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Chapter One: Getting Some Grub in the Middle Kingdom 1. What’s Your Dish? Try the 10 Most Popular in China What does “Chinese food” look like in your hometown? Chinese food in foreign countries such as the UK and USA is popular, but the dishes are often different from what is actually served in China! Do

you

know

what

these

“authentic” dishes are?

A list of the 10 most popular Chinese dishes was put out by the China Hotel Association. The survey was based on 2016 information collected by China’s major online ordering platforms and public surveys.

We should take a flavor journey! Let’s give these popular dishes a try, shall we?

酸菜鱼 (Suāncàiyú) Fish with Sichuan pickles Do you notice the blend of spicy and sour? This dish’s personality comes from the pickled mustard greens that make it unique from other Sichuan fish dishes. The fish is often carp. Eyes burning from the heat? Cool down with some veggies…

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炒青菜 (Chǎo qīngcài) Stir-fried vegetables You may be surprised at the amount of vegetables that are eaten in China! Stir-fried pea shoots, morning glory and bok choy are among countless others. These healthy and colorful vegetables are often stir-fried with garlic and oyster sauce. Now back to the powerful sauce…

宫保鸡丁 (Gōngbǎo jīdīng) Kung Pao chicken You have seen this on menus outside of China, right? In Sichuan Province, this dish will numb your face with its peppers and seared chilis. Peanuts and Shaoxing wine are often added to give this dish its famous kick!

鱼香肉丝 (Yúxiāng ròusī) Shredded pork with garlic sauce This “fish-flavored” pork dish from Sichuan Province is as colorful as it is tasty! Ironically, there is no “鱼 (yú) fish” in this dish, although it uses seasonings traditionally used for fish. The ingredients of the dish are: 胡萝卜 (húluóbo) carrot, 肉 (ròu) meat, and 木耳 (mù’ěr) edible tree fungus.

Yes, the name of this dish is confusing. It’s so confusing that recently a woman in China refused to pay for the dish in a restaurant when she was shocked and disappointed to find no fish in it! Don’t be surprised, you’ve been warned!

水煮鱼 (Shuǐzhǔyú) Fish fillets in hot chili oil The only swimming these fish do is in fiery chili oil. The whitefish in “水煮鱼 (Shuǐzhǔ yú) Fish filets in hot chili oil” is cooked soft and tender and will melt in your mouth as you sweat your way through this numbing Sichuan specialty. Need to give your tongue a break from spiciness? Let’s try…

红烧肉 (Hóngshāoròu) Braised pork with brown sauce Let’s take a trip over to Shanghai and sample “红烧肉 (Hóngshāo ròu) Red cooked pork”. It’s pork belly cooked with wine, sugar and soy sauce. The color and flavor are deep and rich. Don’t go falling in love with its beauty, we’ve got to eat it and move onto something a bit odd…

剁椒鱼头 (Duòjiāo yú tó u) Steamed fish head with diced hot red peppers The sight of a fish head would scare many foreign eaters. What you may not know is that the neck and head contain the best meat in the fish. Just try not to make eye contact!

烤鸭 (Kǎoyā) Roast duck Another dish that is popular outside of China, “烤鸭 (Kǎoyā) Roast duck” is a famous succulent delicacy from Beijing. The ducks are raised specially for this dish, then roasted and served with scallions, cucumber and sweet bean sauce, all wrapped in a pancake. The duck is famous for its crispy skin and moist meat. Mouth watering yet? Let’s cool it down…

番茄蛋花汤 (Fānqié dànhuā tāng) Tomato and egg soup This light and easy soup tastes better than it looks! Chinese mustard is the key ingredient here to give the soup its kick. It is often served as a side dish and you can especially enjoy it in the summer. Full yet? There’s just one more to try…

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回锅肉 (Huíguōròu) Twice-cooked pork slices in hot sauce Yet another Sichuan specialty (have you had enough of this style yet?), this pork is sliced, simmered and stir-fried along with vegetables. You can enjoy this dish on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month, as many Sichuanese do!

I hope you’ve enjoyed our trip around China to sample some of the most popular and famous dishes we have to offer. Next time, if you want the real thing, you will know what to order!

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2. The Eight Major Cuisines of China Chinese food includes many different styles: the major ones are Lu (Shandong) cuisine, Chuan (Sichuan) cuisine, Yue (Guangdong) cuisine, Min (Fujian) cuisine, Su (Suzhou) cuisine, Zhe (Zhejiang) cuisine, Xiang (Hunan) cuisine, and Hui (Anhui) cuisine. These are often referred to as the “Eight Major Cuisines” of China.

Lu cuisine is represented by Hongshao Hailuo (Conch braised in soy sauce), and Tangcu Liyu (Crispy sweet carp); Chuan cuisine is best known for Shuizhuyu (boiled fish with bean sprouts in hot chili oil) and Mapo Doufu (Stir-fried been curd in hot sauce); for Yue cuisine, there are Kaoruzhu (Roast suckling pig), and Qingzhengyu (steamed fish); for Min cuisine, we have Fotiaoqiang (Steamed abalone with shark’s fin and fish maw in broth), and Qingtang Yuwan (Fish balls in soup).

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Songshu Guiyu (Deep-fried mandarin fish in sweet and sour sauce) and Yanshuiya (Poached chilled duck with pepper corn) are the leading dishes of Su cuisine; Dongporou (Braised Dongpo pork) and Jiaohuaji (Baked chicken vagabond style) represent Zhe cuisine; the major dishes of Xiang cuisine include Dong’an Ziji (Dong’an style spring chicken) and Huadiao Fengchi (Braised chicken wings with yellow wine); Hui cuisine is famous for its Huotui Dun Jiayu (Ham stewed with turtle) and Fuli ji Shao ji (Fuli ji roast chicken).

The Features of the Eight Major Cuisines of China The eight major cuisines of China differ in ingredients and taste. Lu cuisine, with a lot of spring onion and garlic, has a strong and thick taste, especially in seafood, soup and animal organs. Chuan cuisine is famous for being spicy, numbing, fresh, delicious and hot. Yue cuisine, in general, is fresh, tender, smooth, hot and salty. Min cuisine is sweet, sour, salty, and delicious with freshness and the temperature of the cooking. It is summarized as light in color and elegant in style, processed and cooked with great care, looking fresh. It is mainly stir-fried and stewed. Xiang cuisine has a thick taste. It is colorful, tender and delicious. Hui cuisine focuses on color and the cooking temperature. Also, it is famous for keeping the original juices and taste of the food.

Food Types 凉菜 (Liángcài): Cold dish. 热菜 (Rècài): Cooked dish. 海鲜 (Hăixiān): Seafood . 汤 (Tāng): Soup. Got Questions? Sign Up for a Live One-to-One FREE Trial Lesson Now!

3. How to Order Food in Chinese? If you come to China, you will have lots of opportunities to taste Chinese cuisine. There are many different types of food available, so, to get just what you want, it is essential for you to know how to order in Chinese restaurants.

Usually, the waiter will give you a menu and ask: “请问您要什么？(Qǐngwèn nín yào shénme?) What would you like?”

