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Mandarin Language: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Body - Head
This is a list of Mandarin Chinese names for the parts of the human head.
Display Character WinXP
Mandarin uses Chinese characters, and if your computer cannot display Chinese characters, support for this feature must be installed.
How to Pronounce Mandarin Chinese - Learning How to Pronounce Mandarin Chinese
The Mandarin language has 21 consonants and 16 vowels. They can be combined together to create more than 400 mono-syllabic sounds. This basic guide will teach you how to pronounce Mandarin Chinese with the aid of sound clips.
Professions
Learn how to say common professions in Mandarin Chinese with this vocabulary list. Each entry has an audio file for listening and pronunciation practice.
Mandarin Numbers
Mandarin numbers are one of the first things a student should learn. Besides being used for counting and money they are also used for time expressions such as weekdays and months.
Animals
Learn the names of common animals with this vocabulary list of Mandarin Chinese.
Tones
The four tones of spoken Mandarin are used to clarify the meanings of words, and are an essential part of proper pronunciation.
Mandarin Tone Quiz - Test Your Knowledge of Mandarin Tones
A short quiz to test your recognition of the four Mandarin tones.
Music Instruments
Learn the names of musical instruments and other musical terms in Mandarin Chinese.
Step by Step Mandarin Chinese
Begin with the basics when you are starting to learn Mandarin Chinese. Mastering the four tones of Mandarin Chinese is the key to mastering the language. Once you have learned the tones, you can start learning new vocabulary and phrases while learning Pinyin Romanization. Reading and writing Chinese characters is the last step.
Happy Birthday Song
Learn how to sing Happy Birthday in Mandarin Chinese.
Say Hello
Learn how to say hello in Mandarin Chinese with this Mandarin Chinese lesson complete with audio examples for listening and pronunciation practice.
Greetings
Words used for greetings are some of the most common words in Mandarin and pave the way for good social relations.
Chinese Food Vocabulary
Chinese food is popular throughout the world. The names of some famous Chinese dishes have changed in Western countries, so this list of popular Chinese dishes will help if you visit a Mandarin-speaking country.
Windows XP Setup for Mandarin
You may need to install files for East Asian languages if they are not already installed.
Measure Words
Mandarin Chinese uses measure words for every noun. These measure words must be used when ever the noun is used with a numeral. There are more than 100 measure words, and the only sure way to learn them is through memorization.
Sentence Structure
Mandarin Chinese sentence structure is different from English or other European languages. To master Mandarin Chinese sentence structure you must learn to think in Mandarin.
School Vocabulary
Learn the names of common items used in school with this vocabulary list of school terms in Mandarin Chinese.
Mandarin Colors
Learning the names of Mandarin colors gives you more than just descriptive vocabulary. Mandarin colors also have strong cultural meanings, so you can gain some insight into Chinese culture by learning about color associations.
Write by Hand
The serious student of Mandarin Chinese should learn how to write Chinese characters. This knowledge will give greater understanding of the Mandarin language as well as Chinese culture. Knowing how Chinese characters are written also allows the student to use a Chinese dictionary.
New Year
Chinese New Year is the most important festival in Chinese culture. These Mandarin Chinese phrases will help you celebrate Chinese New Year.
Daily Mandarin - Dui Bu Qi
There are many ways to say "sorry" in Mandarin Chinese, but one of the most common is "dui bu qi."
Audio Clips
Mandarin Chinese audio clips are great for practicing your pronunciation and listening skills. This list of Mandarin Chinese audio clips will help you find the most appropriate audio clips for your language skill level.
Punctuation Marks
Chinese punctuation marks have a similar function to their English counterparts, but they are sometimes written differently.
Mandarin Chinese Dialog
Here is a simple dialog to introduce you to spoken Mandarin Chinese.
Saying Goodbye
Standard greetings are important in any language, Mandarin being no exception. After a polite greeting, you must also know how to say goodbye.
