Pinyin— Hàn: A. 又 B. 氵
汉 (Hàn): Chinese, name of a dynasty, Han.
Stroke …
“Don’t play dumb!” This English phrase has a Chinese equivalent that, although its meaning is the same, has a very different literal translation with unique origins. The Chinese “装蒜 (zhuāngsuàn)” literally means “to pretend garlic” which may sound kind of funny in English. It is …
Something students learning Chinese should know is that learning just the language isn’t enough—one must also study Chinese culture. Every culture has its own morals and societal frameworks that the citizens find very important to uphold. If a Chinese student misses these, then living in …
As a Mandarin Chinese teacher, I’ve noticed that many of my foreign students use Chinese in conversation as much as possible, but by instinct they will usually use English or other non-Chinese expressions such as “oh my god!”, “just a minute” or “thank goodness!” when …
In both English and Mandarin Chinese we use the phrase “pulling my leg(s)”. However, the two expressions have different meanings and uses in the two languages. In English, you can use “pulling my leg” as a way to say that you’re joking or telling lies …
All languages often use animals as metaphorical representations of a person’s character or temperament. In English, phrases such as “stubborn as a mule” and “eyes of a hawk” are easily used and understood in everyday conversation. The Chinese language is no different! Today’s blog focuses …
Tāmen liǎ liǎngnián qián jiù chuī le. 他们 俩 两年 前 就 吹 了。 Question: What is the relationship status of the couple? A. They broke up two years ago. B. They have been married for two years. C. They have been a couple for …
It’s no secret that international businesses are always looking to hire people who can speak multiple languages. As the Chinese economy has grown rapidly over the past decades, more and more companies are eager to seek employees that can speak Mandarin Chinese. Additionally, international traders …
Zhè xiē jiājù kàn shàng qù shì mùtou de, _____ shì sùliào de. 这 些 家具 看 上 去 是 木头 的，_____ 是 塑料 的。 A. 反而 (fǎn’ér) B. 其实 (qíshí) C. 其中 (qízhōng)
There is an old English expression that describes people as sometimes being: “Packed like sardines in a tin.” Eventually, this expression was shortened down to the adjective “packed”, which is now the most likely-used word to describe a crowded place, or the scenario of people …
Correct Answer: B The phrase “花花肠子 (huāhuāchángzi)” is a folk saying that means “cunning; trickery; cunning plot.” This word originally referred to the ovaries and the fallopian tube, and was used in common speech. Now, it is mainly used as a metaphor for fraudulent schemes …
Tom: Jenny, nǐ juéde Jack zhège rén zěnme yàng? Tom: Jenny, 你 觉得 Jack 这个 人 怎么样？ Tom: Jenny, what do you think of Jack? Jenny: Wǒ bú tài xǐhuan tā, tā yí dùzi de huāhuāchángzi. Jenny: 我 不 太 喜欢 他，他 一肚子的 花花肠子。 Jenny: …
Tā gěi wǒ jì lái le yì ______ túpiàn. 他 给 我 寄 来 了 一______ 图片。 He sent me a picture. A. 张 (zhāng) B. 个 (gè) C. 封 (fēng) D. 篇 (piān)
Do you know why cats always want to eat mice? Read the following story to find out!
Listen to the whole story:
Key Learning Points (Preview):
睡 (shuì): v. to sleep
吃 (chī): v. to eat
Hěn jiǔ yǐqián, māo hé lǎoshǔ jìshì línju, yòushì …
What does “Chinese food” look like in your hometown? Chinese food in foreign countries such as the UK and USA is popular, but the dishes are often different from what is actually served in China! Do you know what these “authentic” dishes are? Recently, a …
Key Learning Point (Preview):
待 (dài): v. to wait/to wait for
Cóngqián, yǒu yí gè nóngfū. 从前，有一个农夫。 Once upon a time, there was a farmer.
Yì tiān, zài …
He broke the sales record this month. She got the scholarship from Princeton University. You are ready to compliment them: “Good job!” Watch Video Answers …
In the west, there are two common forms of washing: showering or taking a bath. There is this same difference in China over “洗澡(xǐzǎo) bathing,” except instead of it being a preference for one or the other that decide how one bathes, it is if …