The following sentence structures will help you order: Structure 1: Subject + 要 (yào)+ Number + Measure Words + Food. Structure 2: 来 (lái) + Number + Measure Words + Food.

Dialogue 1 Fúwùyuán: Qǐngwèn nǐmen yào shénme? 服务员：

请问

你们

要

什么？

Waiter: What would you like?

Linda:

Wǒ yào yífèn xīhóngshì chǎo jīdàn. Zài lái liǎngjīn jiǎozi.

Linda：我要

一份

西红柿

炒

鸡蛋。再

来

两斤饺子！

Linda: I want the scrambled eggs with tomato and two jin of dumplings.

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Dialogue 2 Nĭmen zhè’r yŏu shénme tèsècài? A: 你们

这儿有

什么

特色菜？

What are your specialties? Wŏmen de tèsècài shì shuĭzhŭyú. B: 我们

的

特色菜是

水煮鱼。

The specialty is called Boiled Fish. Tīng qĭlái búcuò. Lái yí fèn’r. A: 听

起来不错。来一份儿。

It sounds great. I’d like one dish, please. Nín chī dé guàn yòu má yòu là de cài ma? B: 您吃得

惯

又

麻又辣的菜吗？

Can you eat spicy hot food? Wŏ méi chī guò, Xiăng cháng yì cháng. A: 我

没吃

过，想

尝

一

尝。

I’ve never had it, but I’d like to give it a try. Verb repetition: 尝一尝 (cháng yì cháng) Verb denoting action can be repeated. This device is usually employed when one wishes to indicate that the action is of a very short duration, to soften the tone or to make it sound relaxed or informal.

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4. How to Order “外卖 (Wàimài) Takeout in China! Mealtime is an essential part of daily life in China. The importance of eating even influences the daily language of the Chinese. For example, New Yorkers may greet friends with “How ya doin?” While traditionally friends in China may ask “你吃了吗？ (Nǐ chī le ma?)” or “Have you eaten yet?” Although this expression is losing popularity in Chinese cities, other food-related expressions and words are becoming increasingly common in busy, modern life. One example is “外卖 (wàimài) takeout.” As smart-phones and apps change daily life in China, “外卖 (wàimài) takeout” is becoming more and more important each year.

Example: Jīntiān wǒmen jiào wàimài ba! 今天

我们

叫

外卖

吧！

Let’s order takeout today!

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When and How to Order “外卖 (Wàimài)?”

With internet and smart-phone usage playing a large role in daily life, convenient takeout meals, or “delivery,” is becoming the norm for busy workers in the cities. Late night at the office? 外卖 (wàimài) takeout! Heavy traffic? 外卖 (wàimài) takeout! Romantic movie with your honey? 外卖 (wàimài) takeout!

You can order “外卖 (wàimài) takeout” on a website, an app, your telephone or by simply walking up to the restaurant and ordering face-to-face. However, before you grab your food to go, you should do your homework and learn how to order in Chinese. So, how do we order “外卖 (wàimài) takeout?” Five useful Chinese sentences you need to know: Nínhǎo, wǒ yào jiào wàimài. 您好，我要

叫

外卖。

Hello, I want to order takeout for delivery. Wǒ yào diǎn yí fèn pīsà. 我要

点

一份披萨。

I want to order a pizza. Qǐng sòng dào Wǔyī lù 185 hào. 请

送

到

五一路 185 号。

My address is No. 185 Wuyi Road.

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Yào duōjiǔ cái néng dào? 要多久

才

能

到？

How long will that take?

Wǒ de wàimài sòng le ma? 我的

外卖

送

了吗？

Is my takeout on the way?

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Chapter Two: A Roof Over Your Head 1. Four Things You Must Ask When Renting an Apartment in China

If you are soon moving to China or already living there, it is possible that you will need to rent an apartment. For some people, such as English teachers, an apartment might be included in their contract. Students may live in dorms, which is prepared through the school. So, this may not seem relevant to you at first, but knowing how to rent an apartment can come handy and it can’t hurt to be independent. Here is a guide to some of the things you should consider, as well as relevant vocabulary you will need when renting an apartment in China. Factors you need to consider: a. 户型 (Hù xíng) Type or size of apartment You can find apartments to rent online or though real estate agents, which speckle every corner in China.

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These intermediaries will put you in contact with the apartment owners. When you go to rent an apartment, the first question that the “房东 (fángdōng) house-owner” or agent will ask is: Nín xiǎng zū shénme hùxíng de fángzi? 您

想

租

什么

户型

的房子？

What kind of apartment do you want to rent?

Types of apartments are put in a kind of shortened form: 一室一厅 (Yí shì yì tīng): One bedroom, one living room 两室一厅 (Liǎng shì yì tīng): Two bedrooms, one living room 三室两厅 (Sān shì liǎng tīng): Three bedrooms, two living rooms

All you have to do is reply with this sentence structure: “我要 + 户型 (Wǒ yào + hùxíng)” I want + type or size of apartment. For example: Wǒ yào liǎng shì yì tīng de. 我要

两

室一厅的。

I want an apartment with two bedrooms and one living room.

b. 家电 (Jiādiàn) Household appliances Next, you need to consider what kind of appliances you want in your apartment. It is very common in China that the apartment won’t have a dishwasher or dryer. Most newer apartment complexes will have everything else you need, but you still better make sure to ask.

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You can ask the home owner about what “家电 (jiādiàn)” are included, this word is the shortened form of “家用电器 (jiāyòng diànqì).” This includes things like a “冰箱 (bīngxiāng) refrigerator,” “空调 (kōngtiáo) air-conditioner,” “热水器 (rèshuǐqì) hot water heater” etc.

So you should ask the apartment-owner: A: Jiādiàn dōu qíquán ma? A: 家电

都

齐全

吗？

A: Is there a complete set of household appliances?

B: Kōngtiáo, bīngxiāng, rèshuǐqì… shénme dōu yǒu. B: 空调、

冰箱、

热水器…… 什么

都

有。

B: Air-conditioning, refrigerator, hot water heater… it has everything.

c. 交通 (Jiāotōng) Transportation Something you will want to keep in mind is the local “ 交通 (jiāotōng) transportation.” You should check what subways and bus stops are nearby, as in some areas you may have to walk for 10-15 minutes to find the nearest one. Usually apartments that are located in a more convenient area can be a little more expensive.

A: Zhè lǐ de jiāotōng biànlì ma? A: 这里的交通

便利吗？

A: Is the transportation convenient here?

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B: Xiǎoqū pángbiān yǒu dìtiězhàn hé gōngjiāozhàn, hěn fāngbiàn. B: 小区

旁边

有

地铁站

和

公交站，

很

方便。

B: Yes, there is a subway station and a bus station near here, it’s very convenient.

d. 租金 (Zūjīn) Rent Lastly and perhaps most importantly you will ask about “租金 (Zūjīn) rent.” If you go through a real estate agent, they will tell you the price before you go and see the apartment. Cities like Shanghai and Beijing can have very expensive rent, especially if you live downtown.

