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Know your numbers Intermediate Grammar
Chinese numbers are a relatively easy part of the language, but (as always) the structure and vocabulary are different from other languages. Here are some tips for everything from counting to multiplying fractions:
Receiving things Intermediate Grammar
https://medium.com/@makeProChinese/how-to-receive-things-in-chinese-%E6%94%B6-sh%C5%8Du-vs-%E5%8F%97-sh%C3%B2u-4182bda33ae4
Traditional or simplified characters All Characters
Should you be learning simplified or traditional characters? Or should you even try to do both at the same time? This article lays out the reasons for each, and then some schools that teach one, the other, or both:
If you please Beginner Expressions Video
When you speak in your native language, you recognize the difference between giving an order and asking (politely) for someone to help you. Here are some expressions that you should add to your Chinese, to similarly sound more polite:
Talking about TV Intermediate Video
Want to talk about Game of Thrones, or other TV shows, with your friends? This video contains a spoiler-free discussion of that specific show, but a lot of words you can use to discuss all things television-related:
Childrens’ songs Beginner Video
Here are a number of childrens’ songs, some originally in Chinese and some translated from English, that you can hear and watch in Chinese, and then (if you’re not too embarrassed), sing along!
Should you learn slang? All Learning
Learning Chinese slang is fun, but is it useful? Will it help us toward fluency?
http://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-not-learning-chinese-slang/
This tastes like… Beginner Vocabulary Video
How does your food taste? Is it sweet? Bitter? Or perhaps something else? In this video, we learn the different types of flavors we can discuss in Chinese:
Pictographic characters Intermediate Characters Video
People often think that Chinese characters are pictures. This is largely untrue, but there are about 600 characters that are pictures. Which are these, and what can we learn from them?
Lucky you All Culture
Every culture has things it considers lucky vs. unlucky. What is considered lucky in China?
Take a little look Intermediate Grammar Video
If you’re asking for directions, then you’ll need to know how to describe places — or how to understand the response you get from the person you just asked:
Visiting Chengde All Travel
What does it mean to “save face” in China, and what should you do as a result?
Bugs! Beginner Vocabulary
Travel words Beginner Vocabulary
You’re traveling to China for the first time, and want to learn some basic Chinese. What are some useful sentences to know?
Sing along All Vocabulary Video
Learn vocabulary and grammar patterns, and a new song, in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8vOi_q8nbY
Twitter: @YoYoChinese
Good night, gorilla Intermediate Story Video
Listen to (and read) the amusing and well-known children’s book, “Good Night, Gorilla,” but in Chinese:
https://www.misspandachinese.com/story-time-good-night-gorilla-chinese/
Learning strategies All Learning
Are you in China, looking to improve your Chinese? Try some of this author’s strategies, which worked quite well:
Asking them out Intermediate Vocabulary
Want to ask someone out on a date? That’s always tough. Want to ask somneone out on a date using Chinese? Now that’s even tougher. But here is some vocabulary you can use to get by:
https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/17/how-to-ask-someone-out-on-a-date-in-chinese/
Twitter: @Chelsea_bubbly
Advanced reading practice Advanced Story
Here are some stories you can read through to improve your comprehension:
Bedside manner Advanced Grammar
Why and how is the character 床 (chuáng), which means “bed,” used in other expressions?
Flight attendants Intermediate Vocabulary
The word 空姐 (kōng jiě) can mean “flight attendant,” but is it still used politely? Yes:
Posted on July 26, 2017 Leave a comment on Mandarin Weekly #132
Useful sentence patterns Intermediate Grammar
Chinese sentence patterns are usually quite standard. Here are some unusual and more advanced patterns you can use:
The three de’s Intermediate Grammar
Three characters (的, 得, and 地) are all pronounced “de,” but have different meanings and uses:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggPbyZN96ss
Characters with multiple sounds Intermediate Characters
https://medium.com/@TutorMing/chinese-characters-with-multiple-pronunciations-9e9b189c0925
Wild phrases Intermediate Expressions
Is it? Beginner Grammar Video
Want to ask if something XYZ or not? Here’s the grammar pattern you will need:
Podcasts for learning All Reviews
There are lots of podcasts out there, and some of them exist to help you improve your Chinese. Here is a roundup (and review) of a number of good podcasts:
Overcome your fear All Learning
Learning Chinese is hard, and can take time. How can you overcome your fears, and push ahead so as to improve?
