[2024-06-12] Unlock Chinese Wisdom: Proverbs & Words to Enrich Your Vocabulary!

准备好了

zhǔn bèi hǎo le

The Chinese phrase '准备好了' is used similar to the English word 'ready'. It is used to indicate that something or someone is prepared or in a suitable state to do something.

Here's how to use it:

• 我已经准备好了早餐
  Wǒ yǐjīng zhǔnbèi hǎole zǎocān
• 你准备好了出发了吗？
  Nǐ zhǔnbèi hǎole chūfāle ma?
• 我准备好了去购物
  Wǒ zhǔnbèi hǎole qù gòuwù

潜力

qián lì

In Chinese, '潜力' directly translates to 'potential'. It is often used in the same contexts as the English word; for example, to talk about the unseen capacity or latent qualities within an individual, system or object. It can be used in daily conversations, business discussions, educational settings, etc.

Here's how to use it:

• 那个新产品有相当大的潜力。
  Nàgè xīn chǎnpǐn yǒu xiāngdāng dà de qiánlì.
• 这个项目有发展潜力。
  Zhège xiàngmù yǒu fāzhǎn qiánlì.
• 这个公司有成长的潜力。
  Zhège gōngsī yǒu chéngzhǎng de qiánlì.

意识

yì shí

The Chinese word '意识' captures the idea of awareness. It is used in the Chinese language to describe the state of being conscious or aware of something. Just like in English, it could refer to self-awareness, awareness of others, or awareness of the environment or situation.

Here's how to use it:

• 我突然意识到他的真实动机。
  wǒ tū rán yì shí dào tā de zhēn shí dòng jī.
• 他昏迷中失去了意识。
  tā hūn mí zhōng shī qù le yì shí.
• 我们必须提高公共卫生意识。
  wǒ men bì xū tí gāo gōng gòng wèi shēng yì shí.

黄色

huáng sè

In Chinese, the word for 'yellow' is '黄色' (huáng sè). It is used similarly to how it is used in English. It can describe something that is the color yellow. For example, '黄色的花' means 'yellow flower'. However, in one unique cultural reference, the term 'Yellow Emperor' refers to a legendary Chinese emperor who is considered the ancestor of all Han Chinese.

Here's how to use it:

• 黄色的球很轻。
  Huángsè de qiú hěn qīng.
• 他画了一个黄色的星星。
  Tā huàle yīgè huángsè de xīngxīng.
• 我家有一条黄色的狗。
  Wǒjiā yǒu yītiáo huángsè de gǒu.

坚固

jiāngù

The Chinese word for 'firm' is '坚固'. It is often used to describe something physically strong, stable or not easily changed. For example, when referring to a firm handshake or a firm belief, in Chinese, you would use '坚固' (jiāngù).

Here's how to use it:

• 这段路曲折但坚固。
  Zhè duàn lù qūzhé dàn jiāngù.
• 坚固的防线拦住了敌军。
  Jiāngù de fángxiàn lán zhùle díjūn.
• 他用坚固的石头建造了一座房子。
  Tā yòng jiāngù de shítou jiàn zào le yī zuò fángzi.

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