The “Mid-Autumn Festival” (中秋节 zhōng qiū jié) is one of the most celebrated traditional festivals in China. It falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, a date associated with the full moon, symbolizing reunion, peace, and harmony. People across China …
In China, a Chinese personal name consists of two parts: a surname and a given name. The surname comes before the given name, which is the opposite of Western naming conventions.
In Chinese culture, the form of address used in business settings is often …
The Hundred Family Names (Chinese: 百家姓; Pinyin: Bǎijiāxìng) is a classic Chinese text with common surnames in ancient China. The book was composed in the early Song Dynasty. It originally contained 411 surnames, but was later expanded to 504. Of these, 444 are single-character surnames,
In traditional Chinese culture, the Fèng huáng (凤凰), or Chinese phoenix, often symbolizes good luck and auspiciousness. You may have heard some of these Chinese four-character idioms before, such as Lóng fèng chéng xiáng (龙凤呈祥) and Fèng huáng yú fēi (凤凰于飞), they are used …
What’s more than 2,500 years old but still applied to strategy and planning for great success in business, politics, and international diplomacy to this day? Well, the “三十六计 (sān shí liù jì) 36 ancient Chinese strategies” and their theories, of course! If you read How …
The 端午节 (duānwǔ jié) is around the corner. People celebrate it on June 25 this year, marking the fifth day of the fifth month in the lunar calendar. This festival holds its unique blessings, celebrations, entertainment, and food. It stands …
Often on the first day of class, I like to discuss with my students why they chose to learn Mandarin Chinese in China. Some students are young and interested in the appeal of something mysterious. Some of my students are a few decades older and …
Key Learning Points (Preview): 粽子 (zòngzi)
rice dumpling
庆祝 (qìngzhù)
to celebrate
In the west, people “庆祝 (qìngzhù) celebrate” Easter Day in memory of Jesus. They eat Easter Eggs to commemorate this day. In China, people have a similar celebration of a heroic …
Key Learning Points (Preview):
鹊桥 (què qiáo): n. a bridge made up of magpies
七夕节 (Qīxījié): n. Double Seven Festival
中国情人节 (Zhōngguó Qíngrénjié): n. Chinese Valentine’s Day
The Double Seven Festival or Chinese Valentine’s Day is on …
