Hi, [subscriber.full_name]! This is Mandarin Weekly #134, a free newsletter read by more than 20,000 students of Chinese around the world.
[Sorry for the delay in producing this week’s issue — it’s summer, which has scrambled my schedule a bit.]
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.
Stinky tofu song Beginner Grammar Video
Do you like stinky tofu? (Yes, that’s really what it’s called.) Regardless, you can enjoy this song about the dish that so many in China like to eat, but don’t like to be next to:
http://www.sinosplice.com/life/archives/2017/07/31/the-grammar-of-an-ode-to-stinky-tofu
Idea characters All Characters
Sometimes, characters aren’t a picture of a thing so much as of an idea. Here are several such characters, and the thinking that you should use to understand them:
http://www.fluentinmandarin.com/content/chinese-characters-explained-2-ones-that-represent-meanings/
Twitter: @Fluent_Mandarin
Bureaucracy Intermediate Vocabulary Culture
Understanding China also means understanding the Chinese government, bureaucracy, and the terms associated with them. Here is an extensive list of words and phrases, including slogans, that you’re likely to see or hear in China:
http://www.saporedicina.com/english/bureaucratic-terms-chinese/
Early or late? Intermediate Grammar Video
The words 才 (cái) and 就 (jiù) are used to indicate that something has happened before or after you expected. Here’s how to use them:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgAv4WW9_4A
Twitter: @ECLSchool
Words using 老 (lǎo) Intermediate Vocabulary
The character 老 means “old,” and is part of many different words — some involving age, and others involving respect:
http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/15-chinese-words-using-lao/
Twitter: @ChineseLanguage
Choosing a Chinese name All Culture
Do you have a Chinese name? If not, then you should choose one. Here is some background about Chinese names, along with some suggestions for how to choose one:
http://www.digmandarin.com/choose-chinese-name.html
Twitter: @DigMandarin
Using 即使 (jí shǐ) Intermediate Grammar
The conjunction 即使 is sort of like “if” in English, but emphasizes the contrast between things. You can learn more about it here:
http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/how-to-use-the-chinese-conjunction-word-%e5%8d%b3%e4%bd%bf/
Twitter: @ChineseLanguage
When? Always! (Or Never!) Intermediate Grammar Video
If you want to say that something is “always” or “never” true, then you need to have those words. This video gives lots of examples you can use in your day-to-day conversations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoM1hB885p0
Twitter: @ECLSchool
Useful apps All Reviews
Want to use your phone to improve your Chinese? Here are some apps you should try:
http://www.tutormandarin.net/en/best-chinese-apps-learning-chinese-2017/
Twitter: @MyTutorMandarin
Translation woes Intermediate Reviews Books
Yang Wen’s “Lost in Translation” describes common mistakes when translating between Chinese and English, and some suggestions for how not to make those errors:
http://carlgene.com/blog/2017/08/what-we-can-learn-from-yang-wens-lost-in-translation/
Twitter: @carlfordham
Dumb scammers Beginner Vocabulary
Have you been scammed in China? You can hope that the person who scammed you is as foolish as the one in this story. Along the way, learn some good vocabulary for handling scams:
https://themandarincornerblog.com/2017/08/07/the-stupidest-scammer-in-china/
New Year traditions All Holidays
Chinese New Year is not exactly around the corner, but this article describes the holiday and its traditions with enough detail to last you until then:
http://www.tutormandarin.net/en/chinese-new-year-traditions-need-know/
Twitter: @MyTutorMandarin
Double 9 Festival Beginner Holidays
What, you haven’t heard of 重阳节 (chóng yáng jié)? You’re not alone, but here’s an explanation that will set you straight:
