Worlds 1 and 2 (HSK 1 and 2) are perfect for beginners just starting their Chinese learning journey.

These worlds introduce a limited number of vocabulary words, focusing on the most essential words and phrases you’ll need to communicate about basic topics. In addition, you’ll learn how to introduce yourself, ask for directions, order food, and more – all of which are essential for getting around and interacting with people in China.

In addition to introducing essential vocabulary, these worlds also provide a solid foundation for the next worlds, helping you get a feel for the structure and grammar of the language. You’ll learn basic sentence structures and how to conjugate verbs in Chinese (you’ll see it is different than other languages), which will set you up for success as you move on to more advanced topics.

Worlds 1 and 2 are great starting points for anyone looking to learn Chinese and get a feel for the language. With time and regular practice, you’ll be able to communicate about basic topics and build a strong foundation for your Chinese learning journey.

World 3 (HSK3): An important milestone in your Chinese learning journey

World 3 (HSK3) is an intermediate-level world that builds on the foundation you’ve established in Worlds 1 and 2. In this world, you’ll learn more vocabulary words and encounter more complex grammar structures, which will help you express yourself more accurately and fluently in Chinese. In addition, you’ll learn how to use different times, form complex questions, and use more advanced sentence structures, all of which will help you express yourself more accurately and fluently in Chinese.

By completing World 3, you’ll have a much richer understanding of the Chinese language and be able to read (somewhat) easy Chinese newspaper articles. In addition, you’ll be able to understand more complex sentences and ideas and express your thoughts and opinions more clearly. This is an important milestone in your Chinese learning journey, as it marks the point at which you’re able to engage with more advanced texts and materials in Chinese.

Overall, World 3 is an important step in your Chinese learning journey, as it helps you build a more advanced foundation for the language and prepares you for more advanced topics. With time and regular practice, you’ll be able to progress through this world and continue to build your Chinese skills.

World 4 (HSK4): A high level of Chinese proficiency 

World 4 (HSK4) is an intermediate and advanced-level world that builds on the skills you’ve developed in previous worlds. In this world, you’ll be able to discuss a wide range of subjects and confidently use all essential grammar points and structures. In addition, you’ll learn how to express your thoughts and opinions more effectively, ask for and give advice, and use more advanced vocabulary and grammar structures to convey more complex ideas.

By the time you complete World 4, you’ll have a high level of Chinese proficiency and be able to understand most of a Chinese show. You’ll be able to engage in more advanced conversations with Chinese speakers and express yourself fluently and accurately. Chinese people will consider your Chinese excellent if you can complete this world, and you’ll be able to communicate about a wide range of topics with ease.

Overall, World 4 is an essential milestone in your Chinese learning journey, as it marks the point at which you’ve developed a high proficiency in the language. With time and regular practice, you’ll be able to progress through this world and continue to build your Chinese skills, eventually reaching fluency.

World 5 (HSK5): Encounter a wide range of topics and situations

World 5 (HSK5) is an advanced-level world that builds on the skills you’ve developed in previous worlds. This world includes more challenging vocabulary and will help you understand everything in a show or difficult newspaper article. You’ll learn to use more advanced grammar structures and idiomatic expressions and encounter a wide range of challenging vocabulary words that will help you express yourself more accurately and fluently in Chinese.

By the time you complete World 5, you’ll have reached a high level of Chinese proficiency and be able to understand most spoken and written Chinese. You’ll be able to engage in advanced conversations with Chinese speakers and understand more complex texts and materials. If you can complete this world, you can consider yourself fluent in Chinese – meow!

Overall, World 5 is an important step in your Chinese learning journey, as it helps you develop a high level of proficiency in the language and prepares you for more advanced topics. With time and regular practice, you’ll be able to progress through this world and continue to build your Chinese skills, eventually reaching fluency.

World 6 (HSK6): A great way to further refine your skills and take your Chinese to an even higher level

World 6 (HSK6) is the last world being developed and will focus on high-level vocabulary and idioms, with fewer grammar points but more cultural elements in the dialogues. This world is designed for advanced learners who want to take their Chinese to the next level and become proficient in the more complex and idiomatic language.

In this world, you’ll encounter a wide range of challenging vocabulary words and idiomatic expressions that will help you express yourself more accurately and fluently in Chinese. You’ll also learn more about Chinese culture and customs, which will help you better understand and communicate with Chinese speakers.

While World 6 is more challenging than the previous worlds, it will take your Chinese to an even higher level and help you develop a high level of proficiency in the language. 

Overall, World 6 is an exciting new addition to the Ninchanese curriculum and is an excellent way for advanced learners to take their Chinese to the next level.

The other courses: get specific

But that’s not all – Ninchanese also has unique worlds that cater to specific interests or needs. The Chinese Phrasebook, for example, is an excellent resource for anyone traveling to China, as it covers essential phrases and real-life situations. Here’s the stand-alone app.  And the Chinese Character Universe world is a fun and interactive way to learn Chinese characters.

So whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there’s something for everyone on Ninchanese. With time and regular practice, you’ll be able to learn all the characters, grammar, and tones and have fun doing it. Just remember to stay motivated (as we say in Chinese: 加油!), and don’t be afraid to explore different worlds and see what interests you.

We hope you find this information helpful and encourage you to check out our curriculum at https://ninchanese.com/chinese-curriculum-hsk1-beginner-basic-speaker/ to learn more. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us – we’re here to help you on your Chinese learning journey!

Wishing you all the best, 

Jean-Rémi

 Ninchanese co-founder

The post A Guide to the Chinese Learning Levels Courses on Ninchanese appeared first on Ninchanese.

From 漫画, màn huà, inspired by the classic ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ to the modern-day ‘The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation (one of my personal favorites), there’s something for everyone. So whether you’re a long-time fan or just getting started, here are the top 10 Chinese manhuas of all time!

Before we dive in: Discover a Manhua and Donghua course

You’ll find these names in the Manhua course on Ninchanese too. There is a lot of specific lingo to know when going into the Manhua genre. It can sometimes be difficult to understand what’s going on, so we selected the essential Chinese vocabulary to know to understand Manhuas and Donhuas and made it available for everyone.

Top 10 Chinese Manhuas

All of these manhuas are not really beginner friendly. They require an intermediate to advanced level of Chinese. But I’ve found one less difficult! Head to the 11th bonus to discover which one it is!

1. 天官赐福 – Tiān guān cì fú – Heaven Official’s Blessing

You can read the manhua on Manga Bilibili

800 years ago, Xie Lian was a noble Crown Prince who ascended and became a god with tens of thousands of worshippers. However, he was demoted again and again and fell to rock bottom. Finally, 800 years later, Xie Lian ascended again, taking a mysterious young man home – the Ghost King Hua Cheng.

2. 原来你在这里 – Yuánlái nǐ zài zhèlǐ – Here U Are

You can read the manhua on Dongmanmanhua

Yang Yu meets Huan Li, a new student with a daunting presence. Despite Huan Li’sLi’s cold attitude towards him, Yang Yu believes their encounter will change his perspective on life and maybe even love.

3. 魔道祖师 – Módào zǔshī – The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation

You can read the manhua on Kuaikan manhua

Wei Wuxian, the Yiling Patriarch, is summoned in a madman’s body and finds himself in Mo Village. There, he meets Lan Wangji. They investigate the mystery of a dismembered arm leaking demonic energy linked to Wei Wuxian’sWuxian’s past. Along the way, they face friends and enemies from Wei Wuxian’sWuxian’s past.

4. 長歌行 – Chánggē xíng – Song of the Long March

You can read the manhua on manhwatop

Song of the Long March follows the story of Princess Yongning, who survives a coup d’état that kills her family and then takes on the identity of Li Chang Ge. She moves to the Shou province and uses her wits to gain the trust of the Shou emperor, quickly climbing the military ranks as a brilliant strategist. The story follows her journey, full of countless adventures, friendships, and enemies.

5. SQ从你的名字开始 – SQ : cóng nǐ de míngzì kāishǐ – SQ: Begin W/Your Name!

You can read the manhua on QQ Manhua

Sun Jing has a crush on Qiu Tong, a cute girl she sees at the bus station. Finally, Sun Jing musters up the courage to introduce herself, and they become friends. Sun Jing is determined to make Qiu Tong smile and hopes her genuine kindness will eventually win her over.

6. 南号尚风 – Nán hào shàng fēng – Nanhao Shangfeng

You can read the manhua on QQ Manhua

Nanhao and Shangfeng are two high school boys who have been best friends since childhood. They experience the highs and lows of teenage life together as they navigate the ups and downs of their friendship and the world around them.

7. 19天 – 19 tiān – 19 Days

You can read the manhua on QQ Manhua

Five high school boys (Jianyi, Zhan Zhengxi, Fa Xiao, He Tian, and Mo Guan Shan) grow up together. They formed a solid friendship and go through many funny and life-changing experiences.

8. 封神紀 I & II & III – Fēng shén jì I & II & III – Gods and Monsters: Feng Shen Ji I & II & III

You can read the manhua on 98 comic

The gods sent a messenger to Zhao Ge, but the Shang dynasty emperor Zi Zhou refused to bow his head and declared his independence. In response, Wu Jifa of a neighboring land leads a crusade against the Shang. Zhao joins the fight, but a god intervenes and confronts him directly.

