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2009年11月19日，曾任法国巴黎第七大学（巴黎狄德罗大学）孔子学院院长、现武汉大学外语学院法语系副系主任周汉斌教授莅临瑞中教育科技集团参观指导。
周教授介绍了当前对外汉语教学的大好形势，国家对汉语教学的大力扶持，并称赞瑞中的对外汉语板块是朝阳产业，且是湖北地区在对外汉语行业做的最好最大的企业。对瑞中研发并推向市场的两套软件，周教授赞不绝口，称赞软件新颖，实用，有市场竞争力，也切合外国人对汉语普通话和汉字的浓厚兴趣。
在浏览了瑞中精心打造的法语法国爱好者社区---优法网后，周教授给出了一系列指导性的建议，并给以了高度的肯定。
同时针对瑞中优质的法语教学资源和丰富的法语教学经验，周教授建议开发法语学习软件。
Words taken completely or in part from another language are known as loanwords. In the English language, there are many loanwords that have been borrowed from Chinese languages and dialects.
A loanword is not the same as calque, which is an expression from one language that has been introduced into another language as a direct translation. Many English-language calques also have origins in Chinese.
Loanwords and calques are useful to linguists in examining when and how one culture processed its interaction with another.
Here are ten common English words that are borrowed from Chinese.
1. Coolie: While some claim that this term has its origins in Hindi, it’s been argued that it could also have origins in the Chinese term for hard work or 苦力 (kǔ lì) which is literally translated as “bitter labor.”
2. Gung Ho: The term has its origins in the Chinese word 工合 (gōng hé) that can either mean to work together, or as an adjective to describe someone that is overly excited or too enthusiastic. The term gong he is a shortened word for industrial cooperatives which were created in China in the 1930s. During that time U.S. Marines adopted the term to mean someone with a can-do attitude.
3. Kowtow: From the Chinese 叩头 (kòu tóu) describing the ancient practice performed when anyone greeted a superior – such as an elder, leader, or emperor. The person had to kneel and bow down to the superior, making sure that their foreheads hit the ground. “Kou tou” is literally translated as “knock your head.”
4. Tycoon: The origins of this word comes from the Japanese term taikun, which was what foreigners called the shogun of Japan. A shogun was known to be someone who took over the throne and is not related to the emperor. Thus the meaning is typically used for someone who obtained power through might or hard work, rather than inheriting it. In Chinese, the Japanese term “taikun” is 大王 (dà wáng) which means “big prince.” There are other words in Chinese that also describe a tycoon including 财阀 (cái fá) and 巨头 (jù tóu).
5. Yen: This term comes from the Chinese word 愿 (yuàn) which means a hope, desire or wish. Someone who has a strong urge for oily fast food can be said to have a yen for pizza.
6. Ketchup: The origins of this word are debated. But many believe that its origins are from either the Fujianese dialect for the fish sauce 鮭汁 (guī zhī ) or the Chinese word for eggplant sauce 茄汁 (qié zhī).
7. Chop Chop: This term is said to originate from the Cantonese dialect for the word 快快 (kuài kuài) which is said to urge someone to hurry up. Kuai means hurry in Chinese. “Chop Chop” appeared in English-language newspapers printed in China by foreign settlers as early as the 1800s.
8. Typhoon: This is probably the most direct loanword. In Chinese, a hurricane or typhoon is called 台风 (tái fēng).
9. Chow: Allow me to clarify some erroneous explanations circulating about this word. While chow is a breed of dog, the term did not come to mean 'food' because the Chinese hold the stereotype of being dog-eaters. I suspect that 'chow' as a term for food comes from the word 菜 (cài) which can mean food, a dish (to eat), or vegetables.
10. Koan: Originating in Zen Buddhism, a koan is a riddle without a solution, which is supposed to highlight the inadequacy of logic reasoning. A common one is “What is the sound of one hand clapping.” (If you were Bart Simpson, you would just fold one hand until you made a clapping noise.) Koan comes from the Japanese which comes from the Chinese for 公案 (gōng àn). Literally translated it means 'common case'.
From: www.raychinese.com
Phrases or expressions that have been directly translated from one language to another -- complete with their grammatical quirks -- are known as calques, from the French word that means to copy. A number of calques in the English language have roots in the Chinese -- and a lot don't.
1. Lose Face and Save Face: These calques are rooted in the Chinese expression 丢脸 (diū liǎn): 丢 (lose) 脸 (face), and 留面子 (liú miànzi): 留 (save) 面子 (reputation). Anyone whose visited China or knows the Chinese culture can tell you that keeping up a good reputation and preventing shame from befalling your family are huge in China. The Online Etymology Dictionary says that the term "lose face" was first seen in English around 1876, while the term "save face" was seen in 1898, first used among British expatriates in China. Some dispute this expression as a Chinese calque.
2. Mandate of Heaven and Son of Heaven: Since ancient Chinese times, the emperor was also referred to as 天子 (tiānzǐ): 天 (heaven's) 子 (son). This allowed the emperor to rule with great authority with a "mandate from heaven" or 天命 (Tiānmìng): 天 (heaven's) 命 (fate). But it also allowed others to revolt and usurp the throne, by claiming that heaven had willed the revolt, because it wanted to shift the mandate of heaven.
3. Long time no see: This calque has its roots in the Chinese expression 好久不见 (hǎo jiǔ bu jiàn), which literally translated is 好久 (long time) 不 (no) 见 (see). However one source claims that this calque has roots in American Indian speech.
4. Brainwashing: This calque comes from the Chinese expression 洗脑 (xǐ nǎo) which literally means to wash (洗) the brain (脑). Many sources date this expression in English as appearing around the 1950s, during the Korean War. One source says it was first used in English to describe how the Chinese communists attempted to deal with foreign prisoners.
5. Paper Tiger: This calque comes from the Chinese expression for someone who has superficial bravado, but is actually quite weak -- like the image of a scary tiger that is actually made of paper. In Chinese, the expression is: 纸老虎 (zhǐ lǎohǔ), 纸 (paper) 老虎 (tiger). The expression has been used as early as ancient China, but appeared in English in an 1836 book about The Chinese by John Francis Davis, who defined the term's usage for "a blustery harmless fellow." Chinese leader Mao Zedong used the term to describe the United States in 1956. Some dispute this expression as a Chinese calque.
