Mandarin Essentials
When Things Go Your Way, Exclaim “Xiè Tiān Xiè Dì!”
As a Mandarin Chinese teacher, I’ve noticed that many of my foreign students use Chinese in conversation as much as possible, but by instinct they will usually use English or other non-Chinese expressions such as “oh my god!”, “just a minute” or “thank goodness!” when …
Video Lesson: Time Words-days of the Week.
Speaking about the days of the week is essential to have basic conversation in Mandarin Chinese. Fortunately, it’s very simple and fast to learn. Teacher Becky is here to help in today’s lesson! Watch Video Answer …
Video Lesson: Time Words-Quarter, Half, and Past.
It’s a quarter past eight now. Oh my god! I forgot the interview at half past eight. Watch Video Answers …
Video Lesson: Can I Ask You How to Get to the Metro Station, Please?
You want to take the metro to see a friend, but you don’t know how to get to the metro station. Now you need to ask for directions. Watch Video Answers …
Feeling Like A Hot Mess? Use 一锅粥 (yīguōzhōu)
A perk of being a Chinese learner, is knowing such a hard language and being impressive to others without trying. I am not tooting my own horn here, you have probably been getting the positive reactions already! To many, especially native English speakers, Chinese characters …
Answer to Feeling Like A Hot Mess? Use 一锅粥 (yīguōzhōu)
Answer: D When using “一锅粥” to describe a messy situation you cannot say “XXX + 是一锅粥” but could use “XXX + (乱)成了一锅粥”. Huǒchēzhàn tài yōngjǐ, luàn chéng le yīguōzhōu. A. 火车站 太 拥挤，乱 成 了 一锅粥。 The train station was too crowded, it became a …
How Do Chinese People Save Money on Movie Tickets?
The American film “Warcraft” did not do well at theatres in the USA. However, in China, “Warcraft” was a huge success. So, why did this film succeed in China but not in America? The movie was a “bomb” at the American box office but a …
Video Lesson: Congratulations!
You are invited to a wedding of your Chinese friend. What do you say when you propose a toast? Watch Video Answers …
Video Lesson: All I Wanna Do…
You wanna do this and you wanna do that. Whatever you want, you want to know how to express your wants…in Chinese.
Watch Video Answers
Yao Ming’s No.11 Jersey Retirement: Describe It in Mandarin Chinese
Basketball player 姚明 Yao Ming is the most famous athlete in China’s history. Yao played for the Shanghai Sharks from 1997 to 2002 and then played for the NBA’s Houston Rockets from 2002 to 2011. Standing 7’6” tall (229cm), Yao was dominating in the position …
Video lesson: Where are you?
Where are you? That is the question. In spoken Mandarin Chinese, the question “哪儿 (nǎr)” is commonly used when requesting location information. Watch Video Answers …