
What we’re about
* Currently, our activities focus on language learning (listening and conversational practice, particularly in Mandarin and Cantonese) and Chinese culture (especially music, poems, movies, regional cuisines, art, calligraphy, history)
* Use your computer to plan ahead.
Look at our monthly calendar to find activities that appeal to you:
https://www.meetup.com/austin-chinese-language-and-culture/events/calendar/
RSVP a week in advance if you can. Otherwise, do so at least a day before the event.
If no one signs up for an event, it will probably be cancelled a couple of days before.
* Use the app to check messages (Event Chats and Direct Messages) a day or two before any event for possible discussion.
If you won't be able to attend, update your RSVP before the event starts.
If the host needs to make a schedule change, s/he should do so before the event start time, preferably at least a day in advance.
* Participate regularly.
If we don't see you for a few weeks, you'll probably be removed from the group. Nothing personal--our events probably just don't fit your interests or schedule.
* We're here to learn and improve.
Participate in online activities using headphones and from a quiet location.
Be open to information/strategies that may challenge your practices.
We invite discussion based on research/experience.
* Please do not advertise, attack, campaign, proposition, proselytize, or solicit.
If anyone contacts you through Meetup to do any of these, please let us know.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- [in-person] singing songs in MandarinThe Village (courtyard), Austin, TX
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If you're familiar with some of these songs, we invite you to sing with us:[01]《茉莉花》(清朝/Qing or 明朝/Ming dynasty?, 蔡琴)
[02]《康定情歌/"Kangding Love Song"》(1946; 2016, 龍飘飘)
[03]《情人的眼淚》(1958, 潘秀瓊/Poon Sow Keng; 1971, 姚苏蓉) karaoke
[04]《不了情/Love Without End》(1961, 顧媚/Koo Mei)[05]《月亮代表我的心》(1977, 鄧麗君/Teresa Teng)
[06]《甜蜜蜜》(1979, 鄧麗君/Teresa Teng)
[07]《一无所有/"Nothing to My Name"》(1986, 崔健/최건/Cui Jian)[08]《快樂頌》(1992?, 庾澄慶/Harlem Yu)
[09]《爱江山更爱美人》(1994, 李麗芬/Lily Lee)
[10]《輸了你,贏了世界又如何》(1994, 優客李林/Ukulele) karaoke
[11]《夜夜夜夜/"Night"》(1996-12, 齊秦/Chyi Chin)
[12]《心太軟/"Too Softhearted"》(1996-12-24, 任賢齊/Richie Jen)
(1997-04-16, 周華健/Emil Chau) karaoke
[13]《對面的女孩看過來/"Girl Across the Street, Look Over Here"》(1998-10-16, 任賢齊/Richie Jen) karaoke
[14]《紅豆/"Red Beans"》(1998-10-02, 王菲/Faye Wong) karaoke
[15]《那些花儿/"Those Flowers"》(1999?, 朴樹/Pu Shu) karaoke[16]《月亮之上/"Above the Moon"》(2001?, 韩红; 2005, 凤凰传奇/"Phoenix Legend")
[17]《情非得已》 (2001-05-18, 庾澄慶/Harlem Yu) karaoke
[18]《流星》(2001-06, 郑钧) Mandarin version of Coldplay's "Yellow"
[19]《十年》(2003-04, 陳奕迅/Eason Chan) karaoke
[20]《豆漿油條/Perfect Match》(2004-06, 林俊傑/JJ Lin)
[21]《七里香/Common Orange Jasmine》(2004-08, 周杰倫/Jay Chou)
[22]《老鼠愛大米/"Mice Love Rice"》(2004-12, 杨臣刚/Yáng Chéngāng) karaoke
[23]《童話/"Fairy Tale"》(2005-01-21, 王光良/Michael Wong) karaoke
[24]《小情歌》(2006-10, sodagreen/蘇打綠)
[25]《不能說的秘密/Secret》(2007-07, 周杰倫/Jay Chou; 2018, 林俊傑)
[26]《洋蔥》(2008-01, 楊宗緯/Aska Yang) karaoke[27]《星空/"Starry Starry Night"》(2011-11, 五月天/Mayday)
[28]《那些你很冒险的夢/"Those Were the Days"》(2011-12, 林俊杰/JJ Lin) karaoke
[29]《泡沫/Bubble》(2012-07, G.E.M./鄧紫棋)
[30]《聽見下雨的聲音/Rhythm Of The Rain》(2013-10, 魏如昀; 2014-12, 周杰倫) backing
[31]《Say Something/说些什么》(2014, 陳傑瑞/Jeric Tan + Rose Liu/刘明湘)
[32]《平凡之路/"Ordinary Road"》(2014-07-16, 朴樹/Pu Shu)
[33]《夜空中最亮的星/"Brightest Star In The Night Sky"》(2014-12, 逃跑计划/Escape Plan) backing
[34]《可惜沒如果/"Pity There's No If"》(2014-12-15, 林俊杰/JJ Lin) karaoke[35]《漂向北方》(2016-12-30, Namewee/黃明志 + 王力宏/Wang Leehom)
[36]《我的新衣》(2017-10, Vava, Ty., 王倩倩/Nina Wang)
[37]《雪落下的聲音/The Sound of Snow Falling》(2018-07, 陸虎; 2018, 周深) karaoke
[38]《你的答案/"Your Answer"》(2019, 阿冗/A Rong)---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.---
Use calendar view to see other upcoming events at a glance. - [in-person] set-menu family-style regional Chinese cuisine dinnerHunan Bistro, Austin, TX
Sichuan spice is referred to as 麻辣 (málà), with má meaning “numbing” and là meaning “hot” or “spicy”. The numbing sensation comes from the liberal use of the Sichuan peppercorn, which gives your tongue a tingly sensation when consumed.
