Mandarin Essentials
The usage of 还 (hái) and 也 (yě)
The correct answer is B .
Wǒ yǒu liǎngge píngguǒ. Li Hua:我有两个苹果。 I have two apples.
Wǒ yě yǒu liǎngge píngguǒ. Li Ming:我也有两个苹果。 I also have two apples.
Explanation:
Both 还 (hái) and 也 (yě) are adverbs in Chinese meaning “also.” But 还 (hái) …
Chinese test: I have two apples too. (Elementary)
Li Hua and her cousin Li Ming meet at their grandma’s home. Their grandma gives each of them a couple of apples. They show the apples to each other.
Wǒ yǒu liǎngge píngguǒ. Li Hua:我 有 两 个 苹果。
Wǒ __ yǒu liǎngge píngguǒ. Li …
What’s Your Love Status in Chinese? (Ⅰ) (Elementary)
Valentine’s Day is coming, and all over the world people are buying chocolates, cards, and getting ready to celebrate with that special someone. But what about you? Do you have a special someone? We know that love can be a complicated affair, so today we’re …
How do you say “sport” in Chinese?
The correct answer is A .
Nǐ xǐhuan shénme yùndòng? Li Ming: 你 喜欢 什么 运动 ? What’s your favorite sport? Wǒ xǐhuan tī zúqiú, hái xǐhuan dǎ lánqiú. Wang Gang: 我 喜欢 踢 足球,还 喜欢 打 篮球。 I like playing football and basketball. …
Chinese test: How do you say “new book” in Chinese? (Elementary)
Today is Saturday. Li Hua is visiting Tom at his new house. Upon arrival, Li Hua is very surprised with Tom’s spacious and bright house, but finds something rather interesting. Look at the following conversation.
Nà shì shénme? Li Hua:那 是 什么?
Wǒ de xīn …
The usage of “的”
The correct answer is
.
Nà shì shénme? Li Hua:那 是 什么? What’s that? Wǒ de xīnshū. Tom:我 的 新书。 It’s my new book.
This test aims to check your knowledge about adjectives as modifiers. In the conversation, Tom answers, “我的新书 (Wǒ …
The meanings of “不错 (búcuò)”
The correct answer is
This test aims to …
North by Northwest. (Elementary)
Can you give directions in Chinese? If you and your Chinese friends were separated, could you tell them where to find you?
Let’s take a look at a common scenario. This is Sam’s first trip to Xi’an and his friend Li Ming is waiting for …
Answers to the exercises on direction words in Chinese.
1. D
China is to the north of India. “North” refers to “北 (běi)”. “东 (dōng)” means “East”, “南 (nán)” means “South”, “西 (xī)” means “West.”
2. B
Northwest is “西北 (xīběi)” in Chinese. “东北 (dōngběi)” means “northeast.” “北东 (běi dōng)” is an incorrect expression …
Chinese test: How was your Examination? (Elementary)
This semester has come to an end; Li Ming’s mother was called in to attend a parents’ meeting. At the meeting, Li Ming’s mom and his teacher was discussing Li Ming’s examination.
Wǒ de érzi zhè cì kǎoshì zěnmeyàng? Mother:我 的 儿子 这 次 考试 …
The usages of “来” and “去” (Elementary)
The right answer is
.
Tom: Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó. Tom:我 想 去 中国。 Tom:I want to go to China. Li Hua: Tài hǎo le! Nǐ shénme shíhou lái Zhōngguó? Li Hua:太 好 了!你 什么 时候 来 中国? Li Hua:Great! When are you …
Chinese test: I want to go to China. (Elementary)
Li Hua, who is Chinese, has a friend, Tom, who is from America. They are chatting on the Internet about Chinese culture, Chinese food, and so on. Tom becomes more and more intrigued and begins thinking about a trip to China.
Wǒ xiǎng__ Zhōngguó. Tom:我 …
What color is your “collar?” (Elementary)
Lucy asks Li Hua to go shopping, but she doesn’t seem to want to go. Why? Let’s look at the following conversation. Zánmen qù mǎi yīfu ba! Lucy:咱们 去 买 衣服 吧!
Let’s go shopping for some clothes!
Wǒ búqù, wǒ méiqián le. Li Hua:我 …
Answers to the exercises on “领”
1. A
In the sentence “我星期五领工资。 (Wǒ xīngqīwǔ lǐng gōngzī.).” 领 (lǐng) is a verb which means “to get,” or “to receive.”
2. A
3. C
A is 蓝领 (lánlǐng); B is the wrong understanding of 金领 (jīnlǐng); D belongs to 粉领 (fěnlǐng).
Answers to the exercises on “eat” in Chinese
1. A
The sentence “他的女朋友吃醋了 (Tā de nǚ péngyou chīcù le.)” means his girlfriend is jealous.
2. C
The choice B 爱吃 (àichī) means to love to eat. For the others, refer to the text.
3. B
穿 and 戴 drive Chinese language learners crazy!
The right answer is
Both 穿 (chuān) and 戴 (dài) are verbs meaning to put on or wear. In English, you can say “wear a hat,” or “wear clothes,” but in Chinese, wearing a hat equates to
帽子 (dài màozi) and wearing …
Chinese test: How do you say “wear” in Chinese? (Elementary)
Li Hua is going to introduce her friend Lucy to Sam. Li Hua and Sam are waiting for Lucy who is just arriving.
Li Hua: Lucy’s coming.
Sam: Which one is she?
Li Hua: The one wearing a red hat.
Question:
What does Li Hua …