6. Running Dog: This term comes from the Chinese expression 走狗 (zǒu gǒu), which technically, would be: 走 (walking) 狗 (dog). The Online Etymology Dictionary says that this term was first recorded in 1937, from Chinese Communist Party phrases that describe people or organizations or countries that are the lackeys of imperialist and colonialist countries. The idea is that a "running dog" is one that runs at the command of its master. I guess "walking dog" isn't as poetic.
7. Snakehead: This term comes from the Chinese word 蛇头 (shé tóu), literally 蛇 (snake) 头 (head). It describes a criminal that for thousands of dollars, helps to smuggle people illegally into or out of a country.
8. No Can Do: The root Chinese expression is 不能做 (bù néng zuò), 不 (no) 能 (can) 做 (do). Admittedly, I couldn't find a strong source for this, but I think it sounds like a calque.
9. Grassroots: This calque either come from the expression 草根 (cǎo gēn) 草 (grass) 根 (roots) or 基层 (jī céng) 基 (base) 层 (layer).
10. Barefoot doctor: This calque comes from the expression to describe the thousands of workers trained in basic medical care that traveled to the rural countryside of China to treat farmers and peasants. The term in Chinese is 赤脚医生 (chìjiǎo yīshēng): 赤 (bare) 脚 (foot) 医生 (doctor). Some dispute this expression as a Chinese calque.
From: www.raychinese.com
When you come to China, you must try Chinese food. In order for your rewarding trip, we select top 10 Chinese food you never miss to taste according to their popularity and hope that you can get delicious food in China.
1. Roast duck
Roast duck is no doubt the best representative of Chinese cuisine. It, which has a centuries-old history, seems to be even more popular than Donald Duck. People who come to China or Beijing eat roast duck. During Beijing Olympic, the daily consumption of roast duck reaches an alarming number. From this you can see how much people love roast duck. Therefore, China must come to eat roast duck.
2. Kung Pao Chicken
In China, Kung Pao Chicken gets many cooking methods, from which you can see how much people’s approval to it. Their rich, spicy and sweet taste is enjoyed by all people. In various restaurants it is one of the most popular dishes. You will never regret to try it if you come to China.
3. Beijing snacks
Beijing snacks have unique taste and are worthy of careful taste such as Pea Cake and Ai Wo Wo; Muslim snacks such as fried pork tripe and Fried Chop Rice Cake; Han people snacks well-received by under stratum people such as Wheaten cake boiled in meat broth. Beijing snacks, which are the world-famous, are special food for people coming to Beijing.
4. Mapo Beancurd
With the most homely method and the most common raw materials, it stimulates people's taste for it being strong hot and spicy. More and more people cannot stop tasting it. What is the most important: it is cheap and affordable! Maybe no other style of cooking is able to be spicy to the extreme like Sichuan dishes.
5. Pork Lungs in Chili Sauce
A kind of Sichuan food you cannot miss! Never try such a provocative food in the morning, right? So taste it!
6. Crawfish with Chili Sauce
Crawfish with Chili Sauce has become a favorite of the Chinese people long time ago, and thus the Double Street got its reputation. Bright red crayfish with a delicious spicy make people give two thumbs up. During Beijing Olympic Games, many people eat the crawfish after watching the games.
7. Bullfrog
Though Bullfrog is small, its delicious taste gains so many people’s love. Silky smooth meat makes its taste fabulous no matter it is with pickled pepper or water cooking. Maybe you don’t feel good to see raw meat or something, but you cannot resist the delicious taste after it being cooked specially.
8. dumpling
As a unique Chinese cuisine, Dumpling is a symbol of traditional Chinese culture in addition of delicious taste. So it is undoubtedly the most right food that should be recommended.
9. Yangchow fried rice
Yangzhou cuisine is renowned for their elaboration, but Yangzhou fried rice really belongs to the public. It is from the public awareness and research. As a result of its cooking speed and convenience, it is also very popular to ordinary people in China.
10. Chinese noodle
Although far from being artistic, Chinese noodle can be cooked with any material and adapt to everyone’s special needs. It is a worldwide food favor by eastern and western people with different eating habits. Therefore, you have no reason not to try it.
From: www.raychinese.com
The "Chong Yang Festival" is celebrated on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, and it is as such known as the Double Ninth Festival.
Origins: The festival began as early as the Warring States Period (475 - 221 BC). According to the yin/yang dichotomy that forms a basis to the Chinese world view, yin represents the elements of darkness and yang represents life and brightness. The number nine is regarded as yang. The ninth day of the ninth month is a double yang day, hence the name "Chong Yang Festival". (Chong means "repeat" in Chinese.) The ninth month also heralds the approach of winter. It is a time when the living need warm clothing, and filial Chinese sons and daughters extended this to make the festival a time for providing winter clothes for their ancestors. The Double Ninth Festival, therefore, also became an occasion to visit the graves of dead family members. Clothes made of paper would then be burnt as offerings.
Climbing mountains: On the Double Ninth Festival, people customarily climb mountains, appreciate chrysanthemum flowers, drink chrysanthemum wine, and eat double-ninth cakes. The Double Ninth Festival is also the "Old Men Festival". Old people are especially meant to improve their health by taking part in the activities on the day of the festival.
Family get-togethers: The Double Ninth Festival is also a time for family get-togethers. It is an occasion to remember one's ancestors, the sacrifices they made and the hardships they underwent. Often, family outings are organised during which people search to renew their appreciation of nature and to reaffirm their love and concern for family members and close friends.
From: www.raychinese.com .
China is the hometown of tea, and most of Chinese are the fans of tea. Nowadays, there is increasing number of foreigners are interested in the tea and the tea culture. Drinking tea is good for our health, which has proved in thousands years ago.
Tea for medicinal purposes has a history of 2,700 years in China. Many books, like Shen Nong's Herbal Classic, and Classification of Tea, all recorded the tea's effect for medicinal purposes. Tea not only can refresh the mind, clear heat, and help people lose weight, but also has certain pharmacology effects on some modern diseases, like radiation sickness, cancer, heart disease, and blood sickness.
With various kinds of tea, what should we drink is best for us? There are some tips for the tea lovers which can help you to find the right kind of tea to drink.
1. Green Tea is the Best Choice for Office Workers
People who always work in places with air conditioning may face skin problems such as easily dry skin and the growth of small wrinkles. Therefore, the moisture content of their bodies needs to be supplemented. Among all the drinks, green tea is the best choice. Because there are primary polyphenols in green tea and they are often collectively referred to as catechins. Moreover, green tea, like makeup, can prevent computer radiation.