Often people will live up to an hour away from work so they can live in a cheaper apartment. You will also have to pay a deposit upon renting the apartment. This cost is usually one month of rent, and the real estate agent’s fee is half of a months rent. How should you ask the rent?

A: Zhè ge fángzi duōshǎo qián yí gè yuè? A: 这

个房子

多少

钱

一个月？

A: How much does one month of rent cost? B: Liǎng qiān bā bǎi kuài qián yí gè yuè. B: 两

千

八百

块

钱

一个月。

B: 2,800 yuan per month.

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A: Bāo shuǐdiànfèi ma? A: 包

水电费

吗？

A: Is the water and electricity fee included in the price? B: Shìde. B: 是的。 B: Yes. Once you get this lesson down, you will be ready to rent your own apartment in China!

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2. Struggling and Saving for a Home

“蜗居 (Wōjū) Dwelling Narrowness” was probably the most popular TV series in 2009. It is about a new couple struggling for buying their first “房子 (fángzi) house.” The script expresses a confusion of all the house-less families—”the speed of saving money never catches up with that of “房价 (fángjià) housing” price’s ”上涨 (shàngzhǎng) rise.” Meanwhile the story puts forward a thought provoking topic: Is it possible for young people ever to own houses given the high flying real estate price? From ancient time to the present, Chinese people have a rooted tradition –they have always wanted to own their own houses. In Chinese people’s mind, if you want to have a family, you’d better own a house first. Now it is quite common for people to take mortgage loans, although everyone knows that it will take them many years to pay off their “房贷 (fángdài) housing loan.” People who have very tight budget but still bought a house with the help of loans are called “房奴 (fángnú) mortgage slaves.”

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Chinese tradition of owning a house leads to more and more mortgage slaves in China nowadays.

生词 (Shēngcí) Vocabulary 1. 房价 (Fángjià) n. Housing price. The character “房 (fáng)” means house and “价 (jià)” means price. Example: Fángjià búduàn de shàngzhǎng, zhēn ràng rén dānxīn. 房价

不断

地

上涨，

真

让人

担心。

Housing prices are continuously rising, which made us worried. 2. 房奴 (Fángnú) n. Mortgage slaves. The character “房 (fáng)” means house and “奴 (nú)” means slave. Example: Zhōngguó chūxiàn le yuèláiyuèduō de fángnú. 中国

出现

了

越来越多

的房奴。

There are more and more mortgage slaves in China.

3. 房子 (Fángzi) n. House. 4. 上涨 (Shàngzhǎng) v. To rise. 5. 房贷 (Fángdài) n. Housing loan.

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3. How to Make Hotel Reservations in China

Conversation Fúwùyuán: Nín hăo! Zhúyuán fàndiàn. 服务员：您

好！竹园

饭店。

Waiter: Hello. This is the Zhuyuan Hotel.

Lì Bèi kǎ: Nín hăo, wŏ xiăng yùdìng yígè biāozhŭnjiān. 丽贝卡：您好，我

想

预订

一个

标准间。

Rebecca: Hello, I’d like to reserve a standard room.

Fúwùyuán: Nín yào dìng nă tiān de? 服务员：您

要

订

哪天的？

Waiter: When do you want the reservation for?

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Lì Bèi kǎ: Cóng bĕn yuè shíwǔ hào dào èr’shísān hào. 丽贝卡：从

本

月

号

到

号。

Rebecca: From the 15th to the 23rd of this month. Fúwùyuán: Duì bù qĭ, shíwǔ hào de biāozhŭnjiān yĭjīng méiyŏu le. 服务员：对不起， 15

号

的

标准间

已经

没有了。

Waiter: Sorry, there are no standard rooms available on the 15th. Lì Bèi kǎ: Dānrénjiān yŏu ma? Zĕnme shōufèi? 丽贝卡：单人间

有

吗？怎么

收费？

Rebecca: Is there a single room? What’s the price? Fúwùyuán: Yŏu. Dānrénjiān sān bǎi. 服务员：有。

单人间

300。

Waiter: Yes. 300 yuan for a single room. Lì Bèi kǎ: Wŏ yào yí gè dānrénjiān ba. 丽贝卡：我要一个单人间

吧。

Rebecca: OK, a single room, please. Fúwùyuán: Hăode, qǐng liú yí xià nín de xìngmíng hé diànhuà. 服务员：

好的，请

留一下您的

姓名

和

电话。

Waiter: May I have your name and phone number, please? Lì Bèi kǎ: Wŏ jiào Lìbèi kă.Shĭ mìsī, wŏ hái méiyŏu diànhuà. 丽贝卡：我叫

丽贝卡.史密斯，我还

没有

电话。

Rebecca: My name is Rebecca Smith. I don’t have telephone yet.

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Fúwùyuán: Méi guān xi, nín dāngtiān guòlái jiù kéyĭ le. 服务员：没

关

系，您

当天

过来就可以了。

Waiter: That’s fine. Just check into our hotel on the 15th. Lì Bèi kǎ: Xièxie! 丽贝卡：谢谢！ Rebecca: Thank you! Fúwùyuán: Bú kè qi. Zàijiàn! 服务员：不客气！再见！ Waiter: You’re welcome. See you later!

Lì Bèi kǎ: Zàijiàn! 丽贝卡：再见！ Rebecca: See you!

Additional Expressions 双人间 (Shuāngrénjiān): Double room. 单人间 (Dānrénjiān): Single room. 普通套房 (Pŭtōng tàofáng): General suite. 商务套房 (Shāngwù tàofáng): Business suite.

Hotel Types in China There are three types of hotels in China. They are Fandian (Jiudian, Binguan), Lvguan and Zhaodaisuo.

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Fandian, Jiudian and Binguan are high quality hotels with better facilities and services. The quality of the facilities and services of such hotels will determine whether they are star rated hotels or non-star rated hotels. Lvguan are mid-range hotels providing accommodations for the general public at reasonable rates. Zhaodaisuo are usually run by big enterprises, local governments, and universities to provide accommodations for their own guests and their visiting staff from other regions. Gradually, Zhaodaisuo have begun to function as Binguan and provide limited service to the general public.

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4. How to Make Sure Your Home Has Good Fengshui?

Deciding not to go with a red sofa, moving a mirror from the bedroom to the living room, changing the position of the bed in your bedroom. These may seem like just simple interior design or decorating decisions, but they may also be part of the ancient Chinese practice of Fengshui. Fengshui, which literally means Wind & Water, is a method of creating good Qi, or energy flow, through changing one’s environment. The name refers to this passage from an ancient book, the Zhangshu, or Book of Burial: “Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water.” Thus, Fengshui is the process of choices that focuses on simultaneously moving and retaining Qi in order to improve one’s health, prosperity, and fortune.

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While modern and Western applications of Fengshui generally focus on arranging objects within a home, office, or other architecture, Fengshui was originally used to decide on how best to place dwellings, burial sites, or crops. Fengshui has been used for thousand of years, with some of the earliest instances appearing as far back as 4000 BCE. These early forms of Fengshui relied on astronomy in order to make decisions about where to build or settle. Modern Fengshui practitioners utilize the magnetic compass to aid them in arranging spaces.

