Key Learning Points (Preview): 新娘 (xīnniáng) n. bride
害羞 (hàixiū) adj. shy
In a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, the “新娘 (xīnniáng) bride” will wear a red veil made of silk, the color red represents happiness in China. The “新郎 (xīnláng) groom” removes this mysterious red veil in the bridal chamber.…
秋老虎 (qiū lǎohǔ) The Hottest Days in Autumn Key Learning Points (Preview):
热 (rè): adj. hot
害怕 (hàipà): v. to be afraid of
Why do people call it “秋老虎 (qiū lǎohǔ)?” It is a short hot period (7-15 days) occurring in the latter part of August and the beginning of September after “立秋 (lìqiū),” one of the twenty-four solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar meaning the “beginning of autumn.”The…
Key Learning Points (Preview):
打架 (dǎjià): n/v. fight/to fight
客人 (kèrén): n. guest
An American “学生 (xuésheng) student” traveled to China and was having dinner with his Chinese friends. His “老师 (lǎoshī) teacher” asked him what he thought of China and the Chinese people. The student said: “I notice that Chinese people fight three times at the ‘餐桌 (cānzhuō) dining table.’…
What Present Would You Select on Chinese Valentine’s Day?
Key Learning Points (Preview):
礼物 (lǐwù): n. present/gift
送 (sòng): v. to give
Chinese Valentine’s Day -七夕 (Qīxī), on July seventh of the Chinese lunar calendar, is coming up. Many people in China are preparing to “送 (sòng) give” their girlfriends or boyfriends “礼物 (lǐwù) gifts.”…
Online Mandarin Chinese: The Eastern Carnival-火把节 (Huǒbǎjié) The Torch Festival Key Learning Points (Preview):
节日(jiérì): n. festival
旅行(lǚxíng): v. to travel
“火把节 (cHuǒbǎ jié) The Torch Festival” is an ancient and important traditional “节日 (jiérì) festival” for various ethnic groups such as “彝、白、纳西 (Yí, Bái, Nàxī) Yi, Bai, Naxi” and so on.…
中国古代四大美女 (Zhōngguó gǔdài sì dà měinǚ) The Four Beauties of Ancient China
Key Learning Points (Preview): 美女 (měinǚ): n. beauty
含蓄 (hánxù): adj. reserved/implicit
温柔 (wēnróu): adj. gentle/tender
Throughout China’s five thousand year history, numerous heroic figures have emerged and captured the people’s fancy. But what most impresses and remains in the people’s minds are the ancient “美女 (měinǚ) beauties.”…
Business Etiquette—Showing Honor through Holding Fist Key Learning Points (Preview):
拳头 (quántou) n. fist
祝贺 (zhùhè)n. congratulations
Holding fist is a form of greeting, usually used by men, with one clenched fist cradled in the other hand and held at chest level. It is a traditional custom in China and is used to express “祝贺 (zhùhè) congratulations” and good “愿望 (yuànwàng) wishes.”…
Online Chinese Lesson- Li Bai- China’s Greatest Poet (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
纪念 (jìniàn): v. to commemorate
风格 (fēnggé): n. style
Feb. 28, 2011 is the 1310th anniversary of the Poet Li Bai, one of the greatest poets in world history. Many people “纪念 (jìniàn) commemorated” this event on microblog sites in China that are similar to Twitter.…
兔子为什么在生肖中排第四？ (Tùzi wèishénme zài shēngxiāo zhōng pái dì sì?) Key Learning Points (Preview)
生肖 (shēngxiāo): n. Zodiac
出发 (chūfā): v. to start off
Hěn jiǔ yǐqián, Yùhuángdàdì dǎsuàn zài dòngwù zhōng xuǎn shí’èr gè pái shēngxiāo. 很 久 以前，玉皇大帝 打算 在 动物 中 选 十二 个 排 生肖。 Long ago, the Jade Emperor prepared to select twelve animals to be the zodiac signs.…
Key Learning Points (Preview): 商量 (shāngliang): v. to discuss/talk over
