Often, when people are talking about one subject, they will switch to another—and then, maybe even back again to the original subject. It’s very useful to be able to follow such changes—and also learn how to do this yourself.
In this Podcast, you will learn:
(1) How to change the topic of discussion from one subject to another
(2) To follow such changes when someone else talks about a new subject
Dialogue:
A: 李刚，我跟你说了么？我和刘伟领证了。Lǐgāng, wǒ gēn nǐ shuōle me? Wǒ hé liú wěi lǐngzhèngle.
Li Gang: Did I tell you? Liu Wei and I just got married.
B: 真的？恭喜你们啊！Zhēn de? Gōngxǐ nǐmen a!
Really? Congratulations!
A: 谢谢！Xièxiè!
Thank you!
B：准备什么时候摆喜酒啊？Zhǔnbèi shénme shíhòu bǎi xǐjiǔ a?
When are you going to have the wedding banquet?
A: 还没定，我们还在商量。对了，周六晚上我们请几个朋友吃个饭，我和刘伟希望你也能来。
Hái méi dìng, wǒmen hái zài shāngliáng. Duìle, zhōu liù wǎnshàng wǒmen qǐng jǐ gè péngyǒu chī gè fàn, wǒ hé liú wěi xīwàng nǐ yě néng lái.
We are still discussing. It’s to be confirmed. Oh right…, we are going to invite some friends over for a dinner this Saturday night. Liu Wei and I hope you can come.
B: 哦，好，我一定去。Ó, hǎo, wǒ yīdìng qù.
Yes, I will definitely be coming!
Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:
领证: literally means getting a certificate. It means a couple get legally married.
恭喜：congratulations
谢谢：thank you!
准备：ready
什么时候：when
还没定：to be confirmed
商量：discussing
对了： Oh right, is a common expression to change the topic in Mandarin Chinese.
请：invite
吃个饭：have a meal
希望：hope
也：too, as well
你能来：you can come
Cultural note: in China, when getting married, usually you will get a certificate, have a Chinese wedding ceremony and invite your family, friends and colleagues to a banquet. Today, more and more young married couples choose to travel rather than have a banquet, although most families still follow the tradition.
Mandarin Chinese learning resources we recommend:
d exercises and materials for students to meet their learning goals and requirements and can arrange a student visa for its 16 week course.