User Comments - clay
clay
Posted on: When the Taxi Takes the Long Way
November 8, 2007 at 2:20 AMtsack, 塞车 (sāichē) is used as well in China, but they do not use it as frequent. It is just a matter of preference. You would not have a problem with them understanding your meaning.
Posted on: How is business?
November 6, 2007 at 2:09 AMtusconmichael, correct sir. that error will be corrected before the day is over. 你有办法吗? does carry the same meaning as "Do you have a solution?". 办法 (ban4fa3) is one of those words that does not have a perfect translation to English. They use a generalized term in Chinese, while we break it down to specific areas of usage in English.
Posted on: Cold Beer
November 2, 2007 at 7:14 AManayelena, when you are interacting with a waiter/bartender, one would never use 想 (xiǎng). This is more for inner thought or desire to do something. So if you wanted to order a beer with a waiter, you would say 我要一瓶啤酒 （wǒ yào yīpíng píjiǔ). But if you were outside of the bar walking around with your friend, you could turn to them and say 我想一瓶啤酒（wǒ xiǎng yīpíng píjiǔ）meaning that you want to go and grab a beer somewhere. so xiǎng something outside, and yào it inside.
Posted on: Bazza and Dating Chinese Girls
November 2, 2007 at 6:57 AMTiger Balm! We used the hell out of that stuff in Singapore. I would smother my sore arm in it after playing a baseball game. worked like a charm. I couldnt believe it when i saw that it in Texas. man...i need to go and get some now that i think about it...
Posted on: #22
November 2, 2007 at 6:57 AMTiger Balm! We used the hell out of that stuff in Singapore. I would smother my sore arm in it after playing a baseball game. worked like a charm. I couldnt believe it when i saw that it in Texas. man...i need to go and get some now that i think about it...
Posted on: Bazza and Dating Chinese Girls
November 2, 2007 at 3:02 AMno more chipmunks!!
Posted on: #22
November 2, 2007 at 3:02 AMno more chipmunks!!
Posted on: Bazza and Dating Chinese Girls
November 2, 2007 at 2:06 AMI know! I know!
Posted on: #22
November 2, 2007 at 2:06 AMI know! I know!
Posted on: You Can and Will Use 会 (huì)!
November 8, 2007 at 2:37 AMBrooke, Both your sentences would be correct. But if you wanted the most natural sounding, the second one would be better. Also, dropping the 要 in 想要 would also be a bit better. 想要 carries a tone like, "I intend on taking you out to dinner tonight", while using just 想 would be more like "I want to take you out to dinner tonight". 今天晚上我想跟你一起吃晚饭。 Hope this helps, clay