Mandarin Essentials

Mini-test Answer: 想念 (Intermediate)

Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí) 

Correct answer: C

Analysis: A. “想法 (xiǎngfǎ)” are the Chinese characters for “idea.”     “想 (xiǎng)” means to think, and “法 (fǎ)” literally means law.

B. “纪念 (jìniàn)” are the Chinese characters for “to commemorate.”     “纪 (jì)” literally means period, and “念(niàn)” …

行李 (xíngli) Luggage/ Baggage (Intermediate)

行李 (xíngli) Luggage/Baggage (Intermediate)

The character “行 (xíng)” means to walk; “李 (lǐ)” means plum or a surname. Example:

Wàichū shí  wèi fāngbiàn qǐjiàn  jìnliàng shǎo dài xíngli. 外出      时    为  方便       起见   尽量       少    带  行李。

Considering the problem of convenience, you should bring …

太极拳 (tàijíquán) Tai-Chi (Intermediate)

太极拳 (tàijíquán) Tai-Chi (Intermediate)

The character “太 (tài)” means too or over; “极 (jí)” means pole or top and “拳 (quán)” means fist. Example:

Tàijíquán liúchuán zhìjīn yǎnhuà chūle bùtóng de  liúpài. 太极拳     流传       至今    演化     出了    不同   的  流派。

Tai Chi has spread until …

温暖 (wēnnuǎn) Warm (Beginner)

温暖 (wēnnuǎn) Warm (Beginner) Both the characters “温 (wēn)” and “暖 (nuǎn)” mean warm.

Example:

Chūntiān dào le, wēnnuǎn de yángguāng zhào zài shēn shàng, shūfu jí le! 春天        到 了,温暖       的 阳光            照     在    身   上,     舒服  极 了! Spring is coming; it’s so …

Quote of the week (Mar. 12, 2010)

Gǔshì zěnme kěnéng yǒu zhuānjiā ne? Gǔshì bù kěnéng yǒu zhuānjiā ma! Gǔshì 股市     怎么    可能     有    专家      呢?股市    不 可能     有    专家       嘛!股市 zhyǒu shūjiā hé yíngjiā. 只有     输家 和   赢家。   

How can it be possible to have experts in the stock market? No …

Mini-test Answer: Colorful (Advanced)

Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)  

Correct answer: A

Analysis:

A. “五颜六色 (wǔyánliùsè)” is the phrase for “colorful.”

     “五 (wǔ)” means five and “颜 (yán)” refers to color. “六 (liù)” means six and “色 (sè)” means color.

B. “美丽 (měilì)” is the phrase for “beautiful.”

     “美 (měi)” …

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