URL
Lesson Introduction
Everyone knows there are a lot of fakes in China. Fake prada, fake watches, fake art students... yes, those too. So stay away from those sweet looking Nanjing Lu predators, and stick to the real art museums of China. Where treasures of jade bok choy and 50,000 renditions of West Lake lie awaiting your discovery. Educate yourself, art-wise and Mandarin-wise, in this lesson.
Comments 
To comment, please login.
Comments Policy
Allowed comments do not necessarily represent the views of ChinesePod.com. We also reserve the right to reject personal attacks, false/unsubstantiated allegations, spamming of any kind, and comments that include vulgar language or libelous statements.
Out of consideration for our Newbie and Elementary users, English translations should be provided with any Chinese (characters or pinyin) written in Newbie and Elementary lesson discussion posts. New lesson idea? Please let us know on our contact page.
jennyzhu says
Starting from this year, museums in China will be admission free. It will be rolled out gradually, starting with some of the biggest ones in each city.March 26, 2008
texastochina says
The Shanghai Art Museum has been recently displayed here in Houston. I would say that a trip to museums in Bejing or Shanghai would be a good way to see a lot of history as well as an opportunity to enjoy beauty as interpreted over hundreds of years.March 26, 2008
darylk says
Tai hao le! That's really a wonderful commitment on the part of the government and/or other entities who support museums. Here in Houston some portions of museum exhibits are free one day a week, but few American museums are free all of the time. On a different subject, I've just completed a book published in 1942 re Chinese festivals, superstitions, etc. A lesson on common Chinese superstitions would be good. Also does China still have the kite-fighting holiday? I've never heard of such a thing. And what about the girl needle- threading holiday?March 26, 2008
misterjess says
I was certainly able to draw a lot from this lesson.March 26, 2008
garry says
Hi CPod! Once again I listened to the podcast expecting one thing and getting another entirely. I thought the lesson would be about art and art museums, but I received instead a wonderful vocabulary lesson centered around interesting personal dynamics in relationships. Of course learning new words is always good. On the subject of students, the art students take you to an art exhibition where you can buy their, and others, works of art. But what is worse are the language students who say they want to talk to an english speaking tourist and practise their English, but their true intention is to take you to a Tea House. There you have a tea ceremony, and then you see the bill. Beware!March 26, 2008
Joachim says
March 26, 2008
bazza says
I narrowly avoided the art gallery scam but fell for the tea house one even though I knew about them (they were very clever).March 27, 2008
changye says
Hi bazza, Every time I hear your story about the tea house scam, I always feel deep sympathy for you. I did not know that you narrowly avoided the art gallery one before. Anyway, you seem to have a talent or a charm for attracting a certain kind of people here in China.March 27, 2008
changye says
Considering the living standard, admissions are too high for 老百姓, especially in sightseeing resorts in China. 美术馆 (mei3 shu4 guan3)… art museum 艺术馆 (yi4 shu4 guan3)… art museum 博物馆 (bo2 wu4 guan3)… museum 水族馆 (shui3 zu2 guan3)… aquarium 体育馆 (ti3 yu4 guan3)… gymnasium 游泳馆 (you2 yong3 guan3)… indoor pool 图书馆 (tu2 shu1 guan3)… library 咖啡馆 (ka1 fei1 guan3)… coffee house 照相馆 (zhao4 xiang4 guan3)… photo studio 殡仪馆 (bin4 yi2 guan3)… funeral home 大使馆 (da4 shi3 guan3)… embassy 领事馆 (ling3 shi4 guan3)… consulateMarch 27, 2008
bazza says
I think I was just an easy target. Wondering around on my own looking a little lost. ;)March 27, 2008
rjberki says
I would like to second darylk's request for a lesson, or perhaps a dear Amber show, on common Chinese superstitions, past and present. All societies have them. -RJMarch 27, 2008
xuchen says
