Elementary Chinese Textbook

Chj hny kbn

Guilin, China
"Water and Moon at Elephant Hill"
Elephant Hill is also called Elephant-Trunk Hill. It looks like an elephant
drinking water at the confluence of the Taohua River and the Lijiang River.
A round open space between the elephant trunk and its body is called WaterMoon Cave. At a clear night the moon seems to fall on the bottom of the
water and at the same time float on the waters surface.
****Textbook compiled for the 2004 Philadelphia Chinese Class

Table of Contents
Preface
About Mandarin Chinese
Pinyin Pronounciation Guide
Learn to Read and Write Chinese
About Tones
The Pinyin Alphabet
Study Hints
Study Aids
Grammar Chart
Table of Mandarin Sounds
Lesson 1: Numbers 1
Lesson 2: Practical Vocabulary 5
Lesson 3: Kingdom Hall 9
Lesson 4: Field Service 13
Lesson 5: Family 18
Lesson 6: Heaven 22
Lesson 7: The World 25
Lesson 8: Religion 29
Lesson 9: The Earth 33
Lesson 10: Quiz (not included in this book)
Lesson 11: The Organization 36
Lesson 12: Our Relationship with God 41
Lesson 13: Prayer 45
Lesson 14: Body Parts, Clothing, and Common Objects 48
Lesson 15: More Practical Vocabulary 52
Lesson 16: Eastern Religion 56
Lesson 17: Relatives and Weather 61
Lesson 18: Adjectives 65
Lesson 19: Time 69
Lesson 20: The Last Days 73
Lesson 21: On a Bible Study 77
Lesson 22: Personality 81
Lesson 23: Everyday Vocabulary 86
Lesson 24: More Practical Vocabulary 91
Lesson 25: Theocratic Vocabulary 95
Lesson 26: Quiz (not included in this book)
Lesson 27: Memorial of Christs Death Vocabulary 100
Index 105

Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese is the official language of Mainland China and the nearby island of Taiwan.
There are over 1.3 billion people living in Mainland China alone. This means that at least one out of
six people on the planet speak Chinese, making it the language spoken by more people than any
other language on earth.
Originally, Mandarin Chinese was a dialect of the Chinese language spoken by peoples living
in the north of China. A dialect is a spoken variation of the same language. Perhaps at one time
dialects began as regional accents, but after hundreds of years these accents have become so
different from one another that people from different areas no longer understand one another. Today,
even people from two villages just a few miles apart may speak different dialects and may not
understand one another well. Yet, because many Chinese dialects (such as Cantonese or Fujianese)
originated from the same language, they share the same written language. So, written Chinese is
universally understood by literate people in China (see page 6 for a discussion of Simplified and
Traditional characters). Still, without a common spoken language, Chinese people from different
areas of the country would be unable to communicate unless they wrote down what they wanted to
say. Therefore, Mandarin was chosen to become the national language of China. In most areas,
children are required to learn Mandarin in school, and teachers speak Mandarin in the classroom.
Because of this, most educated Chinese people can speak Mandarin well, though many still have
regional accents. So, do not be confused if one Chinese person pronounces a word differently from
another Chinese person. For example, a person from the south of China may have difficulty
pronouncing the letter n, so instead they say l. Because of this, many people say Li hao instead
of Ni hao. A person from another area of China may not be able to pronounce the sh sound, so
instead they say s. Others have difficulty pronouncing the letter f. There are many variations of
this type because Mandarin is a second language not only for us, but also for many Chinese people
as well. Another interesting fact is that some Americans can learn a better Mandarin accent than
even some Chinese people. How can that be? Well, it is because English and Mandarin share many
of the same sounds (for example n, sh, and f), whereas some Chinese dialects lack these
sounds. The biggest challenge for English speakers of Mandarin Chinese is pronouncing the four
tones, and we will address this subject later.

Pin Yin:
Mandarin Chinese Phonetics
Many people are intimidated when thinking of the Chinese language because its system of
writing is quite complex. A symbol, or character, represents each word in the Chinese language.
These characters are not phonetic, any more than $, %, or & are phonetic. Just as one cannot
tell how to pronounce % merely by looking at it, one cannot pronounce a Chinese character without
first learning how it is said. Also, like $ and %, Chinese characters represent entire words, dollar
and percent. Since there are literally thousands of Chinese characters, it would be quite a
challenge to learn this language without the help of phonetics. Pinyin phonetics bridge the gap
between spoken and written Chinese. Moreover, Pinyin is quite straight forward and easy to learn.
Many of us are able to say hello in Mandarin: Ni hao. Yet, how many of us would recognize
the characters ? Likely, not very many. Therefore, Pinyin (which literally means phonetic
sounds), is incredibly useful for anyone who wants to learn Mandarin Chinese. In fact, pinyin was
developed in China and is used in Chinese schools to help young people there learn characters. So,
because of this, Pinyin letters were not meant to correspond to English sounds, but rather to Chinese
ones.
i

The rules of Pinyin spelling and pronunciation are quite simple. There are very few exceptions
to the rules of Pinyin pronunciation. Please remember, though, that the most important part of
learning a language is learning proper pronunciation. Work hard to thoroughly understand Pinyin.
Keep in mind that although Pinyin uses the same letters as English, they do not represent the same
sounds. Each letter in Pinyin represents a Chinese sound, so you will have to re-learn our alphabet.
Once you fully understand this packet, you are well on your way to learning to speak Mandarin
Chinese!

The Pronunciation of Pinyin Letters

Remember, the guidelines given on this page are not exact. They are merely provided to help
you to get an idea of how these sounds are pronounced. Please also remember that nothing can
replace listening carefully to Chinese people and tapes or CDs. Try to repeat new words aloud as
often as possible. It is said that reading and pronouncing a word aloud twenty times is equal in
helpfulness to reading a word seventy-five times silently. It is also helpful to record yourself
pronouncing these sounds. After recording yourself reading Chinese words aloud, play the tape back
and compare your accent with a Chinese persons accent. Also, remember that it is better to overaccentuate the sounds at first and to speak slowly. This will help your tongue to become more
accustomed to these foreign sounds. Later, work on speeding up and speaking more fluently.

Initials
1. b, p, m, f : Basically sound like the English letters b, p, m, and f,
except when combined with an o. If put with an o, the end result
sounds like a New Yorker saying the end of the word door. Listen
carefully to the teacher pronouncing these sounds.
2. d, t, n, l, g, k, h : Basically sound like the English letters d, t, n, l, g, k,
and h, except they are produced towards the back of the throat and
use more breath.
3. j: gee , q: chee, x: shee :The tongue is not curled for these
sounds.
4. zh: jr, ch: chr, sh: shr, r: very different from r in English : The
tongue should be curled towards the roof of your mouth when saying
any of these 4 letters. The tongue is in the exact same position for all
four letters.
5. z: dz, c: ts as in cats , s: Think of a snake hissing, ss. Your
tongue should be near or touching your front teeth for these letters.
6. y: ee, w: oo (NOT yee or woo) These letters have the same
pronunciation as the finals i and u.

ii

Finals
1. a: ah as in father . This letter has different sounds depending on
what final it is part of . See -an, -ang, -ian, and -uan.
2. ai: ai as in aisle , -ao: ow as in cow, but softer, and dont close
your lips when saying it.
3. e: uh as in bun or sometimes said like the e in yet, -ei: ei as
in eight
4. i: ee as in the Spanish i , -ia: yah , Its important to emphasize
the aah sound at the end of this final, imagine you are at the dentist
saying aaah. -ie: ye as in yet, -iu: yo , originally, this final was
spelled iou, then later the o was dropped. -iao: yow, but softer, ian: yen, the a in this final sounds like the e in yet.
5. o: like the o in soft. Keep your lips open when saying the end of
this sound. ou: oh , You should close your lips at the end of saying
this sound.
6. u: oo as in choose, but sounds more hollow. Imagine that your
mouth is full of marbles while saying it. -ua: wah, Its very important
to emphasize the aah sound at the end of this final, like you are at the
dentist. -ui: way, this final originally was spelled uei, then the e
was dropped. un: wun, -uo: oor as a New Yorker would say
door, -uai: why.
7. - e
- an - n
8. an: Anne like a British person would say it. This a is very different
than English as. Listen carefully to how Chinese people pronounce
this sound.
9. en: un as in bun, but softer. in: ine as in machine. (The n in
-an, -en, and -in is said with the tip of your tongue touching the
back of your front teeth. So, it sounds softer than an English n.
Sometimes, its hard to even hear a Chinese person say n because it
is so soft.)
10.
ang: ahng, this has a long aaah sound in it, like you are at
the dentist. Try saying the word long with a big smile. Then you will
hear the -ang sound. eng: ung as in lung. ing: ing as in
laughing, but softer. Chinese people dont say the ing as hard as
Americans do. Sometimes, it sounds so soft it is hard to hear them
say it.
iii

ong: ohng, Listen carefully to how Chinese people say this sound.
It is nasal and different from English. It includes a long oh sound.
11.
iang: yahng, again emphasize the aah to sound like you are
at the dentist.
iong: yohng just like -ong but it starts with a y sound.
12.
uan: wan as in wand (the n is said with the tongue at the
front of the mouth, touching the front teeth), -uang: wahng, again,
remember being at the dentist aaah!

Learn to Read and Write Chinese Characters

To many people, the most intimidating thing about the Chinese language is its unique system
of reading and writing. Yet, to so many students of Chinese, the most interesting and fun part of
learning the language are the characters. Some people love the characters so much that they learn
to read and write, but never learn how to speak Chinese! This course, though, focuses on how to
give a witness in Chinese. So, we need a well rounded knowledge of basic Chinese in order to do
that. This, of course, includes having some understanding of Chinese characters.
We have already discussed that written Chinese is a system of symbols, just like % or $ are
symbols. Yet, many characters have stories behind them, meaning that they are actually pictures
that tell a story. Some friends have noticed that one such character is referenced in the Insight on the
Scriptures volumes as proof that the flood was a historical event. (It. Vol. 1 pg. 328) This character
contains the symbols for vessel: , the number eight: , and the symbol representing people, a
mouth: . So, eight persons in a vessel comprises the character for ship: . This character may
have reference to the Flood of Noahs day. Another character is believed to have reference to the
Garden of Eden. It contains two trees: and a woman: . What does this character mean?
Greed: . As you can see, the characters become much less intimidating and much more
interesting when one learns the stories behind them. In this class, we will learn some of these stories
and have some fun learning to read and write Chinese.
Chinese characters are frequently composed of several simple characters all put together, to
build a new, more complex word. Some examples were given above. One more example involves
the character for tree: . Can you see the trunk, branches, and roots? So, if that represents a
tree, then how would a Chinese person write forest? . Logically, a forest has several trees in it, so
the word for forest is merely three trees. Many characters are similar in their logic.
To make the logic simpler, Chinese characters are generally comprised of two main parts: a
radical and a phonetic. The radical lends meaning to the character, while the phonetic gives an
idea how the character might be pronounced. Radicals and phonetics are usually also simpler
characters with simple meanings when they appear by themselves (like the character for tree that
xn

we saw above). Another example is , the character meaning heart. This character is also used
xing

rn

as a radical to build words with more complicated meanings. Here are some examples:
zhng

and . Now, since heart is the radical for all of these characters, then their meanings should
xing

all relate somehow to the literal or figurative heart. Lets take a look at their meanings. 1. : to
iv

rn

zhng

think, to miss, to want. 2. : to think, to meditate. 3. : to endure, to tolerate. 4. : loyal,

faithful, sincere. So, we can clearly see that the radical really does influence the meaning of the
character. All of these characters involve feelings- the figurative heart. If you have a basic
understand of radicals, then you will be able to understand much about Chinese writing. There are
over 200 radicals, but only about 50 are used frequently. Most radicals resemble the thing they
symbolize, so they are not difficult to remember.
What are some examples of phonetics, then? Well, two of the characters above are good
xing

xn

examples of this, as well. We know that the radical of is . So, that leaves as the phonetic.
xing

How is pronounced, then?

. The only difference in pronunciation is the tone. Yet, the

xing

zhng

meaning is completely different from ! Similarly, the radical for

xn

is , therefore must be

zhng

this characters phonetic. How is said?

. It is pronounced exactly the same! Yet, again, the
meanings of the phonetics often have nothing in common. They usually just have similar
pronunciation. But, how do we figure out which part of a character is the radical, and which is the
phonetic? We are often reduced to guessing! Often it is a 50/50 chance either way. Nonetheless,
knowing these facts about Chinese characters helps to take some of the mystery out of them.
Much time has passed since the invention of the Chinese system of writing. Over hundreds of
years, languages can change dramatically. (Just read some Chaucer as proof of that!) For this
reason, todays radicals and phonetics are not 100% reliable. Sometimes the character does not
sound like its phonetic and means something quite different from its radical. Whereas some changes
in the Chinese language were due to time, the government of Mainland China introduced other
changes. Why? Some Chinese characters are made up of so many smaller characters that they
become difficult to remember and time-consuming to write. Therefore, in the 1950s, the government
of Communist China reasoned that if the most frequently used and most difficult characters were
simplified, then more people could be taught how to read and write. How was this done? It must not
have been an easy task. For example, a frequently used character is , meaning for or because.
This character is quite complex, so the government simplified it, eliminating many of the lines (or
strokes) that composed it. Yet, they strived to keep the basic impression of the character. So, the
new version looks like this: . Many Simplified characters resemble Chinese calligraphy which,
when written quickly and skillfully, blends many of the strokes together, creating a graceful impression
of the word.
There are many strong opinions about Simplified and Traditional characters. Some people
who were raised in Mainland China and who learned Simplified characters as children love them and
think that they are superior to the old kind. On the other hand, some older persons and people from
Taiwan and Hong Kong think that the communist government desecrated their ancient and beautiful
system of writing. For some people, the issue is political in nature. Many people dislike anything
produced by a communist government, including Simplified characters. Those in favor of
Communism feel a patriotic pride for the achievements of their government. We, on the other hand,
are obviously neutral when it comes to these political views. But, since Pinyin was developed in
Mainland China, all of the Pinyin literature produced by the Society also use Simplified characters.
So, this book will use Simplified characters.
Each Chinese character represents one syllable, or one Pinyin word, such as xiang or
zhong. Because Chinese words are monosyllabic, there are only about 400 syllables possible (not
counting the tonal variations) in the Mandarin language. (Please see chart, also in the Preface) This
means that Mandarin Chinese has an enormous amount of homonyms (words that sound the same).
In English, words that sound alike such as meat and meet are relatively rare, but homonyms are
the norm in Mandarin. How do the Chinese avoid confusion, then? Often, several words must be
v

combined to form a distinct word. For example, the word means peace, but when used alone, it
sounds like the words for shut, box, lotus, quill, jaws and the homonyms go on and on. So,
h

that can become quite confusing. So, in order to make the meaning clear, is often combined with
png

hpng

another word that also means peace, . Together, unmistakably sounds like peace. So,
the Chinese language may seem redundant at times, but with good reason. At other times, two
words with different meanings are put together to create a new thought. In English this is also done.
Basket and ball by themselves are words, but together they form a new word, basketball. An
zhnggu

zhng

example of this in Chinese is . The character

gu

alone means middle. The character

zhnggu

alone means country. Yet, together, means China or Middle Kingdom, literally. So,
these compound words are written without spaces between them in the Pinyin system. This makes it
clear that there should not be a pause in between the words when speaking. One should say
zhongguo and not zhong / guo.
Chinese characters are made up of strokes. In order to write a character properly, these
strokes must be written in the proper order. Some dictionaries (such as Write and Write Chinese by
Rita Mei-Wah Choi) include the stroke order for every character in the dictionary.
In order to be able to write Chinese well, you must write each new character over and over
again until you feel comfortable with it. Generally, this means writing each character at least 50 to
100 times. This is really the only way to get them right! Even Chinese children learn this way.
(*For more information on Chinese, please also see A language that is Radically Different g! 75
5/22 pages 9-13)

Tones
One thing about Mandarin that Chinese people pick up much more easily than native English
speakers is the four tones. All Chinese dialects have tones (some have eleven or more), so Chinese
people are accustomed to their use and significance. To some non- Chinese speaking people,
though, the concept of tones can be quite difficult to get used to. Yet, in order to speak Mandarin
understandably we must get used to the idea. What are tones, exactly?
Tones are different pitches of the voice that in English are used to convey different emotions or
shades of meaning. For example, a curious What? has a very different tone from an angry What?!
In Chinese, though, tones do not just signify different emotions, but they signify completely different
words. The difference between the words for horse and mother in Mandarin is purely tonal.
Horse is a low tone whereas mother is a high tone. Yet, they are both pronounced ma. So, it is
clear that being able to differentiate between the four tones is essential to being understood when
speaking Mandarin. At first, we may feel a little silly saying the four tones, but with practice it will
become second nature to us.
Tones one through four are as follows: First Tone: a high, level tone your voice should not
rise or drop. Think of how a robot would talk: very flat, not falling or rising. A common mistake that
students make is not going high enough- if you can go higher, then do it. Second Tone: starting at
the middle range of your voice and sharply rising up to a higher tone. Where you start this tone
should be comfortable for you- if you start out too high, then you wont be able to make your voice go
much higher. Third Tone: Full third tone: (used when a word is at the end of a phrase or sentence)
go as low as you can go and then raise your voice slightly at the end. You should be able to feel your
chest vibrate. This tone may feel a bit uncomfortable at first, but that means that you are doing it
vi

right. Half Third Tone: most third tones are half third tones. Go as low as you can go and do not
make your voice rise at the end. This tone is shorter than full third tone. Fourth Tone: Starts high,
then sharply drops to a lower tone. Think of a karate chop, or say it as you are stomping your foot.
This tone should come more easily to Americans learning Mandarin. There is also a fifth, neutral
tone. This tone has no special emphasis. It is light and short. Please remember, too, that these
tones are all said with your speaking voice. Do not sing your tones.
Each person has a different vocal range. Women generally have a higher voice than men.
So, in general, womens first tones will sound higher than a mans. And a mans third tone will sound
lower than a womans. What is important is each tone in relation to the other tones we use. When
pronouncing two or more syllables that make up a word, try to make the tones flow naturally. This will
take a lot practice, such as reading out loud. Practice until you do not have to pause before each
tone changes. You may pause between phrases and sentences, of course.
Below is a chart representing the four tones in the normal speaking range.

