Mandarin Essentials
Quote of the week (Apr. 26, 2010)
Wǒ bù zhīdào shénme shì shíshàng, dàn wǒ zhīdào wǒ yìzhí zài yǐnlǐng shíshàng. 我 不 知道 什么 是 时尚， 但 我 知道 我 一直 在 引领 时尚。
I’ve no idea what fashion is, but I know that I have been leading the fashion trend. …
Mini-test Answer: 但是 But (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Correct answer: C
Analysis:
A. “尽管” is the Chinese phrase for “even though.” It’s a conjunction. B. “只要” is the Chinese expression for “if only.” “只要” often leads to conditional sentences. For example: “只要你努力，一定会通过HSK考试的。(Zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì, yídìng huì tōngguò HSK kǎoshì …
Mini-test Answer: 涨价 (zhǎngjià) (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
Correct answer: A
Analysis:
A. “Zhǎngjià” is the Chinese pinyin for “涨价.”
“涨 (zhǎng)” means to rise. “价 (jià)” means price.
B. “Shàngshēng” is the Chinese pinyin for “上升 rise.” C. “Huíjiā” is the Chinese pinyin for “回家 to go home.” …
Mini-test Answer: 一心一意 Whole-hearted (Advanced)
Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)
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 …
Chinese Mini-test: 但是 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
A: How about going hiking with me this weekend? B: I’ d love to, “但是 (dànshì)” I have to prepare for my HSK test. A: Oh, I almost forgot that you are taking that Chinese course. Good luck!
Do …
Chinese Mini-test: Increase in price (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
Tīngshuō dàmǐ yào _____, dàjiā dōu qù qiǎnggòu. 听说 大米 要 涨价， 大家 都 去 抢购。 It is said that the price of rice is going to rise soon, so people are rushing to buy it. Do you know the Chinese …
Chinese Mini-test: Whole-hearted (Advanced)
Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)
A: You don’t want to take French lessons along with me, do you? But you said you love me. B: Honey, I love you whole-heartedly
,
but I want to learn Chinese too. I really want to learn
. …
洗面奶 (xǐmiànnǎi) Facial Cleanser (Beginner)
洗面奶 (xǐmiànnǎi) Facial Cleanser (Beginner)
Example:
A: Wǒ kěyǐ jiè nǐ de xǐmiànnǎi yòng yí xià ma? Wǒ wàng dài le. 我 可以 借 你 的 洗面奶 用 一 下 吗？ 我 忘 带 了。
May I borrow your facial cleanser? I forgot to bring …
洗脸 (xǐliǎn) Wash Face (Beginner)
洗脸 (xǐliǎn) Wash Face (Beginner)
Example
Kuài qù xǐliǎn shuāyá, wǒmen yào chī zǎofàn le. 快 去 洗脸 刷牙， 我们 要 吃 早饭 了。 Please wash your face and brush your teeth quickly; we will have breakfast soon. …
眼不见心不烦 (yǎnbújiàn xīnbùfán) Out of Sight and Out of Mind (Advanced)
眼不见心不烦 (yǎnbújiàn xīnbùfán) Out of Sight and Out of Mind (Advanced)
The character “眼 (yǎn)” means eyes.
“不 (bù)” means not.
“见 (jiàn)” means to see.
“心 (xīn)” means heart. ”
“不 (bù)” means not.
“烦 (fán)” means upset.
Example:
A: Nǐ bú yuàn yì …
大款 (dàkuǎn) Rich Guy (Intermediate)
大款 (dàkuǎn) Rich Guy (Intermediate)
Example: A: Nǐ jiàn guò Jiǎn de xīn nányǒu ma? Tīngshuō shì gè dàkuǎn. 你 见 过 简 的 新 男友 吗？ 听说 是 个 大款。 Have you met Jane’s new boyfriend? I heard he is a rich guy.
B: …
偶像 (ǒuxiàng) Idol (Intermediate)
偶像 (ǒuxiàng) Idol (Intermediate) Example: A: Màikèjiékèxùn zhēnde shì gè hěnbàng de gēshǒu. 迈克杰克逊 真的 是 个 很 棒 的 歌手。 Michael Jackson is really a great singer.
B: Shì de. Tā shì wǒ de ǒuxiàng. 是 的。他 是 我 的 偶像。 Yes. He is …
生日 (shēngrì) Birthday (Beginner)
生日 (shēngrì) Birthday (Beginner)
Example: A: Mínɡtiān shì nǐ de shēngrì, nǐ xiǎng yào shénme shēngrì lǐwù ā? 明 天 是 你 的 生日， 你 想 要 什么 生日 礼物 啊？ Tomorrow is your birthday. What birthday gift do you want? B: Wǒ xiǎng yào …
生气 (shēngqì) Angry (Beginner)
生气 (shēngqì) Angry (Beginner)
Example:
A: Wǒ hànyǔ cèyàn méiyǒu jígé, māma fēicháng shēngqì. 我 汉语 测验 没有 及格，妈妈 非常 生气 。 I didn’t pass my Chinese test. My mom got very angry.
B: Nǐ yīnggāi rènzhēn zhǔnbèi zhècì cèyàn de. 你 应该 认真 …
Mini-test Answer: 世博会 (Advanced)
Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)
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 …
Mini-test Answer: 聚会 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Correct answer: C
Analysis:
A. “Jùjí” is the Chinese Pinyin for “聚集” and it means to get together.
B. “Kaīhuì” is the Chinese Pinyin for “开会” and it means to hold or attend a meeting. C. “Jùhuì” is the Chinese Pinyin …
Mini-test Answer: Ring (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
Correct answer: B
Analysis:
A. “手指 (shǒuzhǐ)” are the Chinese characters for “finger.” B. “戒指 (jièzhi)” are the Chinese characters for “ring.” C. “截止 (jiézhǐ)” are the Chinese characters for “cut-off.”
It often used together with “日期 (rìqī).” e.g. “截止日期” means …
Chinese Mini-test: Ring (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
A: How nice your ring is! B: Thank you. Do you know how to say the word “ring” in Chinese? A. 手指 (shǒuzhǐ) B. 戒指 (jièzhi) C. 截止 (jiézhǐ) D. 节制 (jiézhì)
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Chinese Mini-test: Party (Beginner)
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“我不能去参加同学聚会了，因为我要准备HSK 考试。I can’t go to my classmate’s party, because I have to prepare for the
HSK exam.”
Do you know the Chinese Pinyin for “聚会 party