Tips: If you think it’s too fast, you can adjust the speed yourself. Part 1 Correct or incorrect 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Part 2 Choose the right picture 1. A B C 2. A B C 3. A B C 4. A B C 5. A B C Part 3 Match the right picture…
Category: HSK 1
How to express “the” in Chinese
The word “the” is used frequently in English, and you may wonder how to translate it into Chinese. However, there is no direct equivalent for “the” in Chinese. One common usage of “the” in English is to refer to specific nouns. In Chinese, there are three ways to express this concept. Using Topic-comment Structure In…
Direction Words in Chinese
Before we look up the direction words in Chinese, let me tell you something. There are two different ways people tell you to turn: Southerners use the word 拐 guǎi while Northerners use the word 轉/转 zhuǎn. In Taiwan, we also use 轉/转 zhuǎn. For example, 前面左轉/前面左转 qiánmiàn zuǒzhuǎn (turn left in the front). Basic…
Chinese sentence structure
What is the most common sentence order in Chinese? 📌 Time + Subject + How + Location + Action * Time words can either go after the subject or before the subject.* If you want to specify the direction, the directional word should come after ‘how’ and before ‘location’. Time Subject How Direction Location Action 去年 弟弟 坐船…
能, 會/会,可以 (néng, huì, kěyǐ)
The three verbs 能 néng, 會会 huì, and 可以 kěyǐ can all be translated as “can” in English. However, each of these terms has a unique meaning, and they are not always interchangeable. At times, their meanings do overlap, but not always. 能 néng 能 néng emphasizes one’s natural ability, as opposed to learned ability….
Location and Appliance Words in Chinese
Before we look up the location and appliance words in Chinese, let me ask you a question. Do you know that the proportion of Taiwanese over the age of twenty living with their parents is 33.5 percent, according to the latest statistics from Taiwan’s Ministry of Interior? About a million of those between 35 and…
Location Words in Chinese I
Before we look up the location words in Chinese, let me tell you a story. In my first year of teaching, I didn’t know much about China. One day my student asked me, “Tiffany I am going to Kenting next month to take a rest and have fun. Do you recommend any nice “jiǔdiàn” (hotel)? And…
Occupation Words in Chinese
Before we look up the occupation words in Chinese, let me tell you a fun fact. It’s very common and polite to address a woman you don’t know or a waitress “xiǎojiě” in Taiwan. However, you may upset people when you use it in China. That is because “xiǎojiě” is used as “street girl, prostitute”…
Chinese Measure Words 2
Grammar Point:In this article, we are going to introduce the following Chinese measure words: 份 fèn, 張张 zhāng, 輛辆 liàng, 件 jiàn, 隻只 zhī, 條条 tiáo, 雙双 shuāng, 種种 zhǒng 份 (fèn) This is a measure word you may need when ordering food. In the context of food, it refers to a portion or serving…
Chinese Measure Words 1
Grammar Point:In this article, we are going to introduce the following Chinese measure words: 個个 ge, 位 wèi, 本 běn, 杯 bēi, 枝支 zhī, 瓶 píng, 罐 guàn, 塊块 kuài 個/个 (ge) This is the single most common measure word in Chinese. It is also sometimes used as a substitute for other measure words. While…