Mandarin Essentials
China is Crowded: You May See a “一窝蜂 (yīwōfēng)” Scene Every Day!
There is an old English expression that describes people as sometimes being: “Packed like sardines in a tin.” Eventually, this expression was shortened down to the adjective “packed”, which is now the most likely-used word to describe a crowded place, or the scenario of people …
Are You a Sucker? Know “冤大头 (yuāndàtóu)” and It’s Warning Signs
As the old English expression goes: “A fool and his money are soon parted.” Some people have “deeper pockets” than others. Often, those people with the deep pockets are surrounded by others who sense that heavy wallet and will take advantage of that person’s financial …
Open Your Eyes: “占便宜 (zhàn piányi)” is Everywhere, Unfortunately!
An old English expression says: “Most burglaries are committed by casual opportunists” We all know someone who will step over their neighbors to get what they desire. It happens in every country and every culture, unfortunately. When these opportunistic people take advantage of a situation, …
Learn about China’s New Environmentally-Friendly Hanging Train!
This September, engineers and designers in the Chinese city of Chengdu, Sichuan province successfully tested the first battery-powered suspended urban railway 空铁 (kōngtiě). This November, the “hanging” train was actually put into use! The train carries 120 passengers and can travel at a top speed …
Matt Damon and “The Great Wall”: a Chinese-American “合拍” Movie
By 2017, Chinese citizens will become the world’s largest group of filmgoers worldwide. Each year, since the films “Lost in Thailand” in 2015 and later “The Mermaid in 2016,” Chinese films are breaking box office records each year in China! However, Chinese blockbusters have had …
Be Careful When Using “西天 (xītiān),” a Common Chinese Joke
In Buddhist funerals, the idea of a place called Sukhavati, or “Western Paradise,” is considered the favorable destination for a soul that is departing Earth. Different languages have various names for this “heaven” that we hope to go to. In Chinese, we call this place …
How to Decipher Chinese Menus (Part 1): Ordering Chicken
In your quest for learning Chinese, it is likely you have come into contact with a Chinese menu. Its very possible at first glance, the menu was set aside in disbelief. What on earth do these names mean?
What are you actually ordering? In …
The Exotic Outdoor Chinese “菜市场 Food Market”
There are many differences between life in western countries and life in China. One similarity is that we both need to eat, obviously! However, the way we go out for grocery shopping is often quite different.
Over the past 100 years, in the USA most …
What do Rich Men and Gold Turtles Have in Common?
In Chinese, a rich son-in-law, or a rich husband, is often referred to as a “Gold Turtle Husband”, or 金龟婿 (jīnguīxù)” . Are you looking for your golden turtle? Does this phrase make any sense to you? Probably not. There is, however, an interesting story …
Answer to What do Rich Men and Gold Turtles Have in Common?
Answer: 1. B
Answer analysis:
A. 房奴 (fángnú) “房奴 (fángnú)” mortgage slave is used to describe those people who have to pay significant portion of their monthly salary toward mortgage payment. In order to pay off the mortgage, they dare not easily change their jobs. …