Mandarin Weekly #132

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Hi, there! This is Mandarin Weekly #132, a free newsletter read by more than 20,000 students of Chinese around the world.

If you enjoy Mandarin Weekly, please share it with others. And don’t forget to take advantage of our list of discounts for students of Chinese.

To receive Mandarin Weekly every Monday, sign up MandarinWeekly.com. Every Tuesday, we go up on Facebook, at http://facebook.com/MandarinWeekly, Medium, at http://medium.com/@mandarinweekly, and Twitter, at @MandarinWeekly.  Please like, share, and retweet us!

If you offer products or services aimed at students of Chinese, and want to sponsor one or more issues, then please contact Reuven at reuven@lerner.co.il.

Announcing: Mandarin Weekly Plus

Every week, Mandarin Weekly brings you the best links for people learning Chinese.  Now, we want to give you the chance to customize that experience.

You can now subscribe to Mandarin Weekly Plus.  Subscribers get access to a control panel that lets them decide which levels (beginner, intermediate, and/or advanced) and which subjects (e.g., grammar, videos, travel, and characters) they’ll receive each week. You may subscribe to as many (or as few) levels and subjects as you want, and you may change your mind as often as you want.

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Know your numbers Intermediate Grammar

Chinese numbers are a relatively easy part of the language, but (as always) the structure and vocabulary are different from other languages. Here are some tips for everything from counting to multiplying fractions:

https://www.writtenchinese.com/the-practical-uses-of-chinese-numerals/

Twitter: @WrittenChinese

Receiving things Intermediate Grammar

What’s the difference between 收(shōu)and 受(shòu)? Both mean “received,” but the Chinese meaning is quite different:

https://medium.com/@makeProChinese/how-to-receive-things-in-chinese-%E6%94%B6-sh%C5%8Du-vs-%E5%8F%97-sh%C3%B2u-4182bda33ae4

Traditional or simplified characters All Characters

Should you be learning simplified or traditional characters? Or should you even try to do both at the same time? This article lays out the reasons for each, and then some schools that teach one, the other, or both:

http://www.fluentu.com/blog/chinese/2017/07/19/chinese-online-course/

Twitter: @FluentU

If you please Beginner Expressions Video

When you speak in your native language, you recognize the difference between giving an order and asking (politely) for someone to help you. Here are some expressions that you should add to your Chinese, to similarly sound more polite:

https://mandarinhq.com/2017/07/polite-chinese-expressions/

Twitter: @MandarinHQ

Talking about TV Intermediate Video

Want to talk about Game of Thrones, or other TV shows, with your friends? This video contains a spoiler-free discussion of that specific show, but a lot of words you can use to discuss all things television-related:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2OvASb-AmU

Twitter: @ChinesePod

Childrens’ songs Beginner Video

Here are a number of childrens’ songs, some originally in Chinese and some translated from English, that you can hear and watch in Chinese, and then (if you’re not too embarrassed), sing along!

https://www.misspandachinese.com/chinese-kids-songs/

Twitter: @MissPandaChines

Should you learn slang? All Learning

Learning Chinese slang is fun, but is it useful? Will it help us toward fluency?

http://www.hackingchinese.com/learning-not-learning-chinese-slang/

Twitter: @HackingChinese

This tastes like… Beginner Vocabulary Video

How does your food taste? Is it sweet? Bitter? Or perhaps something else? In this video, we learn the different types of flavors we can discuss in Chinese:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gks3AGxQ-As

Twitter: @ECLSchool

Pictographic characters Intermediate Characters Video

People often think that Chinese characters are pictures. This is largely untrue, but there are about 600 characters that are pictures. Which are these, and what can we learn from them?

http://www.fluentinmandarin.com/content/chinese-characters-explained-1-ones-that-look-like-things/

Twitter: @Fluent_Mandarin

Lucky you All Culture

Every culture has things it considers lucky vs. unlucky. What is considered lucky in China?

