Song 月亮代表我的心月亮代表我的心 The Moon Represents My Heart Lyrics — Sun Yi · Composition — Weng Ching-hsi · Arrangement — Lu Dongni This is one of the most recognizable Mandarin songs of all time. It was first recorded by Chen Fen-lan in 1973, but it was Teresa Teng’s 1977 recording that turned it into a classic…
Category: HSK 2
Synonyms of “Want” in Chinese
In Chinese, there are 3 common ways to express “want”: 要 yào, 想要 xiǎngyào, and 想 xiǎng. While they can all be translated as “want” or “would like,” the differences lie in how strong the desire is, how certain the speaker is, and who typically uses it. 要 yào — Strongest, most certain 我wǒ要yào學xué中文zhōngwén我wǒ要yào学xué中文zhōngwénI want to study Chinese.(This shows a firm decision. The speaker has likely…
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year — OneDotDot Chinese (Part 1) Chinese Festivals · 中國節日中国节日 Chinese New Year 過年过年 guònián 過年过年 guònián is the most important traditional festival in China, celebrated by Chinese communities worldwide — a season of reunion dinners, red envelopes, firecrackers, and fresh beginnings that stretches five to nine days depending on the year. People…
Imperatives “to do more” – 一点 yìdiǎn
Grammar Point:In Chinese, 一點点 yìdiǎn is often used in imperatives to soften the tone of a command, making it sound more polite, less direct, or more reasonable. Structure V + Adj + 一點点 yìdiǎn Usually, when a verb is followed by an adjective in Chinese, “得 de” is used to indicate the degree of the action. However,…
Chinese Cold Cucumber Salad
涼拌小黃瓜 Liángbàn Xiǎohuángguā — Cold Cucumber Salad | OneDotDot Chinese 一點點一点点 · OneDotDot Chinese Chinese Recipe & Vocabulary 涼凉 拌拌 黃黄 瓜瓜 Cold Cucumber Salad 涼拌小黃瓜凉拌小黄瓜 liángbàn xiǎohuángguā · “cold-tossed cucumber” ⏱Prep10 min ⏳Restoptional ◐DifficultyEasy ▦Yields2–3 servings 📍OriginTaiwan Photo: Tiffany, OneDotDot Chinese Notes in EN 日本語 한국어 緣起缘起The Story 涼拌小黃瓜凉拌小黄瓜 (liángbàn xiǎohuángguā) is one of…
Giving Directions – cóng…wǎng…
Grammar Point:The Chinese grammar pattern 從从 cóng…往 wǎng… is used to describe movement or direction. It is commonly used to explain the starting point and the direction of an action, especially in describing physical movement. Structure 從从 cóng + starting point + 往 wǎng + direction + V 從cóng學校xuéxiào往wǎng東dōng走zǒu， 你nǐ會huì看到kàndào一個yíge公園gōngyuán从cóng学校xuéxiào往wǎng东dōng走zǒu， 你nǐ会huì看到kàndào一个yíge公园gōngyuánFrom the school, walk east, and you…
Ongoing Actions with zhe
Grammar Point:The particle 著着 zhe is used to indicate ongoing actions or a continuous state in Mandarin Chinese. While it’s common in narratives or storytelling, it’s not something you’ll hear often in everyday conversations. In daily life, people usually use 在 zài to talk about actions in progress. When do we use it? How would you describe these 2…
Two actions in the same time – 一邊 yìbiān…一邊 yìbiān…
Grammar Point:The term 一邊一边 yìbiān…一邊一边 yìbiān… is used to express the idea of doing one thing while doing another thing simultaneously, with both actions being intentional. It emphasizes that the two actions are happening at the same time and are equally important. If you want to express that something happened while another thing was happening,…
Showing Distance With 離 lí
Grammar Point:離离 lí is a Chinese preposition that can be used to indicate distance, separation, or departure. It is often translated as “away from,” “off,” or “from” in English. Structures A 離/离 lí B + 近 jìn or 遠/远 yuǎn 日本Rìběn離lí韓國Hánguó非常fēicháng近jìn日本Rìběn离lí韩国Hánguó非常fēicháng近jìnJapan is very close to Korea. 加拿大Jiānádà離lí墨西哥Mòxīgē不bú太tài遠yuǎn加拿大Jiānádà离lí墨西哥Mòxīgē不bú太tài远yuǎnCanada is not too far from Mexico. 我wǒ公司gōngsī離lí車站chēzhàn很hěn近jìn我wǒ公司gōngsī离lí车站chēzhàn很hěn近jìnMy company is very close…
“Not… but rather…” in Chinese
Grammar Point:This Chinese structure is used to make a contrast, similar to saying “It’s not… but rather…” in English. The pattern is used when you want to correct or clarify something by presenting an alternative or more accurate statement. Structure 不是 + situation A + 而是 + situation B 我wǒ不是búshì不bù同意tóngyì而是érshì聽tīng不bú太tài懂dǒng我wǒ不是búshì不bù同意tóngyì而是érshì听tīng不bú太tài懂dǒngIt’s not that I disagree; I…