Sorry! (Beginner) 对不起！（初级）
Chinese Speaking: 对不起 (duì bù qǐ) Sorry! (Beginner) Example: Duì bù qǐ, wǒ bù xiǎoxīn bǎ nǐ de bēizi shuāi suì le. A: 对 不 起，我 不 小心 把 你 的 杯子 摔 碎 了。 Sorry, I broke your cup because of my carelessness.
Méi …
Mandarin Essentials
田忌赛马 (Tián Jì sài mǎ) General Tian Ji in a Horse Race
Read a Chinese Story: 田忌赛马 (Tián Jì sài mǎ) General Tian Ji in a Horse Race (Intermediate)
Key Learning Points (Preview):
输(shū): v. to lose
赢(yíng): v. to win
Qíguó de dà jiāngjūn Tián Jì hěn xǐhuan sàimǎ. 齐国 的 大 将军 田 忌 很 …
A Movie:《唐山大地震》(Tángshān dà dìzhèn) Tangshan Earthquake (Beginner)
《唐山大地震》(Tángshān dà dìzhèn) Tangshan Earthquake
Key Learning Points (Preview):
回家 (huíjiā): go home
At daybreak on July 28, 1976, the city of Tangshan was destroyed by a 7.8 magnitude “地震 (dìzhèn) earthquake” in just 23 seconds. After the earthquake, a young mother faced the …
Quote of the week (Aug. 10, 2010)
Wǒ shì Lǐ Xiǎolóng de chāojí fěnsī, tā jiāo huì wǒ zěnyàng yíng qiú. 我 是 李 小龙 的 超级 粉丝，他 教 会 我 怎样 赢 球。
I am a huge fan of Bruce Lee, who taught me how to win the game. —From “科比•布莱恩特 …
No Worries! (Beginner) 不要紧！（初级）
How to Speak Chinese: 不要紧 (bú yào jǐn) No Worries! (Beginner) Example:
Wǒmen cuòguò gōngjiāochē le. A: 我们 错过 公交车 了。 We’ve missed the bus.
Bú yào jǐn, guò shí fēnzhōng hái yǒu yí tàng. B: 不 要 紧，过 十 分钟 还 有 一 趟。 …
No Way! (Beginner) 不行！（初级）
Chinese Words: 不行！(Bù xíng) No Way! Example:
Nǐ néng jiè wǒ wǔ bǎi yuán qián mā? A: 你 能 借 我 五 百 元 钱 吗？ Could you please lend me five hundred Yuan?
Bù xíng! Nǐ qùnián qiàn wǒ de qián hái méi huán …
Chinese Mini-test: 漂亮 (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Nǐ jīntiān zhēn piàoliang, yào qù yuēhuì ma? 你 今天 真 漂亮， 要 去 约会 吗？ Do you know the meaning of “漂亮?” A. Beautiful B. Handsome C. Great D. Good
// …
Mini-test Answer: Beautiful (Beginner)
Beginner Level 初级 (chūjí)
Correct answer: A
Analysis:
A. “漂亮 (Piàoliang)” is the phrase for “Beautiful.”
B. “英俊 (Yīngjùn)” is the phrase for “Handsome.” C. “太棒了 (Tài bàng le)” is the phrase for “Great.” D. “好 (Hǎo)” is the phrase for “Good.” Key learning points:…
Quote of the week (Aug. 3, 2010)
Wǒ zhēn de xiǎng bāngzhù Yáo Míng. 我 真 的 想 帮助 姚 明。
I really want to help Yao Ming. —From “布拉德•米勒 (Bùlādé•Mǐlè) Brad Miller.” Miller signed with the Houston Rockets and would become a substitute for Yao Ming. …
Long Time No See! (Beginner) 好久不见！（初级）
Learn Chinese: 好久不见 (hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn) Long Time No See! (Beginner)
Example: Hǎo jiǔ bú jiàn, zhè duàn shíjiān nǐ qù nǎ le? A: 好 久 不 见，这 段 时间 你 去 哪 了？ Long time no see! Where have you been these days?…
爱屋及乌 (Àiwūjíwū) Love Me, Love My Dog
爱屋及乌 (Àiwūjíwū) Love Me, Love My Dog
In this Chinese idiom “爱屋及乌 (àiwūjíwū) Love me, love my dog,” “爱” means “like” or “love;” “屋” refers to “house;” “及” is a conjunction which means “and;” “乌” refers to “乌鸦 (wūyā),” which is “crow.” “爱屋及乌” is a …
Quote of the week (Jul. 27, 2010)
Chāopiào zhǐyǒu yòng diào le yǐhòu cái shì nǐ de, 钞票 只有 用 掉 了 以后 才 是 你 的， dǎ kāi píjiāzi, kànkan méiyǒu yòng diào de chāopiào, 打 开 皮夹子，看看 没有 用 掉 的 钞票， shàngmian yìn de shì “Zhōngguó rénmín yínháng,” gēn …
Me too! (Beginner) 我也是!（初级）
How to Learn Chinese: 我也是！(Wǒ yě shì)
Me too!
