Mandarin Essentials
Chinese Idiom: 刻舟求剑(kèzhōuqiújiàn) Mark the Boat for a Dropped Sword
Key Learning Point (Preview): 刻舟求剑 (kèzhōuqiújiàn) To Mark the Boat to Look for the Sword
Idiom Story:
Yǒu yígè Chǔguó rén chūmén yuǎnxíng. 有 一个 楚国 人 出门 远行。 There was a man from Chu who went out on a long journey.
Tā zài chéngchuán …
Conversation-谈球赛（tán qiúsài）Talk about Sports Games
谈球赛(tán qiúsài) Talk about Sports Games
Beginner Level/初级 (chūjí)
Hāi, jĭ tiān méi jiàn nĭ, hái yĭwéi nĭ xiāoshī le ne! A: 嗨，几 天 没 见 你，还 以为 你 消失 了 呢！ Hi, long time no see. I thought you had disappeared.
Zěnme huì ne, …
Answer to “只(zhī)” vs. “支(zhī)”: Same Pronunciation but Different Usages
Correct Answer: B In the Chinese language, both “只(zhī)” and “支(zhī)” are commonly used measure words which are placed before nouns. However, they should be used with different kinds of nouns.
Firstly, “只(zhī)” is the measure word for most animals, such as “一只猫(yìzhī māo) a …
“只(zhī)” vs. “支(zhī)”: Same Pronunciation but Different Usages
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Lǐ Huá: Zhè _____ gāngbǐ zhēn piàoliang, shì nǐ xīn mǎi de ma? 李 华： 这 _____ 钢笔 真 漂亮， 是 你 新 买 的 吗？ Li Hua: This pen is so beautiful. Did you …
男 (nán) Male
汉字(hànzì): 男(nán) a male
拼音(pīnyīn) pinyin: nán 笔画(bĭhuà) number of strokes: 7 部首(bùshŏu) radical: 田 结构(jiégòu) structure: top and bottom structure 字源(zìyuán) etymology: the top part 田(tián) refers to field and the bottom part 力(lì) means strength. In ancient times, men must labor in the …
Confucius and the US House of Representatives
Confucius and the US House of Representatives
On October 28, 2009, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution to commemorate the 孔子诞辰 (kŏngzĭ dànchén) anniversary of Confucius’ birth of 2560 years by 361 赞成票 (zànchéngpiào) affirmative votes and 47 反对票 (fănduìpiào) dissenting votes. Many …
借书 (jièshū) Borrow a Book
Beginner Level / 初级(chūjí)
Hài, Lily, nĭ qù nǎér ya? A: 嗨，莉莉，你 去 哪儿 呀？ Hi, Lily, Where are you going?
Ò, wǒ zhŭnbèi qù túshūguǎn ne , tīngshuō túshūguǎn zuìjìn jìn le yì pī xīnshū, wǒ qù kànkan B: 哦，我 准备 去 图书馆 呢， …
Answer Key – “买东西(mǎi dōngxi)”and “卖东西(mài dōngxi)”
Correct Answer:
In our daily life, we will frequently go the store to buy things. In the process of “买东西(mǎi dōnɡxi) purchasing things” we need will need to communicate with the people who are “卖东西(mài dōngxi) selling things.” We will need to ask the price, …
“买东西(mǎi dōngxi)”and “卖东西(mài dōngxi)”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Gùkè: Lǎobǎn, zhè xiē píng’guǒ zěnme ____? 顾客： 老板， 这 些 苹果 怎么____？ Customer: How much are the apples, sir? Lǎobǎn: Wǔ kuài qián yìjīn. 老板： 五 块 钱 一斤。 Shopkeeper: Five yuan per half …
2009 Canton Fair (China Import and Export Fair) – 广交会 (Guăngjiāohuì)
广交会(guăngjiāohuì) Canton Fair (China Import and Export Trade Fair)
106th Canton Fair is currently being held in Guangzhou,China. It is also known as China Import and Export Trade Fair, which was founded in the spring of 1957. It is held each spring and autumn in …
Answer to How do Chinese People Talk About the Weather?
Correct Answer: A Weather is very important and has a very big influence on our daily lives. Naturally, we regularly speak about the weather. From study of the following text, you will learn how to talk about the weather in Chinese.
First, if you want …
How do Chinese People Talk About the Weather?
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Lǐ Huá: Jīntiān tiānqì zěnmeyàng? 李 华： 今天 天气 怎么样？ Li Hua: What’s the weather like today? Tom： _____________。 Tom: It’s snowy. A. 今天下雪了。(Jīntiān xiàxuě le.)
B. 今天天气下雪了。(Jīntiān tiānqì xiàxuě le.)
C. 今天天气是下雪。(Jīntiān tiānqì shì …
Answer to I’m Rich, I’m Willful!
Correct Answer: B <<Back to “I’m Rich, I’m Willful!”
“曾经(céngjīng)” or “已经(yǐjīng)”?
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Lǐ Míng: Wǒmen jīntiān qù kàn huòbǐtè rén 3 ba! 李 明： 我们 今天 去 看 《霍比特 人3》吧！ Li Ming: Lets’ go see The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies! Linda: Wǒ ___ kàn …
The Year of the Sheep – Bring Good Luck in Your “Ben Ming Nian”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. If 2015 is your “本命年(běnmìngnián),” what should you do according to the Chinese custom? A. Send some red things to others. B. Wear some red clothes. C. Discard all of the red things you own. …
I’m Rich, I’m Willful!
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. When we say someone “有钱就是任性(yǒuqián jiùshì rènxìng),” what do we probably mean? A. The person makes a lot of money through his or her hard work. B. The person does what he or she pleases …