Speak Chinese - replying to this question -

> Learning Chinese > Speaking and Listening
replying to this question
Home New Posts

Login: Pass: Log in or register for standard view and full access.








wontonsoup -

when someone asks can u speak chinese?

how do i say i can only speak a little bit?

我只能说一点普通话? (doesn't sound right)



Pleco Software Learn Chinese with our Dictionaries for Palm and Pocket PC.
Learn Chinese in China Learn to speak Chinese 1MonthChinese.com -Mandarin School in China.
Chinese Textbooks Wide range, cheap, varied languages. Also Chinese cartoons, toys, gifts.
Study Chinese in Beijing Affordable Mandarin language courses at BLCU with ChinaUnipath.com.
HNHSoft Dictionary Learn Chinese on Smartphone and PDA with real person's voice.
XueXueXue IQChinese Get beyond the plateau.Take your Mandarin to a new level.
Chinese in Lijiang Short term Chinese study in a beautiful town with a focus on daily life.
MandarinTube Chinese Access to current everyday Chinese language and culture, 24/7.
Learn Chinese Homestay Chinese course, cultural activities & volunteer events in China.
Learn Chinese Online 1-on-1 instant tutoring, diverse courses, native teachers. FREE trial now!
Nihao Chinese Progam Free one-on-one Chinese lesson. Win 5-years of free lessons now!


About Ads (and how to hide them) -- Your message here









Shadowdh -

我会说一点儿! should just about do it...

and perhaps 我就会说一点儿 for just speak a little... but others with more knowledge and
who are way better at Chinese than I will be able to help...










elina -

I think they all sound right:
我只能说一点普通话
我会说一点儿
我就会说一点儿 (as Shadowdh said, this sentence more emphasizes “just a little”)










Xiao Kui -

I think you can also just reply 一点点
Since you only know a little, why stress yourself with a long sentence? Even native speakers often
answer with short phrases or even just a word or two.

I still often answer this way even though I've studied for quite a while. It's good Chinese
modesty and it's a lot less pressure than telling people you're fluent when you're really just
proficient.










Songyi -

Like what other people posted earlier, you can just say 一点儿 or 一点点, which is really
口语. Saying a whole sentence in response to a question sounds very rigid and unnatural.

From my understanding (I'm not a native speaker) of 会 and 能, 会 is used to signify you have
the ability to do something (through learning; an acquired skill) and 能 is used for the other
uses of can, be able to.

So, to me, 我会说一点儿 makes more sense than 我能说一点儿。The latter one sounds
like you just got hit in the head and the paramedic asks ”Can you speak?“

Two more examples would be:
我会用筷子。
我能坐火车到东城吗？










kjmillig -

Keep it simple:
Yi dian-dian












All times are GMT +8. The time now is 04:23 PM.














Learn Chinese, Chinese language, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet