Tag: Chinese
A Chinese county level official in his prime. The Mainland Chinese documentary “书记” introduces Guo Yongchang, secretary of the Gushi County Party Committee, who “rules” over 1.6 million people in Southern Henan. The film covers the three months before secretary Guo leaves his post and ends up in prison.
The Pleco Chinese dictionary is a crucial app for Chinese learners. What about the Pleco flashcards add-on though, is it worth spending 10 bucks? How essential is the ‘dictionary-flashcards combination’ to get to the next level(s)?
A wise man once said that it’s good fun for humans to buy a hammer and knock down the walls of your comfort zone.
Can you learn to fly a Boeing 747 in six months? Some say you can! How about languages though?
Five test candidates and the time they needed to prepare for HSK 6.
For one month I digitally teamed up with like-minded spirits for a Mandarin learning challenge. This is what I learned.
The HSK merry-go-round or why you shouldn’t be focused on HSK results only.
Tired of listening to endless corona-updates and Covid-discussions? Here’s some China-focused listening material for you sorted by topic.
This gem is a classic Chinese children’s song from the 1986 animated series 葫芦兄弟 (Húlu Xiōngdì, Calabash Brothers), performed by Wowkie Zhang in the version linked below. Here’s a breakdown of the lyrics with English translations, pinyin and more.
我是一只小小鸟 is a classic song from the 90’s by 赵传 (Zhao Chuan that is still popular today. Here’s the song with Chinese lyrics, English translation, pinyin and more background information.
Chinese learning blogs are like hidden provision camps in the desert. If they are not pointed out, you are likely to miss them.
The catchy pop song 果汁分你一半” by the Chinese band 花儿乐队 (Huā’ér Yuèduì) is the kind of tune that gets stuck in your head. In this post, I’ll break down the lyrics for you, provide English translations and pinyin and dive into key vocabulary.
In this post, I surf on the wave of fear and add to the panic with virus-related key vocabulary and firsthand footage from Corona-survivors.
辣妹子 is a popular song by 宋祖英 (Sòng Zǔyīng), blending folk music with modern pop elements. My Chinese teacher introduced me to it (as did others) very early on. Here’s the Chinese lyrics with English translations, pinyin and more.
The song 我们不一样 (We Are Not the Same) by 大壮 (Da Zhuang) is a heartfelt ballad about brotherhood, perseverance and the passage of time. Here’s the Chinese lyrics with English translation, pinyin and more.
**”故乡的云” (Hometown’s Clouds)** is a famous Chinese song originally performed by **费翔 (Fei Xiang)** in the 1980s. The song expresses deep **思乡 (homesickness)** and the emotions of a **游子 (wanderer)** who has spent years **浪迹天涯 (roaming the world)** but longs to return home. The lyrics are filled with nostalgia, describing how the **故乡的风 (hometown’s wind)** and **故乡的云 (hometown’s clouds)** seem to call him back.
The song became widely popular, especially among overseas Chinese, as it resonated with those living far from home. Its touching melody and heartfelt lyrics make it a classic in Chinese pop music.
王菲’s 红豆 (Hóng Dòu, meaning Red Beans), released in 1998, is one of her most iconic and beloved songs. It’s a melancholic yet tender ballad. Here are the Chinese lyrics with English translations, pinyin and more.
“心太软” (xīn tài ruǎn) is a well-known love song by Ren Xianqi (任賢齊), released in 1996. Here are the Chinese lyrics, English translations, pinyin and more.
“中国功夫” (Zhōngguó Gōngfū), or “Chinese Kung Fu,” is a famous song by 屠洪刚 (Tú Hónggāng), a well-known Chinese singer. Here are the Chinese lyrics, English translations, pinyin and more materials for learners of Chinese.
敢问路在何方 (“Where is the Road?”) is the iconic theme song from the 1986 Journey to the West TV series. I added a vocabulary list, English translations with pinyin, key phrases and interpretation.