Using Speakyboo with Mandarin

Mandarin is the second most common customer language in many US metros. Speakyboo handles it well. Here is what to know going in.

Mandarin vs Cantonese

Make sure the language slot says "Mandarin Chinese" if your customer speaks Mandarin. Cantonese is a separate dialect, common with older Chinese American families and customers from Hong Kong or Guangdong. If you pick the wrong one, the customer will be polite but they will not fully follow what you said.

Tone matters less than you think

Tones in Mandarin are important when a person speaks, but Speakyboo handles tone for you when it translates from English. You speak normal English. The output is correct Mandarin. You do not need to learn pinyin or anything fancy.

Numbers and prices

Chinese number words for hundreds and thousands work differently than English. Say your prices clearly: "two thousand five hundred dollars" not "twenty five hundred." Speakyboo will translate it cleanly.

Showing vs speaking

A lot of Mandarin-speaking customers, especially older ones, prefer to read the translation rather than hear it. Hand them the phone. Let them read. Wait. They will hand it back.

Use simple sentences

Avoid idioms. "Knock it out of the park," "ballpark figure," "play it by ear" — these will translate literally and confuse the customer. Stick to plain words.

Write down the address

If the customer is giving you an address in Mandarin, have them type it in their phone in Chinese characters, then translate. Verbally translated Chinese addresses are easy to mishear and get wrong. A typed address with the Pinyin and characters together is rock solid.