Learn Mandarin Chinese Greetings and Everyday Phrases 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'Nǐ hǎo (你好)' literally mean in Mandarin?
- Good morning
- You good / Hello (Correct answer)
- How are you feeling?
- Nice to meet you
Correct answer: You good / Hello
'Nǐ hǎo' literally translates as 'you good', but functions as the standard 'hello' greeting in Mandarin.
Question 2: What is the more formal or respectful version of 'nǐ hǎo'?
- Wǒ hǎo
- Nín hǎo (您好) (Correct answer)
- Nǐmen hǎo
- Dà hǎo
Correct answer: Nín hǎo (您好)
'Nín hǎo (您好)' uses the honorific pronoun '您', showing respect to elders, seniors, or people of higher status.
Question 3: How do you say 'Thank you' in Mandarin?
- Bù kèqì
- Duìbuqǐ
- Xièxie (谢谢) (Correct answer)
- Méi guānxi
Correct answer: Xièxie (谢谢)
'Xièxie (谢谢)' is the standard way to say thank you in Mandarin, with the character repeated for emphasis.
Question 4: What does 'Duìbuqǐ (对不起)' mean?
- Excuse me (to get attention)
- I'm sorry / I beg your pardon (Correct answer)
- You're welcome
- No problem
Correct answer: I'm sorry / I beg your pardon
'Duìbuqǐ' means 'I'm sorry' and is used as an apology for causing inconvenience or making a mistake.
Question 5: What is the appropriate response to 'xièxie (谢谢)' in Mandarin?
- Nǐ hǎo
- Duìbuqǐ
- Bù kèqì (不客气) or Méi shì (没事) (Correct answer)
- Zàijiàn
Correct answer: Bù kèqì (不客气) or Méi shì (没事)
'Bù kèqì (不客气)' means 'you're welcome / don't be polite', and 'méi shì (没事)' means 'no problem', both are common responses to thanks.
Question 6: How do you say 'Goodbye' in Mandarin?
- Nǐ hǎo
- Zàijiàn (再见) (Correct answer)
- Xièxie
- Qǐng
Correct answer: Zàijiàn (再见)
'Zàijiàn (再见)' means 'see you again / goodbye' — '再' means 'again' and '见' means 'see'.
Learn Mandarin Chinese Greetings and Everyday Phrases 1
What does 'Nǐ hǎo (你好)' literally mean in Mandarin?