150: How to Talk About Dating in Mandarin Chinese

By Learnmandarinnow

If you are looking for a partner to date, maybe even marry, just how do you get started? Friends often like to match-make other friends as they think they know what type of man or woman is best for them. It’s something many people talk about, so ensure you can join in the conversation…

In this Podcast, you will learn:

(i) To talk about the type of partner who might suit you

(ii) How to discuss dating generally with a friend or colleague

Dialogue:

A woman wants to set up a date for her friend:

  1. Male
  2. Female

(在咖啡厅)

(zài kā fēi tīng)

(at the cáfe)

A:梅梅,我想帮你介绍个对象儿。你喜欢什么样的男生?

Méi mei, wǒ xiǎng bāng nǐ jiè shào ge duì xiàng er. Nǐ xǐ huān shén me yàng de nán shēng?

Mei Mei, I want to set you up with someone. What kind of men do you like?

B:唉呦(有些不好意思)。我喜欢诚实稳重的,有上进心的。最好有稳定收入的。

Āi yòu (yǒu xiē bù hǎo yì sī). Wǒ xǐ huān chéng shí wěn zhòng de, yǒu shàng jìn xīn de. Zuì hǎo yǒu wěn dìng shōu rù de.

Ah (shyly). I like men who are honest, prudent and self-motivated. It’s best to have someone with a stable income.

A:外貌方面呢?

Wài mào fāng miàn ne?

What about the looks?

B:嗯,我不太在乎外貌。个头比我高就行。长得不要歪瓜劣枣就行!

Ēn, wǒ bù tài zài hū wài mào. Gè tóu bǐ wǒ gāo jiù xíng. Zhǎng de bù yào wāi guā liè zǎo jìu xíng!

Eh, I don’t really care about it. As long as he is taller than me and doesn’t look too ugly!

Chinese words and phrases mentioned in this Podcast:

对象:someone’s boyfriend/girlfriend

诚实:honest

稳重:stable and prudent

上进心:self-motivated/desire to improve

帮你介绍个对象:introduce you to a boyfriend

男生:boy/man

稳定:stable

收入:income

外貌:look

方面:aspect/in terms of

在乎:care

个头/个子:height

就行:as long as

歪瓜劣枣:ugly

Cultural/Grammar note:

‘歪瓜劣枣’ literally means ‘cracked watermelon and broken jujube’ (or Chinese date). It is common in Chinese conversation expressing ‘ugly’ and ‘very bad looking’.

Mandarin Chinese learning resources we recommend:

Skritter allows you to learn to write Chinese characters quickly and effectively. You choose the vocabulary lists you wish to learn, set the pace, and Skritter will quiz you on reading, writing, tones and the pinyin of all the vocabulary you’re looking to master. Say goodbye to forgetting characters, making tone mistakes, and your piles of flashcards—and say 你好 to the right way in mastering Chinese characters—use Skritter, so much more than just a writing App!

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.