Chinese for English speakers House · Lesson 1

Nice to meet you

Chinese for 'nice to meet you' — 王先生, 认识您, 我很高兴 (Mr. Wang, meeting you, I'm very happy).

Conversation

  1. Lindo Lindo

    王先生，认识您

    Wáng xiān sheng, rènshi nín

    Mr. Wang, meeting you...

    Tip: 先生 <xiānsheng> = sir, mr. 认识 <rènshi> = to know, to meet, to get to know 您 <nín> = you formal (you sir, you madam)

  2. Lindo Lindo

    我很高兴。

    wǒ hěn gāoxìng.

    ...is a pleasure.

    Tip: 很 <hěn> = very, quite (also used to neutralize comparative nature of adjectives) 高兴 <gāoxìng> = happy, glad, content (Chinese adjectives have a natural comparative nature, meaning the word "happy" alone should be translated as "happier". To neutralize this comparative nature, adjectives usually come with a number of adverbs like the already mentioned 很 <hěn>)

  3. Bolin Bolin

    粼多老师，认识您

    Línduō lǎo shī, rèn shi nín

    Professor Lindo, meeting you...

  4. Bolin Bolin

    我也很高兴。

    wǒ yě hěn gāo xìng.

    ...is also a pleasure.

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What is 认识?

'Know / get to know' (person). 我认识他 = 'I know him'. Different from 知道 (know fact).

What is 先生?

'Mr. / sir'. Used after surname: 王先生 (Mr. Wang). Female equivalent: 女士 (Ms.), 太太 (Mrs.), 小姐 (Miss).

Chinese 我很高兴?

'I'm very happy / pleased'. Used in 认识您, 我很高兴 = 'pleased to meet you'.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Chinese lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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