9. 独领风骚 – Dú lǐng fēngsāo – The one

You can read the manhua on 18p

Lele is born into the fashion industry but hates it due to the tragic loss of her parents. She is reluctantly drawn into modeling by her mother’s sister but finds inspiration in American model Angus Lanson. When Lele meets Angus and his twin brother Eros, she embarks on a journey to become a top model in New York City and perhaps find love.

10. 火凤燎原 – Huǒ fèng liáoyuán – The Ravages of Time

You can read the manhua on Manhua gui

Ravages of Time is an adaptation of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, focusing on the fortunes of Liu Bei, Cao Cao, the Sun family, and the Sima family. The Sima family is a successful and wealthy merchant family, led by the young Sima Yi, who has a knack for finding profitable business ventures. However, they also have a sinister side, commanding the Handicapped Warriors, a group of mercenary assassins who are reputed to be infallible.

11. 罗小黑战记 – Luō xiǎo hēi zhàn jì – The legend of Hei

You can read the manhua on Manga Bilibili

Luo Xiaohei, a cat spirit, is separated from the other spirits when humans deforest his home. He meets Wuxian, a human, and goes on a journey to learn to control his abilities and form his own opinion on whether to side with the spirits or humans.

And if you want to see the Donghua (the animated version), you can head here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNHcgyx2Cdw&list=PLK-ys7c4EcnrR4UiA9n1hRox8b0EJ88gx&index=2&ab_channel=JuneJacobs)

And one more thing…

If you want to continue learning Chinese with authentic and entertaining content, then you’ll love Ninchanese.

With Ninchanese, you get a complete method to learn Chinese, which has you speaking, reading, writing, and more in Chinese. What’s more, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there’s content your level on Ninchanese and plenty more!

Start using Ninchanese on the web, with your computer or tablet, or on your phone with the Android app.

Enjoy!

Jean-Rémi

&

The Nincha Team

Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Try the best way to learn Chinese today.
Ninchanese is free to use!

Sign up now

The post Top 10 Manhua of all time to read in Chinese appeared first on Ninchanese.

Early last year, in 2021, the Chinese Testing Center sent the Chinese learning world into a frenzy.

They announced there would be a new HSK 3.0. 9 new HSK levels instead of the 6 existing ones, a full revamp of the content in each level, and a whopping addition of 3,000 words to learn. The new HSK 3.0 promised to bring with it a lot of changes for Chinese learners everywhere.

Related: Read all about the rumors and facts surrounding the new HSK 3.0

A key date in the introduction of the new HSK 3.0 was: March 2022.

What was supposed to happen to the HSK in March 2022?

In March 2022, as we wrote here, testing for the higher levels (HSK 7, HSK 8, and HSK 9) would officially start.

But… April 1st went by, and this was no April fool’s joke: there was nothing new regarding the new HSK 3.0. Higher-level tests had definitely not started. The most advanced HSK level was still HSK 6.

Related: Learn HSK 6 with the complete HSK 6 Course on Ninchanese.

Granted, Covid and the pandemic have put a foil on everyone’s plans and delayed many things. So, quite understandably, March 2022 was a deadline that wasn’t met.

Fast forward to now (November 2022), and the situation is pretty much the same. Almost. Things are slowly changing. Finally!

Update on HSK 3.0 November 2022: Mostly nothing new for HSK 1-6 BUT some news

So far, there has been no news on a possible new release date for HSK 3.0 for levels 1 through 6.

No official testing material, no official lists aside from what was released last year as part of the “Standard” for learning.

So don’t believe all the sites that say they have an update: there’s none. Or, actually, that’s the update. HSK 1 to 6 will remain exactly the same as they are now.

I repeat: no changes to come in the next 2 to 3 years regarding the HSK 1-6. They will remain exactly the same.

What does that mean?

This means the HSK 2.0 is still the most up-to-date system of Chinese proficiency tests. HSK 1 through HSK 6  tests won’t be changing, and HSK 1-6 learning content won’t be modified.

Your test results are still valid. Phew!  Plus, purrfect news: you can prepare for all HSK levels on Ninchanese! From HSK 1 to HSK 6, we’ve got you for all your Chinese learning needs.

That’s the official word: no HSK 3.0 in sight, for now, for levels HSK1 to 6. In 2 to 3 years, there’ll be a “gradual adaptation of the HSK 1-6 levels to meet the new “Standards”. No deadline has been given for that, either. Wait and see, people, wait and see.

Of course, we’ll keep monitoring the situation. So in the meantime, relax. Keep on studying as you have been.

We will be the first to let you know if anything changes on that HSK 3.0 front. In a couple of years.

HOWEVER.

Drumroll please….

Testing begins for HSK 7, HSK 8 and HSK 9

There’s finally news regarding the new advanced HSK 7 to 9 levels.

The very first HSK 7-9 “test” test is said to have taken place! On November 26th, 2022, to be precise.

Yes, test singular, since it’s one single test for all three new levels. Then, based on your results, you’re told which new HSK level you belong to.

Here’s an official description of the HSK 7 to 9 test’s goals (link in Mandarin Chinese), and more info about the test format.

That’s all we know so far.

What else is new HSK? (April 2022 update)

That doesn’t mean, though, that nothing else is new in the HSK World!

What’s new (since the end of 2021) is that you can take your HSK test at home, from the comfort of your own living room. That’s, of course, if you don’t have an HSK testing center nearby. For details and calendar dates of upcoming HSK Tests, read this.

When taking the home version of the HSK, what’s also new is there’s an HSK Speaking test now to take. Not to worry, Ninchanese also prepares you to speak Chinese, so you’re covered.

Lastly, we’re also very proud to announce that you can now prepare for the complete HSK 6 on NInchanese! Wet finished adding the very last HSK 6 content, and it’s all there for you to study!

The Nincha Team

Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Try the best way to learn Chinese today.
Ninchanese is free to use!

Sign up now

The post HSK 3.0 November 2022 Update: Did the new HSK 3.0 come out? appeared first on Ninchanese.

So cheer up and let’s keep learning!

1. China might be closed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t visit other Chinese-speaking places.

Yeah, waiting for China to reopen is taking a while. But, hey, there are plenty of Chinese-speaking places in the world. The great news is that some have reopened already!

The meowsome Gardens by the Bay in Singapore are another good reason to learn Chinese – Photo by Isaac Matthew 

Did you know Singapore, for instance, has the Chinese language as one of its official languages? Plus you can travel there again.
Taiwan is slowly reopening too. There’s still a quarantine, true, but it’s being regularly shortened. Here’s to hoping there’ll be none one day soon! With the fact you can now learn in Traditional Chinese on Ninchanese, you have everything you need to get ready to go!

Related: Simplified or Traditional Chinese: which should you learn?

2. China might be far but there are plenty of occasions to speak Chinese around you.

Next to English and Spanish, Chinese is the most spoken language in the world.
So, look around you. You’re bound to find occasions to speak Chinese. To hear Chinese.
Chinatowns. Stores. People.

DC’s Chinatown is one of the many places you can go to practice speaking Chinese – Photo by Richard Tao

Go talk! There are plenty of occasions, everywhere! Just the other day, I chatted a good hour with the salespeople in a Chinese tea shop in Bangkok’s Chinatown.

Finding occasions to speak in Chinese, when you’re learning, is essential. Otherwise, you get rusty! Believe me, from experience, getting a chance to speak in Mandarin, if anything, will act as a great motivation to review what you’ve learned in Chinese so far and practice some more in Chinese!

Did you know, for instance, that Richmond, Canada has a 74% Asian population? It has the highest concentration of Chinese nationals outside of China. Why not schedule a trip there?

And if there are no real occasions where you live, go online. Learn Chinese online. Find people to talk to online. Come chat in Chinese on our Discord chat. Game in Chinese with Chinese speakers. Find yourself an online pen pal. The options are endless, you just have to go looking for them!

Related: What is the Chinese language?

3. It’s good for you from an economic point of view

What’s the downside to knowing an additional language in the job market? None, really.
What’s the downside to knowing the language spoken by one of the biggest economic powers in the world? Even more non-existent. In fact, it’s another meowsome reason to learn Chinese!

China’s brand new skyscrapers – Photo by Road Trip with Raj

From working in China to working with China, to working with Chinese people, for Chinese people, in Chinese, you have plenty of options.
Do you want to do business with China? Have Chinese suppliers?
Do you want to do translations? Interpretation?
In all those fields and many others, knowing Mandarin Chinese, and Business Chinese is a huge plus. So get your learning on!

Related: Explore the Chinese Business course on Ninchanese and get ready to do business in Chinese! 

Liking these reasons to learn Chinese so far? Here’s more!

4. It allows you to see the world from a different perspective

By learning the Chinese language, you’re opening yourself up to a different way of seeing the world, of perceiving it.

See the world differently. Photo by Yiran Ding

Learning Mandarin Chinese helps you have a different world approach. Concepts and ideas are expressed differently in Chinese.

It can be small things, like the fact you don’t “take” medicine, for instance, you “eat” it in Chinese ((You 吃药). And bigger things. For example, the Chinese sentence order is wildly different from, say, the way sentences are shaped in English.
Or the fact that you and me, we might think “I” and point to ourselves. We’re used to thinking solo. A Chinese speaker, when tasked with drawing “I”, the self, might, on the contrary, draw themselves surrounded by others. The concept of “self” is a little different in the Middle Kingdom.

