<![CDATA[Comments on: World Cup and Diamonds]]> 2010-06-08 18:00:00 <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> I guess the translation of :

这次世界杯在哪儿啊？

as:

Where's the World Cup this year?

..is ok,but I reckon it would have been better to stick with the literal "this time" as the world cup is quadrennial and "this year" can sometimes imply that it's a yearly event.

]]> I guess the translation of :

这次世界杯在哪儿啊？

as:

Where's the World Cup this year?

..is ok,but I reckon it would have been better to stick with the literal "this time" as the world cup is quadrennial and "this year" can sometimes imply that it's a yearly event.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> I love the concept that the dialogue starts in the middle of a conversation.While it was not challenging here,sometimes even in one's native tongue it can take a little bit to catch on when one joins a conversation late and you start listening for clues as to what it's about. I think it would be an excellent exercise to have some more higher level dialogues start in such a fashion with less previewing...just for the occasional lesson that is..I'm not suggesting a routine change of format.

]]> I love the concept that the dialogue starts in the middle of a conversation.While it was not challenging here,sometimes even in one's native tongue it can take a little bit to catch on when one joins a conversation late and you start listening for clues as to what it's about. I think it would be an excellent exercise to have some more higher level dialogues start in such a fashion with less previewing...just for the occasional lesson that is..I'm not suggesting a routine change of format.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> I'd be interested in the vocab for "blood diamond","Kimberly process certification scheme","conflict-free diamonds" and other such vocab to discuss this topic.

]]> I'd be interested in the vocab for "blood diamond","Kimberly process certification scheme","conflict-free diamonds" and other such vocab to discuss this topic.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> Hey,I've just noticed that bodawei's "Queensland versus NSW" post has come up under "related conversations". I guess they both come under the "football" tag.

]]> Hey,I've just noticed that bodawei's "Queensland versus NSW" post has come up under "related conversations". I guess they both come under the "football" tag.

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> So could 南非洲 be used to indicate Southern Africa ?

or would that be?:

南方非洲

]]> So could 南非洲 be used to indicate Southern Africa ?

or would that be?:

南方非洲

]]> <![CDATA[By: toonzer]]> Your photo is classic!

]]> Your photo is classic!

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> I still don't get why they need coffee when surely the excitement of the world cup would be more than enough to keep dajia awake.In fact I would think the excitement would make it hard to get to sleep afterwards let alone with coffee on board.

Also,talking about time zones,or actually hemispheres..of course it will be winter in the southern hemisphere

]]> I still don't get why they need coffee when surely the excitement of the world cup would be more than enough to keep dajia awake.In fact I would think the excitement would make it hard to get to sleep afterwards let alone with coffee on board.

Also,talking about time zones,or actually hemispheres..of course it will be winter in the southern hemisphere

]]> <![CDATA[By: connie]]> Southern Africa ： 非洲的南部 Fēizhōu de nánbù

]]> Southern Africa ： 非洲的南部 Fēizhōu de nánbù

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> thanks connie :)

]]> thanks connie :)

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> sorry,just caught up with the rest of the podcast and hear this was discussed there

]]> sorry,just caught up with the rest of the podcast and hear this was discussed there

]]> <![CDATA[By: catherinem]]> 你们还记得吗？上次世界杯在哪儿？哪个国家赢了？ Nǐmen hái jìde ma? Shàngcì shìjièbēi zài nǎr? Nǎge guójiā yíng le? Do you guys remember? Where was the last World Cup? Which nation won?

]]> 你们还记得吗？上次世界杯在哪儿？哪个国家赢了？ Nǐmen hái jìde ma? Shàngcì shìjièbēi zài nǎr? Nǎge guójiā yíng le? Do you guys remember? Where was the last World Cup? Which nation won?

]]> <![CDATA[By: jen_not_jenny]]> 我爱世界杯啊！非常兴奋了！

Wǒ ài shìjièbēi a! Fēicháng xīngfènle!

I love the World Cup! I'm so excited!

]]> 我爱世界杯啊！非常兴奋了！

Wǒ ài shìjièbēi a! Fēicháng xīngfènle!

I love the World Cup! I'm so excited!

