<![CDATA[Comments on: Suffixes for Describing People]]> 2010-05-28 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: bodawei]]> Oh, another great Qing Wen.  

I have been regularly committing a faux pas saying that I am a  经济学家 - how embarrassing. (Damn those dictionaries).  I should say 我是搞经济学的。。 Okaaaaay.  

On another tack, I like 弱者，强者 (weak, strong - person) - my range hood over the gas burners has 弱 and 强 indicating low fan speed and high fan speed.  Weak and strong.   

]]> Oh, another great Qing Wen.  

I have been regularly committing a faux pas saying that I am a  经济学家 - how embarrassing. (Damn those dictionaries).  I should say 我是搞经济学的。。 Okaaaaay.  

On another tack, I like 弱者，强者 (weak, strong - person) - my range hood over the gas burners has 弱 and 强 indicating low fan speed and high fan speed.  Weak and strong.   

]]> <![CDATA[By: timlb]]> These days, classical guitar is becoming more and more popular with Chinese audiences, and some very good performers are coming out of conservatories (esp. 中央音乐学院， the Central Conservatory in Beijing). I've heard these and other famous guitarists referred to as 古典吉他家 or 古典吉他演奏家. The most famous (in the States at least) is 杨雪霏 (Yang Xuefei):

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/OZ-rZAImQz4/

]]> These days, classical guitar is becoming more and more popular with Chinese audiences, and some very good performers are coming out of conservatories (esp. 中央音乐学院， the Central Conservatory in Beijing). I've heard these and other famous guitarists referred to as 古典吉他家 or 古典吉他演奏家. The most famous (in the States at least) is 杨雪霏 (Yang Xuefei):

http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/OZ-rZAImQz4/

]]> <![CDATA[By: changye]]> “人家” （ren2jia） should be one the most difficult Chinese words for us foreign learners to use properly.

]]> “人家” （ren2jia） should be one the most difficult Chinese words for us foreign learners to use properly.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bodawei]]> It seems to have multiple uses, but does it have any connotations of high achievement?

]]> It seems to have multiple uses, but does it have any connotations of high achievement?

]]> <![CDATA[By: jgwilson]]> 我的印象是【者】跟【家】的意思是一模一样。

例如说：艺术家/艺术者

作家/作者

音乐家/音乐者

]]> 我的印象是【者】跟【家】的意思是一模一样。

例如说：艺术家/艺术者

作家/作者

音乐家/音乐者

]]> <![CDATA[By: alwingate]]> I think this type of lesson is so useful and am very enthusiastic about it; I think maybe the use of the suffix "jia1" a bit confusion; should use when?  Cannot use when talking about yourself.  Again my solid interest in this way of studying the Chinese language. Don't drop this one.

]]> I think this type of lesson is so useful and am very enthusiastic about it; I think maybe the use of the suffix "jia1" a bit confusion; should use when?  Cannot use when talking about yourself.  Again my solid interest in this way of studying the Chinese language. Don't drop this one.

]]> <![CDATA[By: alwingate]]> But I hope it is not treated as higher level, open to all the progression can be from easy to hard; meet the needs of all.  

]]> But I hope it is not treated as higher level, open to all the progression can be from easy to hard; meet the needs of all.  

]]> <![CDATA[By: kaixin_in_tampa]]> 呵呵， 不要紧， bodawei. I used to say "my highly esteemed family name is..." 我的贵性。。。^___^

]]> 呵呵， 不要紧， bodawei. I used to say "my highly esteemed family name is..." 我的贵性。。。^___^

]]> <![CDATA[By: kaixin_in_tampa]]> 作家 seems more common than 笔者 for "author". Do you guys agree?

]]> 作家 seems more common than 笔者 for "author". Do you guys agree?

]]> <![CDATA[By: kaixin_in_tampa]]> 听说： 高手 - expert, ace.

]]> 听说： 高手 - expert, ace.

