Learn Basic Chinese(Mandarin) words and phrases
The Chinese Language and dialects
Each province, each city and even each village speaks their own dialect in China. There are literally hundreds of Chinese dialects in China so much so that each dialect speaker is not likely to understand another dialect speaker from another village or city. Fortunately, Mandarin, the official dialect, is understood by all dialect speakers.
Mandarin is also the common dialect that Chinese from all parts of the world will use when meeting or communicating with one another.
Let's learn a few useful basic and common Mandarin words and phrases that will help you break barriers with your Chinese friends.
How are You? -Ni Hao Ma
Also commonly shorten to Ni Hao.
This is likely to be the first Mandarin phrase that you will ever learn. Useful as a greeting or a ice-breaker. Suitable for use with all ages and professions.
Thank You -Xie Xie.
Another polite term that is easy to remember and use.
Very Good -Hen Hao.
This is useful when giving praise for a job or task well done. Also useful as a reply to anyone who says "Ni Hao Ma?' to you.
Ni Hao Ma? (How are you?)
Hen Hao (Very Good)
No Good -Bu Hao.
This is useful when there is a need to comment on a shoddy or incomplete job or task. Can also be used as a reply to Ni Hao Ma? but may not be such a good reply.
Ni Hao Ma? (How are you?)
Bu Hao (No Good)
Very Expensive -Hen Gui.
When bargaining at the shops, this is the best term to use when driving a hard bargain.
Don't want or No -Bu Yao.
This is the best term to use for touts - street hawkers who approach you at every tourist stop to ask you to buy things. Bu Yao....will stop them in their track.
This is beautiful -Hen Piao Liang.
Use this phrase to praise something that is nice or beautiful. May also be used when meeting a pretty girl too!
Taxi -De Shi.
De Shi is the correct term but you should be understood even if you use the English word for Taxi. They sound alike anyway.
Good Bye or See You Again -Zai Jian.
Well, I guess this is another term that will be easily understood even if the English word is used.
Excuse Me -Jie Guo.
There is always a crowd in touristy areas. There are so many Chinese who wants to see the same monuments too. Rather than push your way through the crowd, using the term Jie Guo may just open the path ahead for you!
Receipt -Fa Piao.
Always ask for the receipt or Fa Piao at the shops or from a taxi. This may be useful if you need to complain about a fraud or shoddy product. Also useful if you leave behind your bag or camera in the taxi.
I don't want -Wo Bu Yao.
Useful when refusing a tout or when offered a drink too many at the Dinner table.
Ken Cheong lived, worked and travelled in China for the last 7 years. You may find more such articles at his websites. Feel free to distribute these articles as long as you mention his websites at: http://www.chinese-culture.net and http://www.quick-pain-relief.com
Discover The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden In Arcadia California
In The city of Arcadia California, right next door to Pasadena http://pasadena.usacitydirectories.com you will find The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, a beautiful and peaceful 127 acre botanical garden and historical site jointly operated by the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. The Arboretum is located across from the Santa Anita Race Track is at 301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, CA, 91007. It is open daily from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm; admission closes at 4:30.
Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for seniors (62 and over), $5 for students with ID, and $2.50 for children 5- 12. Children under 5 and members are admitted free. Unlike most attractions these days, parking is free.
In the middle of the Arboretum sits the four acre Baldwin Lake which has been used in filming numerous movies and television shows. "Johnny Weissmuller swam in LASCA Lagoon/Baldwin Lake for three decades as Tarzan and later Jungle Jim. A local news story reported that he, in fact, set an unrecorded Olympic swim record when a cage of crocodiles was accidentally opened during filming (Weissmuller beat the crocs to the lake shore). Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour took up a month-long watery Baldwin Lake residence in homes on stilts for the filming of Road to Singapore in 1939, the same year the Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.,/Madeleine Carroll film Safari managed to sink a paddlewheel boat in the same lake. Undaunted, television's original "Fantasy Island" lowered a pontoon plane by helicopter onto Baldwin Lake and propelled it across the water to disembark visitors to Mr. Roark's island paradise. For Alex Haley's "Roots II", Baldwin Lake became Kunta Kinte's river home in Africa."
