Mandarin Essentials

Do You Qualify As a Smiling Tiger Face?

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There is a Chinese character that is used in many phrases. To me it is particularly beautiful, and Chinese it is particularly popular to use. And that character is ”虎 (hǔ) tiger.” (What does “母老虎” mean in China?)

There are many phrases that use this character, but one that is the most interesting of them all that we use here in China is used to describe someone who may appear to be a very nice person, but who is actually ready to strike, attack or threaten you, just like a tiger, at any moment.…

My View of China- Recommended Film “Red Cliff”

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Red Cliff is the site of the most famous military feat in Chinese history – Battle of Red Cliff, but the phrase refers to the first film to re-create the 208 A.D. Battle. However, the functional script has dismantled much of the original story’s dramatic intricacies and character complexities, and then reassembled it into three-act structure easy for you to follow.…

Answer to Challenging Chinese Grammar Quiz

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Answer: D Analysis: Xīguā hé xiāngjiāo děng shuǐguǒ hányǒu fēngfù de wéishēngsù. 西瓜和香蕉等水果含有丰富的维生素。 Fruits such as watermelons and bananas are rich in vitamins.

Zhè xiàng gōngchéng zhìshǎo xūyào 5 nián cáinéng wángōng. 这项工程至少需要5年才能完工。 The project will take at least 5 years to complete.

Shīzi shì yì zhǒng wēiměng de dòngwù.…

Challenging Chinese Grammar Quiz

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Please choose the sentence with the error. (   )

    Xīguā hé xiāngjiāo děng shuǐguǒ hányǒu fēngfù de wéishēngsù. A. 西瓜和香蕉等水果含有丰富的维生素。

    Zhè xiàng gōngchéng zhìshǎo xūyào 5 nián cáinéng wángōng. B. 这项工程至少需要5年才能完工。

    Shīzi shì yì zhǒng wēiměng de dòngwù. C. 狮子是一种威猛的动物。

    Zhège chāoshì chūshòu píjiǔ, qìshuǐ hé yǐnliào.…

When and How to Use “不 (Bù)” and “没 (Méi)” for Negative Meaning

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Mandarin Chinese does not have a simple and easy way to say “no.” A Chinese student will have to become familiar with the various negative meanings of “不 (bù) not” and “没 (méi) none” to indicate refusal, denial, disappointment and not having something.

As a Mandarin Chinese teacher, there are certain questions that come up time and time again in my classes.…

Answer to Take a Quiz and See If You Know North China from South China

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Answer: D Analysis: Yìfāng shuǐtǔ yǎng yìfāng rén, yóuyú nánběi fāng dìlǐ wèizhì, qìhòu tiáojiàn de bùtóng, 一方水土养一方人。由于南北方地理位置、气候条件的不同， rénmen gèzì de yǐnshí xíguàn yǔ yǐnshí wénhuà yě bújìn xiāngtóng. 人们各自的饮食习惯与饮食文化也不尽相同。 The unique features of a local environment always provide certain characteristics to its inhabitants. Due to the geographical location and climatic conditions in the north and south, people’s eating habits and food culture are not the same.…

Take a Quiz and See If You Know North China from South China

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Read the materials below and please answer the question.

Yìfāng shuǐtǔ yǎng yìfāng rén, yóuyú nánběi fāng dìlǐ wèizhì, qìhòu tiáojiàn de bùtóng, 一方水土养一方人。由于南北方地理位置、气候条件的不同， rénmen gèzì de yǐnshí xíguàn yǔ yǐnshí wénhuà yě bújìn xiāngtóng. 人们各自的饮食习惯与饮食文化也不尽相同。

(Do you know the differences between “南方” and “北方” during the winter solstice?…

Know These Phrases If Your “体温 (Tǐwēn) Temperature” Is High

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Going to the hospital can be unpleasant. Not knowing how to communicate your illness makes it that much worse! Make sure you know these Chinese phrases to convey your problems properly. It might just save your life. Get familiar with the following dialogue to learn how to get diagnosed for the flu and get prepared for what could happen next.…

Answer to Do You Know Where The Phrase ‘Get Off Your High Horse’ Comes from?

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Answer: B Analysis: 继续 (Jìxù): go on; continue.

取消 (Qǔxiāo): cancel; reject.

完成 (Wánchéng): accomplish; fulfill.

“项目下马 (Xiàngmù xiàmǎ)” refers to a larger project that has been planned, and the work is now canceled and will not be implemented.

<<Back to “Do You Know Where the Phrase ‘Get Off Your High Horse’ Comes from?”…

Answer to Basic Chinese Conversation: Take a Quiz and See if You Understand

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Answer analysis:

1. C

Nǐ de zhè jiàn xīn yīfu duōshǎo qián mǎi de? 你的这件新衣服多少钱买的？ How much is this new dress?

600 duō kuài, yǒu diǎn’er guì. 600多块，有点儿贵。 More than 600 yuan, a little expensive.

2. D

Wǒmen zhǔnbèi chīfàn le, nǐ dìdi ne? 我们准备吃饭了，你弟弟呢？ We are going to have meal.…

Basic Chinese Conversation: Take a Quiz and See If You Understand

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Please place the four pieces of dialogue, A, B, C, and D, into proper order to complete the dialogue.

     Nǐ tīngshuō guò huāmùlán de gùshì ma? A. 你听说过花木兰的故事吗？(Click here to know who is “花木兰 Hua Mulan?”)

     Nǐ zhīdào zěnme qù diànyǐngyuàn ma? B. 你知道怎么去电影院吗？

     Nǐ de zhè jiàn xīn yīfu duōshǎo qián mǎi de?…

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