Transcript, vocabulary, and notes

Text 课文 (Kèwén)

After you have watched the video, check your understanding by reading the transcript and the English translation.

New Words 生词 (Shēngcí)

Language Notes

L7. 谢谢你

To show gratitude, one can say 谢谢 or 谢谢你. To respond to 谢谢, we can say “you’re welcome” using 不用谢 or 不谢.

When two 3rd tones co-occur, the first 3rd tone is pronounced as a 2nd tone.

L8. 中文

中文 versus 汉语

The Chinese language is referred to both as 中文 and as (Hànyǔ) 汉语. The latter term refers to the predominant ethnic group in China, the Han.

Grammar Notes

G15. 这, 那

Rule: 这 （this） and 那 （that） are the most commonly used demonstrative pronouns in Chinese. They can be used with 是 to form 这是 （this is), 那是 （that is).

For example:

• Zhè shì wǒ de Zhōngwén shū.
• 这是我的中文书。
• This is my Chinese book.

• Nà shì tā de bǐ.
• 那是他的笔。
• That is his pen.

G16. Interrogative pronouns

Rule: Shuí 谁 (who), shénme 什么 (what), nǎr 哪儿 (where), and duōshǎo 多 少 （how many, how much） are several of the interrogative pronouns used in Chinese. Jǐ 几 and duōshǎo 多少 both translate as “how many.” 几 indicates a number under ten. In a question with an interrogative pronoun, the word order is exactly the same as that in a non-interrogative statement. When using an interrogative pronoun, there is no need to use 吗 at the end of the sentence because the interrogative word already fulfills this function.

For example:

• Nǐ shì shuí?
• 你是谁？
• Who are you?

• Zhè shì shénme?
• 这是什么？
• What is this?

• Wǒ de shū zài nǎr？
• 我的书在哪儿？
• Where is my book?

• Nǐ yǒu jǐ běn shū?
• 你有几本书？
• How many books do you have?

Rule: The measure word 本 is for bound items such as books and magazines and 枝 is a measure word for pen, pencil, etc. When demonstrative pronouns are used, measure words must be placed between the demonstrative pronoun (这, 那) and the noun.

For example:

• Zhè běn shū shì Zhōngwén shū.
• 这本书是中文书。
• This book is a Chinese book.

• Nà běn shū shì Yīngwén shū.
• 那本书是英文书。
• That book is an English book.

G17. Numbers (0, 1-100)

G18. 的 structure

Rule: The particle 的 can be used as a possessive, modifying, or descriptive particle.

For example:

• Nà zhī bǐ shì nǐ de ma?
• 那枝笔是你的吗？
• Is that pen yours?

• Bù shì, wǒ de shì hóngsè de.
• 不是，我的是红色的。
• No, it isn’t. Mine is red.

Sentence Patterns

These sentences highlight and repeat some of the grammatical concepts introduced in this lesson.

Cultural Notes

Not too different from the United States, the Chinese school system is divided into three categories:

primary (小学)

Primary school or elementary school consists of six years. In primary school, Chinese students study basic math, Chinese language, music, and drama, to name a few subjects. Usually by third grade, a foreign language, most commonly English, is introduced.

middle (中学)

After primary school, students enter middle school, which is divided into junior and senior middle schools, equivalent to our junior and senior high school systems. Some common subjects that are taught at these levels are Chinese, mathematics, physics, and history.

university (大学)

Finally, students may decide to attend a college or university after they graduate from middle school. Once in college, students may choose a course of study that ranges from medicine to education.