Mandarin Essentials

Peyton Manning vs. Justin Timberlake in a Ping-Pong Match (Beginner)

Peyton Manning vs. Justin Timberlake in a Ping-Pong Match (Beginner)

In the following Sony commercial, American pop musician and actor Justin Timberlake and Indianapolis Colts quarterback, Peyton Manning, square off in a ping-pong match and try out their Mandarin:

When Peyton Manning said, “我的中文也有进步 (Wǒ …

Mini-test Answer: 同事 (Intermediate)

Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí)

Correct answer: D

Analysis:

A. “同学 (tóngxué)” are the Chinese characters for “classmate”      or “schoolmate.”

    “同 (tóng)” means similar, and “学 (xué)” represents the meaning      of “学生 (xuéshēng) student.” B. “同时 (tóngshí)” are the Chinese characters for “at the same time.”…

Mini-test Answer: A Large Crowd (Advanced)

Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)  

Correct answer: C

Analysis:

Let’s first look at the meaning of this Chinese dialogue.

  Wǒ zhōumò qù shì zhōngxīn guàngjiē le. Zhēnshì rénshānrénhǎi a! A: 我     周末   去 市      中心        逛街   了。 真是        人山人海     啊! I went to the city center …

Chinese Mini-test: 人山人海 (Advanced)

Advanced Level 高级 (gāojí)

      Wǒ zhōumò qù shì zhōngxīn guàngjiē le. Zhēnshì rénshānrénhǎi a! A: 我     周末   去 市      中心        逛街   了。 真是        人山人海     啊!     Xìngkuī wǒ méi qù, wǒ zuì pà rén duō le! B: 幸亏      我 没 去,我 最 怕 人   多 了! …

Quote of the week (Apr. 1, 2010)

Zánliǎ de gǎnqíng xiàng rénmínbì yíyàng jiāntǐng. 咱 俩  的    感情      像     人民币     一样      坚挺。

Our relationship is as strong as Renminbi (RMB).                                  —From Guo Jingming, a famous Chinese writer

 
 

生词 (shēngcí) Vocabulary

感情 (gǎnqíng): n relationship

人民币 (rénmínbì): n Renminbi (RMB), the Chinese currency.…

电影 (diànyǐng) Movie (Beginner)

电影 (diànyǐng) Movie
(Beginner)

The character “电 (diàn)” means electricity and “影 (yǐng)” means shadow.

Example:

A: Wǒ hěn xǐhuan zhōngguó diànyǐng. Cóng diànyǐng zhōng wǒ kěyǐ  xuéxí zhōngwén.     我   很     喜欢    中国         电影,      从      电影        中     我  可以 学习 中文。 I like Chinese movies, …

高楼大厦 (gāolóudàshà) High Buildings and Large Mansions (Advanced)

高楼大厦 (gāolóudàshà) High Buildings and Large Mansions (Advanced)

The character “高 (gāo)” means high and “楼 (lóu)” means floor. “大 (dà)”

means large and “厦 (shà)” means tall building. Example:

Xiàndàihuà de chéngshì lǐ  biàndì shì gāolóudàshà. 现代化        的  城市       里  遍地    是    高楼大厦。

In …

Mini-test Answer: 创业 (Intermediate)

Intermediate Level 中级 (zhōngjí) 

Correct answer: C

Analysis:

A. “创伤 (chuāngshāng)” are the Chinese characters for “wound.”

      Both “创 (chuāng)” and “伤 (shāng)” here mean wound.

B. “创造 (chuàngzào)” are the Chinese characters for “to create.”

     “创 (chuàng)” means to start here, and “造 (zào)” …

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