Mandarin Essentials

Answer to Why Is the Chinese Tradition Upside Down? It’s a Good Omen

Answer: 1. C

Analysis:

祝福 (Zhùfú) n./v. blessing/bless

福利 (Fúlì) n. welfare

幸福 (Xìngfú) adj./ n. happy, happiness

Kàndào háizi chī bǎo hòu, māma lòuchū l (xìngfú) de xiàoróng. 看到孩子吃饱后,妈妈露出了(幸福)的笑容。 The mother smiled (happily) when she saw the baby full.

For this sentence, it just …

Video Lesson: That’s Chinese Kungfu

Do you know Chinese Kungfu?

Exercises in the Video:

1. A: Wánɡ Yīnɡ, nǐ bà shēntǐ zhēn hǎo! Tā yídìng jīngcháng zuò yùndòng ba? A: 王英,你爸身体真好!他一定经常做运动吧? B: Shì a! Tā zuìjìn kāishǐ liàn qìɡōnɡ le. B: 是啊!他最近开始练气功了。 Which fitness program did Wang Ying’s father start …

Answer to How Do You Compliment an Artist’s Work? Simply Use This Idiom!

Answer: 1. C

Analysis:

Wénzhāng zuìhòu yí duàn shífēn jīngcǎi, zài wén zhōng qǐ dào le huàlóngdiǎnjīng de zuòyòng. 文章最后一段十分精彩,在文中起到了画龙点睛的作用。 The last paragraph of the article is very wonderful, so much so that it serves as the article’s finishing touch.

As we learned, the meaning …

What Exactly Is the “Spring Rush” in China And When Does It Happen?

What Exactly Is “春运 (Chūnyùn)?” Literally translated this word means “Spring movement,” and that’s kind of what it is! The word comes from an abbreviation in Chinese that refers to “春节期间的交通运输 (chūnjié qījiān de jiāotōng yùnshū) the transportation during Spring Festival.” There is a rush …

Answer to Is It Snowing Outside Right Now? Learn How to Talk about It in Chinese Now!

Answer: 1. B

Analysis:

Xiǎo Míng: Kuài kàn a, wàimiàn xiàxuě la! 小明:快看啊,外面下雪啦。 Xia Ming: Look! it’s snowing outside.

Xiǎo Yún: Wa, hǎo měi a, zhè shì jīnnián de dìyì chǎng xuě ne. 小云:哇,好美啊,这是今年的第一场雪呢。 Xiao Yun: Wow, how beautiful! This is the first snow this …

Answer to West Meets East! Cultural Differences Shown Through Comics (Part Two)

Answer: 1. C

Analysis:

Jason: “Lì Li, zhōngguórén guònián de shíhou huì sòng shénme lǐwù a?” Jason: “丽丽,中国人过年的时候会送什么礼物啊?” Jason: “Li Li, what gifts will the Chinese send during the Chinese New year?”

Lì Li: “Wǒmen yìbān huì sòng hóngbāo.” 丽丽:“我们一般会送红包。” Li Li: “We usually send …

Answer to Why Did the Monkey King Wreak Havoc in Heaven?

Answer: 1. A

Analysis:

Sūnwùkōng dà nào tiāngōng. 孙悟空大闹天宫。 Sun Wukong makes a uproar in the heaven.

Xīyóujì hěn hǎokàn. 西游记很好看。 “Journey to the West” is fantastic.

Sūnwùkōng shì wǒ zuì xǐhuan de juésè. 孙悟空是我最喜欢的角色。 Sun Wukong is my favorite character.

Míng Ming: “Xiǎo Hóng, …

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