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Mandarin Chinese

A collection of 16 posts

Mandarin

9 Essential Chinese Words without Direct English Translations

One of my favorite things about learning new languages is discovering words that do not translate directly into English, my native language. Each of these words feels like a revelation: a new way of expressing myself and thinking about the world. I enjoy the mental challenge of explaining these words

Mandarin

Learn Chinese Misconceptions about Foreigners before You Travel to China

Unfortunately, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking in stereotypes, whether or not these beliefs reflect reality. We may not even realize we believe a stereotype, but it can impact the way we treat other people. This is especially true of stereotypes about groups of people with whom

Mandarin

Top 7 Reasons Why You Should Learn Mandarin Chinese

Chinese has a reputation for being a very difficult language to learn. The U.S. State Department ranks both Mandarin and Cantonese as Category IV “super-hard languages”, the most challenging for English-speaking diplomats to master. The combination of written characters and spoken tones presents a double-whammy for those of us

Mandarin

How to Wish Someone Happy Birthday and Celebrate in Mandarin

Western birthday traditions like singing “Happy Birthday” and blowing out candles on a cake haven’t been around for very long. In fact, up until the latter half of the 19th century, most people didn’t celebrate birthdays. Some cultures marked birthdays for rulers or prominent members of the upper

Mandarin

85+ Essential Workout Phrases in Mandarin

The benefits of exercise are no secret: experts at the Mayo Clinic and elsewhere say that regular physical activity can improve your mood, reduce your risk of diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, and even help you sleep better. Even if you dislike getting hot, sore, and sweaty, there

Mandarin

Chinese Grammar: What’s the Difference Between De Particles 的, 地, and 得?

Homophones can be one of the trickiest things for language learners to master, whether you’re studying Chinese, English, or any other language. When those homophones are some of the most common words in that language and function as crucial grammatical components, it becomes even more important to use them

Mandarin

The Ultimate Guide to Chinese Dialects and China's Other Spoken Languages

Many Mandarin learners have encountered difficulties when trying to explain what exactly they are learning. Is it a language? A dialect? And what's the difference between Mandarin and Chinese, anyway? If you're a bit lost, you're not alone! The simple explanation is that there are many different languages and dialects

Mandarin

Agreeing in Chinese: 8 Ways to Say Yes in Mandarin

You might be surprised to learn that in Chinese, there is no single word that translates directly to the English word "Yes". Instead, Chinese has multiple ways of confirming, approving, and agreeing that vary with context. Speakers of many Romance and other languages can answer a wide variety

Mandarin

3 Classical Chinese Poems You Must Know for Learning Mandarin

Many Chinese people cherish classical Chinese poetry, despite the fact that some of the most famous works were composed over a thousand years ago. Chinese Poetry Congress is a prime-time game show that has been running in China since 2016. Contestants from all walks of life - from professors to

Mandarin

150 Basic Mandarin Phrases to Learn for Travel in China

International travel can feel daunting, especially if you do not speak the language of your chosen destination. In addition to the challenges of navigating an unfamiliar place, you will face a language barrier when facing even the most basic tasks like checking in to a hotel or ordering a meal

Mandarin

How to Learn Chengyu Through Chinese Zodiac Animals

When learning Chinese, the idioms known as "chengyu" can be difficult to learn, memorize, and use correctly. There are hundreds and thousands of them! One of the best ways to master chengyu is to associate them with memorable things, such as the iconic animals of the Chinese zodiac.

Mandarin

Chinese Learner's Guide to the Dragon Boat Festival

What is the Dragon Boat Festival? As the heat of summer approaches, so too does this historic Chinese holiday, also known as 端午节 (duānwǔjié - Dragon Boat Festival). In this article, you can learn key Chinese phrases about this holiday. If you're lucky, you can practice them at a real

Mandarin

Chinese Conversation Tips: How to Talk to Strangers

When you're ready to take your Mandarin Chinese skills to the streets for some real life practice, how do you address people you've never met? Make sure you get off on the right foot and read these tips!

Mandarin

Learning Mandarin: 6 Steps to Eating Out in Chinese

Learning Mandarin Chinese for eating out? From where to eat, the restaurant menu, table manners and etiquettes to Chinese dishes and how to split the bills.

Mandarin

The Ultimate Guide to the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival

Celebrate Mid Autumn Festival and learn Mandarin! Traditional Chinese praise and worship, Moon Goddess myths and legends, outdoor lanterns and mooncake!

Mandarin

7 Ways to Learn Chinese and Find Love

Single Chinese language learner looking for love? Matchmakers, good chat-up lines and online dating sites, find love and romance whilst learning Mandarin!