Quote of the week (Jan.20,2010)
人生有时就像电脑，说死机就死机，没有商量的余地。
Rénshēng yǒushí jiù xiàng diànnǎo, shuō sǐjī jiù sǐjī, méiyǒu shāngliang de yúdì.
Life is like a computer sometimes, when it shuts down, it does. There is no compromise.
—From a computer user who often loses information because of sudden shut-down of computers.…
Mini-test Answer: 春天 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Correct Answer: A Analysis:
A. “春天 (chūntiān)” is the word for “Spring.”
The character “春 (chūn)” means spring and “天 (tiān)” means sky.
B. “夏天 (xiàtiān)” is the word for “Summer.”
The character “夏 (xià)” means summer and “天 (tiān)” means …
Mini-test Answer: 损坏 (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
Correct Answer: B
Analysis: A. “珍惜 (zhēnxī)” is the word for “Cherish.”
The characters “珍 (zhēn)” and “惜 (xī)” both mean to cherish.
B. “损坏 (sŭnhuài)” is the word for “Damage.”
The character “损 (sŭn)” means to damage and “坏 (huài)” …
Mini-test Answer: 卖关子 (Advanced)
Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)
Correct Answer: C Analysis:
A. “忍受 (rěnshòu)” is the phrase for “Put up with.”
The characters “忍 (rěn)” and “受 (shòu)” both mean to endure.
B. “开玩笑 (kāi wánxiào)” is the phrase for “Play a joke.”
The character “开 (kāi)” means …
新月 (xīnyuè) New Moon and 聊斋志异 (Liáozhāizhìyì) Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio
新月 (Xīnyuè) New Moon and 聊斋志异 (Liáozhāizhìyì) Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio Key Learning Points (Preview):
电影(diànyǐng): n. movie
The release of the new movie “新月 (Xīnyuè) New Moon” “刷新 (shuāxīn) broke a lot of records.” It left Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Harry …
中国人的姓名 (zhōngguó rén de xìngmíng) Chinese Surnames and Given Names
中国人的姓名 (zhōngguó rén de xìngmíng) Chinese Surnames and Given Names In Chinese, the surname comes first and then the given name. The full name of a Han Chinese is composed of two parts: the surnames and the given name.
Surnames
A Chinese “姓 (xìng) surname” …
你的属相是虎吗？(Nǐ de shǔxiàng shì hǔ ma?) Is Tiger Your Animal?
你的属相是虎吗？(Nǐ de shǔxiàng shì hǔ ma?) Is Tiger Your Animal?
Tiger symbolizes courage, confidence and energy, so this year is supposed to be full of hope and success. Years of Birth for Tigers: 1914 1926 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986 1998 2010 Possessing the strength …
健康歌 (jiànkāng gē) Exercise Song
健康歌 (jiànkāng gē) Exercise Song
This is a Chinese song which became well known since performing on a Chinese Spring Festival Gala on CCTV. With cheerful rhythm, this song will not only be useful for you to learn Chinese, but will also make you …
Video Lesson: 购物 (gòuwù) Shopping (Beginner)
In this lesson, eChineseLearning’s professional Chinese teacher will teach you shopping related Chinese words, expressions and grammar. Specifically, you will learn numbers, measure words, pronouns, verbs, and dialogues, etc.
Key Learning Points:
A:Nǐ yào (măi) shénme? 你要（买）什么？ What do you want to buy
B:Wŏ yào …
搞笑 (ɡǎoxiào) Funny/ Provoke laughter (Advanced)
搞笑 (gǎoxiào) Funny/Provoke laughter
The character “搞 (gǎo)” means to make or to cause; the character “笑 (xiào)” means laugh.
Example:
Zhè bù xǐjùpiān fēicháng gǎoxiào. 这部喜剧片非常搞笑。 This comedy is funny.…
兼职 (jiānzhí) Part-time Job (Beginner)
兼职 (jiānzhí) Part-time Job
The character “兼 (jiān)” means to do more than one thing concurrently;
the character “职 (zhí)” means job or work.
Example:
Nǐ hánjià dǎsuan zhǎo fèn jiānzhí háishì qù lǚyóu？ 你寒假打算找份兼职还是去旅游？
Will you find a part-time job or travel around China …
逛街 (guàngjiē) Go Window-shopping/ Go Shopping (Beginner)
逛街 (guàngjiē) Go Window-shopping/ Go Shopping
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The character “逛 (guàng)” means to stroll around or to roam; “街 (jiē)” means street.
Example:
Wǒ zuótiān wǎnshàng qù guàngjiē le. 我昨天晚上去逛街了。
I went window-shopping last night. Got questions? // // HSK Test General Chinese (Beginner Level) …
打的 (dǎdī) Take a Taxi (Beginner)
打的 (dǎdī) Take a Taxi
“打 (dǎ)” means to take or to hire; “的 (dī)” means taxi.
Example：
Wǒ jīntiān zǎoshang shì dǎdī qù shàngbān de. 我今天早上是打的去上班的。 I took a taxi to work this morning.
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Got questions?
Quote of the week (Jan.12,2010)
Rén zhǎng de piàoliang bùrú huó de piàoliang. 人长得漂亮不如活得漂亮。
A beautiful life is better than a beautiful face. —From Leorowi, the author of Leaving Mother Lake.…
Mini-test Answer: 手机 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Correct answer: A
Analysis:
A. “手机 (shǒujī)” is the Chinese phrase for “cell phone.”
The Chinese character “手 (shǒu)” refers to hand and “机 (jī)” refers to machine.
B. “手套 (shǒutào)” is the Chinese phrase for “glove.”
The Chinese character “手 …
Mini-test Answer: 做饭 (Intermediate)
Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)
Correct answer: C
Analysis:
A. “Chīfàn” is the Chinese pinyin for “吃饭 to have a meal.” “吃 (chī)” means to eat or have and “饭 (fàn)” means meal.
B. “Zuòkè” is the Chinese pinyin for “做客 to be a guest or …
Mini-test Answer: 乱七八糟 (Advanced)
Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)
Correct answer: B
Analysis:
A. “七上八下 (qīshàngbāxià)” means an unsettled state of mind. The Chinese character “七 (qī)” refers to seven; “上 (shàng)” refers to up; “八 (bā)” refers to eight and “下 (xià)” refers to down.
B. “乱七八糟 (luànqībāzāo)” means …
“说曹操，曹操到(shuō Cáo Cāo, Cáo Cāo dào) Speak of the Devil and He Appears”
“说曹操，曹操到 (shuō Cáo Cāo, Cáo Cāo dào) Speak of the Devil and He Appears”
Origin
The story about “说曹操，曹操到 (shuō Cáo Cāo, Cáo Cāo dào) speak of the devil and he appears” was from《三国演义(sānguó yǎnyì)》The Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
汉献帝 (Hàn Xiàndì) Han Xiandi …