Build a first conversation from a greeting, your name and one question. Start with two Mandarin phrases, then add the others when you need them.
An introduction, not your life story
You meet someone at a language exchange. You want to say more than hello, but your full autobiography can wait. So can the story about your cat. Give your name and leave a little room for the other person to reply.
This guide uses Mandarin and simplified Chinese characters. It is a starting point for a straightforward introduction, not a script for every social setting. Begin with 你好 and 我叫…, then add a question.
Six phrases for meeting someone
| Mandarin | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 你好！ | Nǐ hǎo! | Hello! |
| 我叫…… | Wǒ jiào… | My name is… |
| 你叫什么名字？ | Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi? | What's your name? |
| 很高兴认识你。 | Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ. | Nice to meet you. |
| 我在学中文。 | Wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén. | I'm learning Chinese. |
| 谢谢！ | Xièxie! | Thank you! |
Put your usual name after 我叫…. You do not need to choose a Chinese name for this exercise. 你叫什么名字？ is a direct way to ask a name; formal settings may call for more careful forms of address.
Use 很高兴认识你 when meeting someone. It is not something to repeat every time you see the same friend. 我在学中文 tells the listener that you are learning without claiming to speak fluently.
Practise the sounds, not English spelling
Pinyin is a pronunciation guide, not English spelling. Listen to a Mandarin recording and copy the whole expression, including its rhythm and tones. The MIT materials linked below offer further listening and study resources.
We show the underlying tones: nǐ hǎo has two third-tone marks, but the first becomes a rising tone in speech. Unmarked syllables, such as the second syllable of xièxie, have a neutral tone in these examples. Avoid giving every syllable English-style stress.
Put the phrases together
你好！我叫 Ana。你叫什么名字？
Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ jiào Ana. Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
Hello, my name is Ana. What's your name?
我叫 Ming。很高兴认识你。
Wǒ jiào Ming. Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ.
My name is Ming. Nice to meet you.
很高兴认识你。我在学中文。
Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ. Wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén.
Nice to meet you. I'm learning Chinese.
Ana and Ming are example names. Use your own name and practise both roles. Next time, start with the question so you are choosing a phrase for a purpose rather than relying on a memorised order.
Your turn: three small situations
Cover the table and say an answer before opening each solution. These are simple options; other answers can work too.
1. You arrive at a language exchange. Say hello and give your name.
你好！我叫……
Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ jiào…
2. You are chatting with someone who has not told you their name. Ask for it.
你叫什么名字？
Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?
3. Explain that you are learning Chinese.
我在学中文。
Wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén.
Spend two or three minutes trying once with the text, once without it and once with the roles reversed. If one phrase is difficult, return to that phrase. Try recalling it tomorrow; all six do not have to fit into one session.
Take the next phrase into real life
Levelingua helps you learn real expressions, combine them and put them into practice. Choose English as your starting language and Chinese as your learning language. These examples were created for this guide; they are not a list from a particular app lesson.
Sources and resources
The exercises and routines in this guide are suggestions. Adapt them to your level and the time you have.
Could we explain something better? Write to info@levelingua.com.
