Everyday Chinese

How to greet each other in Putonghua? How to order a cup of coffee or some dumplings in a restaurant?
Here are some situational conversations and basic knowledge we have prepared for you.
They are practical and easy to learn. You can click the links to listen to the vocabulary or the conversations.
You are most welcome to tell us your comments and feedback about the online lessons.

Greetings in Putonghua

What do people usually say in Putonghua when they meet? Here are some commonly used greetings in Putonghua.

How do you do?
你好!
Ní hǎo!

May I know your name (honorable surname)?
您贵姓?
Nín guìxìng?

My surname is Chen.
我姓陈。
Wǒ xìng Chén.

Good morning.
(你) 早。
(Ní)Zǎo.

Good afternoon.
午安。
Wǔ'ān.

Good-bye.
再见。
Zàijiàn.

How are you?
你好吗?
Ní hǎo mɑ?

I am fine, thank you. And you?
我很好,谢谢。你呢?
Wó hén hǎo,xièxie. Nǐ ne?

Have you eaten?
吃了吗?
Chīle mɑ?

Yes, I have, thank you. / No, I haven’t. And you?
吃了,谢谢。/還没,你呢?
Chīle,xièxie./Hái méi,nǐ ne?

Are you busy?
你忙吗?/你最近忙吗?
Nǐ máng mɑ?/Nǐ zuìjìn máng mɑ?

No. / Yes, very busy.
不忙。/很忙!
Bù máng./Hěn máng!

How have you been recently?
你最近好吗?
Nǐ zuìjìn hǎo mɑ?

Not bad, and you? / So-so, and you?
不错,你呢?/马马虎虎,你呢?
Búcuò,nǐ ne?/Mámɑhūhū,nǐ ne?

You look great!
你气色不错!
Nǐ qìsè búcuò!