Mini-test Answer:香水 (Beginner)

Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)

Correct answer: B

Analysis:

A. “Xiāngjiāo” is the Chinese Pinyin for “香蕉 banana.”

    “香 (xiāng)” literally means fragrant, and “蕉 (jiāo) ” means broadleaf plant.

B. “Xiāngshuǐ” is the Chinese Pinyin for “香水 perfume.”

    “香 (xiāng)” literally means fragrant, and “水 (shuǐ) ” literally means water.…

Mini-test Answer: 同事 (Intermediate)

Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)

Correct answer: D

Analysis:

A. “同学 (tóngxué)” are the Chinese characters for “classmate”      or “schoolmate.”

    “同 (tóng)” means similar, and “学 (xué)” represents the meaning      of “学生 (xuéshēng) student.” B. “同时 (tóngshí)” are the Chinese characters for “at the same time.”

    “同 (tóng)” means similar, and “时 (shí)” represents the meaning      of “时间 (shíjiān) time.”…

Mini-test Answer: A Large Crowd (Advanced)

Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)  

Correct answer: C

Analysis:

Let’s first look at the meaning of this Chinese dialogue.

  Wǒ zhōumò qù shì zhōngxīn guàngjiē le. Zhēnshì rénshānrénhǎi a! A: 我     周末   去 市      中心        逛街   了。 真是        人山人海     啊! I went to the city center to go window-shopping last weekend.…

Chinese Mini-test: 人山人海 (Advanced)

Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)

      Wǒ zhōumò qù shì zhōngxīn guàngjiē le. Zhēnshì rénshānrénhǎi a! A: 我     周末   去 市      中心        逛街   了。 真是        人山人海     啊!     Xìngkuī wǒ méi qù, wǒ zuì pà rén duō le! B: 幸亏      我 没 去,我 最 怕 人   多 了! Do you understand the meaning of “人山人海 (rénshānrénhǎi) ” in this Chinese conversation?…

绕口令 (ràokǒulìng) Tongue Twister (Beginner)

绕口令 (ràokǒulìng) Tongue Twister

茄子和鞋子 (qiézi hé xiézi) Eggplant and Shoes

Listen to the tongue twister

Key Learning Points (Preview):

鞋子 (xiézi): n shoe

茄子 (qiézi): n eggplant

Yígè xiǎo háizi, 一个 小    孩子,

There was a little child,

Shǒu ná shuāng xiézi. 手      拿    双       鞋子。

Who had a pair of shoes in his hand.…

Quote of the week (Apr. 1, 2010)

Zánliǎ de gǎnqíng xiàng rénmínbì yíyàng jiāntǐng. 咱 俩  的    感情      像     人民币     一样      坚挺。

Our relationship is as strong as Renminbi (RMB).                                  —From Guo Jingming, a famous Chinese writer

 
 

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary

感情 (gǎnqíng): n relationship

人民币 (rénmínbì): n Renminbi (RMB), the Chinese currency.

// // …

电影 (diànyǐng) Movie (Beginner)

电影 (diànyǐng) Movie
(Beginner)

The character “电 (diàn)” means electricity and “影 (yǐng)” means shadow.

Example:

A: Wǒ hěn xǐhuan zhōngguó diànyǐng. Cóng diànyǐng zhōng wǒ kěyǐ  xuéxí zhōngwén.     我   很     喜欢    中国         电影,      从      电影        中     我  可以 学习 中文。 I like Chinese movies, and I can learn Chinese from watching them.…

高楼大厦 (gāolóudàshà) High Buildings and Large Mansions (Advanced)

高楼大厦 (gāolóudàshà) High Buildings and Large Mansions (Advanced)

The character “高 (gāo)” means high and “楼 (lóu)” means floor. “大 (dà)”

means large and “厦 (shà)” means tall building. Example:

Xiàndàihuà de chéngshì lǐ  biàndì shì gāolóudàshà. 现代化        的  城市       里  遍地    是    高楼大厦。

In modern cities there are high buildings and large mansions everywhere.…

感冒 (gǎnmào) To Catch a Cold (Beginner)

感冒 (gǎnmào) To Catch a Cold (Beginner) The character “感 (gǎn)” means to feel and “冒 (mào)” literally means to emit .

Example:

A: Zěnme le, kàn nǐ  qìsè  bú tài hǎo.     怎么    了,看  你  气色 不 太 好。 What’s up? You don’t look good.

B: Ài, zhè  jǐ  tiān gǎnmào le.     哎,这 几 天  感冒      了。 I caught a cold these days.…

同事 (tóngshì) Colleague (Beginner)

同事 (tóngshì) Colleague (Beginner) The character “同 (tóng)” means the same and “事 (shì)” means thing literally.

Example:

A: Nǐ rènshi Wáng Hóng ma?     你 认识   王        宏     吗? Do you know Wang Hong?

B: Dāngrán le, tā shì wǒ tóngshì ne.     当然      了,他 是 我 同事    呢。 Of course, he is my colleague.…

回家 (huíjiā) To Go Home (Beginner)

回家 (huíjiā) To Go Home (Beginner) The character “回 (huí)” means to return and “家 (jiā)” means home.

Example:

Zài wài gōngzuò de érnǚ yào cháng huíjiā kànkan fùmǔ. 在 外   工作       的 儿女   要   常      回家     看看   父母。 The sons and daughters who are working out of town should often come back home to see their parents.…

Mini-test Answer: Same (Advanced)

Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)  

Correct answer: D

Analysis:

A. “Whole-heartedly” is the meaning for “一心一意 (yìxīnyíyì).”

    “一 (yì)” means one; “心 (xīn)”  means heart and “意 (yì)” means thought.

B. “To kill two birds with one stone” is the meaning for “一箭双 雕 (yíjiànshuānɡdiāo).”

    “一 (yī)” means one; “箭 (jiàn)” means arrow; “双 (shuāng)” means two or double; and “雕 (diāo)” refers to vulture.…

Mini-test Answer: Cānjīnzhǐ (Beginner)

Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)

Correct answer: B

Analysis:

A. “Xǐshǒujiān” is the Chinese Pinyin for “洗手间 toilet.”

     “洗 (xǐ)” means  to wash; “手 (shǒu) ” means hand and “间 (jiān)” means space here.

B. “Cānjīnzhǐ” is the Chinese Pinyin for “餐巾纸 napkin.”

     “餐 (cān)” means meal; “巾 (jīn)” means towel and “纸 (zhǐ)” means paper.…

Mini-test Answer: 创业 (Intermediate)

Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí) 

Correct answer: C

Analysis:

A. “创伤 (chuāngshāng)” are the Chinese characters for “wound.”

      Both “创 (chuāng)” and “伤 (shāng)” here mean wound.

B. “创造 (chuàngzào)” are the Chinese characters for “to create.”

     “创 (chuàng)” means to start here, and “造 (zào)” literally means to invent.…

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