Learning Mandarin Chinese Through Melons

Hanlin Language Center

In pursuit of encouraging people ot learn Mandarin Chinese, here's a chart teaching the different types of melons in Chinese. Learning how to speak Chinese with these melons would be a productive exercise. Aside from using what was often called bon toi in the Chinese schools, it might be good to help people memorize these types of sentences, with the translation:

Chinese: "天气热，想吃西瓜." (Tiānqì rè, xiǎng chī xīguā.)

Translation: "It's hot, I want to eat watermelon."

Chinese: "你想喝冬瓜茶吗?" (Nǐ xiǎng hē dōngguā chá ma?)

Translation: "Do you want to drink winter melon tea?"

Chinese: "我要做南瓜派." (Wǒ yào zuò nánguā pài.)

Translation: "I'm going to cook pumpkin pie."

Chinese: "用黄瓜去眼袋." (Yòng huángguā qù yǎndài)

Translation: "Use cucumber on your eye bags."

Chinese: "苦瓜对你的健康有益." (Kǔguā duì nǐ de jiànkāng yǒuyì)

Translation: "Bitter gourd is good for your health."

Chinese: "我的祖母喜欢吃木瓜." (Wǒ de zǔmǔ xǐhuān chī mùguā)

Translation: "My paternal grandmother loves to eat papaya."

Chinese: "葵花籽可能会造成窒息危险，请小心." (Kuíhuā zǐ kěnéng huì zàochéng zhìxí wéixiǎn, qǐng xiǎoxīn.)

Translation: "Sunflower seeds can be a choking hazard, be careful."

Chinese: "哈密瓜饮料是这个夏天的理想饮品." (Hāmìguā yǐnliào shì zhège xiàtiān de lǐxiǎng yǐnpǐn.)

Translation: "Cantaloupe drinks are ideal for this summer."

Creative ways to teach Mandarin Chinese should focus on memorization and application. Memorize and practice. Not just memorize and then forget after the exam is over. The education system needs a rehaul that will encourage students to memorize things, at heart.

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