Separable Words in Chinese (离合词): Breaking Down the Complexity of the Language
In Chinese, you can use either 帮助 (bāngzhù) or 帮忙(bāngmáng) to mean “help.” But, if you say “帮忙他” (bāngmáng tā) to say “help him”, your Chinese teacher will correct you…
Making Comparisons in Chinese – All about bǐ-structure(比字句)
In Western culture, we’re often told that we shouldn’t make comparisons because it implies that we’re somehow unsatisfied with the things we have. Still, in reality, we’re constantly using comparisons…
“早饭吃完了”(The breakfast has been eaten) – Learn All About the Unmarked Passive Sentence in Chinese
Passive sentences make up a big and important part of modern Chinese. There are generally two types: Marked Passive Sentences and Unmarked Passive Sentences. We have talked about Marked Passive…
Mastering the “被” Structure: The Chinese Passive Sentence Structure
Passive sentences are commonly used in Chinese and can cause confusion for foreign learners who are not accustomed to them. To assist in decoding this unique sentence construction, we will…
常常(cháng cháng) VS往往(wǎng wǎng): The Many Ways of Using the word “Often” in Chinese
Discovering the nuances of language is a fascinating journey, especially when it comes to understanding how different cultures express similar ideas. Take, for instance, the concept of "often" in English…
How to Learn Chinese While Remaining Sensitive to Regional Languages and Dialects
Editor`s Notes: The modern Chinese dialects are classified into seven major groups, and Mandarin (普通话) is the e standard foundation language. About two-thirds of Chinese people speak Mandarin as their…
12 Tips for Understanding Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture
In an increasingly connected and globalized economy, more and more companies are opting to do business with China. Mutual respect and understanding are the foundation of a positive business relationship,…
Giving Gifts to Chinese People: Beware of Certain Taboos
Strengthening relationships and building alliances is an essential part of every culture, and gift-giving plays a vital role in achieving this. Similarly, in Chinese culture, presenting gifts is a time-honored…
The Explosion of Popular New Chinese Words on the Internet
Ever since internet access became more common in China, new phrases and figures of speech have been coined to describe new phenomena in society. These new phrases have also spread…
Chinese Language Immersion Abroad and at Home
Chinese language often gets a rap as one of the hardest languages for native English speakers to learn to speak. I am no Chinese expert and I have a healthy…