Useful Phrases in the Shanghai Dialect

Call me at 6 o’clock to-morrow morning.
明朝早晨六點鐘要呌我
Ming-tsau tsau-zung lok tien-tsoong iau kyau ngoo.

Go to the market early to-morrow morning.
明朝要早點到街上去
Ming-tsau iau tsau-tien tau ka-laung chi.

I want to take the accounts now.
現在要算賬
Yien-dze iau soen-tsang.

Your account is all right.
儂个賬勿錯 or 對个
Noong-kuh tsang ’veh tsho (or te kuh).

Your account has a mistake.
儂个賬勿對 or 有錯
Noong-kuh tsang ’veh te (or yeu tsho).

Your account is more than mine.
儂个賬比我多
Noong-kuh tsang pi ngoo too.

Your account is less than mine.
儂个賬此我少
Noong-kuh tsang pi ngoo sau.

I have already paid this.
第个賬我已經付拉哉
Di-kuh tsang ngoo i-kyung foo-la-tse.

I will pay you to-morrow.
明朝付儂
Ming-tsau foo noong.

Next week I will pay you.
下禮拜付儂
‘Au li-pa foo noong.

HOUSE BOY (西崽) and COOLIE (出點).

Light the lamp.
要點燈
Iau tien tung.

Call the cook.
呌大司務來
Kyau da-s-voo le.

Call the coolie.
呌出店來 (or 苦力)
Kyau tsheh-tien le (or Khoo-lih).

Call a ricksha.
呌一部東洋車來
Kyau ih-boo toong-yang-tsho le.

Set the table.
要擺檯子 (or 要預備檯子)
Iau ba de-ts (or Iau yui-be de-ts).

There are guests coming to-day for tiffin.
今朝有客人來吃中飯
Kyung-tsau yeu khak-nyung le chuh tsoong van.

To-day four guests come to dinner (evening meal).
今朝有四个客人來吃夜飯
Kyung-tsau yeu s-kuh khak-nyung le chuh ya-van.

Call an extra boy to help [you.]
要另外呌一个西崽來相帮
Iau ling-nga kyau ih-kuh si-tse le siang-paung.

Clean this room.
第間房子要收作乾淨
Di-kan vaung-ts iau seu-tsauh koen-zing.

Wash this floor.
第个地板要淨
Di-kuh di-pan iau zing.

Sweep this floor.
第个地板要掃
Di-kuh di-pan iau sau.

The door, windows, and base-board of this room I want you to wash.
第間房子裡个門窗咾跌脚板全要淨
Di-kan vaung-ts li-kuh mung, tshaung, lau tih-kyak-pan zen iau zing.

This is not clean; do it again.
第頭勿曾乾淨, 要再做
Di-deu ’veh-zung koen-zing, iau tse tsoo.

Use soap and brush it.
要用肥皂來刷
Iau yoong bi-zau le seh.

Don’t use a brush here.
第頭勿要用板刷
Di-deu ’veh iau yoong pan-seh.

You must scour the table.
檯子要擦
De-ts iau tshah.

Wipe the table.
檯子要揩
De-ts iau kha.

Bring a feather brush.
担雞毛撢帚來
Tan kyi-mau-toen-tseu le.

Dust the pictures.
晝圖要撢乾淨
Wo-doo iau toen koen-zing.

Use a cloth to dust the room.
第間房子要用布揩乾淨
Di-kan vaung-ts iau yoong poo kha koen-zing.

This cloth is dirty; you must wash it.
第个揩布齷齪, 要淨
Di-kuh kha-poo auh-tshauh, iau zing.

Dust (or clean) all things in this room.
第間房子裡个物事, 全要揩乾淨
Di-kan vaung-ts-li kuh meh-z, zen iau kha koen-zing.

Clean the windows.
玻璃窗要揩乾淨
Poo-li-tshaung iau kha koen-zing.

These curtains are dirty, change to clean ones.
第个窗帘齷齪, 要換乾淨个
Di-kuh tshaung-lien auh-tshauh, iau wen koen-zing-kuh.

Brush this table cover.
第个檯布要刷
Di-kuh de-poo iau seh.

Put these books in order.
第个書要擺好
Di-kuh su iau pa-hau.

Put these things in their proper place.
各樣物事, 要擺拉應該个地方
Kauh-yang meh-z iau pa la iung-ke-kuh di-faung.

Please come and help me.
請儂來相帮我
Tshing noong le siang-paung ngoo.

This box (trunk) I want taken over there.
第隻箱子要搬到伊頭去
Di-tsah siang-ts iau-pen tau i-deu chi.

