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What are some common questions to ask when meeting new people in Chinese visualisation

What are some common questions to ask when meeting new people in Chinese

学习中文的日常必备问题: What are some common questions to ask when meeting new people in Chinese
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When meeting new people in Chinese, it’s helpful to know some common questions that are culturally appropriate and effective for starting a conversation. These questions often revolve around personal introductions, background, and light, non-intrusive topics.

Basic Questions to Start a Conversation

  1. What is your name?

    • 你叫什么名字？(Nǐ jiào shénme míngzì?) – What’s your name? 1, 2, 6
    • 您贵姓？(Nín guì xìng?) – What is your honorable surname? (Formal) 6

  2. Where are you from?

    • 你是哪国人？(Nǐ shì nǎ guó rén?) – Which country are you from? 2, 3
    • 你是哪里人？(Nǐ shì nǎlǐ rén?) – Where are you from? (Region or city) 3, 14

  3. What do you do for work or study?

    • 你做什么工作？(Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?) – What do you do for a living? 1, 14
    • 你是学什么的？(Nǐ shì xué shénme de?) – What are you studying? (For students) 14

  4. How old are you?

    • 你多大了？(Nǐ duō dà le?) – How old are you? (Casual) 1, 5
    • 您多大年纪了？(Nín duō dà niánjì le?) – How old are you? (Polite/formal)

  5. Do you have any siblings or family?

    • 你有兄弟姐妹吗？(Nǐ yǒu xiōngdì jiěmèi ma?) – Do you have siblings? 1
    • 你的家乡在哪儿？(Nǐ de jiāxiāng zài nǎr?) – Where is your hometown? 5

Casual and Friendly Topics

  1. Have you eaten yet?

    • 你吃了吗？(Nǐ chī le ma?) – Have you eaten yet? (A common Chinese greeting akin to “How are you?”) 3, 10

  2. What are your hobbies or interests?

    • 你的爱好是什么？(Nǐ de àihào shì shénme?) – What are your hobbies? 6, 7

  3. Do you like pets or animals?

    • 你有宠物吗？(Nǐ yǒu chǒngwù ma?) – Do you have pets? 4

  4. What kind of food do you like?

    • 你喜欢吃什么菜？(Nǐ xǐhuān chī shénme cài?) – What kind of cuisine do you like? 5, 7

  5. What places have you visited in China (or elsewhere)?

    • 在中国你去过什么地方？(Zài Zhōngguó nǐ qùguò shénme dìfāng?) – Which places have you been to in China? 6

Cultural Tips

  • Avoid overly personal questions like salary (unless they ask first, as this can be common in China) or sensitive topics like politics.
  • Use polite forms like 您 (nín) instead of 你 (nǐ) when speaking with elders or in formal settings.
  • Showing interest in Chinese culture, food, or travel is always a good way to build rapport.

These questions can help establish a friendly and respectful connection when meeting someone new in a Chinese-speaking environment.

References

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