China is a fascinating destination for travelers, but it can also feel overwhelming if you’re new to its language and culture. Whether you’re dreaming of exploring ancient landmarks, tasting authentic cuisine, or simply soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of its bustling cities, this guide is here to help.…
In Chinese culture, the Beginning of Spring (立春, lìchūn) and the Chinese Spring Festival (春节, chūnjié) are both significant events, each marking a new cycle in the year. However, they differ in terms of timing, cultural meaning, and celebration practices.
The Beginning of Spring is the first of the 24 solar terms (二十四节气, èr shí sì jié qì) in the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar.…
As we stand at the beginning of 2025, with the much-anticipated Year of the Snake just around the corner, let’s explore the unique slangs that signify a wonderful start of the year together and feel the charm of the interweaving of the Chinese language and Chinese culture.…
As New Year’s Day approaches, it’s the perfect time to embrace tradition, exchange heartfelt blessings, and spread joy to loved ones. Chinese blessings for the New Year are not just words but meaningful wishes that reflect hopes for prosperity, peace, and success in the year ahead.…
Understanding the subtleties of the Chinese language is essential for anyone looking to truly connect with native speakers. The language is rich in expressions that carry more than just their surface meanings; they often hold cultural nuances, emotions, and implicit messages that go beyond literal translations.…
When you begin learning Chinese, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to study Simplified or Traditional Chinese characters. Both writing systems have deep historical roots, and each offers unique insights into the Chinese language and culture. Today, we’ll explore the history behind these two writing systems, their modern applications, and factors to consider when choosing which one to learn.…
As a foreigner learning Chinese, diving into the language also means exploring the rich cultural context behind idioms, proverbs, and expressions. One such phrase that offers profound insight into Chinese culture is “君子之交淡如水” (jūn zǐ zhī jiāo dàn rú shuǐ), which translates to “A gentleman’s friendship is gentle as water.”But…
Many Chinese learners have experienced this: you’ve studied for years, but when you hear native speakers chat, their conversations seem so much more fluent, lively, and natural. What’s the secret? It’s often those colorful and powerful Chinese idioms, or 成语 (chéng yǔ). These short phrases, packed with meaning and cultural references, are what can take your Chinese to the next level.…
Do you want to enhance your international competitiveness in the medical field? Have you realized that learning Mandarin not only allows you to communicate with a larger population of Mandarin speakers, but also opens the door to global medical resources and opportunities?
Talking about the weather is a great way to break the ice. In Chinese, knowing weather-related vocabulary and phrases can help you sound more natural and confident in conversations. Whether you’re making small talk or starting a conversation in a professional setting, these phrases will keep the conversation flowing effortlessly.…
李子柒, (Lǐ Zǐqī, Li Ziqi), a household name both in China and internationally, is more than just a content creator—she is a cultural ambassador. Known for her exquisite depictions of rural life, traditional craftsmanship, and poetic artistry, she crafts a cinematic world that blends beauty, philosophy, and heritage.…
Mastering Chinese isn’t just about learning vocabulary and grammar; it’s about understanding the colloquial expressions and phrases that native speakers use daily. To help you sound more natural and confident, here are some of the most commonly used colloquial expressions that will make you sound fluent in Chinese conversations.…
In today’s globalized world, learning a new language goes beyond memorizing vocabulary and grammar. When it comes to mastering Mandarin Chinese, understanding the cultural context is essential for true fluency. Chinese culture is deeply ingrained in the language, influencing everything from daily conversation to formal communication.…
All across Chinese social media, English letter abbreviations are running rampant.Whether on web forums, text messages, or WeChat, terms like “yyds”, “dddd” and “u1s1” have been evolving and gradually working their way into everyday conversation.
As it’s easy to just dismiss them as silly trends (or even typos), today we’re breaking down what some of these seemingly random collections of letters and numbers actually mean, and how to use them!…
The date of “重阳节 (chóng yáng jié)” is September 9th of the Lunar Calendar, and in English which it is called the Double Ninth Festival. As shown in previous articles, Tomb-sweeping day, New Year’s Eve, Zhongyuan Festival (July 15th in Lunar), and Double Ninth Festival are all traditional festivals for worshiping ancestors.…
Answer: A
吃月饼 (Chī yuèbĭng) Eating mooncakes is a traditional way Chinese people honor the Mid-Autumn festival.
<<Back to “4 Ways that Chinese People Honor the Double Ninth Festival”…
One of my favorite aspects of living and studying in China is that I get to learn about and take part in holidays that are completely new and very exciting for me. While some Chinese holidays such as New Year, the Moon Festival and the Dragon Boat festival I had known before arriving in China, there are also some lesser-known holidays such as the one that I will introduce today, 重阳节 (Chóngyángjié) the Double Ninth holiday.…
Almost without exception, every holiday, especially ones only celebrated in certain parts of the world, have specific foods associated with them. American Thanksgivings feature roast turkey, Greeks prepare lamb for Christmas, and saffron buns are baked for St. Lucia’s Day in Sweden. Chinese holidays are no exception, with the Dragon Boat Festival’s steamed rice dumplings and Mid-Autumn Festival moon cakes.…
In Chinese culture, numbers are imbued with deep meanings and often symbolize good fortune and auspiciousness. In this article, we delve into nine popular Chinese idioms that feature the numbers 1 to 9. Each idiom not only conveys a powerful message but also reflects the rich cultural values that underpin the language.…
As the year embraces September, so too will Chinese people begin to embrace the nearing Mid-Autumn Festival. The Mid-Autumn Festival has evolved from “sacrificing the moon” ceremonies. So the Autumn Equinox in ancient times and has become a precious cultural heritage. To give you an idea of what it’s like: adults usually indulge in moon cakes of different varieties with a good cup of piping hot Chinese tea, while the youngsters run about with brightly-lit lanterns.…