2. Winter is the Season to Drink Black Tea
Chinese medicine believes that different people should drink different tea according to the different characteristics and tastes of each kind of tea. Black tea can warm the stomach, refresh the mind, and accelerate digestion. Therefore, drinking warm black tea in the cold winter is a most suitable choice.
3. Do not Drink Thick Tea
Strong tea may make the human body excessively excitable and can badly affect the cardiovascular as well as the nervous system. For a person who has cardiovascular disease, to drink overly strong tea may induce heart and blood pressure disease, or even the relapse of old illnesses.
4. Do not Drink too Much Tea When You are Eating
Drinking too much tea or strong thick tea may affect the absorption of many constant elements (like calcium) and trace elements (like iron and zinc). Also, people should not drink tea with milk or other milk products because the caffeine and tannin (a kind of complex organic compound) in the tea may reduce the nutritional value of milk products.
Chinese football has really disappointed its fans' hearts, to be more specific, it is Chinese men's football. Although I am not a football fan, I am also disappointed about Chinese men's football team. Every time they lose, they just think that the coach must be responsible for the failure. Thus, the coach has been changed frequently. Right now, Du Yi, the coach of Chinese Olympic men's team has been fired too. Don't ask me the reason. Only God knows.
In order to show their "complicated feelings"---love and hatred, a fan as well as a boss of a restaurant, has invented a special dish---stewed pig feet with stinky tofu. What inspired him to make such a dish? It is Chinese (men's) football. You see, 臭豆腐 (Chou 4 Dou 4 Fu Stinky tofu) plus 猪脚 (Zhu 1 Jiao 3 pig feet) equals 臭脚 (Chou 4 Jiao 3 Stinky feet). Chinese men's football is so bad that some fans has made a nickname for them---臭脚 (stinky feet). That is the origin of this dish.
Don't be scared by its name---猪脚炖臭豆腐 (stewed pig feet with stinky tofu). If you wanna drink some wine, it is a good fixing.
Wanna more humor Chinese, please go to www.raychinese.com !
It is now the eighth month in the lunar calendar, the time for the Chinese to celebrate the Mid-Autumn festival. It is so called because it is in the middle of the eighth month, which is a full moon. We used to celebrate the full moon by fruit, moon cake, and children played their lanterns with neighbor.
On the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar the moon is full and it is time for the Chinese people to mark their Moon Festival, or the Mid-Autumn Festival. The round shape symbolizes family reunion. Therefore the day is a holiday for family members to get together and enjoy the full moon - an auspicious token of abundance, harmony and luck.
“水调歌头 Shui diao ge tou” is the most popular poem about the moon and the moon festival. It is primarily recommended in the Chinese school textbooks and most students can memorize it without missing a word.
水调歌头 The Moon Festival (苏轼 Su shi) -
明月几时有， míngyuè jǐshí yǒu
把酒问青天。 bǎ jiǔ wèn qīngtiān
不知天上宫阙， bùzhī tiānshàng gōngquè
今夕是何年？ jīnxī shì hé nián
我欲乘风归去， wǒ yù chéngfēng guīqù
又恐琼楼玉宇， yòu kǒng qiónglóu yùyǔ
高处不胜寒。 gāochù bú shēng hán
起舞弄清影， qǐwǔ nòng qīng yǐng
何似在人间！ hé sì zài rénjiān
转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。zhuǎn zhūgé, dī qǐ hù, zhào wúmián
不应有恨， bù yīng yǒu hèn
何事长向别时圆？ héshì chángxiàng bié shí yuán
人有悲欢离合， rén yǒu bēihuān líhé
月有阴晴圆缺， yuè yǒu yīnqíng yuánquē
此事古难全。 cǐ shì gǔ nán quán
但愿人长久， dànyuàn rén chángjiǔ
千里共婵娟。 qiānlǐ gòng chánjuān
-
Bright moon, when was your birth?
Winecup in hand, I ask the deep blue sky;
Not knowing what year it is tonight
In those celestial palaces on high. I long to fly back one the wind,
Yet dread those crystal towers, those courts of jade,
Freezing to death among those icy heights!
Instead I rise to dance with my pale shadow;
Better off, after all, in the world of men.
Rounding the red pavilion,
Stooping to look through gauze windows,
She shines on the sleepless.
The moon should know no sadness;
Why, then, is she always full when dear ones are parted?
For men the grief of parting, joy of reunion,
Just as the moon wanes and waxes, is bright or dim:
Always some flaw-and so it has been since of old.
My one wish for you, is long life
And a share in this loveliness far, far away!For more, please visit www.raychinese.com .
中秋节 Zhong Qiu Jie
Moon Festival or Mid-Autumn Festival
Next Saturday, October 3 will be the lunar calendar Mid-Autumn Festival in Chinese tradition. What do you know about the Moon Festival? Raychinese will share with you the detail.
Origin
The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festivity for both the Han and minority nationalities. The custom of worshipping the moon (called xi yue in Chinese) can be traced back as far as the ancient Xia and Shang Dynasties (2000 B.C.-1066 B.C.). In the Zhou Dynasty(1066 B.C.-221 B.C.), people hold ceremonies to greet winter and worship the moon whenever the Mid-Autumn Festival sets in. It becomes very prevalent in the Tang Dynasty(618-907 A.D.) that people enjoy and worship the full moon. In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 A.D.), however, people send round moon cakes to their relatives as gifts in expression of their best wishes of family reunion. When it becomes dark, they look up at the full silver moon or go sightseeing on lakes to celebrate the festival. Since the Ming (1368-1644 A.D. ) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911A.D.), the custom of Mid-Autumn Festival celebration becomes unprecedented popular. Together with the celebration there appear some special customs in different parts of the country, such as burning incense, planting Mid-Autumn trees, lighting lanterns on towers and fire dragon dances. However, the custom of playing under the moon is not so popular as it used to be nowadays, but it is not less popular to enjoy the bright silver moon. Whenever the festival sets in, people will look up at the full silver moon, drinking wine to celebrate their happy life or thinking of their relatives and friends far from home, and extending all of their best wishes to them.
Moon Cakes
There is this story about the moon-cake. during the Yuan dynasty (A.D. 1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to the foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon caked was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attached and overthrew the government. Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend and was called the Moon Cake.
For generations, moon cakes have been made with sweet fillings of nuts, mashed red beans, lotus-seed paste or Chinese dates, wrapped in a pastry. Sometimes a cooked egg yolk can be found in the middle of the rich tasting dessert. People compare moon cakes to the plum pudding and fruit cakes which are served in the English holiday seasons.