]]> <![CDATA[By: jen_not_jenny]]> 我记得法国队输给了意大利队因为齐达内没管自己。

Wǒ jìde Fǎguóduì shū gěile Yìdàlìduì yīnwèi Qídánèi měi guǎn zìjǐ.

I remember the French team lost to the Italian team because Zidane lost control of himself.

]]> 我记得法国队输给了意大利队因为齐达内没管自己。

Wǒ jìde Fǎguóduì shū gěile Yìdàlìduì yīnwèi Qídánèi měi guǎn zìjǐ.

I remember the French team lost to the Italian team because Zidane lost control of himself.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jen_not_jenny]]> If you're planning the sustained night-after-night World Cup viewing we are, coffee will be essential...

]]> If you're planning the sustained night-after-night World Cup viewing we are, coffee will be essential...

]]> <![CDATA[By: hamshank]]> 我也是!

wǒ yě shì

Me too!

我覺得在十二號美國要輸了因為英國太好了.

wǒ juéde zài shí ér hào měiguó yào shū le. Yīn wèi yīng guó tài hǎo le

I think America will lose on the 12th because England are too good! ;)

(No idea if that is correct)

]]> 我也是!

wǒ yě shì

Me too!

我覺得在十二號美國要輸了因為英國太好了.

wǒ juéde zài shí ér hào měiguó yào shū le. Yīn wèi yīng guó tài hǎo le

I think America will lose on the 12th because England are too good! ;)

(No idea if that is correct)

]]> <![CDATA[By: jennyzhu]]> Anyone doing a World Cup office pool?/办公室赌球/bàngōngshì dǔqiú/?

]]> Anyone doing a World Cup office pool?/办公室赌球/bàngōngshì dǔqiú/?

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> 哪支球队你打算喝倒采？

what team are you intending to barrack for?

]]> 哪支球队你打算喝倒采？

what team are you intending to barrack for?

]]> <![CDATA[By: connie]]> 咖啡对第二天的工作有帮助。

Kāfēi duì dì èr tiān de gōngzuò yǒu bāngzhù.

]]> 咖啡对第二天的工作有帮助。

Kāfēi duì dì èr tiān de gōngzuò yǒu bāngzhù.

]]> <![CDATA[By: orangina]]> I like 就知道 for "only think about." Never would have come up with that on my own. 很有意思。

]]> I like 就知道 for "only think about." Never would have come up with that on my own. 很有意思。

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> I've joined one that has the most ludicrously complicated rules I've ever seen, just to make sure no-one complains about picking North Korea :-p

]]> I've joined one that has the most ludicrously complicated rules I've ever seen, just to make sure no-one complains about picking North Korea :-p

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> We actually have been doing it for a while... Not every lesson, of course, but there are other examples in the archives.

]]> We actually have been doing it for a while... Not every lesson, of course, but there are other examples in the archives.

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> 你就知道很有意思的说法！ hehe

]]> 你就知道很有意思的说法！ hehe

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> oh right,thanks john. Either I haven't come across any of those, or I didn't twig to it at the time as it wasn't pointed out and it didn't present a problem. Mafan ni [sorry to trouble you,but...] off the top of your head do you have any examples?

]]> oh right,thanks john. Either I haven't come across any of those, or I didn't twig to it at the time as it wasn't pointed out and it didn't present a problem. Mafan ni [sorry to trouble you,but...] off the top of your head do you have any examples?

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> 有意思！"输给了" So you "give" your loss to someone.

There's a lot of talk in the English press today about Rooney's lack of ability to 管自己...

]]> 有意思！"输给了" So you "give" your loss to someone.

There's a lot of talk in the English press today about Rooney's lack of ability to 管自己...

]]> <![CDATA[By: hamshank]]> Got one here too....Also with a prize for worst goal difference aka...North Korea or New Zealand.

]]> Got one here too....Also with a prize for worst goal difference aka...North Korea or New Zealand.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jen_not_jenny]]> Yeah, I hope that's how you say it! ;) In American English anyway, it's common to say that on team "handed" another the/a loss...

]]> Yeah, I hope that's how you say it! ;) In American English anyway, it's common to say that on team "handed" another the/a loss...

