Meaning: ability; talent; just; only Origin: 甲骨文中，“才”的横画表示地面，草木的嫩芽正从地下向上萌发，本义是草木最开始的样子，现有也有“才能”、“刚刚”的意思。 On ancient oracle bone inscriptions, the horizontal stroke of “才” represented the ground and a plant sprouting through the soil. Its original meaning was the shape of a young plant, and today it Continue Reading

Meaning: vulgar; to despise Origin: “鄙”字原作“啚”。上面的方形表示人们的聚居地，下面的“ ”是仓廪。其本义是“边邑”。后多用于指“粗俗”、“轻视”。 The character “鄙” was originally written as “啚.” The upper square represents human settlements, and the lower “ ” referred to the granary. Its original meaning was “the border areas.” Later, it came Continue Reading

Structure: Verb + 不 + Verb Meaning: As well as tag questions with ma, tag questions can also be formed using 不 (bù). This is done with a positive negative question. Examples:     我们 喝 茶， 好不好 ？     Wǒmen Continue Reading

Meaning: a piece of cloth (as used for a towel, scarf, kerchief, etc.) Origin: “巾”的本义是“手巾”或“擦抹用布”，又是古代的一种头冠，例如汉末农民起义军头裹黄巾，称为“黄巾军”。 This character’s original meaning was “hand towel” or “rag.” In ancient times, “巾” was a kind of crown. During the end of Eastern Han Dynasty, Continue Reading

Meaning: to yield ; obey; clothing Origin: 甲骨文中，“服”像一只大手抓住了一个人，使他屈服，这就是“服”字的本义，后来，“服”也有“顺从”、“衣服”的意思。 On ancient oracle bone inscriptions, “服” looks like a big hand catching someone and making him yield, which is the character’s original meaning. Later, it extended to “to obey” and “clothing.” Words: Continue Reading

Meaning: palace Origin: 早期的甲骨文“宫”的字形是两个相连的方块状，表示宫室的建筑物。后来加上屋宇的义符“宀”，就更明确地表达了字义。 On early oracle bone inscriptions, “宫” appeared as two connected squares, which represented palace buildings. Later, the semantic radical for buildings (“宀”) was added, making the expression more explicit. Words:    故宫      (Gùgōng) : the Forbidden Continue Reading

Meaning: careless, just Origin: “苟”是“傲”和“警”的本字，字形像一条狗蹲在地上，竖起了双耳。本义是“警惕”。 “苟” is the original version of the character “傲”and “警”. It looks like a dog crouching on the ground, with its two ears erect. The character’s original meaning was “to be on alert.” Words: 一丝不苟     Continue Reading

Meaning: to wash (the hands or face) Origin: 盥”字像一只手在一个器皿里洗濯，旁边有水。本义是“洗手”。现在还有“盥洗室”这个常用词。 “盥” resembles a person was washing a hand in a bowl. Its original meaning was “to wash hands.” Today, the word “盥洗室” is still commonly used. Words: 盥洗室    (guànxǐshì): washroom 盥盆      Continue Reading

Simple Structure with just 如果 Structure: 如果+ Statement + 就 + Result Meaning: “如果…, 就…” is an often-used pattern that is utilized in the same way that “If…, then…” is in English. Examples:     我 如果 在 北京 找不到 工作，就 Continue Reading

Meaning: 抱不平 (bào bù píng) to feel angry about an injustice done to someone else Usage: “抱不平”是指看到别人遇见不公平事情，心里感到愤怒，并帮助弱小的一方。有时候也说“打抱不平”。 “抱不平”means feeling angry about an injustice done to someone else. Sometimes it is used with the verb“打”. Examples: 1. 我们都为他抱不平，做了这么多事情还要被领导批评。     Wǒmen dōu Continue Reading