China Unbound - Mandarin Intermediate 1

8th July – 9th September 2025

Lesson 1

主题 (zhǔtí) Subject

Unit 1.1 给您拜年 Unit 1.1 Gěi nín bàinián.

词汇 (Cíhuì) Vocabulary

中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
新年	xīnnián	New Year	noun	新年快乐！ (Xīnnián kuàilè!) Happy New Year!
拜年	bài nián	to pay a New Year visit, to offer New Year's greetings	verb	我们明天去给爷爷奶奶拜年。 (Wǒmen míngtiān qù gěi yéye nǎinai bài nián.) We'll go to wish Grandpa and Grandma a Happy New Year tomorrow.
贴春联	tiē chūnlián	to put up Spring Festival couplets	verb phrase	春节前，我们贴春联。 (Chūnjié qián, wǒmen tiē chūnlián.) Before the Spring Festival, we put up the couplets.
春节	Chūn Jié	Spring Festival (Chinese New Year)	noun	春节是中国最重要的节日。 (Chūn Jié shì Zhōngguó zuì zhòngyào de jiérì.) The Spring Festival is the most important holiday in China.	A proper noun; often capitalized.
读音	dúyīn	pronunciation	noun	这个字的读音是什么？ (Zhège zì de dúyīn shì shénme?) What is the pronunciation of this character?
鞭炮	biānpào	firecrackers	noun	放鞭炮是春节的习俗。 (Fàng biānpào shì Chūn Jié de xísú.) Setting off firecrackers is a Spring Festival custom.	The verb is 放鞭炮.
鞭	biān	whip	noun	他手里拿着一条鞭子。 (Tā shǒu lǐ názhe yī tiáo biānzi.) He is holding a whip in his hand.	Often used in the compound 鞭子 (biānzi).
炮	pào	firecracker, cannon	noun	孩子们喜欢玩小鞭炮。 (Háizimen xǐhuān wán xiǎo biānpào.) Children like to play with small firecrackers.	Often appears in compounds like 鞭炮, 大炮 (cannon).
热闹	rènao	lively, bustling	adjective	春节的街上非常热闹。 (Chūn Jié de jiē shàng fēicháng rènao.) The streets are very lively during the Spring Festival.
福	fú	good fortune, blessing	noun	门上贴着一个“福”字。 (Mén shàng tiēzhe yīgè “fú” zì.) The character for "fortune" is pasted on the door.	Often displayed upside down (倒福) to mean "fortune arrives".
到处	dàochù	everywhere	adverb	春节到处都很热闹。 (Chūn Jié dàochù dōu hěn rènao.) During Spring Festival, everywhere is lively.
客气	kèqi	polite, courteous	adjective	你不用这么客气。 (Nǐ búyòng zhème kèqi.) You don't need to be so polite.
一样	yīyàng	the same, alike	adjective	我们俩的想法一样。 (Wǒmen liǎ de xiǎngfǎ yīyàng.) Our thoughts are the same.	Often used as "跟/和…一样".
年夜饭	niányèfàn	New Year's Eve reunion dinner	noun	我们全家一起吃年夜饭。 (Wǒmen quán jiā yīqǐ chī niányèfàn.) Our whole family eats the New Year's Eve dinner together.	Usually written as one word.
习俗	xísú	custom, tradition	noun	这是中国的传统习俗。 (Zhè shì Zhōngguó de chuántǒng xísú.) This is a Chinese traditional custom.
食物	shíwù	food	noun	春节的食物很丰富。 (Chūn Jié de shíwù hěn fēngfù.) The food during Spring Festival is abundant.
烟花	yānhuā	fireworks	noun	晚上我们看烟花。 (Wǎnshàng wǒmen kàn yānhuā.) We watch fireworks in the evening.
墙	qiáng	wall	noun	春联贴在墙上。 (Chūnlián tiē zài qiáng shàng.) The couplets are pasted on the wall.
价钱	jiàqian	price (colloquial)	noun	这个的价钱是多少？ (Zhège de jiàqian shì duōshao?) What's the price of this?	Neutral tone on 钱.
价格	jiàgé	price (formal)	noun	商品的价格很合理。 (Shāngpǐn de jiàgé hěn hélǐ.) The price of the product is very reasonable.	Used in formal or commercial contexts.
高度	gāodù	height, altitude	noun	这座山的高度是两千米。 (Zhè zuò shān de gāodù shì liǎngqiān mǐ.) The height of this mountain is two thousand meters.	Can also refer to the level or degree of something.

关键句 (Guānjiān jù) Key Phrases

给您拜年！ Gěi nín bàinián!

新年好！新年快乐！ Xīn nián hǎo! Xīn nián kuài lè!

祝你们新年快乐！ Zhù nǐmen xīnnián kuàilè!

每年春节我都跟朋友去唐人街。 Měinián chūnjié wǒ dōu gēn péngyǒu qù tángrénjiē.

这两个字的读音差不多 Zhè liǎng gè zì de dúyīn chàbuduō

Guy Fawkeys Day 的时候，人们都放鞭炮。 Guy Fawkeys Day de shíhòu, rénmen dōu fàng biānpào.

今天我去牛津街，很多人－真热闹。 Jīntiān wǒ qù Niújīn jiē, hěn duō rén — zhēn rènào.

我喜欢去很热闹，很多人的地方。 Wǒ xǐhuān qù hěn rènào, hěnduō rén de dìfāng.

谢谢你的礼物！你太客气了！ Xièxie nǐ de lǐwù! Nǐ tài kèqi le!

试 (Shì) Try:

Your pronunciation of this word is not quite right.

Can you stick this on the wall?

到处 (dàochù) + 都 (dōu) + something (something is/are everywhere)

比如 (Bǐrú) For example:

今天牛津街很忙，到处都是人。 Jīntiān niújīn jiē hěn máng, dàochù dōu shì rén.

春节真热闹－到处都在放鞭炮！ Chūnjié zhēn rènào - dàochù dōu zài fàng biānpào!

练一练 (Liàn yī liàn) Practise

翻译 (Fānyì) Translate

There is water everywhere in my house!

There is flower everywhere in my garden.

Subject + verb + 的是 (de shì) + noun\Q

Used to emphasise information.

比如 (Bǐrú) For example:

你家门上贴的是什么？ Nǐ jiā mén shàng tiē de shì shénme? What is it that is stuck on your door?

我手里拿的是书。 Wǒ shǒu lǐ ná de shì shū. I have a book in my hand.

桌子上放的是茶。 Zhuōzi shàng fàng de shì chá. There is tea on the table.

练一练 (Liàn yī liàn) Practise

翻译 (Fānyì) Translate

What I’m learning is Chinese! 我学的是中文。 Wǒ xué de shì Zhōngwén.

I forgot, what you like is red wine! (not white) 我忘了你喜欢的是红酒！（不是白葡萄酒） Wǒ wàngle nǐ xǐhuān de shì hóngjiǔ! (Búshì báipútáojiǔ)

A + 跟 (gēn) + B 一样 (yī yàng)

A is the same as B.

比如 (Bǐrú) For example:

我跟妈妈一样，都喜欢吃辣。 Wǒ gēn māma yīyàng, dōu xǐhuān chī là.

A + 跟 (gēn) + B 一样 (yī yàng) + adjective/something

A is the same something as B.

比如 (Bǐrú) For example:

我跟妈妈一样，高。 Wǒ gēn māma yīyàng, gāo.

我跟妈妈一样，怕冷！ Wǒ gēn māma yīyàng, pà lěng!

练一练 (Liàn yī liàn) Practise

翻译 (Fānyì) Translate

This word & that word’s pronunciation is the same.

My bag is as heavy as yours.

These two cars are the same, just different prices (价钱 jià qián)!

Lesson 2

Unit 1.2 给您拜年 Unit 1.2 Gěi nín bàinián.

