Mandarin Essentials

“辣妈(làmā) Hot Mom”

Generally the word “辣(là)” has different meanings.

As a kind of taste, “辣(là)” means peppery or spicy hot.

Example

Zhè dào cài zhēn là! 这    道   菜  真     辣! The dish is very spicy!

Another meaning of “辣(là)” is ruthless. It usually describes a person who is cruel.…

Manly or Not, It’s Better to Have That Special “Smell!”

Generally, “味(wèi)” means “smell, flavor or taste,” like a flower’s fragrance, a stink, sourness and so on.

But what is “男人味(nánrénwèi),” and “女人味(nǚrénwèi)?” If we take the two words literally, it means “a man’s smell” and “a woman’s smell.” But the terms actually do not refer to something that we can smell or taste.…

Answers to the Exercise on the Differences Between “或者(huòzhě)” And “还是(háishì)”

Answer: C

In many situations, a single word in English may have several different forms, meanings and usages in Chinese – such as the word “or” which translates to both “或者(huòzhě)” and “还是(háishì)” in Chinese.

Both “或者(huòzhě)” and “还是(háishì)” can be used to connect two words or phrases that represent different alternatives or choices.…

Learn the difference between “或者(huòzhě)” and “还是(háishì)”

Please fill in the blanks with the proper conjunctions. Alice, nǐ xiǎng hē shénme? Niúnǎi __ guǒzhī? Ellie: Alice,你 想     喝 什么?     牛奶   __ 果汁? Alice, what do you want to drink? Milk or fruit juice? Niúnǎi__ guǒzhī, dōu kěyǐ. Alice: 牛奶   __ 果汁,   都   可以。 Either the milk or the fruit juice is OK.…

How to Call Your Ex in Chinese?

In the Chinese language, a word could have many different meanings when used in different situations. Today, let’s talk about the word “前(qián).”

Generally, “前(qián)” means “the position in front.”

Example

Wǒ jiā qiánmiàn yǒu yì tiáo hé. 我   家 前面        有   一 条   河。

There is a river in front of our house.…

Nothing’s Better than “淡定(dàndìng)” to Calm Someone Down!

In China, you will often hear the word “淡定(dàndìng)” used in daily life, on TV and see it a lot on the Internet.

The word “淡定(dàndìng)” means “to calm down or to be at ease about something.”

In a romantic comedy called “十全九美 (shí quán jiǔ měi, Almost Perfect), “淡定(dàndìng)” is a pet phrase of the majordomo called Wu Kaka.…

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