商务汉语 2
Business Chinese 2 — complete study app
Every word and sentence in the book, tone-coloured and tappable for native Mandarin audio. Tap any card to hear it; slow it down while you learn the tones. Switch on Test mode to recall before you reveal.
296words
25characters
29grammar patterns
374audio clips
Foundation
Pinyin & tones
Mandarin is tonal — the same syllable in a different tone is a different word. Each syllable in this app is coloured by tone (Pleco standard).
妈 1st · high (mā)
麻 2nd · rising (má)
马 3rd · dip (mǎ)
骂 4th · fall (mà)
吗 neutral (ma)
| Unit | Initials | Finals | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | — (vowels) | a o e i u ü | The 4 tones: ā á ǎ à. A syllable = initial + final + tone. |
| L2 | b p | ao ai an ang | 不 sandhi: bù → bú before a 4th-tone syllable. |
| L3 | m f | ei en eng er | er is a stand-alone rhotic final. |
| L4 | d t n l | ia ian in iao iang ing | Aspiration: t/d, plus n vs l. |
| L6 | g k h | ou ong | Aspiration k/g; rough h. |
| L7 | j q x | ju qu xu | ü drops its dots after j/q/x (written u, said ü). |
| L8 | y | ie iou iong üe üan ün | iou → iu after an initial; with NO initial i→y (yi, yin, ying, you). |
| L9 | zh ch sh r | zhi chi shi ri | Retroflex — tongue curls back; the 'i' is buzzed, not 'ee'. |
| R2 | z c s w | u ua uo ui uai un uan uang | With NO initial u→w (wu, wa, wo, wei, wan, wang). |
The crux of the second half
The four “time” tools
Chinese has no verb tenses — four little markers do the work of “past”, “done” and “-ing”. Tap each example to hear it.
过guòL8
Experience — 'have you EVER…?'
V + 过 (neg. 没 + V + 过)
你去过北京吗？Nǐ qù guò Běi jīng ma?Have you ever been to Beijing?
是…的shì…deL9
Details of a KNOWN past event — when / where / how
S + 是 + [time/place] + V + 的
我是1993年出生的。Wǒ shì yī jiǔ jiǔ sān nián chū shēng de.I was born in 1993.
了leL6
Change of state / 'now it's done'
… V + 了
我知道了。Wǒ zhī dào le.Got it / I know now.
在…呢zài…neL4
Action in progress — 'is …-ing'
在 + V + O + 呢 (neg. 没在 + V)
她在看比赛呢。Tā zài kàn bǐ sài ne.She is watching the match.
Patterns
Grammar, lesson by lesson
Every sentence pattern, with a worked example you can play and repeat.
| L1 | |
| Polite surname Q&A | 您贵姓？ → 我姓 X。Nín guì xìng? Wǒ xìng X.What is your surname? — My surname is X. |
| Surname + title | 姓 + 先生/经理/小姐xìng + xiān sheng / jīng lǐ / xiǎo jiee.g. 王先生 Mr. Wang, 李经理 Manager Li. |
| 姓 vs 叫 | 我姓王。/ 我叫王一飞。Wǒ xìng Wáng. / Wǒ jiào Wáng Yī fēi.姓 = surname only; 叫 = given/full name. |
| A 是 B | 他是经理。Tā shì jīng lǐ.He is a manager. |
| L2 | |
| 喜欢 + verb | 我喜欢看电影。Wǒ xǐ huan kàn diàn yǐng.I like watching movies. |
| Listing with 、 | 我喜欢跑步、爬山、跳舞。Wǒ xǐ huan pǎo bù, pá shān, tiào wǔ.I like jogging, hiking and dancing. |
| 也 (also) before verb | 我也喜欢。Wǒ yě xǐ huan.I like it too. (也 sits before the verb) |
| Degree 很 / 不太 / 不 | 我很喜欢 / 不太喜欢。Wǒ hěn xǐ huan / bú tài xǐ huan.I like it a lot / not very much. |
| L3 | |
| 想 + verb (want to) | 我想买一些椰枣。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì xiē yē zǎo.I want to buy some dates. |
| 一些 / 些 (some) | 我想喝一些咖啡。Wǒ xiǎng hē yì xiē kā fēi.I'd like some coffee. (一个 = one specific) |
