Quote of the Week (Nov. 29, 2010)
Rén de qiánlì shì wúxiàn de, yì gè rén jiù xiàng xiàngpíjīn yíyàng, 人 的 潜力 是 无限 的,一 个人 就 像 橡皮筋 一样, xūyào búduàn de lā, zài zhè gè guòchéng zhōng tiǎozhàn zìjǐ 需要 不断 地 拉,在 这 个 过程 中 挑战 自己 …
Rén de qiánlì shì wúxiàn de, yì gè rén jiù xiàng xiàngpíjīn yíyàng, 人 的 潜力 是 无限 的,一 个人 就 像 橡皮筋 一样, xūyào búduàn de lā, zài zhè gè guòchéng zhōng tiǎozhàn zìjǐ 需要 不断 地 拉,在 这 个 过程 中 挑战 自己 …
上海世博会(Shànghǎi Shìbóhuì) The Shanghai World Expo
Listen to the whole story:
Key Learning Points (Preview) 世博会(Shìbóhuì): n. World Expo
突破(tūpò): v. to break
创造(chuàngzào): v. to create
Shíyuè sānshíyī rì, Zhōngguó Shànghǎi Shìbóhuì zài rèliè de wǎnhuì zhōng chénggōng 10月 31 日, 中国 上海 世博会 …
Chinese Language Story: 老马识途 (lǎomǎshítú) An Old Horse Knows the Way (Advanced) Listen to the whole story Key Learning Points (Preview): 凯旋而归 (kǎixuán’érguī): v. to return triumphant
毫不犹豫 (háobùyóuyù): adv. without hesitation
The Chinese idiom “老马识途 (lǎomǎshítú)” literally means that an old horse knows the …
Hǎi zhī suǒyǐ néng zhuāng nàme duō shuǐ, 海 之 所以 能 装 那么 多 水, shì yīnwèi tā de wèizhi zuì dī — zuò rén yào dīdiào. 是 因为 它 的 位置 最 低——做 人 要 低调。
The reason the sea can hold so …
Jílì hé Wò’ěrwò dào xiànzài wéi zhǐ jiéhūn yíshì wán le, 吉利 和 沃尔沃 到 现在 为 止 结婚 仪式 完 了, yě rù dòngfáng le, xiànzài pàn de jiù shì háizi. 也 入 洞房 了,现在 盼 的 就 是 孩子。
So far, Geely and …
Chāopiào zhǐyǒu yòng diào le yǐhòu cái shì nǐ de, 钞票 只有 用 掉 了 以后 才 是 你 的, dǎ kāi píjiāzi, kànkan méiyǒu yòng diào de chāopiào, 打 开 皮夹子,看看 没有 用 掉 的 钞票, shàngmian yìn de shì “Zhōngguó rénmín yínháng,” gēn …
The new Mercedes-Benz E-class convertible has just hit the market recently. The new design 软硬兼施(ruănyìngjiānshī) uses both hard-top and soft-top models, meaning it is versatile and stylish and should meet the eagerly awaited expectations of many car fans. It will use the new engine-AMG with …
Nǐ zuówǎn kàn Shìjièbēi le mā? A: 你 昨晚 看 世界杯 了 吗?
Did you watch the World Cup last night? Wǒ xiǎng kàn, dànshì wǒ děi shàng hànyǔ kè. Sàikuàng rúhé? B: 我 想 看, 但是 …
Origin:
“爆冷门 (bàolěngmén)” appeared first in casinos. Most people put their stakes on the popular side, and the opposite of the popular side got little attention by gamblers. This unpopular side was called “冷门 (lěngmén).” “爆 (bào)” means …
Learn Mandarin: 心急吃不了热豆腐 (xīn jí chī bù liǎo rè dòufu ) Haste Makes Waste (Advanced)
Example:
Bié zháojí, xué hànyǔ xūyào yǒu nàixīn, yǒu héngxīn, xīn jí chī bù liǎo rè dòufu. A: 别 着急,学 汉语 需要 有 耐心、有 恒心, 心 急 吃 不 了 …
一分钱,一分货 (yì fēn qián , yì fēn huò): You get what you pay for (Advanced)
一分钱 (yì fēn qián)means one cent;
一分货 (yì fēn huò)means one point of goods.
Example:
Nǐ zhè tiáo qúnzi zhēn hǎo kàn, duō shǎo qián? A: 你 这 条 裙子 …
Correct answer: A
Analysis:
A. Face is the phrase for “面子 (miànzi).”
B. Countenance is the phrase for “面容 (miànróng).”
C. Flour is the phrase for “面粉 (miànfěn).”
D. Self-esteem is the phrase for “自尊 (zìzūn).”
// // …
There is a Chinese saying “死要面子活受罪 (Sĭ yào miànzi huó shòuzuì)” to describe someone who keeps on face-saving at the cost of enduring hardships. Do you know what “面子 (miànzi)” means in English? A. Face B. Countenance C. Flour D. Self-esteem …
舍不得 (shěbude)Hate to part with or leave(Advanced) Example:
Tā shěbude huā hěnduō qián mǎi piàoliang de yīfu, yīnwèi tā xiǎng zǎnqián 她 舍不得 花 很多 钱 买 漂亮 的衣服,因为 她 想 攒钱 wèi AP hànyǔ kǎoshì bào míng. 为 AP 汉语 考试 报 名。 She …
Key Learning Point (Preview):
不到长城非好汉 (bú dào Chángchéng fēi hǎohàn): He who has never been to the Great Wall is not a true man.
This popular Chinese saying originated from a poem 《清平乐•六盘山》 (Qīngpíngyuè • Liùpánshān) Qingpingyue • Liupanshan …
Qīnàide, zhīdào wǒ shì shénme shíhou ài shàng nǐ de ma? A: 亲爱的,知道 我 是 什么 时候 爱 上 你 的 吗? Darling, do you know when I started loving you? Bù zhīdào. Shénme shíhou ne? Zhǐ jìdé wǒmen shì zài …
Correct answer: D
Analysis:
A. “情不自禁 (qíngbúzìjìn)” are the Chinese characters for “cannot control one’s emotion.”
B. “Be fair and reasonable” is “合情合理 (héqínghélǐ)” in Chinese language.
C. “心甘情愿 (xīn’gānqíngyuàn)” are the Chinese characters for “to be totally willing to.”…
说大话 (shuōdàhuà) Brag (Advanced)
说 (shuō) means to talk, 大话 (dàhuà) means exaggerated words. Example: A: Nǐ de xuéshù nénglì pínggū kǎoshì zhǔnbèi de zěnmeyàng le? 你 的 学术 能力 评估 考试 准备 的 怎么样 了?
How is your preparation for the SAT exam going? …
Correct answer: A
Analysis:
A. “Home made dish” is “家常菜 (jiāchángcài)” in Chinese.
B. “Chinese cuisine” is “中国菜 (Zhōngguó cài)” in Chinese.
C. “Western-style food” is “西餐 (xīcān)” in Chinese.
If you want to know more about Chinese food, take a …
One of my friends has passed the AP test, and he can speak Chinese fluently. Yesterday he taught me a Chinese phrase “家常菜.” In this sentence, do you know the meaning of “家常菜 (jiāchángcài)” in the Chinese language? A. Home made …