Mandarin Essentials
Mini-test Answer: 打算 (Intermediate)
Correct Answer: D
Analysis:
A. “好像 (hǎoxiàng)” are the Chinese characters for “as if” or “seem.”
“好 (hǎo)” means good or well. “像 (xiàng)” means alike or resemble.
B. “可能 (kěnéng)” are the Chinese characters for “maybe” or “probably.”
“可 (kě)” …
Mini-test Answer: 没门儿 (Advanced)
Correct answer: D Analysis: A. “Méikòng” is the Chinese pinyin for “没空 have no time.” “没 (méi)” means no. “空 (kòng)” means empty literally. But here it means time and takes the falling tone.
B. “Méiyòng” is the Chinese pinyin for …
Chinese Mini-test: 打算 (Intermediate)
A: Do you know any Chinese for teens? I plan to learn Chinese this summer holiday. B: Yes, I do. How do you say “plan” in Chinese from this dialogue? A. 好像 (hǎoxiàng) B. 可能 (kěnéng) C. 愿意 (yuànyì) D. …
Mini-test Answer: Brushing Your Teeth (Beginner)
Correct Answer: B
Analysis:
A. “洗澡 (xǐzǎo)” are the Chinese characters for “taking a shower” or “taking a bath.” “洗 (xǐ)” means to wash. “澡 (zǎo)” means shower or bath.
B. “刷牙 (shuāyá)” are the Chinese characters for “brushing your teeth.”…
Chinese Mini-test: Brushing Your Teeth (Beginner)
Brushing your teeth everyday can help keep your teeth in good condition. But do you know how to say “brushing your teeth” in Chinese? A. 洗澡 (xǐzǎo)
B. 刷牙 (shuāyá)
C. 洗脸 (xǐliǎn)
D. 梳头 (shūtóu)
Chinese Mini-test: 没门儿 (Advanced)
A: Nǐ juéde wǒ búqù shàng Zhōngwénkè néng tōngguò kǎoshì ma? 你 觉得 我 不去 上 中文课 能 通过 考试 吗? Do you think I can pass the exam without taking Chinese courses? B: Xiāngxìn wǒ, gēmenr, _________. 相信 我,哥们儿,没门儿。 Believe …
红包 (hóngbāo) Red Packets/ Red Envelope (Intermediate)
红包 (hóngbāo) Red Packets/ Red Envelope (Intermediate)
The character “红 (hóng)” means red and “包 (bāo)” means bag or packet.
Example:
Měinián chūnjié, wǒ huì shōudào hěnduō hóngbāo ne! 每年 春节, 我 会 收 到 很多 红包 呢!
I can receive many red packets for …
春联 (chūnlián ) Spring Festival Couplets (Intermediate)
春联 (chūnlián ) Spring Festival Couplets (Intermediate)
The character “春 (chūn)” means spring and “联 (lián )” means couplet.
Example: Tiē chūnlián shì chūnjié de yí dà xísú. 贴 春联 是 春节 的 一 大 习俗。 Pasting couplets is a great custom during Spring Festival.…
年画 (niánhuà) New Year Picture (Intermediate)
年画 (niánhuà) New Year Picture (Intermediate)
The character “年 (nián)” means year and “画 (huà)” means painting.
Example:
jīn nián guānyú hǔ de niánhuà hěnduō. 今 年 关于 虎 的 年画 很多。 There are many New Year paintings of tiger on this year’s spring festival.…
灯笼 (dēnglong) Lantern (Intermediate)
灯笼 (dēnglong) Lantern (Intermediate)
The character “灯 (dēng)” means lamp or light and “笼 (lóng)” means cage.
Example:
Wǒmen jiā měi nián chūnjié shí dōu huì zài jiāménkǒu guàshàng yí gè dàdà de hóng dēnglong. 我们 家 每 年 春节 时 都 会 在 家门口 …
Tracy Mcgrady Wants to Put Yao Ming out?! (Beginner)
Did you get it? When Yao Ming asked Tracy Mcgrady what the hosts on the TV show were talking about, Tracy said he would put Yao out. What happened between these two friends?
In fact, what Tracy said was “我不知道”. “Well, put u out” has …
年货 (niánhuò) Goods Bought for the Spring Festival Holiday (Intermediate)
年货 (niánhuò) Goods Bought for the Spring Festival Holiday (Intermediate)
The character “年 (nián)” means year and “货 (huò)” means goods.
Example:
Kuài guò chūnjié le, jiājiā dōu zài máng zhe zhìbàn niánhuò. 快 过 春节 了,家家 都 在 忙 着 置办 年货。
Spring Festival …
Quote of the week (Feb. 10, 2010)
Jǐn zhù xīnnián kuàilè xìngfú, dàjídàlì . 谨 祝 新年 快乐 幸福, 大吉大利!
Wish you a happy New Year and great fortune! —Most popular Chinese New Year greetings
:
快乐 (kuàilè): adj merry
幸福 (xìngfú): adj happy/blessed
大吉大利 (dàjídàlì): great fortune
Got questions?…
Mini-test Answer: 喜气洋洋 (Advanced)
Correct Answer: C
Analysis:
A. “喜从天降 (xǐcóngtiānjiàng)” is the Chinese phrase for “a heaven-sent fortune.” “喜 (xǐ)” means happiness and “从 (cóng)” means from. “天 (tiān)” means sky in this context and “降 (jiàng)” means to fall.
B. “喜出望外 (xǐchūwàngwài)” is …
除夕 (chúxī) New Year’s Eve (Intermediate)
除夕 (chúxī) New Year’s Eve (Intermediate)
The character “除 (chú )” means to remove and “夕 (xī)” means sunset.
Example:
Chúxī yè, wǒmen quán jiā rén zuò zài yìqǐ kàn chūnjié liánhuānwǎnhuì. 除夕夜,我们全家人坐在一起看春节联欢晚会。
My family members watch the Spring Festival Gala together on the New …
Mini-test Answer: 拜年 (Intermediate)
Correct Answer: B
Analysis:
A. “拜访 (bàifǎng)” is the Chinese characters for “to pay a visit.”
“拜 (bài)” means to worship and “访 (fǎng)” means to visit.
B. “拜年 (bàinián)” is the Chinese characters for “to pay a New Year call.” …
Mini-test Answer: 春节 (Beginner)
Correct Answer: A
Analysis:
A. “Chūnjié” is the Chinese pinyin for “春节 Spring Festival.”
“春 (chūn)” means spring and “节 (jié)” means festival.
B. “Chūntiān” is the Chinese pinyin for “春天 spring.”
“春 (chūn)” means spring and “天 (tiān)” means day …
Chinese Mini-test: 喜气洋洋 (Advanced)
The Chinese New Year is coming up soon. All the surroundings in China are full of happiness. Do you know the Chinese meaning of “full of happiness?” A. 喜从天降 (xǐcóngtiānjiàng) B. 喜出望外 (xǐchūwàngwài) C. 喜气洋洋 (xǐqìyángyáng) D. 喜怒哀乐 (xǐnù’āilè)
…Chinese Mini-Test: 春节 (Beginner)
Traditionally, Chinese New Year is also called “春节.” Do you know the Chinese pinyin of “春节?”
A. Chūnjié
B. Chūntiān
C. Chuīniú
D. Chūnlián
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