Some things in life can be achieved through hard work and dedication. However, there are always a few that are impossible, like trying to fly, or making a duck stand on a perch! We’ve all been there, in situations where we simply feel like giving up on something we’ve been forced to do.…
Have you ever seen a live performance, that was so magnificent and energetic, that it almost seemed like the floor itself was jumping? Musicians, athletes, and people who exhibit extraordinary traits are usually considered hardcore, cool and awesome. In an internet-centric world, it would only make sense that there would be a new buzzword created specifically for things, places, and people that are considered cool.…
China is famous over the world for its culture, cooking, and fantastic sceneries. The number of travelers in China has been increasing drastically. Especially in recent years, more and more foreigners have come to China to study Chinese, see beautiful settings, and eat local delicacies. Many of our visitors who wish to stay long term, however, would like to work here as well in order to get the full cultural experience.…
We’ve all been in circumstances where minuscule things were blown way out of proportion. According to many people in cities all around the world, wasting time on trivial things is a laughing matter, and basically has little to no place in the fast-paced and modern world.…
The wellness movement is alive and thriving as people across the world are beginning to focus more on health more than ever before. One aspect of well-being is traditional Chinese medicine. Traditional Chinese medicine (or TCM for short) has developed over thousands of years. It uses mind and body treatments, such as acupuncture and Tai chi, as well as herbal remedies to prevent and cure diseases.…
In China, Buddhism has undergone thousands of years of development. Some Buddhist stories have even appeared as modern Chinese versions to relate to current events and culture. These new stories are interesting and have morals with contemporary applications such as wise business policies. Read this story to learn about Buddha’s skill called “talent science.”…
颜值 (Yánzhí): the literal meaning is “the value of a person’s face” but in this instance, we use it to mean how we rate someone’s attractiveness.
Tā de nán péngyǒu yánzhí hěn gāo. 她的男朋友颜值很高。 Her boyfriend is so handsome.
When They’re Very Charming Use This Chinese Word “颜值爆表 (YánZhí BàoBiǎo)”
“颜值 (Yánzhí)” is a common way to rate how attractive people look according to varying degrees.…
嫦娥 (Cháng’é) the goddess of the moon in Chinese folklore Know About a Chinese Legend: 嫦娥奔月 (Cháng’é BēnYuè) Chang’e Flies to the Moon
The Chang’e 4 Lunar Probe’s First Soft Landing
The universe is a very mysterious place for which all human beings are full of infinite yearning, and the moon is the nearest satellite from Earth, so people all over the world, from earliest times to now, have never stopped desiring to explore it.…
(The picture source: www.nipic.com)
贴福字 (Tiē fú zì) Pasting “Fu” Upside Down
Challenge a Chinese Mini-test: 福气 (Fúqì)
春节 (Chūnjié): n. Spring Festival / Chinese New Year
爷爷 (Yéye): n. grandpa
说 (Shuō): v. to say
It is a Chinese custom to paste “Fu” upside down on the doors or walls in the Spring Festival.…
画龙点睛 (Huàlóngdiǎnjīng)
“画龙点睛 (Huàlóngdiǎnjīng)” is a Chinese idiom that translates literally as “dotting the eyeball when painting a dragon.” It’s used to describe adding that finishing touch that brings a work of art to life, or adding a word or two to clinch the point.
Let‘s Break down This Chinese Idiom 画 (Huà) draw
龙 (Lóng) dragon
点 (Diǎn) point, dot, spot
睛 (Jīng) eyeball (It’s often paired with “眼 (yǎn) eyes,” hence “眼睛 (yǎnjīng) eyes.”)…
When I first decided to learn Mandarin Chinese, it was mostly because of China’s rising economy and all the business opportunities between China and western countries. However, once I began the language learning process, I became much more interested in Chinese culture and history.…
There are words that we use in Chinese mostly on dramas or TV shows because their meaning is pretty negative for daily life.
This Chinese idiom phrase is one of those that I have never actually used when talking to a person, but I hear it on TV all the time.…
There is a Chinese character that is used in many phrases. To me it is particularly beautiful, and Chinese it is particularly popular to use. And that character is ”虎 (hǔ) tiger.” (What does “母老虎” mean in China?)
There are many phrases that use this character, but one that is the most interesting of them all that we use here in China is used to describe someone who may appear to be a very nice person, but who is actually ready to strike, attack or threaten you, just like a tiger, at any moment.…
Chinese idioms are important culturally and persevere through time because of their prevalence in everyday life.
Recently, you may have read about Chinese idioms such as “一溜烟 (yí liù yān) quick as lightning” or “掩耳盗铃 (Yăn’ĕr dàolíng) to cover one’s ears when he steals.”
Well, “三寸不烂之舌 (Sān cùn bú làn zhī shé) three inch tongue”, is no exception.…
It’s an exciting time to be in China! The country is changing each year. The role of women in China is evolving and females are gaining skills and qualities that were not common in the past. In many of my Mandarin Chinese classes here in Beijing, we discuss what it means to be a woman now and how gender roles are changing.…
Business relationships can be just as influential as personal ones in our daily lives, if you spend a lot of time at work. My fellow teachers and I are constantly interacting with one another, and this makes our lives richer and more fun, and it makes us better teachers!…
1. B 2. C 3. A 4. A 5. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: Beijing Has a Population of Twenty Million!” …
Green, white…when Chinese people use them, do you know what they REALLY mean?
1. A: Zuótiān wǒ kànjiàn Jessica zài hé lìngwài yí gè nánren jiē wěn. B: Shénme? Tā gěi tā lǎogōng dài le lǜ màozi! Please choose the best answer. A.…
It was a lovely summer’s day where I just couldn’t say inside.
The beautiful riverside park near my home was calling me. In an unexpected twist that caused the perfect day, I ran into some of my old students playing badminton on the courts.
There was one student playing who was very uncoordinated, but so cute and positive about it, that he was still a blast to play with.…
We all decided it would be really funny to prank our teacher for April Fool’s Day. We had painted Easter Eggs as an activity with some local children and they were sitting in the window of our classroom. We thought it would be hilarious to replace the eggs with some baby chicks a classmate had and trick the teacher into thinking our Easter Eggs had hatched.…
