压岁钱的故事 The Story of Pocket Money on Lunar New Year’s Day (Beginner)
压岁钱的故事 (Yāsuìqián de gùshi) The Story of Pocket Money for Children on Lunar New Year’s Day
Listen to the story
Key Learning Points (Preview):
哭 (kū):
v.
to cry
宝贝 (bǎobèi):
n/v.
baby/ take sth/ sb as treasured one
告诉 (gàosù):
v.
to tell
Gǔ …
Chinese Test: Joining the Red Envelope Frenzy for Spring Festival?
Mike: Spring Festival is coming up. I’m pretty excited. Dan: Yeah, maybe we’ll get some red envelopes.
What does “red envelope” mean in Chinese?
A. 包裹 (bāoguǒ) B. 红包 (hóngbāo) C. 礼物 (lǐwù) C. 情书 (qíngshū)
Answer to Chinese Test: Joining the Red Envelope Frenzy for Spring Festival?
Answer: B
Analysis:
A: “包裹 (bāoguǒ)” means “package.” B: “红包 (hóngbāo)” means “red envelope.” C: “礼物 (lǐwù)” means “present.” D: “情书 (qíngshū)” means “love letter.”
Culture Note:
In Chinese culture, a “红包 (hóngbāo) red envelope” is usually presented with good tidings written on it and …
商务介绍礼仪 Business Etiquette–Business Card Exchanges and Introduction (Beginner)
商务介绍礼仪 (Shāngwù jièshào lǐyí) Business Etiquette–Business Card Exchanges and Introduction
Key Learning Points (Preview):
介绍 (jièshào): v/n. to introduce/introduction
年龄 (niánlíng): n. age
名片 (míngpiàn): n. business card
In China, the first “介绍 (jièshào) introduction” is crucial in business relationships. It is a stepping …
Chinese Kids Story: The Crab’s Funny Walk (Beginner)
Mandarin Chinese Course: 横行的螃蟹 (Héngxíngde pángxiè) The Crab that Walks Sidewise
Key Learning Points (Preview):
螃蟹 (pángxiè) n. crab
难看 (nánkàn) adj. ugly
Yígè yuèguāng míngliàngde yèwǎn, xiǎo pángxiè zài shātān shàng zǒuzhe. 一个 月光 明亮的 夜晚， 小 螃蟹 在 沙滩 上 走着。 On a …
Answer to Three of China’s MOST Disgusting Foods
Correct Answers 1. A 2. D <<Back to “Three of China’s MOST Disgusting Foods”
Answer to A Thousand Ways to Say a Million (Intermediate)
Answer: A On the one hand, “千万(qiānwàn)” and “万千(wànqiān)”, meaning “ten million”, both refer to a huge amount.
Examples:
Zhèlǐ měinián dōuyǒu qiānwàn kē shù bèi kǎndiào. 这里 每年 都有 千万 棵 树 被 砍掉。 Every year about ten million trees are cut down here.…
A Thousand Ways to Say a Million (Intermediate)
Bet you don’t know these ways to use “千(qiān)” and “万(wàn)”! Take our test to prove us wrong. We dare you! Zhāng Yīng: Wáng Míng, _____ méi xiǎngdào nǐ guàkē le! 张 英： 王 明， _____ 没 想到 你 挂科 了！ Zhang Ying: Wang Ming, …
Tasty Chinese Breakfast: Stuffed Steamed Buns and Porridge (Part II)
Before we introduced one of China’s delicious breakfast duos, 豆浆油条(dòujiāng yóutiáo) or soy milk and fried dough sticks.
A breakfast meal for the hearty looking to be filled with a full, warm meal. Yet there is another breakfast option for those who enjoy eating a …
Chinese Idiom: 哪壶不开提哪壶 To Touch A Soft Spot
The idiom “哪壶不开提哪壶 (nǎ hú bù kāi tí nǎ hú)” literally means “to pick the kettle that is not boiling.” It’s used to indicate that someone is saying or doing something that shouldn’t be mentioned in front of others, or that someone is bringing up …
Answer to Why do Dogs Ignore Tianjin’s Delicious Steamed Buns? (Beginner)
Answer: C The name 狗不理(gǒu bùlǐ) comes from a person named 高贵友(Gāo Guìyǒu) who lived during the Qing Dynasty. Throughout his life he was called by his nickname “狗子(gǒu zi)” or “dog.” He lived in Tianjin since childhood, and worked for three years at a …
Why do Dogs Ignore Tianjin’s Delicious Steamed Buns? (Beginner)
There is a kind of steamed bun from Tianjin that are called “狗不理包子(gǒu bùlǐ bāozi),” which means “the steamed buns that even the Dog ignores.” Try to figure out the answer to the quiz below to learn more!
Do you know why such a delicious …
Chinese Idiom: 隔墙有耳 (géqiángyǒu’ěr) Walls Have Ears
Key Learning Point (Preview): 隔墙有耳 (géqiángyǒu’ěr): walls have ears
Cóngqián, yǒu yíge hàoqíxīn hěn zhòng de rén. 从前， 有 一个 好奇心 很 重 的 人。 Once upon a time, there was a curious man.
Tā zǒngshì xǐhuan sìchù dǎting biérén de mìmi. 他 总是 喜欢 …
China’s Traditional Breakfast Combination: Soy Milk and Fried Dough Sticks (Part I)
Most mornings people don’t have much time before work or school to make breakfast. Its a troublesome problem for many that still want something filling to have in the morning. But, in China, the perfect solution has been found! This simple, yet delicious, breakfast consists …
Answer to How Many Usages of “How Many” in Chinese? (Advanced)
Answer: C “多少(duōshǎo)” is often used in daily conversation. It’s generally used in two ways. First, the “多(duō) much” in “多少(duōshǎo)” can be used as an adverb to modify the adjective “少(shǎo)”, which means “as little as possible” . For example, “夏天能穿多少穿多(Xiàtiān néng chuān duōshǎo …
How Many Usages of “How Many” in Chinese? (Advanced)
Lǐ Lì: Jīntiān zhēn rè a! 李丽：今天 真 热 啊！ Lily: It’s so hot today! Wáng Lín: Shì a, néng chuān duōshǎo chuān duōshǎo, tài rè le. 王 琳：是 啊， 能 穿 多少 穿 多少, 太 热 了。 Wang Lin: Yes, ________. It’s too hot. …