Today, I’m going to teach you a useful Mandarin Chinese phrase to describe uncivilized, or even “disgusting” behavior: 倒胃口 (dǎo wèikǒu). Our Mandarin language teacher taught us this phrase when we were discussing taboos in Chinese culture. So, when can we use this phrase? …
I’m writing about two simple and useful words in Mandarin Chinese that you can use on a daily basis to describe things that are fast or slow. These terms, “龟速 (guīsù) slow” and “神速 (shénsù) fast”, I learned when reading and discussing Children’s stories in …
In today’s Mandarin Chinese lesson, Teacher Becky introduces the the parts of the face and gives useful examples of how these parts can be used in a sentence (and also how the Chinese traditionally find them attractive!). Let’s take a look:
When my Mandarin Chinese students come to China and study in our program, they often think that the stressful, high-pressure days of test-taking are behind them. Not quite! Mandarin Chinese students have goals to set and reach just as junior high and high school students …
A very enjoyable part of the experience of learning Mandarin Chinese in China is the opportunity to be able to see and experience new parts of the world. Sometimes, those “new” parts are actually quite old! I’m going to introduce to you some places referred …
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 …
As a student of Mandarin Chinese and a native English speaker, there are some things that fascinate me in comparing our two languages. One of these fascinations are the words that have no equivalent between the two languages. Some English words that don’t translate to …
Arriving in Beijing a year ago to begin my Mandarin Chinese course was a pretty intimidating experience. Unlike a week long vacation, this move to China seemed to feel permanent. I was settling in China to master Chinese and perhaps begin a long and exciting …
Up until the 1960s, China had a birthrate of about six children per woman. Since then, the birthrate has gone down drastically to between one or two per woman. This means that children are receiving extra attention in the family. When children in China turn …
Plans Foiled? “泡汤 (pàotāng)”! “泡汤 (pàotāng)”? Pick Yourself Up and Move Ahead! Our lives are filled with hopes and dreams. Unfortunately, part of our life experience is to watch those hopes dashed to pieces! On a positive note, we can learn from heartbreak and approach …
“Your Chinese is probably the worst in the class.”
A classmate said jokingly to my close friend in a study abroad program. Although her Chinese was not the best, it definitely wasn’t the worse. Yet, she took his teasing very personally and I am pretty …
As a Mandarin Chinese teacher, I’ve noticed that many of my foreign students use Chinese in conversation as much as possible, but by instinct they will usually use English or other non-Chinese expressions such as “oh my god!”, “just a minute” or “thank goodness!” when …
Speaking about the days of the week is essential to have basic conversation in Mandarin Chinese. Fortunately, it’s very simple and fast to learn. Teacher Becky is here to help in today’s lesson! Watch Video Answer …
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 …
The American film “Warcraft” did not do well at theatres in the USA. However, in China, “Warcraft” was a huge success. So, why did this film succeed in China but not in America? The movie was a “bomb” at the American box office but a …
Where are you? That is the question. In spoken Mandarin Chinese, the question “哪儿 (nǎr)” is commonly used when requesting location information. Watch Video Answers …
Did you know that in Mandarin Chinese, there are different titles for both “sets” of grandparents? The title you call them depends on whether they are from your MOTHER’S side of the family or your FATHER’S side of the family. Don’t mix them up! Watch …
After looking at the photo above are your eyes feeling spicy?
What I mean is, does it feel like a pepper has been squirted in your eye?
In Chinese, there is a fabulous internet phrase to describe when you are looking at something awful: 辣眼睛 …
In both English and Mandarin Chinese we use the phrase “pulling my leg(s)”. However, the two expressions have different meanings and uses in the two languages. In English, you can use “pulling my leg” as a way to say that you’re joking or telling lies …
As the saying goes: “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. Making personal contacts and relationships and then applying them to work in China is just as important as it is in any country. It can make or break you! In Mandarin Chinese, …
