那个用中文怎么说
nàge yòng zhōngwén zěnme shuō
The English phrase "how to say that in Chinese" is translated into Chinese as 那个用中文怎么说 (nàge yòng zhōngwén zěnme shuō).
This phrase is a question used to ask for the translation of a specific word or phrase into the Chinese language.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase breaks down literally as 那个 (that), 用 (using), 中文 (Chinese), 怎么 (how) and 说 (to say).
Which one should you use?
You can change 那个 (that) to 这个 (this) to say 这个用中文怎么说 if you are pointing to an object or word immediately at hand. Additionally, replacing 中文 with 汉语 in the phrase 那个用汉语怎么说 shifts the focus from the general language or written language to the spoken linguistic system of Mandarin.
How does it change in a sentence?
Although the phrase 那个用中文怎么说 follows a statement structure, it functions as a question and is typically spoken with a rising intonation at the end.
How do you pronounce it?
nàge yòng zhōngwén zěnme shuō
Did you know?
- In some northern Chinese dialects, the phrase 那个 can sound like 'nèige', which can lead to confusion for English speakers who mistake it for a racial slur.
- The word 汉语 ('Han language') identifies the language by the dominant ethnic group, the 汉 ('Han'), rather than the name of the country.
- When asking 那个用中文怎么说, you might notice people use the word 那个 (nàge) as a filler, similar to how English speakers say 'um' or 'uh' while thinking.
Examples in context
- 我想知道那个用中文怎么说。Wǒ xiǎng zhīdào nàge yòng Zhōngwén zěnme shuō.I want to know how to say that in Chinese.
- 请问那个用中文怎么说？Qǐngwèn nàge yòng Zhōngwén zěnme shuō?Excuse me, how do you say that in Chinese?
Example conversation
A student is asking a classmate about a vocabulary word.
- 伟 Wei那个用中文怎么说？Nàge yòng Zhōngwén zěnme shuō?How do you say that in Chinese?
- 梓涵 Zihan那个词是“苹果”。Nàge cí shì “píngguǒ”.That word is 'apple'.
- 伟 Wei谢谢你的帮助。Xièxiè nǐ de bāngzhù.Thank you for your help.
- 梓涵 Zihan不客气。Bú kèqi.You're welcome.