It’s the little details like that that give you insights into how the Chinese people think. Personally, I find that endlessly fascinating. It’s definitely one of the reasons I’ve never stopped learning Chinese.

Plus, if expanding your understanding of cultural differences wasn’t your cup of tea, seeing the world in a different way helps you grow your critical thinking skills. With all the fake news and conspiracy theories swirling around, you (and we all) seriously need that…

5. It’s good for your brain

Learning any language is wonderful for your brain. It develops new areas of your mind and, in particular, strengthens your natural ability to focus and process information.

Learn Chinese and fire up your brain connections! – Photo by Moritz Kindler

Mandarin Chinese, with its beautiful characters and lack of alphabet? It’s like acid for the brain. In a meowsome, wonderful way. It creates in your brain all those new connections. Purrfect to form and strengthen your brain. Go for it.

For instance, a 2003 study found that people who speak Mandarin Chinese use both temporal lobes of their brains to understand the language.  In contrast, English speakers only use the left temporal lobe. Unlock a whole new temporal lobe!

There are plenty of other reasons for learning Mandarin that are good for your brain:

• It keeps your brain healthy. No neural network degradation for you, good person!
• It helps form good thinking patterns in your brain.
• It develops new areas of your mind and utilizes other parts of your brain.
• Some studies say it even helps with math skills!

What’s not to like?

Related: Why learn Mandarin Chinese, the language of Confucius?

6. Chinese culture and history are still very cool

You can’t visit the huge country that is China at the moment, sure. But China still has an extremely interesting history and culture you can explore from afar and learn more about.

There’s a lot to love in Chinese culture aesthetically. Photo by Sahil Pandita

From a rich culture, which led to some amazing inventions for instance, to epic historical events, there’s a lot to discover. And why not do that in Chinese directly? That’s a great reason to learn Chinese!

Related: 10 amazing inventions you didn’t know were Chinese
All you need to know about Chinese dynasties

If you like the idea of learning more about Chinese history but aren’t into history books or museums, there are many many historical C-dramas, as well as youtubers you can check out! Also, check out Ninchanese where you’ll learn Chinese culture as you learn Chinese!

Related: 8 Vloggers to watch to learn more about Chinese culture

7. Reason to learn Chinese: You gain access to a whole new world of content and culture

There’s a large quantity of high-quality Chinese-language content out there, you just need to know how to find it!

From Music to Games, to Movies, to Art, to books… there are a lot of Chinese-speaking artists to discover.

Related: 30 Chinese celebrities to know about

On TV, Cdramas and Taiwanese dramas have a lot of fans, and rightly so!

Related: 10 popular TV shows to improve your Chinese

Romantic and historical C-dramas get their fair share of fans, and  Chinese Wuxia and XianXia are also two media genres that are very popular.

Related: Platforms to watch Chinese videos.
Films to watch

Music and books

In books, there’s a lot to discover too! From Chinese classics like the JingPing Mei, or… to science fiction novels, China and Chinese-language artists have a lot to offer. Take the time to explore!

If you’re more a fan of video games, lots of great offers there too.

 8. Beautiful language Chinese characters

Mandarin Chinese is an amazing language, and its Chinese characters are endlessly fascinating.

There’s the fact Chinese is the oldest written language in the world, dating back to over 4000 years ago.

There’s the fact there’s no alphabet, and that Chinese characters are usually logical. Most Chinese characters contain components and a phonetic component. There are also many opportunities for art with Chinese characters, especially Chinese calligraphy.

In short, Chinese characters are an excellent reason to learn the Chinese language. At the very least, explore the language!
Chinese characters also enable very intriguing poetry to exist. Ever heard of the poem composed only of the sound “shi”? It has a meaning, of course, and is written using many different characters!

9. [Insert your own reason to learn Chinese]

Here’s a secret. All that matters is that you find pleasure in knowing the language.

Truth be told, you don’t need a specific good reason to keep learning a language. You need yours. All you need is to want to learn it. If the language interests you, you’re golden. No need for a huge, lofty goal. It can be a very small goal. Or even, just the fact you derive pleasure from learning and knowing the language.
So find what motivates you and keep learning! Everyone has their own reason to learn Chinese.
Whatever your reason, we’re here to help you learn Mandarin Chinese! It’s all happening on Ninchanese.

And one more thing…

If you want to continue learning Chinese with authentic and entertaining content, then you’ll love Ninchanese.

With Ninchanese, you get a complete method to learn Chinese which has you speaking, reading, writing, and more in Chinese. What’s more, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there’s content your level on Ninchanese and plenty more!

Start using Ninchanese on the web, with your computer or tablet, or on your phone with the Android app.

The Nincha Team

Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Try the best way to learn Chinese today.
Ninchanese is free to use!

Sign up now

The post 9 meowsome reasons to still learn Chinese even though China is CLOSED appeared first on Ninchanese.

One of the most famous poems written in Classical Chinese is The “Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den”. It’s renowned for being composed of only one sound. One sound! The sound “shi”.

Is it a poem or a tongue-twister?

On the one hand, this text deserves to be called a poem. It still manages to use different characters and mean something!

On the other hand, as a one-sound poem, with lots of different tones, it also interestingly becomes quite the tongue twister.

When you’re learning Chinese, tongue twisters are always a challenge and a great way to practice your tones, so let’s explore this one!

Facts about the “Shi shi Shi” poem

• Often informally referred to as the “shi shi shi” poem, the poem’s full name in English is: “The Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den“.
• This poem’s name, in Chinese characters, is 施氏食獅史. In Pinyin, that would be “Shī shì shí shī shǐ.”
• This text was composed by the Chinese-American linguist, scholar, and poet Yuen Ren Chao in the 1930s. Mr. Chao also significantly contributed to the modern study of Chinese grammar.
• The sound “shi” is the only sound in the poem. You find it 94 times (in some versions, there are only 92). Only the tones differ. That’s right!
• Mr. Chao wrote this poem as a linguistic demonstration.
• Therefore, the poem shows that writing a one-syllable text that means something is possible.
• That’s because Chinese is a tonal language.  So, the same syllable can have a different tone and correspond to a different character. Pawwsitively fascinating.

A one-sound poem that makes sense… in writing

This short narrative poem is written in Classical Chinese.

What is Classical Chinese? Also called Literary Chinese, or 古文, Classical Chinese is the written form of Old Chinese. It was used for literature and all formal texts, from the 5th century BC to the 2nd century AD, end of the Han Dynasty. It actually continued being used as a literary language, for all formal writings, until the 20th century! 

Since Classical Chinese is a written language, this poem makes a lot of sense in writing.

That’s because different Chinese characters compose it. More importantly, you have no trouble getting its meaning when you read it. That is if you’re somewhat familiar with Classical Chinese, which is a lot more condensed than modern Chinese.

Why did its composer write this poem as a “one sound poem”?

The poet behind this clever text wanted to make a linguistic demonstration. So, to create a fun tongue-twister of a poem with just one sound, he used the fact the Chinese language is full of homophones (i.e., words that sound the same but mean different things). When read in modern Mandarin, every syllable sounds the same: “shi”.

In other words: if you read this poem out loud, orally, it becomes challenging to understand.

In the same vein, if you try to read it in pinyin, you won’t be able to understand it either. That’s why it’s important to learn Chinese characters

Read the whole one-sound poem in Mandarin Chinese

Stone lions – Photo by Michael Myers.

《施氏食狮史》
石室诗士施氏，嗜狮，誓食十狮。

氏时时适市视狮。

十时，适十狮适市。

是时，适施氏适市。

氏视是十狮，恃矢势，使是十狮逝世。

氏拾是十狮尸，适石室。

石室湿，氏使侍拭石室。

石室拭，氏始试食是十狮。

食时，始识是十狮尸，实十石狮尸。

试释是事。

As this poem is written in Classical Chinese, it’s good to know that it was composed using single characters rather than the double characters that are more commonly found in modern Chinese.

Let’s see the poem in pinyin now, just for fun.

Read the one-sound poem in pinyin

« Shī Shì shí shī shǐ »

Shíshì shīshì Shī Shì, shì shī, shì shí shí shī.

Shì shíshí shì shì shì shī.

Shí shí, shì shí shī shì shì.

Shì shí, shì Shī Shì shì shì.

Shì shì shì shí shī, shì shǐ shì, shǐ shì shí shī shìshì.

Shì shí shì shí shī shī, shì shíshì.

Shíshì shī, Shì shǐ shì shì shíshì.

Shíshì shì, Shì shǐ shì shí shì shí shī.

Shí shí, shǐ shí shì shí shī shī, shí shí shí shī shī.

Shì shì shì shì.

That made a lot of sense, right? I told you it was going to be fun!

What does this poem mean?

Okay, now, it’s time to prove that this one-sound poem actually means something! Here’s the translation of the Poem in English.

« The Lion-Eating Poet in the Stone Den »

In a stone den was a poet called Shi Shi, who was a lion addict and had resolved to eat ten lions.

He often went to the market to look for lions.

At ten o’clock, ten lions had just arrived at the market.

At that time, Shi had just arrived at the market.

He saw those ten lions and, using his trusty arrows, caused the ten lions to die.

He brought the corpses of the ten lions to the stone den.

The stone den was damp. So he asked his servants to wipe it.

