<![CDATA[Comments on: Changing a Plane Ticket]]> 2010-06-20 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: richnirish]]> FRUSTRATION.... I am in Chengdu. My teacher tells me that I am pronouncing "Zui" incorrectly. Everywhere I have heard the sound pronounced as "Zway" but she insists that not only am I incorrect but also the sound charts are incorrect as it sould be pronounced "Zwee".    HELP!!!!

]]> FRUSTRATION.... I am in Chengdu. My teacher tells me that I am pronouncing "Zui" incorrectly. Everywhere I have heard the sound pronounced as "Zway" but she insists that not only am I incorrect but also the sound charts are incorrect as it sould be pronounced "Zwee".    HELP!!!!

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaophil]]> I have come across Chinese, including at least one Mandarin teacher, who pronounce 'ui' like 'wee' as you described. The standard way should be 'way', at least that is what I have been told by several other Chinese who I trust..

]]> I have come across Chinese, including at least one Mandarin teacher, who pronounce 'ui' like 'wee' as you described. The standard way should be 'way', at least that is what I have been told by several other Chinese who I trust..

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> You are correct. The standard pronunciation is "Z+way", not "Z+wee". Teachers are wrong sometimes.

]]> You are correct. The standard pronunciation is "Z+way", not "Z+wee". Teachers are wrong sometimes.

]]> <![CDATA[By: orangina]]> What if it is not such an immediate situation and you need to change your tickets. How would you say that?

我需要交换航班票。怎么办？

]]> What if it is not such an immediate situation and you need to change your tickets. How would you say that?

我需要交换航班票。怎么办？

]]> <![CDATA[By: waiguoren]]> I was once delayed for 13 hours on a flight from Beijing to Shenzhen! (when it snowed in Beijing on the 1st of November 2009).

Also I once arrived late to the airport (no big deal in China, right?) and missed the only ever domestic flight that's ever departed on time, and I got slugged with a Y300 fee!

怎么办？

]]> I was once delayed for 13 hours on a flight from Beijing to Shenzhen! (when it snowed in Beijing on the 1st of November 2009).

Also I once arrived late to the airport (no big deal in China, right?) and missed the only ever domestic flight that's ever departed on time, and I got slugged with a Y300 fee!

怎么办？

]]> <![CDATA[By: connie]]> You can say, 我需要改签。Wǒ xūyào gǎi qiān.

]]> You can say, 我需要改签。Wǒ xūyào gǎi qiān.

]]> <![CDATA[By: brendaninaus]]> Trains might be an alternative to planes, but not if you're going to be late.

I found not only did they usually leave on time, but soemtimes they left 5-10 minutes early, and I almost missed several.

]]> Trains might be an alternative to planes, but not if you're going to be late.

I found not only did they usually leave on time, but soemtimes they left 5-10 minutes early, and I almost missed several.

]]> <![CDATA[By: mikeinewshot]]> I have had the same issue. I wondered whether is it actually between z-way and z-wee?

]]> I have had the same issue. I wondered whether is it actually between z-way and z-wee?

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> Could it be a regional dialect issue?

]]> Could it be a regional dialect issue?

]]> <![CDATA[By: richnirish]]> zway vs zwee

Hold tight...I will present the comments to her tomorrow.....hope she is in a good mood.

]]> zway vs zwee

Hold tight...I will present the comments to her tomorrow.....hope she is in a good mood.

]]> <![CDATA[By: richnirish]]> zway vs zwee

Hold tight...I will present the comments to her tomorrow.....hope she is in a good mood.

]]> zway vs zwee

Hold tight...I will present the comments to her tomorrow.....hope she is in a good mood.

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> 很勇敢！

]]> 很勇敢！

]]> <![CDATA[By: machongjun]]> xiao_liang: I am very agree with you said

]]> xiao_liang: I am very agree with you said

]]> <![CDATA[By: machongjun]]> In fact ,they are not troppo different，alternative is OK

]]> In fact ,they are not troppo different，alternative is OK

]]> <![CDATA[By: bodawei]]> Connie

This sounds colloquial & I am always up for learning a cool way of expressing something, but does this work when you do not actually have a 'ticket' as such? I don't think I have ever flown in China with a paper ticket - in English we would say 'I want to/need to change my flight'. Can I use the same expression?

]]> Connie

This sounds colloquial & I am always up for learning a cool way of expressing something, but does this work when you do not actually have a 'ticket' as such? I don't think I have ever flown in China with a paper ticket - in English we would say 'I want to/need to change my flight'. Can I use the same expression?

]]> <![CDATA[By: bodawei]]> The new fast trains will really change the calculation.  Wuhan - Guangzhou.  About 1,000 km by the new line.  There's a train every 30 minutes.  Second class costs 490 RMB.  Trip takes 3 hours and 5 minutes. Train stations are more conveniently located than airports.  Why would you fly?  

