There is a different between formal and informal Mandarin Chinese. For examples:
1. Hello!
a. 你好(nǐhǎo) ! informal
Example:
你好(nǐhǎo)! 好久不见(hǎojiǔbujiàn)。你(nǐ)怎么样(zěnmeyàng)？
b. 您好(nínhǎo)！formal
Example:
您好(nínhǎo)! 我(wǒ)先(xiān)介绍(jièshào)下(xià)我的(wǒde)相关(xiāngguān)信息(xìnxī)。
2. Nice to meet you
a. 很(hěn)高兴(gāoxìng)认识(rènshi)你(nǐ)。Informal
b. 幸会(xìnghuì) more formal
3. What is your surname?
a. 你(nǐ)姓(xìng)什么(shénme)？informal
b. 您(nín)贵姓(guìxìng)？formal
4. Husband
a.老公(lǎogōng) informal
Example:
我(wǒ)老公(lǎogōng)喜欢(xǐhuan)吃(chī)辛辣(xīnlà)食物(shíwù)。
b. 先生(Xiānsheng) more formal
Example:
我(wǒ)先生(xiānsheng)的(de)帐户(zhànghù)上(shàng)输入(shūrù)一定(yīdìng)数量(shùliàng)的(de) 款项(kuǎnxiàng)。
5. Wife
a.老婆(lǎopó) informal
Example
我(wǒ)老婆(lǎopó)一直(yīzhí)想(xiǎng)离婚(líhūn)，但是(dànshì)我(wǒ)不(bù)同意(tóngyì)。
b.太太(tàitai) more formal
这(zhè)是(shì)您(nín)太太(tàitai)的(de)照片(zhàopiàn)吗(ma)？
6. Welcome
a. 欢迎(huānyíng) formal and informal
Example:
欢迎(huānyíng)来到(láidào)中国(Zhōngguó)。
b. 欢迎光临(huānyíngguānglín) formal
欢迎光临(huānyíngguānglín)，请问(qǐngwèn)您(nín)要(yào)些(xiē)什么(shénme)？
10. Parent
a. 爸妈(bàmā) informal
Example:
我(wǒ)和(hé)爸妈(bàmā)才(cái)到(dào)爷爷(yéye)家里(jiālǐ)。
b. 父母(fùmǔ) more formal
Example:
父母(fùmǔ)和(hé)家长(jiāzhǎng)该(gāi)如何(rúhé)处理(chǔlǐ)孩子(háizi)早恋(zǎoliàn)问题(wèntí)？
Would you like to start learning Chinese Online, from the comfort of your home, with an experienced teacher?
LingoLearn is an online Chinese school that offers beginners level Chinese courses, as well as intermediate and advanced level courses. Learn Chinese with our experienced teachers and excellent learning materials, in a state of the art virtual classroom!
Click here to receive details about our Chinese campus
Tweet
Share