Answer to Talk about Stingy People? Use “铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)” in Mandarin!
Correct Answers 1. C 2. A <<Back to “Talk about Stingy People? Use ‘铁公鸡(tiěgōngjī)’ in Mandarin!”
Mandarin Essentials
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 …
10 Essential Chinese Sentences for Traveling in China (Part 1)
Nǐhǎo, hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ. 你好， 很 高兴 认识 你。 Hello, nice to meet you.
Here, “高兴(gāoxìng)” means “happy” and “认识(rènshi)” is “ to meet”. This sentence is always used when first meeting new friends or acquaintances.
Example:
Lǐ Yuè: Nǐhǎo, wǒ shì Lǐ …
Answer to Two Chinese Words to Talk Like a Local: “咋(zǎ)” & “啥(shá)”
Correct Answers:
1. A 2. B
Hǎojiǔ bújiàn, zuìjìn zǎ yàng? 好久 不见，最近 咋 样？ Long time no see. How are you doing these days?
Nǐ jīntiān zhōngwǔ chī le shá? 你 今天 中午 吃 了 啥？ What did you eat for lunch today?
If …
Two Chinese Words to Talk Like a Local: “咋(zǎ)” & “啥(shá)”
In Chinese, “怎么(zěnme)” usually means “how” or “why” and “什么(shénme)” means “what,” but do you know any colloquial expressions for these two words? Take the follow test first to see if you know the answer. Please choose the correct answer to fill in the blanks. …
Jump on the Bandwagon with this Chinese Phrase: “墙头草(qiángtóucǎo)”
In this issue we will learn a useful Chinese proverb —“墙头草, 随风倒(qiángtóucǎo, suífēngdǎo) The grass on top of the wall sways whichever way the wind blows”.
Here, “墙头草(qiángtóucǎo)” refers to people who don’t have a mind of their own, who can’t form their own opinions.…