AP Chinese Chinese: Vocabulary & Idiomatic Expressions

Question 1

What does the Chinese expression '入乡随俗' (rù xiāng suí sú) mean?

Accepted Answer

When in Rome, do as the Romans do

Answer

'入乡随俗' literally means 'enter village, follow customs,' conveying the idea of adapting to local customs when in a new place.

Question 2

Which character combination means 'technology' in Mandarin Chinese?

Accepted Answer

技术 (jìshù)

Answer

技术 (jìshù) means 'technology/technique/skill' and is the standard term used for technology in modern Chinese.

Question 3

The chengyu '马到成功' (mǎ dào chéng gōng) is typically used to express:

Accepted Answer

Wishing someone immediate success

Answer

'马到成功' literally means 'the horse arrives and success follows,' used as a blessing to wish someone swift success.

Question 4

What does '环境保护' (huánjìng bǎohù) mean?

Accepted Answer

Environmental protection

Answer

环境 means 'environment' and 保护 means 'to protect,' so 环境保护 means 'environmental protection.'

Question 5

The expression '一石二鸟' (yī shí èr niǎo) is equivalent to which English idiom?

Accepted Answer

Kill two birds with one stone

Answer

一石二鸟 literally means 'one stone, two birds' and is the direct Chinese equivalent of 'kill two birds with one stone.'

AP Practice Test