànde zhèngzhixüé ma? 他/她是在加州念的政治学吗？ Did he/she study political science at the University of California? Cue Táiwān Dàxüé 台湾大学 University of Taiwan Bú shì, tā shi zài Táiwān Dàxüé niànde shèngzhixüé. 不是，他/她是在台湾大学念的政治学。 No, he/she studied political science at Taiwan University. 7. Tā shi zài Fàguó niànde Fàwén ma? 他/她是在法国念的法文吗？ Did he/she study French in France? Cue Měiguó 美国 America Bú shì, tā shi zài Měiguó niànde Fàwén. 不是，他/她是在美国念的法文。 No, he/she studied French in University of America.

1. Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? 你会说英文吗？ Can you speak English? Cue xüéguo 学过 have studied Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我会说一点。 I can speak a little. 2. Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? 你会说英文吗？ Can you speak English? Cue méi xüéguo 没学过 haven’t studied Wǒ bú huì shuō. 我不会说。 I can’t speak it. 3. Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma? 你会说中文吗？ Can you speak Chinese? Cue xüéguo 学过 have studied Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我会说一点。 I can speak Chinese a little. 4. Tā huì shuō Déwén ma? 他/她会说德文吗？ Can he/speak German? Cue méi xüéguo 没学过 haven’t studied Tā bǔ huì shuō. 他/她不会说。 He cannot speak it. 5. Nǐ huì shuō Rìwén ma? 你会说日文吗？ Can you speak Japanese? Cue xüéguo 学过 have studied Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn. 我会说一点。 I can speak Japanese a little. 6. Tā huì shuō Yīngguo huà ma? 他/她会说英国话吗？ Can he/she speak English? Cue xüéguo 学过 have studied Tā huì shuō yìdiǎn. 他/她会说一点。 He/she can speak a little. 7. Nǐ huì shuō Fàwén ma? 你会说法文吗？ Can you speak French? Cue méi xüéguo 没学过 haven’t studied Wǒ bú huì shuō. 我不会说。 I cannot speak it.

1. Tā huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? 他/她会说中国话吗？ Can he/she speak Chinese? Cue xüéguo 学过 have studied Huì, tā huì shuō Zhōngguo huà. 会，他/她会说中国话。 Yes, he/she can speak Chinese. 2. Tā huì shuō Zhōngguo huà ma? 他/她会说中国话吗？ Can he/she speak Chinese? Cue méi xüéguo 没学过 haven’t studied Bú huì, tā bú huì shuō Zhōngguo huà. 不会，他/她会说中国话。 No, he/she cannot speak Chinese. 3. Tā àiren huì shuō Fàwén ma? 他/她爱人会说法文吗？ Can his/her spouse speak French? Cue xüéguo 学过 have studied Huì, tā àiren huì shuō Fàwén. 会，他/她爱人会说法文。 Yes, his/her spouse can speak French. 4. Tā fùqin huì shuō Rìwén ma? 他/她父亲会说日文吗？ Can his/her mother speak Japanese? Cue méi xüéguo 没学过 haven’t studied Bú huì, tā fùqin bú huì shuō Rìwén. 不会，他父亲不会说日文。 No, his/her mother cannot speak Japanese. 5. Lǐ tóngzhì huì shuō Déwén ma? 李同志会说德文吗？ Can Comrade Lǐ speak German? Cue méi xüéguo 没学过 haven’t studied Bú huì, Lǐ tóngzhì bú huì shuō Déwén. 不会，李同志不会说德文。 No, Comrade Lǐ cannot speak German. 6. Wáng tōngzhì huì shuō Yīngwén ma? 王同志会说英文吗？ Can Comrade Wáng speak English? Cue xüéguo 学过 have studied Huì, Wáng tóngzhì huì shuō Yīngwén. 会，王同志会说英文。 Yes, Comrade Wáng can speak English. 7. Chén tóngzhì huì shuō Fàwén ma? 陈同志会说法文吗？ Can Comrade Chén speak French? Cue xüéguo 学过 have studied Huì, Chén tóngzhì huì shuō Fàwén. 会，陈同志会说法文。 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? 你今天还有课吗？ Do you have any more classes today? B: Měiyou kè le. 没有课了。 I don’t have any more classes. 2. A: Nǐ cóngqián niàn Yīngwén niànle duó jiǔ? 你从前念英文念了多久？ How long did you study English? B: Wǒ niàn Yīngwén niànle liùnián. 我念英文念了六年。 I studied English for six years. 3. A: Nǐ xiànzài niàn shénme ne? 你现在念什么呢？ 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? 你念法文法了多久了？ 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? 你会写中国字吗？ Can you write Chinese characters? B: Huì yìdiǎn. 会一点。 I can a little. 6. A: Qǜnián wǒ hái bú huì xiě. 去年我还不会写。 Last year, I couldn’t write them. A: Xiànzài wǒ huì xiě yìdiǎn le. 现在我会写一点了。 Now, I can write a little. 7. A: Nǐ fùqin shi jǖnrén ma? 你父亲是军人吗？ Is your father a military man? B: Shì, tā shi hǎijǖn jǖnguān. 是，他是海军军官。 Yes, he is a naval officer. 8. B: Wǒ jīntiān bù lái le. 我今天不来了。 I’m not coming today. B: Wǒ bìng le. 我病了。 I’m sick. 9. A: Jīntiān hǎo le méiyou? 今天好了没有？ Are you better today? (Are you recovered?) B: Jīntiān hǎo le. 今天好了。 Today I’m better.

