Note: The spoken Chinese Mandarin language has 4 spoken tones. We have attempted to re-create those below where after each syllable we tell you (1), (2), (3), or (4) as they correspond to each of the 4 tones. We encourage you to complement your Xianzai.com Emergency Chinese newsletter with a good offline study program.

Radio

NEW WORDS
Radio: shou(1) yin(1) ji(1)
AM: tiao(2) fu(2)
FM: tiao(2) pin(2)
Batteries: dian(4) chi(2)
Headphones: er(3) ji(1)

LESSON

• Can I listen to your radio?
  wo(3) neng(2) ting(1) ni(3) de shou(1) yin(1) ji(1) ma?
  
• Is this station AM or FM?
  zhe(4) shi(4) tiao(2) fu(2) hai(2) shi(4) tiao(2) pin(2)?
  
• Do you sell batteries for my radio?
  ni(3) mai(4) shou(1) yin(1) ji(1) dian(4) chi(2) ma?
  
• These headphones don't work.
  zhe(4) xie(1) er(3) ji(1) bu(4) xiang(3).

* Tip: From news to talkback and from funky music to comedy, there is a radio station in China that will cater for your needs. You don't speak Chinese? Not a problem. Tune into China Radio International in most major cities and listen in to both Chinese and foreigners bringing you all the latest news and music.

Talkback is rapidly growing in popularity on the mainland with call-in shows about everything from investing in the stock markets to improving your love life.

Next time you are stuck in traffic ask the driver to flick the radio on - you might learn something interesting.