Go “玩(wán) Play” the Right Way!
There are many words in Chinese that mean “to play” so you have to be careful which one you use in different situations! Mǎ Kè: Wáng Míng, zhōumò yìqǐ ( ) lánqiú ba! 马 克：王 明， 周末 一起（ ） 篮球 吧！ Mark: Wang Ming, Let’s …
Chinese Story for Kids: The Pig Ate a Watermelon
The Pig Baijie is a much-loved character in the classic Chinese TV series Journey to the West《西游记》(Xīyóujì). He has the head of a pig and the body of a human, and is fat and greedy for food. The following story is an episode from Journey …
Basic Sentences to Help Tourists Get Around China
If you are just starting to learn Chinese, but already preparing a trip to China, you might find these basic sentences very useful to getting around. They are so basic, that as your Chinese improves, you’ll find that you never stop using these phrases!
Xǐshǒujiān
… Answer to A Great Misunderstanding Caused by The Missing “包(bāo)Bag”
Answer:
1. B
2. C
Did you guess right? This dialogue is very funny once you understand, but pretty tricky! That is because the character “包(bāo)” in Chinese has many different meanings. Here are the two meanings that are relevant to the dialogue: The first …
A Great Misunderstanding Caused by The Missing “包(bāo)Bag”
1. Which character is causing the misunderstanding between the policeman and woman? A. 身上(shēnshàng) B. 包(bāo) C. 放心(fàngxīn) D. 不见(bújiàn) 2. What does the police man mean by saying “包在我身上(bāo zài wǒ shēnshàng)?” A. He took the woman’s bag. B. He doesn’t know who stole …
Kids’ Chinese Story: Three Monks Had no Water to Drink
三个和尚没水喝 (Sāngè Héshang Méi Shuǐ Hē) Three Monks Had no Water for Drinking
Listen to the whole story:
Key learning points (Preview):
和尚 (héshang): n. monk
挑水 (tiāoshuǐ): v.to draw water
Shānshàng yǒu zuò xiǎomiào, miàolǐ yǒu gè xiǎo héshang. 山上 …
Why 2016 Makes an Ancient Chinese Idiom Contradict Itself?
The Chinese idiom “猴年马月(hóunián mǎyuè)” literally means “monkey year, horse month” and is causing a lot of excitement on social media in China. Following the cycle of the 12 Chinese zodiacs, every 12 years is the year of the monkey. In accordance with this, each …
Answer to How the Lantern Festival Lights up China
Answer: D The Lantern Festival “元宵节(yuánxiāojié)” is technically the last day of the Chinese Spring Festival and is an uplifting, traditional holiday. The literal meaning of “元宵节(yuánxiāojié)” is the Sweet Dumpling Festival. There is a large variety of delicious food served during the festival, but …
How the Lantern Festival Lights up China?
A. Watch the dragon dance, or “舞龙舞狮(wǔlóng wǔshī)” B. Eat “汤圆 (tāngyuán) glutinous rice balls” C. Let off fireworks 烟花(yānhuā) in the street D. Enjoy viewing the moon, or “赏月(shǎngyuè)”
WeChat Lucky Money Taps into Chinese New Year Tradition
“微信红包” WeChat Lucky Money (wēixìn hóngbāo)
During the Spring Festival, Chinese adults will give children and elders “红包(hóngbāo),” known as Lucky Money or Red Envelopes in English, as a sign of luck and good fortune. However, this year, this Chinese tradition of …
商务问候 (Shāngwù wènhòu) Business Greetings (Beginner)
商务问候 (Shāngwù wènhòu) Business Greetings (Beginner) (Learn Chinese Business Etiquette Lessons with our teachers!) Speaking Chinese in a business setting is often challenging. Let’s see a dialogue below.
Key Learning Points (Preview): 你 (nĭ) and 您 (nín): pron you 第一天上班 Dì yī tiān …
A Kids’ Story- A Little Monkey Comes down from the Mountain
The Year of the Monkey is upon us! Hopefully it will be one of luck and prosperity for you all! We know monkeys can be mischievous little creatures, and the unlucky monkey in this story is no different. Let his mistakes teach you a little …
Are you Afraid of New Year’s Visits?
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Many young Chinese people, especially “leftover” men and women, who are not willing to pay New Year’s visits may suffer from 拜年(bàinián)______. A. 抑郁症(yìyùzhèng)
B. 恐惧症(kǒngjùzhèng)
C. 强迫症(qiángpòzhèng)
Not sure about the answer? No worries, …
Answer to “跑腿(pǎotuǐ)” Fancy Footwork Gets the Job Done! (Beginner)
“跑腿(pǎotuǐ)” doesn’t literally mean “to run with one’s legs”. It has two meanings. One is to serve others for money or for free. The other is to run here and there to do odds and ends for oneself. So “跑腿(pǎotuǐ)” actually means “to do legwork/footwork …
“跑腿(pǎotuǐ)” Fancy Footwork Gets the Job Done! (Beginner)
In Chinese, people often use “跑腿(pǎotuǐ)” when describing their jobs. What does this mean? Find out after completing this test!
Wáng Lín: Mǎ Kè, nǐde xīngōngzuò zěnmeyàng a? 王 琳：马 克，你的 新工作 怎么样 啊？ Wang Lin: Mark, how’s your new job? Mǎ Kè: Biétíle, tiāntiān …