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Chinese Language Trivia

Chinese Language Trivia Quizzes

Ni hao! Whether you're a language enthusiast, a traveler to China, or simply intrigued by the beauty of Chinese characters, these questions will challenge and delight. Let's explore the depths of the Chinese language together?ready, set, go!

28 Chinese Language quizzes and 290 Chinese Language trivia questions.

Fortune Cookie Chinese Word Symbols great trivia quiz

Photo Quiz

10 Qns

Fortunes from fortune cookies at some point put Chinese symbols with translations on them as a little mini-lesson. Here are a few examples, you guess the English term, with a few hints.

Very Easy, 10 Qns, Spaudrey, Jul 03 20

Very Easy
Spaudrey
Jul 03 20
386 plays

Chinese Place Names popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

15 Qns

For those students of Mandarin Chinese this quiz should not be difficult to master. Non Chinese speakers might also want to give it a try. Since many Chinese place names are transliterations, you may surprise yourself! Good luck...

Average, 15 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Oct 04 04

Average
thejazzkickazz

2395 plays

Mandarin Chinese Language popular trivia quiz

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

This quiz should be easy for any beginning Chinese student. If you don't study Chinese, these simple terms may be of interest to you as well. Ni ruguo jiang Zhongwen yinggai meiyou wenti. Jia you!

Average, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Jun 20 10

Average
thejazzkickazz

4016 plays

Chinese Phrases

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

You are travelling to China and do not speak much Chinese. You will go through your arrival and first day in China and learn some basic and important Chinese phrases for non-Chinese speakers.

Easier, 10 Qns, geowhiz, Dec 02 22

Easier
geowhiz
Dec 02 22
1129 plays

Mandarin Chinese 101: Numbers

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

My second lesson/quiz on basic Chinese. Today we will be learning about numbers and things to do with numbers in Mandarin Chinese.

Average, 10 Qns, Vy_lette, Dec 01 12

Average
Vy_lette
1318 plays

Cantonese- Language and Culture

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

I have found that there are very few Cantonese quizzes. I have made one that includes basic Cantonese words and some culture questions for those who don't speak Cantonese.

Average, 10 Qns, sweet_cake, Nov 30 17

Average
sweet_cake
808 plays

Mandarin Chinese 101: Greetings and Family

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

If you want to learn Mandarin Chinese, here is one place to start. By the end of the quiz you should be able to greet people you meet in Chinese as well as introducing your family. :)

Average, 10 Qns, Vy_lette, Oct 26 18

Average
Vy_lette
Oct 26 18
1807 plays

Mandarin Chinese Grammar Basics

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

In this quiz we shall explore some of the very basics of Chinese grammar. Test the waters with your Chinese-speaking friends with some of the basic phrases. Jia you!

Average, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, May 13 19

Average
thejazzkickazz

May 13 19
896 plays

When Chinese Meets English

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Many English words are directly borrowed from the Chinese language. Let see how many of them you can recognize. Zu ni hao yun (good luck)!

Average, 10 Qns, Matthew_07, Dec 05 20

Average
Matthew_07

Dec 05 20
998 plays

10.

Chinese Words

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

This quiz will feature trivia on the Chinese language (Mandarin). I hope you can decipher and enjoy it!

Tough, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Jul 11 02

Tough
thejazzkickazz

1772 plays

Quick Question

Ginny bought nineteen unicorn hairs for school. In Chinese, how many unicorn hairs did Ginny buy?

From Quiz "Mandarin Chinese 101: Numbers"

11.

Chinese For Beginners

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Since I'm Chinese, I thought it would be only right to create a quiz about the language! Actually, it's only for beginners if you've studied Chinese for a year or so!

Average, 10 Qns, angel2579531, Sep 08 17

Average
angel2579531
1562 plays

12.

Chinese Food in Mandarin

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

When I went to China, I realized that I couldn't read a menu! Here are some words I learned that you might want in order to find out just what you're eating (or drinking) in China. All Chinese words are in pinyin.

Average, 10 Qns, fab4lover, Apr 15 09

Average
fab4lover
680 plays

13.

Animals in Chinese

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

I give you the animal in Chinese, you tell me what it is, answer in English, of course. Very easy! Thanks for playing.

Average, 10 Qns, manu17, Mar 14 01

Average
manu17
2371 plays

14.

Chinese Culture... In Chinese

Multiple Choice

15 Qns

To know a language is one thing, but to know about the culture from which your language comes is yet another. This quiz is written in Mandarin.

Tough, 15 Qns, animia, Nov 26 22

Tough
animia
Nov 26 22
1096 plays

15.

Chinese Transliterations

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

This quiz regards transliterations, or loanwords, that have entered the Chinese vocabulary. These are the types of words that a foreign student of Chinese loves to see...it makes it easier to study. Have fun!

