房奴(fángnú) mortgage slave

Where does the phrase originate from?
In Shenzhen, a southern city in China, it's always very costly for common workers to buy an apartment or a house. A 32 -year-old Shenzhener surnamed Zhou from Futian complained that over half of his monthly salary went to pay his mortgage. Zhou felt he had become oppressed like serfs who couldn't leave the land on which they worked. He was the first person to use "房奴(fángnú)" mortgage slave to describe his miserable situation. Then "房奴(fángnú)" mortgage slave became popular very soon.

What does it mean?
"房奴(fángnú)" mortgage slave is used to describe those people who have to pay significant portion of their monthly salary toward mortgage payment. In order to pay off the mortgage, they dare not easily change their jobs. They spend little money on entertainment, and cannot afford to travel, let alone enjoy life. Meanwhile, they worry about being sick and losing their jobs. They suffer a lot in order to buy their own apartments, and have to struggle in life.

How to use the phrase?
E.g. 他把自己描述为公寓的房奴。(Tā bă zìjĭ miáoshù wéi gōngyù de fángnú.)
        He described himself as a mortgage slave to his apartment.

闪(shăn) to act quickly

"闪(shăn)" is often used as "闪耀(shănyào)" to glitter or shine, it has other popular usages lately. 
1. "闪人(shănrén)" means that somebody leaves quickly.
     E.g. 我先闪人了，你一会再过来找我吧。
             Wŏ xiān shănrén le, nĭ yíhuì zài guòlái zhăo wŏ ba.
             I go first, you may come to me after a while.
2. "闪婚(shănhūn)" means getting married quickly.
     E.g. 他俩才认识一个月就闪婚了。
             Tā liă cái rènshi yígè yuè jiù shănhūn le.
             They got married so quickly since they knew each other only for a month.

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Beginner Level / 初级chūjí
A：打扰一下，请问"Internet Cafe" 用汉语怎么说？
      Dărăo yí xià, qĭngwèn "Internet Cafe" yòng hànyŭ zěnme shuō?
      Excuse me, how to say "Internet Cafe" in Chinese?
B：哦，这个呀，我们叫网吧。
      Ò, zhège ya, wŏmen jiào wăngbā.
       Well, we say "wăngba."

生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary:   
网吧 wăngba：n Internet Cafe
通常 tōngcháng：ad usually

Intermediate Level/中级zhōngjí
A:  嗨，露西，你晚上上网的经历多吗？
     Hài, lù xī,nĭ wăn shàng shàng wăng de jīng lì duō ma?
     Hi, Lucy, have you had many experiences surfing on Internet in the evening?
B: 是的，很多，而且我经常上到深夜。
     Shì de, hěn duō, ér qiě wŏ jīng cháng shàng dào shēn yè.
     Yes, many, I often surf the Interne late at night.
A:  哇，你精力真旺盛，睡那么少难道你不觉得累吗?
     Wà, nĭ jīng lì zhēn wàng shèng, shuì nà me shăo nán dào nĭ bù jué de lèi ma?
     Wow, you are really full of energy and won't you feel tired as you sleep so little?
A:  没有，我觉得挺有趣的。
     Méiyǒu, wǒ jué dé tĭng yǒuqù de.
     No, because I think it's very interesting to do that.

生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary:
经历jīnglì：n experience
精力jīnglì：n energy

High Level /高级gāojí

A：嗨，杰克，怎么这么愁眉苦脸的？
      Hāi, jié kè, zěnme zhème chóuméikŭliăn de?
      Hi, Jack, what's wrong with you since you look very worried?
B：哎，别提了，最近忙着发布文章，我的电脑却无法联网了。
      Ài, bié tí le, zuìjìn mángzhe fābù wénzhāng, wŏ de diànnăo què wúfă liánwăng le.
      Oh, don't mention it. I am busy with publishing an media article, but the Internet doesn't work.
A：哦，原来是这么回事。事情很紧急吗？
      Ò, yuánlái shì zhème huíshì. Shìqíng hěn jĭnjí ma?
      I see. Is that very urgent?
B：是的，再过两天就要发布了。
      Shì de, zài guò liăngtiān jiùyào fābù le.
      Yes, the article will be released in two days.
A：如果你着急的话，可以去网吧。
      Rúguŏ nĭ zháojí de huà, kéyĭ qù wăngbā.
      If you are worried, you can go to an Internet cafe.
B：网吧？我对这儿不熟，你知道附近哪里有网吧吗？
      Wăngba? Wŏ duì zhèr bùshú, nĭ zhīdào fùjìn nălĭ yŏu wăngbā ma?
      Internet cafe? I am not familiar about the area here; do you know any Internet cafe nearby?
A：文艺路东边有个小蚂蚁网吧，你可以去那里上网。
      Wényì lù dōngbiān yŏu gè xiăo măyĭ wăngba, nĭ kěyĭ qù nàlĭshàngwăng.
      There is an Internet Cafe called Little Ants on the east of Wenyi Road and you can go there.
B：太好了，谢谢你的提醒。对了，那个网吧网速怎么样？
      Tài hăo le, xièxie nĭ de tíxĭng. Duì le, nàge wăngbā wăngsù zěnmeyàng?
      Great, thank you for reminding me. By the way, what about the Internet connection speed?
A：网速很快，我经常去那里。
      Wăngsù hěn kuài, wŏ jīngcháng qù nàlĭ.
      It is great, and I often go there.
B：那就好。那么一个小时多少钱？
      Nà jiù hăo. Nàme yí gè xiăoshí duōshăo qián? 
      That is fine. And how much does it cost per hour?
A：不是很贵，三块钱一个小时。
      Búshì hěn guì, sān kuài qián yí gè xiăoshí.
      It is not so expensive, three yuan per hour.
B：好的，我下午就去。
      Hăo de, wŏ xiàwŭ jiù qù.
      Okay, I will go to the Internet Cafe this afternoon.