Nowadays, there are hundreds varieties of moon cakes on sale a month before the arrival of Moon Festival.
Different Celebrated Forms
For thousands of years, the Chinese people have related the vicissitudes of life to changes of the moon as it waxes and wanes; joy and sorrow, parting and reunion. Because the full moon is round and symbolizes reunion, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also known as the festival of reunion. All family members try to get together on this special day. Those who can not return home watch the bright moonlight and feel deep longing for their loved ones.
Today,festivities centered about the Mid-Autumn Festival are more varied. After a family reunion dinner, many people like to go out to attend special perfomances in parks or on public squares.
People in different parts of China have different ways to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival. In Guangzhou in South China, a huge lantern show is a big attraction for local citizens. Thousands of differently shaped lanterns are lit, forming a fantastic contrast with the bright moonlight.
In East Chia's Zhejiang Province, watching the flood tide of the Qian-tang River during the Mid-Autumn Festival is not only a must for local peple, but also an attraction for those from other parts of the country. The ebb and flow of tides coincide with the waxing and waning of the moon as it exerts a strong gravitational pull. In mid autumn, the sun, earth and moon send out strong gravitational forces upon the seas. The outh of the Qiantang River is shaped lik a bugle. So the flood tide which forms at the narrow mouth is particularly impressive. Spectators crowd on the river bank,watching the roaring waves. At its peak, the tide rises as high as three and a half meters.
Legends
There are many beautiful legends about the moon in China. the most popular one tells how a goddess named Chang'e ascended to the moon.
A long, long time ago, a terrible drought plagued the earth. Ten suns burned fiercely in the sky like smoldering volcanoes. The trees and grass were scorched. The land was cracked and parched, and rivers ran dry. Many people died of hunger and thirst.
The King of Heaven sent Hou Yi down to the earth to help. When Hou Yi arrived, he took out his red bow and white arrows and shot down nine suns one after another. The weather immediately turned cooler. Heavy rains filled the rivers with fresh water and the grass and trees turned green. Life had been restored and humanity was saved.
One day, a charming young woman, Chang'e makes her way home from a stream, holding a bamboo contaiver, A young man comes forward, asking for a drink. When she sees the red bow and white arrows hanging from his belt, Chang'e tealizes that he is their savior, Hou Yi. Inviting him to drink, Chang'e plucks a beautiful flower and gives it to him as a token of respect. Hou Yi, in turn, selects a beautiful silver fox fur as his gift for her. This meeting kindles the spark of their love. And soon after that, they get married.
A mortal's life is limited, of course. So in order to enjoy his happy life with Chang'e forever, Hou Yi decides to look for an elixir of life.He goes to the Kunlun Mountains where the Western Queen Mother lives.
Out of respect for the good deeds the has done, the Western Queen Mother rewards Hou Yi with elixir, a fine powder made from kerndls of fruit which grows on the tree of eternity. At the same time, she tells him:If you and your wife share the elixir, you will both enjoy eternal life. But if only one of you takes it,that one will ascend to Heaven and become immortal.
Hou Yi returns home and tells his wife all that has happened and they decide to drink the elixir together on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month when the moon is full and bright.
A wicked and merciless man named Feng Meng secretly hears about their plan.He wishes Hou Yi an early death so that he can drink the elixir himeslf and become immortal.His opportunity finally arrives. One day,when the full moon is rising, Hou Yi is on his way home from hunting. Feng Meng kills him. The murderer then runs to Hou Yi's home and forces Chang'e to give him the elixir, Without hesitating, Chang'e picks up the elixir and drinks it all.
Overcome with grief, Chang'e rushes to her dead husband's sied, weeping bitterly.Soon the elixir begins to have its effect and Chang'e feels herself being lifted towards Heaven.
Chang'e decides to live on the moon because it is nearest to the earth. There she lives a simple and contented life. Even though she is in Heaven, her heart remains in the world of mortals. Never does she forget the deep love she has for Hou Yi and the love she feels for the people who have shared their sadness and happiness.
Another legend explained the role of the Old Man on the Moon, the Divine Match-maker. The Chinese believed that marriages were made in Heaven but prepared on the moon. The Old Man on the Moon tied the feet of young men and women with red cords for marriage. Thus a maiden made offerings and prayed to him during the Mid-Autumn Festival, hoping that some day she would ride in the red bridal sedan chair.
The Chinese Valentine's Day is celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month in the Chinese calendar. There is an interesting love story behind this day about the 7th daughter of Emperor of Heaven and an orphaned cowherd. The Emperor played spoilsport and separated both of them. The 7th daughter was forced to move to the star called Vega and the cowherd moved to the star named Altair. They are allowed to meet only once a year on the 7th day of 7th lunar month.
The Festival
On the Chinese Valentine's Day, lovers go to the temple of Matchmaker and pray for their love and happiness and their possible marriage in China. People who are still single also do the same thing to ask their luck of love in the Matchmaker temple.
The Chinese Valentine's Day is also called The Daughter's Festival. Since ancient times, Chinese girls always want to learn a good handcrafting skill like the Weaving Maid. The knowledge of handicrafts and skill development is essential for their future family. On that night, the unmarried girls pray to the Weaving Maid star to let them become smarter.
When the star Vega is high up in the sky, girls perform a test by putting a needle on the water surface. If the needle doesn't sink, it's a sign of girl's maturity and smartness and she is ready and eligible to find a husband. Girls may, now, ask for any wish of their choice, but only one every year.
People, in some provinces of China believe that decorating the ox's horn by flowers on the Chinese Valentine's Day will save them from catastrophe. Another fascinating aspect of Chinese Valentine's Day is women washing their hair to make it look fresh and shining whereas Children in turn wash their faces the next morning using the overnight water to get a more natural and beautiful look.
Backdrop of the Chinese Valentine’s Day
There is an interesting story behind the Chinese Valentine’s Day, which began from a handsome poor orphaned boy, who lived with his elder brother and sister-in-law after the death of his parents. The boy owned an old ox with which he worked on the field every day. His daily life was just like in a Cinderella story. The ox was in fact an immortal from the Paradise. For his mistakes in the Heaven, he was punished and sent on the Earth as an ox.
