Modern Chinese (BOOK 4) - Learn Chinese in a Simple and Successful Way - Series BOOK 1, 2, 3, 4

By Vivienne Zhang

Author Vivienne Zhang is a native Chinese speaker fluent in English who has been translating, interpreting and teaching for many years. She has tried, tested and perfected various lessons and techniques that apply well to Chinese studies. These modern techniques are now published in a series of four books.

Each book teaches the reader both Pinyin and Hanzi (Chinese characters). One of the unique features in these books is the literal translation into English of common Chinese expressions and vocabulary. For example, you can often see the annotation “lit.” with the daily life topic sentences in BOOK 4, showing the direct translation of the Chinese text. This technique reinforces an understanding of sentence structure and grammar which has proven to be instrumental in helping the students and readers to retain the Chinese that they have already learned. Other Chinese language books do not use this approach.

BOOK 4 provides useful, high frequency language and examples heard everyday on the streets of China. Part 1 gives the reader a solid basis for understanding Chinese in additional and varied day-to-day situations, such as booking tickets, travelling around China, renting apartments, sports, dating, and many more.

Like BOOK 1, 2, 3 in this series, one of the unique features of this book is also the literal translation into English of common Chinese expressions and vocabulary. You can study the daily life topics in Part 1 in any order. Chinese facts and cultural information are also touched upon in Part 2 to give a better understanding of the Chinese people. Thus, Part 1 and Part 2, together with all the extra vocabulary and information in the appendix can provide a good reference resource.

NOTE: After you have learnt Pinyin (initials, finals and tones) in Part 1 of BOOK 1, you are ready to continue studying any books within the Modern Chinese series...BOOK 1, 2, 3 and 4.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Vivienne Zhang
• Release date: Mar 18, 2013
• ISBN: 9781621546153

Vivienne Zhang

After graduation from University in 2009, Vivienne worked as a freelance interpreter for many international companies such as Huawei, Samsung, Apple, Mercedes, Siemens, Areva, Peugeot, and others. In 2010, Vivienne decided to fully dedicate herself to teaching Chinese language to foreign expats employed at those same multi-national companies where she worked as an interpreter before. In 2012, based on the success of her teaching, Vivienne wrote a series of books that teach Chinese using her unique learning methods. These techniques have become very popular among her students and readers.

Book preview

Acknowledgements

There are many people without whose helpful support and encouragement BOOK 1, 2, 3, 4 would not have become a reality. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my good friend, Pax Webb, for his patience and meticulous care in proofreading the drafts and offering suggestions.

I wish to thank my parents for their undivided support and interest, whose wisdom inspired me and encouraged me to go my own way, without whom I would be unable to complete these books. I am also very grateful to my siblings, especially my younger sister Vicky who shares my daily happiness and woes. My appreciation of their love for me truly goes beyond mere words.

I also give my sincere appreciation to all the teachers who have taught and encouraged me during my life studies. From their instructive courses and stimulating discussions I have acquired many insights and a genuine love for languages and linguistics.

I hope you find these books as interesting, challenging and rewarding as I did writing them.

Preface

In recent years, China has grown to be a powerhouse in the world economy. Mandarin, Putonghua in Chinese, has always been the world’s most spoken language by sheer volume of native speakers but its value has also become especially important among foreigners and business professionals. With the ever increasing focus on international trade with China, Western interest in learning Chinese has grown exponentially.

As a Chinese native speaker fluent in English, I have been translating, interpreting and teaching for many years. I have not always been satisfied with the available books and materials for teaching Chinese to foreigners. Over the last several years I have tried, tested and perfected various lessons and techniques that apply well to Chinese studies. I have collected and now publish all of these modern techniques into books.

One of the unique features in these books is the literal translation into English of common Chinese expressions and vocabulary. For example, you can often see lit. with the grammar points in BOOK 1, showing the direct translation of the Chinese text. This will reinforce an understanding of sentence structure and grammar which has proven to be instrumental in helping you retain the Chinese you have already learned. Other Chinese language books do not use this approach.

BOOK 4 provides useful, high frequency language and examples heard everyday on the streets of China. Part 1 gives the reader a solid basis for understanding Chinese in more different day-to-day situations, such as travelling around China, dating and everything in between.

Like BOOK 1, 2, 3 in this series, one of the unique features of this book is also the literal translation into English of common Chinese expressions and vocabulary. You can study the daily life topics in Part 1 in any order. Chinese facts and cultural information are also touched upon in Part 2 to give a better understanding of the Chinese people. Thus, Part 1 and Part 2, together with all the extra vocabulary and information in the appendix can provide a good reference resource.

Part 1 Daily Life Topics

Booking Tickets

dìngpiào 订票

qǐngwèn, zài nǎlǐ kěyǐ mǎi dào huǒchēpiào?

请问，在 哪里 可以 买 到 火车票？

Excuse me, where can I buy a train ticket?

(lit. Please ask, where can buy train ticket?)

zài huǒchēzhàn huòzhě dìng piàochù.

在 火车站 或者 订票处。

At the train station or booking office.

wǒ kěyǐ zài zhèlǐ dìng huǒchēpiào ma?

我 可以 在 这里 订 火车票 吗？

Can I book a train ticket here?

(lit. I can here book train ticket?)

nǐ yào qù nǎlǐ?

你 要 去 哪里？

Where are you going to?

(lit. You are going to where?)

wǒ yào qù běijīng.

我 要 去 北京。

I am going to Beijing.

nǎ yì tiān?

哪 一 天？

Which day?

(lit. Which one day?)

xià ge xīngqī yī.

下 个 星期一。

Next Monday.

dānchéngpiào háishì shuāngchéngpiào?

单程票 还是 双程票？

A one-way ticket or a return ticket?

(lit. Single-journey ticket or double-journey ticket?)

ruǎnwò háishì yìngwò?

软卧 还是 硬卧？

A soft

Reviews for Modern Chinese (BOOK 4) - Learn Chinese in a Simple and Successful Way - Series BOOK 1, 2, 3, 4

[2012parayancher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fantastic book for any learner!