Mandarin Essentials
“潮男(cháonán)”— Wet or Fashionable?
“潮(cháo),” literally means “tide,” and is typically used in phrases related to the tide, such as “潮水(cháoshuǐ) tide” and “涨潮(zhǎngcháo) rising tide” etc.
Examples
Qiántángjiāng de cháoshuǐ hěn yǒumíng. 钱塘江 的 潮水 很 有名。
The tide of Qiantang River is very famous.
Zhǎngcháo de shíhou …
Ask Questions in Chinese
Answer: B In the Chinese language, there are several ways to ask questions. We will introduce three ways to ask questions in Chinese today. First, we can ask questions in Chinese using the interrogative particle “吗(ma).” To form a question, simply add “吗(ma)” to the …
How do you ask for help in Chinese?
Which of the following is correct for “Can you help me?” A. 可以你帮我吗？(Kěyǐ nǐ bāng wǒ ma?)
B. 你可以帮我吗？(Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma?)
C. 你可以不可以帮我吗？(Nǐ kěyǐ bù kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma?)
Not All “花(huā) Flowers” in Chinese Are Pleasant!
Spring is coming in China! In a few months, the ground will be ablaze with the bright colors and decoration of flowers, such as cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and winter jasmines, bringing life and vitality back to the earth. In fact, all the beautiful flowers …
Answer to the Exercise on Chinese Grammar – The Differences Between “不(bù)” And “没(méi)”
Answer: B In the Chinese language, both “不(bù)” and “没(méi)” can indicate negation. But they are quite different in usage. “不(bù)” is mainly used to negate facts. Whereas “没(méi)” is generally used for negating a certain experience that has taken place.
Examples:
Wǒ jīntiān bù …
What Are the Differences Between “不(bù)” And “没(méi)?”
Choose the correct words to fill in the blanks. Zhāng Lì: Chén Wěi, jīntiān wǎnshang qù kàn diànyǐng, zěnmeyàng? 张 丽：陈 伟， 今天 晚上 去 看 电影， 怎么样？ Zhang Li: Chen Wei, how about going to see a film tonight? Chén Wěi: Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ …
“蜜(mì)” – A Sweet Chinese Word!
“蜜(mì)” means “honey” or “sweet things” in Chinese, such as “蜂蜜(fēngmì) honey,” or “花蜜(huāmì) nectar” etc.
Example
Qǐng gěi wǒ yìbēi fēngmìshuǐ. 请 给 我 一杯 蜂蜜 水。 Please give me a glass of honey water.
In addition to meaning honey, “蜜(mì)” can also be …
Answer to the Exercise on Chinese Grammar – Omit “的(de)” to Show a Personal Connection
Answer: C In the Chinese language, the particle “的(de)” is normally used to indicate possession. It is added after a noun or pronoun to show possession of the modified noun, e.g. “我的学生(wǒ de xuésheng), my students,” “李明的车(Lǐ Míng de chē), Li Ming’s car,” “他的妹妹(tā de …
When Can “的(de)” Be Omitted?
Which of the following is incorrect? Wáng Míng: Nà shì shéi? 王 明： 那 是 谁？ Wang Ming: Who is that? Lì Li: Nà shì____. 丽 丽：那 是_____。 Li Li: That is my sister. A. 我的姐姐(wǒ de jiějie)
B. 我姐姐(wǒ jiějie)
C. 我姐姐的(wǒ jiějie de)…
“马上有(Mǎshàng yǒu)”-Make Wishes for the Year of the Horse!
The Year of the Horse is approaching! 2014 is the Year of the Horse according to the Chinese Zodiac Calendar. When the Chinese begin celebrating the Chinese New Year, they will be sending more and more New Year wishes and blessings to their friends, colleagues, …
Answer to the Exercise on the Customs of Spring Festival
Answer: C Spring Festival is the most important festival for Chinese people. It is when all family members get together, similar to Christmas in the West. Generally, there are a series of customs Chinese people follow when celebrating Spring Festival. The lively atmosphere not only …
Answer to the Exercise on Chinese Grammar-Sentences with an Adjectival Predicate
Answer: B In Chinese, sentences with an adjectival predicate use an adjective to modify the subject. The structure is: Subject + Adjective. Here, adjectives can be used as predicates just like verbs. The one thing that must be kept in mind is that the to …