Don't just peek through the windows of the Arboretum's Queen Anne Cottage, come inside to see the historic Treasures! The cottage, with its marble terrace, Victorian furnishings and treasures provides a charming opportunity for the whole family.
Take the tram or walk through the gardens, spend the day being mesmerized by all of the well tended plants, flowers, flowering trees, cacti, succulents and the abundant wildlife (The Arboretum is famous for it's roaming peafowl.). The rose gardens alone are worth the visit. Stop and watch a wedding or see a commercial being filmed. Take your kids to the Discovery Node constructed out by Tule Pond, you'll find a variety of new activities for children of all ages to enjoy and explore. Eat at the Peacock Cafe. Sit down on a bench or under a tree, relax and feel your cares floating away.
Visit the gift shop where you can buy plants, gardening books, photographs, paintings and other items (the prices are very inexpensive.).
The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden is a place where an individual or the whole family can spend the day and go home feeling rested and at peace with the world.
For more information about the city of Arcadia, California see http://arcadia.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to city of Arcadia, California guides and directories listing information, resources, services, things to do, places to go, restaurants, churches and more.
About the Author
David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.
Discover Eaton Canyon In Pasadena California
Eaton Canyon Natural Area Nature Center, entrance, 1750 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, Ca. 91107, is a 190-acre natural park is located at the base of Mt. Wilson. There are five miles of nature trails, an equestrian trail, creeks and a waterfall. The canyon is very lush and has beautiful displays of local flora and fauna. The park is open daily sunrise to sunset.
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation supervises and maintains this "zoological, botanical, and geological wonderland situated at the base of the beautiful San Gabriel Mountains. With its hiking trails, wildlife, rocks and minerals, and plants, there is something for everyone to enjoy". At the entrance to the park you will find a 7,600 square-foot building containing many "fascinating displays, live animals, offices, classrooms, an auditorium, restrooms, and an information desk/gift shop". The Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, during which time a staff member is present to assist you. Both docent-guided and self-guided tours are available in Eaton Canyon. Reservations are required for either type in order to ensure that everyone has a pleasant experience.
One of the best places to visit in the park is the Eaton Canyon Waterfalls. According to Eaton Canyon Nature Center Associates "For a spectacular view of Eaton Canyon, hike to the 50-foot Eaton Canyon Waterfall". "There is water at the falls year-round, but in dry seasons and during the summer months the stream bed may be partially or totally dry. In order to reach the falls you'll have to cross the stream bed several times, but only in the wettest months will this be particularly difficult".
Camping is available by permit at Henninger Flats, rest rooms, drinking fountain, picnic area, a Visitor's Center and a plant nursery are located in the flats. No permit is needed to picnic or use the facilities.
Over fifty (50) species of plants, twenty (20) types of mammals, including mule deer, bobcats, coyote, fox and mountain lion, over one hundred fifty (150) species of birds, including hawks, vultures, owls, heron, pelican and eagles as well as numerous reptiles, amphibians and fish are found in the park.
For more information or to reserve a camp space you can contact the park directly at (626) 398-5420.
For more information about the city of Pasadena, California see http://pasadena.usacitydirectories.com, a directory of links to city of Pasadena, California guides and directories listing hotels, restaurants, churches, physicians, attorneys, information, resources, services, things to do, places to go, art galleries, service organizations, auto dealers, nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, antique dealers and more.
About the Author
David G. Hallstrom, Sr. is a retired private investigator and is currently the publisher of several internet directories, including http://www.usacitydirectories.com a directory of national, state, county and city guides and directories listing local guides, directories, web sites and web pages providing resources, services and information about things to do and places to go.
