In the previous issue we introduced four keywords about Spring Festival: 春运 (chūnyùn), 春晚 (chūnwǎn), 春联 (chūnlián) and 压岁钱 (yāsuìqián). Of course, there are more than 4 words to learn about Chinese New Year, so today we’ll continue our discussion to bring you up to …
Spring Festival, 春节 (Chūnjié), also known as Chinese New Year, is just around the corner. During this time of year, people of many different walks of life, from students to migrant workers, all suddenly have the same aim: to travel back to their hometown to …
The right answer is
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Tom: Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó. Tom：我 想 去 中国。 Tom：I want to go to China. Li Hua: Tài hǎo le! Nǐ shénme shíhou lái Zhōngguó? Li Hua：太 好 了！你 什么 时候 来 中国？ Li Hua：Great! When are you …
To celebrate the New Year, (Watch the video and know how Chinese people celebrate the New Year) Wang Wei invites his girlfriend Zhang Li to have dinner at a restaurant, but the two face a few challenges…
Nǐ chī cù ma? Wang Wei：你 …
Answers: 1. A The sentence is “苹果很便宜 (Píngguǒ hěn piányi),” means “Apples are very cheap.” It’s the first usage of the word 便宜 (piányi), as we mentioned in the above passage.
2. C “星期天我们去血拼吧! (Xīngqītiān wǒmen qù xuèpīn ba!)” means, “Let’s go shopping on Sunday!” …
The right answer is
.
Lǎobǎn, zhè shù huār duōshao qián? Li Hua：老板， 这 束 花儿 多少 钱？ How much does this bunch of flowers cost? Wǔshí kuài qián. Seller：五十 块 钱。 Fifty Yuan. Tài guì le! Li Hua：太 贵 了！ That’s too …
Christmas, or “圣诞节 (shèngdàn jié),” is on its way! Department stores, shopping malls and supermarkets all over China are adorned with decorations and are blasting holiday song favorites. The crinkling of wrapping paper echoes through hallways as people begin to prepare gifts for their loved …
What exactly do you know about the number 2? Is it just a mere number in Mandarin? Let’s have a look at the following conversation and see just where you stand.
Nǐ tài èr le. Lǐ Huá：你 太 2 了。
Á? Lucy：啊？
Nǐ de chēpáishang …
Key Learning Points (Preview):
结婚礼服(jié hūn lǐ fú): n. wedding gown
喜事(xǐshì): n. refers to weddings and any happy events
被子(bèizi): n. quilt
It is common knowledge in the Western world that brides on their wedding day wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and …
For Shakespeare’s Hamlet, to be, or not to be: that is the question.
Here in Chinese learning, 客气(kèqi) or 不客气(bú kèqi), that is the question!
Please look at the following conversation to see when it is 客气(kèqi) or 不客气(bú kèqi).
Zhōngwén de “bú kèqi” …
Regardless of the language, the number of words used to refer to the two sexes is vast and their meaning can change according to context. Using the improper word may cause not only misunderstandings but also embarrassment.
For example, once an American couple invited their …
When you’ve been invited to a social event in China, it’s courtesy to bring a special gift for the host. For this the options are nearly limitless: food, clothes, books etc. However, there are a few exceptions. For example, in China, a clock “钟(zhōng)” should …
Key Learning Point Preview：安全 (ānquán) adj./n. safe/safety Story:
After spending the evening together, Lucy and Lily are saying goodbye and getting ready to go home. Zhème wǎnle, wǒ yǒudiǎn hàipà! Lucy：这么 晚了，我 有点 害怕！ I’m a bit scared to go outside so late.
Nǐ zhǎng …
Nǐ zài chī shénme a? Lisa: 你 在 吃 什么 啊？ Wǒ zài chī kǒuxiāngtáng. Emily: 我 在 吃 口香糖。 What does Emily say in this conversation?
A: She’s eating an apple.
B: She’s eating a piece of bread.
C: She’s chewing gum.
…Key learning point: 达人(dárén): an expert or someone who is outstanding in a specified field
What is your “达人(dárén) talent?”
中国达人秀 (zhōngguó dárénxiù)
中国达人秀 (zhōngguó dárénxiù) or China’s Got Talent, a show which searches for talent within the public, has taken the Chinese word 达人 …
Key learning point:
同志 (tóngzhì): n. comrade / gay or lesbian
One day, while studying the word “同志 (tóngzhì),” a foreigner suddenly declared to his Chinese friend, “我是一个男同志 (Wǒ shì yígè nán tóngzhì).”
His friend burst into laughter. Let’s take a look and find out …
The correct answer to this test is A.
Analysis:
A. 求婚 (qiúhūn) means a proposal of marriage. B. 表白 (biǎobái) means the confession of love. C. 过生日 (guò shēngrì) means to celebrate one’s birthday.
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In the Internet age, avatars are everywhere. Do you use an avatar on Facebook or your real picture?
Do you know how to say “avatar” in Chinese? A. 头像 (tóuxiàng) B. 照片 (zhàopiàn) C. 图片 (túpiàn)
The correct answer to this quiz is B.
Gēmenr, xiàwǔ dǎ lánqiú ba. Mike: 哥们儿，下午 打 篮球 吧。 Hey buddy, let’s go playing basketball. Méi wèntí. Tom: 没 问题。 No problem.
Nowadays in China, you can see the word …
Key Learning Points (Preview):
支持 (zhīchí): v./n. to support/support
相信 (xiāngxìn): v. to believe
努力 (nǔlì): v./n. to try hard/effort
Examples:
Liú Xiáng, wǒmen yǒngyuǎn zhīchí nǐ. 刘 翔， 我们 永远 支持 你! Liu Xiang, we will support you forever!
Nǐ duì wǒ de zhīchí …
