nciku Team Blog

When people talk about Chinese history and culture, do you get confused by all the different dynasties? This nciku quiz helps you learn more about Chinese history by matching ten of the most important Chinese dynasties with the period when they were in power.
As usual, hover your mouse over the Chinese name of a dynasty […]

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How much do you know about Chinese historical figures? We’ve taken 10 well-known quotations from famous Chinese people throughout history, from Confucius to Deng Xiaoping, and made them into a quiz - can you guess who said what?
(if the Chinese is too tricky, you can hover your mouse over Chinese text to see an English […]

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Do you want to speak great Chinese? Do you want to sound like a native? So do we. Its a goal we have been working towards for many years now and as you already know its a long road.
The picture that most Chinese learning books paint is often in stark contrast to the reality. As […]

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Spring is in the air - are you taking advantage of the warmer weather to study Chinese outside? Many languages have well known poems and idioms about spring, and Chinese is no exception. Here are ten Chinese Chengyu idioms related to spring that you can use to impress your Chinese friends!

春暖花开 [chūnnuǎnhuākāi]: Spring has come […]

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The Year of the Rabbit is coming, and we’re sure that a lot of nciku users will be spending the New Year holidays with your Chinese friends, colleagues or partner’s families. Here are a few phrases you can use over the holiday:

祝您新年快乐幸福，大吉大利。
Zhù nín xīnniánkuàilè xìngfú, dà jí dà lì.
I wish you happiness, luck and wealth […]

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You are looking for a new place to live - how do you tell the agent about your requirements? Here are 10 phrases you can use:

我想在东直门附近找一个两居室的公寓。
Wǒ xiǎng zài dōngzhímén fùjìn zhǎo yīgè liǎngjūshì de gōngyù 。
I’m looking for a 2-bedroom apartment near Dongzhimen.

水电煤气费由谁付？
Shuǐ diàn méiqì fèi yóu shuí fù？
Who will pay the utility bills?

我需要交中介费吗？
Wǒ xūyào […]

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Ever wondered what 壹佰圆 means on the front of a 100RMB note? It’s actually pronounced yī bǎi yuán - the same as 一百元.

All Chinese numerical characters from 一 to 千 have alternative versions, known as 大写 [dàxiě], which are used in the banking and financial fields. They first appeared in the Ming Dynasty to make […]

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You’re approached by somebody that finds you attractive (maybe they use one of these Chinese pick-up lines), but you don’t feel the same way. How can you show you’re not interested? Try one of the phrases below:

对不起，我已经有女朋友了。
Duìbúqǐ， wǒ yǐjīng yǒu nǚpéngyǒu le。
I’m sorry, I already have a girlfriend.

我最多只是把你当朋友而已。
Wǒ zuìduō zhǐshì bǎ nǐ dàng péngyǒu éryǐ。
I […]

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What should you say when you meet up with your Chinese friend for dinner and he asks you what you want to eat? Here are 10 ways to suggest what to eat or which restaurant to go to.

我最喜欢的菜是宫保鸡丁。
Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de cài shì gōngbǎojīdīng 。
My favourite food is kungpao chicken.

我猜你会喜欢烤串儿的。
Wǒ cāi nǐ huì xǐhuɑn kǎo […]

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You find yourself in a heated argument. You disagree with your opponent but you don’t know how to express your disapproval. Here are 10 expressions that can help you:

这样不对。
Zhèyàng búduì 。
That’s not right.

那真不是真事！
Nà zhēn búshì zhēnshì！
That is really not true!

你那样的说法我不太赞同。
Nǐ nàyàng de shuōfǎ wǒ bútài zàntóng。
I can’t agree with you there.
[more literal translation: […]

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