How to make Chinese?

When I very first found its way to China, I became super overwhelmed about why a lot of people kept asking me if I’d eaten yet. We wondered when they had been concerned about whether i really could consume Chinese meals, or if perhaps I became looking especially hungry for reasons uknown.

We quickly learned that “吃饭了吗? (chī fàn le ma) – have you eaten however?” is the classic Chinese conversation beginner.

Even after we understood the reason why individuals asking me if I’d eaten, I became however puzzled about the reason why I held getting worried looks easily stated I hadn’t. In reality, this phrase is very much like “how have you been?” in English. Usually, individuals respond with “吃了(chī le) – I’ve eaten”, it doesn't matter if or not they’ve really eaten, just as you’d state “I’m fine thanks a lot” even although you weren’t really feeling great.

This will be a good example of one of the numerous language and social differences which make small talk in Chinese challenging. That’s why i do want to share my experiences and advice inside article, to acquire the conversation streaming whenever you meet Chinese folks.

When you’ve broken the ice with “吃饭了吗? (chī fàn le ma) – maybe you have consumed yet?”, it's time for you start chatting. But, I’ve found that the topics people love to speak about in Asia can be quite distinctive from my house nation (the UK).

Not long ago I moved for lunch with a new British student inside my college in Shanghai, in which he mentioned that he’d just purchased a power bicycle. My response had been “cool, exactly how much do you spend?” and then “oh, too-much!”

He looked somewhat frustrated at this, and I realized that I’d forgotten that talking about cash with people you've got just satisfied is not specially courteous in Western countries. But in China, everyone loves to talk about the cost of clothes, mobile phones and also rent, and “多少钱 (duō shǎo qián) – simply how much could it be?” is amongst the very first phrases you’ll find out when creating discussion with Chinese folks.

Learn how to say "how much" and just how to deal!

Older Chinese people love for even more personal: an average chat with an 阿姨 (ā yí) – auntie (an affectionate term for an older lady) in my own apartment building begins with “你几岁? (nǐ jǐ suì?) – how old have you been?”, and on reading my age immediately moves on to “结婚了吗 (jié hūn le ma) – are you currently hitched yet?” (Women in China deal with many force to obtain hitched before they get to thirty).

In the beginning I found this hard to become accustomed to, in particular with questions regarding cash. In the long run in China, I’m quite comfortable revealing my lease and income with inquisitive strangers, however if you’d instead hold these details to your self, a simple “不太高 (bú tài gāo) – not so high” does the secret.

The initial topic that most people will tell you to keep clear of in China is 政治 (zhèng zhì) – politics [1]. But, if you ask me Chinese folks are very pleased to discuss politics, especially in Beijing (Beijing’s taxi drivers tend to be famous for their particular love of speaking about the day’s political news due to their customers).

in reality, the top thing in order to prevent if you’re keen to show a preliminary meeting into a long-lasting relationship is 批评中国 (pī píng zhōng guó) – criticizing Asia Chinese meals, Chinese culture, etc.

Many Chinese people are passionately 爱国 (ài guó) – patriotic. They love their country and their tradition. People are specially proud of Chinese food (and appropriately so, it's delicious!). Meaning if somebody asks you if you prefer a certain Chinese meal, or Chinese food overall, they’re desperately wishing you’ll say you adore it.

Whenever questioned directly about a thing that I’m perhaps not a huge lover of (Guangdong province’s famous chicken feet tend to be a certain no-no for me personally), I’ve found that the best thing doing is always to react with something else that I do like.

Including, “我更喜欢糯米鸡 (wǒ gèng xǐ huān nuò mǐ jī) – I prefer nuò mǐ jī (a type of glutinous rice and chicken dumpling that's additionally common in Guangdong, and tends to make an excellent break fast).

One of the trickiest reasons for making small-talk is training what to state whenever your time together with your discussion partner is up. Luckily, doing this in Chinese is extremely like in English.

If you’re keen to begin to see the person once again, you can suggest “下次一起吃饭吧 (xià cì yì qǐ chī fàn ba) – let’s go out to consume soon”. Venturing out to eat is much more common than going for coffee in China, although in modern places younger middle-class individuals are more and more following Western café culture.

Utilize “你的电话号码是多少？(nǐ de diàn huà hào mǎ shì duō shǎo?) – what’s your telephone number?” to change contact details.

Occasionally we find myself shopping for a courteous way to say goodbye without making a strong dedication. Within situation, you can simply state “下次见 (xià cì jiàn) – see you the next occasion!”