微波炉 (wēibōlú) Microwave Oven (Intermediate)
Example:
Wēibōlú shì yìzhǒng chángjiàn de jiāyòng diànqì. 微波炉 是 一种 常见 的 家用 电器。
◆ iPhone vs. Google Android Phone
◆ Steamed Stuffed Bun Plays Rock & Roll // // HSK …
照相 (zhàoxiàng) Take a Photo (Beginner)
The character “照 (zhào)” means to illuminate and “相 (xiàng)” means photograph.
Example:
A: Dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn kěyǐ bāng wǒmen zhàoxiàng ma? 打扰 一下，请问 可以 帮 我们 照相 吗？ Excuse me, could you please take a photo for us?…
好主意 (hǎozhǔyi) Good Idea (Beginner)
The character “好 (hǎo)” means good; “主 (zhǔ)” means main and “意 (yì)” means idea here.
Example: A: Wǒ xiǎng lìyòng jiàqī xuéxí yìxiē shāngwù hànyǔ. 我 想 利用 假期 学习 一些 商务 汉语。 I want to learn some business …
怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) How about/ What about (Beginner) “怎么 (zěnme)” mean how and “样 (yàng)” means shape or pattern.
Example:
A: Wǒ zǒngshì zài zhōngwén duìhuà zhōng tīngdào “zěnmeyàng” zhège cí, 我 总是 在 中文 对话 中 听到 “怎么样” 这个 词， tā shì shénme yìsi? 它 …
Peyton Manning vs. Justin Timberlake in a Ping-Pong Match (Beginner)
In the following Sony commercial, American pop musician and actor Justin Timberlake and Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, square off in a ping-pong match and try out their Mandarin:
When Peyton Manning said, “我的中文也有进步 (Wǒ …
Correct answer: B
Analysis:
A. “Xiāngjiāo” is the Chinese Pinyin for “香蕉 banana.”
“香 (xiāng)” literally means fragrant, and “蕉 (jiāo) ” means broadleaf plant.
B. “Xiāngshuǐ” is the Chinese Pinyin for “香水 perfume.”
“香 (xiāng)” literally means fragrant, and “水 …
Correct answer: D
Analysis:
A. “同学 (tóngxué)” are the Chinese characters for “classmate” or “schoolmate.”
“同 (tóng)” means similar, and “学 (xué)” represents the meaning of “学生 (xuéshēng) student.” B. “同时 (tóngshí)” are the Chinese characters for “at the same time.”…
Correct answer: C
Analysis:
Let’s first look at the meaning of this Chinese dialogue.
Wǒ zhōumò qù shì zhōngxīn guàngjiē le. Zhēnshì rénshānrénhǎi a! A: 我 周末 去 市 中心 逛街 了。 真是 人山人海 啊！ I went to the city center …
“我给女朋友买了一瓶香水做生日礼物。I bought a bottle of perfume as a birthday present for my girlfriend.” Do you know the Chinese Pinyin for “香水 perfume” in this sentence? A. xiāngjiāo B. xiāngshuǐ C. mòshuǐ D. xiǎngshòu
// // …
A: Do you have any colleagues taking the business Chinese classes? B: Yes, I have six colleagues taking business Chinese classes. Have you learned how to say the word “colleague” in Chinese? A. 同学 (tóngxué) B. 同时 (tóngshí) C. 同意 (tóngyì) …
Wǒ zhōumò qù shì zhōngxīn guàngjiē le. Zhēnshì rénshānrénhǎi a! A: 我 周末 去 市 中心 逛街 了。 真是 人山人海 啊！ Xìngkuī wǒ méi qù, wǒ zuì pà rén duō le! B: 幸亏 我 没 去，我 最 怕 人 多 了！ …
Zánliǎ de gǎnqíng xiàng rénmínbì yíyàng jiāntǐng. 咱 俩 的 感情 像 人民币 一样 坚挺。
Our relationship is as strong as Renminbi (RMB). —From Guo Jingming, a famous Chinese writer
生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary
感情 (gǎnqíng): n relationship
人民币 (rénmínbì): n Renminbi (RMB), the Chinese currency.…
The character “电 (diàn)” means electricity and “影 (yǐng)” means shadow.
Example:
A: Wǒ hěn xǐhuan zhōngguó diànyǐng. Cóng diànyǐng zhōng wǒ kěyǐ xuéxí zhōngwén. 我 很 喜欢 中国 电影， 从 电影 中 我 可以 学习 中文。 I like Chinese movies, …
高楼大厦 (gāolóudàshà) High Buildings and Large Mansions (Advanced)
The character “高 (gāo)” means high and “楼 (lóu)” means floor. “大 (dà)”
means large and “厦 (shà)” means tall building. Example:
Xiàndàihuà de chéngshì lǐ biàndì shì gāolóudàshà. 现代化 的 城市 里 遍地 是 高楼大厦。
In …
感冒 (gǎnmào) To Catch a Cold (Beginner) The character “感 (gǎn)” means to feel and “冒 (mào)” literally means to emit .
Example:
A: Zěnme le, kàn nǐ qìsè bú tài hǎo. 怎么 了，看 你 气色 不 太 好。 What’s up? You don’t look good. …
同事 (tóngshì) Colleague (Beginner) The character “同 (tóng)” means the same and “事 (shì)” means thing literally.
Example:
A: Nǐ rènshi Wáng Hóng ma? 你 认识 王 宏 吗？ Do you know Wang Hong?
B: Dāngrán le, tā shì wǒ tóngshì ne. 当然 了，他 是 …
回家 (huíjiā) To Go Home (Beginner) The character “回 (huí)” means to return and “家 (jiā)” means home.
Example:
Zài wài gōngzuò de érnǚ yào cháng huíjiā kànkan fùmǔ. 在 外 工作 的 儿女 要 常 回家 看看 父母。 The sons and daughters who are …
Correct answer: D
Analysis:
A. “Whole-heartedly” is the meaning for “一心一意 (yìxīnyíyì).”
“一 (yì)” means one; “心 (xīn)” means heart and “意 (yì)” means thought.
B. “To kill two birds with one stone” is the meaning for “一箭双 雕 (yíjiànshuānɡdiāo).”
“一 …
