see note below.)
（天哪！）
————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
This exclamation phrase is used the way “Oh, heavens!” might be in English. Tiān means “sky” or “heaven.” You’ll recognize it in some Chinese places’ names, such as Tiān Tán (“The Temple of Heaven”) and Tiān Ān Mén Square (“The Gate of Heavenly Peace”).
我同意。
Wǒ tóngyì.
I agree.
（我同意。）
我不同意。
Wǒ bù tóngyì.
I disagree.
（我不同意。）
————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
In the term for “agree,” tóng means “same”; yì means “idea.”
真的吗?
Zhēn de ma?
Really?
（真的嗎？）
真的。
Zhēn de.
Really.
（真的。）
————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
Don’t forget, zh sounds like “j” with the tongue toward the back of the roof of your mouth; j sounds like “j” with your tongue just behind your top teeth. The sound may not seem like a big deal to you, but Chinese speakers hear the difference.
不可能!
Bù kěnéng!
That’s impossible!
（不可能！）
有可能。
Yǒu kěnéng.
It’s possible. / Maybe.
（有可能。）
————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
Kě is used in many words, including Kěkǒukělè (Coca-Cola).
⋯⋯那个, 嗯, 那个, 呃⋯⋯
… nèi ge, ňg, nèi ge, è…
…Um, uh...
（⋯⋯那個，嗯，那個，呃⋯⋯）
————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
In China, 6 periods (......) are used to the same effect as we use 3 periods (an ellipsis) in English.
请说慢一点儿。
Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎnr.
Please speak a little slower.
（請說慢一點兒。）
————————— CULTURAL NOTE —————————
Once on a tiger’s back, it is hard to get off.
—Chinese proverb
你能再说一遍吗?
Nǐ néng zài shuō yíbiàn ma?
Can you say it again?
（你能再說一遍嗎？）
————————— CULTURAL NOTE —————————
The electrical current in China is 220V and 50Hz AC. There are two basic plug-in connections in China: the flat, two-pin parallel like we have in the U.S., and a three-headed, slightly angular, flat connection. You can bring an adapter set with you, or just find an electronics store in China, where it will be much cheaper.
你说什么?
Nǐ shuō shénme?
What did you say?
（你說什麼？）
————————— CULTURAL NOTE —————————
Matrimony is the grave of romance.
—Chinese proverb
你有问题吗?
Nǐ yǒu wèntí ma?
Is there something wrong? / Do you have a question?
（你有問題嗎？）
有。/不, 没有。
Yǒu. / Bù, méiyǒu.
Yes. / No (I don’t).
（有。/不，沒有。）
————————— LANGUAGE NOTE —————————
Another, more polite way of asking “Do you have a problem/issue?” is 有什么问题 吗? Yǒu shénme wèntí ma?
Audio files for all of the Chinese Phrase A Day entries are available online. Listening and repeating after the native speakers will help you to polish your Chinese. Visit www.tuttlepublishing.com for the audio files.
NUMBERS, TIME & BARGAINING
Days 61–90
这/那 个多少钱?
