The Chinese you need.
By Kwadwo
CHINESE VOCAB
Interestingly enough, when you go to different locations in China and find this type of street food, they often have different names. Confusing as hell, right?
So, you always have to ask “what is this?” 这是什么？zhè shì shén me? Then you’ll find out the ways local people say it. You don’t ask, you don’t learn.
By Kwadwo
CHINESE PHRASES
You’re in a cab after work and you want to ask the taxi driver if you can stop off quickly at a convenience store to grab a bite to eat and then continue on to your final destination.
I hopped into a local taxi here in China and asked the driver exactly how you’d say such a phrase. I really like asking local people here in China about local phrases because then you all know the local way to say it. It’s not textbook Chinese. It’s not university Chinese. It’s real-life Chinese, with accents and colloquialism. The Chinese you need to learn to connect with Chinese folk and have a more meaningful life here in China.
By Kwadwo
LIFE IN CHINA
I know how infuriating it is to attempt to get your hair cut in China. Trust me, I’ve spent the last 10 years flying home to the US to get my hair trimmed, and I’m a guy. So, I can only imagine the trauma’s you ladies go through. The boutique Italian salons are uber expensive and the Chinese run places are often not up to standards or there is miscommunication in language leaving you feeling sad or frustrated.
Want to boost your language skills so that you can confidently go and get your hair cut in a Chinese salon without walking away with bangs you didn’t ask for or your hair waaaay too short?!
Watch this video for all the simple language and vocabulary you need.
By Kwadwo
EXPAND YOUR VOCAB
I live-streamed my haircut in China so that you can listen along and learn some new vocabulary for when you eventually venture into a weird and wonderful — yet slightly intimidating — hairdressers in China.
By Kwadwo
Earlier this year I traveled up to Beijing to attend an event called Hot & Spicy Festival hosted by The Beijinger. The Beijinger is the go-to magazine for events and foreigner expat life in Beijing.
I gave myself a little challenge. I approached foreigners, expats, and students and asked them one simple question: What is your most useful Chinese phrase here living in China?
By Kwadwo
What on earth do you pack to go to China?
I’m Kwadwo, creator here at Elementary Chinese and I’ve lived in China for 11 years. I’ve made the long-haul international trip back to the US at least 15 times — since 2009 — so I’m going to share with you the things that you should definitely include in your luggage for a smooth arrival and to minimize culture shock.
From cold and flu medicine to wireless hair trimmers, I give you an incredibly detailed list of all the things I can’t live without in China.