 Anyone know the name of these new trains: 和谐号 héxié hào?  Is that right? 

]]> The new fast trains will really change the calculation.  Wuhan - Guangzhou.  About 1,000 km by the new line.  There's a train every 30 minutes.  Second class costs 490 RMB.  Trip takes 3 hours and 5 minutes. Train stations are more conveniently located than airports.  Why would you fly?  

 Anyone know the name of these new trains: 和谐号 héxié hào?  Is that right? 

]]> <![CDATA[By: RJ]]> in China there is often more than one right answer. Its called being right with Chinese characteristics. :-)

]]> in China there is often more than one right answer. Its called being right with Chinese characteristics. :-)

]]> <![CDATA[By: pretzellogic]]>

Once, I missed my non-stop flight from Shenzhen to Lanzhou, and had to take another flight. It turns out that I missed the only flight to Lanzhou from Shenzhen that day. But it looks like Chinese airlines don't really do the hub-and-spoke system, so when I proposed flying from Shenzhen to another city, and then from that city to Lanzhou, it was like the thought had never crossed the ticket agent's mind.It turns out there was a flightfrom Shenzhen toXi'an, and then from Xi'an to Lanzhou that I ended up taking. I was so proudof myself at the time for being able to buy theticket in my bad Chinese at the time.

]]>

Once, I missed my non-stop flight from Shenzhen to Lanzhou, and had to take another flight. It turns out that I missed the only flight to Lanzhou from Shenzhen that day. But it looks like Chinese airlines don't really do the hub-and-spoke system, so when I proposed flying from Shenzhen to another city, and then from that city to Lanzhou, it was like the thought had never crossed the ticket agent's mind.It turns out there was a flightfrom Shenzhen toXi'an, and then from Xi'an to Lanzhou that I ended up taking. I was so proudof myself at the time for being able to buy theticket in my bad Chinese at the time.

]]> <![CDATA[By: rods]]> Maybe "Z+wee" is the British pronunciation.

]]> Maybe "Z+wee" is the British pronunciation.

]]> <![CDATA[By: richnirish]]> Ok.... I showed her the comments..she laughed and said   the problem is not with my speaking, it is with your hearing..

Perhaps her other job is a FIFA referee... just kidding,

                 thanks for the input

]]> Ok.... I showed her the comments..she laughed and said   the problem is not with my speaking, it is with your hearing..

Perhaps her other job is a FIFA referee... just kidding,

                 thanks for the input

]]> <![CDATA[By: orangina]]> Thanks connie! I don't understand why I would change 签 though. Does is mean change my contract... A plane ticket being a sort of a contract for a seat on a flight?

I'm glad I asked... I would have never thought of that on my own!

]]> Thanks connie! I don't understand why I would change 签 though. Does is mean change my contract... A plane ticket being a sort of a contract for a seat on a flight?

I'm glad I asked... I would have never thought of that on my own!

]]> <![CDATA[By: user32382]]> What's the Chinese word for over-acting?  This actor's dialouges are always way over-the-top.  He should tone it down.

]]> What's the Chinese word for over-acting?  This actor's dialouges are always way over-the-top.  He should tone it down.

]]> <![CDATA[By: danchao]]> 夸张 kua1 zhang1

Really just means exaggeration, but you can say 他表现太夸张 (ta1 biao3 xian4 tai4 kua1 zhang1), which means "his expressions are too exaggerated".

]]> 夸张 kua1 zhang1

Really just means exaggeration, but you can say 他表现太夸张 (ta1 biao3 xian4 tai4 kua1 zhang1), which means "his expressions are too exaggerated".

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> If it helps at all, the pinyin zui is actually an abbreviated representation of "zuei" (zu + ei). The "e" gets dropped because there is no "ZWEE" syllable, and thus no potential for confusion (on the part of the Chinese).

]]> If it helps at all, the pinyin zui is actually an abbreviated representation of "zuei" (zu + ei). The "e" gets dropped because there is no "ZWEE" syllable, and thus no potential for confusion (on the part of the Chinese).

]]> <![CDATA[By: danchao]]> Actually, if you're talking about acting as in with motions, you should use 表现biao xian, but if you're talking about voice expressions, you should probably use 表情 biao3 qing2

]]> Actually, if you're talking about acting as in with motions, you should use 表现biao xian, but if you're talking about voice expressions, you should probably use 表情 biao3 qing2

]]> <![CDATA[By: danchao]]> There's a spectrum of pronunciations that exist between way and wee. Her pronunciation probably lies somewhere in the middle.

