Mandarin Essentials
Answer to the Exercise on Someone’s a Busy Bee
Correct Answer: B In our daily lives, we all get tied down with work, errands, and other responsibilities that leave little time to simply take a break and relax. So, what’s the right way to express “busy” in Chinese? Actually, in the Chinese language, “忙(máng)” …
Someone’s a Busy Bee (Elementary)
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Wǒ zuìjìn hěn ____, měitiān xiàbān dōu hěn wǎn. 1. 我 最近 很 ____，每天 下班 都 很 晚。 I’m very busy lately, so I have to work late every day. Měitiān de zhège shíhou, jiāotōng …
淘(táo)” and “拍(pāi)”-Mandarin Words on Online Shopping
In this day and age, girls don’t always ask their friends to go window-shopping to point out what’s new this season or what’s on their wish list. Instead, it has become popular and convenient to share links to products they’ve recently bought or would like …
I’m Lost! – Asking for Directions in Chinese
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Zhānɡ Lì: Nǐhǎo! Qǐnɡwèn ___? 张 丽：你好！ 请问 ___？ Zhang Li: Hello! How can I get to the cinema? Wánɡ Wěi 王 伟：Go straight and turn right at the second intersection. Then you will see …
Answer to the Exercise on I’m Lost! – Asking for Directions in Chinese
Correct Answer: B Unless you are superhero, you probably don’t know how to get to each and every one of your destinations. Instead, you have to swallow your pride, approach a stranger, and ask for some help in finding your way. It becomes even more …
Chinese Wisdom: Close to “大人(dàrén),” Away from “小人(xiăorén)!”
After sharing an image of his adorable 3-year-old daughter online for the first time, Chinese writer 韩寒(hánhán) earned the name “国民岳父(guómín yuèfù) Father-in-law of the Nation” or “岳父大人(yuèfùdàrén).”
He jokingly earned the title from netizens who proclaimed their desire to marry his beautiful daughter. You …
Answer to the Exercise on “以后(yǐhòu)” VS “然后(ránhòu)”
Correct Answer: C In the Chinese language, both “以后(yǐhòu)” and “然后(ránhòu)” can be used to express the meaning of “after a certain action” or “afterwards.” However, as is usually the case in Chinese, they are actually used to convey quite different meanings. “以后(yǐhòu)” means “later” …
“以后(yǐhòu)” vs “然后(ránhòu)”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Xiàbān ___, wǒ xiān qù chāoshì, ___ huíjiā. 下班 ___，我 先 去 超市， ___ 回家。 After getting off work, I will first go to the supermarket, and then I will go home. A. 然后(ránhòu), 以后(yǐhòu)…
Answer to the Exercise on the Mid-Autumn Festival is Coming!
Correct Answer: D The annual Mid-Autumn Festival, which is the second most popular festival in China, is coming up soon! As those living and working away from their hometowns begin to miss their families, hoards of Chinese from every corner of the world head home …
High “人气(rénqì)” Means Popularity?
If you are not sure where to go on vacation, go check the Internet to find the most “人气(rénqì)” scenic spots. If it’s time to update your music selection but you are not sure what to listen to, just search for a list of “人气(rénqì)” …
Answer to the Exercise on Don’t Be Rude! Count People the Right Way Using “个(gè),” “位 (wèi)” and “口(kǒu)”
Correct Answer: B In the Chinese language, different measure words are used along with different nouns. Today, we will help you learn three measure words for counting people which are “个(gè),” “位(wèi),” and “口(kǒu).” All of them are used in the same format: numeral + …
Don’t Be Rude! Count People the Right Way Using “个(gè),” “位 (wèi)” and “口(kǒu)”
Linda: Nà shì Zhāng Hóng yìjiā sān ___ ma? Linda: 那 是 张 红 一 家 三 ___ 吗？ Linda: Is that Zhang Hong’s family of three? Liú Wěi: Shì de. Tā yǒu yí __ nǚ’ér. Tā de xiānsheng shì yí __ yīshēng. 刘 伟：是 …
“海量(hǎiliàng)”-Drink Like a Fish!
The sea, or “海(hǎi)” in Chinese, is one of the most majestic places on earth. Knowing the meaning of “海(hǎi),” can you understand the following phrases: “海吃海喝(hǎi chī hǎi hē),” “海量(hǎiliàng),” and “海选(hǎixuǎn)?” Does the character “海(hǎi)” still mean “sea” in these phrases?
Offering spectacular …
Answer to How to Express Your Opinion in Chinese
Correct Answer: A
Translation of the Dialogue:
Duì bù qǐ, wǒ chídào le, wǒ yǐwéi jīntiān shì xīngqī liù. 对 不 起，我 迟到 了，我 以为 今天 是 星期 六。 Sorry I’m late. I thought today was Saturday.
How to Express Your Opinion in Chinese
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Duì bù qǐ, wǒ chídào le, wǒ ___ jīntiān shì xīnɡqī liù. 对 不 起，我 迟到 了，我___ 今天 是 星期 六。 A. 以为 (yǐwéi)
B. 认为 (rènwéi)
Not sure about the answer? Not …