Continuing from last weeks idioms, here are a couple more.

Look at the characters: Can you see how the characters represent each words meaning?

idioms-2

Chinese is rich in funny, surprising, but interestingly, deep and thought provoking proverbs.
Have a look at some we have here (we add more all the time) and try to guess their meaning without looking at the English.

Were you correct?idioms part 1

Here is a really simple translating tool for teachers and students to use when either in the classroom or out and about in Shanghai!

We start our first Chinese guide with a simple menu deciphering. Chinese food is great, but some things can be a little too exotic for our tastes.

This is a basic guide to ease you into Chinese food:

Gōngbǎojīdīng (宫保鸡丁): Chicken and Cashew nuts

 Jiaozī (饺子): dumplings

 Chǎoqīngcài (炒青菜): Bok choy (stir fried, a bit oily).

 chǎofàn (炒饭): Fried Rice

 Chǎomiàn (炒面): stir fry noodles

 Málàtàng (麻辣烫): spicy soup.

 Bāozī (包子): steam filled buns filled with meat and vegetables

 Yángròuchuàn (羊肉串): BBQ Kebab.

 Guōbāoròu (锅包肉): Lamb and rice

 Huǒguō (火锅): hot pot

 Liángbànhuángguā(凉拌黄瓜) cucumber slices and garlic

 Huíguōròu (回锅肉): beef and black bean sauce

 Běijīng kǎoyā (北京烤鸭) Beijing/Peking duck

 xīhóngshìchǎodàn 西红柿炒蛋: Tomato and egg soup

 Next week we will look at all the food you want to avoid!

You want to get the most out of your time in China, and there is only one way to do that: learn Chinese! Dont worry, Chinese isn’t as hard as you think! Sure, its nothing like English, but taking a fun, practical and comfortable approach to Chinese will make your time in China. ‘Chinese 101′ is a weekly roundup of the Chinese Language. From ordering food, getting a taxi, calling for help or meeting new friends, ‘Chinese 101′ is your first step to speaking Chinese like a local!