URLLesson Introduction
It's about time the nerds of the world got some respect. Bookworm Wang Wei seems to be trying to win the heart of fair Yang Jie. What does Yang Jie really think of this scholarly specimen? Is the way to her heart through the library? Let's snoop, in this podcast, where we look into a girl's not-so-deep thoughts, in Mandarin Chinese.
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linguisticpotato says
October 15, 2007
杨洁很可爱。
artkho says
October 15, 2007
Wang Wei, don't you listen to Chinesepod? Don't you know the story of Zhang Liang? ;-) Art
pchenery says
October 15, 2007
Just a minor typo in the PDF pinyin for shu1dai1zi. It is written shu1dan1zi. (Although dan1zi is also a valid word meaning "item list").
amber says
October 15, 2007
Thanks PaulC, That will be fixed momentarily!
billybobjoebobwilly says
October 15, 2007
Well, I hate to make this comment but while this lesson is interesting I would like to see more real world lessons. Such as: Making airplane reservations Making Hotel reservations Regisitering at the Police station etc, etc, etc.....
azerdocmom says
October 15, 2007
Welcome back, Amber!
HannahIm says
October 15, 2007
我很喜欢这样的课程。虽然billybobjoebobwilly喜欢有用的题目，我觉得这样的很无聊啊。To each his own.
john says
October 15, 2007
billybobjoebobwilly, Well, we've got the first two covered. (Do a lesson search.) The third one is not a bad idea.
amber says
October 16, 2007
hi AZERDocMom, Thanks! It's nice to be back!
changye says
October 16, 2007
Every time I listen to a monologue in this series, I somehow feel a kind of terror. This diary series seems to be more chilling than mysteries by Stephen King.
clay says
October 16, 2007
i like the police station idea as well, which reminds me...
wildyaks says
October 16, 2007
I like those diaries because you get somebody to express a thought or two at length, unlike in a conversation. Conversations are great, but whenever I have to talk at length to express a thought, an idea, that's where I get stuck, because I am not used to it. The same goes for listening. It requires slightly different listening skills to listen to a story (or a diary entry) than to a conversation
huasen says
October 16, 2007
I think the story lessons really work, and the characterisations are really good. But is it just me that thinks that Ken is getting a little too obsessed with Yang Jie? All this stuff about her being superficial etc. It sounds like something out of Wang Wei's diary! Jenny practically had to drag him away from the subject to get to the lesson ;-)
billybobjoebobwilly says
October 16, 2007
Hey John, Did a lesson search before posting. I found one lesson for airline and that had to do with airline announcements. HannahIm, it's only boring if you have no use for it. Being in China making airline reservations is quite relevant. You can use the dairy format if you wish but give it more of a punch. For example. Dear Diary, today I went to make an airline reservation and as soon as I walked in the door I could see on the woman's face she did not want to do any work. I sat down any way and showed her my ticket which I had bought in LA. It was a round trip open ticket. After I gave her the ticket and started to ask if I could reserve my return seat she started to raise her voice to the point of nearly yelling. She said, "we can't do this here, we can't do this here", "you need to call (she blasted out a number)". I was so mad I just grabbed the ticket from her hand and stormed out the door. I know this can be done from China Eastern office as I've done it before at another location. So, after I calmed down I went to the other location and made the reservation. End Diary Entry Vocabulary: Reservation Open Ticket Departure Arrival Same Day Arrival Plus what's in the dialog above.
sushan says
October 16, 2007
actually, when registering you want to speak as little chinese as possible : ) cops can get nosy. I searched for a lesson on ordering drinking water to no avail. Need expressions like "I don't need a dispenser, the one I have is fine, I would rather pay cash instead of buying the tickets. What are your delivery hours and how long does it take?"
darylk says
October 16, 2007
I like having to listen to a continuous stream of consciousness. This format is somewhat more challenging than a dialogue. I would like, though, to see a series involving a more mature woman--I think Jenny could do a great Chinese version of the wise-cracking Kinsey Milhone (created by Sue Grafton). Kinsey always has to write up her reports of the case. These case reports could feature dialogue and also relate background details. The 30- or 40-something detective could take on a missing persons case, possible insurance fraud, loss of inheritance, kidnapping, extramarital affair, etc. That way we could get exposed to a more adult vocabulary while retaining the continuous stream of speech format of the dialogue. Plus we could get to hear some of Jenny's wisecracks/puns/jokes in Chinese!
