User Comments - amber
amber
Posted on: After You
January 11, 2008 at 9:09 AMHi Christian, I've amended the translation, you are right! Chris, Yes, in this sentence, the 'if' is implied. If there were context it would make it clearer, but often in Chinese we don't need to include the 如果 (rúguǒ).
Posted on: The Non-Chinese Speaking Tourist and Toilets
January 11, 2008 at 9:01 AMhi Art, 马桶 (mǎtǒng) is the 'actual' toilet. Oh yeah and here is how you ask if its a sitter or a squatter: 是坐的还是蹲的？ (Shì zuò de háishi dūn de？)
Posted on: Bad Service Restaurant
January 11, 2008 at 8:40 AMtvan and auntie68, 这就是让我气的地方 Zhèjiù shì ràng wǒ qì de dìfang The 地方 (dìfang) here is much like how we would say in English, "the thing" or "the part" that made me angry. 这就是令我最失望的一点 zhèjiù shì lìng wǒ zuì shīwàng de yīdiǎn 这就是让我气的地方 Zhèjiù shì ràng wǒ qì de dìfang Yes, here the 的地方 (de dìfang) and 的一点 (de yīdiǎn) are interchangeable. Just the difference between saying 'the thing' or 'the part' and 'the point'. 让 (ràng) and 令 (lìng) 让 (ràng) is used more often in spoken Chinese, 令 (lìng) is more formal. In this kind of context, they are interchangeable, however: 让我气的地方 Ràng wǒ qì de dìfang 令我气的地方 Lìng wǒ qì de dìfang
Posted on: Singapore
January 11, 2008 at 7:48 AMhi auntie68, 多语言 (duō yǔyán) multi-lingual 多文化 (duō wénhuà) multi-cultural
Posted on: Singapore
January 11, 2008 at 7:46 AMhi bryan, Here is the complete sentence from the dialogue, I've copied it here so we can have a look at the entire context: 虽然小，但因为是多民族社会，有华人、马来人、印度人、还有好多世界各地去工作或者旅游的人，所以新加坡很有活力 (Suīrán xiǎo, dàn yīnwèi shì duō mínzú shèhuì，yǒu Huárén, Mǎlái rén, Yìndù rén, háiyǒu hǎoduō shìjiè gèdì qù gōngzuò huòzhě lǚyóu de rén, suǒyǐ Xīnjiāpō hěn yǒu huólì.) It's true, this is a very long sentence, but it's quite natural in Chinese. The 虽然...但 (suīrán...dàn) you see here is a structure that is used to express "although it's small..." In Chinese, the 'although' structure must have the 但 or 可是 to follow. It sounds weird in English, but in Chinese it's very natural, and necessary, to include the 但 (dàn) or 可是 (kěshì). Then, the 因为 (yīnwèi) here is part of another structure we find in this sentence, which is: 因为 (yīnwèi)... 所以 (suǒyǐ) . This structure means 'because of ____ .... Singapore is very lively.' Hope that helps to clarify a little!
Posted on: Preparing for the Heat
January 11, 2008 at 6:43 AMhi heruilin, 北京八月份最熱了。 Běijīng Bāyuè fèn zuì rè le. The 了 (le) here is an 语气词 (yǔqìcí), which is a mood/modal particle. So it has no meaning nor does it have any grammar implications. It could be left off here as well.
Posted on: Lost Cell Phone
January 11, 2008 at 4:20 AMhi sparechange, 看样子他是没戏了。 Kànyàngzi tā shì méixì le. In this sentence, the 是 (shì) stresses the certainty, adds emphasis.
Posted on: The Double 了 (le) phenomenon
January 10, 2008 at 8:56 AMhi mayue, Which ge do you mean?
Posted on: #31
January 10, 2008 at 2:08 AMand the winner is... stephendulaney and as many of you guessed, the movie was ROBOCOP. stephen, please contact me through my profile to claim your prize! congrats!
Posted on: Ordering Chinese Take-out
January 11, 2008 at 9:12 AMhi ewong, But if want to take away from a restaurant, you can say: 带走 (dàizǒu) or 打包 (dǎbāo)