What Do You Mean? (你什​​么意思)

Working common phrases into your conversation skills is key for learning a new language. Consistently reading aloud, practicing character recognition, and speaking with the correct tones help you internalize these phrases. For beginner Chinese language students at the HSK 2 level, using phrases like 你 什么 意思 (nǐ shénme yìsi), which means “What do you mean?”, in daily conversations with Chinese speakers can greatly improve your language skills. This story focuses on helping you get comfortable with 你 什么 意思, showing its usage in different contexts and providing plenty of practice opportunities. This will build a strong foundation for more advanced conversations in Mandarin.

小明 有 一个 新 同学。 {Play}

新 同学 说 一点 汉语, 小明 说 汉语。 {Play}

他们 经常 不 懂 朋友 的 意思。 {Play}

同学 说:“我们 一起 玩!” {Play}

小明 说:“你 什么 意思?” {Play}

同学 笑 了,说:“玩 运动!” {Play}

小明 笑 了,说:“好,玩 运动!” {Play}

他们 一起 去 外面。 {Play}

同学 说:“我们 踢足球。” {Play}

小明 说:“你 什么 意思?” {Play}

同学 说:“我 想 说,但是 我 不 会 说 汉语。” {Play}

小明 笑 了,说:“没关系,我们 一起 学。” {Play}

同学 看 着 小明,说:“我 不 懂,你 什么 意思?” {Play}

小明 笑 了,说:“我 帮 你 学 汉语。” {Play}


小明 有 一个 新 同学。 {Play}

Xiǎomíng yǒu yī gè xīn tóngxué.

Xiaoming has a new classmate.

新 同学 说 一点 汉语,小明 说 汉语。 {Play}

Xīn tóngxué shuō yīdiǎn Hànyǔ, Xiǎomíng shuō Hànyǔ.

The new classmate speaks a little Chinese, Xiaoming speaks Chinese.

他们 经常 不 懂 朋友 的 意思。 {Play}

Tāmen jīngcháng bù dǒng péngyǒu de yìsi.

They often don’t understand the meaning of their friend’s words.

同学 说:“我们 一起 玩!” {Play}

Tóngxué shuō: “Wǒmen yīqǐ wán!”

The classmate said, “Let’s play together!”

小明 说:“你 什么 意思?” {Play}

Xiǎomíng shuō: “Nǐ shénme yìsi?”

Xiaoming said, “What do you mean?”

同学 笑 了,说:“玩 运动!” {Play}

Tóngxué xiào le, shuō: “Wán yùndòng!”

The classmate laughed and said, “Play sports!”

小明 笑 了,说:“好,玩 运动!” {Play}

Xiǎomíng xiào le, shuō: “Hǎo, wán yùndòng!”

Xiaoming laughed and said, “Okay, play sports!”

他们 一起 去 外面。 {Play}

Tāmen yīqǐ qù wàimiàn.

They went outside together.

同学 说:“我们 踢足球。” {Play}

Tóngxué shuō: “Wǒmen tī zúqiú.”

The classmate said, “We play soccer.”

小明 说:“你 什么 意思?” {Play}

Xiǎomíng shuō: “Nǐ shénme yìsi?”

Xiaoming said, “What do you mean?”

同学 说:“我 想 说,但是 我 不 会 说 汉语。” {Play}

Tóngxué shuō: “Wǒ xiǎng shuō, dànshì wǒ bù huì shuō Hànyǔ.”

The classmate said, “I want to say it, but I can’t speak Chinese.”

小明 笑 了,说:“没关系,我们 一起 学。” {Play}

Xiǎomíng xiào le, shuō: “Méiguānxi, wǒmen yīqǐ xué.”

Xiaoming laughed and said, “It’s okay, we’ll learn together.”

同学 看 着 小明,说:“我 不 懂,你 什么 意思?” {Play}

Tóngxué kàn zhe Xiǎomíng, shuō: “Wǒ bù dǒng, nǐ shénme yìsi?”

The classmate looked at Xiaoming and said, “I don’t understand, what do you mean?”

小明 笑 了,说:“我 帮 你 学 汉语。” {Play}

Xiǎomíng xiào le, shuō: “Wǒ bāng nǐ xué Hànyǔ.”

Xiaoming laughed and said, “I’ll help you learn Chinese.”