那个用普通话怎么说
Nàge yòng Pǔtōnghuà zěnme shuō
In Mandarin, the phrase "how to say that in Mandarin" is expressed as 那个用普通话怎么说 (Nàge yòng Pǔtōnghuà zěnme shuō).
This phrase is used when you have a specific word or concept in mind and want to know its Mandarin equivalent.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 那个 (that), 用 (use/using), 普通话 (Mandarin), 怎么 (how) and 说 (say/speak).
Which one should you use?
You may also hear 那个用中文怎么说, which means "How to say that in Chinese". While 中文 (Zhōngwén) is a common alternative, it often refers more broadly to the written language compared to 普通话 (Pǔtōnghuà), which specifically refers to Mandarin.
How does it change in a sentence?
This phrase functions as a question and is often used with a rising intonation at the end.
How do you pronounce it?
Nàge yòng Pǔtōnghuà zěnme shuō
Did you know?
- The word 那个 (nàge) is often used as a filler word, similar to how English speakers use 'um' or 'uh' while thinking of what to say next.
- If you are in Taiwan, you are more likely to hear the word 国语 (Guóyǔ), which translates to 'national language', instead of 普通话 (Pǔtōnghuà).
- The term 普通话 (Pǔtōnghuà) literally translates to 'common speech'. It was standardized to create a unified linguistic bridge across a country with hundreds of different dialects.
Examples in context
- 你知道用汉语怎么说“thank you”吗？Do you know how to say 'thank you' in Chinese?
- 那个用普通话怎么说？nàge yòng pǔtōnghuà zěnme shuō?How do you say that in Mandarin?
- 我想知道那个用普通话怎么说。wǒ xiǎng zhīdào nàge yòng pǔtōnghuà zěnme shuō.I want to know how to say that in Mandarin.
Example conversation
A student is asking a classmate for help with a vocabulary word.
- 欣怡 Xinyi浩然，那个用普通话怎么说？hàorán, nàge yòng pǔtōnghuà zěnme shuō?Haoran, how do you say that in Mandarin?
- 浩然 Haoran你说的是‘苹果’吗？nǐ shuō de shì 'píngguǒ' ma?Are you talking about 'apple'?
- 欣怡 Xinyi对，谢谢你。duì, xièxiè nǐ.Yes, thank you.
- 浩然 Haoran不客气，欣怡。bù kèqì, xīnyí.You're welcome, Xinyi.
