In last week’s test, we learned about the idiom “喝西北风(hē xīběifēng)”, which means getting nothing to eat or having to live on air. Now in this issue we will get to know about two other kinds of “风(fēng)”: “东风(dōngfēng)” and “耳边风(ěrbiānfēng).”
“东风(dōngfēng)” …
Correct Answer: B “给(gěi)” In the Chinese language, “给(gěi)” is most frequently used as the verb “to give.” Example Gěi wǒ yìbēi chá. 给 我 一杯 茶。 Please give me a cup of tea. But in phrases such as, “给你打电话 (gěi nǐ dǎ diànhuà) give …
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks.
Nǐ míngtiān ___ wǒ dǎ diànhuà. Wǒ yào ___ nǐ yìqǐ qù chāoshì. 你 明天 ___ 我 打 电话。 我 要 ___ 你 一起 去 超市。 Please call me tomorrow. I want to go to …
Xiǎoqīngtíng shì yìchóng, 小蜻蜓 是 益虫， Little dragonflies are useful insects,
Fēidào xī lái fēidào dōng. 飞到 西 来 飞到 东。 They fly here and there.
Bù chī liángshi bù chī cài, 不 吃 粮食 不 吃 菜， They eat neither grains nor vegetables.
Shì …
Correct Answer: B In the Chinese language, both “过(guò)” and “了(le)” can be used following verbs to show that something has happened.
They are both usually used in the same structure: Subject + Verb + “过(guò)” / “了(le).”
However, their precise meanings differ from one …
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks.
Zhāng Wěi: Wǒ zuì xǐhuan chī de Zhōng’guó cài shì Běijīng kǎoyā. Nǐ chī __ ma? 张 伟：我 最 喜欢 吃 的 中国 菜 是 北京 烤鸭。 你 吃 __ 吗？ Zhang Wei: My favorite …
Yínghuǒchóng, yínghuǒchóng, mànmàn fēi. 萤火虫， 萤火虫， 慢慢 飞。 Firefly, firefly, flying slowly.
Xiàyè lǐ, xiàyè lǐ, fēng qīng chuī. 夏夜里，夏夜里，风 轻 吹。 On summer nights, summer nights, the breeze gently blows.
Pàhēide háizi ānxīn shuì ba, 怕黑的 孩子 安心 睡 吧， Kids who are afraid …
We have previously introduced Sichuan’s “麻辣(málà)” and Hunan’s “香辣(xiānglà)” flavors. In this last issue of our three-part sizzling-hot tour of China we will learn about one more unique kind of “spiciness” — the “酸辣(suānlà) sour spiciness” of “贵州(guìzhōu).” The special climate of Guizhou Province is, …
Answer: A In China, the full name of a Han Chinese person (Han is the largest ethnic group in China) is composed of two parts: the surname and the given name. In Chinese, the surname comes first and is then followed by the given …
How much do you know about Chinese surnames and given names? Take the following test! If a Chinese woman’s name is 张小梅(Zhāng Xiǎoméi), then 张(Zhāng) is _____. A. her surname B. her given name
Answer: B The translation of “喝西北风(hēxīběifēng)” is “to drink the northwest wind.” It is a Chinese idiom which means getting nothing to eat or, essentially, having to live on air. The idiom comes from the philosophy of Taoism — “吸风(xīfēng) to absorb the air,” which …
In the Chinese language there are many interesting idioms, or turns of phrase. How many do you know? How about the following one? What is the implied meaning of the Chinese idiom – “喝西北风(hēxīběifēng)”? A. to predict the weather B. to have nothing to eat …
Correct Answers: 1. B 2. C 3. C <<Back to “Three ‘Spicy’ Provinces in China (Part II) – Hunan”
In China, “辣椒(làjiāo) chili” has rich cultural connotations. The fire-red chilies, connected with feelings of joy and celebration, symbolize colorful and thriving lives. What’s more, the character “交(jiāo) make friends or associate with someone” is a homophone of “椒(jiāo)”, suggesting that making good friends with …
Answer: B In option A, “蜜蜂(mìfēng)” means “bee” and “蜂蜜(fēngmì)” means “honey.” In B, “苹果(píngguǒ)” is “apple” but the character combination “果苹(guǒpíng)” doesn’t hold any meaning in Chinese. In option C, “国王(guówáng)” refers to “a king” and “王国(wángguó)” is his “kingdom.” Finally, in D, “白雪(báixuě)” …
In Chinese, some two-character words or phrases will take on new meanings if the order of the two characters is swapped. For example, “牛奶(niúnǎi)” means “milk” but “奶牛(nǎiniú)” means “cow”, “喜欢(xǐhuān)” is “to like” but “欢喜(huānxǐ)” is “happy”, and “刷牙(shuāyá)” means “to brush one’s teeth” …
Try this test to check your mastery of the pinyin of “扫地” and “扫把”. Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Zhāng Yáng zhèngzài yòng ( ) ( ). 张 阳 正在 用 扫把 扫地。 Zhang Yang is sweeping the floor with …
