User Comments - mnixon

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mnixon

Posted on: Handsome Boy
December 30, 2007 at 2:23 AM

In this dialogue, we emphasize 在, but in other dialogues, we do not. Maybe because this is a conversation in the "now"...but I am wondering, just how common is it to use 在 in everyday speech? Thx. AY

Posted on: Baby Talk: Eat up!
December 16, 2007 at 7:27 AM

Is it true that there is no difference other than inflection between ordering "baby" to eat (宝宝，吃那个。 bǎobao chī nàge) OR just stating that "baby" is eating" (宝宝，吃那个。 bǎobao chī nàge) ? In other words, is there no word that transforms a sentence from a statement into a command? Thanks. AY

Posted on: Cold Beer
November 2, 2007 at 6:15 AM

- What is the difference between ‘yao4′ 要 and ‘xiang3′ 想 in everday speech? Is one more polite than another? And will I still get a beer with either of these words? Thanks. AY

Posted on: Lesson
November 2, 2007 at 6:13 AM

Good morning everyone! Have always been confused over when to use ‘de’ 的 when talking about people. I understand that we do not need to use it when talking about members of our family, such as wo3 mama 我 妈妈. But why use it then for other people close to us such as friend (wo3 de peng2you 我 的 朋友) or girlfriend (wo3 de nu3peng2you 我 的 奴朋友). Is this just a cultural thing? Thanks. AY

Posted on: Knowing the Teacher
November 2, 2007 at 6:12 AM

Good morning. - Can we use ren4shi 认识 to refer not just to people, but also places, for example. Wo3 ren4shi Tokyo. 我 认识 Tokyo. Or is it used only for people. For both spanish and french, one would use the same word. - By adding ‘le’ to ren4shi, such as 认识了 ， does this change the meaning from, “Do you know Ms. Zhu?” to “Did you meet Ms. Zhu?” Thanks. AY

Posted on: Long Time No See (original)
October 16, 2007 at 12:57 PM

Just wanted to confirm that the tone for this leeson is an informal one. In other words, "duia, ni zenmeyang, and ni zai mang shenme" are all phrases I would use with a friend rather than a business contact. Right? Thanks. AY

Posted on: Something to Do Tomorrow
October 14, 2007 at 1:54 PM

Gaojian, thanks for your response to 'sparechange' on word order. I had been wondering about this myself. AY

Posted on: I forgot your name
October 3, 2007 at 5:15 AM

Does anyone know...is there any difference between: Shi wo ya ...and... Wo shi ya? I keep learning that sentence SUBJECT goes before sentence VERB, but maybe this is not necessarily so. HELP!! AY

Posted on: Lesson
October 3, 2007 at 5:10 AM

Simple question for all you 'poddies' out there...I have learned this basic sentence structure - SUBJECT + ADVERB + VERB + OBJECT (ex. Wo zuotian qu xuexiao). Can I change this a bit to say, ADVERB + SUBJECT+ VERB +OBJECT to say, "Zuotian, wo qu xuexiao". Thx. AY

Posted on: Lesson
October 3, 2007 at 5:06 AM

Great lesson...as always. Anyhow, quick question re: placement of adverbs. Does an adverb that represents time , 'jintian' always precede other adverbs, 'hen' as in the sentence, Wo jintian hen lei. Your thoughts are much appreciated! AY