Chinese Langblr - Tumblr Posts

K- verbs in Chinese My quick guide to some common K-verbs in Chinese!

Keep - 保留 - Bǎoliú Kick - 去踢 - Qùtī ​Kid - 开玩笑 - Kāiwánxiào Kidnap - 绑架 - Bǎngjià K!ll - 杀 - Shā Kindle - 点燃 - Diǎnrán Kiss - 吻 - Wěn Know - 知道 - Zhīdào Knead - 揉捏 - Róuniē Kneel -下跪 - Xiàguì Knit - 编织 - Biānzhī Knock - 敲 - Qiāo Knot - 打结 - Dǎjié Kowtow - 磕头 - Kētóu

L- Verbs in Chinese

A quick guide of some common L-verbs!

Land - 登陆 - dēnglù Last - 持续 - chíxù Laugh - 笑 - xiào Launch - 推出 - tuīchū Lead - 领导 - lǐngdǎo Learn - 学习 - xuéxí Leave - 离开 - líkāi Lend - 借 - jiè Lift - 举起 - jǔqǐ ​Light - 点亮 - diǎnliàng Like - 喜欢 - xǐhuān Limit - 限制 - xiànzhì Link - 连接 - liánjiē Listen - 听 - tīng Live (in/at a place) - 住在 - zhùzài Locate - 定位 - dìngwèi Lock - 锁 - suǒ Long - 渴望 - kěwàng Look - 看 - kàn Lose - 失去 - shīqù Love - 爱 - ài Lower - 降低 - jiàngdī

M- Verbs in Chinese

My quick guide of some common M-verbs!

Maintain - 保持 - bǎochí

Marry - 结婚 - jiéhūn

Marry* - 嫁 - jià

*This is a different verb used for when women get married due to the historical context, but 结婚 is more commonly used now regardless of gender.

Mark - 标记 - biāojì

Manage - 管理 - guǎnlǐ

Make - 制作 - zhìzuò

Match - 匹配 - pǐpèi

Matchmake - 相亲 - xiāngqīn

Measure - 测量 - cèliáng

Meet - 见面 - jiànmiàn

Mention - 提及 - tíjí

Miss - 错过 - cuòguò

Modify - 修改 - xiūgǎi

Monitor - 监视 - jiānshì

Move - 运动 - yùndòng

Move (houses) - 搬家 - bānjiā

So we got our class schedules today and it turns out that I'm in the same class as I was last semester, probably because I requested to stay in the same level in the survey that was sent out without actually thinking everything through.

To be fair, this survey was before I got my exam results back and honestly I think did pretty well for someone who was initially placed 2 levels below because I didn't do too great on my placement test (although I evidently redeemed myself on my swap out test).

This upcoming week we're allowed to try out other levels before either staying or doing the swap test to go to a higher level, which I might do if the next level is manageable.

I feel like the main issue is that despite being really out of my depth in the beginning, this level ended up being challenging enough, but what if the next level is too difficult and this level is too easy? I don't want to waste this semester, but I also want to thrive rather than try to survive and constantly be stressed out about studying.

I guess the upcoming week shall reveal its secrets so there's not that much sense in obsessing over it. I for one will try to make the most of the remaining days before classes start.

Have a good weekend everyone!

N- Verbs in Chinese

A quick cheat-sheet of chinese verbs begnning with N!

Narrate - 叙述 - xùshù

Navigate - 导航 - dǎoháng

Need - 需要 - xūyào

Neglect - 忽视 - hūshì

Negotiate - 谈判 - tánpàn

Nominate - 提名 - tímíng

Normalize - 正常化 - zhèngchánghuà

Notice - 注意 - zhùyì

Notify - 通知 - tōngzhī

Nourish - 滋养 - zīyǎng

Nurse - 护理 - hùlǐ

Nurture - 培养 - péiyǎng

What textbooks do you use for learning Chinese?