]]> There's a spectrum of pronunciations that exist between way and wee. Her pronunciation probably lies somewhere in the middle.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bodawei]]> Does no-one know the names given to the new super-fast train between Wuhan and Guangzhou? 和谐号 héxié hào? Is that right?

]]> Does no-one know the names given to the new super-fast train between Wuhan and Guangzhou? 和谐号 héxié hào? Is that right?

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> 武广客运专线

]]> 武广客运专线

]]> <![CDATA[By: connie]]> The new super-fast train is 高铁gāotiě（高速铁路gāosù tiělù）.

]]> The new super-fast train is 高铁gāotiě（高速铁路gāosù tiělù）.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> 武广高铁

]]> 武广高铁

]]> <![CDATA[By: bodawei]]> My mate who speaks Chinese went on it the other day told me that they are calling it 和谐号 - but couldn't explain why. Have you heard of this by any chance?

]]> My mate who speaks Chinese went on it the other day told me that they are calling it 和谐号 - but couldn't explain why. Have you heard of this by any chance?

]]> <![CDATA[By: billzarbe]]> Zui is pronounced Zway in Standard Chinese. Don't let the local accent influence you to conform to Chinese influenced by the local dialect. Be polite about it, but insist on saying Zway. I spent 8 years in China and traveled extensively and I also lived in Chengdu for about 3 years. 

]]> Zui is pronounced Zway in Standard Chinese. Don't let the local accent influence you to conform to Chinese influenced by the local dialect. Be polite about it, but insist on saying Zway. I spent 8 years in China and traveled extensively and I also lived in Chengdu for about 3 years. 

]]> <![CDATA[By: billzarbe]]> Zui is pronounced Zway in Standard Chinese. Don't let the local accent influence you to conform to Chinese influenced by the local dialect. Be polite about it, but insist on saying Zway. I spent 8 years in China and traveled extensively and I also lived in Chengdu for about 3 years.

]]> Zui is pronounced Zway in Standard Chinese. Don't let the local accent influence you to conform to Chinese influenced by the local dialect. Be polite about it, but insist on saying Zway. I spent 8 years in China and traveled extensively and I also lived in Chengdu for about 3 years.

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> Nonsense. There's no silent P.

]]> Nonsense. There's no silent P.

]]> <![CDATA[By: ma_tai]]> This reminds me of other differences I've heard. In Xiamen I think they pronounce the mandarin "ei" as "ee" in certain words. But there are never ending accent problems in Xiamen, such as the name of my bus stop 二市站。 Er shi zhan in mandarin (sounds like "ar shi jan"), but "er si zan" to the locals. Every single syllable was different! And if you used the proper pronunciation with the taxi drivers they just wouldn't understand you.

]]> This reminds me of other differences I've heard. In Xiamen I think they pronounce the mandarin "ei" as "ee" in certain words. But there are never ending accent problems in Xiamen, such as the name of my bus stop 二市站。 Er shi zhan in mandarin (sounds like "ar shi jan"), but "er si zan" to the locals. Every single syllable was different! And if you used the proper pronunciation with the taxi drivers they just wouldn't understand you.

]]> <![CDATA[By: itsanthonyhere]]> C'mon, you're in Chengdu. No one pronounces things "normally" there. Are you at Chengdu uni?

Everywhere you go, people are going to speak Sichuanese.

]]> C'mon, you're in Chengdu. No one pronounces things "normally" there. Are you at Chengdu uni?

Everywhere you go, people are going to speak Sichuanese.

]]> <![CDATA[By: johnb]]> "Don't let the local accent influence you to conform to Chinese influenced by the local dialect." But then again, make sure that you speak in a way that the people around you can actually understand. Admittedly standard Mandarin has more legs than any particular dialect, but since communicating with other people is the goal, and the people around you say 'zwee' and not 'zway,' then you should at least get used to hearing it, even if you continue to pronounce it the 'proper' way.

]]> "Don't let the local accent influence you to conform to Chinese influenced by the local dialect." But then again, make sure that you speak in a way that the people around you can actually understand. Admittedly standard Mandarin has more legs than any particular dialect, but since communicating with other people is the goal, and the people around you say 'zwee' and not 'zway,' then you should at least get used to hearing it, even if you continue to pronounce it the 'proper' way.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jjinfrance]]> I would say 我想更改机票日期。

]]> I would say 我想更改机票日期。

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> Yes, 签here does refer to some sort of contractual agreement. You can also say 我想更改机票日期, but 改签 is more authentic.

]]> Yes, 签here does refer to some sort of contractual agreement. You can also say 我想更改机票日期, but 改签 is more authentic.

]]> <![CDATA[By: luobinzhenmei]]> We don't think he should tone it down. We LOL every time we listen to the lesson.

]]> We don't think he should tone it down. We LOL every time we listen to the lesson.

]]>