What are Mandarin Chinese radicals?
The radicals 部首 are not just Mandarin Chinese, they are for all Chinese characters. They are the bases of the characters. Take, for example, the …
What color is offensive to the Chinese?
It depends. If you wear white on festive days, like the Chinese Spring Festival and a wedding, you will offend all the Chinese people. Well, …
What is the introductory challenge in learning Chinese?
It depends on what your native language is. People who speak Indo-European languages find the vocabulary alien and especially people from structured languages like German …
Why do Chinese people use the symbol “~” in their writing?
Although I’m a science guy, I’ve always been fascinated by language and writing. The symbol “~” is called a “波浪号” (bōlàng hào) in Chinese, which …
How do people in China calculate the date of the Lunar New Year and its beginning and ending?
On the first day of the traditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, the moon is a crescent, and on the fifteenth day, it is a full moon. …
Did simplified Chinese raise the literacy rate in China?
I do not see strong-enough evidence that it was the contributor, or even the dominant contributor. Supporters of the “character simplification raised literacy rates” theory usually point …
What do you like and admire about the culture of China?
The culture of China that I like and admire the most is “Action speaks louder than words” Chinese people love a cheery talk but when …
How does China celebrate Halloween?
Halloween is not an official holiday in China, but it is quickly gaining popularity among the younger generations. We celebrate it more or less the …
In Chinese culture, why is it uncommon to verbally express love?
Because in Chinese culture love is expressed through action. It’s a very difficult concept for us as Westerners to grasp at times. We are used …
Can you suggest some unique Chinese surnames that are not commonly used in China?
There are many unique surnames in China. Let me recommend you a few unique types – double surnames. Chinese surnames are usually one character. For …