I noticed that my current textbooks at my exchange uni in China are noticeably different from the textbook used back at my home uni, and now I'm interested in knowing whether the content varies drastically overall.

I'm curious to see what are some of the other textbooks that used for learning Chinese and how effective you would consider them to be, so please feel free to share your thoughts!

The V for Ü trick

I only recently discovered that you can type in v to get the letter ü when typing in the pinyin for chinese characters.

Life in China Observations #4

It's been a while since I last did this, so let's go again!

Identity is complicated The question "where are you from" can be just as complicated as it is simple. For many people, their country of birth is where they're from, which is usually the case here. However, if you happen to be born in country A to parents from cultures B and C, immigrated and became a citizen of country D and now attend university in country E and are now on an exchange program in China, the question "where are you from" is not that easily answered. From what some of my friends told me, where you're from is actually the place where your dad was born in even though you may have been born in a different city which is a pretty interesting concept known as the "ancestral home" - 祖籍 (zǔjí) or 籍贯 (jígùan).

You have to make the first step I may have mentioned this in a previous post, but people are constantly doing something and unless you specifically and intentionally reach out and work on your friendship, you may end up drifting apart. Maybe this is a specific thing, but back home I could go a few weeks without really reaching out to my friends and then someone would suggest grabbing lunch together and it would be like no time had passed at all since we last saw each other. Here? Quite different.

Beauty and pop trends There are all sorts of weird and wonderful trends that you can come across in China. From using bread as a study tactic to decorating your workplace with banana plants, I feel like the more I assimilate here, the bigger the reverse culture shock will be when I go back home, and not just for me. dr.candiselin covers some of these trends on Instagram (not a promo post!), and I recommend checking out her content, it's quite brilliant.

Taobao You can buy anything on taobao. Literally. I saw someone selling a house there. I was previously a little shocked to see animals such as cats and bunnies being sold, but after seeing houses and cars being sold I honestly don't know what else is there to surprise me with.

Prepare in advance (foodwise) for the lunar new year During those 8-12ish days during the holdiays a lot of stores were closed. The convenience store outside my campus was open thank God, because otherwise I would have been living on instant porridge and instant soup which was my main food source 2 weeks prior due to being ill and there is only so much instant oatmeal that you can eat before slightly losing it.

Being ill is a nightmare And I mean the mandatory-bed-rest-no-going-out-for-at-least-5-days ill kind. You need to go to the hospital or a clinic to get a note to give to your school otherwise the day's you're absent will be counted, and once they reach a specific percentage you won't be allowed to take the exam (which can seriously mess with your grades, even more if you're there as an exchange student).

The weather can change at the blink of an eye I remember back in December the weather was in the negative digits and then suddenly the next day it was around 20 celcius?? The very next day it went to 3-4, and even now in March it's very all over the place. The weather forecast is not that useful because I'll leave the dorms wearing my coat in the morning only to return carrying my coat, jumper, long-sleeved shirt and wearing only my t-shirt.

More affordable beauty products I saw some products go for around $80 online?? And here on Taobao they cost under $10? I'm assuming it's the shipping costs that drive up the price so drastically, and now I'm pondering whether it would be cheaper to order online or to travel to China every couple of years just to stock up on beauty products.

I was walking back to my dorm and I saw a group of students carefully following this cat and taking photos of it in an almost paparazzi way, and the cat just looked so exasperated? Like, yes you can take a picture but just this once I have places to be and things to do.

I wish I had taken a photo, it looked just like something out of a comedy still.

The 然's

突然，虽然，忽然. and the other 然's can often get mixed up, so here's a quick explanation of some of the most common ones!

突然 (Túrán): This means suddenly or unexpectedly

居然 (Jūrán): This kind of means suddenly, but more in the sense of "surprisingly" or to suggest disbelief at something that happened.

忽然 (Hūrán): This also means suddenly or unexpectedly, but it has a more stronger connotation.