Where are you?
儂拉那裡
Noong la ‘a-li?

If you want to go out, first tell me.
儂要出去, 先告訴我
Noong iau tsheh-chi, sien kau-soo ngoo.

Why are you so idle?
爲啥實蓋懶惰
We-sa zeh-ke lan-doo?

At the end of the month you can go.
做到月底儂可以停 (or 可以去)
Tsoo tau nyoeh-ti, noong khau-i ding (or khau-i chi).

If you go home, you must get me a substitute.
若是儂歸去, 要呌替工
Zak-z noong kyiu-chi, iau kyau thi-koong.

[We] want to use another boy.
再要用一个西崽
Tse iau yoong ih-kuh si-tse.

Can you get me a coolie?
儂可以尋 (or 呌) 一个苦力否
Noong khau-i zing (or kyau) ih-kuh khoo-lih va?

If you want to go (stop work) you must wait till the end of the month.
若是儂要停, 要做到月底
Zak-z noong iau ding, iau tsoo tau nyoeh-ti.

[If] you want to go (or stop work), you must wait till I find new man.
儂要停, 等我尋著新个人
Noong iau ding, tung ngoo zing-dzak sing-kuh nyung.

If you go now it is not convenient to pay your wages.
現在停, 勿便付儂工錢
Yien-dze ding, ’veh bien foo noong koong-dien.

[I] will pay at the end of the month.
到月底咾付儂
Tau nyoeh-ti lau foo noong.

[If you] go now I will cut your wages.
現在停, 我要齾儂工錢
Yien-dze ding, ngoo iau ngah noong koong-dien.

This cook is not a very good one.
第个大司務勿大好
Di-kuh da-s-voo ’veh da hau.

This coolie is also very lazy.
第个苦力也是懶惰
Di-kuh khoo-lih ‘a-z lan-doo.

I want to put up the stove for this room at once.
第間个火爐就裝起來
Di-kan kuh hoo-loo zieu tsaung-chi-le.

You must first brush it.
先要刷乾淨
Sien iau seh-koen-zing.

Brush these shoes.
第雙鞋子要刷
Di-saung ‘a-ts iau seh.

Brush these clothes and hang in the sun.
衣裳刷之咾晒拉日頭裡
I-zaung seh-ts lau so la nyih-deu li.

Be careful the wind does not blow them away.
當心勿要撥風吹脫
Taung-sing ’veh iau peh foong ths-theh.

Take this out and shake it [clean].
担出去抖抖乾淨
Tan tsheh-chi teu-teu koen-zing.

Open this bundle.
第个包要解開
Di-kuh pau iau ka-khe.

Wrap it up.
要包起來
Iau pau-chi-le.

Use a rope to tie this.
用繩梱起來
Yoong zung khwung-chi-le.

Buy some strong rope.
要買牢个繩
Iau ma lau-kuh zung.

Buy a basket (with string net on top).
賈一隻網籃
Ma ih-tsak maung-lan.

Put all the food into this basket.
吃个物事全擺拉第隻籃裡
Chuh-kuh meh-z zen pa-la di-tsak lan-li.

Buy me a foot-stove and some charcoal (balls).
買一隻脚爐咾幾个炭團
Ma ih-tsak kyak-loo lau kyi-kuh than-doen.

Roll up my bedding.
舖蓋打起來
Phoo-ke tang-chi-le.

Take this letter to...........
第封信送到...........
Di-foong sing soong tau.........

An answer is wanted.
要回信个
Iau we-sing kuh.

Go to the Chinese Imperial Post Office.
到郵政局去
Tau Yeu-tsung-jok chi.

Go to the Post Office for the mail.
到書信舘去担信來
Tau su-sing-kwen chi tan sing le.

Take this parcel to the Post Office.
第个包送到書信舘去
Di-kuh pau, soong tau su-sing-kwen chi.

Call a wheelbarrow and take these things to the steamer.
呌小車送第个物事到船上去
Kyau siau-tsho soong di-kuh meh-z tau zen laung chi.

Put camphor with the clothes.
衣裳裡要放樟腦
I-zaung-li iau faung tsaung-nau.

The answer says there are two books; why is there only one here?
回信話有兩本書, 現在只有一本, 啥緣故
We-sing wo yeu liang-pung su; yien-dze tsuh-yeu ih-pung, sa yoen-koo?

The chit book says there is an answer; where is it?
送信簿上寫明有回信, 拉那裡
Soong-sing-boo laung sia-ming yeu we-sing, la ‘a-li?