Average, 10 Qns, thejazzkickazz, Apr 01 21

Average
thejazzkickazz

Apr 01 21
1716 plays

16.

Chinese Sayings

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Some things don't make sense if translated literally. I'll give you a literal translation from the Chinese, your task is to pick the figurative saying it represents.

Tough, 10 Qns, bigdaddypanda, Feb 27 11

Tough
bigdaddypanda
1187 plays

17.

Everyday Cantonese

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Many of the Chinese people who have left their country have come from Canton or Hong Kong. Let's see if you could survive in these places with your knowledge of the local language. All answers are in Cantonese unless otherwise stated.

Average, 10 Qns, mochyn, Sep 27 04

Average
mochyn
830 plays

18.

Ten Interesting Chinese Expressions

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

These are ten interesting Chinese expressions. I give you the literal translations and you give me their meanings. Good luck!

Tough, 10 Qns, patrick8882, Jan 08 18

Tough
patrick8882
529 plays

19.

I Know Chinese, Do You?

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

I know Chinese, what about you? If you think you do, check out my quiz. These are the very basic Chinese, Good luck! PS. All the Chinese in the quiz is Mandarin.

Average, 10 Qns, littlebird2, May 17 20

Average
littlebird2
May 17 20
1931 plays

20.

Mandarin Chinese Sayings

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Chinese Idioms are famous all around the world because of their precise morals and their beautiful sounds. I will be given a saying in Chinese. You simply need to select what you apprehend is the meaning of the Chinese phrases.

Average, 10 Qns, glamgirl451, Apr 14 21

Average
glamgirl451
Apr 14 21
251 plays

21.

Going Shopping in Chinese

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Jasmine is going to China for a week to visit her family. However, there is no food to eat and Jasmine is told to buy food for dinner at the supermarket even though she doesn't know any Chinese. Can you help her?

Average, 10 Qns, york12321, May 17 20

Average
york12321
May 17 20
177 plays

22.

Western Food Names in Chinese

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

So, you've been travelling around China and have a craving for some non-Chinese food. So far so good, but how do you ask for 'quattro stagione pizza' in Mandarin? Here are a few quesions about the Chinese names of basic western foods.

Average, 10 Qns, Honggui, Apr 20 07

Average
Honggui
662 plays

23.

Easy Mandarin

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Do you know Mandarin? Or do you think you know it? Take this quiz and find out!

Average, 10 Qns, cool_cool149, May 24 09

Average
cool_cool149
1766 plays

24.

The Meaning Behind the Numbers in Chinese

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Chinese homophones have a profound influence on Chinese culture. The way the numbers are pronounced determines whether they are considered to be auspicious or inauspicious.

Average, 10 Qns, sw11, Dec 16 20

Average
sw11

Dec 16 20
100 plays

25.

McDonald's Questions in Mandarin

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

This is a little quiz on Chinese transliterations.

Average, 10 Qns, karyn-li, Jul 06 18

Average
karyn-li
Jul 06 18
587 plays

26.

Mandarin Chinese Idioms

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Chinese idioms are famous around the world for their beautiful sounds. In this quiz, I will present you with how each idiom is spoken in Chinese, and you must simply select what you perceive to be their meanings. Good luck!

Tough, 10 Qns, lujia, Sep 11 05

Tough
lujia
515 plays

27.

Chinese Tones

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

Is it first, second, third, or fourth?

Tough, 10 Qns, Tianaki, Jan 01 07

Tough
Tianaki
692 plays

28.

Naming relatives in Mandarin Chinese

Multiple Choice

10 Qns

What do you call some of your relatives in Chinese?

Average, 10 Qns, glamgirl451, Jun 30 11

Average
glamgirl451
295 plays

Chinese Language Trivia Questions

1. The number zero is pronounced as "ling" in Chinese Pinyin, which is considered an auspicious number. What does "ling" signify?

From Quiz The Meaning Behind the Numbers in Chinese

Answer: Beginning

"Ling" means the beginning or the start of anything which is considered auspicious. There is an old Chinese saying which states "Everything starts from zero".

2. Jasmine heads outside and comes to a street with four shops on it. On each shop is a sign that says what they sell. Which one sells food?

From Quiz Going Shopping in Chinese

Answer: shi wu

"Shi wu" means food, so that is the right one. "Hua" means flower, so that store is a flower shop. The store with the sign that says "dian zi chan pin" sells electronics, and the store with the sign that says "shu" sells books.