Hunan cuisine on the other hand is often referred to as 香辣 (gānlà) “dry spicy”. This refers to the fact that its hotness comes almost exclusively from fresh chili peppers and very little else, so the spiciness is pure and “dry”.
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This will be a family-style dinner. Specifically, I'll plan a menu to include a variety of grains, meats, and vegetables featuring a balance of flavors and textures from among the dishes listed below. We'll share all of the dishes and split the bill equally. I'll aim to keep the cost to about $25 per person (incl. tax + tip).probably three or more of the following:
H6. stir-fried garlic sprouts and tea-tree mushrooms with Chinese bacon 炒腊肉 (蒜苗茶树菇) $17.95
H13. steamed pork ribs caked with crushed rice 粉蒸排骨 $17.99
H23. smashed roasted peppers and eggplant with preserved ("century") duck egg 擂辣椒皮蛋茄子 $15.95C17. wild rice stem ("water bamboo") with green soybeans and sliced pork 茭白毛豆炒肉丝 $17.95
P4. tofu with crab roe 蟹粉豆腐 $20.95probably one of the following cold dishes:
A3. steamed bone-in chicken with chili oil 口水鸡 $13.95
A4. sliced beef and tripe in chili sauce 夫妻肺片 $12.95
A5. beef tendons with cilantro 香菜牛筋 $12.95
A6. steamed bone-in chicken with chili oil and celery 香芹鲜椒鸡 $14.95probably one or two of the following vegetable dishes:
D16. dry-sauteed green beans 干煸四季豆 $13.95
D19. eggplant with garlic sauce鱼香茄子 $12.95
D21. dry-fried eggplant with green beans 茄角之恋 $14.95
D22. scrambled eggs with tomatoes 西红柿炒鸡蛋 $12.95
D23. shredded potato with hot-and-sour sauce 醋溜土豆丝(酸辣)$11.95
D24. stir-fried hand-sliced cabbage 手撕包菜 $13.95
D25. seasonal vegetables 时令蔬菜 $14.95possibly one or more of the following:
C11. fish fillet, sliced lamb, yellow bean sprouts and celery (w/Sichuan peppercorns) 藤椒鱼羊鲜 $22.95
C14. sliced beef with green chiles 杭椒牛柳 $20.95D7. sliced chicken with Chinese celery 中芹鸡柳 $15.95
D12. stir-fried beef with scallions 葱爆牛 $17.95
D17. stir-fried shredded pork with dry tofu 香干肉丝 $16.95H9. sliced fish fillet in hot chili oil 水煮鱼片 $13.95
H11. mapo tofu 麻婆豆腐 $13.95
H17. dry-pot young chicken (bone-in) 干锅子鸡(带骨) $18.95
H19. dry-pot cauliflower with Chinese bacon 干锅花菜腊肉 $17.95
H21. Sichuan-style soft tofu with fish fillet 麻辣鲜香豆花鱼 $19.95---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.---
Use calendar view to see other upcoming events at a glance. - [cameras on] pre- to low intermediate listening & usage:Link visible for attendees
Participants should already
understand how pinyin notation expresses the precise pronunciation of Mandarin Chinese, including the "melody";
be familiar with a few hundred words;
be able to ask and answer questions like these:
"Do you like to dance/eat/sing/swim?" "I like to sing." "I don't like to dance."
