Often in my Mandarin Chinese classes, I like to challenge the students to use their Mandarin Chinese in creative ways while problem solving. We engage in friendly debates and I give them tricky riddles or show them confusing images and problems that encourage students to speak up and form an opinion on tricky subjects and questions.…
Answer: C Answer Analysis: 抓瞎 (zhuāxiā) is used for times when you feel puzzled and not prepared. It generally is used for times when things are not going your way, such as in answers A, B and D. Answer C is the correct answer because the result you have in solving the math problem shows that you have figured everything out!…
How to start a conversation with a girl? Ask her the questions and let her do the talking: What do you think of that restaurant? What do you think of the new movie? What do you think of new iPhone? And finally, what do you think of me?…
1. B 2. A 3. A 4. C 5. C <<Back to “Video Lesson: What Do You Think of Sun Xiaomei?” …
You may have seen people who are either carefree or holding an indifferent attitude to almost everything. In this lesson, we will learn two authentic expressions regarding such characteristics.
1. A: Lìli, nǐ yào mǎi zhèime duō yīfu, zhèi xiē yīfu dōu hěn guì ya! B: Yòu bú shì wǒ fùqián, guǎn tā ne. Which of the following statements is true according to the dialogue?…
1. B 2. C 3. B 4. B 5. A <<Back to “Video Lesson: Seriously, Who Cares! ” …
From bankers to factory staff, employees in the West face the bleak prospect of “丢饭碗 (diū fàn wăn) losing one’s jobs” as a global “经济衰退 (jīng jì shuāituì) recession” starts to bite. For colleagues in the East, the pain is more likely to come through a “减薪 (jiăn xīn) pay cut.”…
Have you heard about “刷脸 (shuāliǎn) Face Recognition” technology? It is beginning to become a popular and exciting development in China. Recently, during the celebration of National Day, a Kentucky Fried Chicken KPRO restaurant in Hangzhou Vientiane City utilized this new technology. Customers would go through the buffet line and then check out with their food using this “Just look with your face” payment method.…
Answer: B 刷脸 (shuāliǎn): facial recognition.
刷牙 (shuāyá): brush teeth.
刷卡 (shuākǎ): punch the card.
Zǎoshang liù diǎn de shíhou, wǒ jiù qǐchuáng xǐliǎn shuāyá le. 早上 六 点 的 时候， 我 就 起床 洗脸 刷牙 了。 I got up and washed my face and brushed my teeth at six o’clock in the morning.…
Answer C, The USA and China signing a new trade agreement would mean that all parties involved are in agreement and no one takes an opposing viewpoint. Answers A, B and D all illustrate occasions where your words or behavior represent the opposite viewpoint.…
You never know what someone is going to say in Chinese class! I have a million fun memories of moments with my students. But one of my favorite moments was a few years ago when a student of mine, a man in his 30s, was going over daily activities that his family did.…
One of my favorite Mandarin Chinese conversation classes to teach is debate. When my classes have friendly debates about social issues or cultural differences, it gives Chinese learners a chance to think critically and also learn and apply some important, everyday Mandarin expressions to the discussion.…
Answer: B 老师 (lǎoshī) teacher.
老虎 (lǎohǔ) tiger.
老婆 (lǎopo) wife.
老人 (lǎorén) old people.
Did you notice the keyword “动物园 (dòngwùyuán) zoo”? Of the four options, it’s obvious that only the word “tiger” is related to the word “动物园 (dòngwùyuán) zoo.” Here’s a complete translation: Jīntiān wǒmen qù dòngwùyuán kàn le lǎohǔ.…
You know the Chinese usually communicate in an indirect style and they really care about “guanxi”–relationship among them. So how do you soften your statements and make them more euphemistic?
1. A: Usain Bolt is really a fast runner! Lydia, nǐ zhīdào tā mɑ? B: Zhīdào yì diǎnr.…
1. C 2. B 3. B 4. C 5. A <<Back to “Video Lesson: Let’s Buy Some Beer, Shall We? ” …
Oh I can swim…just not today.
1. A: I’ll reach Beijing Capital International Airport at 8:00 am. Will you pick me up? B: Sorry. I need to work tomorrow. … What would she say? Please choose the best answer. A. Wǒ bú huì qù. B.…
1. B 2. C 3. C 4. B 5. A <<Back to “Video Lesson: The difference Between ‘néng’ and ‘huì’ ” …
Have you ever met someone and been very impressed by how down to earth they are? In Chinese we have a phrase which is an equivalent to this idea in English and it is “接地气 (jiē dìqì)”. Native Chinese speakers often use it in daily life, when referring to a person or even more often, a celebrity.…
Answer: B “接地气 (jiēdìqì)” can be used to describe the government officials and celebrities who are very affable, close and friendly (to the public). In the option B, Jin Hong is an ordinary person and “接地气 (jiēdìqì)” has nothing to do with “ground vapour company,” so the answer is B.…
How’s the weather today? How’s the weather in Shanghai? Talking about the weather is a nice ice-breaker to start a conversation.
1. Bella: Míngtiān tiānqì zěnmeyàng? Ellie: I heard that tomorrow would be very cold. Bella, you’d better wear your jacket. What does Bella want to know?…