After wiping the stone den, he tried to eat those ten lions.

When he ate, he realized that these ten lions were, in fact, ten stone lion corpses.

Try to explain this matter.

See? This poem is full of meaning! The poor poet thought he would eat, only to find stones instead!

Hear it read out loud

Ready to test yourself? Here’s what you can do:
1. Practice your Chinese pronunciation with the many dialogues and speaking stages on Ninchanese
2. Try reading this one-sound poem aloud and see how good your tones are!

Have fun, little dragons!

And one more thing…

If you want to continue learning Chinese with authentic and entertaining content, then you’ll love Ninchanese.

With Ninchanese, you get a complete method to learn Chinese, which has you speaking, reading, writing, and more in Chinese. What’s more, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there’s content your level on Ninchanese and plenty more!

Start using Ninchanese on the web, with your computer or tablet, or on your phone with the Android app.

The Nincha Team

Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Try the best way to learn Chinese today.
Ninchanese is free to use!

Sign up now

The post “The Lion-Eating Poet”: the meowsome one-sound poem you can only read appeared first on Ninchanese.

In this article, we will explore the best practices to do business in China. We will discuss the importance of the culture, the economy, the government, and finally, we will see the importance of the Chinese people and how it can affect the way we do business.

At Ninchanese, we made a special Chinese business course to follow. You will experiment with doing business in China and learn key concepts to work in China in a Chinese environment successfully. You’ll take your post as a project manager. From there, you’ll see every part of conducting business, from meeting customers to delivering goods. It is one of the best ways to learn how to do business in China, as you can see in the curriculum (and one of the cheapest ways too). And if you want to know more about it before starting this course, you can read the description page of the course Doing Business in China.

The Chinese market is enormous, and there are many ways to do business in China, and also disastrous faux-pas. So we’ll brush up on the state-of-the-art of doing business in China that you’ll be happy to apply directly. 

• What is Chinese business etiquette?
• How do I avoid difficulty doing business in China?
• How to get a visa to work in China?
• How to start doing business in China if you’re not in China yet?
• How to get a visa to work in China?
• Do you need a visa to do business in China?
• What are the business advantages of learning Chinese?
• Which language will be the business language of the future?
• Should you approach companies directly or go through an intermediate?
• Free (or not too expensive) ways to approach Chinese companies?
• How to start a conversation with Chinese companies and people?
• When are Chinese companies open?
• How to get dressed for business in China?
• The business card is utterly more important in China than in the West.
• How to use business cards in China during meetings?
• What about bringing a gift to your potential business partner?
• How do Chinese companies conduct meetings in China?
• How to address different people and hierarchies?
• The importance of face
• What does it mean to use your guanxi?
• Are we obliged to go to the restaurant with the Chinese Business Partner?
• Are the Chinese Direct? Are they frank or secretive?
• Should I speak Chinese with Chinese partners?
• What are good manners with Chinese People?
• Should we drink alcohol during business?
• How to avoid drinking too much without losing face?
• Who should pay for the restaurant in China during Business?
• How to continue the conversation after your first meeting?
• How to work with Chinese colleagues?

What is Chinese business etiquette?

The people of China are very different from Western people, I would say boldly. They may look seemingly similar, but they are different, and it’s essential to know the difference and subtilities. They have different views on the world, different cultures (and very ancient), different values, and different ways of doing things. Therefore, it is essential to truly understand the Chinese people and how their business culture can affect the way we do business.

Before going on and doing big things in China, there are a few rules that will lead you to greater success:

1. Learn how to use the local Chinese language to communicate with Chinese professionals. (Tip: Use ninchanese.com)
2. Take some time to learn and respect the traditional culture, faith, customs, and Chinese history.
3. It would be best if you also understood the recent treaties, policies, phenomena, and historical events to familiarize yourself with the latest trends of China.
4. Lastly, try to know all your partners, colleagues, clients, and other persons involved in your field of work.

How do I avoid difficulty doing business in China?

If you want to work in China or with China, it’s natural to learn the Chinese language and the Chinese business language because it’s not the same knowledge. When we made our course based on actual present dialogues, we were surprised to see that much of the terminology used in the course is not in the HSK. So learning the language is essential, but it’s especially crucial to understand the business lingo. And more specifically, you’ll have to know the Chinese vocabulary for your field of work (or market). But, still, having a high-level HSK will also great you with a better visa. This can be interesting in the long term, we’ll see more about the visa system later.

Second, read the rest of the article and master Chinese business etiquette because if you do not master either, your attempt to do business in China will fail very soon.

It’s really about knowledge is power, and the environment in China is very complex. So it would help if you won the trust of people before you can do business in China. And you will win their trust partly by knowing and understanding them.

How to get a visa to work in China?

In the situation where you did find a job in China and need to move there, you’ll need a work visa. Well, It’s an important question, but I’m not a visa specialist, so first I recommend you go to the website of the Chinese Embassy of your country. You’ll need to put together some documents before you can apply for a visa and be able to travel to China for business purposes. And then you usually have to go to the Embassy to process your application; then they will tell you to get it when it’s ready. You’ll be granted a level visa.

You can get a B, A, Z, or R visa depending on your profile. For example,  to get an A-level Visa, you must get 85 points and for example, having the HSK 5 is the one that will give you the most point (5 points). Having the HSK 6 won’t give you more points. There are quite a few things that will give you points, the age, the salary level, and your Mandarin Skills: here’s a Visa level simulation. But while having a high-level visa is good to get a better level visa in the future, you will be totally fine with a B grade visa to work in China. I highly recommend the blog article of Andy Boreham speaking about his experience on Visa.

Do you need a visa to do business in China?

You don’t need a work visa but a China “M” business visa. M business visas are issued for commercial and trade activities. If you need to go to China for less than 3 months to visit clients, or meeting with business partners, and attend trade fairs, then an M business visa is easier to get and what you need. If you have an American nationality, you may be eligible for a 10-year multiple entry visa.

What are the business advantages of learning Chinese? 

The Chinese economy is rapidly developing and is an important global trading partner. The Chinese language has the most significant number of speakers of any language globally, which means that learning Chinese can lead to business opportunities in China. More than 2.3 million Chinese students study English. Still, English speakers have few opportunities to study Chinese, which means that learning Chinese can be a path to future opportunities in business and trade.

Which language will be the business language of the future?

It is not possible to predict this with any certainty. The common language of international business is, at present, English. However, this may be superseded by an Asian language, especially if the influence of the Asian countries continues to grow. The use of English as the language of business has been facilitated by the fact that the countries of the Commonwealth have become important trading partners. However, the same may not be true in the future.

It is possible, even likely, that there will be trading blocks formed in the future, which Asian countries will dominate. If this were to happen, it is most likely that Chinese would become the common language of international business.

How to start doing business in China if you’re not in China yet?

If you are not in China, the most straightforward way to know Chinese companies in your sector is by going to your local commerce chamber. They already have specialists that will help you get connected with Chinese businesses.

Some other private companies, or independent consultants, can also help you get started and get a few meetings. Be sure to define the scope of your activity and what you want to do with them. Be straightforward with the specialist on how you’d like to work with them and your goal in China. 

I have used these services, and it’s a fast method to get contacts and meetings with China-based enterprises. But, beware, I’ll say that it’s better to drive well how the specialist works. China has millions of companies, so explain to them what kind of company you want to see as precisely as possible. It will help them identify businesses looking like the one you would like to see. So don’t rest, and continue working alongside them to get the most result out of your trip. A few calls regularly will help you know how things are going. Your time is precious, and you can see only a limited number of enterprises.

Entering the Chinese market is not that difficult. It won’t be hard to organize your business trip with a trustworthy organization, a good product, and a good knowledge of your general market.

Should you approach companies directly or go through an intermediate?

It’s a legit question, and we can be tempted to do it ourselves as we do in our country, but I recommend you go through an intermediate. Why? Because Chinese companies like to get advice from a trusted partner and often favor word of mouth over cold calls. You will also save time identifying companies, and they can get appointments you only have dreamt possible.

Free (or not too expensive) ways to approach Chinese companies?

One great way to make contact is trade fairs. There are many trade fairs in China, and they are huge, with many companies presenting their products. So you’ll find a lot of companies there. And if you introduce yourself to a company in your field and make a good connection with them, there are great chances that they will help you get to the businesses you want to work with.

The Chambers of Commerce often do events with companies involved. You’ll meet other entrepreneurs, but it can also be challenging to find a relevant partner there.

The most well know Fair in China are Canton Fair, Yiwu Trade Fair, Beijing Auto Show, the Bauma Fair, and the Shanghai Import and Export Commodity Fair.

You can also use a professional app like Maimai to connect directly with people, a bit the same way LinkedIn works but for Chinese professionals.

How to start a conversation with Chinese companies and people? 

They’ll grace you with a smile. That’s typically how a conversation starts in China. And they expect you to be smiling too. You can then handshake but look attentively at your counterpart to check if they are used to handshakes. It’s common to say hi without any touch in China, and that’s ok, don’t take it personally. And you don’t need to bow, but if they do it, well, you can.

When you address Chinese people, it’s common to start with their titles and follow them by their last names. But, compared to the Western way of naming oneself, keep in mind that it’s the opposite in China: so the surname comes first, followed by the first name.

When are Chinese companies open?