The ox developed a liking for the boy and one day asked the cowherd, "You are a nice person. If you want to get married, go to the river and your wish will come true." The cowherd went to the stream and saw all the seven pretty daughters of Emperor who had come down from Heaven to take a bath. Captivated by the beauty and charm of the youngest daughter, the cowherd took away her fairy clothes secretly. The youngest couldn't fly back to Heaven, along with her sisters, without her fairy clothes. Then the cowherd appeared and asked her that he would return her clothes if she promised to marry him. The girl felt shy but in eagerness, agreed to the boy's proposal. Thus, they got married and had two children.
One day, finding his last days near, the old ox told the cowherd that he should keep his hide for urgent situation after his death.
On the other hand the Emperor didn't find the sky that beautiful as before without his seventh daughter weaving clouds and rainbows. He sent his daughter's grandmother to find the missing daughter and to bring her back. The grand mother took the seventh princess along. While the 7th princess was flying back to the Heaven with her grandmother, the cowboy wore the ox hide, took his children in two bamboo baskets with his wife's old fairy clothes and chased his wife in the sky, To keep them separated for ever, the grandmother made a milky way in the sky with her hairpin. The seventh princess (cowherd's wife) was moved to the star Vega in the Lyra (Harp) constellation. And the cowherd with his two children stayed in the star Altair (Flying one) in the Aquila (Eagle) constellation. The star Vega is also known by the name of the Weaving Maid Star whereas the star Altair as the Cowherd Star in China.
More at www.raychinese.com .
"雷" léi
What does this word mean?
It has been one of the most popular Internet words since 2008. With the original meaning of thunder, the word ("雷"Leí) has been given another meaning on the web. Now it means that one is shocked by some bold actions, or by strange or even embarrassing things. It is said that this word is originated from the word
"雷倒" (leí dǎo), which is the dialect of "浙江" (zhèjiang) province of China.
How to use the word?
You can say "我被雷到了" (wǒ bèi léi dào le ) or "好雷人啊" (hǎo léi rén a ) to express "I am shocked". So there are many circumstances for you to use this word. For example, after watching a video in which a bear dances like a ballet dancer, you can say "我被雷到了" (wǒ bèi léi dào le ) to express "I am shocked by this bear".
This is from Chinese Corner at www.raychinese.com .
Jiaozi (Chinese dumpling) is a traditional Chinese food—one of the most widely loved foods in northern China In ancient times. jiaozi, whose shape looks like a horn, was called 'Tiao" (literally "horn"). It was also called "bianshi" (literally "flat food") due to its flat shape The name "jiaozi" derives flora the ancient time-counting method in China When the Chinese people eat dumplings stuffed with meat and vegetables at the junction of the end of the old year and the beginning of the New Year, it is right between eleven pm and one am. Since this period is called jiaozi (交子) in Chinese, the dumplings people eat during this time are named after it. Later it becamejiaozi (饺子), with a radical added to the left part of the original Chinese character indicating it is a kind of food. As early as the Han dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) eating dumplings became a custom in the capital city of Chang'an (present-day Xi'an inShaanxi Province).
It is believed that eating dumplings on New Year’s Eve brings good luck and happiness. Furthermore, since the shape of dumplings is similar to that of ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, they are also believed to bring wealth if you have them that eve. Later, when people got married or gave birth to a child, they usually treated their guests with Chinese dumplings, which gradually become an essential ritual food for special occasions or during holidays in northern China. The Chinese dumpling consists of a wrapper and its fillings. There are two main kinds of dumplings: those with vegetable and those with meat filling. The latter include chicken, pork, beef and mutton, etc; whereas the former are Chinese cabbage, celery, Chinese leek, carrot and cucumber, etc. Seafood such as crab, shrimp and fish can also be used as fillings.
When placing the raw dumplings in preparation for cooking, it is desirable to arrange them in a circle, symbolizing family reunion. When making dumplings for New Year's Eve, people may hide a coin in one of the dumplings. The person who finds the coin at dinner will likely have good fortune in the New Year. When dumplings are boiled in water, people try their best not to break the skins or wrappers. Even if some are broken, it is best not to say so because it is not auspicious to say "broken" during the New Year season Chinese dumplings can be cooked in various ways boiled in water, and eaten together with mixed flavorings such as vinegar, garlic, sesames oil and light soy sauce or steamed in a steamer or flied or baked in a pan. In Henan and Shaanxi, people usually boil dumplings and noodles together, thus this food is also called "Ingots stringed with golden threads", while in some provinces in northeastern China and Inner Mongolia, some people boil dumplings with pork and pickled vegetables in a pot, creating a special flavor for the dumplings. Well, that's all for the story of Chinese dumplings this time.
For more about Chinese food, please visit www.raychinese.com .
Tibet’s mystery has been attracting the world's tourists. Traveling in Tibet is not similar to that in other places, As Tibet is located in the highland areas, you need to pay more attention to the following 10 notes.
1. Drink more water
As the low-altitude air humidity in Tibet, the human body is vulnerable to dehydrate, coupled with the increased hemoglobin, which leads to the increase of blood viscosity, it is easy to form clots and cause cardiovascular and cerebrovascular accidents. Therefore, drinking more water is a necessity.
2. Quit smoking
Cigarettes produce carbon monoxide, which has high affinity ability with hemoglobin 250 times to 300 times stronger than that with the oxygen. Smoking a lot will significantly increase the altitude sickness.
3. Learn correct
Exercise proves that abdominal breathing gets more rules and rhythms than pectoral breathing. When you are walking or climbing, place your hands on your hip so that the muscles of the arm, clavicle, scapula and the torso above the waist make assisted respiration in order to increase the activity of the respiratory System.
4. Avoid severe activities, excited emotions and too hot water bath
These should be avoided to prevent the body to speed up metabolism and increase hypoxia, leading to pulmonary edema.
5. Adhere to the diet principles of high-carbohydrate, high-vegetable protein and low fat
Carbohydrates provide energy quickly so that people adapt to the high-intensity activities, and increase the exchange of oxygen ventilation. Excess fat and animal protein can increase the altitude sickness.
6. Take some diazepam tablets appropriately
Altitude sickness is easy to cause insomnia. Take some diazepam tablets appropriately to ensure adequate sleep. In addition, people under the age of 16 and above 60 years old or suffering from anemia, diabetes and serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and chronic lung disease, mental illness and pregnant women are unfit for the plateau tourism.
Things to prepare
1. Drugs
Prepare a number of conventional flu drugs, gastrointestinal drugs and some heat and pain medicines such as: cold tablets, cold-fever-treating infusion, the compound aspirin, chlorpheniramine and antibiotics. If you fear altitude sickness, you can prepare some anti-altitude sickness drugs such as Rhodiola plateau (taking it at least 10 days ahead of schedule), Bufferin (control the headaches caused by altitude sickness), American ginseng tablet.