]]> <![CDATA[By: suansuanru]]> 你说对了一半，它们都可以理解为“……的人”。

“家”是在某个方面有一些成就的人，“者”不一定，只是“的人”的意思。

写书的人都是作者，但不全是作家。你说对不对？

]]> 你说对了一半，它们都可以理解为“……的人”。

“家”是在某个方面有一些成就的人，“者”不一定，只是“的人”的意思。

写书的人都是作者，但不全是作家。你说对不对？

]]> <![CDATA[By: suansuanru]]> yes.

笔者 is used in an article when the author calls himself.

]]> yes.

笔者 is used in an article when the author calls himself.

]]> <![CDATA[By: suansuanru]]> chinese girls like to call themselves人家in an affectionate way.

]]> chinese girls like to call themselves人家in an affectionate way.

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> Yeah... I don't think it would be helpful to try to group it with the -家 words we talked about in this podcast. 人家 is its own thing. (Maybe we should do a Qing Wen on it??)

]]> Yeah... I don't think it would be helpful to try to group it with the -家 words we talked about in this podcast. 人家 is its own thing. (Maybe we should do a Qing Wen on it??)

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

I think so too. “人家” (ren2jia) is not "noun + suffix", but a personal pronoun. I guess it might be a secondary meaning of the noun “人家” (ren2 jia1, other people's house, dwelling).

]]> Hi John

I think so too. “人家” (ren2jia) is not "noun + suffix", but a personal pronoun. I guess it might be a secondary meaning of the noun “人家” (ren2 jia1, other people's house, dwelling).

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaoxue101]]> I've been wondering how to translate 'sociologist'.

I was using 社会学家 previously, but now this seems like it was a mistake (as i'm not famous!) What can I use instead (in a professional context, e.g. a CV) ?

]]> I've been wondering how to translate 'sociologist'.

I was using 社会学家 previously, but now this seems like it was a mistake (as i'm not famous!) What can I use instead (in a professional context, e.g. a CV) ?

]]> <![CDATA[By: suansuanru]]> I think 社会学者 is suitable.

]]> I think 社会学者 is suitable.

]]> <![CDATA[By: kaixin_in_tampa]]> 知道了，谢谢！

]]> 知道了，谢谢！

]]> <![CDATA[By: kaixin_in_tampa]]> Also，专家

http://chinesepod.com/tools/glossary/entry/专家

]]> Also，专家

http://chinesepod.com/tools/glossary/entry/专家

]]> <![CDATA[By: christine30550]]> The funny thing about 人家 is that it can be used both to mean "myself" (usually only women, as far as I know... e.g. Oh, 人家都累了！ ) or "others".

]]> The funny thing about 人家 is that it can be used both to mean "myself" (usually only women, as far as I know... e.g. Oh, 人家都累了！ ) or "others".

]]> <![CDATA[By: christine30550]]> or 行家，是不是？

]]> or 行家，是不是？

]]> <![CDATA[By: christine30550]]> I always say 旅游者 for "tourist". Is this correct, or are there other words? I guess 游客 is usually used to greet/address guests in a hotel, plane etc?

Another one: one of my colleages told me that for "translator", the expressions 翻译， or 译者 were commonly used , but not the 翻译者, which I always used (less common, though not wrong).

]]> I always say 旅游者 for "tourist". Is this correct, or are there other words? I guess 游客 is usually used to greet/address guests in a hotel, plane etc?

Another one: one of my colleages told me that for "translator", the expressions 翻译， or 译者 were commonly used , but not the 翻译者, which I always used (less common, though not wrong).

]]> <![CDATA[By: changye]]> Hi christine30550

In addition to that, “人家” (ren2jia) can mean both "other people" and "he/she"......!!

]]> Hi christine30550

In addition to that, “人家” (ren2jia) can mean both "other people" and "he/she"......!!

]]> <![CDATA[By: suansuanru]]> Have you noticed that we have an irony way to describe 专家？ The chinese people have invented a word calling them 砖家,which indicates some 专家 are not so professional.

]]> Have you noticed that we have an irony way to describe 专家？ The chinese people have invented a word calling them 砖家,which indicates some 专家 are not so professional.

