Mandarin Essentials

When You Feel Crushed, Use “心塞(xīnsāi)” in Mandarin

Zhāng Qíng: Xiàzhōu jiùyào qīmòkǎoshì le! 张晴:           下周      就要    期末考试  了! Zhang Qing: We will have the final exam next week!

Lǐ Chéng: Shìya. Nǐ fùxí de zěnmeyàng le? 李成:     是呀。你复习得 怎么样    了? Li Cheng: Yeah. How’s your preparation going?

Zhāng Qíng: Hái méi kāishǐ …

Learn the Difference between “次(cì)” and “遍(biàn)”

Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks.

Bìngrén: Yīsheng, zhèzhǒng yào zěnme chī? 病人:         医生,  这种         药    怎么    吃? Patient: Doctor, how is this medicine to be taken? Yīsheng: Yìtiān chī sān___,  yí __chī liǎngpiàn. 医生:        一天   吃  三  ___,一__吃   两片。 Doctor: …

“东风(dōngfēng)” and “耳边风(ěrbiānfēng)”﹣They are Different Kinds of Wind

In last week’s test, we learned about the idiom “喝西北风(hē xīběifēng)”, which means getting nothing to eat or having to live on air. Now in this issue we will get to know about two other kinds of “风(fēng)”: “东风(dōngfēng)” and “耳边风(ěrbiānfēng).”

“东风(dōngfēng)”

“东风(dōngfēng)” …

Answer to Do “牛奶(niúnǎi)” and “奶牛(nǎiniú)” mean the Same Thing?

Answer: B In option A, “蜜蜂(mìfēng)” means “bee” and “蜂蜜(fēngmì)” means “honey.” In B, “苹果(píngguǒ)” is “apple” but the character combination “果苹(guǒpíng)” doesn’t hold any meaning in Chinese. In option C, “国王(guówáng)” refers to “a king” and “王国(wángguó)” is his “kingdom.” Finally, in D, “白雪(báixuě)” …

Do “牛奶(niúnǎi)” and “奶牛(nǎiniú)” mean the Same Thing?

In Chinese, some two-character words or phrases will take on new meanings if the order of the two characters is swapped. For example, “牛奶(niúnǎi)” means “milk” but “奶牛(nǎiniú)” means “cow”, “喜欢(xǐhuān)” is “to like” but “欢喜(huānxǐ)” is “happy”, and “刷牙(shuāyá)” means “to brush one’s teeth” …

Scroll to Top