It’s a fundamental question but always good to know. Chinese enterprises are often open from Monday to Friday and start working from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It’s pretty normal to have a 2 hours break at noon, so don’t expect to get someone on the phone during these hours or make a reservation for a meeting.

How to get dressed for business in China?

You’ll generally see your interlocutors dress in “smart” apparel in a business meeting in China. You can expect to see classic black suits with a colorful tie for men and a traditional black dress for women. It’s not always true for ladies; if they have a high-level position in the company, they will dress with expensive clothes. So be sure to match your interlocutor’s grade and dress accordingly.

People can dress more relaxed, fashionably, or eccentrically in an innovative space like computer engineering, start-ups, or creative fields like art. But, even if they dress more casually, they do it with style and keep their look professional. So here again, go with the trend and dress like them.

The business card is utterly more important in China than in the West.

When saying hi, you’ll start to exchange business cards rapidly. A business card is vital in China. Imagine the business card as a person. You need to be careful how you present, take, and store the card. For example, it is not very good to put a business card in your back pocket for obvious reasons. 

Understand that exchanging business cards is a sport in China, so be sure to have enough on you. If you can have a unique business card only for China, do it and get one side with English and the other side with Mandarin Chinese.

As I said, it’s vital to give your card with (humility) manners and style. Be sure to give your card using two hands with the side in Mandarin Chinese facing up. Let your recipient examine it, and do the same when you receive a card. Take it with two hands, look at it, and store it in a card case. Only glancing at a card and setting it down can be interpreted as a lack of interest.

How to use business cards in China during meetings? 

If you did not exchange business cards before, presenting one’s card on the table when the meeting starts is necessary. Then, you push your card along its long axis against another card on the table. You hold it with two hands on both sides of the card. Then you take the other cards and place them next to you, so you don’t forget the names and titles of your interlocutors. 

Sometimes your Chinese interlocutors will give you their WeChat account. But sometimes not, and we will speak about it a bit later.

Ok, you’re doing great. Now, let’s get to the meeting!

What about bringing a gift to your potential business partner?

Before going to the meeting, you may think it’s a good idea to bring a gift. It’s a complicated question. A few years ago, it was a good idea, but recently, China started a war against corruption, so it is not acceptable to bring a present anymore. Even if it’s an excellent cultural habit in China, I recommend going easy with gifts and not making it look like a bribe. So if you go with a present, bring something not expensive. 

If the business relationship is going well and you know your Chinese partner better, I recommend offering a gift later, like if you meet in a restaurant. Your Chinese partner will see it as proof of your relationship going well. And, if you can make a double gift, it’s even better and a good auspicious. 

How do Chinese companies conduct meetings in China?

Don’t fear your meeting with a Chinese company. You’ll be surprised to see how joyful a meeting can start. It’s pretty different than in the West. The first 5 minutes are for small talk! So please don’t be late. This is viewed poorly, as the first minutes are for the critical small talk.

As far as topics go, rest easy. Be it the weather or an anecdote you have to tell, most small talk topics are acceptable. Your host will undoubtedly tell you where to sit and bring you water. You’ll usually find your name on the table, and you’ll be on the opposite side of your interlocutor.

Then after this starter, the meeting goes as we are used to in the West. You can start your presentation, bring your slides, and make a convincing presentation. If you did your presentation right, the Chinese counterpart will tell you how to continue any formality with his assistant. Don’t expect to sign the contract immediately. But if you did well, that’s undoubtedly a perfect moment to exchange your WeChat accounts. Be sure to have one when you arrive in China. That’s how you keep in contact with everyone, even the boss. I think that is a great way to connect with influential people. It’s something we certainly should do more in the West.

Then, when you feel the meeting is ending, you can leave the room. It is expected from you that you leave the room before your mandarin Chinese counterparts.

How to address different people and hierarchies?

The first thing to know then is that you must pay attention to elders and respect hierarchy in every situation. Senior positions enter a room by rank, so take a close look at who enters first and second in the room. Same for you, if you’re the boss, enter first in the space; if you’re not the boss, tell your boss to enter first. 

You must acknowledge the place of older people and seniority and be sure to show regard to them.

The importance of face

It’s a question of respect. It is not so far from the idea of a face. For example, restrain yourself from correcting people if they made an error. Just say that it’s a good point and tell them you see things differently if it’s imperative. But bring up things slowly, and be sure to be considerate of how you say something. Take your time, beat around the bush, and let them discover by themselves what’s wrong. And if they don’t, just bring up that point again later, preferably in a more private manner. I know this can take time, but they like to negotiate this way. Chinese see the whole picture as more important than just a detail. And so if the entire concept is good, but they made a little mistake, just let it go and move on.

What does it mean to use your guanxi?

If you give them face and your relation with your partners go well, you’ll make good 关系 guanxi, a good connection. Making connections is pretty crucial for the Chinese. It is what they call 关系 guanxi. Guanxi is a pretty important concept and can open up many doors. So be sure to respect them, so they will trust you to present some people of their guanxi. But, in a way, it’s the same for us. We like to introduce people to partners when they trust and respect you. It’s the same. Let them have their face, they will do the same for you, and you can all do business.

Everything is going well, and you showed them respect as you should. Great chances that you will receive an invitation to a meal, quite possibly directly via your WeChat.

Are we obliged to go to the restaurant with the Chinese Business Partner?

One thing about being invited. I had many meetings in China, and from my experience, you should not believe people who say you need to ask people to restaurants to do business. No, you can do business with them without having a meal. It depends on the context. For example, if you are there to make a big contract, you may likely stay with your partner for some days, like a joint venture, then, yes, they will invite you to have a meal, and you will invite them too. But, on the other hand, if it’s a quick transaction, then you don’t need to. 

So then, everything went well, and you invited your Chinese partner to the restaurant. How do you behave?

Are the Chinese Direct? Are they frank or secretive?

So you are invited to a great Chinese restaurant. Don’t take any risk here. Go with the kind of outfit you went to the meetings in. The ambiance will likely be friendly, and that’s where you’ll get asked many questions. Chinese people can be pretty direct and can ask questions we can view as rather intimate. Speaking about money, age, for instance, isn’t taboo in China. So do as you feel about answering these questions. But be sure that you explain that you don’t feel right speaking about this subject politely. If you are not shy and are comfortable sharing such information, then don’t hesitate to answer.

Should I speak Chinese with Chinese partners?

Chinese speakers love it when you speak Chinese, and it can be a great impression to make. But, before going on with your Chinese, be sure to know what you are saying. If you say something wrong, it can be counter-effective. But worry not, if you did your lessons on Ninchanese, you’ll be ok. If you’re ok in Chinese, but it’s still so-so, they will say it’s excellent. Do you remember the face? Perfect example. But if your Chinese is quite good, they sure will adore you and see it as an impressive commitment. So, depending on the Chinese level, be sure to speak Chinese on the right occasion.

What is the best app to learn Mandarin for business?

The best app to learn Mandarin for business will vary depending on your exact desired level of Mandarin. If you are planning to go to China or if you are planning to work with Chinese companies, then the best app to learn Mandarin for business is Ninchanese. Ninchanese is the best app to learn Mandarin for business because it is a complete language learning application. In addition to its business course, it provides a wide range of language courses from beginner to advanced levels. Ninchanese offers courses on grammar, conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, and cultural course topics.  It is completely free to signup or to download, use, and learn from Ninchanese.

What are good manners with Chinese People?

The Chinese will often ask you if you have eaten first. Say that you’re good. They are just being polite. It’s the same as when asked, “how are you doing?” in English. But if you are at the restaurant, then, yes, be happy about it.

Should we drink alcohol during business?

The idea is to get to a friendly environment; your Chinese partner will likely ensure that’s the case for you. For example, Chinese people like to toast. And they will start by raising a toast to your new relationship.

It’s a great time, but there are again some little rules to know here. Chinese don’t drink like you, you individualist drinker. In China, you drink when the toast is finished. You drink all your glass. In one shot, all together. You never drink alone. If you want to drink, you need to make a toast to everyone. Do as your elders do. And be very optimistic here.

When toasting, be mindful of what you were served to drink. For example, a few shots of beer (yes, it’s possible) are not the same as a few shots of Baijiu. Baijiu is fine alcohol, but it’s very strong. So, take it easy with making toasts (because you want to drink); your Chinese counterparts will also make their share of toasts.

How to avoid drinking too much without losing face?

With that in mind, make sure you have eaten a little before or during the toast. The last tip, if you don’t like drinking, tell them you’re sick and have a medical reason for not drinking. It will help in to get by. Don’t tell them that you don’t drink. Also, don’t joke by saying “comrade” (if you’re not part of the communist party) or tell a lame joke about that.

When you are going to eat, they will bring you a tremendous quantity of food. It should be more than enough, so don’t feel like you should finish all the dishes laid out in front of you. Quite the opposite, it’s seen as a good sign if you did not eat it all, they will think that you had enough to eat.

There are many rules about eating, and I won’t enumerate them, but you can read more about Chinese cultural habits here.

Who should pay for the restaurant in China during Business?

Lastly, your host will pay for the meal, and giving tips is generally not a thing in China, so don’t bother with that. If you’re the instigator of the meal and it makes sense in your business relation, you pay for everyone. This might require a little insisting, as your host will insist they are the ones that should pay. But, it’s good business etiquette to do your best to pay for everyone at times.