This letter is not mine; have you any other?
第封信勿是我个, 還有別个否
Di-fong sing ’veh-z ngoo-kuh; wan yeu bih-kuh va?

This is for the next house.
第个物事是隔壁人家个.
Di-kuh meh-z z kah-pih nyung-ka-kuh.

Call a man to put a new cover on this chair.
第隻椅子呌人來換新个裿布
Di-tsak iui-ts, kyau nyung le wen sing-kuh iui poo.

Get a new glass for this broken window.
窗上个碎玻璃要配新个
Tshaung-laung-kuh se poo-li iau phe sing-kuh.

Take this pass-book to the store and bring the things.
担第本簿子到店裏去, 拿物事來
Tan di-pung boo-ts tau tien-li chi, nau meh-z le.

Go and buy some bread tickets.
去買饅頭票子來
Chi ma men-deu phiau-ts le.

Take these tickets and exchange for bread.
担第个票子去換饅頭
Tan di-kuh phiau-ts chi wen men-deu.

Go and buy biscuits.
去買點餅乾來
Chi ma tien ping-koen le.

I want a ricksha to go to the French Concession.
要一部東洋車到法租界去
Iau ih-boo toong-yang-tsho tau Fah-tsoo-ka chi.

I want a carriage for half a day.
我要一部馬車用半日
Ngoo iau ih-boo mo-tsho yoong pen-nyih.

I want it again to-morrow.
明朝我再要
Ming-tsau ngoo tse iau.

He asks too much money.
伊討个價錢忒大
Yi thau-kuh ka-dien thuh doo.

Three Dollars are enough.
三塊洋錢彀者
San-khwe yang-dien keu-tse.

This carriage is not good; get another.
第部馬車勿好, 要換好个
Di-boo mo-tsho ’veh-hau; iau wen hau-kuh.

I am not very well to-day (or am ill).
今朝我勿大爽快 (or 有毛病)
Kyung-tsau ngoo ’veh da saung-khwa (or yeu mau-bing).

What is the matter?
啥个毛病
Sa-kuh mau-bing?

I don’t know what it is.
我勿曉得是啥毛病
Ngoo ’veh hyau-tuh z sa mau-bing.

I’ve got fever and ague.
我有瘧子 (or 瘧疾)
Ngoo yeu ngauh-ts (or nyak-dzih).

I’ve got fever.
我有寒熱
Ngoo yeu ‘oen-nyih.

I’ll give you a dose of medicine.
我撥儂點藥
Ngoo peh noong tien yak.

You had better see the doctor.
儂要請醫生生看
Noong iau tshing i-sang khoen.

I must go to the hospital.
我要住拉醫院裡
Ngoo iau dzu-la i-yoen-li.

I want to go home.
我要歸去 or 到屋裡去
Ngoo iau kyui-chi (or tau ok-li chi).

You can return home for a short time.
儂暫時可以歸去
Noong dzan-z khau-i kyui-chi.

You are still not fit for work.
儂現在還勿能做生活
Noong yien-dze wan ’veh nung tsoo sang-weh.

Come again when you are stronger.
儂好點咾再來
Noong hau-tien lau tse le.

Cook is sick and can’t get up.
大司務拉生病, 勿能起來
Da-s-voo la sang-bing, ’veh-nung chi-le.

Why do you work so very slowly?
儂做生活爲啥慢來死
Noong tsoo sang-weh we-sa man-le-si?

Because I am tired.
爲之我弛陀
We-ts ngoo sa-doo.

Perhaps you go out too much at night.
恐怕儂夜頭出去忒多
Khoong-pho noong ya-deu tsheh-chi thuh too.

I think you smoke opium (or drink wine.)
我想儂吃雅片煙 (or 吃酒)
Ngoo siang noong chuh ia-phien-ien (or chuh tsieu).

Your clothes and hat are untidy.
儂个衣帽勿整齊
Noong-kuh i-mau ’veh tsung-zi.

Don’t have your shoes down at the heel.
儂勿要拖鞋皮
Noong ’veh iau thoo ‘a-bi.

Have you not combed your hair to-day?
儂今朝勿曾梳頭否
Noong kyung-tsau ’veh-zung s-deu va?

This is not proper (respectful.)
第个是無規矩个
Di-kuh z m kwe-kyui-kuh.

Call amah to come.
呌阿媽來
Kyau A-ma le.

AMAH (阿媽).

Take baby out.
領小囝到外頭去
Ling siau-noen tau nga-deu chi.

Go to the Gardens.
領小囝到花園裡去
Ling siau-noen tau hwo-yoen-li chi.

