User Comments - xiaophil

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xiaophil

Posted on: A Mouse Upstairs
August 31, 2009 at 1:57 AM

No, but 蟑螂s have been a problem in the past (蟑螂 zhang1lang2 = cockroach).  Gotta love hot and humid climates.

Posted on: Hotels, Hostels and Restaurants
August 31, 2009 at 1:42 AM

Pete

I forgot to thank you for the history lesson.  It almost felt like you were waiting for someone to bring up 餐厅 so you had could have an excuse ;)

I'm also curious about Rich's questions.

Posted on: A Mouse Upstairs
August 31, 2009 at 1:26 AM

Ah yes, till this day I still have to pause just a brief moment and think about how to say 楼上 lou2shang4.  I still want to say 上楼 at times because it seems more similar to 'upstairs'.  That brings up another point worth mentioning, 上楼 = go upstairs, and 下楼 xia4 = go downstairs.

Posted on: Lao Wang's Office 14: The Finale
August 30, 2009 at 12:29 AM

Or maybe because 手表 is a loophole because they don't actually say 钟.

Posted on: Hotels, Hostels and Restaurants
August 29, 2009 at 11:31 PM

inland

aaronpos is right about the measure word 家 being used for restaurants.  It is used for business too.  However, it might be useful to know the measure word 座 zuo4 is used with many institutions, such as universities, hospitals, temples, libraries and so on.  A 院 is a courtyard.  My teacher once told me that it was because these places used to include large open spaces, but I doubt a movie theater ever did.  I guess don't try to reason it is my advice.  But yeah, I'm just an amateur.  Hopefully, someone with real authority can answer soon.

Posted on: Hotels, Hostels and Restaurants
August 29, 2009 at 7:57 AM

chenfg526, christinafoo

谢谢你们的解释！这个餐厅的词太灵活！哈哈。。。不过从你们的解释，我就知道餐厅一般指着高档的饭店。

Posted on: 麻烦你 (Máfan Nǐ) to Say Please
August 29, 2009 at 7:45 AM

hobofat

I am pretty sure that 不用 in this case is more like 'no need'.  I am not sure of the exact context here, but I think the speaker's meaning is 'there is no need to trouble yourself', so this can be used anytime someone wants to do you a favor, but you wan't to politely let them off the hook or refuse.

Posted on: Hotels, Hostels and Restaurants
August 29, 2009 at 3:07 AM

I wonder if something could be clarified.  In all the dictionaries I have seen, the primary definition for 餐厅 is 'dining hall' or 'canteen'.  The university I worked at often called its cafeterias 餐厅.  Does it depend on context?

Posted on: Where Did You Go?
August 28, 2009 at 2:53 AM

Thanks Jenny ;)

Posted on: Where Did You Go?
August 28, 2009 at 1:37 AM

orangina

The problem is I didn't listen to the mp3 before posting.  Oops, my bad.