In this lesson you are going to learn the fundamental expressions used when you are at banks, such as deposit/withdraw money, different kinds of currencies, etc.
Please translate the following phrases into Chinese:
At the bank
Go to the bank
Go to the Citi bank
Want to go to the Citi bank
Go to the bank of China
Would like to go to the bank of China
USD
RMB
GBP
EUR
The exchange rate between USD and RMB
Service fee
Without service fee
Account
Open an account
Close an account
Current deposit account
Term deposit account
Current deposit account or term deposit account?
Deposit or withdraw money?
Interest rate or exchange rate?
Citibank or Bank of America?
Is that an ATM?
Exchange some money
Deposit some money
Withdraw some money
Want to deposit some money
Want to go to Bank of America to deposit some money
Would like to withdraw some money
Would like to go to bank of China to withdraw some money
－－－－
ANSWER KEYS:
At the bank 在银行zài yínháng
Go to the bank 去银行qù yínháng
Go to the Citi bank 去花旗银行qù huāqí yínháng
Want to go to the Citi bank 要去花旗银行 yào qù huāqí yínháng
Go to the bank of China 去中国银行qù zhōngguó yínháng
Would like to go to the bank of China 想去中国银行xiǎng qù zhōngguó yínháng
USD 美元／美金měiyuán/měijīn
RMB 人民币rénmínbì
GBP 英镑 yīngbàng
EUR 欧元ōuyuán
The exchange rate between USD and RMB 美金和人民币的汇率měijīn hé rénmínbì de huìlǜ
Service fee 服务费 fúwù fèi
Without service fee 没有服务费méiyǒu fúwù fèi
Account 账户zhànghù
Open an account 开一个帐户kāi yīgè zhànghù
Close an account 关一个帐户guān yīgè zhànghù
Current deposit account 活期账户huóqī zhànghù
Term deposit account 定期账户dìngqī zhànghù
Current deposit account or term deposit account? 活期账户还是定期账户？ Huóqī zhànghù háishì dìngqī zhànghù?
Deposit or withdraw money? 存钱还是取钱？Cún qián háishì qǔ qián?
Interest rate or exchange rate? 利率还是汇率？Lìlǜ háishì huìlǜ?
Citibank or Bank of America? 花旗银行还是美国银行？Huāqí yínháng háishì měiguó yínháng?
Is that an ATM? 那是一个取款机吗？Nà shì yīgè qǔkuǎn jī ma?
Exchange some money 换钱huànqián
Deposit some money 存钱cún qián
Withdraw some money 取钱qǔ qián
Want to deposit some money 要存一些钱yào cún yīxiē qián
Want to go to Bank of America to deposit some money 要去美国银行存钱 yào qù měiguó yínháng cún qián
Would like to withdraw some money 想取一些钱xiǎng qǔ yīxiē qián
Would like to go to bank of China to withdraw some money 想去中国银行取一些钱xiǎng qù zhōngguó yínháng qǔ yīxiē qián
We use 来 and 去 to describe the direction of a verb. 来 or 去. The most basic (and common) form of direction complement is formed by a verb and 来 or 去:Verb + 来 or 去. The most important thing to consider with direction complements is the position of the speaker:
If the action moves towards the speaker or comes closer in any way, use 来.
If the action moves away from the speaker or becomes more distant in any way, use 去.
Here are some examples:
Please filling the blanks by using 来 or 去.
我 在 楼上，请 你十分钟以后上_____。 I'm on the upper floor. Please come up in ten minutes.
在树上 玩 很 危险，你 快下_____! It's too dangerous to play in the tree! Come down!
你在楼上等我一下。我一会儿就 上_____找你。I'm on the lower floor. Please come down to me.
我在楼下，你赶快 下_____吧。I'm on the lower floor. Please come down to me.
里面 人太多了，你们 出_____透透气吧。There are too many people inside there.You guys need to get out and use some fresh air.
我们 在 里面 开会， 大家都 进_____吧。We are going to have a meeting inside.Please come in here.
他们 在 外面，咱们 出_____ 跟 他们 见面。They are outside. We should go out and meet them.
他 在 办公室里 等你，你 快进_____ 吧。He is waiting for you in his office.You can go in now.
你 什么时候 回_____ ? When are you coming back?
他 明天 一个人回_____ 。He is going back alone tomorrow.
你 过_____ 把你的东西收拾好。Come here and put away you own stuff.
我 看到 马路对面 新开了 一家 蛋糕店,就 走 过_____ 了。I saw a new cake shop on the other side of the road and then I went up to it.
美丽 is slightly more formal than 漂亮. 美丽 is usually used in writing; 漂亮 is informal, used in both writing and speaking. For example, 美丽 is better for sentences like "Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess...", while 漂亮 is more appropriate for "Jane, you look so beautiful today!" So if you translate them into English, 美丽 should be "beautiful", while 漂亮 is more like "pretty", "good-looking", or "beautifully executed". 美丽 can be used to describe everything that is beautiful, including abstract things and concrete ones; 漂亮 is usually connected with concrete objects.
