<![CDATA[Comments on: Adjusting the Temperature]]> 2010-08-05 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: staminkiasukkia]]> I am the first one to write something! YUPPIEEEE

]]> I am the first one to write something! YUPPIEEEE

]]> <![CDATA[By: mandarinboy]]> Very useful vocab in this one. We are having daily battles about this since i like it to be Swedish summer warm (20 degrees C) and my wife and our children prefer it to be  more  Chinese standard (28 C).Now I can more accurately discuss this with them:-) 

]]> Very useful vocab in this one. We are having daily battles about this since i like it to be Swedish summer warm (20 degrees C) and my wife and our children prefer it to be  more  Chinese standard (28 C).Now I can more accurately discuss this with them:-) 

]]> <![CDATA[By: aylish]]> I remember staring blanky at my 遥控器, unable to read past 一二三, and I certainly couldn't see any of those of my remote.

I never did figure that thing out actually...

]]> I remember staring blanky at my 遥控器, unable to read past 一二三, and I certainly couldn't see any of those of my remote.

I never did figure that thing out actually...

]]> <![CDATA[By: Mags M]]> I listened to the dialogue first and, as is fairly common in the Chinese Pod boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife conversations, the woman sounded really bad-tempered, whining, even a little aggressive, wanting her partner to do everything for her while the partner takes it all lying down. However, when I read the dialogue the woman sounded perfectly reasonable in her remarks and requests. So she just sounded like she was in a foul mood but she wasn't really. Is that so?Does the way the women speak in the dialogues reflect reality? Should I try to cultivate this way of speaking to sound more Chinese? If so, it's going to be really difficult. 

]]> I listened to the dialogue first and, as is fairly common in the Chinese Pod boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife conversations, the woman sounded really bad-tempered, whining, even a little aggressive, wanting her partner to do everything for her while the partner takes it all lying down. However, when I read the dialogue the woman sounded perfectly reasonable in her remarks and requests. So she just sounded like she was in a foul mood but she wasn't really. Is that so?Does the way the women speak in the dialogues reflect reality? Should I try to cultivate this way of speaking to sound more Chinese? If so, it's going to be really difficult. 

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> I'd say the woman wasn't in a foul mood, but "slightly whiny" is probably a fair assessment. I wouldn't worry about trying to cultivate the exact manner of speaking.

]]> I'd say the woman wasn't in a foul mood, but "slightly whiny" is probably a fair assessment. I wouldn't worry about trying to cultivate the exact manner of speaking.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> These are the typical words you will find on a remote control for air-con, most of which are in today's vocabulary section. 

]]> These are the typical words you will find on a remote control for air-con, most of which are in today's vocabulary section. 

]]> <![CDATA[By: simonpettersson]]> "Celsius" is misspelled in the vocab.

]]> "Celsius" is misspelled in the vocab.

]]> <![CDATA[By: neddanison]]> This is an interesting observation, User. I've been living in and around the Chinese world for 17 years (8 of those years in Taiwan, all of those years married to a Chinese woman -- and her family), and it has been my observation that Chinese women in male-female relationships are permitted a degree of "whiny-ness" somewhat beyond the degree deemed appropriate in English-speaking cultures.

An American fellow I knew years ago was newly married to a Taiwanese woman, and he complained that his wife pouted and feigned anger to get him to do things. As a compatriot, I knew what he meant. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize that her tone conveyed a certain endearing dependence. He should have noted that a Chinese woman won't take this tone with just any man! It's a mark of intimacy.

It's related to another observation foreigners often make, that Chinese intimates (such as family members) don't seem to use the polite terms an English speaker uses -- like "please" and "thank you". Again, there is an assumption of intimacy that is incompatible with polite formalities (translation: "We're homies -- why you gotta front?").

In Intercultural Communication jargon: While individualists (Westerners) seek to preserve an assumption of autonomy with polite strategies, collectivists (Chinese) seek to preserve an assumption of in-group membership by avoiding politeness formulas.

Another possibly related point is "撒嬌" (sājiāo), which the dictionary glosses: to act like a spoiled child, or to act coquettishly. This is one of those terms we just don't have in English! In intimate relationships, Chinese women often "sājiāo" as a sort of romantic gesture. Maybe our Chinese teachers can illuminate this for us!

