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Whether you are already learning Mandarin Chinese in class, online or with us, there is nothing more healthy than trying to make your classes wholesome with Mandarin. As a Mandarin Chinese learner you should set yourself a goal of using as much Mandarin as possible, yes, we know it is hard especially at the beginning but don’t worry if you make mistakes. The more you use Mandarin the bigger the progress you will see. So we have whittled down some common phrases you’re likely hear and use in a Chinese lesson. So without further ado.

Wǒmen shànɡkè - 我们上课 - Let’s begin class.

Here is a typical greeting between teacher and student.

Student: Nǐhǎo, lǎoshī! Nǐ zuìjìn zěnme yànɡ? - 你好,老师。你最近怎么样？- Hello teacher, how are you recently?

Teacher: Wǒ hěn hǎo，xièxie，Nǐ ne? - 我很好，谢谢，你呢？- I’m very good, thanks, and you?

Student: Wǒ yě hěn hǎo, xièxie. - 我也很好，谢谢。- I’m very good too, thanks.

Likely phrases you will hear in the classroom.

Jīntiān wǒmén xuéxí . . . - 今天我们学习… - Today we will learn…

Usually your teacher will begin the lesson by letting you know what you will learn.

Nǐ zhīdào zhè ge cí ma？- 你知道这个词吗？- Do you know this word?

wǒ bù zhīdào - 我不知道-  I don’t know

wǒ zhīdào - 我知道- I know

Qǐnɡ ɡēn wǒ dú - 请跟我读 - Please read after me.

When your laoshi wants you to read after them, they will ask you to follow them.

Qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn - 请说慢一点 - Please speak slower.

If you feel your laoshi is speaking to quickly then you can say this.

Qǐnɡ zài shuō yí biàn - 请再说一遍 - Please repeat once more.

This one is commonly used by the teacher if they want you to repeat a word or phrase, and also used by the student if you want the teacher to say something again.

Qǐnɡ dà shēng diǎn - 请大声点 - Please be a little louder.

Another phrase which can be used by both the teacher and student. Your laoshi might want you to raise your voice and you might want your teacher to speak louder, especially if it is an online class.

Kàn zhe wǒ de zuǐbā - 看着我的嘴巴 -  Look at my mouth.

A great way to improve your pronunciation, especially with the more difficult vocal sounds of Mandarin, is to watch your teacher’s mouth closely and try to mimic the way they use their mouth to produce certain sounds.

Zhè shì yī/èr/sān/sì shēnɡ - 这是1/2/3/4声 - This is the 1^st/2^nd/3^rd/4^thtone.

The infamous tones, we all make mistakes on the tones so you’re not alone. If you do make a mistake your teacher will let you know. This is one of the benefits of having a native Chinese sparring partner, they can spot your mistakes, help you correct it, and make you better.

Zhè shì shénme yìsi? - 这是什么意思? - What does that mean?

This one is a good one not just for class but also for a foreigner’s daily life in China.

Nǐ kěyǐ gěi wǒ yī gè jùzi ma? - 你可以给我一个句子吗？- Can you give me a sentence?

Just learnt a new word, your teacher may ask you to use it.

If you don’t how to use a certain word or grammar point you can just ask.

Zhè ge zěnme yòng - 这个怎么用？- How do you use this?

You can also ask your teacher to give you an example and if you grasp the meaning and how to use it, your teacher can also ask you.

Nǐ kěyǐ gěi wǒ yí ge lìzi ma? 你可以给我一个例子吗？- Can you give me an example?

…（zhōngwén）zěnme shuō? - … (中文) 怎么说? - … How to say (in Chinese)?

For example toilet (zhōngwén) zěnme shuō?

Handy phrase to boost your Chinese vocabulary.

Finding out if you or someone else is correct or not is useful in and out of lesson time.

Duì bù duì? - 对不对? - Is that right or not?

Duì - 对 - right

Bù duì - 不对 - not right

Wǒ bù míngbai - 我不明白- I don’t understand.

Another phrase which is as useful in general Chinese life as it is in the classroom.

Learning a new language is as much about the discovery of another culture, so of course there will be plenty of questions and problems along the way. Usually your teacher will ask if you have any questions or problems by saying yǒu wèntí ma? - 有问题吗？- Are there any questions?

So don’t be afraid to speak up.

Wǒ yǒu yí gè wèntí - 我有一个问题 - I have a question

Méi yǒu wèntí - 没有问题- No questions/problems

Duìbùqǐ ，wǒ chídào le - 对不起，我迟到了- Sorry I’m late

Let’s hope you never have to say this one.

Qǐng dǎkāi shū - 请打开书 - Please open your book

If you’re learning more academic Mandarin Chinese, the chances are you will have seen a text book and each class your teacher will tell you to open it to a certain page. This is what you will hear.

Mistakes are part and parcel of learning a new language so teachers will let you know how to correct yourself but they will also try to encourage you every step of the way. At least that’s what our teachers do at Instant Mandarin. So you might hear some of the following praises.

Nǐ de fāyīn hěn hǎo！- 你的发音很好！- Your pronunciation is very good!

Nǐ jīntiān hěn bànɡ! - 你今天很棒！- Today you’re very good!

And that’s it for today. So…

Wǒmen xiàkè - 我们下课 - Let’s end class.

Want to learn more Mandarin Chinese and get more practice, join us at Instant Mandarin.