词汇 (Cíhuì) Vocabulary

中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
欢迎	huānyíng	to welcome	verb	欢迎你来我家。 (Huānyíng nǐ lái wǒ jiā.) Welcome to my home.
叫	jiào	to call, to ask (someone to do something)	verb	妈妈叫我去吃饭。 (Māma jiào wǒ qù chīfàn.) Mom asked me to go eat.
团圆	tuányuán	to reunite, reunion	verb, noun	春节是家人团圆的日子。 (Chūn Jié shì jiārén tuányuán de rìzi.) The Spring Festival is a time for family reunion.	Often used for family reunions during festivals.
重要	zhòngyào	important	adjective	这是一个重要的会议。 (Zhè shì yīgè zhòngyào de huìyì.) This is an important meeting.
顿	dùn	(measure word for meals, scoldings)	measure word	我一天吃三顿饭。 (Wǒ yī tiān chī sān dùn fàn.) I eat three meals a day.	Used specifically for meals (饭).
全家人	quánjiā rén	the whole family	noun phrase	春节全家人一起吃饭。 (Chūn Jié quánjiā rén yīqǐ chīfàn.) The whole family eats together during Spring Festival.
一起	yīqǐ	together	adverb	我们一起学习吧。 (Wǒmen yīqǐ xuéxí ba.) Let's study together.
晚会	wǎnhuì	evening party, gala	noun	我们看春节晚会。 (Wǒmen kàn Chūn Jié wǎnhuì.) We watch the Spring Festival Gala.	Often refers to the CCTV Spring Festival Gala.
时候	shíhou	time, moment	noun	你什么时候回家？ (Nǐ shénme shíhou huí jiā?) When will you go home?
安全	ānquán	safe, safety	adjective, noun	请注意安全。 (Qǐng zhùyì ānquán.) Please pay attention to safety.
饺子	jiǎozi	dumplings	noun	北方人春节吃饺子。 (Běifāng rén Chūn Jié chī jiǎozi.) Northerners eat dumplings during Spring Festival.
年糕	niángāo	New Year's rice cake	noun	吃年糕，年年高。 (Chī niángāo, niánnián gāo.) Eating rice cake symbolizes "rising higher every year".	Eaten for good luck.
萝卜糕	luóbogāo	radish/turnip cake	noun	广东人春节吃萝卜糕。 (Guǎngdōng rén Chūn Jié chī luóbogāo.) Cantonese people eat radish cake during Spring Festival.	A savory cake.
马蹄糕	mǎtígāo	water chestnut cake	noun	马蹄糕很爽口。 (Mǎtígāo hěn shuǎngkǒu.) Water chestnut cake is very refreshing.	A sweet dessert.
糖果盘	tángguǒ pán	candy tray	noun	桌子上有一个糖果盘。 (Zhuōzi shàng yǒu yīgè tángguǒ pán.) There is a candy tray on the table.
油角	yóujiǎo	fried dumpling (sweet or savory)	noun	我奶奶会做油角。 (Wǒ nǎinai huì zuò yóujiǎo.) My grandmother knows how to make fried dumplings.	A festive snack.
汤圆	tāngyuán	glutinous rice balls, tangyuan	noun	元宵节我们吃汤圆。 (Yuánxiāo jié wǒmen chī tāngyuán.) We eat tangyuan on the Lantern Festival.	Symbolizes family togetherness.
食物	shíwù	food	noun	春节有很多传统食物。 (Chūn Jié yǒu hěnduō chuántǒng shíwù.) There are many traditional foods for Spring Festival.

Table 1: 心 "heart words"
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
担心	dānxīn	to worry (about)	verb	妈妈担心我的安全。 (Māma dānxīn wǒ de ānquán.) Mom worries about my safety.	The object follows with 担心…
开心	kāixīn	happy, joyful	adjective	我今天很开心。 (Wǒ jīntiān hěn kāixīn.) I am very happy today.
伤心	shāngxīn	sad, heartbroken	adjective	听到这个消息，他很伤心。 (Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, tā hěn shāngxīn.) He was very sad to hear this news.
小心	xiǎoxīn	to be careful	verb	下雨路滑，请小心。 (Xià yǔ lù huá, qǐng xiǎoxīn.) The road is slippery when it rains, please be careful.	Often used as an imperative.
放心	fàngxīn	to relax, to set one's mind at ease	verb	你放心，我会做好的。 (Nǐ fàngxīn, wǒ huì zuò hǎo de.) Don't worry, I will do it well.	Often used to reassure someone.
真心	zhēnxīn	sincere, genuine	adjective	我真心地感谢你。 (Wǒ zhēnxīn de gǎnxiè nǐ.) I sincerely thank you.
耐心	nàixīn	patience	noun	教孩子需要耐心。 (Jiāo háizi xūyào nàixīn.) Teaching children requires patience.
细心	xìxīn	careful, meticulous	adjective	她是一个很细心的人。 (Tā shì yīgè hěn xìxīn de rén.) She is a very meticulous person.
虚心	xūxīn	humble, open-minded	adjective	我们应该虚心学习。 (Wǒmen yīnggāi xūxīn xuéxí.) We should learn with an open mind.	A positive character trait.
痛心	tòngxīn	heartbroken, distressed	adjective	看到这么多食物被浪费，真让人痛心。 ( Kàndào zhème duō shíwù bèi làngfèi) zhēn ràng rén tòngxīn.
乱心	luànxīn	restless, anxious (mentally scattered)	adjective	这种嘈杂的环境容易让人乱心。 ( Zhè zhǒng cáozá de huánjìng róngyì ràng rén luànxīn.) This kind of noisy environment easily disturbs one's peace of mind.
宽心	kuānxīn	relieved, at ease	adjective, verb	听到孩子平安的消息，他才总算宽心了。 ( Tīngdào háizi píng'ān de xiāoxi) tā cái zǒngsuàn kuānxīn le.

试 (Shì) Try:

Why do you call your cat ‘chocolate’?

Mum ask me to call at 3pm.

This is an important meeting, you mustn’t be late.

My performance tonight is important, you must come!

The whole class / the whole company

Tonight our company’s having an evening gala.

Setting off fireworks can sometimes be unsafe!

关键句 (Guānjiān jù) Key Phrases

我担心你不来。 Wǒ dānxīn nǐ bù lái. I worry that you wont’ come.

试 (Shì) Try:

It’s getting late, I worry for her safety.

语法 (yǔfǎ) Grammar

多 (duō) + adjective = so/such…

adjective + 多了 (duōle) vs 多 (duō) + adjective

Adjective + 多了 (duōle) = much more adjective

今年春节热闹多了！ Jīnnián chūnjié rènào duō le! This year’s Spring festival is much more bustling!

多 (duō) + adjective = so adjective (nice, pretty…)

今年春节多热闹！ Jīnnián chūnjié duō rènào! How bustling is this year’s Spring festival!

试 (Shì) Try:

Look how beautiful is the fireworks! 看,烟花多美丽啊！ Kàn, yānhuā duō měilì a!

How tall is the shard? The Shard 有多高？ The Shard yǒu duō gāo?

How tall is the shard! The Shard 多高啊！ The Shard duō gāo a!

Verb + 完 (wán) + 就 (jiù) something

finish doing (something) then (right after) do something

比如 (Bǐrú) For example:

我们吃完饭就放。 Wǒmen chī wán fàn jiù fàng. After dinner’s finished, we’ll then (right after) set off (the fireworks)

喝完茶就上班 Hē wán chá jiù shàngbān

看完电视就睡觉 Kànwán diànshì jiù shuìjiào

试 (Shì) Try:

After playing the fireworks then (right after) go sleep. 你玩完烟花就睡觉。 Nǐ wán wán yānhuā jiù shuìjiào.

After we play the fireworks, the kids will then (right after) go sleep. 我们放完烟花就孩子们会睡觉。 Wǒmen fàng wán yānhuā jiù háizimen huì shuìjiào.

练一练 (Liàn yī liàn) Practise

我们担心今天上班会迟到。 Wǒmen dānxīn jīntiān shàngbān huì chídào.

