Mandarin Essentials
Answers to mini test
1. Answer: A
大(dà) is an adjective meaning big and its antonym is small which in Chinese is 小(xiǎo). So the correct answer for this test question is A. The choice 水(shuǐ) means water.
Examples:
大: dà
Tāde yǎnjing hěn dà. 她的 眼睛 很 大。
Her eyes are big.…
Living with a “Night Cat” (Elementary)
Early in the morning, Li Hua asks her boyfriend Jerry to go shopping for earplugs and an eye mask. Jerry is a little bit confused as to why she needs them. In his opinion, the campus is very quiet at night comparing with the noisy downtown.…
Learn to say “I’am sorry” in Chinese (Elementary)
Amy and Kate make a date to go to the cinema. On the way there, Amy’s car breaks down and she takes a taxi to the cinema. When she finally arrives, Kate has already been waiting for twenty minutes.
Conversation:
____, wǒ lái wǎn le. Amy： ___， 我 来 晚 了。 Méi guānxi.…
The usage of 道歉(dàoqiàn) and 抱歉(bàoqiàn) in Chinese
The correct choice for the above question is B.
Translation:
Bàoqiàn，wǒ lái wǎn le. Amy： 抱歉， 我 来 晚 了。 Sorry, I’m late.
Méi guānxi. Kate： 没 关系。 That’s alright.
Explanation:
This test aims to help you distinguish between the words道歉(dàoqiàn) and 抱歉(bàoqiàn). Both terms express a sense of apology.…
Two Mouths, One Marriage (Elementary)
Today is Lisa’s wedding day. Lisa’s friends Amy and Celia are attending the celebration. A wedding is supposed to be a happy occasion; however, Celia doesn’t seem very cheerful. What’s wrong with her? Amy’s going to find out.
Nǐ wèishénme bù gāoxìng? Amy：你 为什么 不 高兴？
Why are you so upset?…
Chinese test: When Are You Going to Get Married? (Elementary)
Tina and Kate have been good friends ever since they were kids. The two of them do almost everything together: shopping at the same stores, going to the same university and working at the same company, but this time things are different. Tina got married last week while Kate remains single.…
How to use 以前 (yǐqián) and 从前 (cónɡqián) in Chinese?
The correct answer is
A
. Nǐ zhǔnbèi shénme shíhou jiéhūn? Tina：你 准备 什么 时候 结婚？
When are you going to get married? Sānshí suì yǐqián kěndìng jiéhūn. Kate：三十 岁 以前 肯定 结婚。
I plan to get married before I’m 30 years old.
Explanation:
This test aims to bring attention to the differences between 以前 (yǐqián) and 从前 (cónɡqián).…
Answers to exercises about “Clap Your Hands”
Answers:
1. A
2. B 老虎 (lǎohǔ) means tiger, which is not a part of the body.
3. B Mouths are for eating, and ears are for listening.
<<Back to “Chinese Nursery Song: Clap Your Hands (Elementary)”
Lost in song (Elementary)
Television singing contests are becoming more and more popular in China with many TV stations airing competitions watched by millions of viewers. Amy, who loves to sing, attended one such singing contest just yesterday. Let’s take a look at a conversation between her and her friend Laura to see how it went.…
What Are You Doing Later? (Elementary)
Adam doesn’t know what to do after work, so he asks his colleague Steven what he plans on doing after work, hoping for a good idea. Let’s see the conversation between Adam and Steven.
Conversation:
Nǐ jīntiān xiàbān__ zuò shénme? Adam：你 今天 下班 __ 做 什么？ Wǒ qù dǎ lánqiú.…
The usage of 以后 (yǐhòu) and 后来 (hòulái) in Chinese (Elementary)
The correct answer is A.
Translation:
Nǐ jīntiān xiàbān yǐhòu zuò shénme? Adam：你 今天 下班 以后 做 什么？ What are you doing after work? Wǒ qù dǎ lánqiú. Steven：我 去 打 篮球。 I’m going to play basketball.
Explanation:
The test is about the usage of the two words 以后 (yǐhòu) and 后来 (hòulái), both of which means “later” or “after.”…
The usage of 帮 (bāng) and 帮忙 (bāngmáng) in Chinese
The correct answer for is A.
Translation:
Wǒ míngtiān bānjiā, nǐ yǒukòng ma? Jack：我明天搬家，你有空吗？
I’m moving to the suburbs tomorrow, are you free?
Yǒukòng, wǒ qù bāng nǐ ba. Tony：有空， 我去帮你吧。
I’m free. I’ll go help you out.
Explanation:
Both 帮 (bāng) and 帮忙 (bāngmáng) have to do with help, but they differ in the following ways:
1.
… Answers to the exercises on “refresh your life”
A People use 刷新 (shuāxīn; refresh) to mean “bring up to date.”
B
Chinese test: I Will Help You! (Elementary)
Jack bought a house in the suburbs and now is preparing to move in. However, moving won’t be easy due to the fact that he has so much to move. Fortunately, Jack has a good friend, Tony, who he can count on.
Conversation: Wǒ míngtiān bānjiā, nǐ yǒukòng ma? Jack：我 明天 搬家， 你 有空 吗？
Yǒukòng, wǒ qù __ nǐ ba.…
Refresh Your Life! (Elementary)
The lives of Chinese are changing. As smartphones become more popular, chatting with friends, browsing web pages, and checking microblogs can be done anytime and anywhere.
Harry and Jane are on their way to the mall by bus. They’re having a decent conversation until Jane gets distracted by her smartphone.…