I Will Make a Fortune Today!

Today is May 18, 518, Wǒ yào fā! Sounds like an auspicious day to you, doesn’t it? In daily life, we are surrounded by numbers and inevitably deal with them every day in digital world. Numbers are meant to be calculated. They are neither good nor bad. Some numbers can be determined according to personal preferences. With the development of language and culture, people are constantly enriching connotation of numbers to express more ideas, especially 8 in Chinese.

N Reasons for Different Countries to Learn Chinese

If a foreigner can speak Mandarin, he or she will often be asked the question: Why do you choose to learn Chinese in the first place? Is it because you want to challenge one of the most difficult languages in the world? …or to visit China?…or for someone you love in China? In addition to the cool reasons mentioned, let’s have a look at what other reasons for some countries around the world to study Chinese that may surprise you. 

When You Feel Tired, Read These Poems

People say that you tend to recall things happened in early years more once you grow old because it is human characteristic to remember the beauty of previous experience. Whenever we feel pressure of work or fatigued from hard and fast daily life, the memory of carefree childhood will emerge in our mind since during the old time, life was not as complicated as what it is now. 

A New Way to Make a Living in China

Recently, bǎidìtān (摆地摊, street vending) has become the most searched word online as Chinese government have been trying to boost economy by encouraging self-employed or individual sellers back to streets. In order to release the vitality of street vending economy and make where we live more dynamic, in many cities temporary areas have been set up for mobile booths to provide convenience for the public. Sounds like a good option to start a new business, doesn’t it?

Things You Don’t Know about the Coming Dragon Boat Festival

This year’s Dragon Boat Festival (端午节 Duānwǔjié) falls on June 25, the 5th day of May in lunar calendar. Maybe you have some clues about it already: people start to eat rice dumplings wrapped in triangle shape; you know people do dragon boat racing on the day just because it is obviously in the name; if you are interested in Chinese culture enough, you know this day originated from a famous poet in ancient time…Yes, all of them are right but they are not all about the festival!

5 Unique Ways for Chinese to Survive Summer

The hottest season has arrived. Summer in China is becoming hotter and longer because of global warming. Sometimes the temperature can even reach higher than 40 degrees, which makes people sweat a lot and turn impatient. How can we live through these tough months? Besides staying with aircon for a whole day or having too much ice cream that makes you feel guilty, Chinese people sure have healthier ways.

The Most Important Exam in China

Tomorrow it is the annual college entrance examination (高考gāo kǎo) again. Every year at this time, it influences many students and their parents. Gāokǎo could be the turning point of some’s life, of which the success can change their family. Imagining the sight of thousands of troops crossing the single bridge, my mind flies back to decade ago when I took it and experienced how tense this competition has been. Since the whole society is paying attention to the college entrance examination, what does gāokǎo mean for Chinese people? 

The Right Way to Order Your Milk Tea in Chinese

What is the best treat for yourself during the hottest season?Besides facing the cooling breeze from air-conditioner, I bet everyone wants a bit of sugar and ice to refresh. Thanks to the development of milk tea(奶茶 nǎichá) economy, it is hard not to find a drink bar along the street. Have you ever tried to order this what the young called "daily spiritual drink" in Chinese by yourself?

What Can You Say about “Hot” besides “Rè”?

The average temperature in Shanghai during latest week is around 28~35 degree and yellow high temperature alert was issued. Please be kind to those who ask you out recently. As your friends to death, they must want to discuss about your lifelong business on such sweltering days outside! Anyway, do you know how to express HOT in Chinese except

How to Not Get Lost in Shanghai’s Metro?

Do you know how many metro lines does Shanghai have? The answer is eighteen in total, including Line 1 to Line 17(fifteen lines except that Line 14 and Line 15 are in construction), Pujiang Line, Maglev Line and Jinshan Line. People benefit from the convenience of how metro can send you everywhere while still get confused by the complexity of the metro system sometimes. As a foreigner, or tourist who come to the city for first time, how to find your way to the destination without getting lost by public transportation?