]]> <![CDATA[By: suansuanru]]> 对。

但是比起“行家“，”专家“这个词语更加专业。”行家“和”高手“都比较口语化。

]]> 对。

但是比起“行家“，”专家“这个词语更加专业。”行家“和”高手“都比较口语化。

]]> <![CDATA[By: zhenlijiang]]> I agree. If you author something, even a post here, you are its author (著者/作者, the one who authored the post) but that doesn't make you an author in the sense of "the author/writer (作家) and playwright XX".

~家 indicates profession, accomplishment, talent, and I think also commitment to a life in that field, to that as one's identity. It implies a certain social status. As I see it, if not always highly esteemed, you are regarded at least as the type of person confident enough to commit to 家-dom in anything.

]]> I agree. If you author something, even a post here, you are its author (著者/作者, the one who authored the post) but that doesn't make you an author in the sense of "the author/writer (作家) and playwright XX".

~家 indicates profession, accomplishment, talent, and I think also commitment to a life in that field, to that as one's identity. It implies a certain social status. As I see it, if not always highly esteemed, you are regarded at least as the type of person confident enough to commit to 家-dom in anything.

]]> <![CDATA[By: zhenlijiang]]> I guess I mean that the key with ~家 is "profess". You're someone who professes to have expertise / talent / extensive training in that field.

]]> I guess I mean that the key with ~家 is "profess". You're someone who professes to have expertise / talent / extensive training in that field.

]]> <![CDATA[By: lujiaojie]]> 游客 is ommonly used for "tourist",

客人 is usually used to greet/address guests in a hotel；

旅客 is usually used to greet/address guests in a plane;

翻译 is ommonly used for "translator"

]]> 游客 is ommonly used for "tourist",

客人 is usually used to greet/address guests in a hotel；

旅客 is usually used to greet/address guests in a plane;

翻译 is ommonly used for "translator"

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> This looks perfect fodder for my suggested Male/Female talk Qing Wen :)

hint hint.

]]> This looks perfect fodder for my suggested Male/Female talk Qing Wen :)

hint hint.

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> Hint taken!

]]> Hint taken!

]]> <![CDATA[By: alexlexilu]]> 到底，what is the proper answer to 您贵姓？没贵姓。。。？

]]> 到底，what is the proper answer to 您贵姓？没贵姓。。。？

]]> <![CDATA[By: changqingteng]]> 您贵姓？免贵姓王。

]]> 您贵姓？免贵姓王。

]]> <![CDATA[By: alexlexilu]]> 谢谢！

]]> 谢谢！

]]> <![CDATA[By: bodawei]]> 我姓柏，‘免贵姓王’是什么意思？

]]> 我姓柏，‘免贵姓王’是什么意思？

]]> <![CDATA[By: changye]]> 您(your)贵(noble)姓(name)？

免(without)贵(noble), 姓(name is)王(Wang).

“免贵” is a kind of humble expression, which implies "my name is not worth being called 贵姓".

]]> 您(your)贵(noble)姓(name)？

免(without)贵(noble), 姓(name is)王(Wang).

“免贵” is a kind of humble expression, which implies "my name is not worth being called 贵姓".

]]> <![CDATA[By: changqingteng]]> 当别人问：您贵姓？

你可以回答，免贵姓（你的姓），

例：

Mike: 您贵姓？

王先生：免贵姓王。

Mike:您贵姓？

柏先生：免贵姓柏。

]]> 当别人问：您贵姓？

你可以回答，免贵姓（你的姓），

例：

Mike: 您贵姓？

王先生：免贵姓王。

Mike:您贵姓？

柏先生：免贵姓柏。

]]> <![CDATA[By: bodawei]]> Oh, 我明白了。 多谢你们。

Changye - thanks for your English explanation - definitely helps on this occasion. I have celebrated 端午节 three nights in a row and my head is a bit fuzzy. (All Australian wine of course.)

]]> Oh, 我明白了。 多谢你们。

Changye - thanks for your English explanation - definitely helps on this occasion. I have celebrated 端午节 three nights in a row and my head is a bit fuzzy. (All Australian wine of course.)

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiaoxue101]]> 那很好，谢谢

]]> 那很好，谢谢

]]>