2. Food
In order to prevent food intolerance or being blocked on the way, you can bring: chocolates, beef jerky, hot pickled mustard tubers, biscuits and other food you love. High-calorie food is better. You can also bring some gums, because chewing gums can ease the headache and tinnitus, but remember not too frequently, or it will cause dry mouth.
3. Necessary articles for daily use
Sunglasses, sun hat, sunscreen, skin cream, lip balm, long-sleeved shirt, sweater; for special travel such as Ali, northern Tibet, Sichuan-Tibet line tourism, better bring: sleeping bags (cold proofing), sheet (anti-dirty) , down jacket, hiking shoes, slippers, toothbrush, toothpaste, towels, roll paper, paper underpants, disinfection wipes, flashlight, waterproof matches, knives and rope.
4. Wear
Due to the strong ultraviolet rays in Tibet, you can not wear short-sleeved T-shirt and shorts and must prepare sweaters. For spring, autumn and winter, bring the down jacket and woollen underpants. You must take the down jacket together with you all he year round if you travel to Mount Everest, Ali area and northern Tibet; the best shoes Is the travel shoes or hiking shoes.
Learn Chinese at www.raychinese.com, easy and fun!
耐克：说做就做。
可口可乐：享受清新一刻。
麦当劳：更多选择，更多欢笑。
通用电气：GE带来美好生活。
百事可乐：渴望无限。
摩托罗拉：沟通无极限。
佳洁士牙膏：看，妈妈，没有蛀牙。
统一鲜橙多：多C多漂亮。
李宁：只有想不到，没有做不到。
中国移动：无论何时何地，我们与你同在。
海尔：真诚到永远。
动感地带：我的地盘听我的。
Nike: Just do it.
Coca-Cola: The pause that refreshes.
McDonald's: Every time a good time.
GE: We bring good things to life.
Pepsi: Ask for more.
Motorola: Communication unlimited.
Crest: Look Mom, there is no tooth decay.
Uni-president: The more vitamin C, the prettier.
Li Ning: There is only something you cannot imagine, there is nothing you cannot do.
China Mobile: Anytime, anywhere, we are always with you.
Haier: We shall ever be truthful.
M-Zone: My place, my way.
Learn Chinese at www.raychinese.com, easy and fun!
A foreign visitor got lost on the street, he approached a girl and spoke to her in Chinese: “Miss, wo xiang wěnwěn ni...”.
The girl was so angry and replied to him: “You are so rude! You attempt to KISS a stranger on the street?”
“No, No, No! Wo xiang wènwèn ni — zhege difang zenme zou. I want to ASK you how I can get to this place.”
See? The foreign traveler’s Chinese pronunciation made the girl confused. KISS me or ASK me is a question and trouble too! Remember: 问 wèn (ask) is the 4th tone, but 吻 wěn (kiss) is the 3rd tone.
Chinese has four pitched tones and a “toneless” tone (ā→ á↗ ǎ∨ à↘). The reason for having these tones is probably that the Chinese language has very few possible syllables — approximately 400 — while English has about 12,000. For this reason, there may be more homophonic words , words with the same sound expressing different meanings, in Chinese than in most other languages. Apparently tones help the relatively small number of syllables to multiply and thereby alleviate but not completely solve the problem. Learning Chinese in context, therefore, is very important.
Tone Mark Description
1st High and level.
2nd Starts medium in tone, then rises to the top.
3rd Starts low, dips to the bottom, then rises toward the top.
4th Starts at the top, then falls sharp and strong to the bottom.
Neutral Flat, with no emphasis.
Can you imagine that the Chinese use only three syllables when expressing the same meaning as each of the following sentences conveys?
A mother who is riding on a horse thinks that it is slow and so she curses it.
Māma qí mǎ, mǎ màn, mā mà mǎ.
妈 mā - mum
马 mǎ - horse
骂 mà - curse
More on www.raychinese.com.
Everyone knows that what you learn in the classroom isn't always what you hear on the street. we've gathered some the traditional Chinese idioms and slang we local Chinese use in daily life and brought them to one convenient spot for you. Let's start today
méi zhé
没 辙
There`s nothing you can do about it.It`s out of my hands.(...so just let it go. ...so forget about it)
Míngtiān nǐ néng bāng wǒ hé lǎobǎn qǐnggè jià ma?
A：明天 你 能 帮 我 和 老板 请个 假 吗？
Can you do me a favor to ask for leave tomorrow?
Míngtiān wǒ yě bùqù gōngsī a!
B：明天 我 也 不去 公司 啊！
I will not go to the company, either!
Méi zhé , wǒ zhǐhǎo zǐjǐ jiějué le !
A：没 辙 ! 我 只好 自己 解决 了 !
So forget about it. I have to solve it by myself.
“没辙”means that you can find no way out, here we give you more situational dialogues, hope it works.
Here A asked B to do him a favor to ask for leave from boss, but B did not go to company, so B couldn’t help A either, in that case, A had to solve the problem by himself ,so he said to B ” forget about it”.
Clear?
More on www.raychinese.com.
Top 1: West Lake
Not a city like Hangzhou has the most graceful lake. West Lake is known for its elegant bridges and pavilions and its surrounding hills. It has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Su Shi, a poet from the Song Dynasty, compared the alluring lake to Xi Shi, China’s Cleopatra. West Lake is at the center of Hangzhou City, which Marco Polo described as the most enchanting city in the world.
TOP 2: Qinghai Lake
Qinghai means green lake in Chinese and this is the largest inland saltwater lake in China. Lying in the northeast of Qinghai Province, approximately 150km from Xining at 3,200 meters above sea level, the lake stretches endlessly into the horizon. It has an area of 4,635 sq km and is more than 360km (220 miles) in circumference. The lake has an abundant supply of fish, which in turn attracts large flocks of birds including many migratory breeds. Major sights on or around the lake are: Bird Island, Haixin Hill, Haixi Hill, Sankuaishi (Three Stones), and Sand Island.
TOP 3: Kanas Lake
The Chinese National Geography describes the lake as “God’s palette” because of its rich variety of colors. When the water is clear, you can see a blue and green lake; underneath the thin clouds, Kanas Lake is pink; and when it is overcast, the lake is blue and grey. China’s deepest fresh water lake (184 meters at one spot), Kanas Lake was formed 200,000 years ago. The region is home to 798 species of plants and 117 varieties of birds. Living in the midst of this beauty are more than 1,400 people of the Tuva Minority, whose ancestors came from Siberia more than 1,000 years ago.