| 还 vs 也 | 我还想买茶，他也想买。Wǒ hái xiǎng mǎi chá, tā yě xiǎng mǎi.还 = same person adds more; 也 = 'too' (often new subject). |
| L4 | |
| Progressive 在…呢 | 你在做什么呢？Nǐ zài zuò shén me ne?What are you doing? |
| Negative 没在 + V | 我没在工作。Wǒ méi zài gōng zuò.I'm not working. (没, not 不; drop 呢) |
| 几个人 / 还有 | 还有几个人？Hái yǒu jǐ ge rén?How many more people are there? |
| L6 | |
| Location 在 + place + V + O | 我在火车站等你。Wǒ zài huǒ chē zhàn děng nǐ.I'll wait for you at the station. (place ≠ -ing) |
| 哪个 / 这儿有 / 了 | 哪个出口？这儿有星巴克。Nǎ ge chū kǒu? Zhèr yǒu Xīng bā kè.Which exit? There's a Starbucks here. |
| L7 | |
| Price: 多少钱 / 怎么卖 | 这个手机怎么卖？Zhè ge shǒu jī zěn me mài?How much is this phone? |
| Money = number + 块钱 | 两千块钱。Liǎng qiān kuài qián.2,000 yuan. (never 两千钱) |
| 零 internal zero / 两 vs 二 | 两千零九十九块。Liǎng qiān líng jiǔ shí jiǔ kuài.2,099 yuan (零 fills the gap; 两 before 千). |
| Adj + 的 = 'the … one' | 黑色的一千七，白色的两千。Hēi sè de yì qiān qī, bái sè de liǎng qiān.The black one is 1,700; the white one 2,000. |
| L8 | |
| Experience V + 过 | 你去过那家火锅店吗？Nǐ qù guò nà jiā huǒ guō diàn ma?Have you been to that hotpot place? |
| Negative 没 + V + 过 | 我没去过。Wǒ méi qù guò.I've never been. (过 stays) |
| 是-less date predicate | 今天星期几？— 今天星期一。Jīn tiān xīng qī jǐ? Jīn tiān xīng qī yī.What day is today? — Monday. (是 dropped) |
| 听说 (I heard) | 听说那家很辣。Tīng shuō nà jiā hěn là.I hear that place is very spicy. |
| L9 | |
| 是…的 (past detail) | 我们是在北京认识的。Wǒ men shì zài Běi jīng rèn shi de.We met in Beijing. |
| Dates: 年 → 月 → 日/号 | 1995 年 6 月 4 号yī jiǔ jiǔ wǔ nián liù yuè sì hàoJune 4, 1995 (big unit first). |
| 生日 vs 出生 | 我的生日是 6 月 4 号。Wǒ de shēng rì shì liù yuè sì hào.生日 = the day; 出生 = the birth event. |
| Age: number + 岁 | 我丈夫 30 岁。Wǒ zhàng fu sān shí suì.My husband is 30. (是 often dropped) |
| R2 | |
| Suggestion 吧 | 我们去看电影吧。Wǒ men qù kàn diàn yǐng ba.Let's go watch a movie. |
Writing
Characters & their logic
The core writing characters with their build-logic. Tap to hear each one — single syllables are perfect for drilling tones.
L1心xīnheartpictograph of a heart
L1想xiǎngthink / want相 + 心 (heart underneath)
L1您nínyou (polite)你 + 心 (you, with heart)
L2目mùeyepictograph of an eye
L2手shǒuhandpictograph of a hand
L2电diànelectricfrom 'lightning'
L2看kànlook / watch手 (hand) over 目 (eye) — shading the eyes
L3日rìsun / daypictograph of the sun
L3月yuèmoon / monthpictograph of the moon
L3明míngbright日 + 月 (sun + moon)
L4车chēvehiclepictograph of a cart
L4开kāiopentwo hands lifting a bar
L4听tīnglisten口 (mouth) radical + 斤
L5天tiānsky / day一 above 大 (above the great)
L6工gōngworka carpenter's rule
L6火huǒfirepictograph of flames → 火+车 = train
L7白báiwhitea sun with a ray
L7百bǎihundred一 + 白 (one over white)
L7千qiānthousanda stroke through 十
L8去qùgo土 + 厶
L8星xīngstar日 (sun) + 生
L8期qīperiod of time其 + 月
L9年niányeargrain radical — one harvest
L9生shēngbe born / lifea sprout pushing up
L9号hàonumber / day口 + 丂
Listen & repeat
Vocabulary by theme
Tap a card to hear it; use Play all or Shuffle to drill a whole theme hands-free. In Test mode the English blurs — recall it, then tap to check.
