Mandarin Essentials
Popular Words: “奇葩儿子(qípā érzi)”
1. Wang Li met a “奇葩(qípā)” on her way home. That means ___.
A. Wang Li is acquainted with the person
B. Wang Li dislikes the person
C. Wang Li loves the person
2. Zhang Wei’s friends often call him “奇葩(qípā)” ironically. What does it …
The difference between “知道(zhīdào)” and “认识(rènshi)”
Correct Answer: A
In the Chinese language, both “知道(zhīdào)” and “认识(rènshi)” can be used to indicate “to know.” However, they are actually used to express quite different meanings, especially in the two situations below.
Situation 1:
“知道(zhīdào)” someone ≠ “认识(rènshi)” someone
“知道(zhīdào)” someone means that …
I know her but I am not acquainted with her!
Mary：Chē lǐ de nà ge rén shì Wáng Fāng ma? Mary： 车 里 的 那 个 人 是 王 芳 吗？ Mary： Is the person in the car Wang Fang? Zhāng Míng: Wáng Fāng? Wǒ ___ tā, dàn wǒ bú___ tā. 张 明 ： 王 …
How do you say “one and a half” when referring to time in Chinese?
Correct Answer: C
Analysis:
In Chinese, we usually use the structure below to express “one and a half.” Number + Measure Word + 半(bàn) + Noun E.g. Yí ge bàn xiǎoshí 一 个 半 小时 One and a half hours Similarly, we can use the …
How Do You Say “One and A Half Hours?”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Ella: Jack, Nǐ měitiān xuéxí duō cháng shíjiān zhōngwén? Ella: Jack, 你 每天 学习 多 长 时间 中文？ Ella: Jack, how much time do you spend studying Chinese every day? Jack: ____. Jack: ____. Jack: …
“极品老妈(jípǐn lǎomā)” – Best Mom or Worst Mom?
1. If you have “极品(jípǐn)” coffee then it means that___.
A. the coffee is of the best quality.
B. people often drink this kind of coffee in an unconventional way.
C. this kind of coffee is nearly out of use.
2. If we call a …
Talking about the Weather in Chinese
C is the correct answer.
Analysis:
“是(shì)” is an equative-verb which equates two nouns (or nominal expressions) as in: “我是美国人(Wǒ shì měiguó rén), I am American.” “下雨(xiàyǔ), to rain” is not a noun. In this case, “今天是下雨(Jīntiān shì xiàyǔ)” is not a correct sentence. “雨(yǔ), …
Chinese Test: It’s rainy today！
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Tom: Jenny, jīntiān tiānqì zěnmeyàng? Tom: Jenny, 今天 天气 怎么样？ Tom: Jenny, how’s the weather today? Jenny: Jīntiān____. Jenny：今天_____。 Jenny: It’s rainy today. A. 是下雨(shì xiàyǔ)
B. 是雨(shì yǔ)
C. 下雨(xiàyǔ)
“七上八下(qī shàng bā xià)” and Why Do Chinese Hate It?
While learning Chinese, we have become familiar with the numbers “七(qī) seven,” “八(bā) eight,” and the two verbs “上 (shàng) up,” and “下 (xià) down.” Such as, “七天 (qī tiān) seven days, ” “八点(bā diǎn) eight o’clock,” “上楼 (shànglóu) go upstairs,” and “下山 (xiàshān) go …
How to Use “以前(yǐqián)” And “以后(yǐhòu)” in Chinese
Answer: A In the Chinese language, “前(qián)” means before, and “后(hòu)” means after. Both “以前(yǐqián)” and “以后(yǐhòu)” can be used to indicate a period of time. They are similar in usage. In this text we will introduce three situations for using these two words.
Situation
… How to Express a Period of Time in Chinese?
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Yì nián___, wǒ bú huì shuō zhōngwén. 一 年___， 我 不 会 说 中文。 One year ago, I couldn’t speak Chinese. A. 以前(yǐqián)
B. 以后(yǐhòu)
“零钱(língqián)” – Zero Money or Small Change?
“零(líng), 0” in Chinese is known as zero, such as “零分(língfēn), a score of zero” “2014 年(èr líng yī sì nián), the year 2014,” etc.
Example:
Jīnnián shì èr líng yī sì nián. 今年 是 2014 年。 This year is 2014.
However, if you hear …
The Difference Between “还是(háishì)” and “或者(huòzhě)” in Chinese
Correct Answer: A In the Chinese language, both “还是(háishì)” and “或者(huòzhě)” can be used to connect two words or phrases that represent different alternatives or choices. Both words can be translated in to “or” in English. However, “还是(háishì)” is usually used in questions to present …