Mastering When to Use 一点儿 and 有一点儿
Learning a new language can be challenging, especially when it comes to mastering the nuances and subtleties of everyday conversation. As a Chinese teacher, I often notice my students using…
Practical Mandarin: Essential Ways to Express Approximate Numbers
When it comes to expressing approximate numbers in Mandarin, whether it's related to time, weight, age, or any other numerical term, there are various ways to convey this concept. In…
Mastering the Use of “和” in Mandarin: Avoid Common Mistakes
We've all learned the word "和" in our first Chinese classes. However, research shows that Mandarin students at the beginner level tend to make mistakes with this word more than…
12 Chinese Proverbs about Love
Without a doubt, Love is a common theme throughout history because it is one of the most powerful human emotions that helps bind people together. Just as with other cultures,…
10 Chinese Proverbs about Family
Every culture has its proverbs and wise sayings. They are not only a reflection of what that culture values, but are also a source of those people’s collective wisdom and…
Separable Words in Chinese (离合词): Breaking Down the Complexity of the Language
In Chinese, you can use either “帮助” (bāngzhù) or “帮忙”(bāngmáng) to mean "help." But, if you say "帮忙他" (bāngmáng tā) to say "help him", your Chinese teacher will correct you.…
Using Topics and Scenarios to Make Your Chinese Learning More Efficient
As a Mandarin teacher, I am always delighted to observe and learn from my students. One thing I have noticed in my interactions with my students is how hard most…
From Passage to Process: Decoding 通过(tōng guò) and 经过(jīng guò) in Chinese
When it comes to mastering Mandarin Chinese, learning the nuances of vocabulary is a crucial step towards fluency. One such challenge involves two words that often perplex even advanced learners:…
Differences and Similarities between 本来 (běn lái) and 原来 (yuán lái)
If you're learning Chinese, you might have heard the words "本来" (běn lái) and "原来" (yuán lái) being used in daily conversations to talk about something's original state or how…