In everyday conversations in Mandarin, using casual phrases is super important. These phrases make chatting easier and friendlier.

When you learn these phrases, you can also get better at Mandarin. They add to your vocabulary and help you sound more like a fluent speaker. Here are some popular casual phrases divided by themes.

Common Greetings and Responses

1. 你好 (Nǐ hǎo) - “Hello”
2. 最近怎么样? (Zuìjìn zěnme yàng?) - “How have you been lately?”
3. 没事儿 (Méishìr) - “No problem” or “It's nothing.” Use this when someone says they're sorry.
4. 辛苦了 (Xīnkǔ le) - “Thank you for your hard work.” People often say this at work to show they appreciate someone's effort.

Expressing Opinions

1. 我觉得 (Wǒ juédé) - “I think…” You can use this to share your thoughts about something.
2. 说实话 (Shuō shíhuà) - “To be honest…” This is what you say when you want to share your true feelings, often before giving a critical opinion.
3. 这是个好主意 (Zhè shì ge hǎo zhǔyì) - “That’s a good idea.” People say this in discussions to agree with someone.

Everyday Conversation Starters

1. 你听说了吗? (Nǐ tīng shuō le ma?) - “Did you hear about…?” This is a good way to start talking about news or gossip.
2. 我带你去看看 (Wǒ dài nǐ qù kàn kàn) - “I’ll take you to have a look.” This is helpful when you want to suggest doing something together.

Responses to Offers

1. 好的，谢谢 (Hǎo de, xièxiè) - “Sure, thank you.” This is a polite way to say yes to an offer.
2. 谢谢，但我可以自己来 (Xièxiè, dàn wǒ kěyǐ zìjǐ lái) - “Thank you, but I can do it myself.” Use this to kindly say you don’t need help.

Colloquial Expressions for Emotions

1. 有点儿累 (Yǒudiǎnr lèi) - “A little tired.” People use this to say they feel tired after working.
2. 太好了 (Tài hǎo le) - “That’s great!” This shows excitement or happiness and is used in casual chats.

Language Tips

• Using Slang: In casual Mandarin, friends often use slang. Phrases like “牛逼 (niúbī)” mean "amazing" or "awesome" and can make you sound relatable. But be careful—use slang in the right situations since it can be too informal at times.

• Tones and Context: Mandarin is a tonal language. This means how you say a word can change its meaning. Make sure to get the tones right when using these phrases to avoid confusion. Practice with native speakers to get better at using them correctly.

Practice Time

To get used to these phrases, try using them in sentences:

1. 我觉得这部电影非常好 (Wǒ juédé zhè bù diànyǐng fēicháng hǎo) - “I think this movie is very good.”
2. 最近怎么样? 我没事儿 (Zuìjìn zěnme yàng? Wǒ méishìr) - “How have you been lately? I’m fine.”

Use these phrases in your daily conversations to improve your Mandarin skills. Keep practicing so you can feel comfortable using them in different situations, not just memorizing words.