NORMAL SPEAKING RANGE :

First tone is short, high, and does not waver.

Second tone starts at the middle to low range and sharply goes higher.
Third tone curves, but always stays as low as you can go.
Fourth tone starts high and sharply goes low.
Fifth tone has no special emphasis- it is short and light.

Note: Using your hands to gesture the tones as you speak can really help to train your voice.
Imitate the direction of the tones with your hand as you speak.

vii

STUDY BOOKS
1. Pimsleur Mandarin Tapes 1-800-222-5860
2. Passport to Chinese (100 most commonly used characters) Lin Shan
3. Learn to write (traditional characters only) Johan Bjorksten 117 pgs.
ISBN 0-300-05771-7
4. Fun with Chinese Idioms V. 1,2 (for advanced students) Simplified characters.
Ching Yee & John Smithback. ISBN 981-01-3069-4, 128 pgs.
5. Chinese in 10 minutes a day (comes with flashcards) ISBN 0-944502-10-5

GRAMMAR
1. Reference Grammar by Henry Hung-Yeh Tiee. 395 pgs.
2. Guide to Proper Usage of Spoken Chinese by Tian Shou-He.
ISBN 962-201-539-5

DICTIONARIES
1. Oxford Starter Chinese Dictionary. Oxford Univ. Press. 0-19-860258-8
Good for beginners. Chinese/English & English/Chinese
2. A Chinese-English Dictionary. Beijing University. Foreign Language
Teaching and Research Press. 7-5600-1325-2. Organized by pinyin.
Simplified & Traditional.
3. ABC Chinese-English Dictionary by John DeFrancis. Organized by Pinyin.
Simplified.
4. Far East Chinese-English Dictionary. ISBN 957-612-331-3. Organized by
radicals and pinyin. Traditional.
5. Chinese-English/Chinese-English Pocket Dictionary. Hippocrene Books.
0-7818-0427-2. Characters and pinyin.
6. Concise English-Chinese/Chinese-English Dictionary. Oxford University
Press. ISBN 0-19-591151-2 Large print edition. Characters & Pinyin.
Simplified & Traditional.

COMPUTER AIDES
1. www.zhongwen.com
2. www.cwps.cwc.net
(British brothers site- has pinyin publications plus other useful stuff)
3. NJ Star word processor- simplest program for typing Chinese, free demo
available.
4. Chi-KEW - slightly more advanced program for typing Chinese,
English to Chinese and Chinese to English definitions, ask Leah or Kim for more
info.
5. CWPS (Chinese Word Processing System)- similar to Chi-kew but much more
advanced, includes Chinese Bible and Cantonese, ask Leah or Kim for more info.

THEOCRATIC AIDES
1. Require Broc. -(Mandarin) Cassette tape
-Brochure with Pinyin
2. Lasting Peace & Happiness Broc. -(Mandarin) Cassette tape
3. Bible Stories Book- (Mandarin) Cassette tape
4. Many books from Greek Scriptures- Cassette tapes
5. Most videos also available in Mandarin
6. Knowledge book- available with Pinyin
7. Several Drama audiocassettes
8. Kingdom Ministries- available in Pinyin
9. Great Teacher book Cassette tapes (Mandarin)

Grammar Charts
The following charts are examples of how grammar learning can be
simplified. The following charts show how you can use vocabulary that you
have already learned to compose literally hundreds of different sentences.
The colors represent different parts of speech. Try to read through
the charts and understand the possible combinations of words. Each chart
represents a complete sentence. Different charts show different grammar
patterns.
Subject

Auxiliary verb

Chuandaoyuan
Xianqu
Nuer
Er.zi
Sun.zi
Sunnu
Linju
Dongwu
Fenqu Jiandu
Quyu Jiandu
Daiwu Jiandu
Tebie xianqu
lnj

bx

yao
xiang
hui
keyi
neng
xiangyao
yinggai
yuanyi
leyi
jixu
zongshi
bixu

VO

banjia
shangban
xiaban
shangxue
xiaxue
shang juhui
kaiche
chuandao
shuijiao
wen wenti
huida wenti
zoulu

bnji

Ex. The neighbors must move.

dngw zngsh shujio

Ex. Animals usually sleep.

Subject
Wo
Ta
Ta Ba.ba
Ta Ma.ma
Wo.de laoban
Wo zhang.fu
Wo qi.zi
Wo zhi.zi
Tianshi
Hai.zi
Nanren
Nuren
t

bba

fichng mng

Subject

VO complex

Wo
Ta
Ni
Ba.ba
Ma.ma
Ye.ye
Lao.lao
Wo.de pengyou
Zhanglao
Zhulipuren
Ge.ge
Jie.jie
w

chifan
paobu
shuijiao
kanshu
tiaowu
zoulu
chuandao
heshui
nabao
xiezi
kaiche
chuan yi.fu

tiow

Ex. I dance.
zhnglo xi

Ex. The Elder writes.

adverb (not essential to sentence)

hen (very)
ting (quite)
feichang (extremely)
bu (not)
hao (very)

(includes implied is) adjective

piaoliang
hao
re
leng
lei
mang
nanguo
kuaile
xinku
congming
keai
rexin

Ex. His Father is extremely busy.

wde lobn ho xnk
Ex. My boss is very hard-working (under tough conditions).

Subject

VO complex Verb

Wo
Ta
Ta Ba.ba
Ta Ma.ma
Wo.de laoban
Wo zhang.fu
Wo qi.zi
Wo zhi.zi
Tianshi
Hai.zi
Nanren
Nuren
nnrn

h shu

de

chifan
paobu
shuijiao
kanshu
tiaowu
zoulu
chuandao
heshui
nabao
xiezi
kaiche
chuan yi.fu

chi
pao
shui
kan
tiao
zou
chuan
he
na
xie
kai
chuan

de

adverb
.de
.de
.de
.de
.de
.de
.de
.de
.de
.de
.de
.de

kuai
man
rongyi
cuxin
xixin
kuaile
rexin
nanguo
gaoxing
hao
buhao
shengqi

kui

Ex. The man drinks water quickly.

t
mma zu l zu de mn
Ex. Her mother walks slowly.
su

de

Subject

verb

(#)

noun

Chuandaoyuan
Xianqu
Nuer
Er.zi
Sun.zi
Sunnu
Linju
Zhi.zi
Fenqu Jiandu
Quyu Jiandu
Daiwu Jiandu
Tebie xianqu

suo

zuo
ting
shuo
xiang
xie
kan
du
he
gei
wangji
chi
mai

.de

(Yi.ge)
(# MW)

biyu
fang.zi
ren
hua
shu
gongzuo
yanjiang
dianying
fan
hongjiu
qiche
tonggong

fnqjind

su

gi

de

adjective
hao
buhao
fuza
jiandan
haoting
nankan
haokan
haochi
haohe
xinku
gui
pianyi

ynjing ho

Ex. The talk that the C.O. gave was good.

rzi
su shu de hu jindn
Ex. The words that (the) son spoke were simple.
Shi.de construction: can be used with adjectives
sh

Subject
Ta
Wo
Ta.de
pengyou
Zhulipuren
Ta.de
Zhangfu
t

de

zhngfu

shi
shi
shi

.ge

shi
shi
sh

hnho

de chundoyun

adverb

adjective

hen
ting
feichang

hao
piaoliang
shuai

bu
hao

pang
shou

Ex. Her husband is a very good publisher.

de

.de

noun
ren
chuandaoyuan
yanjiangzhe
laoban
tonggong

ptnghu

Mandarin Chinese
dy

First Lesson

shz

Numbers 1 20, 30 - 100

0

12

11 20 :

10

li

13

14

15

shsn

shs

16

17

shw

18

shli

19

20

shq

shb

rsh

22

rshy

23
rsh

24

25

rshsn

rshs

etc.
30
snsh

30, 40, - 100 :

21-2:

jish

7
s

shr

21

rshw

sh

11

5
sn

ji

shy

shji

4
r

0 - 10 :

lng

40

50
ssh

60
wsh

70
lish

80

90
qsh

100
bsh

ybi

How to say 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. (ordinal numbers)

*Put di in front of the number ( Di : )

dy
dr
dsn
ds
dw
1st = , 2nd = , 3rd = , 4th = , 5th = , etc.
ptnghu dy k
Mandarin, First Lesson =
ptnghu d snsh s k
Mandarin, Thirty-fourth Lesson =
ptnghu d ybi k
Mandarin, One Hundreth Lesson =

d y k

shngc

New Words
nho

hello

nn ho

(formal)

hello

zutin

mngtin

he, him

tomorrow

hutin

she, her

tmen

in 2 days

zh bin

them

this side

n bin

it

tmen

that side

zu

them (inanimate objects)

left

yu

we, us

yesterday

I, me

wmen

you

nmen

right

shnggxngq

last week

next week

xigxngq

you (plural)

xigxngq

shnggxngq

next Thursday

tin

last Sunday

jishoc

Presentation
Hello! Here is good news for you. Please read it. Goodbye!
nho

gi nn hoxiox qngnnd homa zijin

! . ? !
sh

to be, is, was, were, are, am

Chinese speaking people use verbs (like is) very differently than English
speaking people do. English speakers conjugate, or change, most verbs depending
on what they are talking about, but that is not true in Mandarin. For example: If
a Chinese person were to speak English like he speaks Chinese, he may sound like
this:
Yesterday I is a teacher, but today I is a student. Tomorrow I is a professor.
zutin w sh losh

dnsh jntin w sh xusheng

mngtin w sh jioshu

As you can see, Chinese grammar can be easier than English grammar!

CHINESE PHONETIC DRILL

Zo zo zo zo
Ho ho ho ho
Bi bi bi bi
Fng fng fng fng
Sho sho sho sho
D d d d
Zh zh zh zh

chng chng chng chng

Chng chng chng chng

qio qio qio qio

Sh sh sh sh

d d d d

Li li li li

y y y y

Qun qun qun qun

g g g g

Hun hun hun hun

t t t t

Yng yng yng yng

qin qin qin qin

Fn fn fn fn

zho zho zho zho

Xin xin xin xin

y y y y

Shng shng shng shng

xi xi xi xi

Bible Books
xbliy

shngjng

xly

shngjng

xnyu

jiyu

New Testament

Old Testament

Hebrew Scriptures

Greek Scriptures

chungshj
Genesis
chijj
Exodus
lwij
Leviticus
mnshj
Numbers
shnmngj
Deuteronomy
yushyj
Joshua
shshj
Judges
ldj
Ruth
smrjshng 1 Samuel
smrjxi
2 Samuel
liwngjshng 1 Kings
liwngjxi
2 Kings
ldizhshng 1 Chronicles
ldizhxi 2 Chronicles
yslj
Ezra
nxmj
Nehemiah
ystij
Esther
yubj
Job
shpin
Psalms
zhnyn
Proverbs
chundosh
Ecclesiastes
yg
Song of Solomon
ysiysh
Isaiah
ylmsh
Jeremiah
ylmig
Lamentations
yxjish
Ezekiel
dnylsh
Daniel
hxsh
Hosea
yursh
Joel
mssh
Amos
bdysh
Obadiah
yunsh
Jonah
mjish
Micah
nhngsh
Nahum
hbgsh
Habakkuk
xfnysh
Zephaniah
hgish
Haggai
sjilysh Zechariah
mljsh
Malachi

mtifyn
Matthew

mkfyn
Mark

ljifyn
Luke

yuhnfyn
John

shtxngzhun
Acts

lumsh
Romans
glnduqinsh 1 Corinthians
glnduhosh 2 Corinthians

jiltish
Galatians

yfsush
Ephesians

filbsh
Philippians

gluxsh
Colossians
tislunjiqinsh 1 Thessalonians
tislunjihosh
2 Thessalonians

tmtiqinsh 1 Timothy

tmtihosh
2 Timothy

tdush
Titus

filmnsh
Philemon

xblish
Hebrews

ygsh
James

bdqinsh
1 Peter

bdhosh
2 Peter

yuhnysh
1 John

yuhnrsh
2 John

yuhnsnsh
3 John

yodsh
Jude

qshl
Revelation

Ex:
Ygsh d s zhng d li ji James 4:6
Shpin d w pin d y do sn ji :
Psalm 5:1-3

From:Budapest Concise Chinese Course pg.7

4

ptnghu

shyngde shngc

Practical Vocabulary
gnggngqch

xngq

Bus

Week

huch

xngqy

Train

Monday

kch

xngqr

Tuesday

Truck

xngqsn

Wednesday

Road

qyu

xngqs

Thursday

Gasoline

csu

xngqw

Friday

Restroom

jngch

xngqli

Saturday

Police

chzch

xngqtin

qch

Taxi

Sunday

yu

Car

dti

Subway

Month

(add #s 1 12 = months)

nin

Year
5

xn jishoc

ax cxxt|

nho

gi n hoxiox

qng

kn

zh dun jngwn

(hand them literature)

Hello! Here is good news for you. Please look at this scripture.
(show householder Psalm 37:29)
yrn

d zho dd

yngyun zi dshng

nj

zijin

xndngc

ax ixuM

yu

: to have, had, will have

n

yu

qch

ma

Do you have a car? ( .ma makes a statement into a question.)

w miyu

qch

I dont have a car. ( meiyou = dont have)

n

yu huch ma

__________________________________ (fill in the translation)

w miyu huch

__________________________________
tmen yu

qch

ma

________________________________
tmen yumiyu

qch

Do you have a car? ( you meiyou: duplicating a verb

makes a statement into a question, just like using .ma does. This is commonly done. )
?

Fill in the Missing Words and Tones

Wo zai xingqiwu went to buy a new qiche,

because wo mei___ qiche. But, wo found out new
qiche very expensive. Wo mei___ enough money.
So, wo decided to buy an old kache instead.
Thankfully, wo ____ enough money to buy an old
kache!
Wo zai xingqi___ drove wo.de old ______ to
the juhui. But, wo.de kache mei____ enough qiyou!
Halfway to the _____, wo ran out of _____. Many
qiche passed wo, but no one stopped to help wo. As
wo sat on the side of the lu, wo called the jingcha.
Tamen said tamen will come very quickly to help
___. Wo waited and waited. It seemed like many
yue passed, yet still tamen meiyou come! So, wo
took a ___________ to get to the juhui because
wo couldnt wait any longer. Wo didnt want to miss
the juhuiWo also really needed to use the cesuo!
7

Lianxi Pyramids

zhg

zhg xio

sh shnme

zh sh shnme

zhg sh shnme

dngxi sh shnme

dngxi sh shnme

sh shngd

yhhu sh shngd

shngjng shu yhhu sh shngd

sh chundoyun

sh fichngde chundoyun

sh fichng huzhngde chundoyun

do sh fichng huzhngde chundoyun

zhxie dxing do sh fichng huzhngde chundoyun

sh shngddehuy

shngjng sh shngddehuy

xingxn shngjng sh shngddehuy

do xingxn shngjng sh shngddehuy

yhhujinzhngrn do xingxn shngjng shshngddehuy

wnggujhusu

: Kingdom Hall
shunnjnin

zhlprn

tshgun

Memorial

Mini. servant

library

shjynjibn

zhnglo

shkn

Book Study

Elder

literature

chundogngzujhu

chundoyun

junxin

Service Mtg

chundoxnlinbn

xinq

shuwngtiynji

WT study

shngjngxushng

Bible student

junkun

donation
chngg

T. M. School

publisher
pioneer

to sing a song

dxing

rqng

brother

cordial /warm

jimi

sister

large/big

shfn

xio

demonstration

small

jingti

huzhng

xn

platform

jhu

ynjing

contribution

congregation

lo

meeting

new

a talk

old

xn jishoc

: New Presentation
nho

gi n hoxiox

Hello! Here is good news for you! (hand householder literature)
qng n kn zhdun jngwn

Please look at/read this.

(Read Shipian 37:29)

(read Ps. 37:29)

w xigxngq zi li bifng n

homa

I can come back next week , is that ok?
ho

Householder: ( : ok /

bho

: not ok

??????? Question Words ???????

shi

who

which one

shnme

n xi

what

which ones

shnme shhu

dusho

when

zi nr

zi nli

where

how many, how much (for any #)

how many, how much (for small #s)

wishnme

ma

why

question particle (makes statement into a ?)

gn ma

ne

what for

question particle (makes a question less formal)

znme

ba

how what

question particle (asking for agreement)

znmeyng

how is it

question particle (softens the question; polite)

du

how how many

how/which/where/why (depends on context)

Some examples of usage.