Test mode is on — listen, recall the meaning, then tap to reveal.
Question words 10
什么shén mewhat
谁shéiwho
几jǐhow many (small)
哪儿nǎrwhere
哪个nǎ gewhich
怎么zěn mehow
怎么卖zěn me màihow much (sold for)
多少钱duō shao qiánhow much money
为什么wèi shén mewhy
几月几号jǐ yuè jǐ hàowhat date (which month, which day)
Pronouns 11
我wǒI / me
我们wǒ menwe / us
你nǐyou
你们nǐ menyou (plural)
您nínyou (polite)
他tāhe / him
她tāshe / her
他们tā menthey
这zhèthis
这个zhè gethis (one)
那个nà gethat one
Family & people 21
丈夫zhàng fuhusband
妻子qī ziwife
哥哥gē geolder brother
弟弟dì diyounger brother
妹妹mèi meiyounger sister
姐姐jiě jieolder sister
兄弟xiōng dìbrothers
女儿nǚ érdaughter
孩子hái zichild
朋友péng youfriend
女朋友nǚ péng yougirlfriend
奶奶nǎi naigrandma (paternal)
老师lǎo shīteacher
经理jīng lǐmanager
先生xiān shengMr.
小姐xiǎo jieMiss
姑娘gū niangyoung woman
人rénperson
爸爸bà badad
妈妈mā mamom
婆婆pó pomother-in-law / grandma
Animals 6
猫māocat
狗gǒudog
熊猫xióng māopanda
大象dà xiàngelephant
鱼yúfish
鹅égoose
Body & appearance 3
脸liǎnface
头发tóu fahair
胡须hú xūbeard / mustache
Verbs — action 50
是shìto be
姓xìngto be surnamed
叫jiàoto be called
认识rèn shito know / meet
听说tīng shuōto hear about
做zuòto do
看kànto watch / read
听tīngto listen
唱歌chàng gēto sing
跑步pǎo bùto jog
踢tīto kick / play
爬山pá shānto hike
跳舞tiào wǔto dance
露营lù yíngto camp
旅游lǚ yóuto travel
买mǎito buy
卖màito sell
吃chīto eat
喝hēto drink
去qùto go
来láito come
等děngto wait (for)
见jiànto meet / see
开会kāi huìto have a meeting
开车kāi chēto drive
上课shàng kèto attend class
出差chū chāi(go on a) business trip
打电话dǎ diàn huàto make a call
结婚jié hūnto get married
举办jǔ bànto hold / host
出生chū shēngto be born
知道zhī dàoto know
玩wánto play
玩手机wán shǒu jīto be on one's phone
下课xià kèclass ends
加jiāto add
请qǐngplease; to invite
上班shàng bānto go to work
帮助bāng zhùto help
排队pái duìto queue / line up
放fàngto put / place
吹chuīto blow
请客qǐng kèto treat (someone)
灭火miè huǒto put out a fire
买东西mǎi dōng xito shop; buy things
听歌tīng gēto listen to music
喝水hē shuǐto drink water
下雪xià xuěto snow
捧pěngto hold in cupped hands
害怕hài pàto be afraid
Modal · state · aspect 8
喜欢xǐ huanto like
想xiǎngto want to
在zàibe at; (doing) -ing
没在méi zàinot (doing)
有yǒuto have
没有méi yǒunot have
可以kě yǐcan / may
过guò[done before — experience]
Time & dates 24
今天jīn tiāntoday
明天míng tiāntomorrow
去年qù niánlast year
明年míng niánnext year
平时píng shíusually
年niányear
月yuèmonth
日rìday (written)
号hàoday of month (spoken)
星期xīng qīweek
星期几xīng qī jǐwhich weekday
星期一xīng qī yīMonday
星期四xīng qī sìThursday
生日shēng rìbirthday
岁suìyears old
什么时候shén me shí houwhen
