Course in Modern Mandarin Chinese

Lesson 8 Workbook 123

3. Pronunciation challenge

3.1. Common sayings

Practice saying each one until you can repeat it perfectly three times in a row at normal speed.

a. wJ yán liù sè colorful

b. yC shí èr niFo kill two birds with one stone

c. qC zuH bA shé everyone talking at once and offering their opinions

d. yC xCn yC yì wholeheartedly

e. sì hFi yC jiA united as one

3.2. Tongue twister

Learn this tongue twister one line at a time. Don’t give up until you can say each line without
making any errors.

JiJ ge jiJmí Nine Wine-Lovers

JiJyuè jiJ，jiJ ge jiJmí hBzuì jiJ。 On September 9th, nine wine-lovers got drunk on

wine.

JiJ ge jiJbBi jiJ bBi jiJ， Nine wine cups, nine cups of wine,

jiJ ge jiJmí hB jiJ kIu。 Nine wine-lovers drank nine cupfuls.

JiJ bBi jiJ, jiJ jiJ kIu， Nine cups of wine, nine cupfuls,

hBbà jiJ ge jiJmí zuì le jiJ。 When they finished drinking, the nine wine-

lovers were drunk.

3.3. The Happy Birthday Song Zhù nH shBngri kuàilè

In China, it is becoming common to sing the Happy Birthday Song to wish someone a
happy birthday. You know the tune, so learn the words and sing along!

Zhù nH shBngri kuàilè。 Happy birthday to you

Zhù nH shBngri kuàilè。 (Literally: Wishing you a happy birthday.)

Zhù nH shBngri kuàilè。

Zhù nH shBngri kuàilè。

 Structure drills 

1.  Counting days, weeks, months, years (Use and Structure note 8.1)

You will hear a phrase indicating the number of days, weeks, months, or years, followed by
another time word. Restate the phrase with the new time word, as in the example.