Chinese for English speakers Townhall · Lesson 3

Negative imperative

Chinese negative imperative 别 — 真想放假几天 (I really want a vacation for a few days) — work-life expressions.

Conversation

  1. Bob Bob

    我工作很累。

    wǒ gōng zuò hěn lèi.

    I'm very tired of working.

    Tip: 累 <lèi> = tired

  2. Bob Bob

    真想放假几天。

    zhēn xiǎng fàng jià jǐ tiān.

    I really want to have a holiday.

    Tip: 放假 <fàngjà> = to have a holiday 几天<jǐtiān> = some days

  3. Shelladonna Shelladonna

    别担心，

    bié dān xīn,

    Don't worry.

    Tip: 别 <bié> + verb = don't ...! (as in a command) 担心<dānxīn>

  4. Shelladonna Shelladonna

    暑假快到了！

    shǔ jià kuài dào le.

    summer holidays are almost here!

    Tip: 暑假 <shǔjià> = summer holiday 快<kuài> = fast, quickly (but hear it means "almost, nearly") 到 <dào> = to arrive

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

What does 别 mean?

'Don't' — negative imperative. 别吃! = 'don't eat!'. 别走 = 'don't go'. Stronger than 不要.

What does 真想 mean?

'Really want to'. 真 (really) + 想 (want). Expresses strong desire/wishful thinking.

Chinese for vacation?

假期 (vacation/holiday), 放假 (have time off), 休假 (take leave), 度假 (go on vacation).

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.