wildyaks says
October 16, 2007
I second darylk's request!
billybobjoebobwilly says
October 16, 2007
yep, daryik's request is fine with useful China dialogues or steams of consciousnesses...
bill says
October 16, 2007
Given the 请问 lesson, "Something's About to Happen," it seems to me that: 马上就要考试了。我死定了！ is something one would say when about to enter the exam room. Here, I am referring to the ”马上就 ...了" construct. To quote Ken, "That means really soon, it's a matter of a few seconds." In this lesson the exam is at least two days away. Bill
henning says
October 16, 2007
Daryl, or the log of a space ship captain?
scottyb says
October 16, 2007
Regarding the lesson format, it seems to me that there are so many lessons available that a diversity of formats/subject matter is inevitable. I certainly like the more utilitarian lessons, and find them very useful. However, I also enjoy these little "pod soaps", as well as lessons involving Ninja's, Godzilla, etc. I think the variety is a tremendous strength Cpod has that many other programs lack. More importantly, I would like to point out this lesson falls nicely in line with my earlier prediction that Yang Jie is going to chew up Wang Wei, spit him out, and leave Li Yan to pick up the pieces. I know your type Yang Jie, ohhh I'm on to your little game.
mei9 says
October 16, 2007
hello! todays lesson is interesting:). I HAVE A LESSON IDEA: can you make a lesson about中国四大美女.i need to learn more about this .
wolson says
October 16, 2007
我恐怕这是书呆子的不公平了
sparechange says
October 16, 2007
I agree with scottyb...on both counts. If I understand correctly, the narrative contained in these diary lessons is more of a learning strategy than just sheer entertainment. The story provides context, which helps with memorization and such. ...and that Yang Jie is a whore. Mark my words, she is pure evil.
buzzthevegan says
October 16, 2007
Does the expansion (and FIX) expression: 他约我明天去看电影。 (He asked me to go to a movie tomorrow.) require that both parties have agreed (that is, the appointment is set), or is it sufficient that one has asked the other? That is, is 约 only a request for a date/appointment, or an actual appointment? Great lesson by the way. The first of the diary series that kept my attention, and I thought it had the most useful vocabulary - now I'll have to go back and really pay attention the the previous ones. Hey, I'll bet you planned it that way! --Buzz
wildyaks says
October 16, 2007
Don't be too harsh on Yangjie, guys. Probably she is just one of these insecure young girls who is desperately seeking attention. They are not always out to plots such as "chew tup Wang Wei, spit him out, and leave Li Yan to pick up the pieces". Although at times it may seem so.
amber says
October 16, 2007
hi buzz, 他约我明天去看电影。 Tā yuē wǒ míngtiān qù kàn diànyǐng. Here, 约 (yuē) has the feeling of 'to invite'. It's not necessary that the other party has agreed. If it were that it was set, and you wanted to express that, you could say: 我跟他约好了，明天去看电影。 (Wǒ gēn tā yuē hǎo le, míngtiān qù kàn diànyǐng.)
taibeitimes says
October 16, 2007
Hi, Got a question regarding the use of shi4...de (是...的). in the expansion, there is the following sentence: 你跟他约了几点见面？ (What time did you arrange to meet him at?) Why not use shi4...de for this sentence since we seem to be focusing on time? My understanding is that shi4...de is often used when emphasizing time, place, how, etc. Maybe the problem is between the chair and the keyboard (i.e. me), but my impression is that its use is a bit arbitrary. Thanks.
amber says
October 16, 2007
hi taibeitimes, Yes, if you wanted to emphasize the time in this sentence, you could say: 你跟他约的是几点见面的？ (Nǐ gēn tā yuē de shì jǐ diǎn jiànmiàn de?)
taibeitimes says
October 17, 2007
hi amber, thanks for the reply. how do the 2 questions really differ? the question not using shi4...de by its very nature appears to be emphasizing time, no? what is unclear in examples like these is how one question/sentence provides more emphasis than another? by emphasis do you mean in the feeling or mood the question/sentence conveys? thanks
amber says
October 17, 2007
hi taibeitimes, Yes, the difference is very slight. You would use the 是...的 (shì...de) construction in a situation where the point of the sentence was the time. Like, in the above example, maybe the person is late, and you want to clarify what time it was that he should have arrived. That sort of feeling.
