Mandarin Essentials
Mini-test Answers: 早上好 (Beginner)
Correct Answer: D
Analysis:
A. “你好吗 (nǐhǎoma)” is the Chinese phrase for “how are you.”
B. “晚上好 (wǎnshànghǎo)” is the Chinese expression for “good evening.”
C. “你是谁 (nǐshìshéi)” is the Chinese phrase for “who are you.”
D. “早上好 (zǎoshànghǎo)” is the Chinese phrase for “good …
Mini-test Answer: To Treat (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
Correct Answer: A Analysis: A. “Qǐngkè” is the Chinese pinyin for “请客 to treat.” B. “Qínfèn” is the Chinese pinyin for “勤奋 hardworking.”
For example: 玛丽是一个勤奋的学生，这几天一直在认真地准备HSK考试。(Mǎlì shì yí gè qínfèn de xuésheng, zhè jǐ tiān yì zhí zài rènzhēn de zhǔnbèi …
Mini-test Answer: To poke one’s nose into other people’s business (Advanced)
Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)
Correct Answer: D Analysis: A. “好的” are the Chinese characters for “all right.”
For example: 我相信一切都会好的。(Wǒ xiāngxìn yí qiè dū huì hǎo de.) I’m sure everything will be all right.
B. “没关系” are the Chinese characters for “never mind.”
For example: …
Chinese Mini-test: Good morning (Beginner)
A: Good morning. Where are you going? B: Morning, I’m going to enroll in a HSK test preparation classes. Do you know how to say
“good morning” in Chinese
? A. 你好吗 (nǐ hǎo ma) B. 晚上好 (wǎnshànghǎo) C. 你是谁 (nǐ shì shéi) D. 早上好 …
Chinese Mini-test: To Treat (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
Jìrán nǐ dōu tōngguò HSK kǎoshì le, yīnggāi qǐngkè qìngzhù yí xià ba? A: 既然 你 都 通过 HSK 考试了， 应该 请客 庆祝 一 下吧？ Since you have passed the HSK test, would you treat us to dinner to celebrate it? …
Chinese Mini-test: 多管闲事 (Advanced)
Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)
Wǒ hǎoxīn tíxǐng tā gǎnkuài zhǔnbèi SAT kǎoshì, tā què shuō wǒ duōguǎnxiánshì. 我 好心 提醒 他 赶快 准备 SAT 考试， 他 却 说 我 多管闲事。 I kindly reminded him of preparing for the
test, but he said that I …
Quote of the week (May. 4, 2010)
Míngcì hé róngyù, jiù xiàng tiānshàng de yún, bùnéng tǎng jìnqù, tǎng jìnqù jiù diē xiàlái le. 名次 和 荣誉，就 像 天 上 的 云， 不能 躺 进去，躺 进去 就 跌 下来了。
Rank and honor are just like the clouds in the sky. You’ll fall …
看病挂号 Registration in a Hospital (Intermediate)
看病挂号 (kànbìng guàhào) Registration in a Hospital (Intermediate) Key Learning Points (Preview):
舒服 (shūfu): adj comfortable
挂号 (guàhào): n/v registration / to register
There is a well-known Chinese saying “身体是革命的本钱 (Shēntǐ shì gémìng de běnqián) Health is the foundation for conducting revolutionary work.” You should …
洗手 (xǐshǒu) Wash Hands (Beginner)
洗手 (xǐshǒu) Wash Hands (Beginner) Example:
Jīngcháng xǐshǒu yǒu zhù yú jiànkāng. 经常 洗手 有 助 于 健康。 Washing your hands often is good for your health.
General Chinese (Beginner Level) General Chinese (Intermediate Level) // // …
康乃馨 (kāngnǎixīn) Carnation (Advanced)
康乃馨 (kāngnǎixīn) Carnation (Advanced)
Example:
Wǒ zhǔnbèi zài Mǔqīnjié nà tiān gěi māma mǎi yí shù kāngnǎixīn. 我 准备 在 母亲节 那 天 给 妈妈 买 一 束 康乃馨。 I will give a bouquet of carnations to my mother on Mother’s Day.…
母亲节 (Mǔqīnjié) Mother’s Day (Intermediate)
母亲节 (Mǔqīnjié) Mother’s Day (Intermediate)
Example:
A: Mǔqīnjié kuài dào le, nǐ zhǔnbèi gěi māma sòng shénme lǐwù ne? 母亲节 快 到 了，你 准备 给 妈妈 送 什么 礼物 呢？
Mother’s Day is coming. What present will you give your mom? B: Bú gàosu nǐ, …
劳动节 (Láodòngjié) Labor Day (Intermediate)
劳动节 (Láodòngjié) Labor Day (Intermediate)
Example:
A: Láodòngjié fàngjià nǐ yǒu shénme jìhuà? 劳动节 放假 你 有 什么 计划？
Do you have any plans for the Labor Day holiday? B: Wǒ zhǔnbèi gēn péngyou qù lǚyóu. 我 准备 跟 朋友 去 旅游。
Yes, I plan …
Quote of the week (Apr. 26, 2010)
Wǒ bù zhīdào shénme shì shíshàng, dàn wǒ zhīdào wǒ yìzhí zài yǐnlǐng shíshàng. 我 不 知道 什么 是 时尚， 但 我 知道 我 一直 在 引领 时尚。
I’ve no idea what fashion is, but I know that I have been leading the fashion trend. …
Mini-test Answer: 但是 But (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Correct answer: C
Analysis:
A. “尽管” is the Chinese phrase for “even though.” It’s a conjunction. B. “只要” is the Chinese expression for “if only.” “只要” often leads to conditional sentences. For example: “只要你努力，一定会通过HSK考试的。(Zhǐyào nǐ nǔlì, yídìng huì tōngguò HSK kǎoshì …
Mini-test Answer: 涨价 (zhǎngjià) (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
Correct answer: A
Analysis:
A. “Zhǎngjià” is the Chinese pinyin for “涨价.”
“涨 (zhǎng)” means to rise. “价 (jià)” means price.
B. “Shàngshēng” is the Chinese pinyin for “上升 rise.” C. “Huíjiā” is the Chinese pinyin for “回家 to go home.” …
Mini-test Answer: 一心一意 Whole-hearted (Advanced)
Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)
Correct answer: B
Analysis:
A. “三心二意” are the Chinese characters for “be of two minds.”
“三心二意” is used to describe someone who can’t concentrate on a certain thing.
B. “一心一意” is the Chinese characters for “whole-hearted.”
“一心一意” is the opposite words …
Chinese Mini-test: 但是 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
A: How about going hiking with me this weekend? B: I’ d love to, “但是 (dànshì)” I have to prepare for my HSK test. A: Oh, I almost forgot that you are taking that Chinese course. Good luck!
Do …