User Comments - John
John
Posted on: New Clothes
January 30, 2009 at 1:55 AMjojje,
Yes, you're right about the tone changes for 不. (We even have a lesson about it, called Tone Rule: Changes for Bu.)
The reason these tone changes are not reflected in the pinyin transcripts is because according to the official rules of writing pinyin, they should not be written. Taking into account all the different kinds of tone changes and the need for consistency, writing out the tone changes in pinyin transcriptions would confuse more than it would help. That's why it's important to learn the tone change rules now. There are only three. As you have probably noticed, we list them all out in the Pinyin Guide Tones section scroll to the bottom).
Posted on: At the Hair Salon
January 28, 2009 at 3:17 AMrclinton,
吹 (gān) is a verb meaning "to blow," whereas 吹干 (chuī gān) is a verb with a resultative complement. 干 (gān), meaning "dry," is the result. So the meaning is "to blow until dry" (not just blow).
冲 (chōng) is a verb with a variety of meanings, among them "to rinse." Saying 冲水 (chōngshuǐ), meaning "to rinse with water," removes the possibly ambiguity. (Although 冲水 (chōngshuǐ) does have the additional meaning of "to flush," like a toilet.)
Posted on: Making Dumplings
January 27, 2009 at 5:18 AMihatemidterms,
You're right that 满 is third tone, and 蛮 is second tone. In practice, though, the Chinese are not very careful about which character they use. Perhaps part of the reason is that one of the most common expressions using "man" is 蛮好/满好, and tone change rules render it impossible to "hear" whch character it is (it is 2-3, whichever character you pick).
Posted on: Chinese New Year News
January 27, 2009 at 5:12 AMLicha,
Please read our comment policy (below the comment box, in gray print). Your links here could be considered spam, and you are clearly trying to goad Pete into a flame war, which is the definition of a troll.
You are on very thin ice. If you're not interested in poetry, at least have the courtesy to allow others to enjoy it and discuss it in peace.
Posted on: Seeing off an Old Friend 渭城曲
January 27, 2009 at 5:05 AMkesirui,
Wow, great painting (and calligraphy) to complement the poem! Thanks for sharing that. I'm a very visual learner, so I appreciate this kind of thing...
Posted on: Chinese New Year News
January 27, 2009 at 2:31 AMI agree with Pete that Licha's post was rather nasty, and it did contain personal attacks. ChinesePod has a longstanding record of taking plenty of public criticism, so let's not blow this out of proportion.
A big part of the reason that Licha's comment was removed (and two comments in response to it) is that ChinesePod staff are currently on vacation (trying to enjoy a little time off) and so are on the site less than usual, and we'd like to avoid a flame war.
The end goal, here, of course, is to maintain a friendly learning atmosphere where people do not refrain from commenting for fear of being attacked.
Posted on: Chinese New Year News
January 26, 2009 at 8:20 AMHappy New Year, everyone...
The fireworks are still ringing in my ears. (I think that's a sign of good luck?)
@luobinzhenmei: Only a little minor editing. Sorry it took so long to come out!
Posted on: Farewell, Son 游子吟
January 24, 2009 at 10:06 AMPete,
Ha ha, although I never really talked you out of My Heart Will Go On, I would have!!!
Posted on: Terrorized at the Airport
January 20, 2009 at 10:24 AMsuxiaoya,
Looks like Jiaojie answered your question. A lot of would-be objects of 把 can be topicalized, allowing you to drop the 把, but often at the expense of clarity. For that reason, it's more common in speech, where the speaker's full situation tends to give more context.
Posted on: Thoughts on Returning Home 回乡偶书
February 3, 2009 at 2:53 AMGreat work, Pete! This is my favorite so far.
I kind of have to agree with angelinov re: Baker Street and the mood, but perhaps Pete understands something we don't... :)