Nimen shi shei? Who are you?
Zhe shi shenme? What is this?
Ta shenme shihou lai? When is he coming?
Tamen zai nar? Where are they? (spoken style)
Ni weishenme chuandao? Why do you preach?
Ni ganma chuandao? What do you preach for? (very colloquial)
Women zenme zuo haoren? How can we be good people?
Ni zenmeyang? How are you?
Ta duo da? How old is she?
Na ben Shengjing shi ni.de? Which Bible is yours?
Na xie Shengjing shi ni.de? Which Bibles are yours?
Zhe.ge duoshao qian? How much does this cost?
Ni you ji.ge hai.zi? How many kids do you have?
Ni you hai.zi .ma? Do you have kids?
Shei .a? Who is it?
Ni you hai.zi .ba? You have kids, dont you?
Ni you hai.zi .ne? And do you have kids, then?
BONUS: Ni shibushi Yehehua Jianzhengren?
Niyoumeiyou zazhi?

10

Biographical Database
Get up, walk around the room, greet your classmates in Mandarin, and then
ask them these questions (please, use ONLY Mandarin!!!). Answer the questions in
Mandarin (except #3- you can use English, but please be BREIF). Write down the
answer using Pinyin in your notebook. Then, switch roles. Try to talk with as many
classmates as possible in allotted time. Use this time for practicing your Mandarin.

n jio shnme mngzi

1. Q:

w jio

A:

(What is your name?)

______. (My name is _____.)

n de dinhu hom sh dusho

2. Q:

(What is your phone number?)

w de dinhu hom sh

A:

(___) -___-_____.

(My phone number is (

) ___-_____.)

n wishnme xing xux ptnghu

3. Q:

(Why are you learning Mandarin?)

A: (use English- please be brief)
n zhzi

4. Q:

nli

(Where do you live?)

w zhzi

A:

( state ) .

(I live in _____.)

11

Grammar Practice
NOUN:

A person, place, animal, state, or thing. (Harry, house, dog, car, box,

etc.)

PRONOUN: A small class of words that replace a noun or noun phrase. (I, me,
he, she, them, who, it, we, etc.)

ADJECTIVE:

A word which describes or modifies a noun. (a red car, a thin girl,

the fat cow, dark room, etc.)

VERB: An action, state, or relation between two things (to run, to be, to love, to
talk, to go, to do, etc) In English, verbs often start with to.

An AUXILIARY VERB is a helping verb, it goes before the main verb. (She wants
to run. , He has to go. , or Terry will go to the game.)

The OBJECT of a verb is a noun that the verb applies to. (to eat food, walk on
the road, read a book, etc. These phrases in Chinese are Verb-Object Complexes.)

ADVERB: A word which modifies verbs, adjectives, other adverbs, or clauses.

In English, often ends in ly. (quickly run, slowly walk, carefully write, etc.)
Other examples of adverbs: now, very, well, here, etc.

The SUBJECT of a sentence is the noun or pronoun that the sentence is

talking about. (The dog barked. or He ran quickly to the market.) To determine
what the subject is, ask yourself: Who or what barked? .

QUESTION PARTICLE: (Chinese) A word usually used at the end of a sentence

which makes the sentence into a question. (.ma, .ne, .ba, .ya, etc)
GRAMMAR PARTICLE: (Chinese) A word that only has a grammar meaning and
usage. (.de, .le, -zhi, -zhe, etc.)
**Grammar formulas used in this class have the purpose of breaking down and
simplifying Chinese grammar. We use abbreviations to stand for the above
grammar words. To make a sentence, just plug words into the formula. Here are
some examples of grammar formulas and how to break them down.
Grammar Formula: S- VO .
He ate food. He = Subject, ate = Verb, food = Object.
Henry read the book. Henry = Subject, read = Verb, book = Object
Grammar Formula: S- aux.v- VO.
She wants to go to China.
She = Subject, wants = Aux. Verb, to go = Verb ,China = Object
He will read a book.
He = Subject, will = Aux. Verb, read = Verb, a book = Object.

12

ptnghu

d s k

shngc

wiqn fw

Field Service
shuwngti

chundo dq

Watchtower

jngxng

territory

chundo xiosh

Awake

dnzhng

field service hours

chundo bogo

tract

field service report

zzh

hoxiox

magasine

good news

sh

kng

book

free time, leisure

dcz

shngjng

brochure

zhngguxinq

goxng

regular pioneer

The Bible
to be happy

fzh xinq

wnt

auxiliary pioneer

question

qunshfw

xfng

full-time service

return visit

wiqn fw

fnf

field service

to place, distribute

shngjng ynji

chnggng

Bible study

to be sucessful

ijizhh

rxn

door-to-door

to be zealous

jitng shngjng ynji

zhngyo

family study

mng

to be important

xhuan

to be busy

chundoyun

to like
chundo

publisher

to preach
13

xn jishoc

New Presentation

nho

gi n hoxiox

qng n kn zhdun jngwn

(Read Ps. 37:29)

Hello! Here is good news for you. Please look at/read this scripture:
yrn

b d zho dd

yngyun zi dshng nj

w xigxngq

zi li bifng n

ho ma

ho

bho

(answer: - good ,- not good)

I can come back next week, is that ok?
n shnme shhu yu kng

(answer: a day of the week, time of day)

When do you have free time?
ho

xigxngq jin

Ok, see you next week!
14

Telling Time
din

fnzhng

: oclock

: minute(s)

bn

: quarter of an hour

: half

ch

: short of
Examples:
12:00
12:05
12:15

shr din

shr din snsh fn

12:30

shr din w fn

shr din bn

shr din shw fn

shr din

12:45

ssh w fn

shr din

y k

shr din

sn k

duhu

Dialogue
qngwn

xinzi j din

Anna:
xinzi b din bn

Mr Wang:
xixie

Anna:
qngwn

(time passes)
huch j din li ne

Anna:
huch

ji din

li

Mr Wang:
xixie

zijin

Anna:

15

Tone Practice
1/1
1/2

ys

Jesus
jitng

family

jd

Christ
zhnyn

Proverbs

1/3

yngy

fngf

1/4

tinq

shngbng

English

weather

2/1

Gospel

2/2

problems

fyn

nnt

2/3

fnno

2/4

chundo

worry

to preach

3/1

yngshng

3/2

swng

3/3

m k

3/4

minfi

4/1

shngjng

4/2

lyun

4/3
4/4

death

Mark
free

Bible

paradise

zhngf

government
shji

world

method

sick

shpin

Psalms
zhnsh

real

shnt

body

shngq

angry

qj

yunyn

xux

rnmn

mgu

wnmi

miracle
study

Devil

rnli

mankind

niyu

New York
jiju

to solve

xingf

viewpoint
uxing

idol

chngg

reason

citizens
perfect

shji

ransom
kx

a pity
migu

America
ky

can
dogo

pray

lji

to sing

Luke

xiw

rnh

Eve

jnl

baptism
yjin

opinion

any

zuzh

author

bol

violence

The most difficult tone combinations for English speakers

are highlighted in grey. Please practice those very well.
16

mi

The Differences between and

Humor and Negatives

1. Negation
b

not, not want to

mi

yu
not (only used with )

miyu
:

havent (negation of verb in the past)

2. Examples
w b kn
I will not look!
w bnng kn
I cant see.
w miyu kn
I didnt see.
w miyu zzh
I dont have magazines.
w miyu d gu zhbn sh
I havent read this book.

3. Good News/Bad News

The good news is, I went out in service.
The bad news is, I did not have any literature.
The good news is, my partner had extra.
The bad news is, the householder couldnt read Chinese.
The good news is, I had my Good news for all Nations booklet.
The bad news is, it doesnt have Cambodian.
The good news is, the little girl said, My mommy cant speak English, but I can!

17

ptnghu

d w k

jitng

bba

zhngfu

Dad
mma

hnyn

husband

qzi

Mom
rzi

nr

wife

daughter

family

qnm

aunt *

yye
ninai

kind

zh zi

close

zh n

jihn

niece

spouse

snzi

communication

grandson
snn

recreation

gunjio

nephew *

to care

pio

xioqin

Grandmother *

to divorce

gunxn

gutng

Grandfather *

to respect

rnc

uncle *

lhn

child

g g

to love

znzhng

hizi

shshu

marriage
i

jitng

son

FAMILY

granddaughter
dogo

discipline

to pray

jdt

to get married

fqn

mqn

fm

father

mother

Christian
parents

* Fathers side of the family; the mothers side is below:

loye

wigng

lolao

ji ji

Grandfather

wip

wishng

uncle

Grandmother

nephew

wishngn

aunt

niece

18

TO GO

ax ixuM
Fill in the blanks.
nn

w jntin q

wnggujhusu

n ne

wng xiojie

w b zhdao k b ky

nn

xhuan

wng xiojie

wnggujhusu ma

wnggujhusu

xhuan

ksh

w de

zhngfu b yo w

wnggujhusu

nn

wishnme ne

wng xiojie

w y

b zhdao

New presentation:
nho

shngc w gi le

hoxiox

xfng

Return Visit

bngzh rn

xux

shngjng

Hello! Last time I gave you good news. It helps people to study the Bible.
w

jude

rn mngbai shngjng hn zhngyo

suy

di le

y bn

czi

li

gi

I feel its important for people to understand the Bible, so I brought a brochure for you.
qng

knkn

zijin

Please take a look. Goodbye!

19

BIOGRAPHICAL DATABASE:
QUESTION WORDS
The question words from page 10 are underlined in each sentence.

Questions:
nho

Answers:

jntin znmeyng

hnho

bcu

hi ky

. / /
n de huzhng yu

wde huzhng yu

g xinq

n yu

3.

jge xinq

hizi ma

yu

w yu

hizi

(Yes, I have # kids.)

w miyu hizi

Or
n zu xhuan n

jhu

4.

(I dont have kids.)

w zu xhuan

jhu

________

Vocabulary for Biographical Database:

hnho

1.

very good

bcu

2. : pretty good
hi ky

3. :
zu

4. :

not bad

most

xhuan

5. :

to like

jhu

6. meeting
hizi

7. child,
miyu

8. dont

children
have

20

Dramatic Acting
nuy jinzo le fngzho


Noah built the ark.
giyn sh le yb

Cain killed Abel.
yg gi yso hnggng

Jacob gave Esau red stew.
l biji gi lutuo shu h

Rebecca gave the camels water to drink.
yub shngbng le

Job became sick.
ydng gn xiw ch le jngu

Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit.

21

ptnghu

d li k

tin

HEAVEN

tinsh

xnning

angel (s)

slf

xnlng

seraph

jlb

lng

cherub

spirit

Jehovahs throne

lngt

dq

shtinde fhu

spirit person

atmosphere

new heavens

tinshngde

144,000

bride

shngd de wnggu

groom

xngxing

yhhu de bozu

tinkng

heavenly

wzhde

shswnsqinrn

heavenly resurrection

xntin

the sky

xnylslng

physical

b s de txng

yzhu

immortality

knbjinde

zhdown

invisible

shugo

shugofnzi

xioqnyng

the little flock

dnngde

New Jerusalem

the star (s)

lng ji

the universe

powerful

Gods Kingdom

the spirit world

anointed

the Lords Prayer

anointed ones

xnjishoc

New Presentation

nho

shngc gi le

n shuwngti zzh

Hello! Last time, I gave you a Watchtower magazine.

qng liy

zhl shu

shuwngti

xunyng shngd de wnggu

Please notice, it says here:

ys zi zhdown l tdo zhg

Watchtower Announcing Jehovahs Kingdom.

wnggu

Jesus mentioned this Kingdom in the Lords Prayer.

22

t shu

yun n de wnggu liln

He said:

yun n de zhy zi dshng shxin

Let your kingdom come.

xing zi

tinshng yyng

sh shnme

Let your will be done on earth,

zh bn zzh jish shngd de wnggu

as it is in heaven.

This magazine explains Gods Kingdom

qng d y xi

zijin

is what.

Please read it.

xndngc

Goodbye.
zu

To make, to do

zufn

zu gngzu

zu pngyou

zu zuy

to make (food)

to make friends

to do work

to do homework

n zu shnme gngzu

What work do you do?

w xing zu pngyou

I want to make friends.

*The verb zuo has many usages and meanings. We are only covering one aspect of this verb at this time.

shngjng rnw

Bible Characters

ydng

Adam

ys

Isaac

d n

yg

Dinah

Jacob

Eve

xiw

yso

Esau

yub

Job

Abel

Aaron

yb
yln

nuy

lji

mx

Noah

Rachel

Moses

yblhn

l bi ji

Abraham

Rebecca

giyn

Cain

23

ky

AUXILIARY VERBS :

hu

nng

to be able : , , and

ky

(verb) to be able to : This is the most commonly

used way to say can or able to. In the RQ brochure, for
example, it says: Ni keyi zenyang zhidao shangdi you shenme yaoqiu?
This means, How can you know what requirements God has?
Keyi can also have the connotation of allowed to, or
permitted to. For example, Wo keyi qu Joseph.de jia.ma? means
Can I go to Josephs house?. A parent may say keyi, yes,
you can or bu keyi, no, you cant.
hu

(verb) to be able to: Hui has the connotation of

mentally able to or to know how to do. For example, Wo
hui shuo Putonghua, means I can speak Mandarin. Or, Wo hui xie
zhongwen, means I can write Chinese. Writing or speaking a
language takes mental ability, so we use the verb hui to
express that thought.
nng

(verb) to be able to: Neng has the connotation

of being physically able to do an activity. For example, a
person with an injury may say, Wo buneng paobu, which means,
I cant run. Or, someone that just recovered from an injury
may say, Wo neng tiaowu, which means, I can dance. (This
statement has the connotation of being physically able to
dance. We could also say, Wo hui tiaowu, which would mean, I
know how to dance.)
24

shji

chnzhngde sxing

The World

hui

pure thoughts

dod de jijng

dpn

wicked

drugs

bngyng

moral cleanness
shntde jijng

bdod

(good) example

pngyou

physical cleanness
sxing de jijng

fnpn

friend(s)
chuntng

mental cleanness

yl

spiritual cleanness

entertainment

b ji xngwi

dinyng

yzhu

influence (s)

recreation

dinsh

movie (s)

television

tnggng

classmate(s)
yntn

f xng

xioqin

tngxu

clothing, headgear, and footwear

a rebel; to rebel
yngxing

tradition(s)

lngxng de jijng

unclean practices

immoral

workmate
jiowng

hair style(s)

yfu zhungbn

tidu

bol

attitude(s)

violent ; violence

shuhung de rn

wizngjio

clothing styles

blingdejiowng

bad association (s)

chngy

speech

liar (s)

to associate with

false religion

Chinese Idioms

An idiom is a saying that tells a story or carries a specific meaning, such as

wild goose chase or dog eat dog world. Chinese has many more commonly used
idioms than the English language does. Chinese idioms are called CHENGYU.
Chengyu are usually (but not always) made up of 4 characters. They are
listed in most dictionaries under the first character of the chengyu. Watchtower
publications use chengyu quite often. The Lasting Peace and Happiness brochure,
page 17 gives us some examples. (We have provided a copy for you to look at, last
page in this lesson.)

25

Liangci : Measure Words (or MW)

A herd of horses. A flock of birds. Three loaves of bread. Nine pairs of shoes. English
has many words for GROUPS of nouns. Chinese has even more! When you are talking about a
SPECIFIC NUMBER of nouns (for example: a book, 3 people, 10 cars, etc) a MEASURE
WORD must be used before the noun.
y bn sh

sn g rn

sh ling qch

Here are some examples: (a book), (3 people),

(10 cars). When English specifies a dog, it translates into Chinese one dog. If you dont
know the proper MW, then use ge. Its better than not using a measure word at all!!
If you just want to say several of something, without saying a specific number,
yxi

yxi rn

instead of a measure word, you would use . For example: (several people), or
yxi sh

(several books)
Some common measure words (MW) and their meanings:
wi

* used to denote respect; used for Jehovah, angels, and people.

g

* all purpose MW; used for people, Jehovah, angels, and spirit creatures.
zh

used for most mammals (dogs, cats, cows, sheep, etc), also birds

bn

* used for bound objects, such as books (Bible, encyclopedias, etc).

du

a pair, couple (yi dui fufu: a husband and wife pair)

tio

* used for long, skinny things, like snakes, rope, river, ribbon, etc
zhng

* used for flat, horizontal objects, like table, desk, paper, etc
ling

used for vehicles (cars, trucks, taxis, etc.)

fn

used for jobs, newspapers, tracts, and gifts.

Fill in the blanks with the appropriate Measure Words:

w yu sn

sh

1. ___

5.

wde huzhng yu snshs

2.

xinq

___

tmen yu w

hizi

6.

3. _____

7.

4.

8.

wde zhngfuyu ling

zhn

___

t yu s

qch

____

ys xinzi sh y

n yo ling

lngt

___
zzh ma

w yu ling

cats

26

fc

Adverbs

An adverb is a descriptive word which modifies a verb, such as slowly

or quickly. Many adverbs in English end with -ly. Some examples of how
to use an adverb in English are: He writes very quickly. Or, She speaks
Chinese very well. To make an adverb in Mandarin, here is the formula:
Subject + verb-object + verb + .de + adjective.
hnho

mn

kui

(very good, well), (slow), and (fast) are all adjectives.

