A Chinese Teacher Tell You What is “打折(da3 zhe2)”

When you go shopping in China, you will find the most frequently-used word is “打折(da3 zhe2)”. It is concerned with your daily communication. So, as a Chinese teacher, let me explain the exact meaning and usage of this word.

“打折” previously refers to “give a discount”. However, many people did not know how to express it correctly.

Last Sunday, Tom’s Chinese tutor bought a new handbag. And she told Tom the previous price of it is 1000 yuan and she bought is at a price of “三折(san1 zhe2)”. And them, she asked Tom how much the bag was on earth. Tom felt a little puzzled. He did not know how to figure out the number when it comes to “三折(san1 zhe2)”. Actually, it is the most common expression in selling. “三折” actually means “giving a discount of 70 percent”. If we say “五折(wu3 zhe2)”, that means the half price. “六折(liu4 zhe2)” refers to 40 percent discount. And then, it may be easy to figure out the other discount in Chinese.

However, the usage of this word is not that simple, because it is a polyphonic word. That is to say, it has another pronunciation and of course another meaning. When you begin to start learning, your Mandarin teacher must have taught you “折(zhe2)” can be pronounced as “she2”. So “打折” can be read as “da3 she2” sometimes, which stands for a totally different meaning. In this way, the word means “make something broken”.

We have learned a new word today. To know more relevant knowledge, you may visit our website and there are many Chinese teachers waiting for your consulting online. 

source:  https://sites.zoho.com/builder?siteId=46666701#pages/a-chinese-teacher-tell-you-what-is-“打折-da3-zhe2-”

Chinese Lesson online: Cheng2 qin1

Do you know what is “成亲(cheng2 qin1)”?

Maybe you will feel puzzled about this Chinese phrase. That is fine. I will show you another one that is “结婚(jie2 hun1)”. If you have taken Chinese lessons, you must have already known this word. It means “get married” in English.

Actually, “成亲(cheng2 qin1)” is a more Chinese characteristic name for marriage in China, especially in ancient times.

In this Chinese lesson online, we will get to know the different names of marriage in China.

“成亲” is the most frequently-used one in China. “成亲” can be understood as “成为亲戚(cheng2 wei2 qin1 qi4)”. That is to say, if you two get married, you will forever become relatives to each other. It has reveled the basic meaning of human’s marriage.

“拜堂(bai4 tang2)” is another common word concerning marriage. It is concerned with the traditional formal wedding ceremony. At that time, the new couple had to kowtow towards their parents, the heaven and ground and the public at present. We call this ritual activity “拜堂(bai4 tang2)”.

“结为连理(jie2 wei2 lian2 li3)” is a more implicit expression. It occurs more in the literary works. “连理(lian2 li2)” is a kind of plant whose branches usually tangle together. So couples are often compared to “连理”.

When it comes to marriage in China, there are two characters we have to focus. They are “嫁(jia4)” and “娶(qu3)”. Actually, they have no exact words in English. “嫁” means the action of a woman marrying a man, and “娶” refers to the contrary meaning. We can say “他娶了她(ta1 qu3 le5 ta1)” but we can’t say “他嫁了她(ta1 jia4 le5 ta1)”. Do you understand it?

We have learned many expressions about Chinese marriage in this Chinese lesson. If you are interested in Chinese culture, just join us in our following Chinese language lessons, and you will gain a lot from them. 

source: http://happy123xia.page.tl/Chinese-Lesson-online-d--Cheng2-qin1.htm

Chinese Language Learning: 小鲜肉(xiao3 xian1 rou4)

Recently, a new internet word attracts many people’s attention that is “小鲜肉(xiao3 xian1 rou4)”. What is the specif meaning of this Chinese new word? So, today, we are going to find the answer in this online Chinese course.

Literally, can you guess the meaning of “小鲜肉(xiao3 xian1 rou4)”? Let us divide them into two parts. One is “小(xiao3)” and the other is “鲜肉(xian1rou4)”. If you have learned Chinese language before, it is easy to know what does “小” mean. Exactly it means “small or little” in English. So how about “鲜肉(xian1 rou4)”. “鲜(xian1)” can be understood as a adjective that is used to describe the noun “肉(rou4)”. This phrase literally means “the fresh meat”. So, we can get to know the literal meaning of “小鲜肉” is “the little fresh meat”.

You may feel puzzled when you hear such an explanation. Do not worry. It is just a literal translation. There must be some implied of specific reference in it.

Actually, as the name “小鲜肉” indicates, it refers to those young, handsome, energetic and dynamic boys. Especially those male stars at the age between 12 and 22.

How does this phrase spread quickly on the internet? It is concerned with a Chinese boy group called “TF Boys” which is made up of three young boys. The average age of them is 14. They have gained a lot of people’s appreciation on their showing up on the TV. They are young; they are active; they look good; they sing well; their smiles are like the sunshine. These are all the praises from their fans. They have become the well-known “小鲜肉” in China.

Follow us, you will find it is getting more interesting in our Chinese language learning. We have more Chinese courses concerning such interesting internet words. See you later. 

source: http://happyhappy.doomby.com/blog/chinese-language-learning-xiao3-xian1-rou4.html

A “Cong1 Ming2 Jue2 Ding3 De5” Chinese Teacher

Mr Wang is a Chinese teacher who teaches Chinese in a middle school.

All his students speak highly of him. He usually seems to be extremely intelligent. Because he can read through his students’ mind by communicating with them. Never try to talk in his Chinese class. He can get to know what you are thinking about and what you want. Many other Chinese teachers use a word “聪明绝顶(cong1 ming2 jue2 ding3)” to describe him.

Actually, there is not a more suitable word to describe him like this one. It is a figure of speech here that is pun. How could that be? Because “绝顶(jue2 ding3)” in Chinese is literally equal to “秃顶(tu1 ding3)”. And that means “bald-headed”. Because Mr Wang has scant hair on his head, and he is so clever that people think he is “聪明绝顶(cong1 ming2 jue2 ding3)”.

As a mandarin teacher, I want explain “聪明绝顶” in detail. “聪明” means “clever” or “intelligent”. “绝顶” does not refer to the “bald head” but means “tiptop”. That is to say this phrase is used to describe a person’s wisdom that has reached the top of the peak. It is equal to the summit of something. “聪明绝顶” can be written as “绝顶聪明”.

Besides this phrase, there are some other words concerning “绝顶(jue2ding3)”. For example, “绝顶高手(jue2 ding3 gao1 shou3)” is a frequently-used phrase, which means “top-hand”.

When it comes to praise someone, there is another word I want to mention. Do you know “顶呱呱(ding3 gua1 gua1)”? it is almost equivalent to the English phrase “Well done” ,“Excellent” or “good job” etc.

“Tom, 你的中文已经顶呱呱了(ni3 de5 zhong1 wen2 yi3 jing1 ding3 gua1 gua1 le5)”, Tom’s Chinese tutor said to him. 

source:  http://happy1xia.kinja.com/a-cong1-ming2-jue2-ding3-de5-chinese-teacher-1677331537