Mandarin Phrasebook (Lonely Planet) [Paperback]

Charles Qin (Author), Justin Rudelson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0864426526 | ISBN-13: 978-0864426529 | Publication Date: February 2000 | Edition: 4th

Mandarin is the official language of China, Taiwan and Singapore. With this handy phrasebook you'll have no trouble communicating in any situation - shopping, getting around town, finding accommodation, or just making friendly chit-chat. Chinese script is included throughout as well as easy-to-follow pronunciation and grammar guides.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet; 4th edition (February 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864426526
• ISBN-13: 978-0864426529
• Product Dimensions: 5.6 x 3.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #366,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Chinese
  • #16 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Reference > Foreign Languages > Instruction > Chinese

More About the Author

Though her successful career as a lawyer and educator might be Chris Taylor s most impressive professional credential, it was her volunteer work for the public school system that led to her most personally rewarding vocation as grant writer, author and public speaker. After graduating from law school, Taylor worked as the chief attorney at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission and as a private practitioner in her native state of Oklahoma. In 1983, she moved to Tennessee and taught legal research and writing and appellate advocacy law classes at the Memphis State University Humphreys College of Law, while also working as an attorney for the Memphis Area Legal Services where she represented low-income clients in civil rights matters. From there, she became a director for the Tennessee Department of Employment Security in Nashville before accepting a position to head the Paralegal Studies Program at Volunteer State Community College. In 2001, she moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where her volunteer work with schools began. Shocked when she discovered how much teachers spend out of their own pockets to help with classroom expenses, Taylor felt compelled to use her experience to help educators get more funding for class projects. Writing grants for schools perfectly combined her professional background with her desire to help the educational community. In addition to grant writing, she organized read-a-thons and book fairs for elementary schools and taught high school students about various aspects of law. While formally recognized by schools for her volunteerism, Taylor desired a way to help more than just the handful of schools she had time to assist on a one-on-one basis. No sooner did she put that heartfelt wish out to the universe when she was contacted by Five Star Publications to write GRANTED!: A Teacher s Guide to Writing and Winning Classroom Grants and conduct GRANTED! workshops. In addition to GRANTED!, Taylor is a published poet and has written legal materials, such as a handbook to assist legal aid clients in understanding their rights. She lives in Arizona with her husband, two children, three dogs and numerous fish.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable Mandarin Phrasebook, June 21, 2000

By 

A Jeffrey Giacomin (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mandarin Phrasebook (Lonely Planet) (Paperback)

I have not seen previous editions of this phrasebook, but I do own three others, and this 4th edition by Rudelson and Qin is by far the best. The phrasebook is clear, remarkably concise, well organized and dense with clearly tabulated information. It fits nicely in a man's front trouser pocket, but not in your back pocket. I have used the book for a week and have neither found a misprint, nor a need to annotate the book. You will find everything from handsigns for counting (p. 113) to dirty words (p. 108).

The two way 112-page dictionary included at the back is a masterpiece. The only other pocket dictionary that I can find (that actually fits in a pocket) is the classic by James C. Quo. Unfortunately, this uses antiquated (Wade-Giles) romanization. So Rudelson and Qin's phrasebook also happens to contain the best pocket dictionary (that actually fits in a pocket) on the market.

This dictionary is new to the 4th edition (the 3rd edition is by a different author, Taylor). Rudelson and Qin should next create an electronic version as for a PalmPilot.

Put down all other phrasebooks or pocket dictionaries, and find yourself one of these.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent resource, July 20, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mandarin Phrasebook (Lonely Planet) (Paperback)

This phrasebook was extremely useful during my family's trip to China. The two way dictionary is definitely helpful in terms of translations as well as pronunciation. There are also plenty of interesting notes on practical information you need to live day to day, such as how to show number quantities using your hands. Very good resource for a trip to china.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for travel in mainland China, March 29, 2002

By 

"buckshot007" (Grand Rapids, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mandarin Phrasebook (Lonely Planet) (Paperback)

I bought this book at a bookshop in Beijing after having all but worn out my friend's copy -- and it has been worth every penny.

Words and phrases are helpfully arranged by topic. Cultural tips are both witty and informative. There is a brief explanation of grammar (which is all that is needed; Chinese grammar is very simple), as well as a brief explanation of pronunciation. The pronunciation guide, while among the best in phrasebooks, is not nearly sufficient for learning the precise pronunciation that is necessary for communicating in Chinese. If you've never been to China, and plan on being able to communicate, however modestly, you'll want to get started on pronunciation right away. A book with an audio aid would be better for this, but there is really no substitute for a real-life Mandarin speaker. All words are romanized for the reader's convenience according the pinyin system, which is slightly confusing at first, but is generally the most helpful system in the long run. Characters are included so that the distressed traveler (and there will be times of distress if you travel in China -- nothing to worry about, but still a fact of life in the Middle Kingdom) can simply point to the characters if all else fails.

In all, this phrasebook is a nonpareil among Chinese phrasebooks. Its limitations simply reflect the limitations of phrasebooks in general, though the authors have done a remarkable job of making it as useful as possible. Whether you know no Mandarin at all, or have a rudimentary knowledge of it and want a safety net, this book is the one to buy.