Mandarin Essentials
Answer to the Exercise on How to Ask Someone’s Family Name in Chinese
Answer: C In the Chinese language, the word “姓(xìng)” means “to be surnamed.”
Example:
Wǒ xìng Lǐ, nǐ ne? 我 姓 李，你呢？
My family name is Li. What about you? For answer choice A, when someone asks “叫什么(jiào shénme),” the answer should be a full …
Why Does “手(shǒu) Hand” Decide Who We Are in Chinese?
In its primary usage, the word “手(shǒu)” means “hand.”
For Example:
Tā shǒu lǐ yǒu yí gè píngguǒ. 他 手 里 有 一 个 苹果。 There is an apple in his hand.
Yǒu wèntí, qǐng jǔshǒu! 有 问题，请 举手！ Hold up your hands if you …
Answers to the Exercise on “你(nǐ)” and “您(nín)”
Answer: C In the Chinese language, both “你(nǐ)” and “您(nín)” mean “you,” but they are quite different in usage.
“你(nǐ)” is used for informal interactions. “你(nǐ)” is used to address children, peers, subordinates etc. While “您(nín)” is a more polite and formal expression. “您(nín)” is …
When to Use “你(nǐ)” And “您(nín)?”
Lǎoshī, __ hǎo! Student：老师, __ 好！ Hello, teacher!
__ hǎo! Teacher：__ 好！
Hello!
A. 你(nǐ)；您(nín)
B. 您(nín)；您(nín)
C. 您(nín)；你(nǐ)
“粉丝(fěnsī)”-Must Know Knowledge about “fans” in Chinese
Recently, the word “粉丝(fěnsī)” has become very popular in China.
The original meaning of “粉丝(fěnsī)” is glass noodle. It’s a traditional Chinese food.
Recently, “粉丝(fěnsī)” has taken on an extended meaning. It has come to be used as the transliteration of the word “fans.”…
Answers to the Exercise on the Chinese Numerals “百(bǎi),” “千(qiān)” and “万(wàn)”
Answer: A In the Chinese language, the following numbers, “百(bǎi) hundred,” “千(qiān) thousand” and “万(wàn) ten thousand” usually are not used separately as numerals, but are used in conjunction with other numerals to express a given amount. The numbers are combined with the terms for …
Learn the Chinese numerals “百(bǎi)” “千(qiān)” and “万(wàn)”
Hi Zhānɡ Lì, zuótiān kàn yǎnchànɡhuì de rén duō ma? Jenny: Hi 张丽， 昨天 看 演唱会 的 人 多 吗？
Hi Zhang Li, did a lot of people attend the concert yesterday? Zhāng Lì: Hěn duō, dàgài yǒu wǔqiān rén. 张 丽：很 多， 大概 有 …
Learn to Ask a Question Using the Particle “吗(ma)”
Isabel, wǒmen chī Pizza, hǎo __? Tom: Isabel，我们 吃 Pizza， 好 __ ？ Isabel, let’s eat Pizza, okay? Hǎo. Isabel: 好。 OK. Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. A. 啊(a)
B. 吗(ma)
C. 呀(ya)
Answers to the Exercise on the Chinese Modal Particle “吗(ma)”
Answer: B In the Chinese language, “吗(ma)”, “啊(a)” and “呀(ya)” are modal particles. They are used in a sentence to express certain tones. Usually, “啊(a)” and “呀(ya)” are used in sentences to form the exclamatory tone, which are often meant to express the emotions of …
“八卦(bāguà)”- A Chinese Way to Gossip
There is a piece of news circulating the internet recently.
The star couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie appeared to be a loving couple when facing the media, but they actually hid what was really happening at home, which has been hard on their children.…
“辣妈(làmā) Hot Mom”
Generally the word “辣(là)” has different meanings.
As a kind of taste, “辣(là)” means peppery or spicy hot.
Example
Zhè dào cài zhēn là! 这 道 菜 真 辣！ The dish is very spicy!
Another meaning of “辣(là)” is ruthless. It usually describes a person …
Manly or Not, It’s Better to Have That Special “Smell!”
Generally, “味(wèi)” means “smell, flavor or taste,” like a flower’s fragrance, a stink, sourness and so on.
But what is “男人味(nánrénwèi),” and “女人味(nǚrénwèi)?” If we take the two words literally, it means “a man’s smell” and “a woman’s smell.” But the terms actually do not …