时候shí houtime / moment
星期二xīng qī èrTuesday
星期三xīng qī sānWednesday
星期五xīng qī wǔFriday
星期六xīng qī liùSaturday
星期日xīng qī rìSunday (written)
星期天xīng qī tiānSunday (spoken)
现在xiàn zàinow
Numbers & measure words 22
零líng0
一yī1
二èr2
三sān3
四sì4
五wǔ5
六liù6
七qī7
八bā8
九jiǔ9
十shí10
两liǎngtwo (+ measure word)
百bǎihundred
千qiānthousand
个gè[general measure word]
些xiēsome
块kuài[yuan — money]
杯bēi[cup of]
家jiā[shops / restaurants]
那家nà jiāthat (家 = MW for shops/restaurants)
二十èr shítwenty
五百wǔ bǎifive hundred
Food & drink 26
苹果píng guǒapple
面条miàn tiáonoodles
米饭mǐ fànrice
面包miàn bāobread
牛奶niú nǎimilk
椰枣yē zǎodates
糖tángcandy / sugar
葡萄pú taograpes
咖啡kā fēicoffee
可乐kě lècola
奶茶nǎi chámilk tea
红茶hóng cháblack tea
三明治sān míng zhìsandwich
热狗rè gǒuhot dog
汉堡hàn bǎohamburger
冰淇淋bīng qí línice cream
火锅huǒ guōhotpot
烤鸭kǎo yāroast duck
羊肉yáng ròulamb / mutton
热水rè shuǐhot water
水果shuǐ guǒfruit
鸡蛋jī dànegg
橘子jú ziorange / tangerine
巧克力qiǎo kè lìchocolate
包子bāo zisteamed bun
咖喱gā lícurry
Places 34
商店shāng diànshop
商场shāng chǎngmall
超市chāo shìsupermarket
公司gōng sīcompany
火车站huǒ chē zhàntrain station
机场jī chǎngairport
出口chū kǒuexit
门口mén kǒudoorway
教室jiào shìclassroom
火锅店huǒ guō diànhotpot restaurant
饭店fàn diànrestaurant
咖啡店kā fēi diàncafé
左边zuǒ biānleft side
右边yòu biānright side
前面qián miànfront
后面hòu miànback
这儿zhèrhere
中国Zhōng guóChina
北京Běi jīngBeijing
上海Shàng hǎiShanghai
香港Xiāng gǎngHong Kong
深圳Shēn zhènShenzhen
成都Chéng dūChengdu
杭州Háng zhōuHangzhou
迪拜Dí bàiDubai
吉达Jí dáJeddah
沙特Shā tèSaudi Arabia
阿拉伯Ā lā bóArab / Arabic
美国Měi guóUSA
利雅得Lì yǎ déRiyadh
沙特人Shā tè réna Saudi (person)
星巴克Xīng bā kèStarbucks
办公室bàn gōng shìoffice
南京Nán jīngNanjing
Things 21
东西dōng xithings
杯子bēi zicup
手表shǒu biǎowatch
电视diàn shìTV
电影diàn yǐngmovie
电脑diàn nǎocomputer
电灯diàn dēnglamp
手机shǒu jīphone
充电宝chōng diàn bǎopower bank
礼物lǐ wùgift
笔bǐpen
灯泡dēng pàolight bulb
盘子pán ziplate
钢琴gāng qínpiano
蜡烛là zhúcandle
闸机zhá jīturnstile / gate
奖品jiǎng pǐnprize
排球pái qiúvolleyball
撇piěa left-falling stroke (writing)
风fēngwind
火车huǒ chētrain
Colours & descriptions 15
色sècolour
黑色hēi sèblack
白色bái sèwhite
好hǎogood
好吃hǎo chīdelicious
方便fāng biànconvenient
漂亮piào liangpretty
辣làspicy
还可以hái kě yǐnot bad / okay
太棒了tài bàng leawesome
高gāotall
胖pàngfat
高兴gāo xìngglad / happy
很好hěn hǎovery good
红色hóng sèred
Particles & connectors 16
吗ma[yes/no question]
呢ne[and you? / softener]
的de[possessive / modifier]
了le[change of state]
吧ba[suggestion: let's…]
和héand / with
也yěalso / too
还háiadditionally / still
还有hái yǒualso / plus
不bùnot
没méinot (have / experience)
