Every year on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar (this year it falls on August 23) is Chinese Valentine’s Day “七夕节(Qīxījié).” As is the custom elsewhere in the world, this is a day devoted to romance. Chinese Valentine’s Day is …
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戴香包 (dài xiāngbāo) v. to wear the sachet
香 (xiāng) adj. fragrant/delicious
It’s widely known that people enjoy “粽子 (zòngzi) rice dumplings” and “赛龙舟 (sài lóngzhōu) dragon-boat races” during the annual Dragon Boat Festival, but amongst all the customs, the most …
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红 (hóng) red
白 (bái) white
黑 (hēi) black
Chinese have developed a rich culture around the use of color, especially in language. Below we will explain the significance of a few colors in Chinese culture: First, something you’ll no doubt …
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春游 (chūnyóu) n. spring outing
锻炼 (duànliàn) v. to exercise
The Tomb-sweeping Day in China is a day for ancestor worship. It falls on April 4, 2012. On this day, people go to sweep the tombs of their ancestors to show …
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筷子 (kuàizi): n. chopsticks
简单 (jiǎndān): adj. easy/simple
Can you use “筷子 (kuàizi) chopsticks?” With the continued growing popularity of Chinese food and culture, more and more people around the world are trying to learn how to use chopsticks. Some even …
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发 (fā): v. to be lucky
最 (zuì): adv. the most (the superlative degree of an adjective)
Seeing the picture below, you may wonder why this car is special. Actually, this car is special because of its license plate number. On …
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抬 (tái): v. to lift/raise
理发 (lǐfà): v. to have a haircut
In North China, there is a saying that goes “二月二，龙抬头 (èr yuè èr, lóng tái tóu) The Dragon Raises Its Head.” It signals the arrival of spring, the beginning …
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年年有余 (niánniányǒuyú) May you always get more than you wish for.
The Spring Festival has come to an end and all of us have to go back to work. Thinking back to the Spring Festival, do you remember the plate of …
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元宵节 (Yuánxiāojié): n. Lantern Festival
放烟花 (fàngyānhuā): v. to set off fireworks
The “元宵节 (Yuánxiāojié) Lantern Festival” falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. On this day, activities such as “猜灯谜 (cāidēngmí) guessing the lantern riddles,” “吃元宵 (chī …
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龙 (lóng) n. dragon
代替 (dàitì) v. to take the place of/to replace
In ancient China, the “龙 (lóng) dragon” lived capable upon the earth’s land, though notably, his majestic appearance lacked its famous horns. With a strong body and the …
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小年 (Xiǎonián): n. the Little New Year
“小年 (Xiǎonián) The Little New Year,” also known as the “祭灶节 (Jìzào jié) the Kitchen God Festival,” is believed to take place on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month when the Kitchen …
Key Learning Points (Preview): 龙年 (lóngnián): n. the Year of the Dragon
本命年 (běnmìngnián): n. one’s year of birth in relation to the Chinese Zodiac
China’s celebration of the lunar New Year, the renowned Spring Festival, is less than a month away. As the zodiac’s …
Key Learning Points (Preview): 新娘 (xīnniáng) n. bride
害羞 (hàixiū) adj. shy
In a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, the “新娘 (xīnniáng) bride” will wear a red veil made of silk, the color red represents happiness in China. The “新郎 (xīnláng) groom” removes this mysterious red …
秋老虎 (qiū lǎohǔ) The Hottest Days in Autumn Key Learning Points (Preview):
热 (rè): adj. hot
害怕 (hàipà): v. to be afraid of
Why do people call it “秋老虎 (qiū lǎohǔ)?” It is a short hot period (7-15 days) occurring in the latter part of …
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打架 (dǎjià): n/v. fight/to fight
客人 (kèrén): n. guest
An American “学生 (xuésheng) student” traveled to China and was having dinner with his Chinese friends. His “老师 (lǎoshī) teacher” asked him what he thought of China and the Chinese people. The …
What Present Would You Select on Chinese Valentine’s Day?
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礼物 (lǐwù): n. present/gift
送 (sòng): v. to give
Chinese Valentine’s Day -七夕 (Qīxī), on July seventh of the Chinese lunar calendar, is coming up. Many people in China are preparing to …
Online Mandarin Chinese: The Eastern Carnival-火把节 (Huǒbǎjié) The Torch Festival Key Learning Points (Preview):
节日(jiérì): n. festival
旅行(lǚxíng): v. to travel
“火把节 (cHuǒbǎ jié) The Torch Festival” is an ancient and important traditional “节日 (jiérì) festival” for various ethnic groups such as “彝、白、纳西 (Yí, Bái, …
中国古代四大美女 (Zhōngguó gǔdài sì dà měinǚ) The Four Beauties of Ancient China
Key Learning Points (Preview): 美女 (měinǚ): n. beauty
含蓄 (hánxù): adj. reserved/implicit
温柔 (wēnróu): adj. gentle/tender
Throughout China’s five thousand year history, numerous heroic figures have emerged and captured the people’s fancy. But …
Business Etiquette—Showing Honor through Holding Fist Key Learning Points (Preview):
拳头 (quántou) n. fist
祝贺 (zhùhè)n. congratulations
Holding fist is a form of greeting, usually used by men, with one clenched fist cradled in the other hand and held at chest level. It is a …
Online Chinese Lesson- Li Bai- China’s Greatest Poet (Intermediate)
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纪念 (jìniàn): v. to commemorate
风格 (fēnggé): n. style
Feb. 28, 2011 is the 1310th anniversary of the Poet Li Bai, one of the greatest poets in world history. Many people “纪念 …
