<![CDATA[Comments on: I Want a Thick Blanket]]> 2009-12-14 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: vann0000]]> Yay! I'm first!

Great Lesson.  The characters for thick and thin, are so different.  Any reason for that..?

]]> Yay! I'm first!

Great Lesson.  The characters for thick and thin, are so different.  Any reason for that..?

]]> <![CDATA[By: genebildisking]]> I just want to say that John is fantastic at this level - knowledgeable without sounding didactic, clear and succinct with a pleasant sense of humor.  If Ken is done as a host, he's chosen an excellent replacement.

]]> I just want to say that John is fantastic at this level - knowledgeable without sounding didactic, clear and succinct with a pleasant sense of humor.  If Ken is done as a host, he's chosen an excellent replacement.

]]> <![CDATA[By: waiguoren]]> Yes, we use the word 'doonah' in Australia for a thick blanket! Also, recently there was a bit of conjecture over the term for 'air-conditioner' in one of the Ellie lessons. In Aus, we sometimes refer to these contraptions as 'reverse-cycle air conditioners' i.e. they are capable of blowing out hot air or cold air, and thus can function as both a heater and air conditioner.

Excellent lesson by the way.

]]> Yes, we use the word 'doonah' in Australia for a thick blanket! Also, recently there was a bit of conjecture over the term for 'air-conditioner' in one of the Ellie lessons. In Aus, we sometimes refer to these contraptions as 'reverse-cycle air conditioners' i.e. they are capable of blowing out hot air or cold air, and thus can function as both a heater and air conditioner.

Excellent lesson by the way.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jianpuzhai]]> my compliments as well. Lesson well taught

]]> my compliments as well. Lesson well taught

]]> <![CDATA[By: jianpuzhai]]> I have a culture related question that has been on my mind for a long time.

In the background of this lesson, you can hear the TV on in the hotel room. The people who are speaking on TV talk akwardly fast, almost as if everyone on TV (especially news channels) are in a huge hurry. Or as if all the news anchors are in a contest for who can deliver their report the fastest.

My culture question is: What the heck is going on here? I know that there are times when people all over the world speak quickly, but the Chinese are, without a doubt, the world's speediest.

]]> I have a culture related question that has been on my mind for a long time.

In the background of this lesson, you can hear the TV on in the hotel room. The people who are speaking on TV talk akwardly fast, almost as if everyone on TV (especially news channels) are in a huge hurry. Or as if all the news anchors are in a contest for who can deliver their report the fastest.

My culture question is: What the heck is going on here? I know that there are times when people all over the world speak quickly, but the Chinese are, without a doubt, the world's speediest.

]]> <![CDATA[By: changye]]> Hi jianpuzhai

Chinese newscasters speak very fast, and it's not so easy to catch what they are saying, but don't worry. They rarely say something really important, hehe.

]]> Hi jianpuzhai

Chinese newscasters speak very fast, and it's not so easy to catch what they are saying, but don't worry. They rarely say something really important, hehe.

]]> <![CDATA[By: shanghai_helios]]> The most practical and often use of hou and bao for some people may be when ordering a pizza over the phone.

 

]]> The most practical and often use of hou and bao for some people may be when ordering a pizza over the phone.

 

]]> <![CDATA[By: changye]]> Hi shanghai_helios

Do you have a choice of "厚 (thick)" or "薄 (bao)" when ordering a pizza in Shanghai?

]]> Hi shanghai_helios

Do you have a choice of "厚 (thick)" or "薄 (bao)" when ordering a pizza in Shanghai?

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> genebildisking and jianpuzhai,

Thanks a lot!

I just got back from Beijing on Sunday night.  I was surprised to find the hotel 被子 (bèizi) I used no more 厚 (hòu) than the one I was in Shanghai.  It's because The North Has Central Heating.  Big difference!

]]> genebildisking and jianpuzhai,

Thanks a lot!

I just got back from Beijing on Sunday night.  I was surprised to find the hotel 被子 (bèizi) I used no more 厚 (hòu) than the one I was in Shanghai.  It's because The North Has Central Heating.  Big difference!

]]> <![CDATA[By: bodawei]]> Thanks for another good lesson, but despite the attempts to clarify definitions in the lesson I think you may have left some listeners confused!   

The 被子 bèizi is a doona (or duvet etc.), not a blanket.  The 'blanket' is usually one thickness of material, although the Chinese version can have two (see below.)  The doona and the blanket serve the same function but in design they are chalk and cheese.  A blanket where I live is called a 毯子 tǎnzi.  I see that you have that listed this as 'rug' - Chinese is delightfully vague, but if you ask here for a 被子 bèizi you will be shown a doona, not a blanket. Ask for  毯子 and you will be shown blankets.   

Maybe this is a regional difference in the language. Or maybe blankets are growing in popularity to the extent that more precision is now required in the language.  In previous years I only saw 被子 bèizi but there is a wide range of blankets available this Winter.    

BTW I have recently bought blankets, doonas of different wieght, electric blankets etc.  I am a big fan of Chinese 毯子 tǎnzi (blankets).  Sold in various sizes (eg. 200cmx240cm) rather than bed sizes, and the weight is also quoted in kilograms.  My 'double thickness' 9kg blanket is nice and warm.  It is as warm as a doona.  :-)    

]]> Thanks for another good lesson, but despite the attempts to clarify definitions in the lesson I think you may have left some listeners confused!   

The 被子 bèizi is a doona (or duvet etc.), not a blanket.  The 'blanket' is usually one thickness of material, although the Chinese version can have two (see below.)  The doona and the blanket serve the same function but in design they are chalk and cheese.  A blanket where I live is called a 毯子 tǎnzi.  I see that you have that listed this as 'rug' - Chinese is delightfully vague, but if you ask here for a 被子 bèizi you will be shown a doona, not a blanket. Ask for  毯子 and you will be shown blankets.   

Maybe this is a regional difference in the language. Or maybe blankets are growing in popularity to the extent that more precision is now required in the language.  In previous years I only saw 被子 bèizi but there is a wide range of blankets available this Winter.    

BTW I have recently bought blankets, doonas of different wieght, electric blankets etc.  I am a big fan of Chinese 毯子 tǎnzi (blankets).  Sold in various sizes (eg. 200cmx240cm) rather than bed sizes, and the weight is also quoted in kilograms.  My 'double thickness' 9kg blanket is nice and warm.  It is as warm as a doona.  :-)    

]]>