What is the art gallery scam? Did I miss something?... Sorry my pot cast cuts out at the end. Also, they say : 我不懂艺术 （wo3 bu4 dong3 yi4shu4) Could you also say: 艺术，我都看不出来 （yi4shu4, wo3dou1kan4bu4chu1lai2) I always though that was more of a "I don't know what to make of what I'm seeing" kind of phrase. Anyone? -许尘March 27, 2008
sono says
How many people are in love with Jenny from her voice?March 27, 2008
ohdannyboy says
I am, Sono. Nevertheless, I am still willing to correct her. I think "free admission" or "free of admission fees" would be better than "admission free," which makes it sounds like nobody will be admitted. :)March 27, 2008
mikeinewshot says
Well Dannyboy, you may be an English teacher in the US, but I can assure you that in England we agree with Jenny and say "admission free", so don't be so quick to critisize Jenny's English.March 27, 2008
simonw says
sorry Mike, gonna have to disagree with you... the tendency to create these kind of (ambiguous) compound adjectival nouns is actually considerably more prevalent in American English than in British English. Strictly speaking, it is permissible by the standards of American English usage, and isn't by those of British English (I double-checked in Fowler's...!). In addition to which, although I've heard the phrase once or twice in England, I would have to say it's by no means common in my experience. ohdannyboy's alternatives are clearly preferable in my opinion, and I think it's perfectly reasonable to criticise (or criticize, whichever you prefer!) if you're prepared to be constructive! simon :)March 27, 2008
rich says
I just posted some videos from hanyu.com.cn in this post: http://chinesepod.com/connections/viewpost/rich/connect/Art+Museum+Videos+-+Dialog+from+NPCR+textbook We get to see in a Chinese art gallery, and have a simple dialog going on. I will also post some of the vocabulary from the NPCR text books they come from.March 27, 2008
tucsonmichael says
Nice lesson. I particularly like the Shanghai Museum, having been there three times, because it has art, weapons, jade, furniture, ming "china" and even clothing. Even the building itself is very artistic, shaped like a ding and having a grand and beautiful interior, just south of People's Square. Does this free admission policy make it more hard to actually gain admission, in the sense of so many people already being in the museum, that additional people are prevented from entering until others leave?March 27, 2008
jennyzhu says
There is a catch to the free admission/admission-free policy: limited number of visitors. You can make reservations (doesn't sound quite right, but you get what I mean) to make sure you get in.March 27, 2008
richnirish says
(the) admission (is) free ;)March 27, 2008
megg says
Couldn't we have a few more lessons that actually could be used in the real world? like sub way tickets, or ect?March 27, 2008
azerdocmom says
@megg...there is one on the train; just use the search function at the top of the home page: )March 27, 2008
megg says
ok thanksMarch 27, 2008
tucsonmichael says
Jenny, thanks for the clarification. Is there a reservation website for the Shanghai museum, or do I need to call or visit? Megg, I have found many lessons to be quite practical and to help me in many ways during my 9 visits to China over the past 3 years. This is lesson 833, so there is a wealth of information at all levels, some clearly too advanced for me. Chinesepod, can you comment on the distinctions between 懂， 了解 and 认识? In the expanded section, I would think to know something more deeply, I should use 认识 或者 了解 ren4shi huo4zhe3 (or) liao3jie3. Thanks for your consistently excellent lessons and comfortable chemistry!March 27, 2008
calkins says
Great lesson. I really enjoyed the art history at the end of the podcast...thanks Ken and Jenny!March 27, 2008
ohdannyboy says
I see your point Mike. I tend to think of admission as the physical act of entering (although my dictionary says that, traditionally, admittance has been used for that meaning.) In any case, I was mostly trying to agree with the previous post ("How many people are in love with Jenny from her voice?") without coming off as a cultist.March 27, 2008
misterjess says
No critisizing Jenny. Her English is wonderful.March 27, 2008
mayor_bombolini says
Rich, Thanks. I'm using NPCR also. I like the overlap. I sense a 京剧 / 越剧lesson on the horizon (ch 22) Also, I second caulkin's statement above. Ken and Jenny pack a lot of useful info into a very concise casual sounding discussion.March 27, 2008