Lesson - Time
The Mandarin Chinese time system is fairly straightforward, and once you have learned your Mandarin numbers you just need a few more vocabulary words to be able to tell the time in Mandarin Chinese.
More Greetings
Learn to say good morning and good evening in this Mandarin Chinese lesson. Listen to the audio clips to practice your pronunciation and listening skills.
Yes / No Questions
There are two different ways to make yes / no questions in Mandarin, and a mastery of each method is essential for gaining fluency in this language.
Listening Comprehension Quiz for Mandarin Numbers Zero to Ten
Mandarin numbers are essential vocabulary which are used for shopping, telling time, calandar dates and general conversation. This quiz will test your listening comprehension of the Mandarin numbers zero to ten.
Rosetta Stone Language
Rosetta Stone language software is a computer package for learning languages. The Mandarin Chinese version of Rosetta Stone language is an excellent way to learn Mandarin Chinese.
Pinyin Keyboard Input
Pinyin can be used to write Chinese characters using Microsoft's New Phonetic Input Method
Environment
Learn the names of environmental conditions and the weather in Mandarin Chinese with this Mandarin Chinese vocabulary list. Entries include audio files for pronunciation practice of Mandarin Chinese environment and weather.
Immediate Family
Learn the Mandarin Chinese names for members of the immediate family.
Daily Mandarin - Laoshi
Teachers command a lot of respect in Chinese society, and must be addressed properly. The Mandarin Chinese word for "teacher" is "laoshi."
Pinyin
Pinyin is a system of Romanization for reading and writing Mandarin without Chinese characters. It is used as an aid to learn Mandarin speaking before beginning the difficult task of mastering Chinese characters.
Bopomofo
Bopomofo is a phonetic system used for learning Chinese characters. It is widely used in Taiwan, but Mainland China uses a Romanization system called Pinyin.
Vocabulary - Yes and No
Mandarin does not have words which mean "yes" and "no." To express these ideas in Mandarin Chinese, you must answer questions using the positive or negative form of the question verb.
Reading Numbers
Using a mixture of Pinyin and Chinese characters, Mandarin students can gradually become accustomed to reading Chinese number characters.
Lesson - Where Do You Live
There are many ways to ask "Where do you live" in Mandarin Chinese. There are also many different ways to answer this question. This Mandarin Chinese lesson will give you the vocabulary to handle this question.
Names
Chinese names provide an interesting glimpse into Chinese culture. The family name comes first, reflecting the importance of family relationships. The family name is followed by the given names, and the name as a whole must be chosen with care. Anyone who is studying Mandarin and plans to travel to China or Taiwan should adopt a traditional three-character Chinese name.
Introduction
Mandarin Chinese is the most widely-spoken language in the world. It is the official language of China and Taiwan, and is one of the official languages of the United Nation and Singapore.
Daily Mandarin - Huan Ying
The Mandarin Chinese phrase for "welcome" is "huan ying." This consists of two Chinese characters that translate as "we are happy to welcome you."
Character Profile - Hao
The Mandarin Chinese character hao is made up of two radicals - nu and zi. Hao means 'good' in English, and also functions as an intensifier.
Daily Mandarin - Piao Liang
The appreciation of beauty is one thing that ties people of all nationalities. The Mandarin Chinese term for "beautiful" is "piao liang" and is used for people, objects, and places.
Mandarin Greetings Quiz - Choose the Correct Answer About Mandarin Greetings
A short quiz to test your knowledge of Mandarin Chinese greetings.
Extended Family
Learn the Mandarin Chinese names for members of the older generation of the extended family.
Baby Names for Boys
There are many things to consider when choosing Chinese names for baby boys. Besides the meaning of the name, special consideration is given to the qualities of the Chinese characters which make up the baby boys Chinese name.
Common Names
There are thousands of Chinese family names, but only about 100 are used by most of the population of China, Taiwan, and overseas Chinese. This list of 20 of the most popular names will get you acquainted with the sounds of Chinese surnames and the customs surrounding names and introductions.
The Four Tones
Mandarin tones are an essential part of the language. These tutorials and quizzes will help you master the four tones of Mandarin.