http://www.digmandarin.com/5-lucky-things-chinese-culture.html

Twitter: @DigMandarin

Take a little look Intermediate Grammar Video

In Chinese, you can add 一下 () to any verb to indicate you’ll do it a little or quickly, or just to soften the meaning a bit, as demonstrated here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffIBv2ABmOU

Directions and locations Intermediate Grammar

If you’re asking for directions, then you’ll need to know how to describe places — or how to understand the response you get from the person you just asked:

http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/directions-and-locations-in-chinese-part-three/

Twitter: @ChineseLanguage

Visiting Chengde All Travel

The city of 承德 (chéng dé) contains a summer palace even nicer than the one in Beijing:

http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/a-short-visit-to-chengde/

Twitter: @ChineseLanguage

Saving face Intermediate Culture

What does it mean to “save face” in China, and what should you do as a result?

http://www.saporedicina.com/english/face-issues-in-china/

Bugs! Beginner Vocabulary

Do you know how to call several common insects in Chinese? Here is your chance to learn:

http://www.e-putonghua.com/zone/index.php/2017/07/21/listen-six-new-words-about-insects/

Twitter: @eputonghua

Travel words Beginner Vocabulary

You’re traveling to China for the first time, and want to learn some basic Chinese. What are some useful sentences to know?

http://www.tutormandarin.net/en/travel-chinese-useful-sentences/

Twitter: @MyTutorMandarin

Sing along All Vocabulary Video

Learn vocabulary and grammar patterns, and a new song, in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8vOi_q8nbY

Twitter: @YoYoChinese

Good night, gorilla Intermediate Story Video

Listen to (and read) the amusing and well-known children’s book, “Good Night, Gorilla,” but in Chinese:

https://www.misspandachinese.com/story-time-good-night-gorilla-chinese/

Twitter: @MissPandaChines

Learning strategies All Learning

Are you in China, looking to improve your Chinese? Try some of this author’s strategies, which worked quite well:

http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/smart-strategies-chinese/

Asking them out Intermediate Vocabulary

Want to ask someone out on a date? That’s always tough. Want to ask somneone out on a date using Chinese? Now that’s even tougher. But here is some vocabulary you can use to get by:

https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/17/how-to-ask-someone-out-on-a-date-in-chinese/

Twitter: @Chelsea_bubbly

Advanced reading practice Advanced Story

Here are some stories you can read through to improve your comprehension:

http://www.alllanguageresources.com/reading-practice-5-love-languages/

Bedside manner Advanced Grammar

Why and how is the character 床 (chuáng), which means “bed,” used in other expressions?

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/25641/how-is-%E5%BA%8A-related-to-these-contexts

Flight attendants Intermediate Vocabulary

The word 空姐 (kōng jiě) can mean “flight attendant,” but is it still used politely? Yes:

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/25638/is-%e7%a9%ba%e5%a7%90-still-used

Mandarin Weekly #131

 

Image

Hi, there! This is Mandarin Weekly #131, a free newsletter read by more than 20,000 students of Chinese around the world.

If you enjoy Mandarin Weekly, please share it with others. And don’t forget to take advantage of our list of discounts for students of Chinese.

To receive Mandarin Weekly every Monday, sign up MandarinWeekly.com. Every Tuesday, we go up on Facebook, at http://facebook.com/MandarinWeekly, Medium, at http://medium.com/@mandarinweekly, and Twitter, at @MandarinWeekly.  Please like, share, and retweet us!

Next week, we’ll be launching Mandarin Weekly Plus, allowing you to tailor the newsletter, such that you’ll receive only the levels and topics you want. Look for our announcement next week for how to sign up, and customize your Chinese learning experience!