If you put them at the end of an adverbial sentence such as in the formula
above, they all become adverbs.
Here are some examples:
n

zu gngzu zu de kui

zu zuy zu de hnho

xu ptnghu xu de fichngho

shu yngwn shu de hn mn

* (You do work quickly!)

* (You do your homework very well!)
* (You study Mandarin extremely well!)
* (You speak English very slowly!)
(In all of the above sentences, the subject was Ni. The verbobjects were: zuo gongzuo, zuo zuoye, xue Putonghua, and shuo
Yingwen. Then the first verb was repeated with an adverb to modify it. We
will in the future abbreviate most of these words when used in grammar
formulas. For example: Subject= S, verb-object= VO, verb= V, adjective=
ADJ, adverb= ADV. )
27

 chng y
znjng zhngbi zi bif de rn minqin n yo zhnqli

Respect ones senior(s): At grey-headedness *

y yo

person in front of,

you need stand up;

and need

znjng lorn yo yo jngwi n de shngd w sh yhhu

respect old person(s), also need deeply respect & fear your

God.

I am Jehovah.

lwij
19:32
Leviticus 19:32

xiojng fm dng xiojng fm sh n de rzi zi yhhu n

Show filial piety parents: Should show filial piety parents, cause your days at Jehovah -

shngd su c n de d shng d y chngji

God

* give your

ynshu s yun

on earth

can

your

chijj

lasting.

20:12
Exodus 20:12

n chnzhe ninyo shuibi de rzi shngwi do

When drinking water think of its source (feel grateful): You take advantage of -ing year(s) youth, decline *

dng jnin zo n de zh

days

yet not

chundosh

arrive, should commemorate make you *

master/Lord.

12:1

Ecclesiates 12:1

jnzhzhch jnmzhhi

y zhhu de rn tng xng de

Near vermillion, get stained red; near ink, get stained black: with wise * person(s) together do/walk *,

b d zhhu h ymi rn zu bnde

b sho kusn

certainly obtain wisdom; with foolish person(s) be companion *,

certainly suffer loss.

zhnyn

13:20

Proverbs 13:20

Lasting Peace and Happiness How to Find Them? Pg. 17 par. 16

hngji de pngn h xngf znyng cinng zhozho

dun

17 16

28

ptnghu

d b k

zngjio

shngc

zngjio

religion (s)
chngbi

kzngde

hids

detestable

Hades

pinjin

xwr

worship

shzji

pndozh

cross
snwiyt

Religion

prejudice

Sheol
zxin

apostate (s)

jir

ancestor (s)
tnglngsh

trinity

holiday

dyynghu

uxing

jdjiogu

hellfire

lnghn

msh

soul (pagan)

clergyman

wizngjio

jiotng

lnghnbs

false religion (s)

kxngzh

torture stake

image (s)

church , cathedral

zngjiolinh

dbbln

kunl

Babylon the Great

gnnji

shngdnji

Thanksgiving Day

spiritism

Christendom
fnbide gngzu
separating work

immortality of the soul

chnzhn zngjio

interfaith

pure religion

zhil

the broad road

the narrow road

fhuji

Christmas

Easter

29

: New Verbs: To Know

rnshi

zhdao

: to know (a person or thing well)

&

: to know (a fact)

w rnshi t

1. I know him. (as a friend)

w zhdao t sh shi

2. I know who he is.

n

rnshi zhnl duji le

zhdao wnggu jhu su zi nr

3. How long have you known the truth?

4.

ma

Do you know where the Kingdom Hall is?

t sh n de hopngyou

duma

w b

5. ____ ____ (Fill in the blanks.)

xnjishoc

: New Presentation
nho

gi n hoxiox

(hand householder literature.)

qng n kn y dun

jngwn

(Read Psalm 37:29)
Please look at a scripture (with me).
suy

horn hu chngshu n g dfang ne

So, good people will inherit which place?
dqi

dshng

(Listen to response. Hopefully: or )

w xigxngq zi li bifng n

homa

Is it ok for me to come back next week?
ho

ky

xng

(If they respond: , or ,or , then ask next question.)

n shnme shhou yu kng

(Listen carefully to response.)

When do you have free time?
ho

n xigxngq

jin

____
Good, then, see you next _______!
30

zi

(be at,in,on)

Subject + zai + thing/place/person + position word.

ZAI . . . SHANG

...

shng
- on, above

nbn sh zi zhu shng

ex:

(Shang also has many other meanings)

ZAI . . . XIA

...

xi
- under, down

ZAI . . . LI

nbn sh zi zhu xi
ex:

...

l
- in, inside

ZAI . . . WAI

nbn sh zi bo l
ex:

...

wi
- outside

nbn sh zi bo wi
ex:

ZAI . . . PANG BIAN

pngbin
- side

...

nbn sh zi zzh pngbin

ex:

ZAI . . . QIAN MIAN

qinmian
- in front, ahead

ZAI . . . HOU MIAN

homian
- at the back, behind

...
nbn sh zi n qinmian
ex:

...
nbn sh zi n homian
ex:
31

hn
very AND

sh
to be

hn
- (adverb) means very, quite. Used with
adjectives in describing objects.

1.

w hn go
I am very tall.
bba hn sho
Dad is very skinny.

t hn lo
He is very old.
mma hn i
Mom is very short.

sh
- (verb) to be. Used with concrete conditions
or circumstances.

2.

t sh

nmen

losh
t sh xusheng
He is a teacher.

She is a student.
sh yhhujinzhngrn

You are Jehovahs Witnesses.

3. Create your own sentence. Use a noun (wo, ni, ta,

ba.ba, etc.) and either hen OR shi. Finally add an
adjective OR concrete condition (you can write this in
English).
Your sentence here ->

*** If in doubt about whether to use hen or shi, ask yourself if the
noun, the 1st word, can be equal to the last word. If so, use shi.
i.e.

He = a teacher.

All of you = Jehovah's Witnesses.

32

shngc

ptnghu

d ji k

dqi

The

lyun

paradise

hpng

peace

dngw

animal (s)

shm

tree (s)
mil

beautiful (scenery)
dqnrn

the Great Crowd

xioh

huyun

wnmi

dqi

bwnmi

hur

guji

stream/brook

garden

river

perfect

the earth

imperfect

flower

country (s)

hiyng

zinn

nng xi

wrn

sea/ocean

gngmn shnfn

Earth

tribulation

repairable

polluted / pollution

rnli

yngshng

citizenship mankind

shnghu

* life (living, activities, etc.)

qinnin tngzh

1,000 year reign

jingyo juzhng de

endangered

eternal life

shngmng

life force inside living things

hmjdudn

Armageddon
gngzhng de

tind

field under cultivation

shnghu

* Can only refer to the activities going on in our life, not our actual life

force. i.e. He has a good shenghuo. We want to shenghuo in Paradise.

shngmng

Can only refer to the force in your body keeping you alive. i.e. He lost

his shengming. (Meaning: he died.) She has no shengming. (Shes dead.)

33

Answer Question: Which One?

n

n xhuan q

+ MW + Noun

nyge guji

Which country do you like to go to?

1.

Answer:
zhnggu

rbn

mxg

jind

fgu

gu

China

Japan

Mexico

Canada

France

Russia

n xhuan n zh dngw

2.

odly

xbny

Australia

Spain

ynggu

England

Which animal do you like?

Answer:
gu

mo

shzi

dog

cat

lion

horse

n xhuan n zh hur

rabbit

zh

lutuo

pig

camel

elephant

snake

migu

hungshuxin

j hu

chrysanthemum,

jasmine

rose,

daffodil,

d xing

sh

Which flower do you like?

3.

Answer:

tzi

m l hu

ch j

daisy

How To Think Simply

In order to sucessfully speak a foreign language, we must first learn
to THINK SIMPLY. If you are just starting out in learning another language,
your available vocabulary is very limited, like a childs. So, learn to think
within the limits of your available vocabulary. In the first year or two of
learning a language, you must learn to speak like you would speak to a very
young child. If you dont know a specific word, try to find a less specific one
that still describes your thought. The following exercise is designed to help
you to practice doing this.

Translate the following sentences into Chinese Pinyin, no Chinglish allowed!

The orchid is magnificent. __________________________________________________.
This planet is desecrated. __________________________________________________.
His Corvette ran out of fuel. ________________________________________________.
Her view of others is pessimistic. ______________________________________________.
Her workmates attitude is very sour. __________________________________________.
34

Possessive (.de)
To say that something belongs to something else in Chinese is very
simple. It goes in the same place as s in English does. Here is the formula:
Noun.de noun - or - pronoun.de noun
yhhu de

rzi

de hur

: Jehovahs Son

Sara : Saras flower

w de sh

de shngjng

: My book

Timothy

: Timothys Bible

t de qch

tinsh de mngzi

: His car

: the angel s name

In cases of special relationship where possession is obvious, .de can

be dropped: it is implied. Family relationships are one of these cases.
w mma

: My mom

t bba

w mimei

: Her dad

My little sister

w yye

yhhu

jinzhngrn

: My grandfather

: Jehovahs Witnesses

BIOGRAPHICAL DATABASE
(Please use a separate piece of paper to record answers in PinYin, if possible.)
n de hizi

j su

1.
How old are your children?
w miyu hizi

w de hizi

Answer: Or
n de jirn zh zi

su

nr

2.
Where does your family live?
wde jirn zh zi

Answer:

n de dzh sh shnme

3.
What is your address?
wde dzh sh

Answer:

.
35

 11 g{xbzt|t|

btl

jioyxng

Bethel
jli

Zuzhi

xuxio

educational

zzh

Gilead school

to organize/ an organization

fnb

hiwi chundoyun

Branch

shfng

gsh

missionary

songbook

the Society
shnzhde

huzhng

Theocratic
ditu

congregation

tbixinq

special pioneer

to take the lead

ynshu

fnq jind

Circuit Overseer

to print
jinzo

qy jind

to construct

District Overseer

guj de

diwjind

international

Zone Overseer

psh

fnb wiyunhu

worldwide

Branch Committee

tunji de

fnb bnshch

united

Branch office

zhngyng zhnglotun

the Governing Body

wnggu zhw xnlinbn

Kingdom Ministry School

zzh shw xnlinbn

Ministerial Training School

wnggu chundo yubo

Our Kingdom Ministry

36

xn jishoc

: Placing The Watchtower and Awake!

nho

gi n

hoxiox

shuwngti

jngxng

xing

tng

shpin

gi

zzh

(hand them WT & g!)

shngjng

gi

wmen

ho rn

hu

chngshu

n g

dfang

ne

suy

37:29. (read)
w

de

xwng

xigxngq

qng

zi li bifng n

kn kn

ho ma

nn

(Listen to householders response.)

shnme shhu yu kng

ho

xi g

xngq

jin

(Listen to response.) __

Important Verbs:
Please Memorize Carefully Using Flashcards
yng

dng

to use

xing

to think, to want
to see, to look
to hear or listen

to help

to want

gi

to come

jing

to understand

yo

li

bngzh

tng

to understand

mngbai

kn

to give

gos

to speak, talk

to tell
37

WATCHTOWER PUBLICATION NAMES

xnshji ybn

hngjide pngn h xngf c

New World Translation

Lasting Peace and Happiness brochure

zhshi sh

yu y wi gunxn rn de zowzh ma

Knowledge book

Is There a Creator Who Cares About You?

rh hu d xnmny z c

rnshng yu shnme md

Satisfying Life brochure

What is the Purpose of Life? brochure

tul sh

Reasoning book

Creation Book

yoqi c

zu wid rnw sh

Require brochure

shngjng gsh sh

Bible Stories book

chngbi sh

chungzo sh

Worship God book

Greatest Man book

wid dosh sh

Great Teacher book
qnjn yhhu sh

Draw Close to Jehovah book

38

Biographical Database

zu

(verb) to do
le

gu

(grammar particle) Signifies completed action when

placed right after the verb.
(grammar particle) When placed right after the verb,
means: Have you ever had this experience before?

1. Have you eaten Chinese food before?

n chgu zhngguci ma

Answers:

w chgu le

( Yes, I have eaten it before.)

w mi ch gu

(No, I have not eaten it before.)

2. Have you been to China before?

n q gu zhnggu ma

Answers:

w q gu le

(I have been there before.)

w mi q gu

(I have not been there before.)

3. Have you done your homework?

n zu le

n de zuy

Answers:

ma

w zu ho le

(I did it.)
w himi zu ho

(I havent done it yet.)

39

zzh THE ORGANIZATION :

Vocabulary & Pronunciation Practice: students all need personal

copies of the Pinyin What Does God Require of Us? brochure.
Play Require brochure tape while reading along in paragraph 6 of
lesson 14. First: Use your finger to follow along in the brochure.
Pay special attention to the vocabulary used and the
pronunciation of the reader. Second: Try to read along in an
undertone with the tape and keep up with the readers pace.

40

 12
wmen gn shngdde gunx

b ext|{| j|{ Zw
dogo

to pray, prayer

yuy

chundo

friendship

shfng

to preach

shujn

zhngy

to baptise

fcng

qinbi

to obey

knqi

kunsh

earnest, sincere

gunxi

znjng

relationship

guxn

hugi

xnxn

to convert to (religion)

to repent

shnf

yzh

thu

to submit

in union, harmony

to appreciate

to serve, worship

jngwi

awe, fear

zhngchng

loyal

shdng

ys

appropriate, suitable

jd

righteous
humble
to forgive
to respect
faith

shngdde zhy

Jesus Christ

Gods will

xinshn gi shngd

knowledge

quqide zhshi

dedicate (self) to God

accurate

BIBLE CHARACTERS
Fill in the blanks
ynu

shn

_____

dwi

hn

yushy

____

_____ _____
smr
yf
____
____
y s ti
ld
____

______

nngl

______

yly
______

lh

41

How To Talk About What You Will Do in the Future

Auxiliary verb :

Formula: Subject + hui + verb + object.

w

hu

do

zhnggu q

1. I will go to China.

mngtin

Tommy

2. Tommy will go to England tomorrow.

3. I will come to America soon.

hu

do ynggu

bji

hu

do

migu

hu

kish

xux

4. She will start studying Mandarin.

li

ptnghu

xigxngq

hu

ynji shngjng

5. I will study the Bible next week.

bji

do

*: soon * (see next page)

BIBLE READING PRACTICE

Colossians 1:9
suy

wmen cng tngjin de n tin q

ji bzh de wi nmen dogo

Therefore, we from heard that day beginning, then unceasingly for you pray,
qi shngd sh nmen du t de zhy chngmn quqide zhshi

chngmn

ask God make you to His will be filled with accurate knowledge, be filled w/
zhhu h shlngde wxng

wisdom and spiritual comprehension.
(*To be used along with the reading of Colossians provided by the Society on tape.)

42

HOW TO SAY:

Arrive at or go to :

Dao

To Arrive at (a place)
S + dao + .le. (arrived) or S + time + dao. (arrives)
w do le

1. I have arrived!
n yye do le ma

2. Has your grandfather arrived yet?

huch sndinzhng do

3.

The train arrives at 3 oclock.

gnggngqch q dinbn do

4.

The bus arrives at 7:30.

To go to (a place) or To (a place)
S + dao + place (+ qu). or S + daoguo + place. or
S + dao + place + lai.
In sentences # 6, 7, 8, and 9, Dao functions like the English word to.
n dogu zhnggu ma

5.

Have you ever been to China before?

w bba do mxg q

6. My dad went to Mexico.

ys do tinshng q le ma

7.

Did Jesus go to heaven?

qng do w ji li

8. Please come to my home!

mtifyn d li zhng d snsh y do snshsn ji

9.

Matthew 6: 31 - 33.

NOTE: When using dao, it is not necessary to use zai (at, in, or on)
because dao already includes the idea of at.
43

wwng qinchzhjin

;Y Wtt tx tt|tux | `twt|<

n rnwi nixi nrn znmeyng

Bila:

shnme nrn
Yamin:

dngrn
Bila:

tnggu

sh zh my nz l n ydng

le

tngshu zujn jge wnshang yo wiz

Yamin:


nz do wmende yng d li ksh w


hi miyo jingu tmen

wmen y miyo jingu
Saodi:


44

 13 Daogao Prayer
qi

xn

men

to request, to beg

heart/mind

amen

qqi

gnxi

shw

to pray for

heartfelt thanks

food (general)

zhf

shngmng

to bless, blessing

shnglng

shqing

gucu

to commit (sin)

chutng

zhog

kngki

crime; sin
kunsh

take care of

znmi

to praise

to glorify

wmen zi tinshngde fqin

to forgive

rngyo

generosity, generous

fng ys de mng

wish, may

zu

transgression (s)

to listen (by God)

matters; things

fn

yun

holy spirit

to love

life (force)

In Jesus name

Our heavenly Father

Practice With Adjectives Using hen

Formula: S + hen + adj.

shu

png

mng

busy

goxng

hokn

lng

hot (weather)

ln

pioliang

shui

lazy

nngu

cngmng

thin

fat

happy

nnkn

sad

nice-looking ugly
w hn mng

I am very busy.

pretty

handsome

bn

smart

hui

cold (weather)

bad, wicked

stupid
shnling

good, nice

hn cngmng

Sally

Sally is very smart.

n hn shu

tmen hn bn

You are very thin.

They are very stupid!

