吉祥物(jíxiángwù)Mascot(Intermediate) The character “吉祥(jíxiáng)” means lucky and “物 (wù)” means thing or object.
Example:
Shànghǎi shìbóhuì de jíxiángwù hǎo kě’ài ya. A: 上海 世博会 的 吉祥物 好 可爱 呀。 The Shanghai Expo’s mascot is so cute.
Èn, wǒ zhīdào tā de míngzi jiào hǎibǎo, wǒ …
志愿者 (zhìyuànzhě) Volunteer(Intermediate) Example:
A: Nǐ xiǎng qù shìbóhuì dāng zhìyuànzhě mɑ? A: 你 想 去 世博会 当 志愿者 吗？ A: Do you want to be a volunteer for the Shanghai Expo?
B: Dāngrán xiǎng ā, wèi shìbó gòngxiàn zìjǐ yí fèn wēibó de …
滥竽充数 (Lànyúchōngshù) Fill a Post without Real Qualifications (Beginner)
Key Learning Point (Preview):
数 (shǔ/shù): v/n count/number
In the Warring States Period of China, a king named Qixuan liked listening to the “合奏 (hézòu) instrumental ensemble” of Yu (an instrument in ancient China). The more …
Fan is an instrument for producing a current of air and people use it to keep cool in hot summers. But do you know that fans can also be weapons in martial arts?
In many Chinese martial arts novels and dramas, “扇子 (shànzi) fans” are …
Analysis:
A. “你好吗 (nǐhǎoma)” is the Chinese phrase for “how are you.”
B. “晚上好 (wǎnshànghǎo)” is the Chinese expression for “good evening.”
C. “你是谁 (nǐshìshéi)” is the Chinese phrase for “who are you.”
D. “早上好 (zǎoshànghǎo)” is the Chinese phrase for “good …
Movie: Alice in Wonderland (Intermediate) Key Learning Points (Preview):
梦游 (mèngyóu): n sleepwalking
梦想 (mèngxiǎng): v/n to dream of/dream
白日梦 (báirìmèng): n daydream
A：Zuìjìn de sānwéi lìtǐ diànyǐng zhēn jīngcǎi! 最近 的 三维 立体 电影 真 精彩！ The recent 3D movies are really wonderful!
B：Shì，Bǐrú …
Correct answer: B
Analysis:
A. “三心二意” are the Chinese characters for “be of two minds.”
“三心二意” is used to describe someone who can’t concentrate on a certain thing.
B. “一心一意” is the Chinese characters for “whole-hearted.”
“一心一意” is the opposite words …
糖醋里脊 (táng cù lǐjǐ) Sweet and Sour Pork (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
糖醋里脊 (táng cù lǐjǐ): n Sweet and Sour Pork
炒 (chǎo): v to stir-fry
“糖醋里脊 (táng cù lǐjǐ) Sweet and Sour Pork” is a
in western countries. It belongs …
Correct answer: D
Analysis:
A. “Shìjièbēi” is the Chinese Pinyin for “世界杯 the World Cup.”
B. “Àoyùnhuì” is the Chinese Pinyin for “奥运会 Olympic Games.”
C. “Bólǎnhuì” is the Chinese Pinyin for “博览会 fair.” D. “Shìbóhuì” is the Chinese Pinyin for …
你是哪种风格？ (Nǐ shì nǎzhǒng fēnggé?) Which is Your Style? (Intermediate) Key Learning Points (Preview):
帅哥 (shuàigē): n handsome man or cute boy (Who Is the Most Popular “帅哥 (shuàigē)” in China?)
美女 (měinǚ): n beautiful girl
假小子 (jiǎxiǎozi): n tomboy
For teenagers in China, there …
Peyton Manning vs. Justin Timberlake in a Ping-Pong Match (Beginner)
In the following Sony commercial, American pop musician and actor Justin Timberlake and Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, square off in a ping-pong match and try out their Mandarin:
When Peyton Manning said, “我的中文也有进步 (Wǒ …
迟到 (chídào) Late (Beginner)
The character “迟 (chí)” means late and “到 (dào)” means to arrive.
Example: A: Lǎobǎn, duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le. 老板， 对不起，我 迟到了。
I’m sorry, boss. I’m late.
B: Xià cì yào zhùyì. 下 次 要 注意。
Be careful next time.
宫保鸡丁的来历 (Gōngbǎo jīdīng de láilì) Origin of Kung Pao Chicken (Advanced)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
宫保鸡丁 (gōngbǎo jīdīng): n Kung Pao Chicken
川菜 (chuāncài): n Sichuan dish
鸡肉 (jīròu):n chicken
“宫保鸡丁 (gōngbǎo jīdīng)Kung Pao Chicken” is usually perceived as a “川菜 (chuāncài) Sichuan dish,” and …
Listen to this song in the video below: 学习雷锋好榜样 (xuéxí Léi Fēng hǎo bǎngyàng) Follow the Good Example of Lei Feng
扫帚 (sàozhou): n broom
盆 (pén): n basin
助人为乐 (zhùrénwéilè): adj willing to help…
一年之计在于春 (Yì nián zhī jì zàiyú chūn) A Year’s Plan Starts with Spring (Beginner)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
日 (rì): n day/ date
年 (nián): n year
早晨 (zǎochen): n early morning
“一年之计在于春，一日之计在于晨 (Yì nián zhī jì zàiyú chūn, yí rì zhī jì zàiyú …
Liǎng zhī lǎohǔ xiāngróng zhǐyǒu yì zhǒng kěnéng, yì gōng yì mǔ! 两 只 老虎 相容 只有 一 种 可能， 一 公 一 母！
The only way possible for two tigers to be tolerant with each other is when one is a male and the …
Correct Answer: D
Analysis:
A. “好像 (hǎoxiàng)” are the Chinese characters for “as if” or “seem.”
“好 (hǎo)” means good or well. “像 (xiàng)” means alike or resemble.
B. “可能 (kěnéng)” are the Chinese characters for “maybe” or “probably.”
“可 (kě)” …
财神来，钱财到 (Cáishén lái, qiáncái dào) To Greet the God of Wealth and wish for good fortune
财神 (cáishén): n the God of Wealth
迎接 (yíngjiē): v to greet
诚信 (chéngxìn): n honesty
During the Chinese New Year, the most important …
Correct Answer: B
Analysis:
A. “拜访 (bàifǎng)” is the Chinese characters for “to pay a visit.”
“拜 (bài)” means to worship and “访 (fǎng)” means to visit.
B. “拜年 (bàinián)” is the Chinese characters for “to pay a New Year call.” …
