Answer to Video Lesson: The Difference Between “Néng” and “Kěyǐ”
Answers:
1. B 2. A <<Back to “Video Lesson: The Difference Between ‘Néng’ and ‘Kěyǐ’.” …
Mandarin Essentials
Understand This Important Sign in Chinese
1. Read this following public sign and answer the question.
The sign’s message is directed primarily to:
A. Schoolchildren B. Pedestrians C. Motorists
…Answer to Understand This Important Sign in Chinese
Answer: C Analysis: “此处禁止停车 (Cǐchù jìnzhǐ tíngchē)” means no parking.
We can divide this sign into three parts: 此处 (Cǐ chù): here.
禁止 (Jìnzhǐ ): no; forbid.
停车 (Tíngchē): parking your car.
Normally, we would see this sign on the side of the street or …
Answer Key – It’s as Easy as 1-2-3: How to Improve Your Spoken Chinese
Answer: A
Analysis:
The pinyin of “中文” is zhōng wén which uses the first tone and second tone accordingly. So, the answer is A.
…It’s as Easy as 1-2-3: How to Improve Your Spoken Chinese
I get asked all the time by prospective students, new students, or even seasoned students–“How do I improve my spoken Chinese?” And not only do they want to know the answer to that question, they also want to know: “How can I do it fast?” …
Answer to It’s as Easy as 1-2-3: How to Improve Your Spoken Chinese
Answer: A Analysis: The pinyin of “中文” is zhōng wén which uses the first tone and second tone accordingly. So, the answer is A.
<<Back to “It’s as Easy as 1-2-3: How to Improve Your Spoken Chinese”…
Beware of “幺蛾子 (Yāo ézi)”! Call Someone On Their Bluffing
Learning fun Chinese slang which can be applied to, and be used in, a classroom or boardroom setting is one of my favorite things to teach in my Mandarin Chinese classes. One of these Chinese expressions which I find to be very useful is “幺蛾子 …
Answer to Beware of “幺蛾子 (Yāo ézi)”! Call Someone On Their Bluffing
Answer: B Analysis: Tā cái shì nàgè ài chū yāo ézi de rén. 他 才 是 那个 爱 出 幺 蛾子 的 人。 He is the one who often comes up with abnormal ideas.
么 (Me): interrogative particle; repetition of a tune small; tender.
幺 …
Video Lesson: Send Me A Text Message After You Get There! (Part I)
Do you want to know how to express “after” in Chinese?
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: Mr. Chen, we are still working on your suit. Qǐng nín zhèi ge xīngqīsì yǐhòu lái qǔ. B: Hǎo de, xièxie! Which of the following statements is true …
Do You Feel Underestimated? Learn How To Use This Word in Chinese
I like to introduce my students to common words used in Mandarin Chinese daily life. It’s important to learn words to use correctly in all kinds of social situations. One such popular Mandarin Chinese vocabulary word is “小看 (xiǎokàn).” What does it mean? Let’s look …
Answer to Do You Feel Underestimated? Learn How To Use This Word in Chinese
Answer: A Analysis: Búyào xiǎokàn wǒ, wǒ lìqì kěshì hěn dà de! 不 要 小 看 我，我力气可 是 很 大 的！ Don’t underestimate me. I can carry a lot of stuff!
<<Back to“Do You Feel Underestimated? Learn How To Use This Word in Chinese”…
Video Lesson: Sofas and Shafas!
At times, Chinese can sound curiously similar to English. So what’s going on?
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: Cindy, zhù nǐ shēnɡrì kuàilè! B: Wā…qiǎokèlì! Xièxie. What present does Cindy get at her birthday party? Please choose the best answer. A. Cindy gets beautiful …
Answer to Video Lesson: Sofas and Shafas!
Answers:
1. B 2. A 3. A 4. A 5. C <<Back to “Video Lesson: Sofas and Shafas!” …
A Disappearing Act with “一溜烟 (Yí Liù Yān)”
In English it is common to compare someone running away quickly to a cloud of dust. In Chinese, there’s a similar slang word– “一溜烟 (yí liù yān),” which can be used instead. This word is fast as lightning, leaves smoke trails, and is its own …
Answer to A Disappearing Act with “一溜烟 (Yí liù yān)”
Answer: B Analysis: Tīngshuō xiàozhǎng lái le, Jim yíliùyān jiù pǎo le. 听 说 校 长 来了，Jim一溜烟 就 跑 了。 Hearing the headmaster coming, Jim ran away swiftly.
When Your Brain Is Fevered and Flustered, You May Be “脑子发热 (Nǎozi Fārè)”
It’s always fun to use Mandarin Chinese slang among Chinese friends. When we are joking around together, we often tease each other in a playful manner with “吐槽 (tǔcáo)” and lighten the mood. When we want to be self-deprecating regarding our sudden and impulsive behavior, …
Answer to When Your Brain Is Fevered and Flustered, You May Be “脑子发热 (Nǎozi Fārè)”
Answer: B Analysis: Wǒ dāngshí nǎo zi fārè jiù bǎ tóufǎ quán jiǎn le. 我 当 时 脑 子发热 就 把 头发 全 剪 了。 I was so impulsive that I cut all my hair.
<<Back to“When Your Brain is Fevered and Flustered, You May …
Video Lesson: Why Me?
Why is the sky blue? Why do flowers bloom? Why do birds sing? … Why do you have so many questions? Let me tell you Why.
Exercises in the Video:
1. A: Duìbuqǐ, Jill, I’m not going to the movies tomorrow. B: Wèishénme? What did …
Answer to Video Lesson: Why Me?
Answers:
1. C 2. B 3. B 4. A 5. C <<Back to “Video Lesson: Why Me? ” …