When describing something, an English speaking person often uses the words is, are,
or be. (He is very smart.) But, in Chinese, the state to be is implied in all adjectives. Thats
why sometimes dictionaries call them stative verbs. For example, the word mang doesnt just
mean busy. It means to be busy or is busy. So, Chinese speaking people dont commonly
use the verb shi with adjectives for this reason. It is not necessary, since the verb to be is
w hn ho

w sh ho

already built into Chinese adjectives. Thats why we say and not .

45

xing

du

wi

Formula: S + xiang /dui / wei + noun + V-O
xing

: to, towards (physical direction)

wmen xing yhhu dogo

We pray to Jehovah.

w xing ln xinsheng chundo

I preach to Mr. Lin.

xing qin zu

Walk forwards. (literally: towards forward walk.)

qng xing w jish

Please explain (it) to me.

wi

: because of, for

rn ynggi wi t dogo

People should pray for him.

zhnglo wi huzhng fw

Elders work for the congregation.

ys wi wmen xshng shngmng

Jesus sacrificed (his) life for us.

li dxiong wi wmen dogo

Brother Liu prays for us.

du

: to, towards, of, at

wmen du yhhu dogo

We pray to Jehovah.
w du tmen xio

zhsh

I smile at them.

du w shu de

Sandra Sandra said this to me.

dogo t

shu t

NOTE: It is NEVER correct to say for pray to him, or , for speak to him.

These are very common errors for English-speaking students of Mandarin to make.
xing

du t dogo

du t shuhu

It is correct to say: or for pray to him or for speak to him.

The big difference is in English we say I talk to him; in Chinese we say I to him talk, or I
w gn t shuhu

with him talk. ( .)

46

yu

zi

and : AGAIN

Formulas: S zai verb (object) or S you verb (object)

zijin

We all know how to say zai jian for goodbye.

really means: See you again. Zai means again (in the
future). Someone may say to us: Huanying ni zailai! which
means You are welcome to come again (in the future)! Or Ni
bu xuyao zailai, which means You dont need to come again
(in the future). The word zai has everything to do with the
future and nothing to do with the past.
yu

The word on the other hand has to do with the

past and the present. It means again (youve done it before,
now you are doing it AGAIN). Someone may say, Ni you
laile!! meaning, You have come again! (You were already
there several times in the past, and now youre back.) It can
have a negative connotation depending on how it is said. Kind
of like, I cant believe this person keeps bugging me by
coming back over and over again! This word is not always
negative, though. Ta you da dianhua gei wo! could mean
that you are thrilled that the person has already called you
several times and is now calling again.
yu

has some other usages, too. It can also mean

and, or also,. But, we wont cover that aspect of you
today.

47

ptnghu

14
shntbfen

yfu

gn shnghu yngpn

Body Parts, Clothing, and Some Common Objects

shnt

zj

- self

- to shake

tu

shu

zhun

- body
- head

yo

- hand

jio

shuzh

- to turn

mn

- foot

- finger

- door, gate

ynjng

bzi

shf

- eye

- nose

- sofa

ku

rduo

dinno

- mouth

- ear

- computer

tu

lin

dinhu

- leg

- face

- telephone

yfu

kzi

- clothes

- pants

- pen

chny

qnzi

dinshj

- shirt

- skirt

- TV set

liny qn

xizi

shuynj

- dress

- shoes

- radio

jik

yzi

fngzi

- jacket

- chair
zu

- house

gng

and : Most and More

(Adjective + .de +) Subject + geng/zui + adjective.
Subject + geng/zui + aux. verb + verb-object.
When we are describing something, we often use comparisons. We may want to say,
"Cold weather is good, warm weather is better, hot weather is the best." In Mandarin, we use
"geng" and "zui" to express these ideas. For example:
lng de tinq ho

nun de tinq gng ho

r de tinq zu ho

" ."
Cold weather is good, warm weather is better, hot weather is the best. Or,
qitin shfu

chntin gng shfu

xitin zu shfu

" "
"Autumn is comfortable, spring is more comfortable, and summer is the most comfortable."
"Zui" and "geng" can also modify auxilliary verbs. For example:
w xhuan xiy

w gng xhuan xixu

w zu xhuan qngtin

" "

I like rain. I like snow better. I like a sunny day the best."
48

zi lyun l

1.

"" cttw|x

BIODATABASE

n hu zu xi shnme sh

What will you do in paradise?
zi lyun l

2.

n hu gn shi jinmin

Whom will you see in paradise?
zi lyun l

n hu q n xi dfang ne

3.
What places will you go in paradise?
hu

w hu

as we have learned before can mean to know how to do something.

tiow

hu

yo

! means "I know how to dance". But (and also ) have another
w hu q zhnggu

meaning, that being "will". , means "I will go to China".

yg shngjng ynji

:
y png

mly

mly

A Bible Study

suyu de horn du hu shng tintng ma

bhu

shngjng shu yude ho rn hu shng tin

yude ho rn hu zh

zi dshng

wishnme ne

ynwi dqi zhnde sh rnli de ji

rqi

shngtintng de rn

du hu zi nli zu wng

nme

rnh wng du tngzh gngmn

du bdu

du

suy yg dqnrn hu zh zi dshng

tmen yo zu shngd de

wnggu de gngmn

ho

w mngbai

xixie n

mly

VOCAB: tian tang - heaven (worldly), you.de some, gong min citizen
49

cidn

Sample Menu

n yo h shnme dngxi

? -

qshu
(SODA) OTHER DRINKS -

ynlio
k l
(Coke)

xu b
(Sprite)

bngch
(Iced tea)

r ch
(Tea)

kfi
(Coffee)

bngshu
(Iced water)

DRINKS

w yo
... ciyo

What would you like to drink?

I would like...

DISHES

chshochomin

jiln j

zuzng j

hnnni

PORK CHOW MEIN

CHICKEN W/
BROCCOLI
GENERAL TSOS
CHICKEN
HUNAN BEEF

j lomin

tinsun j

qngjioni

jilnxi

CHICKEN LO MEIN
SWEET & SOUR
CHICKEN
PEPPER STEAK W/
ONIONS
SHRIMP W/
BROCCOLI

shcixi

SHRIMP W/ CHINESE
VEGETABLES

shcichsho

ROAST PORK W/
MIXED VEGETABLES

xilngh

SHRIMP W/ LOBSTER
SAUCE

yogu j

CASHEW CHICKEN

yxingro s

SHREDDED PORK W/
GARLIC SAUCE

schunni

SZECHUAN BEEF

wgpi

zhma j

gngbo j

BONELESS SPARE
RIBS
SESAME CHICKEN
KUNG PAO
CHICKEN

mg j pin

shopig

zhsshjn

yxing j

CHICKEN W/ GARLIC
SAUCE

jilnni

hoch

!!! -

DELICIOUS!!!
xioch
-

chnjun

hntntng

EGG ROLL
WONTON SOUP

midn

MOO GOO GAI PAN

B.B.Q. SPARE RIBS
STEAMED MIXED
VEGETABLES
BEEF W/ BROCCOLI

CHECK, PLEASE.

SNACKS
chsho chofn

sun l tng

(PORK) FRIED RICE

HOT & SOUR SOUP
50

suyu de

du

and :
HOW TO SAY ALL
suyu de

du

du

+ noun + + VO. OR Subject + + (bu) (aux. verb) + VO.

suyude
means all. It must be used in front of a noun. An example of this in English is
suyude
du
all dogs bark. When is used at the beginning of a sentence, should also be inserted
suyude
du
before the verb in the same sentence. dogs bark, means all dogs bark. Using
suyude
puts emphasis on the noun that it precedes. If the emphasis is merely on the verb of the
suyude
du
sentence, then can be dropped from the sentence and can be used alone in front of
the verb. The difference is the same as if we said, All people should worship Jehovah, or People
should all worship Jehovah. The emphasis is a little bit different, but not much.
du
suyude
du
suyude du
and both mean all, but has more uses than . can also mean
both, referring to two of something. It can also mean all dont or neither
when used before a verb in the negative.

For example:
n ling g dxing du xu ptnghu
1.

Those two brothers both learn Mandarin.

suyu de jimi du xu ptnghu

2.

All sisters study Mandarin.

l dxing gn wng dxing du b xhuan gu

3.
suyu de dxing du b xhuan gu
4.

Neither Br. Li nor Br. Wang like dogs.

All brothers dislike dogs .

*(Of course, the above examples are not necessarily true statements.)

51

 15

More Practical Vocabulary

chojshchng

yyun

supermarket

cngun

hospital

shngbng

dxu

restaurant

xinsheng

shng

(to get) sick

gnmo

Miss, waitress
kuizi

university
xuxio

cold

Mister, Sir

xiojie

to attend

school

yo

lobn

medicine

boss, manager

tufa

gngs

chopsticks

hair

company

bi

chun

tu

cup; MW

wn

dy

to wear (clothes)

to take off (clothes, shoes)

dinyng

bowl ; MW

coat

ch

ynjng

di

tea

eyeglasses

to wear (glasses, hat, gloves, etc)

shu

dngxi

dji

water

thing(s)

kfi

ch

everyone (present)
ci

to eat

coffee

movie

dish/ vegetables

qshu

tng

soda/pop

to drink

soup

Some Useful Phrases.

q knyshng

h dngxi

chyo

to go see a doctor

drink something

to take medicine
kuidin r

q midngxi

q chfn

to go shopping

to go out to eat

hurry up

q kndinyng

y bishu

qngshodng

a cup of water

Please wait

hungnmo

y wnfn

kndinsh

to catch a cold

a bowl of rice

to watch TV

zhnggucngun

chun yfu

diynjng

to go watch a movie

chinese restaurant

to put on clothes

tuxi

tu yfu

to take off shoes

to take off clothes

to wear glasses
shngdxu

to attend university

Some Common Questions.

n yo ch y din r dngxi ma

Do

you want something to eat?

n yo h y din r dngxi ma

Do you want something to drink?

n yo w tuxi ma

Do you want me to take off my shoes?

52

Im sorry!
dubq

boqin

! or
Responses:

(meaning basically It was nothing, Dont worry about it, etc)

mish
miwnt
migunxi
byojn

Thank you!
xixie

duxi

Responses: (meaning basically Youre welcome or You dont need to thank

me )
bkq
bxi
byngxi
mish
bi kq

How are you?
n znmeyng

Responses:

hnho

Very good, pretty good, not bad, alright, so-so

tngho

bcu hi ky

ky

hixng ba

HOMEWORK: Translate the sentences provided on the next page

into English. Practice your presentations, and make flashcards of
new vocab-ulary. Memorize new vocabulary.
53

Homework: Translate the following sentences into English.

(The grammar points that we are practicing are highlighted in green.)
qng do chojshchng q mi dngxi

n hubhu q kndinyng

1.

2.

n de nr shng xuxio ma

3.

wmen xing shngd dogo

4.

n yo h shnme dngxi

do w zhl li

5.

6.

n lo xinsheng hn png

7.

dole zhnggu

8. Steven

w hu q kn yshng

tmen miyu do w ji li

9.

10.

When using dao to mean to go to or to arrive at, also using zai (meaning
at or in) is not needed. This is because dao already includes the idea of at or
in.
Also, when using dao to mean to go to or to arrive at, it can only be used in
the sense of going to or arriving at a real PLACE. We cant say, for example, Jesus
dao to pray to Jehovah. To pray is not a place. To correct that error, we could say,
Jesus dao wilderness qu pray to Jehovah. The wilderness is a real location, so dao
can be used in this sentence with no problem.

Xwvt|

New Presentation:

Today Chinese people very

value

jntin

zhnggurn

hn

zhngsh

enter famous schools,

jnr

mngxio

You think which

n rnwi

type

y zhng

young people

(From Get to the point KM insert)

education. Parents hope

also

children

jioy

fm

xwng

rn

hope

test {into}

university.

ninqngrn

xwng

koshng

dxu

education

benefits most

jioy

ychu

zu

lasting?
chngji ne

? Read 2 Tim. 3:16,17

54

Story : Going to a Chinese Restaurant

w yo ch ydinr dngxi

wmen q chfn ba

Annie:
n yo q n g cngun ne

Wally:
tng w lobn shu yngyngyng de ci bcu

Annie:
ho

nme wmen q yngyngyng ba

Wally:
n ynggi chun dy

Annie:

wimian hn lng

zi cngun l

fwyun nmen yo h ydinr dngxi ma

:
yo

zhr yu shnme ho h

Wally:
fwyun yu ch

shu

kfi

qshu

dji du xhuan lch

:
ho de

wmen h lingbi l ch ba

Wallly: 
fwyun ho

qng shodng

: (Waitress leaves)
w jntin gnmo le

Wally:
yosh gu y hu r hi bng dehu n di q kn yshng

Annie: ,
fwyun

ch li le

:
xiojie

w yo din y wn tng

Wally:
fwyun

ho de

n ne

:
w yo din y wn mfn

qng wn n yu kuizi ma

Annie: ,
fwyun yu a

gi n

:
xiojie nng kui din er ma

wmen yhur hi yo q mi dngxi

Wally: ,
fwyun ho de

qng shodng

:
55

 16
dngfng de zngjio Xtx ex|z|

dngfng

jnhu

xnyng

to evolve

xfng

chungzo

cnzi

The West

fjio

xingxn

Buddhism

shndojio

biomng

The East

Shintoism

to create
to believe

reasonable
chngkn

show

ji shn

Taoism

rjixushu

chuntng

Confucianism

to exist
hl

dojio

belief

sincere

lingshn

false god

good

mshng

tradition

strange

yslnjio

mxn

zhngj

Islam

superstition

yndjio

zhxu

Hinduism

philosophy

- no, not, un-

wshnln

yzhude

zh

Universal

zhgozhzi

ln

atheism

tinzhjio

Catholic

Sovereign

jdxnjio

zxin

Protestant

ancestor

proof

-er

- theory
t

- disciple of

1. Adding zhe to the end of a verb makes that verb into a noun . For example: chongbai (to worship)
becomes chongbaizhe (worshipper). Chuangzao (to create) becomes chuangzaozhe (Creator). Or,
zhe can make a belief or profession into a person engaged in the profession or a believer of the doctrine.
For example, wushenlun (atheism) becomes wushenlunzhe (atheist).
2. Adding tu to the end of a religion means a disciple or believer of that religion. Jidutu means a believer
of Christ. Fojiaotu means a believer in Buddhism. Tianzhujiaotu means a Catholic person.
Jiduxinjiaotu means a Protestant person. Etc
3. Adding lun to the end of jinhua (to evolve) makes a noun: jinhualun: the theory of evolution.
Wushen literally means no god, so wushenlun means the theory of no god, or Atheism.
56

Morning Activities
Verb - Object Complexes (to be used with TPR method)
chun yfu

: put on clothes

h ch

: drink tea

chfn

: eat food

knsh

: read book

kui kui de

: quickly

mn mn de

: slowly

* These activities are examples of fixed phrases in Chinese. They are also
called Verb-Object complexes. In English we can say, I am going to eat. In Chinese,
though, a verb is rarely left hanging without an object . So, a Chinese person would
say, I am going to eat food. Eat-food (chifan) is a very common VO Complex in
Chinese. It is not specific. So, if you want to give eat something specific, like a
hamburger (hanbaobao), then you should replace fan with hanbaobao.
(Wo yao chi hanbaobao, instead of Wo yao chifan.)

Time and Chinese grammar

Time + S + VO.
S + time + VO.

jntin

mngtin

zutin

shdin

chntin

, , ,

tintin

All of these words are time marker words. English and Chinese are
opposite in where they put time words in a sentence. English often puts
them at the end of a sentence: I am going to China tomorrow. Chinese puts
the time in the beginning: I tomorrow am going to China. Or Tomorrow I
am going to China.
Always remember, when writing Chinese sentences or speaking Chinese,
the time words go before the main verb. It doesnt matter if the time
word goes before or after the Subject, as long as it is before the verb.

57

Biographical Database
(pretend that you are a Chinese college student)

n de

zhuny

#1

sh shnme

What is your profession?

w de zhuny sh

Answer #1:
dinno

My profession is.

losh gngchngsh

kuij

wlxu huxu

computers teacher

engineer

yjng

zi

#2

accounting physics chemistry

math

doctor

How long have you been in America?

g yu

nin

# of months,

# years

# days,
n sh cng nli

yshng

migu du ji le

tin

Answer #2:

shxu

li de

shnmechngsh ne

#3 (If they say a country name, ask:) #4

Where are you from? (If from China, Taiwan, or Malaysia, ask:)
And what city?
dl

zhnggu

tiwn

xinggng

xnjip

mlixy

Answer #3 :

(Places)

China

Taiwan

HongKong

Singapore

Malaysia

Mainland

bijng

Answer #4 :

(Cities)

shnghi xn gungzhu f zhu tibi chngqng

Peking

ti zhng shnzhn chngd

Kuala Lumpur

nnjng

Nanking

58

hiyu

gn

M [ t tw

: also

Noun + ye + V-O. or- Noun + ye + aux. vb. + V-O.

Adverb; used before verbs only. For example: yeyou: also have,
yeshi: also is, yemeiyou: also doesnt have, yeyao: also wants, etc.
Cannot be used before nouns. It is rarely used to begin sentences.
For example: He goes, too.
Do not say: Ye ta qu. instead, say: Ta ye qu.
hiyu

: also

Haiyou + sentence. or- Haiyou + phrase.

