Quote of the Week (Nov. 12, 2010)
Wǒ zài zuò wǒ xǐhuan hé shàncháng de shìqing, 我 在 做 我 喜欢 和 擅长 的 事情， wǒ měitiān de gōngzuò jiùshì wǒ de xiǎngshòu! 我 每天 的 工作 就是 我 的 享受！
I’m doing what I am fond of and good at. My …
#ChineseForIntermediateLearners
“最中国”的中国字 The Most “Chinese” Chinese Characters (Intermediate)
“最中国”的中国字The Most “Chinese” Chinese Characters Listen to the whole story Key Learning Points (Preview)
和谐 (héxié): n. harmony
反映 (fǎnyìng): v. to reflect
推崇 (tuīchóng) v. to praise highly
Lā’ěrfū.Àimòshēng shuō, wǒmen kěyǐ cóng yìguó de yǔyán 拉尔夫 爱默生 说，我们 可以 从 一国 的 语言 …
Exchange Rate of the Chinese RMB (Intermediate)
Key Learning Point:
商务用语 (shāngwù yòngyǔ) Business vocabulary
Listen to the whole passage
Look at the short business report:
Jìn jǐ nián lái, rénmínbì huìlǜ wèntí chéngwéi guónèiwài guānzhù de jiāodiǎn. 近 几年 来，人民币 汇率 问题 成为 国内外 关注 的 焦点。 In recent years, governments …
Chinese Test: Fashion (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
In America, Vogue is regarded as the Bible of fashion.
Do you know which Chinese word means “fashion?”
A. 时尚 (shíshàng)
B. 时间 (shíjiān)
C. 时区 (shíqū)
D. 时态 (shítài)
Mini-test Answer: 时尚 (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōnɡjí)
The correct answer for this Chinese test is A.
Analysis:
A: “时尚” is the Chinese word for “fashion.”
B: “时间” is the Chinese word for “time.”
C: “时区” is the Chinese word for “time zone.”
D: “时态” is the Chinese word …
Quote of the Week (Nov.5, 2010)
Yào xiǎng dádào yí gè gèng hǎo de zhuàngtài, nǐ bìxū cóng xiǎoshì zuò qǐ, 要 想 达到 一 个 更 好 的 状态， 你 必须 从 小事 做 起， cóng yí gè bǐjiào dī de mùbiāozuò qǐ. 从 一个 比较 低 的 目标 做 …
The Man From Chi Who Worried That The Sky Would Fall Down (Intermediate)
Learn Online Mandarin Idiom: 杞人忧天 (Qǐrényōutiān) The Man from Chi Who Worried that the Sky Would Fall Down Listen to the whole story Key Learning Points: (Preview) 忧 (yōu)：v. to worry
解决 (jiějué)：v. to solve Cóngqián zài ChūnqiūZhànguó shíqī de Qǐguó,yǒu yígè dǎnzi hěnxiǎo de …
Quote of the Week (Oct. 29, 2010)
Wǒ bìng bù juéde zìjǐ shì míng èrshíqī suì de lǎo yùndòngyuán le, 我 并 不 觉得 自己是 名 27 岁 的 老 运动员 了， shēntǐ qítā bùwèi ràng wǒ juéde zìjǐ hái xiàng èrshí suì yíyàng. 身体 其他 部位 让 我 觉得 自己还 像 …
Quote of the Week (Oct. 22, 2010)
Yáo Míng guīlái ràng wǒ hěn shòuyì, méiyǒu rén néng qǔdài tā dē zuòyòng. 姚 明 归来 让 我 很 受益， 没有 人 能 取代 他 的 作用。
I benefit greatly from Yao Ming’s return. No one can substitute for him. —From 阿隆•布鲁克斯 (Ālóng• Bùlǔkèsī) …
How Do Brand Names Attract Chinese Consumers?
