Mandarin Essentials

渔翁得利 Tencent (QQ) vs. 360: The Fisherman benefits (Intermediate)

渔翁得利 (Yúwēngdélì) Tencent (QQ) vs. 360: The Fisherman benefits.

Key Learning Points (Preview):

渔 (yú):v. to catch fish

渔翁 (yúwēng):n. fisherman

利 (lì):n. profit

之 (zhī):a structural auxiliary word, which means “of…,” more often used in ancient Chinese text

In early November, two of China’s most successful Internet companies took their long standing feud with each other to public.…

Quote of the Week (Dec. 3th, 2010)

Liú Xiáng réng shì wéiyī jùxīng, shuí néng chūrèn xīn lǐngjūnren? 刘翔          仍    是  唯一 巨星, 谁    能      出任     新   领军人?

Liu Xiang is still the only superstar. Who else can take over as the new leader in sports?

—reported by Xinhua net after Liu Xiang won gold in the men’s 110 meter hurdles during the 16th Asian Games on Nov.…

Make yourself at home! (Beginner) 请随意!(初级)

请随意!(Qǐng suíyì!) Make yourself at home! (Beginner)

Example:

   Nǐhǎo,Wáng Lì! Kuài jìnlái , qǐng suíyì! Lái diǎn kékǒukělè zěnmeyàng? A:你好,    王力!    快 进来, 请    随意!来   点   可口可乐   怎么样? Hi, Wang Li! Come in, please! Make yourself at home! How about some Coca-Cola?

   Hǎo de! Xièxiè! B:好   的!谢谢! B: Ok!…

Quote of the Week (Nov. 29, 2010)

Rén de qiánlì shì wúxiàn de, yì gè rén jiù xiàng xiàngpíjīn yíyàng, 人    的 潜力   是 无限   的,一 个人   就   像    橡皮筋      一样, xūyào búduàn de lā, zài zhè gè guòchéng zhōng tiǎozhàn zìjǐ 需要      不断  地  拉,在 这  个    过程        中      挑战      自己 de jíxiàn, bú duàn kuòzhǎn zìjǐ de nénglì.…

You are so kind! (Beginner) 你真好!(初级)

你真好!(Nǐ zhēnhǎo!) You are so kind! (Beginner)

Example:

  

A: Tiānqì yuèláiyuèlěng le, wǒ gěi nǐ mǎi le yífù yángmáo shǒutào, dàizhe tā jiù nuǎnhuo le! A:天气 越来越冷        了,我 给你 买 了 一副 羊毛     手套,     戴着  它 就  暖和       了! A: The weather is getting colder and colder, so I’ve bought you a pair of wool gloves.…

Chinese Mini-Test: Travel (Beginner)

Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)

“Up above there is heaven; down below there are Suzhou and Hangzhou.” Hangzhou is considered the best city for travel in China. What’s the meaning of travel in Chinese? A. 生活 (shēnghuó) B. 购物 (gòuwù) C. 旅游 (lǚyóu) D. 体育 (tǐyù)

Learn more travel Chinese lessons through Chinese mini-tests:

Travel Chinese Test—Is Mike at the Park?

Mini-test Answer: 旅游 (Beginner)

Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)

The correct answer for this Chinese test is C.

Analysis:

A. In Chinese “生活 (shēnghuó)” means “life.”

B. In Chinese “购物 (gòuwù)” means “shopping.”

C. In Chinese “旅游 (lǚyóu)” means “travel.”

D. In Chinese “体育 (tǐyù)” means “Physical Education.”

Culture Note:

“Shàng yǒu tiāntáng, xià yǒu sūháng.”…

That’s funny! (Beginner) 真有趣!(初级)

真有趣!(Zhēn yǒuqù!) That’s funny! (Beginner)

Example:

      Wǒ lǎogōng jīngcháng zài mènglǐ xiàng wǒ dàoqiàn! A:我    老公      经常         在   梦里    向     我    道歉! A: My husband often apologizes to me in his dreams!

      Zhēn yǒuqù! B:真      有趣! B: That’s funny!

Further Reading:

No Way! (Beginner) 不行!(初级)

My God!

How to say “Thanksgivings” in Chinese? (Intermediate)

Thanksgiving Day is coming up. Do you know how to read and write the Chinese Characters

 

for Thanksgiving Day? The Chinese Characters

 

for “Thanksgiving Day”  are “感恩节(Gǎn’ēnjié),” or the traditional Chinese characters “感恩節(Gǎn’ēnjié).” “感(gǎn)” means to appreciate or to give thanks. “恩(ēn)” means the favor you have received.…

Quote of the Week (Nov. 19, 2010)

Wǒ juéde shìbó yīngggāi yǒngyuǎn yǒngyuǎn de chíxù xiàqu, 我   觉得   世博    应该       永远          永远        地  持续 下去, wǒ zhēnxīn de xīwàng shìjiè shàng de měi yígè rén 我 真心      地  希望     世界   上      的  每   一个 人 dōu kěyǐ hùxiāng xuéxí qítā guójiā. 都   可以 互相     学习  其他 国家。

I think the World Expo will continue forever.…

Please Help Me! (Beginner) 帮帮我!(初级)

Speaking Chinese-帮帮我!(Bāngbang wǒ!) Please Help Me! (Beginner)

Example:

      Bāngbang wǒ! Nǚpéngyou ràng wǒ péi tā qù xué fǎyǔ, kěshì wǒ   A: 帮帮         我!女朋友         让    我 陪 她 去 学  法语,可是 我       zhēnde hěn xiǎng xué shuō hànyǔ.       真的      很   想     学    说     汉语。 A:  Please help me!…

上海世博会The Shanghai World Expo (Advanced)

上海世博会(Shànghǎi Shìbóhuì) The Shanghai World Expo

Listen to the whole story:

Key Learning Points (Preview) 世博会(Shìbóhuì): n. World Expo

突破(tūpò): v. to break

创造(chuàngzào): v. to create

Shíyuè sānshíyī rì, Zhōngguó Shànghǎi Shìbóhuì zài rèliè de wǎnhuì zhōng chénggōng 10月     31         日, 中国         上海          世博会    在  热烈 的    晚会    中       成功             luòxià wéimù.…

Scroll to Top