Mandarin Essentials

Ten Must-Have Practical Phrases for Learning Chinese

Learning a new language can be challenging, but with these essential phrases, you will find your Chinese language journey more enjoyable and effective.

1. 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello

2. 谢谢 (xiè xiè) – Thank you

3. 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) – Sorry

4. 请问 (qǐng wèn) – Excuse me

When you need to ask for assistance, use the phrase “请问.”…

3 Major Pitfalls for Foreigners Learning Chinese

Pitfall 1: Tones, Tones, Tones!

One of the biggest obstacles for foreigners learning Chinese is mastering the four tones. Chinese is a tonal language, meaning that the meaning of a word can change depending on the tone used.

Many learners find it difficult to differentiate between tones, leading to hilarious misunderstandings. …

Answer to Do You Know What “意思 (Yìsi)” Really Means? Find out Now!

Answers: B

Analysis: Xiǎo Lǐ: Lǎo Wáng, jìndù zěnmeyàng la? 小李:老王,进度怎么样啦? Xiao Li: Lao Wang, how’s the progress?

Lǎo Wáng: Nǐ yě tà bùgòu yìsi le, wǒmen dōu bǎ gōngzuò zuò wán le nǐ cái lái. 老王:你也太不够意思了,我们都把工作做完了你才来。 Lao Wang: You’re not a stand-up guy. We finished all the work before you got here.…

Do You Know What “意思 (Yìsi)” Really Means? Find out Now!

Read the dialogue and answer the question below.

Xiǎo Lǐ: Lǎo Wáng, jìndù zěnmeyàng la? 小李:老王,进度怎么样啦? Xiao Li: Lao Wang, how’s the progress?

Lǎo Wáng: Nǐ yě tài ______ le, wǒmen dōu bǎ gōngzuò zuò wán le nǐ cái lái. 老王:你也太 ______了,我们都把工作做完了你才来。 Lao Wang: You’re not a stand-up guy.…

Chinese Buzzwords Learning: 破防(Pò fáng)

1.Physically penetrate the defense. Jī dì bèi dí rén pò fáng le 基地 被   敌人    破防   了。 The enemy has penetrated the base’s defenses.

2.Breaking through one’s emotional defenses, touching deep within, or losing emotional control. Tā de huà ràng wǒ pò fáng le 他  的  话    让   我   破防   了。 I was deeply moved by his words.…

Chinese Alphabet

Chinese pinyin is a phonetic system to help people learn Chinese easier and make sense of it quicker.

The alphabet is the key tool for learning Mandarin Chinese as it encompasses every sound in Mandarin Chinese.

This alphabet includes all Mandarin Chinese syllables. Click on each pinyin sound and listen to the audio in all different tones.…

Chinese Grammar: How to Express Possibility with ‘May’ and ‘Maybe’

Mastering Chinese grammar involves understanding how to express various degrees of possibility. Today, we’ll break down how to use the term 可能 (kĕnéng) and its variations to convey possibility, likelihood, and uncertainty in different contexts.

1. Understanding 可能 (kĕnéng) – “May, Maybe, Possibly”

In a sentence, 可能 is put ahead of “verb (+ noun)” structure, just like “May” in English.…

Navigating the Options: Annie’s Exploration for the Right Mandarin Learning Approach

Wondering how to select the right platform for learning Mandarin? Let me share Annie’s experience, which sheds light on the challenges she faced and the valuable insights she gained.

“Emma, my grandfather’s second wife, hails from China,” Annie, one of my students from the United States, reminisced about her childhood memories with Emma.…

Mandarin on Your Terms: Is It Possible to Skip Learning Chinese Characters?

I’m Jennifer Zhu from eChineseLearning, a teacher with 17 years of experience teaching Chinese to adult learners. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of instructing a diverse range of students. Interestingly, many of my friends often approach me with a common question: can we learn Chinese without learning to read and write?…

Insider Tips for Adults Choosing Online Chinese Courses

With so many Online Chinese courses available, it can be hard to find the right one for you. But don’t worry, you just need this simple guide to help you narrow down your options and choose the best course for your needs.

Clarify your learning goals and budget

Before you start looking for online Chinese courses, you need to have a clear idea of your purpose for learning Chinese.…

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