2005-11-29 18:00:00 David
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!]]> David
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!]]> jenny zhu
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!]]> jenny zhu
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!]]> jenny zhu
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.]]> jenny zhu
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.]]> Bazza
某一天我想去上海。]]> Bazza
某一天我想去上海。]]> David
For the record: 清 (清走）should be 请 for please 劲 should be 近 for nearby right?]]> David
For the record: 清 (清走）should be 请 for please 劲 should be 近 for nearby right?]]> Sally
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]]> Sally
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]]> Ken
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.]]> Ken
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.]]> Bazza
That blog of Sally's does look like it might be quite useful though.]]> Bazza
That blog of Sally's does look like it might be quite useful though.]]> Adam
i don't understand why there is a 'de' in 'hao de' and a 'de' in 'zui kuai de'.]]> Adam
i don't understand why there is a 'de' in 'hao de' and a 'de' in 'zui kuai de'.]]> Lantian
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。]]> Lantian
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。]]>