Mandarin Month: How to Get Your Bike Fixed in Beijing
In the lead up to our Mandarin Month mixer on June 24 June 25, where you'll be able to meet with Beijing's best Mandarin schools, we'll be dishing out some language-learning advice on a daily basis. Read on if you don't want to wait to get started on improving your 中文. Mandarin Month is sponsored by Sanfine International Hospital.
Bikes are a pretty essential part of Beijing life yet somehow bike-related vocabulary never seems to make it onto Mandarin study curricula. If you're one of the seemingly decreasing number of people who still have their own bike rather than relying on Mobike and Ofo then read on to discover the words and phrases you need to keep your trusty two-wheeled companion in tip-top condition.
READ: How to Keep Your Bike Safe From Theft in Beijing
First, learn the names for basic bike parts:
Wheel 轮 lún
Brakes 刹车 shāchē
Handlebars 车把 chēbǎ
Chain 链条 liàntiáo
Gears 变速器 biànsùqì
Tire 轮胎 lúntāi
Inner tube 内胎 nèitāi
Kickstand 脚架 jiǎojià
Pedals 踏板 tàbǎn
Basket 车筐 chēkuāng
Frame 车架 chējià
Now that you're familiar with how to refer to the most common parts of your bicycle (no more pointing and gesturing for you, Mandarin master) read on to discover how to describe the most common problems you'll encounter as a city cyclist.
My tire has a puncture
我的轮胎被刺穿了
wǒ de lúntāi bèi cìchuān le
My chain needs oiling
我的链条需要上油
wǒ de liàntiáo xūyào shàng yóu
My chain has fallen off
我的链条掉了
wǒ de liàntiáo diào le
My brakes need tightening
我的刹车需要调紧
wǒ de shāchē xūyào tiáo jǐn
My tires need more air
我的轮胎需要加气
wǒ de lúntāi xūyào jiā qì
My basket / frame / rims are bent
我的车筐／车架／轮辋变形了
wǒ de chēkuāng/chē jià/lúnwǎng biànxíngle
Note: I have never been scammed by a bicycle repair shop but it's always a good idea to ask home much the repair will cost before you go ahead with it. If you think the price you've been quoted is too high, better get bargaining. For tips on how to bargain in Mandarin, click here.
Keep on track with your studies with all of our 2017 Mandarin Month content here, and don't forget to register for our June 24 June 25 mixer here.
If you are interested in becoming an exhibitor at our Mandarin Month Mixer on June 24 June 25, please call 5941 0368 or email sales@truerun.com. For media partnership opportunities, please call 5941 5379 or email marketing@truerun.com.
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