Mandarin Essentials
Chinese Listening Test
Listen to the recording and put the following pictures in the correct order. (The recording will be repeated three times)
The correct order is _________________.
Dine and Dash? It Is Having “霸王餐(bàwángcān)” in Mandarin!
Previously, we introduced two other Chinese words related to the character “霸(bà)”: “学霸(xuébà)” and “麦霸(màibà).” In this issue we will learn about another one, which is “霸王餐(bàwángcān).”
Literally, “霸(bà)” means “to dominate, lord over, tyrannize over or rule by force” and “王(wáng)” means “king.” Together, …
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 …
“同样(tóngyàng)” and “一样(yíyàng)” Are Not The Same!
Tāmen liǎnggè zhǎngde ______. 他们 两个 长得 ______。 Those two look the same. A. “同样(tóngyàng)”
B. “一样(yíyàng)”
C. Either A or B
HSK Test General Chinese (Beginner Level) General Chinese (Intermediate Level) …
Answer Key – What is in That “红包(hóngbāo) Red Envelope”?
Answer: B
In China, you may receive a “红包(hóngbāo) red envelope” on certain important days like at your wedding, on your birthday, and so on.
Some of the most important festivals for the Chinese include Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival and Mid-autumn Festival. …
What is in That “红包(hóngbāo) Red Envelope”?
When you receive a “红包(hóngbāo)” from a Chinese person, what do you get inside the envelope? A. 情书(qíngshū) love letter
B. 现金(xiànjīn) cash
C. 糖果(tángguǒ) candy
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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)…
Answer to the Exercise on Telling Time in Mandarin
Correct Answer: A In the Chinese language, there are many ways to talk about the time, but actually, their meanings and usages are quite different. The words “点(diăn)” and “点钟(diănzhōng),” which have the same meaning of “o’clock,” are not interchangeable. Similarly, “分(fēn)” and “分钟(fēnzhōng)” both …
Answer to Chinese Terms of Endearment: Who Is Your “爱人(àiren)”?
Answer: A In Chinese, “爱(ài)” means “love” and “人(rén)” means “person/people,” so “爱人(àiren)” literally means “the person you love.” However, the term can’t be used to refer to every person that you love: not your girlfriend, not your boyfriend, and not your lover. The term …
Chinese Terms of Endearment: Who Is Your “爱人(àiren)”?
You may have found that it’s not always easy to tell the true meanings of many Chinese expressions from their literal meanings. How about the one in the question below? Do you know what it really means? When you hear a Chinese person mention “我的爱人(wǒde …
Answer to What does “你吃了吗(Nǐ chī le ma)” Actually Mean in Mandarin?
Answer: B
Actually, “你吃了吗(Nǐ chī le ma) Have you eaten yet?” is a traditional way of greeting others. Sometimes the speaker may not really care whether or not you have had your lunch or dinner, instead, the phrase will just be used to start a …
What does “你吃了吗(Nǐ chī le ma)” Actually Mean in Mandarin?
There is a saying (Learn a popular Chinese saying!)among Chinese people that goes “民以食为天(mín yǐ shí wéi tiān).” This means “people regard food as their heaven,” which shows that they view eating to be of utmost importance. Along these same lines, many Chinese people …
10 Essential Chinese Sentences for Traveling in China (Part 2)
Zhè shì shénme? 这 是 什么？ What is this?
Let’s Show and Share Our Happiness
Well, summer is here, the hottest time of the year. Do you feel burned by the sun? We do! But we always try to use sun protection. In Chinese, “晒 (shài)” means “to sun” or “to shine.” “晒太阳 (shài tàiyang)” means “to bask in the …
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 …