Useful sentence patterns Intermediate Grammar

Chinese sentence patterns are usually quite standard. Here are some unusual and more advanced patterns you can use:

https://www.writtenchinese.com/18-intermediate-chinese-sentence-patterns-you-need-to-learn/

Twitter: @WrittenChinese

The three de’s Intermediate Grammar

Three characters (的, 得, and 地) are all pronounced “de,” but have different meanings and uses:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggPbyZN96ss

Twitter: @ChinesePod

Characters with multiple sounds Intermediate Characters

Every character has a sound and a meaning, right? Well, sort of — many characters have multiple meanings, and many also have multiple sounds! Here are some common examples to keep in mind:

https://medium.com/@TutorMing/chinese-characters-with-multiple-pronunciations-9e9b189c0925

Wild phrases Intermediate Expressions

Here are some useful, if edgy and weird, phrases you can use in Chinese:

http://www.digmandarin.com/wild-chinese-phrases.html

Twitter: @DigMandarin

Is it? Beginner Grammar Video

Want to ask if something XYZ or not? Here’s the grammar pattern you will need:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoKQAVcQk9c

Twitter: @ECLSchool

Podcasts for learning All Reviews

There are lots of podcasts out there, and some of them exist to help you improve your Chinese. Here is a roundup (and review) of a number of good podcasts:

http://www.alllanguageresources.com/learn-mandarin-podcasts/

Overcome your fear All Learning

Learning Chinese is hard, and can take time. How can you overcome your fears, and push ahead so as to improve?

http://justlearnchinese.com/how-to-overcome-your-fear-of-speaking-chinese/

Twitter: @graceJLC

Job interview Intermediate Expressions Video

Going for an interview? Here are words and phrases you really should know:

https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/11/how-to-handle-an-interview-in-chinese/

Twitter: @Chelsea_bubbly

Directions in Chinese Beginner Grammar

How do you give (or receive) directions in Chinese? Here are some useful vocabulary words and grammar patterns for getting where you need to go:

http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/directions-and-locations-in-chinese-part-one/

Twitter: @ChineseLanguage

Directions in Chinese Beginner Grammar

How do you give (or receive) directions in Chinese?

http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/directions-and-locations-in-chinese-part-two/

Twitter: @ChineseLanguage

What’s the weather? Beginner Vocabulary Video

How is today’s weather? In this video, we can learn some basic weather expressions:

https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/09/lets-talk-about-todays-weather/

Twitter: @Chelsea_bubbly

Bad Chinese song All Video

Do you mispronounce words, perhaps saying 睡觉 (shuì jiào) instead of 水饺 (shuǐ jiǎo)? Here’s a cute song by some English singers who have made lots of mistakes:

https://www.misspandachinese.com/songs-to-learn-chinese/

Twitter: @MissPandaChines

Taking the HSK All Learning

Want to prove that you know Chinese? You can take the HSK examinations, levels 1-6, given by the Confucius Institute. Here is some background on the tests:

http://www.saporedicina.com/english/confucius-institute/

Stood up? Intermediate Expressions Video

Here’s a great expression that really means, “You’ve been stood up”:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pa_mUxtxvI

Twitter: @MyTutorMandarin

Ninchanese review All Reviews

How good is Nichanese for learning and improving your Chinese reading, speaking, and listening? Surprisingly good, it turns out:

http://www.alllanguageresources.com/ninchanese-review/

Chinese hip-hop Intermediate Video

Enjoy hip-hop music? Perhaps, but have you ever heard it in Chinese? Here’s a song called “Purple soul,” with characters + pinyin + translation, if you don’t quite know what’s going on:

http://www.alllanguageresources.com/practice-materials-music-purple-soul/

Dialects Advanced Story

Chinese has many different dialects, as described in this story:

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/13-2009-12-02-23-35-40/2889-2017-07-12-05-43-45

Twitter: @imandarinpod

Your kind of animal Beginner Story

What kind of animal do you resemble?

