“感冒(gǎnmào)” literally means “catch a cold.” But it can also mean “have an interest for something or somebody.”
The famous Chinese singer, Jay Chou, is throwing a concert in Jack’s hometown. Jack wants to invite his girlfriend Lily, but will she go? Let’s take a …
Recently, there has been an intriguing news story spreading across the internet in China. Lily and Jerry are talking about it.
Wǒ kàndào yítiáo qíguài de xīnwén. Lily：我 看到 一条 奇怪 的 新闻。
I read a weird piece of news.
Shénme xīnwén? Jerry：什么 新闻？
What …
To celebrate the New Year, (Watch the video and know how Chinese people celebrate the New Year) Wang Wei invites his girlfriend Zhang Li to have dinner at a restaurant, but the two face a few challenges…
Nǐ chī cù ma? Wang Wei：你 …
Christmas, or “圣诞节 (shèngdàn jié),” is on its way! Department stores, shopping malls and supermarkets all over China are adorned with decorations and are blasting holiday song favorites. The crinkling of wrapping paper echoes through hallways as people begin to prepare gifts for their loved …
People often joke that finding a job is more difficult than NASA launching a spacecraft.
While that might not be totally true, it is true that the job market has been in a slump since the financial crisis.
Even major international companies have to downsize …
The Internet is quickly establishing itself as the de facto media platform. This has led to a growing culture that is distinct to online users and also rapidly spreads into our daily lives with China being no exception. Chinese Internet slang, created by over …
Key Learning Point Preview：安全 (ānquán) adj./n. safe/safety Story:
After spending the evening together, Lucy and Lily are saying goodbye and getting ready to go home. Zhème wǎnle, wǒ yǒudiǎn hàipà! Lucy：这么 晚了，我 有点 害怕！ I’m a bit scared to go outside so late.
Nǐ zhǎng …
Key learning point:
同志 (tóngzhì): n. comrade / gay or lesbian
One day, while studying the word “同志 (tóngzhì),” a foreigner suddenly declared to his Chinese friend, “我是一个男同志 (Wǒ shì yígè nán tóngzhì).”
His friend burst into laughter. Let’s take a look and find out …
Key Learning Points (Preview):
银行 (yínháng) n. bank
酒店 (jiǔdiàn) n. hotel
商店 (shāngdiàn) n. store
Whether walking through the throngs of tourists at Tiananmen Square or passing by the ornate West Gate of Peking University, these two imposing stone figures flanking the gates of …
“不可救药 (bùkějiùyào)” literally means that someone is so sick that no medicine can bring him back to good health, to be beyond saving, or in other words, hopeless. Just like the English word “hopeless,” “不可救药 (bùkějiùyào)” has evolved to describe someone who can’t be changed …
Key Learning Point:
老 (lǎo): adj. old
Several years ago, when Bill Clinton came to China and visited Shanghai, he felt uncomfortable when he was called “Grandpa Clinton” by children in a community. But when one of the children called him “Clinton,” he began to …
The right answer to the test is C.
Translation:
Tīngshuō zhè cì kǎoshì nǐ shì zuìhòu yì míng. Tom: 听说 这 次 考试 你 是 最后 一 名。 I’ve heard you’re at the bottom of the class on this exam.
Á, …
Story: One day, Tom saw a large sign in front of a busy, midtown restaurant with the printed characters, “小心地滑.” As he passed, he starts to slowly skate his feet across the floor. His friend Jack immediately stops him. Tom, nǐ gàn má ne? Jack: …
Key Learning Points (Preview):
能手 (néngshǒu): n. an expert/someone who masters a certain skill perfectly
中 (zhòng): v. to hit
Listen to the whole idiom story
Yǎng Yóujī shì gǔdài zhùmíng de shèjiàn néngshǒu. 养 由基 是 古代 著名 的 射箭 能手。
Yang Youji was …
Story: Māma: Zhècì kǎoshì, gēge kǎole jiǔshíwǔ fēn, nǐ kǎole duōshǎo fēn? 妈妈： 这次 考试， 哥哥 考了 95 分，你 考了 多少 分？ Mom: Your brother got 95 points on this exam. What about you?
Dìdi: Wǒ bǐ tā duō yì diǎn. 弟弟：我比他 多 一 点。 …
Key Learning Points (Preview):
元宵节 (Yuánxiāojié): n. Lantern Festival
放烟花 (fàngyānhuā): v. to set off fireworks
The “元宵节 (Yuánxiāojié) Lantern Festival” falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. On this day, activities such as “猜灯谜 (cāidēngmí) guessing the lantern riddles,” “吃元宵 (chī …
The expression “你懂的 (nǐ dǒng de)” was translated from the English expression “you know.” Its popularization is due to a video Old Boy, made by the Chopsticks Brothers. It’s a story about two middle-aged friends who combine their talents they learned in middle school to …
Key Learning Points (Preview):
聚 (jù): v. to get together
大餐 (dàcān): n. feast
Stockings and presents are just around the corner and westerners everywhere are busy wrapping, caroling and bustling about. Since its more widespread publicity in China since the 1990s, Christmas has slowly, …
The answer to the test is B. Translation: Zhōumò qù guàngjiē ba, Shèngdàjié hěnduō dōngxi dōu dǎzhé ne! Mary: 周末 去 逛街 吧， 圣诞节 很多 东西 都 打折 呢。 Let’s go shopping this weekend. Many things will be on discount for …
Key Learning Point (Preview): 小人 (xiǎorén): n. a mean/cruel person
One day, my British friend asked me how to say “adult” in Mandarin. It’s “大人 (dàrén) adult” I told him. “So then, I’m an ‘大人 (dàrén) adult’, and you are too,” he started, “but my …
