Mandarin Essentials
Chinese test: Is tomorrow the end of the world? (Elementary)
Recently, rumors spread that December 21, 2012 will mark the end of the world. It’s been reported that in some areas of China, people have begun to rush out for candles and matches in case there’s three days and nights of darkness on the proclaimed …
Mini-test answer：Another way to say never mind in Chinese
The right answer is B.
Translation: Jīntiān xièxie nǐ, yǒu kòng wǒ qǐng nǐ chīfàn. Lǐ Huá：今天 谢谢 你， 有 空 我 请 你 吃饭。
Hey, thanks for your help today. If you have time I want to buy you dinner.
Méishìr, dàjiā dōushì tóngshì. …
Chinese test: Another way to say never mind in Chinese. (Elementary)
Lǐ Huá was supposed to be up to her neck in work today, but thanks to the help of Tom, she can now get off work on time and for this mind you, she’s truly grateful.
Conversation:
Jīntiān xièxie nǐ, yǒu kòng wǒ qǐng nǐ …
Beyond counting: the curious number 2 (Elementary)
What exactly do you know about the number 2? Is it just a mere number in Mandarin? Let’s have a look at the following conversation and see just where you stand.
Nǐ tài èr le. Lǐ Huá：你 太 2 了。
Á? Lucy：啊？
Nǐ de chēpáishang …
Mini-test answer: How do you express your feelings in Chinese?
The right answer is C. Translation: Lǐ Huá: Tom, zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè. Zhè ge lǐwù sòng gěi nǐ. 李 华：Tom，祝 你 生日 快乐。 这 个 礼物 送 给 你。
Li Huá: Happy birthday, Tom. This present is for you.
Tom: Ā, nǐ zhīdào wǒde …
The Essential Friendships for Chinese (Elementary)
Key Learning Points (preview):
1. 朋友 (Péngyou): friend
2. 发小 (Fàxiǎo): a childhood friend
3. 闺蜜 (Guīmì): a woman’s best female friend
4. 死党 (Sǐdǎng): sworn followers
5. 室友 (Shìyǒu): a roommate
There is a Chinese saying: a sincere friendship is worth more than …
Mini-test answer: Why do Chinese people always say “die?”
The right answer is B.
Translation:
Lily: Nǐ zài gān shénme? Wǒ zhè jǐtiān dōu méiyǒu jiàn dào nǐ. 你 在 干 什么？ 我 这 几天 都 没有 见 到 你。 What are you doing? I haven’t seen you for several days.
Tom: Ài, wǒ zhè …
The gravity of 炒鱿鱼 (chǎo yóuyú) or fried squid? (Elementary)
People often joke that finding a job is more difficult than NASA launching a spacecraft.
While that might not be totally true, it is true that the job market has been in a slump since the financial crisis.
Even major international companies have to downsize …
Mini-test Answer: Let’s Talk about the Weather!
Answer page
The correct answer is B.
In the above conversation, it is clear that the weather is the main reason they won’t go shopping. “Rain” in Chinese is 下雨 (xiàyǔ), so the right answer is B.
A. 下雪 (xiàxuě), means “to snow.”
C. 有风 …
Addressing In-Laws – Ancient Traditions in Modern Culture. (Elementary)
In the previous article, we mentioned that modern Chinese wedding ceremonies involve many elements from western traditions, such as wearing a white wedding gown, exchanging rings, and walking down the aisle to Mendelssohn’s wedding march. However, there are some unique wedding traditions that never lost …
How Do You Address All Sorts of Leaders in Chinese? (Elementary)
On November 7, 2012, Barack Obama won a second term as President (总统, zǒngtǒng) of the United States.
You know some countries have a president, or a prime minister, or even a chancellor. And some countries, such as China, have a premier as well as …
Election means “xuǎnjǔ”(Elementary)
The right answer for this test is B. Analysis: Zhècì měiguó xuǎnjǔ shì 11 yuè 7 hào jiéshù de ma? Sam：这次 美国 选举 是 11 月 7 号 结束 的 吗？ Did the American election end on 7, November? Shì de! Li Hua：是 的！ Yes!…
Chinese test: How do you say election in Chinese? (Elementary)
Recently, several countries held major elections (选举, xuǎnjǔ) for their next leader. Take a look at the conversation between Li Hua and Sam.
Zhècì měiguó xuǎnjǔ shì 11 yuè 7 hào jiéshù de ma? Sam：这次 美国 选举 是 11 月 7 号 结束 的 吗？ …
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Red?(Beginner)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
结婚礼服(jié hūn lǐ fú): n. wedding gown
喜事(xǐshì): n. refers to weddings and any happy events
被子(bèizi): n. quilt
It is common knowledge in the Western world that brides on their wedding day wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and …
“菜” – Know it and you’ll never go hungry. (Elementary)
When you go out to eat in China, the word “菜(cài)” is ever-present. This one word is used to describe dishes, such as “家常菜(jiācháng cài) home-style dishes;” vegetables such as “白菜(báicài) bok choy,” or simply “蔬菜 (shūcài) vegetables;” cuisines, such as “法国菜(Fǎguó cài) French cuisine;” …
客气(kèqi) or 不客气(bú kèqi), that is the question! (Elementary)
For Shakespeare’s Hamlet, to be, or not to be: that is the question.
Here in Chinese learning, 客气(kèqi) or 不客气(bú kèqi), that is the question!
Please look at the following conversation to see when it is 客气(kèqi) or 不客气(bú kèqi).
Zhōngwén de “bú kèqi” …
The difference between “男” and “女!” (Elementary)
Regardless of the language, the number of words used to refer to the two sexes is vast and their meaning can change according to context. Using the improper word may cause not only misunderstandings but also embarrassment.
For example, once an American couple invited their …
Must Know Chinese Internet Slang (Elementary)
The Internet is quickly establishing itself as the de facto media platform. This has led to a growing culture that is distinct to online users and also rapidly spreads into our daily lives with China being no exception. Chinese Internet slang, created by over …
Why do Chinese call you “old outsider (老外 Lǎowài)? ” (Beginner)
Chinese Culture
Does 老only show old age? There’s a few things you should know about “老Old” in Chinese culture.
When you’re in China, you might notice just how often the word 老(lǎo) is used all around you. The frequent use is actually on account of …