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/14-2009-12-02-23-37-05/2888-2017-07-12-05-09-18

Twitter: @imandarinpod

Basic travel phrases Beginner Expressions

Traveling to a Chinese-speaking country for the first time? These phrases can come in handy:

http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/chinese-for-travelers/

Twitter: @ChineseLanguage

Learning strategies All Learning

You want to learn a new language. That’s great! What can you do in order to speed up your language learning?

http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/embrace-mistakes/

Losing your house Intermediate Vocabulary

The word 拆迁 (chāi qiān) refers to destroying a building and forcing the residents to move elsehwere. Surprisingly, it’s not seen as a bad thing. Here’s some background on this word, and why it’s so common in today’s Chinese cities:

https://themandarincornerblog.com/2017/07/10/why-do-many-chinese-want-their-homes-demolished/

Interjections show excitement Beginner Grammar Video

Wow! Oops! How do you say those in Chinese? Here are some examples of interjections you can use in your conversations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzrj8MD95qk

Twitter: @ECLSchool

Sentence structure Beginner Grammar

Chinese sentences have a set structure, and the earlier you can learn it, the better you’ll be able to express yourself. Here are some hints and ideas regarding that structure, and some variations on it:

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/25435/should-the-object-always-be-placed-after-the-verb-and-is-a-target-and-an-object

Vulgar expressions Intermediate Expressions

Every language has expressions that are considered rude; a simple question leads to an introduction to several of these:

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/25508/what-does-the-phrase-%e6%88%91%e7%9a%84%e5%a6%88%e6%9d%a5-mean-when-it-is-used-to-express-shock-or-surprise

Dusk, evening, nighttime Intermediate Grammar

Different terms for “night” or “evening” in Chinese refer to specific periods of time:

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/25501/difference-between-%e5%82%8d%e6%99%9a-and-%e6%99%9a%e4%b8%8a-and-their-etymology

Referring to people Intermediate Grammar

Is there a difference between calling someone a 中国人 (zhōng guó rén) and a 华人 (huá rén)?

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/25480/%e4%b8%ad%e5%9b%bd%e4%ba%ba-vs-%e5%8d%8e%e4%ba%ba-which-should-i-use

Mandarin Weekly #130

Image

Hi, there! This is Mandarin Weekly #130, a free newsletter read by more than 20,000 students of Chinese around the world.

If you enjoy Mandarin Weekly, please share it with others. And don’t forget to take advantage of our list of discounts for students of Chinese.

To receive Mandarin Weekly every Monday, sign up MandarinWeekly.com. Every Tuesday, we go up on Facebook, at http://facebook.com/MandarinWeekly, Medium, at http://medium.com/@mandarinweekly, and Twitter, at @MandarinWeekly.  Please like, share, and retweet us!

If you offer products or services aimed at students of Chinese, and want to sponsor one or more issues, then please contact Reuven at reuven@lerner.co.il.

Also: In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching Mandarin Weekly Plus, which will allow you to customize issues, such that you receive only the topics and levels you want. Look for details in coming editions of Mandarin Weekly!

de de de Beginner Grammar

What’s the difference between the three characters that sound identical and have similar uses? An introduction to 的, 得, and 地:

https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/06/grammar-points-on-%E7%9A%84-%E5%9C%B0-%E5%BE%97/

Twitter: @Chelsea_bubbly

Simple sentence structure Beginner Grammar

Constructing sentences in Chinese requires knowing some basic grammar patterns. Here are a number of sentences (and patterns) you can learn, emulate, and use:

http://www.fluentu.com/blog/chinese/2017/07/05/simple-chinese-words/

Twitter: @FluentU

Common questions Beginner Learning

Are you starting to learn Chinese? Do you have some burning questions about how you’ll learn the language, what you should concentrate on in these initial stages, and how you can possibly remember so many characters? These questions, and others, are answered here:

https://www.writtenchinese.com/10-genuine-questions-every-beginner-of-chinese-has/

