User Comments - johns
johns
Posted on: Hot Pot
June 10, 2009, 02:25 AMIt seemed that we went to a hot pot every day during my trip to China a month ago. The only place we did not have it was Mongolia, a place often credited with making this dish popular. Great lesson...very useful.
Posted on: Would You Like a Drink?
May 28, 2009, 04:55 AMA friend just reminded me that it is Dragon Boat Festival Day tomorrow, so enjoy your zong zi and enjoy this 2000 year old tradition.
I recently returned from Inner Mongolia and wished I had learned the to use the term 随意 instead of 干杯 . (See Lesson 0381). Also, never begin toasting one Mongolian with bijiu when there are a dozen more at the table. The other term was about "flying to heaven".
Great lesson. Thanks.
Posted on: Podcast Language 1
May 23, 2009, 08:21 PMDoes anyone know how to say, "He flew to heaven" as in "He was drunk last night and flew to heaven"? Sorry to be off topic but this was a favorite subject during my recent trip to Mongolia.
Posted on: Blow out Your Candles
May 19, 2009, 02:22 AMMatthiask,
Very interesting point and something I never knew. I still learn a lot in a pleasant way through the songs. I always try to have at least one night of KTV with my friends each visit.
Posted on: How Long?
March 21, 2009, 12:46 PMPeina,
I ask the service person who assigns taxis at the airport how long it will take and how much before I get in each time. They can talk to the taxi and let them know that you are aware of the price. Normally, I end up with a smaller charge than the original estimate.
Posted on: Stinky Feet
March 12, 2009, 09:03 AMSome of the translations were confusing for me. Does要really mean "must"? "Want" was the only definition I am familiar with. Also,对, when my curser rolls over it is listed as "towards". Please explain. This is a fun lesson and Westerners should be aware that shoes may come off at meals or other events so leave those stinky sneakers at home.
Posted on: Fruit Salad
March 04, 2009, 04:04 AMOnly today did I finally understand that the word for watermelon and fruit are different. Perhaps not only because they sound so similar but that watermelon is so common.
Posted on: Bad Cell Reception
March 04, 2009, 03:17 AMVery useful lesson. I never have had a problem in China but here in Texas phone service can be hit and miss. I really learning more vocab for phone conversations. Perfect.
Posted on: Sorry and Thank You
March 03, 2009, 04:06 AMI have been corrected in Wuhan for saying thank you too much, for being over complimentary, etc. We can come across as insincere. These lessons are very insiteful. I am not going to thank you but you did do a good job.
Posted on: Farewell, Sweet Pete
September 13, 2009, 06:04 PMPete, you have always been very generous with your time and selfless in your approach to helping us learn the culture and nuances of this rich culture and language. You are a rare, good hearted person and I will miss your kind hearted and insightful lessons.
Best wishes,
John Simmons
Houston, Texas