Screwed Over? In a “坑 (kēng)”? This Lesson May Help!
As you know, the context and tone of how you say a word or expression in any language can change it’s meaning and intention. In English, you might jokingly say to your friends “you really screwed me over!” during a friendly game of Monopoly. However, …
China is Crowded: You May See a “一窝蜂 (yīwōfēng)” Scene Every Day!
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 …
Did you know there are math equations on the HSK? Give it a try!
Read the dialogue below and answer the question:
Nán: Wǒ mǎi wǔ zhāng gōngyuán ménpiào. 男： 我 买 5 张 公园 门票。 Nǚ: Yígòng shì sānshí yuán qián. 女： 一共 是 30 元 钱。 Wèn: Yì zhāng piào duōshǎo qián? 问： 一 张 票 多少 …
Answer to Did you know there are math equations on the HSK? Give it a try!
Answer: A
Answer Analysis:
Nán: Wǒ mǎi wǔ zhāng gōngyuán ménpiào. 男： 我 买 5 张 公园 门票。 Boy: I bought 5 park tickets.
Nǚ: Yígòng shì sānshí yuán qián. 女： 一共 是 30 元 钱。 Girl: All together it was 30 yuan.
Wèn: Yì …
3 Ways to Celebrate Christmas Chinese-Style
Christmas has come to China, and if you are a celebrator of Christmas then your festivities don’t have to stop when you leave home. A study on Chinese society showed that people aged 15-45 celebrate Christmas in China. This doesn’t mean Christmas will be the …
Are You a Sucker? Know “冤大头 (yuāndàtóu)” and It’s Warning Signs
As the old English expression goes: “A fool and his money are soon parted.” Some people have “deeper pockets” than others. Often, those people with the deep pockets are surrounded by others who sense that heavy wallet and will take advantage of that person’s financial …
Chinese Quiz: Extending Holiday Greetings
Jīntiān shì shèngdànjié, wǒ xiǎng sòng nǐ yí fèn shèngdàn ______，zhù nǐ shèngdàn ______! 今天 是 圣诞节， 我 想 送 你 一 份 圣诞 ______， 祝 你 圣诞 ______ ! A. 礼物 (lǐwù)；快乐 (kuàilè) B. 快乐 (kuàilè)；礼物 (lǐwù) C. 礼物 (lǐwù)；礼物 (lǐwù) D. 快乐 (kuàilè)；快乐 …
Answer to Chinese Quiz: Extending Holiday Greetings
Answer: A
Answer Analysis:
Jīntiān shì shèngdànjié, wǒ xiǎng sòng nǐ yí fèn shèngdàn lǐwù, zhù nǐ shèngdàn kuàilè! 今天 是 圣诞节， 我 想 送 你 一 份 圣诞 礼物，祝 你 圣诞 快乐 ! Today is Christmas, I want to give you a Christmas present, …
Open Your Eyes: “占便宜 (zhàn piányi)” is Everywhere, Unfortunately!
An old English expression says: “Most burglaries are committed by casual opportunists” We all know someone who will step over their neighbors to get what they desire. It happens in every country and every culture, unfortunately. When these opportunistic people take advantage of a situation, …
HSK 3 Practice Quiz: Use “给 (gěi)” in a sentence
Read the sentence then fill in the blank below with the correct answer: Shìjiè zhēnde hěn xiǎo, wǒ zuótiān cái fāxiàn, nǐ gěi xiǎozhāng jièshào de nánpéngyǒu shì wǒ qīzi yǐqián 世界 真的 很 小， 我 昨天 才 发现，你 给 小张 介绍 的 男朋友 是 …
Answer to HSK 3 Practice Quiz: Use “给 (gěi)” in a sentence
Answer: A
Analysis:
Shìjiè zhēnde hěn xiǎo, wǒ zuótiān cái fāxiàn, nǐ gěi xiǎozhāng jièshào de nánpéngyǒu shì wǒ qīzi yǐqián 世界 真的 很 小， 我 昨天 才 发现， 你 给 小张 介绍 的 男朋友 是 我 妻子 以前 de tóngshì. 的 同事。 Its such …
Learn about China’s New Environmentally-Friendly Hanging Train!
This September, engineers and designers in the Chinese city of Chengdu, Sichuan province successfully tested the first battery-powered suspended urban railway 空铁 (kōngtiě). This November, the “hanging” train was actually put into use! The train carries 120 passengers and can travel at a top speed …
Matt Damon and “The Great Wall”: a Chinese-American “合拍” Movie
By 2017, Chinese citizens will become the world’s largest group of filmgoers worldwide. Each year, since the films “Lost in Thailand” in 2015 and later “The Mermaid in 2016,” Chinese films are breaking box office records each year in China! However, Chinese blockbusters have had …