Answer to Video Lesson: I’ve Heard So Much About You.
Answer:
1. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: I’ve Heard So Much About You.” …
Mandarin Essentials
Know “电灯泡 (Diàndēngpào)” for When You May be an Unwanted Guest
An essential part of learning Chinese, or any other foreign language, is to follow the popular slang of contemporary life. Much of this I have learned by watching popular Chinese dramas and comedy shows, just as many Chinese people learned English slang through watching Friends. …
Answer to Know “电灯泡 (Diàndēngpào)” for When You May be an Unwanted Guest
Answer: D
Answer analysis:
Answers A, B, and C are typical and comfortable situations in dating and romance. You wouldn’t be imposing on another couple. However, answer D, in which you ask to join your sister and her fiancée’s romantic dinner would be a case …
Video Lesson: To Eat Or Not to Eat?
Vinegar. Bitterness. Losses. What? You want me to eat them all?
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: Xiǎoměi, jǐ ge yuè bú jiàn, nǐ shòu le hǎo duō a! B: Ǹg, wǒ wèi le jiǎnféi, chī le hěn duō kǔ. What does Xiaomei mean? Please …
Answer to Video Lesson: To Eat Or Not to Eat?
Answers:
1. B 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: To Eat Or Not to Eat?” …
In a Losing Situation, You May Be “倒贴 (dàotiē)”!
Do you ever put in more than you receive? Philosophers say that giving, not receiving, is the true path to happiness. However, sometimes you find yourself “in over your head” and losing money on an investment of your time and finances. Other times, you spend …
Video Lesson: What Do You REALLY Mean by This Color? (Part Ⅱ)
Green, white…when Chinese people use them, do you know what they REALLY mean?
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: Zuótiān wǒ kànjiàn Jessica zài hé lìngwài yí gè nánren jiē wěn. B: Shénme? Tā gěi tā lǎogōng dài le lǜ màozi! Please choose the best …
Video Lesson: Greetings (Part II)
When you say “how are you?” to your Chinese friends, they may not respond by saying “Wǒ hěn hǎo.” or “I’m fine.” That’s not wrong, but just not so authentic. You might hear them saying “I am doing OK” or “I am just so so.” …
Answer to Video Lesson: Greetings (Part II)
Answers:
1. B 2. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: Greetings (Part II)” …
Have You Watched Any “狗血 Dog Blood” Movies Lately?
There are some Mandarin Chinese words that just don’t have an exact equivalent in English.
Because when it comes to slang, there are a lot of hidden meanings behind each and every word. And you really have to know the full meaning to be able …
Answer to Have You Watched Any “狗血 Dog Blood” Movies Lately?
Answer: B Jack: Wǒ bù xiǎng qù, diànyǐng lǐmiàn de jùqíng tài gǒuxiě! Jack: 我 不 想 去， 电影 里面 的 剧情 太 狗血！ Jack: I don’t want to, the story of the film is too ridiculous!
Out-of-Date and Obsolete? That Trend May be “老掉牙 (Lǎodiàoyá)”!
I have only lived in China as a Mandarin Chinese student for a little over a year now, but I have learned that things in China move and change fast. The trains zip by fast, the buildings are constructed almost overnight, Internet slang comes and …
Answer to Out-of-Date and Obsolete? That Trend May be “老掉牙 (Lǎodiàoyá)”!
Answer: C
Answer Analysis:
In 2011, the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Rail opened, cutting the trip down to 4.5 hours. The slower train built in the 1950s, used to take 12 to 15 hours. Today, you can still ride the “old” train line. However, it is “老掉牙 …
Video Lesson: Bon Voyage!
When we see our friends off, we want to express our wishes that they will be safe and well. What should you say and what should you NOT say even you have the best intentions in the world?
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: The …
Answer to Video Lesson: Bon Voyage!
Answers:
1. B 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. A <<Back to “Video Lesson: Bon Voyage!” …
Ready to Break a World Record? Do It With Rice!
In China, the most popular food you can find is definitely rice. We consume so much of it every year that it’s hard to keep up with the demand. This year, the China National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Center has recognized Yuan Longping, a …
Learn How to Pay Out of Your Own Pocket in Chinese!
My favorite moments in the virtual classroom are when I see my students learn a new word and I can see the light-bulb go off in their heads. They become excited that they can use it in a sentence and in daily life immediately. This …
Answer to Learn How to Pay Out of Your Own Pocket in Chinese!
Answer: C The correct structure of “掏腰包 (tāo yāobāo)” should be: “Somebody+掏腰包 = 掏+somebody’s +腰包” So A and B are correct. Zhè gè lǐwù shì Mike tāo yāobāo fù de qián. 这 个 礼物 是 Mike 掏 腰包 付 的 钱。 Mike paid for the …