sono says
I'd imagine if you want to date Jenny you would need to reach the advanced lessons. I think it must be what you win if you finish all the lessons. *studying hard*March 27, 2008
misterjess says
If you want to date Jenny you better learn how to play tennis.March 27, 2008
amber says
hi tusconmichael, The differences in the many Chinese words for "to understand" often is a little perplexing. They each have their distinct usage, but they also overlap at times. Here is a little explanation and some examples for them all to add a little clarity: 了解 (liǎojiě) means to understand a situation, a matter, a person, or a fact. 我了解这个情况。(Wǒ liǎojiě zhège qíngkuàng.) 他不太了解他的孩子。(Tā bù tài liǎojiě tā de háizi.) 我不知道这个公司怎么样，我去了解一下。(Wǒ bùzhīdào zhège gōngsī zěnmeyàng, wǒ qù liǎojiě yīxià.) 懂 (dǒng) is used to denote understanding of the reasoning or rationale behind something; also to understand the meaning of something. It can also be used to say you understand a language, or a skill. 我不懂这句话的意思。(Wǒ bù dǒng zhè jù huà de yìsi.) 他懂这个道理。(Tā dǒng zhège dàoli.) 他懂计算机。(Tā dǒng jìsuànjī.) 理解 (lǐjiě) will usually refer to understanding the meaning of something, or of understanding a person's way of doing something, or reason for doing something. 我理解这个句子的意思。(Wǒ lǐjiě zhège jùzi de yìsi.) 我能理解他为什么这么做。(Wǒ néng lǐjiě tā wèishénme zhème zuò.) 明白 (míngbai) also has the meaning of "to understand", however, it has the added meaning that something is clear. 我明白这个句子的意思。(Wǒ míngbai zhège jùzi de yìsi.) 他明白这个道理。(Tā míngbai zhège dàoli.) 认识 (rènshi) means to know, to recognize. Most commonly used for speaking of knowing a person: 我不认识他。 (Wǒ bù rènshi tā.) So if you wanted to 'understand something more deeply' as you mention, i would say that 了解 (liǎojiě) would be the best choice of word.March 27, 2008
amber says
hi xuchen To say you don't quite know what to make of a piece of art, you could say: 我欣赏不了。 (Wǒ xīnshǎng bùliǎo.)March 27, 2008
gosiengfiao says
I was wondering how you make the distinction between painting and drawing if both are called "hua4"? And the end of the podcast was very funny "we know who's not paying"March 28, 2008
tucsonmichael says
Amber, you are my 中文的angel...感谢。。。 Your 我欣赏不 expression really seems to mean "I don't really know how to appreciate it" more than "I don't really know what to make of it", right? 再说感谢你们。。。让我对中文学习感兴趣。March 28, 2008
shanghaichanges says
Wow! Thanks Chinesepod for the insight into Chinese Art. I'm going to be needing this site more and more each day because I'm in Shanghai from now on!!! Yay me!!!March 29, 2008
billgloveruk says
So, on Saturday morning my girlfriend says to me, "Do you want to go to the design museum?" In reply I mumbled something about other things to do. And then today I open iTunes to find this lesson waiting for me. It's almost as if ChinesePod knows what I'm up to. If only I had checked earlier. At least now I know how to respond in Chinese. 我不懂艺术。March 30, 2008
changye says
Hi billgloveruk, 你有时候需要"不懂装懂"!! You sometimes need to pretend to know!March 30, 2008
zeoblade says
Why are some people criticising Jenny? Everyone understand what she means. She's got such a beautiful voice just like that other girl that appears in the dialogues, so cute! they both must be as beautiful both inside and out just like their voicesMarch 31, 2008
chenggwo says
A Museum has free admission when a Museum is admission free. Each one is a different part of speech grammatically, therefore they belong in a different part of the sentence. As mentioned earlier 'admission free' is a noun, the other cannot be treated as a noun. Yes, admission can refer directly to the fee for admission. Which make this a proper use of the word. I don't see what the noun-adjective discussion in Fowler has to do with this and I don't see any reference to British versus American usage in the noun-adjectives article. And I don't see any ambiguity in the sentence. You must put the phrase after the verb 'to be' as in 'Something is admission free', and that is what she did. So there you go.March 31, 2008
feitingen says
busch, it is free to download mp3's. besides, rosetta stone sucks compared to chinesepod, but thats my opinionMarch 31, 2008
