Who Are Learning Chinese? Chinese language is spoken by 1.2 billion people (around 16% of the world's population).However, this number will grow bigger with more and more foreigners joining the trend of learning Chinese. Although Chinese is rated as one of the most difficult languages to learn, people from different industries, backgrounds are learning Chinese...
Category: List of Chinese Language Blogs
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Why is Mandarin Mandarin?
Why is Mandarin Mandarin? Mandarin from Oxford University is transliterated by 满大人(mǎn dà rén)—Lord Man because Mandarin Chinese is the official language of feudal nobles in Qing Dynasty. Standard Putonghua is spoken by the Han nationality. While after Manchu gained the power, Putonghua spoken by the ruling class became the so called Mandarin. Why is...
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Mandarin Dialects
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Mandarin Versus Cantonese Chinese
Mandarin Versus Cantonese Chinese Mandarin is the official language of People’s Republic of China. Cantonese, named after the port city of Canton, now known Guangzhou, in southern China, is another language spoken in China. While Mandarin and Cantonese are often regarded as Chinese dialects because they share the same written form, linguists consider them separate...
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Different Ways to Address Mother in Chinese
Different Ways to Address Mother in Chinese 母亲节(Mǔqīnjié) Mother’s Day is coming soon! Wish all the dear mothers in the world 母亲节快乐(Mǔqīnjié kuàilè) a happy Mother’s Day! Wouldn't learning to address your mother in Chinese be a sweet gift? In Chinese, there are many ways to say mother: 妈(mā), 妈妈(māma), 阿妈 (āmā) and 娘亲(niángqīn). The...
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Writing Chinese Characters Is Hard for Chinese People?
Writing Chinese Characters Is Hard for Chinese People? You might have heard of “English-Language Spelling Bees” program from US. Actually we also have a similar TV program named “Chinese Characters Dictation Competition” in China. You must be shocked. What? Why? Really? Writing Chinese characters is hard for Chinese people? The contestants from secondary schools all...