Say It Right Series

The Latest Mandarin Chinese Language Lessons


Latest Lessons


The Oscars 2017 Upper Intermediate

In this lesson, we take a look at the 89th Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars. Who will win? Will La La Land scoop all the top prizes, or could other dark horses like Manchester by the Sea or Moonlight take the win? Find out how people in Asia watch the awards ceremony, and how social media has changed how we consume news.

film, films, movies, awards, oscars

You Guys Really Look Similar Intermediate

Today we hear a friend inquire about their other friend's little sister. It seems that he's taken a liking to her and wants to know more... Weird, or friendly? You decide.

appearance, shopping, family

How to Use 了: Action Complete Qing Wen

  Today we attempt to tackle the often asked question on how to use the seemingly simple character, 了(le). 了 (le) has many uses but in this first video we look at the "Action Complete 了”. Tune in next week for the next episode. Check out Chinese Grammar Wiki for even more examples.


How to Use 了: Action Complete Qing Wen

  Today we attempt to tackle the often asked question on how to use the seemingly simple character, 了(le). 了 (le) has many uses but in this first video we look at the "Action Complete 了”. Tune in next week for the next episode. Check out Chinese Grammar Wiki for even more examples.

grammar, le, video

金马奖 Film Festivals Advanced

除了美国的奥斯卡奖,你还知道哪些电影奖呢?今天的课程要介绍的是华语电影界主要的一些奖项,也要聊聊过去一年优秀的华语电影作品,并且从金马奖的得奖记录里看看华语电影过去数十年间的演变与发展,喜欢电影的你,别错过咯! Today we learn about the Chinese film industry, and a famous awards ceremony.

films, film, awards, festivals, movies, cinema

Lantern Festival Upper Intermediate

Lantern Festival which falls on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month marks the official end of the Chinese New Year holiday. During this festival, people write lucky phrases and riddles on the side of paper lanterns and release them into the sky to enjoy. Listen to some of the traditions and customs during this festival, including some Chinese riddles. For related lessons about lantern festival riddles, click here: Lantern Festival Riddles 猜灯谜 Photo by Salman Javed

lantern, festivals, holiday, CNY, Chinese New Year

Swapping Zodiac Signs Intermediate

Happy Chinese New Year all and welcome to the Year of the (Fire) Rooster! Two friends discuss the various personality traits of the Chinese Zodiac symbols. Image from Pixabay

zodiac, Chinese New Year, CNY, animals, astrology, personality

What Do You Do When You Rest? Elementary

  In the second video starring guest host Dan, we discuss a dialogue between two co-workers. One of them is very inquisitive, asking lots of questions about what the other person likes to do in their free time. The responses are not the most polite or detailed of answers. Learn ways to ask "What do you like to do when you're working/relaxing/at the weekend.

video, time off, weekend, co-workers

脱单 Finding a Partner Advanced

婚姻大事往往被过度严肃地看待,不过朋友之间这也可以是个拌嘴搞笑的老话题,这一课,我们要摆脱为了父母的期待而找对象这个沉重的大帽子,换个轻松的态度来聊聊“脱单”这个让人有点尴尬又带着点趣味的话题。 Listen to a conversation between two friends discussing marriage and being single. Learn some modern terms for relationships and being single.

relationships, single, dating

CCTV New Year's Gala Upper Intermediate

The CCTV New Year's Gala, also known as the Spring Festival Gala, and commonly abbreviated in Chinese as Chunwan, is a Chinese New Year special produced by China Central Television. Listen to a dialogue about a family prepare to watch this event and how it has become a tradition in the household during Chinese New Year.