Lantian says
October 17, 2007
Hi bbbjbw, As a long time listener of Cpod I just remember all the shows, but the search function on the system sometimes doesn't show the full glory of all the content. I'm sure the Version 4 initiatives will improve on this. As a short term fix, maybe a simple page that just lists all the titles...would give a better idea of the depth of things. Search terms: piao, airport Newbie - Buying Train Tickets Intermediate - Booking a Plane Ticket Elementary - A Ticket to Suzhou Newbie - Lost Luggage Newbie - Hotel Essentials Newbie - Hotel, Motel, Holiday Inn Intermediate - Introducing Hotels Newbie - Taxi Conversations: Destination As a teaser, there's also a whole genre tackling plumbing problems..a (not) pretty real-world China topic!
Lantian says
October 17, 2007
I think Ken is having anxiety attacks about his daughter growing up!
harregarre says
October 17, 2007
Hmm Yang Jie is such a ..... Maybe it would be nice to have the story go like this: Wang Wei goes to the library with her. Yang Jie starts to like him, but Wang Wei gets involved with Li Yan. Then Yang Jie gets really jealous and sad. The good girl wins and the arrogant girl loses. The End.
davelandis says
October 17, 2007
This episode reminded me of a nerdy friend who tried to help a very pretty, yet academically challenged girl. I warned him but he didn't listen. We're still friends and he met someone else. The humor of this lies in the reality of the situation. I would like to see this story line develop over several weeks. Cpod, you're doing a great job here. Anyone for a cat fight??? :-)
billybobjoebobwilly says
October 17, 2007
Hey Lantian, Thanks a bunch!!
davelandis says
October 17, 2007
What is the reason for registering at the police station?
Kyle says
October 17, 2007
In some cities (all of China?) it's mandatory that foreigners living/working in China register with the police within 48 hours of arrival.
jennyzhu says
October 17, 2007
The primary purpose of this series is to cover language that expresses emotion. What could be better than a diary format? After peeking at the lives of these 3 entirely different individuals, we've got to have a Superbowl showdown of love.
bryan says
October 18, 2007
I agree with wildyaks and darylk! This narrative format is very effective and is a great means to get at different parts of the language. I think that the continuing story line and the way in which the different diary entries play off of each other help provide a sort of macro-dialogue which help give the listener context so that we can "figure it out for ourselves" as Ken would say. Great job with these, Cpod. Did I hear you say that you wrote these entries, Jenny? I think darylk's idea is an excellent one. Lots of work for CPod, but it would be so effective for learning and addictive for us listeners. Harregarre , your plot would take the fun out of all of it. These soap operas are supposed to wind on forever, don't you know? Finally, I think Lantian and huasen are on to something. Ken is definitely getting REALLY wrapped up in this! When he went on and on about Yang Jie's whining and called her entry "weak" and not very "insightful", I just couldn't help but wonder what baggage he's carrying around. Maybe this is about his daughter, or maybe there's more to it. Ken's on her case so much that I'm inclined to think that he's secretly in love with Yang Jie himself.
tangmoo says
October 18, 2007
yeh, it's in all of china that you have to register.. and also don't be alarmed if the police come around to your apartment and start asking you personal questions about your 'relationships' (esp with chinesers) it's more out of curiousity rather than formality and they soon go away. I used to give them a cup of tea and one of those curious tiramasu cake things that they sell in Hymall.. and have a chat about anything. Oh, and I like the narrative format. It's a good length for my trip home on the tube... and I even plugged CPod in my chinese class, people seemed interested.
jialigood says
October 18, 2007
Just about everybody in my chinese class are now CPodders, and I bragg about it at work while drinking from my CPod mug. They've now stopped asking me to say things in Chinese :( I'm surprised Yang Jie hasn't got less nerdy boys hanging around her. Wang Wei might get beaten up outside the library.
