Chinese Culture
WeChat: A Gateway into Chinese Language and Culture
The 微信 (wēixìn) WeChat app is not only an important part of life in China, it is essential. By the end of 2016, WeChat had over a billion accounts created, and 700 million accounts were active. Outside of China, 70 million users are also active …
3 Ways to Celebrate Christmas Chinese-Style
Christmas has come to China, and if you are a celebrator of Christmas then your festivities don’t have to stop when you leave home. A study on Chinese society showed that people aged 15-45 celebrate Christmas in China. This doesn’t mean Christmas will be the …
Are you interested in Halloween Chinese–style?
Halloween in China
Halloween is coming up soon on 31st of October this year! People in China call it 万圣节(wànshèngjié), where people use 南瓜(nánguā) pumpkins to carve all kinds of funny faces and shapes to ward off evil spirits. Many colleges in China hold parties …
Admiring the full moon and eating moon cake (Beginner)
Key Learning Points (Preview): 赏月 (shǎngyuè):
v.
to admire the full moon
月饼 (yuèbǐng): n. moon cake
On Mid-autumn Festival, the custom of “赏月 (shǎngyuè) admiring the full moon” began with people in ancient China, and is still maintained. In the Zhou Dynasty, on the …
Chinese brides: The Cinderella’s of China’s past
You are probably very familiar with the fairytale Cinderella, but did you know there was a custom in ancient China much like this story? The bridegroom in China would actually use a shoe to tell if it’s his bride! Much like in the children’s story, …
Why Chinese “拔火罐 (báhuǒguàn)” has gained attention at the 2016 Rio Olympics
Another Olympic season has passed, and the same as the past few Olympics since 2008 in Beijing, swimming dominated the headlines. Particularly, the swimmers themselves made headlines from Rio to around the world. The most famous swimmer, 25-time gold medal winner Michael Phelps drew attention …
Answer to what you should know for Valentine’s Day in China
Correct Answers 1. B 2. D The “七夕 (qīxī)” festival is commonly known as “Chinese Valentine’s Day.” The characters “七夕 (qīxī),” when taken apart, actually mean the “七 (qī) seventh,” “夕 (xī) night.” Indeed, this romantic holiday always falls on the 7th night of the …
What you should know for Valentine’s Day in China?
1. What day is the “七夕节(qīxījié) Chinese Valentine’s Day (lunar calendar)?” A. July 1st B. July 7th C. June 1st D. June 7th 2. All of the following are traditional activities on “七夕节(qīxījié)” EXCEPT: A. 表白 (biǎobái) B. 求婚 (qiúhūn) C. 烛光晚餐 (zhúguāng wǎncān) D. …
Let’s talk about web celebs in Chinese
Everybody wants to be an Internet star —maybe not everybody—but a lot of people try! (Do you know the famous NBA star?) And with the multitude of accessible media platforms—Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, etc.—many make it. Before, you had to act in a …
Enjoy China’s street food-大排档 (dàpáidàng)
Are you a “吃货(chīhuò) foodie? ” In every Chinese city there are fast, affordable and delicious restaurants available on the street or at traditional markets. In English we call this: street food, hawker fare, stall food, or food vendors. You can sit on a small …
Answer to enjoy China’s street food-大排档 (dàpáidàng)
Correct Answers 1. C 2. C <<Back to “Enjoy China’s street food-大排档 (dàpáidàng)
What to be careful of when you are in China
Seen regularly near low ceilings and doorways, many foreigners would be confused by a sign asking them to “carefully bang head.” This is just one of the many wonderful ways “小心碰头 (xiǎoxīn pèng tóu)” has been mistranslated – others include “carefulness bump head,” “carefully hits …
4 Chinese graduation traditions you should know
At last, graduation day has finally arrived, and for students all across the world, the years of hard work have finally reached a culmination. On this day, students will celebrate in many different ways , depending on where they come from. The procedures and traditions …