既然 (Jìrán): This is a conjunction meaning "since" or "now that"

既然the weather is great, let's go out!

既然 you aren't busy, let's go watch a movie.

不然 (Bùrán): This means "otherwise" or "or else";

You should study, 不然 you won't do well on the exam.

虽然 (Suīrán): This means although or even though.

虽然 I'm not good at singing, I still like to go to the karaoke.

当然 (Dāngrán): 当然 means certainly or definitely and can be used as a reply:

Can you help me with A? 当然!

自然 (Zìrán): This can mean nature or naturally.

China's 自然 is very beautiful.

She speaks Chinese 得很自然.

仍然 (Réngrán): This can mean "still" or "yet".

I仍然 haven't read that book.

依然 (Yīrán): Similar to 仍然, this also means still" or "yet" but it's usually used in more formal and literary works, whereas 仍然 is more often used in spoken language.

果然 (Guǒrán): 果然 can be used to mean "indeed" or "as expected"

This movie is 果然 interesting.

竟然 (Jìngrán): This is an adverb used to suggest surprise or something unexpected.

He竟然forgot her birthday.

显然 (Xiǎnrán): This means "clearly" or "obviously".

This soup 显然 hot.

偶然 (Ǒurán): This means "accidentally" or "by chance".

We 偶然 met at the same cafe.

How many other 然's do you know about? Drop a comment!

O- Verbs in Chinese

Here are some of the most commonly used O-verbs in Chinese!

Obey - 服从 (Fúcóng)

Object - 反对 (Fǎnduì)

Observe - 观察 (Guānchá)

Obtain - 获得 (Huòdé)

Occur - 发生 (Fāshēng)

Offer - 提供 (Tígōng)

Open - 打开 (Dǎkāi)

Optimize - 优化 (Yōuhuà)

Order - 命令 (Mìnglìng)

Order (at a restaurant) 点 (Diǎn)

Organize - 组织 (Zǔzhī)

Originate - 起源 (Qǐyuán）

Overcome - 克服 (Kèfú)

Overflow - 溢出 (Yìchū)

Overhaul - 检修 (Jiǎnxiū)

Overheat - 过热 (Guòrè)

Overlook - 忽视 (Hūshì)

Oversee - 监督 (Jiāndū）

Overthrow - 推翻 (Tuīfān)

Owe - 欠 (Qiàn)

Own - 拥有 (Yōngyǒu)

Outline - 概述 (Gàishù)

Yangs (扬) vs Changs (场) vs Tangs (汤)

These can get confusing, so here are some of the most common words that use this radical 昜 explained.

场 (chǎng)

A measure word for sports or leisure activities e.g. 一场足球比赛

A large place such as an open space, a field or a venue e.g. 会场 (a conference hall)

畅 (chàng)

An adjective meaning smooth or at ease or free from worry

A surname

玚 (cháng)

An old word (rarely used nowadays) meaning jade used in sacrificial ceremonies.

肠 (cháng)

Intestines or sausages

汤 (tāng)

Soup

Hot or boiling water

A surname

杨 (yáng)

A willow but it's more close to it's scientific name poplar in meaning

A surname

扬 (yáng)

To raise something e.g. 扬手

To toss or throw something up

A surname

炀 (yáng)

A literary term for smelting or melting something

旸 (yáng)

Sunshine or a rising sun

飏 (yáng)

To soar, fly or float

疡 (yáng)

A medical term for sores or an ulcer

钖 (yáng)

An ornament on a horse's head stall (oddly specific)

The totally normal feeling of buying an iced tea on a humid dizzy day from my chinese university's family mart whilst they have an old 2010s BigBang song (blue i think?) blaring in the background, instantly transporting me 9 years back to warm summer evenings listening to exactly the same music drinking a similar tea.

P-Verbs in Chinese

Most commonly used verbs starting with P in Chinese!

