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Story · HSK 2+ · Chinese New Year 年 Nian Beast 年獸年兽 Posted July 25, 2026 Author Tiffany Reading time 10 mins This story is one of the most famous legends associated with Chinese New Year, explaining where traditions like red decorations, firecrackers, and saying “gongxi” come from. Story Listen to the Story 很久hěnjiǔ以前yǐqián， 中國Zhōngguó有yǒu一個yíge關於guānyú「…
Double Ninth Festival — OneDotDot Chinese Chinese Festivals · 中國節日中国节日 Double Ninth Festival 重陽節重阳节 chóngyángjié 重陽節重阳节 chóngyángjié falls on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, usually in October. It’s a day for climbing mountains, admiring chrysanthemums, and — in its modern form — honoring the elderly. The number behind the name Why “double…
Ghost Festival — OneDotDot Chinese Chinese Festivals · 中國節日中国节日 Ghost Festival 中元節中元节 zhōngyuánjié 中元節中元节 zhōngyuánjié falls on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month. It’s the day the gates of the underworld are said to swing open, letting spirits wander freely among the living. Two religions, one festival What is 中元節中元节 ? In English…
Qixi Festival — OneDotDot Chinese Chinese Festivals · 中國節日中国节日 Qixi Festival 七夕七夕 qīxìqīxī 七夕七夕 qīxìqīxī falls on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month. It’s the one night a year when two star-crossed lovers are said to cross the Milky Way and reunite. A festival of stars What is 七夕七夕? You’ll see it called…
Tomb-Sweeping Day — OneDotDot Chinese Chinese Festivals · 中國節日中国节日 Tomb-Sweeping Day 清明節清明节 qīngmíngjié 清明節清明节 qīngmíngjié falls in early April, when families visit their ancestors’ graves to clean, weed, and pay respects — one of the few Chinese festivals set by the sun rather than the moon. One of the 24 solar terms What is 清明節清明节?…
Lantern Festival — OneDotDot Chinese Chinese Festivals · 中國節日中国节日 Lantern Festival 元宵節元宵节 yuánxiāojié 元宵節元宵节 yuánxiāojié falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month — the first full moon of the new year, and the night that officially brings 過年过年 guònián to a close. The last night of the new year What is 元宵節元宵节?…
Grammar Point:This pattern is used to describe how something affects someone or something. It is very common with nouns like interest, help, benefit, influence, importance, confidence, etc. Structure A 對对 duì B + 有 yǒu + N Think of 對对 duì + A as “toward / regarding A”, and 有 yǒu + noun as “has (a certain quality or effect).” Together, they describe the…
Grammar Point:說说到 shuōdào is used when you want to bring up a topic or connect the current topic to something related. It is similar to speaking of in English. Structure 說说到 shuōdào + N or Topic + Sentence It can be used interchangeably with 談谈到 tándào, but 談谈到 tándào sounds more formal and is more commonly used in discussions,…
In 2021, the Chinese Testing Center announced there would be a new version of the HSK test, HSK 3.0., which includes 9 new levels instead of the 6 existing ones, a full revamp of the content in each level, and a whopping addition of 3,000 words to learn. What is new in HSK3.0? The new…
Grammar Point:不但 búdàn……而且 érqiě…… means “not only… but also…”. It is used to connect two related ideas, with the second idea usually adding more information or emphasis. Structure S + 不但 búdàn + V / Adj / Phrase + 而且 érqiě + V / Adj / Phrase The second part 而且 érqiě usually introduces additional or stronger information, making…