ChineseClass101.com Blog

Food is a type of magic that human beings both enjoy and depend upon for survival. Food brings loved ones together at the same table, where everyone is able to share life, indulge in conversation, and even burst into laughter together. Every family has its own homemade dish that tastes just like home, touching the softest spot of one’s heart. As a dedicated Chinese learner, I’m sure you’re wondering how authentic Chinese foods taste and about the culture behind them. In this article, we’ll introduce you to several popular Chinese dishes you should try—and we’ll even teach you how to make some easy authentic Chinese food on your own. Make sure you stick around to learn all of the Chinese food secrets you’ve been curious about! Table... Show more

What is the backbone of every language? Definitely grammar.  Using proper grammar showcases your professionalism and respect for others.  Chinese grammar is rather unique. As opposed to English and the Romance languages which follow a strict structure, Chinese is often perceived by foreigners as not even having grammar. Others claim that Chinese grammar is extremely difficult.  As an art, the Chinese language has its own unique features and much flexibility in its grammar. If you’ve learned other languages before, you’ll find that learning Chinese grammar won’t be a typical language learning experience; there may be many new concepts that you’ve never even heard of.  Now, let’s dig into this Chinese grammar guide for beginners.... Show more

How many times have you used a popular quote to express something? Being able to apply someone else’s words to our own lives is just so convenient! But quotes hold so much more potential when you learn them in another language. Studying Chinese quotes can be an excellent way to improve your language skills, gain cultural insight, and learn to see the world through other people’s eyes. In China, people love to use Chinese quotes and proverbs in their daily conversations. Using one effectively can convey the heart of one’s thoughts, making any conversation a little more meaningful. The Chinese quotes we’ve listed in this article will not only enrich your conversations, but also help you think a little deeper and advise you on your own... Show more

Whether you’re a student seeking the opportunity to live and work in China, an international company employee who has been transferred to the branch office in China, a specialist who deals with clients or partners in China, or simply a Chinese language enthusiast who’s eager to expand your vocabulary, knowing some essential business phrases in Chinese will benefit you professionally, socially, and financially. In this article, we’ll present you with fifty common Chinese business phrases and patterns (with examples, key vocabulary, and notes) to use in different business circumstances in China. Be it a job interview, a business meeting, or a chat with coworkers and clients, you’ll be prepared to handle it in smooth business Chinese.  ... Show more

YouTube: A paradise full of creative content to relax your brain.  But did you know you can also learn Chinese on YouTube? Who wouldn’t want to learn a language the fun way, especially when you could educate yourself on the culture, too?  You’re in luck! We’ve done the research for you and narrowed down the top ten Chinese YouTube channels for learners of the language. We’ve included channels on a variety of topics, so you can immerse yourself in the language and culture while watching something that really interests you! It’s time to switch up your study method and tune into some fun videos! Binge on these Chinese YouTube channels, and you’ll find yourself making incredible progress without studying so hard. However, we... Show more

Let's take a look at these three sentences: 你坐啊。(Nǐ zuò a.)你坐吧。(Nǐ zuò ba.)你坐嘛。(Nǐ zuò ma.) They all have the same "sentence stem," which is made up of the subject 你 (nǐ),  or "you," and the action verb 坐 (zuò), meaning "to sit." The last word in each sentence (a/ba/ma) is a particle, which doesn’t carry referential meaning, and therefore has no direct translations. Literally, these three sentences could all translate as: "You sit."  However, the Chinese particles at the end of each sentence drastically change the speaker's mood and attitude. Final particles in Chinese can, for example, express that the speaker is feeling excited, making a polite suggestion, or being a little pushy and forceful. Particles at the end of a... Show more

We come across so many people throughout the course of our human journey, where so many hellos and goodbyes take place. These phrases may seem basic, but they play a significant role in starting and ending things properly. The good news is that, as a language-learner, you’ve probably mastered how to say hello in Chinese by now (if not, check out our article and start learning today)! But knowing how to say goodbye in Chinese is just as important. Choosing the best Chinese word for goodbye in a given situation will make your communication smoother, make you sound more like a native speaker, and improve the quality of your relationships. In Chinese culture, we have a variety of ways to say goodbye depending on how formal/casual the... Show more

You're interested in learning Mandarin Chinese, but rumor has it that it's the most difficult language in the world. You start to have second thoughts.  You’re not alone. To a lot of people, especially those who speak a Romance language, the Chinese language not only "sounds Greek," but worse. The mysterious symbols, the absence of an alphabet, the hard-to-pronounce sounds, the Yin and Yang, and the ancient philosophies behind the language...the list goes on.  Is Chinese hard to learn? Maybe. But should it keep you from moving forward?  Definitely not!  Chinese is a beautiful language. Imagine if the Chinese language were a woman—stunning, exotic, seemingly distant. You want to pursue her, but there's a voice whispering in your... Show more

"A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new." －Albert Einstein Now every mistake in Chinese you've made is justified. They’re little trophies from taking on a challenge and trying something new: a new language (and a difficult one, at that)!  In this article, we'll cover all the trophies (a.k.a. mistakes), that you and other Chinese learners have made or may end up making. From the most common pronunciation mistakes to grammar mistakes that new learners need to watch out for, ChineseClass101.com will cover it all! We’ll also show you how to make good use of your mistakes. Table of Contents Common Chinese Pronunciation Mistakes Common Chinese Grammar Mistakes A Learner's Regret Turn Mistakes into Tools... Show more

As a language-learner, it’s important to ask yourself: "Why am I even learning this language?" Many people learn a new language to interact with people from a different cultural background, in hopes of having a meaningful conversation. And questions are a fantastic tool for learning more about someone and their culture!  "Question" in Chinese is 问题 (wèn tí). Remember that you should never be afraid to ask a 问题 (wèn tí), even if you can’t ask it perfectly. Not being able to speak your mother tongue may be tough, but as long as you try your best to keep a conversation flowing with genuine questions and a smile on your face, most people will be friendly enough to lend you their ears and open their hearts to talk with you.  All in... Show more