Haiyou can be used to start sentences as a connective, like
Furthermore or Also. Haiyou is also used in questions:
Haiyou.ma? Anything else? Haiyou shei? Who else? Haiyou.ne?
Anything else? Haiyou ta? And him, too?
gn

: and, with

A gen B or- A, B, gen C

Used to join nouns. For example, Jack gen Jill (or) carrots, peas,
gen potatoes. Cannot be used to begin sentences. Often where we
would use and in English, a Chinese person would just start a new
sentence. (NOTE: In the WT, often one complex English question is
broken up into two simpler Chinese questions for this reason.)
yhhu

gn ys du i rnli

*
Jehovah and Jesus both love mankind.
w

w mma

gn w de zhngfu du yo pob

*
I, my mother, and my husband all want to go
running.
Sentences for translation (Homework):
w xn f

1. .
w bxn jio

2.
3.

wmen sh wshnlnzh

t sh jnhulnzh

4.
w mma sh tinzhjio t

5.
6.

shngjng hn hl

59

 17
tinq gn qnq

tinq

the weather

shfu

du

comfortable

many

xiy

nun

to rain

xixu

lng

sho

warm

few

to snow

fng

chbudu

hot

almost

wind

qngtin

sunny day

to pick up

cold

jijie

ki

older sister

to open ; to operate

yntin

gge

dbfen

cloudy day

older brother

majority (of a group)

wnr

mimei

rnrn

to play

younger brother

chntin

younger sister

ddi

spring

everyone (all over planet)

xinsheng

Mr. , Sir

xitin

zhngfu

summer

qitin

qzi

xiojie

autumn

wife

Miss, Maam*

relatives

dont

dngtin

titai

husband

qnq

winter

Mrs.*
bi

* Many married Chinese women prefer to be called Miss + maiden name, instead of Mrs. + married name.
Homework: Translate the following sentences into English.
t de qzi zhngzi

chfn

1.

rnrn du

6.

t de zhngfu y xing q kndinyng

2.

wmen de mimei y b xhuan dngtin

3.

jntin y hn lng

w b xhuan r de tinq

7.
jntin xixu

8.
qng n y bn zzh li gi w

4.

9.

dbfen de rn du xhuan chntin

5.

xhuan xitin

w de

ddi xhuan qitin

10.

61

zhngzi

in the process of doing something

Formula: Subject + zhengzai + action verb-Object.

The word zhengzai in Chinese is one way of saying that an action is
still in progress. The equivalent in English is ing. For example:
t zhngzi chfn

t zhngzi chundo

He is eating, = She is preaching, =

In these cases, -ing at the end of the verb means that the action is taking
place right now. Zhengzai has exactly the same connotation. The only
difference is that zhengzai goes before the verb, unlike ing which goes
after the verb in English.
The zheng can also be dropped and the sentence keeps the same
t zi chfn

meaning. For example: means, He is eating. It is very

common to drop the zheng and just say zai. Sometimes, people even drop
t zhng chfn

the zai and just say zheng. For example: = He is

eating. It all means the same thing: the action is happening now and is not
finished yet.
zhe

: In the process of doing something

Formula: Subject + action verb + .zhe + Object.

The word .zhe goes in the same place as -ing does in English: right
after the action verb. It means just about the same thing as zhengzai
does: an action is in the process of happening now. For example:
t knzhe n

wmen

She is looking at you. = Or, We are waiting for him. =

dngzhe t

The two (zhengzai and .zhe) can even be combined: She is

t zi knzhe n

looking at you.
Both zhengzai and zhe are the equivalents of the English words is
verb-ing, so when translating the English into Chinese, there is no need to
use shi (to be).
NOTE: Zhengzai is used with more than one syllable VO complexes (chifan,
kanshu, xie.zi, etc.) -Zhe is used with one syllable verbs (kan, deng, etc.)
62

1 John 2:17:
zhg

shji

shji de ywng

zhngzi

This world and worlds desire

qu

xiosh

are fading away,

znxng

shngd

zhy de rn

do

Gods

will person certainly forever remain.

yngyun chngcn

Daniel 5:5:
ji

zi

zh

shhou

yu

rn de

shu chxin

duzhe

Then at this time, have persons hand appear,
zi

wnggng de

on

wng zi

fnqing shng

palaces plaster wall *

n

zh shu

bihu

yng

use

knzhe

zhtu

dngti

facing lampstand,

xi z

finger write letters

shu

zi

xi z

King at that * hand behind, watching hand writing letters.

(*These two scriptures to be read along with the Societys audiocassettes.)

How to Make a Suggestion: .ba

Subject + VO + .ba.

What if you want to politely suggest to someone, Lets go, or Lets eat,. How
would you say that in Mandarin? Its easy! Just put .ba at the end of the sentence.
wmen chfn ba

Lets eat!
wmen zu ba

Lets leave!
znmen shngxu ba

ho

ky

xng

chng

Yes : , , , or
b ky

bxng

bchng

Lets go to school.

No : , , or

Lets go to work.

Its up to you. :

znmen shngbn ba

How to Answer:

subin n

Note: In the north, people sometimes say zanmen instead of women. It

means pretty much the same thing, except it only means we as a number
limited to the people present. Women could mean we = the entire human
race or just you and someone else.
63

How To Overcome The Objection:

w xn f

shma

wmen fju

chbudu rnrn du shu xwng

shji

hpng

Really?
We find that just about everyone all says hope for world peace.

dbfen shji lngxi y zhyng shu

j rn sh zhyng

wishnme

Most world leaders also this way speak. Since is this way,
why
zhme nn hud ne

qng

nn d qshl

12:7-12,
this hard to obtain?
Please you read Revelation 12:7-12,

ho ma

hpng

peace

ok?

*To explain the scripture, perhaps you could leave Who Rules the World? tract.

New Vocabulary:
fju

zhyng

: this way

: to find, discover
xwng

shji

: to hope for

hpng

: peace

hud

: to obtain
j rn

: world

: since

zhme

lngxi

: so

: leader (s)

More VO Complexes!

Field Service (Waiqinfuwu)

kich
:
zu l

drive a car

: walk (on road)

xi z

: write letters/characters
n bo

: pick up bag
xxn de

cxn de

: carefully

: carelessly

xxn de zu l

Examples: = Walk carefully. (*)

cxn de kich

= Drive carelessly
mnzu

NOTE *A similar expression is This is something Chinese people often say

as a friend is leaving. It means take care or literally walk slowly. It is the
equivalent of saying Have a nice day!
64

 18
xngrngc

Adjectives

cngmng

rnzhn

diligent

runru

intelligent

qing

ln

hixi

lazy

shy

tbi

jindn

special

simple

ptng

fz

common

weak
strong
numb

complex

hot (spicy)
tin

ji

jijng

false

clean

sweet (tasting)

zhn

zng

true/real
zhngchng

dirty

bitter

soft

short (stature)

run

normal

qgui

yng

strange

hard

tall

chng

li

gu

tired

kuk

pinyi

short

thirsty

cheap

flat

hungry

easy

bo

sho

long

dun

png

go

yun

rngy

full, satisfied

round

expensive

few

*NOTE * Almost any phrase with a verb and object can become an adjective if you add .de to it and put it in
front of the noun you are describing. For example: ai Shangdi .de ren = God-loving person.

Choose some of the above adjectives to fill in the blanks:

1. How do you choose fruit?

1. I choose

fruit.

n znme xunz guzi

w xunz

de guzi

adj.

2. How does one choose a husband/wife? 2. You should choose a

znme xunz zhngfu

qzi

person.

n ynggi xunz yg

de rn

adj.

65

How to Make Comparisons :

Noun + bi + noun + adjective.

V-O + bi + V-O + adjective.
(* Scriptures to be used along with the Societys audiocassettes.)
1 Cor. 1 :25
ynwi shngd znyng

Because

ychn

rn

yu zhhu

how is

foolish

also compared to people

God

shngd

znyng

runru

how is

weak

also

God

compared to

has

wisdom,

rn

jinqing

people

strong.

Matthew 6: 25b,26b
shngmng

b sh

shw

zhngyo

Life

is not

compared to

food

important

shnt

b sh

yshang

zhngyo

ma

Body

is not compared to clothing

.
?

guzhng

ma

nmen

b b

fi nio

birds

precious

you

not compared to

important

nndo
Can it be that

ma

New Vocabulary in above Scriptures:

ychn

shngmng

: foolish

shnt

: life

zhhu

shw

: wisdom

: food

zhngyo

: body

: important

yshang

guzhng

: clothing

: precious

Homework sentences, please translate:

b

go

tinsh b rn cngmng

1. Tim Sara

8.

2. Sara Tim

9.

3. Samantha Sara
chfn

4.

xi z rngy

ln

5. Sara Samantha
b

shui

6. Jason Tim
b

li xinsheng b t

tin

7. Sugar lemons

qzi

hixi

m xiojie b t mimei rnzhn

10.
b

chng

11. Bananas apples

b

yng

12. Apples bananas

b

fz

13. Brain computer

zhl

nli

zng

14.

66

COLORS : YANSE
black white

grey

red

pink

purple

blue

his bis hus hngs fnhngs

zs

lns

green

ls

yellow

orange

hungs j s

*Heiren: black person *Bairen: white person *White is the Chinese color of mourning; worn at funerals

Practice with saying times in Chinese.

Question: When do your meetings begin?
QUESTION:
ANSWER:

wmen mig xngq yu wg jhu

(time)

shjynjibn

nmen de jhu shnme shhu kish

kish

xngqw

xngqsn

wnshang

gngzhng

ynjing

yu

lingg jhu

yu chundo xnlinbn h chundo gngzu jhu

xngqtin yyu lingg jhu

wnshang yu

tmen

(time)

kish

(time)
kish

rnhu

(time)

shuwngti ynji

kish

New Vocabulary:
: every one, each one

mig

: afterwards

rnhu

start, begin

kish

67

How To Offer a Bible Study Using the New Tract :

Would You Like to Know More About the Bible?

n xing jishn du shngjng de rnshi ma

n zhbzhdao

zhyng j fnzhng jinng zhodo yg shngjng wntde dn

Do you know, only use few minutes can find a Bible questions answer?
qng nnd dy dun

homa

(Point out the first pp under first subheading.)

Please (you) read aloud this paragraph, ok?

*(Householder reads first paragraph under first subheading,
Help in Understanding the Bible)
nn du shngjng gn xngqu ma

Do you toward Bible feel interest?

* (Listen to reply, then continue whether they say yes or no.)
shngjng hu bngzh wmen hud by

znyng shu

5: 22, 23

Bible can help us obtain benefit.

qngnn d

qng kn jiltish

Please read Galatians 5:22, 23 what says.

homa

Please you read, ok?

lng y fngmin

shnglng de gush yu i xn

*(Householder reads:
rn

rnc

lingshn

xnxn

wnh

zzh

homa

hpng

jin

zhyng de sh

w xigxngq xing zi li bifng nn

xl

miyu lf jnzh

nn xing xux shngjng ma

I next week want to come back to visit you. Do you want to study Bible?
*(Householders reply: Xiang , Hao, Keyi! : Ok!, or Buxing : No.)
68

ptnghu

19
shjin

Time

kish

yqin

to start
jish

yhu

to end
jnnin

qnin

next year

last year
xinzi

zhhu

pngchng

zujn

after

recently

zo

early

l bi

ch

gngyun

zngsh

week

now

time

usually

late

C.E.

gngyunqin

guqu

shjin

before

this year
mngnin

zhqin

xiosh

B.C.E.

trn

always
hour

fnzhng

past

suddenly

future

yet, still

modern

jingli

hi

xindi

lsh

jx

gdi

chlai

cng

history

to continue

come out
chq

rnwi

ancient

do

yushhou

. from to

to exit, go out

cnglimiyu

to feel, think, believe

never before

dy shj de jdt

The Fruits of the Spirit

minute

shq

sometimes

period in time

First Century Christians

shnglng de gush

i xn

xl

hpng

jinrn

rnc

lingshn

xnxn

love

joy

peace

longsuffering

kindess

goodness

faith

wnh

zzh

mildness selfcontrol
69

hoxing xing

/ /
is like or is similar to
hoxing

hoxing

OR

+ VO

+ VO

OR

+ noun

+ noun

OR

Xiang is just a shortened form of haoxiang. They mean the same thing.

* Haoxiang and ru in Chinese are used very similarly to how like and
similar to are used in English. These words are used when you are comparing one thing to
another thing. We use this a lot in life, and expecially when using illustrations. Here are
three scriptural examples of these words:
zhnyn

2:4

You must not stop searching, like searching (for) silver; not stop searching, like searching (for) treasure.
n yo btng xnqi hoxing xnqi ynzi

bdun susu hoxing susu bozng

; ,

mtifyn

3:16, 17

Jesus (got) baptized, immediately from water come up. Look! Heaven opened, John
ys shu le jn

lk cng shu l shng li

kn na

tinki le

saw

Gods

yuhn knjin shngd de

spirit like

dove come down on

lng hoxing gz

jing

Jesus body.

zi ys shnshng

ysiysh

48:18

If only you notice my commands! This way, your peace then like river water,
dnyun n liy w de jimng

zhyng

your righteousness then vast

n de pngn ji r h shu

n de y xng ji ho

like ocean waves.
r

hilng

yyng

(NOTE: Often

hoxing

: the same as , is used with and For example:

hoxing t yyng go

: The same height as him. )

70

yosh

ji

,
If.., then..
yosh

ji

+ subject + (aux. verb) + V-O, subject/pronoun/noun + + (aux. verb) + V-O.

When we are reasoning with someone, we often say If (something

happens), then(there will be a certain result). For example, If a person
excercises everyday, then their health will improve. Or, If we read the

Bible daily, then we will have a happier life.

A very commonly made mistake by English speakers of Mandarin has to

do with where then goes in the second half of this kind of sentence. In
English we say: then we will draw closer to God, , but in Chinese it should
be we then will draw closer to God. So, the biggest difference in this
grammar structure from English is that then comes AFTER the noun, not
before it, like in English.
ygsh

4:17

Therefore, if person knows how to do right things, but not go do, then is his sin.
suy

yosh rn zhdao znme zu du de sh qu b q zu

ji sh t de zu le

, ,
yosh

rgu

*NOTE : A synonym for is . These two words are used the same way.
ji

**NOTE #2: has many uses other than then. It can also emphasize verbs.
jish

means definitely is there is no question about it, it is. A good example is

shngd jish i

1 John 4:8

71

Biographical Database
n jntin gn shnme

1.
What are you doing today?
Answer: Please try to use Chinese.
n j din

fngxu

xibn

2. .
What time do you get off (school, work, .)
w

ci hu fngxu

xibn

answer: (time) ( .)
zhg dngxi j kui qin

3. (under $10)
How much does this thing cost?
answer: $3.00
zhg dngxi dusho qin

4. (over $10)
How much does this thing cost?
answer: $17.00
shng

xi

The Many Meanings of and

These two words are extremely flexible and you will see them
alot in Chinese books. We can not cover all possible uses of
shang and xia, but these are some common terms :
shngbn

shngch

go to work

xibn

get off work

get out of car

shng li

go to school

fngxu

get off school

go upstairs

get in car

xich

shngxu

shnglu

come up

xilu

go downstairs

shngtintng

go to heaven*

xi li

xi dy

come down

go down to hell*

* These two phrases are Christendoms expressions. You may hear your Bible student use them.
72

 20
zuhu de

rzi

yul

rnni

wny

xnk

anxiety
pestilence
zhnzhng

The Last Days

jiny

endurance

prison
xi

tough, difficult

dnxn

war

dzhn

wicked/bad
chngf

to worry

to punish

shuk

fshng

earthquake

to suffer

to happen

jhuang

huhu

wixin

famine
zhngf

to regret

danger

judng

government

to decide

to cry

qingbo

zhngzh

pnqing

violence

zsh

suicide

tnxn

greedy

shrn

to end, stop

boku

poor

fyu

rich

includes

swng

biozhng

death

shuilo

to murder

to grow old

goo

fnyng

sign

hn

to hate
bmin

arrogant

reaction, response

to avoid

zs

shwzhd

zrn

selfish

system of things natural

TPR: New Verb - Object Complexes and Adverbs

shujio

tiow

: to sleep

: to dance

qchung

pob

: to get up (out of bed)

: to run

kixn de

: happily
nngude

: sadly
73

To

Take

Subject + ba + Object +Verb.

b

The word is very important to the Chinese language. It means take in

the sense of Im going to take this car and sell it! When we say this in English, we
dont mean that we are planning to physically pick the car up, carry it somewhere,
b

then sell it. It merely means that we plan to sell the car. is used in a very
similar way. It enables the speaker to put the verb AFTER the object, rather than
before it. So, rather than saying I am going to sell the car, (S- verb-object),
b

allows the speaker to say I am going to take this car and sell it. (S- baobject-verb) This manner of speaking is used much more frequently in Chinese than it
is in English, and it is vital to understand it.
b

When using in a conversation, both people should already know which

b

object is being referred to. The word is used to speak about specific things,
b

b sh

not general. Often, is used in commands. A mother may so to her child,

knkn

! (Read the book!) The child knows which book is being referred to. Notice
n

that the subject of the sentence ( - you) is often dropped in a command or a

request. Examples:
b sh fng zi yzi

shng

1.

Take the book and place it on the chair.

qng n b fn chwn

2.

