No Way! (Beginner) 不行！（初级）
Chinese Words: 不行！(Bù xíng) No Way! Example:
Nǐ néng jiè wǒ wǔ bǎi yuán qián mā? A: 你 能 借 我 五 百 元 钱 吗？ Could you please lend me five hundred Yuan?
Bù xíng! Nǐ qùnián qiàn wǒ de qián hái méi huán …
Kids Chinese Story: A Bird Startled by the Twang of a Bow String
惊弓之鸟 (Jīnggōngzhīniǎo) A Bird Startled by the Mere Twang of a Bow String (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
慢 (màn): adj. slow
害怕 (hàipà): v. to be afraid of
Nowadays, “惊弓之鸟 (jīnggōngzhīniǎo)” is used to describe people who are so frightened from past experience that …
Chinese Mini-test: 漂亮 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Nǐ jīntiān zhēn piàoliang, yào qù yuēhuì ma? 你 今天 真 漂亮， 要 去 约会 吗？ Do you know the meaning of “漂亮?” A. Beautiful B. Handsome C. Great D. Good
// …
Mini-test Answer: Beautiful (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Correct answer: A
Analysis:
A. “漂亮 (Piàoliang)” is the phrase for “Beautiful.”
B. “英俊 (Yīngjùn)” is the phrase for “Handsome.” C. “太棒了 (Tài bàng le)” is the phrase for “Great.” D. “好 (Hǎo)” is the phrase for “Good.” Key learning points:…
Read Chinese story about 七夕节 (Qīxījié) Double Seven Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day) (Beginner)
七夕节 (Qīxījié) Double Seven Festival (Chinese Valentine’s Day)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
鹊桥 (què qiáo): n. a bridge made up of magpies
七夕节 (Qīxījié): n. Double Seven Festival
中国情人节 (Zhōngguó Qíngrénjié): n. Chinese Valentine’s Day
The Double Seven Festival or Chinese Valentine’s Day is on …
Quote of the week (Aug. 3, 2010)
Wǒ zhēn de xiǎng bāngzhù Yáo Míng. 我 真 的 想 帮助 姚 明。
I really want to help Yao Ming. —From “布拉德•米勒 (Bùlādé•Mǐlè) Brad Miller.” Miller signed with the Houston Rockets and would become a substitute for Yao Ming. …
Long Time No See! (Beginner) 好久不见！（初级）
Learn Chinese: 好久不见 (hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn) Long Time No See! (Beginner)
Example: Hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn, zhè duàn shíjiān nǐ qù nǎ le? A: 好 久 不 见，这 段 时间 你 去 哪 了？ Long time no see! Where have you been these days?…
爱屋及乌 (Àiwūjíwū) Love Me, Love My Dog
爱屋及乌 (Àiwūjíwū) Love Me, Love My Dog
In this Chinese idiom “爱屋及乌 (àiwūjíwū) Love me, love my dog,” “爱” means “like” or “love;” “屋” refers to “house;” “及” is a conjunction which means “and;” “乌” refers to “乌鸦 (wūyā),” which is “crow.” “爱屋及乌” is a …
Quote of the week (Jul. 27, 2010)
Chāopiào zhǐyǒu yòng diào le yǐhòu cái shì nǐ de, 钞票 只有 用 掉 了 以后 才 是 你 的， dǎ kāi píjiāzi, kànkan méiyǒu yòng diào de chāopiào, 打 开 皮夹子，看看 没有 用 掉 的 钞票， shàngmian yìn de shì “Zhōngguó rénmín yínháng,” gēn …
AP Chinese Test: What is Your Nationality?
AP Chinese Sample Test Question:
A：你是哪国人？ B：__________
A. 我是美国人。 B. 我学习汉语。 C. 我住在英国。 D. 我要去中国。
AP Sample Test Answer: What is Your Nationality?
你是哪国人？means: What is your nationality? A. “我是美国人 (wǒ shì měiguórén)” in this conversation means “I am an American” or “I come from America.”
