As various Shanghai Summer School Chinese language programs prepare to kick off, there's no better time to equip yourself with some essential Chinese phrases.

This week, learn seven useful phrases that you might need when attending a Chinese language class.

[Photo/VCG]

1. I'm ready to start a class

As a class is about to start, you can use this phrase to inform your teacher that you are prepared:

我准备好上课了。

wǒ zhǔn bèi hǎo shàng kè le.

I am ready to start a class.

Note: The structure "准备好 + Verb/Action" indicates that the subject has completed the necessary preparations for the mentioned action. 好 (hǎo) here adds the nuance of being "well" or "properly" prepared, emphasizing a state of readiness.

2. Can you speak a little slower?

If you need the teacher to speak a little slower, you can employ the following expression:

请说慢一点。

qǐng shuō màn yī diǎn.

Please speak a little slower.

Note: Adding "一点" helps to make the request more polite, as it indicates that you're not demanding a significant change in speed.

3. Could you repeat, please?

If you didn't catch or understand something clearly the first time, you can politely ask the teacher to repeat what he or she said:

请再说一遍。

qǐng zài shuō yī biàn.

Could you repeat (what you just said), please?

This phrase literally translates as "please-again-speak-once". Use it when you want someone to repeat what they just said.

Note: 一遍 (yī biàn) signifies "once" or "one time", and is used to indicate the frequency or repetition of an action. It's often paired with verbs to quantify how many times an action has been done. Here are a few more examples of its usage:

听一遍。

tīng yī biàn.

Listen once.

练习一遍。

liàn xí yī biàn.

Practice once.

4. Could you give me an example?

The most effective approach for learning new vocabulary is to employ it within real-life contexts. If you want to know how to use a new word in real life, you can ask:

你/您可以举一个例子吗？

nǐ/nín kě yǐ jǔ yī gè lì zi ma?

Could you give me an example?

5. I have a question / I don't have any questions

During the class, if you have any questions for the teacher, you can say:

我有一个问题。

wǒ yǒu yī gè wèn tí.

I have a question.

If the content of the class is clear to you and you have no questions, let a teacher know by saying:

我没有问题。

wǒ méi yǒu wèn tí.

I don't have any questions.

6. What does this word mean?

While learning Chinese, you'll encounter a lot of new vocabulary. If you've learned a new word but don't clearly understand the meaning, you can ask a teacher:

老师, XX是什么意思?

lǎo shī, XX shì shén me yì si?

Teacher, what does XX mean?

Note: 什么意思 (shén me yì si) is a common phrase that translates to "What does it mean?" or "What's the meaning?" It's a straightforward way to inquire about the meaning of something in conversation.

7. I understand now. Thanks!

我明白了。谢谢！

wǒ míng bai le. xiè xie!

I understand now. Thanks!

明白 (míng bai) means "to understand", or "to get (the meaning)".

Remember to incorporate these phrases into your practice and make the most out of them. Best of luck in your Chinese learning journey – keep up the dedicated practice!