One of the most common Fengshui techniques is Bagua, or Eight Symbols. The Bagua are eight three-line symbols, often called trigrams, which correspond to different meanings, including the cardinal and ordinal directions, natural elements, and seasons.

For the purposes of Fengshui, the Bagua are placed onto a map or grid, which is then placed over a map of the house or office in question. Since each of the Bagua has a specific meaning and element associated with it, these meanings are used to determine placement of objects and rooms within the space. The five main elements are water, wood, fire, earth and metal. One example of Bagua Fengshui is to avoid having drains within the areas of the house that are associated with wealth, as your wealth will drain away. When used properly, the Bagua map will help parse oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s living or working area into different areas of the residentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life. By understanding the function of each area, the practitioner can maximize the benefit from each area and avoid creating negative energy or bad luck.

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While many skeptics dismiss Fengshui as superstition and folklore, it’s worth noting that many famous structures, whether intentionally or unintentionally, incorporate many of the principles of Fengshui. Additionally, Fengshui practitioners and apologists respond that one need not believe in the existence of Qi in order to benefit from many of its common sense principles. Clearing up clutter around the house and moving dangerous objects away from children’s sleeping areas, for example, are two principles from Fengshui that most anyone would agree are beneficial. Another objection to Fengshui is that of a potential conflict with the practitioner’s religious beliefs. While it is true that advanced Fengshui techniques rely on an understanding of both Qi and Yin and Yang, simple uses of Fengshui for rearranging one’s home and office can be done without conflicting with most religious beliefs. Since the goal of modern Fengshui is harmony through arrangement and placement, it should be compatible with other worldviews.

Those interested in Fengshui will be glad to know that the elementary aspects of Fengshui can quite easily be learned and applied. The tools are as simple as a compass, a measuring tape, and some pen and paper. Now are you ready for some beginning Fengshui tips?

For the bedroom: Some Fengshui experts believe it is bad luck to have a mirror facing a couple’s bed, or placed anywhere near it, as mirrors can increase opportunities for infidelity.

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Sleeping on floors or in bunk beds is also discouraged, as Qi is meant to circulate around the bed as one sleeps. If the areas above and below the bed are obstructed, the Qi is unable to circulate freely, causing health problems or disturbing sleep. Experts also suggest opening doors and windows on a regular basis to allow fresh Qi to enter. No one wants stale Qi circulating around when he or she sleeps.

For the living room: As much as you may want that red crushed velvet couch, Fengshui practitioners will tell you itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big no-no. The color red represents the element of fire, and having a central object like the living room couch represent fire can wreak havoc on your finances, relationships, and even emotional or psychological well being.

Try not to place couches, loveseats, or other major furniture items so that people are consistently seated with their backs against doors or windows, as this can block the flow of Qi in and around your living room.

Some practitioners suggest using color to create a sense of balance, keeping ceilings and other higher objects light-colored, choosing wall colors or furniture that is mid-toned, and accenting floors with darker flooring or rugs. This works to give the home a natural setting, mimicking the lightness of the sky, the neutral, comforting tones of grass and water, and the grounded feel of earth beneath oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s feet.

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Since many Fengshui experts also recommend placing small fountains or live or fake plants (so as not to risk the bad Qi involved with dead plants) in your home, the living room would be a good open space to try out this technique.

For the kitchen/dining room: We all know that fire and water don’t mix. This is why Fengshui theory will tell you it’s not wise to place any water-based appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, even the kitchen sink) directly opposite your stove, as the crashing of the two elements will lead to family disputes.

You’ve probably never thought too much about how the makeup of your dining room table might affect your mental health, but heavy, dense materials like marble or stone can pile pressure on many people’s already stressful lives. If you have enough pressure from your boss, your kids, or the IRS as it is, try opting for a wooden dining room table.

Many Fengshui practitioners like to make sure that views from windows are pleasant and refreshing. What better place to implement this idea than your kitchen sink, where members of the family routinely stare outside while washing the dishes or preparing food?

Now that you have some easy, practical tips based on Fengshui theory, you too can start balancing the Qi in your home.

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Chapter Three: Hitting the Streets and Getting Around 1. How to Buy Train Tickets in Chinese?

One of the best things about traveling in China is the country’s convenient transportation network. China’s cities are well connected by trains, which are generally quick, comfortable, and with regular departure times to choose from. To enjoy your trip in China, you must learn some essential phrases, e.g. how to buy train tickets in Chinese, etc. What kinds of train tickets “火车票 (huǒchēpiào)” are available? Long distance trains tend to offer a number of options when it comes to tickets, including hard seats “硬座 (yìngzuò)” and sleeper cars “卧铺 (wòpù).” If you prefer to lie down and rest during your journey, sleeper cars are the best choice. Carriages with hard sleepers “硬卧 (yìngwò)” usually have six beds arranged with two on the bottom, two in the middle, and two on top. They face each other and share a public aisle way which other passengers will use.

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The bottom bunk “下铺 (xiàpù)” tends to become a seat for those on the upper bunks during non-sleeping hours, so you might prefer a middle “中铺 (zhōngpù)” or top bunk “上铺 (shàngpù)” for more privacy.

For a greater sense of privacy, you can opt for a soft sleeper “软卧 (ruǎnwò),” which is in a private room of four beds and a closed door that leads to the public aisle way. Dialogue: Chéngkè: Nǐ hǎo! Qǐng gěi wǒ yìzhāng Xī ’ān dào Shànghǎi de huǒchēpiào. 乘客：你好！

请

给我

一张

西安

到

上海

的

火车票。

Passenger: Please give me a train ticket from Xi’an to Shanghai.

Shòupiàoyuán: Hǎo de, qǐngwèn nín yào jǐ hào de piào? 售票员：

好

的，请问

您

要几号的

票？

Booking-office clerk: OK. What is the departure date?

Chéngkè: Shíyī yuè jiǔ hào. 乘客：

月

号。

Passenger: November 9th.

Shòupiàoyuán: Nín yào yìngzuò háishìwòpù? 售票员：

您

要

硬座

还是

卧铺？

Booking-office clerk: Hard seat or sleeping berth?

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Chéngkè: Yìngzuò. 乘客：

硬座。

Passenger: Hard seat. Shòupiàoyuán: Hǎo de. Yígòng yìbǎi èrshíqī kuài. 售票员：

好的，一共

127

块。

Booking-office clerk: OK. 127 yuan in total. On shorter train rides, you will generally have the choice of a seat in either 1st class “一等 (yīděng)” or 2nd class “二等 (èrděng).” The difference is usually that 1st class seats are larger and provide more wiggle room and leg space, but the 2nd class hard seats “二等座 (èrděngzuò)” are fairly comfortable as well. Most importantly, don’t forget your passport “护照 (hùzhào)”! You’ll need it to buy your ticket and to board the train. Dialogue: Chéngkè: Nǐ hǎo! Qǐng gěi wǒ yìzhāng dào Shànghǎi de huǒchēpiào. 乘客：

你好！请

给

我

一张

到

上海

的

火车票。

Passenger: One train ticket to Shanghai, please. Shòupiàoyuán: Nín yào yīděngzuò háishì èrděngzuò? 售票员：

您

要

一等座

还是

二等座？

Booking-office clerk: Do you want a 1st or 2nd class seat? Chéngkè: Yīděngzuò. Xièxie. 乘客：

一等座。

谢谢！

Passenger: 1st class. Thank you.