melitu says
Can 美术馆 and 艺术馆 be used interchangeably? From the podcast it seems 美术馆 would be more like "art gallery"... in the west, that would entail mostly paintings. 艺术馆 would additionally have sculpture and other art forms? Also for "the arts" as a whole (art, music, theater), would we use 艺术 (not 美术)? Lastly, how would one say "modern art museum"? 现代艺术馆? Incidentally, admission free used as an adjective is fine, but I think it's missing a hyphen: admission-free.April 1, 2008
changye says
Hi melitu, Sorry I have no answer to your question, which is just what I also wanted to know, but at least I can say that 艺术 has a broader meaning than 美术 does. Let us wait for answers from other people.April 1, 2008
chenggwo says
>>Incidentally, admission free used as an adjective is fine, but I think it's missing a hyphen: admission-free>> I believe that just as 'yellow' is a noun in the sentence: The balloon is yellow. 'admission free' is treated as a noun, not an adjective in: The museum is admission free. English is more flexible and easy to use that this pickyness over whether 'admission free' is correct, which it is, implies. This leaves the wrong impression concerning what is proper English usage. Concerning Hyphens, Fowler recommends: "This is that the hyphen is not an ornament, but an aid to being understood, and should be employed only when it is needed for that purpose." In other words, use it to clear up an ambiguity, there being none in this case, don't use it. The only question was whether admission can refer to the fee of admission which it does. Case solved. Under noun adjectives in Fowler's Modern English Usage, the question was whether one can use a noun phrase such as 'admission free' as an adjective, as in the phrase 'admission free museum'. This is not recommended. It is better to say 'The museum is admission free.' I don't think it is ambiguous though. The example in Fowler's: "that if a large vehicle fleet were translated into either a large fleet of vehicles or a fleet of large vehicles an ambiguity would be removed", If there are no two ways to translate 'admission free museum' then it is not ambiguous, although it is an ugly phrase that is not recommended. However, 'admission free' is a highly recommended example of proper English usage.April 1, 2008
zeoblade says
why dont we give this admission free a break, if anything is incorrect its that guy ken, he doesnt pronounce correct half the timeApril 2, 2008
chenggwo says
Ken is much easier for me to imitate, but that is because we both speak English. I don't think it is good for me to emphasize correct pronunciation this early. It slows me down too much. I have to assume that Ken speaks well enough to be understood and with enough vocabulary to carry on a conversation. That's more than I can say for myself.April 2, 2008
user17838 says
I enjoy hearing Ken's accent with English words! So perhaps he needs help pronouncing English first before mastering Chinese. He is very funny with Jenny though. Strangely, I think Jenny has a higher English vocabulary than Ken. She surprises me in many lessons with such advanced English words. She uses some words I've never used in my life! But anyways...I hope to someday be able to speak fluently in Chinese, and Jenny is definitely my inspiration. She makes Chinese sound so beautiful! -Ken MyersApril 3, 2008
zeoblade says
i used to think it wasnt productive to focus on pronounciation at first but every teacher i talked to tells me otherwise because you dont want to develop bad habits since speaking is all neuromuscular and you want to force yourself to do it the right way once and forever. i like the way jenny talks a lot but they should have more of the guys from the dialogues speaking so us guys know how to speak. i find that ken is following the typical female chinese accentApril 4, 2008
gesang says