3. What is the literal meaning of the Chinese expression normally translated as "to pull somebody by his hind leg"?

From Quiz Ten Interesting Chinese Expressions

Answer: to hinder (or impede) somebody; to hold somebody back

When one is walking, usually one leg lags behind the other. If that leg is pulled, one's movement would be interfered with. In Chinese, "to pull somebody by his hind leg" figuratively means "to interfere with one's moving ahead, to hinder one's progress".

4. How do you say "Mom" in Chinese?

From Quiz Naming relatives in Mandarin Chinese

Answer: Ma Ma

A more formal way to address your female parent would be "Mu Qin", which is the equivalent of "Mother" in Chinese. "Ma Ma" is a less formal form.

5. If a person tells you they are feeling "Zhong Xin Geng Geng" to you, what do they mean?

From Quiz Mandarin Chinese Sayings

Answer: they are loyal and devoted to you

"Zhong Xin Geng Geng" is directly translated as "faithful heart dedicated". Thus, this saying describes a person that has a loyal and devoted heart towards another.

6. In English, we have words for meat that are different from our words from the animal. Not in Chinese! If you want pork, you ask for pig meat.... So, what's the word for meat?

From Quiz Chinese Food in Mandarin

Answer: rou

'Rou' is meat! 'Cai' is vegetable, dish, or cuisine (for example, 'bai cai' is cabbage, 'rou cai' is a meat dish, and 'zhong guo cai' is Chinese food). 'Mian' is noodles, and sometimes they are refered to as 'la mian' -- I once saw it literally translated to 'pull face' on a menu (as 'la' means pull and 'mian' can also mean face)!

7. When I first meet someone, what would I say to them in Chinese?

From Quiz Mandarin Chinese 101: Greetings and Family

Answer: ni hao

Directly translated, 'ni hao' means 'you good' which is a general greeting like 'hello'. To ask someone 'How are you?', say 'Ni Hao Ma'. Other answers: 'Ni bu hao' means: 'You're not good'. 'Ni ne' means: 'What about you?' And, 'Wo hen hao' means: 'I'm very good'.

8. Hong Kong is about an 11 to 18 hour plane trip from the United States. So what is the Cantonese word for "very far"?

From Quiz Cantonese- Language and Culture

Answer: ho yoon

"Plane" in Cantonese is "fay gaiy". Like most airports, there are shops. Shop workers are usually bilingual. Many of the signs are Chinese but also have English translations.

9. This commonly used expression is translated as "Horse, horse, tiger, tiger" (Ma ma hu hu). What is its usage?

From Quiz Chinese Sayings

Answer: So-so

It comes from a story of a painter whose painting looked to some like a horse and to others like a tiger - somewhere in between.

10. What is Chinese called in Chinese?

From Quiz Chinese Culture... In Chinese

Answer: Zhong Wen

Zhong Wen, literally translated into English means "middle language" while Zhong Guo (the word for China) means "middle kingdom".

11. Numbers are useful to know, otherwise you might get more than you bargained for. How do you say the number one in Cantonese?

From Quiz Everyday Cantonese

Answer: Yat

To count from 1 to 10 in Cantonese, you say: "yat, yee, sam, say, mm, lok, chat, baht, gow, sap".

12. What are the tones for 'cheng (accomplish, become complete) yu (words, language)'?

From Quiz Chinese Tones

Answer: 2, 3

Cheng2 yu3 are sayings, proverbs, idioms, etc. The rest of the 'questions' are common cheng yu. All definitions are from the Far East Chinese-English Dictionary and zhongwen.com.

13. What does "Sheng ri kuai le" mean in Mandarin?

From Quiz Easy Mandarin

Answer: Happy birthday

"Sheng ri" means "birthday" in Mandarin, and "Kuai le" means "happy".

14. When an action verb such as 'kan' (look) is reduplicated as 'kan kan', how does this change the meaning of the word?

From Quiz Mandarin Chinese Grammar Basics

Answer: Reduplication suggests looking 'a little'

In cases where an action verb is repeated, for example in the sentence 'Qing ni kan kan zhei ben shu' (Please take a brief look at this book), the effect semantically is to suggest the actor perform the action 'a little bit'. Another form of this same grammar construct is to add the word 'yi' (one) between the reduplicated verb, as in 'Qing ni kan yi kan zhei ben shu.'

15. Xiong you cheng zhu.

From Quiz Mandarin Chinese Idioms

Answer: Someone who is confident.

This idiom is derived from the story of an artist in ancient China whose passion was to illustrate bamboo stalks. On every occasion in which he planned to perform this hobby, he possessed deep faith towards himself that he would succeed. An important reminder of this story that is contained in this idiom is the word "zhu", which in Chinese means "bamboo".

16. Though most place names are transliterations from English or from the native languages of those localities, some are not. An example is the term 'Zhong-guo', which refers to China itself. What does this name literally mean in English translation?

