ABSTRACT
This chapter presents conversations in the Mandarin Chinese language based on common daily situations with their English translations. English translation enables to follow Chinese more closely. It comprises of few vocabulary, speech pattern and grammar sections. Under grammar part, passive topic, verbal measures, written style is discussed. Chinese verbs are indeterminate as to voice. People treats them as active in most cases because it has been clear that who is doing the action. 'verbal measures' is the way by which the limited expense of energy is measured. It has a dual function: it records occasions, and it denotes brevity or limited scope of action, when the effect is similar to reduplication of the verb. Second usage is especially common with bisyllabic verbs. In written style, the opening description in the Presentation passage is deliberately composed in a elevated style in order to give the student a taste of written Chinese.
