You may know that “麻将 (májiàng) Mahjong” is the most common form of entertainment during Chinese Spring Festival, but do you know why the Chinese are so keen to play Mahjong instead of other leisure activities like poker?
What are the different values and cultural connotations that poker and Mahjong exhibit from Eastern and Western cultures?…
For many foreigners, when they marry into a Chinese family there are a lot of cultural aspects that must be learned in order to be able to fully enjoy their new family. One of the most important holidays, Chinese New Year, is a great example of how a new Western son-in-law could have a rough time if he didn’t understand some of the taboos and traditions.…
(The picture source: www.nipic.com)
贴福字 (Tiē fú zì) Pasting “Fu” Upside Down
Challenge a Chinese Mini-test: 福气 (Fúqì)
春节 (Chūnjié): n. Spring Festival / Chinese New Year
爷爷 (Yéye): n. grandpa
说 (Shuō): v. to say
It is a Chinese custom to paste “Fu” upside down on the doors or walls in the Spring Festival.…
Answer: 1. B
点心 (Diǎnxīn) Dim Sum
虾饺 (Xiā jiǎo) Shrimp Dumpling
烤鸭 (Kǎoyā) Roast Duck
小笼包 (Xiǎo lóng bāo) Small Steamed Bun
Because “虾饺 (xiā jiǎo)” and “小笼包 (xiǎo lóng bāo)” are both dumplings and considered Dim Sum. “烤鸭 (kǎoyā) roast duck” is regarded as a main meal, and “北京烤鸭 (běijīng kǎoyā) Beijing roast duck“ is especially well-known.…
Key Words: (Preview) 早点 (Zǎodiǎn) Breakfast
点心 (Diǎnxīn) Dim Sum; Dessert; Light Refreshments; Pastries
What is Dim Sum?
So what is “点心 (diǎnxīn) Dim Sum?”
This popular style of Chinese food resonates across the country, with chefs crafting small, bite-sized portions. Typically enjoyed with tea, it collectively creates a delightful breakfast or brunch experience.…
Answers:
1. A 2. C
尾巴 (Wěiba) tail
头 (Tóu) head
脚 (Jiǎo) foot; feet
Jiǔwěihú yǒu jiǔ tiáo (wěiba). 九尾狐有九条（尾巴）。 The Nine-tail fox has nine tails.
灾难 (Zāinàn) disaster
危险 (Wēixiǎn) danger
吉祥 (Jíxiáng) luck; lucky; auspicious
安全 (Ānquán) safe, safety
Qílín shì (jíxiáng) de xiàngzhēng.…
(The picture source: www.nipic.com)
Chinese mythical creatures have captured the imagination of anyone who has ever seen a Chinese movie or Chinese literature. Unfortunately, most people only know about dragons. How to Write the Chinese Character: 龙 (Lóng) Dragon There are many magical creatures with supernatural powers in Chinese mythology.…
Answer: A
Xiǎo Xīn: Lì Li, nǐ hái yào zuò shénme ya? Wǒ děng nǐ hǎo jiǔ la. 小新：丽丽，你还要做什么呀？我等你好久啦。 Xiao Xin: Li Li, what are you still doing? I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.
Lì Li: Zài děng yíxià ma, wǒ tú wán fángshài jiù hǎo le.…
It’s tough being a foreigner in a strange country! Not only is the language completely different, but the customs are totally different a lot of the time too.
I’m from Beijing and my name is Sun Li.…
Answer: 1. A
Èr shí sì máo (jiǎo) qián shì duōshǎo qián? 二十四毛（角）钱是多少钱？ How much can 24 dimes be converted into?