"Who is she?" "She's my friend."
"What is this?" "This is a book/cup/fruit."
"What time are we going to see a movie?" "Tomorrow, at 7:30 in the evening."
"Where is David?" "He's at home."
"Why do you study Chinese?" "Because I would like to speak Chinese."and have a general idea of the "golden rule" of basic sentence structure
subject [+ time] [+ location] [+ manner] + verb [+ duration] [+ object]---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.---
my favorite resources
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"lighten up" and "tighten up"
Do you pronounce "wo" like "whoa"? (You should NOT! 😂)---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.---
HSK Level 3 audio translated
第十六七八九课,课文一二三四五 (Lesson MM, Text N)起来 qǐlai to stand up; [verb complement indicating initiation or completion of an action or state or expressing initial judgment]
带 dài band; belt; ribbon; to wear (articles that are draped, placed, set, or tied on); to bring; to carry; to take along
一直 yīzhí in a straight line; all along; continuously
终于 zhōngyú at last; in the end; finally
几乎 jīhū almost
主要 zhǔyào main; principal
会议 huìyì meeting; conference极 jí extremely; pole; utmost
成绩 chéngjì achievement; grades; performance record
起飞 qǐfēi [of an aircraft] to take off
体育 tǐyù physical education
一共 yīgòng altogether; in sum; in total; including everything锻炼 duànliàn to toughen; to engage in physical exercise; to work out; to develop one's skills; to train oneself
季节 jìjié season; period
个子 gèzi height; stature; build; size
请假 qǐngjià to request leave
留学 liúxué to study abroad---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.---
supplementary listeningYouTube
Blabla
张峻豪/Zhāng Jùnháo 随便跳舞/"random dance"podcasts
TeaTime Chinese
Why Chinese?
pineapple war
Shanghai
education
Xinjiang
《故乡》(上)
《故乡》(下)
movies & TV
dancing
Mulan
VR in edu
simplified
再见,爷爷
my childhood
大象来了
languages
知音 ("soulmate")
summer plans
regional cuisines
上海话
面子文化Chillchat
pǔtōnghuà
春节
中文怪异
孤单
十二生肖
颜色
拿手菜 ("signature dish")
你最喜欢的中国菜
选择困难 ("decision fatigue")
极简主义 ("minimalism")
宇宙 (universe)
grammar---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.---
Use calendar view to see other upcoming events at a glance. - (cameras on, please) [novice+] Let's learn basic Chinese words/phrases!Link visible for attendees
In this online activity series for novice learners, we'll present some basic words/phrases, explain/discuss how to pronounce them, and take turns repeating them aloud.
During the meeting, please
[1] be in a distraction-free, quiet environment;
[2] use headphones/headset to minimize audio feedback;
[3] pay close attention to melody, rhythm, and sounds.---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.---
my favorite resources
Immersive Chinese incremental lessons (first 20 lessons free; $15 gets you lifetime access to all 160)What about apps? If your main goal is to be able to understand and speak some Mandarin, I would suggest the following three that focus on listening. The first two are available free of charge through many local public libraries!
Mango Languages is basically audio examples/flashcards, interspersed with text and audio explanatory notes. You may record yourself and play back both your sample and the native speaker's.
Pimsleur puts the focus on speaking. Compared with other programs, they give more detailed descriptions/explanations of pronunciation.
SuperChinese is essentially a combination of audio flashcards, with some multiple-choice and matching exercises for feedback. If you record yourself, it will give you a pronunciation score. It's the only app I've seen that has some parts only in audio and some questions that actually test comprehension.
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pronunciation tips
Běijīng: It really is "jing", not "zhing".
Zhōngguó: more like "joong-gwo", -not- "zhoong-gwaw", -not- "choong-gwaw".
"Wo" should not sound like "whoa"?! 😂---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.---
review
Zhè shì shénme? "What is this?"
Zhè shì shuǐ. "This is water."
Nà shì shénme? "What is that?"
Nà shì mǐfàn. "That is rice."Wǒ yǒu shǒujī. "I have (a) cell phone."
Wǒ méiyǒu chē. "I don't have (a) car/vehicle."
Yǒu méiyǒu xiāngjiāo? "Are there bananas?"; "Do you have bananas?"Tā shì shéi? "Who is s/he?"
Tā shì wǒ māmā; bàba; gēgē; dìdì; jiějiě; mèimei.
