Learning Chinese I
July 16, 2009
I’m doing myself a very big favor by trying to learn as much as I can about the Chinese language, specifically, Mandarin Chinese. I recently downloaded a book about “Chinese Studies” (my preferred area of expertise) and realized that language proficiency is a basic requirement. My idea of Asian Studies is that one interprets things in a particular place, invoking one’s knowledge of history… and yes, one’s proficiency in the language.
The Chinese language is one of the most cumbersome language in the world, if not by fact, then at least by my opinion. What it lacks in grammatical complexity is offset by the difficulty of its language and (because the lesson hasn’t sunk on me yet), the use of tones to vary homophones.
I’m not that confident that I will be able to take my preferred master’s degree, but I think I’m increasing my marketability by learning another language.
To make the lessons more difficult for me, I also translated some of the phrases into Filipino and French. I hope you can add / correct them. It’s hard being self-taught.
你好 | Nî hâo!
Hello!
Kamusta?
Bonjour!
谢谢 | Xiè xiè
Thank you.
Salamat.
Merci.
不客气 | Bú kè qì
You’re welcome (reply to thank you).
Walang anuman.
NO FRENCH TRANSLATION
没事 | Méi shì.
It’s nothing; don’t mention it.
NO FILIPINO TRANSLATION
NO FRENCH TRANSLATION
好极了 | Hâo jí le!
Very good! Great!
Maganda! Magaling!
NO FRENCH TRANSLATION
对了 | Duì le.
That’s right.
Tama yan.
C’est correct.
恭喜恭喜 | Gōngxî gōngxî!
Congratulations!
NO FILIPINO TRANSLATION
NO FRENCH TRANSLATION
对不起 | Duì bu qî.
Excuse me.
Paumanhin.
Excusez-moi.
算了 | Suàn le.
Forget it.
Huwag mo nang alalahanin.
NO FRENCH TRANSLATION
没有关系 | Méi yôu guān xi.
It doesn’t matter.
Hindi yun mahalaga.
NO FRENCH TRANSLATION
万岁 | Wàn suì!
Long live! (Literally, 10,000 years!)
Mabuhay!
NO FRENCH TRANSLATION
毛主席万岁! | Máo zhǔ xí wàn suì! | Long live Chairman Mao!
华人万岁! | Huá rén wàn suì! | Long live the Chinese people!
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