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[2024-07-02] Unlock Chinese Proverbs & Words with Us!

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Today we are eating pork buns at Raohe Night Market in Taipei 😋

Hi there!

Ever wondered about the meaning behind Chinese proverbs? Today, we're diving into '画蛇添足' and teaching you essential words like 起来, 严重, 偏好, 方形, and 高速公路. Let's embark on this language journey together!

起来

qǐ lái

The Chinese word '起来' can be used in the context where something arises or comes up. It can also imply standing up depending on the context. Nevertheless, it generally captures the essence of the English word 'arise'.

Here's how to use it:

  • 它起来像一只狗。
    tā qǐlái xiàng yī zhī gǒu.
  • 他咳嗽起来真吓人。
    tā késou qǐlái zhēn xiàrén.
  • 心跳加快起来。
    xīntiào jiākuài qǐlái.

严重

yán zhòng

The Chinese word '严重' is used to describe severity or seriousness of something. It can be used in various contexts such as weather conditions, health conditions, or general situations. It is often used to emphasize the critical nature of the described subject.

Here's how to use it:

  • 严重的交通堵塞影响了我去医院
    yán zhòng de jiāo tōng dǔ sè yǐng xiǎng le wǒ qù yī yuàn
  • 严重的干旱影响了农作物的产量
    yán zhòng de gān hàn yǐng xiǎng le nóng zuò wù de chǎn liàng
  • 这次风暴对我们有严重影响
    zhè cì fēng bào duì wǒ men yǒu yán zhòng yǐng xiǎng

偏好

piān hào

In Chinese, preference is translated as '偏好'. It is used when describing someone's likes or interests more than others. Similar to English, it can be used in various contexts whether it be food preference, music preference, or lifestyle preference. It denotes a greater inclination towards one thing over others.

Here's how to use it:

  • 我的偏好是早睡早起。
    Wǒ de piān hào shì zǎo shuì zǎo qǐ.
  • 咖啡还是茶,你的偏好是什么?
    Kā fēi hái shì chá, nǐ de piān hào shì shén me?
  • 我的偏好是户外活动。
    Wǒ de piān hào shì hù wài huó dòng.

方形

fāng xíng

The Chinese term '方形' is used to describe the geometric shape that we know as a square in English. It's used in the same way as it is in English and can refer to the actual shape or anything that bears a resemblance to that shape in terms of its physical dimensions (i.e. length and width being equal).

Here's how to use it:

  • 他戴着一个方形的手表。
    Tā dài zhe yīgè fāngxíng de shǒubiǎo.
  • 我拿的餐巾纸是方形的。
    Wǒ ná de cānjīnzhǐ shì fāngxíng de.
  • 涂料的瓶子是方形的。
    Túliào de píngzi shì fāngxíng de.

高速公路

gāosù gōnglù

The Chinese word for highway is '高速公路' (gāosù gōnglù). It is often used in the context of transportation and travelling, indicating a major road, especially one connecting major towns or cities.

Here's how to use it:

  • 这个高速公路直通北京。
    Zhège gāosù gōnglù zhí tōng Běijīng.
  • 在高速公路上开车一定要小心。
    Zài gāosù gōnglù shàng kāichē yīdìng yào xiǎoxīn.
  • 我家离高速公路非常近。
    Wǒ jiā lí gāosù gōnglù fēicháng jìn.
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画蛇添足

huà shé tiān zú

Never stop learning,

Mike from LangBites

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