Mandarin Weekly #167

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是 (shì) is “is”, but not like English “is” Intermediate Grammar Video

Thinking of asying “X is Y” in Chinese? Depending on what Y is, you might or might not need to use 是:

http://www.fluentinmandarin.com/content/learning-chinese-dont-make-this-mistake-with-shi/

Twitter: @Fluent_Mandarin

As for me Intermediate Grammar Video

How can you say that “as for me, X is Y”? Use the grammar pattern described here, with lots of examples:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV195_f0iQ8

Smartphones can have problems Intermediate Story

We all love our smartphones, but they aren’t without issues, as this story relates:

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/16-2009-12-02-23-37-52/3105-2018-03-27-13-11-11

Twitter: @imandarinpod

Visiting Chongqing All Travel

The city of Chongqing is well known for many things, including its spicy food. Here’s an introduction to the city, and why you should go there:

https://www.saporedicina.com/english/traveling-chongqing/

At-home Chinese immersion All Learning

The best way to learn a language is through immersion in a country where it’s used. But what if you can’t? Here are some strategies for Chinese immersion, no matter where you live:

http://www.chinese-breeze.com/immerse-yourself-in-chinese/

April Fools! Beginner Grammar Video

April 1st, or April Fool’s Day, just passed earlier this week. Here are some ways to discuss it in Chinese:

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

Twitter: @ECLSchool

Sign up for ECL, and get one free week by mentioning “Reuven Lerner”

Bamboo instruments All Culture

Many Chinese musical instruments are made of bamboo. Here are a few of them, along with the appropriate vocabulary:

https://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/chinese-bamboo-instruments/

Twitter: @ChineseLanguage

Adding some emphasis Intermediate Grammar

The word 可是 (kě shì) means “but” — but you can also use one or both of these characters for emphasis in your speaking:

https://themandarincornerblog.com/2018/03/30/why-speaking-great-chinese-isnt-always-so-great/

Extended family Beginner Vocabulary Video

It’s often hard to keep track of the words for family members in Chinese. Here is a fun song to learn some of them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug8RULhzNMA

Twitter: @ChineseBuddy

No, no, no! Intermediate Grammar

There are three different ways to say “no” in Chinese, as described here:

https://www.writtenchinese.com/3-different-ways-to-say-no-in-chinese/

Twitter: @WrittenChinese

Children learning Chinese All Learning

Many parents want their children to learn Chinese. Here are some resources to help children start on the Chinese-learning path:

https://www.tutormandarin.net/en/5-fun-ways-for-kids-to-learn-chinese/

Twitter: @MyTutorMandarin

Vegetarian Chinese food All Food

So much of Chinese cuisine uses meat, you might think that there aren’t any good vegetarian dishes in China. Not so! Here are some things to look for, and try, when you’re next in China:

https://blogs.transparent.com/chinese/vegetarian-chinese-food/

Twitter: @ChineseLanguage

Using 才 (cái) with time Beginner Grammar Video

If you want to express the idea of “earlier than expected,” then the character 才 is what you need, as demonstrated here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svtUFmpFhL0

Twitter: @ChinesePod

Click here to sign up for ChinesePod

The many uses of 好 (hǎo) Beginner Grammar

The character 好 is extremely common in Chinese, in part because it is used in so many ways. Here are examples of five ways to use it:

https://www.digmandarin.com/use-hao-in-chinese.html

Twitter: @DigMandarin

April challenges All Learning

Hacking Chinese has some more challenges for you. Join the challenge, and push yourself to learn more:

http://www.hackingchinese.com/chinese-learning-challenges-april-2018-reading-open/

Twitter: @HackingChinese

Sand in my eye Intermediate Story

What should you do when there’s sand in your eye? Don’t rub it, that’s for sure:

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/14-2009-12-02-23-37-05/3109-2018-03-30-05-28-19

Twitter: @imandarinpod

Social vocabulary Intermediate Vocabulary Culture

Social media is all over the world, including in China. Here are some terms you can use to describe it:

https://blog.hutong-school.com/essential-phrases-chinese-social-media/

Twitter: @hutongschool

Going to Hangzhou Beginner Story

Let’s go to Hangzhou this weekend!

http://www.imandarinpod.com/hoola/index.php/podcasts/14-2009-12-02-23-37-05/3108-2018-03-30-05-24-52

Twitter: @imandarinpod

Romantic date ideas Intermediate Culture Video Vocabulary

Want to go on a romantic date? Of course, you do! Here are some ideas for what to do (and also what not to do):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dS32lbuiyQ0

I’m so sorry! Intermediate Grammar

The word “sorry” means several different things in English; here is how to use Chinese to express these different ideas:

https://mandarinhq.com/2018/03/say-sorry-in-chinese/

Twitter: @MandarinHQ