Exploring the Colorful World of Chinese Vocabulary

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

When we are learning some Chinese vocabulary, we often find ourselves dizzy with some mischievous words, but this is very normal, as it is a process that language learners must go through. Make progress little by little every day, and believe that you will surely overcome these challenges! This article will share with you a few words that often confuse their meanings, which will surely be helpful for you after reading!

What does "意思" (yì sī) mean?

If you are reading a storybook and come across a sentence like”I don't quite understand the meaning of this sentence.  “ "我不太明白这句话的意思" (wǒ bù tài míng bái zhè jù huà de yì sī), here "意思" refers to the content and meaning conveyed by the words, indicating the need to understand what the sentence is about.

However, in real life, if a small misunderstanding occurs between you and a friend, and you ask them, ”What do you mean by doing this?  “"你这么做是什么意思呀" (nǐ zhè me zuò shì shén me yì sī ya), the "意思" at this moment is no longer a simple meaning, but rather refers to the intention and motive behind why your friend did something.

For example, after watching a fascinating magic show, you might excitedly exclaim, ”This magic show is so interesting!  “"这场魔术表演可太有意思了" (zhè chǎng mó shù biǎo yǎn kě tài yǒu yì sī le), where "意思" now becomes connected with the sense of amusement and fun, expressing how enjoyable the performance was for you.

意思 (yì sī), noun, intention

Examples:

  1. What's the meaning of this word?
    这个词的意思是什么？
    zhè gè cí de yì sī shì shén me ？
  2. I can't understand his intention.
    我不明白他的意思。
    wǒ bù míng bái tā de yì sī 。 

How to comprehend "方便" (fāng biàn)?

Next, let's look at the magical word "方便". If you live in a neighborhood near a shopping mall and a subway station, you can say, ”The place where I live is very convenient.  “"我住的地方很方便" (wǒ zhù de dì fang hěn fāng biàn), where "方便" denotes convenient living facilities that make your daily life easy and simple.

When arranging a work discussion with a colleague, you might ask,”When will it be convenient for you? Let's talk about this project.  “ "你什么时候方便，咱们聊聊这个项目" (nǐ shén me shí hou fāng biàn，zán men liáo liáo zhè gè xiàng mù), the term "方便" in this context inquires about a suitable time for the other party, indicating the availability of a suitable occasion for the task.

If a friend asks to borrow money, but you are currently facing financial difficulties, you could say, ”I'm not convenient recently and can't help you.  “"我最近不太方便，没办法帮你了" (wǒ zuì jìn bù tài fāng biàn，méi bàn fǎ bāng nǐ le), where "方便" expresses the condition of your finances or personal circumstances, presenting a tactful way to decline the request.

方便 (fāng biàn), adjective, convenient

Examples:

  1. This way is very convenient.
    这种方式很方便。
    zhè zhǒng fāng shì hěn fāng biàn 。
  2. It's convenient for you to come here.
    你来这里很方便。
    nǐ lái zhè lǐ hěn fāng biàn 。 

Different uses of "打" (dǎ)

Lastly, let's discuss the character "打". On a sports field, if someone says, “They are playing basketball.”："他们正在打篮球" (tā men zhèng zài dǎ lán qiú), it is evident that "打" here means engaging in the activity of playing basketball, inclusive of actions like shooting, passing, and dribbling.

If a skilled craftsman is creating an exquisite wooden carving, we would say,“ He is creating a wood carving work.”  ："他在打造一个木雕作品" (tā zài dǎ zào yī gè mù diāo zuò pǐn), where "打" carries the meaning of manufacturing and creating, transforming raw materials into an artistic piece through various techniques and craftsmanship.

In the cold winter, if a mother sits on the sofa ”knitting a sweater“："打毛衣" (dǎ máo yī), the term "打" specifically denotes the action of knitting, meticulously weaving warm clothes stitch by stitch using yarn. When you are waiting by the roadside for a taxi, you might say,“I'm hailing a taxi.  ” "我在打车" (wǒ zài dǎ chē), where "打" indicates the act of taking or renting a transport vehicle.

See how these words in Chinese seem to possess magical qualities, with varying meanings in different scenarios? This is the wonder of the Chinese language. I hope that through the sharing in this article, learning Chinese will become more interesting and fulfilling for you. Keep going, as every step of progress will surely bring you closer to the wonderful world of Chinese!

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

We offer a referral program that rewards both you and your friend with free classes.To participate, simply refer a friend to our program and once they successfully enroll, both you and your friend will receive free classes.We appreciate your support and look forward to helping you and your friend achieve your language learning goals.
Our instructors are highly skilled and experienced experts in Chinese language teaching, with proficiency in multiple languages. They hold at least a bachelor's degree in teaching Chinese as a foreign language, and possess extensive teaching experience and knowledge. Through a rigorous selection process and ongoing training, our instructors are equipped to provide students with authentic pronunciation, accurate language usage, and cultural background knowledge, all of which are essential for achieving mastery of the Chinese language.
Our Chinese learning method is focused on personalized and interactive one-on-one lessons with a professional teacher. The lessons are conducted live through our online teaching platform, which allows you to see and talk to the teacher. You can schedule the lessons at a time that suits you, and the teacher will tailor the lesson content to your specific needs and goals. During the lesson, you can ask questions and receive feedback from the teacher to ensure you understand and master the knowledge and skills being taught. We also have a student service team and academic coordinator team to assist you with your learning and provide any additional support you may need.Overall, our method is designed to be flexible, personalized, and interactive to help you achieve your language learning goals.
We provide a wealth of Chinese teaching materials and learning resources, including but not limited to textbooks, workbooks, listening materials, reading materials, video courses, and online courses.Our teaching materials and resources are carefully selected and designed to meet the learning needs and goals of different learners. At the same time, our teachers will provide personalized teaching and guidance based on the learning characteristics and needs of students to ensure that students can learn and master Chinese language efficiently.
Our learning is different from traditional language learning in a number of ways. Firstly, we use technology to enhance the learning experience and provide personalized learning paths for each student. Secondly, our focus is not just on language proficiency, but also on cultural understanding and practical application of the language.Thirdly, we place a strong emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing.Additionally, we incorporate modern teaching methods and materials, such as multimedia resources and interactive exercises.Finally, our courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their own schedule.
No, the tuition fees you have paid cover all costs.There are no additional fees or hidden charges. We strive to be transparent and upfront with our pricing, ensuring that our clients receive the best value for their investment.