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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Grammar

Asking about and describing characteristics

N + 怎么样？ / N + 很 + tính từ

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.