很hěnvery
不太bú tàinot very
因为yīn wèibecause
一起yì qǐtogether
不是bú shìis not
Tech & business 17
微信Wēi xìnWeChat
支付宝Zhī fù bǎoAlipay
工作gōng zuòwork
汉语Hàn yǔChinese (language)
中文Zhōng wénChinese (lang./script)
课kèclass / lesson
比赛bǐ sàimatch / contest
世界杯Shì jiè bēiWorld Cup
足球zú qiúsoccer
钱qiánmoney
篮球lán qiúbasketball
汉语课Hàn yǔ kèChinese (language) class
小米Xiǎo mǐXiaomi
姓名xìng míngfull name
性别xìng biégender
住址zhù zhǐaddress
华为huá wéiHuawei
Greetings & set phrases 12
您好nín hǎohello (polite)
喂wéihello (on phone)
好久不见hǎo jiǔ bú jiànlong time no see
明天见míng tiān jiànsee you tomorrow
谢谢xiè xiethank you
贵姓guì xìng(your) surname?
新婚快乐xīn hūn kuài lèhappy wedding
幸会xìng huìa pleasure to meet you (formal)
再见zài jiàngoodbye
好的hǎo deokay / alright
好啊hǎo aokay / sure
不客气bú kè qiyou're welcome
Active recall
Practice exam — the 10 you aced
Read each question (tap to hear it), decide, then reveal. The note explains the trap — the same traps recur on the real paper.
1老师在哪儿？Lǎo shī zài nǎr?Where is the teacher?
·老师上课。The teacher is teaching.
·老师在唱歌。The teacher is singing.
老师在中国。The teacher is in China.
哪儿 asks WHERE → the answer must be a place, not an activity.
2你们平时喜欢做什么？Nǐ men píng shí xǐ huan zuò shén me?What do you all usually like to do?
·我们不喜欢看电视。We don't like watching TV.
·你们平时喜欢听中文歌。YOU usually like Chinese songs.
我们平时喜欢听中文歌。We usually like Chinese songs.
A question to 你们 is answered with 我们 — and you must say what you DO like.
3你想和我一起去商场吗？Nǐ xiǎng hé wǒ yì qǐ qù shāng chǎng ma?Want to go to the mall with me?
我不想去，我想去上课。I don't want to go; I want class.
·我不喜欢吃面包。I don't like bread.
·我明天去中国旅游。Tomorrow I travel to China.
吗 = a yes/no invitation → reply by accepting or declining.
4她在做什么呢？Tā zài zuò shén me ne?What is she doing?
·我在沙特。I'm in Saudi Arabia.
她在看足球比赛。She is watching a football match.
·她在沙特。She is in Saudi Arabia.
做什么 asks the ACTIVITY → 在 + verb, not a location.
5你在哪儿等你哥哥？Nǐ zài nǎr děng nǐ gē ge?Where are you waiting for your brother?
·我不去火车站。I'm not going to the station.
我在火车站等他。I'm waiting for him at the station.
·哥哥在火车站等我。My brother waits for me there.
Give the place AND keep the roles right (you wait for him, not him for you).
6左边的手机怎么卖？Zuǒ biān de shǒu jī zěn me mài?How much is the phone on the left?
·那个手机不好。That phone isn't good.
那个手机两千块钱。That phone is 2,000 yuan.
·那个手机两千钱。(missing 块)
怎么卖 = price. Money needs the measure word: number + 块钱.
7你为什么想买手机？Nǐ wèi shén me xiǎng mǎi shǒu jī?Why do you want to buy a phone?
因为电脑不方便，我喜欢手机。Computers are inconvenient; I like phones.