Key Learning Points (Preview):
品牌 (pǐnpái): n. brand
吸引 (xīyǐn): v. to attract
印象 (yìnxiang): n. impression
It is important for foreign brands to have a Chinese name as it enters the Chinese market. How do companies translate their names? How do they make the …
Jennifer’s grammar lecture – How do we use “吧?” (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points: Using “吧” in Mandarin Some students have difficulty understanding how to use “吧.” This Mandarin lesson is designed to foster a clearer understanding of how “吧” should be used. We will break down the details of how “吧” functions both as an …
Quote of the Week (Oct. 13, 2010)
Wǒ yìzhí duì zìjǐ shuō, nánrén sānshí yì zhī huā, zhège niánlíng yīnggāi dàibiǎo 我 一直 对 自己说， 男人 三十 一 枝 花， 这个 年龄 应该 代表 lìng yì zhǒng kāishǐ. 另 一 种 开始。
I tell myself all the time: a thirty-year-old man is …
为什么吃醋？Why do you eat vinegar? (Intermediate)
为什么吃醋？(Wèishénme chīcù?) Why do you eat vinegar? (Intermediate)
Why do Chinese lovers “eat vinegar?” This online Chinese lesson will tell you.
Zài Zhōngguó, qínglǚ zhī jiān de jìdù jiào “chīcù.” Wèishénme shì chīcù ér bú shì 在 中国， 情侣 之 间 的 嫉妒 …
Why Does a Chinese Husband Call His Wife’s Father “岳父 (Yuèfù)?” (Intermediate)
Why Does a Chinese Husband Call His Wife’s Father “岳父 (Yuèfù)?” (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points (Preview): 称呼 (chēnghū): n./v. form of address/ to call; to address
In China, husbands often call their wives’ father “岳父 (yuèfù).” The meaning of “父 (fù) father” is rather easy …
Quote of the week (Oct. 8, 2010)
Wǒ xīn lǐ chōngmǎn le gǎn’ēn hé yùnqi, wǒ hái bù rú Shīwǎxīngé, yuǎn yuǎn bù rú 我 心 里 充满 了 感恩 和 运气，我 还 不 如 施瓦辛格， 远 远 不 如 tā. 他。
My heart is filled with gratitude and I am very …
New TV Series: 红楼梦 (Hóng Lóu Mèng) Dream of the Red Chamber (Intermediate)
New TV Series: 红楼梦 (Hóng Lóu Mèng)Dream of the Red Chamber
Key Learning Points (Preview):
首映 (shǒuyìng): n. premiere 期待 (qīdài): v. to look forward toThe “首映 (shǒuyìng) premiere” of the new TV series “《红楼梦》(Hóng Lóu Mèng)Dream of the Red Chamber” kicked off on Sept. …
Origin of Moon Cakes: The Revolt of Zhu Yuanzhang (Intermediate)
Origin of Moon Cakes: The Revolt of Zhu Yuanzhang
Key Learning Points (Preview): 起义 (qǐyì): n. revolt/uprising
月饼 (yuèbǐng): n. moon cake
团圆/团聚 (tuányuán/tuánjù): n. reunion
愿望 (yuànwang): n. wish/desire
抗/反抗 (kàng/fǎnkàng): v. to resist/to fight against
Learn Chinese Online：Origin of Moon Cakes
Zhōngqiūjié de …
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett will come to China to “urge donation” (Intermediate)
Bill Gates and Warren Buffett will come to China to “urge donation” (Intermediate) Key learning points (preview): 财富 (cáifù) n. fortune
捐献 (juānxiàn) v. to donate
面对面 (miànduìmiàn) adv. face to face
In June 2010, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett launched a “行动 (xíngdòng) campaign” …
Quote of the week (Sept. 7, 2010)
Wǒ xīwàng Yáo Míng huīfù jiànkāng bìngqiě nénggòu huíguī.
我 希望 姚 明 恢复 健康 并且 能够 回归。
I hope Yao Ming will get better and return to his team. —From “科比•布莱恩特 (Kēbǐ•Bùlái’ēntè) Kobe Bryant,” on Aug. 16, 2010.
Mandarin Language Vocabulary:
我 (wǒ): pron. …
iPhone vs. Google Android Phone (Intermediate)
iPhone vs. Google Android Phone (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points (Preview): 销售(xiāoshòu): n. sale
消费(xiāofèi): v. to consume
For Android, a mobile operating system developed by Google, the year of 2010 has been explosive. The global “销售(xiāoshòu) sales” of Apple’s iPhone have been overtaken by the …