Please take the food and finish eating it.

qng b sh knkn

3.
b yfu

Please take the book and read it. ** (See note below)

fng zi zhuzi shng

4.
di

Take the clothes and put them on the table.

fng

New Vocabulary: : to take, to bring (literally, physically take) : to put

**NOTE: Notice that none of the verbs are hanging alone at the end of the sentence. It is

uncommon for verbs to be left at the end of the sentence alone. For example, it would be
incorrect to say, Ba shu kan! We should either say kan.kan, kanwan, kan.le, or some
similar complement to the verb. The easiest way is just to say the verb twice, like kan.kan or
kan .yi kan (read a read, literally).

74

n yo w li ji n ma

Would you like me to come pick you up?
Possible Responses:
Im embarrassed (to bother you).

or

bhoysi

I dont want to give you trouble!

w byo gi n mfan

(These responses are polite in Chinese culture, even if the person does want to go to the meeting.)

We could Respond:
I really am very happy to take you to the mtg!
w zhnde hn ly di n q jhu a

Other responses:
Ok! What time are you coming?
xng

n j din li ne

No need, we have our own car.
byng

wmen

zj yu ch

ly

: happy to, willing

byng

: no need
jn yun

mfan

: trouble

Near and Far , ,

How to say where one thing is in relation to another
l

Place + + place + near/far/time/miles.

wnggu jhu su l zhr hn jn

The Kingdom Hall is very close to here.

wnggu jhu su l n ji yg xiosh

The KH is an hour from your home..

wnggu jhu su l zhr lish yngl

The KH is 60 miles from here.

n ji l zhr yun ma

Is your house far from here?

75

Dramatic Acting Skit:

zujn hndu rn shuk

shbsh

The Last Days

n rnwi shngd gunxn shuk de rn ma

A:
w b zhdao

B:
nme

n yumiyu tnggu

wmen xinzi de rzi

jish

zuhuderz

ne

A:
miyu

zuhuderz sh shnme

B:
ys zi mtifyn

gos wmen

zhl shu

mnz yo gngdmnz

A: 24:7
wnggu yo gngd wnggu

jntin de

y ch ji y ch yu linghung h dzhn

n rnwi

rzi hoxing ys su shu de ma

hnxing a

B:
w tngy

jntin yu hndu zhnzhng

A:

dzhn

h wny

shbsh

shde

B:
nme

ys shu zuhuderz hu yu lngwi yg biozhng

A:
ji

zh wnggu de hoxiox hu chun bin p tin xi

14 :
jinzhng

do sh zhngji ji hu lido

qng liy d

du suyu rn zu

ys tdo

hoxiox

shngjng

shu

yu ytin

shngd hu chngf xi de rn

hiyu

t hu zhngji horn

xing zhdao gngdu guny shngjng de hoxiox ma

w xing

qng jn

qng jn

B:
76

Lesson 21

shngjng ynji

hu xialai

Bible Study

kndng

: to underline
zhnbi zlio

: definitely
dfang

: prepare information

: place

toln

zh

: discuss, discussion

: only, merely (before vb)

fngf

hl

: a method, way

reasonable

yjing

hish

: already

xioxn

or

hur

: to be careful

: picture (MW: fu)

wnt ji

fkung

: question A

: text box ; chart

wnt y

lis

question B

wnt bng

: similar
yung

question C

: (a) reason

dibio

knf

: to represent, symbolize

: viewpoint

dn

dun

: an answer
ys

: paragraph, MW for texts

jude

: meaning

: to feel or think

tngy

tng

: to agree
by

/ : same/different
b

: illustration
pngln

btng
jde

() : to remember/forget
b knng

: comment

() : possible/impossible

yyn

piyng

: a prophecy

NOTE: is a noun, an answer.

is a verb, to answer.

dn

hud

to cultivate (qualities)

77

Homework: Translate these sentences into English

n de knf znmeyng

zhg uxing dibio shi

1.

8.

zhg dngxi dibio shnme

zh dun jngwn sh shnme

2.

9.

n g dfang zi n l

3.

ys

jude

ys

de hu

hl ma

10.

qng hu xialai wnt bng de dn

n tngy ma

4. 11.
n

jude zh sh knng de ma

5.
w b jde
jde

12.

d r dun de

n de pngln hnho
by

sh shnme

13.

ma

t zh yu y bn sh

7.

14.

Dramatic Acting Skit #1:

Please Come In :

Qing jin!

n yu shnme sh

A:

(What matter are you here about?)

w yo gi n hoxiox

B:

(hand householder a tract.)

xixie

A:

qng jn

qng jn

(Please come in!)

w ynggi tu xi ma

B:

bi tu xi

(Should I take my shoes off?)

qngzu

A:

(No, please have a seat!)

xixie

B:
n yo h shu ma

A:
w b kuk

B:

xixie

bi

kq

wimian ho r

A: (Dont be polite! Its very hot outside!)

ky

xixie

B: (Alright, thanks!)
xng

A:

qng dng y xi

(Ok, please wait a second!)

78

Dramatic Acting Skit #2 :

Not At Home

bzi ji

n zho shi

A:

(Who are you looking for?)

zhng xiojie zi ji ma

B:

A:

bzi

t sndin ci huji

(Shes not home. She wont be back until 3:00.)
n

B:

(Is Miss Zhang at home?)

w sndin zhhu zi li

xng b xng

(Then Ill come back after 3:oo, ok?)
xng

A:

xixie

B:

(Ok.)
zijin

n yo gn wmen

yq

jhu ma

ky

bxng

bhu

subin

: yes, I can
:

I cant

: No
: whatever

xng

subin n

: ok

: its up to you

wsuwi

: it doesnt matter one way or the other

mi bnf

: theres no way (I can do it)

79

zhng xiohng de zoshang

jntin xiohng hn zo qchung

t hn li

t mnmn de chun yfu

rnhu ch zofn

t zng sh zi ch zofn de shhou h ch

t y hn xhuan kn

tintinkochshngjng

t ch zofn zhhu pngchng q pob

ynwi t byo png qlai

dnsh

t xhuan pob

jntin tinq ti lng

suy t jntin b yun

pob

jntin wnshang t hu gn t de pngyou yq tiow

zoshang b dinbn de shhou

t mma du t shu

zhngxiohng a

jde ma

wmen jntin yo yq

q chundo

xiohng du t mma shu

w jde

xixie

w yjng zhnbihole

znmen zu ba

t men chundo de shhu bifng le hn du xfng

t men y

xfng du zi ji

fnf le bsho zzh

suy

t men huji de shhou tbi goxng

How To Say When or While:
de shhou

.
Formula: Subject + verb + .de shihou + subject + verb- object.
t chfn de shhu y knsh

While she was eating, she read a book.

t zi zhnggu de shhou shu zhngwn

When she went to China, she spoke Chinese.

t zh zi migu de shhu xu yngwn

While he was living in the US, he learned English.

80

 22
png

Personality

lnj

gndng

zho

neighbor

moved (emotionally)

jizh

lzi

value
jing

example, case
b

synonym of
gnqng

gibin

pitiful

to change

shngq

guny

cute, loveable

kx

angry
jngy

surprised

about, concerning
png

(its a ) pity, a shame

personality

xngwi

chngwi

actions, behavior

lw

* to find

klin
ki

emotions

to look for
zhodo

nl

to become

jn

a gift, present

try hard

to enter

hip

xich

shnghi

fear, afraid

ashamed

jnzhng

jd

nervous

envy/jealousy

to hurt, injure
gunxn

to care for

huxn

ywi

sht

discouraged

to wrongly assume

to attempt, try

knf

dfng

viewpoint
kng p

( ) (Im) afraid (that)

gl

out-going ; generous

to encourage

xngqng

tzh

disposition, temperment qualities

*NOTE: Adding dao to the end of many verbs means successfully completed action. It can be
combined with .le. For example: zhaodao .le, kandao .le, tingdao .le, jiandao .le, etc.

Jehovahs Four Outstanding Qualities

zhhu

lliang

i xn

gngzhng

Wisdom

Power

Love

Justice

81

Adjectives and Modifying Phrases

Descriptive phrase + .de + noun
mtifyn

5: 5, 7, 8
Temperament mild.de person has happiness, because they will inherit earth
xngqing wnh de rn yu f le

5 jie

ynwi tmen hu chngshu dd zuwi chny

Mercy.de person has happiness,

cbi de rn yu f le

7 jie

as inheritance.

because they will get mercy.

ynwi tmen hu d mng cbi

Heart pure.de person has happiness,

xn d chnji de rn yu f le

8 jie

because they will see

God.

ynwi tmen hu knjin shngd

In Chinese, almost any words or phrases can become

adjectives if you put them in front of the noun you want to
describe and then add a .de between the phrase and the noun.
For example, in English we may say, a Godly woman, in Chinese
though, it would sound like, love God .de woman. (Ai Shangdi .de
nuren)
Examples:
sl sh i shngd de rn

1. Sarah was a Godly person.

t sh g tnghu de hizi

2. He is an obedient child.
mx sh yg yu xnxn de rn

3. Moses was a faithful person.

ys sh yg yu i xn de rn

4. Jesus is a loving person.

NOTE: In the case of some phrases (see # and #) we need to use to
have (you) before the descriptive word. It would not be correct to say
mx sh yg xnxn de rn

ys sh yg

i xn de rn

, or

82

himi

yu

Still havent or Hasnt yet

S + haimei (you) + VO.

She hasnt come yet, or I still havent done that In

Chinese, these expressions are very similar grammatically to our
expressions in English. Using Mandarin, hai mei (you) expresses
the thought of not yet completing an action.
When expressing this thought, often people drop the you
in hai meiyou. They often just say haimei. For example, these
two sentences mean the same thing: Ta hai meiyou shang juhui,
and Ta haimei shang juhui. Both of these examples mean:
She/He still hasnt attended a meeting.
The biggest difference between the Chinese and English
way to say yet is, English puts yet at the end of the sentence.
Chinese puts yet or still (hai) before the verb, never at the
end of the sentence.
Translate the following sentences into English:
w byo shnghi n de gnqng

1.

w hn jngy

5.

t de gngzu hn xnk

2.

qng jn

3
n de knf znmeyng

4.

n jin sh hn kx a

6.
w hn gndng

7.

w kngp n hu shngbng

8.

Homework: Look over all of your past vocabulary lists and find all the words that you have a
hard time remembering. Bring in flashcards of those hard-to-remember words to next
weeks class so that we can practice as a class. Translate the provided sentences into
English. You dont need to rewrite them in pinyin, just hand in the English translations.

83

 23
shngc linx

Vocabulary

Everyday Vocabulary

Review

kuy

dod

shminhu

tntn

get to the point

to chat

hurn

kuy

Chinese people
nng

pin

everyday speech

nngui

to do/to make
sun

regard as, count as

book-ish speech

to trick

f ci

its no wonder

get rich

lhai

nuyn

formidable, amazing

promise

tngbiyl

mi

lmo

peer pressure

buy

zu mimi

mi

wigurn

do business

sell

wzhzhy

dng

materialism

zu

to be

polite
foreigner

bl

to ignore

znme bn

? What can be done?

Yue lai yue adj. : More and more adjective

Each year, your mother looks younger and younger.
minin n de mma knlai yuliyu ninqng

This world is getting more and more wicked.
zhg shji yuliyu hui

86

n xu ptnghu xu de znmeyng

How is your study of Chinese?

yuliyu mng

yuliyu ho

: more and more busy

: better and better

yuliyu kui

yuliyu rngy

yuliyu rnzhn

yuliyu jindn

: faster and faster

: easier and easier

: more and more diligent

: more and more simple

BIOGRAPHICAL DATABASE
nn dud

1.
you)

How old are you? (person older than

n ci ba

Answer: Guess!
(If you dont want to say.) or (same as answer to #2.)

n j su

2. ?

How old are you?

w

Answer:
qngwn

(younger person)

su

I am # years old.

w ynggi znme chnghu nn

3.
you?

Excuse me, how should I address

Answer: Say whatever form of address you prefer; first or last name, English or Chinese.

n shng n g huzhng

4.

What congregation do you attend?

w shng

Answer:

zhngwn huzhng

______

. I attend the ____Chinese cong.

87

bi

got or get
Subject + (mei) + bei + (noun) + VO + (.le).
bi

is a very important verb to understand in Chinese. It has a

couple of different uses, but we will only discuss one here. Depending
bi

on the context, for the most part, implies something bad

bi

happening. For example, getting killed, put in jail, beaten, etc. But,
can sometimes also apply to good things happening.
For example, getting appointed as a pioneer or elder.
le

If the VO complex at the end of the sentence ends with ,

bi

then we know that the action is completed.

is most often used in

le

le

conjunction with to describe past events. Without at the end,

it can refer to something that hasnt happened (see #6).
t bi kichle

1. He got disfellowshipped.

t bi wipi zhnglole

2. He got appointed as an elder.

t bi shs le

3. He got killed.

t bi rn knjinle

4. He got seen by people.
(This implies that he didnt want to be seen .)
ni jin sh bi t fxinle

5. That matter got discovered by her.

(This implies that the matter was a secret.)
t mi bi t qzi d

6. He did not get beaten by his wife.

88

zh

only, merely, just

S + zhi + aux. verb + VO.

Zhiyou + S + aux. verb + VO.
t zh yo chngbi yhhu

Jehovah.

He only wants to worship

t zh sh gu

It is just a dog.
zh xing q zhnggu

Lilly

Lilly merely wants to go to China.

zh zu do wnggu jhu su

Lilly

zhyu rn xing shngd dogo

zhyu ys

animals.

Lilly only walked to the KH.

dngw b hu

Only people pray to God, not

wi rnli swng

Only Jesus died for mankind.

Practical Conversation: Skit
(waiting at a doctors office together)

nho

qngwn

nn sh zhnggurn ma

A:

shde n znme hu shu zhngwn n q gu zhnggu ma

B:

mi q gu w zi migu xu ptnghu
A:
n n wishnme xu ptnghu ne
B:

w sh losh w xing bngzh zhnggurn mngbai shngjng
A:

n sh jdt
shbsh n
n shu zhngwn shu de hnho
B:

nli
nli
n cng nli li de
A:
w sh cng dl li de
B:
sh ma w hn xing q dl
n yjng zi migu du ji
A:

89

ling g yu le

B:

n xgun le migu ma

xgun

A:
( accustomed to, used to)
hi miyu dnsh w xhuan migu
B:
n shng zhr fjn de dxu ma
shng
A: ( to attend )
du w shng
dxu
B: Pennsylvania
shma

n de zhuny sh shnme

A:
w de zhuny sh huxu
B:
hnho n jude huxu nn b nn ne
A:
zi tiwn xu huxu b ti nn dnsh zi zhr w bxng xu yngwn
B:
hn nn

xu wiy zhnde hn nn

ptnghu y bho xu

A:
n jio shnme mngzi
B:
w jio
n ne
A: _______
w xngwng jio li li
B:
w hn goxng rnshi n w ky snggi n lingbn zzh
A:
ky a
xixie
B:
w gi n wde dinhu hom homa rgu n xing gn
A:
shngjng w hn ly bngzh n

ma

w xux

ho

xixie

xixie

B:
HOMEWORK: Read this skit over carefully and try to understand it. Look up any words
that you dont recognize. Try to memorize some useful lines.

90

 24

ykui er

together

ly

gng

to be happy to

yuny

xngfn

tngch

to be willing

to be excited

to park (car)

choxio

shud

kui qin

( )

money

jinkng

nnfng

# of times

the south

bifng

just; barely

to laugh at, jeer

the north

capital (city)

kiwnxio

chngsh

joking, kidding

lki

ynhng

to leave, depart

tiojin

jnb

lu

condition, factor

to progress, improve story (bldg)

qngkung

fngjin

healthy

wnqun

total, complete

circumstances

pngjin

to bump into

snzsnn

city, town
bank

bnji

room

to move (house)

br shu

zhngyo

For example,

gu

important

jhu

grandkids

() is enough

opportunity

dumin

zhxie

boh

these

to protect

nxi

zhngji

those

mngyun

qyu

gnj

gain approval

to please, satisfy

thankfulness

opposite side

zhngjin

middle

save, rescue

yun

may, wish (as in May your kingdom come.)

91

Who, Which, That, and What

Verb-Object + .de + noun + description.
S + suo + verb + .de + noun + description.

There are no real Chinese equivalents for the English words

who, which, or that in Mandarin. In English one says, The house
that Jack built, but in Chinese one would say: Jack suo built.de
house (Jack suo jianzhu.de fangzi) English does have some
similar ways of speaking without using that, who, or which, for
example: a self-made man or home-cooked meal.
In the sentence The house that Jack built, the clause that Jack
built modifies (or describes) the noun house. In Chinese, the
modifying phrase should come before the noun it modifies: for example,
the Jack built house. Also, between the modifying clause and the
noun there is always a de . Jack jianzhu .de fangzi. De serves
as a connecting word between the clause and the noun it modifies.
If the subject of the sentence is VO .de noun then suo does
not need to be used. If the subject of the sentence is a noun or
pronoun, though, then suo needs to be inserted before the verb.
Some examples are:

n shuhu de

hizi ho ki

* : That child who is talking is really cute.

tiow de rn xhuan chngg

: The person who is dancing likes to sing.

n pob de rn fichng li

* : That person who is running is extremely tired.

xi z

de rn hn shui

* : The person who is writing is very handsome.

shujio de gu hn shfu

* : The dog which is sleeping is very comfortable.

yhhu su zu de du fichng ho

* :
t su shu de du hotng

Everything that Jehovah does is extremely good.

