User Comments - pinkjeans

Posted on: 会 (Huì) and 能 (Néng) Face-off

I would use 会 (huì) for that, because you have learnt how to read or write that certain number of characters. HTH.

Posted on: Addressing People

Talking about the generic form of address, in Singapore and Malaysia, it is common to address an elderly person as 阿公 or 阿婆 instead of the  爷爷 or 奶奶 that was mentioned in the lesson. And instead of 叔叔, it's often 阿伯 for an older 'uncle'. But for ladies, it is often safer (more flattering) for service providers or stallkeepers to address anyone who is not a 小妹妹 as 小姐 instead of 'auntie'.

BTW, I think the most common way of attracting a waiter's attention in Hong Kong is calling out at the top of your voice (much like JP's demo), "WAI-TAH!"

Posted on: Hungry Traveler: Sichuan

Yummy! I think I'll have some spicy soupy noodles for lunch. Not Sichuan because I don't have any malatang and wouldn't have any idea how to make it, but some substitute, just because you've whetted my appetite for spicy and soupy stuff. Slurrrp!

Posted on: The Panda's Secret Wish

Hmm, I'm interested to know what the native Chinese have to say about jakebhone's comment. What I understand is that 愿望 yuàn wàng means a wish, 渴望 kě wàng means a thirst or yearning, and 祝望 zhù wàng means to bestow a wish.

Posted on: Rock, Scissors, Cloth

The version we learnt when we were little was the battle between bird, water and stone. And this was done while saying "One, two, som!" although in my school it was uniquely, "One, two, juice!". We only played this when it was between 2 people. With 3 or more players, we did the palm-up/palm-down thing saying, "Latalilatampong, 吃饭不需松， 阿妈打我打不痛，阿爸打我腰骨痛！"

Posted on: War Zone

Sounds more like a computer game. But useful vocab, nonetheless. 谢谢！

Posted on: Microsoft

Nice lesson, but Bill Gates name in Chinese is a bit difficult to get around.

Posted on: What size?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but 算了 (suàn lė) to me has an expression of displeasure, whereas if one really wanted to appear gracious about a disappointment, he or she would say 没关系 (méi guān xì). Or is it the tone in which you say the latter that makes the difference?

Posted on: Morning at the Office

Welcome, Eruworld, my fellow Frenchpoddie!

Posted on: Taking a Shower

In Malaysia and Singapore, we are very used to saying 冲凉 (chōngliáng) to mean have a shower. I guess that would only apply in hot humid places where you really want to have a cool rinse, and that would often be twice a day, morning and night. Also traditionally, people, especially the villagers, would shower by scooping water from a well or large urn over themselves. It is indeed very refreshing!