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 …
Chinese Nursery Rhyme for Kids (Beginner) 画鸭子 (Huà yāzi) To Draw a Duck Key Learning Points (Preview):
星期二 (xīngqīèr): n Tuesday
鸡蛋 (jīdàn): n egg
小鸭子 (xiǎo yāzi): n duckling Listen to the nursery rhyme:
Jīntiān xīngqīèr. 今天 星期二。 Today is Tuesday.
Nǎinai mǎi le …
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 …
“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
// // …
绕口令 (ràokǒulìng) Tongue Twister
茄子和鞋子 (qiézi hé xiézi) Eggplant and Shoes
Listen to the tongue twister
Key Learning Points (Preview):
鞋子 (xiézi): n shoe
茄子 (qiézi): n eggplant
Yígè xiǎo háizi, 一个 小 孩子，
There was a little child,
Shǒu ná shuāng xiézi. 手 拿 …
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, …
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: B
Analysis:
A. “Xǐshǒujiān” is the Chinese Pinyin for “洗手间 toilet.”
“洗 (xǐ)” means to wash; “手 (shǒu) ” means hand and “间 (jiān)” means space here.
B. “Cānjīnzhǐ” is the Chinese Pinyin for “餐巾纸 napkin.”
“餐 (cān)” means …
A: Waiter, please give me some “餐巾纸 napkin.”
B: Ok, please wait for a moment.
Do you know the Chinese Pinyin for “餐巾纸 napkin” in this dialogue? A. Xǐshǒujiān B. Cānjīnzhǐ C. Bànɡōnɡshì D. Jìsuànjī
// // …
寄一封慢信给未来 (Jì yìfēng màn xìn gěi wèilái) Deliver A “Slow Letter” to the Future (Beginner)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
熊猫 (xióngmāo): n panda
鼓励 (gǔlì): v to encourage
感激 (gǎnjī): n gratitude
Recently a “特别的 (tèbiéde) special” company, whose primary service is delivering “slow” letters …
迟到 (chídào) Late (Beginner)
The character “迟 (chí)” means late and “到 (dào)” means to arrive.
Example: A: Lǎobǎn, duìbuqǐ, wǒ chídào le. 老板， 对不起，我 迟到了。
I’m sorry, boss. I’m late.
B: Xià cì yào zhùyì. 下 次 要 注意。
Be careful next time.
旅馆 (lǚguǎn) Hotel (Beginner)
The character “旅 (lǚ)” means trip or travel and “馆 (guǎn)” means place for guests.
Example:
Zhè jiā lǔguǎn bùjǐn jiàgé piányi ěrqiě gānjìng zhěngjié. 这 家 旅馆 不仅 价格 便宜 而且 干净 整洁。 The hotel is not only cheap but …
(cèsuǒ) Toilet (Beginner)
The character “厕 (cè)” means toilet and “所 (suǒ)” means place.
Example:
A: Dǎrǎo yí xià, qǐngwèn fùjìn nǎlǐ yǒu cèsuǒ? A: 打扰 一 下，请问 附近 哪里 有 厕所？
A: Excuse me, could you tell me if there is a toilet …
Ài búshì xiù de, xìngfú búshì shài de. 爱 不是 秀 的，幸福 不是 晒 的。
Love is not for showing off and happiness is not for display. Culture Note: Many famous stars in China like to show that they are satisfied with their personal lives …
I Meant Chinese Style (Not Chinese Food)! With a slight change in pronunciation, foreigners can often be misunderstood when speaking Chinese. One of the ways this happens is when a foreigner refers to something having a “Chinese style”, but ends up getting mistaken for having …
医院 (yīyuàn) Hospital (Beginner)
The character “医 (yī)” means to cure and “院 (yuàn)” means courtyard
literally, but here it means hospital.
Example: Xījīng yīyuàn shì shǎnxīshěng zuì dà de yīyuàn. 西京 医院 是 陕西省 最 大 的 医院。 Xijing Hospital is the largest hospital …