Liǎnɡ kuài sì máo qián 两块四毛钱 Two yuan and four dimes
Liǎnɡ bǎi sì shí kuài qián 两百四十块钱 Two hundred and forty yuan
Èr shí sì kuài qián 二十四块钱 Twenty four yuan
(Learn to Use Measure Words for Chinese Currency) Among the amount of money units in China, “角 (jiǎo) dime” is equal to “毛 (máo) dime,” and “元 (yuán) yuan” equals “块 (kuài) yuan.”…
A Unique Christmas Gift – 24 Magical Chinese Coins
A common Christmas present in China is apples wrapped in beautiful gift wrapping—Christmas with a Chinese flavor. Giving apples on Christmas Eve is an interesting custom that can be seen in China.…
Answers: 1. B 2. C
From the text, we can see that because the Chinese people sending apples on Christmas Eve to wish others safe, and 苹 (píng) and 平 (píng) sounds the same, so Christmas Eve is also called 平安夜 (píng’ānyè).
<<Back to “Why Do Chinese People Give Apples as Presents on Christmas Eve?”…
Answer:A Analysis: Lì Li: “Xiǎo Xīn, nǐ zěnme la?” 丽丽：小新，你怎么啦？ Li Li: “Xiao Xin, what’s wrong?”
Xiǎo Xīn: “Duìbuqǐ, wǒ xiān (shīpéi) yí xià, xiànzài yǒu jiàn jǐnjí de shìqíng yào chǔlǐ.” 小新：”对不起，我先(失陪)一下，现在有件紧急的事情要处理。” Xiao Xin: “Sorry, could you please excuse me for a moment? There is an urgent thing I have to attend to.”…
Compliments, modest remarks, and polite expressions are all forms of respect. We have these in every culture, complimenting the other party or praising them for something they have accomplished, belittling oneself as a form of modesty, as well as terms of respect that express politeness. These are all important parts of an elegant conversation.…
Answer: 1. A
As you’ve learned, “冰 (bīng) ice” is the solid state of “水 (shuǐ) water.” From the article, we have learned that the five elements are “金 (jīn) metal,” “木 (mù) wood,” “水 (shuǐ) water,” “火 (huǒ) fire” and “土 (tǔ) earth,” not “冰 (bīng) ice.”…
One of the unexpected benefits of studying the Mandarin Chinese language is that you also get to learn new things about Chinese culture and philosophy, which is likely much different from the beliefs that you grew up with outside of China.
One of these beliefs that I’ve learned is the five elements theory.…
Answer: A Analysis: “国庆节 (Guóqìng jié) National Day,” lasting for seven days, besides the Spring Festival, is the longest holiday of the year. During this holiday, people try to relax themselves and seek for entertainment, so this holiday week is also referred to as “黄金周 (huángjīn zhōu) golden week.”…
Answer: C Analysis: 吃月饼 (Chī yuèbǐng): eat mooncakes
赏月 (Shǎngyuè): admire the moon
吃饭 (Chīfàn): have a meal
(The origin of “中秋节 Mid-Autumn Festival.”) Nǐ zhīdào Zhōngguórén rúhé qìngzhù zhōngqiūjié ma? 你知道中国人如何庆祝中秋节吗？ Do you know how Chinese people celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival?
Tāmen chángcháng zài zhōngqiūjié de shíhòu chī yuèbǐng, chī tuányuán fàn huòzhě shǎngyuè .é…
Nǐ zhīdào Zhōngguórén rúhé qìngzhù zhōngqiūjié ma? A：你知道中国人如何庆祝中秋节吗？
Tāmen chángcháng zài zhōngqiūjié de shíhòu chī yuèbǐng, chī tuányuán fàn huòzhě shǎngyuè. B：他们常常在中秋节的时候吃月饼、吃团圆饭或者赏月。
A：吃月饼 (Chī yuèbǐng)
B：赏月 (Shǎngyuè)
C：吃饭 (Chīfàn)
Chinese traditional operas, of a long history and well established, are one of the cultural and artistic forms of the Chinese nation. These ancient types of drama are still active on China’s stages today. Of all the traditional types of drama, Peking Opera is the most influential.…
