“钻牛角尖 (zuān niújiǎojiān)” refers to someone who wastes time and effort trying to figure out an insignificant or insoluble problem. Sometimes this idiom is used to describe a narrow-minded person.
Key Learning Point (Preview):
钻牛角尖 (zuān niújiǎojiān): to get into a dead end
Yìzhī lǎoshǔ …
Key Learning Point (Preview): 剩女 (shèngnǚ) n. spinsters
Today we take a look at the Chinese phrase “剩女 (shèngnǚ).” The term shows up every day in newspapers, TV shows and daily life. Can you guess its meaning? “剩 (shèng)” means to remain, or to be …
Key Learning Point (Preview):
不到黄河心不死 (bù dào Huánghé xīn bù sǐ): Don’t stop until the goal is reached.
A long time ago, there was a boy who was fond of imitating bird songs. His “模仿 (mófǎng) imitation” was so perfect that even birds were drawn …
Key Learning Point (Preview): 红 (hóng): to become popular/successful
Amongst different cultures, different words and concepts carry with them varying undertones and meanings. As you progress in the Mandarin language, you’ll learn this is especially true with the word “红 (hóng),” or “red.” Perhaps you’ve …
Key Learning Point (Preview): 神马都是浮云 (shénmǎ dōu shì fúyún): Everything is nothing.
A post in 2010 made the saying, “神马都是浮云 (shénmǎdōu shì fúyún)” become a popular phrase throughout China. It is used broadly in various areas of society, especially on TV shows. “神马 (shénmǎ)” literally …
人在囧途 (Rénzài jiǒngtú) Lost on Journey
囧 (jiǒng): adj. depressed; embarrassed and mortified
Watch the movie tailer:
Have you ever seen the movie “人在囧途 (Rénzài jiǒngtú) Lost on Journey?” It is a comedy about a “农民工 (nóngmíngōng) migrant worker” and a
Key Learning Points (Preview): 新娘 (xīnniáng) n. bride
害羞 (hàixiū) adj. shy
In a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, the “新娘 (xīnniáng) bride” will wear a red veil made of silk, the color red represents happiness in China. The “新郎 (xīnláng) groom” removes this mysterious red …
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打架 (dǎjià): n/v. fight/to fight
客人 (kèrén): n. guest
An American “学生 (xuésheng) student” traveled to China and was having dinner with his Chinese friends. His “老师 (lǎoshī) teacher” asked him what he thought of China and the Chinese people. The …
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K歌 (K gē): v. to sing karaoke
麦霸 (màibà): n. karaoke master
If you’ve been to China before, or just know a lot about modern Chinese culture, then you have probably heard of “K歌 (K gē)” or Karaoke TV, the most …
What Present Would You Select on Chinese Valentine’s Day?
Key Learning Points (Preview):
礼物 (lǐwù): n. present/gift
送 (sòng): v. to give
Chinese Valentine’s Day -七夕 (Qīxī), on July seventh of the Chinese lunar calendar, is coming up. Many people in China are preparing to …
The right answer for this Chinese test is B: 一束红玫瑰 (yíshù hóng méigui) a bunch of red roses
一束 (yíshù) is a measure words which means “a bunch of.” For example:
一束花 (yíshù huā) a bunch of flowers “红 (hóng)” is …
皮影戏 (píyǐngxì) Shadow Play in the Movie Kung Fu Panda 2 Key Learning Points (Preview):
皮影戏 (píyǐngxì) n. shadow play
欣赏 (xīnshǎng) v. to appreciate
Kung Fu Panda 2 is coming! This time it brings more insights to the audience, and the most attractive thing …
Key Learning Points (Preview): 围 (wéi): v. to besiege
救 (jiù): v. to rescue
待 (dài): v. to wait
The blockbuster war movie The Warring States was released in theaters simultaneously in China and North America on Apr. 12th, 2011. This movie focuses on …
As Mother’s Day is coming, we prepared a Mandarin Chinese story for this special day. It is a story about filial piety. In traditional Chinese culture, filial piety is the most important of all the virtues to Chinese people. Although society has changed a lot …
Online Chinese Lesson- Li Bai- China’s Greatest Poet (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
纪念 (jìniàn): v. to commemorate
风格 (fēnggé): n. style
Feb. 28, 2011 is the 1310th anniversary of the Poet Li Bai, one of the greatest poets in world history. Many people “纪念 …
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篮球 (lánqiú) n. basketball
歌曲 (gēqǔ) n. song
Recently, Kobe Bryant and Jay Chou performed a song together named “天地一斗(tiāndìyìdǒu) The Combination of Heaven and Earth“. The song is “创作 (chuàngzuò) composed” by Jay Chou and “表演 (biǎoyǎn) performed” by Kobe …
Appreciating Modern Chinese Beauty (Advanced) Chinese Name: 中国式美丽 (Zhōngguó shì měilì)
Key Learning Points (Preview): 美丽 (měilì): n. beauty
传统的 (chuántǒng de): adj. traditional
展示 (zhǎnshì): v. to show/to display
People of China in China’s National Image Promotional Video (Chinese name: 中国国家形象宣传篇之人物篇 Zhōngguó guójiā xíngxiàng …
“花儿好看我不摘 (Huār hǎo kàn wǒ bù zhāi) I don’t pick the beautiful flowers.” is a popular nursery rhyme in Chinese. Learn it through our Mandarin lessons online now!
Listen to the whole nursery rhyme
Gōngyuán lǐ, huār kāi, 公园 里，花儿开， In the park, the flowers …
Jīyù yídìng dāi zài pàomò lǐ, Facebook gèng xiàng shì pàomò. 机遇一定 呆 在 泡沫 里，Facebook 更 像 是 泡沫。
Opportunities must lie in the bubbles, and Facebook is much like a bubble.
—From 宋保强 (Sòng Bǎoqiáng) Song Baoqiang, engaged in IT technology in China.…
