[2024-10-02] Spice Up Your Vocab: Chinese Words to Know!

食物

shíwù

This is a general term in Chinese meaning food, referring to anything consumable by humans or animals.

Here's how to use it:

• 我妈妈做的食物很好吃。
  Wǒ māmā zuò de shíwù hěn hǎochī.
• 在家里，我们都分享食物。
  Zài jiālǐ, wǒmen dōu fēnxiǎng shíwù.
• 过年时，我们家会做很多好吃的食物。
  Guònián shí, wǒmen jiā huì zuò hěnduō hǎochī de shíwù.

眨眼

zhǎ yǎn

The Chinese word '眨眼' refers to the action of closing and opening the eyes quickly, usually as a reflex or when momentarily distracted. It can also imply a quick, subtle action, such as an agreement or signal between individuals, and is commonly used in the context of expressing surprise or to convey a light-hearted or humorous intent.

Here's how to use it:

• 他眨眼表示他在开玩笑。
  tā zhǎ yǎn biǎo shì tā zài kāi wán xiào
• 她看到惊人的事情时，忍不住眨眼。
  tā kàn dào jīng rén de shì qíng shí, rěn bù zhù zhǎ yǎn
• 他眨眼试图引起我的注意。
  tā zhǎ yǎn shì tú yǐn qǐ wǒ de zhù yì

燃烧

ránshāo

The Chinese word '燃烧' is used similarly as the English word 'burn.' It can be used to describe the physical burning of materials, such as '燃烧木头' ('burning wood'). But it can also be used metaphorically as in '燃烧的激情' ('burning passion').

Here's how to use it:

• 燃烧我的卡洛里。
  Ránshāo wǒ de kǎ luò lǐ.
• 他的眼睛像燃烧的煤炭。
  Tā de yǎnjing xiàng ránshāo de méitàn.
• 燃烧热情像火焰一样高。
  Ránshāo rèqíng xiàng huǒyàn yīyàng gāo.

任何

rèn hé

The Chinese word '任何' is used similarly to how 'any' is used in English, conveying the same non-specific or broad concept. It can be used in both positive and negative sentences. Like 'any' in English, '任何' can be used with both singular and plural nouns.

Here's how to use it:

• 我可以在任何时间来找你
  wǒ kěyǐ zài rènhé shíjiān lái zhǎo nǐ
• 他向任何人都不会承认错误
  tā xiàng rènhé rén dōu bù huì chéngrèn cuòwù
• 我们不能忽视任何一项细节
  wǒmen bù néng hūshì rènhé yī xiàng xìjié

看不起

kàn bù qǐ

The Chinese phrase '看不起' is used to express a feeling of disdain or contempt towards someone or something. It conveys the idea of regarding someone as inferior or unworthy, often accompanied by an attitude of superiority. This phrase can be used in various contexts, such as when someone belittles another person's abilities or status.

Here's how to use it:

• 他总是看不起我，觉得我不够聪明。
  tā zǒng shì kàn bù qǐ wǒ, jué de wǒ bù gòu cōng míng.
• 她看不起那些不努力工作的人。
  tā kàn bù qǐ nà xiē bù nǔ lì gōng zuò de rén.
• 在他看来，别人总是看不起他们的文化。
  zài tā kàn lái, bié ren zǒng shì kàn bù qǐ tā men de wén huà.

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