(Beginner)
Example:
Wǒ réngrán bù zhīdào gāi zěnyàng xué hànyǔ. A： 我 仍然 不 知道 该 怎样 学 汉语。
I still don’t know how to learn Chinese.
Wǒ yě shì, huòxǔ wǒmen kěyǐ wènwen Tuōni. B： …
Mercedes-Benz E-class Convertible
The new Mercedes-Benz E-class convertible has just hit the market recently. The new design 软硬兼施(ruănyìngjiānshī) uses both hard-top and soft-top models, meaning it is versatile and stylish and should meet the eagerly awaited expectations of many car fans. It will use the new engine-AMG with …
I Love You! (Beginner) 我爱你！（初级）
Learn Chinese lessons: 我爱你 (Wǒ ài nǐ) I love you! (Beginner)
Example:
Wǒ ài nǐ! Nǐ kěyǐ zuò wǒ de nǚpéngyǒu mā? A: 我 爱 你！你 可以 做 我 的 女朋友 吗？ I love you! Could you be my girlfriend?
Duìbùqǐ, wǒ yǐjīng yǒu …
Looking for Double Happiness (Beginner)
Are you looking for “Mr. or Mrs. Right?”
Key Learning Points (Preview):
男朋友 (nánpéngyou): n. boyfriend
喜欢 (xǐhuan): v. to like
谈恋爱 (tánliàn’ài): v. to fall in love
Chinese Conversation (Part I):
A: Zhōumò wǎnshang yí gè rén zài jiā kàn diànshì duō wúliáo a! …
Read Chinese Story: 矛和盾的故事 (Máo hé dùn de gùshi) The Story of Spear and Shield (Beginner)
矛和盾的故事 (Máo hé dùn de gùshi) The Story of Spear and Shield
Key Learning Points (Preview):
卖 (mài): v. to sell
问 (wèn): v. to ask
Yǒu yí gè Chǔguó rén, mài dùn yòu mài máo. 有 一个 楚国 人，卖 盾 又 卖 矛。
In …
Just So So! (Beginner) 一般！（初级）
HSK Preparation: 一般! (Yìbān!) Just So So! (Beginner)
Example:
Yuēhàn, nǐ zuìjìn hànyǔ shuǐpíng kǎoshì zhǔnbèi de zěnmeyàng le? A: 约 翰，你 最近 汉语 水平 考试 准备 的 怎么样 了？ Hi, John, how is your going? HSK preparation
Yìbān. Nǐ ne? B: 一般。你 呢？ Just …
Quote of the week (Jul. 20, 2010)
Dāng rénmen wèn jí wǒ nǎ yí gè jìnqiú shì zuì jīngcǎi, piàoliang de,
当 人们 问 及我 哪一 个 进球 是 最 精彩、 漂亮 的，
wǒ de huídá shì: xià yí gè！ 我 的 回答 是：下一 个！
When I was asked which the most …
Forget It! (Beginner) 算了! (初级)
How to Learn Chinese：算了! (suàn le) Forget It! (Beginner)
Example:
Zhège zhōumò wǒmen yìqǐ qù Shànghǎi lǚyóu ba. A: 这个 周末 我们 一起 去 上海 旅游 吧。
Let’s go to Shanghai in this weekend.
Suàn le ba, zhè ge zhōumò wǒ hěn máng. Xià zhōu …