Using only these translated forms and a physical/political map of
China, find the meanings of the names of as many provinces, cities, and
natural features as possible.
Examples:
Beijing = Northern Capital
Nanjing = _______ Capital
Shanghai = ____________
Huanghe = Yellow _________
Hainan Island = ________ Sea Island
Provinces: What do the following provincial names mean?
| Guangdong = ____________________ |
Hebei = ____________________ |
| Jiangxi = _______________________ |
Henan = ____________________ |
| Shandong = _____________________ |
Yunnan = ____________________ |
| Shanxi = _______________________ |
Sichuan = ____________________ |
Note: Each number in brackets next to the pinyin transliterations
below indicates the tone used to pronounce the word. For example,
[1] indicates an even tone and [2] a rising tone. For more on the
four tones, see The
Chinese Language.
|
Pinyin
|
(Wade-Giles)
|
Meaning in English
|
| zhong [1] |
(chung) |
middle |
| hai [3] |
(hai) |
sea |
| he [2] |
(ho) |
river/stream |
| jiang [1] |
(chiang) |
river/stream |
| chuan [1] |
(ch'uan) |
river/stream |
| hu [2] |
(hu) |
lake |
| huang [2] |
(hwang) |
yellow |
| jing [1] |
(king/ching) |
capital |
| guang [3] |
(kuang) |
wide/broad |
| gui [4] |
(kwei) |
honored |
| liao [2] |
(liao) |
distant |
| lin [2] |
(lin) |
woods |
| ling [3] |
(ling) |
range |
| nan [2] |
(nan) |
south |
| bei [3] |
(pei) |
north |
| ping [2] |
(p'ing) |
peace |
| ning [2] |
(ning) |
peace |
| an [1] |
(an) |
peace |
| po [1] |
(p'o) |
slope |
| sha [1] |
(sha) |
sand |
| shan [1] |
(shan) |
mountain |
| shang [4] |
(sheng) |
above/upon |
| shen [3] |
(shen) |
a surname |
| xi [1] |
(hsi) |
west |
| si [4] |
(sze/szu) |
four |
| tian [1] |
(t'ien) |
heaven |
| jin [1] |
(tsin/chin) |
ferry/ford |
| dong [1] |
(tung) |
east |
| yun [2] |
(yun) |
clouds |
| yang [2] |
(yang) |
sun |
Note to the teacher: In some cases the above translations are approximations
and are, as such, acceptable for the purposes of this exercise.
| back to top | |
