[2024-09-07] Exciting Chinese Conversations & New Words Await!

裂缝

liè fèng

In Chinese, '裂缝' refers to a fissure, a line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, like a crack on a wall or mirror. It can be used metaphorically to describe people who have a weakness that could cause them to fail.

Here's how to use it:

• 裂缝中生长的植物
  lièfèng zhōng shēngzhǎng de zhíwù
• 裂缝在扩大
  lièfèng zài kuòdà
• 这裂缝很深
  zhè lièfèng hěn shēn

欠

qiàn

The Chinese word '欠' directly translates to 'owe' in English. It is most commonly used in sentences to indicate a debt or obligation, much like how 'owe' is used in English. It could be in the context of money, a favor, or other forms of obligation.

Here's how to use it:

• 我欠你一个人情。
  Wǒ qiàn nǐ yīgè rénqíng.
• 我欠你我的生命。
  Wǒ qiàn nǐ wǒ de shēngmìng.
• 我欠你一个道歉.
  Wǒ qiàn nǐ yīgè dàoqiàn.

夹克

jiákè

The Chinese word for 'jacket' is '夹克'. It's used in the same manner as English to refer to a form of protective clothing worn on the upper body. It's a common word and can be used in a variety of contexts, from casual to formal.

Here's how to use it:

• 请把夹克挂起来。
  qǐng bǎ jiákè guà qǐlái.
• 夹克太大了。
  jiákè tài dàle.
• 已经有足够的夹克了。
  yǐjīng yǒu zúgòu de jiákèle.

泥

ní

The Chinese word '泥' is used to refer to mud or earth, usually in the context of something dirty or soil-like. It can be used in various contexts, including in descriptions of nature, in explanations about pottery creation, or when describing the muddy ground after a rain shower.

Here's how to use it:

• 他的裤子上沾满了泥.
  tā de kù zi shàng zhān mǎn le ní
• 他喜欢在花园里弄泥巴.
  tā xǐ huān zài huā yuán lǐ nòng ní ba
• 她用泥做了一个小人.
  tā yòng ní zuò le yī gè xiǎo rén

非正式

fēi zhèng shì

The word 'informal' corresponds to the Chinese word '非正式'. It is used to describe something that is not in accordance with the customary, official or formal rules or standards, often characterized by a relaxed, spontaneous or friendly atmosphere. Similar to English, in Chinese, it can be used in various contexts such as referring to clothing, speech, writing, events, or arrangements.

Here's how to use it:

• 非正式的訪問對我們的研究非常有幫助。
  Fēi zhèngshì de fǎngwèn duì wǒmen de yánjiū fēicháng yǒu bāngzhù.
• 他喜歡在非正式的場合穿著便裝。
  Tā xǐhuān zài fēi zhèngshì de chǎnghé chuānzhāo biàn zhuāng.
• 非正式的會議通常更有效率。
  Fēi zhèngshì de huìyì tōngcháng gèng yǒuxiàolǜ.

A casual conversation about family members in Simplified Chinese.

你家里有几口人？