User Comments - sballa
sballa
Posted on: Making Comparisons Using 比 bǐ
February 25, 2008 at 11:34 PMSo can you modify the adjectives in the 比 comparison? Something like, jīntián de tiānqì bǐ zuótiān de tiānqì fēicháng hǎo. You know, when something isn't just better, but way, way better... Steve
Posted on: "Thinking" in Chinese: 觉得 (juéde), 认为 (rènwéi) and 以为 (yǐwéi)
February 21, 2008 at 1:49 PMThanks Clay! Is the 会 (huì) construction used only when referencing thoughts about the future? Or can it also be used for past speculation? Like, say, when the question is, "Did Duke win last night?" How do you respond, "I think so" or "I don't think so?" Taking a wild newbie guess, would it be 我觉得了 (Wǒ juéde le)? Cheers, Steve
Posted on: "Thinking" in Chinese: 觉得 (juéde), 认为 (rènwéi) and 以为 (yǐwéi)
February 20, 2008 at 5:24 PMSo how does one say the equivalent of "I think so" in Mandarin? You know, when someone asks you, "Is it going to snow today?" I think so. Does "Wǒ juéde" suffice here? Or is there some other phrase altogether? Cheers, Steve
Posted on: 还是 háishi OR 或者 huòzhě
February 19, 2008 at 2:21 PMThanks for the helpful and funny lesson. A natural follow up, perhaps, is a lesson about how to make comparison statements. So the question has been asked, who do you like better? Now, how to respond in Mandarin? Steve PS: With the college hoops season in full swing, it would be great to be able to talk sports trash in Mandarin. ("Come on, Duke is way better than UNC!")
Posted on: The Third Tone
February 3, 2008 at 4:29 PMHi all. Is it supposed to take longer to say a third tone than the others? After all, it does have farther to "travel." Thanks! Steve
Posted on: #32
January 11, 2008 at 2:13 PMxiaohu: Thanks for what sound like great recommendations. Now I'll let the kids fight out whether we go for the love story first or the action flick. Steve
Posted on: #32
January 10, 2008 at 2:43 AMSpeaking of watching Chinese movies as a learning tool, can anyone recommend some good ones that would be appropriate for a mom, dad, and two kids (12 and 10)? We are at various basic levels in our Mandarin skills, and maybe movies would add a fun and useful new dimension to our learning. Steve
Posted on: Before Noon, After Noon
January 3, 2008 at 2:30 PMHi all. What is the difference between neng2 and ke3yi3, both of which are translated as "can"? A separate question. How do I start typing pinyin with the tone marks, as opposed to the numbers I just used? Thanks! Steve
Posted on: Handsome Boy
December 26, 2007 at 1:36 PMThanks, Amber, for the quick and helpful response to my simple newbie question! Steve
Posted on: Time for Class
February 26, 2008 at 4:22 PMSo this coming academic year I will be teaching at a university in China. Should I be expecting the "老师好" greeting at the start of class? Is that a university thing as well? In general, what are some classroom dynamics to expect that might be different than what I experience in the classroom here in the US? Anyone who has seen both sides of university life? On a related front, any insight for my kids? What kinds of different classroom cultures are there in middle school environments in China, as compared to the US? Cheers to all, Steve