Key Learning Points (Preview):
飞机 (fēijī): n. plane
一心一意 (yìxīnyíyì): adj. focused
Yì tiān, xiǎo māo gēn māo māma qù diàoyú. 一 天， 小 猫 跟 猫 妈妈 去 钓鱼。 One day, a little cat goes fishing …
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Finding a good Chinese tutor is key if you want to learn the Chinese language correctly and in an effective way, but how do you know if your tutor is the right one for you? Use the following checklist as …
In a recent newsletter, we introduced the key Chinese phrases you will need to buy “火车票(huǒchēpiào) train tickets” in China. With all the choices you have when it comes to type and class of travel, it can certainly get a little confusing. Now that you …
One of the best things about traveling in China is the country’s convenient transportation network. China’s cities are well connected by trains, which are generally quick, comfortable, and with regular departures to choose from. To enjoy your trip in China, you must learn some essential …
Answer: 1. b d c a = “我喜欢吃苹果。(Wǒ xǐhuan chī píngguǒ.) I like to eat apples.” Here “苹果(píngguǒ)” means apple, “我(wǒ)” – I, “吃(chī)” – eat, and “喜欢(xǐhuan)” – like. This is a sentence which follows the structure “S + AV + V + O”: …
Compliments play an important role in maintaining good social relationships. After all, it never hurts to make others feel good about themselves! Let’s learn how to pay your Chinese friends compliments in Mandarin.
First, let’s have a look at the most common sentence structure for …
Well, summer is here, the hottest time of the year. Do you feel burned by the sun? We do! But we always try to use sun protection. In Chinese, “晒 (shài)” means “to sun” or “to shine.” “晒太阳 (shài tàiyang)” means “to bask in the …
Nǐhǎo, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ. 你好， 很 高兴 认识 你。 Hello, nice to meet you.
Here, “高兴(gāoxìng)” means “happy” and “认识(rènshi)” is “ to meet”. This sentence is always used when first meeting new friends or acquaintances.
Lǐ Yuè: Nǐhǎo, wǒ shì Lǐ …
Tiān lánlán, báiyún piāo, bēiqǐ xiǎoshūbāo. 天 蓝蓝，白云 飘， 背起 小书包。 The sky is blue with floating white clouds, and I carry my little bag.
Huār kāi, niǎor jiào, tàiyáng gōnggong xiào. 花儿 开，鸟儿 叫， 太阳 公公 笑。 The flowers bloom, the birds sing, and …
In this issue we will learn a useful Chinese proverb —“墙头草, 随风倒(qiángtóucǎo, suífēngdǎo) The grass on top of the wall sways whichever way the wind blows”.
Here, “墙头草(qiángtóucǎo)” refers to people who don’t have a mind of their own, who can’t form their own opinions.…
Dragon Boat Festival in Chinese is 端午节(Duānwǔ jié). It is on the fifth of May of lunar calendar. There are many legends about this traditional festival and the most popular one is “屈原 (Qū Yuán)QuYuan,” who was a Chinese scholar and minister to the King …
Xuěrónghuā, xuěrónghuā, 雪绒花， 雪绒花， Edelweiss, Edelweiss,
Qīngchén yíngzhe wǒ kāifàng. 清晨 迎着 我 开放。 Every morning you greet me.
Xiǎo ér bái, jié ér liàng, 小 而 白，洁 而 亮， Small and white, clearn and bright,
Xiàng wǒ kuàilède yáohuàng. 向 我 快乐地 摇晃。 You …
Paper money is what keeps any country running, and the RMB, or yuan, is the currency of China. In many countries, paper currency is not only practical, but also features well-known public figures and landmarks. For example, you can see the White House on the …
Correct Answer: C In Chinese culture, giving and exchanging gifts is very popular. If you have any Chinese friends, learning the ins and outs of gift-giving culture in China is very important.
Especially when you visit a Chinese friend’s house, “点心(diǎnxīn) cakes,” “白酒(báijiǔ) hard alcohol,” …
Correct Answer: B
讨(tăo) means asking for something and 厌(yàn) means loathing.
喜(xĭ)means liking and 欢(huan) refers to happiness.
羡(xiàn)) means envying and …
Correct Answer: B
The character 棉(Mián) means cotton and 线(xiàn) means thread.
The character 明(Míng) means bright or clear and 星(xīng) means star.
While the Chinese consider “皮蛋 (pídàn),” commonly known as “preserved egg,” “century egg,” “hundred-year egg,” “thousand-year-old egg,” and “millennium egg” in English, a special delicacy, many foreigners find its taste unappealing.
Let’s see how some foreigners respond to their first taste of “皮蛋(pídàn)!”
The video …
In theaters in ancient China, when there was a show, some wooden tablets bearing the names of the actors would be hung at the door of the theater. The tablet placed at the very front was called the “头牌(tóupái),” referring to the lead actor in …
The “元宵节 (yuánxiāojié) Lantern Festival” is several days after the Spring Festival. The Lantern Festival, which falls on January 15th of the lunar calendar, is another important traditional festival in China. In the evening of that day, streets are decorated with lanterns and festoons and …
