Basic Verbs

1. 去

   chi5

   To go

   Usage

   The basic verb "to go"

   Grammar Note

   去 reads chi5; the destination follows it.

2. 來

   le6

   To come

   Usage

   The basic verb "to come"

   Grammar Note

   來 reads le6; same character as in Mandarin.

3. 吃

   chiq7

   To eat / drink

   Usage

   Basic verb used for both eating and drinking

   Grammar Note

   Shanghainese 吃 (chiq7) means "eat" and is also used for drinks, as in 吃茶 "have tea".

4. 買

   ma6

   To buy

   Usage

   Basic shopping verb

   Grammar Note

   買 "buy" and 賣 "sell" are both ma6; context tells them apart.

5. 看

   khoe5

   To see / look

   Usage

   Basic verb for looking, reading and seeing a doctor

   Grammar Note

   看 reads khoe5. 看醫生 means "see a doctor".

6. 等

   ten5

   To wait

   Usage

   For waiting for a person or a vehicle

   Grammar Note

   等 reads ten5.

7. 我想去

   ngu6 shian5 chi5

   I want to go

   Usage

   Says you want or plan to go

   Grammar Note

   Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 想 (shian5) means "to want / to plan to".

8. 我想吃

   ngu6 shian5 chiq7

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Says you want to eat

   Grammar Note

   Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 想 plus a verb means "want to do".

9. 我要搿個

   ngu6 iau5 geq8 geq8

   I want it

   Usage

   When you have decided in a shop or restaurant

   Grammar Note

   我要搿個 is a standard shopping phrase; 要 (iau5) means "want".

10. 我覅勒

    ngu6 viau6 leq8

    I don't need it

    Usage

    Declines an offer or a sales pitch

    Grammar Note

    覅 (viau6) is the contraction of 勿要, "don't want"; final 勒 marks the change of state.

11. 我有

    ngu6 yeu6

    I have it

    Usage

    Says that you have something

    Grammar Note

    有 reads yeu6.

12. 我嘸沒

    ngu6 m6 meq8

    I don't have it

    Usage

    Says that you do not have something

    Grammar Note

    嘸沒 (m6 meq8) means "not have", the counterpart of Mandarin 沒有.

13. 我要取鈔票

    ngu6 iau5 chiu5 tshau5 phiau5

    I'll withdraw money

    Usage

    When you want to take out money at an ATM or bank

    Grammar Note

    Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 取 (chiu5) means "to take / get".

14. 我要訂位子

    ngu6 iau5 tin5 we6 tsy5

    I'll make a reservation

    Usage

    Asks to book a table or seat

    Grammar Note

    Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. 訂 means "to book".

15. 請儂幫幫我

    chin5 non6 paon1 paon1 ngu6

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    Asks for help with a specific task

    Grammar Note

    Composed with regular Shanghainese grammar. The doubled verb 幫幫 softens the request.

16. 請告訴我

    chin5 kau5 su5 ngu6

    Please tell me

    Usage

    When asking someone to tell you something, such as directions

    Grammar Note

    告訴 (kau5 su5) means "to tell".

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