http://justlearnchinese.com/how-to-overcome-your-fear-of-speaking-chinese/
Twitter: @graceJLC
Job interview Intermediate Expressions Video
Going for an interview? Here are words and phrases you really should know:
https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/11/how-to-handle-an-interview-in-chinese/
Directions in Chinese Beginner Grammar
How do you give (or receive) directions in Chinese? Here are some useful vocabulary words and grammar patterns for getting where you need to go:
http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/directions-and-locations-in-chinese-part-one/
How do you give (or receive) directions in Chinese?
http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/directions-and-locations-in-chinese-part-two/
What’s the weather? Beginner Vocabulary Video
How is today’s weather? In this video, we can learn some basic weather expressions:
https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/09/lets-talk-about-todays-weather/
Bad Chinese song All Video
Do you mispronounce words, perhaps saying 睡觉 (shuì jiào) instead of 水饺 (shuǐ jiǎo)? Here’s a cute song by some English singers who have made lots of mistakes:
https://www.misspandachinese.com/songs-to-learn-chinese/
Taking the HSK All Learning
http://www.saporedicina.com/english/confucius-institute/
Stood up? Intermediate Expressions Video
Here’s a great expression that really means, “You’ve been stood up”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pa_mUxtxvI
Ninchanese review All Reviews
How good is Nichanese for learning and improving your Chinese reading, speaking, and listening? Surprisingly good, it turns out:
http://www.alllanguageresources.com/ninchanese-review/
Chinese hip-hop Intermediate Video
Enjoy hip-hop music? Perhaps, but have you ever heard it in Chinese? Here’s a song called “Purple soul,” with characters + pinyin + translation, if you don’t quite know what’s going on:
http://www.alllanguageresources.com/practice-materials-music-purple-soul/
Dialects Advanced Story
Chinese has many different dialects, as described in this story:
Your kind of animal Beginner Story
What kind of animal do you resemble?
Basic travel phrases Beginner Expressions
Traveling to a Chinese-speaking country for the first time? These phrases can come in handy:
You want to learn a new language. That’s great! What can you do in order to speed up your language learning?
http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/embrace-mistakes/
Losing your house Intermediate Vocabulary
The word 拆迁 (chāi qiān) refers to destroying a building and forcing the residents to move elsehwere. Surprisingly, it’s not seen as a bad thing. Here’s some background on this word, and why it’s so common in today’s Chinese cities:
Interjections show excitement Beginner Grammar Video
Wow! Oops! How do you say those in Chinese? Here are some examples of interjections you can use in your conversations:
Sentence structure Beginner Grammar
Chinese sentences have a set structure, and the earlier you can learn it, the better you’ll be able to express yourself. Here are some hints and ideas regarding that structure, and some variations on it:
Vulgar expressions Intermediate Expressions
Every language has expressions that are considered rude; a simple question leads to an introduction to several of these:
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/25508/what-does-the-phrase-%e6%88%91%e7%9a%84%e5%a6%88%e6%9d%a5-mean-when-it-is-used-to-express-shock-or-surprise
Dusk, evening, nighttime Intermediate Grammar
Different terms for “night” or “evening” in Chinese refer to specific periods of time:
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/25501/difference-between-%e5%82%8d%e6%99%9a-and-%e6%99%9a%e4%b8%8a-and-their-etymology
Referring to people Intermediate Grammar
Is there a difference between calling someone a 中国人 (zhōng guó rén) and a 华人 (huá rén)?
