2006-01-11 18:00:00 Michael
Lately, I think all the dialogues have been polite conversations. Which is fine, but maybe you could add some dialogues with more awkward situations. How about one where Ken has a bad day, looses his hotel key, dials wrong numbers, can't find the person he's supposed to meet, etc? And maybe the people he talks to aren't always polite and wanting to help. Actually that "lying in Chinese" one was like that, I guess I want more like that.]]> Michael
Lately, I think all the dialogues have been polite conversations. Which is fine, but maybe you could add some dialogues with more awkward situations. How about one where Ken has a bad day, looses his hotel key, dials wrong numbers, can't find the person he's supposed to meet, etc? And maybe the people he talks to aren't always polite and wanting to help. Actually that "lying in Chinese" one was like that, I guess I want more like that.]]> Ken Carroll
Michael, I agree. This echoes denis' comments from yesterday. We are ever so polite here at ChinesePod, but that could change dramatically next week!!! I mean it's not as if things never go wrong in China.]]> Ken Carroll
Michael, I agree. This echoes denis' comments from yesterday. We are ever so polite here at ChinesePod, but that could change dramatically next week!!! I mean it's not as if things never go wrong in China.]]> Bazza 吴白锐
Ok I think I can probably count up to a million in Chinese now, however I'm not actually going to try because it would take approximately 278 hours. ;)]]> Bazza 吴白锐
Ok I think I can probably count up to a million in Chinese now, however I'm not actually going to try because it would take approximately 278 hours. ;)]]> Bazza 吴白锐
What's the correct way to say: No, Thanks?]]> Bazza 吴白锐
What's the correct way to say: No, Thanks?]]> jenny zhu
Well, life isn't a bed of roses afterall. So let's stop being borderline-pretentious and learn some real useful not so flattering words. incompetent-无能 wu(2)neng(2) conniving-阴险 yin(1)xian(3) aloof-冷漠 leng(3)mo(4) annoying-讨厌 tao(3) yan(4) greedy-黑心 hei(1)xin(1) nutcase-神经病 shen(2)jing(1)bing(4) to hate-恨 hen(4) get lost-滚出去 gun(3)chu(1)qu(4) I know they are still quite mild, but we are an educational medium afterall.]]> jenny zhu
Well, life isn't a bed of roses afterall. So let's stop being borderline-pretentious and learn some real useful not so flattering words. incompetent-无能 wu(2)neng(2) conniving-阴险 yin(1)xian(3) aloof-冷漠 leng(3)mo(4) annoying-讨厌 tao(3) yan(4) greedy-黑心 hei(1)xin(1) nutcase-神经病 shen(2)jing(1)bing(4) to hate-恨 hen(4) get lost-滚出去 gun(3)chu(1)qu(4) I know they are still quite mild, but we are an educational medium afterall.]]> jenny zhu
Forgot to share a scintilating play on words with you. In yesterday's lesson, we had the word 秘书/mi(4)shu(1)/secretary. It is the root of an affectionate but derogatory term for "mistress"-小蜜/xiao(3)mi(4), literally meaning "little honey". It coins the conveniently adulterous relationship between the boss and the secretary.]]> jenny zhu
Forgot to share a scintilating play on words with you. In yesterday's lesson, we had the word 秘书/mi(4)shu(1)/secretary. It is the root of an affectionate but derogatory term for "mistress"-小蜜/xiao(3)mi(4), literally meaning "little honey". It coins the conveniently adulterous relationship between the boss and the secretary.]]> jenny zhu
just got some fresh inspiration. 自私/zi(4)si(1)/selfish 自大/zi(4)da(4)/self-important 不负责任/bu(2)fu(4)ze(2)ren(4)/irresponsible 花天酒地/hua(1)tian(1)jiu(3)di(4)/debauchery,to lead a life of debauchery 虚伪/xu（1）wei(3)/phony,hypocrite 无赖/wu(2)lai(4)/rascal]]> jenny zhu
just got some fresh inspiration. 自私/zi(4)si(1)/selfish 自大/zi(4)da(4)/self-important 不负责任/bu(2)fu(4)ze(2)ren(4)/irresponsible 花天酒地/hua(1)tian(1)jiu(3)di(4)/debauchery,to lead a life of debauchery 虚伪/xu（1）wei(3)/phony,hypocrite 无赖/wu(2)lai(4)/rascal]]> Bazza 吴白锐
Say you were in a situation where there was a group of people deliberating talking about you in an insulting way, because they assume you can't understand anything they say. What would be the best thing to say to embarrass them and make it clear you've understood everything they've said, even if you didn't completely?]]> Bazza 吴白锐
Say you were in a situation where there was a group of people deliberating talking about you in an insulting way, because they assume you can't understand anything they say. What would be the best thing to say to embarrass them and make it clear you've understood everything they've said, even if you didn't completely?]]> Robespierre
Bazza .... that's an easy one. Done this many times: you don't acknowledge that you understand, and then just as you are leaving, you find some reason to say something to one of the group. On a bus, I will just ask them how much further until my stop (even if you know). You can ask where the nearest "____" is (insert reasonable thing for that moment). When it was girls, I would simply compliment one of them on what she was wearing or some other nice quality she had (hair, eyes, etc.) Depending on what was said, you generally get a nice little stare or even some commentary about the fact that you speak Chinese. It is great. I do not find that it really happens in major cities any more. In Shanghai I am sure people will just use 上海话 when they don't want 老外to understand them.]]> Robespierre
Bazza .... that's an easy one. Done this many times: you don't acknowledge that you understand, and then just as you are leaving, you find some reason to say something to one of the group. On a bus, I will just ask them how much further until my stop (even if you know). You can ask where the nearest "____" is (insert reasonable thing for that moment). When it was girls, I would simply compliment one of them on what she was wearing or some other nice quality she had (hair, eyes, etc.) Depending on what was said, you generally get a nice little stare or even some commentary about the fact that you speak Chinese. It is great. I do not find that it really happens in major cities any more. In Shanghai I am sure people will just use 上海话 when they don't want 老外to understand them.]]> Al Walker
Hi, How about a conversation piece about flying, like when you've met up with someone who's just flown in and you're asking them about their flight:- 'How was your flight?' 'How long was the flight?' 'Which airline?' 'What time did you land?' 'Did you fly direct from Beijing?' 'Where was your connecting flight from?' 'Did you get an upgrade?' 'Or an exit row seat?' 'You should ask for one when you check in' 'When do you fly home?' 'Hope you have a safe flight' Etc. Thanks, Al]]> Al Walker
Hi, How about a conversation piece about flying, like when you've met up with someone who's just flown in and you're asking them about their flight:- 'How was your flight?' 'How long was the flight?' 'Which airline?' 'What time did you land?' 'Did you fly direct from Beijing?' 'Where was your connecting flight from?' 'Did you get an upgrade?' 'Or an exit row seat?' 'You should ask for one when you check in' 'When do you fly home?' 'Hope you have a safe flight' Etc. Thanks, Al]]>