我们很喜欢全家人一起去旅游。 Wǒmen hěn xǐhuān quán jiā rén yīqǐ qù lǚyóu.

去新的国家旅游，要小心安全。 Qù xīn de guójiā lǚyóu, yào xiǎoxīn ānquán.

你的朋友多漂亮啊！ Nǐ de péngyou duō piàoliang a!

吃团圆饭是中国一个重要的新年习俗。 Chī tuányuán fàn shì Zhōngguó yīgè zhòngyào de xīnnián xísú.

今天的中文课简单多了！ Jīntiān de zhōngwén kè jiǎndān duō le!

我放完鞭炮和烟花就睡觉了。 Wǒ fàng wán biānpào hé yānhuā jiù shuìjiào le.

Lesson 3

Unit 2.1 我请客！ Unit 2.1 Wǒ qǐng kè!

词汇 (Cíhuì) Vocabulary

Table 2: 餐饮和餐厅 (cānyǐn hé cāntīng) dining and restaurant
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
饭馆	fànguǎn	(small) restaurant	noun	我们去那家小饭馆吃饭吧。 (Wǒmen qù nà jiā xiǎo fànguǎn chīfàn ba.) Let's eat at that small restaurant.	Informal and often smaller.
餐厅	cāntīng	restaurant, dining hall	noun	学校餐厅的菜很便宜。 (Xuéxiào cāntīng de cài hěn piányi.) The food at the school cafeteria is cheap.	Can be a general restaurant or a cafeteria.
酒楼	jiǔlóu	(large, formal) restaurant	noun	他们在酒楼办婚宴。 (Tāmen zài jiǔlóu bàn hūnyàn.) They are holding their wedding banquet at a large restaurant.	Often for banquets or formal dining.
快餐店	kuàicāndiàn	fast food restaurant	noun	孩子喜欢吃快餐店的食物。 (Háizi xǐhuān chī kuàicāndiàn de shíwù.) Children like to eat food from fast food restaurants.
素食馆	sùshíguǎn	vegetarian restaurant	noun	我朋友是素食者，我们常去素食馆。 (Wǒ péngyou shì sùshízhě, wǒmen cháng qù sùshíguǎn.) My friend is a vegetarian, so we often go to vegetarian restaurants.
欢迎光临	huānyíng guānglín	Welcome!	phrase	服务员说：“欢迎光临！” (Fúwùyuán shuō: “Huānyíng guānglín!”) The waiter said, "Welcome!"	A standard greeting in shops/restaurants.
菜单	càidān	menu	noun	请给我看一下菜单。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ kàn yīxià càidān.) Please let me look at the menu.
点菜	diǎn cài	to order food	verb phrase	我们现在点菜吗？ (Wǒmen xiànzài diǎn cài ma?) Shall we order now?
稍等	shāo děng	wait a moment, please hold on	verb phrase	请稍等，我马上回来。 (Qǐng shāo děng, wǒ mǎshàng huílái.) Please wait a moment, I'll be right back.	Polite phrase.
等一等	děng yī děng	wait a minute	verb phrase	等一等，我还没准备好。 (Děng yī děng, wǒ hái méi zhǔnbèi hǎo.) Wait a minute, I'm not ready yet.	More casual than 稍等.
凉菜	liángcài	cold dish, appetizer	noun	我们先点两个凉菜。 (Wǒmen xiān diǎn liǎng gè liángcài.) Let's order two cold dishes first.
热菜	rècài	hot dish	noun	热菜需要等一会儿。 (Rècài xūyào děng yīhuǐr.) Hot dishes will take a little while.
汤	tāng	soup	noun	你想喝什么汤？ (Nǐ xiǎng hē shénme tāng?) What soup would you like?
主食	zhǔshí	staple food (rice, noodles, etc.)	noun	您需要什么主食？米饭还是面条？ (Nín xūyào shénme zhǔshí? Mǐfàn háishì miàntiáo?) What staple food would you like? Rice or noodles?
饮料	yǐnliào	beverage, drink	noun	饮料在菜单的最后一页。 (Yǐnliào zài càidān de zuìhòu yī yè.) Drinks are on the last page of the menu.
壶	hú	pot, kettle; (measure word for tea, wine)	noun, measure word	请来一壶茶。 (Qǐng lái yī hú chá.) Please bring a pot of tea.
两	liǎng	liang (50 grams); two	noun, numeral	我要二两饺子。 (Wǒ yào èr liǎng jiǎozi.) I want four ounces \(100g\) of dumplings.	A traditional unit of weight (=50g). Also the number "two" (used differently).
饺子	jiǎozi	dumplings	noun	来半斤猪肉白菜饺子。 (Lái bàn jīn zhūròu báicài jiǎozi.) Give me half a catty of pork and cabbage dumplings.
春卷	chūnjuǎn	spring roll	noun	春卷要趁热吃。 (Chūnjuǎn yào chèn rè chī.) Spring rolls should be eaten while hot.
甜酸肉	tiánsuān ròu	sweet and sour pork	noun	甜酸肉是我的最爱。 (Tiánsuān ròu shì wǒ de zuì'ài.) Sweet and sour pork is my favorite.	Also called 咕咾肉 (gūlǎoròu).
北京烤鸭	Běijīng kǎoyā	Peking duck	noun	来北京一定要吃北京烤鸭。 (Lái Běijīng yīdìng yào chī Běijīng kǎoyā.) You must try Peking duck when you come to Beijing.
蒜蓉白菜	suànróng báicài	pak choi with garlic	noun	蒜蓉白菜很清淡。 (Suànróng báicài hěn qīngdàn.) Pak choi with garlic is very light.	白菜 here often refers to bok choy/pak choi.
麻婆豆腐	mápó dòufu	mapo tofu	noun	麻婆豆腐很下饭。 (Mápó dòufu hěn xiàfàn.) Mapo tofu goes very well with rice.	A famous spicy Sichuan dish.
辣	là	spicy, hot	adjective	这道菜太辣了。 (Zhè dào cài tài là le.) This dish is too spicy.
蛋炒饭	dàn chǎofàn	egg fried rice	noun	给我来一份蛋炒饭。 (Gěi wǒ lái yī fèn dàn chǎofàn.) Give me a portion of egg fried rice.
鸡肉炒饭	jīròu chǎofàn	chicken fried rice	noun	鸡肉炒饭和牛肉炒饭，你要哪个？ (Jīròu chǎofàn hé niúròu chǎofàn, nǐ yào nǎge?) Chicken fried rice or beef fried rice, which one do you want?

Note: 头盘 (tóupán) is not commonly used in Chinese restaurants; 凉菜 (liángcài) or 前菜 (qiáncài) are more standard.

Table 3: 肉 (ròu) meat
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
鸡肉	jīròu	chicken (meat)	noun	我不吃鸡肉。 (Wǒ bù chī jīròu.) I don't eat chicken.	Refers specifically to the meat, not the live animal.
牛肉	niúròu	beef	noun	牛肉面很好吃。 (Niúròu miàn hěn hǎochī.) Beef noodles are delicious.
猪肉	zhūròu	pork	noun	猪肉饺子很受欢迎。 (Zhūròu jiǎozi hěn shòu huānyíng.) Pork dumplings are very popular.
鸭肉	yāròu	duck (meat)	noun	北京烤鸭用的是鸭肉。 (Běijīng kǎoyā yòng de shì yāròu.) Peking duck uses duck meat.
羊肉	yángròu	lamb, mutton	noun	羊肉串是新疆的特色。 (Yángròu chuàn shì Xīnjiāng de tèsè.) Lamb skewers are a specialty of Xinjiang.
鱼	yú	fish	noun	这条鱼很新鲜。 (Zhè tiáo yú hěn xīnxiān.) This fish is very fresh.
虾	xiā	shrimp, prawn	noun	我喜欢吃炒虾。 (Wǒ xǐhuān chī chǎo xiā.) I like to eat stir-fried shrimp.
鱿鱼	yóuyú	squid	noun	铁板鱿鱼很好吃。 (Tiěbǎn yóuyú hěn hǎochī.) Grilled squid is delicious.
蛋	dàn	egg	noun	我每天早上吃一个蛋。 (Wǒ měitiān zǎoshang chī yī gè dàn.) I eat one egg every morning.	General term for eggs.
鸡蛋	jīdàn	chicken egg	noun	西红柿炒鸡蛋是我的最爱。 (Xīhóngshì chǎo jīdàn shì wǒ de zuì'ài.) Scrambled eggs with tomatoes is my favorite.

