Chinese For Dummies

Learn to: Grasp Chinese vocabulary, grammar, and cultural references Get around in a Chinese-speaking country Make small talk, ask for directions, and order food Real-life conversations by native Chinese speakers included on the CD The fast and easy way to learn to speak Mandarin Chinese Whether you're a student, a traveler, or you just want to pick up basic Mandarin Chinese, this unintimidating guide will help you start speaking the language in no time. Inside you'll find a wealth of fascinating cultural facts and handy references — including Chinese-English and English- Chinese mini-dictionaries, lists of common expressions and verbs, and much more! Chinese 101 — get a grasp of Chinese sounds and writing systems, essential elements of Chinese grammar, and words and phrases you can't live without Get going — hone your small-talk skills with Chinese words and phrases you can use when asking for directions, dining out, and more Take it to the streets — take your Chinese on the road and discover how to plan a trip, make arrangements for a place to stay, discuss transportation, and handle emergencies while you're away Mind your p's and q's — find a collection of simple phrases you can use, popular Chinese expressions, and reminders of what not to do in a Chinese setting CD Includes More than 25 real-life conversations that give you a chance to listen to and mimic Chinese pronunciation, pitch, and inflection. See CD appendix for details and complete system requirements. Open the book and find: How to pronounce Chinese sounds What Chinese script looks like Chinese grammar basics and essentials Tips on forming sentences in Chinese The lowdown on Chinese numbers, times, and measurements Chinese phrases and words used in everyday situations Cultural conventions in China Ten tips to help you learn Chinese quickly

Introduction 1 Part I: Getting Started 7 Chapter 1: Chinese in a Nutshell 9 Chapter 2: The Written Word: Checking out Chinese Characters 21 Chapter 3: Warming Up with the Basics: Chinese Grammar 31 Chapter 4: Getting Started with Basic Expressions: N¨« H¨£o! 51 Chapter 5: Getting Your Numbers, Times, and Measurements Straight 65 Chapter 6: Speaking Chinese at Home 85 Part II: Chinese in Action 97 Chapter 7: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk 99 Chapter 8: Dining Out and Shopping for Food 111 Chapter 9: Shopping Made Easy 137 Chapter 10: Exploring the Town 159 Chapter 11: Taking Care of Telecommunications 171 Chapter 12: Chinese at School and at Work 187 Chapter 13: Recreation and Outdoor Activities 205 Part III: Chinese on the Go 217 Chapter 14: Planning a Trip 219 Chapter 15: Making Cents of Money 231 Chapter 16: Getting Around 247 Chapter 17: Asking for Directions 265 Chapter 18: Finding a Place to Stay 279 Chapter 19: Handling Emergencies 295 Part IV: The Part of Tens 309 Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Learn Chinese Quickly 311 Chapter 21: Ten Things Never to Do in China 315 Part V: Appendixes 319 Appendix A: Mini–Dictionary 321 Appendix B: Chinese Verbs 343 Appendix C: On the CD 347 Appendix D: Answer Key 349 Index 355

Dr. Wendy Abraham has taught Chinese language, literature, and culture at universities throughout the United States. She has Master's degrees in both Chinese Language and Education, an EdD in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University, and was a PhD candidate in Chinese literature at Stanford University. Dr. Abraham has lived in the People's Republic of China and Taiwan, where she conducted post-graduate research on oracle bones and the origins of the Chinese writing system.