Video Lesson: Breaking Up in Mandarin Chinese
“I am not sure if we are right for each other. I guess we have to break up.” It is absolutely heart breaking to hear this, or is it? Watch Video Answers …
Where can I learn Mandarin Chinese online?
Chinese is growing in popularity, so there are new ways to learn online popping up every day. They aren’t all good though. I believe the best resource is, of course, you can work one-to-one with qualified instructors online. Here are some of the other…
Dine and Dash? It Is Having “霸王餐(bàwángcān)” in Mandarin!
Previously, we introduced two other Chinese words related to the character “霸(bà)”: “学霸(xuébà)” and “麦霸(màibà).” In this issue we will learn about another one, which is “霸王餐(bàwángcān).”
Literally, “霸(bà)” means “to dominate, lord over, tyrannize over or rule by force” and “王(wáng)” means “king.” Together, …
Talk about Stingy People? Use “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” in Mandarin!
The term “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” comes from the Chinese idiom “铁公鸡,一毛不拔(tiěgōngjī, yìmáo bùbá) You can’t pluck a feather from an iron rooster.”
Here, “铁(tiě)” means “iron” and “公鸡(gōngjī)” means “rooster,” but what the term “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” is really used to refer to is a mean, stingy person who …
Telling Time in Mandarin
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Linda: Qǐngwèn xiànzài jǐ diǎn zhōng? Linda：请问 现在 几 点 钟？ Linda: Excuse me, what time is it? Zhāng Míng:___. 张 明： ____。 Zhang Ming:___. A. 八点三十二分(Bā diăn sānshí’èr fēn)
B. 八点三十二分钟(Bā diăn sānshí’èr fēnzhōng)…
Answer to the Exercise on Telling Time in Mandarin
Correct Answer: A In the Chinese language, there are many ways to talk about the time, but actually, their meanings and usages are quite different. The words “点(diăn)” and “点钟(diănzhōng),” which have the same meaning of “o’clock,” are not interchangeable. Similarly, “分(fēn)” and “分钟(fēnzhōng)” both …
Answer to what does “上火(shànghuǒ)” mean in Mandarin?
Correct Answers 1. A 2. C <<Back to “What does “上火(shànghuǒ)” mean in Mandarin?”
What does “上火(shànghuǒ)” mean in mandarin?
The Chinese word “火 (huǒ)” literally means fire, but the word also has a few other meanings.
First, to describe something/somebody that is very popular. For instance, “最近这个节目很火。 (Zuìjìn zhège jiémù hěn huǒ.) This show is really popular these days.”
Second, to refer to getting …
Answer to What does “你吃了吗(Nǐ chī le ma)” Actually Mean in Mandarin?
Answer: B
Actually, “你吃了吗(Nǐ chī le ma) Have you eaten yet?” is a traditional way of greeting others. Sometimes the speaker may not really care whether or not you have had your lunch or dinner, instead, the phrase will just be used to start a …
What does “你吃了吗(Nǐ chī le ma)” Actually Mean in Mandarin?
There is a saying (Learn a popular Chinese saying!)among Chinese people that goes “民以食为天(mín yǐ shí wéi tiān).” This means “people regard food as their heaven,” which shows that they view eating to be of utmost importance. Along these same lines, many Chinese people …
Answers to the Exercise on A Trip to the Market: How to Talk about Weights in Mandarin
Answer: B
“吨(dūn), ton” “斤(jīn), half kilogram or catty” and “克(kè), gram” are all units of weight.
“吨(dūn) is equivalent to 1,000 kilograms, which is usually used to measure the weight of heavy objects or large quantities of objects. Such as measuring the amount of …
A Trip to the Market: How to Talk about Weights in Mandarin
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Gùkè: Lǎobǎn, píngguǒ duōshao qián yì ___? 顾客：老板， 苹果 多少 钱 一 ___？ Customer: How much are the apples? Lǎobǎn: Wǔkuài. 老板： 5块。 Storekeeper: Five Yuan. Please choose the correct answer to fill in the …
When You Feel Crushed, Use “心塞(xīnsāi)” in Mandarin
Zhāng Qíng: Xiàzhōu jiùyào qīmòkǎoshì le! 张晴： 下周 就要 期末考试 了！ Zhang Qing: We will have the final exam next week!
Lǐ Chéng: Shìya. Nǐ fùxí de zěnmeyàng le? 李成： 是呀。你复习得 怎么样 了？ Li Cheng: Yeah. How’s your preparation going?
Zhāng Qíng: Hái méi kāishǐ …
Mandarin Buzzword-“正能量(zhèngnéngliàng)”
Are you the kind of person who is desperately overcommitted and suffering from exhaustion? Are you still upset about your most recent failure? Are you living with terrible pressure? If so, you’re the victim of negative emotions. To resolve these problems, you need some “正能量(zhèngnéngliàng),” …