520 Day: China’s Online Take on Valentine’s Day
What if a number could say “I love you”? In China, it can. Every year on May 20th, couples celebrate a unique kind of Valentine’s Day known as 520 Day. This digital-age holiday didn’t come from ancient myths or imports. It was born online, crafted from the clever wordplay of Chinese netizens. As love increasingly […]
What Are Some Of The Popular Chinese Breakfasts?
I still remember how surprised I was when I asked a German student what was her favorite breakfast in China. Her reply was Baozi. Baozi is a steamed bun stuffed with vegetable or meat. It looked to her that Baozi represents all Chinese breakfasts and there was nothing better than Baozi. Today, I will share […]
How to Order Drinks In A Chinese Bar
Many expats like to have a drink and chat with friends in a bar after a busy day. pí jiǔ 啤酒 beer becomes the first word many people know when they are in China. Today we will learn to order a drink in a bar. 服务员，有冰啤酒吗？ fú wù yuán，yǒu bīng pí jiǔ ma? Waiter, do […]
Singaporean Mandarin: What Kind of Chinese Do Singaporeans Speak?
In Singapore, Mandarin Chinese—locally referred to as “Huayu” (华语)—is widely spoken among the ethnic Chinese population. However, the version spoken here is distinct in several ways from the Mandarin used in mainland China or Taiwan. Singaporean Mandarin refers to the form of Mandarin Chinese commonly spoken by Chinese residents of Singapore. It exists in […]
Chinese Tones and Tips to Master Them
When delivering one’s words, the intonation plays a significant role in how your conversation partner understands the meaning of what you say. No matter what language you are looking to pick up, tones will undoubtedly have a part in it in one way or another. This fact remains especially true with Mandarin. If you’re determined […]