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Lesson Introduction
You’ve used the last lesson on taxis to get into a cab (or put your headphones in the ears of an unsuspecting driver), but now what? Let him take you to where he thinks you need to go (read: every tourist spot known to man)? In this podcast, we’ll help you navigate as a Mandarin Chinese speaking back-seat driver. He won’t dare give you the run around.
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DavidNovember 30, 2005
I think your comments at the end of the cast about remembering words in pairs, or at least not in isolation are so key! I figure if I recite/write a word 20 times it just means I forget it at least 19 times! But give me the word linked with other words I already know, and with some social context and 'hearing' it well, then it sticks. BTW a 'practicality' note, I think just telling a cabbie to go the fastest way is like giving him your wallet! For sure there are going to be a few extra loops. But at a basic level I'm not sure what you could tag on, maybe a firm "how much is it?" duo1 shao3 ah2? 多少啊？ Repeat that a couple times even if you can't understand how much he is quoting you. That puts him on notice anyway. I find any price not well settled upon from the get go tends to escalate like gas prices in LA. Oh, last thing, sui2bian4 随便，so so commonly used and I think for the most part ignored in most academic texts, so great vocab! But I don't think it quite translates as 'anything's alright' as used in American English, sometimes its not so good to use in a Chinese context? right? Maybe you could expand upon it's nuances in a intermediate lesson, thx!
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jenny zhuNovember 30, 2005
David, Hats off to you for the scintillating insights on remembering words, guarding against potentially sneaky cab drivers and "sui2bian4 随便". What you wrote reflects an awesome development on cpod.com-we take more and more ownership of this forum, and make generous contribution to benefit everyone. A standing ovation to all of us!! (Where's my modesty gone?) Cheers!
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jenny zhuNovember 30, 2005
Attention all visitors to China!! David reminded me the possible horror of a $US100 cab ride. So let's be safe and learn some thorough taxi lang. 1. 清走最快最劲的路。qing (3) zou (3) zui(4) kuai(4) zui(4) jin(4) de lu(4).Pls take the fastest and nearest route. (Best case scenario). note: Always use 请/qing/please a little courtesy dramatically reduce the chance of a rip-off. 2。清走最劲的路。qing (3) zou (3) zui(4) jin(4) de lu(4).Pls take the nearest route. 3。清走最实惠的路。qing (3) zou (3) zui(4) shi(2) hui(4) de lu(4).Pls take the most economical route. If none of these works, do a dramatic makeover from lao(3) wai(4) to Chinese. ps: most cab drivers in big cities around China are pretty decent, especially to foreigners who speak a word or two of Chinese.
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BazzaNovember 30, 2005
某一天我想去上海。
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DavidNovember 30, 2005
For the record: 清 (清走）should be 请 for please 劲 should be 近 for nearby right?
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SallyDecember 1, 2005
I'd like to introduce my own new blog "At Sally Where East meets West" www.atsally.blogspot.com check it out. i am looking forward to hearing from you
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KenDecember 1, 2005
Sally, You're welcome to email us at any time, but this kind of posting is called blog spam. I don't think our users will benefit from it, so I would ask you to refrain from it.
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BazzaDecember 1, 2005
That blog of Sally's does look like it might be quite useful though.
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AdamAugust 23, 2006
i don't understand why there is a 'de' in 'hao de' and a 'de' in 'zui kuai de'.
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LantianAugust 24, 2006
Hi Adam, I'd defer a proper answer to the Cpod staff, but from my experiences the 'de' helps with the rhythm of a sentence, makes it softer and more conversational. Also it is used in this case (instead of other sounds like 'na', 'ne', etc) because the 'de' comes after adjectives, although the object is no longer said since it's known from context. For example, 'zui kuai de' (fangfa: method)', The fastest (way/method). 'zui kuai de' (lu: road), The fastest (route). Especially with 'hao de', it is for conversation and emphasis. You can just say 'hao' but depending on your tone (In the English sense) you can come across as curt or upset. Something like, A: How's that sound to you? B: FINE, versus a A: How's that sound to you? B: Okay then, sure. So are you ready for a cab ride now? Any plans to come to China? *Note to Cpod. 那，你们因该好好照顾听前之播客的学生们。没有人关他们的问，肯定他们觉得是一个人自己学，太可怜啊。
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ChinesePodAugust 24, 2006
Adam, The 的 (de) in "haode" is best thought of as part of a set phrase. "Haode" is a set phrase meaning "OK." You can also say just "hao," but it's less natural. It just feels better to say "haode." The other 的 is different. 的 can be used to join adjectives and nouns, and to nominalize adjectives when there is no noun (or when the noun is understood). Examples: 最快的人 (the fastest person) 最快的车 (the fastest car) 最快的路 (the fastest route) 最快的 (the fastest one) So in this dialogue, when the speaker says "走最快的" what is meant is "走最快的路". -John
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Anne M.January 25, 2007
How do I address a female taxi driver? Only today I had the idea that 师傅 could be only for males. Am I right?
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ChinesePodJanuary 25, 2007
Hi Anne M. No problem, you can call a female driver 师傅 (shīfu). ~amber :)
jaewon says
Can't listen to the mp3 files. There are a lot of tech errors in the newbie lessons.December 23, 2007
penben says
jaewon, try using firefox. I was having all sorts of troubles downloading the mp3 files with IE.March 20, 2008
jhjeong80 says
June 3, 2008
I agree with Penben who wrote a prior comment.
Could you update this file?
amesburygeorge says
January 7, 2009
Just wanted to take a moment to say that I really enjoyed the 'audio phrasebook', and I liked lessons grouped in this way.