Simplified Chinese - Lesson 2 of 156: Greetings Openings

1. Reading + Listening Practice

Hear core phrases, repeat aloud.

叫我___吧

Jiào wǒ ___ ba.

Call me ___.

Meaning: Call me ___.

When to use: Use this to tell someone the name you prefer — casual but natural.

Tip: Beginners sometimes say 我叫... (Wǒ jiào...) in places where 叫我...吧 feels friendlier; both work but 叫我...吧 is more casual and conversational.

你可以叫我李梅吧。

Nǐ kěyǐ jiào wǒ Lǐ Méi ba.

You can call me Li Mei.

叫我安娜吧，我比较喜欢这个名字。

Jiào wǒ Ān nà ba, wǒ bǐjiào xǐhuān zhège míngzi.

Call me Anna — I prefer that name.

你会说英语吗

Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma?

Do you speak English?

Meaning: Do you speak English?

When to use: Ask this early when you need to find a shared language; useful in travel or service settings.

Tip: Some learners drop 会 (huì) and say 你说英语吗？ — it's understandable, but 你会说英语吗？ is the most natural way to ask ability.

你会说英语吗？我想用英语问路。

Nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma? Wǒ xiǎng yòng Yīngyǔ wèn lù.

Do you speak English? I want to ask for directions in English.

请问你会说英语吗？我需要一些帮助。

Qǐngwèn nǐ huì shuō Yīngyǔ ma? Wǒ xūyào yìxiē bāngzhù.

Do you speak English? I need some help.

见到你真高兴

Jiàn dào nǐ zhēn gāoxìng.

Good to see you.

Meaning: Good to see you.

When to use: Say this when you meet someone you know or when you're happy to meet them.

见到你真高兴，我好久没见你了。

Jiàn dào nǐ zhēn gāoxìng, wǒ hǎojiǔ méi jiàn nǐ le.

Good to see you — I haven't seen you in a long time.

见到你真高兴，今天有时间一起喝咖啡吗？

Jiàn dào nǐ zhēn gāoxìng, jīntiān yǒu shíjiān yìqǐ hē kāfēi ma?

Good to see you — do you have time for coffee today?

你呢

Nǐ ne?

And you?

Meaning: And you?

When to use: Use this to quickly return a question or interest back to the other person.

我很好，你呢

Wǒ hěn hǎo, nǐ ne?

I'm good — and you?

我在学中文，你呢？

Wǒ zài xué Zhōngwén, nǐ ne?

I'm studying Chinese — and you?

嗨

Hāi.

Hey.

Meaning: Hey.

When to use: A casual, friendly opening used among peers or in informal settings.

嗨，你好！今天怎么样？

Hāi, nǐ hǎo! Jīntiān zěnmeyàng?

Hey, hi! How's today?

嗨，早上好，咖啡要一杯吗？

Hāi, zǎoshang hǎo, kāfēi yào yì bēi ma?

Hey, good morning — want a coffee?

请问你是___吗？

Qǐngwèn nǐ shì ___ ma?

Are you ___?

Meaning: Are you ___?

When to use: Politely check identity on the phone or when confirming a person's name or role.

请问你是王先生吗？

Qǐngwèn nǐ shì Wáng xiānsheng ma?

Excuse me, are you Mr. Wang?

请问你是这位老师吗？我想问一些问题。

Qǐngwèn nǐ shì zhè wèi lǎoshī ma? Wǒ xiǎng wèn yìxiē wèntí.

Excuse me, are you this teacher? I have some questions.

Simplified Chinese - Greetings Openings

1. Reading + Listening Practice

2. Conversational Listening Practice

3. Guided Practice

Which phrase means 'And you?'

Which phrase would you use to ask if someone speaks English?

If you meet a friend and are happy to see them, which phrase fits?

Which phrase is polite to use when confirming someone's identity on the phone?

At the airport, Anna asks, 'Do you speak English?'

When he sees an old friend, David says 'Good to see you.'

Someone asks 'Do you like Chinese?' You can answer 'I do — and you?'

Match the core phrases

Match the extra phrases

4. Speaking Practice