Mandarin Chinese
普通话 · 1.1 billion speakers
Level
Absolute Beginner
Greetings, numbers, colours, basic survival phrases. You can introduce yourself and understand very slow speech.
You walk into a business meeting in Shenzhen — the first word out of your mouth sets the tone.
A client hands you their business card with both hands — you receive it respectfully and say this.
You bump into someone in a Beijing market — this immediately defuses the situation.
You spot something you want at a street vendor — this is your power question.
A supplier speaks too fast — say this confidently instead of nodding and hoping.
Ordering at a restaurant — this one word makes you sound polite and intentional.
Confirming an order, agreeing with a statement — the bedrock verb in Chinese.
Declining something gracefully — tone 4 before most words, tone 2 before another tone 4.
Introducing your business contact as a friend signals warmth in Chinese culture.
Ending a call or meeting — always say this rather than just hanging up.