“七上八下(qī shàng bā xià)” and Why Do Chinese Hate It?
While learning Chinese, we have become familiar with the numbers “七(qī) seven,” “八(bā) eight,” and the two verbs “上 (shàng) up,” and “下 (xià) down.” Such as, “七天 (qī tiān) seven days, ” “八点(bā diǎn) eight o’clock,” “上楼 (shànglóu) go upstairs,” and “下山 (xiàshān) go …
How to Use “以前(yǐqián)” And “以后(yǐhòu)” in Chinese
Answer: A In the Chinese language, “前(qián)” means before, and “后(hòu)” means after. Both “以前(yǐqián)” and “以后(yǐhòu)” can be used to indicate a period of time. They are similar in usage. In this text we will introduce three situations for using these two words.
Situation
… How to Express a Period of Time in Chinese?
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Yì nián___, wǒ bú huì shuō zhōngwén. 一 年___， 我 不 会 说 中文。 One year ago, I couldn’t speak Chinese. A. 以前(yǐqián)
B. 以后(yǐhòu)
Tongue Twister-Counting The Dates
Chū dōngmén, guò dà qiáo, dà qiáo dǐ xià yí shù zǎo , 出 东门， 过 大 桥， 大 桥 底 下 一 树 枣， Going across the bridge after getting out of the eastern gate. There are a lot of dates on the tree. …
“零钱(língqián)” – Zero Money or Small Change?
“零(líng), 0” in Chinese is known as zero, such as “零分(língfēn), a score of zero” “2014 年(èr líng yī sì nián), the year 2014,” etc.
Example:
Jīnnián shì èr líng yī sì nián. 今年 是 2014 年。 This year is 2014.
However, if you hear …
The Difference Between “还是(háishì)” and “或者(huòzhě)” in Chinese
Correct Answer: A In the Chinese language, both “还是(háishì)” and “或者(huòzhě)” can be used to connect two words or phrases that represent different alternatives or choices. Both words can be translated in to “or” in English. However, “还是(háishì)” is usually used in questions to present …
How to Make Alternative Choice Questions in Chinese?
Now that the glamorous Oscars has come to an end, which actors do you like? Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Nǐ xǐhuan Leonardo DiCaprio ___ Matthew McConaughey? 你 喜欢 Leonardo DiCaprio ___ Matthew McConaughey？ Do you like Leonardo DiCaprio or …
Chinese Song For Kids-Love Me And Hug Me!
Bàba māma, 爸爸 妈妈， Dad and mom, Rúguǒ nǐmen ài wǒ, jiù duōduō de péipei wǒ. 如果 你们 爱 我，就 多多 地 陪陪 我 。 If you love me, please spend more time with me. Rúguǒ nǐmen ài wǒ, jiù duōduō de qīnqin wǒ. 如果 …
“潮男(cháonán)”— Wet or Fashionable?
“潮(cháo),” literally means “tide,” and is typically used in phrases related to the tide, such as “潮水(cháoshuǐ) tide” and “涨潮(zhǎngcháo) rising tide” etc.
Examples
Qiántángjiāng de cháoshuǐ hěn yǒumíng. 钱塘江 的 潮水 很 有名。
The tide of Qiantang River is very famous.
Zhǎngcháo de shíhou …
Ask Questions in Chinese
Answer: B In the Chinese language, there are several ways to ask questions. We will introduce three ways to ask questions in Chinese today. First, we can ask questions in Chinese using the interrogative particle “吗(ma).” To form a question, simply add “吗(ma)” to the …
How do you ask for help in Chinese?
Which of the following is correct for “Can you help me?” A. 可以你帮我吗？(Kěyǐ nǐ bāng wǒ ma?)
B. 你可以帮我吗？(Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma?)
C. 你可以不可以帮我吗？(Nǐ kěyǐ bù kěyǐ bāng wǒ ma?)
Chinese Nursery Rhyme-The Spring Has Come!
Chūntiān dào, bǎihuā xiāng, huāyuán lǐ, húdié máng, 春天 到， 百花 香， 花园 里，蝴蝶 忙， The spring has come, the flowers are sweet, and the butterflies are busy in the garden. fēi de gāo, fēi de dī , duìduì shuāngshuāng. 飞 得 高， 飞 …
Not All “花(huā) Flowers” in Chinese Are Pleasant!
Spring is coming in China! In a few months, the ground will be ablaze with the bright colors and decoration of flowers, such as cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, and winter jasmines, bringing life and vitality back to the earth. In fact, all the beautiful flowers …