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 …
It’s an exciting time to be in China! The country is changing each year. The role of women in China is evolving and females are gaining skills and qualities that were not common in the past. In many of my Mandarin Chinese classes here in …
Are you the kind of person who likes doing things strictly in order?
1. A: Ellie, hurry up! The stores will be closed soon! B: The stores are usually open until 9 o’clock in the evening. Bié dānxīn! Wǒmen xiān chīfàn …
Did you know we celebrate Father’s Day in China too? This holiday is one of my favorites because I love to give my dad the best gifts possible, as a token of gratitude for all he has done for my life. Many Chinese children do …
Answer: B Analysis: Patient: Shàngwǔ hǎo a, lǐ yīshēng. Patient: 上 午 好啊，李医 生。 Patient: Good morning, Doctor Lee.
Doctor: Shàngwǔ hǎo. Nǐ chī yào le ma? Doctor: 上 午 好。你 吃 药 了 吗？ Doctor: Morning. Have you taken your pills?
Patient: Wǒ chī …
At times, Chinese can sound curiously similar to English. So what’s going on?
1. A: Becky, shénme shíhòu kāihuì? B: Bùzhīdào, nǐ wènwen zhāng zǒng ba! Which of the following can be inferred from the tone of the conversation? Please choose …
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 …
Your meeting with your new Chinese clients has just begun when you realize you left something essential behind. As you scan the meeting table you notice someone has just what you need. Great! Now all you need to do is politely ask to borrow it. …
Learning fun Chinese slang which can be applied to, and be used in, a classroom or boardroom setting is one of my favorite things to teach in my Mandarin Chinese classes. One of these Chinese expressions which I find to be very useful is “幺蛾子 …
Have you visited your local museum lately? Soon you may have the opportunity to do so for free. “国际博物馆日 (Guójì bówùguǎn rì) International Museum Day (IMD)” is an internationally celebrated day on or around 18 May. Each year, museums across the globe are invited to …
It’s always fun to use Mandarin Chinese slang among Chinese friends. When we are joking around together, we often tease each other in a playful manner with “吐槽 (tǔcáo)” and lighten the mood. When we want to be self-deprecating regarding our sudden and impulsive behavior, …
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 …
Have you tried Chinese white liquor before? Maotai or Erguotou, which do you prefer?
1. A: David, wǒmen hē shénme? B: … What would David most likely to say according to the dialogue? A. Lái yí gè gōngbǎo jīdīng. B. Wǒ …
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 …
Quite often, I receive messages from parents outside China who would like some guidance and suggestions on how to motivate their children to learn Mandarin Chinese and what goals to set. While standardized tests may only motivate some students, I do find that the AP …
Expressing emotion is difficult enough but trying to say how you feel in another language is a whole new challenge. Here is a Chinese slang expression that reveals feelings of frustration and aggravation. For instance, most of us have faced this situation: You are typing …
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 …
April Fools’ Day is fast approaching! Have you prepared the surprise for your friends?
1. A: Rachel, you told me you wrecked my car! It looks fine to me…what’s wrong with you? B: Hàha, jīntiān shì Yúrénjié! Yúrénjié kuàilè! Which of …