If it is too cold, come home.
若是忒冷, 就轉來
Zak-z thuh lang, zieu tsen-le.

Don’t sit in the wind.
勿要坐拉風裡
’Veh iau zoo la foong-li.

Don’t get in the sun.
勿要到日頭裡去
’Veh iau tau nyih-deu-li chi.

Baby’s clothes you can wash.
小囝个衣裳要儂淨
Siau-noen-kuh i-zaung iau noong zing.

[You can] also iron them.
也要燙
‘A iau thaung.

This you can give to the washerman.
第个可以撥汏衣裳个人淨
Di-kuh khau-i peh da-i-zaung-kuh nyung zing.

Use hot water to wash flannel.
𠵽㘓絨用熱水淨
Fah-lan-nyoong yoong nyih-s zing.

This water is too cold.
第个水忒冷
Di-kuh s thuh lang.

Wring dry.
要絞來乾點
Iau kau le koen tien.

Hang them up (as on a line to dry or air).
要晾起來
Iau laung-chi-le.

Shake well and hang up in the sun.
要抖抖咾晒拉日頭裏
Iau teu-teu lau so la nyih-deu-li.

[When] ironing clothes, do not have them too dry.
衣裳要燙, 勿要忒乾
I-zaung iau thaung, ’veh iau thuh koen.

Mend this.
第个要補
Di-kuh iau poo.

Mend these stockings.
第雙襪要補
Di-saung mah iau poo.

[I] want you to knit stockings.
要儂結一雙襪
Iau noong kyih ih-saung mah.

I want you to sew this.
我要儂做 (or 縫) 第个
Ngoo iau noong tsoo (or voong) di-kuh.

I cannot sew.
我縫勿來个
Ngoo voong-’veh-le-kuh.

Then you must learn.
蓋末儂要學
Keh-meh noong iau ‘auh.

My children are not very small; so, therefore, I want you to sew and knit and help me (lit., help in hand work).
我个小囝勿算頂小, 所以要儂相帮我做手裡生活
Ngoo-kuh siau-noen ’veh soen ting siau, soo-i iau noong siang-paung ngoo tsoo seu-li sang-weh.

Put on (baby’s) outdoor clothes and take him out.
著之外罩衣裳咾領伊到外頭去
Tsak-ts nga-tsau-i-zaung lau ling yi tau nga-deu chi.

Don’t buy anything and give her to eat.
勿要買啥物事撥伊吃
’Veh iau ma sa meh-z peh yi chuh.

Don’t give him anything to eat unless I say so.
若是我勿告訴儂末, 儂勿要撥啥伊吃
Zak-z ngoo ’veh kau-soo noong meh, noong ’veh iau peh sa yi chuh.

Because she is sick she cannot eat this.
爲之伊有毛病, 所以勿能吃第个
We-ts yi yeu mau-bing, soo-i ’veh nung chuh di-kuh.

My wages are too small, please increase them.
我个工錢勿彀, 請儂加點
Ngoo-kuh koong-dien ’veh keu, tshing noong ka-tien.

Just now I cannot increase; afterwards I will give you more.
現在我勿能加, 後首咾加儂
Yien-dze ngoo ’veh nung ka, ‘eu-seu lau ka noong.

If you cannot give more now, I must leave you.
若是儂現在勿能加, 我只得停 (or 離開儂)
Zah-z noong yien-dze ’veh nung ka, ngoo tsuh-tuh ding (or li-khe noong).

Beginning with next month I promise to increase one dollar; next year I will again raise you one dollar.
下个月起頭我應許加儂一塊, 到開年我再加儂一塊
‘Au-kuh-nyoeh chi-deu ngoo iung-hyui ka noong ih-khwe, tau khe-nien ngoo tse ka noong ih-khwe.

THE GENTLEMEN’S TAILOR (栽縫).

[For morning coat, and such articles of apparel as are not used by the Chinese, there is no proper Chinese equivalent.]

I want you to make a suit of clothes.
我要儂做一套衣裳
Ngoo iau noong tsoo ih-thau i-zaung.

Make me a pair of trousers.
做一條褲子
Tsoo ih-diau khoo-ts.

Have you got your patterns with you?
儂有樣子否
Noong yeu yang-ts va?

Can you recommend this cloth?
儂想第个布好用否
Noong siang di-kuh poo hau-yoong va?

This colour is too dark;
第个顏色忒黑
Di-kuh ngan-suh thuh huh.

I want a lighter cloth for summer wear.
我要薄點个布, 爲之夏天咾用
Ngoo iau bok-tien kuh poo, we-ts ‘au-thien lau yoong.

