Key Vocabulary

Useful Sentences

Example 1:

我在市场买水果。
Wǒ zài shìchǎng mǎi shuǐguǒ.
I buy fruit at the market.

Example 2:

这个苹果多少钱？
Zhège píngguǒ duōshao qián?
How much is this apple?

Example 3:

香蕉很便宜。
Xiāngjiāo hěn piányi.
Bananas are very cheap.

Example 4:

我要买两斤鱼。
Wǒ yào mǎi liǎng jīn yú.
I want to buy two jin of fish.

Key Vocabulary

Useful Sentences

Example 1:

我不舒服，去医院。
Wǒ bù shūfu, qù yīyuàn.
I am not feeling well, I go to the hospital.

Example 2:

医生给我检查。
Yīshēng gěi wǒ jiǎnchá.
The doctor examines me.

Example 3:

我感冒了，要买药。
Wǒ gǎnmào le, yào mǎi yào.
I have a cold, I need to buy medicine.

Example 4:

护士给我打针。
Hùshi gěi wǒ dǎ zhēn.
The nurse gives me an injection.

When writing short texts about the market or hospital, follow these simple steps:

1. Start with who — Use 我 (wǒ = I) or other subjects
2. Add the action — Use verbs like 买 (mǎi = buy), 卖 (mài = sell), 去 (qù = go), 看 (kàn = see)
3. Add the place — Use 市场 (shìchǎng = market) or 医院 (yīyuàn = hospital)
4. Add details — Include what, how much, or how you feel

Sample Short Text: At the Market

我去市场买水果。我要买苹果和香蕉。苹果五块钱一斤，香蕉三块钱一斤。

Wǒ qù shìchǎng mǎi shuǐguǒ. Wǒ yào mǎi píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo. Píngguǔ wǔ kuài qián yī jīn, xiāngjiāo sān kuài qián yī jīn.

Translation: I go to the market to buy fruit. I want to buy apples and bananas. Apples are five kuai per jin, bananas are three kuai per jin.

Sample Short Text: At the Hospital

我生病了，头痛又发烧。我去医院看医生。医生给我检查，然后给我药。我要多休息。

Wǒ shēngbìng le, tóutòng yòu fāshāo. Wǒ qù yīyuàn kàn yīshēng. Yīshēng gěi wǒ jiǎnchá, ránhòu gěi wǒ yào. Wǒ yào duō xiūxi.

Translation: I am sick, I have a headache and fever. I go to the hospital to see the doctor. The doctor examines me and gives me medicine. I need to rest more.

• Memorize the vocabulary words in the tables above
• Practice writing sentences using the examples as models
• Try to write 3-5 sentences about a visit to the market or hospital
• Always include the place (市场 or 医院) in your market or hospital text

In Tanzania, Chinese businesses and investors are common in many towns. If you ever visit China for trade or medical treatment, or if you meet Chinese tourists at local markets like Mwanga or Kigoma, you can use these Chinese phrases to communicate. For example, if you run a small shop in Dar es Salaam and a Chinese customer asks for the price, you can say "这个五十块" (Zhège wǔshí kuài — This is fifty kuai) to bargain or serve them.