生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary:
愁眉苦脸 chóuméikŭliăn：adj to look very worried
上网 shàngwăng：v surf the Internet  
网速 wăngsù：n speed of the Internet connection

用法(yòngfă) Usage：

哪里(nălĭ) &那里(nàlĭ)

"哪里"(nălĭ) is usually used in the following situations：
a. To ask about the location, i.e. where.
    e.g. 他去哪儿了？
            Tā qù năér le?
            Where is he?
b. To express modesty, i.e. not at all or it's nothing.
    e.g. —你的新娘真漂亮！
            Nĭ de xīnniáng zhēn piàoliang!
            You bride is really beautiful.
            —哪里哪里，过奖了。
            Nălĭ nălĭ, guòjiăng le.
            Not at all. You are flattering me.

"那里"(nàlĭ) refers to a place, i.e. there.
    e.g. —我的书在哪里？
            Wŏ de shū zài nălĭ?
            Where is my book?
            —不就在那里么！
            Bú jiù zài nàlĭ me!
            It is right over there!

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Shaquille O'Neal became the first NBA star who visited "少林寺(shàolínsì)" Shao Lin Temple in Henan Province in China on July 13th, 2009.  Although it was raining in that morning, he said he was extremely excited as he is always interested in Chinese martial art, so this time his dream finally came true.
After visiting Shao Lin Temple, he had a private discussion with the "主持(zhùchí)" abbot. He also said: "Eventually my dream came true. As American kids, we knew many stories about Shao Lin Temple. As to me, this trip is incredible. I am very proud that I am the first NBA player to be here."

The Introduction of "少林寺(shàolínsì)" Shao Lin Temple
Actually, there are ten"少林寺(shàolínsì)"Shao Lin Temples in China. The Shao Lin Temple in Henan Province is the most famous one for its kung fu. In fact, recently, the Shao Lin Temple is not only a temple for monks to appreciate the Buddhism, it has also become a profitable entity. Under the management of recent abbot, Shao Lin Temple is taking more and more commercial activities. It sends performance team of kung fu shows all around the world. Nowadays these monks are not "传统(chuántŏng)" traditional any more, they become more and more "现代(xiàndài)" modern. They know how to use computers to search information on the Internet. They use mobile phones to communicate with people. In a word, Shao Lin Temple is "与时俱进(yŭshíjùjìn)" advancing with the current trends.

生词(shēng cí) Vocabulary:
少林寺(shàolínsì): n Shaolin Temple (a temple that is famous for its martial art).   
主持(zhùchí): n abbot ; master of a temple
现代(xiàndài): adj modern, fashionable
传统(chuántŏng): adj traditional
与时俱进(yŭshíjùjìn): v develop or advance with the times

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Microsoft's Search Engine: Bing "必应(bì yìng)"
Bing is a search engine launched by Microsoft recently to replace the Live Search. Microsoft has claimed that this search engine will come out with a completely new look to bring a new revolution. In Chinese, Bing is translated to "必应(bì yìng)", which means to give answers to whatever is requested. "必应(bì yìng)" comes from a Chinese proverb "有求必应(yŏuqiúbìyìng)" always say yes to seekers of help. This translation is the perfect illustration for Microsoft's new search engine's positioning and shows Microsoft's determination for localization in the Chinese search market.

The Use of "有求必应(yŏuqiúbìyìng)" always say yes to seekers of help.
"有求(yŏu qiú)" refers to the requests one asks for, and "必应(bì yìng)" always say yes to one's requests.
E.g. 1.他对他的妻子有求必应.
           Tā duì tā de qīzi yŏu qiú bì yìng.
           He always says yes to his wife requests.
        2.他是个热心人，有求必应.
           Tā shì gè rè xīn rén, yŏu qiú bì yìng.
           He is a warm-hearted man and always say yes to others' requests.

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Body Language—One Effective Way for Children to Learn Chinese

Mandarin language is a language that may present challenges for learners, especially for children. Children are less rational, but more emotional. Therefore, Mandarin Chinese for children should be more vividly. But how do we make learning Chinese for children more interesting? One way is the effective use of body language. The proper use of body language in learning mandarin language can not only arouse children' enthusiasm, but also create a relaxed learning atmosphere. For children, body language can also be effective for learning mandarin language on the Internet. Online Chinese can incorporate body language to make Chinese for children more interactive.

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