]]> <![CDATA[By: yuliandini]]> coffee's also essential when you need to keep awake while waiting for the match to begin!

]]> coffee's also essential when you need to keep awake while waiting for the match to begin!

]]> <![CDATA[By: jen_not_jenny]]> I'm just in it for the love of the beautiful game. I'm not at all nationalistic, which is good, because there's no point rooting for team USA anyway. In typical North American fashion, however, I will root for the underdog most of the time and hope that the Netherlands and Argentina, especially, lose. I'm not big on "donas" of any type, prima, Mara, or otherwise.

I think it would be supremely cool for an African team to win it all, but....well, we can dream, right? I have a soft spot for Mexico, too, but that's another pipe dream.

]]> I'm just in it for the love of the beautiful game. I'm not at all nationalistic, which is good, because there's no point rooting for team USA anyway. In typical North American fashion, however, I will root for the underdog most of the time and hope that the Netherlands and Argentina, especially, lose. I'm not big on "donas" of any type, prima, Mara, or otherwise.

I think it would be supremely cool for an African team to win it all, but....well, we can dream, right? I have a soft spot for Mexico, too, but that's another pipe dream.

]]> <![CDATA[By: jen_not_jenny]]> 哈哈，对啊！我不该忘记告诉我们办公室的阿姨下周一会要我自己的一壶咖啡！

Hāhā, duì a! Wǒ bù gǎi wàngjì gàosu wǒmen bàngōngshìde āyí xià zhōuyī huì yāo wǒ zìjǐde yī hú kāfēi!

Haha, that's right! I shouldn't forget to tell our office ayi that next Monday I'll need my own pot of coffee!

]]> 哈哈，对啊！我不该忘记告诉我们办公室的阿姨下周一会要我自己的一壶咖啡！

Hāhā, duì a! Wǒ bù gǎi wàngjì gàosu wǒmen bàngōngshìde āyí xià zhōuyī huì yāo wǒ zìjǐde yī hú kāfēi!

Haha, that's right! I shouldn't forget to tell our office ayi that next Monday I'll need my own pot of coffee!

]]> <![CDATA[By: rods]]> Hey Baba, I noticed that the 2006 film "Blood Diamond" is translated directly as 血鑽石 (血钻石) Xuè zuàn shí.

http://tw.ent3.yimg.com/mpost/20/98/2098.jpg

Don't know if this link will work in China.

I'd be interested in knowing the other terms you mentioned as well.

]]> Hey Baba, I noticed that the 2006 film "Blood Diamond" is translated directly as 血鑽石 (血钻石) Xuè zuàn shí.

http://tw.ent3.yimg.com/mpost/20/98/2098.jpg

Don't know if this link will work in China.

I'd be interested in knowing the other terms you mentioned as well.

]]> <![CDATA[By: ganlanqiu]]> We have one based on predicting top 2 in each group, then predicting the winners of each subsequent stage through to the Final. It's points based and just for fun (we're dotted around the world so can't collect hard cash)with the winner being able to bore us silly with how much they know about football for the next 4 years ....

Try it yourselves

1. Top 2 in each pool (3 pts for correct position, 1 point if you predict in top two but wrong position);

2. Check fixture list and predict the quarter finalists (3 pts for each correct team);

3. Predict semi-finalists (3 pts for each correct team);

4. Predict the winner (5 pts) and runner-up (3 pts) ;

Me? Based on 'pure scientific analysis', I had England beating Argentina in the Final and now nobody takes me seriously any more. As if they ever did :)

]]> We have one based on predicting top 2 in each group, then predicting the winners of each subsequent stage through to the Final. It's points based and just for fun (we're dotted around the world so can't collect hard cash)with the winner being able to bore us silly with how much they know about football for the next 4 years ....

