dear god: please never let my chinese class go to china

[cadeyrn]

Teacher: Xiang can only be used with verbs. Wo xiang kan shu. I like to read books. Yao can be used with verbs or nouns. Wo yao he cha, I want to drink tea, or wo yao yi bei cha, I want a cup of tea.
Student: Can you also use xihuan?
Teacher: No, xihuan expresses feelings, not desires. So you could say, wo xihuan ni -- I like you -- but it would be

Comments

[lady_isabella]

Whenever I start to learn a new foreign language that I actually intend to use in the nation where it is commonly spoken, I make a point of memorizing this phrase: "I cannot speak [foreign language]; can you speak English?" Currently, I can say this handy statement/question in Spanish, French, Italian, German, Korean and Japanese.

Of course, the second most important question to know how to say is "Where is the toilet?" -- but this becomes tricky, because you have to know enough of the language to understand directions if there isn't a map showing the restrooms' locale, or if the person you've just asked doesn't intend to personally escort you there.