User Comments - xiaophil

Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu

bodawei

I assure you that you don't ever sound like a dork to me. In fact, when you occasionally bust out Latin to emphasize your point, that makes me think, "This guy has had a real education." (Not that there was ever any doubt.) I don't think that is dorky. I think that is 棒极了. Now I guess that is one reason why I want some good chengyus nailed down pat in my cranium--it would almost certainly impress some Chinese people. I can almost here it in my head now, 哇！你学过成语吗？And in this way they just might take me a little bit more seriously.

I doubt I have convinced you with my flattery, but you cannot blame a guy for trying :-)

Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu

I would also be interested in knowing if they have a systematic method for finding high-frequency language. The reason being, hehe, then I could find out the most common idioms myself! I wouldn't want CPod to reveal any super-duper top secrets either... not that they would :-)

Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu

If that be the case, how about an advanced lesson specifically on the subject? My problem, and I imagine there are others like me, is that if I have one lesson with one chengyu, I'll most likely forget that chengyu. Why?

1) Because the chengyus are often not intuitive or are composed of characters that are not common, i.e. they are inherently harder to memorize.

2) Chances are that chengyu is only in that one lesson, so I would have to review several times that lesson just for the sake of that one chengyu. Not going to happen. Sure, I could get my notebook out and make my own list, but there is still another problem...

In the upper levels, when you guys present an idiom, I don't know if it was chosen because it was related to the subject or because it is a useful, common chengyu. I am interested in both, but I only have time to focus on the later. Since I don't know, I just end up not bothering.

So as I see it, it would be incredibly useful if experts did as I suggest (probably an annoying amount of times) to make one (or more) solid, power-punched lesson.

Even though you guys might feel that it strays too far from your vision of CPod, it is apparent that there is a sizable portion of the community that is curious. Nobody is asking for chengyu.com, just something useful on the subject. And by the way, Poem's with Pete was anything but high-frequency language, but it undoubtedly added to the value of CPod. No need to be too strict with the philosophy.

Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu

CPod/John

This is the comment I wanted to leave before, but didn't have time to. I'm afraid I was disappointed in this lesson for a couple reasons.

One, while I am sure it is useful to some people, especially those who really aren't sure what chengyus are, the fact is that for the most part these chengyus are too basic for most of the people who actually pushed for this Qingwen, at least they are for me. That would be fine if this were asegueto a short (or preferably long) series, but unfortunately...

Two, you guys seem totally not interested in teaching chengyus, especially John. The attitude seemed like, "Here's your bone, but don't expect more unless waves of students crush at our doors."

Now don't get me wrong. I can understand that CPod shouldn't go about teaching all of the thousands of chengyus to us. Obviously, the majority are a bit bookish. But that's my point. We don't really know what chengyus are overly bookish and what chengyus are quite common, or at least common enough to use and it won't look like we are quoting obscure Latin or the likes. Surely CPod can come up with more than five ultra-common chengyus? Surely they can at least make a list of about 25 fairly common chengyus?

Just to add a little more. I have been very frustrated in chengyus. I think they are very, very interesting, but there are far too many, so I end up forgetting most of them. I have printed out lists of them before and asked Chinese people which ones are most useful. They always either say, "All of them," or they circle about 300 out of 500 of them. I am really beginning to think that nobody out there is capable of making a reasonable 'beginners list of chengyus for foreigners', not even CPod.

Anyway, hopefully I am wrong and the series is right around the corner. And by the way, if this seems to be ultra-cranky, it is because I suffer from lack of sleep as of late. Apologies if that is the case.

Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu

John went out of his way to explain that in general 成语s don't jive with CPod's teaching priorities. I hope that doesn't stop you guys from doing a series.

Posted on: An Introduction to Chengyu

Yes, this makes this Poddie happy. Can't wait to listen to it. Thanks CPod!

Posted on: Four Uses of the Complement 起来 (qilai)

You're a star today, hehe.

Posted on: Too Many Food Allergies

Okay, gotta love this discussion. Green mucus indicates an infection. But just because one has an infection, does not alway mean one has a cold. Sometimes a minor infection develops because the mucus derived from allergies just kind of hangs out in the back of one's throat or what not, and after a while, a virus of some sort thinks it is a good place to hang out--whamo--green fun ensues. Generally speaking, though, green mucus indicates a cold; clear indicates hay fever. Are we grossed out yet?

Posted on: Too Many Food Allergies

Really? I think the two are normally quite distinct. I would go on and say why, but I guess that isn't too important. I would also say that many people I know at least seem to know the difference. I cannot help but wonder if this is due to different climate conditions between Grand Rapids, Michigan and 'blah blah' Australia? Perhaps where I'm from allergies are a more significant factor in our lives? Just speculating. Anyway, Chinese...

Posted on: Too Many Food Allergies

Culture difference: I think just about every Westerner knows clearly the difference betweenhay-feverand a cold, but as a person who suffers terribly from hay-fever at times, I can say that must Chinese people would call a bout of hay-fever a cold. This includes staff at med stations I have gone to. When my allergies are bothering me I am constantly being told to cover up, often in summer. I would be very surprised if while I have itchy eyes and a runny nose a Chinese person were to say in Chinese or English, "What are you allergic to?"