Mandarin Chinese for Beginners: Give Simple Opinions on Movies and Books
Learn to say what you think about a movie or book in Mandarin Chinese. Use 我喜欢 because, 我觉得, and simple reasons. Perfect for elementary learners who want to share basic reactions.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you will learn how to give simple opinions about movies and books in Mandarin Chinese. You will use basic phrases like 我喜欢 (wǒ xǐhuan, I like) and 我觉得 (wǒ juéde, I think/feel) to express whether you enjoyed something and why. We will focus on straightforward evaluations, such as saying you liked a film because it was interesting or that a book was boring. You will also learn how to ask someone else's opinion. All examples use simplified Chinese characters and pinyin with tone marks. By the end, you will be able to have a short conversation about a movie or book, sharing your basic reaction and a simple reason.
By the end, you can…
- say whether I liked or disliked a movie or book using 我喜欢 or 我不喜欢.
- give a simple reason for my opinion using 因为 (yīnwèi, because).
- ask someone else's opinion using 你觉得怎么样？ (nǐ juéde zěnmeyàng?, What do you think?)
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我喜欢这部电影。
I like this movie.
wǒ xǐhuan zhè bù diànyǐng.
Use 部 (bù) as the measure word for movies. 电影 (diànyǐng) means movie.
我不喜欢这本书。
I don't like this book.
wǒ bù xǐhuan zhè běn shū.
Use 本 (běn) as the measure word for books. 书 (shū) means book.
因为很有趣。
Because it's very interesting.
yīnwèi hěn yǒuqù.
因为 (yīnwèi) means because. 有趣 (yǒuqù) means interesting. 很 (hěn) means very.
我觉得很无聊。
I think it's very boring.
wǒ juéde hěn wúliáo.
觉得 (juéde) means to think or feel. 无聊 (wúliáo) means boring.
你觉得怎么样？
What do you think?
nǐ juéde zěnmeyàng?
Use this to ask for someone's opinion. 怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) means how about / what do you think.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To give a simple opinion, use 我喜欢 (wǒ xǐhuan, I like) or 我不喜欢 (wǒ bù xǐhuan, I don't like) followed by the movie or book. For example, 我喜欢这部电影 (wǒ xǐhuan zhè bù diànyǐng, I like this movie). To give a reason, add 因为 (yīnwèi, because) and a simple adjective, like 因为很好看 (yīnwèi hěn hǎokàn, because it's very good to watch). You can also use 我觉得 (wǒ juéde, I think) to soften your opinion: 我觉得这本书很无聊 (wǒ juéde zhè běn shū hěn wúliáo, I think this book is very boring).
When to use it
Use these phrases in casual conversations with friends or classmates. For example, after watching a movie, you can say 我喜欢这部电影，因为很有趣 (wǒ xǐhuan zhè bù diànyǐng, yīnwèi hěn yǒuqù, I like this movie because it's very interesting). If you didn't like it, say 我不喜欢，因为很无聊 (wǒ bù xǐhuan, yīnwèi hěn wúliáo, I don't like it because it's boring). To ask someone else, say 你觉得怎么样？ (nǐ juéde zěnmeyàng?, What do you think?). These are simple, direct opinions suitable for everyday chat.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你看过这部电影吗？
Have you seen this movie?nǐ kànguo zhè bù diànyǐng ma?看过了。我觉得很好看。
Yes, I've seen it. I think it's very good.kànguo le. wǒ juéde hěn hǎokàn.为什么？
Why?wèishénme?因为很有趣，而且演员很好。
Because it's very interesting, and the actors are good.yīnwèi hěn yǒuqù, érqiě yǎnyuán hěn hǎo.A little context goes a long way
In Chinese conversations, it's common to give a brief opinion and then ask the other person's view. Using 我觉得 (wǒ juéde) makes your statement sound more personal and less blunt. When expressing dislike, it's often softened with 我觉得 or 有一点 (yǒu yīdiǎn, a little), for example, 我觉得有一点无聊 (wǒ juéde yǒu yīdiǎn wúliáo, I think it's a little boring). Directly saying 我不喜欢 can be fine among friends, but in polite company, a softer tone is appreciated.
One thing to watch for
Learners often say 我是喜欢 (wǒ shì xǐhuan) to mean 'I like', influenced by English 'I am like' or overuse of 是.
Try this instead: Do not use 是 (shì) before 喜欢 (xǐhuan). Simply say 我喜欢 (wǒ xǐhuan). For example, 我喜欢这本书 (wǒ xǐhuan zhè běn shū, I like this book). The verb 喜欢 already means 'like'; 是 is not needed.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I like this book' in Chinese?
Show a sample answer
我喜欢这本书。
This uses 我 (I) + 喜欢 (like) + 这 (this) + 本 (measure word for books) + 书 (book). It's the basic pattern for expressing a positive opinion.
2How do you ask 'What do you think?' in Chinese?
Show a sample answer
你觉得怎么样？
This is a common way to ask for someone's opinion. 你 (you) + 觉得 (think/feel) + 怎么样 (how about).
3Translate: 'I don't like this movie because it's boring.'
Show a sample answer
我不喜欢这部电影，因为很无聊。
This uses 我不喜欢 (I don't like) + 这部电影 (this movie) + 因为 (because) + 很无聊 (very boring). You can also say 我觉得这部电影很无聊 (I think this movie is very boring).
Use 我喜欢 / 我不喜欢 to state your basic opinion, add 因为 to give a simple reason, and ask 你觉得怎么样？ to invite others to share their view. Keep it simple and personal with 我觉得.
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