How to continue the conversation after your first meeting? 

In all of China, Chinese companies use Mandarin mandarin Chinese except for Hong Kong and Macau. So they will likely write in Chinese, but they do speak English with an international partner. If you can write the message yourself in Chinese, do, you’ll talk with the person in charge. 

The very next day of your meeting, you can send an email to the person the boss told you. Send them a simple email with a resume of the meeting. Tell them you would like to see them again to discuss the last details of the operation. Then, it could be your turn to invite them to a nice restaurant.

You can also do business with WeChat; it depends on how your Chinese counterpart tells you about that. The best is to follow the vibe. But WeChat is a great way to reconnect with your interlocutor. It could be as easy as sending a nice message during the Chinese new year wishing prosperity in your partnership. In general, it’s good Chinese Business etiquette (as well as good common sense) to try to stay in touch and regularly check in with your Chinese partners. 

How to work with Chinese colleagues?

Like in the West, establish a good personal rapport between your Chinese colleagues and yourself. Then be considerate of their food and work culture. You should adhere to the local customs (like napping time), obey the company’s rules, cultivate work habits, be patient, and remember that names are important. It’s not always easy, but follow our business course and you’ll do fine.

We wish you good luck with your business. Like I said before, be sure to check out our business course on Ninchanese to know how exactly it happens and be sure to speak impressive Chinese. It takes a few hours to complete and will guarantee you considerable business knowledge. Let us know how it goes for you in China. We love to hear stories from you!

The Nincha Team

Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Try the best way to learn Chinese today.
Ninchanese is free to use!

Sign up now

The post Business in China: How to do it? appeared first on Ninchanese.

In this blog post, you’ll see:
How to write happy Thanksgiving in Chinese
What is the name for Black Friday in Chinese
Black Friday Ninchanese Sale
Thanksgiving Food in Chinese Vocabulary
Learn Thanksgiving words in Chinese on Ninchanese!

Thanksgiving is a popular celebration in the US and Canada – they celebrate it on a different day.

At Ninchanese, we want you to be able to share this tradition with your Chinese-speaking friends, so, in addition to the word list here, we have something special for you: A whole stage dedicated to Thanksgiving words! As well as a purrfect Black Friday sale you’ll want to know about. So keep reading!

First things first, let’s see how to say Thanksgiving in Chinese.

How to write happy Thanksgiving in Chinese

In Mandarin, you say:

感恩节
Gǎn ēn jié
Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving in Chinese: a very apt literal meaning

The name for Thanksgiving in Chinese language literally means: The Day to Give Thanks.

Character Breakdown:
感恩  [gǎn ēn] is to be thankful in Chinese.
节 [jié] means festival

Together, they form a very fitting name in Chinese for Thanksgiving!

To write Happy Thanksgiving in Chinese characters, you want to add the word 快乐[kuài lè], which means happy.

So to say Happy Thanksgiving in Chinese language, you’ll say:

感恩节快乐!
Gǎn ēn jié kuài lè
Happy Thanksgiving

Speaking of which:

The Nincha Team 祝你感恩节快乐!
The Nincha Team zhù nǐ gǎnēn jié kuàilè!
The Nincha Team behind Ninchanese wishes you a Happy Thanksgiving!

What is the name for Black Friday in Chinese?

Another essential part of the Thanksgiving Tradition now is Black Friday! This term designates the Friday following Thanksgiving. This special Friday has become a big day full of sales and discounts. Kind of like Singles’ Day in China, with probably fewer sales.

And while a lot of countries don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, one thing most countries now do is Black Friday sales!

How to say Black Friday in Chinese

黑五
hēiwǔ
Black Friday

The name 黑五 [hēiwǔ] is short for 黑色星期五 [hēisèxīng qīwǔ] – literally black Color Friday.

On Black Friday, what you’re looking for the most is:

黑五打折
hēiwǔdǎzhé
Black friday discounts

Speaking of which… there’s a meowsome BLACK FRIDAY sale about to happen at Ninchanese!

Black Friday Ninchanese Sale

This weekend only, get a whopping 40% OFF any plan in Ninchanese. Not only is that our meowsomest promo yet, but it’ll also be gone in a flash. So, don’t miss it!

More Thanksgiving goodies!
You know about the delightful sale on Ninchanese; you know how to wish a Happy Day to Give Thanks in Chinese. Great start! Are you ready now to learn more yummy words around Thanksgiving in Chinese?

Thanksgiving Food in Chinese Vocabulary

A huge part of Thanksgiving, aside from gathering with family or friends and being grateful, is… eating! So let’s talk meowsome Thanksgiving food words in Mandarin. You can learn them for free on Ninchanese and read them right here.

Learn Thanksgiving words in Chinese on Ninchanese!

Reading about Thanksgiving words is one thing, and you know what is 100% better?
Learning these scrumptious thanksgiving dishes in Chinese.

What are you waiting for? Go learn them on Ninchanese for free! They are all here!

Enjoy this feast of Thanksgiving words in Mandarin!

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll be learning, straight from the Ninchanese web app.

Are these Chinese words for Thanksgiving making you hungry? Grateful?  Which is your favorite Thanksgiving dish? Let us know in the comments!

And one more thing…

If you want to continue learning Chinese with authentic and entertaining content, then you’ll love Ninchanese.

With Ninchanese, you get a complete method to learn Chinese, which has you speaking, reading, writing, and more in Chinese. What’s more, whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, there’s content your level on Ninchanese and plenty more to discover!

Ninchanese has a wide range of contemporary Chinese content to learn – from HSK-based worlds to Chinese cooking, travel essentials, and more.

You’ll discover that learning Chinese is fun and easy with Ninchanese‘s effective and personalized learning method. You’ll stay engaged and motivated to progress until you master Mandarin Chinese.

So, whether you already have a background in Chinese or not, you will enjoy a way of learning Mandarin, both enjoyable and effective.

Start using Ninchanese on the web app, with your computer or tablet, or, for Chinese learning in your pocket and on the go,download the Ninchanese app from the Google Play Store

The Nincha Team

Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Try the best way to learn Chinese today.
Ninchanese is free to use!

Sign up now

The post Thanksgiving in Chinese: Stuff your face with these Words appeared first on Ninchanese.

Photo by Natalie Ng

Ready to learn how to say different cuts of meat in Chinese? So you can easily order yummy slices of meat for your next 火锅 huǒ guō hot pot? Or finally, know what kind of meat is in Chinese dumplings? Then Chinese Meat recipes will hold no secret for you!

First, let’s see how to say meat in Chinese as well as Chicken, Turkey, Pork, Lamb, Duck, Veal, and Beef in Chinese.

And no, don’t even ask, we won’t be talking about cat meat in Chinese or any other kind of strange meat (it seems like people look up rat meat in Chinese? The horror). Dog Meat is sometimes eaten in winter because it’s super caloric meat to eat, but we’ve never come across any other type, so enough with the rumors! Alright? Here we go.

Types of Meat in Chinese

Photo by Usman Yousaf

Good to know: In China, you’ll often come across dish names that simply say 肉 ròu Meat. In most restaurants (the obvious exception being Halal Uyghur restaurants ), 肉 will by default be pork. That’s because, traditionally, pork is the most consumed meat (or at least was in the past).
If you’re not sure whether it’s going to be pork or not or are trying to avoid eating pork, better check with your waiter/waitress first!

You’ll also often just see 鸡 jī chicken, 鸭 yā duck, 羊 yáng lamb, mutton, 牛 niú Beef on their own, without the 肉 thrown in, on a menu. So you might not see duck meat in Chinese, but you’ll definitely see 鸭 and a favorite, 烤鸭 yā Roast Duck!

Cuts of Meat in Chinese

Chinese Meat Skewers Photo by Chuan

Love meat skewers? You’re going to love these other street food dishes, then, we bet!

Chicken wings in Chinese and more chicken parts

Chicken Wings are a very loved Chinese food – Photo by George Zheng.

Curious to know how to say scallion in Chinese or cilantro? Check out these Chinese food lists then!
More of a hands-on learner? Then learn directly how to say meat, scallion, and more in Chinese: the Chinese Food World on Ninchanese will teach you and much more!

Just a few of the many things you can learn in the Chinese food course on Ninchanese

Now, let’s get back to our Chinese words for meats.

Parts of Pork in Chinese and Pig Meat-based Products

Pork Meat is often used in Chinese Dumplings – Photo by Alex Hu

Want to learn how to read and say all these meats in Simplified and Traditional Chinese? The Chinese Meats Vocabulary Stage in the Chinese Food World is waiting for you!

The Chinese Cooking World is made for foodies learning Chinese!

Want also to know how to order these meats and other dishes from a restaurant? The Chinese Food World is what you need. Check it out here! 

The Nincha Team

Stay in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

Try the best way to learn Chinese today.
Ninchanese is free to use!

Sign up now

The post Chinese vocabulary for meat: All you need to know for Beef, Chicken, Pork and more! appeared first on Ninchanese.

Fact or rumor? There’s going to be a new HSK test.

Fact: Yes, it’s official. The current HSK system is on its way out. The Chinese language test WILL be changing in the future. BUT: it’s not on its way out quite yet. Not will it be out in 2021. 

The International Chinese language test HSK stands for HSK (汉语水平考试 Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì). It’s the official Chinese language proficiency test. It focuses on checking non-native Chinese learners’ ability to use Chinese to communicate in life, study, and work.