What will the cost be?
啥價錢
Sa ka-dien?

I want a good fit.
我要儂做來配身 (or 合式个)
Ngoo iau noong tsoo-le phe-sung (or ’eh-suh kuh.)

The lining must be good.
夾裡要用好个料作
Kah-li iau yoong hau-kuh liau-tsok.

How long will it take to finish? [How much labour is there?]
要幾化工夫
Iau kyi-hau koong-foo?

When will it be ready to try on?
幾時可以拿來試試看 (or 演演看)
Kyi-z khau-i nau-le s-s-khoen (or ien-ien-khoen).

The sleeves are too long.
袖子忒長
Zieu-ts thuh dzang.

The legs are too short.
褲脚忒短
Khoo-kyak thuh toen.

This jacket does not fit.
第个馬褂勿配身
Di-kuh mo-kwo ’veh phe-sung.

This overcoat is tight across the shoulders.
第件大衣个肩膀忒緊
Di-jien doo-i kuh kyien-paung thuh kyung.

The vest is too loose across the chest.
背心个胸膛忒寬
Pe-sing kuh hyoong-daung thuh-khwen.

The collar is too high.
領頭忒高
Ling-deu thuh kau.

I want a pocket inside.
裡向也要有袋
Li-hyang ’a iau yeu de.

The trousers must have side pockets.
褲子兩傍應該有袋
Khoo-ts liang-baung iung-ke yeu de.

I want you to mend these trousers.
第條褲子要儂修
Di diau khoo-ts iau noong sieu.

Put more buttons on.
鈕子要多點
Nyeu-ts iau too-tien.

Put new cuffs on these shirts.
汗衫上要換新个袖頭
‘Oen-san-laung iau wen sing-kuh zieu-deu.

[This] shirt front is frayed; I want a new one.
汗衫个前面壞者, 要換新个
‘Oen-san kuh zien-mien wa-tse, iau wen sing-kuh.

The material is mine, how much for making only?
料作我自辦, 不過做工要幾錢
Liau-tsauk ngoo z-ban, peh-koo tsoo-koong iau kyi-dien?

THE LADIES’ TAILOR.

Call a tailor.
呌一个裁縫來
Kyau ih-kuh ze-voong le.

I want you to make a dress.
我要儂做一套衣裳*
Ngoo iau noong tsoo ih-thau i-zaung.*
* This is the same expression that is used for a suit of clothes.

I want you to make a skirt.
我要儂做一條裙
Ngoo iau noong tsoo ih-diau juin.

I want you to make a bodice.
我要儂做一个肚兜
Ngoo iau noong tsoo ih-kuh doo-teu.

I want you to make a jacket.
我要儂做一件馬褂
Ngoo iau noong tsoo ih-jien mo-kwo.

I want you to make a cloak.
我要儂做一件外罩个袍褂
Ngoo iau noong tsoo ih-jien nga-tsau-kuh bau-kwo.

This sleeve is too long; make it shorter.
第个袖子忒長; 要做來短點
Di-kuh zieu-ts thuh dzang; iau tsoo-le toen-tien.

This garment is too tight; make it easier.
第件衣裳身胚忒緊,要做來寬點
Di-jien i-zaung sung-phe thuh kyung; iau tsoo-le khwen tien.

This is too wide (or loose); make tighter.
第件衣裳身胚忒寬, 要做來緊點
Di-jien i-zaung sung-phe thuh khwen; iau tsoo-le kyung tien.

Make like this pattern.
照第个樣式咾做
Tsau di-kuh yang-suh lau tsoo.

Please bring me samples of native cloth (to let me see).
請儂擔點本地布个樣子撥我看看
Tshing noong tan tien pung-di poo-kuh yang-ts, peh-ngoo khoen-khoen.

Please bring me samples of foreign cloth (to let me see).
請儂擔點外國布个樣子撥我看看
Tshing noong tan tien nga-kok poo-kuh yang-ts, peh ngoo khoen-khoen.

Have you samples of grass cloth?
儂有夏布个樣子否
Noong yeu ‘au-poo kuh yang-ts va?

What you have of broad and narrow cloth, bring and let me see.
所有闊咾狹个布, 全擔來讓我看看
Soo yeu khweh lau ‘ah kuh poo, zen tan-le nyang ngoo khoen-khoen.

When can you finish it?
幾時可以做好 (or 做得好)
Kyi-z khau-i tsoo-hau? (or tsoo-tuh-hau).

I want you to do it quicker.
我要儂快點做
Ngoo iau noong khwa-tien tsoo.