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Shòupiàoyuán: Wǔshí yuán. Qǐng gěi wǒ kàn xià nín de hùzhào. Xièxie! 50

售票员：

元。请

给

我看下您

的

护照。谢谢！

Booking-office clerk: That’s 50 yuan. Passport, please.

If you are desperate to get to your destination and cannot wait for a later train, or if you are traveling during a peak time and there are not any seats left, you might be able to get a standing-room-only ticket “站票(zhànpiào).” For this type of ticket you will not have an assigned seat, so you will only be allowed to stand in the corridor during the journey. This type of ticket is only advisable on very short trips!

Example: Chéngkè: Nǐ hǎo! Wǒ yào yì zhāng míngtiān cóng Shēnzhèn dào Běijīng de 乘客：你好！我要

一张

明天

从

深圳

到

北京的

yìngwò. 硬卧。 Passenger: Hello! I want a hard-sleeper from Shenzhen to Beijing for tomorrow.

Shòupiàoyuán: Duìbuqǐ, xiànzài zhǐyǒu zhànpiào. 售票员：

对不起，现在

只有

站票。

Booking-office clerk: Sorry. There are only standing-room-only tickets.

Chéngkè: Nà qǐng bāngmáng kàn xià xīngqī yī yǒu wòpù ma? 乘客：

那

请

帮忙

看

下星期

一有卧铺

吗？

Passenger: Could you please help to check if there are any sleeper cars on Monday?

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Shòupiàoyuán: Hǎo de, qǐng shāoděng. Xīngqī yī yǒu wòpù. 售票员：

好

的，请

稍等。

星期一有

卧铺。

Booking-office clerk: Ok, a moment, please. Yes, we have sleepers on Monday.

Chéngkè: Qǐng gěi wǒ yì zhāng xīngqī yī de wòpù, xièxie! 乘客：

请

给

我

一张

星期一的

卧铺，谢谢！

Passenger: A hard-sleeper for Monday. Thank you.

Understanding Your Train Ticket Once you have successfully bought your ticket, you will need to read it to understand which platform, carriage, and seat you need to head to. The first step is to find the train number, usually printed on the top of the ticket, and check on the departure board in the station to see which platform “站台 (zhàntái)” you should go to.

Your carriage “车厢号 (chēxiāng hào)” and seat number “座位号 (zuòwèi hào)” should be printed on the ticket. If you are still not sure where to go and where to sit, there are always attendants and railway staff on the platform to help point you in the right direction.

Besides seat number, you can see different letters like G, D or T on the train tickets. These letters stand for different train types. The trains run by China Railway are broken down into “classes” which vary by speed and service:  G trains (High-speed trains, "Gaotie 高铁" in Chinese) are the fastest and most comfortable trains in China with a speed of 250–400 km/h.  D trains (Bullet trains, "Dongche 动车" in Chinese) are the next fastest trains in China after G trains, usually running at a speed of 200–250 km/h.

 C trains ("Chengji 城际" in Chinese) are high-speed intercity trains running for a short distance between two nearby cities with a top speed of 350 km/h.  Z trains ("Zhida kuaiche 直达快车" in Chinese) are direct express trains with a top speed of 160 km/h.  T trains ("Tekuai lieche 特快列车" in Chinese) are express trains traveling at a top speed of 140 km/h. There are usually a limited number of stops along their routes.  K trains ("Kuaisu lieche 快速列车" in Chinese) are literally called 'fast trains' with a top speed of 120 km/h.  L-train (“Linshi lieche 临时列车” in Chinese) refers to a conditional train which operates during busy periods, such as the traditional Chinese spring festival and National Day. Some L-trains are not equipped with air-conditioning.

Knowing the classification of trains can help you enjoy a convenient journey in China!

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2. How to Buy Subway & Bus Tickets in Chinese?

In a recent newsletter, we introduced the key Chinese phrases you will need to buy “火车票 (huǒchēpiào) train tickets” in China. With all the choices you have when it comes to type and class of travel, it can certainly get a little confusing. Now that you know how to get from one city to another, today we will take a look at how to get across town by taking the subway and bus.

Traveling by Subway 地铁 (dìtiě) Traveling by subway is convenient in larger cities in China like Beijing and Shanghai, which have well-developed subway systems. Not only is it affordable, but it is also fast, on schedule, and clean. The one downside is that it can get quite crowded at peak hours in the mornings and evening, but the same can be said for other forms of public transport as well.

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Example: Zhāng Míng: Lǐ Lěi, wǒmen zěnme qù bówùguǎn ne? 张

明:

李磊，我们

怎么

去

博物馆

呢？

Zhang Ming: Li Lei. How do we get to the museum?

Lǐ Lěi: Zuò dìtiě ba. 李磊：坐地铁吧。 Li Lei: By subway.

Zhāng Míng: Hǎo, wǒ qù mǎi liǎngzhāng dìtiěpiào. 张

明：好，我

去

买

两张

地铁票。

Zhang Ming: Ok, I will buy two tickets.

Do you know how to buy a ticket if you choose to travel by subway? Before you make your way to the platform you will need to look around for a small booth with a glass window. This is where you can buy a ticket or recharge your transport card.

If you plan to do a good deal of inner-city travel, and you want to make paying for the subway and bus more convenient, then you might consider purchasing a “公交卡 (gōngjiāo kǎ) public transport card.” Usually, you will need to pay a set fee for the card itself, about 20 yuan, which can generally be refunded when you leave the city and return the card. On top of the set fee for the card, you will need to load some money onto the card from which your fare will be deducted each time you use it.

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Example: Qǐng gěi wǒ yì zhāng gōngjiāo kǎ, kǎ lǐ chōng wǔshí yuán. 请

给

我

一

张

公交卡，卡里充

元。

I’d like a transport card, and add 50 yuan to it. If you don’t plan to do too much traveling on the subway, a “ 单程票 (dānchéngpiào) single-journey ticket” will do the trick. At the ticket booth you can tell the attendant your destination station and he or she will tell you the amount due. Don’t be surprised if you get a token instead of a card; both are common. Example: Shòupiàoyuán: Nínhǎo! Nín qù nǎ? 售票员：

您好！您

去哪？

Conductor: Hello! May I know your destination?

Chéngkè: Wǒ yào qù wángfǔjǐng. 乘客：

我

要

去

王府井。

Passenger: I’m going to Wangfujing.

Shòupiàoyuán: Yígòng sān kuài qián. Gěi nín piào. 售票员：

一共

块

钱。给您

票。

Conductor: That’s 3 yuan. Here is your ticket.