西湖的春景十分美丽。
展览会里有一些美丽的油画。
王子爱上了一位美丽的少女。
这件外套很漂亮。
她不仅漂亮，而且善良。
干得漂亮(well done)
他说一口漂亮的英语(he speaks good English).
Note that in speaking, when you express that something is well done or somebody is really good at something, you can use 漂亮.
Please fill in the blanks by using 美丽 (Měilì) or 漂亮 (Piàoliang).
时间, 时刻, and 时候 are all associated with time but they are different in terms of meaning and usages. Today, we are going to distinguish the nuances among them.
时间 has more to do with concept of time
时间不够＝not enough time
看你有没有时间＝see if you have time or not
时候 refers to a time period. It can refer to an unspecified period of time, e.g. 小时候 -> when I was little.
你什么时候要走？= when are you leaving?
你几点要走？ = What time will you leave? （几点 is asking more at a specific time.)
我小的时候＝when i was young
时刻 also either means a point of time, "the time (of the day)", e.g. 5pm. "constantly" (typically as 时时刻刻).
Please fill in the blank by using 时间, 时刻, or 时候:
1. 他住在中国的_________常常来这家饭馆儿吃饭。
2. 你什么_________去学校？
3. 我_________都在想着这个问题。
4. 今天我很忙，恐怕没有_________和你去买东西了。
5. 哎呀，快一点儿，我们没有_________了。
6. 小_________，我和姥爷住在一起。
7. 现在是关键_________，你要坚持住呀。
8. 请你查查火车_________表，上海到重庆的列车什么_________开？
Please fill in the blank by using 几点 or 什么时候:
“现在_________？”“10点钟。” "What's the time?" "It's ten o'clock."
你_________完成工作？ What time do you finish work?
“我们_________送桌子最合适？”“哦，_________都行。” "What would be the best time of day for us to deliver the table?" "Oh, any time will be OK."
"如果..., 就..." is an often-used pattern that is utilized in the same way that "If..., then..." is in English. The structure is 如果 + Statement + 就 + Result.For example,
如果他今年找不到工作，他就打算回国。If he can not find a job this year, he will go back to his country.
如果今天下大雪，你就呆在家吧。If there is a big storm today, you'd better stay at home.
如果你去的话，请帮我向他问好。If you go there, please say hi to him for me.［Note that 如果 can be used to mean "if" all by itself, but it's often used together with the phrase 的话 and "就" is optional. The structure is 如果 + Statement + 的话, （就）Result ］
"要是..., 就..." (yàoshi..., jiù...) is one of several ways to convey "If... Then..." It is very similar to 如果..., 就... in usage and formality. However, it is important to note that 要是 is considered to be even more informal (and is usually left more to spoken Chinese) than the common 如果 and used more frequently in the northern areas of China. The structure is 要是 + Statement + 就 + Result. For example,
要是他不来，咱们就走吧。If he does not come, let's go.
要是你累了，就歇会儿吧。If you feel tired, you'd better take a break.
"假如..., 就..." (jiǎrú..., jiù...) is yet another way to express "If..., then..." in Chinese, but it is much more formal than 要是 or 如果 are (in both written and spoken Chinese). The structure is 假如 + Statement + 就 + Result. For example,
假如我是你，我就戒烟。If I were you, I would give up smoking.
假如你不努力，你就不能考上理想的大学。If you do not work hard, you can not go to an ideal university.
"假使..., 就..." (jiáshǐ..., jiù...) is another way to phrase "If..., then..." in Chinese, with this pattern being one of the most formal. An important note is that this pattern is usually only used in written formal Chinese.The structure is假使 + Statement + 就 + Result.For example,
假使您同意，我们可以马上签合同。If you agree, we can sign the contract immediately.
假使你违约，那就得交违约金。If you broke the contract, you had to pay the penalty.
Please use the patterns in this post to connect the following sentences to make logical statements.
“意思”的意思是什么意思？ Are you wondering what the meaning of the Chinese word “意思yì sī”? There are actually many 意思 yì sī of the word “意思yì sī”. Let's see the following examples:
1. It usually refers to meaning.
For example: 什么意思？Shén me yì sī? What does it mean?
你的意思是什么？ Nǐ de yì sīshì shén me? What do you mean?
2. Express one’s regrets.
For example: 不好意思。 Bù hǎo yì sī. I am sorry/ Excuse me.
You can use it when someone is in the way or to apologize.
3. Suggest someone is shy.
For example: 她不好意思。Tā bù hǎo yì sī. She is shy.
别不好意思。Bié bù hǎo yì sī. Don’t be shy!
4. Convey modesty and politeness.
For example: 怎么好意思(after received a gift)。Zhěn me hǎo yì sī.
I can’t come up with an English translation, because it actually means nothing, like a way of saying It is very nice of you or you are welcome.
5. Gift or any giving.
For example: 给，这是小意思。Gěi, zhè shì xiǎo yì sī.
Here you are, just something for you,
6. A piece of cake.
For example: 喝酒小意思。Hē Jiǔ xiǎo yì sī.
Drinking is just a piece of cake. You can put anything in front of “xiǎo yì sī” means it’s easy to you.
