Chinese Mini-test: 巧克力 (Beginner)
What does the phrase “巧克力 (qiăokèlì)” refer to? A. Biscuit B. Orange C. Chocolate D. Coffee
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What does the phrase “巧克力 (qiăokèlì)” refer to? A. Biscuit B. Orange C. Chocolate D. Coffee
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If the phrase “明星” appears in HSK, do you know which is the Chinese pinyin for “明星” in the following? A. Miánxiàn B. Míngxīng C. Míngxiăn D. Míngbai
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What does the phrase “gossip” refer to in
? A. 八卦 (bāguà) B. 新闻 (xīnwén) C. 夸奖 (kuājiăng) D. 微笑 (wēixiào)…
Correct answer: C
Analysis:
A. “饼干 (bĭnggān)”is the word for “biscuit.”
The character “饼 (bĭng)” means cookie or cake and “干 (gān)”means dry.
B. “橙子 (chéngzi)” is the word for “orange.”
The character “橙 (chéng)” means orange and “子 (zĭ)” is …
Correct answer: B Analysis: A. Miánxiàn is the Chinese pinyin for “棉线 cotton thread.”
The character “棉 (mián)” means cotton and “线 (xiàn)” means thread.
B. Míngxīng is the Chinese pinyin for “明星 star.” The character “明 (míng)” means bright or …
Correct answer: A
Analysis:
A. “八卦 (bāguà)” is the word for “gossip.”
The character “八 (bā)” means eight and “卦 (guà)” means trigram.
B. “新闻 (xīnwén)” is the word for “news.”
The character “新 (xīn)” means new and “闻 (wén)” means …
啤酒 (píjiǔ) Beer (Beginner)
Example: A: Zǎoshànghǎo, yǒu shénme kěyǐ bāng nín ma? A: 早上好, 有 什么 可以 帮 您 吗? A: Good morning, can I help you?
B: Wǒ xiǎng yào yíguàn píjiǔ. B: 我 想 要 一罐 啤酒。 B: I want a can …
你是哪种风格? (Nǐ shì nǎzhǒng fēnggé?) Which is Your Style? (Intermediate) Key Learning Points (Preview):
帅哥 (shuàigē): n handsome man or cute boy (Who Is the Most Popular “帅哥 (shuàigē)” in China?)
美女 (měinǚ): n beautiful girl
假小子 (jiǎxiǎozi): n tomboy
For teenagers in China, there …
好吃 (hǎochī) Delicious (Beginner)
Example:
A: Nǐ juéde gōngbǎo jīdīng zěnmeyàng? 你 觉得 宫保 鸡丁 怎么样?
How do you like Kung Pao Chicken?
B: Wǒ juéde hěn hǎochī. 我 觉得 很 好吃。
I think it’s very delicious.
wŏ de shén a 我 的 神 啊 Where does it originate? “我的神啊 (wŏ de shén a)” first became popular from a hot Chinese TV series “武林外传 (wŭlín wàizhuàn ) My Own Swordsman” as a pet phrase of Tong Xiangyu, the owner of Tongfu tavern. …
可口可乐与中国计谋 (Kěkǒu kělè yǔ Zhōngguó jìmóu) Coca-Cola and Ancient Chinese Stratagems (Advanced) Key Learning Points (Preview):
三十六计 (sānshíliùjì): n thirty six stratagems
欲擒故纵 (yùqín gùzòng): n/v to catch something, first set it free
利润 (lìrùn): n profit
More than 20 years ago, “可口可乐 (kěkǒu kělè) …
兴高采烈 (xìnggāocǎiliè) In High Spirit/ Overjoyed (Advanced)
When the character “兴 (xìng)” takes the falling tone, it means happy. But when it is pronounced as “xīng” it means to flourish. “高 (gāo)” means high. “采 (cǎi)” means to gather. “烈 (liè)” means violent.
Example: A: …
舞会 (wǔhuì) Prom/ Ball (Intermediate)
The character “舞 (wǔ)” means dance; “会 (huì)” here is used as a noun and it means a party or a meeting.
Example:
A: Nǐ yuànyì hé wǒ yìqǐ qù cānjiā wǔhuì ma? A: 你 愿意 和 我 一起 去 …
微波炉 (wēibōlú) Microwave Oven (Intermediate)
Example:
Wēibōlú shì yìzhǒng chángjiàn de jiāyòng diànqì. 微波炉 是 一种 常见 的 家用 电器。
◆ iPhone vs. Google Android Phone
◆ Steamed Stuffed Bun Plays Rock & Roll // // HSK …
照相 (zhàoxiàng) Take a Photo (Beginner)
The character “照 (zhào)” means to illuminate and “相 (xiàng)” means photograph.
Example:
A: Dǎrǎo yíxià, qǐngwèn kěyǐ bāng wǒmen zhàoxiàng ma? 打扰 一下,请问 可以 帮 我们 照相 吗? Excuse me, could you please take a photo for us?…
好主意 (hǎozhǔyi) Good Idea (Beginner)
The character “好 (hǎo)” means good; “主 (zhǔ)” means main and “意 (yì)” means idea here.
Example: A: Wǒ xiǎng lìyòng jiàqī xuéxí yìxiē shāngwù hànyǔ. 我 想 利用 假期 学习 一些 商务 汉语。 I want to learn some business …
怎么样 (zěnmeyàng) How about/ What about (Beginner) “怎么 (zěnme)” mean how and “样 (yàng)” means shape or pattern.
Example:
A: Wǒ zǒngshì zài zhōngwén duìhuà zhōng tīngdào “zěnmeyàng” zhège cí, 我 总是 在 中文 对话 中 听到 “怎么样” 这个 词, tā shì shénme yìsi? 它 …
Peyton Manning vs. Justin Timberlake in a Ping-Pong Match (Beginner)
In the following Sony commercial, American pop musician and actor Justin Timberlake and Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, square off in a ping-pong match and try out their Mandarin:
When Peyton Manning said, “我的中文也有进步 (Wǒ …
Chinese Nursery Rhyme for Kids (Beginner) 画鸭子 (Huà yāzi) To Draw a Duck Key Learning Points (Preview):
星期二 (xīngqīèr): n Tuesday
鸡蛋 (jīdàn): n egg
小鸭子 (xiǎo yāzi): n duckling Listen to the nursery rhyme:
Jīntiān xīngqīèr. 今天 星期二。 Today is Tuesday.
Nǎinai mǎi le …
Correct answer: B
Analysis:
A. “Xiāngjiāo” is the Chinese Pinyin for “香蕉 banana.”
“香 (xiāng)” literally means fragrant, and “蕉 (jiāo) ” means broadleaf plant.
B. “Xiāngshuǐ” is the Chinese Pinyin for “香水 perfume.”
“香 (xiāng)” literally means fragrant, and “水 …