I'm at that point now, after two years here, where I can understand the basics of Chinese and the introduction to conversations, but hit a wall at a certain point. Here's how the conversations usually start:
Where are you from?/What country are you from?/Which nationality are you? Just as in English, there are multiple ways to ask this question. I now know to expect it as the first question, and have a standard answer for the questions. "American!" Ah, everyone smiles.
Where are you going? Sometimes this question is practical, other times it has a meaning much more similar to "what's up?" in English. A one or two-word answer usually suffices.
Have you eaten? This one is from friends, and just means how are you? It's polite.
I'm also at the point where I understand a good bit more, but have significant trouble formulating responses that sound remotely adult or intelligent. Sentences beyond one or two words are difficult and slow.
However, it's tempting to put off studying Chinese until I'm "officially" in language school in the fall. I've found though that my efforts at studying and improving communicate love to those around me. So I guess I'll post this and then go do my Chinese homework so I'm prepared for tutor time tonight!
Where are you from?/What country are you from?/Which nationality are you? Just as in English, there are multiple ways to ask this question. I now know to expect it as the first question, and have a standard answer for the questions. "American!" Ah, everyone smiles.
Where are you going? Sometimes this question is practical, other times it has a meaning much more similar to "what's up?" in English. A one or two-word answer usually suffices.
Have you eaten? This one is from friends, and just means how are you? It's polite.
I'm also at the point where I understand a good bit more, but have significant trouble formulating responses that sound remotely adult or intelligent. Sentences beyond one or two words are difficult and slow.
However, it's tempting to put off studying Chinese until I'm "officially" in language school in the fall. I've found though that my efforts at studying and improving communicate love to those around me. So I guess I'll post this and then go do my Chinese homework so I'm prepared for tutor time tonight!