http://www.echineselearning.com/blog/4-ways-that-chinese-people-honor-the-double-ninth-festival
Twitter: @ECLSchool
Simple pronunciation Beginner Pronunciation
Not sure where to start, in order to ensure that your pronunciation is as accurate as possible? Here’s a primer:
http://www.echineselearning.com/blog/a-beginners-guide-to-chinese-pronunciation
Twitter: @ECLSchool
Intro to Pinyin Beginner Pronunciation
What is Pinyin, and how (how) can you use it to learn faster and better? Here’s a short introduction that will help you to remember how to pronounce Chinese, and how Pinyin reminds you of those pronunciations:
https://medium.com/@thechinesesun/chinese-mandrin-101-why-do-you-need-to-learn-chinese-hanyu-pinyin-c8bc927b9e58
Twitter: @TheChineseSun
Memrise review All Reviews
Many people use Memrise to practice their Chinese (and other languages). Here is a review describing Memrise, and why you should (or shouldn’t) use it:
https://medium.com/@braydenfox/memrise-a-free-language-learning-website-noplag-review-ea8c0675c703
Traffic terms Beginner Vocabulary
Planning to drive in China? Or perhaps just walk? (It’s not clear what’s more challenging!) Here are some terms you should know:
http://www.e-putonghua.com/zone/index.php/2017/08/07/listen-traffic-light-and-traffic-regulations/
Twitter: @eputonghua
Language learning wisdom Intermediate Expressions Learning
Learning a language isn’t easy or straightforward. Here are some sayings, in Chinese, that can help to encourage you along this path:
https://www.writtenchinese.com/10-thought-provoking-quotes-for-learning-a-language/
Twitter: @WrittenChinese
Visiting Taipei All Travel
Visiting Taipei (the capital of Taiwan)? Here are some hints about what to see and do while there:
http://www.saporedicina.com/english/travel-to-taipei/
Transportation Beginner Vocabulary
How can you get around in China? Here are some common (and uncommon) vehicle types:
http://allaboutchinese.tumblr.com/post/163913015999/allaboutchinese-%E4%BA%A4%E9%80%9A%E5%B7%A5%E5%85%B7-transportation
Hey, good looking! Intermediate Vocabulary
Want to flirt in Chinese? In this video, you’ll see how to tell someone you find them attractive, or even if you want to move onto more direct phrases and actions:
https://chelseabubbly.com/2017/08/02/how-to-flirt-in-chinese/
Twitter: @Chelsea_bubbly
Back to school! Beginner Vocabulary Video
Looking forward to the new school year? Maybe not, but at least you can learn the necessary terms in Chinese with this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQsT52cupLg
Twitter: @chineseclass101
Pickup lines in Chinese Intermediate Expressions
Want to pick up someone in Chinese? Here are some phrases that (supposedly) really work. Did they? Let us know!
http://www.fluentu.com/blog/chinese/2017/07/31/chinese-pick-up-lines/
Twitter: @FluentU
At the beach Beginner Vocabulary
Enjoying the beach this summer? If so, then you might want to add to your enjoyment by describing it in Chinese:
http://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/at-the-beach-in-chinese/
Twitter: @ChineseLanguage
Hip hop in Chinese Intermediate Video
Enjoy hip hop music? Well, you can enjoy it in Chinese, as well, with videos from these famous Chinese artists:
https://chinesepod.com/blog/2017/08/02/top-7-chinese-hip-hop-artists/
Twitter: @ChinesePod
About 大连 (Dalian) Advanced Story
Have you ever visited Dalian, a well known tourist spot? If not, this story can introduce you to the city:
http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/16-2009-12-02-23-37-52/2906-2017-08-02-01-37-38
Twitter: @imandarinpod
All about me Beginner Story
In this story, we’re introduced to a young Chinese:
http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/14-2009-12-02-23-37-05/2904-2017-07-31-13-48-40
Twitter: @imandarinpod
Everybody dance! Advanced Story
Dancing in the square? Absolutely, everyone does it in China:
http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/16-2009-12-02-23-37-52/2908-2017-08-04-01-49-24
Twitter: @imandarinpod
|