Daily Mandarin - Mama Huhu
Chinese etiquette calls for modesty and humility, so if someone praises your Mandarin skills, you should reply by saying, "Not at all - they are mediocre" - "mama huhu" in Mandarin Chinese.
Lesson - Calendar
Week days and months are numbered in Mandarin Chinese, so once you've learned your basic numbers it's fairly easy to learn the Mandarin calendar.
Flowers
Learn the names of common flowers in Mandarin Chinese with this vocabulary list. Each entry has audio for listening and pronunciation practice.
Beverages
Learn the names of common beverages in Mandarin Chinese with this Mandarin Chinese vocabulary list. Entries include audio files for pronunciation practice of Mandarin Chinese beverages.
Tang Yuan Recipe
Tang yuan is a dish of glutinous rice balls served in a sweet broth. In Chinese culture, tang yuan is served on Dong Zhi - the winter solstice, and by eating tang yuan you welcome in the winter and become one year older.
Restaurant Vocabulary
This list of restaurant vocabulary will help you with utensils and expressing your dietary preferences.
Love Vocabulary
Love may be the universal language, but you still need these Mandarin Chinese words to talk to the love of your life.
Daily Mandarin - Li Hai
The Mandarin Chinese word for "great" is "li hai." This daily Mandarin lesson has audio files for your pronunciation and listening practice.
Baby Names for Girls
Many things must be considered when choosing a Chinese name for a baby girl. To ensure a prosperous life for their baby girl, Chinese parents choose her name carefully.
New Read Chinese
New Read Chinese is a textbook which introduces Chinese characters in a methodical fashion. Reading passages combine Chinese characters and Pinyin Romanization. This method allows students to gradually build up their vocabulary of Chinese characters.
Names and Strokes
The fine art of choosing a good Chinese name includes considering the number of strokes that make up each of the three characters.
Little Star
Little Star is a Mandarin Chinese song about the bright twinkling stars in the night sky.
Stroke Order
Chinese characters are written with specific stroke orders to minimize hand movement and make the characters more beautiful.
Body - Hand
Learn the names of the human hand with this vocabulary list of Mandarin Chinese.
Why Learn Mandarin
Mandarin Chinese is the most widely-spoken language in the world. This in itself is reason to learn Mandarin Chinese. Learning Mandarin Chinese will also give you access to the world of Chinese business, culture, and travel opportunities.
Americas
Mandarin names for countries and nationalities are very different from their English counterparts, but nationalities all follow the same pattern.
Tone Changes
Mandarin is a tonal language with four distinct tones. Mandarin Chinese tones are usually constant for every syllable, but sometimes the tone will change when used in combination with other tones or syllables.
Ordering Food
Here are some phrases that will come in handy when you visit a restaurant in China or another Mandarin-speaking country.
Pronouns
There are just a few pronouns in Mandarin Chinese, and unlike many European languages there are no subject / verb agreements to worry about. Just a few simple rules tells you everything you need to know about Mandarin pronouns.
Household
Learn the names of common household items such as furniture and fixtures with this vocabulary list of Mandarin Chinese.
Pinyin - Aid or Crutch?
Pinyin is a good aid to learning Mandarin but don't let yourself become dependent on it. Taking the time to learn Chinese characters will deepen your understanding of Chinese culture and the Mandarin language.
Mandarin Chinese Tones
Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language with four tones. The Mandarin Chinese tones are used to differentiate the many homonyms of Mandarin Chinese. Tones are an essential part of the language and must be mastered early in the study of Mandarin.
Mandarin Names
Students of Mandarin Chinese usually take a Chinese name to help them learn about Chinese culture and to smooth the way when practicing their Mandarin with native speakers.
Adverbial DE
The Mandarin Chinese DE particle is used as an adverbial marker which converts stative verbs into adverbs.
Vocabulary - Christmas
Christmas is not an official holiday in either China or Taiwan, but nonetheless many people celebrating it. This list of Christmas vocabulary will help you celebrate Christmas with your Mandarin-speaking friends.
