Grade 7 Mandarin Chinese MY BODY - Listening and Speaking – Oral Expression Notes
Mandarin Chinese — MY BODY (Oral Expression · Grammar notes)
Age: 12 (Kenyan context). Focus: grammatical structures for speaking about the body, choosing polite forms for different situations, making simple descriptions, and language patterns to express confidence.
Learning outcomes (grammar-focused)
- Use suitable vocabulary and sentence patterns for different speaking situations (classroom, friend, nurse/doctor).
- Make simple grammatical descriptions (possession, existence, adjectives, negation, questions).
- Use sentence patterns to express ability and feelings (to build confidence in speech).
Key vocabulary (body parts — characters · pinyin · English)
- 头 / tóu / head
- 眼睛 / yǎnjing / eye(s)
- 耳朵 / ěrduo / ear(s)
- 鼻子 / bízi / nose
- 嘴巴 / zuǐba / mouth
- 手 / shǒu / hand
- 脚 / jiǎo / foot
- 肚子 / dùzi / stomach
- 背 / bèi / back
Important grammar points and patterns
1) Possession: 的
Pattern: X 的 Y = Y of X / X's Y
Examples:
Pattern: X 的 Y = Y of X / X's Y
Examples:
- 这是我的头。 Zhè shì wǒ de tóu. — This is my head.
- 他的小手。 Tā de xiǎo shǒu. — His/Her small hand.
2) Existence / Having: 有
Pattern: Subject + 有 + (number) + object
Examples:
Pattern: Subject + 有 + (number) + object
Examples:
- 我有两只眼睛。 Wǒ yǒu liǎng zhī yǎnjing. — I have two eyes.
- 他没有鼻子过敏。 Tā méiyǒu bízi guòmǐn. — He does not have a nose allergy. (negation with 没有)
3) Describing with adjectives (adjectives after 很)
Pattern: Subject + 很 + adjective
Examples:
Pattern: Subject + 很 + adjective
Examples:
- 我的手很干净。 Wǒ de shǒu hěn gānjìng. — My hands are clean.
- 她的头发很长。 Tā de tóufa hěn cháng. — Her hair is long.
4) Negation: 不 and 没(有)
- 不 (bù): negates verbs (present/future) and adjectives (preference or habitual actions).
- 没(有) (méi / méiyǒu): negates past or existence/having.
Examples:
- 不 (bù): negates verbs (present/future) and adjectives (preference or habitual actions).
- 没(有) (méi / méiyǒu): negates past or existence/having.
Examples:
- 我不疼。 Wǒ bù téng. — I don't hurt. (used when denying pain)
- 我没有受伤。 Wǒ méiyǒu shòushāng. — I am not injured / I didn't get injured.
5) Questions: 吗, 怎么, 哪里, 谁
- Yes/no: add 吗 at end.
- Open: use 怎么 (how), 哪里 (where), 谁 (who).
Examples:
- Yes/no: add 吗 at end.
- Open: use 怎么 (how), 哪里 (where), 谁 (who).
Examples:
- 你疼吗？ Nǐ téng ma? — Do you feel pain?
- 哪里疼？ Nǎlǐ téng? — Where does it hurt?
- 谁的书包？ Shéi de shūbāo? — Whose bag?
6) Polite / situational forms (formal vs. informal)
Patterns to show respect or ask politely:
Patterns to show respect or ask politely:
- 请问，老师，我可以说吗？ Qǐngwèn, lǎoshī, wǒ kěyǐ shuō ma? — Excuse me, teacher, may I speak?
- 你可以帮我吗？ Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma? — Can you help me?
- To a doctor: 请问，哪里疼？ Qǐngwèn, nǎlǐ téng? — Excuse me, where does it hurt?
7) Expressing ability / confidence (to boost self-esteem)
Patterns:
Patterns:
- 我会 + verb: I can / I know how to... — 我会讲中文。 Wǒ huì jiǎng Zhōngwén. — I can speak Chinese.
- 我能 + verb: I am able to... — 我能描述我的手脚。 Wǒ néng miáoshù wǒ de shǒujiǎo. — I can describe my hands and feet.
- 我觉得 + clause: I feel / I think... — 我觉得自己很勇敢。 Wǒ juéde zìjǐ hěn yǒnggǎn. — I think I am brave.
Short model dialogues (grammar highlighted)
1) Classroom — Asking for permission (formal)
Qǐngwèn, lǎoshī, wǒ kěyǐ问一个问题吗？
老师：可以，请说。
Student: 这是我的手。它很脏。 Wǒ de shǒu hěn zāng. — (Use 的 for possession; 很 + adjective for description)
Qǐngwèn, lǎoshī, wǒ kěyǐ问一个问题吗？
老师：可以，请说。
Student: 这是我的手。它很脏。 Wǒ de shǒu hěn zāng. — (Use 的 for possession; 很 + adjective for description)
2) School nurse / doctor (polite questions + location)
Student: 请问，哪里疼？ Nǎlǐ téng?
Student: 我的肚子疼。 Wǒ de dùzi téng. (Subject + 的 + body-part + verb)
Nurse: 你有没有发烧？ Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu fāshāo? (Use 有/没有 for existence)
Student: 请问，哪里疼？ Nǎlǐ téng?
Student: 我的肚子疼。 Wǒ de dùzi téng. (Subject + 的 + body-part + verb)
Nurse: 你有没有发烧？ Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu fāshāo? (Use 有/没有 for existence)
3) Friend — Informal description
A: 你的眼睛很漂亮！ Nǐ de yǎnjing hěn piàoliang! (adjective description)
B: 谢谢！我很高兴。 Wǒ hěn gāoxìng. (express feeling)
A: 你的眼睛很漂亮！ Nǐ de yǎnjing hěn piàoliang! (adjective description)
B: 谢谢！我很高兴。 Wǒ hěn gāoxìng. (express feeling)
Practice exercises (grammar targets)
- Make sentences using 的 to say: "This is my nose." (Answer: 这是我的鼻子。)
- Use 有/没有: "I have two hands." (Answer: 我有两只手。)
- Describe with 很: "My feet are small." (Answer: 我的脚很小。)
- Form a polite question to a teacher asking to speak. (Answer: 请问，老师，我可以说吗？)
- Express ability: "I can describe the body." (Answer: 我会描述身体。)
- Make a question asking where it hurts. (Answer: 哪里疼？ / 哪里不舒服？)
Classroom pair activities (grammar-focused)
- Role play: Student — nurse. Use 请问 & 哪里疼 + 有/没有 + adjectives. Focus: correct question form and use of 有/没有.
- Describe-a-classmate (pair): use 的 + 很 + adjective. One describes, the other confirms with 是/不是 or adds details.
- Confidence sentences: each student says two sentences starting with 我会… and 我觉得… to practise 我会 / 我觉得 structures.
Quick tips for Kenyan 12‑year‑olds
- When speaking to teachers or nurses use 请问 + title (老师/医生) for politeness.
- Use 很 to describe simply — no need to say "very" every time; it's grammatical linking word.
- To build confidence, practise short "I can" sentences (我会… / 我能…) before longer speeches.
- Remember question words: add 吗 for yes/no questions; use 哪里/怎么 for details.
Visual cues: 👦🏽 👂 👀 — use gestures when practicing: point to the body part when saying its name to link speech and meaning.
Use these grammar patterns regularly in short spoken turns (10–20 seconds). Keep repetitions short and polite depending on who you speak to. Focus on correct use of 的, 有/没有, 很, question forms, and polite particles (请问, 吗) to achieve the learning outcomes.