Twitter: @WrittenChinese

Three myths Beginner Learning

Learning Chinese can seem scary at first, but you’ll soon find that it’s not that bad. Here are three myths that many newcomers to the language need to dispel:

http://www.digmandarin.com/start-speaking-mandarin-quickly.html

Twitter: @DigMandarin

No planning needed Beginner Grammar

How can you indicate that something is unplanned, but you’ll wing it?

https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/07/05/vocabulary-impromptu-%E5%8D%B3%E5%85%B4/

Twitter: @Chelsea_bubbly

Help! Beginner Vocabulary

How can you offer to help someone? Here’s a video (followed by a quiz) to help you out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-mOSEW9B6c

Twitter: @ECLSchool

Color with Elmer Beginner Story Characters

Elmer the elephant is a beloved children’s book character. Here are some stories about Elmer, as well as coloring sheets to practice your (or your child’s) reading of color names:

https://www.misspandachinese.com/elmer-the-elephant-activities-for-kids/

Twitter: @MissPandaChines

HSK1 characters Beginner Characters

If you have just started learning Chinese, then knowing the most basic (HSK1) characters is a probably on your agenda. Here is a complete and categorized list of HSK1 characters:

https://chinesefor.us/hsk1-character-list-hsk-test-level-1-characters/

Twitter: @chinese4us

Chinese table manners All Culture Food

Going out to eat in China? Have fun, but first review this list of table manners, to ensure you don’t embarrass yourself or your host:

http://www.tutormandarin.net/en/eat-chinese-table-manners/

Twitter: @MyTutorMandarin

Chinese surnames All History

What are the most common surnames in China, and what cultural dos and don’ts apply to Chinese names?

http://www.saporedicina.com/english/interesting-facts-about-chinese-names-and-surnames/

Wandering around Beginner Vocabulary

The word 逛 (guàng) means to wander or stroll, and is often used to describe walking around a major street, as described here:

https://themandarincornerblog.com/2017/07/03/you-really-want-to-visit-this-chinese-street/

Shopping festivals All Holidays

China has a growing number of “shopping festivals,” holidays decreed by online retailers whose interest is in selling more goods to you and your friends:

http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2017/07/the-twoc-guide-to-shopping-festivals/

Twitter: @WorldOfChinese

Chinese medicine All Culture

What do you know about Chinese medicine? Here’s a quick review of this ancient healing practice, still used in modern China:

http://www.tutormandarin.net/en/chinese-medicine-treatments-you-must-know/

Twitter: @MyTutorMandarin

Sci-fi movies Advanced Vocabulary

Like science fiction? Speak Chinese? If so, then watch one of these Chinese sci-fi movies:

http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2017/07/chinese-sci-fi-on-screen/

Twitter: @WorldOfChinese

Skeptoid Chinese Advanced Learning

Want to listen to interesting topics discussed at an advanced (adult, full-speed) level of Chinese? Skeptoid Chinese might be just what you’re looking for:

http://www.hackingchinese.com/advanced-listening-reading-skeptoid-chinese/

Twitter: @HackingChinese

Soft Lipa Intermediate Culture

Listen to this Chinese rap song, with characters and translation:

http://www.alllanguageresources.com/practice-materials-music-soft-lipa/

Nationalities Beginner Vocabulary

Here are some common expressions you can use to refer to Chinese residents, expats, and their foreigner friends (that’s us!):

http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/discussing-nationalities-and-foreigners-in-chinese/

Twitter: @ChineseLanguage

The best horse Intermediate Story

A legend about finding a remarkable horse:

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/15-2009-12-02-23-37-29/2882-2017-07-05-05-21-10

Twitter: @imandarinpod

All types of parents Beginner Story

A short story about different types of parents:

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/14-2009-12-02-23-37-05/2885-2017-07-07-03-31-20

Twitter: @imandarinpod

Workplace expressions Intermediate Expressions

成语 (chéng yǔ) are four-character Chinese expressions. What are some expressions that you can use in your day-to-day work, with colleagues at the office? Here are some suggestions:

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24430/what-are-five-most-useful-or-common-chengyu-phrases-in-the-workplace

Why 大陸 (dà lù)? Intermediate Vocabulary

Why is mainland China known as 大陸 in so many Chinese-speaking places?

