What’s Your Style? (Beginner)
Conversation:
Nǐ kàn Lady Gaga Xiānggǎng yǎnchànghuì le ma? Jen: 你看 Lady Gaga 香港 演唱会 了 吗？ Have you seen the Lady Gaga Live concert in Hong Kong?
Dāngrán le, nà kě zhēn shì shízú de Lady Gaga fànr a. Lily: 当然 了，那可 真 是 …
高富帅 (gāo fù shuài) Tall, Rich and Handsome (Beginner)
During the Euro 2012 games, time and time again fans cheered the fantastic goals made by Cristiano Ronaldo.
His impeccable performance, combined with his good looks, attracted the attention of many girls’ eyes in China. Ronaldo was dubbed the top “高富帅 (gāo fù shuài)” …
Ladies, which body type are you? (Elementary)
Amy and her friend Linda meet at a cafe to chat. Amy: Look at you! You’re so slim! Linda: Thanks! Amy: I wish I were you! I really admire those who keep a good figure. Linda: If you eat a healthy diet, you’ll… Amy: I …
Who will pay for the bill? (Elementary)
When I was in Beijing for school, I went to a restaurant and correctly ordered “麻婆豆腐 (Mápódòufu) Mapo Tofu” and “宫保鸡丁 (Gōngbǎojīdīng) Kung-Pao Chicken.” I can’t express how excited I was at the time. Back in Europe, I recited common Chinese menus endlessly to invisible …
I Have A Great Daddy.
“父亲节 (Fùqinjié) Father’s Day” is coming up soon. “I Have a Great Daddy” is a well-known nursery rhyme in China. This is a song that has been around for quite sometime and has deep cultural roots. Sharing its theme with a popular television drama …
Lucky “Dogs” in China
Key Learning Points (Preview):
银行 (yínháng) n. bank
酒店 (jiǔdiàn) n. hotel
商店 (shāngdiàn) n. store
Whether walking through the throngs of tourists at Tiananmen Square or passing by the ornate West Gate of Peking University, these two imposing stone figures flanking the gates of …
Mini-Test Answer: 红色 (hóngsè)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
The correct answer to the test is A.
Transcripts: Xiǎo Zhāng: Xiǎo Wáng, zhè lǐ yǒu jǐge bēizi, nǎge shì nǐ de? 小 张: 小 王， 这 里 有 几个杯子，哪个是 你的？
Xiao Zhang: Xiao Wang, there are several glasses. Which one …
The Reason Why Mike Is Late
Study the vocabulary then read through the conversation. Why is Mike late?
Vocabulary:
迟到 (chídào) adj. late
路过 (lùguò) v. to pass by
路标 (lùbiāo) n. signpost/road sign
Conversation:
Mike, nǐ zěnme měitiān shàngxué dōu chídào? Teacher: Mike，你 怎么 每天 上学 都 迟到？
Mike, why …
Put Your Money Where Your Stomach Is
There are varying ways to greet people in Chinese depending on the time of day “早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) good morning” or the situation “好久不见 (háo jiǔ bú jiàn) long time no see.” One of the more baffling greetings you’re likely to encounter in China is …
Mini-Test Answer: Amy is a sweet talker.
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
The right answer to the quiz is A.
Translation:
Lora ā yíhǎo. Amy: Lora 阿姨好。
Hello, Aunt Lora.
Amy nǐhǎo. Lora: Amy 你好。
Hello, Amy.
Lora āyí zhēn piàoliang. Amy: Lora 阿姨 真 漂亮。
Aunt Lora is so beautiful.
(Xiàozhe shuō) …
萌 (méng) young and innocent
“萌 (méng)” literarily means to sprout and is the symbol of spring. From this, the meaning of “萌 (méng)” has been extended to describe girls who are young and innocent. The term originated from the animation industry and was used as a lingua franca to …
Mini-Test Answer: Lana is such a show off!
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
The right answer to the test is C.
Translation: Kànkan wǒ zhè yìshēn, gòu měi ba. Lana: 看看 我 这 一身， 够 美 吧。 Look at me! Don’t I look beautiful in this new dress?
(Xiàozhe shuō) Nǐ kě zhēn gòu …
80后 (bā líng hòu) Post-1980s: Eighties Babies in China
Are you old enough to remember the ’80s? Crazy hairstyles and fashion often popped up throughout the world as well as a series of advancements in technology that changed the world. Those who grew up during that time can often be seen as having similar …
Mini-Test Answer: 条 (tiáo)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
The right answer to the test is A.
Translation:
Zhōumò qù guàngjiē ba. Lana: 周末 去 逛街 吧。
Let’s go shopping this weekend.
Hǎode, nǐ xiǎng mǎi shénme? Lucy: 好的， 你 想 买 什么？
Ok, what do you want to buy?…
I want more steamed stuffed buns.
我还要包子。(Wǒ hái yào bāozi.) I want more steamed stuffed buns.
In the video above, the father repeated a sentence “我还要包子 (Wǒ hái yào bāozi) I want more steamed stuffed buns,” but the kid refuse to say the phrase “还要 (hái yào)” no matter how his …
Mini-Test Answer: 没门儿 (No way)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
The right answer to the quiz is “B.”
Translation:
Néng jiè wǒ diǎnr qián ma? Mary: 能 借 我 点儿 钱 吗？
Can you lend me some money?
Bù hǎo yìsi a, wǒ zuìjìn qián yě bú tài gòu yòng. Helen: …
Mini-Test Answer: 五百零八 (wǔbǎi líng bā)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
The answer to the test is B.
Analysis: The correct pronunciation of “508” is “五百零八 (wǔbǎi líng bā).” “零 (Líng),” literally means “zero.” It is used in counting wherever a column or a sequence of columns is skipped. Note that in …
小心地滑 (xiǎo xīn dì huá) Caution! Slippery.
Story: One day, Tom saw a large sign in front of a busy, midtown restaurant with the printed characters, “小心地滑.” As he passed, he starts to slowly skate his feet across the floor. His friend Jack immediately stops him. Tom, nǐ gàn má ne? Jack: …
Eat soup with chopsticks?
Key Learning Points (Preview):
筷子 (kuàizi): n. chopsticks
简单 (jiǎndān): adj. easy/simple
Can you use “筷子 (kuàizi) chopsticks?” With the continued growing popularity of Chinese food and culture, more and more people around the world are trying to learn how to use chopsticks. Some even …
Mini-Test Answer: 嫁 (jià)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
The answer to the test is A.
Translation: Susan, nǐ yuànyì jià gěi wǒ ma? Mike: Susan, 你 愿意 嫁 给 我 吗？
Susan, will you marry me?
Èn, wǒ yuànyì. Susan: 嗯，我 愿意。
Yes, I will.
Analysis: In Chinese, the …