Answer to Flattering & Giving Compliments in Chinese
Correct Answers 1. A 2. B <<Back to “Flattering & Giving Compliments in Chinese”
Chinese Culture
Flattering & Giving Compliments in Chinese
Compliments play an important role in maintaining good social relationships. After all, it never hurts to make others feel good about themselves! Let’s learn how to pay your Chinese friends compliments in Mandarin.
First, let’s have a look at the most common sentence structure for …
Answer to Do You Know the 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac?
Answer: A The twelve Chinese zodiac animals are: “鼠(shǔ) Rat,” “牛(niú) Ox,” “虎(hǔ) Tiger,” “兔(tù) Hare,” “龙(lóng) Dragon,” “蛇(shé) Snake,” “马(mǎ) Horse,” “羊(yáng) Sheep/Goat,” “猴(hóu) Monkey,” “鸡(jī) Rooster,” “狗(gǒu) Dog,” and “猪(zhū) Boar.” You can see from this list that there is no “猫(māo) cat” …
Do You Know the 12 Animals of the Chinese Zodiac?
Each year of the Chinese zodiac is represented by twelve different animals. Are you familiar with all of them? Try the following question to check! Which of the following animals does not belong in the Chinese zodiac? A. “猫(māo) Cat” B. “狗(gǒu) Dog” C. “猪(zhū) …
Chinese Dragon Boat Festival
Dragon Boat Festival in Chinese is 端午节(Duānwǔ jié). It is on the fifth of May of lunar calendar. There are many legends about this traditional festival and the most popular one is “屈原 (Qū Yuán)QuYuan,” who was a Chinese scholar and minister to the King …
Three “Spicy” Provinces in China (Part III) – Guizhou
We have previously introduced Sichuan’s “麻辣(málà)” and Hunan’s “香辣(xiānglà)” flavors. In this last issue of our three-part sizzling-hot tour of China we will learn about one more unique kind of “spiciness” — the “酸辣(suānlà) sour spiciness” of “贵州(guìzhōu).” The special climate of Guizhou Province is, …
Answer to Which Way Does It Go? Chinese Name Order
Answer: A In China, the full name of a Han Chinese person (Han is the largest ethnic group in China) is composed of two parts: the surname and the given name. In Chinese, the surname comes first and is then followed by the given …
Which Way Does It Go? Chinese Name Order
How much do you know about Chinese surnames and given names? Take the following test! If a Chinese woman’s name is 张小梅(Zhāng Xiǎoméi), then 张(Zhāng) is _____. A. her surname B. her given name
Answer to Three “Spicy” Provinces in China (Part II) – Hunan
Correct Answers: 1. B 2. C 3. C <<Back to “Three ‘Spicy’ Provinces in China (Part II) – Hunan”
Three “Spicy” Provinces in China (Part II) – Hunan
In China, “辣椒(làjiāo) chili” has rich cultural connotations. The fire-red chilies, connected with feelings of joy and celebration, symbolize colorful and thriving lives. What’s more, the character “交(jiāo) make friends or associate with someone” is a homophone of “椒(jiāo)”, suggesting that making good friends with …
Answer to Three “Spicy” Provinces in China (Part I) – Sichuan
Correct Answers: 1. B 2. A 3. C <<Back to “Three ‘Spicy’ Provinces in China (Part I) – Sichuan”
Three “Spicy” Provinces in China (Part I) – Sichuan
(Want to travel in China? Try a Travel Chinese lesson first!)
Mention of the word “spicy” often reminds people of hot peppers, which turn red when ripening. In China, red color is the color of auspiciousness and prosperity, symbolizing good luck, …
Answer to Chinese Dating: Who Should Pay the Bill?
Correct Answer: A First off, it should be made clear that China has long been a patriarchal society, where males have traditionally played dominant roles in political leadership, moral authority, social privilege, and also control of property. In ancient China, females were not supposed to …
Chinese Dating: Who Should Pay the Bill?
How does dating work in China? Try this little test to check how much you know about dating in Chinese culture! Who is supposed to pay the bill on a date according to Chinese custom? A. The man B. The woman C. Go Dutch, so …
Edible Art: “糖画(tánghuà)” Sugar Painting
Have you ever heard of Chinese “糖画(tánghuà) sugar painting?” If not, check out the video below for a glimpse of this intricate, edible art!
Have you ever seen anything like what the artist makes in the video? Do you think the way “糖画(tánghuà)” is made …
Answer to Worst Gift to Your Chinese Friends!
Correct Answer: C In Chinese culture, giving and exchanging gifts is very popular. If you have any Chinese friends, learning the ins and outs of gift-giving culture in China is very important.
Especially when you visit a Chinese friend’s house, “点心(diǎnxīn) cakes,” “白酒(báijiǔ) hard alcohol,” …
Worst Gift to Your Chinese Friends!
Which of the following shouldn’t be given as gifts in China? A. 香烟(xiāngyān)
B. 白酒(báijiǔ)
C. 时钟(shízhōng)
D. 手表(shǒubiǎo)
Answer to Choose Lucky Numbers and Steer Clear of Unlucky Ones!
Correct Answer: A In the Chinese language, 4(sì) has similar pronunciation with “死(sì) die,” which gives people an ominous, unlucky feeling. For this reason, Chinese people don’t like the number 4. <<Back to “Choose Lucky Numbers and Steer Clear of Unlucky Ones!” …