Can I say “Have a Good Shower” in Chinese? (Intermediate)
Howard Wolowitz in American sitcom “The Big Bang Theory” can say “have a good shower” in six different languages, including Chinese. See the video clip below:
In fact, Chinese people seldom wish others …
“Harry Potter” Has a Chinese Name, Do You? (Beginner)
It has become common for foreigners who want to study or live in China to get a Chinese name first. However, even people who have never come to China before have Chinese names, such as Daniel …
雨伞 (yǔsǎn) Umbrella (Beginner)
“雨 (yǔ)” means rain and “伞 (sǎn)” means umbrella.
Example: A: Wàimiàn xiàyǔ le, nǐ lái de shíhou dài yǔsǎn le ma? Méiyǒu de huà wǒ 外面 下雨 了，你 来 的 时候 带 雨伞 了 吗？没有 的 话， 我 men kěyǐ …
路上小心 (lùshang xiǎoxīn) Take Care on Your Way Back (Advanced)
“路上小心 (lùshang xiǎoxīn) Take care on your way back” is often communicated to people who are about to leave. Example: A: Jīntiān zài nǐjiā wánr de fēicháng kāixīn, dànshì wǒ xiànzài yào zǒule. 今天 在 …
合作 (hézuò) Cooperate (Intermediate)
Example:
A: Lǐ zǒng, hěn gāoxìng néng hé guì gōngsī hézuò. 李 总， 很 高兴 能 和 贵 公司 合作。 Manager Li, it’s a great pleasure to cooperate with your company.
B:Wǒmen yě hěn gāoxìng. Xīwàng xiàcì háiyǒu zhèyàng de jīhuì. …
我觉得 (wǒ juéde) I Think/ I Feel (Intermediate)
The character “我 (wǒ)” means I or me; “觉得 (juéde)” means think or feel.
Example:
A: Kàn, wǒ xīn mǎi le yíjiàn liányīqún. 看， 我 新 买 了 一件 连衣裙。
Look, I bought a new dress.
B: …
零钱 (língqián) Change (Beginner)
Example:
A: Wǒ méiyǒu língqián zuò gōngjiāochē le. Nǐ néng jiè wǒ diǎnr qián ma? 我 没有 零钱 坐 公交车 了。你 能 借 我 点儿 钱 吗？
I don’t have any change to take a bus. Can you lend me some?…
没问题 (méiwèntí) No Problem (Beginner)
The character “没 (méi)” means no or not; “问题 (wèntí)” means problem.
Example:
A: Dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn néng gěi wǒ jiǎng yíxià zhèdào tímù ma? 打扰 一下，请问 能 给 我 讲 一下 这道 题目 吗？
Excuse me; can you help …
啤酒 (píjiǔ) Beer (Beginner)
Example: A: Zǎoshànghǎo, yǒu shénme kěyǐ bāng nín ma? A: 早上好， 有 什么 可以 帮 您 吗？ A: Good morning, can I help you?
B: Wǒ xiǎng yào yíguàn píjiǔ. B: 我 想 要 一罐 啤酒。 B: I want a can …
你是哪种风格？ (Nǐ shì nǎzhǒng fēnggé?) Which is Your Style? (Intermediate) Key Learning Points (Preview):
帅哥 (shuàigē): n handsome man or cute boy (Who Is the Most Popular “帅哥 (shuàigē)” in China?)
美女 (měinǚ): n beautiful girl
假小子 (jiǎxiǎozi): n tomboy
For teenagers in China, there …
好吃 (hǎochī) Delicious (Beginner)
Example:
A: Nǐ juéde gōngbǎo jīdīng zěnmeyàng? 你 觉得 宫保 鸡丁 怎么样？
How do you like Kung Pao Chicken?
B: Wǒ juéde hěn hǎochī. 我 觉得 很 好吃。
I think it’s very delicious.
兴高采烈 (xìnggāocǎiliè) In High Spirit/ Overjoyed (Advanced)
When the character “兴 (xìng)” takes the falling tone, it means happy. But when it is pronounced as “xīng” it means to flourish. “高 (gāo)” means high. “采 (cǎi)” means to gather. “烈 (liè)” means violent.
Example: A: …
舞会 (wǔhuì) Prom/ Ball (Intermediate)
The character “舞 (wǔ)” means dance; “会 (huì)” here is used as a noun and it means a party or a meeting.
Example:
A: Nǐ yuànyì hé wǒ yìqǐ qù cānjiā wǔhuì ma? A: 你 愿意 和 我 一起 去 …
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 …
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 …