Daily Mandarin - Zenmenyang
The Mandarin Chinese phrase for "what's up" is "zenmeyang." It also means "what's the matter" or "what's your opinion."
Daily Mandarin - Xihuan
The Mandarin Chinese verb for "like" is made up of two characters which reinforce the idea of something which creates joy.
Tone Exercise 1
Mandarin is a tonal language, so the tones must be mastered to gain fluency in Mandarin. This exercise includes audio files and combines the first tone with the second, third and fourth tones.
Lesson - Directions
Some of the most important vocabulary to prepare before going to a Mandarin-speaking country is phrases and words for asking directions. This Mandarin Chinese lesson comes complete with audio files to help you with your pronunciation.
Daily Mandarin - Shenme
The Mandarin Chinese word for "what" is "shenme." It can be used to reference either a noun or a verb.
Radicals
Chinese character radicals are a system of classification for organizing Chinese dictionaries. Radicals are used to locate Chinese characters within a dictionary.
Younger Gen Extended Family
Learn the Mandarin Chinese names for members of the younger generation of the extended family.
Daily Mandarin - Yin Wei
The Mandarin Chinese word for "because" is "yin wei." This daily Mandarin lesson has audio files for your pronunciation and listening practice.
DE Particle
The DE particle is most often used as a possessive modifier, but it can also be used with adjectives and for emphasis.
Chinese Name Combinations
Having a Chinese name is important for Mandarin students, but Chinese names must be considered in context with surnames. A bad combination of surnames and given names may cause embarrassment to the bearer.
Do You Speak Mandarin?
It's important to practice your Mandarin every chance you get. If you are just starting, you may need to explain your level of Mandarin and ask for new vocabulary. These audio clips will help you carry on a simple conversation with a Mandarin speaker.
Grammar - Adjectives
Mandarin Chinese adjectives follow the noun they describe. Learn how to use Mandarin Chinese adjectives in positive sentences, negative sentences, and questions.
One Day To Live
This Mandarin Chinese joke can be understood by students anywhere in the world.
Character Profiles
Chinese characters have interesting stories behind their development. The history of Chinese characters and the way they evolve can reveal clues to Chinese history and culture.
Computers
Learn the Mandarin Chinese names for computers and computer peripherals with this Mandarin Chinese vocabulary list. Entries include audio files for pronunciation practice of Mandarin Chinese words for computers and computer peripherals.
Character Profile - Ren
The Mandarin Chinese character meaning person shows the two legs and torso of a human body.
Mandarin Clothing
Learn the names of common clothing items with this vocabulary list of Mandarin Chinese.
Lesson - Telephone
Mandarin Chinese uses many of the same conventions for telephone conversations as English. This Mandarin lesson gives telephone vocabulary and example telephone dialogues.
Mandarin Negatives
Mandarin Chinese does not have a single word which means "no." Instead, Mandarin Chinese negatives are formed by placing the particle "bu" before the verb.
Dragon Boat
Dragon Boat Festival is one of the three most important holidays in Chinese culture. It celebrates the life of Qu Yuan, a poet who lived more than 2000 years ago, and was a champion of integrity.
Body Parts - Head Quiz - Mandarin Chinese Quiz - Choose the Correct Translation
A short quiz to test your knowledge of Mandarin Chinese parts of the head.
Character Profile - Zao
Zao means "morning." The Chinese character for zao is is a pictogram showing the sun rising over a soldier's helmet.
Daily Mandarin - Jian Dan
The Mandarin Chinese word for "simple" is "jian dan." This daily Mandarin lesson comes with audio files for pronunciation practice.
Two Tigers
Two Tigers is a children's song sung to the tune of Frere Jacques. Two Tigers tells of two tigers running through the forest - one without ears and the other without a tail.
Grammar - Shi De
Parts of a Mandarin Chinese sentence can be emphasized using the shi .. de construction. Emphasis is placed on the phrase or word following shi, and de is placed at the end of the sentence.
