Mandarin Essentials
年夜饭 (niányèfàn ) Dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve (Intermediate)
年夜饭 (niányèfàn ) Dinner on Chinese New Year’s Eve (Intermediate)
The character “年 (nián)” means year; “夜 (yè)” means night and “饭 (fàn)”
means meal. Example:
Jīnnián chūnjié, wǒmen yào qù nǎinai jiā chī niányèfàn. 今年春节,我们要去奶奶家吃年夜饭。
We will go to my grandparents’ place to have …
红红火火 (hónghónghuǒhuǒ) Flourishing (Advanced)
红红火火 (hónghónghuǒhuǒ) Flourishing (Advanced)
The character “红 (hóng)” means red and “火 (huǒ)” means fire.
Example:
Chūnjié dào le, dàjiā dōu hónghónghuǒhuǒ guò xīnnián. 春节到了,大家都红红火火过新年。
Spring festival is coming; people are celebrating the New Year with excitement.…
Chinese Mini-test: 耳旁风 (Advanced)
In China, parents always say to their children: “你不要总把我的话当作耳旁风.” Do you know the meaning of Chinese phrase “耳旁风?”
A. Deceive oneself
B. Walls have ears
C. What you hear may be false
D. Turn a deaf ear to something…
Chinese Mini-test: 逛街 (Intermediate)
The weekend is coming and you will go shopping with your friends. “逛街” is the Chinese meaning of going shopping. Do you know the Chinese pinyin of “逛街?”
A. Guàngjiē
B. Guòjié
C. Guāngmíng
D. Guǎngzhōu
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Chinese Mini-Test: 喜欢 (Beginner)
“I like watching sports games.” What does “like” mean in Chinese?
A. 讨厌
B. 喜欢
C. 羡慕
D. 愿意
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Chinese Mini-test: 差不多 (Advanced)
Chinese Mini-test: 怎么办 (Intermediate)
Mr. Smith wants to start his own business in China in 2010, but he barely knows any
. “What shall I do?” he asks himself. Do you know the
for “What shall I do?” A. 为什么 (wèishénme) …
Chinese Mini-Test: 妈妈 (Beginner)
“妈妈 mom” is a frequently appearing word in the
. Do you know the
for “妈妈 mom?” A. Nǎinai B. Bàba C. Yéye D. Māma
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压岁钱 Pocket Money for Children on Lunar New Year’s Day (Intermediate)
压岁钱 (yāsuìqián) Pocket Money for Children on Lunar New Year’s Day (Intermediate)
The character “压 (yā )” means to press; “岁 (suì)” means age and “钱 (qián)” means money. Example:
Měi nián guònián wǒ dōu néng shōu dào hǎo duō yāsuìqián. 每年过年我都能收到好多压岁钱。
I receive much …
Chinese Mini-test: 卖关子 (Advanced)
What does the phrase “卖关子 (mài guānzi)” refer to? A. Put up with B. Play a joke C. Keep others guessing D. Play petty tricks…
Chinese Mini-test: 损坏 (Intermediate)
What does the phrase “损坏 (sŭnhuài)” refer to? A. Cherish B. Damage C. Repair D. Waste
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Chinese Mini-Test: 春天 (Beginner)
What does the phrase “春天 (chūntiān)” refer to? A. Spring B. Summer C. Autumn D. Winter
…Chinese Mini-test: 乱七八糟 (Advanced)
I
in such a disordered way that I don’t get much improvement in the speaking skill. How do you say “disordered” in Chinese?
A. 七上八下 (qīshàngbāxià)
B. 乱七八糟 (luànqībāzāo)
C. 七嘴八舌 (qīzuǐbāshé)
D. 三心二意 (sānxīn’èryì)
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Chinese Mini-test: 做饭 (Intermediate)
Mary often speaks Chinese with her husband when she “做饭 cooks.” What is Chinese pinyin of “做饭 to cook?”
A. Chīfàn
B. Zuòkè
C. Zuòfàn
D. Zuòshì
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Chinese Mini-Test: 手机 (Beginner)
More and more people want to learn Chinese through cell phone platform nowadays! How do you say “cell phone” in Chinese?
A. 手机 (shǒujī)
B. 手套 (shǒutào)
C. 飞机 (fēijī)
D. 电脑 (diànnǎo)
Chinese Mini-test: 马马虎虎 (Advanced)
Tom wasn’t so confident with the coming HSK exam, because he prepared for the
“马马虎虎 carelessly.” What is the Chinese pinyin for “马马虎虎 carelessly” in this sentence? A. Kuàikuàilèlè B. Mǎmǎhūhū C. Tuántuányuányuán D. Huānhuānxǐxǐ
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Chinese Mini-test: 上网 (Intermediate)
If you choose an online Chinese school to learn Chinese, you might be familiar with the phrase “上网 (shàngwǎng).” Do you know what “上网 (shàngwǎng)” means in English? A. Go to school B. Attend classes C. Surf the internet D. Go …
Chinese Mini-Test: 冷 (Beginner)
What is the Chinese character for “cold?” A. 冷 (lěng) B. 凉 (liáng) C. 热 (rè) D. 暖 (nuǎn)
…Chinese Mini-test: 虎年大吉 (Advanced)
“虎年大吉 good luck in the year of the tiger,” the year 2010 is coming up and many are preparing for the
. What is the Chinese pinyin for “虎年大吉 good luck in the year of the tiger?” A. …



