Mandarin Essentials

Answer to Chinese Translation Quiz: 洗手间在哪里(Xǐshǒujiān zài nǎlǐ)

Answer: C Here, the key word is “洗手间(xǐshǒujiān),” which means “bathroom” in Chinese. So the correct answer is C. The Chinese sentence structure “……在哪里(……zài nǎlǐ)? Where is ……?” is usually used for asking directions. For example, “电梯在哪里(diàntī zài nǎlǐ)? Where is the elevator/lift?” To show …

Dine and Dash? It Is Having “霸王餐(bàwángcān)” in Mandarin!

Previously, we introduced two other Chinese words related to the character “霸(bà)”: “学霸(xuébà)” and “麦霸(màibà).” In this issue we will learn about another one, which is “霸王餐(bàwángcān).”

Literally, “霸(bà)” means “to dominate, lord over, tyrannize over or rule by force” and “王(wáng)” means “king.” Together, …

Answer to “同样(tóngyàng)” and “一样(yíyàng)” Are Not The Same!

“同样(tóngyàng)” and “一样(yíyàng)” both mean “the same.” They can be used interchangeably in most cases, but there are also some subtle distinctions between them. Let’s take a closer look.

“一样(yíyàng)” can be used as a complement and predicate

while “同样(tóngyàng)” cannot. For example, if you …

Talk about Stingy People? Use “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” in Mandarin!

The term “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” comes from the Chinese idiom “铁公鸡,一毛不拔(tiěgōngjī, yìmáo bùbá) You can’t pluck a feather from an iron rooster.”

Here, “铁(tiě)” means “iron” and “公鸡(gōngjī)” means “rooster,” but what the term “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” is really used to refer to is a mean, stingy person who …

Telling Time in Mandarin

Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Linda: Qǐngwèn xiànzài jǐ diǎn zhōng? Linda:请问       现在   几 点     钟? Linda: Excuse me, what time is it? Zhāng Míng:___. 张        明: ____。 Zhang Ming:___. A. 八点三十二分(Bā diăn sānshí’èr fēn)

B. 八点三十二分钟(Bā diăn sānshí’èr fēnzhōng)…

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