Mandarin Essentials
Answer to the exercise on The Name Game: Making Acquaintances in Chinese
Correct Answer: B Learning to ask someone’s name is one of the first, and mostly frequent, questions you will find yourself asking when you first arrive in China and start making friends. To help you get starting with the basic essentials for Chinese conversation, the …
The Name Game: Making Acquaintances in Chinese
Kathy: Nǐ ___ shénme míngzi? Kathy：你 ___ 什么 名字？ Kathy: What’s your name? Wáng Lì: Wáng Lì. 王 丽：王 丽。 Wang Li: Wang Li. A. 是(shì) B. 叫(jiào) C. 有(yǒu) D. /…
Answer to the exercise on When Should I Use “过 (guò)” and “了 (le)”?
Correct Answer: B
Translation of the Dialogue:
Wáng Lì: Nǐ qù ___Zhōng’guó ma? 王 丽：你 去___ 中国 吗？ Wang Li: Have you been to China? Tom: Wǒ méi qù ___ Zhōng’guó, dànshì wǒ hěn xiǎng qù. Tom：我 没 去___ 中国， 但是 我 很 想 去。 …
How do You Express “Not Good” in Mandarin Like a Native? (Elementary)
If you want to be modest about your Chinese say, “My Chinese is not good.” Which of the following is NOT an authentic way to express this? A. 我的中文很糟糕。(Wǒ de Zhōngwén hěn zāogāo.)
B. 我的中文很差。(Wǒ de Zhōngwén hěn chà.)
C. 我的中文不好。(Wǒ de Zhōngwén bù hǎo.) …
Answer to the exercise on Do you Like to Show off?
Correct Answer: A
Translation of the Dialogue:
Lǐ Míng: John wēibó shàng zǒngshì yǒu hěnduō tā gēn tā nǚpéngyou de zhàopiàn. 李 明： John 微博 上 总是 有 很多 他 跟 他 女朋友 的 照片。 Li Ming: There are always many photos of John and …
When Should I Use “过 (guò)” and “了 (le)”? (Elementary)
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Wáng Lì: Nǐ qù ___Zhōng’guó ma? 王 丽：你 去___ 中国 吗？ Tom: Wǒ méi qù ___ Zhōng’guó, dànshì wǒ hěn xiǎng qù. Tom：我 没 去___ 中国， 但是 我 很 想 去。 A. 了 (le)，过 (guò)…
Do You Like to Show Off? (Intermediate)
Lǐ Míng: John wēibó shàng zǒngshì yǒu hěnduō tā gēn tā nǚpéngyou de zhàopiàn. 李 明： John 微博 上 总是 有 很多 他 跟 他 女朋友 的 照片。 Xiǎo Wáng: Tā hěn xǐhuan xiù ēn’ài. 小 王： 他 很 喜欢 秀 恩爱。 What does Xiao …
Answer to the exercise on How Many – “几 (jǐ)” or “多少 (duōshao)” in Chinese
Correct Answer: B
Translation of the Dialogue:
Zhāng Míng: Nǐmen gōngsī zhēn dà, yǒu ___rén? 张 明： 你们 公司 真 大，有 ___ 人？ Zhang Ming: How many people are there in your company? Nancy: Sānbǎi rén. Nancy：300 人。 Nancy: 300 people. <<Back to ” How …
How Many – “几 (jǐ)” or “多少 (duōshao)” (Elementary)
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Zhāng Míng: Nǐmen gōngsī zhēn dà, yǒu ___rén? 张 明： 你们 公司 真 大，有___ 人？ Nancy: Sānbǎi rén. Nancy：300 人。 A. 几(jǐ)
B. 多少(duōshao)
C. 几个(jǐgè)
New Catch Phrase – “有钱，任性(yǒuqián, rènxìng)”
If you take a look at Chinese social sites like WeChat and Weibo you will probably notice a number of people who proclaim themselves to “有钱就是任性(yǒuqián jiùshì rènxìng) or “有钱，任性(yǒuqián, rènxìng).” Once you understand the meaning of the phrase you will probably wonder what this …
Learning Chinese Words – “靠近 (kàojìn,)” “旁边 (pángbiān,)” and “附近(fùjìn)”
Wǒ de jiā ____gōngyuán. 我 的 家 ____ 公园。 My house is next to the park. A. 靠近 (kàojìn)
B. 旁边 (pángbiān)
C. 附近 (fùjìn)
Answers to Learning Chinese Words – “靠近 (kàojìn)”, “旁边 (pángbiān)” and “附近(fùjìn)”
Correct Answer: A In the Chinese language, all three words – “靠近 (kàojìn),” “旁边 (pángbiān)” and “附近 (fùjìn)” – express the meaning “next to” or “near by.” But the usage of each is quite different. “靠近 (kàojìn)” In Chinese, “靠近 (kàojìn)” is usually used as …
Answers to the Here Are Some “Bad” Christmas Gifts You Should Never Give in China
Answer: C
Gifts play an important role in Chinese culture. They allow Chinese people to demonstrate respect for elders and superiors, to show their commitment to and enthusiasm for maintaining close relations with family and friends. Gifts also play an important role in building new …
Answer to the Exercise on What Do Chinese People Eat for the Winter Solstice?
Correct Answer: A “冬至(dōngzhì)” is the Winter Solstice Festival, which falls on December 22nd, 2014. It is the day of the year that the sun shines weakest and daylight hours are the shortest. This day has long been a very important holiday in China, and …
Two Must-know Grammar Structures of “半(bàn) Half”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Liú Huá: Nǐ xué Zhōngwén duō jiǔ le? 刘 华：你 学 中文 多 久 了？ Liu Hua: How long have you been learning Chinese? Richard: ____. Richard: Two and a half months. A. 两个半月(liǎng’gè bàn …
Answer to the Exercise on Two Must-know Grammar Structures of “半(bàn) Half”
Answer: A In the Chinese language, “半(bàn)” can be used to express the meaning of “half.”
The structure is: Number + Measure Word + 半(bàn) + Noun
With this structure, the noun can be a time word, such as “月(yuè) month” or “小时(xiǎoshí) hour.” It …