Mandarin Essentials
Chinese Crossword Puzzle (Intermediate)
Please fill in the blanks in order to make Chinese greetings out of the available words.
Where Do You Learn Chinese?
Wáng Lì: Nǐ zài nǎlǐ xué Zhōngwén? 王 丽：你 在 哪里 学 中文？ Wang Li: Where do you learn Chinese? Jack: _________. Which of the following sentences is correct? Wǒ zài Běijīng xué Zhōngwén. A. 我 在 北京 学 中文。
Wǒ xué Zhōngwén zài Běijīng. …
Answer to the Exercise on Where Do You Learn Chinese?
Correct Answer: A People often mention locations and place names in their daily communication. However, how do we go about describing where we are or where something takes place in Chinese? And in what order should we use those place words? Chinese place names are …
“女汉子(Nǚhànzi)”-Describe a Girl in Mandarin
The picture above shows two types of girls faced with a fierce dog. One of them is scared and hiding behind a boy while the other tames it, which demonstrates a typical image of a “女汉子 (nǚhànzi).” This has become a popular catchphrase in recent …
Answer to the Difference Between “出门(chūmén)” and “出家(chūjiā)”
Correct Answer: A Although the two phrases “
出门(chūmén)
” and
“出家(chūjiā)
” seem similar, their usage expresses different meanings. Having said that, which one do you think you should choose when you want to express the action of “going out,” as in “leaving the …
“出门(chūmén)” vs. “出家(chūjiā)”- Heading Out or Leaving for Good?
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank.
Linda měitiān zǎoshang bādiǎn ____. Linda 每天 早上 八点 ____ 。 Linda goes out at 8 o’clock every morning. A. 出门(chūmén)
B. 出家(chūjiā)
Answer to the Exercise on How Tall Are You?
Correct Answer: A In the Chinese language, “多(duō)” can be used as an adjective meaning “many/ much/ a lot”, etc.
Examples
Chāoshì lǐ de rén zhēn duō a! 超市 里 的 人 真 多 啊！ There are so many people in the supermarket!
Tom zuótiān …
爸爸去哪儿(Where Are We Going, Dad?) -Popular Chinese Reality Show
If you ask your Chinese friends what the hottest Chinese reality show is nowadays, they will probably answer, “爸爸去哪儿(Bàba Qù Nǎr) Where Are We Going, Dad?” The show features some of the most popular Chinese celebrities and their children, putting them to the test to …
How Tall Are You?
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Zhāng Yīng: Nǐ ___ gāo? 张 英：你___ 高？ Zhang Ying: How tall are you? Mike: Wǒ yìmǐ bā. Mike：我 一米 八。 Mike: I am 1.8 meters tall. A. 多(duō)
B. 多少(duōshǎo)
C. 几(jǐ)
Answer to the Exercise on The Two Two’s of Chinese : “二(èr )” and “两(liǎng)”
Correct Answer: A In Chinese, “二(èr)” and “两(liǎng)” both similarly mean “two”, but they are quite different in usage and should be used in different situations. First of all, “二(èr)” is used in numbers such as “2, 20, 1.2, 2%, etc.”
Examples
Candy: Liú Yīng, …
Are You a “吃货(chīhuò) Foodie”?
Do you think eating delicious foods is an important part of your life? Do you find yourself unable to resist the temptation of food, even when you are on a diet? Do you know where to find the tastiest food in your town like the …
The Two Two’s of Chinese : “二(èr)” and “两(liǎng)”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Wáng Lì: Zhè gè yuè, nǐ mǎi le jǐ běn shū? 王 丽：这 个 月，你 买 了 几 本 书？ Wang Li: How many books have you bought this month? Lǐ Píng: ____ běn. Zhè …
Answer to the exercise on the differences between “能(néng)” and “会(huì)”
Correct Answer: B
“会(huì)” is used to indicate that someone is able to do something which is a learnable skill and not something he or she was born knowing how to do. For example, “会唱歌 (huì chàng’gē) can sing,” and “会弹钢琴 (huìtán gāngqín) know how …
What’s the Difference Between “能(néng)” and “会(huì)”?
Allen and Peter are discussing their plans for tomorrow.
Nǐmen míngtiān zuò shénme? Allen：你们 明天 做 什么？ What are you guys going to do tomorrow?
Wǒmen míngtiān qù tī zúqiú. Nǐ ____ tī zúqiú ma? Peter：我们 明天 去 踢 足球。你____ 踢 足球 吗？ We’re going …
Answer to a good shot! – “好球(hǎoqiú)” or “臭球(chòuqiú)”? (Elementary)
Correct Answer: A
Translation of the Dialogue:
Tài bàng le! Qiú jìn le! Jack：太 棒 了！ 球 进 了！ Great! It’s a goal!
Shì a! Zhēn shì yígè hǎoqiú! Rose：是 啊！真 是 一个 好球！ Yes! That was a really good shot!
A good shot! – “好球(hǎoqiú)” or “臭球(chòuqiú)”? (Elementary)
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Tài bàng le! Qiú jìn le! Jack：太 棒 了！ 球 进 了！ Shì a! Zhēn shì yígè ___! Rose：是 啊！真 是 一个___！ A. 好球(hǎoqiú)
B. 臭球(chòuqiú)
Not sure about the answer? Not to …
Answer to the exercise on Neymar or Messi? (Intermediate)
Correct Answer: C
Translation of the Dialogue:
Nǐ xǐhuan Neymar háishì Messi? Lucy：你 喜欢 Neymar 还是 Messi？ Do you like Neymar or Messi?
Lǐ Míng: Wǒ xǐhuan Neymar, tā bǐ Messi niánqīng. 李 明：我 喜欢 Neymar，他 比 Messi 年轻。 Li Ming: I like Neymar because …