2006-11-19 18:00:00 Connie
Supplementary vocab for this lesson: 再 (zài) again (future); once more 再说一遍。 (Zài shuō yī biàn.) Say it again. 你说得太快了。 (Nǐ shuō de tài kuài le. ) You speak too quickly. 听不懂 (tīngbudǒng) not understand (lit. "hear but not understand") 我听不懂。 (Wǒ tīngbudǒng.) I can't understand. 听清楚 (tīng qīngchǔ) hear clearly 我没有听清楚。 (Wǒ méiyǒu tīng qīngchǔ.) I didn't hear clearly. 好喝 (hǎohē) good tasting (of drinks) 好玩 (hǎowán) fun; interesting]]> Connie
Supplementary vocab for this lesson: 再 (zài) again (future); once more 再说一遍。 (Zài shuō yī biàn.) Say it again. 你说得太快了。 (Nǐ shuō de tài kuài le. ) You speak too quickly. 听不懂 (tīngbudǒng) not understand (lit. "hear but not understand") 我听不懂。 (Wǒ tīngbudǒng.) I can't understand. 听清楚 (tīng qīngchǔ) hear clearly 我没有听清楚。 (Wǒ méiyǒu tīng qīngchǔ.) I didn't hear clearly. 好喝 (hǎohē) good tasting (of drinks) 好玩 (hǎowán) fun; interesting]]> Ron Spencer
New York, New York Your course(s) and outline are terrific. I am terrible in language acquisision, but your Newbie(s) are a delight. Thanks Ken & Jen. Ron]]> Ron Spencer
New York, New York Your course(s) and outline are terrific. I am terrible in language acquisision, but your Newbie(s) are a delight. Thanks Ken & Jen. Ron]]> Mike in Jubei
Jenny and Ken A very useful lesson and "a must know expression" no matter your level. You will have to say it. I usually say: (simp) 你可以慢慢说吗? (trad) 你可以慢慢說嗎? nǐ kěyǐ màn màn shuō ma Which I hope is correct and has the same meaning. Yes? btw: since it is that time of the year and based upon the Saturday video maybe you can follow up with a show where the comment is : 'take that hairy crab out of your mouth I can't understand a word you are saying' As always Connie your supplemental words and expressions are very helpful. Mike in Jubei]]> Mike in Jubei
Jenny and Ken A very useful lesson and "a must know expression" no matter your level. You will have to say it. I usually say: (simp) 你可以慢慢说吗? (trad) 你可以慢慢說嗎? nǐ kěyǐ màn màn shuō ma Which I hope is correct and has the same meaning. Yes? btw: since it is that time of the year and based upon the Saturday video maybe you can follow up with a show where the comment is : 'take that hairy crab out of your mouth I can't understand a word you are saying' As always Connie your supplemental words and expressions are very helpful. Mike in Jubei]]> ChinesePod
Mike in Jubei, 你可以慢慢说吗? (Nǐ kěyǐ mànmàn shuō ma?) is an alternative way to say the same thing. -John]]> ChinesePod
Mike in Jubei, 你可以慢慢说吗? (Nǐ kěyǐ mànmàn shuō ma?) is an alternative way to say the same thing. -John]]> Bazza 吴白锐
Good lesson. How do you say: 'It tastes very bad, I think I'm going to throw up.' ?]]> Bazza 吴白锐
Good lesson. How do you say: 'It tastes very bad, I think I'm going to throw up.' ?]]> amber @ chinesepod
Hello Bazza, Great question. In fact, we have a lesson coming up soon on that very note! You must be able to read our minds. You can say ‘It tastes very bad, I think I’m going to throw up.’ like this: 太难吃了， 我快要吐了。 Tài nánchī le, wǒ kuài yào tù le. Have fun! Hope you don't need to say this anytime soon! amber :D]]> amber @ chinesepod
Hello Bazza, Great question. In fact, we have a lesson coming up soon on that very note! You must be able to read our minds. You can say ‘It tastes very bad, I think I’m going to throw up.’ like this: 太难吃了， 我快要吐了。 Tài nánchī le, wǒ kuài yào tù le. Have fun! Hope you don't need to say this anytime soon! amber :D]]> Bazza 吴白锐
Thanks, amber. :) Maybe it's you that can read our minds. ;)]]> Bazza 吴白锐
Thanks, amber. :) Maybe it's you that can read our minds. ;)]]> Michelle
I really like the backline buildup method of remembering things. It really helps to make the phrases stick in the mind - excellent learning tool.]]> Michelle
I really like the backline buildup method of remembering things. It really helps to make the phrases stick in the mind - excellent learning tool.]]> Mark(马克）
Contrary to the introductory text, my experience is that 你好 and 谢谢 are not enough to make Chinese people think I speak Chinese. I find I have to say something more complicated before they will either stop trying to speak English with me (if they are comfortable to speak English) or stop trying to avoid conversation with me (if they are not). Do you have any tips on how to negotiate what language to converse in? ( Short of wearing a sign, "虽然我看起来我是西方人，但是我想要练习口语。“) Thanks, Mark]]> Mark(马克）
Contrary to the introductory text, my experience is that 你好 and 谢谢 are not enough to make Chinese people think I speak Chinese. I find I have to say something more complicated before they will either stop trying to speak English with me (if they are comfortable to speak English) or stop trying to avoid conversation with me (if they are not). Do you have any tips on how to negotiate what language to converse in? ( Short of wearing a sign, "虽然我看起来我是西方人，但是我想要练习口语。“) Thanks, Mark]]> ChinesePod
Mark, I wouldn't recommend using such a long sentence. It'll be harder to remember, leaving higher likelihood of mistakes, which could, in turn, undermine your efforts at convincing the Chinese person that you're capable of conversation in Mandarin. You could say: 我们说汉语，好吗？ (Wǒmen shuō Hànyǔ, hǎo ma?) Let's speak Mandarin, OK? Another option is: 我想说汉语。入乡随俗嘛！ (Wǒ xiǎng shuō Hànyǔ. Rùxiāngsuísú ma!) I'd like to speak Mandarin. "When in Rome..." right? -John]]> ChinesePod
Mark, I wouldn't recommend using such a long sentence. It'll be harder to remember, leaving higher likelihood of mistakes, which could, in turn, undermine your efforts at convincing the Chinese person that you're capable of conversation in Mandarin. You could say: 我们说汉语，好吗？ (Wǒmen shuō Hànyǔ, hǎo ma?) Let's speak Mandarin, OK? Another option is: 我想说汉语。入乡随俗嘛！ (Wǒ xiǎng shuō Hànyǔ. Rùxiāngsuísú ma!) I'd like to speak Mandarin. "When in Rome..." right? -John]]>