AP Chinese Language and Culture key terms

The basic social unit made up of parents, children, and sometimes grandparents or other relatives. In Chinese culture it often includes several generations living close together and sharing daily duties.

The traditional value of respecting, obeying, and caring for one's parents and elder relatives. It includes practical support in old age and is taught through stories and everyday expectations.

The difference in opinions, habits, and values between younger and older generations. It often shows up in family discussions about careers, marriage, technology, or spending habits.

A child with no brothers or sisters. China's one-child policy created many such families, shaping how children are raised and how they later care for aging parents.

The group of people who live in the same area and share local services, schools, and activities. Chinese communities often organize festivals, volunteer work, and help for elderly residents.

The connections people build with family members, classmates, coworkers, and friends. In Chinese society, keeping these ties smooth and respectful is emphasized and often affects daily decisions.

A nationwide university entrance examination held each June in mainland China. Results strongly influence which school a student may attend and can shape family plans and careers.

The most important traditional holiday in Chinese communities, marking the lunar new year with family reunions, special meals, red envelopes, and fireworks. It falls in late January or February.

A harvest festival held on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. Families gather, eat mooncakes, and admire the full moon, which symbolizes reunion and togetherness.

A fixed four-character Chinese expression that usually carries a story or moral, often from ancient history. These phrases make writing and speech more vivid and are widely tested.

The official system for writing Mandarin sounds with Latin letters, including tone marks. It helps learners pronounce new characters and is used for typing Chinese on phones and computers.

A regional variety of Chinese, such as Cantonese or Shanghainese, that differs in pronunciation and sometimes vocabulary. Many speakers use a dialect at home and standard Mandarin in public.

The standard spoken Chinese used in schools, media, and government across the country. It is based mainly on the Beijing dialect and is the form most often taught to learners.

Words and phrases used to show respect and good manners, such as greetings, apologies, and humble terms. Choosing the right form depends on age, status, and how well people know each other.

The art of writing Chinese characters with a brush and ink, valued for balance, rhythm, and personal style. Good work reveals control of stroke order and spacing, not only clear meaning.

Painting done with ink and water-based color on paper or silk, often showing landscapes, birds, or bamboo. Artists use empty space and varied brushwork to suggest mood and movement.

A traditional stage art combining singing, speech, acting, and acrobatics. Performers use stylized makeup and costumes, and roles are divided into types such as the male lead and painted-face characters.

A folk craft in which folded paper is cut into patterns for decoration, especially during festivals. Designs often show animals, flowers, or characters that stand for good luck.

A Chinese bowed string instrument with two strings and a small sound box. It is played upright on the lap and appears in folk music, opera, and modern orchestras.

Poems written during the Tang dynasty, often short, highly rhythmic, and rich in imagery. Famous examples are still memorized in schools and quoted to express feelings about nature or friendship.

Papermaking, printing, gunpowder, and the compass, all developed in China and later spread along trade routes. They are often cited as early Chinese contributions to world civilization.

A network of trade routes linking China with Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. Goods, ideas, and religions traveled along it, and it still symbolizes exchange between cultures.

Fast passenger trains that run on dedicated lines at speeds well above ordinary trains. China's network is among the largest in the world and has changed how people travel between cities.

Paying for goods and services with a smartphone app rather than cash or a card. It relies on QR codes and linked bank accounts and is common in Chinese cities and shops.

Computer systems that perform tasks usually needing human thinking, such as recognizing speech, translating text, or recommending content. China invests heavily in research and everyday applications of this technology.

A Chinese messaging and social media app used for chatting, sharing posts, paying bills, and booking services. It combines features that other countries often split across several separate apps.

Informal words and phrases that spread quickly online, often through social media and short videos. They reflect current humor and youth culture and are usually avoided in formal writing.

Buying products over the internet and having them delivered home. In China it is closely tied to large platforms, fast delivery networks, and major shopping festivals such as November 11.

Bicycles parked around a city that people unlock with a phone app and pay for by the minute. They offer short-distance transport and raise questions about parking and maintenance.

Prepared meals ordered through an app and brought to a home or office by a courier. It has become a major part of city life in China and changed eating habits for many young people.

A society in which the share of older people keeps rising and the number of young workers shrinks. China faces this trend and must plan pensions, health care, and family support.

Actions and policies aimed at reducing pollution, saving resources, and protecting nature. In China it includes waste sorting, electric vehicles, and campaigns to plant trees and clean rivers.

Growth that meets present needs without using up resources or harming the environment for future generations. Governments and companies apply it to energy, farming, city planning, and manufacturing.

The growing connection of countries through trade, communication, travel, and shared culture. It brings new products and ideas but can also create tension between local traditions and foreign influences.

A person who gives time and effort to help others without payment. Chinese volunteers serve in disaster relief, community service, sports events, and environmental campaigns.

Going to another country to study at a school or university. Many Chinese students study overseas, and international students also come to China, creating cultural exchange in both directions.

A pair of thin sticks used to eat food, held in one hand. Table manners include not standing them upright in rice, and they are a familiar symbol of Chinese dining.

The customs, ingredients, and cooking styles connected with eating. Chinese food culture values shared dishes, regional flavors, and special foods tied to festivals and family gatherings.