7. Show a tendency.
For example: 天有想要下雨的意思。Tiān yǒu xiǎng yào xià yǔ de yì sī.
It seems it’s going to rain soon.
8. Interesting
For example: 学中文有意思。Xué zhōng wén yǒu yì sī.
Studying Chinese is a lot of fun. The structure is :
Something plus 有意思（yǒu yì sī), implying something which is interesting.
9. Funny
For example: 这个人真有意思。Zhè gè rén yǒu yì sī.
This guy is very funny. When you put someone instead of something in front of 有意思（yǒu yì sī), it’s a description of people’s characteristic.
10. Likes someone
For example: 他对这个女孩有意思。Tā duì zhè gè nǚ hái yǒu yì sī. He cares for this girl. Hehehe, now do you know “意思yì sī”的意思是什么意思？I hope you find this post 很有意思 ：） Please check out this dialogue and interpret the meaning of 意思 in different contexts:
tīng shuō xiǎo wáng zhǎng gōng zī le ，dàn wǒ de gōng zī méi zhǎng tài méi yì sī le
Da Li：听说小王涨工资了，但我的工资没涨，太没意思了。
I heard that Xiao Wang's salary has gone up, but mine hasn't. It’s so frustrating.
nà nǐ men lǎo bǎn shí me yì sī ā yào bú nǐ gěi tā yì sī yì sī
Xiao Lin：那你们老板什么意思啊？要不你给他意思意思？
What’s the meaning behind your boss’s actions?
How about giving him something to help move things along?
nà wǒ duō bú hǎo yì sī ā
Da Li：那我多不好意思啊。
It would make me feel embarrassed.
bú hǎo yì sī wǒ suí biàn shuō shuō
Xiao Lin：不好意思，我随便说说。
Sorry, it was just a casual remark.
他做了一首诗。（做 means to write and compose in this case.）
晚安，做个好梦。
2. 办
e.g. 他今天出去办点儿事儿。办事（ban4 shi4）means settle something or issue.
他正在办公，请小声点儿。办公 means.doing work related to one's job position, not homework, not house work.
他去办签证了。He went to get a VISA.
请您在这儿办手续。办手续 means handling the procedures，etc。
3. 干
e.g.今天大家干得真不错。 The meaning of 干 is to do some task. It refers to the literal action of doing somethings, which is more colloquial and informal than 做。
他在干活儿，不能和你玩了。
你在干什么？我在干家务。
他干翻译工作干了几年了？(Here 干 means to be engaged in some work or to be in charge of something, like 他干过服务员。)
4. 搞
e.g.他搞这种工作很有经验。 搞 means to do or carry out something，如～卫生、～家务、～计划等。干 and 搞 are sometimes interchangeable，but 搞 has a wider range when referring to certain actions difficult to describe concretely， 如搞对象、搞运动等. In these cases, 搞 means "to engage in" and "to take part in" and it can not be replaced by 干.
e.g.他朋友是搞体育工作的。 搞 means to be engaged in a certain type of work，如～生产、～艺术等。The difference between 干 and 搞 is that 干 implies taking some positions, while 搞 does not.
e.g.他搞到了两张足球票。 Here 搞 indicates to manage to get，如～水、～钱、～汽车等。干 has no such meaning。
5. 弄
e.g.他家里弄得很整洁。 弄 means to do something，如～饭、～菜、～卫生等。Both 弄 and 搞 can be used to refer to actions difficult to describe concretely, but sometimes their objects are different. 弄 in ～孩子、～电器 means to take care of and repair respectively.
e.g.他弄着了一套新房子。 Here 弄 means to manage to obtain，如～车、～票、～护照等。
e.g.他喜欢弄花儿养鸟。 Here 弄 refers to playing with something carelessly or playing a trick，如～手段等。
Summary
我还有几件事要办/做。 办 and 做 basically carry the same meaning and they are formal.
我还有几件事要干。干 is less formal than 办 and 做, but you can use it in most of the occasions.
他是搞计算机的。 Here this 搞 = 从事于（engaged in）computer business or industry but sometimes 搞 can express negative meanings like 他把工作搞得一团糟 he screwed his work, we usually use this as a fixed collocation: 搞得一团糟Gǎo dé yītuánzāo.
他马上就要弄好了，不要急。It is very casual to use 弄.
他把这个桌子弄坏了. You can see "弄坏了" as a fixed collocation, means broke something.
Practice: Please fill the blanks by using 做, 办, 干, 搞, or 弄. 1. 他现在没有在这里______公，他去______护照（hùzhào）了。 2. 他在______什么？他在图书馆______作业。 3. 他把今天的工作______完了。 4. 我把电脑______坏了。 5. 他们两个在______对象。 6. 我______到了两张电影票。 7. 她的男朋友是______化工的。 8. 哎呀，你怎么把这里______得乱七八糟 (luàn qī bā zāo)？ 赶紧去______干净。 9. 他肚子饿了，______了一点儿面包吃。 10. “你在______什么呢？” “我在______实验，等我______完了，我给你打电话。”