Participate - 参加 - cānjiā

Perform - 表演 - biǎoyǎn

Persuade - 劝说 - quànshuō

Plan - 计划 - jìhuà

Play - 玩 - wán

Point out - 指出 - zhǐchū

Prepare - 准备 - zhǔnbèi

Present - 展示 - zhǎnshì

Prevent - 防止 - fángzhǐ

Produce - 生产 - shēngchǎn

Promise - 承诺 - chéngnuò

Protect - 保护 - bǎohù

Provide - 提供 - tígōng

Publish - 发布 - fābù

Pull - 拉 - lā

Push - 推 - tuī

Put down - 放下 - fàngxià

Pay - 付款 - fùkuǎn

Practice - 练习 - liànxí

The 青 characters

Here's another post explaining the difference between characters with similar radicals, so here's a quick guide to 青!

请 (qǐng) 1. To ask, request 2. To treat (someone to a meal etc.)

清 (qīng) 1. To clean,clear

青 (qīng) 1. Green/blue color 2. An abbreviation for young people 年青人

情 (qíng) 1. A feeling, emotion

晴 (qíng) 1. Fine, clear e.g. Clear weather

静 (jìng) 1. Quiet, peacegul

睛 (jīng) 1. Eye, eyeball

猜 (cāi) 1. To guess, suspect, speculate

精 (jīng) 1. Energy, spirit, essence

靖 (jìng) 1. This also means quiet, peaceful but it's a more older form. 2. A surname

腈 (jīng) 1. Nitrile, acrylic

The 佥 Characters

A quick guide to the different characters using 佥!

脸 (liǎn) 1. Face 2. The front part of something e.g. a shop 3. Self-respect

险 (xiǎn) 1. Insurance e.g. Health insurance, car insurance 2. A place difficult to access

验 (yàn) 1. To check, test or inspect something e.g. a blood test, to check a passport

剑 (jiàn) 1. A sword, dagger or sabre

检 (jiǎn) 1. To check, inspect or examine something

签 (qiān) 1. To sign something e.g. a contract, a document

捡 (jiǎn) 1. To gather or collect something

俭 (jiǎn) 1. This is an adjective meaning frugal

睑 (jiǎn) 1. An eyelid: Upper eyelid - 上睑 Lower eyelid - 下睑

佥 (qiān) 1. This character isn't really used that often, but in classical Chinese it's used to mean together

Q-Verbs in Chinese

Most common q-verbs (not that many!) in Chinese!

Quantify - 量化 - liànghuà

Quarrel - 吵架 - chǎojià

Quash - 镇压 - zhènyā

Quench (thirst) - 解渴 - jiěkě

Question - 提问 - tíwèn

Quilt - 绗 - háng

Quit - 放弃 - fàngqì

A job - 辞去 - Cíqù

School - 退学 - Tuìxué

Quote - 引用 - yǐnyòng

Quell - 平息 - píngxī

R-Verbs in Chinese

Most commonly used verbs starting with R in Chinese!