TOP 4: Namsta Lake
Tibetan for “Heavenly Lake,” Namtso is regarded as one of Tibetan Buddhism’s three holiest lakes. The lake is a pilgrimage site for Buddhists, who consider it the seat of Paramasukha Chakrasamvara. Buddhists believe that buddhas, bodhisattvas and vajras will assemble at Namtso in the Tibetan year of the sheep. Namtso Lake, China’s highest saltwater lake, lies beside snow-capped Mt. Nyainqentanglha, the son of Namtso and leader of sacred mountains. The lake with the highest sea level in the world is far away from the pollution of modern civilization. Natural wildlife -- animals, birds and fish -- is a summer attraction. The lake freezes in October. In May, the ice melts, producing thunderous sounds.
TOP 5: Tianchi Lake
Tianchi means “heavenly” in English, the locals believe Tianchi is the gift from God, and only the lucky people can see it. It is said Tianchi Lake is enveloped by cloud and mist nearly all the year, only shows its true feature in a few days in summer. The cloud was drop off, the sunshine reached the lake, the water of the lake is as smooth as a mirror, with many different color in blue. There were big rock mountains around Tianchi. It’s amazingly beautiful.
Raychinese helps you know more about China!
The mortals think the bridge is only one kind of tools that help people pass through the rivers. Actually, most bridges have spirits. Each bridge, new or old, has a story, which may be romantic, miserable or sad. Can you feel the romance of the following five bridges?
Broken Bridge
Broken Bridge links the Baidi Causeway with the shore. It is particularly beautiful in winter when covered with snow. A well-known Chinese love story relates how on this bridge many hundreds of years ago the White Snake, in the shape of a beautiful woman, met the academic Xu Xian for the first time. They fell passionately in love, but a malicious monk forced them to part.
Rainbow Bridge
Rainbow Bridge is a provincial landmark, built in the beginning of the Song Dynasty, with length of 140 meters, a width of 6.5 meters, with four piers and archways. It crosses the river of Wu like rainbow. The eleven pavilions in different way make a long corridor. It is simple and unsophisticated. There are corrals and seats on the both sides for tourist getting a view and having a rest.
Maple Bridge
The Maple Bridge, Hanshan Temple, Tieling Pass, Maple Bridge Town and the Grand Canal make up the five sights of the Maple Bridge Scenic Area. The bridge was simple, unsophisticated and elegant. Like the Hanshan Temple, this bridge has been also eternalized by the poem Anchorage by the Maple Bridge. From on the bridge, visitor can enjoy a nice view of the ancient city of Suzhou. Tieling Pass, also known as Maple Bridge Watchtower, was a Ming Dynasty architecture, which witnessed ancient Chinese fighting against the Japanese invasion in the Ming Dynasty. Maple Bridge Town is a time-honored town dating back to the ancient Liang Dynasty, over one thousand years.
Jade Belt Bridge
Built of marble and white stone, the Jade Belt Bridge is one of the six bridges standing on the West Dike of Beijing's Kunming Lake. The bridge body is built by white marbles and the blue white stones. On the columns of pure white bridge, there are various types of Manchurian crane which are soaring in the clouds. The bridge arch is high and thin with extremely smooth shape. The semicircle aperture of bridge and the water inverted image form a transparent full moon. The picture is extremely moving.
Five-pavilion Bridge
It is a wide bridge across one of the narrow parts of the lake, and is covered by a series of pavilions. There are two pavilions on each end, connected to a large central pavilion. Scholars of traditional architecture think this is one of the most striking bridges in China because it combines the monumental structure of a bridge with the lightness and elegance of the inter-linking pavilions. Set in the middle of the garden and surrounded by some of the park's most famous sights and views, the Five Pavilion Bridge is not only interesting to look at, but also a great place to admire the garden. Under the bridge's pavilions you can look out over the rippling lake and the willows and pavilions along the shores.
Learn Chinese at www.raychinese.com, easy and fun!
Mr. Fei Yong, consul-general of French Consulate-General in Wuhan, announced that "2009 Sino-French Cultural Spring" was about to begin at his official residence on the evening of March 6, 2009. 2009 Sino-French Cultural Spring will last 100 days, including more than 100 events (dance, drama, music, exhibitions, etc.) in 20 major cities in China. Mr. Cavalier, cultural attaché of French Embassy, introduced the main Events.
Yu Minyou, Officer of Hubei Provincial Foreign Affairs Office and Wuhan Foreign Affairs Office, and Dean of Wuhan University WTO School, and Mr. Wang Rui, Assistant President of Rayzone Group(Raychinese.com, exals.com Director) were invited to attended the conference as well.
2008 "Sino-French Cultural Exchange Spring" was a great success, which can be seen from the following key figures:
-240,000 spectators and visitors (200 000 in 2006)
-18 cities, 42 different events (11 cities, 29 Events in 2006)
-16 exhibitions, 26 shows and 88 performances in all
- ? 1,500,000 budget
- reported by 96 media reports, 293 network articles, 18 television stations
"Sino-French Cultural Exchange Spring" is an activity, held by Chinese and French governments with the hope to continue to promote Sino-French cultural exchanges after the success of the Sino-French Culture Year.
Since it was launched in 2006, it has succeeded. We received more than 240,000 spectators in 2008. Through the two-month high-level cultural activities in 18 cities, organizations and artists of France and China make public and private sponsors even more impressive throughout the country.
The 2009 activity program, including the participation of stars like Juliette Binoche and Isabelle Huppert, various important exhibitions and theme week activities, indicates a hopeful spring. Our goal is to make the public satisfied.
In 2005-- Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao proposed to hold “Everlasting Sino-French Culture Year”. In response, the French Embassy in China suggested to Chinese Ministry of Culture that China and France co-found an annual large-scale Sino-French Culture and Arts Festival: "Sino-French Cultural Exchange Spring".
2006-- the first "Sino-French Cultural Exchange Spring" began in April, which was the only large-scale French cultural event in China. It was identified as a long-term event in Sino-French Joint Declaration signed by French president during his visit in October.
2007-- "Sino-French Cultural Exchange Spring" held 100 activities in 14 cities in China the first time.
