In this workshop you will practice the opening lines of a formal Chinese email. You will learn how to greet a teacher or a manager, how to introduce yourself, and how to reply politely. Every native example comes from a short recording, and you will see its English meaning before you practice it. You can play both roles in the dialogue, so you can read the student's part and then read the teacher's part. The goal is to make the first lines of an email feel natural and polite.
Greeting a Teacher or a Manager
A formal Chinese email often starts with a greeting line. The greeting depends on the person you are writing to. For a teacher, you can use a title with the family name. «尊敬的王教授：» means "Dear Professor Wang:". For a manager, the greeting can be a little different. «李经理，您好：» means "Manager Li, hello:". Both lines are polite, but they are used for different people. Notice that the family name comes after the title. When you write your own email, choose the greeting that matches the person. If you are not sure, a simple title and family name is a safe choice. Practice saying each line slowly, then write it once by hand. This helps you remember the order of the words.
Introducing Yourself and Asking a Question
After the greeting, you often say who you are. In the recording, a student writes to a professor. «尊敬的王教授：您好！我是中文系的学生李明。» means "Dear Professor Wang: Hello! I am Li Ming, a student in the Chinese department." This line has three parts: the greeting, a short hello, and a self-introduction. Then the student asks a question. «谢谢您！我想请教一个问题，关于您的课程。» means "Thank you! I would like to ask a question about your course." This is a polite way to begin a request. The word for "thank you" comes first, and then the student says what they want to do. When you practice, say the greeting and your name clearly. Then add one short sentence about why you are writing. Keep it simple and polite.
Replying to a Student's Email
A teacher can also reply to a student. In the recording, the teacher answers the student. «李明同学，你好！很高兴收到你的邮件。» means "Student Li Ming, hello! I am glad to receive your email." This reply uses the student's name and a friendly greeting. Then the teacher invites the student to continue. «没问题，请讲。» means "No problem, please go ahead." This is a warm and simple way to say "you may ask your question now." When you practice this role, speak in a calm and friendly voice. You can read the teacher's lines after you read the student's lines. This helps you hear how a short email exchange sounds from both sides.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
尊敬的史密斯先生：
Dear Mr. Smith:
zūn jìng de shǐ mì sī xiān sheng
尊敬的王教授：
Dear Professor Wang:
zūn jìng de wáng jiào shòu
李经理，您好：
Manager Li, hello:
lǐ jīng lǐ, nín hǎo
张主任，你好：
Director Zhang, hello:
zhāng zhǔ rèn, nǐ hǎo
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
尊敬的王教授：您好！我是中文系的学生李明。
Dear Professor Wang: Hello! I am Li Ming, a student in the Chinese department.李明同学，你好！很高兴收到你的邮件。
Student Li Ming, hello! I am glad to receive your email.谢谢您！我想请教一个问题，关于您的课程。
Thank you! I would like to ask a question about your course.没问题，请讲。
No problem, please go ahead.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided Exchange: Write the Opening Lines
Imagine you are a student writing a short email to a professor. You will use the recorded lines as your model. Read each line aloud before you write it.
Your task: First, choose a greeting for a professor. Use the line from the recording: «尊敬的王教授：». Then add a self-introduction like the student in the recording: «尊敬的王教授：您好！我是中文系的学生李明。». Finally, add a polite sentence to begin your question: «谢谢您！我想请教一个问题，关于您的课程。». Write all three lines in order.
Reply Comprehension: Choose the Right Response
Imagine you are the teacher. A student has just sent you an email. You will choose a reply from the recorded lines.
Your task: Read the student's line: «尊敬的王教授：您好！我是中文系的学生李明。». Then choose the teacher's reply from the recording: «李明同学，你好！很高兴收到你的邮件。». After that, read the student's next line: «谢谢您！我想请教一个问题，关于您的课程。». Choose the teacher's next reply from the recording: «没问题，请讲。». Say both replies aloud.
Recall and Role Swap: Student and Teacher
Now you will practice the full short exchange from memory. You can play both roles. First be the student, then be the teacher.
Your task: As the student, say the greeting and self-introduction from the recording: «尊敬的王教授：您好！我是中文系的学生李明。». Then say the polite question line: «谢谢您！我想请教一个问题，关于您的课程。». As the teacher, say the reply from the recording: «李明同学，你好！很高兴收到你的邮件。». Then say the invitation to continue: «没问题，请讲。». Try to say each line without looking, then check the recording.
Common questions
Can I use the same greeting for a teacher and a manager?
The recordings show different greetings for different people. «尊敬的王教授：» is used for a professor, and «李经理，您好：» is used for a manager. Both are polite, but they match different roles. When you write, choose the greeting that fits the person you are writing to.
How do I know if I am the student or the teacher in the practice?
The student writes the first email and asks a question. The teacher replies and invites the student to continue. You can play both roles by reading the student lines first and then the teacher lines. Use the success criteria to review your own speaking.
Sources and further reading
- chinese: formal email greetingsChecked September 2026
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