Extended Terms
Where
在哪儿 (zài nǎer)
Why
为什么 (wèi shén me)
这个 this
那个 that
哪个 which one
Four names that will be used in examples:
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李大中 (Lǐ Dàzhōng)
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Explanation: "Lǐ" is a common Chinese surname, and "Dàzhōng" could mean "big and central," suggesting importance or stability.
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王小文 (Wáng Xiǎowén)
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Explanation: "Wáng" is another common surname, and "Xiǎowén" translates to "small and literate" or "refined," often indicating intelligence or culture.
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白大卫 (Bái Dàwèi)
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Explanation: "Bái" means "white" and is a less common surname. "Dàwèi" is a transliteration of the English name "David," highlighting cultural exchange.
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白玛丽 (Bái Mǎlì)
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Explanation: "Mǎlì" is a transliteration of "Mary," showcasing a foreign name adapted into Chinese.
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Essential Questions：
What 什么
why 为什么
who 谁
how old 几岁
where 哪儿
which 哪个
"是（shì）" am/is/are/was/were; yes/right
是 connects nouns, but doesn't connect adjectives,
use ”很“ when connecting an adjective.
他 是 我的老师。
他 很 好。
我 很 好。(I am very good.)
Form a Question in Chinese by replacing the unknown information in a statement with a question word.
Who are you? (In Chinese, it becomes "You are WHO?")
你是谁？(nǐ shì shuí?)
他是谁？
这是谁？
谁是你的老师？
谁是王小文？
What is this? (In Chinese, it becomes "This is WHAT?")
这是什么？(zhè shì shén me?)
那是什么？
你的名字是什么？
他的名字是什么？
Which one is David White?
哪个是白大卫？(nǎ gè shì bái dà wèi)
哪个是你的老师？
Where is she? (In Chinese, it becomes "She at WHERE?")
她在哪儿？(tā zài nǎ er?)
你在哪儿？
Usually “am/is/are” are translated into "是".
However, in this particular phrase, i.e. when asking ”where is something”, use the set phrase “Subject+在哪儿”.
在zài means on/at, and is only used in this phrase在哪儿to mean “at where”.
How old is it? (In Chinese, "It how many years old?")
它几岁？(tā jǐ suì?)
他几岁？
白玛丽几岁？
你的同学李大中几岁？
Usually “am/is/are” are translated into "是".
However, in this particular phrase, i.e. when asking ”How old is someone”, use the set phrase “Subject+几岁？”.
几 means how many, and is only used in the phrase几岁to mean “how many years old”.
Similarly, when answering the questions about age, follow the structure "Subject + number 岁。"
For example, "Mary White is 16 years old." should be
白玛丽 十六 岁。 (是 is not used in the translation.)