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24393/why-is-mainland-china-referred-to-as-%e5%a4%a7%e9%99%b8-%e5%a4%a7%e9%99%b8

All by myself Beginner Vocabulary

We use 自己 (zì jǐ)

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24386/what-is-the-difference-between-the-two-characters-of-%e8%87%aa%e5%b7%b1

Mandarin Weekly #129

Image

Hi, there! This is Mandarin Weekly #129, a free newsletter read by more than 20,000 students of Chinese around the world.

If you enjoy Mandarin Weekly, please share it with others. And don’t forget to take advantage of our list of discounts for students of Chinese.

To receive Mandarin Weekly every Monday, sign up MandarinWeekly.com. Every Tuesday, we go up on Facebook, at http://facebook.com/MandarinWeekly, Medium, at http://medium.com/@mandarinweekly, and Twitter, at @MandarinWeekly.  Please like, share, and retweet us!

If you offer products or services aimed at students of Chinese, and want to sponsor one or more issues, then please contact Reuven at reuven@lerner.co.il.

Also: In the coming weeks, we’ll be launching Mandarin Weekly Plus, which will allow you to customize issues, such that you receive only the topics and levels you want. Look for details in coming editions of Mandarin Weekly!

Compliments Beginner Vocabulary Video

Do you know someone smart? Handsome? Beautiful? Here are some compliments you can give other people in Chinese:

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

Twitter: @chineseclass101

Picky eaters Beginner Story

Where do you want to eat? An easy question to ask, but a hard one to answer if you don’t like different cuisines and are on a strict budget:

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/14-2009-12-02-23-37-05/2876-2017-06-27-06-56-55

Twitter: @imandarinpod

Celebrity quotes Intermediate Expressions Video

Chinese celebrities have contributed some interesting phrases and expressions to the language. Here are a number of them that you can learn to recognize, or perhaps even use parts of, in your conversations:

https://mandarinhq.com/2017/06/chinese-celebrity-quotes/

Twitter: @MandarinHQ

Journaling your progress All Learning

Do you keep a journal of what you are learning in Chinese? If so, then the techniques described here for using your journal to improve your learning even further might be useful:

https://www.writtenchinese.com/8-creative-ways-to-use-your-bullet-journal-for-language-learning/

Twitter: @WrittenChinese

Talk like a communist Intermediate Vocabulary Video

Regardless of what you think of the Chinese Communist Party, there’s no doubting their influence in China and the Chinese-speaking world. Take advantage of the “Chinese Communist Party Founding Day” celebrations to learn some relevant vocabulary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JK0cPi670E

Twitter: @chineseclass101

Chinese puns Intermediate Culture

Do you like to make puns, and other jokes based on wordplay? (My family and students know all too well, that I do.) Chinese is full of possibilities for such humor, because of the language’s flexibility and many similar-sounding words:

http://www.tutormandarin.net/en/chinese-puns/

Twitter: @MyTutorMandarin

Apps to know Beginner Vocabulary

Does your phone have apps on it? If so, then can you describe those apps in Chinese? Here is your chance, with the following vocabulary:

http://www.e-putonghua.com/zone/index.php/2017/06/30/listen-these-apps-in-chinese/

Twitter: @eputonghua

How well do you know Chinese? All Learning

No matter what your Chinese level, you’ll be told by natives that your Chinese is “excellent.” But sometimes,

https://medium.com/@Maijax/how-to-translate-compliments-in-chinese-aka-the-five-levels-of-mandarin-fluency-49a870da644e