Once you have purchased your transport card or ticket, you can make your way through the gate and to the platform.

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Traveling by Bus 公交车 (gōngjiāochē)

Taking the bus in China is a great way to see the city on the way to your destination. Most buses will have a metal cash box just at the top of the stairs to drop your money into. If you have a “公交卡 (gōngjiāokǎ) public transport card,” you can simply swipe your card in front of the card scanner near the cash box. Otherwise, you will need to pay in small bills or coins. It is a good idea to always keep a few yuan in your pocket for such occasions, as you will not get change for larger bills unless you happen to take a bus with a “售票员 (Shòupiàoyuán) ticket seller.” Be sure to tell the driver where you are going so he or she can tell you the exact fare, because different buses have different rates, and some vary according to the distance you will travel.

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Dialogue: Shòupiàoyuán: Nínhǎo! Qǐngwèn nín dào nǎ’r? 售票员：

您好！

请问

您

到

哪儿？

Ticket Seller: Where are you going?

Chéngkè: Wǒ dào Rénmín gōngyuán. 乘客：我

到

人民

公园。

Passenger: I’m going to Renmin Park.

Shòupiàoyuán: Liǎng kuài qián. 售票员：

两

块

钱。

Ticket Seller: That’s 2 yuan.

Think you can handle what has been introduced in this lesson and want a slightly more challenging lesson on taking the bus? Practice with your Chinese teacher now!

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3. Learn about China’s New Environmentally-Friendly Hanging Train!

In September 2016, engineers and designers in the Chinese city of Chengdu, Sichuan province successfully tested the first battery-powered suspended urban railway 空铁 (kōngtiě). That November, the “hanging” train was actually put into use! The train carries 120 passengers and can travel at a top speed of 60kph. The hanging train line is said to cost just 1/5th to 1/8th of the cost of typical underground subway trains. What has developers most excited about this hanging train is that it runs entirely on lithium battery power! Many are hailing this as a potentially huge chance to change how people can travel around cities, as well as a good step forward for our environment. Chinese citizens are also enjoying the playful design of the train, which resembles the face of a panda bear. Got Questions? Sign Up for a Live One-to-One FREE Trial Lesson Now!

Some other good features of the train include: • 环保 (Huánbǎo) Environmental protection. • 低成本 (Dī chéngběn) Low cost. • 高安全性 (Gāo ānquán xìng) High security and safety. So what do we call this new urban train? You can refer to this kind of transportation as “空铁 (kōngtiě).” Just as this train is new, the word “空铁 (kōngtiě)” is new as well! The word “空铁 (kōngtiě)” comes from: 空 (Kōng), an adjective meaning “empty, hollow or air.” Paired with: 铁 (Tiě) a noun meaning “iron,” we get: 空铁 (Kōngtiě) suspension railway/air rail. An example of “空铁 (kōngtiě)” used in a sentence: Míngtiān wǒ yào chéng kōngtiě qù shàngbān. 明天

我

要

乘

空铁

去

上班。

Tomorrow, I will take the suspension railway to work. Dialogue: A: Nǐ zěnme qù zhōngxīn gōngyuán? A: 你

怎么去

中心

公园？

A: How will you go to Central Park? B: Wǒ zuò kōngtiě qù. B: 我

坐

空铁

去。

B: I will take the air rail.

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Although “空铁 (kōngtiě)” is a new word, the way we can use it in a sentence still follows other ways we describe using transportation in Chinese. When we need to inform someone of how we will take transportation, we use this sentence structure: 乘 (chéng)/坐 (zuò) + the mode of transportation ｛公交车 (gōngjiāochē) bus, 出租车 (chūzūchē) car, 地铁 (dìtiě) subway, etc.｝+ the destination place.

Examples: Chéng fēijī qù běijīng. 乘

飞机去

北京。

Take the plane to Beijing.

Zuò dìtiě huíjiā. 坐地铁

回家。

Take the subway back home.

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4. Ten Essential Phrases for Taking Taxis in China In China you will certainly find yourself needing to take a taxi at some point. Compared to many other countries, taxis in China are generally an affordable and convenient way to get where you want to go quickly. So what lingo do we need to master to get around town by taxi? Let’s take a look!

Shīfu, dào …. 1. 师傅，到……。 Sir, (I’m going to) …(place). When a taxi stops to pick you up and you get in the car, the first thing you should tell the driver is your destination. “师傅 (shīfu)” is used to refer to people with a special skill, usually middle-aged men. Who you can address as “师傅 (shīfu)”? Here the term refers to the driver, and it is really a term used to show politeness and respect. In other situations, “师傅 (shīfu)” can also be used to refer to maintenance workers, plumbers, craftsmen, and so on.

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Dialogue: Màikè: Shīfu, dào běijīng fàndiàn. 麦克：师傅，到

北京

饭店。

Mike: Sir, Beijing Hotel.

Sījī:

Hǎode.

司机：好的。 Driver: OK.

Dào … 2. 到

duō cháng shíjiān?

…… 多

长

时间？

How long does it take to get to…? Dialogue: Màikè: Shīfu, dào jīchǎng duō cháng shíjiān? 麦克：师傅，到

机场

多

长

时间？

Mike: Sir, how long does it take to get to the airport?

Sījī:

Dàgài bàn gè xiǎoshí.

司机：大概半个

小时。

Driver: About half an hour.

Qǐng dǎkāi yíxià hòubèixiāng. 3. 请

打开

一下后备厢。

Please open the trunk.

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If you bring your luggage, you may need this sentence. “后备厢 (hòubèixiāng)” is the trunk or boot of the taxi, “打开 (dǎkāi)” means open, and “请 (qǐng),” which is used to show courtesy, means please. Example: Shīfu, qǐng dǎkāi yíxià hòubèixiāng. 师傅，请打开

一下后备厢。

Sir, please open the trunk.

Kéyǐ shāoděng yíxià ma? 4. 可以

稍等

一下吗？

Can you wait a moment? “稍等 (shāoděng)” means to wait a moment. If you can’t get in the taxi straight away or you need to wait for someone, this sentence will come in handy. Dialogue: Lǐ Míng: Shīfu, kéyǐ shāoděng yíxià ma? 李明：师傅，可以稍等

一下吗？

Li Ming: Sir, can you wait a moment?

Sījī: Kéyǐ. 司机：可以。 Driver: OK.

Qiánmian shízì lùkǒu zuǒzhuǎn. 5. 前面

十字路口

左转。

Turn left at the crossing ahead.

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Sometimes you may need to show drivers the way. In such a situation, this sentence will be helpful. “ 十字路口 (shízì lùkǒu)” means crossing or intersection. “左转 (zuǒzhuǎn)” is “turn left” and “右转 (yòuzhuǎn)” is “turn right.” Dialogue: Wáng Lín: Shīfu, qiánmian shízì lùkǒu zuǒzhuǎn. 王

林：师傅，前面

十字路口

左转。

Wang Lin: Sir, turn left at the crossing ahead.

Sījī: Hǎo. 司机：好。 Driver: All right.

