Learn the words first
会
huì
can (a learned skill)
说
shuō
to speak / say
中文
Zhōngwén
Chinese language
一点
yìdiǎn
a little
慢
màn
slow
再
zài
again
Useful pattern
会 + verb describes a learned skill: 我会说一点中文, I can speak a little Chinese. Add 吗 to form a yes/no question. 请 makes a request polite. 请说慢一点 asks for slower speech; 请再说一遍 asks for a repetition. Before fourth-tone 遍 biàn, 一 changes to yí.
Try it in a conversation
Read both turns below. Listen to the question, then practise the reply. Replace one word using this lesson’s vocabulary.
Examples to read and repeat
你会说中文吗？
Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?
Can you speak Chinese?
我会说一点中文。
Wǒ huì shuō yìdiǎn Zhōngwén.
I can speak a little Chinese.
请说慢一点。
Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.