Can you finish it this week?
拉第个禮拜裏, 做得好否
La di-kuh li-pa li, tsoo-tuh hau va?

This week it is impossible to finish.
拉第个禮拜裏, 來勿及做好
La di-kuh li-pa li, le-’veh-ji tsoo-hau.

Then next week certainly must finish.
蓋末下个禮拜, 一定要做好
Keh-meh ‘au-kuh li-pa, ih-ding iau tsoo-hau.

How much will it cost to make these clothes?
第件衣裳做工啥價錢
Di-jien i-zaung tsoo-koong sa ka-dien?

You ask too big a price.
儂討个價錢忒貴.
Noong thau-kuh ka-dien thuh kyui.

Yes (or all right), I can pay you this price.
好个, 我可以撥儂第个價錢
Hau-kuh, ngoo khau-i peh noong di-kuh ka-dieh.

Why have you not done as I told you?
爲啥勿照我告訴儂个様子咾做
We-sa ’veh tsau ngoo kau-soo noong-kuh yang-ts lau tsoo?

You have done very well. When I have more work I shall want you to do it (lit., and another time I will want you to do work.)
儂做來蠻好, 下回我還要儂做
Noong tsoo-le ’man-hau; ‘au-we ngoo wan iau noong tsoo.

THE WASHERMAN (淨衣裳个人).

Take these clothes and wash them.
第个衣裳擔去淨 (or 汏)
Di-kuh i-zaung tan-chi zing (or da).

Be careful in washing this; and do not tear it.
要當心淨; 勿要淨破
Iau taung-sing zing; ’veh iau zing-phoo.

This garment wants starch, but do not make it too stiff.
第件衣裳要用點䊢, 但是勿要忒硬
Di-jien i-zaung iau yoong tien tsiang, dan-z ’veh iau thuh ngang.

Do not starch this garment.
第件衣裳勿要䊢
Di-jien i-zaung, ’veh iau tsiang.

See, you have torn this garment.
諾, 看看, 第件衣裳撥儂弄壞者
Nau! khoen-khoen! di-jien i-zaung peh noong loong-wa-tse.

See, this window curtain has been spoiled by you.
儂看, 第个窗帘撥儂弄壞者
Noong khoen, di-kuh tshaung-lien peh noong loong-wa-tse.

It is dirty, wash again.
弄齷齪者, 要再淨
Loong auh tshauh tse; iau tse zing.

One piece is still missing, why?
還缺少一件, 啥緣故
Wan choeh-sau ih-jien; sa yoen-koo?

It is lost; I will try to find it.
失脫者, 我再要尋尋看
Seh-theh tse; ngoo tse iau zing-zing-khoen.

If you cannot find it, you must pay for it.
若是尋勿著, 要儂賠个
Zah-z zing-’veh-dzak, iau noong be kuh.

What is the price for washing one piece?
淨一件啥價錢
Zing ih-jien sa ka-dien?

Three cents a piece.
三分洋錢一件
San-fung yang-dien i-jien.

Bring these clothes back in two or three days.
第件衣裳兩三日就要擔來
Di-jien i-zaung liang san nyih zieu iau tan-le.

I am going away (or leaving Shanghai) presently.
我就要出門 (or 我就要離開上海)
Ngoo zieu iau tsheh-mung (or ngoo zieu iau li-khe Zaung-he).

So you must bring back my clothes at once.
所以我个衣裳就擔來
Soo-i ngoo-kuh i-zaung zieu tan-le.

These clothes are not ironed properly; iron them again.
第件衣裳燙來勿好, 要再燙
Di-jien i-zaung thaung-le ’veh hau; iau tse thaung.

These clothes are not washed properly, wash them again.
第件衣裳淨來勿乾淨, 要再淨
Di-jien i-zaung zing le ’veh koen-zing, iau tse zing.

Don’t put any soda in the water.
水裡勿要放鹻
S-li ’veh iau faung kan.

As it easily takes out the colour.
爲之容易退顏色
We-ts yoong-yi the ngan-suh.

How many pieces have you washed this month?
第个月裡淨之幾件衣裳
Di-kuh nyoeh-li zing-ts kyi-jien i-zaung?

THE MAFOO (馬夫).

I. Riding.

Saddle the horse.
裝好馬
Tsaung-hau mo.

The girths are too loose.
馬肚帶忒寬
Mo-doo-ta thuh khwen.

Tighten up the girths.
馬肚帶要收緊
Mo-doo-ta iau seu kyung.

Lengthen (or lower) the stirrup.
馬踏櫈要放下點
Mo-dah-tung iau faung ’au-tien.