It wasn’t on purpose! Beginner Vocabulary Video

How can you apologize in Chinese? That’s a subject for another time. But how can you emphasize that you did something wrong unintentionally?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A89qlaZEpc

Twitter: @ECLSchool

Improving your listening All Listening

It’s hard to learn to understand spoken Chinese, because of many different reasons. Here, we learn what all of those reasons are, as well as some ways to improve our listening comprehension:

http://www.iwillteachyoualanguage.com/chinese-listening-practice/

Hot pot, or not? All Vocabulary Food

Do you eat 火锅 (huǒ guō) when in China? If so, then it cannot be spicy, since there’s now a separate term, 麻辣烫 (má là tàng), to describe it. A linguistic and culinary dispute has ensued:

http://www.theworldofchinese.com/2017/06/hot-pot-or-malatang/

Twitter: @WorldOfChinese

Chinese soccer, a history Intermediate Culture

How long have people been playing soccer (“football” to those outside of the US)? Depending on how you count, it could be 2500 years, as described here:

http://viewofchina.com/ancient-chinese-soccer/

Twitter: @classicchina

Learning better with tasks All Learning

How can you learn Chinese best? Task-based learning has a great deal to offer:

http://www.hackingchinese.com/task-based-chinese-learning-teaching/

Twitter: @HackingChinese

Childhood songs Intermediate Listening Culture

Want to better understand Chinese culture, as well as the language? One good way is to listen to Chinese songs. Here are some useful ones fo ryou to hear and learn:

http://www.echineselearning.com/blog/jump-into-chinese-culture-by-learning-these-helpful-chinese-songs-part1

Twitter: @ECLSchool

A thrilling novel Advanced Reviews

Read a good (Chinese) book lately? This review of a new detective novel, 《死亡通知单:暗黑者》, should interest those looking for good fiction and to practice their Chinese:

https://themandarincornerblog.com/2017/07/01/is-this-chinas-most-intelligent-thriller/

Review: Chinese Zero to Hero Beginner Reviews

How well does the “Chinese Zero to Hero” course stack up? Pretty well, especially given the price:

http://www.alllanguageresources.com/review-online-course-chinese-zero-to-hero/

Asking “when” questions Beginner Video Grammar

How do you ask when something happened? Use 什么时候 (shén me shí hou):

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

Twitter: @ECLSchool

All about Chinese characters Advanced Characters

Chinese characters have been around for a long time, and have distinct characteristics. Here are some facts you might not know about them:

http://www.decodemandarinchinese.com/%e6%b1%89%e8%af%ad%e7%89%b9%e7%82%b9/

Twitter: @DecodeChinese

Lending money Intermediate Story

When a mother is sick with heart disease, and an expensive operation is necessary, how will a family pay for it?

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/14-2009-12-02-23-37-05/2879-2017-07-01-06-29-54

Twitter: @imandarinpod

Surname pronunciation Intermediate Pronunciation Characters

Some characters have more than one pronunciation. Is this also true for those characters that represent surnames?

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24278/are-peoples-names-always-pronounced-the-same-in-mandarin

Different types of opening Intermediate Grammar

What is the difference between two words that mean “open,” 开放 (kāi fàng) and 开门 (kāi mén)?

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24261/whats-the-difference-between-%E5%BC%80%E6%94%BE-k%C4%81i-f%C3%A0ng-and-%E5%BC%80%E9%97%A8-k%C4%81i-m%C3%A9n-which-both-mean-op

Not bad, or pretty good? Beginner Expressions

Does 不错 (bù cuò) mean “not bad,” “very good,” or somewhere in between?

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24241/is-%E4%B8%8D%E9%94%99-used-only-to-mean-good-and-never-mean-not-bad

Everywhere Intermediate Expressions

How can you express the idea of “everywhere,” or “all over”?

https://chinese.stackexchange.com/questions/24318/which-is-more-common-in-mandarin-%e5%9b%9b%e8%99%95-or-%e5%91%a8%e5%9c%8d