Learning Chinese
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The Traditional Clock in China
Separately and independently of Greek and Roman attempts, the Chinese developed their own clocks to record 12 two-hours and 100 quarters per day.
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Find the Best Online Chinese Dictionary
There are a number of online Chinese-English dictionaries. What makes for a good online dictionary? Which Chinese dictionaries are the best?
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The Traditional Chinese Calendar
The traditional Chinese almanac draws upon events in both the lunar and solar cycles. Nowadays, in China, it is still used along with the Western calendar.
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Spring Summer Autumn Winter in China
The accepted Western definition of seasons starts at the solstices and equinoxes, but in China the seasons are centered on the solstices and equinoxes.
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Draw a Check and Attract Good Luck in China
Although English and Chinese use Arabic numerals, they record them in almost identical fashion, however, Chinese culture ascribes properties to some of the numbers.
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Chinese Numbers are Intriguing
The counting system in China is similar to the Hindu-Arabic way. Some awareness of the development of the numeral characters is a great help in learning them.
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Get a Chinese Name
Learn how English-to-Chinese name translation works, and how Chinese symbols are used to write English names.
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The Planet Jupiter is the Year Star in China
The ancient Chinese used the planet Jupiter to mark the passage of time, "year". The commonly used name for Jupiter is thus "year star" in the Chinese language.
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The Chinese Heavenly Stems Promise Copious Crops
Together with the Earthly Branches, the Heavenly Stems are the Chinese traditional way of recording time and, accordingly, the chronological sequence of events.
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Online Classes Teach Basics of Chinese Language
Travelers headed to China who don't speak a word of Mandarin can pick up a few basic phrases (or more) in language courses taught for free on the Internet.
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The Chinese Kingdoms After the Han
Familiarity with the names of the different realms in Chinese history, especially those of the later major regimes, is helpful in learning the Chinese language.
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Some Differences Between Chinese and English
Chinese and English languages differ in many fundamental ways. Learn how the writing systems, grammar, and phonetics of these languages are different and similar.
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The Five Classic Elements in China are Tangible
The ancient Chinese theories of five elements sees the world, probably even the whole solar system, as made of metal, wood, water, fire and earth.
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Chinese Dynasty Names From Han to Sui
The Chinese language is also known as "Han language", which comes from the majority ethnic group in China. In turn, the group name derives from the Han Dynasty.
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Chinese Place Names Put You on the Right Path
Most Chinese provinces are named along with location, e.g. to the north or south of a mountain or a river. Knowing this fact helps in learning the Chinese language.
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Mandarin Chinese Tones
Mandarin Chinese uses tones in the pronunciation of words. But how do tones work? And can using incorrect tone mean accidentally saying something inopportune?
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Ancient Chinese Dynasty Names
In learning the Chinese language, it is inevitable that one will hear the names of the many dynasties. And therein one will understand the implications of these names.
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Females in Traditional Chinese Society
From the Chinese character "woman" and other related characters, what was socially expected of women, in the established Chinese tradition, can be discovered.
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Women of the Traditional Family in China
By analyzing Chinese characters which relate to "women", such as "mother," "wife" and "sister," the traditional role of Chinese women in the family can be understood.
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Learn to Speak Chinese With Pinyin
What is Hanyu Pinyin and how does it work? Learn about Mandarin's most popular romanization system.
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Chinese Surnames Come First
In China, family names are much more important than individuals' given names. On first meeting, each person would ask for the other's family name but not the given name.
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Surnames in China are Useful Common Words
One of the classic textbooks for Chinese children was "Hundreds of Family Names". In learning the family names, they thus recognized hundreds of basic Chinese characters.
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An Efficient Way to Learn the Chinese Language
A highly efficient way to learn the Chinese Language is to acquire some knowledge of the basic structure of Chinese Characters.
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Learning Chinese in China
For expatriates studying or working in China, learning the Chinese language can be a frustrating challenge. Here are some resources to help in studying Mandarin Chinese.
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Minzu University of China
The Minzu University of China is the best ethnic university in China. It has outstanding programs in areas like dance, ethnic studies and Chinese language studies.
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