tangmoo says
October 18, 2007
She probably knows some very powerful gong-fu so the boys are scared.. ...and where is my CPod mug? is it strictly for milk tea? I might be the first british person to get a CPod mug.
jobebbe says
October 18, 2007
is yang jie actually saying 要 in the first sentence? i can only hear: 马上就 考试了。
amber says
October 19, 2007
hi jobebbe, Yes, I had a listen, the 要 (yào) is there, it's spoken very quickly after the 就 (jiù).
harregarre says
October 19, 2007
Haha, Bryan, I know... But I think the good guys should win.
nelfie says
October 21, 2007
I love these C Pod soaps. It helps the language stick. how about; Yang Jie and Wang Wei go to the library. She realises he's got a wonderful personality. He dumps Li Yan (aw). Li Yan and Yang Jie fight on the roof of a high building. Li Yan falls. (eek) Up to now Wang Wei has kept his secret identity of superhero (Nerdoman)away from both girls but now is revealed, cape flapping as he rescues Li Yan from certain death. I expect they are all bound to meet up with some Nijas at some point before this love mess is resolved.
nelfie says
October 21, 2007
sorry, I got so carried away with it all... I meant Ninjas : )
goulniky says
October 21, 2007
would you translate 'computer nerd' as 极客 (jíkè) i.e. geek?
Kyle says
October 21, 2007
I'm being told that "computer nerd" is 网虫 (wang3chong2).
goulniky says
October 21, 2007
Thanks Kyle, ChinesePera-kun translates 网虫 (wǎngchóng) literally as Internet bug, but Wenlin does have netizens; networms; netnerds.
nelfie says
October 24, 2007
My teacher friend tells me that in the UK the teenager term for 书呆子 shudaizi is geek.
lesli says
October 24, 2007
Sorry I'm so late In case anybody is still reading these... Would shi4 be an OK sub for zuo4 here? 我要做一個有用的人。 (I want to be a useful person.)
Kyle says
October 24, 2007
@ lesli In what context are you trying to substitute 做 for 是? In general, I don't think that would work since those two verbs don't share any similar functions. In regards to your sentence 我要做一个有用的人, you're actually saying "I want to do/make a useful person." If what you want to say is "I want to be a useful person" you're better of saying "我想当一个有用的人."
lesli says
October 24, 2007
Ah yes. I forgot about 当; thanks Kyle.
user11695 says
November 2, 2007
In the expansion exercises it has a sentence using san bian 三遍 would it be OK to use san ci 三次 or are there rules to apply that decides oine is better than the other? Thanks Keith
amber says
November 2, 2007
hi user11695, When you use 遍 (biàn) it should be for actions that you go all the way through, from beginning to end. 次 (cì) can be partial, but 遍 (biàn) cannot.
kxikxao says
November 2, 2007
Why during the conversation I have to heard the music? I want to study chinese which is based on tones and the tones of the music (very agresive) are disturbing very much !!! Thanks
punter888 says
November 10, 2007
Before learning Chinese I used to be a fun person to be around. Never would say no to a drink or a night on the town. But now I unfortunately have become a SHU DAI ZE! I never go out anymore and I stay home and learn Chinese, what is wrong with me? Amber - tell me that there is a cure! Help!
davidfong says
February 10, 2008
How negative is 书呆子 shu1dai1zi? Other than meaning some-one who reads books all the time... 1. is it always disparaging? 2. does it suggest the person does not use the knowledge they have read? (that is what my father thinks. BTW - my father is a dentist, I have a paternal uncle who is a dentist, I have two paternal uncles who are doctors, I am a doctor, my brother is a doctor, and I have three paternal cousins who are doctors, so perhaps my family has a different idea about how to disparage someone by calling them 书呆子)
amber says
February 13, 2008
punter888, 书呆子 (Shūdāizi)'s are cool! You don't need to be cured!
amber says
February 13, 2008
davidfong, 书呆子 (Shūdāizi) doesn't have a negative connotation.
user19651 says
May 21, 2008
ha..i really want this series to be continue ^.^ so fun!!