Learn a little Chinese every day
In Chinese, numbers are typically structured in a straightforward and consistent manner. Here are the basic elements and rules for constructing Chinese numbers: Basic numerals: Chinese has a set of basic numerals that are used to represent the digits from 0 to 9. They are: 0️⃣ 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣ 4️⃣ 零líng零líng 🔊 一yī一yī 🔊 二èr二èr…
It’s just that diving into flavors and textures can be a bit dull, so let me also throw in some traditional Chinese snacks while we’re at it. Flavors/Taste – 味道 wèidào Dragon’s Beard Candy – 龍鬚糖/龙须糖 lóngxū táng To create Dragon’s Beard Candy, a mixture of maltose and corn syrup is heated, stretched, and folded…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 反正 fǎnzhèng is an adverb that is commonly used in spoken language and informal writing. It is similar to the English word “anyway,” but not exactly the same. Structure 反正 + Reason The difference between English and Chinese is that 反正 fǎnzhèng always needs a reason with it, unlike English where…
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 絕對绝对 juéduì is commonly translated to “absolute” or “absolutely” in English. It is used to describe something that is completely certain, or without any doubt. Structure As an Adjective 這zhè場chǎng比賽bǐsài韓國hánguó有yǒu絕對juéduì的de優勢yōushì这zhè场chǎng比赛bǐsài韩国hánguó有yǒu绝对juéduì的de优势yōushìIn this game, South Korea has an absolute advantage. 太太tàitai在zài家裡jiālǐ是shì絕對juéduì的de權威quánwēi太太tàitai在zài家里jiālǐ是shì绝对juéduì的de权威quánwēiMy wife is an absolute authority at home. 狗gǒu對duì人rén有yǒu著zhe絕對juéduì的de忠誠zhōngchéng狗gǒu对duì人rén有yǒu着zhe绝对juéduì的de忠诚zhōngchéngDogs have absolute loyalty to…
In Chinese, there are several ways to ask and answer questions, and we’ll discuss the two most basic ones in this article. Question Structure S + V + O + 嗎/吗 ma This is the most simple and common yes-no question asking whether the person does it. 你nǐ吃chī飯fàn嗎ma？ 你nǐ吃chī饭fàn吗ma？ Do you eat? (This not a…
Fruits and Chinese Medicine In traditional Chinese medicine literature, fruits are classified into five different natures or properties: cold, cool, warm, hot, and neutral. The terms “cold” and “cool” as well as “hot” and “warm” share common characteristics in their effects, but they differ in their intensity, with “cold” being more extreme than “cool.” Fruits…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, adjectives are often used differently than in English, and one of the notable features is the use of the word 很 hěn when describing nouns with adjectives. Let me explain how this works: What is Chinese Adjectives? Chinese adjectives (also known as stative verbs, or state verbs) are used to describe the…
Grammar Point:The phrase 不 bù in Chinese is typically used to negate a statement, similar to how “not” is used in English. Structure 不 + Adjective 加拿大jiānádà的de夏天xiàtiān不bú熱rè加拿大jiānádà的de夏天xiàtiān不bú热rèThe summers in Canada are not hot. 我wǒ家jiā不bú大dà我wǒ家jiā不bú大dàMy house is not big. 我wǒ不bù矮ǎi、 不bú胖pàng、 不bú笨bèn也yě不bù醜chǒu我wǒ不bù矮ǎi、 不bú胖pàng、 不bú笨bèn也yě不bù丑chǒuI am not short, not fat, not stupid, and also not ugly. 小貓xiǎomāo不bù開心kāixīn小猫xiǎomāo不bù开心kāixīnThe…
Grammar Point:In Chinese grammar, 嗎吗 ma and 呢 ne are both sentence-ending particles used to ask questions and seek information or clarification, but they serve different purposes: Final Particles 嗎/吗 ma This is a question marker that is added to the end of a statement to turn it into a yes-no question. It is used…
Grammar Point:In Chinese, the expression 只好 zhǐhǎo is used to convey the idea that someone has no choice but to do something because it’s the only viable option or the best available solution in a given situation. Structure (S) + 只好 zhǐhǎo + V 大家dàjiā都dōu不想bùxiǎng當dāng班代bāndài， 只好zhǐhǎo抽籤chōuqiān決定juédìng大家dàjiā都dōu不想bùxiǎng当dāng班代bāndài， 只好zhǐhǎo抽签chōuqiān决定juédìngNo one wants to be the class representative, so…