I can not read all this negaitve post about Ken without having to add: I think he is a very good teacher. His humor and his enthusiastic way to adore bits of chinese language are making his lessons so enjoyable. I had so many teachers during my study who knew so much but where miserable in teaching. Love to have one now who is a great entertainer, too! I sticked to chinesepod after finding it also because lessons are so very funny and Ken and Jenny seem to have fun doing it - which made me study much more, just for the fun of it! And if all the male learners are all talking about falling in love with Jenny from her voice (which is lovely indeed!)... from the perspective of a female learner i would say its the same for Kens voice! ;-). 格桑 (p.s. sure there are many things to criticize when i write english here...well aren't we all learners? i wouldn't even say i am perfect in german, which is my mother tongue...)April 4, 2008
calkins says
Well said Gesang. I tend to agree with you (except for the falling in love with Ken part :-). Ken is an amazing teacher (otherwise he wouldn't be where he is today, would he?). Of course his Chinese speaking isn't going to sound perfect, when he's sitting next to a native speaker...and on top of that, the native speaker is Jenny Zhu, whose pronunciations and tones are probably better than 95% of the Chinese population. So take it easy on "that guy" Ken, and be thankful and respectful for all that he has provided you with.April 4, 2008
gesang says
cheers on your support calkins ;-) 格桑April 4, 2008
zhenfu says
嘿嘿！ 感謝Chinese Pod! Finally something for us art majors~ 好棒嚄！^ ^April 5, 2008
urbandweller says
um i wish i would have known about this free admission thing last week when i was there!! Darn! about the art scam though...i think that i may have fallen for that but not completely...i was sketching on the bund (im an architecture major) and was approached by 3 young art students. They asked me if i wanted to go see a free art show down the street. So after much dialogue it seemed legit. So i followed them and hoped for the best. It turned out to really a big room of chinese art done by students. They mentioned that i could buy some if i wanted. I admired it and then politely declined and left the building without any problems. Now was that the art scam?? The next day in peoples square i was approached by 2 lovely young chinese women who spoke great english and seemed genuinely interested in me. After a couple minutes, they invited me to a "tea ceremony." A huge red flag popped up in my mind because i remember the discussion about this...So I smiled and mentioned that i had heard about this scam and that i wasnt going to fall for it!! They played dumb and totally denied it...but it was funny how suddenly they werent interested in talking anymore. They quickly ran away speaking very fast in chinese. I got a good laugh at it. Thanks for saving my butt on that one Cpod!!April 8, 2008
urbandweller says
anybody heard about the 798 Big Factory Art District in Beijing?? Its a really cool place...I reccomend it if you like more avant -garde independent -underground -type art and sculpture...and the area is really hip too! Old factory complex that they converted into tons of little meishuguans!!April 11, 2008
barkerdavidl says
It was interesting to hear about the 'Art Exhibit' scams. Now I understand why I was approached by so many art students in Tian'anmen square. I didn't know it was a scam, but when I started trying to speak Chinese with them, they all seemed to forget about the art show and just wanted to talk with me. I hope next time to be able to carry on a better conversation!April 11, 2008
user14892 says
I'm wondering whether, in the sentence 你为什么不跟他们一起去?, the 一起 is actually needed, since the 跟 already suggests "togetherness." Thank you, Andrew in VirginiaApril 14, 2008
peterrichardson1 says
Just got to say something you probably all already know......Chinesepd is awesome, without a doubt the best tool I have found for learning Chinese....I'm an addict and I recommend it to everyone!!! Great stuff, keep up the good work!April 15, 2008
tonyc says
Very nice Elementary. I've never been much one for art, so thank you Cpod for showing this novice a glimpse of its wonder. Where are most historical Chinese paintings/works shown in the Mainland?April 17, 2008
perle says
June 3, 2008
今天我去旧金山的亚洲美术馆。我喜欢特别画明代的画。Today I went to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. I especially like the Ming Dynasty paintings.
They also have a special exhibit of jade- extremely beautiful and intricate work.
servant says
October 9, 2008
:-)