"S/he is my mom; dad; big brother; little brother; big sister; little sister;"
Tā shì wǒ de péngyǒu. "S/he is my friend."
Nà shì wǒ de péngyǒu de chē. "That is my friend's car."Xiànzài jǐ diǎn [zhōng]? What time is it (now)?
yī diǎn [zhōng] one o'clock
sān diǎn [zhōng] three o'clockchī to eat
píngshí normally; ordinarily; usually
Nǐ [píngshí] jǐ diǎn chī zǎocān? What time do you [normally] eat breakfast?
Wǒ zǎoshang bā diǎn chī zǎocān. I eat breakfast at 8 in the morning.
Nǐ [píngshí] jǐ diǎn chī wǎncān? What time do you [normally] eat dinner?
Wǒ wǎnshang qī diǎn chī wǎncān. I eat dinner at 7 in the evening.jǐ gè a few; several; how many?
jǐ wèi "Table for...?"; How many (are in your group)?
Duōshǎo qián? How much money (does it cost)?
Nǐ jiā yǒu jǐ kǒu rén? How many people are in your family?hěn [default modifier for predicate adjectives] quite; [UK] rather
Wǒ de péngyǒu hěn gāo; kāixīn; piàoliang; shuài. My friend is quite tall; happy; beautiful; handsome/cool.Nǐ hǎo ma? How are you?
[Nǐ] zěnmeyàng? How's it going [for you]?[Wǒ] hěn hǎo [I am] quite well.
[Wǒ] hěn bùcuò [I'm] not bad at all.Xièxie! Thanks!
zhīdào to know
[Wǒ] bù zhīdào. [I] don't know.
Ó, wǒ zhīdàole! Oh, I get it! (I know *now*!)zài to be located at/in/on
Nǐ zài nǎlǐ? Where are you?
Wǒ jiù zài zhèlǐ! I'm (right) here!zài jiā at home
zài bàngōngshì at the office
zài gōngyuán at/in a/the parkzài... [ne] to be in the process of
Wǒ zài chī wǎncān [ne]. I'm [right in the middle of] eating dinner.
zài kàn diànyǐng; zài tīng yīnyuè; zài xué Zhōngwén; zài zuòfàn watching movies; listening to music; learning/studying Chinese; cooking [a meal]zuò to do; to make
Nǐ zuò shénme? What do you do?
Nǐ zài zuò shénme ne? What are you doing?Jīntiān shì jǐ yuè jǐ hào? What is today's *date*? (lit. "Today is which month, which number?")
Jīntiān shì shí-èr yuè sānshíyī hào. Today is December 31st.Jīntiān shì xīngqí jǐ? What day [of the week] is it [today]?
Jīntiān shì xīngqísān. Today is Wednesday.
Jīntiān shì xīngqítiān. Today is Sunday.cóng Běijīng dào Shànghǎi from Beijing to Shanghai
Nǐ cóng nǎlǐ lái? Where did you come from?hǎochī delicious
hǎokàn good-looking
hǎowán enjoyable; funyòng to use; using
hǎoyòng easy to use; user-friendly
yǒuyòng useful ("to have use")zěnme shuō? How (does one) say (it)?
yòng Zhōngwén zěnme shuō? How (does one) say (it) in Chinese?
yòng kuàizǐ chīfàn to eat using chopsticks
yòng bǐ xiězì to write [Chinese characters] using a penxǐhuān to like
Wǒ xǐhuān ___. "I like ___."
Nǐ xǐhuān ___ ma? "Do you like ___?"zuì the most; "-est"
zuì xǐhuān de favoriteyùndòng exercise; movement; sport
Nǐ zuì xǐhuān de yùndòng shì shénme? "What is your favorite exercise/sport?"
Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de yùndòng shì ___. "My favorite exercise/sport is ___."pǎobù to run
yóuyǒng to swim
dǎ lánqiú to play basketball
dǎ wǎngqiú to play tennis
tī zúqiú to play soccer
dǎ páiqiú to play volleyballyánsè color
Nǐ zuì xǐhuān de yánsè shì shénme? "What is your favorite color?"
Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de yánsè shì ___. "My favorite color is ___."hēisè black
hóngsè red
huángsè yellow
báisè white
lánsè blue
jīnsè gold
lǜsè green
zǐsè purplenew
hǎo ma? Okay?
hǎo a! Okay! (Let's do that!)shì ma? Is that so?
shì a! Yes! That's right!---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.--- ---.---
Use calendar view to see other upcoming events at a glance.