Top 10 Chinese Phrases from Popular TV Shows

We always learn tons and tons of words when learning a language (Chinese in my case). So much so that at one point I thought I was turning into a walking talking dictionary (not really but you get the point). One thing that seemed super helpful was memorizing or understanding Chinese phrases as a whole. So although you need to breakdown the phrase and understand the words but it’s super useful knowing them as one so that your brain does not need to process through words in its mental dictionary.

So in this blogpost I’m going to be teaching you 10 Chinese phrases from episode 1 of an all time favourite Chinese drama ‘Put Your Head on My Shoulder‘.

1. 楼下了，等你 (Lóu xià le, děng nǐ)

I’m waiting for you downstairs.

Waiting for someone downstairs? Let them know! Here’s the breakdown of the phrase:

• 楼 (lóu): (n) building; storey/floor
• 下 (xià): (n) down; under
• 楼下(lóu xià): (n) downstairs
• 了(le): (aux) indicate completion of an action
• 等 (děng): (v) wait
• 你 (nǐ): (pron) you

2. 赶时间吗？(Gǎn shíjiān ma?)

Are you in hurry?

Here’s how you ask someone if they’re in a hurry:

• 赶 (gǎn): (v) hurry; rush
• 时间 (shíjiān): (n) time
• 吗 (ma): (aux) used at the end of a question

3. 我说话算话 (Wǒ shuōhuà suàn huà)

I keep my word.

Let people know you can be trusted and that you keep your word!

• 我 (wǒ): (pron) I; me
• 说话 (shuōhuà): (v) speak; talk
• 算话 (suàn huà): [of subject’s words] can be trusted

4. 下一位 (Xià yī wèi)

Next person.

You must have heard this phrase in chinese dramas when the next person in called in for an appointment.

• 下 (xià): (n) next
• 一 (yī): (number) one
• 位 (wèi): (cl) measure word for people

5. 请你自我介绍一下吧 (Qǐng nǐ zìwǒ jièshào yīxià ba)

Please introduce yourself.

You will hear someone use this when they’re asking for an introduction. Most likely in a formal setting like an interview.

• 请 (qǐng): (v) request; please
• 你 (nǐ): (pron) you
• 自我 (zìwǒ): (pron) self; oneself
• 介绍 (jièshào): (v) introduce
• 一下 (yīxià): (n) [used after a verb] to give it a go; once
• 吧 (ba): (aux) indicating a suggestion, request or mild command

6. 突然死机了 (Túrán sǐ jī le)

It suddenly crashed.

Use this phrase when your laptop crashes.

• 突然 (túrán): (adj) sudden; abrupt; unexpected
• 死机 (sǐ jī): (v) to crash [of a computer]
• 了 (le): (aux) indicate completion of an action

7. 有空请你吃饭 (Yǒu kòng qǐng nǐ chīfàn)

When free I’ll treat you to a meal.

Use this phrase to let someone know you wish to treat them to a meal. Or someone will use this phrase when they want to treat you to a meal instead!

• 有 (yǒu): (v) have; possess; own
• 空 (kòng): (n) free [or spare] time
• 请 (qǐng): (v) request; please
• 你 (nǐ): (pron) you
• 吃 (chī): (v) eat
• 饭 (fàn): (n) meal

8. 想吃什么，随便点 (Xiǎng chī shénme, suíbiàn diǎn)

Order whatever you want to eat.

Use this phrase to let someone know they can order whatever they’d like to eat

• 想 (xiǎng): (v) wish to; want to
• 吃 (chī): (v) to eat
• 什么 (shénme): (pron) what
• 随便 (suíbiàn): (v) as one wishes
• 点 (diǎn): (v) to order [food in a restaurant]

Note: this is one of the many uses of 点. The meaning here is with context to the phrase.

9. 手机也快没电了 (Shǒujī yě kuài méi diàn le)

My phone is going to die.

• 手机 (shǒujī): (n) mobile phone
• 也 (yě): (adv) for emphasis, often before a negative expression
• 快 (kuài): (adv) soon; be about to
• 没电 (méi diàn): dead [of batteries]
• 了 (le): (aux) indicate completion of an action

10. 接下来就交给我吧 (Jiē xià lái jiù jiāo gěi wǒ ba)

Leave the rest to me.

• 接下来 (jiē xià lái): next; following
• 就 (jiù): (adv) at once; just
• 交给 (jiāo gěi): to hand over
• 我 (wǒ): (pron) I; me
• 吧 (ba): (aux) indicating a suggestion, request or mild command

Note: 就 is extremely versatile. The meaning here is as per the context of the phrase.

These were the 10 Chinese Phrases from Put Your Head on My Shoulder. I hope you found these helpful. And if you did please share this with other learners as well. Happy Learning!