From Quiz Chinese Place Names

Answer: Middle country

The word 'zhong' means 'middle, center' and the word 'guo' means 'land, country'. Taken together, the term means 'middle country', something of an ethnocentric name really. However, one must put this into perspective. In naming China the 'middle country' the Chinese were making reference to the 'four directions', each of which contained a 'paradise'. China itself just happened to be in the middle of these distant lands! In ancient times people did not have the benefits of accurate mapmaking and/or globes...

17. What English word is represented by the following 'mo tuo che' in Mandarin Chinese?

From Quiz Chinese Transliterations

Answer: motorcycle & motorbike

18. OK, here's the first question. In Chinese, what does 'ni hao' mean?

From Quiz I Know Chinese, Do You?

Answer: hello

19. Jasmine enters the store and after some extensive searching, she finds the place where they sell bread. She needs to buy whole wheat bread. Which one is it?

From Quiz Going Shopping in Chinese

Answer: quan mai mian bao

"Bai mian bao" is white bread, "jiao zi" are dumplings, and "hun dun" are wontons (a Chinese food related to dumplings).

20. What does the Chinese expression of "fly somebody a pigeon" literally mean?

From Quiz Ten Interesting Chinese Expressions

Answer: to fail to keep an appointment with somebody; to break an appointment with somebody

This is quite a new expression in Chinese, first appearing in the mid-1990s. When one fails to appear as promised, we can say: "Oh! He flew me a pigeon".

21. How would you say the informal word "Dad" in Chinese?

From Quiz Naming relatives in Mandarin Chinese

Answer: Ba Ba

"Fu Qin" is the equivalent for "Father" in Chinese. Just like in English, "Fu Qin" is a more formal way to address your Dad.

22. 2009 is the year of the ox, or niu. What more commonly eaten animal can 'niu' also mean?

From Quiz Chinese Food in Mandarin

Answer: cow

Beef, very commonly eaten in China as in the west, is niu rou. Sheep is 'yang', and goat is 'shan yang' or 'mountain sheep', while pig is 'zhu'.

23. The word "feng shui" is not obscure to a non Chinese. It refers to an ancient Chinese practice which is still popular nowadays. Now, "feng" means wind. What is meant by "shui"?

From Quiz When Chinese Meets English

Answer: Water

Rock in Chinese is "shi tou". Meanwhile, "huo" means fire and "lei" (sometimes "lei dian") means lightning.

24. What are you asking for if you say "wo yao hanbaobao"?

From Quiz McDonald's Questions in Mandarin

Answer: I want a hamburger

"Wo" is I "Hanbaobao" is "hamburger" The first McDonald's opened up in China in 1990 and the first drive-thru in 2005. The McDonald's restaurant has 29 registers, 700 seats and over 1,000 employees.

25. Harry, Ron, and Hermione are three good friends. How would you say 'three' in Chinese?

From Quiz Mandarin Chinese 101: Numbers

Answer: san

Er' means 'Two'. 'Wu' is five. 'Qi' is 'seven'.

26. After you ask how someone is doing, their response to you is: 'Wo hen hao'. What have they said to you?

From Quiz Mandarin Chinese 101: Greetings and Family

Answer: I'm very well

'I'm not good' is 'Wo bu hao'. 'I'm sad' translates to 'Wo hen shang xin'. 'I'm very happy' is 'Wo hen gao xing'.

27. Pick the best answer to this question in Chinese: What's your favorite color?

From Quiz Chinese For Beginners

Answer: Wo xi huan hong se.

Wo xi huan hong se means "I like red" and it's the only logical answer. Wo ai ni means "I love you", wo men zai wan is "we are playing", and ta xi huan gou means "he likes dogs".

28. No self-respecting burger would be complete without a side order of fries, so I ask for some what?

From Quiz Western Food Names in Chinese

Answer: shu tiao

'Shu tiao' just means potato strips. You can add the word 'zha' in front, meaning deep-fried, but the simple 'shu tiao' will work every time.

29. Chinese food plays a very large part in Chinese culture. Most of the time, there is at least one seafood dish for dinner. What is "seafood" in Cantonese?

From Quiz Cantonese- Language and Culture

Answer: hoi seen

Fresh fish is very common in Hong Kong, but shrimp, lobster, crab, clam, abalone, and others of the sort can be easily found too! All of these can be ordered at restaurants (aka tsow low) or made at home. At the restaurants, rice always comes with it whether you order rice or not.

30. "Small heart" (Xiao xin) is a phrase you see in many different areas. Can you guess the meaning?

From Quiz Chinese Sayings

Answer: Be careful

So, keeping things close to the heart is a way of being safe. However, there is no translation of "big heart".

This is category 359
Last Updated Nov 30 2024 5:44 AM

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