Mandarin Essentials

Mini-test Answer: During the Warmth of Spring, All the Flowers Bloom (Anvanced)

Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)

Correct answer: D

Analysis:

A. “春风得意 (chūnfēngdéyì)” is the phrase for “Flushed with success.”

      “春(chūn)” means spring and “风 (fēng)” refers to wind. “得 (dé)” means to gain and “意 (yì)” refers to meaning.

B. “春风满面 (chūnfēngmǎnmiàn)” is the phrase for “Beaming with Satisfaction.…

国家 (guójiā) Country/ Nation (Beginner)

国家 (guójiā) Country/ Nation (Beginner)

The character “国 (guó)” means nation or country and “家 (jiā)” means

family or home.

Example:

Zhōngguó shì yígè yǒu zhe yōujiǔ lìshǐ  de dōngfāng guójiā. 中国          是 一个 有    着   悠久  历史 的 东方         国家。

China is an oriental country with a long history.…

可以 (kěyǐ) OK (Beginner)

可以 (kěyǐ) OK (Beginner) 

The character “可 (kě)” means to permit and “以 (yǐ)” means withal.

Example:

A: Míngtiān zánmen yíkuàir gòuwù qù,  kěyǐ ma? 明天       咱们     一块儿   购物   去,可以 吗?

Let’s go shopping tomorrow, will you? B: Kěyǐ a, méi wèntí. 可以啊,没 问题。

Ok, no problem.…

Quote of the week (Feb. 23, 2010)

Yībǎi liùshí yuán rénmínbì yóu shìjiè! 一百  六十     元  人民币      游   世界!

160RMB to travel around the whole world.

                    

Seven out of ten people in a survey (conducted in 32 provinces recently) say that they would like to go to the Shanghai 2010 Expo. And most of the survey respondents say that the above quote is the most tempting reason to make the trip. …

聊天 (liáotiān) Chat (Beginner)

聊天 (liáotiān) Chat (Beginner) 

The character “聊 (liáo)” means to chat and “天 (tiān)” means day. Example:

Zhōumò hé péngyou liáotiān shì yí jiàn hěn yúkuài de shì. 周末       和 朋友        聊天    是 一 件   很    愉快   的  事。

It is pleasant to chat with friends during the weekend.…

Books Recommendation

新标准汉语

New Standard Chinese (Elementary Level 1, 2)

Peking University Press (I)ISBN 7-301-077777/H.1024 (II)ISBN 7-301-0778-5/H.1025 Chief Editor Fang Ming 教材类型 注释语言 适用对象 册数 配套产品 大学综合教材 英语 中学生,大学生,成人 2 课本、第一册配2CD,第二册配3CD Type Annotation Ideal for volume Supporting Material Comprehensive textbook for college English Beginners of High school student, college student, adults 2 Textbook, 2CD for Book 1, 3CD for Book 2 The book is compiled by professors of Bejing Language and Culture University for high school student, college students and grow-up learners as well.…

过年 (guònián) To Celebrate the New Year (Intermediate)

过年 (guònián) To Celebrate the New Year (Intermediate)  The character “过 (guò)” refers to spend and “年 (nián)” refers to year.

Example:

Guònián de shíhou, quán jiārén  yìqǐ chī tuányuánfàn shì yíjiàn hěn xìngfú de shìqing. 过年        的    时候, 全     家人 一起 吃  团圆饭        是 一件    很  幸福    的 事情。 It feels great that all family members can gather to enjoy a reunion dinner on the Chinese New Year.…

How to write “many” in Chinese? (Intermediate)

Chinese character (Intermediate) 众 (Zhòng) Many
Chinese Character: 众 (zhòng) many 拼音 (pīnyīn) pin yin: zhòng 笔画 (bĭhuà) number of strokes: 6 含义 (hányì) meaning: multitude 笔顺 (bǐshùn) stroke order:
词源 (cíyuán) Etymology: The combination of three “人 (rén) person” means many people. 部首 (bùshŏu) Radical: 人 常用词语 (chángyòng cíyŭ) Frequently-used words or phrases: 众多 (zhòngduō) numerous, 群众 (qúnzhòng) the masses
Examples:

1.…

Mini-test Answer: Brushing Your Teeth (Beginner)

Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)

Correct Answer: B

Analysis:

A. “洗澡 (xǐzǎo)”  are the Chinese characters for “taking a shower” or “taking a bath.”       “洗 (xǐ)” means to wash. “澡 (zǎo)” means shower or bath.

B. “刷牙 (shuāyá)” are the Chinese characters for “brushing  your teeth.”

“刷 (shuā)” means to brush.…

Chinese Mini-test: 没门儿 (Advanced)

Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)

A: Nǐ juéde wǒ búqù shàng Zhōngwénkè néng tōngguò kǎoshì ma? 你 觉得   我 不去    上         中文课        能      通过      考试    吗? Do you think I can pass the exam without taking Chinese courses? B: Xiāngxìn wǒ, gēmenr, _________. 相信       我,哥们儿,没门儿。 Believe me, buddy, no way.…

红包 (hóngbāo) Red Packets/ Red Envelope (Intermediate)

红包 (hóngbāo) Red Packets/ Red Envelope (Intermediate)

The character “红 (hóng)” means red and “包 (bāo)” means bag or packet.

Example:

Měinián chūnjié, wǒ huì shōudào hěnduō hóngbāo ne! 每年       春节,   我 会     收 到      很多   红包       呢!

I can receive many red packets for every Chinese New Year.…

春联 (chūnlián ) Spring Festival Couplets (Intermediate)

春联 (chūnlián ) Spring Festival Couplets (Intermediate)

The character “春 (chūn)” means spring and “联 (lián )” means couplet.

Example: Tiē chūnlián shì chūnjié de   yí dà  xísú. 贴     春联     是    春节   的  一 大   习俗。 Pasting couplets is a great custom during Spring Festival.

Chinese Culture HSK Test General Chinese (Beginner Level) General Chinese (Intermediate Level)

Scroll to Top