Costumes have maintained an important place in Chinese culture for more than three thousand years. Moreover, Chinese costumes are magnificent and colorful. Many dynasties throughout China’s history each had its own unique style of costumes, with styles changing or disappearing as the dynasty changed, declined, …
Farewells in China, like welcoming receptions, follow certain etiquette. In formal business situations, the following procedures are usually followed for a proper farewell: first, determine the level of farewell ceremony; then, arrange proper transportation; give or exchange gifts; and finally see off the guest.
As …
Correct Answer: B “大年三十(dànián sānshí) Lunar New Year’s Eve” falls on the 18th of February 2015. It is the last day of the lunar year, which is also one of China’s most important traditional holidays.
Legend has it that a long time ago, during the …
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Judy: Wáng Qīng, nǐ chúxī yè zhǔnbèi zěnme guò ne? Judy：王 清， 你 除夕 夜 准备 怎么 过 呢？ Judy: How do you intend to celebrate your New Year’s Eve? Wáng Qīng: Wǒ dǎsuàn chī …
The Spring Festival is fast approaching and Chinese people are looking forward to enjoying themselves. However, the Spring Festival is not just a festive, carefree time, there are also many superstitions, or taboos, which you should pay attention to. As a significant part of Chinese …
Correct Answer: B The Laba Festival, or “腊八节(Làbā jié)” in Chinese, is coming up on January 27, 2015. What is the Laba Festival and what will Chinese people do on this day? The following text will help you learn more about this traditional Chinese festival. …
Valentine’s Day is coming up! Who are you going to spend it with? In today’s lesson, we’ll learn three popular Chinese expressions to use on Valentine’s Day.
Qīn’ài de péngyou, zhù nǐ Qíngrénjié kuàilè. 1. 亲爱 的 朋友， 祝 你 情人节 快乐！ My dear friend, …
Yǒu qián méi qián, huíjiā guònián. 1. 有 钱 没 钱，回家 过年。 Money or no, we’ll be home for Spring Festival.
Background Information:
This popular phrase originated from a well-known song of the same name. On Chinese New Year, getting home to see family is …
New Year’s Day, or “元旦 (Yuándàn)” is just around the corner. Wouldn’t you like to impress your friends and relatives by wishing them a happy holiday in Chinese? Today let’s take a look at a few popular phrases in Mandarin for the New Year.
Yuándàn …
People in China love to sent text messages for blessings on Christmas. It is worth noting, but in Chinese, the pronunciation of the Chinese word for Christmas sounds exactly like another very common expression, “生蛋 (shēngdàn) lay an egg.” Thus we get a play on …
Key Learning Point (Preview):
二百五 (èrbǎiwǔ): n. a careless or silly person In Chinese, especially between friends, one often calls another “二百五 (èrbǎiwǔ),” or says that someone is “二百加五十 (èrbǎi jiā wǔshí) two hundred plus fifty.” What does this expression mean? Let’s read this small …
丑八怪 (chǒubāguài): n. an extremely ugly person/someone whose conduct is not good
In class, the teacher told the students that “丑八怪 (chǒubāguài)” refers to extremely ugly people. A confused student asked the teacher, “Why don’t we use the number 9? Why …
On Mid-autumn Day, we often receive many Mid-autumn greetings from friends, colleagues or relatives. In today’s free Chinese lesson online, let’s learn some Chinese greetings for Mid-autumn Festival.
Key Learning Points (Preview):
月亮 (yuèliang) n. moon
实现 (shíxiàn) v. to come true
Yuàn …
It is a Chinese custom to go visit the family relatives when a Chinese new year comes. They visit to close relatives in the first day of a year or in the first two or three days. As for those distant relatives visits are welcome …
On the Chinese New Year’s Eve or anytime during the spring festival holidays, the aged would give Chinese kids money, known as lucky money, which is put in small, red packets called Hongbao in Chinese language with Hong for red the color and Bao for …
Chinese New Year 2009 falls on January 26, 2009 when Chinese twelve-year circle will roll into the year of ox. In Chinese language, ox is pronounced as Niu. Niu, as an animal in general, was playing the role of dragging a plough in field before …