kōngjǖn 空军 Air Force lùjǖn 陆军 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 海军 navy jǖnguān 军官 military officer jǖnrén 军人 military person kè 课 class xiě 写 to write zì 字 character

1. A: Nǐ jīntiān hái yǒu kè ma? 你今天还有课吗？ Do you have any more classes today? B: Měiyou kè le. 没有课了。 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? 你还想走马？ Nǐ hái yào xüé shénme? What else do you want to study? 你还要学什么？ 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. 他 来 了。 Tā méi(you) lái. He did not come. 他 没有 来 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.] 他 有课 了。 Tā méi- yǒu kè le. He doesn’t have any more classes. 他 没 有课 了。 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.] 他不来了。 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.] 他不念书了。 Tā bú shi wǒ de péngyou le. He is not my friend anymore. 他不是我的朋友了。 Méi you le. There is no more. 没有了。

2. A: Nǐ cóngqián niàn Yīngwén niànle duó jiǔ? 你从前念英文念了多久？ How long did you study English? B: Wǒ niàn Yīngwén niànle liǔnián. 我念英文念了六年。 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. 他念经济学，念一年了。 Tā xüé Zhōngguo huà, xüéle sānge yüè le. He has been studying Chinese for three months. 他学中国画，学了三个月了。 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? 你现在念什么呢？ 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? 你念法文念了多久了？ 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? 你会写中国字吗？ Can you write Chinese characters? B: Huì yìdiǎn. 会一点。 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. 他想学中国子。 Xiǎo dìdi sìsuì le, yǐjīng huì xiě zì le. Little younger brother is four years old and already can write. 小弟弟四对了，已经会写子了。 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. 我会英文。

6. A: Qùnián wǒ hái bú huì xiě. 去年我还不会写。 Last year, I couldn’t write them. B: Xiànzài wǒ huì xiě yìdiǎn le. 现在我会写一点了。 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? 你父亲是军人吗？ Is your father a military man? B: Shì, tā shi hǎijǖn jǖnguān. 是，他是海军军官。 Yes, he is a naval officer. 8. A: Wǒ jīntiān bù lái le. 我今天不来了。 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? 你病了没有？ Méiyou. Wǒ méi bing. No. I’m not sick. 没有。我没病。 (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) 他昨天工作了。 Tā yǐjīng lái le. He has already come. (combined le) 他已经来了。 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. 哥哥现在年大学了。 State Tā xiànzài huì xiě zì le. He can write now. (new-situation le) 他现在会写子了。 Process Tā zuótiān bìng le. He got sick yesterday. (completion le) 他昨天病了。 Tā xiànzài bìng le. He is sick.(combined le) 他现在病了。 Tā bìngle yíge yüé le. He has been sick for one month now. (new-situation le) and completion le) 他病了一个月了。 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 他不念书。 Tā méi niàn shū. He didn’t study. 他没念书。 Tā hái méi niàn shū. He hasn’t studied yet, 他还没念书。 State Tā qǜnián bù xiǎng niàn shū. Last year, she didn’t want to study. 他去年不想念书。 Process Tā jīntiān méi bìng. He is not sick today. 他今天没病。 Tā hái méi hǎo. He hasn’t yet recovered. 他还没好。 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? 今天好了没有？ 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. 他好。 Tā zuótiān bìng le. Tā jīntiān yǐjīng hǎo le. Yesterday he became sick. Today he is already recovered. 他昨天病了。他今天已经好了。 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.] 他不好。 Tā hái méi hǎo. He hasn’t yet recovered. [He is still sick.] 他还没好。 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? 他来了没有？ Nǐ hǎole méiyou? Are you recovered (from your illness)? 你好了没有？