2008-- "Sino-French Cultural Exchange Spring" took part in the opening performance season of Chinese National Grand Theater with the opera ”The King” and the dance “Rameau's Thinking World” performed in the opening and closing ceremonies. "Sino-French Cultural Exchange Spring" extended to 18 cities.
2009--"Sino-French Cultural Exchange Spring" will be an unmissable spring pageant on Chinese culture stage.
2009 Sino-French Cultural Exchange Spring will undertake the following events:
Piano – Alexander.Parygin
Exhibition –“Taste” Cooking Show
Music- Flammes&Co
Music- William ? Schoeller
City Culture- Costume Trunk
Guitar - Dili stroke ? Cowen
Music - Jan ? Tierson
For more information, please visit: www.faguowenhua.com.
Taken on Feb 25, 2009 8:08:36 PM
Tags: learn, greeting, chinese, raychinese
1 comment
, This is to present you the most simple but useful...
The last 9 issues of E-Magazine at www.raychinese.com are appreciated by a lot of web visitors and users for the all-inclusive content and colorful illustrations.
The readers leave message that these E-Magazines are helpful and interesting to get them close to Chinese life, Chinese festivals, Chinese etiquette, etc. and they are impressed with novelty and delicacy very much.
The good news is that Raychinese is doing hard to produce some new issues as they did always to repay the all readers. Please keep your attention to our magazines at all times, we will come up with issues you are interested in as fast as possible and help you quickly raise your Chinese level.
Since the great success of Kungfu Panda and The King of Freedom (The Forbidden Kingdom), more and more people have been addicted to Chinese Kungfu.
Are you a Kungfu enthusiast? Do you want to be cool with Kungfu?
Here we'll get close to Chinese Kungfu.
Kungfu is a sport, gradually formed with continuous creation in the long process of historical evolution. It has unique nature different from the general sports. For general sports such as track and field, ball games, weightlifting, boxing, etc. the player over 30 should retire from the playing field due to physical reasons, besides, some maybe suffer health problems without awareness for too vigorous movement during adolescence.
"Chinese Kungfu" can be divided into Waigong and Neigong, namely the so called "training body outside and spirit and energy inside".
In addition to exercising a strong and flexible physical body, it can do physical and mental adjustment, strengthen the organs and smooth all streams of vital energy. The older the players are, the more effect they get. It has great effect on health and longevity.
Now there are lots of schools teaching Kungfu, learners can learn Chinese language in process of learning Kungfu, as well as enjoy the beautiful scenery and make lots of friends. Rayzone Language and Culture Training School and other 9 schools were awarded as the top 10 Kungfu schools.
There is more detailed information at www.zhwushu.com , www.civcn.com , and www.raychinese.com .
Learn the "four tones" of Mandarin as much as you can.
There are many resources on the web that tell about the four tones. Search Google for "tones of Mandarin Chinese". These are the basics of Mandarin pronunciation. Do not be too concerned if you cannot get it right, it can be very hard. A bit of "foreign" tone makes you sound interesting, and are what set you apart from a silly American trying to speak Chinese and a fluent Chinese speaker.
Learn to say "Ni Hao" 你好.
"Ni Hao 你好" literally translates into "You Good" and can be a very generic greeting term. It is pronounced like "nee how". You can say it when you shake hands with your Chinese friends, when you walk by them in the hallway, when you sit down next to a new friend at dinner, etc.etc. It can be loosely used in all situations where you may say "hi" or "hello" in American English.
Learn to say "Xie Xie" 谢谢.
"Xie Xie 谢谢" means "Thank you". It is pronounced like "Shi-e Shi-e". It can be used whenever someone says "Thank you" to you.
Learn to say "Bu Ke Qi" 不客气.
"Bu Ke Qi 不客气" means "You're welcome". It is pronounced like "Boo Ker(British accent without the "r") Chi".
Learn to say "Tai Hao Le!" 太好了
"Tai Hao Le!太好了!" means "Wonderful!". It is pronounced like "Thai Hao Lah". This can be applied to many situations as you may suspect, such as someone agreeing to see you again, someone giving you a business card, etc..
Learn to say "Na Li Na Li" 哪里哪里!.
"Na Li Na Li 哪里哪里!" is a standard response to any compliment, including compliments to your spouse. Do not say "Xie Xie 谢谢" (Thank you) when you receive compliments. It is not the Chinese way. Instead, say "Na Li Na Li 哪里哪里!" (pronounced as "Nah Lee Nah Lee").
Learn to pronounce your name in Chinese.
Ask your Chinese friend ahead of time how to say your name in Chinese and practice it. Then as you shake hands with your Chinese host/hostess/guests, say "Wuo Jiao 我叫. . .[insert your name here]". "Wuo Jiao 我叫. . ." means "My name is". For instance, you say say "Wuo Jiao John" but pronounce "John" the Chinese way which actually sounds like "Yue Hahn". You can also say "Wuo de ming je shi [insert name here], which also means "my name is."
Say every phrase twice.
Except for "Na Li Na Li 哪里-哪里!" which is already a repetitive phrase, everything above can be said twice to make you really sound like a native. For instance, instead of saying "Ni Hao 你好", say "Ni Hao Ni Hao! 你好-你好!". Instead of "Xie Xie 谢谢", say "Xie Xie Xie Xie 谢谢-谢谢" (I know it may sound crazy but trust me, this is how a native Chinese would say it.) Say the phase a little softer the second time, and keep repeating to fade out smoothly. So here you go again: Ni Hao Ni Hao! (你好-你好!) Xie Xie Xie Xie! (谢谢-谢谢!) Bu Ke Qi Bu Ke Qi! (不客气-不客气!) Tai Hao Le Tai Hao Le! (太好了-太好了!)
Say "Da Jia Hao! 大家好!" when opening a speech.
You may be asked to make a speech. Open the speech by saying "Da Jia Hao! 大家好!" which can be loosely translated into "How's everyone today?" or "Hello everyone!" or "Good day, everyone!"
Use a Chinese phrase before you answer wherever you can.
Chances are you have a translator or your Chinese friends speak English. Even then, try to use a Chinese phrase before you move on to talking normally in English. This will really differentiate you from any other foreigners they meet and leave them very good impressions.
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Tips:Learn to speak Mandarin? Learn to speak Chinese? Learn to speak Putonghua? Personnally recommend www.raychinese.com for you to give a flavour for the study of Chinese (Mandarin Chinese, putonghua). This fantastic Chinese learning site provides Chinese Learning Software, interactive self-paced Online Course, Online Distance Lessons and FREE Chinese-English E-magazines for Chinese learning.
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