Six Chinese Characters

Dear students，our country has a long history．Chinese characters usually have more than one meaning and some of them are particularly loved by Chinese people．Here are the top six lucky ones．Please note we use “pinyin” here because “pinyin” is the Chinese spelling system for the characters．For example，“fu” is the “pinyin” for good luck in Chinese．“pinyin” “fu” is only the phonic（语音的）part of the character and if you want to know the meaning of good luck “fu”，you must read the Chinese character 福 because “fu” also represents（代表）other Chinese characters that sound the same．

1．福 “fu” 一一blessing，good fortune，good luck

Chinese character 福 “fu” is one of the most popular ones used during Chinese New Year．It is often displayed upside down on the front door of a house or an apartment．The upside down 福“fu” means good luck came since the character for upside down in Chinese sounds the same as the character for “came”．

2．禄 “lu” means prosperity

It is used to mean official's salary（薪水）in feudal（封建的）china．

3．寿 “shou” means longevity

Chinese character 寿 “shou” also means life，age or birthday．

4．喜 “xi” is Happiness．

The doubled character 喜 “xi” means double happiness．It is usually displayed everywhere at Chinese weddings．

5．财 “cai” is wealth or money

Chinese often say “money can make a ghost turn a millstone”．It is to say money really can do a lot of things：but，still--money can't buy everything．

6．和 “he” means harmonious

People's harmony is an important part of Chinese culture．When you have harmonious relations with others，things will be a lot easier for you．

1．What does the word “character” mean in this passage?

A．性格                      B．汉字                       C．角色                      D．特征

2．We use ________ to show how to read the Chinese characters．

A．“pinyin”                 B．spelling                  C．Chinese                  D．letters

3．What does the upside down 福 “fu” mean?

A．It means coming．                                    B．It means that good luck came．

C．It means good fortune                                D．It means that “fu” is upside down．

4．Which sentence is right?

A．Money is a ghost．                                   B．Money can buy everything．

C．Money is everything．                                D．Money isn't everything．

5．After reading the passage，can we say that sound “he” only means harmony?

A．No，we can't．                                         B．Yes，we can．

C．I know several words read as “he”．            D．Yes，you can．

 When you think of Beijing, the beautiful green waters and hills of Beihai Park and the grand and beautiful Forbidden City will come to your mind.

In recent years, groups of modern buildings and specially designed plazas have appeared on Beijing’s streets. Standing in the street, you can feel how Beijing has changed. But foreigners still like to go to the hutongs.

The word hutong comes from the Mongolian language. Hutongs come to Beijing more than 700 years ago. As time passed, the hutongs have remained, and have become an important part of the essence of Beijing.

Many foreigners, when they come to Beijing from their far countries, will go directly to visit the hutongs after setting down. They sit in the courtyards, chatting with the native Beijingers about neighbors and their life. It seems that through their chatting, they can find the true meaning of Chinese family life.

Waving good-bye, they have to leave the hutongs, and say goodbye to the families with whom they have chatted happily. But they don’t feel like leaving. The hutongs have brought great enjoyment to them.

Although every country has it own special cultural background, economic situation and level and feelings are similar. The hutong is a cultural symbol of this city. And the families of the hutongs are also unforgettable.

1.What do we often think of when we talk about Beijing？

2.Where do the foreigners still like to go although Beijing has changed a lot?

3.What do we know from the third paragraph ?

4.将文中划线部分译成汉语

5. The best title for the passage can be_______.

Six Chinese Characters
Dear students,  our country has a long history.  Chinese characters usually have more than one meaning and some of them are particularly loved by Chinese people.  Here are the top six lucky ones.  Please note we use "pinyin" here because "pinyin" is the Chinese spelling system for the characters. For example, "fu" is the "pinyin" for good luck in Chinese.  "pinyin" "fu" is only the phonic   (语音的 )  part of the character and if you want to know the meaning of good luck "fu",  you must read the Chinese character福 because "fu" also represents  (代表)  other Chinese characters that sound the same.
1.福  "fu" means blessing,  good fortune,  good luck. Chinese character福 "fu" is one of the most popular ones used during Chinese New Year. It is often displayed upside down on the front door of a house or an apartment.  The upside down福"fu" means good luck comes since the character for upside down in Chinese sounds the same as the character for "come".
2.禄 "Iu" means prosperity.
It is used to mean official's salary(薪水 ) in feudal (封建的 ) China.
3. 寿 "shou" means longevity.
Chinese character寿  "shou" also means life,  age or birthday.
4.喜 "xi" is happiness.
The doubled character喜 "xi" means double happiness. It is usually displayed everywhere at Chinese weddings.
5.财  "cai" is wealth or money.
Chinese often say "money can make a ghost turn a millstone". It is to say money really can do a lot of things. But, still-money can’t buy everything.
6.和  "he" means harmomous.
People's harmony is an important part of Chinese culture. When you have harmomous
relations with others,   things will be a lot easier for you.
【小题1】 What does the word "character" mean in this passage?