User Comments - amber
amber
Posted on: New Year's Song
January 2, 2008 at 2:22 AMhi Bazza, 二零零八（2008）年好? Èr líng líng bā nián hǎo? You can say it, but Chinese people don't really say this, so it might sound a bit strange to them.
Posted on: New Year's Song
January 2, 2008 at 2:20 AMhappy52 and urbandweller, The meaning of 恭喜 (gōngxǐ) and 祝贺 (zhùhè) is the same, and often can be used interchangeably, however there are some set phrases that take 恭喜 (gōngxǐ), where you cannot use 祝贺 (zhùhè), i.e. 恭喜发财！ (Gōngxǐfācái!) You can just say 恭喜! (gōngxǐ) on it's own, but 祝贺 (zhùhè) will always have something coming after it, as in: 祝贺你们的成功。(Zhùhè nǐmen de chénggōng.) Neither is more or less formal.
Posted on: New Year's Song
January 2, 2008 at 2:09 AMhi there bingge, 新年的计划 (Xīnnián de jìhuà) plans for the new year 新年的打算 (Xīnnián de dǎsuan) plans for the new year That being said, the word for 'resolution' is 决心 (juéxīn). It's just not usually used in this context in Chinese.
Posted on: Negating Verbs: When to Use 没有 (méiyǒu), When to Use 不 (bù)
January 2, 2008 at 1:48 AMhi leyarice, fixed now! sorry about that!
Posted on: You talking about me?
December 31, 2007 at 3:09 AMhi RJBerki, Yes, you get the card right away. The library is pretty quiet, actually, considering how many people are there. I guess there is a sorta silent library code the world over. Well, when you come to Shanghai one day, I will take you to the library, hehe, you can even borrow my card. It's not the usual spot on the tourist map, that's for sure! architpol, great idea! you know i love to torture Clay and probably making him go on a field trip to the library would be the best cruel and unusual punishment of them all, hehe!
Posted on: Complaining About The Boss
December 29, 2007 at 9:41 AMhi tvan, If you wanted to combine those two insults, you would be better to say it like this: 他既是个两面派，又是个马屁精。 Tā jìshì ge liǎngmiànpài, yòu shì ge mǎpìjīng. 他真是个太监，那么会拍马屁。 Tā zhēnshi ge tàijiān, nàme huì pāi mǎpì.
Posted on: Complaining About The Boss
December 29, 2007 at 9:32 AMhi PaulC, 别提了 (biétí le) probably portrays the feeling of "Don't ask" in English better than 别问了 (biéwèn le). But you can also say 别问了 (biéwèn le). 别提了 (biétí le) is more common though for sure!
Posted on: Complaining About The Boss
December 29, 2007 at 6:28 AMhi wildyaks and RJBerki, 太监 (tàijiān) In ancient times, the 太监 (tàijiān) served the masters in the palace. They were renowned for kissing up to the master, but being harsh to their own staff. So there is that aspect, as well as being a double insult, of course, because of the physical aspect of being a 'eunuch' for a man.
Posted on: Mainland & Taiwan Lingo: Electronics
December 29, 2007 at 6:00 AMwow, just when you thought they couldn't get any better! I also heard the 7-11's in Taipei have slurpees now. That would be great in a Taiwan humid summer! I haven't heard of 3C here.
Posted on: Didn't Hear Clearly
January 2, 2008 at 2:53 AMhi dongni, There are a few words that are used for "to understand" in Chinese. Here is a little explanation: 懂 (dǒng) is used to denote understanding of the reasoning or rational behind something; also to understand the meaning of something. It can also be used to say you understand a language, or a skill. 我不懂这句话的意思。(Wǒ bù dǒng zhè jù huà de yìsi.) 他懂这个道理。(Tā dǒng zhège dàoli.) 他懂计算机。(Tā dǒng jìsuànjī.) 明白 (míngbai) also has the meaning of "to understand", however, it has the added meaning that something is clear. 我明白这个句子的意思。(Wǒ míngbai zhège jùzi de yìsi.) 他明白这个道理。(Tā míngbai zhège dàoli.) 了解 (liǎojiě) means to understand a situation, a matter, a person, or a fact. 我了解这个情况。(Wǒ liǎojiě zhège qíngkuàng.) 他不太了解他的孩子。(Tā bù tài liǎojiě tā de háizi.) 我不知道这个公司怎么样，我去了解一下。(Wǒ bùzhīdào zhège gōngsī zěnmeyàng, wǒ qù liǎojiě yīxià.) 理解 (lǐjiě) will usually refer to understanding the meaning of something, or of understanding a person's way of doing something, or reason for doing something. 我理解这个句子的意思。(Wǒ lǐjiě zhège jùzi de yìsi.) 我能理解他为什么这么做。(Wǒ néng lǐjiě tā wèishénme zhème zuò.)