]]> This is an interesting observation, User. I've been living in and around the Chinese world for 17 years (8 of those years in Taiwan, all of those years married to a Chinese woman -- and her family), and it has been my observation that Chinese women in male-female relationships are permitted a degree of "whiny-ness" somewhat beyond the degree deemed appropriate in English-speaking cultures.

An American fellow I knew years ago was newly married to a Taiwanese woman, and he complained that his wife pouted and feigned anger to get him to do things. As a compatriot, I knew what he meant. Unfortunately, he didn't recognize that her tone conveyed a certain endearing dependence. He should have noted that a Chinese woman won't take this tone with just any man! It's a mark of intimacy.

It's related to another observation foreigners often make, that Chinese intimates (such as family members) don't seem to use the polite terms an English speaker uses -- like "please" and "thank you". Again, there is an assumption of intimacy that is incompatible with polite formalities (translation: "We're homies -- why you gotta front?").

In Intercultural Communication jargon: While individualists (Westerners) seek to preserve an assumption of autonomy with polite strategies, collectivists (Chinese) seek to preserve an assumption of in-group membership by avoiding politeness formulas.

Another possibly related point is "撒嬌" (sājiāo), which the dictionary glosses: to act like a spoiled child, or to act coquettishly. This is one of those terms we just don't have in English! In intimate relationships, Chinese women often "sājiāo" as a sort of romantic gesture. Maybe our Chinese teachers can illuminate this for us!

]]> <![CDATA[By: suburbanite]]> Thanks for the lesson and the photo. I was looking for a picture of a 空调遥控器。

]]> Thanks for the lesson and the photo. I was looking for a picture of a 空调遥控器。

]]> <![CDATA[By: rods]]> Nothing to add, but fascinating post. Thanks Neddanison.

]]> Nothing to add, but fascinating post. Thanks Neddanison.

]]> <![CDATA[By: rods]]> Okay, that clears things up for me, because I was thinking to myself, "27°C (80.6°F)! that's kinda warm ... 19°C (66.2°F) sounded much more comfortable." I generally leave the AC at around 22-23°C. A bit warm but saves some electricity.

]]> Okay, that clears things up for me, because I was thinking to myself, "27°C (80.6°F)! that's kinda warm ... 19°C (66.2°F) sounded much more comfortable." I generally leave the AC at around 22-23°C. A bit warm but saves some electricity.

]]> <![CDATA[By: putao]]> Most women I talk to are in a bad mood. Glad to see its not just me.

]]> Most women I talk to are in a bad mood. Glad to see its not just me.

]]> <![CDATA[By: putao]]> The complicated and mysterious air con remote. For me this was one my first great mysteries I encountered in China. To this day I still have more luck randomly pressing the buttons and hoping for the right result than actually reading the instructions.

]]> The complicated and mysterious air con remote. For me this was one my first great mysteries I encountered in China. To this day I still have more luck randomly pressing the buttons and hoping for the right result than actually reading the instructions.

]]> <![CDATA[By: RJ]]> Thanks ned, you said it well but based on other observations I have made, I would be very surprised if any chinese teachers (female) choose to illuminate.

]]> Thanks ned, you said it well but based on other observations I have made, I would be very surprised if any chinese teachers (female) choose to illuminate.

]]> <![CDATA[By: RJ]]> yea, and then there's that. :-)

]]> yea, and then there's that. :-)

]]> <![CDATA[By: luobinzhenmei]]> Great lesson. Now we need a lesson on the directions on washing machines (and rice cookers). We were relieved to see the term 标准 (biao1zhun3, standard) and we only use that setting, but I suspect some of the other settings might be better for our clothes. Of course, we could have asked, but we don't want to lose face :)

(As if we don't lose face every time we open our mouths.)

]]> Great lesson. Now we need a lesson on the directions on washing machines (and rice cookers). We were relieved to see the term 标准 (biao1zhun3, standard) and we only use that setting, but I suspect some of the other settings might be better for our clothes. Of course, we could have asked, but we don't want to lose face :)

(As if we don't lose face every time we open our mouths.)