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/25480/%e4%b8%ad%e5%9b%bd%e4%ba%ba-vs-%e5%8d%8e%e4%ba%ba-which-should-i-use
Also: In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching Mandarin Weekly Plus, which will allow you to customize issues, such that you receive only the topics and levels you want. Look for details in coming editions of Mandarin Weekly!
de de de Beginner Grammar
What’s the difference between the three characters that sound identical and have similar uses? An introduction to 的, 得, and 地:
https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/06/grammar-points-on-%E7%9A%84-%E5%9C%B0-%E5%BE%97/
Simple sentence structure Beginner Grammar
Constructing sentences in Chinese requires knowing some basic grammar patterns. Here are a number of sentences (and patterns) you can learn, emulate, and use:
Common questions Beginner Learning
Are you starting to learn Chinese? Do you have some burning questions about how you’ll learn the language, what you should concentrate on in these initial stages, and how you can possibly remember so many characters? These questions, and others, are answered here:
https://www.writtenchinese.com/10-genuine-questions-every-beginner-of-chinese-has/
Three myths Beginner Learning
Learning Chinese can seem scary at first, but you’ll soon find that it’s not that bad. Here are three myths that many newcomers to the language need to dispel:
http://www.digmandarin.com/start-speaking-mandarin-quickly.html
No planning needed Beginner Grammar
How can you indicate that something is unplanned, but you’ll wing it?
https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/05/vocabulary-impromptu-%E5%8D%B3%E5%85%B4/
Help! Beginner Vocabulary
How can you offer to help someone? Here’s a video (followed by a quiz) to help you out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-mOSEW9B6c
Color with Elmer Beginner Story Characters
Elmer the elephant is a beloved children’s book character. Here are some stories about Elmer, as well as coloring sheets to practice your (or your child’s) reading of color names:
https://www.misspandachinese.com/elmer-the-elephant-activities-for-kids/
HSK1 characters Beginner Characters
If you have just started learning Chinese, then knowing the most basic (HSK1) characters is a probably on your agenda. Here is a complete and categorized list of HSK1 characters:
Twitter: @chinese4us
Chinese table manners All Culture Food
Going out to eat in China? Have fun, but first review this list of table manners, to ensure you don’t embarrass yourself or your host:
Chinese surnames All History
What are the most common surnames in China, and what cultural dos and don’ts apply to Chinese names?
http://www.saporedicina.com/english/interesting-facts-about-chinese-names-and-surnames/
The word 逛 (guàng) means to wander or stroll, and is often used to describe walking around a major street, as described here:
Shopping festivals All Holidays
China has a growing number of “shopping festivals,” holidays decreed by online retailers whose interest is in selling more goods to you and your friends:
Twitter: @WorldOfChinese
Chinese medicine All Culture
What do you know about Chinese medicine? Here’s a quick review of this ancient healing practice, still used in modern China:
Sci-fi movies Advanced Vocabulary
Like science fiction? Speak Chinese? If so, then watch one of these Chinese sci-fi movies:
Skeptoid Chinese Advanced Learning
Want to listen to interesting topics discussed at an advanced (adult, full-speed) level of Chinese? Skeptoid Chinese might be just what you’re looking for:
http://www.hackingchinese.com/advanced-listening-reading-skeptoid-chinese/
Soft Lipa Intermediate Culture
Listen to this Chinese rap song, with characters and translation:
http://www.alllanguageresources.com/practice-materials-music-soft-lipa/
Nationalities Beginner Vocabulary
Here are some common expressions you can use to refer to Chinese residents, expats, and their foreigner friends (that’s us!):
http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/discussing-nationalities-and-foreigners-in-chinese/
The best horse Intermediate Story
A legend about finding a remarkable horse:
All types of parents Beginner Story
A short story about different types of parents:
Workplace expressions Intermediate Expressions
成语 (chéng yǔ) are four-character Chinese expressions. What are some expressions that you can use in your day-to-day work, with colleagues at the office? Here are some suggestions:
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24430/what-are-five-most-useful-or-common-chengyu-phrases-in-the-workplace
Why 大陸 (dà lù)? Intermediate Vocabulary
Why is mainland China known as 大陸 in so many Chinese-speaking places?
