Mandarin Essentials
Video Lesson: Beijing Has a Population of Twenty Million!
When you are buying a house, a car, or some precious jewelry for your girlfriend, don’t just worry about the money, you haven’t known how to express that large amount yet.
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: Ellie, nǐ de xuéxiào zhēn dà ya! Zhèr …
Answer to Video Lesson: Beijing Has a Population of Twenty Million!
Answers:
1. B 2. C 3. A 4. A 5. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: Beijing Has a Population of Twenty Million!” …
Everybody Always Has a “挡箭牌 (Dǎng Jiàn Pái)”: See if You Do!
Dialogue:
Mike: Xiàbān hòu wǒmen yìqǐ qù yuèliàng jiǔba ba? Mike: 下班 后 我们 一起 去 月亮 酒吧 吧？ Mike: Let’s go to Moon Bar after working, shall we?
Jack: Wǒ bùnéng qù. Wǒ nǚpéngyǒu bú ràng wǒ wǎnshàng hējiǔ. Jack: 我 不能 去。我 女朋友 …
Answer to Everybody Always Has a “挡箭牌 (Dǎng Jiàn Pái)”: See if You Do!
Answer: A
Answer analysis:
Mike: Nǐ kě zhēn sǎoxìng, měi cì dōu ná nǚpéngyǒu dāng dǎngjiàpái. Mike: 你 可 真 扫兴， 每 次 都 拿 女朋友 当 挡箭牌。 Mike: How disappointing! Every time you name your girlfriend as the excuse.
挡箭牌 (dǎngjiànpái): excuse; pretext.
Example:
… Video Lesson: I’ve Heard So Much About You.
You are attending a conference, and meeting all these Chinese business elites. After exchanging name cards, how do you show your respect to them?
Exercise in the Video:
1. A: Méi xiǎng dào néng zài zhèr pèng dào Hé xiǎo jiě! B: Lǐ xiàozhǎng! Jiǔyǎng, …
Video Lesson: To Eat Or Not to Eat?
Vinegar. Bitterness. Losses. What? You want me to eat them all?
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: Xiǎoměi, jǐ ge yuè bú jiàn, nǐ shòu le hǎo duō a! B: Ǹg, wǒ wèi le jiǎnféi, chī le hěn duō kǔ. What does Xiaomei mean? Please …
Answer to Video Lesson: To Eat Or Not to Eat?
Answers:
1. B 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: To Eat Or Not to Eat?” …
In a Losing Situation, You May Be “倒贴 (dàotiē)”!
Do you ever put in more than you receive? Philosophers say that giving, not receiving, is the true path to happiness. However, sometimes you find yourself “in over your head” and losing money on an investment of your time and finances. Other times, you spend …
Video Lesson: What Do You REALLY Mean by This Color? (Part Ⅱ)
Green, white…when Chinese people use them, do you know what they REALLY mean?
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: Zuótiān wǒ kànjiàn Jessica zài hé lìngwài yí gè nánren jiē wěn. B: Shénme? Tā gěi tā lǎogōng dài le lǜ màozi! Please choose the best …
Video Lesson: Greetings (Part II)
When you say “how are you?” to your Chinese friends, they may not respond by saying “Wǒ hěn hǎo.” or “I’m fine.” That’s not wrong, but just not so authentic. You might hear them saying “I am doing OK” or “I am just so so.” …
Answer to Video Lesson: Greetings (Part II)
Answers:
1. B 2. B <<Back to “Video Lesson: Greetings (Part II)” …
Have You Watched Any “狗血 Dog Blood” Movies Lately?
There are some Mandarin Chinese words that just don’t have an exact equivalent in English.
Because when it comes to slang, there are a lot of hidden meanings behind each and every word. And you really have to know the full meaning to be able …
Answer to Have You Watched Any “狗血 Dog Blood” Movies Lately?
Answer: B Jack: Wǒ bù xiǎng qù, diànyǐng lǐmiàn de jùqíng tài gǒuxiě! Jack: 我 不 想 去， 电影 里面 的 剧情 太 狗血！ Jack: I don’t want to, the story of the film is too ridiculous!
Out-of-Date and Obsolete? That Trend May be “老掉牙 (Lǎodiàoyá)”!
I have only lived in China as a Mandarin Chinese student for a little over a year now, but I have learned that things in China move and change fast. The trains zip by fast, the buildings are constructed almost overnight, Internet slang comes and …
Answer to Out-of-Date and Obsolete? That Trend May be “老掉牙 (Lǎodiàoyá)”!
Answer: C
Answer Analysis:
In 2011, the Beijing-Shanghai High-Speed Rail opened, cutting the trip down to 4.5 hours. The slower train built in the 1950s, used to take 12 to 15 hours. Today, you can still ride the “old” train line. However, it is “老掉牙 …
Video Lesson: Bon Voyage!
When we see our friends off, we want to express our wishes that they will be safe and well. What should you say and what should you NOT say even you have the best intentions in the world?
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: The …