Speak E-Z Chinese | Chinese Phrasebook

The Romanization of Chinese Characters

Mandarin Pinyin is called Putonghua, or "The Common Language," and is widely used throughout China. Its four tones: level, rising, falling, and high rising, distinguish many words and syllables with the same consonants and vowels but with different meanings. It deciphers the Chinese characters and symbols into a Romanized alphabet, eliminating the abstract strokes completely unrecognizable to most foreigners.

Prior to the use of Pinyin, westerners depended upon the Wade-Giles Romanization system that was initially invented to simplify Chinese characters into their English counterparts. British scholar Sir Thomas Francis Wade created the method, and it was later modified by Herbert Allen Giles in 1912, and it became the preferred transliteration method among scholars. But what it truly gave the western world was a systematic and consistent method of butchering the Chinese language through mispronunciations for more than a half century. Why did it fail so miserably? Learners of Mandarin relied upon the pronunciation guide, but were seldom educated properly on how the system worked. Inevitably, most words were grossly mispronounced.

Other attempts were made to integrate a Latin alphabet for the Mandarin language during the 1920's and 30's, but most were unsuccessful. Finally, in 1985, the Pinyin Romanization system officially replaced the Wade-Giles method. The Chinese government's commitment to promote a standardized Latin alphabet for westerner and the country's minorities promoted the adoption of Pinyin Putonghua, and it is now used extensively throughout the country.

Unfortunately, native English speakers who study Mandarin quickly discover that many of the vowels and consonants used in Pinyin are pronounced differently than their English counterparts. This means that English speakers, who have been trained since primary school to sound out words phonetically, first need to learn Pinyin in order to speak correctly and clearly in Chinese. To learn Pinyin, one must "unlearn" some basic English phonics or you're bound to get into trouble (pronunciation wise).

A Better Way

The good news is that there is an easier and faster way of learning to speak Chinese. Native English speakers can now by-pass Pinyin and immediately concentrate on reading and speaking Chinese by using the familiar English phonics system. That's what makes our phrasebook, SPEAK E-Z CHINESE In Phonetic English, so handy for the traveler in China. You can pick words and phrases to say and pronounce them correctly the first time, and you can easily remember them and build your repartee in no time!

Deciphering the Meaning of Chinese Numbers

Many Chinese customs are centered around the belief in the power of certain numbers, and the superstitions surrounding digits in Chinese culture only takes second fiddle to the role of specific foods. The pronunciation of these numbers also reflects the Chinese's affinity with homonyms, where many digits are considered lucky or unlucky based on words that sound similar. This in turn, affects the entire Chinese economy, since folks here will not buy anything without careful consideration of the numerals involved.

Because of the auspiciousness of certain numbers, Chinese will often pay large sums for phone numbers, street addresses, residence floors, driver's license numbers, license plate numbers and bank account digits. For example, a personal license plate consisting of all eights can cost thousands of dollars.

Lucky Numbers

The number 2 (ar in phonetic English) is a positive number to Chinese people. There's a Chinese saying: "Good things come in pairs." It's common throughout the Middle Kingdom to see double symbols in product brand names, which means double happiness and double value. When Chinese exchange oranges during the Lunar New Year, they exchange two, four, or eight at a time.

The number 6, pronounced leo, sounds like the word used for 'slippery,' which implies that everything will go smoothly. 666 is considered one of the luckiest numbers of all; it's displayed prominently in shop windows across the entire country, and people often pay extra to get a mobile phone number including this string of digits. In Guangzhou, a motorcycle license plate numbered AW666 was sold for 270,000. RMB, (roughly $34,000. USD)!

The number 8 in Mandarin is pronounced bah, which sounds similar to fah, meaning prosperity and good fortune. If you've been to China, you've probably noticed the unusual frequency of this esteemed digit used in the phone numbers of hotels, airlines and most major businesses. Telecommunication companies and car registration authorities charge extra for each number 8. For example, the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza in Shanghai has the phone number 6252-8888. Northwest Airline's number is 6279-8088; China Travel Services is 6247-8888.

In Chengdu, China, the telephone number 8888-8888 was sold for $270,000 USD. The Summer Olympics in Beijing are scheduled to open 8/8/08, at 8 P.M.

The number 9, pronounce jeo, is also a homonym for the word 'everlasting.' To the Chinese, it signifies friendship, love, and long life.

The Unluckiest Number

Number 4 (sih) sounds like the word 'death,' and is therefore considered a bad omen. Many numbered product lines skip the 4, e.g. Nokia cell phones do not have a series beginning with a 4, and most residential buildings skip all numbers with 4, e.g. 4, 14, 24, 34, and 40 – 49 floors. The airlines, trains and buses all bypass this unfortunate number.

Number 14, pronounced shir sih, sounds like 'ten die.' But it can also be said as ee sih, literally 'one-four.' Another common way to say one, is yaow. Thus, 14 can be said as yaow sih, literally meaning: 'want to die.' Not a favorite!

Lastly, research has revealed that more Chinese are likely to die from heart attacks or heart disease on the fourth of the month, obviously due to the superstition related stress evoked by the unlucky number, which in turn, triggers cardiac deaths.

Well, I've covered the basics in lucky and unlucky numbers, but like most things in China, numbers and their meanings are extremely deep-rooted, with many nuances and complexities involved. Consider this a quick crash course. Chinese numerology dates back to the first century A.D. when Emperor Fu His discovered a tortoise shell said to contain a magic number square, which led to the development of I Ching, Feng Shui, Nine Star Ki, geomancy, and Chinese astrology and numerology. Volumes could be written on the subject, and I'll leave that to the mystics and academies.

Health and Emergencies

Speaking of luck and good fortune, we also need to be prepared for mishaps and misfortunes. We at the Cathay Café certainly hope you're time in China will be full of happiness and positive experiences, and we're sure it will be, but let's review some words and phrases that will come in double handy in the event that you need them.

SPEAK E-Z CHINESE Presents:

Survival Chinese Vol. 24
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The Romanization of Chinese Characters

A Better Way

Deciphering the Meaning of Chinese Numbers

Lucky Numbers

The Unluckiest Number

Health and Emergencies

Top 5 night shows in Beijing

Sexy Beijing - "Country Loving"

SPEAK E-Z CHINESE Presents:

Survival Chinese Vol. 24 ---------------------------------------------------------------------

The Romanization of Chinese Characters

A Better Way

Deciphering the Meaning of Chinese Numbers

Lucky Numbers

The Unluckiest Number

Health and Emergencies

Top 5 night shows in Beijing

Sexy Beijing - "Country Loving"

Survival Chinese Vol. 24
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