In western countries, especially in North America, “automobile culture” has been the way of life for decades. Teenagers often save up for their first car and many Americans have never been on a train or a public bus. Of course, there are exceptions, but for …
When you think about China, you may imagine dumplings, The Great Wall, towering skyscrapers, and almost certainly the enormous crowds that can be found here! The Chinese love to get out and explore their public places and tourist attractions. Often, these places quickly become …
Since China’s dramatic and successful hosting of the 2008 Olympic Games “奥运会 (Aoyùnhuì),” the Chinese people have considered The Olympics as a point of pride for their country. The Beijing games, and its colorful opening ceremony, captured the attention of the world and are still …
The old expectations of a “9-to-5” work day are often being destroyed in many countries where cost of living and competition are rising rapidly. For office workers, “9-to-6” is more common and for many overachievers, “burning the midnight oil” is a common expectation, working long …
Everyone makes mistakes, right? Are we never allowed to complain just a bit? Well, when you’ve just about had enough of something (or someone), you can use the verb “吐槽 (tǔcáo)” to playfully express your discontent, or simply to complain about something or someone. You …
画蛇添足 (Huàshétiānzú) Draw a snake and add feet to it
蛇 (shé): n. snake
画 (huà): v./n. to draw/picture
Chǔguó yǒu gè guìzú. 楚国 有 个 贵族。 During the Chu dynasty, there was an aristocrat.
Jì guò zǔzong yǐhòu, tā bǎ …
Are you a “吃货(chīhuò) foodie? ” In every Chinese city there are fast, affordable and delicious restaurants available on the street or at traditional markets. In English we call this: street food, hawker fare, stall food, or food vendors. You can sit on a small …
Every four years, the world’s eyes turn to Europe to follow the most popular sport in the world, ”足球 (zúqiú) football,” or “soccer” if you live in the US, Canada, South Africa, Australia or New Zealand. This June of 2016 is that time again! It’s …
Key Learning Point (Preview):
待 (dài): v. to wait/to wait for
Cóngqián, yǒu yí gè nóngfū. 从前，有一个农夫。 Once upon a time, there was a farmer.
Yì tiān, zài …
Answer: C If you have already learned the Chinese word “醉(zuì),” then you know that it literally means “drunk, intoxicated.” Take a look at these examples to better understand its usage as “drunk.” Examples: Tā zuótiān wǎnshang yòu hē zuì le. 他 昨天 晚上 又 …
Answer: C
Conversation:
Sū Shān: Hēi, hǎojiǔ méijiàn le, shìbushì tán liàn’ài le, méi shíjiān chūlái wán a? 苏 珊： 嗨，好久 没见 了, 是不是 谈恋爱 了，没 时间 出来 玩 啊？ Susan: Hey, long time no see. Are you in love and have no time to …
If you are just starting to learn Chinese, but already preparing a trip to China, you might find these basic sentences very useful to getting around. They are so basic, that as your Chinese improves, you’ll find that you never stop using these phrases!
Answer:
Did you guess right? This dialogue is very funny once you understand, but pretty tricky! That is because the character “包(bāo)” in Chinese has many different meanings. Here are the two meanings that are relevant to the dialogue: The first …
商务问候 (Shāngwù wènhòu) Business Greetings (Beginner) (Learn Chinese Business Etiquette Lessons with our teachers!) Speaking Chinese in a business setting is often challenging. Let’s see a dialogue below.
Key Learning Points (Preview): 你 (nĭ) and 您 (nín): pron you 第一天上班 Dì yī tiān …
The Year of the Monkey is upon us! Hopefully it will be one of luck and prosperity for you all! We know monkeys can be mischievous little creatures, and the unlucky monkey in this story is no different. Let his mistakes teach you a little …
In Chinese, people often use “跑腿(pǎotuǐ)” when describing their jobs. What does this mean? Find out after completing this test!
Wáng Lín: Mǎ Kè, nǐde xīngōngzuò zěnmeyàng a? 王 琳：马 克，你的 新工作 怎么样 啊？ Wang Lin: Mark, how’s your new job? Mǎ Kè: Biétíle, tiāntiān …
Answer: A On the one hand, “千万(qiānwàn)” and “万千(wànqiān)”, meaning “ten million”, both refer to a huge amount.
Zhèlǐ měinián dōuyǒu qiānwàn kē shù bèi kǎndiào. 这里 每年 都有 千万 棵 树 被 砍掉。 Every year about ten million trees are cut down here.…
Most mornings people don’t have much time before work or school to make breakfast. Its a troublesome problem for many that still want something filling to have in the morning. But, in China, the perfect solution has been found! This simple, yet delicious, breakfast consists …
