Learn how to introduce others
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| Taiwanese Mandarin Survival Phrases Lesson 25: Introducing Others in Taiwan |
| In this lesson, we are going to talk about phrases used to introduce others. |
| First, we’ll learn the phrase “This is...,” which in Chinese is “這是(Zhè shì).” This is a very informal way of introducing someone. |
| Let’s break it down by tone: |
| 這(Zhè) is in fourth tone. |
| 是(shì) is also in fourth tone. |
| Now let’s look at the meaning: |
| 這(zhè) means “this” |
| 是(shì) means “to be,” but in this case, means “is” |
| Altogether, we have 這是(Zhè shì)... |
| Listen again, one more time, slowly: |
| [Slow] 這是(Zhè shì)... |
| [Normal] 這是(Zhè shì)... |
| If you want to introduce someone in a formal way, you can use 這位是(Zhè wèi shì). This is can be used in business situations or other formal settings. |
| Altogether, we have 這位是(Zhè wèi shì). |
| Listen again, one more time, slowly: |
| [Slow] 這位是(Zhè wèi shì). |
| [Normal] 這位是(Zhè wèi shì). |
| Next, if you are introducing a friend, you can say 這是我朋友(Zhè shì wǒ péngyou). This means “This is my friend.” |
| Let’s break down the tones: |
| 這(Zhè) is in fourth tone. |
| 是(shì) is also in fourth tone. |
| 我(wǒ) is in the falling-rising tone. |
| 朋(péng) is in second, rising tone |
| Finally, 友(you) has no tone |
| Let’s break down the meaning: |
| 這(zhè) means “this” |
| 是(shì) means “to be,” but in this case, means “is” |
| 我(wǒ) means "I" |
| 朋友(péngyou) means "friend.” |
| Literally, “我朋友(wǒ péngyou)” means "my friend.” The whole phrase means “This is my friend.” |
| Altogether, we have 這是我朋友(Zhè shì wǒ péngyou). |
| Listen again, one more time, slowly: |
| [Slow] 這是我朋友(Zhè shì wǒ péngyou). |
| [Normal] 這是我朋友(Zhè shì wǒ péngyou). |
| You can replace “my friend” with another word that represents any other type of relation. |
| For example, “This is my husband.” in Chinese is 這是我先生(zhè shì wǒ xiānshēng). |
| Let’s break it down by tone: |
| 這(Zhè) is in fourth tone. |
| 是(shì) is also in fourth tone. |
| 我(wǒ) is in the falling-rising tone. |
| 先(xiān) is in first tone |
| 生(shēng) has no tone |
| Let’s break it down by meaning: |
| 這(zhè) means “this” |
| 是(shì) means “to be,” but in this case, means “is” |
| 我(wǒ) means "I" |
| 先生(xiānshēng) means "Husband" |
| 我先生(wǒ xiānshēng) together means “My husband” |
| “This is my husband.” |
| Altogether, we have 這是我先生(zhè shì wǒ xiānshēng)... |
| One more time, slowly, we have: |
| [Slow] 這是我先生(Zhè shì wǒ xiānshēng)... |
| [Normal] 這是我先生(Zhè shì wǒ xiānshēng)... |
| Here is the same phrase using “wife.” In Chinese, “wife” is 太太(tàitai). This word is fourth tone and a soft tone. |
| Let’s practice the same phrase, but this time, we’ll use “wife.” |
| Altogether, we have 這是我太太(zhè shì wǒ tàitai). |
| Listen again, one more time, slowly: |
| [Slow] 這是我太太(zhè shì wǒ tàitai) |
| [Normal] 這是我太太(zhè shì wǒ tàitai) |
| Next we’ll look at how to introduce yourself. You can say 你好(ní hǎo), “Hello,” in Chinese. |
| [Slow] 你好(ní hǎo) |
| [Normal] 你好(ní hǎo) |
| If you want to be more polite, you can say 您好(nín hǎo). |
| [Slow] 您好(nín hǎo) |
| [Normal] 您好(nín hǎo) |
| Altogether, we have 您好(nín hǎo). |
| One last time, 您好(nín hǎo). |
5 Comments
HideLet us know if you have any questions!
Hello Mays,
Thank you for your comment. Yes it also applies to other pronouns, this sentence '这是你太太吗 zhè shì nǐ tàitai ma?' is correct, another example '她和她先生都是医生。'
Thank you for learning with us, let us know if you have any questions.
Ngai Lam
Team ChineseClass101.com
Question about the absence of "de" with close relations.
for example,
這是我太太(zhè shì wǒ tàitai).
You explained if the relation is close, the "de" is omitted.
Does this apply to other pronouns?
Such as: (zhè shì ní tàitai ma)
Hello Franz Gassner,
Thank you for your comment. 😄
As always, let us know if you have any questions.
Ngai Lam
Team ChineseClass101.com
Thanks!