User:JonathanDring/sandbox

Introduction
Many people hire a helper for their family in China. There are a lot of different names for the helper, for example, jia zheng fu wu yuan (家政服务员), bao mu (保姆), in Shanghai we call them Ayí (阿姨). The word ayi originally means a sister of mother, now it indicates that helpers are usually mid-aged women. Of course there are young ones, some people prefer the young helpers to look after young children.

You can hire different types of Ayi from the housekeeping agencies, or get a recommendation from a friend. There are zhu jia a yi (住家阿姨), who lives & eats in your house; quan zhi a yi (全职阿姨), who works 8 hours a day; 钟点工 (zhong dian gong), who works flexibly. Usually you get a 3-day trial to see whether the person does what you want and how well she does it. Then you could sign a contract if you decide to hire the person, and probably buy a housekeeping insurance just in case any accident.

Most ayis get paid monthly, including those who work flexibly, the working hours are accumulated each month. After a whole year’s hard work, they will appreciate a hong bao (红包) before the Chinese New Year, which a lot of them will go back to their home town for 2 or 3 weeks holiday.

There are several basic things you need to be prepared when you go to an agency, let’s have a look the scenario below.

Conversation
Customer: Hello, I’d like to hire an ayi.

你好，我想请    一个 阿姨.

nihao, wo xiang qing yige  ayi.

Agency:   Ok, we’ve got a lot of good ayis! Do you want a full-time ayi or a part-time one?

好啊，我们    这里 有    很多     好的     阿姨！你 要    找     住家阿姨 还是   钟点工？

hao’a, women zheli you henduo haode ayi! ni yao zhao zhujia’ayi haishi zhongdiangong?

Customer: I’d like to hire a part-time ayi.

我 要   请    一个 钟点工.

wo yao qing yige zhongdiangong.

Agency:    No problem, how many times would you like her to work each week? How many hours each time?

没问题， 你 希望   她 一个 礼拜 上      几天 班？  每次  多长          时间？

meiwenti, ni xiwang ta yige libai shang jitian ban? meici duochang shijian?

Customer: 3 days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday. 4 hours each time.

一个 礼拜 3天，  周一，  周三，    周五. 每次 4个  小时.

yige libai santian, zhouyi, zhousan, zhouwu. meici sige xiaoshi.

Agency:    Ok, what time?

可以，几点 到 几点  啊？

keyi, jidian dao jidian a?

Customer: 8 to 12 am.

上午       8点       到   12点.

shangwu badian dao shi’erdian.

Agency:    Ok, I recommend Ms.Wang, she does a good job of housekeeping, she charges 20 rmb per hour.

好的，我  给  你 推荐   王阿姨， 她 家务  做得   很好，   她的 工资     是  20     块   一小时.

haode, wo gei ni tuijian wang’ayi, ta jiawu zuode henhao, tade gongzi shi ershi kuai yixiaoshi.

Customer: Alright, when could Ms.Wang start to work?

好吧， 王阿姨   什么时候          能      开始   上班？

haoba, wang’ayi shenmeshihou neng kaishi shangban?

Agency:    Tomorrow is Wednesday, how about tomorrow?

明天      是   礼拜三，明天      开始    怎么样？

mingtian shi libaisan, mingtian kaishi zenmeyang?

Customer: Fine.

可以.

keyi.

Agency:    Please write down you phone number and address.

那 请   你 留一下 你的 电话      和 地址.

na qing ni liuyixia nide dianhua he dizhi.

Customer: Ok, this is my number and address. Thank you.

好的， 这  是  我的  电话       和  地址. 谢谢你.

haode, zhe shi wode dianhua he dizhi. xiexieni.

Agency:    You’re welcome, I hope you like our ayi!

不客气，希望 你 对  我们的      阿姨 满意！

bukeqi, xiwang ni dui womende ayi manyi!