Chinese language
What is the name of the system that uses the Latin alphabet to show how Mandarin Chinese words are pronounced?
Pinyin (拼音, pīnyīn)
Which Chinese festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar and is famous for lanterns?
Lantern Festival (元宵節 / 元宵节)
What utensil is commonly used to eat Chinese food and is traditionally made from materials such as bamboo or wood?
Chopsticks (筷子, kuàizi)
What mythical creature is one of the most important symbols in traditional Chinese culture?
The dragon (龍 / 龙, lóng)
How many animals are in the Chinese zodiac?
12
What does the Chinese character 水 (shuǐ) mean?
Water
What food is traditionally eaten during the Lantern Festival?
湯圓 / 汤圆 (tāngyuán)
What traditional Chinese dish consists of thin wrappers filled with meat or vegetables and is often eaten during Lunar New Year?
Dumplings (餃子 / 饺子, jiǎozi)
What animal is associated with wisdom, strength, and protection in traditional Chinese culture and is the third animal in the zodiac?
Tiger (虎, hǔ)
Which Chinese zodiac animal is the only mythical creature?
The dragon
In Mandarin, what does the phrase “馬馬虎虎 / 马马虎虎 (mǎmǎhūhū)” mean?
“So-so” / “just okay.”
During the Dragon Boat Festival, people commonly eat this sticky rice food wrapped in bamboo leaves.
粽子 (zòngzi)
What famous Chinese dish is made with thinly sliced or shredded meat and vegetables and is often served with thin pancakes?
Peking duck (北京烤鴨 / 北京烤鸭)
What ancient Chinese invention uses a magnetic needle to indicate direction?
The compass
What color is traditionally associated with good fortune and happiness in Chinese culture?
Red (紅 / 红, hóng)
What is the Chinese writing system where characters are written in a way that emphasizes artistic brushwork?
Chinese calligraphy (書法 / 书法, shūfǎ)
During Lunar New Year, people traditionally give children these red envelopes containing money. What are they called?
紅包 / 红包 (hóngbāo)
What does the Chinese word 點心 / 点心 (diǎnxīn) refer to?
Dim sum / small dishes and snacks
The Great Wall wasn't actually built as one continuous wall at one time.
True
This famous Chinese invention was originally made from materials such as hemp fibers, bark, and old cloth. What is it?
Paper
This Chinese word literally means “empty heart,” but is commonly used to describe the feeling of having nothing to do or feeling bored. What is it?
無聊 / 无聊 (wúliáo)
According to the traditional story, why do people race dragon boats during the Dragon Boat Festival?
The races are traditionally connected to efforts to save or honor the poet Qu Yuan (屈原)
What is the name of the Chinese cooking technique in which food is quickly tossed and cooked in a very hot wok?
Stir-frying (炒, chǎo)
What was the name of the ancient Chinese trade route that connected China with Central Asia, the Middle East, and eventually Europe, helping spread goods, ideas, and culture?
The Silk Road (絲綢之路 / 丝绸之路)
In traditional Chinese culture, why can the number 8 be considered lucky?
The pronunciation of 8 (八, bā) sounds somewhat similar to 發 / 发 (fā), associated with wealth.