Wǒ gǎn shíjiān, qǐng kuài yì diǎn. 6. 我

赶时间，

请

快一点。

I am in a hurry. Go faster please. If you are in a rush, you may need the driver to drive a little faster. Here “赶时间 (gǎn shíjiān)” means you are in a hurry and “快 (kuài)” is fast. Dialogue: Lǐ Méng: Shīfu, wǒ gǎn shíjiān, qǐng kuài yìdiǎn. 李萌：

师傅，我

赶时间，请

快一点。

Li Meng: Sir, I am in a hurry, please driver faster.

Sījī: Hǎo. 司机：好。 Driver: Ok.

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Shīfu, qǐng zài qiánmian tíng yí xià. 7. 师傅，请

在

前面

停一下。

Sir, please stop up ahead. When you reach your destination, you can tell the driver to stop in a specific place by using this sentence. Dialogue: Sūfēi: Shīfu, qǐng zài qiánmian tíng yíxià. 苏菲：师傅，请在

前面

停一下。

Sophie: Sir, please stop up ahead. Sījī: Qiánmian nàgè lùkǒu ma? 司机：前面

那个

路口

吗？

Driver: At that crossing ahead? Sūfēi: Shìde. 苏菲：是的。 Sophie: Yes. Duōshǎo qián? 8.

多少

钱？

How much is it? This is the simplest way to ask about the final charge. Dialogue: Jiékè: Shīfu, duōshǎo qián? 杰克：师傅，多少

钱？

Jack: Sir, how much is it?

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Sījī:

Èrshí kuài.

司机：20 块。 Driver: 20 yuan.

Qǐng gěi wǒ xiǎopiào. 9. 请

给我

小票。

Please give me the receipt. If you need the driver to give you a receipt, you can use this sentence while or after paying. Here “小票 (xiǎopiào)” means “receipt.”

Xièxie. 10.

谢谢。 Thank you.

And finally, please don’t forget to say “thank you” to the driver! Example: Shīfu,

qǐng gěi wǒ xiǎopiào, xièxie.

师傅，请

给

我

小票，

谢谢。

Sir, please give me the receipt. Thank you.

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Chapter Four: Recreation and Relaxation 1. KTV-Popular Entertainment in China

If you've been to China before, or just know a lot about modern Chinese culture, then you have probably heard of "K 歌 (K gē)" or Karaoke TV, the most popular form of entertainment in China. Maybe you've even gone yourself! KTV is short for Karaoke TV. In China, friends or colleagues often go to KTV to bond and have fun. And many types of parties will take place at KTV, such as birthday parties, New Year parties and so on. There’s an expected etiquette at KTV. In general, people will applaud and praise the singer even if he/she is not very skilled. Of course, good singers are recognized and are aptly labeled as "麦霸 (màibà) karaoke master." However, if the "麦霸 (màibà)" sings too often, then this will be seen as offensive, as the " 麦霸 (màibà)" should make efforts to ensure everyone gets to enjoy singing.

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On the other hand, a person who refuses to sing will also create displeasure. One is expected to lose their inhibitions and just have fun, even if it’s the first time at KTV.

Key Learning Points: 1. K 歌 (K gē): v. To sing karaoke. It is composed of the letter K and the Chinese character "歌 (gē) song," and means to sing karaoke. It is now a popular phrase among young people.

Example: Lǐ Míng: Hāi, Màikè, zhōumò yǒu kòng ma? Yì qǐ qù K gē ba? 李明：嗨，麦克，周末

有

空

吗？一起去 K 歌吧？

Li Ming: Hi, Mike, are you free this weekend? Let’s go to karaoke.

Màikè: Hǎo a, méi wèntí. 麦克：好啊，没问题。 Mike: Great. No problem.

2. 麦霸 (Màibà): n. Karaoke master. It is a composite word. "麦 (mài)" is the short form of "麦克风 (màikèfēng) microphone." "霸 (bà)" means to forcibly occupy. Example: Wáng Hóng: Nǐ rènshi Zhào Lì ma? 王

红：你认识

赵

丽吗？

Wang Hong: Do you know Zhao Li?

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Lìshā: Dāngrán le, tā kěshì wǒmen xuéxiào de màibà a. 莉莎：当然

了，她可是我们

学校

的麦霸啊。

Lisa: Of course, she is the karaoke master of our school.

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2. How Do Chinese People Save Money on Movie Tickets?

The American film “Warcraft” did not do well at theaters in the USA. However, in China, “Warcraft” was a huge success. So, why did this film succeed in China but not in America? The movie was a “bomb” at the American box office but a huge success in China. 1. Chinese people are watching films increasingly-at a rate of 50% more per year. 2. It’s becoming cheaper for Chinese filmgoers if they buy their tickets online and go to the theater. So, how are Chinese filmgoers buying their tickets online? The process of “电影票团购 (diànyǐngpiào tuángòu)”, or the group-purchasing of movie tickets + the city’s name that you are in (北京 Beijing 、上海 Shanghai, etc.)” through Google or Baidu has become popular. It may save you a lot of money if you’re going to the movies in China.

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However, you don’t have to “search” for these discounts! As with everything in China today, there are apps to help you. These are: 美团 (Měituán); 百度糯米 (Bǎidù nuòmǐ); 大众点评 (Dàzhòng diǎnpíng). No one likes to go to the movies alone and group purchasing makes it cheap and easy for everyone. In addition to the tickets, you can also buy food and drinks through these apps. Most people in China are using them, so why not? Mandarin Chinese Language Points: 1. 团购 (Tuángòu): Group purchasing. Examples: Wǒmen qù Měituán shàng tuángòu liǎng zhāng diànyǐngpiào ba! 我们

去

美团

上

团购

两

张

电影票

吧！

Let’s buy two tickets through Meituan! Zài jiā yě néng tuángòu dào diànyǐngpiào, zhēn fāngbiàn！在家

也能

团购

到

电影票，

真

方便！

We can buy movie tickets through online group-buying at home. What a convenience! 2. 购票 (Gòupiào): Booking. Examples: Háizǐ men tài xiǎo, búyòng gòupiào. 孩子们

太小，不用

购票。

The children are too young to buy tickets. Got Questions? Sign Up for a Live One-to-One FREE Trial Lesson Now!

Huānyíng shǐyòng wǎngshàng gòupiào fúwù! 欢迎

使用

网上

购票

服务！

Thank you for booking your tickets via Online Ticketing!

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3. Let’s Grab a Drink at the Bar!

Beginner Level/初级 (Chūjí) Nĭ tīngshuō méiyǒu, shì zhōngxīn kāi le yì jiā xīn jiŭbā. A: 你

听说

没有，市

中心

开了一家新酒吧。

You know that a new bar opened in the city center? Tīngshuō le, hái tĭng búcuò de, zán zhōumò qù qiáoqiao ba. B: 听说

了，还挺

不错的。咱

周末

去

瞧瞧

吧。

I’ve heard it’s pretty nice. Want to go this weekend? Hǎo ya. A: 好呀。 Ok. 生词 (Shēngcí) Vocabulary: 周末 (Zhōumò): n. Weekend. Got Questions? Sign Up for a Live One-to-One FREE Trial Lesson Now!

