It’s undeniably hot and what better respite is there than to stay under a shade and listen to summer anthems. Of course, life isn’t always like that and we still need to endure the scorching July sun to do our daily activities. Here are some cool words and phrases you can use to beat the heat.
It’s World Hepatitis Day today and the campaign this year focuses on the theme of eliminating the infectious disease that inflames the liver. According to WHO, hepatitis is caused by five different types of viruses and accounts for 1.35 million deaths globally per year. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that China has a “reservoir” …
The bike-sharing phenomenon sweeping across China is facing a big legal challenge after the death of a boy in Shanghai last March. Ofo, one of the major players in the industry, has been sued by the victim’s family for a RMB 8.78 million (USD 1.27 million) lawsuit, in the first Chinese case of a death of a minor using …
Read more “Ofo Faces a RMB 8 Million Lawsuit Over the Death of a Shanghai Minor”
Ask a Chinese guy on the street, “你知道多少汉字?” Nǐ zhīdào duōshǎo hànzì? (How many Chinese characters do you know?) Chances are that person might say around 4,000 characters. That’s a lot! When you’re accustomed to a language that uses the alphabet (in any forms) as a writing system, memorizing and pronouncing words can be simple. Chinese is a logographic language (in …
Read more “Mandarin Monday: Learn the Correct Character Stroke Order Using This App”
When learning a new language, it is important to know basic greetings and words to help you get by. Of course, a wide vocabulary doesn’t come in an instant; it takes countless hours of reading, practicing, and immersing yourself with native speakers to grow. You might have heard that Chinese has thousands of characters … …
Read more “Mandarin Monday: The HSK Cheat Sheet – 300 Words for Levels 1 and 2”
Summer vacation is just around the corner and many families are in the final stages of getting ready for that much-needed break. Of the many things that families prepare for the vacation, health products like travel medication and first aid kids are among the most essential. But what if an untoward instance happens, say a …
Read more “Have an Extra Dose of Travel Preparedness, Get Vaccinated Before Leaving”
I have a good pictographic memory, and that makes it easier for me to remember Chinese characters. Recognizing them is just one thing; remembering their pinyin equivalents is another. And speaking them is a whole different level. These components of learning Chinese might be the ones that frighten off new learners, but of course there’s …
Read more “Mandarin Monday: Challenge Your Chinese Proficiency with These Game Apps”
“Talk to locals,” “Speak it daily,” “Always practice.” These are my mantras in learning (or rather self-studying) Chinese but usually…
The smartphone has transformed expat life in Beijing, giving us access to information and services wherever we go. Here are a few of the most useful apps to help you survive and thrive in Beijing.
People take in animals as pets for companionship or protection. But nowadays, saying that pet-keeping is just as akin to commodifying animals, that is, they are “products” that can be easily bought and then disregarded, is quite a contentious issue.