B. “我学习汉语 (wǒ xuéxí hànyǔ)” means “I learn Chinese.”
“汉语(hànyǔ)” is also known as “Mandarin” in many Chinese conversations.
C. “我住在英国 (wǒ
… Me too! (Beginner) 我也是!（初级）
How to Learn Chinese: 我也是！(Wǒ yě shì)
Me too!
(Beginner)
Example:
Wǒ réngrán bù zhīdào gāi zěnyàng xué hànyǔ. A： 我 仍然 不 知道 该 怎样 学 汉语。
I still don’t know how to learn Chinese.
Wǒ yě shì, huòxǔ wǒmen kěyǐ wènwen Tuōni. B： …
Mercedes-Benz E-class Convertible
The new Mercedes-Benz E-class convertible has just hit the market recently. The new design 软硬兼施(ruănyìngjiānshī) uses both hard-top and soft-top models, meaning it is versatile and stylish and should meet the eagerly awaited expectations of many car fans. It will use the new engine-AMG with …
I Love You! (Beginner) 我爱你！（初级）
Learn Chinese lessons: 我爱你 (Wǒ ài nǐ) I love you! (Beginner)
Example:
Wǒ ài nǐ! Nǐ kěyǐ zuò wǒ de nǚpéngyǒu mā? A: 我 爱 你！你 可以 做 我 的 女朋友 吗？ I love you! Could you be my girlfriend?
Duìbùqǐ, wǒ yǐjīng yǒu …
AP Sample Test Answer: Birthday Gift
Tom says: “This gift is for your birthday, do you like it?”
How should Mary respond to the question?
A. “我要去参加朋友的生日 (Wǒ yào qù cānjiā péngyou de shēngrì)” means “I will take part in my friend’s birthday party.” Obviously, this sentence does not answer the …
Looking for Double Happiness (Beginner)
Are you looking for “Mr. or Mrs. Right?”
Key Learning Points (Preview):
男朋友 (nánpéngyou): n. boyfriend
喜欢 (xǐhuan): v. to like
谈恋爱 (tánliàn’ài): v. to fall in love
Chinese Conversation (Part I):
A: Zhōumò wǎnshang yí gè rén zài jiā kàn diànshì duō wúliáo a! …
AP Chinese Test: Birthday Gift
AP Chinese Sample Test Question:
Choose the one of the following answers that continues or completes the conversation in a logical and culturally appropriate manner.
Tom: 这是我送你的生日礼物，喜欢吗？
Mary: _____________________
A. 我要去参加朋友的生日！
B. 我很喜欢，谢谢！
C. 对不起，我不知道你过生日！
D. 这是谁送的礼物？
Read Chinese Story: 矛和盾的故事 (Máo hé dùn de gùshi) The Story of Spear and Shield (Beginner)
矛和盾的故事 (Máo hé dùn de gùshi) The Story of Spear and Shield
Key Learning Points (Preview):
卖 (mài): v. to sell
问 (wèn): v. to ask
Yǒu yí gè Chǔguó rén, mài dùn yòu mài máo. 有 一个 楚国 人，卖 盾 又 卖 矛。
In …
Just So So! (Beginner) 一般！（初级）
HSK Preparation: 一般! (Yìbān!) Just So So! (Beginner)
Example:
Yuēhàn, nǐ zuìjìn hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì zhǔnbèi de zěnmeyàng le? A: 约 翰，你 最近 汉语 水平 考试 准备 的 怎么样 了？ Hi, John, how is your going? HSK preparation
Yìbān. Nǐ ne? B: 一般。你 呢？ Just …
Quote of the week (Jul. 20, 2010)
Dāng rénmen wèn jí wǒ nǎ yí gè jìnqiú shì zuì jīngcǎi, piàoliang de,
当 人们 问 及我 哪一 个 进球 是 最 精彩、 漂亮 的，
wǒ de huídá shì: xià yí gè！ 我 的 回答 是：下一 个！
When I was asked which the most …