Intermediate Level/中级 (Zhōngjí) Zhè jiŭbā hái zhēn búcuò, huánjìng tĭng hǎo. A: 这酒吧

还真

不错，环境

挺

好。

This bar is pretty good, and the environment is good too.

Jiù shì, jīntiān kě děi hǎohao xiǎngshòu. B: 就是，今天可得

好好

享受。

Yes, we had better enjoy it fully today.

Xiān lái píng jiŭ ba, nĭ hē shénme. A: 先来瓶

酒吧，你喝什么？

I want to have a bottle of beer. What about you?

Lái píng qīngdǎo píjiŭ ba! Tiān hái tĭng rè, yào bīng de. B: 来

瓶

青岛

啤酒吧！天

还挺

热，要

冰

的。

A bottle of Tsingtao beer! Since the weather is so hot, I’d like it cold.

Nĭ hǎoxiàng tĭng ài hē qīngdǎo píjiŭ, hěn hǎo hē ma? A: 你

好像

挺爱喝青岛

啤酒，很好

喝吗？

It seems that you are fond of Tsingtao beer. How is it?

Nà shì, tā kěshì zhōngguó píjiŭ de jīngdiǎn pĭnpái, xiǎngyù guójìne. B: 那是，它可是

中国

啤酒的经典

品牌，享誉

国际呢。

Of course. It is a famous brand in China, known all over the world.

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Shì ma? Nà wǒ yě lái yì píng. A: 是吗？那我也来一瓶。 Really? Then I’ll take a bottle as well. 生词 (Shēngcí) Vocabulary: 环境 (Huánjìng): n. Environment. 享受 (Xiǎngshòu): v. To enjoy. High level/高级 (Gāojí) Zhè yīnyuè búcuò, tĭng hǎo tīng de. A: 这

音乐

不错，挺好

听

的。

The music here is nice. Nà shì, zhè shǒu gē jiŭbā lĭ cháng fàng, jiào “Loving You,” yì shǒu hěn bàng B: 那是，这首

歌酒吧里常放，

叫 Loving You，一

首很

棒

de yīngwén gē. 的

英文

歌。

Definitely. This song is always played in bars. “Loving You” is a great English song. Shìmɑ? Wǒ huíqù děi xuéxue. Zhè qīngdǎo píjiŭ hái zhēn hǎohē, zài gěi A: 是吗？我回去得

学学。这

青岛

啤酒

还

真好喝，再给

wǒ lái yì píng. 我来一

瓶。

Really? I will learn to sing the song. This Tsingtao beer is tasty, so I’d like to have another bottle.

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Nĭ kě shǎo hē diǎn, bié xiàng shàngcì hái yào wǒ tái nĭ chū jiŭbā. B: 你可少喝

点，别

像

上次

还

要我抬你出

酒吧。

Don’t drink so much that I have to carry you out of the bar like I did last time. Bié sŭn wǒ le, wǒ jiŭliàng kě méi nàme chàjìn. A: 别损我了，我酒量可没

那么

差劲。.

Don’t deride me. My capacity for liquor is not so bad. Nĭ hái bié bù chéngrèn, wàng le wǒ sòng nĭ huíjiā le? B: 你还别

不

承认，忘

了我

送你回家了？

You should admit the truth and not forget that I have taken you home last time. Ài ya, bié shuō le, hējiŭ hējiŭ, yízuìfāngxiū. A: 哎呀，别

说了，喝酒喝酒，一醉方休。

Don’t say that. Cheers. Let’s get drunk. Nĭ zhè rén, wǒ kě zhēn shì fú le nĭ le. B: 你这人，我可真

是服了你了。

Well, I have to admire you. 生词 (Shēngcí) Vocabulary: 损 (Sŭn): v. To deride or speak sarcastically. 酒量 (Jiŭliàng): n. One’s capacity for liquor. 差劲 (Chàjìn): adj. Bad. 一醉方休 (Yízuìfāngxiū): v. To drink until one is drunk.

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4. Mahjong: China’s Game of Chess. It’s very likely you have heard of Mahjong before, you might have even played some version of it on the computer or your phone. Or, perhaps you saw the Chinese mafia in movies playing Mahjong. But, do you know its everyday significance in China?

麻将 (Májiàng) Mahjong. Note: “将” has 3 different pronunciations: jiàng, qiāng, and jiāng. The different pronunciations give the words different meanings. When speaking of the game Mahjong, you should pronounce “将” as “jiàng.” Examples: Zuótiān wǒ zài péi nǎinai dǎ májiàng 昨天

我

在陪

奶奶

打麻将！

Yesterday, I played Mahjong with my grandma. Got Questions? Sign Up for a Live One-to-One FREE Trial Lesson Now!

Jenny xǐhuān dǎ májiàng! Jenny 喜欢

打

麻将！

Jenny likes to play Mahjong! Mahjong can mean something different to everyone, but to many it carries the feeling of family. In my family, every year when we get together for a family reunion on the Spring Festival, my family and I (Becky Zhang, a teacher at eChineseLearning.com) will play a couple rounds of Mahjong together while surrounded by the happy festive atmosphere of spending a holiday together. You also might see older people gathered together outside playing Mahjong for a whole afternoon with friends.

Mahjong is originally from China and is called “麻雀 (máquè)” in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. It is an ancient strategic game used for entertainment and the pieces are usually made of bamboo, bone or plastic. There are 136 pieces and each is engraved with words or patterns. It is played by four people and is a very popular game.

Mahjong is considered a traditional cultural treasure because of its charm and rich background, as well its unique features such as educational and need of strategy to play the game. By now I am sure you are wondering, so what about the gambling? In reality, there are some people who do not approve of the game because it is also used as a way to gamble. I recommend not using money when playing this game so you don’t develop this bad habit. This game can be played with friends, fellow students and family as a way to spend time together. It doesn’t have to become a way to gamble!

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When someone wins the game, he or she may say “我和了(Wǒ hú le)” to tell others that she or he is the winner in this round:

Wǒ hú le. 我和了。 I have completed the set. (won the game)

Note: “和” also has many different pronunciations: hé, huò, huó, hè, and hú. Each way gives the word a different meaning, and in the case of Mahjong you should pronounce it as “hú.”

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For more Chinese learning materials, please visit our website: http://www.eChineseLearning.com/

These materials might also be useful to you: Popular Chinese Words: http://www.echineselearning.com/blog/categories/popular-words Chinese Culture: http://www.echineselearning.com/blog/categories/chinese-culture Business Chinese: http://www.echineselearning.com/blog/categories/business-chinese Chinese Test: http://www.echineselearning.com/blog/categories/chinese-tests Chinese for Kids: http://www.echineselearning.com/blog/categories/chinese-for-kids Chinese for Teens: http://www.echineselearning.com/blog/categories/chinese-for-teens Newsletter: http://www.echineselearning.com/newsletter/ More FREE E-books: http://www.echineselearning.com/ebook.html

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