It’s very likely you have heard of Mahjong before, you might have even played some version of it on the computer or your phone. Or, perhaps you saw the Chinese mafia in movies playing Mahjong.
But, do you know its everyday significance in China?
麻将 …
Some students living in China may face a major decision. If their cellphone breaks or gets stolen, where will they go to buy a new one? In China, most people would go to a cellphone brand’s official store, or to an underground cellphone market for …
A perk of being a Chinese learner, is knowing such a hard language and being impressive to others without trying. I am not tooting my own horn here, you have probably been getting the positive reactions already! To many, especially native English speakers, Chinese characters …
Answer: B
Answer Analysis: Wǒ yǒu yí gè hǎo péngyǒu yào chūjià le, wǒ yào qù gěi tā dāng bànniáng. 我 有 一 个 好 朋友 要 出嫁 了，我 要 去 给 她 当 伴娘。 I have a good friend who is getting married, I will be her bridesmaid.
1. 出家 (chūjiā), a verb phrase, means to leave …
The 微信 (wēixìn) WeChat app is not only an important part of life in China, it is essential. By the end of 2016, WeChat had over a billion accounts created, and 700 million accounts were active. Outside of China, 70 million users are also active …
All languages often use animals as metaphorical representations of a person’s character or temperament. In English, phrases such as “stubborn as a mule” and “eyes of a hawk” are easily used and understood in everyday conversation. The Chinese language is no different! Today’s blog focuses …
In Buddhist funerals, the idea of a place called Sukhavati, or “Western Paradise,” is considered the favorable destination for a soul that is departing Earth. Different languages have various names for this “heaven” that we hope to go to. In Chinese, we call this place …
There are many differences between life in western countries and life in China. One similarity is that we both need to eat, obviously! However, the way we go out for grocery shopping is often quite different.
Over the past 100 years, in the USA most …
Do you know anyone that just doesn’t seem to learn from their mistakes? Someone who refuses to adapt and change for the better? Maybe they are a bit stubborn and hardheaded, too? We all know these types…maybe we can even see one in the mirror!…
A recent study named men in Shanghai as the most submissive, or “henpecked,” in China. The English term “henpecked” is often used to describe these males whose feathers have been “plucked” by their women (his hen). These “henpecked” husbands and boyfriends are controlled by their …
It depends on your gift for language-learning as well as the time you are able to dedicate to learning it. If you study a few hours every day you’re going to learn a lot faster than someone who only spends one day a week. For …
Correct Answer: C Zuò wán shǒushù, Liú dàifu de shǒu dōu zhǒng le, kě tā xīnlǐ shì gāoxìng de. 做 完 手术， 刘 大夫 的 手 都 肿 了，可 他心里 是 高兴 的。 After completing the surgery, Doctor Liu’s hand was swollen, but in his …
Seen regularly around town, many foreigners will notice signs featuring the Chinese characters “禁止 (jìnzhǐ).” From street signs near buildings and public offices, or even on the side of the road these characters are very important to know! They may even save your life one …
Has your boat ever “gone under?”
We have all been in those doomed situations, sometimes.
In English, you might express this situation as being “doomed,” “in trouble,” or “in a bad spot.”
In Chinese, you can say “完蛋了 (wándàn le).” Your business is closing? The …
Do you know why cats always want to eat mice? Read the following story to find out!
Listen to the whole story:
Key Learning Points (Preview):
睡 (shuì): v. to sleep
吃 (chī): v. to eat
Hěn jiǔ yǐqián, māo hé lǎoshǔ jìshì línju, yòushì …
Mandarin for Kids: 种太阳 (Zhòng tàiyang) Planting the Sun Listen to the song lyrics: Key Learning Points (Preview): 播种 (bōzhòng) v. to grow / to plant
角落 (jiǎoluò) n. corner
Wǒ yǒu yí gè měilì de yuànwàng, 我 有 一 个 美丽 的 愿望， I …
Correct Answer: B Translation: Lily: Nǐ zài gān shénme? Zhè jǐ tiān wǒ dōu méiyǒu jiàn dào nǐ. Lily: 你 在 干 什么？ 这 几 天 我 都 没有 见 到 你。 Lily: What are you doing? I haven’t seen you for several days.
Tom: …
The old expectations of a “9-to-5” work day are often being destroyed in many countries where cost of living and competition are rising rapidly. For office workers, “9-to-6” is more common and for many overachievers, “burning the midnight oil” is a common expectation, working long …
Correct Answers 1. B 2. D The “七夕 (qīxī)” festival is commonly known as “Chinese Valentine’s Day.” The characters “七夕 (qīxī),” when taken apart, actually mean the “七 (qī) seventh,” “夕 (xī) night.” Indeed, this romantic holiday always falls on the 7th night of the …
Everybody wants to be an Internet star —maybe not everybody—but a lot of people try! (Do you know the famous NBA star?) And with the multitude of accessible media platforms—Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, etc.—many make it. Before, you had to act in a …