Race - 竞赛 - jìngsài

Rage - 发怒 - fānù

Rain - 下雨 - xiàyǔ

Raise - 提高 - tígāo

Rank - 排名 - páimíng

Reach - 到达 - dàodá

Read - 读 - dú

Realize - 实现 - shíxiàn

Rebuild - 重建 - chóngjiàn

Recall - 回忆 - huíyì

Receive - 接受 - jiēshòu

Recognize - 认识 - rènshi

Recommend - 推荐 - tuījiàn

Recycle - 回收 - huíshōu

Redeem - 赎回 - shúhuí

Reduce - 减少 - jiǎnshǎo

Refer - 参考 - cānkǎo

Reflect - 反映 - fǎnyìng

Refuse - 拒绝 - jùjué

Regret - 后悔 - hòuhuǐ

Regulate - 调节 - tiáojié

Reinforce - 加强 - jiāqiáng

Rejoice - 庆幸 - qìngxìng

Relax - 放松 - fàngsōng

Rely - 依靠 - yīkào

Remember - 记得 - jìde

Remind - 提醒 - tíxǐng

Repair - 修理 - xiūlǐ

Repeat - 重复 - chóngfù

Replace - 替换 - tìhuàn

Reply - 回复 - huífù

Report - 报告 - bàogào

Request - 请求 - qǐngqiú

Require - 需要 - xūyào

Retire - 退休 - tuìxiū

Review

Learning material (revise) - 复习 - fùxí

A book - 评介 - píngjiè

Ride - 骑 - qí

Ring - 响 - xiǎng

Rise - 上升 - shàngshēng

Rotate - 旋转 - xuánzhuǎn

Ruin - 毁 - huǐ

Rule - 统治 - tǒngzhì

Run - 跑 - pǎo

S-Verbs in Chinese

(Reposting this again because something went really wrong with the editing, my apologies)

Most common Verbs in Chinese starting with S!

Satisfy - 满足 - mǎnzú

Save - 保存- bǎocún

Say - 说 - shuō

See -见 - jiàn

Seek - 寻找 - xúnzhǎo

Sell ​​- 卖 - mài

Send - 发送 - fāsòng

Serve - 服务 - fúwù

Settle - 解决 - jiějué

Scan - 扫描 - sǎomiáo

Scrape -刮 - guā

Shake - 摇 - yáo

Share - 分享 - fēnxiǎng

Shoot (a weapon) - 开枪 - kāi qiāng

Show (a performance) - 表现 - biǎoxiàn

Shrink - 缩小 - suōxiǎo

Shut (a window, door) - 关闭 - guānbì

Sing - 唱 - chàng

Sit - 坐 - zuò

Sleep - 睡觉 - shuìjiào

Slide - 滑 - huá

Stand up - 站起来 - zhàn qǐlái

Start - 开始 - kāishǐ

Stay - 留 - liu

Steal - 偷- tōu

Stick - 贴 - tiē

Stop - 停止 - tíngzhǐ

Stretch - 伸展 - shēnzhǎn

Strike - 打击 - dǎjí

Study - 学习 - xuéxí

Succeed - 成功 - chénggōng

Suffer - 受苦 - shòukǔ

Suggest - 建议 - jiànyì

Supply - 提供 - tígōng

Support - 支持 - zhīchí

Suppose - 假设 - jiǎshè

Survive - 生存 - sūngcún

Swear (to pledge) - 发誓 - fāshì

Sweat - 出汗 - chūhàn

Sweep -打扫 - dǎsǎo

Swim - 游泳 - yóuyǒng

Symbolize - 标志 - biāozhì

T - Verbs in Chinese

Tackle (an issue) - 处理 (chǔlǐ)

Take - 拿 (ná)

Talk - 说 (shuō)

Target - 瞄准 (miáozhǔn)

Teach - 教 (jiāo)

Tell - 告诉 (gàosù)

Terminate - 终止 (zhōngzhǐ)

Testify - 作证 (zuòzhèng)

Thank - 感谢 (gǎnxiè)

Think - 想 (xiǎng)

Threaten - 威胁 (wēixié)

Throw - 扔 (rēng)

Tie - 系 (jì)

Tighten - 紧 (jǐn)

Tolerate - 容忍 (róngrěn)

Touch - 触摸 (chùmō)

Train - 训练 (xùnliàn)

Transfer - 转移 (zhuǎnyí)

Transform - 转变 (zhuǎnbiàn)

Translate - 翻译 (fānyì)

Transmit - 传送 (chuánsòng)

Travel - 旅行 (lǚxíng)

Tremble - 颤抖 (chàndǒu)

Trigger - 触发 (chùfā)

Trust - 信任 (xìnrèn)

Try - 尝试 (chángshì)

Type - 打字 (dǎzì)