User Comments - calkins

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calkins

Posted on: Finding a Seat
February 5, 2008 at 8:25 PM

In the vocabulary section, 那儿 (nàr) should be "there" not "where." While on that subject, can someone please explain using 哪儿 (nǎr) vs. 哪里 (nǎli) and 那儿 (nàr) vs. 那里 (nàli)? I thought nǎli and nàli were used more in Taiwan, but a friend from Taipei says you can use any of them. Is there a reason you'd use one instead of the other?

Posted on: The DVD Ploy
February 4, 2008 at 1:34 AM

I get an A for effort right?

Posted on: The DVD Ploy
February 4, 2008 at 1:26 AM

chitttywww, 2008减70除2加500乘6 = 8,814 This is why it's evil: When you do this problem on a calculator, you get 8814: When you rotate 8814 180 degrees on a calculator, it spells HIBB: It's really evil because HIBB is the acronym for the Hungarian Internet Bluegrass Band: Okay, so what's my prize? ;)

Posted on: Downloading Music
February 3, 2008 at 5:21 PM

The pinyin in the vocabulary section is all garbled. Please fix when you have time. Thanks!

Posted on: The Third Tone
February 3, 2008 at 4:24 PM

Chand, here's a good explanation of general tone changes: Tone Changes

Posted on: Choosing a Chinese Name and Safety
January 29, 2008 at 5:52 PM

I'm guessing 小 xiǎo would be a bit feminine!

Posted on: Choosing a Chinese Name and Safety
January 29, 2008 at 3:03 PM

I've been trying to come up with a Chinese name for a few months, without any luck. I was trying to find a transliteration of Brent, but they all sounded really bad. Now I'm thinking about translating the meaning of Brent, which in Old English means "hill, mount" (exciting, I know!). So, would 小山 xiǎoshān sound silly to a native speaker? Also, it's kind of the opposite of 大山 dàshān, and that's kind of weird. Anyway, any thoughts or help would be appreciated:)

Posted on: What's Your Name?
January 24, 2008 at 3:50 PM

meirab00, here's how you say "It's nice to meet you." 认识你很高兴。 rènshi nǐ hěn gāoxìng. Literally: to know you very happy. I think there are some variations to this, but this is the one I'm familiar with.

Posted on: Lesson
January 24, 2008 at 3:38 PM

rustblue, I believe that 在 (zài) is the character meaning "to be at/in" and 再 (zài) is the character meaning "again". So it's the same pronunciation and tone, just different characters and meanings.

Posted on: Two 'Iffy' Words
January 23, 2008 at 7:30 PM

This is the second lesson I've studied in 2 days with a reference to Barry Manilow. Is he giving you guys kickbacks? :) His career has had an odd comeback of late.