Mandarin Essentials

Answer to “同样(tóngyàng)” and “一样(yíyàng)” Are Not The Same!

“同样(tóngyàng)” and “一样(yíyàng)” both mean “the same.” They can be used interchangeably in most cases, but there are also some subtle distinctions between them. Let’s take a closer look.

“一样(yíyàng)” can be used as a complement and predicate

while “同样(tóngyàng)” cannot. For example, if you …

Talk about Stingy People? Use “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” in Mandarin!

The term “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” comes from the Chinese idiom “铁公鸡,一毛不拔(tiěgōngjī, yìmáo bùbá) You can’t pluck a feather from an iron rooster.”

Here, “铁(tiě)” means “iron” and “公鸡(gōngjī)” means “rooster,” but what the term “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” is really used to refer to is a mean, stingy person who …

Telling Time in Mandarin

Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Linda: Qǐngwèn xiànzài jǐ diǎn zhōng? Linda:请问       现在   几 点     钟? Linda: Excuse me, what time is it? Zhāng Míng:___. 张        明: ____。 Zhang Ming:___. A. 八点三十二分(Bā diăn sānshí’èr fēn)

B. 八点三十二分钟(Bā diăn sānshí’èr fēnzhōng)…

How’s Your Summer Vacation?

Beginner Level/初级(chūjí)

Joey: Zuìjìn tiānqì búcuò, zánmen qù páshān ba! Joey: 最近   天气   不错, 咱们    去    爬山   吧! Joey: The weather is fine recently. Let’s go hiking!

Amy: Kěshì wǒ juéde tài rè le, háishì gǎitiān qù ba! Amy: 可是  我  觉得 太 热 了,还是   …

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