Chinese Without a Teacher (1922)/Read and Writing

1941791Chinese Without a Teacher — Read and Writing1922Herbert Allen Giles

READ AND WRITING.

[Those who wish to make real progress should now engage a Teacher. Chinese cannot be self-taught.]

Has the teacher come ? 先生來了沒有 She-enn-shung li-law mayo.
He has come 來了 Li-law.
Ask him to come 請他過來 Ch'ing t'ah kwo-li.
How - do - you - do, Sir? 先生好啊 She-enn-shung how-ah?
I want to read 我要念書 Waw yow ne-enn shoo.
What books do you want to read, Sir? 閣下要念甚麼書 Kaw-seeah yow ne-enn shummo shoo.
I want to read Chinese books. 要念中國書 Yow ne-enn Choong-kwo shoo.
What book is this? 這是甚麼書 Chay shirt shummo shoo?
This book is difficult to understand 這個書難懂 Chayka shoo nahn toong.
Shall we read the Trimetrical Classic? 念三子經好不好 Ne-enn Sahn dza Ching, how poo how?
Have you a Dictionary ? 有字典沒有 Yo dzer-te-enn mayo.
I want to buy one 要買一個 Yow me ee-kaw.
You buy one for me 你給我買 Nee kay waw mi.
Chinese characters are difficult to write 中國字不好寫 Choong kwo dzer poo how seeay.
I can't write 我不會寫 Waw poo hooey seeay.
Please teach me 請你教我 Ch'ing nee cheeow waw.
This pen is not good 這的筆不好用 Chayka pee poo how yoong.
Tell the boy to buy a cake of ink 呌跟班的買一塊墨 Cheeow kunpahnty mi ee-k'wi maw.
Are you coming to-morrow ? 你明天來不來 Nee ming t'e-enn li poo li.
I shall not read to-morrow 明天不念書 Ming t'e-enn poo ne-enn shoo.