iNtrodUCtioNS
23.2
23.2 Sample introductions
The following conversations illustrate informal and formal introductions. It is appropriate to
include information about a person’s work or field of study in an introduction. Following the
conversations are the Mandarin terms for many common occupations and fields of study.
Conversation 1 (neutral level of formality)
A: 这是李小姐，我的同学。她学地质学。
這是李小姐，我的同學。她學地質學。
Zhè shì Lǐ xiǎojie, wǒ de tóngxué. Tā xué dìzhìxué.
这是我哥哥，张大年。他学语言学。
這是我哥哥，張大年。他學語言學。
Zhè shì wǒ gēge, Zhāng Dànián. Tā xué yǔyánxué.
This is Miss Li, my classmate. She studies geology.
This is my older brother, Zhang Danian. He studies linguistics.
B: 你好。
Nǐ hǎo.
Hello.
C: 你好。
Nǐ hǎo.
Hello.
Conversation 2 (more formal)
A: 我给你们介绍介绍，这位是唐教授。这位是从美国来的司密斯先生。
我給你們介紹介紹，這位是唐教授。這位是從美國來的司密斯先生。
Wǒ gěi nǐmen jièshào jièshào, zhè wèi shì Táng jiàoshòu. Zhè wèi shì cóng
Měiguó lái de Sī Mìsī xiānsheng.
Allow me to introduce the two of you. This is Professor Tang. This is Mr. Smith
from America.
B: 久仰，久仰。
Jiǔ yǎng, jiǔ yǎng.
I have wanted to make your acquaintance for a long time now.
Conversation 3 ( formal)
A: 这位是有名的音乐家，马友友，这位是名导演，张艺谋。
這位是有名的音樂家，馬友友，這位是名導演，張藝謀。
Zhè wèi shì yǒumíng de yīnyuè jiā, Mǎ Yǒu-yǒu, zhè wèi shì míng dáoyǎn,
Zhāng Yìmóu.
This is the famous musician Ma You-you. This is the famous film director
Zhang Yimou.
B: 久仰大名。
Jiǔ yǎng dàmíng.
I have heard your name and have wanted to meet you for a long time.
C: 彼此，彼此。
Bícǐ, bícǐ.
The feeling is mutual. (in reply to someone well known)