* : All the things which he says sound nice.

92

yuhn fyn

tmen

bdun

xshu zhshi

rnshi

n zh dydezhnshn

They dont stop taking in knowledge, know
ysjd

ji ky

17:3 :
bngqi rnshi n

su chi li de

you this only true God, moreover know you * s ent .de

yu yngshng

Jesus Christ, then can have eternal life.

ci

then and only then, (conditional), before

Subject + aux. verb + V-O + cai + aux. verb + V O (noun).

In Mandarin, cai is used to show that one thing cannot

happen unless another event occurs FIRST. It shows that
something is conditional. In English, we use the words before,
only if, and only then to express the idea of cai. The usage
of cai in Chinese is just about the same as we use the word
before (conditional) in English. Please read the below examples:
yuhn fyn

5:19:

ys du t de mnt shu

w sh sh zi zi gos nmen

rzi zu shnme

Jesus to his disciples said:

du bnng z zu zhzhng

truly

tell

you ,

zhyu kndo fqin suzu de

Son does anything

rzi

ci

all

cannot make own idea,

rzi

only

fqin

zu shnme

sees what Father does,

zhoyng

nng zu

Son only then able to do.

zu shnme

Father does something, Son also in like manner does something.

93

1. I have to put on my clothes before I go out.

w yo chun yfu ci ky ch q

2. I need to encourage the brothers and sisters before I leave the KH.
w xyo gl birn ci ky

lki wnggu jhu su

3. Only if we learn about Jehovah can we become His friends.
wmen yo xu guny yhhu ci ky zu

t de pngyou

Make your own sentences!

ci ky

lki wnggu jhu su

________________
ci ky zu wde pngyou

________________ *
ci nng kich

________________
ci hu shu ptnghu

________________
zu

sh

Notice that the word to be in be my friend is , not . This is another way

to say is or to be. In this case, saying shi would be incorrect.
Sentences for translation: :
1. Ni jici qu Dalu? Taiwan .ne?

2. Zanmen yikuair shangban .ba!

chengshi li dui jiankang bu hao. 4. Gou.le .ma?

3. Zhu zai

5. Zhe.ge duoshao qian?

6.

Zhe jian (MW) fang.zi gui bu gui? 7. Wo yuanyi banjia. 8. Wo hen leyi lai bangzhu
ni banjia. 9. Wo shang.ge libaitian pengjian.le ta.

10. Yinhang zai wo.de

fang.zi .de duimian. 11. Zhongguo.de shoudu zai Harbin gen Shanghai.de
zhongjian. 12. Beijing zai beifang. 13. Ta.men shi nanfangren. 14. Wo gang
huijia, xianzai yao chifan.
Aodaliya san ci.

15. Zai chengshi li hen nan tingche. 16. Wo quguo

17. Xiaci women yikuair qu .ba! 18. Ni shenme shihou likai

Meiguo? 19. Wu kuai san mao san fen. 20. Birushuo, ren chaoxiao ni. Ni hui
zenme zuo? 21. Wo.men xiang meng Yehehua.de yuena.
94

 25

jngshn

yngyn

spirit (of a person)

fngmin

aspect , side

qungo

counsel, advice

shnme

ddo

to get, obtain

to fulfill

chns

shumng

ponder over

fichng

mshng

extremely

to explain
immediately

ksh

gnbn

but, however

suy

dng

therefore

boch

huiy

xnqi

keep, maintain

to doubt

to seek, look for

zhyn

zhch

jishu

guidance

to support

to accept, recieve

shnpn

jingshng

dol

sensible, rational

any, anything

qngchu

clear, obvious

to judge

a reward

simply, at all
to move

koyn

jngyn

mic

a test, trial

an experience

every time, each time

zyu

qdi

shx

free, freedom

to anticipate

familiar with

qinghu

bzih

do not care

to love

to strengthen

Homework: Please translate into English.

t gnbn bzih

1.
w b shx shngjng

2.

b xn de jngshn fng zi w xn l

shpin

5. 51:10
shnme sh du byo yul

filbsh

6. 4:6

bidng

wmen ynggi zhch zhnglo su zu de judng

3.

7.

shngjng hnyu dol

4.

zi zh fngmin

ys de hu sh shnme ys

8.

95

sh

jio

lng

rng

, , ,
How to say to make or to cause to be
S + shi + noun + adjective.
S + shi + noun + zuo + position/occupation/state of being.

Shi is a very commonly used theocratic verb in Chinese. It is used like

the English word make, in the sense of this makes me happy, or the truth
makes us rejoice, etc.
sh

The word is not used in the sense of to create. For example, He

made a bench out of wood. The words shi, jiao, ling, or rang cannot be used
in that sense.
The other words listed, jiao, ling, and rang are more common, spoken
ways to say things like to make or to cause to be (adj.). They all have the same
grammar pattern as shi:
n lng w hn jngy

You make me very shocked!

t jio w hn li

! He makes me very tired!

tmen rng w de rzi hn shngq

They make my son very angry.

w yo zi zuhu de rzi jio t fhu

yuhn fyn

suy nmen yo q

Therefore you must go,
fqin

rzi

Mataifuyin 28:19

sh suyu guz de rn zu w de mnt

fng

make all nations people be my disciples, in the

shnglng de

mng

gi

Fathers, Sons, Holy spirits

name

give

zh yo n yuny

6:44

ji nng

tmen

shjn

them baptism,

Makefuyin 1:40

sh

w jijng

If only you want to, then can make me clean.
96

dogo

Prayer

Please open our minds and hearts so that we may know how to apply your
Word in our lives.
qqi n dki wmende xnyn sh wmen zhdao znme


zi shnghushng ynyng n de huy

Jehovah please bless our chinese congregation.
yhhu qqi n zhf wmende zhngwn huzhng

Please continue to bless "the faithful and discreet slave".

qi n jx zhf zhngxnruzhdenl

Jehovah please give us your holy spirit.
yhhu qqi n cgi wmen n de shnglng


Please help us to keep our integrity.
qi n bngzh wmen boch zhngzhn

May your Kingdom come.
yun n de wnggu liln

Our Father, thank you for giving us life.

wmende tinf gnxi n cgi wmen shngmng
,

97

Help us please to be able to listen intently and benefit from the meeting.
qi n bngzh wmen zxlngtng jhudejim rqi


hud ychu

Jehovah may your spirit be upon our meeting this evening.
yhhu jntinwnshangde jhu yun n de shnglng y

wmen tngzi

May your blessing be upon those (who have parts on the meeting)
(who are taking the lead in the cong)
yun n zhf nxi suyo yo jim dxingjimi
( )

zihuzhng l ditudedxing
( )
Help the brothers and sisters facing (persecution) to maintain endurance.
OR (sickness)
qqi n bngzh nxi mindu bp de dxingjimi

( )
bochrnni
shngbng

OR
( )
We praise you as the Sovereign Lord of the Universe.
yzhode zhzi wmen znmi n


We praise you, Loving God.
rnide shngd wmen znmi n

98

Thank you for giving us the privilege of prayer.

wmen gnxi n cgi wmen dogode qunl

Please help _____ continue to progress spiritually since he/she wants to
draw close to you.
qqi n bngzh
jx zishlng fngmin jnb
______

ynwi t t xing qnjn n

/
We thank you for sending your son to give his life as a ransom for mankind.
wmen gnxi n chiqin n de rzi wi rnli xshng

t de shngmng

May you help us to resist Satan's traps and thus prove him a liar.
yun n bngzh wmen dkng sdnde wnglu rqi

zhngmng t shg shuhungzh

Please forgive our daily sins.

qqi n kunsh wmen mitin fn le de zu

Please help us to convey the truth accurately.
qqi n bngzh wmen zhngqude biod zhnl

We ask that you bless us and your worldwide preaching work.
wmen qqi n zhf wmen h n pshde chundo

gngzu

99

 27

The Memorial of Christs Death Vocabulary

shunnjnin

yyuji

: Memorial

jnwng

: Passover

wjiobng

nsnyu

: king
js

: Nisan

: priest

shnt

yn l

mnt

: body

: lunar calendar

: disciples

hng ji

jnin

sht

: commemorate

: apostle

dibio

zh

: unleavened bread

: red wine
xu

to represent

: blood

: Lord

xingzhngw

zh

shji

: to indicate

: ransom

wncn

xshng

: emblems

rlu

: evening meal

: sundown
yoqng

: invitation

: sacrifice

xnyu

chx

: the new covenant

: to attend

lngwi de minyng

gu zi zhshng

: the other sheep

: hung on the stake

shugojdt

msiy

: anointed Christians

: Messiah

The Twelve Disciples

xmn bd

Simon Peter

jildeyud

yg

ndli

xmn

yuhn

yg

James

Andrew

Simon

John

James

mti

ndny

Judas Iscariot Matthew Nathaniel

yud

dum

fil

James Thomas Phillip

100

How to invite someone to the Memorial

w qng n li chx yg tbi de jhu

ysjd

shunnjnin

I invite you to come attend a speical meeting, Jesus Christs Memorial.
jhu zi

yu

ho wnshang

jxng de

zhg jhu

0 : 00*
The Meeting is at # month # day evening 0:00 held.
This meeting
yushnme yy

ne

qng kn yuhnfyn

shngd shni

3:16:
has what meaning?
Please read John 3:16 :
God deeply loved
shrn

shnzh c xi

zj

de dshngz

hojio fnxncng t

people, even gave his own only begotten son, in order that all believing him
de rn du b zh miwng

fn d yngshng

people all not get destroyed, but get eternal life.

(*Fill in your own congregations Memorial time.)

101

How to Say Of
zhi and de

The Kingdom of God, The Word of God. How would

we say these things in Mandarin? In Chinese these phrases
are usually translated as possessive: Gods Word or Gods
Kingdom using de as possessive. A more literary way to do
it, though, is by using the word zhi. The word zhi has
the same grammar as possessive de. For example,
Shangdi.de dao can also be translated Shangdi zhi dao in
Chinese. Both of these expressions mean The Word of God.
In a more technical sense, we could say that de and zhi
are both used to connect the modifier and the word modified.
The most common way to say of is to use de and
make the expression possessive. Zhi in the sense spoken of
here, is not a common spoken word. It is used poetically and
is used much in the Bible.
shngd de huzhng

shngd zh huzhng

bolu de mng

bolu zh mng

The congregation of God

The congregation of God (literary)

the name of Paul

the name of Paul (literary)

These examples are phrases, not whole sentences.

102

Another way to say and

er

This word is very common in our Christian publications

and in the Bible. It is important to be able to understand
how its used.
Er can be a formal sounding word and is not used very
much in common speech. It can be very useful for talks and
comments at the meetings, though, since often those
expressions are more formal than everyday speech.
r

and in the sense of connecting two verbs:

ys yuny wile zhngji birn r swng

ys wile fcng shngd bi choxio r shuk

can also denote contrast between two phrases:

shunnjnin jhu bx zi rlu yhu jxng

r b ky zi rlu yqin

jdt yo fcng shngd de hu

r bhu bioxin zh shji de jngshn

103

Warning Examples from the Past

wwng qinchzhjin


(To be used along with the Societys videocassette/DVD.)

fi nh xinzi wmen zhng zhn zi yngxzh dde

:


binyun surn dzhngwgu dn yhhu bdng hu

sh wmen dshng yhhu bdng hu zhnshng

drn ji xing t yng hnghide shu b flo h

t de jndu ynm yyng dnsh yo qd shngl

wmen ji bx zx tngcng yhhude fnf wmen

lq shngd t ji hu lq wmen

VOCAB:
yngxzh d
- Promised land
bdng
- be bound to, be sure to
dshng zhnshng
/ - prevail, be victorious
hnghi
- Red Sea

binyun
- edge
tngcng
- obey
drn
- enemy
lq
- forsake
104

Index

er,
adverbs, fuci: 27
apologies and responses: 53
.ba, grammar particle: 63
ba, grammar particle
verb (Direct Obj. marker): 74
measure word

bangzhu, / to help: 37
bei, got, get : 88
ben, measure word: 26
bi, grammar particle for comparison: 66
Bible books: 4
Bible characters: 21, 23, 41,
biographical database: 11, 20, 35, 39, 49,
58, 72, 87
bu/mei, / not: 17
cai, not until, before: 93
colors: 67
common errors
to: 46 (note)
is: 45 (box), 94 (grey box)
not: 17
again: 47
all: 51
at: 43, 54 (box)
and: 59
verbs: 74 (note)
from: 75
answer: 77 (note)
loving, faithful: 82 (note)

daan, noun answer: 77 (note)

dao,
to arrive at, to go to : 43, 54 (box)
completed action particle: 81 (note)

dai, / to take, to bring: 74

.de, grammar particle
possessive: 35
connective: 65, note
modifying phrases: 82
of: 102

.de, grammar particle used with adverbs: 27

.de shihou, when, while: 80
dialogues: 15, 19, 49, 55, 76, 78-9, 85, 89-90,
disciples, twelve names: 100 (box)
dong, to understand: 37
dou, all : 51
dui, /
measure word: 26
to, towards: 46

and: 103
denoting contrast: 103

fang, to put: 74
foods: 50
fruits of the spirit: 69
gaosu, / to tell: 37
ge, / measure word: 26
gei, to give: 37
gen, and, with: 59
geng, more, -er: 48
grammar formulas: 12
grammar practice: 12
greetings and responses: 53
guo, / grammar particle: 39
haiyou, / also, furthermore: 59
haimeiyou, still havent: 83
haoxiang, to be like, similar to: 70
hen, very: 32, 45
hen/shi, / very / is: 32, 45 (box)
hui, /
to be able to : 24,
will: 42

huida, verb to answer: 77 (note)

idioms: 25, 28
jiang, / to speak, talk: 37
jiao, verb
to be called, named: 11
to cause to be, to make: 96

jin, close to, near: 75

jiu, then: 71
jiushi, definitely is: 71 (note)
kan, to look, to see, to read: 37
keyi, to be able to: 24
lai, / to come: 37
.le grammar particle: 39
li, distant from, from: 75
ling, to cause to be, to make: 96
lun, / theory of: 56(box
.ma / : 6, 10
make, cause : 96
manzou, take care: 64 (note)
measure words, liangci : 26,
menu, sample: 50
mingbai, to understand: 37
na, which: 34
neng, to be able to: 24
numbers, ordinal and cardinal: 1

pinyin alphabet: preface

prayer, possible sentences : 97-99
presentations:
simple: 6
Can I come back?: 9
When are you free?: 14
Return visit: 19, appendix
Watchtower: 22-23
New question: 30
WT/g!: 37
Education: 54
Buddhist, overcome objection: 64
offer Bible study: 68
Memorial invitation: 101

phrases, useful: 52
publication names: 38
qu, to go: 19
qualities, Jehovahs four: 81
questions and answers:
(see also biographical database)
When do your meetings begin?: 67
Would you like me to pick you up? 75
Do you want to come to the meeting? 79
How is your study of Chinese? 87

question words: 10
radicals and phonetics : preface
rang, / to cause to be, to make: 96
renshi, / to know: 30
ru, to be like, similar to : 70
ruguo, if : 71
scriptures:
Psalm 37:29 : 6 (in presentation)
Colossians 1:9 : 42
1 John 2:17: 63
Daniel 5:5: 63
1 Corinthians 1:25: 66
Matthew 6:25, 26 : 66
Proverbs 2:4 : 70
Matthew 3:16, 17 : 70
Isaiah 48:18 : 70
James 4;17: 71
John 17:3 : 93
John 5:19: 93
Matthew 28:19: 96
Mark 1:40: 96
John 3:16: 101 (in presentation)

shang, grammar particle, verb

on, above : 31
get into, onto attend : 72

shenghuo/shengming, / life: 33
shi, to be : 2, 32, 45
shi, to make, to cause to be: 96
suo, which, what, that, who: 92
suoyou, all: 51

telling time: 15, 57

thanks and responses: 53
ting, to hear, listen: 37
tone drills: 3, 8, 16
traditional/simplified characters: preface
tu, disciple of : 56 (box)
verb duplication: 6, 24 (note)
verb-object complexes: 57, 62 (note), 64, 73
wei, / because of, for: 46
wei, measure word : 26
women, we, us : 2, 63 (note)
xia, grammar particle, verb
below, under: 31
go down decline: 72

xiang, towards, to : 46
xiang, auxiliary verb
to think, to want: 37

xiang, to be like, similar to: 70

yao, auxiliary verb
to want: 37,
will:

yaoshi, if: 71
ye, also: 59
yiyang, : 70 (note)
yong, to use: 37
you, again (past): 47
you, to have: 6
yuan, / far, distant: 75
yuelaiyue, more and more: 86
zai, again (future): 47
zai, to be at, in, or on: 31
zai/dao, / to be at: 43 (note)
zanmen, we, us: 63 (note)
zenmeyang,
how is it: 53
what kind of : 84

.zhe, -er -ist : 56 (box)

.zhe, -ing : 62
zhengzai, -ing : 62
zhi,
measure word: 26 (box)
only, merely, just: 89

zhi, of: 102

zhidao, to know: 30
zui, the most, -est: 48
zuo, to make, to do: 23
zuo, verb
to make, to do: 39
is: 94 (grey box)