User Comments - mbreakstone

Posted on: Talking with Numbers

Well, I never really thought of suggesting someone go to hell as "advice", but I suppose there are a couple people out there that I could "advise" in this way, so I'll keep the ba in mind! Thanks, Pete, Connie, and Jiaojie.

Posted on: Talking with Numbers

So, for 748 I understand that it means chu si ba.  However, doesn't the ba imply that it is a suggestion and a bit more friendly, rather than an order?  So, if it is said in anger then why would one add ba?  Is it like saying, "Why don't you go to hell"?  Is it more said in jest if you have the ba there?  If I was really angry, would I want to say, "chu si a"?  Thanks.

Posted on: The Final Show

Dear Amber,

I'm so sad to see you go happy, but happy that you are following your dreams and I wish you the best of luck.  The Dear Amber show and Qing Wen always kept me smiling on commutes to work. I was that guy on the metro laughing to himself, so thank you so much.  I wish you all the best of luck. You will be missed!

Posted on: The Person Component

Well, after viewing the video, here's what I have to say.

1) I like the "theme"song

2) I thought the part near the end where John was standing by a white wall and the radical was static while the rest of the character changed was a very cool and useful way to highlight the radical's use

3) The video reminded me of the sort of thing I would have made in college with my buddies. That's both a good thing (because it made me laugh) and a bad thing (because it made me laugh)

But, listen. It was a great effort and I totally applaud the idea. I understand leaving in the awkward spaces of you three just standing there because it's funny, but at the same time, obviously, as I'm sure others have mentioned (I haven't read through all 7 zillion messages), it "wasted" a lot of time.

I think, in the future, utilizing the white wall technique and maybe explaining how a radical can either imply the meaning or the sound of a word like with the word ba4ba4 and the 父 radical (not sure if that is a radical actually) implying the meaning while the "ba" in the character for ba4ba4 implies the sound.

So, showing the ren2 radical in different words and explaining how it has something to do with a person. Like a the animal radical in gou (dog) and mao (cat) and the metal radical in qian (money).  That sort of thing.

Keep on trucking.

Posted on: The Person Component

I'm glad that Cpod is making an effort to help with reading. As a podcast that's obviousy tricky to do, but I applaud the effort. I've just recently started to focus more on reading and using flashcards and I've found that it makes a huge difference with understanding the spoken language and the way different words are put together.

Posted on: Ordering Office Supplies

Awesome. Thanks1

Posted on: Surviving Winter and Singles Scene for Expat Girls

Cathy,

Thank you so much for translating his shirt. I couldn't figure out what the characters were because of the script.  It's hilarious!  Next time I'm in school talking to my Chinese friends or the Chinese girls I tutor I'm definitely going to toss 白人看不懂 into the conversation somehow.

Posted on: Ordering Office Supplies

Hi, guys. I was wondering if someone could let me know a couple other office supply words:

-Stapler

-Duct tape

-Hilighter

-Ruler

-Mouse (as in computer mouse)

-Post-it note

-Whiteout

-Glue

Thanks!

Posted on: This Week's Lessons and Introducing Sarah

Do we get to see pictures of Chinesepod staff members Halloween constumes? Maybe there can be a poddie contest to vote who had the best costume.

Posted on: Discussing Eating

Ah. 谢谢你, Amber. That makes much more sense.