Table 4: 蔬菜 (shūcài) vegetables
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
西兰花	xīlánhuā	broccoli	noun	西兰花很有营养。 (Xīlánhuā hěn yǒu yíngyǎng.) Broccoli is very nutritious.
胡萝卜	húluóbo	carrot	noun	兔子爱吃胡萝卜。 (Tùzi ài chī húluóbo.) Rabbits love to eat carrots.
土豆	tǔdòu	potato	noun	我喜欢吃土豆丝。 (Wǒ xǐhuān chī tǔdòu sī.) I like to eat shredded potatoes.	Common colloquial term.
马铃薯	mǎlíngshǔ	potato	noun	马铃薯可以做成薯条。 (Mǎlíngshǔ kěyǐ zuò chéng shǔtiáo.) Potatoes can be made into french fries.	More formal/biological term.
西红柿	xīhóngshì	tomato (colloquial)	noun	西红柿炒鸡蛋很好吃。 (Xīhóngshì chǎo jīdàn hěn hǎochī.) Scrambled eggs with tomatoes is delicious.	Common in Northern China.
番茄	fānqié	tomato (more formal)	noun	番茄酱是红色的。 (Fānqié jiàng shì hóngsè de.) Ketchup is red.	Common in Southern China; also used in compound words like 番茄酱 (ketchup).
玉米	yùmǐ	corn, maize	noun	煮玉米很香。 (Zhǔ yùmǐ hěn xiāng.) Boiled corn smells very good.

Table 5: 食品准备 (shípǐn zhǔnbèi) food preparation
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
炒	chǎo	to stir-fry	verb	我妈妈会炒土豆丝。 (Wǒ māma huì chǎo tǔdòu sī.) My mother can stir-fry shredded potatoes.	A very common Chinese cooking method.
蒸	zhēng	to steam	verb	蒸鱼很好吃。 (Zhēng yú hěn hǎochī.) Steamed fish is delicious.
烤	kǎo	to roast, to bake, to grill	verb	我们周末去公园烤肉。 (Wǒmen zhōumò qù gōngyuán kǎo ròu.) We go to the park to have a barbecue on weekends.	Can be used for baking bread (烤面包) or roasting meat.
煎	jiān	to pan-fry	verb	早餐我喜欢煎鸡蛋。 (Zǎocān wǒ xǐhuān jiān jīdàn.) For breakfast, I like to pan-fry eggs.	Uses a small amount of oil in a flat pan.
炸	zhá	to deep-fry	verb	炸鸡腿很香。 (Zhá jītuǐ hěn xiāng.) Deep-fried chicken legs are very fragrant.	Uses a large amount of oil.
汤	tāng	soup, broth	noun	饭前先喝汤。 (Fàn qián xiān hē tāng.) Drink soup before the meal.

Table 6: 主要食物 (zhǔyào shíwù) main foods
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
白饭	báifàn	(cooked) white rice	noun	请给我一碗白饭。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ yī wǎn báifàn.) Please give me a bowl of rice.	Emphasizes plain, cooked rice without other ingredients.
面	miàn	noodles, wheat flour	noun	今晚我们吃面。 (Jīn wǎn wǒmen chī miàn.) We are eating noodles tonight.	Can also mean "wheat flour" or "dough".
米粉	mǐfěn	rice noodles, rice flour	noun	我喜欢吃炒米粉。 (Wǒ xǐhuān chī chǎo mǐfěn.) I like to eat fried rice noodles.	Can also mean "rice flour".
面包	miànbāo	bread	noun	我早餐吃面包。 (Wǒ zǎocān chī miànbāo.) I eat bread for breakfast.

关键句 (Guānjiān jù) Key Phrases

您好，你们可以点菜了吗？ Nǐn hǎo, nǐmen kěyǐ diǎncài le ma?

请给我们一壶茶。 Qǐng gěi wǒmen yī hú chá.

英国人的主食是面包和土豆。 Yīngguórén de zhǔshí shì miànbāo hé tǔdòu.

我要一个麻婆豆腐，在要一个酸辣汤。 Wǒ yào yīgè mápó dòufu, zài yào yīgè suān là tāng.

有可乐，果汁，啤酒，还有茶。 Yǒu kělè, guǒzhī, píjiǔ, hái yǒu chá.

试 (Shì) Try:

I want a coffee, and also a milk tea.

Waiter, I would like another rice (you had one already).

In the Zoo, there is dog, cat, fish and also panda.

My hobbies include swimming, singing and also dancing.

练一练 (Liàn yī liàn) Practise

中国菜一般有汤和主食。 Zhōngguó cài yībān yǒu tāng hé zhǔshí.

中国的北方人很能/会吃辣。 Zhōngguó de běifāng rén hěn néng/huì chī là.

他们也喜欢吃凉菜。 Tāmen yě xǐhuān chī liángcài.

请问，你们想要喝什么饮料？ Qǐngwèn, nǐmen xiǎng yào hē shénme yǐnliào?

我要一两牛肉。 Wǒ yào yī liǎng niúròu.

Lesson 4

Unit 2.2 我请客！ Unit 2.2 Wǒ qǐng kè!

词汇 (Cíhuì) Vocabulary

中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
比如	bǐrú	for example	conjunction	我喜欢吃水果，比如苹果和香蕉。 (Wǒ xǐhuān chī shuǐguǒ, bǐrú píngguǒ hé xiāngjiāo.) I like to eat fruits, such as apples and bananas.	More colloquial.
例如	lìrú	for example	conjunction	中国有很多大城市，例如北京、上海。 (Zhōngguó yǒu hěnduō dà chéngshì, lìrú Běijīng, Shànghǎi.) China has many large cities, for example, Beijing and Shanghai.	More formal/written.
比较	bǐjiào	comparatively, relatively; to compare	adverb, verb	这道菜比较辣。 (Zhè dào cài bǐjiào là.) This dish is relatively spicy.	As an adverb, it softens the degree.
有点（儿）	yǒudiǎn(er)	a little bit, somewhat	adverb	这道菜有点咸。 (Zhè dào cài yǒudiǎn xián.) This dish is a little salty.	Indicates a slight degree, often of something negative or neutral.
清淡	qīngdàn	light (taste, not greasy)	adjective	病人适合吃清淡的食物。 (Bìngrén shìhé chī qīngdàn de shíwù.) Patients should eat light food.	Opposite of 油腻.
油腻	yóunì	greasy, oily	adjective	油炸食品很油腻。 (Yóuzhá shípǐn hěn yóunì.) Fried food is very greasy.
油	yóu	oil	noun	炒菜需要放油。 (Chǎo cài xūyào fàng yóu.) You need to put oil in when stir-frying.
清	qīng	clear, light, pure	adjective	这碗汤很清。 (Zhè wǎn tāng hěn qīng.) This bowl of soup is very clear.
甜	tián	sweet	adjective	这个蛋糕太甜了。 (Zhège dàngāo tài tián le.) This cake is too sweet.
酸	suān	sour	adjective	柠檬很酸。 (Níngméng hěn suān.) Lemons are very sour.
苦	kǔ	bitter	adjective	中药很苦。 (Zhōngyào hěn kǔ.) Traditional Chinese medicine is very bitter.
辣	là	spicy, hot	adjective	四川菜很辣。 (Sìchuān cài hěn là.) Sichuan food is very spicy.
饮食	yǐnshí	food and drink, diet	noun	健康饮食很重要。 (Jiànkāng yǐnshí hěn zhòngyào.) A healthy diet is very important.
请客	qǐng kè	to treat someone (to a meal, etc.)	verb phrase	今天我请客，你随便点。 (Jīntiān wǒ qǐng kè, nǐ suíbiàn diǎn.) It's my treat today, order whatever you like.
菜系	càixì	cuisine (style)	noun	中国有八大菜系。 (Zhōngguó yǒu bā dà càixì.) China has eight major cuisines.
系统	xìtǒng	system	noun	电脑系统需要更新。 (Diànnǎo xìtǒng xūyào gēngxīn.) The computer system needs to be updated.
自己	zìjǐ	oneself, myself, yourself	pronoun	我自己做饭。 (Wǒ zìjǐ zuò fàn.) I cook for myself.
合…口味	hé … kǒuwèi	to suit someone's taste	phrase	这家餐厅的菜很合我的口味。 (Zhè jiā cāntīng de cài hěn hé wǒ de kǒuwèi.) The food at this restaurant suits my taste very well.	合 (hé) means "to suit".
不过	búguò	but, however	conjunction	这家店菜不错，不过有点贵。 (Zhè jiā diàn cài búcuò, búguò yǒudiǎn guì.) This restaurant's food is good, but it's a bit expensive.	Similar to 但是, but softer.
更	gèng	more, even more	adverb	我想找一个更大的房子。 (Wǒ xiǎng zhǎo yīgè gèng dà de fángzi.) I want to find an even bigger house.	Used for comparative degree.
最	zuì	most (superlative)	adverb	这是我吃过的最好吃的饺子。 (Zhè shì wǒ chīguo de zuì hǎochī de jiǎozi.) This is the most delicious dumplings I've ever eaten.	Used for superlative degree.
鲜艳	xiānyàn	bright, colourful (of colours)	adjective	她穿了一件颜色鲜艳的衣服。 (Tā chuānle yī jiàn yánsè xiānyàn de yīfu.) She wore a brightly coloured dress.

