When talking about language, people often instantly assume that when you say “Chinese” you mean “Mandarin.” This is because “Mandarin Chinese” is the standard language of China, the world’s #1 spoken language (in terms of native speakers), and the most common language to learn right …
Answer: B Analysis: Amy: Jīntiān shàng de shì nǎ běn jiàocái? Amy: 今 天 上 的 是 哪 本 教 材？ Amy: Which textbook will the teacher use today?
Bob: Qīngsōng xué zhōngwén. Bob: 《轻 松 学 中 文》。 Bob: Easy steps to Chinese.
童话书 …
I get asked all the time by my students the same question: What books are really gonna help me get ahead in Chinese? There are many, many Mandarin Chinese textbooks out there. It can be a gamble to choose which one is going to be …
While learning Chinese expressions, it’s important that you understand the literal meaning and also the figurative meaning as well. Knowing the figurative meaning will help you apply the language to the appropriate situation, while knowing the literal meaning will help you avoid embarrassing or …
In English it is common to compare someone running away quickly to a cloud of dust. In Chinese, there’s a similar slang word– “一溜烟 (yí liù yān),” which can be used instead. This word is fast as lightning, leaves smoke trails, and is its own …
When talking about how things look, we can use terms such as ”辣眼睛 (làyǎnjīng)”, or “spicy eyes” to describe something awful or we can use a term to rate how good-looking someone or something is using “颜值 (yánzhí)” which is much different from commenting …
Learning Mandarin Chinese is different from learning other languages such as Italian or French. It is nearly impossible to self-study Mandarin Chinese or learn through books and audio/video resources alone. To effectively learn Mandarin Chinese, you need to immerse yourself into a learning process with …
So you are learning to speak Mandarin. That’s great! But can you speak with native Chinese people? The first step to doing so is to use a little slang or at least be able to understand when you hear it in conversation. Today’s slang word …
In English we have the saying, “Take a chill pill!” This can be slightly derogatory, but it also can encourage others to relax a bit when they are being too up-tight. In Chinese we have a phrase that very much relates to this meaning. It …
If you’re ever planning on living in China and understanding Mandarin Chinese, a working knowledge of Chinese words with both literal and figurative meanings will be absolutely necessary to follow the topic and direction of the conversation.
If we are learning through books or outdated …
As you may know, colors hold an important role in the use of language in Chinese culture.
The color “红 (hóng) red” is associated with fortune and good luck.
The color “白 (bái) white” represents death and decay.
“黑 (hēi) black” can represent integrity, but …
Chinese Slang is my favorite thing to teach because there is so much meaning contained in the phrases. This week I taught my students two Chinese slang phrases because they contain the same word/character in them.
That character is:
底 (Dǐ). What does it mean? …
There is one thing that almost all Mandarin Chinese language students here in China have in common: we don’t have our own personal cars. Owing a car in China and being licensed to drive is a complicated and expensive process.
Plus, the public transportation such …
Please put the sentences in the correct order: 1. 还可以治疗感冒
2. 经常吃苹果不但可以减肥
3. 你知道苹果对人有什么好处吗
A. 1-3-2 B. 3-1-2 C. 3-2-1 D. 1-2-3
…Answer: C
Nǐ zhīdào píngguǒ duì rén yǒu shénme hǎochù ma? 3. 你 知道 苹果 对 人 有 什么 好处 吗？ Do you know what the benefits of apples to people are?
Jīngcháng chī píngguǒ búdàn kěyǐ jiǎnféi, 2. 经常 吃 苹果 不但 可以 …
In a recent lesson, I shared with you some of my classroom tips for practicing your Mandarin Chinese pronunciation. In today’s lesson, I will do the same, but with another essential aspect of the Chinese language, the enriching act of writing Chinese characters. Usually, …
Learning Chinese has one specific challenge in its early stages: pronunciation. The tonal sounds of Mandarin Chinese will be a challenge that you will have to overcome. A Mandarin Chinese learner will have to exercise and train their mouths to create the Mandarin Chinese pronunciation …
记得 (jìde) v. remember.
认识 (rènshi): v. be acquainted with (a person), to be familiar with, to recognize.
认可 (rènkě): v. approve; accept.
In Chinese, “很高兴认识你。(Hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ). Nice to meet you.” is a common greeting expression when meeting new friends. …
Western traditions, especially those involving holidays and events such as weddings, are becoming more popular in China these days. One thing some people are now doing for fun is making a “New Year’s Resolution”, just as those in other countries have done for years. The …
Answer: B
Jack: Bob, nǐ de xīnnián jìhuà shì shénme? Jack: Bob,你 的 新年 计划 是 什么？ Jack: Bob, what is your New Year’s Resolution?
Bob: Wǒ xiǎng yào yuèdú shí běn zhōngwén xiǎoshuō. Bob: 我 想 要 阅读 10 本 中文 小说。 Bob: …