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24393/why-is-mainland-china-referred-to-as-%e5%a4%a7%e9%99%b8-%e5%a4%a7%e9%99%b8
All by myself Beginner Vocabulary
We use 自己 (zì jǐ)
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24386/what-is-the-difference-between-the-two-characters-of-%e8%87%aa%e5%b7%b1
Compliments Beginner Vocabulary Video
Do you know someone smart? Handsome? Beautiful? Here are some compliments you can give other people in Chinese:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrYMuwdHUZc
Picky eaters Beginner Story
Do you like to make puns, and other jokes based on wordplay? (My family and students know all too well, that I do.) Chinese is full of possibilities for such humor, because of the language’s flexibility and many similar-sounding words:
Does your phone have apps on it? If so, then can you describe those apps in Chinese? Here is your chance, with the following vocabulary:
http://www.e-putonghua.com/zone/index.php/2017/06/30/listen-these-apps-in-chinese/
How well do you know Chinese? All Learning
No matter what your Chinese level, you’ll be told by natives that your Chinese is “excellent.” But sometimes,
https://medium.com/@Maijax/how-to-translate-compliments-in-chinese-aka-the-five-levels-of-mandarin-fluency-49a870da644e
It wasn’t on purpose! Beginner Vocabulary Video
How can you apologize in Chinese? That’s a subject for another time. But how can you emphasize that you did something wrong unintentionally?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A89qlaZEpc
Improving your listening All Listening
It’s hard to learn to understand spoken Chinese, because of many different reasons. Here, we learn what all of those reasons are, as well as some ways to improve our listening comprehension:
http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/chinese-listening-practice/
Hot pot, or not? All Vocabulary Food
Do you eat 火锅 (huǒ guō) when in China? If so, then it cannot be spicy, since there’s now a separate term, 麻辣烫 (má là tàng), to describe it. A linguistic and culinary dispute has ensued:
http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2017/06/hot-pot-or-malatang/
Chinese soccer, a history Intermediate Culture
How long have people been playing soccer (“football” to those outside of the US)? Depending on how you count, it could be 2500 years, as described here:
http://viewofchina.com/ancient-chinese-soccer/
Twitter: @classicchina
Learning better with tasks All Learning
How can you learn Chinese best? Task-based learning has a great deal to offer:
http://www.hackingchinese.com/task-based-chinese-learning-teaching/
Childhood songs Intermediate Listening Culture
Want to better understand Chinese culture, as well as the language? One good way is to listen to Chinese songs. Here are some useful ones fo ryou to hear and learn:
A thrilling novel Advanced Reviews
Read a good (Chinese) book lately? This review of a new detective novel, 《死亡通知单：暗黑者》, should interest those looking for good fiction and to practice their Chinese:
https://themandarincornerblog.com/2017/07/01/is-this-chinas-most-intelligent-thriller/
Review: Chinese Zero to Hero Beginner Reviews
How well does the “Chinese Zero to Hero” course stack up? Pretty well, especially given the price:
http://www.alllanguageresources.com/review-online-course-chinese-zero-to-hero/
Asking “when” questions Beginner Video Grammar
How do you ask when something happened? Use 什么时候 (shén me shí hou):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpJ-vYzCNxg
All about Chinese characters Advanced Characters
Chinese characters have been around for a long time, and have distinct characteristics. Here are some facts you might not know about them:
http://www.decodemandarinchinese.com/%e6%b1%89%e8%af%ad%e7%89%b9%e7%82%b9/
Lending money Intermediate Story
When a mother is sick with heart disease, and an expensive operation is necessary, how will a family pay for it?
Surname pronunciation Intermediate Pronunciation Characters
Some characters have more than one pronunciation. Is this also true for those characters that represent surnames?
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24278/are-peoples-names-always-pronounced-the-same-in-mandarin
Different types of opening Intermediate Grammar
Not bad, or pretty good? Beginner Expressions
Does 不错 (bù cuò) mean “not bad,” “very good,” or somewhere in between?
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24241/is-%E4%B8%8D%E9%94%99-used-only-to-mean-good-and-never-mean-not-bad
Everywhere Intermediate Expressions
How can you express the idea of “everywhere,” or “all over”?
https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24318/which-is-more-common-in-mandarin-%e5%9b%9b%e8%99%95-or-%e5%91%a8%e5%9c%8d