Table 7: Table Setting
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
刀,刀子	dāo, dāozi	knife	noun	他用刀子切水果。 (Tā yòng dāozi qiē shuǐguǒ.) He uses a knife to cut fruit.	More colloquial with the suffix 子.
叉子	chāzi	fork	noun	吃西餐用叉子。 (Chī xīcān yòng chāzi.) We use forks for Western food.
勺子	sháozi	spoon	noun	请给我一个勺子喝汤。 (Qǐng gěi wǒ yīgè sháozi hē tāng.) Please give me a spoon to drink the soup.
碟子	diézi	small plate, saucer	noun	酱油可以倒在碟子里。 (Jiàngyóu kěyǐ dào zài diézi lǐ.) Soy sauce can be poured into a small plate.	Usually a smaller plate for condiments or side dishes.
筷子	kuàizi	chopsticks	noun	中国人用筷子吃饭。 (Zhōngguó rén yòng kuàizi chīfàn.) Chinese people use chopsticks to eat.	The measure word is 双 (shuāng, pair).
餐巾	cānjīn	napkin (for dining)	noun	请把餐巾放在腿上。 (Qǐng bǎ cānjīn fàng zài tuǐ shàng.) Please put the napkin on your lap.	More formal. 纸巾 (zhǐjīn) is more common for paper napkins.

关键句 (Guānjiān jù) Key Phrases

我喜欢鲜艳的颜色，比如红色和黄色。 Wǒ xǐhuan xiānyàn de yánsè, bǐrú hóngsè hé huángsè.

试 (Shì) Try:

I love fruit and vegetables, such as apples and broccoli.

The UK has fast food restaurants everywhere, such as McDonalds and KFC.

Subject + adjective 是 (shì) is adjective, 不过 (bùguò) but / 但是 (dànshì) but / 可是 (kěshì) but … 。

好吃是好吃，不过有点辣。 Hǎochī shì hǎochī, bùguò yǒudiǎn là.

更 (gèng) more + verb/adjective - prefer/more [something]

南方菜更清淡。 Nánfāng cài gèng qīngdàn.

更 (gèng) more + 不 (bù) not + verb/adjective - dislike more [something]

最 (zuì) most + verb/adjective - most [something]

我最喜欢吃广东菜。 Wǒ zuì xǐhuān chī Guǎngdōng cài.

最 (zuì) most + 不 (bù) not + verb/adjective - most dislike [something]

练一练 (Liàn yī liàn) Practise

一般来说，英国的炸鱼比较油腻。 Yībān láishuō, yīngguó de zhá yú bǐ jiào yóu nì. Generally speaking, the fried fish in the UK is relatively greasy.Cài guó de zhá yú bǐ jiào yóu nì.

我最担心下雪的时候伦敦的交通。 Wǒ zuì dānxīn xiàxuě de shíhòu Lúndūn de jiāotōng.

我喜欢自己做饭，因为这样更合自己口味。 Wǒ xǐhuan zìjǐ zuòfàn, yīnwèi zhèyàng gèng hé zìjǐ kǒuwèi.

中国人是工作狂，比如，他们一般工作到晚上八点。 Zhōngguó rén shì gōngzuò kuáng, bǐrú, tāmen yībān gōngzuò dào wǎnshàng bā diǎn.

我觉得这个法国菜有点儿太清淡了。 Wǒ juéde zhège fǎguó cài yǒudiǎnr tài qīngdàn le.

我妈妈喜欢吃很甜的东西，而我爸爸喜欢吃很辣的东西。 Wǒ māma xǐhuān chī hěn tián de dōngxi, ér wǒ bàba xǐhuān chī hěn là de dōngxi.

Lesson 5

Unit 3.1 你叫什么名字？ Unit 3.1 Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?

词汇 (Cíhuì) Vocabulary

中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
妻子	qīzi	wife	noun	他的妻子是老师。 (Tā de qīzi shì lǎoshī.) His wife is a teacher.
太太	tàitai	wife, Mrs.	noun	王太太在家吗？ (Wáng tàitai zài jiā ma?) Is Mrs. Wang at home?	A polite/respectful term; also used as a title (Mrs.).
丈夫	zhàngfu	husband	noun	她丈夫是医生。 (Tā zhàngfu shì yīshēng.) Her husband is a doctor.	Neutral tone on 夫 is common in speech.
变	biàn	to change, to become	verb	天气变了。 (Tiānqì biàn le.) The weather has changed.
改变	gǎibiàn	to change, to alter	verb	我想改变计划。 (Wǒ xiǎng gǎibiàn jìhuà.) I want to change the plan.	Often used for intentional changes.
习惯	xíguàn	habit	noun	早起是一个好习惯。 (Zǎo qǐ shì yīgè hǎo xíguàn.) Getting up early is a good habit.
习惯	xíguàn	to be accustomed to	verb	我习惯了这里的生活。 (Wǒ xíguànle zhèlǐ de shēnghuó.) I'm used to the life here.
该	gāi	should, ought to	modal verb	时间不早了，我该回家了。 (Shíjiān bù zǎo le, wǒ gāi huí jiā le.) It's getting late, I should go home.	Often used in the structure "该…了".
应该	yīnggāi	should, ought to	modal verb	你应该多喝水。 (Nǐ yīnggāi duō hē shuǐ.) You should drink more water.	Stronger than 该; expresses advice or moral obligation.
然后	ránhòu	then, after that	conjunction	我们先吃饭，然后去看电影。 (Wǒmen xiān chīfàn, ránhòu qù kàn diànyǐng.) Let's eat first, then go watch a movie.	Used to sequence events.
结婚	jié hūn	to get married	verb	他们打算明年结婚。 (Tāmen dǎsuàn míngnián jié hūn.) They plan to get married next year.
美国	Měiguó	United States, America	proper noun	我哥哥住在美国。 (Wǒ gēge zhù zài Měiguó.) My older brother lives in the United States.
认识	rènshi	to know (a person), to be acquainted with	verb	我认识他三年了。 (Wǒ rènshi tā sān nián le.) I have known him for three years.	For knowing people, not facts.
会	huì	can, to know how to (a skill)	modal verb	我会说汉语。 (Wǒ huì shuō Hànyǔ.) I can speak Chinese.	Expresses learned ability.
知道	zhīdào	to know (a fact, information)	verb	我知道这件事。 (Wǒ zhīdào zhè jiàn shì.) I know about this matter.	For knowing facts, information, or that something exists.