CNY, Chinese New Year, talent show, competition, tradition

Which Sports Do You Like? Elementary

  Which sports do YOU like? Do you like Soccer, or perhaps a spot of badminton. Do you dabble with ping pong or perhaps a bit of rugger on a Sunday morning. Dan, friend of the show, hosts a lesson all about likes and dislikes of sport.

sports, video, baseball, football, soccer

Direction Words: 向, 朝, and 往 Qing Wen

Direction Words: 向 (xiàng), 朝 (cháo), 往 (wǎng).   In this lesson, User john658186522 asked for a more in-depth look at the difference between 向 and 往 and 朝 which can mean towards/facing etc in English. These "direction" words can be tricky in Chinese, as sometimes they can be interchanged, but not always, so it's best to understand which to use in which context. This is an updated video lesson of a previous audio lesson that can be found here, (QW0380).


Direction Words: 向, 朝, and 往 Qing Wen

Direction Words: 向 (xiàng), 朝 (cháo), 往 (wǎng).   In this lesson, User john658186522 asked for a more in-depth look at the difference between 向 and 往 and 朝 which can mean towards/facing etc in English. These "direction" words can be tricky in Chinese, as sometimes they can be interchanged, but not always, so it's best to understand which to use in which context. This is an updated video lesson of a previous audio lesson that can be found here, (QW0380).

directions, grammar, video

The Year of the Rooster Wishes Upper Intermediate

It's coming up to Chinese New Year (2017) and this year it is the Year of the Rooster. Learn some phrases to wish someone well this coming CNY.

Chinese New Year, greetings, CNY, festivals

Who in the Choir Is Your Boyfriend? Intermediate

Today we learn how to describe someone in a crowd by describing their appearance, position, and actions. In this case, we're watching a choir performance, and a friend is asking another, which one of the singers is their boyfriend. Image from Pixabay

performance, appearance, clothes, clothing, singing

The Three De's: 的/得/地 Qing Wen

  Today we look at some of the most common characters in the Chinese language: 的 (HSK1), 得 (HSK2), and, 地 (HSK3). These little particles show up in almost every sentence in Chinese, and act to modify them in some way. However, because they are all pronounced the same (de), it can be very confusing for students. In this video lesson, we attempt to explain the difference by using lots of example sentences and pretty little color-coded graphics. Take you time with this one, or watch chapter by chapter.


The Three De's: 的/得/地 Qing Wen

  Today we look at some of the most common characters in the Chinese language: 的 (HSK1), 得 (HSK2), and, 地 (HSK3). These little particles show up in almost every sentence in Chinese, and act to modify them in some way. However, because they are all pronounced the same (de), it can be very confusing for students. In this video lesson, we attempt to explain the difference by using lots of example sentences and pretty little color-coded graphics. Take you time with this one, or watch chapter by chapter.

grammar, particles, video

互联网大会 Internet Conference Advanced

互联网已经成为许多人生活的一部份了,关于互联网对人类社会的影响与冲击也成为热门话题。究竟互联网创造了哪些机会?又造成了什么问题?都是世界互联网大会关心的事情。今天的课程将提供你大量与互联网议题相关的词汇,保证让你收获满满。The development of the Internet is accelerating at an unprecedented rate, and we are now at a stage where we can't even predict what will come in the future, and how it could influence society, both for better or worse. Listen to a dialogue about the World Internet Conference in Wuzhen.

internet, technology, conference, exhibition, internet of things, future

Failing at New Year's Resolutions Upper Intermediate

Each new year is the same. You make a list of New Year's Resolutions and end up not sticking to any of them. Listen as some friends meet up for their annual reflection on how the year went, and whether or not anyone achieved what they set out to do. Image from Pixabay

New Year, gym, weight loss, reading

Shanghai Disneyland Intermediate

Shanghai's Disneyland officially opened in June of 2016. With 60,000 odd customers expected daily, the park has been quite the success, despite some growing pains. In today's lesson, two friends are debating whether or not to visit since it's right on their doorstep. John Pasden wrote a blog about his visit to Disneyland over on Sinosplice that you might like to read. Image from Pixabay

Shanghai, Disney, disneyland, hotel, theme park