]]> <![CDATA[By: RJ]]> Air conditioner – 空调 – kōng tiáo
Remote control – 遥控器 – yáo kòng qì
Automatic – 自动 – zì dòng
Cool – 制冷 - zhì lěng
Dehumidifier – 抽湿 – chōu shī
Heat – 制热 – zhì rè
Fan Wind – 送风 – sòng fēng
High Wind Speed – 高风 – gāo fēng
Mid Wind Speed – 中风 – zhōng fēng
Low Wind Speed – 低风 – dī fēng
Set – 调整 – tiáo zhěng
Mode – 模式 – mó shì
On / Off – 开／关 – kāi/guān
Wind Speed – 风速 – fēng sù
Wind up/down – 上下风 – shàng xià fēng
Economy – 经济 – jīng jì
Time Set – 定时 – dìng shí
Blowing Direction – 风向 – fēng xiàng
Sweeping Wind – 扫风 – săo fēng
Cleaning – 清新 – qīng xīn
Display – 数显 – shù xiăn
Strength – 强劲 – qiáng jìn
Sleep – 睡眠 – shuì miăn
Lighting – 灯光 – dēng guāng
Cancel – 取消 – qŭ xiāo
Power Source – 电源 – diàn yuán

]]> Air conditioner – 空调 – kōng tiáo
Remote control – 遥控器 – yáo kòng qì
Automatic – 自动 – zì dòng
Cool – 制冷 - zhì lěng
Dehumidifier – 抽湿 – chōu shī
Heat – 制热 – zhì rè
Fan Wind – 送风 – sòng fēng
High Wind Speed – 高风 – gāo fēng
Mid Wind Speed – 中风 – zhōng fēng
Low Wind Speed – 低风 – dī fēng
Set – 调整 – tiáo zhěng
Mode – 模式 – mó shì
On / Off – 开／关 – kāi/guān
Wind Speed – 风速 – fēng sù
Wind up/down – 上下风 – shàng xià fēng
Economy – 经济 – jīng jì
Time Set – 定时 – dìng shí
Blowing Direction – 风向 – fēng xiàng
Sweeping Wind – 扫风 – săo fēng
Cleaning – 清新 – qīng xīn
Display – 数显 – shù xiăn
Strength – 强劲 – qiáng jìn
Sleep – 睡眠 – shuì miăn
Lighting – 灯光 – dēng guāng
Cancel – 取消 – qŭ xiāo
Power Source – 电源 – diàn yuán

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaophil]]> I have a question

Can we use the 把...调高 for other situations, say for the sound of an mp3 player?

For example:

把声音调高吧。 (Turn the sound up.)

Or perhaps:

把声音调大吧?

]]> I have a question

Can we use the 把...调高 for other situations, say for the sound of an mp3 player?

For example:

把声音调高吧。 (Turn the sound up.)

Or perhaps:

把声音调大吧?

]]> <![CDATA[By: suansuanru]]> it is 把声音调大吧。

]]> it is 把声音调大吧。

]]> <![CDATA[By: suansuanru]]> that's really helpful.thanks.

]]> that's really helpful.thanks.

]]> <![CDATA[By: Mags M]]> Thanks Neddanison. You've shed some useful light on the issue.

]]> Thanks Neddanison. You've shed some useful light on the issue.

]]> <![CDATA[By: staminkiasukkia]]> Q: Does the way the women speak in the dialogues reflect reality?

A: YES perfectly normal....

]]> Q: Does the way the women speak in the dialogues reflect reality?

A: YES perfectly normal....

]]> <![CDATA[By: kimiik]]> FILTER - 过滤器 - guòlǜqì

把过滤器洗干净吧。

]]> FILTER - 过滤器 - guòlǜqì

把过滤器洗干净吧。

]]> <![CDATA[By: christine]]> thank you!

]]> thank you!

]]> <![CDATA[By: brianhz]]> I have one more on my air con

左右扫风 zuǒ yòu sǎo fēng left right sweeping wind

]]> I have one more on my air con

左右扫风 zuǒ yòu sǎo fēng left right sweeping wind

]]> <![CDATA[By: grady_vampire]]> really useful message..thx

]]> really useful message..thx

]]>