Table 8: 长得 (zhǎngdé) looks
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
长长的	chángcháng de	long	adjective	她有一头长长的头发。 (Tā yǒu yī tóu chángcháng de tóufa.) She has long hair.	The reduplicated form (AA的) makes the description more vivid and softer.
短短的	duǎnduǎn de	short	adjective	他理了一个短短的头发。 (Tā lǐle yī gè duǎnduǎn de tóufa.) He got a short haircut.
卷卷的	juǎnjuǎn de	curly	adjective	那个小女孩有卷卷的头发。 (Nàgè xiǎo nǚhái yǒu juǎnjuǎn de tóufa.) That little girl has curly hair.
直直的	zhízhí de	straight	adjective	她的头发是直直的。 (Tā de tóufa shì zhízhí de.) Her hair is straight.
金色的	jīnsè de	golden, blond	adjective	她染了金色的头发。 (Tā rǎnle jīnsè de tóufa.) She dyed her hair blond.	Literally "gold-coloured"; used for blond hair.
黑色的	hēisè de	black	adjective	中国人大多是黑色的头发。 (Zhōngguó rén dàduō shì hēisè de tóufa.) Most Chinese people have black hair.
蓝色的	lánsè de	blue	adjective	他有一双蓝色的大眼睛。 (Tā yǒu yī shuāng lánsè de dà yǎnjīng.) He has a pair of big blue eyes.
大大的	dàdà de	big, large	adjective	那个房子有大大窗户。 (Nàgè fángzi yǒu dàdà de chuānghu.) That house has big windows.

关键句 (Guānjiān jù) Key Phrases

Lesson 6

Unit 3.2 你叫什么名字？ Unit 3.2 Nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?

词汇 (Cíhuì) Vocabulary

中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
因为	yīnwèi	because	conjunction	因为下雨，所以我们不去公园了。 (Yīnwèi xià yǔ, suǒyǐ wǒmen bù qù gōngyuán le.) Because it's raining, we're not going to the park.	Often paired with 所以 in the structure "因为…所以…".
所以	suǒyǐ	so, therefore	conjunction	他病了，所以没来上班。 (Tā bìng le, suǒyǐ méi lái shàngbān.) He is sick, so he didn't come to work.	Often follows the reason.
年轻	niánqīng	young	adjective	你还年轻，可以多试试。 (Nǐ hái niánqīng, kěyǐ duō shì shi.) You are still young, you can try more things.	Refers to a relatively young age.
最近	zuìjìn	recently, lately	adverb	你最近怎么样？ (Nǐ zuìjìn zěnmeyàng?) How have you been lately?
教授	jiàoshòu	professor	noun	张教授是我的中文老师。 (Zhāng jiàoshòu shì wǒ de Zhōngwén lǎoshī.) Professor Zhang is my Chinese teacher.	A title for a university professor.
各位	gèwèi	everyone, ladies and gentlemen	pronoun	各位同学，请安静。 (Gèwèi tóngxué, qǐng ānjìng.) Everyone/All students, please be quiet.	A polite way to address a group.

Table 9: 性格 (xìnggé) personality
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
好人	hǎorén	good person	noun	他是个好人，经常帮助别人。 (Tā shì gè hǎorén, jīngcháng bāngzhù biérén.) He is a good person and often helps others.	A noun meaning "a good person". The adjective is 好.
搞笑	gǎoxiào	funny, amusing	adjective	这个电影很搞笑。 (Zhège diànyǐng hěn gǎoxiào.) This movie is very funny.	Informal/colloquial.
聪明	cōngmíng	smart, clever, intelligent	adjective	她很聪明，学得很快。 (Tā hěn cōngmíng, xué de hěn kuài.) She is very smart and learns quickly.
笨	bèn	stupid, foolish	adjective	我太笨了，这道题不会做。 (Wǒ tài bèn le, zhè dào tí bù huì zuò.) I'm too stupid, I can't solve this problem.	Can be self-deprecating. Avoid using directly to describe others.
顽皮	wánpí	naughty, mischievous	adjective	这个孩子很顽皮，但是很可爱。 (Zhège háizi hěn wánpí, dànshì hěn kě'ài.) This child is very naughty, but also very cute.	Tone is pí. Often used for children.
乖	guāi	well-behaved, obedient	adjective	小狗今天很乖。 (Xiǎo gǒu jīntiān hěn guāi.) The puppy is very well-behaved today.	Often used for children and pets.
小气	xiǎoqi	stingy, petty	adjective	他对朋友很大方，但对家人很小气。 (Tā duì péngyou hěn dàfāng) dàn duì jiārén hěn xiǎoqi.	Neutral tone on 气. More common than 抠门.
抠门	kōumén	stingy, miserly	adjective	别那么抠门，该花钱的时候就花。 (Bié nàme kōumén, gāi huā qián de shíhòu jiù huā.) Don't be so stingy, spend money when you should.	Colloquial, slightly stronger than 小气.
大方	dàfang	generous, open-minded	adjective	她很大方，经常请客。 (Tā hěn dàfang, jīngcháng qǐng kè.) She is very generous and often treats others.	Neutral tone on 方. Opposite of 小气.
勇敢	yǒnggǎn	brave, courageous	adjective	消防员非常勇敢。 (Xiāofángyuán fēicháng yǒnggǎn.) Firefighters are very brave.
怕死	pàsǐ	afraid of death, cowardly	adjective	别怕死，试一试！ (Bié pàsǐ, shì yī shì!) Don't be afraid/Don't be a coward, give it a try!	Informal and strong. More common phrase is 胆小 (dǎnxiǎo) for "cowardly".
静	jìng	quiet, still	adjective	请保持安静。 (Qǐng bǎochí ānjìng.) Please keep quiet.	Often used in the compound 安静.
懒	lǎn	lazy	adjective	周末我想懒一点。 (Zhōumò wǒ xiǎng lǎn yīdiǎn.) I want to be a little lazy on weekends.
贪心	tānxīn	greedy, avaricious	adjective	做人不能太贪心。 (Zuò rén bùnéng tài tānxīn.) One shouldn't be too greedy.	Negative trait.
神经质	shénjīngzhì	neurotic, nervous	adjective	他有点神经质，总是担心小事。 (Tā yǒudiǎn shénjīngzhì, zǒngshì dānxīn xiǎoshì.) He is a bit neurotic, always worrying about small things.	Clinical/psychological term. 紧张 (jǐnzhāng) for "nervous" is more common.
变态	biàntài	perverted, abnormal	adjective	这种行为很变态。 (Zhè zhǒng xíngwéi hěn biàntài.) This kind of behavior is perverted/abnormal.	A very strong and offensive term. Not for polite conversation.

关键句 (Guānjiān jù) Key Phrases

Lesson 7

Unit 4.1 祝你们白头偕老! Unit 4.1 Zhù nǐmen báitóu xiélǎo!

