Quote of the Week (Oct. 22, 2010)
Yáo Míng guīlái ràng wǒ hěn shòuyì, méiyǒu rén néng qǔdài tā dē zuòyòng. 姚 明 归来 让 我 很 受益， 没有 人 能 取代 他 的 作用。
I benefit greatly from Yao Ming’s return. No one can substitute for him. —From 阿隆•布鲁克斯 (Ālóng• Bùlǔkèsī) …
Chinese Mini-test: Runner-up (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
The Love of the Hawthorn Tree, Zhang Yimou’s new film, was the box-office runner-up during the mid-autumn holiday. What is “runner-up” in Chinese? A. 冠军 (guànjūn) B. 亚军 (yàjūn) C. 季军 (jìjūn) D. 军人 (jūnrén)
…
Mini-test Answer: 亚军 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
The correct answer is B. We hope the following explanation can help you learn the Mandarin language.
Analysis :
A. “冠军 (guànjūn)” means “champion.”
B. “亚军 (yàjūn)” means “runner-up.” C. “季军 (jìjūn)” means “the third place.” D. “军人 (jūnrén)” means “soldier.” …
Enjoy Yourself! (Beginner) 玩得开心！（初级）
Popular Chinese Words-玩得开心！(Wán de kāixīn!) Enjoy Yourself! (Beginner)
Example:
Māma, wǒ jīntiān néng hé péngyou yìqǐ qù fàng fēngzheng ma? A: 妈妈， 我 今天 能 和 朋友 一起 去 放 风筝 吗？ Mum, can I go fly kites with my friends this afternoon?
Kěyǐ. Xīwàng …
It’s my pleasure! (Beginner) 我很乐意！（初级）
Popular Chinese Words-我很乐意！(Wǒ hěn lèyi!) It’s my pleasure! (Beginner)
Example:
Wáng Huá, xièxie nǐ jiāo wó xué Hànyǔ. A: 王华， 谢谢 你 教 我 学 汉语。 Wang Hua, thank you for teaching me Chinese.
Bú yòng kèqi. Wǒ hěn lèyi! B: 不 用 客气。我 很 …
Mini-test Answer: 面对面 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Let’s take a look at the answers and how these expressions are written in Chinese pinyin.
Analysis: A-3 The Chinese pinyin for 面对面 is “miànduìmiàn.” It means “face to face.”
B-1 The Chinese pinyin for 手牵手 is “shǒuqiānshǒu.” It means “hand …
Chinese Mini-test: 面对面 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
When was the last time you walked hand in hand with a friend, or had a heart to heart chat? Read these Chinese phrases and draw four lines to match them with the English expressions. A 面对面 1. hand in hand …
How Do Brand Names Attract Chinese Consumers?
Key Learning Points (Preview):
品牌 (pǐnpái): n. brand
吸引 (xīyǐn): v. to attract
印象 (yìnxiang): n. impression
It is important for foreign brands to have a Chinese name as it enters the Chinese market. How do companies translate their names? How do they make the …
Jennifer’s grammar lecture – How do we use “吧?” (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points: Using “吧” in Mandarin Some students have difficulty understanding how to use “吧.” This Mandarin lesson is designed to foster a clearer understanding of how “吧” should be used. We will break down the details of how “吧” functions both as an …
Quote of the Week (Oct. 13, 2010)
Wǒ yìzhí duì zìjǐ shuō, nánrén sānshí yì zhī huā, zhège niánlíng yīnggāi dàibiǎo 我 一直 对 自己说， 男人 三十 一 枝 花， 这个 年龄 应该 代表 lìng yì zhǒng kāishǐ. 另 一 种 开始。
I tell myself all the time: a thirty-year-old man is …
I Promise! (Beginner) 我保证！（初级）
Popular Chinese Words-
我保证！
(Wǒ bǎozhèng!) I promise! (Beginner)
Example:
Wǒ bǎozhèng, xià zhōu yídìng dài nǐ qù hǎibiān wán. A: 我 保证， 下 周 一定 带 你 去 海边 玩。 I promise I will take you to the beach to have fun next week. …
Chinese Song For Kids: 数字歌 The Number Song (Beginner)
数字歌 (Shùzì gē) The Number Song (Beginner)
Learning Chinese through “The Number Song” helps your kids learn to count in Chinese with lots of fun. Can your kids count in Chinese? Let’s practice with “The Number Song” right now!
Key Learning Points (Preview):
爬 (pá): …
为什么吃醋？Why do you eat vinegar? (Intermediate)
为什么吃醋？(Wèishénme chīcù?) Why do you eat vinegar? (Intermediate)
Why do Chinese lovers “eat vinegar?” This online Chinese lesson will tell you.
Zài Zhōngguó, qínglǚ zhī jiān de jìdù jiào “chīcù.” Wèishénme shì chīcù ér bú shì 在 中国， 情侣 之 间 的 嫉妒 …
Why Does a Chinese Husband Call His Wife’s Father “岳父 (Yuèfù)?” (Intermediate)
Why Does a Chinese Husband Call His Wife’s Father “岳父 (Yuèfù)?” (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points (Preview): 称呼 (chēnghū): n./v. form of address/ to call; to address
In China, husbands often call their wives’ father “岳父 (yuèfù).” The meaning of “父 (fù) father” is rather easy …
Quote of the week (Oct. 8, 2010)
Wǒ xīn lǐ chōngmǎn le gǎn’ēn hé yùnqi, wǒ hái bù rú Shīwǎxīngé, yuǎn yuǎn bù rú 我 心 里 充满 了 感恩 和 运气，我 还 不 如 施瓦辛格， 远 远 不 如 tā. 他。
My heart is filled with gratitude and I am very …
Chinese Mini-test: TV drama (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
I heard a new version of the TV drama The Dream of Red Mansions would soon be put on air. Regarding this sentence, do you know how to say “TV drama” in Chinese? A. 电影 (diànyǐng) B. 电视剧 (diànshìjù) C. 歌剧 …
Mini-test Answer: 电视剧 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
The correct Chinese phrase for “TV drama” is B.
Analysis :
A. “电影 (diànyǐng)” means “movie.”
B. “电视剧 (diànshìjù)” means “TV drama.” C. “歌剧 (gējù)” means “opera.” D. “舞蹈剧 (wǔdǎojù)” means “dance drama.”
// // …
I think so. (Beginner) 我也这么想。（初级）
Popular Chinese Words-
我也这么想。
(Wǒ yě zhème xiǎng.) I think so. (Beginner)
Example:
Zhèlǐ de fēngjǐng hǎo měi a! A: 这里 的 风景 好 美 啊！ The scenery here is so beautiful!
Wǒ yě zhème xiǎng. B: 我 也 这么 想。 I think so.
Further …
What’s up? (Beginner) 最近怎么样？（初级）
Popular Chinese Words-最近怎么样？(Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?)
What’s up?
(Beginner)
Example:
Zuìjìn zěnmeyàng, Yuēhàn? A: 最近 怎么样， 约翰？ What’s up, John?
Háibúcuò, wǒ zuìjìn zhèngzài wǎngshàng xué hànyǔ. B: 还不错， 我 最近 正在 网上学汉语。 Not bad, I am learning Chinese online recently.
Further Reading:
Quote of the week (Sept. 20, 2010)
Wǒ xiànzài yǒu jiǔ jiàn xīzhuāng, dōushì Zhōngguó zhìzào de, qítā de dōu rēng diào le. 我 现在 有 9 件 西装, 都是 中国 制造 的，其他 的 都 扔 掉 了。 I now have nine suits, all made in China. I threw away the rest …