Lesson 1: Asking After Health and Inviting Someone to Sing

唱歌

Learn N + 怎么样？ / N + 很 + adjective and 想 + V + 一些 + O through Asking After Health and Inviting Someone to Sing.

8 words2 grammar points1 dialogues~11 min

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Vocabulary8 words

一些yìxiēMeasure word

1.some; a few
2.a bit (used after an adjective, meaning "a little more")

Examples

我有一些朋友。

wǒyǒuyìxiēpéngyou。

I have a few friends.

这个苹果大一些。

zhègepíngguǒdàyìxiē。

This apple is a bit bigger.

身体shēntǐNoun

1.body
2.health

Examples

他的身体很好。

tādeshēntǐhěnhǎo。

His health is very good.

你要注意身体。

nǐyàozhùyìshēntǐ。

You should take care of your health.

着zheParticle

1.a particle indicating a continuing statePlaced after a verb.
2.in the middle of (an ongoing action)

Examples

门开着。

ménkāizhe。

The door is open.

他笑着说。

tāxiàozheshuō。

He said with a smile.

话huàNoun

1.words; speech
2.language; dialect
3.to talk; to speak

Examples

你会说中国话吗？

nǐhuìshuōzhōngguóhuàma？

Can you speak Chinese?

我们去教室说话吧。

wǒmenqùjiàoshìshuōhuàba。

Let's go to the classroom to talk.

行xíngVerb

1.all right; okay
2.capable; impressive

Examples

这样行吗？

zhèyàngxíngma？

Is this okay?

行，没问题。

xíng，méiwèntí。

Okay, no problem.

记jìVerb

1.to remember; to memorize
2.to write down; to noteFor example: to take notes, a written account.

Examples

我会记住的。

wǒhuìjìzhùde。

I will remember it.

请记下这个电话号码。

qǐngjìxiàzhègediànhuàhàomǎ。

Please write down this phone number.

好听hǎotīngAdjective

1.pleasant to listen to (of sound or melody)Used to praise music, a voice, etc.
2.pleasant to the ear

Examples

这首歌很好听。

zhèshǒugēhěnhǎotīng。

This song sounds very nice.

你的声音很好听。

nǐdeshēngyīnhěnhǎotīng。

Your voice sounds very nice.

唱chàngVerb

1.to sing
2.to call out, to shout

Examples

我喜欢唱歌。

wǒxǐhuanchànggē。

I like to sing.

他唱得很好听。

tāchàngdehěnhǎotīng。

He sings very well.

Grammar

Asking about and describing characteristics

N + 怎么样？ / N + 很 + 形容词

Ask about a state with "N + 怎么样?"; describe with "N + 很 + adjective". Note: do NOT use 是 before an adjective.

你的身体怎么样？ - 我的身体很好。

nǐdeshēntǐzěnmeyàng？-wǒdeshēntǐhěnhǎo。

How is your health? - My health is good.

这个菜很好吃。

zhègecàihěnhǎochī。

This dish is very tasty.

Wanting to do something (a little)

S + 想 + V + 一些 + O

This sentence pattern combines the structure '想 + Verb' (to want to do something) with '一些' (a few, some). It expresses the wish to do something to a small degree, not a lot. '一些' usually comes after the verb and before the object.

我想喝一些水。

wǒxiǎnghēyìxiēshuǐ。

I want to drink a little water.

他想买一些杯子。

tāxiǎngmǎiyìxiēbēizi。

He wants to buy a few cups.

Dialogues

Asking After Health and Inviting Someone to Sing

Two friends, Xiao Lin and Xiao Nan, meet at a bar.

小南

小林，你最近身体怎么样？

xiǎolín，nǐzuìjìnshēntǐzěnmeyàng？

Xiao Lin, how has your health been lately?

小林

不太好，我有点儿不舒服。你呢？

bútàihǎo，wǒyǒudiǎnrbùshūfu。nǐne？

Not great, I feel a bit unwell. How about you?

小南

我的身体很好。你想喝点什么吗？

wǒdeshēntǐhěnhǎo。nǐxiǎnghēdiǎnshénmema？

My health is very good. Would you like something to drink?

小林

我想喝一杯茶。谢谢。

wǒxiǎnghēyìbēichá。xièxie。

I'd like a cup of tea. Thanks.

小南

这家酒吧的歌很好听。我们一会儿去唱一些歌，行不行？

zhèjiājiǔbādegēhěnhǎotīng。wǒmenyíhuìrqùchàngyìxiēgē，xíngbuxíng？

The songs at this bar sound really good. Shall we go sing a few songs in a bit?

小林

好啊，我也喜欢唱歌。

hǎoa，wǒyěxǐhuanchànggē。

Sure, I like singing too.

小南

好。你不舒服，我们先坐一会儿。

hǎo。nǐbùshūfu，wǒmenxiānzuòyíhuìr。

OK. You're not feeling well — let's sit for a bit first.

小林

行。我想再喝一些水，谢谢你。

xíng。wǒxiǎngzàihēyìxiēshuǐ，xièxienǐ。

Sure. I'd like a bit more water — thank you.