Chinese · B2 · Unit 21
Formal and informal
正式和随意
By the end you can
- Switch between formal and informal language
- Write the same message in two styles
- Understand the tone of a message
Words and phrases
| Chinese | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 见家长 | (jiàn jiāzhǎng) meet your partner's parents and family | 下个月我要跟男朋友回老家见家长。 |
| 叔叔阿姨好 | (shūshu āyí hǎo) hello (to a friend's or partner's parents; lit. uncle, auntie) | 叔叔阿姨好，我是小林。 |
| 称呼 | (chēnghu) how to address someone; to address | 第一次见面，我不知道该怎么称呼他爷爷。 |
| 贵姓 | (guìxìng) your surname (polite: 您贵姓？) | 请问您贵姓？ |
| 冒昧 | (màomèi) presume (冒昧问一下: may I ask) | 冒昧问一下，您老今年高寿？ |
| 语气 | (yǔqì) tone | 你这封邮件的语气太生硬了。 |
| 书面语 | (shūmiànyǔ) written, formal language | “用餐”是书面语，平时说“吃饭”就行。 |
| 口语 | (kǒuyǔ) spoken, everyday language | 跟朋友聊天，用口语就行。 |
| 随便 | (suíbiàn) casual, relaxed | 跟同学说话可以随便一点儿。 |
| 客套话 | (kètàohuà) polite formulas, pleasantries | “改天请你吃饭”多半是客套话。 |
| 敬语 | (jìngyǔ) polite forms, honorifics | 中文的敬语没有日语那么多。 |
| 亲 | (qīn) dear (chatty, used by online shops) | 亲，这件还有货哦！ |
Then talk it through
Meeting your partner's grandparents for the first time. In the app you have this conversation out loud or typed, with the unit's goals to tick off and corrections at the end.