Those stirrup irons are not bright (or not clean).
馬踏櫈个鐵擦來勿亮 or 勿乾淨
Mo-dah-tung-kuh thih tshah le ’veh liang (or veh koen-zing).

Loosen the curb (chain.)
馬嚼鐵放寬點
Mo-ziak-thih faung khwen tien.

Have you put on the saddle-cloth?
馬鞍子个布櫬拉末
Mo-oen-ts-kuh-poo tshung la meh?

Don’t take off the rug.
毯子勿要擔脫
Than-ts veh iau tan-theh.

Take off the rug.
毯子要擔去
Than-ts iau tan-chi.

When did you feed the pony?
儂幾時喂个馬料
Noong kyi-z iui-kuh mo-liau?

Give him a good feed.
要撥好个馬料伊吃
Iau peh hau-kuh mo-liau yi chuh.

Has he had a drink?
有吃過水否
Yeu chuh-koo s va?

That saddle does not fit properly.
馬鞍子裝來勿好 (or 勿妥帖)
Mo-oen-ts tsaung le ’veh hau (or veh thoo thih).

Walk him round a bit.
牽之讓伊走走
Chien-ts nyang yi tseu-tseu.

Don’t feed him now.
現在勿要撥啥伊吃
Yien-dze ’veh iau peh sa yi chuh.

He is very hot.
伊是頂熱 (or 伊是熱得極拉)
Yi z ting nyih (or Yi z nyih tuh-juh la).

Don’t give him any water.
勿要撥水伊吃
’Veh iau peh s yi chuh.

That pony is sick.
伊隻馬有病
I-tsak mo yeu bing.

Go and get the veterinary surgeon.
去喊馬醫來
Chi lian mo-i le.

Hold him until I get on.
儂牽牢拉讓我騎上去
Noong chien-lau-la, nyang ngoo ji-zaung-chi.

Put more straw in his stall (or box.)
馬棚裏多放點稻柴
Mo-bang-li too faung tien dau-za.

The pony is very dirty; give him a good rub-down.
馬齷齪來; 要刷乾淨
Mo auh-thsauh le; iau seh koen-zing.

II. Driving.

Get the carriage ready.
馬車裝起來
Mo-tsho tsaung-chi-le.

Bring the carriage round.
馬車牽過來
Mo-tsho chien-koo-le.

The carriage is not clean.
馬車勿乾淨
Mo-tsho ’veh koen-zing.

The lamps are dirty.
燈是齷齪个
Tung z auh-tshauh kuh.

Are there candles in the lamps?
燈裡有蠟燭否
Tung-li yeu lah-tsok va?

The collar doesn’t fit.
軛頭裝來勿伏帖
Ah-deu tsaung le veh vok-thih.

It will hurt the horse’s shoulder.
要擦傷馬頸骨个
Iau tshah-saung mo-kyung-kweh-kuh.

Keep the harness clean and in good order.
馬傢生要乾淨咾合式个
Mo ka-sang iau koen-zing lau ’eh-suh kuh.

Don’t go (drive) too quickly.
勿要忒快
’Veh iau thuh khwa.

(Drive) more quickly.
要快點
Iau khwa-tien.

Stay here until I come back.
停拉此地等我轉來
Ding la tsh-di, tung ngoo tsen-le.

At ten o’clock come back.
十點鐘再來
Zeh tien-tsoong tse le.

I want the carriage at nine o’clock.
九點鐘我要馬車
Kyeu tien-tsoong ngoo iau mo-tsho.

(Those) wheels are loose.
輪盤鬆者
Lung-ben soong tse.

Put new washers on.
要換新个拈墊
Iau wen sing-kuh nyien-dien.

I want a two-horse carriage.
我要雙馬車
Ngoo iau saung mo-tsho.

Be careful with that horse.
當心伊隻馬
Taung-sing i-tsak mo.

He may run away.
伊要逃走 or 跑開
Yi iau dau-tseu (or bau-khe.)

Please show me your wares.
儂个貨色請儂撥我看看
Noong-kuh hoo-suh tshing noong peh ngoo khoen-khoen.

What is the price of this?
第个啥價錢
Di-kuh sa ka-dien?

This is too dear.
第个價錢忒貴
Di-kuh ka-dien thuh kyui.

Can you make it cheaper?
可以[C1]點否
Khau-i jang-tien va?

This is imitation.
第个是翻做个
Di-kuh z fan-tsoo-kuh.

This is not real.
第个勿是眞个
Di-kuh ’veh-z tsung-kuh.

