User Comments - stevemisch
stevemisch
Posted on: No Tampons?!
July 6, 2014 at 12:11 PMI noticed that chāoshì and chéngshì have the same character for shì. Would have been helpful to tell us what that means.
Also, noted that huòzhě is sometimes used at the start of an "either or" statement, and then functions as both the "either" and later as the "or."
Lastly, it seems that sometimes huòzhě is sometimes truncated to simply huò.
On the topic at hand, also there is much more resting in Chinese culture around the time of menstruation, e.g., avoiding yoga, unlike western women who want to keep on charging it regardless of time of the month.
Steve, M.D.
Posted on: Those Pesky Mosquitos!
July 5, 2014 at 5:31 AMIs there a Chinese word for "spank," meaning an open hand swatting the butt? People have told me "dǎ pìgǔ," but this seems more to mean "beat," not the same meaning if spank is done playfully. Here the lesson translates dǎ as "hit, fight or swat," none of which accurately describes "spank" as used in English. Also dǎ used to mean play, like sport, or shoot. Swat does come closer to the usual meaning of spank and less rude than "beat." A playful little spank is sometimes greeted by "Why do you beat me?" which seems to have a much different meaning. Any thoughts?
Posted on: Candy Party
October 18, 2013 at 6:24 AMI disagree with the child's assessment of his mother being "zhēn bàng." I prefer Jenny's more healthy mothering style. Is it any surprise that obesity is on the rise in China?
I recall a TV ad from Hostess (makers of famous junk food), where the children wanted to first climb on a rock, then a tree (horrors!), and the mother called to them, "No." Then she turned to the camera and spoke, "Sometimes mothers must say 'No,' but when you say 'Yes,' say yes to Hostess." OK, so let me get this straight, the message you're pushing is say no to natural, outdoor exercise and say yes to Ding Dongs and Twinkies!?
Posted on: Taking Two Taxis
October 10, 2013 at 3:59 AMRather than describing these changes of tones from what is written (yi1gong4 pronounced yi2gong4) as "rules," I think it is better to explain that these simply require a little less effort when speaking and breathing out so become kind of natural speaking substitutions, a bit lazier and quicker way to speak, than implying that they are truly "rules." Try saying it both ways; the substituted way just feels more natural. Perhaps a speech therapist can explain exactly why--for the rest of us, it's just easier.
Posted on: Let Me Off!
September 10, 2013 at 4:58 AMAlso, on crowded buses beware of pickpockets, phone thieves. They usually have their hands free, are not carrying anything and often like to go into a woman's purse, especially if she's distracted by talking or looking another direction. Can yell, "Xiao tou." I've done this before and received a steely glare from the foiled thief. If no one speaks up, the thieves have no fear. Also call 110 to report (or instead of yelling, if you don't want to intervene).
Posted on: Add Me on WeChat
September 9, 2013 at 5:18 AMAnother advantage of Weixin (over SMS) is that some of my Chinese friends cannot speak or read English but (thanks to Chinesepod) I can speak some and understand some spoken, but cannot read. Weixin allows us to send voice messages to each other and skip the texting step (which neither can understand).
Posted on: Changing Subway Lines
May 16, 2012 at 12:14 AMThanks RJ and John!
Posted on: Changing Subway Lines
May 13, 2012 at 11:56 PMJohn, How to get that iPhone app with English map of Shanghai subway?
Posted on: Looking for a Tour Guide
April 8, 2012 at 2:22 AMWande, While I'm not the final word on this topic, I believe this zuo4 can also have a sexual meaning, as in "Do me," or, in this example, "Do my tour guide." Parenthetically, I believe that some times shang4, on top of, can also have a similar meaning, as in "shang4 wo3," meaning not literally on top of me, but the more provocative meaning.
Posted on: Jazz Bar
November 17, 2014 at 12:32 PMGreat lesson and Jenny's favorite music is Jazz?! Tai zan le!
I like the expansion section as it always expands me uncomfortably, but in a useful fashion. My only caveat is that if too much new vocab is dished out in this section, minus the pithy narrative that usually accompanies the diaglogue, I find I cannot absorb it, ever. It's just wasted time. Something about spoon feeding new concepts and vocab in the dialogue cements it in my brain.
Dialogue and lesson also gently warm one up for the hard work ahead--following the lesson. And the exercises really are a great recap to review your newly assimilated material.