复习 (Fùxí) Review

词汇 (Cíhuì) Vocabulary

中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
颜色	yánsè	colour	noun	你喜欢什么颜色？ (Nǐ xǐhuān shénme yánsè?) What colour do you like?
重要	zhòngyào	important	adjective	这是一个重要的决定。 (Zhè shì yīgè zhòngyào de juédìng.) This is an important decision.
喜庆	xǐqìng	festive, joyous	adjective	春节是一个喜庆的节日。 (Chūn Jié shì yīgè xǐqìng de jiérì.) The Spring Festival is a festive holiday.
衣服	yīfu	clothes, clothing	noun	她买了很多新衣服。 (Tā mǎile hěnduō xīn yīfu.) She bought a lot of new clothes.	Neutral tone on 服.
穿（衣服）	chuān (yīfu)	to wear (clothes), to put on	verb	今天很冷，多穿点衣服。 (Jīntiān hěn lěng) duō chuān diǎn yīfu.
脱（衣服）	tuō (yīfu)	to take off (clothes)	verb	回到家，他先脱了外套。 (Huí dào jiā, tā xiān tuōle wàitào.) After getting home, he first took off his coat.
可是	kěshì	but, however	conjunction	我很想去，可是没时间。 (Wǒ hěn xiǎng qù, kěshì méi shíjiān.) I really want to go, but I don't have time.	Similar to 但是, slightly softer.
但是	dànshì	but, however	conjunction	这个菜很好吃，但是有点贵。 (Zhège cài hěn hǎochī, dànshì yǒudiǎn guì.) This dish is delicious, but a bit expensive.	The most common word for "but".
参观	cānguān	to visit (a place)	verb	明天我们去参观博物馆。 (Míngtiān wǒmen qù cānguān bówùguǎn.) We will visit the museum tomorrow.
参加	cānjiā	to attend, to participate	verb	我想参加这个比赛。 (Wǒ xiǎng cānjiā zhège bǐsài.) I want to participate in this competition.
婚礼	hūnlǐ	wedding ceremony	noun	他们的婚礼在下个月。 (Tāmen de hūnlǐ zài xià gè yuè.) Their wedding is next month.
葬礼	zànglǐ	funeral	noun	很多人参加了他的葬礼。 (Hěnduō rén cānjiāle tā de zànglǐ.) Many people attended his funeral.
会议	huìyì	meeting, conference	noun	下午三点有一个重要会议。 (Xiàwǔ sān diǎn yǒu yīgè zhòngyào huìyì.) There is an important meeting at 3 pm.
活动	huódòng	activity, event	noun	学校周末有课外活动。 (Xuéxiào zhōumò yǒu kèwài huódòng.) The school has extracurricular activities on weekends.
新娘	xīnniáng	bride	noun	新娘今天非常漂亮。 (Xīnniáng jīntiān fēicháng piàoliang.) The bride looks very beautiful today.
新郎	xīnláng	groom	noun	新郎和新娘站在一起。 (Xīnláng hé xīnniáng zhàn zài yīqǐ.) The groom and bride stand together.
新房	xīnfáng	new house (often for newlyweds)	noun	他们结婚后住进了新房。 (Tāmen jiéhūn hòu zhù jìnle xīnfáng.) After getting married, they moved into their new house.	Can refer to the couple's first marital home.
婚纱	hūnshā	wedding dress	noun	她试穿了几件婚纱。 (Tā shìchuānle jǐ jiàn hūnshā.) She tried on several wedding dresses.	Specifically the bride's gown.

Table 10: 颜色 (yánsè) colour
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
红色	hóngsè	red	noun	红色代表喜庆。 (Hóngsè dàibiǎo xǐqìng.) The colour red represents celebration.	Usually used as a noun, but can function adjectivally with 的 (红色的花).
橙色	chéngsè	orange	noun	橙色的橘子很甜。 (Chéngsè de júzi hěn tián.) Orange-coloured oranges are sweet.
黄色	huángsè	yellow	noun	香蕉是黄色的。 (Xiāngjiāo shì huángsè de.) Bananas are yellow.
绿色	lǜsè	green	noun	春天，树都变成绿色。 (Chūntiān, shù dōu biàn chéng lǜsè.) In spring, the trees all turn green.
蓝色	lánsè	blue	noun	我喜欢蓝色的大海。 (Wǒ xǐhuān lánsè de dàhǎi.) I like the blue sea.
紫色	zǐsè	purple	noun	她有一条紫色的裙子。 (Tā yǒu yī tiáo zǐsè de qúnzi.) She has a purple dress.
棕色	zōngsè	brown	noun	他的眼睛是棕色的。 (Tā de yǎnjīng shì zōngsè de.) His eyes are brown.
咖啡色	kāfēisè	coffee-coloured, brown	noun	我买了一个咖啡色的包。 (Wǒ mǎile yīgè kāfēisè de bāo.) I bought a coffee-coloured bag.	Literally "coffee colour".
粉红色	fěnhóngsè	pink	noun	小女孩喜欢粉红色。 (Xiǎo nǚhái xǐhuān fěnhóngsè.) Little girls like pink.	粉红色 is the full, common form.
黑色	hēisè	black	noun	他穿着一件黑色的外套。 (Tā chuānzhe yī jiàn hēisè de wàitào.) He is wearing a black coat.
白色	báisè	white	noun	雪是白色的。 (Xuě shì báisè de.) Snow is white.
灰色	huīsè	gray, grey	noun	今天天空是灰色的。 (Jīntiān tiānkōng shì huīsè de.) The sky is gray today.
银色	yínsè	silver	noun	她买了一辆银色的汽车。 (Tā mǎile yī liàng yínsè de qìchē.) She bought a silver car.
金色	jīnsè	gold, golden	noun	金牌是金色的。 (Jīnpái shì jīnsè de.) The gold medal is golden.
深色	shēnsè	dark colour	noun	深色的衣服更显瘦。 (Shēnsè de yīfu gèng xiǎn shòu.) Dark-coloured clothes make you look slimmer.	Can be used as a prefix: 深蓝色 (dark blue).
浅色	qiǎnsè	light colour	noun	夏天穿浅色的衣服更凉快。 (Xiàtiān chuān qiǎnsè de yīfu gèng liángkuai.) Wearing light-coloured clothes is cooler in summer.	Can be used as a prefix: 浅绿色 (light green).

Table 11: 爱 (ǎi) love
中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
吃醋	chīcù	to be jealous (in a relationship)	verb	看到女朋友和别的男生说话，他吃醋了。 (Kàndào nǚ péngyou hé biéde nánshēng shuōhuà, tā chīcù le.) He became jealous when he saw his girlfriend talking to another guy.	A very common colloquial term for jealousy. Literally "to eat vinegar".
戴绿帽子	dài lǜmàozi	to be cheated on (said of a man whose partner is unfaithful)	verb phrase	他妻子有外遇，他戴绿帽子了。 (Tā qīzi yǒu wàiyù) tā dài lǜmàozi le.	A strong, informal, and somewhat crude idiom. Use with caution.
三角恋	sānjiǎoliàn	love triangle	noun	这部电影讲的是一个复杂的三角恋故事。 (Zhè bù diànyǐng jiǎng de shì yīgè fùzá de sānjiǎoliàn gùshì.) This movie tells a complicated love triangle story.
当电灯泡	dāng diàndēngpào	to be a third wheel	verb phrase	他们俩约会，我不想当电灯泡。 (Tāmen liǎ yuēhuì, wǒ bù xiǎng dāng diàndēngpào.) They are going on a date, I don't want to be the third wheel.	A humorous and common way to describe being an unwanted extra person with a couple.
好马不吃回头草	hǎo mǎ bù chī huítóu cǎo	Don't return to a past relationship/situation.	proverb	既然分手了，就别再联系了，好马不吃回头草。 (Jìrán fēnshǒu le) jiù bié zài liánxì le	A proverb advising against going back to an ex-partner or a previous situation.

牛奶是什么颜色的？ Niúnǎi shì shénme yánsè de?

彩虹一共有七种颜色。 Cǎihóng yīgòng yǒu qī zhǒng yánsè.

关键句 (Guānjiān jù) Key Phrases

穿什么都可以。 Chuān shénme dōu kěyǐ. Wear whatever is ok.

穿什么颜色的都可以。 Chuān shénme yánsè dōu kěyǐ. Wear whatever colour is ok.

