Apple Chinese in New York

Thomas, a young man from Germany, did a very funny skit about Shanghainese grandparents using Shanghai dialect

Language Tips 25: Mandarin Idiomatic Phrases (1) (1) (zhung mén miàn) Translation: to decorate the front of one’s store.... Meaning: to embellish something just for appearance's sake, to keep up appearances (the expression carries a negative meaning) Eg 1: w mi ge wén píng, zhung zhung mén miàn. I bought a diploma to make myself look good. Eg 2: t de nà xi sh zh shì zhung mén miàn--t cóng lái bú kàn. He only has those books for show he never reads them. Eg3: b hu píng fàng zài mén ku, zhung mén miàn Put the vase in the doorway to look nice.

Dudes, you have to try "Lao Gan Ma" spicy sauce... at least once while you are in China.

Language Tips 24Second Day of the Second Lunar Month: Dragon Head-Raising Day 1. èr yuè èr, lóng tái tóu (Chinese proverb as well as a Chinese festival marking the arrival of spring and movements of the dragon) on the second day of the second month (of the lunar calendar), the dragon raises its head. ... 2. chn lóng jié (another name of the festival) Spring Dragon Day Traditional food of the day: chn bng jun dòu yá hé zh tóu ròu 3. chn bng (round) spring pancakes which shape like dragon scales 4. dòu yábean sprouts 5. zh tóu ròu (symbolizing dragon head) pig head meat 6. lóng x miàn (long and thin Chinese noodles) Dragon beard noodles 7. The most well-known tradition on this day: l fàcutting hair