As the new semester in China officially kicks off on September 1st, there’s no better time to equip yourself useful Chinese phrases for student.

This week, learn 7 useful phrases you might need when attend a Chinese language class.

Read an article, learn how to say “Hello” in Chinese, and use these greeting phrases when meeting someone — your Chinese teacher, for example.

7 Useful Phrases for Chinese Language Student

01. I’m ready to start a class

As a class is about to start, you can use this phrase to inform your teacher that you are prepared:

我准备好上课了。
Wǒ zhǔnbèi hǎo shàng kè le.
I am ready to start a class.

NOTE
The structure “准备好 + Verb/Action” is used to indicate that the subject has completed the necessary preparations for the mentioned action. 好 (hǎo) here adds the nuance of being “well” or “properly” prepared, emphasizing a state of readiness.

02. Can you speak a little slower?

If you find the need for the teacher to speak a little slower, you can employ the following expression:

请说慢一点。
Qǐng shuō màn yīdiǎn.
Please, speak a little slower.

NOTE
Adding “一点” helps to make the request more polite, as it indicates that you’re not demanding a significant change in speed.

03. Could you repeat, please?

If you didn’t catch or understand clearly the first time, you can politely ask a teacher to say one more time:

请再说一遍。
Qǐng zài shuō yí biàn.
Could you repeat, please?

This phrase literally translates as “please-again-speak-once”. Use it when you wish for someone to repeat what they’ve just spoken.

NOTE
一遍 (yí biàn) signifies “once” or “one time”, and is used to indicate the frequency or repetition of an action. It’s often paired with verbs to quantify how many times an action has been done. Here are a few more examples of its usage:

听一遍。
Tīng yí biàn.
Listen once.

练习一遍。
Liànxí yí biàn.
Practice once.

04. Could you give me an example?

The most effective approach for learning new vocabulary is to employ it within real-life contexts. If you want to know how to use a new word in real life, you can ask:

你可以给我一个例子吗？
Nǐ kěyǐ gěi wǒ yí gè lì zi ma?
Could you give me an example?

05. I have a question / I don’t have any questions

During the class, if you have any questions for the teacher, you can say:

我有一个问题。
Wǒ yǒu yí gè wèntí.
I have a question.

If the content of the class is clear to you and you have no questions, let a teacher know it by saying:

我没有问题。
Wǒ méi yǒu wèntí.
I don’t have any questions.

06. What does this word mean?

While learning Chinese, you’ll encounter a realm of new vocabulary. If you’ve learned a new word but don’t clearly understand the meaning, you can ask a teacher:

老师, XX是什么意思?
Lǎoshī, XX shì shénme yìsi?
Teacher, what does XX mean?

NOTE
什么意思 (shénme yìsi) is a common phrase that translates to “What does it mean?” or “What’s the meaning?” It’s a straightforward way to inquire about the meaning of something in conversation.

07. I understand now. Thanks!

我明白了。谢谢！
Wǒ míngbai le. Xièxie!
I understand now. Thanks!

明白 (míngbai) means “to understand”, “to get (the meaning)”.

Take It Further

Remember to incorporate these phrases into your practice and make the most out of them. Wishing you the best of luck in your Chinese learning journey – keep up the dedicated practice!

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