Proverbs Sai Weng
Sai Weng loses a horse, but perhaps that is not the bad luck that his neighbor thinks. This Chinese proverb tells about the changing winds of luck.
Gege
The Mandarin Chinese word for "older brother" is gege.
Daily Mandarin - Bu Hao Yi Si
The term for "embarrassed" in Mandarin Chinese is "Bu Hao Yi Si," but this term can also mean "sorry" or "thank you" depending on the context.
Daily Mandarin - Dan Shi
There are a few different ways to say "but" in Mandarin Chinese. One of the most common is "dan shi." This daily Mandarin Lesson has audio files for pronunciation and listening practice.
Daily Mandarin - Gong Zuo
The Mandarin Chinese word for "work" is "gong zuo." This daily Mandarin lesson has audio files for your pronunciation and listening practice.
Dictionaries
Students of Mandarin Chinese need a good Chinese English dictionary. These reviews will help you choose a Chinese English dictionary that's right for you.
Gao xing
The Mandarin Chinese word for "happy" is gao xing.
Stative Verbs
Stative verbs are a class of Mandarin Chinese verbs that describe a relatively stable state. They are usually translated as adjectives, even though they function grammatically as verbs.
Europe
Mandarin names of European countries.
Names of North American Cities
Mandarin Chinese geographical names often do not have an exact equivalent to English names because of the relatively restricted number of phonetics in Mandarin Chinese. Geographical names are usually intended to be phonetically similar, but sometimes they are descriptive.
Song - Head Shoulder
Head Shoulder Knee and Toe is a Mandarin Chinese song to the tune of London Bridge is Falling Down. It is a good way to learn body parts in Mandarin Chinese.
Sounds of Mandarin
The Mandarin language has 21 consonants and 16 vowels. They can be combined together to create more than 400 mono-syllabic sounds. This basic guide will introduce you to the sounds of Mandarin and allow you to practice with sound clips.
Daily Mandarin - Keyi
Mandarin Chinese has several ways to say "able to" depending on the subject. "Keyi" is the proper word for asking for permission.
Simplified Characters
Simplified Chinese characters are used in Mainland China, Singapore, and Malaysia. Simplified characters were introduced in the 1950s in an effort to reduce illiteracy.
Character Profile - Jia
The Mandarin Chinese character jia is made up of two radicals - shi and mian. Jia means 'family' or 'house' in English.
Daily Mandarin - Zhidao
The Mandarin Chinese word for "understand" or "know" is "zhidao." This is very useful for Mandarin learners to indicate their understanding (or lack of understanding) when talking with native speakers of Mandarin.
BYKI Review
Before You Know It is a software package for learning languages. The Mandarin Chinese version of Before You Know It uses a flashcard system for developing vocabulary.
Types of Stores
If you need to do some shopping while visiting a Mandarin-speaking country, make sure you go to the right type of store for the items you want to buy.
Daily Mandarin - Ban Jia
"Moving house" in Mandarin Chinese is "ban jia." This Daily Mandarin lesson comes with audio files to help you with pronunciation.
Character Profile - Ni
The Mandarin Chinese character for "you" indicates a person who has equal stature.
Mandarin Chinese Time Quiz
A short quiz to test your listening comprehension of Mandarin Chinese times.
Potential Complement DE
The potential complement DE is used in Mandarin Chinese to show the outcome of actions. Learn how to use the potential complement DE with this lesson and examples.
Travel Vocabulary
This list of Mandarin Chinese travel vocabulary will help get you started when you visit a Mandarin-speaking country like Mainland China, Taiwan, Singapore, or Malaysia.
Body - Torso
Learn the names of the human torso with this vocabulary list of Mandarin Chinese.
Character Profile - Wo
The Mandarin Chinese character meaning I or me is made up of the radical for sword, and depicts a hand holding a sword.
Daily Mandarin - Qingwen
The Mandarin phrase "Qingwen" is used to ask questions politely. It should be used whenever asking a question to a stranger or person in authority.
