Career Magazine

089: How to Express Your Abilities in Mandarin Chinese

By Learnmandarinnow

We all have certain talents, and are either very good or not so good at them. Or maybe we can have a skill we can pass on or teach to others. Find out how to discuss some of your abilities with friends or colleagues.

In this Podcast, you will learn:

(1) To talk about playing a sport with some colleagues

(2) How to offer to teach someone else a sport

In the office, two people are chatting about playing badminton at the weekend:

A: 小王,你这周六有空么?Xiǎo wáng, nǐ zhè zhōu liù yǒu kòng me?

Wang: Do you have time this Saturday?

B: 有空呀!怎么了?Yǒu kòng ya! Zěnmeliǎo?

Yes, why?

A: 我约了几个同事周六一起打羽毛球。你也一起来吧!你会打么?Wǒ yuēle jǐ gè tóngshì zhōu liù yīqǐ dǎ yǔmáoqiú. Nǐ yě yī qǐlái ba! Nǐ huì dǎ me?

I asked a few colleagues to play badminton on that day. You should join us. Can you play?

B: 我会。但是…我打得不好。Wǒ huì. Dànshì…wǒ dǎ dé bù hǎo.

I can, but… I am not really good at it.

A: 嗨呀,没关系!我羽毛球打得好啊,我可以教你啊!Hāi ya, méiguānxì! Wǒ yǔmáoqiú dǎ dé hǎo a, wǒ kěyǐ jiào nǐ a!

Aiya, it’s okay. I can play quite well, so I can teach you.

B: 真的?那太好了。Zhēn de? Nà tài hǎole.

Really? That’s great!

Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:

小王: Wang can mean Mr Wang or Miss Wang and refers to young people whose last name is Wang.

周六:Saturday

有空:available

怎么了:What is happening?

In the conversation, it implies: why do you ask?

约了:have appointment with somebody

Eg.

我约了我朋友:I have an appointment with my friend

我约了几个同事:I have appointment with some colleagues

一起:together

打羽毛球:play badminton

也:too , as well

一起来:come together

你会打吗:can you play?

我会:I can

但是:but

我打得不好:I cannot play very well

我可以教你:I can teach you

真的:really?

那太好了:That’s great!

Cultural note: Badminton is one of the most popular sports in China. It’s also a popular team-building event in many companies. Besides badminton, table tennis is also popular amongst different ages in the country.

Mandarin Chinese learning resources we recommend

Keats Chinese School
Keats Chinese School, which was founded in 2004, is one of the top Mandarin Chinese language schools in China, offering both one-on-one immersion Mandarin courses and small group Chinese classes. Located in Kunming, Keats develops personalised exercises and materials for students to meet their learning goals and requirements and can arrange a student visa for its 16 week course. Why not try one of their highly recommended courses?


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