However, before you get all worried: We’re talking about something happening in the future. There’s no new HSK test yet. There’s even very little clear (= official) information available yet on how the HSK will change nor when. The official Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (previously called the Hanban) that organizes HSK testing, ChineseTest.cn, has barely just begun releasing information on this matter. So no need to freak out.

Is this making you feel even more confused? Keep reading to understand why everyone is suddenly talking about a new HSK test and new HSK levels coming out!

Fact or rumor? The new HSK is officially going live on July 1st.

Rumor: July 1st, 2021 is an important date, but not quite for the reason you think.

See, on March 31st, the Chinese MOE (Ministry of Education) announced that it would implement a new Standard for Chinese Proficiency and guidelines for foreigners learning Chinese officially on July 1st, 2021. Here’s the announcement in English on Twitter. That’s what’s going live on July 1st, 2021.

On July 1st, the MOE will implement a new standard for Chinese learning as a foreign language.

Huh? What’s that got to do with the HSK? Hold your horses. We’re getting to it.

263 pages to determine Chinese proficiency

Along with the announcement, they released an extensive pdf called “The Standard for Chinese Proficiency in International Chinese Language Education” (国际中文教育中文水平等级标准 in Chinese – guó jì Zhōng wén jiào yù Zhōng wén shuǐ píng děng jí biāo zhǔn).

This pdf details the new proficiency standards for all those learning Chinese as a foreign language in Chinese. You can read the 263-page long pdf in Chinese here.  From here on out, we’ll refer to this document as “the Standard,” alright?

As you can imagine, once it’s officially implemented on the 1st of July 2021, the document will serve as an important basis for measuring Chinese learners’ language proficiency! The new Standard’s goal, after all, is to guide all Chinese (as a foreign language) learning, teaching, testing, and evaluating. Will this include the HSK tests? You bet.

As a result, it’s confirmed a new HSK test, or at the very least, a revised Chinese Proficiency Test will follow. Just not on July 1st.

Fact or rumor? The new HSK tests will start soon.

Rumor. We’ve established the new HSK (some call HSK 3.0) won’t be released on July 1st. We are also sure the new HSK tests won’t be starting any time soon. Why? for starters, the official HSK site has not announced anything yet. A massive change of this sort is not exactly something you spring on people.

Some say the first new HSK exams will start in November 2021, but that’s been proven to have definitely only been a rumor so far! There’s no ETA yet on a possible release of the new – or revised – HSK 3.0 and no indication of how long this will take. Think about it. New tests and textbooks need to be written; students need to be aware of the tests’ new content, and exam centers need to get ready. Surely they’ll give everyone some headstart!

The Official Twitter Account for the HSK says there won’t be any changes to the HSK this year.Will the new HSK tests really start in 2021? Or will it be in 2022? in 2023? Only time will tell, but our guess is not for 2021.
So, on this matter, stay tuned!

April 28th Update: New HSK tests will definitely not be released before March 2022! Plus, as expected, it’s been confirmed levels HSK 1 – 6 won’t be adjusted any time soon. Certainly not this year.
March 2022 is the official release date for the higher HSK levels.
How do we know? There was an academic symposium on April 20th, 2021 in Beijing to discuss the new standards and timelines.

Also: the Official Twitter Account for the HSK tweeted this:

The HSK Official Twitter accounts confirms many things, including the fact testing on the new HSK won’t start until March 2022

Translation: “A lot of candidates saw the formal implementation fo the new Standards on July 1st, 2021 and think that this is the time for HSK to start to adjust. However, the scientific development of hsk7-9 level based on the standard needs a process. At present, it is planned to take the test in December 2021 and officially launch the test in March 2022. Hsk7-9 will adopt the form of “one paper with three levels”, that is, one test paper, and the level will be determined according to the results.”

What are the take-aways, in a nutshell?

• The current HSK 1 – 6 tests will not be adjusted in 2021 at all.
• There’ll a test run of the new Advanced HSK levels ( HSK 7-9)  in December 2021
• Testing for the higher levels (HSK 7-9) will officially start in March 2022. 

Fact or rumor? There’s going to be an increase in the number of levels. There’ll be HSK levels 1-9 now.

Part fact, part rumor.
Fact: This new Standard establishes nine new levels, divided into 3 tiers (Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced).  As you know, the existing HSK tests have 6 levels, with level 1 being the most beginner and HSK 6 the most advanced.

The new system proposed in the Chinese Proficiency guidelines follows a different organization than that of the current HSK:
– it is split into 3 levels (tiers): Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced,
– each level (tier) is again sub-divided into 3 levels, for a total of 9 levels. These 9 levels are sometimes referred to as bands.

Organization of the new 9 levels – will they be used for the HSK?

At each of these levels, learners acquire 300 new characters. That makes, in theory, 2,700 new characters to know in total if you were starting from scratch.  There are also specific vocabulary requirements to know (11092 at the highest level) and grammar points (527 total).

The Standard’s 200+ pdf highlights all the syllables, characters, words, and grammar points required to know. These are detailed by level. If you want to get ahead and consider these the New HSK vocabulary lists in PDF, you definitely can! The complete new HSK vocabulary lists are here. All 263 pages of them!

Fact or rumor? As the official Chinese proficiency test, the new HSK will follow the same level and quantitative requirements as the Standard.

At this stage, still a rumor. Or if you prefer, part fact, part rumor.
A new HSK exam has been expected for a while now. Pretty normal; this new Standard has been in the works for quite some time.

See, the “Standard for Chinese Proficiency in International Chinese Language Education”‘s goal is to offer a better way to evaluate a Chinese learner’s ability to communicate and their Chinese knowledge and skills. They call this the “four-dimensional benchmark.”
In other words, the goal is to be able to pinpoint more accurately a learner’s level.

It’s also what has happened in the past. If you look back, in 2007, the MOE defined new Chinese proficiency standards. These were much like these in 2021. Following that, a new HSK system, with 6 levels – the current Chinese Proficiency Tests (HSK) we all know now – was implemented.
So it’s only logical to expect the same to happen here. In academic minds, the 2007 version of the HSK exam was (already) the new HSK test, called HSK 2.0. Now, 13 years later, we’re moving onto the “new” new HSK exam (2021), which some like to call HSK 3.0.

But does that mean it’ll conform exactly to what is said in the guidelines? It’s too early to tell to what extent its organizers will modify the HSK test.

All The head of the Chinese – International Language Exchange and Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Education has announced that the HSK exam will be optimized and upgraded using the Standard, and its “3 tier, 9 levels” system as reference.

Based on this, there’s a high likelihood that new HSK levels may appear and that these new levels could replace existing HSK levels. However, It’s too early to tell how the HSK tests and levels will change. Nor do we know how closely it’ll follow the Standard. We should know more soon about that, as 2021 continues. So stay tuned

Fact or rumor? There’s going to be a HSK level 7, a level 8, and a level 9.

Mostly fact (and a little bit rumor).
One of the Standard’s biggest differences is introducing higher levels above the existing advanced HSK 6 level, which was previously considered the highest. The intention is to help advanced learners get even further in their learning, to reach a near-native level.

With the new Standard, there’s also a desire to have a system that reflects the European Language classification better: the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR). This may sound barbaric, and perhaps CEFR levels like A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 will speak more to you.

The HSK was split into 6 different levels, modeled in part to correspond to the 6 levels of the CEFR classification. However, academics argued that the higher HSK levels didn’t quite correspond to the C1 and C2 expectations of the CEFR. In comes the new Standard for Chinese language proficiency.

Based on this, it’s pretty safe to expect there’ll be more levels added to the HSK, yes. Will it go up to HSK level 9 though? There’s reason to doubt that, as we’ll see below.

Fact or Rumor. There’s going to be a hardcore HSK 9 level for super fluent Chinese learners.

Curious about this new rumored level HSK 9? We agree: the new advanced tier in the Standard, with levels 7 through 9, is the most mysterious.

What’s also interesting is that in the Standard, levels 7 to 9 are grouped. They have a shared Chinese Character and word requirement. In this advanced tier, learners will be expected to know an additional 1200 characters and a whopping extra 5636 words.

But that doesn’t mean you need to start getting ready for a level 9 of HSK immediately. For all we know, it won’t even exist as such. A single “advanced” HSK exam might exist instead. Then based on your results, you’d be awarded level 7, 8, or 9.

So, based on information available at the moment, we say rumor. A likely rumor, but still a rumor.

April 28th Update: Our hunch was right! It’s been confirmed that a new single “advanced” HSK exam will be introduced, for the new HSK levels 7-9. The format is called “one paper, three tests” – or as we like to put it – one test, three levels. Advanced HSK learners looking to reach HSK levels 7, 8 or 9 will take the same test. Then depending on their results, they’ll know where they place: Hardcore 7, 8 or 9. All quite impressive!

Also, judging from the Standard document, these new levels will be really quite advanced. They seem reserved for those that plan on needing Chinese professionally, such as:

• Chinese translators and interpreters.
• Jobs in International Politics and trade
• Chinese language educators and linguists,
• and more!

The expectations in terms of skills and knowledge associated with these levels seem to indicate that. So not for everyone.

But if you already had an HSK 6 level, and were looking for more content to learn, then that’s good news for you, no?

