User Comments - Fiona@ChinesePod

Posted on: Looking After the Environment

Hey guys, just wanted to make an additional note about the lesson. I forgot to mention it in the class. 

便當 ／ 便当 is slightly more common in Taiwan. So here are some additional terms 盒飯 ／盒饭 (CH)  飯盒 ／ 饭盒 (HK). 

This lessons was inspired by true events in the CPod office. We had a little argument about the 便当s we were having that day. 

All the other terms are either neutral or have a leaning towards CH terms. 

Remember to recycle! 

Fi 

Posted on: All about Can: 能 (néng),会 (huì),可以 (kěyǐ)

In this case, the most natural phrase would be "我没办法减肥" - "I have no method/no way of losing weight". You can add 就是 for emphasis "我就是没办法减肥！！"I just cannot lose weight" 

From a grammar perspective, we are all physically able to (能) and definitely have permission (可以) from ourselves to lose weight. But I'm sure we all know that's not the case in reality!! (weep) So Chinese grammar's perspective on weight loss is either super mean or very motivational. We just need to find the right 办法 to lose weight. 加油!

So Chinese grammar's perspective on weight loss is either super mean or very motivational. We just need to find the right 办法 to lose weight.

Regarding 我不能减肥 - if one heard this phrase one might assume that there is perhaps an illness or condition that is disallowing you to lose weight. 

Posted on: "You're Nothing!" Mild Swearing in Chinese

So glad you are enjoying the lessons on Chinesepod and thank you very much for the kind feedback. If you'd like to see anything specific feel free to email me at fiona@chinesepod.com :)

Posted on: "You're Nothing!" Mild Swearing in Chinese

Are you looking for something like 罚款 （罚金）?

这个社区乱丢垃圾的罚款很高！

Posted on: 白富美 Pale, Pretty and Rich

Hey guys! Thanks for the feedback. I have passed on your comments to the script writing team. After CNY we have some lessons that go into philisophy, "sunset" industries. Would be cool to hear your feedback on those lessons. Feel free to email me at fiona@chinesepod.com

Posted on: All about Can: 能 (néng),会 (huì),可以 (kěyǐ)

Hey guys, I've logged this suggestion down on our Qing Wen production list :) 

Posted on: Telling a Joke in Chinese

Guys! We were worried that you would find this joke a little lame. So glad you guys enjoyed it. Sending a message to the scriptwriting team for more dad jokes now! 

Posted on: Right Ticket, Wrong Day

Good question Chris and something that a lot of students ask about. 

正在 can only be used when that action is happening right now. 

他正在戴帽子／他正在穿衣服 are both describing the action and moment when they are actually putting on the hat or clothes. The action of putting on the hat or clothing. So this is the action bit of the "action complete but situation remains". Afterwards, that the action is done, yet the situation remains (i.e. the hat or clothing continues to stay on), we would then use the 着 to describe what . 

Both are natural, rather, they are describing different actions in different moments. 

If you said to me Tom正在戴红色的帽子 I would think he is putting a red hat on right now. 

Tom戴着红色的帽子 I would think that you are describing what Tom is/was wearing . 

正在 is an action happening right now.

着 is a 'stable' state that has resulted from an action. 

Since Mandarin does't have tense. It's a different way to view the stages of "an action". 

Let me know if you want me to expand on anything else. 

Fiona 

Posted on: Official Receipt at a Work Lunch

因此 is a more formal term and used in the same place as 所以 but they are different things. 

Literally, 因此 means 因为这个 "because of this", so it's kinda like a combo of "because, so....".

Posted on: All About Hair

What a great example and a good question! This one made everyone go "mmmmm.....interesting" in the office. 

You can say it's a common collocation. It's definitely the correct verb for picking peanuts. I think the reason that it is a very natural verb to use it that you are still picking the peanut off the stem of the plant, pulling it off and downward, rather that digging up individual peanuts.