Mandarin Weekly #149

 

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Hi, {{! This is Mandarin Weekly #149, a free newsletter read by more than 20,000 students of Chinese around the world.

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Quantitative complements Intermediate Grammar

Just as you can have directional complements in Chinese, you can also have quantitative complements. Here is an examplanation, as well as a number of examples:

http://www.saporedicina.com/english/quantitative-complements-chinese/

Associated constructions Intermediate Grammar

There are lots of “associated constructions” in Chinese — words that connect between different ideas, such as “however” and “other than.” Here is an exhaustive list of such constructions, along with examples of how/when to use them:

https://www.digmandarin.com/making-clean-sweep-basic-associated-constructions-chinese.html

Twitter: @DigMandarin

Saying “no” Beginner Grammar

We’ve heard that you cannot say “no” in Chinese. But still, how can you indicate the idea of “no,” or of a negative answer?

https://www.fluentu.com/blog/chinese/2017/11/20/how-to-say-no-in-chinese/

Twitter: @FluentU

Using chopsticks All Culture Video

How do you use chopsticks? That question might seem elementary to many, but others are undoubtedly happy to learn how to use this crucial Chinese (well, east Asian) tool — including how to use them to eat very non-Chinese food:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyLNPjAKqKs

Twitter: @ChinesePod

Colors Intermediate Expressions Culture Video

Perhaps you know the words for different colors in Chinese, but do you know how the colors are used in cultural contexts and expressions?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35qceH6ZVfs

Twitter: @ECLSchool

Counting one’s chickens Intermediate Story Expressions

If you’re a bit over-eager, we might say that you’re counting your chickens before they’ve hatched. Here’s a story demonstrating the equivalent Chinese expression:

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/14-2009-12-02-23-37-05/3003-2017-11-26-06-22-49

Twitter: @imandarinpod

Learning faster with harder material? All Learning

Should you read less harder material that challenges you, or more material that is at your level? The pros and cons of each approach:

http://www.hackingchinese.com/can-you-learn-chinese-faster-by-making-it-harder/

Twitter: @HackingChinese

Learning resources summary All Learning Reviews

Wondering what resources are out there, that you can use to improve your Chinese? Here is a roundup of many different courses, apps, sites, and options:

http://www.mandarinblueprint.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-chinese-onlinelearning-9agff

Twitter: @MandarinBP

Writing characters, part 2 All Characters

Writing characters is a skill that takes time to perfect, but there are tricks that definitely make it easier. Here are some more:

https://www.writtenchinese.com/how-to-handwrite-chinese-characters-with-finesse-part-2/

Twitter: @WrittenChinese

Chinese students talk about Taiwan Intermediate Culture Video

How do (mainland) Chinese students feel about being in Taiwan? Not politically, but culturally, what are the differences? A short and interesting video on the subject:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Yrp4GVjJQk

Hunting Game Advanced Culture

The latest hit TV series in China, Game of Hunting (猎场), is worth a look! Here is some info about it, if you haven’t tried it yet:

http://viewofchina.com/game-of-hunting/

Twitter: @classicchina

Introducing yourself Beginner Story

How do you introduce yourself in Chinese? This short story will demonstrate it to you:

http://mychinesereading.com/introducing-yourself/

Light snow Beginner Culture Vocabulary

Colder weather is coming (to the northern hemisphere, at least), and along with it, we can have some initial snow. Here’s a description of this season in China:

http://teresarainsegna.blogspot.co.il/2017/11/nevicata-leggera-light-snow.html

Yes, Taobao sells everything All Culture

It’s well known that Taobao sells anything and everything in China. Here are some items that you would expect would be too much, even for them:

http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2017/11/eight-products-too-weird-for-taobao-maybe/

Twitter: @WorldOfChinese

How have things been? Beginner Grammar Video

How have things been? That’s a pretty common question/greeting in Chinese, as introduced here (with numerous examples):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMMG36Q5R6Y

Twitter: @ECLSchool

Going to school Intermediate Culture Video

Going to school? Here’s a Chinese children’s song to sign while you’re on your way:

https://www.asianlanguageschool.com/all-time-favourite-chinese-songs-for-kids/

Twitter: @AlsSydney

Tofu metaphors Intermediate Expressions

Tofu isn’t just a food; it also figures in a number of Chinese expressions, as described here:

https://chinachannel.org/2017/11/21/tofu-metaphors/

Twitter: @larbchina

Tumbalalaika Intermediate Culture Video

This was a weird one, but a funny one: The Yiddish folk song, “Tumbalalaika” translated into Chinese? Not what you expect in a Chinese song, but the vocabulary (and beautiful music) are probably worth it:

https://teachmechinese.wordpress.com/2017/11/21/sing-yiddish-song-tumbalalaika-in-chinese/

Lose the accent! All Learning

How can you improve your accent when learning to speak Chinese (or any language, for that matter)? Here are some tips:

http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/better-accent/


Also published on Medium.

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