Chinese Traditional 满月酒 (mǎnyuèjiǔ) Party: a Baby’s First Month
Up until the 1960s, China had a birthrate of about six children per woman. Since then, the birthrate has gone down drastically to between one or two per woman. This means that children are receiving extra attention in the family. When children in China turn …
Video Lesson: What Are Your Hobbies?
From listening to music and playing sports, to taking photos and playing video games, I have lots of hobbies. What are yours? Watch Video Answers
“泡汤 (pàotāng)”: For When Nothing Is Going Your Way
Plans Foiled? “泡汤 (pàotāng)”! “泡汤 (pàotāng)”? Pick Yourself Up and Move Ahead! Our lives are filled with hopes and dreams. Unfortunately, part of our life experience is to watch those hopes dashed to pieces! On a positive note, we can learn from heartbreak and approach …
Culture Lesson: Why Chinese People Use English Names
If you stay in China for a while, you will come to find that many Chinese people use English names.
You’ll meet a continuous stream of individuals named Jack and Lisa, even though their Chinese names are all quite distinct.
Many might ask, why are …
Video Lesson: Express What You Can and Can’t Do in Mandarin Chinese
In life, it’s important to “know your skills” as well as what you “can and can’t do” in life. Teacher Becky shows you a valuable way to express this in today’s lesson! Watch Video Answers
Video Lesson: How Chubby I Was Last Year!
“Do You Have Time?” is a common question in any language when talking to friends. In Chinese, it’s quite simple to learn how to ask and answer this everyday question. Watch Video Answers
What It Means to Have a “玻璃心 (bōli xīn) Glass Heart”
“Your Chinese is probably the worst in the class.”
A classmate said jokingly to my close friend in a study abroad program. Although her Chinese was not the best, it definitely wasn’t the worse. Yet, she took his teasing very personally and I am pretty …
IB Exam in Chinese A (Standard Level)：Chinese Poem 老房子 (Lǎo fángzi)
Chinese Poem 老房子 (Lǎo fángzi)
在乡下，可以随处看到那些老房子。 它们静静地散落在大地上， 仿佛是什么人对大地的嘱托。 就那么默默地坚守着， 一座老房子和时间较着劲， 一遍遍掏空自己。 是老了，一座老房子已承受不起命运的抚摸。 风雨来临时， 总有隐约的疼痛袭来。 偶尔有几只麻雀，飞进来，又倏地飞出去， 像是老房子的心， 骤然一跳。 一阵风吹来，那些曾经的叹息， 哭泣和笑声在墙角， 落叶一样回荡着。 一座老房子前总坐着一位老人， 仿佛是另一座老房子， 空空地等待着什么…… 刺勒川，选自《2008中国诗歌精选》，2009
阅读完这篇诗歌，请对下面提供的两道启发题加以分析。
1. 老房子的“老”表现在哪些地方？ 2. 为了呈现“老”的状态，从而引起读者对“老”的思考，诗歌中运用了哪些表现手法和修辞手段？效果如何？
答案指导
针对该篇诗歌评论要点应包括： A. 对全诗的意像以及通过这些意像而建立起来的气氛的分析； B. 对诗歌意义的解读； C. 对诗中突出的语言、意像、修辞手段、形式结构方面的特点的讨论。 针对以上答题思路，学生可开放性作答。 IB Chinese…
Video Lesson: Do You Have Time on the Weekend?
“Do You Have Time?” is a common question in any language when talking to friends. In Chinese, it’s quite simple to learn how to ask and answer this everyday question. Watch Video Answers …
Video Lesson: Time Words-What Date Is It Today?
月 (Yuè) originally means moon but stands for “month” here, since the moon goes through its phrases each month. 一月 (Yī yuè) simply means “the first month of the year”. Since the year starts in January, 一月 (Yī yuè) means January. Watch Video Answers …
Understand 人情 (rénqíng)? Prepare for an Easy Life in China
Something students learning Chinese should know is that learning just the language isn’t enough—one must also study Chinese culture. Every culture has its own morals and societal frameworks that the citizens find very important to uphold. If a Chinese student misses these, then living in …