Finger Game Song
This song is an invitation to play the finger game paper, scissors, stone. The players shake hands and bow, and at the end, the loser must follow the winner.
Hui - Yao
Mandarin Chinese can use the auxiliary verbs "hui" and "yao" to refer to the future. Hui is used when the speaker is making a confident prediction, and yao is used to indicate an intention.
Tense and Aspect
Mandarin Chinese does not have tenses like the English tenses for past, present, and future. Time frames can be determined in a number of ways, including aspect and time markers.
Daily Mandarin - Duoshao Qian
Asking the price of things is a useful survival skill when traveling in a foreign country. The Mandarin phrase for "how much money" is "duoshao qian."
Fire And Water - Joke
This Mandarin Chinese joke does not rely on word play, so the joke translates quite well into English. It is about a husband and wife who are out to dinner.
Question Adverbs
Mandarin Chinese question adverbs are used to ask the "wh" questions - why, where, when, which, who, and how.
Le Particle
Mandarin verbs do not conjugate depending on tense, but there are other ways to express time in Mandarin. The le particle is used to indicate actions which have been completed.
Pronunciation Challenges
Many of the sounds of Mandarin pronunciation have counterparts in the English language, but there is some Mandarin language pronunciation which can be quite difficult for English-speakers to master.
Asia
Mandarin names of Asian countries.
Action Phrases Mandarin Chinese Audio Quiz - Action Phrases Audio Quiz - Choose the Correct Translation
A short quiz to test your listening comprehension of Mandarin action words.
Daily Mandarin - Shenme Shihou
The Mandarin Chinese phrase for asking "when" is "shenme shihou." Being able to talk about time is essential in any language, so learning this phrase will aid you in your development of your Mandarin language skills.
Past Time Expressions
Time expressions can be used to talk about past events when the le particle cannot be used.
Dai Sui Tong
This Mandarin Chinese joke is about a student named Dai Sui Tong. His name is confused with a similar-sounding command - can you guess what it is?
Culture - Dong Zhi
Dong Zhi is an important festival in Chinese culture. Dong Zhi falls on the winter solstice and is a time when families get together to eat tang yuan.
Proverbs
Chinese proverbs are strongly rooted in Chinese culture. These four-character expressions are hundreds of years old, but still have relevance in today's society.
Ai - Love
The Mandarin Chinese word for "love" is ai.
Daily Mandarin - Zhe Ge
The Mandarin Chinese word for "this" is "zhe ge." This daily Mandarin lesson has audio files for your pronunciation and listening practice.
Daily Mandarin - Shu Fu
The Mandarin Chinese word for "comfortable" is "shu fu." This daily Mandarin lesson has audio files for your pronunciation and listening practice.
The Lady Stands
Mandarin Chinese jokes are often impossible to translate. This Mandarin Chinese joke depends on the fact that Chinese characters can be read from right to left or from left to right. It is an untranslatable joke, but you may learn some vocabulary and insight into Chinese culture.
Daily Mandarin - Bang Zhu
The Mandarin Chinese phrase for "to help" or "assist" is "bang zhu." This Daily Mandarin Lesson comes complete with audio files for pronunciation practice.
Lesson - Clothes Shopping
If you wander away from the big department stores you can find more selection and better bargains when shopping for clothes. This Mandarin Chinese lesson teaches basic vocabulary and phrases for clothes shopping. Audio files are included for listening and pronunciation practice.
Mandarin Chinese Quiz - Liang or Er - Use the Correct Form of the Mandarin Two
A short quiz to test your knowledge of the Mandarin number two.
Tourist Destinations
This vocabulary list gives the Mandarin Chinese names of common tourist destinations. When visiting a Mandarin-speaking country or city, use this Mandarin Chinese vocabulary list to see all the local attractions.
Mandarin Dialects
There are many variation of the Mandarin language, but Mandarin dialects are understandable by anyone who knows standard Mandarin - the official language of China, Taiwan, and Singapore.

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