Try it yourselves

1. Top 2 in each pool (3 pts for correct position, 1 point if you predict in top two but wrong position);

2. Check fixture list and predict the quarter finalists (3 pts for each correct team);

3. Predict semi-finalists (3 pts for each correct team);

4. Predict the winner (5 pts) and runner-up (3 pts) ;

Me? Based on 'pure scientific analysis', I had England beating Argentina in the Final and now nobody takes me seriously any more. As if they ever did :)

]]> <![CDATA[By: bababardwan]]> thanks rodswithoutnumber. If you haven't seen it,that film is not for the fainthearted

]]> thanks rodswithoutnumber. If you haven't seen it,that film is not for the fainthearted

]]> <![CDATA[By: orangina]]> 哈！是真的。对我的看法，足球很有限的意思。可是足球跟美国的足球比较好... 美国的足球没有意思。（钻石也没有意思。咖啡，另一方面，非常好！）

]]> 哈！是真的。对我的看法，足球很有限的意思。可是足球跟美国的足球比较好... 美国的足球没有意思。（钻石也没有意思。咖啡，另一方面，非常好！）

]]> <![CDATA[By: xiao_liang]]> That's a lot of chinese for an elementary lesson folks.

]]> That's a lot of chinese for an elementary lesson folks.

]]> <![CDATA[By: orangina]]> sorry! Thanks for catching that....

hā! Shì zhēnde. Duì wǒde kànfǎ, zúquí hěn yǒuxiàn de yìsi. Kěshì, zúquí gēn měiguó de zúquí bǐjiào hǎo... měiguó de zúquí méiyǒuyìsi. (Zuànshí yě méiyǒuyìsi. Kāfēi, lìngyīfāngmiàn, fēicháng hǎo!)

Ha! It is true. From my point of view, football is of limited interest. But it is better than American football... American football is of no interest. (Diamonds also are of no interest. Coffee, on the other hand, most excellent!)

]]> sorry! Thanks for catching that....

hā! Shì zhēnde. Duì wǒde kànfǎ, zúquí hěn yǒuxiàn de yìsi. Kěshì, zúquí gēn měiguó de zúquí bǐjiào hǎo... měiguó de zúquí méiyǒuyìsi. (Zuànshí yě méiyǒuyìsi. Kāfēi, lìngyīfāngmiàn, fēicháng hǎo!)

Ha! It is true. From my point of view, football is of limited interest. But it is better than American football... American football is of no interest. (Diamonds also are of no interest. Coffee, on the other hand, most excellent!)

]]> <![CDATA[By: rods]]> I've been meaning to see it, but lately I've been in more of a Cartoons and Superheroes frame of mind. 呵呵.

]]> I've been meaning to see it, but lately I've been in more of a Cartoons and Superheroes frame of mind. 呵呵.

]]> <![CDATA[By: John]]> Sorry, no. We did it more 1-2 years ago.

]]> Sorry, no. We did it more 1-2 years ago.

]]> <![CDATA[By: therapist]]>

As regards Southern Africa, I think we can say: 非洲的南部 OR

非洲南部

Therapist

]]>

As regards Southern Africa, I think we can say: 非洲的南部 OR

非洲南部

Therapist

]]> <![CDATA[By: jbags]]> I could just about read your comment in 汉字, but its great to have the pinyin and translation. I'm a new user on Chinesepod, and just having some in-context sentences posted in the triple format of 汉字，pinyin, english, is really useful.

I have learned most of my Chinese up until now conversationally, with only a dictionary and some generous friends to help out. This has left me with a weird level of Chinese, where I find the Newbie level here slightly below my general level, but have some basic vocab holes that make elementary a challenge. All in all I think this is a good place to be in, I pick up vocab where ever I can, speaking of which: 另一方面 (lìngyīfāngmiàn) (on the other hand), is a real gem! (har har), I will definitely be using that.

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to post characters, pinyin and translations.

]]> I could just about read your comment in 汉字, but its great to have the pinyin and translation. I'm a new user on Chinesepod, and just having some in-context sentences posted in the triple format of 汉字，pinyin, english, is really useful.

I have learned most of my Chinese up until now conversationally, with only a dictionary and some generous friends to help out. This has left me with a weird level of Chinese, where I find the Newbie level here slightly below my general level, but have some basic vocab holes that make elementary a challenge. All in all I think this is a good place to be in, I pick up vocab where ever I can, speaking of which: 另一方面 (lìngyīfāngmiàn) (on the other hand), is a real gem! (har har), I will definitely be using that.

Thanks to everyone who takes the time to post characters, pinyin and translations.

]]>