Receipt in Chinese | The Mando Press
Today we’re breaking down this bill in Chinese. This kind of bill is usually seen at a coffee shop or a restaurant. Do you know what it says?
Step 1: Pre-test
Try to read the text above without any help. You may not understand much but do it anyways.
Pre-testing is scientifically shown to enhance memory by focusing your attention so you study more deeply. Students who pre-test learn significantly more compared to those who don’t, even if they feel like they “bomb” the pre-test.
This is a very important step, don’t skip it.
Step 2: Listen + Read
Listen to the audio file below and read along with the characters, pinyin, and translation. Look up any words you don’t understand (vocabulary list below).
Focus on hearing the correct tones/pronunciation for each character and shadow/repeat what you hear using the pinyin to help (scaffolding).
Repeat this step multiple times for best results.
Xī lán hóngchá
锡兰红茶
錫蘭紅茶
Ceylon red tea
shǎo bīng/wú táng/
少冰/无糖/
少冰/無糖/
Less ice/no sugar/
héjì:
合计：
合計：
total:
Fāpiào jīn'é:
发票金额：
發票金額：
Invoice amount:
Xìnyòngkǎ
信用卡
信用卡
credit card
xìnyòngkǎ kǎhào
信用卡卡号
信用卡卡號
credit card number
Vocabulary List
Step 3: Repetition + Retrieval
Most learners stop here, but they miss the most important step: repetition and active recall/retrieval (also scientifically shown to enhance memory).
Read the characters out loud without audio. Focus on getting the correct tones/pronunciation. Try not to look at the pinyin, but use it like training wheels if you forget.
Repeat until you don’t need to look at the pinyin.
Xī lán hóngchá
锡兰红茶
錫蘭紅茶
shǎo bīng/wú táng/
少冰/无糖/
少冰/無糖/
héjì:
合计：
合計：
Fāpiào jīn'é:
发票金额：
發票金額：
Xìnyòngkǎ
信用卡
信用卡
xìnyòngkǎ kǎhào
信用卡卡号
信用卡卡號
Step 4: Final “Test”
When you feel ready, re-read the original text below after completing the above exercises.
How does it feel? Do you feel more confident reading it?
Many Chinese learners lose motivation because study using ineffective methods. The system I use here is just one of the many ways I leverage the science of learning and real-world materials to get tangible results fast.
See you next week for another breakdown!
If this helped you, here are some other ways I can help you:
Speaking Course: This course gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the system I used to go from being nervous to speak to having meaningful conversations with native speakers. If you want to start speaking, this is for you.
The Language Learner OS: The digital study space I use to keep me organized, focused and motivated when learning languages.
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