Mandarin Essentials

Distinguish the Chinese Words “也(yě)” and “还(hái)” (Elementary)

Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks.                 Qǐngwèn nǐmen xiǎng yào shénme? Salesgirl:请问        你们   想     要     什么?             Wǒ xiǎng yào yígè zúqiú, ___ xiǎng yào yìshuāng qiúxié. Linda:我   想     要   一个 足球,___ 想      要      一双      球鞋。 Wáng Xīn: Wǒ ___ xiǎng yào yígè zúqiú.…

He is “短(duǎn)” or “矮(ǎi)”? (Elementary)

Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Zhāng Lì: Nà  ge qiúyuán shì shéi? 张       丽:那 个  球员       是  谁?              Tā shì LARA Christian. David: 他  是  LARA Christian。 Zhāng Lì: Tā zhēnshì tài ____ le! 张       丽:他   真是    太____ 了! A. 短 (duǎn)

B.…

“赞(zàn)”- Must Know Word When Complimenting Someone in Mandarin

With more and more Chinese people becoming internet users, Chinese social networks are growing ever more popular. Everyday, millions of Chinese netizens post their thoughts, their photos or even share tidbits of their daily personal lives on social media sites such as Weibo or Wechat. Consequently, many of their followers will comment on those posts or click the button-“赞(zàn).”…

“以为(yǐwéi)” vs. “认为(rènwéi)” – Similar but Different

Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank.             James, nǐ  shì nǎ guó rén? Peter:James,你 是 哪  国   人?             James, where are you from?              Wǒ shì Àodàlìyà rén. James:我   是  澳大利亚 人。              I’m Australian.             Zhēn de ma? Wǒ ____ nǐ shì Měiguó rén. Peter:真    的   吗? 我 ____  你 是    美国   人。             Really?…

Answer to the Exercise on The Difference Between “一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)” And “有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr)”

Correct Answer: C In the Chinese language, both “一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)” and “有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr)” can mean “a little” or “a bit,” and they can be used with adjectives. But, how exactly are they different in meaning and usage? First, “一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)” is often used after adjectives to express the meaning “a little more…” .…

The Difference Between “一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)” And “有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr)”

Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Wáng Lì: Zhè shuāng xié ______ xiǎo, yǒu méi yǒu dà _____de? 王     丽:这    双         鞋  ______ 小  ,有  没  有    大 ____   的 ? Wang Li: This pair of shoes is a little small. Do you have a pair that is a little bigger?…

Answer to the Exercise on the Difference Between “看(kàn)” and “看到(kàndào)”

Correct Answer: B In the Chinese language, both “看(kàn)” and “看到(kàndào)” similarly mean “to see” and they can also both be used as verbs and followed by objects. However, they are actually quite different in meaning and usage, and are therefore, not interchangeable. First of all, “看(kàn)” can be translated directly as “to look” or “to watch.”…

The Difference Between “看(kàn)” and “看到(kàndào)”

Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Andrew and his wife are waiting for his friends at the pier. Suddenly, he spots his friend Wang Wei.                 Wáng Wěi! Wǒmen zài zhèr, nǐ  kěyǐ  ____ wǒmen ma? Andrew: 王       伟! 我们      在 这儿,你 可以  ____ 我们    吗?                 Wang Wei!…

Answer to the Exercise on The More the Merrier: How to use the Chinese Numeral “多(duō)”

Correct Answer: B In the Chinese language, the word “多(duō)” can be used as a numeral referring to an uncertain, slight amount of difference between two numbers. The common and correct way to use it is: “number (1-10) + measure word +多(duō)”. Let’s start by taking a look at the examples below:

Examples Meanings 六斤多(liùjīn duō) More than six jin but less than seven jin *(A jin is a measure of 500g or approximately 1lb) 三米多(sānmǐ duō) More than three meters but less than four meters 九块多(jiǔkuài duō) More than nine yuan but less than ten yuan 一天多(yì tiān duō) More than one day but less than two days
Example 1:

Nancy:   Liú Wěi, nǐ de bēizi duōshǎo qián?…

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