看看我穿这件衣服怎么样？ Kàn kàn wǒ chuān zhè jiàn yīfu zěnme yàng? How do I look in this dress?

新娘要穿白色婚沙。 Xīnniáng yào chuān báisè hūnshā. The bride should wear white wedding dress.

作业 (Zuòyè) Homework

Please explain how English and Chinese weddings are different by translating the following:

In Western weddings, guests can usually wear whatever colour clothes they want, as long as it’s pretty.
This is different from Chinese weddings.
In Chinese weddings, guests need to wear celebratory colours.
The bride’s wedding dress is white and the qibao is usually red & gold
Don’t wear …. & ……. colour as it’s for attending funerals!
This is very important!

在西国的婚礼客人平时穿什么都可以。 Zài xī guó de hūnlǐ kèrén píngshí chuān shénme dōu kěyǐ.

这是差中国婚礼。 Zhè shì chà Zhōngguó hūnlǐ.

在中国婚礼客人需要穿喜庆颜色的衣服。 Zài zhōngguó hūnlǐ kèrén xūyào chuān xǐqìng yánsè de yīfú.

婚沙颜色时百的，旗袍常常红的金的。 Hūn shā yánsè shí bǎi de, qípáo chángcháng hóng de jīn de.

这是很重要。 Zhè shì hěn zhòngyào.

Learn all the colours. Watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHmkDmZVZt8

Learn to recognise/write the COLOUR characters!

Learn to write the colours what you like/don’t like:

比如 (Bǐrú) For example:

我喜欢红色。 Wǒ xǐhuān hóngsè.

我不喜欢红色。 Wǒ bù xǐhuān hóngsè.

Lesson 8

Unit 4.2 祝你们白头偕老! Unit 4.2 Zhù nǐmen báitóu xiélǎo!

词汇 (Cíhuì) Vocabulary

中文 (zhōngwén) Chinese	拼音 (pīnyīn) Pinyin	英语 (yīngyǔ) English	词类 (Cílèi) Parts of speech	句子 (jùzǐ) Sentence	笔记 (Bǐjì) Note
祝	zhù	to wish	verb	祝你生日快乐！ (Zhù nǐ shēngrì kuàilè!) Happy birthday to you!	Often used in祝福 (zhùfú).
新人	xīnrén	newlyweds, bride and groom	noun	让我们一起祝福这对新人。 (Ràng wǒmen yīqǐ zhùfú zhè duì xīnrén.) Let us all wish the newlyweds well.	Specifically refers to the new couple.
永远	yǒngyuǎn	forever, always	adverb	我永远是你的朋友。 (Wǒ yǒngyuǎn shì nǐ de péngyou.) I will always be your friend.
幸福	xìngfú	happiness	noun	祝你们生活幸福！ (Zhù nǐmen shēnghuó xìngfú!) I wish you a happy life!	A very common wish.
美满	měimǎn	happy, perfect, blissful	adjective	他们有一个美满的家庭。 (Tāmen yǒu yīgè měimǎn de jiātíng.) They have a happy and perfect family.	Often used for family and marriage life.
新婚美满	xīnhūn měimǎn	a happy new marriage	phrase	祝你们新婚美满，百年好合！ (Zhù nǐmen xīnhūn měimǎn, bǎinián hǎohé!) Wishing you a happy new marriage and a lifelong union!	A common wedding blessing.
早生贵子	zǎoshēng guìzǐ	May you have a child soon (polite wish)	phrase	亲戚们祝新人早生贵子。 (Qīnqi men zhù xīnrén zǎoshēng guìzǐ.) The relatives wished the newlyweds would have a child soon.	A traditional blessing for newlyweds.
白头偕老	báitóu xié lǎo	to live together until old age	idiom	祝你们白头偕老，永结同心。 (Zhù nǐmen báitóu xié lǎo, yǒng jié tóngxīn.) May you grow old together and be of one heart forever.	The ultimate wish for a lifelong marriage.
浪漫	làngmàn	romantic	adjective	他们在海边有一个浪漫的婚礼。 (Tāmen zài hǎibiān yǒu yīgè làngmàn de hūnlǐ.) They had a romantic wedding by the sea.
相信	xiāngxìn	to believe, to trust	verb	我相信你说的话。 (Wǒ xiāngxìn nǐ shuō de huà.) I believe what you said.
参加	cānjiā	to attend	verb	你参加他们的婚礼吗？ (Nǐ cānjiā tāmen de hūnlǐ ma?) Are you attending their wedding?
举行	jǔxíng	to hold (an event)	verb	婚礼在酒店举行。 (Hūnlǐ zài jiǔdiàn jǔxíng.) The wedding will be held at a hotel.
希望	xīwàng	to hope, hope	verb, noun	我希望明天是好天气。 (Wǒ xīwàng míngtiān shì hǎo tiānqì.) I hope the weather is nice tomorrow.
以后	yǐhòu	after, afterwards, later	noun, adverb	大学毕业以后，我去了上海。 (Dàxué bìyè yǐhòu, wǒ qùle Shànghǎi.) After graduating from university, I went to Shanghai.	Refers to a time after a point of reference.
以前	yǐqián	before, previously	noun, adverb	三年以前，我住在北京。 (Sān nián yǐqián, wǒ zhù zài Běijīng.) Three years ago, I lived in Beijing.	Refers to a time before a point of reference.
爱人	àiren	spouse, sweetheart, husband/wife	noun	这是我的爱人。 (Zhè shì wǒ de àiren.) This is my spouse.	A modern, affectionate term for one's husband or wife.

关键句 (Guānjiān jù) Key Phrases

祝你们永远幸福！ Zhù nǐmen yǒngyuǎn xìngfú!

我们打算去垃萨旅行。 Wǒmen dǎsuàn qù Lāsà lǚxíng.

试 (Shì) Try:

Wish you guys happy forever!

Wish you guys grow old together!

He said we can wear whatever colour we want, so I plan to wear dark blue.

语法 (yǔfǎ) Grammar

一些 (yīxiē)

结构 (jiégòu) Structure:

Adjective + 一些 (yīxiē)

意思 (Yìsi) Meaning:

More something / …er
Similar to 一点 (yīdiǎn) but feel slightly stronger or broader.

比如 (Bǐrú) For example:

简单一些 jiǎndān yīxiē simpler

快一些 kuài yīxiē faster

试 (Shì) Try:

Let’s take the tube, it’s faster.

Japanese dishes are lighter (flavour & healthiness).

练一练 (Liàn yī liàn) Practise

作业 (Zuòyè) Homework

Speak

如果你的中国朋友结婚，在婚礼上，你可以说什么祝福的话？ Rúguǒ nǐ de Zhōngguó péngyǒu jiéhūn, zài hūnlǐ shàng, nǐ kěyǐ shuō shénme zhùfú de huà?

Please translate the following:

Do you believe in love? 你相信不相信爱？ Nǐ xiāngxìn bù xiāngxìn ài?

I am traditional, and hope I can be with my lover forever. 我传统的，希望我跟我爱人永远。 Wǒ chuántǒng de, xīwàng wǒ gēn wǒ àirén yǒngyuǎn.

But it’s not easy! 但是不容易！ Dànshì bù róngyì!

I believe being able to grow old with your lover is a very lucky thing. 我相信跟爱人白头偕老非常幸运的事情。 Wǒ xiāngxìn gēn àirén báitóu xiélǎo fēicháng xìngyùn de shìqíng.

Writing

You are being invited to your Chinese friend’s wedding. Can you write these wishful sayings on your 红包 (hóngbāo) red envelope?

祝你们新婚美满，白头偕老，早生贵子，永远幸福！ Zhù nǐmen xīnhūn měimǎn, báitóu xiélǎo, zǎoshēng guí zǐ, yǒngyuǎn xìngfú!

Lesson 9

主题 (zhǔtí) Subject

复习 Fùxí Consolidation

Created: 2026-01-07 Wed 18:21