决定 (juédìng): n./v. decision/to decide
A long time ago, there was a monster called “夕 (Xī).” The monster was fond of bullying and eating people, especially beautiful girls. People hated the monster, but had no way to stop it.…
Key Learning Points (Preview):
送行 (sòngxíng): to see sb. off
说……的好话 (shuō…de hǎohuà): to speak well of…
On the Chinese lunar calendar, “小年 (xiǎo nián),” or The Minor New Year, is on Dec. 23rd, which is when Chinese people make sacrificial offerings to “灶神 (zàoshén) the Kitchen God.”…
中文书信的称呼(Zhōngwén shūxìn de chēnghū) Salutations in Chinese letters
Zhōngguó bèi yùwéi “lǐyízhībāng.” 中国 被 誉为 “礼仪之邦”。 Wúlùn zài rìcháng shēnghuó háishì shāngwù huódòng zhōng, 无论 在 日常 生活 还是 商务 活动 中， Zhōngguórén yìzhí dōu hěn zhùyì lǐyí. 中国人 一直 都 很 注意 礼仪。 China is known as the “state of ceremonies.”…
“最中国”的中国字The Most “Chinese” Chinese Characters Listen to the whole story Key Learning Points (Preview)
和谐 (héxié): n. harmony
反映 (fǎnyìng): v. to reflect
推崇 (tuīchóng) v. to praise highly
Lā’ěrfū.Àimòshēng shuō, wǒmen kěyǐ cóng yìguó de yǔyán 拉尔夫 爱默生 说，我们 可以 从 一国 的 语言 tuīduàn chū yìguó zhī wénhuà jīngshén.…
Key Learning Point:
商务用语 (shāngwù yòngyǔ) Business vocabulary
Listen to the whole passage
Look at the short business report:
Jìn jǐ nián lái, rénmínbì huìlǜ wèntí chéngwéi guónèiwài guānzhù de jiāodiǎn. 近 几年 来，人民币 汇率 问题 成为 国内外 关注 的 焦点。 In recent years, governments around the world have taken notice of China’s currency policy.…
Key Learning Points (Preview):
品牌 (pǐnpái): n. brand
吸引 (xīyǐn): v. to attract
印象 (yìnxiang): n. impression
It is important for foreign brands to have a Chinese name as it enters the Chinese market. How do companies translate their names? How do they make the names attractive?…
为什么吃醋？(Wèishénme chīcù?) Why do you eat vinegar? (Intermediate)
Why do Chinese lovers “eat vinegar?” This online Chinese lesson will tell you.
Zài Zhōngguó, qínglǚ zhī jiān de jìdù jiào “chīcù.” Wèishénme shì chīcù ér bú shì 在 中国， 情侣 之 间 的 嫉妒 叫“吃醋”。为什么 是 吃醋 而 不 是 bié de dōngxi?…
Key Learning Points (Preview): 称呼 (chēnghū): n./v. form of address/ to call; to address
In China, husbands often call their wives’ father “岳父 (yuèfù).” The meaning of “父 (fù) father” is rather easy to understand, but the Chinese character “岳 (yuè)” can be confusing.…
The correct answer for this HSK test question is A. Here is the translation: A: Dear, how about we honeymoon in China after we get married? B: Ok!
Analysis: A. “蜜月 (mìyuè)” is the
phrase for “honeymoon.”
phrase for “moon cake.”
Key Learning Points (Preview): 起义 (qǐyì): n. revolt/uprising
月饼 (yuèbǐng): n. moon cake
团圆/团聚 (tuányuán/tuánjù): n. reunion
愿望 (yuànwang): n. wish/desire
抗/反抗 (kàng/fǎnkàng): v. to resist/to fight against
Learn Chinese Online：Origin of Moon Cakes
Zhōngqiūjié de chuántǒng shípǐn shì yuèbǐng,
中秋节 的 传统 食品 是 月饼，
yuèbǐng shì yuán xíng de, xiàngzhēng tuányuán,
月饼 是 圆 形 的， 象征 团圆，
fǎnyìngle rénmen duì jiārén tuánjù de měihǎo yuànwang.…
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett will come to China to “urge donation” (Intermediate) Key learning points (preview): 财富 (cáifù) n. fortune
捐献 (juānxiàn) v. to donate
面对面 (miànduìmiàn) adv. face to face
In June 2010, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett launched a “行动 (xíngdòng) campaign” which calls on billionaires to pledge to “捐献 (juānxiàn) donate” at least half of their “财富 (cáifù) fortunes” to “慈善事业 (císhàn shìyè) charity.”…