·因为我喜欢电脑。Because I like computers.
·因为我不喜欢手机。Because I don't like phones.
为什么 → answer with 因为 + a reason that actually supports buying a phone.
8这杯阿拉伯咖啡多少钱？Zhè bēi Ā lā bó kā fēi duō shao qián?How much is this Arabic coffee?
·我不喜欢咖啡。I don't like coffee.
十五块钱。15 yuan.
·五零块钱。(should be 五十)
多少钱 = how much. 50 = 五十, never 五零 (digit-reading is only for phone numbers).
9你是什么时候去那家饭店的？Nǐ shì shén me shí hou qù nà jiā fàn diàn de?When did you go to that restaurant?
·我和弟弟一起去的。I went with my brother.
·我不喜欢那家饭店。I don't like that restaurant.
我是星期四去的。I went on Thursday.
是…的 asks for the TIME → mirror it: 是 + time + 的.
10你是哪一年出生的？Nǐ shì nǎ yì nián chū shēng de?Which year were you born?
·我是五月出生的。I was born in May.
·我是七月八号出生的。I was born on July 8.
我是一九九三年出生的。I was born in 1993.
哪一年 asks for a YEAR. Years are read digit-by-digit: 一九九三.
From your real exam paper
Common traps — your weak spots
The exact mistakes the marked final-exam paper caught. Learn the ✓ form and these stop costing you marks.
Counting things
✗二个杯子
✓两个杯子
For a COUNT of things use 两 + 个, never 二. (二 is only the bare number / inside big numbers like 二十.)
‘Doing’ wants a verb
✗你在做什么呢？— 我在家。
✓你在做什么呢？— 我在上课。
在…呢 asks what you're DOING → answer with 在 + a verb (an activity), not a place.
Three kinds of shop
✗超市 / 商场
✓商店 (shāng diàn)
超市 chāoshì = supermarket, 商场 shāngchǎng = mall, 商店 shāngdiàn = shop. Match the pinyin exactly.
together ≠ some
✗明天一些去
✓明天一起去
一起 yìqǐ = together; 一些 yìxiē = some. They look alike but mean different things.
Nationalities keep 人
✗我妻子是沙特
✓我妻子是沙特人
A nationality describing a person ends in 人: 沙特 → 沙特人.
Picture look-alikes
✗开车 / 下课
✓开会 / 上课
A meeting is 开会 (not 开车 drive); a class in session is 上课 (not 下课, which is when class ENDS).
Read the character
✗小文
✓小姐 (xiǎo jiě)
xiǎojiě = 小姐 ‘Miss’. Don't grab a look-alike like 小文.
Start here
How to use this app
Four habits, all backed by cognitive-science research on language learning.
1 · Retrieve, don't reread
The testing effect is the strongest result in study science: pulling an answer from memory before checking it is what makes it stick. Turn on Test mode — it hides the English so you recall it first, then tap to check and hear it.
2 · Space it out
Ten minutes daily beats cramming. Review at widening intervals (≈ day 1, 2, 4, 7, then weekly). The companion Anki deck automates this; this app is your reference + listening drill.
3 · Interleave
Don't drill one lesson to death — mix vocabulary, characters and grammar in one sitting. Switching forces the right tool each time, which is what the exam asks.
4 · Listen & speak
Use the audio everywhere — tap any card to hear native Mandarin, slow it down, repeat aloud. Then sit the practice exam under time.
Make it routine
A revision plan
Spaced repetition only works if it's scheduled. The daily Anki review is the non-negotiable core; this app is your reference and listening drill.
| When | Do this |
|---|---|
| Daily (10–15 min) | Anki review of everything due — the engine. Never skip it. |
| New lesson | Read its grammar + examples aloud; add its words/characters to Anki. |
| +1 day | First recall pass in Test mode (that lesson's words + characters). |
| +3 days | Interleave: mix two lessons' words + the shared grammar pattern. |
| +7 days | Hand-write the characters from memory; redo one Review answer key. |
| Weekly | Sit the 10-question practice exam cold; log the question-type that tripped you. |
| Final week | Drill the 4 time-tools and the money/number rules every day. |