User Comments - amber

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amber

Posted on: Touring a Factory
July 6, 2007 at 2:20 AM

goulniky, 一蟹不如一蟹 (Yī xiè bùrú yī xiè) This is not a very commonly used expression in Chinese. It's meaning is that something gets progressively worse and worse. It could be used to talk about each generation going downhill. But a more common way to express that thought would be: 一代不如一代 (yīdài bùrú yīdài)

Posted on: Saying Sorry
July 6, 2007 at 2:06 AM

hi brendaninaus, 和 (hé) and 跟 (gēn): 我和他是同学。(Wǒ hé tā shì tóngxué.) 我跟他是同学。(Wǒ gēn tā shì tóngxué.) You can say either. 和 (hé) is a bit more formal, and would definitely be used for written Chinese. 跟 (gēn) is the one most often used in less formal spoken Chinese. Here is a situation where you could not, however, substitute 和 (hé) for 跟 (gēn): 请跟我读。(Qǐng gēn wǒ dú.) Because here, 跟 (gēn) means "with" not "and." 给 (gěi) and 对 (duì): These are great idea for Qing Wen topics! In the meantime, you're right, in certain contexts 给 (gěi) means "for", as in: 今天妈妈给我做早饭了。 (Jīntiān māma gěi wǒ zuò zǎofàn le.) Mom made breakfast for me this morning. and 对 (duì) can mean "to", as in: 他对你说什么了？ (Tā duì nǐ shuō shénme le?) safilson, yes, another great idea for a Qing Wen, thanks! We are gearing up to tackle the 被 (bèi) one day soon! ;)

Posted on: ChinesePod on the iPhone
July 6, 2007 at 2:06 AM

hi brendaninaus, 和 (hé) and 跟 (gēn): 我和他是同学。(Wǒ hé tā shì tóngxué.) 我跟他是同学。(Wǒ gēn tā shì tóngxué.) You can say either. 和 (hé) is a bit more formal, and would definitely be used for written Chinese. 跟 (gēn) is the one most often used in less formal spoken Chinese. Here is a situation where you could not, however, substitute 和 (hé) for 跟 (gēn): 请跟我读。(Qǐng gēn wǒ dú.) Because here, 跟 (gēn) means "with" not "and." 给 (gěi) and 对 (duì): These are great idea for Qing Wen topics! In the meantime, you're right, in certain contexts 给 (gěi) means "for", as in: 今天妈妈给我做早饭了。 (Jīntiān māma gěi wǒ zuò zǎofàn le.) Mom made breakfast for me this morning. and 对 (duì) can mean "to", as in: 他对你说什么了？ (Tā duì nǐ shuō shénme le?) safilson, yes, another great idea for a Qing Wen, thanks! We are gearing up to tackle the 被 (bèi) one day soon! ;)

Posted on: #6
July 5, 2007 at 4:08 PM

f1bi, yes, i agree... the 3rd Godfather just seemed like it didn't belong.

Posted on: #6
July 4, 2007 at 11:35 PM

hi everyone, Last chance to get your guesses in. We'll post the winner after 11.17am China time, today, and reveal all about the clip. Yes, interestingly, all of China is on the same time zone. That's why it feels as bright as noon at 5:00 in the morning here in Shanghai!!

Posted on: Touring a Factory
July 4, 2007 at 9:32 AM

alexyze, To say you quit a job: 我要辞职。(Wǒ yào cízhí.)

Posted on: #6
July 4, 2007 at 4:58 AM

Lantian, Sorry, you will have to wait to find out until 11:14am tomorrow (shanghai time) like the rest of the thousands of contestants you see here!! ;)

Posted on: Travel Itinerary
July 4, 2007 at 3:41 AM

hi kien, You can write a date like that either way: 六月二十号 6月20号 The latter is more commonly used, and less formal. Note that the month will come before the day.

Posted on: Confession of Love
July 4, 2007 at 3:35 AM

baowande and franch, You can say: 她不会再爱我了。 (Tā bù huì zài ài wǒ le.) She doesn't love me anymore. (or, "She'll never love me again," literally) 她永远不会再爱我了。 (Tā yǒngyuǎn bù huì zài ài wǒ le.) She'll never love me again. (or, "She forever will not love me again," literally)

Posted on: Make-up
July 4, 2007 at 3:28 AM

hi marcos, 哪里 哪里 (nǎli nǎli) is mostly just an expression of modesty. It doesn't necessarily mean you are denying it. So, if someone gives you a compliment about being honest, a typical response would still be 哪里 哪里 (nǎli nǎli). 先生，你很诚实。 (Xiānsheng, nǐ hěn chéngshí.) Sir, you are very honest.