038 Chinese character 青(qing-blue, green, black) and Tomb-sweeping Day

In this video, we’ll explore the customs of the Qingming Festival and the deep meanings behind them. We’ll also uncover the fascinating link between the character 青 (qīng—green, blue, or black) and Daoist alchemy, which played a key role in the invention of firecrackers and fireworks. Finally, we’ll delve into the famous poem 清明 (Qīng Míng), a timeless expression of sorrow and longing for lost loved ones.

Here is the worksheet.

037 Chinese characters: 金 子(gold)|How to say Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day, and Leprechaun in Mandarin?

🍀🇮🇪 Want to learn how to say Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day, and Leprechaun in Mandarin? 🏆✨

In this video, we’ll explore these festive words and dive into the fascinating evolution of the Chinese character 金 (jīn) 子 (zǐ) - gold! 💰🔤

Check it out and add some lucky Mandarin to your vocabulary! 🎥👇

📌 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuIObed7zBM ]
🔔 Subscribe for more language fun!

036 How the Chinese character 蛇 (shé -snake) was created

In lesson 36, we talked about when the Year of the Snake 2025 starts and ends. How the Chinese character 蛇 (shé -snake) was created and How Chinese characters are related.

Here is the worksheet for you to practice.

035 What's my Chinese Zodiac Sign? How to find my Chinese Zodiac Sign?

When I was a child, I was so confused that people born in the same year had different Chinese zodiac signs, while people born in different years had the same Chinese zodiac sign. In this video, we’ll talk about why. You’ll also learn how to find your Chinese zodiac sign.

034 Chinese characters:新

In lesson 34, we talked about the New Year both on Solar calendar and lunar calendar. We learned how Chinese created han zi 新(xin-new, fresh), and words that include han zi 新(xin-new, fresh).

Here is the balloon word search for you to practice the writing. 新(xin) 年(nian) 快(kuai) 樂(le)-Happy New Year!

033 Chinese characters: 禾, 木, 林, 森, 上

In lesson 33, we reviewed five han zi (Chinese characters) we’ve learned before. During the review , we also introduced new words or Chinese saying.

Here is the worksheet for you to practice. Have fun!

032 Chinese characters: 竹| How to say Happy Thanksgiving in Mandarin

In this lesson, we are going to learn how to say Happy Thanksgiving in Mandarin. Why is the Chinese character 節(jie-festival, holiday) related to 竹(zhu-bamboo)? What is 竹(bamboo) 馬(horse) for? Check it out.

031 Chinese characters: 南 瓜 土 豆| 感恩節 Thanksgiving

In lesson 31, we continue to learn Thanksgiving vocabulary. What do each han zi (Chinese character) for pumpkin and potato mean?

There is also a Cheng you (idiom) with water and soil for you to figure it out.

Edpuzzle study set link is here.

030 Chinese characters:火 雞 |感 恩 節| How to say Thanksgiving in Mandarin?

In lesson 30, we’ve learned how to say Thanksgiving in Mandarin. We also talked about what the Chinese characters are for turkey.

Here is the worksheet for you to practice han zi.

029 Beginner Chinese characters: 沒 大 沒 小

In lesson 29, we reviewed han zi (Chinese characters) we’ve learned from 21-30 including some Cheng yu (idioms). For example, 沒 大 沒 小. It literally means no big no small. What does that mean? Check out the video.

Here is the sentence unscramble to practice those han zi (Chinese characters) .

028 Beginner Chinese characters: 萬(wan-ten thousand), 巫(wu-witch), 鬼(gui-ghost)

In lesson 28, we learned how to say Halloween in Chinese and how the translation came from. We also learned a Halloween rhyme which was originally written by Fang lao shi.

Then we learned that how Chinese crested 萬(wan-ten thousand), 巫(wu-witch), 鬼(gui-ghost) and how those han zi are used in Cheng yu (idiom).

Here is the worksheet.

027 Beginner Chinese characters: 和(he)

In lesson 27, we continue to learn how the Chinese combined the existing Chinese characters "禾(he-rice plant)" and "口(kou-mouth)" into a new Chinese character "和".

Did you know that the original meaning of "和(he)" comes from an ancient musical instrument, the Pan flute?

Spin game link: https://www.archchinese.com/g.html?g=hp13zpiu

026 Beginner Chinese characters:口(kou), 年(nian)

In lesson 26, we reviewed a couple han zi (Chinese characters)-木(mu-wood), 禾(he-rice plant), 上(shang-above),仙(xian-immortal) and 心(xin-heart).

Then we learned two new han zi (Chinese characters)-口(kou-mouth) and 年(nian-year). Why is 年(nian-year) related to Jewish Rosh Hashanah ?

Here is the worksheet to practice your han zi (Chinese characters).

025 Chinese story: 嫦(chang)娥(e)奔(ben)月(yue)-Chang'e flies to the moon

1. Who was Chang'e to Hou Yi? What made her fly?

2. Why is the Chinese character 'celestial being' related to mountain?

3. Why do Chinese enjoy the moon and eat mooncakes during Mid-Autumn Festival?

Check it out here.

024 Chinese story: 后(hou)羿(yi)射(she)日(ri)-Houyi shoots the sun

中(zhong) 秋(qiu) 節(jie)-Mid-Autumn Festival is on September 17, 2024. During 中(zhong) 秋(qiu) 節(jie), Chinese always talk about the story of Houyi shoots the sun. So I made this video in lesson 24. Hope you’ll enjoy it.

023 Chinese poem: 靜(jìng-quiet) 夜(yè-night) 思(sī-contemplation)

In lesson 23, we talked about when the Mid-Autumn Festival is in 2024. What do Chinese do to celebrate it?

How did ancient Chinese express their homesickness if they could not go home during the Mid-Autumn Festival? 

How to sing ancient Chinese poem-静(jìng-quiet) 夜(yè-night) 思(sī-contemplation)?

022 Beginner Chinese characters:六(liù) 七(qī) 八(bā) 九(jiǔ)

In lesson 22, we first reviewed lesson 21 and we did a match practice.

Then we talked about how Chinese created their numbers 六(liù-6) 七(qī-7) 八(bā-8) and 九(jiǔ-9).

At the end, there is a worksheet for you to practice your writing.

021 Beginner Chinese characters: 女(nǚ), 媽(mā), 每(měi), , 海(hǎi)

In lesson 21, we talked about how Chinese used existing hàn zì (Chinese characters) to create new ones.

How did they create Cí(word) by using individual hàn zì (Chinese characters)?

Hope you’ll have fun for playing the drag and match game.

020 Chinese song-大(da)海(hai)啊(a),古(gu)乡(xiang): Great sea, my hometown

In lesson 20, we learned a new Chinese song 大(da)海(hai)啊(a),古(gu)乡(xiang): Great sea, my hometown.

This was theme song of the 1982 movie "The Sea Is Calling". Whenever I sing this song, I feel calm and peaceful. Hope it can bring the same feeling to you too.

019 Beginner Chinese characters:沒(mei-no, not), 人(ren-people,person)

In lesson 19, we first reviewed the han zi (Chinese characters) 有(you-have, there is) and 水(shui-water).

Then we learned two new han zi (Chinese characters) 沒(mei-no, not) and 人(ren-people, person). We also talked about what the meaning of 大 人, 小 人, 稻(dao) 草 人.

At the end, there is a Quizlet study set to practice the han zi (Chinese characters).