Read time: 3 minutes
Today we’ll break down a common menu sign in Chinese.
Learn these basic terms to be able to see the same patterns in most menus.
Let’s focus on the area in red.
Step 1: Listen & Read
Listen to the speaker reading out the sign and follow along with the characters & pinyin below. Listen to as many times as you like.
This may seem intimidating because you may not understand much initially, but don’t worry! This is to help you get used to the sounds. We’ll get into the translation in the next step.
Báifàn
白飯
白饭
Zhūròu
豬肉
猪肉
Yángròu
羊肉
羊肉
Niúròu
牛肉
牛肉
Yángcōng jītuǐ ròu
洋蔥雞腿肉
洋葱鸡腿肉
Yángcōng zhūpái
洋蔥豬排
洋葱猪排
Step 2: English Translations
Read the English translations and vocabulary list and check how much you understood.
Báifàn
白飯
白饭
Plain cooked rice
Zhūròu
豬肉
猪肉
Pork
Yángròu
羊肉
羊肉
Mutton
Niúròu
牛肉
牛肉
Beef
Yángcōng jītuǐ ròu
洋蔥雞腿肉
洋葱鸡腿肉
Onion Chicken Thigh
Yángcōng zhūpái
洋蔥豬排
洋葱猪排
Onion Pork Chops
Vocabulary List
Access the full lesson with vocabulary lists, a study tracker, audio pronunciation, real video examples, flashcard review, and more here:
Step 3: Repetition
Most people stop after reading the translation, but they miss the most important step: repetition. This will help you improve your reading and speaking.
Read the characters out loud with the pinyin. Focus on getting the correct tones. Go back to the original audio in Step 1 if you need to hear it again.
Báifàn
白飯
白饭
Zhūròu
豬肉
猪肉
Yángròu
羊肉
羊肉
Niúròu
牛肉
牛肉
Yángcōng jītuǐ ròu
洋蔥雞腿肉
洋葱鸡腿肉
Yángcōng zhūpái
洋蔥豬排
洋葱猪排
Step 4: Final Test
Bring things full circle and read the original text one more time without pinyin. This will prepare you for the real world.
How does it feel compared to when you first read it?
Congrats! You just read a real-world Chinese sign!
I used this simple but powerful 4-step method to help me get fluent in Mandarin, consume native content, and speak with locals confidently.
See you again next week for another real-world breakdown.
When you’re ready, here are some other ways I can help you:
The Language Learner OS: The all-in-one study system I used to learn fluent Chinese that combines vocab lists, flashcards, journals, goals & more.
The Monthly Signs: Access full lessons of real signs with vocab lists, audio pronunciation guides, real video examples, flashcard reviews and more!