Learning how to ask questions is a fundamental part of mastering any language. In Chinese, forming yes-or-no questions is straightforward once you grasp a few key concepts. This guide will provide a detailed explanation of how to ask yes-or-no questions using simple structures and help you understand when to use or omit the particle “吗” (ma).…
Have you ever tried to imitate the Chinese pronunciation, only to accidentally mix up the four tones, turning “ǎ” into a string of “aaaa”? Don’t worry, this is a common challenge for every Chinese beginner.
In Chinese, tones refer to the pitch variation of a syllable, which is crucial for the meaning of words.…
From 1 to 9, which number is the hardest working and which is the laziest? This is an intriguing riddle, and the answer lies within Chinese culture. In Chinese culture, numbers hold various meanings. Let’s explore three specific numbers to understand better.
The number “8” (bā) sounds like the word “发” (fā), which means prosperity, so it is considered a symbol of wealth and success.…
Today I will teach you a traditional folk song from Kangding! The song was inspired by local people’s daily work and is a very popular song in China. The Chinese lyrics are relatively simple to learn and the rhythm is much slower than other songs. It is the perfect song to learn for people who love to learn Chinese through music!…
My name is Allen, an American, and I’m a passionate traveler always eager to explore new corners of the world. Six years ago, fueled by a fascination for the enigmatic culture of the East, I impulsively bought a plane ticket and embarked on a journey to China.…
Living or traveling in China can be an exciting and enriching experience, but it can also present challenges, especially if you don’t speak the language. Communication is key to navigating daily life smoothly, and mastering some essential Chinese phrases can make a significant difference. Whether you’re greeting locals, ordering food, or seeking help in an emergency, knowing a few key phrases can go a long way.…
In Chinese, like all other languages, there are “bad words.”Of course, one should avoid using these words in the presence of others. This type of language is offensive.
However, it is often the case that close friends use such words among themselves. Is it inappropriate? Will people’s feelings get hurt when friends use offensive language against them?Now,…
If you’re just starting to learn Chinese, you might be surprised to find that some aspects of its sentence structure are quite similar to English. One of the key similarities is the basic sentence pattern “S-V-O” (Subject-Verb-Object), which both languages use. In this guide, we’ll explore these sentence patterns with clear examples and literal translations to help you understand how Chinese sentences are formed.…
Many foreigners know how to express “excuse me” in Chinese as: “duìbùqǐ (对不起),” so they often use it in various situations, including when passing by others. However, the word “láojià (劳驾)” is actually more commonly used in spoken Chinese. You can use “láojià 劳驾” when seeking assistance or asking for directions.…
2024, Is it going to be your best year ever?Well, if you were born under the dragon sign, that may not be the case.You might have initially thought that the Year of the Dragon is the best time to achieve your dreams and goals but, sadly, it’s actually the opposite.…
词源 (cíyuán) Etymology: In spring, the sunshine of “日 (rì) the sun” is an essential factor for sprouts growing into plants.…
We already know that this year is the Year of the Dragon. The dragon has become a symbol of Chinese culture and impacts almost every other aspect of society in China. From a traditional viewpoint, the dragon stands for positive elements in life, such as riches, success, power and so on.…
The Spring Festival is fast approaching and Chinese people are looking forward to enjoying themselves. However, the Spring Festival is not just a festive, carefree time, there are also many superstitions, or taboos, which you should pay attention to. As a significant part of Chinese traditional culture, these taboos show people’s hope of fending off disasters and misfortunes while bringing in good luck in the coming year.…
During the Spring Festival, kids in China typically engage in various activities. Here are some descriptions of the activities during the festival:
Before New Year’s Day, parents would buy new clothes for their kids. On New Year’s Day, kids wear their new clothes to express the sentiment of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new, with the expectation that everything in the coming year will be fresh and new.…
年的故事 (Nián de gùshi) The Story of the Beast Nian
红色 (hóngsè):n red
故事 (gùshi):n story
问好 (wènhǎo):v to send one’ regards to
“过春节 (guò chūnjié) celebrate Spring Festival” can also be said “过年 (guònián) celebrate the Chinese New Year.…
Ryan, a 14-year-old student from the United States, began learning Chinese at the age of 12. Initially, he only had a grasp of basic vocabulary and characters, and he found Chinese to be quite challenging. However, one day while watching YouTube, he stumbled upon videos about Chinese festivals.…
When the Canadian girl Emma, now 17 years old, was fifteen years old, her school started providing Chinese classes to students. Before the Chinese class began, she happened to watch a Chinese movie at home and developed a strong interest in Chinese culture. Thus, she started her journey of learning Chinese by joining the Chinese Class at school.…
