Answer to Three “Spicy” Provinces in China (Part II) – Hunan
Correct Answers: 1. B 2. C 3. C <<Back to “Three ‘Spicy’ Provinces in China (Part II) – Hunan”
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 to Do “牛奶(niúnǎi)” and “奶牛(nǎiniú)” mean the Same Thing?
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)” …
Do “牛奶(niúnǎi)” and “奶牛(nǎiniú)” mean the Same Thing?
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” …
Watch Your Tone! Different Meanings of “扫”
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 …
Answer to Watch Your Tone! Different Meanings of “扫”
Answer: C In Chinese there are a few polyphones, or characters with multiple pronunciations, “扫(sǎo/sào)” in the test is one of them. The two pronunciations of “扫(sǎo/sào)” express different meanings. “扫(sǎo)” means “sweep” in English, as in to clean the dust and rubbish away, like …
Nursery Rhyme – 种树歌(Zhòngshùgē) Song for Planting Trees
Shù ya, shù ya, 树 呀，树 呀， Oh, tree, tree,
Wǒ bǎ nǐ zhòngxià, 我 把 你 种下， I’ll plant you here,
Búpà fēngyǔ kuàidiǎn zhǎngdà. 不怕 风雨 快点 长大。 Hope you won’t be afraid of storms and grow up quickly.
Zhǎngzhe lǜde yè, 长着 …
Answer to Three “Spicy” Provinces in China (Part I) – Sichuan
Correct Answers: 1. B 2. A 3. C <<Back to “Three ‘Spicy’ Provinces in China (Part I) – Sichuan”
Three “Spicy” Provinces in China (Part I) – Sichuan
(Want to travel in China? Try a Travel Chinese lesson first!)
Mention of the word “spicy” often reminds people of hot peppers, which turn red when ripening. In China, red color is the color of auspiciousness and prosperity, symbolizing good luck, …
Song for Kids – 小乌龟(Xiǎowūguī) Little Turtle
Xiǎoxiǎo wūguī shàngshānpō, 小小 乌龟 上山坡， The little turtle is climbing up the hillside,
Hēihēiyo, hēihēiyo. 嘿嘿哟， 嘿嘿哟。 Stomp, stomp.
Dàizhe miànbāo hé tángguǒ, 带着 面包 和 糖果， With some bread and candies,
Yántú lèyōuyōu. 沿途 乐悠悠。 He is joyful and leisurely throughout his journey.…
Answer to Measure Word Mix-Up: “对(duì)” and “双(shuāng)”
Answer: B “对(duì)” and “双(shuāng)” are two Chinese measure words. They can both be translated as “a pair of” in English, and there are only a few differences between them. In the Chinese language, “双(shuāng)” is used to describe things that often come in pairs …
Measure Word Mix-Up: “对(duì)” and “双(shuāng)”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Wǒ xīn mǎi le _____ yùndòngxié hé _____ ěrhuán. 我 新 买 了 _____ 运动鞋 和 _____ 耳环。 I bought a new _____ sneakers and _____ earrings. A. 一对(yíduì), 一双(yìshuāng)
B. 一双(yìshuāng), 一对(yíduì)
Answer to Frequency Words: “经常(jīngcháng)” vs. “通常(tōngcháng)”
Answer: A In Chinese, “经常(jīngcháng)” and “通常(tōngcháng)” are both used as adverbials. “经常(jīngcháng)” means “often or frequently”, which is a time adverbial emphasizing that the action happens many times, and that the time between each occurrence is very short. On the other hand, “通常(tōngcháng)” means …
Frequency Words: “经常(jīngcháng)” vs. “通常(tōngcháng)”
In Chinese, we use “经常(jīngcháng)” or “通常(tōngcháng)” to express frequency. Do you know the differences between the two? Take the following test to have a try! Wǒ zuìjìn _____ jiābān. 我 最近 _____ 加班。 I _____ work overtime these days. A. 经常(jīngcháng)
B. 通常(tōngcháng)
“热点 (rèdiǎn)”, “热词 (rècí)”, “汉语热 (hànyǔrè)” and “健身热 (jiànshēnrè)”
Yesterday, May 6, 2015, was a special day called 立夏(Lì xià),” the seventh solar term of the 24 Chinese Solar Terms This is the day that marks the beginning of the hot summer in China. These days, the maximum air temperatures of most cities in …
Chinese Nursery Rhyme – 粉刷匠(Fěnshuājiàng) The Painter
Wǒ shì yígè fěnshuājiàng, 我 是 一个 粉刷匠， I am a painter,
Fěnshuā běnlǐng qiáng. 粉刷 本领 强。 I am good at painting.
Wǒ yào bǎ nà xīnfángzi, 我 要 把 那 新房子， I will make that new house,
Shuāde gèngpiàoliang. 刷得 更漂亮。 More beautiful …