The Negation of “都(dōu)”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Wáng Xuě: Wǒ hé Lǐ Lín___qù cānjiā jùhuì le. 王 雪： 我 和 李林___去 参加 聚会 了。 Wang Xue: Neither me nor Li Lin will go to the party. Zhāng Níng: Rúguǒ nǐmen___qù, nàme wǒ …
Mandarin Essentials
Answer to “以为(yǐwéi)” vs. “认为(rènwéi)” – Similar but Different
Correct Answer: A In the Chinese language, both “以为(yǐwéi)” and “认为(rènwéi)” can be used to express what one thinks or thought to be true, in other words, to show one’s original opinion. But, when it comes down to it, they are actually quite different from …
“以为(yǐwéi)” vs. “认为(rènwéi)” – Similar but Different
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. James, nǐ shì nǎ guó rén? Peter：James，你 是 哪 国 人？ James, where are you from? Wǒ shì Àodàlìyà rén. James：我 是 澳大利亚 人。 I’m Australian. Zhēn de ma? Wǒ ____ nǐ shì Měiguó rén. …
黑哨(Hēishào)- Bad Ref. Calls (World Cup Special Ⅲ)
The referee of a soccer game is often the focus of play controversy, and the 2014 World Cup is no exception. The referee is the ultimate authority in every soccer match, and although there are linesmen to help him, in most cases, the referee will …
Answer to the Exercise on The Difference Between “一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)” And “有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr)”
Correct Answer: C In the Chinese language, both “一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)” and “有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr)” can mean “a little” or “a bit,” and they can be used with adjectives. But, how exactly are they different in meaning and usage? First, “一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)” is often used after adjectives …
The Difference Between “一点儿 (yìdiǎnr)” And “有点儿 (yǒudiǎnr)”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Wáng Lì: Zhè shuāng xié ______ xiǎo, yǒu méi yǒu dà _____de? 王 丽：这 双 鞋 ______ 小 ，有 没 有 大 ____ 的 ？ Wang Li: This pair of shoes is a little small. …
Answer to the Exercise on the Difference Between “看(kàn)” and “看到(kàndào)”
Correct Answer: B In the Chinese language, both “看(kàn)” and “看到(kàndào)” similarly mean “to see” and they can also both be used as verbs and followed by objects. However, they are actually quite different in meaning and usage, and are therefore, not interchangeable. First of …
The Difference Between “看(kàn)” and “看到(kàndào)”
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blank. Andrew and his wife are waiting for his friends at the pier. Suddenly, he spots his friend Wang Wei. Wáng Wěi! Wǒmen zài zhèr, nǐ kěyǐ ____ wǒmen ma? Andrew： 王 伟！ 我们 在 这儿，你 …
Answer to the Exercise on The More the Merrier: How to use the Chinese Numeral “多(duō)”
Correct Answer: B In the Chinese language, the word “多(duō)” can be used as a numeral referring to an uncertain, slight amount of difference between two numbers. The common and correct way to use it is: “number (1-10) + measure word +多(duō)”. Let’s start by …
“黑马(hēimă) Dark Horse” of the 2014 World Cup (Special Issue Ⅱ)
There are tears of joy and the not-so-happy kind in the 2014 World Cup because every match will have its winner and loser. As the 2014 World Cup charges on, there remain some teams on the brink of elimination. There are also teams who have …
The More the Merrier: How to use the Chinese Numeral “多(duō)”
Lǐ Píng: Nǐ lái Zhōngguó duō jiǔ le? 李 萍: 你 来 中国 多 久 了？ Li Ping: How long have you been in China? Cindy: ____ le. Cindy: ____ 了。 Cindy: It has been over five years. Please choose the correct answer to fill …
Answer to the Exercise on 课(kè) vs. 班(bān)-Two Ways to Talk About “Classes” in Mandarin
Correct Answer: A
Foreigners who are in the process of learning Chinese are most likely taking some sort of Chinese course. Some of them take online Chinese lessons and some join in-person classes in their home countries. No matter what kinds of courses you are …
课(kè) vs. 班(bān)-Two Ways to Talk About “Classes” in Mandarin
Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. Wáng Lín: Anna, nǐ yě shàng zhōngwén ____ ma? 王 琳：Anna, 你 也 上 中文 ____ 吗？ Wang Lin: Anna, are you also taking Chinese class? Shìde, wǒ hé Mike zài tóngyígè ____ . Anna：是的， …
“好球(hǎoqiú)” vs “臭球(chòuqiú)”-World Cup Special
The 2014 World Cup is taking center stage as the whole world enthusiastically celebrates this international soccer event. In China, countless football fans stay up all night to watch live World Cup matches, and the hottest issue up for discussion on Chinese social networks and …
World Cup Fever: Are You a “球迷(qiúmí)?”
Jack: Zhāng Léi, shìjiè bēi nǐ zhīchí nǎ gè duì? Jack: 张 雷，世界 杯 你 支持 哪 个 队？ Jack: Zhang Lei, which team are you rooting for in the World Cup?
Zhānɡ Léi : Argentina, yīnwèi wǒ shì Lionel 张 雷： Argentina, 因为 我 …
Answer to World Cup Fever: Are You a “球迷(qiúmí)?”
Answer: A The FIFA World Cup 2014 held in Brazil is in full swing. Did you catch the opening ceremony and have you been enjoying watching the exciting games? During World Cup time, a number of die-hard fans are all hyped up and rearing to …