Fact or rumor? I’m going to have to learn over 10 000 words to pass the test now.

Part fact, part rumor. That number does come from somewhere. Where? You guessed it, the Standard.

The document indicates the number of characters, words, and grammar items Chinese learners will be expected to know at the different levels. To give you an idea, Chinese learners will be expected to know 1110 syllables,  3000 Chinese characters, 11092 Chinese words, and 572 grammar items at the highest level (which is near-native).

That being said, that’s at the highest level.
The requirement for the Elementary level (levels 1 – 3) is much lower, understandably. When you finish the Elementary level, the Standard expects you to know 900 Chinese characters (with which you’ll know how to make 2,245 words). At the end of the Intermediate level (level 4-6), you’ll be expected to know 5,446 words and 1800 characters.
Compare that with the number of words a native Chinese person knows. That’s not too bad, is it?

Fact or rumor? There are a zillion new words in the new HSK

If the new HSK tests follow the Standard, then yes, it does seem the list of words has been changed quite a bit. Some words were moved to higher or lower levels, and others were introduced or removed.  We think that’s a good thing, though, as the HSK lists for the current HSK could be a little… puzzling at times.

If you want to get a headstart and see the vocabulary lists in PDF, you definitely can!
The complete new HSK vocabulary lists are here. All 263 pages of them! For a more usable version – if you’re comfortable with Github -, check out this ongoing project by Mike Lowe (the creator of Pleco, a great Chinese dictionary to have on your phone) and others.
Lastly, at this point, it’s still speculation, but this infographic compares the current HSK content with the lists in the Standard.

Fact or rumor? With all these exam changes, the new HSK is going to become super difficult.

Rumor: That’s definitely not the goal of the new Standard, and there’s no reason the HSK tests to become suddenly super hard!
The new Standard was developed primarily to modernize and reflect the rise of Chinese learning worldwide.

More and more learners are learning Chinese, and thanks to that, there are lots of different types of Chinese learners now, from newbies to learners with a more advanced level. So if anything, with the new Standard, you’re shown there’s even more to learn than you previously thought!

New potential types of HSK exercises

New types of exercises may be introduced in the HSK exams since the Standard details the five language skills it considers a Chinese learner should have in Chinese. These are:

• Chinese listening,
• Speaking,
• Reading (the Standard includes requirements in terms of reading speed at each level),
• Writing (that includes the ability to handwrite some characters – or at least to know how to copy them quickly -),
• And translation. The translation bit is new, so you can expect this to crop up in future HSK exams.

So, if these are translated into the HSK exams, there are certainly new elements you’ll have to prepare for. Will all this make the HSK tests more difficult? We doubt that. They’ll stay hard. It’s a test one needs to study and prepare for, after all, but it won’t become super difficult to the point of being impossible.

Fact or rumor? My “official” HSK level is going to go down?

Uncertain at this point. What may change is your “official” HSK level in the future. At this point, however, this is only a guess and by no means a fact.
The new HSK system could have 9 levels, where the existing one had 6.  If the revised HSK 3.0 follows that 9 level system, then indeed, your “official” level could go down a bit.

Let’s look at an example by comparing the new level 3 and the current HSK level 3.
According to the document, by the time you finish the new level 3, you’re expected to know a total of 2245 words.
In the current HSK, you need to know a total of 600 words, roughly at the HSK level 3.
If the same system is applied to the HSK exam, yes, that would be quite an increase in the number of words to know at level 3. In fact, in the new system (HSK 3), that would correspond to a new HSK level 2. Quite a change! This is only a theory at this point; we’ll know more soon.

If we follow that logic, one’s “official” proficiency might indeed go down a few levels! But that won’t make you any less good at Chinese, nor the HSK tests more difficult. If anything, it’ll just give learners more content to learn and new goals to work towards.

Fact or rumor? We’re going to have to learn more words at every level? Even at the beginner level, level 1 is going to go from 150 words to 500.

Yes and no. If the new HSK levels follow the Standard’s organization, then yes, it’s a fact that there’ll be more words and more content to learn. Requirements in terms of the number of characters to know overall could increase for HSK takers.

The content distribution could also change, with elementary levels gaining more words. The beginner levels are quite short in the current HSK. However, if you follow the new “Standard” levels, it looks like they won’t be as succinct in the new system. They won’t become tough overnight either, don’t worry!

The learning curve will be more balanced. For instance, you had to know only about 150 words at the current levels HSK 1 & HSK 2. This number then jumped to 2000+ for HSK level 6! In the new system, an equal number of characters is learned at every level. You’ll be required to learn 300 new Chinese characters per level.  The number of Chinese words to know also increases gradually at each level.

So yes, Level 1 might have a steeper threshold from before. The Standard lists the requirements for Level 1 at 300 Chinese Characters and 500 new words. Perhaps this will mean that the new HSK 1 will be a combination of the “old”  HSK 1 + HSK 2. It might take more time to prepare, but that’s all.

Fact or rumor? I might as well cancel my plan to take the HSK 3 test in 2 months.

Rumor. On the contrary, go for it! Whatever level you were going to take, don’t hold off.
It’s too early to tell when and how the Centre for Language Education and Cooperation (previously called the Hanban) will implement new HSK tests. We guess that it’s unlikely it’s any time soon!

Changing the test to turn it into the HSK 3.0 is going to take a while. Several months, and possibly years. First of all, they are still offering test dates for the existing HSK until 2022, if not later. Besides, universities and other structures that require passing a certain level of HSK to enter or apply have not changed their requirements yet. So, all in all, there’s no rush.

So: If you were planning on taking the current HSK test, go for it. You can still follow the existing HSK syllabus and prepare for your test. If that changes, we’ll be sure to let you know. UPDATE: It’s been confirmed nothing will change before, at the earliest, March 2022. So go for it!

Be sure to check out the course content on Ninchanese! There’s everything you need to prepare to take the HSK test on the app:
– content to prepare HSK level 1
– a course to prepare HSK level 2
– Preparation material for HSK Level 3 preparation material
– Content preparation for HSK Level 4 content preparation
– Material for HSK Level 5, in two parts
– Learning content for HSK Level 6, in two parts (part 2 ongoing)
– And detailed Grammar Lessons for each level.

When the new HSK 3.0 comes out, you can decide if you want to take it as well! And who knows, by that time, you might be ready to try a higher level!

What does that mean for Ninchanese? Will you be updating your Chinese learning content?

Ninchanese uses its own in-house curriculum for all your Chinese learning needs. Its 6 main Story worlds are roughly based on HSK levels. This allows you to prepare for the existing HSK tests, and additionally, the HSK levels provide a good conversational basis. However, the 6 main story worlds include many other words more useful to know in daily life. There are also many other worlds on Ninchanese full of themed content to learn, such as the Chinese food world or the Chinese Component course. Add to that the massive Chinese Character Universe, and there’s already plenty to do! You can currently learn over 15,000 words and characters on Ninchanese,

We will, of course, carefully keep checking what the new Standard is all about when it comes to the HSK. Whatever new additional content there is to learn, we will be happy to bring it to you! Our goal is always to bring you useful and relevant content in Mandarin Chinese, and that won’t change!

So there you have it. Everything we know, so far. In conclusion, there’s no need to panic! Yet, maybe, and we’re pretty sure, ever.
In the coming months and probably weeks, we’ll know more. This page will be regularly updated with the latest information to come out on the new HSK (HSK 3.0). So come back to this post regularly to learn more about the new HSK exam (2021 edition)!

The post New HSK Levels 2021: No need to panic! What to expect (April 28th Update) appeared first on Ninchanese.

The Chinese language can have very meaningful country names like 美国 (the US) which means “beautiful country” or 法国 (France) which means “Lawful country”. That sounds cool, right? But why is America called beautiful country in Chinese? And by that logic, what’s the name of your country?

How foreign countries get their name in the Chinese language

Country names in Chinese are formed usually in three ways:

• Element of description of the country + 国 (which means country).
  Usually it’s a characteristic of the country that’s chosen, along with, if possible, a character that is phonetically close to the country’s name.
  美国 (which is the name in Chinese for the US, with 美 resembling the “mer” in America)， 德国 (Germany’s country name in Chinese)，法国 (France in Chinese) and 英国 (Great Britain’s name in Chinese) are all formed that way.
• Phonetically:
  The other way of naming foreign countries in Chinese is by transliterating the name into Chinese, purely based on sound. As such, a lot of country names in Chinese are based on the phonetic pronunciation of countries. They try to be as close as possible to the name of the country originally, but that’s not always possible.
  Some are pretty easy to guess, however! Can you guess which countries are 澳大利亚 and 古巴?
  Meaning-wise, most country names in Chinese won’t have a literal meaning that makes a lot of sense, but sound-wise, they’ll be close!
• Literal names:
  Lastly, a few foreign names got quite literal names. South Africa is “南非” with 南 for the South, and 非 from 非洲which means Africa in Chinese. Iceland is another great example. Its name is literally the “Ice island” 冰岛. Cool, no?

All the world’s country names in Chinese

Here’s the list of Chinese names of countries, organized alphabetically, with their name in Mandarin Chinese, English name, and pinyin pronunciation. Just pick out your country from the list of country names in Chinese below, read this article on how to talk about your nationality and you’ll be good to go!

The post Country Names in Chinese Mandarin appeared first on Ninchanese.