Leftover women

Recently I came across a very interesting article. Apparently, unmarried female who are older than 27 are labeled as ‘leftover women’ in China. Leftover? That’s a harsh word to use.

As we always do, let’s learn how to say the phrase in Chinese language:

剩女 (shèngnǚ): leftover women

I normally use the word leftover when referring to food. So let’s learn how to say that as well:

剩菜 (shèng cài): leftovers

剩饭 (shèng fàn): leftovers

And below is a sentence showing a general use of 剩 (shèng):

还剩多少？

Hái shèng duōshǎo?

How much is leftover?

Jasmine Flower

It’s been a while since we learned a song. So let’s learn a very popular Chinese folk song today. Click here for the full lyrics.

茉莉花 (Mòlìhuā) Jasmine Flower

好一朵美丽的茉莉花,
Hăo yì duǒ měilì de mòlìhuā.
What a beautiful jasmine flower,

好一朵美丽的茉莉花。
Hăo yì duǒ měilì de mòlìhuā.
What a beautiful jasmine flower.

芬芳美丽满枝桠，    
Fēnfāng měilì măn zhī yā,
A spray of fragrance and lovely petals,

又香又白人人夸。  
Yòu xiāng yòu bái rénrén kuā.
Everyone loves your snow-white buds.

让我来将你摘下，   

Ràng wǒ lái jiānɡ nĭ zhāi xià,
Let me pick a jasmine flower,

送给别人家。   
Sòng gěi biérén jiā.
And give it to others.

茉莉花呀茉莉花。  
Mòlìhuā ya mòlìhuā.
Jasmine flowers, jasmine flowers.

Why did I pick this song? Not because this is one of my favorite, but because Celine Dion sang this song in Mandarin for a New Year Gala show. If you didn’t already know, February 10 was the Chinese New year and this is the year of snake. Check this post to learn how to say Happy New Year in Chinese language.

And below is a video of Celine Dion singing the Jasmine Flower song.