Is Chinese read vertically or horizontally? Is it right to left or left to right? The answer is not as simple as most speakers of European languages might expect. In fact, not only are there various reading directions used in Chinese today, but reading direction has undergone significant changes in recent centuries. How is it … Read more
Many Chinese learners want to learn about the Chinese music scene. Songs are a great way to study the Chinese language, encounter Chinese culture, or connect with Chinese people. No matter what your motive is, you’re sure to find listening to Chinese music enjoyable and will quickly find your own favorite artists or bands. That … Read more
In the West, Valentine’s Day is considered a day of romance, when you express your love to that special someone through words, flowers, chocolates, cards and so forth. Do Chinese people celebrate Valentine’s Day? What is Qixi? How can you express your love in Chinese? Read on to find out! Valentine’s Day情人节 (qíngrén jié) Like … Read more
Do you often find learning Chinese boring and dull? You flip through textbooks, go to classes, and memorize many vocabulary and grammar rules, but you don’t enjoy it. This makes it harder to continue having the motivation to study Chinese. That’s why you should use the immersion method – absorb Chinese media! And what better … Read more
The lyrics in a song are somehow a way to express one’s thoughts. It might be challenging to understand a song just by its rhythm, but its lyrics bring important messages to us. It conveys awareness and brings emotions that we cannot express through words. The formation of traditional music in China (without lyrics) can … Read more
Mandarin is the official language of Mainland China. However, with China being an economic giant globally, the language has spread far and wide. Not only neighboring countries such as Malaysia and Singapore speak Mandarin, but other continents too. Besides that, a vast Chinese population lives abroad in countries like the US and the UK. It … Read more
Jianbing (煎饼) is probably the most iconic Chinese street food. Although its home province is Shandong, you can see it in breakfast stalls all around the country. According to historical records, Shandong people started to use griddle to make pancakes in the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. Millet, corn, wheat, sorghum, sweet potatoes, soybeans, … Read more
Jiangshi (僵尸, literally “the stiff corpse”) is a type of a vampiric monster present in the Chinese folklore. Since it is known to be a dead creature that sucks out the living force of humans, it can be regarded as a Chinese equivalent of the legendary Western vampire or zombie. Jiangshi were believed to once … Read more
Learning a new language is enjoyable for many people. But, if you keep it to just reading from the books, it could be dull. Why not find some effective ways to learn Chinese? Chinese Movies on Netflix are effective ways to learn more vocabulary fast. However, if they are too difficult for you, you could … Read more
Dragon In traditional Chinese culture, the dragon (龙 long) is a symbol of power, nobility and honor, as well as a symbol of luck and success. In Chinese feudal society, the Chinese dragon symbolized the sovereignty of the emperors and all elements attributed to it were reserved exclusively for imperial power. The Chinese emperors were … Read more
