Chinese for English speakers Zoo · Lesson 0

Positive imperative

Chinese positive imperative — 你看, 好多青蛙! (Look! So many frogs!) — using 看 for exclamation.

Conversation

  1. Cassian Cassian

    你看，好多青蛙！

    nǐ kàn, hǎo duō qīng wā!

    Look! There are so many frogs!

    Tip: 青蛙<qīngwā> = frog

  2. Pishi Pishi

    哇，真可爱！

    wā, zhēn kě ài!

    Wow! They are so cute!

    Tip: 可爱 <kěài> = cute, adorable

  3. Pishi Pishi

    青蛙吃什么东西？

    qīng wā chī shén me dōng xi?

    What do frogs eat?

  4. Cassian Cassian

    它们吃虫子。

    tā men chī chóng zi.

    They eat insects.

    Tip: 虫子<chóngzi> = insect, bug

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you give commands in Chinese?

Just say the verb: 看! (look!), 来! (come!), 走! (go!). Add 你 for emphasis or 请 for politeness.

What does 好多 mean?

'So many / a lot'. 好多人 = 'so many people'. 好 + adjective = intensifier.

What is 可爱?

'Cute / adorable'. 真可爱 = 'really cute'. Used for pets, kids, things.

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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