Can you use these dollars?
第个洋錢好用否
Di-kuh yang-dien hau yoong va?

What discount on Hongkong dollars?
每塊香港洋錢齾脫幾化
’Me-khwe Hyang-kaung yang-dien ngah-theh kyi-hau?

What is the value of Japanese yen?
每塊日本洋錢申幾化
Me-khwe Zeh-pung yang-dien sung kyi-hau?

How many Mexican dollars will an English sovereign bring?
每磅金洋値英洋幾化
Me paung kyung-yang dzuk Iung-yang kyi-hau?

What is the value of American dollars?
每塊花旗洋錢値幾化
’Me khwe Hwo-ji yang-dien dzuh kyi-hau?

THE CHINESE TEACHER (先生).

I want a (Chinese) teacher.
我要請一位先生
Ngoo iau tshing ih-we sien-sang.

I want to learn Mandarin.
我要學官話
Ngoo iau ’auh Kwen-wo.

I want to learn the Shanghai dialect.
我要學上海土白
Ngoo iau ’auh Zaung-he thoo-bak.

Good morning, teacher.
先生早呀
Sien-sang tsau ’a.

My Chinese words are few.
我个中國說話勿多
Ngoo-kuh Tsoong-kok seh-wo ’veh-too.

I want to study in the morning.
我要拉早晨讀書
Ngoo iau la tsau-zung dok-su.

What hour in the morning to begin?
早晨幾點鐘起頭
Tsau-zung kyi tien-tsoong chi-deu?

From seven to eight o’clock.
七點鐘到八點鐘
Tshih tien-tsoong tau pah tien-tsoong.

Can you come earlier?
儂能彀早點來否
Noong nung-keu tsau-tien le va?

What hour is most convenient?
啥時候頂便當
Sa z-’eu ting bien-taung.

How much a month do you wish?
每月儂要幾化薪水
’Me nyoeh noong iau kyi-kau sing-soe?

If each day [we] study one hour [I] want eight dollars.
若是每日讀一點鐘要八塊洋錢
Zak-z ’me nyih dok ih tien-tsoong iau pah-khwe yang-dien.

What book do you think I should study?
儂想讀啥个書
Noong siang dok sa-kuh su?

To aspirate is important.
出風是要緊个
Tsheh-foong z iau-kyung kuh.

Read it over again.
再讀一遍
Tse dok ih-pien.

[To teacher] Should I learn to write the characters?
儂想我要學寫中國字否
Noong siang ngoo iau ’auh sia Tsoong-kok z va?

[To teacher] Do I speak correctly?
我話來對否
Ngoo wo le te va?

[To student] You do not speak distinctly.
儂話來勿淸爽
Noong wo le ’veh tshing-saung.

Speak more quickly.
話來快點
Wo-le khwa-tien.

Speak more slowly.
話來慢點
Wo-le man-tien.

You speak too quick.
儂話來忒决
Noong wo le thuh-khwa.

To listen to other people’s idiom is important.
聼別人个話法是要緊个
Thing bih-nyung-kuh wo-fah z iau-kyung-kuh.

[We have] finished the study of this book; may [we] study Yates’ Lessons?
第本書讀完之,可以讀中國譯語妙法否
Di pung su dok-wen-ts, khau-i dok Tsoong-kok Yuk Nyui Miau Fah va?
* Since writing these Sentences new Lessons on the Shanghai Dialect have been prepared by Rev. L. Hawks Pott, D.D.(卜先生)

Sir, please write a letter for me.
先生請儂替我寫一封信
Sien-sang, tshing noong thi ngoo sia ih foong sing.

[To teacher] To-morrow I have matters [to attend to] and will not be able to study.
明朝我有事體, 勿能讀書
Ming-tsau ngoo yeu z-thi, ’veh nung dok-su.

[To student] The day after to-morrow I go from home and cannot come to teach.
後日我要出門, 勿能來敎書
‘Eu-nyih ngoo iau tsheh-mung, ’veh nung le kau su.

At the beginning, of next week I want to go to the hills for a summer holiday, so in the meantime we will stop for a week.
下禮拜起, 我要上山歇夏, 所以暫時停一个月
‘Au li-pa chi, ngoo iau zaung san hyih ‘au, soo-i dzan z ding ih-kuh nyoeh.

NUMERALS (藪目).

CLASSIFIERS.

In this and the following sections a number of useful words are grouped according to grammatical or topical divisions. A study of the words, called classifiers, which come between “a” or “an” (or rather its equivalent, the numeral 一 ih) and the word itself, will make our communications to the Chinese correct and more lucid.